The Alaska daily empire., 1919-01-13
ALASKA OFFERS AS MUCH AS
 DOES SIBERIA
So Says R. M. Courtnay, Secretary of Anchorage Chamber of Commerce
 to Seattle Times.
Seattle Times, Jan. 4.)

\oeattle Times, Jan. f
 Siberia is alluring to many min ing capitalists, of course" said R.. M. Courtnay, secretary of the An chorage, Alaska, Chamber of Com merce, but I want to tell them and all concerned that Alaska is like wise a gigantic treasure field, close to home and under the Stars and Stripes, with present opportunities begging for attention never equaied in the history of the world. For example, the Cache Creek section of the Yetna district, more than 100 square miles, carries pay with gold prospects beyond estima- tion.
 Wagon roads should be built at once from points on the Govern ment Railroad to open up the min ing country. These roads are easy to construct, if the work is con- centrated in one single department or bureau of the Government. Sev- eral divisions now are supplied with funds, but the work is not co-or- dinated and, as consequence, little is done.
 Congress should at once appro- priate $250,000 for the building of the first wagon roads this year. This sum would build a road to Cache Creek and complete the Will ow Creek road It would put a 'ood trail into the Iron Creek coun- ry do the preliminary work on oth- r roads and trails further north, probably of equal importance.
 Ohio Creek Promising.
 "The Ohio Creek district, forty miles northeast of Talkeetna, is in he prospecting stage, but the min ITS cannot obtain supplies on ac- ount of lack of roads. A road is ,ecded badly into the Valdez Creek amp. It is now necessary to take upplies 250 miles from tidewater. By the building of forty-fve miles )f wagon road from the railroad to his camp, all supplies could be ob- cained at low cost. A great deal of lydraulic mining is being done here now, despite adverse condi- ions, and one outfit has taken in lot of machinery.
 Railroad construction is going )n well, but the tributary country must have further transportation. From Willow Creek it is IT miles 10 the quartz district. The great camp cannot be developed without this wagon road. The Cache Creek country, 40 miles from the railroad, has produced, despite handicaps, more than million and a half since it was opened in 1905. Grub and supplies are transported on pack horses at a cost of 25 cents a pound.
 Drag Steel 40 Miles.
 "A heavy piece of steel was need ed when the dredges stopped work, md had to be dragged 40 miles over the rough country. The old hand method of pick and shovel and sluice-boxes still prevails largely. A dredge was installed in 1916 by the Cache Creek Dredging Com pany. It is operated by steam ob- tdlhCu lIoHl COdl OH tlC companys own property. An elec- tric plant is to be installed at the coal mine at an expense of $50,000, but on account of lack of transpor- tation the property may not be op- erated in 1919.
 Seattle should give all possible support to the need of wagon roads and help Alaska obtain the funds and develop the working program The results would astonish the world. The building of these feed CTS to the railroad would also pro- vide employment for large numbers of men, thus stabilizing labor and wage conditions in the Northland and provide work throughout the year."