The Daily Alaska empire., 1930-12-02
NEXT STEP UP TO PROMOTERS.

The issuance of the final waterpower licenses Tuesday by the Federal Power Commission to George T. Cameron and l. and J. D. zellerbach California capitalists clears the last governmental hurdle in the path of establishment of the pulp and paper manufacturing industry in Alaska MT Cameron has been granted his application for per mission to develop and use the waterpoWer re- sources of Long and Crater Lakes at Speel River and Dorothy Lake adjacent to Taku Inlet The Zellerbachs have been granted permission TOT like development m the vicinity of Ketchikan.
 good deal has been said during the past three years the period covered by the preliminary studies of the two California groups in the Southeast Alaska field about governmental red tape and it's handicaps this projected development ieVlew of the work done makes evident that red tape mas not delayed the project at any stage of the pro ceedngs The agencies concerned the United States Forest Service and the Federal Power Commission, have at all times been abreast and sometimes ahead of the interestea rarties Both have shown high y commendable Jude of sympathetic cooperation and have actually pressed matters to make final action possible In so doing they have demon strated realization of the importance of the projects to Alaskan prosperity.
 The Power Commissions approval of the final licenses was more timely than has been generally known. Had it failed to act this week. many months might have elapsed before anything could have been done. The Commission will undergo a complete reorganization soon as Congress con- venes It is now composed of the Secretaries of Interior Agriculture and War with paid secre- tary not a member of the official body. Congress at its last session treated a paid board members of which will be appointed by the President. AL though the President nominated majority of the new Commission early this year, the Senate failed to confirm the nominees This made it possible for the old board to continue it's functionng in the interim between sessions of Congress. It naturally feels it would not be proper to act after Congress reconvenes next week. When the Commission will come into being guess How long it would have required for it to give consideration to the Alaska applications is a matter of specula- tion. But that it wouid have taken several months seems a reasonable conclusion.
 Presumably. the form in which the two licenses issued is satisfactory 10 the licensees. The For est Service and Power Commission, through B. F. Hentzleman, Assistant Regional Forester, have been in contsant touch with both interests All trouble details it is understood, have been ironed out and MT Cameron and the zellerbachs ready to enter into timber sale contracts for Alaska timber for pulp supplies and to sign the licenses granted by the Power Commission.
 The way is open for this step which is the next in the local development. With that con- summated, it is to be hoped it will not be long delayed, it is but a question of time until con- struction is initiated. This of rests largely with the licensees who, under the Federal Water power Leasing Act, may defer actual construction work on the power development for two years after the date of the licenses.