The Cordova daily times., 1922-04-22
NOME RAILWAY
 DEAL IN HANDS OF COMMISSION

{ of the Seward Peninsula Railroad will be taken by the Territorial Road Com mission prior to the return to Juneau of Col. James G. Steese, President of the Alaska Road Commission. An nouncement to this effect was made by Territorial Secretary Karl Thiele, who is Secretary of the Territorial l Board
 This policy was adopted by the board at a meeting held when the Board went fully into the Nome-Shel- ton railroad situation.
 TITLE NOT ASSURED
 "There is no desire on the part of the Territorial Board to block the purchase of the Seward railway" he said. "The members are fully in ac- cord in the view that it is the duty of the Board to comply with the wishes of the last Territorial legislature in this matter as they are expressed in | Chapter 39 of the last session laws which provides for the purchase of that property and it's operations as a public tram and highway. However, there is apparently some question as to the ability of the Pioneer Mining Company to deliver title to the right of way. Title to the track, equip ment and other facilities regarded as personal property can be obtained without difficulty" he said.
 A. R. c. TO PURCHASE
 It was further pointed out by MT. Thiele that even though there was no question of title involved, under the | terms of the act above mentioned, the | Territorial Board cannot legally con- summate the purchase of the road. | The law specifically authorizes the Alaska Road Commission to make the | purchase and no other body or indiv- idual has that authority. Section 1, of the law contains the express pro vision, "That the Federal Board of Road Commissioners for Alaska, with the consent of the Territorial Board of Road Commissioners, are authorized | hereby and empowered to purchase in the name of and for and in behalf of the Territory of Alaska, the Sew ard Peninsula Railroad"
 TWO REPORTS MADE Two reports and recommendations have been made by members of the Alaska Road Commission on the pro- position. One was made by Colonel Steese last November and later one in December by Col. J. c. GotWals, Chief Engineer Officer of the Federal Board. Colonel Steese was of the opinion at the time of his report that the property could be had for $15,O0O while in Colonel Gotwals report, in view of the probable expenses required to clear up the title, etc, S20,OOO was mentioned as an equitable purchase price. Both reports, however, made if clear that the title to the right Of way was involved
 WILL ULTIMATELY CLEAR
 There is little question that the matter will be adjusted so that the deal can be carried through if the pur- chase price recommended by the Fed eral Board is satisfactory to the own CTS of the property, it was stated by MT. Thiele. All of the members of the board are heartily in accord in the | belief that the Federal Boards final recommendations in the matter will be made with the best interests of the | Territory in view and in any deal consummated Alaska will be entirely protected.
 Colonel Steese is expected to reach Juneau about May 1. The Seward Pe- ninsula Railroad matter will be one i of the first things to be taken up with him. Definite action may be ex- pected to follow without undue delay NOME CHAMBER ACTIVE
 The Northwestern Chamber of Con- merce for sometime has been bom- barding the Territorial Board with appeals to hasten action in the mat ter. At the request of the Nome or ganization, other Alaskan commercial bodies have supported that appeal. Nome business men are unit n the opinion that the acquisition of the property and it's operation as pub lie highway is vital to the develop ment of the district which 1t taps. Colonel Steese's report also recog-