Evening journal., 1913-09-22
GREAT WEST
THRILLS CITY
TRAVELLERS
MIR. and Mrs. SanbOrn Glad
However, to Be Home
Again
$4,000 MILE TRIP
TAKES THEM INTO CANADA


Peqihc Coast and Alaska Their
binery included Yellowstone Park.
Southern California and the Pacific
Coast as far north as Seattle, in the
State of Washington. From there they
took a trip on the steamer Spokane
70 Alaska, going as far north as
Skaggway. and stopping at Wrangell,
Sitka, Juneau. Ketchikan and Metlak-
alta, returning via Vancouver and the
Canadian Rockies. The trip covered
a distance of more than $1,000 miles
Mr. Sanborn was greatly impressed
with the great west and the magnif-
cent natural scenery of the Ameri-
can and Canadian Rockies and Alaska.
He says that those of us in the East,
who have not had the opportunity of
traversing this great country. can
have no conception of its vast dis
tances and great magnitude, nor of
the wonderful advance that has been
made within the past few years in
many OF our great western cities.
Los Angeles is a wonderful city
having now a population OF about
900 inhabitants. Il is an ex-
ceedingly busy place: its people most
optimistic. II undoubtedly possesses
Sfis of the most delightful climates
of the world. Real estate is booming
Almost every other man one meets on
the street is a real estate operator
The country for a distance of 21 miles
from Los Angeles to San Pedro, the
port on the Pacific, Is laid out in
building lots much OF the distance
Improved with fine macadam streets.
curbed and paved, all open country
now, but the real estate men tell
you that II will all be built up within
ten years, and that Los Angeles will
hen have a population of at least a
million people.
Portland and Seattle are both won
uerful cities that have more than
doubled their population within the
last ten years. Real estate is boom
Ing there too. Both have magnificent
public buildings, public parks and
handsome private residences, many
of which have been erected within
the last few years. While IN Yellow
stone Park Mr.. Sanborn was warned
by a gentleman from Seattle not to
visit that city. as he would never
want to go home again II he did
Both cities are very favorably stu
ated for trade and commerce.
The trip from Seattle to Skaggway,
Alaska, covers a distance Of about
1900 miles. and for that whole dis
tance the steamer traversed inland
waters. For nearly the whole distance
-he steamer passed along through
narrow channels Of the sea by the
most beautiful mountains covered
with fir and spruce trees. and there
was scarcely an hour when the pas
sengers we're not In sight OF snow
capped mountains The Spokane
,aVried no freight, but only first class
passengers. The object Of the cruise
Wps entirely for their pleasure.
& One Of the most wonedrful sights
of the trip was Muir Bay and Muir
Glacier. which has been visited only
By pleasure crafts within the past
Few years II was discovered by the
amous geologist, John Muir. about
1878. When the steamer entered
Muir Bay. the bay was full OF float
ng icebergs. These bergs we're OF
ovely blue color, beautiful TO look
a upon The steamer crept along slow.
t ly to within about one-quarter mile
Of the great glacier, which is abou'
two miles wide, 200 feet high anC
about 100 miles deep. It is SLOWLY
moving. and at very short intervall
great icebergs break of from its sur
face. and slide down into the bay
Skaggway, the furtherest poin
reached in the cruise, is but at III
entrance TO Alaska. Few of US i
the east have any conception OF Il
vast magnitude. Il Is nearly a
large as all the New England, Middl
and Southern States; is exceedingl
rich in mineral wealth. its gres
mountains containing vast stores {
The Japan current which sweep
along the coast Of Southeastern Alas
Ia, causes that part OF the country I
SO have a mild and delightful climat
Il While it's summers are short, the su
is warm, and the soil is fertile an
capable Of producing all kinds
vegetables. fruits and grain. Veget1
ton Is most luuriant at Skaggwa,
When the steamer touched that poir
the gardens we're filled with the moi
beautiful strawberries, very lare
and sweet, and also with the most d.
iicious vegetables, peas. beans an
potatoes.
Alaska q Wonderful Country.
Mr.. Sanborn says Alaska is a wol
deTful country. II affords the shor
~ est route 10 the Orient. the distans
m from Seattle to vladivostock an
M Dutch Hsrbor being 4.500 miles.
has an area OF 32s .52e 900 acres. tw,
thirds Of which lie within the tempe
ate zone. II was purchased fro
Russia in 1867 for s7.20o.0O0, sins
which time It has returned 20 Il
United States government maj
times that amount in gold and 81
yer. and in its fisheries and valuab
lrrs
1t is, at this time, curious to no
the opposition to It's purchase viii
developed in Congress. A memb
from New York said The people
this country do not want these RI
sian possessions. If submitted
hem. they would reject the treaty
" a majority Of millions Alaska, W
The Aleutian Islands, is an inh
Ditable, wretched and God-forsal
region, worth nothing. but a posit
injury and incumbrance as cole
of the United States The Fl
BENJAMIN Butler of Massachuse
said. "If we were to pay for
lRussia's) friendship this amount
desire 10 give her the $7,200-000, l
let her keep Alaska"
Alaska has produced nearly So
100000 Of gold alone since 1881. Tn
* arfacient coal copper and OF