... . ■ — ■ — N
The Seward School News
IMbttahrf once » week during the school year by children in the Seward School*
Vo) n • SEWARD. ALASKA, SATURDAY. NOVEMBER 10. 1917._ N<>- *'
_ i
SCHOOL NOTKS
Our library is proving very popular
with the kiddies.
❖ -
We elected to take our other half
holiday that was coming to us rom
Alaska Day. yesterday afternoon.
We are sorry t<* lose Walter and
Bernard Melkmald. who eft on the
Mervl Towle is with us again, nav
iug come in from her home on Kenai
river to attend school.,
Two more new pupils entered uus
week. Kuth and Paul tiuy.
Freshman and Paul is in the
grade.
The Parent-Teaehc
day afternoon was a very p easai :
fair. Mr. Henderson gave a she'
W t
Alaska, visited
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-THE A I- VSK A NORTHERN R ME
KOAD AS I KNOW IT.**
(ll\ Mary Mc( onneH)
Seward has the proud distinction «>:*
being the ocean terminus of the great
est and the most important of Alaskan
portance are the Cop|>er River A*
Northwestern, and the White Pass A*
Yukon.
The Copper River & Northwestern is
a road of some 200 miles with ter
minus at Cordova, a seaport to the
southeast of us. which has the distinc
tion of being the wettest place under
the American flag. The Whit*- Pass A
Yukon railroad extends from Skngwav
over the old Klondike trail to White
Horse on the Yukon river, connecting
with Yukon river steamers for Daw
When the government road is com-*
p|,'tod a severe blow will be dealt both
these roads as the traffic to interior J
points which has been largely shared!
by them, will all he transferred to the
government road, as the most direct,!
longest and cheapest mode of turns-j
pollution in Alaska.
In 1205 Captain Swanick began con
struction of what was then known a^>
Che Alaska Central railroad. Six
yours of more or less hard labor found
an exceedingly narrow, winding road
bod extending to Mile 72, over which
the few trains operating, could not
keep the rust from the rails.
Lack of funds is the main reason
for tho stopping of work at this point.
In 1209 Snow K* Watson took a con
tract to complete an unfinished piect
of road between Mile o2 and Mile oh.
which they did. Conditions then were
very different from now. The fare
was 20c a mile or *15 from Seward to
Korn Creek. When the train would
cave Seward there were often four
passengers going afoot while one was
riding, which was the easiest w ay they
could save money.
All that the Alaska Northern rail
road consisted of at that time was the
track, a few telephone polos, and a
few dry goods boxes at Seward loi a
depot. These great improvements
meat of Mr. Labrie as receiver.
1 heii came law suits aim me iuau
w i> advertised and sold at auction. A
railroad that cost about was
sold for about $»HM),00l>. Mr. Labrie
1 then settled up with the road and all
that was left when he got his money
was two streaks of rust.
Mr. Wheatley was the next man-j
ager. Under his management the
bridges between Mile 6 and Snow Riv
er. which is Mile 14. were repaired
and made safe for trains to run over
Under the latter port of Mr. Wheat
ley’s management, when you rode on
the Alaska Northern you hail to sign
a slip which the old-timers called youi
“death warrant.” It was an agree*
between you and the company to say
you would not hold the company re
sponsible for accidents. 1 here w as no
\ou knew
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A Through Ticket
Via
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Ry. i
WHY
By buying a through ticket you save from $10.00 to
$15.00* as against buying to Seattle and re-buying
there.
By buying over the C., M. & St. P. Ry. you are as
sured the comfort that comes from riding behind an
electric locomotive — the most powerful in all the
world—and that personal attention which is a fea
ture of “Milwaukee” service.
For tickets, berth reservation and other particulars,
consult your nearest Steamship Agent.
A. P. CHAPMAN, Jr. J. F. BAHL
Asst. General Passenger Agent City Passenger Agent
Stuart Building Second and Cherry
Seattle, Washington j
A PIPE o’ VELVET is a great
teacher. When a
man s smokm he am t
called on to taik so
much. He gets a
chance to listen some.
No tobacco surpasses VELVET as a promoter of reflec
tion and concentrated thinking. This Kentucky Burley
de Luxe, with the a^ed-in-the-wood mellowness and with
out a trace of bite, truly deserves its name “The Smooth
est Smoking Tobacco." Coui>ons of Value with VEL
VET.
when you went out but you never
knew when you would get back. About
this time there was a little accident.
Two cars tried to pass on a single
track. The consequences were that one
man was nearly killed and, in fact, he
never has got over it.
About this time there were reports
that the government was about to buy
the Alaska Northern railroad, and the
people of Seward were wild with en
thusiasm and were certain they were
going to have a second Chicago.
The Alaska Northern has had many
difficulties with her stockholders and
managers in early days. One strike
in 11)04 stopped work for a short time
but fortunately it was settled in a few
days; but the greatest backset it ever
got was when the coal lands were
withdrawn from entry, for then it
looked as if the death blow was struck
to the town of Seward and the Mata*
nuska valley.
In 11)14 Congress authorized the ex
penditure of four million dollars for a
government-owned railroad in Alaska,
and the establishment of an 8-hour
day law.
The road was repaired and building
begun here and at the other end. I he
summer of 11)16 was successful, con
sidering all the difficulties to contend
vith—building bridges, three spans
four or live hundred feet long, driving
bents of piling and still keeping the
trains running.
As the coal fields in the Matanuska
Valley was the main incentive, the na
tural route was the Alaska Northern,
which was taken over by the govern
ment, and construction on the Seward
end of the line began.
Hut construction, as one engineer
put it, has largely been the work of
re-construction since the government
took it over. This same engineer re
marked in a joking way to a friend,
“We start from nowhere and are go
ing nowhere." Hut this is far from
the truth, for we start from one of
the most beautiful bays in the Gulf of
Alaska, and the destination is the Tan
ana river or perhaps the mighty Yu
kon.
It will open up a great inland em
pire, and in time along the same rail
road then* will be many settlers with
happy homes. And in after years
when the railroad is finished to the
Yukon, we can imagine an old sour
dough getting on a train and riding in
a cushioned seat over the trail where
he used to mush with dog teams. There
may be some regret in his heart for
the good old days, but for us and com
ing generations, we are glad to have
this easy means of reaching thin great
inland empire of which an Alaskan
poet has said:
Farewell, mighty Yukon,
The pride of the Northern world;
I send you back my blessing
As from you I am whirled.
The Tanana may be more golden.
The Klondike grander, too.
The Kuakokwim more beautiful,
But none a land like you.
The management under Mr. Weir
has, been tine and if the present man
agement continues Alaska will have a
railroad that we may well be proud
of.
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THE BIRD SONG
I am happy and free from care,
For 1 am a bird of the air.
When a cloud of worry or strife
Comes to my joyful life,
I fly far, far away
To a land with a sunny day.
I am a bird of the air,
Free from troubles or care;
If everyone were as happy as I,
They would not know what it meant
to cry.
AUSTRALIA GIVES 306,000 MEN
LONDON, Nov. 10—It is announced
that the total enlistments of the Au
stralian forces now aggregate 306,000
men.
STOCKHOLM, Nov. 10.—Germany is now trying to
get her army off the earth dnd wage the f uture battles
of the world war in the air. She is developing gigantic
and tremendous powerful airplanes. Already she has
probably developed a model capable of transatlantic flight.
From reliable German sources it has been learned
that this is Germany’s answer to America’s #640,000,000
appropriation for aviation. Those who know asserted
that if America expects or hopes to compete in the forth
coming air war, she must possess machines capable of fly
ing from Germany to New York—duplicating what Ger
many is believed already to possess.
During the last fortnight it has been reported that
Germany is using Gotha airplanes driven at almost in
credible speed by four 260-horse-power engines. These
newest eagles carry fuel capable of sustaining them in
flights for ten hours. Two pilots operate them, and there
are two gunners in the crew besides a captain, who also
operates the wireless.
K IL CANAL FLEET
LONDON, Nov. 10.—Three officers and several sail
ors were killed in a mutiny at Kiel two weeks ago, accord
ing to an Amsterdam dispatch received here today. The
confirmed report of the mutim has just reached Amster
dam.
Sailors aboard the Battleships Kronprinz and Schles
wig Holstein mutinied against being drafted into the sub
marine service.
The sailors on the Kronprinz threw Admiral Schmidt
overboard, then stabbed and threw overboard Lieutenant
Haul, aide to Admiral Schmidt. Another was slabbed to
death and his body was throv n into the furnace under
the boilers of the battleships.
Admiral Schmidt was rescued from the water and
taken ashore in a precarious condition and it is not know n
whether he will survive the ordeal or not. Lieut. Raul
was drowned before assistance could reach him.
Mutineers on the Schleswig Holstein threw four of
ficers overboard hut ail were saved from drowning. The
Admiralty at Berlin authorized the arrest of all mutineers
and they will be tried for treason and murder.
According to the inside facts concerning the mutiny,
it is understood (hat the German submarines are in a
wretched condition, machinery in many being unfit to pro
ceed to sea but the Imperial government has demanded
that new crews be sent out on every trip and the under
sea boats be kept constantly at work. The sailors learned
these facts and refused io go to sea in crafts liable to
prove their coliins even if they escaped disaster when
making attacks upon merchant vessels.
ITALY TO CHARTER
AMERICAN VESSELS
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10. — The
shipping board has agreed to charter
to the Italian government twenty-five
American steel ships to relieve the
shortage of carriers which has held up
Italy’s war preparations more than
any other thing. Among the vitally
needed supplies which Italy must have
is coal, and this has been as scarce as
diamonds because of lack of suitable
bottoms to transport it.
-.—
VENIZELOS TESTIFIES
AGAINST CONSTANTINE
LONDON, Nov. 10—A dispatch to
the Exchange Telegraph Company
from Athens says that during the de
bate in the chamber of deputies on the
proposal to send the members of the
late Gounaris cabinet before the high
court on charges of not meeting their
obligations to the government, Veni
zelos testified against the former King
and other officials. '
DRAFT REGULATIONS
APPROVED BY WILSON
FOR NATIONAL ARMY
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10.—Presi
dent Wilson has approved the new
draft regulations which will be pro
mulgated soon and govern the remain
ing registered men for the National
Army. The new plans aim to classify
each of the 9,000,000 men yet to be
drafted for his place in the national
scheme of defense and postpone
drafting men most need in the war
industries and those having depend
ents.
-o
SEAMEN LOSE CASE
WASHINGTON, Nov. lO.—The Su
preme Court of the United States to
day upheld the Federal decrees hold
ing that the contract labor law was
not intended to apply to seamen. Harry
Scharrenberg, San Francisco labor
leader, sued the Dollar Steamship Co.
for penalities for alleged violations of
tho act.
FISHERMEN
SACKED BY
SU CREW
BASK AMERICAN FLOTILLA IN
BRITISH WATERS, Nov. 5.—(Cor*
res {X) rule nee of The Associated Press)
—Four French fishermen who com
prised the whole crew' of their fishing
boat Quatre Frcres (Four Brothers)
were landed here the other day by ono
of the American destroyers. The Qua
tre Freres, after being stripped of
everything of value by the Germans,
including the catch of mackerel, the
fishermen’s money and food supplies,
, was sent to the bottom by bombs from
j a submarine. The four Frenchmen
were left to their fate, 150 miles from
land, in a small open boat barely large
enough to hold them all.
After rowing for several hours a
breeze came up and the fishermen
hoisted a sail, which spotted on the
horizon by their American rescurcis,
was thought to he a submarine and
was fired upon. The markmanship of
the Americans was bad this time ami
the frightened Frenchmen hastily
haled down their sail and waved a
white doth. Half an hour later they
were safely on board the American de
stroyer where they were given wel
come in the form of a good meal and
dry clothing. They could not speak
a word of English but one of th«*
American officers knew some French
and they got along handsomely.
Ashore here the wife of a British
sea captain acted as interpreter. She
had lived in Frunce and Belgium for
many years and speaks French fluent
ly. She had the fishermen at her
house for tea.
Describing their treatment on
board the American destroyer, one of
the fishermen said:
“My, but those Americans made a
great fuss over us. When we sat
down to eat we had about ten of them
waiting on us. I guess they were try
ing to show' us how glad they were
that they hadn’t hit us. We will
never forget their kindness.”
When the Brittany fishermen of the
type familiar in moving pictures, were
set ashore at this village they stood on
the pier and gave three cheers for the
Americans, “Vive la Amerique,” they
shouted as the blue-jackets waved
farewells with their caps.
o
COAL MINING ARMY IS
CONSIDERED BY RAKER
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10.—Organi
zation of coal mining regiments from
miners already in the national army
for service in France is under consid
eration by Secretary Baker. To ascer
tain w'hether such units would be ac
ceptable in view' of France’s delicate
labor problems, informal negotiations
are being conducted with members of
the French high commission. National
army men would be assigned to the
mining regiments only on a volunteer
basis, but government officials in touch
w'ith the unions believe most of the
15,000 miners taken on the first draft
call w’ould offer themselves for the
special service. Many fields in South
ern France are not being worked be
cause labor is not available.
-TV
RAILWAY PORTERS
HAVE TO JOIN ARMY
CAMP LEWIS, Tacoma, Nov. 10.—
Two thousand negroes will arrive in
the military training camp here from
various parts of the Pacific northwest
this week. The taking of these men
into the service will have the effect
of causing a shortage in Pullman por
ters and dining car waiters, accord
ing to military officers.
MAY CLOSE BUTTER EXCHANGE
ELGIN, III., Nov. 10.—The butter
exchange here, which sets the prices
of butter practically for all the coun
try, may be closed by the government,
according to a statement issued to
day by Assistant Attorney General
Childs