The Daily Alaska empire., 1934-01-28

IS 1OOQs (NStOHtcf
 The statistical data gathered by the Territorial Chamber, which appears in adjoining columns, fur nishes indisputable proof of the value to the Nation as a customer that Alaska has come to be. It is largely incomplete in that it cov- CTS only nine years-from 1924 to 1882 inclusive. Yet in that time, less than decade, the 60,00O white and Indian residents of the Terri tory have purchased from the States proper a total of $27O ,236 ,099 worth of products of all kinds.
 Included in the list are every ar ticle of food, clothing. fuel, furni- ture, industrial machinery and equipment, materials and supplies of all kinds. It is by no means con- fined to the necessities of life. Luxuries are as surprisingly out of proportion to the population as are things required in everyday living.
 Cotton Tops WOOL
 Those millions of Americans who have been taught to think of AL aska as land of ice and snow and glaciers with an Arctic climate that demands the warmest and heaviest of clothing will be surpris- ed to learn that cotton wearing apparel in the past nine years has largely exceeded in volume and value garments made from wool ems. The official records show that from 1924 to 1882, cotton wearing apparel purchased in Alaska was valued at $5,788. .498, while woolen apparel bought during the same period had declared value of but $3.3S9,6 SIS. Siiken garments are not altogether unknown here, either. Shipments of them arriving in Alaska in the same nine years were valued at $709,697.
 Foodstuffs were 8 large factor in the trade. Tn that nine years, there were 30,783.111 pounds of fresh beef and veal consumed in the Territory and almost 100000 of the same commodities pickled were used. Fresh and pickled pork was another large import, the to- tai quantity having been slightly more than 9,OOO.000 pounds. More than l4,00O,O0O pounds of cured ham, bacon and shoulders were purchased in the same period. On top of these great quantities of meat, poultry to the extent of al- most 3.500,0O0 pounds was bought and shipped to the Territory.
 Much Condensed Milk
 Condensed and evaporated milk was another large item. Shipments of that commodity in the nine years for which figures are avail- able, aggregated slightly less than 46,O000OO pounds and were worth almost $4,O00,00O.
 More than 13,600,00 pounds of butter were served over the tables of Alaskan housewives, restaurants and boarding houses in that period. Two and three-quarter million pounds oz cheese were bought and eaten.
 Eggs from the poultry farms of the Pacific Northwest aggregating practically 100000 dozen were imported. For that article alone Alaskans paid more than $4,750, 900.
 Rice seems to be a staple of Alaskan diet for man as well as dog as the nine-year consumption of Chat grain is placed at l0,355,127 pounds worth almost $700, 900.
 Wheat Products L0rge
 Consumption of wheat products was correspondingly heavy. There were 429, ,89O barrels of wheat flour imported at a cost of $3,O81 ,426, and crackers and biscuits amount ing to 9,642,245 pounds valued at $1 1885 ,039.
 Although native hay grows in abundance at times it is neces- sary to ship in some from the States to supplement the domestic supply. This has amounted to 23,- 423 tons during the past nine years.
 Alaskan farmers produce large quantities of white potatoes, but not enough to satisfy the lusty ap- petites of the Territory's 60,000 residents who, in addition to the domestic crops of spuds, in the same period used l.o0200,
 same period used l,002.90 bushels
 Can Opener Paradise
 That Alaska is can opener paradise cannot be denied on the strength of the official records. In nine years there were 28,724 ,O21 pounds of canned vegetables pur- chased from wholesalers in the States. In addition to this there were 30.495, ,125 pounds of fresh and prepared vegetables. other than canned. and not including dried beans and peas.