The Chitina Leader
CHITIXA, 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
WILL A. STEEL—Editors, Managers and Proprietors—HARRY G. STEEL
Office: Hotel Chitina Building. Cordova Office: Daily Alaskan
Seattle Office: 551 Colman Building.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
One Month .* -5®
Six Months .•'. 2.00 ,
j One Year . 3-6®
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 F.iver district.
CHITINA, ALASKA, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1913
CAPITALISTS TAKE ON COURAGE
It must be a bard blow to those calamity howlers, who for
years have insisted that the Guggenlieims were gobbling up
all of Alaska, to read of big mining capitalists investing
millions of dollars in properties around Juneau, and also the
coming of the Granby Smelting Co. to Valdez. The howlers
succeeded in discouraging the Alaska Syndicate from further
investment and for several years prevented other monied men
from taking a chance of losing their reputations as well as
their money, by investing in Alaska. But a change in senti
ment has occurred throughout the country' and the big
interests are again taking on courage and venturing with their
resources into this bounteous territory of Alaska. Referring
to a recent visit to that locality the Juneau Dispatch says:
“The mining men and financial kings have come and
gone. It seemed natural enough for Juneau—the new Juneau
—to be host to the group in a fashion up to the standard
anywhere. Those wealthy men like the capital city of Alaska;
they have promised to come north again, as their visit here
was made extremely pleasant. As the west is attracting the
moneyed powers of the east, so is Alaska reaching out for
recognition of her undeveloped millions. And it is the visits
of men of the standing of C. M. MacNeill, Charles Hayden, K.
R. Babbitt, and Daniel C. Jackling that compel the nation at
large to look north and see.”
-u—o—o
UNITED FRONT IS NECESSARY
While everything indicates that Alaska railroad legisla
tion will pass during the early days of the regular session of
Congress, yet many fears are expressed that some of the
presumed friends of Alaska may succeed in holding up the
measure. President Wilson and Secretary Lane have placed
themselves on record as strong advocates of the measure that
has been favorably considered by the Senate and House
committees. But others seek to inject all kinds of questionable
suggestions in earning out the policy of the administration
for the development of Alaska. Refen'ing to this subject the
Seattle Post Intelligencer says:
“The Alaska Daily Empire offers the opinion that the
Alaska railroad bill refeiTing to the bill reported out after a
long hearing before the committee on teri-itoi*ies, will pass at
the coming regular session of congi’ess, and that all Alaska will
bloom thereafter.
“This is a rosy view, both as to the event and its conse
quences. The bill, or one approximating it, should pass at
this coming regular session, and all real friends of Alaska hope
that it will. If it does not pass it will be because of a lack of
unity among those who are interested, or pretend to be inter
ested, in reaching some solution of the Alaska pi*oblem.
“Some opposition to the bill proposed has developed
because it proposes to embark the government on a policy of
public ownership and operation of a railroad line. This
opposition is not strong enough to be feared, however, and of
itself woxxld be the least of the obstacles to be overcome. Some
thing more serious threatens the proposed measure.
“A radical wing of professed friends of Alaska cannot
find enough government ownership and operation in the bill
fonnulated after months of cax-eful hearings and the sifting of
evidence. From them will come substitute bills impossible of
passage, but which may, on the other hand, imperil a measure
which can be passed and which will afford relief.
“A united front and an aggressive fight for the bill
prepared with great care and patience, after weeks of hearings
before a regular and conscientious congressional committee,
will insure its passage against all opposition. The friends of
Alaska want unity in this fight and not division. The
committee bill is good. It has the approval of all the people of
Alaska. For these two reasons every real friend of the
territory will get behind it.”
u -V
ACT APPLIES TO ALASKA
In answer to an inquiry we would state that what is known
as the “White slave traffic act” also applies to the trans
porting of a female for immoral purposes from one part of the
territory of Alaska to another. It is not necessary that it be
from a state to Alaska. The statute says that any person who
shall knowingly procure or obtain, or aid or assist in procuring
or obtaining, any ticket or tickets or any form of transporta
tion to be used by any woman or girl in interstate or foreign
commerce, or in any territory or the District of Columbia, in
going to any place for the purpose of prostitution or
debauchery, or for other immoral purpose, shall be deemed
guilty of a felony. The penalty of either of the above
who shall knowingly persuade, induce, entice, or coerce, or
cause to be persuaded, any woman or girl to go from one place
to another in interstate or foreign commerce, or in any terri
tory or the District of Columbia, for any immoral purpose, or
with intent to engage in immoral practice, shall be deemed
guilty of a misdemeanor. The penalty of either of the above
named crimes is punishment by a fine of not more than $5,000
or by -imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or both
such fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the court.
TO MAKE A REAL COUNTRY
Secretary Lane says, “There is but one way to make any
country a real part of the world. By the construction of rail
roads into it. This has been the heart of England’s policy in
Africa, of Russia’s policy in Western Asia, and is the prompt
ing hope of the new movement in China. Whoever owns the
railroads of a country determines very largely the future of
that country, the character of its population, the kind of
industries they will engage in and ultimately the nature of the
civilization they will enjoy. The policy of government owner
ship of railroads in Alaska seems to me to be one that will make
most certainly for her lasting welfare.”
To this view of this vital question all well-wishers of
Alask will unhesitatingly subscribe. The idea of the secretary
is that the railroads shall be for Alaska and not Alaska for
the railroads. They are to be true public utilities and not
exclusively instruments for earning dividends on stocks and
bonds as some railways have been and are still in the older
communities. The railways are to be wholly subordinate to
the industrial and social life of the people and not dominate
that life. The question of operation he does not touch and
that is left open for further consideration. Some opposition
has developed to government operation and the points are well
taken that it would result in high cost and tend to build up
a political machine through the large number of employes
required and the great distance from Washington, the point
of ultimate control. Leasing to a company or companies to
operate under government supervision seems to be the most
reasonable solution and the one which commands the most
support and, what is most important, will be most likely to
answer Alaska’s needs. —Northwest Mining Journal.
-o—o—o
THE PASSING OF HUERTA
Huerta, the Mexican dictator, seems at length to be
nearing the end of his infamous tenure. Foreign powers are
throwing warships into the waters of Mexico; the United
States is not pleased with conditions under which the election
of the current month, which involves the selection of Huerta’s
successor, is to be held.
So Huertaism in Mexico is ending.
It is indeed time for it to end.
Macbeth’s hands were not redder than the hands of this
parvenu, nor was his craving for a little brief authority in a
mighty kingdom more brutally desperate than Huerta’s.
Instinctively we think of Madero’s grave; we cannot help
it when we think of Huerta, for Huerta dug it and put Madero
in it.
Meanwhile we are glad to know the American government
will not recognize Huerta’s corrupt selection of his own,
successor, for that essentially would not be different from a
recognition of Huerta, and we have properly refused to offer
him our respect.—Seattle Star.
T o—o—o-—
PROTECTION ON THE TRAIL
_» -
The condition which confronts this section in the develop
ments of the past week is fraught with alarm. Two men have
been found dead on the Fairbanks-Chitina trail, murdered for
their money, their bodies hidden in the brush where they were
not discovered until months after the crimes were committed.
The Long Trail, from the coast to the interior, offers an
unprospected ground for robbers and murderers. Men are
passing and repassing along the trail every month of the year,
and all of them have money or valuables upon them. A robber
can hold up and “croak” him for his money, and have plenty
time to get away before the crime can be discovered, barring
accidents. It is probably one of the safest and most alluring
trails in America for the handit who is satisfied with a few
hundred dollars as a result of his day’s work, and this week’s
developments would seem to indicate that some enterprising
bandits have discovered that fact and are working the claim.
The trail is too long to patrol, but it will be necessary for the
government to take some action to protect travelers thereon,
for each year travel over the trail in summer time grows greater
and greater, as the danger of such travel increases—Fairbanks
News-Miner.
-v—u—u
Cordova has organized a “Good Roads Club.” It has a
large and enthusiastic membership. Such is the advance of
progress and enlightened public understanding. Who would
have thought of good roads clubs in Alaska ten years ago ?
Cordova has set an example which every town in Alaska should
follow. Work and talk for good roads and trails in Alaska,
and a wonderful incentive will be given to the project, and the
number will speedily increase. “Good roads and trails for
Alaska,” is a mighty good slogan.—Juneau Empire.
The superintendent at West Point doubts whether football
is worth the injuries it causes among cadets. If he can get the
cadets to doubting too he may accomplish something.
Reports that squirrels are building their nests extra thick
and other “nature signs” foretell a hard winter, recall the
times when the nature signs have been equally unanimous and
the dispensations of nature reversed them flatly.
The comment of the New York Herald on the effect of the
destruction of the Gamboa dike, that “there is no disconnecting
link,” asserts one of the eternal verities. A link which discon
nects is among the essential contradictions in terms.
Ex-President Diaz has, in view of the news from Mexico,
decided not to hurry back, and General Felix, at the American
consulate at \ era Cruz, has been warned by his friends to wait
there for developments. Commendable prudence in each case.
Nome, the sturdy little city of the Far North that has con
tributed so much to the world’s stock of gold, suffered a most
severe disaster in the great storm that swept the beach. While
the city itself lost much, and prompt action is necessary to
prevent hardship due to destruction of food supplies, but two
dredges, the Roberts and the Sioux-Alaska, are reported seri
ously injured. Mining on the beach itself is no longer
important, as the hydraulic mines and most of the dredges are
back some miles from the shore. Our sympathy goes out to
the men of the North, but they are of too plucky stock to be
more than temporarily discouraged even by the fiercest of
storms.—Exchange.
SEATTLE, Oct. 22.—Shortly after
i.he return of the steamer North- |
western from her Nome trip, im
j provements will be made to the
j steamers Alameda and Mariposa.
Vice President R. W. Baxter has is
sued the necessary orders and the j
work will be performed at the com
pany's dock this winter under the
direction of Superintendent R. R.
Pierson during the period following
the lull in the Alaska trade, one <
vessel to be changed at a time. As
at present arranged the captain’s
stateroom and officer’s quarters are
on the upper deck forward. Under
the change contemplated, an entire
new1 house will be erected on each
vessel to include wheel house, cap
tain’s stateroom, chart room, quar
ters for the officers and pilots. T'ne
house will be erected above the pres
ent upper deck rooms, similar to the
arrangement on the steamship
Northwestern. The quarters vacated
by captain and officers will be trans
formed into two-berth staterooms
and in the case of the Mariposa two
more staterooms will be added aft,
which has already been done on the
Alameda. The change will give
commodious and retired quarters for
the officers and in addition will pro
vide 10 additional rooms on the
Mariposa and 8 additional rooms on
the Alameda.
The addition of this house will add
to the general appearance of the
ships beside giving more room for
passengers and better quarters for
the officers. In the Mariposa the
intermediate rooms on the saloon
deck will be changed to first-class
which will bring the first-class ac
commodations of that ship up to
that of the Alameda. The entire
work will be performed by the com
pany’s own employes at the dock and
will be completed in ample time to
handle the expected heavy traffic to
Alaska early next spring.
-o-0—o
DENVER, Oct. 28. — Governor
Ammons made strenuous efforts to
effect a settlement of the miners’
troubles. Yesterday afternoon and
until 2 o’clock this morning he was
engaged in a series of conferences
between the operators and strikers.
At times it looked as though a basis
of settlement would be agreed upon,
but finally all negotiations were de
clared off. This morning the gov
ernor ordered . the militia to pro
ceed to the scene of the trouble and i
to disarm all the belligerents and \
take charge of the peace and order
of the community.
-o—o —o
ROCHESTER, N. H„ Oct. 28.—
Attorneys in the Thaw case have
been busy with their legal moves
and counter moves. As a result
the hearing on his extradition has
not yet been heard. Today it was,
again postponed until Tuesday,
"November 4.
-o—o—o
NOTICE OP FORFEITURE
To Alex. Nesbitt, his heirs, adminis
trator, assigns, successors or per
sonal representatives:
You are hereby notified that I
have expended in labor and im
provements for the year 1912, the
sum of One Hundred Dollars on each
of the following named claims, or in
total the sum of Sixteen Hundred
Dollars, the “Pacer,” “Mayflower,”
“Slocum,” “Red Jacket," "Red
Jacket No. 2,” and "Independence.”
The “Hercules,” “Sandow,” and
“Sampson.” The “Rosey No. 1,”
and “Rosey No. 2.” The “Lucky
Strike;” “Fairview,” "Esperanza,”
“Webfoot,” and “Yankee,” all situ- ^
ated in the Chitina Mining and <
Recording District, Territory of <
Alaska, and which have been duly 4
recorded in the office of the United <
States commissioner, in and for the j
Chitina Mining District, at Chitina, }
Alaska. *
The above amounts have been ex
pended in order to hold the said
claims under the provisions of the
aw concerning annual labor upon
mining claims, being the amount re
quired to hold said above named
mining claims. And you are fur
ther notified that if, within ninety
(90) days after the last publication
of this notice you fail to contribute
your proportion of said expenditure, J
which is one-sixth (1-6) of the J
whole, your interest in said claims J
will become the property of the i
undersigned, your co-owner. j
james McConnell. }
First publication Sept. 23, 1913. 1
Last publication Dec. 23, 1913. ]
Chitina GRILL
Good Eats for Particular People
’rompt Service. Popular Service.
Next to Chitina Hotel,
HITIXA : : : ALASKA.
Chitina
►
[Pharmacy
►
: DRUGS,
► STATIONERY,
J CANDIES,
l KODAK SUPPLIES
► CIGARS & TOBACCO
► _
►
► If you cannot call, write
► us. MAIL orders our
i Specialty.
► __
| A. G. MOREY, Prop.
: GROCERIES, HARDWARE i
• ==AND== :
i MEAT MARKET!
: _ ;
| We have a big line of Sec- <
> ond-Hand Goods, and can •
■ save you money on your out- !
fit. Bunk House, with free !
! Cook House, in connection. \
•
' --- t
CHITINA HEIGHTS
C. A. SIMONS & CO.
Feed, Fuel
and
Lumber
HAY, BRAN, OATS, CHOPS,
ROLLED BARLEY
We can make prompt ship
ments to points on the rail
road. Our feed is the very
best quality.
0. A. Nelson & Co.
CHITINA
hotel
WASHINGTON
ANNEX
SEATTLE
New, modern and fireproof. <
All outside rooms
The most conveniently located
hotel In the city.
Rooms and suites are parttcu*
larly large.
Very desirable for families or
parties traveling together.
RATES MODERATE
AutO'bus meets all boats and
trains. Write for booklet.
:.J.H. DAVIS, Proo
********* * 1 * **<lllllllllii