CHITIXA, ALASKA, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23. 1911
NO. 13
Seattle, Dec. 22.—The steamer
Bertha sailed yesterday for Juneau
and Southwestern Alaska. She car
ries a light passenger list. Those for
Cordova are Elmer Kane and wife
and Miss Jane Mathews.
San Francisco, Dec. 22.—Some
time ago it was published that Wil
liam T. Hummings, of Vancouver,
had been frozen to death near Val
dez. He created a big surprise to.
day by appearing at the home of his
sister who had mourned his death.
Cincinnatti, Dec. 22.—Mrs. Mary
McNamara, the mother of the con
fessed dynamiters, was greatly
shocked at the confession of her
two boys having had firm faith up
to that time in their innocence. She
has been very much distressed since
the confession and it is now snid
that she is dying of a broken heart.
She is confined to bed and her
strength is fast ebbing away.
Seattle, Dec. 22.—It is definitely
stated that Prof. Parker, of Colum
bia University, will again make the
attempt to ascend Mount McKinley
He will go by way of Seward, for
which p>oint he will sail from here
in two weeks.
Washington. Dec. 22.—After a
brief session today. Congress ad.
journed until January 2. Many of
the members have left for their
homes in neighboring states.
New York, Dec. 22.—A campaign
against the tipping evil is to be the
chief work of the newly orgaanized
International Hotel Worker's Union.
The union’s platform declared for a
“living wage for hotel workers,”
which would render tips unneces.
sary.
“The tipping system is a relic of
ancient times,” declares a statement
by President Paul Vehling.
Chicago, Dec. 21.—At this stage
of the proceedings in the trial of in
dividual members of the meat trust,
the defence gives formal notice that
a motion will be offered that the
jury be instructed to return a ver
dict of not guilty. They claim that
the prosecution has failed to prove
their case.
Los Angeles, Dec. 21.—The re.
port has just reached here that ban
dits have murdered Frank Gillette,
a wealthy American planter at Mor.
ada, Mexico. They secured $40,000
in loot and then made their escape.
Paris, Dec. 21.—Mme. Langevin,
has been granted a separation from
her husband, on the grounds of his
intimacy with Mme. Curie, the worn,
an celebrated for her discovery of
radium. This case has been notor
ious throughout France and has
been the subject for discussion for
many weeks past.
Pekin, Dec. Zl.—The premier has
issued an official statement in
which he announces that without
qualification he refuses to accept a
republic. This would indicate that
the peace conference will be without
avail and that hostilities will again
commence.
Los Angeles, Dec. 21.—There is
suspicion and consternation again in
the city. Fear is entertained that
the dynamite conspiracies have not
been all suppressed. A feeling ol
uneasiness has been created through
the finding of twenty-three stticks
of dynamite in the shrubbery sur
rounding the home of ArthurLetts
The latter is wealthy and the prop,
rietor of a large department store.
There is considerable speculation
as to whether some aggrieved in
dividual intended to wreck ven.
geance or whether there is an organ
ization that intends to continue the
use of dynamite to destroy presumed
enemies.
Portland, Ore., Dec. 21.—A des
perado known as the “Tacoma Kid"
has been under surveillance by the
police. As his actions were suspi.
cious last night policeman Hewston
keought to place him under arrest.
WThe bandit resisted and soon there
fwas a gun duel in full play, with
the result that “Tacoma Kid" was
fatally wounded.
J Monterey, Mexico, Dec. 21.—
Mounted troops are again bn the
| trail of the renegade General Ber
, nardo Reyes. They are now trail
* ing him through the state of Tamul
ipis. They consider him a menace
to the republic and one who will
continually incite revolutionists to
action.
San Domingo, Dec. 2’.—Ex- Presl.
dent Morales and some of his follow,
ers became venturesome and landed
on the coast. They were Immediate,
ly placed unler arrest. This quick
action, it is supposed will have the
effect of discouraging any demon
stration upon the part of malcou.
tenia.
WHY NOT COAL RAILWAY VIA CHITINA
f
BY WILL A. STEEL.
R. J. Barry, who has just returned from Seattle, states
that the sentiment outside is very strong in the belief that
President Taft and Secretary Fisher will work with all their
strength to secure such legislation as will mean the opening
of our coal fields and the building of a railroad from a sea
port terminal into the interior to a point on the Yukon or its
tributaries. From telegraphic advices received from Wash
ington by Seattleites Mr- Barry states that the bill introduced
a week ago by Congressman Sulzer practically meets the ideas
of the President and Secretary Fisher, although in many de
tails it will undoubtedly be amended in committee.
It is thought that the most likely amendment, and one that
will not be opposed by the administration, will be the in
sertion of a clause providing for the oppointment of a com
mission to investigate the various proposed routes to the
interior, the commission to have authority to let the various
promoters of railroads submit their propositions to the gov
ernment—under a plan by which the government will guar
antee the interest on the bonds in the cost of construction for
a period of ten or fifteen years. If this compromise is forced,
both Secretary Fisher and Congressman Sulzer have been for
tified with facts and figures which prove conclusively that by
this method the government can save $8,000,000 annually. This
amount will more than pay the interest on the cost of con
struction.
Mr. Barry is particularly hopeful that some such clause
will be adopted. He contends that the most feasible and
economical way of hauling the coal of the Matanuska, is to
build from Chitina, a distance of 155 miles, on an easy grade.
Profiles of this route have been made and the cost estimated
to be about $7,000,000. Where it would require one engine
to bring the coal from Matanuska to Chitina and then from
there over the road of the Copper River '& Northwestern rail
way to Cordova, it would require six engines of the same type
to haul the same tonnage over a route into Seward. Mr Barry
contends that there are four distinct summits to cro>.s on ti e
latter route. In crossing one there is a 14 per cent curve ni:h
a grade of 2.2 per cent, for several miles.
If the Sulzer bill should be so amended that a r a,w ission
would be given power to investigate and decide upon the mod
feasible route for the government to construct a railway into
the Matanuska fields and the interior, Mr. Barry feels confi
dent that the decision would be in favor of the Clr.iii a route
A traffic arrangement could then be made with the cmq.nny
operating the present road from Chitina to Cordova The pur
pose of the government for building into the Matanuska field
and operating a mine there is primarily for the purpose of
furnishing coal to a naval station. (Again Mr. Barry comes
forth with the reply that the government has already made
reservation of Hawkins island and at the head of Simpson’s
bay, both almost within a stone’s throw of Cordova. Either
of these locations would haave superior advantages for a
naval station, and would not be subject to the wind and tides
as would Resurrection baay
And* if the government wishes to assist in the mineral
development of Alaska, the natural desire would be to take
the coal to the location where it will be most needed. And
who can question but that the Chitina-Kotsina-Nizina belt
will prove the greatest copper district not only of Alaska,
but most likely of the world. And then, too, the gold devel
opment will be of no mean significance. So Mr. Barry’s view
looks most reasonable and there is much hope in the thought
that if the question of route is submitted to an unprejudiced
commission, Chitina and Cordova are going to be very much in
the running. There is every indication that a railroad will be
built in the very near future, into the Matanuska field, either
directly by the government or with government aid. In ad
dition to the Sulzer bill another measure was introduced in
the House yesterday by Representative Anderson, of Minne
sota. It provides for the construction of a national railroad
from Seward to the Matanuska coal field and tlien into the
inteiior. It is proposed to issue thirty year bonds for the
amount of the actual cost of construction. The operation is
to be under the direction of a commission of five, one of whom
shall be a bona fide Alaskan. The Sulzer bill as originally
dafrted, but which was amended in some particulars before
it was introduced into Congress follows:
WAR NEW AND SENSATIONAL OCCURRENCES
Teheran, Persia, December 22.—Active fighting has been
going on. The government palace at Tabriz has been bom
barded by the Russians. There is also a battle waging at
Enseli, Caspian Sea. In this city Russian soldiers are swarm
ing everywhere. They have seized the police headquarters
and much bloodshed is expected.
Teheran, Persia, December 22.—The Russian invasion has
forced the National Council to consent to the dismissal of
Treasurer-General Morgan Shuster. The latter was let out
this afternoon, in compliance with Russia’s demands and it
is expected that there will be an immediate cessation of hos
tilities. Persia sought to avoid the killing of many of her
people, which undoubtedly would have resulted had Shuster
been retained.
-oooo
San Francisco, December 22.—While is has been known
that there has been trouble in the Spreckles family ever since
the death of the old father Claus Spreckles, it was not supposed
that the matter would get into the courts. Efforts have been
made by the different heirs to affect a peacable settlement
and adjust the apparent discrimination in the bequests of
the will. But after these several years the matter has finally
been taken into the courts. Two sons, Rudolph and Claus,
have brought suit against their brothers John D- and Adolph,
claiming that they are entitled to $8,000,000 interest in the
estate. Several prominent attorneys will appear in the case
and it promises to be bitterly contested, with a few sensa
tions brought out.
--oooo
New lork, December. 22.—There has been considerable
talk about the late E. H. Harriman and other big magnates
contributing to the campaign fund for Theodore Roosevelt
when he was running for President. This has caused the
fighting Teddy to come out and strenuously deny that he had
ever asked for or received a dollar from Harriman And to
strengthen his contention he now publishes the correspond
ence that passed between himself and Geo. R Sheldon, treas
urer of the Republican National Committee. This indicates
that the Harriman contribution was not for the national party
but was used in New \ork in aid of the Republican state
ticket.
Seward, December 22.—It has just been made known that
\\. Harn St. Clair, an old-timer, and for some vears past the
keeper of the road house at Girdwood, died a week ago of
heart failure. He was a well-known character and had a host
of friends in every section of the territory.
New York, Dec. 22.—It is generally believed that the
action of the government in giving notice of the abrogation
of the treaty with Russia will cause that power to seek re
taliatory measures. In allying herself with Japan there would
be a strength that would prove formidable if hostilities were
declared. The suggestion that Russia will make an effort
to pick a quarrel has caused the various department officials
to devoutly wish that the Alaska coal fields were opened up
and one or more naval coaling stations established in the
north Pacific coast.
St. Petersburg, December 22.—There is much talk here of
retaliating with the United States by making a tariff war on
that country. Much unfriendly feeling is expressed.
-oooo
New York, December 21.—During the first thirty hours
that President Taft was in this city he laid the corner stone
for a large building, made five speeches, and incidentally at
tended a few dinners. In one of his talks he declared that one
of the greatest evils of this age was the method of living by
the people generally. He said they were living too fast and
that they allowed the demands on their purse, time and
health to be far in excess of the requirements of normal con
ditions, and way beyond the necessities of the good old days
of our parents and grand parents. The President declared
himself strongly in favor of good roads, but stated that he
opposed throwing down the bars of the national treasury to
build public highways. He thought that a matter properly
concerning the people and treasuries of the various states,
and worthy of their most liberal censideration.
-oooo
Washington, Dec. 21.—The fourth instalment of the Presi
dent’s annual message was read in Congress today. This
special communication relates largely to the financial condi
tions of the treasury. He sets forth that the receipts are
nearly fifty million dollars in excess of the expenditures
He urges the enactment of an employers liability law, setting
forth many good reasons why an act should be immediately
passed. He favors the extension of postal banks, taking the
view that while at first they were somewhat experimental
they have been demonstrated as of great benefit and con
venience to a large class of the public. An important declar
ation is one favoring the parcels post. He believes that the
government would be conferring a great boon on a large per
centage of the American people by giving them this privilege
of sending larger parcels through the mails. ,
Washington, Deo. 21.—Vice President Sherman, presi
dent of the Senate, and Speaker of the House Champ Clark
last night attached their signatures to the resolution abro
gating the Russian treaty on January 1, 1913. The document
was immediately sent by messenger to the President, who is
now in New York City. A wire from there this morning states
that when the president received it he smiled broadly, said
“with pleasure,” and at once sat down and with his signa
ture made the official paper complete and ready for St.
Petersburg.
-oooo
Portland, December 21.—The biggest kind of a sensa
tion was recently sprang, through the confession of a postal
clerk in this city. He had been taking money for years, the
definite amount is not yet known. During an investigation
by special agents it was discovered that Orlando Altorre was
guilty as confessed. After his arrest he intimated that part of
the money had gone to Fred H. Thompson, a big criminal
lawyer of this city. At first little credence was given the
matter, but after agent- went to work on the case it resulted
in the arrest of Thompson. He has just had his trial and the
jury convicted him of receiving $15,000 from Altorre, when
he knew that the money had been stolen.
-oooo
San Francisco, December 21.—For months past there have
been persistent rumors that the Great Northern railroad pro
posed to push their line from Oregon through California to
this city. The frequent presence here of James J. Hill and
also of his son Louis Hill, now president of the railroad, has
given credence to the report. Now something definite comes
in an announcement from James J. Hill. He states that he
has purchased the Oakland-Antioch line, which runs from
across the bay into the Sacramento valley. This he says will
be all that is necessary to give him a route and right-of-way
into San Francisco. This news is hailed with much gratifi
cation as additional railway facilities will greatly add to the
importance of the city and give the wholesale dealers and
importers a new outlet for trade.
-oooo
Washington, December 20.—Last night the Senate by a
unanimous vote ratified the action of President Taft in noti
fying Russia that the treaty of 1832 would be abrogated by
this government after the required one year’s notice.
Washington, December 20.—When the Senate resolution
upholding the President in giving notice of the abrogation of
the Russian treaty was presented in the House this morning it
was agreed to by a viva voce vote.
Washington, Dec. 21.—"Don’t
make any mistake about New Mex_
ico,” remarked W. H. Andrews to
day. "New Mexico is Republican.
The Democrats won the Governor
and Secretary of State, but we got all
the rest. We took two out of three
Supreme Court Judges, got the Audi
tor General, and the Corporation
Commission. We lost, tne head of l
the ticket because of a factional
tight.”
Delegate Andrews, who formerly
was a member of the Pennsylvania
Senate, and one of Quay's lieuten
ants, Is expecting to come to the |
United States Senate in January;
when the legislature of the new state
meets.
"Out of 39 members of the Lower
House, the regular Republicans have
elected 20," he said. “Out of the
24 members of the Senate we have
16. So you can see that the Demo
crats and Progressive Republicans
together are in the minority. The
regulars are real Republicans of the
Pennsylvania brand.’'
Washington, Dec. 21 —A tentative
bill abolishing the present common
law and statutory liability for the
personal injury and death of em_
ployes in the service of Interstate
railways substituting definite com
pensation, irrespective of negligence,
has been completed by the Federal
Employes’ Liability and Workmen’s
Compensation Commission.
Public hearings on the merits of
the bill have started. The bill pro.
vides that in all injuries medical and
surgical aid, not exceeding $200 shall
be furnished by the employers, and
that where a disability extends be
yond fourteen days, the employee
shall receive this compensation.
Injuries resulting in permanent
disability, such as the loss of both
legs, both arms or both eyes, 50
per cent of his wages during the rest
of his life.
Permanent partial injuries, such
as loss of arm,leg, or one eye, fifty
per cent of his wages for a term ex
tending from thirty months to sev
enty-two months.
In case of temporary total disabil.
ity, he is to receive a like amount
during the continuaance of the dis
ability; temporary partial disability,
50 per cent of the impairment of his
earning capacity.
A week ago a stampede was on
from the camps east of Nome to a
tributary of Koyuk river, which in
turn flows into Norton bay. Pay has
been uncovered as high as eighty
five cents to the pan, and the lowest
is said to run sixty.five qents to the
pan. The ground is shallow
A former Fairbanks girl, Miss
Mae De Journal, made her debut in
grand Opera at San Francisco on
November 14. A big French opera
company opened there and Miss De;
Journel had small parts in Lakme
and Carellirea. Grazzi, the director,
of the company, is much taken with
her voice, and says that if she makes j
good this fall, he will stage her as
Venus in Tannhauser and as Hero,
diade in Paris next year.
New York, Dec. 22.—Mine Laur.
eny Feidler, the distinguished French
woman who came to this country in
1907 to study our methods of pre.
venting tuberculosis and the social
evil, left a bill of 9700 owing to the
Hotel Wellington when she died
there there on March 19. Her un
fortunate financial condition at the
time of her death, unfriended and
alone, became known when it was
announced today by the attorney for
the hotel that all Madame Fielder's
effects would be sold to satisfy the
hotel’s lien. Madame Fielder was
mucn entertained by ><ew York so
ciety. She had long conferences
with both President Roosevelt and
President Taft, and her position was
even further dignified by the fact
that she represented the French gov.
ernment. When she died her body
would have been buried in Potter’s
field had not Miss Morgan inter
vened.
In a recent address in Seattle
Falcon Joslin, president of t3e
Tanana Mines railway, pointed out
that now is the psychological mom.
ent to strike for action on the part
of congress.
“The people of the east are in
tensely interested in Alaska,” said
Mr. Joslin, “and if we go after those
things which are not in controversy
I am sure we will get results. Alaska,
I sincerely believe, if opened to de
velopment, in a very few years will
have a population of 1,000,000 white
people, instead of about 35,000. Se_
attle's trade with Alaska, instead of
being $50,000,000 per year, would
soon be increased to 100 times that
amount.”
. Joslin went into the railroad sit
uation at some length and ezpres.
sed the opinion that the best way to
solve the problem would be to ap
point a government commission to
investigate the various routes and in
this manner avoid the certain con
flicts that are bound to arise if any
particular route is chosen.
New York, Dec. 22.—Wjright Lor.
imer, an actor who has been promi
nent In thespian circles, died here
this morning.
New York, Dec. 21.—Mrs. Rosie
Levy, 106 years old, New Rork City’s
oldest inhabitant, celebrated her
birthday anniversary yesterday by
preparing a turkey dinner for more
than thirty guests. She is the grand
mother of Aaron J. Levy, chairman
of the judiciary committee of the
New York State Legislature. Mrs.
Levy was born in Russia and had
16 children, 10 of whom are living.
She has retained her faculties to an
enormous extent and can read, sew
and knit without the aid of spec
tacles. She wears the latest styles
in millinery. She has a great fac
ulty for remembering the names and
faces of persons she meets
Lincoln, Dec. 22.—The Secretary
of State has received a petition pray
ing that the name of Theodore
Roosevelt be placed on the primary
ballot for president. -
->'
Washington, Oec. £8.—The _J
dent gave hiB approval to the pian
of Senator Perkins to give a sub
sidy to a mail steamship line from
San Francisco to Australia.
Toluco, Mexico, Dec. 22.—A battle
has been fought between the rurales
and rebels. Thirteen of the former
have been killed and it is expected
that other skirmishes will follow.
Los Angeles, Dec. 22.—Two men
are dying as the result of ain effort
upon the part of policeman Floyd C.
Eller to arrest a burglar, Fred
Wlnsch. A pistol duel was engaged
In and both men were shot several
times. It Is believed that neither
can live.
Or. E. E. Hill, the president of
the Nome Aerie No. 75, has been
appointed deputy grand president
for the territory of Alaska, of the
Fraternal Order of Eagles.
Fairbanks is very hopeful that
soon large returns will be received
from the various quartz mines in
that vicinity. Twenty tons of ore
has been sacked from a new prop
erty, the Rexall No. 2. The work
men are driving a tunnel on the
strike of the small vein and are also
preparing to start a raise. The ore
is high in gold values, and from
fugh estimates should go about
00 to the ton.
| Seattle, Deo., 22.—H. J. Green,
[ a workman In one of i he mills here
! was attacked by a highwayman. In
defending himself he killed his as
sailant, who Is unknown.
80ME RAPID TRAVEL
SEATTLE TO INTERIOR
A recent issue of the Fairbanks
Times says: On the stage last
night there were three passengers,
among them J. R. Mathews. Mr.
Mathews made the trip from Seattle
in the record breaking time of 11
dayB, 22 1,2 hours. That was done
owing to the fact that close con
nections were made at all junction
points. The Alameda made the trip
| from 8eattle to Cordova in three and
1 one halt days.
—
Gabe Ashland, of the Gocona roan
house was in town last week trad
house was in town last week trad
ing with our merchants and renew,
ing old acquaintances. He is laying
in his supplies for next year and
says that this point has great ad
vantages when it comes to hau.ing
freight to his place.
Anderson Brothers, owners of
stores in the Iaitarod and Ruby City
were in Chitina Monday on their
way outside where they will pur.
chase supplies for next year. Their
home is in Seattle but they spend
most of the time in Alaska. They
had a fine sample of placer gold with
them taken from McCumber's prop
erty on Flint creek, which they
think promises to be a great camp
next year.
Billy Klitzka of Tazlina took out
a four horse load of merchandise
Sunday morning which lie will use
at his road house.
J. P. Hopkins and K. W. waver,
of Fairbanks, were at the Hotel
Chitina between trains Tuesday.
J. H. McCauley, until recently
timekeeper for the extra gangs on
the road here has accepted a sim
ilar position at the Bonanza mines.
Geo. Cappell is in town this wo-k
from his copper properties on the
upper Chitina which he says are go
ing to be the finest in this se 'ion of
Alaska. He carried with h'm a nog.,
get of practically pore .upper that
weighs over forty-two pounds. This
is the claim formerly owned by Peter
Monahan and was recently ourchts.
ed by Cappell Rraclyffe .v: C ». who
are now driving a tunnel .-. 1 ' pro
pose to improve the property at
once.
M'*Croary W Sor.s or i npper Cen.
ter wero ('own rlom their village
on Saturday with a four horse
tean They say the road is in fine
condition but that if much more
snow falls it will be too deep for
easy travel.
The money for the school at Chit
ina has arrived and the lumber for
the new building is expected to ar
rive any doy. Meanwhile there are
several children in Chitina who
should be in school.
Johnny Reed, the engineer who
nas just returned from a short vis
it to Toronto and other eastern
points came out on -is first run
Saturday and when he reached Chit,
ina had to be assisted to the hos
pital where he is still confined with
a severe attack of gastritis accom.
panied with other complications.
He is now much improved and will
be at his post again shortly.
John Nagle, cashier of the No; th
ern Development Co., of Copper
Mountain, who was seriously in.
jured in the recent snowslide is rap
idly recovering at the local hospital.
His escape from instant death was
little short of a miracle.
LATE TELEGRAPH NEWS
Liverpool, Dec. 21.—There has
been much dissatisfaction of late up
on the part of cotton writers. They
have been making demands and
threats to strike, many in various
sections having left their work. The
operators have now taken the mat
ter into their hands and threaten a
lockout after Christmas, that will
affect 100,000 operatives unless
they all return to work and con
tinue under terms that have hereto,
fore prevailed.
Cloudsport, Pa. Dec. 22.—George
C. Bayless and Fred A. Hamlin, pres
ident and secretary respectively, of
the company that owned the Austin
dam, have been indicted for invol
untary manslaughter. The relatives
of the dead victims hold the company
responsible for the disastrous flood.
Portland, Dec. 22.—It was at first
thought that the man who was shot
yesterday by policeman Hewston was
a desperado known as the ‘ Tacoma
Kid.” It develops, however, that
the man is Frank Ryan, a rep
utable miner from Missoula. He has
since died and it is believed that his
relatives will bring action against
the policeman.
Shanghai, Dec. 22.—The Premier,
who wired yesterday that he would
not consent to a republic has evi.
dently considered that his statement
was somewhat premature. Today he
wires Tang Shao Yi directing him
to reopen negotiations witn the con
ference and to present a counter
proposition, agreeing to a limited re
public. When this matter was sug.
gested to some of the revolutionary
leaders they stated that they were
willing to take the Question up on
that basis.