Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-01-25
North Pacific Reqion
Postwar Planning
Project Announced
u. S.-Conodo Committee
Maps Economic Study
Of Territorial Resources
BY the Associated Press,


OTTAWA, Jan. 25.-An inter
national planning project aimed
at extending the wartime col
liberation between Canada and
the United States in peacetime
development of vast area of
Northern British Columbia, the
Yukon Territory and Alaska was
announced today by a Canada
United States Economic Com
mittee.
The committees study is believed
to be the first of such magnitude
approached on an international
basis, said statement issued here
today. The North Pacific region
involved in the scheme covers
about o00,o 900 square miles with a
population Of about 100000.
THE immediate object of the
study is to gather basic informa-
ton on the region and develop for
the consideration of the joint
economic committees proposals for
Canadian-United States economic
cooperation in the development of
resources, the improvement of
standards of living. settlement and
other undertakings the statement
said.
Committee Chiefs.
DR.. w A. Macintosh of Ottawa
is chairman of the Canadian sec
ton of the joint committees and
DR.. Alvin H. Hansen of Harvard
University heads the United States
section.
The study is to be carried out by
cooperating officials of the two
governments with the active assist
ance" of British Columbia officials.
Charles Casmell, deputy minister of
mines and resources for Canada,
and James c.. Kettle of the Port
land (Oreg) Office of the United
States National Resources Planning
Board have been appointed to or
ganize and direct the study.
The North Pacific region has seen
vast expansion of transportation ia
cihties and additional population as
the result OF war activity, and it is
believed this will create new posi-
bilities for peacetime development.
The chain of airfields and the new
highway from Edmonton to Alaska,
as well as proposed railway, are
certain to cause marked expansion
in that part of the continent COM
prised of Alaska, the Alaska Pan
handle, the Yukon Territory, por-
tions OF British Columbia north of
the Skeena River, and in adjacent
parts of the Northwest territories
and probably Northern Alberta, Of
f1cials here said.
Economic Need Stressed.
1t was learned unofficially that
persons familiar with the immense
resources in those areas feel they
could be best developed if there
we're close cooperation between
Canada and United States terri
tories. They argue that for eco
nomic purposes-and possibly in the
matter of administration-the de-
velopment should go on as a joint
undertaking of the two countries,
without regard to national boundary
lines.
The Alaskan Yukon country may
be an important part of the post
war air route from America to Asia
1t is certain, informed persons said,
that the war development of COM
munications now in progress will
grow extensively after peace comes
and a joint authority of the two
countries could best handle this de-
velopment
Such industries as fishing, lumber
ing, mining and possibly agriculture,
would be greatly facilitated if this
great area were closely knit and
unhampered by International bor-
ders. However British Columbia
covers considerable portion of the
area and any development scheme
would have to be satisfactory to
that DrOVlnce