VOLUME NO. VI.
PETERSBURG, ALASKA,
DECEMBER 4, 1931
NO. 20
Steamer Alameda
Destroyed By Fire
At Seattle
The Alaska Steamship Com
pany’s steamer Alameda wns
destroyed by fire at Pier 2 in
Seattle last Saturday morning
at 4 o’clock. The steamer was
ablaze from stem to stern so it
was towed out into the bay to
prevent spreading cf the con
flagration to the docks and near
by craft.
The alarm was sounded im
mediately after the blaze was
discovered and the crew scram
bled to the dock without injur>
to anyone. Fire boats gathered
around the vessel and began
fighting the fire. Later the ves
sel was towed to Harbor Island
where it was beached.
The Alameda has been on the
Southeast and Southwest Alas
ka run for a number of year^
and was perhaps the most pop-!
ular vessel on the run. Her run'
from Seattle to Ketchikan so far!
is the record for time as it has
never even been equaled. Before
entering the Alaska trade, she
operated from California south.,
Chamber Commerce I
Votes Referendum
The local Chamber of Com -
nierce held its regular meeting
Wednesday night in the Grand
Cafe. A resolution from Ketchi
kan asking for the districting of
ihe country, Sumner Straits
north and Sumner Straits south (
lor the purpose of permitting]
shooting of migratory birds from
October 1 to the first of Novem
ber in the north section arid
from Nov. 1 to Nov. 30 in the
southern district, provided the
present open season is not
changed.
A referendum which was in
the hands of the committee for
study and recommendation was!
before the meeting. The matter
under consideration was the ap
pointment of a government tri
bunal which shall authorize
agreements among corporations
to curtail production of natural
resources. The matter was of
controversial nature and there
was considerable discussion over
the matter. Generally consider
ed an attempt to evade the anti- j
trust laws, the referendum was
voted down.
Feud Breaks Out Territorial Offices
A controversy over payment of
primary and secondary claims
against the Territory reached a
head in Juneau when the Ap
peals Board reversed Auditor
Cole’s decision regarding eleven
claims.
Mr. Cole pointed out to the las:
legislature that there was going
to be a shortage of funds to
meet the obligations of the Ter
ritory and his financial state
ment did not agree with the
statement of the Treasurer at
that time. Nor did their budgets
come anywhere near tallying.
The present trouble being due
to the failure of the last legis
lature to pass an adequate
revenue bill in connection with
the appropriation bill, with ap-!
propriations by the last legisla-,
ture exceeding revenue by a
large sum. Despite the first hand
information of the Auditor’s
office, the Board of Appeals.
Attorney General John Rust
gard, Treasurer Walstein G.
Smith and Governor George A.
Parks, have overruled Auditor
Cole and ordered payment of
claims which he had adjudged
to be secondary claims.
One of the amounts under
contention is an obligation of
Highway Engineer William Hes
se, member of the Territorial
Board of Road Commissioners,
for services partially rendered
in the Tanana and Unalakleet.
fo maintaining and repairing a
telephone line. The work will not
be complete until next year but
regardless of the law in this
case, the incompleted work is
ordered paid. Another claim
disallowed was that of a contract
to deliver school children by car.
Objection was raised by Mr. Cole
to the fact that the amount of
the bill exceeded the approved
bid. Mr. Cole asserted that the
bill was not disallowed but that
he had returned the vouchers to
the Commissioner of Education
with the notation that “the al- j
lowance per day noted on the
voucher is not the amount set
forth under Mr. Johnson’s signa
ture in the original bid.”
The Board concluded that
“neither the Auditor nor this
Board has any authority to re
view the action of the School
Board in letting contract for
transportation. * * * We consi
der it beyond the power of the
Auditor’s office to sit in review
on any decidM within the pro
per function delegated to othei ’
officials or boards.” The claim
should be prod.
In the matter of bill of Grov-j
;r Winn, $150 for services fol-1
lowing the last legislature, the'
Board ruled that “inasmuch as
;he Legislature insists upon ac-!
:epting the decision rendered byj
:he District Court, the only rea- j
sonable course for the admin-;
istrative officers to follow' is to1
leave it to private taxpayers to
igain test the question in court.”!
Warrants in the sum of $57,-- J
100 issued early in October have
:een withdrawn and payment
refused in order that there
night be “plenty of funds” on
eand. Other curtailments have
-een necessary. It is said that
the matter of cutting pioneer’s
pensions to $10 per month may
ce necessary in order to make
the funds cover other primary
bills—which include cost of gov
ernment operation aside from
legal debts contracted for by
the legislature—such as road
work, etc. According to the Audi
tor’s office there is about
£200,000 on hand with practical-,
iy no incoming revenue until,
March 1st when the salmon
packers will be paying then
taxes for the year. In the mean - i
time money must be expended
and unless a differential is made ,
between primary and secondary
bills, the shortage will become
more acute.
Becomes Feud in Republican i
Ranks
The decision of the Board of
Appeals is the culmination of a
feud which has existed in the
Territorial offices for a long
time. Mr. Cole was removed
from the Road Commission be
cause he insisted that it meet its
obligations without prejudice:
later an attempt was made to
oust him from office by abolish
ing the Auditor’s office. Now the
Board of Appeals reverses his
decisions and hangs him out on
the political limb in the expec
tation that the reversals will
drop him into obscurity. Which
action is tending to disrupt the
Republican ranks to the point
that they will be unable to elec;
a single candidate at the pri
mary election unless they are
able to straighten out the poli
| tical tangle which they have in
vented.
-x-—
Only 17 shopping days till Xmas.
Territorial Politicians Busy; Queer
Angles Develop With Evil Portend
At the next primary, in April,
it is a foregone conclusion that
there will be the most active
partizan party politics that has
teen seen in Alaska since 1918.
Delegate Wickersham has an
nounced that he will be a can
didate to succeed himself. From
the political by-play at the re
cent Democratic convention in
Petersburg, the Juneau Empire
Democrats, and they claim a
strength of over 400 in Juneau
alone, are juggling rules of the
party so that can secure
the territorial convention en
dorsement of Senator Tcny Di
mcnd for the office. A. H. Ziegler
c. Ketchikan came out flat-foot
cdly and declared he was going
after that office, convention en
dorsement or no, and perferred
not to be handicapped by having
the collar of the convention put
m his neck. And George Grigs
by, according to recent word
from Juneau, is still of the mind
that he is the savior of the
Democratic party in Alaska and
must therefore file for the same
office. So far, no opposition has
t.resented itself to Delegate
Wickersham for the nomination
it is bcin" said, rather frankly,
'hat the effort to secure nomina
tion and appointment of John
Pustgard as Judge for the Fair
banks Division is a direct move
Lo eliminate him from a battle
cf strength in the primary with1
Delegate Wickersham. Others!
declare it would be no contest
with the Democrats fighting like j
P ilkenny cats in their own yard.,
James Connors of Juneau no;
:loubt will have clear sailing for
election as standard bearer for
the democrats as national com-,
mitteeman—unless the Alaska
Native Brotherhood chooses to
mter the Democratic primary
to elect a national committee-;
man. In the Republican ranks,;
it is said that Capt. Lathrop,
Republican National Committee-1
man is otherwise to busy to at
tend to his duties in politics
rnd therefore, the choice of Ju
neau is E. A. Rasmussen of the
Bank of Alaska. Just how happy
this choice will be remains to be'
seen. His utterances during the!
summer relative to recognition;
and reward of Indian voters for!
their allegiance and loyalty to!
the Republican party, met with I
considerable disfavor in federal!
circles at Juneau. As a political
sop to that circle, Mr. Rasmus
sen was ill-advised by friends
to make a declaration as en
dorsing the efforts of Commis
sioner of Fisheries Henry O’
Malley—which again made oth
er friends look askance at him.
So far, however, no oilier candi
date steps forward to announce
himself as being willing to guide
the destinies of the Republican
party in the Territory. As in the
Democratic primaries, the de
fection of one or two large pre
cincts in the villages may mr 0
election or defeat of any candi
date.
John Rustgard seems to have
the inside track on nomination
for judgeship at Fairbanks. Gro
ver Winn and Frank Foster as
good Republicans are said to
have their eye on his office, j
Among the Democrats, Henry
Rcden is said to be not averse
to accepting that office or its
emoluments for his legal acu
men. knowledge and ability. |
\gain, the balance of power *3
0 serious matter in this election!
end to be figured on by any
candidate.
Harry Lucas of Juneau and
Elmer Reed are said to be re-j
ceiving the support of the fed-!
erals as opposed to Cash Colej
for Auditor. Cole has been a;
supporter of the Brotherhood
program, and outspoken in its ;
defense and any railroading of
Cole out of office will not be al
together pleasing to his friends.
The Brotherhood in the past
has never deserted its friends,
nor supported its enemies, and
there is not much expectation ,
that they will do so in the
future.
Breezes from the Northland
The A. N. S. and A. N. B,
Camps are making a drive for
•'few members—three already
taken in the Sisterhood which j
premises to help put more pep|
into the cld machine.
Clayton M. Pclley, a young
dentist has started to practice
here.
The U. S. Harbor Boat “Fom
ance” is making regular trips to ■
Juneau every 20 days for mail, j
After several days of delay in(
Juneau, the Haines and Kluk-j
wan delegates returned on the
Northwestern from the Yakutat
convention. Haines heard a part
of the report of the delegates on
the 21st and the balance of the
report on the following Monday.
The report was well received
and those who had begun to
slack in their work v;ere renew
ed by “the spirit of Yakutat/'
Seeing the delegates returning,
all fat and smiles, the local Beau
Erummels became envious es
pecially when mention is made
of young Miss Carrie Lewis who
put so much pep in the Gunny
sock and Out-of-Luck Clubs.
The Thanksgiving dinner put
on by the A. N. B. and A. N. S,
Camps met a happy fate and as
usual the dance following the
dinner was a most enjoyable
affair. The spirit of giving rath
er than receiving is taking a
stronger hold on the camps.
A hundred new theatre chairs
have been purchased for the
A. N. B. Hall so that the follow
ers of the light fantastic will
have plenty of opportunity to
rest between times.
An Old Custom dance will be
Riven on the 2nd of December
under direction of the two
Camps of the A. N. B. Consider
able interest is being aroused so
that a large crowd should en
joy this passing pleasure. The
youngsters, last year, out danced
the old timers so they are ex
pected to strut their stuff again
this year.
-x
Wells Jones who was delegate
to the Yakutat convention re
turned, having lost considerable
of his handsome shape by eating
too much at Yakutat. The A. N
S. tendered him a reception on
his arrival after which he made
a report on the convention. He
did not explain the wovkings of
the “Gunnysack Club.”
-x
Henry Roden, jailed for re
fusal to pay a fine of $200* fci
contempt of court was at liberty
after his many friends through
out the territory raised the
amount. Many times over th1
sum stated could have been
raised were it needed. When a
feller needs a friend, they never
fail him—not a real friend. And
Henry had many friends as was
evidenced.
The home of Joe Collier, Ju
neau was gutted by fire, caused
from an over-heated stove pipe.
-x
Get your Christmas mail in
early.
Troll Season Opens
January First
—X—■"
Commissioner of Fisheries
Henry O'Malley has announced
that troll fishing will be permit
ted beginning on January 1st
instead of March 1st, 1932. This
is done to help- relieve the un
omplovment situation in Alaska.
Under Canadian regulations,
troll fishing began in December,
according to recent orders pub
lished by Canadian fishery offi
cials.
-x
Juneau Man
Convicted, Scaltle
-x
Max A. Pitschman, vice presi
dent of the Mount McGinnis
Fur Trading Company of Juneau
was sentenced to serve six
months .in the county jail, Seat
: ie, for violating the Washington
^ate securities act. Pitschman
old to Peter Nriison some stock
in the fur company for one
thousand dollars without brok
:rs license, with the promise of
r job at $150 per month and
further alleged that there were
2,COO foxes on the island. Neil
son found no job and only two
xundred foxes on the island.
Pitschman will appeal the case.
-x
Senator Watson, Republican
:nd Representative, Raney, Illj
rois, Democrat will ack for the
.‘orliest possible vote on prohi
bition at the next Congress. The
irediction is made that there
a ill be no antiprciabiticn legis
ntion passed at this coming
session.
The Democrats will meet to
norrow to nominate Represent
ative Garner of Texas for
Speaker of the House of Repre
enta fives and t.hev also nDn f>
’ect Representa: Ive Raney of
Illinois as floor whip.
The League of Nations is at
empting to establish a neutral
"me of Manchuria under neu
:ral observers. But the Japanese
(fuse on the ground that the
■reposal does not give Japanese
military officials sufficient latti
Uide lo deal with Chinese band
its in that zone.
Tom Mix, famous cinemactor
:-f Hollywood, is now out cf
:ianger caused by rupture of his
appendix.
A two hundred thousand dol
lar fire broke out on the Seattle
water front Tuesday. The Are
tarted in the Seattle Commer
cial Boiler Works and Draper
Engine Works. Origin of fire un
known.
Professor Robert Milligan,
former winner of the Noble pri^e
has announced that the Gamma
Ray will smash storms by knock
ing out electrons and protrons.
Ralph Capone, brother of the
former czar of Chicago boctieg
operations, Al Capone is due to
arrive in Seattle, Sunday, en
i'oute to McNeil’s Island, where
he will serve his prison sentence
for being a part of the gigantic
conspiracy in violating the pro
hibition laws.
Merle Gorman and Alber!
Osborne were given 30 days it:
jail and $60 fine and costs while
young Bidwell received a jolt tc
remind him that the prohibi
tion laws are to be enforced
Fred Choquette, 60 days am
| $250 fine and costs along wit!
Oscar Bergman.
-X-:
David Paul logger and fisher
roan, for many years a rcsiden
cf Petersburg, was found on hi
beat Tuesday morning, the fioo:
and clothing in the pilot hous
smouldering. Mrs. Emma Pau
v/as called and after seeing hi'
condition urged that a call bt
made for a doctor immediately,
os he appeared to her to be
seriously ill. Doctor Benson rc
Jsponded to the call and after a
short examination, injected me
! dication to give strength. Aboul
jan hour later the doctor were
I back to the boat, finding Pau
I had not regained consciousness
! removed him to the hospital bu‘
i died before he reached the
I hospital.
I A coroner’s inquest was held
i with A. B Holt, Adolph Mathi
[sen, J. L. MacKechnie, Arnold
jwasvick, R. E. Baumgartner
j and E .C. Carlson sitting as jury
| After listening to the testimony
l of Carl Williams, Andrew John
json and Walter Johnson, net re
lated, and Doctor Benson, they
[arrived at the verdict that death
|was due to alcoholic poisoning
and further stated that “We be
jlreve that certain other circum
stances also contributed to de
ceased’s death which have been
concealed from this jury and we
therefore recommended that an
[inquiry be made to determine
! these other circumstances which
[we‘believe are withheld from
;this jury.”
William Howard discovered
the fire burning on the boat
and called the two other men
from the forecastle and they
immediately put the fire out
Paul was found with his foot in
the fire and on being stripped
bis foot showed burns due to
the intense heat but his sock:
were not burned through. Evi
dence was given by Williams
that the other three men were
dmnk and that he and Paul
were “feeling pretty good.” This
was denied by the others who
declared that they had not
been drunk. Williams further
asserted that when he first went
on board the boat he smelled
rubbing alcohol and that he and
Paul drank together wine tonic
Paul had produced with the de
claration that “I don’t like that
alcohol they gave me. This is
what I drink.”
-x
ONLY TWO WOMEN SEEN
IN VAN PINE’S LATEST
-x
Only two women are in th;
cast cf “The -Benson Murdei
Case.” the third of the S. S .Var
Dine best-seller detective thrill
ers to be filmed by Paramount
They are Natalie Moorhead anc
May Beatty, and both are amonj
he list of suspects investigate;
by William Pov/eil as Phil;
Vance. Both Miss Moorhead anc
Miss Beatty are well known or
the stage. Mirs Beatty makes he
j screen debut ..in this S. S. Va:
'Dine thriller.
!
| Miss Mcorhead is a tall, blonclt
actress who achieved consider
able success on the stage befor<
| entering pictures. She was seer
in the screen successes “Furies,'
“Spring is Here.” “Song c
Broadway” and “The Girl frou
Havana.” Miss Beatty comes t<
the screen directly from th
1 London stage.
William L. Paul is a passenge
cn the Victoria bound for Junea
to attend to some legal busines
The gasbeat Prince of Wale
• will besold at marshal’s sale e
l iKethikan soon. The vessel we
* libeled by eamen and othf
creditors.
*
To Boost Our
li Tamous Shrimp
The opening broadsides in a
sales compelling advertising
> campaign which will undoubted
ly go far, to increase the popu
1 larity of the shrimps which have
made Petersburg famous ap
peared in the November issue of
Pacific Fisherman published in
Seattle and West Coast Fisheries
with home offices at Terminal
Island, California. In addition to
full page advertisements, both
these popular trade journals
carry exceptionally well illus
trated, highly instructive read
able articles dealing with the
shrimping industry of the Alas
kan Glacier Seafood Company.
Starting in a comparatively
small way fifteen years ago the
local company has gradually
won an enviable recognition in
the markets of the Pacific coast.
The growing popularity of the
Petersburg product is due, first
to the excellent quality of the
crustaceans from the glacial
waters of this vicinity and, se
condly to the extreme care and
'dispatch with which the deli
jcious tidbits are packed for the
(market, which has won for Mr.
Ohmer the title of “Shrimp
iKing,” by which cognomen he is
known throughout the Pacific
| coast section of the continent.
Petersburg shrimps have al
ways been marketed as a cold
! storage product. Recently a new
j departure has been evolved and
the shrimps are sold not as
“just shrimps” but under the
trade name “Frigid Zone,” the
I design on the can emphasising
! the glacier origin of its contents.
1 The people of Petersburg have
j a direct interest in the success
of this company, as it means
outside dollars brought to Pe
tersburg.
-x
“CHRISTINA” WILL BE SEEN
“Christina,” Fox Movietone
talking picture which becomes
the feature attraction* Saturday
at the Coliseum Theatre, is a
quaint story of faith triumphant
adroitly punctuated with sus
pense, pathos and thrills. Janet
Gaynor, who speaks from the
screen, adds to her distinction as
! \ dramatic artist of the highest
type. William K. Howard direct
ed the picture with fine under
standing, while Charles Morton
and Rudolph Schildkraut skill
fully interpret their vocal roles.
-x
Dad’s Night will be on Decem
ber 9th at the P. T A. meeting in
the school auditorium. There will
be a nice program. Remeber the
date
-x
Fire in the home of Mrs. Ann
Dunkelberger last Sunday
; aroused the citizens of the town
:n wilbng response to quench
> the blaze before much damage
1 had been done. Under the quick
i action of the fire laddies the fire
’ was confined to the second story
i with damage only to the rooms
and personal belongings . and
bedding. The loss is covered by
• insurance and Mr. Welde, acting
> for the insurance company is
! estimating the damage in order
’ that, immediate repairs may be
:* j made.
M -x
)! Thomas Marquam, one time
? Independent candidate for De
legate to Congress from Alaska,
died, recently in New York City,
r Cause not stated.
j * * *
Mr. and Mrs. Ray Southard
I will put on the play “Hello, Ha
s waii” in Wrangell under the
t auspices of the American Legion
s , Auxiliary, some time in January.
,r j * * *
Do your Xmas shopping early.