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—HAKHY O. STEEL
Office: Hotel Chitina Building. Cordova Office: Daily Alaskan
Seattle Office: 661 Colman Building.
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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 Rive: ilistrict.___
CHITINA, ALASKA, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1914.
VALDEZ WILLING TO BE REASONABLE
Information comes from Valdez that the nomination of
Judge 0. P. Hubbard for Senator is not viewed with general
favor by the voters of that town. Under the circumstances
there was no insistent demand for his candidacy. The
“Progressive Democratic” committee has been casting about
for some weeks for a candidate, but could get no takers. Finally
Judge Hubbard was induced to stand. Without any-reference
to his qualifications, it is contended by the people of our
neighboring town that a general support of him would l>e an
act of injustice and destroy the future political influence of
that community. Already Valdez has a Senator and some few
would now seek to grab the only other Senator to be elected in
this division, and at the same time seek to elect two or three of
the four Representatives to be elected. There is a general
belief in Valdez that this would be “hogging” it, even if it
were possible to carry through the program. The fair minded
and conservative element believe that the election of two
Representatives in November would certainly give Valdez all
that her population and importance could reasonably demand.
And that would mean that while slie may poll one-fifth of the
votes of the division that she woudl have one-lialf of the repre
sentation from this division in the Territorial Legislature.
Certainly that should suffice. Two years ago when she marched
off victorious to that extent the people of Valdez congratulated
themselves upon the decided favor that the rest of the division
had shown them. At that time neither Cordova or the Copper
River country secured any representation and it has been
considered only reasonable that at the forthcoming election
Cordova should have a Senator and the interior a Repre
sentative.
ALASKA’S LIBERATOR PREVAILS
Glory be to the Democratic national party. President
"Wilson, Alaska’s liberator, has prevailed upon the Senate to
give immediate consideration to the Alaska coal leasing bill.
It will undoubtedly be passed and become a law within a few
days. First the railroad bill, now the coal bill, and next we
shall hope for the enactment of Secretary Lane’s Alaska
Development board bill. Those measures should certainly
give the pople of Alaska a good start toward development and
prosperity. The beneficial effects on Cordova will soon be
felt, as the first activity will likely be the construction of a
railroad from Mile 38 on the Copper River & Northwestern
Railway to the Bering River coal fields. The next will be the
building of coke ovens a short distance out the railroad from
Cordova, then will follow the building of a smelter, the
establishment of a navy coaling station, the building of an
immense dry dock, and other industries. And then Cordova
will be a real city and truly the metropolis of Alaska.
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A WORTHY CANDIDATE
One of the most important sections of the Third Judicial
division is the Copper River country. And as there are six
members of the legislature from this division it seems only
fair that one of them should come from the interior; where a
large mining element is employed. In the first Assembly that
section had no representation and there is now a general
feeling that at the November election a man should be elected
who knows the needs of those people and who is closely allied
with them. And they find such a candidate in Thomas H.
Holland, of Chitina, a man who has been many years in the
country and who has spent most of his time assisting in the
development of the mineral resources. So far as we know he is
the only candidate from the Copper River country, and as he
is a man of integrity and ability who would worthly represent
his constituents and help to intelligently legislate for the best
interests of all of Alaska, there seems to be a disposition
throughout the division to send him to Juneau. He will
undoubtedly secure almost the entire solid vote of the people
from Cordova to Kennecott and the adjoining camps. Here
he is known and there is naught to advance against him. Mr.
Holland is not an office seeker. Without any suggestion upon
his part whatsoever he was placed on the Democratic ticket, at
a time when he was working in the mines. He did not know of
it for ten days thereafter. But now he has determined to make
a fight for the honor and will canvas the division to the west
ward. He arrived in Cordova yesterday and is being favorably
received by our people, without regard to politics. His honesty
and sincerity of purpose is unquestioned and on his trip to
Valdez, Seward and other towns he will undoubtedly make a
favorable impression. No vote will be misplaced that is cast
for Tom Holland.
A great deal has beeen published about the problem of
feeding those huge armies, but according to frequent reports
it is solved by not feeding them.
Old-fashioned babies are not worrying about the increase
in the price of milk. The kind they use is no higher than it was.
Japan denies anv intention of sending ships or soldiers to
Europe. Why should it? It has nothing to gain there?
About the most profitless discussion of the day is
speculation on what the peace terms will be.
COAL RELIEF NEAR AT HAND
It is generally believed among the friends of Alaska in
Washington that shortly after the November election there
will be plenty of Alaska coal that may be mined. The coal
leasing bill will undoubtedly be finally passed by that time
and it is als9 expected that a number of coal claims will go
to patent. Although 561 claims have either been abandoned
or refused there still remains 566 claims to be acted upon by
the department. And these have been pending for many years,
in the meantime undergoing all kinds of investigations under,
the different Secretaries of the Interior, including Secretaries
James R. Garfield, Richard A. Ballinger, Walter L. Fisher and
Franklin K. Lane. The latter has been giving considerable
attention to this matter and his department was instructed
months ago to secure all possible data so that the existing
claims could be disposed of at the earliest possible moment.
This has nearly all been secured and within a short time it is
expected that the land department will be ready to act and
cut the red tape that has long been a reflection upon past
administrations. And of the 287 cases pending in the Bering
river field it is not unreasonable to expect that quite a few
j claims will be found to have been valid. And when patents
| are issued and a coal leasing bill passed there will be every
assurance of a bountiful supply of coal in Alaska for domestic
and coke making purposes. And then we may expect to see
railroad construction to the coal fields and the establishment
in this section of smelters and other industries, as well as a
naval coaling station.
A USELESS DISCUSSION
t
—
The Juneau papers are devoting considerable time to a j
discussion of the question of whether Delegate Wickersham j
was or was not the original home rule man in Alaska. By the |
shades of the departed Governor Swineford the question is;
superfluous. Don’t we all remember the letter Judge Wicker
sham wrote to Governor Hoggatt protesting that the people of
Alaska were not capable of self-government. It might just as
well be insisted that the Honorable James is the original
railroad builder in Alaska. A Philadelphia paper states that
he was the pioneer who in the early days came to Alaska
and fought fiercely and continuously for a government con
structed railroad, finally prevailing upon President Wilson to
co-operate with him in securing the necessary legislation. And
yet we remember that when making his famous “peace” speech
at Cordova and elsewhere but a few years ago, he declared that,
fundamentally he was opposed to the government building or
operating railroads, that it was a Socialistic measure, pure and
simple, but that if the people of Alaska wanted it, he would
not oppose the measure. When he got in line for home rule he
urged the bill and is largely responsible for our getting the
enactment that even he is not now very enthusiastic over.
When President Wilson and Secretary Lane determined to
secure the passage of the Alaska railroad bill, and had the
power to do it, Delegate Wickersham immediately got into the
limelight and made a six-hour speech on the measure, which
was replete with facts about the territory, other than tv one
third of it which was devoted to issues that “had nothing to
do with the case, tra la.” Why not be content with the truth.
The Juneau papers know that Judge Wickersham came to
Alaska to hold office. He was sent here in that capacity in
1900, and with the exception of an interim of possibly less than
a year, he has held office ever since. And when he finishes in
that capacity he will likely remove from Alaska.
EDITORIAL COMMENT
Seward hasn’t any party nominee for Legislative honors
but the Gateway speaks highly of the candidacy of one
Alexander H. Bradford, a mining engineer. He is said to be a
strong supporter of the national administration and a young
man of considerable ability. All of which should qualify him
for admission into the House of Representatives at Juneau.
Candidates in having their tickets printed should
remember that Congressional and Legislative tickets should
be printed separately.
Two aeronauts ran into one another a few days ago and
had quite a falling out.
Japan is also some “watchful waiter” itself, as Russia and
Germany have discovered.
With a coal leasing bill and also the granting of patents
to claimants who have waited, lo these long eight years, it
would seem as though there should be some real ’activity next
year in the coal fields of Alaska. And then look out for the
coke ovens, the smelters, the naval coaling staticms, the dry
docks, and varied industries, all in the neighborhood of
Cordova.
We thought that there was really some chance of
defeating Delegate Wickersham for re-election this year, but
we are cast in the shadow of doubt by the reports that come
from Southeastern Alaska. It is said that he is not only
winning over the ladies and the babies but that he is also
gathering Socialists into his fold.
There is ground for the suspicion that Japan is starting
an Asiatic version of the Monroe doctrine.
Possibly when this war is ended the United States of
Europe may feel like coming into existence.
The Valdez bosses of the “Progressive Democratic” party
have endeavored to sidetrack Dr. Chase as a Senatorial candi
date in the interests of Judge Hubbard. They led the Dr. to
the top of the mountain and solemnly offered him a place in
the lower house, but Doc wouldn’t fall and insists that it is
the Senate or nothing.
Governor Walsh of Massachusetts had his right arm
fractured learning to ride a horse in a parade. It is a good
thing he tried to learn or he might have broken his neck. A
wise governor will lead the line in somebody’s motor car. It
is just as dignified and a heap safer.
Judging by the reports of the warlike activity of women
in England, mocking stay-at-home men with white feathers
and advice to wear petticoats if they will not enlist, there must
be a revision of the idea that if women had the say wars
would end.
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Why Not Invest? ;
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With the building of the government railroad from <
Chitina to Fairbanks, the future of the Town of Chitina *
is assured. <
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Lots are still offered at attractive prices and there <
are many desirable ones remaining. <
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A few months later lots in Chtiina will be held at <
largely increased values. Why not invest NOW? 4
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GEO. C. HAZELET, <
Agent Chitina Townsite Company. 4
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i<V -3k. ^ A A A
TIN SHOP
IN SHUSHANNa
—
Xo more need to carry
STOVES and TINWARE
over the Ion" trail to the
interior, as, we are pie
pared to fill ail orders in
our tin shop.
W. H. CARSTENS & CO.
SHVSHANNA - - ALASKA
____
Good Eats for Particular People
Prompt Service. Popular Set vice.
Next to Cliitina Hotel,
CH1TINA : : : ALASKA.
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i 0. ADR! NELSON I
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: U. S. Mineral Surveyor :
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: CHITINA : - - ALASKA |
Wh4-W4-H4-HH^/W4W‘M’
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picturet—it’s free, berul us you; films for develop
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CHITINA
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