The Nome nugget., 1902-04-09
T The Trans Alaska ard Trans
 Alaskan People Fighting
FOR lND0RSEM
Seattle Chamber of Commerce Re. fused to Sanction Either Com pany's EffOrts-Russian Railway Will Come to Boring Straits.

Seattle, Jan. 25.-The resolution in- dorsing the Trans Alaskan Railroad Company, proposing to build road from Iliamua bay across Alaska. yes ,erday, provoked one of the warmest discussions ever heard on the floor of the chamber of commerce. l. resulted in the chamber indorsing the project of a road through the proposed terri tory, but refusing to sanction the plans of any particular company.
 The resolution was introduced at the last meeting of the chamber by Willis B. Herr and referred to the committee on railroads. As soon as it was learned that such resolution had been offered it was bitterly opposed by the Trans Alaska company, which proposes to build road through the same terri tory, and, cautiously enough, has name almost exactly similar. The repre- sentatives of the latter corporation state that their purpose was to prevent a chambers indorsement to their own pre- iudice. and regard the action of yesterday as q point gained. The Trans-Alaskan people, however, pro fess to be satisfied with the chambers action, as the general project is in- dorsed.
 The fight between the two con- panies has already occupied consider able attention in different parts of the United States. The Trans Alaskan company is Incorporated under the laws of the state of Washington by Colorado capital. The other is incor- porated under the laws of Colorado, with California capital. The stock holders are prominent San Francisco capitalists, including the holders of the Crocker estate. The purposes of the two companies are the same-to build a railroad from Cook inlet in a north westerly direction across Alaska. The Trans-Alaskan company. however, is asking of the government d land grant of each alternate section on either side of the right of way for distance of 10 miles-2OO sections for every mile of road completed. A bill is now in con gress for the purpose. The Trans Alaska company has asked no land grant.
 The railroad committee of the cham ber of commerce, which had the reso- lution under consideration, held two meetings and listened 10 the arguments of represent, atives of both corporations. They reported yesterday with DO recommendations further han that the representatives of both companies be giyen hearing before the chamber and the whole matter thoroughly dis cussed.
 F. $. Granger, general manager of the Trans-Alaskan company. was the principal speaker on behalf of that concern, ard John T. Flypn appeared on behalf of the Trans-Alnska company. The claims of both companies were presented at length.
 The allegations that the field notes for the survey of the road were stolen by the Trans-Alaskan company from i,S rival were denied. It was asserted on the contrary that one of the men who made the survey for the Trans-Alaskan company sold the papers to the other. A contrary assertion is made by the Trans-Alaska concern, claiming that Norman R. Smith and Warriner Smith, with others, made the survey in the first place on their own responsibility It was offered to the Colorado concern, but the money was not forthcoming, and it was then sold by Norman R. Smith, who was at the head of the snr veyinc party, to the California com. pany.
 In regard to the land grant, it is claimed by the Trans-Alaskan company that the road cannot get along wit. Ju' it, and that the other company will not therefore. build . road, but will conten, themselves with operating a stage line which they are doing at the prsen time. They state that they expect tt obtain no mineral land, hut that other land will be selected in lieu thereof The sentiment at Washington is, the, say, that their demands are modest ant that congress should do more than i! asked. They arc entitled, they say, tt congressional support.
 It is stated that correspondence ha! been had with the officials of the grea' Russian railroad, the head of which i: said to be personal friend of President Frey, of the Trans-Alaskan road, ant that the Russian road will soon come tt Boring strait to connect with the other A line of. steamers is to be put on b!