f
Sixty Eighth Congress Convenes
President Delivers Report
Activities of Past Week
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3—The sixty
eighth congress assembled loday, lac
ing many uncertainties, both as to its
ability to organize promptly, and to
enact even a minor portion of press
ing legislation confronting it, with the
Progressive bloc wielding the balance
of power and prepared to make a de
termined fight for reorganization of
all committees and for a revised legis
tive program.
The new Congress faces a situation
unparalleled in a number of years, be
ing confronted by a determined resis
tance to the soldier bonus, and by an
organized effort to secure an amend
ment to the Volstead act.
Alaska Budget Carries Large Sums
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3—The Alaska
budget submitted to Congress today
asks lor $11,026 for Mt. McKinley
Park; $1,500,000 for tire expense of
operation of the Alaska railroad, to
supplement revenues for expense of
maintenance and operation of steam
* ers on the Yukon for which $50,000
additional is asked; $750,000 for a new
cable from Sitka to Seward, in addi-j
tion to $140,000 for maintenance.
Other important appropriations ask
ed for Alaska are: For contingent ex-1
penses of the Territory, $10,000; leg
islative expenses, $47,010; governor’s
salary, $7,000; continuing survey of
Alaska-Canadian boundaries, $38,015;
construction of Alaska roads and
trails, $600,000; for protection of seal
fisheries and provision for natives of
the Pribilof islands, $217,500; for care
and custody of insane, $150,000; for
suppression of alcoholic traffic, $15,
000; public schools, $50,000; for educa
tion of natives, $355,840; public land
office, and medical relief for natives,
$93,940; for support of reindeer sta
tions and instruction of natives in care
p and management of the herds, $12,
500; to complete construction of the
Cape Spencer light, $99,000.
Lodge and Longworth Leaders
WASHINGTON, Dec. —Thomas
Cabot Lodge of Massachusetts, repub
lican, is leader of the Senate, and
Nicholas Longworth of Oiiio, republi
can, leader of the House, will control
the destinies of the Sixty-eighth con
gress. The Republicans will control
by a majority of six over ail opposi
tion in the Senate, and 15 in House.
Progressive Bloc Makes Good
WASHINGTON, Dec. tj—The 1're
gressive bloc in Congress today made
good its threat to throw the House
into a deadlock over the election oi a
speaker. On the first ballot no candi
date leceived a majority required to
elect.
Democrats Elect Robinson
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.— Senate
Democrats today elected Joseph T.
Robinson of Arkansas, floor leader.
Appropriation for Nome Harbor
WASHINGTON, Dec. 4.—An appro
priation of $5000 for the Nome harbor
is carried in recommendations by the
chief of army engineers.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 4—The House
tie-up for the speakership blocked bus
iness in the senate today, as by long
established precedents the Senate is
obligated not to transact any business
until the House has been organized.
This prevented the Senate from in
troducing bills and resolutions, and
will compel the adjournment of the
Senate until tomorrow without other
procedure than calling the roll. Un
less the deadlock is ended tomorrow,
4 it will be impossible for Presidient
Coolidge’s annual message to be de
livered Wednesday.
By throwing their seventeen votes
steadily for Representative Henry
Cooper, republican, of Wisconsin, in
surgents prevented republican regu
lars from mustering a majority of the
House necessary to elect a speaker.
At the same time Democrats could not
muster a majority for Representative
P. A. Garrett, democrat, of Tennessee,
for minority leader.
The last ballot this afternoon (De
cember 3) for the speakership gave
Frederick H. Gillett, republican of
f Massachusetts 197 votes; Daniel E.
Garrett, democrat, of Texas, 196; H.
A. Cooper, of Wisconsin, 17; and Mar
tin B. Madden, republican, of Illinois,
five.
Fight to Finish Threatened
WASHINGTON, Dec. 4.—A fight to
the finish is threatened by a score of
Republican insurgents of the House,
who prevented organization yesterday
of the Sixty-Eighth Congress. Having
blocked the re-election of Speaker
Gillett on four ballots, the Pregressive
Iff bloc today kept its forces intact and
showed no signs of weakening.
The fifth, sixth, and seventh bal
lots taken in the opening hour today
showed little change in the alignment
it
of forces. The seventh ballot gave
Garrett, 198; Uilleit 196; Cooper, 17,
Madden, 5. Garrett acked 11 votes of
a majority.
Urges Democrats to Join in Bloc
WASHINGTON, Dec. 4—William J.
Bryan is here today urging the demo
crats of the lower House in the event
that a democratic speaker cannot be
elected speaker of the House to join
with the Progressive bloc in putting
over an insurgent republican.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.—Frederick
H. Giliett, republican, ot Springfield,
Massachusetts, today was eiected,
speaker of the House on the nin.u
ballot taken from the time balloting
first began Monday, his election end
ing a deadlock which lasted two days,
following a successful demand by pro
gressives for free debate and a
chance to vote on liberalization of
House rules. The ninth vote stood,
Gillette, 215; Garrett, 197; Madden,
21; not voting 2.
Armistice Agreed Upon
WASHINGTON, Dec. L.—An armis
tice under which congress may be or
ganized tomorrow was agreed upon by
leaders of the republican insurgents!
and regular organizations in the'
House.
Joins Farm Bloc
WASHINGTON, D. C„ Dec. 5.—
Senator Wm. P. Dillingham of Ver
mont announced today that he had for
mally joined the farm bloc.
_
WASHI MG'I'OINi,... D. C. Dec. 6._A
legislation program touching almost
every aspect of Nauonal life was pre
sented by President Coolidge today in
his first message to Congress. He in
dorsed the late President Harding 3
proposal for American membership,
with reservations, in a world court;
approved Secretary Mellon’s tax re.
duction plan, and announced his oppo
sition of soldier bonus legislation,
disposing of the matter in nine words.
He also went on record as favoring
stipulated consolidation of railroads,
and reorganization of the railroad
freight structure as applied to farm
products, and the government to assist
in the disposition of exportable wheat.
He declared for the creation of a com
mission of judges and lawyers to sim
plify Federal Court procedure, the lim
itation of child labor through const-,
tutional amendment; the regulation of
radio interference and aviation prc
motion, of highway construction an
reforestration.
The President prefaced his message
with a tribute to the iate President
Harding, declaring that the world
Knew his kindness and his humanity,
and his greatness of character and
concluded by saying that "He has
made justice more certain and peace
more secure."
EXTRACTS FROM MESSAGE
"I wish to see a world court estab
lished and a proposal presented on a
plan on which many nations have ever
agreed, though it may not meet with
every desire. I therefore commend it
to favorable consideration of the sen
ate with proposed reservations, clear-;
ly indicating our refusal to adhere to
the league of nations.”
"I do not propose to speak of Rus
sia or barter away for the privilege
of trade any of the cherished rights
of humanity. I do not favor the can
cellation of Allied debts, but I see no
objections to adjusting them in ac
cordance with the principle adopted
for the British debt.”
“For seven years the people have
borne with uncomplaining courage the
tremendous burden of national and;
local taxation. These must both be
reduced.”
“The prohibition amendment to the
Constitution requires the congress and
the President to provide adequate
laws to prevent its violation. It is my
duty to enforce such laws.”
“If our Alaska fisheries are to be
saved from destruction there must be
further legislation declaring a general
policy and delegating authority to
make rules and regulations to an ad
ministrative body.”
“The world has had enough of the
curse of hatred and selfishness, of
destruction and war. It has had
enough of the wrongful use of mate
rial power for the healing of nations.
It must have more good will and char
ity; confidence and peace.*’
LEONARD WILL FIGHT WALKER
KANSAS CITY, Mo., Dec. 3.—Benny
Leonard has accepted Tex Rickard’s
offer of $200,000 for a match with
Mickey Walker. It is to be a fifteen
round go and will take place in July.
Governors Message
(Continued from Page 1)
and equable and its ports are open alb
the year around. Moreover, although
. : ■ . hi resources, exaggerated ideas
that it is an Eldorado, with its moun-j
tains and streams laden with gold, are'
being dispelled. Visits such as have
made the current year historic and
memorable, disclose and promulgate
these facts.
Size Precludes Possibility Visualizing
A fortnight’s travel, if it extends
beyond the Inside Passage, is illumin
ating and general conditions may be
seen and grasped; but the colossal
size of the Territory precludes the
possibility of visualizing it as a whole,
even in a month or a year. Alaskans
themselves, in major numbers have
intimate knowledge only of sections of
the great domain, and thus, naturally,
consider and discuss Alaska questions
largely in local or sectional terms. But
they are as one in love of their adopt
ed country and in confidence in its
destiny. Nowhere else is the Ameri j
can Spirit more pronounced and ada
mant.
Inefficiency of Government
Ot the inefficiency of Federal ad-l
ministration in Alaska, through innu-(
uieiabie agencies constituting a bu-1
reaucratic form of government, official;
testimony, based upon experience, is
in lull accord. The system is loo com-!
plicated to render satisfactory serv
i
ice, however earnest its aims, and!
this fact has been uniformly attested
and emphasized by those who have
been brought into direct contact with
the system since Alaska became a Ter
ritory and upon whom administration
as a whole has chiefly devolved. Upon
this point there is and has been a per
tect unanimity of opinion. A simpii-,
tied and concentrated system brought
ciOser nome to Alaska is urgently and;
obviously needed to speed the pro
gress. oi ilie Territory—* a suortemng
Oi me line of communication as much
as possible between Alaska anil \\ usu
ingfou, ’ as suggested oy ihe taLe
President, in older to ‘ bring about
the closest co-opera lion and under
standing between the national agen
cies” operating in the Territory.
Better Understanding Attained
it is gratify ing to report that co-op ;
eratiou in lulier degree and a better!
understanding have been attained and
tnat further coordination and increas
ed efficiency are surely coming about.
It is altogether maniiest, as stated in
the report for 1922, that Alaska’s des
tiny “cannot be shaped at long rangej
through multitudinous bureaus operat
ing at long range, however commend
able their aims and activities,” and in
this connection, to prevent misunder
standing, it is well to repeat that con
demnation of ouieaucratic control
“does not imply criticism 01 the bu
reaus as such, constituting the sys
tem, and “the value ot their expert
services is not gainsaid or underesti
mated.” A centralized and coordinat
ed organization, consistently advocat
ed b> Governors in succession for
years, cleany woum not rob Alaska of
the expert service of any needed bu -
reau or minimize its usefulness in the
very least. On the contrary,, in pro
moting efficiency, it wouid manifestly
turn such expert service to fuller ac
count, and increase the usefulness ol
the bureau.
Resistance of administrative reform
invariably finds expression in the out
cry that sinister influences are seek
ing to despoil Alaska and waste its
resources. Such unworthy propagan
da too often serves its designing pur
pose. Jealousy of official prerogative
rather than concern for service plain
ly inspires it.
Alaska Welcomes Conservation
Alaska requires conservation—fav
ors it and welcomes it, and gives
steadfast support to every practical
safeguard, existant or proposed, nec
essary to prevent reckless exploita
tion in any direction in the develop
ment of the Territory. A conceptra
tion of authority and responsibility of
authority and responsibility—a busi
nesslike organization of Alaska’s af
fairs in lieu of divided authority,
and responsibility—certainly would
make for administrative efficiency and
hasten the safe solution of Territorial
problems. That government through
bureaus is good for any land or any
community is too untenable for sober
discussion. Equally so is the thought
that conservation in Alaska is depen
dent upon such a system or that the
abrogation of bureaucracy wrnuld ren
der the protection of the resources
any less secure.
The Territory since it was granted
a limited form of self government
has exercised its powers wisely. It
administers its purely local affairs ef
ficiency and economically. Its legis
latures, meeting in biennial session,
have made exceptionally good records
during the decade since the organic
act was passed and, in personnel,
measured up to legislatures of the
States. All plans for the future gov
ernment of Alaska, in preparation for
Statehood, should contemplate exten
sion of Territorial powers and a fuller
exercise of those powers.
Conservation of the fisheries, so es
sential to the preservation of the
great industry, is being enforced by
the Department of Commerce, thru
its Bureau of Fisheries, under the re
serve system adopted as the only al
ternative in the absence of needed
legislation, and the Territory is coop
erating fully toward the desired end.
Material Progress
Materially the fiscal year 1922-23!
showed appreciable improvement in
business and industry, and an almost \
complete recovery from adverse con
ditions immediately following the
World War. Mining activities increas
ed in many parts of the Territory, no
tably in the Hyder district, at the
head of Portland Canal; in the Willow
Creek District, contiguous to the Alas
ka Railroad, and in the Nome District;
in the far north, where dredging oper-1
ations were renewed on an extensive
scale, supported by ample capital. |
Throughout Southeastern Alaska, on
the islands and mainland, mining en
terprises received a stimulus and
were put upon a basis of more suc
cessful operation. No notable strikes
or discoveries were recorded. During
the fiscal year the mineral output
showed a gratifying gain, as revealed i
by the detailed statistics following.
Dredging work and placer mining
were handicapped somewhat the latter
part of the year by lack of water in-,
cident to an unusually clear and dry
summer throughout the Territory.
Gains in commerce, exports and im
ports, were most gratifying and, in
dicative of prosperity. Postal receipts
in towns along the coast were the
largesi since 1917. All communities
on the lines of travel, water and ran,
shared measurably in the benefits of
the influx of tourists which was the
largest in Alaskan history. A suc
oessiul fishing season, in most dis
tricts, contributed largely to the sum
total of prosperity.
Although pulp and paper enterprises;
many of which have been impending
for several years, have not yet event-,
uated, headway was made toward the
establishment of at least one such
important project and it is believed
ihe coming year will witness a reali
zation of urearns in this respect.
Tourist Travel
The season of 1923, in bringing
thousands of visitors to aiasita, em
phasizes decidedly that a systematic!
development of tourist facilities of
t'ers great immediate opportunities
for Alaska. The two American steam
ship companies and the Canadian line,
with eleven passenger-carrying ves
'sels running on -schedule trom Seat-j
tie and Vancouver, five of them mak
ing regular trips across the Gulf of
Alaska to Seward, anu two other large
vessels making the voyage by outsiue
Passage to Nome, were taxed to the
very limit of their capacity and over
three thousand applicants for reserva
tions could not be accommodated. The
coming season promises likewise lo
be limited only b> the iaciuties pro
vided.
Under the existing transportation
situation, tourists must make a con
tinuous round trip through the Inside
Passage or to the westward, and re
turn, or risk long delays in securing
passage outward-bound. Thus but
fleeting glimpses of the beauties of
Alaska are permitted the many visi
tors who would otherwise tarry, if 1
they could.
One new- and modern American!
steamship was added to the regular
service during the year and at least
another will be in the service the
coming year. It is probable that two
more large Canadian vessels will also
further relieve the situation in south
eastern Alaska. Meanwhile the trans
portation companies and tourist agen
cies are working out in conjunction
or separately a better system of handl
ing tourist traffic.
The need of more adequate hotel
facilities in the Territory, with hotels
especially designed and equipped to
please tourists at vantage points on
the coast and in the interior, is appa
rent and steps are being taken to
meet this need.
The refusal or disinclination of the
Canadian and White Pass Railroad
lines to enter into a tourist arrange
ment with the American lines, where
by visitors might make the trip over
the White Pass and down the Yukon
River to Tanana, and up the Tanana
River to Nenana, with a side trip to
Fairbanks, and out over The Alaska
Railroad to Seward and thence by
steamer to Prince Rupert, Vancouver
or Seattle, deprives visitors of the
privilege of a most attractive scenic
journey. However, it is believed that
this and other obstacles to the devel
opment of tourist traffic will be over
come.
The American and Canadian steam
ship lines carried 20,089 passengers to
Alaska from January 1 to August 31,
1923. Of these it is estimated that
two-thirds were transients or tourists
and the nummber exceeds all records.
The previous year 5,537 tourists came
to Alaska.
Transportation on tne Yukon has
been much improved between Dawson
The lever
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get in to jam that powerful
action. Built for .22 hi-power;
.250-3000; .30-30; .300; .303.
The Savage Sportet—
bolt-action .22 repeat
ing rifle. 23-inch • ound
barrel, genuine Amer
ican walnut stock,
varnish finish, pistol
grip, open sporting
sights, five-shot de
tachable box mag
of lightning speed
THERE’S speed in a Savage lever
action—in the short throw of the
lever—in the powerful action that
always functions.
There’s speed, too, in the bolt-action
—that smooth-working, easy-throwing
bolt-handle. And deadly accuracy. Lever
or bolt-action, a Savage shoots true.
And into the Savage magazine you
can cram your soft points without
denting a nose. For the Savage rotary
magazine supports the cartridge at the
base—no battering from recoil.
There's a Savage for every kind
of American game
.22 Hi-power. Ideal for small and medi
um game—from woodchucks to wolves.
Accurate at long and uncertain ranges.
.30-30. A standard and ever-depend
able for deer and similar game at
moderate ranges.
.303. The hard-hitting old .303—
famous for 20 years. Ideal for deer;
caribou and black bear. Unsurpassed
for timbered country.
.250-3000. An all-around rifle. Ter
rific speed and low trajectory make it
the gun for mountain sheep, goats and
deer at extreme ranges.
.300. Delivers a smashing blow. Big
enough for the biggest game. Splendid
for moose and elk.
And the Savage .22s—the Sporter—
the new bolt-action repeating .22—and
the slide-action, Model T4—every fea
ture originally and distinctively Savage
—sturdy and accurate. Ask at your
dealer’s or write direct for our inter
esting catalog.
SAVAGE ARMS CORPORATION
Dept.— 2 0 Utica, N. Y.
Owners and operator! of the J. Steveni Arms Company
Savage manufactures ammunition
for every Savage high-power rifle.
Savage ammunition is advised for
use with Savage high-power rifles.
Savage is now also manufacturing
other well-known cartridges. Look
for the Savage Red Box.
and Holy Cross, tthrough the success
ful operation of two steamers in con
junction with The Alaska Railroad;
but below Holy Cross to St. Michael
and Nome facilities of travel are most
inadequate. The Territory has au
thorized a subsidy for steamer service
between Nome and St. Michael and
Nome and Kotzebue.
It is believed that Alaska has reach
ed the low ebb in population. An in
crease is now indicated and a larger
and more stable population is to be
expected.
Recommendations
The needs and general conditions of,
Alaska were adequately and accurate
ly presented in the reports for 1920-.
21 and 1921-22, and are, therefore,
not repeated at length. Recommenda-j
tions hitherto made are earnestly re-,
newed as follows:
The placing of affairs of Alaska un
der one Department head at Washing-!
ton and the substitution of a coordi-j
nated and centralized system of ad-j
ministration for the present inefficient j
bureaucratic system at the earliest
possible date.
i
An appropriation of $300,000 to sup
plement a fund of $150,000 heretofore
authorized for the erection of a capi
tol or administration building to house
Federal and Territorial offices and
thus facilitate the transaction of busi
ness and save the rentals of scattered
quarters.
Adequate provision for the opera
tion and upkeep of The Alaska Rail
road, and for the building of branch
lines and spurs as required for the de
velopment of tonnage and to meet in
dustrial needs.
An approprpiation of $1,500,000 an-!
nually for the building of roads and
trails in the Interior and provision for
the construction of roads and trails
into Mt. McKinley and Mt. Katmal
Parks.
The vesting in the Department of
Commerce of complete authority over
the fisheries of Alaska, with its Bu
reau of Fisheries adequately equipped
and empowered to make and enforce
rules and regulations limiting the
catch and number of traps, curtailing
fishing areas and closing streams and
reducing cannery waste in the public
good.
The consolidation of all law enforc-i
ing agencies in Alaska under the De
partment of Justice.
A colonization plan to be operative
in connection with The Alaska Rail
road, with priority rights to lands
freely granted to Alaska soldiers of
the World War and their dependents.
Allotment of a fair percentage, at
least one-half, of the net revenues de
rived from the Pribilof Islands, which
are in Alaskan waters, to the general
fund of the Territory.
(Special to Gateway)
ANCHORAGE, Dec. 3—T. Burns,
an employe at the Poodle Dog restau
rant, was robbed in his cabin last
night, after being so badly beaten by
his assailant that he is in the hospi
tal In a serious condition. Burns had
$3200 in bonds sewed in his vest on
one side, and $240 in cash on the oth
er. The robbers hit him on the head
and tore the side of his vest off with
the cash, but missed the bonds.
■HUGE SHOOTING
(Special to Gateway)
ANCHORAGE, Dec. 3.—John and
Axel Vanaja, brothers, and ranchers
living out the Eagle River road, near
the city limits were shot and killed
by Paul Fronning Sunday night, when
the Vanaja brothers invaded the Fron
ning home in search of liquor, abus
ing and attacking Fronning. John
Vanaja was shot near the heart with
a .32 calibre rifle, and Axel with a re
volver, both shots proving fatal.
Fronning came to town following
the shooting and gave himself up to
the authorities, claiming self defense.
He stated that he was in the act of
retiring tor the night when the Vana
ja brothers entered lus home by a
back door, demanding liquor. Fron
ning told them he had none, where
upon after soundly abusing him, they
attacked him. Fronning grabbed his
rifle and shot John near the heart.
Axel knocked over the light and grap
pled with Fronning, who broke awmy
from the younger man, grabbing his
revolver, and shooting him in the
right side, in the dark.
John Vanaja was a Finlander, 45
years of age, married, and with a son
12 years of age. Axel Vanaja was 32
years of age. Both men were believ
ed to be industrious, sober, hardwork
ing men.
(Special to Gateway)
ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Dec. 6.—
Charles G. Bacon, an oldtimer of this
section and owner of the new Metro
politan Garage, committed suicide by
hanging himself this morning with a
piece of gauze from a wallpaper rack,
and falling forward on his face. His
death is attributed to too much white
mule and financial worries.
WATERHOUSE 111 HDT
Till CHAMBER OFFICE
SEATTLE, Dec. 4.—Frank Water
house announced today that he would
not again try for or accept the Seat
tle Chamber of Commerce presidency,
nor would he hold any office in the
chamber.
PRESIDENT ADDRESSES
WOMEN'S BAR ASSOCIATION
WASHINGTON, Dec. 4.—A letter
from President Coolidge was read at
the centennial celebration of the Wo
man’s Bar Association, which said in
part: “The passing years bring to us
a fuller realization of the part the
Monroe Doctrine played in the rela
tionship between the New World and
the Old. We recognize it as one of
the triumphs of American statesman
ship.’* '_,