The Cordova daily times., 1923-04-07
DESTRUCTIVE LEGISLATION


 Representative Dan Callahan of the Fourth IDivision introduced a bill in the Territorial l Legislature proposing a mileage tax of $1OO |per mile on railroads operated within the Territory by any person, corporation, or com pany The bill requires railroads to operate under licenses obtained from the Territorial secretary. The proposed tax would not only apply to main line mileage, but also to branches, sidings and switches. A penalty of twelve per cent per annum is provided for in case of refusal or neglect to pay the tax, and violation of the act is declared to be mis- demeanor and each day of operation before the tax or license is paid is to be regarded as 8 separate offense. Enforcement of the act lis placed in the hands of the Attoroney Gener- al or other legal counsel employed in the Ter ritory.
 While the general tenor of the bill is pos |sib1v aimed at the Copper River Railway. we believe it to be the most destructive bit of | legislation ever introduced in the Territorial Legislature by any man or body of men. Were this bill to carry it would absolutely shut out development of the Territory other than by governmental forces. and would prevent the establishment of switches and sidings at many necessary points on account of the cost.
 The bill would seriously handicap the only railway in the Territory doing business as a corporaion. and in case the tax was added it would be passed on to the consumer, al ready paying high transportation rate. The towns of Chitina, Mccarthy and Kennecott and part of the division represented by Mr. Callahan would pay this tax No one would be benefited but all would be harmed
 Lcgislation to be beneficial must be con structvo We have too many laws harassino caiptal: too much radica1ism, and not enough of the spirit of helpfn1noss. The leoislator anxious to introduce a bill providing further revenues for the Territory forget that these faxes in the long run come out of tue nockots of the people. The actual harm in this case would be to add to the burdens of the residents along the right of way of the Conner River Railroad This road was built primarily to haul ore for the Kennecott Corporation, but it is also used as vehicle of transportation for the settlers themselves. Their goods, the" families and their supplies are hauled m and ont hv this route. In case a private "ornor'- {tion desired to take over the Alaska Ralroah it would canse frei@ht and passenger rates to 2be raised to a point which would absorb the mileage tax It has been proved that where a company or corporation can operate chean'v that the oeople are the gathers. Far from heinz souless most corporations are satisfied with reasonable interest on an investment and oive a fair return for their ouid pro quo. This is exemplified bv the steamship companies which raised their rates when the cost of operation raised, and which today are @ivin" Alaska the cheapest transportation in the Tinted States of America. It is shown h0 the reduction in rates on the Alaska Railroad when onorotirg expenses were cheanennd. Anv tax placed upon a commodity or thing IS borne hv the users of that commodity "' thine Therefore the proposed bill would in crease operating costs on the Copper River Railroad $1OO per mile; O. E. D, the residents along the railroad would pay $10O per mile for service
 1 The fault for these radical laws lies With the voters themselves, who overlook the quail fcatons and radica]sm of candidate by the fact that he is known to be "good fel]ow.'' therefore qualified to frame laws for other oood fellows Every Chamber of Commerce. in Alaska should protest emphatica1ly against further taxes being levied on any industry which builds up any district or section of country-Seward Gateway.