The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1898-12-16
YEARS WORK IN ALASKA
Progress Mining Deve1opmentValue of the Salmon Indus
ty-Agru1ure the Far North Necessary legislation
teresting Report of Governor Brady, of Alaska.

he would have no assurance that it
would be accepted by the government.
If he settles as a squatter and makes
improvements, he cannot tell how
future surveys may affect him. In con-
sequence of this condition of affairs,
not single homesteader has attempted
to make entry under the new law in the
land Office at Sitka."
In the matter Of wagon roads, rail-
roads. ETC., different condition exists.
AS soon as the right of way bill had
passed, numbers of filings were made,
and several roads of various character
are now in progress of construction.
At Unga, Berner's bay and Douglass
island there are railways in operation,
although solely for use in connection
with the mines. The Pacific & Arctic
Railway & Navigation Company has
probably made more progress than any
of the other large companies, having
completed IA miles of road over almost
impossible country. Moreover. go
much of the road as is completed is
constructed of the best material, by the
best of workmen, and is in every way
first-class. Money has not been spared,
and as result the road stands without
peer. It might be mentioned, in this
connection, that, owing to the limita-
tions of the timber laws, 1t was found
best to import great deal of timber,
and nearly all the timber and lumber
used in building Dyea and Skagway,
their railroads and mills, was shipped
from Pugest sound.
The governor expresses the hope that
congress-, during the short session, will
pass upon code of civil procedure for
the district of Alaska.
Salmon Industry.
OF the salmon industry, great deal
is said. There can be no doubt that
this industry is one of great impol tance,
for from figures given 1t is seen that
the Alaskan output in the last year
marketed at $2.977.019. The red
salmon seems to far outnumbe all 9TH
ers, although the pink and silver
salmon are found in large numbers.
Com mparatively few king salmon were
taken last year. To pack these salmon
for shipment, over 5000 laborers are
employed. and. strange to say, the most
of them are Chinese. 1t has been
found almost impossible to educate the
native Alaskan Indian to American
canning methods, and this, together
with the fact that Chinese labor is ex-
ceedingly cheap, may account, in a
measure, for the large number Of Chi
nese in the canneries. This salmon
trade during the past year was of suffi-
Iaisrt proportions to keep in constant
10 season, 63 steamers, in
addition td7tne n ngsnse15 and email
boats.
In the opinion of the governor,
Alaska should be we'll supplied with
inspectors, the present force of two be-
ing decidedly inadequate.
Agricultural Possibilities.
As an agricultural country, Alaska is
still in it's infancy, little being known
of it's possibilities. Enough can be
learned. however. from experiments
made in the past year. to satisfy those
interested that such crops as potatoes,
cabbage, beets, peas and other market
vegetables can, with proper attention
and care, be raised in parts of the coun-
try without difficulty. But grass, be-
yond everything else, promises to be
the agricultural wealth of Alaska.
This is but little appreci at present.
The native grasses are nutritious, and
grow luxuriantly. Timothy, clover and
other cultivated varieties do we'll, one
acre of ground in grass there, for pas
turgage, being worth several acres in
drier climate. There are many varie-
ties of native berries, such as currants.
huekleberries, etc., but. berries from
the States, as rule, do we'll under cul-
tivation.
cot stockraising." says the report,
"but little can be said. Reindeer will
soon be reared in vast herds. In the
near future we expect to have the mail
transported by reindeer all over North
ern Alaska during the winter, and at
much less cost than at present."
The Governors Recommendations.
Before closing the report, number
of recommendations are made. Among
them is the suggestion that Japonsky
island be built up as naval station.
Attention is also called to the fact that
at Kadiak, Unga, ST. Michaels, Circle
City and Dyea there is great lack of
proper courtrooms and jails, as we'll as
at Sitka, where the buildings are in
miserable condition.
The appropriation for Alaskan
schools has been found quite INSULT
cient, being but $50. 900 per year. An
appropriation Of twice that size could
easily be utilized to good advantage.
A further recommendation is made
to the effect that lighthouses and other
beacons be placed at conspicuous points
along the coast, as the commerce has
greatly multiplied of late and demands
such protection.
Governor Brady closes his report
with an appeal to the Republican party
to live up to it's pledge and extend to
Alaska the privilege of sending dele
ate RI the n national oonorasa