The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1951-02-13
FLAkNE Sees BOOM
FOR ALASKA FROM
new DEVELOPMENTS

An expanded development Of
Alaska's resources can be expected
in the near future, and in fact is
already underway, is the belief OF
Joseph T. Flakne, Chief of the Alas
ka Division of Territories of the De
partment of Interior Flakne is i'll
Juneau for several days on his way
to his Washington, d. c. head
quarters after a six weeks survey
over the Territory.
New Impetus
Flakne said the impetus to bust
ness in Alaska resulting from the
National Defense program is already
apparent, and the Territory is real
" going to boom. He anticipates
the national need for strategic min
erals will result in a revived inter
est in prospecting in Alaska. The
new power plant and electrical units
to be installed in the Fairbanks
and Anchorage areas will increase
industry, Flakne said. He predicted
that power from new plants Will
treble the production of coal in the
railbelt district within the year.
Improved transportation in roads
and airports and storage facilities
for marketing will play an import
ant role in agricultural development
in the interior.
Population Grows
Flakne looks for findings OF sclen-
tific research groups at the Uni
versity of Alaska and the military
installations in the Territory TO
show a definite effect in commerce
ial value in Alaska.
Alaska is obviously to be train
ing camp for the Armed Forces ana
the Territory can look to the mill
tary as a permanent installation
providing a considerable increase
in population.
Flakne is enthusiastic over the
tourist possibilities in Alaska. Hous-
ing with adequate hotel and lod2e
accommodation will bring a year
round continuous growth of tourist
trade. he said. Alaska is winter
wonderland as well as beauty spot
in the summer months and should
be a year-round tourist attraction
he declared.
Flakne pointed out that other
places that attract the tourist trace
have disadvantages of weather at
certain times OF the year and vari-
Gus other minor handicaps except,
he. said, everyone ignores them, and
that is what should be done in
Alaska. More persons die Of sun
stroke than freeze to death ano
more people suffer from sunburr
than from frostbite, he said.
Flakne suggests that interested
branches of the governments 0
Canada and the United States &c
together to plan means for pleasan
and delightful travel through Brit
ish Columbia, Alaska and Yukor
Territory.
Aids To Tourists
He cited as a few aids for travel
ers. as the establishment of a credi
card by oil companies such as is il
effect in the States and Canada
except Alaska and the Yukon Ter
ritory, shelter cabins on the high
ways, a telephone booth every fiv,
miles along telephone line sections
and roadside camping areas equip
ped with fireplaces which would
eliminate fire hazards. AS we'll al
serving travellers over the highway
such areas would afford camping
spots for residents. Winter weather
comfort kits would give added Sc
curity and aid to the traveller ovel
the highways in the winter months
They could be provided by proceed.
ures similar to those used in fur.
nishing cooling kits to travellers il
the desert areas in the southwest
he said.
Progress In Juneau
Flakne said Juneau can well b,
proud of its municipal airport, paveC
highway and city streets and tn,
building construction in the cit.
and along the highway. He sale
the building progress in the Juneau
district as well as in the interior i
outstanding to one who views i
after years absence
After leaving Juneau Flakne plan
to visit Sitka, Petersburg, Wrangel
and Ketchikan and will return from
that city to the States.
Lud Urick, director of athletic
at the University of Alaska, is a