Evening star., 1947-11-13
In Alaska's Behalf
70 the Editor of The Star:


In The Star of November Prof. Robert
D. Campbell, head of the geography depart
ment of George Washington University, was
quoted as having said the potentials of Alaska
are not too great. Further, the article repre-
sented Prof. Campbell as saying that wash
ingtons winter climate is lovely compared to
that Of Alaska" and "it is a very cold, long,
drawn-out winter"
If Prof. Campbell was correctly quoted
rebuttal is in order.
In respect to the resources of the Territory
of Alaska it might be pointed out that during
the years from 1908 to 1946 inclusive, Alaska
shipped to the United States products valued at
two and one-half billion dollars Not bad
for an almost unsettled Territory whose de-
veopment has scarcely started
Alaska produces the bulk of the worlds sup
ply of canned salmon.
Alaska ranks in the forefront of the gold
producing areas of the United States.
Alaska is the greatest platinum producer OF
the North American continent.
Alaska is one of the principal fur regions Of
the United States.
Those are actualities With a population Of
less than 100000 the Territory has annually
shipped goods to the United States valued at
between fifty and one hundred million dollars
But many resources are untouched and await
ing future development.
The vast timber stands of Tongass National
Forest in Southeastern Alaska constitute our
Nations principal timber reserve. 1t is esti-
mated that forest can supply in perpetulty pulp
wood which would furnish 25 per cent of our
present newsprint requirements.
There is increasing exploration for minerals
other than gold and platinum and the pros
poets for finding them in commercial quanti-
ties seem very good.
There are vast beds OF coal The Navys
search for oil in its Arctic reserve appears en-
couraging and there is distinct possibility
that one of the great oil fields of the world
may be discovered there Many experts of the
United States Fish and Wildlfe Service believe
that eventually the North Pacific Ocean off
the Alaska Coast will produce fish other than
salmon which will have commercial Importance
not secondary to the salmon fishery. Land
suitable for farming is available under the
homestead laws. True it is not unlimited In
extent but undoubtedly agriculture in Alaska
will in the future be much more important
than 1t now Is.
So, all things considered think it may be
safely said that the potential of the area is
great even beyond our present comprehension.
And how about the weather? OF course.
no single statement can be made about climatic
conditions there because the area is one-f1fth
as large as the whole continental United States
and there are many climates. In the Arctic
the Temperatures are naturally lower than
they are in Washington D. C. during the
winter months. That is true also at Fairbanks,
northern terminus of the Alaska Railroad and
home of the University of Alaska. But I must
confess that have been colder in Washington
with the temperature 10 above and with the
wind whipping down the Potomac than have
been in Fairbanks with the thermometer
registering minus 80 degrees.
1t is interesting to note that at Anchorage
headquarters of the Alaska Department OF the
Army and now the largest community in
Alaska, the monthly mean temperatures for
January and February are higher than in
Minnesota North Dakota and South Dakota
In Southeastern Alaska the winter tempera-
ture range is almost exactly similar to that in
Washington, D. C. As a matter Of fact every
range of temperature can be found in Alaska
except subtropical and tropical.
E. L. BARTLETT,
Delegate from Alaska.