Douglas Island news., 1920-04-23
TOURISTS WANTED
 FOR ALASKA ROAD
Secretary Of Interior Payne Author ized to Run Excunions to
 Help Get Settlers

The plan to run government tourist excursion from Seattle to Alaska and thence over Che federal railroad In that territory and to ln- auguratc a blg advertising campaign that win bring settlers Co Che coun- try travelled by the railroad. recoiv- ed another boost today. when sena- tor Wesley L Jones. chairman af Che Senate commerce committee. In a letter to Secretary Payne. took Che view that Che Department Of Che Inc terlor is fully vested with authority Co take any action that it may deem necessary to forward the plan
 Up ull now it has been a question Of authority. Secretary Payne held that the money appropriated should be used only for construction pur- poses. and Che Interior Department las proceeded on that theory.
 Senator Jones points to Che orig inal enabling act which authorizes the President to operate as well as construct the railroad. and that Che law contemplatcs that Che govern mont agency should do everything necessary to make Che operation suc- cucssful If advertising and steam ship tourist excursions are necessary to the development Of traffic. Che secretary of Che interior has author ity Co make an necessary contracts and arrangements. and SO there won't be any mistake about it. Sen- ator Harry New has introduced a bil authorizing Che secretary Of Che Interior to advertise. or to take any action that Che manager Of a pri- vately owned railroad would take Co develop tra6ic.
 Secretary Payne refused to ex- press himself on Che matter this morning "I have not yet received Che letter from Senator Jones'" he said. "and Of course cane make no comment until ! have read it. am extremely anxious. however. Chat something be done to develop traffic for Che railroad. ] have urged these two propositions to start with. understand that many Of Che sena- tors agree with them. They are no less anxious that Che traffic be de- vcloped for Che road than myself. but traffic cannot be developed with out spending money An that hos been appropriaitd is needed for con- struction"
 Senator Jones' letter draws the at- tcuuon Of Secretary Payne Co Che fact that the burden is upon Che In- tcrior Department for the success Of tho railroad. lnless it can be shown that Congress has refused to appro- prIate Che money necessary to its success.
 There is now pending In Che sun- dry bnl an item Of SS.OOO.OOO to con- unue Che construction Of the rail- road
 Leaders of Che Republican party. n their anxiety Co make record for economy are threatening to cut thls down to S7.OOO.OoO. every dol- iar Or which win be needed for ma- terid and labor 10 Is probable. however. that a part Of this sum win be set aside for advertising and tbe deficit created thereby carried in Che emergency deficiency bin for next year.
 For several weeks past Secretary Payne has given practically an Che time that was not winding mp his connection with Che Shipping Board to a plan to liberalize the laws Of the territory m way that will make Che resources available. He has adopted liberal regulations with
 regard Co oil development. and is now working on o plan that might
 induce coal prosnectors to take leases in the territory: and has urged upon Congress the necessity for Che re-
 peal Of the law prohibiting oxporta- tion Of timber outside the forest re- serves in tho territory.-J. J. Un- derwood in Seattle Times.