The Cordova daily times., 1915-02-23
WHAT SECRETARY LANE TOLD CONGRESS RE RAILROAD BUILDING IN ALASKA


 Congress carrying with an appropriation of $2 OOO
 for the construction of government railroad in Alaska and this together with $66900 which mexpended from the 100000 given the Engineering Commission for prenn ary surveys, will soon be available.
 In this connection the highly interesting recital of what has been done toward constructing trunk line and plans for the future given by Secretary Lane hearing the House committee appropriations, when he submitted voey of questions pertinent and the ban of secrecy been removed from this testimony excerpts of special interest to Cordova is herewith published Secretary Lane said:
 We have asked for $2000OOO that we may begin construction this spring The President not decided on which side of Prince William sound the road should run We nave not fact got the completed report any report writing from the engineering commission they have consulted with the President and advised him the condition o the roads that exist there and the of the routes and the pproXmae cost o the road that proposed the coast to Fairbanks and the interior Of course there can not anything done toward the purchase any of the roads there either the road running from Seward north called the Alaska Northern, or from COrdova up Chna called the Copper River Northwestern until the President decides which rou 10 IouoW suppose that made b the on gneerng commission to him he will decide what oue is hest to follow Then the probability will take up at once uaons II he thinks 1t advisable for the purchase of one of those roads
 Of course if bought the Cordova road it would depend upon the terms could get and that also true of the Alaska Northern, which for 1 miles, The road outside o tba would probably cost average of $4OOOO me some where between $4OO0 and $5O0OO me From Citna on o FrOmks It would run n country where construction would probable be cheaper but where very little land Tor agrlcultural purposes for the first 100 miles
 Il suppose that it is possibility that Mr. Morgan if he  Vhe topper rVer road would want also drive over oad to bernS rver field and tap that for purposes cokng coa and perhaps he would put up his smeer a the 'uncton ot the two roads or else down at Cordova
 W can not do anything either side of Prince William sound that Will be o consequence unless we have enough money o pay something down of the roads, if we determine o buy one of them and do construction work and of con there will be considerable preliminary investment for the doing of any construction work
 we build on the west sde from Ship creek up it will be al " territory; and we build the east sde Chtna VIII De all new territory it least not in my mndo build road competing with either one of the exsng roads, unless find that they are not as to terms
 do not know what other could be given for any knd o improvement except the need of it for the or the country This enterprise has embarked mon and It strikes me that it would be us to do somethno It. NOV" the expectation was, rather they thought we
 o nave some $oOooOOO or $6OO000O for expenditure this year, and thnk the bill originally brought in contemplated some very large expenditures should say that $2OOOOOO is as small an amount as could well spend year. if YOU to do anything at all Certainly if you buy any road and pay anything down on that road, could have much left for building anything"