Rockingham post-dispatch., 1919-11-07

hXLkNQM LlC ucuutc was plcSuihtuiS AAoAO -
Wp N}M less tinged with partisan politics
WI M Leaving out the politics many inter
NSE -lNI estng facts of value were brought
MSSE8AeN out concerning Alaska-Land OF the
NM&SSA Midnight Sun-which has proved
~ W veritable treasure trove to the United
States and is only at the beginning
Of its development. Some of these facts are here
given, with credit to the various representatives.
Mr.. Curry of Calfornia-Mr Chairman, in 1857
when Alaska purchased through the efforts
of Secretary of State Seward from Russia for
$7,2OOOO0, which was less than cents an acre,
the European nations poked fun at the United
States, and the papers of the United States ridi-
culed Secretary Seward and referred to Alaska as
Stewards Iceberg"
The climate of the most of Alaska is better than
that of Scandinavia and New Foundland vege-
tables and cereals can be and are raised there,
and 1t is the richest undeveloped mineral section
on The face of the earth.
Time has justified Stewards purchase of Alaska
for the United States. Since 1869 Alaska has pro-
duced over $840000,OO0 worth of wealth; $780,
100000 of that from her fisheries, most of the
rest from her mines and from her furs. In the
same time Alaska has bought from the United
States $4O0,OO0O00 worth of property. 1t has done
that under existing law that practically ties up the
resources of Alaska and prohibits them from being
developed.
In 1914 under these conditions, knowing that
Alaska should be developed and that a railroad
could not and would not be built by private enter
prise the congress of the United States enacted
law authorizing the president to construct rail-
road or railroads in Alaska, not to exceed 1000
miles in length. and authorized the expenditure
by him of $35,000O00 for that purpose The presi-
dent placed the construction of the road under the
control of the secretary Of the Interior and he in
turn organized what is known as the Alaskan
engineering commission to take practical charge of
the work.
The original authorization of $35,O0000O would
have constructed this road under ordinary condi-
lions and circumstances, but the war came along.
wages increased 80 per cent, the cost of material
increased up to 161 per cent and transportation up
to LAT per cent Under those circumstances the
$35,OOO,OO0 is not sufficient to complete the work
1t Is, therefore, absolutely necessary unless we
wish to sacrifice the $35000,0O0 already invested,
that this $170O0,OO0 authorization be allowed.
The road when completed, will be 601 miles in
length. The main line from Seward to Fairbanks
will be All miles in length The spurs and branches
and side lines will make up the 601 miles All of
the road has been completed with the execution
of some work to be done to complete the first II
miles from Seward north and gap of 100 miles
and another small gap of 25 miles, Most of the
1O0mile gap has been surveyed and some of tho
roadbed has been made.
The road started from Seward on the southern
point OF Alaska, and went to Anchorage Part Of
that road-71 miles-had been constructed From
Anchorage over to the northern terminal of the
road, Fairbanks is located on the Tanana river
The Tanana river is branch of the Yukon river
and the Yukon river and the Tanana river arc
navigable for 1000 miles, The Alaskan railroad
commission commenced building from the south.
erD. point north. They brought the material -
Seward and Anchorage, and they commenced n
build from the northern terminal south 50 tbot
they could save time and save money.
The road already reaches to the coal ao,ds
There the 1902 square miles of coal fields IN
Alaska that have been explored and experted nv
the coast and geodetic survey the geolopcaI s,,r.
vey and by the Alaskan engineering comm,ss,o.
That Is all on the line Of this road II IS
that there are 8. W0OO0000 tons of coal that III,
be opened to commerce by this road. and X ooo
100000 tons Of 1t will be high-grade coal ,yh,o.
could be used for coking and smelling ore ana
such purposes and the rest of 1t for fuel and mat.
ters Of that kind. In Alaska 1t has been estimot
that there are 150,O00,0000O0 tons Of coal NJ
person knows how much there is.
Mr. Strong Of Kansas.-Ther has been discov.
cred In Alaska not only gold. but silver. conner
coal. lead. iron, antimony. tungsten and platinum
Sin large quantities. In addition there has hesp
discovered large fields Of oil It has splendid aeri
cultural advantages. It IL estimated that ii haa
over 100000 square miles Of tfllable land. II has
a growing season a 400 days md because of the