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.
Published every Saturday by
WILL A. STEEL—Editors, Managers and Proprietors—Harry G. STEEL
Office: Hote IChitina Building. Cordova Office: Daily Alaskan
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CHITINA, ALASKA, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1911
AN ECHO FROM THE PAST.
Time was when reckless charges concerning the judiciary
of Alaska were frequently and recklessly expressed on all
sides. It became a habit, and although in some instances there
was justifiable reason and excuse for aspersions on some
of our judges, yet, many assertions were undoubtedly made
by disappointed litigants and with malice rather than facts to
justify them. But for some time past a much more satisfactory
condition has existed and the present occupants of judicial
places in the territory have fairly well succeeded in restoring
confideenc in the judiciary- But again, and almost like a
bomb shell, comes an explosion from the interior. It seems
that for some weeks past a Mr. Proctor, representing the de
partment of justice has been in Fairbanks investigating char
ges that have been made against Judge Peter 1). Overfield.
It turns out that these charges have to do principally with
matters connected with the now defunct Washington Alaska
bank. Then there are other matters of a miscellaneous nature
that the judge has done, evidently without the endorsement of
the entire community. As for instance he appointed Abe
Spring U. S. Commissioner at Circle. And he made other ap
pointments that were not entirely satisfactory, and again he
has not been working in harmony with the District Attorney’s
office, and the judge went duck hunting with a bar tender, and
that he treats with great “courtesy” certain of the saloon men
of Fairbanks, that lie scored the grand jury for failure to iir
diet or place the responsibility in the matter of the bank
failure, and many other ands that at this distance seem
trivial and immaterial to the proper dispensation of justice.
There may be some fault to be found with the course of
Judge Overfield, but it is our belief that it is nothing more
serious than a fault of judgment, to which we are all prone.
For the good name of Alaska let us hope that the present in
vestigation will not unearth anything to further disturb the
tranquility that now so generally holds concerning Alaska’s
judiciary. Referring to the subject the Fairbanks Citizen
says:
JNearly everyone will agree that the charges are, for the
most part, very foolish in conception; that they cannot but
redound to the discomfiture of those who made them once the
authorship is made known. And, here is where the monstrous'
wrong seems to exist in matters of this kind. The authors are
protected by the wall of secrecy—are allowed to prowl around
in the garb of character assassins and go unpunished. Wheth
er these charges have foundation in fact will certainly be de
termined by the testimony which the special agent has been
taking for many days past- The charges about Judge Over
field’s conduct in regard to the Wasliington-Alaska bank seem
to be an echo from Fairbank’s own Bion Dodge, though there
is no way of fastening the act upon him. People will wonder
why, if he is a lawyer, he did not avail himself of the right
of appeal against the judge’s decision? They will also ask:
is the department of justice to take cognizance of every petty
fogging attorney’s distress, who does not know enough of law
to appeal, if he has had a wrong ruling?
“Reading between the lines it will appear that a part of
the things charged as wrongful on the part of Judge Over
field eminated in the district attorney’s office. The people
will want to know why such a state of affairs should exist,
if it does? Why an officer of the court, and the court itself,
may not act in harmony. The district attorney’s office denies
that the charges eminated from that source, yet the people
must believe that if the charges did not emulate in certain par
ticulars from that source, then a very earnest friend of the
district attorney must have interested himself to the extent of
making certain portions of the allegations.”
Since Republicans, Democrats, Progressives and So
cialists all extract comfort from the result of the elections, we
have at least the prima facia showing for an even start next
year
-oooo
J. LINDLEY NOT THAT KIND OF A MAN.
And now comes the lion. J. Lindley Green, of Seward,
who takes the public into his confidence and confides the fact
that this is not his time to go to Washington. A little boomlet
appeared for him ten days ago, but J. Lindley evidently soon
got his ear to the public receiver and he immediately dashed
off these lines.
“I desire to inform you that I must decline to allow my
name to be used as a possible candidate for delegate to Con
gress. I am frank to confess that in view of the fact that
Alaska has elected two jokes and one would-be gladiator as
delegates to Congress, I thought that there might be a show
for me, but my friends inform me that I am not a gladiator,
nor am I a sufficient joke to land the plum, and that the people
will probably want a real delegate this time, so I must decline.”
The Socialists are giving point to those warnings that it is
either regulation or Socialism.
-oooo--—
AN ENDLESS CHAIN.
John Hayes Hammond suggested a phase of the craze for
naval supremacy too often forgotten in his address before the
American Society for the Judicial Settlement of International
Disputes at Cincinnati recently. Citing that the nations art
spending about a billion and a half annually for “armed
peace” he condemned it as a futile and foolish expenditure,
because the purpose—naval supremacy—was not at all affect
ed by the outlay. It is an endless chain. An increased naval
program by one power provokes a similar spurt by another.
Germany’s naval expansion, for example, simply spurs Greal
Britain to equal exertion. The United States is now second,
but to keep that place would have to compete with Germany,
which in turn is competing with England.
In almost every other national expenditure there is a
definite goal which may be attained, something permanently
accomplished. But in the contest for naval supremacy there
is no limit, no sane goal short of bankruptcy or withdrawal
from the insane competition. Even the new vessels that this
year help to keep the navies in their places will be out of date
and scrapped in a few years, necessitating not alone the usual
increase, but the renewal of back number boats. This was
strikingly shown in the recent review at New York by the
relative rank of the warships that whipped Spain and which .
a decade ago were as proudly hailed as the dreadnaughts of
today. _ i 1
LETS “GET TOGETHER” IS THE SLOGAN.
At the public meeting last night Judge Wickersliam, dele
gate to Congress was thoroughly imbued with the “get to
gether” spirit of the day. He started out with the declaration
that the time had arrived when all forces should unite in an
harmonious effort to achieve results. And he ended in an
appeal to his friends to join him in the endeavor to bring about
the desired attainment. He expressed a williugness and an
invitation that the Alaska Syndicate and their.friends should
be good and enter the camp of the hitherto hostile forces, and
he expressed the desire that he and his followers might be
greeted as friends and reasoned with, with the result that all
discordent elements might thrash out their differences in a
spirit of friendliness, with the one common end in view. He
stated that the time had arrived when personal opinions must
give way to the natural trend of the combined forces that were
uniting upon certain demands for Alaska.
He recognized that the coal question was at present the
one vital consideration that involved Cordova and Southwest"
ern Alaska, lie believed that the sentiment was crystalizing
throughout the country in favor of a leasing bill for this terri
tory. He had opposed such a measure before and in principle
believed it to be wrong, but if a reasonable bill be presented
and it would seem that nothing better could be secured, he]
would not oppose it. On this question he differed from his!
friends Fisher, Poindexter and Pinchot, and by inference
agreed with the views of the Guggenheims, whom he said were
opposed to a leasing measure. Neither did he have much faith
in the government paternal ownership and operation of rail
roads and coal mines. It was contrary to all his ideas of pro
gression and individual effort, and yet if that feature with
reference to a limited part of Alaska is to be advocated by the
administration, and seems likely to meet with the favor of
Congress, he would not enter any vigorous protest
lie believes that Alaska in addition to its present executive
and splendid judiciary system should also have an elective
legislature, so that local legislation might be enacted and such
abuses as the unlimited power of attorney location of claims
be abolished. He had introduced a bill that had been favorably
reported by committee, with a few" amendments, and he be
lieved that it would be enacted into law’ at the present session
of Congress. And he furthermore thought that the Alaska
Syndicate and all their friends should assist in the passage of
such a measure. The delegate pointed out that in all prob
ability Alaska would soon come under the jurisdiction of the
Interstate Commerce Commission, and thus the railroads, if
they had any inclination to ask exhorbitant freight rates wrould
be prevented from so doing. He paid tribute to the courage
that caused the construction of the $20,000,000 railroad by the
Copper River & Northwestern railway, and hoped to see it
extended to his home town of Fairbanks.
And lie further expressed the hope that head officials and
subordinates would give due consideration to the rights of the
people of this section and thus aid in the upbuilding and fur
ther development of this rich country, and to secure the good
will of the people generally by treating with them with fair
ness. And lie further intimated very strongly that while they
were good railroad men they had some employees who were
mighty poor politicians. The judge pointed out the great
necessity for transportation. It is a vital force in the develop
ment of the territory. He went at some length into the leasing
of the seal rookeries which resulted in the taking of $50,000,000
furs from our seas, and the canning industry that has ex
tracted $150,000,000 from the salmon streams. He also went
into a brief discussion of other matters with a political flavor.
While the Daily Alaskan has not agreed with the delegate
in the past, and is not in accord with some of his present views,
vet we are heartily agreed with him in the “get together”
/entiment, and have no present criticism to make of any part
of an address that seemingly was uttered in a spirit of con
ciliation. There will always be differences of opinion in regard
to Alaskan affairs, but if all bitterness can be obliberated and
one is willing to accord to the other a reasonable degree of
honesty and sincerity of purpose, Alaska and all Alaskans
would be the gainer. We have heard and read many of the
speeches of Judge Wickersham, but we have no hesitancy in
saying that in our judgment his effort last night was the best
political speech he has ever uttered.
It was well tempered, without vindictiveness, with no ap
parent attempt to destroy, but rather put forth in a spirit of
harmony, with a desire to forgive and be forgiven, and to
cement a spirit of aggressive activity upon a mutual under
standing to obliberate personalities and unite for the accom
plishment of those things that are for the good of the territory
and tend to the happiness and prosperity of her people
If Judge Wickersham be sincere in his present professions
and shall continue in spreading this gospel of good will and
good fellowship in the various localities of Alaska and on to
Washington, and if political friends and foes of'the present
shall honestly strive to unite all differences in the one big aim
of securing desired results for Alaska we would all be a much
happier and more prosperous people.
WILL 1. STEEL.
-0000
VALUABLE RECOMMENDATIONS OF GRAND JURY
The full scope of the voluminous report of the recent grand
jury, presented to the district court at Cordova, on Tuesday
afternoon, is published in this issue. It is a carefully prepared
and valuable paper, worthy the reading of every resident of
this district, and of thoughtful consideration by the powers
that be at Washington. It sets forth very clearly the many
public needs of this division and should be a valuable guide to
those organizations and men who seek to know what this sec
tion of Alaska requires. For practically all the suggestions
contained iu this report are endorsed by our people generally.
And when the court extended its thanks to the members of
the grand jury it was not done in a perfunctory way, but
rather in deep appreciation of the serious thought devoted to
the many subjects considered and the recommendations evolv
ed. Now let’s assist in pushing the good work on in Wash
ington, and when the coming session of Congress ends some
result satisfactory to the territory will no doubt have been
achieved.
■--0000
Having got a big tract in the Congo region by a hold up
of France in Morocco, the German statesmen are now indulg
ing in a large talk about the “German sword which can alone
gua ra n tce^prestige. ”
-Xh<Cmueh vaunted campaign publicity bill in Massachus
stts, passed at the last session, is now declared to have a joker
that makes it ineffective. It neglects to provide a penalty for
violation.
Germany and France appear to have pleased neither them
selves nor any one else by the prolonged dickering over Moroc
jo. Thus is shown that diplomacy is an unapproachable art.
Still if another year of Foss brings about an equal reduc
tion in his vote, he will not be a very formidable candidate
next year.
Be sure to ask your grocer if he has learned of the tumble
)f a cent a pound in the wholesale price of sugar.
The Democratic Manchus are rumored to be conspiring to
3ut some Parker over on Woodrow Wilson.
The grand jury has reported, the district court has ad
iourned and as a consequence there are a few people who are
ireathing easier and will feel tomorrow that they have some
king to be thankful for.
GET BUST ON A GREAT NEED.
The agitation upon the part of Fairbanks for an automo'
bile road from that town to Chitina goes along uninterruptedly.
The people there upon every possible occasion lose no oppor
tunity to create sentiment in favor of the project. And in
this move they certainly are entitled to the most united and
enthusiastic support upon the part of Cordova. While the
people here realize the great benefit that would accrue to this
town, by reason of such a road from Chitina to the interior
that would insure an all the year round mail service, yet they
have failed to take concerted action in helping along the
project. As there is at present a live grand jury in session
that body will undoubtedly give its endorsement to the need
for larger appropriations for roads and trails. The regular
meeting of the Cordova Commercial Club will be on Friday
night, and the city council holds its regular meeting on Mon
day evening. Both organizations should awaken to the im
portance of taking some action on the subject. Then individ
uals should exert every possible influence to accomplish the
desired result. The Fairbanks Times says on the matter:
“If it is necessary in most kinds of business in Interior
Alaska to prepare in winter for summer and in summer for
winter, it is all the more necessary to be forehanded in any
kind of business with which the government is connected. For
the mills of the federal departments grind slowly. Perhaps the
relaxing, relief brought about by regular and frequent mail
deliveries has lulled us into forgetfulness of the mail atrocities
of the past summer. The danger is, that in our present con
tentment we will delay measures to prevent a repitition of past
history, and find summer upon us again without change for
the better- Unless we begin at once to present the case for
the summer overland mail trail versus the summer mail boat,!
there will be no hope of getting the postoffice department to j
consider the change in time for next summer.
“As the trail stands, it is not far from being a feasible I
road for automobiles right now. From Fairbanks to McCarty,!
a distance of 95 miles, and from Chitina to Sourdough, a dist
ance of 91 miles, the trail is passable for automobiles; it re
quires only widening, and mending in patches, and improve
ments such as are necessary to make a road permanent. The
remaining 136 miles over the Alaska range offers the real
difficulty of the route, and this stretch will require time and
money to place into condition for speedy travel. This stretch
offers the real barrier to the transportation of mail in great
bulk. But for first-class mail, the trail from Chitina offers
a feasible and fairly speedy highway, and the citizens of Fair
banks should combine in a demand upon the postmaster-gener
al to route letter mail, at least, over the trail next summer.
The money to build this trail was appropriated for the pur
pose of building a post road, and the road should be used for
the posts."
... r\r\r\r\ _
Still we are very strongly of the opinion that Italy would
have done much better for herself to have left it to the Hague—
if there was anything to leave.
-oooo
Governor Wilson denies that he voted for Bryan in 1906.
This may lead to a denial by Bryan that he will vote for Wilson
in 1912.
• - - ■ — -
■ November weather is one of the things that you can’t
calculate upon, unless you calculate that it will be incal
culable.
-oooo
That fly in the ointment at Albany is the possibility that
the Republican victory in the Assembly will mean the return
tQ, power of the Old Guard. But even they must be somewhat
chastened by a year’s absence from the pie counter.
-oooo
That new island that sprang from the sea near the coast !
of Venezuela has already began to sink. Thus much interna
tional heartburning has been averted over its possession.
-oooo
New York promoters who did not seem to know the diff
erence between running a magazine and a confidence game are
now under prosecution. They made the mistake of not start
ing a trust and capitalizing it for five or six times its cost.
-oooo
The New York court which is confident that the tobacco
trust with the same old clique in charge of the various sepa
rated companies will not backslide, is evidently of a trusting
and innocent nature.
-oooo
That proposition for manhood suffrage in England may
be the last straw on the back of the peerage and privileged
classes.
—--oooo
. Mr- Wu Ting Fang, who informed this nation when he
was here last that he intended to live to be 150, must be very
sure of the Chinese Republic to which he has given allegiance.
For if the republic should fail to establish itself, those who
have joined it will not live 150 days longer.
Senator Jones of Washington says he never heard of a
public man who sold his vote or influence. What’s the matter
with his hearing!
Still aviation is not so fatal. Consider that report of an
aviator who escaped the perils of the air to be burned to death
through smoking a pipe in bed.
The government has taken no steps as yet to dissolve the
Carnegie-Rockefeller educational and scientific’monopoly, re
marks the Springfield Republican. Naturally not, since there
is no such monopoly. Anyone can devote his money to such
purposes and no one has yet devised a system of rebates that
will prevent it.
Will not the Canadian Yankeephobists wish a recall to
retire Mr. Borden, their leader and Premier? Here we learn
that he recently returned to Ottawa after a vacation at At
lantic City. Can a truly loyal Tory recuperate in the hated and
deeadent watering places of the United States.
..... ■ oooo—
Pekin, November 26.—The premier continues unsuccessful
in his efforts to secure a large loan.
Brigands posing as' Revolutionists, made an attack on
Tungkwan. They captured the town and killed 2,000 Imperial
soldiers. Massing their forces the Imperialists recaptured the
town, killing 1,000 brigands. After these two forces discon
tinued their activities, the following day the Revolutionists
took Tungkwan, and say they expect to continue in posses
sion.
Nanking, Nov- 26.—-The Revolutionists have captured
Tiger Hill Fort, which commands a splendid view of the city ;
and river. It is regarded as a great strategic point.
Shanghai, Nov. 27.—Viceroy Tartar is in general com
mand. The Manchus at Nanking are seeking refuge on Jap
anese battleships. A short but fierce battle has been fought j
with the result that 3,500 Imperialists and 500 Revolutionists
have been slain
Nanking, Nov. 27.—On this Monday morning the hills
overlooking the walled city are swarming with Revolutionists.
Shells thrown from Purple Mountain, overlooking Ming
Toombs hills, forming a fifteen-mile semi-circle, reach every
section of the city.
Shanghai, November 26.—A battle has been in progress
for thirty six hours at Hankow. The Imperialists have shel
led a Revolutionist gunboat and fired the Standard Oil Co.
i We Carry a Full Line of
j Genera! Merchandise
I Including
GROCERIES
HARDWARE
DOG HARNESS
HORSE HARNESS
FURNISHING GOODS
ELANKETS
FUR CAPS
SHOES AND RUBBER PACS
Also
HAY AND GRAIN
| CHITINA CASH STORE
t E. H. GILLMAN, Manager.
X Forwarding Agen t, S. BLUM & CO.
I CORDOVA’S BIG STORE
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CH1I11L11U1RY ID BATH HOUSE ;;
t MRS. BURROWS & MRS. GOODMAN «►
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i Family Laundry Rough Dry 85c Per Doz.
| CIIITINA. - ALASKA ::
»j* Only First-Class Hotel in Chitina Prices Reasonable ! !
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J J. PALMER and T. CLOXIXGER, J|
X Proprietors. ' '
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£ • *
* Heated Room, Bath, Ladies Parior ;;
* Bar with all Standard Liquors and Cigar* ;;
* First-Class Dining Room in Connection ; |
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W HEN COMING TO CORDOVA REMEMBER
Cordova Steam Laundry
THE ONLY REAL LAUNDRY IN TOWN
I.et us wash and dean your canvass covers, blankets, clothes,
overalls, ete. j
If you are in a hurry we can do your work in an hour’s time if j
necessary.
leave your work at any hotel, rooming house or barber shop
and it will receive prompt attention. j
’PHONE 57 F. \. JONES, Manager Second Street
4
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| Address J. LAWRENCE, Chitina,Alaska ::
44~444»4<444444444 44 44444444 4444 4 ^4-4 4 4 4 4 4 444 4444-444 Ola
ALASKA STEAMSHIP COMPANY
Fast and commodious steamers sailing between
Cordova and Seattle.
Sails from Seattle— Sails from Cordova—
Nov. 16.NORTHWESTERN.Nov. 24
Nov. 24.ALAMEDA.Dec. 1
Dec. 1 .NORTHWESTERN.Dec. 8
Dec. 8.ALAMEDA.Dec. 16
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Tickets on sale at up-town office Alaska Steamship Bldg.
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General Agent. Ticket Agent.
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“The Inside Route”
To Juneau niul Puget Sound Ports and Southwestern Alaska.
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Steamers connecting at Seattle with the Alaska-Faciflc Steam,
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Right reserved to change steamers and nailing dates without
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B F. WATSON, General Agent.