The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-19
FOR RAILROADS IN ALASKA.
CONGRESS ASKED TO EXTEND
GOVERNMENT AID.

WASHINGTON, March 1s.-Next to the
Statehood bill the matter that has occupied
the attention Of the committees on terri
tories in the two houses of Congress to the
greatest degree this winter is the question
Of Federal aid for railway construction in
Alaska. A decade ago almost no one would
have predicted that a railroad would ever
be built in Alaska. but now 1t is admitted
that at least one long trunk line is urgently
needed for the development Of the country,
but many persons believe that two lines are
justified by present needs and immediate
prospects.
President Roosevelt took the lead by adj
yocating In his annual MESA ge to Congress
last December that Congress enact a law
authorizing the Federal Government to
guarantee the interest on bonds of Alaska
railroads or extending aid in some other
form. Since that document was written
several bills have been introduced in the
Senate and House looking toward Govern
ment aid in one form or another, and on the
other hand two groups of individuals have
announced that they have completed ar
rangements for the construction of a rail-
road il Alaska entirely without govern
ment assistance Of any kind.
Both these lines are projected for the
Copper River Valley. The Copper River
flows into the Gulf of Alaska, a short dis
lance east Of Prince William Sound, or at a
point on the southern coast Of the territory
about midway between the Alaska pan
handle and the eastern extremity OF the
Aleutian Islands. The valley through which
this river flows has for a long time been the
favorite route for u railroad to conneo the
Pacific Ocean with the upper Yukon River.
Another route is through the Shushetna
Valley, beginning west Of Prince William
Sound and extending northward to navi-
gable waters on the Tanana River which ID
the great southern tributary Of the mighty
Yukon.
A group of New York capitalists has been
represented in Washington this winter as
desiring to construct a railroad through
the Copper River Valley under the name
of the Alaska Railroad Company and
while the company first asked Congress
for a guarantee Of interest on its bonds
it subsequently modified this proposals and
nov asks only for incorporation by Con-
gress-that is; for a Federal charter-and
for certain sections Of land for terminal
facilities and other purposes. Several
hearings were given both by the House and
Senate committees on Territories on a bill
to grant this company " hat 1t asks Tor.
A COMPANY known as the Copper River
and Northwestern hasJ however, announced
its intention TO build through the Copper
River Valley without Government aid,
and another organizations represented by
some Pennsylvania capitali has declared
the same purpose. Neyerthelessi the bill
of the Alaska Railroad Company has been
ia yorahly rennrtel in he Senate,
In the Shushetna Valley the case is ditter-
ent. Beginning at the town OF Seward,
on Resurrection Bay west, of Primes William
Sound, a combination Of Chicago and Toron-
To capitalists have already constructed
a line Of railroad over a distance OF forty
five miles; under the name OF the Alaska
Central Railway. The projected line is
approximately 400 miles in lengthi having
for it's proposed northern terminus the
thriving mining town Of Fairbanksi which
Is situated on the Tanana HiTerT near the
head of ordinary navigation.
The representatives OF this company
have told the Congress committees that
they have expended S.? 700 600 on the road,
and that they have now reached a point.
where it is necessary TO make an issue OF
bonds to complete the line. About 500 600
OF bonds have already been marketed, but
1t is declared that the whole necessary
issue cannot readily be sold at reasonable
figures unless the Government places the
Vi hS uppiSfo va NiS S'NN 'AS
by guaranteeing the payment OF interest.
Coal fields have been located at a point
about 100 miles beyond the present north
em terminus of the Alaska Central, and
the coal has been examined and pronounced
of excellent quality by members OF the
Geological Survey and by experts en-
ployed by the railroad company. The
oompany's representatives also declare
that the Shushetna Valley has excellent
a agricultural possibilities, and the known
~ nrAl faanttTsCna ~ tho m ni0n a a nOIntnd
to as ample justification for a line of rail-
road.
The other company which is anxious to
secure Government aid is the Alaska Rail
road Company, already mentioned as hav-
ing projected "a line in the Copper River
would depend upon is chiefly copper ore;
The Lowering bill in the House provides
for a Government guarantee OF interest
on bonds to assist in general railroad con-
in the territory, and several hear
ings have been given on this measure.
This bill is patterned in a general way after
the legislation enacted some time ago pro-
viding for railway construction in the
At a meeting Of the House
on Territories last Thursday the
of opinion seemed to be that the
Lowering bill should be passed over, and
that the question of aiding particular lines
of road like the Alaska Central should be
considered.
some OF Ine dNNOCdltS Vi oONclillncIu |
aided railway construction in the territory
prepared the following statement of
reasons why Congress should pass some
Of the kind suggested
The Government has aided railroad building
in every other part of the United States, |
which has resulted in the rapid development
Of the country through which the roads were
built. TIT Government has not lost a dollar
by doing so. II is now aiding railroad build
ing in the Philippines.
The building of 900 miles OF railroads in
Alaska would increase the gold production
from SIS, 500, 900 in 1905 TO upward of SIS 600 900
a year for an indefinite period. This constant
and increased addition TO our gold supply
would invigorate business in every part OF the
nited States and continue our present pros !
perity indefinitely.
Railroads would multiply by many fold the
value OF the Territory's amounting
IN 1905 to Sl4 500. 900 in goods sold to it from
every part OF the United States-north. east.
south and west. They would open coal fields
VI the highest grade steaming and cooking coal
on the continent, relieving the United States
Navy on the Pacific Coast of dependence on
coal and IA wing it now approximately
1900, 900 a year and steadily increasing.
They would greatly reduce the cost and in
crease the efficiency Of carrying the United
!. , a, -. mn la trootp apA atnrAa Thay. would |