The Cordova daily times., 1923-03-14
SEASON NO HANDICAP,
 SAYS C0TWALS
Member of Commission Points Out Virtues
 of Climate IS ASSET TO TERRITORY Low Cost of reight in Interior Afforded by
 Weather

That in the anxiety of Alaskans to dispel erroneous notions to the effect that Alaska is an ice-locked, snow bound region of an all-the-year-round winter climate, there has been a ten dency to overdo the thing to the detri- ment of the obvious advantages of it's winters, is the suggestion made by Major John c. Gotwals, in speaking of the Interior road-work carried on by the Alaskan Road Commission. With the increased activity throughout the Alaskan Interior, says Major Gotwals, it has been noted that the full possi blities of winter freighting are often likely to be ignored. A lack of knowl- edge concerning the favorable condi- tiOns afforded freightng by the winter season in Alaska is typical of persons in the Northwest States and even along the coastal regions of the Ter ritory, whereas the truth is that it's winter climate is one of Alaska's great est assets.
 North of the Coast Range, points out the Road Commission engineer, the winter season is distinguished everywhere by clear, fine weather, uniform temperatures, and a light road, free from stream-crossings and glacial formations, freight can be handled with either horses or bob sleds at cost of fifty cents ton-mlle. Through the use of automobile trac- tors this cost can be markedly reduced. With the five-ton caterpillar tractor employed by the Alaska Road Com mission twelve tons of freight were easily transported over Interior sled of those engaged in overland trading on excellent roads in the United States these costs are low. Putting as much freight behind caterpillar tractor as could be carried by two railroad cars, the Road Commission has travelled with ease and dispatch over the Interior sled-roads. Full utll- ization of this method of transporta- tion is really the key to the successful 0f ct operations in the Interior, asserts Major Gotwals. The use of tractors for winter freighting makes possible the early reaching of many of the quartz prospects north of the Coast Range.
 Many notable examples of the suc- cessful employment of winter freight ing in Alaska are at hand. The rapid prosecution of the work on the Gov ernment Railway during the winter of 192O-21 was largely due to the distri- button of freight and supplies by means of winter freighting. The very low cost of construction of the Rich ardson Highway is altogether account ed for by the low cost of transport ing materials during the winter months During the present winter ore is being transported at very low cost from the Mayo District to Mayo Landing, ready for shipment in the Spring. Similarly, the carefully laid sled-road from Kobi on the Govern ment Railway, to the Kantishna post office in the Kantishna District, IS already being utilized for the transpor' tation of concentrates and supplies, freighting which gives the greatest promise, says Major Gotwals, for the future development of the Kantishna district
 Winter freighting along other courses than sled-roads is equally as practicable, asserts the Major, since stream-beds may be followed where glacial conditions have not arisen through the upheaval of ice and over flows of the streams, thus obviating grades and the unevenness of noun tain travel.
 That the Alaskan winter climate is nothing to decry is the stout assertion of the Alaska Road Commission mem Der, whose capable work in the build ing of highways in Alaska has mer l ited the gratitude of all Alaskans