The Daily Alaska empire., 1936-05-23
CRUEN|NC SAYS HIS PURPOSE TO
 AID TERRITORY
Director Enthused Alb out North After Extensive Trip
 to Interior, Westward ALASKANS ARE PRAISED FOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS Washington Has No New Brand of Salvation But
 Only Aims to Serve

'The administration and the Dl- vision of Territories and Island Pos sessions is not attempting to import any new brand of salvation for AL aska from Washington, but is anX- ious to help the growth and pro- press of Alaska. The Territory will go ahead anyway, but the major purpose of my trip here is to see how best the Federal government can facilitate this and find out first hand what type of help can best serve Alaska's needs"
 Thus did Dr. Ernest Henry Gruen- ing. Director of the Division of Ter ritories and Island Possessions, state the purpose of his Alaska visit this morning, returning from his nearly 4,OOO mile trip through the Territory with Coy. John w. Troy, which brought them back to Juneau yesterday afternoon by plane from Fairbanks.
 Since leaving Juneau May l2, Dr. Gruening and Coy. Troy have visit ed Yakutat, Cordova, Valdez. Sew ard. Anchorage, Palmer, the Mat anuska Rehabilitation Project col ony, Wasilla. and Fairbanks. Dr. Gruening also flew to Nome, stop ping briefly at Ruby, and spent a day in Mckinley Park and visit ing the gold dredging operations in the Fairbanks area, noting the coal and agricultural activities in that area, as well.
 Praises Alaskan Energy
 Alaska is geographic Empire, peopled by self reliant, sturdy men and women who have already achiev- ed greatly with the resources of the country Dr. Gruening comment ed this morning. Probably mo- where else on earth has such a small population accomplished so much, in such a vast territory, and it is obvious they will continue this with the same energy, initiative, courage and self-reliance that has characterized Alaska during the past generation.
 The Federal Government is de- sirious of assisting the citizens of Alaska whenever possible in fields that are clearly of Federal juris- diction and concern and to extend to Alaska not only whatever assist ance has gone to the AS states as part of the Administrations pol icy, but whatever special assistance may seem to be indicated by its Territorial status and its own char acteristics," the Director continued.
 Tt is obvious that with it's small population Alaska cannot undertake out of its own financial resources certain projects that are desirable. Assistance from the Federal govern ment wisely extended will tend to speed the day which seems to be approaching when Alaska will be able to depend wholly upon its own resources.
 Population Need
 "The Matanuska colony was a purposeful undertaking to increase population in Alaska and to help furnish Alaska with the particular type of population that would aid in Alaska's development and would be appropriate here both from an economic and civic point of view. The project was not undertaken without the full approval of Alas kans and was carried out with their approval and counsel Its manage ment is in the hands of Alaskans. I have found nothing but warm ap- proval of this project in Alaska"
 Tt is obvious that Alaska needs more population so located as to be self-sustaining and able likewise to make a definite contribution Co the economy of the region in which it is located. Thus, the Matanuska settlers will be able to supply to the residents of the Territory from Sew ard to Fairbanks fresh milk, veg etables poultry and meat products which have not been obtainable there hitherto.
 Alaska primarily needs better communications. It is highly de- sirable that the usefulness of avia- ton which has already proved in- valuable to Alaska, be extended. Merely from the standpoint of Sav- ing life the airplane has justified itself hundred times in enabling prospectors and others in remote sections stricken with illness to be brought to Alaska's centers of pop