The Alaska daily empire., 1918-12-19
Gives the Amount Spent on Roads; Shows That Petroleum Is Being
 Produced.
ABOUT THE GAME LAWS
Governor Recommends the Game Laws Be Left to the Territory of
 Alaska.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1S.-In Gov. by Secretary Franklin K. Lane the subjects of Federal roads, Territorial banks, labor conditions, Bureau of Publicity, Food Administration, Pub lie land, and Naval patrol are touch ed upon as follows:
 Federal Roads
 The Alaska Road Commission, con stituted by Act of Congress, approved January 27, 1905, is composed of three officers of the Army who re. port to the War Department through the office of the Chief of Engineers,
 The total expended for all con struction and maintenance to June 30, 1918, is s4,7SS,576.93. Of this amount $2,S20,000, or 59 per cent, was appropriated at different times by Congress and $1,96S,576 or il per cent from the Alaska Fund. One thousand and six miles of wagon road, 673 miles of sled road, and g. 346 miles of trail have been construct ed and maintained since 1905. Ap- proximately 300 miles of wagon road has a light gravel surface.
 A total of $597 020.1S was expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1918 Of this amount $274,42S.45 was for maintenance of existing roads bridges and trails, and $322, 2,591. .73 was charged to construction, most of the expense of construction being for extensive improvement of pres ent roads and trails. During the year the mileage was increased as follows: Twenty-six miles of wagon road, 90 miles of winter sled road, and 5 miles of trail. In addition to this new work, several new bridges were constructed
 Approximately $325 1000 is available for road work during the present ifs. cal year (1919). The crying need of the Territory is for roads-it will never reach high state of develop ment until a system of good roads cover the entire country. Almost all routes of travel cross long stretches of boggy country over which it is impossible to drag a wagon. In con sequence, development is along prim- itive lines when once the established routes of transportation are aban- doned. The scope of work of the Board of Alaska Road Commission CTS could we'll be doubled or trebled without increasing their overhead ex- pense Appropriations of s750,000 CT S1,000,000 per annum would be only fair amount with which to continue their excellent and constructive work.
 Territorial Roads
 In addition to roads constructed and maintained by the Alaska Road Commission. the Territory has ap- propriated s200,000 yearly for roads not otherwise provided for; this amount is equally divided among the four judicial divisions, to be expend- ed under the direction of a Road Commission elected in each Division and an advisory body of two assist ant road commissioners appointed by the GOVernpr.
 About Petroleum
 Petroleum is now being produced in paying quantities from few shai- low wells near Katalla, with further drilling in progress. There are seep ages and other oil indications on the Kenai Peninsula, the Seward Penin sula, the Alaska Peninsula, Cook Inlet, at Yakataga, and persistent ru mors of oil pools found pear the line of the Government railroad North oi the Alaska Range. The finding ol oil in quantity in any one of these localities would be a wonderful boon to the country, which is rapidly go ing on an oil-burning. basis as price and supply will permit. The petrol cum found is of very high grade and has a paraffin base. The small plant at Katalla produces gasoline and distillate. the residue being sold for fuel oil. As matters now stand vwtfh fha exconffon of d few Dateuts