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.
Published every Saturday by
WILL A. STEEL—Editors, Managers and Proprietors—Harry G. STEEL
Office: Hote IChitina Building.! Cordova Office: Daily Alaskan
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CHITINA, ALASKA, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1911
STARTLING NEWS FROM LOS ANGELES.
The news that comes from Los Angeles concerning the
McNamaras almost passeth all understanding. But as to its
authenticity there can be no question, as the Daily Alaskan
presents many of the details of the occurrence. It will go down,
into history as one^of the most beneficial efforts, in bringing
about the confession of guilt, that has ever been known in the
courts of this country. Its results will be far reaching and
should tend to teach a lesson that organized labor will benefit
from. Acts of lawlessness and crime whether committed in
the name of capital or labor cannot be too strongly condemned.
Their encouragement means demoralization of society and a
general mistrust that necessarily permeates every avenue of
the industrial and commercial world.
COAST WORKING AS A UNIT.
All over the Pacific coast the good work of organizing
to assist in the fight for Alaska’s needs is going splendidly
along and the pressure that will be brought to bear upon Con
gressmen will undoubtedly bring forth the needed and de
served results for this much neglected northland. Seattle
inaugurated the movement that is now spreading almost like
wild fire, and the new chamber of commerce inaugurated a
good work that will forever redound to its credit. On the
subject of “Develop Alaska” the P.-I very pertinently says:
“Develop Alaska! In these two words there is a good
slogan for the northern country, and if we could realize the
mandate all Alaskan problems would at once be solved- Once
developed, Alaska will take its place among the great and
proud commonwealths of this republic. It would no longer
be a question of limited local control through a federal com
mission; it would no longer be a question of territorial auton
omy; it would be a question of statehood and all the sover
eignty that would go with it, and that would mean the de
velopment of an empire in the north.
“By seeking to interest' every community on the Pacific
coast in the development of Alaska through special envoys
sent into Oregon and California, the new Chamber of Com
merce of Seattle is doing a good and necessary work. Of
course. Seattle has a special interest in Alaska, and a special
duty to perform in dealing with Alaskans; at the same time
Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles and other big and little
communities on this coast are also interested in Alaska’s de
velopment, and they should do all they can to hasten it.
Develop Alaska! Develop Alaska’s fisheries, Alaska’s mineral
resources, Alaska’s agricultural possibilities, develop all ot
Alaska’s material riches, and we will have an empire in the
North that will be of inestimable value to this entire coast and
to the country.” * '
-—-AAAA
INFALLIBILITY AND FACT.
" Jr* ■
Xo one wlio has ever paid any attention to ex'President
Roosevelt’s characteristics could fail to know that it is in his
judgment impossible for him to be mistaken. Therefore the
indignation with which he repudiates the assertion that he
was “misled” in regard to the Tennessee Coal and Iron Co.
purchase is the inevitable consequence of his idiosyncrasies.
To argue with him'on that point were wasted breath- Espec
ially since the question of fact is to be settled by trial, with the
test of sworn evidence we will leave the dogma and adminis
trative inerrancy for that test.
In one point, however, the contributing editor’s comments
on the trust situation in the current Outlook are well founded.
If the prosecution during years of such combinations as the
Standard and Tobacco trusts with the result of a decision for
the people in theory is to have the outcome of so distributing
the stock that the recent managers of the trusts maintain a
combined control of the separated companies, it simply
amounts to a “change of clothes.” The confirmation of the
Circuit Court’s approval of the tobacco plan or a similar ap
proval of the Standard plan will repeat in somewhat modified
form the long series of obeying the court’s rulings by a change
of form that preserves the illegal purpose.
The ex-President’s article makes a large number of as
sertions, many of them purely dogmatic, concerning the im
possibility of making the anti-trust act restore competition.
To all that, it is sufficient to reply that it is impossible, until
the courts are sufficiently in earnest about it, to enforce it in
its full letter and spirit.
-UUVU
THE TOBACCO PLAN.
The decision of the United States Circuit court to accept
the tobacco trust’s plan of reorganization was perhaps to be
expected. That body, while maintaining that the trust has
broken the law, v is not disposed to use drastic methods as a
penalty, . .. -
It may well be doubted, as many conversant with this
subject do, that'the plan of reorganization which leaves the
control of the various companies in the hands of the elique
who ran the illegal combination will establish a vital difference
in the mode of operation. But the decision should have two
results at least. One is an eventual restoration of competition
by the combination clique dying out and their shares going
into the hands of the others. The other is the answer to the
cry of injury .and vexation to business by these suits.
Here is a case decided not much over five months ago.
In that time the corporation ordered to dissolve and reorganize
has worked out a plan of reorganization, the court has accepted
it and business will go on as usual. Certainly the howl over
the disturbance and uncertainty of business has little founda
tion in this case.
---0000
Certain astrologers and soothsayers are predicting that
nothing will be done at this winter’s session of Congress.
It is quite likely, however, that President Taft, with his large
and genial smile, will ask Congress to do several things, and
will be more or less insistent about it, and one of them will
be with reference to much neglected Alaska
-oooo
When the Pacific coast delegation reaches Washington
there will be some nbise in those marble halls of Congress.
And those benighted easterners will not longer be allowed to
forget that Alaska is reall* a valuable port of Uncle Sam’s
-ITT..
VAL DOESN’T SPEAK FOR ALL ALASKA.
Juneau, or at least the representative portion of it that is
always willing to get into the limelight, is somewhat suspicious
of the intentions of the men in Seattle who seem willing and
anxious to assist in the early development of Alaska. Mayor
Valentine has not taken the overtures made to the nortliland
with good grace. And now that Spokane, Tacoma. Portland,
San Francisco, Los Angeles and other cities have fallen into
line and pledged their best efforts to help “Develop AJaska”
jMayor Valentine is going to have his hands full in trying to
head them all off. And while he is attempting it we shall
expect to see Congress get busy, in response to the insistent
demand of the Pacific coast. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer
doesn’t seem very much worried over Val’s desire to be let
alone. It refers to the matter as follows:
The City of Juneau, Alaska, has a standpat Mayor, E.
Valentine, by name. Evidently he is a standpatter from way
back, lie wants to be let alone.
In a communication to the Post-Intelligencer he says to
Seattle “hands off” and other unpleasant things. For in
stance:
“Nothing is done in this country—not even a little
election is held—that Seattle does not interfere and try
and dictate who shall be elected, as well as to dictate to
us in all of our private and public affairs.”
Indeed! Such interference as that ought to be resented
anywhere.
Juneau will not stand it—not if E. Valentine, mayor,
knows his business, and he thinks he is on his job.
But that is not the worst of it. Read what he further
says:
“We feel that we are more responsible for Seattle
than Seattle for us.” and “Seattle must suffer through
the meddling of those near-Alaskans, owners of claims,
located by power of attorney, and the parlor chair rnush
ers.of the Arctic Club, and similar institutions, which
Seattle fosters ”
There you have it, “parlour chair mushers” and all right
off the reel from E. Valentine, mayor! To put a climax to his
sentiments he forwards a copy of a message which he sent
under date of November 11 to the head of the Alaska Square
Deal League in Seattle, in response to a well meant message
announcing the formation of a league “by Alaskans and sup
ported by business men of the Northwest,” and asking all
towns in Alaska “to organize and frame demands.” Here is
the brusque retort:
Juneau, Alaska, November 11, 1911.
“William Pigott, Seattle, Wash.:
“The people of Alaska earnestly request Seattle to
attend to their own business, and keep their hands off
Alaska affairs. We have elected a delegate to speak for
us. E. VALENTINE, Mayor.”
Did you ever see the like? Juneau rebuffing Seattle.
Nevertheless, E. Valentine, mayor, seems to be both stand
patter and insurgent combined and wisely refrains from wash
ing his hands of Seattle for good and all, for Jie concludes his
letter to tiie Post-Intelligencer as follows:
“We believe that we have a right to ask Seattle for
assistance, in case we should need it. but we think it
would be only in keeping with common decency for them to
wait until they are called upon, and we appeal to the
better citizens of your city to see that the would-be poli
ticians and saviors of Alaska do wait; we will call upon
them, should we need them.”
Certainly Juneau has that right and may exercise it freely
should emergency arise.
Now what is Seattle going to do about it? Why, Seattle
is not going to do a thing, except to proceed right along, as it
is doing now. to do with all its might the very best it can for
Alaska, unitedly, helpfully, public-spiritedly and with the co
operation of the whole of the Pacific Northwest.
And it is going to do this as if E. Valentine, mayor, and
his grouch had never happened.
-0000
RUFUS PROGRESSES BACKWARD
Rufus R. Wilson, preferred to resign the secretaryship of
the Seattle Commercial Club, effective January first, rather
than be forced out. Rufus was all right as the political mana
ger of Miles Poindexter when he was running for Senator, but
the Progressive spirit in the Queen City has lost much of its
ardor, and with it comes the retirement of one of the radical
elements.
It seems that the entertainment of Pinchot and Poin
dexter by the club in the face of public sentiment upon theii
return from Alaska was one of the things for which Wilson
was indirectly responsible. High officials generally admitted
that the entertainment was a mistake, and the membership
generally resented the act to such an extent that for a time
the future existence of the organization was jeopardized. Now
that some of the jonalrs are being thrown overboard the Club
may pull through.
-UUUw
DUTIES OF THE PRESS.
The supreme court of Missouri, in a libel case which came
before it on appeal, has rendered a notable decision, covering
•he right of free speech and the right of newspapers to criticise
public officials in the course of political discussion. There are
some strong points made in the opinion.
For one example, the court holds that it is well settled as
a legal proposition, “that a newspaper has the right fairly and
honestly to comment upon a matter of public interest, and that
the official conduct of a public officer is a matter of public
iuterest. Going on, the court recognizes that it is the function
and the duty of a newspaper to inform the public concerning
public affairs and to direct public attention to official derelic
tion and evil governmental influences. A newspaper should
not only print the news on such matters, but it lias the right
and it is the duty to direct public attention to the meaning of
the news it publishes.
In short, says the court, “it is the duty of a public news
paper * * * to tell the people, its subscribers, its readers,
the facts that it may find out about public questions, and it
is the duty and right to draw inferences from the facts known—
draw them for the people.’
rhsei;ssing the broad question of the right of free speech,
the < r.yt goes on to say that the people have a right to speak
-om it* or**! discussion of the conduct of public officials, and
“fhi> q, the great safeguard of free government and of pure
government. The newspapers have identically the same right
of free speech that have the people.”
While officials may feel that the criticisms directed against
them are not always wholly deserved, yet, the court says,
“they must bear with them and submit to be misunderstood
for a lime, because all know that the criticism of the press is
the best security for the proper discharge of public duties.”
The decision is sound in principle and admirable in ex
pression. An occasional abuse of the freedom of the press is
not warrant for a restriction of it.
--oooo
It is pleasant for brethren to dwell together in harmony,
even though it has to be brought about through discourage
ment and desolation. In these days of adversity there is a
feeling that seems to make all men kin in Alaska. As our
delegate to Congress aptly remarked, “we are all in the same
boat.” and now everyone is willing to bend to the oar and pull
the frail craft into tranquil waters. Let us hope that never
again will it drift into the billows of turbulent waters.
SIR WILFRID ON THE LIST.
If anyone feared that the grand old man of Canada would
find the burden of his years too heavy for the rough melee of
opposition, he would best dismiss his fear. At the opening of
the Canadian parliament he appeared in the arena as full of
fire as ever and in the first course his lance struck fire
The conservatives, it seems, contrary to their own tra
dition and that of the English commons, selected a new speaker
of their own party complexion. Sir Wilfrid reminded Prime
Minister Borden that he. Sir Wilfrid, had retained the conser
vative holder of the speakership in office and planted the
following neatly in the prime minister’s face:
“After an election in which the principle fought for by
the victorious government was the maintenance of British
institutions, which were very much threatened, apparently,
by a harmless trade agreement, it was naturally thought that
the head of the new government would hasten to put himself
in accord with British institutions. Now British institutions j
are relegated to the back yard of ignominy to be brought out
and reburnished when another election comes along.”
Sir Wilfred has plenty of power in his arms still, and he
faces a party more violent than strong, it is to be hoped tne
beneficiaries of a mistaken patriotism, a trumped up panic.
The conservatives will yet pay* for the cheap demagogy of
their chauvinistic campaign while the sound sense and enlight
ened Canadianism of the Liberal position will inevitably force
their way to the surface through the froth of prejudice and
buncombe beaten up by the late conservative campaign.
-oooo
THE SUPREME COURT HUSTLES
The recent incident in the Supreme Court at Washington
is which a lawyer who desired to submit an extended brief in
the customary way was told to file his summary instead has
been followed by other evidences of hustling calculated to jar
a good many practioners but also to please the public by great
ly eccelerating the disposal of business before that tribunal.
As a result of the introduction of this spirit of reform,
generally ascribed to Chief Justice White, the court is expected
to hear arguments in about twice as many cases before the
holidays as it did last year. By the reduction of the time for
oral arguments from four hours in each case to three hours in
the most complicated cases and but an hour and a half in
others, it is expected further that this year the court will be
enabled to dispose of half as many more cases than last year.
This will possibly result in shorter opinions by the Court in
stead of extended discussions by Justices, but the loss to lovers
of legal literature will be compensated to the general public In
progress on litigation.
Instead of being two or three years behind with its business
there is every probability under the new system of the court
passing reasonably soon on issues brought before it. This, it
is believed, will in turn discourage appeals taken chiefly to
delay adverse judgments and will thus lessen the business on
the calendar and further facilitate the dispatch of causes. In
rendering its decision in the Munday, Shiels coal case, on an
appeal taken from Judge Hanford, the Supreme Court almost
made a record. The argument was had in October and a de
cision was given in less than two months.
-oooo
PRESIDENT TAFT’S MESSAGE.
The President’s message to Congress on Tuesday had the
novelty and virtue of brifeness, and was in line with about
what had been expected. To some it may have been disap
pointing in so far as it failed to take up the Alaskan question
However, the president has promised that he will treat that
subject a little later, in a special message. And he has indicated
that he will not only recommend but that he will use his best
endeavors to see that some legislation is enacted that will prove
beneficial to the northland. While he has not gone as far as
advocating a territorial form of government, rather inclining
to the idea of a commission, half elective and half appointive,
it is not believed that he will oppose a home rule bill, such as
the territory should have and as Congress seems likely to
favor.
It was known, of course, that the President was favorably
impressed by the “rule of reason” announced by Chief Justice
White of the Supreme Court in the tobacco suit half a year
ago. This rule has been applied iu a practical way in the
dissolution of that combination and in the realignment which
brings that interest into harmony with the Sherman act. It
is applied also in the Standard Oil case, and thus the shares in
each of these great concerns have advanced in the past few
months. As level-headed men predicted all along, the decisions
did not destroy any property. The assets of these companies
are more valuable, intrinsically, now than they were before
the suits were settled, for both concerns now know just where
they stand. Uncertainty caused a scare which, to some extent,
held up business in them, and at the same time disturbed con
fidence iu other great industrial enterprises. While each com
bination, in the suits which have been instituted by the govern
ment, will be dealt with on its own specific merits or demerits,
there is no longer any fear that any actual, tangible asset
will be annihilated.
For good reason the president is x'ather adverse to any
sweeping changes in the Sherman act. The insui'gents and
radical Democrats have assailed it because of the “rule of
reason” by which the Supreme Court interprets it, but the
President and other conservative men like this interpretation.
It enforces the spirit of the law, carries out the intention of
its framer's, gives it elasticity and comprehensiveness, and ap
plies it to existing and constantly changing conditions. The
President in his message favors some modifications in the act
to make it more effective and also declares for a federal in
corporation act.
The President promises to urge tariff revision on the gen
eral line favored by the tariff board. That revision will be
had during the session, however, is far from being certain.
An overhauling of even two schedules on the eve of a presi
dential campaign would be risky- The chances of framing
a bill which would be aceeptible to a Democratic House and a
Republican Senate, and at the same time meet the approval
of a Republican president are not very favorable in this exi
geney. It will be noticed that Senator Penrose of Penn !
sylvania, chairman of the Finance Committee iu his branch of
Congress, says he thinks tariff revision will be impossible this
winter Currency reform, too, is a large question, and is not
likely to be undertaken seriously in advance of the election.
If the trust question is dealt with at all this winter it will likely
have to be through some modification of the Sherman law, or
through a federal incorporation act.
— *• --
Most of the women folks in Cordova are quite busy these
days. Two competing basket ball teams have been formed
and daily practice is indulged. As a consequence husbands
and physicians hold themselves in readiness to respond to a
call of distress.
—-oooo-—
Ex-Senator Money left a banquet at which a negro was a
guest. Now if it had been the negro who left it might be as
cribed to recollection of the Senator’s famous scrapping dis
play in the Senate.
Your Uncle Samuel still holds the greased packer pig by
the tail, despite that desperate squirm to avoid arraignment
in court- And the high-ups are now trying to convince a jury
^n^hicago that pork in the penitentiary is not to their liking.
We Carry a Full Line of
General Merchandise
Including
GROCERIES
HARDWARE
DOG HARNESS
HORSE HARNESS
FURNISHING GOODS
BLANKETS
FUR CAPS
SHOES AND RUBBER PACS
Also
HAY AND GRAIN
CHITINA CASH STORE
E. H. GILLMAN. Manager.
Forwarding Agen t, S. BLUM & CO.
CORDOVA S BIG STORE
Only First-Class Hotel in Cliitina Prices Reasonable
Hotel Chitina
J. PALMER and T. CLOXIXtiER,
Proprietors.
The Only First Class Hotel in Chitina
Heated Room, Bath, Ladies Parior
Bar with all Standard Liquors and Cigars
First-Class Dining Room in Connection
Chitina Alaska
WHEN COMING TO CORDOVA REMEMBER
Cordova Steam Laundry
THE ONLY REAL LAUNDRY IN TOWN
Let us wash and dean your canvass covers, blankets, clothes,
overalls, etc.
If you are in a hurry we can do your work in an hour's time if
necessary.
Leave your work at any hotel, rooming house or barber shop
and it will receive prompt attention.
•RHONE 57 F. A. JONES. Manager Second Street
► ALASKA STEAMSHIP COMPANY
► Fast and commodious steamers sailing between
► Cordova and Seattle.
y Sails from Seattle— Sails from Cordova—
► Dec. 1 .NORTHWESTERN .Dec. 8 <
► Dec. 8.ALAMEDA. Dec. 16 <
► Dec. 16.NORTHWESTERN.Dec. 24 <
* Dec. 24..ALAMEDA.Jan. 1 4
y This company reserves the right to change schedule of steam- t
y ers without notice. <
y Tickets on sale at up-town office Alaska Steamship Hldg. <■
y Baggage or freight will not be received at dock later than one *
y hour before sailing time. ^
► R. J. BARRY,
> General Agent.
THOMAS TALLENT, <
Ticket Agent. <
ALASKA COAST CO.
“The Inside Route”
To Juneau anil Puget Sound Ports jmd Southwestern Alaska.
Steamer Bertha leaves Seattle December 20th.
Steamers connecting at Seattle with the Alaska-racIQc Steam,
ship Company's steamers sailing from Seattle Monday and Thurs
day of each week for California points. Through service. Low
rates.
Right reserved to change steamers and sailing dates without
notice. ALASKA TRANSFER CO., Local Agents ..
B F. WATSON, General Agent.
GOOD FOOD AND GOOD MORALS.
‘‘Hamlet,” said Mrs. Winfred Harper Cooley to the dele
gates of the New York State Federation of Women’s clubs,
“needed a square meal.” No doubt. If he could have eaten it
with a relish he would have gathered a little band of rollicking
companions and started on a small voyage to Fngland or
France. If Brutus had had any real appetite for pig’s head
or if Cassius could have found any enjoyment in roast kid,
things might have been contrived differently.
Lot’s wife probably was a dyspeptic and Potaphar’s wife
the victim of malnutrition. If Jezebel could have eaten baking
powder biscuit she might have been happy. Robespierre, Dan
ton, Richard III, Ivan the Terrible, Ajax, Jezzard Ahmed, Cali
gula, Cesare Borgia, Attilla the Hun, and Adam no doubt were
underfed.
Good food, says Mrs. Cooley, makes good morals. As
modeous cannot be starved, but he can be fattened until he is
harmless.
--oooo
With a crop failure that involves starvation for 8,000,
000 people, Russia must spend millions for armies and battle
ships. In that respect she is on a par with other nations alleged
to be civilized.
——-oooo
A Boston official whose salary was $8,000 has resigned
after eleven years’ service for which he refused to accept a
cent. How he must have been htaed by those who needed the
money.