The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-19
PROSPECTS FOR THE CABLE.
ONE MAY BE AUTHORIZED FROM
THE SOUND To DUTCH HARBoR.
Another VIII Probably Re Provided
For to Hawaii. and the Question
of Ultimate Extension TO Asia
VIII he Left Open for n While.

Special Dispatch TO the Post-Inteiligencer.
WASHINGTON March lS-The com
mittee on naval affairs Of the senate IL
divided on the subject OF Pacific cable,
about half of the members favoring a
line 10 the Philippines via Honolulu.-and
the other half urging construction OF a
line into Alaskan waters and back OF the
Aleutian islands across 10 Russian terri
tory, thence southwark along the coast
of Japan and China.
Present probabilities are that two bills
VIII be favorably reported and pass the
senate. One will provide for direct
cable from San Francisco to Honolulu.
the other from the northern coast OF the
state Of Washington 10 Dutch harhor
Alaska. with branch lines to all the com
mercial points OF Importance in that dis
trict. Both these bills viii undoubtedly
carry provision Of government owner
ship Of the cables. as well as one that
their construction shall be entirely Ameri-
can, The Alaska bill will probably be
the one recently introduced by Senator
Foster, which provides as follows:
THAT there shall be constructed. main
tanned and operated by the United States
submarine cable or cables. and con-
Meeting land lines from the Pacific coast
trict OF Alaska, with necessary stations
a. suitable intervals and short branch
lines to Juneau, Skagway, Dutch harbor
st Michael. Cape Nome and other es-
centers. to be determined and designated
by the Alaska-paciflc cable commission
hereinafter provided for
Sec. That upon the passage OF this
act the president Of the United States is
hereby authorized TO secure such con
sessions, lands and other rights as may
be necessary. to enable the United States
TO lay. maintain and operate said cable
lines. And In connection with the sur
Veys, installation and operation OF such
cable system the president is author
ized and empowered 10 utilize II consist
ent with the public interests, the person
mel and resources OF the army and navy
and of other departments of the govern
ment, as far as they can be advantageous
ly used without detriment to such execu
tive departments.
Sec. 3. That the submarine cable or ca
bles and connecting land lines herein men
TONED and specified shall be constructed
by the government Of the United states,
through commission to be known as the
Alaska Pacific cable commission, which
is hereby created. to consist " the post.
master general. the superintendent Of the
coast and geodetic survey. an of1cer OF the
army an officer OF the navy and an expe-
rienced engineer from civil life to be at,-
pointed by the president TO serve for n
term or four years. or until their success
ors are appointed. The compensation and
allowance for mileage and expenses for
the members Of the commission shall be
the same as provided aud allowed mem
bers of the Nicaragua canal commission
except as regards the engineer. who shall
receive an annual salary Of A0N The
Alaska-P Pacific cable commission shall sub
NIT TO the president on or before NoVem-
Der l OF each year, an annual report Of
their proceedings, with suitable recon-
mendations.
SEC. 4 That the construction, LAYING.
equipment, maintenance and operation OF
such Geographic system shall be under the
control and direction Of the said Alaska
Pacific cable commission. which Is hereby
empowered 10 carry out the provision OF
this act Immediately upon it's passage
with n view to the operation ~ the cables
herein provided for at the earliest prac-
ticable date. provided. that All the con-
tracts for each span or link shall be
awarded 20 and executed by the lowest
responsible bidder or bidders. after adver-
tisements for sealed bids for such time a q
shall be deemed reasonable and sufficient
by the said Alaska-Paciic cable commits.
sion: and the contract shall contain "a pro-
vision that the contractor shall maintain
each span In successful commercial oper-
alton under the Alaska Pacific cable COM
mission for AT least three months after
the completion Of said span
And the cables provided for by this bill
shall be frst-class In material. constfuc-
ton. equipment and operation, and the
main cable as far as Dutch harhor. shall
he capable Of transmitting not less than
forty hve-letter consecutive sentence
words minute. and the branch cables TO
juneau and 6kagway and other Alaskan
commercial ccnters shall be capable %
transmitting not less than fifteen hve-let-
ter words a minute. or as many more rs
the Alaska Pacific cable commission may
deem necessary,
"And The cables shah be Of American
manufacture. and laid and maintained hy
ships flying the American nag
Sec s. That when any span of such
telcgraphic cable system Is completed The
operation ~ the same, until congress- 9th.
and general management Of the said Alas
Eaepacisc cable f8nmlsslon. which shall
have authority. in the interest 81 com
neres and the public. 30 receive and trans
nit kilograms other than United States
governmental messages, ard shat from
time % t{ne arrange iu Different classes
tsiographic business offered ana x dIiiet-
cutini tariffs or tolls therefor, Win "a view
90 working such cables 60 their full ca
pacity ana M the lowest possible tariff
rates
Provided That in any classification
made In accordance win this provision
tne ofncia. messages pertaining ga the gov
ernnent 10 tha tniied states oF any dee
paFtment thereof or any et iis states of
d.nce over an other rnesfaEcs and t..af
ordinary press oispat ehe1 saau ~ sem
az rpiuftd ratae. 90 lF ANFl By ths conn
mission. Provided. That IN connection
WITH such diTrs.u-ial iarTs the c1uiuir-
sion shall formulate such rulca regard
Ing unFnutrt nrssaErH ga rhti a5iN
eQugahiy 10 an American fele&raphic core
sec. There shall ae gaA Into the
treasury ~ iho United States The nst Fro-
~ct1s derived frufn Che rrsrnurf trcripts
Mp other earuluEe ~ fht said cables avar
sra above The necessary cFprnse f1r ote
-a,lou maintcHauce ana rnlairs and f-r
Inr ~ j permanent and caD.3aeoaa asset.
nc wli t'tsrath.c cables ay repair ~
constitution
SEC Z That fa- mo purpose 70 carry
sum ~ f.nn sst Orr ae mmf Stately ata.laa'r.
70 thf Uerrff no" ia me ifrAf-f1 ff