The Cordova daily times., 1920-09-20
WHAT'S MATTER
 WITH ALASKA?!


 of 1898 came from a discovery of gold in Canada. By the merest accident the overflow from Canada drifted into Alaska down the Yukon river, thus discovering untold riches in a region neglected by it's owners for thirty full years. That's history.
 It is interesting to note that a pam phlet has been widely distributed throughout the country during the last few weeks dealing with the present fuel crisis in New England.
 This pamphlet takes the form of a carefully compiled report officially ad dressed to the governors of Massachu- setts, Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Isl and, New Hampshire and Vermont. In it's forty-four pages it brings out the vt that the great manufacturing center of New England is facing a ser ious shortage for the coming winter Without going into the details of that condition. which includes the great ex- port coal trade from Norfolk Va, to the Pacific coast, as we'll as to for eign countries, enough to say that it is a splendid document prepared by of the leading officials of those states for the purpose of giving to each gov ernor data upon which he can official ly act in making request for the re- lief to be asked for.
 The Alaska bureau of the Seattle statement recently found in the publi- cation Seattle Spirit" replied to this pamphlet by addressing a personal let ter to each of the six governors men, toned. This letters is as folleWs:
 We have read with very great in- terest the pamphlet recently sent us, being report to governors of six New England states.
 "Actuated by a desire to be helpful to you in properly bringing this mat ter to the attention of those in auth ority we take the liberty of giving you the following data which may be of great value to you and your co-work- CTS in the effort to solve this great fuel problem. Briefly stated these facts are:
 "1. The report to the governors is dated July 10. At the time it was be- ing published coal shipped through the Panama canal to the Pacific coast for the week ended July was 13,- 745 tons
 "In addition to the above, during the same week, commercial coal from Norfolk to the Pacific coast of South America amounted to 1884 tons. This makes grand total of 21,759 tons sent through the canal in one week to Pa cific ports.
 "2. Developed coal mines are in op- eration in Washington GAO miles from Puget sound navy yard), in British Columbia Cat tide water). in Montana, Utah and Colorado. Coal is found in Arizona and New Mexico All of these sections could supply the demand of the west coast in an emergency.
 ''3 The territory of Alaska has an almost unlimited supply of coal. It is undeveloped largely on account of conservation regulations and other re- strictions.
 A. New England states can we'll study the Alaska situation as the open ing of that territory would mean that not only could it's coal mines supply the whole Pacific coast with a quality of coal equal to that from the Allan GALLEY 3
 tic coast, thereby cutting off the steady and expensive shipments from Norfolk to the Pacific coast. Every ton saved thus would be saved for the Atlantic states.
 ''5. The dreadful situation in Alas ka has never been understood in the east. Today, as a result of unWise laws, restrictions and handicaps, Alas ka is tied up and it's resources are not available Alaska is importing coal from British Columbia when it should be exporting coal. Yet Alaska, with the New England states crying for coal could supply enought fuel for all Pacific Coast demands and thereby as sure to the Atlantic coast the full output of it's mines"
 It is not only the Western press that has voiced it's protest for all these years against the unwise conservation laws and other regulations restricting development in Alaska, but many East ern publications have lately recog- nized the need of some definite inn provement along this line. Within the last few weeks, following a statement made by Secretary Payne upon his re- turn from Alaska, the New York