The Cordova daily times., 1921-07-26
FULL TEXT OF
 CUMMINS' BILL IS PRESENTED

A full copy has been received of the measure introduced by Senator Cummins for consolidation of the government bureaus functioning in Alaska by conferring upon the presi- den all the powers now possessed by them and authorizing him to dele gate the same authority to a single department. if found necessary, and also establishing government steamer line between Alaska. The steamer plan, as outlined in the bill, is being questioned by prominent Alaskans who are inclined to believe that it's adoption would not only in jure those ports not included in the route, but also those on the route.
 The bill provides that the pro posed government line shall operate from imports touched by the govern ment railroad and the mainland of the United States In other words government owned steamers can be put on between Seward and Anchor age and Puget sound or other Pa. cific coast points. but not including any other Alaskan port or ports of call. Local business men doubt the wisdom of the scheme and are in clined to believe that 1t would re- suit in material curtailment of the present commercial shipping lines. raise in rates to compensate owners of private lines for lost business, and possibly complete cessation. for the present at least. of all conner cial service to western Alaska points on the Alaska peninsula.
 The text of the bill reads:
 Section l. The president is au- thorized to consolidate in any eXecu- tive department of the government of the United States or rcdistribute among the several executive depart. ments the powers and duties which have been vested in any or all of said departments relating to the peo- pie and the property and interests of the United States in the terri tory of Alaska whenever in his judg. men the administration of such pow CTS and duties would be more eff. ciently accomplished by any such consolidation or redistribution. His findings in that regard shall be in 4triti ,l heads of the executive department or departments affected therby, and shall constitute a public record.
 Sec. 2. In the exercise of the au. thority granted in section 1 hereof, | the president may make such trans fer, either by detail or assignment of the personnel of any executive de- partment to any other department as may be necessary to accomplish the purpose of this act together with the whole or any part of the records and public property requisite to make the consolidation, redistri- button or transfer effective
 Sec. 3. For the purposes of carry ing out the provisions of this act, any moneys heretofore or hereafter appropriated for the use of any such executive department shall be ex- pended only for the purposes for which appropriated under the direc- tion of such department as the presi. dent may have directed to form and execute such function.
 Sec. 1. The United States shin. ping board is hereby directed to transfer to the secretary of the in terior such ships as may be designat. ed by the president. of suitable ca. Pacity for the transportation of per sons and property, including our mil. itary and naval forces, the United States mails and other government property and thereafter the govern ment Of Alaska. in the said ships or some of them, shall constitute a con- tinuous line of transportation from such points in Alaska as are reached by the said railroad and the main land of the United States, and said entire line of transportation shall be under the management of the sec retary of the interior. The inter- state commerce commission shall | have the same jurisdiction over the combined line of land and water | transportation as it would have if | the transportation points in Alaska | to the mainland of the United States | were wholly by rail
 Sec. 5. The department or depart ments exercising authority under