Douglas Island news., 1919-08-29
INVESTIGATION
 TO BE THOROUGH
Maurice D. Leehy Tells of Work Cut Out for the Territorial
 Shipping Board

"Tho Alaska Territorial Shipping ! Board Is conducting a very search ling Investigation into everything which pertains to steamship trans .poriatlon to and from thio terri tory" said Maurice D. Leehoy to tho Kotchikan Chronicle as he was leay- Ing for Seattle 'I am on my way home from Juneau, where went for a conference with Che board. ac- companiod by Richard M sommos. who has been retained as traffic adviser You know Mr. sommcs Is an old-timo Alaskan of Yukon days and was manager of Che first Ado miral Line when it had the Bertha and Portland on Che run to South west Alaska. Mr. scmmos had just returned from army service and we were fortunate to obtain him for this work.
 "We are going into every phase Of Che question and tho steamship companies promise to give us every aid in assembling complete data. I think tho companies realize that our Territorial Shipping Board is fair. and wants to help Che companies with their troubles. thereby better enabling them to give a better serv- tee and better rates Co thc shipper. No doubt tho steamship people have their troubles. and we shall also try Go And means to cconomize in Che service. but lt is Of prime import anco that a definite schedule of sailings be established and main talned.
 "Just now In Che past 24 hours. ] the only three passenger boats of ! Inc Admiral Line an called at Kotchikau norihbound am told that mono Of them have any mail. as that was sent north on Che Prin- cess Mary which has a contract from Che Canadian post office de- partmcnt How long, win the Cam adian government allow our govern mont Co sponge on them for that service? It is undIguihod ll our great government. to say the least but Che post office department win not award a mail contract unless he companies agree Co definite schod- 'ulo. and Che companies say they can not do SO on Che rates Che depart mont win pay. But we must get a definite schedule some way. Three northbouud passenger ships here in ono day means none for several days And Che traffic seems large enough when you try to get space for freight or buy a ticket. Why ] can't even get a stecuge ticket Co Seattle. But wo arc going Into the whole subject fully and that is a | big job. requiring some months Of hard work. We must drst know an Che facts which bear upon Che sub- ! icct. and ann sure we shall then be able to nnd some relief from sit- uation SO absolutely forbiddiug 10 ! Alaskan development.
 "I have watched Che mining de- volopmcnt in Che Salmon River val- ley above Hydcr for twelve years. las ] have clients who have been in- terostod thcro that long and who have stood by Che district with un- shakablo faith. Now they have at least two wonderful mines develop cd. and others give almost positive assurance of greatness. The great schistoso intrusion in which Che veins are found extends over on tho ! Alaska side. and mines will be de- voloped there also. but Che Alaska side is lower down and covered with more debris and vegetable growth. making prospecting more difficult than on the Canadian side
 "And tho one thing upon which l. Alaska primarily depends for growth Is Che development Of her mines. ! appreciate tho wonderful fisheries. but the fact is they arc developed too much SO far as salmon and halibut are concerned. It is question whether hat production can be maintained. but there is no question that AiaskaS mineral wealth has scarcely been scratched. Why pros pocting has been done only along the beach and above tho timber line. practically speaking. There are only two or three operating mines back from tidowator. while in an the world outside of Alaska and British . Columbia there is not single mine operated at tdowator If an this can be had at tidcwater i'm Alaska.
 what win be developed whom cheap CT transportation is provided Co the , great interior? So we arc right
 back Co tho fact chat tho one great
 problem in Alaska is transportation.
 and the Territorial Shipping Board
 is hard at work to help solve it."