The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-07-13
STUPENDOUS
PROJECT
In Which J. Ham Lewis
Is interested
RAILWAY UNDER BEHRIiC SEA
The New World and the Old To Be
Joined With Bands of Steel
Thinks it Feasible.
RAILWAY UNDER BEHRliG SEA

Colonel James Hamilton Lewis,
erstwhile representative to congress
now a representative to the councils
of the national democratic party from
Chicago, COoK Co., H., fOated into
Portland, says the OregOnian. Col
OneI Lewis was alone, except for his
luXuriant hirstute appendages and
they were not a whit faded from their
familiar high color of old. Mr.. Lewis
did not need a room upstairs; he was
going away to Puget Sound in the eve
nIng, so he put up at the grill room.
The colonel comes as high pOtentate
Of The Trans Alaska Siberian railway
This railway is going TO dive under
the waves Of Behring straits and come
out all safe and sound IN the Cars
dominiOns on the other side. All this
is to be accomplished by $120,
00O.0 900, more or less and a tunnel.
The scheme is "Frenchy," but Mr..
Lewis says it is entirely feasible, and
he has French engineers to back him
up.
T." remarked Mr.. Lewis, am acting
as assistant or colleague to the cOun-
sci OF the company. Representatives
of the company, who are seeking right
Of way in Alaska from the interior de-
partment at Washington, have assur-
ed the secretary Of the department
that the company has $1200O0, 900 be-
hind it,
1t is certainly a grand project for
uniting the TWO continents. But con-
ccssiOns from the Gar in Siberia are
hampered by doubts about what policy
The United States is going to pursue
in the Orient in relation to Russian
Interests. The Gar is reluctant to
make concessions until these doubts
have been removed. This is a delicate
subject Of -er-ah-internatiO re-
Iations and | wish you would be care
tul in quoting me on it,
East Interested in the Fair.
Mr.. Lewis cleared his throat and re-
SpOnded;
People of the east are just begin
ming 10 talk about your exposition.
They see in it an opportunity to come
out to this coast and study the Coun-
try. In ChicagO-yOu know that's my
place OF EeSidenCe now have heard
a number Of persons remark: NO. |
| intended to go there and TO take my
family. but | nave resolved to put off
the journey until the Lewis and Clark
Fair opens"
VIII many eastern people Gomez"
the Colonel was asked.
Indeed, yes; yes. indeed. The at
tendance Will be very large You can
not quote me SO that | will appear too
Friendly TO your fair. 1t is a magnifi-
cent project. perfectly grand, | am in
tensely interested in it and shall help
It all | can. It deserves the cO-ope-
ration Of the entire northwest"
viii congress help" was asked
and Mr.. Lewis responded at once:
Il am sure you will find congress
liberal You remember congress help
ed Chicago, Buffalo. Charleston and
st. Louis. Isn't the Pacific coast en-
eitled to like favors? This is the frss
request OF the kind that the Pacific
coast has made. 1t is the first oDpor-
tunlty congress has had to show the
world what has come OF civilization in
ne far west"
Colonel Lewis Affable.
Colonel Lewis has a delightful gusb
II personality and opinion for every
question put to him. AS a subject for
interviewing he is what reporters
would call easy" He doesn't stay
them off, not he. There's no. This is
not for publication" about him. H,
says things straight out TO the limit
mat suggests he has left nothing I'M
Sald, out IN manner that suggests
that he could say more if he were
pressed to do so. There is no hem
nor haW about him. Tap him with in
curry ana streams of responses gush
torth. And 1t all has the flavor of Jim
ham Lewis, the same flavor that ex-
hales through his clothes and scents
the atmosphere when he registers at
the motel or enters your office.
what about national politics." re-
Sponded Mr.. Lewis. Am | a demo-
crat? Yes. yes, indeed | am. VIII
democrats win next presidential cleo
ZION? They have excellent chance IN
succeed. but | fear they will fulfil
Grants prophecy and blunder at The
right time
Fears Democratic Schism.
W III there be schism in the partyp'
am inclined to fear it for the
rtaaon that the western element of
me partE IS not at harmony with the
eastern element. The western eIa.
ment seems resolved never to accede
TO the views of the other Hhis NAV
lead to a bolt, by those who led the
party IN 1896 and 70 the establishment
Of an independent democracy.
Unity is absolutely necessary to
democratic success"
Who will be nominated by the
democrats? If the conservatives shall
rule. Olney Of Massachusetts. German
N Maryland or Parker of New York
Should the liberals control, w. R