The weekly Alaska citizen., 1917-11-19

ing, quarrying. metallurgical. and oth. Ter mineral industries, safeguarding
 life among miners. preventing unnec. "ssary waste of resources. and other.
 wise contributing to the advance.
 ment of these industries These Sta
 tiOns are being established at the
 rate ot three each year, those for 1916 being Tucson Ariz. Seattle.
 Washington, and Fairbanks. of the 1 1917 Stations, the one at Minneapo- lis and the one at Columbus are
 now officially announced II Is the
 general plan to have the various Stations investigate such problems
 as particularly concern the develop
 ment and utilization of the mineral
 wealth of the region in which they
 are situated; as, for example, the 1 station at Tucson, Ariz., is inyes- 1 tigating the problems connected with
 the copper industry of the South
 west, the one at Seattle is studying
 electro-metallurgical problems and
 those in connection with the coals
 of the Pacific Northwest; the one at Minneapolis is to study questions
 relating to the mining of iron ores,
 the one at Columbus, Ohio, is to study questions relating to ceramics
 The Fairbanks Station is expected
 to give what aid it can in any way
 to prospectors, miners or any others interested in the mining industry in
 the entire Territory of Alaska Al
 though each Station works along separate lines of investigation they all cooperate with each other in ev- cry possible way This not only pre- vents unnecessary duplication of work but also makes the results ob- tained at any one Station available for use at any of the others
 There are five ways in which the Alaska Station can be of immediate assistance to the proSpectOr First. by making qualitative analyses of specimens to enable him to know promptly the kind of mineral that may be present in any specimens he may find; second, by collecting data as to the mining and mineral pos abilities of the Territory; third, by supplying information as to the mar het prices for ores and minerals; fourth, by having avaiIa ble for study collection of minerals of economic
 importance, and, fifth. by maintain Ing q reading room and library Of mining books and periodicals.
 While the Bureau of Mines is pro hibited by act of Congress from mak ing assays. (that is to say, tests
 to determine the exact quantity or percentage of metals or values pres ent in such specimens) the Fair
 banks Station may, however, and
 will be glad to make tests of rock specimens from any part of the Ter ritory that may be brought or sent ill by prospectors to determine the kind of metal or minerals contained therein in cases where such tests will be of assistance in the develop ment of deposits of useful minerals. No charge is made for this service;
 but such specimens as are brought or sent in must be accompanied by such information as possible concern ing the specimen, particularly the locality in which it was found, the nearness to transportation, whether the specimen Is float" or from prospect hole or claim; in the latter case, the approximate amount of eX- tent of mining operations, such as shafts, tunnels, or raises, should be furnished, together with the size of the vein, the distance the ledge can be traced, an estimate of the ap- proXimate quantity of ore in sight, and any other useful information of a general character. The most con venient size for the sample or speci- men is approximately 4 by 212 by ? inches and if more than one specl- ment is submitted each should be designated by number to which reference can be made in the reply. The value of this work to the pros pector may readily be seen, as it enables him to know promptly wheth- CT such specimens contain metals or minerals of economic importance so that he can either abandon that particular worK or give it more at tention. And if it is desired and | so requested, the Station will be ] glad in replying to give any infor- nation it may have at hand as to | the economic value and uses of the !! contained in tho