SECOND VEAU
•
CHITIXA, ALASKA, Tl'ESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1912.
NO. 47.
ALASKA RAIROAD COMMISSION.
Chairman—Major Jay J. Morrow, of Engineer Corps,
U. S. Army
Vice Chairman—Dr. Alfred H. Brooks, in Charge
Mineral Resources, Geological Survey.
Leonard M. Cox, Civil Engineer of Engineer Corps,
U. S. Navy.
Colin McCrae Ingersoll, Consulting Engineer Bridges,
New York City.
Secretary—Charles E. Williams, Clerk in Office of
Indian Affairs.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 31—Yesterday President Taft
made public bis selection of the four members to constitute the
Alaska railroad commission, under authorization of an act
passed by Congress on August 20, and approved by the Pres
ident Aug 24. The chairman of the commission, Major Jay
J. Morrow, is selected from the corps of engineers, of the U. S.
Army holding his present commission under appointment of
Jan. 31, 1908. The Vice Chairman, Dr. Alfred 11. Brooks,
has been connected with the United States Geological survey
in Alaska for the past fourteen years, and is regarded as an
authority upon mining matters connected with the territory.
He is 41 years of age and was born at Ann Harbor, Michi
gan. lie studied in Germany in 1890-1891; graduated from
Harvard in 1894, and then went to Paris for post graduate
study. He was appointed geologist of the United States Geo
logical Survey, and from 1898 to 1903 engaged in geologi
cal and exploration work in Alaska. He has been geologist
in charge of the division of Alaska mineral resources since
1902, and spends considerable time every year in the north
land. Leonard M. Cox, while a member of the Engineer
Corps of the Navy, has confined his work largely to civil en
gineering. Colin McCrae Ingersoll, of New York, is consult
ing engineer of bridges in that city and is a man who stands
high in his profession. The Secretary of the Commission is
Charles E. A\ illiams, who has had much experience in depart
ment affairs at Washington, and is at present a clerk in the
office of Indian affairs.
The Commission will organize in this city on Tuesday
next. This will be their first formal meeting. It is their in
tention to leave that night for Seattle, with the possibility
that they will sail for Southwestern Alaska on the steamer
Alameda, leaving'Seattle on the night of Sept. 8. It is de
sired by the President that the Commission start on their
duties in Alaska as soon as possible, and before the winter
weather sets in. The clause providing for the Commission
was tacked to the act creating a Legislative Assembly in the
territory of Alaska, and is as follows:
“ 1 hat an officer of tlie Engineer Corps of the United
States Army, a geologist in charge of Alaska surveys, an of
ficer in the Engineer Corps of the United States Navy, and a
civil engineer who has had practical experience in railroad
construction and has not been connected with any railroad en
terprise in said Territory be appointed by the President as
a commission hereby authorized and instructed to conduct
an examination into the transportation question in the Ter
ritory of Alaska to examine railroad routes from the sea
board to the coal fields and to the interior and navigable
waterways; to secure surveys and other information with re
spect to railroads, including cost of construction and opera
tion ; to obtain information in respect to the coal fields and
their proximity to railroad routes; and to make a report of
the facts to Congress on or before the 1st day of December,
11)12, or as soon thereafter as may be practicable, together
with their conclusions and recommendations in respect to the
best and most available routes for railroads in Alaska which
will develop the country and the resources thereof, and the
best system of constructing and operating railroads and coal
mines in said territory for the use of the Government in
na\al and military operations, and for the use of the people
of the United States: Provided further, That the sum of $25,
000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby ap
propriated, out of any money in the Treasury, not otherwise
appropriated, to defray the expenses of said commission.”
BOUNDARY SURVEY PARTY
COMPLETE ITS WORK.
(From Monday’s Cordova Alaskan.)
Benno Alexander, the poet, member
of the Boundary survey party, that
loft Cordova in the Spring for the
White River country, returned on
Saturday’s train from the interior.
He sailed that night on the Alameda
expecting to report at once at Wash
ington. He states that the work of
the party was most successful and
that (lie other members should ar
rive in Cordova next week.
HOAD OFFICIALS GO TO KA
TALLA.
Superintendent Geo. Geiger and
attorney R. J. Boryer, both of the
Copper River and Northwestern
railway, went over to Katalla Mon
day on the steamer Sampson.
There is considerable bridge timber,
rails and other railroad supplies at
Katalla which the otiicials will as
semble and have brought over to
Cordova. They themselves will re
turn in three or four days with
Capt. Durkee on the launch Tri
ton.
MAW AVAILABLE LOTS,
BI T FEW BUYERS.
There are 770 lots in the Cliitina
Townsite. About 70 of them have
been sold. Of the remaining 700,
“business lots," 30x100, can be had
for from $400 to $1,250. “Resi
dence lots.” 50x100, not on the
streets where trails have been made
can be had for $150 or less. We
expect these prices to attract many
home seekers and we are not sur
prised that there have been as many
as five new buildings constructed
in Chitina last year. It is quite pos
sible that the street work that was
promised the residents when they
bought lots will be done some time
in the next few years. We can’t
understand why so many of the peo
ple who purchased lots here feel
that they were “stung,” nor why so
many of the lots are for sale for less
than was first paid for them. Chit
ina needs an increased population
and the lower the price of lots the
sooner she will get it. Quite often
we hear people say they would build
if they could get a lot at a reason
able price.
-o—o—o
Must Patent Water Right
While in Seattle the other day,
Andrew L. Christensen, chief of the
Alaska and field divisions of the in
terior department, was notified of
new rulings regarding the surveys
of lands in Alaska, under which fish
ing companies have been enabled to
secure water sites without patents.
Under too ruling all rights un
der present surveys will cease un
less the persons holding them file
with the register and receiver of the
land offices a declaration of proof of
ownership. In making the new rul
ing the interior department claims
that fisheries companies have sur
veyed valuable landing places and
fishing sites on the Alaskan coast,
holding them under the surveys
without taking out patents, and that,
while actual title was not held by
the companies, they could not be dis
possessed. Surveys will now be can
celled and applications rejected un
less the surveys are patented within
sixty days after the survey has been
approved by the government.
-c. — o—o-—•
Candidates Are Showing Up
Several well-known Southeastern
Alaskans are being mentioned as pos
sible candidates to the legislature
from that division. Judge R. A. Gun
nison, N. L. Burton, E. Valentine
and J. A. Hellenthal, of Juneau; H.
B. LeFevre and J. M. Tanner of
Skagway, and George Bland and
Forrest J. Hunt of Ketchikan are
among those who may run. Four ter
ritorial assemblymen and two terri
torial senators from each division
will be selected.
-o—o—o
Transcribing Records of Old District.
The old records embracing trans
actions in the present Chitina re
cording district are being tran
scribed at Valdez. Nine volumes
have been completed and it is ex
pected that it will take until win
ter before the work is completed.
-o—o—o-—
XO ADVANCE IN PRICES.
The Chitina Saloons have decid
ed, for several reasons, not to raise
the price of drinks and cigars. One
of the reasons is that the profit now
made on the stuff is sufficient in the
eyes of the customer. Another reas
on is that they have decided that
the trouble isn’t in the price but is
due largely to the extensive “boot
legging” that is conducted up the
line. Under normal conditions an
attempt would be made to prevent
this but as things stand the condi
tion will probably continue.
-O-O—O
Gorgeous Blends.
Tiie recent frosts have turned the
bushes red and the trees yellow.
Or rather we should say: a stern,
still, magic touch has painted the
hills in gorgeous blends of every
shade of all the warm, live colors
of the spectrum. The deep stillness
and the soft yellow sunshine add a
touch of enchantment to the melan
choly sadness of the scene.
LOCAL NEWS
Edward Crave died at Copper
Alt. last week from suffocation. He
was a comparatively new man and
did not realize the amount of gas
in the mine. He was unable to get
out and was dead when reached.
C. A. Simons now has a complete
line of groceries at down town prices.
He has shipped in some chickens
and will have strictly fresh eggs.
Tom Holland returned from Slate
Creek where he spent a very suc
cessful summer, working a lay on
John Hazelet's ground. The weath
er was very disagreeable this sum
mer and later snows in the spring
prevented work. Mr. Holland is
now remodeling his house in the
north end of town.
John Nelson returned from his
trip to Copper Center where he en
joyed a quiet country outing away
from the noise of the city. He was
surprised at the good appearance
of the farms where he enjoyed lots
of fresh garden stuff and milk.
Fifteen head of the White Market
cattle are still at large in the tim
ber north of Chitina.
John Palmer, Gaby. Dick AVaters
and Jake Anderson went to Wil
liam Creek this week on a hunting
trip.
Have you seen that display of
fresh fruit at the Cash Store.
Billy Solomon is a terrible man
with a gun; so say the ducks.
Quite a number were out at the
ball field Sunday. The field is pretty
well cleared now and the big game
is coming off soon.
Doc Billum of the upper Copper
River is in town this week.
If you stop at the Chitina Hotel
you will be well taken care of.
The steam shovel has quit for the
season.
The Chitina Pharmacy has the
freshest, most up-to-date stock in
Chitina.
r - _ .
CHITIXA HOTEL ARRIVALS.
Those stopping at the Chitina
Hotel (luring the past week were:
John S. Conway, C. H. O’Conner,
Tony Peterson, S. C. Small, C. W.
Littlejohn, W. Alexander, S. O.
Breedman, R. R. Hunter, D. \V.
Stacy, F. J. Bingham, Hans Cron,
W. M. Wolf, Gus Bennet, Mr. and
Mrs. A. B. lies, A. G. Jaffa, Mrs.
J. D. Dennis, S. A. Sevenseller, John
Carson, W. A. Woodin, Mrs. A. G.
Smith, Mrs. J. W. Nafsted, C. C.
Howard, W. E. Dunkle, Ole Berg,
Jesse Brown, E. C. Maddox, H. li.
I Mclntire and wife, Stephen Birch
land Sam Erickson.
--O-O-O
TELEGRAPHIC BRIEFS
OYSTER BAY, Sept. 3.—Col.
Roosevelt had very little rest after
his campaign speeches in New Eng
land. He started last night on his
western tour and will make his first
speech at St. Lilia this evening Ills
latest declaration is a demand that
the insurance companies he regu
lated. His present tour west will
end at Colorado Springs on Sept.
19. He will then make a few
speeches in Kansas and Arkansas on
r.is way to Memphis, where he will
address the Interstate Levee associa
tion on Sept. 2(1.
LOS ANGELES, Sept, 3.—The
big labor day event in sporting cir
cles hereabouts was the contest yes
terday between Joe Marfdot, of New
Orleans, and Joe Rivers. It was an
exciting contest from the start and
was fiercely fought. The betting
had been in favor of Rivers but in
the twentieth round he got a knock
out blow. The friends of Rivers,
believing that he had been unfairly
treated on July 4, when the decis
ion was given Ad Wolgast, were con
fident that he would prove the vic
tor in the contest yesterday.
PITTSBURG, Sept. 3.—Yesterday
Joe Jeanette met his Waterloo in the
sixth round with Joe Clark, of Jop
lin. A big crowd was on hand to
witness the expected victory of Jean
ette, but he went out early.
SAN’ FRANCISCO. Sept. 3.—Yes
terday .lira Flynn won the decision
in the fifteenth round over Charley
Miller. There was a big attendance
and considerable betting.
PITTSBURG, Sept. 3.—Reports
received from western Pennsylvania,
eastern Ohio, and western West Vir
ginia indicate that one of the worst
floods of the year is raging. Forty
have been drowned and scores are
missing, while the damage to vnop
erty is estimated to alretJy be over
two million dollars.
BELLINGHAM, Sept. 3—Word
has been received from Washington
that President Taft has made a re
cess appointment and issued the com
mission for Clinton W. Howard, as
federal judge in the western Wash
ington district, to succeed Judge
Hanford, resigned. Judge Howard
is putting his business in shape so
that he can assume his new duties
in a few days.
LONDON, Sept. 3.—It has been
officially announced by the govern
ment that a demand would be made
to arbitrate the Panama canal ques
tion. Dissatisfaction is evidenced
everywhere because of the protec
tion and advantages the recent bill
passed by Congress at Washington,
gives to American shippers. It is
believed that other nations will also
make a formal protest.
CHICAGO, Sept. 3.—It was an
nounced this morning that Governor
Wilson would extend his campaign
tour through the states of Michigan,
Minnesota and Wisconsin. These all
are believed to be doubtful states
that the Governor may be able to
carry.
SANTA FE, Sept. 3—An ancient
mummy, 18 inches high, in a good
state of preservation, has been found
at the cliff dwellings on the upper
Gila, near Silver City, New Mexico,
and instructions have been received
to forward it to the Smithsonian In
stitution at Washington. Careful
examination shows indisputable evi
dence and confirms the idea of many
scientists that the old cliff-men were
a dwarf race. The most striking
feature of their dwellings are very
small doorways and extremely low
ceilings.
DES MOINES, Sept. 3.—Senator
Cummings announced this morning
that though he dissents from some of
the Progressive doctrines he has de
termined to vote for Col. Roosevelt.
He gives as his principal reason his
belief that “Taft has not made
good.”
BERLIN, Sept.. 3.—Emperor Wil
liam reviewed the army yesterday
of sixty thousand soldiers. It was
headed by eight aeroplanes and two
dirigibles, affording a novelty that
was exceptionally interesting and
brought forth thunderous applause
all along the line.
LIMA, Sept. 3—This town does
not suffer from high cost of meat.
The ruling prices in the central mar
ket are 12, 20 and 25 centavos
(5 4-5, 9 3-4 and 12 1-5 cents Amer
ican) a pound, the latter for choice
loin cuts; and it is excellent beef at
that.
-o—o—o
GOVERNOR CLARK
('ITS TRIP SHORT
The Juneau Despatch, under
date of Aug. 27, contains the fol
lowing:
“Owing to the serious illness of
Mrs. Clark, who is suffering from a
nervous collapse. Governor Clark has
been obliged to shorten his trip
through the territory by omitting
the visit to Nome, where it was
planned to spend several days. Gov
ernor and Mrs. Clark will take the
steamer at St. Michael and sail di
rect to Seattle, arriving there about
September 5. It will be a great dis
appointment to the governor and
Mrs. Clark that they cannot make
their interior trip complete by spend
ing several days at Nome and vicini
ty, as had been planned. Word of the
illness of Mrs. Clark and of the en
forced change in the governor’s
plans was received last evening by
Secretary Shorthill in a telegram
from Governor Clark. The message
came from Kotlik, a small town at
the mouth of the Yukon river.”
The light vote polled in the Copper River country on
August 13 was due in part to the lack of general interest upon
the part of the voters, but the greatest reason was because
the polling places were not conveniently located ami the min
ers and railroad men would not go several miles in order to
cast a ballot. When the polling places were established U. S.
Commissioner Nickels had only been in office a short time
and was not familiar with the conditions in his precinct. In
many ways it adds to the importance of the Chitina valley
to have its full legal vote cast at a general election. And the
duty again devolves upon the new Commissioner to provide
precincts that will be convenient to the location where men
are at work. They are entitled to the same privileges and ac
commodations as are the voters in the towns, and that fact
should induce the Commissioner to inquire closely where vot
ers are employed in numbers and to act accordingly in es
tablishing the new precincts for the approaching election on
November 5. He is required to designate the precincts sixty
days prior to election and to give public notice of the same
thirty days before Nov. 5;
All political parties should be interested in getting out
the lull vote, without reference to their individual choice, and
to do this it is first necessary that Commissioner Nickels do
the part required of him by reason of his official position.
One who has just returned from the interior country and who
is familiar with the locations where men are working in num
bers state that precincts should be established at least at
the following places in the Chitina district: Monanza Mines
Kennecott, McCarty’s, Regal, Nazina, Strelna, Copper Moun
tain, Chitina, Tiekel, and such other places where section
gangs may likely be working in November. Lets all take an
interest in getting out the full vote in flit' great copper min
ing section of Alaska and demonstrate that the workingmen
want home government and have a desire to assist in its
management.
1 L
(From Monday’s Cordova Alaskan.)
During the past week there has been more or less general
talk, about Cordova, concerning the advantages of getting to
gether and, it possible, for all the voters to agree upon candi
dates from this section to run for election to the Legislature.
This sentiment has not yet taken any tangible form, and noth
ing may come of it if the members of the various parties insist
upon running straight party candidates. There is also some
talk in various parts of the Third division of trying to oblit
erate politics and agree upon good, strong men from the var
ious sections to constitute our representation of two Senators
and four Representatives. Of course before anything definite
can be done there would have to be public meetings and an ex
pression from the voters. The people of the Seward district
are undoubtedly giving serious consideration to a suggestion
ot “get together.” This morning a telegram was received by
the Daily Alaskan from the Seward (Jatewav, which reads as
follows:
“What is the prospect in your locality of reaching an
amicable agreement between towns of this division regarding
the apportionment of candidates for the Legislature, on the
following basis: \ aldez and Cordova sections to have one Sen
ator and three Representatives; Seward a Senator, and Knik
a Representative.”
In reply to the above wire the editor of the Daily Alaskan,
without any intent to speak for the voters of this section, but
to furnish some information, in line with his observation, re
plied as follows:
“There is considerable individual sentiment favorable to
an amicable and fair apportionment of members of Legislature.
No public expression or action has been taken. Cordova and
Copper River country will poll (>00 votes November, exceed
ing one-third total vote division. W ill undoubtedly insist up
on one Senator, one Representative.”
A FEW MOKE VOTES
FOB THE WINNER.
Election returns have been re
ceived from two additional precincts
in this division, as follows: Slate
Creek—Gilmore, 4; Wickershani,
33; Jennings, 1; K.auzcunas, G.
Susitna—Gilmore, 6; Wickershani,
9. Cache Creek—Gilmore, 3; Wick
ersham, 27; Jennings, 3.
•-°-°~°
Subscribe for the Chitina Leader.
PRECINCTS l'OR ELECTION.
United States Cimmissioner Scott,
at Cordova, and Commissioner Nick
els, at Chitina, have received notice
from the office of the clerk of the'
courts at Valdez, to establish elec
tion precincts within their respective
districts for the November election.
They are required to designate the
polling places sixty days before the
election on Nov. 5, and to give thirty
days public notice of the same.