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
HHT.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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given. Official publication for legal advertisements pertaining to mineral lands
of the Copper River district.
CHITINA, ALASKA, TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1914,
A PROMISING OUTLOOK
Almost direct from Washington Donald A. McKenzie, who
arrived yesterday afternoon at Cordova, brings the latest
information concerning the attitude of the administration
with reference to Alaska. He states that it has been decided
that there can be no further legislation for Alaska at this
session, as the only measures now to be considered are the
anti-trust bills. The coal leasing bill, which has not been
generally regarded as a workable measure, will go over to
next winter. In the meantime Secretary Lane and other
friends of Alaska will expect to prepare a bill that will be
more suited to the northern conditions and which will result
in the development of the Bering coal fields. Mr. McKenzie
has every confidence that this coal will be brought to the
coast over a railroad leading to Cordova. And in this neigh
borhood he expects to see a naval coaling station and a large
smelter. With coking coal, the copper ores from the interior
and the ores from Prince William Sound, all brought to Cor
dova, it would mean an immense smelter and and industrial
activity such as would assure prosperity and growth to
Cordova and make all her people contented and prosperous.
Mr. McKenzie has great faith that the government will build
a railroad from Chitina to Fairbanks, and also a branch line
from the C. R. & N. W. Railway to the Bering coal fields. So
soon as the decision is announced in the early spring he looks
for an influx of people to this section that will be the besrin
ning of an exodus that will rapidly make the Copper river
section the most populous and popular in all Alaska.
CHUNKS OF OPTIMISM
If there is any man in Cordova who is inclined to take a
pessimistic view of the future of this section of Alaska, he
should have a half hour’s conversation with D. A. McKenzie.
This gentleman, who has just returned from a lengthy stay in
Washington city, literally has chunks of optimism to pass
around. He states that sentiment is veering around so that
now it is almost a certainty that the trunk line railroad to the
interior will run from Chitina. Even Delegate Wickersham has
eome to believe that if the road is to have its interior terminus
at Fairbanks that it must run from' Chitina, instead of from
the westward, as he at first advocated. Then Mr. McKenzie
feels certain that after the November elections certain coal
patents in the Bering field will issue to claimants. Also that a
much improved and workable coal leasing measure will be
introduced into Congress after reconvening in December. It
will be made an administration measure and will be rushed
through. And that will mean the early construction next year
of a branch line railroad from the C. R. & N. W. Ry., connecting
at Mile 38 to the Bering fields. And that would be followed
by the establishment in this neighborhood of huge coal
bunkers, a naval coaling station and a big smelter. All of
which would tend to assure the growth and permanency of j
Cordova and the Copper River country. j
ENDORSEMENT AT HOME
Since the nomination of C’lias. E. Bunnell as the Demo
cratic candidate for Delegate to Congress he has been spending
a few days in Southeastern towns, holding meetings at
Ketchikan, Juneau and other places. Reports indicate that
Mr. Bunnell has been very favorably received and that he has |
impressed his hearers with the fact that he has the ability to
intelligently represent this territory in the halls of Congress, j
He expects to make an active campaign for the office. Speaking I
of his selection the Valdez Prospector pays him the following!
tribute:
The Democratic convention at Skagwav has nomi
nated C. E. Bunnell, of Valdez, as their candidate for
Delegate to Congress. They have made an excellent
choice. A lawyer of ability, a business man of standing
in his home town, he has earned the respect of his
. neighbors and as the people of other sections of the
territory come to know him during his campaign they,
too, will leam to respect his ability, his honesty of
purpose and his desire to serve the people. Mr. Bunnell
I will make a clean campaign. He will carry this district
, by a large vote. Judge Wickersham has never been
confronted by a stronger adversary.
DELEGATE WICKERSHAM SOON COMING
Mr. McKenzie reports that Delegate Wickersham expects
to leave Washington for the west in a few days and to make
a tour of Alaska. As there will be no further consideration
of Alaskan affairs at this session of Congress the Delegate
feels that it would be useless for him to longer tarry at the
national capital. He believes that it were better that he
should visit the territory to feel the temper of the people and
to familiarize himself with the necessities that he will be
called upon to advocate before committees and the House,
when Congress convenes in December.
We have seen fellows who reallv seem to believe the lies
they tell. But of course not in Cordova. 1
A STRUCTURE OF SUBSTANTIAL PLANKS
The Democratic Territorial convention at Skagway had a
proper appreciation of the great work done for Alaska by the
present national administration, and pays a deserved tribute
to the splendid efforts of President Wilson and his immediate
family. In addition the platform declares for many needed
reforms in this territory and for measures that would tend to
tlm betterment pf conditions and the development of Alaska.
Then too there is a declaration for the primary election law
and the Australian ballot. These are progressive measures
that must come in time and sentiment should be so exerted as
to bring them quickly. The regulation of the fisheries is
another matter that is urged, also the giving of full territorial
powers to Alaska. In fact the platform is filled with substan
tial planks upon which a great country could successfully be
builded and a Democracy established that would endure for
generations.
CHAS. E. BUNNELL FOR CONGRESS
The action of the Democratic Territorial convention at
Skagway in nominating Chas. E. Bunnell, of Valdez, as a can
didate for Delegate to Congress, will come as a surprise to the
Democrats generally of the territory. It was not known that
he aspired to the office and it was believed that there were
others who would make stronger candidates before the people.
While Mr. Bunnell has but little acquaintance outside of the
Third judicial division, the delegates at the convention
believed that the fact that he is a man of ability and with a
clean record would commend liim to the voters generally, even
though they may not be acquainted with him. Mr. Bunnell
will very likely secure the Democratic vote of the territory,
but it is a question as to how much of the Republican and
Wickersham vote fie may be able to draw.
THE BRIGHT FUTURE OF OUR SECTION
Private advices from Washington indicate that the
European war will have no effect on the policy of the Demo
cratic national administration with reference to the determina
tion to unlock the doors of Alaska to development and
settlement. The Alaska Engineering Commission now in the
field with their various parties of surveyors are making
progress even beyond their expectations. They hope to be
able to report to President Wilson ere the dawn of a new
year as to the result of their season’s work. And upon that
report the President will base his conclusions in selecting the
routes for govemmnet railroads. Secretary Lane expects that
construction will begin in early spring.
All of which is promising and pleasing to the people of
the Copper River country, and particularly to Cordova. While
it is not thought that there is much uncertainty about a trunk
line running from Chitina to Fairbanks, it is taken as an
accepted fact that next summer will see a coal road connection
built from the C. R. & X. W. Railway from Mile 38 into the
Bering River coal fields. And that of itself will assure the
future growth and permanency of Cordova.
And in addition the building of the connecting line into
Fairbanks will give this town such an impetus to growth and
prosperity as will be gratifying to the most skeptical. We
have one railroad commission, composed of practical, experi
enced and unprejudiced men, who have declared that Cordova
is the most logical point on the Southwestern coast for a sea
port terminus. And we are confident in the belief that the
conclusions of Dr. Brooks and his associates will very largely
be along the line of the report by the present commission now
investigating railroad and other conditions in Alaska.
Throughout the United States the sentiment has decidedly
changed in favor of Alaska. As Optimistic D. A. McKenzie
states, the felling is now general that a great wrong has been
done the patient and law abiding people of the north, through
a mistaken idea of conservation. We were put to sleep and
the shackles placed upon us. But we are now told to awake
for the dawn of a glorious day of relief has given the nation a
clearer vision of our condition. And led by that peerless
champion of right. President Wilson, aided by that wonderful
man of clear understanding, Secretary Lane, the great forces
of Alaska are about to be led into their rightful heritage.
And when the bridegroom cometh it will be found that
there are no foolish virgins in Cordova. All have their lamps
trimmed and brightly burning, supplied with an incessant
stream of oil from the Katalla fields. The people of this town
are thoroughly awake to their future opportunities and stand
ready in every legitimate way to hasten the day of develop
ment and expansion.
—
EDITORIAL COMMENT
If there was anything left unsaid by the platform adopted
by the Democratic convention at Skagway it was because of j
running out of wprds. It was intended to make the declaration
as specific as possible.
England sought in every honorable way to avoid getting.
mixed up in the present European trouble. But the complica-!
tions were too many and today she is at war with Germany.
When they close down mines like the Bonanza and Jumbo
then may we expect the production of copper to be discontinued
forever.
Italy is not anxious to have her people murdered in battle
and would like to keep out of the fray. But she has been told
to get in and fight or she would be fought.
Great as has been the rise in the price of beef, agriculture
still obtains infinitely more from the same acres than does
cattle-raising and there will be no lack of claimants for the
valuable soil of the Northland.
There are some foreigners in the Copper River country
preparing to return to their fatherlands.
If the United States government had done the fair thing
with Alaska and permitted the coal fields of this territory to
have been opened several years ago we would now be in a
position to supply all kinds of coal and in almost any quantity
to foreign nations.
► <
; Why Not Invest?
►
> -
> With the building of the government railroad from
> Chitina to Fairbanks, the future of the Town of Chitina
» is assured.
> -
> Lots are still offered at attractive prices and there
^ are many desirable ones remaining.
> -
> A few months later lots in Chtiina will be held at
^ largely increased values. Why not invest NOW?
>
> -
> GEO. C. HAZELET,
Agent Chitina Townsite Company.
k A A A A A A A A A A. A A A. A A A A ▲ ▲ ▲ a ▲
TIN SHOP
IN SHUSHANNA
\o more need to carry
STOVES and TINWARE
over the long trail to the
interior, as we are pre
pared to fill all orders in
our tin shop.
W. H. CARSTENS & 00.
SHUSHANNA - - ALASKA
4
(Mina GRILL
Good Eats for Particular People
Prompt Service. Popular Sendee.
Next to Cliitina Hotel.
CHITIXA : : : ALASKA.
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