The Chitina Leader
t CHITINA, ALASKA. i
Entered as second-class- matter, November 12, 1910, at the poatoffice at
Chitina, Alaska, under the Act of Congress of March 3. 1879.
ONLY NEWSPAPER IN CHITINA
Published every Saturday by
wrr.-r- A. BTZZL—Editors, Managers and Proprietors—1AZZT O. ITZZl
Office: Hotel Chitina Building. Cordova Office: Daily Alaskan
Seattle Office: 551 Colman Building.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
One Month .* *22
one Year ... JSU
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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, MAY 19, 1914,
ENCOURAGEMENT FOR COPPER RIVER SECTION
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“The first shall be last and the last shall be first.” And
the news from Washington this morning indicates that the
Alaska Engineering Commission is not overlooking us
entirely. They already have such positive knowledge of the
much traveled wagon route from Chitina to Fairbanks that
they are iuclined to let this section go until the last, when they
will do whatever surveying is necessary. And it will not be a
difficult matter as this is already a settled and partially
developed section of Alaska.
While it is undoubtedly the intention of the government
to build from the westward into the Matanuska coal fields and
into the Susitna valley and possibly the Kuskokwim, there is
no reason to believe that it is not also the intention to build a
trunk line from Chitina to Fairbanks, connecting with the
Copper River & Northwestern railway to tidewater. In
running their survey lines from Fairbanks to the Susitna
valley the administration may feel this necessary to satisfy
themselves that it is not as desirable a route as from Fairbanks
to Chitina.
The promptness and freedom with which Commissioner
Riggs gave expression as to the intentions of the Engineering
Board indicates that secrecy is not one of their cardinal
principles. They are undoubtedly following the progressive
idea of taking the people into their confidence when anything
has been determined upon and no interst would be jeopardized
by giving publicity.
NEW U. S. COMMISSIONER FOR CHITINA
An important appointment has just been made by Judge
F. M. Brown, which we believe will be strongly endorsed bv all
fair minded men of Cordova and the Copper River country. In
the naming of William O’Connor as IT. S. Commissioner at
Chitina, he has designated a man of rugged honesty and
determination to stand for the better things in life. lie is an
attorney and otherwise is equipped to satisfactorily perform
the duties of the office to which he has just been appointed.
With a desire to be fair to all men he still has the courage to
enforce the law and to give every man an equal chance. The
people of Chitina precinct can have the satisfaction of knowing
that no law breaking element will be able to “handle” the new
IT. S. Commissioner. Several men were suggested and
urged for this office and while some of them are capable and
deserving men it is doubtful if a better selection could have
been made under the circumstances.
TIP FOR ALASKA DEMOCRATS
■ f* i < •' yt - ' .*! T £*' i ■ • ’ ; j • ' -
There is considerable discussion in various sections of
Alaska over the probable nominee for Delegate to Congress
and for members of the Territorial Legislature. So far no
prominent Democrat has been put forth as a positive candidate
for the Democratic nomination for Congress. At Juneau and
Fairbanks they have been busy thus far impressing the rest
of the territory with the fact that our present delegate is not
a Democrat and consequently cannot be the party nominee
for Congress. If that point be generally accepted throughout
the territory it is expected that a few Democratic aspirants
may loom upon the horizon. The Juneau Empire seems to
think that the time is now ripe for Democrats to familiarize
themselves with the policy of their party and to study the
needs of the territory so that they may intelligently act when
opportunity presents later on. That paper says:
If the various Democratic clubs in Alaska would
serve Alaska and the Democratic party as they are
capable of serving they should take up Alaska problems
and discuss them. They should think less of patronage
and more of the government and development of the
territory. They should develop a program for the appli
cation of Democratic principles to the problems that
confront the people who are erecting a commonwealth
in the north. They should consider the enlargement of
the application of the Democratic principle of self
government here. They should look carefully into the
proposed development board or administrative commis
sion that is proposed for Alaska, and consider whether
• or not any of the bills now pending before Congress
provide for encroachments upon the right the people
have to manage their own affairs.
These things are of far more importance than the
personality of the man who is to become the next
Delegate to Congress. In fact, the discussion of such
matters is far more likely to result in the choice of a
suitable candidate for Delegate to Congress than the
discussion of the way men have been voting in the past.
Let the time from the present until the meeting of the
nominating convntion be devoted to a careful considera
tion of Alaskan problems, and the character of the
• democracy of those who discuss them will disclose itself.
The Democrats of Alaska should go to the Terri
torial convention with a thorough working program
which they would have the next Delegate to Congress
and the next Territorial Legislature carry out.
A MECCA FOR OFFICE HOLDERS
Retrenchment was the cry by the members of the recently
elected city council at Fairbanks. And that there was reason
for it may be determined from the scale of salaries adopted
and now in force. Heretofore they must have been simply out
of sight, for the following is the retrenchment scale:
Chief of police, $225 per month; ]iatrolman, $200; chief
of fire department, $225; captain, $160; fireman, $125; city
attorney, $125; city physician, $50; city clerk, $200 from
April 10,1914 to October 1,1914, and $250 thereafter, the clerk
to act as city magistrate, assessor, deputy tax collector and do
any other odd jobs that turn up during that time.
Some of the present officials in Cordova will no doubt look
with jealous eyes upon the remunerative positions in Fair
banks, where, it is claimed by Our interior friends, “living and
supplies are about as cheap as in Seattle.”
EDITORIAL COMMENT
Commissioner Riggs rather intimates in his telegram
today to the Cordova Chamber of Commerce that the people
of this section ought not to take umbrage at the delay in
making surveys between Chitiua and Fairbanks, for he says
the commission has already more information on that route
than on any other.
Base ball for Cordova is an alluring bait that some of the
enthusiastic fans are now throwing out. They contend that
two good teams could be organized if arrangements were made
to secure a suitable ground.
Rabbi Goldstein has begun a movement for the abolition
of capital punishment. That is all right; and a good place to
begin is that suggested by a French commentator: “Let
Messieurs, the assassins, commence.”
Young John D. says there is nothing to arbitrate in
Colorado. Has he observed that even Mr. Huerta has aban
doned that attitude after closer acquaintance with the man in
the White House?
There is great enthusiasm among the baseball fans in
Cordova, and there is a general hope that before the Fourth of
July we shall have a first class ball ground and a couple of
expert teams.
Felix Diaz, by the way, seems to be one Mexican who has
no difficulty suppressing any impulse to rush to the aid of
Huerta in repelling the invaders.
Philadelphia reports a campaign for individual buckets
for horses. Individual swatters for flies may be looked for next.
From all accounts the Cordova Democratic Club is in a
i quandry. They are up against a novel situation. A member
of the club, who signed the roll, now refuses to sign the peti
tion of an applicant for deupty U. S. Marshal on the ground
that he, Ajax, is not a Democrat and consequently ought not to
I request a favor of a Democratic official. And now some of the
club officers are trying to decide whether Ajax is for or against
them, and wonder if he continues to be the Republican
territorial committeeman for tlrt-s precinct while enjoying the
favor of an appointment under a Democratic judge.
New York City proposes to segregate, tag, or otherwise
regulate her cranks, evidently with the purpose of establishing
a close season for her public officials.
A Texas court has quashed an indictment for robbery
because it stated a dime when it should have been two nickels.
What might have happened had it been ten pennies only the
court can conjecture.
It is stated by authority that the chief beneficiaries of
the canal tolls’ exemption will be the standard Oil Company,
the United States Steel Corporation, the Sugar Trust and the
steamships owned by the Atlantic Coast railroads. Whether
this is correct or not, one thing is certain. Those who get the
canal tolls’ exemption will not use an\r of the money in paying
canal expenses or building railroads in Alaska.
Fairbanks is fully determined that the Democratic
Territorial nominating convention shall be held in that city
this summer. And it wants a real convention, not a represen
tation by proxy.
We don’t hear much nowadays about connecting railroads
for Cordova, but there is a heap of talk aboiit automobile roads
from Chitina or Valdez to the valley of the Tanana.
If the result of war should be to double the income tax it
would probably be still less popular among the prosperous.
Former United States Marshal Faulkner at Juneau states
that he did not tender his resignation, neither was he removed.
But as his successor was appointed and is now holding the
office it might be said that the department at Washington
simply waived formalities and “relieved” the official. That
seems to be the shortest cut and avoids argument or
controversy.
An election was held in Cordova about six weeks ago but
a battle between factions continues to be waged. And there is
all kinds of talk about petitions, restraining orders, etc. But
the ins keep smiling and the outs keep a growling, and human
nature remains about the same.
There seems to be solid force in the acquittal of Chairman
Hale of the Massachusetts Progressives of being “addicted to
boss rule.” No one could be addicted to boss rule in the
Progressive party. Their bosses are all “leader? ”
Portland, Ore., started its new farmers’ market the other
day. Only four fanners appeared; but as they sold all they
had inside of ten minutes there will probably be more of them
the next time.
Soon the Alaska Engineering Commission will be moving
on the Northland, and then will there be a material realization
that the hopes and work of years is about to be realized.
Ajax the mighty has run up against a snag in his easy
methods of getting away with the taxpayers money.
WASHINGTON, May 13.—Walter Daub, until recently
connected with the Canadian Northern railway, has been
appointed as one of the engineers on the work of locating the
Alaska railroads. He will be assigned as head of one of the
parties soon to be put into the field and it is expected that he
will leave this week for Seattle to proceed immediately to the
Northland.
/
2, ' 'it* jx- ■ . ; *r*- .
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?
GEO. C. HAZELET,
Agent Chitina Townsite Company.
TIN SHOP
IN SHUSHANNa
t
. ■} -
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
oar tin shop.
W. H. CARSTENS & CO.
SHUSHANNA - » - ALASKA
Chitina GRILL
&IA .-iiii BSHit
Good Eats for Particular People
Prompt Service. Popular Service.
Next to Chitina Hotel.
!- _ * 1
CHITINA : : : ALASKA.
i! 0. ADRIAN NELSON jj
■, ■■ -1 ■ ■■■ - * >
: U. S. Mineral Surveyor j
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:: chitina : - - aiaska ::
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CHITINA: BAKERY
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AXD
Coffee House
HENRY GESSNER, Prop.
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FRESH BREAD, CAKES AXD
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PIES ALWAYS ON HAND
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SLet Lewis Help t==V
era for Amateurs" will help you to better
»—it** free. Send us your films for develop*
printing. Enforcing. Developing 10c roll,
e; printing. ?c up. Cash with order. You’ll
r work bettor. Photo supplies. Dept. S.
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: GROCERIES, HARDWARE :
: AND:_- :
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> ond-Hand Goods, and can 1
* save you money on your out- !
» fit. Bunk House, with free !
, Cook House, in connection. J
>____ ‘
CHITINA HEIGHTS
; C. A. SIMONS & CO. I
"M"i i 11H41 mi mi iai
HOTEL
WASHINGTON!!
> ' ‘
ANNEX
8EATTLE I\
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a __ « ►
Sew% modern and fireproof. - »
Ail outside rooms ‘ *
<»
The most con l eniently located J
hotel in the city. J |
Rooms and suites are particle |
larly large. j j
Very desirable for families or ! !
parties traveling together. | I
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trains. Write for booklet. '< '<
J. H. DAVIS, Prop ;
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