AN ALL
ALASKA
NEWSPAPER
DEVOTED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF ALASKA AND THE PORTLAND CANAL MINING DISTRICT.
■i
SUBSCRIPTION^
$3.00 PER YEAR
IN ADVANCE
VOL 1, NO. 14
HYDER, ALASKA, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10,1924
FIFTY CENTS A MCKIH
VIGOROUS CAMPAIGN
FOR R. R. CONSTRUCTION
PLANNED BY C. OF C.
Backing up the resolution re
cently passed by that body,
the Chamber of Commerce is
planning to carry on a vigorous
campaign to secure the con
struction of a railroad through
Northern British Columbia
with deep water terminals on
Portland Canal. In addition to
efforts to enlist the attention
of railroad officials and civic
and commercial organizations
in Canada and the United
States, the Chamber of Com
merce will also attempt to se
' cure the support of the various
Chambers of Commerce and
other similar bodies through
out Alaska.
Copies of the recent resolut
ion endorsing the efforts now
being made in that direction
by the citizens of Stewart and
other residents of Northern
British Columbia and Alberta
have been or will be forward
ed to the officials of the Can
adian Pacific and Canadian
National Railways and various
Chambers of Commerce, in
cluding those of Edmonton,
Alberta, Duluth, St. Paul, Min
neapolis and other Eastern
points.
Maps and data covering the
feasibility of the project, the
commercial and economic poss
ibilities and particularly point
ing out that the construction
of a branch line from the
northern terminus of the Can
adian Pacific, at Dunvegen, Al
berta, or the Canadian Nation
al, at Bruhle, Alberta will not
only open up the great re
sources of the Peace River
section and the intervening
territory but also establish a
new highway and trade route
between the United States and
Canada and Alaska, over
which the bulk of Southern
Alaska traffic will undoubted
ly flow, owing to the shorter
distance and resultant saving
in time and reduced costs be
tween the Territory and East
ern markets.
The statistical and other in
formation provided by the re
port is of the most interesting
and instructive character. The
data was obtained from the
Department of Commerce and
other government reports and
from the Territorial Attorney
General’s office. Briefly sum
marized it shows that Portland
Canal is the only arm of the
Pacific Ocean that penetrates
entirely through the coastal
mountain range and that it is
of sufficient width and depth
to' accommodate the entire
Pacific coast merchant marine.
Hyder is the only place in
Alaska that can be reached
by a transcontinental railroad.
It has sufficient water front
to meet all requirements oi
coastwise and Trans-Pacific
A LARGE ASSORTMENT OF
LADIES WRIST WATCHES
AND GENTS WATCHES IN
ALL STANDARD MAKES
FULLY GUARANTEED BY
HYDER DRUG COMPANY
“THE POSTOFFICE STORE’1
cramerce. This water front is
separated from the Stewart
water front only by the 120
foot wide international bound
ary line and a transcontinental
railroad to Stewart water front
would require an extensitfh of
only a few feet to secure an
Alaska terminal.
Hyder is the most southerly
town and seaport of Alaska,
and 780 nautical miles from
Seattle. Thus a railroad with
its terminus at Hyder would
eliminate a dead haul of that
distance in commercial trans
portation to and from the Ter
ritory. As considerably more i
than half the tonnage shipped
to and from Alaska originates
in or is destined to eastern and
middle western points, a large
percentage of the entire com
mrce of Alaska would pass
over the proposed railroad,
northbound shipping being
distributed from Hyder to oth
er parts of the Territory by
coastwise steamers.
Dealing with the monetary
value of Alaska commerce, the
report shows that between
1867 and December 31, 1923,
Alaska exported commodities
valued at $1,246,672,039. Dur
ing the same period it import
ed goods valued at $642,463,
444, making a total commer
cial traffic amounting to $1,
»oy, or an average
annual commerce equal to four
and one half times the $7,200,
000 paid for the purchase of
the Territory.
During the year 1923, Alaska
imported merchandise to the
value of $31,300,441 at whole
sale prices, 90 per cent of
which passed through the port
of Seattle, and in the same
period exported commodities
worth $62,775,307, principally
through Seattle, making a tot
al commercial traffic amount
ing to $94,075,784. Thus with
a population of 55,036 (1920
census) the per capita imports
amounted to $561, while the
per capita exports were valued
at $1,141. The value of this
traffic to a transcontinental
railroad will be readily appre
ciated when it is known that
of the 142,818 gross tons im
ported in 1923, 95,179 tons,
considerably more than half,
originated east of St. Paul and
Minneapolis. Assuming that
'the freight charges averaged
$10 per ton, on commodities
from the east, this would pro
vide a traffic revenue for a
railroad amounting in round
figures to approximately $1,
000,000 per year. As the es
timated cost of constructing a
road from Grand Prairie to
Stewart is $20,000,000, the
trade imports of Alaska alone, j
measured on the basis of 1923
imports would pay 5 per cent
on the investment. It is also es
timated that 75 per cent of
Alaska extorts are distribut
ed to points east of St. Paul
: and Minneapolis. The tonnage
is not definitely known but as
the total value amounted to
$62,775,307 in 1923, it is
practically certain that the ex
port traffic, measured on the
same basis would add approx
INDEPENDENCE IS
MAKING GOOD
Three feet of high grade ore
on the hanging wall of the
main drive, was the good news
that came down from rhe In
dependence Saturday, and in
dicates that the Well known
property is making good with
each' additional foot of de
velopment work done. The
vein, of which the high grade
is a part, gradually increased
in width, with deeper pene
tration during the summer’s
operations and the tunnel is
now being driven through sol
id vein matter, with the high
grade steadily widening as
depth is attained. As the face
of the drift is still some dis
tance from its objective, the
outlook for an unuusually
large body of high grade ore
farther on seems most promis
ing.
Work is also continuing on
the cross cut tunnel extending
from the main drive to No. 2
vein. This drift is now in a dis
tance of 576 feet and running
from a business trip to Anyox.
grade shipping and milling
ore.
imately 10 per cent, more to
the traffic revenues of a rail
road, making a total annual
return of approximately 15
per cent on tiie investment
from Alaska, commerce alone.
The report states that steam
ship companies operating to
Alaska in 1920 handled 40,000
passengers; imports valued at
$38,418,473 and exports of
$69,911,422, a total of $108,
329,895, and derived a reve
nue therefrom of approximate
ly $6,790,152. That the traffic
is increasing is shown in the
statement that the imports of
1923 showed an increase of
approximately $ 4,000,000,
over 1922, while the exports
increased over $3,000,000 dur
ing the same period.# The re
port adds:# “It is safe to say
that with a decrease of freight
rates of approximately $10 per
ton, that being the average
freight rate from Seattle to
Hyder, the increase in both im
ports and exports would be
much greater than reported
for the years 1922 and 1923.”
Touching on the matter of
time saved in transporting
Alaska shipping by rail, as
compared to water transport
ation, the report points out
that approximately eight days
are now required to travel from
Hyder or Ketchikan to Chicago
by way of Seattle, while freight
consignments take from 30 to
60 days. With direct rail con
nections the time would be re
duced to four days in the first
case while the time required to
transport freight from Chica
go to Hyder or Ketchikan
would not exceed ten to four
teen days.
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The Hyder Fuel Company is
transporting a scow load of
fuel oil to the Riverside mine
for use during the snowy per
iod.
CHURCH ENTERTAINERS
GIVE PLEASING SHOW
The M. E. Church entertain
ment, given Saturday even
ing under the auspices of the
church entertainment commit
tee, proved a highly interest
ing event and attracted a good
sized audience to Pioneer Hall.
Without exception all who
witnessed the performance are
unanimous in praise of the very
excellent program and espec
ially of the unusual dram
atic and elocutionary abilities
of Mrs. Myrtle C. Hatten, who
contributed a major portion of
the program numbers. Mrs.
Hatten displayed remarkable
versitility in the rendition of a
wide range of verse and prose
selections and was more than
merely clever in her child im
personations, those based upon
the quaint poems of James
Whitcomb-Riley being espec
ially effective. Her work wan
of the highest order through
out and won for her an abund
ance of applause from the
highly pleased audience. Next
to the renditions of Mrs. Hat
ten, the song specialty “Three
Little Maids at Tea,” by Dor
otny and June Mehlteld and
Lillian Stewart, was especially
pleasing to the audience. Gos
sip over the teacups afforded
the little maids a splendid op
portunity for local hits, most
of which were highly appre
ciated. The girls made a de
cided hit and well deserved
the applause that rewarded
their very clever effort.
Roy Newton and his saxo
phone also made a fine im
pression on the audience. Mr.
Newton, although an amatuer,
plays with a skill worthy of a
professional and will always
be a welcome number on any
entertainment program as long
as he remains in Hyder.
The main comedy element oi
the program was furnished by
a one-act farce comedy, “Jason
Stebbin’s Courtship,” with
George Mehlfeld, Mrs. Jas. D.
Lyons, Dorothy Mehlfeld and
Lillian Stewart in the various
roles. As a somewhat decrepit
farmer, Mr. Mehlfeld was a
perfect replica of the type seen
on the professional, stage,
while Mrs. Lyons as the moth
er, Lillian Stewart as the girl
and Dorothy Mehlfeld, acting
the male part of the Deacon,
gave very able characterizat
ions and won well merited ap
plause from the audience.
Miss Maye Coombes also
added greatly to the interest
ing program with a number of
excellently rendered vocal se
lctions.
The entertainment was di
rected by Miss Marion Hunt,
chairman of the church enter
tainment committee, whose
talents as a stage manager
were easily discerned in the
excellent work of the comedy
cast.
A tasty luncheon, comprising
coffee, cake and pie, all home
made, by some of Hyder’s best
culinary artists, was a part of
the program that also made a
hit with the audience.
DUNWELL ORE IS
GETTING RICHER
Reports from the Dumvell are
to the effect that the ore in the
north drift of No.4 uinnel is
growing richer with every foot
of progress. According to those
familiar with the propelty this
indicates that the drift is pene
trating the rich ovo shoot
found in the north drift of tun
nel No. 3, although the ore in
the lower drift is said to be of
somewhat different character
from that found in the upper
'evels. The general average ol
the vein is said to be around
•?40 per ton.
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Work on the long tunnel in
the Daly Alaska is going for
ward in a highly successful
manner and with excellent
results under the direction of
manager William Sloan. Late
reports from the mine are to
the effect that a body of ore
carrying excellent values has
been cross cut within the past
few days but details are not
yet available. Samples of the
ore exhibited in town during
the week contain much native
silver and appear to be of con
siderably higher grade than
any samples from the mine
heretofore seen.
n.
That business conditions in
Hyder are much better than
they were last fall at .this time,
is the view of a majority of the
business firms. Practically ev
ery line is averaging some
what better than last year at
this period, while those engag
ed in handling holiday goods
report a wide increase in the
volume of purchases in that
jclass of commodities. Money is
apparently much freer than it
was last fall and purchases
are not only larger in volume
but there is greater., demand
for the higher grades of goods.
This healthy trade condition
is largely accounted for by the
increased pay rolls of the Riv
erside, Daly Alaska and other
mining properties, vjiich are
employing more men and con
ducting a wider range of activ
ities than was the case last
year.
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LOCAL COUPLE WED
Charles Jackson Davis and
Mildred Eva Yoris were united
in the matrimonial bond Satur
day evening, the ceremony be-'
ing performed by U. S. Com
missioner Chas. F. Sandford, at
the Commissioner’s office,
with Miss Bernice Lemiux and
Ernest Jones as witnesses.
i nr nr
Artistically and financially,
tHe entertainment was a com
plete success and the net pro
ceeds totaled something over
$40, a portion of which will be
used to pay the charges of the
Townsite Trustee for title to
the land occupied by the
church, the remainder being
devoted to defraying the cost
of redecorating the church.
->-o
Mail Xmas Packages Early
CITIZENSHIP NIGHT
SCHOOL FORMING
The initial step3 toward the
establishment of a Citizenship
Might School, under the Ter
ritorial of 1919, were tak
en Monday evening at a meet
ing of the School Board held
in the Provirtss building. The
law provides that every school
board in the Territory may es
tablish a Citizenship Night
School in their respective dis
tricts for adults and minors
over the age of 18 years, pro
vided an initial enrollment of
at least 12 students can be ob
tained. An average attendnn-e
of 8 pupils must be maintained
after organization. The coo**se
[includes instruction in the Eog
|lish language. United States
history and the government of
the United States or the Terri
tory of Alaska. Those are com
pulsory but instruction mi1' • 1
so be given in subjects of a
character to "mat« a b'^-r
standard of citizenship end a
[better" understands? of the
[American form oF government
and of the o’d"«rat»ons and
I privileges of citizenship. The
teaching of partisan, see+ar;*>n
[or denominational doctrines is
expressly forbidden Tb^ d^bt
;schools am of e'medal benefit
to those who dc^'ro to become
citizens of the United S*n*es
and to acquire a clear under
standing of the prindnles of
our government and of Amer
ican institutions. The instruct
ion in the English language is
also of inestimable value to
this class of pupil3, as well as
to all others who are imper
fectly acquainted with the
tongue. Instruction is entirely
free, the expenses of the
schools being provided by the
Territory, hence there is no
reason why any person over
the age of 16 cannot acquire
at least a good working know
ledge of the English language
and a general understanding
of American history and gov
ernment, by devoting two or
three nights a week to th-nr
study. The lav/ provides for
not less than two hours in
struction per session on not
less than two nor more than
five nights per week, over a
period of not more than 24
weeks in one school year.
Seventeen pupils were enroll
ed at the meeting Monday and
it is understood that a larger
number would have enrolled if
the project had been given a
wider measure of publicity.
Arrangements have been made
for the use of a room in the
Provinse building as a school
room. Miss Marian Hunt, who
is well qualified for the posit
ion has been selected as teach
er.
ATTENTION MOOSE
Meeting tonight, Pioneer Hall:
Initiation: all members re
quected to be nre erit.
Dictator.
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CHRISTMAS SUGGESTIONS
TOILET GOODS
HIGH GRADE CIGARS
BOXED CANDIES
SUPERFINE STATTONERY
CUT GLASS - CAMERAS
FOUNTAIN PENS
AT
THE MIDGET EMPORIUM