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
WILL A. STEEL—Editors, Managers and Proprietors—MAMET G. STEEL
Office: Hotel Chitina Building. Cordova Office: Daily Alaskan
Seattle Office: 551 Colman Building.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
One Month ..f -SO
Six Months . 2.00
One Year . 3.50
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 district.
CHITINA, ALASKA, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1914.
RISE IN PRICES OF FOOD STUFFS
In Cordova and all over the country comes reports of the
advance in prices of food products. And there is much protest
upon all sides. And of coruse it is all blamed on the war. With
millions of men contending in Europe and abandoning the arts
of peace the tendency toward increase of cost is two-fold. Both
the waste of consumption by active armies, and the cessation
of production aijd interruption of shipments tend to push up
prices. But many people hold that the advance in our markets
is beyond the limit justified by the foreign situation, especially
in view of the fact that the cessation of foreign shipnents has
caused an accumulation of domestic products.
A comparison of prices today and a month ago shows the
most marked advance to be in sugar, it now selling at $9 per
hundred at Seattle, although the rise has not yet been so great
at Cordova. This seems to many people unreasonable for
this country, since we get our entire sugar supply from places
remote from the scene of conflict. But the demand for war is
peremptory, and Great Britain is understood to have been in
the market buying large quantities. We hardly see the justice
of an advance of nearly 100 per cent in the price under the
circumstances.
Flour has advanced much more moderately, but except
for the speculation in the future it should have declined; since
the suspension of navigation has produced an accumulation.
Whatever advance in fresh meats has been made is either
entirely due to domestic markets or also is wholly artificial.
There is no war demand for fresh meats. Cured meats, butter
and cheese have advanced moderately; while fresh vegetables
and domestic fruits have remained about the same.
It is fair to assume that the advances in sugar, flour and
fresh meats deserve thorough investigation. In other lines
we do not find in current quotations much beyond the natural
effect of a big demand from abroad when ocean transportation
is reopened.
COAL LEASING BILL CONSIDERED
It was good news received late this afternoon that the
Senate and House were both considering Alaska coal leasing
bills. It was expected that the House would take up and pass
the bill that had been favorably reported by the committee.
But the fact that the Senate is now also about to take action
on a measure is most encouraging. The bills are somewhat
different in the two branches of Congress but if there is
passage by each body it will not take a conference committee
long to agree on a measure that will be acceptable to both
House and Senate. It is almost too much to hope that there
will be an Alaska coal leasing bill early in September, but it
begins to look as though such a contingency is more than a
possibility. It is even a probability. And then all Alaska will
have additional reason to rejoice over the wise and considerate
attitude of the present national administration towards the
long neglected territory of Alaska.
CALAMITY ON PUGET SOUND
Another calamity that brings disaster and death nearer to
our thoughts and homes than even the terrible sacrifice of life
in foreign lands, occurred during the early hours of the
morning on Puget Sound. In Alaskan waters the steamer
Admiral Sampson has been a familiar sight that may no longer
be witnessed. During a heavy fog this staunch little craft
was rammed by another vessel and within four minutes she
disappeared from the face of the waters. Eleven lives were lost
and many persons had narrow escapes from death, suffering
mental anguish and much disti’ess. Officers and crew largely
composed the list of drowned, but two passengers being among
the unfortunates. The Sampson was but two hours out from
Seattle, bound for Cordova and other western ports. The one
matter of congratulation is that the seci’ifice of life was ixot
greater. The brave men who stood by their ship exercised
wonderful presence of mind in averting confusion and getting
nearly all their chai’ge clear of the damaged vessel in the few
minutes intervening before she took the fatal plunge.
Director John Barrett of the Pan-American Union,
successor to the Bureau of American Republics at Washington,
0., is sweeping Soxith America for statistics to show how
the L nited States might take advantage of the European war
to grasp a field for commerce and trade which they should have
had long ago. In the matter of coal, according to a bulletin
just issued, it is stated that eight South American states from
which figures are available, which imported coal to the value
of $62,°95,000 in one year, bought from the United States to
the value of only $4,223,118, while there came from Gi’eat
Britain and Australia coal to the anxoixnt of $53,226,502.
Let it be ignoi'ed that there has been war in Illinois!
Cannon to the right of them, Cannon to the left of them,
voleved and thundered, and “Uncle Joe” seems to have beexi
the hero of the Balaclava of the Sucker State.
The way things are going now Americans will soon be
short of “sympathies.” A nation carefully at peace, but yet
polled and taxed by war prices may eventually become so ix*ate
as to lose sympathy for others who are merely shot.
ENCOURAGING EXPRESSION FROM MR. BIRCH
As a man thoroughly familial' with the copper market and
conditions pertaining thereto, Stephen Birch is competent to
speak with authority as to the effect of the European war on
the Prince William Sound and Copper River districts. He
takes a hopeful view of the future _and dispels the various
canards that have heretofore been published without any
authority relative to the closing down of the Bonanza and
other mines.
Mr. Birch points out that the high values of the ores
taken from this section will justify the operation of these
mines when lower grade properties in other parts of the
United States have to close. While realizing the uncertainty
of the future Mr. Birch is of the opinion that for the present
at least there is no occasion for change in the plans of his
company concerning the continued operations of the Bonanza
and Jumbo mines at Kennecott and the mine at Latouclie.
And that would mean also that the Copper River & North
western Railway will continue to be operated as heretofore.
And instead of throwing any discouragement as to the future
of this section Mr. Birch goes further and strongly intimates
that so soon as cokeing coal is available that a smelter will
be erected at some location on Prince William Sound.
And of course we all believe that the logical point for this
enterprise is in the immediate vicinity of Cordova. For here
the ores of the interior and the coal from Bering River would
meet at tidewater the ores to be brought by barge from
Latouclie, Ellamar and other developments on the Sound.
Taken as a whole the interview with Mr. Birch should stimu
late confidence and hope in the people of Cordova and the
Copper River section, in the immediate and future outlook for
this country. The important thing now is for Congress to
take action that will throw open for development the coal
fields of Alaska.
EDITORIAL COMMENT
If the Department of the Interior continues in its liberal
interpretation of the laws and regulations under which coal
claims were located in Alaska it may soon be expected that
numerous patents will issue. In that event the coal fields
might be opened up without any further legislation. However,
the prospects are promising for the passage of a coal leasing
bill within the next few months.
Neither the British poet Laureate nor any of the other
British poets seem to size up to Armageddon. Kipling up to
date is mute, though “the bear that walks like a man” is on
the march.
Each head of the warring European nations has solemnly
proclaimed that God is on the side of his army. What will
the defeated ones say after the carnage is over?
Possibly President ^Tilson’s offer at mediation if
submitted to the people of Europe might be received with more
favor than by the rulers.
Will the real Armageddon now raging in Europe draw
away the attention of our proposed Armageddon fighters iu
this country?
While tens and scores of thousands have been killed in
land battles, it must seem that the safest place is on board a
war vessel.
A late telegram this afternoon from Washington states
that the present Attorney General, James Clark McReynolds,
was confirmed by the Senate as Justice of the Supreme Court
of the United States. And his successor, Attorney General
Gregory, was likewise confirmed and will soon be directing
the affairs of the department of justice.
If the “Powers” have succeeded in nothing else, they
have made a brilliant success of throttling most of the truth
which should appear in the news. The newspapers should
apply for a permanent divorce from royalty.
When Congress decides to place a tax on theater tickets
a serious question will arise in Cordova as to whether the
general public or the manager of our temple of amusement
shall be compelled to bear this burden.
A wire received late this afternoon by Superintendent
Corser states that Lieut. Wears will come out over the* trail to
Valdez and come from there to Cordova, then going over the
railroad to the end of the line.
A Norwegian-Swedish alliance for defense is a new thing.
Only a few years ago Norway insisted on separation from
Sweden. But when big nations get to fighting, there is safety
in union for small ones.
Since the arrival of the revenue cutter McCullough there
has been an intimation that the Treasury department at
Washington has selected the site for Cordova’s new federal
building. We would be willing to take the guess of Captain
Alger as to just where that location is. He made an investi
gation of proposed sites and recommended one to the
department.
If the Alaska coal bill is passed in September it sure will
stimulate business in this section of Alaska. We all know what
it would mean to Cordova.
Germany and Austria experience the difficulty of having
too many disaffected subjects. Alsations cannot be trusted to
fight against France, nor Poles against Russia, nor South Slavs
against Servia, nor Italians from Trent and Trieste against
France or Servia. It will take a good deal of figuring to put
these soldiers where they can be relied on.
We people of Alaska will be able to stand a temporary
raise in prices on account of the war if the same reason is the
cause of opening to development the coal fields of Alaska.
Perhaps if Congress is industrious and patient, it will be
permitted to eat another Thanksgiving dinner in Washington.
Sugar always aviates in the season of canning and
jamming, only it’s a little higher this year “on account of the
European war.” Pity the poor sugar people can’t have a war
in Europe about this time every year. They might find it
profitable to finance it.
Delegate Wickersham is delayed in starting from Wash
ington, but when he does reach Alaska his supporters say he
will engage in a whirlwind campaign that will make all
opponents sit up and take notice.
t
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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 Clitiina will be held at
largely increased values. Why not invest NOW?
GEO. C. HAZELET,
Agent Chitina Townsite Company. <
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TIN SHOP
IN SHUSHANNA
k ■ — -
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
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.
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10. WIN NELSON I
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t U. S. Mineral Surveyor ”
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1 CHITINA J - - ALASKA "
?**-M"M-******»»****»******
CHITINA: BAKERY
AND
Coffee House
HENRY GESSNER, Prop.
FRESH BREAD, CAKES AND
PIES ALWAYS ON HAND
»♦»♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦»♦♦ M-f
l Chitina j
{Pharmacy j
X DRUGS, ♦
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Ilf you cannot call, write |
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Let Lewis Help i=/
“Pointers for Amateurs” will help you to better
pictures—it’s free. Send us your films for develop
ing and printing. Enlarging. Developing 10c roll,
any size; printing. Jc up. Cash with order. You’ll
find our work better. Photo supplies. Dept. S.
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•I GROCERIES, HARDWARE :
” — awn •
I! MEAT MARKET;
* i
:: .
;; We have a big line of Sec- '•
* • ond-Hand Goods, and can !
.. save you money on your out- !
.. fit. Bunk House, with free i
Cook House, in connection.
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CHITINA HEIGHTS
* C. A. SIMONS & CO. i
Feed, Fuel
and
Lumber
HAY, bkax, oats, chops,
KOI.LED BARLEY
M'e can make prompt ship
ments to points on tiie rail
road. Our feed is the very
best quality.
0. A. Nelson & Co.
CHITINA
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