Co: menting . . the unusually heavy passenger
traffic on tc mers leaving Seattle for Alaska, the
Seattle Tm.-i ueclares:
So ,ar this Spring every northbound
Alaska steamship has had a capacity pas
senger list. The high price of virgin gold
is the answer. Most of the voyagers are
"going in" to prospect and to mine. Many
will find work for themselves in the older
and better-known areas that have been
yielding gold for many years. Others are
venturing hopefully into new fields; and
since everyone knows that Alaska still has
vast mineral wealth untouched, there is good
reason to expect new "discoveries.”
Those who come north to prospect ought to
either be supplied with sufficient funds to finance
their efforts, or have assurance of an adequate
grubstake upon arrival. It isn't necessary to caution
‘ soughdoughs” to that effect. They are experienced
enough in the ways of the north to not need it.
It is the “cheechako” who needs the warning. He
may be just as good a prospector as the next man,
but without funds he isn’t going to get to where he
c .n prospect. If he comes in large numbers, he is
going to aggravate local relief problems and become
a liability instead of an asset to the Territory.
Gold and anything connected with its produc
tfon right now is good for publicity stories. These
attract wide notice, particularly to Alaska. The
Times, and other Seattle newspapers, as an evidence
of their friendly attitude toward the Territory,
could Well afford to caution the ignorant and
unthinking against venturing on a search for it in
the Northland without adequate funds or credit.
THE SUN COMES BACK.
