The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1923-03-02
ALASKA TRADE
ON SOUND BASIS
Report Shows Improvement
in Northern Industries


n terrible gale says a report lust
ISSUED b. tho customs office az Ju'
neau $50 Alaska has weathcred Tho
most severe Industrial rcverses. and
continues 10 pour her wealth into
the lap Of the world"
Tho report. complied iolntly by
the local office and tho department
at Washington. follows IN part:
The year 1899 closed with an
Increase In the commerce OF the
territory over 1891 OF ss0,ls0,t oi.
Exports from tho territory more
than doubled the imports, leaving
tho balance OF trade IN Alaska's IA.
vor by handsome margin.
FISH TRADE
SHOWS GAIN
The outstanding increase In value
Of shipments TO the United States
Is shown In canned salmon. both as
70 the number OF pounds and value.
This was due TO the revival OF tho
salmon canning industry. as well as
a more nearly normal run OF salmon
In Alaska An Increase also worthy
OF note. because OF lis rapid growth.
Is that OF picked fish. represented
primarily by the herring Industry.
A number OF large herring salteries
were Installed during 1922 in South
west Alaska. and these were kept
running until late In the fall 10 meet
The demands for this sea food.
In spite OF serious gold mining
reverses experienced in Alaska dur.
Ing the past few years. the mineral
output OF the territory for 1879 was
approximately $4,000. 900. or an in.
erase over 1891 OF over a million
dollars. This increase was primar-
ily due 10 a larger output OF copper.
yet II reflects In some measure tho
Improvement OF the entire mineral
industry. Alaska's mineral output
IN 1922 Is most encouraging for n
revival OF this industry.
Tho canned clam industry. which
was somewhat dormant during 1890
1891. took on new life In 1929,
and the outlook for n larger pack in
1898 Is good With shipments aggre-
eating yIss.&7I. the shrimp industry
IS showing a steady growth. The In.
creased demand for this sea food
speaks well for Alaska shrimp.
LUMBER EXPORT
TRADE IMPROVES
'-The shipment OF sawed lumber
from Alaska To the United States.
and also for export 20 foreign coun-
tries. Is most gratifying. During
1922 shipments OF lumber were load
cd dIrec, In vessels for export trade.
A number OF mills are reported 70
be under contract FOR similar ship
ments during 1923.
The development OF tho pulp In
dustry. predicted In last years re-
port, matertallzed during tho latter
part OF 1922. While only one pulp
mill developed TO shipping stage.
yet the product found ready markets
In the States. II Is understood q
number OF pulp and paper mills In
the states are negotiating with the
United States forestry service for
pulp timber area. and Il Is confident.
" expected this industry win be
firmly established in the territory
within a short time.
OIL AND GOLD
PRODUCTION GOOD
"The possibility OF increased oil de-
veiopment in Alaska Is most pronis-
ing at the close OF 1922. The oil
wells OF the Katalla fields have con-
tlnued to produce steadily during
1922. and their refined product found
ready markets within the territory.
Production from this field. however.
has not yet reached the exporting
stage. A new oil field. however. Is
now under development In the Cold
Bay district
The Increased production Of gold
In the fourth division OF Alaska re-
fleets the value OF cheaper trans
portation TO placer mining. Lower
freight rates are now possible By
the construction OF the Alaska rail-
road from tidewater TO the interior.
and the life Of the placer fields is
also being much prolonged by con-
struction OF an excellent system of
wagon roads By the Alaska Road
Commission.
TRAVEL
INCREASES
'The travel movement as shown
In the statement Of arrivals and de-
partures, discloses q pleasing in.
fsraaac IN, tra,,nl 70 htnskn frnrn The