The Wrangell sentinel., 1937-09-03
RENDERING ALASKA DEVELOPMENT
Juneau Empire)

Over the years efforts have been directed toward further settlement in Alaska. Various inducements have been offered but there remains one hurdle a syet unsurmouuted and until such a time as it can be removed or at least lowered, settle ment in the Territory is certain to be a slow process. That hurdle is the inability to acquire title to land. True, land can be had for use under permit system but to acquire title in many instances is next to impos- sible As a result development on either small or large scale is sharp ly curtailed Capital of any kind does not feel safe in erecting sub stantial Improvements on land to which it may never gain title.
 A typical example of the situa tiOn may be found in the experience of the Yukon Fur Farms, Inc, of Pe- teTsburg, operated by Game Commis- siOner Earl N. Ohmer and associates. A good many years ago MT. Ohmer, who has established large shrimping operations in the Territory, decided to go in the fur farming business. He and his associates cleared an area of land across the channel from Petersburg and began operations. Their efforts at producing good fur proved particularly successful with the result that in a few years they had invested some $60,d0O or $75,- 900 in buildings and other improve ments and building Up their stock. Their fur became premium on the markets of the world and Alaska could boast of another substantial and comparatively new industry.
 Viewing the success of their ven- ture and proving to themselves and many others in the Territory that fur could be raised profitabIy on farms, the operators began effort to obtain title to the land they had cleared as an experiment. For l2 years they have been endeavorlng to get some kind of a right to che property but thus far have met win no success. Despite the success Uf their undertaking and it's obvious value toward development of tue Territory, the government continues to regard them as squatters and re- fuses to do anything about it. Ia fact, at a recent hearing in Washing ton, agents in hearing the case un- der the trade manufacture or other productive industry" act held that fur farming was not a productive IT, dustry and thus denied title to the land. It was apparently considered production of 1400 mink belts this season valued at around $50 each was not productive industry"
 The Ohmer case is just one ex- ample There are countless others with the result that a very definite damper is placed on industrial ad- vancement in the Territory. Fur farming, properly carried on, IS proving to be a success in Alaska. Experts are of the opinion that with the vast unused acreage in the north, the Territory can in future years be producing the bulk of the worlds furs from farms, and fur produced on farms has been found superior to that grown in the wild.
 The Territory at the last ses5lCn of the legislature took steps to aid in furthering this industry. It ap- propriated money to set up an ex- perimental fur farm with the aim of helping those who are attempting to get a start in the business. There are many questions of feeding, breed ing and housing in connection with the animals which the farmers have been trying to work out for them selves. Some have been successful. A large number have not due to hit and miss methods. With the experi- ment farm in operation to help them a great step will have been taken forward in promoting the industry.
 But even then, the fly is still in the ointment. The fur farmer will still have the problem of getting title to his land. True, he may get the homestead rights in some places, but in others, close to centers of pop