Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-12-01
RELIEF Is BADLY NEEDED.
Condition Of Klondike Miners Dis
cussed by the Cabinet.
NO Decision Was Reached-T The
PRESIDENT May Send Special
Message to Congress Asking for
an Appropriation - An Expedi-
ton Not Likely to Get to the
Gold Region Before February.

Washington, D. c., November 3d.
The cabinet to-day considered the SUBJ.
ject of sending relief to the people in
the Klondike. President Mckinley re-
ceived a telegram from the Portland
(Ore) Chamber Of Commerce stating
that there was danger Of restitution
and suffering on the Klondike, and Of
fering to supply the necessary foo..
for relief if the government would uE
dertake it's transportation.
The information was not definite as
to the actual conditions, but was on
the same line that has been tele-
graphed from the Northwest The
cabinet considered every phase Of the
situation and discussed ways and
means Of affording relief.
1t was decided that nothing could
be done until Congress meets, when an
appropriation will be asked fer the
purposhe Of transporting food sup
plies. Although many plans have been
discussed, none has been decided
upon. 1t is probable, however. that
whatever action is taken will be under
the direction of the War Department,
and by the time Congress acts Secre
tary Alger will have formulated plans.
No attempt will be made to go UP the
Yukon, as the ice has closed progress
in that direction. The relief supplies
will have to be sent over the passes.
Just how they will be transported is a
question requiring serious considera-
ton, and one that will require the
study of many plans in order that an
entirely feasible one may be evolved.
Secretary Alger will gather all posi-
bic information and will communicate
with persons who know the route to
the Klondike and are familiar with
the transportation methods in the Arc
tic and other frozen regions. Reindeer
and dogs possibly may be used, and
there is also a suggestion that the
steam snow engine, which has been
successfully used in the deep snow Of
the logging camps, may be utilized
Secretary Alger has confidence in it as
a means of transportation.
The members Of the cabinet we're all
intensely interested in the matter Of
securing relief. Whether the men who
are supposed to be suffering went
there or not against the repeated
warnings of all officials, is beyond the
question, the simple fact being that
they are there and need relief making
it imperative upon the government to
extend aid if possible.
No estimate has been made as to the
|cost and none can be prepared now.
congress viii be asked to appropriate
sufficient amount and the War De-
artment will eXpend it in the most
economical manner, as in the case of
he Mississippi food sufferers, when
100000 was appropriated and only
P75, 900 expended.
The task Of getting supplies to the
kKlondike in mid-winter is not under
ESTIMATED and doubts are entertained
as to its being possibility. Taiya
can be reached by steamer Thence
the journey is one of 700 miles over
the mountains, through deep drifts of
soft, loose snow. The sun shines for
only about five hours in each "a and
The thermometer often down to so and
30 degrees below zero. 1t is believed
that an expedition cannot reach the
Klondike before February at the ear
Hest, and the hope is expressed that
there is a sufficient supply of food to
last until that time. It is estimated
that there are 5000 people in the gold
country.
A dispatch recently stated that TO-,
900 horses and cattle went to the
Klondike from Taiya a short time ago,
but Commissioner Smith has wired the
government that such is not the fac
He says 1000 sheep started over the
Taiya trail and that it is believed they
reached the mines. Some time ago
800 sheep were sent down the Yukon.
of which 200 may have reached the
klondike.
Secretary Alger believes that Capt
Ray has gone to Dawson, and that he
will make his way down and report
Supon conditions there. Nothing mas
been heard from him since he LEFT for
the Yukon, but the secretary expects
advices from him almost any day.
1t is probable that the President will
send a special message to Congress-
asking an appropriation for the relief
of the people in the Klondike, and it
is believed that prompt action will he
taken and the money made immediate
IL n1-niln lie