-— “ “ ”\ VLDKZ, ALASKA, SATURDAY. FEBRUARY 24, 1017 NUMBER 47
VOLUME XIV. _ _ .
MAIL SERVICE
BAOUfCRIPPLED
i 'I,KICKS C.AXXOT BE OBT.AIXED
Boom Times In Butte Cause Clerks
to l^eave Positions to Take t'|> Min
ing and Others Cannot Be Secured
—Wages Highest Known.
BUTTE, Mont., Feb. 24.—Postal
acilities here are badly crippled ow
ng to the inability of the postmaster
lo secure clerks. The great boom in
nining caused by the high price of
. opper. has taken every available mai
•lid the wages paid are the highest
ver paid in this district. Common
laborers are getting $4.BO per da)
and skilled miners proportionately
higher wages. As a consequence no
< ne is willing to accept the lower
wages offered by the postoffice de
partment, and the service is seriously
impaired by the resignation of many
• f the clerks to take up mining.
i
SHIP BE sunk;
GERMANY REFUSES SAFEGUARD j
_ I
Ambassador Visits German Embassy j
at Madrid Seeking Assurances of |
Fi-eedom From Molestation, Hut
Gets No Satisfaction.
|
1
MADRID, Feb. 24.—Ambassadoi
Gerard, who is here en route to the j
United States, expresses the fear that;
-he steamer on which he takes pas- i
-age may be torpedoed by a subma
: ine, and urges all Americans to keep
■ if the vessel. He visited the German |
embassy here today and sought to I
earn if the German government had;
- uaranteed his safety, but without re-j
ult. His request that a destroyer
convoy the steamer beyond the dan
rer zone was refused. Germany bro": \
charge of treason against the am 1
• assador. which, it is believed masked |
a desire on the part of the German!
i fhcials to investigate the American i
1 rinbassy and seize the papers there ;
Gerard destroyed all documents in the
embassy at Berlin with the exception
of a copy of the treaty which Germany
attempted to force him to sign, which
be is taking to the United States with
him.
h VILLA PROCLAIMS WAR ZONE
AND SAYS ALIENS KEEP OUT
JAUREZ. Mexico, Feb. 24.— Proc
lamations were posted on the dead
walls and distributed on the streets
here last night signed by Francisco
Villa warning (everyone against enter
ing certain zones in Northern Mexico
and warning foreigners of all nations
to keep out.
The proclamation added that , for
eigners would be given all the protec
tion possible in other portions of the
districts, but that if they were robbed
or wounded during any fighting they
would be victims of their own care
lessness.
I Twenty-five persons were arrested
* by Carranzaists after the distribution
r>f handbills.
CALLS TERM OF COURT,
TO RE HELD IN CORDOVA
Judge Brown of the District Court,
yesterday afternoon issued an order
<aUing a term of the district court
10 convene at Cordova on March 26.
While no order haB been made yet for
f the calling of a jury, it is expected
that a trial Jury will be called within
a few days, and possibly, a grand jury.
,y -—-—
To I'rge Railroad Legislation.
WASHINGTON, D. C„ Feb. 24.—
Chairman Newlands of the senate in
terstate commerce committee gave
notice to the senate that the admin
istration railroad program would be
y, actively pressed from now on and that
the senate would have opportunity to
vote on the question of enforcing sus
pension of strikes and lockouts pend
ing investigation.
EMPEROR IN CLOSER
TOUCH WITH AFFAIRS
BUDAPEST, Feb. 24.—The Em
peror Charles has decided to divide
the ministry for foreign affairs into
two distinct parts, says the Pesti Hir
lap. One will be conducted by Count
Czernin and will be called the minis
try of the exterior: the other, wiln
Prince Hohenlohe at its head, will be
called the ministry of the reigning
houses. The exact significance of the
change is not clear, but it is supposed
that the emperor's idea is to have the
administration of foreign affairs more
closely under his personal supervi
sion.
CEHTBW-WWEfiS
BEMJSEIM
ENDORSE SUBMARINE POLICY
Advices, Received by Secretary of
State Lansing Lead to Belief That
Austria Will Withdraw Promises
and Allow Diplomatic Break.
WASHINGTON, D. C„ Feb. 24.—
Advices received by Secretary of
State Lansing are to the effect that
Germany and her allies have been
solidified, through an interchange of
communications between Berlin. Vi
enna, Constantinople and Sofia on the
submarine program, and will stan 1
behind Germany to the end. It is be
lieved that Austria will withdraw her
promises to the United States and will
allow a break in the diplomatic rela
tions between the two countries.
CABINET MINISTERS
POOL THEIR SALARIES
LONDON, Feb. 24.—Following the
precedent set by the Asquith govern
ment, the ministers in the Lloyd
George government are pooling their
salaries. The salary of the prime min
ister is not affected by the arrange
ment. Ministers will draw from the
“pool” about £3,000 each year, as
compared with over £4,000 as the
individual share of cabinet ministers
under Asquith. The smaller amount
is due to the increased number of
ministers owing to the creation of
several new departments.
IRON COINAGE ISSUED IN
SCANDINAVIAN COUNTRIES
STOCKHOLM, Feb. 24.—An issue
of iron coinage is expected in Swe
den shortly according, to the manager
of the Swedish State bank. The mat
ter has been the subject of discussion
and agreement hetween the three
Scandinavian countries.
Big Bout Not a Certainty.
CHICAGO, Feb. 24.—Jess Willard
announced here today that the state
ment that he had been matched with
Fred Falton for a ten round bout in
New York on March 26, was news to
him. Willard announced, however,
that he understood that such a match
was a possibility and-that-he had not
been, informed that ft was a certpiuty.
Director of the Mint Nominated.
WASHINGTON, D, C., Feb. 24.—
Raymond T. Baker, of Nevada, was
nominated by President Wilson today
as director of the mint. Mr. Baker
whose home is at Reno, was private
secretary to George T. Mayre, when
the latter was ambassador to Russia.
Mr. Baker was at one time warden of
a penitentiary In Nevada.
The launch' Pathfinder arrived in
port this morning from Port Wells
and other Sound points, bringing a
number of passengers. She will leave
this evening for Ellamar, Landlock
and Portage Bay. Captain Smith re
ports the trip just ended an Ideal ore,
the Sound being absolutely without
a ripple and the weather fine.
For Sale.
Five room house on Front Street, a
good buy for a home or an invest
ment. Terms $350 cash. This is a
bargain and it will not last long. For
further details, see the Alaska Invest
ment Co. 2t
J. L. Steele, who left yesterday on
the Alaska for a short visit to La
touche, will return on that steamer
and go through to the States on a bus
iness trip. He will return here again
in a short time. i
MILWAUKEE A TOTAL LOSS
Plioio by American Press Association.
United States cruiser Milwaukee stranded ou lUe Pacific coast in an effort
ft> save the submarine H-.S and is now breaking to pieces
COMMITTEE SAYS
NO OFFICIAL LEAK
INSPIRKD RY NKYYSPAPKR MKN
House -Committee on Rules I'nani
mously Y'indirates Administration
Officials from Charge of Having
Prematurely Riven Out Note.
|
—
YVASHINGTON. D. C., Pel). 24.—
The House Committee on Rules,
which has been conducting the inves
tigation of the leak of the President )
peace note, today unimously voted to
vindicate the administration and pub
lie officials and also the President's
hrother-iiylaw, Bolling. The testi
mony before the committee, in the
opinion of the members, failed to con
nect any of the officials of the admin
istration with the alleged leak, and
tends to show that deduction of news
papei correspondents as to what the
action of the President would, be,
was the source of the information
transmitted to Wall Street.
Bolivia Denounces Germany.
WASHINGTON, D. C., Feb. 2+.—
The Mexican embassy here has receiv
ed a communication from Bolivia
(Ailing upon all American nations to
join in a conference to deal with
the complications growing out of the
German U boat, warfare. The com
munication denounced. Germany s
sea warfare in. snatching terms.
Will Not Return Alone.
Andy Mnrkus&n, who returned on
the Alaska from fe trip to the Statee,
reports that he met .Dave Ohms iuiSe
httlt, and tbelatter informed him
that he would return to .Valdez in .he
near future, but that he would not
return alone.
Farragpt Dae Midnight.
The steamer Admiral Farragut .s
scheduled to reach here ai midnight
tonight from the westward, according
to advices receivedHat the local steam
ship office this hrofning
•_ (
Gracious!
Refined young lady who can cer
tainly tear a piano to pieces, wants a
position in a moving picture housY—
Jacksonville (Fla.) Times Union'
Drafts in settlement of the insur
ance on the property of Jack Callin
and Mrs. Mabel White, destroyed by
fire on January 2, were received in
yesterday’s mgfl by C. B. Smith,
through whos^, agency the policies
were written.
Rev. Fatheif Fletcher returned
from Cordova yesterday on the Alas
ka, and will hold services as usual
the coming Sunday.
Jack Wahlen was an arrival from
Ellamar this morning.
URGES ACTION
SECURE MONEY
FOR CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS
•Juneau Umpire Urges Immediate Ac
tiou by Commercial and Civic Bod
ies in Territory to Secure Reinstate
ment of Appropriation.
(Special to the Prospector.)
JUNEAU, Feb. 24.—Advices re
ceived here from Washington state
that the appropiration of $500,000
for Alaska roads and trails, attached
to the Military appropriation bill, ha.
teen stricken from the bill in the
House, on a point of order, on the
suggestion from Delegate Wicker
sham that the appropriations for
roads in Alaska by the Federal gov
ernment did no good to the terri
tory.
Acting on a suggestion front Wash
ington, the Empire, of this city, has
issued a call to all commercial bodies,
mayors and members of the common
councils of the various towns and all
citizens interested in securing this
appropriation for roads in Alaska'to
wire Senator Chamberlain, chairman
of the Senate Committee on Military
affairs, urging that the item be rein
stated in the. Senate.
In connection with this call the
Empire declares that the failure of
the government to make an appropri
ation at this time would be, diaastrou
to Alaska and would probably, result
In the cutting: off of all Appropriation -
In the future for road work in the
Territory, It is urged that Immedi
ate action be taken by the various civ
ic bodies in the Territory to impress
upon the Senate committeeAbe neces
sity of restoring thts item to the bill.
Neal Dow, the Mercury of the local
cable office, is laid up today with a
revere cold.
Mrs. F. M. Boyle will be an outgo
ing passenger on the Admiral Farra
gut for an extended visit to the
| States.
Senator O. P. Hubbard* accompan
ied by Mrs. Hubbard and daughter.
Miss Della, will leave on the Admiral
Farragut for Juneau to attend the
' session of the Territorial Assembly.
John Hanson arrived in town yes
terday on the Alaska from Cordova,
having come out from Valdez Creek.
A woman’s idea of a brute is a man
who gets mad because his wife opens
; his mail and reads it.
I -
Mrs. Norman Merchant is a visitor
in town from the Granby mine, and
will remain here until tomorrow.
Deputy Marshal A. C. Dowling wi i
leave this evening on a business trip
down the sound.
MORTALITY RECORD
' 18 VERY LARGE
LONDON, Feb. 24.—"Reckoning
deaths, it is more dangerous in Great
Britain to be a baby at home than it
is to be an infantryman serving a year
in France.” according to a report 0.1
vital statistics. And this is how he
proves it: "Of 100 possible births!
ten are lost in advance. Of the re
maining 90, each of which fills a
cradle, fifteen are dead by the end
of the first year. In other words out
of 100 children who ought to be cele
brating the first birthday, at this
rresent rate 25 have left us prema
turely or in earliest infancy.”
MEASURE MID
ST0RAGEG01BINE
TO LOWER PRICE FOODSTUFFS
Senator James Hamilton I^ivIk Intro
duces Resolution Authorizing the
President to Fix Prices on Food
stuffs Wrongfully Held.
WASHINGTON, D. 0.. Feb. 24.—
Senator James Hamilton Lewis of
Illinois, the Administration whip, has
introduced in the Senate an amend
ment to the revenue bill empowering
President Wilson to seize immediately
and fix the price of all foodstuffs
I wrongfully held to boost prices. The
resolution is believed to be aimed at
the cold storage combine.
OWEN WOULD FINE FOLKS
WHO FAIL TO CAST VOTE
WASHINGTON, I). ('., Feb. 24.—
An amendment to the Owen corrupt
practices bill, providing that every
qualified voter who fails to vote in
a Federal election, except because of
sickness, shall be subject to a fine of
J25, was introduced by Senator
Works.
_
"HELP WANTED” AT THE
EMPRESS THEATRE TONIGHT
Tonight the Empress Theatre will
present Lois Meredith in the national
success “Help Wanted", in five acts
A fine Pathe News will also be
shown.
Pat Crowe Arrested
KANSAS CITY, Mo.. Feb. 24.—
Pat Crowe, reformed kidnaper, soe
inario and slogan writer, whose picture
In the last 27 years has frequently
decorated the front pages of newspa
pers throughout the country has been
arrested again, this time for causing
a> disturbance with a pawnbroker
where he had pawned his overcoat.
Supposed, Spy Arrested.
NORFOLK, Va., Feb. 24.—Federal
agents arrested a supposed spy at
Cape Henry. Residents noticed the
man making sketches near the site
of the proposed new fort and at other
places near the entrance of Chesa
peake Bay.
The launch Patsy. Capt. JefTerson,
made a trip to Shoup bay and the
Cube mine this morning.
er'sirt
The Valdez Mercantile • Company
i hipped a large lot of supplies to the
mines down the bay this morning.
A. Paul of Culross Island, arrived
in town this morning on the launch
Pathfinder.
Charles Whalen will leave this
afternoon on the launch Pathfinder
for a trip down the Sound.
Mrs. M. Richards, of Granby, is a
visitor in town today.
Alaskan Must Pay Cash
SEATTLE, Feb. 23.'—Judge Gil
liam of the Superior Court has de
nied motion for new trial in breach
of promise case brought by Margaret
Strand-against Peter Malone, of Fair
banks, and has entered judgment in
the sum of $20,000.
I
• ——■■—-—■*■—1—
Widow is Found Dead
SEATTLE, Feb. 23.—Mrs. Ella
! Crandall, widow of Capt. Crandall
| was found dead in her rooms at the
iMarcy Apartments this morning. The
‘coroner is investigating whether she
!died naturally, or was a suicide, or
: was murdered.
OMAHA BLOCK
LOSS KSTIMATKD AT 8754UHHMH'
K\|>l«»ion of Varnish in Furniture
Store Starts Conflagration Whirl
Destroys Kniirr Block—Guests if
Hotel Are Panic Stricken.
OMAHA, Feb. 24.—An explosion
of varnish in a furniture store tfet?
last night started a conflagration in
the downtown business section entail
ing a loss of $750,000. The entire
block was destroyed, including
hotels, which were filled with guests
Panic reigned and the guests swarme I
from the hotels into the streets, m.my
of them in their night clothes, and in
most instances lost everything they
possessed. During the battle with the
flames five members of the fire depart
ment were seriously injured when a
section of wall fell out into the street
partially burying them In the debris
MEN DEMAND
LOWER PRICES
| >1015 MARKET IN PHILADELPHIA
t
Angered l».v the Rapid Rise In Prices
of Food Sturt's Women Riot and Re
mand Clieaiier Foodstuffs—Arc
Dispersed With Rittieulty.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 24 A moo
j of angry women, incensed by the rap
id rise in the price of all foodstuffs,
yesterday raided the fish market, de
manding lower prices. So violent did
they become that the marketnieu
feared the destruction of their stocks
and askad for police protection. The
reserves were called out to guard the
market, and experienced considerable
difficulty in quelling the riot, the wo
[ men attacking them with fury when
[ordered to disperse. Twelve of the
leaders were taken into custody by
the police.
VILLA HAS LARGE FORCE
AND BIG ARTILLERN
NEW YORK, Feb. 24.—Genera!
Francisco Villa, with a force of
25,000 men supported by 30 cannon
of 65 and 75 millimeters each and 7b
machine guns, is slowly moving north
and will probably engage the Carrai -
za forces unless they take shelter in
the United States.
It is also stated that his medical
force consists of 16 physicians, 5'.‘‘
nurses and 39 ambulances.
FROWN ON HEALTH LAW
FOR LOVELORN COUPLES
SALEM, Ore., Feb. 24.—Couples
who cannot pass the Oregon health
tests here no longer will have to go
to other states to obtain marriage
licenses, aa the senate passed a bill
repeating the state law which requires
a health certificate from every appli
cant for a license. The measure now
goe6 to the house where it is said to
be assured of passage.
COMPULSORY MILITARY
TRAING FOR INDIA
CALCUTTA. Feb. 24.—The an
nouncement of a scheme of compul
sory military training for India is ex
pected shortly. The scheme as at first
put iuto effect, will apply only to Eu
ropeans and Anglo-Indians.
SPECIAL MEETING OF
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
There will be a s|iecial meeting of
the Chamber of Commerce in the of
fice of Dr. 8. W. Merritt to take action
on the matter of securing the rein
statement of the Alaska Road Appro
priation in the Military Appropriation
Bill. The meeting will take place at
8 o'clock and all parties Interested
are invited to be present.
No Dance Tonight.
The usual Saturday night Moose
| dance will lie omitted this evening.