The Alaska prospector., 1908-08-13
Chamber of Commerce Ar arrangements Require United
 Support of Public
BIG SAVING WILL RESULT
President Brown Appoints Com, mittees to Take Charge of Sev-
 eral Important Matters

Upon the people of Valdez depends whether or not they shall reap the benefits of cheaper coal. The cham Der of commerce at meeting last night perfected plans whereby this long talked of and long desired re- lief from present conditions as regards the fuel may be obtained, but it will require united action on the part of users of fuel to make the plan bear fruit.
 A committee composed of Harry Whitley, Dr. F. NJ. Boyle, Samuel Blum, J. G. Snyder and Prof. Bunnel was appointed by President Brown and will canvass the town for the purpose of obtaining orders for the first hipment of coal. It is necessary for the success of the plan that certain quantity of coal be purchased at $16 ton in order that n fund may be obtained with which to purchase or construct facilities for handling the coal. The price quoted by Mac kenzie Bros. of Vancouver is $S.67 a ton, duty paid and laid down at Valdez.
 The plan as purposed is to pur- chase the barge Talbot and to also construct slip at which the barge may be stationed. The barge will serve the purpose of bunkers. To do this it will perhaps require that 1,500 tons of coal must be paid for at the rate of $l6 ton. This will give q profit of $11 ,OO0 which will defray all necessary expense. After this coal can be delivered for not to exceed $12 a ton and it is believed for $11.
 The coal to be delivered is the best quality of screened Ladysmith coal and 1t is estimated that once the landing facilities are paid for the an nual saving to coal consumers in Val dez will be close to $25 ,OOO year.
 Another important matter discussed by the chamber is that concerning the question of getting q patent for the town proper and for the Reserva- tion. This was taken up at previous meeting and letters concerning the method of procedure were sent to the surveyor general for the district of Alaska, stationed at Juneau. The letter stated that upon receipt of the application accompanied by des- cription of the land to be patented the land office will take steps to have the survey made. This, so far as the boundary lines arc concerned will be done at the expense of the govern ment but the survey of lots and blocks will be made under the super vision of the townsite trustees and the expense must be paid by the property holders.
 It is the sense of thosespresent that the value of all property will be greatly increased once it is possible to give guarantee deed and Presi- dent Brown appointed s. A. Temple, Dr. F. M. Boyle, and Q. c. Rudolph, as q committee to talks the matter in charge.
 The chamber also decided to begin a publicity campaign on small plan and to this effect committee con- sisting of w. H. Crary and F. B. Spiers was appointed to take up the matter of having printed postal cards on one side of which will be an out line map of Alaska showing the loca- tion of Valdez. In this connection Messrs. Temple and Whitley told of receiving letters of recent date ad- vising haste In certain business trans actions SO that they might be com pleted before the "elose of nayiga- tion to Valdez" l.. V. Ray told of m instance where IA member of the attorney generals office in Washing ton advised that ''If Judge Harlan cannot be found in Valdez he can be found in Fairbanks, distance of a half days travel" This was in the summer time.
 President Brown announced that he has had made number of pssoto- graphs typical of Valdez summer and that theso photographs accom- panied by descriptive matter have boen sent to Now York newspapers under arrangements that will, it Ia be- lieved, assure their publication.
 The chamber will meet again next Friday night to receive the report of tho committee having the coal ques- ton in charge.
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