THE CHITINA LEADER
CHITINA, ALA8KA
Entered as second-class matter. November 12, 1910, at the postoffice at
Chltina, Alaska, under the Act qf Conbress of March t. 1079.
ONLY NEWSPAPER IN CHITINA
Published every Tuesday by
HARRY O. STEEL, Editor and Proprietor.
Office: Hotel Chltina Building. Cordova Office: Daily Times.
. SUBSCRIPTION RATES
One Month .I .SO
SU Months . 2.00
One Year ... 1.50
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 River District.
CHITINA, ALASKA, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1,1915T~
POLITICAL SITUATION IN ALASKA.
There is considerable activity all along the line, politically,
and although the election of a Delegate to Congress does not
take place for a year more interest is thus early being manifest
ed in that contest that has even heretofore been the case. In
previous campaigns there was just one recognized candidate,
but not so in the coming battle, as there are others who are will
ing to run up their rods in the storm that is brewing in the hope
that lightining may strike them.
The arena is set and the warriors bold are all entering with
r. confidence that has not been shown in the past. The signifi
gance of this will become manifest as the battle proceeds, but
there’s a reason. It may be possible that a reaction has set in
and' the popularity of the present incumbent is on the wane.
Then, again, there may be other reasons why there are so many
willing entries for the race.
We have learned from a reliable source that Judge Wicker
sham is no longer an Independent, a Bull Mosser, a Wilson
Democrat, a Progressive or anything else along those lines.
He is now a Republican and having returned to the fold the only
question is how long will he remain with his first love, or how
soon will a flirtation spring up between him and some new
vote-getting party. Time alone will tell.
The Democrats throughout the territory feel that the resi
dents of Alaska owe a debt of gratitude to their party for the
passage of the railroad and coal bills by the present administra
tion, and unless present plans fail want Judge Bunnell, of Fair
baks, to again become a candidate for Delegate, in the belief
that his chances for election have been greatly strengthened
since he went on the bench in the Fourth division. Hon. Chas.
A. Sulzer, of Ketchikan, is also mentioned as a possible candi
date. He is a brother of former Congresman Sulzer, of New
York, who has always fought Alaska’s battles at the National
Capital.
Throughout the territory the Republicans have been busy
in forming clubs and feel that they will be thoroughly organ
ized to wage an aggressive campaign next year. The name of
William A. Gilmore, of Nome, is again frequently heard in con
nection with the nomination for a seat at Washington, and Hon.
B. F. Millard, of Valdez, is also said to be a receptive candidate
for this honor.
Territorial Chairmen Herron and Baxter, of the Republi
can and Democratic parties, respectively, will issue calls for
conventions as soon as the National Committees of these two
parties met and make their apportionment of delegates to the
coming national conventions. As Wickersham has deserted
the Bull Moosers of course there will be no necessity of them
convening.
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ALL THE MAIL ALL THE TIME.
In 'he interior, and particularly at Fairbanks, we are in
formed that the one thing the people there want more than
anything else to make “life more liveable” is a complete mail
service such as they were used to “back home.” They com
plain of the limitations of the present service, which, are brand
ed as being “particularly irksome” and to quote from the
Fairbanks Times “it is not to be wondered at that the parsim
oniousness of the government in this regard is a subject of
much embittered censure.”
The effort of the Interiorites to get all they can from Uncle
Sam is laudable, but when it is taken into consideration that all
of the first-class mail and considerable second-class matter is
dispatched from Cordova on the first train leaving after the
arrival of the steamer here, and other shipment of newspapers
wnd magazines follow on the next trains, the campaign inau
gurated presents some phases of the mail question that possibly
have not been carefully considered by our friends in the in
terior.
Under the present contract eight hundred pounds of mail
are dispatched from Cordova twice a week from October 1 to
November 24 and from the latter date to March 24 sixteen liun
dren pounds three times a week and from March 24 to May 31
eight hundred pounds twice a week. This fluctuating weight
limit is due to prevailing conditions on the trail. The Second
4 ssistant Postmaster General, to whom the proposed increased
service has been referred says:
“The evidence of service given last winter show's that the
second class matter for Fairbanks and the other Interior points
was handled with reasonable promptness, considering the con
ditions affecting the service. The service w'as sufficient to car
ry second class matter regularly and in such amounts that at
times during the winter all second class matter offered for dis
patch was carried. On February 13, 1915, there was only 289
pounds of second class matter accumulated at Cordova, and on
Februarp 20 and 27 all second class matter had been dispatch
ed.”
The question then arises as to what class of mail accumu
lates at Cordova during the winter months, and is not dispatch
ed under the weight limit. It is principally catalogues, adver
tising matter of all descriptions and parcel post packages.
And is this the matter the Commercial Club and business men
of Fairbanks want the government to expend a large sum
of money to have transported over the trail during the closed
season. If so, the merchants in the Interior do not figure the
same as those on the coast, where the mail order houses are
attempting to ruin local trade, by supplying goods which should
be bought at home.
’Tis true that in some cases these outside concerns under
sell the town merchant, but it is also true that they demand
cash in advance for articles that looking alluring in attractive
advertisements, but but are not always just what you need or
want. Then; again, the townsman is one who extends you
credit when needed and is always contributing to some public
spirited movement that tends to the upbuilding of the com
munity, which goes a long ways towards making ‘ ‘ live more
liveable’’ in this northern country. The greatest curse to
Alaska’s commercialism is the mail order house. The money
sent out of the country was earned here and should be expend
ed here.
In the same issue of the Fairbanks Times that boosts for
“all the mail all the time” is an article stating that a well
known freighter has left for the outside to arrange with big
mail order houses to haul their catalogues over the trail and
if possible to make arrangements for the delivery at Fairbanks
of a lot of orders. Such a movement does not go hand-in-hand
with the attempt to build up a large community, where the
slogan should be “Patronize home merchants.”
With copper ore piled up all around Cordova, and having a
commercial value of over a million dollars, it is not surprising
that we are pleading with the government to let us mine Alaska
coal, in order that a smelter may be erected here and the rich
copper glance prepared for market.
Conflicting reports are received from Anchorage as to ice
conditions in its harbor. Cold weather prevailed there last
week and some say that the theremometer dropped to nine de
grees below zero, and all small creeks in Cook’s Inlet are frozen
over. Then, again, we are informed that it is only slush ice
and navigation is not expected to close for at least three weeks.
All admit, however, that there is every indication of an early
and severe winter not only at Anchorage and the westward,
but throughout Alaska.
There seems to be no doubt in the mind of Col. John A.
Slicher, publisher of Leslies Weekly, as to the advantages pos
sessed by the Cordova harbor. The Colonel is running a series
of articles in his magazine, under the caption of “The Truth
About Alaska” and after an investigation of conditions in this
northland he is telling some facts that will go a long way to
ward correcting a wrong impression that has existed among
some government officials and the people generally as to the
grasp the Alaska Syndicate is supposed to have on the mineral
wealth of the territory. Of course those on the ground know
that there is no truth in the muck-raking stories that have been
printed and which gave Cordova a set-back, but it is refresh
ing to feel that at last the truth is beginning to find its way in
reputable publications.
Judge Jennings has handed down a decision declaring that
the ordinance enacted by the Ketchikan council, imposing a tax
of $10 per day on itinerant merchants, was invalid. On the
question of the validity of the ordinance the court states that
th estatutes prescribe the powers of the town councils of Alaska,
and that power is not given town councils to raise revenue by
the taxation of occupations or business. The town may levy
poll tax, dog tax and tax personal property, but they are the
only methods by which they may raise revenue. The decision
asks the question, Is $10 a day a reasonable license to be ex
acted of itinerant peddlers or trades men who earn,' clothing,
etc., from house to house to sell—$300 a month, $3,650 a yearf
With the many new boats that have already been purchas
ed, and those now being negotiated for, the Alaska Steamship
Company and the Pacific-Alaska Navigation Company will have
fleets of passenger vessels on the Southwestern Alaska run that
will be able to take care of the constantly increasing business.
The Whitslied naval radio will soon be one of the most
important stations on the Pacific Coast. The plant is being
enlarged' and improved, a set of cable instruments are here for
installation and shortly the wireless telephone will be in use and
communication, by this new method, established with Arling
ton, Virginia.
Fairbanks the registration books for the coming municipal
election are already open, as provided by city ordinance, in
order that any persons going outside for the winter and do not
intend to return to the interior until spring will not be deprived
of voting for the members of the next council and school board.
Cordova is possibly the only town in Alaska that has a
regularly organized development company that is making an
effort to open up the resources of the territory. We refer to
the Cordova Mining & Development Company, which has al
ready raised from $20,000 to $30,000 and is using this money
for the purpose of locating and mining gold quartz ledges.
Some prospective work has already been done and a deal is now
pending which may result in a big mill being erected near here
and a mountain of low-grade ore mined on an extensive scale.
The war department has approved of auxiliary telephone
lines along the Chitina-Fairbanks trail and it is believed that
they will be placed in sendee before another year.
As the weather gets colder the trail conditions improve
and the auto-trucks, with mail and passengers, are making
better time to Cliitina.
BISHOP ROWE
KETCHIKAN YOUNG LADY
The many Cordova friends of Bishop
P. T. Rowe will be surprised to learn
of his marriage at Seattle last week
to Miss Rose Fullerton, who spent
three years at Ketchikan, in charge of
the Episcopal missionary hospital.
They are now enjoying a six week’s
honeymoon in California, after which
they will make a trip to Southwestern
Alaska.
The wedding took place at St.
Mark’s church, Seattle and was attend
ed by only the immediate friends of
the couple. Bishop Rowe is 58 years
of age and his bride 30 years of age.
PLENTY OF MONEY FOR
DEVELOPMENT OF ALASKA
Banker-Hayden. a multi-millionarie
of Boston, who holds vast mining in
terests in all parts of the world, states
that more money than ever will be put
into development work in Alaska this
coming summer and that the northern
coutry would receive attention from
mining investors. The certainty that
after the present war the demand for
metals will be heavy and will con
tinue for many years is so certain that
bankers and mining men are planning
to make heavy investments in mines.
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MANY INQUIRIES FOR
TERRITORIAL LICEN8ES
Applications for licenses for 1915,
under the law passed at the last terri
torial legislature, have been received
at the territorial treasurer's office
from whence a license would be ex
pected to be applied for.
The returns to date are very satis
factory. At an early date applications
are expectd to begin coming in for
licenses for the year 1916.
In regard to the large mining cor
porations certain concessions have
been made with reference to the time
of filing returns upon which the
amount of tax to be assessed is pre
dicated owing to the impracticability
of the concerns submitting returns
within the time prescribed by the law.
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LIQUOR CASES TO BE
TRIED AT ANCHORAGE
Advices from Seward state that the
district court in compliance with a
motion made by attorneys for the de
fense in the Anchorage liquor cases
has ordered that the cases be tried be
fore the United States commissioner
at Anchorage. There are still nine
case cases to be disposed of, one of
the men arrested for selling llquor at
Anchorage without a license, having
entered a plea of guilty and is now
serving a ninety day sentence.
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FIDALGO BAY COPPER TO
BE DEVELOPED THIS WINTER
E. D. Reiter, who is developing the
property of the Pidolgo-Alaska Cop
per company, at Fldalgo Bay, for
Spokane capitalists, reports that the
miners are working in eleven feet of
high grade copper ore In the raise. He
is employing 16 men and'states that
a compressor will be installed on the
property at an early date. It is the
plan of Mr. Reiter and associates to
continue development work all winter
sms. VICTORIA
THIS RUN
The Alaska Steamship company's
Nome liner Victoria will be placed on
the Alaskan coast run as soon as she
arrives at Seattle on her last trip
from Nome. The Victoria should be
in Seattle again early in November.
The information that comes from the
south is that she will sail for Cordova
and other coast towns about Novem
ber 10th to 15th.
How long the Victoria will be kept
on the Alaska coast run is not stated,
but it is safe to say according to the
information received that she will con
tinue all winter if the ore tonnage
continues to be offered. Something,
of course, will depen dupon the length
of time that may be required to over
haul the recently purchased Kansas
Cit^. and the time of the arrival of
the^freight carriers Bennington and
Burlington.
The Victoria is the largest vessel
engaged in the Alaska trade at the
present time, and one of the fastest
While an old vessel, she is well built,
seaworthy and one of the fastest
American ships in the Alaska service
Steamship men say that the Kansas
City will make a splendid addition to
the Alaska fleet. She is fast, has ex
cellent passenger accommodation and
is splendidly arranged to accommo
date passengers. Of recent years she
has been operated with the Hose City
on the route between San Francisco
and Portland.
It is undrstood that the Kansas City
will be changed to an oil burner before
she will become an Alaska liner.
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ICE IS BLOCKING
MOUTH SHIP CREEK
George Cosmos, returning from An
chorage on the Admiral Evans, re
ports that the mercury was six de
grees below zero there on October 18
and 12 below on the morning of Octo
ber 19. He says that on October 19
the launch Hustler, which left here
for Anchorage some time ago, was
stuck in the ice in Ship creek for an
hour and a half before it could be
pried loose.
Others who returned on the Evans
say that It will not be possible to use
the government dock at the mouth of
Ship creek any longer owing to the
accumulation of ice in the creek, and
that b'arges will be forced to dis
charge on the mud as they did early
in the year before the dock was built.
—Seward Post.
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BIG PAYSTREAK LOCATED
IN TOLOVANA DISTRICT
C. Robinson, of Tolovana, was an
arrival in Cordova on yesterday’s train
and is stopping at the Alaskan hotel.
He says that they have an eight mile
paystreak at the new mining camp and
there is every promise of big develop
mnt work there this winter.
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THERE’S II LETTER FOR YOU
AT CORDOVAPOSTOFFICE
The following letters remain un
called for at the Cordova postoffice for
the period ending October 28. 1915.
Alexson Kust; Andersen Hans. C.;
Anderson C. E.; Anderson Alfred;
Bjelland Sven; Carlson Gust.; Car
Mlho; Clark Rusby; Davis Harvey;
Dahl A. (3); Dahl Olav; Dailison Wal
ter; Gaguot Aug.; Gelles Gus.; Hene
mark Nelson; Hordtnes Harold;
Hordtnes H.; Houald Charles; Jams
son Mike; Jarecki P. H.; Johnson
Swan; Hare John; Karaboic Prank;
Kittelstad Miss Marie; Kinney O. M.;
Kinney Mrs. O. M.; Krantz Ed.; Kure
t|ch Nick (»•; Kveven Erick (4);
Landberg C.; Latkovich B.; Ledwidge
M.; Lewis Richard E.; Lindahl E. (2);
Lund Geo.; Lynn Mrs. Mabel Rich;
McDonald James;McNell Mrs. Lizzie;
Martin W. K.‘; Miller Nils; Mustek L.;
Nielsen N. H. Basse; Norberg Erick
(2); Olson Thorstij; Parry Robert (6)
Peterson C. E.; Pevorich Mik (3)
1 Ranelall 8- J.; Rash Joseph; Sawyer
C. H.; Shaw Mrs. Ida (2); Sharkey
BiUie (2); Sharratt Walter (2)
Shwample Fritz; Sharratt Walter (2);
Ruhr Henrich; Sullivan Geo; Stupor
ich Jerry; Shueser J. E.; Thompson
Erick; Thompson W.; Thomas James;
Von Gunter Arthur; Vollch Sam; Will
iams Harold; Ware R. W.; Woods
WiU.
H. G STEEL, Postmaster.
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All the Real News in the Times.
CORDOVA COPPER
While the earnings of the Kenne
cott Copper Co. for the four months
ended Sept. 3rt amounted to $3,500,000.
the actual profits for this period will
probably be increased to $4,000,000,
due to the fact that the earnings of
$3,500,000 include the unsold copper
which was inventoried at 15 cents.
This copper will be sold to a higher
figure, since the copper market is now
18 cents, or better.
Kennecott's mine production for the
four months ended on Sept. 30 was
31,000,000 pounds or at the rate of
more than 90,000,000 pounds a year.
The production in September was
approximately 8,000,000 pounds.
The Alaska Steamship Company has
bought two steamers, which will be
used to carry the Kennecott ore to
the smelter on the Puget Sound.
Kennecott's ore is being shipped to
the Tacoma plant of the American
Smelting & Refining Co., and to Gar-,
field. Utah, for treatment, the Taco
ma plant being unable to handle the
entire output of the mine. The ore
that is smelted at Garfield is sent to
Perth Amboy for refining.—Wall
Street.
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BERING GOAL LAND MONEY
REFUNDED BY GOVERNMET
Xotice has been received at the Ju
neau land office of the return of the
purchase price for coal lands in Al
askan fields to 8 persons who pur
chased coal lands in the Territory.
The reimbursements have been made
as follows: Fannie T. Wheeler. $895:
Roy J. Kinar, $1576; Chas. A. Kinear,
$1576: Jas. Compbell, $1566: Anna M.
Chilberg, $1597. All of these claims
were properties located in the Bering
river district- Frances Gzella, and
Katinka McD. Ross, both claimants in
the Homer Field on Cook's Iulet, were
reimbursed to the amount of $1374
and $1498 respectively.
These reimbursements were made
pursuant to relinquishments that were
filed as the result of proceedings in
stituted by the Government alleging
sometimes fraud, and always falure to j
open a coal mine in the cases men-.
tione. Relinquishments were made by I
the claimants to the government with
out any admission of the charge of
fraud.
Send in your subscription now.
IN WRITING POETRY
Gustav Priessner, druggist at Mc
Carthy, who was recently held to
await the action of the district court
at Seward next week, for selling liquor
without a license, has evidently direct
ed his attention to grinding out
poetry, as the following effusion re
ceived by the Daily Times from him
would seem to indicate
THE PLIGHT OF THE DRUGGIST
There is a law for this and that,
The man in business sighed:
It keeks me guessing where I am at.
And how my hands are tied.
My great concern today is not
That I may shortly fail.
1 have to give my every thought
To keeping out of jail.
For profits that may comfort me
No longer can I plan:
It's taking all my time to be
A law-abiding man.
Oh sorry is the plight T am in.
I have no trail to choose.
The court will nab me if I win.
The marshal if I lose.
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ANOTHER BOOT LEGGER TO
WESTWARD IS ARRESTED
F. M. Bean was arrested at Valdez,
on Friday, as he was boarding a steam
er for the states. He was taken in
charge on a secret indictment return
ed by the grand jury, and is charged
with having sold liquor in the Kenai
district without having a license. He
will be taken to Seward to stand trial
at the term of the district court which
convenes there on November 1.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
In Commissioner’s Court for Chitina
Precinct, Territory of Alaska, In
Probate.
In the Matter of the Estate of Nels
Oscar Sail. Deceased.
Notice is hereby given that E. E.
Ritchie has been duly appointed and
has duly qualified as administrator of
of the estate of Nels Oscar Sail, de
ceased. in a proceeding in the above
named court. All persons having
claims against said estate are require**
to present them, with proper vouchers
within six months from the date of
this notice, to said administrator at
the office of the commssioner of Chiti
na precnct, in the town of Chitina,
Alaska.
Dated. Chitina, Alaska, October 15,
1915.
E. E. RITCHIE,
Administrator of the Estate of
Nels Oscar Sail, Deceased.
First Publication, Oct. 19. 1915.
Last publication Nov. 16 1915.
WHEN YOU LEAVE
FOR THE OUTSIDE
take the
MILWAUKEE
One road—one management—one service all the
way through to Chicago. It’s The Short
Line to the East over
THE NEW STEEL TRAIL
For information and literature write or ask
TIIOS. TALLENT, .
A. E. LATHROP, Agents‘
A E. HARRIS, T. P. A., Juneau, Alaska
CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE & ST. PAUL RY.
Fast and commodious steamers sailing between Seattle, Ketch
ikan, Wrangell, Juneau, Skagway, Cordova, Valdez, Seward and
ANCHORAGE, via INSIDE PASSAGE.
Sails from Seattle— Sails from Cordova—
tober 18.ALAMEDA.October 29
vember 4_CITY OF PUBELA-November 15
Regular freight service for Ketchikan, Juneau, Sheep Creek,
Treadwell, Douglas, Cordova, Ellamar, Valdez ard Latouche. Explos
ives, S. S. Seward. 8. S. Seward, 5th; S. S. Latouche, 'i-Sth; S. S.
Cordova, 25th of each month.
• This company reserves the right to change schedule of steamers
without notice.
Tickets on sale at up-town office Alaska Steamship Bldg. Baggage
or freight will not be received at the dock later than one hour before
sailing time.
F. B. TRACY,
General Agent
T. J. TALLENT,
Ticket Agent
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