New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-07-25
CALLED FOE OF ALASKA
Delegate Wickersham Said To
Be Animated by Personal Spite.
Try Telegraph 10 The Tribune.

~ Ielegraph 10 Inc lrlnue.I
Seattle Wash. July 24-Falcon Josln,
president of the Tanana Valley Railroad in
Alaska, and with headquarters at No 6
Broadway, New York City, in an Interview
given out in this city in regard to the
opening up of Alaska coal lands accuses
the Delegate from Alaska, James wicker
sham, Of being the greatest enemy the ter
ritory has at Washington, and charges
that the latter's every effort to tie up the
coal lands Of the North is for the sole pur-
pose of spiteful revenge upon the Guggen-
helms, who turned him down when he
sought TO become their general attorney at
Seattle and who again refused to support
him when he was running for Congress as
against the regular Republican nominee.
In support of his charges Nj. Josln gave
ont for publication letter and telegram
written by Wickersham, in which wicker
sham sought the job Of general attorney
for the Alaska syndicate at sl50~ year
and expenses for term OF thIee years
and the support of the Guggenhelms IN ms
Congressional campaign.
81 sunnorted Wickersham In his hfSt
camnaign because | thought him 10 DC
thoroughly honest and that ne would make
an excellent representative for Alaska at
Washington City. feeling that he was an
! Alaskan at heart" declared Mr.. Joslin,
| .'hut since ! have come into possession OF
his letter and telegram 70 the Guggenheim
commemorative in which he sought the pat
ronaoe of the Guggenheims. and am aware
.hat no was turned down, ] believe ! have
discovered the real motive for his stand al
y,-aabinrton city on matters deeply affect
/ To-, oil AIaskans II Is purely spite Work
on his part.
.JIe more than any one else knows that
tho delav i'm the opening Of the coal lands
/ e. slowly killing off Alaska. He knows
! that in the last ten years. instead OF in
creasing In population, Alaska mas oe-
creased at an alarming rate.
when he failed 10 get job of general
attorney. which he sought, as shown by ms
letter to stephen Birch. a representauFe
of the Alaska syndicate on June ), 1908 ne
/ seeks retaliation. He hits upon the 'dea VI
,unning for Congress as shown ny MS sls-
niNcant cable two months later to the late
! Captain Jarvis, then treasurer OF the Notth'
western Commercial Company He Jersey
cables Jarvis that he intends 10 run Tor
| Congress and queries, Where is Birch!
Much 10 his chagrir no doubt, he learns
that he can expect no support in that
ouarter. and his actions since his election
| In regard 10 Alaskan affairs show that he
has done his utmost TO revenge himself
unon the Alaskan syndicate. I never sup
norted Wickersham for reelection. ]
fought him. as did many others Of his form
or stanch friends and supporters, because
he did not attempt to really benefit Alaska
In any way Because OF the anmus that
Constantly actuated his stand. | feel that
he is the greatest enemy Alaska has at
Washington city.
Il am not interested In any coal claims
ar lands ir Alaska or anywhere else i'm the
slightest degree; have not ever been and
cannot ever be accused Of being interested
I'm any. except I'm so far as | have wit
messed hardy Alaska pioneers lose their all
In a vain attempt To comply with the
government requirements regarding coal
claims. and nave seen them lose their saw
jngs Of a lifetime trying to hold on, waiting
for the lands TO he opened up. The opening
Of the coal lands means more to the United
States than the discovery Of gold In Alaska
in 1897 Therein lies the whole future OF
the territory
Il have a million dollars invested In my
little railroad up there, but ! VIII never he
able 10 get my money out Of II until the
coal lands are opened up. The delay In
this question is stunting the growth Of