Evening star., 1923-06-17
I'D. c. MEN SURVEY
NORTHERN ALASKA.
Work During Summer Months
on Rim of Arctic Far From
Habitati0n.

Thirteen Washington men this sum-
mer will experience the Alaska of
gold rush days-the Alaska of rocky
trails and campfires untouched by the
comfortable blanket of civilization,
which Uncle Sam has thrown over
parts of the rim of the Arctic.
They are the explorers and survey
ors of the United States geological
survey and already either have
reached Alaska or are en- route. They
will spend the summer months ex-
ploring the oil and mineral possibili-
ties of Americas last frontier-a from
tler stretching far to the northward
from the scattered villages where
white men live.
A party of five will work on the
Arctic coast itself. Their task con-
sists of d topographic and geologic
survey of the fourth naval petroleum
reserve. The party consists of Sid
ney Paige, geoiogist; William T. Fo-
ran and James Gilluly, assistant ge-
ologists; l. c. Guerin, cadastral en-
gineer and Gerald Fitzgerald, junior
topographer Guerin and Fitzgerald
Will be engaged in the map making
work. The others are there for what
they can finland the mineral possi-
bilitieS of Alaska still are largely un-
known. 1t is not unlikely that new
sources of wealth for the nation will
be uncovered.
OIL Special Object.
Two parties will devote their at
tention entirely to oil. G. c. Martin,
geologiSt. has been detailed not only
to Investigate the possibilities of the
iAl, ,lC II 1yl- -,
TO make comparative study of them
in connection with the rich California
fields. r. K. Lynt, Typographical en-
gineer, and w. r. Smith, geologist
will investigate the Cold Bay oil field
Zen the Alaskan peninsula.
The oil possibilities of the country
have been hardly pricked by ex-
plorers. it is claimed. and all the men
will be on the lookout for new in
dicationS of oil strata.
Probably the most formidable task
waits J. B. Mertie, jr. He is as
>igncd alone to n geological investi-
Gation Of the great Chandelier dis
trict in northern Alaska, a country
hose possibilities are virtually un-
known.
To Make Many Maps.
r. II. Sargent and Kirtley F
Mather will make maps and inspect
the rocks and soil Of the Douglas
river region in southwestern Alaska
stretching toward the Yukon terri.
tory. Although not SO difficult of ac-
aess much of this country also is q
land of mystery to white men anc
1t is believed to contain some of the
greatest possibilities of development
+. H. Moftit, another Washington
geoloGist. will study the country ly-
ing adjacent to Prince William Sound
on the western coast. \. +. Budding
ION will study the Wrangell district
in southeastern Alaska, probably tht
best known OF all the country laid our
for the map makers this summer.
Most of the Washington men who
make up these parties have had pre-
vlous experience in the north. bu
they will work largely witt. natlv,
guides All of them will venture fal
into country where the only methot
OF transportation is by mule pack, ant
far beyond any of the towns which
y have been established along the coast
Besides their work for the geological
survey practically all the men work
in conjunction with the CniteC
= States National Museum. and some oi
them are trained paleontologists able
to interpret the writing on the rocks
left by fossils embedded these mil
lions of years. This, in fact, is al
most essential to the deduction oi
mineral or oil deposits.
The reports to the geological SurNe!
are kept strictly secret. especial!
those dealing with probable oil loca-
tions. until all the evidence has beer
checked and rechecked in Washing