The Alaska daily empire., 1916-12-28


 districts. t is gratifying to report that the commission has in some in- stances been able, where the funds have permitted. to improve wagon roads sufficiently to accommodate this traffic. Due to this use of au- tOmobiles it has been practically during the last summer to establish n quick mail service from Valdez and Chitina 10 points in the interior as far as Fairbanks. It is now a settled fact that in the future 8 well.establlshed mail route from the coast to the Interior is assured, for the reason that ordinarily the trip
 to Fairbanks can be made in about three days, although there have been instances where the trip has been made in less time. A record trip from Valdez to Fairbanks has been
 made in 46 hours. What this means for future development of the Terri tory served by this road can not be over estimated. It is noticeable fact that as fast as roads are i'm proved traffic increases and the re- sources of the country are developed in like proportion This is evidenc- ed7 particularly by the increase in the sale of automobiles in the dis tricts provided with suitable roads over which they may operate. The demands for repair work and im- provement of roads already laid out have been particularly pressing upon the commission on account Of the
 increased number of automobiles purchased for travel over the roads, for the carrying of freight and pas sengers, and for the carrying of the mail. especially over the overland route from Valdez to Fairbanks. There is no doubt that in the future many resources of the country will be opened, due 10 the opportunities offered business people to see the Interior of the country by being able to travel through 1t on roads which have already been or will be con structed.
 In last years report by the engin- eer officer attention was invited to the fact that little new construc. ton work could be accomplished until important changes in the meth ods of providing funds for road purposes were made; and the state ment was made that the present funds would suffice only for main- tenance work. if no other work was attempted, and that in the new and growing Territory, the maintenance of existing roads Is not sufficient to permit the growth of transporta- tion and the intercourse so neces- sary for the development and eX- pansion of the industries and that the resources of Alaska invite This remark applies at present as it did in the past, except that the ap- propriation by Congress this year of S50O,00O for roads and trails in Alaska will do much Co maintain and improve the present roads and trails in Alaska, and in addition de- yelop some new roads which are much needed in the Territory.
 Plans and specifications for the construction of 8 steel bridge across Gastineau channel, connecting Ju- neau and Douglas Island have been made by the commission, and the completion of this important pro- iect only awaits the action of Con- gress to appropriate the necessary money therefor.
 In last years report by the en- gineer officer mention was also made to the effect that the building of the government railroad would in- troduce a new factor into the wa gon roads of the Territory. This prediction has become a reality The Board of Commissioners for Alaska hos already been appealed 10 to take over roads which the Alaska Engin- eerlng Commission has been obliged to build for the carrying on Of their own work, and which, it is repre- sented. it would be a pity to abandon and not keep up for the benefit of the people who will have constant demand for such roads in the future in the development Of the country; and it has been suggested that thege roads be extended so as to afford the people who will eventually set tie in the districts through which the railroad passes. opportunity Co