The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-02-01
Alaska's Railway
Making Progress
Event to Be Celebrated by
Middle of February is Plan

Anchorage, Alaska, Jan. 21.-
So rapily has the work of bringing
together the ends of steel on Alas
ka's 467-mile government railroad
from Seward, on the seacoast, to
Fairbanks, in the heart of the
Yukon country, progressed, that
definite plans are being made for
great celebration throughout the
territory 70 mark the driving Of the
golden spike" some time in mid
February.
The ceremony, which will be at
.tended by Governor Scott G. Bone,
Of Alaska, and other high territor-
ial and federal officials, will take
place at the Riley Creek bridge,
120 miles south Of Fairbanks.
Thousands are expected to attend
the ceremony.
The Riley Greek bridge is in it
self a triumph of engineering. Late
in November, 1921, 500 tons. of
steel for the bridge were shipped
from Seattle to Seward. Today the
bridge, 900-foot structure, is
practically completed With the
exception Of the 1,34s-foot steel
bridge across the Tanana River at
Nenana which will not, be placed
in service until late this year or
early in 1923, it is the last unit
of the road to be completed. Pend
ing completion of work on the
bridge at.,Nenana trains will be
sent over the Tanana on ferries in
the summer and over tracks laid
on the ice during the winter
months.
q Fhe government railroad cost
approximately s56,0O0.000 and has
heen under construction since 1914
The main line between Seward and
Fairbanks is 467 miles in length.
but, with branches, the completed
system will have total trackage
of 539 miles. For some months
past luxurious trains, with Pull
man coaches and buffet dining cars
have been operated over the main
line on once-a- week schedule
Freight was carried between the
ends Of steel by dog sled.
Alaskans hail the coming of the
railroad as the key that will un-
lock one of the richest territories
in the world. Mail from Seattle
will reach Fairbanks in nine days.
Heretofore from one to three
months was the usual time Of
transit. The road will be open the
year round and no longer will the
freezing of the Yukon in winter
mean that the great interior
country must hibernate until re-
sumption Of navigation in the
spring.
Alaska's richest areas are tap
ped by the road. The fertile VAL
leys Of the Tapana and Yukon Will
be in direct connection with Sc
ward; a seaport with a harbor free
of. ice for xwelve months in the
year. The road passes through
important coal fields. one of which
is expected TO furnish supplies of
steaming fuel for naval vessels. 1t
traverses what government geo
logists describe as a rich potential
oil district in the Cook inlet region
contiguous TO Anchorage.
Before the advent Of the rail-
road, according to federal reports,
it cost SO to ship one ton of hay,
corn. potatoes or other necessities
to Fairbanks. The freight went
by boat to st. Michaels, at the
mouth Of the Yukon, was then re-
shipped up the Yukon and Tanana
rivers to Fairbanks, total distance
Of $500 miles. Sometimes it was
shipped through Skagway, oven. the
White Pass and Yukon railroad
TO White Horse. thence down the
Yukon and Tanana rivers at cost
of $6e.
Today the same bulk of freight
can be shipped by the railroad to
Fairbanks in three weeks less time
than by either of the older routes.
traversing a total distance Of 1855
miles at a cost of about $50 Since
the road began handling traffic a
few months ago, the cost Of oats in
Fairbanks dropped from $40 to
SO a ton, the price Of beef drop
ped % cents a pound Wood cost
ing $3.50 a cord was replaced by
Ignite coal delivered at SO a ton.
An increase in tourist traffic is
expected. Mount Mckinley. 20.300
feet in altitude and the loftiest
peak on the North American con-
tinent is but short distance from
the line and Mount Mckinley Nat
ional Park VIII become accessible.
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