The Daily Alaska empire., 1931-06-06
CHICAGO GANGSTER INDICTED BY FED. GRAND JUR
GOLD INDUSTRY
 AGAIN THRIVING AYERS STEWART
Placer and Lode Mining on Increase and Prospec-
 tors Multiply

Alaskas gold mining industry, both placer and lode, is in thriv- ing condition, and looks to be in better shape than for a number of years past, according to Federal Mining Supervisor and Acting Ter ritorial Mining Engineer B. D. Stewart, who recently visited some of the larger fields.
 This years operations bid fair to be the most productive in the decade as early activity is unusual. exceeding that of last year which was above any recent average. Small Lcdcs Prosper
 In the Fairbanks district, said MT. Stewart, where the big dredg- ing project of the Fairbanks Ex- ploration Company is the back bone of placer mining production, the small lode mines had a pros- porous season in 1880. Operators are making plans for a continual tion of activity of those worked last year and some new properties will be opened up. Among them is the old Newsboy mine, which is expected to be again in the pro- ducing ranks this season.
 At Ferry, in the Bonnefield dis trict, some extensive development work has been done by a group of lessees and is reported to have shown very gratifying results. This property was formerly held by Spo- kane interests which undertook to open 1t up in 1927. It is now at l tracting considerable attention. Willow Creek Expansion
 Mines in the Willow Creek re- zion, adjacent to the Alaska Rail- road, are being operated on larg- CT scale then in many years. The Lucky Shot and War Baby groups have force of 70 men at work under the management of w. E. Dunkle and it is reliably reported this force will be very largely aug mented in the near future. MT. Dunkle plans to keep this prop erty in operation throughout the year.
 Preparations are being made for summer operations on several other well known properties in the same region. Supplies, materials and men are being moved into the field for this purpose.
 The prospects are good for con- tinued activity probably in an in- creasing scale in the Cache Creek district.
 Other regions report revived in- terest and activities, notably Nuka Bay, west of Seward, Moose Pass, Hope and Crow Creek. | Prospecting On Increase Another encouraging feature characterizing the mining industry is the noticeable increase in the number of prospectors taking the field in almost every part of the Territory, MT. Stewart said. This Is probably due to two major fac tors
 One of the main reasons, of course, is the deep interest shown in gold mining ventures which is l worldwide. This sentiment has had a wide and strong reaction in the Territory, melting men to go into mineralized areas for extensive prospecting.
 Unemployment has likewise had a stimulating effect upon the search for mineral deposits. Oldtimers, accustomed to seeking employment during the summer season, have in many instances been unable to obtain work this year. Aided by the Territory. through it's fund for payment of transportation to pros- pectors, they have turned back to the hills again
 This is not only true of the in terior country, but holds good for the coastal regions from Cook In- let to and throughout Southeast Alaska, Mir. Stewart said