The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-21
WORKING FOR TELEGRAPH.
CHAMBER or COMMERCE WANTS
ALASKAN LEGISLATION.
Congress Urged to Reinstate Item 1"
Appropriation Bill and Pass the
Civil Code Measure mt once-fhe
Special Committee Takes Action

There is a probability that the item VIII
be reinstated in the congressional appIo-
prsation bill for the construction OF a TEL
eEraph line through Alaska. The ioiio"-
ing telegram was received from senator
Foster BY the Chamber Of Commerce yes
terday:
fIn reference TO your telegram fax9rlng
reinstatement OF APPROPRIATION tof nlhtaly
telegraph lines In Alaska, 1 beHeFH thV
effort to secure reinstatement OF aRpfo-
priatiOn by conference committee VIII NC
Successful"
eonsTsesneB. Secretary Prosch urged more
favorable action for Alaskan anairs, ana
makes this particular reference 70 the
omission from the appropriation Dlh o. /"
PROVISION for the construction OF q tele-
graph line through the northern territory
THE house % representatives. some time
since approved an appropriation Tor mill
fary telegraph lines IN Alaska. ne NIL
Hary committee OF the senate has since,
we learn stricken from the oil tins pro-
vision. II IL TO he hoped you VIII 90 What
you can 60 secure it, reinstatement Lines
built by the government are the oniy hles
at all probable in Alaska until the coming
~ railroads as at Skagway and Lake
Bennett The telegraph Is a great CIVIL
izing and commercial agency. The gov
eminent itself Will have more need for
Telegraph lines than other interests being
80 much affected II Is quite proper that
the government should assume the bur
dem
80 small a population spread over so
great an arca-6t0.o00 square miles makes
II Impossible for the people TO build and.
maintain a telegraph system In Alaska.
Between its soldery, its naval vessels,
revenue marine and civil officials, and its
Constantly threatened International Compil-
cations. Il is of vast Importance to the
general government that n cable should
connect the state Of Washington with AL
aslsa, and that the coast and inland lines
provided IN The house bill be built at once
to connect later with the cable"
AIaska's civil code bill has an earnest
advoeate in the Chamber OF Commerce,
special committee of which has just
sent letter strongly urging its passage
10 the chairmen, and members OF the com
mttees on territories in the senate and
house and To the members of the Wash
inKton delegation in congress. This letter
was prepared by the committee, consist
ing Of Judge Hoyt. John l.. Neagle and
James a, Moore with the assistance OF
.la1ss &. II. Johnson and REALS as fbl-
eSr hnving come TO the knowledge OF the
Seattle Chamber OF Commerce that the
sa-called Alaska Civil Code Bill may
hnsof passage bet ause OF the many other
Important measures to be considered we
Would most respectfully and earnestly
renew our appeal for the early ipaAsa eef
OF this bill Each day furnishes ad,ntional
reasons why more courts and a code OF
civil procedure should be given TINT ter-
gtoty az once The property interests ou'
AfAt iAhfn iiFfl anu fffliiiA Htt, diFtdl$
very large, VIII increase many n4iaonsi
within the next few months Mining prop
aety and ships and shipping interes tsaat-g
srv9atinw more than Si,tGoQ.D IN snlusa AFRO,
n9@ IN dispute, ana under thaapresent lss1
the one court provided for the territory
cannot hear these cases.
while the people OF Alaska warmly well
come the soldiers being sent Ito them,
they feet that Il H. not only forciKf to thS
citisene ca compel the former to act N
o judicial capacity and settle property I'm
tnrests and titles TO mining claims, as
they viii practically be compelled To do
should the proposed legislation fail to be-
Come lew.
4''Recognizing the demands made upon
your time by the newly acquired islands
We stiil assure you that their necesst es
are not greater than those Of the people OF
Alaska. While there should he at least
courts now open for business in that ter
ritory the fact remains that thore Is not
enc The last judge OF the district having
resigned. and hls resignation having been
accepted by the president. TO take effect
tho LIST day OF April, and his successor not
having Vel reached the territory there Is
today no means OF enforcing civil right
In Alaska, and even upon the arrival OF
the receutly appointed Judge little or no
relief oan be given the residents OF the Yu-
kan valley and vicinity
We would therefore most earnestly urge
upon yuu the necessity for the passage OF
the pending MEASURE, and this should 10