The Cordova daily times., 1921-09-20
WHAT'S THE MATTER
 WITH ALASKA?
Edmund Ellsworth Sumner in Railway and Marine News


 the month appeared a story to the i effect that Jim Wickersham was per fecting $2O0,OO0,0OO deal for the development of Matanuska coal. It was further stated that the new coal company to be formed was endeav- bring to secure traCkage arrange ments on the government railroad 1 from the coal fields to tide water at 1 Seward. that American, French and l Belgian capital is back of the pro ject, that Secretary Fall is favorable 1 to the plan, that John Hays Ham mond, mining engineer, is alleged to | be interested, and that Dick him self is soon to start north to get the scheme started.
 It seems rather unkind to view with suspicion this great industrial project" or to suggest that it looks very much like inferior press work. Anyone with a knowledge of general conditions in Alaska, especially with reference to Matanuska coal. cannot help but be extremely doubtful as to the authenticity of these state ments
 | Of course. there is always the pos sibility that Wick" may be the vic tim of an over jealous press agent, but either he or whoever is respon- sible cannot evade the criticism that must assuredly follow the spread. ing of such publicity throughout the territory, which at the present mem ent. as never before in It's history, needs good, constructive industrial ! development and does not need un. wise publicity or over exploitation.
 Why the figure given for this deal l should be placed at the staggering sum of S2OO, ,OoO.OOO, when half a million would buy all machinery need ed and enable a bona fide company to get started, is hard to say. The total given is probably greater than the capital investment of all the coal mines of British Commbia. of Wash. ington and of Utah.
 The only initial investment need ed to get a coal mine started are such sums necessary to provide tools powder. supplies light rails, timber and small electric trolley and cars for underground workings Figuring on steady output of one thousand tons per day, the plant at the pit mouth would consist merely of power house. screening or washing sheds and elevated bunkcrs with a capacity capable of handling the suggested daily output Probably wick" might gain some wonderful knowledge 1T the economies of coal mining, coa' transportation and coal loading al tidewatcr if he will visit Norfolk Va, and Sewall's Point five miles away from that city. and after study ing those coal terminal facilities he should then make trip over tho BIO miles of the VirGinian railway Mention is made of this railroad and these terminals as they represent probably the last word in the min ing and shipping of coal by rail and water. and without any knowledge oi the balance sheet of that company it is hardly thought that the first cost Of the splendid plant reached a total one,fourth as great as now stated in public press will be ex pended by Wick" in Alaska.
 The government railroad was com pleted to the Matanuska boal fields at Eska Creek just five years ago and the end of the Matanuska bronch at Chickaloon four years ago Ever since these dates announcements have appeared from time to time that the coal was to he mined on a large scale. The Eska mine was first opened in 1915 and ever since it has been supplying a limited local de mand. For five years published statements have been made that naval officials in their tests have placed their O. k. on the steaming qualities of the Matanuska coal. Al the same time, those in charge of the government railroad have been building 2 coal handling plant and tCck at Anchorage, but never has it been IIblicly recorded that 5rv large shipments were made. anI if press statements appearing from (time to time to the effect that the United States navy had approved the Matanuska coal were based upon of, dcial reports of the navy depart,