Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-01-25
ALASKA RAILWAY
GETSSENATE0.K K.
Bill Appropriating Up to $N,-
600, 900 for Federal Line
Is Passed.
PRESIDENT is GIVEN
VERY BROAD POWERS
Practically All Responsibility for
Line Is Placed in His
Hands.

The Alaska railway bill, directing the
President to purchase or construst 1000
miles Of railroad in Alaska at a cost not
to exceed $40,0OO,0 900, passed the Senate
late yesterday afternoon by vote of 4e
to 16. The friends of the measure de-
clare that 1t is the first great step toward
the development of the latent resources
of Alaska. Its opponents see in the
measure a long stride on the way which
leads to government ownership of rail-
ways. A similar bill is pending in the
House.
Fifteen republicans and Senator Poin-
dexter, progressive. voted for the bill.
Senators Bacon. Hoke Smith and VIII
liams, democrats, voted against it.
Broad Powers Bestowed.
The bill places upon the President re-
sponsibility for the selection Of the route
from tidewater to the interiori of
Alaska, and the construction. equipment
and operation or leasing Of such lines as
he may build or buy to constitute this
route. The broadest powers are conferred
upon the President in carrying out his
duties
The bill provides for redemption fund
into which shall be paid 75 per cent OF
all moneys derived from the s1le Of
public lands In Alaska or of the coal or
mineral contents thereof. Machinery
utilized in the construction OF the Pana-
ma canal Is made available for the con-
struction work.
Unavailing efforts to reduce the forty
million-dollar appropriation authorized
for the work were made during the clos
in Of
Smith sought to have the appropriation
reduced to s25 100000, and Senator Smoot
to s35.OOO.OO0. Among other amendments
defeated were the Norris amendment for
government steamship to Alaska; the
Poindexter amendment for the sale of
Alaska coal at cost to Pacific coast
points. and the Cummins substitute limit
ing the construction to one main line.
Amendments to Bill,
With the consent of the territorial COM
mittee the bill was amended before pas
sage to require the Senate's approval of
the appointment of civil engineers re-
ceiving more than 5000 per annum; to
forbid any payment for the good will OF
existing railways; giving injured enr-
ployes the right to sue the government,
and limiting the governments defense to
those provided for in the federal employ
erland's amendment making the federal
employees liability law of 1905 applicable
to the government as a railway operator
| was adopted unanimously.
Plan Turned Down.
| Senator Poindexters amendment which
! would direct the President to open part
| of the coal field of Alaska and authorize
| the government to operate mines was
| lost by a viva voce vote.
| \ substitute section offered by Senate
Cummins, limiting construction or pur
chase to one main line. was defeated, 81
to "a.
Senator Pittman, chairman Of the ter
| ritories committee which has had charg
of the Alaskan railroad bill, declare,
yesterday that the committee was unan
imously agreed that Col Goethals shoul,
be chosen to build the proposed govern
ment railroad when the project Is hnall
authorized. The committee. Mr.. P1ttmal
said, would urge the President to hav
| Col Goethals assigned to this great tasl
after his labors in Panama are com
pleted.
This is the greatest encouragement tn
west has received in many years. sal,
Secretary Lane last night when informe,
that the Senate had passed the Alask,
bill.
I