The Cordova daily times., 1919-03-28

INVESTIGATION OF RAILROAD
 NOT FEARED

Talk of congressional investigation, in connection with the government railroad, should not worry Alaskans. When congress is convened in extra session during the spring or early summer, the Republicans will be in control of both branches of the law making body and investigations probably will be the order of the day. The session will afford the Republi- cans an opportunity to air some of the blunders made by the Democrats dur ing the progress of the war, and we may be sure the party in power will make the most of it. It will be the chance of a lifetime. The information gathered will be used in an effort to convince the American public that the Democrats are not competent to man. age the affairs of the nation, and as an argument in favor of further strengthening the Republican major ity and electing a Republican pres- dent next year.
 But Alaskans should not worry. The amount involved in the construction of the government railroad in this territory is paltry sum by compari- son with sums expended on war enter prises and the evidence of alleged extravaganza in Alaska is not suf- ficiently voluminous to attract es- pecial attention. And there is no evi- dence whatever of graft in connection with the railroad.
 Therefore it reasonably may be ex- pected that the Republicans will be too busy Investigating the big leaks of the nation to interfere with our railroad, which already has been sub jected to several departmental probes and special inquiries and to at least one court investigation. The money already expended in this manner would easily suffice to carry on the real work in this division for another year, and any aditional sums voted by congress for investigation will be that much money expended need lessly.
 In no case, however, would an in- vestigation be hurtful to Alaska There will be in congress, when the lawmakers are called together again, many new members -unacquainted with Alaska, and, if it would be pos sible to induce delegation of them to make the trip to the territory to see what has been done in the way of rail- road building, they would return to Washington possessed of information which doubtless would enable them to 1egislate intelligently on Alaskan questions. They would learn, during their stay in the Northland that fed. eral aid, generously extended at this time, would be repaid many times by the territory within a short span of years. It would not be difficult to convince them not only that the early completion of the railroad is neces- sary to insure the development of In- terior resources, but also that branches and wagon roads are needed to open up districts tributary to the main line.
 It would be lot easier to convince congressman of these needs by show ing them-by escorting them over the country over which they exercise con- trol-than by attempting to secure re- forms and needed legislation by long distanced correspondence. The first hand in formation obtainable by visit to the territory would be invaluable both to the congressman making the trip and to the territory itself, which has nothing to fear from closer ac- quaintance with the men at Washing ton who regulate the flow of federal aids in this direction.
 Let them investigate. All that we ask is that the investigators, should all investigation be authorized, come to Alaska prepared to make a thor ough study of Alaskan resources and possibilities of development.-Nen News.