Taken all together, the retiring Governor's admin- !
istration was a good one. If it had no high spots
to mark exceptional progress toward greater home!
rule and freedom from Federal regulation and
control, it had no low spots of official misconduct, |
graft or ineffective direction. Its even tenor was j
marked throughout the entire period. It was an
administration that reflected credit upon the party
and the national administration that appointed him. i
They and the retiring Governor and his friends j
have a right to take a pride in it.
He entered office with the affection and respect i
of Alaskans of all political affiliations. He left it1
with those feelings unchanged. His announcement j
that he will continue to make Alaska his home is
cause for public gratification. He is a distinct asset
to the Territory, and it is upon the work of men
like him that we shall found a future great State
in the course of time.
FORMATION OF OIL OR COAL
Scientists are tackling the theory of why a peal
bog will on some occasions turn into oil and or
others result In coal formation. The hypothesis it
that salt water produces chemical changes that
makes the difference in the end result.
Drs. Armand J. Eardley. of the University ol
Michigan, and Merrill Haas, of Harvard, advance
this action of salt water. Peat bogs, as is well
known are caused by decayed plant material in fresh
water. If the material is covered by nature and
lies buried long enough it will turn to coal. II
during these ages it is flooded with salt water
there seems to be evidence that it will turn to oil
instead.
