$hp Satlg froBpprtnr
PUBLISHED BT
STEWART St SELBY, Proprietor*
VALDEZ, ALASKA
Published Daily Except Sunday
Entered as Second-Class Mail Matter,
July 23, 1912, at the postoffice of Valde*.
Alaska, under act of March 3, 1879.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES:
Dally Prospector.
f,v carrier, per month —.-• 1.00
«'v mail, oer annum .$10.00
The Meekly Miner.
The Daily Prospector and Weekly
Miner, by mail, to one address
only, per year .;.$12.80
Bus'ness Office anrl Editorial Rooma
Sy carrier, per month .* .0®
By mall, per annum .* *.*0
The Daily Prospector and Week
ly Miner, by carrier, to one ad
dress. per month .-*
TEL 152
Advertising Rates on Application.
1917 MARCH 1917
SWlMON|njE,WEDlTHU[Htl I SAT
i I I 1 1112131
415 6 7~8|9M0|
11121514151617
18192021222324
i25[26l27128l29i30l3ll
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 1917
PUBLIC OWNERSHIP A FAILURE.
NOW that the President and Cabi
net have again brought up the prob
lem of seizing and operating the rail
roads of the United States, it might be
well for sober, thoughtful people to
ponder upon the perplexing question
of public ownership. The government
is notoriously incompetent as a boss
when it comes to the economical, effi
cient management of public utilities.
It has never demonstrated to the peo
ple that it could run its own business
in businesslike methods. It costs
more to produce a battleship in the
government navy yards; it costs more
to produce armor in the government
plants; and it costs more to produce
munitions under governmental con
trol than it does under corporation
control. Why is this? Primarily be
cause of political manipulation of the
offices. A man is taken out of the
ranks of politics and by political
preferment is placed in charge of a
business he has never familiarized
himself with. He remains in office a
few years, and by the time he acquires
the rudiments of the business.
change of administration occurs and
the waste starts all over again. After
'ooking at the inefficient manner in
which the army and navy have beet-,
handled by politicians, can you imag
ine these politicians in charge of the
railroad systems of the country? (’an
you see the dissension, the waste, the
inefficiency which would ensue in all
departments the moment the men who
have built up these immense machines
were replaced by politicians?
Canada is the last victim of experi
mentation in public ownership. A few
years ago the Province of Manitoba
took over the telephone service that
the Bell Company maintained theie.
The results are exposed in a circular
issued by James Mayor, professor of
political economy at the University of
Toronto, who has heretofore been an
ardent exponent of government own
ership. He states that when the Gov
ernment took over the system the ser
vice was adequate and the charges
fair; there was no popular demand
for the change, but politicians believ
ed that it would be to the advantage
of their party to bring it about. What
has been the result? The service is
less efficient and is so permeated with
politics as to be practically useless.
The government has manipulated its
lookkeeping to evade fixed charges
and conceal deficits, and the tax bur
den has been increased by charging
more for service. He condemns with
out reserve the attempt of the town
of Manitoba to run the telephone
business of the people of the Province.
And Canadian political methods, be
it well understood, are at least as
clean as those of the United States,
and probably cleaner.
The government railroad ai An
chorage is higher in its rates than the
Copper River road, and it serves ten.
yes fifty times the people. The gov
ernment charges for electricity at An
chorage are two to four times ts high
as in other towns. The government
charges for dockage at Seward are
higher than many other towns, —10
cents higher than at Valdez. And
the government officials in charge at
Anchorage are head and shoulders
above the average politician and busi
ness man in efficiency and intelli
gence. There is no record of any
utility that has been conscientiously
investigated, showing as much profit
under government ownership as un
der the ownership of corporations,
and rates are generaly 10 to 35 per
cent higher. In cases where a proti!
is claimed it will be found that mon
eys are directed from other funds to
make up deficits, and that clumsy
subterfuges are attempted to fool the
people.
If President Wilson seizes the rail
roads of the country it will be of no
benefit to the people, and will result
in the loss of billions of dollars in
taxes to communities.
Public ownership has never receiv
ed the right kind of a test yet. as it
has been the butt of political dema
gogs and used for the aggrandize
ment of the party in power; but the
communities that have given it a trial
have been forced to discard it,—for
like the single tax, it is beautiful in
theory but harmful in operation.
AS TO THE M1MTIA.
BECAUSE of the inequalities in the
burden borne by those who went to
the Mexican border, when the call
came for State troops ,and the em
ployers who suffered financial loss be
cause of the sudden and heavy drain
upon their employed forces, the con
sensus of opinion seems to be that
there is something amiss with the
State militia system. This will be
emphasized first by the lack of desire
to reenlist when the present terms of
service expire, with the resulting ina
bility to keep the company ranks up
to the required standard of numbers.
Major Arthur N. Nelson of Minne
sota's Second Regiment, recently
home home after six months service,
is quoted as saying that officers and
men are of the universal opinion that,
as a military system, the present one
is a failure. And yet he says there
is no doubt that the United States
had, at least at the end of four months
training, the best equipped army it
has ever had. He says the dis-satis
faction on the part of the enlisted
men is not individual or personal but
that it is with the system and that, of
the 30 per cent of the membership of
his regiment whose terms of enlist
ment will expire within a few weeks,
but a small number will again enroll.
A special committee, appointed by
the Mayor of New York City, to in
vestigate the question of defense and
preparedness, has gone deep into the
relation of the National tluard to
these matters. Thousands of letters
have been sent to employers whose
! men were called into the service,
'other thousands have been sent to the
men themselves. Sixty-five per ceii.
of the guardsmen who answered the
.committee's question as to the con
tinuance of their pay while absent,
I said it had been cut oft entirely. More
I than 3000 employers failed to answer
| the question put to them regarding
pay. But many employers did con
tinue the men at full or part pay, and
| it is, no doubt, because of this that
they feel they have borne an unequal
share of the National burden. The
manufacturer, for instance, who adds
to his payroll an item of cost not paid
by his competitor, is not able to sell
against him in an open market. The
manufacturer, likewise, who is com
pelled to dispense with the services of
a corps of trained men who have be
come adept in a particular line, also
suffers financial loss unnecessarily,
unless the provocation upon which
the men are mustered into active ser
vice is great.
Unless the necessity ot maintaining
a trained and equipped army of de
fense becomes convincingly apparent,
there will continue to be a divided
public opinion regarding National
preparedness. And these divided
opinions are entertained by people
who are neither extreme pacifists nor
the strongest champions of prepared
ness.
There is, perhaps, one point upon
which all the people interested in the
solution of the problem can agree;
namely, that the militia members
should not be called on for duty out
side their own States, except in time
of war. The Federal army should, it
would seem, be kept up to a point of
efficiency where it can perform all tlie
functions of a border patrol.—Chris
tian Science Monitor.
ALWAYS try to remember that the
man vylio gets a salary of $10,000 a
year gets $2,000 for his work and
$8,000 for what he knows.
A WHOLE lot more wives would
have sleeping porches only they are
afraid that the neighbors would bear
them snoring.
DO you remember the good old
days when the barber was the only
man in town who perfumed his hair
and creased his trousers?
STEAM HEAT NEWLY FURNISHED
SEATTLE HOTEL
MRS. E. MILL, Propr.
VALDEZ ALASKA
IT IS a catty thing to aay, but the
best way to get along with your
friends is not to see too much of them.
AS a general thing, girls, the prod
igal son makes a darn poor husband.
POSSIBLY the young mother will
become less closely confined to her
home when it becomes popular to car
j ry the baby in a wrist bag.
A SMALL boy's hair should be long
enough for his mother to get hold of
when she washes his ears.
THE midnight oil that is burned is
j generally gasoline.
THE reason why a mother can
translate what the baby is trying to
say is because the baby isn’t.
| WE’D think a heap more of reli
gion if it preached more of the peace
it the Son of God and less of the Son
jf Mars.
OUK personal opinion is 'hat
bridge whist is interesting only when
there is nothing else that is interest
ing.
FRANCE SAYS UNITED STATES
ARMING TO ENFORCE PEACE
PARIS, March 14.—The naval
preparations of the United States are
discussed by the Temps, which in giv
ing details of the program adopted by
the United States Congress, says that
never in the history of the world has
a power entered upon such great en
terprises in naval construction as the
United States is now doing, and calls
attention to the fact that England, in
her last naval appropriations before
the war began allotted but a fraction
of the immense sums proposed to be
used for war purposes in the United
Stales.
The Temps alludes to the words of
peace recently uttered by President
Wilson, in which it was anticipated
that hostilities would cease without
conqueror or conquered, and adds:
"But the United States prepares
lor the future and its naval projects
reveal a desire to conquer in the
event of war. Today the United States
counsels peace to the belligerents, but
it seem to be preparing for war on a
j more gigantic scale than all the bel
| ligerent nations ”
Evans Due Tonight.
! The steamer Admiral Evans was at
j Seward at 8:30 this morning and is
i expected to arrive here sometime to
' night.
Farragut Passes Juneau.
The steamer Admiral Farragut
passed Juneau, northbound, at two
o'clock this morning, and is expected
to arrive here sometime Friday.
Black Friday*.
In England the term Black Friday
whs first applied to Dec. 0, 1745, the
day on which news reached London
that the pretender. Charles Edward,
had reached Derby. Again on May 11.
t8Gti. when the failure of a large Eng
lisli discounting institution brought on
a most disastrous panic, the day was
■ ■ailed Black Friday. On the day of
the suspension the Bank of England
raised the rale of discount S) tier cent
Wild speculation In gold in New York
and other cities culminated in a mone
tary crash on Sept. 10. 1875, that swept
thousands of firms and individuals Into
financial ruin aud caused a commercial
depression that extended into the eight
ies of the last century: hence the origin
of the term Black Friday in the United
States.
No Handicap at All.
‘“It seems to me this lot Is a long
way from the car line.” remarked tbe
prospective purchaser, a little doubt
fully. ;
“Why, that’s an actual advantage.”
responded tbe gentlemanly agent en
gaged In making the sale. “When
you reach the car In tbe morning you
are already halfway to your office, and
coming home at night you have a nice
walk to give you an appetite for din
ner.*’—Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Fair Enough.
“You are tbe fourth tramp who has
come here begging today," said the
lady of the house, “and I’m all out of
' patience."
“I’m all out o’ vittles myself.” re
1 plied the tramp. “Couldn’t we make a
j trade?”—Exchange.
Handicapped.
“My dear, our automobile looks so
cheap beside the one onr neighbors
have. We ought to get the latest
make.”
“] know we ought, but this is tbe
only house 1 have to mortgage.”—Bal
tlmore Americau.
-- ---—
The Real With.
“Don’t you wish you could see an
old fashioned one ring circus?”
"No. I wish I were a hoy again and
could appreciate a little thing like a
one ring circus ”—Detroit Free Press.
Stinging.
Mr Onaggs—Oh. there are worse
fellows in the world than I am! Mrs.
Onaggs—Don't be such a pessimist:—
San Francisco Chronicle.
Patience, persistence and power to
do are only acquired by work.—Hol
land
Good
Goods
Phone 12
Moderate
Prices
Hills Bros. Coffee
Unexcelled for Quality, Flavor
and Aroma.
I
The fragrance of Hill's Coffee is a promise of fine flavor and the pro
mise is always fulfilled. Selected by experts, blended by other specialists it
is Coffee that is unequalled for flavor and aroma. There is nothing finer for
Breakfast or as an after dinner beverage. Give it a Trial.
S. & W. on the label means Quality, picked when ripe, packed or pre
served immediately is the reason why S. & W. canned Fruits, Vegetables,
Jams and Jellies are so finely flavored. They differ from the average brand
as you will fully agree when you taste them. Try a can of the following;
ASPARAGUS
ASPARAGUS TIPS
TOMATOES
SUGAR PEAS—Midget
PUMPKIN
STRING BEANS
SAUER KRAUT
BEETS
APRICOTS
PEACHES
GREEN GAGE PLl'MS
SLICED -APRICOTS
SLICED PEACHES
ROYAL ANNE CHERRIES
BARTLETT PEARS
SLICED PINEAPPLE
RASPBERRIES
STRAWBERRIES
BLACKBERRIES
LOGAN BERRIES
A FINK ASSORTMENT OF S. & W. JAMS AND JKDIJKS
S. BLUM & CO., Inc.
GOOD GOODS
VALDEZ HOSPITAL
A finely equipped institution j
for the care and treatment of *
eases of every character. Skill- !
ed nurses in attendance. *
Private Rooms. i
Terms Reasonable. <
Jos. A. iilverman Ph. G. M. D. j
Proprietor. !
Boyle Block Valdez S
Life Tenner Has $151,751.
NEW YORK, March 14.—Alphon
so J. Stephani, who is serving a life
sentence for the murder of Clinton G.
Reynolds in this city in 1891, and
who is now in the Asylum for the
Criminal Insane at Dannemora, is to
day worth $115,751 according to an
accounting filed yesterday with the
County Clerk by the Equitable Trust
Company, which acts as trustee in
charge of his property.
His mother, Mrs. Joseph Stephani,
who died in 1902, leaving an estate
worth $250,000, left $50,000 in trust
for her son, providing that the,income
trom it should go toward purchasing
comforts for him in prison. Under the
prison rules Stephani could not spend
more than $60 a month so that the
trust grew rapidly
Stephani committed the murder un
der the belief that Reynolds, who was
a lawyer, had prevented his getting
all i hat was due him from his father's
estate.
A fresh lot of Haas' Candies receiv
ed on last boat, from 50 cents to $2
a box. Valdez Drug Co. tf
We have a fresh line of Augustine
Kyer box candiee at the Candy Kitch
en. **
CERTAINLY!
CRESCENT
BAKING
POWDER
RAISES
THE DOUGH
Hence its Popularity
25c lb. Can.
SOlil) BY GROCERS
CRESCENT MPG. OO.,
Seattle, Wash.
LOUIE S CAFE
Open l»ay and Night McKinley Street, Below Cable Office
Fresh Bread, Pies, Cakes,
All Kinds of Pastry for Sale.
EVERYTHING THE BEST ANDY MAROVICH, Propr.
Candy Kitchen
L W. HUNT—b Owl Dm* Store.
FOUNTAIN DRINKS
HOT- -COLD
ATLAS JUNK CO.
Whole), and Retail Dealer* in
ALL K1XD8 OF JUNK
Buyers of Metal, Rubber, Ma
nila Rope, Sacks, Machinery,
Pipe, Hides, Furs and Bottles.
1043 1tail road Avenue, So.
SEATTLE, WASH.
'—*
The Best Place in Valdez to
Stop at is the
Arctic Hotel
Warn, Light Reoai—The Haste of Ceedert
RATES REASONABLE
BATH ROOM Special Rate* Bp the Meath
PHONE 133 MRS. SYRING, Prep 1
VALDEZ CAFE & BAKERY
Cakes, Cookies k Boas, 15c per doseo.
Frenck, Rye aad Wkite Bread 12 1-2
ceats per loaf. Orders takes ior special
accasioas.
BERGSTROM * ROGSTAD, Prop..
PHONE 17 - Tin. km k«l.w Owl Dr,,
When In Seward Stop at the
COLEMAN HOUSE
GEORGE SEXTON. l>«OP
SlRICTLV FIRST CLASS
Fourth Are. Seward. Alaska
Hot Point Irons and Electric Appli
ances have now arrived at the Empo
rium. 5t
Men's, Ladies’ and Children’s Hose
can e cn the last boat for the Empo
rium 3t
Location notices, noth quartz and
placer, for sale at the Prospector of
fice.
Fresh candy at the Emporium, tf
i
PROFESSION A1 j CARD
DR. S. WICKES MERRITT ,
OHcra uver Valilra Drag ( o.
Phuue *15 Mrhlnlri Street
Contract Surgeon. U. S. Array
A. A. Surgeon, U S Public Health Serv
(Marine Hospital)
JOS. A. SILVERMAN, PH. 6. M. 0.
PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON
Over Owl Drug Co.
— OFFICE HOURS: *
1 to 4 P. M. 7 to S P. M
Sunday by Appointment.
Res. Phone 176 Office Phone 1 !*
DR. H. COCKERILLE
Graduate National University
Washington. D. C.
DENTIST
Fourteen Tears In Valdez.
PHONE 110
Office Rooms In Whaling Building
DONOHOE & DIMOND
ATTORNEYS-AT-LAW
OSIre Opposite Court Hooae
Phoaf 34 VALDEZ. ALASKA
JOHN LYONS « IT RITCHIB
LYONS & RITCHIE
ATTORNEYS-AT-LAW ■,
OSIeea la a Walla* Building «
Phone 1SI VALDEZ. ALASKA
ROBERT SIMPSON Opt. 9.
JUNEAU. ALASKA
Glasses Fitted Lenses Ground
valdkz dodge
NO 108 •
Free aad Accepted Naioat
Regular Communications nrst Wed
nesday In each month In McKtlley
Hall Visitors always welcome.
F. M. BROWN, W. M.
ED WOOD, Secretary
Valdez Miners Union No. 188
Western Federation of Miners
W. H. GARNER. President.
Granite Min#
GUST KR1NG, Secretary.
Valdes Alaska.