The daily morning Alaskan., 1900-02-24
WATCHED SKAGNAY
 SINCE HER START
Banker Behrends Tells Why
 He Comes from Juneau.
DOUBTFUL PERIOD PAST
Believes that the City Has n Great Futuro and Has Confidence in Largo Business Returns.

B. M. Behrends, who has been estab- llshed In Juneau as merchant and banker for about a dozen years, came up on the last steamer touching at that cltv to estab- fish branch establishment in this eitv. He Is we'll and favOrablv known to all old timers here, and, therefore. apart from many details ineiient to opening a new mercantile and banking house. has been kept pretty busy ever since he landed. He was caught in a moment of leisure yester- day afternoon and said:
 "Well. we only opened on Monday, and so far am we'll satisfied with the business done. They tell me Skagwly Is dull just now, but can see plenty of business going on all the time"
 "And how Is Juneau !"
 "Juneau Is quiet, but 1t is all right, and all the business houses are doing we'll. of course, Juneau has lost much of her tran slent trade; that has come to Skagway. But her local trade Is constantly increasing in pace with the development of the quartz mining in the vicinity. Juneau has a very large pay roll and most of the men employed in the mines or about the works are married and have families. and thus ensure a gooi and regular trade. Therefore, Juneau Is all right
 "Yes, there Is mueh satisfaction felt there as to the removal of the capital, aI> though under the conditions existing two years ago we would rather any other place would have had it. Gambling does some- how seem an essential to a new frontier town, and lt would not have been the best condition of things to have all the law of' fieers quartered where lt was going on. Now, Juneau has worked hard for and Is pleased to get the capital. There is no truth whatever in the Douglas Island peo- pie having offered a site for the capita. buildings and in having tried to get the capital placed over there. There Is the ut. most good feeling between Douglas Island and Juleau, and may add that there is also good feeling between this city and Juneau.
 "How came l to decide to open up here ? We'll, that is a reasonable question from the fact that, as you know, was here in August, 1897, when there was nothing but tents and mud here. had thoughts of starting here then, and, in fact. had bank clerk of experience come up here on the Queen in that month for the purpose. Since then have always had the idea In mind of starting branch of my business here, and have visited the city from time tO time and watched its progress.
 "At the close of last year made up my mind that Skagwav was going to be by far the most important point in Alaska. and, as a result, am here.
 "No, could not tell you any specific reasons for my decision; beyond the fact that had carefully watched the elty's progress and was convinced that she had left the doubtful stage far behind. Friends have shown me fine specimens of copper ore from Lake Bennett and beyond, but outside of these developments in the future feel that Skagway is all right and Is city of growing importance.
 "As to the bank, 1t w.ll be run as Is the one lave in Juneau. We shall do the business of our customers as an secommo' tIon, charging them merely Pacific coast rates. As to what our banking business may develop ln.o am not at present saw
 ing anything.