New-York tribune., 1910-08-12
ALASKA IN SCH|FF'S EYES.
Too Much Conservation There,
Returning Banker Says.
FEARS RETARDING GROWTH
Favors Development of Territory
Under Control of Government
Commission.

Jacob H Schif. the banker. returned
YESTERDAY from ar extensive tour OF
Alaska. and declared himself in favor OF
having the vast mineral and timber re-
sources Of the territory developed under
the control of government commission
sor,ethirg like the Interstate Commerce
Commission.
He said such q commission should have
The mower 10 determine not only the Quan-
ti-v Of minerals and timber to be taken
o1- hut also the royalty 10 be paid TO the
government and perhaps even the percent
ese Of profits which should be allowed to
-se urornoters and corporations engaged
in the work Of developing these resources.
Re EXPRESSED the opinion that the de
velopr1ert Of Alaska at present was being
tsrapered bv too much governmental con-
se-vstion. and said that persistence in this
policy not only would drive away q good
part of the comparatively small popula-
t!on of the territory. bur also would
f1shten capital from seeking investment
there
Mr schiff. who acquired fine coat Of
tan from sir weeks exposure 10 the sun
and winds of Alaska began his remarks
or the country by saving that ne went
merely for pleasure and got only a gen
eral impression Of the territory
The situation in Alaska" he added,
appears to be that there is considerab bic
mineral wealth IN the country, while the
agricultural possibilities are not great In
Tire first place the country ia very hilly
and 70 g large extent arid. but what Is
most against II as an agricultural country
IS the short summer season. From all l
could see and learn. II may he possible for
oe-tain districts 10 raise a, certain amount
of agricultural products for the needs of
those districts. but so far as the poSsi-
bility Of Alaska becoming an export coun-
try for agricultural products IS concerned,
that IS. entirely beyord expectations
The three great staples for which
Alaska can he depended upon are metals.
fish and coal The fisheries appear TO be
very prosperous Metals need railroads
and wagon roads TO be built 10 reach the
different deposits before they can be prop
.srly developed. Coal is awaiting the es-
tablishment OF policy by the government
for its development At present coal IN
Alaska Is worth something like 81 a, ton
Il is altogether British Columbia coal If
the Alaska coal mines were opened. how
ever, il probably could be furnished at
from s. 15 20 81 ton.
The demand for conservation Is good
enough. but il must not go SO far as 1t
does at present Capital is readily fright
ened. and the fact is that the population
in Alaska Is a. present not increasing be
cause intending immigrants do not know
on what they can court To me it ap-
pears that Alaskan resources. especially
coal and timber. should he developed un-
der the control of q nited States COM
mission something like the Interstate Com
rnerce Ccnmission-a commission which
shah determine how fast cosF may ne
taken out or timber cut. what royalties
shall be paid 10 the government. and per
Eaps even what percentage of profits shall
he allowed to promoters an6 corporations
who desire 10 work these resources.
But the present state Of affairs IN
Alaska IS certainly not encouraging"