The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-12-10
WAR hGA|NST THE TRhMWAYS
COMPANIES TRYING TO COVER THE
PASSES WITH RIGHTy-OF-wAY.
II Bills Before Congress Pass, the
People who Want to Haul Their
Own Goods VIII Have No Ingress
10 Lakes without Trespassing.

Capt. r. E. Sims, who recently returned
from Dawson City. sounds the first note
IN the war that Is certain to be waged
against the companies which are asking
consress TO grant them right-of-way from
Dyea 10 Lake Bennett, Alaska. In an III
terview with Post-Intelligencer reporter
hs says that II congress accedes to the de-
mands OF these companies. the poor man.
who has the strength and will TO haul his
heavily laden sled over the difficult and
narrow path. viii De shut OF. The serious
ness OF the situation is presented by Mr..
Sims In this way:
IT noted In yesterdays dispatches from
WASHINGTON City that Senator Me-
Bride has introduced a bin in congress
authorizing the Objectionable Trans
portation Company to locate and con-
struct a lire OF transportation from Dyea
to Lake Bennett, the line to consist or
railways, aerial tramways or wagon
roads. as the company may deem proper
The bill grants 100 feet on each side OF the
proposed road as right-of-way.'
ITO my mind. the question involved
within this bill Is of vital Importance, not
only TO the people Of the United States.
but to the people of every other country
upon the map Of the world who may de-
sire TO make a pilgrimage to the golden
Mecca.
..Whersyer that intangible something
called civilization Is found the siren song
of the golden phantom has heralded the
glad tidings of the matchless wealth OF
the frigid zone. The American continent
will soon commence to vibrate with the
ceaseless tread of the countless thousands
whose faces are turned toward the Polar
seas. Shall these people be permitted. In
the future, as In the past. to load their
outfits upon their sieds and wend their
way over natures ready-made highways,
unrestrained by the pernicious demands
of soulless corporations? That's the ques-
ton. Every person who has made the
trip from Dyea to Lake Linderran in the
winter or springtime over Chikoot pass
knows that IL any man or set OF men Is
permitted to monopolize the trail. travel
by the masses from the foot of the canyon
to Pleasant camp will be an impossibility.
Those companies will. as a matter of
course, IL permitted select the route over
the pass which offers the least resistance,
and with grant of 100 feet on either side
Of the right-of-way. the greater part of
the present trail will be engrossed. Sew
enty-five per cent. OF the people who
make the long, hard and hazardous jour-
ney over those trails are people who are
own supplies, and the greater majority OF
them after having purchased outfits. paid
freight and customs duties, have not the
means, though ever so inclined. to pay
tribute.
Il prophecy that If those bills are
passed, the presence OF several regiments
of troops will be required upon those
trails next year to aid the companies in
the oper ltion of their lines, and as a final
outcome the companies, IL necessary to
carry their point will go into the hands
OF receiver and then the would-be Yu-
kon miners will be herded on board vessels
like cattle. taken to Juneau or Sitka, and
imprisoned ABB for contempt Of court for
having the audacity TO trespass upon the
rights-of-way of those companies.
IF those companies desire to operate
their lines, let them be given a franchise
over route which will not conflict with
the free use OF the present trails by the
masses.
Duty In this matter means immediate
action. Let there be one united effort
upon the part OF the people of this coun-
try to throttle this gigantic scheme and
bury II so deep that the hand of resurrec-
ton Will be required to disentomb it,