The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-08-24
"sEWARD'S IcEBox."
Alaska Becoming a National Treasure
House.

Stewards Icebox." derisive appellation
formerly applied to Alaska, Is rapidly be-
coming a national treasure house, says the
Chicago Advance. The present economic
status of this coming empire proves this
beyond a doubt. Alaska has added $780,
100000 to our national wealth in the pro-
duction Of gold. furs and fisheries. Our
r.ational treasury has received $11, 900, 900
In revenues. from the territory purchased
from Russia for less than two cents per
acre. The fisheries of Alaska already equal
In importance and productivity our Atlantic
coast fisheries. and yet they are only in
their infancy. Tho vast coal, petroleum
and timber lands. practically unexpected,
still await capital and better transporta-
ton facilities before they can begin to
supply us and other nations with heat,
light and building material.
Copper mining in Alaska has lust begun.
Men competent to judge claim that Alaska
Is destined to control the copper markets Of
the world. TIL Guggenheim interests nave
recently paid $4,000 900 for a single copper
mine in southern Alaska. Seeing the i'm
portance and need of Transportation facili-
ties. they have also purchased three rail-
road franchises. with terminals at Valdez,
Katalla and Cordova. It is reported that
they control the White Pass and Yukon
Railroad in. Canadian territory. The ], p.
Morgan interests have purchased the
Alaska Steamship Company. English cap
italists are turning their attention to the
most promising placer and ledge tin has
been found. A tin stamp mill, the first on
the American continent, has been installed
at Cape Prince of Wales. and a tin smelter
is being built at Tacoma, Wash, to handle
the concentrates to be shipped from the
mines of Seward peninsula. At present
they are shipped to England to be treated,
These are only res of the faith kings
OF finance AVE in Alaska's future. They
think and plan In terms of centuries, States
and continents. and their judgment can
be trusted.
The mineral discoveries Of Alaska an far
are very much like those of the Rocky
Mountains generally At the first it Is
placer, which is later traced to its source
In the rocks, when extensive quartz mines
are established, making possible a perma-
nent and rapidly progressive development
or the country. ALL attention is at first
concentrated on the precious and valuable
metals, and gradually, as the country de-
Velops, 1T is turned toward such products
as coal, lumber, building stone, claws.
farming, etc. These, one by one. are soon
discovered and fall In line. The STEADY
tramp of the sturdy and intrepid pros
pector seems to have aroused Alaska from
an age-long sleep to a new life.
Social conditions in Alaska are, of course,
abnormal. Thousands of men
have left home, farm. store, office and fac
tory in the States to seek a fortune dig
ging gold. They expect to return after a
few months or a year to their friends and
loved ones with a fortune. Alasi how few
realize this hope. Discouraged, Inundated.
criticised and misunderstood, they still toll
on, often with a vow to make good" and
in case Of failure to leave their bones to
bleach among the silent Alaskan hills.
They will not return empty-handed. Homes
are shattered, friendships sadly broken.
and life can never again be the bright and
hopeful thing 1t was. Under this awful
strain, far away from home, church and
social restraints, men often fall to unmen-
tionable depths of sin and misery. They
did not understand at first that fate had
decreed they should remain In the north
land to build an empire for coming genera
lions. Many are beginning to entertain a
saner view OF things. and now men send
for their families and young men invite
their sweethearts TO come and join them
on life,s lonely trail in Alaska.
What we need most In Alaska today is a
stampede" of about 10000 good. pure.
high-minded women. who are willing to
share with men their burdens of empire
building. We have plenty Of women there
who are engaged in the hellish vocation Of
home-breakers and what We need Is a
little army OF home-makers to lay the So
cial foundation deep and firm for the SUI
perstructure Of a noble and progressive civ
ilization in Alaska. our last frontier. Peo-
pie live just as well and can be Just as
comfortable and happy there as anywhere
else. While living expenses are higher.
wages are correspondinglv higher, and the
numerous In a mining country.