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 2, 1279.
\ * ONLT NEXVfcpAPERII*'CHlTlNA'
( ( ^ t : Published' every Saturday by
WILLA-BTEKL, Editor and proprietor.
Office: Hotel ChiUaa Building. Cordova Office: Dally Alaskan
Seattle Office: 661 -Celttian-Bullding.
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given. Official Publication for legal advertisements pertaining to mineral land*
5f the *topMtfyft&e: cleftfft. 1 v . 1 - '
CHITINA,‘ALASKA, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1&14.
“HORRORS OF WAR” APPEAR HERE
The-Daily Alaskan has in its possession evidence ’that this
territory is about to experience some of the minor horrors 01
the European war. This evidence is in the form of a circular
letter received in the last mail from Fairbanks, eonyeying the
information that Germans and their sympathizers have com
meaced “hostilities” here by organizing a rival of the Amen
can Ked Cross Society and are about to divert American
contributions for humaue work to exclusive use in the German
army. The original society knows no creed or racial or
national boundaries, but carries on its good work indis
criminately among the sick and wounded of all nations. The
letter is on the stationery of the municipality of Fairbanks, is
from the local committee of the American lied Cross Society
which raised a substantial contribution to the fund by means
of a mardi gras benefit dance, with aid of the churches and
fraternal societies, and in part follows:
“On September 5, 1914, the American Bed Cross Society
called for one million dollars, supplemented later by further
efforts to raise additional funds, to be used in caring for the
sick and wounded of all the nations now at war in Europe,
without distinction as to nationality.
“Following this, during the past two months, German
sympathizers in Alaska instituted a movement for the collec
tion of funds for the German Bed Cross, which works under
and is an integral part of the German army, brooking no
interference from outside sources, and in every essential
distinct from the voluntary Bpd Cross organizations existing
iu most of the civilized countries of the world. Subscription
lists in connection with this German movement have-been
circulated through the territory, purporting, it is said, to be
in behalf of the International Bed Cross Society, which so
called organization has no existence in fact.
“Under these circumstances, there is no doubt but that
many Alaskans are subscribing funds to • the German Red
Cross, under a total misapprehension as to the purposes for
which their subscriptions will be devoted, and under the
belief that such funds will be expended in the care of the sick
and wounded of all the warring nations, irrespective of
nationality. From the facts stated, relative to the independent
military organization of the German Bed Cross, such general
assistance can only be true of funds subscribed directly to a
neutral organization, which is personified by the American
Red Cross Society, whose efforts, as mentioned above, are not
confined to any particular nation.”
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OUTLOOK FOR ALASKA BRIGHT
The outlook for Alaska was never more promising. With
a Delegate who understands conditions, with the guiding
hand of Secretary Lane in close touch and in sympathy with
the needs of the territory, and with many other friends m
Congress belonging to all political parties working for us. the
resources of the territory will respond wonderfully and all
commercial lines will be quickened.
Instead of stagnation, bankruptcy, commercial suicide
loss of population and bitterness, all of which prevailed under
political conservation, we shall see new industries opening up.
a rapidly increasing population, better and cheaper methods of
transportation and a steadily increasing volume of trade.
The territory has passed the prospecting stage. Tic'
days of quick fortunes, save iu rare instances perhaps, are no
longer possible. People who intend coming to Alaska for that
purpose had better stay away. On the other hand, for those
who intend to make their homes in the north, and who are not
afraid of hard work, and who have patience to get in and
grind—for such, we repeat, greater rewards for the amount of
work expended are offered than is true of any place on the
North American continent.—Juneau Dispatch.
RAILROADS TO GIVE FARMS
A gigantic plan fostered by every railroad in the United
States, to provide farms for immigrants, dri\ en to this country
at the conclusion of the European war, has been launched hi
Chicago. The plan to be carried out by the Railroad
Industrial Improvement association is a good one so far as it
goes; but up here in Alaska where again “Uncle Sam is rich
enough to give us all a farm,” bona fide citizens of this country
are offered free land for the taking—land of greater productive
value than most of that owned by the railroads in the states—
and he is preparing to make it as accessible by construction of
railways. This land is open to homesteaders in the valleys of
the Susitna, Matanuska, Copper River, Kuskokwim, Tanann
Yukon, Kobuk and smaller streams on the Alaska and
Seward Peninsulas.
“The railroads of the United States, the heaviest owners
of good farming land, are planning to ‘stake’ these very
desirable farmer-immigrants to small farms by the tens of
thousands, if necessary,” says F. H. La Banme, president of
the association.
“The minimum farms will be from 2 to 10 acres. The
railroads will sell the farms on credit and advance enough
money to install farming equipment. We already have a
highly efficient bureau on every big road for the education of
the fanner along scientific lines, and double the nnmber of
present stops and demonstrations would entail little, if any,
expense. The average European farmer needs little education,
lie already grows more on two acres thah we do bn 50;
“Within a year or two the immigrant will have paid for
his farm and be free and independent for the rest of his life,
without fear of compulsory army service or back-breaking
'taxes. : : •.
“The biggest-minds in American railroad community
{'development are at work on this project, and with every immi
grant valued at $1,000 to our industrial ffctosricf, the railroads
iexpect to add millions to the assets of thk countryJ'”. ’
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NEEDED NAVIGATION AIDS
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Secretary Redfield, in bis annual report, urges anew upon
Congress the necessity for furnishing- adequate aids to-naviga
tion in the waters of Alaska. He uses language which , sounds
’strong, but it is no stronger than the situation requires. Indeed,
[a bare statement of the actual conditions as they exist ,affords
A sufficient arraignment of the shortsighted parsimony which
leaves tens of thousands of lives imperiled and endangers an
annual commerce of over $60,000,000 in value.
fie tells Congress flatly that he reiterates his recommenda
tions largely for the reason that he “does not desire his
department to have on its conscience the loss of human life
and property that has ensued from penuriousness respecting
this service in the past and will ensue unless this policy is
changed.”
No other nation with any pretense to civilization has clone
so little to protect the waters over which any portion of its
commerce is carried as the United States has done with the
waters of Alaska. Dozens of fine vessels, have been lost upon
uncharted rocks or through the absence of such aids to naviga
tion as even partially civilized nations furnish in their own
waters.
Two government vessels have been lost in the same
manner, and the money loss in the wreck of these vessels
exceeds in actual amount the largest appropriations asked to
prevent such accidents. The present insistence of the secre
tary of commerce is for an appropriation for a dragnet through
the use of which to locate the pinnacle rocks which have been
responsible for many wrecks in the past. He asks further and
Congress should grant, appropriations for further coast survey
vessels for use on the great coastline of Alaska, along which
an enormous commerce travels.—Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
LABOR AGAINST WAR
The report made to the annual convention of the Federa
tion of Labor on the subject of war contains much truth. It
shows that the working people are the principal sufferers from
armed conflict between nations. Working men furnish most
of the soldiers, and either directly or indirectly must meet most
of the taxes. The loss by the interruption and disturbance of
business falls most severely on this class.
The report further points out this interesting fact: Before
the war broke out, the thoughts and efforts of civilization were
directed to the improvement and advancement of the human
race. Since the European nations fell to fighting men are
treated as only military power. Things are valued for their
efficacy in destroying life. Big guns and little are worth more
than men. The report supports the condemnation of militarism
and competitive armament. It proposes to substitute for them
tribunals for deciding the justice in each international dispute
and the provision of means for enforcing their judgments.
All this is as indisputable in the logic of civilization as the
indisputable truths of mathematics. If the laborers of all
countries would unite in saving: “We will not fight. You may
take us to the battle field but when there we will not pull a
trigger,” the war would stop. But while labor in Germany,
France, England and Austria is theoretically opposed to war,
when the crisis arrives they turn in to tight like every one else.
The feudal idea of patriotism still holds sway. If the Federa
tion of Labor can convince its fellow workingmen abroad that
the truest patriotism lies in the securing of pacific justio
they will relieve civilized humanity of its greatest burden.
Seattle people begin to feel commercially metropolitan
since the shipping record was broken one day last week with
52 carriers of commerce in port.' Four decades ago that cit>
so far as concerned communication with the outside world,
was more isolated than is Cordova today, one steamer a week
from San Francisco being the maximum limit. Cordova V
commercial and industrial possibilities are far brighter today,
with one boat a week from the outside, than were Seattle’s
in 1875.
The Daily Alaskan would advise those timid people of the
effete east, who are afraid to eat meat because of the epidemic
of cattle disease, to buy a few cases of “Alaska Reds” salmon.
A taste of this king of food fish would cure their appetite for
beef; besides salmon has at least double the chaloric value ol
the best beef, according to the government’s pure food depart
ment observations.
Viewed from this distance, there appears to be remarkable
incongruity between American prayers for peace in Europe
and the shipment of American war material to that blood
bespattered country for the purpose of prolonging the war. In
these trying times, many a prayer is canceled by the money
mudness that has tainted humanity for ages.
The Cordova “dad” who isn’t financially able to take the
southern grower’s advice and “buy a bale of cotton,” might
help a little, by buying a “bat” and adorning Santa Claus with
white whiskers Christmas.
Dynamiters who wreck public buildings and churches in
this country ought to be deported to Europe^ where they can
fall in with spirits of similar purposes, though professing
opposite aims.
With the nation testifying with one voice to the coming
»>jasperity, still there are some of us who are waiting for
inebodv to come along and put it into our hands.—
Seattle P.-I.
Mr. Edison’s synthetic carbolic acid is said to be serving
*s purpose so well and economically that the public will be
ikftly to encourage him in devoti"g his 'wmrsries to the produc
•5 n of -ynthetic and serviceable beefsteak.
Why Not Invest?
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■.~ - 1.1— rrrr-.U
i> : • . .. . ? • • • •
With the building of tbe government railroad from
Chitina to Fairbanks, the future of the Town of Chitina
is assured.
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^Lots are still offered at attractive prices and there
are many desirable ones remaining.
A few months late^ lots in Chtiina will be held at
largely increased values. Why not invest NOW f
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 All all orders in
our tin shop.
_ ' i
W. H. CARSTENS & CO.
SHUSH ANN A . - ALASKA
Chitina GRILL
•BM—M
»
Good Eats for Particular People
Prompt Service. Popular Seivice.
Next to Chitina Hotel.
CHITINA : : : ALASKA.
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! 0. ADRIAN NELSON
► ____________________________ $
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: U. S. Mineral Surveyor X
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■ CHiTINA 5 - - ALASKA |
CHITINA: BAKERY
AND
Coffee House
HENRY GESSNER, Prop.
FRESH BREAD, CAKES AND
PIES ALWAYS ON HAND
Chitina
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♦4444444444*4 » 4 4444444 4
DRUGS, |
STATIONERY, ::
CANDIES,
KODAK SUPPLIES
CIGARS & TOBACCO -
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If you cannot call, write : ‘
us. MAIL orders our ;;
Specialty. >
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A. G. MOREY, Prop. :j
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BLet Lewis Help
•re lor Aaurcon” will bHp you to better
p—it’s free. Send us you* films for dreelop
printiaf. Enlarrfof. Derelopinr 10c roll,
ej printing U up. Cash with order. You'll
r work better. Photo supplies. Dept. 5.
' ***** H4»w ihi nnimi
;j GROCERIES, HARDWARE ::
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--- and— ;;
jj MEAT MARKET;;
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; ; We have a big line of Sec- '!
| | ond-Hand Goods, and can •»
' ■ save you money on your out- ! >
■ i fit. Bunk House, with free !!
<■ Cook House, in connection.
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;; CHITINA HEIGHTS
;; C. A. SIMONS & CO. II
*** H'| .|»|..H I I I M-Wi-M. ;, M»‘ ’
I
Feed, Fuel
and
Lumber
HA V, BKAN, OATS, CHOPS,
HOLLKO BAULKV
We can make prompt ship
ments to points on the rail
road. Our feed is the very
best quality.
0. A. Nelson & Co.
CHITINA
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