The Daily Alaska empire., 1935-01-17
To the Twelfth Alaska Legislative Assembly:

The Organic Act makes it the duty Of the Governor to make suggestions to the Legislature recommending legislation. This message is an attempt to comply With that duty shall be brief. You will have reports from the various Territorial officers and boards which constitute the source of most the detailed information that you will need in work These reports have been carefully prepared with intelligent and facua background by the Territorial officers and boards and know you will study them thoroughly and through this receive much ganfu knowledge relative to the work that has been and being done for the Territory by officers and boards
 The wise mariner, particularly after storm, before the position of his ship Probably the first thing in the survey of present situation would be to briefly recount the progress of the last bennium ,
 Mr. Walsten G. Smith, Territorial Treasurer has said in his annual report Tt safely be said that the treas ury has materially improved in the last two years
 December 31 1882, the treasury cash balance was $2399 On December 31 1934 the cash balance was $457 99O In addition to that without selling part of the $225 bonds the treasury $189000 has been paid the construction of the Pioneers Home Therefore the surplus cash and bonds amounts to approximately drawing 3896 interest and $40OOO in Wrangen School Bonds drawing 6 interest Owing to the increase in the salmon pack in 1934 it is estimated that the taxes from this pack coectabe in 1885 will be $2oOOO0 greater than they were in 1884.
 The income for the last biennium was $577 03076 more than the income for the previous biennum.
 We have $52000 in delinquent taxes due the Territory Of this payment of about $19O0o is ex
 The Commissioner of Fisheries has indicated that seventyfye traps will be eliminated this year which will cut off $5,000 from the trap license fees. The Com missioner of Fisheries has also indicated the possible clos ing of the Bristol Bay canneries this year The estimated loss there will be between $34O,OOO and $4OOOOO Ihs loss in the salmon tax will not appear until 1886 There will be defciency of S145OO on bountes on predatory animals and eagles and in the old age allowance of about $25 OOO Of this old ge allowance deficiency about has already accrued and about $23O00 will be need ed to pay the allowances for the next quarter
 My attention has been called to the vast number of patented mining claims in the Territory that have been completely abandoned and at the present time use less to the Territory individuals and also in hndering development in numerous ways. Many ot these owned by corporations that have out of business and considerable number of others are owned by individuals who have been dead for many years or have moved away from the Territory permanently 1t has been suggested that these properties be escheated to the Territory If the Territory acquires title to these claims through escheat many of them undoubtedly could be sold for mining Through the increased price of gold no doubt considerable number of them could now be protaby worked Further considerable number could undoubtedly be sold for settlers homeses or for agricultural purposes In other words through this cedure much land would be opened for varied deve opment This would not only offer additional opportunity for people to make homes and living in Alaska, but through the sale of the claims additional of revenue to the Territory would be created .
 The policy of the Territory after the beginning of the depression, probably wisely, to wait out the depression and to hold expenses and governmental actv Dependence based upon the theory that prosperity for the general country was in the oHng and that to wait for it's to begin of development It would come natural consequence
 Under the present Administrator however the Ma ona Government is attempting to encourage the return of prosperity by solving the unemployment problem through getting people on payrols In this manner it IS kinds will set the wheels of industry in motion The re- turn of prosperity in one industry will create markets for
 
 method that in short time all the industries will become active The serious problem for the Territorial Legislature to consider is how great part will the Territory take in this process. How far will depart from the policy of waiting for the good times that all expect to come how much will it contribute to increase employment think may expect considerable help from the Federal treasury through Public Works in the future The Pres dent has indicated desire for large Federal Public Works activities for at least longer He has asked for four billion dollars bear the cost of such program throughout the nation But in order to participate in these Public Works it is expected that contribute according to ability Already there are intmations that ought aid literally possible in developing transportation through which money, activity and general development will accrue.
 On the other hand, the Federal Government is plan ming to retire large degree from its direct relief and work relief to the needy leaving that to the local State Territorial municipal governments In planning public expenditures the Legislature should take this into sideration.
 The present Administration has undertaken to see that the Territory shall suffer from hunger or lack for shelter warm clothing if it can be prevented We be prepared to efficiently as possible that policy after the Federal Government retres 1t does, from the field.