.
FOURTH YEAR.
CfflTINA, ALASKA, TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 1914
NUMBER 15
WASHINGTON, D. C., Jan. 26.—The Alaska
railroad bill passed the Senate by a vote of 46 to 16.
By its provisions the president is given unlimited
power to construct or purchase 1,000 miles of rail
road, and for that purpose $40,000,000 is appro
priated out of the national treasury. The president
may lease or purchase existing railroads in Alaska
on a basis of their actual value less depreciation.
Fifteen Republican senators voted for the measure.
Senators William Bacon and Hoke Smith, both of
Georgia, led the fight against the bill. Senator
Poindexter voted for it. An amendment having for
its purpose to restrict the railroad operations in
the territory to a trunk line from the coast to
Fairbanks with a single branch line to tap the
Matanuska coal fields was defeated. It is predicted
in congressional circles that the bill will pass the
House before three weeks.
WASHINGTON, D. C., Jan. 26.—The Senate
committee on territories, of which Senator Pittman,
is chairman, will unanimously recommend to
President Wilson that he secure the services of
Colonel Goethals for building the government
railroads in Alaska..
WASHINGTON, D. C., Jan. 26.—It is reported
that President Wilson has decided to appoint Lieut.
Colonel William L. Sibert to be engineer in chief of
construction on the Alaska railroads. He has been
Second in authority under Colonel Goethals in
building the Panama canal and is one of the score of
big men who have been developed during the
construction of the canal. It is understood that
Colonel Goethals will accept the police cornmis
sionership of New York which has been tendered
him by Mayor Mitchell. Colonel Sibert is said to
possess many of the characteristics which made his
superior popular with the men on the canal and
through their loyalty was enabled to accomplish the
great work of connecting the oceans months before
the time estimated. Officials and hundreds of
American workmen who have stayed on the job
qf building the big ditch have evidently been
instructed to prepare for the change as steam
shovels, dredges and other machinery which has
been used for the construction of the canal are being
dismantled and carefully marked and numbered, so
that it can easily be set up again if shipped to the
\orth. The officials are eagerly awaiting definite
news of the passage of the Alaska railroad bill as
the big ditch has been completed and they are
anxious to begin the work of building the trunk
lines in Alaska.
SEATTLE, Jan. 26.—This city was thrown
/
wide open for the celebration of the passage of the
Alaska railroad bill on Saturday evening, by the
Senate. It is predicted that the measure will have
easy sledding in the lower house and will be ready
for the president’s signature before March 1.
Alaskans in every part of the state celebrated
the event. The press commenting on the passage
of the bill through the Senate predicts a wonderful
development for Alaska in the near future, and
advises the business men of Puget Sound to prepare
for the increased trade which is sure to follow the
development of the north.
WASHINGTON, D. C., Jan. 27.—Colonel W. P.
Richardson, president of the Alaska Road Com
mission, is asking congress for an appropriation of
$7,250,000 for wagon roads and trails in Alaska.
His annual report has been received and presents a
comprehensive scheme of wagon roads and trails
which should be undertaken to provide feeders for
the railroad lines which may be built by the
government.
The report says that no rapid development of
Alaska will follow the construction of the trunk
lines to interior Alaska from tidewater unless they
are preceded or accompanied by the construction of
numerous wagon roads and trails. Many mining
sections of the vicinity of the lines will require
roads to permit of their being fully developed. The
commission estimates that $7,250,000 will be
required for the maintenance and completion of the
projects which have already been undertaken and
other projects which have been approved by the
commission.
The report points out that the proposed trunk
lines to the interior would necessarily follow the
ridges and that roads and trails would have to be
provided to the distant camps in order that they
might be developed to their fullest extent and
become feeders for the trunk lines. The report also
states that automobiles have passed over the road
from Fairbanks to the coast and that with little
additional cost the road can be made passable at all
times during the summer.
Many new placer camps have been discovered
during the past summer in widely different parts
of the territory which would have received aid in
the way of better transportation facilities had the
money been available for that purpose.
WASHINGTON, D. C., Jan. 28.—An attempt
was made in the House this morning to have the
Alaska railroad bill with amendments as passed by
the Senate substituted for the measure now pending
before the House. The House committee on rules,
of which Representative Henry, of Texas is chair
man, failed to give the motion their unanimous
consent and the attempt to get speedy action on
the measure was defeated. It is expected that a
vote will be taken next Wednesday on a rule which
will enable the change to be made.
The motion to substitute the Senate bill for the
measure before the House followed a conference of
the Democrtaic leaders after the measure had
passed the Senate. The mover of the resolution in
speaking to the motion today declared that it was
the desire of both houses to secure as speedy action
as possible and if the Senate measure with amend
ments was acted upon in the House without further
amendments being added the bill would be ready
for the president’s signature at an early date and
would avoid any extended conference of the Senate
and House committees, as was the case with the
tariff and currency measures. The friends of the
bill believe the substitution will be made and that
the measure will pass the House on February 11.
Some of the Southern Democratic members of
the House claim to have sufficient support among
the Republicans to defeat the measure in the House.
They are opposed to the government ownership
feature of the bill. The friends of the Alaska bill
in the House are manifesting no uneasiness as the
same claim was made in the Senate before the
measure came to a vote, when several of the
Southern Democrats switched at the last moment
and supported the measure. The bill is recognized
as an administration measure and for any Demo
cratic representative to oppose it on any grounds
would be breaking faith with the party.
LONDON, Jan. 26.—It has been learned on
good authority that affairs in Mexico have reached
a crisis and developments are looked for at any
moment when America may be compelled to step
in and protect foreigners. Mexico City is on the
verge of an uprising similar to those which caused
President Diaz to flee from the country and still
later President Madero to meet death by treachery.
VERA CRUZ, Jan. 26.—It is rumored here
that President Huerta has fled from the country on
the Mexican gunboat Zaragosa. The gunboat took
on supplies, including five head of beef cattle, and
otherwise provisioned for an apparently extended
voyage before sailing. Armed guards were stationed
near the dock and refused to permit anyone to
approach the gunboat. A newspaper correspondent
who attempted to verify the statement that Huerta
was on the vessel and tried to board her was fired
upon by one of the guards. He escaped uninjured.
Late Telegraph News
- ' i
NEW YORK, Jan. 27.—Only fed
eral legislation and the strictest
execution of the law can stop the
growing cocaine, morphine and
heroin habit in the United States, in
the opinion of today’s speakers at
the third day’s sessions of the Chem
ical and Drug Exposition at Madi
son Square Garden. In speeches,
and in circulars distributed, it was
again urged that the New York
Pharmaceutical Association, and
similar associations in the other
states, recommend legislation re
quiring standard receptacles and
capsules to be used for such poisons
as bi-chloride of mercury.
WASHINGTON, D. C., Jan. 27.—
Colonel Goethals will not go to
Alaska to construct the government
railroads in that territory nor will
he become the police commissioner
of the city of New Yorw. President
Wilson today signed th- order estab
lishing civil government in the
Panama canal zone to become effec
tive on April 1, and naming Colonel
Goethals as governor.
WASHINGTON, D. C., Jan. 27.—
The conference between President
Wilson and the Senate committee
on foreign relations lasted for mbre
tjban three hours last night. The
*Janama canal tolls, which ha3
caused so much dissatisfaction
among the European nations, Secre
tary Bryan’s peace treaties, the
Mexican situation and the Japanese
alien land owning controversy were
matters discussed.
PORT AU PRINCE. Hayti, Jan.
28.—President Oreste with his. wife
took refuge on the German cruiser
Vereta last night when the rebels j
attacked the city. The fighting in;
the city continued all night and \
marines were landed from the
Vereta and blue jackets from the
United States armored cruiser Mon
tana to guard the foreign quarter.
LONDON, Jan. 28.—Despite the
vigilance of the London police suf
fragettes attempted to break into
Premier Asquith’s residence last
night while a cabinet meeting was
being held. The women were ar
rested and while being taken to'
jail the police were assaulted by a
force of suffragettes. A free fight
followed during which many were
injured.
The suffragettes have been very
active in revenge for the arrest of:
iyirs. Pankhurst after her return
from America. During a recent
outbreak they destroyed five blocks,
the fires having been lighted simul
taneously. The poilce are vigilant
and anticipate further outrages as a
result of the;r failure to break into
the premier’s residence.
WASHINGTON, D. C., Jan. 27.—
Secretary Daniels, summarized the
official reports received by the navy
department as d’sclosing the fact |
that the revolutionists under former 1
Senator Theodore were in control of
northern Haiti.
BATAVIA, Jan. 27.—Fifty-eight
children, 16 women and one man
were trampled to death in a panic
which followed the explosion of a
moving picture film at a local show
house last night.
LISBON, Jan. 28.—The Portu
guese cabinet of President Manuel
de Arriaga, headed by Dr. Alfonso
Costa, minister of public works,
have resigned in a body, and the re
public does not appear to rest on a
very solid foundation at present. It
is believed that another uprising to
restore the monarchy tvill shortly
be attempted. President Arraiga
says he ■will announce his new cabi
net in a few days.
JERUSALEM, Jan. 28.—The an
cient cities of Jerusalem and
Bethlehem are to be connected Dy
electric street cars and both cities
will be lighted by electricity. The
Turkish government has granted a
concession to a French bank which
recently successfully floated a
Turkish loan. American manufac
turers will be asked for bids for the
electrical equipment.
FAIRBANKS, Jan. 28. — The
Third Avenue Hotel here was
burned to the ground on Sunday
when one man lost his life and sev
eral were injured. The fire had
gained great headway before being
discovered and despite the efforts
of the fire department the building
is a total loss. There were many
guests in the hotel at the time and
it was believed that all had escaped,
until the remains of a man were
found in the ruins. The building
was 50x150 feet, three stories
high. The loss is estimated at
$25,000 with only $4,000 insurance.
The fire is believed to have origin
ated from faulty electrical wiring.
PANAMA, Jan. 28. — Wireless
messages have been received from
the Vanderbuilt party stating that
they have been taken oft the yacht
by a fruit steamer and later trans
ferred to the steamship Almirante,
bound for New York. The Warrior
is hard and fast aground but the
crew are remaining with the vessel
in the hopes of being able to float
her with the next high tide. The
fruit steamer was unable to free
the yacht from her perilous posi
tion should a storm spring up.
SEAT'I'LE, Jan. 28.—Secretaries
McAdoo and Houston, with the
other members of the organization
committee of the administration’s
regional bank system arrived in the
city from Portland this afternoon
and will begin taking testimony to
morrow’.
Governor Strong, pf Alaska, Gov
ernor West of Oregon and Governor
Lister of this state are in the city
to appear before the committee.
Many prominent bankers from the
northwest states will also give evi
dence in the effort to secure one
of the reserve banks for Seattle.
The committee, after completing
the testimony here will go to Helena
which is an aspirant for one of the
banks.
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 28.—
Anna Held, the actress claims to be
heir to a $60,000 estate left by
Chirrie de St. Maurice, a woman of
the underworld who was murdered
in Sacramento recently. The estate
consists of an uptown apartment
house W'hich is located in one of
the best districts and is rapidly in
creasing in value.
The actress claims that the
woman was ai distant relative and
that it was largely through assist
ance from her in a financial way
that she was enabled to gain promi
nence on the stage. There are sev
eral claimants for the estate.
PANAMA, Jan. 28—Col. Goethals
has wired his acceptance of the
governorship of the Panama Canal
Zone and has expressed gratifica
tion at having been honored by
President Wilson. It is understood
that he has selected Captain Hugh
Rodman, of the navy, who will ha\e
charge of operating the navigation
through the canal.
WASHINGTON, D. C„ Jan. 28.—
The department of agriculture has
announced that the domesticated
herd of reindeer in Alaska now
numbers about 30,000, and will ask
the government to enact legislation
to prevent the destruction of the
herds.
During the past year the herds
were split up, some of them being
taken into the Lake Iliamna coun
try where they are thriving. Many
complaints have been made to the
department that prospectors and
miners ha,ve been killing reindeer
under the guise of caribou. The
last steamer leaving Nome brought
30 carcasses to the outside market
where tlie meat was considered a
great delicacy and commanded a
high price.
FT. COLLINS, Colo., Jan. 26.—
Farmers from all over the state are
gathering in Ft. Collins. The ar
rivals are delegates to the Colorado
Farmers’ Congress which will open
tomorrow in the buiid'ngs of the
Colorado Agricultural College. Bet
ter crons at less cost than at pres
ent, and other topics of interest to
practical farmers will be discussed
LEAVES FAIRBANKS WITH
DOGS FOR NELCHINA
F. D. Decker, of Fort Yukon, has
left Fairbanks with a dog team for
Nelchina. He will do his outfitting
at Copper Center and follow the
Taslina trail to the new strike.
, Last fall, Mr. Decker started for
the outside, but was subpoenaed to
appear before the grand jury, and
returned to Fairbanks. While com
ing over the trail, he met a number
of people who were familiar with
conditions on the Nelchina, and all
of the reports were very favorable
for the new camp.
-o—o—o
ANTI-SALOON LEAGUE
PLANS MICHIGAN FIGHT
LANSING, Mich., Jan. 23.—Plans
for the spring activities of the
Michigan Anti-Saloon League were
to be made here this afternoon
when the opening sessions of the
league’s annual convention were
held. An extensive campaign will
be waged in the state preceding the
spring elections.
-o—o—o
MINING IS PICKING UP
DOWN KETCHIKAN WAY
Another one of the mines in the
Ketchikan district which has been
idle for a number of years is to be
re-opened at once. A company of
loca lcapitalists, headed by George
V. Bland and William Powers, have
tal en a bond on this property,
which is known as the Cymru mine,
and which is located on the north
arm of Miora Sound.
-o—o—o-— • • :
ANOTHER LATOUCHE MINE
MAKES ORE SHIPMENT
j, W. J. Priestly, secretary of the
Latouchc Island Gold Mining Com
pany was a passenger on the Samp
■on last night en route to the states
on a short business trip, and was up
town visiting friends while the
steamer was in port. . He reports
that his company made a shipment
of 15 tons of ore to the Tacoma
smelter to get a complete test of ith
values. The company is working
the property known as the Terwili
ger claim near the Beatson mine.
-o—o—o
JUNEAU’S BOOZE
PARLORS LIMITED
Judge Jennings recently denied
a saloon license in Juneau on the
ground that there were already suf
ficent booze parlors in the city. The
order will be no more saloon
licenses issued before July l, 1914.
_A_A
JUNEAU DEMOCRATS TO
JOIN THE BIG LEAGUE
Action was taken by the Juneau
Democratic club recently to be
come affiliated with the National
League of Democratic clubs. The
matter was introduced by resolu
tion directing the secretary to make
application for membership for the
Juneau club in the National league
of clubs.
-o—o—o
FAIRBANKS, Jan. 26.—The cele
bration on Saturday night following
the receipt of the news that the
Senate had passed the railroad bill
eclipsed anything ever before seen
here. The papers issued extras and
the good news was telephoned to all
the creeks. This town will profit'
more from the construction of the
government railroad than from any
other possible measure and the citi
zens felt they could afford to cele
brate the event in a fitt;ng manner.
'Everybody is hurrahing for Presi
dent Wilson irrespective of their
politics.
VALDEZ, Jan. 26—The news that
the Alaska railroad bill had passed
the Senate was celebrated here Sat
urday night by a general jollifica
tion. It is taken as the first break
of dawn for Alaska after the many
years of conservation and neglect
and means prosperity for every por
tion of the territory. A meeting
I v as hastily called and we’l attended
! during which several speeches
praising President Wilson were
made.
VALDEZ, Jan. 26.—Pmmtor B. F.
Millard has issued a call to the peo
' pie of Alaska to demand full ter
! ritorial form o*' govern "'ont. He
I PubPshed a statement in fVe Valdez
Miner yesterday calling o» the peo
ple to continue the ae'w'on until
•Congress had granted t^" demands
of the territory to han its own.
affairs.