Seward daily gateway., 1923-02-28
FUTURE 0F NOME E PROMISING ONE
 SEN, BROWN
LACK OF FUEL GREATEST DRAW BACK TO DEVELOPMENT OF
 RICH MINING CAMP

senator Charles W. Brown, Ot the | Second Division, who is in Seward on his way to Juneau to attend the sixth biennial legislatiye~ session, gave a comprehensive view of the present conditions in the mining game on the Seward peninsula. The near future holds much promise for commercial and mining activities in the Second Division; the prospects for revival of the mining industry are decidedly bright, he states.
 Abandoned properties, such as the silver mine in the Council District, are being opened up this winter with the view of mining the silver deposits on large scale This particular mine was in the stage of development as early as 1882.
 The Uba construction company is building two large, modern dredges for the Hammond people, which will be operated on the third beach line, some three and one-half miles from Nome. It is believed that the Ham mond company will operate from five to seven dredges in the immediate vii cinity of Nome within the next three years.
 The third beach line, as we'll as otn- al, hoS worked out through system of drift and hydraulic mining. However, val ues of a sufficient amount remain to insure the Hammond investments of large returns.
 As regards placer mining only the we'll known pay-streaks are being min ed, the high cost of fuel and other in cidentals to mining render that indus try and prospecting almost prohibi- tive. Few people venture into new fields or are able to mine known low grade placer deposits. Much of the placer ground is frozen and requires thawing. With cheaper transportation and cheap coal the mining industries of the Second Division will revive hundred per cent.
 As concerns the fuel question it is hoped that the Healy River Coal cor poration, or coal from adjacent mines, will be shipped to Nome through the medium of the government transpor- tation lines from Nenana via St. Mich ael. Coal at Nome sells for $42.50 per short ton. in the yard, which makes fuel a rather expensive item.
 Mining is our greatest asset. We have rich mineral districts, both in placer and quartz. All we need is cheaper fuel and cheaper transporta- tion so that the individual miner and prospector can affort to work.
 I don't believe that we claim any vast agricultural possibilities, yet Nome grown turnips excell; unakleet potatoes are good, and in fact, at such places as Hot Springs, in the kougu- rok, many varities of vegetables ma ture during out short summer season.
 Fishing as an industry is still in its infancy, owing to the lack of exten- siye fish surveys for the Boring Sea. Various kinds of marketable fish are known to exist in these waters. Con- siderable fishing is done, but that in dustry, like mining, and all other in dustries, are handicapped and thelr future depends on solution of the transportation problem.
 It is believed by Alaskans that the reindeer industry will someday be one of Alaska's greatest sources of reve- nue. We have enough 10 supply the ter ritory, and then some.
 Considerable trade is being carried on between Nome and Siberia, which holds great inducements in commer- cial way. Its mineral deposits are con- sidered to be very great. It is com mercial field that Alaskans can well afford to consider.
 Nome's labor market is over sup piled. It is not advisable for any man to 20 to Nome with the sole object of working for wages. What We need IS a permanent population of miners and prospectors who will take chance with the country.