The Nome daily nugget., 1935-01-07
CANADIAN INTEREST IN HIGHWAY

Increased interest in the proposed International High way which would join Alaska via Yukon Territory and British Columbia, with the highways of the Pacific Coast which reach from the Canadian border into Mexico ob served throughout the country The highway will be one of the development projects to be considered by the next Congress and an attempt will be made to assure the construction o least the Alaska portion o the highway
 An apparent lack of interest the part of Canadians the proposed highway has had discouragng effect upon all except the enthusiastic supporters of the project
 Though the assumption in the following editorial from the Stewart B. C. Argonau that Alaska would receive 50 percent of benefit of the highway is questionable the editorial indicates serious interest the part of British Columbians in the highway that is encouraging
 "The British Columbia-Alaska highway will be built and it is important that construction should at an early date.
 Government officials of both Canada and the United States agreed that the road from Hazeton to Fairbanks Alaska is necessary link for transportation and would be of untold benefit to both nations.
 During the past five years enough engineering data has been obtained to show that this highway construction does not present any difficulties than that which has been elsewhere in Canada and the United States
 Engineering estimates place the cost of this road at $14OOOO00.
 "Voumes have been written about the importance of the undertaking and it generally conceded that the road will be bui aso that the chief obstacle in the way the of finance
 Different methods of providing construction funds have been suggested but to date definite action appears have been taken by the of either Canada or the United States
 n view of the fact that the United States and Alaska will benefit most by the highway, then would it not be fair for them bear the greater share of the cost o budng
 Some definite plan for financing the road construction should submitted by either the other federal gov ernments.
 "A basis for negotiation could be arrived at by assuming that the highway would be fourfths beneficial to Aaska and the United States It would then be reasonable for them pay fourths of the interest on any bond issue sufficient to the cost of construction Further that the Canadian bond for $14000O0O be subscribed by the United States Federal government. With financing seup such that Canadas carrying charges for interest on the bond issue would be $140,000 per year
 ts estimated that 100000 tourist year would pass through Canada to Alaska
 n order that the bond issue could be discharged essary provision would have to be made and the following method could be employed Charge toll fee of $1O for through tourist rafca local and freight traffic free the annual from this would be 100000 Add th the estimated of $1750O from gasoline tax the total revenue would be $11750 900 in of the carrying chargest for interest which Canada would have to provide Ample funds for sinking fund to retire the bond issue maintenance would from the same source" -Juneau Empire.
 The popular book of the day continues to be the savings pass book.