The Daily Alaska empire., 1933-04-13
THE DELEGATES MAIDEN SPEECH.

On March 30 Delegate Dimond made his first speech in the House of Representatives He asked for and received leave to address the House for 10 minutes Before he had concluded the time had been extended by unanimous consent upon the re- quest of seven other members until almost one hour was consumed That in itself is indicative of the fine impression Alaska's new Delegate made
 Perhaps the most striking aspect of his remarks was the utter frankness and extreme sincerity dis played throughout. Once twice he was asked questions about small details to which he admitted he didn't know the answer But he did give the House great deal of information in the short time he had at his disposal
 March 30 is Seward Day and apparently it was in his mind just to note this fact in reminding the House that the purchase of Alaska was by no means a bad bargain. To this end he called attention to tine tremendous contributions Alaska has made in the products of it's fisheries, mines and furs to the Nations wealth. He then urged action by Congress toward initiating work the proposed International Highway, predicting it would be equally as wise and paying investment as was the original purchase. Then in response to questioning, he turned his attention to the fisheries and to conditions obtain ing among the Territory's Indians and white fishing populaton And he did not minco words in that part of his speech. As graphically could be done he portrayed the difficulties under which they have been working and the mpossiblity for them to earn competent livings under them.
 Nor was he without remedy There is a cure for all this" Delegate Dimond asserted adding:
 Give the Alaska Legislature the power
 to legslate with respect to the fisheries of
 Alaska and we will take of it up
 there ourselves We do not need help down
 here to make laws and regulations concern
 ing the fisheries, and I say that with the
 utmost deference to the members Of this
 body who have been kind and sympathetic
 to me and to my predecessors.
 It is almost impossible to put the situa-
 ton before the members of this body and
 of the other House and before the Admin
 istration so that it can be fully understood
 The trouble lies in trying to show you the
 exact picture. I only hope that committee
 can go up to Alaska this summer and study
 the fishing industry I also think they
 should look into the condition of affairs
 in respect to the Indians This putting the
 power in the hands of the Legislature IS
 almost a religion with me-it is a political
 region-for I believe in home rule The
 people up there are just as honorable and
 honest and intelligent as the people of
 any other place. including the Indians
 Give the Alaska Legislature the power
 to legislate with respect to the fisheries of
 Alaska and they will take care of them and
 they will settle the difficulties of local
 population and at the same time protect
 the industry because they have got to pro
 tect it.
 Delegate Dimond made an excellent beginning When the people of Alaska selected him to repre- sent them in Washington, he directly pledged then he would work in and out of season to try to ge them power to control and administer through tn Alaska Legislature the fisheries, fur and game re sources of the Territory. He has lost no time l setting about his task. Those who know nm know he will not weaken What he seeks canno be obtained in week. or month, or maybe even in single session of Congress. It takes time to ge action even under favorable circumstances. H realizes that He can be depended to keep at eyerlastingly More power to him!