The Nenana daily news., 1919-01-13
A GOOD START

When one listens to or reads the argument of Superintendent John A. Davis. of Interior Alaska's Blu reau of Mines, in favor of the es- tablishment of government owned and operated central power plant at the Lignite coal fields, one wond- CTS why such plant is not already distributing it's electric energy thru out the vast Interior mineral areas, where mining operations under ex- isting power conditions have ceased to be profitable except in isolated instances where fuel is plentiful and close at hand and the ground ex- ceptionally rich in gold values. MT. Davis has mde a thorough study of the power needs of the Interior country and of the power producing possibilities of Nenana Ignite, and he is in possession of data showing that a market sufficient to warrant the erection of central plant al ready exists, without taking into ac count the more remote districts or the demand for power which will follow the development of new prop critics, the establishment of new in dustries, and the identification of our government railroad.
 Mining men of the older mining districts of the Interior country have long been aware of the fact that fuel costs annually were con tributing alarmingly to the hazard of mining, and that the area of idle ground has widened steadily as the seasons passed. They realize that a material reduction in fuel costs is necessary to put the mining industry back on a paying basis. and make possible the development of the large areas of so-called low grade ground, unavoidable under the old or present conditions. And in their search for relief they have enlisted the support of Superintendent Davis vhor cf of conditions, gives it as his opinion that government owned central power plant is vital need of the Interior country.
 In his statement to members and guests of the Nenana Commercial club on Saturday evening. MT. Davis presented a most convincing argu- ment in favor of the establishment of power plant immediately, and when he had concluded his splendid talk, everyone present had acquired knowledge, the proper use of which will enable Nenanaites to render valuable assistance to the American Mining Congress when that organiz- ation takes up with the congress of the United States the question of providing Interior Alaska with mod erately priced electric current.
 MT. Davis is very conservative in his estimate of the good that will result from the establishment of the proposed power plant. And that is good fault when seeking funds from our national lawmakers. The conservative outline is sufficiently convincing. in our opinion, to make favorable impression upon the Congress and that is all that is nec- essary If the consumption of power is greater than Mir. Davis anticipates, and if development exceeds present expectations, later requests for ad- ditional government activities in f'aska will carry greater weight ct Washington.
 To. the benefit of those who were ! ot pl esent at the smoker, the state ment of MT. Davis, in substance, is printed in this issue of the News, and we urge it's careful perusal by every Ner naite. Those who have already gwen the power question some consideration, will find in the