The Seward gateway., 1922-12-30
THE COMING ERA

to the scrap-heap of time. discarded with the disappointments accumulated during the past twelve months.
 As the shadow of the old year pass es from view there appears on the horizon of the future another and brighter space of time. space of time, which from all indications, holds much that is good for the northland.
 During the early days of Alaska s development. We lived in the today, with no thought of the morrow. As the fcvered days, and years passed thoughtful minds looked forward to the tomorrow. which at last is dawn ing.
 Others than those living in Alaska are looking forward to the develop 1nent of the north. It does not require a visionist or seer to fortell the good things which are in store for those who have pinned their faith to Alas ka's future prospects and backed that faith by substantial effort and invest Inent. Perhaps the investor will not reap the full benefits of his faith but posterity will And posterity in seek ing the foundation of its good fortune will bless their foGbears who sowed that they might reap.
 The glamorous days of gold are, in a measure, gone. The desire for quick wealth is not so great as it was a de- eade or so ago, and those of keen and sober mind are content to gather in ,heir store by safe and conservative methods
 Looking forward, the future never has been brighter for Alaska and Al a5kan3 With the immense fuel stcre- houses of nature being developed 10 the extent of caring for their own par ticular section and all of Alaska II need De. one source of the count-y's potential wealth is being brought 10 1oint where profit can be realized in- stead oi expenses accruing: the oil development promises much for the coming year and the westwai1 !jc!Gs will 10 a large extent prove the u.'- building ot Seward. And not ;he last of another source of wealth will De the pulp industries, which will soon be operating in many sections of the coastal regions. The fish and fur wealth sources will continue for an indefinite space of time, by proper conservation, to provide it's quota to the worlds wealth and when the eff forts of man has wrested from natures vaults the wealth producing coal oil, and minerals, it can be unhesitatingly said that a new era is dawing fer Al Alaska.
 Those of pessimistic inclination would question the disposal of those resources which have yet to be eX- plotted to the producing degree. The optimist has the ready answer-fore- ign trade.
 With the natural harbor advantag- es which most of the coastal towns possess it does not require a great stretch of immagination to see each and every seaport becoming a berth ing place for vessels of foreign regis ter; Japan, China, France, Belgium, England, and others, all sending their craft and dollars for the products Of Alaska with which to meet the re- uuirements of their peoples and to conserve their fast diminishing supply of what nature has given them for their benefit-copper, coal, oil, Varl- ous minerals of a useful nature, wood pulp or paper. and other substances which Alaska possesses to an inex- haustable degree.
 There can be no question as to the
 
 ly see the foundation laid for future developments but those developments are coming as surely as the dawn. Perhaps the sun may not shine tomor- row morn but there yet remains the day when all will be brightness and sunshine for Alaska-the coming era, and to that end it is well to plan. Seward, when he negotiated for the treasure vault of the world was look ed upon as a visiOnist and subjected to much scoffing-and so were all of those whose dreams have come true, through recent invention. Why scoff at what seems more possible in the present age than at any time in the history of Alaska?
 ONE OF THE reasons why the