AGAINST YUKON ROUTE
l1 he following telegrams received considerable attention during
the past week by Idita rod’s commercial organization:
McGrath. Alaska. Oct. 14. 1919.
i hamber of ( omtoerce, Iditarod, Alaska:
The people of this entire community request us to make official com
plaint to the Postoffice Department., Governor Thomas Higgs, Delegate
George IT tJrigsbv and Judge Charles E. Bunnell against, t he discon
tinuance of mail service on the Seward-lditarod route We are wiring
the above, explaining in detail the serious effect this is having upon
this section of the country, and asking that, this service be restored.
Will your organization aid us in rendering similar complaint. Wire us
collect if you will take action. CM AMBER OF COMMERCE,
By D. W. Sprague, President.
The Secretary oJ the. Iditarod Commercial Club was instructed to
forward messages as follows:
Iditarod. Alaska, Oct. 21, 1919.
Secretary, Chamber of Commerce. McGrath, Alaska:
The Iditarod Commercial Club will assist in helping to restore the
service on the Seward-lditarod mail trail, and have wired protests to
all indicated io your wire to us. We have protested strenuously
against the mail being routed via. Fairbanks, causing delay iti the ser
vice and closing the country between here and the coast.
I'o Posttnaster-General Burleson. Delegate Grigsby and Judge
Bunnell the following dispatch was forwarded:
Iditarod, Alaska, Out, 21. 1919.
I his community protests against the discontinuance of the Se ward -
Iditarod mail route. Closing tilts trail and forcing our .mail to be
routed via. Fairbanks,which is (iOU miles further from here than Seward
causes over twit weeks delay. This new route closes the trail which we
use to reach the Outside, causes the country between here anti the
coast to be deserted, discourages prospecting and travel, and isolates
the Kuskokwim ami this district. We respectfully ask that you use
your effoiis to restore the Seward-Iriitarod route.
'Pile following protest was wired Gov. Riggs;
Idilarod, Alaska. Oct. 21, 1919.
Ron. Thomas Riggs. Juneau, Alaska:
This community protests against the discontinuance of the Seward
mail route. Closing this trail and routing our mail via. Fairbanks tie
lays our service three weeks, and causes us to travel over 500 miles
further it; reach the Outside. The Kuskokwim and this district will tie
isolated, and all the country between hare and the roast closed. This
will seriously discourage prospecting and travel. We respectful)v ask
your aid in restoring this route tous.
IDITAROD COMMERCIAL CEFB.
These telegraphic replies were received Inst, Wednesday:
Juneau, Alaska. Oct. 22. 1919.
Iditarod Commercial Club, Iditarod. Alaska:
Grigsby, Hallowed and i have already made strong protests as possi
ble to postoffice authorities, who state it is not pessible to give service
t his year for the reasons that, the roadhouses are all closed and the mail
contractors lust year were unable to fulfill contracts on account of hav
ing to lueak trail alone, mail sacks lost in river, and small population;
will try again, but doubt success. RIGGS, Governor.
Washington, D. C.. Oct. 22. 1919.
Idilarod Commercial Club, Iditarod, Alaska:
Replying: The Wassilla mail route was discontinued on account of
had trail and excessive cost for number of persons served; records show
time via. Fairbanks was expeditions as via. Seward; inadv'seable to re
store Seward rome-unt.il material improvement of trails.
PRAEGER, Second Assistant.
Let’s Beat ’Em at Their Own Game
The tone of the above message from a representative body like
the McGrath Chamber of Commerce expresses in a mild degree
only the general feeling of the people of the Kuskokwim valley
over the unwarranted abandonment of the Seward-Iditarod mail
route. Only by using eheapjohn methods of jugglery could such a
snide piece of chicanery he pulled off. But the stunt is only a fair
example of how slyly a “measly trick” can he turned while affairs
are in the hands of bureaucratic departments. Where the economy
or wisdom is to be found in dragging mail matter over 600 miles
uf entirely unnecessary travel is beyond the “comprehend” of any
body in this district. The Seward-Iditarod route was “hooked,
dragged in, and hung over the side of the boat,” its doom signed
and sealed, long before its fate was known, or was supposed to be
known, by anyone hereabouts who was liable to register a protest.
But, looking at the proposition from a different angle, how could
any reasonable or observing person expect a mail route to be a
success after four years of revelling at the hands of Col. Revell,
with his miscellaneous way of doing business?
To a man up a tree and that seems to be the position of this
district in regard to mail affairs—it is clear that the Seward-Idit
arod mail route has been “done to its death”—there’s no resurrec
tion for it we can’t call it back. They handed us the double cross
and let tis retain our Red Cross, and we’re glad we haven’t an iron
cross. Our mail- what there will be of it—will surely, THIS
WINTER, AT LEAST, come and go over the circuitous Yukon
river route. Rut there's another winter coming “after the leaves
begin to turn” next, fall Let’s take time by the forelock and look
into that.
What can be done? If anyone has anything to offer, please
reduce if to writing, and we’ll publish the same.
The lditarod Pioneer has a suggestion to offer on how to “beat"
that ridiculous Yukon river mail route, but wants to hear from
other sources. Speak out, good peepul 1
Thp Orsinrl
I IlO I MISS A. NELSON, PROP.
Nicely Furnished Rooms Barn for Horses and Dogs Baths in Conneetisn
J. W. Karrell,
GENERAL MERCHANDISE
I Discovery, Otter
Just Received
Full Line of Fresh Rifie and Shotgun Cartridges,
Flashlight Bhtteries, and have Complete Line of Hunters’ and Trappers' Supplies
JAS. E. FULLERTON
FLAT, ALASKA
Twenty-Two Years’ Experience in Alaska and Yukon
■>.*. MUTCHLER BROS.’
iditarod-Flat Tramway
Freighting to All Parts of the District.
Saddle Horses and Teams for Hire.
FOR SALE Five lo-months-old mala
mines from one litter, strong, well
broke and full of paprika; will sell
cheap. Inquire Ansley’s Emporium.
BARGAIN — Four good working dogs (3
wheel dogs), basket sled and bundle
old rish goes with it; everything in
good shape; irv them; price for all,
$150. Inquire Akaras House, Id i La rod.
For Sale
Good Dry 4-Ft. Wood
Delivered in any quantity at Flat and
Discovery.
TEDDY MILES
If It’s Something Good to
Eat You’re Looking for
TRY THE
Arcade
CAFE
Golden *& Poirier, Props.
Flat City’s Best Restaurant '
Every Comfort for the Traveling Public j
MEALS AT ALL HOURS
Adamsj
HOUSE
formerly the McDonald, lditarod
Dining Booms and Baths 1
POOL ROOM IN CONNECTION
Free Reading Room — Large and j
Clean Stables for Horses and Dogs !
Ljyery Saddle Horses
EXPRESS TO ALL PARTS OF DISTRICT
Crystal Springs TAWSATEELESS
Delivered Daily to Your Door.
Dan Hartnett, Flat
THE SNYDER
HOUSE
For Comfortable Rooms,
Good Clean Spring Bunks
Steam, Tub D ATUO
and Shower I MV
Fine Do«' Kennels
Miss F. Graham, Prup. Flat City
The
•
Branch
CIGAR STORE
Flat City
FELIX PAUL
Riley &. Reimer
PILOTS AND PROPRIETORS
All the Choice Summer
Refreshments Served
“So Nicely”