Valdez daily prospector., 1915-09-30

anu llIIlc uScu .tTdhl oNCA IAC V1Ss stretches of snow-covered mountains forming the Delta divide, or losing their outfits while crossing the un- bridged streams on the ice.
 Valdez enjoyed unusual prosperity during the seasons when the interior mail and passengers were passing through to the great interior and her merchants and business men gener- ally know of the loss of trade which followed when the mail rote was di- verted into other channels. But Val deg has not lost the trade of interior Alaska if she is energetic in present ing her claims for the road appropria- tion before congress.
 In the present age the automobile is the thing. The machine has replac- ed the horse in the city, and even on the farm by increasing efficiency and reducing expense. During the pres ent summer which is now closing, it has been demonstrated that automo- piles can be operated profitably, if not for pleasure, between Valdez and Fairbanks. Machines carrying pas sengers have covered the distance in three and one-half days. The same machines on a good road could have made the trip in one-half the time, at less expense and increased comfort to it's occupants. With the wagon road completed to the interior ma jority of the travellers going to or coming from the interior could pass over it in auto stages or private ma chimes of their own. Then, too, we could legitimately expect many tour ists to make the trip to the interior over the road, and this would cause superior hotels and roadhouses to be maintained along the route.
 With the main highway completed branch roads to the mining camps on both sides of the road would follow as a matter of course and would give an impetus to mining, especially of the copper properties in the Copper river valley and it's tributaries. Heavy trucks taking freight to the interior would bring ores from the mines to the coast for treatment here in Valdez, or shipment to smelters in the states. Ore carrying trucks are doing good service in Nevada. The individual mine owner could bring his own ores to the markets of the world on his own truck, while at present, no matter how good his property may be, he can never hope to realize on the years of hard work spent in developing the property save by disposing of his claims to some syndicate which can afford to wait for transportation.
 More interior people have come to the coast over the wagon road dur ing this year than ever before. They are beginning to realize that they are no longer isolated by hundreds of miles of almost impossible country and they are or will become enthusi- astic workers for the appropriation to have the great Alaskan highway made serviceable for travel at all seasons of the year.
 During the summer Alaska has been visited by many prominent pro- fessional> and business men, of note from nearly every state in the union and they now realize our great need of wagon roads and have promised to give us their support in obtaining relief
 Among the many influential off cial friends Alaska has won to her. self stands Chief Forester Henry s. Graves. He is enthusiastic over the undeveloped resources of the terri tory. Standing high in the confi- dence of the present administration his promised advocacy for appropri- ations for wagon roads in the north to hasten development, should make the task easier for Alaskans.
 It is up to the people of Valdez to help her friends secure the appro- priation for the wagon road. We be- lieve Valdez will exert every effort in her case before congress.
 
 One reason why we are importun- ing the people of Valdez morning, noon and night to do something in regard to helping get an appropria- 4ion fon tho Noldaz.Eairhanks road