Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-02
Farther From the Coast.


1.-THE Matanuska coal fields are a
longer distance from the coast They
are from $50 to 200 miles from the har-
Dor of Seward. on Resurrection bay.
This is one Of the finest harbors in the
world, and a reservation has been made
there for the use of the navy Of the
United States. A road constructed from
Seward to the Matanuska coal fields
would form part of system reaching
from the coast into the heart of Alaska,
and open the great interior valleys OF
the Yukon and the Tanana, which have
agricultural as well as great mineral
possibilities.
''The Alaska Central road has been
constructed some seventy-one miles Of
the distance from Seward north to the
Matanuska coal fields, but the construc-
ton beyond this has been discouraged,
first by the fact that there has been no
lands upon which investors could de-
pend, and, second, because there seemed
to be a lack of financial backing of those
engaged In the enterprise. The Secretary
of the Interior has aScertained that the
bondholders, who are the real owners OF
the road, are willing to sell to the gov
eminent, and he recommends the pur-
chase of the existing road, such recon-
struction as may be necessary, Its con-
tinuance to the Matanuska coal fields,
dHu luCHCc litO TIE NduCSo VI thO
Yukon and the Tanana- 1t would be a
great trunk line, and would be an open
ing up Of Alaska by government CAPT.
tai
II am not in favor of government own
ership where the same certainty and
efficiency of service can be had by
private enterprise, but l think the con-
ditions presented In Alaska are OF such
character as to warrant the govern
ment. for the purpose Of encouraging
= 1,@ 1nSvn NJ hat oct and
markabie territory, to build and own a
trunk line railroad, which 1t can lease
OIL terms which may be varied and
changed to meet tho growing prosperity
and development Of the territory.
Grounds for Criticism.
There is nothing in the history of the
United States which affords such Just
reason for criticism as the failure Of the
federal government to extend the benefit
of its fostering caro- to the territory Of
Alaska. There was time, Of course,
when Alaska was regarded as so far re-
moved into the Arctic ocean as to make
any development Of 1t practically impos-
sibie, but for years the facts have been
known to those who have been responsible
for its government, and every one who
has given the subject the slightest consd-
erdtion has been aware Of the wonderful
possibilities in its growth and develop
mert II only capital were invested there
and a good government put over It. I
think the United States owes 1t, there
fore, to Alaska. and to the people who
have gone there. to take an ex-
ceptional step and to build rail-
road that shall open the treasures Of
Alaska to the Pacific and to the people
who live along that ocean on our west
and ownership of the fee do not necessi-
tate government operation. Pursuant.
however, to the recommendation Of the
Secretary Of the Interior. l suggest to
Congress tho wisdom Of providing that
the President may appoint commission
OF competent persons. including two army
engineers, to examine and report upon
the available routes for a railroad from
Seward to the Matanueka coal fields and
into the Tanana and Yukon valleys, with
an estimate Of the value Of the existing
partially constructed railroad and Of tho
cost of continuing the railroad to the
proposal is further justified by the need
that the navy Of the United States has
for secure coaling base in the north
Pacific. The commission ought to make q
coal fields at Matanuska. and tho prob
lem Of furnishing coal from that source
for mercantile purposes after reserving
for government mining a sufncient guam
tity for the navy.
II have already recommended to Con-
gress the establishment Of a form of
commission government for Alaska. The
territory Is too extended. its needs are too
varied and its distance from Washington
too remote to enable Congress to keep up
with its necessities in the matter Of legis-
| lation Of q local character.
Need Of Wider Powers.
'"Tl,e Governor Of Alaska In his roport.
which accompanies that Of the Secretary
of the Interior, points out certain laws
that ought to be adopted. and emphasizes