Daily Kennebec journal., 1901-12-13
A Proposed Railroad Across Alaska.


The bill recently introduced into the
National House Of Representatives by
Mr.. Sibley of Pennsylvania authoriz-
ing the Transalaskan Railroad Com
pany to construct =. railroad across
Alaska from Cooks Inlet to Behring's
Strait. is attracting 4 great deal of at
tention. There is a very general ap-
probation of the great need of railway
facilities in the Alaskan region without
which it can never hope for the devcl-
opment and prosperity which good
judges now believe 10 he in store for
it.
The feature Of Mr.. Sibley's bill which
appears most likely to encounter oppo-
sition will be the provision granting, in
addition to 100 foot right OF way on
either side of the track. each alternate
section of land for distance of ten
miles on either side OF the track. Con-
sidering the length Of the road-more
than 500 miles--this is certainly an
enormous land grant, and Congress Will
probably want to he pretty we'll salts
fled that such action would BE- in line
with 4 wise and progressive public pol
icy, hcfor. il makes so sweeping a con-
cvssior.
The men back OF this great enterprise
will doubtless argue that the territory
through which they purpose to run is
now practically an unbroken wilder
ness; that without easy means "f
transportation and communication il
can never hope To BE- anything cisc.
ami that the construction of their read
will not only open this great territory
To :, ttI"ment. but viii make the alter
nat" land sections held by the govern
vastly more value than tie Wnul- Of
the territory is at the present time
~ SAY nothing of the vast territory
which will De built ur beyond the pro-
posed ten mile limit ANA OF which the
government will still hol1 exclusive
control.
Thcsr arguments will undoubtedly
have :orce; but they will probably
have to be very fully demonstrated to
overcome the natural prejudice Of Con-
gr,ss against railroad land grants wen
in 4 territory 50 urgently in need OF
railroad facilities as is Alaska at HE
present time.
The reason assigned in tn. bill f"I
the concessions asked of the Goverr-
mert are It" obtain the speedy trans
portation OF the mails. troops. nuni-
tions cf war ana public stores" Troops
and government property are to b. car
ried free for ten years. and the post
master general is 70 fix the rric" Of
carrying ;hc mails.
The company is allowed ten years
within which 10 complete its road. and
the lands granted are 10 BE- transferred
upon the completion of each twenty
miles Of road.
The company expresses the purpose
Df operating its line. " hen constructed |
At all seasons OF the wear.
There is no question about the mag |
nitude or tho importance Of this great !
Probably no possible enterprise would !
operate 50 powerfully to stimulate the |
production OF gold, which is now known |
70 exist in considerable quantities |
al over Alaska. although not always |
lnGer conditions that would repay |
Drir1itive methods OF mining.
Tile Transalaskan Company Will !
have one thing in favor of its bill, and |
this is the fact that none of the states |
If the Union, or any of their people, |
are in any way directly Interested in |
he land they seek. /
Enicr such circumstances il would |
not te surprising if the Importance OF |
the service they purpose to render !
might he held by the committee Will h |
viii PASS upon the matter to outweigh |
ltnrr considerations.