The daily morning Alaskan., 1900-01-28
ARRESTED F|)R
 TRESPAyy|NG
Skagway Newspaper Agent
 Taken Before Maj. Wood
WAS PERMITTED TO GO
R. E. west Attempt Co Go over the
 Red Line Road without n Per. mt. ana is Taken Into Custody.

R. E. West, Alaskan agent for the Se- attle Times and several other papers In the states was arrested several days ago by Northwest Mounted Police for attempting to go over the Red Line Transportation eompany's road from Caribou to Close leigh without a permit from the contractor or paying for his freight. He was rut in jail and then taken to Tagish, the police headquarters for the district. and given a hearing before Mai. Wood.
 The Major reprlmanded West and allow ed him to go West has returned to Skag. way.
 M. J. Heney. manager of the Red Line company, Is In the city, and In regard to the West case says:
 "I sometimes extend compliments 10 friends ani allow them to go over the grade free. West wrote to me some time ago on the strength of friendly under. standing with the Times, in whom have a personal friend in its editor, and demand ed of me passes over my road and accom- modatlons at my camps. refused to be responsive to a demand, and granted M. West nothing.
 "When Mr. West reached Caribou he reported to my representative there that he had permission from me to go over the rad. Many others have made similar representations there. and l have gwen positive orders that no one be allowed to pass without written permit from my self. He told my men there that he had come to make a test case in the matter. The police warned him not to proceed, but he defied them and started over the trail, when one of the corporals arrested him and took him to Taglsh.
 West was brought before Major Wood, where he said he had been informed that ,he Red Line had no authority and that the police were only bluffing. He was reprimanded and allowed to go as Major Wood thought he was only astool pigeon
 "l have perfect right to charge others for going over what is known as the rail- road cutoff road or grade between Cari' bou and Closelelgh. | can, if l choose, keep all off the road, but l permit pedes- trians, men with horse teams and with dog teams and sleds to go over the road free. | also permit them to go with their baggage free, but do require that men taking sleds with single horse 10 so arrange the animals as not to break down the ridge in the min dle of the road and make lt impossible for double teams.
 "I permit no one to haul freight over the road, but will take 1t in my own rigs from Caribou to CloseleIgh, or White Horse, for three and half cents per pound.
 "The wagon road or sled road in ques ton is one and the same as the railroad grade. The company backing the railroad enterprise has a franchise or charter to build, and there Is no question as to who controls the rieht-of-way or Is of right en- titled to its use. as contractor, own the grade until 1t Is accepted by the railroad. It Is in every sense prlvat. road. Should any harm come to the road bed before it Is accepted by the railroad company, 1t IS my lookout to see that It Is In good condition before turned over to the railroad.
 "The road around by Taglsh Is not in condition for travel. The new assistant gold commissioner and the sheriff for the Yukon Territory attempted to get around that way not long ago. They encountered a number of holes, and had to turn back and go by the cut off.
 not only keep the railroad grade oper as road, but also keep Lake Bennett oper from Bennett to Caribou. Everyon, travels the road between Caribou and Ben nett free, and 1 cannot help myself beeaus, that part Of the route has been used as public road heretofore. But must keep | open to get my own teams through. Da, before yesterday l started snow plov from Bennett and one from Caribou ( open the road, and the public will get tn
 benefit of the work.
 "The Red Line Is giving a passenger am
 freight service from Bennett 10 Closeleigl and if wanted to Carmack's."
 Mr. West feels much put out by the ar
 rest. He says had they imposed fine ol
 him he would have had a chance for ap
 peal, but as it Is he supposes he will hay
 to stand It..