The Chattanooga News. (Chattanooga, Okla.), Vol. 18, No. 32, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 4, 1923 Page: 3 of 6
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THE CHATTANOOGA NEWS
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Wilderness
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ABaxyJTT
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ELECTRICITY IN FEW HOMES
By JOHN DICKINSON SHERMAN.
Alt HUN G. HARDING'S traffic
passing lias directed public at-
tention anew to tlie "Alaska
Problem" as one of the most im-
portant inherited by President
Coolldge. For It was President
Harding's Alaskan trip, made for
the purpose of getting first-
hand information on the prob-
lem, thnt brought about ids
death and his last public ad-
* dress at Seattle was in effect a
plea in behalf of Alaska—the name mums "Great
Country" and John Mulr used to call It '"My beau-
tiful, fruitful wilderness." Said Mr. Harding:
Against a program of ruinous exploitation we
must stand firmly. Our adopter! program must be
a development of Alaska for Alaskans.
Incidentally, In his Seattle speech, Mr. Harding
made these points: That Alaska does not need
"government-managed, federally-paid-for, hothouse
development"; that more restriction of the fish-
ing industry is necessary and urgent; that more
liberal terms In leasing may be necessary to de-
velop the oil fields; that there should be an organ-
ization capable of the readiest response ti de-
mands for roads and trails; that there is the ne-
cessity to provide feeders for the government rail-
road; thnt "In a very few years we can very well
set off the Panhandle and a large block of the
connecting southeastern part "as" a state."
The purpose of this article, however, is infor-
mative, not argumentative. What follows is largely
a compilation from the latest authoritative sources
of Information of Interesting facts about Alaska.
Of course, until development takes place It is im-
possible to estimate, even approximately, the prob-
able value of Alaska's natural resources. There is
no question that they are varied and Immense:
Coal, oil, copper, gold, silver, lead, various metals,
marble, timber, fish, fur, agriculture, water power,
scenery. Probably no state in the Union has so
great a variety of assets and so much potential
wealth.
Even now, when it is admitted that Alaska is
not flourishing, that its production Is decreasing
and that Its population is falling off, It pays annu-
ally several hundred per cent on Its original cost
in 1807- $7,200,000 (less than two cents an acre).
The total mineral production In 1021 was $17,004,-
124. The total of fishery products in 1921 was
$24,086,861.
Alaska, since 1867, has produced mineral, fish
and fur products considerably in excess of one
billion dollars.
Gov. Scott C. Bone's latest available report to
the secretary of the interior contains these figures'.
According to the 1020 census, the population was
55,036, an apparent decrease of 0,320 from that of
1010, though the former was taken in the dead
of winter and the latter in the spring.
In 1021 tlie number of persons employed in the
fisheries industry was 15,070, and the total active
investment was $30,001,874. The total value of
the fishery products, exclusive of seal and other
aquatic furs, was $24,086,867, a decrease of $17,-
405,257 from the preceding year. The output of
canned salmon consisted of 2,506,826 cases, valued
at $10,632,744, as compared with 4,420,403 cases
In 1020, valued at $35,602,800.
The total commerce of Alaska for the calendar
year 1021 was $65,054,566, a decrease of $42,375,-
S20 from the amount In 1020. The total commerce
with the United States was $63,541,381, as against
$100,580,095 in 1920, a decrease of $43,(144,814.
There were approximately 260,000 reindeer, two-
thirds of which belong to the natives.
There were fifteen territorial and three national
banks; 214 domestic and 428 foreign corporations.
The government of 'Alaska is more perplexing
than any Chinese puzzle. The executive power Is
vested in the governor, who Is appointed by the
president for a term of four years, by and with
the advice and consent of the senate. The legisla-
tive power Is vested In a territorial legislature
consisting of a senate and house of representa-
tives. The Judicial power of the territory is
vested In the District court of the United States
for tlie District of Alaska. The territory elects a
Relegate to congress, who may participate In de-
bate, but who lias no vote.
Yet, according to Alaskans. It Is a case of "too
much government by too many bureans, too far
away." There are at least thirty-eight bureaus of
tlie several departments that have a hand in this
governing. In many cases tlieir activities overlap.
In general there has been little co-ordination and
co-operation, in addition, It is government at long
range, links and regulations under existing stat-
utes are made by the authorities at Washington,
who are also in large measure charged with their
execution.
Bear In mind that nearly all of Alaska's re-
sources are directly or Indirectly controlled by
the federal government. About 00 per cent of the
land Is still in government ownership. The devel-
opment of coal and oil deposits Is under govern-
ment leases. Water powers and fisheries are un-
der federal control, and nearly all Alaska timber
Is in government ownership.
Moreover, tlie territory has its own fiscal system,
controlled by laws enacted by the territorial leg-
islature, which Is entirely separate and apart
from tlie revenues received by the federal govern-
ment from business and trade licenses and which
are covered Into and disbursed from the Alaskan
fund in the general treasury.
There should be no lack of up-to-date, first-hand
Information in Washington presently concerning
the various phases of the Alaskan problem. With
President Harding were Secretary of the Interior
Work, Secretary of Agriculture Wallace, Secre-
tary of Commerce Hoover and many bureau offi-
cials. A congressional committee, including Sen-
ator Francis E. Warren of Wyoming, chairman of
tlie Senate appropriations committee, visited
Alaska during tlie summer. Six scientists of the
Interior department have been exploring tills sum-
mer the naval oil reserve of 35,000 square miles
In Alaska's northwest corner.
Tlie government railroad from Seward to Fair-
banks, begun in 1015, has been completed. It is
467 miles long, and cost over $56,000,000. It
operates Pullmans, passenger coaches and freight
cars to the total number of about 800. Tlie gov-
ernment operates two connecting Yukon river
transports and mosquito fleets navigate tlie smaller
rivers. The fare is about six cents a mile. The
railroad is administered by a commission of the
Department of tlie Interior. Col. Frederick Mears
Is chairman and at present in charge of the road.
Says Colonel Mears:
"Wherever a region or a development proposi-
tion warrants It we will build spurs from the main
line. Of course, we do not expect to break even,
at least for some time. Until tlie Interior Is more
thickly settled, until tourists come in greater num-
bers to enjoy the beauties of tlie McKlnlej park
region, until the varied resources of the Interior
are developed, this road will not pay. But without
tlie railroad the interior of Alaska never will de-
velop, and without the exploitation of these
resources the road never will get tonnage. Each
is dependent upon the other."
The completion of tlie government railroad will
doubtless stimulate tourist travel, especially to
Mount McKiniey National park, which has hitherto
been practically inaccessible. The park contains
2,605 square miles and is next in size to Yellow-
stone. Its biggest feature is Mount McKiniey,
20,404 feet, tlie highest mountain in North Amer-
ica and one of the most Impressive on earth. It Is
a wonderful preserve of Alaskan wild animal
life; caribou, bighorn, moose, deer, gout and bear
live and breed there in immense numbers.
Unique among Alaska's majestic and varied
scenery is the new national monument, Katnial,
"The Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes," which is
easily accessible by automobile. Katmui volcano
blew Its head off during three days In June of
1012, covering all Alaska with a thick coating of
dust. The explosion left a crater 3,500 feet deep
and eight miles around, with a lake at the bottom.
Close by is a valley several miles long, from which
are shooting up thousands of steam Jets. It is
a sample of earth in the making. Some day these
steam Jets may cool off enough to become geysers,
like those of the Yellowstone.
A government booklet says: "The principal
shipments from tlie United States to Alasku dur-
ing the pust three years were chemicals, automo-
biles, coal, coffee, confectionery, eggs, electrical
machinery and other manufactures of Iron and
steel, explosives, fruits, boots and shoei, meat
and dairy products, mineral oils, sugar, tobacco,
vegetables and manufactures of paper, wood and
wool." This means that Alaska, with Its own coal
deposits, Is Importing coal; with Its own oil fields,
is Importing oil; with Its own forests, is importing
manufactures of wood! The same booklet says:
"Winter rye and winter wiieat can be success-
THE OSTRICH PAIR
Billle Brownie's call this day whs
to be upon the Ostrich pair at the
MOk
Billle Brownie was always much
amused by Mr. and Urn. Ostrich.
He thought their ways nun Inter-
esting and he always liked to hour
about them.
1%en, too, he always liked to tell
everyone he could that oetrleh feath-
ers meant nnhnpplneaa and tragedy In
the Uvea of birds.
The ostrich family weren't hurt
when their feathers were taken from
them, no, not at all; In fact It made
them pleased and comfortable.
But this time that he went to see
Mr. and Mrs. Ostrich he could see
from the moment of bis arrival that
they were each In a funny frame of
mind and Billle knew he would enjoy
himself.
"We haven't large brains," said Mr.
Ostrich, "but we have a fine system
for all that."
"Tell me about It," urged Billle
Brownie.
"Our brains are small in size," said
Mrs. Ostrich, "and my mate Is quite
correct when he says what he does.
But we huve enough bruins for our
purpose.
"If we hud more brains we'd have
to study and keep our brains up to
the mark.
"That would be a nulsanco. Thank-
ful I am that our bruins are no more
trouble to us than they are.
"To some, it would appear, brains
are a great bother.
"Yes, our system Is fine. Mr. Os-
trich was right about that, too.
"We take turns In hatching the
eggs. I sit upon them In the daytime
for my gruy costume looks like the
sand In the daylight and so protects
me," Mrs. Ostrich explained.
"A good Idea," said Billle Brownie.
"Ar.tJ I sit at night and watch out
for them then as I weur a black
LAUD TZ&mG&T 302r-~°>
fully grown in the interior of Alaska wherever
the snowfall Is deep enough to protect the grain
from severe winter temperatures, say, from thirty
to forty Inches. Hay is successfully made every
season from native grasses and from grain sown
for the purpose.
"Of ihe agricultural land tributary to the govern-
ment railroad in the Cook Inlet and Susitna region
It Is estimated that 1,200,000 acres are suituble for
farming without costly drainage. This area would
provide 8,100 farms of 160 acres each.
"Homestead claim may be initiated by any per-
son having tlie qualifications required of an appli-
cant for land in the United States, and a home-
stead entry made In the United States does not
operate to disqualify him."
J. J. Underwood says in "Alaska, an Empire in
the Making":
"The coast-line of Alaska, measuring around'ali
of the islands, Is approximately 20,000 miles long,
more than the distance around tlie world.
"The gross area of Alaska is 500,804 sqrare
miles, or more than the combined area of Maine,
New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, ithode
Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Penn-
sylvania, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia,
North Carolina. South Carolina, Georgia, Florida,
Mississippi and Tennessee.
"The Yukon river lias a total length of nearly
three thousand miles, nnd it Is about the fifth
largest stream It: the world. It Is navigable for
river vessels for a distance of about twenty-four
hundred miles.
"According to the estimates of competent engi-
neers and geologists, tlie coal in Alaska is suffi-
cient to sustain tlie people of the United States
for 5,300 years at tlie present rate of consumption.
"Alaska contains about twenty active volcanoes.
"The cod banks of Alaska are said by the United
States fish commission to be among the finest In
the world. The same is true of the halibut banks.
"Statistics show that in Alaska there Is less
crime per capita than In any state in tlie Union."
Andrew J. Stone writes in the Century:
"Alaska has in active operation the largest cop-
per mine in the world.
"The territory's extent of latitude and coast-line
and the warming Influence of the Japan current
have combined to give It almost as much climatic
variety as California claims to possess.
"Alaska lias pasturage for 30,000,000 reindeer,
from which !M)0,000,000 pounds of the choicest and
most delicious meat could annually he marketed.
In addition, tlie territory has 65,000,000 acres of
choice grazing ground.
"The soil has the same qualities that make the
wheat of Manitoba famous."
The "New International Year Book" says:
"Under the conservative methods adopted by the
government, tlie Prlbllof islands seal herds in-
creased from 215,738 animals In 1012 to 604,791
in 1022. The sealskins secured In 1021 numbered
23,681, and nt St. Louis during 1022, 22,076 of
these skins were sold for $722,060. The skins of
1,130 blue and white foxes caught on the Phibilof
Islands during the season 1920-21 were sold for
$109,398.
"Although the fiscal yerfr 1922 was one of marked
depression In Alaska, 18,000.000 hoard feet of
lumber were cut for commercial use.
"The value of furs shipped from the territory
In 1921 was $702,297.
"Fox farming in Alaska Is increasing, 76 fox
farms now being In operation.
"Over the United States Signal corps system of
2,703 miles of cables and 795 miles of land lines,
there were transmitted in 1921 messages, govern-
ment and commercial, whose tariffs amounted to
$221,781."
A report of the governor emphasizes, as the
paramount need, liberalized laws and more flex-
ible rules and regulations thereunder, with a con-
centration of authority und responsibility and an
administration co-ordinated and brought closer
home.
Only 37 Per Cent In tha United States
Enjoy Modern Method of
Illumination,
According to the figures gathered by
the Electrical World less than 37 per
tent of the homes in the United States
enjoy the comfort of electric lighting.
Think ol' It—almost two-thirds of our
homes are without such modern equip-
ment.
And yet in Italy only slightly more
than 11 per cent of the homes are
lighted by electricity; less than 14 per
cent of France, 17 per cent in the
United Kingdom and Ireland and
about 80 per cent in Japan, which
leads all other nations with the excep-
tion of tlie United States with lt«
nearly 37 per cent—little enough, as
It Is.
Surely here Is business for electra-
glsts for years to come. The wiring
alone for lighting the homes of our
own country will amount to consid-
erably more than a billion dollars.
While it used to be that this vast sum
seemed Inconceivable, it now easily
fits into almost any picture we would
visualize.
Say $ I .OOO.OOO.OOO would take care
of tlie wiring for half of the homes in
tlie United States yet to be wired.
Then that is merely the start, for heat
tin«i power, as well as light, are becom-
ing more anil more popular in the
home, and the appliances furnishing
these features would add more billions
I to tlie business.
j In a recent survey of its members
, made by the Association of Electrn-
gists It was found that almost 60 per
cent of tlieni carry a stock of lighting
fixtures and make a display of them.
I.t Is reasonable to assume that of the
others almost 40 per cent at some time
or other sell lighting fixtures when
they wire the home '»r lighting. The
lighting fixture business, then, is large-
ly In the hands of the electraglst, and
thus billions of dollars more will come
to him as the saturation point of elec-
I trie lighting In the home Is reached.
U. S. NOW USES OLD PALACE
Tall Ma About It," Urged Billle.
feathered suit which looks like the
night," said Mr. Ostrich.
"That does sound like a perfect
system," agreed Billle Brownie.
"Neither of us are cowardly when
It comes to protecting our young,"
Mr. Ostrich continued.
"I will hurry the brood away while
Mrs. Ostrich will face the enemy and
fall down as though there were no
more life In her and so it makes the
enemy feel it is useless to do any-
thing.
"We have good eyesight. Our hear-
ing is our next best sense and smell-
ing comes third. We really only use
this sense In feeding and In recogniz-
ing our young.
"Some say It Is a strange way of
knowing one's children, but then It
does for us so why should we over-
tax our brains and think of other
ways?"
"It would be foolish," said Mrs.
Ostrich. "But I hope In time people
will stop saying I hide my head in
the sand when I'm frightened.
"I fall down and have my head quite
close to the sand—but I don't hide it.
People have thought It was hidden be-
cause by head and the sand are so
much alike In color.
"And the story haB been passed
along. And gossip has kept It going,
"I may have a small brain, but I
know enough to know that my body
isn't safe Just because my head
might be hidden—and so I don't hide
my head.
"Oh, well, I'm above getting mad
even if I'm gossiped about."
"That is very wise of you," said
Billle Brownie, "for I must admit
that while I know It Is foolish, I feel
a little hurt at anything sold about
ujh that Is not kind.
"You are far more sensible, Mrs.
Ostrich.
"But I've been delighted to have
heard your stories and to have had
the honor and pleasure of tii)s talk."
"How very handsomely you make
your departure," said Mr. Ostrich, as
Billle Brownie made a low bow upon
finishing his speech.
And Mrs. Ostrich added,
"You show a fine and respectful
manner toward the happy Ostrich
pair.
"It makes our ostrich hearts re-
joice 1"
Mansion Used by Spanish Governor of
St. Augustine for 200 Years Now
a Customs House.
Set among tropical trees, through*
which one gets a glimpse of the shim-
mering bny beyond tlie sen wail, and
beside the cathedral, with Its quaint
Moorish belfry, stands the old Spanish
governor's tnunslon, now used as post
office and customs house at St. Augus-
tine, Fla.
The palace was built in 1603 by
Oonznlo Menilez, and purchased by the
king of Spain as a dwelling for tlie
Spanish governor general. For 200
years the flag of Spain floated over St.
Augustine; and then from 1703 to 178.**
the British occupied tlie city, and It
was the colors of flrent Britain that
waved in the gentle breeze thnt was
wafted from Matanzas bay.
Again Spain came Into possession of
j Florida and It was not until July 10,
1821, that the United States acquired
j the land of Ponce de Leon, and since
I that date the Stars and Stripes have
waved over the quaint old town.—De-
troit News.
Tree Alphabet.
On the estate of Sir William Ueary
at Tonbrldge there is an avenue of
alphabetical trees, which Is being add-
ed to by a new set, which are being
planted in pairs on each side of the
existing avenue at Intervals of ten
yards, beginning with alder, ash, blrcti,
catalpa, davidla, elm, fir, and so oa
through the alphabet to yulan and
zelkova.
In the Weser district In Germany
there Is another fashion In trees which
Is entirely a commercial one. The-
trees have a red and blue tint,
which Is the result of experiments
In dyeing. Each tree Is hung with a
receptacle containing blue or red
coloring. This is conducted through
a rubber tube Into the roots of the
tree. In about a month the coloring
matter makes Its way through all the
branches. Tlie trees die off and are
felled, the wood being used for many
purposes, but especially for making
furniture.
The Problem of th# Pencils.
Here Is a little arithmetic problem.
It has puzzled lots of folks. Oan you
do It?
A girl has 20 cents wltb which she It
to buy 30 pencils. The pencils are of
three price*; one-quarter cent each,
one-half cent each, and four cent*
each. How many of eaoti will she get
tor In evgp $0 cm ti?
Tha Right Kind of Folks.
One of the most successful real es-
tate operators in the United States
once told me:
"Give me 50 families of the right
sort who will agree to live In a new
locality, and there will be no trou-
ble getting plenty more to live there,
people who are wholesome, orderly, pay
their bills promptly, like artistic homes
and well-kept lawns, will always at-
tract others."—Fred Kelly in the Na-
tion's Business.
Date Palm a Beauty.
To the date palm is given the praise
of being the most beautiful of all
palms, and although as a family they
are foreign-born, they have taken
happily to the new world.—Nature
Magazine.
Bounded Familiar.
"I see a dancer has gotten • divorce
on account of Insults. The insults con-
sisted in her husband asking her to-
leave him in peace."
"Is that grounds for a divorce?"
asked ma.—Louisville Courier-Journal.
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The Chattanooga News. (Chattanooga, Okla.), Vol. 18, No. 32, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 4, 1923, newspaper, October 4, 1923; (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc287578/m1/3/: accessed April 18, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.