The Daily Alaska empire., 1938-07-16

aska I am experiencing real thrll of anticipation. such as comes tt a small boy when he is about tC enter upon an exciting adventure All my life l have wanted to visit this romantic and interesting Ter ritcry. I am sharing the eager en- thusia rms of my two young daugh- ters who are accompanying me.
 From the days of my early youth when in school, I learned of Alaska through the geography and history books, and later read of the old Gold Rush days, I have cherished 8 strong desire to see this country for myself Since becoming Post master General I have gained an even greater appreciation of the Territory and its importance through the close relationship which the Post Office Department main tains with Alaska and the people of the Territory. This relationship is. perhaps, closer and more intl- mate than exists between the Ter ritcry and any other government agency. except the Department of the Interior.
 To-day the people of the United States hold an entirely different estimate of Alaska than they did in 1867 when the Territory was pur- chased from Russia for ST 200000. Because of a lack of information concerning the Territory and it's resources, this purchase was round- ly condemned by a great many peo- pie in the United States. It was re- ferred to as "Walrussia,' "Ameri- can Siberia Zero Island" Pol aria" "Icebergia," and Stewards s Folly" The latter designation was given it because the purchase was arranged by the then Secretary Of State, William H. Seward.
 Early Progress Neglected
 "As result of this popular mis- conception of Alaska and it's re- sources. the development of the Territory was almost entirely neg lected for many years after it was brought under the American flag. Less than generation ago Alaska was generally regarded as land of ice and snow, infested by polar bears, and inhabited by race of Eskimos whose only dwellin g g were snow and ice igloos, and who subsisted on seal and whale blub- Der and the flesh of animals native to a severe and frigid climate.
 Even today there are many peo- pie who find it difficult to divorce themselves of these preconceived opinions of Alaska It is a surprise to many to learn that in large part of Alaska sub-tropical temper atures are recorded during the sum mer, and that along wide stretch of the southeastern coast, zero read ings have never been recorded.
 When the Territory, which is one-fifth the size of the United States, was purchased from Russia there were but few who even most unlimited natural wealth con- cealed within its borders. Within its 586,000 square miles are found gold, platinum, silver, cooper and coal. Its fishing grounds are among the most productive to be found anywhere in the world, and it's furs are among the finest to be had There is also a considerable section of Alaska which can be success fully farmI5
 Worth of Alaska
 Since Alaska became a United States possession, its fishing and fur trading industries have shipped to this country more than billion dollars worth of these products, while the gold, platinum, silver and copper mines have produced up- wards of another billion dollars worth of these metals Millions of dollars worth of lumber has been taken from the vast forests of the Territory.
 Annually Alaska produces fish cry products worth about fifty mill lion dollars, furs valued at approxi- mately two million dollars, and about twenty million dollars worth of gold, platinum, silver and cop per.
 Those who have visited Alaska are authority for the statement that it's scenic wonders are unsur- passed anywhere in the world. Its towering snow-capped mountains. its great glaciers, it's beautiful lakes, its mighty rivers, and its vast for ests have been the subjects of nu- merous books and magazine and newspaper articles.
 Strategic Position
 From a standpoint of national defense, Alaska occupies strategic position on our northwestern from tier.
 "Uhe future development and possibilities of Alaska can not, al this time, be more accurately esti- mated than its potential resources could be realized when it was pur- chased by the United States.
 T began this radio talk with the purpose of discussing the relation ship of the Territory with the Post Office Department the present pos