The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-04-08
PROSPEROUS DAYS
FOR ALASKA TRADE
SEEN At CAPITAL
Collector Of Customs Fore
casts Smooth Sailing Ahead
Territory

WASHINGTON, April despite
serious handicaps during the past
few years, industrial Alaska has re-
covered its stability and, in the
words of q department of interior
announcement, rs riding once more
on an even keel like ship righting
herself after a terrible gale"
The forecast of smooth sailing
ahead is based on the report of the
collector of customs at Juneau, just
received in Washington.
The year closed with an Nincfease
in the commerce of the territory over
1921 of $20,7S0.401 and with a healthy
growth in practically all the indus
tries" says the statement issued
from the department of Secretary
Work. Exports from the territory
of Alaska more than doubled the i'm
ports, leaving the balance of trade in
Alaska's favor by handsome mar
gin.
The outstanding increase in value
of shipments to the United States is
shown in canned salmon, both as to
the number of pounds and value. This
was due to the revival of the salmon
canning industry, as we'll as more
nearly normal run of salmon in
Alaska. An increase also worthy of
note, because of It's rapid growth. is
that of picked fish represented pri-
marily by the herring industry. A
number of large herring salteres
we're installed during 1922 in south
west Alaska and these were kept
running until late in the fall to meet
The demands for this sea food
I'm spite of serious gold mining re-
verses during the past few years, the
mineral output OF the territory for
1922 was approximately $4,000, 900
or an increase over 1921 of more than
100000. This increase was due
primarily to a larger output OF cop
per, yet it reflects in some measure
the Improvement of the entire min
eral industry. Pre-war figures can
be considered only in comparisons.
and for the five years ended in 1914
the average annual value of Alaska's
mineral output was $19.700,000. SO
compared in values, Alaska's mineral
output in 1922 is more encouraging
for a revival of this industry.
THE canned clam industry, which
was somewhat dormant during 1920
O., took on new life in 1922 and the
outlook for a larger pack in 1928 is
good. With shipments aggyegating
$t44,471, the shrimp industry Is
showing steady growth.
'Thc shipment of sawed lumber
from Alaska to the United States and
also for export to foreign countries,
is most gratifying. During 1922 lum-
Der was loaded direct on vessels for
export trade. A number of mills are
reported to be under contract for
similar shipments during 1923.
"The possibility of increased oil
, development il. Alaska was most
promising at the close of 1922. The
oil wells of the Katalla fields. pro-
Gueed steadily during 1922 and their
refined product fount ready IL --ets
within the territory. Production
from this field, however, has not yet
reached. the exporting staee. A new
oil field is now under development
in .he Cold Bay district.
.The travel movement as shown
in the statement OF arrivals and de-
partures. discloses pleasing in
crease in travel to Alaska from the
States. While the de- artures from
Alaska are in excess of the arrivals.
it is not believed that this indicates
any falling off in population, but
rather is due to the fact that the
residents of TIC interior re taking
advantage cY the cheaper transporta-
ton offered by the Alaska railroad
to spend part of the winter in the
CT