Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-05-09
HOLDS ALASKA CAN
I. END PAPER FAMINE
Secretary Meredith Points to
Her UndeveIoped Forests
and Water Power.

! Establishment of paper mills in
!, Alaska to solve the problem of print
paper famine is advocated by Secre-
! tary Meredith of the Department Of
/ Agriculture. who. in a formal state
ment. expresses his conviction that
the development of the forest and
hydroeiectric resources should be un-
dertaken with the cooperation Of the
Department of Agriculture
The Secretary points out that the
national forests of Alaska probably
| contain 10D,000,000 cords of timber
| suita BILE for the manufacture of news
print and other grades of paper. Tn
der careful management these for
ests can produce 100000 cords of
pulp wood annually for all time, or
enough to manufacture one-third of
the pulp products now consumed in
the United States.
Great Water-POwer in Alaska,
The Alaskan forests, according to
Secretary Meredith, also contain the
second chief essential of paper
manufa curing industry-water pow
er. Whiie no accurate survey Of wa
projects have possible development
of 100000 horsepower; and the de-
partment estimates that a complete ex-
ploration of the national forests in
SooSHSIn tidShd VIII increase their
potential power to a quarter of q
million.
Alaska is destined to become a sec
ond Norway" Secretary Meredith
said. with her enormous forests OF
rapidly growing species suitable for
water shipment of manufactured
products, Alaska will undoubtedly
| become one Of the principal paper
| sources of the United States. A sub
; stantial development of the paper in
dustry in this wonderful region COM
| bined with the intelligent reforesta-
ton of pulp lands in the older re-
gions. should settle forever the ques-
ton of paper shortage in the
United States.
GOOd for Thirty Years supply.
Secretary Meredith announced that,
! 70 encourage paper industry in
Alaska. national forest timber would
be offered for large Installations I'M
der mutually favorable terms. The
Department of Agriculture, he said.
is prepared to contract sufficient
stumpaee to supply paper mills for
FOR from month to month as it is cut.
obviating the necessity for large in
Vestments in raw material.
The initial prices. based upon cur
rent timber values in Alaska. the
Secretary said, are sufficiently low
to make the cost of pulp wood
stumpage a relatively negligible fac
tor to the manufacturer. On several
areas which have been appraised the
| spruce timber is priced at SO cents a
cord and the hemlock timber at IS
cents. These rates will apply during
] the first Ave years following the in
| stallation Of the plant. Thereafter
prices will be readiusted at five-year
| intervals. If current timber values in
F.. Alaska warrant. but with equitable
! provisions regarding maximum rates,
/ which. in no event. will be exceeded
| during the earlier portion of the con-
| tract.
Help TO 10th L. 8. and Alaska.
! The government owes it to Alaska
| to develop its resources and foster its
! economic growth" the Secretary add
ed. and. at the present juncture. the
! opening up of the forests of Alaska
! for the development of the paper in
dustry will supply one of the most
I critical economic needs of the United
| States to the profit and service of
! both Alaska and the people of the
| several states, without in any way
! sacrificing or interfering with the
| purposes for which the forests were
| established"