Cut Bank pioneer press. [volume] (Cut Bank, Mont.) 1909-current, 1915-04-16
ALASKA RAILWAY
ROUTE SELECTED
ENTIRE PROPERTY OF ALASKA
NORTHERN COMPANY PUR-
CHASED FOR $1,t50,o0o.
THE FIRST SECTION OF ROAD
One Branch Will Tap Matanuska Coal
FieIds-Entire Cost of System Es-
timated at S26, soc, COCOON
struction at Once.

Washington-The Seward Fairbanks
route has been selected for the gov
eminent railway in Alaska, Secretary
Lane The property of the
Alaska Northern Railway company
from Seward over the first stage of
the journey has been purchased for
81 800 900.
Branch to Coal Fields.
The government system, the state
ment adds, will include a 3S-mile
branch to tap the Matanuska coal
fields. w. c. Edes is designated as
chairman of the Alaskan engineering
commission which will build the road
by the presidents order. The esti-
mated cost of the entire system is
given at $26, 800, 900. Congress pro-
vided not to exceed $35, 000,0 900.
Secretary Lane said construction
work would begin at once, and that
probably 40 miles of the extension of
the Alaska Northern from Ship creek
would be completed this year. Con-
struction will be carried on under con-
tract, individual contractors building
separate units of roadway. In M Of
the orders signed by the president
the Alaskan commission was instruct
ed to guard particularly the health
of the men at work and to adopt a
system of compensation for accidents
similar to that in force in the Panama
canal.
Route in Detail.
The interior department statement
says in part:
THE route adopted is known as the
Susitna route, and extends from Sew
ard, on Resurrection bay, to Fair
banks, on the Tanana river, a dis
lance of All miles. This route in
cludes the existing Alaska Northern
railroad, which runs from Seward
through the Kenai peninsula for a
distance of II miles to T~urnagain
Arm. This route is to be bought by
the government for $1,150,000, 100000
of which will be paid on July 1, 1915,
and the remainder July 1, 1916. The
contract for the purchase of this road
was signed by Secretary Lane, and
approved by the president subject to
approval of title.
From T~urnagain Arm the route is
to be extended through the Susitna
valley and across Broad pass to the
Tanana river, and from there ON to
Fairbanks. 1t is to be a standard
gage road. A side line is to run
from Matanuska Junction into the
Matanuska coal fields, SO miles. The
road is to be built with it's present
base at Shin creek on Cooks inlet,
and from this point it is expected
that Matanuska coal will be shipped
during the greater portion of the
year. The grade from the Matanuska
field to Shih creek is 40 of / per
cent.
Good Bargain in Railroad.
"The Alaska Northern has been
purchased for a price less than its
physical valuation as estimated by
the Alaskan engineering commission
and by the engineers Of the inter
state commerce commission. 1t is tC
be put into operative condition, and
will be used as a base for extending
the line along Turnagain Arm. Under
the contract approved by the presi
dent the road is taken over free from
all debt or obligation OF any kind.
The estimated cost of construction
of this line from Seward to Fairbanks
including the Matanuska branch, is
$26, SOC, 900.
THE president has made an order
directing that the work be carried on
by the Alaskan engineering commits
sion, which is to have the genera.
duty OF preparing and adopting plans
for construction, the employment Of
the force and the making of contracts
for the purchase of supplies for the
work.
w. C.. Edes to Be Boss.
The secretary of the interior is au
thorized to designate one member o.
the commission as it's chairman, who
shall be in immediate charge of the
work and have power of approval OIL
disapproval of all administrative mat
tiers connected with it.
In accordance with this authorize
ton Secretary Lane has designated
w. G. Edes chairman of the commits
sion. The members of the commits
sion, which consists of w. C. Edes
chairman; Lieutenant Frederic Mears
late superintendent of the Panama
railroad, and Thomas Riggs, jr., are
directed to proceed to Alaska al
once. The chairman is to- make his
headquarters at Seward, Lieutenant
Mears is to be stationed at Sheer
Greek and Mr.. Riggs is to conduct
surveys in the Broad Pass region