Mohave County miner and our mineral wealth., 1920-05-29
ALASKA FORESTS OPENED
 TO RELIEVE PAPER CRISIS

is convinced that there is a large op'
 portunity for the Department of Az,
 riculture to assist in the economic up
 building of Alaska. As one means
 to this end, he is calling attention
 to the favorable situation for the es-
 tablishment of paper mills in the ter
 ritory, and offering cooperation by
 making available national forest pulp
 wood on terms that will provide sat
 isfactory operating basis.
 The Secretary believes that the de
 velopment of the forest and hydroel-
 ectric resourcs of Alaska is practi-
 cable means of increasing the supplies
 of newsprint available for the United
 States, and eventually lessening the
 paper shortage, now so acute. The
 National Forests of Alaska probably
 contain 100 O,OOO,OOO cords of timber
 suitable and other grades of paper.
 Under 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.
 The Alaska forests, according to
 Secretary Meredith, also contain the second chief essential of paper-man- ufacturing industry-water power. While no accurate survey of water powers has been made, known pro- jects have a possible development of 100000 horsepower; and the depart ment estimates that a complete ex- ploration of the national forests in southern Alaska will increase their potential power to quarter of mil lion.
 High Prices Favorable.
 According to the Secretary, the chief drawbacks which have prevented paper making in Alaska hitherto have been the large investments required for new plants, inaccessibility and lack of development in Alaska, and the transportation charges to consuming regions in the. Central and Eastern States. The Secretary expresses the belief, however, that these obstacles are more than offset by the present acute demand and high prices for all grades of paper, and that the near fu- ture should witness movement of the paper industry into southeastern Alaska,
 Alaska" said Secretary Meredith, "is destined to become a second Nor way. With her enormous forests of rapidly growing species suitable for pulp, her water power, and her tide water shipment of manufactured pro- ducts, Alaska will undoubtedly become one of the principal paper sources of the United States. A substantial de- velopment of the paper industry in this wonderful region, combined with the intelligent reforestration of pulp lands in the older regions, should set sle forever the question of a paper shortage in the United States" With n the last 10 years, he points out, he Forest Service has brought about he Sale of 420,0O0,OOO feet of saw imber in the national forests of Alas "a. A number of areas suitable for 'ulp operations have been cruised and for sale, and during the com ng summer the survey of pulpwoods vill be extended in order that other esirable tracts may be brought to the ttention of manufacturers. Promis- lg developments in paper manufac- ire, in fact, are now pending. The crest Service has also investigated treamflow in cooperation with the eological Survey and has collected ata of value to engineers in planning over developments.
 Offers Timber Contracts.
 Secretary Meredith also announced lat, to encourage paper industry
 Alaska, national forest timber will offered for large installations un- sF mutually favorable terms. The apartment is prepared to contract lfflclent stumpage to supply paper Ills for 3Oyears. The timber will paid for from month to month as IS cut, obviating the necessity for rge investments in raw material. The initial prices, based upon cur nt timber values in Alaska are suf- ,iently low to make the cost of pulp pod stumpage a relatively negligible ctor to the manufacturer. On sev- al areas which have been appraised, spruce timber is priced at 50 cents cord and the hemlock timber at 25 hts: These rates will apply during first five years following the in- 'llation of the plant. Thereafter ices will be readjusted at fiye-year ervals if current timber values in aska warrant, but with equitable visions regarding maximum rates lch, Tn no event, will be exceeded ing the earlier portion of the con- ct.
 The Government owes it to Alaska develop its resources and foster it's homie growth" said Secretary Mer- 'h, "and, at the present iuncture.