Perth Amboy evening news., 1911-09-01
ALASKA IS A
HARD PROBLEM
Will Be One of Important
Matters Before Congress.
Special by United Press Wire.

Washington, Sept. 1.-Threaten-
ed by the loss of priceless mineral
resources, deprived Of the benefit Of
its rich coal fields, denied the effici-
ent form Of government, and its val
liable fishing industry in the hands
of a grasping monopoly, Alaska has
presented one of the hardest prob
lens which Congress has faced dur
in the past session. Already plans
have been formed which will make
the problem one OF the leading ones
Of the next session.
During the agitation that has been
carried on f~uriously for several years
this situation has resulted:
The Cunningham coal claims have
been Cancelled by Secretary Fisher,
of the Interior Department. His ac-
ton saved to the people from the at
tempted grab Of the Morgan-Guggen-
helm syndicate, thousands of acres
Of high quality coal worth uncount-
ed millions of dollars.
No adequate law for the develop
ment of the coal fields appears in
the statute books, and, with vast sup
plies at hand, AIaskans must get
their coal from distant pOints-eyen
AuSJI AHA. SECl GLdly L AoAC1 II
recommend q practicable law to Con-
/ gress.
Richard S. Ryan's attempt to ac-
quire from the government valuable
terminal privileges for a railroad at
Controller bay, has not been con-
summated but the prospects seem to
favor his enterprise. Congress pass
ed a law giving Ryan permission to
build a wharf oVer shallow water to
a deep, narrow channel in Control
Ter bay. The grant was subject to
approval by Secretary of War Slim
son, however, and the matter is
pending in the War Department.
Ryan has not received title from
the government for locations under
soldiers scrip of land on the shore
of the bay made in the interest of
Ryan but it is said these lands can
not be denied him and hat the de-
lay has been merely a matter Of Of
fetal routine. Each of these loca-
lions extends for 100 rods along the
bay but are not contiguous. The law
provides that every alternate claim,
so rods on the bay, shall be retain
ed by the government.
Ryan had the presumption to file
a terminal railroad claim of 40
acres, covering an entire frontage of
one of the governments 80 rod res
ervations. President Taft, however,
has said that that claim is clearly
against the law.
With characteristic foresight Ryan
has surveyed a railroad right of way
about 27 miles long, from Controller
bay to the Goa fields in which the
priceless deposits sought by the Gun
bingham claims are located.
There Is a general impression that
if Ryan and his hackers build the
railroad it will eventually pass to
the Morgan-Guggenhetm syndicate.
The syndicate own the only rail-
road in Alaska, with a length OF
about 80 miles, and, when the Cum
ningham claims seemed to be with
In reach, had planned to build a
short branch to the coal fields. The
shore terminus Is at Cordoya, not a
great distance from Cordova bay.
Senator Poindexter (Rep., WASH
who is an authority on Alaska, said
today that the parties seeking tc
grip its wealth in a monopoly are J
P. Morgan, the Guggenheims and
London firm, Close Bros.
Should the government give then
a transportation monopoly in Alas
ka," declared the Senator, " 1t would
be one of the most stupendously rict
money making propositions In the
world, Even an increase over rea
sonable rates of 10 to Is cents a to1
would mean millions increase abov'