The Alaska daily empire., 1915-08-31
.cP PHERS0N
 MAKES REPORT
 ON AL.ASKA IRlH

snATTLE. Aug. 2f.- ins,cad ot holding one blg central opposition at Fairhaniys to celebrate Che iatieth anniversary or the purchase of Alaska by .he United States, every city n tho North win commemorate the event 5y some form of festival. The Seattle Chamber Of Commerce. wil endeayor in the meantime. to cause a big Congressional delegation Co vis- il Che territory while Che ceiehra- tons arc in progress. In addition, an effort win be made to induce as many business mon aa possible from all parts Of iho United States to make a Northern tour In 19i7
 Tho one obstacle in the way of working this plan out to @ success .ful conclusion. according to J. J.. Me- Pherson. secretary of the Alaska Bureau who returned from the North yesterday. is the transportation prob lem. The practical certainty that the Alaska railroad win not be com- ploted to Fairbanks by 1917 caused the abandonment Of tho plan to hold the big central exhibit
 While every town is strongly in favor of celebrating the rtieth anni- versary Of the purchase of the Ter ritory by the United States, there ap- pears to be some division of opinion as to what form the celebration should take. and therefore, each city on the coast and in the interior will provide Q different form of enter tainment. The interests Of Alaeka are widely diversant and while Che Nome celebration might possibly take the form of O combined placer min- ing and reindeer exhibit with rein deer races and other forms of amuse- ment. the festival in Southeastern towns. such as Petersburg and Ket- chikan is more likely to run to some form of exhibit having to do with fisheries and aquatic sports.
 Gold To Juneau Leader
 Juneau, expecting to be on gold production basis of $72,O00,000 @ year by 1917. doubtless will feature the quartz mining industry in its dis play. and the forms of outdoor en- tertainment are likely to be drilling competitions and contests of that character
 Although in @ general way the ex- hibits in practically an parts of AL aska win verge on the side Of min eral. some of the cities and towns win add agricultural, forestry. fish, ingd hunting and other exhibits. None of them will have scenery as part Of their exhibits. as all out doors in the North runs to mognifi cence in vistas.
 The best thing about the whole situation" said McPherson. "is that tho Alaskans generally are enthus- iastic about the idea. and they want to work hand in hand with Seattle on the subject. It will be our duty to send the visitors; it win be the cheerful duty of the Northerners to entertain them and entertaining is one of the many things that Northern CTS are good at
 Have Taken New Grip
 Throughout the territory 9 spirit of optimism prevails. The men of the North, who Co yeor or two oBo. wore somewhat down in the mouth and had Q feeling that the whole Terri tory was going to the bow-wows have taken @ new grip on things. This spirit Of optimism is especially mo- ticeable noticeable around the cen. ters where thero has been increased activity in mining. It is particularly noticeable at Circle City, on the Yu kon, one of the oldest camps in AL aska. Dawson deserted. except by the few who operate big dredging machines. is down in the mouth. but a change is noticeable as soon as American territory is reached"
 McPherson says there is general dissatisfaction with ocean transpor tation conditions in Alaska. The ships carrying tourists stop just long enough at some places to lower the gang plank and take off the mail and this gives the tourists little opportunity to see the country, except as they skim along the fringe.
 "It looks as if the Alaska celebra ton is going to be a big success said McPherson. "but in the mean time we have got to provide more adequate transportation. More yes sells than are now plying in Alaskan ] -..-L --.- -.lll L.. .---l--- M