The Daily Alaska empire., 1935-05-02
IR WIN TELLS OF MATANUSkA
 AT C.-C. MEET
Ch am b CT Hears Project Director, Troast De-
 scribe Valley Plan


 Juneaus business and professional leaders met Donald L. Irwin, di- rector of the Matanuska Valley farm colonization project, today.
 The meeting took place at the weekly session of the Chamber of Commerce at Bailey's Cafe, and it occurred a few minutes after the motorship North Star berthed at Pacific Coast Dock this forenoon Assistant Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Charles w HaWkesworth met Irwin and other Matanuska officials and brought them directly off the boat to the Chamber meeting.
 MT. Irwin was introduced by N Lester Troast, Juneau man who is architect in charge of the Mata- nuSka colonization plan and whc recently returned from Washing ton, D. C., conferences.
 Irwin Speaks
 Strict attention was given MT Irwin, the ex-Colorado farmer who will direct the producing work ol the colony, when he arose to speak
 I'm going to live in that valley for a number of years. I believe the plan is feasible and practicable and that it will be a success" ht said. This Matanuska proposition of the Governments is advertising Alaska as it has never been ad- vertised before.
 We, in charge. are not afraid of this project. In fact, I'm sure it is going to mean much to AL aska. I forecast that business op- portunities will be opened up. am sure that new business ventures will be attracted to Alaska. You people here can't lose anything by the venture. You have everything to gain. I ask your cooperation.
 Troast Gives Detail
 MT. Irwin had been preceded on the speaking program by MT Troast, who gave more details oi the project. The Juneau man, who will spend the summer in the Matanuska country supervising con- struction work, gave his fellow townsmen an accurate picture of the plan.
 "The whole proposition" MT Troast said, lis being based on the fact that $1,00O000 of produce which can be raised in the Mata- nuska Valley, is being shipped in yearly to Anchorage and the AL aska Railroad belt from the Out side. The project is based on the market. However, we won't flood any market with our produce; we intend to control all production.
 "The directors and the immi- grants to the valley have been hand picked. The workmen, being brought from California by the North Star, represent all kinds of skilled labor. We telegraphed Gov. laborers rom Alaska, but not all the trades which we needed to work throughout the season, could be supplied by men now on relief here.
 Alaska to Benefit
 "Over $1,125 900 will be spent in the Territory by the Alaska Rural Rehabilitation Corporation for the Matanuska project. Supplies will be purchased in Seward, Anchorage, and Fairbanks. Juneau and Ketchi- kan already have benefited through the purchase of lumber.
 This project can mean much to Alaska. We are developing a new resource for the Territory; one calling again for an evidence of that famous Alaska Spirit. With your operation. it will be a suc- cess"
 Before MT. Troast gave details Of the project, he introduced other official members of the project party on the North Star. One was Francis L. Riggs, immediate archi- tectural assistant to Troast. An- other was Frank Bliss, assistant manager in charge of transient workers. The third member was Capt. s. T. L. Whitlam, well-known skipper of the North Star.