The Daily Alaska empire., 1929-06-14
MIR. LEEHEY ON GEN. RICHARDSON.

MIR. LEEHEY ON GEN. RICHARDSON. Maurice D. Leehey, learned mining lawyer wht has spent much time in Alaska and whose pro fessional work and personal interest have made him almost if not quite as much an Alaskan a! Seattlete, always proponent of the verities, par ticularly when Alaska is concerned, has interested himself in reminding people of the commanding services the late Gen. w. P Richardson rendered the North country during his life time He declares that not only did Gen. Richardson father and carry into effect the Government road system in Alaska but he did more to get the Alaska Railroad thar anyone else
 In a telegram following Gen. Richardson's death to Major Glen E Edgerton, Gen Richardsons per sonal friend and associate for many years in the Alaska Road Commission MT. Leehey said:
 The passing of Gen. Richardson closes the most important in the develop ment of Alaska His influence on the War Department and Congress not only ere ated the Alaska Road Commission but also started the movement which resulted in the Alaska Government Railway. It is simple justice to say that the entire inland trans portation system of Alaska proceeds from the vision and work of that great pioneer soldier Alaskas revered Major Dick
 This telegram was followed by letter to Major Edgerton from Mir Leehey that was subsequently, printed in the Seattle Times, in which MT. Leehey said:
 My telegram does not exaggerate in the slightest. Major Dick not only the pioneer in actual road work in Alaska but was also the pioneer advocate of roads and trails. And he the most effective ad vocate because his influence with the War Department before Alaska had Leg islature, started the Alaska Road Commis- sion, and its splendid work in which you had such important pioneer part. The then Major Richardson first aroused the in- tereSt of Congress, both by voice and pen and still effectively by the results he and his organization achieved in the field He actually created that sentiment which re- suited in the Alaska Government Railway. Now it is this point would especially im- press because, very unjustly, impression has been created that he fought the struction of that railway.
 Nobody has done so much for the Alaska Railway did Gen. Richardson. This state ment is true and the fact that should be made clear in justice to his memory. It is true that he was opposed in principle to the building by the Government of a railway in Alaska He opposed the plan honorably as matter of principle but that does not alter the fact that his work not only created the sentiment for the Government railway but his influence in Washington prevented the abandonment of the railway by the Gov ernment during the World War. I speak from personal knowledge member of the Seattle delegation to Washington where I went personally four different occasions While sole credit for the railway is due to Secretary Lane and the Wilson Administra- ton, the bill never would have passed Con- gresS had advantage not been taken of the opportunity and the Seattle committee struck while the iron was hot" Thus the passage Of the bill was secured just one year after President Wilson was naugurated The world War began five months later. Since that hour no appropriation to begin the work could have been obtained from Con- gress.
 Gen Richardson was critic but help 1ul and constructive critic Justice to his memory requires that this fact be under stood and also that without his aid espec- laliy in the valuable information he gave and suggestions he made when this country entered the war. the proposal to abandon construction work would have doubtless pre- vailed.
 Thus the career of Gen. Richardson repeat, was the most important of any in the development of Alaska. All agree that the great problem of Alaska progress was and still is transportation. He was the apostle, the advocate, the creator of senti- ment and the actual organizer and first director of the work on the roads and trails which now on the map of Alaska pretty well connect the principal centers of popu- latlon and industry The system is his giv- ing him proper credit for the work of the splendid organization he formed The AL aska transportation system is fitting monu- ment to the great life and work of that valiant army officer, that pioneer of vision and courage, that nobleman of determination and sacrifice, who as long memory lasts will be cherished and loved by those who knew and understood him best