The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-03-31
THE YEAR IN ALASKA

Here is Alaska as much of it as can be set down on paper and captured in ink. Here is the story of a land fifth the size of the United States and people who treasure almost fiercely their rights as full citizens of the Nation
 To the thousands who people its broad expanse Alaska is not distant and politically indistinct possession" To them, first of all. 1t Is part of the United States of Amerca-an integral part which is being drawn closer to the heart Of the Nation every year as transportation facilities and mutual understanding improved.
 This year finds regular air service between Seattle and Juneau being instituted Next year may find work started on highway which will link AL aska overland directly with the States It typical of Alaska that the airplane arrives ahead of the automobile Use of planes in the Territory is the highest per capita anywhere in the world
 That the interest of the Nation in Alaska is increasing rapidly atested by recent developments in many fields Delegate Dimond speaks of this growing interest and understanding in an article which he has prepared for this edition Washing ton is paying more attention to Alaska today than at any time the Territory has belonged to the United States And it might be said with equal truth that Alaska is paying more attention to Washing ton than at any time in the past Most of the decisions which for good or evil are shaping the future of the Territory are being made at the Ma tional Capital
 The past year has brought many changes to the north Politically and economically Alaska continues to grow. There has been noticeable quickening of pace since the year, which promises to make Ie40 one of the most important years in the Ter ritory's history.
 Fish and gold are still the mainstays of Alaska industry Last year the Territory shipped some 36 million dollars worth of canned salmon to the world while its mines turning out about 24 million dollars worth of minerals Other commodities bulk Ing large in the modern Alaska economic picture are furs, lumber and tourists. The last two can be developed enormously yet
 Shipments into Alaska in 1889 the greatest in history which is about good sign as there could be that things are booming in the north While growing and prospering, Alaska has become a rich market for the products of the States
 This is a year, and results SO far an nounced reflect large population growth in the past decade It worthy of note that this increase has come about out of the natural development o the Territory and not by artificial promotion.
 An expansion of the Nations plans for defense works in Alaska and actual start of work by both the Army and Navy arbases are important de velopments of the past year. The Navy Is spending more than $13,0OO.O0O in the current program oi installing arbases at Sitka and Kodiak This work will continue well into 1941 The Army is building COlQ WedIileT VI 'oiBc sions at Fairbanks and contempates work Of ever greater magnitude at Anchorage.
 Every City of Alaska at the present time is en- gagged in program of civic improvement In Juneau this is reflected in the miles of concrete streets and sewers in Fairbanks, in the beautiful buildings of Capt A. E. Lathrop and in municipal improve ments similar to Juneaus in Ketchkan in the re- moyal of wooden streets and sidewalks; in Anchor age in a new school and hospital, and in every town in Alaska to a greater or less extent
 The fact that the fisheries produced less than they did the previous year, that mineral production was down slightly and that Alaska furs brought a little less in world markets than in 1888, is only a testimonial to the very high and prosperous plane on which Alaska economy has continued in recent years. Last year good year, even though it did not quite reach the 1888 heights. Alaska has no reason to be ashamed of producing only 5.QO000C cases of salmon, 100000 worth of minerals and 32 100000 worth of furs in a year. The output is still phenomenal.
 Gov Ernest Gruening speaks in his message in this Progress and Development edition of some of the goals toward which Alaskans should work in 1p4O and the future. One is greater economic seif~sufficency based dversification of in- dustry Another is better transportation facilities m dand sea and in the air. With the accomplish ,,ent of the aims which Alaskans have set before f,ennselyes and the increased population which is certain to come in their wake, ultimate Statehood is ass,.raa. The Governor said on his arrival in the