Ever since 1906, when Conservationist-President Teddy Roosevelt imposed a ban on coal mining in Alaska to help preserve its natural grandeur, many Alaskans have harbored a deep resentment against the "meddling outsider"—especially the Federal Government in Washington, D.C., and "anti-development" conservationists. The recent oil-pipeline controversy, in particular, has turned resentment into outright antagonism and given new impetus to a budding secessionist movement.
Focal point of Alaskans' frustrations has been the San Francisco-based Sierra Club, which is the state's most successful conservation group. Although the club was not a party to the suit that has held up construction of the pipeline for four...
