The Alaska daily empire., 1919-07-17
B. l.. Thane Says that if Present Water Power Bills Pass Industry
 Will Be Located
PURPOSE OF HIS VISIT
Says that. Operations Lo- CaIIy Still Kept Back Somewhat By Lack of
 Efficient Labor

Explaining his trip to Juneau a this time and that of Col D. C. Jack ling, president ol the flask Castineau Mining Company, who coming on his private yacht, express ing satisfaction with the local mal agement of the company's affairs, ant indicating the establishment of { great pulp business for Alaska, | L. Thane, managing director of tn. company. who is in the city, gave tht following interview today
 The trip to Alaska of MT. Jack ling and myself at this time has n especial significance We are onl. looking over the operations as a par of our duty and responsibility Every thing is in first rate shape, with th' exception of the shortage of labo which still exists. As for our con pany operations would be much mor' extensive if more skilled labor coul be obtained. I imagine, however, thi will adjust itself in time.
 Still Under Handicap.
 LOW grade gold mining has beer and still is working under a seriou handicap brought about by the wa We still get the same value for gold whereas the cost of production ha gone up approximately 100 per cen
 Probably no place in the minini world is there any district more d rectly affected than Juneau becausC of the size of operations and the lCv margin of profit originally figure upon.
 Predicts Manufacture of Paper
 "I have spent the last two month in New York and Washington and :; good part of my time was given owe to work in connection with the pos sibiliy of making wood pulp + Southeastern Alaska and I'personall feel that this will be one of tn greatest industries not only in flask but along the Pacific Coast.
 "The Alexander Archipelago fol ests, really the largest body of tin Der in the United States, are entirel SuithplV ici ppPCi 4tidhiAitS
 Capital is slow to consider invest ment in this proposition in flask for two reasons-First, the attitud of the United States government i, the question of water power. Thi' however, would be corrected in tn water power bills now before Cor gress Second, because of the form 0 lumber leases which give no defnit' assurance of what timber costs wi! be over a period of 20 years. the timf required to undertake an investmen of this size. However, it now look as if the Forest Service will show : spirit of compromise in it's attitude
 "If paper making is established ii various places in Southeastern Alas ka, undoubtedly one plant will be placed on Gastineau Channel.
 Means Much to Community
 This ought to be a great thini for the community. It would require the establishment of numerous sub sidiary logging companies whicl would operate throughout the Terri tory, winter and summer. This log ging would facilitate prospecting ant probably open up other lines of in dustry in addition to the making O paper.
 There is all likelihood that par of the paper would be transported or ships through the Canal directly te the Eastern States This would oper mp new line of shipping condition for Alaska and provided means fol return freight
 ''It seems to me to be good busi ness for everybody in Southeastern Alaska to do everything possible te favor the passage of Acts by Con gress which would make it attrac tive for capital to come into the Alexander Archipelago.
 Juneau on Sound Basis
 Juneau seems on sound founda- tion and there is no reason why it shouldn't maintain this foundation 
 "The fishing industry. now the most important single business in the entire country, has reached a stage where question of maintaining the large supply by propagation arises. The propagation of fish is un1ues- the most important thing before the entire country.
 ''It seems sensible not alone for the cannerymen, the large fishery operators, but the business men and the fishermen as we'll to work to- gether in spirit of cooperation fn this undertaking. Surely the sue cessful maintenance of this business is of equal importance to all three as well as to the consumers of fish in the States.
 Still Marking Time.
 ''In the States there is still cer tain amount, of marking time on the part of business so far as new en- terprises the concerned. pending the settlement of some of the larger problems created by the war No one wants to start large new con cern until the cost of labor. materials md So ap ara nnrp,al