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.
ONLY NEWSPAPER IN CHITINA
Published every Saturday by
WILL A. STEEL—Editors, Managers and Proprietors—HAHET O. STEEL
Office: Hotel Chitina Building. Cordova Office: Daily Alaskar
Seattle Office: 551 Colman Building.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
One Month .I •*J
Six Months . 2.00
One Year . a-“l
ADVERTISING RATES
Made known upon application. They will be found reasonable for the servlet
given. Official publication for legal advertisements pertaining to mineral landE
of the Copper River district.
CHITINA, ALASKA, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 1914.
PROSPERITY NOT YET HERE
Today from out of the Chisana placer camp comes the
warning from an organization of laboring people that there are
alredy enough idle men there and more are not desired.
Similar conditions exist in various other parts of Alaska,
particularly those sections that have been brought to the
attention of people at large because of the possibility of their
becoming terminals of the proposed government railroads. Men
without means of caring for themselves should hesitate long
about coming to these northern towns seeking occupation. The
time is just one year too early for that. Speaking on this
subject the Fairbanks Times very wisely says:
• There are thousands of people throughout the United
States who are interested in Alaska as the result of the
publicity given the territory by the Wilson administra
tion. Every mail brings fresh evidence of the fact that
there are many outsiders anxious to try their fortunes
in the northland, and before the summer is well advanced
we doubtless will witness an unusually heavy traffic in
this direction.
Alaska needs additional population to insure the
full development of the wealth which abounds in the
territory. There is room in the North for millions of
people, and we have no doubt the country some day will
, support a population very many times greater than the
number of people here now. But the growth should not
be too rapid. There is such a thing as encouraging too
many chechacoes to come to Alaska before the condiitons
are right for them, especially for those of limited means
i and no experience outside of the big cities.
There are openings here for men with money; there
are lots of opportunities for the investment of capital in
enterprises of real merit; the interior country also is
rich in possibilities for the fanner and the prospector,
provided he has sufficient money to tide him over a
season or, two. But there is no room here at present for
additional workingmen, and the country is somewhat
overdone in a business way.
These facts should be made clear to those who
express a desire to locate in Alaska. We do not want a
lot of idle men here, and we cannot support additional
merchants. These should be discouraged from coming
north at this time, not only for their own good, but
because of the fact that their failure would react against
the country. We want everyone who comes to interior
Alaska to be prosperous—to share the prosperity which
will be ours, provided the development of our resources
keeps pace with the increase in population. Let us
encourage capital first, for with ample funds available
the country will go ahead rapidly and naturally, making
room for additional workers, paving the way for new
business enterprises, and increasing the demand for
agricultural products.
•• s-.jj> • - * r
A CHANCE FOR DEMOCRACY
V'*' _
Th political lines are beginning to be drawn throughout
Alaska, in preparation for the coining conventions, at which
nominations will be made for Delegate to Congress. A majority
of the newspapers in the territory will favor a Democrat for
Congress. The Mail of Ketchikan and the Industrial Worker
of Nome, will support the Socialist candidate. The Skagway
Alaskan, the Valdez Commoner, the Nome Nugget, the Juneau
Dispatch and the Fairbanks News-Miner may support Judge
AVickersham, although there is no certainty as to the latter
two. Speaking on the desirability of sending a Democrat to
AVashington the Fairbanks 'Citizen says:
VVitli the exception of ATaldez, it seems that the
Democrats of the territory are generally harmonious,
and it seems almost certain, too, that the convention that
will be held at an early <jate, will be without any serious
split. If this spirit of good feeling can be maintained,
the outlook for electing a Democratic delegate this year
will be excellent. Indeed, as The Citizen has said before,
a serious split in the party at this time will mean certain
defeat, and the defeat of the Democrats in the election
of a delegate to congress, will seriously injure the chances
of the territory to get desirable legislation at Wasli
ington. If Alaska sends other than a Democrat to
, Washington, the administration will feel that the
territory is not in sympathy with its policies as far as
the territory is concerned, at least, and it cannot be
expected that Alaska in that case will continue to get
favors from the government.
Recent reports seem to indictae that the Constitutionalists:
have again gotten together on an aggressive policy, with the
intention upon the part of General A illa to lay siege againsi
Mexico City. Even if peace comes he seems to hunger for the
glory of capturing the capital.city. As a result the Huerta
forces are badly frightened and it is generally reported that
Huerta is preparing to make a “get-away.”
The department of commerce will drag net Alaska for
Rome obstructions to progress. Might come up this way.
WHY NOT LET WICK DO IT?
The one present matter of great concern in this neck o’
woods is the location and construction of a government rail
road from Cordova to the coal fields and from Chitina to
Fairbanks. We presume that it is in that connection that
Wickersham clubs are being organized. We may look to see
strong organizations formed at Cordova, Chitina, Copper
Center, Tazlina, Gulkana, and at every other settlement on into
the Tanana valley. Then we may expect to see resolutions
passed warmly commending the course of Delegate Wicker
sham for his consistent, persistent and resistent efforts to get
the government railroad for the Copper River country. What’s
the use of forming Chambers of Commerce and spending money
to direct attention to our superior advantages as • a coast
terminus for a trunk line railroad. Why not just form
Wickersham clubs.
LITERATURE IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD
The Hon. William E. Humphrey of Washington was so
impressed by a writing, entitled “My Mother; A Prayer,”
published in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer that he obtained
“unanimous consent” of the House to “extend his remarks”
to include it. Mr. Humphrey assured the House that “the
article is by Tom Dillon, one of the most talented and popular
writers on the Pacific coast,” that “it is a beautiful tribute,
that will find a fervent response in the heart of every real
man, and is well worthy a place in the Record.” He might also
have added that Tom recently visited Cordova with the
“millionaire” excursionists. But possibly that would be too
material.
The Hon. Humphrey opens a pleasant vista toward
immortality for literary personas, all and sundry. Every poet
lias a congressman, whether he has a meal ticket or not. A
cruel editor may refuse to recognize his genius, but a congress
man will recognize his vote. By a firm application just before
election, the poet, we are confident, will gain access to the
hospitable and glittering pages of the Congressional Record,
which will thus be the cradle of fame to many more of us than
heretofore have hoped to find anything but the chill doorstep
of oblivion for the children of our fancy.
Mr. Humphrey has done a great service for literature, but
a greater for the Record, which henceforth will blossom forth
with gems of sentiment and thought from every countryside.
Every one of Mr. Humphrey’s colleagues will follow his
example, we are confident. Mr. Murdock should have some
thing by Walt Mason, the laureate of Kansas in the very next
issue. The Indiana delegation should be able to flood severe 1
issues, and we see no reason why Alaska’s delegate might not
consume a few pages in telling of nature’s great wonders in
this northland.
PROMISE OF MINING INVESTMENT
The news received today of the expected coming of Stephen
Birch and a party, of New York millionaires to look over the
mining section of this part of Alaska is certainly welcome news.
Some of these men are already largely interested in the Copper
River country, and it is expected that a personal visit will result
in greater activities and the acquisition of more mining
properties. These latter would be acquired by purchase and
there are many companies now struggling along with limited
capital that would undoubtedly be glad to turn their property
over for a fair consideraion. Mr. Birch intimates that the
Guggenlieims are prepared to invest $10,000,000 additional to
their present holdings, and even half of that sum would mean
the dawn of a new era for that section of Alaska contiguous to
Cordova and reached by the railroad.
ENCOURAGING NEWS
Reports coming to Fairbanks from the various camps
throughout Interior Alaska indicate that the present season
will be one of the most satisfactory, in a mining way, in recent
years. All of which is exceedingly gratifying. It means
greater prosperity throughout the country, renewed confidence
in old districts and more prospecting in new districts. It
means that capital can be interested much more easily in
propositions of merit and properties developed which other
wise must remain unproductive. It is particularly pleasing
to learn that Ruby is forging to the front as a producer. There
is no camp in Alaska which is more deserving of reward—no
camp which has had such an uphill time of it making good.
Since the first discovery of gold on Long Creek, the develop
ment of the district has been retarded by unbelievrs—bv
knockers within the camp and knockers without—and but for
the persistence of those determined oldtimers who stuck with
the cheeks in the face of all manner of discouragement, there
would have been no Ruby today—no promise of increased
output to encourage other camps to greater efforts.—Fair
banks Times.
EDITORIAL COMMENT
Now that the Fourth of July has been properly cele
rbated the various political clubs in Cordova may soon be
expected to begin to make history.
It begins to look as though the Copper River country would
have a big mining boom to precede the opening of the Bering
River coal fields and the building of railroads to connect
Cordova with the Tanana country and the coal fields.
A number of capitalists and mining experts will go to the
interior on the morning train. It is believed that their visit
will result in renewed activity and larger development in one of
the richest and largest copper sections of the world.
Good news from Washington. Senators Borah and Kenyon
have taken up in their chamber Representative Frear’s gallant
though hopeless fight on the pork barrel harbor bill and will
fight that graft measure to the last ditch. They may win. They
may lose. But the fight is worth the fighting. The hoary evil of
the pork barrel is intrenched deeper than any which selfish
politics defends. It has been supported time out of mind by an
unbreakable network of interrelated votes.
Why Not Invest?
With the building of the government railroad from
Chitina to Fairbanks, the future of the Town of Chitina
is assured.
Lots are still offered at attractive prices and there
are many desirable ones remaining.
A few months later lots in Chtiina will be held at
largely increased values. Why not invest NOW!
GEO. C. HAZELET,
Agent Chitina Townsite Company.
TIN SHOP
IN SHUSHANNA
Xo more need to carry
STOVES and TINWARE
over the long trail to the
interior, as we are pre
pared to fill all orders in
our tin shop.
W. H. CARSTENS & CO.
SHUSHANNA - - ALASKA
(Mina GRILL
Good Eats for Particular People
Prompt Service. Popular Service.
Next to Cliitina Hotel.
CHITIXA : : : ALASK.4.
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II 0. ADRIAN NELSON II
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: U. S. Mineral Surveyor j
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:: chitina : - - aiaska ::
CHITINA: BAKERY
AND
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^ Let Lewis Help ^
“Pointer* for Amateur*” will help you to better
pictures—it’s free. Send us you.' films for develop- |
ing and printihg. Enlarging. Developing 10c roll,
any size; printing. ?c up. Cash with order. You’ll
find our work better. Photo supplies. Dept. S.
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,, Cook House, in connection. ' j
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;; c. a. simons & co. ::
ir~
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and
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HAY, bran, oats, chops,
ROLLED BARLEY
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We can make prompt ship
ments to points on the rail
road. Our feed is the very
best quality.
0. A. Nelson & Co.
CHITINA
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