The Wrangell sentinel., 1956-07-13
THROUGH THE SENTINEL PERISCOPE
Active Prospecting Season

This summer is one of the most actIye Ill years Tor prospecting farucular interest centers ill the Cassiar country or northern British LOIumbia where at least six large companies as well as any number or lnGIVlduaIs are seeking valuable metaI. While uranium is the No. 1 puze sought on both the Alaska and Canadian side of the line, cop Der is the big item sought mainly by the larger companies, say re- ports rom the Stikine River area.
 Among companies having parties in tne ueiu are the Newmont Min ing Company, the American Metal Company. Boyles Bros. Drilling Co.,. Highland Bell Company, C. o. Dav- is and the Hudson Bay Exploration and Development Company.
 With import of copper off sharp ly, demand for the metal is wide spread, mining men say, and the price is high, around 45 cents a pound. The Associated Press re ported Wednesday that Kennecott Copper Corporation, the countrys largest producer, had cut its prices to 40 cents pound. The Anaconda Company, among the major produc- CTS, was holding to the 45-cent price.
 strike ill the area with ac- Companying development of pro ducing properties doubtless would have a direct bearing on the pro posed road down the Iskut and Sti- kline rivers to tidewater and prob ably further discussion of a Canad- ian corridor
 Corridor to the Sea
 Meanwhile, definite proposal for granting Canada a corridor to the sea through Southeast Alaska while at the same time making pos sible joint [. S.-Canadian devel- opment of the enormous hydroelec- tric potential of the Taiya project has been presented to the Secretary of State John Foster Dulles by Del egate E. L. Bartlett.
 Noting that an earlier effort for all-American development of cleo trIc energy to be generated from the headwaters of the Yukon River had proved unacceptable to Canada and calling attention to reports that all Canadian development would be economically unfeasible. Bartlett put forth his suggestion as a means whereby the two countries might get together for their nut ual benefit.
 The Bartlett proposal followed a speech made in the Canadian House of Commons in Ottawa in April by ]. A. Simmons. Member of Parlia- ment for the Yukon Territory. At that time Simmons focused public attention on the advantages which might be derived from one or more Canadian pathways to the sea through Southeastern Alaska lead ing to deep water ports. Early in May Bartlett travelled to Ottawa to meet with Simmons and other Can adian officials.
 In his letter to Secretary Dulles the Alaska Delegate suggested his proposal lis deserving not of prompt acceptance by anyone but careful studx by everyone" In re- turn for an arrangement which would enable the two countries to divide the power made available by the Taiya project, Bartlett stated to Secretary Dulles that a corridor might be made available to Canada along the olA Dalton Trail. This would lead into Alaska from Pleas ant Camp where the Alaska High way crosses into Canada from Haines and would lead east and southeast to the ice-free port at Pyramid Harbor. a few miles south of Haines. Bartlett pointed out that this land strip would be particular ly advantageous since so far as is known not single person is living there and Pyramid Harbor, site of an abandoned cannery. is capable of being developed into first-class port.
 Bartlett expressed the opinion that any dislocation of American citizens such as would occur if a corridor were provided in the inn mediate vicinity of Skagway or Haines, would be unacceptable to Alaska.
 "On the other hand" he said. ian agreement with Canada to permit that country to come down the south and southwest side of the
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