The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-04-18
JUNEAU As IT Is.
The situation in Alaska as Seen by q
Post .IntcIIfgencer Representatives.


The following letter from J. A. McClel-
Ian, travelling agent OF the Post-fntelli-
gencer. who has spent several weeks in
the north. contains information as TO the
situation that may be depended upon as
authentic:
~ found. during my recent visit 10
Alaska. that the consensus of opinion
among those with whom / conversed was
that no man should go to Alaska without
sufficient money to enable him to properly
outfit himself IL he eontemplates going to
the mines. or TO be self-sustalning IL he
proposes TO remain In juneau l made in
quirieS OF mine owners. mine laborers bust
ness ana professional men, old residents
and newcomers.
"A prominent citizen of Alaska, whose
headquarters are on the Yukon made the
following statement: a man should know
something about mining and have at least
500, 80 he can buy an outfit for the comiay
winter. Mine owners have. as 4 rule only
provided food at the mines for such men as
have been engaged TO work. The mines
arc situated on an average of sixty miles
back from the Yukon. ana food must be
picked IN by those wishing TO get work
during the summer. This Is no light task
and Indians require from 20 cents to g,
cents per pound for such work. II man
goes in prepared TO winter. he can trans
port his outfit during the winter over the
kihHHA 6ltIpNt frltn Trouble
Mr. corbus. superintendent of the
Treadwell mine. told me OF "A rnaa who
applied to him for work. stating thu, he
had read In newspaper published in
Eastern Washington that laborers were.
scarce in Alaska. that a man could find
work on landing NJ from s. to So, day.
and that he had brought his family with
him and was IN need Corhns also said
that on the arrival Of every steamer men
fock over on the ferry 10 the mine and
apply for any Kind OF work only to find
there Is none for them.
IF. ID Newell. Of the Novel; Gold Min
Ing Company. Informed me that there are
too many iahorers going Ia Alaska seek
Ing employment. This company has a
naiice on the door Of its Office which reads: .
No miners or lahorers wanted
''buring the winter months work il slis-
pended In all the mines adjacent 10 Juneau
save tho Treadwen. In the latter WORT
never ceases. day or night This inactivity
during the winter season throws many me,
out OF employment. They cannot he rlaSsst
with the unemployed men without means
with whom Alaska Is ovcrrun as a large
per cent. Of them worked IN tho nnFaes las,
ycsir and are engaged TO work this season
''rher" are, however. many men who have
landed tn Juneau from the states during
the PAST few months almost penatlcss sx-
rcctinE 20 md employment Some Of then,
may. and No doubt Will succeed. hut the
greater number are doomed 20 disapn,sr,-
mont
Tn" country is sufficiently hsnaicanped
ny nature. and should not be nilercnresen, .
81 by those who have failed 20 fnd mug
sr's n sold hanging on the bushes
"As 7 see the situation thera 10 a h~asA,
outlook Tor healthy, energetic man who
goes 70 Alaska with suulcisnt means "a
procure GOOD outnt. either for the u,iees
or 20 engage in business. Rat liz j. n reor
very poor. place Tor a pe SON without
n'.Ahs no Is simply looking for a sob. and
who VIII have 10 denerd posr c.h..-. :,
rnf him employment or 20 outst ht-,
Alaska wants moro men. hut orlv ersr-
Eet0, self-reliant men. Who win A., nre-
raTcd "a depend on Their own resources
Te az such the citizens o. Alaska vii,
extend A cordial and hearty welcome.
j. \ MCCLELLAN
Travelling Agent OF the Posi-ln,eii'..,.-
GER" eN"-