The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1940-03-31
ICkES ANSWERS ALASKAN
OBJECTIONS 10 5'LAllTTERY
COLONIZATION PROPOSAL
BY HAROLD L. ICKES
Secretary of the Interior

Approval of the Alaska colonial
ton plan by several of Alaska 3
Chambers of Commerce, and by
many individuals, see ms to indi-
cate a survival of the enterprise
which made possible the first set
Elements in the Territory. Express
sions from these groups and indi-
viduals have been extremely help
full, not only because they offered
full cooperation, but because in many
instances they suggested specific
possibilities for Industrial develop
ments in Alaska, the feasibility of
which warrant study and consid-
Grafton. 'ss
There have been others, however,
who have criticized the plan. Many
OF these I believe to be sincere ex-
pressions of persons and groups
having the welfare 0 Alaska at
heart. These, too, have received
careful attention. The sum and
substance Of the expressed opposi-
ton, to date, seems to revolve around
two points, namely: that develop
ment of Alaska will add to the Ter
ritory's unemployment problem, and
that the plan proposes to "let
down the bars of immigration re-
strictions."
Capital First
In answer to the first point. I
should like to say that the United
States Government is not propos-
ing that there should be any mass
movement to Alaska until private
capital is organized to develop new
Industries to support an increase in
population. AS proposed, private
capital would establish public-pur-
pose corporations which would be
required to guarantee that their col
onizers would not become public
charges. II is reasonable to antici-
pate that any extensive opening of
new industries would be accompan-
led by expansion of Alaska's trans
portation facilities, and by healthy
increase in consumer demand for
foods and services beyond anything
now known in Alaska. This should
ease, rather than increase. the Ter
ritory's unemployment problem.
AS to the second point, I should
like to say to those who are con-
cerned that there will be no indis-
criminate letting down of bars. y
According to the development plans.
the qualifications for immigrants
entering Alaska would be even more
rigorous than those now in effect
for the United States. In addition,
l should like to remind Alaskans
that the plan proposes colonizatio
by Americans to the same extent as
by Europeans, on a carefully bal
anced, strictly enforced ratio.
Stimulating Exchange
Because 1 believe that it is a
healthy sign when people are in
diligently critical, I have welcomed
the 'unfavorable" letters as well as
the favorable" ones. And because
l believe that an exchange of op-
lnlons is stimulating, I should like
to quote here from some Of the edi-
torials which have been published
in the United States In this con-
nection it is interesting to note that
the development proposal has ex-
cited more interest in the States
than any other matter pertaining to
Alaska's future since l came into
office. OF the total of 1913 editor
ials which have been written on
the subject, 8412 percent have been
favorable and seven percent non
committal Although it must be re-
membered that they reflect the at
tltudes of many editors, some of
whom are unfamiliar with specific
problems prevailing in the Territory
still believe that they contain ideas
worthy of attention and that they
should be included in any exchange
of opinions.
ATLANT CONSTITUTION -
Even the most casual thinker on