Valdez daily prospector., 1913-04-25
SENATOR JONES'
 RAILROAD BILL
Differs From Chamberlain Meas ure--RajIroad Commission
 be Appointed.

Washington. D. c., April ii. =
 Senator IJones, of Washington, now a member Of the committee
 on territories, has introduced a bill of his own, providing for government construction of
 trunk line railroads in Alaska, land will have his bill considered
 along with the Chamberlain bill,
 which has been referred to the
 same committee. The Jones bill
 differs materially from the oth- CT measure, and the points of diff
 ference will have to be worked out
 in committee.
 The Jones bill authorizes a
 $40, O,O0O,000 per cent bond is-
 sue for raising money for the construction, under the direction of an Alaskan railway commits sion and of the president of "such main lines of railroads from points on tidewatcr to the inter-
 for as will, in the Judgment of the president, best promote the set ttlement of Alaska and develop
 it's resources, together with such branch lines as he may deem necessary"
 Provides for Commission. The bill authorizes the preSi- dent lo appoint an Alaskan rail- way commission of not more than
 five members, a majority to be skilled engineers, at salaries to be fixed by the president. The commission may employ any of the army engineers needed to aid in the location and construc- i tiOn of railroads. and all other persons necessary to carry for ward the work of construction cxpeditiously. The commission will be under the control of the president and report to him an nually.
 Under the Jones bill the Alas ka railway commission is auth orized to acquire by condemna- tion or purchase all property it may deem necessary. including existing lines of railroad. with equipment. wharves. docks, bridges. etc.. and the power of eminent domain in Alaska is con- fel red upon the commission. The president. through the commits
 sion. will arquirA exclusive right of way over the public lands of Alaska for whatever railroads 1t builds, and reserve all necessary lands for stations. terminals. etc.. and may order the transfer to Alaska of any machinery and equipment al Panama that may be efuI in the railroad con strurtion work.
 Orders Coal Reserves Set Aside. One feature of the Jones bill directs the president, as prompt ly as possible. to segregate such 'coal reserves for the govern menl and it's variouS departments as he may deem necessary. and shall reserve in this way the largest quantity of the best quail ity of coal, the lands in such re- serves not to be subject to sale or lease or other dispOsoal. In connection with the work of rail- road construction the president IS empowered, through the commits sion or otherwise, to develop and operate coal mines, in these re- served areas, and to deliver the coal mined at tidewater points for the use of government veS- scls. If there be surplus of coal from these mines it may be sold at not less than $ per cent more than it's actual cost at the i point of delivery.
 , If the president does not deem l it advisable to acquire existing railroads in Alaska. the goovern-
 ment can build its trunk lines from the inland terminals of eX- , isting roads, and these private
 lines shall be operated in connec-
 ton with the government roads
 as through route with through
 rates upon fair and reasonable
 app0rtiOnment of revenue and eN- ipense.
 There is some doubt yet