WASHINGTON, Nov. 10. — That
there are today approximately 100,
000,000 acres of swamp lands in the
United States of which 75,000,000
acres can he reclaimed for agricul
ture, is reported by the committee
on statistics and standards of the
Chamber of Commerce of the United
States. According to this committee,
of which A W. Douglas, of St. Louis,
is the chairman, the vast area of land
which could ho made available is
about 72 per cent ot the entire acre
age of our present corn crop and
twice the average arreagp planted to
cotton.
Although the work of reclamation
of swamp lands of any moment is an
enterprise of recent times, it grows in
volume and importance each year. The
committee traces step by step the his
tory of the reclaiming of swamps in
this country, and it lays stress upon
the part played by the mosquito which
for years held undisputed sway - so
frequently carrying the deadly germs
of malaria and yellow fever.
How Uncle Sam Cornered the Mos
i
quito.
Had not the hospital corps of the
United States army so definitely deter
mined the status of the mosquito and
thus caused the menacing swamp land
to be drained, the National Chamber
committee do lares it is a question
whether the building of the 1’anama
canal would have been possible. The
tragic failure of the French to dig
the waterway is attributed to the ex-1
istence of infflNpiitnc
“In the earlv nineties of the last
century it was demonstrated beyond
question that the cause of malaria
was transmitted by a species of mos
quito and that there was no other
possible method of infection,” the
committee Continues. ‘ All that was
necessary to prevent malaria was to j
avoid being bitten by this mosquito.
Army ntedieal officers stationed in!
Cuba, after the Spanish \merlean war.
undertook a series of similar experi-i
moms in regard to yellow fever. It I
was the Silent, unobtrusive heroism I
that gave its life in order that hu
manity might live, for some of the of
ficers and soldiers died from yellow
fever as a result of these experiments. I
It was demonstrated that the bite of
another genus of the mosquito family i
was the sole soune of infection of ;
yellow fever. Since the fear of this i
pestilence lm vanished from men's I
minds in all civilized countries, for i
protective measures were immediately i
found which are both simple and ef- 1
fective."
Worthless Land Jumps to $50 an Acre i
and Up.
The eost of drainage as determined i
by the eommittee varies according to
conditions and localities. In Missouri 1
it ranges from $:1 to $7 per acre, and
to this must he addi d the cost of <
clearing the land when timbered,
which varies from $1” to $J5 per to re
The timber on swamp lands consists
of poplar, oak, pine spruce, cypress
and gum, and is often very valuable
and repays the cost of clearing many
times over. This is especially true
of the cypress swamps of Louisiana.
The only value of the land when a
swamp is its potential value for re
clamation, otherwise it is a serious
liability as a breeder of fever. Once
cleared the price ranges from $50 per
acre upwards I in soil is generally I
of unusual fertility since most of the''
land is an alluvial deposit from some
neighboring river. Besides, it is usual
ly very rich in humus, because of cen
turies of decaying vegetable matter
As it has naturally an abundance of ■
moisture, it possesses all the requi
sites of abounding yields.
Modern Drainage Methods.
The work of swamp reclamation, as
explained by the National Chamber
committee, is practically all done by
private enterprises, sometimes by in
dividuals, sometimes by chartered
companies, hut more often by co-op
erative organizations in the form of
what are known ns drainage districts.
The districts are formed usually by
the majority, sometimes two-thirds, of
the persons who own the lands io be
drained and who signify their desire,
according to certain legal methods,
that such lands lie drained, if a peti
tion be approved, then all action from
that time is according to certain deft
nlte and carefully prescribed legal
procedure and under the care and su
pervision of stale authorities. Kvory
possible precaution is exercised to
make it n strictly business proposi
tion, free from speculation and exploi
tation for personal gain. I
Taxes are levied upon the land to
pay the initial expenses, and after j
that drainage bonds, as they are
called, are issued, for the continuing
costs and for the completion of the
work. Taxes arc levied annually to
pay the interest and the principal on i
the bonds, which are a first Hen on
the land, the same as state taxes The
bonds bear from !> to 6 per cent In
terest, and run from tw-enty to forty
years, being generally on the amorti
sation plan. They are usually re
garded as sound securities and safe
Investments. Both laws and methods
of procedure differ somewhat in de
tails in the various states, but are
essentially the same in the principles
involved und the results attained.
‘ *
Where the Engineer Comes In.
In the engineering problem of drain
age, according to the report, there are
usually three principles involved:
First, provision for the disposal of the
water from the surrounding water
shed or more elevated land; second,
taking care of the surplus precipita
tion upon the drained land, or "run
off" as it is technically called; third,
protection against backwater or over
flow from neighboring rivers in times
of flood, to which may be added a
pumping station to dispose of the run
off when the waters of the neighbor
ing river are so high that they will
not take the run off from the district.
The drainage districts in southeast
Missouri and southern Louisiana em
body all of these principles, the com
mittee reports, and may be taken as
typical of the difficulties and accom
plishments of the drainage problem.
n hp Little river district in south
east Missouri is the most important !
drainage project now in operation in I
this country. It embraces 560,000
acres of swamp lands, has an area
of 1,136 square miles, is 90 miles long,
from four to thirty miles wide, and
rovers a large part of seven counties
in southeast Missouri. The cost of
construction will be about $5,000,000
and the work is now nearing comple
:on. When completed there will be
more than seven hundred miles of
ditches and levees in this district.
Treating Wet Lands of Louisiana.
In Louisiana, the committee con
tinues, the matter of drainage is usual
ly simplified by the absence of high
surrounding water sheds, since the al
luvial plains have regular contour.
The lack of much slope to the sea, so
that the drainage may not be one of
gravity, is made up by the numerous
bays, bayous, and rivers which offer
easily accessible outlets for the run
>ff. ' ,
The district to be drained has al
ways to he protected entirely by en
•ircling levees, for the many streams
n Louisiana have a fashion of wan
lering all over the surface of the sur
-ounding country. In addition to a
comprehensive system of canals and
ateral ditches there is always a pump
ng plant to take care of the run off
which is led into a reservoir and then
jumped into some bayou, lake or out
all canal. Even in comparatively flat
and, the drainage ditches soon dis
jose of the surplus water. By natural
:eepage and capillary attraction the
vater in wet land presses steadily to
wards the ditch, and the level of the
tround water is lowered accordingly.
How Three Insects Have Retarded
Country Growth.
The National Chamber committee
dated some time ago. "It is a curious
ind significant fact that the life his
ory of the south, social and economic,
s bound up in the story and conquest
>f three insignificant and malignant
nsects, the Texas cattle or fever tick,
he cotton boll weevil, and the malaria
icaring mosquito.” The committee
rented of the cattle tick and the col
on boll weevil in previous reports;
he present linking up of the mosquito
with the 75,000,000 acres of swamp
and, which it is said may be reclaimed
or agricultural purposes is the con
■lesion of the series.
Sheldon Auto Stage
SERVICE,
CHITINA TO FAIRBANKS.
Starts June 15.
Cars Now Running Regularly.
Weekly Trips.
Fare $76.00.
40 Pounds Baggage Free.
Office; Chitina Hotel, Chitina,
Alaska.
(Official Publication)
REPORT OF THE FINANCIAL CON
DITION OF THE
Firct Bank of Cordova
Located at Cordova, Territory of Alas
ka, at the close of business on the 8th
lay of November, 1916.
RESOURCES.
Loans and discounts .. $163,659.12
Overdrafts. 315.00
Bonds, warrants and other
securities. 111,400.00
Furniture and fixtures .... 2,500.00
'hecks on other banks and
other cash items. 2,540.49
[’ash on hand and due from
banks.180,717.41
Total.$461,132.02
LIABILITIES.
Capital stock paid in .. , $ 25,000.00
Surplus fund. 2,500.00
Contingent fund. 6,000.00
Undivided profits. 5,273.40
Due to banks—deposits .. 381.08
Deposits. 421,651.81
Certified checks. 325.73
Total.$461,132.02
United States of America,
Territqry of Alaska ss.
Third Judicial division.
1, Thos. S. Scott, cashier of the
above named bank, do solemnly swear
that the foregoing Is true to the best
of my knowledge and belief.
THOS. 8. SCOTT, Cashier.
Correct Attest:
M. BROCK.
FRED QLASBRENNEH,
Directors.
(Notarial Seal)
Subscribed and sworn to before me
this 13th day of November, 1916.
GEORGE DOOLEY,
Notary Public in and for the Territory
of Alaska. My commission ex
pires July 13, 1918.
Advertising
Surely
Pays.
By BREEN.
The biggest business
enterprises in this coun
try were built upon ad
vertising. None will
deny that. Newspaper
advertising is the most
potent of all. The money
that is spent annually in
the newspapers of the
l Ini Arl ^f a A# 10 r*r_ II
| •"»- *»* IU V.UV/1
mous.
Enormous as it is, the
return is tenfold. And
yet one occasionally will
find some self sufficient
business man who will
declare he doesn’t need
advertising.
Every man in every
business needs advertis
ing. Some need it more
tU an If *« Mysvt II
“•«»* vuicio. it to uuir
sense to say that a cer
tain article sells itself.
Keep TTour
Name \Before
The Public.
By BREEN.
Don’t suffer from ego.
You may think that
everybody in town knows
where you are located
and what you have to
offer. Don't make this
grievous mistake.
The public is fickle.
The public is forgetful.
It needs to be continually
reminded where you are
and what you are doing.
If you don’t let it know
through the columns of
a newspaper it soon will
transfer its trade.
Don’t think your busi
ness “so well estab
lished” it doesn’t need
advertising. New York’s
biggest bank seeks ad
vertising. It probably is
as “well established” as
most enterprises.
— 1 I
Don V Be a
Calamity
Howler.
By BREEN.
If business is a bit
poor don’t cry that the
country is going to the
bowwows. Things will
come out all right.
When business life is at
a low ebb newspaper
advertising will help sus
tain it. When the finan
cial and business de
pression was at its height
a Pacific coast merchant
spent $100,000 in a
newspaper ad. campaign.
The results more than
justified his optimism.
The Wall street
maxim is, “Buy when
everybody is selling; sell
when everybody is buy
ing." If one wants to I
buy or sell anything he
consults the newspapers.
Howard & Lund
Contractors and Builders
Estimates Furnished.
I— 1 ■ I —I..
EVERYTHING BOUGHT
AND SOLD
—
For anything you can’t ^lnd In
town, go to J. Rawson's Second
Hand Store and see what he has
got. We carry new and second
hand goods of all kinds, clothing
and kitchenware.
We have an experienced man
who does all kinds of repair work.
Give us a call.
JOHN RAWSON,
First Street.
■■» ■ ml
Wind sor Hotel
t X i r . IT"% .. _
ivv am, r rup.
Where You Get
Comfort and Service.
And the Rates Are Right.
Cordova Alaska
—-J
i .. .
New Sainnlos
-a—
JUST ARRIVED.
Ladles’ Tailored Suits and
Dresses Made to Order at Seat
tle Prices.
CLEANING AND PRESSING
Dry Cleaning Our Specialty.
Van, Tailor
PHONE 130.
■ 1 ... -■ " ■ .11
For Rent—House of five rooms. Ap
ply at Bank.
---«
Wanted — To rent or buy piano
Inquire at Times office.
| Foos Gas Engines
4 to 5C0 Horse Power
General Electric Motors
Roebling Tramways
Pelton Water Wheels
Chicago Oil Engines and Compressors
Regal Boat Engines
| Harmon Machinery Co Inc |
Oxy-Acetylene Welding.
CORDOVA. ALASKA
■———w———1
When Ordering Beer ]
=. INSIST ()N=r.
Rainier Pale 5
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JOB PRINTING
AT DAILY TIMES
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WHY NOT OWN YOUR OWN HOME?
•X x.
X; X;
Many families are Paying out from $200 to $500 in
| rent each year. Why not put that into a home of your |
iij: own?
Call on Geo. C. Hazelet, Trustee of the Townsite, and £
.X
6ee if it can’t be arranged.
8 . _ ^ ^ ... *
I NORTHERN MEAT MARKET 1
|-- — s
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL DEALERS IN
I Fresh Beef, Pork, Yea I, Mutton
[and Provisions
Particular Attention and Prompt Service Given to orders from
MINING GAMPS, ROADHOUSES AND
INTERIOR POINTS
SMITH & GLASBRENNER. l’rops. I
A Savings Account is a Profitable Investment.
A Dollar in a Savings Account is Worth Two in Your
Pocket.
Consistent Saving Means a Growing Bank Account.
Consistent Saving Means an Increased Income in the
Form of Interest.
Consistent Saving Means a Protection Against the Pro
verbial Rainy Day.
Consistent Saving Means Building Up Capital Which
You May Need Some Day to Make a Start for Yourself.
Consistent Saving Will Make You a More Satisfied Man.
WHY NOT START SAVING AND KEEP IT UP?
YOU CAN START A SAVINGS ACCOUNT FROM A
DOLLAR UP.
THE FIRST BANK OF CORDOVA
nnmTTiTmTT fiTTixxTnrt ti « mrciTi* nminir
oiiv/uiiu i umivu;u oniiginvuuii
TERRITORIAL DEPOSITORY GOVERNMENT INSPECTED RESOURCES OVER $450,000.
(Kisurance
FIRE, MARINE, LIFE and ACCIDENT
Insure your property against fire in
reliable Insurance Companies.
V» e represent the Niagara, London,
PHONE 127. j 1’hoenlx, Hartford, Northern. Globe
and Rutgers, and others; all strong
Sen,n,l St., opposite Postoffice.! Boa.rd r°n'Panies
We also represent the Maryland
i> , c j i i .. , ,r Casualty Company, and Issue Fidelity
nest (,t Hand Work. (Jive Us
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| Northwestern Realty & Trust Co.
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The Lang Stove, born in Alaska.
Is the Stove for Alaskans.
Roily made of Armeo Rust-Resist
ing Iron.
Polished Cooking Surface.
Will bold fire overnight with wood
or coal.
t. Will burn green wood.
Ask your dealer for a Lang Stove.
If lie cannot supply you write us.
Our line is complete from tho
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Any sourdough will tell you about the
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_ SEATTLE, WN.
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TO THE EAST SCENERY
SERVICE
via CALIFORNIA safety
This i> tlie Comfortable Wav to Go. Interesting, too.
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Three Trains Daily on the
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the Fast or South. Liberal Stopovers allowed. Write
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