New-York tribune., 1909-12-23
ALASKA C0ALL LANDS
DEVELOPMENT URGED
Fraud Charges Should Be
Probed. Says Er-GoU. .Hoggatt

Washington. Dee E-EsrIy develop
ment OF the great coal fields OF Alaska, in
order that states on the Pacific SIons
NAV obtain a high grade Of coal Al less
cost than the product now brought half
way around the world and that the war
ships 81 the United States in the Pacific
may have first class fuel OF American
production. Is advocated BY WiIford r
Hoggatt. former Governor OF Alaska. in his
annual report for this year Walter T
Clark has succeeded him as Governor
Alaska. according 10 Mr.. Hogsatt.
passed year OF quiet development OF its
resources and without any incidents TO ex-
cite unusual interest. Commerce Increased
satisfactory experiments IN raising grain
and cattle we're made and the mining in
oustries were successful There was no
recurrence OF the labor troubles which ma
teriaily interfered with operations last year
Recommendation or Importance nada
by Mr.. Hoggatt include placing the Gov
ernor under the authority OF the Depart
ment OF Justice. instead Of the Department
o. the Interior. AZ present. a fair
method Of dispOSing Of coal lands. inspec-
ton of mines by the Geological Survey
IN order 70 protect Workmen. extension -
natives of the right TO acquire public
lands and 70 hold and transmit property.
appropriations for aids 10 navigation and
the establishment of q lighthouse district
or sub-district with 2 tender.
"Encouragemeut should he given 70
those engaged in mining coal in Alaska.
says Mr. Hoggatt Unless a vsv is
found 10 open the coal fields OF Alaska
the population will decrease and the un-
known resources of the country be undis-
covered for an Indefinite period Coal
mining can be made a permanent and
profitable industry in Alaska and the es-
tsblishment of camps viii aid materially
I'm the development Of its resources
Charges Of fraud I'm the location OF coal
lands should he sifted and determined
with expedition ana patents issued 20
those entitled. and rejection OF patents
promptly made 20 those who have IN any
wav violated the coal land laws relating
70 Alaska and the United States.
NEED OF RAILROADS
The future development OF Alaska viii
depend very largely upon all-the-year-
round easy communication between the
coast and the interior. This naturally de-
pends upon transportation facilities. There
seems 20 b. ample business reasons To-
warrant tho construction Of railroads from
the coast 10 the Bering River and Mata-
nuska coal fields. and 10 the copper mines
I'm the Alaskan range OF mountains. sum
-ient knowledge Of feasible routes from
the Goa 81 20 the interior. / believe. rs now
20 Ia had and could be obtained by the
government through a board Of army and
railroad engineers who should determine
upon tls most feasible routes % the inte-
ri0r and upon such lines as should be built
for the development OF Alaska When the
work Of this board is completed the gov
vernmenr should secure the construction
Of the railroads in a similar manner 70
that adopted for the construction OF rail-
usvs in the Philippine Islands II rail
road is 10 be built from the coast OF Alas
X 10 the Yukon Valley ~ will bc neces-
sarv for the government 10 bear part Of
Tn. burden Of expense OF operation for ten
or fifteen years after its construction
which period will be required for the de
veIopment OF the interior OF Alaska % such
an extent a. 70 make the railroad self
sustaining.
cold mining Is being successfully car
ried on throughout the whole district"
AIr Hoegatt continues The develop
rneut Of recent discoveries OF veins carry
ing high grade ore have been very en-
-o1rasing. and there seems % be a revival
OF interest in gold quartz mining through
ON, southeastern Alaska. Discoveries of
quartz carrying high values have been
made in the Fairbanks mining districts.
and a limited amount Of development work
has been done with encouraging results.