The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-12-05
Rx JOHN z. IArHRop.

John K. Ballaine. of Seattle. who built
part OF the Alaska Central Railroad, has
Endorsed the plan for government-built
railroads IN Alaska Ballaine was inves-
tigating the conditions in Washington af-
fecting the Alaskan railways, and was
interested TO learn that President Taft
would probably recommend in his annual
message 10 Congress the leasing Of
Alaskan coal lands. and some form Of
government aid TO railroads He has re-
turned from London, England. where he
was interesting capital in his Alaskan
enterprises. When asked his opinion re-
garding the Alaskan railway situation. he
said:
THE only method Of preventing a mon
opoly OF coal and copper in Alaska viii
be TO have government-bmlt railroads If
the government simply aids the building
OF railroads. and leases them 10 private
parties. the holders OF the leases will
nevertheless. control the traffic. OF
course. he who controls the traffic con
trolls the Industry, consequently the only
hope OF keeping the Alaskan coal and
copper free from monopoly is TO prevent
the railroads from passing into private
control"
Regarded as Significant.
Inasmuch as Ballaine is one OF the most
prominent figures IN the Alaskan railroad
situation. his declaration Is regarded as
significant. Already from many quarters
has come the demand for government
built roads. but Up TO this time no rail-
road man has taken such position. Bal
! laine built a large part OF the Alaska
Central Railroad.
He has been engaged in a struggle with
the Sovereign Bank OF Canada, at To-
ronto, which was, according 20 last re
ports. in control Of that railroad. Ballaine
has insisted that all minority American
stockholders have been frozen out by the
Canadian bank. and the interests alb
sorbed by the Canadians It was Ballaine
who made the formal offer to the Senate
Committee on Territories last winter 20
/ pay the government a royalty of 20 cents
a ton on coal 10 be taken from 5000 acres
OF coal lands IN Alaska.
Ballaine does not paint glowing pictures
OF conditions in England
Would Yield Food.
Hundreds Of thousands" he said. ARE
| idle. yet travelling from London TO South
! ampton one sees Hundreds Of thousands
OF acres OF Lard which have never been
turned by plow, bat which would yield
| food and furnish opportunity for labor
( 10 many or Englands poor. These lands
are held by the wealthy and noble class
/ in large estates and preserves for hunting
and riding.
| 'L1oyd-George. with his scheme to tax
/ these lands away from those who hold
/ them, apparently offers something which
| IN large part viii solve the problem which
/ now Confronts England. IN my opinion
/ England Is decadent. and you can
/ fTighten an Engiishmen by the bare men,
| ton Of Germany and Germany's aggres-
/ siye policy OF trade expansion"
/ Ballaine has gone 10 his home in Seat
/ tie. and expects 10 come 20 Washington
/ 20 take an active part in the activities
/ connected with Alaskan affairs during the
| session OF Congress. He was firm sup
porter OF the Republican insurgents IN
/ the State Of Washington, and was de-
lighted when Miles Poindexter won his
/ fight for the United States Senate.