The Alaska daily empire., 1917-09-24
ALASKA'S PART IN THE WAR
Sioux Falls, s. D., Argus)


 Sioux Falls, S. D.. Argus)
 The foresight of the Congress in ordering the construction of the Alaskan railway and the wisdom of government officials in rushing the great project to completion apparently will be demonstrated early in the The tremendous importance of the early opening of this road will not only hasten the develop ment of Alaskas vast resources but will encourage the production of foodsuffs, thus reducing the Ter rtory's dependence upon the United States for sup plies it will furnish coal in unlimited quantity for the obvating the necessity for transcontinenal shipment the Pacific of fuel for government yes sels and thus release thousands of cars for the transportation of war materials and foodstuffs The of the road and the great value to United States of the institution in time of national peril are vvidy forth in the following statement au
 "On March 12, 1914 the Alaskan railroad act was approved by the President This act authorized ana ana Territory of Alaska not to exceed in the aggregate 1000 miles. The purposes of the road as set forth in that act follows:
 T. To connect of the Pacific ocean harbors the Southern coast of Alaska with the navgable waters in the interior
 "2. To with the coal fields best to aid in the development of the agricultural and mineral or other resources.
 "3 To provide transportation of troops. muni tions of the mails and for other governmental and public including the transportation of pas sengers and freight.
 "The primary purpose of the railroad system authorized in the act was to develop the mineral resources of Alaska, particularly it's coal.
 The main line of the road is now under con struction from Seward, on the Pacific Coast, in large and navigabe tributary of the Yukon There is in operation 15O miles.
 "The road taps large coal fields the Mat anuska and the Nenana The coal in the Matanuska field has been tested by the navy and found to be excellent for seaming purposes The Nenana coal was recently tested by the Bureau of Mines and found to be fair grade of Ignite It is estimated that the supply in both of these fields is practically inexhaustibe. By September of this the branch line will be completed to the heart of the Matanuska coal field Dredging is under way at Anchorage, .ia, ueepdralt ocean Vesseis may pc loaded at the docks When the gap about 25 miles in length, along completed coal can be shipped from the latter port. It is planned to close this gap early in 1918. :. lhe commission in charge Of the railroad work is now using coal mined from the Matanuska field in the construction of the lne Construction work is being pushed rapidly possible and it is esti- mated that at the present rate Matanuska coal can be delivered for the needs of the navy and for gen eral use on the Pacific coast in the early summer of 1918.
 "The railroad is also being constructed southward from Fairbanks to tap the Nenana field making the coal here available for the development of such min. eral deposits copper, antimony and gold in this part of the country Mining here is practically at standstill owing to the lack of suitable fuel The Nenana coal will also be made available for on the interior.
 valleys the development of which will add to the increase of our food supply, in that it will supply shipments of food products from the States Along the many streams adjacent to the railroad is found which large quantities of pulp for paper making can be derived
 The Importance of Immediately completing this railroad can readily be appreciated when 1t is seen that the navy could then be supplied with fuel the Pacific Coast without having it shipped the continent by rail- thus releasing thousands of cars for the transportation of materials and food; and would also release the ocean tonnage which it required to carry from the prac- tically all of the coal consumed by the mining, fish ing, and other industries in Alaska
 Partly disguised payment for Russia's friend ship during the Civil War; and partly account of the enthusiastic belief in the future of the Territory the then Secretary of State, William H. Seward, from tha zar in At the time the deal looked upon foolish one the part of the United States and for years afterward our northern possession went under the name of Stewards Ice Box" Seward died broken hearted man, not having lived to his judgment vndicated. Alaska sends to United States year ly, gold enough alone to pay her original purchase price fourtimes Her resources have merely been scratched And begin to develop them the value that this supposed land of frigd, waste is to be to at time when we most needed help. Stewards Ice Box seems des- tined to play very important part in the winning of the