The daily Alaskan., 1912-10-24
SERIOUS CONSIDERATION oF
 ALASKA RAILROAD QUESTION

The announcement that the Unit ed States government has named a commission to make a thorough n- yesugauou Of the situation in Alas ka with a view to the construction ol federal railway system for the territory, says the Dawson News, IS one of the most important items touching the North that ever flash ed over the wires. It is fraught with exceptional promise not only to Alaska, but also Co Yukon.
 The fact that Uncle sam has thought enough of Alaska to go so lar into the serious consideration of a railway project to touch the heart ol the great Northland and perhaps penetrate the depth Of the Yukon valley will impress the Outside world with the value of the region as has no other act Nothing could do more to break down the widespread prejudice that exists in the average mind in America and Europe.
 The advertising this region is re- ueymg today throughout the civil ized world as a result of this move meut must be second to none since the news or the discovery of Klou- dike started the world In a way tt is much more significant. The gold strike implied fabulous wealth which was to be won only by sur mounting almost fabled untenable conditions. A railway project im- plies an inviting country one that is toIcrable and rich in resources, one that is worth spending vast SUI 2 Co reclaim and develop. In this re spcct the American government has dealt wisely. Although the project cd railway may be Ameucan-owncd and on American soil, the Hercul- can task of overtbrowing the noun tatus of prejudice and misconcept- ion which has existed respecting this region will bring benefits Co Canadian Yukon, as well as to American Yukon. lf Alaska be opened Co the fullest development Yukon is so situated it also must come forward with parallel fortune While under different flags, the re sources and conditions of the two countries are SO nearly identical that the good fortune of one must and will be shared by the other.
 The Yankees have proved in their efforts at development in the Philippines and m their colossal works at Panama that when they start a project they are capable and carry it to a conclusion. If they go ahead in Alaska, something will be doing there that will keep the eyes os the world riveted Co this belt as they have been rfyeted on Panama.
 The railway scheme for Alaska Is in nebulous state, but much hard. practical work has been done on it Falcon Josliu. formerly Of Dawson. now of Fairbanks, worked ou ir fu Washington for months last winter and maintains that iG built the American road should ramify into system. aud not be restricted Co single line. He is right Sev- oral good ports may be served, and tho several large and promising in- tor0or fields opened. Joslin says that the north central portion of Alaska alone will obtain hundreds of thousands of immigrants within ten years 1T the railway is built Other sections of the Northwest will flourish likewise.
 The board appointed for this work is fortunately a practical one. An members are engineers but one, and he is Che head of the geolo- eical survey Of Alaska As such he has submitted reported Che last several years declaring Alaska one of America's most phenomenal as- sets. With such a record he can not but be favorable to construction of a system to open these resources The physical possibilities of railway construction already are demoustrat- ed. Railways are operating In sev- cral parts of thc North with mark cd success.
 Tho Canadian government is plan ming Co send a railway commission Co investigate parts of Yukon Ter rttory It should have been fully authorized and the work concluded this year Minister Of Railways Cocbraue planned such work, and Dr. Thompson. member Of parIia-