The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-12-19

HERE is probably no section
of the United States where Ia
Dor is more in demand than in
Alaska. Along the southwest
erly shore line the mines and
fisheries would afford perma-
nent occupation to large pop
ulatfon. We want men who will come
with their families and make our land
their permanent abode. When homes
are established then will our future be
assured. At present scarce believe
that the entire white resident popula-
ton of Alaska exceeds 10000.
But before there can be much immi-
grafton to Alaska there must be an
extension of the land laws. At present
a purchaser can secure no title to
property The only deed is a quit
claim. He'll get off and you get on.
We have been living in this way for
thirty years.
The mining laws of the United States
have been extended to Alaska, but not
the land laws. Why, every man who
cuts a stick of timber is a trespasser.
The people realize that they are there
on suffrage, and there is no attempt to
cut timber for export out Of the coun-
try.
ne pOOI IIlOll Ids ali C4Oll SAAoiANO
with the capitalist so far as mining in
the southern S ction is concerned. OF
course, when it comes to Quitting,
paying for transportation into the Yu
kon district, the man of limited means
is practically barred.
But I believe that the rush into the
KlOndike viii soon be diverted. AS
Governor receive hundreds of letters
seeking information regarding the
country. l have noted that many of
these letters inquire about chances in
the Copper River and Cooks Inlet dis
tricts, showing that an increasing
number of people are now turning their
eyes in those directions, because they
believe in their mineral wealth and
because they are on American soil. We
anticipate a great rush there, and
while it might be for time a tran
silent addition to the population Of the
country it will mean somewhat of a
permanent settlement later on.
At no distant day believe there will
be what may be termed the Alaska
farmer" AS a result of my twenty
years experience in this northern
country 1 have no hesitancy in saying
that it possesses superior agricultural
advantages to my old Indian stamping
ground. 1 now raise fine garden truck
beef cattle, and am able to raise pigs
with little difficulty. 1t is some trouble
to get feed, but there is plenty of grass.
The western islands and Cooks Inlet
are covered with grass four feet high
Some day there will be a farming pop
ulation in Cooks Inlet.
The transition in Alaska will be from
gold to coal and from coal to agricul-
7 nd oi 1of t1a
kon Valley offers field for barley un-
surpassed anywhere in the world, even
though the soil one foot or eighteen
inches below the surface is eternally
frozen.
The fish industry is one of the great
est interests in Alaska. The business
last year amounted to 100000 but it
needs to be regulated by a commission.
The cannery men should be called to-
gether in conference to decide the many
questions which should besettled where
a fierce rivalry exists. All sides could
be heard, and more intelligent laws
than those now governing would re-
suit. There are a number of instances
1 could give of the necessity Of COM
mission.
There is now an absence of Govern
ment machinery, which makes 1t i'm
possible for even constituted officials
to enforce their authority.
Think of the future Of the fish indus
tryi The grounds on the Atlantic
coast are giving out, while ours are I'M
touched Some day a majority of the
fish consumed in the world will come
from Alaska.
The fur industry has seen it's best
days. On the western islands foxes,
blue and silver, are being cultivated,
and 1 understand those interested in
the venture are having good success.
do not believe that Alaska has a
large enough permanent population to
warrant the creating of a Territory.
I do, however, favor the appointment
of a commission to visit Alaska and
frame new laws for its government.
The business men and officials of
Alaska are concerned in effecting some