The Alaska citizen., 1911-01-23

prevent any other railroad company from the use and occupancy of such Canycn. pass. or defile. for the purposes of its road in common with the road first located, or the crossing of other roads at grade; and the location of such right Cf way through any canyon, pass, or Gctilc, shall not cause the disuse of any tramway, wagon road or other public highway now located therein, nor prevent the location through the same of any such tramway. wagon road or highway. where such tramway. wagon road 1T highway may be necessary for he public accommodation etc. etc.
 This section also provides for an equitable arrangement where two or more roads pass through the same canyon, pass or defile. The proposed bill will nullify the old law r. lating to the canyon. pass and defile rights of subsequent rail rad builders and will give the Copper River Railroad the title in fee to 200 felt in width through the canyon between the wharf and mile 25 mentioned in the act. An in spectiun of the map of definite To- cation of the Copper River Railway in the department of the interior discloses that for several miles the proposed right of way is in a uaHy0n with precipitous walls. several hundred feel in height. and the grant of the entire f,e by the government If the United States to the Copper River Railway without reservation gives them an exclusive monopoly of entrance to the harbor of Cor dova No other railroad can reach that harb0r except over that 200 feet. The government now propos- cs to abandon its rights therein and convey them to the Copper River Railway, and thus, forever, put it into the power of that single cor pgration to exclude other railways from this harbor
 CD The Cunningham Group" and the great katalla coal field lies just east of the Copper river, and just east Cf mile p mentioned in
 his bill. IL has been d. monstrated by most careful examination by rail road experts that there is no other possible harbOr along that coast rom which the coal of this great field can be transported. The Cor doya harbor is the only one where by the government, or any other corporation CT private person can get those great cCal fields of anthra cite and other high grades of naval lanlc tn the ocean. All of that coal must come over the route now occupied by the Copper River Railway be- tween mile p and Three Tree Wharf Point. This bill now gives, grants and confirms to the Copper River Railway, forever. the private ownership and title, in fee simple If the Cnly route over which that coal can be hauled. If the bill shall pass it will put it in the power of that corporation to haul that coal upon it's own terms, or to prevent its being hauled at all There is no Oth r harbor-there is no other right of way except that which they now ask the government to give hem. That right once reduced to l vested interest will make the GUggenh inns masters of the coal fields of Alaska. This bill pro poses to give them right which will enable them to control the
 transportation and the price of the goNernment's coal, whether they shall own the coal or not. The last railway bill passed by congress cut out that provision which was supposed to extend the Interstate Commerce laws to Alaska, and until that Act is extended to Alaska there would be no limitation upon the rate to be charged.
 For the reason, then, that there is no necessity for this bill except 70 give a monopoly to one great corporation and to enable it to take private rights which are in litigation and to pr vent other railroads from reaching the open harbor with ka- talla coal, l most earnestly pro test against the passage of this bill
 l respectfully request that l be given an opportunity to appear be- r the committee on commerce and to present an argument, rec ord and maps in support of my ob- jeCtion. Respectfully
 (Signcd) JAMES WICKERSHAM.
 Delegate from Alaska.