Russell Look age 12, of Milwaukee, Wis for his question:

How much did the U.S. pay for Alaska?

The new state of Alaska increased the area of the United States by one fifth. It is about twice the size of Texas, the" former champs and , the Aleuts who named it Alaska, meaning the Big Lands were quite correct. Our huge 49th state covers an area of some 586,000 square miles,

Originally this great lard was settled by the Russians who were interested in its rich furs. Almost a hundred years ago they showed a willingness to sell the vast area for cash. The man who made the deal for price agreed upon and paid was $7,200.000 which comes to about $14 a square mile.