Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1882-02-02
AIASKA's WEALTH.
California Merchants Looking TO its
Fuller Development.

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san Francisco Chronicle.
A meeting Of the chamber Of COM
merce was held yesterday afternoon,
President VIM. +. Babcock presiding.
In calling the meeting to order the
chairman stated that letter had been
received from Prof. George Davidson,
directing the attention TO the made
quate survey of Alaska, and suggest
ing that the chamber Of commerce
memorabilia congress for an appropria-
tion 10 continue the labors Of the coast
and geodetic survey in that territory.
Prof. Davidson addressed the meet
ing. remarking that he had visited
Alaska in 1867 and 1869, and had made
explorations "a far north as the Aleu-
tian islands, with n view OF obtaining
sufficient data ia support of the pas
sage Of bill before congress for the
survey Of that country. He had been
particularly impressed in his researches
by the excellent co nmercial prospects
OF our northern possessions. The
shOre-line Of Alaska, 1900 miles In
length. was densely covered with tim
Der almost 20 the waters edge. Afford
ing the almost facilities for building
purposes.
The advantages for the construction
OF ships were unsurpassed. inasmuch
as yellow cedar. which Is peculiarly TT
ted for the requirements OF naviga-
ton. can be- found in abundance. lie
was satisfied. from close observation,
that the cedar was proof against ma
rine pests. as evidenced by the fact
that a portion Of the wreck which had
been lying on the beach for upwards
OF twenty eight years, was found 10
be absolutely free from the ravages OF
worms, while The Russian railroad at
Sitka had been eaten and destroyed by
the teredo and other marine pests.
The authorities at Washington, after
having examined n specimen Of this
cedar. pronounced II the best light wood
that could be used I'm the building OF
ships Prof. Davidson also alluded 10
the devastation of timber I'm Oregon by
forest fires. and gave as his opinion
that the waste would never be replaced
by another growth. The supply Of
timber mt Puget sound along the shore
line has been seriously taxed by the |
constant demand. and under these cir
cumstances the advantage of an Alas |
kan supply was one Of the utmost COM
mercial importance. lie next alluded |
20 the mineral deposits in Alaska, clas-
styling them broadly as consisting
Of iron, coal and limestone. Iron
exists there i'm abundance, and |
the ore, when reduced, averages
fully 40 per cent Of iron. This, with |
the existence Of ready coal-beds, could
be worked up into an important indus
Try.
In abiding 10 the advantages of fish
fairgrounds possessed by Alaska Prof. |
Davidson said that Goldfish existed in |
great abundance. and that the Goldfish |
grounds covered an area four times as
large as those Of Newfoundland. It'll
was customary 10 decry the Goldfish Of
Alaska rs inferior. but admitting such |
to be the case, II was attributable to
the manner Of curing. The whaling
grounds had heed abandoned by Europ-
cans, not because there existed a |
scarcity OF whales, but because, owing
10 the depth Of the water, some two
hundred fathoms. much difficulty was
encountered in securing the whale af-
ter II had been struck. In conclusion,
the speaker said that vast natural re.
sources existed in Alaska, and that
vessels should be protected from UNI
known dangers, which can be avoided
by proper survey.
Lieut. Nichols had nothing to add,
and the following memorial 10 the SEN
ate and house Of representatives was
adopted:
The chamber of commerce of San
francisco respectfully represents to
your honorable bodies that the varied
resources of Alaska, which should
form an important factor in the com.
merce Of the Pacific coast, are at pres
ent unavailable, owing 10 the want of
accurate information regarding the
navigable waters and the Topography
OF that region; that the partial surveys
heretofore made ut intervals by the
United States coast and geodetic sur
vey have been so limited as TO result
In far less benefit 10 trade than is de-
sired by our merchants and mariners.
This chamber, therefore. earnestly re.
quests your honorable bodies to ap-
propriate mt once sufficient funds for
the continuance Of the United States
coast and geoietic survey within the
territory Of Alska.