The Nome daily nugget., 1915-09-13

While there has undoubtedly been great quantities of debris deposited in the river through mining processes the ab- | senee of any preeepuble effect seems l to be the result of conditions which will render the stated objection un- stable at least for a great number of years From every evidence obtainable natural forces contribute To keeping the lower river channel clear of the ac- cumulations of debris washed down from the hills during the mining sea son.
 Each spring the heavy raise of water caused by the melting snows most eff fectually carries away any accumula- tion of this nature deposited during the previous fall while each succeeding pc riod of high water incident to the heavy summer storms also contributes toward storms for which this coast is noted the combined waters of the sea and river are backed up for many miles along the channel Following the abate- ment of the gales the accumulated Wa ters rush seaward with a mighty sweep which carries the accumulation of silt and river mud from the channel and deposits it far out 10 sea where it is washed away by the tides. The block ., zl;..s- ,. .La ,,,a,tI, rf tba .iKrar which prevents free use by the vessels of the mosquito fleet during the open season | is in no degree attributable to the debris from the mining operations. This ef- feet is produced by the action of the surf in washing up bar at the point where the currents of sea and river
 meet. The natural tendency of the
 river under the high water conditions
 mentioned is to wash this bar away
 but. owing to the more powerful ac-
 tion of the waves the obstruction per sists until the surf goes aown. This be-
 lief is confirmed by the tact that the
 river entrance gradually clears follow
 ing the abatement of the surf and after
 eacn eXtended period of calm the
 mouth is open to navigation. There
 tie mouth of the river in the early spring before the storms commence and yearly observations indicate that dur ing the month of June there Is at all
 times ten feet or more of water a few yards within the entrance. This con d,tion remains regardless of the volume
 of mining operations until the first storm developes and blocks the en- trance. But for the powerful blockad- high water in the river acts as q gigan- tie sluice which most effeetually clears the river channel of all aecumulations of debris. The building of an artificial channel at the entrance can in no de- gree affect this action but would rather tend to increase it through rendering
 the entrance perfectly clear.
 Judging from every observation of
 the past there is no reasonable ground for the objection that mining will be
 compelled to suffer through the build ing of q harbor If it should aappen that there is a small accumu-
 lation of mining debris within the river
 basin it can be easily dredged away
 and it has been already ascertained
 that several dredge owners would will
 ing lend their dredges to this purpose
 for no other reward than the shelter
 and safety provided by the harbor. | There is absolutely no reasonable
 ground for objecting to the much need
 ed improvement and we can see no
 logical reason for having to abandon such vital necessity because of a
 prospect that may not become a reality
 for many years. We do not expect any
 serious opposition from the mining
 companies but if it should develop it could be met by inserting a proyiso in the congressional enactment necessary before construction can be inaugurated
 to the effect that mining shall not be interfered with through such action Tn
 making this objection the mining in- terests are of course looking out for the future and are merely seeking to protect their own interests However We canot but feel that such action is deplorable in the face of the overhelm- ing need for the protection of one of the most vital of our industries.
 To the pioneers of. Alaska it sounds