The Seward gateway., 1922-08-15
ALASkA'S ASSETS.

mineral output, Alaska must look to other sources to raise revenues to car " on her governmental activities. What more natural than that she should turn to her game and fur? AL aska's game has brought in something like a few hundred dollars yearly, but by proper development and protection should bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars.
 There is no nation or country where game can be propagated so easily and where it's habitat is so nearly inacces- sible as in Alaska. A steady supply of animals flew from these natural pre- serves toward the more habitable dis tricts, and instead of decreasing game Is actually becoming numerous, even in sections partially inhabited.
 By proper conservation and adver- Using big game hunters should yield Alaska a permanent revenue equalling it not exceeding that now derived from its fisheries and sea products. This is the only part of the United States where moose, deer, bears black and brown, blue and white may be found; where sheep and goats still roam the hills in bands of hundreds, and herds of caribou literally cover the earth for hundreds of square miles Aside from the economic side ot the big game feature, the appeal to sports men in all parts of the world will re- suit in increasing numbers coming to the territory to indulge in this tascl- hating pastime. The license fee and other expenses causes each sportsman to leave several thousand dollars Tn the territory. By forcing them to en- plov licensed guides and preserve the meat killed, decimation of game will be small indeed, each animal bringing AS much or more to the territory than a beef or horse would sell for.
 The fur industry Is also lucrative source of profit to the territory. In times previous wild fur bearing ami mals have furnished the bulk Of the revenues but in late year fox ana marten farming have developed to point where they can be classed as the coming industry. Hundreds Of fur farms having from ten to five hundred animals each have sprung up, the anl- nuaI sale of skins from these farms reaching hundreds of thousands ot dol lars. The government also reaps con siderable sum from these farms, as the islands are leased and a license tax placed commensurate with the val ue of the product.
 With these two sources Of revenue rapidly developing, the territory Is awakening to the possibilities ot It's game and fur, and adjusting conditions to meet the needs of prospective settlers. Fur and game are raised on land unprofitable for other purposes and there are millions of acres in AL aska which can be used for game pre- serves.
 The tourist trade is also another ra- pidly increasing source of profit to the territory. Up to the past two years those taking the trip to Alaska nave been persons in the trades and profess sions, the moneyed class spending their summers in Europe. But the past year has seen several moneyed men and their families tour the country and their numbers are increasing. The territory needs several modern, tour ist hotels, such as may be found on the east coast, and in California. These resorts must have small boats, noun tain guides, and bowling alleys ,bil- Hard rooms, and other amusements' and must be fairly modest in rates.
 Alaska has long overlooked her most important assets, but her people are awakening to the fact that the play ground of America Is here, and that it can be capitalized and commerciallzed to an extent hitherto undreamed of.