The Daily Alaska empire., 1936-01-01
THE OLD YEAR AND THE NEW

HE OLD YEAR AND THE NEW
 The year 1886 booms into the picture; robust, happy, filled with energy and ready to make all years of history look insignificant by comparison. And why not? Has not 1885 paved the way? Let us look the accomplishments for moment as we rush headlong into the year filled with encouragement and revived hope.
 Old 1885. It was pretty good to Alaska We had trials and tribulatons as we have every year and every day in this human cycle, but the whole it one of the best years to look pack upon in long, long time.
 Income from minerals An increase in 1885 of approximately $2000000 the previous 12 months Figures reveal that during the year which has just closed than $180000O0 was produced from the mineral wealth of Alaska This against some S16,0OO0O0 in 1884 Gold headed the list as usual total of more than $15 100000 being taken out of the Territory during the just passed. Copper stepped up to than million, silver delivered value of better than $26OOO0; coal $450000; plat mum s26oOOo; tin, s45,ooo, and lead, s56,Ooo.
 After all, Alaskas wealth still lies in her noun tains, plains and streams, abundant with mineral riches yet untapped by the hand of man. Just as Gov John w Troy says in his annual report to the Secretary of the Interior in the development of mineral resources lies the future greatness of the Territory Develop these vast through Federal aid and Alaska will become a land of population where millions can be supported in com parson with some 6o000 persons today.
 But while mineral wealth led Alaskas business during 1885, there many other things which may be looked to with degree of pride and fore tell great future for the North.
 Aviation, especially the Pacific Alaska Airways, moved forward in remarkable stride during the year. Summer schedules Juneau to Fairbanks and the interior naugurated, and in the interim, the company plotted out many emergency landing fields and set up system of radio communication that not only means the company itself offer better and safer service, but the entire Territory is benefited because of it. The movement paves the way for further aerial development in the Nol tn. And there is ample reason to look for it Not only in commercial aviation but by the Army and Navy. The Wilcox bill, which already passed Congress but for which money has yet been appropriated provides for a military air base in the North, probably at Fairbanks, and perhaps a naval base somewhere on the coast possibly in the Aleutians
 In connection with aviation, it is hoped to get Congressional approval at the coming session for air mail contracts which will mean more adequate mail service and facilitate business throughout the Territory
 Then tourist travel Alaska, the last remaining great outdoors playground of the world played the ocdoOil years record. From all points of the globe they came to the Far North to and to marvel. Next year, with business improvement definitely under way, there is every to believe that figure will be far exceeded. What other country earth can offer the outdoor attractions of Alaska, with her bountiful supply of big game, fish and natural outdoor grandeur?
 For Gastineau Channel, Juneau and Douglas aside from the constant and steady production of the Alaska Juneau gold mine which poured some four million dollars in mineral wealth during 1885 into the lap of the world and expended in this community in payrolls and other expenses nearly half of that amount. the year 1885 saw the com pletion and dedication of the Douglas Island bridge of the finest pieces of steel construction in the North. Erected at cost of some quarter of a million dollars this picturesque, arch connects by road, after many years effort Sthe twin cities of Gasneau Channel and untes the community in metropolitan destined for great advancement
 And the year which has just closed can be credited with the Matanuska project in Alaska. Whatever it's future and that looks encouraging this outstanding colonization plan has been boon for Alaska, and may well be one of the foundations on which it's ultimate population will be built in it's persistent march toward Statehood. With it during the past season was connected major road construction and development which is the ground work for network of roads the length and breadth of the Territory
 Various cities have prospered in the year just concluding and will continue to reflect the benefits in 1886 from public works projects. instituted through cooperation of the Federal Government Water systems street Improvements. hydro-electr plants