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 8, 1879.
ONLY NEWSPAPER IN CHITINA
Published every Saturday by
httt.t. A. STEEL—Editor*, Managers and Proprietor#—HARR? O. STEEL
Office: Hotel Chitina Building. Cordova Office: Daily Alaskar
Seattle Office: 551 Colman Building.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
.8 .50
.. 2.00
. 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, JANUARY 13, 1914
One Month
Six Months
One Year .,
MARSHAL SHOULD DO HIS DUTY
Time and again returning mushers from the Shushana
gold fields have reported depredations committed on the
Hazelet trail, by the tearing up of stakes and the robbing of
the relief stations of necessary equipment. For the protection
of the prospectors going and coming from the new diggings,
the Cordova Chamber of Commerce has expended many thou
sands of dollars in building this trail, properly marking it and
equipping relief stations. As a result of stakes being removed
and articles stolen from the stations a number of stampeders
have suffered hardships and in order to make traveling safer
and more comfortable for these men, the matter of having the
trail patrolled by soldiers was taken up, by wire, with Colonel
Richardson, of the Alaska Road Commission, who is in
Washington. He was quick to see the importance of affording
protection to the miners and consulted with the secretary of
war, who authorized the commanding officer at Fort Liscum
to provide a detail of soldiers for this purpose, upon the
request of the United States marshal. The latter official was
notified of this action, conqfiaint filed by the Cordova Chamber
of Commerce of the depredations committed and a demand
made that he do his duty in the matter, but to little avail.
Marshal Brenneman writes that he be furnished with more
details and again suggests that mass meetings be held at
points along the Copper River valley and the citizens make a
formal request for action, together with the filing of affidavits
covering the offenses committed. All of this will take many
weeks and the winter travel will be practically over before any
action is likely to be taken. How different is the course of the
Canadian officials? They are not only patroling the trail, but
also spending a large amount of money in erecting road houses,
etc. As our marshal has deputies stationed at Cordova,
Chitina, Shushana Junction and Shushana it seems to us that
if he is “on the job” he should have been the first person to
learn of the crimes committed and taken prompt action in the
matter, without being forced to do so by the authorities at
Washington.
-o—o—o
DEMAND FOR CHEAPER AND BETTER FUEL
At present there is considerable agitation in Cordova
over the poor quality of coal our people are compelled to accept
and the exhorbitant price charged for this fuel. The city
council, at its last meeting, took the initiative in the matter
and since then the subject has been pretty generally discussed
by the consumer, practically all agreeing that the time has
arrived when Cordova is entitled to more consideration and
the whole matter is to be thrashed out with President Baxter,
of the Alaska Steamship Company, unon his arrival here the
latter part of next week.
Cordovans feel that they have been discriminated against
and even go so far as to state that the quality of coal sold here
was so poor that neighboring towns refused to accept it and
it was brought back and dumped on the local dock, leaving us
no choice in the matter. If this be true our people have a just
grievance and Mr. Baxter will no doubt see to it that we are
not again discriminated against, but accorded the same treat
ment as other ports in Alaska.
REPUBLICAN REAPPORTIONMENT
The action of the Republican National committee on the
reajoportionment of delegates to the national convention, while
overwhelmingly adopted, was stubbornly contested by the
minority. It will not become binding unless ratified by state
conventions equivalent to a majority in the electoral college.
Three proposals were considered. All agreed on four
delegates-at-large from each state and one for each congress
man-at-large and one for each congressional district. The
discussion arose over the basis for further representations. One
plan was to allow an additional delegate to each congressional
district in which 35 per cent of the total vote had been cast for
the Republican ticket. Another was to give the additional
vote to each district casting 10,000 votes or a major fraction
therefor for the Republican nominees. That adopted provides
for an additional delegate in each congressional district where
7,500 votes were cast for the Republican electors in 1908, or
may be cast for the Republican congressional nominee in 1914.
This will reduce the Southern representation from 33 per
cent of the national convention to 16 per cent, or the Southern
delegates from 272 to 164. The 10,000-vote plan would have
reduced them to 119. The 35 per cent plan would have lopped
off 62 Southern delegates. The net result of the proposal
adopted will reduce the membership in the convention from
1,083 to 993, or 90 delegates. Some of these of course will come
come off Northern states. New York will lose four and
Pennsylvania one.
Provision for the placing of delegates on the temporary
roll on their presentation of credentials issued by the authority
recognized by law in the various states will relieve the national
committee of jurisdiction around which the fight at Chicago
centered.
-u--U
Nine billions for our farm products. But our enthusiasm
is tempered by the knowledge that we will have to pay most of
them.
WOMEN AND CHILDREN FIRST?
One of the criticisms directed against the LaFollette
Seamen’s bill requiring lifeboat accommodation for all pass
engers is that it would repeal the sacred law of the sea
“Women and children first.” Each passenger on going aboard
is to be given a lifeboat “Seat check and in case of disaster is to
be required to take that seat.
The intention is undoubtedly excellent, but it seems a case
of carrying zeal too far. Suppose that some of the boats
smashed or swamped in launching, are those whose seats
have gone, doomed to die? Of course not; no La Follettian
statute in such an hour can override the natural law of chivalry
supreme in the heart of every man.
Lifeboat accommodation for all is a worthy and neces
sary provision for sea going vessels, but any attempt by law
to rescind the traditional law of the sea so faithfully followed,
in the face of cei'tain death, by the heroes of the Titanic,
fo’c’s’l and bridge, steerage and saloon, giving women and
children the one chance for life ought to be abandoned. Women
and children will be safer left to the protection of the instinc
tive self sacrifice which the needs of the weaker evoke in the
strong. By all means let there be a lifeboat seat for everyone,
but when the danger comes avoid having the confusion worse
confounded by an attempt to enforce arbitrary artificial regu
lations against the natural law of the moment which was so
nobly exemplified on the Titanic and Volturno. Women and
children must always be first when men can give their lives
to save them.
-o—o—o
ALASKA’S DREAM COMING TRUE
There is on old love song entitled, “When Dreams Come
True.” The sentiment is beautiful, but who is there that
believes that they do?
Yet Fairbanks dreamed of a railroad long years ago. It
was only a dream, though, and dismissed as such. The first
one to make his dream publicly known, remarked that he
would stay in the interior until he could ride out on the cars.
He is still in the interior.
But this is one of the dreams which is coming true. When
congress convenes again in a few days, the Alaska railroad
bill is first on the docket. It has passed through the prelimi
nary fires, its weak points have been strengthened, it has no
determined opposition, and we are only waiting for the news
of its passage to flash West and North.
Then the real stampede to Alaska will begin. It will, of
course, be no such rough and tumble affair as the days of ’98,
but North in search of homes will come the sturdy stock from
the states, a steady influx of settlers and investors that will
double the population before the road is completed.
Again it is opportune to say to the oldtimers who have
never been able to make a cleanup, now is the moment to cast
about for something to seize onto. This is legitimate. You are
entitled to it. It is not a case of preying upon “suckers” who
may be attracted North; it is a case of realizing on property
that can be worked when transportation becomes cheap—
when the dream of Alaska comes true.—Fairbanks Citizen.
-o—o—o
Making proper outfitting for Alaskan trails a subject of
government supervision, as recommended by Mr. George C.
Hazelet in his report to the Cordova Chamber of Commerce,
would undoubtedly result in minimizing the perils and hard
ships experienced by many of the Alaska trails. Whether the
annual fatalities recorded are due to the ignorance of the
‘cheechaco’ or the overconfidence of the ‘cheechaoc’ or the
overconfidence of the ‘ sourdough, ’ such a regulation, acting as
a safeguard on both, would be most effective. As pointed out
in the article on ‘The Glacier Trail to Shushana,’ the method
has been proved a success by our Canadian neighbors.—Mining
and Scientific Press.
Hon. Seth Mann, who toured Alaska last summer as
President Wilson’s personal representative, has made his
report to the chief executive and it rings true and clear. He
realizes the importance of cheaper and better transportation
facilities and urges the construction and operation of govern
ment railroads in Alaska, as well as the building of additional
wagon roads and trails. The advantages of opening our coal
fields are also pointed out and it is believed that this report
will have considerable weight with President Wilson in
insisting that Congress pass remedial legislation for Alaska.
The analytical results of the water at Nabesna show it to
be highly mineralized and the quantity of lithia present is
exceeded by not more than three of the well-known waters
marketed. And thus the prospect of another industry for
Alaska looms up big, especially as practically all of this water
is owned by Henry Bratnober, capitalist and mine owner.
If Alaska is to raise the funds with which to conduct her
affairs, a special sessi-on of the territorial legislature will be
necessary to enact new laws for the collection of her taxes,
according to an opinion rendered by Attorney General
McReynolds.
The Alaska railroad bill is having the right of way at
Washington, since Congress re-convened yesterday and the
prospects are very favorable for early action on this measure,
the enactment of which means so much to the people of this
territory.
Boston policemen are forbidden to chew gum or tobacco,
unless inconspicuously, when on duty. If they see anyone
coming they are to swallow it, is that the idea ? '
That American prima donna who has managed to become
an international figure on a charge of espionage in Italy will
have all the others turning green with envy.
Now that a sane Thaw has been found, may that notorious
person completely disappear from public notice.
An Oklahoman dropped dead when he heard the stork had
left twins at his house. From joy, of course.
WHO KNOWS WHERE
J. D. NICKELL IS
j Inquiry is made through the gov
! ernor’s office for J. D. Nickell, last
I heard from in Juneau, January
1913. Spent the season of 1911 and
i912 with a U. S. Geological Survey
party in Alaska. His brother is anxi
ous to hear from him. Any infor
mation concerning him should be
sent to the governor’s office, Juneau,
Alaska.
-o-o—o
ALASKA MINER FINDS
FORTUNE IN CALIFORNIA
J. B. Howard, a miner of Ruby,
after failing to win a fortune from
the placers of the north went to
California where he struck it rich.
He married a wealthy widow, Mrs.
Emma Worth Keene, of Los Angeles.
Mr. Howard is about 60 years old
and resided at Eagle for a number
of years.
JOE STANTON' GETS
VALDEZ-GULKANA CONTRACT
Joe Stanton, the mail carrier, has
secured the government contract to
carry two mails a month from Val
dez to Gulkana during the months
of June, July, August and Septem
ber, for which he is to receive
$1,400 from the eight trips.
The contract held by James Fish
for the past four years called for
the payment of $1,950 for the
service.
Stanton’s contract will run for the
next four years.
-o—o—o
PLACER TIN IS
NUISANCE TO MINERS
Placer tin has been found with
the placer gold in the gravels of
Sullivan creek in the Rampart dis
trict, Alaska. The tin is in smoothly
rounded pebbles of cassiterite, or
oxide of tin, and the area in which
tin is found is less than a mile
long. In the richest spots as much
as half a pound of tin to the pan
is reported, which at the present
value of the ore would give the
ground a value of $18 to $20 per
yard. The gold and tin has travelled
together as where one is found in
greatest quantity the other is in
like proportion. The tin is regarded
as a nuisance by the miners as it is
difficult to separate from the gold.
With cheaper tronsportation the
miners would realize as much from
the tin as from the gold.
-o—o—o—
NOTICE
I, the undersigned, will not be
responsible for any debt made by
anybody without my written order.
PETER FRANKS
IN THE UNITED STATES COM
MISSIONER’S COURT, THIRD
JUDICIAL DIVISION, TERRI
TORY OF ALASKA, IN AND FOR
CHITINA PRECINCT.
In the Matter of the Guardianship of
Nels Oscar Sail, a mentally in
competent person, and his estate.
It is ordered that Friday, January
! 30th, 1914, at 10 a. m., be appointed
for the hearing of the application of
Charles G. Sail, for letters of guar
dianship of the person of Nels Oscar
Sail, who is alleged to be mentally
incompetent, and of his estate situ
ated in Chitina Precinct, Third Judi
cial Division, Territory of Alaska,
and it is further ordered that the
| time and place of said hearing be
j published in the Chitina Leader, a
I paper of general circulation in said
I precinct and territory, for four eon
! secutive weeks.
I (Seal) PAUL d’HEIRRY,
U. S. Commissioner and Ex-Officio
Probate Judge, Third Judicial
Division, Territory of Alaska in
and for Chitina Precinct.
Date of first publication, Decem
ber 23, 1913.
Date of last publication, January
13, 1914.
0. ADRIAN NELSON
U. S. Mineral Surveyor
CHITINA ■ - - ALASKA
CHITINA: BAKERY
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Prompt Service. Popular Service.
Next to Chitiua Hotel.
CHITIXA
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We have a big line of Sec- 3
ond-Hand Goods, and can i
save you money on your out- 3
fit. Bunk House, with free
Cook House, in connection.
CHITINA HEIGHTS
C. A. SIMONS & CO.
Feed, Fuel
and
Lumber
HAV, BRAN, OATS, CHOPS,
ROLLED BARLEY
We can make prompt ship
ments to points on the rail
road. Our feed is the very
best quality.
0. A. Nelson & Co.
m LCHITINA
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All ontalde looms
The most conveniently locatea
hotel in the city.
Rooms and suites are particle
larly large.
Very desirable for families or
parties traveling together.
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