The Cordova daily times., 1916-08-14
J. ]. RA|LROA AD GIVES REPORT
 IF WORK


 Alaskan engineering commission from the time of the passing of the rail road bill to December 31, 1915, have been issued by congress, and few copies have been received here. | Many interesting things concerning the railroad are contained in this re- port, which were withheld by the com missioners at the time. among them the comparative cost of building from Seward or from Portage bay.
 The report for 1915 commences with a copy of the exeuctive order instruct ing the Alaskan engineering commis- sion to build a main line railroad. com mencing at the town of Seward and 1 giving the line of construction from point to point through to Fairbanks. after which follows a detailed report of work, commission headquarters be- ing located at Seward, and construc- ton headquarters at Anchorage. The report states that the average gross wages received by 46 station gangs on grading were 41 cents per hour per man. The gross wages re- ceived by 31 station gangs were 60 cents per hour. this being after deduc tions for all expenses except susten- ance.
 The estimates of cost of the Sew ard-Fairbanks line show that the road is being built under estimate. Solid rock excavation is estimated on the Turnagain arm section as costing SIPS per cubic yard. and on other sections at from that figure up to $50. So far the highest price paid for solid rock work has been 85 and 90 cents, accord ing to local officials.
 The estimated cost on the prelim- mary survey made in 1914, using the Portage bay terminal, was $27,5S3,- 187. The estimated cost from Seward on the same survey was $25,642.71S.
 In describing Seward the report states as follows: "The present wharf at Seward (owned by the rail road companvl is badly located, it be- ing at the south end of the town and placed normal to the direction of the southeast winds. These winds being very strong at times, vessels have great difficulty in lying there"
 There is discussion of Ship Creek as a possible terminal which Is with out merit, as 1t was written prior to the commissions report of last fall.
 The report contains a long and complete account of the resources through which the railroad will pass, extensive information in regard to eli mate, geological formation. mines, coal. timber and other matters of in- terest.
 The outcome of the tests of the Ma tanuska coal by the navy is given complete. together with reports on coal from other sources on the Pacific coast.
 The bureau of mines hit Seward a hard rap in it's report concerning the cost of handling coal from Matanus- ka to Seattle and San Francisco. which is given as follows:
 Matanuska coal via Ship Creek, mining $2O0. haulage and wharfage s5 cents, ocean freight SIPS, unload ing 16 1-2 cents. total $4.36 1-2.
 Matanuska coal via Seward, mining s2.OO. haulage to Seward. including wharfage $2.06, ocean freight $l.25, unloading charge 16 1-2 cents, total $5.47 1-2.
 This report was put out some time back, and the engineering commission is not responsible for it. The ques- tion of dock facilities for summer handling of coal at Anchorage is still to be finally decided. but there is req son to believe that the cost of main taining a dock sufficient to handle the coal or the cost of double handling by barge will amount to as much if not more than the Seward haul.
 Details of the purchase of the Alas ka Northern are given in full. as IS report from Lieut.. Mears on the work out of Anchorage. A paragraph is given to the question of dredging a dock at Anchorage in which 1t is stated:
 "In the original estimate submitted by the commission 1t was contemplat- ed that considerable dredging should be done in Ship Creek. Not being able to obtain a dredge at Panama.