VOLUMB TIT. VALDEZ, ALASKA, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1016 NUMBER 305
DOES NOT DENT
POSSIBLE WAR
PRESIDENT REMAINS SILENT
Makes No Effort to Minimize the Im
portance of the Statement Made by
Secretary of State Lansing Yester
day Afternoon.
WASHINGTON, D. C., Dec. 22.—
The White House is making no effort
to minimize the importance of the
statement made by Secretary of State
Lansing yesterday to the effect that
the United States was on the verge of
being drawn into the European strug
gle. President Wilson refused today
to make any comment on the Secre
tary’s statement. In his campaign
speeches the President frequently in
dicated that he was fearful this coun
try might not escape becoming in
volved in the struggle.'
Secretary of the Interior Lane this
morning stated that the President’s
appeal to the belligerents should
serve as a restraining and sobering
force to safeguard American inter
ests.
Senator Hitchcock this morning
introduced a resolution in the Senate
endorsing the action of the President,
which was referred to the committee
on foreign affairs. Senator Borah, in
speaking on the resolution objected
to haste.
PLASTER CASTS ARE NO
BETTER THAN BRAVER
CHICAGO. Dec. 22.—Prayer *s as
effective a treatment for an injury
as a plaster cast, a jury decided today
in awarding Mrs. Fannie Mitchell
92,000 damages for injuries sustain
ed in a street car accident. Attorneys
for the Chicago Railway company
contended she was not entitled to
damages because she refused treat
ment and would not wear a plaster
cast prescribed by her surgeon, but
resorted to prayer.
Commissioner Is Canned.
U. S. Commissioner Lee Van Slyke
of Susitna station, has been relieved
from the duties of his office. Mr. Van
Slyke was supposedly a Democrat,
and there is nothing on the records
to show that he was ill or otherwise
detained from voting on election day,
but the returns from his precinct show
a solid Wickersham vote. This may
or may not have had something to
do with his enforced resignment. It.
is also rumored that some other of
ficials in this division holding office
under a democratic administration, «»
democrats, may share a similar fate
in the near future.
Sinn Fein Breaks Out
CORK. Dec. 22.—Two hundred
Feiners stopped a charitable perfor
mance last night given in behalf of
the families of the soldiers of Cork.
They sang Sinn Fein songs and shout
ed: "Up rebellion, down recruiting.”
Another Victim
This morning, that trusty old fire
bell called the firemen to duty again.
Fires are nearly as certain as taxes.
Why not safeguard yourself with an
Insurance policy written by the Alas
ka Inv. Co. 2t
Norfolk Women Act
NORFOLK. Va., Dec. 22.—A city
wide boycott against eggs and tur
keys, inaugurated by the House
wive’s League and indorsed by wo
men’s organizations, labor unions,
and others began here today.
Anapolls Gets Laboratory.
WASHINGTON, D. C., Dec. 22.—
The civilian advisory board has re
commended to the Secretary of the
Navy, it was learned today, that the
authorized $1,500,000 naval experi
mental laboratory be located at Anap
olls.
First Wheat Contracts
PENDLETON, Ore., Dec. 22.—Two
contracts for the sale of 1917 wheat
the first yet made, were closed here
today. In one the price was $1.10
a bushel and in the other it was
$1.25. _ _
Chris Tjosevig. who left recently
for the interior oh business connect
ed with the Tjosevig-Kennecott Cop
per Company, returned on the Mari
posa.
COMMISSIONER EJECTED
FROM POLICE BOARD
KANSAS CITY, Dec. 22.—In a po
lice row in which police commission
ers nearly came to blows, Col. Fred
A. Lamb deposed police commission
er, was forcibly ejected from the po
lice board meeting here today.
Lamb returned to Kansas City to
day and announced he was still a po
lice commissioner and had n't re
signed or been notified of his removal
and still held his commission.
25 CENT REDUCTION
IN PRICE OF SUGAR
PORTLAND, Ore., Dec. 22.—All
grades of refined sugar declined 25
cents a hundred on the Portland
market today. The new price will
make granulated 57.70 a hundred.
SOON COME UP
COMMITTEE VOTES IN FAVOR
Judiciary Committee of the Senate by
a Vote of 13 to 3 in Favor of Re
|X>rting Measure for National Pro
hibition.
WASHINGTON, D. C„ Dec. 22.—
The Judiciary Committee of the Sen
ate, by a vote of 13 to 3, yesterday
afternoon voted to report favorably to
the Senate the bill providing for na
tionwide prohibition. The Senators
\oting against the measure were Sen
ators Culberson of Texas, chairman
of the committee; Reed of Missouri,
and Brandegee of Connecticut.
ALIENATION SUIT IS
DISMISSED IN COt KT
CHICAGO, Dec. 22.—The $200,000
alienation suit filed by Roger B. Con
nell, former physical trainer of sanies
J. Jeffries against Col. John Lambert,
steel magnate, was dismissed today
on motion of the plaintiff.
KIDNAPED CONSUL IS
NOW REPORTED SAKE
WASHINGTON, Dee. 11 —Arnold
Begle, German consul at Manzanillo,
reported kidnapped by Villistas and
held for $10,000 ransom is safe at
Colima, Admiral Capeiton reported
late today.
MARIPOSA ARRIVES
AND SAILS WEST
The steamship Mariposa arrived in
port shortly after 2 o’clock this morn
ing, and after a stay of about two
hoars sailed for the westward. Her
passengers for Valdez were Mrs. J. C.
Martin and M. F. Hendrickson, from
Seattle, and John J. Motika, W. L.
Mooney, R. Linquist, C. M. Frazier
and Chris TJosevig from Cordova.
Returns to Prison.
DULUTH. Minn., Dec. 22.—Joseph
Schmidt, Industrial Worker of the
World, organizer, who was arrested
on a charge of complicity in the mur
der of Deputy Sheriff James C. Myron
July 3 last, returned to prison here
today. Schmidt was released from
jail November 25 on $2,000 bond to
go to his home at Scranton, Penn
where his wife was ill.
Rounding Up Gunmen.
CHICAGO, Dec. 22.—Two hundred
and fifty suspected gunmen are in
jail as a result of a city wide round
up by policemen following the tbircy
fifth Black Hand murder of the year.
Baron Makes Appeal
NEW YORK, Dec. 22.—Baron R.
E. Oppenhelm, who was yesterday de
nied admittance to the country and
was sent to Ellis Island, today made
a direct appeal to Washington for
entry.
Prohibition Endorsed.
PORTLAND, Ore., Dec. 22.—At a
mass meeting held here in observance
of national Prohibition Day resolu
tions were adopted urging tho Ore
gon delegation in Congress to work
for a national prohibition amend
ment.
M. F. Hendrickson of the Cube
Mines Co., returned on the Mariposa
from a business trip to the States.
WINTER MAIL
SERVICE DENIED
FROM VALDEZ WILLOW CREEK
Second Assistant Postmaster General
Writes that Small Number of Per
sons To Be Served Does Not War
rant Expense.
In answer to his communication to
the Post Office Department regarding
the establishment of a winter mail
service between Valdez and Willow
Creek, Capt. Robert M. Nolan, officer
in the charge of the First Division
of the Alaska Military Telegraph and
Cable system has received a reply
from the Second Assistant Postmas
ter General, in which it is stated that
"A representative of this office has re
cently made investigation of the con
ditions affecting the proposed service
and it is found that owing to the vary
limited number of persons that would
be served during the winter months,
the Department would not be war
ranted in incurring the expense that
would be involved in providing the
service.”
The Valdez Chamber of Commerce
also interested itself in the proposed
service, and communicated with the
department urging the service be es
tablished and in reply received in the
last steamer a letter from the Second
Assistant Postmaster General almost
identical with that received by Cap
tain Nolan.
From these letters it is apparent
the service will not be established
this winter, but Capt. Nolan is by no
means satisfied with the result of his
[attempt, and will carry the matter
further in the hope that such a serv
ice may be established next season,
if not this. He insists that the mpn
at the various telegraph offices along
the Valdez-Fairbanks road between
Valdez and Willow Creek are engag
ed in a public service of considerable
moment, and it is an act of injustice
that these men for more than six
months in each year should be cut
off from all mail service.
Nor are these men the only ones
deprived, for there are a number of
miners, prospectors and roadhouse
men who are similarly cut off from
the service. He further states that
this is not all the advantages to be
derived from the establishment of
such a service, as it would connect
with the interior mail service from
Chitina at Willow Creek and would
permit the sending of mail to any
point in the interior country at a
saving of several days time over the
present method, which compels the
sending of the mail from here to Cor
dova, thence over the railroad to
Chitina.
In this Captain Nolan will un
doubtedly have the support of the
Chamber of Commerce and of every
citizen of the town, and it is believed
a concerted action will avail tc bring
about the establishment of the win
ter service here next year.
Secretary H. H. Jones of the Val
dez Chamber of Commerce, has been
corresponding with the department in
an endeavor to have this service es
tablished and he believes that the
decision of the Department may be
rescinded if a strong showing la
made.
Verne Elliott returned from Cor
dova last night on the Mariposa, and
will leave on her return trip for the
State?, wher9 he will spend the win
ter.
Attorney C. M. Frazier, of Cordova,
was an arrival on the Mariposa.
TO GIVE A MILLION
TO ITS EMPLOYES
NEW YORK, Dec. 22.—The Beil
Telephone System directors today
voted to its employes for Christmas,
a certain per cent addition in pro>
portion to their wages to meet the
high cost of living. It Is estimated
that this present will be over 81,000,
000.
' Boosts Given to 3,000
WOONSOCKET, R. I.. Dec. 22.—
More than 8,000 operatives in wors
ted yarn mills here will receive a
1 per cent increase in wages begin
ning Monday, according to notices
posted in six mills and manufactur
ers of fine worsted'yarns.
BRISK FIRE IN
ARCTIC HOIEL
ItOOMERH LEAP FROM WINDOWS
Hume** Had Made Considerable Head
way When Discover***!—Loss Will
Amount to Several Hundred Dol
lars, Principally by W’ater.
Fire broke out this morning short
ly after 2 o’clock in the Arctic Hotel,
on the corner of Keystone and Hobart
street, and owned by Mrs. Herman
3yrhig. The fire had gained consider
able headway when first discovered
so that the entire interioi of the
house was filled with a deLce smoke
when the inmates were aroused by
the alarm. Several of the lodgers,
unable to get out by the regular
means, leaped from their windows.
Later some of them went back and
secured their clothing, but two were
unable to reach their rooms and were
compelled to seek sufficient attire to
cover themselves from their friends.
Thd fire started in the rear of the
building and had broken through and
was burning briskly when the alarm
nounded. The fire department re
sponded promptly and soon had two
streams on the burning building. The*
fire was a difficult one to subdue, the
flames having gotten in between the
pa-titions and spread in all direc
tions In the effort to extinguish tnem
the building was thoroughly flooded
with water, and the most serious dam
age to the contents of the building is
due to the water.
The small addition in winch the
fire started is pretty well gutted, but
the main building is not badly dam
aged, except by the water. Several
of the roomers had their clothing
badly damaged by water.
The damage to building and con
tents will probably amount to several
hundred dollars, which is covered by
insurance.
The Are department is deserving of
the utmost credit for the skill and ef
ficiency displayed in handling this
fire. Notwithstanding the night was
intensely cold and a strong breeze
blowing, they arrived promptly on
the scene and in record time had two
streams ut water going under high
pressure, fighting the fire from both
sides. There was an ample supply of
water and within five minutes afier
the streams were turned on the Are
was under‘control. Considering all
the conditions and the strong start
the file had attained before the alarm
was given the work of the depart
ment in confining the fire to a com
paratively small section of the build
ing is a splendid example of the ef
ficiency of the men and the apparatus
composing the Valdez fire repay
ment.
Father of Twins at 76.
HILLSBORO, Dec. 22.- John W.
Shute, 76 years 9 months and 22 days
old1; ahd worth $250,000, was yester
day presented with a pair of twin
daughters. Shute is a retired capi
talist and is as active as a man of
46 or 60.
Notice to Masons.
A- special meeting of Lodge No.
168, F. & A. M., will be held at the
hall Saturday evening at 8:30. Work
in the first degree.
2t ED WOOD, Secretary.
Chas. Fowlkes On Way Home.
Chas. Fowlkes, who has been in the
States the past few weeks, writes
from Tacoma that he is enjoying
himself and will sail for Valdez on
the steamship Evans December 30.
Mr. Fowlkes has been investigating
mining conditions around Butte, and
reports that city booming.
Cough Syrup Kills Woman
SIDNEY, Ohio, Dec. 22.—Mrs. El
len Welch, 75 years old, of this city,
died at the home of her brother in
Lima, O., as the result of taking an
overdose of cough syrup.
Messrs. Mooney, Motika and Lind
quist of the local cable office, who
went to Whitshed to assist in hand
ling messages at the wireless station
during the break in the cable, return
ed last night on the Mariposa.
Julius Jensen writes the Prospec
tor from Burke, Idaho, to send his
paper to that place.
ROBBERS GET SMALL
HUM FROM COUNTRY BANK
WEBB CITY, Mo., Dec. 22.—The
Orongoa bank, three miles from here,
was robbed by two masked men this
afternoon. The robbers locked the
cashier in the vault and escaped with
silver amounting to between $100 and
$200. The cashier released himself
with a screw driver.
TEUTONS ADMIT SINKING
ANOTHER AMERICAN BOAT
WASHINGTON. D. C., Dec. 22 —
Germany admits sinking the Dacca,
of the Hawaiian-American line, in
reply to this government's inquiry,
received at the state department this
afternoon. The vessel was torpedoed
while on her way from the Philip
pines to Havre.
IMPORTS POTATOES FOR
PEOPLE OF CITY
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., Dec. 22- -
The mayor of this city ordered a car
load of potatoes from Idaha at $2.10
per hundred pounds for distribution
at cost from the city market house as
an experiment. It is said tha' t*o
potatoes bought through the mayor's
office will be sold at 26 per cent less
than the price now charge i here by
retailers.
DEPUTY CLERK HAND
UNDERGOES OPERATION
A telegram from Dr. E. C. Dalton,
from Portland, Ore., to Clerk of the
Court Arthur Lang, dated yesterday,
states that Chas. A. Hand underwent
an operation in Portland on Decem
ber 11, and that he is now out of dan
ger. The message stated that Mr.
Hand expected to leave the hospital
in about a week.
COMPLAINT SET ASIDE
IN ACTION EOK DAMAGES
In the district court yesterday
morning Judge Bunell issued on or
der setting aside the complaint of the
attorneys for the defense, on the
i ground that the complaint held two
causes of action not stated separately.
Argument on this motion was held
Wednesday, the court taking the mat
ter under advisement until yesterday.
The attorneys for the plaintiff will
file a new complaint today.
HEMPLES SAIL FOR
HAWAIIAN ISLANDS
A letter to the Prospector from S.
A. Hemple. states that he and Mrs.
Hemple were about to sail from San
Francisco on the steamship Great
Northern for Honolulu and that their
future address will be at the Colonial
Hotel in that city. They expect to
spend several months there
MAN IN HIDING AND
LARGE BOND FORFEITED
SEATTLE, Dec. 22.—Logan Bil
lingsley, wanted in several liquor
cases is said to be in hiding in Cali
fornia. His bonds of over $10,000
have been forfeited.
One Cent Postage Coming.
WASHINGTON, D. C., Dec. 22.—
One cent postage for local first class
mail deliveries and a zone system of
rates for Becond class matter which
is expected to greatly increase the
charges for magazines and other pe
riodicals, are provided for in the an
nual postofflce appropriations bill as
virtually completed in the committee.
GOEDETIC EMPLOYES
ASK FOR MORE PAY
WASHINGTON, Dec. 14.—Secre
tary Red field has presented to Con
gress a petition from employes of the
coast and geodetic survey setting
forth the high cost of living and ask
ing for increased pay.
No More Potato Bread
AMSTERDAM, Dec. 22.—The Ber
lin Anzeiger quotes Stegerwald, one
of the directors of the war feeding
board, as saying in a speech at Reck
linghausen that from January 1, no
more potatoes must be used for
bread. They will be replaced by a
more thorough grinding of grain,
r.amely 93 instead of 81 per cent. The
director said 'that the situation of
the food market was such that avail
able supply would be sufficient for
the needs of the country.
Paul Haines has moved his shaet
metal works from Keystone Avenue
to one of the Kanltz buildings on
McKinley street.
ADMIT FAILURE
OF PEACE PLAH
PAPERS SAY NOT UNEXPECTED
Statement of Lloyd George that Ger
many Expected to Give up Occu
pied Territory and Pay Indemnity
Forms Chasm too Wide to Bridge.
BERLIN’, Dec. 22.—The newspap
ers here express little surprise at the
tenor of Lloyd George’s speech before
the British parliament. It is said that
such a stand by Great Britain was
expected, and the practical refusal
of the German proposal is no more
than was anticipated.
The reference mgde by Lloyd
George in his speech of restitution is
interpreted by the newspapers to
mean a surrender by Germany of the
occupied territory, and probably the
payment of indemnities to Belgium
end Serbia. These terms, the news
papers assert, form ‘ too broad a
chasm for even the most optimistic
to bridge, and they tacitly admit the
failure of the German attempt to
bring about the end of the war.
PETITIONS POUR
UPON CONGRESS
WASHINGTON. D. C., Dec. 22.—
Legislative measures aimed at tlie
destruction of the liquor traffic con
tinue to accumulate in Congress, both
houses being deluged with petitions
from all parts of the ocuntry urging
the adoption of national prohibition
and a constitutional amendment
A poll of the House, however shows
that the necessary two-thirds vote
cannot be secured to pass the amend
ment. Today the Senate is debating
on the prohibition bill for the District
of Columbia.
STORKS CLOSE ALL
DAY ON MONDAY
By mutual agreement the mer
chants of Valdez will keep thPir
places of business closed all day Sun
day and Monday, and it is up to their
patrons to fill all their Christmas
wants before the stores close on Sat
urday night.
AUTOMOBILE IS MASHED
BY PASSENGER TRAIN
DENVER. Colo., Dec. 22.—Michael
Dellenick was instantly killed and
Michael Gida and John Get*, were
probably fatally injured when Giria's
automobile in which they were riding
was hit by an inbound Burlington
passenger train here today.
NO ACTION ON RAILWAY
LAWS TILL AFTER XMAS
WASHINGTON, D. C„ Dec. 22.—
Consideration of President Wilson’s
railroad legislation program in con
gress probably will be delayed until
after the Christmas holidays tccord
ing to plans framed by administra
tion leaders today.
If you have bursted water or steam
pipes consult the Valdez Iron Works
before having them repaired as we
are in a position to weld pipes in
place without the trouble and time it
lakes to tear them out and we also
guarantee the weld to be stronger
than the original pipe. tf
Alaska Pioneer Dead
SITKA, Dec. 22.—Rueben £. Al
bertson, of Wrangell, and of late
years a resident of this place, died
at the Pioneer’s home from an at
tack of heart trouble. Burial took
place Tuesday and all business houses
closed out of respect.
SPANISH CANNOT GIVE
SUPPLIES TO SUBS
MADRID, Dec. 22.—A bill has been
introduced in the Chamber of Depu
ties prohibiting Spanish subjects from
furnishing supplies to German subs.
■ <,»> .
No Meat for the King.
LONDON, Dec, 22.—The Daily Ex
press, referring tfli the impending en
forcement of meatless days in Great
Britain, quotes Col. Lockwood, chair
man of the kitchen committee of the
house of commons, as saying that the
kiug and the royal household have
for seme time past had two meatless
days weekly.