Douglas Island news., 1919-10-10
MCPHERSON IN LINE
 FOR RAILROAD JOB Manager of Alaska Bureau of Seattle Chamber of Commerce Considered
 for Railroad Job

J. la Mcphcuon. who haa boon Ono head of iho Alaska bureau O. Ono Seattle Chamber Of commcrc, and Commercial Club ovcr since Chat denartmont was organized. Is bong scrlosly considered for appointment as development and possibly traffic manager Of Che federal soyornmonta now railroad In Alaska. apparently reliable information from Washing. ton n. c indicates. says thc soat- uc Times
 Col Frederick Mems who was re- turned to Che Alaska Engineering Commission as soon as he wos re- ucycd from hia army duties m con- ncctou with thc war. win have ab- -omtc control over al construction questions unul the miiroad ls com plctod. some umc towards Che end of tho summer Of 1922, lt is now caii- mated.
 This was und ratool Co bo tho Inc torior Departments plan whom Colo mel Mcau was roappo.uted. for ot Che umc it was stated William G. Edcs would bo consulting engineer while Colonel Moars took active charge. This arrangement was con- Armed after Che Alaska visit of John ". Haloweu. assistant secretary of Che interior. who now .s on his way to Washington. D. c. Go report In dcmu to Secretary Franklin K Lano.
 It is declared In woll posted cir- clos chat Che Interior Department .a convinced of Che necessity for Che immediate appointment Of dcvol- opmont aron. Go look over Che field for luG.c ondc to encourage deyoi- opmout Of an industries which win thrive m Che territory tapped by Che new railroad
 As rapidly as Che railroat can bo made to do so. 10 Is figured by federal officials chat it should begin to handle trafdc Tho Interior Depart mcnt expects to bo able Co operate Che Fairbauk-Nonana branch into Che Nonuua coal 0clds next ycar and ot tho same umo win top Che Mato- uuska dclds from Auchomge and Seward This win give the now railroad a carrying trade next ycar and plans for naming Q traldc head are said to bo under way
 Itis declared chat Interior nopwt- mcnt o6icioa believe thot Mr. Me- phorson Is Che logical mm to take charge of Che development work He has boon closely identified through hh Chamber of Commerce conncc- tions. with Che construction Of Che road and Che development Of Che tor- r.tory it win tap.
 Whom it became necessary to ap- peal to a now Congress at Che special session last summer for appropr.o- uous. Mr. Mcpheraon vus called up- on by Secretary Lame to assist in making Che presentation to Che ap- nr.atons committees Ho also guth- cred Che data and made Che showing for Che now appropriation Of {t7,- 100000 needed to complete Che raii- road
 Mr. Mcphcrsou laid out tho trail between Fairbanks and Nome and he surveyed Che route of Che Copper Rive rand Northwestern for M J. Hnoy. Hc has had a great doal of experience In managing Alaska properties and is thoroughly posted on that country Interior Depart mcnt onicIals are sold to believe that thoy would bc unable to got O better posted official to take charge Of Che development work on rail- road.
 Whether it would be advisable to ask Mcphoraou to take charge or Che traffic department os woii is said to bo am undetermined question because Of his lack of extensive railroad oX- rorioncc. Some department officials also arc said to believe chat che rail- road win require am independent traffic management