The Alaska citizen. (Fairbanks, Alaska) 1910-1917, 1913-05-26
DOINGS At
WASHINGTON

-
gins declared that the Withholding OF
he coal fields of Alaska from de
yelopment is serious menace to
The safety OF the Pacific coast. In
his opinion the United States would
he seriously handicapped. in the
event of war. through inability
20 secure coal for the Pacific fleet.
He urged the establishment of
coal base at some point on the
Alaska coast and the immediate de
of the coal fields.
Lieutenant-C Commander Boyd sub.
mitted report to the committee in
which he says Alaska coal is better
than Pocahontas coal. and that the
output of the Boring fields some
day will prove valuable for naval
use.
Senator Pittman. speaking in favor
Of the abolition of the Chugach ma
tional reserve. completely exploded
the fallacy of Clifford Pinchot and
others that the elimination of 10000
acres of the Chuach reserve by
President Taft was a billion dollar
steal. Pittman declared that the
land in question was worthless as a
timber reserve. He also said the
order of President Roosevelt which
created the reserve was Illegal and
should never have been allowed 10
stand.
Leonard Cox. the naval expert who
visited Alaska last year as mem
Der of the Alaska railroad commits
S on. appeared before the committee
and in answer to questions regarding
the investigations Of the commission
stated that the harbor at Cordova
is the best on the Alaska coast for
all purposes. Besides having good
Cox said rhe harbor
could he fortified easily and eff
fectively at comparatively small cost
WASHINGTON. May 10. The
resolution introduced in the senate
a few days ago by Senator John
Kern, of Indiana, asking for an
and inquiry into the
West Virginia miners strike. was
to a committee today. Sew
eral hours debate preceded the ac-
ton on the resolution. during which
Senator Kern sought to impress up
on the solonS the importance of leg
islative action with regard to such
long drawn-out strikes as that of
kanawha county, West Virginia
which Governors Glasscock or Hat.
field have been unable to cope with
or adjust.
The reference to the committee
was made with the understanding
that a repor is to be made on the
resolution without delay.
WASHINGTON. May 10. Fa-
vorable action by the senate com
mittee on education and labor is
looked for with regard to the Kern
resolution, providing for an inves-
tigation of strike conditions in West
Virginia I is current in leg. sla-
tive circles that Senator Borah, OF
Idaho, will be appointed chairman of
the committee whose duty it will be
to look into the matter
WASHINGTON. May 20 Delegate
W!ckersham appeared before the
senate committee on territories to-
day in support of his bill providing
for the construction OF government
railways in Alaska Referring to
the opposition which has developed
since the commencement OF the hear,
ing, the delegate declared that the
Alaska syndicate is responsible for
the fight which is being made
against the pending measure.
The Copper River & Northwestern
railroad, the White Pass company.
the Alaska Steamship company and
the Pacific Coast Steamship cons
pany are opposing the construction
of government railroads in The
North, he said, and in every move
can be detected the hand of the
Morgans and Guggenheims. neither
of which interests desires to see the
government become actively engag.
ed in the development of Alaska
The delegate urged the passage OF
the Wickersham-Chamb bill on
the grounds that il would protect the
people of Alaska against the big In
terests which covet the vas; wealth
of the territory. Above everything
else, he urged prompt action on
the part of congress in order that
the pioneers of the NOrthland. who
have paved the way for future gene
rations. may share in the prosperity
which will follow the enactment of
favorable legislation.
At a conference of Democratic SEN
ators held this afternoon, it was
decided to resume the consideration
of the tariff bill next Tuesday and
TO work for the passage of the
measure without further Interrupt
ton. Those present at the con
ference agreed that the bill should
be passed in the form in which il
was introduced There appears to
be no likelihood of a compromise.
Advices received in this city from
Illinois state that William Lorimer.
who was expelled from the United
States senate last year on the charge
that he was illegally elected, is max,
ing preparations to become candi-
date for senator next year.
The report has caused mild sen
sation among the members of the
upper house, practically all of whom
were firmly convinced that Lorimer
had retired from public life for all
time.
Representative Britten, of Ill nois.
introduced a resolution in the house
today which provides for the direct
election of president and vice-presi-
dent of the United States, and de-
fines the length of term as SIX
years without the privilege of re-
election.
The cabinet is awaiting a reply
TO the Bryan note with some I'M
easiness, although it is generally