The Alaska daily empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1912-1926, 1926-09-03
CONDITIONS IN 4LLSr4
BETTER; OPTIbiiSM NOW
PREVAILS ALL SECTIONS

THE Territory generally is in bet
ter condition than for several years,
it seems to be more prosperous and
there is a feeling of optimism about
the future which has been lacking in
some sections for several years, "
declared M. S, Whittier, Asst. Col
lector of Customs who returned home
early this week .fter 80 day trip
which carried h'al into all of the
more accessible parts of Alaska ex-
cept the lower Yukon River between
Tanana and St Michael
His trip was one of official inspec-
tion of U. S. Customs stations and
was made in G mpany with three
special agents. Frederick S. Freed
James II. McCo' nchie and Paul II
Watson. The last two named men
left the party 9t Seward and die
not visit Alaska Peninsula, Bristol
Bay, Berng Sea and Seward PENN
sula districts. fhe inspection wa
concluded in Seattle on August s
Several days were spent in the Sc
attic office after that compiling re
ports Mr. WhiBier then took a 10
day vacation and visited with rea-
tives, returning home with his fam.
lily last Tuesday =
Brings Norge Souvenirs
The first souvenirs of the famous
Italian dirigible the Norge. on which
Amundsen made his trans Polal
flight, to reach Juneau were brought
back by Mr. Whittier from Teller
There he saw the dsmantled craft
loaded on barge y awaiting shipment.
He secured several small pieces OF
the light framework which had been
cut away from the heavier frame il
order to permit its shipment.
One of the tanks of the Norge ha
been given to the Territory and was
to be forwarded to Gov. George A
Parks from Teller Mr. Whittier
said. Reports that the ships instru
ments and some important parts
were sold at Teller were without
Everything except some
light and unimportant pieces of tn
upper frame was shipped to Seattle
he said. He also brought postcard
Norge. These We're taken by a
Mrs. Peterson. a resident of Teller
and were made before anyone off
the arship had reached the ground
The films were sold to Amundsen
and included by him in his published
articles in eastern newspapers.
Visits Many Districts
The Customs inspection party visit.
ed points from the extreme southern
portion of the Territory to the Can
adian boundary, the interior, the far
region. and Seward
Peninsula Three weeks were spent
in this district which was covered
the inspection beginning
June 3 and ending on June "a when
the party reached Skagway bound
for Yukon River and Interior points.
II left Whitehorse June 81 and ar
rived in Dawson two days later, de-
parting for the lower river on July l.
The tourist business is steadily in.
creasing in Dawson, Mr.. Whittier
said. The party had difficulty in
securing hotel accommodations there.
The two principal hotels were filled
and a number of tourists were forced
to seek rooms at rooming houses.
One dredge is operating on thu
Klondike River and had a program
involving several years operations
out.
Sand Storm On River
Enroute downriver, an inspection
of the Eagle station was made while
the steamer was in port. A stol
was made at Fort Yukon where
visit was paid to the mission hos
pital, fine modernly equipped insti
tuition maintained by the Episcopal
Church and under the direction of
DR.. Grafton Burke.
At Fort Yukon it was reported
that the trappers had had a fine
season and many furs had beer
brought in from the north. There
was large amount of freight stored
there for Transporting into the Porcu.
pine district.
Shortly after the steamer entered
the Tanana River 1t encountered
terrific sandstorm which was almost
binding. 1t was an unusual phen.
Omenon.
The passengers and crew of the
steamer celebrated July with fire
works and a field meet with races,
etc, and concluded with a songfest
featuring patriotic airs. Mr.. Whit
tiers party reached Fairbanks on
July and saw the celebration there.
The town was filled with people