Late Telegraph News|
— i
WASHINGTON, July 8.—The navy appropriation bill car
ries with it an item of $75,000 for mining Alaskan coal for naval
purposes.
The friends of Alaska are jubilant over the fact, arguing
that the government will not stop at $75,000, but will at once,
after starting, see the necessity of making larger appropria
tions to provide cheap fuel for the naval stations along the Pa
cific coast and those which of necessity will be established in
Alaska.
There will be strenuous opposition to the granting of a con
tract to the British Columbia coal companies, the government
already having asked them to bid on supplying the Pacific coast
naval stations, on the grounds that Alaska coal should be util
ized for that purpose.
It is known that private capital stands ready to build rail
roads either to the Katalla or Matanuska coal fields in case the
government will mine the coal for naval purposes. With the
pressure being brought to bear through influential official cir
cles because of the urgent needs of naval coal, as well as from
public opinion which is becoming better posted regarding the
true conditions, it is felt certain constructive legislation will
pass as this session.
It is likely the House will also agree to allow in the same
bill an appropriation of $150,000 for a torpedo station at Brem
erton.
NEW YORK, July 8.—The steamship Olympic, sister ship
to the ill-fated Titanic, is now aground at Ellis Island. Just how
badly the big liner is damaged is not known at this time.
SEATTLE, July 8.—The cruiser Maryland will sail for
Alaska next Wednesday to inspect the naval coal reservations
on Prince William Sound and Resurrection Bay, also the coal
fields.
Beyond this bare announcement of the mission of the cruis
er nothing more has been given out, but there is a great deal of
speculation over the real object of the trip. Those interested in
seeing the coal of Alaska opened argue it to be a good sign, pre
liminary, in fact, to securing needed information and data look
ing to the utilization of the naval coal bases, and the best meth
od or route for supplying these from the nearest coal fields.
-uuuu
(From The Cordova Daily Alaskan.)
At ten o’clock Saturday evening a severe earthquake shock
was felt which extended over the greater part of Alaska. It
resulted in the killing of Louis Anderson in the Tanana, caused
the people in Fairbanks to stampede to the streets, and excited
more or less comment in Cordova, Valdez, Ivatalla, Chitina and
Kennecott.
According to railroad time, it began one minute after 10
■o’clock in Cordova. It was distinctive from other shocks in
that it seemed to have a gentle, undulating movement from
west to east, lasting several seconds. Clothes on lines gently
swayed as though stirred by the faintest breeze, and it remind
ed one of the motion of a boat on a light swell. Former vibra
tions have been more in the nature of a general shakcup, al
though perhaps not any more severe.
It was also noticed that the damp, raw smell from the flats
was much more pronounced, as though fresh soil had been
stirred up. In a couple of instances women complained of a
feeling approaching nausea.
At Miles glacier the earth undidations caused the big gla
ciers to become extremely active. Roar after roar of thunder
can be heal’d issuing from the great blocks of falling ice, and
the spectacle afforded the tourists who visited there yesterday
made a deep impression.
At Chitina and Kennecott the earth tremors were about the
same as experienced in Cordova. A message from Ivatalla states
that the shock was felt there the same hour.
It is argued that renewed activity on the part of the vol
canoes to the westward will follow the underground disturb
ance, and it is not at all unlikely another fall of ashes will re
sult, though much lighter than that following the blow-out of
Mt. Katmai, which will cover a considerable extent of terri
tory. It is also worthy of remark that there has been scarcely
one day of sunshine since the Katmai eruption.
FAIRBANKS, July 7.—The most severe earthquake shock
ever experienced here was felt last night at 10 o’clock, and ad
vices from the sm-rounding creeks and other points in the Ta
nana show it was general over the interior.
The crowds stampeded from the Auditorium, from the the
ater, the picture houses, lodge rooms, hotels and from private
residences. A number of meetings were broken up and the
people gathered in groups and discussed the unusual incident.
Many were nervous about returning to their homes.
T1 'c earthquake caused a cave-in on No. 4 above Discovery
on Dome creek, killing Louis Anderson. It required an hour’s
hard work by as large a force of men as could work to advan
tage to get his body out.
No property damage other than the cave-in is reported. After
the first severe shock a lighter one was experienced six min
utes later. Another one was felt at 8 o’clock this morning and
still another one at noon today, although both were mild com
pared to the first one.
SEATTLE, July 8.—A severe earthquake was recorded
from midnight Saturday until 2 o’clock Sunday morning on the
University of Washington seismograph, from the direction of
tiro northwest.
SEATTLE, July 11.—The United States armored cruiser
Maryland left yesterday on a three weeks cruise of Alaska wa
ters, during which trip a new series of tests of Pacific coast coal
will be conducted, the fuel for the purpose, 900 tons of Gale
Creek coal, having been loaded on the battleship at Tacoma.
The Maryland has been used by the navy department to
make nearly all of the tests of Western coal for navy use, and
has previously tried out Black Diamond, Boslyn and Occiden
tal coal, mined in this state, and Primero coal, mined in Colora
do. None of the coals so far tested have been found entirely
satisfactory for use in the navy, but it is claimed that the Gale
Creek product will produce more heat with less smoke than any
of the western coals tested to date.
The cruise of the Maryland to Alaska provides for visits to
all of the seaports of Southeastern and Southwestern Alaska,
from Ketchikan west to Cordova and Seward, and preparations
to welcome the officers and men of the cruiser are being made
[in several Alaskan cities. The coal tests on the trip include a
seven-day port test, eight hours under full speed, four hours
under forced draught, and the balance at a speed of ten knots
an hour. S. B. Flagg, of the government bureau of mines, will
watch the tests, as well as the naval officers in charge.
OYSTER BAY, July 12.—Theodore Roosevelt today stat'
ed that he would start on his southern tour during the latter
part of July. In an editorial in the Outlook he declares that
the nomination of President at Chicago was stolen. He charac
terizes it as the most barefaced attempt ever made to thwart the
wishes of the people in order that boss and political rule might
prevail. It is predicted that his forthcoming tour will be pro
ductive of abuse more vindictive than any he has yet indulg
ed in.
PHILADELPHIA, July 12.—Promoter Reynolds, who
fathered the proposed railway from Valdez which met financial
disaster, is now offering stock in eight Alaskan enterprises. He
bas initiated a stock selling campaign which promises results
among the class of people from whom he secured his money for
the former venture. There seems little likelihood of him inter
esting big capital.
SEATTLE, July 12.—The American food experts, in their
convention here today, refused their endorsement of Dr. Wiley,
formerly in charge of the pure food department under Secretary
Wilson, and who resigned under fire.
The real merits of Dr. Wiley’s services to the government
dicf not figure so much as the fact that it was felt he was seek
ing vindication against the administration and for personal and
political purposes. Nevertheless the action of the convention
came somewhat as a surprise.
The convention also has gone on record against the employ
ment of women as inspectors, claiming that they are not fitted
for the vocation, as they are too easily influenced from a clear
line of duty, and apt to jump at conclusions without mature de
liberation. It was also contended that the work takes women
into many places which are not compatible with their tempera
ment.
WASHINGTON, July 12.—Provision for the passage of
marine commerce through the Panama canal is proving a ques
tion of world-wide importance, and is giving lawmakers con
siderable serious thought.
It is suggested that the issue may be referred to The
Hague tribunal for final settlement, in order that the rights of
all natibns may be adjudicated. Many of the foreign nations
seem adverse to allowing the United States to arbitrarily settle
the matter, and strenuous opposition has already developed
from England over the proposition of the United States to
charge toll on foreign bottoms and allow American shipping to
go free.
It is recognized that this government has the right to for
tify the canal, but any discrimination in favor of American
shipping will prove both delicate and dangerous, and a good
many of the senators are uncertain whether the United States
should assume the full responsibility of making and formulat
ing definite rules for governing shipping through the canal.
WASHINGTON, July 12.—George B. Cortelyou, former
postmaster general and secretary of the treasury under Roose
velt, gave testimony today before the committee which is in
vestigating expenditures in presidential campaigns, which will
have an important bearing on the forthcoming presidential
election.
Mr. Cortelyou declared that the national committee spent
two million dollars to elect Roosevelt in 1904. Witness was ask
ed to repeat his statement, in order that there could be no doubt
as to his meaning, which he did, laying emphasis upon the fact
that that amount was expended.
The statement caused something of a sensation. Although
it has been repeatedly charged that a considerable amount was
contributed to the Roosevelt campaign fund by the big inter
ests, and that Harriman was among the largest contributors,
this is the first direct evidence from a man of the standing of
the former cabinet official which has been given to the public.
SEATTLE, July 13.—National Committeeman Daly, of
Alaska for the Democratic party, has returned from attending
the national convention at Baltimore, and declared today that
the election of Woodrow Wilson means the granting of coal pat
ents to bona fide locators and the opening of Alaska’s coal.
Mr. Daly points to the Democratic platform and the plank
contained therein concerning Alaska, claiming that it is more
comprehensive than any similar plank ever adopted by any po
litical party. He declares Mr Wilson is not imbued with any
foolish notions about conserving coal and other resources for
generations yet unborn, but believes in practical conservation,
the kind that utilizes and meets the immediate needs of pioneers
and others, without waste, and under such wise and practical
regulations as will prevent monopolization.
WASHINGTON, July 13.—Senator Lorimer was unseated
late yesterday by a vote of 56 to 28.
Tlie senator when seen afterwards refused to make any
statement, but asserted that he might have something to say
later. His dismissal is the culmination of a long and bitter
fight, initiated by the Chicago Tribune, in which were publish
ed statements of persons who claimed Lorimer had bribed
them to secure his seat in the United States Senate.
Powerful political factions and those prominent in business
and industrial circles have been pitted against each other in
the fight that followed the expose.
VALDEZ, July 13.—Judge Thomas R. Lyons has appoint
ed Charles Scott, a prominent and capable attorney of this city,
as United States commissioner at Cordova, to fill the vacancy
caused by the resignation of Judge O. A. Tucker, who accom
panies the “floating court” on its trip to the westward.
Mr. Scott is an old-time Alaskan, who stands high in this
community, and a better appointment could not have been
made. During the past year he has been in the law offices of
Ostrander & Donohoe. Mr. Scott will leave on the first steamer
for Cordova to assume his new duties.
DEATH RATE IN MINES
IS STEADILY DECREASING
WASHINGTON, July 9.—That the
high tide in the terrible death rate
in American coal mines has been
reached and passed is the confident
belief of the officials of the United
States bureau of mines.
Figures issued today by the bureau
show that 2,517 men were kiled in
the mines last year as against 2,834
for 1910. This shows a reduction in
the number of lives lost of 317 in
one year’s time. The death rate in
1910 was 3.91 men in every 1,000
employed. The rate in 1911 was
3.74.
Compared with 1907, the darkest
year in the history of American min
ing, when 3,197 men lost their lives,
1911 shows a decrease of 680 in the
number killed. It was following the
record of this year that Congress au
thorized the government to begin in
vestigations looking toward a reduc
tion in the death rate, and this was
supplemented in 1910 by the creation
of the bureau of mines.
Discussing the death statistics of
the coal mines, Dr. Joseph A. Holmes,
director of the bureau of mines, said:
“While these latest mortality statis
tics in the coal mines of the country
show slight improvement over the
previous years, the United States has
still no record to be proud of. In
spite of the progress we have made,
we are still far below the standard
of safety that we ought to have
reached.
“It is of course comforting to
know that for each year since 1907
there has been a decreasing number
of men killed for every million tons
of coal mined, and that for every,
life lost we have each year taken out
of the earth more tons of coal. This
is an improvement in the right di
rection. I hope that within the next
year or two we will see as great an
improvement in the reduction of the
number of men killed per 1,000 men
employed.
“The bureau is co-operating with
the state mine inspectors, the mine
workers and with the mine operat
ors in an endeavor to solve many of
the difficult problems connected with
the coal mining industry fn this
country. In this effort all the above
forces are co-operating in good spir
it in the determination to bring about
better conditons. In this co-operat
ive effort mere is also serious need
of the statesmen. No branch of in
dustry in this country is on so bad
an economic basis today as is the
coal mining industry, and this indus
try can never be placed on a satis
factory basis until, through import
ant legislative changes, improvement
in this economic condition is made
possible.”
It was early in 1908 that the fed
eral government began its investiga
tion of the causes of mine disasters
following the climax of accidents in
1907. The record for 1907 and the
following years is as follows:
In 1907, 3,197 men killed, or 4.88
in every 1,000 employed.
In 1908, 2,449 killed, or 3.64 in
every 1,000 employed.
In 1909, 2,668 killed, or 4 in ev
ery 1,000 employed.
In 1910, 2,834 killed, or 3.91 in
every 1,000 employed.
In 1911, 2,517 killed, or 3.74 in
every 1,000 employed.
Randolph Pegram, of New York, a
son of E. S. Pegram, one of the di
rectors of the Copper River &
Northwestern Railway, is spending
a couple of weeks in this section on
a hunting and fisning expedition.
We Carry a Full Line of ]
General Merchandise j
«
Including
GROCERIES
HARDWARE
DOG HARNESS
HORSE HARNESS
FURNISHING GOODS
BLANKETS
FUR CAPS
SHOES AND RUBBER PACS
Also
NAY AND GRAIN
CHITINA CASH STORE
E. H. GILLMAN, Manager.
Forwarding Agent, S. BLUM & CO.
CORDOVA’S BIG STORE
HOTEL CHITINA
= -- --- ' ' . AND =====.— =
Hotel Chitina Bap
PALMER & CLONINGER
Chitina, Alaska
Only First Class Hotel in Town.
Heated Rooms, First-class Cafe, Courteous Attention
The best and most complete Cigar Stand in Chitina
PRICES REASONABLE
We are general agents for the famous
PARKFORD
WHISKY
and can fill your orders promptly
Remember the Brand
PARKFORD
Bottled in bond and guaranteed by the makers
WOOLNER DISTILLING CO.
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
and it will receive prompt attention.
'PHONE 57 F. A. JONES, Manager Second Street
Copper River & Northwestern Railway
Good Passenger and Freight
Service to Interior Alaska
For Rates and Other Infomation Apply at
DEPOT OFFICE