The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1909-12-23
To OEVELOPE
COAL FIELDS
GOVERNOR HOGGATT URGES AN
EARLY development OF
ALASKAN COAL LANDS.
PAST YEAR HAS BEEN ONE OF
QUIET DEVELOPMENT OF
NATURAL RESOURCES.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 22.-Ear, y
development of the great coal fields
of Alaska in order that states on the
Pacific slope may be furnished with
a high-g grade coal at less cost than
the product now brought half way
around the world and that the war
ships of the United States navy in
the Pacific may be provided with a
first-class fuel of American produc-
ton, is advocated by Governor Will
ford B. Hoggatt, of Alaska, in his
annual report for this year before
being succeeded by Governor Walter
E. Clark.
Alaska, according to Governor Hog
gait, passed a year OF quiet develop
ment of it's resources and without any
marked incidents to excite unusual
interest The popu alton remained
practically the same, there having
been a redistribution but no gain.
Commerce between Alaska and the
United States increased, satisfactory
experiments in raising grain and cat
tie were made and the mining indus
tries were successful and without re-
currence Of the labor troubles which
materially interferred with operations
last year.
important Recommendations.
Recommendations Of Importance
made by Governor Hoggatt include
the placing Of the governor under the
authority Of the department of JUS
tice, instead of the department of the
interior, as at present, a fair method
of disposing of the coal lands Of
Alaska; the inspection of the mines
by the United States geological sur
vey in order to protect workmen, the
extension to natives of Alaska of the
right to acquire pub ic lands and to
hold and transmit property, appropri-
atoms for aids to navigation and the
establishment of a lighthouse district
or sub district with a tender.
"Encoura cement should be given to
those engaged in mining coal in
Alaska" says Governor Hoggatt
Unless a way is found to open the
coal fields of Alaska, the population
will decrease and the unknown re-
sources of the country be undiscov-
cred for an indefinite period. Coal
mining can be made permanent and
profitable industry in Alaska and the
estab, ishment Of camps will aid ma
teria'ly in the development of its re-
sources. Mining of coal on Seward
peninsula would mean much to the
people living in that section, as the
cost of fuel under present conditions
is very high, and the consumption per
capita is very great. The mineral is
widely distributed throughout Alaska
and is found to be of very high grade
in the Matanuska and Boring river
valleys. Workable deposits are also
to be found on Seward peninsula. No
titles having been secured to any
coal lands in Alaska, development of
the deposits has not been made. Once
tit'e to the lands is given to the To-
Gators, development will follow rap
idly, as transportation seems to be
assured. Charges Of fraud in the To-
cation Of coal lands should be sifted
and determined with expedition and
patents issued to those entitled, and
rejection of patents promptly made
to those who have in any way vic at
ed the coal lands laws relating to
Alaska and the United States.
Communication Is Factor.
1.-THE future development Of Alaska |
will depend very largely upon all-the- |
year-round easy communication be- |
tween the coast and the interior. This
naturally depends upon transporta- |
ton facilities. There seems to be
ample business reasons to warrant
the construction of railroads from the /
coast to the Boring river and Ma
tanuska coal feds, and to the copper
mines in the Alaskan range of noun
tains. Beyond these points there is
no present business to warrant cap
ital, unaided, to construct railroads
Sufficient knowledge of feasible routes
from the coast to the interior I be-
lieve is now to be had and could be
by the government through .
a board Of army and railroad engin-
GERS, who should determine upon the
most feasible routes to the interior
and upon such lines as should be
built for the development of Alaska
When the work Of this board is COM
pleted the government should secure
the construction Of the railroads in
a SINH ar manner to that adopted for
the construction Of railways in the G