SECOND YEAR CHITINA, ALASKA, SATURDAY, MAY 18, 1012. ~^ZZZZZZZZI NO. 32
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NOME, May 17.—Matters political have been somewhat
warm for a few days past. Dr. J. J. Chambers, who formerly
had some mining litigation in which he was opposed by Attor
ner William A. Gilmore, has retained much bitter feeling
against the present Republican candidate for delegate to Con
gress. He has sought to injure him in every possible way. His
efforts culminated, after consultation with a few Democratic
leaders, in the publication by him of various rumors and
charges that were declared to be slanderous, and which did
great injustice to Mr. Gilmore. As a result Dr. Chambers was
arrested for criminal libel. He was given a trial by jury and
found guilty. Judge Murane imposed a sentence of four
months in the federal jail.
Importance is given to the action because Dr. Chambers is
the principal representative here of the Valentine element that
is endeavoring to hold an independent convention at Valdez, to
nominate a candidate in oppositio to Mr. Gilmore. These men
are so few in number in the Second division that as yet they
have been unable to hold any primaries, and it is doubtful if
they will succeed in holding a primary In any precinct, now
that their leader, Dr. Chambers, has fallen by the wayside. Thus
far the Democrats have had no public meeting in the town.
They have but little following outside of the committee that
was organized in Nome. In the various precincts throughout
the division there is no Democratic organization. The Social
ists have about the only strength that is apparent in opposition
to Gilmore, and that will not prove formidable. The sentiment
in this division is so strong in favor of Mr. Gilmore that the
managers of his campaign confidently predict that he will car
ry the division by 1,500 votes.
Mr. Gilmore will start on his tour of eampaignng tomor
row, when he will leave for Dutch Harbor. From there he will
take a vessel and make connections with the Dora, which is
due to reach Seward on June . He will address the people of
that town, go on to Valdez, Cordova, Chitina, and then to
Southeastern Alaska, returning via the Yukon and Fairbanks.
Last night a farewell smoker was given Mr. Gilmore that was
the most enthusiastic event ever pulled off in the town. Previ
ous to assembling nearly 500 Nome supporters paraded the
streets, headed by a band, and the wildest possible enthusiasm
for Gilmoi-e prevailed everywhere. At the smoker there were
songs, speeches and general rejoicing. As many could not gain
entrance on overflow meeting was held which was addressed
by Candidate Gilmore and others.
SPLIT-UP IN WASH)
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ABERDEEN, Wash., May 16—The Republicans had an in
teresting time of it in this city yesterday. There was much feel
ing between the various followers of the two factions. Had
they gotten together in convention it was expected that there
would have been lively doings. But the Roosevelt forces real
ized that they were in the minority and that the organization
would be against them, thus throwing out their contesting dele
gates. After a conference they decided that by refusing to par
ticipate in the regular convention and holding one of their own,
which they claim to be regular because they could not secure
fair treatment in the other, that their chances of securing rec
ognition before the national convention would be enhanced. As
a consequence of this decision both parties held harmonious
meetings and a lot of pyrotechnics were not shot off. And each
faction elected fourteen .delegates to the national convention,
pledged to vote for the respective favorites.
The convention called to order by the state chairman pro
ceeded to organize by the election of permanent officers and
committees. Resolutions were adopted indorsing the adminis
tration of President Taft and pledging the delegates to the na
tional convention to support him. A demand was made for the
opening of the resources of Alaska, in private acquisition, with
no restrictions save such as might be necessary to prevent mo
nopolization. A further demand is made for the immediate
withdrawal of the unwarranted executive orders which have
been the cause of blighting the territory and arresting its de
velopment.
After electing fourteen Roosevelt delegates the “progres
sive” convention adopted a platform that expressed regret that
the Republican national platform of 1908 in pledging a revision
of the tariff downward had not been fulfilled. A clause was
adopted favoring home rule for Alaska.
INDIANAPOLIS, May 18.—The
Socialist party, which has been In
national convention, adjourned to
day, after placing in nomination Eu
gene V. Debs, for President of the?
United States, and Emil Seidel, for
Vice-President. The nomination of
Mr. Debs will not come as a surprise,
as he has been the standard bearer
for three previous successive occa
sions. His vote has steadily grown,
as follows: 1900, 87 814; 1904, 402,
283; 1908, 420,793. His running
. Ji'
mate this year Is the former mayor
of Milwaukee, who was recently de
feated for re-election by a combina
tion ot Democrats and Republicans,
although his vote was slightly in
creased over his vote of the year pre
vious.
WASHINGTON, May 14.—Senator
Simmons has announced that all the
tariff bills passed by the House will
be disposed of by the Senate before
adjournment.
I ««*- -
Now that there is soon to be a change in the management
of the interests of the Alaska Syndicate, there ai’e many con
jectures as to probable changes among other officials. It is be
lieved that when Mr. Young retires on the 15th that the pres
ent traffic manager of the steamship company and the Copper
River & Northwestern Railway, C. J. Jones, will go with him
to Portland and assume a similar position with the Spokane,
Portland & Seattle railway, familiarly known as the North
Bank road. It has been reported in Seattle for some weeks
past that J. P. Rogers was to come to Cordova to assume the
general management of the Copper River &■ Northwestern
Railway. The Daily Alaskan refrained from making mention
of the report, as a change was not to be effective for some little
time. But the report has now reached Cordova from friends
of Mr. Rogers.
Mr. Rogers is at present superintendent of the North Bank
road. He was a staunch friend of the late M. J. Ilenev and the
late E. C. Hawkins. After these gentlemen had completed the
construction of the White Pass & Yxxkon Railroad in 1899 it was
turned over to the management of Mr. Rogers. His title was
superintendent, and he continued in that capacity until 1904,
when he retix'ed. For a year after that he was superintendent
of the Conrad mines on Windy Arm, near Cariboo, on the way
to White Hoi’se. Some time after leaving the north he was en
gaged in a big irrigation scheme at Sunnyside, in the state of
Washington. He then removed to Vancouver, Wash., and ac
cepted a position with the new Hill road that operates between
Portland and Spokane. In the summer of 1909 Mr. Rogers
came to Cordova and went out to the camp of Mr Ilenev, where
he spent a couple of weeks.
A report received some time ago from New York indicated
that when the Morgan interests took over the management of
the Copper River railroad that Mr. Hawkins was to be placed
fit the head of the railway and steamship interests. While Mr.
Hawkins had practically completed his labors by the first of
the year, his services were retained until July first, at which
time it was expected that he would be elected to the presidency
of the various companies. It is J. Pierpont Morgan, Jr., and
W. Pierson Hamilton who keep in close touch with the Alaskan
interests of the firm. In their discussions with Mr. Hawkins
and others they have frequently expressed the idea that better
results could be secured from officials who know the conditions
and the people in Alaska, and who have had experience either
in this country or along similar lines. It is thought that Mr.
Hawkins in all probability selected Mr. Rogers as the man to
successfully handle the conditions in the Copper River country.
It is expected that soon after Robert W. Baxter, the new head
of the steamship and railroad interests, assumes his new duties
that he will make various appointments.
A report has been current on the streets today that Mr.
Geiger, who has been superintendent of the railroad for the
past seven months, expected to go to Portland and accept a po
sition as division superintendent on the North Bank road. As
Mr. Geiger was out of the city this afternoon the report could
not be verified.
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^ HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ^
❖ PUBLIC GROUNDS AND BUILDINGS ^
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A Morris Sheppard, of Texas, Chairman. A
^ John L. Burnett, Alabama.
^ Frank Clark, Florida.
^ Jas. C. Cantrill, Kentucky.
S. A. Roddenbery, Georgiu.
^ Carter Glass, Virginia.
Win. A. Ashbrook, Ohio.
^ Henry A. Barnhart, Indiana.
^ Jas. M. Gudger, North Carolina.
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AAAAAAAA A A
Edwin S. Underhill, Xew York. ^
John E. Andrus, Xew York. ^
Richard W. Austin. Tennessee. ^
John M. Xelson, Wisconsin. <A>
Burton L. French, Idaho. ^
Horace M. Towner, Iowa. ^
Ira C. Copley, Illinois. ^
Jesse L. Hartman, Pennsylvania. ^
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A A A A A A A A A A
(From Cordova Daily Alaskan.)
It is within the power of the above named committee to
make it possible for Cordova to have a federal building with
in a reasonable time. A bill was presented in the House by
Delegate Wickersham on March 12 last, to provide for the pur
chase of a site and the erection of a public building thereon at
Cordova. As is customary the bill was referred to the above
committee. A favorable report upon the part of that commit
tee would undoubtedly mean the passage of the measure at this
session. As to the necessity of the structure there is no ques
tion. When Attorney General Wickersham was in Cordova
the matter was called to his attention and he agreed that the
various federal officials in this town should be housed in a
building owned by the government. He advised with Delegate
Wickersham in framing the bill referred to. It provides for
the appropriation of $100,000 for the purchase of ground and
the erection of the necessary building to serve as a courthouse,
postoffice, customs house, land office, jail, etc., with proper
vaults, heating apparatus and other necessities.
The Chamber of Commerce has been active in the effort to
have action taken on the bill at this session. Yesterday several
telegrams were sent by President Blum and Secretary Barry to
various parties of influence. A reply was received from At
torney General Wickersham in which he advised that the mat
ter was receiving the attention and support of his department.
It is now believed that if concerted effort be taken at once that
an impression may be made on the proper committee. If any
resident of Cordova or the Copper River country has an ac
quaintance with any member of the committee the Chamber of
Commerce will be glad to wire in his name and urge favorable
and speedy action. Or if the folks back home are constituents
of any member of the committee, write immediately and have
them urge action.
Cordova is not one of the favored communities with the
federal government. We are not even supplied with a much
needed deputy district attorney. And whatever we get will
have to be by effort and insistence. The powers that be at
Washington realize that we should have a federal building and
they have given every indication that they will assist us in get
ting it. But the real hard work in crystalizing the sentimenl
must be from this end. Let everyone do whatever little may bt
within his power. Lose sight of any trivial discord that may
be entertaining when there is nothing better to concern us, anc
get busy7 in the service of yrour town. Cordova is to be the fu
ture permanent metropolis of Alaska. Now is the accepted time
to get in an entering wedge upon which to build the future
great structures. Don’t delay, but send wires and write imme
diately to any man who may be an instrument in bringing about
the much needed federal building. Let’s get action at this ses
sion of Congress, if it is at all possible.
LOCAL JOTTINGS
Three carloads of cattle and two
carloads of sheep arrived in Chitina
cn Tuesday’s train for Schumacher
& Miller, of the While meat Market
of Fairbanks. The stock will be
driven over the trail and will re
quire a month or more to make the
trip. This method of getting meat
into Fairbanks is proving very sat
isfactory
Jack Lawrence made a business
trip to McCarthy this week. He has
a pack train working out of there
now.
The railroad is experiencing diffi
culty in getting the gravel pit at
Kuskulana opened up.
The following letters are uncall
ed for at the Chitina postoffice: Eng
vald Anderson, Joe Anderson, Harry
Brown, E. H. Clark, Mrs. Beatrice
Coates, John Gallens, F. Ghidino,
John Headstone, F. E. Parker, L. C.
rendell, J. R. Reeves, John Roder
man, Charlie Ross.
Mose Dunn returned to Chitina
after a trip outside.
George Shade, who ha* been em
ployed as a foreman at t\.u:necott,
returned to Chitina.
Most of the business men have
been cleaning up around their prem
ises and the town is looking different.
Meet your friends at the Chitina
Hotel and drink Parkford.
Pete Cordes returned Thursday
from a trip to Cordova.
Among those registered at the Ho
tel Chitina this week are: E. E. Hol
den, Edith Smith, F. A. Lamson, G.
A. Burke, John Peterson, Algat Nel
son, Oscar Runstrom, John Nelson,
Ed Hill, john Lake, Pete Johnson,
Mose Dunn, O. M. Thayer, O. L. Lar
son, Jack Lawrence, J. H. Miner, W.
C. Blanker, C. C. Childs, George Har
■t . .-.»x l * • f
ris, Jack Reed, Abe McCord, Lester
Earhard, L. P. Schumacher, J. A.
Fagerberg, P. Woods, D. H. Williams,
A. F. Sellers, A. J. Deyl, A. P. Camp
bell, Knute Nafsted, W. A. Soule, S.
O. Breedman, Max Kahn, L. A.
Briggs, Dexter C. Cayonette.
Those stopping at the Overland for
the past week include John McCar
thy, Calvin C. Hazelet, H. Suther
land, J, Erickson, Roy Evans, Tim
Cronin and wife, John Munz, Wm.
Jacobson, Mr. and Mrs. A. B. lies, A.
C. Campbell, Charles Smith, John An
tler.
-o—o—o
WASHINGTON, May 18.—The In
terstate Commerce Commission has
granted tne railroads of the south
west the privilege to increase the
rate on cotton ten cents per thous
and pounds. The railroads contend
ed that they were unable to make a
profit on the rate heretofore prevail
ing.
TOLEDO, May 18.—President Taft
completed his fourteenth speech last
night. He has devoted much time to
showing up the support of Roosevelt,
including the capitalists and the
bosses. Although talking continual
ly about the rule of the peopie, he
charges that Roosevelt is gladly ac
cepting the support of the bosses and
of men like Dan R. Hanna, “with un
limited wealth.”
Paid His Respects to “Will”
COLUMBUS, May 18.—Col. Roose
velt paid his respects to his former
friend “Will” last night. He de
clares that '1 aft’s tueory of govern
ment is “one under which the people
are defrauded of their rights in the
interests of men like Lorimer, Gug
genheim, Barnes and Gallinger.”
' -O—O—0
The Overland Hotel caters to the
discriminating tarveler.
Subscribe for the Chitina Leader.
INTERIOR NINING NEWS
Nazlna River, May 10.
The operators and miners who are
working In a prosperous section of
the country tributary to the Nazina
river have an added convenience In
a recent roadhouse, store and ferry
that has been established by the
Chititu Trading Company. It is lo
cated at the safest ford on the Na
zina river between May creek and
Chititu creek, on the direct road
to George Max Esterly's hydraulic
placer works. They are six and a
half miles up the creek and the Na
zina postoffice is eight miles up the
Chitittu creek. About nine and a
half miles up Chititu and Rex creek
are located the Rex Alaska Mining
Company's plant under the manage
ment of Everett Brooks. There are
a number of other smaller operators
among them being Frank Hoffman,
the former marshal of Valdez.
Five miles up the Nazina we find
the mouth of Dan creek, and a milo
and a half up Dan creek is the Dan
Creek Mining Company's outfit un
der the able management of Howard
Birch, who will have a force of about
40 men (Esterly 50 or 55 men, and
Brooks 18 or 20 men) when sluicing
begins.
About a mile and three-quarters
up Dan and Boulder creek is Howard
Foster, superintendent of the West
over Copper Properties, which will
be heard of in the near future. The
samples which he and his wife dis
played were very fine. He nas six
men are now employed, who have
been working all winter.
Returning now to the mouth of
Dan creek, we go up the Nazina
about two miles and find the Chiti
stone. This is the best route over
to the head of the White river coun
try and we are in the direct survey
of the contemplated extension of the
railroad up over Seolai pass.
The mail carrier visits us twice a
month on his way to the Nazina
postoffice. We are about 13 miles
aast, across the river from McCar
thy station.
There are quite a few who have
taken lays on placer ground. Among
them is Frank Johnson, Peter Mar
tin, Joe Borger, Julius Struck and
Shorty Reed. William Crum will
work some of his own ground, so will
Ernest Range and Bush.
Up the Chitistone is a good sheep
country; also over to the head of
the Chitina. 18 or 20 miles from
here. Hunting parties can be fur
bished with a camp outfit, on reason
ible time notice, and a pack train
and guides who will guarantee to
show them the sheep at reasonable
rates. There are plenty of mountain
?oat as well. The streams emptying
,nto the Nazina river abound in trout
and garyling.
-o—o—n
The following resolution was unan
imously adopted at the regular meet
ing of the Cordova Democratic Club
held May 15, 1912:
“Resolved by the Democratic Club
of Cordova, that we do hereby en
dorse the candidacy of Martin Har
rais as the regular nominee of the
Democratic party of Alaska, for the
office of delegate to Congress; and,
be it further
“Resolved, that the delegation to
the Democratic national convention
at Baltimore, headed by Wm. O'Con
nor, of Cordova, is the regularly
elected delegation of the Democratic
party of this territory.”
LOS ANGELES, May 18.—Emma
Goldman, the Socialist agitator, and
ner manager, Ben Reitman who was
tarred and feathered at San Diego,
were summoned to appear before the
grand jury today. An investigation
into the disturbing and anarchistic
methods of some of the extreme I.
W. W. is being made.
-o—o—o
There were 850 guests registered
at the Chitlna Hotel since the first
of the year. Stop there and you’ll
meet your friends.