Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-03-11
: ALASKAN Bill PAssEp.
Government Owned Line in Far North
Seems Assured.

Government Owned Line in Far North
Seems Assured.
Washington, March 10.-The Alaska
railroad bill providing for the con-
struction of thousand miles of gov-
ernment railroad and the expenditure
of $4,000, 900 was ready for the presf-
dents signature late yesterday when
the senate adopted the conference re-
port already adopted by the house.
President Wilson has indicated his
intention of signing the bill as soon as
it reaches the White House and tenta-
tive plans for constructing the first
government railroad already have been
considered at the interior department.
Secretary Lane, long an advocate OF
the project, is prepared to go ahead
with it as soon as the president gives
the word.
Final action on the bill in congress
came after long debate in the SEN
ate the report of the conference COM
mittee appointed to settle differences
between the two houses being adopted
by a vote Of ~ to q. The measure
authorizes the construction OF not
more than 1000 miles of railroad to
connect Alaska's coal fields with the
coast, the route to be selected by the
president to whom are also left many
other important details. He is to de-
eide whether or not railroad lines al
ready constructed in the territory shall
be purchased as part Of the govern
ment system and whether the road Is
to be operated by the government IT.
self or leased after it is built
The discussion was principally on
suggestion by Senator Cummins thar
the senate conferees be instructed to
reinsert the language OF the bill as
passed by the senate and stricken out
by the house providing that the presi-
dent in constructing the railroad must,
if existing railroad lines in Alaska are
to be bought and used as part OF
the system, buy or arrange for the
purchase Of these lines before con-
struction Of extensions is begun.
Senator Cummins declared their
leaving its discretionary with the pres
ident whether the government should
begin erecting lines into the interior at
the northern termini Of existing private
railroads from the Alaskan seaboard.
might enhance the value of existing
roads that syndicates could demand q
prohibitive price from the government.
Senator Pittman replied that such a
thing would be so obviously outrageous
that no president would yield to any
influence which could bring out such a
result.
That Alaska is to have railroad
built, maintained and operated by the
government. and that al result the
vast resources Of that comparatively
unknown country are to be opened to
the world, now seems assured by the
action Of both branches OF congress. :,
The project IL Of more interest than
even the expenditure Of the $4,000,
900 proposed would ordinarily create
Coming as soon after the completion OF
the Panama canal 1t 10 attracting at
tention as another great engineering
project under the direction Of the Am
erican government. In sense. too. II
compares with the governments under
taking in the COS to rush the Pacific
railways across the unbroken prairies
ana mountains Of the west and thus
link together the west ana the east
Moreover, the new project 10 10 bs the
first test In this country Of governlpent
ownership Of . public utttity; Il IL ex-
pocted 70 open 10 the commerce Of the
world grest and rich resources that ,ln-
III now have been for - most part
lying id1e: tt win a6oga oeupSoymea4 q