Douglas Island news., 1918-07-12
SEC. REDFIELD
 SHOWS INTEREST
Member of Cabinet in Commerce Department Proposes Alas
 kan Improvements

from Che Secretary of Commerce William C. Bcdde,d.
 My dear Governor:
 ! was very glad indeed Go have your letter of che fourth Instant and am led by it Co write you concern ius such of tbc plans ot this Depart ment for work u Alaska as can at this time bc formulated.
 10 win doubtless bc we'll Co begin bv sayiue ttat iu view of your in- tcrcst in Che work or demonstrating Go Che people ot Alaska Che best methods of curing and packing and otherwise preparing for market che Invaluable tsH food resources of that territory. we have determined Go double Che number 0t expert dcm- constructors from Che Bureau os Fish- cries. sending four instead ot two.
 Deeds speak louder than words and Che earnest wish of Che Depart mcut of Commerce to assist Alaska rests upon definite performance m Che present and Che past rather chan upon promises for Che future.
 Three or Che maritime services of thIs Department aGoet Alaska-thc Lighthouse Service Che Coast and Gcodctlc Survey and che Bureau of Fisheries The equipment ot these services has long been inadequate for che important and growing work that Alaska requires Therefore. tn each of Che three. new vessels have been specially designed for che Alas kan service and constructed or clsc have been purchased so chat u each of these three lines ol cTort Che best ships Che Department has through out Che entire United States are those either stationed m or specially intended for Che work .u Alaska. I'm Che Fisheries Service che lirht- house steamer Cedar is Che largest vc have. The new surveying steamer Surveyor. specially designed for work upon Alaska coast. win hc sent thcre as soon as Che eNiEcn- rirs of war relax so chat she can bc spared from Che Nayy In ilkc man ncr Che steamer Roosevelt ot Che Fisheries Service specially con- strurtcd for fec conditions. is not only peculiarly GttoJ for Alaskan work. but has proved chat fitness within recent weeks by che rescue of Che ice-bouud ships and crews iu. Bristol Bay. i'm which single opera ton she more than paid her entire cost and maintenance up Go date.
 While on tbis particular thcmc it should bc added cha. appropriations have just been made providing a power lighter for use between Alas kan points and Che Seal islands In thc Fisheries Service; for small now steamer to take Che place oi Che Taku for surveying iu Alaskan wa tcrs and for wire drag launches for tbc Coast and GcoJetic Survey. Che first step toward am adequate pro- vision of those important utuc vcs- rcls to do iu Che best and most rapid way that kind of surveying of which Che coast ot Alaska stands in peculiar need
 Al Che same time provision is made for extending Che sca-co'st lights in Alaska. and hope before this letter reaches you Co learn that Congress has provided a fund of S90.OO0 for construction at Kctchi- kan of modern Lighthouse depot adcquatc for che home stotion Of that Service for che entire Alaskan coast took pleasure in personally appearing before che Senate Conn mit,ec and asking that this matter bc expedited.
 ! have recently caused inquiries Go be made in KctchiEan os to whether thc wooden steam lighter for Che Fisheries Service could bc built at some Alaskan point and regret Go find that there seems to be no yard adeouatc for Che purpose. Let me suggest that a good boat-building ward would have am excellent oppor- tunitv at some Alaskan port. There is. take it. abundant material and the amount 0i labor would not be large. If such a yard existed now. we could give it am opportunity Co bid upon four small wooden vessels and this Is. ! think. likely Go rccur from time Go time. We shall ask Congress for four more launches in addition Co Che four now granted and of thcsc two more could be built in Alaska
 Furthermore. there are SO many fishing vessels of moderate size along Che Alaskan shore that there must be steady demand for boat repairs and it would seem that moderate sized yard could keep busy pretty steadily. On thc other hand. it would greatly facilitate Che fisheries work i'm Alaska if Che fishermen were able to ret boat repairs and possibly minor repairs on vessels made promptly. A small ship railway would be a valuable addition. w, would willingly encourage such a vard by giving it such business a. ,vo had.