THIRD YEAH. — CHITIXA, ALASKA, TI’KSDAY, KKBRl’ARY 18, 1013. XL'MBKR 18.
--—
The annual statement of the com
merce and customs business of Alaska
for the calendar year ending Decem
ber 31, 1913, has been issued by the
collector of customs, John R. Willis.
As the 1911 report showed marked
Increase in all departments of com
merce, the 1912 report eclipses that of
the previous year, indicating the sub
stantial growth in every case of this
empire.
The increase in the business of the
territory was largely in Southeastern
Alaska. While there was a large in
crease in the business of most of the
Southeastern Alaska ports, the great
est was at Juneau and at Ketchikan.
The increase at the port of Juneau,
$962,720.
The value of merchandise shipped
from the United States to Southern
Alaska, from Yakutat to Unalaska
and Dutch Harbor, for 1912 was
$4,321,689 of which amount $888,
155 came to Cordova, the next town
In importance being Valdez, whose
shipments amounted to $563,609.
Cordova shows an increase over 1911
of $112,174 while Valdez’s business
decreased during the same period
$121,549.
Although there was no material in
crease in the population of Alaska
during the calendar year 1912, the
commerce of the Territory broke all
former records in almost every par
ticular.
The total trade, valued at $72,741,
060, is 27 per cent higher than that
for any previous year. The balance of
trade in favor of Alaska is the largest
of record, amounting to almost twen
y million dollars.
Gold, which until recent years has
onstituted the bulk of the Territory’s
exports, though greater than for the
two previous years, was 50 per cent
less in value than the total of the
ther Alaskan products shipped to the
mited States and was exceeded by the
single item of salmon—canned and
otherwise preserved.
For the first time both the ship
ments of merchandise from the
United States and from Alaska to the
United States passed the twenty mill
ion mark. The shipments to South
eastern Alaska show an enormous in
crease and are more than double
those of any one of the other three
divisions. ThiB increase was princi-_
pally due to the establishment of
twenty new salmon canneries
throughout the divison and the ex
tensive development of mining prop
erties in the Juneau district.
The value of furs shipped during
the year includes the products of the
Pribilof Islands and shipments by
mail—a total of $300,000—not
shown in the Bureau’s reports for the
same period.
Owing to the fact that gold carried
on the persons of travelers is not in
cluded in the returns made by this
office, the value of precious metals
reported shipped from the Territory
Is, as usual, slightly less than the
amount shown by Bureau of the Mint.
All of the four divisions of Alaska
show an increase over 1911 in the
values of shipments received fronj the
United States. Most of the unprece
dented increase, however, was due to
the unusual industrial activities in
outheastern Alaska, resulting in that
division receiving 4 4 per cent of the
entire amount shipped to the dis
trict, an advance of 75 per cent over
the preceding year.
Under a department, "The Obser
vant Citizen,” the Boston Post has
the following to say of interest to the
residents of this territory:
1 have greatly enjoyed a little chat
with Miss Charlotte W. Hawes, the
poet and composer of songs of peace
and patriotism, who was the friend of
Emerson, Lucy Larcom and other
great literary lights. Miss Hawes
has just composed words and music
of a song which may be destined to
become the State song of Alaska, as
she has also been the composer of the
State songs of several other common
wealths.
W. E. Wood has returned from a
trip to Valdez, where he was looking
up his chances for local support in
his candidacy for United States Mar
shal of this division. He claims the
support of Joseph Daniels, of North
Carolina, one of President-elect Wil
son’s campaign managers.
Robert Ferguson, a Valdez mer
chant, is also a candidate for the pos
ition and has the support of Champ
Clark, with whom he has had a long
personal friendship and who will
request the appointment of Mr. Fer
guson as soon as President-elect Wil
son takes office.
[ F. R. Brennemen, of Katalla, a
deputy marshal under Marshal Sul
livan, will be a candidte and claims
the support of Vice-president Mar
shall. Mr. Brennemen has been a
deputy uYider the present adminis
tration for four years.
A1. Dowling, of Valdez, also claims
considerable backing both locally
and from his former home in Boston.
Mr. Oldham, of Sunrise, is also a
candidate, but the extent of his back
ing has not been disclosed.
George Drebedbius, of Seward, may
land the plum, as he has the support
of several influential senators.
Cal. Brosius, of Seward, is after
the position, having the support of
Governor Cox, of Ohio, and also
some Pittsburg influence in which
city he was born.
-o—o—o
The cost of the government of the
present term of court now being held
at Valdez will run over $75,000, ac
cording to the records of the mar
shal’s office; $60,000 was spent for
witness fees and $15,000 as fees for
jurors. The incidental expenses may
run as high as $5,000.
In all 237 jurors were served on
special venires, some of them serving
for several days. In all ten special
venires were issued by the court.
The smallest venire called for five
men and the largest for 30.
The Afognak election fraud cases
required the presence of 28 witness
es in Valdez since the 16th of Oc
tober, each one of whom draws $4
a day and mileage amounting to
$138.
With the completion of the elec
tion cases the criminal docket will be
cleared of cases to be tried at this
term and the civil cases will be
heard.
-o—o—o
Senator-elect B. F. Millard, A. E.
Grigsby, D. H. Sleem, John Tem
bloom, Edwin Eckern and A. Eckern
have organized The Valdez Bank &
Trust company, with a capital stock
of $24,000, divided into 250 shares
of the par value of $100 each. Be
sides a general banking business and
buying gold dust and bullion, the
company is authorized to promote
enterprises.
Easter, probably the most import
ant of the movable feasts, w!ll come
earlier than usual this year, falling
on Sunday March 23. This is just
one day after the earliest date that
the holiday could fall on, and that
early date has not been celebrated
since 1818. Sixty-seven years ago
and fifty-six years ago Easter was cel.
ebrated on the same date it will be
this year. The date will not be earl
ier until 2000. As, is g-*,ic':.ily
known, Easter Day, on which the rest
of the moveable feasts depend, is al
ways the first Sunday after the four
teenth day of the calendar moon
which ,(four-teenth day) falls on, or
next after March 21 according to the
rules laid down for the construction
of the calendar, so that if the four
teenth day happens on Sunday, East
er Day is the Sunday after. This
coincidence cannot occur more than
once in a century, and it_is only then
the Feast of the Ascension can occur
in April, and then only on April 30.
Easter will not come so early in the
year again until 1940, when it will
occur March 24. In 1951 it arrives
March 25, and will occur on March
26 in 1967 and 1989.
-o—o—o
Chicago bandits are threatened
with the liability of learning in the
fullness of time that it is a hazardo
occupation to shoot at Chicago po
licemen .
Printing of every character artist
ically done at Dally Alaskan office
CHEAP TRANSPORTATION; CHEAP FUEL
A quickened conscience and awakened sense of justice upon
the past of the American public is now willing to make amends
for bitter wrongs unwittingly inflicted upon a patient, trusting,
patriotic but much abused Alaskan people.
A healthy, normal sentiment now demands that justice
shall be done, and the way has been made clear. Briefly sum
med up, the remedy lies in four words,
“CHEAP TRANSPORTATION; CHEAP FUEL.”
A non-political, unprejudiced, thoroughly competent and
honorable body of men has unanimously agreed upon the great
need of Alaska. And the President of the United States has
endorsed the findings of the Alaska Railroad Commission, with
the recommendation that Congress appropriate $35,000,000 to
give the necessary relief that will stimulate develojnnent and
bring thousands of new men to our shores.
The public generally has favorably accepted the verdict.
All Alaska recognizes-the merit and the justice of the conclus
ions reached. But it devolves upon President-elect Wilson and
a new Congress to give force and effect to the reemdy.
WHAT IS ALASKA DOING ABOUT IT?
A crisis has been reached in the affairs of a much enduring
and impoverished people. A new empire of vast possibilities
and fabulous wealth is on the verge of birth in the last of Uncle
Sam’s frontier possessions. Is it to be allowed to die still born
or will it come forth with the courage and strength that will
insure its future and permanent greatness?
Has not the hour arrived when the fires of action should
burn brightly in every town and camp in this vast Northern
domain? Should not the heavens be so illuminated that the
country at large, and particularly the solons at Washington,
must realize that the justice of her demands entitles Alaska
to immediate deliverance. Should not every newspaper, every
commercial club, every town council, and every individual
throughout Alaska proclaim to the nation our great needs,
with a prayer to the human powers-that-be to rend unto Alaska
what is her due.
Should not an earnest plea come thundering down from
Nome, Tditarod, Ruby, Fairbanks, Chitina, Blackburn. Kenne
cott, Cordova, Valdez, Seward, Douglas, Wrangle and Ketchi
kan. increasing in such volume as it progresses through the
Pacific coast states, until like an avalanche it descends upon the
national capitol and bv the very force of its fair demand impel
immediate and favorable action.
IMMEDIATE ACTION IS NECESSARY.
Alaska’s needs and troubles are now in the thoughts of tiie
American people. And they are willing to give us a square
deal. But they must get Congress to act—and soon. And the
initial effort should start in Alaska.
An unanimous endorsement of the report of the Alaska
Railroad Commission, with the plea that the coal lands be un
locked, should have its effect, coming from every section of
Alaska.
A similar memorial from the Territorial Legislature, so
soon at it shall have organized at Juneau, would impress Con
gress with the importance of speedy action.
And the Legislature might indicate a certain day when
eables and letters should go forth from every town in Alaska
urging President Wilson and Congress to take favorable action
on the transportation and fuel questions.
A FUTURE OF GREAT PROMISE.
Immediate action should be taken by all public organiza
tions of Seattle, including the Chamber of Commerce, Commer
cial club, Rotary club, Ad. club, Manufacturers’ Association,
etc.
Similar action should be taken by the public organizations
at Tacoma, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles and in fact
all the cities and towns in the western states of Washington,
Oregon, California, Nevada, Montana, Utah and Colorado.
Many of their worthy sons have suffered the hardships of this
Northland, and thousands will again flock here when the gates
of opportunity are thrown open.
OPPORTUNITY IS KNOCKING AT ALASKA’S DOOR
The opening of interior Alaska by the construction of two
trunk line railroads, with branches to the coal fields and rich
minerals, presents a vista of unprecedented grandeur in devel
opment and of almost limitless possibilities.
From Cordova through Chitina and on to the waters of
the Tanana and Yukon, with branches into the Bering coal
fields and to the various mines in the rich copper river country;
from Seward to Kern creek and on to the Kuskukwim and Idit
arod, with branches into the Matanuska coal and rich gold
quartz fields. Think what it would portend.
The stupendous development that would naturally follow
in the wake of the iron monster that steamed through this land
of fair promise and rich resources is almost beyond ordinary
conception. And it would be but a few years before Nome,
Valdez and Juneau would also have railroad connections and
greater commercial importance.
Cheap transportation and cheap fuel would mean such an
awakening of the present latent forces of Alaska and such an
influx of new people, that in the consequent development and
prosperity Uncle Sam would be amply repaid for the act of jus
tice that it is hoped he is now about to extend.
AID OF PACIFIC COAST STATES IS NEEDED.
Prospectors would again be encouraged to go forth into
hills and to discover the rich treasures that nature has so boun
tifully hidden there. From fertile valleys and the upland hills
would be reaped bountiful harvests of wheat, grain, vegetables
and fruits. Rich grazing lands would soon be swarming with
cattle and sheep. Smelters and coaling stations would dot the
southern and southwestern coast. Mills, concentrators, hy
draulic plants would be in operation everywhere. And capital
would always be wilingly forthcoming, because of the know
ledge of its certain profitable return.
It would require but a few years to transport Alaska’s
vast domain into an activity and productiveness such as would
astound the world. Permanent and prosperous towns would
spring up in all sections and half a million contended people
would forever offer grateful thanks to the liberal administra
tion that gave us cheap transportation and cheap coal.
A CRISIS IS BEFORE US. ?
Delay would be fatal, for now is the accepted hour. Alas
ka’s needs are realized as never before. The public mind is in
a receptive mood. Since the clouds of distrust have vanished
a clearer vision reveals us in our true worth and dire distress.
Our plea for justice and consideration has been heard
throughout the land. The considerate acts of President-elect
Wilson and Congress will be fully endorsed by public sentiment.
Our only fear is that other multitudinous considerations may
distract official Washington from the prayers of far-off Alaska.
With one united force it now behooves the courageous men and
women of this Northland to battle as they never have before.
The future of fair Alaska is at stake, and time is fleeting.
When Congress convenes in extra session on April first
the battle for Alaska should have been won. Ere the dawn of
that day the President, Senators' and Representatives should
be firmly convinced of the justice and wisdom of granting to
tliis territory the opportunity to enjoy cheap transportation
and cheap fuel.
And to accomplish this end all Alaska and the Pacific coast
states should bend their united energies and never cease until
a worthy victory lias been won, and Alaska comes into her,
rightful heritage.
— -- ’ •
The residents of Alaska in general
and Cordova in particular, are great
ly interested in the report of the
Alaska Railroad Commission and the
recommendations of President Taft
in reference to furnishing adequate
transportation to develop the re
sources of this territory. The Presi
dent favors public ownership and pri
vate operation of railroads in Alaska,
which are imperative if the richest
mineral belt in the world is to be
properly opened up.
For Two Main Lines
The report of the commission not
only recommends the immediate con
struction of a railroad line from Cor
dova to the Yukon river at Fairbanks
with a branch into the Behring coai
fields, but also a railroad from Se
ward to the Matanuska coal fields,
which is eventually to branch out 200
miles into the vast Kuskokwim val
ley, the two main lines and branches
all to be connected when the work is
finally completed. For the Cordova
to-Fairbanks line the commission es
timates the cost of construction to be
approximately $14,000,000. The es
timated cost of the Seward line, in
cluding the branch line into the Kus
kokwim and the Matanuska fields, is
placed at approximately $20,000,000.
The entire project for a railroad sys
tem for Alaska would represent an
expenditure of approximately $35,
000,000.
The necessary inference from the
entire report,” says President Taft’s
message, ”is that in the judgment of
the commission its recommendations
can certainly be carried out only if
the government builds or guarantees
the construction of the railroads re
commended. If the government is to
guarantee the principal and interest
of the construction bonds, it seems
clear that it should own the roads,
the cost of which it really pays. I am
very much opposed to government
operation, but I believe that govern
ment ownership with private opera
tion under a lease is the proper so
lution of the difficulties here present
ed. I urge the prompt and earnest
consideration of this report and its
recommendations.”
The presindent’s message continues
as follows:
Railway Connections Imperative
"The commission finds that railway
connection with open ports on the
Pacific are not only Justified, but Im
perative if fertile regions of inland
Alaska and its mineral resources are
to be utilized, and that with such rail
way connections a large rcr'rn will
be open to the homestea ’er m-os
* pector and the miner. So fur as the
limited time available has permitted,
the commission has investigated and
in its report describes all of the rail
way routes which have been suggest
ed for reaching the interior, includ
ing the ocean terminals of these
routes. The relative advantages and
disadvantages of these routes are
compared. The principal result of this
! comparison may be stated to be that
railroad development in Alaska
should proceed first by means of two
independent railway systems, here
after to be connected and supple
mented as may be justified by future
development. One of these lines
should conect the valley of the Yu
kon and its tributary, the Tanana,
with tidewater, and the other should
be devoted to the development and
nees of the Kuskokwiin and the Sus
itna.
“The best available route for the
first railway system is that which
leads from Cordova by way of Chit
ina to Fairbanks; the best available
route for the second is that which
leads from Seward around Cook inlet
to Iditarod. The first should be con
nected with the Behring coal field
and the second with the Matanuska
coal field. Other routes and termi
nals are discussed, but are found not
to have importance or availability
for development of territory possess
ed by the two mentioned.
“The proposed terminals at Ka
talla and Controller bay are found
to be very expensive, both as to con
struction and maintenance, besides
furnishing very inferior harbors. The
route inland from Valdez is at a dis
advantage because it would not serve
any of the coal fields, although, as
hereafter noted, Valdez is regarded
by the commission as an important
alternative terminal in the possible
future development of the Chitina
Fairbanks routes.
Cordova Route’s Advantages
“The investigations of the commis
sion indicates that the route from
Cordova by way of Chitina to Fair
banks would furnish the best trunk
line to the Yukon and Tanana wat
ers; (1) Because Cordova has dis
tinct advantages as a harbor. (2)
Because this route requires the short
est actual construction, but chiefly
(3) because the better grades pos
sible on this route should give the
lowest freight rates into the Tanana
valley. The Copper River & North
western railroad is now constructed
from Cordova to Chitina and thence
up the Chitina river. The commis
sion recommends the building of a
railway from Chitina to Fairbanks
313 miles, estimated to cost $13,
971,000,wth the provision that if this
railway is built by other interests
than those controlling the Copper
River & Northwestern rialroad, and
if any equitable traffic arrangement
cannot be made with it. connection
should be made with Valdez by the
Thompson pass route, 101 miles, es
timated to cost $6,101,479.
Terminal For Bering Coal
“The commission finds that Cor
dova offers the best present ocean
terminal for the Bering river coal.
The commission also points out that
it would not be economical to haul
the Matanuska coal to either Valdez
or Cordova, and therefore the logical
outlet for that field is Seward. If
commercial development of those two
fields shonlu disclose that the quality
of the coal is of the same in both, the .
Bering river field would have the ad
vantage of greater proximity to open
tidewater. A branch line from the
Copper River railway to the Bering
river field, a ditance of thlrty-eigh*
miles, at an estimated cost of $2,
034,000, is recommended to afford
an outlet for the coal on Prince Wil
liam sound and into the Copper river
valley and the region where there is
at present the largest market for
Alaska coal.
Line From Seward
“The commision finds that a rail
way from Chitina to Fairbanks will
not solve the transportation problem
of Alaska, because it will not give
access to the Matanuska coal field,
the fertile lands and mineral wealth
of the lower Sustina or the great
Kuskokwim basin. This province
properly belongs to an independent
railway system based on the harbor
at Seward.
“The commission recommends a
railway from Kern creek, the present
inlanl terminal of the Alaska Nor
thern railway, to the Sustitna river
(distance 115 miles, estimated cost
$5,200,000), with a branch line to
the Matanuska coal field (distance
thirty-eight miles, estimated cost
$1,615,000), and an extension of the
main line through the Alaska range
to the Kuskokwim river, (distance
229 miles, estimated cost $12,760,
000).
773 Miles of Line
“The entire railways thus recom
mended will constitute two independ
ent systems involving 733 miles of
new. construction at a cost of $35,
000,000. Eventually these bystems
will be tied together and there will
be earlier demands for branches and
local lines as the country develops.
One of these systems will find an out
let to the coast over the Copper
River & Northwestern railroad, the
other over the Alaska Northern. If
these new lines are constructed by
others than those financially interest
ed in these two railways, respectively
satisfactory traffic arrangements
would have to be made with them.
If the new railways recommended
should be constructed by the govern
ment, the question is necessarily
presented as to whether the govern
ment should acquire the whole or
any part of the existing lines or
either of them, or should endeavor
to make appropriate traffic agree
ments.”
VALDEZ, Feb. 13—At the second
trial of the ballot stuffing case from
the westward a verdict of guilty has
been secured, and the parties who
indulged in this pastime will
have plenty of opportunity to repent
for their wrong-doing.
During the delegate election at
Afognak last August John J. F.dstad
and Alex Fredolin, supporters of
Judge Wickersham, saw to it that
their district polled a large vote for
their favorite. The fact that many
of the ballots cast were for men not
in that section, were account-'d for
by Folstad and Fredolin who say
that had they been present they
would have voted for Wickersham,
so they took “the will for the deed”
and voted for them.
Charles Pajomen, a merchant 11
Afognak, plead guilty and Judge
Lyons will pass sentence on the-,
three ballot staffers within a few
days.
At the first trial a hung jury re
suited and it required forty-five he i'p
deliberation on the part of the second
jury before a verdict of guilty was re
turned. This was tempered with a
recommendation to the court of
mercy for the defendants.
During the past Ihree delegate
elections in Alaska charges of fraud
and ballot stuffing were frequent'/
made by the Wickersham forces
against the campaign manager? of the
other endidates, but nothing even
came of them. The strange part is
that the only conviction was secured
against the parties who have always
been yelling “Stop thief.”