BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON THE TERRITORIES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON THE BILL H. R. 18526, TO CONSTRUCT A RAILROAD AND TELEGRAPH AND THE BILL H. R. 18533, TO AID IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF A RAILROAD TERRITORY OF ALASKA. February 2, 6, and 9, 1905. WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1905. RAILROAD AND TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE LINE IN ALASKA. COMMITTEE ON THE TERRITORIES, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, D. C., February 2, 1905. The committee met at 11.25 o'clock a. m., Hon. Edward L. Hamilton in the chair. The bills under consideration by the committee were the following: [H. R. 18526, Fifty-eighth Congress, third session.] A BILL to construct a railroad and telegraph line in the district of Alaska. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That Henry Bratnober, of California; Charles F. Manderson, of Nebraska; George W. Holdrege, of Nebraska; George C. Hazelet, of Alaska; John Tod, of New York; James E. Kelby, of Nebraska, and Edward Gillette, of Wyoming, are hereby created into a body corporate and politic, in deed and in law, by the name, style, and title of "Trans-Alaska Railroad Company," and by that name shall have perpetual succession, may sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, defend and be defended in all courts of law and equity within the United States; may make and use a common seal and the same alter at pleasure, and shall be able in law and in equity to make contracts; may take, hold, use, possess, and enjoy the fee simple or other title to real estate necessary to carry out the provisions of this act and the full realization of the purposes for which it is created; may sell, convey, pledge, mortgage, or dispose of the same, subject to the provisions of this act, and may make by-laws, rules, and regulations proper and necessary to carry into effect the provisions hereof not repugnant to the Constitution or laws of the United States or the provisions of this act, and shall have the usual and necessary powers, privileges, and immunities of companies created or organized for such purposes; and said corporation is hereby authorized and empowered to lay out, locate, construct, furnish, maintain, and enjoy a continuous railroad and telegraph, with the appurtenances, from a point on the north shore of Valdez Bay, near the town of Valdez, northerly toward and to Eagle City, on the Yukon River, in the district of Alaska. SEC. 2. That any seven of the persons heretofore named shall constitute the first board of directors under this act, and shall hold their office until their successors shall be elected and qualified; they shall within one year from the date of the approval of this act, meet at such place and time as shall be designated by any three of them and 3 |