Valdez Daily Prospector

ALASKA WRITER
VISITS ANCHORAGE
Mrs. Helen Van Campen Tells
of New City On Cook Inlet- Grading Has Started.
Mrs. Helen Van Campen, the Alaska writer, in speaking of Anchorage, on Cook Inlet, the terminus of the government railroad, gave out the following interview recently:
"Grading has advanced from the mud flats to the camp itself, and on May 18th gangs of men were excavating and filling in through the busiest section of the camp. Grading is also going on at two gravel cuts about two miles from tidewater, and tracks are being laid, and ties cut and piled, for dump tracks at these spots. The tundra is cleared from the ice, at present about eight inches from the surface, and exposure to the air melts at least some of the ice. The clearing gang, in charge of Dan F. Leach, a veteran station man from the Canadian Northern railroad, is about twenty-six miles out.
"At Eagle River, Mile Fifteen, a permanent camp of boarded tents has been made. There is an engineers camp at Mile Four, and these men work from there to tidewater, and back, as conditions demand.
"A noticeable change was achieved by the arrival of James O'Reilly, superintendent of construction, and an old-time Alaska Northern man. Work began to shape up as it should under efficient handling, and railroad men who had been standing around looking thoughtful, decided they wanted to stay and take a job. Mr. O'Reilly is creating system, and he is accessible to whoever needs to see him. He wastes no time and he knows the country.
"A petition is in circulation among business people of Anchorage asking that the townsite be changed to a bench on the opposite side of Ship Creek. The planned site is one mile from the present camp. For reasons of sanitation the land office is said to favor the change, but I did not talk with a representative member of this office, and I can't guarantee that a definite statement was made.
"Water is sold from one private well at five cents a bucket. Ship Creek, and 'springs' that are really only seepage water holes, supply the people. Marshal James Wardell has ordered garbage dumped on the out-going tide, once every twenty-four hours, and is making other rules to safeguard the camp. There are two doctors besides Dr. Reidy, the government's physician. Meals are mostly fifty cents each and at that rate the restaurants are making very little.
"Launches charge one dollar per passenger to land people at the ships or anchored barges. Trunks are carried for one dollar, and freight pays a barge and launch charge, as it is sent only to the ship's side. There is a 'palm garden' under construction, and a pool room with six tables is to appear as soon as permanent building is safe. Many stores now up are built in sections for moving. Tents are everywhere, and so are sniffly colds, but the sun shines and the Alaskans are feeling pretty cheerful.
"I heard about hundreds of men without money, but I didn't see them, and the number walking about, idle, is likely not over a hundred. Most of these have money and are there for speculation. I don't think any are hungry, and since the energetic O'Reilly's round genial face appeared, the strollers are less, for he is working many into the station work.
"It is all section work so far. Common labor is 37½ cents per hour, carpenters 50 cents. No Sunday work on government construction. This is smaller wages than Alaskans are used to. Only one shift being worked, which causes comment, when the daylight is sufficient to work all night without lanterns.
"If you're going to Anchorage and don't mind the snores, you can get beds, with bedding, in several clean bunkhouses. For such effete persons as object to the snores, a tent with a deadline around it is needed.
"I slept in a tent and on the ground, and I liked it so well that when the Alameda blew, I had the bedroll and pack sacks roped, the tent struck and rolled, in about twelve minutes. The camp is worth looking at. It's different than any Alaska ever saw. I'm going again."