The Nenana news. (Nenana, Alaska) 1916-1918, 1917-03-10
COMMISSIONER RIGGS
EXPLAINS SITUATION
Volume of Railroad Work
Will Depend Upon
Funds Allotted

To what extent railroad work in Alas
ka, and particularly in this division,
would be curtailed as the result OF the
failure of congress to approve the
Sundry Civil bill before adjourn
ment has been a question OF deep
concern to the people of Nenana, and in
order that there might be a clear under
standing of the situation, Thos. Riggs,
Jr.. was asked yesterday to make state
ment regarding the plans of the Alaskan
Engineering commission.
Mr.. Riggs regrets exceedingly that
ample funds are not available to rush the
work at top speed, as it is his desire, and
the desire of the other members OF the
Commission, to complete the railroad at
the earliest possible date. But they will
do the best they can under the circunl-
stances, stretching the fvnds to the utter
most limit, and while construction work
during the early part of the season will
necessarily be limited, there is fine proni-
Use that the summer will close with the
work progressing OH much more pre-
tentious scale. Mr.. Riggs statement fol-
lows:
The failure of congress to pass the
sundry civil act, containing the approp-
ration for the Construction of Railroads
in Alaska" may result in serious incon-
venience to the Commission. At the last
moment joint resolution was agreed up
on, carrying an emergency appropriation
of S., 900, 900. This sum must be made
to last until the general act, carving the
balance of the appropriation becomes a
law. The new congress when convened
will take some time 10 organize and re-
constructive various held-up Appropriation
bills, so hardly expect that the major
part of the appropriation will become
available before August
Besides the S., 100000 in the emer-
gency appropriation, the Commission has
but little money available to carry on the
work. Unfortunately the greatest liabil-
tiles are incurred at the commencement
of the season when the whole years sup
plies for both the Anchorage and Fair
banks divisions are purchased. Mr.. Bailey
and I have been slashing acquisitions
right and left, so that we may keep the
force at work. We will not be able TO
carry out the former ambitious plans for
railroad building, but i'll all probability
construction as contemplated will be
pushed to the Nenana coal fields. Con-
struction in the Goldstream and Fair
banks districts will not start until after
more money is in sight. The report that
the railroad will not go beyond Nenana is
absolutely uufounded. Fairbanks will
be reached just as soon as money and
labor will permit.
THE chairman, Mr.. Edes. is now get
ting in reports from the various divisions
as to their absolute necessities, and as
soon as this information IS in his hands
have no idea what this division will re-
celve, but it stands to reason that the
south end of the work will receive prime
consideration. Mr.. Edes will, however,
give US every possible cent he can spare,
of this I am sure.
THE people of the town need feel no
alarm regarding the value of their hold
ings, for while we may make rather
lame start this year, we are bound to
have the money sooner or later and will
then endeavor to make up for lost time.
Until we can see what progress con-
gress is making toward the Anal passage
of the act it wonld be most unw1se to
branch out to too great an extent"
Capt. c. w. Adams arrived from Cinema