INCORPORATED TOWNS

There are at present 18 incorporated towns in Alaska, 16 of which have a total assessed property valuation of $21,283,127.97. The rates of taxation range from 10 to 20 mills.

No assessed property valuations have been made in the towns of Iditarod and Tanana.

NATIONAL PARKS AND MONUMENTS

The outstanding scenic attraction of Alaska is Mount McKinley National Park. It is the second largest national park in the United States, comprising an area of 2,645 square miles, or 1,692,800 acres, he chief feature of which, Mount McKinley, being the highest ountain in North America. Immense herds of caribou, bands of untain sheep, and other wild game animals are to be found within boundaries.

Through the construction of the Alaska Railroad the entrance the park has been made accessible to tourists. Three passenger ins weekly in each direction are operated, with a stop at McKinley Fark, the name of the station.

A superintendent is in charge of the park, who at present has arrangers to assist him in patrolling the area. Dog teams with ghs and harness are maintained for winter operation.

Under a cooperative agreement with the National Park Service, De Alaska Road Commission started in 1923 on the improvement automobile standard of the pack trail constructed across the ark the previous year. At the close of the present season approxiately 16 miles of auto road will be completed. To complete this ed to Sable Mountain, a distance of 35 miles, from the Alaska ailroad, will require a total expenditure, including work already ae, of about $350,000. The route selected is one of great scenic Pandeur. A road and comfortable camps are absolutely necessary the safety of the increasing tourist travel already visiting the park.

Congress has appropriated $272,000 for the construction of roads and trails in the park to be expended during a three-year program beginning this year. The improvements cover new auto roads from the railroad at McKinley Park 25 miles into the park and from a western entrance to Muldrow Glacier 8 miles and a sled trail of 70 miles.

The completion of these roads will enable visitors to travel with speed and comfort and at moderate cost to points near the regions of interest, where side trips may be arranged by pack and saddle train or on foot.

One large comfortable tent-house camp with good mess arrangements has been erected at Savage River. The construction of two more camps is contemplated, the chain of camps to extend about 50 miles toward the interior of the park. A schedule of authorized rates for transportation, meals, and lodging has been announced. Short or extended trips with saddle horses and pack trains or camping and hiking parties through the low passes in the rugged hills which lie close to the glacier-covered Alaska range can be arranged for. The whole area is well stocked with game.

Though the number of visitors actually entering the park is not large, indications point to this national recreation ground becoming very popular after the present road program has been completed.

Prospecting and mining is permitted under the act establishing the park. Though a number of prospectors have been operating within its boundaries, no mineral deposits of importance have been found except possibly a silver-lead ledge at Copper Mountain, the value of which is yet unknown. There are many indications of more or less extensive coal deposits at various points.

The National Park Service has been endeavoring to secure the cooperation of the people of Alaska in protecting wild life within its borders, and the results have been most gratifying.

There are two national monuments in Alaska under the control of the National Park Service. These are the Sitka National Monument, which was established in 1910, and the Katmai National Monument, which was established in 1918.

The Sitka National Monument, in southeastern Alaska, contains 57 acres and is a reservation of great beauty and historic interest. It was the scene of massacre of Russians by Indians in 1802.

This monument includes the site of the ancient village of a warlike tribe, the Kik-Siti Indians, who in 1802 fortified themselves here at the old village after their massacre of the Russians and defended themselves until the decisive Battle of Alaska in 1804, when the Russians established their supremacy in southeastern Alaska over the Indian tribes. Had the Russians not been successful in their attempt to subdue these Indians, undoubtedly Alaska would have been settled by the English soon afterwards and been retained by them instead of coming into the possession of the United States through purchase from Russia.

The graves of a Russian midshipman and six sailors killed in this battle are within the monument boundaries.

The principal objects of interest in the Sitka National Monumen are the 16 totem poles, relics of the aboriginal life of the region Silently they stand, sentrylike, each telling its own story. Severa of the totem poles in the Sitka monument are unequaled as relic of the work of the savage ancestors of the Alaskan tribes. The

are of red cedar, gayly painted. The Interior Department is making every effort to preserve the poles, having the carvings restored by Indian workmen where vandalism has occurred and repainting them as nearly as possible in their original colors.

Another interesting feature of the monuments is the witch tree, an object of awe and veneration to present-day Indians. It was here that the Indians of other days held their weird trials for witchcraft, and on this tree the victims were hanged.

The monument contains some beautiful forests, and upon entering it the road plunges at once into the shadows of the trees.

Sitka National Monument is reached by road from the town of Sitka, a mile away, which is the port of call for steamships from Seattle.

Upon the recommendation of the governor several years ago, the National Park Service has made an agreement with the president of the Alaska Road Commission for the supervision of annual repairs and improvements in the Sitka National Monument. During the fiscal year $1,102.48 were expended in repairing and painting the totem poles, reconstructing benches and footbridges, clearing and graveling additional footpaths, and extending and repairing a bulkLead along Indian River to protect the monument from overflow. The National Park Service, the Alaska Road Commission, and the Territory all contributed in providing the necessary funds. A similar allotment has been made for the current season.

Katmai National Monument, situated near the base of the Alaska Peninsula on the southern shore of Alaska, bordering Shelikof Strait, es midway of a volcanic belt which has shown extraordinary activity during recent years and is the largest and most spectacular member f the monument system, with an area of over a million acres. It is a Tonderland of great scientific interest in the study of volcanism. Here is located Mount Katmai, which in 1912 gave vent to a violent uption, the initial stage lasting three days, during which several bic miles of material were emitted. This eruption was of such olence as to rank in the first order of volcanic explosions. The nter left by the explosion, measured along the highest point of the , has a circumference of 8.4 miles. The volcano is now quiet, and zits crater lies a lake of milky-blue water over a mile long and nearly mile wide, in which is a little crescent-shaped island measuring 400 eet from tip to tip.

The most spectacular feature of the monument is the mountaincircled Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes in the northwestern rtion of the reservation. For over 15 miles down this valley, ich measures 9 miles at its greatest width, the ground is broken en, giving vent to several million fumaroles, or little volcanoes, om which rise jets of steam.

In addition to the volcanic phenomena, the surrounding region Etains some magnificent lake and mountain scenery. Waterfowl ad fish are abundant, as are the great Alaskan brown bears, the Arrest of carnivorous animals.

At present the Katmai National Monument is comparatively accessible, but the last expedition party of the Geographic Society 1919 discovered Geographic Harbor at the head of Amalik Bay, reviously uncharted, which may in the future afford a fine entrance the region. When this harbor can be developed and an auto

mobile road about 30 miles in length constructed into the area it will be readily accessible and will undoubtedly draw many visitors. Until this development takes place none but the most experienced and hardiest of mountain climbers and explorers should attempt a visit to the region.

ALASKA HISTORICAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

The Alaska Historical Library and Museum, established as a Federal institution in 1900 has, since the enactment of the act of Territorial legislature of May 3, 1923, become purely a Territorial enterprise. It is under the management and control of a Territorial Museum Commission created by that act. While the institution has not expanded to any great extent recently, it has become widely known as an institution of great benefit both to the Territory and to those who are engaged in the study of Alaskan history and related sciences.

The library consists of approximately 8,500 bound volumes and 500 unbound pamphlets and books, and nearly all the newspapers and periodicals published in the Territory from 1885. In accordance with the requirements of the Territorial law, all the Territorial newspapers and magazines are subscribed for, bound and kept on file for public use. While no provision was made for the purchase of additional books, the library, being a depository of Territorial and Federal publications, is being constantly augmented by new accessions. The majority of the States also exchange with the library.

The museum has one of the most complete collections of Eskimo antiquities, as well as articles of native arts from other portions of the Territory. Archeological specimens are also numerous.

During the summer months the institution is crowded with tourists from all parts of the United States. Last summer more than 5,000 people visited the institution, while from indications the number of visitors this season will surpass that number.

RELIEF MEASURES

The Territory provides generously for the relief of the aged and indigent, for dependent children, for the rescue and relief of lost persons, and for the Pioneers' Home at Sitka.

The Pioneers' Home is located at Sitka and is entirely supported by the Territory. Any worthy pioneer who is a citizen of the United States and incapable of self-support, who is qualified by five years' residence in Alaska, may apply to the board of trustees for admission to the home.

The inmates are well cared for, and the maximum of freedom is allowed them. Hospital facilities are provided for the care of the sick and bedridden.

The home is conducted by a board of three trustees, of which the governor is chairman. This board also passes on applications for pensions, which are granted to indigent residents of Alaska who have attained the age of 65 years in the case of men, 60 years in the case of women, and who have resided in the Territory for 15 con secutive years immediately preceding the filing of their applications.