The Nome Nugget

Roden in
Race For
Delegate

Henry Roden, democratic candidate for the nomination for Delegate to Congress, came to Alaska over 49 years ago to make his home and fortune. He followed the occupation of a prospector and miner for 10 years and while employed as a laborer in the mines, studied law and was admitted to the Bar of Alaska by the late Judge James Wickersham in 1908. He served some time as Assistant United States Attorney in the Fourth Division and was a member of the first territorial legislature. He has been a member a number of times since, and was elected Attorney General four years ago.

"While serving as such I have been guided by two main principles, first: to advocate and work for the passage of laws which would be for the greatest good to the greatest number of our people, and secondly, would tend to the economic development of the Territory. The record proves whether I have made good on this or not:

"I introduced and secured passage of a number of Bills which may be broadly termed "labor legislation."

There was nothing radical or unfair about any of them though in the earlier days they were deemed to be somewhat of that nature. Today they are accepted as beneficial and progressive legislation.

"Among them was an act which gives underground miners an eight hour shift: a miners' lien law which protects a workman in his wages after they have been earned; a mine inspection law, particularly applicable to underground workings and deep cuts, guarding the safety and health of persons thus employed. I have suggested and supported a number of amendments to our present Workman's Compensation Act to make it easier for injured employees to collect their just compensation.

"To advance the general welfare of our miners I suggested the establishment of assay offices in centrally located places in the Territory and the maintenance of an efficient Bureau of Mines to assist prospectors and miners in their efforts to discover and develop paying mines; to advance the interests of fur farmers I secured the establishment of the experimental fur farm near Petersburg. This institution has been working diligently and successfully on a number of items of extreme importance to fur farmers.

Very soon some epoch-making announcements will come from those in charge of it, showing that whatever money has been expended upon it is yielding rich returns.

"If elected, I shall continue to work for the interests of the greatest number of our people and for the development of the Territory as I have done in the past. I am against the infamous Wagner Fish Bill--a mere reading of which is sufficient to show that its provisions are not intended for the greatest good of the greatest number. While some are talking about statehood as something to look forward to, let us remember that the President, through recommending the election of the governor for the Territory of Porto Rico by its people, opened the way for similar extension of home rule for Alaska. This would be a long step towards controlling our own destiny and something the Territory is ready for right now. I am for statehood but first want to know how the cost thereof will be defrayed. I favor reduction in water, land and air transportation charges. Alaskans should be entrusted with the management of their fisheries, fur and game animals.

"I have been in Alaska over 40 years, lived for many years on the Yukon and Tanana rivers. Every dollar I have earned in Alaska has been and is invested in an Alaska enterprise. I have a home in Alaska, not in the city of Washington. I have never been carried around on a silver platter. I have fought my way through against many obstacles and got into the ring after every knock-out. I'm still going strong.

"I am one of those Alaskans who came to the Territory on their own and not under some form of subsidy or handout. I cast my lot with the country and made up my mind to make it my home. If experience, industry, courage determination and knowledge of the people of the Territory and a thorough understanding of their problems, both whites and Natives, count for anything, I feel I'm qualified to discharge the duties of the office of Delegate to Congress from the Territory for the next ten years."