The Daily Alaska empire., 1928-07-06
WEISEL HERE
 FROM 4 TRIP
 ID WESTWARD
Makes Extensive Tour Reports Forest Fire
 Loss Is Large

 ciation of the value of timber in the future economic life of Alaska. according to George F. Weisel. assistant manager of the Juneau Lumber Mills, who re- turned here yesterday from sev- eral weeks trip to the Westward and Interior.
 Along the Richardson Highway MT. Weisel observed numerous forest fires, and evidences of fires in preceding years which de- stroyed immense quantities of small growth timber Along the Copper River and Northwestern Railway there were also many burned areas, he said.
 Such devastations not only drive cut the fur bearing animals but also deprive the prospeetors and mining intersts of material for cabins and other buildings as well as fuel. he declared.
 There appears to be much in- terest in the Interior in pros pecting for new districts. con tinued Mr. Weisel. "The country is staging a comeback from the backslip of late years, for many young men are taking up the reins that have laid idle, and are pushing back into the hills rather than sitting around and letting the others do it.
 "On my return trip l went from Seward. inside over the Alaska Railroad, and was quite impressed with the road better ment on the right of way. Bridges are being replaced with fills, and a great number of new ties are being used to replace the old ones.
 "At Matanuska, the first stop after leaving the coast, l in spected the farming region with MT. Snodgras of the experimental station, and was surprised to see the amount of farming carried on at the present time The experi- mental station is doing some ex- ccllent work.
 Coal Mines Operate
 The Premier and Evan Jones mines in the Matanusla fields are the only two operating at the present, and both are doing well, putting out some excellent grades of coal. The Healy mine is also in operation, and is handling q contract to supply fuel for the power plant of the Fairbanks Exploration Company at Fair banks"
 He spent a week in Fairbanks and vicinity and visited the dredging outfits there. The Fair banks Exploration Company was scheduled to start their first big dredge this week, he said, and the second one about the middle of the month. Both are of steel weigh about 1,600 tons, and will move $500 yards of dirt per S. hour day. The Fairbanks Ex- ploration Company is doing it's cold water thawing about two years ahead Of the dredges. which go between 90 and TO feet below the surface to bedrock.
 Two other dreege corporations are situated in this vicinity, while considerable work is being done at the quartz property on Esther Dome. with some good values showing.
 Visits Copper Mines
 MT. Weisel visited the Kenne- cott mines enroute home from Fairbanks, and while on the Richardson Highway stopped off at chitina.
 When he left Juneau May 29 he proceeded to the west end oi Kodiak Island, visiting practical ly all canneries along the coast Packers, he said, were expecting good season, for the indication. seemed favorable. Much new machinery had been installed previous to the opening of tn, season, and improved methods were being employed in man, plants. New buildings had beel erected at some of the locations
 Tt would be well fer South eastern Alaska to get acquainted with the Interior, said MT Weisel. in summing up his i'm pressions of the inside. "so eacl could appreciate the differen problems of the other and co operate in arriving at solu ton"
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