®ljp flatly Proayprtor
PUBLISHED BT
PROSPECTOR PUBLISHING CO.
H. B. HKLBY, Editor and Proprietor.
VALDEZ. ALASKA
Published Daily Except Sunday
Entered as Second-Class Mall Matter.
July 23. 1912. at the postofflce of Valdes.
Alaska, under act or March 3, 1879.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES:
Dally Prospector.
By carrier, per month ..4 1.00
Bv mall, ner annum ___Sio.oo
The Weekly Miner.
The Daily Prospector and Weekly
Miner, by mail, to one address
only, per year ---...JIM9
Sy carrier, per month -9 .80
By mail per annum .S 8.00
The Daily Prospector and Week
ly Miner, by carrier, to one ad
dress, per month .-.—S 1.38
Bu*<ness Office and Editorial Rooms,
TEL,. 152
' Advertising Rates on Application
1917 AUGUST 1917
I 111 1213141
£<LI8 9jon
12131415161718
19202122^2425
26^72829505lM
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 1917
PRICE FIXING NOT NEW
Some persons may have gained the
notions that the act of some of the
governments in Europe in arbitrar
ly fixing maximum prices of commo
dities in order to keep down the cost
of living—a system which is being
considered from various angles by
our own government—is something
evolved during the precent war. That,
however, is not the case.
Jonothan Bourne has been delving
into Abbott’s ‘‘The Common People
of Ancient Rome,” and discovers that
some sixteen centuries ago Emperor
Diocletian issued an edict discussing
the high cost of living in the Roman
empire, and endeavored to solve the
problem by fixing maximum prices
which might be cha'rged for a long
list of commodities and services, in
cluding both necessities and luxuries.
More than 700 different items were
included in this decree.
That Diocletian was actuated by
high motives is indicated by the fol
lowing expression in the introduction
to bis edict: •
- “Who is of so hardened a heart and
so untouched by a feeling for human
ity that he can be unaware that in:
the sale of wares which are exchang
ed in the market, or dealt with in
the daily business of the cities, an
exhorbitant tendency in prices has
spread to such an extent that the un
bridled desire of plundering is held
in check neither by abundance nor by
reasons of plenty?
In his conclusion he said:
“It is our pleasure, therefore, that
these prices which the subjoined
written summary specifies, be held in
observance throughout all our do
main, that all may know that license
to go above the same has been cut
off. It is our pleasure that if any man
shall boldly come into conflict with
this formal statute, he shall put bis
life in peril. In the same peril also
shall he be placed who, drawn along
by avarice In his desire to buy, shall
have conspired against these statutes.
Nor shall he be esteemed Innocent of
the same crime who, having articles
necessary for daily life and use, shall
have decided hereafter that they can
be held back, since the punishment
ought to be heavier for him who
causes need than him who violates
the law.”
In other words Emperor Diocle
tian boldly struck at food speculators,
hoarders and other varieties of the
“food pirate” gentry. However, it ap
pears that there are two sides to the
experiment, for Iactantlus, writing
in the fourth century, says of the Dio
STEAM HEAT NEWLY FURNISHED
SEATTLE HOTEL
MRS* B* Propr. ^
VALDEZ . , ■ .ALASKA
■ '
clettan program:
“And when he had brought on a
state of exceeding high prices by his
different sets of injustice, he tried to
fix by law the price of articles of
fered for sale. Thereupon, for the
veriest trifles much blood was shed,
and out of fear nothing was offered
for sale,and the scarcity grew much
worse, until, after the death of many
persons, the law was repealed from
mere necessity.”
Thus it is evident that there is no
panarea for our economic ills. Ger
many tried the Diocletian system and
it did not work satisfactorily—even
in that over disciplined empire. Brit
ain in somewhat skeptical of the
maximum-price economic law, and
Lloyd George has greater faith in the
minimum-price system, believing that
i it tends to increase production.
In this country we have the object
lesson from the time of Diocletian—
| or before—down to 1917 from which
j to study the problem, and yet we are
; uncertain as to what scheme is the
j most practicable.
WITHIN a short time the govern
ment is likely to appeal to the people
of the United States to conserve the
supply of gasoline in the thfs country
by curtailing pleasure riding in motor
cars and eliminating other sources of
waste. It is shown that the country is
producing crude oil at the rate of
about 300,000,000 barrels a yearV^ut
is using it at the rate of 335,000,000
barrels a year. There are now 4,000,
000 automobiles in the country, while
other uses of gasoline and oil are ex
panding on an enormous scale. The
defense council petroleum committee
says that the public must economize
in the use of gasoline if the govern
ment is to have the petroleum it will
need to prosecute the war successful
ly.
ARCTIC EXPI/ORER HOPES
TO REACH U. 8. SEPT. 15
BOSTON, Aug. 15.—Donald B. Mc
Millan, the Arctic explorer, who has
been in the Polar country for the past
four years, expects to return home by
September next, according to a letter
dated at Etah on November 8 last and
received today.
"If our relief ship does not fail us
a third time,” the explorer writes, “I
should reach home about September
15, 1917. Although I have had or will
have had four years in the Arctic, yet
1 am not tired of it and have planned
for further work.
"As you know, we failed to find
Crockerland. I am sorry for Peary,
who was, without a doubt sincere in
his belief that it lay some 120 miles
due northwest of Cape Thomas Hub
bard; we went 151 miles to make
sure, and then were rewarded with
nothing but a clear horizon.
"Last year I reached my objective,
King Christian land, the Finy land of
some sixty years ago, which has nev
er been visited as far as I know. Re
turning, I headed for North Corn
RULES ON EMBARGO.
Vance McCormick One of the
Membcra of "important Board.
The administrative board, which Is to
carry out the provisions of the presi
dent’s proclamation placing an embar
go on the shipment of goods abroad, has
as one of its members Vance McCor
mick, chairman of the Democratic na
tional committee, which conducted Mr.
Wilson’s campaign for the presidency.
He represents the state department on
the board.
wall, which also has never been ex- |
plored. En route six new islands were
discovered and many miles of coast
line mapped. Incidentally, we picked
up about fifty musk oxen and twenty
polar bears. Am now planning ano
ther long trip in the spring, which,
when completed, will net about 8,000
miles of dog team work.
"We have enough food for the year
such as it is. Our supplies consist
largely of beans, salt beef, dehydro
vegetables, whole wheat biscuits and
pemmican. Walrus and seal meat are
in cache and are on the bills. The
ducks and dovekies will be back in
May and then we shall be in the land
of the plenty again.”
STRIKERS AT ASBESTOS
MINK GO AFTER SCAM'S
GLOBE. Arizona, Aug. 15.—
Apache Indians are reported on the
war path in the Sierra Anchas moun
tains fifty miles northwest of here,
where nine Americans, employed by
an asbestos mining company, are re
ported surrounded by a hundred In
dian and Mexican miners, who in ad
dition to going on a strike, started
out to collect a few pale face scalps.
A forest Are started by the Indians
is sweeping the mountains in the vic
inity of the mines.
A force of rangers sent for yester
day is expected to reach the scene to
day, together with reinforcements of
cowboys.
Reports received from farms in tbe
vicinity this morning state that the
real trouble broke out when the strik
ers were reinforced by braves from
the Tribeque country, the wildest sec
tion of the reservation.
_
Employers Hold Fort
PHOENIX, Aug. 15.—Telephone
messages received from Globe and
Miami indicate that the nine white
men in charge of the asbestos mine
who are beseiged by Indians, are
holding out although their supply of
ammunition and provisions is peril
iusly low.
STORY OR KILLING
OR TALKEETNA 8TERAN
A coroner’s inquest was held at the
court house in Talkeetna today on the
remains of Talkeetna Stepan and his
wife Nagolla. It appears Stepan was
murdered and his wife committed
suicide. The following is part of a
sworn affidavit made by Inga Stepan.
She claims that a small band, five in
number left Talkeetna last March for
Stepan Lake, where they resided until
the first week in June. They made a
batch of hootch out of floor and sugar
and they all got drunk. Stepan was
going out of the tent and staggered
and knocked down the tent pole,
which struck Knik Nickolai (the ac
cused ) on the head. Nickolai then se
cured a club and hit Stepan over the
head. Nagolia, his wife, tried to shield
her husband and in so doing receiv
ed several blows over the head and
righ arm. Nickolai then struck Step
an several more blows, and Stepan
died about two hours later. The next
morning the wife shot herself with a
22 rifle in the right side of abdomen.
On the same day Knik Nickolai,
Bob Stepan and Inga dug a grave^
about four feet deep, wrapped the
bodies in blankets and buried them.
The three Indians then left for Tal
keetna. Before getting into town. Bob
Stepan and Inga Stepan stopped at a
camp of Mr. Larson’s for one day,
then came into town and reported the
crime to the marshal, M. H. Healey.
This was June 28, 1917.
Knik Nickolai got a small start In
this way, furnished himself with pro
visions and ammunition at Talkeetna,
but it is stated that he was captured
at Kroto and Susitna station a few
days ago and will have to stand trial.
BRITISH CAPTURE HILL
DOMINATING LENS AND 1X108 (
LONDON, Aug. 15—Hill 70, which
dominates the salients of Lens and
Loos were captured this morning by
the Canadian troops. The British al
so pushed into the northwestern en
vironments of Lens.
Ralph McCrary was in town today
from off the trail, He reports the
Going To Fairbanks?
Ask For the Sheldon Service
SHELDON AUTO STAGE LINE
Through Service from Valdez to
Fairbanks and all Inferior Points.
For further information call on or
address
THE AGENT, at the Prospector Office
OUR ANNUAL
GROCERY SALE
Cut down the cost of living by
trading at BLUM’S
BIG GROCERY SALE
BEGINNING AUG. 13
Cut prices on staple and fancy
groceries
S'
Buy here and save money
See our window
S. BLUM & COMPANY
“GOOD GOODS”
cave-in at Mile 12 repaired so cars
can get by now, and that the road
will be in better condition after it is
repajred than before the wash-out.
TAKE OVER
COUNTRY’S GRAIN SUPPLY
WASHINGTON. D. C., Aug. 15 —
Commissioner Hoover announced to
day the formation of a corporation to
take over the country’s grain supply.
Use Rexall Hair Tonic and you will
use no other. Valdez Drug Store, tf
Furnished rooms at Mrs Osland’s.
Prices reasonable. *
To the Ladies of Valdez
For next 30 days, 75c per curl for
entire head of hair hy latest Nestle
permanent method at the Vanitie
Shop. tf
Arctic Hotel
All Warm, Outside Rooms
• Transient Trade Solicited
Special Rates by the Week or Month
Baths in Connection
PHONE 133 MRS. STRING. Pray.
Ice cream every day, specials on
Sunday at Hunt’s Candy Kitchen, tf
VALDEZ LODGE
NO 108
• » Free ui Accepted Mmmi
Regular Communication* Brat Wed
uesday In each month In McKlnlej
Hall. Visitors always welcome.
F. M. BROWN, W. M.
ED WOOD. Secretary
WE PAY
Cast Iron 925 per ton.
Wrought Iron 919 per ton._
Copper 920 per ton.
Brass 918 per ton.
Lead 8%c per pound.
Bobber 7%c per pound.
Qt. Beer Bottles 27 % c per doz.
Pint Beer Bottles 17% per doz.
Rags 92.80 per 100 pounds.
Paper 91.00 per 100 pounds.
Manila Rope 4%c per pound.
F. O. B. SEATTLE.
ATLAS JUNK CO.
1048 Railroad Avenue, So.
SEATTLE, WASH.
LAUNCH
PATHFINDER
CAPT. BYRON SMITH
Sailing weekly out of Valdes
will deliver passengers, mall, ex
press and fast freight at any
point on Prince William Sound.
RATES REASONABLE
Periodical service by agree
ment to outlying camps a spe
cialty.
CAPT. BYRON SMITH
VALDEZ, ALASKA
Launch Patsy
for Charter Anwybere on
VALDEZ BAY
At any Time Day or Night
J. D. Jefferson
VALDEZ, ALASKA
A. Mr—BIERINGER
Valdez Transfer
Campanil
Office on Alaska Avenue, in
George C. Treat Building
Telephone No. 60
General Trucking and Freighting
to all Interior Points.
AUTOS FOR HIRE
DAT OR NIGHT
Positively No Coal Delivered Un
less Paid for in Advance
PROFESSIONAL CARDS.
DR. S. WICKES MERRITT
Offices In Fish Building, adjoining
Tillikum Club.
Phone *18 SteKlovey 8freer
Contract Surgeon. O. S. Array
A. > Surgeon, U 8. Public Health 8ery.
(lfarlna Hospital)
DR. H. COCKERILLE
Gnlufc Motional lalverelty,
Waahlagtoa. D. C.
DENTIST
In Valdes Since 1808
PHONE llO
Office Rooms in Whaling Building
DONOHOE & DIMOND
ATTORNEYS-AT-LAW
Oflec Opposite Coart Hoaoe
Pfcoae M VALDEZ. ALASKA
JOHN LYONS C K RITCHIE
LYONS & RITCHIE
ATTORNEYS-AT-LAW
oaecs la o'kalUf Balldlap
psobc in valdbz. alaska
ROBERT SIMPSON Opt D
JUNEAU, ALASKA
Glasses Fitted Lenses Ground
! VALDEZ HOSPITAL
Private Rooms
Terms Reasonable
jos, a. savnuuM.n.&,n.D.rrap.
Jos. A. Silverman PL G. M. D.
PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON
Office been—I le 4 p. ■ -7 te 8 p. m.
Sunday by Appointment
Rea. Tel. 176 Offlce Tel. 19
Boyle Block Vaides
E. W. HUNT—la Owl Dm Star*. |
| FOUNTAIN DRINKS
HOT-COLD |
J. E. WILSON
Freighting to all points
in the third division.
Horses bought and sold.
Phone 166.
Valdez Mlmrs Union No. 188
Wwtm Fad •ration of Minor.
W. M. CONLKY
VtUn filriT-t
0*0*0***
mm DELLA
Capt. H. L. Rider
Weekly trips from Valdes to
Ellamar, Landlock, Fidalgo and
way ports. Passengers landed
at all points.
Carrying freight and passen
gers.
For rates apply on board.
CAPT. H. L. RIDER
When In Seward Stop at the
COLEMAN HOUSE
GEORGE SEXTON. PROP
S1RICTLY FIRST CLASS
Fourth Ave, Seward. Alaska