The Daily Alaska empire., 1937-01-29
ALASKA'S OPPORTUNITY

Two very definite trends of thought have arisen the bill introduced in Congress by Alaska Dele gate Anthony J Dimond asking that body to grant the Territory power to incur bonded indebtedness up to $2 2O00000 to carry forward public works pro- gram. particularly improvement in transportation fla cities that development of resources may be ad- vanced One group hesitates at the idea of the Terri tory bonding itself and thus mourning indebtedness pay off from future while the other sees in the opportunity greatly increase the of the Territory and consequently with de- velopment greater degree of home rule and advance ment toward statehood.
 Both groups, we believe are entirely sincere and honest in their views Both hope achieve the same end more developed Alaska with greater popula- tion and more industries The primary difference ap pears to be the method of approach
 The more conservative would bring development slowly by interesting large capital and that capital prospered the balance of Alaska would prosper in accordance Those who support the bond issue idea see opportunity for the Territory to do something for itself and thus encourage the Federal government to further the interests of Alaska well provide better facilities for those of already in Alaska and for those who to follow the golden trail to the north
 There are honest arguments both sides. But the fact remains that the record of development
 
 patiently waiting for development have not been pro- ductve of any outstanding results primarily perhaps because that sort of program is not conducive tc development in the north because of it's natural bar riers Alaska is land apart from the United States It is not situated for example like the Pacific Coast states; integral part of continental United States It is apart and has through the years required haul to connect it with the States Undoubtedly that has been major barrier because of the necessarily high cost of transportation Consequently only those with large capital have been able to into the north to profit from her natural resources
 But air transportation has been developed to astounding degree Great air liners traverse long distances in hours where heretofore it required days and in some instances weeks. It is probably not aggeration to say that Alaska mineral development has been wider since the advent of the arpane in the last few than during all the prior years of its history. This mode of transportation is mak- ing Alaska. Coupled with further road development and connecting road link with the States, such as now proposed along with air lines to the States it that the Territory at last taking it's right ful place in the
 In few words that is the ambition of the Dimond bonded indebtedness bill The Federal government Is receptive to the development of Alaska, but the bers of Congress confronted with this fact; Aaske has limited population. Other more thickly populated places in the States demand certain aid in develop ment. The force of numbers naturally brings results Sixty thousand persons in Alaska cannot hope to gel the same support million persons, for example in Texas The Territory then, must do something to equalze it's position go begging for development which slowly, if ever comes
 The Dmond bi says to the Federal government ia words of the came meaning
 We are casting off our swaddling clothes
 and with your help will learn to walk alone.
 We are willing to place portion of the rev.
 enue from the industries have into
 business expansion program. Our funds are
 naturally Limited due to lacl: of develop
 ment in the paGt bu' we WI spend just DOT
 ticn Of our wealth 10 aid our 0w ends if vou
 will cooperate you have done in he lat
 four years
 It is a perfectly soand and logical offer. The fac is tha. it is Alaskas turn to move Tho Federal gcv ernment certainly has moved a friendly basis sine, the present administration tcok over It has con stanty looked to Alaska with ia herly encouraainf eye. The old s:epchild attitude of past years ha, disappeared Nore other than the President himsel has shown interest in the Territory and it. progress, That attitude goes down through the var government departments and for the first timt in many years is outspoken Congress. Westerr Ser ators and Represen taves particularly anxou to ::,sh Alaska the front means wealth to the own sections. Other members of Congress also ar, receptive to an Alaska program but naturally they expect the Territory to do something itself Alaska is making that bid with it's bond issue bill
 If Congress will authorize the Territory to proceed with its bonds and then allow il the advantages o the public works program. Alaska will have taken its first major step toward development of now dormant natural resources.