The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-12-18
BLAME Laid ON congress.
Ceunercfal Companies
Pushing TOWARD the klondike
Meet with InsspePabIe Dfmeui-
fies-yo Condemnation Possible.

Many Aiaskans are jus: now much ex-
ercised over what they regard as de-
fective system Of government, uncer
which the Affairs Of the territory are ac-
ministered. a subject which Charles IL
Wood talked about in an interview pub
Hshed IN the Post-Intei,igencer yesssr-
day. As the population increases the
needs OF remedial legislation at the hands
of congress become more urgent Con-
corning the lack OF power to grant right
of way 20 some OF the important COM
mercial enterprises now pushing their
way toward the Klondike. the Alaska
Miner. OF Juneau. in a recent Issue, says:
We want SO many things and shall
probably get SO few that our anxiety is
TO get what is most necessary. We sadly
fear that in the desire 20 90 something
for US. congress viii give Us many things
we can very well do without. and ne
giect to give what is Of vital importance.
Here is an instance: There is no pow
er TO grant a right of way to a company
or individual The secretary Of the in
terror has absolutely no power to grant
any company the right TO use the public
domain. This is scandalous. and what
does 1t lead to? Read what follows:
AT Dyea, up TO this time the abiding
place OF tribe of Indians. and the Local
ton or trading post built by an old
soldier. people have commenced to con-
gregate. Why? Because Ii Is the en-
trance TO the Chilkoot pass. For over
ten years the trading post OF Healy &
Wilson has been established there. con-
ferring the benefit of trade with the In
terror Indians. and facilitating the ardu-
ous task Of crossing the summit on the
part Of the pioneers. whose explorations
and hardships in the interior have been
the means of giving to the world an OPP
portunity OF participating In the greatest
gold discovery OF modern times.
For ten years this post has been estao-
lfsned. Finally the old soldier who built
II, and planted that one little flower OF
civilization In the wilds of the Dyea flats,
died. His widow lives there yet She has
never applied 10 the United States gov
eminent for pension, no more did her
husband. OF late years this plucky IT
tie woman with her FAMILY has had more
than she could do TO provide for the
passing throng bound for the gold fields.
Her pack horses have carried many a
miners supplies TO the base of the sum-
NIT. The business has grown and is now
under the management OF Sam Heron
SO far. so good. The widow is reap
Ing the reward of years OF waiting and
working. doing all she can to support her
family without the help to which she is
clearly entitled. Then along comes q
transportation company which proposes
to run line Of some kind right through
the trading post property. For Dyea is
not what II was when this lone widow
first went there. Now a town Is spring.
Ing up: Dyea is one OF the gateways to
the golden beyond. Men are scrambIing
over each other to be the first at the
gold fields In the spring. To do SO they
are camping at Dyea even now awaiting
the snow to be able to start on their Jour
ney.
Then there are others attracted to
Dyea because they see a chance to make
money. These men are building houses.
going into business, making town.
I'm addition to this companies have
been formed for the purpose OF providing
means Of transportation across the pass
from Dyea to Lake Linderman. There
are several OF them: We deal only with
one now. Some nights ago posse
started out with the express intention of
knocking down the fences of the trading
post. the property of the widow. and lay
ing ties across her land, and on I'D
through the canyon. Sam Heron, who
Is In the employ OF Healy & Wilson, noti-
ned those people that he should resist
any attack on the fences, and the first
ran who undertook to break down a
fence would do 50 at his peril
This company has no right of way.
no company has any right OF way In
Alaska. and of course there is no au-
thority which viii justify its agents in
disturbing fences.
Mr.. Heron successfully resisted the
attack and the fences were not inter
fered with; such is the account given
10 US.
IF congress would pass law granting
powers which all progressive and grow
Ing countries require for their develop
msnt such things could not happen.
1--WE must have transportation faclli-
ties: we can't do without them Private
individuals are unable and unwilling 10
invest the large sums which II requires.
TO build roads. railways and bridges over
the mountain passes OF Alaska There
fore this work Is done by corpora items.
Corporations require a right-of-way
There Is no power 70 grant one (except
by congress, and congress has not grant
ed any powere to the companies. so
they so ahead without permission. Pro-
gress cannot be stopped the country Is
growing. people are coming here by the
thousands, they want to get over the
mountain ranges. They cannot pack
their own supplies. all the Indians In
Alaska couldn't do IT, so other means
have to be found. and then the difficulty
begins. On through the crowd. past
tents. log shanties. frame houses and
piles OF lumber. building material and
haf3pheEnsad VI toNh, the companies
push on. having no right except the right
of enterprise. by and by in direct
lire, an obstruction IS met with Some
establishment which has existed for years
bars the further progress % the railway.
the wagon road or the tramwav, then
there Is trouble. The company saws we
must GO on. The situation demands re-
her. transportation mast be provided
The owner % the land SAYS you have no
legal RICH: 10 Interfere with my property.
you do So AZ your peril. and in moment