The Cordova daily times., 1921-12-31
COAL MINING OPERATIONS
 COMMISSION

An editorial recently appeared in one of the Alaskan papers which has been widely copied in other Alaskan papers. making inquiry in regard to the coal mining operations of the United States government at the Matanuska coal fields, and asking the questions, Where is the Coal? and why is there not more coal available for commercial use in Alaska towns?"
 It is believed an authoritative statement with respect to the coal mining operations of the Alaskan En- ginecring Commission will serve a useful purpose in answering these inquiries and accordingly, the fol lowing article has been prepared for publication:
 Coal mining in the Matanuska Val ley commenced in 1916. since which date all coal required for Alaska Government Railroad purposes has been secured from this field Coal mining operations, as described later, were carried on by the Alaskan En- gnccring Commission under the gen cral authority of the Railroad Act out of the monies appropriated for railroad operation maintenance and construction in lieu of buying coal from Seattle or British Columbia. or other sources. No funds have been specifically appropriated by Congress- authorizing the Alaskan Engineering Commission to mine coal in large quantities The specific appropria- tion made by Congress for Navy use will be referred to later.
 In 1916 and l9l7 a small amount of coal Was s..d for commercial use in the towns along tn" line of the railroad having track connections with the Matanuska field This was probably done without authority In 1918. the sale of coal for commercial purposes from the railroad mine then operating. was authorized during the period of the war by Presidential proclamation No l497. issued August 27. 1918. reading in part as follows:
 Whereas. 1t appears that the avail able supply of coal for domestic and other uses in the Territory of Alas ka. is by reason of existing condl- tions inadequate and insufficient
 Now. therefore I. Woodrow Will son. President of tn" United States of America. under and by virtue of said statue. do hereby, authorize aud direct the Secretary of the Interior. during the period of existing war to sell and dispose of surplus coal taken from the mine now heinz operated by tn" Alaska Railroad Commission. for supplying domestic and other local needs in the Territory"
 This authority was further eX- tended to November %. 1922 hy Presidential Proclamation No. 1543, dated November %. 1919. and read ing in part as follows,
 "Whcreas. il appears that the available supply of coal for domestic and other uses in the Territory of Alaska, and particularly in towns and settlements upon or near the line of the government railroad in Alas ka. is. by reason of existing condi- tions, inadequate and insufficient
 Now. therefore. l. Woodrow Wilson. President Of the United States of Amcrican under and hy virtue of said statute. do hereby authorize and direct the Secretary of the In terior during the period of three years from the date hereof. to sell and dispose of the surplus coal taken from the mines now being operated by the Alaskan Engineering Commission. for supplying domestic and other needs in the Territory"
 It should be noted that both au- thorizations were confined to the Territory of Alaska and made no provisions for the sale of coal for shipment to Seattle. San Francisco or other coast points. No additional funds were appropriated by Con gross. as q result of the issuance of these executive orders. with which to carry out any enlarged program of coal mining by Alaskan Engineer ing Commission forces. Permission was given to sell the coal, but no means were made available to meet the market demands for the coal as regards quantity or ocean trans