Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-10-03

way to Alaska by rail?" The Evening
Star man asked Mr.. Dickens.
The general agent OF the Alaska
is so far in the future that plans have
not been mapped for it, Steamship
accommodation is so good now that there
Is no need for rail expansion to Alaska.
especially In view of the comparatively
sparse population, he answered. Prince
Rupert in British Columbia Is now the
nearest railroad point to Alaska's south
ernmost rail point at Skagway. To link
up Prince Rupert and Skagway by rail
would entail engineering difficulties
over a prominently mountainous coun-
try that would be practically prohib-
tive, Mr.. Dickens pointed out. and 1t
would be necessary to start rail con-
struction to Alaska from some point in
the interior of Canada. across the low
lands, and connect with the Alaska
Railroad at some point in the region Of
Dawson.
Plans for Additional Steamers.
The steamship companies are arrang-
ing to put on additional steamers. Mr..
Dickens said.
Commercial aviation is extensive In
Alaska at this time, Mr.. Dickens de-
clared, out Of Anchorage and Fairbanks.
and prospecting by airplane is going
forward. new concern being formed
for this purpose. Tourists use the
planes to get a new thrill by flying in
the Territory
Gold dredging is much on the up
grade at the present time, Mr.. Dickens
declared. and q lot Of smaller gold
quartz and placer properties are being
worked up by smaller companies. Gold
dredging activities are greatest at Fair
banks. three big gold dredges being now
at work in the vicinity of that COM
munitv. and it is planned to have seven
operating.
Agricultural development Is awaiting
an increase in population. as markets
are limited. Mr.. Dickens asserted. Fair
banks is the market for the Tanana
Valley and Anchorage is the market
for. products raised in the Matanuska
Valley. The farmers in these great
agricultural districts of Alaska raise
grain, vegetables and small fruits. such
as are raised in the Middle West. Mr..
Dickens attended some of the Alaskan
agricultural fairs during his absence
from Washington and said he was sur
prised to see the products on display.
There Is enough good farming land
100000 Mr.. Dickens said, explaining
that the population Of the Territory Is
now about $4,000, 10000 of them being
natives.
, The Territory covers $4,000 square
miles.
Colonization Project Discussed.
The new general manager, Mr. Ohl-
son, has a colonization project for
Alaska, In mind, Mr.. Dickens said, but
is permitting himself to become further
familiarized with the Territory before
putting it into effect Mr.. Dickens
said he is sure that the project will
materialize in q reasonable length Of
time.
A group of Mormons was In Alaska
this Summer surveying the Territory
with view to forming settlements, Mr.
Dickens. said, and left there well
pleased.
The general agent briefly surveyed
the ramifications of Uncle Sans own
railroad in the Far Northwest, explain
ing that the Alaska Railroad has 470
miles of main line, running from
Seward on the coast to Fairbanks in
the interior, with 80 miles of branch
line track. During the season of navi-
CATION on the Tanana and Yukon Rivers
the Government operates a freight and
steamer service from Nenana on the
Alaska Railroad to Marshall, there con-
Meeting with another to St. Michael.
Transportation System Outlined.
In this way, Mr. Dickens explained.
the Alaska Railroad, with railroad and
river steamer, serves that part Of Alaska
which. has the greatest population and 1
opportunity for development along
agricultural, mining and producing
lines. At Fairbanks connection Is made
with the Richardson auto trail, a 800
mile highway from Fairbanks to Chi
tina on the Copper River & North
western Railway, which is privately
owned and operated. Rail service at
Nenana connects with passenger and