The Cordova daily times., 1921-06-25
ITEMS ABOUT
 OIL ACTIVITY
 IN TERRITORY

found along the coast in that vii cinity and many are prospective millionaires with claims staked in various localities.
 Along with the report of an oil gusher in the Fort Norman district, and the active prospecting of claims in the Katalla, Yakataga and Cold bay districts, there is likely to be an oil drilling outfit placed on the ground on Admiralty island, in Young's bay, 20 miles from Juneau, on property located by Jack White, J. B. Caro- and others, during the summer.
 In the Young's bay section seepage has been found that has stood the test, with indications of paraffine base. Outside parties have become interested. and they are expected to place drill on the ground the pres ent summer.
 Oil indications also have been fouud in the Lituya bay district, not far from Juneau.
 Application for patent has been made through Attorney H. L. Faulk- ner for the Alaska Coal Oil Con- pany for claims known as the AL hambra Nos. 1, 2 and 8, and Cres- hambra Nos. 1, and 3, and Cres- old English Company, near Katalla The old company drove a well to a depth of 1700 feet. Portland people are interested in the new company. Ten oil leasing and prospecting per mits have been received by the Ju- neau land office for issuance for Cold bay totaliug 26,600 acres from Mrs. Edith Burch, Edward Michael son, Harry l.. Taylor, Caroline Wiley, Lulu Burt, Charles F. Nelson, Harry A. Lee, and Lloyd F. Nelson.
 Government geologists are on their way to Alaska to make reconnais- sance to determine whether the gov ernment shall make borings in order ] to locate oil.
 Work will be started at Cold bay and the Katalla and Yakataga dis tricts will also be surveyed. While no money is available for this work Secretary Fall has plans to obtain the necessary funds. The U. s. ship ping board has been requested to join in conference on the the sub- ject of finances to carry on the work.
 NReal development of Alaska's oil fields is near possibility. U. s. geological survey has issued a state ment, which says systematic drill ing for oil will probably be begun ! this year, and oil fields will no doubt be developed" although to quote the statement further, the geology of the territory, so far as known, does not indicate that any startling dis coveries will be made"
 Petroleum was one of the first useful minerals found in Alaska. Earl jest attempts at its systematic de- velopment were confined to a very brief oil boom that began in 1901, but that soon collapsed owing to ra- pid development of oil in California. !. All oil lands in Alaska were with drawn from entry in 1910, and patent has been granted to only one claim, which is in the Katalla field, where a few productive wells have been drilled. In spite of the small develop ments, however, Alaska has produced about 56,0O0 bbls, of petroleum, all of it taken from the Katalla field This oil has been consumed locally I, most of it by a small refinery near Katalla
 Passage of the oil and gas leasing act of February 25, 1920 started small stampedes to all accessible places where oil seepages were known and led to the stalking of many claims, some of them in areas where no indications of oil have been found. Up to September, 1920, the Juneau land office had received IFS applications for oil-leasing permits covering in all 3SS,673 acres of land which by no means includes all of the land staked, most of which will no doubt be worthless as oil land. Those desiring detailed informa.