THE IDITAROD PIONEER
Published Every Saturday Morning at Idltarod, Alaska
Yol. 8 CHARLES A. DERRY, Editor No. 15
ARBUCKLE & DERRY. Publishers
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Our country! In her intercourse with for- £
0 eign nations, may she always be right; but oar ^
o v
^ country, right or wrong.—Stephen Decatur. ^
WOMAN AND WAR
How typically feinuuu.c \\:.. th- action of Miss Jeanette Kan
km, the first woman member of congress, in voting against the
Flood-Martin resolution! And how thoroughly womanlike and
unsophisticated was her explanation of her vote! "1 want to
stand by my country," she is quoted it; saying, "nut 1 cannot vote
for war.' Certainly not. Few women could. While capable of
truly 8partan devotion and self-sacrifice when necessary, it is in
herent in the feminine mind to shrink from a decision which
would make necessary those sacrifices. It would have been at vari
ance with all womanly instincts that she should hate cast a vote
that would have helped to authorize the sacrifice of other women’s
, ns uni husbands in bloody warfare. And the sanctity or un
sanctity of the cause probably entered not at all into her reason
ing. It was expected of her by the femininists and she did the
expected.
It \\..s a cruel i -t : • 1 woman rcvupvin;: :» umam* ana con
spicuous position as tin- first rt her sex *o occupy a .- -a in (he
national legislative lull-. When shortly af it her election -he
: imouneed that her particular work world be the securing of
legislation looking to the welfare of women and children, her pur
pose was applauded and it was expected that her acknowledge
ability would find ways of being helpful in her chosen r\ here.
The gift of prophecy, which after’all is but the enlarged view
point which comes from wide knowledge, experience and enlight
mod thinking, seldom i> bestowed upon womankind. Perhaps
she and that large number of well-intentioned women who nmkc
up such a considerable following of the pacifist> wi uld be pre
pared to contest the statement that the action taken by congress
last week was more conducive to the future welfare of the women
and children of this great land than any legislation that is liable
tu be enacted in this or many coming congresses. She was not
expected to see. and if she did see blinded herself to the perspec
tive, that in the willingness of a nation to fight for it.- ideals lies'
not only the safety of present but future generations. Her wom
anly shrinking from war shut her eyes to the cowardice which ;
impels one generation to avoid trouble which shall rise up for !
future generations to face in aggravated form. Even so might
the mothers, wives and sisters of the revolutionary fathers have
counseled their men folks to avoid that strife with the British
government the success of which gave such Soundless hl v-sings to ,
all future generations; but they did not. We are in the enjoy
ment of a greater measure of liberty, in i ll that the word implies,
because the founders of this nation did not shrink fr nil shoulder
ing the task imposed on them, and to which they dui. ated their
“lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor.” Miss Rankin failed
to rise to the occasion by associating her name with a document
which in future years bids fair to be looked upon with almost as j
much veneration as that in which Jefferson and his colleagues
t: de defiance to King George.
The pity of it all is that in the action of the lady member of
c ngress will be found confirmation of the belief, already well ,
grounded, that woman's sphere is not in the realm of practical j
politics. Miss Rankin's pathetic “I want to stand by my country”
is coupled with the implication that she cannot do so where blood- I
Hied is involved, which, to be brutally frank, means that she be j
Iteves in a policy of non-resistance. No nation ever achieved its j
destinies on such a policy, end no nation ever was able to guar- i
mitee its people “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” when j
governed by such sentiments.
Unwittingly Miss Rankin has done immeasurable harm to the j
very cause to which she desired tu be loyal, and woman suffrage
will be the loser.
WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION
Two years ago, in discussing the message of Governor Strong
to the Second Alaska legislature, it was pointed out by this news
paper that the chief executive of the territory evaded almost en
tirely an expression of opinion on the various topics touched upon
v.hich would be of service to the legislators. Seemingly he was
content to deliver lengthy and hackneyed homilies on the duties j
of the members and the dignity of their position. In his message I
to the Third legislature, now in session, he appears to have fol
lowed his former method. Scarcely is there a helpful suggestion j
in the entire document.
Many of the laws passed at preceding sessions- of the territorial
legislature have been defective. Some have been rendered in
valid by the courts, some have been impractical and have been
ignored, and some have failed to accomplish the purposes for
which they were ostensibly enacted. Yet the governor is strangely
iriicnt as to the remedies for the-e conditions. One of the most
important problems before the Second session was the workmen’s
compensation act. This measure, fathered and bolstered through
the legislature by representatives of the big mining companies of
Southeastern Alaska, was one of the boldest frauds ever perpe
trated upon a community. In effect, instead of being what it
purported to be, it was nothing less than a law limiting the
amount of damages which could be obtained in case of accident,
and depriving the laborer of rights already secured to him by
statute and under the common law. Its application has been a
ridiculous farce, and the miners have been the sufferers.
It was naturally to be expected that the governor would dis
cuss this act, which he himself must and evidently does regard as
| a failure, for he refers to it as the ''so-called” compensation or
I employers' liability law. The people of the territory had a right
to expect that he would make recommendations to the legislature
looking to remedial amendments or advocating its repeal. In
j stead he takes up a half column of newspaper .space in uttering
a rigmarole of generalities, and concludes as follows:
If in your judgment the present law should be amended
and amplified, 1 have only to repeat the remarks by me in
discussing this subject to the Second legislature, when it was
- aid that this entire subject must be judged in a spirit of fair
ness, with broad views of the dignity and importance of the
laborer, aside from the labor he performs, and also with a true
conception of the rights of capital in its relation to industrial
affairs. Each to a great extent is dependent upon the other,
but we must never forget the human equation. Money is for
the use and support of the man, not to rule him. It is merely
a measure of value, and those who have much of it should
never be permitted to u:-e it. in such way as to control the
man or the government established by him for his use and
adv ancement.
Can anyone imagine anything more puerile or purposeless than
these vagaries about “spirit of fairness,” “broad views of the dig
nity and importance” of labor, “true conception of the rights of
capital,” and the “human equation” as applied to a practical sub
ject? Surely he could have come out in plain English and shown
where the law was defective. One could even applaud an open
advocacy of the act from the standpoint of the big mining com
panies if such, were the conviction of the governor. But to waste
his own and the legislature's time on such drool as the above is
disappointing, to use no harsher term.
And the legislature indorsed such an executive fur reappoint
ment because of his "impartiality”! If such impartiality be
grounds for commendation, surely the governor has merited it.
---♦ - —•—
Patriotism and partisanship do not. commingle. In the hour
rf the country’s danger true patriots know no party. The Seattle
Post Intelligencer, as radical an opponent of President Wilson as
the country contains, in its issue of March 5 prints a scathing
denunciation of the “group of narrow-visioned, hair-splitting, half
baked Americans in the United States senate. German apologists
i n the ore side and craven weaklings on the other,” who talked
to (hath the administration’s measure to establish armed neu
trality. The editorial is entitled "One President One Hag. It
says that “the country is behind the President and prepared to
give him it - support to the lest dollar and the last man in resist
ing aggression t n sea and land.”
-♦- -
The state department announces that fears on the part of
German subjects resident in this country that their bank deposits
would be M'izcd by the government in ease of war with Germany
are c-t:"relv groundless. "Tin government of the United States
will under no circumstances take advantage of a state of war to
like possession of property to which international understandings
and the recognized law of the land give it no just claim or title,
the statement continues. “It will scrupulously respect all private
rights :hkc of its own citizens and of the subjects of foreign
states.”
❖
The British admiralty reports that vessels sunk during Fcbru
ary totaled under three-fourths of 1 per cent for the month, or if
continued at the same rate, a total of 8% per cent per annum of
British vessels. There is a total of 2,000,000 tons of ships in
stocks or building. Added to this is the fact that the British Board
of Trade reports that the foreign trade of the British isles for the
year recently closed footed up in excess of any previous year, even
in peace times. So that Germany’s submarine campaign, while in
flicting frightful losses, would appear to he far from the effectiv •
ittot; the Unmans wt uld have us believe.
O
If it should prove to be true that the millions of Adolphus
Busch have been used in furthering the interests of a belligerent
nation with which we were on the verge of war, “Anheuser Busch
and "Budweiser" will not be popular beverage1 with ; atrintic
Americans
-«
V, LMYIMiX 1IX rHIVl r
(Seattle Post-Intelligencer'
Damn able confirmation of Germany’s infamous plotting and
traitorous intriguing in this country is officially disclosed by the
text of the Berlin note to the German minister in Mexico City.
It corroborates all that has been known, hinted at and feared,
and more. Professing friendship and avowing a desire fur amity.
Germany hes all along been ready to strike at this republic, if
opportunity offered. And it has stealthily invited opportunity.
Boy-Ed and Von Papen were but miniature Von Bernstorffs and
Zimmermanns in a vast conspiracy.
Now does the dismissed ambassador’s talk upon receiving his
passports become intelligible. "Nothing left for the United States
to do.” Caught red-handed as a criminal intermediary in a base
design aimed at the peace of this nation, well might the dipl '
matte culprit s'O strangely declaim. Only regard for Gerard’s
safety warranted concern for Von Bernstorffs, as the world now j
can sec. _ j
Whether Japan or Mexico revealed the base and treasonable j
plot is yet to be learned. For the present it is enough that it is !
revealed.
If anything were needed to cement this Union, inspire a j
robust, virile Americanism, silence the blind pacifists, put an end j
to small partisanship at Washington, and solidify the country be- |
hind the government and the Hag. surely this astounding dis- j
closure will serve that goodly purpose, and make true Americans
of us all!
--♦
SHOULD TAKE TO THE WOODS
(Ketchikan Progressive-Miner i
Why Governor Strong took the stand he did on the final de- !
cision of the canvassing board is puzzling everybody. It is re
ported that the board unanimously agreed to ask the aid of the
attorney general for the territory to help the members to clear
the difficulties encountered in arriving at a final decision. As it
was his duty, the attorney general complied with the request, and
gave as his opinion that Sulzer should be declared elected delegate.
Despite all that, the governor and his right bower took upon
themselves the right to judge the correctness of the opinion. Now
it’s up to the court, and should the court find along the line of
die attorney general, we would advise both the governor and his
man “Friday” to take to the woods.
Ball Band Rubber Boots and Pacs j Bail Band Rubber Boots and Pacs
§ GOOD GOODS AT GOOD PRICES z
—-p
g WE SPECIALIZE os
i Hunt’s Supreme j
I Fruits -"Vegetables \
i COLD STORAGE HAM AND BACON i
s Class “A" Potatoes, Golden State Butter, Etc., Etc., Etc. §
N. C. Co. Sole Agents for Alaska j N. C. Co. Sole Agents for Alaska
BETTER RULE FOR ALASKA
(Portland Oregonian)
It is to be hoped that congress will find
time to adopt a joint resolution offered by
Senator Pittman for an investigation of all
Alaskan affairs. These affairs are divided
among a host of departments and bureaus
at Washington, each acting independently
of the others. Few of the subordinate of
ficials in the territory have authority to
decide any question, no matter how urgent,
and practically everything is referred to bu
reau and department chiefs at the capital,
who have no first-hand information and no
knowledge gained by personal observation of
the facts upon which they must decide
The division of authority is carried to such
an absurd extreme that brown bears are
under the jurisdiction of otic bureau and
black bears under that of another.
Construction of government railroads
should hasten the settlement and develop
ment of Alaska. Unless these railroads are
to be a drain on the territory, all of the
laws must be amended in such manner as
to stimulate development, and thus to pro
duce traffic. While civil government may
I be left to the territorial officials, there is
j great need of centralized control of public
! land and all natural resources. One body
-hould have charge of coal, oil, other min
crab, agriculture, forests, fisheries, game, to
I gether with the railroads, highways and
I waterways which' are needed for develop
ment. The coal land leasing law1 has failed
to attract capital, and the reason for this
failure should be ascertained as a guide to
congress in acting on pending legislation of
the same kind.
It is impossible to govern and develop
Alaska efficiently at long range. There is
as great need of separate administration
with broad powers as there was in the Phil
ippines and Porto Rico. Congress has done
better by these people of alien blood than
by our own citizens who have undertaken
the pioneer work of the far North.
I'YHAT NEW YORK SUN SASD
The New York Sun of March 8, under
the caption, “A Little Group of Willful
Men,” published the following at the head j
of its editorial page:
“The specter of Benedict Arnold returned |
to visit this place and it looked into tilt
faces of O'Gorman, of Vard&rnan, of ixirby
and of Lane. The specter thought of bl
own treachery, fearful of the deed for which
nothing atones, and gazed on the visages of
Norris, of Lafollette and of Cummins. He
thought of the doom of the traitor and how
the name traitor must now enwrap them.
Then he 1 inked upon Work, Stone and
Gronna. and feasted his eyes upon Chop.
The specter of Benedict Arnold found balm
in the actions of these men for his crime,
and ‘Behold,’ he cried, ‘they are eleven and
1 wts but one in mv time.' "
- - «>
HOW, INDEED?
{Nome Industrial Worker*
How in the name of pood common sense
are the laws of the territory to be received
and followed if the governor sets the high
example in a matter of this kind in delib
erately flouting them?
If the governor tacitly thinks it wise to
overlook a harmless breach of the election
law, how can he consistently undertake not
■ < everl . k a d"!T- rate and harmful abuse
of the some law?
If official neglect in this instance is white
washed, how can corporation corruption do
ing the same thing be properly checked?
This is not a question whether Wicker
ham nr Sulzer is elected; it is a question
whether the voters are to receive protec
tion in the use of the Ausirt-.iian ballot or
not. It is obvious that Governor Strong
and Secretary David-on have gone on record
as saying that any old ballot may be cast
and will be counted. A more vicious dcci
ii n could hardly be conceived.
FAREWELL, BEANS
Beans are not what they used to be.
They are no longer the friend of the board
ing house landlady, the lumberjack, the
soldier, the fron'iersman. They no longer
do the world's exploring, dig its mines, re
duce its forests, build its skyscrapers, fight
its battles and feed its lunatics. This, in
his day. the lowly bean has done. He has
been the meat and sinew of the nation. He
has literally done the world's work.
But it is no more to be. With his newly
acquired social position his usefulness dis
appears. For the bean is now the plutocrat
of vegetable foods. At ¥7.40 a bushel, al
most tripled since the big war began, he
will no longer recognize his poor relations.
In fact, it is believed that he is contem
plating a debut in polite society. Baked
all day with a slab of salt pork or bacon,
it is expected he will appear ere long where .
only the turkey had been wont to point
aloft his luscious thighs and where five or
fix knives and forks and spoons and things
form in line for attack at each plate. And i
some new implement will be invented for I
eating the bean, whereby you can eat him
prettily and die of starvation. Nay, he
will appear in the ladies’ afternoon salads
under numerous aliases.
Good-by, beans. You have done much
for us and for the world. But you do not
prize our friendship. Some day you will.
You will learn that we loved you for what
you were, not for what you cost. We al
ways admitted that you had the right stuff
in you. Baked to mealy softness and oozing
with juice of pork, you approached divin
ity. But now you are gone to the tables of
the rich, to mingle with wine and women
and entrees of stale fish. You will no |
longer do the world’s work. You will
spend the world’s money. Good-by, old
beans, and when you find that nobody really
loves you but the dear people, come back
again. The pot is open, and we shall kill
the fatted pig.—St. Paul Pioneer Press.
---+
INJURED PRIDE
After a recent Zeppelin raid, when the
worst was over, a resident went out into
the town to see what damage had been done.
In the darkness he heard a group of women
talking loudly, and judging them a clue not
to be neglected, he followed them along an
entry into the back yard of a house. The
debate never ceased, but he was unable
to get the hang of it until one of the women
—the most eloquent—appealed directly to
him. “’Ere,” she said, “do you call it fair?
T’ bomb dropped in our yard, an’ a bobby’s
gone and took it away—never even give me
a receipt for it. It’s our bomb.”—Manches
ter Guardian.
--
Fresh Olympia and Eastern Oysters, $1.50
per can. Iditarod Meat Co.
----♦
For steam baths, go to the Snyder House,
Flat. * ’
IT’S GREAT TO BE AN ALASKAN
(Contributed)
It is nice to be an Alaskan when the autumn
breezes blow,
And the pesky skeetcrs dead and gone,
where skeeters ought to go;
But when it’s fifty, minus, and the sled
shoes shrilly ring,
And the frost gets in the fingers then it’s
quite a diff’rent thing.
It’s great to be an Alaskan, but at fifty F.
below,
I’d rather be a millionaire in sunny Ihego.
The mining game’s a dandy, when it’s
what it ought to be,
When a pan turns out ten dollars, and the
ground works easilee;
But when you’re up against the face, and
the grub is rotten bad,
There’s naught in being an Alaskan to
make a fellow glad.
It's great to be an Alaskan, but rather’n
work the face
I'd choose to be a rich man’s son a-going
of the pace.
It is fine to he an Alaskan, ami lead the
simple life.
With nary a one to care for except an
other’s wife;
But when the winter weather chills the
marrow in your bones,
And the bed develops lumpy spots, and sun
dry frigid zones—
Oh! it’s great to be an Alaskan, but at
fifty F. below,
I’d rather be a hairless pup in southern
Mexico.
When the birds are flying overhead, and
tumbling at your feet,
And duck, and geese, and cr; m am! swan,
are all your daily meat,
It is then I’d be an Alaskan, and on the
waters live.
With grub galore, and plenty more, to
friend and foe to give.
Oh! it’s great to be an Alaskan, and weigh
ing ill and well,
I'd net trade i IT with any man who lives
this side of hell.
New War's, 1917.
LETTER FROM ETERNAL CITY
WHICH R AM FOUL OF CENSOR
In the last mail Ned M. Stanton re
ceived a letter from his sister, who is in
Rome, which shows the rigidity of the
censorship on forwgn lettri*-. T was dated
January 25. Words and whole > mfences,
and in one instance : ' a half page of
writing, have been oblitc :v<- i u. tin* -on
sor, and in some instances what are appar
ently most harmless words and pbra-es :uv
missing. The letter is in part as follows,
the asterisks representing the obliterated
portic ns :
“I’ve joined a committee of ladies who
meet tlie * * * Oh. dear! it is so thrill
ing when the long lines of cattle cars come
in .'lowly and you hear them all shouting
Viva T It alia P with a peculiar accent. Then
you see rh ~e cl( ar, worn, blue (pale blue)
uniforms the Trench wear (They say i!
melts m? the landscape and can’t be seen
at a distance), with the ermad r like
casques. The\ are keen for picture "ost
cards, and we run along and distribute
them before they leave the train for the
thr« ‘-qiiM.ters of an hour they spend in
the station. The station authorities gi\o,
them coffee, and it is quite a job to give
* * * c nice in a short time. But to see
them writing those iards, standing *o every
conceivable attitude, writing on the floors of 1
the case, against a knee, beside the train,
oblivious to everything—writing as if if. was
their last word to some dear thing at home!
Someiimes they put the card in an pn
velope, having written something too inti
m. te for the publicity of a p ost 5' If
we have flowers they are keen for them, and
Tip them in an envelope. They are so ■
polite—always * * * We have a man i
from a bank to change their money, go
that they won’t be cheated by sharpers.
Then when the train goes out and they are
:.ii cheered by the friendly welcome, the
cigarettes and coffee, the train moves off
and we shake those grimy hands aid cry
‘ * * * ’ as they shout ‘Grazie’
(thanks) and Wive Tit alia/ They arc so
young, most of them, and yet they have
neen in the war since the beginning, and
many of them wear the * * * (a really
jreat distinction, and given for some gal
:ant action), won at the battle of the
*• * * >*
Here a large portion of the letter is oblit- !
’rated. The writer tells of a convention of j
ministers held in Rome in January, and of
laving a splendid view of the famous men
n attendance, including “Lloyd George.
General Robertson, General Wilson, General
ifilne, Briand (the French premier), Thomas
(the French minister of munitions), Sarrail,
,vho commands at Saloniea, Cadorna (who
s one of the few big generals of this war.
■veryone admits), and all sorts of eelebri
;ies.”
The letter concludes with a fervent wish
hat by the time it reaches its destination
‘some great decisive event in the allies’
:avor will lighten all our hearts.”
—-4
CAPTIOUS
“Is this beef too rare for you, Mr. Simp
cins?”
“Well, since you ask me, Mrs. Skinner,
would like it a little oftener.”—Christian
Register.
--♦
Job Printing at The Pioneer office.
i
LAFOLLETTE’S HOME STATE
MILWAUKEE, Mcrch 13. Wisconsin is
not only intensely aroused, despite its great
German population, over the disclosure of
the German-Mexiean nlot, but is stirred to
its depths by the attitude of Senator La
follette in fighting the President’s moves.
The citizens of Superior, represented in ari
open letter signed by a committee, ask
Lafollette if he is an American.
In the state legislature a resolution was
introduced declaring the senator has vio
lated the spirit of the state by his attitude
toward the administ ation, inasmuch as the
legislature pledged its unqualified support
to any move of the administration. The
resolutions notify Lafollette that he is ex
pected to support the action of his stab*
legisdnture.
WHAT EDISON DOESN’T KNOW
Paul Painleve, a member of the French
Institute, commenting; on the statement of
Thomas Edison that science had played a
Small part in the war. says the most irn
portent scientific applications made since
the war began are * ill military secrets, and
that when it is all over and the details of
tr- new invention and new developments
of old ones, discovered and put into prac
lice, and used at the front, may be re
vealed, Mr. Edison will revise his opinion
and the world g1 re rally will admit that
science has done w mders.
WILL GO TO SOUTH AMERICA
Dr. C. Douglas Carter, the former flat
I City dentist, who h::. resided in the vieiniij
| of Juneau during the past two years p
tcently disposed of his business interest*
Douglas City and will diortly leave f
South America, with the intention of loc v
ing in Argentine.
CONSOLATORY
A certain clergyman was much grieved
to find hiK “.special services for men only"
were so badly a:tended. He expressed his
regret to the vr . '-r one evening when, as
usual, they were he only two at the meet
j ing.
“f really thin!, they ought to come,” he
said, sadly.
“Thai’s jest what I’ve sed to 'em over an’
over again,” «h i the verger, consolingly.
; "I ses to ’em, ‘L ok at me,’ I see; ‘look at
me. I goes to r : them services/ I s*-.-. ‘an’
wot ’arm does t:,y do me?’" Kx
Profensiorin I
Michigan, 189> Alaska, 1810
K lucky, 1S91
George Woodruff Albrecht
COUNSELOR AND LAWYER
IDITAROD, ALASKA
The Pi.un r Attorney of Iditarod
E. R'\ STANTON
Attorney at Lav/
Office: Conier Willow and Second Sts.
Ills taro ■ 1 Pioneer Building
CM AS. E. TAYLOR
Attorney at Law
BANK BLOCK
First Avenue tditarod
Btt, MOORE
PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON
DR. 51, E. A5JR5WGER
Physician and Surgeon
Office: Flat City Hospital, Flat City
Consultation Hours in Forenoons and by
Appointment
FLAT DRUG STORE
FORFEITURE NOTICE
To Pam Sanderson, and to his heirs and
assigns:
You are Iw hy notified that the under
signed has rxp Tided in money. labor and
improvements during* earn or the years
tut:, and 1116 the sum or one hundred
dollars (in 1 upon planer mining claim
known as the Gold Hun Association Claim,
"ii the left unit or Otter creek, adjoining
the .New M <o Association, in the Otter
mining and ■■ cording district, territory of
Alaska, in r**iie r to hold said claim under
the prow!" - ■ ' 'he law respecting annual
labor on mu ir.g claims
And if \x uin ninety days after the last
publication * f this notice you fail or rerus<
i,i pay vour proportion of such expenditure,
vour inure.-' in said claim will become thr.
properly or tile undersigned co-owner, ac
cording to he provisions of Section 232 1,
Revised Statutes of the rnltcd tSate.-.
CHARLES P. GERHART.
First publication, April 7, 1917.
Last publication, July 7, 1917.
[FINNEGAN & CAMERON |
> FLAT CITY f
> Agency for Edison Diamond Disc Phonographs and Records »
> TOBACCO CIGARS STATIONERY t
l CONFECTIONERY AND BILL ARDS $
> C. R. Cameron Jas. F. Finnegan 1
THOS. McMAHON
DEALER IN
FLAT, ALASKA