IDITAROD PIONEER
rrnusiu i> i vi:uv .v\ n iu>.\\ muii.mm; at miT.Mtun, m.aska
I'ol 5 Ceo M. Arbuckle. Publisher No. 48
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
uno year . . jfio.i'omne Month . 51.00
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NOTICE. I»ors 1 11s ^emliny ;ulvi*rlisinp I\\ from a ili>t.imv are particularly re
iv - , | t . • r 1 ‘[ijl tu pii’panUR the .'•ainr. The puhllsher cuunoi accept the
1. - 1,-.I 11 Is l'oi- a • .nu 11 op\. ."pcoiallv m tlie ease of r»»iT**iMire and other legal
1101 i 111 >. It i". tlierdoi <•, imperative that "iirh noluvs he clearly written, par lieu
iarly as ivgarit> iiiiiih - and oair-.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND ALASKA
A popular and widely-read magazine of comparatively recent date
gives an interesting series of articles on Greater America, in which
is shown, with manv illustrations and statistics, the effect of United
States control of ‘‘our overseas dominions and their alien peoples,
which include ‘‘the three thousand islands of the Philippines, Porto
Rico, Guam, Tutuilla. Hawaii, the Panama Canal Zone, Alaska and
the far-flung Aleutian keys -all administratively parts of tire United
States, each in its different way American."
These articles are well-written accounts of the accomplishments of
the United States government in the way of bettering conditions for
the alien races that inhabit many of these "possessions,” with the sin
gle exception of Alaska. Figures are given to show that the trade of
the Philippines with the United States—imports and exports—in
creased from $4,478,337 ill 1897 to $46,993,332 in 1912; that of
Porto Rico, from $4,169,912 in 1897 to $81,344,364 in 1912; that
of Hawaii, from $ 18,33/,8/4 m 189/ to $79,/23,975 in 1912. 1 he
figures for Alaska are not given.
The feature of these excellent articles which will strike the aver
age Alaska reader will not be that the territory is classed with these
“overseas dominions," so much as that the interest of the federal gov
ernment has been shown to such great extent in the welfare of the in
habitants of these countries in all instances except Alaska. Illustra
tions are given of the splendid roads built by the government, one of
them at a cost of $8,000,000. Trails have been cut, school houses
built, and playgrounds provided. Hospitals and dispensaries have
been furnished, and a paternal interest has been taken not only in the
moral and mental uplift, but also in the betterment of their material
surroundings. This is as it should be, and the United States is en
titled to great credit for the things accomplished.
But why, one asks, in this interesting review of accomplishments,
is Alaska not represented? The territory contains more undeveloped
country and is far more accessible to the residents of the United States
proper for colonization than any of the other ‘possessions men
tioned, and yet there are no completed public enterprises to point to
with pride. The public work so far done in Alaska is represented by
a system of road construction which has produced at best nothing more
than trails, which can be utilized only at certain seasons of the year
When the proposal was made to expend money for the only mode o1
transportation that would be of value to the country—railroads—such
a hubbub was raised as to almost make an apology necessary for hav
ing the temerity to suggest such a thing. Yet Alaska is sparsely popu
lated by a hardy class of citizens of the republic, engaged in building
an empire in as promising a land as any of the "possessions m ques
tion. The comparatively few millions which it is proposed to expend
in providing transportation facilities for Alaska will, it is safe to say,
result in more direct benefit to the country at large than ail the many
millions expended on the alien races inhabiting the islands which have
been Uncle Sam's especial care for so many years.
When the Alaska government railroad shall have been completed
more attention will be paid to this great section of the domain of the
United States, and its people will be in a position to work out the de
tails for the upbuilding of a mighty commonwealth without the as
sistance of a paternal government, just as the states comprising the
great West have already done since the government made the way
clear for them by making possible the construction of railroads.
WILL BE MADE WELCOME
The news from the national capital that Senator Jones of Washing
ton is to visit Alaska will be received with pleasure by our citizens, and
if the journey is undertaken with the desire to study conditions here
with a view to future beneficial legislation, he will be the more wel
come. In spite of all that has been published, there seems still to be
a woful ignorance in official circles as to conditions in this northern
territory, and personal investigation by those in high places should be
| _ Gold St., Flat City
'? Mrs. Geo. Mutchler, Prop.
Nicely Furnished Rooms Barn for Horses and Dogs Baths in Connection
Seward Gold Seal Pacs
ARE THE BEST ON THE MARKET
ELLEY,_discovery, otter
Fresh PJeaf
Eeef, Pork, Poultry, Fish
Dry Packed Butter
Se;ondSt. f Of TAROD !YI EAT CO. Phone 15
_ THE BEST OF EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME
Caribou Cafe
FIRST AVE.
GOOD MEALS
SHORT ORDERS
OPEN DAY AND NIGHT
ROBT. SOUTAR
Prop.
encouraged. If, as seems likely, he intends to visit Interior Alaska,
so much the better; the fringe of sea coast which is usually covered
by tourists in Alaska is quite well known, and authentic information
may he secured with regard to it without spending the time required
to make a visit. Conditions in the Interior are little known and less
' understood even by those located m the coast regions of Alaska.
When the news was sent out last year that Secretary of the Interior
Lane was to make a trip to Alaska to study conditions, and when later
other public officials and private citizens of eminence announced a
purpose of accompanying lum, we were prepared tp give them all the
i facilities at our command for learning the conditions and needs of the
1 country. Much disappointment was expressed when it was announced
I that the tour had been abandoned,, and the failure of Delegate Wick
ersham to visit this portion of the territory was also a matter of sin
i cere regret.
It is to be hoped that not only Senator Jones, but other members
of congress will find opportunity to visit Interior Alaska m the near
future. There is ample reason for expecting visits also from officials
of the various executive departments. Interior Alaska seems to be
little known even to the postoffice department, and it is possible that
a visit by the postmaster general or some one of his assistants would
be rewarded with a fund of information which would be of inestimable
value not alone to the government, but incidentally to the people who
make their homes in this portion of Uncle Sam’s domain.
The postal service in Interior Alaska is a disgrace to the department
and a rank injustice to the inhabitants. There is no possible excuse
for the fact that a stretch of country larger than many states, in which
the population is mainly in communities of from a few scores to sev
eral hundreds, should have been absolutely without mail service for a
period of nearly eight weeks. Were this to happen in any other por
tion of the United States, the halls of congress would resound to the
dismal wails of an outraged people, and the very foundations of the
department would be rocked. But Alaskans are a long-suffering and
patient people, and above all, dislike to initiate anything which will
entail any extraordinary effort except on their own immediate affairs.
Consequently this shameful neglect will pass almost unnoticed except
that an indignant citizen will occasionally damn the postal service and
then go unconcernedly about his business. In the meantime business
may suffer, and in its own good time the department will eventually
see that we get acknowledgements of last spring’s correspondence and
| periodicals in which the patterns of the clothes worn at last Easter’s
i parade will be shown.
The time has certainly come for a display of human intelligence in
| the handling of the mail service of Interior Alaska. It will be an easy
j matter for the department to locate the difficulty. The carriers are
not to blame. For a long time the carriers of this section have deliv
j ered with commendable promptness all mail entrusted to them. It is
| in the dispatch of maii consignments to Interior points that the diffi
j cully lies. Carriers are not responsible for the fact reported from
Seattle a few months ago of a consignment of Kuskokwim mail being
j returned to Seattle for dispatch via the mouth of the Kuskokwim, after
having lain for almost a year at a Yukon river point. Ic would be well
j to fix the responsibility Lor the fact that dunng the navigation season,
! when the splendid river routes of Alaska are available, the mail service
was far more irregular than in the winter, when mail was forwarded
with clock-like regularity. These conditions should be remedied. The
plea no longer can be made that the mail service of Alaska does not
pay its way, and that we should be satisfied with what we get. If this
| pica were to be given any weight, thousands of rural mail routes
! throughout the country would have to be abandoned. We have a right
I to expect and demand a mail service which can be depended upon at
j all seasons.
j Visiting congressmen and others might also be enlightened upon
the roads of the territory, or rather lack of roads. Astonishment
would undoubtedly be expressed at the tremendous cost of hauling
supplies from the navigable streamsto the mines, and possibly the sub
ject of roads might then have a different significance to them.
Bv all means let Senator Jones visit Alaska, and all others in author
ity are welcome to come and investigate the manner in which Uncle
Sam treats his “non-contiguous possession.
THE BATTLE ROYAL
There is a form of “sport" patronized in some parts of the country
which is known as the “battle royal.” In this pastime from a half
! dozen to a dozen gentlemen of color are placed m a roped arena and
equipped with boxing gloves. The one who is on his feet after all the
others are knocked out is declared the winner. Thus at times all of
the rest of the fighters will be pummehng the form of one unlucky con
testant, and when he is disposed of another will be assailed. The great
uncertainty as to which combatant will be the next to be attacked con
stitutes the amusing feature of the game.
The present Mexican crisis has all the elements of a “battle royal,”
with Villa, Carranza, Guiterrez, Obregon, Bianco and the Zapatas as
the contestants. Villa attacks Carranza, Guitterrez assails both of
these, and General Obregon, starting to the assault on Villa’s position,
is himself attacked and captured by General Blanco. In the meantime
it is to be supposed that the Zapatistas are lurking around the edge of
the ring looking for an opening to deliver a knockout blow on which
ever “general” appears to have a chance of success, while Diaz and
the adherents of old Huerta are interested onlookers.
So long as the belligerents confine their fighting to themselves, all is
well, but should they chance to run amok among the spectators there
is a probability that the referee. Uncle Sam, who has momentarily re
tired from the center of the ring in order to give the combatants full
swing, will put a stop to the entire proceedings by well-directed blows
from whatever implement is handiest.
The fact is once more demonstrated that in President Wilson the
country has an executive who can be depended upon to retain his self
composure and reasoning faculties in grave crises. When it was re
ported that the United States cruiser Tennessee had been fired upon
by the lurks he demanded an explanation. The explanation was forth
coming, and it now appears that instead being guilty of a hostile act,
the Turks merely gave warning to prevent a threatened catastrophe.
In the meantime the demagogue was in evidence demanding rparation
j for the “outrage,” and the martial spirit of our fireside warriors was
j aroused to the boiling point. Senator Lodge placed himself in a ridicu
lous plight, evidently, by assuming that he, rather than the President,
was the spokesman of the patriotic sentiment of the country. Some
persons appear to be unwilling to grant that possibly the man invested
with the presidency may be equally as patriotic as they.
The announcement that the White Pass is to have an agency located |
i in Iditarod will be good news to the business community. The abom-,
inable system in vogue last season, which made it necessary to transact
business at Dikeman, was an inconvenience of which the merchants
justly complained. Should the company desire to earn the good will
of our people further, it will make possible a knowledge of the time
when vessels may be expected to arrive at and leave from the head of
river navigation, so that passengers will not be detained at connecting
points for indefinite periods. The company will learn, as other trans
portation companies before it have learned, that it pays to consult the
comfort and convenience of its patrons.
—
Secretary Redfseld of the department of commerce appears to be a
man to tie to. He is determined that Alaska shipping shall be properly
safeguarded, and in spite of frequent discouragements he keeps ham
mering away. Eventually he will impress upon congress that the lives
and property of the people of the Pacific coast and Alaska are quite as
valuable as those of other sections of the country. The repeated dis
asters to shipping on the Alaska coast should prove the immediate
necessity of aids to navigation.
The American occupation of Vera Cruz, Mexico, has come to an
end for the time being. It is well within the range of probabilities that
another army of occupation will embark for Mexico at no distant date,
unless all signs fail, and in that event their stay will be of indefinite
duration. Much as this will be regretted, there seems to be no promise
of permanent peace in Mexico so long as there are so many would-be
dictators running around loose.
PUBLIC ENEMIES
If you build a line of railway over hills and barren lands, giving lucrative em
ployment to about a million hands; if you cause a srwre of cities by y ur right of
way to rise, where there formerly wits nothing hut some rattlesnakes and ilic*.- ; if.
when bringing kale to others you acquire a little kale, then you’ve surely robbed
the peepul, and you ought to be in jail. If by planning and by toiling you have won
some wealth and fame, it will make no odds how squarely you have played your lit
tle game; your success is proof sufficient that you are a public foe, you’re a soulless
malefactor, to the dump you ought to go; it’- a crime for you to prosper where so
many others fail; you have surely robbed the peepul and you ought to be in jail.
Be a chronic politician, deal in superheated air; roast the banks and momy harom
there is always .w h y there; but to sound the note of business is a crime so mean
and base that the fellow guilty of it ought to go and hide his face; change the
builder’s song triumphant for the politician’s wail, or we'll think you’ve robbed the
peepul, and we’ll pack you oil to jail. Walt Mason.
1
I
- I
The Thanksgiving ball given by Camp |
Iditarod N > 27. A. B.. last Wednesday
evening was a most succe- ful and well
attended entertainment, and was an auspi
cious introduction to the winter’s social sea
son. The splendid music, excellent floor
and other features prepared for the enjoy
ment of the dancers were greatly appreci
ate!. and the large attendance, especially of
lames, was an 11aheatin'.; that the people of
Iditarod and vicinity are prepared to take
advantage of dioir bruited means for social
worn by
ih" belies were beautiful in the extreme,
and many nil timers remarked that the
scene presented by the ball room was a re
mind- r of th • early days of the camp.
An ore! •• ’ra composed of Mrs. Maher, at
the piano. Prof'* - r Charles Drapeau and
Mr. Jacobs, c n . an l A hby B: i
dolin. furr.i'hed the music, and their work
was the theme of much appreciative com
ment. Ah hough unused to playing together,
they fund.* ••• i i-xci Mont dance music, aim
they were indefatigable in their efforts to
please.
The attendance from the creeks was not
large, but those who did come felt well re
paid for their trouble. Among those present
from Discovery were Mr. and Mrs. A. A.
Shonbeek. Mr and Mrs. A«bbv Bain
Mrs. J. E. Riley, Mrs. Goebel and
Chester Riley , anti Billy iaylor was present
from Flat.
The members of the committee having in
charge the arrangements, to whom the sue
cess of the affair is due. was composed of
Messrs, fieri) Riley, A. E. Maltby and Percy
G. Charles.
BIG DAWSON DREDGE
SINKS IN DEEP WATER
DAWSON, Oct. 10. Boyle's tine large
dredge No. 2 sank in twenty to thirty five
feet of water in the Klondike river, oppo
site Bear creek bluff, at 3 :30 this morning. :
General Manager .T. W. Boyle and a large
crew of men are at work trying to save the I
dredge. Mr. Bnyle announces that tin1
Klondike river will be turned at a point |
near the mouth of Bear creek and the 1
dredge right' d and gotten into shape as ;
soon as possible. He hopes to have her in
operation again this year.
The cause of the dredge sinking is a mys- ;
terv. She was working in the river in the
usual way when the crew noticed that she
was going down exceptionally far by the
head, and in fifteen minutes she bad fill°d :
so rapidly that her hull was under water.
She may have struck a snag or rock Only
fifteen minutes hpfore, said Mr. Boyle, the
interior nf the hull had been inspected and 1
found to be in good order. The boat now
lies with a list to starboard. The crew
on board at the time the boat sank com
prised Frank McKinley, watchman; Wick- ,
man, oiler, and Mac Ray and Savin, deck
ers. Mr. Boyle says that this is one of the
best crews in the service, and he is mysti- ,
tied as to the cause of the accident. The
boys on the boat were in no immediate
danger.
Dredge No. 2 is the pioneer big boat of
the Canadian Klondike fleet, with a daily .
capacity of 15,000 cubic yards. She and I
her sister boats of the same company here >
are the largest gold dredgers in hte world. |
No. 2 cost a cool $425,000 ready to operate. ;
ADVERTISED LETTERS
The following list of letters remain un- \
i called for at the Iditarod postoffice, for the j
week ending November 28, 1914. When !
calling for these, please ask for advertised j
letters: j
Babis. Mr. Wm. (3 >
Hi amis. !1. G.
Brorliu. Monsier M.
Bernier. Monsieur A.
Dukie, Mr. John
Jams. Mr. Joseph
Enticknap. Mr. If.
Erikson, Victor
I'oy, Mr. George
Friel. Mr. Pat
Gallagher. Mr. G.
Ginty, Mr. Dennis
Howard, Mr. Harry
Jackson, Mr. R. A.
Jackson. Mr. Thos.
Jarvi, Mr. K.
Johnson, Mr. G/W.
Jnrinoich, Mr. T.
Kane, Mr. Nick (3)
K runt i Hr Mitt
Longdon. W. J.
Nelson, Mrs. H. B.
Nelson. Mr. M. M. (2 - j
McCarty, Frank
Mel.end, Mr. A. 0. |
PaHar. Mr. Aukusti !
Peterson. Chris
Platts, Mr. II.
Rodney, Mr. c.
Roseoe, Mrs. Theresa
ltoscoe, Julia (2)
Sampson, Mr. C. F.
Spencer, Mr. Julian
Tait, Mr. Roy W.
Tmtinger. Mrs. C. L.
Willitt, Mr. Arthur
Witte. Then.
Winens, Mr. Chris 1
Watts, Vernon
Walsh. Mr. B.
Wattrous. Mrs.
Wallace. Selma
Yuraicn, Antoni
VIGOR OWNBY INQUIRED FOR
Through the Alaska bureau of the New :
Seattle Chamber of G .nmierce. W. H.
Ownby of the National Bank of Mattoon, 1
II!.. makes inquiry for his brother, Vsetor !
Ownby. w};■ i was in Gohir in July. 101B.
Best of Everything
ALL THE TIME AT THE
Arcade Cafe
FLAT CITY
Open Dav and Night
PEST LIQUORS AND CIGARS
Threo-timss-Move Bar
(Forme'ly the Stanley House)
JOHN SAGOY, PROP.
COOD ROOMS CLEAN BEDS
FLAT CITY
DISKAKET AND CRIPPLE CITY
Big Stocks, Standard Goods
Gasoline and Lubricating Oil
Good Roadhouse in Connection
PIONEER CREEK AGENCIES
FLAT CITY.Mrs. C. C. Chittick
DISCOVERY OTTER Harry Donnelley
DR. IVIOORE,
‘ Gold St., Opposite Postoffice, Flat City
; Eye-Glass Fitting Telephone
DR. H. E. AURSNGER,
Physician and Surgeon
Office: Gold St. Flat City, Alaska
Consultation Hours in forenoons anti t.y
Appointment
E. M. STANTON.
Attorney at Law
Office: Corner Willow and Second St.«.
Iditarod Pioneer Building
j. c. MOODY.
Attorney at Law
IDITAROD, ALASKA
Office: Second Avenue
W. F. HARRISON,
Attorney at Law
IDITAROD, ALASKA
Room 12, Regina Hotel
CM AS. E. TAYLOR,
Attorney at Law
BANK BLOCK
First Avenue laitarod
PIONEER DRUG STORE
FLAT CITY
0
PHONE DAY OR NiCHT
Both Winter and. Summer
Locations
INQUIRE AT THE ROADHOUSE
Adams House
FIRST ST., I DITARCD
Clean, Warm Rooms, Gas-Lighted. The
Only First-Class Horse and Dog
Stables in Town
A Fine Dog Team to Rent
Free Library and Reading Room
Salmon for the Dog Mushert
H. E. REVELLE T. W. BOYD
Sesard-lltarod Mail Service
MAIL AND PASSENGERS
WEEKLY SCHEDULE BETWEEN SEWARD AND INTERIOR
ALASKA
sr? nisrit PASSENGER TARIFF NO. I
45 $ 25 Old Knik At point or inter** ' t..>n rate i*
5(7. 30 8 5_Knik f” ah' passeneer ran- most t
55 35 10 ; $ 5 Susitna pai*! in aiivann .
' 75 55 1 30 25” 8 20 Mountain Climbers
91 i 71 j 46 41 36 8 16 * Anderson’s
Tot S7 62 57 52 32 8 16 French Joe's
TsT 125 109 ini 99 _ 79 _ 63 $ 35 Takotna
177 167 142 137 132 112 ~~96 70 8 35 Tditarn.l
Freight and Express Will Be Accented for Delivery Between
Iditarod and Takctna or French Joe’s. For Rates
See Carriers
All Mail Carriers on this route carry an extra sled 3nd team for Passengers, Baggage
and Express
NOTE.—Our regular Express business will not be inaugurated until the mail service
is satisfactorily established
GOLD DUST SHIPMENTS From Iditarod to Seward, $!• per $1,000, in Ids lew
than $10,000; over $10,000, $7.50
McDonald House ACCOMMODATION
FURNACE HEAT IN EVERY ROOM
FREE READING ROOM—All the Late Outside Papers and Magazines._
When at CLEAN, WARM ROOMS
Stop 'at'the f Tub and Steam Baths
New Stables for Horses and Dogs MRS. DICKSON PROP.
DRAFT SEEK
Drink St From a Genuine German Stsin
Rimers' Home Saloon
JDJTAROD SAM W'LMER