Valdez daily prospector., 1912-06-29
NOT A CONTROVERSY

they should be left to settle this question between themselves, for it would be impossible to please all the people in all parts of Alaska as to where, when and how the work should be done.
 This is the first intimation we have had that Delegate Wicker sham is a road builder, or is further concerned as to ''whcrr, when and how the work should he donc," other than as a citizen of this Territory, but perhaps since Judge Hubbard has become the delegate from Alaska, the man. who was elected to that posi- tinn has taken il upon himself tu supervise "whrrc, when and how Col. Richardson should construct roads in AlaSka.'
 These good friends of Delegate NickrrSham, however nv.rlunk an important aspect of the con- iruvrrsy between Col. Rirhard- son and the delegate. II is not q question whether Wirk"rsliain represents Alaska. Valdez ar the Red Light district of this munic- ipa4ily. Th.' question before Inc voters of IliS district, is not one of a controversy between the delegate and Col. Richardson. but is based entirely upon the dclc- gates attempt to stop all apprO- priaiions for the building of gov ernmcnt roads and trails in Alas ka, as is evidenced by his letter tO the Secretary of War, under date of March 26, 1912, written at the time the appropriations for the maintainance and further Improvement of the Valdez Fairbanks road and the dyke bill for the protection nf government property in the town of Valdez was in critical position, and drprnding largely on the charac- ger of the work already done.
 Among nihrr things. in a lengthy letter uf , pages ihr delegate says: "Mr. Secretary. the S2.258. .OS6.96 devoted tn the building of wagon roads. bridges and trails in Alaska has been wasted. rmbrZzI"h. and taken hy two big mercantile companies unfairIy> and without reasonable valir. Major Richardson has mol ,,mh 'ZZlrd any of il. He iS not dishonest in the money s"nSc, I.ut he exceedingly incOnIpr- trni. i'r has nO money ScnS". He I,lindiy trusts two big mrrcan- tile Gr.IS there tn manage this road fund for him, and they have established system which has only one rPsult--incOmprirncy. waste, failure in the management of lhr road work, and profit to themselves. The system leads iO 'grafting' such as that in dulgcd in by Lieutenant Orchard, Secretary of the Board of Road Commissioners, while Alaska is cha; gcd with S2,258, ,086.06, and has nothing permanent or satiS- fac!nry to show for iI.'
 This letter indicates nOthin" moro or less than an attempt On the part of Delegate WickcrshaiI io kill any further appropria- lions for road work in Alaska, and in particular the Valdez Fairbanks road. the principal project undertaken by the Alaska road commission.
 If Judge Wickcrsham was engaged in controversy with Col. Richardson over road mat tels he was raining his blows on the head of Valdez and every other community benefited by the roads and trails built in Alaska by the commission. Valdez needs the trunk road into the interior for it's prosperity; much of her future depends on the compile tion of this road and it's prac- licability as trunk line over which freight and passengers can be carried. Apparently, Lo punish Col. Richardson, the dele gate has aimed his blows at the government road, caring little who was io suffer the consc- ducnccs of his anger and hatred.
 Last summer, when the dele gate was here, this question was put up squarcly to him and he was told hie opposition to tho wo:k being done by the road com mission was injuring the busi- ness interests of Valdez and oth-