Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-22
Consulting With Secretary Alger Re-
garding Relief Expeditions.
AAJOR RUCKER TO GO TO ALASKA
Dr.. Jackson Will Procure Reindeer
in LapIand.
TIL E ROUTES AVAILABLE

Capt. Brainerd of the subsistence depart-
ment of the army arrived in Washington
this morning. Although Secretary Alger
was confined to his home by a severe cold,
he sent Immediately for the officer and had
conference with him respecting the exc
cutlon Of his plans for the relief of the
miners in the Yukon river country.
responses are coming in to the War De-
partment to the Secretary's inquiry as to
the amount Of condensed food preparations
that can be had at short notice. Generally
they indicate that an ample supply can be
mad at reasonable rates if contracts are
made at once. Otherwise on the present
rising market prices may go beyond the
limit.
To Examine the Passes,
Gen. Merriam. commanding the depart
ment of Columbia, who has been charged
by Secretary Alger with the selection of
the military guard to be sent out with the
relief expedition, telegraphed the Secretary
today that he had selected Maj. l.. H.
Rucker, 4th Cavalry, to proceed to Alaska
and make reconnaissance of the passes
leading from the head of the Lynn canal.
He reports that the officer, who has already
started from Fort Wala Walia, Wash, is
by his experience as a QuartermaSter and a
cavalryman well fitted for the duty and is
also physically able to endure the hard
service ahead of him.
Senator Lodge of Massachusetts, has
brought to the attention of the War
Department officials the claims of the
Boston Transportation Company. Their
representative. Pierre Humbert, asserts
that the company is in position to feed
Il large number of the miners. mas
much as 1t has just received news
of the delivery by its agent at Fort Sell
kirk, ON the Yukon river, of 2D,O0o pounds
CT food This point is above Dawson, and
the supplies be moved down easily
with the first breaking up of the ice next
spring. even if it is not found necessary to
attempt their delivery overland
DIR. jackson Going to Lnplnnd.
AS nothing has been heard from Mr..
Kjellmann. the reindeer heTder now in
Lapland, in reply to the instructions OF
Secretary Alger respecting the selection OF
6OO reindeer fer transportation to Alaska.
Dr.. Sheldon jackson has been made spe-
cal agent of the War Department and Or
dered to proceed with all diligence to Lap
land to buy the animals and arrange tor
their shipment to the United States. He
was at the War Department today and
announced his purpose of starting on his
mission at once.
The Old Telegraph Route.
The announcement that the War Depart
ment is by no means committed to any
in the Klondike country has had the eff
feet to cause persons interested in the
various passes and roads leading into the
mining country to advance the claims OF
their respective routes. The Spokane
chamber of commerce has sent here Fred
eric r. Marvin, an energetic newspaper
man of that town, as its representative, to
urge the superior facilities of the over
land route northward from Spokane. This
is the old telegraph route, laid down by
= y, vrin a1nc h
Company years ago, when they sought to
run a telegraph line to Bering strait. Mr..
Marvin has stated to the War Department
that the route is still clear; that through
the dense northern forests there is a trail
$50 feet broad, affording easy passage for
draft animals, and that the feasibility Of the
route in winter is shown by the fact that
for many years it has been traversed by
numerous trappers ard prospectors, while
the absence Of heavy grades insures the
capacity of animals to carry large loads.
Secretary Alger is asked to delegate
some of the army officers near Spokane
to report upon the character of the route.