IDITAROD PIONEER
PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY hSORMEKO ST 1DITAR0D, ALASKA
V0j. 0 CHARLES ft. DERRY, Lessee and Publisher Ho. A‘J
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Six Months . G.00 j Single Copy___ff
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A WARNING TO BE HEEDED
A sigh of relief went up from the whole community on Tuesday I
last when the welcome news was received that the party of travelers!
on board the launch Tramp had come lo no harm. Many who would
not openly admit it were fearful for the worst. Ine fact that the uttle j
vessel with its precious human freight had reached the mouth of to :
river when the freeze-up came shows how near to disaster they really
were. Had they been reported missing alter learing Notlik there could
have been but one explanation, ana that a tiagic one. As it is, tne,
people of Iditarod mil rejoice in the surety ci tiieir mends ana ne.gh i
bors and devoutly hope that they have suffered no ii! consequences]
from their experience. . j
The incident brings to light the fact that men (and women in tins l
instance) have yearly been taking risks in navigating tne Yukon which!
only the utmost urgency could excuse. Now that the party is sale it j
is brought out that the Iramp rvas a vessel of tne mosi flimsy constnic-j
t:on, which would not withstand a moderately hard wma e\ cn on the j
Y ukon river, let alone on the treacherous waters oi Bering sea. L has j
been the practice of hardy men to make the tr'p down the uver to >
catch the last ship leaving for the States after tne regular river steam-,
boats had been laid up for the winter. It was a race with me elements,
and the fact that heretofore no disaster had happened had lent en
couragement to others. As a consequence tne party which lew nerc
on October 6 on the Tramp were not equipped with even tire necessary
winter clothing to protect them in case they were caught in the
freeze-up. The vessel, which was but a flimsy scow equipped with a
gasoline engine and canvas house, was not even provided With iue
preservers. It hid no small boats, and not even an aaequale anchor,
according to trustworthy accounts.
It may be suggested that men have a right to risk their lives in
these flimsy craft if they so desire. But have they? In our opinion men
have no right to take such risks with their own lives as would induce
others to do likewise and thus invite disaster. Probably under
the regulations m force jn the Canadian portion or the iukon, such a
risky voyage uouid have been prohibited, it is true that individuals
have a right to take what chances they please. But it would seem tnat
where, as in the case at point, the travelers would be compelled to look
to the government for relief in case of disaster, the government would
have a light to limit the risks that might be taken.
It goes without saying that the experience of the Iditarod party
this year will serve as a warning to those contemplating similar trips
in the future. Very few of the persons who took passage on the Iramp
but could have arranged their affairs to have left before the period of
danger set in. It is likely that in future these foolhardy voyages will
not be as popular as heretofore.
The prompt action of the civil and military authorities on the ap
peal for help for the iditarod party sent from this city deserves the high
est commendation. And The Pioneer feels justified, in behalf of the
people of the district, in joining with the passengers of the 1 ramp in ex
tending to them cordial thanks and appreciation.
NATIONAL DEFENSE
One of the most important (if not the most important) subjects
to come before congress when it reassembles next December will be
that of national defense. During the closing hours of the last session
much hysterical talk was indulged m as to the defenseless condition of
the country, and while much that was said was true, probably it was
just as well that adjournment came before the radical militarists could
gather their forces for a raid on the country’s resources on the plea of
military necessity. Since then there has been time for calm delibera
tion and for observation of present-day methods of warfare.
The probabilities are that there will be a strong sentiment in favor
of delay m the matter of definitely deciding upon an extensive plan of
armament, on the plea that many important engines of warfare are
still in the experimental stage. It also will be claimed that there is not
now the incentive to put the nation on a military footing that there was
a year ago. At that time there was a probability, even though a re
mote one, that Germany might wan a speedy victory over her enemies,
and by a favorable peace achieve a position of mastery in the world’s
affairs. It w'as realized that, in such an event, it would be only a mat
ter of time until the interests of the United States and Germany would
dash in the western hemisphere. The maintenance of the Monroe doc
trine would forbid colonization by a European country in the New'
World, and Germany’s ambition was known to be to secure a foot
hold m South America, which has been exploited so largely by Ger
man capital. Added to this was the fact that Germany had never, and
has not yet, recognized the Monroe doctrine. With no other country
than Germany was there any likelihood of war. Our relations with
Great Britain are more amicable, perhaps, than has been the case since
the Declaration of Independence was promulgated. With Russia, while
there have been serious misunderstandings, and while there is at present
at least one serious matter of disagreement, there has been at no time
likelihood of armed conflict. Our relations with France and other
countries other than Germany and Austria are of the most friendly
character; and it well may be that out of the interchange of diplomatic
correspondence with the latter two the foundation of a better under
standing may have been laid. There have been intimations of a possi
ble clash wnth Japan; and while the position on the Pacific of that pro
gressive little nation always must be a factor in the military prepared
ness of tne United States, there appears no reason for fear of war w'ltb
the mikado s people. There appears rather to be a w'ish to co-operate
on the part of the two governments in maintaining peaceful relations.
Conditions confronting the United States are far less serious than
a year ago. Fighting the most desperate war in the world’s history; en
tailing losses variously estimated, but assuredly running into the mil
lions in killed and disabled, with an expenditure of several million dol
lars dafly, and this continued for a period of fifteen months, there is
little reason to believe that Germany will be a formidable enemy for
some years to come, even with the conclusion of a favorable peace.
This being the care, the principal incentive for immediate American
armament is iacking. However, it should by no means be inferred that j
.he United States ought to remain in an undefended position, open to!
the attacks of smaller but better equipped nations. Far from it. The j
United States should be in position to repel invasion and, if necessary, j
carry on aggressive warfare. Not that the people of this country covet
wider possessions, but that we should be in position to maintain our
position as a world power, and this can be done only through military
preparedness.
The main question with congress will be as lo the lines along
which national defense shall he undertaken. The present war has
demonstrated that, while the dreadnought may not be obsolete, a limit
has been put upon its usefulness. These expensive engines of warfare
have so far in the present war been little in evidence, ar.jl aside from
the moral effect which their possession gives, they appear to have
played little part in the actual operations, with the exception of those
used at the Dardanelles; and it may be said that even these have not
covered themselves with glory. The development of the submarine has
made the operation of these monsters of doubtful value, and it may be
that their death knell has been sounded. Congress will be called upon
to decide the fate of the battleship as a part of the United States’ war
equipment, and there is reason to believe its decision will be in favor
of placing the principal reliance upon the under water craft.
A matter that has received considerable attention from publicists
is that of universal military education for the youth of the land. 1 lie
proposal has the merit that such training will have none but beneficial
results physically. That the army of the United States is wofuily small,
and that in the event of hostilities we would find ourselves confronted
with the problem of creating an army is well known. If every youth
had received a military training, the task would be considerably less
ened. It may be that the law-makers will give serious attention to the
proposal for a larger army, and to providing a citizen-soldiery that may
be really efficient. The mil'tary camps of instruction that have been
organized in various parts of the country are a step m this direction, but
will be of little value unless there be a nation-wide movement to en
courage the idea.
That some comprehensive scheme for national defense will be de
vised there now seems little doubt. But of one thing we may rest as
sured. The law-makers will not be allowed to forget that we are not
a military nation, and that the plan adopted must not be calculated to
imbue the youth of the land with the arrogance that comes with mili
tary efficiency. National defense we must have, but the dangers of
militarism must be guarded agamst.
When former Governor Folk of Missouri accepted the appoint
ment to a minor departmental office at Washington it was generally
felt that his talents and ability were being wasted. It is possible, how
ever, that he v/as but serving an apprenticeship to a greater career
than that offered to the average man who seeks political preferment.
No profession offers greater honors and inducements for exercise oc
ability than does that of diplomacy; and in the years immediately fol
lowing the close of the world war some new names will be added to
the world’s list of great statesmen. Not a few of them will come from
the ranks of the diplomats. In accepting the office of ambassador to
Mexico under the new regime, Mr. Folk may be laying the foundation
to a great career in this branch of the government service. No more
difficult position could be assigned to him in which to win his spurs.
--+
The Cook Inlet Pioneer recites an incident of local occurrence
which it designates as “the handwriting on the wall.” Says that news
paper: “A well-known dog-musher dropped into a local store and
placed an order for two dozen phonograph records for one of the trad
ing stations far in the Interior. The merchant, in looking over the list
of records called for, observed that out of the two dozen requested,
ail but two were sacred hymns. The merchant is a former Interior
man, and well acquainted with the resort, a combination saloon and
roadhouse, for which the records were being purchased. His curiosity
was aroused, and he asked the musher what on eartn a resort of this
kind wanted this class of records for. To his astonishment, the musher
' replied: ‘Ever}7 Sunday afternoon we hold religious services m the
saloon and close up for the remainder of the day.’ ’
-*
The notion that Sweden favors the German side of the present
unpleasantness in Europe is shattered by Edwin Bjorkman, the eminent
Swedish-American author, who recently told the United Press that
Sweden never will enter the war on the side of Germany. “1 find sin
ister influences at work m Europe to provoke Sweden to take up the
battle, but there are no signs of weakening,” Bjorkman is quoted as
saying, and he continued: “Sweden is a democratic country. At the
election there were 450,009 progressive votes cast to 230,000 for the
reactionaries. All the progressives are against Germany, and with
them are perhaps half the reactionaries. Only a very small party in
Sweden favors Germany. The wishes of the multitude will prevail, and
| the multitude in Sweden favors th allies and does not favor war.”
--
Congressman James R. Mann of Illinois, the Republican floor
leader in the lower house, is being boomed! as a presidential possibility.
His candidacy was formally launched recently in Chicago at a meeting
of the “Seventh Ward James R. Mann for President Club.” Senator
Lawrence Y. Sherman and Mayor William Hale Thompson of Chicago
are other Illinois candidates. Congressman Mann’s great ability is
recognized and admired by even his political opponents, but he will
be precluded from ever becoming the popular idol of the people on
account of uncompromising attitude he assumes on public questions.
The serious mention of the other two candidates shows that the Re
publican party is in dire need of presidential timber.
-^-_
Evidently the German press does not highly esteem its contem
poraries on this side of the water. The Frankfurter Zeitung, comment
ing editorially on the charge that tHe Germans were trying to mislead
the people of the world on the actual conditions created by the war,
says: “If the Germans want public opinion in the neutral countries
they can buy it. We buy what we want, but it is of little moment to
Germany to have the American mind poisoned by British lies. If we
cared about changing it we would buy up the American papers.”
-♦
With the recognition of Carranze as head of the Mexican govern
ment, it is to be hoped that peace in that troubled republic is at hand.
The policy of the United States government in withholding the shipment
of arms except to the faction which is for the moment in the ascendant
commends itself as highly practicable.
--
The dispatch which conveyed the information that charges had
been preferred against Governor Strong naturally caused grave con
cern ; but it was not until the significance of the charge was thoroughly
understood that indignation was added to alarm among the faithful in
this vicinity,
DREAMING
l dreamed one night that I had died
and crossed the river cold and wide,
and .sat at ease on t’other .Tiore and
talkeil with Poe of Lost Lenore. I gos
siped with the famed and great, who
long ago had pulled their freight from
mundane scenes and 1 ft renown which
passing ages cannot down. I talked
with Shakespeare, Pope and Scott,
and all they said was blooming rot.
The Bard of Avon talked away of how
he used to sit and play with cronies
at the Bine Boar inn, and lubricate
his works with gin. The poet Byron
came along; he didn’t talk of Art or
Song, but bragged, until the light grow
dim, of distances he used to swim.
And Scott bored everyone to sleep
by talking cattle, swine and sheep.
Their thoughts were anchored to the
past, to trilling things that did not
last. Their harps were hung on rusty
nails, while they sat telling ancient
tales. The only one who talked of
Song, and kept it up, the whole day
long, was Robert Southey and his
lay would make mules shy and run
away. When morning came 1 woke;
said 1. “Tliis comes from eating too
much pie.' Wall Mason.
NOTICE |
On nnri after this date freight received 1
after 12 noon will not be forwarded until
the following day.
Oet. 23. 1915. MUTCHLER BROS.
Reindeer by the quarter or by the pound.
Crowley & Porter.
FORFEITURE NOTICE
To I utiler U. IP ss:
You are hereby notified that I. the under- !
signed, have impended during »Iu• year nine i
teen hundred and thirteen ' 1913 • one lion- !
dre,! dolars s | no, and during the \ear!
nineteen hundred and fourteen ' I9 I \ the ,
so* i i.r < ne huiuh'cci debars (81 no in labor
and improvements upon tin- Mammy Asso
(•inti n olaoef mining claim, on left limit
* I Moore ere k, a tributary or the T:! »tn l
ri'er. in Mount M"Finley mining deduct,
Fom-Mi division, Territory of Ala-ka, notir<*
or which Is found in Volume l. at Page I9u.
of tie- ree, id- of said Mount McKinley min
ing di't.o i, in order to hold said claim un
der Hi* pn v isions of S‘*cth n 232 i oT Mi
lo \ isod statutes, and th< anumdinenfs
Hieret,i ap o' Ved January 22, 188u. eon
e“rnipg annual labor upon mining claims,
being the amount reotiiml to hold 'aid
placer luinoe- claim for the periods ending
e,n the (I-.! day -T December. 19 13, and on
the 3 I s? day ->r Dec mber. 19 t 1.
And if within ninety days after lie* pnb
licnMoo, or this notice ymi fail or rerose T«<
c .utribute y nr proportion "f sin ii evpeu
diture as a o\vt:er. your Interest in the
M inmiv Asei■ ia11 ■ ■ 11 pia,:*T mining claim will
become the property of the subscriber, your
co-ewner. who has made the required ex
penditure. hv the term* <-r said -='•<*fi< t..
CEF.I! MMli.-W.
First publication, Oct. 93, I9ir,.
j.a.-t publication, Jan. 22, 1910.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
In the probate Court for Otter precinct.
Fourth division, Territory >f AlaskH.
lef ire lion. n. u. G‘*raghty. eoinmi
sioner and e\ ollicio probate judge.
In the matter of the estate of Charles Dra
r c.MU de ca.-i (1. No. :io — Probate.
Notice is hereby given by the under
signed, administrator of the estate of
• diaries brapeiiii. deceased, to the creditors
of and all persons having claims against the
said deceased, to exhibit them, with fie
i i eessary vouchers, within six months after
the first publication or this notice, to the
*aid adniim>iratur, at the office of Fred
flam- n. aturuey at law. Regina hotel,
Iditaroil. Alaska, the same being the place
for the transaction of the business of the
-aid estate in the above precinct and terri
tory.
Dated Sept. 19! 3.
!’AFi. 1 Adl.ANT. Administrator.
Km r publication. Oct. •». io:
NOTICE OF FORFEITURE
To If. Frhofleld, and to your heirs, execu
tor-. adniinisiraters and assigns:
V.-m are hereby notified that the under
signed. a eo owner, has expended In labor
rid improvement* the sum of one hundred
dollars ($100.00) per year for the years
1913 ami i 91 1 upon that certain placer
mining claim known as The Happy .New
1 Association, -duu'ed at Me- head of
Flat creek, a tributary -f Oiler creek, m
otter n cording district, Territory of
; Uaska. in which you are the owner of an
undivided one ‘-igiiib (Vs- interest.
You and each of yon are hereby notified
that ii‘ at the expiration of ninety 9<n
days after the last publican- n • r this notice
you have failed or refused t > r ntribute
your share of the aforesaid expenditures,
your interest In said claim will be-mrni for
feited and will become the property of the
undersigned, according to the provisions of
Section 2324 of Devised Statutes of the
United States.
D WIJi STRAXDRF.RO, On-Owner.
Date of first publication. Sept. 4. 19 15.
Date of last publication, Dec. 4. 1915.
OPEN DAY AND NIGHT j
FLAT CITY HOHBACK & DURAND ]
Get. the Grand and Bagoy’s Ears
THE BEST ALL THE TIKE
WE ARE HERE TO STAY
Mutehler Bros.
GENERAL
FREIGHTERS
DAILY TRAM SERVICE
kJgaflfSM
•fcJrjAr
First-Class Ac:otnracdr.ticns
COMMODIOUS LOBBY
LARGE, AIRY ROOKS
1 YGI.lt patronage solicited
1 MRS. I?. P. GILMORE_
Best of Everything
ALL Th'L T1MK AT TML
Arcade Cafe
FLAT CITY
Open Dev end Nit-ht
Broadcloth and imitation
Pony Skin Cents. $S.?9
SPECIAL T.H!S WEEK
MRS. L. C. THORNTON
Professional
Michigan, 188! Alaska, 1910
Kentucky. 1801
GEORGE WOODRUFF ALBRECHT
COUNSELOR AND LAWYER
IDITAROD, ALASKA
The Pioneer Aiiorney or iditarm!
E. M. STANTON
Attorney at Law
Offir Corner Willow and Second Sts.
Iditarod Pioneer Building
CEAS. E. TAYLOR
Attorney at Law
BANK BLOCK
First Avenue Iditarod
Fre d Ha rrss & n
ATTORNEY AT LAW
REGINA HOTEL PHONE S3
DR. SKCOFE
PHYSICIAN AMD SURGEON
DR. H. E. AURs^GSF?
Physician ant! Surgeon
Office: Fiat City Hospital, Flat City
Consultation Hours in !•'< renoons and l y
.Appointment
Hi?'? L'-3 A
sWy b w k b 2 i feu** *i_» 4 ^ is*
derstist
Ap?oin‘.~'nt-. hy TeN'jhorj
FLAT CITY _
1
1
soucndst.IDITAIROD SYSEA a CO.
Gold St., Fist City
Mrs. Geo. Mutchler, Prop.
Nicely Furnished Rooms Darn for Horses and Dogs Baths in Connection
HARRY UGKKELLEY
SSEES general merchandise
DISCOVERY, OTTER
THE BEST OF EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME
FIRST AVE.
GOOD MEALS
SHORT ORDERS
OPEN DAY AND NIGHT
ROBT. 60UTAR f
Prop. |
mnrr i ii hi inimr-r'
WE HAVE ON HAND
A Nlo&ly Assorted
Siook of
FRESH GROCERIES
Including the Most Popular
Brands in the Market
PIPES AND TOBACCOS
AXES AND SAWS
MAULS., WEDGES
STOVES, TENTS
COOKING UTENSILS
GRINDSTONES
GASOLINE LAMPS
Rugs, Linoleum, Burlap, House Lining
STANFIELD AND MEDLICOTT UNDERWEAR, OREGON CITY WOOLEN MILLS LOGGERS’
- SHIRTS, SOCKS, MITTS AND GLOVES
McMAHON, Flat City