Valdez daily prospector., 1915-10-20
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20. 1915
ALASKA MUST HAVE ROADS.

ALASKA MUST HAVE ROADS. The efforts of Charles G. Wulff, while in Seattle recently, to obtain the help of the citizens of that great , metropolis toward getting big ap- propriation for Alaska roads are very commendable, and characteristic of the man. When it is considered that the few thousands given to the Road Commission must be expended over territory nearly as large as the States, and that the Road Commission to make these expenditures must travel farther than from San Fran cisco to New York many times each year, the wonder is that the roads are as good as we have found them to be. What the territory needs, as MT. Wulff says, is a large appropria- tion--not dribbled out a few thou sands at time-but enough money to build good trails, connecting with main arteries. all over the territory. This is not so difficult, as is consid- cred in the states. The topography of the country is such that the broad, fertile valleys can all be tapped by good roads, while the higher lands could be reached by pack trails. It is no harder to build good roads in Alaska than in the State of Washing ton, and yet several counties in that progressive state expended more money for good roads last year than was allowed the whole Territory of Alaska. Where temporary roads are built, the cost is always much greater. At this day and age, no road com missioner in the smallest county in the states would consider using any thing but steel and concrete to span streams and rivers, yet our commits sion is forced to use cheap lumber, poles, muck, or whatever comes the handiest and cheapest. The conse- quence is that such roads are always in need of repair and cost many more dollars annually than they would if built out of substantial materials.
 The commission knows how to build good roads-in fact have had years of training at schools and in practical work: but they lack the money and material, and worst, of all, the united support of the people. Constant criticism and bickerings of the press distract their attention and aetract from their efficiency. It is nearly impossible for our people to get the attention from congress, dl- yided, that we would if we presented ! united demand.
 The appropriation of seven mil ion dollars estimated by Col. Rich ardson, while not much money com pared with the pork-barrel appropri- ,tions annually made by our con- .ress, would form the nucleus for .oad fund that would do vast leal of good for Alaska. Road crews .ould be worked simultaneously all ,ver the territory, under efficient su- ,ervision, and the foundation for good. solid roadbeds and bridges could be quickly laid. Concrete mix ITS, gravel washers, and trucks for hauling gravel and pulling graders .ould be purchased, and the pick and ;hovel, small-money methods discard .d. Good machinery could be pur- :hased and gravel pits opened along
 he main arteries, and in two years lime auto trucks would be hauling .wo, three and five ton loads of ore )ver roads where it is now difficult
 o drive a pack horse. The grades are IS easy in Alaska as in the states, but !, lack of money has hampered every .ffort of our commission to do good york
 The benefits would not accrue to my one town or locality, but would ,e widespread. This is why every own and locality should unite in asking for a large appropriation. Val leg and Fairbanks would be benefited ,y a good highway; Cordova, Sew ard, the Yukon river towns, Juneau, .nd, in fact, every town Tn Alaska would share in the results.
 The thing we now should .lo is to unanimously work for the appropri- ,tion. When we get that it is time enough to scrap over its expenditure. \ quarrel now would block the efforts pf our delegate, an.l render all our work abortive and truitiess.
 ] Congress convenes in few weeks. Fhe time to act is now! ] THE PRIMAL IMPULSE.