The Daily Alaska empire., 1937-01-14

The powerful impetus to mining given by the ln- price gold has resulted notable expansion of mining operations in each of the Divisions of the Terri which has been attended by greatly improved busl ness conditions and which has been large factor Tn reducing unemployment.
 Production has ncreased dormant enterprises have been awakened to life; and intensified and wide spread interest the opportunities afforded Tn the eXpol tation of our mineral resources has become manifest Improvement in transportation facilities including those afforded by apane operators and the recent ntro ducton of types of mining equipment and improved methods of mining operation have also contributed largely to the prosperity that obtains in mining industry
 As Mr. B. D. Stewart, spendidy qualified Director of Mines, recently said:
 "The intensified activity that now prevails in produc tive operations however, and the improved methods and facilities that being utilized for the rapid development deposits requires careful consideration of the steps that should be taken to insure favorable future for the
 Enlarged production from known mineral deposits inevitably means their more rapid exhaustion.
 Therefore, all reasonable encouragement, assistance and protection should be afforded by the Territory not only to those who engaged in productive mining actively prosecuting who contemplate undertaking poratory and development work to prospective investors in such enterprises prospectors who ndvid- uay engaged in the task of attempting to uncover for us our hidden mineral wealth.
 To that end it is recommended that the Legislature provided the Territorial Department of Mines for dur ing the ensuing biennum adequate funds to enable that mining industry. Such measures would include the fol- l. continuing survey through field examinations by qualified engineers of mineral deposits and of current activities in prospecting development and productive min ing operations throughout the Territory and of rendering technical assistance in the field to prospectors and small 9 Dissemination by means of printed reports, cor Irespondence and personal conferences of up-todate authentic information relating to mineral resources opment favorable localities for prospecting and develop men and operation revealed by field examnaons and development and operation of mining properties under the conditions that are peculiar to Alaska
 3. Providing more adequate service in the lnspec-
 
 of miners through study of the hazards attendant mining operations their possible elimination control In order that such measures may be properly and fully carried out it is necessary that additional qualified engineers be provided in the Department of Mines. Southeastern Alaska, for extension of the important public service of identifying mineral specimens and ing samples for prospectors and others Such service is readily available at the University of Alaska to Territory Serious delays entaed, however in trans hitting and in receiving returns on analysis of specimens and samples sent from the First Division. It is there fore, recommended that a Territorial assay office be established and maintained at central location in South Alaska to be operated under the direction of the
 It is estimated that appropriation in the sum of $7OOOO $75ooO for the bennium will be required to provide the various aids to the mining industry that have been outlined, and it is recommended that that be
 It is generally recognized the work of the pros- pector lies at the foundation of the establishment and growth of prosperous mining industry During recent years it has become increasingly difficult to from private the grubstakes to maintain in the field adequate force of prospecors in the Territory Public assistance of type appears to be this serious situation. It is, therefore, recommended that the Legislature give careful study to the advisably of resumng in form direct assist prospecors. The suggestion is offered that funds that be provided for that purpose might best be administered by the Department of Mines acting with the and under the control of committee of citizens composed of member of each judicial Division The following excerpts from letter written to the Governor by George Helerich, of well known mining engineers and former member of the Territorial Legislature, worthy of being set down here:
 "I think that in agreement that the
 Territory should have sort of organiza-
 tion to act a clearing house where information
 concerning the mining resources of Alaska can be
 obtained. In the past this function has been
 taken care of after fashion by the Federal
 Bureau of Mines and the Geological Survey This
 source of information has been shut off for the
 past several years due to lack of appropriations
 q believe it is therefore up to the Legislature
 to appropriate sufficient funds to take of an
 efficient organization
 "To my knowledge the present inadequately
 financed Bureau of Mines has been directly
 sponsble for the present mining activity in the
 Good News Bay section. It has also done good
 work in the Ketchikan area which several Ket-