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
nrrr.T. a. STEEL—Editors, Managers sad Proprtstors—KAEBY O. STEEL
Office: Hotel Chitina Building. Cordova Office: Daily Alaskan
Seattle Office: 551 Colman Building.
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CHITITAj 'ALASKA;'; TUESDAY,; MAY 5, 1914
INDIFFERENT TO THEIR OWN INTERESTS
The Iditarod Pioneer rather bewails the tact that the
aevrage Alaskan takes but little interest in large matters that
vitally concern his future prosperity. This is largely true m
all sections of the territory, due possibly to the many discour
agements that Alaskans have had and in some instances for
the reasons as suggested by the Pioneer. Many business men
are only directly concerned with the little matters that have a
direct bearing on their business, overlooking the big things
that will most certainly bring them additional business and
prosperity. If it were not for the daily press of the territory,
which persistently and continuously spurs on the people to
take action on those matters and questions that mean for the
advancement of their respective communities, many things
would be left undone that are now attended to. On this subject
the Pioneer says:
In another column of this issue will be found a
communication that is of more than passing interest. It
calls the attention of our readers to a fact that has been
often commented upon and which is not hard to explain
—the indifference of the people to questions of public
policy, and especially those pertaining to Alaska. The
particular instance of this indifference complained of is
that in regard to Secretary Lane’s plan for the develop
ment of Alaska’s resources on the plan of a gigantic
corporation, controlled by a board selected by the
President. It would seem natural to suppose that a
plan of this nature, having such tremendous possi
bilities for the future of Alaska, should have aroused
more interest than it has. As it is supposed to have
the approval of President Wilson, and as there is a bill
before Congress intended to put the secretary’s plan
into effect, it behooves the residents of the territory to
bestir themselves, as suggested by our correspondent.
The indifference complained of is due primarily to
the fact that heretofore few people have come to Alaska
to make their homes. It has been the custom, and is yet
to a large extent, for persons to come to Alaska for the
purpose of making money that they may expend on the
Outside, either in establishing themselves in business,
in the purchase of homes, or.in enjoying the so-called »
good things of life which are supposed to be so abundant
in the older and more thickly settled communities. So
long as Alaska, and especially the interior part, remains
isolated from the outside world, just so long will these
conditions hold sway. Xo man can take a sincere and
abiding interest in a country which he is engaged in
looting, and that is just what it amounts to. With the
building of railroads will come a new era. Immigrants
will come here with the expectation of remaining
permanently and engage in developing the natural
resources found here so abundantly. With easy rail
transportation to the coast, a trip to the Outside will not
be the long, tedious and expensive undertaking it is at
present. Alaska witli a population of home-builders
will be a different place than it has been in the past,
when a large percentage of its people were itinerant
fortune-hunters. Then will the people be interested in
the public questions affecting their interests, and will
endeavor to make their interest felt. Xow is as good a
time as any to commence taking upon our shoulders the
resonsibilities of citizenship, and at least take an
intelligent interest in matters affecting Alaska’s
development and future.
THOSE RAILROAD ROUTES
There seems to be no question but that if there is only one
railroad to be built by the government in Alaska it will go
into the interior from Portage bay or Seward. That fact has
been pretty generally conceded ever since the railroad bill was
debated in the Senate. The Daily Alaskan has expressed the
hope and belief that two trunk lines would be built, in accord
ance with the report of the Alaska Railroad Commission. In
that event there could be no question but that a line would be
built from Chitina to Fairbanks. Negotiations by the govern
ment with the Copper River & Northwestern Railway, have
been going on for several weeks past. That positive arrange
ments with this company have not yet been made would seem
to be indicated in the decision of the Engineering Commission
to first start their survey parties from Fairbanks over to the
Susitna country. This particular line would not likely be
built if the trunk line from Chitina to the interior had been
decided upon. AVe are still hopeful that the latter line is to
be built and that Cordova will be made a terminal point. Of
course the line into the Bering River coal fields will start from
Cordova, and that will mean great expansion for this
community. But we believe that we have the most feasible
route to the Tanana river, and that construction is what we
are all hoping for.
Greece could not find a battleship to offset the dread
naught acquired by Turkey. So she bought a little 2,400-ton
cruiser instead. As Turkey is supposed to be pledged to
peace, the cruiser ought to be as good as the dreadnaught.
A REWARD TO THE ENTERPRISING
It really looks as though there was a heavenly protectorate
thrown about Valdez. Just as it is generally conceded that
she will have no government railroad, for the present few years
at least, announcement is made that the Alaska Engineering
Commission will make its headquarters at our neighboring
city. And that wilhmean a lot to the enterprising people of
Valdez. Something is continually developing to keep that
town in a fairly prosperous state. But it doesn’t just happen.
The people over there are wide awake and are always reaching
out for everything in sight, and many things out of sight. As
in this railroad ambition, through an active commercial
organization, the people at Washington and elsewhere have
been constantly kept in mind that there is a Valdez, and that
she wants a railroad and many other things. And forthwith
she gets the base of supplies from which preliminary work
will be directed in locating and building government railroads.
EDITORIAL COMMENT
From an expression given today by Governor Strong i;
does not seem probable that Alaska will receive an appropria
tion for making a creditable exhibit at the San Francisco
exposition and separate from the regular government exhibit.
It was hoped that an appropriation of an hundred or two
hundred thousand dollai's might be secured so that a
separate building might be erected and the varied exhibits
from this nortliland assembled under one roof.
The business men of Cordova seem enthusiastic over the
project of organizing an active Chamber of Commerce. But
some of them are rather extravagant in their ideas of the
material benefits that they believe will be soon forthcoming.
Hernando Cortez landed at what is now Vera Cruz 395 i
veal’s ago. But the manner in which Admiral Fletcher landed i
on Vera Cruz put it all over Cortez.
Huerta’s dove of peace, translated into the United States
language, has a strong resemblance to a buzzard.
Valdez had quite a jubilation for a day or two over the
announcement of that town as the probable headquarters for
the Alaska Engineering Commission. But today there is great
joy in Seward over the positive announcement that the
commission will locate in the town with its patient and
| deserving people on Resurrection Bay. In the meantime the
people of Cordova extend congratulations to the people of the
westward, while awaiting hopefully for the announcement
that is to stir the sluggish waters of our community into
rushing streams of activity.
Usually our neighbors to the westward flash to the world
the statement that our railroad is tied up about the time the
tracks have been cleared and trains are again running on
schedule. So that they may get a scoop on themselves we j
furnish them with the information that this week the break
and flow of ice in the Copper river will carry away a few bents j
of the timber bridge at Chitina. As a consequence the traffic
between Chitina and Keunecott will be interfered with for a j
couple of weeks.
Cordova is soon to have a rejuvenated and progressive
Chamber of Commerce. It has been slow in coming but then it
is never too late for any good move.
It now looks very improbable that Governor Strong shall
have returned from Washington in time to take the steamer
for Alaska the early part of May. He and Governor Lister had
planned to leave Seattle on the 5th. But as the Admiral
Evans has met with a mishap, and her voyage on the 5th
canceled, and these distinguished governors were to be the
guests of President Alexander of the Admiral Line, they may
defer their departure until the sailing of the Admiral Sampson
from Seattle on the 15th.
Rumors of a recent new and rich strike in the Shushanni
camp are beginning to percolate through from the interior.
All will anxiously await positive information, in the meantime
hoping that the long expected is about to be realized and that
a permanent placer camp has been developed by reason of the
winter’s work.
At present it looks as though Portage Bay was having
the call on the first terminus of a government railroad to be
constructed in Alaska. But plans oft times change and in the
meantime Cordova is biding a wee, patiently remembering
that “the last shall be first.”
The patriots in Alaska who have been anxious to rush to
war are now having a breathing and thinking chance. Many
of them on second thought will prefer to remain at home and
participate in the excitement of railroad construction.
And now the Japanese refers to the Elder Statesmen as a
“still surviving remnant of Old Japan.” These seem to be
parlous times for Elder Statesmen in manv lands.
It is said that Christian Science is taking a strong hold i
in Cordova. Readings are held every Sunday morning.
We shall soon hope to hear of the appointment of other
members of the Alaska Engineering Commission, who will be
directed to make a permanent survey of the route from Chitina
to Fairbanks. The two distinguished engineers appointed
today by President Wilson will start their work from the
westward in the neighborhood of Seward.
President Wilson is giving evidence that the Mexican
war scare is not to interfere with the immediate work of
locating and surveying the lines of railroad to connect the
interior of Alaska with tidewater.
New York is anxious to know whether the Colonel is
hurrying home to accept that nomination for governor of New
York or to head rt off. It can find out when the Colonel arrives.
The new District Attorney- for this division is a very;
courteous and pleasant gentleman to meet who has had ample
experience in public office.
If Governor Strong does not soon slip away from
Washington it would indicate that the allurements of the
national capital are too great to permit him to join that
business men’s excursion to-Alaska that is to start from Seattle
on May 15.
The Mexican dictator is reported te have bought an
aeroplane. He will need it for flight, but is hardly likely to
get away with it.
■r
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 long trail to the
interior, as we are pie
pared to HU all orders in
our tin shop.
W. H. CARSTENS & CO.
SHUSHANNA - - ALASKA
Chitina GRILL
Rood Eats for Particular People
Prompt Service. Popular Soivice.
Next to Chitina Hotel.
CHITINA : : : ALASKA.
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! 0. ADRIAN NELSON I
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: U. S. Mineral Surveyor ■
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: chitina •. - - alaska ::
CHITINA: BAKERY
AND
Coffee House
HENRY GESSXER, Prop.
FRESH BREAD, CAKES AND
PIES ALWAYS ON HAND
Chitina ::
t**« - t x >
_ X ►
Pharmacy:
..*
X *
D R U G S,
STATIONERY, ::
X candies, ::
♦ KODAK SUPPLIES yt
t CIGARS & TOBACCO }
X _ X
IX i
If you cannot call, write i:
us. MAIL orders our ;;
Specialty. ::
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A. G. MOREY, Prop, j
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find our work better, ‘boto supplies. Dept. S,
! GROCERIES, HARDWARE :
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i MEAT MARKET j
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, Cook House, in connection. ‘
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CHITINA HEIGHTS
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ROIiLKI) BAULKY
S\e can make prompt ship
ments to points on the rail
road. Our feed is the very
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0. A. Nelson & Co.
CHITINA
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