Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1914-02-19
Measure Advocated by Presi-
dent for Improvement Of
Northwest Goes to Confer
ence for Agreement,
GOVERNMENT EXPECTS
TO OPEN COAL MINES
line From Pacific Coast Open
Port May Be Extended One
thousand Miles Into interior
Of Territory

fnY nosslNo JoURHAL SPECIAL ltssEo wlsSl
Washington Feb. lS.-The admins
tration Aslaska railroad bill author
izing the president to construct a S35,-
100000 railroad from Alaskas coast
to its great coal fields was passed by
the house late today by vote Of 230
to 81
A similar measure had already
passed the senate and the bill viii
be taken mp at once in conference be-
tween the two houses, with view TO
sending It 10 the president, who has
signfied his intention Of signing IT,
Bond Provisions Cut Out.
AT the eleventh hour, after a sharp
parliamentary skirmish the house
eliminated from the bill, as reported
by the territories committee a proW-
sion authorizing bond issue Of $685.
600 to finance the railroad and to be
paid off by the proceeds of govern
ment land sales in Alaska The sem
ate bill provided for n 100000 600
bond issue. Representative Fitzgerald
of New York lea fight which resulted
In striking out the bond provision
Under the amended measure the
project would be financed out Of the
current funds in the treasury. the
president being limited to $35,0OO,000
and 100000 being appropriated for
immediate expenses. Congress would
appropriate each year the amount es-
timated to be necessary for the con
struction Of the road
Not over 1000 Miles Long.
The bill provides for the construc-
tion Of road mot to exceed 1000
miles, to be so located as to connect
one or more Of the open Pacific har-
bors on the southern coast Of Alaska
with the nayigable waters in the in
terror Of Alaska, and with coal field
or fields yielding coal sufficient in
quantity for naval use, and so as TO
best ala In the development Of the ag-
rlcultural and mining or other re-
sources OF Alaska"
An effort was. made by the op-
ponents of the bill TO postpone the
final vote on the measure until next
Wednesday.
Government Ownership Begins.
The project Is Of more interest
than even the expenditure Of the
SS5, 100000 proposed would ordinarily
create. Coming soon after the COM
pletion Of the Panama canal, 1t Is at
tracing attention as another great
engineering project under the direo-
ton Of the American government
the project is to be the first
lest in this country for government
ownership Of a public utility, It Is ex-
Dectcd 10 open TO the commerce Of
the world great and rich resources
that until now have been for the most
part lying idle.
The bin directs the president to To-
cate and acquire by purchase or CON
struction, a line or lines Of railroads
from tldewater into the interior OF
Alaska and TO navigation on the Yu-
kon, sganana or Kuskokwim rivers. In
choosing the route he Is TO use his
judgment as TO what will best pro-
mote the settlement Of Alaska, de-
velop its resources and provide lde-
quate transportation for coal for the
army and navy for troops and muni-
tions of war. ana for the mails.
$4,000, 900 to BE Outlay.
The total of all roads bought or
constructed Is not to exceed 1000
miles and the appropriation for the
purposes is S35,OOOOOo
The bonds proposed In the senate
BIN from the sale Of which the $780,
oe0,o IS 10 be obtained, are 10 be
30 sold that any citizen may have
opportunity 10 subscribe.
The bin creates the Alaska rail-
ways redemption fund. into which is
to be paid as per cent Of all money
received from the sale OF coal or min
eral or timber on puhlic lands and
from the net earnings of the railroad
above maintenance charges and oper-
ating expenses The redemption fund
is TO be drawn on by order Of the
president TO pay interest on the bonds
Or TO retire them.
Vast Saving on Coal Bills
The opening of mines In Alaska to-
gether with the building Of a railroad
and the opening Of the Panama canal.
it is estimated, viii save the govern
ment from SO to s. a ton on It's coal
burned on the Pacific. Alaska Itself
now buys coal from British Columbia.
one statlsiclan figures that Alaska
has as much coal as PENNSYLVANIA and
West Virginia together and that Il
is as good In quality.
---------s-
Pensions for Spanish war Widows.
Washington Feb. ls.-A bin to au-
thorize pensions Of Sl2 q month for
widows and 81 month for children
af dead Eua piab war x+efa,.o ,,s moe o.