The Chitina leader. [volume] (Chitina, Alaska) 1910-1928, 1914-08-11
SEATTLE. Aug. 1o.-There is a

SEATTLE, Aug. 10.-There is a
general feeling here that the trade
with Alaska is destined to gradually
expand until it becomes a matter of
greater Importance than at any time
since the early discovery of rich
placers in the north. A recent
compilation of figures indicates that
the expansion is now we'll under
way. 1t was made by Robert w.
Baxter, president of the Alaska
Steamship Company and vice-presi-
dent of the Copper River & North
western Railroad. According to his
figures, merchandise valued at more
than 100000 has been shipped
from Seattle to Alaska during the
past ten months. This, in round
figures, is more than $3,500,000 in
excess of the shipments made for
the banner year of 1912.
The total output of Alaska's min
eral wealth last year was estimated
at SIS, 100000, a decrease Of nearly
100000 from the value of the
1912 yield. The decrease is ac-
counted for in a lack of operation in
the gold mines of Fairbanks and
Nome caused by an unprecedented
shortage of water and by decrease
in the copper production caused by
temporary closing down of several
of the mines in the Prince William
Sound country.
In copper production this year
Alaska is expected to break all
records. The continuous operation
of several mines that were closed
down part of last year, and the
opening of new properties, notably
the Mother Lode and the Jumbo
mines IN the Copper River Valley,
will make the production of copper
for the year more than 100000
pounds of metal, valued, according
to the market fluctuation at some
thing between IA cents and 16
cents pOunu.
Many ships coming from South
western Alaska this year are carry
ing full cargoes of copper ore, the
average output of shipping ore
being in excess of 1000 tons a day.
It is estimated that the copper ore
tonnage will reach a total of more
than 100000 tons.
Increase of gold production this
year is looked for in the fact that
numbers of small mills have been
placed in operation during the past
six months. From Valdez alone the
output of gold from three of these
small mines will average more than
81, 900 day, while large addition
to the gold yield is expected from
Seward in the vicinity of which sew
eral small mills have been kept in
continuous operation all summer.
Another increase of mineral pro-
duction is expected from Seward
Peninsula, where, according to re-
ports received, there is now an
abundance of water and several new
dredging machines are in operation
This region also will produce con.
siderable quantity of tin this year
While tremendous sums are being
expended at Juneau in the develop.
ment of mining properties, no ma
terial increase in production of gold
is expected from this section until
next year, when the big plant in
stalled by D. c. Jackling will be
placed in operation.
Ire Treadwell and other prop
critics also are increasing theil
crushing capacity. These properties
operated by the giants of the. mining
world, already show enough ore II
sight to keep the crushing plants
busy for about century and II
some cases even longer.
All of these matters are being
carefully investigated by the Alaska
railroad commission, and while the
road will be built primarily for the
purpose of furnishing coal for the
United States navy, the engineers
will recommend the construction OF
branches and spurs to points where
the greatest development is in
progress.
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