SDITAROD PIONEER |
PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY MORNING AT IDITAROD, ALASKA
Vo! c CHARLES A. DERRY, Lessee and Publisher No. 39
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THE FOREST FUND AND TERRITORIAL DIVISION
Many newspapers throughout the territory are indulging in heated
controversy regarding the disposition ot the share ot the forest fund
set aside for Alaska’s use in road-building. The last legislature enacted
a law which divided this fund among tire various judicial divisions. Suit
was brought in Juneau by members of the First division legislative dele
gation to hare this law set aside, and Judge Jennings has held that the
par ties to the suit had not shown that they had been damaged person
ally, and therefore could not maintain the suit, lire couits decision
permits the money to be distributed throughout the territory, as in
tended bv the legislature. The point at issue was that the congressional
law creating the fund stipulated that it must be distribute.cf in the coun
lies in which the forest reserves from which it is derived are locate^.
As there are no counties m Alaska, it was contended b) the plaintiJs
that the judicial divisions are the equivalent of counties, wmeh in some
respects they are. Under this interpretation Interior Alaska would
have the use of none of this money, as the forest reserved aie in the
Coast divisions.
Looking at the matter from an absolutely impartial standpoint, it
would seem that there is ground for complaint by the residents of the
First division. The intent of congress evidently was that the districts
in the immediate vicinity of the forest reserves should be developed
by the aid of the funds derived therefrom: and while it lakes a consid
erable stretch of imagination to call the Alaska judicial divisions coun
ties, they are our nearest approach to those subdivisions.
Some of the discussion aroused by the incident has partaken some
what of the nature of a hysterical outbreak. Newspapers of the First
division, particularly, are so incensed that they openly advocate seces
sion from the rest of Alaska, or at least that the territory be divided by
constructing a new territory, to be composed of tbe 1 ust and Th,rd
divisions, or the Coast region, leaving the Second and Fourth divisions
to constitute another territorial unit.
It is claimed that the Coast region and the Interior have little in
common, and that under recent legislation the First division is paying
more than her share of the territory’s expenses. If this be true, it is
susceptible of remedy. But is it true? Do not the natural resources
which are paying a tax into the territorial treasury belong as muen to
the people of the whole territory, and indeed to the people of the
United States, as they do to the residents of the First and Third divi
sions? The fact that a person or persons may settle alongside of a
national forest in no sense gives him or them title to that national asset.
Far be it from the intent of this newspaper to encourage the
rather unpatriotic suggestion of cutting in two the great and sparsely
settled territory which seems now about to be coming into its own. But
if separation be decided upon, it is certain that the Interior will bear the
blow with fortitude and acquiescence. The residents of this section
have no desire that their neighbors should even entertain the suspicion
that they are bearing a portion of our financial burdens.
If the only remedy for the conditions complained of is to be found
in the dissolution of a partnership which the Coast region has found to
be a most profitable one, so let it be. But the attitude of the spokes
men for the First division in the controversy is identical with that of
the two prospectors who, unable to put up with each other’s foibles,
mutually agree to cut their belongings in two, even going to the extent
of halving cabin, stove, etc., in their desire to separate themselves and
their belongings.
THE “SATISFACTORY” WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION ACT
The Juneau Empire of August 14 devotes considerable editorial
space to a “reply” to an editorial which appeared in The Pioneer of
July 3 last, in which the so-called “workmen’s compensation act” was
shown to be but a mockery, enacted to protect the rich mine owners of
Southeastern Alaska rather than as a relief measure for the benefit of
those who risk life and limb in delving for the precious metals. The
Empire indulges in platitudes with reference to the manner in which
legislation may be perfected by amendment by subsequent legislatures,
and these may be passed over with the statement that from the same
volume of compiled compensation laws as that from which the con
glomeration known as the Alaska compensation law was culled the
authors might have selected one that has at least proven fairly success
ful in actual application. The law under discussion is not “right in
principle.”
“Generally speaking, and as far as yet discoverable, the law is
regarded as satisfactory,” says the Empire, with lofty conceit. By
whom, pray? It may and should be regarded as satisfactory by its
authors, the big Juneau mine managers. But is there an intelligent
workingman who can truthfully say that the law which robs him of ex
isting rghts and limits the amount he may recover for injuries receivec
is satsifactory ? If the Treadwell people were exempt from persona
injury suits during a decade, why their great interest in this abortive
measure? The answer is found m the fact that the widow of a minei
killed in the course of his employment was successful in a suit against
the company brought in a jurisdiction remote from the influences ol
the corporations interested.
In spite ot the empire s statement that we were untruthful m aver
ling that the measure was sprung in the closing days of the legislative
session, we reiterate the statement. While no copy of the legislative
journal is at hand, that work will bear out the statement. The facl
that such a measure had been talked of for some time previous to its
introduction did not constitute such information as to its contents as
would enlighten the members. There are compensation bills anc
compensation bills.
“There was no ‘lobbying’ for the bill as ‘lobbying’ is understood,’
continues the Juneau paper. Indeed? Read what the Nome Indus
trial Worker says of the lobbying done at the last session of the terri
torial legislature:
Juneau is the capital and the capitalist center. The influence of powerful rings
of fish combines, mining magnates and other powers has not been unmarked in the Iegis
lation passed. The power of wine, women and dining upon the Solons is apparently not
I thought to be wholly negligible in the prolific use made of it by the companies. The jun
| keting Iuls been so open, so flagrant and so perniciously ostentatious that it is hardly
! likely to have been extended for hospitality only. As a capital Juneau has proved thor
! oughly its own unfitness. In doing so it tends hopelessly to damn the system of terri
toriul government, and the only way to save Alaska home rule is to remove its adminis
tration from Juneau altogether.
*‘Their (the mine managers ) experience has taught them that no
law or rule will result to the benefit of employers or employes unless it
is satisfactory to a majority of both, continues the Empire. ( ompen
sation laws may be said to have been inaugurated for the benefit of the
laborer, and while they act as a protection for the employer against ex
cessive verdicts, that alone was not the object of their enactment.
Court records the world over wail show that no compensation lav/ is
satisfactory to the employer which allows the collection of damages foi
injuries due to his negligence. These measures have been enacted in
spite of employers. The fact that the Alaska measure was drawn up
admittedly at the instance of the mine managers instead of those most
concerned, the workmen, was of itself a suspicious incident, though not
necessarily a damning one. There are employers who adopt the golden
rule as a business prnciple; but evidence is lacking that the Southeast
ern Alaska mine managers are included in this small group. Apparently
one of the main reasons for the interest taken in the passage of the law
by the mine managers was that they saw an ojrportumty to again legal
ise the obsolete “fellow servant” and “contributory negligence de
| tenses. 4
The New York World has made starting revelations concerning the
! activity of German agents in this country since the commencement of
! the war, accompanied by corroborative documents which preclude any
’ doubt as to their truth. They tell of the forging of passports, the dam
! aging of goods destined for the allies, fomenting of strikes, lavish use
1 of money in establishing and maintaining newspapers and press bu
. reaus in the German interest, development of a comprehensive and irri
: tating spy system, a crusade to prevent the allies from securing assist
! ance from American banks, a plan to involve the British navy in viola
tion of neutralty regulations, and the promotion of a plot by Huerta to
i embroil this country further in Mexico. Everything points to the
' conclusion that these activities were directed by the German diplomatic'
| iepresentatives in this country. During Cleveland’s incumbency as
President a certain British minister to this country was bundled out bag
1 and baggage because he had the temerity to even suggest to a supposed
“British-American that he vote for a particular Candidaie for Presi
1 dent. If there be proof that Bernstorff and his aides are implicated in
: these high-handed proceedings it ought not to be necessary to ask for
their recall.
—♦- -
Laurence Morgan, a cigarmaker who went to Ship Creek,
Alaska, some time ago to find a more favorable location to manufac
ture cigars has returned to Seattle, and tells the Union Record that his
advice is to keep out. The wages paid are less than for similar work
in Seattle, the living conditions are horrible, and prices for food and
clothing are enormous. There are three men for every job, and more
coming in all the time. It’s a good idea for the wage workers to stay
away from Alaska in order to give the fellows there a chance to get
out from under the bosses’ heel.” Rather a sad commentary on the
onditions created by the inauguration of government railroad work,
if true.
—4
“Every American is hyphenated.” says Dr. Hexarner, head of the
National federation of German-American Alliances, who displays evi
dence of being one of those implicated in the New \ork World s ex
pose, and he continues: “Even the primeval Indian is believed to
have come from Asia originally. I have come to the conclusion that
the only real Americans must be those English, Australian and Cana
dian writers who write the editorials telling other American how to run
their government.” In view ot the recent developments regarding the
German propaganda in this country, and the earlier Uernberg incident,
this expression has a rich flavor.
_A
Word comes from Fairbanks that a firm of mining operators there
has filed a notice to its workmen that it will waive the operation of the
territorial workmen’s compensation act. This is done by paying a fee
of $1.50 to the commissioner for the filing of the paper. Had the em
ployes elected to take similar action, and supposing them to number
100, the amount of the filing fees would have been $1 50. This is one
i of the “less important objections” spoken of by the Juneau Empire. No
light is thrown on the reasoning which prompted this rejection by em
ployers of a lawr drawn wholly for their benefit.
-+ ~
Colonel Grayson of Savannah, Ga., grand president of the Frater
nal Order of Eagles, recently delivered a speech which rings true with
the spirit of Americanism. “The time has come, he said, when
America should be first for Americans. Hyphenated Americanism must
go. We must have a natonahsm that will make any sacrifice to protect
national honor. Colonel Grayson said that he believed he voiced the
j fundamental principle of the Eagles.
- y-—
Several American army officers have given cause for an investiga
tion of their conduct by Secretary of War Garrison. In a cafe at Port
land, Ore., these officers gave offense to their fellow guests by giving
the toast, “Deutschland Uber Alles.” Whatever may be the outcome
of the inquiry, it will appear to the general public that it is rather an
inappropriate toast for men wearing Uncle Sam’s uniform.
“German blood wras given freely in the revolutionary war, says
one of the hyphenated ones. No doubt there were patriots of German
origin in the revolutionary army.^vho fought for human liberty and
gave their lives for that ideal. But the German participants best re
j membered were the Hessians, and these did not give their blood freely.
It was paid for.
-9
All of the victims of the latest Zeppelin raid on the British coast
were non-combatants, facetiously remarks the Seattle Post-Intelli
gencer, but possibly some of the men were of military age, and the chil
dren might in time have grown up to be soldiers, while the women
| might have become mothers of other soldiers.
-♦
The district court of the First division has upheld the tax on fish
traps, thus establishing the validity of the territorial revenue act. Ap
parently the court could see no reason why the fish trust, which is de
nuding Alaska of probably its greatest asset, should not pay for the
privilege.
-4--—
The story published by the Seward Gateway some time ago re
garding the waste of fish by the salmon packers, on the authority of a
game warden, has been repudiated by that newspaper, although it
gives no reason for disputing the word of the official.
♦oooooooooooooooo*
PROHIBITION *
O o
O 111 Russia none can buy a cagon O
O of vodka or old rye; the men must O
O ride the water wagon—the country’s O
O all gone dry. The law affects all O
O grades of critters, the humble and O
O the rich ; and those who lately sipped O
O their bitters now hit the pumpo- O
<> vitch. The ills of western prohibi- O
<> tion you'll look for there in vain; O
O you will not find there a condition <>
O that one might see in Maine. There’s O
O no relief for thirsty beggars, no help O
O for Russian sports; the alleys know O
O no cheap bootleggers, no hole-in wall <>
O resorts. The old-time tricks that. O
O lead to drinking won’t work there O
O worth a cent; a man may sprain his O
O eyebrows winking; the druggist ^
O won’t relent. Old Russia's brand of O
O law prohibits, in country and in O
O town, and soon her prisons and her v
O gibbets will all he taken down. If O
O someone hasn’t told a whopper v
O about conditions there, the country' O
O soon won’t have a pauper, which
O had them everywhere. The world Q
O will watch this Russian measure, so O
O timely and so wise; ’twill watch, and v
O doubtless note with pleasure a na- O
O tion nobly rise from abject depths O
O of degradation, from lying in the O
O ditch. Oh. happy that progressive 0
<> nation which iiits the pumpuvitch! <5
<> Walt Mason. ^
O <■
WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION
ECHOES
(Juneau Empire, Aug. 14)
The Iditarod Pioneer harshly condemns
the legislature for the passage of the work
men’s compensation act, alleging that the
amount of the compensation for Interior
miners is too small. It also objects he
cause beneficiaries are limited to near rela
tives and those dependent upon those in
jured. Other less important objections are
! made.
It concludes that because the law was
u. re pared by an attorney for one of the big
mining companies something was “put over
•>n the legislature, and asks for more light
on the subject.
The laymen supporting the workmen
compensation hill before the late legislature
did not pretend to claim that it was a per
feet measure. It was supported because it
was right in principle, and because any de
fects discovered in its working can be cor
rected by the next legislature after their
discovery. It usually takes several legisla
tures and several congresses to perfect a
piece of legislation providing for a change
in a system of procedure. For instance, the
anti trust legislation in the United State
is a quarter of a century old, yet the last
congress found that it could he amended
to advantage.
This must not be construed as admitting
that the law is not good in its specific
terms. Generally speaking, and as far a.
vet discoverable, the law is regarded as sat
isfactory.
Tin* original bill was prepared by attor
neys for the mining companies, it is true
but the Treadwell people have been work
inir under a workmen’s compensation agree
ment with their employes for years, and foi
a decade it had not had a personal injury
damage suit.
If the law is not applicable to condition?
in the Interior, where the number of mer
employed by one company is not great, h
would not be difficult for the workingmer
io elect not to be bound by it. and the next
legislature is only two years away.
The Pioneer says, also, that the bill wa>
sprung during the closing days of the legis
lative session. That is not true. The pro.
and cons of a workmen’s compensation act
| were discussed by members of the legisla
ture almost from the first day of the ses
sion, and the bill was presented early enougt
for many hearings and protracted debate
and it received practically a unanimous
vote.
There was no “lobbying for the bill a.
“lobbying" is understood. The argument:
for and against the bill were presented tr
the legislators in open hearings. It is true
the bill was supported by the managers 01
the large mining companies. These man
agers are men who have lived in Alaska foi
many years. All of their money is investee
here. They are good citizens of Alaska
whose homes are here and who are devel
oping the territory. They have worked herr
as employes under the direction of mine
managers, and became mine managers be
cause of their efficiency, or because they rec
ognized the possibilities of mining proper
ties and went out anti raised the money tc
j finance their purchase and development
They have worked “with their employes’
since becoming managers. Their experience
has taught them that, no law or rule will
result to the benefit of employers or em
ployes unless it is satisfactory to a majority
of both.
Because copper is an important medium
of currency in China, its mining is rigor
ously controlled by the government.
Fresh Olympia Oysters, for cocktails. $2
caR Iditarod Meat Co.
For fine silver salmon, see Mitchell, at
Flat City.
I am not selling groceries, hardware,
clothing or jewelry at the present time, but
I am trying to keep a good drug store in
the camp. The largest stock of toilet goods,
and prices right. DR. MOORE.
Visit our new store at Flat.
Boas the Clothier.
© WATCH REPAIRING
ENGRAVING
\&l/ TAYLOR, Flat.
Job Printing at Pioneer office.
PERCY CHARLES AND WIFE
RETURN FROM FAIRBANKS
Looking the picture of health, and appar
ently happy to be home again, Deputy Mar
.hal Percy Charles and wife returned from
Fairbanks on Tuesday last, making the final
| -tnge from Dikeman on the launch Alice.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles left here last July for
Ruby at the close of the term of the district
court here, accompanying the court party
to that place and later to Fairbanks. They
report having had a splendid time, and en
joying every minute of their trip.
NOTICE OF FORFEITURE
To If. Schofield, and to your heirs, exo'-u
tors, administrators and assigns:
You arc hereby notified that the under
signed, a r i owner, has expended In labor
and improvements the sum or one hundred
d'dlars < si on.00 per year for the years
1 I :t and I'.M i upon that certain placer
mining claim known as The Happy New
Year Association, situated at the head of
Flat creek, a tributary of Otter creek, in
oiler recording district. Territory of
Aia-ka, in which von arc the owner of an
undivided one-eighth ' bi interest.
A oil and each of you arc hep-by notified
that if at lIn* expiration or ninety On.
days after the last publication of 11 n - notice
you have failed or refused to contribute
your shar-* of the aforesaid rxpriiditutvs,
your interest m said claim will become for
feited and will become the properly of the
undersigned, according to the provisions of
Section -jaiM of Revised Statutes of i:.
United States.
I. Wifi STRAND BERG. Co-Owner.
Date of first publication. Sept. i. tot'.
Date of last publication, Dec. •», 10 l r..
OPEN DAY AND NIGHT !
FLAT CITY HOHEACK & DURAND
Bet. the Grind and Eagoy’s Bars
: THE BEST ALL THE TIME
WE ARE HERE TO STAY
W»J
First-Class Accommodations
COMMODIOUS LOBBY
LARGE, AIRY ROOMS
YOUR PATRONAGE SOLICITED
MRS. N. P. GILMORE
Best of Everything
ALL THE TIME AT THE
Arcade Cafe
FLAT CITY
Open Dav and Night
Professional
Michigan, 188 1 Alaska, 1910
Kentucky, 1891
George Woodruff Albrecht
COUNSELOR AND LAWYER
IDITAROO, ALASKA
*
The Pi >nrer Attorney -,r piitarnl
E. M. STANTON,
Attorney at Law
Office: Curner Willow and Second Sts.
Idilurod Pioneer Building
CHAS. E. TAYLOR,
Attorney at Law
BANK BLOCK
! First Avenue loitarod
I
Fred Harrison
ATTORNEY AT LAW
| REGiNA HOTEL THONE 53
—
□ ft. ft/aQORE,
PHYSICIAN AMD SURGEON
WO CJ
ft 3 u t 2
y o i
! DR. H. E. Al5RI?VsGER,
Pliysici.Tii and Surgeon
Ofnce: F;at City Hospital, Flat City
I Consultation Hours in 1* renuons and i-y
Apl'ointnu nt
DR. H. BEHLA,
DENTIST
Appointment: ty Telephone
FLAT CITY
i
Bros.
AUTO-TRAM SCHEDULE
Leaves Iditarod Dally at 9 a. m. and 3 p. m.
Leaves Fiat at 12 noon and 6 p. m.
Sundays: Leave Iditarod 9 a. m.: Flat, 12 m.
Special auto-tram trips may be arranged for
by ringing up the Iditarod office
Regular horse tram leaves Id'tarod 1 p. m.
PI ir*une bis and small, printed
i paper. cardb' am nr c!n»
| on short notice, at iditarod Pioneer "fil
i
| ' E SEER BOOTS
! $9. O Pair
ftflcl^ahon, Flat City I
. ■ ■ ii.... “
resh SVieats
Se=ondSi. [DITAROD fifl EAT CO. Phono (5
IMERCH ANTS' CAFE:
I HERBERT E. RILEY, PROP. §
The Best of Everything the Market Affords—Our Sunday Dinners |
Are Famous «
| <r TABLES FOR LADIES TELEPHONE |
j_I--- -— -
ThQ ^ ^
p ggjjj ff]l fOg Mrs. Geo. Mutchler. Prop.
Nicely Furnished Rooms Barn for Horses and Dogs Baths in Connection
f~~ HARRY^OONNiLLEY
| GENERAL merchandise
jj DISCOVERY, OTTER
I THE BEST OF EVERYTHING^ ALL THE TIME
Caribou Cafe
GOOD MEALS
SHORT ORDERS
FIRST AVE. OPEN DAY AND NIGHT f robt. soutar I
----- Prop. _
» ■miini mini —imiii mu——iiM'iiiw—i«iHiinnTnmr~r