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The Chitina Leader
CHITINA, ALASKA.
Entered as second-class matter, November 12, 1910, at the postoffice at
Chitina, Alaska, under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879.
ONLY NEW SPAPER IN CHITINA
Published every Saturday by
WILL A. STEEL—Editors, 'Managers and Proprietors—HARRY G. STEEL
Office: Hotel Chitina Building. Cordova Office: Daily Alaskan
• Seattle Office: 551 Colman Building.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
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Made known upon application. They will be found reasonable for the service
given. Official publication for legal advertisements pertaining to mineral lanus
of the Copper River district. _
CHITINA, ALASKA, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1913
’ A SERIOUS VISITATION
The sympathy of entire Alaska and the states will go out
to the unfortunate people of Nome who have just been visited
with one of the most disastrous and damaging storms that has
ever swept the coast of Seward peninsula. While many business
interests have been wiped out and hundreds have been made
homeless through the loss of all their possessions, there is
cause for rejoicing that no lives have been sacrificed. The
disaster at this particular season of the year, upon the approach |
of winter and the “closed” season, is most unfortunate. It will
result in many leaving the town and cause a serious blow to
its business interests during the next eight months. But the
Nome people have always been endowed with more than the
ordinary amount of courage, and they will undoubtedly prove
equal to the present emergency. 1
-o—o—o-* • ft
SENDING OFFICIALS FROM AFAR
The administration at Washington is beginning to feel
the necessity of importing foreign federal officials into Alaska.
It is unfortunate for the territory that we have had a lot of
questionable public servants under the old regime of selecting
men from among the residents of the northland. However, we
still believe that men picked from Alaska will in the long run
prove more satisfactory than carpet baggers who are not
familiar with the conditions of the country. The trouble with
so many federal officials up this way lies in the fact that they
think they are far removed from the seat of government and
can treat public office as a private snap. When they realize
that they are only servants of the. public, and not their masters,
then they usually give satisfaction, if they have any ability
whatsoever. In a recent issue of the Nome Nugget that paper
felicitated itself over the fact that Alaska offices were for
Alaskans. And now comes two appointments for Nome, and
one of the appointees is from far off Virginia, while the other
is from Oregon. However, there may be good cause for it. It
seems to be pretty certain that any old thing in the way of
judicial administration in Alaska will not go with the new
administration. And when candidates from Alaska are
charged with all the crimes in the decalogue, instead of investi
gating them all it may be easier to send me against whom
there are no charges.
-o—o—o
FREE DISCUSSION IS THE THING
Iii one of the big cities the custodian of a public building
lias been criticized because of what occurred there. A free
meeting of the folks of the neighborhood had been announced
to discuss public cpiestions. The subject the folks wanted to
talk about was an alderman whom soihe of them thought hadn’t
been true to his campaign pledges. He was told that his record
was to be canvassed and was asked if he cared to be present
for the defense.
When lie failed to appear, one critic, a lad from the mills
and given to rough, terse speech, began his remarks by calling
the alderman something not at all polite. He followed with an
analysis of the official’s career which shot it full of holes and
supplied the probable answer to the question why the alderman
hadn’t dared to come to the meeting himself.
The epithet wasn’t nice and it has given great offense to
the finicky. And because ot one slip by a man not piacticed
in public speaking, or in the art of polite circumlocution, there
has arisen an outcry that free discussion is “too dangerous”
and that not until there can be a guarantee of kid glove form
with the perfume of lavender water should the people be
allowed to use their buildings for the purposes of a permanent
primary.
Of course such an outcry is absurd. Where there is vitality
of interest somebody is bound to say strong words. Public
discussion only begins to become useful as it grips hold ol
subjects which stir folks. That mill worker didn’t mean an
insult to the alderman. He meant that the alderman was not
doing his duty. Now if the alderman wasn’t doing his duty
it was far more important that the fact should be stated and
canvassed than that a constituency should be gagged because
some members of it have the habit of rough speech. And if the
mill worker was mistaken; if the alderman was doing his duty,
how better could the fact be brought to the knowledge of the
folks than by the freest possible discussion?
If the people are to rule they must meet to mull things
over. Doing it by partisan spasms in campaign times isn’t very
clarifying. How much better to have free discussion nights at
school houses or city halls, just as you regularly have prayer
meeting nights and lodge nights and nights for poker or
bridge ?
Isn’t citizenship worth the hazard and the trouble?
—.-o—o—o
The new tariff bill is now effective, having been signed by
the President Friday night. This is certainly a wonderful
achievement for a political party that lias been out of power
since March 1897. It didn’t take long for President Wilson
to gather up the reigns of organization and drive his team of
legislators along the paved way of tariff reform.
BRIGHTER OUTLOOK FOR CAPITALISTS
The. Guggenheim interests must be congratulating them-1
selves today in the thought that they can no longer be accused;
af gobbling up all the mining intersets of Alaska. Of course
everything that they have acquired in this north land they have
paid many millions for, making purchases from locators or
atliers who have acquired property cheaply. But during the
days of Pinchotism the impression was created throughout
the country that because the Alaska Syndicate were willing
Lo chance twenty-five or thirty million dollars in building
railroads and opening up mines in Alaska that they were
trespassing upon the preserves that Mr. Pinchot would reserve
t'or our great grand children. In the meantime no other
individuals or combinations of capital had the courage to
assist in the development of the rich resources of this north
land. They not only feared to chance their millions but
possibly they were more concerned in retaining their reputa
tions. That seems to have been the great hazard.
Fortunately a change of sentiment has swept over the
country and now the Granby Company and other big combina
tions seem willing to invest in a land that is rich in mineral
possibilities. The different localities of Alaska have always
oeen anxious for a Guggenheim or other representative of big
capital to put their money into the development of our
resources. It has only been the Pinchot muck raker of the
East who saw the dire possibilities certain to result from their
lets. This is a remote and vast country, in its primitative
ievelopment, requiring large capital for its exploitation. Many
prospectors have made locations of promising mineral, but
;hey are not financially able to carry on development, partieu
arly the long and expensive mining that a copper mine
requires. They need assistance, and in many instances are
willing to dispose of their holdings entirely.
But because of the maligning of capitalists, who have in
:urn refused to enter this field, hundreds of hard working and
leserving prospectors have been compelled to practically
ibandon the results of many months or years of hard labor. As
i consequence the development of Alaska has been retarded,
ind men have almost been beggared and discouraged until
‘hope deferred maketh the heart sick.” But with the dissemi
nation of facts throughout the United States, the courageous
change of policy upon the part of the national administration,
and a realization of the injustice that has previously been
accorded Alaska and those concerned in her development and
welfare, the future for this northland looks bright indeed. Let
ns hope that the time has arrived when the Guggenheims, the
Granbys, the Phelps-Dodges adn other big capitalists can
legitimately invest in Alaska without being ruthlessly and
mercilessly accused of all crimes in the decalogue.
-o—o—o
EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS
It is expected that the new United States marshal, who
lias been thinking over appointments for the past two weeks,
vill soon announce some of his permanent selections.
With everybody along the line boosting the project of Sir
Richard McBride, premier of British Columbia, for a railway
to span Canada and Alaska, it looks as though the - roat
scheme will be realized. Representative Albert Johnson, of
Washington, has introduced a bill in congress to provide for
the American connection. Everywhere the press is supporting
the project and officials in many places are falling into line.
Some of those deputy U. S. marshals who took seriously
the telegrams of reappointment sent them so soon as the new
marshal took over the office, are already coming to grief. In
the line of their duties they should have known that when
Marshal Sullivan retired from office all his deputies at that
moment ceased to be government officials. One who recently
received his telegram at Seattle, having gone outside with a
‘crazy,” came north very exuberant because of his reappoint
ment. Today he is looking for a new job.
The Socialist party believes in government ownership of
public utilities. And if the present Democratic administration
continues to make advances along plans outlined, we can see
the reasonable and rational Socialists of Alaska uniting with
the Democrats to secure the election of a delegate to Congress.
Already government ownership and operation of railroads in
Alaska is assured and now publicity is given to the intention
>f the government to absorb the telegraph and telephone
3ystems of the country.
Cordova is not very Jong on securing federal ollices but
then there should be no difficulty in getting federal justice.
“Court or no court,” that’s the question now considered
it Cordova.
There is very little doing at present in connection with the
stampede to the Chisana gold diggings. But when the rush
igain starts later in the winter and early spring, Cordova will
be ready to again demonstrate that she has the easiest, shortest
aid most feasible winter and summer trail to the new diggings.
We will also be ready to take care of the stampeders who may
come from the outside to the Nelchina and Tazlina district.
It now seems to be the policy of the government to dispose
af all pending Alaska coal cases. And it will be a relief to the
claimant even to know that he is not to secure the claims that
he has waited so long for. The uncertainty has kept them
poor and in a much distressed frame of mind. The injustice
that has already been done many of them will go down into
history as one of the great wrongs of the century.
There is certainly considerable activity around Valdez
and it is to be hoped that soon enough producing mines will
be developed to make the peoplpe there all prosperous and
happy. All of these Southwestern towns like Katalla, Cordova,
Valdez and Seward are entitled to all the good things that may
be in store for them. The wait has been a long one.
Cordova, already the gateway to valuable copper, gold
and coal fields, should soon be headquarters for an extensive
fishing industry.
Now that mails are being earned to the interior over the
short route we will again seem close to Fairbanks. During
the summer season it means a month to receive letters. Soon
they will be coming to Cordova in about 10 days.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 4.—Late this i
afternoon President Wilson filled the I
vacancy caused by his removal yes
terday of Judge O. D. Murane, as
judge at Nome. He sent to the Sen
ate the name of John Randolph
Tucker, Jr. Endorsements were on
file for lawyers Grigsby, Cochrane |
and others from Nome, who desired
the office, but there was objection to
all of them. It is expected that
Judge Tucker can sail on a steamer
and reach Nome before navigation
closes. *
WASHINGTON, Oct. 4.—The Sen- =
ate this afternoon passed the urgent ^
deficiency appropriation bill. It <
carries the House provision abolish- t
ing the commerce court. However, <
the present members of the court <
are retained as federal judges and <
that is a concession that was bitterly
fought, as there was a strong inclin
ation to let out the judges entirely.
NEW YORK, Oct. 4.—Col. Roose
velt sailed this afternoon for South
America, to be absent several
months. He took passage on the
steamship Vandyke and there was j
quite an ovation tendered him at the
dock, by a number of personal
friends. The general public gave
three cheers for Teddy as the
steamer pulled.out.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 4. — Sur
rounded by Democratic leaders the
President last night at 9 o’clock at
tached his signature to the new
tariff bill. He was in a very amiable
mood and made a short speech in a
happy vein to those assembled. He
declared that the parties to this
great achievement had performed a
good work for their country, but
that the legislative journey was
only half completed.
SEATTLE, Oct. d.—The steamer
Senator sailed for Nome today with
a large list of passengers who are
returning for the winter. The
Northwestern sailed on the 1st. The
last vessel to sail for Nome this sea
son will be the Victoria, which is
scheduled to leave here on the 17th.
Among her passengers will be the
newly appointed judge and district
attorney for the Nome division.
CHICAGO, Oct. 6.—The com
munity has again been shocked by
the ghastly revelations of a crook.
Henry Spencer, who was arrested for
the murder of Mrs. Mildred Allison
Rexroat, who was recently found
shot at Wheaton, Illinois, con
fessed that he did the killing. He
went into details as to how he had
accomplished the deed, explaining
that he did it for the purpose of
getting her money. He then fur
ther confessed that he had taken
the lives of 14 other people during
the past few years. In every in
stance robbery was his motive.
PEKIN, Oct. 7.—The struggle
for the presidency of the republic
was ended yesterday afternoon on
the third ballot in joint session of
the two houses. Yuan Sha Kai re
ceived the election.
-o—o—o
NOTICE OF FORFEITURE
To Alex. Nesbitt, his heirs, adminis
trator, assigns, successors or per
sonal representatives:
You are hereby notified that I
have expended in labor and im
provements for the year 1912, the
sum of One Hundred Dollars on each
of the following named claims, or in
total the sum of Sixteen Hundred
Dollars, the “Pacer,” “Mayflower,”
“Slocum,” “Red Jacket,” “Red
Jacket No. 2,” and “Independence.”
The “Hercules,” “Sandow,” and
“Sampson.” The “Rosey No. 1,”
and “Rosey No. 2.” The “Lucky
Strike;” “Fairview,” "Esperanza,”
“Webfoot,” and “Yankee,” all situ
ated in the Chitina Mining and
Recording District, Territory of
Alaska, and which have been duly
recorded in the office of the United
States commissioner, in and for the
Chitina Mining District, at Chitina,
Alaska.
The above amounts have been ex
pended in order to hold the said
claims under the provisions of the
law concerning annual labor upon
mining claims, being the amount re
quired to hold said above named
mining claims. And you are fur
ther notified that if, within ninety
(90) days after the last publication
of this notice you fail to contribute
your proportion of said expenditure,
which is one-sixth (1-6) of the
whole, your interest in said claims
will become the property of the
undersigned, your co-owner.
james McConnell.
First publication Sept. 23, 1913.
Last publication Dec. 23, 1913.
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