Gtyr flatly f rnapprtar
PUBLISHED BT
PROSPECTOR PUBLISHING CO.
H. B. SELBY, Editor and Proprietor.
VALDEZ. ALASKA
Published Dally Except Sunday _
Entered as Second-Class Mail Matter.
July 23. 1S12. at the postofflce of Valdes.
Alaska, under act of March 3, 187$.
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1917 OCTOBER 1917
fTTOiSfl
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iwagegif 1 1~1.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1017
SOME STARTLING FIGURES
The official announcement that the
United States now has more than 3,
500,000 tons of shipping engaged in
the foreign trade and the shipping so
engaged a year from now will be in
exces of 9,200,000 tons is a startling
revelation. The figures mean an Am
erican gain of approximately 1,500,
000 tons in the last year, and within
a year we will have more tonnage en
gaged in foreign^ trade than any other
country in the world unless we class
the British Empire, including Canada,
Australia, India and other colonial
possessions and Great Britain and
Ireland, as one country and the trade
between the various members as for
eign.
These figures mean that the total
American shipping tonnage, includ
ing domestic, is now more than 10,
000,000, or more than four time that
of any other country than Great Brit
ain. They mean that the total Ameri
can tonnage, foreign and dometic, in
a year from now will be 16,000,000
or more, and within 75 per cent of
the total of Great Britain and all of
her colonies at their highest point.
Before the Civil War, when Buch
anan was President, the shipping of
the world was divided into about
three different parts—the United
States having a little more than one
third and the remainder of the world
a little less than one-third. At the
rate thing are going now the United
States will soon take first place again,
with Great Britain and the rest of
the world dividing the remainder
about equally between them, making
the*relative situation about as it was
at the outbreak of the American Civil
War.
While information that the United
States was making tremendous for
ward strides in shipbuilding was gen
eral, few people realized that the pace
was as rapid as the official announce
ment of the government discloses.
AMERICA'S VOLUNTEER ARMY
German sympathizers in the United
States, taking their cue from Berlin,
which belittles America’s part in the
war, point to the circumstance of the
selective draft as evidence that the
war is not popular with the people.
(On the contrary, the fact is that al
though the president and congress
never have called for volunteers, ex
to raise the army and navy to new
standards, it now has armed forces
totalling 950,000, all of whom are
voluntary recruits.
Yet this figure does not tell the
whole story by any means. The truth
is that since the United State* "went
to war with Germany a total of 1,
300,000 men have volunteered for
service—certainly an army of no in
considerable proportions. About one
third of these have been rejected,
chiefly on the grounds of physical
disability, but this does not alter the
fact that the others came forward
and offered their services. The manner
in which the army and navy standards
I have worked in rejecting volunteers
! has been shown in the recent select
I ive conscription examinations, and if
! every man who applied for enlistment
j had been accepted we should now
! have an army and navy—including
the men in tlie service when war
broke out—of about 1,750,000.
Had the president called for vol
unteers for war with Germany the
iespouse would have been still better.
It was decided, however, to enact a
elective conscription law, which would
be fair to all men, and consequently
thousands who would have, volunteer
ed in response to a summons, will
await their call under the selective
draft. That their number would have
eceeded by far that number of men
who have enlisted to avoid the draft
goes without saying.
It is true that Americans adhere
to the principle of defensive warfare
and for that reason hesitate to vol
unteer for service on a foreign con
tinent. However, offensive action is
necessary in a defensive war, and the
moral certainty that we must fight
Germany now or later—with the ad
vantage entirely on our side now—
convince the nation of the necessity
of carrying the wor abroad.
THEODORE Roosevelt is swinging
around on the steenth lap of another
lecture circuit following the last cir
cuit following the one before that.
While no one denies the Colonel’s
patriotism it is of the same calibre of
the devotion expressed by a woman
who swats her husband with a roll
ing pin. The Colonel, can go into a
perfect peacable community and in
six hours have each and divers of its
inhabitants at each others throats.
Not on account of what he says, hut
the way he says it. A perusal of one
of the Colonel’s speeches would cause
the man who believed in him to think
the country was going to the demni
tion bow wows and himself and his
family the only patriots in the coun
try. An hour in his company would
cause the average man to suspicion
his cook of pro-Germanism and to
look for pretzels In out-of-the-way
places. But it is only the froth of
frenzy spun into threads when you
take it in sober thought, and really
does more harm than good on account
of its radicalness. One private in the
ranks is worth a boxcar full of Roose
velts in speech—in action Roosevelt
is a host In himself.
A MAN came into the shop the
other day ond asked us for a dona
tion to one of the 3,000,000 causes
the common people assume it their
prerogative to ask during the term
of the war. Upon being refused he
stated that it was up to every per
son to ‘‘do his bit.” After the afore
said prominent citizen had departed
in quest of other victims, we took
down our files and a little examination
disclosed that our “bit” consisted of
$200 worth of space for the Red
Cross, $36 for the churches; $121 for
the last Liberty Loan publicity; $138
for the band and civic societies, and
various sums reaching in the hun
dreds of dollars for other purposes.
Probably other papers in the terri
tory who are accused of- being unpat
riotic because they do not publish ev
everything handed them are undergo
ing the same experiences. If so it
might be wise to let the public know
that the editor’s bit would knock a
large hole in a merchant’s stock if
he had to dish out his wares as lav
ishly and gratuitously.
WHEN you hear a man rail at re
ligion you would like to have his cere
bellum under a microscope for a sci
entific examination as to his sanity.
Religion is like the measles, every
man necessarily may not have exper
ienced it, but it is ho sign that it is
not a condition. The world is not
governing itself nor did the splendid
mechanism of the human body be an
accident. The more science delves in
to the mysteries of life the more won
derful appear the workings of the su
preme power which governs our des
tinies. There is no thing as chance.
Everything is worked out to the min
utest detail, and the functioning of
the plane and the life teeming upon
it is a wonderful thing to study.
AN exchange asks: “What will stop
this war?” We dunno, but we have
a hunch that it will take more than
talk.
STEAM HEAT NEWLY FURNISHED
SEATTLE HOTEL
• *! ' . •« *« ! »
MRS. E. MILL, Propr.
VALPJ&? :., j . vi...; . ^ u.> 3 13
HOW SHALL WE
PAY FOil THE WAR?
A Constructive Criticism on the
Rouse Revenue Bill.
LOANS BETTER THAN TAXES
Five Reason* Why Excessive Taxes at
the Outset of War Are Disadvantage- I
out—Great Britain Example Worthy
of Emulation—How the Taxes Should
Be Apportioned.
By EDWIN R. A. SELIGMAN,
McVIckur Professor of Political Econ
omy. Columbia University.
On May 23. l!»l7. the House of Itep
resentatives passed an act "to provide
revenue to defray war expenses and
for other purposes." In the original j
hill as presented by the Committee of :
Ways and Means, the additional reve ;
nue to he derived was estimated nt $1. i
810.420.000. The amendment to the In !
come tax, which was tacked on to the
bill during the discussion in the House,
was expected to yield another $40,000.
000 or $50,000,000.
In discussing tlie House bill, two |
problems arise:
I. How much should he raised by j
taxation?
II. In what manner should this sum
be raised?
I. How Much Should Bo Raised by !
Taxation?
How was tile figure of $1,800,000,000
arrived at ? The answer is simple. When
the Secretary of the Treasury came to
estimate the additional war expenses
for the year 1017-18. he calculated that
they would amount to some $0,000.
000*000. of w hich $3,000,000,000 was to
lie allotted to the allies, and $3,000.
000.000 was to be utilized for the do
mestic purposes. Thinking that It
would be a fair proposition to divide
this latter sum between loans and
taxes, he concluded that the amount
to lie raised li.v taxes was $1,800,000.
000.
There are two extreme theories, each
of which may lie dismissed with scant
courtesy. The one is that all war ex
pendftures should lie defrayed by loans,
and the other is that all war expendi
tures should lie defrayed by taxes
Each theory is untenable.
It is indeed true that the burdens of
the war'should lie home by the pres
ent rather than the future generation;
but this does not mean that they should
be borne b.v tills year's taxation.
Meeting all war expenses by taxation
makes the taxpayers in one or two !
years bear the burden of benefits that j
ought to be distributed at least over a
decade within (lie same generation.
In the second place, when expend!- !
tures approach the gigantic sums of
present-day warfare, the tax-only pol
icy would require more than the total
surplus of social income. Were this
absolutely necessary, the ensuing hav
oc In the economic life of the communi
ty would have to lie endured. Bui
where the disasters are so great and
at the same time so unnecessary, the
tax-only policy may be declared ini
uractleable.
Secretary McAdoo had tbe right in |
stlnct and highly commendable cour
age iu deciding that a substantial por
tion, at least, of the revenues should
be derived from taxation. But when
he hit upon the plan of 50-50 per cent.,
that is, of raising one-baif of all do
mestic war expenditures by taxes, the
question arises whether he did not go
roo iar.
The relative proportion of loans to
taxes is after all a purely business
proposition. Not to rely to a large ex
tent on loans at the outset of a war is
a mistake.
Disadvantage* of ExcassiV# Taxes.
The disadvantages of excessive taxes
at the outset of tbb war are Sa follows
1. Excessive taxes on consumption
will cause popular resentment.
2. Excessive taxes ou industry will
disarrange business, damp enthusiasm
and restrict the spirit of enterprise at
the very time when the opposite Is
needed.
3. Excessive taxes on incomes will de
plete the surplus available for invest
mentb and Interfere with the placing of
the enormous loans which will be neces
sary in any event.
4. ' Excessive taxes on wealth will
cause a serious diminutiou of the in
comes which are at present largely
drawn upon for the support of educa
tional and philanthropic enterprises.
Moreover, these sources of support
would be dried up precisely at the time
wbeu the need would tte greatest.
5. Excessive taxation at tho outsat of
tho war will reduce the elasticity avail
able for tho increasing demands that
ara soon to coma.
Graat Britain’s Policy.
Take Great Britain as au example
During the first year of the war she
increased taxes only slightly, in order
to keep industries going at top notch.
During the second year she raised by
new taxes only 0 per cent, of her war
expenditures. During the third year
she levied by additional taxes (over
and above the pre-war level) only
slightly more than 17 per cent of her
war expenses.
If we should attempt to do as much
in the first year of tbe war as Great
Britain did in tbe third year it would
suffice to raise by taxation $1,250,000,
000. If, in order to be absolutely on
the safe side, It seemed advisable to
Increase tbe sum to $1,500,000,000, this
slvsuld, In.our opinion, be tbe maxi
(Codtinned on Page Four)
Something New-Japanese
Pottery & China Novelties
A direct importation, consisting of many useful and
ornamental little novelties in Japanese pottery and
chinaware, appropriate for any occasion and much ap
preciated as gifts.
\
Japanese Pottery
Cleverly moulded and designed, this new addition to
artistic pottery is patterned al\gr the old bronzes,
the dull brown greens are in keeping and will har
monize with any furnishings. Many useful peices are
to be had in this selection such as odd vases, bowls,
book ends, cigar ] and tobacco jars, ash receivers
and candle sticks.
Blue Butterfly China
Dainty Japanese china, decorated with the new Blue
Butterlly Design now so much in demand; Cups and
saucers, cracker and cheese dishes, salad plates, cel
ery trays, nut trays, mayonaise bowls, cake plates,
sugar Jand creamers, etc.
S. Blum & Company
GOOD GOODS
LAUNCHlDELLA
Capt. H. L. Rider
Weekly trips from Valdez to
Ellamar. Landlock, Fldalgo and
way ports. Passengers landed
at all points.
Carrying freight and passen
gers.
For rates apply on board.
CAPT. H. L. RIDER
Feed Wheat to Hogs
OKLAHOMA CITY Oct. 3.—Farm
ers in the northwestern part of this
state are feeding their wheat to their
hogs and horSes rather than sell it
at the maximum price fixed by the
government. They are disatlsfled be
cause prices for commodities which
they use have not been fixed by the
controller.
BIG HILL LINERS NEARLY
READY TO GO IN SERVICE
PORTLAND, Ore., Oct. 3.—The
two big passenger steamships Great
Northern and Northern Pacific, re
cently commandeered by the govern
ment for war purpoee, were turned In
to the navy yard at Bremerton, Mon
day, and will be fitted up for the
transport service.
Lieut. Faust brought his car in
from Wortman yesterday. He reports
the trail passable, and says that af
ter it is surfaced it will be in good
condition.
The publisher of a weekly paper
in Mounds, Ills., advertises for a man
to take entire charge of his paper
while he goes to war,' adding “the
job may be permanent.’’
Notice of Bale
Special sale on Jewelry at the Val
dez Drug. Everything half price. tf
Otis Osgood is a recent arrival in
in Valdez from the trail, where he
has been at work this summer.
Ice Ice fee
Delivered to all parts of the town,
lc. per pound. Love-Whit ley Co. tf
“Dad” Gleason, who has been work
ing for the Alaska road commision
this summer, arrived in town yester
day and will winter here.
— ■— ■ — —— <
M. Morey arrived in Valdez yester
day after spending the summer on
the trail with the road commission
crew.
Charles Eby was a recent arrival
in town from the trail, where h«r has
been at work the past summer for
the road commission.
Complete line of Bulk Chocoiatee.
Candy Kitchen. tf
HOTEL SEXTON
Seward Alaska
Geo. Sexton, Proprietor.
The traveling public’s
home.
European Plan.
HOTEL SEXTON
Arctic Hotel
All Warm, Outside Rooms
Transient Trade Solicited
Special Rates by the Week or Month
Baths in Connection
PHONE 133 MRS. SYRINC, Prsy
Launch Patsy
for Charter Anwybere on
VALDEZ BAT
At any Time Day or Night
J. D. Jefferson
VALDEZ, ALASKA
J. E. WILSON
Freighting to all point*
jn the third division.
Horses bpught and Sold.
Phone 166. ..
fJ • J f I, V sj' Ml «'*I M »
UASKA Him
JIB MUM
I with and earnestly urge all the
people of the Vicariate of Alaska and
the Aleutian Island to regard The
Catholic Northwest Progress as the
official source of Information for all
that pertains to their religious life
and the Interests of . the Church.
R. J. CRIMONT, S. J.
Bp. Vic. Ap. Alaska.
PREMIUM
A premium that you will apprecl
ftt0 •
We will send free to all new sub
scribers a large site picture of Bishop
Crimont, First Bishop of Alaska, also
to present subscribers who send In
one new subscriber, or pay two years
subscription.
COUPON
Catholic Northwest Progress
S080 Arcade Bldg, Seattle, Wn.
Enclosed find $1.50 for your paper.
'lame ....---........-.............•
Address ---
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PROFESSIONAL CARDS.
DR. S. WICKES MERRITT
Offices in Fish BuiKIing, adjoining
Tillikum Clnb.
Phone 90. McKinley Street.
Contract Surgeon. U. 8. Army
A. > Surgeon. U 8. Public Health Bare
(Marine Hospital)
DR. H. COCKERILLE
Graduate Natloaal Valirnity
Wssfctoptoa. D. C.
DENTIST
In Valdez Since 1808
PHONE 110
Office Rooms In Whaling Building
DONOHOE & D1MOND
ATTORNEYS-AT-LAW
OSf* Opposite Coart Boose
Pfcoao A* VALDEZ. ALASKA
JOHN Lyons m, ■ ritchxb
LYONS & RITCHIE
ATTOROTCTS-AT-LAW
OSiM la a aallas BilMlig
Phase 101 riLDEL
ROBERT SIMPSON Opt. D.
JUNEAU. ALASKA
Glasses Fitted Leases Ground
LOVE & MEALS
...
Insurance
Fire-Surety Bonds-Life
VALDEZHOSPITAL
Print* Rooms
Term* Re*ao**bl*
JOS. A. S1LVUMAN. n. C.. *. D. Pie*
Joe. A. &iiv*rm*a Pk. G.M. D.
PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON
Office Wn-'l te 4 p. ■ --7 te 8 p.
Sunday by Appointment
Res. Tel. 176 Office TeL It
Boyle Block_V*Me»
Valdez Miners Union No. 188
Waiters Federation of Miner*
W. M. CONLEY Pr**M*e».
Vildu AUik*.
GEORGE M. MAq&*TG!E:
VALDES LODGE
NO 108
/V' Froe as* Aeeeyto* Maooao
Rocular Communication* #r»t W*d
ueadfyln each month In McKlnloy
Hall. 7 Vloltoro niwayowolcoma
r. M. BROWN, W. It
ED WOOD, Secretary.