The Alaska citizen., 1912-10-14
ENTHUSIASTIC ALASkANS HEAR ENCOURAGING NEWS
 FROM R. R. COMMISSION

spokesman for the members. But" said tn" major. this commission is On this journey not as talking Commission, but as working com mission. If we could have gotten here in June instead of October there is no doubt Alaska would be redeemed in six months. Your dele gate must have insisted on making too many speeches. for congress held an exceptionally long session. We did not delay. Fortunately our com mission stated that We must get our report in by December first. or as soon thereafter as possible This commission is going to get a report in. which, if Alaska does not get some favorable action upon before the fourth of March you will know the blame rests on congress and not OH the. commission" This remark met with prolonged cheers.
 The trip of the commission Vas then quickly rehearsed by the chair man of the commission. The trip to seward. To Turnagain Arm. to knik. to the Willow creek mining section. to Katalla. of the unsuccessful at tempts to get to Comptroller bay. to Valdez and thence over the trail by stages To Munson's where Parker's auto brought them 10 this town. He outlined the trip from here to Chit ina, over the Copper river road to Gordova, to Skagway where the com missioners will inspect the White Pass. to Haines where they will look over the proposed terminals for one of the routes suggested. to Prince Rupert where the new terminal of the Grand Trunk Pacific will be studied, and then to Vancouver where they will take the Canadian Pacific east in order to study the methods used on that road The trip will prob. ably take four months, according to Major Morrow We will then go to Washington where we will prepare our report This we hope to get in before the Christmas recess of con gross so that the members of con gress and your delegate from Alaska can thrash if out before congress has to adjourn on the fourth day of March"
 The major spoke of the agricul- ture of the country as being the great feature on which the commis- sion must decide The mineralogy of the country is well known to Dr. Brooks, probably as well known to Dr. Brooks as to any man." said the chairman of the commission. but Dr. Brooks is no farmer"
 There seems to be considerable differences of opinions as to where the road should locate it's coast ter minal according to Major Morrow but it was the unanimous opinion of all that the interior terminus should be the Panama valley either Fair banks or Cinema.
 The hardness and the bravery of the pioneers of the country were then commented on complimentar fly by the speaker The ignorance of the people east of the Mississippi is appalling. But it won't be long before Alaska will come into her own" said the major. The chair man of the commission of which Dr. Brooks is viCe-chairman. then paid a glowing tribute to the man to whom Alaskans owe so much. and in whom they all have unlimited confidence. T trust that Dr. Brooks may be a member of that commission. not the one that will recommend. but the one that will construct the railroad from the coast to the Panama valley l trust that Dr Brooks will be a HltIIlDtl Ol that CbInllllSSlOU Wnlcn II will drive the golden spike which will mark the completion of that rail road which we are now seeking to recommend" After the cheers which followed that remark had died down. the major proposed that the vice chairman of the board make a speech. Prolonged applause and cheers filled the hall as Major Nor. row sat down.
 After explaining that the reason they had named him as a member of the commission was because of his oratorical ability, Dr. Brooks brought the house to it's feet by saying, "I believe that this commission will pull together, and that we will be able to agree upon report to con. gress. I think there will be no minority" The noted geologist laid stress on the agricultural develop ment of the country He spoke of | how fourteen years ago. as he flcat
 ed down the Panama in his canoe
 the low rolling hills had impressed