The Chitina leader., 1913-11-11
RAILROAD AND MAIL CONDITIONS

the Fairbanks Citizen under date of October 2 appears incorrect and misleading article presumably put forth in good faith based upon premise devoid of material truth Here we are accustomed reading the Valdez papers of mles of the Copper River Railroad having been washed away' and other similar imagnings But the Fairbanks apparently accepts all such inaccuracies fact As
 consequence long and abored editorial appears that light subsequent developments must make the editor of the Citizen just little ashamed of himself for having been gullible.
 Inquiry at the office of the superintendent of the h. N w. Railway brings the information that during many months past such condition existed at Mile 58 Mile l5 between 5S and Chitina etc., contained n the Citizens article So naturally all that followed is simply tommy rot
 The first that disturbed the regularity of the schedule the railroad on September 2 when veabe coudburst flooded the Copper country It affected the railroad to extent but by of efficient ton the damage rghted in very short time The bridge Mile 67 washed out and not until the morning of the 2th that trains again running over it. There was slide at Mile 119 which repaired in less than two days Another washou occurred at Mile 19 which repaired in a day.
 And that the extent of the trouble There difficulty getting engines from either end to make repairs and there only delay of trains either end of from three to four days The train due at Chitina September 2 arrived there the 27h The train due to leave Chna on the 23d only far that day Mile 114 through train And since then there has been delay either of passengers mail slide occurred last week n Aber crombe but only train to make transfer of and ma necesstang the loss of less than two hours.
 the rainy has passed and the ground is frozen earth slides possible There be occasional slide of during the winter but ample prepa tons have been made to handle it through efficient organ zation upon the part of officials and During the past several hundred thousand dollars expended the railroad. Tracks raised sheds extended section houses built fuel storage houses erected supplies and implements for stored at convenient distances and general preparations made to of the trouble experienced winter These arrangements complete that Superintendent Corser confident that if trouble experienced there cannot possibly be delay to the train service lasting more than day or two.
 The reference Mr. Flames upon the part of the Citizen is too silly require He routes the mail the at the time when there slight delay the railroad the mail was being sent on its summer schedule by way of Skagway White Horse and Dawson Since the winter contract started via Corova and Chna there has not been hours delay in the mail express service MT. Flames pains taking and conscientious official who has done much to better the mail conditions Alaska The Citizens reference to him is untruthful and criminal libel
 The Citizen cries for relief from the splendid that they received the mail from Cordova and wants the mail sent by team from Valdez the summit But the Valdez press won't be quoted all probability with trum such appeared in the Prospecor the fore part of the week. follows he road the summit is blocked by the recent storm and it will be necessary for action to be taken soon We think that by this time the Citizen will have satisfied itself that its lengthy article of criticism entirely uncaled for and malicious in effect If not in intent.
 There certainly enough subjects to kick about in Alaska without having to draw the imagination to do some man or service an injustice The Citizen presumably IS protesting about delay in the mail and express service that has occurred this winter between Cordova and Fairbanks We challenge contemporary give dates and facts The only trouble the railway occurred before the winter routing started And about the time when transcontnental railroads tied for days You can't entirely defy the clements in Alaska suffering Nome we'll vouch for So be reasonable Mr. Ctzen and be fair enough to declare that you not warranted by facts in giving publicity to the following which appeared in your issue of October 27:
 'The railroad bridge Mile 58 there are three big slides between that and Chtna The road the Copper River flats flooded making impossible get engines either make the repairs The bridge at Mile out and the track several places the flats badly of alignment