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
WILL A. STEEL—Editors, Managers and Proprietors—HARRY O. STEEL
Office: Hotel Chitina Building. Cordova Office: Daily Alaskan
Seattle Office: 551 Colman Building.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
One Month .t.3 .50
Six Months ... 3.00
One Year ....... 3.50
ADVERTISING RATES
Made known upon application. They will be found reasonable for the service
given. Official publication for legal advertisements pertaining to mineral lands
of the Copper River C'.strict.
CHITINA, ALASKA, TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 1914.
ALASKA DEMOCRACY WILL CONVENE
It looks as though Democracy would put on the armor of
aggression and on August 3rd name a candidate who would
lead the Democratic forces on to the national capital. It has
been decided to name a candidate for Delegate to Congress
and possibly legislative tickets for the four judicial divisions.
Throughout the district comes word that there is a desire to
strengthen the hands of President Wilson and send to Wash
ington a man of the same political faith and who will take the
leadership for Alaska’s needs into his keeping and lead the
light that the President is so anxious to aid. So far as heard
from there is no announced candidate for the honor but it is
assumed that later a leader will hove in sight who will give
valiant battle to all oncomers. The starting of a great govern
ment enterprise in this northland is due almost entirely to the
personal efforts of President Wilson, backed up by his cabinet
and the Democratic leaders in Congress. In one short year the
present administration has accomplished more for Alaska than
anything that was brought about by the two previous
administrations. In fact an era of forward has been inaug
urated and a grateful people of this northland should be only
too glad to show their appreciation by voting for and electing
a man to Congress who will be acceptable to the powers that
have proved their substantial friendship. At the convention to
be held at Skagway on August 3rd, the town of Cordova will
undoubtedly be represented, as well as the various precincts of
the Copper River country.
NEW WAGON ROAD CERTAIN
That the government will be compelled to build a good
wagon road along the line of its proposed new railroad is
certain, for without such a road, the various divisions cannot
receive proper supplies. Thus it is to be expected that one of
the first things that the Engineering Commission will do, after
the route is finally selected, will be to begin work on such a
road.
Presuming that the commission will have its route selected
early this summer, it is safe to predict that before next fall
work will be started on a wagon road along the route of the
railroad. This can be constructed while the other preliminary
work of railroad construction is being carried on.
As it is expected that by next year the construction of the
railroad will be fully under way, it is safe to assume that by
that time, or by a year from this fall, there will be a new anil
good wagon road connecting Fairbanks with the coast, and
that the road will be of such a nature that it will be kept open
for the use of the public for automobiles. • If this is done,
winter transportation will be materially improved in the
future, and, incidentally the mail sendee from the outside
should be improved, though there is little complaint with it at
present.—Fairbanks Citizen.
OUT OF COMMISSION BUT NOT SPIKED
Indulging a pun on I nc*le Joe Cannon’s name, we may say
that he has decided to unlimber and get into action again.
I ncle Joe, like the other Joseph of the Ohio tribe, is evidently
of the opinion that the endulum is about to swing the other
way, if indeed it has not already begun. Perhaps the Penrose
majority in Pennsylvania has something to do with this opinion
and the decision that apparently is based upon it.
Yet there is no telling what might happen in Uncle Joe’s
district. . Hie old nian is a big gun, even if he is put out of
commission, and he knows the ins and outs of the game he
proposes to play as well, and perhaps better, than any other
man. But where would the old war horse profit if he should
win ? He might conceive a certain sense of vindication in the
a ictorv; but it is reasonably safe to say he will never again
encounter the old time conditions in Congress. If Uncle Joe
wants to go back and he can win the prize from his neighbors,
it would be decidedly uncharitable to begrudge him * the
pleasure. The old reactionary methods have ceased to
predominate in Washington just as they will soon take a
healthier turn in certain Alaskan towns.
SINGLE TAX FOR ALASKA
It the recent bill introduced in Congress by Representative
Bailey, of Pennsylvania, should pass, it would not necessarily
establish the single tax idea in Alaska. It would merely put
the proposition up to the voters of the respective munici
palities, where if a majority favordd it then that method of
taxation would prevail. The bill provides that where the
people of any municipality in Alsaka shall so determine, by
their votes at a properly called election, a tax levy of not
exceeding fixe per cent of the xralue of real estate exclusix’e of
improvements on it may be levied in that town in lieu of any
and all other property taxes.
Mr. Bryan positively declines to oblige the earnest gentle
men who insist that he is going to resign. Huerta has nothing
<on him as a sticker.
OUR FRIENDS AT WASHINGTON
Repeated events at the national capital have a tendency
to remove from the most skeptical the last remaining doubt as
to the friendship of President Wilson and his official family for
the great territory of Alaska. They are insisting that needed
legislation for Alaska be passed before adjournment of
Congres, while the interior department is rendering decisions
now almost daily that have a tremendous bearing on the early
development of Alaska. The “conservation” coal policy of
the previous administrations has been entirely reversed, and
instead of making special rulings to prevent the fair and
proper issuance of patents to coal claims, Secretary Lane and
his assistants are placing a liberal . interpretation upon the
actual laws and accordingly clear-listing claims by the score.
This fact has a particular significance to the people of
Cordova, as here is the natural outlet for the coal of the Bering
river. The natural inference is that soon a railway line will
be constructed and in operation between Cordova and Bering
river. And that will mean greater things for Cordova and
assure the future growth and prosperity of the town. And as
justice is being meted out to the patient and long enduring
people of this northland it should not be forgotten that the
great reforms are being brought about through the sincere and
steadfast assistance of President Wilson and his official family.
EDITORIAL COMMENT
Estimates of war taxes include the possibility of
$96,000,000 from special taxes on beer, tea and coffee. It looks
as if those desirous of economy will have to cultivate the use
of grape juice as a beverage.
If this Mexican trouble knits all the American republics
in closer bonds of friendly union it assuredly will not have
been in vain.
Our first president was not a conservationist. He made his
reputation by cutting down a tree. Pinehot made his by locking
up Alaska.
If you always wait for the elevator you will never get any
further up in the world than hosts of others.
Scientists say the human body is seven-eighths water—but
we can’t believe it, for we have seen some people on Prince
William Sound who are more than one-eighth gas.
The Chinese constitution has been obligingly amended to
make Yuan absolute boss, even the cabinet being abolished as
well as the parliament and the national council.
Man blames everything he possibly can onto woman—but
he never seems to really try to get along without her.
It is reported in some of the New York papers that
Huerta insists on running again, if mediation arranges for the
creation of a provisional government in Mexico. If Huerta
could only reach the conclusion that the proper time to run is
now, the creation of that provisional government would be
much simplified. But we fear he is like some office holders
in Alaska, who don’t know when to quit.
There are a lot of things to be righted in the social and
political world, and every candidate tilmks he is the man
ordained by God to do the job. There are a few of them in
this nortldand who are beginning to come from cover.
It is said that the Germans believe the Panama Canal to
be shallow in yilaces. We are inclined to think that Lieut.
Mears would suggest that it is the argument and not the canal
which the Germans have in mind.
Leper Early causes consternation by his appearance in a
fashionable hotel at Washington. There are suspicions abroad
that Mr. Early is more or less of a practical joker.
Canada claims that 100,000 Americans have settled there
the past year—and not all of them are bank cashiers. But just
watch the rush of settlers to Alaska next year.
That man who wrote to Senator Williams that “the
noisiest thing in Mexico was the American dollar,” was some
wit, also some historian.
1 he Cordova Chamber ot Commerce might with profit
take up with Colonel Richardson, president of the Alaska Road
Commission, the necessity for making the new bridge across
the Nizina river of practical benefit to the hundreds of people
who traverse between McCarthy and the great mining section
beyond. The bridge is complete and is a dandy, but the
approaches are so high that they are beyond reach.
The Indiana Republican convention made a big hit by
condemning in its platform the administration’s act in forcing
Americans to leave Mexico. That sort of talk is apt to remind
well-informed people that it was the Taft adimnistration that
warned Americans to leave Mexico.
This may have been blue Monday in a business way but
certainly the people of Cordova were all good natured, and
most of them enjoyed a few hours of the bright sunshine out
on the waters of Prince William Sound.
With all the booster advertising heaven has received,
there has never been any great emigration movement started.
The Chitina, the McCarthy and the Cordova Chambers of
Commerce should unite in a strong demand that the Alaska
Road Commission complete its work by building approaches
to the Nizina river bridge. At present this splendid structure
is practically useless, as it is almost impossible for man or
beast to ascend the almost perpendicular walls necessary to
reach either end of the bridge.
Chairman Williams of the Colorado Peace Commission
assured a meeting of miners in Denver that John D. Rocke
feller asks Divine aid on his knees every night. But he was
unable to present evidence that the prayer is answered.
It was a light fall of sulphur dust that covered the streets
of Seward last night, but just wait until railroad construction
begins at that terminal point and there will be gold dust
everywhere.
“In God We Trust” appears on many of our coins—but if
Uncle Sam didn’t have his stamp on them no one would
accept them without hesitation.
Sixty-one languages are spoken in South America—which
may account for the fact that so many of the revolutions are
mostly talk.
Chauncey Depew is 80. Many of his jokes are older
than that.
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.
TIN SHOP
IN SHUSHANNa
No 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 & CO.
SHUSHANNA . - ALASKA
Chitina GRILL
0
Good Eats for Particular People
Prompt Service. Popular Set vice.
Next to Chitina Hotel.
CHITINA : : : ALASKA.
0. ADRIAN KELSON I
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-—- « ,
U. S. Mineral Surveyor j j
S.‘—• .,
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• >
CHITINA • - - ALASKA ”
< >
CHITINA: BAKERY
AND
Coffee House
HENRY GESSNER, Prop.
FRESH DREAD, CAKES AND
PIES ALWAYS ON HAND
Chitina j
t ► i; X
Pharmacy!
4 * T
5> ********************** X
DRUGS, ♦
:: STATIONERY, |
t CANDIES, ♦
;; KODAK SUPPLIES |
” CIGARS & TOBACCO 1
:: t
•>> ^
• • If you cannot call, write t
;; us. MAIL orders our j
Specialty. 1
< - X
<* -*"■——■f ..;■ — X
;; A. G. MOREY, Prop. J
^ 1 Let Lewis Help
“Pointers for Amateurs” will help you to better
pictures—it’s free. Send us your films for develop
ing and printing. Enlarging. Developing 10c roll,
any size; printing. ?c up. Cash with order. You’ll
find oar work better. Photo supplies. Dept. S.
GROCERIES, HARDWARE
- AND
MEAT MARKET
We have a big line of Sec
ond-Hand Goods, and can
save you money on your out
fit. Bunk House, with free
Cook House, In connection.
CHITINA HEIGHTS
C. A. SIMON'S & CO.
feed, fuel
and
Lumber
HAY, BRAX, OATS, CHOPS,
ROLLED BARLEY
We can make prompt ship
ments to points on the rail
road. Our feed is the very
best quality.
0. A. Nelson & Co.
CHITINA
HOTEL
WASHINGTON
ANNEX
SEATTLE
New, modern and fireproof.
All oufsld6 looms
The most conveniently located
hotel in the city.
Uooms and suites are particu
larly large.
Very desirable for families or
parties traveling together.
RATES MODERATE
Auto*bus meets all boats' and
trains. Write for booklet.
J. H. DAVIS, Prop