The Nenana news., 1922-01-05

Announcement Of b1e aFTlNaI oI steel from the coast for the com pletion of the Riley Greek viaduct, and the commencement of the actu4 al work Of finishing that important link in the Government railro2 system, will be welcome news to residents of Interior Alaska, for the inauguration of uninterrupted traffic between Seward and Nenana must necessarily result in a mater ial reduction in freight rates. Just how great the reduction will be IS entirely matter of conjecture, but II will at least amount to the elim- ination of the costly tranfer at the point where the rails have not been connected-whichw will help h. terior shippers considerably,
 The News believes the Alaskan Engineering Commission is disposed Co be fair in the matter of rates. Former Engineer in Charge Browne is fully informed regarding condi- tions along the Interior end of the railroad and, as a member of the tariff committee of the Commission has suggested, and undoubtedly will recommend low rates as 6 means of stimulating development with view to increased tonnage later on- He knows there can be no development without material lowering of rates and that there will be no tonnage for the railroad withOu. develop ment.
 The views of Chairman Mears or this important question are ex- pressed in his annual report to the Secretary of the Interior, from which the following is taken:
 "As the first practical effect the completion of the railroad will have upon the country has to do with freight rates, it may be well to con sider this subject by way of com pairing the present freight rates via the White Pass and Yukon route and via St. Mjchaels using the Yukon river, with the freight rates that will probably apply over the Alaska railroad: all based upon freight movements originating al Seattle. -~.-: ...*.~-:~. ...
 As means of comparison in making start on the study of this subject let us take hay, grain, pota- toes, etc. The rate on these com modities from Seattle to Fairbanks via St. Midaaels and the Yukon river is s70 per ton; via Skagway and the White Pass and Yukon route is s66 per ton. The rate via the Government railroad. in carload lots, will probably be about s3o per ton.
 "The rate on mining and agricul. tural machinery via St Michaels is s7O; via Skagway IS $60; and via the Government railroad is $40.
 The rate on dry goods, boots and shoes, clothing. etc, via St, Michaels
 is s98; via Skagway $1o7; and viz the Government railroad approxi- mately SIS.
 'The railroad rates above quoted apply to Fairbanks delivery They would be correspondingly less for points south of Fairbanks, particu, larly those districts tributary to Broad Pass. Supplies now shipped via the river routes have to De landed at Nenana and Fairbanks and those same goods have to take on additional freight charges 1T their southbound movement overland 10 destination.
 "The above-menhohed railroad freight rates are practically con- tinuance of our present rates cor. rected to longer distances. It is pos sible that the Secre-aTyof the h. terior may desire to still further aid in the development of the In terior country by applying special commodity rates to certain article: in order to encourage the develop. ment of various industries. For in stance, in following this plan, it would be wise to set 8 low rate on mining machinery, explosives, min ing tools, agricultural equipment, etc, while on the other hand, the rate on vegetables capable of being produced in the northern district, such as potatoes, turnips, and grain