The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1910-12-01

by Alfred H. Brooks. Of the
Geological Survey. shows that at
the present rate Of consumption the
marketable Alaska Goals would last
Eve or six thousand years. Eat the
end Of that period he continues.
'.9osterity may be using solar energy
or SOM ether means OF other than
coal for light, heat and power
Little progress has been made in
railroad building in the Northwest
territory during the last year, it is
asserted. The officers Of the Alaska
Northern railway. which will tap the
Mantanuska coal fields, declare that
the principal factor in preventing a
continuation OF construction is the
unsettled state of the coal land title
or lease to these lands.
Governor Clark recommends gov
eminent aid for the railroads in the
form a guarantee of interest on their
bonds. He declares that the open
ing of new wagon roads and trails
with the accompanying lower freight
rates on supplies, has enabled
mining to be carried on in districts
which either could have not opened
at all. or would have offered a pre-.
cailous opportunity to the miner.
The governor recommends that un,
der the present conditions OF fue
supply in Alaska and until the
Territory reaches more advanced
stage OF development the govern
ment should make no charge on tn,
cutting of firewood.
1t is also recommended that larg,
portions, II not all, of the chugacl
National Forest be restored to tn,
public domain. as many THOUSAND
acres of this reservation are almos
treeless, and the conditions ar,
such as to render and measure 10,
the conservation of water absurdl.
unnecessary. Agricultural posi-
Utilities in the territory. declares tn,
governor are no longer in doubt.
Certain changes in the mining Law
are recommended. These are char
acterized to, discourage speculation
among nonresident claimants VIII
give powers of attorney to some per
son in the territory.
Signal corps men who have charg
of the telegraph system in Alask
are commended by the governor
They endure great hardships in tn
maintenance of some of the line
and are ito be commended for thel
brave efforts which result in keeg
ing the lines open with remarkabl
few Interruptions" He declare
the ocean cable will have to be re
placed in few years unless larg
Improvement in wireless communica
ton takes place.
The visit Of Attorney Genera
'Wickersham and Secretary of Com
merce and Labor Nagel to Alaska Il
July and August, he says, was ex
tremeiy gratifying to the people. :
/ Discus sing the serious defect" il
the code laws caused by the absenc
of legal requirements for the regula
ton of births, marriages and death
in the territory, the governor say
that instances have multiplied Il
the last few, years illustrating in
striking way the evils which mus
surely result from the absence Q
vital records.
Domestic coal to the value o
$2OS,959 was shipped TO AIask
from the United States during tn
fiscal year ended June 80, accordin
to the report. In addition to this
foreign coal valued at $356,43 wa
imported during the year, bringin
the total of all coal importatlons TO
the year up to $564,794. The in
crease in the total vale of the dc
nestle coal imported during til
year over 1909 was $3s.121.
The Importation of domestic mer
chandise from the United States in
Guiding coal, lumber, hardware an
machinery. provisions, liquors, etc
showed an increase in 1910 owe
1909 of $7s6.202.
Merchandise and precious metal
shipped from Alaska to the Unite
States during 1910. amounted i
S34,62S.535. an increase over 1870
OF s293.1oO, according to the report