A PIEE OF GOIyD IN THE ASSAY OEEICE AT NOME, ALASKA 



"Individual fortunes have been made in that country larger than the price paid to Russia 

 for the whole territory" (see text, page 185) 



of her possibilities we must create a new 

 piece of governmental machinery for the 

 purpose. We should undertake the work 

 in the spirit and after the method of a 

 great corporation wishing to develop a 

 large territory. 



In my judgment, the way to deal with 

 the problem of Alaskan resources is to 

 establish a board of directors to have this 

 work in charge. Into the hands of this 

 board or commission I would give all the 

 national assets in that territory, to be 

 used primarily for her improvement — 

 her lands, fisheries, Indians, Eskimos, 

 seals, forests, mines, waterways, rail- 

 roads — all that the nation owns, cares 

 for, controls, or regulates. Congress 

 should determine in broad outline the 

 policies which this board in a liberal dis- 

 cretion should elaborate and administer, 

 much as is done as to the Philippines. 



This board would, of course, have noth- 

 ing whatsoever to do with the internal 

 affairs of the organized Territory of 

 Alaska, for it would exercise no powers 

 save such as Congress granted over the 

 property of the United States in Alaska. 



THE BEACK BEAR IS CARED EOR BY ONE 

 DEPARTMENT AND THE BROWN 

 BEAR BY ANOTHER 



There are several reasons which appeal 

 to me as supporting this suggestion : 



1. Such a board could advise Congress 

 as to what should be done, without preju- 

 dice, out of a deep national interest and 

 with first-hand knowledge of conditions. 



2. Such a board would coordinate the 

 present enterprises of the government in 

 Alaska. As it is now, the control of 

 lands is in one department, of forests in 

 another, of roads in another, of fisheries 



187 



