The daily Alaskan., 1911-12-27
WICKERSHAM PLEADS FUR
 HARMONY AND COOPERATION

l be reserved to the United States and lee on a lasing system. Not more than l60 acres to any one person or corporation. with a royalty of not loss than three cents per ton of coal If the Kstalla fields can be freed from the claims against h all might be we'll. Possibly claims could be abandoned or sold to the company getting the lease
 "I an friendly to your railroad when it does right, but won't be friendly when they do wrong ! am attorney for the people Of Alaska r the government gives title Of the coal ards Co you, you could do nothing with R you would have to have a lrailr5ad. The general manager of the railroad would stand on the end Of the car and say Our rate Is so much. And the question of rate and transportation controls your coal. We are up against the question of transportation in this country. I am as much interested in having good transportation as you are. but want H under control. Our roads always have been and always will be party to the government For their great services to the people they have high powers or eminent domain. etc. Co enable them to perform their du- tics and should always be under con trol
 The courts have now decided that Alaska is a territory and writ of mandamus has been sent to the In- terstate Commerce Commission com peHing them to take action and use | it in Alaska. Within two years the Interstate Commrece Commission win control rates.
 "I have been asked what I would io in the coal case. If Congress concludes t will pass a leasing bill then amend the bill in accordance with President Taft's message. Each lease to be offered to competitive bidders and sold to the highest Of these bidders. Extend Interstate Commerce Commission laws and con trol Of rates Of transportation Con t-ol monoplies and excessive selling price in Alaska. Charge a gradual cd royalty according to price Of coal Pay all money from royalties Into an Alaska coal fund, to be used for the development of Alaska
 "Ir conclusion. We have a good judicial system for the territory. but we lack legislative lzody. except city councils. No other territory was ever created before 1t was given an elective territorial legislature. I brought a bnl before Congress to give us an leective territorial legisla- ture Someone told President Taft beforehand that Alaska was not com neteut to make laws, and so a bill vas provided for appointment Of nine members Co make laws for Alaska, but the bill did not pass. and never win pass. Instead I confidently eI- pect my bin. with amendments to he enacted into Saw at the coming ses- sion oS Congress.
 Lets let the GuEEenheims come in with us it they will be good Wq are getting pretty well In the same boat They have s2o,OOO. 900 in- vested in the railroaG. B is cer- tainly a fine railroad. It reaches way up into the mining country. I want to seq it extended to Fair banks. I w;lnt the railroad develop . cd From what saw I am ready Co quit fighting if they VIII quit and do right and all get together and 2 counsel one with the other and do all we can to get the coal situation settled and the territory developed. They ought. They have s2O O.ooe,- r GOO tnvestei in the railroad. the Alaska Steamship oompsny and i'm mense investments. But not enough ! revenues to pay for the oil used In running the road. The Alaska Syn dicate has spent an immense amount | Of money and ought to want the peo- pie to stand by them. They ought to SO conduct thetr business that whenever a boat gets to the wharf the people would meet thm with s brass band instead of cursing them. They are ar, awful good railroad, but awful poor fyolitiCsan- hope we can all stand together and work for the common Eugd of this territory