The Alaska daily empire., 1921-06-22
LISIANSK| ROAD
 WORK DEFERRED;
 STEESE RETURNS
Gives Result of Investigations at Lisianski and on
 Strawberry Point.


 the Territory or the Alaska Road Commission will be recommended by Colonel James G, Steese for Lisian ski Inlet, according to statement made by him today. Colonel Steese returned last night from a trip to Lisianski and to Strawberry Point, after looking over the mining devel- opment in the former district and the agricultural development at the latter place. He was highly opti- mistic over the future of both dis tricts.
 The mining properties in the Lii sianski Inlet region, he said, show good development since last fall, said Colonel Steese, who visited the dis trict at that time. They are being very properly exploited in desir able way, he said, but are still in the stage where private capital in terested should look after it's road needs The general public interest involved is insufficient in his opin- ion, to justify expenditures of public money on road building at this time. Much Work Done
 Much work has been done on the Apex group of claims by the Chicha eof interests during the past win ter, said Colonel Steese. They have an air compressor house on the beach with an air line running a mile and three-quarters up into the basin. Two shifts are being worked at this time, he said. The develop ment tunnel on the group has been run 600 feet into the hill and still has 150 feet to go to strike the ledge. The company has a camp in the basin near the scene of operations and is confident of developing a sec ond big paying mine.
 J. H. Cam and associates, devel- opirg the Fl Nido group of claims, adjoining the Apex group, have con- structed rough skidway $500 feet from the beach to the millsite, said Colonel Steese. They have water wheel and air compressor on the ground and expect to have it in op- eration within six weeks. An aerial tram will be operated between the mill and working tunnel. The com pany has a camp on the beach with mess house and quarters for 15 men and another small cabin in the basin near the tunnel
 Summarizing his investigation of the situation relative to roads, Col onel Steese said that no rOadwork at this time is justified by either the Territory or the Alaska Road Com mission, which will depend on later developments.
 Strawberry Point Promising
 From Lisianski Inlet, Colonel Steese went to Strawberry Point to look oyer agricultural development. Eight homesteaders, he said, have proved up on their claims and are awaiting patents. Four or five oth CTS have filed entry applications. The district, he described, as highly favorable for both agriculture and stock raising and the ranchers there are making excellent progress. Be- triangular area, the sides of which are approximately 10 miles long. The major portion of this land is open meadows, with light growth of spruce on the small water courses and some swampy ground which drains readily when cleared. This land, he said, is favorable for graz ing the greater part of the year.
 The strawberry plants in the dis trict grow to enormous sizes. being as large as potato plants, said Col. Steese. The plants at this time are covered with green berries and pros poets for a large crop are favorable. The residents were hoping for arin and were getting one just as Colonel Steese left for Juneau.
 "At this time no extensive road work will be undertaken, said Col onel Steese. Tt would be inadvis able to do so on account of the scarcity of funds for the Territory as whole and in view of the small population to be served" he added. However, two bridges will be put in for the convenience of the residents who agreed to cooperate in the un- dertaking by furnishing labor as their contribution
 Colonel Steese left Treadwell at midnight Saturday on the Ambassa dor, going by the way of Soapstone Point with supplies for the naval crew constructing a radio compass station there and arrived at Lisian- ski Inlet Sunday afternoon. He left there Monday morning early on J. H. Cann's boat, Apex No. 1, going to Strawberry Point and was, brought to Juneau by Lester Rink on the Producer. s