The Chitina Leader

The visit of Secretary Fisher of the Interior Department to Chitina this week accompanied by Alfred Brooks, head of the geological department in Alaska; Mr. Holmes, the new chief of the recently created national bureau of mines; Governor Clark, Sommer Smith, the new inspector of mines for the territory, and other government officials as well as magazine writers and newspaper men, and leading business men from Cordova, proved an event full of interest.

A crowd of citizens assembled in William Tibbs's place and upon request the secretary consented to give an informal address. O. A. Tucker of Cordova introduced the speaker and the remarks of the secretary were closely followed by the listeners among whom were many old timers and sourdough mining men and prospectors.

The secretary explained that his mission to Alaska was to study the conditions first hand for himself. There were certain things he wanted to know of his own knowledge, not from hearsay. He said he did not...

...established that the people who gave care to go into the controversy, or its political aspects, previous to his taking office, but that a great deal of the real trouble and lack of constructive legislation for Alaska could be traced to lack of practical knowledge of Alaskan affairs.

Continuing, Mr. Fisher said the people were beginning to understand Alaska was a land of great opportunities, instead of one mostly of icebergs and snow, where people were working out problems of their own in much the same manner as confronted pioneers in other sections of the union.

He contended there was a universal desire on the part of legislators and others to aid Alaska, and that there was also an honest difference of opinion as to the best method of doing this. He said the so-called muckraking magazines were honest in what they believed was an attempt to turn Alaska over to private capital but that they were misinformed as to the real facts.

He said, for instance, he saw an article in one magazine with pictures showing concerned the law would be strictly enforced cuts of immense coal ledges 50 or 60 feet wide. He said he visited some of these immense ledges while in the vicinity of Katalla and found that three-fourths of the dark streak shown in the photographs and labeled coal was in reality shale and of no practical value as a market commodity.

The magazine was misinformed and had built up its story on a false premise.

Mr. Fisher said he was certainly pleased and surprised to see such an enterprise as the railway and equipment of the Copper River & Northwestern railway in a new country.

He reminded his hearers that legitimate and constructive capital was entitled to the same protection and square deal as any other interest.

He stated that he did not consider as important or bearing upon the question the views of the few selfish easterners who imagined Alaska was a national asset and should be exploited so as to give all of them a share in her riches. They were actuated solely by selfish motives.

He said it was a principle well established that the people who gave their time to develop resources should share most largely in the benefits derived therefrom.

However, the fact remained that the resources in different states and territories had been wasted and there was a consensus of opinion south east and west that on government lands of the United States still unappropriated a different policy was necessary in order to save waste and conserve the resources for the benefit of the common people.

He said it was intended that Alaska should profit by the mistakes made by other states and territories in this matter.

The secretary thought it unfair and unjust to accuse everyone who differed from the old established order of things with ulterior motives.

After Alfred Brooks and Governor Clark had spoken, some one in the crowd asked: "What about the coal Mr. Fisher?"

This brought the secretary to his feet again, and he defined his position on the fuel question with considerable spirit.

He said that so far as he was concerned, the law would be strictly enforced.

Furthermore, he would promise action, as far as it was within his power to act.

He said those who were entitled to coal claims would secure patents, and those who had not complied with the law would have their applications cancelled.

He reminded those present that enactments of legislation must come from congress; that his powers were limited to enforcing the law and suggesting and recommending legislation which he deemed might be of value in promoting the welfare of the people.

Governor Clark reminded the people that on a former visit a year ago he predicted Chitina would make a town, and Mr. Brooks following, said he could go the governor one better for three years ago he had visited this place and upon information furnished by his colleagues, knew that the mineral indications were sufficient to warrant the building of a considerable supply center.

The meeting adjourned informally and many of the citizens crowded forward to meet the secretary, Governor Clark, as well as Mr. Brooks.

came in for his share of the hand shakes. Mr. Brooks is well known among the old timers, who consider him an Alaskan the same as themselves.

If Mr. Brooks could have heard the many compliments paid him owing to the work of the geological force in Alaska he would have felt it was appreciated among the old timers.

Mr. Fisher made an excellent impression among the people with whom he mingled. While there is a difference of opinion as to the proper remedy for Alaska as to some of his expressed views, all alike agreed that he is thoroughly earnest and conscientious and is really a big man from whom relief may be expected.

The secretary's special paid a visit to the end of the line and returned to Cordova.

The special was held a few minutes at Chitina on its return to give Governor Clark time to assist the citizens in getting a petition for a school in shape.

O. M. Kinney returned to Cordova this week after spending several days along the railroad.