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THE IQSTAROD PIONEER
Published Every Saturday Morning at Idllarod, Alaska
Vol. 7 CHARLES A. DERRY. Editor No. 41
ARBUCKLE & DERRY. Publishers
Subscription Rates
One Year . $10.00 : Ono Month $1.00
SI* Months . S.CO Single Copy .28
Advertising Rates on Application
WICKERSHAM’S “STATEMENT TO THE PEOPLE”
Delegate James Wirkersham has issued an “Address to the
l’eople of Alaska,” in which he says that he has “concluded to
yield to the general demand from Alaskans to make the race”
for re-election, and announces the principles and purposes for
which he will stand in case he is returned to congress, among
which are, briefly, the following:
The lawful control of transportation rates to and from Alaska,
reduction of rates, prevention of rebates and unlawful combina
tions in restraint of trade; the enforcement of the interstate com
merce and anti trust laws in Alaska; the prompt completion of
the government railroad from Seward to Fairbanks and into the
Iditarod; the extension of government roads, trails and telegraph
lines; the extension of the powers of the Alaska legislature over
fisheries and fur-bearing animals, and to permit of the develop
ment of an American type of territorial government in Alaska;
statehood “as soon as it can be organized in the interest and to
the advantage of the people"; repeal of the “present bureaucratic j
lorm ol government in AlasKa ; aDanaonment ot me useless anu
harmful” forest reservations in Alaska; control of ail taxation in
Alaska by the territorial legislature; ihc centralized control of all
national administration activities in Alaska (Secretary Lane’s
plan1; the appointment of “Alaska Alaskans, and none other, to
appointive office in Alaska,” and pledging that if elected he will
not recommend any man for an appointive office in Alaska who
is not first approved by the people of the territory ; the enactment
of primary election laws; continued opposition to the efforts of
inteicsted copper companies to secure the appointment of a com
mission to revise the mining laws, and to take away from the
territory the power to legislate on the subject of mining rights;
and finally, that he will support Hughes and Fairbanks.
It is not our purpose to unduly criticize the announced plat
form of Delegate Wickersham. In the main it is an excellent pro
gram that the delegate has outlined for himself, and in the event
of his success along these lines the territory would be greatly bene
fited except in one or two minor instances. But one cannot get
away from the idea that most of the things mentioned might more
easily be accomplished by the aid of an administration which is I
avowedly in sympathy with the efforts of Alaskans to develop
their territory rather than under an administration such as would
be that of Hughes, who has no Alaska policy, and who candidly j
admits that he “knows nothing about Alaska.” It will be difh- !
cult for Delegate Wickersham to convince his constituents that
their interests will be better taken care of under a Republican ad
ministration than they have been during the past three ye*rs un
der the administration of President Wilson.
The finesse of the politician rather than the logic of the states- ;
man is seen in Mr. Wickersham’s handling of the “full territorial |
government" issue. It seems but a very short time since the dele- j
gate was heard announcing that the present territorial plan of j
government was adequate for the needs of Alaska, and that the j
law of which ho was the author was amply sufficient. But now j
he wants an “American type of government in Alaska.” All will
agree with him that statehood should be granted to Alaska "as
soon as it can be organized in the interest and to the advantage of
the people.” As to whether that time is now here, as many seem
to think, or as to what must be done to erect a state in the in
terest and to the advantage of the people, Mr. Wickersham is
silent; and he might better, in the interest of sincerity, have ig
nored this point.
A large part of Mr. Wickersham’s statement is devoted to the
details of his quarrel with the Republican party bosses in Alaska,
and it is interesting only as showing that the reason he was not
nominated by the Republican territorial convention was merely
a question as to who should be "the” boss. Wickersham’s whole
public career discourages the belief that there could be any other
boss than he. in whatever party he affiliated with. Although nomi
nated as an independent, his own statements proclaim him the
Republican candidate, and the fact that the party placed no other
candidate in the field confirms this. As such he places himself in
opposition to the administration of President Wilson, and invites
the defeat that awaits him.
---w
PROHIBITION IN YUKON MERELY POSTPONED
Although prohibition failed of adoption by three votes, the
result of the recent election in Yukon territory is nevertheless a
victory for the “dry?,” and it i? noticeable that the “wet” advo
cates have resigned themselves to the inevitable, and in spite of
the use of all the art? and blandishments of the politician to stay j
the tide, have gained the conviction that the saloon soon will be 1
a thing of the past within the boundaries of our northern neighbor.
W. I7. Thompson of the Fairbanks News-Miner, who had charge
of the publicity campaign for the liquor dealers at Dawson, has
resumed his work on his paper and as chief spouter for the oppo
nents of prohibition in Alaska. In an editorial on September 6
he reviewed the Yukon situation, and while patting himself on
the back for his work at Dawson (for the results of which he gives
himself full credit), he takes a rather gloomy view of the future.
The liquor interests at Dawson had purchased all the space which
the only newspaper there had to spare, and it seems that this space
was filled with “facts and figures.” Some of these would hardly
stand the test of critical analysis, and the limited time prevented
some of the daring statements and garbled figures from being re
futed. Thompson truly says, “They hadn’t the facts and figures
we had, nor had they the experience in playing the publicity end
of the game that we had.” Although not unduly elated at the
dearly-won “victory,” he says he will be satisfied when he receives
the “handsome bonus” offered in case of unexpected but highly
desired result. He concludes his article in pessimistic strain as
follows:
“Yukon is wet for a day only. With the success they
have had there the Prohibitionists will never quit until they
have had things their own way. They will now proceed to
own the entire legislative body of Yukon, and they will make
such restrictions and pass such acts that Yukon will never be
free from prohibition politics and measures, and it is only a
question of time and work until they close the camp. The
advantage of the ‘win’ this time to the business men is that
they now know what to expect, and they will trim their busi
ness sails accordingly. They will decrease holdings and get
out of business as best and as fast as they can, to prevent
confiscation of those holdings when certain prohibition comes
to them, as it will come. The victory is a great thing to the
business men, but it also marks the certain doom of Dawson
and the towns of Yukon—the business men will now have
time to get out from under, but the camps will know that
the end is soon coming, and they won’t enjoy the finish when
it is brought to them. The saloon element, the cause of the
‘reform,’ is not apt to change its ways or to become any other
nature than its own, and the result will be deferred but a day.
Today in Dawson may be found good business men who con
tain the secret determination to do no other hard work in
future than that of getting ‘out from under’ the quickest and
easiest and most painless way they can, for coming events
cast their shadows before. They were taken by surprise by
the plebiscite and they have narrowly escaped confiscation
they won’t be caught that way again.
‘‘It's ultimately ‘good night’ for Dawson. Chief Isaac will
soon live in Government house, and tallow candles and kero
sene lamps will soon he the illuminating power of Yukon, just
as in 1897. For the paralyzing parasite Prohibition is fastened
to Yukon, and cannot now be eradicated.”
A most gloomy picture, indeed. Is it possible that the Yukon
Gold Company and the Boyle company and other operators in the
Canadian territory will have to desist from their great undertak
ings, that their immense dredges will go to the scrap heap, and
the gold-besprinkled hills and valleys of Yukon will be abandoned,
merely because at some future time the supply of whisky will not
he forthcoming? And does Thompson really believe this stuff that
he is peddling to the people of Alaska at the behest of the liquor
men ?
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ADVERTISING IN ALASKA NEWSPAPERS
Mrs. FJla Alexander Boole, in an address delivered at the re
cent \V. C. T. U. convention at Juneau, showed a thorough ap
preciation of the value of newspaper advertising, and an under
standing of local conditions in Alaska, when she said:
“The newspapers of Alaska are the ideal means of reach
ing the public in Alaska. If you have something to say to
the public, use the newspapers. In New York we don’t buy a
9 o’clock edition at noon, nor do we buy the noon editions at
5 o’clock. They are old. But in Alaska the papers are read
by everyone, and are sometimes saved for days and days just
for some certain article. In many cases where one family
takes a paper, after the editions have been read they are
passed on to other families, and sometimes as many as five
families read the same paper. This is especially true in the
mining camps, and while a paper may be only printing a cer
tain number of copies, about ten times as many people see
and read the papers as there are subscribers.
“And another thing in connection with the papers, the
Alaska people don’t just glance at the headlines and throw
the paper away. They read every word in them, from edi
torials to advertising, and if you are thinking of spending
money for a lecturer, don't do it. Spend the same amount
for space in your Alaska papers and you will accomplish many
times the amount of good with the same amount of money.
-C —
“1 shall support Hughes and Fairbanks, and the national Re
publican platform, unless they or those representing them shall in
terfere with the passage of needful and beneficial laws for Alaska.
But his constituents still are wondering why it should have been
necessary for the delegate, elected as an independent, to swerve
from his support of an administration whose position with refer
nece to Alaska is not in the least doubtful in order to give ul
legirnce to a candidate who may “interfere with the passage of
needful and beneficial laws for Alaska.”
-A
Personally, we were not an admirer of the school-teacher can
didate four years ago, looking upon him as a theori-t and dreamer,
says the Douglas Island News. There were millions like us, mil
lions who voted for him as the leaser of three evils, but who will
thank God for the privilege of voting f< r him again, since he has
proven his worth, his statesmanship, his love for humanity and
his regard for right in the face of such opposition as few men have
ever met. The settlement of the railroad trouble was just one
more big achievement for a man accustomed to doing big things.
We confess to being at a loss to understand how certain Alaska
newspapers can support President Wilson and Delegate Wicker
sham ai the same time. How can they consistently support the
President and at the same time endeavor to elect a man who is
assailing him and his policies?
For several weeks yet to come Iditarod will be without mad
srevice. This would not have been the case had the figures on
the aerial mail service been taken as final. But then, figures do
sometimes lie.
—---+
MR. HUGHES’ “DOMINANT AMERICANISM”
(New York World)
Perhaps nothing is more characteristic of Mr. Hughes’ speech
than his treatment of alien conspiracies. “We denounce a 1 plots
and conspiracies in the interest of any foreign nation,” he says,
and then he proceeds to hold the administration responsible for
them. "It was its duty to stop them,” as if the administration
had not secured dozens of indictments and a score of convictions.
But there is one plot and conspiracy about which Mr. Hughes is
discreetly silent. We refer to the German plot to make him
President of the United States because President Wilson refused
to permit the German government to dictate the foreign policy of
the United States.
Mr. Hughes’ speech will be searched in vain for a solitary word,
a solitary syllable, repudiating this infamous attempt of a foreign
monarchy to control the political affairs of the United States by
punishing a President who has offended it and rewarding a candi
date who tacitly invites the support of the hyphenated. Mr.
Hughes’ “dominant Americanism” halts when it contemplates the
political possibilities of the German vote.
INDICATES HALF-HEARTED SUPPORT
(Juneau Dispatch)
Delegate James Wickersham’s announcement as an inde
pendent candidate for re-election does not surprise his friends or
supporters. He has been successful before the voters four times
as an independent candidate, and those things get to be a habit.
The Dispatch has no quarrel with Judge Wickersham. Any
effort of the Dispatch in the past has been and in the future will
be directed toward the upbuilding of the Republican party in this
territory. To do this it will not try to destroy any good man s
credit with the people or boost any unworthy candidate.
The Dispatch regrets the independence of Judge Wickersham
was not announced last March. It would have saved much wasted
effort, hard feelings and regrets. Every man has the right to his
political and religious views as guaranteed under the constitution.
Certainly the delegate from Alaska knows what in his mind is best
for himself.
-»
Lots of people are willing to fight for ideas. The strange thing
is that so many of them are willing to fight for ideas they don’t
understand—New York Evening Sun.
Ball Band Rubber Boots and Pacs | j Bail Band Rubber Boots and Pacs ^
i Cut Prices Still Prevail I
0 -— — C3
z >
1 life| Strictly
1 First-Class |
5 FRESH GOODS j
j N. C. Co. Sole Agents for Alaska | | N. C. Co. Sole Agents for Alaska |
HUGHES DISAPPOINTING
(Seattle Times, Iuc!. Rep.)
“The thousands who heard Charles E.
Hughes speak last night at The Arena were
disappointed. They realized that, orator
ically, his address was admirable, but they
came away with a definite impression that
the Republican candidate had not offered
a single constructive suggestion in the course
of hi.s remarks.
“Tied to the political fortunes of no party
and no candidate, the Times feels that it
can view the national presidential earn
paign impartiilly, and it does not hesitate
to declare that the New Yorker cannot
make a winning fight on a pr( gram of de
structive criticism. The public is not averse
to being advised of the errors of the Wil
son administration, but it desires to know
what his opponent would have done under
the same circumstances and. in particular,
what he proposes to do in the event that
he is elected next November.
“The greatest applause aroused by any
of his remarks fo lowed his reference to
Alaska and the tariff. Here was his oppor
tunity to lay before the people of the North
west his views on these two great ques
tions. Instead he contented himself with
brief and remarkably vague generalities.
He did not make one constructive sugges
tion, and he was singularly reserved in his
comment upon conditions developed by the
Democrats or likely to be developed during
the next administration.
“In point of fact, the Republican car.di
date is not meeting the issues raised by his
Democratic opponents. He is not giving
the Republicans the sort of leadership that
spells victory. His address last night wa
substantially the same as that delivered at
other places on his Western tour. It ex
cited favorable comment when first deliv
ered, because it was considered as an intro-,
duction to later remarks which would ac
quaint the people with his stand on the big
questions of the day. He has not fulfilled
those expectations. The Timse remarked, in
comment on his acceptance address, that it
lacked force, vigor, constructiveness and
definiteness. Identically the same criticism
can he made of the address delivered at The
Arena.
“If last night’s speech is the best that
Mr. Hughes ha? to offer the American peo
1 1?. there is every reason to credit the as
sertions of Eastern observers, who predict
a comparatively easy victory for Mr. Wil
son in that section. Furthermore, it is
not at all improbable that the g. o. p. ma
jorities in the strongly Republican Western
states will he materially reduced.”
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PEACE AND CONTENTMENT
A letter from C. J. Maltby from Tenakee
Springs, near Juneau, gives a peaceful de
scription of that place which will have a
soothing effect upon busy Iditarod people.
Says “Rip”:
“Tenakee is rather a pretty place, and
quite a number of people of all grades ar.
coming and going all the time, principally
cripp'es and those afflicted with rheumatism,
and 1 believe the springs possess curative
powers, as so many go away cured. There
are a number here yet, and will be for some
time. This place is situated on Tenakee
inlet, about ten miles from Chatham strait.
The town is about a mile long, straight
along the 'hore. There i^ just one street,
planked the whole length about twenty feet
wide. Two stores, a restaurant and a pool
room comprise the business interests of the
place. Fishing is the main industry, and
there is a big cannery about five miles be
low this village. Nothing but peace and
contentment reign here. No one works—all
are on the recuperating order. There is
plenty of game here, including deer and
birds. The weather has been ideal, with
sunshine every day. There are about one
hundred cabins, mostly owned by the mer
chant, and they keep pretty well rented at
from $8 to $10 per month.”
Mr. Maltby sends kind wishes to “all the
beys.”
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POPULATION OF ANCHORAGE
AS REVEALED BY CENSUS
According to a census just comp'eted.
taken under the auspices of Townsite Man
ager Watts, which is considered as accurate
as possible to obtain, in that a house to
house canvass was made, there are now
living within the townsite limits of Anchor
age 3,332 persons, says the Anchorage Times
of August 19. This, of course, does not in
elude the Commission side of Ship creek,
nor does it embrace the 193 inhabitants of
the free use districts or other inhabitants
living on the verge of the town limits.
There are fourteen families living on Gov
ernment hill, in all 48 persons. There are
about 120 employes of the commission oc
cupying government sleeping quarters on
the flat.
If those living on the Commission side
of Ship creek and those residing on the im
mediate outskirts of the town were in
cluded the present population would he
about 3,840.
There are some 2,500 men employed on
the railway work at various points in this
division. Of these, a conservative estimate
suggests that at least 2,000 of them live,
when at home, in Anchorage. This woul i
increase the population and make the total
5,480.
The census shows that, including the
Commission side and the immediate en
virons, there are 2,558 adult males, 583
adult females, and 340 children in Anchor
age. Of the children, 193 are of school
age-__
RAY CLARKE MINES GRAFH5TE
(Nome Industrial Worker, Aug. 16)
Ray D. Clarke, who has been up at the
graphite mine, has seven men at work
there, and already has out a hundred tons
of graphite. They are taking out some
more ore, erecting buildings, etc. Clarke
is pleased with the outlook, and is in town
arranging for the shipment of graphite
to the Outside. It is not impossible that
extensive operations may later be carried
out.
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TELEGRAPH TOLLS REDUCED
The new telegraph rates, to conform to
the reduction recently announced on the
government cable and land lines, goes into
effect tomorrow, October 1. There is a
general reduction, and the minimum rate
to any point is 82.75, The day rate to Se
attle is now 50 cents per word and the night
rate 44 cents, with a minimum of ten words.
-♦
Fresh Olympia and Eastern Oysters, $1.50
per can. Iditarod Meat Co.
CHAS, A. SULZER, DEMOCRATS CANDIDATE FOR DELEGATE
__ — —a— i
To tin' People nl Alaska:
In accepting the lieinoeratie nomination tor del. pa:-' '' • uvr:• -- t'r ■:n Alaska, t
do so with Hie single thought if th voting mysetr to the !'u 1 It!! mk lit of the pledges eon
(allied in the platform and the accomplishment or everything in my power for the wel
fare or Alaska.
i stand for the principle of "Alaska for Ala-kan-.
Tliis is a bro.nl principle that admits of the widest application. It demand
Alaskans be appointed I > till I lie t.lllelal positions it: the P mb my. No ono i- a
Qualified to ailliiinister the law in any eonnfey as are the residents of that coiniM;
They are 1'annlbir with the mndiiMis and know the pe,,,,|e. II demand- I Mai tli
u-ual and ridieulous e-■steietions n..w p I a ■ • d upon lb. p wet - or lh" legi-lalure Is i
mm eel and lint 111,' h gl-latii:- to- give, ail the pnwi c- "'■'bnarily o -ed and , ■
eised by legislatures. The people or Alaska arc as intelligent, honest ami patriotm a-:
the profile of any other locality in the T nited States. There is no reason why the Alaska
I,*,.. s|ature should md rxrirjse ilii powers exercised by tile legislatures in other Ioeali
lies. it demands that I'lnehotisiii be abolished and the resources or Alaska thrown , I ■ n
lo location, settlement and development by the people or Alaska. Who have a bribe
right to our hidden wealth than those who have discovered it ? Who are more deserv
ing of I lie ble-<ings thal now from tiie development of that wealth than those who have
endured the hardships and privations of the Alaskan frontier? In short, this principle
demands that every avenue leading to opportunity be opened to the people 01 Alaska,
that their contentment, happiness and prosperity may follow, and the well-being ot tie
whole nation augmented. „ ,
1 siand Iw a sound businesslike and constructive policy- a poloo ba-ed i.p- .t
principle unhampered bv prejudice. In this connection I pledge you ihai when I am
, (ceil'd I will .operate'with and work with any and all Alaskan- f ■(' III. ... .11 g.I.
and 1 here and now solicit the co-operation and assistance of each and ewiy on, of y u.
:n order [bin v.e may by ui ii.-d at linn secure for ourselves the legislative bh—mgs
we so sorely need. , , ,
slanding as I do, upon Urn Democratic platform and the principle ot -Ala-ka
Alaskans, ' applied m Its broadest and most comprehensive sense. I ask for y nr support
and co-operation, and 1 pledge you that as surely as you will vote for inc In Alaska l
will work for you in congress.
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| IDITAROD FLAT
I
Has for every man one Logging Shut, one Heavy Rough Neck
Sweater Coat, Mackinaw Clothing, and a Full Line of Furnishings,
AT GREATLY REDUCED PRICES
THE BEST OF EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME
1MERCHANTS’ CAFE
-——
kssssssscssbe GOOD MEALS
SHORT ORDERS
FIRST AVE. OPEN DAY AND NIGHT R0ET SOUTtn
-Prop.
HARRY DONNELLEY
IEEEE GENERAL f^ERCHA^DiSE
I DISCOVERY. OTTER \
fFSNNEGAN & CAMERON
| FLAT CITY
% Agency for Edison Diamond Disc Phonographs and Records
£ TOBACCO CIGARS STATIONERY
♦ CONFECTIONERY AND BILLIARDS
£ C. FI. Cameron Jas- F. Finnegan
44 4 44 444 44444 44444444444444444444444444444444444444
Job Printing at Pioneer Office
TENTS
Large, Medium and Small
Tarpaulins, All Sizes
War Bags Teamsters’ Aprons j
Wool Blankets J
Goodrich Wide and Narrow Pacs J
Gold Seal Seward Pacs
Gold Seal Cincolus
_ Eureka Red Sole Pacs
McMAHON
General Merchandise
FLAT CITY