The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-22
Brooklyn Eagle.

Not content with their vast railroad pos
sessions in the United States, the Rockefel-
lers are now credited with being back OF a
somewhat sensational railroad project in west
ern Alaska. The plan Is daring one, pc
cause 1T contemplates the construction OF
road from the southern shore straight north
thru the trackless forests OF central western
Alaska to and beyond the Yukon river, and
eventually to be extended into big trunk
system with numerous branches.
The road will be known as the Alaska Gen.
trail railroad. 1t is to be built from Resurrec-
tion Bay north and west to Cook Inlet and
thence in almost q straight line north to
Rampant on the Yukon river, distance
Of SIS miles. Rrom Cook Inlet the road will
traverse the Sushtna valley, said to be
Alaska's Garden of Eden, but now unde-
yeloped.
The Arst definite announcement regarding
the Alaskan Central was recently made in
Chicago. when it was stated that the contract
for tho construction of 413 miles had been
let to the Reward Construction company of
Chicago.
to Resurrection Bay, and it is expected that
between twenty and thirty miles of the road
will be opened early next spring.
=. Transportation and Trading company will.
as sooE as the road is opened. establish
steamship service between Resurrection Bay
Weares. p. 3. and Charles W., the big
Chicago stock brokers, own this concern and
hope at some future day to find it profitable
to establish daily steamer connection be-
tween this country and western Alaska.
Wonderful stories are told OF the country
which Will be tributary to the proposed rail
road. Explorations and surveys have shown
: the country north of Cook Inlet clear to the
Yukon river to be exceedingly rich in valu-
able timber, copper. gold. coal and oil. The
latter product is what attracted the Rookie
Sfellers' attention to this district It is known
that they have acquired very large sections Of
land where there is undispIted evidence Of
vast deposits of oil. 1t Is but natural that
the Rockefellers should desire to provide
transportation facilities which will permit
them to develop the oil fields.
With railroad such as the Alaska Central
! connecting with fast steamers to the United
States, the Standard Oil company would be
in position to maintain its supremacy in
corners.
The project Is apparently fast developing
into great defensive move to which the
Rockefellers were spurred by threatened COM
petition in the oil fields Of the southwest
The Alaska Central. therefore. bids fair to
yelopment Of western Alaska. but also in
the affairs of the great oil trust.
The Rockefellers are not the only multi
mllionaires who have become interested ir
that portion Of Alaska which this railro il
intcnded to serve The Rothschilds have ex
tensive copper interests along Copper creek
and the Tanana river, which they are ex
pending large sums
OFFICERS OF THE ROAD.
The railroad project originated with Cap
- tain John ]. Healy, formerly president of tn
| North American Trar sportation and TRADING
| company but who is said to be no longe
prominently connected with it. The Alask
Central railroad is organized under the law
OF the state of Washington, with headquar
ters at Seattle. The following it's off
GERS: President and general manager, 6. w