Douglas Island news., 1919-06-20
ADVICE GIVEN TO
 SECRETARY LANE
How the Alaska Railroad Should Be Built, According Co John E.
 Ballaiuc

John F uaUaluc Go whom .s credited Che biggest railroad failure iu tbc territory and who lately has had a great deal Co say about Che government railroad and advice to oUcr Co bc Alaskan Railroad Commission. recently called ou See rcar, Lame at Washington. for Che purpose uf presenting details of al- legged waste and m.suluaggmcut n connection with thc bir sovcrumeu; enterprise u Alaska.
 "As result of Chat interview. Hluau, later .,p.uuoi to a repre- sentative ol Ec Seattle p.-l. "I lcft with tbc .,erctar, 70 written statc- m,ut giving program or goustruc- tive suggestions" And for thc "iu- formation ot tHc public. as pos sibIc help u shaping % course Of action" Che unsuccessful promoter of tbc oId Alaska Central railroad. Nudue,d tlc Seattle paper to publish tbr sur-ost.I program u .ts entire ty. ol which Che following arc thc nine rrn..pll points,
 "f Immediate steps should be aG.u tU develop uurt.. for tbc AL aska railroad ou a comprehensive s.a'r. iu tbe same practical way that aT new railroads have done in p.o- ucer countries. m charge of men of broad vision and proved capacity rather tblu under che care of a land pU.rc rIorb This should Include tbc buHIur of a central hydro-eIcc- tr.et power plant af cost of about Si.uUUuuu v.th feed wires along Che railroad to furnish power and light for fI. railroad and Jhc trib- uary towns and mines. making pos- sIble 9ll-yoar mining operations at. low cost which iu turn would pro- vide markets for au agricultural population and open thc way for rapid and substantial growth.
 The Nauuussa coat fields should bc developed iu good faith under th, present ,o9I-r,ls.ug law. il not by private companies. then by che government direct through Che railroad management or other agency. Put 90 b.g-sIlcd ,oll min ing mau ou tHo ioh Don't bIam, tbe c1lI-Icasrs law tor failure to| produce result. when you place ils execution In tfe hands of land ot- f.c clerk who has uo knowledge of coal mining or amy other business
 "a An transportation charges ou tbe Alaska railroad should bc re- duccI ta Che slm. hasIs os in Ore rou and Wubtu-tor.
 "I The railroad from Seward to| tbr interior should bc completed and put into operation and not longer beI back by deliberate neglect Col complete some sections,
 ". No railroad money should b. spent for any purpose north of tho Panama river until Che main line Is completed from thc coast to Che Tam ana river.
 "t. The ai7295 year list for salaries to officers and other super uumsrgric- should bc reduced to mol more than SI5u.UuU. and Che difference of SNI7.eg5 should be added to Che S3u5I55 listed for wages to laborcrs. making possible tb, employment or % largely iucrcas- cl labor force
 " Courrrs tbis session should bc asked for S5.Uoo.oUO more than tbc sIUU-.a>n tb1t has bccn rcuui- s..oncJ. as a productive and l-crul means of absorbing tbr fast iu- crcasius supply ot surplus labor. It would hasten Che completion of the railroad and tUcrcby Che opening Of Alaska as a Gcli for opportunity for otherwise idle men
 "S. Immediate preparations should be begun for appropriations by tho next Congress. not only Co complete Che main line now under construc- uou. but to build needed branches and feeders. including the Kusko- kwim branch.
 "9. There should bc au immediate cleaning out or mcompetents and supcruumcrarics and a radical re- organization under capable manage mcut such as win make the Aalska railroad a benefit Go Alaska. @ credit Co Che principle of government building Of railroads iu Alaska. and an agency of real service Co the people of Che Uuiatcd States" Ex.
 GONE EAST