The Nenana daily news., 1919-01-30
ANCHORAGE ASKS FOR GOVERNMENT
 STEAMSHIP LINE


 the States and Alaska ports, as necessary adjunct to the govern ment railroad, and the entrusting to the Alaskan Engineering commission of the expenditure of federal funds for the construction of wagon roads and trails in the country penetrated by the government railroad are proposals advanced to the national administration by the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce. Chambers of Commerce and Com mercial Clubs in all other towns of Alaska are asked by the Anchor age Chamber to support it's pro- posal for the establishment of government steamship line.
 The government steamship line is urged as a remedy not only for the infrequent water transportation facilities now provided by the priv ate steamship companies, but also for the slow transmission of mail, which at present is carried to and from Alaska as freight
 When the mail contract between the postoffice department and the steamship companies expired re- gently, the transportation companies refused to renew it except at an increase in rate regarded as ex- orbitant by the department. As a consequence, the contract was not renewed, and the mails, since the expiration of the old contract, have been consigned as freight.
 Text of Resolutions.
 The resolutions on this subject adopted by the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce read as follows:
 "Whereas. the handling of the United States mails by steamship companies, by the same methods used in handling consgnments of merchandise, is unnecessary, and suggests methods of coercion used by the companies to compel the government to accede to their de- mands, and
 Whereas, the carrying of the United States mail, in Alaska, by freight, is unprecedented and with out parallel in the history of the country, and is unwarranted and without excuse or justification; "Therefore, Be It Resolved by the Chamber of Commerce of Anchor age, Alaska. in special meeting assembled, that,
 First: The postoffice depart ment be respectfully urged to take such steps as will immediately remedy the present uncomfortable condition.
 Aid Asked of Other Town. Second: The various Chambers of Commerce and commercial bodies ) of the towns of Alaska are urged to cooperate in a movement to secure better mail facilities.
 Third: The proper government agencies be urged to place in oper- ation, at the earliest possible date, line of steamships to be operated l by the government between the States and Alaska ports. as a neces- sary adjunct to the government rail road, and as means of supple menting and improving water trans portation conditions in the terri 1 tory"
 The proposal that funds for the construction of wagon roads and trails in the country penetrated by the government railroad be ex- pended by the Alaskan Engineering commission is based on the argu- mcnt that the railroad officials are in better position than any other persons to know what wagon roads and trails are needed to develop business for the government line. Resolutions on this subject were adopted by the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce some months ago, and the officers of the Chamber plan to bring the request to the atten- ; tion of the present congress.
 
 Superstitious folks still refuse to wear the opal, although three; cen