VOL. 2
PETERSBURG, ALASKA DECEMBER 9, 1927
NO. 22
he Chamber Of
lommerce Briefs
bather a quiet seance this time.
Harold Dawes acting secretary mi
ni election nf officers next January.
No one named to take the place or
Mayor Swanson as delegate to Wash
ington in the matter of harbor im
provement.
The Advertising Committee doing
good work. Have some very good
pictures as a portion of the neces
sary publicity stuff.
Letter received and read from the
Storfold and Grondahl Company,
herring oil and guana manufactures,
relative to fish matters they were
interested in. Naturally, this letter
had a strong leaning in the direction
of the fertilizer people.
All data bearing on harbor im
provement pretty well collected and
ready to forward to Washington, D.
C. This material will be sent to the
proper authorities just as soon as
completed whether or not any one
from Petersburg is delegated to ap
peer at the Capitol in behalf of
harbor needs. In fact, it is consider
ed that the suggested improvements
will receive all due attenion through
the Alaska Delegate to Congress,
Dan Sutherland.
A wire was read from E. M. God
dard of the TT. S. Game Commission.
This had a bearing on the deer situ
ation, weather conditions, feeding
and so on.
GOOD NEWS FOR YOUNGSTERS
No more of this vile stuff that has
been spooned out to kids for lo,
these many years. No more of this
greasy dope that tasted like decay
ed fat and smelled like a guano
plant. No, kid3, it’s all done away
with in a simple bit of yeast and it
is ten times more potent than the
objectionable cod liver oil. Rickety
cniiaren ana tnose requiring bone
building material will soon have an
opportunity to feed on a product
much more palatable and with more
of the Vitamin D in it than the fat
that has been squeezed out of the
livers of dead codfi3h. The discov
ery came about in the experimental
department with electric lights in
the laboratory of the General Elec
trie Company where it was found
that dry yeast exposed to cathode
rays became so altered that it—
the yeast—became a regular hotbed
of Vitamin D.
OUT OF THE HOSPITAL
George Blake, who has been for
some time in the government hos
pital at Juneau, returned to Peters
burg on the Admiral Rogers. His
injured arm is slowly knitting and
with care should improve right
along.
Vi THE ALAMEDA
The Alaska Steamship Company’s
F. 9.- Alameda docked Wednesday
moruiag at the Citizen’s Wharf,
Southbound, and left out about noon.
There vm foine freight loaded ar
the local dock, and the following
passenger* embarked for outside
points: Hans Reese, Seattle, J. Q. j
Johnson, Seattle, Mias Flora Peer
son, Seattle. Susie Bear, Wrangell.
Cap. Pederson, Seattle. Constan
tine Demos, Mr3. Constantine Demos,
Kethcikan. Perrle Beckner, Seat
tle, Oscar Sather, Mrs. Bather, Seat
tle,
The Alameda also loaded fuel oil
on the barge of the Dredge Company,
pumping It full as she steamed slow
luy down the Narrows.
Last Saturday's St rm
Petersburg experienced a sort of
mixed weather flare up on Saturday
'that made things about as miserable
jas any pessimist might desire. There
! was rain and snow, hail and sleet
and with this assortment came
what is known a's a silver thaw
that loaded the wir >s with ice until
they pulled apart, broke down light,
power and telephone poles, coated
the walks and streets with a slip
pery footing and made the town
look more like a Polar settlement
than a S. E. Alaska city. Fortun
ately, the weather moderated in the
afternoon and it became more cheer
ful.
How Does He Know
The Ketchikan Commercial Club is
in receipt of a letter from Henry
O’Malley. In the letter Mr. O’Mal
ley says that the whaling industry
has no effect on the herring situa
tion. It doesn’t now, of course,
for there aren’t any more whaler—
to speak of. But when whales
were plentiful they certainly were
herring chasers. We put in two
years on a steam whaler and where
ever we found herring we found
whales and it was noticable that the
little fish were continually crowding
shoreward to-get out of harm. In
fact we shot whales right in on the
breaker line where they had push
ed that close to land after feed.
Knights Of The Cue
The billiard tournament that be
gan last Tuesday night at James
Brennan’s pool hall is under way
and creating some excitement. At
each coming Tuersday and Friadv
night the contest will be carried on
in an elimination process. The af
fair is open to the public, but there
shouldn’t be any shying of bricks
in the exciting breaks, nor any loud
haw-haws at the bum shots.
FROM FAIR ISLAND
Greg. Hildebrand, wife and
daughter came up through the snow
storm last Saturday in their trawl
er and reported much better weather
down their way than here in town
In fact, Mr. Hildebrand said that
the snow fall on Fair Island, and in
Beecher Pass region was less than
half of the fall at the Petersburg
end of the Narrows.
NEW BOATS
A brand new packet for the 1 .
S. Bureau of Fisheries is the 78
footer TEAL, built at North Bend,
Oregon, for the Cook Inlet country
Also building for the U. S. Bureau
of Fisheries is the patrol boat Crane
at Port Blakely, Washington, for
duty along the Alaska Peninsula.
This addition will give the Bureau
of Fisheries 12 large vessels includ
ing the Brant, Petrel, Murre, Auk
let, Widgeon, Kittiwake, Bluewing,
Merganser, Scoter and Eider.
THERE ARE STILL OTHERS
Ed Jackson, (Cherick) a full
blooded Yuma Indian and a lino
type operator in Yuma, Arizona, is
one of the fastest keyboard manip- J
ulators in the West. He is also a
talented musician.
Toper lilies make gifts that de
lict. Choice assortment on dis
play at the TOTEM POLE.
Monday's Meeting Of
The City Fathers
I
A tier the usual opening routine
the first matter before he Council
I was the result of inspection of • the
i school house heat and light equip
i ment. The report turned in was to
!the effect that the heating plant wa
| working satisfactorily, Recommend
ed hat further installation be made
in heating sy3tem and that more
lights he added in basement around
the furnace.
Mr. McKecknie was called on re
lative to detail work of the light
and power since the previous meet
ing. The recent break in the main
line between the town and Blind
Slough, the repair of same and the
hardships encountered on account of
the heavy snow fall, frozen reaches
of water whereover the line crosses
and the condition of the line and
power plant were given to the Coun
cil in an understandable talk. It
was quite evident that a deal of
hardship went along with the re
pairing of the line and with the
general repair work at the power
plant.
At this time a Light and Appli
ance rate, a new schedule, was
brought before the Council and was
taken under consideration. On per
U3tial it will be found that the met
er rate is somewhat advanced, but
lower rate on heaters is evident.
The following is approximately what
the new schedule proposes:
LIGHT and APPLIANCE RATE—
No charge less than $1.00 for this
class of service.
Rate: 12<f per kw-hr for first
6kw-hr per active room per month
per kw-hr for next 6 kw-hr per
active room per month,
4<t per kw-hr for all additional
“kw-hr.”
COOKING RATE—
Minimum charge 50£ per kw con
nected load. No charge less than
$1.00.
Rate: j4<J per kw-hr for first
200 kw hours.
3^ per kw-hr for next 200 kw-hrs.
2<t per kw-hr for next 600 kw-hrs
per kw-hr for balance.
COMMERCIAL RATE—
No charge less than $1.00 for this
class of service.
Rate: 12<f per kw-hr for first 50
kw-hrs per month.
per kw-hr for the next 50 kw- ;
hrs per month.
A<f per kwr-hr for balance.
POWER RATE—
Minimum charge 75<f per horse
power. No charge less than $1.00 j
Rate: 5^ per kw-hr for first 100
kw-hrs.
4i per kw-hr for next 300 kw-hrs.
3£ per kw-hr for next 600 kw-hrs.
2<f per kw-hr for next 2000 kw
hrs.
1^ per kw-hr for next 5000 kw
hrs.
% $ per kw-hr for balance.
WATER HEATING^ '
Meter: Min. charge 50^ per kw
connected load. No charge less
than $1.00.
Rate: $.008 per kw-hr per month
FLAT RATE: $3.50 for 1 kil.
heater per month.
$6.00 for 2 kil. heater per month.
$3.50 for 2% kil. automatic per
month.
HOUSE HEATING—
Sold on a min. of six consecutive
month’s use.
October 1 to May 1, $3.00 per kw
per month.
May 1 to October 1 $1.50 per kw
per month.
McKecknie, after the reading of
i the above, went over it ip an ex
planitory way, citing where he
thought, there were advantages.
There were, then, communications
hearing on the auxiliary pelton
wheel, payments and so on. The
equipment will be ready to ship
about the middle o*‘ December, but
at this time a check for 50 per
cent of the contract figure was re
quired by the builders. They also
requested that they be wired as to
just when the check was mailed.
As there is no opportunity now to
make the installation on account of
weather conditions and the nature
of the ground it was suggested that
the builders hold the machinery un
til such time as work might be
pushed on the project. Was, also,
suggested that the manufacturers
hold off on the final installment—
the 25 per cent demanded at time
of shipment—until the outfit was
actually onboard at Seattle.
Hogue arid Tveten Company ask
ed that they be connected up with
what is known as the “direct line”
from the oil engine auxiliary for
heat and power.. This was the oc
casion for a great deal of backing
and filling on the part of the Coun
cil. and it was finally agreed to con
nect to the oil engine line all of
the power plants lying in that part
of town between the Worth building
and the cannery—inclusive—and the
the school house.
In the matter of the telephone
system along the power line and to
the power plant, it was recommend
ed that a station be placed at the
Papke ranch. As this ranch is
practically half way between the
power plant and the city, it was
deemed a necessity in as much that
communication could be made to
either point without the long trek
fron. city to Blind Slough when in
formation was desired in line re
pair or on other occasions.
Interest payments were authoriz
ed as was also the 50 percent pay
ment on the power auxiliary. Claims
against the city were gone over and
0. K’d. There was some talk on
the removal of snow from street
and sidewalks. Thought that to
make it compulsory it would call
for a special bill or city ordinance.
However, in the argument, it came
out that the ordinance compelling
(?) property owners to connect up
to the city sewage wasn’t scarcely
recognized. Thought that if pro
perty owners didn't value health
and sanitation any more than was
evident, it would be useless to or
dinance the snow off the sidewalks.
(Editors note—Why not ask the
town marshal to fill up every “juicy
toilet vault’’—as Ohmer called ’em
—and make the back number folk
sluice their refuse into the drainage
carriers that has been installed for
jus! such stuff. And for the looks
of things, if for no other reason, the
walks should be kept clear of snow
and the streets in front of buildings
should be cleared at least half way).
A report came in that it was im
possible to get out to the garbage
dump. City marshal thought that
if a heavy truck were put in com
mission for a trip or two roadway
could be broken through. Thought
it advisable to try this method.
A request came in that the ten
ant of the city hospital be allowed
a rent reduction on the ground that
half of the occupied house room had
been vacated. Deemed reasonable
to allow a reduction. A change in
the Boy Scout headquarters was al
so acted on favorably.
Appreciable Music
The City Band will give a musical
festival and concert at the Variety
Theater Tuesday evening, Decembei
20th, 1927. There will be variety
added to the program by vocal solos
and piano selections by local talent
This promises to be superior to any
thing yet offered to the people of
Petersburg in this line of entertain
ment. A great deal of pains have
been taken to make this offering a
success and without question, it will
be enjoyed by all those who attend.
The Indian Dance
Tonight if you care to take in
something out of the ordinary, go to
the Variety Theater and watch the
Indians go through some of their
dances that were old when gray
bearded pioneers were young. A
lot of effort has been made to collect
scattering old time dance costumes
for the occasion and rehearsing has
been going on for some time under
instructions of those too aged to
participate physically, but are well
enough posted mentally to irstil^the
spirit of the true wild to younger
and more nimble folk. It will be
but the matter of a short time
when it will be impossible to stage
anything like a true Indian dance.
There may be fragments of regalia
left, and there will be Indians, but *
the Terpsichorean art will pass with
those who even now know only a
fraction of the changes, steps and
performances of the social assembly
of the long ago.
Back to Alaska Again
Arriving on the Admiral Liner.
Admiral Rogers last Saturday was
Mrs. F. M. Hungerford, of Belling
uam, Washington. Mrs. Hungerford
s the mother of our two townsmen
‘Bud ’ and “Ted” Hungerford and
ls now stopping with Ted and
iaughter-in-law Caroline in the
:iouse-boat near the Citizen’s dock
ipproach. Mrs. Hungerford will be
i visitor for some time.
TO OUTLAW WAR
Senator Borah (Rep..), chairman
the Senate Committee on For
3ign Relations, announced orally on
:he 21st of November that as 3oon
is Congress convenes in December,
ae will introduce his resolution pro
posing that all nations enter into an
agreement to outlaw war. His plan
is the Codification of he fundament
al principles of International Law,
including the declaration outlawing
way and the creation of an in
ternational tribunal authorized to
settle international disputes. He re
lies on the force of public opinion
:o back up the decrees of this anti
war tribunal.
CALLERS
Charles Elliot came in from his
place down near Green Rocks last
Monday and visited for some time
it THE ALASKAN office.
J. A. Hadland, was in this week
from Skiff Island where he is in the
fox ranching business. He reports
;he business in very favorable con
lition this winter.
NOT BUILDING HERE
Harris Waxman, interested in the
Warm Springs, Baranoff Island, her
ring reduction plant, thinks that he
ian get better service should he own
Lhe necessary herring boat^ instead
af leasing them for seining. So he
Is going to bild them,—BUT NOT
IN ALASKA, however.
Installs His Own
Power Plant
Earl Ohmer, getting tired of
candle light and the unreliability of
the city electric illumination, install
ed his own electric system last Mon
day. So far as inside power was
concerned the break in the city
(current didn’t greatly bother as he
| had a 3inall steam engine to fall
back on, but for light, winch powe.
and so on he just had to have cur
rent to operate. Now, when the
city lines don’t deliver, he has u
button of his own to press.
Gone Away For Good
The big warehouse on the end of
the old cold storage dock at Scow
Bay settled peaceably into the Nar
rows last Sunday and went off with
the tide. The weight of snow on
the house roof and on the dock was
to much for it.
Shortly before this the big lumber
shed at the local sawmill struck
out for itself in the same way.
They are both gone and the gaps of
their departure speak much louder
of deterioration than of progress.
What no one cares for soon become
flotsam and jetsam of the seas.
NEW PUBLICATION
THE ALASKAN is in receipt of Vol
1, No. 1, of the U. S. A. News Bul
letin, printed at Ketchikan, Alas
ka. The Bulletin is the official or
gan of the United Sons of Alaska
and comes to us—a four page
monthly—with considerable of a po
litical atmosphere surrounding it.
Here’s lots of good luck to it and a
long career.
WHY RE DIDN’T THY TO SAVE
In the issue of last week’s ALAS
KAN there was an item bearing on
the negligence of F. Creigh Nelson in
making an attempt to save the life
of Miss Violet M. Payne, drowned
alongside the Nelson yacht, In Lake
Union, Seattle. Mr .Nelson has a
personal friend here in town and he
has called on THE ALASKAN and
explained why it was impossible for
Nelson to try to save the unfortunate
woman. It seems that Nelson,
some time ago, had hi3 head injured
and in the healing process—or the
lack of it—a hole about the size of
a 50 cent piece remains open at the
base of the skull. Entering the
waiter would have meant instant
death should the moisture have pen
etrated the opening.
DEAD AT MORNTNGSEDE
Marie Helseth, 17 years old, died
at Morningside last November. Miss
Helseth was sent to the institution
last summer and for a time showed
some improvement. Later, however,
she became hysterical and was un
conscious for some time prior to
her death.
FROM THREE MILE ARM
Peter Behrs came in from Three
Mile Arm Sunday afternoon and
loaded up for departure Wednesday
morning.
AFTER SHRIMP
foto Inami, a well known fishery
expert has recently been in Texas
(the gulf region) making arrange
ments for cold storage shrimp ship
ments to Japan. The business ap
pears to have a fair outlook.