Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1913-12-18
One salient feature ~


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 town sites
The acquisition OF land for monopoly
holdings is prohibited and no person
or corporation can acquire land for the
purpose of holding it in idIeness. The
proponents of the measure say that
every safeguard has been taken to pre-
vent the exploitation of Alaska for
the profit of monopoIes, 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
Any property belonging to the United
States now in use in Panama canal
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 work is finished. The financial
provisions of the bill instruct the sec
rotary of the treasury to borrow $685.
611,000 on the credit of the United
States and to issue bonds in the de-
nominations of $100 to $1,000. The
sum of 100000 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 will
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 upon 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 Senator Swan
son of Virginia and by Representative
Shackleford of Missouri.
The members who have interested
themselves in this matter of improved
highways have found it exceedingly
easy to build good roads on paper,
particularly so as the paper used as
the paper used as the basis Of adj
vance construction has the treasury
note formula printed on its face.
Money is needed to build good roads,
and it is the matter of cash. a lot OF
cash, which blocks the progress OF
building and possibly, only possibly,
may block the future quick progress
of wagons and automobiles. Generally
speaking. however, the sentiment for
better means Of communication
through the country is strong in both
houses of congress, and the cry Of
economy will not serve to check the
movement
Rourne's Ambitious Plan.
The plan of former Senator Bourne
is ambitious. He would like to have
the government issue 81 100000 900 in
bonds, the issue and the sale mot 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 money accredited to the
states in proportion to their total land
area, their population, their assessed
valuation of taxable property, and the
total mileage of public highways. On
the basis of appropriations amounting
to $1,000, 100000, 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
commonwealth. Illinois, for instance,
would get about 100000 while it's
neighbor state, Missouri, would get
about $50, 100000 sums which it would
seem would build several miles of fair
Iy good roadway.
What Shackleford Proposes.
Representative ShacklefoTd, who is
member of the joint committee, has
allowed some of his views on the sub
iect to be known in advance of the
committees report. He has no such
vaulting corresponding 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 that Mr.. Shacklefords
scheme, which he already has put into
bill form, will be found to agree pref
ty closely with the provisions of the
good roads measure as it finally re-
ceives 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 and
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
point of the strict constitutionalists
or at any rate the Democrats seem to
think so.
An Estimate.
"How much money do you think he's
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