The daily morning Alaskan., 1900-04-27
Gold Commissioner Graham
 Reviews the Situation.
CAMP BUSY AS A HIVE
Three sawmills start--Hydraulio Concerns Making Preparations for wOrk--ssason VIII open in Fou- weeks--Trail Good.

Gold Commissioner ]. D. Graham of Atlln. who Is In the city, reports general activity In his district In preparation for the opening Cf the mining season. He says the first spring work will begin In about four weeks. Snow Is still In the creek valleys but fast disappearing. A numSer of big hydraulic concerns arc busIly getting In condition for operations. The commissioner Is highly gratlfed over the discoveries of quartz of promise in many parts of the district.
 While at the Golden North yesterday Mr. Graham said:
 "The trail from Atln by the Fantrail route Is In fine condition for dog teams with the exception of on the portage be- tween Lake Atlln and Taku Lake, and between Otter and Hugh's. The snow Is off these portages and makes it difficult for the dogs to drag the sleds. The trail on the lakes out from Bennett, understand Is In fine condition, but It Is much longer than the fantall route. l made the run from Atlln to Log Cabin In 10 hours actual travelling time. had four dogs. Lake Atlln Is as smooth as Kitchen floor. It Is q great place for wheeling. N. de Ia Mare had an enjoyable time riding on the lake In his automobile.
 "The Fantall route, fl the weather con tinues as It ls, may be good a month longer.
 "The snow has.nearlv all disappeared from the townslte of Atlln, and the weather there Is delightful.
 "Snow Is going off back on the creeks. It will probably be month before mining operations begin on the creeks nearer town, and two months before work can be done to advantage on Wright and Boulder and other creeks too numerous to mention that lie far back from Atlln Lake.
 However, many men are on the ground busy In preparation for the seasons min Ing, and more are coming In daily. They arrive at Atlln City without much ado and 20 as quietly 10 their several interests up the creeks. and consequently there Is no great showing al the town, but In fact the creeks arc booming hives of earnest ln- dustrv.
 "The two sawmills at Atlln City and one on Surprise Lake are busy cutting lum- Der for sluIce box construction and other uses. An English company Is operating the mill on Surprise and the superintendent of the concern Is on the ground. The mill Is probably engaged In cutting lumber for the officials of the White Pass road who have Interests on Wright creek.
 "Packer Brooks, formerly of Skagwav, Is taking lumber In from Atlln to Birch Creek for an English company represented by Martin Williams. The company has bought about 10 of the best claims of the creek. C. H, Dewitt. of Skagwav. is taking In pipes for the company.
 Minneapolis peOPle are getting hy- draullc properties on Spruce. lt figures on getting control of 100 creek claims.
 "A Mir Ghffiths, of Seattle, who was in AtlIn few days ago accompanied by an expert mining man, was there looking at property in Surprise guleh below dls- covev on Pine with the intention of get ting control of I2 claims for capitalists. He Is a thorough business man, and said he liked the looks of the district.
 "On Boulder N. de Ia Mare has IS hy' draule leases, and has gone south to order machinery, Mr. Christopher Is manager of the company.
 "Thomas Bracket IS getting nady to soon begin operations on his hydraulic property on Willow Creek. He had to send to Bennett for men.
 "On Stevendvke Is a company with