Iditarod pioneer., 1917-06-09

When The Pioneer received dispatch from Representative Snow of Ruby little more than month ago, announcing the enactment of a new road law, the creation of divisional commission, the appropria ton of money for road work, and urging Iditarod to recommend man for member ship on the board, there was much jubila- ton throughout the district. It was thought that after long years of neglect those in authority had at last recognized the claims of Iditarod to share in the distribution of road funds Looking around for suitable man to fill the position, 1t seemed to be the unanimous wish of the community that J. E. Riley, the energetic Otter creek operator, should receive the ap- pointment. True, he was busy man, but as it is we'll known fact that the busy men are the ones who accomplish things, this served only to recommend him. George" pleaded the urgency of his own business affairs, and expressed doubt as to whether he could devote the necessary time to the position However, he at last con sented to allow his name to be used, and declssed that if appointed he would see that roads were built in the Iditarod dis trict if it should be within his power to accomplish it. Accordingly the ldltarod Commercial Club ndorsed Mir Riley for the position, snd so notified Governor Strong by wire
 | On May 29 Mr Riley received official notification from Governor Strong by tele- graph that he had been appointed divisional road commissioner under the new act, and that his colleagues were H. H. Ross of Fair banks and w. c. Robertson of Ruby, and instructing him to at once forward his oath of office, which was done.
 Fairbanks Tries to Hog" Fund 1 The first official act of Mir Riley as member of the commission was in connec- tion with the receipt of the following tele gram from H. H. Ross chairman of the commission:
 Fairbanks, Alaska, June 4, 1917. "J E. Riley, Iditarod, Alaska Wire estimate of amount needed roads in Iditarod. Tolovana requires most money this year Koyukuk, Fairbanks and Rich ardson some Ruby taken care by federal commission Will you authorize work to start in Tolovana and Fairbanks pending meeting of Commissioners? Can you super wise work in Iditarod?
 HI. H. ROSS"
 Rieys Estimate for Iditarod Believing that to authorize the starting of work in Tolovana and Fairbanks" prior to determinations of the amounts to be | allotted to the various districts was not businesslike proceeding, especially in view of the intimations that "Tolovana requires most money this year." Mr. Riley wired to Mir Ross as follows, reserving his sanction of the proposed Tolovana and Fairbanks work
 "Iditarod, Alaska, June 6, 1917. "H. H. Ross, Fairbanks
 Need $35,000, but can get along with $20,0GO can supervise work here. Wire me amount necessary for Tolovana, Fair banks, Koyukuk and Richardson Roads here in very bad condition; in fact never have had money enough to do anything with. There is not one mile of good road between Iditarod and Discovery, Otter, or Discovery and Flat. Suggest that commis- sion meet here; then you and Robertson can see what is necessary.
 l a. E. RILEY" LIkC oOt tIVII SVoi SNy l Before Rileys message to Ross had time 1 to be delivered the local road commissioner was thunderstruck by receiving the follow | ing astonishing official communication by wire:
 | Juneau, Alaska, June 46, 1917. "J. E. Riley, Iditarod, Alaska: "Your appointment as member road commission Fourth division hereby recalled on account of necessity having member resl- dent in Fairbanks to act with Ross in let ting contracts and approving accounts. Governor concurs in this action. which IS taken solely in interests of facilitating road business. Letter follows.
 DAVIDSON, Acting Governor"
 Residents Express Indignation
 On the above telegram being made public by MT. Riley hurried meeting of local busi- ness men interested in road matters met with the officers of the Iditarod Commercial Club and after general expressions of in dignation at the high-handed action of the acting governor it was decided to contest his right to remove Commissioner Riley. Mr. Riley himself dispatched the following message to the acting governor:
 "Iditarod, Alaska June 2, 1917 Charles E. Davidson, Acting Governor,
 Juneau, Alaska.
 "Your telegram June 4. have been ap- pointed, have taken the oath of office, am acting and shall continue to act, and shall resist any attempt to remove me- Am taking this position at the instance of the entire camp. "J. E. RILEY"
 The Commercial Club also forwarded the following:
 'Iditarod, Alaska, June 7, 1917. Charles E. Davidson, Acting Governor,
 Juneau. Alaska.
 Referring your telegram June 4, to J. E.