THE CHITINA LEADER
CHITINA, ALASKA
Entered as second-class matter, November 12, 1910, at the postoffice at
Chitina, Alaska, under the Act of Conbress of March *, 1879.
ONLY NEWSPAPER IN CHITINA
Published every Tuesday by
HARRY G. STEEL, Editor and Proprietor.
Office: Hotel Chitina Building.
Cordova Office: Daily Times.
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CHITINA, ALASKA, TUESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1915.
TOO MANY COOKS
Just as there appears to be some happy tokens that the red
tape ipcubus which has long manacled Alaska are about to be
loosened, the several zealous bureaus in Washington which
have to do with the territory rise to thwart the pleasurable
expectations. Secretary Lane, a western man and perhaps the
best equipped official in the national capital to deal justly with
the western affairs, has been working for many months on
plans designed to make Alaskan development possible. He
believes that a partial removal from Washington bureaucracy
to be necessary. But now hastens Forester Graves to Alaska,
with the aim, it is said, of radically amending the Lane pro
gram: Mr. Lane’s ideas are opposed, it is said, by ever}* bureau
having to do with Alaska affairs. And there are several of
these bureaus and subbureaus, each w*ith its zeal at 102 in in
the shade to reinforce its clutch on Alaska and western mat
ters. From this interlocking of varying and often divergent
interests there ia always delay in development movements.
This state has felt it time and again. There are too many
- . jgnorant cooks around the pot.—Tacoma News.
THE EAGLE AND THE SWORDFISH
The submarine and the aeroplane were invented about the
same time. One is an assassin, the other a scout. We suggest
to Mr. Edison and his associate experts, as one of the first
things to consider is whether it cannot be possible for the scout
to be made available to successfully do up the assassin.
The sea eagle watches from his aerie on the cliffs for prey.
When a rolliking school of fish appear below he waits until
the right time then with a swoop and scream he darts down,
picks up a fish for breakfast and bears it triumphantly away.
The aeroplane makes fifty miles per hour easily but cannot
carry much weight. An object like an aeroplane is a difficult
one to hit by a cannon from shipboard. Only machine guns
are available and the aeroplane under the aeronaut can be
armored against this form of attack.
The torpedo has been perfected so that it can be kept
head-on when an attack is intended. Very well, why cannot
the small torpedo of the aeroplane be lowered by a steel wire
when the design is to destroy the submarine.
The scout sees the submarine or the periscope of a sub
marine, eagle like it makes its swoop at the same time unreel
ing its torpedo. The submarine seeing it dives, the wire from
the aeroplane draws the torpedo against it with a momentum
of 50 miles an hour; there is an explosion under the water;
more bubbles come to the surface, but “V-17” does not rise
anymore. v •
There is no devil of man so devilish that some other man
cannot equal it. An aeroplane costs only a fraction of what a
submarine costs. It is easier to fill the air with aeroplanes
than the sea with submarines.
The only wTay to fight the devil is with fire.
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LIFE CHEAP IN ALASKA.
If the federal government gave as much care to the pro
tection of human lives in Alaska as it does to the protection of
the brown bear, or the conservation of forests and a few other
things which look after themselves, there might be less cold
blooded murders.
In the past three years there have been twelve or more
murders without a single conviction and only one arrest, which
was in connection with the Sliushanna murder.
If the government does not care to entrust United States
marsals in Alaska with funds to endeavor to trace the mur
derers, it might spare a secret service detective or two from
Wahington to work awhile in Alaska. It might offer a re
ward large enough to attract detectives from private agencies.
As the governor states, there is a similarity between the
several brutal murders which indicates that they may be due
to the same source. Should this prove true the government is
all the more culpable in thus allowing more lives to be sacri
ficed for the sake of funds.
There was a time in Alaska when men and women could
travel the most lonely trails without fear of bandits or mur
derers. That time is past. A person traveling alone will
money now seems to be placing a premium upon his life.
Commercial clubs and citizens individually and collectively
should rouse themselves and voice such a vigorous protest to
Washington as to make the officials set up and take notice.
Again, also, are we reminded' of the advantages of the
proposed Lanes’s Alaska development board. With such a
board in control in Alaska any emergency like the present
woudl be met promptly. The necessary funds would be provid
ed without waiting for license money to come in.—Juneau
Dispaeth.*** - 1 i*
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'■ DOES civilization civilize men?
Contemplating the present war in Europe, the first thought
that comes to mind is: “Does civilization civilize man!”
When the Goths, visi-Goths, Vandals and Huns swrept
down upon southern Europe some centuries ago, they were
after plunder. They wanted' rich lands, more food and all
kinds of personal adornment. They had different gods that
they, prayed and sang hymns to, but instead of that religion
causing the mto respect any property rights, they held in their
convenient religions that their gods would especially bless their
biggest fighters and biggest thieves.
Some of them were converted to Christianity, returned
home and they and their descendants have made up several of
the Christian nations of Europe. They have made vast ad
vances too in learning in the arts and sciences and in reducing
thier thoughts to a literature which it is a perpetual charm to
peruse.
They have discarded their pagan gods for the living God,
V, \ i
to whom they hold themselves responsible, and in reverence for
whom they preach truth, mercy, charity and all around right
eousness. •» • f
But, suddenly, last year they sprang to arms on the flimsy
excuse that one little power in southern Europe would not make
reparation for the murder of a prince (and princess by some
coarse assassins. Up to date perhaps three millions of men
have been killed and as many more so maimed that they will
be a charge upon society for the rest of their lives. And the
killing is going on at an apparently steadily increasing rate.
During the centuries vast improvements have been made in
the means of destruction, but the last news indicates that the
armies where the heaviest fighting is going on, have come dowrn
to hand fighting such as the old barbarians indulged' in.
Moreover the fighting is for the same purpose that Atilla
andAIaric fought—for land and loot.
The question is, “Does civilization civilize men?” “Does
Christianity come any nearer quelling the wild beast in man
than Paganism did?”
If civilization has done anything for men except to make
them more adroit murderers than their Pagan ancestors were,
it is not visible to the nak-id eye.
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Who can definie the effect of music? What power to in
fluence the movement of individuals a sprightly song, filling
the mind with various stages of nympholepsy, may possess, is
hard to determine? It is pretty certain its only effect is not
to soothe; it inspires, awakes emotions.
The jewelers of America are meeting in Milwaukee, one
purpose of the gathering being to adopt a resolution clinch
ing the theory that jewelry is a necessity, not a luxury.
Undoubtedly true, in part, at least. There’s a sdfety pin, for
instance.
Mnay persons who have formerly gone to Europe for the
summer are now seeing Alaska and Yukon for the first time and
the majority of them are wondering why they have never made
the trip before. By another year ten thousand tourists should
have the northern bee which will later become a habit.
According to advices from the states money is piling up in
the banks and is a drug on the market; it awaits the call of
industry and Alaska is full of opportunities for the investor.
The enlargement in the saving habit is excellent, but saved
money should be at work.
The three Ms, Men, Material and Money, have never had
as much significance in Europe as at present and' without one,
the other two are of little account. Money is required to get
the material and men to use it after it is supplied.
Oh, for the day of the sharp-pointed shoe and the high
collar, when the average man didn’t have time to worry about
anything else.
Thaw’s mental condition has not improved much. He is
posing in his bathing suit for moving picture cameras at Atlan
tic City.
Now that a grand stand has been erected and Ihe ball
grounds improved arrangements should at once be made for
a game on Labor Day.
Conditions along the railroad are daily improving and
ere long trains will again be running on schedule ime, due to the
fact that the high water is receeding.
Alfalfa is our hope and refuge. It not only cures dyspep
sia, but will make one tight, the scientists say, and we know
what the chief crop in the states will be in 1916.
While a retrenchment policy is being followed by the city
council the members of that body do not propose to in any way
allow the efficiency of the fire department to suffer. They
believe in safety first.
Former Governor John M. Slaton, of Georgia, who com
muted the death sentence of Leo Frank to life imprisonment
just before retiring from office, recently visited Juneau and
paid Alaskans the compliment of thinking for themselves.
Too much care cannot be exercised these days for the pre
vention of fire. The destruction of valuable propehrty along
the Copper River & Northwestern railway should' be a warning
to Cordovans of the danger that confronts us during this ex
ceptionally dry and warm spell.
Anchorage just now is undergoing the experience of all
camps that have friends and foes. Men who are interested
there tell us its future is brilliant and' men who quit it tell us
in language that is anything but picturesque that it aint so
much. These different opinions are published so that people
might get all sides.—Seward Gateway.
The Seattle P.-I. says the British press bureau is again
at its smooth work, this time in an attempt to keep down Ameri
can wheat prices, by publishing reports of an enormous yield
abroad. The farmer should demand from England’ a profit on
wheat at least equal to the hunderd per cent or more which she
is paying to American manufacturers of war munitions.
As soon as the city council has sufficient members here to
pass ordinances the itinerant merchant will be taken care of,
and the tax cannot be made too high to keep these fly-by-night
concerns out of the town.
It is most consoling to most of us to think that the other
fellow always is wrong—and dosen’t know it.
Last time the volcanoes to the westward were active there?
followed a rainy season, but no such luck this summer.
It is reported that the J. P. Morgan interests have bought
into the famous Speel river power plant in Southeastern Alaska.
The cable being out of commission has deprived the readers
of the Daily Times from receiving its usual excellent telegra
phic news report.
It begins to appear that perjury by wholesale, as well graft,
festooned the Becker case.
fall.
Is the dryest July in many years-a preparation for a rainy
The unions in the Remington Arms plant strike while the
iron is hot, but not the iron.
The cabinet is going to make another note, pianissimo or
trombonissimo is not revealed.
• •»''
Between the* excesses of Roosevelt and Bryan, the ordinary
citizen can pick a position fairly tenable.
When anybody begins talking about removing commercial
ism from the world let’s all sit down and think for two minutes.
It is said that the prolonged dry spell means a plentiful
supply of game birds, which season opens on September X.
MORGAN ill NEW
POWER PUNT
PROJECT
In an interview with W. P. Lass
this afternoon it was learned that J.
Pierpont Morgan interests had bought
into the Speel River Project and that
the transfer of authority was made
during his recent visit to San Fran
cisco.
As announced by The Empire last
spring it was the intention of Messrs.
Kennedy and Lass to install an in
itial hydro-electric plant at Speel riv
er this summer and to this end a cor
poration was formed in which all out
standing interests were offered their
full share of the stock.
The matter was then laid before the
Department at Washington who ap
proved the plans as outlined and
granted the corporation a permit to
develop the power. At the time liti
gation was begun against the com
pany asking that the entire property
be sold Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Lass
were completing final details for the
development of one of the largest in
stallations on the Pacific Coast. They
had already purchased ten thousand
horse power electrical machinery and
were actively investigating the supply
of iron and aluminum ores for use in
the electrical furnaces.
Mr. Lass states that due to the liti
gation and opposition of the outstand
ing one-quarter interest, their plans
plans have been abandoned and that
the machinery and large generators
that had been purchased for the Speel
River Development are now stored in
San Francisco.
The plan of their associates, as
represented by the new board or di
rectors, will not be made known un
til after the arrival of their engineer.
Mr. Frank Drum, the newly elected
president of the Speel River Project,
is also president of the Pacific Gas
and Electric Company, which is the
dominating power company for a large
portion of California. This Company
has a total liability capitalization of
$77,481,500.—Juneau Empire.
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Conditions out the railroad line con
tinue to improve as the high water
which overflowed the tracks is gradu
ally receding and in a couple of days
the exact extent of the damage will
be known. This morning a force of
25 men were sent out on a special
train to Mile 52 to repair the washout
in Abercrombie Canyon.
Just how large a crew will be neces
sary to put the roadbed in shape can
not be determined at this time, but a
big force of carpenters will be used in
rebuilding the bridge at Mile 160 and
a number of culverts that were burned
out by forest fires. As this class of
labor is limited In the north it may
be necessary to send to Seattle for
additional men.
The number of workmen needed is
speculative, but a large force will un
doubtedly be given employment at an
early day.
840 BODIES ARE
CHICAGO, Aug.. 2.—The death list
of the Eastland disaster Is gradually
decreasing until now It Is below the
thousand mark. The latest official list
places the number of recovered bodies
at 840. Two of these have not so far
been identified. One hundred and
forty are missing, and it is now prac
tically certain that these are all dead.
The total list is now placed at 980.
Secretary of Commerce William C.
Redfleld, has denied that an attempt
will be made by his investigators to
whitewash the federal steamship offi
cials who should have detected the
faultty construction of the Eastland
The secretary Is on his way west to
examine the situation personally, and
to see that the investigation is fear
less and honest.
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Send in your subscription now.
GOVERNMENT PLANS
NEW ALASKA COURT
According to word that has reached
Fairbanks recently, the government is
considering the advisability of estab
lishing a floating court for all of
Alaska. In other words, it is planned
to establish there a fifth federal court,
which will travel about to the out
lying places.
The purpose of this is to leave the
regular court at home, so that legal
business need not be halted while
they travel about their respective
divisions.
DETECTIVES ME
NEEDED ON
THE TRAIL
Governor J. A. F. A. Strong says the
United States government should hire
trained detectives and keep them on
the job until the perpetrators of the
many murders in the interior have
been brought to justice.
“The twelve or fifteen murders
which have been committed in the
Third and Fourth divisions within the
last few years are very good evidence
that there is a murderer, or gang of
murderers at large in that section."
/said Governor Strong, “and I haven't
a doubt in the world that if trained
men were put on the job the guilty
parties would be found, and that all
of the crimes would be traced to the
same source.
“At the time of the finding of the
bodies on the Valdez trail a couple of
years ago the government put two
men on the pay roll for over a year
without any results. Marshal Brenne
man wrote to me at the time they
were let go and I wrote to the attor
ney general and asked him to retain
them for a time longer. He replied
that the funds were exhausted and so
the men were dropped from the pay
roll and nothing had been accom
plished.
“The federal appropriations do not
allow anythnig for the tracing of mur
derers, which is a mistake. A good big
sum should be devoted to this work.
Now if the marshal wants to investi
gate a crime of this sort he must
shoulder the expense himself, and as
a result very little of it is done.
“I certainly think the government is
at fault in the matter and it should be
remedied with all possible dispatch,”
he ended.
According to word received recently
from Fairbanks, the people of the in
terior sections are beginning to be
lieve that the “Blueberry Kid’’ is dead
and that he was murdered by the same
party who murdered the rest of the
party on the Koyukuk several years
ago.
The “Kid” has been reported from
every section of the United States and
has been searched for for years but no
trace of him has ever been found and
those who have given the matter any
thought have decided that he met the
fate of “Dutch Marie” and the rest of
the party.
When the governor was asked his
opinion of the formation of a mounted
police force through the Territory, to
be patterned after the Northwest
Mounted Police, he said he was op
posed to the suggestion.
“The expense for a police force big
enough for the entire Territory would
be prohibitive. We have the marshals
and deputies scattered over the terri
tory now, and a large police force in
addition would make an enormously
increased expense, without any par
ticular advantage,” he said.
ICY STRAITS FISH RUN
IS LOW SAYS BARRON
James T. Barron, Punter Bay can
nearyman, declares that the run of
fish in Icy straits has slackened con
siderably and that a heavy run at this
time would be a boon to the canneries
operating in his district.
“The red salmon run this year has
not been up to Its previous mark, con
trary to reports,” he continued. "The
red fish packed so far are about 8 per
cent of the pack.”
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STUDENTS HEARD
DR. BROOKS LECTURE
Alfred H. Brooks, the Federal geol
ogist in charge of the Alaska surveys,
who is on his way to the interior for
the summer, lectured at the Univer
sity of Washington, Seattle, twice last
week. His subjects were “The Geog
raphy of Alaska,” and “The Resources
of Alaska.” *
Dr. Brooks probably knows more
about the Internal history of Alaska
than any one other man, having di
rected the geological survey of this
country for a number of years. He is
nationally regarded as an expert on
the physical features of Alaska’s map.
While the mines at Juneau are mak
ing preparations for an output that
will exfceed the entire gold output of
any state In the Union, the showing
for the future copper output is fully
as good. While the Alaska-Oastineau
at Juneau has just completed the first
unit of Its plant with a capacity of
6,000 tons day, to be increased very
shortly to 12,000, and the Alaska
Juneau is putting the final touches on
its 6,000-ton plant, with the Treadwell
capacity at 6,000 tons daily, the United
States Smelting, Refining & Mining
Co., which has purchased the old Eb
ner properties, some of the most val
uable In this section, and which has al
ready expended a vast amount of
money in development work, the
Julian Alaska Mines Co. putting in a
1,000-ton capacity plant, the Kensing
ton f.-'ining Co., the Alaska Gold Belt
Mining Co., which has set aside a quar
ter of a million for preliminary work,
and several others, all of which are
put in abnormally large plants, a full
account of which will be found in the
June and July issues of The Alaska
and Northwest Mining Journal, it
would seem that Alaska was coming
to the front sufficiently fast, but now
comes the report that the production
of copper in Alaska will be more han
doubled during 1915, with development
in the big copper producers of the Cop
per River district hardly under way.
In addition to this the Kennicott Cop
per Co., through its president, Stephen
A. Birch, announces that it has not
only the richest copper deposit in the
world, but that it is making copper at
a co t of 3.65 cents, the lowest record
yet reached. This report will be found
on another page of this issue. This
only accounts for two widely separat
ed sections in Alaska, while in be
tween and on all side areas where
there are hundreds of mines, many of
which are steady shippers and are
paying regular dividends, while many
of the others are fast being brought to
that desirable stage
Juneau at present is producing $8,
000,000 in gold yearly, and with com
pletion of plants now under way will
produce $17,000,000 at a cost of ap
proximately $7,500,000.—Alaska and
Northwest Mining Journal.
LEGAL TO KILL
VICIOUS
DOCS ,
The last legislature passed an act
authorizing the killing of dogs under
conditions, which is herewith publish
ed for the information of the public:
It shall be lawful for any person at
any time to kill any vicious or mad
dog found running at large.
Any dog which when unprovoked
has ever bitten or attacked a human
being shall be deemed vicious.
Whenever any dog habitually an
noys reindeer, sheep, cattle or horses
or domestic animals or domestic fowls,
or evinces a disposition which renders
it likely that it will without provoca
tion bite such animals or fowls, it
shall be lawful for any person to kill
such dog, when at large;
Provided however, that the owner or
keeper of such dog, if known, shall be
notified and given reasonable oppor
tunity to restrain such dog before it
shall become lawful to kill it under
the provisions of this section.
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MARIPOSA MAIL CLERK
BECOMES A BENEDICT
Harvey Bloomstein, who has been
mail clerk on the steamer Mariposa
for the past two years, intends quit
ting his job and enter the railway mail
service at Seattle. This was all
brought about through his recent mar
riage to Miss Wright of Sumner,
Wash., who accompanied him on the
last trips of the Mariposa.
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TRY DOMESTICATE
WILD CARIBOU
J. A. Singleton will try to domesti
cate wild caribou If he is granted per
mission by the federal authorities to
do so. He Is convinced that his plan
will work and that a fine meat and
milk animal suitable for the pioneers
of Alaska can be secured. The experi
ment will be made at Tanana Cross
ing