FOURTH YEAR. CHITINA, ALASKA, TUESDAY, MAY 19. 1914. NUMBER 31
CHITINA SURVEYS LATER
WASHINGTON, D. G, May 13, 1914
Chamber of Commerce, Cordova, Alaska.
Intention is to place party on survey on line north from Chitina. You will
remember we have best information over Chitina-Fairbanks route than over any other.
RIGGS
The above gratifying information was received this
morning by the Cordova Chamber of Commerce. On Friday
afternoon last the Chamber sent a cable to Secretary of the
Interior Lane, which read as follows:
“Press dispatches indicate that survey parties have been
selected for the Susitna-Fairbanks route only. Will survey
parties be placed on the Chitina-Fairbanks route soon. Tf
not, we desire to be heard in the matter. Please answer.”
This wire was evidently turned over by Secretary Lane
to the Alaska Engineering Commission, and a reply from a
member of the Commission, Thos. Riggs, Jr., is the result. Tt
contains such information as the people of Cordova hoped for
and is an indication that this section of Alaska is not being
overlooked.
The Alaska Railroad Commission made a comprehensive
study of this route and find that the maximum grade would be
1.13 per cent and the maximum curvature 14 deg. The cost of
constructing the 313 miles between Chitina and Fairbanks is
given at $10,547,339. This includes grading, track laying,
trestles, bridges, snow sheds, snow fences, depots, water
stations, etc. In addition there is an estimate of $527,367 forj
engineering and superintendence, at 5 per cent; $20,000 fori
terminal grounds and land damages; $78,250 for telephone;!
$1,117,296 for contingencies at 10 per cent; $1,106,122 for!
interest at 6 per cent on cost during one-half period of i
construction; $575,000 for rolling stock plus overhead charges.!
Making a_ grand total of $13,971,000, or $44,600 the average
cost per mile of track.
The Railroad Commission makes other estimates for
trunk lines, as follows: From Kern Creek to Fairbanks, a
distance of 391 miles, $17,708,000, at an average cost per mile
of track, $45,300; from Valdez to Fairbanks, a distance of 380
miles, $18,545,000, average cost per mile of track, $48,800.
PORTLAND, Ore., May 14.—The latest wild rumor to be
circulated here is to the effect that Gov. Oswald West is to be
appointed chairman of the Alaskan Railroad Commission, al
the instance of Senator Chamberlain. The story is not
generally credited as it is considered that the governor is n
man whose views are too radical and his experience too
limited, to fill an important position of this kind. His term oF
office will expire on January 1, 1915, and he is not a candidate
for reelection.
WASHINGTON, May 14.—Benjamin Tillman, Jr., son of
Senator Tillman, of South Carolina, and Ralph M. Moyer, of
this city have been appointed clerks to the Alaska Engineering
Commission.
WASHINGTON, May 15.—This morning Secretary Lane
was asked why instructions had been given the Alaska
Engineering Board to make their first surveys between the
Susitna and Tanana sections. The secretary replied that it
was because that route seemed to offei the greater possibilities
to achieve *he purpose for which the railroad is intended, and
for reaching coal fields that will supply fuel both for the navy
and rtir domestic purposes in Alaskans well, which is one of
the definite objects the administration has in view.
He states that the Susitna route touches the Matanuska
field, where is found the high grade bituminous coal for navy
and export use, and it also reaches the Nenana fields, where are
found large deposits of high grade lignite coal for domestic
consumption.
The Secretary further states that this route opens up a
section of the country that is rich with known possibilities for
development. He added, however, that “the route must first
be surveyed to see if it is what we want.”
Referring to terminals the Secretary said, “We must first
know about grades and terminals, whether to place the
tenninal at Seward or Portage Bay.” He was further asked,
“Then if the grades are found to be satisfactory and an
adecpiate harbor is found for terminals either at Seward or
Portage Bay, you will build through the Susitna route?” The
Secretary replied, “I have not said so.”
Secretary Lane further declined to say whether the present
engineering board will build the railroad which it is to locate.
WASHINGTON, May 15.—The office that the Alaska
Engineering Commission has maintained in the Interior
building was closed today. Commissioner Thos. Riggs, Jr., and
B. H. Barndollar, the disbursing officer, left today for Seattle.
They will be joined next week by Lieut. Mears and Mr. Edes,
expecting to go north next week. About June 1st the head
quarters of the Commission will be established at Ship Creek.
All survey work will be directed from there. The further
appointment of engineers and field force will be made at Seattle
and in Alaska. Before his departure Mr. Riggs said, “We
hope to complete surveys and decide upon routes by the end of
the season. Actual construction will probably begin early
next veai\”
WASHINGTON, May 15.—Benjamin I. Campbell has been
appointed one of the engineers to be placed in charge of a
party of surveyors by the Alaska Engineering Commission. At
present he is employed by the New York, New Haven cc
Hartford Railroad, with headquarters at Providence.
SAMPSON TO CARRY COAL ^
^ FROM KNIK ARM SOUTH ^
❖ - ❖!
^ WASHINGTON, May 14.—Owing to the fact that ^!
^ the cruiser Maryland is now being held for engage
^ ment in war activities, it will not be advisable to carry |
^ out the contemplated plan of sending this cruiser north j
^ to bring out the 900 tons of coal mined in the <$►
^ Matanuska field and stored at tidewater on Knik Arm,
^ in Cook’s Inlet. Instead the department has arranged <*>
^ for this coal to be shipped out on the steamer Admiral ^
^ Sampson and stored at the navy yard at Bremerton ^
until it is convenient to make a test. ^
❖ ❖
Col. W. P. Richardson, president of the Alaska Road
Commission, and First Lieutenant Glen E. Edgerton, the
engineer of the board, are passengers on the steamer Alameda
going through to Valdez. The lieutenant is returning from
Ketchikan and Juneau while the colonel is returning from a
winter spent at Washington.
Colonel Richardson states that he was incorrectly quoted
in Seattle with reference to the establishment of an automobile
line to be run by the goveri/fticnt between Chitina or Valdez
and Fairbanks. While in Washington he sought to impress
upon the postal authorities the advantages of having the
summer mail taken to the interior over the Chitina route, with
an additional connecting service between Valdez and Willow
Creek or Copper Center. But as contract had just been awarded
for the summer service via the river route it was not thought
advisable to go to the additional expense of experimetning on
the new service this season.
Col. Richardson, however, believing that the department
will ultimately see the wisdom of the shorter and more
expeditious route, volunteered upon the part of the Road
Commission to make an experimental run. As supplies must
be taken to the interior it would not entail much additional
expense to carry the mail. But his idea is to only make one
or two trips during the season, commencing likely in July
when the roads ai'e in fair condition. The commission already
has one auto truck but is having another shipped in. The new
one is of a little greater speed and power and it will be used
to make the mail run.
It is the intention of Colonel Richardson to make the
experimental trip with the mail starting, say at Chitina, and
returning and going through to Valdez, or vice versa. The
object will be to show just what can be done under ordinary
circumstances, and without any unusual effort, in giving the
people of the Tanana valley a mail service during the summer
season. It is expected that the present time required to trans
port the mail between Seattle and Fairbanks, via Skagwav,
White Horse and Dawson, can be reduced about one half. For
eight months of the year the mail is taken via Cordova, Chitina
and Fairbanks.
Colonel Richardson states that for the present season he
cannot contemplate any new road work as the appropriation
of $125,000 will nearly all be consumed in maintaining and
repairing roads already in use. He states that the bridge across
the Nizina river has been completed at a cost of something
like $23,000, and that efforts will be made to have the road
leading to and from the bridge put in passable condition. He
was informed by J. E. Barratt, of McCarthy, that the citizens
of that community had built a bridge across McCarthy creek
capable of holding the strongest team. They were hopeful that
the Road Commission would build a road to the new bridge and
also construct trails on this side of the Nizina, so that traffic to
the Chisana via the Chittistone could go the shorter route and
without crossing the river.
In the opinion of Colonel Richardson it is the intention of
the administration to construct one railroad first and not to
start on several at the same time. He believes that later
attention will be directed toward the Copper River section. He
thinks that it is the intention to create mileage rather than to
make heavy construction for the tonnage that will only arise
in the years to come. But by extending the system to the
various parts of the territory settlement, cultivation and
tonnage will naturally follow.
JUAREZ, Mva 14.—General V illa has telegraphed his
congratulations to General Gonzales over the capture ofi
Tampico. He added, “We will meet soon at Mexico City.”
William O’Conner has been appointed by Judge F. M.
Brown as permanent U. K. Commissioner, Probate Judge,
Justice of tbe Peace and Recorder, for the Chitina Precinct.
His commission was received from Valdez this morning. Mr.
<)’Connor had his bond prepared for $1,000 and expects to take
the oath of office tomorrow and will likely go to Chitina on the
train Monday next, to assume the duties of his new office.
At present the position is tilled at Chitina by Judge Oscar
Fish, who received the temporary appointment upon the death
of Judge Paul d’ileirry three months ago. There were several
applicants for the position, including the present official and
E. F. Medley.
Judge O’Connor is at present municipal attorney for
( ordova, the only position which he has held during his
residence of seven years in Alaska. In 1910 he was the labor
candidate for Delegate to Congress. He has been a life long
Dmocrat and is a member of the Cordova Democratic club. He
was endorsed for the present position by the Democratic
territorial committeemen in Cordova and several elsewhere, lie
also had the support of all the leading Democrats and citizens
generally of Cordova, McCarthy and Chitina.
WASHINGTON, May 18.—This afternoon Vice President
Marshall in an address declared that one of America’s great
ills is that there is too much science in our so-called educational
system. He declares that there is too little God Almighty in
it. He intimated that some day he would forget all political
parties and .join the Socialists, but never until it becomes the
friend of the church, and never while it flaunts the red flag on
the streets of this country.
WASHINGTON, May 18.—A surprising announcement
was made today concerning Huerta’s intentions. It was
stated positively that Huerta had authorized his delegates to
submit his resignation as president in case it should be neces
sary to effect a settlement of the controversy by the board' of
mediators. This information came from a thoroughly
competent diplomatic source, having direct communication
with Mexico City. It created much surprise and comment.
VERA CRUZ, May 14.—Three federal gunboats crowded
with tederal soldiers escaped from Tampico and anchored
under the protection of the American guns on battleships
under command of Admiral Mayo, off Tampico. It is probable
that among the officers is the commander who refused to
comply with Mayo’s demand for a salute.
❖ FISHERIES OFFICIAL WILL ^
❖ SOON COME TO ALASKA ^
❖ WASHINGTON, May 14.—Dr. E. Lester Jones, 5
❖ deputy commissioner of fisheries, will leave this city ^
❖ on May 28 for an extended trip through Alaska. He
❖ will make a thorough investigation to determine what ^
❖ corrective legislation is needed to conserve the fisheries ^
of the north and also to study the industry in its ^
❖ different phases. Dr. Jones will prepare his report ^
❖ upon his return, to be presented to Congress when it is ^
^ again in session. He is a man with a wide knowledge ^
❖ on the subject which he is about to investigate. ^