The Chitina leader. [volume] (Chitina, Alaska) 1910-1928, 1914-02-17

WASHINGTON, D. G., Feb. l8-Actlng as a
committee of the whole the House by vote of 80
to 81 adopted Fitzgerald's amendment to eliminate
the 600 900 bond issue provision from the Alaska
railroad bill Fitzgerald commended that the railroad
be built with current revenues of the government
provision was also put in the bill limiting the cost
of the road to $35,000,000, and appropriating
S1OO0OOO for the commencement of the work. The
vote on the Fitzgerald amendment so close that
the bond issue provision of the original bill may be
restored later The friends of the Alaska bill have
declined to venture a prediction on that point
They still hope that the bill will pass. At o'clock
this afternoon the House had not disposed of the
measure but efforts being made to put it through
before adjournment today.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. 18-Detailed
consideration of the Alaska railroad bill was
resumed in the House this morning with the admin
istration leaders confident that the final vote will be
taken this afternoon. Debating on the measure has
closed and minor features of the bill are being
discussed Only one change has been made in the
bill as passed by the Senate This the amend
ment of Representative Mann, the Republican
leader, and empowers the president to either lease
the railroads after being built have them operated
by the government. Many Alaskans in the
galleries today and anxiously watching the fight
being made for the territory. Chairman Houston of
the committee on territories, and Delegate Wicker
sham of Alaska who have led the fight for the
measure are confident the bill will pass with big
measure because he has faith in the future of the
territory. The bill stands for progress and the
development of vast country where superior race
of human beings will spring up. The delegate
declares he is fighting for his home.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. 19.-The Alaska
railroad bill which passed the House yesterday
will go to the conference committee within few
days. It is believed the bill will be ready for
President Wilson signature within the next ten
days. 1t has been announced unofficially that the
president would order work the railroad to
proceed shortly.
Every friend of Alaska in the capital is rejoic-
ing the splendid victory and praisng the efforts
of President Wilson whose assistant the chief
executive of the nation made the victory possible in
the face of the strong opposition The bill passed
by the House provides that money received from the
sale of lands in Alaska be kept separate account
from which the government will be reimbursed to
the extent of the to be spent in building
the railroads. The managers of the bill believe the
amendment will help facilitate the development of
the territory and that instead Of being detrment
will prove distinct advantage.
WASHINGTON, D. c.. Feb. 19.-Delegate
Wickersham of Alaska, in discussing the Alaska
railroad bill said that the building of the railroads
by the government meant more to Alaska and the
people living there than the discovery of gold in the
territory. The big mines benefit to few
but the construction of the railroads will benefit
many. He said "The building of the railroads in
the northland means the immediate employment of
a large force of men in Alaska and the ultimate
settlement OF that vast territory The president has
been authorized to permit the government owned
railroad to be operated by contract or lease or it
may be operated by the Panama Railway Company
During the work of construction Of the railroads and
for the purpose OF operating them the president has
been authorized to employ any number of men he
may think necessary. He may choose the men as he
pleases only that those chosen from civil life shall
be under the supervision in the work Of construction