The Cordova daily times., 1916-01-12
CHUCACH FOREST DISCUSSED BY
 SECRETARY

submitted to Congress this session, a copy of which has been received by the Times, the secretary, refers to Alaska in the following manner
 TWO of the 155 national forests are in Alaska. The Tongas comprises approximately 15,000,0OO acres in southeastern Alaska, while the Gnu zach, covering the timbered area about Prince William Sound and thence westward to Cook Inlet, con tains about 5,5OO,O0O acres. Most of the timber on them is of the coast type, Sitka spruce, hemlock and cedar being the predominant species. On the Tongas single spruce trees not uncommonly reach a diameter of ( feet, a height of 200 feet and yield in merchantable material of 10000 board feet. Limited areas carry 1OO,- GOO board feet to the acre and 10000 to 50000 feet over considerable areas lis common. The timber is accessible, .of excellent quality, comparatively easy to log and close to water trans portation. The presence of available water power will facilitate the deveI- opment of wood using industries. While the Chugach forest has less favorable conditions for timber growth and a less heavy stand than the Tongas, nevertheless in it there is large amount of merchantable Sitka spruce and hemlock, which will have increasing importance for rail road construction, mining, and other industrial purposes. Large areas have .an average stand of 15,OO0 to 20,O0O board feet to the acre. and the best run as high as 5O,O0O feet The vol ume of timber on the two forests is estimated to be between sixty and eighty billion board feet, about one eighth of the total estimated quantity on all the forests.
 "In accordance with the general principle of organization adopted for all the forests, but to a greater de- gree than elsewhere because of their Iremoteness, the administration of the Alaska forests is decentralized to per init the prompt transaction of busi- ness and ready response to the needs of the public. Aside from matters pertaining to the alienation of land, about 98 per cent of the business of the two Alaskan forests is handled by the local force.
 Encouragement of Settlers.
 Approximately 4O.0OO,OO0 feet of timber are cut annually under sales. Settlers secure free, without permits, the timber needed for personal use Mining locations are made as on the public domain. Agricultural land is classified and placed at the disposal of settlers Every encouragement is given to the use of lands for miscel- \ laneous purposes. In some places there is an increasing use of land fol \ canneries, stores and other enter prises. As a rule these localities are not yet in a position to incorporate as towns and to take advantage of the townsite laws. It would be a public benefit if authority were granted to permit the sale of such lands after examination and classification by the department. Definite provision, how ever, should be made against aliena- tion of those which are chiefly valu- able for water power sites or are needed for handling the timber re- sources or for other public purposes
 'The Alaska national forests are designed to serve the same broad public purposes as the forests in the States. It is the aim to administer them in a spirit of service to the people who are struggling to build up communities and homes and to es- tablish industries. They should be preserved and should continue to be administered in connection with the other forests of the nation"
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