THE NENANA DAILY NEWS
Application made April 1, 1918, at the postoffice at Nenana, Alaska,
for eiury as second class mail matter, under the Act of March 3, 1879.
“WHERE RAIL AND RIVER MEET”
Published every afternoon except Sunday, by the Nenana Printing
Company, at First and B Streets, Nenana, Alaska.
R. G. Southworth.Editor and Manager
RATES OF SUBSCRIPTION
Single Copies.Two Bits
By the Month, by Carrier or Mail.$ 2.00
Six Months, if paid in Advance. 9.00
One Year, if paid in advance. 15.00
ADVERTISING RATES
Transient Display Advertising, per inch, per issue.$ .50
Minimum Charge . 1.00
Reading Notices, per line, per issue.25
Legal Advertising, per line, per issue.20
MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to the use for re-publi
cation of all news dispatches credited to it or not otherwise credited in
this paper and also all the local news published herein.
THAT GOLD BONUS
Like nearly all of the more im
portant reforms advocated for the
betterment of conditions in Alaska,
including the government railroad
project, the present agitation at
Washington, in the gold producing
states of the West and in Alaska,
for a government bonus on gold, had
its origination in Alaska. Insofar
as the News has been able to ascer
tain, ' United States Commissioner
R. S. McDonald, of Nenana, first
called the attention of Alaskans to
the necessity of securing federal re
lief for our gold miners, it having;
occurred to him more than a year
ago that such action as is now being
advocated would be necessary, not
only to stimulate gold production in
Alaska, but also to insure an unin- j
terrupted and plentiful supply of;
gold in the United States treasury.!
Mr. McDonald called the matter
to the attention of the public, through
the columns of the News-Miner a
year ago this month, on August 24,
1917, to be exact, and it was through
his efforts that the matter later was I
taken up by the Fairbanks Commer
cial club. Mr. McDonald also called
the matter to the attention of the
Nenana Commercial club soon after
his arrival in Nenana.
The gold bonus question is now
being strongly advocated by Dele
gate Sulzer, practically all Alaskan
civic organizations, by the press of
Alaska and by numerous mining
organizations throughout the West
ern states, with the result that Con
gress may be induced to provide the
needed relief before the end of the
present session.
The argument referred to, which
was published last August, is as
follows:
l
The government of the United
States is urging upon gold mining
operators the necessity of i u reasing
their output to the limit, .lid Lases
its plea on patriotic ground.-. 1 nt
the operators, the world over, are
finding it impossible to extract gold
ai a pront with the prices of sup
plies, machinery, tools and other es
sentials in many cases many hundred
per cent higher than when their op
erations were initiated. Cyanide,
used in great quantities in gold re
duction, has advanced from 34 cents
to $2.75; powder has jumped sev
eral hundred percent; steel similarly'
and there is almost a universal labor
shortage. Machinery in many cases
is off the market and when procur
able costs vastly higher than for for
merly.
Most of the larger gold producing :
plants of the world have operated
for many years on very small mar
gin of profit, and . the tremendously
increased cost of production, in the
face of the inflexible sale price of'
raw gold, has entirely, or nearly so
wiped out that margin. It would j
seem therefore, IF THE GOLD IS;
ALIUALLY NEEDED, some higher
price for it in its raw state, or a
bonus, will have to be paid before
any will be mined. During the
Civil War, when the New York banks
suspended specie payments, gold sold
as high as 285 and a certain prem
ium was maintained until 1878, when
gold dropped from 102 to its present
level of 100.
With this condition and the need
for a remedy in mind a Fairb-nksan
has suggested to the Commercial
Club that they communicate with
the secretary of the treasury, and
the matter will be discussed at a
meeting of the board contemplated
for tomorrow afternoon. He sug
gests a wire in the following lan
guage :
“The abnormally increased cost of
food supplies, machinery, tools, pow
der, cyanide and other essentials, to
gether with a threatened labor short
age consequent on larger wages of
fered in other lines as a result of
war activities, menaces the gold min
ing industry of Alaska with extinc
tion. ‘Profit.’ represented by mar
gin between cost of production and
selling price, is reaching the dis
appearing point. Similar conditions
probably pertain in all gold produc
ing countries.
“In the case of practically every
manufactured or grown article the
sale price is regulated by the cost
of production and available supply,
the balance being automatically
maintained even under most extra
ordinary conditions. The inelastic'
sale price of virgin gold presents
the exception to this rule.
“It is presumable that it was never
more desirable to increase the supply ^
of raw gold, but at its present price j
its mining in many districts hitherto
productive must cease.
“If a premium for virgin gold isj
to be offered eventually, which seems !
invitable if gold is needed, you will
appreciate the economy of such ;
timely action as would prevent the
abadonment of many mines at this j
time struggling for existence in the
face of increasing cost of opera- j
tion.”
It is conceivable thai a bonus of
so much per unit of raw gold might
be paid by the government in the
5ame manner as foreign countries
aave stimulated the output of cer
tain commodities. France, for ex
ample, pays a bonus for every gallon
>f alcohol produced, the premium
laid having no effect on the selling
irice in the market. The working
>ut of the financial end of the prob
em, however, is left in the hands of
Secretary McAdoo.
I
DEPUTY MARSHAL MAKES
GODD COAST ROUNDUP
Deputy United States Marshal
Harry F. Morton returned to Juneau
recently from Southeastern Alaskan
cities on the S. C. 310 with six
prisoners which were lodged in the
federal jail .
From Ketchikan. Mr. Morton
brought Albert Linke, owner of an
explosive factory at Hyder, who was
ordered to be interned as an alien
enemy, and L. L. Hall an alleged
I. W. W., who is being held to
answer a charge under the espionage
act.
From Petersburg, Mr . Morton
brought Ernest Gomoll, an alien
enemy and S. E. Beck, who is serv
ing a sentence of 60 days imprison
ment and a $20 fine for having
liquor in his possession.
Jose de la Cruze, who has beer,
brought to Juneau to answer a
charge of assault with a dangerous
weapon, and George Arvaniti, held
to answer a charge of seditious ut
terances, were brought from Wran
gell.
The machinery in the old Coal
creek mines below Dawson has
been shipped Outside. The machin
ery weighed over 500 tons. The
coal mine never proved a success,
and has not been operated for many
years.
NICKEL DEPOSIT
MAY BE IRKED
Big Juneau Company Becomes Inter
ested In Deposit on the Coast
of Alaska.
The Alaska Gastineau Mining
company of Juneau and Col D. C.
Jackling, its principal owner, have
become interested in the nickel de
posits of the Alaska Nickel Mines
company on the west coast of Cni
chagoff Islands and the chances seem
favorable that Southeastern Alaska
will soon have a full-fledged nickel
mine in process of development, the
only one in the United States.
rur some wme me AiasKa uastin
eau Mining company, through Man- j
ager George T. Jackson, nas been:
investigating the properties of '.he ■
Alaska Nickel Mines company, which
has offices in the L. S. Smith build
ing, Seattle. Only reecntly Horace
V. Winthell, the expert geologist, ac
companied by Mr. Jackson, made an
exhaustive examination of the prop
erty, and Mr. Winchell will make!
his report of the investigation as
soon as he shall have completed it.
The Chicagoff Island deposits of
nickel resemble the famous deposits
of Ontario, Canada, from which the
Unit'd States has been dependent of
her supply of nickel. While some I
nickel is produced in the United
States as a subsidiary piod ict. ;his’
country depends almost wholly up- j
on imports from the mines of Can- !
ada. to supply her refineries, and!
meet the demands hero.
The use of nickel has ncreased j
everywhere since the beginning of
the war. The United States has in
crased her import of nickel from
about $6,000,000 in 1914, to nearly
| $10,000,000 in 1917. It, is lsed in
making bullets for small arms, in
; shells and other war munitions. The
war has caused such a shortage of
nickel in Germany that they have
quit using it for coins in that coun
try. In fact, coins of other metals
are being substituted for the nickel
coins as they are received by the
Government, and the coins melted
into metal to be used for war muni -!
tions.
If the report of Mr. Winchnll is'
favorable, development work on the
Chichagof nickel deposits will begin
as soon as practicable.
PUEBLO PUTS BAN
ON SLOT MACHINES!
PUEBLO, Colo.—Pueblo has stop
ped the operation of all slot ma- j
chines in the city. These machines
have been operated under a city :
ordinance as trade spindless. Sev- i ]
eral years ago the city put a ban ‘'
on slot machines, but later an or-! i
dinance was passed allowing them j i
to operate. ' 11
TOKIO REPORTS
OPPOSITION TO
SHAN PLAN
TOKIO—Apparent tendency by
Japanese business men to oppose in
tervention in Siberia has been re
flected in business generally here.
The stock market has been oppressed
with the idea of Siberian mobiliza
tion. Trading has fallen off and
many shares have weakened. At
times when it appeared that Japan
had at least temporarily tabled the
intervention question the market has
rallied, becoming active with short
covering, but the general investment
public has remained strictly cautious
showing disposition to sell at advanc
ing prices.
Late in June the foreign trade |
fell off, the United States’ exten
sion of its lists or restricted imports j
virtually stopped Japan’s growing j
shipment of skins and leathers. The J
American trade ban was enlarged |
so as to stop also Manila’s export ;
of hemp to Japan. If this is rigidly |
enforced Japan's braid industry will
be reduced to an insignificant posi
tion and Great Britain’s removal of
its ban on hemp braids would come j
to naught.
Trade with Asiatic Russia was
made possible by the reopening of
the Siberian border, and match stick
importers have already reported
their intention of buying afresh
there, while bean oil men had a j
brighter prospect for their buyingj
of soya beans.
The China trade has remained j
slack. The Japanese Cotton Spin- j
ners’ 'Association, for instance, re- j
ported that durin.f ten days Japan j
shipped 1,809 bales less of yarns!
to China and other Oriental points. 1
Trade with British India also has j
been slack.
The tonnage question and Ameri-1
ca’s new railway rates also have:
caused anxiety in the business world. I
Oil men, grain pcop.e and others
say that the high freight costs and
the difficulty in obtaining cargo
space have interfered seriously with
their business, these factors combin
ing adversely with kindred commerce
restrictions adopted by England, ;.
America and other countries. In ,
these circumstances France’s pur-j(
chase of muslin and Manchurian (
Flour. Latin America’s increasing
tusiness and other circumstances fur
lished scarcely any consolation to .
:he business community. i
Notwithstanding governmental ef- <
’orts to check the soaring cost of <
iving, conditions have hardly im- |
iroved. Not only the fertilizer trade \
>ut the flour market have been j
>rey to speculators’ manipulation,, £
vhich lately has become greatly $
aagnified with the concentration of
apital in big firms. Rice, miscel- t
aneous grains, flour and foodstuffs j
r
111
ESPIONAGE LAW
Every loyal citizen should guard
against unconscious violation of
the new federal espionage act.
Violations on the part of others
should be reported.
Here are some of the things
which constitute violations of the
espionage act.
Making or conveying false re
ports with intent to interfere with
the operation or success of the
military forces.
Making or conveying false
statements in regard to doing
anything, except in the way of
bonafide and not disloyal advice,
tending to obstruct the sale of
| United States bonds or securities.
Attempting to cause of incite
insubordination, disloyalty, etc.,
among the military forces.
Attempting to cause or incite
mentsL •
Publishing, printing, writing or
uttering disloyal, profane or scur
rilous language against the form
of government of the United
States, the constitution, the flag,
the military forces or the uniform
of the army or navy.
Using language intended to
bring the government, constitu
tion, flag, military forces or uni
form into contempt, scorn, con
tumely or disrepute.
Willful display of the flag of
an enemy of the United States.
Uttering, writing or publishing
language intended to curtail pro
duction of things necessary to the
prosecution of the war.
Advocating, teaching, defend
ing or suggesting any of the
things enumerated.
Favoring by word or act the
cause of any country with which
the United States is at war.
This section also contains a
proviso to the effect that anyone
in the service of the United States
government who “commits any
disloyal act or utters any un
patriotic or disloyal language, or
who, in an abusive and violent
manner criticizes the army or
navy or flag of the United States
shall be at once dismissed from
the service.”
i
I
J
generally have with few exceptions
been higher. Textiles and their ma
terials have increased in price. Even
cotton goods have resumed their ad
vance, in spite of the exp^ot trade
remaining slack. Metals, particu
larly iron pigs and steel shares, have
mounted. Among miscellaneous ar
ticles, coal charcoal, papers, petro-'
[ leum. and other articles effected
notable advances. Even gas rates
were raised in Osaka and Tokio, thus
increasing the burden of the masses
of the people.
Hli ANSWER
APPEAIJF NAVY
DUBLIN’.—Lieutenant Percy, Di
rector of naval recruiting in Ire
land, declares that recruiting for
the British navy was never more
brisk in Ireland than it is at pres
ent. There are Irishmen in every
department from the admirals down
and the recruiters in the towns and
villages throughout Ireland are al
ways warjjjly welcomed.
Dublin has just given a cordial1
send-off to a number of recruits!
of the trawler section of the Royal |
Naval Reserve. This branch ap
peals particularly to Irish fisher:
boys who have experienced in the
past few; months around the Irish
coasts the cruelty with which the j
German submarine campaign is con-1
ducted.
The recruits paraded the streets
of Dublin accompanied by blue
jackets and marines and the band
of the Berkshire regiment. Among
the inscriptions on the banners in
the procession were:
“The Germans are sinking Irish
ships and murdering Irishmen. Join
us and avenge these crimes.”
“We are Beatty’s boys, brother
Irishmen, come along.”
Senator John Sundback of Nome,
is reported to have left Seward Pen
insula recently to take up his per
manent residence in Seattle. The
senator will attend the next session
of the territory 1 legislature but does
intend to again return to Nome.
Give up fried food; save the fats
to defeat the kaiser. \ certain
amount of fat each day is accessary
to human life. Don’t waste an
ounce; it means the life of some
one somewhere in the world.
Cut out non-essentials—\v; are in
a race with a swift antagonist and
need no handicap.
WANT ADS
These little classified advertise
ments lor Sale, For Rent, Lost and
j Found—Have performed a valuable
! service for others. Perhaps they
; will do as well for you. They are
; inexpensive. Three insertions for a
, dollar when the advertisement does
not exceed three lines. For each
additional line, add a quarter.
FOR SALE—Enameled double bed,
cotton layer laid mattress, spring
Lang cook stove, w’ood or coal,
also heater and "baker, wheel
barrow, shot-gun, 16 bore, with
shells; axes, wedges, saws, sledge,
peavy, carpenter tools, etc; all
best quality and cheap. Inquire
at yellow tent, opposite Commis
sion sawmill.
FOR RENT—Large well-built un
furnished cabin, across from the
Rust House. For terms apply on
premises.
FOR SALE—Beaver Board, in plain
and oak finish. Doors and win
dows, sash stock and mouldings.
Inquire Simson’s.
SKOF
HOUSE
Thoroughly Renovated
Under New Management
ROOMS $1 BUNKS, 50c
MRS. BRAKKE
it describes as the “fruits of the
OLD MISSION BUILDING
NEAR NOME IS BURNED
NOME.—The Reindeer Mission
buildinjr said to be the oldest mission
on Bering coast, has been destroyed
by fire. It is situated about seven
miles across the bay from Teller.
Highest Cash
Prices Paid for
RAW
FURS
SIMSON’S
SAFE and RELIABLE SERVICE \
LAUNCH PEERLESS |
Leaves for Fairbanks Every Two Days, 8AM ^
Make your Reservations at the Portland i
THE BEST
BUSINESS CORNER
IN TOWN
FOR SALE AT A SACRIFICE
Two Lots, 50 x 100
See W. H. GilcHcr
*
1 KEEP COOL I
BUY AN ELECTRIC FAN
/7U^7
We Have Them in Six and Twelve Inch Sizes
AND THE PRICE WILL BE RIGHT
3-Foot WIRE FENCING, per yard - 25c
TANANA SHEETMETAL WORKS