Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-12-29
GOVERNOR HoGATT URGES
PROMPT ACTION IN REPORT
TO CONGRESS.
NORTHWEST POSSESSION MAKES
POPULATION NOT INCREASED.
SATISFACTORY PROGRESS
WOULD PLACE GOVERNMENT IN
HANDS OF DEVELOPMENT
OF JUSTICE.

Washington, D. c., Dec. 23-Early
development of the great coal fields
of Alaska In order that states on the
Pacific slope may be furnished with
a high grade coal at less cost than
the product nov brought hale way
around the world and that the war,
sh 'ps of the United states navy in the
Pacific may be provided with first
class fuel of American production, is
advocated by Governor MILFORD b.
Hoggatt, of Alaska, in his annual re-
port for this year before being sue
ceeded by Governor Walter e, Clark.
Alaska according to Governor Hog
gait, passed year of quiet develop
ment of its resources and without any
marked incidents to excite unusual in
terest The population remained prac-
I tically the same, there having been a
redistribution but no gain. Com
merce between Alaska and the United
States increased. satisfactory expert.
ments in raising grain and cattle were
made and the mining industries were
successful and without the occur
renee of the labor troubles which ma.
terially interfered with operations
last year
Recommendation of Importance
made by Governor Hoggatt include
placing of the governor under the au.
thority of the department of Justice,
instead of the department of the in.
terror as at present, a fair method of
'sposing of the coal lands of Alaska,
the inspection of the mines by the
United States Geographical survey In
order TO protect workmen, the ex.
tension to natives of Alaska of the
right to acquire public lands and to
hold and transmit property. appropl1
atoms for aids to navigation and the
| establishment of lighthouse dis
! trict or suh-district with a tender.
'Encouragemc ~ should be given t.
those engaged in mining coal II
Alaska says Governor Hoggatt. "Un
less a way is found to open the Goa
fields of Alaska, the population viii
decrease and the unknown resourceI
of the country be undiscovered for al
indefinite period. Coal mining can b,
made permanent and profitable In
dustry in Alaska and the establish
ment of camps vii, aid materially il
the development of It's resources. Min
Ing of coal o1 Seward peninsula woult
mean much 60 the people living in tina
section, as the cost of fuel undei
present conditions Is very high ant
the consumption per capita Is yer,
great The mineral is widely dis
tributed throughout Alaska and Il
found to be of very high grade in tn,
! Matanuska aud Boring river valleys
/ workable deposits are also to b,
found on Seward peninsula No title
having been secured to any coal land
IN Alaska, development of the de
posits has not been made Ono
title to the lands ts given to the Ii
Gators, development win follow raI
idly, as transportation seems to be as
sured. Charges of fraud In the Location
of coal lands should be sifted and do
termined with expedition and patent
issued to those entitled, and reje,
ton Of patents promptly made {
those who have in any way violate
the coal lands relating 10 Alaska an
the United States.
Gold mining is being successful
carried on throughout the whole d.
trict,' says Governor Hoggatt % b
development of recent discoveries ,
VEINS carrying high-grade ore hav
been very encouraging. and :
seems 10 be a revival of interest
gold quartz mining throughout soutl
eastern Alaska Discoveries OF quart
carrying high values have been mad
in the Fairbanks mining districts an
a limited amount Of development wor
has been done with encouraging r.
suits High grade gold ores have bee
discovered on The Kenai Peninsul
near Moose Pass ard on Willow Cree
and the best Of these prospects al
being developed Placer mining 70
! tinnes in small way Ia southoaste1
= Alaska and he beach at Cape Yaita
! and in Cook inlet.
] Governor iIog&att recommends a Ia
to diminish the controversies over q
ownership Of placer claims or 10 {
a'ulsh the evils which have grown /
under the practice Of stalking unJm
}, ed numbers 81 claims by tndHidua
Or through power of attorney ard pr
d v.dins that eight times 3he amount
g s'oyk No be performed upon a sing
3fm 70 continue ownership for o.
year should Do performed on each q
b sociation claim during the year
Regarding The recommendation
makes to cdauea the governor
!. faska from the feuuol 81 the depaf
meat 81 the intel o the denai
meut Of Justice. Governor Hoega
says THE provisions Of the act (
!. civil government for AJasta n,
'ides that the governor shall have a
ttniity to SEQ that the laws Of ii