the lot of the economically under-privileged. What
chance has a child born in that environment'
Such a submerged, poverty-stricken group is
a drain on the more fortunate. Taxes are higher;
hold-ups are more prevalent and the “de:en: ’
respectable, more fortunate citizen is the one who
contributes to the bandits; graft is the parasitic
growth which is a natural result of illegal enter
prises in a town infested with such povertv-striek
en areas. Plagr e-cpots that infect entire districts
and communities where poverty rests on any con
siderable portion of the population.
-X
THE TERRITORIAL TREASURY
At the last Legislature two reports were pre
sented the Ways and Means Committee—the re
port of the Treasurer and the report of the Audit
or. As divergent as two reports could possibly be.
The Reactionary legislators condemned the report
01 Auditor Cole and lauded the report of Treasur
er Smith to the skies.
The report of Treasurer Smith was optimistic,
plenty of money on hand and plenty more to come
by the simple waiving of the magic wands of the
tax collectors. The report of Auditor Cole was
pessimistic—not sufficient money on hand to run
the business of the Territory and not enough to
come in even.with assiduous, honest tax collectors
on the job.
Basing its action upon the Treasurer’s report,
the Legislature passed an appropriation bill total
ing over two million dollars with an income far
from equaling that figure. The appropriations bill
was signed by the Governor, the Legislature ad
journed, and even then, the “business politicians”
aid not see the danger of depleting the Territorial
reserve in the banks of Alaska.
On the first of October, 1931 there was in the
Territorial Treasury $250,000 with checks out
standing, authorized and lawful claims of some
$50,000, leaving a net balance of $200,000, approxi
mately. Last year on the same date there was on
hand in the banks approximately $760,000.
By the first of November there will be approx
imately $120,000 on hand, for the average cost of
Territorial government operations are $80,000 per
month; by the first of December there will be ap
proximately $40,000 on hand. Without paying
any mere claims during the month of December,
there will not be sufficient to pay the salaries of
the government employees.
It is no wonder that Treasurer Smith is run
ning around the Territory like a chicken that had
fed an some moonshiner’s mash; it is no wonder
that Polley, the great White Hope, has been assid
uous in his effort to earn his salary this year. But
it, will take more than running around begging
cannerymen to pay their taxes before they are
clue to meet the deficit which stares leeringly at
the People of Alaska.
The next legislature needs some Indians in its
make-up. They are at least not beholden to nor
afraid of the Invisible Government.
Why Is Alaska Being Shackled and Wealth of Country Hoarded?
From The Seattle Star.
-x
Editor’s Note: The investiga
tion was duly made and recom
mendations presented. We print
this article that Alaskans may
know that others beside the
Editors criticize bureaucratic
irisrule in Alaska.
Congressional Investigators Will
Try to Find Out What is Holding
Up Development of Resources
Here is the opening Chapters of
a story that may develop into a
bigger story than Teapot Dome
—the story of a vast territory
denied of its development, its
riches held unused, for SOME
BODY’S benefit.
/iiMitt can support millions of
Americans in comfort; opening
it up would not only make jobs
for millions, but would stimulate
trade all through the West by
creating new demand for our
products.
Every investigator admits that
the Alaska Railroad, owned by
the government, is being delib
erately throttled to provide a
“horrible example” of public
ownership.—Editor.
Room for 26,000,000 happy,
prosperous people.
A territory as large as Wash
ington, Oregon, Idaho, Califor
nia, Utah and half of Montana.
Untold wealth In mines, grain
and berry lands, forests, streams
and the Pacific Ocean.
And this territory, only a few
days from any Pacific port, is
kept locked up.
Only 65,000 people live and
work there.
WHY is it kept locked up?
WHY is its development ap
parently retarded by bureau
cracy at every turn?
WHY is its government rail
road, capable of showing a pro
fit, deliberately hamstrung and
made into a “horrible example.”
of government ownership?
WHY isn’t Alaska allowed to
take her place as a thriving, well