The Daily Alaska empire., 1930-01-07

Alaska possesses some definite ad- vantages over the Pacific Northwest for these immense newsprint plants, which have come to be the rule, in that the exceedingly large blocks of timber necessary to meet the needs of these outfits are obtainable in Alaska at minimum initial ex- pense, carrying charges and the danger of fire losses.
 Incidentally, it may be remarked that the bidders for these vast tim Der land leases were aware of tho Hoover administrations conservative policies.
 3,000,000 Acres in Reserve
 Most of the standing timber in. Southeast Alaska is in the Tongass National Forest, which the Depart ment of Agriculture insists shall be preserved for future generations. This reserve includes 3,000,000 acres carrying growth of timber of com mercial value, with an average stand per acre of 26,000 board feet, comprising a total of nearly 80,- 000,000,0o0 board feet, subdivided as follows Western hemlock, "A per cent; Sitka spruce, 20 per cent; Western red cedar and Alaskan rcd cedar, 3 per cent each.
 The average mature spruce is five feet in diameter and 160 feet high. It flourishes from tidewater to an altitude of 1,500 feet. It is mag nificent tree. It is manufactured into all the usual forms of lumber and particularly afrplane stock. Studies in conservation by the for estry bureau estimate rotation period in growth of between S5 and 100 years.
 Allowing 90 years. therefore, as the period during which this virgin timber can be reproduced, Approxi- mately 100000 cords of wood of 660 board feet each can be re- moved each year during that period. The Tongass forest crop produced in this period will have per acre volume at least twice the average volume now found therein.
 The conservation policies Of the forestry bureau, therefore, provide that the stumpage alone is offered fer sale, the land being retained for the production of succeeding forest crops. It will be apparent that the custom of killing the goose that lays the golden egg will not be tolerated under national supervision. Provision will be made for a continuous and adequate supply of timber for such wood using plants as may be in- stalled. They, in their turn, will be obliged to foster the permanent de- velopment of the territory and per- init sustained contribution to the nations supply of timber products.
 With view to attracting home industries, a permanent and con- venient supply of timber will be furnished for local consumption, with such an additional supply to the local sawmills for the general lumber markets as may be neces- sary to justify efficient milling fa- cilities and provide year-long oper- ation. Other things being equal, preference will be shown those ir1- dustries and applicants that con- template most complete manufac- ture in Alaska
 Pulp timber allotments will be made with regard to available water power sites suitable for use in the manufacture of that product. Each allotment will include suffi- cient land to provide a sustained annual yield of timber equal to the mill capacity obtainable through full economic development of the accompanying water power site.
 In this respect the Alaska aero survey expedition of the Navy De- partment has given invaluable serv-