The Chitina Leader
CHITIXA, 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 NEWSPAPER IN CHITINA
Published every Saturday by
vsttt.t. a. STEEL—Editors, Managers and Proprietors—HAEBT G. STEEL
Office: Hotel Chltina Building.
Cordova Office: Daily Alaskan
Seattle Office: 551 Colman Building.
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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 lands
of the Copper River district.______
CHITIXA, ALASKA, TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 1914.
THE RAILROAD ROUTES
• __
We liave contended and still insist that the government
will build two trunk lines of railroad in Alaska, along the ideas
of the Alaska Railroad Commission. The announcement of the
locations of townsite withdrawals by the President would seem
to bear out our contention. He not only indicates several
locations on the line between Cliitina and Fairbanks but also
names various locations to the westward, indicating that a line
is to run to the Matanuska coal field and on to the Susitna and
Kuskokwim. A branch is also likely to run from Fairbanks to
the big coal fields of the interior, as withdrawals at Xenena
and Chena crossing would indicate. It is expected that before
many weeks sufficient information will have been given out to
satisfy to a certainty as to just where the new railroads will
run from and where to.
A CHANCE FOR VOLUNTEERS
As was to have been expected the cables today bring the
news that the federal and rebel forces in Mexico will be united
in an effort to repulse the United States. And that means that
the war will soon be on and it will be many months or perhaps
a year or two before the guerilla warfare of the greasers can
be entirely eliminated. In the meantime preparations are
making to draft the militia of the various states into volunteer
companies. In this connection it would seem as though Alaska
should surely be represented. We certainly have some
persistent fighters in the north.
ALASKA AT THE EXPOSITION
It was unfortunate that adequate appropriation was not
made by Congress to warrant a creditable representation of
Alaska’s mineral resources, agricultural products, fisheries,
timber and other resources, at the San Francisco exposition
next year. The collection of an exhibit should have been well
under way by this time, as there is a large territory to cover
in gathering exhibits.
Alaska is now before the eyes of the country as never
before. The thousands of visitors who will come from all
parts of the United States to San Francisco will be particularly
interested in learning more about the country in which
$35,000,000 of the people’s money is about to be invested in
government railroads. A couple of hundred thousand dollars
would tend to make such a display as would astonish the many
people who have but little conception of the wondrous
products of this rich northland. On the subject the Seattle
Times very aptly says:
Governor Strong makes out a strong case for his
contention that Alaska should have adequate and
separate representation at the San Francisco Fair.
If Congress fails to take his advice in this matter, it
will be showing limited business acumen, for every
dollar so expended will return dividends to the railways
that it wHl build in the territory.
This fact should add measurably to the strength of
whatever representation the governor may make to
administration leaders in Washington.
Inasmuch as the United States intends to invest an
enormous sum i nthe Northland at once, and unques
tionably will increase its holdings in the immediate
future, there is every logical reason why the nation
should exploit the resources of the country that its
raih’oads will serve.
Private railroad corporations that have been
successful in developing sections of country through
which they run have adopted similar tactics and have
found that the results more than outweighed the
expenditure.
As an advertising proposition directly affecting
Alaska, the San Francisco fair looms big. In the first
place, people who visit the exposition will logically
expect to see an Alaska exhibit there.
Being a coast enterprise, the East wdll be surprised
if some showing is not made advertising the resources
of the particular section of the great West in which the
country will be most interested in 1915—the year when
railroad construction in Alaska will commence.
In the second place, many of those who visit Frisco
next year will make trips to Alaska if their attention is
called to the country by a thorough and comprehensive
exhibit of its resources.
Governor Strong is entitled to a respectful hearing
on this matter in Washington. If Congress acquiesces
in his views and makes the necessary appropriation, it
will add a most interesting feature to the exposition,
will benefit the entire territory and, incidentally, will
materially exploit its own railroad interests there.
A San Francisco judge has held that commercialism must
be shown to secure a conviction under the Mann act. This is
limiting the operation of the act, compared with the ruling of
some other judges; but it is undoubtedly the opinion that
secured the passage of the act.
EDITORIAL COMMENT
_—
Those Cordova pessimists who have insisted that railroad
construction in Alaska would be delayed because of the war
situation will now have to fall back on their argument that the
road will not be built from Chitina. Secretary Lane has
knocked the first argument sky high by declaring that there
will be no delay and that plans for construction would soon be
announced. But possibly we will hear that the secretary
doesn’t know what he is talking about. We certainly have
some fine argnfiers in this neck o’ woods.
When Governor Lister recently made a trip to Denver to
attend a conference of Western governors the lieutenant
governor of the state of Washington got busy and made
appointments of several vacancies on state boards. The
governor was not greatly pleased with this action and now it
is said that he is hesitating about making the trip to Alaska
in May lest his subordinate get him into more trouble. Here’s
hoping that they come to a better understanding.
Wheat seemed to think it was incumbent on it to W
something and, up to date, it has met the call. Last year’s
j crop was a record breaker; but this year’s is 4 per cent better
in condition and a much larger acreage. It is early to crow
over it, however, as there are-three months of the usual hazards
for it to undergo. But wait until the harvest is reaped in
Alaska a few years later. You can then look for record
breakers.
Two Republican district attorneys in Alaska were
requested to resign, while it is reported that another will soon
be asked to give up office in the Fourth division, with the one
j in the first division to retire on June 1st, when his term
expires. Attorney General McReynolds evidently believes in
having his own party friends in these positions, one of the
requisites being that they come from the south.
The gentleman from Georgia, the Hon. William Spencer,
will arrive at Valdez this week to relieve the Hon: George R.
Walker from the duties of District Attorney for the Third
division. The Southerner comes unencumbered so it is fair to
presume that his necessary assistants will be Alaskans.
‘•Pure guff,” is how President Wilson describes tlie rumor
that the agreement with Colombia includes an opologv from
Fncle Sam for taking Panama. Xot a bad substitute for the
short and ugly.
Will the women use the ballot? The Chicago figures
showing 71 per cent of the women registered voted and 72 per
! cent of the men indicate that they will use it as much or as
little as the women do.
Secretary Lane has evidently been given some visionary
advice about electrifying the Alaska railroads. After he gets
here and becomes more thoroughly acquainted with the
conditions he may decide that Alaska coal is good enough to
furnish the motive power.
Agitation for an all night cable service for Alaska is
again on. This time Juneau has taken the initiative and
invites other towns to unite in a demand for continued service.
It is a good move that will be cordially endorsed by Covdova,
as we have repeatedly sought to bring about this much
desired result.
I he successful Republican m that New Jersey district says
his only issue was the tariff as he had not so much as expressed
his views on the tolls issue. The administration candidate
dodged the question until the eleventh hour and then tried to
carry water on both shoulders. As the late Congressman
Bremner’s paper says the canal issue had as little to do with
the result as the building of a government railroad in Alaska.
With townsites withdrawn at Tazlina, McCarty anil
Washburn, along the route from Chitina to Fairbanks, the
people of Chitina have reason to feel that soon there will be
something doing in that trunk line railroad that will have its
terminus at Cordova.
Decorations, medals and such honors, once the prerogative
of princes to bestow, are now democratic. The King of Italy
has just been handed a Carnegie hero medal for his work of
relief at Messina.
A Xew \ ork preacher says Billy Sunday is no “pneumono
chlamvdite.” What objection had lie to calling a snail a snail,
which is what he was understood to be trying to say ?
A shipment of 9,000 dozen eggs from Russia were found to
be rotten and were destroyed. The stage can “breathe easier.’’
It is suggested by the Springfield Republican that Gifford
Pinchot’s slashing denunciations of La Follette, Borah,
Bristow, Cummins and Hadley are inspired by orders from
the upper Amazon. Also Herbert Knox Smith’s declaration at
Xew Haven that only one Progressive had gone back and he is
dead seems to smack of the Amazon. If the Progressive
campaign this year is to consist of attacks on the Republicans
closest to them, there may be found more x-Progressives who
are not dead.
Xotwithstanding the war troubles President Wilson still
has time to consider Alaskan matters. Today he made
reservation of various tracts of land along the probable
railway routes for townsite purposes.
The soldiers in Alaska would no doubt relish being sent
to Mexico, if only to vary the monotony of life.
War is expensive, not only for the government but also
for the poor editors in Alaska. If present hostilities keep up
tor a few weeks the enterprising newspapers of the north will
be paying out for cable tolls more than the entire receipts
from their business.
ALASKA RAILROAD BUILDING
NOT TO BE INTERFERED WITH
WASHINGTON, April 27.—Secretary of the
Interior Lane states that the Mexican situation will
not interfere with the building of the Alaskan rail
roads. He further states that the plan for the organiza
tion of the railroad forces will soon be completed.
Secretary Lane believes that from the present outlook
he will be able to visit Alaska in July.
Why Not Invest?
With the building of the government railroad from
Chitina to Fairbanks, the future of the Town of Chitina
is assured.
•
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.
TIN SHOP
IN SHUSHANNA
Xo more need to carry
STOVES and T1XWARE
over the long trail to the
interior, as we are pre
pared to till all orders in
our tin shop.
W. H. CARSTENS & CO.
SHUSH AX X A - - ALASKA
(Mina GRILL
• • : ’ P* j ’ f :•
Good Eats for Particular People
Prompt Service. Popular Set vice.
Next to C'hitina Hotel.
[CHITIXA : : : ALASKA.
0. ADRIAN MEM
U. S. Mineral Surveyor
CHiTINA ; - - ALASKA
CHITINA: BAKERY
AM)
Coffee House
HENRY RESSNER, Prop.
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Let Lewis Help h==^
“Pointer* for Amateurs’* will help yon to better
pictures—it’s free. Send us your films for develop
ing and printing. Enlarging. Developing 10c roll,
any size: printing. 1c up. Cash with order. You’ll
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GROCERIES, HARDWARE
==AND==
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 A CO.
feed, fuel
and
mber
——. —
i
H VV, I5K.W, OATS, CHOI'S,
KOM.1KD HAIU.KV
"e can make prompt skip
men ts to points on the rail
road. Our feed is the very
best quality.
0. A. Nelson & Co.
CHITINA
hotel
WASHINGTON
ANNEX
SHATTER
Ae»v. modern and fireproof.
All outside ■ ooius
The most conveniently located
hotel in the city.
Rooms and suites are particu
larly large.
Very desirable for families or
parties traveling together.
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trains. Write for booklet. (
.J H. DAVIS, Prop