Evening star., 1929-12-01
II. S. TURNING TO ALASKA
FOR PULPWOOD SUPPLY
Government Award of Contracts Elk.
pected to Boom Industry and Attract
New Population.

general lumber markets as may be nee
essary to justify efiicient milling facili-
| ties and provide year-long operation
Other things being equal, preference
will be shown those industries and ap-
| plicants that contemplate most COM
plete manufacture in Alaska.
| Pulp timber allotments will be made
with regard to available water power
| sites suitable for use in the manufac-
ture of that product. Each allotment
will include sufficient land to provide a
sustained annual yield of timber equal
to the mill capacity obtainable through
a full economic development of the ac-
companying water-power sites.
In this respect the Alaska aero-survey
expedition Of the Navy Department has
given invaluable service by the diScoV-
cry of hitherto unsuspected lakes high
up among the peaks of the Pacific Coast
range, which parallels the coast Of Brit
iSh Columbia and Alaska as far north
and west as the Aleutian Islands.
The mountains, which are exceedingly
rugged, range from 5000 to 5000 feet
in height. with an occasional peak
reaching from 1000 to 5000 feet above
sea level. They had not been explored
until the airplane came into use, and
then only within the last two years.
The most recently discovered lake lies
within IS miles Of Ketchikan and con-
stitutes an ideal water-power site. It
was Immediately placed under Govern
ment license to the Zellerpach interests.
It was the deciding factor In locating
their plant near that city. This par
ticular lake, together with three others
in the same locality. will produce 1000
horsepower, all Of which will become q
part of the Ketchikan plant.
TeSson I'm Co.onaraxion
This instance is eloquent of the CO.
operation between the various govern
ment bureaus operating in Alaska. The
Navy Department supplied the air
planes, flying personnel and the mother
ship from the naval base at San Diego,
Calf. The Geological Survey and the
Department of Agriculture paid all the
expenses involved in the survey.
In the inception Of the work It was
necessary TO prove that q submarine
cable across Takue Inlet could be used
to support hydro-electric power to the
paper mills to be built at Juneau. Here
the Geodetic Survey came into the pic
ture by making the necessary hydro
graphic survey for the benefit of the
Forest Service. In connection with the
blocking out Of the vast timberland
areas to be placed under contract by
the Forest Service to the news print
manufacturers, it was necessary to
have accurately surveyed base lines.
These were run by the Public Survey
Division of the General Land Once.
The Alaska Road Cimmission, under
the direction Of the War Department
built trails to reach all the lofty water
power lakes which had been discovered
by the Aero Service photographers, in
order to expedite the Forest Service
power surveys-and all for the benefit
Of the successful bidder for govern
ment-controlled pulp-wood leaseholds.
Six Agencies Represented.
Despite this rather involved combi-
nation OF Federal bureaus, the fact re-
mains that the pulp-wood manufac-
turers had but one set Of men to deal
with-the Forest Service, which, in this
instance, represented six separate gov
ernment agencies.
The outstanding feature Of this re-
markable accomplishment Of bureau
cracy is that it had its inception in
Col Greeley's decision to send his dis
trict deputy to the States for a years
those in Alaska who feel that the inter-
ests Of the territory are hopelessly en-
meShed in Federal red tape.
The Alaska branch of the Forestry
Service feels that a $4,000, 900 order,
which ties up an aggregation Of capital
for so years, with the privilege of cut
ting 10000, 10000 board feet Of timber
IN order to supply the necessities Of
Americas newspaper readers, is fairly
good business In return for the sales
efforts of one man for q 12-month.
not to mention an additional population
OF 10000 which, it Is estimated, these
ewo great plants will bring to Alaska.