Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1913-12-19
Senator Chamberlain of Oregon and
Delegate Wickersham III Alaska.
Will Open UP Alaska.

Delegate WiekeTsham ri Alaska.
viii Open UP Alaska.
The Alaska railroad bill already
prepared and which seems to have
President wilson's approval makes de-
tailed provision for the opening of the
interior of Alaska to quick commune
cation with the harbors of the Pacific
ocean, so that agriculture, timber. coal
and other may be developed
One salient feature of the measure
is the extension of the power of the
interstate m commission to
| Alaska, coupled with a special pro-
vision that the rates for steamship
transportation to and from NJ terri
| tory shall be regulated. The asser-
ton is made that water transportation
monopoly has been one of the chief
| causes for the control of Alaska's re-
sources by one great syndicate.
Shuts Out Monopoiies.
The contemplated legislation pro-
vides for the location OF own sites.
The acquisition Of land for monopoly
holdings is prohibited and no person
or corporation a acquire land for the
purpose of holding it in ~idieness. The
proponents of the measure say that
every safeguard has been aiken to pre-
vent the exploitation of Alaska for
the profit of m~onopolies, and that the
field will be found to be open for
competitive strivings."
Under the terms of the bill the
president is authorized at his descre-
ton to take over the holdings of rail
roads already in operation in Alaska
Apu rrnnnrtu hp1nnoinu ~ fha TIpitai
States now in use in Panama ana
construction and which can be of serv-
ice in Alaska will be transferred from
the canal strip to the territory, to be
used in railroad building when the en-
gineers on the Canal Zone declare that
their FORK is finished. The financial
provisions of the bill instruct the sec
rotary of the treasury to borrow $685.
GIL 900 on the credit of the United
States and to issue bonds in the de-
nominations of 500 to $1,000. The
sum of 81, 200, 900 is set aside for ad-
ministration purposes.
Good Roads Favored.
Before long congress expects a
report from its joint committee on
federal aid in the construction of
post roads. 1t is believed by the
members that legislation for a gov
eminent appropriation for highway
building throughout the country viii
be made an administration matter,
and enacted into law with the sane
ton Of both houses with very few
signs of division on party lines The
several states, in order to secure gov
eminent aid in road building. will be
called pom to appropriate their pro
rata share OF the money.
The joint committee has Jonathan
Bourne, Jr., as its chairman. Mr..
Bourne is no longer in congress, but
he still retains his committee mem
bership. He has formulated his own
| plans for good roads and his example
has been followed by Senate Swan
son of Virginia and by Representative
Shackleford OF Missouri.
Bourne's Ambitious Plan.
The plan of former Senator Bourne
is ambitious. He would like to have
the government issue $1,000, 000,0 0 in
bonds, the issue and the sale not to
exceed such amounts as may be nee
essary from time to time TO enable
the treasurer of the United States to
make payments from the United States
highway fund to the several states in
accordance with the provisions of this
act"
1t is a part Of Mr.. Bourne's plan to
have the none accredited to the
states in proportion to their total LAND
area, their population, their assessed
valuation of taxable property, M the
total mileage OF public highways. On
the basis of appropriations amounting
to 81, 900, 000, 900, and provided that all
the requirements of the act shall be
complied with, the different states will
get large sums of money varying OF
course with the size and wealth of the
commemorative. Illinois, for instance.
would get about $4,000, 900, while it's
neighbor state, Missouri, would get
about $35, O00, 900 sums which 1t would
seem would build several miles Of fair
ly good roadway.
What ShackIeford Proposes.
Representative Shackleford. who is
a member of the joint committee, has
allowed some of his views on the SUBJ
Sac. &c he known in advance Of he
committees report. He has no such
vaulting money-spending ambitions as
those which seem to be lodged in Mr..
Bourne's head. 1t is probable that his
views more nearly coincide with those
of the average member of congress. In
truth it is likely hat Mr.. Shackleford's
scheme, which he already has put into
bin form, will be found to agree pref
ty closely with the provisions OF he
good roads measure as it finally re-
ceiyes the sanction of the two houses.
In the Shackleford bill, in accord
ance with the states rights and con-
stitutional method as they appeal to
the Democratic mind, the money asked
is to be used in the construction ana
maintenance of rural post roads. Now
rural post roads generally are the
highways of the state, but the fact
that Uncle Sam makes no use of them,
and that they connect with roads lead
ing into adjoining states. makes the
matter doubly safe from the stand
noint of the strict constitutionalists.
or at any rate the Democrats seem to
think SO.
+ tain consented. Both officers set Oh
after a cordial luncheon party, but IN