The Cordova daily times., 1915-10-28
THE ALASKA SYNDICATE MYTH.

Col John Sleicfer is doing this territory good turn furnishing Leses Weekly with series of articles under the caption of ''he Truth About Alaska" This wenown publisher made personal investigation of conditions here was close observer does hesitate print the facts they He deals at length the Guggenhem bugaboo, which the sensational and muck rakng magazines delighted Tn eX- aggerang and has rendered the territory substantial aud Ill the following article which many msstatemen made how much corporation has spent millions of dollars the effort develop the of this northad
 A great deal of talk has gone the country to the effect that Syndicate had it's grasp all the mineral wealth of the territory asked gentleman n Alaska for the facts Here they he gave them to me
 The Alaska Syndicate owns but two copper properties Ill the entire Territory namely the Kenneco mine in the interior and the Beason mine on Prince William Sound There are over 500 copper locations the Prince William Sound Copper River Nesbesna districts which absolutely free from any dominion ownership by the Alaska Syndicate The Synd placer ground at DaWson III Canada ana oer pacer ground in the ditaod in Alaska. It owned or controlled of coal ground in the Territory 1t pld about million dollars for the construction ot It's road than should have paid could have used Alaska coal at any reasonable price by of the fact that was forced to use British Columbia coal Is it wonder construction was stopped? Ia that not shovefu of dirt has been turned construction since 19O Is it strange that the copper and gold mines do not develop when coal cannot De cured for the treatment of the ore?
 % orv solution of the Alaska question is the opening of the coal oil and timber reasonable use for the development of the mining industry Alaska coal commercial proposition is ont of the question: It sell competition with the cheaper the States and especially since fuel oil has so largely taken the place of steang coal All can De used TOT local consumption the manufacture of coke with winch to treat orc If Aaskans permitted the coal and oil for the reduction ores and the timber the development or their properties the government would not need to concern itself about building and operating railroads And without the use this coal oil and timber the government may build railway section o lana Ill the 1erf'o! anu o9 ness will still be dead
 Tn the Copper River secton which is tributary to the Conner River and Northwestern Railway, there 5OO copper properties upon which upwards of $OOOOO has been exendpd in assessment and development work during the past 10 veas all of which idle today because of the fact that the coal is tied up Only property in that whole ton is operating and that is the Alaska Syndcates property and n can operate only because the rich enough to stand shnment to Tacoma Wash for treatment The ore III thS mine runs from 9 78 per cent and there are vast bodies of Many of the other properties ln hls section would he considered rich States the running from four or five to as much per 20 cent but 1t does not pay to ship 600 miles shelter The only solution IS the open inc of the workable basis and means of transportation harbOr the coast, where II can De leu for the reduction of ores without additional handling
 The development of any of the Alaska coal fields W re- oure large capital Men do not consider the leasing law passed Congress- workable because places too much power the hands of bureau officials The apparent intention of the make outlet for the coal or the Berng Controller Bay cannot meet With success because the coal will to be transported from there by ocean traffic to some protected harbor Prince William Sound where the rich ores the interior be combined with the Anxpg ores of the Sound The practical to accomplish this is to line of road from Mile 38 on the Copper River and Northwestern Railway to the Beng fed and thus te ore of the and the coal of that field would be brough to common point the Sound, perfect harbor protected by nature from all storms
 present the above because represents statement o the case bv an Alaskan of high standing and character Nothing is lost by free discussion of any matter in dispute Alaska looking up that is able to do this Ill spite of all its heavy andcaps the strongest evidence of its native wealth.
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 Wall Street in putting soft pedal frenzed stock gambng have been moved by sense of decency xlo.