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.
ONLY NEWSPAPER IN CHITINA
Published every Saturday by
VXU A. STEEL—Editors mad Managers—KAUT O. STEEL
Office: Hotel Chitina Building. Cordova Office: Daily Alaskan
Seattle Office: S51 Col man Building.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
One Month ...I -50
Six Months . *.00
One Year . S.60
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 Cistrlct.
CHITINA, ALASKA, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1914.
CQAL LEASING may COMMENCE
When the Alaska coal leasing bill passed both branches of
Congress last Thursday it was to all intents and purposes
effective. That the President would sign it was a forgone
conclusion. There was some delay in engrossing the bill and
getting it before the executive, so that it was not signed until
yesterday morning. But it is now a law and will likely
remain on the statute books for many years to come, unless it
should be determined that it is such a measure as will not
work to the development of the country. But advices from the
east indicate that an examination of the bill has convinced
capital that, at least from their standpoint, and under the
reasonable consideration of the Secretary of the Interior the
coal mines can be opened up. If the price at which coal may
he sold is not exorbitant the people will be satisfied and the
result will be a general benefit to all classes, the individual as
well as the man engaged in an industry. It is the opening
wedge in the prying open of a rich resource that has hereto
fore been securely locked up. We may now soou expect to
hear the announcement of plans for the construction of a rail
road from Mile 38 on the C. R. & N. W. Railway, to the Bering
River coal fields. Whether the construction be commenced by
the present railway company or by the government is not
material. The building of a railroad will start off the Cordova
boom in real earnest. It will be followed by the building of
coke ovens, smelters, naval coaling station, dry dock, and
various other industries. And all these will assure the
permanency of Cordova and establish here one of the largest
cities in Alaska. We also expect to be the coast terminus of
a trunk line railroad that will extend into the valley of the
Tanana.
CORDOVA TO RECEIVE RECOGNITION
It seems to be pretty generally conceded throughout this i
division that Cordova is entitled to and will receive the j
Senatorship at the coming election. If there had been but
one candidate the outcome would have been a cinch, but witli
two candidates the vote will be divided. And in this con
tingency lies the hope of Geo. Gosliaw, of Chisana. The voters
of Valdez do not expect a Senator this year, and many say
they do not want another, as they already have the hold-over
Senator. If either Dr. Chase or Tom Price develop exceptional
running qualities, it is fair to assume that the one who can
largely out-distance the other will receive the election. The
people of Cordova feel that this town is entitled to a member
of the Legislature, as we had no representation two years ago.
Many will be inclined to vote for the Senatorial candidate
who seemingly develops the greater strength and has the i
most likelihood of election. i
—
VOTERS DEPRIVED OF THE FRANCHISE
In Fort Yukon about forty citizens will be deprived of the!
privilege of voting next month. There has been no official call j
for the election there. During the summer the U. S. oommis- j
sioner resigned and his successor has not been appointed. AI
similar condition exists at Eureka, also in the Fourth
division. All of which calls for a change in the election laws i
of this territory. Each year a number of legal voters in one!
division or another lose their votes because of the neglect or
error upon the part of a U. S. commissioner. Some have been
known to call the election on a different date than the proper
one, others have failed to create voting precincts where the
voters are, while again precincts have been created where
there are no voters. The federal statute provides “that no
such voting precinct shall be established with less than 30
qualified voters resident therein.” In the municipalities notice
of election must be given by being published in a newspaper
at least two weeks before the election, the Town Council to
designate the newspaper. In outlying precincts publicity shall
be given through the U. S. commissioner who shall issue an
order creating the voting precinct and giving notice of election
“by posting copies of the same 30 days before the date of each j
election. ’ * When an election law is passed, giving Alaska the j
Australian system we may hope to see some reforms estab-j
lished that will protect and provide for the vote of every man
and woman legally entitled to cast a ballot.
There seems to be more interest taken in Southeastern
Alaska over the coming election than in any other section of
the territory. The Democrats and the Wickershamites are
engaged in a battle royal, and like the fight in Belgium and
France both sides are claiming victory. The real and decisive
tight will be on Tuesday next.
The tourist business to Alaska promises to be quite con
siderable beginning with next year. When men give up
lucrative positions to engage in diverting traffic to this north
land and to establish personally conducted tours, it means that
there will be “some” people coming our way.
One week from today and thousands of anxious political
aspirants throughout the country will be put out of their
misery. There are a few in Alaska who will also be convinced
that they are better at their particular line of business than a,sl
politicians and statesmen.
HOW REPUBLICANS VIEW THE CONTEST
A prominent Republican stated this morning that all these
predictions about the defeat of Delegate Wickersham have
somewhat of a familiar ring. He heard, and himself made,
similar statements two years ago and again in 1910, and even
back in 1908. But when the votes were counted the Hon.
James Wickersham was always the white haired boy in the
running. And now he states the Bunnell supporters are
largely basing their claims of victory on the Republican vote
of the territory. He states that two years ago Gilmore polled
1,726 votes and Jennings and Harris 1,174 votes, with the
Socialist receiving 1,688. The combined vote of the Republicans
and Democrats was but 2,900, while Wickersham received
3,335.
He argues that while there will be a larger decrease in
the Wickersham vote because of the change of election from
August to November, it will be more than made up in the Nome
division, where Wickersham last time had but 290 votes to 685
for Gilmore. He considers that a large part of this vote will
go to Wickersham. Then in the First division the increased
vote is largely among the laboring class and they have always
heretofore supported Wickersham, and after his campaign and
speaking tour among them this year our prognosticating
friend insists that he will more than hold his own among that
element, even though he may lose some strength by reason of
the efforts of the federal office holders.
This Republican further urges that the Democratic party
is the real enemy of Republicanism, and that it is fully expected
that the G. O. P. will be returned to power in 1916. And he
asks, why should the Republicans in Alaska help to build up
a Democratic machine, that would be used later to destroy the
men who now may give it support. He states that while he
has always opposed Wickersham he intends to vote for him
this year and knows of many other Republicans in Cordova
who will do likewise. And he believes that this same idea and
intention prevails largely throughout the district. They
rather incline to the idea that this will be the last time Judge
Wickersham will be a candidate for Delegate, and the Repub
licans wish to be in position two years hence to put up a strong
candidate and elect him in opposition to a Democratic nominee.
In analyzing the vote in Cordova two years ago our
Republican friend states that Wickersham received but 41.
Gilmore 92, Jennings 28, Harris 5, and the Socialist 15. And
he says it is now generally conceded that Wickersham will at
least have an even break in the town. And he asks, where is
this largely increased vote coming from unless it be from the
Republicans. And he insists that Wickersham will carry
Cordova by a good plurality, figuring that the women’s vote
will be about equally divided. He further predicts that in
Eyak. Chitina, McCarthy and Ivennecott the vote will be over
whelmingly for Wickersham.
He states also that at Seward last election Gilmore
received 96 votes, with 41 for Jennings, 12 for Wickersham
and 9 for the Socialist. And now the prediction is made that
Wickersham will carry that town. He says it is easy to see
where most of the Gilmore vote is going. The same condition
prevails at Valdez, where 363 votes were polled two vears ago
and Wickersham received 140, Gilmore 106, Harris 45,
Jennings 41 and the Socialist 31. This year most of the Harris
vote will go to Wickersham as well as a large part of the
Republican vote, so that wagers are offered that Wick will
carry the town, even though it be the home of Bunnell.
And all this indicates, he says, that Wick will largely
carry the Third division. He has a cinch on the Fourth or
Fairbanks division, where his plurality will likely be 1,000
over Bunnell. Even though he should lose the First division,
which is not considered likely, Wickersham would have a good
plurality throughout the territory. So our Republican friend
says it is proper that the Democrats should have all the glory
they can get out of false hopes, as the experience of past
campaigns will be repeated and when the votes are counted
on November 3rd it will be found that Wick has again come in
first under the wire. And when we suggested to our friend
that if his prognostications of three campaigns had gone a
glittering possibly he was again on the wrong tack this year,
he stated that lie was no longer looking through clouded
partisan spectacles, but was taking facts as they are.
EDITORIAL COMMENT
Down in the Juneau division Lena Morrow Lewis is
getting the women of all political shades interested in the
present campaign. Her idea is to hold public meetings to be
addressed by the different candidatees for office, so that the
women may inform themselves of the issues of the campaign
and the worth of the various candidates.
Judge Finnigan writes from the Chisana to say that while
he may be a long distance runner his powers of duration are
considerable and that he expects to keep a going until he comes
under the Legislative wire.
It hardly seems possible but yet we are cited an instance
of a man holding a good federal position who contemplates
throwing it to the birds. And he is from Alaska, and he comes
from the Fourth division, ana lie is on a vacation to the great
Outside, and he contemplates settling in Seattle to practice
law, and his name is Judge Frederick E. Fuller, and he has
nearly two years of an unfinished term, and the people of his
division are contetnt to have him stay. The perversity of man.
In the election of one Senator and four Representatives in
this division politics will not cut much ice. It will be a
free-for-all, with every imaginable combination ticket in the
field from which voters may select.
Col. Roosevelt declares that if this country gets into war
himself and four sons will promptly take the field. This seems
to provide for the deficiency of this nation in the matter of a
standing army.
Announcements that British merchant steamers sailing
out of New York will carry their cannon in the hold to prove
their pacific character evokes inquiries what pacific vessels
carry cannon at all for. Against anv decently equipped war
vessel these weapons of offense would be no more than an
irritant.
Mexico is not setting a first-class example. But it is yet
possible for her to beat Europe in establishing peace.
<
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
No more need to carry
STOVES and TINWARE
over the Ions trail to the
interior, as we are pre
pared to fill all orders in
our tin shop.
W. H. CARSTENS & CO.
SHUSHANNA - - ALASKA
|
Chitina GRILL
] Good Eats for Particular People
{
! Prompt Service. Popular Sei vice.
Next to Chitina Hotel.
CHITINA : : : ALASKA.
W»W»H I WW4WHHW
♦
• > < '
<> < >
:: ::
jj 0. ADRIAN NELSON i!
- ■— ;;
:: U. S. Mineral Surveyor ::
• i o
I I I I
:: chitina ■ - - alaska ::
. > it
rwwwwwwmwww
CHITINA: BAKERY
AND
Coffee House
HENRY GESSNER, ii*rop.
FRESH RREAD, CAKES A.'TD
PIES ALWAYS ON HAND
l Chitina |
| Pharmacy j
l DRUGS, ♦
| STATIONERY, J
$ CANDIES, ♦
I KODAK SUPPLIES |
CIGARS & TOBACCO |
If you cannot call, write t
us. MAIL orders our }
Specialty. }
, +
I ” .. ~~ 4
j A. G. MOREY, Prop. I
»♦+♦♦+♦♦♦♦♦♦♦++♦++♦♦♦♦♦»♦♦
*
Let Lewis Help t==^fe
III “Poiaters for Amateurs” will help you to better I
H| pictures—it’s free. Send us you/ films for develop- I
HI ing and printing. Enlarging. Developing 10c roll. I
H| any size; printing, Jc up. Cash with order. You'll I
| find oar work better. Photo supplies. Dept S. |
I . I
-. .»e " --
«i» H»H4W
•I GROCERIES, HARDWARE |
;! MEAT MARKET!
< ■
• > _ l
I
■; We have a big line of Sec- ?
< > ond-Hand Goods, and can X
■« save you money on your out- X
!. fit. Bunk House, with free $
, i Cook House, in connection. t
X
■ • __ X
CHITINA HEIGHTS |
;; c. a. simoxs & co. X
feed, fuel
and
Lumber
HAY, BKAN, OATS, CHOPS,
ROLLED HARLEY
We can make prompt ship
ments to points on the rail
road. Our feed is the very
best quality.
0. A. Nelson & Co.
CHITINA
..min
hotel
WASHINGTON :i
ANNEX
::
;; SEATTLE ! I
:: __ ::
* ► * *
;; New, modern and fireproof. ■*
| \ AH outside rooms ■ *
,, The moat conveniently located \ |
| hotel In the city.
, Koonis and suites are particle | |
Urly large. ; f
, . \ ery desirable for families or 1 |
, , parties traveling together. \ \
■ • rates moderate ::
.. Auto-bus meets all boats and J!
; t,ain8- Write for booklet.*::
;.J, H. DAVIS, Prop :
tHtllii111 n 11 ni,.