The Chitina leader. [volume] (Chitina, Alaska) 1910-1928, 1915-11-09
JOS[|N WILLING
TO Lease THE \
CABLE

+fr d. - ~ - -
If the government would allow him,
Falcon Joslin, the well-known railroad
man of Fairbanks. would lease the
Alaska military cable and telegraph
}system, according to an announce
ment made by him the other day to
representative of the Times. In leas-
ing the system, he would also give the
assurance that the through message
rates from the States would be less
expensive to the public. At the same
time, he would save the government
the annual deficit of approximately
$3.50, 900. About two years ago, the
railroad man offered to take over the
government lines, but the war depart
ment would not approve of such
step; but Mr.. Joslin is now Of the
opinion that, If the people of the
North backed him with their moral
support, that he could induce Uncle
Sam to grant the lease.
According to statement issued last
spring by the secretary of war and by
the chief signal officer of the army,
the average deficit for the mainten-
ance of the Alaska military cable and
telegraph system is $3.50, 600, to. say
nothing of the drain and hardship on
the signal corps of the United States
army, which is compelled to send its
men North, when they could be used
to advantage in their companies in the
States. Mr.. Joslin now argues that II
the government leased him the lines
for no more than 81 per year, it would
then save $150,O00 and the services
of all its men.
. Facts and Figures.
In his letter, denying the recon-
mendation of reduction in the tele-
graph tolls of Alaska, the secretary
of war sets forth some facts and
figures. given him by the chief signal
officer of the army, which are inter-
esting, in that they show a great I'M
familiarity with the actual conditions
of the system.
The principal reason given for not
cutting the rates is the big deficit
Then the cost of tolls over the Can
adian line and those of the United
States line are compared. The fact
is cited that it costs but $3.50 to send
a telegram from Seattle to Eagle over
the government line, while it costs
1910 to send the same message from
Seattle to Eagle over the Canadian
route. The figures are true and it Is
certain that the people of Eagle secure
better treatment over the government
lines and is now ready to make an
the argument of the department
shows the injustice worked upon Fair
banksans, in comparison. u-
Throughout Alaska there are other
instances Of this kind, which tend to
show that the positions and conditions
in the North are not thoroughly un-
derstood by those in charge in Wash
ington.
Mr.. Joslin says that if the govern
ment would lease the line to him, he
could cut all cable rates materially.
He would install more wireless plants
and do away with the heavy expense
and maintenance, which the govern
ment is compelled to stand now. He
has made his try to get hold of the
lines and lie now ready to make an
other attempt, provided the people of
the North will give their moral sup
port. - 9
If the government will not lease the
lines to him, he would like them to
purchase the wireless plants which he
has in operation now owned by Mr..
Joslin cost approximately $4,000, and
he would sell them to the government
at much smaller figure IL they will
not lease their lines.-Fairbanks
Times. t
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FOR ENERGY
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