The Chitina Leader
CHITINA, ALASKA.
Entered as second-class matter, November 12, 1910, at the postofflce at
Chitina, Alaska, under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879.
ONLY NEWSPAPER IN CHITINA
Published every Saturday by
WILL A. STEEL—Editors and Managers—IA1ST 8. STEEL
Office: Hotel Chitina Building. Cordova Office: Daily Alaskan
Seattle Office: 651 Colman Building.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
One Month .8 *50
Six Months . 2.00
One Y'ear . 2.50
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 Rive: district.
/ CHITINA, ALASKA, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1914.
OUR EXPECTED NEW YEAR’S GIFT
The three members of the Alaska Engineering Commission
have been over the Copper Rivr & Northwestern.Railway, and
two of them have been into the Bering river coal field and also
over the route between Cliitina and Fairbanks. As these men
are observing, experienced and conscientious, it is safe to
assume that their report to President Wilson will be favorable
to the construction of a trunk line that will connect with the
present railway at Cliitina and also for a branch line into the
Bering coal field. A similar conclusion was reached by the
Alaska Railroad Commission, and the people of Cordova are
content in the absolute confidence that the real conditions and
facts are such that a result of the knowledge obtained by the
Engineering Commission cannot other than redown to the
great advantage of Cordova and the Copper River ocuntry.
And in saying this we have no wish to disparage the claims of
the great domain to the westward. In that connection we also
look to see the construction of a railroad from Seward through
the extensive mining and mineral belt that runs into the
Susitna country and possibly into the Matanuska coal fields.
The sum of $35,000,000 is sufficient for railway construction
that will open up vast territory and resources leading from
both Cordova and Seward, with possibly a branch later from
Valdez and also an extension into the great Kuskokwim
country. We are confident that the final announcement from
Washington will come as an appreciated but not unexpected
New Year’s fgit to the patient people of the Copper River/
section of Alaska. /
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THE STEADFAST FRIENDS OF ALASKA
Again have President Wilson and Secretary Lane come to
the rescue of Alaska. Sparring over technicalities and fearing
lest the Pinchot sentiment might not be sufficiently considered,
conferees and lumbers of both branches of Congress were
inclined to let the Alaska coal leasing bill go over to the next
session. But the administration again called some of the
leaders into conference and made the fact known that it was
urgently desired that a bill be agreed upon and passed NOW.
As a result there was some “business” about the marble halls
on capitol hill yesterday. New conferees were appointed to'
take the place of absentees who had slipped away to look after
re-election, a hurry up call was issued and several hours were
spent last night by the six conferees, in considering the
various parts of the bill that have been objectionable. And
today announcement is made that another conference report is
ready and will be presented to both houses. And it is altogether
likely that the new law will be read into the statute book ere
the close of this week. But without the insistence of the
President and Secretary Lane the measure would undoubtedly
have gone over. These men have upon many occasions given
ample proof that they are the real friends of Alaska and believe
in the opening up and development of the resources of the
territory. They have strong ideas on the subject and the
courage to enforce those ideas.
___•
HOW WILL WOMEN VOTE?
The question as to the effect of the women’s vote at the ,
November election is being generally considered throughout!
Alaska. The Seward Gateway presents a new idea, which
certainly will not be endorsed by our Socialist friends and
many others. Our contemporary says:
The voting of the women is sure to have one very
beneficial effect on the politics of the territory. They
will not votte for Socialist agitators. For one^reason;
Socialists are usually made up of the unattached
nomads, necessarily. And for another reason: Women
are constitutionally opposed to unhealthy and bizarre
doctrines and will generally do as their consciences bid
them, in spite of the fact that their hubbies very often
supply that conscience. In the territory there are about
30,000 white people. The women can hardly form
more than a tenth of that number but as most of them
are Americans they will make a very strong voting
body if they all go to the polls.
TOO SHOCKING FOR FILMS
Thousands of feet of moving pictures taken on the battle
fields of Europe have arrived in New York. But it is not
likely that they will ever reach Cordova’s theater or in fact
any public audience." They are too shocking, too horrible tor
presentation. Few are pictures of the actual fighting, which
it was found practically "impossible to obtain (except at a
distatnce), owing to the strict censorship and the danger.
Most are pictures of scenes on the battlefields after the armies
had moved on. They show heaps of slain men and horses,
revealing in many cases frightful wounds and disfigurement.
They show not the “glory,” but the ghastliness of war.
A man’s innocence frequently has to be proved by a lawyer
who knows his guilt.
the silence rather than the volubility of official announcements
from the various capitals. There is no haste to admit defeats.
i
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EDITORIAL COMMENT
It is said that the other evening at Seward Wick again
threw a spell over some of his opponents. He held a big
meeting and Dr. Daggett, chairman of the Democratic Club,
introduced the Delegate and he drew in his audience such
men as Judge Brown, a* Democratic appointee, and Chas. E.
Herron, chairman of the Republican Territorial committee.
When James the Terrible reaches Cordova some of the officers
of the Democratic Club promise to go into hiding. They are
determined not to be caught.
The Nizina district is some little placer producer. The
several operators in there don’t think anything of taking out
a few hundred thousand dollars.
If the human race learns the obvious lesson from the war
it will be a compensation. But as the lesson was equally obvious
before the war the prospect is not wholly encouraging.
“The ordinary bank note carries 92,000,000 germs,” says
a daily. Not having any way of verifying or disproving this
statement, we give it to you as it was given to us.
Plenty of self confidence is all right—but you never lose
anything by listening to well-intentioned advice.
Thos. H. Holland has just returned from a campaigning
trip to the westward. He found mlany old time friends and
received many assurances of support, in his candidacy for
Representative. And that is as it should be for Tom is one of
the square men of the Copper River country, which section is
certainly entitled to representation at Juneau.
It’s peculiar how many wealthy women go almost naked.
The question as to who wrote the bill introduced by Repre
sentative Johnson to relieve the claim owners in Alaska from
doing their assessment work for 1914. is causing much inquiry.
Delegate Wickersham denies the report that he was the author
of the measure.
For a time it looked as though Cordova would not have
any candidates for the lower House of Representatives. But
that contingency has been avoided through the action of our
Socialist friends. They have selected R. E. Hegner and D. M.
Lynch.
When the devil is to pay he always applies at the most
inopportune moment.
If Congressman Johnson’s new bill passes and allows the
assessment work on mineral claims in Alaska for the year
1914 to be done next year it will still permit many large
holders to retain a valid right to claims upon which otherwise
they might not do the assessment work this year.
Fortunately Gifford Pinchot is not a member of the United
States Senate, to prevent the opening up of the Alaska coal
fields. And again fortunately it is reported from Pennsylvania
that his chances for getting a look-in to the Senate from that
state have gone a glimmering.
Berlin has the French slowly beaten and the Russians
killed and captured by the hundreds of thousands. Petrograd,
on the other hand, has the Germans and Austrians steadily
thrashed. If these two capitals keep on the vast armies will
be constructively annihilated.
After the final passage and signing of the Alaska coal
leasing bill and the granting of a few claims to locators we
may expect to hear the final announcement that the Alaska
Syndicate is to build a branch line railroad to the Bering river
fields this early spring.
The most obstinate resistance Austria is putting up against
the Russian advance is that presented by its amabssadors and
press agents. They positively refuse to yield an inch, and
might be likened unto some of the “retired” politicians in
Cordova.
A small thing is often a big nuisance—the firefly, for
instance.
I or a time it looked as though there might be a dearth oi
Legislative candidataes in this division, but later returns
indicate that there will be about four for one. That is four
candidates for the one Senator to be elected, and about 1(>
aspirants for the four places in the House to be tilled. Thus far
Cordova has two candidates for the Senate and two for the
House, while the interior has one aspirant for the Senate and
three for the House.
Kelly of Pennsylvania in Congress says that “every public
official is a public servant, and when lie refuses or neglects to
serve the interests of the public he should be driven from the
place he has discredited.” If that doctrine were applied to
Alaska there would be a lot of federal officials looking for
new jobs.
Those who conclude to see America first will not only gain
in patriotism and instruction but they will find it much safer.
And if they come to Alaska they will experience a much more
interesting and profitable trip.
Of course the cable had to go down just when all Alaska
was listening with patience to hear the result of the first
championship game of the world’s series of baseball.
An ambition to do certain things is interpreted by some
people to be a loud and insistent call to that work. The leaven
is now working among Alaskan candidates.
Japan went to war with China in 1894, with Russia in
1904 and with Germany in 1914. It would be wise to let the
next stretch of peace last say 15 years.
The Alaska coal leasing bill has had a circuitous route to
enactment, but under the watchful eye of President Wilson it
is safe to predict that it will very soon “arrive.”
War may be hell but it starts a lot of people on the way
to paradise
The most acute eyesight sometimes generously fails to see j
the frailities of mankind.
Discretion may not get a person very much—but it often!
saves a person from getting something he doesn’t want.
Troubles grow rapidly when carefully nursed—but take
sustenance away and they shrivel in a day and are no more.
It’s a wonder why some curious one doesn’t ask how
judicial procedure got such a misnomer.
Colonel Roosevelt is quoted as hoping he will not be a
candidate in 1916. It is a hope that wrill be shared by a good
many of his foes.
The other fellows are beginning to theraten Italy that it
will be even worse for her if she does not take a side. This
may bring results.
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Why Not Invest?
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V <
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f
With the building of the government railroad from
Chitina to Fairbanks, the future of the Town of Chitina
is assured.
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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.
▲ ▲▲▲▲▲A A A A . A .
TIN SHOP
IN SHUSHANNa
No more need to carry
STOVES and TINWARE
over the Ions 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 Chitina Hotel.
CHITIXA : : : ALASKA.
*+*^4^**+*»I“!<*******-f“i****ir
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• • •j*
• 4»
4»
ii D. ADRIAN NELSON
• • v
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:: U. S. Mineral Surveyor I
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• > 4»
ii CHITINA T - - ALASKA |
CHITINA: BAKERY
AND
Coffee House
IIENUY GESSXER, Prop.
* ' ' ‘ ’ 1 • » j I
FRESH BREAD, CAKES AND
1*1 ES ALWAYS ON HAND -
‘/r * *: l 1 ’ ' ■* ■
| Chitina j
| Pharmacy!
f ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ X
| DRUGS, X
| STATIONERY, 1
X CANDIES, |
(KODAK SUPPLIES |
CIGARS & TOBACCO 1
Ilf you cannot call, write 1
us. MAIL orders our t
Specialty. ♦
A. G. MOREY, Prop. |
Let Lewis Help fc==^
"Pointers for Am*tear*’’ will help you to better
pictures—it’s free. Send us your films for develop- |
ins: and printing. Enlarging. Developing 10c roll,
any size; printing, 3c up. Cash with order. You’ll
find our work better. Photo supplier Dept. S.
1 'S! -ft..
| GROCERIES, HARDWARE I
| — AND; J
j MEAT MARKET f
^ We have a big line of Sec- *
J* ond-Hand Goods, and can .j.
J save you money on your out- X
I fit. Bunk House, with free i
? Cook House, in connection. T
| CHITINA HEIGHTS I
| C. A. SIMONS & CO. 1
r-~ — ■■!■■■ ■ ■■■ - _
-~
feed, fuel
and
Lumber
HAY, BRAX, OATS, CHOI'S,
ROLLED HARLEY
'!
We can make prompt sliip-’
ments to points on the rail
road. Our feed is the very
best quality.
0. A. Nelson & Co.
. CHIIINA
...
I hotel
WASHINGTON I
annex
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' • SEATTLE
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• i -— 1
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< * New, modern and II reproof. < r
! ’ AH outside rooms • •
;;
,, A be most conveniently located |)
|hotel in the city. 1 •
■ ! Rooms and suites are par tins 1
‘ , iarly large. • •
.. Very desirable for families or ! I
!! parties traveling together. |'
RATES MODERATE \\
.. Auto-bus meets all boats and ! \
.. trains. Write for booklet. ! !
J.H. DAVIS, Prop
t-i-**•*-*■**■*•*■ 111 it it i in i iii*;