Hemard Betle Gnteumg
VOLUME XVII
NUMBER 299
SEWARD, ALASKA, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8,1923
PRICE TEN CENTS
LONDON, Dec. 8.—The Conserva
tive majority over all other parties in
the House of Commons was wiped out
in this week’s elections, with 548 seats
out of 615 accounted for at 6 o’clock
yesterday afternoon. It is definitely
stated that the Conservatives will
have a majority of twenty over any
other party in Commons, but will lack
a majority over all other parties;
therefore the Baldwin government
stands practically defeated because it
would be impotent in the face of com
bined opposition.
The standings of the respective par
ties last night with 518 of 615 seats
^ accounted for were: Conservatives,
* 222; Labor, 157; Liberals, 128; Inde
pendents, 9; Nationalists, 1.
Asquith Elected by Narrow Margin
LONDON, Dec. 8.—Asquith, leader
of the Liberals, was elected from
Paisley, but by a narrow margin over
J. M. Biggar, Laborite.
One Prohibitionist Returned
LONDON, Dec. 7.—Edward Scrym
geour, parliament’s only prohibition
ist, was returned in Dundee with a
plurality of 2791 over E. D. Morel, the
Labor candidate.
LONDON, Dec. 8.—The Daily Ex
press this morning says Premier Stan
ley Baldwin will resign the premier
ship and leadership of the Conserva
p- tive party. According to the Express
the decision will be formally commu
nicated to the party at a meeting to
be held at the Carleton club next
week.
EOim SMS RECESS
WASHINGTON. Dec. 8.—Congress
was in recess today until Monday out
P of respect to the late President Hard
ing.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.—Secretary
^'Mellon of the Treasury Department,
•in his annual report transmitted to
Congress today, described treasury op
erations under which the national debt
has been reduced $613,674,343 in the
fiscal year 1923, and again urged a
sharp reduction in taxation, based on
rigid economy, and barring legislative
authorizations for new and unexpect
ed expenditures.
TO TUTT MILLIONS
SEATTLE, Dec. 8.—Accompanied by
his mother, Mrs. Justa Venasquez Car
michael, wife of an American soldier,
from Pampanga, Philippine islands,
Gregario Carmichael, aged 13, reach
ed Seattle last night on the liner Pres
ident Madison, and will his attorney,
J. E. Curran, and P. S. Mason, of New
kirk, Okla., who is his American guar
dian, the boy will proceed to Okla
homa to enter his claim to an oil es
tate valued at $30,000,000.
WARRANT ISSUED FOR WIFE
f OF EAU CLAIRE CROOK
SUPERIOR, Wis., Dec. 5.—A war
rant was issued today for Leona Sail
stad Richardson, wife of Edward Sail
stad, arrested this week at Napa, Cal.,
for attempting to defraud the insur
ance companies by a fake disappear
ance. The woman is charged with
bigamy, having married a few days
after the supposedly burnt body of her
husband was found in the ruins of the
Sailstad summer home.
KETCHIKAN—Fresh fish prices,
December 7, fresh halibut 13 and 8;
December 8, 15 and 8 cents.
%
SEATTLE, Dec. 8— Investigation!
of the death of Abe Reising, 50, of
Wasilla, Alaska, in a city hospital
here, three minutes after he had been
removed from a cell in the city jail, is
under way by the coronor. Reising
was found unconscious yesterday aft
ernoon by Patrolman Cronk, and sent
to jail supposedly drunk, being thrown
on the cement floor of the building,
where he lay for two hours in an un
conscious condition before a physi
cian ordered him removed fo the hos
pital.
Reising was identified by means ofj
a letter found in his pocket from U.|
S. Commissioner Howard W. Wilmoth
probate judge of Wasilla precinct,
Alaska, acknowledging the receipt of
$150 which had been turned over to
the court by Reising as administrator
of the estate of W. N. Moffat, deceas-|
ed. Reising left Seward November
29, coming to Seattle.
INDIANAPOLIS. Dec. 8.—Clyde E.
Walt, chairman of the republican
state central committee, demanded to
day that Gov. McCray resign in view
of the indictments recently returned
against the executive for embezzle
ment and appropriation of funds for
personal use.
i
MOSSBACH. Ger., Decfi 8.—Lieuten
ant Corliss H. Griffis, formerly with
the American army, was sentenced to
a year and nine months in prison, and
a fine of 2,000,000,000,000 marks for
his part in the attempt to kidnap Gro
ver Cleveland Bergdoll, the rich Amer
ican draft evader.
When Griffis was placed on trial for
the attempt to kidnap Bergdoll, the
court was strongly policed. Griffis re
lated in detail how and why he tried
to kidnap Bergdoll and asserted that
he himself was the prime mover in the
plan, which was exonerated by the
American Legion. He said many
American officers in Paris were cog
nizant of the plan, which hoped for no
reward but was purely of patriotic
motives. Griffis said in an impassion
ed speech at the conclusion of his de
fense. “A hundred million Americans
know of the damnable things com
mitted by Bergdoll, who is an Ameri
can, and whose father was an Ameri
can, yet who betrayed his country in
wartime.”
CONDITION NATIONAL
OFFENSE SYSTEM BUD
WASHINGTON, D. C., Dec. 8.—The
condition of the National Defense
System presents a serious problem,
which should receive the thoughtful
consideration of every citizen, General
Pershing declared today in his annual
report as chief of staff of the army.
REORGANIZATION OF CENTRAL
BOARD APPEALS UNDER WAY
WASHINGTON, Dec. 8.—Director
Hines today announced a complete re
organization of the Central Board of
Appeals of the Veterans’ Bureau in or
der to expedite the hearing and ad
justment of claims, also the creation
of financial service with separate divi
sions of disbursing and accounting,
headed by the assistant director of
the bureau.
LODGE ENDORSES MESSAGE
WASHINGTON, Dec. 8.—Senator
Lodge stated that the mesasge was a
most excellent one and that it stated
the President’s position in the clearest
and most simple way.
Gov. Scott C. Bone Delivers
Annual Message to Secretary
WASHINGTON, D. C., Dec. x.—Placing the afairs of Alaska
under one department head a1 Washington; an additional appropri
ation ot $3uU,UU0 for the erection of a capitol at Juneau; the appro
priation of $1,500,000 annually for roads and trails in Alaska; vest
ing in the Department of Commerce complete authority over the
Territory's fisheries; the allocation of two Shipping Board vessels
to care for tourist travel in summer months; consolidation of all
law-enforcing agencies under the Department of Justice; a coloniza
tion plan to be operated in connection with the Alaska Railroad;
the need of more adequate hotel facilities for tourists; and the al
ioting of at least one-halt of the net revenues derived from the
Pribilof Islands, which are in Alaskan waters, to the general fund of
the Territory, were contained in the annual report of Governor
Scott C. Bone of Alaska, made public iod«^y by Secretary Work.
The annual report of the Governor
of Alaska, Scott C. Bone, was given to
the press today, it contains much
detailed information as to mining, the
fisheries, road building and the year’s
operation of The Alaska Railroad, and
is most optimistic througoliut. He
says:
The year of our Lord, 1923, the afitb
in number since Alaska passed from
Russia to the United States, will ever
be memorable and stand out as the
most notable in all the history ot this
Northern territory.
It was Alaska’s most successful year
—not in actual development or unpre
cedented production of wealth, or in
hum of industry, or influx of popula
tion, but in making known to the
world at large Uncle Sam’s last re
maining frontier, and rentering and
concentrating popular interest and at
tention in and upon it.
Visit 01 President Harding Noted
For the first time a President of the
United Stales, accompanied by three
members of his cabinet, set foot upon
Alaskan soil and journeyed along the
picturesque coasts and traversed the
vast interior to meet fellow Ameri
cans sturdily engaged in working out
the destiny of a pioneer land and to
become acquainted with conditions
and problems confronting them.
Congressional Party Here Also
Preceding the head of the Nation,
a distinguished delegation of Con
gressmen, Senators and Representa
tives on similiar mission bent, made a
comprehensive visit to and through
the Territory and acquired direct
knowledge ot a domain hitherto vir
tually unknown to them. The Ameri
can press sent staff representatives
for observation and the chronicling of
facts and opinion, and motion picture
producers and photographers contrib-'
uted geographically and helpfully to
depicting Alaska, not as an unheaval
of ice an snow, as it has existed in
fiction and fancy, but the inviting and
habitable land it really is.
Seriously planned and steadfastly
devoted to inquiry and study, the far
reaching benefits of these visitations
are manifest and of incalculable value.
Indeed, it may well be believed that
the year 1923 will mark the turning
point of Alaska and that growth—
slow, perhaps, yet steady and sure—
will henceforth ensue, with a devel
opment and uitilization of the Terri
tory’s natural resources, practically
guarded and conserved in the interest
of Alaska and mankind.
President’s Visit Will Live
President Harding's journey to the
Northland, so beautiful and so won
deriul, and, in its termination, so trag
ic and deplorable, will live in song
and story. Alaskans hailed him as a
great and good iriend, who had trav
eled far to see them and under whose
wise guidance the the future of the
Territory would be secure. His speech
on Alaska, the last of his public utter
ances, in which he lauded its mighti
ness and magnificence and paid high
tribute to its citizenship, and foresaw
its early equipment for Statehood, will
forever be treasured. That the broad
policies which he touched upon and
outlined, preliminary to putting them
into definite and concerete form will
be duly formulated and carried out, is
confidently to be believed.
Alaska’s dimensions are great and
its sectional or local interests widely
divergent. Therefore, anything like a
unanimity of views as to the Terri
tory’s needs, is still wanting. But,
whatever the differences of individual
or group opinion, a concensus of faith
in Alaska today abounds.
Preconceived Theories Upset.
Administrative officials and national
law makers who came with preconceiv
ed theories and fixed convictions, but
with open minds, undoubtedly gained
much of profit from their visitation,
through contact with the people and
close range inspection of conditions.
Thus will they be qualified to deal in
telligently and helpfully with prob
lems calling for solution and appraise
the worth, or lack of worth, of much
misinformation which, in the past has
mischievously served to confuse and
complicate Alaskan issues.
Alaska Is All Right
Inherently Alaska is all right. Its
paramount need is and ever has been
to be known and understood. Popular
misconception has been its heaviest
handicap. Climatic fallacies are now
being eradicated. Truth is at last im
planting itself. The world is belatedly
learning that Alaska is blessed with
ideal Summers; that its Winter weath
er in the interior and toward the Arc
tic is no more bleak and forbidding
than that of the Northern and North
western States and that along its
Southern Coasts its climate is mild
(Continued on Page Three)
STARS Ai STRIPES
WASHINGTON, Dec. 8—The possi
bility of planting the Stars anil Stripes
on a new North Polar continent of a
million square miles, which may some
day become an economic asset to the
United States, was pointed out by
Lieut. Commander Fitzhugh Green, of
the Naval Arctic Air Board. Lieuten
ant Green says that Spitzbergen, on
the European side of the North Pole
is on a line with the volcanic ice
area, and the Aleutian Islands of vol
canic formation furnishes evidence
that similar land may be found in an
unexplored blind spot north ol Alaska.
This revelation caused the board to
concentrate its attention on Poim Bar
row, Alaska, as the best point from
which to hop off. While the Navy is
preparing for its great exploration
Amundsen is laying in supplies for an
airplane dash from Spitzbergen to
Nome, Alaska, via the North Pole.
Thus an international competition is
developing which may prove embar
rassing to the United States.
DUTCH VESSEL SEIZED
WITH CARGO OF LIQUOR
NEW YORK, Dec. 8.—The Dutch
schooner Zeehund was seized off Fire
Island today by the coast guard cutter
Lexington and the captain and crew
held for violation of the prohibition
laws. In the vessel’s hold was found
2500 cases of champagne and other li
quors valued at $200,000.
WASHINGTON, D. C., Dec. 8.—Ac
cording to private advices reaching
here today, Robert Forbes, former di
rector of the Veterans’ Bureau, was
1 stricken with paralysis at the home of
his mother in Brookline, Mass.
Forbes was under investigation by
a Senate committee, for alleged irreg
ularities in the management of the
Board, and it is said worry over the
charges was partly the cause of his
stroke.
CANDIDATES NAMED FOR
U. S. RAILWAY LABOR BOARD
WASHINGTON, D. C., Dec. 8.—The
names of E. P. Morrow, representa
tive for the public, E. F. Grable for
the labor group, and Horage Baker for
the railway group will be sent to the
Senate Monday as appointments to
the U. S. Railway Labor Board.
PROSECUTOR IN M’CRAY
INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 8.—Charles
W. Moores, prosecutor in the Govern
or McCray case, which resulted in
eight indictments, died suddenly at
his home here this afternoon.
GERMANY MAKES OVERTURES
FOR BETTER UNDERSTANDING
BERLIN, Dec. 8.—The cabinet has
authorized Foreign Minister Strese
mann to ask Premier Poincare wheth
er France is in principle disposed to
take the initiative leading toward an
understanding with Germany.
OLDEST PRACTICING ATTORNEY
IN UNITED STATES DEAD
WAUKEGAN, 111., Dec. 8—Homer
Cooke, the oldest practicing attorney
in the United States, and probably in
the world, died here today at the age
of 94. Cooke practiced law up to the
week before his death.
LONDON, Dec. 8.—When paliament
convenes here next month there will
be eight women to answer roll call;
three Conservatives, three Labor!tes,
and two liberals.
HIE HOUSE IS
EAR COCKED HEAR
APPROVAL MESSAGE
WASHINGTON, Dec. 8—The White
House had its ear cocked to catch the
reaction to ttie President’s message to
congress. The document occasioned
little surprise, republicans approving
the sentiments of the message and re
publican progressives disapproving.
Democratic critics attacked the mes
sage as a capitulation to big business.
Editorial comment from all parts of
the country was telegraphed to Wash
ington and subjected to microscopic
anaylsis by the president’s political
advisers. On the whole thej announc
ed themselves as well pleased with
the people’s reception of the message.
GERMANY NOT IN NEED OF
CHARITY SAYS PRESIDENT
WASHINGTON. Dec. 8.—Germany
is not in need of ■ harity, according to
official information received by Pres
ident Coolidge and he feels that any
aid given that nation by the United
States should be arranged on a busi
ness basis, the White House announc
ed today.
Senator Lenroot of Wisconsin, today
introduced a bill to appropriate twenty
million dollars for relief work in Ger
many.
werelspSmiztilr
WOMAN WHO KILLED LACELLE
GIVEN A YEAR IN PRISON
SEATTLE, Dec. 8.—Winifred Gib
bons, who shot and killed Harry T.
Lacelle, advertising director at Grove
roadhouse last October, was given a
year in the penitentiary at Walla
Walla today. The woman admitted at
her trial that she killed Lacelle by
mistake for some one eese, and said
she was intoxicated at the time.
ILL BLOOD POISONING
SEATTLE, Dec. 8.—Foley Martin,
a young hockey player with the Cal
gary team, which defeated Seattle
here Wednesday night, is in a grave
condition as the result of blood pois
oning from a slight scratch on the
foot, which gained such headway be
fore it was diagnosed that the physi
cians attending him are fearful for
the result.
ORGANIZED BAND IMMIGRATION
SMUGGLERS OPERATING
Scores of Aliens Landed From Canada
in Launches and Rowboats
PORT HURON, Mich., Dec. 8—An
organized band of immigrant smug
glers is reported operating at Marine
City, who are reaping large profits.
American officials are keeping a sharp
lookout and predict early arrests. It is
alleged Wallaceburg is filled with im
migrants. A woman and her son ar
rested at Algonac by immigration offi
cers admitted that they had been
brought across the river in a rowboat.
United States authorities state that
scores of aliens have been transferred
from Canada across the St. Clair riv
er in launches and rowboats, under
cover of darRness and then motored to
Detroit.
GOVERNOR Of PUEBLA
MEXICO CITY, Dec. 8.—Governor
Estrada of the State of Puebla has
joined in the revolt against the Mexi
can federal government, according to
announcement received here by the
state department, and has 20,000 arm
ed men ready to throw into the fray
on the side of de la Huerta.
Disarm Preito Forces
MEXICO CITY, Dec. 8.—In the cam
paign to put down the attempted new
revolution, Federal troops has dis
armed the entire forces of the Preito
government in San Luis Potosi.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 8.—The De
partment of Treasury today drafted
and sent to the capitol a bill embody
ing Mellon’s tax reduction plan.