The Chjtima 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.
Published every Saturday by
WILL A. STEEL—Editors, Managers and Proprietors—Harry G. STEEL
Office: Hote lChltlna Building. Cordova Office: Daily Alaska|
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CHITINA, ALASKA, SATURDAY, MARCH ;, 1912.
FACTIONS HURTFUL TO COMMUNITIES
The “get together” spirit is becoming pronounced in An
xious sections-of Alaska as well as in the coast states. 1 eople
are beginning to realize that petty squabbles over personal dif
ferences that really are of no concern of the public, but yet
which are made to involve various “factions” are harmful not
only to individuals but also to communities. We have had
many instances of this kind in Chitina. The fact that certain
people favored something would be sufficient reason for other
people to look upon it with suspicion and vigorously oppose it.
Much has been charged to politics when really there would be
no principle involved and no connection with political issues.
Any vigorous protest that has for its object the public good
should be supported, and all attempts to inject insignificant
personal troubles upon a much inflicted people should no long
er be tolerated. The newly organized Chamber of Commerce
can do much to foster a more healthful and harmonious condi
tion in the town and region, providing it has the support of our
citizens generally. The Seattle Post Intelligencer briefly
touches the subject in these pertinent words:
“The little town of Toppenish has the right idea of what
is needed to promote its prosperity. The leading business and
professional men of the city have united for the purpose of
eliminating all factional fights in business and in politics, so
that all may unite together for the upbuilding of the city and
the surrounding country. It is the only way in which any city
in this state can expect to get a fair share of the prosperity
which is to come to this region. The cities and towns which act
upon these principles are the ones which will leave all of their
rivals or would-be rivals, who do not follow the practice, far
in the rear. It is a good plan for any city, and one which there
has been earnest effort to introduce in this city, with some sub
stantial success. That success will be more marked when the
sentiment gets beyond talk and is put in actual operation by
all of those who realize its value and its meaning.”
-oooo
TO ESTABLISH MORE FRIENDLY RELATIONS
Secretary Knox’s recent speech before the New York Bar
Association, in which he outlined the responsibilities and in
tentions of this country with regard to the Monroe doctrine,
is recalled in connection with his departure from Key West
yesterday to the countries bordering on the Caribbean Sea.
World-wide significance attach* to the trip as being the
practical demonstration of the intention, indicated in that
speech by Secretary Knox, to maintain the principle of Ameri
ca for Americans... The speech gave notice to the world of the
attitudeo£^thcf'govemment of the United States. The visits on
tlji^-Tnirto the Latin-American republics, according to the
—Statements of Central American diplomats, not only will allay
doubt as to the attitude of the United States government to
ward their countries, but ward off possible encroachments by
nations of the other hemisphere.
The present state of unrest in many Latin-American conn
tries, the efforts of the State Department to maintain neutrali
ty as between the republics of the south, and its endeavors to
unravel their financial tangles have proceeded, it is said, not
without tue potential influences of world powers.
Particular attention was drawn by a number of diplomats,
discussing the wide circulation now being given to Secretary
Knox’s speech, to those portions in which lie advocated the im
mediate adoption of the loan conventions with Nicaragua and
Honduras, now pending in the United States Senate. It was
pointed out that Mr. Knox had urged their passage because of
“the ever-increasing political reason of avoiding the danger of
European entanglement in the affairs of the countries sur
rounding the Caribbean.”
-oooo—
, REASON FOR CHANGE OF VENUE
There is much speculation as to where the trial of the
men indicted at Fairbanks in the bank oases is to he held.
Judge Overfield has already transferred the Hawkins cases to
this division, and it is believed that the others will follow as a
matter of course. It is expected that these cases in their vari
ous proceedings will be long drawn out. and that they will
prove among the most important ever tried in the territory. 11
it naturally expected that Cordova will he seelcted as the place
where the trials will be held. This is the most conveniently
heated place, while we have superior hotel accommodations
and adequate court room facilities. It is thought that attor
neys for the government and the defendants will prefer to
have Cordova designated as the place for the holding of the
trials by Judge Cushman. In speaking on the change of venue
the Fairbanks News-Miner says:
“This camp as a whole is peopled by good haters and good
fighters, while what the camp most need- at tlqs time is peace.
The prosperity of this camp and its peo] >le depends upon peace
and good-fellowship and consideration one for the other, for
the margin of success here today is not » large that strife can
be allowed to stand in its way. The has of the business of thi
camp, as in outside camps, is credit, and the more financial sit
uation is complicated by evil report and suspicion, the worse
for the people of the camp. There is plenty of money in the
camp to finance the business of the camp, but money is ‘scarey’
and stays in its hole when the financial atmosphere of a camp
is surcharged with suspicion. Were the hank cases to be tried
here, every day during their progress the camp would be alive
with stories that would keep money scared nearly to death,
and the people would be more and more set by the ears. Uncer
tainty and suspicion have ‘balled up’- business here for a year
past and have done no other great good, and the evidence that
further suspicions and uncertainties are in a fair way to be
sidestepped is good news to the vital interests of the camp.
Pages of good newspaper copy are threatened, but it is ‘better
as it is’.”
--rOOOO
Five hundred tons of coal are reported to have fallen upon
a Pennsylvania man without hurting him. If it were the law
that the eoal falling on a man belongs to the recipient very
many Alaskans would use every effort to he handy wherever
the coal is liable to fall. Ten carloads of coal is desirable
property at present prices.
-oooo- —
Southern states which are passing legislation to abolish
tips evidently are not within the grip of the Pullman Car Com
i'any. _t_._
AND THEY STILL HOLD OFFICE
So far as we have heard, Judge Healy lias not yet resign
ed his position at Chitina. He evidently prefers-!® hold on un
til something drops, before he moves on to another field of la
bor. In the meantime the people who have been the subjects
of his official persecution and injustice are taking on courage
and volunteer the evidence that would undoubtedly force his
removal. But we do not think that extremity will have to be
resorted to. The commissioner’s stool pigeon, Deputy United
States Marshal Brown, is reported as being somewhat subdued
these days, but still confident that his stand-in with the mar
shal’s office at Valdez is sufficient to save his hide. Possibly
so.
-oooo
WHY NOT MERIDIAN TIME?
Cordova is up-to-date in pretty much everything else than
time. But in that we are an hour ahead of meridian calcula
tion. When our timepieces indicate noon it is really only 11
o’clock. On either side of us, at Valdez and Katalla, as well
as when the traveler hits the trail beyond Chitina for Fair
banks, they have the correct time, and it is one hour slower
than Cordova time. Now that the Chamber of Commerce is
moving forward in progressive matters, it might not be inop
portune to suggest that the new organization get us right on
this matter of just where we are at. We all want to get ahead
all right, but what’s the use of trying to compete with Old
Sol’s rays? The strangers who come into our midst will soon
find that we are swift enough, but why try to take advantage
of them in this matter of time? And when our friends from
Valdez or Katalla come over to see us, don’t let’s put on airs
any longer with them, and try to show our superiority by sim
ply soaring an hour ahead of them on time, and claim for our
selves an hour that authorities know we are not entitled to.
When midnight comes around some Saturday why not turn
our clocks and watches back to eleven o’clock and thereafter
maintain the correct meridian time that belongs to us.—Daily
Alaskan.
-oooo
THE READY PRIMARY RUNNER.
Party primaries in Cordova are becoming very much of a
farce. The non-partisan spirit is becoming so dominant that
a certain element is determined that organization among any
party shall not longer be tolerated. And so, whenever a pri
mary is announced enough foluuteers can always be found to
be used by some individuals with ulterior motives to prevent
the carrying out of the legitimate efforts of political parties to
maintain a necessary organization. It may be that soon these
people may take a notion that the Masons, the Eagles, the Odd
Fellows and similar fraternal orders need a little assistance in
running their affairs. And then they will undoubtedly insist
upon rendering them a service. It could easily be figured out
how these self-appointed guardians of public affairs -were per
forming a moral duty by injecting themselves into organiza
tions, where officers were not on hand to throw them out. And
it looks as though these self-sacrificing citizens were to he re
quired to perform very arduous duties in the days to come. A
number of other primaries are likely to be held soon. The
Labor-Union party, the Socialists, the Wickershamites, may all
want their adherents to attend meetings to get some kind ol
expression from the men who are allied with those organiza
tions. Then primaries incident to the approaching city elec
tion are soon to be held. But we have no doubt the patriots
will be on hand to tell just how affairs should be run. Of course
the fact that many of them are not even voters will not detei
them from arranging the affairs of their neighbors. They are
getting the habit. Of course it’s a little rough on the people
wlio stand for regularity, order anr organization, but the pro
fessional primary attendant cures little for that—Daily Aba
kan. “• ~ _
--—-OOOO-*
THE OPEN-DOOR PRISON POLICY
When Governor Oswald West of Oregon inaugurated his
open-door policy in the treatment of convicts in the State
penitentiary everybody laughed at him except those who fear
ed the State would be overrun by criminals, ills system is based
on the theory that even eonyjcts can be placed on their honor, j
that trusting them and giving them a chance to reform will
make men of them. Virtually it is an extension of the parole
idea to its widest limits, “Honor” convicts are given a chance
to secure work outside under their simple pledge not to escape.!
Some have gone to work on the roads or on farms, some as
attendants at the State insane asylum, the State reform school
and the hospital for the feebleminded. They are absolutely
without surveillance and so strong is the sense of honor among
them that when one broke his parole and was recaptured by
the Governor himself the other prisoners made life a burden
to him.
Governor West has organized a prison-aid society, has or
ganized penitentiary baseball teams and pitched in a game
himself, has a moving picture show established in the jail and
begun the publication of a paper by the inmates. They have
even had a prison wild west show with the talent from among i
the cattle rustlers under sentence. And the Governor is just as
punctilious about his word to them. Although he was a mem
ber of the company of Western Governors who recently toured
the east, he abandoned the tour so he might keep his word to
be home and spend Christmas at the penitentiary.
All of which must amaze the East. Possibly allowance
must be made for different conditions in Oregon, where even
the rustlers and bad men still* retain a rude code of honor of
their own, to which the chivalry of the Governor’s trust must
appeal. That it would work as well applied in the more con
gested communities with a different class of criminals brought
up under different conditions may be doubted- But the same
principle is being successfully applie dsome places under proba
tion law based on the same theory that if men are given a
chance to reform instead of being treated as hopelessly aban
doned they may be saved to society, It is part of the same gen
eral uplift movement resting upon a wider recognition of the;
responsibility of the brotherhood of man.
-0000
THEY ALL WANT JENNINGS
The way Robert W. Jenpings is running for the Demo
cratic nomination for Congress is tjruly discouraging to the
professional politician who believes in trades and agi*eeinents
about patronage. Having already fifty votes pledged to him
from the Nome country, twenty from Fairbanks, ten from Ju
neau, ten from Douglas, seven from Ketchikan, eight from
Cordova and Eyak, it looks as though he would be in a fair way
to receive practically the entire two hundred delegates that the
convention will be composed of. A few may hold out against
him in the hope of securing some assurance that they will be
taken care of in the event of the election of a Democratic Pres
ident. But Mr. Jennings’ success at Valdez wjlj undoubtedly
be brought about without any questionable bargaining, and he
will have a free hand in the running. The election will be an
other matter, dependent largely upon the action of the Republi
can convention on March 30, and the decision that Mr. Wicker
sham may make concerning his candidacy.
-oooo
The office has stopped seeking the man so long that if the
man wants the office he must start out to chase it early, or else
the office will escape.
THE CRAFTY ALIEN JUDGE REMAINS
United States Commissioner Healy, the man who has re
sided in and out of the United States for twenty-one years
without forswearing his allegiance to Great Britain, has thus
far declined to resign his judicial position in the Chitina pre
cinct. In fact, by securing new bondsmen, he practically gives
notice that he is there to stay until he is ruthlessly shorn of
the power that has been his to lord it over good American citi
zens. But his efforts at persecution and intimidation have
temporarily ceased, at least while he is uncertain as to how far
the fight is to be pushed against an alien czar. And in the
meantime the people of the Copper River country are again
breathing freer and asserting the independence of American
citizens who will no longer tolerate the dominance of this
smooth and crafty official. They now realize that any of his
questionable acts will be given full publicity and if necessary
be taken before the department of justice. Even though there
may be delay in the removal of this unworthy official, the ex
pose already made has resulted in a wonderful good to the
town of Chitina.
-0000- -
A DOUBTFUL UPLIFT
Practitioners of college athletics will receive a shock from
the British notion that the athletic practices of our institutions
of learning are in such need of elevation as to require the or
ganization of a million-dollar corporation in London, and put
ting its active administration in the hands of the young Mar
quis of Queensberry, who is coming over to this side to grow
up with and boost us.
This Marquis of Queensberry is, as we understand, not the
same Marquis of Queensberry who laid down the law for the
orderly prosecution of prize fighting- But the hereditary trait
of telling how it should be done seems to survive in him. We
are not convinced of the entire altruism of the scheme any
more than we are ready to certify to the solid and uninvested
character of that million-dollar capital. AVe regard it as highly
probable that the adventurous Marquis has seen the returns of
our football games and noted the takings of the baseball sea
son, and proposes to enter the field with a distinct idea that
the uplift of athletics will include the uplift of the Queensber
ry finances.
-oooo
FOREIGN SHIPMENT OF COPPER ORE
Two hundred tons of hulk copper constituted an item in
the cargo of a steamship which sailed last month from Puget
Sound bound for Italy, The incident is remarkable for the
reason that it was the first shipment of any sort to leave Puget
Sound direct for Italy. It possesses especial interest for
Alaskans because the copper was Alaska copper, from the Bo
nanza mine in the Chitipa district. With the continued devel
opment of copper mining properties in Alaska, and with pros
pects of the price of copper advancing toward the 20-cent
mark, Montana, Arizona and Michigan will soon find them
selves elbowed one by one out of their places at the head of the
list of copper producers.—Fairbanks Times,
- - oooo.-———
THE MARCH OF NEW IDEAS
Congressional paralysis is expected in the “Presidential
year” on subjects that involve a close balancing of considera
tions of party advantage, says the independent New York
Evening Post; but it ought not to extend to topics on which
there is substantial unanimity in the nation at large. Such a
topic is presented hv the Alaska question; and here the conn
try has the additional advantage of possessing in the present
secretary of the interior a man who commands the confidence
of the people irrespreUivo of party, apd whose judgment, ar
rived at after ^areivA'study, is entitled to great weight.
Secretary Fisher’s leading recommendations concerning
Alaska resources arc for “the construction by the federal gov
ernment of a central trunk Jjpe railroad from tidewater to the
Tanana and the Yukon,” and for “the passage of a liberal but
carefully guarded leasing law for the development of its min
eral resources, and especially of its coal Ianuln
“On the second of these propositions,” comments the Post,
“we kpow of absolutely no reason why there should not be
prompt and energetip agreement on the part of Republicans
and Democrats, ‘progressives’ and ‘reactionaries’ alike; and
there is certainly much to be said in favor of the first. With
the disappearance of purely contentious matter through tilt
rejection of the Cunningham claims, all excuse for further fu
tile quarreling over tiie matter lias ceased to exist.”
When it is understood that the New York Evening Post
adheres conservatively to American traditions of government
and is one of the two most influential newspapers editorially
in the United States, the amazing progress of the leasing idea
and of the railway ownership idea becomes more clearly, ap
parent. It will be noted that in the opinion of the Post neither
of these questions is “political,”—Fairbanks Times.
-oooo
SEATTLE’S MAYORALTY CONTEST
Ralph R. Stewart and others coming from Seattle predict
the election of Hiram C. Gill by an overwhelming vote. And
they say that this result will be largely brought about by rea
son of a change of sentiment among the women voters. They
are responsible for the recall of Mayor Gil}, but after the grand
jury investigation cleared his skirts of any wjllful wrongdoing
the suffragettes began to think that possibly they had mis
judged the Mayor. As a result, when he recently again be
came a candidate the women sympathized with him and lent
their support, very largely. The recent primary election in
Seattle, Feb. 20, yras under the provisions of a new charter that
eliminated politics. Whoever so pleased was privileged to run
for office on a ticket that did not in any way designate party
affiliations. The two persons receiving the Highest number of
votes for a particular office are to be contesting candidates at
the general election on March 5. The official returns show
the vote for Mayor, at the primaries, to have been as follows:
H. C. Gill, 24,630 George F. Cotterill, 14,231; Thomas A. Par
ish, 12,660} ff. M. Wells, 10,841. The latter received the sup
port of the Socialists,
——-—--oooo-—-—-——
They are now talking of boycottipg potatoes. But at the
present progress of prices the potatoes will soon reach the
point of boycotting the consumers.
-oooo--—
Colonel Roosevelt’s former refusals of another nomination
resemble chickens ip but one particular- They come home to
roost,
*..QQOO—— -
This will be Teddy Roosevelt day throughout the country.
His announcement that he will again accept the Presidency
will no doubt be the subject of general discussion and specula
tion.
-oooo
The custom cutters in convention assembled have resolved
that fat men should be made to look thin. This might be suc
cessful in defeating the high prices if the milliners had not de
cided to make the other sex fat.
-oooo-—
A German aeronaut says he thinks a trans-Atlantic flight
possible. There is no danger in thinking so provided he con
lines himself to thinking. -
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. GILLMAN, Manager.
Forwarding Agen t, S. BLUM & CO.
CORDOVA S BIG STORE
WHEN COMING TO CORDOVA KEMEMBER
Cordova Steam Laundry
THE ONLY REAL LAUNDRY IN TOWN
Let us wash and clean your canvass covers, blankets, clothes,
overalls, etc.
If you are in a hurry we can do your work in an hour’s time if
necessary.
Leave your work at any hotel, 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—
> Feb. 24 .ALAMEDA. March l
> March 1.NORTHWESTERN. March 8
> March 8 .ALAMEDA.March 1(3
y This company reserves the right to change schedule of steain
y ers without notice,
y Tickets on sale at up-town office Alaska Steamship Bldg,
y Baggage or freight will not be received at dock later than one
y hour before sailing time.
> R. J. BARRY,
> General Agent.
THOMAS TALLENT,
Ticket Agent.
► Alaska Coast Co.
► - “THE INSIDE ROUTE.”
y To Juneau and I’rince William Sound Porta and Southwest
y ern Alaska,
► Seattle Sailing dates:
► BERTHA—March 20, April 20, May 20.
y SAMPSON—March 5, March 27 and April 15.
► JE ANN IE—March 10th.
y The JBANNiB carries explosives for Southwestern Alaska, anr
y goes to Kodiak.
y Right reserved to change steamers and sailing dates without
y ALASKA TRANSFER CO., Local Agents.
y B. F. WATSON, General Agent.
OBSERVANCE OF LENTEN SEASON
There are a large mini her ot' people in Cordova who are
strictly observing the Lenten season, both by their devotions
and fastings. The latter custom lias been traced practically
from the beginning of history among divers races in many
lands. It prevailed among the Aztecs and Toltecs of Mexico,
the Incas of Peru and other American aborigines as well as
among the Pacific Islanders. It existed in China and Japan be
fore Buddhism, and it has been observed by the Brahmins in
India. The ancient Persians, the Egyptians and the Greeks all
practiced it. It is recorded in Nineveh and in Israel in the ear
liest times. It undoubtedly was followed by the more zealous
in the Christian era even before it was established by law..
A practice that has thus been adopted in so diverse times
and places argues a general idea that may be classed as com
mon to the race- Usually it was designed to prepare the de
vout for the keener enjoyment of religious functions; but it was
also recognized that a period of abstinence, curbing the appe
tites and passions was beneficial morally and physically.
In these modern days, with the greater diversity of food
and consequent perils, there is much to be said in favor of the
physical advantages of fasting for a period. Nor can it be gain
said that we stand less in need of the moral benefits that fol
low the curbing of self indulgence,
_ AAAA_
A RAPID AWAKENING IN THE BAST
A wider knowledge of the real trouble with Alaska is be
ing shown by many Eastern newspapers- For example, the
Brooklyn Eagle,,commenting upon the coal famine in this ter
ritory, says: “The plight of Nome is the result of execrably
bad governmental policy. In the first place, we have denied
Alaska control of hep own affaips, such as Anglo-Saxons have
a right to expect. Jp the second place, we have played poli
tics to the extent of preventing private capital from develop
ing Alaska’s coal fields. In the third place, we have failed to do
anything, through governmental agencies, toward mining and
transporting coal to where it is needed.” When such clear and
sane understanding of the actual conditions in Alaska and the
reasons therefor are shown in the East, the prospects for relief
for Alaska are certainly gpowiug better.
-7-——-;QOOO
Dr. Stanton Cpit asserts that “the American woman is
practically a slave ” Some of her is the most bossy slave that
has been known in the history of the human race.
-oooo——
A Pennsylvania town reports an icy hill on which the rab
bits slip and dash their brains out. The disseminator of this
story will never dash his brains out.
-oooo—
More coal has been found in Alaska. More trouble there
fore also, i is.*;, t/iis -„•» .A .c