THE 6DITAROO PIONEER
Ptifclf^bod CY*ry S»ti«r<l«y Mormon *t fdiurod, Ais*k«
Vol. 7 CHARLES A. DERRY. Editor Wo. 4d !
AfiBUCKLE & DERRY, Publishers_
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THE CANDIDATES FOR DELEGATE
The most important office to be filled by the people of Alaska
fit the coming election is that of delegate in congress. Its im
pel tance is enhanced at this time because of the fact that the
national government is engaged in tremendous enterprises in the
territory, and also because a new policy in the handling of its
natural resources is being tried out in Alaska. New theories are
being put into practice which entirely revolutionize the disposal
of the natural wealth with which Alaska has been so generously
endowed. The practice heretofore followed of allowing large in
terests to tic up immense tracts of timber, coal and mineral lands,
water rights and so forth, is a thing of ihc past, and in future
these will be made available for the common people, under restric
tions which will safeguard them and prevent, their being monopo
lized. It is a time for constructive statesmanship of the highest
type, and the man who represents Alaska in the halls of congress
should l*e in sympathy with the policies which promise to do so
much to preserve to the general public the benefits which shall
accrue from the development of Alaska's resources along rational
I: Tit'S
Of the uvu leading candidates for delegate, Charles A. Sulzer,
jhe Democratic nominee, stands on a platform which “commends
lho administration of President Woodrow Wilson,” under whose
able statesmanship and leadership the Democratic party "has
done more during the present administration toward the develop
ment and upbuilding of Alaska than all the Republican adminis
trations combined.”
James Wickershani, the “independent” candidate, is in reality
the Republican candidate, and represents the opposition to Presi
dent Wilson and his administration. He stands upon a platform
m which lie pledges support of Charles E. Hughes and the na
tional Republican party, which means that he denounces the
policies of the President.
'1 lie Republican party, while in power a few years ago, com
phtcly tied up some of the territory’s most important resources,
without providing for their ultimate use by the people of Alaska.
There seems to have been no definite plan in view except to save
them intact for future generations. A Democratic administration
provided the means for placing these resources at the disposal of
the people, and at the same time safeguarding their use from
monopoly. Wickershani finds himself in opposition to these plans
of the administration. Sulzer is in accord with the President.
A government railroad is being constructed under the super
vision of the secretary of the interior, Franklin K. Lane, than
whom the territory never has had a stauncher friend. Wicker
shani is in opposition to the policies of Secretary Lane, am! has an
tagonized his plans. Sulzer truly represents the people of Alaska, I
in that he stands upon a platform which “heartily commends the j
administration of the interior department and expresses ap- i
predation of Mr. Lane's "untiring efforts in behalf of Alaska.”
Under the circumstances it would seem that there could be
no doubt as to the choice of the people of Alaska in their selec
lion of a delegate. It would be the height of folly and ingratitude
to elect a man avowedly in opposition to a President who has done
so much for the territory' as has President Wilson. In the forth
coming election a vote for Wicker sham is a vote of lack of con
fidence in the administration, and a vote for Sulzer is a vote for
Wilson.
THE MOON SUPERSTITION
Recently The Outlook published a very entertaining and in
structive article on “The Moon and the High Cost of Living," in ,
which the writer, Lewis Edwin Theiss, showed wherein the super
stitions of agriculturists relative to the planting, nurture and gar- ;
tiering of crops had a quite material effect on the cost of living
because of the fact that crops were in many instances failures by
reason of a blind compliance with certain superstitions, such as
sowing grain at a certain phase of the moon, and similar absurdi
ties, thus often allowing propitious weather to pass without being
taken advantage of, and possibly postponing this important task
until weather conditions were less favorable and the season far
ther advanced. He cited innumerable like instances of “rules"
which were complied with by the agriculturists, all of which had
their effect upon market conditions.
In its issue of September 6 The Outlook again reverts to Mr.
Theiss’ article, and discusses certain criticisms w-hich have been
submitted to it, and says, among other things:
We confess that, despite all this, w-c are still persuaded
that Mr. Theiss is only too accurate in his belief concerning i
the prevalence of superstition upon the farm. We say this
without any effort to contradict those of our correspondents
who contend that an equal amount of superstition is preva
lent in our towns and cities. And it is extremely probable
that the superstitions, both urban and rural, which have en
dured for at least two thousand years, through all the varying
changes of government and religion that have taken place in |
that interval, will continue to dwell in our land long after
Mr. Theiss and his critics have passed beyond the realm of
journalistic controversy.
Mr. Iheiss in his article refers to those who have been un- l
able or unwilling to profit by the so-called new science of
agriculture as men with “granitic mind.” He tells how these
men of “granitic mind” borrow their ideas from their fathers,
and how these ideas have in each generation sef as hard as
plaster of paris. We wonder whether in writing this Mr.
Theiss realized that this same problem of the ancestral in
cubus confronted the farmers of the Roman empire as di
rectly as it does our American citizens today.
“ ‘I observe a practice which I learned from my father,’
said Agrasius, ‘not only never to shear my sheep, but not even
to have my own hair cut, on the decrease of the moon, for
fear that I might become bald.’ ” So speaks a character in
Varro’s “Rerum Rusticarum.” W’e are quoting from “A Vir
ginia Farmer’s” delightful volume on “Roman Farm Manage
ment”—an annotated translation of the agricultural treatises
of Cato and of Varro. Now Varro in much of his advice
concerning farming is a modern of moderns. In the prepara
tion of seed-beds and the application of the practice of “green
manuring” he could teach much to many of our present-day
farmers; but, like the men of whom Mr. Theiss complained,
he also was subject to the delusions of moon power. He wrote
(we are still quoting from the translation by “A Virginia
Farmer”) : “The lunar seasons also must be considered.
They are divided into two terms, that from the new inoort
io the full, and that from the full moon to the new moon.
, • Some agricultural operations may be undertaken
with more advantage during the increase of the moon, others
during the decrease, as for example, the harvest or cutting
of Stood.” In commenting upon this passage “A Virginia
Farmer” writes;
"The rural confidence in the influence of the moon upon
the life of a farm still persists vigorously; thus, as l’liny coun
seled that one wean a colt only when the moon is on the
wane, so it will be found that the. moon is consulted before a
colt is weaned on most American farms today; for that may
be safely done, says the rural oracle, only when the moon's
sign, as given in the almanac, corresponds with a part of the
almanac's 'moon man’ or ‘anatomie’ at or below the knees,
i. e., when the moon is in one or the other of the signs of
I Pisces, Caprieornus or Aquarius; but never at a time of day
j when the moon is in its 'southing.’ ”
I As pointed out by The Outlook, superstition concerning the
i influence of the moon on weather is not confined to the rural
i communities. Among all classes of people these superstitions
! exist, and in spite of everything that has been published on the
i subject the beliefs are tenaciously held to, probably in the same
manner that a man holds fast to the religion and politics of his
fathers
_
In a speech delivered at Seward on September 15 by George
Grigsby, Democratic candidate for attorney general of Alaska,
the Gateway says he probably struck a new note in Alaska politics
when he described what are called Seattle Alaskans as “hyphen
ated Alaskans.” A most amusing part of his work was the pro
duction of photographs showing the Seattle offices and residences
of his opponent, George Schofield, and some of his supporters.
He particularly dwelt on the fact (hat Schofield has a splendid
residence in Seattle. “A man who could own a house like that
in Seattle,” said Grigsby, "does not want the job of attorney gen
eral of Alaska. I do.” But Mr. Grigsby devoted little time to
himself or his campaign. He seemed to be chiefly concerned w'ith
the campaign between Sulzer and Wickersham, and it must be
said he produced some new arguments why the present delegate
should not be re-elected.
-♦>—
The nomination of Senator Miles Poindexter by the Repub
licans of Washington is a sad blow to the old-line Republicans.
The Post-Intelligencer, which made a vicious fight on Poindexter
in favor of Humphrey, said a few days before the primaries that
the contest between Humphrey and Poindexter brought out the
dear cut issue of protection vs. free trade. Poindexter voted for
the Underwood tariff bill, and the Republicans of the state of Wash
ington indorsed his action by giving him a plurality over his pro
tectionist opponent of sonie 10.000 votes, ami Humphrey was
even defeated in his home county of King.
-«-—
At a Republican rally addressed by George D. Schofield, can
didate for territorial attorney general, held at Nome on September
t>, three cheers were proposed for the Republican presidential can
didate. Charles E. Hughes. The Nugget says: “These were given,
but with a lack of enthusiasm which seems to indicate that Mr.
Hughes is slightly out of the running up in this section.”
LLOYD'S
You frequently come across the name "Lloyd’s” in the foreign
news, especial.y in regard to the hazards of shipping, since the
war has been in progress. You also have read such statements as
“Lloyd’s will give 3 to 1 on the probable end of the war by
Christmas.” You may also remember that when King Edward
was very ill the shopkeepers in London insured their stocks of
black goods against the possible recovery of the sick monarch, in
which contingency the black goods would not sell.
Do you know what “Lloyd’s” is and how it got its name? On
the surface it is merely an insurance company, which will iusnre
anything in the world, from a cargo of merchandise to the draper
! ies on a building that would be ruined by rain, or the business of
a restaurant keeper whose trade during a public festival would be
I diminished by bad weather.
The organization bears no resemblance to American insurance
companies, and just as all insurance is a form of betting, this one
association carries the taking of risks to the extreme. It came
into existence as long ago as 1088. when Edward Lloyd operated
a popular coffee house in Tower street. London. Here the men
interested in mercantile marine and oversea commerce used to con
gregate to talk business. Lloyd published a shipping journal, and
his office came to be the center for marine insurance and ship
broking.
Although the enormous association now has its offices in the
Royal Exchange, it maintains a restaurant for its members, in
memory of its seventeenth century origin. - Ex.
_____▲
ANOTHER PHASE OF THE MAIL-ORDER BUSINESS
(Natchez, Miss., Democrat I
Recently a merchant of Natchez happened to see a farmer re
ceive a box at the depot, and noticed that it was from a mail
order house. He also noticed that the goods were right in his
line, and the same as he had carried for years. He immediately
approached the farmer and said, “I could have sold you the goods
you have here for less money than the Chicago house and saved
you the freight.”
“Then why didn't you do so?” said the farmer. “I have taken
the local paper for a year and have not seen a line about your
selling these or any other goods. This mail-order house sends ad
vertising matter to me asking for my trade, and it gets it. If
you have any bargains, why don't you put them in the paper, so
we can see what they are?"
The Alaska mosquito, at least, never is an inspiration to
poetry. But something of the divine spark seems to have been
awakened in the mind of a Seattle Post-Intelligencer reporter
recently by the fact that the opening of the flood-gates of the
newly-completed Lake Washington canal caused immense pools
of stagnant water to be formed, which became the breeding place
for myriads of mosquitos. The presence of the insect pest is said
to have made old-time Alaskans domiciled in Seattle homesick
for the North, and the poetic reporter delivered himself thus, and
must have felt profound relief: “While the setting sun dyes the
horizon crimson until the red stains run and merge with the
illimitable measures of the star-spangled sky, while night birds,
with warbles pitched soft and low, seek the shelter of their nests;
while the blue heron, with a bronchial squawk, flees the plashy
waterside at the approach of the heavy-footed policeman, then
arise from the placid and limpid expanse of fresh water and from
every grass blade and burgeoning herb, clouds of mosquitos, which
swiftly landward steer their course in search of gore.” Help!
-♦
It is reported that the Mexicans are preparing to shell the
American motor-truck trail. They have spilled our blood. Now,
if they spill our gasoline nothing can hold us back.—Louisville
Courier-Journal.
---—♦
There have been few defeats on the European fronts, but there
have been many strategic withdrawals.—St. Louis Star.
Ball Band Rubber Boots and Pacs
Ball Band Rubber Boots and Pacs
Shipped in Cold Storage Expressly for Northern Commercial Co.
Cudahy's “Diamond C"
and
Armour's “Star"
MILD CURE HAM AND BACON
None Better Try It
N. C. Co. Sole Agents for Alaska
N. C. Co. Sole Agents for Alaska
GOVERNMENT RAILROAD
TO BE COMPLETED IN 1910
SEWARD, Sept. 14.—The summer of
1919 probably will see the opening to traffic
of the new United States railway from Sew
ard to Fairbanks, according to William E.
Edes, chairman of the Alaska engineering
commission, who has just completed an in
spection of the construction situation on
this portion of the proposed line. Chair
man Edes recently departed for Fairbanks
to make an inspection at that end. He
was accompanied by J. P. Cotton, attorney
for the railway.
W'hile no announcement has been made,
it is understood that Chairman Edes, while
at Fairbanks, will look into the question of
purchasing the narrow-gauge line now op
erating out of Fairbanks to the mines. It
is proposed to supply fuel for further min
eral developments in that section of the
territory.
The line from Seward fo Kern creek and
Turnagain arm, and from Anchorage to a
few miles north of Matanuska junction, on
the new division, will soon be open, and
about fifteen miles of steel will be laid south
of Anchorage, toward connecting with the
coast section.
Experience has taught the engineers that
it is a good thing to have a right of way
cleared one season in advance of all work.
Clearing away the trees gives the gun a
chance at (he ground and takes the frost
out of the cleared sections a month earlier
than where the spruce forest still stands.
For this reason clearing gangs are busy
cutting along the line from Matanuska
junction to Taikeetna and beyond on the
way up the Susitna valley toward Broad
pass. A section of the division will be
completed before the frost comes, but there
will be a long stretch ready for early work
in 1917, during which the clearing will be
pushed on to the pass.
The coal field branch line from Mata
nuska will be kept open during the winter
to provide fuel for construction work along
Turnagain arm, which, being in hard rock,
can be handled without regard to the frost.
DEATH OF SETH LOW
Seth Low, whose death in New York was
announced on September IS, was a former
mayor of Greater New York, and one of
the most widely-known educators and pub
licists in the country. He was born in
Brooklyn in 1850, and was educated in the
New York schools, and was granted the
degree of A. B. by Columbia University in
1889. He took special cources in the state
university of New York, University of Penn
sylvania, Harvard and Trinity, and was
j ranted degrees by Princeton, A'ale and the
University of Scotland.
He acted as a clerk in the law offices of
Judge Benjamin R. Curtis of Boston, and
was later a partner with his father in the
tea importing business in New Aork.
In 1881 he was elected mayor of Brook
lyn on an independent ticket, and served
until 1885. In 1897 he was an unsuc
cessful candidate for mayor of Greater New
A'ork, but was elected later, and served
from January 1, 1302, until December 31,
1903. He was elected president of Cblum
; bia University in 1890, holding that posi
tion until 1901. He was a delegate to The
Hague peace conference in 1889 and wfas a
member of many peace and civic federa
tiens in the United States,
_a.
DEMOCRATIC TICKET
Vote It Straight
FOURTH JUDICIAL DIVISION
MARK YOUR BALLOT THUS
For Delegate to Congress
(Vote for One'
LEWIS, LENA MORROW
X SULZER, CHARLES A.
WICKERSHAM, JAMES
For Attorney General of the Territory of
Alaska
(Vote for One'
COBB. JOHN H.
X GRIGSBY, GEORGE B.
SCHOFIELD, GEORGE D.
For Territorial Senator
(Vote for One)
McCABE, DAN
X McGOWAN, THOMAS A.
SUTHERLAND, DAN A.
For Territorial Representatives
(Vote for F'our)
BEAN, Z. C.
X BURNS, W. T.
COLLINS, ERNEST B,
X DUNN, JOHN W.
GREEN, JOE K.
X HESS, L. C.
HUEY, GEORGE W,
X KILGORE, A. M.
LEDGER, GEORGE W.
MONAHAN, C. M.
NERLAND, ANDREW
SNOW, C. K.
VINAL, W. A.
WEBSTER, DANIEL
WESTENVIK, LARS
For Road Commissioner, District No. 4
JENSEN, PETER
ROSS, H. H.
SABIN, MELVIN R.
STEIL, PETER
Eight-Hour Law
Note.—Place a cross (X) opposite your
choice.
(Vote for One)
For a General Eight-Hour Law
Against a General Eight-Hour Law
Note.—Against the manufacture or sale 1
of intoxicating liquors in Alaska after Janu- j
ary 1st, 1918, place cross (X) opposite
“Dry.” In favor of same, place cross (X)
opposite “Wet.”
(Vote for One)
DRY
WET —Adv.
-♦
NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that the under
signed has been appointed agent in Iditarod
for H. H. Porter, and that he will collect
and receipt for all bills due him.
GUY G. GERAGHTY. j
CHAS.A, SiiLZER, DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR DELEGATE
SULZER AND THE MINING MAN
Union No. 152 of the Western Federation of Winers, Sulzer, Alaska, has sent the fol
lowing communication to every miners’ union in Alaska:
At a meeting held in ntir hall on June IDIO. all mend'crs *" ”’" o"'-' a I'"
was made, seconded and unanimously carried lo give Senator Charles A. Sulzer of iho
Alaska legislature our entire : uppnH in his campaign for delegate to congress.
Ml' Sulzer has been a resident here for fourteen years. I mil the Iasi year he \va
gencral manager for the Alaska Industrial Company, hut since last year he lias operated
the mines himself as a lessee, lumng all these fourteen years he ha- proved hiinselt a
3rue friend of unionism, a good fellow and a friend of labor in general.
He gave the eight-hour day of his own free will in 1802 upon starting operations m
Vla-ka. and this was long before anyone else had the same rule in Alaska, lie ha- al
ways paid the highest wages in Ibis district, given everybody a -owev deal red t'v "-d
everybody as a man. There is not a man who has ever worked in Senator sulzer s camp
who'will"not speak of him in the highest terms, and \v km.w from long "U.-eiAaimo
Ihar he has the qualifications to aldv represi nt us in congress.
The foregoing are only a few of the main facts of Mr. sulzer's character which have
endeared him to tile workers, so we vvi-ti you in rally to his support and leave no ob
stacle in the way of his election for delegate to congress from Alaska.
UNION NO. 15 2, WESTERN FEDERATION OF MINERS.
By THOMAS H. BUTLER, President.
(Seal) H. It. HOFFLESON Secretary.
Tom
owan
Democratic Candidate
For Senator
Fourth Division
Job Printing at Pioneer Office
FINNEGAN & CAMERON
FLAT CITY
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TOBACCO CIGARS STATIONERY
CONFECTIONERY AND BILLIARDS
C. R. Cameron Jas. F. Finnegan
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Large, Medium and Small
Tarpaulins, All Sizes
War Bags Teamsters’ Aprons
Wool Blankets
Goodrich Wide and Narrow Pacs
Gold Seal Seward Pacs
Gold Seal Cincolus
_ Eureka Red Sole Pacs
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FLAT CITY