The Chitina Leader
CHITINA, ALASKA.
Entered as second-class matter, November 12, 1910, at the postoffice at
Chitina, Alaska, under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879.
ONLY NEWSPAPER IN CHITINA
Published every Saturday by
m tt.t. a. STEEL—Editors, Managers and Proprietors—HARRY G. STEEL
Office: Hotel Chitina Building. Cordova Office: Daily Alaskan
Seattle Office: 551 Colman Building.
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Made known upon application. They will be found reasonable for the service
givenT Official publication for legal advertisements pertaining to mineral lands
of the Copper River district.___
CHITINA, ALASKA, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1913
MILITANT LEADER BORN IN ALASKA
Peeuilar interest attaches to the recent election as a
member of the Finnish parliament of Miss Anna Furuhjelm
because she was bora in Alaska, a country which now lias
equal suffrage, but which was under Russian rule at the time
of her birth. She is the daughter of a Russian admiral who
died a few years ago. Her father was next to the last gotemor
of Alaska before it was acquired by the United States. He
belonged to the Swedish nobility in Finland where his talented
daughter is now a power in politics. Little did her fatliei
dream when he was governor of Alaska that some day this
country would have political equality of the sexes and that
his own country of Finland would elect his daughter, bora in
Alaska, to its highest legislative body. Miss Furuhjelm is
second vice-president of the International "VY oman Suffrage
Alliance and attended the recent meeting of that body at
Budapest, but she left the Congress before it had adjourned to
return to Finland and look after her candidacy for the
parliament. She was one of 21 women elected to that body last
month.
n A_**
UNLOOSEN THE SHACKLES
The Philadelphia Public Ledger has the following very
sensible editorial on the dog-in-tlie-manger policy of past
administrations: .
Competent engineers declare that Alaska coal is as
' valuable for steam purposes as any coal from the East, yet the
government sends enormous quantities to the coast, paying for
the transportation twice the value of the coal itself and often
more. This is bad economics, not to speak of the strategic
aspects of the question. ...
Attention has been drawn anew to this anomaly in national
management by the recent increase in the shipments of coal for
naval stations in California and at Hawaii. If the vast deposits
in Alaska were made available by suitable railroad develop
ment, there would be an enormous saving. A cheap coal supply
would immeasurably stimulate manufacture there and would
contribute not a little to the decrease in the cost of li\ ing.
The obstacles result from a mistaken application of con
servation principles and the popular fear that somebody, will
profit byT the commercial development of Alaska. Private
initiative is practically' barred from the territory' and the
government will neither develop the territorial wealth itself
not permit any one else to do so except on terms practically
prohibitive. This is a disastrous perversion of the wise prin
ciples of regulation and reflects discredit upon a nation which
prides itself upon its aptitude in utilizing its natural
advantages.
There are enormous deposits of hard and soft coal m
Alaska which are untouched, and they cannot be touched until
Congress can overcome its reluctance to do one thing or the
other. It ought either to modify the terms under which the
commercial exploitation of the riches of the territory is now
retarded, or it should take some positive action to encourage
the railroad development which is the vital factor in the
problem.
RETIREMENT OF EFFICIENT OFFICIAL
Announcement of tlie retirement of Geo. C. Hazelet as
manager of the Cordova Power Company, will be received with
much regret by the citizens of this community. He has proven
an obliging official with whom it has been a pleasure for the
public to do business. He has also proven a valuable asset for
the company in times of storm and accident when the power
plant has been put out of commission. Through his energy and
well directed efforts, repairs were made as speedily as possible.
And because of this fact and the popularity of the manager,
the public has been exceedingly considerate and patient duirng
the provoking hours when lights and power have been out of
sight. It is a known fact that originally the company failed
to put in the proper equipment to supply the necessities of the
town and to guard against accidents. The profits of the
company have continuously been expended in betterments, and
as a consequence dividends have not been forthcoming and the
stockholders have been loath to advance more money with
which to place the company on a dividend paying basis and
to insure regular and satisfactory sendee. These unfortunate
circumstances Mr. Hazelet has had to contend with, and
because of his known advocacy for proper improvements the
consumers have been wonderously patient with the service
furnished. It will undoubtedly be a great relief to Mr. Hazelet
to retire from a position that was not an enviable one by any
means. He still has his money invested in the company and
is anxious for its success, but the responsibility of making it
such will now be up to the other officials.
Soon the new gold diggings at Chisana will have two
permanent and efficient federal officers who will look after the
interests of the prospector and the law abiding people who are
enduring the hardships of the winter’s existence there. Judge
Diamond and Deputy Marshal Hoffman will form an har
monious combination that will assure equal rights and
protection to all. . , A^jA
CORDOVA’S ADVANTAGEOUS SITUATION
Our neighbors over at Seward are inclined to be a little,
peeved because we have suggested that the most accessible
route to the new Nelcliina placer diggings was via Cordova,
Chitina, Copper Center and Tazlina. -But now there conies
along Government Geologist G. C. Martin, who says of the new
strike, “It is situated about 110 miles by trail from Ivnik and
65 miles west of Tazlina roadhouse.” And then he further
says: “The route from Tazlina Roadhoues is much shorter
than those from Knik but has apparently not been much used.
It would seem to have obvious advantages over the Knik routes
for winter travel after navigation ends on Cook Inlet.”
Tazlina is only 58 miles from Chitina along a fine automo
bile government road, so that the distance from Chitina to the
new diggings would be but 1-3 miles. Chitina is available by
railroad from Cordova. But how are they going to get to
Knik during the winter time to make the start on the 110 miles
of questionable traveling. There’s the rub.
Of course its a little rough on Seward, but then we can’t
decry the fates that placed Cordova at such a desirable location
that we are so readily accessible to all the interior country. We
are the natural gateway to the coal fields of the Bering river;
to the immense copper deposits of the Copper River country;
to the placer district tributary to the Nizina river that is now
being operated by Messrs. Esterly, Andrus, Birch and others;
to the Chisana gold fields; to the agricultural sections of the
Chitina, Copper and Tanana valleys; and now to the placer
strike on the Nelcliina and the Matanuska coal fields.
-o—o—o
NECESSITY FOR ROADS .
The Dawson Daily News is a great believer in the necessity
of good roads to develop a country, and to serve as auxiliary
aids to railroads in creating tonnage. In a recent article the
effort to secure liberal appropriations for Alaska is highly
commended, and a word is said in behalf of both Yukon
Territory and Alaska, as follows:
“The Yukon Territory leads the North in road building.
Millions have been spent making highways along the producing
creeks near Dawson. These roads are as fine as to be found
anywhere, and automobile enthusiasts find them ideal. Some
other Yukon roads also are adapted to the auto. The territory
is progressing steadily with its road building, but the Yukon
will have to sprint if it is to continue in the lead in the North
land. Governor Strong and Colonel Richardson of the Alaska
Road Commission figure that a whilesale road building cam
paign should be begun in Alaska to continue for ten years,
during which no less than $7,500,000 should be expended. In
fact, a million is wanted for the first year. This is none too
much for that vast territory, considering the numerous camps
and the length of road to make them all accessible and to
ramify through the active portions of each camp.
“The YYikon has several camps not yet tied to the heart
of the territory with the best of roads. An interlacing system
will be necessary before either Yukon or Alaska can be
considered fully opened. Men who exploit the country need
to get about. Equipment has to be moved from camp to camp
as required. Supplies have to be taken in and products taken
out at minimum cost of transportation from river and coast
landings and from the trunk railways.
“Although the American government spend $40,000,000,
as contemplated by congress, and although the McBride
Johnson scheme for an international railway to span Alaska
and Yukon and connect with Canada and tiie states through
British Columbia, the wagon roads must be built. Railways
must have local traffic. All successful railways have innumer
able feeders in the way of wagon roads, branching out from all
points where the rails throw out their length. Wagon roads
and auto roads are the nourishing auxiliaries of railways, and
the railways in turn make it worth while to have the road
systems.
“The auto is demanding more good roads, and since it
is demonstrated a useful factor in northern traffic, highways
are all the more in demand. The Yukon and the Dominion
governments can make no mistake continuing roadbuilding on (
an extensive scale.
“When Dr. Thomposn, member for Yukon, returns to
Ottawa this winter he should receive a further generous allow
ance for the roads of this great wealth producing section of the
Empire, an allowance that will help this part of the Dominion
keep abreast the energetic adjoining American territorv of
Alaska.”
-o—o—o
“Alaska Day” was not proclaimed until so late that many
communities were not able to arrange to properly commemorate
the 48th anniversary of the flying of the star's and stripes
where formerly the Russian flag waved. In succeeding years
the day will undoubtedly grow to be one of importance.
Tammany magnanimously decided not to bar former
Governor Sulzer from again holding office in the state of New
York. But they will see to it that he is not elected to any
place to which he may aspire unless he gives bonds not to
break away again from the bosses.
In various sections of Alaska there is more or less prelimi
nary talk of candidates for Delegate to Congress and for
members of the Territorial Legislature. Election will be held
in November of 1914, and primaries and conventions next
summer.
At a recent dinner in Seattle given by the King County
Democrats, John L. Steele was introduced as the next delegate
to Congress from Alaska. It is expected that Mr. Steele will
seek the nomination from a united Democracy in the territorv.
If he can unify the different factions he has confidence that
he can defeat the present Delegate, Hon. James Wickersham,
should the latter decide to again shy his hat into the ring. In
the earlier days of Valdez Mr. Steele was mayor of the town
but of later years he has been interested in mining at Landlock.
Uncle Sam is not doing so bad by the new placer diggings
in the C hisana, as regards the mail. A postoffice named
“Chisana” has been established and a postmaster has been
appointed. And for several weeks past a semi-monthly mail
has been dispatched from McCarthy.
Our neighboring town of Valdez is said to present a lively
appearance these days.
AUGUSTA, Ga., Oct. 21.—Thomas
E. Watson, ex-congressman and now
publisher of Watson’s Jeffersonian
Magazine, went to trial today for
sending obscene literature through
the mail. Watson was a candidate
on the populist ticket for vice
president in 1896, when William J.
Bryan was the nominee for presi
dent.
CHICAGO, Oct. 21.—A petition
has been circulated asking former
Senator W’illiam Lorrimer to again
run for the Senate. This time elec
tion will be made by the direct vote
of the people, and there can be no
repetition of the charges of corrup
tion that tainted his previous elec
tion by the legislature.
LONDON, Oct. 21.—The view of
the British government is that its
policy with regard to Mexico is not
antagonistic to the point view of
the United States.
NEWPORT, Oct. 21.—A "no-leave
granted’’ order has been received at
Port Adams and other Rhode Island
army posts. This is held to mean
that the troops will be kept in readi
ness to leave on short notice for the
Mexican border.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 21.—Presi
dent Wilson and Secretary of State
Bryan conferred for an hour this
afternoon on the Mexican situation,
which is considered very serious.
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 21.—Miss
Leah Alexander, who shot and
killed J. D. Van Allen, because he
refused to marry her, has had a
charge of murder lodged against
her.
ALBANY, Oct. 21.—When in-|
formed this afternoon that he had
been nominated for the assembly,
former Governor Sulzer was very
much pleased. He stated that he
intended to come back to Albany as
a legislator and “to make the fur
fly.” He was a member of the
assembly from 1890-4, and was
speaker in 1893. He was elected to
congress in 1895 and continued
there until his election as governor.
FAIRBANKS, Oct. 21.—The Wells
Fargo Express Company figures it
out that the gold shipped from the
Tanana valley during the year 1913
will aggregate over $4,000,000.
SPOKANE, Oct. 20.—Work has
commenced on the union station to
be built in Spokane for the O.-W.
and the Milwaukee, the contract
having been let to Grant Smith &
Co., on a bid of $650,000. The sta
tion is to be completed in nine
months. The depot wil} be on Trent
avenue, between Stevens and Wash
ington streets, and will include al
most the entire block.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 20.—The
commissioner general of the bureau
of immigration and naturalization
immediately received the appeal
papers in the case of Mrs. Pank
hurst, who was ordered deported to
Paris upon her arrival here Satur
day. In the meantime she will be
held pending the decision of the
commissioner general.
NOTICE OP FORFEITURE
To Alex. Nesbitt, his heirs, adminis
4
trator, assigns, successors or per
sonal representatives:
You are hereby notified that I
have expended in labor and im
provements for the year 1912, the
sum of One Hundred Dollars on each
of the following named claims, or in
total the sum of Sixteen Hundred
Dollars, the “Pacer,” “Mayflower,”
“Slocum,” “Red Jacket,” "Red
Jacket No. 2,” and “Independence.”
The “Hercules,” “Sandow,” and
“Sampson.” The “Rosey No. 1,”
and “Rosey No. 2.” The “Lucky
Strike;” “Fairview,” "Esperanza,"
“Webfoot,” and "Yankee,” all situ
ated in the Chitina Mining and
Recording District, Territory of
Alaska, and which have been duly
recorded in the office of the United
States commissioner, in and for the
Chitina Mining District, at Chitina,
Alaska.
The above amounts have been ex
pended in order to hold the said
claims under the provisions of the
aw concerning annual labor upon
mining claims, being the amount re
quired to hold said above named
mining claims. And you are fur
ther notified that if, within ninety
(90) days after the last publication
of this notice you fail to contribute
your proportion of said expenditure,
wh'ich is one-sixth (1-6) of the
whole, your interest in said claims
will become the property of the
undersigned, your co-owner.
JAMES McCONNELL.
First publication Sept. 23, 1913.
Last publication Dec. 23, 1913.
Chitina GRILL
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