Seward daily gateway., 1930-09-04

NlS 1lOIH puUllC lIll SldLtS dIlu fully realizing the difference in Alaska as compared with the States" Senator Kendrick then emphatically said; We didn't want in the west such legislation, how ever, know that Congress will not consent to a repeal of those mea- sures and we have fdcePtd sucE as a part of the pro- gress of our nation, and you must do SD here in Alaska -' Senator Howell said that he. would favor and that in his opinion Congress would favor an amendment of the law applying to Alaska in any specific instance wherein 1t coul be shown that such action was was necessary in order to afford large production of commercially merchantable coal in Alaska; the Senator further said; Bring your plan, worked out as t0 details to Us in Washington this winter, We give it careful study and attention
 We are really Interested in the matter of coal production"
 Senator Kendrick stated that an operator in the Matanuska Fields, he thought a MT. Loussac, told him he was perfectly satisfied with the leasing system. Ray then called the attention to the fact that some S2O 100000 in round numbers was due to laborers and miners in Matanuska area for labor per- formed, that they could not file a lien against the property of the government; that this deplorable condition could not have resulted had there been title in the coal operator, he would have to pay his labor or lose his property.
 Mining conditions in the Moose Pass, Sunrise, Hope and along the railway line were then presented to the Committee. Ray made the recommendation that as in Canada, a prospector might apply tO the United States Commissioner for some form of certificate whereby it would be certified that the ap- plying prospector was .il fact such, that upon presentation of such A permit at any office ofthe Railroad such certificate would entitle the prospector to q reduced rate of transportation for himself and his outfit over the Alaska Railroad. Senator Kendrick spoke tip vigor- ously, II heartily approve of that'
 After a most interesting dis cussion, MI Ray closed his re- marks by re-affirming his bel lief in Alaska and its people, its future and development. He paid compliment to the employees of the Alaska Railroad for uni form courtesy and attention to duties and of evident pride such employees take in their connect ion with a government enter prise.
 MI. Ray then spoke of Sew ard, it's possibilities, the great circle route to the Orient being but short distance from the entrance to Resurrection Bay
 At the conclusion of his re- marks Senator Howell extended the thanks of the Committee
 A. H. L. Meyers, of Brown & Hawkins Corporation, was then called and he presented facts and figures as to rates which did not permit products from Matanuska to come into compe- tition with Seattle products and suggested change whereby merchants in Seward would not be required to sell Matanuska products for a price in excess of that received for Seattle pro- ducts. The Committee listened attentively.
 J. s. Holman then testified relative to the use of hemlock timber in Alaska for railroad ties and succinctly gave his de- auctions from intensive study of the problem. Holman forcibly pointed out to the Committee that lumber industry in Alas ka would be a year-round propo- sition, not of four Or five months employment of labor, that the Bureau of Education and other departments, excepting the Bu- reau of Public Roads, was using outside lumber when there was much available here As to ser viceability of native lumber Hof- man called the attention of the