Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1915-04-16
ALASKA RAILWAY
ROUTE SELECTED
ENTIRE PROPERTY OF ALASKA
NORTHERN COMPANY PUR-
CHASED FOR $1,15o,ooo.
THE FIRST SECTION OF ROAD
One Branch Will Tap Matanuska Coal
FieIds-Entire Cost of System Es-
timated at $26, 800, COCOON
struction at Once.

SlTuCiiOH dt OUCC.
Washington-The Seward Fairbanks
route has been selected for the gov
eminent railway in Alaska, Secretary
Lane announces. The property of the
Alaska Northern Railway company
from Seward over the first stage OF
the journey has been purchased for
81, 100000.
Branch to Coal Fields.
The government system, the state
ment adds, will include a 38-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,sOO,OOO. Congress pro-
vided not to exceed $35,OOO,0O0.
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 one 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
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 Turnagain
Arm. This route is to be bought by
the government for $1,150,O00. 100000
| of which will be paid on July l, 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 Turnagain 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
IT'D L..
from Matanuska. Junction into the
Matanuska coal fields, 38 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 4-1O of l per
cent
Good Bargain in Railroad.
1.-THE Alaska Northern has been
purchased for price less than its
physical valuation as estimated by
the Alaskan engineering commission
and by the engineers of the inter-
state commerce commission. It is to
be put into operative condition, and
will be used as 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 ,SOO0
"The president has made an order
directing that the work be carried on
by the Alaskan engineering commits
sion, which is to have the general
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 of
the commission as its chairman, who
shall be in immediate charge of the
work and have power of approval or
disapproval of all administrative mat
tiers connected with it.
In accordance with this authorize
ton Secretary Lane has designated
w. c. 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 at
once. The chairman is to make his
headquarters at Seward, Lieutenant
Mears is to be stationed at Sheep
Creek and Mr.. Riggs is to conduct
surveys in the Broad Pass region"
Steamer Minnesota Struck Rock.
Kobe, Japan.-The American steam
err Minnesota, plying between Japanese