THE CHITINA LEADER
CHITINA, ALASKA
Entered as second-class matter, November 12, 1910, at the post office at
Chitlna, Alaska, under the Act of Conbress of March 2, 1879.
ONLY NEWSPAPER IN CHITINA
Published every Tuesday by
HARRY G. STEEL, Editor and Proprietor.
Office: Hotel Chitlna Building. Cordova Office: Daily Times.
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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, ALASKATTUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1915~
UNCERTAIN MINING LAW.
Changes in the Alaska mining laws have been so rapid and
varied that it would almost make one dizzy to try to keep track
of them. Certainly the average miner can hardly know what is
required of him when he wants to take up a claim, but the law
yers should find in this legal mixup a harvest of litigation.
Undoubtedly, congress will soon awaken to the realization
that the Alaska legislators, of the kind that we have had in the
past, are not competent to make mining laws, and that it will be
best to take the matter out of their hands and put the whole
thing under the direction of the United States government.
There will be many oppose this plan, on the general ground
that the people of Alaska should be given the right as far as
possible to make their own laws, which would be true if the
population here was extensive enough to provide experienced
lawmakers. But the fault seems to lie in the fact that the
Alaskans who are competent to serve as lawmakers do not want
the job, as a rule, and thus men of no experience, or sometimes
of no ability in that line, are selected for that important trust.
This will be changed as the country settles up and' the people
take more interest in local legislation.
Of course, The Citizen does not mean to infer that all of the
menmbers of the Alaska legislaure are incompetent or inex
perienced men, but it does say that there have been enough
incompetent men in the two sessions that have been held to pre
vent the constructive legislation that the Territory so much
needs.
But getting back to the mining law, it is clear to anyone
that has paid any attention to the matter that the mining laws
of Alaska are tending to do the Territory more harm than any
other class of legislation that has been enacted for the people
here. In the face of this fact, it seems that everyone should
agree that a stop should be put to this constant changing of
this class of laws. This can only be done by having the gov
ernment take the matter into its own hands and put a stop to
any further repair work.
What the government will probaly do in the end will be to
revoke all the mining laws passed by the Alaska legislature and
to place all mineral lands in the Territory under the control of
the department of the interior, with the idea that the miners
in various districts may have the right to make such local regu
lations as they may need.
It would be interesting to know how many men in the Fair
banks district think they know by what process a mining,
claim is acquired under the present law. They may
understand some of the main features of the law recently
passed by the legislature, and they may have a general
idea of the former law passed' by the first legislature, but there
must always be an uncertainty in their minds in regard to what
ways the local law may conflict with federal laws. They will
probably not know whether they are really complying with
legal requirements or if they are simply laying the basis for fu
ture litigation when they take up a mining claim.
It is quite proper that local government should be en
couraged and broadened, but this is not half as important as the
necessity of protecting the miners from the mischief being
done by a few men sent to Juneau every two years to spend two
months in working at something of which they have little
knowledge.—Fairbanks Citizen.
ALASKA COAL FIELDS.
Alaska matters have moved with most desirable speed dur
ing the past two years, under the forceful regime of Secretary
of the Interior Lane and the good’ office of congress. It is an
nounced that the long deadlock on the opening of the Alaska
coal fields will soon be at an end and' that the new regulations
anc} provisions under which the territory’s coal may be leased
will made public within the next three weeks.
The advantages of the government railway and the expen
diture of $30,000,000 of national funds will not be fully realized
unless the resources of the territory are opened to private as
well as public enterprize. A reasonable conservation policy
has been urged upon congress and upon the present administra
tion, and there is every reason to hope that such regulations
will be adopted' as will conserve the nation’s interests and at the
same time permit the coal fields to be utilized at a reasonable
profit to the operators.
It would be useless to encumber coal land leases with such
irksome provisions as to make them unprofitable to private
operation. Tt will require capital to open the mines and facili
tate the marketing of the product. Unless capital is assured
of some degree of tenure of occupancy and a fair degree of
profitable investment the coal fields will remain unopened
Secretary Lane, it is believed, appreciates this, and has
sought to devise such regulations and lease provisions as shall
make development and operation of the mines fair to the nation
and fair to the operators. If this happy result is reached there
can be no just criticism from any quarter.—Seattle P.-I.
-:o:-■
The Copper River & Northwestern railroad is employing
more men and has a bigger pay roll at present than at any
time during the past two years.
Copper ore continues to pile up at Cordova, awaiting trans
portation facilities to the Tacoma smelter. When this paper
announced last May that the Kennecott mines were producing
$1,000,000 a month in copper glance our statement was looked
upon with suspicion. But it was the truth and since that time
the output of this mineral shipped from the local port has been
worth from $1,500,000 to $2,000,000 a month.
Chairman Edes, of the Alaska Engineering Commission, is
quoted as saying that if money is granted by congress, and he
has no doubt that it will be, “we will make things move/’
Just what, when, where and how the moving is to take place is
not stated. It can’t be possible the Commission intends mov
ing the government railroad to Katalla, Yakutat or some other
point, although stranger things have been known to happen—
and in this Northland.
’ -- -* •
TRAIL FOND RAISED
The contract has been let for the building of a trail from
McCarthy, over the Rohn glacier, into the Suhanna, through
efforts of William James, the orginal discoverer of pay in the
latter camp, who is now in Cordova.
In a letter, written to Major W. P. Richardson, of the
Alaska Road Commission, Mr. James outlines the arrangements
made for the construction of this trail, as follows:
‘“I have made a contract with Sid Johnson of McCarthy to
build the trail on the following basis: I figured it would take
about $2000 to build the trail, and my company has agreed to
furnish $500 in cash and one man, whose wages will be $300
making $800 in all; the merchants of McCarthy have raised
$250 and the $500 to be given by the Road Commission will
make $1550. Johnson has agreed to compelete trail, and we ex
pect that the cost over the amount so far raised will be paid by
the people in the Sushanna. Johnson has agreed to build the
trail on these conditions, and take his chances on getting the
excess cost out of the Sushanna miners and merchants. John
son is to my personal knowledge, a reliable and responsible
party, and the men he will have helping him are equally so, so
that you may feel assured that the trail will be built in a Avork
like manner.
“I have made arrangements with Mr. A. E. Todd, of Mc
may know that the $500 donated by you has been earned. I
think it best for you to write to Todd' instructing him whtt will
be necessary for him to do in order that Johnson and his men
may secure the Road Commission money as soon as the work is
completed.
“I am leaving Cordova on the Northwestern for the outside
and will return before the first of the year to freight in my sup
plies. If there are any matters to be cleared' up in your mind
about the matter, I wish you would write to Mr. E. F. Medley
at Cordova, as I have explained the situation fully to him, and
he understands what I have done and what is wanted.”
BOSTON WINS SERIES
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 13—Boston won the world’s
championship by capturing the fourth straight game from the
Philadelphia Nationals this afternoon. The score wds 5 to 4.
As a result of the five games played each player on the Boston
team will receive $3,800 and each player on the Phillies will get
$2,500.
BOSTON, Oct. 12—The home team won the third game of
the world’s series yesterday afternoon by a score of 2 to 1,
Boston again outplayed Philadelphia, making six hits to its
opponets three, both sides registering a single error each.
The battery for Boston was Leonard and Bill Carrigan, the
captain-manager of the American League champs, while the
wonderful Alexander pitched for the losers with Burns as
backstop.
--:0:
BERLIN, Oct. 16—The German troops in Serbia stormed
yesterday, the enemy’s positions south of Semendria and east of
Pozare^ac. On the other front in Serbia the Bulgarian troops
are progressing against the enemy and have captmed the east
ern forts of Seaiicar.
The Copper River & Northwestern
Ry. is perparing to handle an immense
copper tonnage during the coming win
ter and spring. For many months
past this road has been enjoying an
era of great prosperity brought about
by the steady movement of the red
metal as well as a new industrial ac
tivity along its line. The road has
been operated without serious delays
since December, 1913, the one excep
tion being the trouble caused by high
water during the terrific hot spell of
July, which proved to be not at all
serious after the water had subsided.
The work of repairs was pushed with
all possible speed and the shipments
of copper were resumed early in
August upon a larger scale than ever
before.
The railroad company has placed
an order for additional equipment to
meet growing traffic conditions. The
first order is for 15 box cars and three
special cook and caboose cars, the
order1 for these 18 cars being awarded
to the Seattle Car & Foundry Co.
for delivery this fall. The cook and
caboose cars are being built upon en
tirely new and original design, being
equipped as rotary tenders for prop
erly housing and caring for employees
and trainmen during any unusal trip
with the rotaries where there may be
danger of the men being kept out all
night from one of the main sta
tions. These cars are being fitted up
with large ranges and are so con
structed that quite a number of men
can be comfortably berthed and fed.
Supplies can be carried along suffi
cient for a week’s campaign, if neces
sary. Such equipment is needed in
Alaska where there is possibility of
the men being called upon for strenous
work and as there can be no delay,
extra crews must be taken along to
set as relays.
The box cars ordered are of 100,000
lbs capacity, steel under frame and
roof and all standard specifications.
These box cars will he unique in one
respect, having on one side two large
doors, one near each end in place of
the ordinary one door in the center.
This is arranged so that sacked cop
per ore can be handled in and out
more quickly. Also loading can be
carried on at each door at the same
time. Box cars are used for this pur
pose owing to the importance or pro
tecting the sacks of ore from the
heavy snowfall.
To the American Locomotive Works
is awarded the contract for a new ro
tary and three new Mikado locomo
tives. The rotary will be of standard
design with a 12 ft. cut, 18 by 26 in.
cylinder, 9,000 gallon water tender and
when load will weigh 366,000 lbs.
It will be a coal burner. Coal will
be used in place of oil in this service
during the winter, fuel stored along
the entire road in convenient and
sheltered places. By the first of the
year it i8 expected that 6,000 tons coal
will have been distributed along the
entire length of the road for emer
gency use of the steam shovel crews.
The three locomotives will have a
48 inch wheel base, 20 by 28 inch
cylinder. They will be oil burners
with a capacity of 3,00 gallons of oil.
eight wheels and in working order will
weigh 370,000 lbs. The company has
several locomotives here which are
equipped to bum coal in service with
the rotaries and the new locomotives
are so arranged that they can be easi
ly converted should occasion require.
Meanwhile various other precau
tions are being taken by the company
to insure th esucessful operations of
the road during the winter. The last
two wintres have clearly demonstrated
that this railroad can be operated
throughout the snow season v>ith less
delay than might arise from damage
caused by excessive July heat, which
fact has reversed the opinion previous
ly held by experienced railroad men
that winter operations on an Alaskan
railroad were impossible. It Is true
that the two last seasons were not
quite ag severe as many other win
ters and no person can suggest in
advance what weather conditions
migh be expected in this part of the
territory. The fact that the company
is going to so great an expense and
trouble to properly handle the traffic
over the road during the winter, is an
indication not only of the importance
of this line as the most important
tonnage producer in Alaska at the
present time, but It shows that its
owners have such faith in the country
and its possibilities that nothing will
be overlooked in maintaining the road
to the highest standard of efficiency.
MINING REACHING
INDUSTRIAL
STAGE
M. T. Rowland, mining engineer,
discoverer of the Nizina mining dis
trict, and locator of a large body of
antimony ore about fifteen miles from
McCarthy, recently went to Seattle
from Cordova, and Jack Underwood
publishes the following interesting
story in the Times about this well
known Alaskan:
Rowland first found this antimony
thirteen years ago, about fifteen miles
from McCarthy, which is now the
head of the Copper River & North
western railroad.
At the time it cost approimately
$300 a ton to carry freight to the dis
trict, and as antimony was then worth
only a few cents a pound, he did not
bother to stake it. The war in Eu
rope sent the price of antimony flying
skyward and Rowland returned to the
North. He found the big veins un
touched. He brought a quantity of
the ore to Seattle with him and is now
arranging to make regular shipments
this winter. He is registered at the
Hotel Savoy.
Rowland went into Alaska in 1996
and soon afterwards discovered Jack
Wade Creek, in the Forty-Mile dis
trict. He made a small stake at
Dawson and in the spring of 1900
“mushed” over the ice from Dawson
to Nome. Then he went into the Cop
per River country, and although miss
ed the Bonanza mine, he found the
Nizina diggings, where he acquired a
number of claims and sold them for
$250,000. Since that time he has been
in Nevada and Arizona in charge of
copper properties.
"Alaska” he said, “ is much the
same today as it was in the old days—
the richest, virgin region in the world
for the hardy prospector. The means
of transportation are still largely lo
calized, but it is not hard to see mul
tiplied growth of trade with Seattle as
time goes on. The conditions are
such that great mines will be walked
over undiscovered for many years.
“Nevada is a bushless region, and
her white and brown hills are eroded
as clean as a scrubbed floor. It has
been mined and prospected for fifty
years. Yet within the last fifteen
years a score of new camps have
sprung up, each with one or more rich
mines. Every year sees some addi
tion to the number, either from new
discovery or development.
“The same thing will happen and is
happening in Alaska, where, because
of the overburdden of moss and de
composed vegetation, prospecting is
much more difficult. The trouble
with Alaska today is that there are too
many men looking for jobs and not
enough seeking to make a fortune for
themselves.
“Nineteen years ago I discovered a
real bituminous coal in Alaska cov
ering as large an area as a Washing
ton township. If it has been redis
covered I never have seen any men
tion of it in the newspapers nor did I
hear anything about it on my trip
North.
“Copper mining in Alaska is a com
paratively new industry. Yet the
boat I came down brought 2,000 tons
of copper ore, so rich that it will make
1,500 tons of copper ingots. And each
succeeding ship is bringing down its
quota of wealth.
“Gold mining in the Copper River
Valley is proving an important factor
in its wealth, the value of the strikes
made ten and twelve years ago becom
ing more apparent as practical mining
machinery is applied. Valdez, Dan,
Chittitu and Rex Creeks are all pro
ducing and have years of work before
them. One cut on Chittitu River this
summer yielded $G0,000 at an operat
ing cost of $6,000.
“Mining operations are bound to tn
crases a8 the years go by. Mining in
the North Is rapidly reaching an in
dustrial stage. The population is
slowly increasing and will continue to
become greater, and the prosperity of
Seattle will not diminish with the de
velopments in the North. ”
Rowland believes that the advanced
prices of all metals caused by the war
in Europe will be maintained for a
considerable time after peace is de
clared, and he thinks it probable that
the price of antimony will be carried
along with the price of other metals.
KENNECOTT MINER WEDS
AN EASTERN YOUNG LADY
Miss Elizabeth K. Hefferman ar
rived on the steamer Northwestrn
having come all the way from Stony
ceremony. The young couple will
A. Hinckley, of Kennecott, and the
couple were married Tuesday after
noon, Father Corbett performing the
ceremony. The young couple will
make their home in Valdez—Prospec
tor.
BRIGHT FUTURE
IS PREDICTS
FOR CORDOVA
CHITINA, Oct. 9—Last Thursday
evening Mr. Falcon Joslin addressed
the few people left in Chitina, on the
subject of Transportation, and in a
very able and interesting manner,
showed the growth of transportation
in the United States from the turnpike
road, to the present magnificient rail
road systems.
He showed how this had all been
brought about by private enterprise,
but stated that he growth had stop
ped by reason or harsh and uncon
sidered legislation. He wes very
frankly opposed to Govemement
ownership, but stated that owing to
the conditions he had mentioned it
was impossible to get private capital
to go any further, so he had done
everything in his power to assist in
bringing about the present Govern
ment Road now under construction.
He could not see how any other route
than the Copper River had been select
ed, unless it was fear of the political
demagogues who would have been
only too glad to charge the administra
tion with taking a white elephant off
the hands of the Guggenheims, but
maintained that eventually either this
administration or some other would
have to take this road if they were
to give Government ownership a fair
chance. He spoke of the excellent
work done by the Chamber of Com
merce of Cordova through it's Presi
dent, Mr. Hazelett, and admitted that
they had compiled facts and figures
reagrding the possible tonnage of this
road that were a revelation to him.
He bade the people be of good cneer
and predicted a great future for Chiti
na, and still greater for Cordova which
he said could not escape being the
home of one or more great smelters.
He expressed the hope and convictjon
that a very short time would see us
relieved of the evils of being adminis
tered by a bunch of bureacrats at
Washington, and that a Board with
headquarters in Alaska and composed
of Alaskans would soon be attending
to all matters pertaining to the coun
try. His address was thoroughly en
joyed by those present.
The A. B’s reorganizad for the win
ter least Wednesday night with a fair
attendance of members. Next Wed
nesday the officers for the ensuing
year will be placed in nomination.
The A. B's gave a moderately suc
cessful dance on Saturday night.
McCarthy is rejoicing in a new Com
missioner in the person of Mr. W.
R. Faddiss and many of us hope that
the Judge will “Be not weary in well
doing.”
Chitina has a legitimate greivance
against Cordova. When Chitina was,
deprived of her licenses in a manner
that makes us blush when we hear
the term "free country,” Cordova
could see nothing but her own gain In
the situation, and neither newspaper
nor individual raised their voice in
protest although there are gentlemen
living in Cordova who have induced
men to put their little savings of a
life time in Chitina real estate. Now
if Cordova is put in the dry column
next year id the same manner that
Chitina was this it will serve her
right because illegal acts of officials
left unchallenged become precedents
which seem to govern everything in
the courts.
:o:
REPORT OF ALASKA
INSANE IS RECEIVED
Covering the care of Alaska insane
Patients under care at the begin
ber 30, the report of the Sanitarium
Company, Portland, Oregon, has just
been received at the Governor’s office,
the report is sunmmarized as follows:
Patients under care at the begin
ning of quarter . 180
Received during the quarter_ 20
Total number of patients un
der care during quarter ... 200
Patients discharge during quarter.. 2
Patients died during quarter . 2
Patients eloped during quarter ... 3
Total leaving during quarter .. 7
Patients remaining under care of
quarter . 193
The patients discharged as cured
were: Mrs. Luise Miller and Julius
Martin. The patients who died during
quarter were: Alexis Amain and Sam
May. Those who eloped were: J.
D. Sickler, Prank Muzika and John
Reilly.
Of the 180 patients under care the
first quarter, 166 were men and 24
were women. Of those under care at
the end of the quarter 168 were men :
and 26 women. ]
AND IS DISMISSED
The case of the Clift mine In which
Edmund Smith, Geo. C. Treat and
Logan Archibald sued H. E. Ellis for
1 twenty per cent Interest in the Cliff
mine, which was taken under advise
ment by the district court was re
opened for the submission of addition
al important testimony.
W. W. Harvey, the McCarthy mer
chant. who sued the Copper Kiver
railroad for loss occasioned by trans
mission of messages over their wire
to Cordova, was awarded damages to
the extent of his claim.
The case of the Alaska Northern
railroad stockholders against John E.
Ballaine, set for trial on October 11,
was set back on the calendar and will
come up for trial one week later, on
October 18. The principals in the
case and their counsel are coming
from the outside on the first boats.
The grand jury, which has been in
session since September 14, filed its
report Friday afternoon and was dis
charged by the court.
-:o:
ALASKA TROOPS TO BE
BROUGHT TO WAR FOOTING
The four companies of infantry on
duty in Alaska are to be brought up to
their full military strength of about
1G0 men each, according to an an
nouncement by the war department.
The posts at Fort Seward, Fort Lis
cum. Fort Gibbon, Fort St. Michael,
and Fort Davis have at the present
time about half of their war strengtn.
Returning from Visit to Seward.
Mrs. Elizabeth Florey, of Dayton,
Ohio, who has been the guest of Mrs.
Charles Dagget, is leavng on the Ala
meda tonight for Valdez. From there
Mrs. Florey will go to Cordova to
spend the winter. Mrs. Florey has
made many friends in Seward who will
regret her leaving.—Seward Post.
-:o:
SEWARD IS MENTIONED
FOR DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION
Seward Democrats are being urged
by those of like politics in Cordova
and Valdez to get busy and try to
land the next Democratic convention
for the Terminal City.
When seen this morning the locaf
Democratic leaders declared that
while it wFas a little early, the proposi
tion would be taken up at once and a
definite plan of action agreed upon.—
Post.
-:o:
VALDEZ TO RENT BUILDING
FOR POST OFFICE QUARTERS
The announcement that the govern
ment has decided to rent quarters for.
the postoffice rather than build to re
place the office destroyed by the fire,
is a disappointment to the people of
Valdez, as it was hoped that the gov
ernment would erect a building on
the former site of the postoffice which
would hose both the offices of the
Alaska Road Commission and the
postoffice.
-:o:
INFORMATION IS WANTED
WHEREABOUTS THESE MEN
The assistance of the governor’s
office to ascertain the whereabouts of
Lee Wilson, sometimes known as
“Bob’” or as Thomas Jefferson Wil
son, age about 65, weight 170 pounds,
dark complexion, large gray eyes, dark
brown or auburn hair. Supposed to
be in Alaska.
Also to endeavor to locate John T.
Hunt, reported to have arrived In
Alaska within the past six months,
having with him a 14-month's-old baby
girl. Child’s name is Inez Theresa
Hunt.
Any information concerning either
party should be communicated to the
govenor’s office at Juneau.
E. A. Hinckley and bride came over
from Valdez on the Northwestern and
left on this morning’s train for Ken*
necott, their future home.
-:o:
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
In Commissioner’s Court for Chitlna
Precinct, Territory of Alaska,’ in
Probate.
In the Matter of the Estate of Nels
Oscar Sail, Deceased.
Notice is hereby given that E. E.
Ritchie has been duly appointed and
lias duly qualified as administrator of
the estate of Nels Oscar Sail, de
:eased, in a proceeding in the above
named court. All persons having
daims against said estate are required
to present them, with proper vouchers,
ivithin six months from the date of
this notice, to said administrator at
the office of the commissioner of Chiti
m precinct, in the town of Chitina,
Alaska.
Dated, Chitina, Alaska, October 15,
1915.
E. E. RITCHIE.
Administrator of the Estate of
Nels Oscar Sail, Deceased.
iMrst Publication, Oct. 19, 1916.
~,ast publication, Nov. 16, 1916.