The Wrangell sentinel., 1919-09-11

much that IS WO1St. AlaSkd IS young enough to have obtained the best, while old enough to have elm- mated, in great measure, the worst. Its population, gathered from all parts of the United States. made up of those whose energy and abil- ity were such that they dared cut those roots which attached them to their old home and to begin life anew, naturally possesses breadth of view and an originality usually to be found among the older and more settled inhabitants of the East.
 Portland Canal, that long, mar row glacial cut between the high mountains running along the bor- der between the British dominions and Uncle, Sans possessions, is now witnessing the formation of what promises to be a great min ing camp. The little towns of Stewart, B. O., and Hyder, U. S., almost touching one another over the frontier, have become during the summer, bee-hives of activity. Old prospectors from all about the West, lured by the wonderful tales of the Premier mine, commercial people looking for new opportunity, travellers desirous of seeing the be- ginnings of mining industry, and occasional adventures or adventur- esses of indifferent repute, seeking to thrive upon the weaknesses of those whose daily task holds them under the earth, are hocking to- gether in these little communities. Roads are beginning to be con- structed where nothing but devious trails existed and soon the slow going pony and Mexican saddle will be superseded by the horse team and the Ford automobile. No longer will the valuable ore of the Premier mine have to come over the mountain in sacks, but perhaps by next summer wagons or motor cars will bring it to tide water and land it upon a great dock soon to be constructed. One is impressed with the law and order and, on the whole, the decency prevailing in these communities and perhaps a little bit disappointed that they seem so different from those min- ing camps of romance where the gun is carried on the hip and per- sonal differences are settled in sum- mary fashion; yet one feels that the day for that has gone by in Alaska and that the men who are develop ing this latest mining camp and es- pecially the capable head of the Premier mlne, are serious, creative business men who regard mining as great industry to be carried on with all the modern resources of science and organized on the souudest basis as to productivity and labor conditions. It is indeed a promising district and one in which investment values, rather than speculative prospects, will, l believe, soon be the order of the day.
 From what one sees Of the in- dustries of this great land, its vast fisheries, its fur markets, it's end less timber and its valuable ore, It is evident that it is the great Am erican storehouse of the future; that it's chief need is an intelligent and a unified administration. A little knowledge of the working of its government, or rather govern ments, conveys the impression that the system of checks and balances has paralyzed, rather than protect ed, Alaska and that our public poll icy has been one rather of steriliza- tion than of conservation. The de- partment of the interior, the depart- ment of agriculture, the army, the navy and the territorial govern ment combine to create bureau