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SEVENTY FIVE THOUSAND TONS FREIGHT
HANDLED DURING SEASON BY COMMISSION
From .June 'JO, 1915, up to November 20, 1915, the
Alaskan Engineering Commission bandied 75-000 tons
of freight over the Commission dock in Anchorage.
This i< at the rate of (about) 235 tons each day. The
greater part of the freight was for the Commission.
The remainder was freight for the general public.
This record of gross freight receipts cannot be equaled
during a like period of time by any other Alaskan
town.
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REGULAR PASSENGER. EXPRESS AND FREIGHT
SERVICE INAUGURATED ON THE RAILROAD
Anchorage, Alaska. December 15, 1915.
Temporary local passenger, express and freight, tariff rates to he put
into effect on the Alaska Railroad, January 1, 1916, for the accommoda
tion of the public, between Anchorage and end of track (subject to change
without notice):
PASSENGER TARIFF FOR SINGLE FARE TRIP.
Miles. Between
And
—Anch
orage.
0.0
4.1
12.7
21.7
26.0
Anchorage . .
Junction .
Eagle River .
Peters creek .
Eklutna ftTver
Junc
tion.
0.25
0.25
0.75
1.30
1.55
Eagle
River.
0.75
0.50
0.50
1.4)5
1.30
Peters
Creek.
1.30
1.05
0.55
O.o.t
0.60
Eklutna
River
1.55
1.30
0.S0
0.25
0.25
One hundred pounds of baggage will be carried free with each pas
senger. Excess haggage will he carried at express rate^i
Half fare will apply to children between ive and twelve years of age.
Children tinder five years of age will be carried free when accompanied
by parent or guardian.
Freight, baggage and express must be delivered at the east platform
of the dock warehouse not later than 4:30 p. m. of the previous day.
TIME AND POINT OF DEPARTURE
Work trains will leave from a point near office of Alaskan Engineering
Commission each morning. Sundays and holidays excepted, between 6:30
until further notice.
Ticket* will be on sale at cashier's window, disbursing office, before
departure of trains.
FREIGHT AND EXPRESS TARIFF RATES. PER CWT.
Distance in Miles •
From To AM classes freight and express.
<> *10 $.25 per cwt. or fraction thereof,
i 10 20 .30 per cwt. or fraction thereof.
20 30 .35 per cwt. or fraction thereof.
SPECIAL CLASS, PER TON (2,000 LBS.)
To apply only on carload lots. Minimum load' 20,000 pounds.
Distance in Miles
From To Special Class—Carload Lots.
1 15 $2.j:o per ton of 2,000 pounds.
15. • 30 $2.75 per ton of 2,000 pounds.
t arload rates apply only when consignor loads the car and consignee
unloads the car.
EXPLOSIVES.
Explosives will be shipped only by special arrangement. They will
take, two times^ regular tariff rate.
DOGS.
Dogs will be carried only at owner's risk. A charge of 25 cents per
head will he made.
DELIVERY.
The passenger and freight service over the uncompleted track between
Ship creek and end of track is undertaken solely as an accommodation to
the public to meet the demand for the use of the present limited trans
portation facilities. The line is still under construction at all points, and
delays will be frequent, as construction work will be given preference in
all cases.
There being no agents or station houses along the Kne, it will be neces
sary to require pre-payment for all services. Also, in view of the lack of]
these facilities, it should be understood that all shipments will be dis
charged solely at the risk of the shipper, consignee or owner as to any
loss or damagq which may result from the action of the elements, rbeft
or other cause, from the time said property is so discharged.
F. MEARS, Commissioner.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 4.—Secretary of the Interior Lane is
prominently mentioned as the successor of Associate Justice
of the Supreme Court Lamar, deceased. Slum hi Lane he ele
vated to the bench. Secretary Houston, of the agricultural
portfolio, will probably succeed him iu the interior depart
ment.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 4.—A report just issued In the fed
eral bureau of mines, dealing with the gold production for the
year 191.). places Alaska in the third rank of gold-producing
countries; pf the United States. California leads with a total
yield for the-.year 191.I of $2:5,000,000. Colorado comes next,
with a tnfal production of $20,000,000. Alaska is next, with a
yield of $10,500,000.
Alaska will lose the firmest and
most powerful friend it ever had in
a president s official family, if It
should come to pass that the Hon.
Franklin K. Lane, secretary of the
interior, is appointed to the bench
of the United States supreme court,
as the successor of the late Justice
Lajnar. We are almost selfish enough
to Wish that another might get the
JudSgeship. Alaska needs Mr. Lane
in fae position ne now'occupies. And
while a man of his capability, broad
mindedness. profound knowkledge
of public questions and legal acumen
would grace and honor the bench of
the: highest tribunal in the world, we
are persuaded that he can do more
for the welfare of the country by re
taining his seat in tile interior de
partment. He towers head and
shoulders above any of li is prede
cessors in that office, and is recog
nized as one of the two or three big
men in the Wilson cabinet.
The democrats of Cordova are
after Jhe scalp of William X. Spence,
United States attorney for the Third
judicial division of Alaska. They
say he N only a lukewarm democrat,
hut give him credit for a list of eight
other Spences who are holding fat
government jots I", that division.
I.AXK ACKXOW I.EDGES
RECEIPT OK PHOTOS
Washington, Nov. 30, 1915.
Dear Mr. Smith:
Secretary Lane hag received the
photographs illustrating the work
accomplisffhd by the Alaskan Engi
neering Commission, and wishes me
to express to you his appreciation of
your thoughtfulness in sending
them to him. Cordially yours.
H. A. WRIGHT.
Private Secretary, t
Mr. .1. H. Smith. President.
Chamber of Commerce and Com
mercial ( lub.
Anchorage. Alaska.
» _
A typographical error in a figure
i caused the Pioneer to publish mis
leading information yesterday, in its
report concerning the total freight
i tonnage over the Commission dock
. the past season. The Pioneer had it
j '73,000 tons,’ whereas it should
! have beet* "33.00ft.
For Sale Five clewellyn setter
- two months 1 «1. Hnnar Cate,
vih*k and P. streets.
LOCAL NEWS OF THE WEEK
(From Monday's Daily.)
Mrs. OlUe Gray, of the Two Girl*
Cafe, will leave on the next mail
sfkge on a hurried business trip to
California. Mrs. Gray expects to re
turn in six weeks.
Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Whitney, of the
Whitney ranch, and Mrs./E. L. Mad
den came in for the New Year's
dance, and were the guests of Mrs.
Ashton, of Fourth avenue.
Only three pounds of first-class
mail arrived Friday night, due to the
fact that the mail steamer had not
reached Seward up to the time the
overland mail departed Monday
morning. >
Mr. arid Mrs. J. E. Robarts enter
tained a company of friends at their
home Saturday evening. The fore
part of the evening was devoted to
playing hearts. Mrs. Harry Locke
and Mr. S. L. Maxwell won the
pr-'zes for highest scores, while Mrs.
W. R Manning and Mrs. A. J. Wal
ter took the consolation prizes. After
dainty refreshments the guests re
paired to the hall and indulged in
dancing until well after the midnight
hour.
About fifty people enjoyed skating
at the new rink last night. The
management stated that the ice was
not quite in good enough shape for
a general opening, but so many
people asked if they could be al
lowed to get out and try a few cir
cles that it was decided late yester
day to let the enthusiasts have their
way about it. A new coat of lce^as
put on after midnight last night,
and it should be in fine shape to
night. Skates are rented at the
rink.
Presence* of mind and quick ac
tion on the part of Jack E. Robarts
probably saved liis fine big building
from a disastrous fire Saturday
morning. A discarded masquerade
costume, accidentally flung on the
stovepipe, ignited when fire was
started in the hall below. Mr. Ro
barts was awaaened from slumber
by an attendant of the ball, to find
the living room filled with smoke.
Quickly seizing a hand grenade,
which was at hand. Mr. Robarts soon
had the fire under contrpl.
Milo Janovich wishes to join other
Serbians in this community in or
ganizing a Red Cross Society for
the purpose.of raising funds for The
relief of suffering Serbians in TlTs
home country. The Serbians have
been, sorely stricken as a result of
the war, ano many of them are in
actual want .according to the in
formation of Janovich. A meeting
will be held at 2 oc’lock at the
home of Janovich, in lot 11, block
45, between B and C streets, on
January 7, which, according to the
old calendar, is Christmas day. All
interested are urged to attend.
Joseph Bennett Dyer, well and
favorably known in this part of
Alaska, passed away at Oakland,
Cal,. Dec. IS, according to advices
received on the last mail. He was a
victim of heart disease. Mr. Dyer
was a sourdough of Alaska, having
lived in most of the northern gold
camps until he came to the Susitna
country several years ago. He was
appointed a deputy I'nited States
marshal, with headquarters a* Su
sitna, and was later transferred to
Knik. Ill -health caused him to ten
der his resignation, and he departed
for California, his home before com
ing to Alaska. Mr. Dyer had many
warm personal friend is tnhis sec
tion, who sincerely regret his de
mise.
L. A. Snell and J#T. Snell, broth
ers, who arrived from Dawson
Thursday night, stated that the trail
over the divide between Indian and
Ship creeks was the hardest piece of
mushing they had encountered dur
ing several winters in the northland.
This condition of the trail was due
to the high wind that prevailed,
which drifted tne snow and entirely
obliterated the trail i nd all guiding
marks. They did not have snow
shoes, and in several places were
compelled to break trad through live
feet of snow over the beaten path.
They erossed the summit after-darTf.
and-weft able to reach the 25-mile
roadhouse oy probing for and find
ing the trail with their walking
sticks.
(From Tuesday's Daily.)
Walter Howard, who arrived from
Willow creek today, says that J\nik
had a big masquerade hall New
Year's eve and that the hospitable
people of that community turned out
in force and enjoyed a huge time.
The local telegraph and telephone
line was informed this afternoon! that
the cable was out of commission at
some point not yet definitely kpown
Jietween Sitka and Seattle, which
catnes an interruption in the regular
news service. Fortunately, the Pio
neer. for this issue, has a very good
/service, due bo the fact that a lengthy
report was received before the cable
parted. It is now possible to obtain
a brief report by wireless, but until
the cable is again working, the Pio
neer cannot promise a complete re
port.
Walter Howard, who has a tine
dog team and operates a passenger
and freight business between Knit
,gnd Anchorage, arrived this fore
noon, bringing as passengers Harry
Landers and Roy Ketchum, from the
Willow creek gold camp. Mr. Lan
ders is the winter manager for the
Gold Bullion Mine Company. How
ard will depart enroute to Knik
Thursday morning.
Trobably within two weeks An
chorage will hear the glad news of
the passage by the congress of an
emergency appropriation permitting
railway construction to begin on the
branch line to the Matanuska coal
fields. With the coming of this
news, this town will take on new
life, reviving from a condition nat
urally following the laying off of
many employes on the big project.
We do not wish to convey the im
pression that business is dull in An
chorage. On the contrary, business
men inform us that collections the
first of the year were entirely satis
factory. and that there is no com
plaint. Some of the merchants did
did not receive complete s tocks, due
to the failure of the last steamers to
unload at Anchorage, and they are
thus handicapped. Some of these
merchants inform the Pioneer that
the exclusive wholesale merihente
are inclined to raise prices on them,
now that navigation is closed, and
they cannot retail and make a profit
without themselves making a sub
stantial advance in prices. Some of
i the smaller merchants are not there
fore adding much to their stocks.
While the Pioneer does not assume
to tell the wholesalers how to con
duct their businesses, we will say
that the Pioneer charges exactly the
same prices now as It did when
navigation was open. We believe
this is the best policy and the better
way to build up a permanent, steady
business.
(From Wednesday’s Dally.)
B. Richter, of the Richter house,
met with an accident Tuesday even
ing that will disable him for several
j weeks. While splitting wood, he al
most severed his left thumb above
the second joint. Dr. Carmichael
succeeded in connecting the severed
cords and nerves, and believes Mr.
Richter will eventually regain full
i use of the thumb.
| The funeral of the late Ernest
Royden Ramsey was held this after
j noon. Brief services were held at
the family home, on E street, after
| which the public obsequies were held
I at the cemetery. Rev. John McBride
officiated. Many friends of the de
parted took occasion to pay their re
spects by attending the last sad rites.
A repo'rt reached the Pioneer to*S
day stating that a demented man is
roaming about the hills In tile re
gion of the mile 12 madhouse, out
from Anchorage. The unfortunate
man declines all efforts to aid him
on the part of the roadhouse people.
He sleeps in the fimber, and buries
his pack of clothing in the snow,
first one place and then another. He
is said to have declared that “he is
a squealer on the bootleggers In
Anehorage and that they are after
him.”
Water was turned on this fore
noon, but it will be several days be
fore it will be fit to drink or use for
cooking purposes, as the mains must
be thoroughly cleaned.
Very soon after the wires tell us :
that the congress has paeeed an .
emergency appropriation for the I
railway work, the merry sound of
the hammer will be heard on the
big storehoouse building planned to j
be erected by the Commission. in i
fact, Anchorage will be the busiest '
town in Alaska, soon after the glad
tidings reach us Trom the uationul
capital. And we’ll sure get tHaft ap
propriation. Just bank on it.
There was a big crowd of patrons
at the wrestling matches at Robarts’ 1
hall Saturday night, attracted to the
scene by prospects of some lively
contests by experts on the mat. And
the audience was entertained every
minute of the time, after Announcer
J. J. Ross introduced Casey Jones
and Young Blaze, who first ap
peared, in a preliminary event. The
preliminary was hugely enjoyed,
and was won by the more expert
Blaze, who got two falls out of the ;
rhree. Jones is the more powerful,
hut his smaller opponent showed i
real class on the raat, and pinned his
muscular, good-natured rival to the
mat in two successive falls in t’he
second half of the contest.
The event of the evening was 'be
tween Young Viking and Hjlmar
Saralla. For fifty minutes the con
testants were engaged in a struggle
for supremacy, but neither one could
gain a fall. At this juncture, Sa
ralla sustained an injury and an
nounced that he was unable to pro
ceed further. Whereupon the referee
declared Young Viking the winner.
| Mr. Carlson made a fair and im
partial referee and gave good satis
faction.
Mr. Blaze, the winner of the pre
liminary, took occasion to challenge
the winner of the bigger event, and
a match is now being arranged be
tween him and Youn'g Viking. This
contest should prove a highly enter
taining affair, as both men have
proved themselves wrestlerk of more
than average ability. The Young
Viking is perhaps the more power
ful, but in the opinion of some of
those who saw the two on the mat
Saturday night, the question of ex
pertness is a debatable one.
COMMISSION*..Wild., ERECT
A liARtiE COMMISSARY
Specifications for the construction
of a storehouse building, containing
a retail commissary, general store
keeper's office, clerk’s room, toilets,
loading platfonuB. and two store
rooms, separated by a fire wall, have
been completed by the Alaskan En
gineering Commission. Proposals
are asked from local contractors for
the construction of this massive
buliding, and will be received up to
2 o’clock, Saturday afternoon, Janu
ary 15, at the office of the Commis
sion. *
Specifications and detailed plans
tor the structure may be seen at the
office of the Commission and at the
townsite manager s office.
The huge building will .be 200
feet in length by SO feet in width,
with two stories. It will consume
180,000 feet, board measure, of
lumber. It will be erected alongside
the railway track at a point near
the general office building.
The Commission will supply all :
the lumber and other material used
in the building of the structure, and
section 18 of the speoifications in
dicates that it will be a substantial,
well-built building. It reads: "It
Is called to the attention of pros
pective bidders that this building is.
that first-class workmanship is de
sired and will be expected through
out.”
The work will he done under the
supervision of an engineer appoint
ed by Commissioner Wears for the ,
purpose, who shall he given every
facility for inspection by the suc
cessful contractor.
"As the time of the completion of
this work is an important factor in .
any Agreement made pursuant to this
Invitation.’* says the specifications,
"bidders must specify the time after
the contract is awarded within
which they will complete the work
contemplated. On failure of the
contractor to do the work in the
specified time, the right is reserved I
by the Commission to put on Its own
force and complete the work.”
The Pioneer is informed that the
construction of this big storehouse
building will begin as soon .as possi
ble after tne date for the opening of
the proposals, provided that the
emergency appropriation shall have
passed the congress. It will be one
of the first fruits, so far as Anchor
age Is concerned, of the emergency
appropriation.
An auto line is to be established
between Anchorage and Seward. L,.
P. Byrne owns the machine, and Tom
Neely will operate It. The govern
ment is now employed in breaking
the trail beyond Eagle river, follow
ing the course of the summer trail.
It will not be possible to use the rail
way grade beyond Eagle river, be
cause track-laying gangs will soon
be employed thereon. As soon as
the new trail Is well broken, the
auto will begin to make runs.
Messrs. J.’P. Mantell and T. V.
Standifer are recent arrivals in An
chorage. guests of the Crescent hotel.
Mr. Mantell ts here for the purpose
of looking over business opportuni
ties. and may decide to remain and
enter business. Mr. Standifer is a
prominent business man of Portland,
Ore., and is making the trip here to
size up the situation.
Mr. Mantell was in Anchorage on
two occasions last summer, coming
over from Seward, where ne has re
sided for the past year or more. He
Is just returning front a trip to 'the
states, accompanying Mrs. Mantell,
who has been ill. to the hot springs
in Idaho.
RESOURCES NEAR ANCHORAGE
SPELL PERMANENT TOWN
» ______
In making a comparison of the
different towns of Alaska or the
coast, from a self-sustaining stand
point, it appears to me that Anchor
age, with her agricultural possibili
ties, a demonstrated fact, but much
hooted at Tn years past as a wild
dream, and not until now made pos
sible, for in the past there wag no
market, so why should ai>*' number
of people care to prove their con
victions when there was not profit
to be derived from the venture.
No town, with the possible excep
tion of Juneau, nas any more tribu
tary resources than Anchorage.
Juneau's resources consist of
mines, while Anchorage also has
many mines of different metals, as
well as coal, and she remains the
logical outgoing ghipping point for
that, which means that she will like
ly tally up as the heaviest shipping
port of the entire coast. *
And not only that, for she is the
short-cut to all points in the Interior,
and will not only be a shipping point
for outside goods, but a logical point
for the manufacture of many articles
of commerce which will have an un
limited market with the completion
of the road.
Many towns along the southeast
ern coast of Alaska have dreamed of
being a supply point with big whole
sale houses, but it has remained for
Anchorage, with her present and fu
ture possibilities, to show capital
where those big wholesale houses
were likely to be needed and where
there was a chance to get immediate
action on their money—and we have
them, strung along the railroad
track, like a miniature city, which
shows that capital is awake to the
possibilities of the present as well
as the future of this section.
Prom an agricultural standpoint,
there ig absolutely no other district
in Alaska to be compared with it,
when It comes to area and the num
ber of homesteads taken • up and
being prepared for actual cultiva
tion.
While the expertinental stage has
passed from a possibility to a proven
fact, fanners are grubbing stumps
and clearing their ground, knowing
that they have a market for their
produce as soon as it can be deliv
ered, and Anchorage remains the
supply point for these same farmers.
Some sTin hoot at the idea, while
others seem 10 think it will he over
done. All bona fide farming dis
tricts have nad their ups and downs
until they nad a market and trans
Rich soil without a market or
transportation is as valueless as a
mine without transportation, but
the farmers of this district have
both, and when we consider that the
government intends tile employment
of some live thousand men this com
ing summer, we can easily add an
other five thousand who will be in
the vicinity looking for work, which
is customary on all big construction
work of any kind.
Considering these facts, it does
not seem reasonanle to think that ir
will be overdone this first season,
and by the second season there will
be another market at the coal mines,
find still otners in the interior a
construction proceeds.
All towns prove their usefulnei •
according to their tributary re
sources, and come into their own as
they develop them. Consequently,
watch Anchorage grow!
L. C. WILKES.
WHIST CLUB ENJOYS
A PLEASANT SESSION
The Northern Light Whist Club,
at Its regular weekly meetiDg last
night in the Fowler building, inaug
urated a new series of games under
new rules. Heretofore play euded
and tlie score was recorded in favor
of winners of the first trick in ex
*es8 of the book, but hereatter eacli
trick in excess of a book is to be
scored. First, second and consola
tion prizes are to be awarded as
usual each week to both ladies and
gentlemen, and at the end ot the
Eterles similar prizes of greater value
are to be awarded the lady winners.
The average attendance of about
60, in a membership of 100, was out,
nnd several visitors were present,
notwithstanding the counter attrac.
Mona at the skating rink, across the
street.
Winners were as follows: Ladles—
Mrs. Woolley and Miss Marine tied
tor first at 36, and the former won
™ the cut; Mrs. H. C. .Bennett, sec
ond; Miss Alice Sheehan, consola
tion. Gents—W. McIntyre, first,
with 36 points; H. Moien. second.
*2: George Hlackfold, third, 6.
The club will give a 80Cini fiance
n its hall nett Tuesday evening.
J. L. Waller, the attorney, depart
'd today, enroute on a brief profes
donal visit to the states.