The Chitina leader., 1914-01-13
0F CONCERN ID ALASKA

WASHINGTON D. C.. Jan. 13-Congress resumed busi- yesterday with many members missing from both houses The first order of business resumption of the debate the Alaska railroad bill. Senator Chamberlain of Oregon is in charge of the b In his opening debate he of statistics concerning the of Alaska He declared necessary for the government to build railroads The railroads in operation in Alaska little benefit to the people of the territory they had been constructed to private interests and that these interests sometimes conced with the best interests of the citizens who trying to develop the territory.
 Senator Chamberlain has carefully prepared his statistics having secured the figures from the different departments He showed that 1t would be good business for the government construct the railroads the development of the territory would soon return the money expended in revenues WASHINGTON, D. C.. Jan 13.-Aaska is the only topic under discussion here since has again taken b ness The railroad bill taken up the house yesterday afternoon but not extensively discussed owing the absence of of the members from the western who have the bill in charge It is before the house today and tomorrow will be given entirely debating merits Friends of the trying to have the bill vote Wednesday, The senate has been almost constantly employed on Alaskan matters, since yesterday morning. Senator Smoo of Utah, has introduced bill providing for the opening of the coal fields of the territory leasing system
 WASHINGTON Jan 13-Senator Shoot has introduced bill having it's object the opening of the coal fields Alaska by leasing system The bill limits leases Alaska coal lands to corporation to than
 2O0 with minimum royalty of of the coal mined
 WASHINGTON D. C.. Jan 12.-Seth Mann who accom- panied the Seattle Chamber of Commerce through Alaska the President Wilson, has proven that he friend of the territory His report urges the imme
 ae opening of the country by providing cheaper ranspora
 on He believes the should the railroads Wagon roads and trails should also be structed to the distant order that they might l become feeders of the trunk lines.
 The opening of the coal fields is only importance to the construction of the railroads and wagon The opening of the coal fields will furnish tonnage the railroads and afford cheaper operation of the trunk lines the interior Mining and other private enterprises would also be greatly stimulated by securing cheaper fuel.
 Mr. Manns report says I believe two railroads should be built from the to interior Alaska should the coast to the Yukon Panama valley from the coast in norhweserly direction to tap the Kuskokwim country Both of the trunk lines would pass through and tap large sections of mnerazed territory would open the valleys to agriculture and sockraising'
 WASHINGTON, D. C.. Jan. 14-senator Pullman has introduced bill providing for surveying opening the fields of Alaska under direction of the department The bill provides for surveying the coal lands into quarter section tracts which could be leased individuals for term ot 2O years Corporations may 560 for the same term The royalty the based the value of the coal after the expenses mining transportation to the market dewaer been deducted | WASHINGTON D. C., ,Jan 14-Senator Chamberlain asserted this morning in the senate that if the American should be gathered in the North Pacific would require vast amount of coal which could only be supplied from Alaska He believed the would be justified in building the rail roads for the of supplying the navy with Amerlca became involved in the North Pacific she would be far from her base of fuel supply and convoy foreign steamers carrying coal baesips he declared.
 What would the American fleet be doing in the North Pacific ocean, queried Senator Weeks Massachusetts
 Why senator thought everybody knew that that was the shortest way to the Philippines Japan by the great northern circe replied the Oregon senator 'And while am not pesslmst on the subject believe the senators will agree with