The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-12-07

lHo beCTetaTyH ulhCuhblon Oh tne
Alaskan situation is simple and pointed.
He sketches briefly what has recently
been accomplished in the way OF de-
velopments. The government standard
guage railroad has been completed for
264 miles from Seward. Fifty -four
from Healey to Nenana--are also in
operation. leaving an intermediate gap
OF "a miles, Altogether. when COM
pleted. tho line to Nenana will oompre-
bend stretch OF 412 miles. with a
Ss-mile branch TO the Chickaloon coal
mines. North Of Nenana, there are
some Sc miles Of narrow guage in op-
GRAFTON. This makes total OF about
4ab miles of railroad now in operation,
which win be increased on completion
to $40 miles.
The report notes briefly the develop
ment OF the ChickRloon coal field, and
discusses at some length the problem
or Alaskan government. The difficulty
OF providing an adequate system Of
government for the vast territory arises
out of Its sparse population and the
lack OF means Of communication be-
tween the detached settlements. This,
II 10 believed, will be overcome a. the
country fills up and az more railroad
mileage IL put into service.
on the question OF 'AlaskA's needs. )"
Secretary Payne makes the following
among other suggestions.
AT the threshold OF Alaskan devel-
opment II the subject OF transportA-
ton. Adequate steamship service with
reasonable rates for passengers and
freight from the Pacific coast 10 Alaska
is imperative; now the service 10 in
adequate. The Alaska Steamship COM
pany, under the same control as the
Copper River railroad and the copper
interests in Alaska, and the Pacific
steamship company operate a moro or
enough business for both Companies.
Ordinarily the boats run about 80 per
cent. capacity, while during the spring
and fall peak-loAd seasons. persons
and freight are compelled iat times to
walt weeks for space, The Alaska
Steamship company has . strong poei-
ton in that its copper ores mined in
Alaska furnish return cargoes for its
boata.
"A simple solution OF the problem
would be to consolidate the two com
phnleS, reduce the expenses by taking
OF unnecessary boats during ordinary
times. This would give reasonably
fun cargo At all times Then secure
from the shipping board, " need be,
additional boats 20 meet peak load de-
mands which come uniformly in the
early spring and early fall the ship
ping board TO see that substantial
reduction IN rates and fares result. The
board has ample power to do this Ef-
forts have been made 90 accomplish
this result, hut 40 far without success,
tho Alaska steamship company refus-
ing 10 sell"
II Ia the Eecrotary's opinion that un-
less some such plan M that outlined
above Is effected, the necessity for the
development OF Alaska may require
that the government operate it's own
line OF steamships TO Alaska, even Mt
q loss, In order that adequate service
be furnished AT reasonable rates. II
something Of this kind IL done, he pro-
diets that business win gradually In
crease as conditions become more nor.
mai In the states.
There are other interesting features
in the report which may he considered
in subsequent articles. Tho depart.
ment Of the interior Is vitality connect ed
with tho oountry's development.