The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-10-29
WILL BE OPEN TO ALL
Secretary AIger Dfspeis Apprehen-
sion-Any Proper Person Can OBJ
tain Permission 20 Do business
The Ubeiect Is TO Maintain order.

WASHINGTON. Oct Ex-senator Nc
Bride. Of Oregon. saw the secretary OF
war and the president today regarding
the report that the new military reserya-
ton in Alaska would create a monopoly
for the two transportation companies now
operating between that territory and
points IN the United States. He was as
sured that there was 10 such intention in
! creating the reservation; that no one
would be excluded from the territory or
prevented from engaging in any business
on the reservation.
Secretary Alger said he would answer
the Chamber OF Commerce Of Tacoma 20
that effect The action of the department
was for the sole purpose Of the protection
OF lie and property IN the territory. and
any company or person entering the teF-
ritcry would be given the same rights
and privileges as were allowed the COM
panies or persons already operating there.
Senator Mcbride said be had no doubt
there would be no trouble for any persons
operating in Alaska, and assurances of
such were sufficient to quiet all appre-
tensions that might be felt either in Ore
gon or Washington.
Secretary Alger made the following re-
ply TO the Tacoma protest:
''Tele gram received. The military reser-
walton at ST. Michael was established in
the interest of the security OF life and
ton Of legitimate business interests No
monopoly was given or intended 20 any
company or persons. Any proper COM
pany or person who desires TO conduct
legitimate business there viii. on appi-
cation 20 the war department, be given
permission 20 do So"
The ST. Michael military reserve order
caused considerable discussion in this
rf+ Of "a lsa
Of Commerce. sent the following tele-
gram yesterday 70 Secretary Alger:
Seattle. Oct 2S.-Great alarm is felt
here because the Alaska reservation or
der seems 70 exclude all but established
transportation companies. Kindly advise
Us whether such Will be its effect.
(Signed) EDWARD Q. GRAVES,
President, Seattle Chamber OF Com
neTce-"
To this Mr.. Graves last evening received
the following reply:
mot at all. The reservation was ere
ated 10 protect life and property. All
who apply viii have equal privileges for
legitimate business. See my telegram to
Tacoma Board Of Trade.
CSigned) 'R. A ALGER.
Secretary OF War.
while I am unfamiliar with the text OF
the order making a military reservation Of
st. Michael island and land adjacent, L
cannot see how II viii particularly benefit
TINS A4fiEIlc1A ~h1A
Trading Company or the Alaska CONNER
cial Company" said Capt. j. c. Barr
Capt. Barr is master OF the Yukon river
steamer NJ. ]. Healy. and Is a stakeholder
OF the North American Transportation and
Trading Company.
While l did not see the report forward
ed to the war department by Capt. Ray.
l know from what ne told me that he rec
commended the immediate sending OF SOL
diers and probably the establishment OF
a military reservation. What use would
soldiers be on the Yukon without a reser-
walton? Capt. Ray was satisfied that the
lawless element could be held in check
only by the presence of an armed force. On
the very boat which carried Capt. Ray
north there were men whose violent dis
positions were apparent
Il believe the reservation have been es-
tablished solely with a view OF aiding the
government in the preservation of order
I do not see why any one Is barred out
No law-abiding man or company Of men
will be stopped In the erection Of buildings
for use for legitimate purposes