The Chitina leader., 1914-01-20


port of the Alaska railroad bill. The senator was
well posted and brought out many features which
have not before been heard in the Senate regarding
Alaska. He asserts that Alaska will develop
equally fast the western states did after trans
portation had been furnished
Senator Borah, of Idaho, followed Senator
Walsh in the debate He declared that the Alaska
railroad bill in no way should raise the issue of
government ownership of railways. Alaska was
an outlying territory from which the government
had practically excluded private capital by with
drawing the coal lands from entry thereby shutting
off the only tonnage which would be Immediately
available the roads constructed.
Senator Borah added that there single mine
in Alaska which had blocked out it's ores on the
different levels and had sufficient to keep the
the mine running for 100 years with production of
1000 tons per day. He referring to the Tread
well mine at Juneau. The was low grade but it
was returning net profit of LOO per ton. ''We
have the statements of the United States Geological
Survey the best authority i'll the world that there
are thousands of of placer ground in all parts
of the territory which can be made to yield up
their treasures if cheaper transportation is not fur
nished Private companies will not build the roads
for the benefits of the claim owners. They in
the mining business themselves and would want to
command the situation. It is the duty of the
government to construct and operate the railroads
in Alaska and hope the issue of government
ownership Will not De raised, cOncluQeQ the lQan0
senator. ~,u
WASHINGTON, Jan. 16.-The report of
Admiral Griffin, who had charge of the work of
testing the coal from the Boring river fields in
Alaska, was reported in the house this morning by
the naval committee. The tests made so far have
been discouraging as the coal did not up to
expectations Another test will be made from coal
which will be washed and screened
WASHINGTON, D. c. JAN LIT was agreed
III the senate this afternoon that the Alaska railroad
bill would be allowed to come to vote on Thurs
day. January %. This agreement was reached after
conference held this afternoon when the amend
ments to the bill were considered. The friends OF
the bill optimistic that it will pass with little
opposition as the threatened government ownership
issue has not been raised during the debates.
Another conference will be held on Monday after
the report of the committee territories of the
house have considered the Poindexter amendment
WASHINGTON, d. c. Jan. 1.-THE efforts
OF the friends OF the Alaska railroad bill to have the
measure come to vote on Tuesday next in the
house have proved unsuccessful. Many of the mem
bers Of the house declare that the measure has not
been debated as yet and that many more amend
ments will yet be added before it is ready to come
to vote The senate committee of territories will
hold meeting this afternoon to consider the
amendments which have been made to the railroad
bill. Several bills have also been introduced provid-
ing for the opening of the Alaska coal lands and
these will also be considered at the meeting
WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. Ex-senator Poin-
dexter has introduced an amendment to the Alaska
railroad bill which it is feared will raise opposition
from the anti-government ownership feature of the
measure. His amendment would. practically create
a goYernment monopoly of the transportation 'isi
ness:of the north The amendment, would empower
thepfesident to establish complete system Of rail
roadsgin Alaska, to place steamers on the inland
rivers of the territory to connect with ocean liners
to all parts of the Pacific coast. Those who are
fostering the railroad bill oject to having the issue
couded by the interjection of any new features.
WASHINGTON, D. c., JAN 19-The track is
reported all clear for the passage of the Alaska
railroad bill in both houses and it is sure to pass
the Senate and House during this week. At joint
conference held Saturday it was agreed that the
bill should be permitted speedy passage and that
the government ownership feature would not be
raised. The bill is recognized as an administration
measure and the conference committee decided that
nothing would be gained by delaying it's passage as
was done in the case of the administration IS
currency measure
The measure will pass the Senate when it