Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-01-13
ALASKA RAILWAY BILL
/. TO HAVE OPPOSITION
Senator Cham berlain Doesn't Think
Action by Senate Will Be
Delayed.

ct do not believe the Alaska railway
bill will be delayed In passing the Sen
ate.' said Senator Chamberlain today
when the Senate resumed debate on the
measure Still. the interests opposed to
opening the territory by a government
railroad a:e strongly represented here.
Il saw several familiar faces in the
gallery yesterday. those of men allied
with such interests, and they are GER
tainly here for purpose.
Senator Chamberlain expected to
conclude his argument today. He ex-
pressed the opinion no serious effort
would be made to amend the bill for
by the government
Senators Burton and Bankhead are
planning to oppose the bill.
Resources of Alaska.
flood OF figures and statistics as to
the resources of Alaska was poured
into the ears of the Senate yesterday
by Senator Chamberlain of Oregon in
opening debate on the Alaska railroad
bill Reading from the reports of gov
eminent experts sent into the territory
to study its possibilities. Senator
Chamberlain delueed his hearers with
comparative statements that brought
question after question from both sides
of the chamber. the propounders seek
ing added information upon the points
he rlade.
Senator Chamberlain, who has the
bill under his charge, reviewed the his
tory of the purchase of the territory
from Russia. chara cite rizing that pur-
chose as the greatest business arrange
Ten ia which the United states ever
hal engaged. He &c ted the govern
ment statistics for the Drod"ct on TO"
Alaska in minerals and fishe"y pro-
ducts TO show the vast commerce iylng
iso'ated and vii tually impossible of de-
yeiopment under present conditions
The present railroads there did little or
nothing he insisted. to aid the territory
as "a whole. They We're constructed TO
serve the ends of private interests he
III. d. whose object was to throttle deyel-
oprient unless they controlled both the
industries and transportation facilities
which made them possible.
The Alaska of today, Mr.. Chamberlain
declared. was country for Tich men only.
With prohibitive rates in force on the
railroads and no adequate facilities avail
abb. at any rates, only enterprises back-
ed nv almost limtless capital could hope
to prosper, he asserted
An Agricultural Country.
The. senator sought to correct a gen.
eral impression that Alaskas climate
made agriculture impossible, and read a
rerort on climatic conditions to this end.
together with reports of various experts
as to the agricultural possibilities of the
territory.
In mentioning products Of the territory
Senator Chamberlain touched upon the
coal-land leasing feature of the bill, pro-
voking Immediate interruption from Sen
ator Borah of Idaho, who took exception
to a statement that leasing would stimu-
late competition. Senator Cummins of
Iowa and Senator Reed of Missouri took
part in the debate. which indicated that
this portion of the bill would meet with
considerable opposition.
Senator Cummins said that If the gov
eminent could not furnish coal to the
consumer at a better price than he is
now compelled to pay he did not shrink
from saying that the government should
mine the coal as well as haul II. Sen
ator Borah echoed this sentiment