BUILDING OF RAILROAD
TO BERING RIVER COAL
(Continued from Fage One)
from taking a lease, except for coa
for its own use. This is impracticable
for coal in the small quantity re
quired for a railroad's fuel supply cat
not be economically mined.
A railroad must have coal for tra(
fic as well as for fuel.
A railroad is also prohibited by lav
from carrying any coal mined or pro
duced by it or in which it has any in
interest. A railroad, therefore, cat
neither own nor lease nor have an;
interest in a coal mine.
Conversely, a coal company can no
own a railroad. A franchise or riglv
of way for a railroad can only be ob
tained by a railroad company.
The only chance, then, for privatf
construction is that one company take
a lease of coal land and another build
the railroad. Hut if the two con.pan
ies should enter into an agreement
that one should open a mine and the
other build a railroad to haul the coal,
it would then be an unlawful combi
nation or conspiracy. Section 8 of
the coal leasing law' expressly forbids
this.
If the Copper River & Northwestern
railroad should venture again to build
to the field, they could again be
charged with conspiracy to monopo
lize the coal. The coal lease to which
they proposed to build would also be
subject to cancellation.
No doubt the government could
amend the law so ns to induce private
companies to build a railroad to the
Bering coal. They can not do so un
der existing laws.
coal is used for the navy, it does not
justify strangulation of the district.
The principal value of the coal is
for local uses. For upon the coal de
pends the other development of the
tributary districts. The great copper
belt extending over a hundred miles
in length along the Chitina and Cop
per river valleys must stay practical
ly undeveloped until the coal is avail
able.
There is one great copper mine
opened there for which the Copper
River railroad was built. How many
others there might have been if the
coal were available can not be told.
But there are over 500 other copper
claims located in the district. The
owners of these claims have spenl
hundreds of thousands of dollars In
their development, and have beer
waiting for years for the opening ol
the coal. The ores are of the htghesl
grade and the coal. lime, silica and a!
elements for smelting are so near anc
so easy to assemble at a fine harboi
on tidewater that it is the most favor
able locality in the entire world foi
development of a great copper indus
try. The one essential lacking is i
railroad to the coal.
The Kennecott mines are producim
about 300,000 tons of ore a year. /
large part of this is 72 per cent ore
nearly pure copper. But there is mud
more low grade ore, running from
per cent to 15 per cent, which mu*
now be crushed and concentrated a
the mine until it is at least 50 pe
cent copper before it can be shippe<
at all; for it must now be carrle
through Cordova and past the co«
field and taken to Tacoma, 1,40
miles away, to be smelted. Nothini
1 but the richest ore can stand thi
, transportation. How many thousand
- or millions of tons of ore would bi
i produced were it permitted no one cat
say. But In Montana, in Utah and it
Arizona, where the conditions are no
so favorable for cheap copper produc
tion, the ores mined run into th<
■ millions of tons per year. Fine cltiei
■ and prosperous communities are buil
i ' and supported on the copper industry
• alone. Butte, a thriving city of 75,00(
population, is an example of whal
might be built at Cordova were only
a little reasonable sense and justice
used about it. As it stands, the gov
ernment will neither develop the field
itself nor permit anybody else to
do it.
CRUEL INJUSTICE TO THE
PEOPLE.
The people of the towns of Cordova,
Chitina, McCarthy and Kennecott and
other places are not only obliged to
see the great resources about them
remain undeveloped, the ores pro
duced in their district hauled away
to be smelted and to build up compan
ies in a distant state instead of their
own, but they must bring even the
coal they use for domestic purposes
from foreign fields a thousand miles
and more away instead of from the
Alaska coal field right at their own
doors.
The people of Katalla, only ten
miles from the Bering coal, are j
obliged to pay $20 per ton for coal
for domestic use brought from British
Columbia.
These communities, having a popu
lation of only two or three thousand
pioneers, struggling to build up their
towns against the natural hardships
of the country, see their best efforts
defeated by the obstruction and dis
crimination of their own government.
Heretofore pioneers have been help
ed and not hindered. They have been
praisgd for their courage and appre
ciated for their enterprise In build
ing prosperous communities in our un
developed territories.
MALIGNANT POLITICS.
The truth is. the Bering coal has
long been the subject of political con
troversy. The most astonishing lies
have been involved about it and re
tailed to the public for political pur
poses. The Ballinger-Pinchot quarrel
raged about it. The enemies of the
Taft administration used it freely as
a weapon of attack in the Cunningham
coal cases and the Controller bay In
cident. Its uses for such purposes
ought to have passed. The time seems
to have come when it should be put to
its natural uses.
THE COPPER RIVER RAILROAD.
The Copper River railroad is an ex
cellent line extending 196 miles front
Cordova inland. It would long ago
have thrown out a branch to the Ber
ing coal, but was stopped. Now it can
not. It is owned by the Kennecott
Copper Corporation, which owns the
producing copper mine already re
ferred to. The shareholders of this
cpmpany number six or seven thou
sand. It is operated more as a mine
road than a commercial line because
it has not been permitted to extend
to the coal. It has for the same rea
son been prevented from extending
other branches into the copper field
or further to the interior. Its growth
is stopped. The rates are necessarily
higher because it can not develop its
territory and so increase its volume
ot business,
GOVERNMENT MAY CONDEMN.
By the terms of the Alaska railroad
law the president is fuly authorized
to condemn or purchase any existing
line of railroad or any part thereof,
or to compel any Ruch line to make
traffic connections with a government
line.
Therefore, in extending a line to the
Bering coal the government may make
use of the existing line as far as it
goes. It may purchase or condemn
the 38 miles of track, or if considered
preferable, could condemn or pur
chase the whole of the existing line.
But it Is not at all necessary to do
either. The law Is ample to compel
the existing line to make a traffic
connection with any line the govern
ment may build to the coal, upon rea
sonable terms and conditions, to be
adjusted by the Interstate Commerce
Commission, If necessary.
The government could, as an alter
native, secure running rights over the
38 miles of existing line and so handle
the coal traffic independently. Such
contracts for running rights are very
common. The Union Pacific railroad,
for example, secured such rights on
the Northern Pacific tracks from
Portland to Seattle, and operates its
own trains over its rival's tracks, In
full competition with It
Such contracts for running rights
i may be seen in nearly every large city
where two or more railroads use th«
: same tracks to enter the terminals.
Unless the government means t<
own all the railroads in Alaska now
i or hereafter to be built. It must con
> sider traffic connections and runnlnf
t rights agreements with private lines
t The law requires them to make sucl
r connections.
1 CORDOVA HARBOR.
1 The report of the army and nav;
1 engineers confirmed the opinion o
3 Secretary Fisher, heretofore quoted
r as to Cordova harbor. They say :
i "After its study of all available har
t bors the commission is of the opinion
i that the one at Cordova is without
i question the best. It has no disad
i vantage not possessed by all and one
: great advantage possesed by no other.
namely, an ample area of good anehor
i age. Seward is evidently the seaport
for the Matanuska coal and Cordova
the logical outlet for the Bering river
coal. The comparison of transporta
tion rates given In the foregoing table
show that for an output of 500,000
tons annually it will cost $1.96 a ton
more to haul Matanuska coal by Sew
ard than It will to haul the Bering
river coal to Cordova, and the analysis
further shows that for double this
output the additional cost will be
$1.11. This places the Matanuska coal
at such disadvantage that it could
probably -not be marketed at tide
water in competition with the Bering
river coal.”
PART OF PREPAREDNESS PLAN.
As a site for a military and naval
base for national defenses the harbor
at Cordova ib unique. It is superior
to any site in the Hawaiian islands or
any other point on the Pacific coast.
It is completely landlocked and can
easily be made Impregnable to attack
from either land or sea. In addition,
there can be here assembled three
commodities of the greatest need in
war, namely, copper, coal and oil All
these commodities are produced and
can be brought to Cordova harbor with
250 miles of railroad, 200 miles of
which are already in operation. There “1
is no other similar district on the Pa
cific seaboard, probably no other iti
the entire world. In the hands of an
enemy this site would be most dan
gerous. In case of war it would no
doubt be seized by an enemy instant- j
ly and a branch quickly extended to I
the coal and oil fields.
It may be said that it is intended to „
build a railroad to the Bering coal,
but that it must wait until the line is
finished from Seward to Fairbanks
This will pvrobably take years. What
can be gained by waiting? It can be
built as cheaply now as then. Of all
possible reasons, procrastination
would seem the least excusable.
SIXTEEN YEARS OF EFFORT.
Coal was discovered in the Bering
field in 1896. In 1900 congress passed
the first act intended to make the coal
available. This act failed to work.
Then in 1904, 1908, 1910, and lastly _
In 1914, congress legislated upon the
subject of Alaska coal lands. Thus
in sixteen years six different acts
have been passed upon the subject:
but the Bering coal is still unopened.
The leasing system is now- to be
tried, but w ithout a railroad there can
be no coal mines. The government
only can build it under existing condi
tions.
-w
Ladies' and gent's shoes oiled and
shined. Alaskan Hotel barber shop
Prompt delivery.
-»
USE WATER OR LOSE IT. L
MANDATE NOW PROPOSED. ;
SEATTLE, Jan. 16. — A bill for
the determination of the right regula
tion and use of the water of the state •;
of Washington, drawn to eliminate :•
the long persisting conflict between $
water users and those who have In- i;
sisted upon full riparian rights, in the •:
sense of acquiring rights in a stream :•
and preventing Its use, Is now being
circulated among newspapers. Inter- :f
ested citizens and public officials.
The keynote of the bill is that a
man must use the water to which he •:
claims a right In order to retain it.
Use is held to be the essence of the ji
property owner’s right in a stream, i;
and this right he will ultimately lose •:
if ho does not use the water If en
acted into law the bill will prevent a
person from acquiring a riparian right 5
and holding it purely for speculation.
This water code was adopted by the .
Water Code Conference called by
Governor Lister at Tacoma, July 11
and 12, 1916, and adjourned to North
Yakima November 15. 1916. The con
ference was representative of the fol
lowing interests: Water power com
panies; water usefrs’ associations; Ir
rigation districts and companies; state
bankers’ association; clearing house
associations; state bar association;
railroad companies; chambers of com
merce and commercial bodies; state
higher educational Institutions; civil,
hydraulic and electrical engineering
associations and cities and towns of
the state.
The principal contest in the confer
ence was between the riparian rights
representatives and the irrigationists.
This conflict is disposed of by sec
tions 44 and 45 of the water code,
which fixes a limit of time within
which a person claiming riparian
rights must exercise them.
-»
TOWN OF CORDOVA.
Municipal Taxes.
Town taxes are now due and pay
able to the town treasurer, H. I
O'Neill, at bla office.
Bald taxes will be delinquent on
| <he second Monday In February, 1917,
at the hour of 6 o’clock p. m. Upon
all unpaid taxeH after that time a pen
’ alty of five per cent will ve collected
f H. I. O’NEILL,
, Town Treasurer.
NOTICE.
All creditors of the Cordova Pac
ing Company, who hax. not here,
fore presented their claims to 1
Brock, at the Blum, O’Neill store, a;
requested to do so at once
--
John Rawson has removed his ba
gain store to the Northern block o
poslte the Cordova Hou.
-♦
Be a Dally Times reaoer
A Penny S ved
Isa Penny
Gained.
By BREEN.
The wise housewife
saves many a penny read
ing the newspapers.
If there is a bargain
advertised she’ll not miss
it. She constantly is
looking for it.
It is up to the mer
chant. Keep the house
wife posted. Let her
know through the news
paper what you have to
offer. Incidentally men
today ransack the news
papers for bargains as
assiduously a; do w omen.
If you want to sell
your wares advertise.
Advertise in the best
medium, the newspaper.
Also if you want to buy
successfully read the ad
vertisements
Sheldon
AUl O STA .E LINE
Givlni; an i • ;.i anto ser
vice between t nu ami Fair
banks, Al.tskl
Enquire about them at Chltlna
Hotel, Ghitina, Alaska, before
making reservations elsewhere.
M. 0. Thoms»»- H. C. Murphy
The MECCA
Thompson & Murphy, Props
Dealers in
WINES, LT9U0RS AND
Cl ARS
Phon* 107.
■ ■ ■ - JUS.’WP.1 '
0 -B
| I
SUBSCRIBE FOR THE
1
DAILY TIME9.
DELIVERED BY CARRIER, i
*1.00 PER MONTH,
I I
l-4
MEET ME AT
The HORSESHOE
POPULAR RECREATION PLACE
, j Where We ( an Always Find Our
Friends.
Finest Billiard and Pool Tables In
Alaska.
BEST GRADES OF STANDARD
BRANDS OF CIGARS.
_
Foe s Gas Engines |
4 to 5GO Horse Power fi
General Electric Motors
Roebling Tramways
Pelton Water Wheels
Chiau Oil Engines and Compressors
Regal Boat Engines
Harmon MachineryCo Inc |
Oxy-Acetylene Welding. §j
CORDOVA, ALASKA
When Ordering Beer
Rainier Pale
t ' """ "I ». ..
Sixty Steam Heated Rooms Eletric Lighted
Hot and Cold Water in Every Room
With or Without Bath.
Cordova House
H C. ROSS, Proprietor.
•-. '
Headquarters for Railroad and Mining Men
Satisfaction Guranteed
Rates Reasonable
0-1
1. ___
REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD HIVE X BANKING CONNECTION I
r
■)- Money in the bank is safer than in your own safe. The bank
takes the responsibility, and it does not cost you one cent.
Money in the bank gives you a credit which you might need
- sooner or later in your business.
Money in the bank enables you to pay your accounts by
check, and thereby keep a better record of your income and
expenses. }-*'**••*••$ , « 5 * • • ,
Money in the bank is not spent as freely as money in your
pocket.
Money in the bank gives you a feeling of safety and satis
faction that you won’t enjoy otherwise.
We invite the accounts of firms and individuals. Whether
you have a large or small amount on deposit you will receive
courteous attention, the Bank aiming at all times to give satis
faction to its patrons.
THE FIRST BANK OF CORDOVA
United States Depository for Postal Savings Funds.
Territorial Depository. Government Inspected.
Security—Service—Satisfaction
|
—
"".■."I-JJL. J_ . _ . .
Manhattan Hotel
R. W. FERRELL, Prop.
Electric Lighted, lint Water. Turkish and Tub
Baths.
OPPOSITE CORDOVA GRILL, CORDOVA, ALASKA.
PHONE 99
I — ■ I * I .. H->'
| Alaskan Hotel
•$ the house of comfort
gs a
I THE BEST EQUIPPED HOTEL
IN ALASKA
BAR AND BARBER SHOP IN CONNECTION.
Hot and Cold Water, Electric Bells, Electric
Lights, Steam Heat, Suites With Bath.
$ Bar in Connection £:
3 s
ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Proprlteort ART CLONiNGER
CORDOVA, .... ALASKA
ALL THE LIGHT ON THE BOOK,
anil none in the ey.-s is what makes
the electric light so superior for in ;ht
reading. Anil its brilliancy bring* out
the type with the utmost ilistinc ve
riest so that reading is accompanied
by no strain on the eyes whatever.
Have you electricity in your home?
Cordova Power
Company
LIGHTS WATER PHONES POWER
Office: FIRST STREET.
I _
Iv »
| Copper River &
Northwestern Ry.
EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 1916.
Three Trains Weekly Between Cordova and Chitina.
;§ Four Trains Weekly Between Chitina and Kennecott. ||
I 1 Leave Cordova, Second Street Depot, on Mondays, Thurs- i|
days and Saturdays.
jl? Leave Chitina for Cordova Sundays, Tuesdays and g
g Fridays.
Leave Chitina for Kennecott Sundays, Tuesdays, Thurs
days and Fridays.
|i| Leave Kennecott for Chitina Mondays, Wednesdays, if
| Thursdays and Saturdays.
The above schedule subject to change without uotioe. i|
:? Dining Car In Connection With all Regular Peaeenger Trains *• 8
8. tween Cordova and Chitina.
S _ |i
Freight received from 9 A. M. to 5 I'. M.
Tickets on sale at Depot or up town office, Alaska 8
;| Steamship Company building
I Caleb Corser W. E. Brown
Superintendent Cordova Agent g
GOVERNMENT COMPETITION.
liven if the law did not practically
prohibit private railroad building In
Alaska, as it does, there would still
be danger of government competition.
A private line to the Bering field
would surely have to compete with the
government line to the Matanuska, ex
cept as to coal for local use. It might
have to compete with a government
line to the Bering field itself. The
president has undoubted authority to
build there.
The coal leasing law also expressly
reserves 5,280 acres of coal land in
the Bering field, authorizes the presi
dent to open mines to compete with
any other mine or railroad when In his
opinion the price is coal Is too high.
Thus the threat of destructive compe
tition is always before one who might
venture to build a road or open a coal
mine.
Unless the government itself will
build a railroad to the Bering field, its
position is more hopeless than it was
before the railroad and coal leasing
laws were passed. Instead of being
opened, it is more effectively closed.
NAVAL COAL TESTS.
It may be said that one reason why
a railroad to the Bering field is not
being built Is that a tost showed the
coal unsuitable for naval use, while
Matanuska coal is suitable. But this
was another example of injustice to
the Bering field. A physician was
sent to select the samples tested from
the Bering field, while an experienced
coal mining engineer selected that
from the Matanuska.
There are many different veins of
coal in the Bering field, and many
kinds of coal. The doctor happened
to pick a poor sample for the peculiar
needs of the navy. The chemical ana
lysis shows the coal of the two fields
to be of the same general character.
The same coal mining engineer who
selected the good samples from Mata
nuska does not hesitate to say that
there is equally as good naval coal
in the Bering field, and probably as
much or more of It.
LOCAL USE PRINCIPAL VALUE OF
BERING COAL.
. _- 1 m __ ___... ,1 «t Un.ln rw