SECOND YEAR
CHITIXA, ALASKA, SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 1912.
NO. 23
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M. R. Healy continues to hold the office of United States
commissioner at Chitina. He, better than all others, knows
that it is only a question of a short time until he will be re
moved. He knows also that so soon as an impartial investiga
tion is made of his record, present and past, that his removal
will be summarily ordered.
He knows of the many acts of intimidation and persecution
that he has inflicted against good American citizens who have
dared to disagree with him or whom have had the courage to
ask for his removal.
He knows of the instances when he has maligned operators
or prospectors because of their refusal to make Recordings in
his office.
He knows of the times when miners first wanted to look up
the records before placing instruments on file when he in his
czar-like impatience demanded that they either record their pa
pers “or get to h—1 out of here.”
He knows that he demanded and secured the discharge of
an efficient employe at Chitina because he exercised his right
to secure signatures to a petition asking for the removal of M.
R. Healy.
He konws that other employes have been threatened with
the loss of their positions because they refused to be coerced
into signing a counter petition asking for the retention of Czar
Healy.
He knews that his insidious influence has been exerted to
the detriment of business men because they refused to sign his
petition.
He knows that he instructed his stool pigeon, Deputy Mar
shal Brown, to summon men who signed a petition asking for
his removal, to appear before him and explain the reasons for
signing.
He knows that through the same influence, he intimdated
many of the signers against him to withdraw their names from
the petition, giving as a pretext that they thought they were
signing an application for a license.
He knows that the grand jury, sitting at Cordova in No
vember last, discontinued the investigation of his office when
they learned that he was not an Ameircan citizen, and virtu
ally recommended his dismissal from office on that ground.
He knows that he and Brown both testified before the
grand jury that the deplorable condition of affairs in Chitina
were beyond the physical control of these two government of
ficials.
He knows that some of his financial acts have been of a
questionable character, and he knows that we know of one in
stance where he sought to juggle his accounts.
He knows that the people generally of Chitina percinet
have lost confidence in him, and that any future decisions con
cerning liberty or property are likely to be questioned in a
higher court.
He knows that he posed as an American citizen, until he
was compelled last November to admit before the grand jury
that he had not petitioned for naturalization.
He knows that he declared his intention to become a citi
zen way back in 1890; that he became a resident of Dawson in
1889 under the sovereignty that he had never denied; that he
voted in Alaska within the past two years; that the law states
that not morethan seven years after he has made his declara
tion of intention that he shall file his petition for naturaliza
tion, and that in all probability he never can become a citizen,
of the United States.
He likey knows that complaint has been formally present
ed against him to the presiding judge of this district and the
department of justice at Washington.
He likely knows that a resident of his precinct recently re
ceived a letter from Governor Clark, now in Washington, in
which he stated: “I have taken up the Healy matter with the
attorney general with a view of having a further investigation
of the matter and appropriate action in the premises.”
But why continue? Alien Healy knows more reasons than
anyone else why he is desecrating a position where justice and
mercy should rule. And why not at least do one good act that
might relieve the few friends that try to be loyal to you, and
purify the atmosphere in the restoration of a feeling of securi
ty and confidence in the judiciary, by resigning?
And why not save yourself from the inevitable fall by re
signing at once? No one wishes to persecute you, Mr. Healy,
but the public good demands that you be retired from the hon
orable position that you have stultified. Resign, and hundreds
will wish you well, while now they have but contempt for your
acts of persecution and display of consummate egotism seldom
ever exhibited in a human being.
Resign, U. S. Commissioner Healy, and as a private you
will be without the power to do any great wrong. It is only
clothed with the authority of the United States that you are a
dangerous character. Read the handwriting on the wall and
resign.
WILL A. STEEL.
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Cordova lias at last aroused to the necessity of rendering
every possible assistance in the endeavor to induce Congress
to make a liberal appropriation for the construction of an auto
mobile road between Chitina and Fairbanks, for summer use.
At a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce Thursday night it
was decided that an appropriate letter, setting forth the needs
and advantages of rapid communication between the coast and
the interior of Alaska, be prepared and mailed to every mem
ber of the House and Senate. The citizens generally will also
be called upon to send copies of this letter to their friends and
business connections throughout the states, with the request
that they be signed and forwarded to members of Congress.
Fairbanks took similar action a couple of months ago, and it
is believed that now is an opportune time to again deluge the
members of Congress with reminders that the hour of deliver
ance is at hand, and that their influence in securing a large ap
propriation for roads and trails for Alaska could be exerted
now with telling effect. The matter is being considered by the
committees and soon a report will be made. It is confidently
expected that it will be favorable, but if it should not be, it is
intended that all the members of Congress shall be made famil
iar with conditions in Alaska and the great necessity for the
automobile road. Amendment can then be made to the recom
mendation. During the summer time it is necessary that the
mail and passengers go the long and circuitous route via Skag
way, White Horse, Dawson and Fairbanks, or else to go by
steamer to St. Michael and then by small boat up the Yukon to
interior points. By either route it takes weeks to reach an ob
jective point in Alaska from Seattle. By the new route, and
which is used entirely during the winter, mail and passengers
will come by steamer from Seattle to Cordova, by rail to Chiti
n, and by automobile to Fairbanks, making the entire trip in
less than a wek, dependent upon the connections that can be
made after the arrival of the steamer. A recent letter from
Col. Richardson, president of the Alaska Road Commission,
who has been in Washington for some weeks past, states that
he is confident of favorable action by Congress for a liberal
appropriation this session. Col. Richardson has recommend
ed $1,600,000 for roads, trails and bridges in Alaska, and of
that amount half a million is for the automobile road. The
war department is assisting in securing the large sum named.
It now behooves the people of Cordova, Chitina and the Copper
River country to lend every possible encouragement and as
sistance to the efforts instituted and pursued so persistently
by the people of Fairbanks and the Tanana valley. Boost for
the automobile road, and let your voice reach the national
capital. When the automobiles are running, where dozens now
come to Cordova on every boat or train, the number will be in
creased to hundreds. It will be one of the big factors in mak
ing a big Chitina and a much bigger Cordova.
LOCAL MINUS
Abe Stein left for Fairbanks this
week with 200 cases of eggs and
other freight. His seven teams of
horses and mules were as fine ani
mals as have passed through Chitina
this year. He had a unique and re
liable method of keeping his eggs
from freezing on the trail. Each
sled was entirely covered by a sheet
iron case about five inches high.
Through doors in the side of this
case could be placed the small stoves
commonly used on the stage lines,
and. which consume the slow-burn
ing carbon bricks. The gentle heat
from these keeps the eggs placed
above them from freezing.
The few inches of snow and cold
er weather during the past week
have put the trail in good shape*
again.
Harry Warren arrived in town on
Monday from Fairbanks and will re
turn in a few days.
Fifty head of cattle for the White
Meat Market at Fairbanks arrived
on Monday’s train in good condition.
J. H. Miller, of that firm, says there
will be a shipment every month
hereafter.
J. L. Brown entertained friends
at a house warming party Thursday
evening. Those present were Mr.
and Mrs. Horace Leach, Mr. and
Mrs. C. F. M. Cole, Mr. and Mrs. A.
G. Morey, Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Gill
man, Mr. Roy Wilson, Mr. J. S. M.
Nelson, Mr. A. A. DeLeo, Miss Nick
ell and J. L. Brown, host. Refresh
ments were served and all present
enjoyed the evening greatly.
This is the first below zero weath
er since January 17. The farmers
are expecting the ground to thaw
and warm up very soon.
Tom Cloninger has purchased the
residence of Jack Lovery and moved
into it.
The Signal Corps is asking for es
timates on the cost of putting up a
standard 2-wire telegraph line from
Chitina to Willow Creek, a distance
of 39 miles. Such a line is much
needed and could be easily main
tained.
Frosty air, warm sunshine and
smooth ice are attracting quite a
crowd of skaters to the lake every
day.
The cache of the Rex Mining Co.,
of which E. W. Brooks is manager,
was destroyed by fire Thursday
morning. The loss was probably
two or three thousand dollars, and
another outfit will have to be taken
in to replace it.
It now seems probable that the headquarters of the United
States Signal Corps will soon be transferred from Valdez to
Cordova. This move has been contemplated for some time,
and it was for that reason that $25,000 was appropriated for
the construction of a building at Cordova. Before work was
started the appropriation lapsed and it will now be necessary
to secure another appropriation. That the government is in
earnest in its intent to bring headquarters here is evidenced
from the fact that Major Carr’s assistants in the Seattle otlic;;
have diretced that bids be received for the construction of a
telegraph line of 39 miles from Chitina to Willow Creek. It is
to be a two-wire line, and at Willow Creek will connect with
the through line to the Tanana valley, that now starts at Val
dez. It is the intention to use the poles of the Copper River &
Northwestern Railway between Cordova and Chitina. A tele
phone line is now maintained by the railroad company between
these points. When the new connecting line is completed it is
expected that the headquarters of the signal corps will be re
moved to Cordova and that all through business will be routed
this way. One of the contemplated improvements is a new ca
ble to run direct from the south to Cordova. And all this will
be very welcome to the residents of Cordova. With the govern
ment mail, passenger and freight traffic all passing through
this port to interior Alaska, it only seems reasonable that wire
communication should likewise go the same way.
-oooo
Disclosure that the Pullman porter’s wage is but $1.04 a
day may be intended to induce patrons to loosen up a little
INTERIOR NINING NEWS
Kennecott, March 11.
Guy Oordmer is actively engaged
in the organization of the Kennecott
Rifle Club. He holds a dozen med
als for marksmanship, won in tour
naments in Minnesota and Washing
ton, and is an enthusiastic sports
man. As skiing and shooting are
about the only winter amusements
in this vicinity, it is expected that
the rifle club will prove a great suc
cess.
Mrs. C. H. Saindon returned to
Kennecott on Sunday’s train to re
sume charge of the mess house.
Oscar Anderson and Thos. Brock
arrived from Chitina on Sunday’s
train.
The “Lament of Bull Con Kelly*’
made a great hit at Kennecott. His
plaintive wail was found excruciat
ingly funny, but we have yet to find
any sympathizers for the sad predic
ament of hiB two friends, Sleuth
Brown and Peanut Czar Healy.
j Under the date of Feb. 26, Wash
ington, D. C., Governor Clark writes
a resident of Kennecott: “I have
taken up the Healy matter with the
attorney general with a view of hav
ing a further investigation of the
matter, and appropriate action in
tae premises.” Encouraging news!
Edward Turk is occupying the res
idence of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Traum
pen during their absence in Cordova.
Ed states that he has now found the
most comfortable quarters he has
nad since leaving Missouri.
Mr. and Mrs. John Day entertain
ed a few friends at dinner on Sunday
evening.
If P. J. O'Brien, master bridge
builder, could leave the scenes of
his labors in Seattle and visit Ken
necott he would find a surprisingly
large number of his old comrades
hard at work, no longer building
bridges, but rushing construction
work on the concentrating plant.
WASHINGTON, March 15.—Her
bert Knox Smith, commissioner of
corporations, has made a report to
the President that is somewhat start
ling in its information. After a
thorough investigation Mr. Smith
ptates that ten concerns now control
;the water-sites of the country that
are not within the possession of the
government. He recommends that
the government take steps to pre
jserve title to such sites as still re
maIn‘ , ...
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The delegation of the Cordova
Chamber of Commerce which made
a trip to the end of the railroad re
turned to Chltina Monday afternoon.
A meeting of citi ens was announc
ed. and at 8:30 about 150 gathered
at the Log Cabin building. E. W.
Exum was made chairman of the
meeting, and E. \Vv Gillman, secre
tary.
R. J. Barry was called on for an
address. His enthusiasm is un
bounded and his confidence in the
future development of the Copper
River country inspires nope in the
minds of all who hear him. He set
forth clearly the purpose of the dele
gation in making this tour. He fur
ther explained that the Cordova
Chamber of Commerce believes that
a systematic and conservative cam
paign of advertising of the resources
and scenic beauty of the Copper
River country would accelerate de
velopment here. A copper country
is slower of development tnan a gold
section. In most instances a large
outlay of capital is required before
a copper mine can be operated at a
profit. There is always unlimited
capital ready to be invested in safe
and assured mining. Few people of
the investing class realize the num
ber and extent of undeveloped mines
of proven value in this country, and
it is the purpose of the new Cham
ber of Commerce to advertise in ev
ery way possible these resources,
but to make such publicity so con
servative and reliable that there will
be no possibility of exaggeration.
Misrepresentation would soon defeat
the object sought to be attained.
In carrying out this plan the Cor
dova Chamber of Commerce wants
the cooperation of -every one who is
in symypathy with it. As one means
to the desired end they are going to
display in Cordova a collection of
ores from all the mines and agricul
tural products from our farms, and
keep on file authoritative informa
tion regarding them. Anyone send
ing anything of interest to this ex
hibit will be doing himself and the
country generally a benefit. Any
thing in the line of ore samples, gar
den and farm products or statements
regarding either, that are left at
the office of the Leader in Cbitina
will be forwarded to this collection.
Mr. George Dooley, who is famil
iar to almost everyone in this part
of the country, addressed the meet
ing, emphasizing the need of con
certed artion and of the damaging
results of petty quarreling and self
ishness. He expressed the hope that
future deevlopinents would bring
about such changes here as would
allow for harmony and co-operation.
Everybody present seemed im
pressed with the sincerity and wis
dom of the movement. Mr. Exum
and Mr. Gillman, speaking in behalf
of Chitina, praised the undertaking
and promised their support.
Mr. Gilman spoke to the point for
the Chitina people and gave several
forceful illustrations of the value of
advertising when conducted along
proper and conservative lines.
The residents of Chitina heartily
concurred in all that was asked of
them and promised to do all in their
power in assisting the Cordova cham
ber to advertise and secure capital
and industries for the whole of the
Copper River valley.
Those representing Cordova were
R. J. Barry. George Dooley, Sydney
Charles, A. E. Lathrop, O. E. Lam
bert. Harry Thisted and Wm. Furs
man.
The meeting adjourned with well
wishes of the residents of the two
towns, and the members of the Cor
dova delegation were given a royal
welcome.