The Daily Alaska empire., 1927-09-10
SENATOR HUNT REVIVES PROPOSAL TO TRADE SkAGWAY TO CANADA.

TO TRADE SkAGWAY TO CANADA. The suggestion or Sir Hugh Denison, Al tralian Trade Commissioner to the United Stat that the port of Skagway ought to be intern tionalized, has led Territorial Senator Forest Hunt to revive the suggestion made a dog years or more ago that the port of -Skagw ought to be ceded to Canada i'll exchange territory that would give the United States right of way for railroad and highway frc Haines through the Rainy Hollow country il the Lake Kluane district and on to the hea waters of the White and Panama Rivers togetf with all the land west and south of such lii If the proposal carried out it would a to Alaska mineral and other lands in the cinty of Pleasant Camp, the Rainy Hollow cC per region and in the vicinity of Lake Klua and the Alsek It would give Canada the veloped port of Skagway and the White Ps with their railroad, etc.
 Senator Hunt makes nis suggestion in a lett to the Vancouver Province, which appeared in t Issue of that paper of September 4. The lett follows:
 Sir,-My attention has been called to suggestion made by Sir Hugh Den- son. before the Canadian Club of Van couver on August 2, that an effort be made to secure the internationaliza- tion of Skagway harbor, a benefit to Skagway as well as Canadian interests more or less affected by the status of this harbor I glad to this subject given attention and feel con strained to do what l can to stress the importance of some public movement to remedy the existing situation of this port.
 During the early years of the Klon- tls oils of Southeast Alaska, but today, poor old skagway is nothing but a rem nant of the past.
 With no mines or commercial re- sources in that vicinity, on United States territory it stands neglected and alone by this Government; it is the port of entry to all Canadian inter- ests throughout the vast region of min eralized territory tributary to the head waters of the Yukon and the Atlin country This is port of value to Canada. and if owned by her, no doubt, new life and increased value would come to all Skagway, as well as increased interest -in all Canadian enterprises throughout that section.
 The suggestion of Sir Hugh Deni- son will. perhaps, find Judgment and support among interested Canadians but, I think. if we would arouse mutual in- terest there must be some direct bene- fit to this country.
 would call attention to the topo- graphy of the country lying between the head of Lynn Canal and the southern boundary of Interior Alaska. South easterIy from the Hist parallel of longi- tude west, lies what is known as the panhandle of Alaska, which consists of a mountainous rim of rocks and gla- ciers without habitation. except in Yakutat harbor, for the entire southerly distance to Glacier Bay.
 I have not explored the territory east of this bounadry, but have been re- liably informed that there is quite a considerable tract of comparatively level country much of it mineralized and if is my judgment that if Alaska's boundary line could be extended back to the interior to line extending Tn northeasterly direction from just above the port of Haines on Lynn Canal, to intersect the southery boundary of in- terior Alaska 1t would give new lie to Haines and would inaugurate move to construct a highway along or near this boundary to interior Alaska and this stimulate research and develop ment of a section now not receiving any attention.
 Instead of internationalizing Skagway harbor I think exchange feasible, and mutually advantageous, by cession of Skagway harbor with the needed tract extending to the boundary, from the United States to Canada, for tract from Canada to the United States, em- bracing the territory between line ex- tending northeasteriy from above Haines, to the southeasterly boundary of ln- terior Alaska. I am fully conVineeu that such an exchange would peneht both parties concerned, and stlmuia'e commercial activity in sections now neglected.
 . FOREST J. HUNT. Whatever one might think Of the propo evchange. all who are familiar with the i' know that Senator Hunt made mistake saving that ''poor old Skagway is notnlns remnant of the past" Skagway IS not ? and she is lot more than remnant. she one of the thriving towns of Alaska wl'n