The Cordova daily times., 1915-12-30
WORK ID BE RUSHED
 SAYS LANE

me washington correspondent Oi the Seattle Times had an interview with Secretary Lane in reference to his plans for railroad construction in Alaska, who declares that access to the coal fields is the first thing sought and also that Fairbanks Is sure of be ing the interior terminus. He said:
 We have already begun the recon struction of the Alaska Northern road, which we bought from the owners, and will extend that line up to the Mata- nuska coal fields. Part of the line is now in operation and grading has been extended practically up to the Matanuska river. We have gone ahead so rapidly on this work that 1t will be necessary to ask Congress for a deficiency appropriation to be- come available to prosecute construc- ton work during the remainder of the fiscal year ending June 30 next.
 Grading and construction of the line from the coal fields to Anchorage also Is being rushed. In order that we may have a short haul from the coal fields to tidewater beyond the Matanuska fields, we will push con- struction through the Susitna valley to Panama river. We want also to reach the Nenana coal field. and therefore estimates for next year in cluded an apportionment of s225,0O0 for construction of the line from the river sOuthward to that fieln.
 Fairbanks Situation.
 As to the Fairbanks situation, the citizens of that town have been urging us to begin construction southward from there. and when Chief Engineer Edes reaches Washington we will have a conference to see whether any thing can be done to sratify the wish es of persons living at the northern terminus of the road. I can say one thing. That is, the road is to be con- structed to Fairbanks. Those inter ested may be sure of that Mention has been made in newspapers of Se- attle and other places that the road will not reach Fairbanks for three years. It is possible that there will not be a through line to Fairbanks before that time, but we will keep on working as fast on the construction as the money available will permit. "Our chief aim has been to get to the coal fields and other work will follow as fast as possible. But rail- roads are not built in a day, week, month or year The road as projected is to be 450 miles long, and it takes time to build one of that length. The people of Alaska must realize that, and be patient"
 How about the situation at An chorage?" the secretary was asked. The trouble there was that there were no steam tugs available" an swered the secretary.
 Difficulty at Anchorage.
 AS soon as saw the report that ships could not get up to town, tele- graphed for information and was told that gasoline launches or tugs could not get in because of strong currents. The result was that one ship turned back. That's all there is to that"
 Secretary Lane also was asked about the failure to submit an esti- mate of the appropriation for continu- ing mineral surveys in Alaska next year
 We are going to ask Congress for money for that shortly" he said. "In order that we may have the full sea- son for work, we get money before the beginning of the fiscal year July 1, and we will ask for an appropria- tion to be made immediately avail able"
 Secretary Lane said also that regu- lations for coal land leases have been prepared, but he is waiting the return of the geological survey parties from Alaska for further consultation before issuing them.
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