The Daily Alaska empire., 1930-02-19
GOAL INDUSTRY
 AGAIN NORMAL.
 SAYS STEWART
Bureau of Mines Head Says Placer Strike on Poor
 man Is. Genuine

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 Production of mines in the Alas ka coal fields is back to normal, ac- ccrding to E. D. Stewart, Mining supervigcr of the United States Bureau Of Mines, who returned this week from a six-weeks trip to the Anchorage cffice of that bureau. The output for the past calendar wear was below normal due to the ghutdoWn at the Eealy mine last spring.
 A bridge across Healy River was washed out at that time, cutting the mine off from the Alaska Rail- road and forcing it to suspend op- crations for a considerable period. The bridge was rebuilt sometime ago and the mine is producing it's regular tonnage now.
 Makes Fine Record
 Conditions in the Alaska coal mining industry compare very fav- orable with those in Washington, MT. Stewart said There is prac- tlcally no waste in the local pro- duction, and the Territory has the lowest accident record of any field in the United States. Tn the de- cads during which coal has been mined commercially here, ther e have been but two fatal accidents to miners, one major and very few minor injuries.
 This has been due, in MT. Stew arts opinion, to the fact that from the beginning of the industry, the operations were under supervision that brought about the use of the best mining practices developed in the industry at large throughout the country. Every precaution is taken to reduce the chances of disaster
 No black powder can be used in blasting. Electricity is used in setting off powder charges, and no blast can be set off until all men are out of the mine, and only after an investigation has shown no gas present. Where gas is present in mines, workmcn are required to use electric cap-lamps
 Mining CstIook Better
 The gold mining outlook in the Anchorage district is somewhat im- proved, MT. Stewart said. Several responsible companies have had en- gineers in the Willow Creek district examining properties there It is indicated that some of them will undertake development work on some of the groups in the near fu- ture Business conditions in An chorage were better than normal.
 Developments in the placer min ing industry generally are encour- aging, Mir Stewart said A thor cugh investigation is to be made of a new field discovered last year in the Kobuk region, where pros poets are described as promising This discovery was made by prospector financed under the pro- visions of the Alaska Prospectors Aid Act.
 Poorman Strike Genuine
 The latest strike reported-on Beaver Greek a tributary to Poor man River, is genuine in all re- spects, MT. Stewart said Good pay was taken out of one hole on the creek and the district is said to be quite promising Good pay was also uncovered on Wolf Creek, an- other tributary to Poorman, and several miles above Beaver. Most of the ground in the district was already held.
 The reported rich strike on Wild River in the Koyukuk district lacks confirmation. A report from E. Hanson, who prospected the upper river last year, said some rich float was found but the vein could not be located. Some colors were also found in the streams, but no dis covery was made. Mir Hanson said he expected to return there this spring for more prospecting as the region looked highly favorable.