The Chitina Leader
CHITINA, ALASKA.
Entered as second class matter, November 12, 1910, at tlie postoffice
at Chitina, Alaska, under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879.
Published every Saturday by
WILL A. STEEL—Editors, Managers and Proprietors—Harry G. STEEL
Office: Hote IChitina Building. Cordova Office: Daily Alaskan
ADVERTISING RATES
Made known upon application. They will be found reasonable for the
service given.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES:
One Month.... $
Six Months.1. 2.00
One Year... 3,30
CHITINA ALASKA, SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 1912.
LET THE GOOD WORK GO ON.
The adverse criticism that has been hurled at the Alaska
Road Commission and the work it has accomplished has
eliminated from either an irresponsible party or some disgrunt
led politician who wished to make political kindling lor Ins
own bonfire. If anything is accomplished in the way of road
improvements in Alaska under the present administration it
will certainly have to be done through this same commission
and it make's no difference to us who does the work just so
it is done, and the more the better we like it.
All Alaska is agreed that we must have roads and bridges,
and if even some of us are conscientious in our belief that the
work could be done better and more cheaply by contract or
any other way, it is not wise to oppose the policy of the gov
ernment to whom we must look for whatever improvements we
get. It is enough if we keep our imperative needs persistently
before the officials in Washington and trust to them to gjve us
relief in any manner that seems most feasible to them.
We have an able and conscientious friend at court in the
person of Col. Richardson, who like a brave soldier and thor
ough gentleman that he is, has steadfastly ignored the silly and
unwarranted attacks of various muckrakers and kept his course
toward the goal of improvement which he will eventually at
tain not because of criticism but in spite of it.
Whatever has been accomplished in Alaska in the way oi
roads and bridges has been made possible by the untiring ef
forts of Col. Richardson, and just because lie was unable tc
supply everyone with roads to order with the meagre appro
priations allowed him, he has been subject to the harshest
kind of abuse and criticism. The Leader for one believes in
the integrity and ability of the Colonel and t he Commission
of yhicli he is the head. He is the friend of Alaska and worthy
of the support of every interest in it.
-oooo
GIVE US OUR RIGHTS.
Various newspapers and journals throughout the country
in discussing the reasons for lack of development in Alaska
have advanced many theories and indulged in labored dis
cussions pro and con but none have answered the main ques
tion.
Congress has considered the problems of equitably dispos
ing of the public domain ever since the days of .Jefferson and
and in an attempt to vest the right of realty forever in the in
dividual and not in a centralized government laws have beer
passed and many times altered to conform to the opinions oi
our greatest statesmen, but now comes Alaska with her varied
climate and no less varied resources and seems to puzzle the
ablest men in the nation. When Abraham Lincoln promul
gated his famous homestead proclamation opening up a vast
area of semi arid lands to settlement, people hesitated to ac
cept free land but steadily westward civilization advanced
upon the great plains and crossed the mountains and todaj
the first homestead ever taken is the property of desceudent:
of the original owner and worth more than two hundred dol
lars per acre. For nearly half a century it lias been the liomt
of an estimable family and much wealth has l>eeu gathered
from its broad areas. Once it was a desert; now it is a wooded
park with fields of grain and grasses between and the old timt
sod shanty has given place long since for the palatial home
It does not require even a shrewd guess to determine who was
benefitted by this single homesteader. Presently neiglibor:
came and then more neighbors and finally towns and railroad:
and schools and churches and courts and all the accessories ol
modern civilization and then came statehood and good govern
ment.
Thus the nation profited, the state profited, the home
steader profited—indeed, everybody is better today for the
laws of Lincoln, which made occupancy possible and improve
ment worth while. Precisely the same opportunities exist ii
Alaska today but thus far there has been no Lincoln to rise u]
and declare the undiscovered wealth the property of him win
endures the visissitudes necessai'y to secure it. In the days of
Lincoln how long would a political party have stood, which fos
tered or even tolerated a policy of obstruction to the advance
ment of a vast domain ? How long would Lincoln himself have
wanted to proclaim a territorial form of government for Alas
ka, which should be a “government of the people, by the peo
pie and for the people?” for Lincoln did things regardless
of the politicians, with an eye single to justice and the develop
ment of dormant resources.
The wonder is that some statesman does not rise to his
opportunity and smite with a merciless hand, Pincliotism and
Lathropism and their lesser satellites, and plant the banner
of development upon the mast heaad of a proud and wealthy
territory—and then proceed to develop by developing withoul
more ado.
For a thousandth time let us insist that at least we be per
mitted to warm ourselves with our own coals and know that
tiro homes which we have built with our own hands are our
own. The remedy for Alaska’s greivances is not a complicated
one—Simply give us the rights guaranteed us by the constitu
tion and we will do the rest.
—-uuuu
NOME’S FUEL FAMINE.
Nome is facing a fuel famine, with no relief in sight. The
coal supply on hand will not last until spring opens the ice of
Bering sea. Wood there is none, unless it is brought long dis
tances at great expense by sledge.
It is a case of famine in the midst of plenty, for within easy
reach of Nome are thousands upon thousands of acres of un
opened coal beds.
In China, in times past, offending high officials were sub
jected to refined tortures. One of these was to place tempting
foods just out of reach of the chained victim, and permit him
to starve slowly to death, his, agonies augmented by the tan
talizing odors which reached him.
Some such malicious and cruel craft must have designed
the refined torture to which Alaska has been condemned. The
Alaskan is chained to the land by his earthly possessions, and
compelled to suffer for very lack of those things with which
the country is wonderfully enriched.
If he cuts a tree he must first see a government agent; if
he takes some of the coal he might find outcropping in the
hills or along a stream he is a tresspasser and is prosecuted.
If he secures the fuel needed' for material progress, or to re
.. VO, !
lieve the rigor of a sub-Arctic winter, he must import it from
another country.
How long would the American colonies have tolerated sim
ilar treatment from England? For how much less did they
rebel and declare their independence?
There is not a parallel in all history for the treatment of
Alaska, and at the hands of the Alaskan’s own countrymen,
too.
There should be no question of the relief afforded, nor of
when it should come. The program is before congress. Action
should be immediate.—Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
-oooo
0H1TINA HAS A FUTURE.
The people now at the head of the reorganized Chitina
Townsite Company will remove all cause for the friction which
has not helped the town any in the past and which no doubt
was an active agent of harm. The thing to do now is far al
parties interested to pull together.
Chitina, as any one at all familiar with the conditions
knows, enjoys many advantages. The enterprise of the resi
dents is necessary to make the most of these. The property
owners cannot do it all; the railroad cannot do it all, nor can
the townsite company. But by each doing its share and all
acting in unison, by means of an active commercial body, re
sults are sure to follow.
Surrounding Chitina is much productive land. In time this
will be utilized, and should the coal be opened, a good practi
cal route for reaching the Matanuska fields is through Chitina.
However, without the utilization of this, the town is still the
logical inland supply center for a large and growing trade
territory. Large freighting outfits operating to the Tanana
river, the upper reaches of the Susitna, the White and Nabes
na rivers and other placer and quartz districts, make theii
headquarters at Chitina. During the summer months pack
horse trains get their supplies from Chitina for some of these
districts. And what is more important, Chitina is the clearing
house for Cordova. While the former is growing into a flour
ishing inland town, the latter will become more and more the
jobbing center for the west coast and the interior country.
-oooo
LaFollette takes the popular side of the “recall of judges;”
Taft sees the danger and points it out—which of the two shows
the characteristic marks of the politician after votes?
-onno
PINCHOT FEELING TRUTH’S STING.
When Gifford Pinchot was in Katalla, accompanied by his
inseparable companion, “Dick to Dick” Lathrop, he was
warned that any further misrepresentations of Alaskan con
ditions by himself or Lathrop, would meet with a prompt de
nial, that Kotalla residents believed there were enough in
dependent and fair minded publications in the states to give
Alaska a square deal by printing the truth. It is now recalled
that at the time, while addressing a meeting Pinchot had cal
led for himself in Katalla, he indulged in a bit of sarcasm
which very nearly approached a sneer about the publicity work
which Alaskans intended to undertake.
No doubt Mr. Pinchot felt it was a far cry from the remote
and sparsely settled Northland to the throbbing centers ol
journalism in the extreme east, and that his word as a public
man of affairs would take precedent over anything that the
mere pigmies in Alaska might endeavor to get published.
Oh, no, of course, there was nothing personal in his at
tempts to impugn the motives of the President and justify hie
own position. Certainly not! Why he himself confessed it
public print that while he was still working for the govern
ment under Mr. Taft he feared the President was not bossing
the job right. So active were his fears that he wrote tc
“Teddy” in South Africa all about the matter. My! what a
big beam that Controller bay subject was in his eye. The
country was going to the bow-wows on a downhill pull and he
must save it.
Truth, as we all know, travels at a slow pace and is some
times hard to get started, and during this interval Messrs. Pin
chot, Lathrop and their muckraking allies fairly reveled in
the deep “dark plot” they had uncovered.
But finally truth got started. The “Dick to Dick” lettei
went fluey, having been proved a forgery. And one by one
the supports of their false promises, deductions and suspicions
began to give way. They assumed Dick Ryan was a Guggen
heim agent. The falsity of this was proved. They represented
that Ryan monopolized Controller bay and was aided and
abetted by President Taft. Here again is was shown that
enough of the slioreland of Controller bay remained to provide
terminals for a dozen railways to the coal fields without crowd
ing.
Then, indeed was there consternation in the political con
servation camp centering in the political ambitions of the
discredited ex-forester. Secretary Fisher, one of the leading
conservation men in America, and a really constructive con
servationist, with a mind of his own, was coming north tn
learn conditions first hand. Pinchot mistrusted Fisher as he
had mistruseed the President. It was up to him to again sav<
the country by following north. That was his public atti
tude. His real motive, however, was to secure, through fair
or foul means information that would again boost his waning
cause, and, if possible, work up sentiment in the interest of
whatever Presidential candidate he might choose.
The people outside, in the face of denials made, were begin
"ing to demand something more than forged “Dick to Dick’’
letters and mere suppositions, assumptions and suspicions
Ho Pinchot packed his gripsack, took along Johnny Lathroj
for company, picked up Poindexter on the way, to give hit
visit some semblance of an excuse, and came northward.
His chilly though courteous reception at the hands of Alas
kans generally did not in the least deter him from making
capital out of the fact that a few here and there gave him th(
glad hand and told him what a great man he was Indeed,
never forget for a moment that Mr. Pinchot, at least, takes
himself very seriously. While in the north he pursued a single
line of action. He sought out those who were known to be
active enemies of the Alaska Syndicate. To those who were
neither friend nor foe, but who were really anxious to advance
the best interests of Alaska, he turned a deaf ear. Oh, yes,
we clearly recall that he announced that he was after the truth!
but his every action gave this the lie and showed that his sole
mission in Alaska was to get information in support of his
views, no matter how unreliable, personally, his advisors might
be.
Then Pinchot returned to the outside. His printed articles
more clearly than ever showed that he was seeking anything
but the truth. He writes about Controller Bay in the Satur
day Evening Post, giving the impression that he made a
minute examination of it, while, as a matter of fact, he rode
i>\ er it in a small launch and walked three miles across the
flats from Ryan’s camp and returned in less than a day. He
was in the launch about four hours. That was the sum and
substance of liis examination i of Controller bay, which can be
proven by reliable eye witnesses, not the kind he got his “in
formation” from, who are willing to make affidavit of the
facts herein stated.
Perhaps, as Mr. Pinchot states, Alaskans are slow at. pub
licity work. Maybe they have not the entree to journals the
same as yourself. But the . truth will out. We think possibly
already you are beginning to feel its sting. It may be that the
Saturday Evening P.ost,;the same as Hampton’s did, may refuse
'
to print anything in opposition to yonr distorted and cunningly
twisted misrepresentations, but you may rest assured that your
untruths will overtake you and trip you sooner or later, and
when you least expect it. Hampton’s is no more; the Pacific
Monthly, which was the mouthpiece of Lathrop, is in the
magazine boneyard; and while it is loo much to expect a simi
lar fate for such a powerful and wide./ read publication as
the Saturday Evening Post, still, should it also refuse to print
the truth, and the chance will be given it, the people will have
thq right to drawr their own conclusions. And make no mis
take the public wrill be informed and the truth will prevail in
the end.
, -oooo
CARE OF ALASKAN INDIANS.
The Alaskan Indian is worth saving. He is considerable
above the average of his kind in the states and he is quick
to learn and anxious to be self supporting, llis great weak
ness, howrever, is his appetite for liquor and therein lies his
greatest danger.
Governor Clark in his report to Congress emphasizes the
need of taking further effective measures with a view of pro
tecting the Indians against “hootch peddlers.” His activity
resulted in 20 white men being held to the grand jury on the
charge of felony during the past year. The first annual re
port of Secretary Fisher also treats upon the subject. After
mentioning the efforts of Governor Clark, he recommends the
renewal of the appropriation of $12,000 for securing prose
cutions and adds, “as it is beyond question the sale of liquor
to the Alaska Indians, if continued, cannot fail to destroy the
race.”
Many Indian chiefs and those in authority by reason of
tribal relations are waging an earnest warfare against the
introduction of liquor among their people. More than one of
these, it is said, has sometimes appealed to officers of the law
in vain. The worse conditions prevail at some of the canneries
where the demoralizing influence of the Oriental is felt.
“Chinese Gin,” is manufactured and traded and sold to the
Indians. The heritage from these alien Orientals is almost as
bad as leprosy.
And even at the best, in most instances the tribal authority
of those working to save the members of their tribe is passive.
The encroachment of white civilization and the opportunities
offered Indians for earning money, have made them independ
ent. Therefore the head men of the tribe can no longer enforce
the law and with all the combined influences at wrork against
them and the government of Washington so far away, they
are having an uphill fight, and are playing a losing game.
More’s the pity.
-oooo
FISHER’S RECOMMENDATIONS.
The recommendations of Secretary Fisher in his first an
! nual report to Congress are dear-cut suggestions proposing
remedies for the great problems now facing the American peo
ple. Others have pointed out defects, without caring to sug
gest a remedy, while it must be said to the credit of the secre
tary, whether one agrees with all his views or not, that he was
big enough to tackle the job and did not try to dodge any of
the issues. A good part of his report is devoted to Alaska,
but he goes into the question of state vs. federal rights, re
clamation, water power, pension bureau, Indian affairs, home
stead laws, land department, mineral and timber laws, etc.,
in each case pointing out the weak places and offering con
structive suggestions. Though bis report cannot be reviewed
at length, the following extracts will give an idea of his trend
of thought on many subjects:
Conditions in Alaska calls for immediate action by Con
gress. The laws neither promote development nor protect the
public interest. Our mining laws should be revised and par
ticularly the use of the power of attorney should be abolished
or greatly curtailed and safeguarded. At present there is no
limitation whatever upon the number of claims which can be
entered by a single man as attorneys for others.
I also recommend earnestly the abolishment of the law
of the apex. It should not be allowed to gain any further
foothold in the public domain and it should be abolished now
before it has been extended any further in Alaska. It is un
sound in principle and leads to constant and expensive litiga
tion.
Many men who would make admirable settlers and citi
zens of the Western states are prevented from acquiring the
homes and the substantial livlihood which would otherwise
be opened to them. I see no reason whatever for insisting
upon the requirement of actual residence at the outset in
such cases.
The present laws relating to waterpower are hopelessly in
adequate. The protection of the public interests is supposed
to be accomplished by the statutory provision that permits
for the development of waterpower shall be revocable at any
time at the will of the administrative officials. This is thor
oughly unsound both in principle and in practice.
Logically, the revenues derived from water power may be
long to the nation for its general use, but it would seem that
national and local interests best can be reconciled by devoting
these revenues to local improvements so far as such improve
ments are necessary and wise. Such a use removes one of the
principal objections to federal control.
It is the insistence upon keeping on the statute books such
laws as the timber and st*sne net and those authorizing the
cutting of timber on mineral lands which necessitates the
adoption of restrictive legislation or administrative regula
tions that hamper real settlement and development* If we can
frankly adopt and put into force laws which will absolutely
prevent mere exploitation, we can for more safely enact liber
al laws and regulations to encourage legitimate development.
We should aid the unfortunate in every proper way, but
merely sentimental laxity with the shiftless and incompetent
can only work disaster to the public at large and to the in
dividual settlers whose industry and ability entitle them to the
substantial reward which awaits those who really reclaim the
desert. What is needed is wise administrative ability in those
who are put in charge of the reclamation projects after they
are opened tor entry.
It is this sort of exploitation (referring to the stone .and
timber act) which should be frankly and absolutely prevented
and which, if prevented, would enable us to remove many of
the restrictive provisions which now irritate and hamper the
bona fide settler and industrial pioneer. The man on the
ground should be the object of our solicitude, and we should
protect him against those who would place upon his shoulders
any unnecessary burden.
Ihe coal used in Alaska for all purposes during the year
was 116,000 tons. The prices on the coast have ranged from
$10 a ton at Juneau to $21.30 at Nome. The inadequate laws
the pending contests on private entries, and the general with
drawal of the coal lands have combined to prevent the devel
opment of Alaskan coal. The coal used has been imported and
less than one-third of it has come from the U. S.
In the interior, wood is the fuel in general use for all pur
poses, while on the coast oil is supplanting coal, and the rail
roads and steamship lines of Alaska and the Interior Pacific
Coast are being equipped for this fuel, the supply for which is
drawn from the California oil fields.
—-oooo
Taft is proving himself a good long distance racer.
We Carry a Full Line of
General Merchandise
Including
GROCERIES
HARDWARE
DOG HARNESS
HORSE HARNESS
FURNISHING GOODS
BLANKETS
FUR CAPS
SHOES AND RUBBER PACS
Also
HAY AND GRAIN
CHITINA CASH STORE
E. H. GILLMAIsi, Manager.
Forwarding Agen t, S. BLUM & CO.
CORDOVA’S BIG STORE
Only First-Class Hotel in Chitinn
Prices Reasonable
Hotel Chitina
J. PALMFK and T. I'LO.MMiFK,
Proprietors.
The Only First Class Hotel in Chitina
Heated Room, Bath, Ladies Parior
Bar with all Standard Liquors and Cigars
First-Class Dining Room in Connection
Chitina
Alaska
WHEN COMING TO CORDOVA KEMEMIUlt
Cordova Steam Laundry
THE ONLY REAL LAUNDRY IN TOWN
Let us wash and dean your canvass covers, blankets, dollies,
overalls, etc.
If you are in a hurry we can do your work in an hour’s time it'
necessary.
Leave your work at any hold, rooming house or barber shop
and it will receive prompt attention.
’PHONE 57 F. A. JONES, Manager Second Street
ALASKA STEAMSHIP COMPANY
Fast and commodious steamers sailing between
Cordova and Seattle.
Sails from Seattle— Sails from Cordova—
Jan. 8.ALAMEDA.Ian. 16.
Jan. 16.NORTHWESTERN .Ian. 24
Jan. 24 .ALAMEDA.Feb. 1.
Feb. 1.NORTHWESTERN.Feb. S.
This company reserves the right to change schedule of steam
ers without notice.
Tickets on sale at up-town office Alaska Steamship ltldg.
Baggage or freight will not be received at dock later than one
hour before sailing time.
R. J. BARRY, THOMAS TALLENT.
General Agent. Ticket Agent.
▼ ▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼▼ ▼ V V ▼ ▼ ▼
Alaska Coast Co.
“THE INSIDE ROUTE.”
To Juneau and Prince William Sound Ports and Southwest
ern Alaska.
Seattle Sailing dates:
BERTHA—Jan. 20, Feb. 20, and March 20.
SAMPSON—March 5, March 27 and April 15.
JEANNIE—March 10th.
The JEANNIE carries explosives for Southwestern Alaska, anr
goes to Kodiak.
Right reserved to change steamers and sailing dates without
ALASKA TRANSFER 00., Local Agents.
B. F. WATSON, General Agent.
▲ ▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲ ▲ A A A A A A A
With active war in two South American countries, Mexico
on the verge of revolt, Cuba kicking up a rough house, Kussiu
gathering in Persia, Italy and Turkey at each other's throats,
France making an imperative demand on Italy to release a
French steamer that was seized, China boiling over, Japan
hungrily seeking more territory, the tribes of India again ques
tioning English authority, and a few minor incidents, ii looks
as though the work of the American World’s Peace Associa
tion was outforit. If the Alaskan may be pardoned for a sug
gestion, however, wouldn’t it be a good idea to put the soft
pedal on “peace” for a time and all hands join in helping to
get out Alaskan coal for our navy. Once we get our navy fixed
up and ready for any emergency, we are in a better position to
talk peace.
-oooo
Ten cents per pound freight rates from Chitina to Fair
banks. It seems scarcely yesterday when the overland trail
was. dangerous to travel and freight was cheap at $1.00 per
pound. If one short piece of railroad can accomplish so much
what might be expected from a railroad extended on to the
Tananaf Assuredly transportation is one of the prime needs
of Alaska.
-oooo
The governor of Oregon does not believe in capital pun
isliment. He will leave it to a vote of the peonlc whether con
demned murderers shall be executed. Decidedly, a good many
uses are being found for the initiative aud referendum in the
state of Oregon. ,