The Chitina Leader
CHITINA, ALASKA.
Entered as second-class matter. November 12, 1910,^ 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—E»BET G. STEEL
Office: Hotel Chitina Building. Cordova Office: Daily Alaskan
Seattle Office: 551 Colman Building.
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given. Official publication for legal advertisements pertaining to mineral lands
of the Copper Rive: district.
CHITINA, ALASKA, TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 1913.
A PROMISING DEVELOPMENT
Never before in any one season have.so many preparations
been made for the development of copper properties in the in
terior districts tributary to the Kuskulina and Nizina. A
number of companies will work properties on a more elaborate
scale than heretofore. It is expected that by Fall seeral ad
ditional companies will be shipping out ore to Cordova, to
be earned by steamer to the smelter on Puget Sound. It is
likely that every available miner will be put to work the
coming season, which will add to the prosperity of Cordova,
Chitina, Blackburn and the smaller camps. Capitalists in the
Eastern states are becoming more encouraged to make invest
ments in Alaska, and with a just and liberal policy to be pur
sued by the Democratic administration, there is every reason to
look forward with much hope to the early development of the
richest and what will undoubtedly develop into the greatest
copper country in the world. And with the opening of the
Bering river coal fields it is expected that a large smelter will
immediately be erected at Cordova, to be followed by others
later as the increased shipment of ores demand.
A SOCIALIST VINDICATION
The Socialist party has by a referendum of its voters re
lieved itself of one burden. William D. Haywood, one of the
seven members of the National Executive Committee of the
Socialist organization, has been a bold and defiant exponent of
the “direct action” of the Industrial Workers of the World
and a hardly concealed contemner of the principle of pacific
political action which is the avowed program of the Socialist
party. He and his spporters have claimed that while Hay
wood’s support of destructive and criminal methods was op
posed by the Socialist leaders, the rank and file of that element
sxxpported him.
This issue was forced to a test by Haywood himself in a
speech after the acquittal of Ettor and Giovannetti so radical
that there was no explaining it away. The leaders of the
pacific Socialists moved to have him removed from the ex
ecutive eomixiittee, and the popular vote by two to one ordered
his removal.
By this result, whatever force was given to Haywood’s
teachings of industrial anarchy by his official repiesentation of
Socialism is eliminated. The Socialists on their part have
vindicated themselves from the charge of supporting methods
which not only stand for the destruction or injury of property,
but a peculiarly cowardly sort of destruction.
I pon a recent visit to Seattle Mr. Haywood continued to
give expression to his extieme views and succeeded in en
couraging the I. W. W’s to many acts of annoyance and nuis
ance. But fortunately at that same time the honest Socialists
were voting a repudiation of Haywoodism.
A DIFFERENT PROGRESSIVE
George E. Baldwin has been getting into all kinds of trouble
because someone reported him as being the Alaska territorial
chairman of the National Progressive party. Recently in ad
dressing the Secretary of that party, and repudiating the honor
they would confer on him, among other things Mr. Baldwin
says:
“ I am enclosing you a copy of the platform and resolutions
adopted by our convention, in which you will see that one of the
principal things advocated by your party—Roosevelt, Pinchot,
conservation—is denounced in unmeasured terms. Under that
vicious scheme of government landlordism Alaska has stood
still as far as population is concerned for nearly a decade. The
people of the United States have been taxed to support a vast
horde of locusts of officialdom, styled “inspectors,” “special
agents,” “forest supervisors,” “forest rangers,” “thirteenth
grade custodians of confiscated brown bearskins,” and the Al
mighty only knows what else.
“You create vast forest reserves, drive out settler, i?ob the
investor, discourage and bedevil the prospector and when soli
tude reigns supreme call it the work of Progressives. You tie
up Alaskan coal fields in order that the high-grade coal needed
on the Pacific coast must be purchased of Eastern operators.
E\ erv ton brought round the Horn means the useless burning
bj' the ship carrying it of another ton, and yiou say you are
saving the natural resources for the use of future generations.
You are about as progressive as Sitting Bull, who murdered,
tortured and slaughtered trying to stop the westward march of
civilization.”
-o—o—o
Just in anticipation of favorable action by Congress in
the way of passing legislation favorable to the opening up of
the territory a building boom is about to start in Cordova.
-o—o—o
If Mrs. Emmeline Pankhurst got the ballot and the election
did not go to suit her, what is to prevent her from resorting
to anarchy again? Indeed, the Pankhurst theories take us
straight to a Mexico of a time.
-o—o—o
San Francisco has closed the “Barbary Coast.” Perhaps
it intends to use it for a midway at the Panama Fair.
INTO THE FAR NORTH
Telegraphic advices indicate that this morning the ship
Karluk sailed from San Francisco for Victoria. And about
May first it will be manned by Vilhjalmar Stefanson, discoverer
fo the “blond Eskimo,” who has this and other marvelous
achievements to his credit as a result of several years spent in
the far north.
‘His coming journey north from the Pacific coast will be on
a trip to the unexplored portion of the Arctic Circle north of
Banks Land, which may keep him away from civilization for
a period of three years.
As an exchange aptly says that the human interest of his
quest is furnished by the report that on several islands in that
vicinity strange races of natives exist.
Whether they are part of the “blond Eskimo” tribe or
a totally different race is a mystery. It is possible, of course,
that they exist only in the imagination of the natives.
The contributions that Stefanson will make to the book of
knowledge concerning the mysterious Arctic will be interesting
and important.
Recent research expeditions along the northernmost coasts
of Europe and America have proved singularly fruitful, not
alone to the scientist, but to the business man as well.
It has been ascertained that vast deposits of coal exist in
sections where coal would be the last thing one would expect
to find.
While there is no good reason at this time to attempt ex
ploitation of these fields, the future may be forced seriously to
consider the proposition of working them as the resources situ
ated more conveniently to civilization are exhausted.
For the present, however, the chief importance of such
work is because of its geographical and ethnological aspects.
It was because of this fact that the discovery of the “blond
Eskimo” aroused such widespread interest in the world of
science.
ALL FAVOR HIM
The Seward Gateway echoes a sentiment that is generally
felt throughout this section of Alaska, as follows:
“Backed by the democratic divisional committee and the
territorial committeemen of his home division, the Hon. John
Y. Ostrander of Valdez and Cordova is the foremost candidate
for federal judge of the Third judicial district. Judge Ostran
der is a leader of the Alaska bar, a man of high reputation,
fine ability and possessed of attributes which especially fit
him for the positon to which he aspires. He is a loyal Alaskan
of long residence and warhorse democrat whose fealty to the
party is undoubted. The Gateway takes great pleasure in
endorsing the candidacy of Judge Ostrander.”
Vice President Marshall is embarrassed by the attentions
of the curious, and is meditating seeking more secluded quar
ters. Let him wait a few days and he will find the Vice Presi
detial job sufficiently secluded for all purposes.
The Mexican constitution looks very much like ours, but
does not work the same. People who are teaching disregard
of constitutional principles may look in that direction for an
example of their doctrines.
The present condition of all the combatants in the Balkans
offers a graphic illustration of what being “fought to a stand
still” means.
Fifty years ago the average American spent 25 cents a year
for postage stamps ;today he spends $2.60 and the Postoffice
Department is actually proud of it, when many people will see
in it only fresh proof of the increased cost of living.
Governor Wilson might reply to his shocked critics by
pointing out that it was in his own State of New Jersey that
the Father of His Country, upon full provocation, resorted to
language considerably more forcible than the big, big D.
Huerta seeks no revenge and will have no proscriptions or
reprisals. All he proposes to do is to maintain a calm and
philosophic avoidance of trouble by quietly having all obnox
ious members of the late constitutional party shot in the back.
Democratic National Committeeman Cheney is remaining
over at Washington so that he may be easy to consult when
it comes to sifting from the numerous candidate who wish to
serve the dear people in Alaska.
The Surrogate of New York City is being asked to increase
the allowance of a girl 15 years old from $12,000 to $20,000 out
of an inherited estate because the former sum is absolutely in
sufficient for her to live on. Still, some people wonder why
there are so many bachelors.
Cordova will hold a municipal election on April first, and
there is every probability that it will be no joke.
President Wilson has a real live newspaper man as a mem
ber of his cabinet. He is Josephus Daniels, of Raleigh, N. C.,
who has long been Democratic national committeeman from his
state. He is the editor of the Raleigh News and Observer.
In the last Cleveland administration Mr. Daniels was in Wash
ington as chief clerk and appointment clerk of the interior
department under Secretary Hoke Smith, now Senator from
Georgia.
Judge Wickersliam has been mingling with the solons at
Juneau during the past week. Report has it that the Delegate
would willingly tliow himself into the breach and consent to
change his title to that of Governor, providing the President
finds it difficult to select a good Democrat for the office.
“The Commoner,” has appeared at Valdez and hopes to
continue for a time at least to throw light each Saturday upon
affairs municipal and political. The man behind the pen is
John W. Frame, who established a record at Cordova.
In speaking of some federal appointments that have been
made in this divison occasionally a sympathetic person will ex
claim, “Poor Judge Cushman?” Why not. “Poor Chitina.”
Chitina has certainly had to pay dear because of the ap
pointees given the town by former Judge Cushman. Here’s
hoping that Judge Overfield’s selection will be a marked im
provement over his predecessors. In appointing an intelligent
man and an attorney two prime requisites have been considered.
And there is one thing sure, Paul D’Heirry will be the U. S.
Commissioner while he holds the office.
CORDOVA’S EFFORTS ENDORSED
The recent circulars sent out by the CordoVa Chamber of
Commerce to the vaarious commercial orgaftizations and news
papers in Alaska and throughout the western states have had
the effect of inspiring action and securing much publicity to
the great needs of Alaska. The newspapers particularly of the
Pacific coast have endorsed Cordova’s appeal and called atten
tion to our treatment during past years and the justice of ex
tending immediate aid to a much oppressed people. The fol
lowing editorial from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer is an ex
ample of the kindly consideration given Cordova’s efforts:
“The Chamber of Commerce of Cordova, Alaska, sent a
cable message to President Wilson some days since, asking him
to urge upon Congress, as a prominent feature of his first mes
sage, the construction of railroads in Aaska and the opening
of the resources of that territory. This cablegram lias been sup
plemented by a letter upon the same subject which has been
issued in circular form, describing present conditions and their
cause and showing why relief is imperatively needed. In ad
dition, the Alaska commercial organization asks the aid and
assistance of all of the other commercial bodies on this Coast
in securing congressional action.
“The letter to President Wilson shows how the develop
ment of Alaska has been artificially arrested for the past seven
years by government action. Since 1906 the laws of Congress
providing for the entry of public lands in the territory have
been suspended by executive order. Reserves have been creat
ed covering vast areas of land wholly valueless for the purposes
for which the reserves were authorized. “There lias grown
up in the interior department a strong and unreasonable preju
dee against the granting of title to the lands in the territory
under any law or for any purpose.’
“Every one at all familiar with the history of Alaska
knows that this is an absolutely accurate statement of fact.
For seven years the development of Alaska has been checked
because the laws of Congress did not meet with the approval erf
the executive, and because Congress has refused to pass laws
which will meet the views of the executive. The manner in
which the pioneers of that territory have been treated is a
shamful chapter in American history. The matter is now up
to President Wilson. If Congress will pass no new laws on the
subject, the president can, whenever he feels disposed to do
so, at least remove the executive fetters, throw up the fake
reservations and permit the existing laws to operate.”
Cordova, March 17.
Among the arrivals from Valdez
on Saturday night was Paul d'Heirry,
who will take the first train for Chi
tina. Judge Overfield has commis
sion him U. S. Commissioner for the
Chitina precinct, with jurisdiction
over McCarthy and Copper Center,
although at the two latter places
there are Commissioners with juris,
diction only of Justices of the Peace.
Mr. d'Heirry will succeed John Xick
ells, who has been removel from offi
ce, effective the 20th, and because of
various complaints which had been
made against his administration. An
investigation resulted in his removal.
Mr. d’Heirry is an old time Alaskan,
haying first gone to Xoine in 1900.
He has been a resident of Valdez for
the past two years, and until recent
ly was editor of the Prospector. Al
though largely engaged in mining
since coming to Alaska, prior to that
time he was prominently engaged
in the practice of law in the state of
Washington. In referring to liis ap.
pointment the Valdez Prospector
says:
“Mr. Paul d’Heirry has been ap
pointed United States Commissioner
of Chitina precinct, by Judge Peter
D. Overfield and will assume his new
duties at once, leaving on the south
bound Sampson for Cordova. Mr.
d’Heirry is well qualified to fill the
position, being an attorney of long
standing, although he has never en
gaged in the practice of the law dur.
ing his 14 years’ residence in Alaska.
He was four years assistant prose
cuting attorney of King county, and
for eight years assistant attorney
general of the state of Wasliington,
before which time he was engaged
in a lucrative practice in the city of
Seattle.
Register Walker has sent out no
tices to sixty coal claimants includ.
ing the Green and Morrow groups,
involving coal lands in the Bering
river district to the effect that the
commissioner of the general land
office has preferred charges against
their locations. In nearly every in
stance the charge is that there was
collusion and fraud in making the
entry. J. R. Young, J. W. Ivey,
Harry White, W. V. Rinehart J. E.
Chilberg and others are prominent
figures among the claimants, and it is
said that they welcome a public hear
ing. J
Confidence in the future perman
ency and growth of Cordova is evi
denced in many ways by the residents
of the town. One of the most en_
couraging signs is the recent pur
chase of realty. During the past two
weeks the following real estate
changed hands:
H. C. Feldman sold to John Strei
gve lot 14, block 6. price $1,500.
Frank Kernon sold to E. A. Hegg,
lot 9, block I, $1,250.
Katalla Co. sold to Dr. C. L. Hale,
lots 19 and 20, block 5, $2,000.
Katalla Co. sold to Wm. Townsed,
lots 13 and 14, block 9, $700.
Katalla Co. sold to Flnkelstein &
Sapiro lots 8 and 9, block 15, $800.
Katalla Co sold to Fred Glass
brenner lots 6 and 7, block 15, $800.
Katalla Co sold to H. C. Feldman,
lots 23 and 24, block 15, $800.
Katalla Co. sold to Peter Gllorich,
lots 13 and 14, block 15, $800.
Katalla Co. sold to Dr. C. L. Hale,
lots 3 and 4, block 5, $1,600.
Katalla Co. sold to A. B. Cooper,
lot 31, block 10, $550.
It is understood that Messers
Flnkelstein, Glassbrenner, Townsend,
Feldman and Gllorich will begin the
erection of modern residences as soon
as the snow Is off the ground. Other
purchases have practically been made
but the negotiations have not been
entirely completed. They will mean
the building of more homes in the
near future.
Alvah Fames, chief clerk of the
railway mall service, at Cordova, will
receive bids until April 15th for the
performance of the following ser
vice:
From Dempsey, by Paxson, to Gul
kana, two round trips of Emergencey
Service, running time seven days
each way, weight of mail, one hun
dred and fifty pounds in each dlrec.
tion, the trips to be performed dur
ing July and August.
Prof. C. C. Georgenson, of Sitka,
of the Department of Agriculture, ia
now in the States and will secure
summer pasturage for the govern,
ment cattle that were removed from
Kodiak island to Toppenish, Wash
ington, last Fall. The great fall of
ashes from the Mt. Katmal volcano
last year destroyed the forage on the
island, and it was found necessary
to remove the Galway herd, that had
been kept there several years, from
the territory last year. They will
not return North until next year.
Chitina
Pharmacy
Full line of
DRUGS and SUNDRIES
SNOW-GLASSES
FRESH CANDIES and FRUIT
CIGARS and TOBACCO
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FANCY STATIONARY
A. 6. MOREY, Prop.
GROCERIES, HARDWARE
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MEAT MARKET
We have a big line of Sec
ond-Hand Goods, and can
save you money on your out
fit. Bunk House, with free
Cook House, in connection.
CHITINA HEIGHTS
C. A. SIMONS & CO.
PUBLIC LAND AND MINING
CASES.
If you are interested in any contest
or any matter before the Interior De
partment, write to Clark & Wright,
registered land lawyers, <302 F Street
N. W. (opposite Gen’l Land Office),
Washington, D. C. Free information
about contests and where to obtain
scrip, locatable upon public lands,
without residence or cultivation.
Feed, Fuel
and
Lumber
HAY, BRAX, OATS, CHOPS,
ROLLED BARLEY
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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Rooms and suites are particle
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Very desirable for families or
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