The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-11-23
Wants Concessions For His
Alaskan Railway.
A FRIENDLY PRINCE.
Frey Has a oPuIl' With a Rus
sian Nobleman.
Will Connect His Line With
Transsiberian System.
SUNDAY.

]. J. Frey, former general manager OF
the Santa Fe, and now president of the
Transmission railway company, mas
gone to Washington to be present at
the opening of congress and secure the
introduction of a bill asking the ma
tional government for concessions along
the line of the new railroad which will
connect Cooks inlet and Boring strait
and furnish a new outlet for the Bristol
bay country. Mr.. Frey talked freely
of his object in going to the national
capital. saying:
Il go to Washington to be on the
ground before the opening of congress
We shall have a bill introduced asking
the government for concessions in the
form of land grants. Alaska is still an
undevelOped territory and will so re-
main until railroads are built affOrding
means of communication and tranSpOr-
tatiOn- Alaska has resources that are
almost wholly unknown 1t has not
only great mineral resources but pos
sesses valleys rich in soil with equa bic
climatic conditions that make possible
the production of wheat, rye, barley
and other cereals, vegetables of all
sorts and fruits equal if not superior
to the agricultural and horticultural
productions of any other spot on earth.
There is no idle speculation about it.
Ten government experiment farms To-
Gated in various sections of the west
ern division of Alaska have demon
strated this Our engineers engaged
In the preliminary survey of the Trans
Alaskan railway planted a garden at
Hanna lake, where they established
headquarters last summer. In six weeks
from the day potatoes were planted
they served the new potatoes on their
table The rapidity with which vegeta-
ton grows is not remarka Bile and is ac-
counted for in part by the length of the
DAY, the sun shining for 20 hours a day
In the summer season.
RECALLS HII.KOFF~S VISIT
Prince Hilkoff, director general of the
Trans-Siberian railroad, upon the occa-
sion of his visit to the United States to
study American railroad methods three
years ago was a guest of President
Frey for several days. At that time
Mr. Frey was general manager of the
Santa Fe system and met Prince Hill
nok at Pueblo, accompanying him over
the Santa Ee to Chicago and exDlainine
customs and ideas in vogue in the on
GRAFTON of great American railroad.
a warm friendship was established he
tween these two gentlemen that has
continued, and a friendly corresnond-
ence ensued- There is no question but
that the Russian government will ex-
tend the TranS-Siberian road to make
the connection A loan of 5000. OOO, 600 has
recently been contracted by the ST
petersburg government for this pur-
pose.
In connection with the railroad the
company will have a line of ocean
steamers plying between Seattle and
LeavenwOrth- The vessels will he of
the best modern type. and one of these
beautiful steel passenger boats is now
under construction. This first boat will
be ready for launching February Is
next
The first section of the road will he
opened for business May Is between
Leavenworth and Hanna All eouin-
ment will be of the latest type and
strictly first class. The road win he
standard gauge throughout, and the
shops for the system will he Iocatad
at Hanna Contracts have already