Valdez daily prospector., 1912-04-18

They propose a harmony bill whicl
 left the matter in the hands of Presi
 dent Taft to settle. which, of course meant Secretary Fisher, and in turr
 was equivalent to the purchase of tn,
 Resurrection bay road. This, tn, committee looks at in a somewhat di
 ferent light than either the admins tration, the bond holders, or the lob by. It Is generally admitted here that Joslin represents the interests O. the Alaska Syndicate and Col. Stew ant is the man who negotiated the purchase of the Alaska Central bonds by the Sovereign Bank. of Canada from Mir. Frost, of Chicago. It Is fair to presume that Col Stewards deep interest in the purchase of the road is wholly due to the anxiety to save his friends from any further los. on that disastrous investment, the fact remains that Col. Stewart was one of the first on the ground and asked an early hearing before the committee, pleading personal engage ments. After giving his testimony he went back to Canada and did not show up here again until the committee adopted the Flood bill when he and the entire push" were back on the job.
 The committee, however seemed inclined to the commission plan with power only to report facts, leaving it to the congressional committee 10 draw such bill as will meet with the physical conditions reported by the engineers who have inspected the field. This would appear to re- move the bargain and sale element from the proposition. This is just what the bondholders do not want. do not charge these gentlemen, mind you, with any corrupt intcn- tions. l only wish to make it clear they have bankrupt road for sale, which they, themselves q short time ago pronounced an impracticable rou e and for that reason are willing to spend money to defeat an impartial report on other routes and consumatc the sale of the property which they purchased under a court decree. at a nominal sum.
 The remainder of the lobby is made up almost entirely of men under sal ary, who have no further interest in the matter than the money they are paid for their services The anxious attitude of Secretary Fisher is caus- ing no end of comment and has soli- fled the committee against purchasing the Seward road until at least such time as the commission presents facts showing it to be the logical route to both the coal fields and the Yu- one contrary to his former position. for heretofor che has been a com mission advocate, even to T'aft's idea of a commission form of govern ment, member of which he modest ly hoped to be. Probably his mind has changed on these matters on q hint from the Guggenheim headquar- ters. The subcommittee of the house committee on territories have prepared bill on the lines suggest ed above and will report the same to the full committee on Friday next.
 The committee is not at all impress ed with the Seward road or the route in to Fairbanks nor do they feel kindly to Resurrection bay as a naval base, but show no hesitancy in ex- pressing the belief that Valdez bay Is the one harbor having every re- quirement for a naval base which cannot be reached by an enemy.
 Cordova is out of the running. The fight lies between Seward and Valdez and Valdez will win if your people con. tinue the fight so ably conducted dur. ing the session. The navy department Is opening It's eyes to the signifi- canoe of the battle now being waged by the two Alaska ports; Admiral Row an, chief of the Bureau of Construc- tion Is impressed with the availabil- ity of Port Valdez as a naval station and It's ideal situation for defense. His vinews are becoming those of the navy department, generally speak ing.