Tanana leader. [volume] (Tanana, Alaska) 1909-1910, 1909-09-23
A FEW TRUTHS CITED

The Yukon river is navigable for fifteen hundred miles
in American territory Leaving out of consideration the
important portions lying in Canada the Yukon and its
tributaries constitute system of navgable waterways the
combined length of which nearly equals quarter of the
distance around the earth Moreover nature has provided
this vast system of waterways with process of self in
provemen that eliminates from the cost of artificial bet
terment which has always been vexed problem other
water systems The annual movement Of the ice efectual
clears the channels Of and the hardon banks
fine the waters and the sediment to be suiced
away so that the great cost of rapng and dredging
quired other rivers will not enter into the situation here
1t is universal law that industrial development shall fol
low the navigable waters and that ceners Of greatest
tvy shall be located where there is deepater navigation
readily accessible to the craft plying the smaller
There not Typographical fact economic principle
logical Of reasoning that does not accentuae the
force of this law
In view of the uneniable facts above FORTH it is
exceedingly interesting to note the progress Of events be-
tween the dividing ranges to the south and the north OF
the 4ukon and to speculate upon what the future of the
region will be- There many evidences that people not
only here but in the Statesnot merely for mental
cise but with view to material advancement
mencng to look upon the great Yukon basin field
where very shortly mining development will reach gigantic
proportions and agriculture will be a and remnner
ave pursuit The geology Of the country is being studied
Tor evidence OF the extent of the coal and gold
deposits, with results and assuring; and stas
tics being analysed to determine how the United
WILL become an importer OF wheat ana cattean0
Alaska profitable producer Of them. It may be that ndi
vduals will reach extravagant concusions but opinion
the whole will crysaize into germ of TRUTH and to be
conservative it is not risky to conclude that advancement
is inevitable
So much for the region whole AS to the perrna
nent metropolisthe central city from which will issue the
business life of interior Alaska after affairs shall have
sumed normal condition. it must be the Yukon. The
site of the city of Tanana central to the development
that has already taken place It is at the mouth of one of
the big rivers richest tributaries and it has considerable
prestige because it is already established and because the
military post is here But it is time for the recognition
of changed condition that may be said already to have
it would live and play important part in the
future of the country the town must less reelan
attitude. very few years might show it occupying sim
liar position relative to the business Of the interior that
Cinema does to that of the upper Tanana.
This paper is not attempting to act the part of calf
launching reluctant to induce her to 'gve down. the
milk weaned and is able to live such fodder
the surrounding hills and valleys afford till, in due course
the summer sunshine shall bring succuent diet
1t is exercising pleasant privilege, however, citing
few truths that business with capital and sound udg
ment might ponder with advantage to themselves and
people who laboring under unnecessary difficulties
SOME NOTABLE OPINIONS ABOUT NATIVES
To ntOfn a!afair voff