Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1917-09-21

The Importance of the early COM
pletiOn of the government railroad in
Alaska in helping the United States to
meet the burdens of war is set forth
In statement authorized by the Sec
rotary of the interior. The railroad,
IT is pointed out, will hasten the de-
velOpment of Alaska's vast resources
will encourage the production of food
stuffs, thus reducing the territory's de-
pendence upon the United States for
supplies; will furnish coal in unlim-
tied quantity for the navy, obviating
the necessity for the transcontinental
shipment to the Pacific Of fuel for gov
eminent vessels, and at the same time
release thousands of cars for the trans
portation of war materials and food
stuffs. The statement follows:
On March IL, 1914, the Alaskan rail-
road act was approved by the presi-
dent. This act authorized and directed
the president to locate a railroad In
the Territory of Alaska not to exceed
in the aggregate 1000 miles. The pur-
poses of the road, as set forth in that
act, were as follows:
/. To connect one or more of the
open Pacific ocean harbors on the
southern coast of Alaska with the navi-
gable waters in the interior.
2. To connect with the coal fields
50 as best to aid in the development
Of the agricultural and mineral or 9TH
er resources.
3. To provide transportation of coal
for the army and navy, transportation.
Of troops, munitions of war, the mails,
and for other governmental and pub
dc uses, including the transportation
Of passengers and freight.
The primary purpose Of the railroad
system authorized in the act was to
develop the mineral resources Of Alas
ka, particularly its coal.
Parts Under Construction.
The main line of the road is now
under construction from Seward, on
the Pacific coast, inland or 40 miles to
Fairbanks, on the Tanana river, large
and navigable tributary of the Yukon.
There is now in operation $50 miles.
The road taps two large coal fields,
the Matanuska and the Nenana. The
coal In the Matanuska field has been
tested by the navy and found to be
excellent for steaming purposes. The
Nenana coal was recently tested by
the bureau of mines and found to be a
fair grade Of Ignite. 1t is estimated
that the supply in both Of these fields
is practically inexhaustible. Dredging
ID under way at Anchorage, the near
est tidewater port to the coal fields, In
order that deep-draft ocean vessels
may be loaded at the docks. When
the gap, about % miles In length. along
Turnagain Arm, between Anchorage
and Seward. Is completed, coal can be
shipped from the latter port. It Is
planned to close this gap early In 1918.
Now Using Matanuska Coal.
The commission in charge Of the
railroad work Is now using coal mined
from the Matanuska field In the con-
struction of the line. Construction
work is being pushed as rapidly as pos
sible, and II Is estimated that at the
present rate Matanuska coal can be
delivered for the needs Of the navy
and for general use on the Pacific
coast in the early summer Of 1918.
The railroad Is also being construct
ed southwark from Fairbanks to tap
the Nenana field. making the coal here
available for the development of such
mineral deposits as copper. anthony,
and gold In this part Of the country.
Mining here is practically at a stand
still, owing to the lack Of suitable fuel.
~. IL - 80
available for use on the railroad loco
motives and on the river steamers Of
the interior.
Rich Valleys Traversed.
The railroad traverses several rich
agricultural valleys. the development
sf which will add to the increase Of
suf food supply, in that 1t will supply