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 3, 1879.
ONEX NEWSPAPER IN CHITINA
Published every Saturday by
WILL A. STEEL—Editors, Managers and Proprietors—EABBY O. STEEL
Office: Hotel Chitina Building. Cordova Office; Daily Alaskan
Seattle Office: 551 Colman Building.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
One Month ..I -50
Six Months ... 2-90
One Year . 2-59
ADVERTISING RATES
Made known upon application. They will be found reasonable for the service
given. Official publication for legal advertisements pertaining to mineral lands
of the Copper River district.
CHITINA, ALASKA, TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 1914.
COMING INTO THEIR OWN
The Fairbanks Times gives the women credit for having
created a different sentiment with reference to the kind of men
needed for public office in Alaska. It states that the old
reactionary element has generally been replaced by a more
progressive element. In other words that the people are them
selves taking up the burden of saying who shall conduct their
municipal affairs. Under the old methods they were very
largely relieved of this responsibility. The Times says:
“A noticeable feature of the municipal elections
held in Alaska in April, was the wave of reform in
politics which swept over the territory. In almost all
the municipalities, the former bosses of city affairs went
down to defeat while a new progressive, yet conserva
tive. element was seated in office. The influence of the
woman’s vote is considered to have been a factor largely
responsible for the change.”
WITH AN EYE TO THE MAIN CHANCE
Several of the regular Democratic orgainzations in the
various divisions of Alaska have declared opposition to the
suggestion that a recent convert from Bull Moosedom to
Democracy would make a suitable and proper candidate for
’nomination as Delegate to Congress. Then again the effort of
Democracy’s offspring that maintains headquarters at Valdez
has not met with any great hurrah in its decision to hold a
convention at Valdez, to be attended by Delegate "Wiekersliam.
And the result is that Alaska’s smooth politician eai’ly l-ealizes
that the latch string to admission to the President’s adminis
tration circle is loaded with a ball of iron. As his Democracy
is not of the fiery brand, of sufficient heat to melt away all
barriers, the Honorable James has concluded to no longer flirt
with the illusive political maid. As a consequence Delegate
Wiekersliam has decided to foi’ego participation even in the
Valdez convention and as soon as Cougi-ess adjourns lie will
hike out for Fairbanks. In the meantime his supporters there
have been advised that he will run for Congi"ess as an inde
pendent. And of course he shows wisdom in this conclusion.
He needs no nomination to run and never has had one. His
injection into Democratic politics would only cause dissention
in that party and would not likely result in his selection as a
candidate. And he could not afford to place himself in the
position of seeking a nomination before a party convention and
then if turned down run as an independent. Of course his
election as a Democrat would give him a standing in the party I
and the conti-ol of the federal patronage of Alaska. But in
striving for that the delegate is not going to jeopardize the
main chance.
THESE ARE THE DAYS OF ACTION
The Republicans of the state of Washington, in conven
tion assembled, declared in favor of legislation for Alaska,
“along reasonable lines.” The expression sounds familiar, as
the G. 0. P. administrations at Washington favored us with
something of the kind for seven or eight years. Under the;
present progressive administration action speaks louder than;
words, and Alaska is rapidly being relieved from the burdens
placed upon us through the blight of Pinchotism and the lack
of courage of the succeeding administration forces. Previous
administrations devoted their entire time to interpreting the
meaning of “along reasonable lines.” President Wilson lost
no time in juggling with words bxxt passed oxxt the word that
Alaska should have a system of government railroads. As a,,
consequence Congress voted to spend $35,000,000 on the project
and within 15 months of the time President Wilson took office
he had an engineering board on the way to Alaska to advise
him iust where the railroads should go to best develop the vast
territory.
And after conserving Alaska’s coal for Gifford Pinclxot’s
great grand children, and impoverishing a section of Alaska
which has been waiting for the youngsters to grow up, the
rights of coal claimants are being recognized and Secretary
Lane’s departmnet has already issxxed patents to about twenty
times more coal land than was given to locatox-s during the
past two administrations, when but one claim was granted.
And now claimants feel that instead of being thrown into jail
because of the complex rxxlings of departmental clerks, that
they are in a position to have their rights fairly determined
through the interior department. And this granting of coal
claims means much to Cordova. Soon we may expect to see
a branch railroad built from this town to the Bering coal
fields, and then following the erection here of huge coal
bunkers, we may further expect to soon get a whiff of the
fumes from an immense smelter that will be located on
Hawkins Island or sonxe other available and adjacent site. All
of which will mean a steady pay roll for Cordova and an
enterprising town of prosperous people and healthy business
establishments. The day for fair promises has ceased to have
an attraction for Alaskans. It is the sxibstance that they now
seek and demand.
I. W. W. probably stands for “Itinerant Weary Willies.”
We have none of these in Alaska.
THE BEARER OF GLAD TIDINGS
The coming of Vice President R. W. Baxter has gladdened
the hearts of the people of this community. Genial and of easy
approach, he is the kind of man who likes to meet all the
people, and whom the people like to meet and talk things over
with. Although there are no matters of complaint to present,
as during the administration of Superintendent Corser there
has been a general healthy feeling of satisfaction hereabouts
over administrative affairs, yet there is an expectation that
Mr. Baxter is the bearer of good news of some kind. He may
give us some encouragement over the railroad situation and
then again he may tell us that the Company is soon to start
improvements out along the line that may give employment to
all the idle railroad boys and help swell the coffers of the
Cordova merchants When Mr. Baxter returns from his trip
of inspection over the railroad we look for some encouraging
announcement.
EDITORIAL COMMENT
The woman of yesterday might not be recognized as such
in a circle of fashionably dressed women of today, but attired
as an artist’s model she is the same today as when she
appeared before Adam thousands of years ago. And this is n
statement that no Cordovan can truthfully contradict.
Probably if Senator Cummins were a railroad president
with a salary of $100,000 per year he might be able to perceive
why the railroads need an increase of rates to preserve the
salary.
Ananias was the first man to discover that any kind of
free advertising pays and quite a few Alaskans follow in his
footsteps.
The report of the committee of the House of Lords that
Lord Murray, the Liberal, who committed “errors of judg
ment” in speculating with the party funds, but had done
nothing “which reflects upon his personal honor,” leaves the
impression of some fine hair-splitting on personal honor or else
suggests the presence of a new sense of humor among the
nobility.
A Xew York physician says chewing tobacco will ward
off typhoid fever. Typhoid fever is more dangerous than we
thought it was. But ehewers don’t need any excuse in Alaska.
A Colorado woman has just recently received a divorce
decree from a husband who died several years ago. We
presume no defense was put in'.
A Xew York banker is reported as having robbed
Tammany Hall of $15,000. Probably refused to pay his last
assessment.
Late reports indicate that the summer clean-up in the
Chisana will be a surprise to even Alaskans. Half a million
by one combination is predicted.
Over in England the suffragettes are throwing bombs.
Over here they are casting ballots.
A rolling stone gathers no moss, but anyway it keeps out
of other people’s road.
Last night there was a scrappy game of ball played at
Shushanna Junction. The McCarthy Tigers pounced upon the
Kennecott Bear Cats and succeeded in making four runs to the
two tallies of the cats.
One or two of the troubles with Cordova seem to be
constitutional.
The person who-tries to please everyone doesn’t even'
satisfy himself.
I lie officers and men on the transport Buffalo will be
made welcome during their sojourn at Cordova this summer
for a five weeks’ stay. And the coming of some of the wives
of the officers will add a lively interest to the social doings of
the town.
If mothers and fathers only knew as much as they think
their children do, there would be a whole lot of highly educated
people in this old world.
One of the railroad boys says that when a man has a good
sized nest egg he can usually find some girl who is willing to
be his chicken.
When a girl marries a man who has declared himself I
ready to die for her, she is likely to find that she has married
a dead one. •
Xo person is worth a million dollars—not even in Cordova
—he is merely custodian of that amount of money for a few
years.
As we anticipated, Delegate Wiekersham is not going to
take any chances of a nomination from any political party, so
he comes out as an independent candidate for Congress. There
is a general feeling throughout the territory that he may be
defeated this year. But it could only be done by Democracy
naming some strong man like Falcon Joslin or some other
strong candidate who might secure the endorsement of the
M ilson administration.
Air lines will soon be advertising quick trips fro mChicago
to New ^ ork. It will then be possible to go from bad to worse
very rapidly.
When steel gets too hot it loses its temper; when man j
loses his temper he gets too hot.
That which is hard for some people is just play to a whole
lot of other people.
Europeans say we do not take enough interest in their old
ruins. We have not noticed that Europeans take any interest
in our ruined heiresses.
George W. Perkins is understood to object to the plan to
run T. R. for governor of New York, preferring to “save him)
for 1916.” Somebody ought to save him from George.
While there may be a feeling of antagonism against the
merchants of Seattle in some of the northern towns, that |
delusion has never flourished in Cordova to any considerable
extent. The visit and plain statement of facts from W. A.
Meai-s, the manager of transportation of the Seattle Chamber
of Commerce, should do much to dispel the wrong impression
that may have been fostered in some localities in Alaska.
At last a blinker aeetelyne light has been placed on Cape
St. Elias and next summer the work will start of erecting a
lighthouse and fog signal. These aids to the safe navigation
of vessels will be greatly appreciated by all navigators travel
ing in this section of the Pacific ocean.
. ‘ t 1
Why Not Invest?
With the building of the government railroad from
Chitina to Fairbanks, the future of the Town of Chitina
is assured.
Lots are still offered at attractive prices and there
are many desirable ones remaining.
A few months later 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 fill all orders in J
our tin shop. j
W. H. CARSTENS & CO. ]
SHUSHANNA - - ALASKA j
Chitina GRILL!
3
3
_ H
3
Good Eats for Particular People ]
Prompt Service. Popular Service. !]
Next to Chitina Hotel.
CHITINA : : : ALASKA.
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10. ADRIAN NELSON |j
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: U. S. Mineral Surveyor :
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♦ CHITINA ! - - ALASKA
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CHITINA
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hotel In the city. 11
Rooms and suites are particle | [
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