/ 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.
Published every Saturday by
WILL A. STEEL—Editors. Managers and Proprietors—Harry G. STEEL
Office: Hote IChitina Building. Cordova Office: Daily Alaskar
ADVERTISING RATES
Made known upon application. They will be found reasonable for tin
service given.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES:
One Month. $ ■5I
Six Months. 2-0<
One Year. 3.o<
CHITIXA, ALASKA, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1911.
GOOD ROADS THE IMPORTANT NEED.
Upon one issue the people of Alaska and all others who ar<
in close touch with our necessities, are practically united. Ant
that is the need for good roads and many miles of them
Newspapers throughout the states are giving favorable men
tion to this subject and they all practically agree with tin
views expressed by Mr. Barry upon his recent visit to Fair
banks, where his enthusiasm did much to stimulate the people
of that town to renewed and continuous effort in the accom
plishment of a great work. On this subject the Seattle P.T
says:
“The people of Fairbanks have organized a good road.'
movement for Central Alaska, and they will urge the federa
government to spend as much as $1,000,000 each year for ;
period of five years in road and trail construction. Thai
would mean an aggregate expenditure of $5,000,000, and foi
that sum the people of the northern country ought to be abb
to get a good many miles of serviceable roads.
“Richard J. Barry, one of the prime movers in behalf of
good roads in the Fairbanks district, is right in assuming tha’
good roads will do more to further the material interests ol
that section than any other improvement. Good roads wil
help any section of Alaska. Really transportation is the bu
problem in Alaska. Given adequate transportation facilities
and the northern country would develop in a way that woulc
surprise those who are most hopeful of the outcome of con
ditions in the noorth.
“The people of Fairbanks ought to press their good
roads plans on the attention of congress at the earliest pos
sible moment, and keep the fight up until an adequate al
lowanee is made by the federal government for the purpose ir
view. Congress can very well afford to spend $1,000,000 a yeai
for a period of five years on roads in the Fairbanks district
a»d, given the right light on the subject, congress will do it. ’
INCONSISTENCY OF THE EAST.
A contemporary states that the east is digging its grave
in its insistence of the unsound doctrines that fortunately are
rapidly ceasing to become a fad with the great masses of righl
and fair minded people. The Atlantic States are so persistently
short-sighted in some ways that it is almost incomprehensible
UU tt viiv? tnba*x»-tm w — vv--:—l * i_4.n
In botiling up the coal of Alaska suitable for naval use, sc
that the "Government is forced to buy in the East and waste
thousands of tons shipping the fuel around two continents, the
political and commercial interests are needlessly exhausting
their stores and hastening the day when the Pacific Coast
will be the greatest manufacturing center in the republic and
probably, in the world.
England is facing such a problem now- It is figured that
the supply in the islands will last about 175 years. After that
many of her economists figure the end of the country’s im
portance as a manufacturing nation will be at hand. England
is notably pessimistic in regard to the national future. The
islanders seem to take a gloomy delight in painting the situ
ation in the darkest possible light. Whatever may be Eng
land’s condition, it will be in no worse shape than France.
Germany and Belgium. Their supplies are no more extensive
than England- Whenever she is forced to commence shipping
in coal they will be compelled to do likewise.
However, England is in the same boat with the Atlantic
states of the United States. They, too,, are facing a day of
diminished fuel supplies—a period when they will be forced
to ship tlieir fuel great distances. In that time the Pacific
Coast—closer by thousands of miles to the great Alaska fields,
with great stores of its own and able to tap the immense depos
its of China—will be in a position to dictate to the manufac
turers of all the world. The east, that cries conservation most
loudly, is not conserving at all. It is wasting its precious heri
tage, simply to keep the Pacific Coast from enjoying the just
measure of prosperity that should be due it through develop
ment of the Alaska coal fields. As might be expected, such,
a dog-in-the-manger policy will react upon the selfish section.
The Pacific Coast will develop, if it must rely entirely upon its
own supply of coal, or call upon that of China, while the
manufacturing east will go to the de’il in its own wasteful
wa^' -v&i&isas’ylilfc
-OOOO
THE RETIREMENT OF BALFOUR.
The retirement of former Premier Balfour from the leader
ship of the Unionist party in England, which he has held for
twenty years, is attributed to failing health, but is more gen
erally believed to be due to disinclination to further attempt
the reconciling of the dissentions in the party. His course in
the recent controversy over the limiting of the power of the
House of Lords was bitterly criticised by a wing of the Con
servative party, led by Lord Halsbury, which threatened for a
time to holt the leadership of Balfour, and was restrained with
difficulty. These extremists have promised to renew their
aggressions at the earliest moment, and it can be easily under
stood that to a man of Balfour’s temperament the game should
be considered not worth the candle. He will retain his seat in
the House of Commons, but will no longer be worried witli the
difficulties of leading the opposition. Nevertheless, his will be
the voice that will attract most attention from the opposition
benches.
A member of Parliament for 37 years, occupying one
after another of the most responsible positions of the Cabinet,
Premier from 1902 to 1906, leader of the House of Common®
for years, of brilliant intellect and fastidious tastes, he has
represented the best type of his party, the aristocratic and rul
ing classes- His policy as Chief Secretary for Ireland won him
the hearty hatred of the Irish people because of his stem re
pression, yet in later years that feeling had been modified to
respect.
-oooo
In view of the uttitude of certain localities the delegates
from Cordova and neighboring towns have very wisely decided
to confine the non-partisan “get-together” convention to that
section of Alaska situate in the third judicial division. The
subjects to be discussed are of far-reaching importance and the
Valdez meeting should result in much good.
-oooo
At last! An Italian aviator, according to report, dropped
four bombs into the Turkish camp. Unhappily the account
<Joes not say with what result.
i
speaking of railroads.
Now that there is a strong probability that Congress will
look with favor the coming session upon measures favorable
to tbe future development of Alaska, the various towns of the
territory are beginning to. sit up and take notice. And in
cidentally they are picking the particular improvement that
they desire for their immediate neighborhood. In this sec
tion our neighbors over in Seward are more than pleased with
the expressed intention of the government to build them a
railroad into the Matanuska coal fields and then to operate a
nine so that they can supply with coal a naval coaling station,
dso to be located at Seward. And if this idea is carried out it
ertainlv would give that town a miighty big boost, and de
ervedly so, and after thinking the matter over a couple of
.reeks the good people of Valdez cannot understand why a
ailroad should not be built from their town into the coal fields.
The Prospector has taken up> the subject at some length and
igures it out in this way:
“A road from \ aldez to tap the Matanuska field could be
uilt for as little lost, and probably less, than the Alaska North
rn could be completed from its present northern terminus, and
could not necessitate the payment of any sum aside from the
construction cost. In such a line there is but one short section
which would be at all difficult and that is Thompson’s pass,
lere, for a short stretch, the cost of building the line would be
■xpensive, but no more so than similar stretches on the Copper
liver road, and after the pass had been negotiated the coun
ry between that and the coal fields is an ideal one for the
-ailroad builder.
“It might be put forward by those whose personal in
erests are at stake that the distance between Valdez and the
oal fields is greater than from some other point, but such is
lot the case. As a matter of fact, Valdez is nearer to the Mat
inuska fields than any other harbor on the coast, and a road
rom Valdez to tap the entire field would be many miles the
mortest, for the coal measures extend from the Matanuska east
ward in an unbroken body to the head of the Tazlina river, and
it must be admitted that this latter pioint can be reached from
Valdez easier and cheaper than from any other coast town.
“The town at the coast terminus of such a road will reap
m enormous benefit from it in the way of a large increase in
•opulation and consequent greater business. Nature has made
Valdez the logical point for the beginning of the road, and
.’acts and figures to demonstrate this are easily’ obtainable.
Properly arranged and presented they will form a convincing
argument in support of the claim.
“A road from Valdez would not be entirely dependent
upon the coal for tonnage. From its very beginning business
would accrue to it through the opening of the gold quartz
mines of the Teikhell valley and those beyond. Through the
Tazlina and adjacent country other mines would be opened
if transportation facilities were at hand, and the coal would
form but a portion of the traffic.”
Now this really sounds mighty fine and we might wish that
there could be two railroads built by’ the government into the
Matanuska- Nay, we might also say’ three, and include the
me from Cordova. But there is little probability’ of the latter
as the government and all capitalists seem to be perfectly’ wil
ling to allow the despised Alaska Syndicate to chance their
millions in doubtful enterprises in this section of Alaska. And
it wouldn’t be such a surprising announcement if we were to
.hear some day that the Syndicate has decided to push their
oKi*-— ixiHi me 2»ic4pruviamg ooursp
that they could get coal there to haul. In any event, it seenm
very likely that the Syndicate will be allowed to build into the
Bering fields, and now that the country’ at large is beginning
to realize that the Syndicate paid pretty high for everything
they have in Alaska, they’ might be willing that they should
have the same consideration that any’ other set of capitalists
would be entitled to, providing of course they’ had the courage
to invest fifteen or twenty million dollars in the territory’. It
really looks as though the time were near at hand when anybody
and everybody who desired to invest in Alaska and assist in
its development would receive a square deal.
-xxxx
AND THE QUESTION IS “WHY?”
Robert D. Ileinl recently visited Alaska witli Secretary
Fisher’s party. He represented Leslie’s Weekly. From his
subsequent writings he has proven himself a very observing
young man, with clear sight and sound judgment. As a result
the people of the United States are being correctly informed
as to the true conditions existing in this territory. In the issue
of November 8, under the caption “Why Has Alaska Not Had
a Square Deal?” the writer, Mr. Heinl, propounds quite a
number of “why’s” that prove interesting food for thought.
Our readers may be able to answer these questions:
(1) Why have Alaskans been so shamefully neglected?
(2) Why have Alaska’s coal fields not been opened?
(3) Why has the development of her great resources been
throttled ?
(4) Why has the Alaska question been the cause of re
peated bitter denunciation and misrepresentation of the Presi
dent of the United States?
(5) Why has Alaska caused the driving out of the Cabinet
of a Secretary of the Interior and the attempted besmirching
of an Attorney General ?
(G) Why have lesser government officials without num
ber been attacked ?
(7) Why have several great corporations which have
undertaken to develop the country’s great resources been
criminally libeled?
(8) Why have numerous pioneers who have endeavored
to locate claims in the country been treated as criminals?
(9) Why are half the Americans there approaching a
state of actual want and on the verge of bankruptcy?
(10) - Why does not Congress arise to the critical situ
ation ?
(11) Is Alaska worthy of this?
(12) What are the real facts?
-oooo
UNSSAVORY REPORTS FROM CHITINA.
The grand jury has evidently heard many reports con
cerning the administration of justice at Chitina, and have an
idea that a thorough investigation of affairs Jiere would have
a beneficial effect upon the body politic. But to summon wit
nesses and hold sessions of the grand jury at Chitina it would
be almost necessary that the entire court go there, which time
will not permit at the present session of the district court. If
the U. S. Commissioner and Deputy Marshal have not been
satisfactorily performing their duties and giving the new town
the protection and justice to which it is entitled, possibly the
little reminder upon the part of the grand jury will have the
effect of stirring them to renewed activity.
-oooo
Governor Harmon manages to extract a wildly exaggerated
amount of comfort from the returns in Massachusetts, Ken
tucky and Ohio by closing his eyes and ears to the reports of
Republican successes in Maryland and New Jersey and legis
lative gains in New York and Massachusetts.
---oooo
John Wannamaker thinks that the trusts will accept and
obey the law. This recalls the remark of the man whose wife
had died and of whom the clergyman before the funeral asked
if on her death bed she was “reconciled” to her demise. “Re
jonciled!” said the mourning husband, “why she had to be.”
By WILL A. STEEL.
Democracy, obscured since the days of Cleveland, saw ihe
dawn of a new hope about a year ago in one of those cyclonic
twists that turned a comfortable and self-satisfied majority
into a dazed and wondering Republican minority, in the lower
house of Congress. And today, through the length and breadth
of the United States, the ever-hopeful brand of Den - vatic
statesmanship, is alert, smiling, and as confidently as -in the
campaign days of every recurring four years, predicting the
betterment‘of mankind and the salvation of the nation, through
the election of a Democrat to the Presidency
And likewise, in the territory of Alaska, has the dormant
Bourbon spirit become awakened to the possibility, nay, to
them, the certainty of planting the flag of Democracy even upon
a pinnacle higher than that ever reached by the imagination'
of the daring Dr. Cook. All former barriers are to be ruthlessly
bombarded, and across the bleeding forms of political oppon
ents the conquering leader of a people’s choice is to march
triumphantly across the mountains of coal, glaciers, golden
streams, mud flats of Controller bay, into that mammoth palace
of great promise situate at the extreme end of Pennsylvania
avenue, in that beautiful city of spotless reputations, famil
iarly known as Washington.
And in preparation of this great battle for the rejuvination
and permanent establishment of a party that has determined to
list unto the call of the wild, the desciples of Jefferson are
much concerned these days in the selection of a standard bearer
who will go forth with the strength of a Goliath and slay all
the Wiekershams or bulwarks of power that may be placed in
the pathway toward success. Their one regret dwells upon the
fact that the contemplated vistory carries with it but one elec
tive office, that of delegate to Congress. However, that en
thusiastic apostle, National Committeeman A. J. Daly, of Nome,
whose official duties have been distressingly light during the
past few years, promises a continuous labor after re-election,
in the effort to despoil the proverbial plum tree. From his
basket of distribution he hopes to offer a generous assort
ment of the judiciary, marshals, district attorneys, postmas
ters, a governorship, and many minor prizes. But the first
consideration is the selection of the man of strength who can i
sweep all obstacles before him at the polls in August next.
For a minute it was assumed that the Roman warrior,
Major J. F. A. Strong, would buckle on the armor and lead the
advancing calvacade. But when he was approached with the
gift he mildly shook his silvery locks and intimated that his
few thousands of accumulated wealth was to be expended in a
tour through foreign lands rather than on a campaign mission
over his familiar and beloved Alaska where he had done so
much hazardous pioneering—from a printing office. As the
gift bearers insisted that a mighty leader in the exalted cause
of Democracy should be willing to sacrifice mere yellow metal
in exchange for the great honor of seeking convention prefer
ment, the wary Major withdrew into the sombre folds of his
gladiator mantle, and positively declined to accept the great
honor that was sought to be thrust upon him.
-Llie lanana valley lias become so accustomed to having a
mouthpiece in tlie halls of Congress that the suggestion was
very naturally made that Falcon Joslin was the man who could
bring peace out of discord, and redeem Fairbanks as a city
having within its confines loyal and patriotic citizens capable!
of accomplishment and with a sincere desire to bring prosperity
to Alaska and justice in the administration of its affairs- For
a time this si'»esoation met with a responsive throb in everv
section ot the territory as n was generally conceded mat Jii,
Joslin was one of the best equipped men in all the territory to
fight the battles of his adopted land. But the friends of the
proverbial office seeking statesman of the Tanana, he who
fights, fights, and tnen rights again, immediately started an
advance onslought.
For lo, the Falcon must be vanquished. Was not he a
corporation man, did he not raise capital and build a railroad
from Fairbanks to the neighboring mines, has his voice not
been heard upon every occasion in the interest of territorial
advancement and for fair treatment upon the part of the gov
ernment? Forsooth, why should such an honest and repre
sentative citizen be clothed with the mantle of leadership,
even though by accepting it he would sacrifice his personal
interests. As Mr. Joslin is not desirous of becoming a can
didate and as the followers of the present delegate are doing
everything possible to discourage the favorable consideration
of his name it is most likely that the unterrified will have to
seek elsewhere.
Since the recent debate between attorney R. F. Roth and
James Wickershain, the gentleman who explained the defects
in the delegate’s home rule bill, has loomed into prominence.
As he is a resident of Fairbanks and incidentally' a Democrat,
many are thinking that he might prove a formidable antagonist
as piitted against the present incumbent. But the honorable
delegate took so kindly to the suggestion that it immediately
discouraged the little boomlet that had sprung up for Mr.
Roth, who is a man of fine attainments although not extensively
known throughout the district.
The Seattle-Alaska Democratic leaders considered and dis
carded one after another men who were likely to have
strength with the masses in Alaska, but they could come to no
decision with reference to the particular man who was to
have the honor of an election in August next- In the meantime
there was one man of high attainments and exceptional energy
who decided that he wanted the Democratic nomination. He
didn’t ask anybody’s permissiion to run, but just started in to
notify his numerous friends in every section of the territory
that he was an avowed candidate and desired their support.
And to his letters he signed the name of Robert W. Jennings,
of Juneau.
And then of a sudden it began to dawn upon the leaders
that their work of selecting a candidate of strength was at an
end. . I he people of the territory were declaring themselves,
and it was soon evident that the popular son was the lawyer
and orator of Juneau. Ed Dunn already says that there is
nothing more to it but the counting of the vote. And that
reminds us that this same Dunn is going to be a tower of
strength in the nominating convention. His particular friend
A. J. Daly lias the proxy for the Nome delegation of forty, and
as Ed is working for the re-election of Daly as National Com
mitteeman it is only natural to presume that he knows how
those forty votes w ill be cast for delegate. Then Jennings will
undoubtedly receive the solid vote from Southeastern Alaska. '
He is also favorably known in our own country of the South
west, and the Sew'ard Gateway and Valdez Prospector have in- .
dicated that he is pretty solid in those towns. He has maiyv
friends in Cordova, while the probabilities are that he will
receive loyal support in Fairbanks, where he has been several
times in connection with his profession.
So at this w'riting it looks as though Mr- Jeunings w'ould
have the unanimous nomination of his convention. He has
resided in Alaska for probably fifteen years, has never been
attorney for the corporations, and is a man of unimpeachable
character and exceptional ability. It is a pleasure to note the
candidacy of a man of his type- Should Mr. Wickershain de
cline to again be a candidate, and the Republican convention
nominate a man of strength and abilitiy', as it undoubtedly' will,
whatever should be the result of the contest Alaska would be the
gainer and'liave a representative at Washington who would get
results.
-oooo-- 6
Missouri’s misfortune in Folk and Clark booms is that she i
canpot go to the convention with favorite twins. d
I
r
t We Carry a Full Line of
1 General Merchandise
t Including
l GROCERIES
l HARDWARE
t dog harness
t HORSE harness
\ FURNISHING GOODS
t BLANKETS
t FUR CAPS
t SHOES AND RUBBER PACS
X Also
| HAY AND GRAIN
j CHITINA CASH STORE
♦ E. H. GILLMAN, Manager.
t Forwarding Agent, S. BLUM & CO.
| CORDOVA S BIG STORE
Special Attention Given to
ltush Orders.
♦
Hot Ratlis at all hours a •1
• •
Specialty. *■
I CHITINA LAUNDRY AND BATH HOUSE 1
I =-"■ |
f MRS. Rl'RROWS & MRS. GOODMAN f
T Proprietors. ♦
X Family Laundry Rough Dry 85c Per Doz. f
| CIIITIXA, * ALASKA t
■ > Only First-Class Hotel in Chitina Prices Reasonable !!
1 1 • •
II ( ,
• I , (
" II
Hotel Chitina
• • a •
• »
1 [ J. PALMER and T. CLOXIXGER, \\
,, Ppoppjptors, *1
i» * *
• • ;;
The Only First Class Hotel in Chitina
• •
" , ,
Heated Room, Bath, Ladies Parior
• | !
Bar with all Standard Liquors and Cigars ;
First-Class Dining Room in Connection ;;
::
,, • •
; Chitina Alaska • >
• i
WHEN COMING TO CORDOVA REMEMBER
Cordova Steam Laundry
THE ONLY REAL LAUNDRY IN TOWN
Let us wash and clean your canvass covers, blankets, clothes,
overalls, etc.
If you are in a hurry we can do your work in an hour's time if
necessary.
Leave your work at any hotel, rooming house or barber shop
ana it will receive prompt attention.
'PHONE 57 F. A. JONES, Manager Second Street
♦-»♦♦♦♦»♦♦♦♦♦»»♦»»♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦»♦»♦♦♦♦♦♦»»♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
! PROFESSIONAL GUIDE FOR HUNTING PARTIES S
* —' - ;;
* Guaiantee to secure gameo‘r no pay.
t PACK THA1N HORSES FURNISHED
♦
X At Reasonable Rates ;;
l Address J. LAWRENCE, Chitina,Alaska ::
t)|MMM|M)MM.MMM.n.HIHMtM.M.mnt
Chitina Bakery
& Coffee House
GESSNER & STANGNETH
Proprietors
FRESH BREAD
Cakes and Pastry
Always on Hand
Main Street, — Chitina.
THE LOG CABIN
RESTAURANT
Has opened under the new
management of Clenunent &
Lund.
OPEN DAY AND NIGHT
Meals Served at AH Hours.
Come and see us and get a
square. "
Colton, Cala, Nov. 22.—A sharp
arthquake was felt here that was
ifficient to cripple the telephone
lervlce but did very little other
amage. »—* .
I t I' I
Just Open
I" -
————- ■ •
;;
|;; Billiards - Pool
CIGARS
;; «»
Confectionery
Soft Drinks and
Solo Tables
t t
| Bowling Alley :
{TIBBS BROS.
*♦*♦♦♦♦< M111111 S'M llUft
London, Nov. 22—A dispatch from
Nanking states that the Imperialists
under command of General Chang,
are hemmed in with their retreat
cut off and a shortage of food about
to bring them additional distress.
Chicago, Nov. 22.—In the market
today Montana range cattle sold for
17.90, the highest price ever known
here.
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