The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1910-11-28
the physical comfort of our people,
and on no account should it be with

lIie present lmpoSSlD1llty or min
ing coal, either under title or lease,
he explains, is in measure respon-
sible for the suspension of one of the
principal railroads. This has caused
a general feeling of discouragement
over the business situation in those
parts Of Alaska where development
and settlement ought to be going on
most rapidly.
Governor Clark says 1t appeared in
public discussions Of the subject that
the opposition to opening the Alaska
coal fields Springs chiefly from two
sources-those persons who fear a
monopoly and those who would have
this coal held as reserve supply for
the future" He further says that
while the present coal-land law is
not good one, 'it certainly lends no
hope to monopolists. but rather is
calculated to discourage the embark
alton Of capital"
In declaring his hope for the adop-
ton of the leasing system to develop
these lands, Governor Clark says:
"It will be found quite feasible, ac-
cording to the best authorities, to de-
wise suitable terms for leases. pro-
tecting both the public and he op-
orators. and insuring intelligent con-
servation."
The governor says that the advice
of the extremist that all the Alaskan
coal should be kept as reserve sup
ply has nothing to command it. A
conservative estimate, he had made by
Alfred H. Brooks of the geological
survey, shows that at the present rate
of consumption the marketable Alas
ka Goals would last five or six thou
sand years. "At the end of that per-
iod," he continues, "Posterity may be
using solar energy or some other
means other than coal for light, heat
and power"
Little progress has been made in
railroad building in the northwest ter
ritory during the past year, it is as
serted. 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 ques-
tion and the inability of any citizen
to obtain title or lease to these lands.
Governor Clark recommends gov
ernment aid for the railroads in the
form of guarantee of interest on
their bonds. He declares that the
opening 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 not have opened
at all, or would have offered only a
precarious opportunity to the miner.
Free Firewood.
The governor recommends that un-
der the present conditions of fuel
supply in Alaska and until the terri
tory reaches a more advanced stage
of development the government
should make no charge ON the cutting
Of firewood.
1t Is also recommended that large
portions, If not all, of the Chugach
national forest be restored to the pub
lie domain, as many thousand acres
OF this reservation are almost tree
less, and the conditions are such as
to render any measures for the con-
servation of water absurdly unneces-
sary. Agricultural possibilities in
are no longer in doubt.
Certain changes in the mining law
are recommended. These are charac-
terized to discourage speculation
among nonresident claimants who
give powers Of attorney to some per-
son In the territory.
Signal corps men who have charge
Of the telegraph system in Alaska are
commended by the governor. They
endure great hardships in the main
tenance of some of the lines and are
Ito be commended for their brave eff
forts which result in keeping the lines
opon with remarkably few Interrupt
tions." He declares the ocean cable
will have to be replaced in a few
years unless a large improvement in
wireless communication takes place."
The visit Of Attorney General Wick
ersham and Secretary Of Commerce
and Labor Nagle to Alaska in July
and August. he says. was extremely
gratifying to the people,"
Discussing the serious defect" in
the code laws caused by the absence
of legal requirement for the regula-
ton of births, marriages and deaths
in the territory, the governor says
that instances have multiplied in the
AooG low SSo1o AiAuSGl aIlh6 al q SIA1 IN
ing way the evils which must surely
result from the absence of vital rec
ords.
Domestic coal to the value Of $685.
359 was shipped to Alaska from the
United States during the fiscal year
ended June 30, according to the re-
port. In addition to this, foreign coal
valued at $356,435 was imported dur
ing the year, bringing the total Of all
coal importations for the year up to
$564,794. The increase in the total
value of the domestic coal imported
during the year over 1909 was $780,
121.
The importations Of domestic mer-
chandise fro mthe United States in
Guiding coal. lumber, hardware and
machinery, provisions liquors, etc.,
showed an increase in 1910 over 1909
Of $76S.202.
Merchandise and precious metals
shipped from Alaska to the United
States during 1910. amounted to $34.-
62S. 535. an increase over 1909 Of
$293,100, according to the report.
FIVE Killed