The Daily Alaska empire., 1939-02-21
TRANSPORTATION
 WITH TAxATI0N
 MINE PROBLEMS
Charles Murray; flask a Mining Assn. Delegate
 for Lower Schedule

Among the prominent mining men in Juneau is Charles Murray, Gen eral Manager of the Boundary Min ing Company of the Fortyrnile and Good Pasture Districts in the Inter- for, here as a delegate for the AL aska Mining Association to the re- cent gold tax hearing.
 The gold tax question has excited much interest in Interior Alaska and is very closely interwined with the welfare of that section.
 Speaking on the subject, Mir Mur- ray said, Main factor in the levy ing of a tax on gold mines of the Territory, is that the assessment should be equitable. Many mining firms now operate ground which un- der the three per cent present tax is unprofitable, said MT Murray.
 Stating that companies working rich ground can stand per cent levy, many smaller operators forced unto low grade ground can hardly make a go of it. he declared. A tax to be fair on all mining firms should be laid against their earnings rather than against their gross output.
 Difference in money making abil- | ity of many companies lies in the accessibility to shipping centers. Transportation costs are worse than taxes, he asserted, "it costs my firm $50 a ton to haul freight from Daw- son, 71 miles to our dredge site on Canyon Creek in the Fortymile dis trict. Ordinary diesel fuel oil down on our land costs 59 cents per gall lon"
 Adding the cost of transportation to tax outlay, MT. Murray asserts that much low grade ground in the Territory is now unworked as con- sequence
 For Int. Highway
 Solution of the transportation an- gle lies in early commencement of work on the Alaskan end of the projected International Highway. While waiting for Canada to begin work on her stretch of the new road, Alaska should be actively engaged in construction of the tie up stretch between the Richardson System and Canadian Boundary" he said. The link between the Richardson road and Fortymile is approximately 200 miles and if the area in here was tapped with thoroughfares many fine quartz properties would now be well under development"
 The road" MT. Murray said, will be closed for all but 90 days of the year between the head of Jack. Wade creek southwark while towards the Richardson Highway junction pas sage would be available some seven months of the year This country is a lowland section and not hit by win ter as is that to the South.'
 Awaits Tax Issue
 The Boundary Mining Company operates one dredge in the, Fortymile section and have dragline equip ment ordered for expanded opera tions in the area. We have held back on the installation of this dragline equipment until such time as the tax issue is determined"
 Acting as the sole representative for the Alaska Mining Association MT. Murray believes that the inter- ests of the Territory are being vel taken care of by the present legisla- ture. He is confident that no mea- sure detrimental to the mining in- dustry will pass this session.
 MT. Murray is an old time Alaskan having come here 32 years ago. anc living at Nome until the Worlc War when he enlisted in the United States Army.
 At one time. or another he has lived and done business in every section of the Territory and feel. that there are many problems which confront legislators which are diff. cult of ready comprehension due tt great differences in makeup in th' various Judicial Divisions. M He served as Representative fol the Third Division in 1885 Session o the Territorial Legislature.
 He is registered at the Gastinea, Hotel waiting for passage on PAA tt Fairbanks.