The Farmington times. [volume] (Farmington, Mo.) 1874-1902, 1899-02-23

Washington, Feb 2i.--.Sccretary Al.
ger has transmitted Go congress u
complete report on tine reiief work OF
the war department In the Kl0ndike
country, undertaken under act of con
Ervas ~ result Of reports that ex.
trcmc distreaA among the miners fol-
lowed the influx 10 the gold country
during isgT.ss. II embraces the de-
tailed reports nf Capt r. II. Ray and
iirui " !. Richardson. aside from.
details Of the relief work, Capt Rays
las, rsport, dated Nav last. contains
the following interesting statement:
CAPT, RAYS STATEMENT.
~ deem Il uf the greatest impor-
tance for the development oi the eoun-
try that roads should be opened, ~ as
to enable the people 20 enter the cOun-
try not only from the Yukon to the
open sea In our own country. which
Is Of the greatest Importance. bpt to
enable miners and prospectors 10 get
into the interior with their supplies.
Under existing conditions persons can
enter the country only by the one
great hiRhway-the Yukon rivcr-and
they can not hope TO be landed at any
point In Alaska earlier than July l.
The gold-h~aring diHfri"ts ARE from
80 to $50 miles back from the main
stream. There are not any summer
trails except foot trails, and provi.
sions and mining tools can only be
transported on the backs OF men.
Il do not find anything either In
Alaska or Northwest territory to JUS
tify the great rush Of people to that
country. or the enormous investment
now being made in transportation,
tracing and mining companies. In
Northwest territory no discoveries of
extraordinary richness have been
made since that Of the RiOndike, and
the claims are almost entirely con.
fined TO bonanza, Eldarado. Dominica,
HonkG and Sulphur, with few
claims on Rear creek,
In this district all rich claims are
well known and held at very high
prices. aud while the whole country
has been stHked Il has been done for
speculative purposes, aud no work Is
being done except such ~ Is necessary
TO hold title until they eau be sold 20
the unwary newcomer or disposed OF
IN the states for corporation schemes.
Capt. Constantine. Of the Canadian
Northwestern mouateA pslis's, Is my
authority for denouncing the move
nisnt ~ n fraud.
"ln the ahs~"nce OF any other In.
dustry, except cutting wood for the
river boats, do not see anything Ia
the futire for over 90 per cent. Of the
people new focking TO that country
but disappointment and suffering.
Even those who obtain employment at
$3.50 per hour, find that after de.
ducting the cost OF food d-packing. can.
dies. etc. they do not net TO exceed -
per day. and they tell me Il Is barely
enough 20 tide them over the idle sea.
son.
Up 10 date no paying mineral lodrs
Of either gold or silver have been dis.
covered N north Alaska. so far as
known.
DEVELOPMENT WILL tiE SLOW.
II nm now fully satisfied that In 1bs
near future Alaska will bc the source
of great wealth, but the development
will necessarily be slow owing to tho
climate conditions, recommend the
eerly introduction Of horHes, mules
and cattle and extra inducements
should he held out for the develop.
nlent Of agriculture In the valley oi
the lower Yukon especially. Wild has
can he obtained there in great abund
Hnce. and oats, barley and spring
wheat can bc successfully cultivated
a. we'll AZ potatoes, turnips, and oil
the more hardy garden vegetables, alI
ef whieh 7bula bc required for many
yenrs TO NEE, the k,eai demand. and
by reducing the cost Of tarlispof,aiior
and food render Il possible to proiita
bly, work large per cent. of the
trGne- now lying idle"