Daily Times
_(Member of Associated Press)______
VOL. Vr'NO. 94 = CQRDOVaT^I ASKA. TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 1920 PRICE TEN CENTS
EDITORIAL
TIME TO CALL A HALT
The fervettt prayer to be delivered from one’s friends was never more
fully justified than in the case of Alaska. No sooner are we recovered from
the shock of reading in some Outride publication of outrageous conditions
which are said to exist here than we are again thrown into convulsions by
f *the ebullitions of some alleged Alaskan who manages somehow to get into
public print to relate to an open-mouthed world about perils and catastrophes
that confront the long-suffering and patient population of this territory.
It is nothing in the way of innovation for Munchausendike fables to be
told of a new country, however. Froin Marco Polo’s time down the' traveler
from distant shores has felt called upon to draw on his imagination when the
facts he has to relate concerning the countries he has visited seem too com
monplace. If the picture of the great interior valleys of the United States
as drawn by Charles Dickens, for instance, had been taken too literally, one
of the greatest agricultural regions of the world would today be a howling
wilderness. The Great West, once the Great American Desert, would still be
the home of the bison, the coyote and the red man had the views entertained
by many members of congress as late as the close of the Civil War been taken
as the final word. And as to Alaska, when one thinks of the volume upon vol
ume of lurid “literature” that has been published concerning it, of the villain
ous motion pictures that daily slander it throughout the world, and of the “in
terviews with prominent Alaskans” that find their way into the public prints,
one wonders not only that there still are people in the world who wish to
come here to make their homes, but that there are enough foolhardy people
to populate our towns and camps and help to develop such a God forsaken
section of the world! And the worst of it is that these publicity-seekers are
* generally men and women of good intention, who will asseverate that they
are “friends of Alaska” and that they “are going back.”
flhese remarks are called forth not so much by a desire to call anyone to
task as by the ardent hope that an end may-be put to the evil. There is no
law against a man “shooting off his mouth,” but there are ways in which an
outraged people may make it unpopular to slander the territory and its popu
lation. In the case of public officials who are found to be guilty of this prac
tice they may be disciplined by thejr superiors, and in the case of individuals
their own neighbors may remonstrate with them to good effect.
In yesterday’s Associated Press dispatches to the Daily Times appeared
a resume of a special dispatch to a Seattle newspaper from the national cap
ital detailing a cock-and-bull story about an “intercepted Bolshevik wireless
message” stating that “the Russian soviets are planning a revolution in
Alaska.” And this is supplemented by a statement from the governor :of
Alaska to the effect that “the Russians in Alaska are sympathetic with the
Bolsheviki and are planning a general strike on May 1.” The governor as
serts that there are many radicals in the canneries, and that they "have caused
many general strikes and incipient revolutions.” He is condescending enough
to admit, however, that “the majority of the people of Alaska are loyal and
conservative.” He is also quoted as saying that the authorities are able to
cope with the situation, and that the assistance of the navy has been enlisted
in “auelline the DroDOsed strike.”
In discussing extracts from an article such as the one in question, it is
just as well' tor1fefjraIfl •<frmn.paastfis''|l-njil jqdgment until the full text of the
story is available. Not that there is any likelihood that this particular story,
or others from like sources, may not be founded on fact, but that the full
text may carry some explanation or extenuation of the astounding statements,
t In the first place, it will be news to most Alaskans that “the Russians in
Alaska are sympathetic with the Bolsheviki and are planning a general strike
on May 1.” Further, it will be generally agreed that if all the Russians in
Alaska joined in a general strike it would not materially interfere with the
business activities of the territory. If Governor Riggs has knowledge of a pro
posed general disturbance of the nature indicatede. why has he not informed
those most interested—the employers of labor in the territory? No employer
in this vicinity has knowledge of a proposed “general strike.”
The statement that “radicals in the canneries” have “caused several gen
eral strikes and incipient revolutions” will likewise be news to most people
outside of the governor's own circle, at least. When did these “general strikes
and incipient revolutions” take place? and where?
The governor’s statement that “the majority of the people of Alaska are
loyal and conservative” is an exceedingly modest acknowledgment of the part
Alaskans played in winning the recent war for humanity. Even the governor
himself has on numerous occasions boasted of the Red Cross, Liberty loan
and other war activities of Alaskans, and of the number of her gallant sons
who answered their country s call, many of whom nowr sleep their last sleep
in the valleys of the Marne and the Meuse. It is true that in Alaska, as else
where, there were isolated cases of disloyalty, but these were so rare that we
^ feel justified in claiming that not only are a “majority of the people” loyal (with
out reference to conservatism, which is a relative classification), but that the
people of this territory are “100 per cent American,” and that in spite of
conditions imposed by the federal government and its agents which have been
^the cause of great dissatisfaction for many years.
It is quite possible that the governor’s statements in regard to “general
strikes and revolutions have been based upon local controversies wrhich
to a man not accustomed to large commercial activities seem to be of greater
magnitude than they really are. Wherever capital employs labor there is
liable to be controversy over wages and working conditions, just as there are
in regard to the sale of merchandise. In Alaska it has been seldom that these
disagreements have resulted in a discontinuance of wmrk, and it is a fact that
is easy of demonstration that there have been no strikes lorockouts of any
moment in the territory for years. All through the terrible strain of the war
period Alaska s industries woiked at highest tension without friction between
employer and employe, and even since that time there has been no disturbance
in industrial circles that could possibly have been dignified by the name of
“strike” or “lockout.” But even had there been discontinuance of work on
account of disagreements between employer and employe, there is no excuse
for designating laborers as Bolsheviki, nor for assuming that a handful qf
men have started an incipient revolution.” And one will wonder where the
chief executive of the territory derives his authority to call on the navy de
partment to quell strikes; or where the navy department finds authority for
complying with his reauest.
It would appear that the governor is something of an alarmist, and that
f the desire to say something of interest to the reading public Outside (which
apparently regards him, as the chief executive of a territory which only a
few years ago was a terra incognita) as a hero who ventures his life in strange
and dangerous environments, has led him to utter sentiments at variance with
the actual facts and with the interests of the territory which it is his duty to
conserve. It is not conducive to the enlistment of capital to develop our mag
nificent resources, for instance, to inform the prospective investor that general
strikes and revolutions are brewing in Alaska. Capitalists as a rule fight shy
of such conditions. No one at the present moment desires to invest in Rus
sian enterprises; and to encourage the belief that in some way the people of
Alaska are in league with the Russian soviets is not only to do our people a
rank injustice, but it* inflicts a grave injury as well
If Alaskans visiting the Outside, whether as officials or private citizens,
desire to say anything through the newspapers that will be of interest to the
reading public, they must learn that the simple truth about the country is the
most interesting thing that they'can say.
SUFFRAGETTES
WIN SUCCESS IN
OLYMPIA, Wash., March 23 (by As
sociated Press).—The house of repre
sentatives yesterday ratified the fed
eral woman suffrage amendment, and
the senate took similar action shortly
afterward. The resolution now goes
to the governor. \
Mrs. Homer Hill, well knowri as the
mother of woman suffrage in Washing
ton state, sat beside the president of
the senate when the suffrage amend
ment was ratified. She thanked the
legislators in behalf of the women of
the state.
Mrs. Emma Smith Devoe, another
suffrage leader, sat beside Speaker
Adams in the house. Mrs. Frances
Haskell, the woman representative
from Tacoma who introduced the res
olution, thanked Governor Hart for
calling the special session. She said
it proved that we were a strong people
and that we had faith in the women of
America.
The senate passed the bill raising
the state general fund levy from 3 to
5 mills.
A SHORT SESSION
The special session of the legisla
ture probably will adjourn tomorrow.
The suffrage amendment was ratified
by unanimous vote.
The house passed a resolution asking
the attorney general to draft a bill
combining the growing number of
administrative commissions and bu
reaus. {
i The question of a bonus for soldiers
will be passed upon by a referendum
vote.
TAXATION PROBLEM
Representative John Gellatly of We
natchee, Republican candidate for gov-,
ernor, today introduced a-' constitu
tional amendment giving the legisla
ture discretionary powers in the clas
sification of property for taxation pur
poses.
Representative Reed, in opposition,
declared the bill would give twenty
men in the legislature power to tax
any business out of existence. He
said such a bill was the first plank iif
the Non-partisan League platform.
RAILROAD ORDERS ARE
LIKELY TO WITHDRAW
FROM TRIPLE ALLIANCE
SPOKANE, March 28 (by Associated
Press).—The local officials of the rail
road unions forecast possible with
drawals of the railroad brotherhoods
from the State Triple Alliance. It is
declared that the sympathy of the rail
road men is with the farmers in the
disagreement with the representatives
of organized labor.
NO CORRUPTION
IN CAMPAIGN,
SAYS MANAGER
WASHINGTON, March 23 (by Asso
ciated Press).—Senator Borah of Idaho
has called upon Major General Leon
ard Wood for the names of the sub
scribers to his campaign fund, with
the amounts and the manner of its ex
penditure.
Senator Borah said it was apparent
that a vast sum of money was being
spent. He did not suspect General
Wood personally of corrupt expendi
tures, but he thought the general owed
the people a full explanation.
NO FRACTURE OF LAW
CHICAGO, March 23 (by Associated,
Press).—William Proctor, chairman of
the Wood national campaign commit
tee, said today in reference to the as
sertions of Senator Borah that no
money has been expended in the cam
paign except within the limits of state
and national law.
MAY ORGANIZE NEW PARTY WITH
INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY AS SLOGAN
WASHINGTON, March 23 (by Associated Press).—Senator
France (Republican) of Maryland warned the senate yesterday that
the Republican liberals might form a new party to fight the “bourbon
autocracy” in an effort to restore individual liberty.
With the repeal of the national prohibition laws and the espion
age in their tentative platform, said Senator France, the liberals need
not hesitate to battle against the reactionary forces.
COAL PRICES
WILL ABSORB
HIGHER WAGE
WASHINGTON, March 23 (by As
sociated Press).—President Wilson
has decided to withdraw government
control over the maximum price of
bituminous coal, effective April 1. It
is believed the operators will increase
coal prices to absorb the 27 per cent
increase of wages recommended for
the miners by President Wilson’s com
mission within a week.
The operators and mineers are being
urged to make agreements immedi
ately based on the commission’s re
port. It is stated that the 27 per cent
increase will total $200,000,000 annu
ally.
TEAMSTERS AND
CHAUFFEURS GO
OUT ON STRIKE
CHICAGO, March 23 (by Associated
Press).—Five hundred teamsters and
chauffeurs employed by the city went
on strike today, demanding an increase
of $2 per day in wages. The chauffeurs
get $6 and the teamsters $9 per day.
The Clerks and Stenographers’!
Union has called a strike'for Thursday!
unless they get an increase of $25
per month.
I
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OPEN SHOP IS
FAVORED BY
BOSTON COURT
BOSTON, March 23 (by Associated
Press).—The supreme court of Massa
chusetts yesterday ordered a perma
nent injunction to issued against
the local union of the International
Union of Photo-Engravers, restraining
them from interfering with the busi
ness of two engraving companies.
The refusal of the companies to com
ply with the demand of the union to
conduct closed shops had resulted in a
strike declaration.
The court ruling is regarded as a
victory for the “open shop.”
CALIFORNIA TOWN
HAS FIRST SNOWFALL,
TULARE, Cal., March 23 (by Asso
ciated Press).—Two inches of snow
fell here last night, the first in the his
tory of the local weather bureau.
CARPENTIER IS READY
TO MEET DEMPSEY
NEW YORK, March 23 (by Associ
ated Press).—Georges Carpentier, the
French pugilist, arrived here today
with his 17-year-old bride. He says
he is anxious to meet Dempsey, the
American champion, as soon as a
match can be arranged.
Carpentier looks like a bank clerk
on vacation. He weighs 176 pounds.
Carpentier wore on his lapel the rib
bon of the Croix de Guerre. He said
he was wounded twice during the war.
He has an engagement of ten weeks
in vaudeville.
JEWELRY STORE
VICTIMIZED BY
BOLD ROBBERS
SEATTLE, March 23 (by Associated
Press).—Four thieves held up the La
fayette jewelry store, at Second and
Pine streets, at 9 o’clock this morning,
and bound and gagged S. M. Feldman,
the proprietor. Miss Nettie Goldman,
a clerk, made here escape with jew
elry worth $10,000.
Feldman reports that the thieves se
cured diamond rings, a score of
watches and eight bar pins.
Feldman was taking stock from the
safe when the men entered the store.
He asked if it was a joke and was
answered with a blow across the face
with a revolver.
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SHOE PRICES
EXPECTED TO
TAKEA DROP
NEW YORK. March 23 (by Associ
ated Press).—John J. Seater, president
of the Retail Shoe Dealers’ Associa
tion, announced yesterday that prices
for standard shoes would be reduced
during the spring and summer. He
said the retailers were satisfied with
smaller profits.
The reduction would not apply to
fancv footwear, he said.
LUCKY WIN OF
MERCHANT ON
TOUR IN CHINA
• ABERDEEN, Wash., March 23 (by
Associated Press).—Charles Rychard,
a Hoquiam merchant, who recently ar
rived home from a tour of the Orient,
today received a Chinese draft for
$19,000, with the explanation that he
had won the money in a lottery. At
Shanghai Rychard paid $5 for a chance
in the lottery.
ARREST MADE
FOR MURDER
OF EX-SAILOR
VANCOUVER, B. C„ March 23 (by
Associated Press).—E. K. Thompson
was arrested here today, charged with
the murder of Walter Bagnall, a Seat
tle ex-sailor, whose body was found
near Kent in the woods.
It is believed that Thompson is the
man who tried to sell Bagnal an auto
mobile, and that he killed him for the
purchase money.
EXALTED RULER OF ELKS
AT SEATTLE IS DEAD
SEATTLE, March 23 (by Associated
Press).—Homer Myers, exalted ruler
of the Seattle lodge of Elks, died last
night. He was a member of the firm
of Bayrd & Myers, Ford automobile
agents.
NOSKE RESIGNS .
AND MORE WILL
FOLLOW SUIT
BERLIN, March 23 (by Associated
Press).—The city is again becoming
normal. The postofflce has resumed
business and the stores have reopened.
It is reported that the radicalas hold
the* whole western industrial district
of Germany, and that the workers are
organizing.
Noske, minister of defense, has re
signed, and his resignation has been
accepted by President Ebert. Other
cabinet changes are imminent.
A SWISS RUMOR
BERNE, March 23 (by Associated
Press).—It' is understood that the
whole Ebert cabinet will resign.
RAMOADERS
AFTER SCALP
OF CUMMINGS
WASHINGTON, March 23 (by Asso
ciated Press).—Acting President Shep
pard of the Order of Railway Conduc
tors said yesterday that Senator Cum
mins was one of the members of con
gress whom organized labor would at
tempt to defeat at the November elec
tions.
Mr. Sheppard said the records of
other members of congress were being
studied.
Senator Cummins was the author of
the anti-strike provision of the rail
road bill, which was thrown out.
MORGENTHAU
APPOINTED TO
MEXICAN POST
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WASHINGTON, March 23 (by Asso
ciated Press).—The senate yesterday
confirmed the nomination of Bain
bridge Colby to be secretary of state.
Mr. Colby was sworn in as secretary
of state today.
The nominations of Charles It.
Crane, to be minister to China, and
William Joyce of Berkeley, Cal., to
be a member of the farm loan board,
were also confirmed.
The President yesterday sent to the
senate the nomination of Mrs. Helen
Hamilton Gardner, author and lecturer,
of Washington, to be a member of the
civil service commission, succeeding
Charles Galloway of South Carolina.
MORGENTHAU GOES TO MEXICO
President Wilson today sent to the
senate the nomination of Henry Mor
genthau of New' York to be ambassa
dor to Mexico. Morgenthau formerly
was ambassador to Turkey.
Mr. Morgenthau succeeds Henry P.
Fletcher, who resigned when he failed
to agree with the administration on
its Mexican policy.
SEATTLE IS DEFEATED
BY OTTAWA PLAYERS IN
HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP
OTTAWA, March 23 (by Associated
Press).—In the first game of the
world’s championship hockey series
here last night Ottawa defeated Seat
tle by a score of 3 to 2.
AURORA BOREALIS
AFFECTS TELEGRAPH
SEATTLE, March 23 (by Associated
Press).—The aurora borealis was visi
ble last night for several hours
throughout the entire northern half of
the United States, as well as in Can
ada. It is reported to have been seen
as far south as Alabama. Wire service
was somewhat crippled.