The Chitina leader., 1912-09-03

WASHINGTON, Aug. 31-Yesterday President Taft
made public his selection of the four members to constitute the
Alaska railroad commission, under authorization of act
passed by Congress August 90 and approved by the Pres
dent Aug "a The chairman of the commission Major Jay
Army holding his present commission under appointment of
Jan. 81, 1905 The Vice Chairman DR.. Alfred II. Brooks,
has been connected with the United States Geological survey
Alaska for the fourteen years. and regarded
authority mining matters connected with the territory
He is Al of and was born at Ann Harbor Mich
He studied in Germany in 1S90S9; graduated from
Harvard in 1894 and then went to Paris for post graduate
study He was appointed geoosst of the United States Geo
logical Survey and from 1898 to 1908 engaged in geoog
cal and exploration work in Alaska. He has been geologist
in charge Of the division of Alaska mineral since
1902 and spends considerable time every year the north
land Leonard M. Cox, while member of the Engineer
Corps of the Navy confined his work largely to civil en-
cheering Colin McCae Ingersol Of New York consult
ing engineer of bridges in that city and who stands
high in his profession The Secretary of the Commission
Charles Williams who has had much experience depart
ment affairs at Washington and is at present clerk in the
office of Indian affairs.
The Commission will organize in this city on Tuesday
next This will be their first formal meeting 1t is their in
enton to leave that night for Seattle with the possibility
that they will sail for Southwestern Alaska on the steamer
Alameda, leaving Seattle the night of Sept s. 1t is de-
sired by the President that the Commission start on their
duties IN Alaska as soon possible and before the winter
weather sets in The clause providing for the Commission
tackled to the act creating Legislative Assembly in the
territory OF Alaska and is follows:
THAT an officer of the Engineer Corps of the United
States Army geologst in charge Of Alaska surveys of
cer in the Engineer Corps of the United States NAVY and
civil engineer who has had practical experience in railroad
construction and has not been connected with railroad en-
elpse IN SAID Territory be appointed by the President
commission hereby authorized instructed to conduct
an examination into the transportation question in the Ter
rtory OF Alaska to examine railroad from sea-
board to the coal fields and to the interior and navgabe
Waterways to and other information with
spect to railroads. including cost of construction and opera
ton to obtain information in respect the coal fields and
their proximity to railroad routes and to make report of
the facts to Congress before the December
49, or as thereafter may be practicable together
win her conclusions and recommendations in respect the
best and most available routes for railroads Alaska which
VIII develop the country and the thereof and the
best system OF constructing and operating railroads and coal
MINES IN sad Territory for the of the Government in
naval and military operations and for the the Deope
OF the United States: Provided further That sum of $25
OO0 much thereof may be necessary hereby APP
proprated out of money the Treasury not otherwise
appropriated to defray the said