The Alaska daily empire., 1920-12-22
SEWARD PENINSULA ACTIVITIES, ""
 SMALLEST FOR FIFTEEN YEARS; ;-..
 PROSPECTS FOR FUTURE BETTER

While the present year has beeI | the most barren of results in genera development, gold output and indus trial activity in the Seward Penin sula country for fifteen years, ac cording to the, annual report of H.. W J. Reed, Deputy Collector of Custims ] in charge there, yet Mr., Reeds report shows much that is, hopeful for the country. The outlook for the grow ing. reindeer industry, foreign trade with Siberia, and a renewal of gold and tin mining is good, and there is a fine prospect for the discovery of mineral oil. Mr. Reed planes high freight rates. high cost of fuel labor and supplies, the failure of supplies to reach the Kotzebue Sound country before the midle of August on account of the lack of avaiiab bla vessels, and the disposition of cap ital to defer operations until "coudi- tions are settled" are advanced by Mir. Reed for the depression that con tinues in that section.
 Mir Reeds observations are ill com pHance with regulations which call for annual reports. reviewing the gen. eral industrial development and pros ress of the surrounding country from each support.
 MT. Reed believes the salvation isf Seward peninsula from commercial and industrial viewpoint depends upon cheaper. freight rates, cheaper fuel and more, and better roads. These would result in making min eral available for mining that can not be mined at profit under exist ing conditions. ,Y. .,u
 The shipments of gold dust and bullion from Nome ths last year amounted to s1.235,934 30. There was shipped from Nome. to Siberian ports merchandise to the value of $293,l05. The imports from Siberia. mostly fur and ivory, were valued at S420.- 666. During the year 21 ocean go- ing vessels arrived at Nome from other American ports carrying 505 passengers. The sailings were IS vessels with 731 passengers There arrived at Nome from St Michael 265 passengers and 402 from St. Mich ael departed from Nome. showing 363 more people to leave Alaska via that port than to arrive there. Twen- ty five vessels arrived at Nome from foreign ports and 26 departed for foreign ports.
 Roads VIII Heup
 Geod is expected to come to Nome as the result of the plans of the Alaska Road Commission for road building on Seward Peninsula. with Nome as the terminal. .l:C
 The road work this year has made t so an automobile can go from Nome to Solomon, distance of 42 miles, and it is expected that tha automobile road will be completed to Council next year.
 Plans For Mining Development
 Norman c. Steins. from London an.@eminent British Mining engineer who spent the. summer at Nome. is planning the organization of com. pany. in case he can get sufficient area of goldbearing ground. to ex. ploit the gold fields of the Nome section.
 The Alaska Oil Corporation has drilled hole 10 the depth of 5S2 feet in the vicinity of Hastings Creek in search of oil, and found further fav. orable indications that mineral oil exists in that locality. Tine work was done under the direction of Sam uel Kean. who says the work will be continued until oil is discovered or it is decided that there is none in that vicinity Nome people have subscribed for stock to the amount of 5000 in this company
 The Alaska Mines Corporation, Capt. L. R. Rockwell, Manager. which has operated successfully on Fla. Creek, and demonstrated that cold water thawing is practicable in the --. ---------------------- .n the family of English nobles who