Food—The Weapon that will Win the War—Help to Save It
' The Nenana News
{ VOLUME NO. 2 NENANA, ALASKA SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 1918 WHOLE NUMBER 68
CLUB TELLS SULZER
OF INTERIOR NEEDS
In a lengthy letter addressed to
Delegate Chas. A. Sulzer, the Ne
nana Commercial club has outlined
the more important needs of Nenana
district, and suggest reforms in
tended to benefit the entire territory.
The letter was prepared by Secre
’ vary H. B. Joseph and read at the
meeting of the club held last Sunday.
The letter combines all public mat
ters discussed by the club during the
past several months and will inform
the delegate fully regarding local
and general Interior conditions. Mr.
Sulzer has promised to render such
assistance as may be possible and
requested that he be enlightened re
garding the needs of the town and
district. The leter covers the ground
thoroughly. It reads as follows:
, Nenana, Alaska, Jan. 11, 1918.
* “The Honorable Chas. A. Sulzer,
Delegate from Alaska, House of
Representatives, Washington, D. C.
“Dear Sir:—The Nenana Commer
cial Club has directed me to write
you in regard to several matters in
which we are interested.
“Among these, the one of the
most immediate importance is the
proposition to have the work of the
present Alaskan Road Commission
taken over by the Alaskan Engineer
ing Commission.
^ “As a matter of co-ordination and
efficiency it would appear to be the
logical thing to do. And the present
appears to be the opportune time to
advocate it, when there will probably
be less personal opposition to it than
ever before.
“And it would bring the two de
partments under the one commission,
which would count for economy of
both men and money; at a time when
both are much needed by the nation.
“The railroad soon to be com
pleted, is bound to be the “Rome’’
to which all roads in Alaska, or
{ rather Interior Alaska, will lead.
These wagon roads will reach the
Interior waterways from all direc
tions; from the upper reaches of
the Tanana river and the upper
Yukon; the Tolovana, Koyukuk, Idit
arod and Kuskokwim. And by means
of these rivers they will all converge
at Nenana, between which point and
the States there will be quick and
cheap transportation over govern
ment owned rails, and the Inside
Passage.
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“In short, all these roads will be
feeders for the railroad; and from
now on they should all be built with I
this in mind. To insure this it would
seem that the consolidation of the
two departments was the proper thing
and a duty to the future as well as
the present.
“And closer at hand, there is an
immense territory to the south of j
Nenana, all of which is to be enter
ed, explored and prospected, by,
means of wagon roads and trails j
which will begin at the railroad, and j
end at the last border.
“In speaking of this section be
tween Nenana and the coast, so rich
in natural resources, one might speak
with great conservatism, and still be j
looked upon as a teller of tales by
those in the States who are not de
finitely informed.
“One of the wonderful things
right here at our back door is the
McKinley National park; in the Jan
uary, 1917, Geographic Magazine,
there is an article by Mr. Stephen
R. Capps, of the Geological Survey,
which you have probably read, and
which is good reading matter to sug
gest to the uninitiated. He suggests
an automobile road from the rail
road, which is approximately fifteen
miles from the eastern boundary of |
the park to Mt. McKinley. And his ;
description is enough to stir the im- j
agination of any one whose veins are ;
not artrophied.
“And every mile of this country '
to the south of Nenana along the I
railroad is scarcely less interesting!
and rich than the McKinley National j
park. And all of it is to be explored I
in detail by means of good roads!
and the railroad.
“Th re are draw-backs, of course, j
niggerheads and mosquitoes, but
these di appear as men advance.
“There is another matter that seem !
to walk hand in glove with the fore I
going; it is the Alaska Telegraph]
lines. The War department has long
wanted to turn them over to the
postofice department; and the latter
was perfectly willing to take them.
But action failed ih congress.
“The trunk line will soon be the
government owned telegraph line
from the coast to the Interior; and
after that is completed it would seem
to be altogether unnecessary to main
tain the present telegraph line along
the Valdez trail. And here is the
wagbn road situation over again. All
the Interior wires and wireless; up
the Tanana and the Yukon; and
down the Yukon to St. Michael and
the Seward Peninsula; these will be
feeders for the telegraph line along
the railroad.
“Again it would appear to tend
towards economy and efficiency to
place them all under the manage
ment of the Alaskan Engineering
Commission. It should all be one
system.
“And this would turn loose for
direct service all the Signal Corps
men of the army now stationed over
Alaska, to the detriment of army
organization. Moreover, the in
fantry branch of the army stationed
here, is but an adjunct of the signal
Corps, its chief function being to
assist in the maintenance of the tele
graph lines, breaking up a regi
mental unit of that branch of the
service.
“The small need there may be,
though I do not know that any such
need exists, of the services of the
infantry for police duty, could be
much more satisfactorily filled,owing
to its greater mobility, by a con
stabulary force immediately.
“Mr. Riggs is now in Washington,
and we hope that you will have the
opportunity to talk these things over
with him, as well as with Mr. Edes;
in order that you may be able to
present to congress some definite
and immediate plan to forward as
much as possible the development
of this territory.
“Yours sincerely,
H. B. JOSEPH,
Secretary, Nenana Commercial
Club.
Another matter of importance to
the town which was acted upon by
me ciub was tne appointment of a
permanent tire committee, consisting
oi Woodbury Abbey, William Casey
ami Carl Schmidt. This committee
win co-operate with the townsite
management, making suggestions
Irom time to time, and taking such
other action as may be deemed nec
essary for the protection of the
town.
for the purpose of providing the
town with a more frequent man ser
vice, the secretary was instructed to
make arrangements to have first
class mail carried by auto between
Fairbanks and Nenana, the club to
defray the cost of the improved
service.
The question of enlarging the
scope of the club so as to provide
the members with permanent quar
ters to be kept open at all times,
was discussed at some length, and
a committee consisting of Carl
Schmidt, R. G. Southworth and
Woodbury Abbey was appointed to
inquire into the matter.
A letter from Delegate Sulzer was
read, in which the club was advised
of the establishment of a postoffkie
on Glacier creek, in the Kantishna,
and the appointment of Mrs. Joe
Van Orsdel as postmaster.
The applications for membership
of W. B. Raeburn, R. R. Douse and
Harold Anderson received favorable
consideration and the applicants w'ere
duly enrolled as new members.
Another meeting of the club will
be held tomorrow afternoon, at the 1
office of Commissioner Burns.
HERE’S A CHANCE, GIRLS j
WASHINGTON, D. C„ Jan. 19.—!
A rhotograph of America’s prettiest
girl is wanted for use on a poster,
advertising government insurance for
soldiers. The contest is open to all. .
Commissioner Robert E. Burns has |
been named explosive officer for
S’enana precinct.
COAL SlIUAilON
LESS ACULE NOW
WASHINGTON, D. C„ Jan. 19.—
The public was given to understand
today that it is the intention of
President Wilson to issue a state
ment soon, explaining why it was
necessary to conserve the coal supply
by causing a widespread suspension
of industrial activity. The situation
is not acute, however, as it was
thought at first that it would be,
owing to the number of exemptions
made by Fuel Administrator Garfield.
The exemptions include all ship
yards, food manufacturing concerns
and steel plants engaged in turning
out plates for government vessels.
The house naval affairs committee
was informed this afternoon by naval
officers that the Garfield order had
closed seven thousand factories en
gaged on naval contracts.
PRO-GERMAN SENTIMENT
IS GROWING IN MEXICO
JUAREZ, Jan. 19.—A reliable
; American, who has just arrived in
this city from the interior of Mexi
co, declares that American money
is now being discounted twenty cents
in Mexico. Anti-American and pro
German sentiment, he declares, is
growing rapidly throughout the nor
thern part of the southern republic,
and the hope is expressed, even by
federal soldiers and officers, that
the kaiser’s forces will win.
BOLSHEVIKI LOSES
IK OPENING BOUT
PETROGRAD, Jan. 19.—The long
deferred constituent assembly began
its deliberations today at Tauride
palace, with President Sverdloff, of
the central executive committee of
the congress of workmen and sol
diers delegates, presiding. On the
first test of strength, the Bolsheviki
were defeated by the social revolu
tionists, following which the Bol
sheviki members withdrew from the
convention.
AUSTRIANS GETTING READY
FOR WESTERN OPERATIONS
BERNE, Jan. 19.—Reports which
reached this city today state that
Austria is sealing her frontiers, the
work of closing them having com
menced today. The action is similar
to that already taken by Germany,
and is regarded as indicating that
. the Central nations are getting ready
i for their expected Western drive.
—
SENATOR SAYS KAISER
AND POPE PLAN PEACE
WASHINGTON, D. C„ Jan. 19.—
Senator Lewis, of Illinois, declared
on the floor of the senate today,
that both the kaiser and Pope Bene
dict are planning new peace move
ments, to' be made public to the
world at an early date. He said that
he had reason to know that Berlin
expects to withdraw the proposals
made to Bolsheviki and to offer new
terms to all the opponents of Ger
many. He said that he had also
been informed that the pope, acting
with the acquiescence of Italy, is
planning to make another effort to
bring the warring nations together
for the discussion of peace.
RUSSIANS ARRESTED;
GET OFF WITH COSTS
Seven Russians were up before
Commissioner R. E. Burns during
the week, on the charge of appro
priating to their own use, four cords
of wood belonging to Albert Fortier,
the complaining witness. The case
was dismissed with payment of
costs by the defendants.
Washington.—The senate has pass
ed a bill authorizing the expenditure
of fifty millions for the construction
of houses for workingmen in the
shipbuilding districts.
Joseph G. Morrow, assistant cash
ier of the First National Bank, is a
business visitor in Nenana|
ITALIANS ISIS!
ATIACKJN PIAVE
ROME, Jan. 19.—The war office
is authority for the statement that
the Teutons attacked along a wide
front on the river Piave this morn
ing in a vain effort to penetrate the
Italian lines. The defending forces
put up a stubborn fight and were suc
cessful in forcing the enemy back.
Many of the Teutons were taken
captive and a large number fell dur
ing the engagement.
ALLIES PROTECT KING
FROM BOLSHEVIKI RING
LONDON, Jan. 19—It is announc
ed by the war office today that King
Ferdinand, of Rumania, whose arrest
was ordered by the Bolsheviki gov
ernment, is now under the protection
of the Allies.
GERMANS PLANNED DEATH
OF MEMBERS OF MISSION
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 19.—That
the death of the members of the
Root party, who visited Russia sev
eral months ago, was planned hy
Germany, was brought to light to
day, during the trial of Hindus and
whites charged with fomenting a
revolution in India. The plan was
to massacre the party while enroute
across Siberia. The plot also in
cluded the formation of an alliance
between Germany and Japan.
BANDITS RAKE IN
FARO GAME CASH
MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 19.—The
Cosmopolitan club, a fashionable re
sort of this city, was raided by seven
bandits at an early hour this morn
ing, and the seven faro players, who
were in the place at the time, were
relieved of $5,900 in cash and jew
elry valued at $1,500. Thirty loung
ers, who were in another room, were
not molested.
REPORTS OF AUSTRIAN
RIOTS SHOW UNREST
BERNE, Jan. 19.—Reports of un
rest in many parts of Austria con
| tinue to reach this city, despite
the strict censorship maintained by
the dual monarchy. Scores of peace
demonstrations are reported to have
taken place, great crowds in Vienna
marching the streets demanding
peace. Riots and pillaging followed
and it was with greatest difficulty
that order was restored. Many of
the rioters were placed under arrest.
Strikes are now developing and the
labor agitation is said to have reach
ed an acute stage. The food situa
tion is unimproved.
GIRL DYNAMITER HELD
CHICAGO, Jan. 19.—A sixteen
year-old girl ,who is believed to be
Laura Jose, of Youngstown, was
placed under arrest in this city to
day, and a satchel, containing thirty
sticks of dynamite taken from her.
The police say that she is an emis
sary of the Industrial Workers, en
route to California.
HAIG MAKES CHANGES
LONDON, Jan. 19.—General Haig
is making sweeping changes in Brit- I
ish headquarters, in France. It was I
announced today that he has ap
pointed Lieut.- General Sir Herbert
A. Lawrence his chief of staff.
Washington—President Wilson has
nominated John Callen to be post
master at Petersburg and Mrs. R. E.
Coughlin for a similar position at1
Treadwell.
645 ON ROLLS
The weekly force report of the
Alaskan Engineering commission for
the period ending Saturday, January ■
12, showed the names of 430 em- '
ployees on the payrolls. In addi
tion to the regular employees, there
were, on that date, 215 contractors
and contractor’s laborers. :
COUNCIL SETS DAYS
TO CONSERVE FOOD
Nearly one hundred residents of
Nenana, including many ladies, at
tended the meeting of the local coun
cil of defense, which was held in
the office of General Storekeeper
Howard P. Curtis on Thursday eve
ning. It was the second meeting
of the organization and the large at
tendance was the result of the ac
tivities of the organization commit
tee, which had been appointed to
boost the membership. When this
committee was asked to make a re
port, Chairman Wm. Casey suggested
that the many new members in evi
dence be accepted in lieu of a formal
report.
The meeting was called to order
by President Geo. W. Pennington,
and after the minutes of the pre
vious meeting had been read, the
food saving committee reported that
a w'ire had been sent to Territorial
Food Administrator Gunnison, at
Juneau, requesting that the open
season for game animals be extend
ed to March 31, the committee, on
behalf of the Council of Defense,
offering to regulate the disposal of
meat so that waste would be reduced
to a minimum. A reply had been
received from Juneau, informing the
committee that their request would
be forwarded to the proper authori
ties at Washington,, but small hope
was held out that favorable action
would be taken. The wording of the
reply of the territorial food admini
strator seemed to indicate that he
had not grasped the situation or
understood why the committee had
asked to have the season extended.
To hasten matters it was decided
by the meeting to write a full ex
planation of Interior conditions to
Judge Gunnison, showing him how
it would be possible to reduce the
consumption of domestic meat and
other supplies shipped from the Out
side by using moose, caribou and
mountain sheep. It was also de
cided to draft a bill covering the
needs of the Interior, for presenta
tion to congress, through the dele
gate from Alaska.
The food saving committee also
reported that action had been taken
to conserve sugar and butter by se
curing the promise of restaurant
owners and housewives to observe
three sugarless and three butterless
meals per W'eek. In this work they
had been assisted by the ladies of
the Friendly society. A number of
those present at the meeting objected
to the one meal a day plan, it being
pointed out that such an arrange
ment caused confusion. After some
discussion, the meeting decided to
observe sugarless and butterless da.' s,
instead of meals, and it was furt’.ier
decided to add meatless and wheat
less days to the list, in conformity
to instructions issued by the local
head of the Alaskan Engineering
commission. Wheat, it was decided
by the meeting, should be regarded
as meaning bolted flour. The list
of conserving days, as finally agreed
upon, is as follows: Sugarless Mon
day, Wheatless Tuesday, Butterless
Thursday, and Meatless Friday.
Pledge cards are to be issued, as
is done in other towns.
The question of finances having j
been brought to the attention of the \
council, the election of a treasurer j
was decided upon, and Howard P. j
Curtis was the unanimous choice of |
the meeting. The secretary was j
then instructed to write t.o Governor
Strong with relation to funds neces
sary to carry on the work of the
organization.
W. J. Hubback informed the coun
cil that a call bad been issued for
a meeting for the purpose of organ
izing a home guard and he invited
those present to become members
af the organization.
The question of pro-Germanism j
ivas brought up for discussian and !:
several of those present expressed j
:heir views. Commissioner Burns
:autioned the members against haste
n accusing neighbors and said he
aelieved that charges of that char
icter, should any be preferred, should I
:ome properly before the executive I i
:ommittee of the council, and after j1
nvestigation by that body, referred j'
o the federal authorities for trial j1
ihould such action be warranted. (*
He urged those present to report
seditious utterances or other acts
of a disloyal character, but advised
against taking such matters up for
discussion prior to their considera
tion by the executive board.
President J. 1). C'Neill, of tne Ne
nana Labor Union, to whom had
been referred the eight-hour ques
tion, reported that his organization
had adopted a resolution in support
of the law. The resolution was then
read by Secretary Douse, and ac
cepted, by unanimous vote, as the
attitude of the council on the eight
hour question.
In closing,' Chairman Pennington
thanked the ladies of Nenana for
their co-operation in the food sav
ing work undertaken by the council
and expressed the hope that hearty
co-operation would continue in all
matters pertaining to the welfare
of the nationl
WILCOX HAS NEW JOB
WASHINGTON, D. C„ Jan. 19.—
Chairman Wilcox, of the Republi
can national committee, has retired
from that position to accept an ap
pointment as a member of a com
mission to consider railway wage
questions. The appointment was
made public today by Secretary Me
Adoo.
DESERTER GETS TEN YEARS
TACOMA, —.Jan. 19.—Private
Chas. McDonald, who deserted from
Camp Lewis and who was later ar
rested as he was about to board a
steamer for Japan, was sentenced
to a term of ten years today. Fol
lowing his desertion, he visited both
San Francisco and Alaska.
ORR IS BOUND OVER
ON SERIOUS CHARGE
Earl Orr, a well known young man
of this city and Fairbanks, was given
a preliminary hearing this afternoon
before United States Commissioner
Burns, on the charge of obtaining
money under false pretenses, and
upon the conclusion of the examina
tion, was bound over to the grand
jury. Orr is being held on three
counts, that of passing worthless
checks to three merchants of Xe
nana. Bail in each instance has
been fixed at $1,000.
Orr was arrested in Fairbanks and
brought to Nenana for trial yester
day by Deputy Marshal Wood.
When taken before Commissioner
Bums, he was held under bonds in
the sum of $1,000 on each complaint,
and being unable to secure bonds
men, he was remanded to jail to
await his hearing.
District Attorney R. F. Roth came
down from Fairbanks to prosecute
the case, and Joe Morrow was
brought along as a witness for the
government. The defense was hand
led by R. R. Douse.
CONVICT LABOR BILL
APPROVED BY UNIONS
WASHINGTON, D. C., Jan. 19—
Officials of the American Federation
of Labor appeared before the house
labor committee this morning in sup
port of the convict labor bill now
before congress. The measure pro
vides for the use of inmates of fed
eral penitentiaries for the produc
tion of war supplies.
VESSELS RECEIVE COAL;
SITUATION IS RELIEVED
NEW YORK, Jan. 19—Many ships
lave been coaled and dispatched
from this port since yesterday, and
» number of war vessels in Hampton
Roads have been supplied with fuel,
ndicating that the fuel situation is
jreatly relieved.
MEW STEEL VESSEL
READY FOR SERVICE
VANCOUVER, B. C„ Jan. 19.—
fhe steel steamship Alaska, 8,800
ons, the largest vessel ever built
n British Columbia, was launched
oday at the Coghleann yards. Mrs.
I\ II. Kolderup, wdfe of the Nor
vegian consul of Seattle, christened
he vessel.