The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1937-01-06
AIDING MINING DEVELOPMENT

Through last and fall many reports
were heard and published from time to time of the
excellent mineral Alaska enjoying. There
report of development on one creek and then
another; of the opening up of property of start
ing operations in old claims. 1t encouraging
and optimistic picture, and most of us agreed that
things looked all right But few of realized that
Alaska enjoying its greatest mineral in
81 years 1t not until official estimates from
Philip s. Smith of the Alaska branch of Geological
Survey arrived here and published in yester
days Empire that full realization possible of
just how bountfu has been the mining year 1886
in the Territory.
The estimated value of the mineral production
of the year just past was S23 7OO0 Mr. Smith tells
U.S. More than S5O000OO in excess of the 1885 output
OF that amount gold accounted for $18146000 APP
proximately much the value of the entire min
era production of the Territory the previous year
when the total value $l8,213000. Little wonder
that last summer and fall abounded with reports of
mining activity. Despite the fact that the increased
price Of gold to S35 an ounce accounts for szeabe
percentage of the increase, still the figures little
short of astounding. When the 5000 000-case pack
valued at S45000000 is added to the mineral output
it gives fair idea of what the year has meant in
the north
Aside from the boost in the price of gold which
undoubtedly has had much to do with revivng mining
in The Territory there two things which are
having major role in the future development of the
industry in Alaska and should have further support.
The first the airplane which for several seasons
has played of the big parts in transportaton
the only one in many places and the other is the
expansion of the Territorial Mining Department. This
latter department created by the Legislature of
years ago. has been sorey handicapped by lack of
funds but with the small allotment has been able
to carry on field work which has resulted in steps
being taken toward development of property in the
future and has aided with examinations of those
operating.
1t is not the intention to say that the Legis-
ature alone should make large appropriation for
the Department for the next biennium. To give the
Department all that it should have would be more
than Territorial Golfers afford But it is an
obvious fact that aid should be forthcoming to the
mining department from both the Territory and
the Federal government if it is to carry the vast
work 1t should do and can do if properly equipped
1t cannot be overlooked that efficient mining
department can provide information properties
which will be given honest consideration by mining
engineers representing capital interested in Alaska
We all know that only by interesting sound mining
capital and real mining men in the mineral
of the Territory full development come in that
field.
The arpane, as most of us in the north know,
has been able to open up fields hitherto in
accessible. But airplane transportation in Alaska
is in its infancy. We must have more airports more
established lines radio beacons and the other equip
ment and facilities which go to make up modern air
transportation. If Congress is interested in seeing
that production of mineral from Alaska pours into
the United States at twice three times the large
volume it attained last season, the best thing it
can Go at its present session is aside suffjc er
money, say 100000 has been recommended to
be used toward the proper development of ar travel
in the nor h.
Only yesterday news deratclies fr-in ~ s.lI
carry the announcement hat Lvnee Or w. &C
well kncwa mining man ard General Mapagr Of II
Treadw9i'v'1lrc~ wei as eo~, nliinq err-'oer f.
the Al was planning excursion into the Arc
by arpane IN search Of gold properties THAT is a
example Of what the a;rplane means to mining ii
Alaska.
Twenty three million dollars is lot CT money Il
take out Of the ground 1t win be much more in
the seasons TO follow if we develop nelligently the
factors which make this mining industry possible