The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-02-22
ROAST ON THE KLONDIKE
Captain Ray Says That, Under Pres.
ent Conditions Ii L. q Eraud

Washington, Feb. 2O.-Secretary Alger
has transmitted to congress a complete re-
port on the relief work of the war de-
partment in the Klondike country, under
taken under act Of congress as a result of
report that extreme distress among the
miners followed the influx to the gold
country during 1878 1t embraces the
detailed reports Of Captain P. H. Ray. and
Lieutenant w. P. Richardson. Aside from
details OF the relSf wt-k. Captain Rays
last report, dated May last, contains the
following interesting statement:
Il deem it of the greatest importance or
the development of the country, that roads
should be opened, so as to enable tie
people to enter the country not only from
the Yukon to the open sea in our own
country. which is of the greatest icport-
ance, but to enable miners and prospect
ors to get into the interior with their sup
plies. Under existing conditions persons
can enter the country only by the one great
hlghway-the Yukon river-and they can
not hope to be landed at any point in
Alaska earlier than July l.
The gold bearing districts are from fifty
to one hundred and fifty miles back from
the main stream. There are not any sum-
mer trails except foot trails, and provis
ions and mining tools can only be trans
ported on the backs of men,
i do not find anything either in Alaska
or Northwest Territory to justify the great
rush of people 10 that country, or the
enormous investment now being made in
transportation, trading and mining COM
panies. In Northwest Territory no dis
coverles Of extraordinary richness have
been made sine that of the Klondike and
the claims are almost entirely confined 70
Bonanza, Eldorado, Dominica .Honka and
Sulphur, with a few claims OF. eBar Greek.
In this district all rich claims are well
known and held at very high prices. and
while the whole country has been staked
1t has been done for speculative purposes.
and no work is being done except such
as is necessary to hold a title until thev
can be sold to the unwary new conner or
disposed Of in the states for corporation
schemes. Captain Constantine. of the
Canadian northwestern mounted police. is
my authority 70 rdenouncing the move
ment as a fraud
III NliF dUStllEc OF Any OtlfT INDUSTRY
except cutting wood for the river boats.
I DO not see anything in the future for
over ninety per cent of the people now
focking 70 that country but disappoint-
ment and suffering. Even those who OBJ
tain employment at one dollar and a half
per hour find that after deductlng the cost
OF food packing. candles. etc. they do
not net to exceed % per day. and they tell
me il Is barely enough 70 tide them over
the idle season. Up TO date no paying
mineral lodes Of either gold or silver have
been discovered in north Alaska. 50 far as
known.
Il an now fully satisfied that IN the
near future Alaska VIII be the source u
great wealth, but the development viii
necessarily be slow. owing 10 the climatic
conditions. I recommend the early intro
ductlon OF horses. mules and cattle. and
extra inducements should De held out for
the development OF agriculture in the val
ley OF the lower Yukon. especially VIVID
hay can be obtained there in great abund-
anoe, and cats. barley and spring wnea,
can be successfully cultivated. a. Wei as
potatoes. turnips and al the more hardy
garden vegetables. all n which would BE-
required for many years 20 nee, the local
demand, and D. reducing the cost Of trans
and food render i possible %
profitably work a large Per cent OF the
mines now lying idle
But few Of the people now entering The
northern part II the territory wiu ever
become a factor in rs permanent; dsvel- I
opuleat- They must pass axay before TIE
time when the wealth OF the country VII
become known and developed To promote I
this recommend that several vel equip- I
ped parties be put = The field and a
thorough Eeograp licaI and geological ex- /
7loratioa OF the Country be made. - thai +
men q ordinary means VI - able . 4
engage r. tire work = prospecting al .
mining. A. present Z requires cons5deTz- 4
BE capital 10 drSs explore me caautry .
or practical route 70 transport supplies
ssfore azy work can - done q prospect
ug
-.The rullng rate - interest ~ DaSson
: from u 10 = pr cent per morth. wnseh
: me best exsz4piidcat5on I car give =
re sPecaiatiaE condition % The anaacas
Z TIA: country"