The Nome Nugget

WICK TALKS ON ALASKA
SEATTLE, June 23. (AP)-Crying the needs of Alaska, delegate James Wickersham said here to newspaper interviews that independence, local government, and local control of natural resources if it were given Alaska, it would make itself.

At present Wickersham said Alaska has "more government per capita and less liberty. It is almost wholly neglected by its national guardians, and like Topsy, just growed."

Wickersham said Alaska is just marking time: "nobody seems to care a damn what may become of it, but despite all the handicaps it is proportionally the most valuable asset the U. S. owns."

Wickersham stated that the reindeer herds had become so numerous they were now eating up the ranges because of lack of markets and capital, which make it impossible to ship deer out of the territory. Lack of patronage will make it impossible to keep them there much longer.

All of which is considered just one more problem facing Alaska, which it is said Alaskans are better equipped to solve. And another instance is the need of local government."

Wickersham doesn't consider Alaska was treated unfairly by recent congressional legislation, considering the general slashing of all appropriations. The Delegate was not prepared to say what economic condition the territory was now in, as he has been absent for a year, but he is confident of its basic prosperity because of its natural resources.

He said Alaska was purchasing approximately thirty million dollars worth of commodities in Seattle alone. He is enroute to the territory.