The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-20
HARD TIMES IN THE KLONDIKE.
REPORT FROM RELIEF EXPEDI-
TION SENT BY ALGER.

TO Justify the Rush That Has Gone
Thcre-Many People Idle.
Washington. Feb. 19-Secretary Alger
has transmitted to Congress a complete
report Of the relief work of the war de
partment in the Kiondike country under
taken under act of Congress as a result
of reports that extreme distress among
the miners followed the influx to the gold
country during 1898. II embraces The
detailed reports of Capt. p. II. Ray and
Lieut.. w. p. Richardson, who had charge
of the relief work. These latter reports
give a graphic picture of the conditions
in the Klondike. its possibilities as well as
ats hardships, with that candor character
istic of military reports.
Some time has elapsed, however, since
the reports were written, owing in part
TO the difficulties Of official communica-
ton between the Klondike and Washing
ton. Many of the military reports have
not before been given, and as whole
they present a comprehensive review OF
the Klondike situation
Secretary Alger says in his letter OF
transmittal to Congress:
IN accordance with the requirements
of section Of the act Of Dec Is, 1897, d.
recting the Secretary of War TO make a
report in detail to Congress at the begin
ming of its next regular session as TO All
purchases employment sales. and dona-
lions or transfers under the provisions of
the act for The relief of people in the
mining regions of Alaska, | have the
from the appropriation of 100000 have
been made four relief subsistence supplies.
means of transportation, employment OF
labor. and other incidental expenses in
sum aggregating $142, 600, as appears from
the several statements hereto attached.
How the Money Was spent.
''There was expended from this appro-
pria ton of $500, 600 for subsistence stores
and other miscellaneous property, the
sum of $25,5S2. Upon the abandonment Of
the relief expedition there was transferred
from these stores to the army and Lap
landers and issued to destitute people
in Alaska. supplies amounting 10 Sl6,452
exclusive of the $31 772 paid to the Alas
ka Commercial Company and the North
American Transportation and Trading
Company for supplies issued from their
warehouses to the destitute by Capt. Ray.
Under the authority granted to the Score
tary of War by the act, Subsistence sup
plies to the amount of S,493, and quar-
termasters supplies amounting to $9,025
were sold, which amounts have been cover
ed into the treasury, as provided by law.
The balance of the stores aud property
is in the possession of disbursing officers,
upon which returns have not yet been
made.
The $50 head of reindeer were pur-
chased and transported from Norway TO
Haines Mission, Alaska, for $65 1893, or
about $125 per head The value there
fore of the S26 head delivered by the war
department to the department of the in
Ierior, as provided by said act was $40,-
$50. There remains on hand of said APP
preparation the sum of $57, 4S6S4
There is filed in the department a claim
of Sl6,6S5 for damages under a contract
for transportation for subsistence stores,
supplies and material from the head of
Lynn canal, Alaska, to Dawson City,
Northwest Territory, which was annulled
and cancelled. This claim has been re-
ferred by the war department to the de-
partment of justice for an opinion.
1T is, therefore, impracticable at this
time to determine what portion of the
balance of $50, 4S6 will be required for the
final settlement of the outstanding liabili-
ties incurred by the department in its eff
forts to successfully carry out the will of
Congress as indicated in the act of Dec.
IS, 1897, and 20 meet a situation which was
generally believed to demand unusual
measures and the utmost promptness in
behalf of humanity.
For the supplies furnished to the des-
titute people and miners from the stocks
of these commercial companies Capt Raw
took notes from many of those who re-
ceived relief, payable TO the government
of the United States, and by him delivered
TO the war department"
Gold Output and Cost of Living.
The last of the military reports is from
Lieut. Richardson, and is dated July 7,
last. 1t sums up general conditions as
follows:
THE output of gold from the Dawson
district for the past winters work (97' -9S)
will not exceed $4,000, 600, more conserva-
lively estimated at from S,50O,OOO to S.
100000. l should judge the population of
Dawson to be, at the time l left, from
1000 to 1900, by far the larger part of
whom are still living in tents Small
boats arrive continually from the upper
river, averaging during one twenty-four
hours, in which they were counted, one
for every eight minutes.
Most of the small boats coming down
bring a surplus of provisions, including
ITtSn vegetables, eggs ana Ifull. ana II
is TO these small but numerous additions
10 the supply of the commercial compa-
MES that the people owe their comfort
at the present time. A few of the pre-
Yailing prices at Dawson, which obtain,
with slight modification at Circle aCd
other points, are s., so for tie plainest meal
Cham and eggs, bread, butter and coffee.
Beefsteak costs extra this is sold to the
restaurants at 81 per pound. A stew of
fresh oysters, S. A restaurant wine card
gives Champagne $40 per quart 500 per
pint; ale s. per bottle. A pair Of horses,
wa on and driver earn SO per hour; q
good cook, SIS per day; ordinary labor,
81 80 per hour. These prices impress me as
out of all proportion tc the output of
money from the country, the present album
dance of supplies there, and the limited
field Of labor.
only a small proportion of the people
now there can find steady employment,
and that phase of the situation is growing
daily worse. The streets are thronged
with a crowd of idle men. Many belong
TO 1.-THE class who are not looking for
work, and these, many of whom will
doubtless float down into our territory, Will
become a troublesome and dangerous ele-
ment as the winter approaches unless con-
INgA . a