Valdez daily prospector., 1913-02-24

ing conclusion that "but one out side mail was delayed.'
 We would further be glad to ed the information that such Slides do seldom occur on the Copper River railroad. Why, every man that has ever been keeping in touch with conditions knows that this is the reverse of true. During the last summer the ser vice was suspended for practi- cally an eH'ire month. due to washOutS on this unfortunate road. Never winter yet that slides did not delay the mail from one to two weeks. while pasSen- gers were tied up at either end.
 The Valdez trail has been all ways severe one across Ihomp- sons Pass. but that is the only portion of it that has subjected travellers to danger and travel to any serious impedinent--twenty miles at the most to be carefully cared for that it be kept open.
 The Curduva railroad on the other hand, is for almost it's en- tire length of l7S miles subject ed to slides and uhStructiuns. and why it receives the boost from he correspondent or writer in the Nugget we cannot for the life of Us imagine. If it is boosted be- cause it is a GuggeMheim road. then it ill beserms the whiteWash man to attack those who crltIrlse the road because it is owned by capitalists.
 Travellers have been delayed seven, eight and ten days at Chit itself of slides.
 Not single year since the rail- road has been constructed put during the advancing sprlnS the road was tied up for varying per inds on account Of slides. we have seen travellers tied up, ana compelled tn rustirate at Chitina after going from Nome tn that burg ali the way overland.
 I'm any country where is abun- dant snowfall and where railroads are built extensively along side hills, and what are known as side hill cuts extend. there will always follow slides to worry, Q obstruct and impede the operation of the road The CordOva road plentl- fully made use of side hill cuts i'm is construction, for it is the cheapest. quickest and possesses other advantages to builders and contractors, and just as long as the side hill cuts are there just so long will there be slides dur ing the melting of the snOws. or during the fall of excessive rains.
 Tho Industrial Worker declares that it cares not whoop in Hades as between the wealthy contractor and the poorer stage operator. Why should it? And as between CordOva and Valdez we have not the slightest choice to make. w.,
 But the facts are that the Val deg trail has been available for one month during which time, lacking but a few days. mails have been held up between Cordova and Chitina. The last mail to leave Chitina left Cordova on Decem- Der I6. That will arrive prob ably at the end of next week, or in Nome. and here fore none will arrive for almost one month which will contain first class matter.
 Not once during the entire lime that the mail travelled via the Val deZ route was it subjected to a delay of any serious extent: few days at the most: not once, not a dozen. but scores of times since the mail has been routed via Chit ina have there occurred delays of more OF less seriousness. These are facts beyond even dispute by those whose acquaintance with conditions is profound.'
 Truly the logical conclusion of the Nugget writer that Valdez en- lists in the fight against COrdova
 (cOntinued on page 3}.