The weekly Alaska citizen., 1919-06-30

APPROVES 0F MORE MONEY FOR THE ALASKA RAILROAD

WASHINGTON, June 2o-(F)-In response to the urgent requests of Franklin k Lane secretary of nterlor and Mr. John l.. McPherson, of the Seattle Chamber ot Commerce. the appropriations committee has increased the railroad appropriation from $ $2 OOOOO
 The committee rendered its report on the sundry CIVIL bill today and the notable change made ill the measure from the way passed by the house the recommended increase in the appropriation for the Alaskan railroad The committee recommends that SIP 100000 be allotted for strucon work the road during the coming fiscal year, favong the early completion of the project It is generally believed the item will be passed by the senate now sands after which it will go back the house for conference
 BE COMPLETED BY 1921
 SEATTLE June 26.-H)-A special despatch to the Posnteigencer quotes Secretary Lane stating: The Alaskan railroad will be completed by 1921 The secre- tary says this will be providing congress will make the necessary appropriations.
 The senate was informed by the secretary of the rior today that the spending of 100000 during this cae dar year and 1000 next year will practically guarantee the completion of the project He estimates that the total cost of the road will be $5O43o91, approximately $1550O GOO than the original estimate He urges the senate adopt the substitution of $l2OOOOO for the approximate $2,OO0,OOO favored by the house.
 Senator Pondexter and Jones of Washington both enthusiastically supporting the increase and is predicted that there will be hitch in its passage thru the Ii is believed the house will strongly oppose the increase several of the representatives have been interviewed and they have declared their willingness to support it.
 MCPHERSON MAKES COMPARISONS
 Appearing before the senate appropriations committee,
 L. McPherson compared in actual figures the cost of the Alaskan railway with other roads, their construction be- ing any difficult than the building of the government project Mr. McPherson invited the attention of the
 ttee the increased of all materials used in railroad construction we'll the great advance in freight
 "The increase in the original estimate of the roads will be only fory-ve and onetenth percent Mr. McPher son told the committee notwithstanding increasing fftyne percent the of labor and increase fro twenty-five hundred and fifty percent in the material and an increase of hundred and ft-seven per in the expense of transporting materials and supplies the construction bases.
 "The Copper River railroad" continued Mr. McPher- son. cost on an average of GOO per mile and the return the Interstate Commerce commission show that the equ of that railroad is valued at $146OOO per mile. IT. returns of the White Pass railroad show valuation of $11 GOO per me Both of these roads in the northern try and built and maintained under arduous condi- tons than the government project It is estimated, and firmly believe the actual will exceed the estimate that the Alaskan railway will cost just GOO per mile when the road is completed $lOOOO less per mile than did the Copper river pro ect."
 Mr. McPherson explained the committee that, at the time the original estimate for the construction of the road made impossible forecast the increase in abor material transportation which less caused by the
 UNDERWOOD FAVORABLE
 Senator Oscar Underwood is distinctly in favor of in creasng the railroad appropriation from $2OOOOOO to $ 100000 and declares he will support the item when is brot before the senate for consideration
 Speaking of the matter today Senator Underwood said The government complete this project and it is merely question of how this be the economically accomplished It my understanding that $12OO0OOO the least that be economically employed during the fiscal year and intend to support the item providing that In my opinion early completion of the project economical construction which is the important factor in the building of the road"
 nnIAnTVTT1n IO for organization of \ INK IN to be madeon Julv