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PUBLISHED BT
STEWART * SELBY, Proprietor*
VALDEZ, ALASKA
Published Dally Bxoept Sunday
Entered ae Second-Class Mall Matter,
Jhly 23, 1912, at the postofllce of Valdes,
Alaska, under act or March 3, 1879.
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1SI0
FLEET’S DRAIN IS MAN’S BRAIN.
The shake-up in the British admi
ralty shows that the mightiest organ
ization in the world—the British
navy—is more or less subject to hu
man weaknesses. Here is the most
colossal and most powerful aggrega
tion of fighting ships that were ever
put afloat by one nation—steel on
steel, might on might, it represents
the expenditure of billions of dollars.
Yet its brain is the brain of man.
Without its creators it is as helpless
as it was in its original elements un
der the sod.
No wonder the British people r.re
proud of their navy. It is their main
line of defense. It is the bulwark be
tween them and absolute starvation
or surrender. Its cost wrung almost
the last sovereign from many Britons,
but today they do not begrudge those
millions and billions.
Yet it is realized that this great
fighting machine in its array and ma
jesty, must be directed by the keen
est men in the empire. The fleet has
not measured up to all that was hop
ed for it. The annoying little subma
rine, a mere wasp, has sent it scut
tling to cover. It does not sweep the
seas unchallenged, but is barred and
netted and cabined when not in action
as a Goliath might defend himself
against the pebble of a David's sling.
Moreover, when it has gone to sea it
has not accomplished what was ex
pected of it»_ In the one great naval
engagement of the war it was out
pointed. It maintains its reputation
more on its overwhelming superior
ity in numbers than on the strength
of naval achievement.
But it was not the fleet’s fault, if j
it is anybody's—the fault rests with
the men who directed it. The up
heaval in the cabinet and admiralty
shows that England demands a new
deal. Its faith in its fleet is almost
a sacred faith, but it is resolved that
this great machine shall be directed
differently from the way it has been
directed in the past. It wants better
performance.
The British fleet is the greatest
fighting machine in the world. It
errs when its creators err, but errs
only when they err. v It is a vast, in
sensate machine and the men at its
helm are among the smartest in the
world.
Its brain is the brain of man.
CONNECTICUT is the greatest
manufacturing state in the Union and
Is a small nation in itaslf. Accord
ing to the United States census report
on manufactures for 1900-1905, out
of 359 well known products manu
factured and used extensively In this
country, 249 were made in Connecti
cut. That is seven-tenths of the
whole output. Tinware was made in
Connecticut before any other state in
the Union, and also clocks and many
well known watches. It is third in
size but first in manufacture.
ALCOHOL INSIDE AND OUT.
It is the fashion to anathematize
alcohol. One can hardly take up a
paper or a periodical without reading
of its "blight” upon the human race.
There are innumerable books written
on the subject proving alcohol to be
the cause of nine-tenths of all crime
and misery. It is brother to insanity
and the hand-maiden to disease and
death. And as we read of this great
evil we are stirred to pity and wrath.
Some of us become extremists in our
emotional revolt against the ancient
enemy and declare that the world
would be better without alcohol of
any kind or description. Of course
this is a mistaken attitude. Alcohol,
properly employed, is one of the
blessings of earth. Man alone is re
sponsible for its perversion. It would
be impossible to run this old planet
twenty-four hours without alcohol in
some description or other.
Chemists will tell you that, rext to
water, alcohol is the most important
of all chemicals. Put inside a man,
it may produce madness and murder,
but as an essential element of ether
and chloroform it deadens pp<n im
measurably and enables physicians
and surgeons to ameliorate suffering
and save life. Without alcohol neith
er of these anaesthetics is possible.
No substitute has ever been discover
ed. Put in the stomach, it ruins the
organs of digestion, but used in an
engine, it develops extraordinary mo
tor power. Fumes of alcohol in the
brain lead us to say that the feilow
affected is “lit up,” and when the
chemical is applied as an actual illu
niinant, it is found to possess wonder
ful qualities both as light and heat.
Inside a man, it hardens his liver and
hobnails his kidneys; but as a neces
sary component of shellac, it is in
valuable in the arts and industries.
It may rob a man’s eyes of their lus
ter and clarity, but in the manufac
ture of brilliant and beautiful dyes
alcohol is indispensable.
People do not half realize or ap
preciate the many uses and services
of alcohol. More and more it is be
ing used in the industries. To give
you an idea of its wide application,
we will name a few of its activities.
Alcohol is necessary to the making of
all kinds of medicines, smokeless
powder, celluloid, artificial silk and
all photographic supplies. Paints,
shellacs, etc., must have alcohol. If
you have any idea of the far-reaching
effect of these things, and the capital
invested in them, you will come to
the conclusion that alcohol outside of
the human system is a great benefit,
and not a bane.
By economists and physicists it is
predicted that when coal and oil have
been exhausted on the earth, alcohol
will take their place as motor power,
heater and illuminator. Already al
cohol made from potatoes has been
successfully used to run taxicabs in
Berlin, and it has been burned as an
THE EMPRESS
\
Tonight at 8 p. m. Sharp.
EXTRAORDINARY FINE PROGRAM
PATHENEWS _PATHE NEWS
~~ GABY DESLYS
THE CELEBRATED INTERNATIONAL STAR IN
“HER TRIUMPH”
A NOVEL COMEDY DRAMA OP THE STAGE—PINE DANCING
ALSO'THE TWO-REEL COMEDY , . ,
“MABEL’S NEW JOB”
REGULAR ADMISSION REGULAR ADMISSION
illumlnant, incandescent alcohol man
tles having been Invented.
While the sun shines, it is safe to
assert that the supply of alcohol will
never be exhausted, for it is the en
ergy of that heavenly body which will
keep renewing this invaluable chem
ical for us through all plant life. The
stored sunshine in potatoes and beets
will run out engines, keep us warm,
and light our darkness. Perhaps by
that time too, man will have learned
that his "evil spirit” may, like the
genii of the Arabian fairy tales, be
best as a servant and not as a mas
ter—that it is all right imprisoned in
motors and lamps, but all wrong
freed in his body.— Popular Maga
zine.
, WHEN you are making up your
{Christmas boxes remember the old
j fellows at the Pioneers’ Home. Per
lliaps you have a friend or an acquain
tance there. If so send him some
'token of your remembrance. This
{may bring a smile to the lips of many
Jan old man whose heart is heavy with
lonesomeness.
SECRETARY LANE SAYS
WE MUST HAVE ROADS
In his annual report to Congress
Secretary Lane of the interior depart
ment says emphatically that Alaska
must have wagon roads. The follow
ing is part of his statement:
“The roads that have been con
structed are not the fine highways of
many of the states, but they mark the
beginning of a system of military and
post roads which are of incalculable
service in the developments of the re
gions through which they run. Auto
mobiles during the open season nego
iate that road between Valdez and
Fairbanks, and Chitina and Fair
banks making regular trips. The fur
ther development of the mineral, ag
ricultural and other resources of the
territory is as much dependent upon
the construction. Railroads will open
to development extensive districts, to
be sure, but wagon roads must, in
the last analysis, be depended upon
to develop tonnage for the railroads.
Through the agency of good roads
then atural resources of the territory
will be developed; over these roads
mail routes will be established an I
the present cost of transportation
largely reduced, and, therefore, they
will be money savers as well as mon
ey makers, for the national wealth
will thereby be greatly increased.
“The federal appropriation for
roads in Alaska for the present fiscal
vear was substantially increased, and
it is suggested that hereafter Con
gress should appropriate annually not
less than $500,000 for this purpose
for a period of years. It will be an in
vestment that will be productive of
lasting results. The territorial gov
ernment is cooperating with the fed
eral government in the building of
roads and trails so far as its means
will permit, and it is probable that
hereafter the sum available from the
territorial treasury will be substanti
ally increased. The expenditures by
the Alaska road commission, which is
charged with the work of construct
ing and maintaing roads and trails
in the territory, during the fiscal year
amounted to $300,720.62, of which
$135,708.89 was received from the
Alaska fund and $165,000 from a
special appropriation made by Con
gress. Ttolam ileage, wagon roads
and trails, on June 30, 1916 was 2,
210.
His Repertoire.
Edna Ferber, author of the stones
about “Our Mrs. McChesney,” the
slangy woman “drummer,” recently
sent two tickets to two salesgirls
from whom she had gathered much
io* the material for her ^portrait of
Mrs. McChesney, the tickets admit
ting them to the play founded upon
Miss Ferber’s stories.
Ethel Barrymore took the leading
role, and the part of a talkative trav
eling salesman was assumed by a very
p.irtly actor.
Miss Ferber overheard ’.lie com
ment? of the two salesgirls as they
emerged from the thearte after the
play. '
Isn't the man that plays the part
of ‘Big Ed.’ a peacherino?” said one
enthusiastically. “He certainly has
got a big repertoire.”
“Well, I wouldn’t go so far as to
say that,” said the other, “but he
is fat.”—Ladies Home Journal.
Let your Christmas Candies be the
best. A full line of Haas confections
at Levy & Ross’.
Assorted Christmas Candies at
Hunt’s Candy Kitchen. tf
Fresh Everyday
Bread, cake, pies, cookies, cup
takes, doughnuts, etc. Also English
plum and fruit cake at Blum’s Bak
cry.
BOOKS? Yes, we have them, suit
able for Xmas presents; and Pyralin
Ivory, hand painted. Valdez Drng
Co.
K now line sf Beaters priced right,
at Mead’s. it
'ZTl S. Blum & Company [•%£,"
PURVEYORS OF GOOD GOODS
FOR YOUR XMAS TABLE
We have purchased the best that the market affords and
are prepared to cater to your wants for your Xmas dinner. We
are sure of our ability to please in quality and price of goods.
A few of the delicacies we offer
Fruits And Vegetables Bakery Goods Groceries
New Navel Oranges
Jap Oranges
Apples—all varieties
Malaga Grapes
Xmas Melons
Florida Grape Fruit
California Grape Fruit
Bananas
Sweet Potatoes
Hubbard Squash
Tomatoes
Cucumbers
Lettuce
Rutabagas
Brussels Sprouts
Radishes
Green Onions
Cauliflower
Pumpkins
Celery
Green Peppers
Fruit Cake
Plum Pudding
Parker House Rolls
French Rolls
Mince Pies
Apple Pies
Pumpkin Pies
Angel Food Cakes
Layer CakeS
Lady Fingers
Macaroons
Custard Cream Puffs
Whipped Cream Puffs
Chocolate Eclairs
French Bread
Graham Bread
Whole Wheat Bread
Rye Bread
White Bread
Cresca Stuffed Dates
Cresca Imported Figs
Calimyra Figs
Fard Dates
Dromedary Dates
Layer Raisins
Salted Nuts, all kinds
Roquefort Cheese
Green Chili Cheese
Salted Wafers
Cheese Sandwiches
Mince Meat
Mixed Nuts
Catawba Grape Juice
Welch’s Grape Juice
Heinz Mandalay Sauce
Walnut Catsup
Cresca Corn on Cob
Stuffed Mushrooms
Stuffed Olives
Order Your Bread For Poultry Dressing Here.
Special Orders For Bakery Goods Should Be
Placed In Advance.
PLACE YOUR ORDERS EARLY
FOR SALE—Three large work
dogs and sled, good condition, just
over the trail from Fairbanks. Arctic
Hotel. 11
WANTED—A Victrola with rec
ords in good condition. Phone No.
118. - kSU
PROFESSIONAL CARDS.
DR. S. WiCKES MERRITT
Office* over Valdes Urns Co.
Phone »I5 McKinley Street
Contract Surgeon. U. S. Army
A. A. Surgeon, U S. Public Health Serv.
(Marine Hospital)
DONOHOE & DIMOND
ATTORNEYS-AT-LAW
Office Opposite Court Haase
Phone 34 VALDEZ. ALASKA
JOHN LYONS 4S B RITCHIS
LYONS & RITCHIE
ATTORNEY 3-AY-LAW
Offieoo In whaling Uniting
j Phnne W VALffiffiL MAKI
DR. H. COCKERILLE
Graduate National University
Washington, D. C.
DENTIST
Fourteen Years in Valdez.
PHONE 110
Office Rooms In Whaling Building
ASA C. BALDWIN
CIVIL ENGINEER
tf. S. Mineral Surveyor
McKinley* Street opposite V. M. Store.
Valdez, Alaska
ATLAS JUNK CO.
Wholesale and Retail Dealer* in
ALL KINDS OF JUNK
Buyers of Metal, Rubber, Ma
nila Rope, Sacks, Machinery,
Pipe, Hides, Furs and Bottles.
1043 Railroad Avenne, So.
SEATTLE, WASH.
Try the Cottage Dining Room for
good home-cooked meals. Mrs. M.
Rmoker. Phono 181. tf
Pictures and Panoramic Views
make fine presents. Valdez Drag
Ce. tf
Valdez Miners Union No. 188
Western Federation of Miners
ROBERT GARNER, Pnwkat.
Granite Mine.
CHAS. McCALLUM, Secretary,
Valdai Alaska.
The Best Place in Valdez to
Stop at is the
Arctic Hotel
Warm, Light Rooau--The Hook of Caafart
rates: REASONABLE
BATH-ROOM Special Rates Bp the Meeth
PHONE 133 MRS. STRING. Prep
FURNISHED ROOMS FOR
MEN
KATES REASONABLE
Nice dean rooms, good beds,
rooms rented by day, week, or
month. At the Hopkins House
MRS. P. REED
The Hems of the Pet-a-Coke. At
Love-Wh:; ley Co. tt
Prospector ads bring results.