The Nenana News

SUTHERLAND MAKES GOOD IMPRESSION AT BIG MEETING

With every seat in Union Hall occupied and with a goodly number of ladies in the audience, Delegate Dan A. Sutherland rendered an accounting, on Sunday evening, of his stewardship of Alaska affairs at the national capital, and the impression created by his address was decidedly favorable. His talk was not in the nature of a political harangue and about the only reference to the primary campaign was a convincing refutation of opposition propaganda concerning the much-discussed New Bill, an issue, the delegate pointed out, which died in committee several months ago when it became apparent at Washington that the New Bill could not be put over.

After referring briefly to the various bills which he had been successful in putting through Congress, the delegate discussed the transportation question at some length, and produced figures in support of his claim that Alaskans are required to pay higher tolls for freight haulage on ocean carriers than are shippers in any other part of the world. In his opinion, the transportation monopoly is doing more to retard the development of Alaska than the combined evils of bureau control and long distance administration.

The delegate referred to the proposed visit of President Harding and Secretary Fall and said that both were deeply interested in the problems of Alaska. Secretary Fall, he said, is particularly interested and is strongly in favor of a policy of Government development.

The delegate said he thought it quite likely Secretary Fall, who is coming to Alaska in advance of the Presidential party, would make a trip into the Kantishna district, concerning which Alfred H. Brooks is said to have made a very favorable report.

The delegate spoke of his efforts to secure legislation that would give protection to the Alaska fishing industry and predicted that unless adequate restrictions are put into operation, the industry soon will be a thing of the past.

The delegate was interrupted frequently throughout his address by applause and, at the close of the meeting there was a general rush to congratulate him. Mayor R. G. Southworth, who is also head of the local Republican Club, presided at the meeting, and seated at the back of the stage, in a semi-circle, there were a number of prominent local Republicans and admirers of the delegate.

Delegate Sutherland arrived in Nenana on the regular train on Sunday and left for Fairbanks on a speeder yesterday, speaking in the upper town last night. He addressed a gathering of voters at Riley on Saturday night and made a brief talk at Healy on Sunday morning. He will probably leave Fairbanks for the coast tomorrow on his way back to Washington.