IDITAROD PIONEER j_j
LI ULlSHI.n fcYfcRY S ATI Rl»a y i vi .mnu AT lUlTAHoLb ALASKA
Vol 5 Geo M. Arbuckle. Publisher No J /
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larly as regards names and dates.
REPORT OF THE GRAND JURY
The report of the grand jury, which was submitted to Judge
Fuller on July 25, is worthy the consideration of not only the citizens
of the community, but the federal authorities as well. The report
shows, among other things, that this portion of Alaska is remarkably
free from crime, when the isolation of the country and the widely scat
tered population are considered. But seven true bills were returned,
and investigations made of six other cases. Of the indictments re
turned, two were for assault, and convictions were had in each case,
and five have not yet been made public, although they are presumed
to be for comparatively minor offenses.
The matter of the storage of explosives “in proximity to where,
in case of an accident, lives would be lost and property destroyed, ’
is one which has already been taken up by the Iditarod town council,
and no doubt the suggestions of the grand jury will be followed.
rhat portion of the report dealing with public offices and schools
will be gratifying to the officials themselves and to the public gener
ally. It is the duty of the grand jury to investigate and suggest im
provements in the conduct of public affairs, and to arraign misconduct.
It is therefore perfectly proper that when exceptional efficiency is
found it should be commended.
In regard to the schools, it is certainly interesting to learn that
the cost of teaching the children at Otter is $600 per pupil, and, ex
cessive as it seems, there is apparently no present hope of reducing
the cost of education “at the most expensive school in the world.”
At the Iditarod school, where the cost is comparatively light, being
only $200 per pupil, it is pleasing to learn that “everyone is very well
satisfied.
A matter that should no longer be neglected by the federal au
thorities is that of the mysterious disappearances in the koyukuk and
kuskokwim regions. The lack of police protection in these sections is
a constant invitation to the lawless and criminal element, and the won
der is that the cases reported are so few. Some of these cases may
have been of men lost on the trail and wandering around until death
relieved them. There is little doubt that were there more deputy
United States marshals stationed thereabouts, assistance might be
rendered that would often result in the saving of life. If the report
of the grand jury results in nothing more than the better patrolling of
these districts it will have justified its existence.
LIGHT ON THE COMMISSION PLAN
There has just been received Part 1 of the hearings before the
committee on territories of the national house of representatives on
H. R. 15763, which is Delegate Wickersham’s bill carrying out the
idea of Secretary Lane for a commission to administer the affairs of
the national government in Alaska. The document is one of the most
interesting of the long list of papers dealing with Alaskan affairs, and
shows, among other things, the remarkable grasp on all matters per
taining to the Territory possessed by Delegate Wickersham, who ap
peared before the committee to explain the details of the proposed
new law.
There has been much misunderstanding of the measure by the
people and press of Alaska, and probably some willful misrepresenta
tion. It has been made to appear that it is a step opposed to local self
government in Alaska, whereas the proposed commission would have
no authority over the internal affairs of the Territory or its people—
its duties would be confined to the administration of national property
and interests in the Territory. In his address before the committee
Mr. Wickersham said:
“This bill is the beginning of a new thought in the government of
Alaska. It is an attempt to introduce in Alaska the commission form
of government for the management of national affairs, in so far only
as they are administrative.
“There is nothing in the bill which gives power to the commis
sion to enact laws at any time, even if the bill should pass. It is con
templated that if the bill shall be adopted as it now stands, local legis
lation for Alaska will either be passed by congress or by the legislature
under its power in the organic act.
“The commission, as provided for in this bill, has no legislative
power of any kind; it is specifically withdrawn from the commission
FOR SALE
Merchants Cafe,building,
warehouse, stock and fix
tures, all complete, apply
CHAS. E. MILLER
Seward Gold Seal Pacs
ARE THE BEST ON THE MARKET
H. DONNELLEY, discovery, otter
DRAFT BEER
Drink It From a Genuine German Stein
Miners’ Home Saloon
IDITAROD SAM WILMER
McDonald House ACCOMMODATION |j
FURNACE HEAT IN EVERY ROOM
_FREE READING ROOM,—All the Late Outside Papers and Magazines._
Regina Hofei
Mrs. N. P. Gilmore, Prop.
Tliis hotel has been remodeled and repapercd throughout, and
now the most convenient, comfortable and up-to-date house
the city.
ELEGANT ROOMS GOOD BUNKS
Second and Willow Streets _ B
by the terms of the bill. It lias no judicial functions except in one re
gard.
“It is proposed in one part of the bill to establish in Alaska a land
officer, who shall have substantially the powers now imposed upon the
commissioner of the general land office, in so far only as Alaskan land
litigation is concerned. Necessarily, that officer will have judicial func
tions to perform. From any judicial act performed by him there is an
appeal to the secretary of the interior, just as there is now from any de
cision of the commissioner of the general land office to tne secretary
of the interior.
“So that the only purpose of this bill is to bring all the adminis
trative branches of the government of Alaska into a single body, to
make it compact and serviceable.”
In the course of the hearing the following and interrogatories and
answers were made:
Mr. O'Brien: Will the governor and the surveyor general have time to perform
the duties which they are now required to perform?
Mr. Wickersham: Yes; the governor has not heretofore had very much work
to do. lie signs the commissions of notaries public
Mr. Brumbaugh: And for that he receives $7,500 a year?
Mr. Wickersham : For his services he receives $7,500 a year.
The Chairman: His duties will be much greater upon the establishment of the
territorial form of government
Mr Wickersham: Yes. If this bill passes he will be the financial manager of
the government of Alaska for the government of the United States, and for the Terri
tory as well.
Secretary Lane has had much to say about “Yed tape in connec
tion with Alaskan affairs, and the following colloquy throws light on
what he referred to:
Mr. Brumbaugh: You spoke of this multiplicity of officials and all that. Now,
referring to those who are domiciled at the capital in Alaska. Do they maintain sep
arate offices, and are those paid for by the government, the rent of them, or do they
double up, so to speak, in the same office room?
Mr Wickersham: No; they never double up. They are just as jealous of the
jurisdiction of their different bureaus in Alaska as they are in Washington, and the
tendency in both places is to extend and preserve their separate jurisdictions. They
never double Up.
Mr. Brumbaugh: They want full paraphernalia and office furniture?
Mr. Wickersham: Yes. You take the case of the man who looks after the
black bear. He will look after the black bear, but he would not look after the brown
bear under any circumstances, and he has not any jurisdiction over the brown bear It
takes a new group of men to do that; and that is true because an act of congress
makes it so.
The gist of the whole measure is contained in the following para
graph of Delegate Wickersham’s remarks:
This plan does not interfere in the slightest with the local self-government of the
people in Alaska It does not take anything away from the people there, so far as local
self-government is concerned. It simply removes to Alaska those appointive officers who
are now residing in Washington and doing their work there. It removes them to Alaska,
and puts them to work with the same duties and powers, in a centralized form, which
they now perform in a diffused and widely scattered way in Washington.
The special July term of the district court has come to an end, and
the court and its attaches have departed to continue their labors in
other portions of the district. A good deal of business has been trans
acted during the term, and matters of great importance have been de
termined. The people of Iditarod, in bidding adieu to the “court
crowd,” w’ill entertain many pleasant recollections of their stay here,
and look forward with pleasure to their return.
WHO PAYS THE TAXES?
The old controversy as to “Who pays the taxes?” is revived by an
article in the Tacoma Ledger under the caption, “Lawmakers Should
Be Taxpayers.” The statement is incontrovertible. Lawmakers, as
well as all other citizens, should, and probably do, pay taxes. In fact,
the only class of people who do not pay taxes are those who are direct
or indirect charges upon the community—the pauper and criminal
classes w'ho derive their sustenance from the public.
The Ledger article says:
Mm who pay no taxes are likely to play fast and loose with public money when
they have the opportunity. They do not count the cost as taxpayers do. This fact was
the inspiration, doubtlessly, of the resolution introduced at the recent session of the
State Grange, in which it was recited that many members of the last legislature were not
taxpayers at all or paid in very small amounts. The resolution deplored the fact that
tax laws were enacted and appropriations made by the votes of members of the legis
lature who were non-taxpayers.
The member who pays no taxes is more likely to entertain prejudices against the
institution of property. He is more likely to vote for a venture into various schemes
called reforms without considering the probable cost. or. if he does consider it at all, he
is not disposed to let high taxation stand in the way.
Of course, it would not be fair to say that all men who do not pay taxes are dis
posed to overburden property with taxation. Such is not the case. As a rule, how
ever. the taxpayer has a greater stake in a community and is not so likely to lend en
couragement to political action destructive of the prosperity of a commonwealth.
Indirectly the man who does not own property suffers from high taxation. It
raises rents and prices generally. Many non-taxpayers, however, do not think of it in i
that light. But the man who does not own property and pay taxes can move out j
when conditions become burdensome. He can try his fortunes in another state, or an- |
other country. The taxpayer cannot get away so easily. His property is security for
le\ies and for bonds issued by the various units of government.
The principle of manhood suffrage eliminates the property quali
fication, and the idea of such a qualification is repugnant to every lover
of American institutions. If there is to be a property qualification for
officeholders, why not for voters?
The fact of the matter is that the man whose name appears on the
tax list for the heaviest amount is seldom the real taxpayer. The man
whose taxes are highest is the man of small resources, who makes
his purchases in small quantities, and whose name may not appear on
the tax collector’s roll. He pays the taxes of the nation who produces
the wealth of the nation—not he who profits from the possession
thereof. The landlord does not pay the taxes on the property from
which he derives rental, although his name appears upon the tax re
ceipt; it is the tenant, as is proven by the fact that the higher th*
taxes, the higher the rental. The merchant does not pay the taxes on
his stock of goods; it is added to the cost to the consumer. Every
person who purchases a commodity is a taxpayer, and the person
whose name appears on the tax roll is often only the agency through
which taxes are paid.
There are those who, listening to the reasoning of such public
teachers as the Ledger, would impose property qualifications for voters
just as readily as they now attempt to apply them to office-holding.
It is a dangerous and un-American tendency, and one which should be
checked. There is no reason to believe that the man of small resources
is less patriotic than the man of wealth, or that he is not equally to be
intrusted with the conduct of public affairs and the making of laws.
Why a “non-taxpayer” (who is usually willing to become a “tax
payer”) should be willing to “lend encouragement to political action
destructive of the prosperity of a commonwealth” is not explained.
As such a person would be the greatest sufferer from such action, the
deduction is a false one.
To the strangers within our gates it must seem odd that in Iditarod,
an incorporated town, one’s eardrums are assailed by the raucous
mouthings of a town crier announcing public gatherings. And this
where the services of the printing press are available! It is a rever
sion which stamps us as an easy-going municipality.
The torrential rams of the earlier part of the week, while spelling
misfortune for the gasboat men, whose prosperity in a great measure
depends on the low stage of water in the river, means an increased
gold output for the district.
WAIT
There has been consult . able discussion
during the past few days of the ad viability
of a winter court session for Idr. afljrl. It
is pointed out that there are numerofB cases
on the docket which could not be reached
at the term just ended for various reasons,
chiefly on account of the inal of the
litigants and witnesses to be present because
of the difficulty of summer travel. These
cases will of necessity be postponed until
the next term at Iditarod, whenever that
may lie, thus entailing hardship and possible
loss. '
It is contended that the month of July,
when the court is in the habit of sitting
in Iditarod. is the busiest season of ilie
year in mining circles. There is but little •
winter work, and everyone desires to make
the most of the short summer season. The i
consequence is that operators and workmen j
alike are obliged to cease work and attend
court at a time when every moment means ;
a financial loss. This applies to others
besides those engaged in mining. The scat
tered population makes it necessary in order
to provide the necessary grand and petit
juries to subpoena men who are located ;
nearest the place of holding court, and thus i
business men, river men and laborers are
drafted from their occupations at the busi
est season.
In the winter season, not only is travel
in this section more convenient and expedi
tious than in the summer, but the citizens
generally are at leisure to attend to matters
of litigation. It is believed that the hold
ing of the court session in the winter sea
son would inconvenience comparatively few
of the residents in comparison with a sum
mer term.
Judge Fuller stated to The Pioneer Tues
day that if sufficient showing is made to
warrant the holding of a winter term of
court at Iditarod he would issue the neces
sary order. It is a matter that should be :
taken up at once and acted upon by the
citizens general.y and those having business
with the court.
Recent arrivals in Iditarod from Fair
banks tell of the efforts being made to
isiablish automobile traffic between that
city and Chitina. on the C. R. & N. \\
railway, and state that indications point to
the experiment proving a success financially
as well as popular and novel.
It i' .-a'-i that the machine belonging to
Bobby Shelton easily made the journey
from Fairbanks to Chitina in thirty-six
hours, carrying four passengers. If any- (
thing like a schedule can be maintained on
that run, it will be an easy matter for a j
traveler, by making good railway and j
steamship connections, to go from Fair- j
banks to Seattle in eight days.
Captain Sproul of the White Seal is very
much interested in the experiment, and he
hopes, bv the time he reaches Fairbanks
next week, to be able to quote a through
rate from this camp to Puget sound ports. !
It is also stated that there are at the
present time seven automobile outlts in
Fairbanks ready to go on the Chitina run
ON
The Geological Survey party of which A. I
G. Maddren is chief, with four pack horses |
and packers, arrived at the Kuskokwim on j
Thursday afternoon. July 23, and left the
next day with boats for down river. They
will stop and spend a day or two along the j
Kuskokwim, inspecting the new quartz j
strike near Kolmakoff and the cinnabar |
properties just below there. They will go ;
up the Aniak by poling boat and inspect
the various creeks, after which they will
visit the Bear, Ophir and Canyon creek
diggings. After they finish their work they
will meet the government survey boat Ex
plorer, which is now surveying and putting
up markers in the Kuskokwim river, and
will go Outside on her.
While on their way to Georgetown they
made a side trip to Snow gulch and in
spected the diggings on Crooked creek.
Henry Jung, with his steamer, made a
trip to Sleetmute, thirty miles above
Georgetown, and came back down river
with the largest raft of saw logs ever taken
down stream. They were consigned to the
sawmill at Bethel operated by the Mora
vian mission.
JOHNSON PROPERTY SOLD
A bill of sale has been filed in the office
of Commissioner Albrecht conveying the !
iron building at the corner of Second and
Bonanza streets, known as the Johnson &
Clark grocery, being lot 8, block 6, town
of Iditarod, to the Northern Commercial
Company.
We guarantee satisfaction.
Clemons & Koon.
Russia has 113 factories for making non I
phosphorous matches.
In this country the telephone industry
employs 152,000 people.
WATCH REPAIRING %£?
I
Splendid New Line of
Silver Bepositware,
Silverware,
Gilt Glassware
BEAUTIFUL DESIGNS
Also a Fine Line of
Diamond Goods
And a Large Assortment of Watches
J. L> SALlb,
I DITA ROD
Leading Jeweler of the North
Dissolution Notice
\, tier is hereby given that tile mercan
tile partnership herebd'ore existing between
Kail Tie a le and M. II. Mar-ton ha- been
dissolved Ml accu11n!s din said p . th»*
ship <>r due -mi I Kauri Theile = •;i ‘ount
i|it-i-i*i>t an payable to the undersigned.
M. II. MAHSToV.
July 20, I'.Mi. __
Notice of Forfeiture
To A. Al t'. It, Tier, -a Arndt and Jos. Mikuta.
11!*■ i,■ heirs and assigns, and to all
persons churning liy. through or under
them and i of them:
You and each or y .11 are h< eliy notified
I lint tile undersigned, eo-owner. has ex
pended . ii milled dollars during the
year I9t:t 111 labor and improvements upon
tlial r.-rtam pine. r milling ‘datm
known and described as tin* “Wild
. a'" \ s- eialn 11 lla r Mining Claim,
sil'iale three miles below lower dis
■ ai Hear creek, a tributary rd the
Ttlliksak rivi r, in ti k't 'kokwim to.. 1 -■
atul recording prerini t. i. rntorv of Alaska.
Saul claim was located oil the 25th day of
February. 19 12. and recorded 111 Voi. 7 or
l.oeati Its. al rag.' of the records of
lie reiei'der of iiic sue! Kusk'ikwlui re
cording precinct.
such labor was performed and Improve
inenis made for tie- [impose of holding
-aid claim, and constituted the tinnual as
sessment work for the year ending Decem
ber til. 1913.
You and 1 n il of you are hereby further
1 tilled that utile.-s you pay >our 1 r 'por
tion of said expenditures, together with the
cost id' this advertisement, to tile under
signed within ninety (911 days after the
date or the last publication of this notice,
you!1 interest in said claim will become the i
property of the undersigned co-owner, un- ;
iter Section 2324, Revised Statute* of the j
United States. DOMINICK SORACI,
Co-Owner.
First publication, May 2, I'-14.
Lest publication, Aug. 1. HUT.
I f¥B@a!s at All Hours roX“Sn*?cti5nds1
Fresh Meats
Beef, Mutton, Pork, Poultry, Fish
Dry Packed Butter
Se:ondSt. IDITAROD IVI EAT CO. Phono IS
_THE BEST OF EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME_
Caribou Cafe
FIRST AVE. OPEN DAY AND NIGHT ROBprospOUTAR
PIONEER CREEK AGENCIES
DISCOVERY OTTER Harry Donnelley
FLAT CITY.Mrs. C. C. Chittick
RE-OPENED
Iditarod Hotel
Under Same Management
COMFORTABLE ROOMS
Rates Reasonable
Second Ave., near A. B. HhII
UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT
Snyder House
FLAT CITY
STEAM AND TUB BATHS
MRS. C. G HAGGITH
GOLDEN EAGLE HOTEL
First Ave. J. H. Rogers. Prop.
Good Accommodations for
Travelers
Kxclusive Agency for the Celebrated
Anderson Shoe
&A ALL SHOES
'P1'1’ Ladies’ end IVIon’s *
Confectionery and Cigars. Pool, etc.
Adams House
FIRST ST., IDITAROD
Clean, Warm Rooms, Cas-Lighted. The
Only First-Class Horse and Dog
Stables in Town
A Fine Dog Team to Rent
Free Library and Reading Room
_Salmon for the Dog Moshers
DR. H. EEHLA,
Dentist
Appointments by TeFpboRt
Flat City
DR. PilOGRE,
OFFICE GRAND HOTEL, FLAT
Eye-Glass Fitting Telephone
E. M. STANTON,
Attorney at Law
Office Second St.. Iditarod. Alaska
Next ' i Iditarod Hotel
J. C. MOODY,
Attorney at Law
IDITAROD, ALASKA
Office: Second Avenue
W. F. HARRISON,
Attorney at Law
IDITAROD, ALASKA
Second Avenue, Near Marshal's Office
CHAS. E. TAYLOR,
Attorney at Law
BANK BLOCK
First Avenue Iditarod
D3SKAKET AND CRIPPLE CITY
Big Stocks, Standard Goods
Gasoline and Lubricating Oil
Good Roadhouse in Connection
CLEMONS & KOON
Portrait and View
Photographers
FLAT CITYj