Alaskan Porridge

Some like it hot, some like it cold, and some like it in the pot nine days old. All Alaskans have their likings, their wants, their plans for solving the problems of the Territory, but in nearly every case two sets of opposite demands were presented to the President.

Among the leading questions brought to his attention were the depletion of the Panhandle salmon fisheries, the lack of good roads, the need of markets for agricultural products. The first question might be solved by the creation of a national fish preserve, but this would tend to create a monopoly among the canners already installed. On the question of roads, Secretary Wallace suggested that the Alaskans avail themselves of some $4,000,000 which they might have under the Federal Aid Road Act, but this would involve a conflict with the War Department, which likes to keep control of Alaskan road building. As for markets, it seems that Alaska is too remote ever to find a satisfactory outside market for its agricultural products, although the Secretary foresaw room for great agricultural development to supply Alaska's own needs.

Secretary Hoover proposed a plan to appoint additional Assistant Secretaries of various departments, who would reside in Alaska and take care of its problems on the spot. Many Alaskans look upon this proposal with suspicion, however, on the grounds that it would tend to bureaucracy, of which the Territory has already had too much. In brief, no cure-alls have been discovered to date.

However, the fact that the population of the Territory is steadily decreasing is ample proof that Alaska needs an economic dietitian.