SEME CHAMBER
' COMMITTEE REPLIES
TO GITEIT'S CHARGE
Editor Seward Daily Gateway:
Seward, Alaska.
My Dear Mr. Jessen:
Carrying out the assurance given
in our radiogram to you of Febru
ary 10, we have made an investi
gaiton from ttis end to ascertain
* the facts in connection with the
awarding of the contract for ties
for the Alaska Railroad.
Our investigation disclosed noth
ing whatever to substantiate the
suggestion in your telegram of
February 6 that “Seattle firms in
f vaded Alaska’s field of activity
and wrested therefrom its source of
revenue in taking the crosstie pro
duction from Alaska’s workmen.’’
The fact is that Colonel Ohlson,
general manager of the railroad,
in his own judgment determined,
that the specifications for this,
contract should require creosoted
* ties. No one from this city, so far |
I as we can ascertain, made any at-,
tempt to exert any influence or
pressure upon Colonel Ohlson in
connection v.rith these specifica
tions. In fact, we were informed
by an officer of the Nettleton.
Lumber Company that the first no
tice that company had of the mat
ter was when a copy of the call for
bids was received. Our local mills,
on investigation of the purchas
ing department, have been bid
* ding on these tie contracts for a
number of years, and while some
orders have been received and al
though I do not have the actual
figures, I believe it is true that the
Territory has furnished by far the
Largest proportion of the road s re
4 quirements. When Colonel Ohlson
specified creosoted ties he auto-:
matically precluded the possibility
of the ties being produced in Alas
ka. That was his decision and not
that of any firm or individual in
this city.
If our local mills had not bid •n
the contract it is likely that it
would have gone to some other
city on the Pacific coast.
/ It is our belief that your ap
f ' peal should be directed to Colonel
Ohlson and to the Secretary of the
Interior, and that you have done.
We can appreciate the benefits
that come to Alaskan workmen
when they are given employment1
in cutting ties for the railroad,
especially during the trying times.
Yet it does not seem within the
province of the Seattle Chahber oi
Commerce to interfere in the man
agement of the railroad to the ex
tent of attempting to dictate as to
what kind of equipment b pur
chased.
We appreciate your courtesy in
presenting this matter to us for
our consideration. With best wish
es, I am Yours very truly,
EDWARD W. ALLEN,
Chairman Alaska Sommittee.
^ WASHINGTON, D. C„ March 3.—
Formal notification that the House
of Representatives had voted to
impeach Judge Harold Louderback
of San Francisco for misdemeanors
in office was to be given to the
Senate today
The Senate was expected to act
t rt once in setting a date for trial
of the judge cn the impeachment
articles. His removal from office, a
life-time appointment, requires a
two-thirds majority of the upper
* house. K
MORE STATES JOIN
NEW YORK, March 3, —Arizona,
Nevada, California, Oklahoma,
Louisiana, Oregon, Mississippi and
Texas have joined the states in
which there are. limitations on
withdrawals of deposits from banks
making a total of 18 states requir
ing this protection from public
hysteria.
THE NEW CABINET
Secretary of State—Cordell Hull,
j Tennessee.
Secretary of Treasury—Carter
Glass, Virginia.
j Secretary of Navy—Claude A.
Swanson, Virginia.
Secretary of Interior—Harold
Ickes, Illionis.
Secretary of Agriculture—Henry
A. Wallace, Iowa.
Secretary of Commerce—Daniel
C. Roper, South Carolina,
j Secretary of Labor—Miss Fran
ces Perkins, New York.
Attorney General
Postmaster General—James A.
Farley, New York.
SEN.T.WJU
DIED SUDDENLY MILE
BN WASHINGTON Till
ROCKY MOUNT, N. C., March 3.j
—Senator Thomas W. Walsh, the]
dauntless white-haired Montana j
liberal, chosen as Attorney Gen
eral in the Roosevelt Cabinet, was
found dead by his bride yesterday
in the drawing room of a train
speeding toward Washington- He
was aged 73 years.
The tragic enf of the veteran •
Senator’s brief honeymoon was a!
severe blow to the incoming ad-j
ministration and to President
j elect Roosevelt, who had expect-;
ed to meet Mr. Walsh in Washing-!
ton prior to the inaugural ceremo
nies Saturday.
Senator Thomas J. Walsh was
born at Two Rivers. Wis., in 1859.!
educated in the public schools and
took his LL.B. degree at the Uni- J
versity of Wisconsin. He taught
school in Sturgeon Bay. Wis, and
became principal of the High
school of that city. He began the
practice of law with his brother;
Henry C. Walsh, at Redfleld. S. D.
fin 1884. He moved to Helena,
Mont., in 1890 and became a mem
ber of the law firm of Walsh. No
land & Scallon in 1907.
Senator Walsh was a Democrat
and a candidate for Congress in
1906. He wras delegate to the De
mocratic national conventions in
1903. 1S12, 1016 and 1920. He was
a member of the sub-committee on
platforms at each convention. He
became a candidate for the U. S.
Senate in 1910 and served as Sena
tor three terms, from 1913 to 1931,
and was re-elected for the long
term, expiring in 1937. He was a
Catholic, and member of the Am
erican Bar Association. His home
was in Helena, Mont.
During his incumbency as Sena
tor he rose rapidly in the councils
of his party and had become a
power in the upper house of Con
gress.
UNDER DISCUSSION
WASHINGTON, D. C., March 3.—
Proposals for some form of emer-1
gency banking legislation to deal,
with the situation created by nu
merous statewide banking holidays
have been under discussion be-1
twreen President Hoover and his
advisers in Congress, it wras dis
closed.
NINETEEN STSTES
SAN FRANCISCO, March 3.—
Nineteen states and the District of
Columbia today were operating un
der banking moratria or legislation
allowing banks to restrict with
; drawals of deposits.
Governors of 13 states had de
clared financial holidays. While
the holiday period for Michigan
and Maryland have already ex
pired, the moratoria were extended.
WM. A. BLACK DIES
VANCOUVER, B. C., March 3, —
William Andrew Black, 92, father
of Hon. George Black, speaker of
the House of Commons, died here
Thursday.
Glories of Government Ownership
Pass the buck!
Or “puss in the corner, go to the next neighbor!”
And then there is the old one:' “Button, button; who's
got the button?”
Anyone of the three above suggestions appear to fit
the case of awarding the contract for $75,000 crossties
to a Seattle firm.
The Seattle Chamber of Commerce, Alaska Division,
says: “Search me; ask Colonel Olson.”
The Secretary of the Interior, in an unsigned letter,
also seems to believe that the elusive pea is under Colonel
Ohlson’s shell, saying that his information with respect
to facts was supplied by the general manager of the
railroad.
The letter says “An attempt has been made to prove
that Alaska untreated ties are superior and more eco
nomical than Douglas created ties.”
With respect to price he claims that the creoscted
foreign ties will cost 99.5 cents per tie, on cars, Seward
as against $1.10 plus 10 cents per tie for loading on cars
of local tics.
Estimating that in the present contract for approxi
mately $75,900 there will be a saving of $15,375, and that
j the ties treated with creosote will last 25 years, the Sec
retary's letter further states that the saving will eventu
[ally amount to $150,000. Horse-feathers!
In the woi ds of the distraut Chinaman, “Can happen.”
Much speculation has been indulged as to the method
i of transporting chese outside ties to Seward. The answer
j may be found in a story relative to the bids for the Bur
eau of Indian Affairs, printed elsewhere. It is announced
; that these supplies, along with others for the Alaska Rail
; road, will be shipped north by the B. of I. A. motor ves
sel North Star.
(Continued on Page Two)
PROTECTION IR M
PIEPING, March 3.—Chinese
headquarters‘claimed shortly be
fore midnight that their forces had
counter-attacked the Japanese at
Ling Yuan, recapturing the town
and the positions they had lost
possession for a brief time.
Warfare, sweeping through Je
lled province of Manchuria, will
crors the Great Wall and extend
into North China, the Nanking
government predicted. “It is in
evitable that fighting will snread
to North China as a result of the
rapid Japanese advance and the
dogged Chinese resistance in Je
hol,” and official communique
stated.
Confident that such an invasion
will occur, residents of Pieping and
; Tientsin were digging in for pro
tection. Foreigners were staying
with their concessions. Military
forces of the United States, Great
Britain and other nations erected
| defensive barriers in preparation
I for the protection of their nation
; als.
Thousands of North China resi
| dents have evacuated, moving
! southward from what they feel will
| become a war zone
POENIX, Ariz., March 3.—Five
! hundred farmers, incensed over
failure of the Legislature to grant
them aid. invaded the state capi
tol, demanding passage of a two
year mortgage refief measure.
Armed deputy sheriffs and po
lice, rushed to the scene after
frantic appeals by state officials for
help, subdued the more boisterous
frwmers.
EXTEND MORATORIUM
LOUISVILLE, Ky„ March 3.—
The bank moratorium has been ex
tended by the state Legislature to
March 11.
ACADAMY BURNS
SACKVILLE, N. B., March 3, —
Mount Allison Academy, a three
story v/onden structure, was des
troyed by fire.
THIRTY INJURED
BELFAST, Ireland, March 3.—
Thirty persons were injured in the
deliberate derailing of a Belfast
Londonderry tram near Omagh. It
was discovered the rail joints had
been tampered with. The entire
heavily-loaded train, except the
engine, left the tracks.
LOS ANGELES. March 0.—The :
proclamation by Gov. James Rolph.
•Tr., declaring a three-day banking I
holiday, not a moratorium, was |
made for the purpose of serving!
the public, not special interests, it!
was stated here yesterday, while j
measures arc being prepared by;
the California Banking Board are j
being presented and considered byj
the State Legislature.
The measures proposed seek to |
control the financial unrest and
prevent adverse effects reflected by
unnecessary withdrawals. The
bansk of California, in general,
are safe, it was said, and there
have been no runs nor are any an
ticipated; all demands have been
met thus far.
It was pointed out that approxi
mately half of the states in the
Union have undertaken similar!
protective measures to protect de-!
positors and regulate bankina.
UHES FIFO
10 IMF. LEGISLATURE
SACRAMENTO, Calif., March 3.
—The California state Legislature
postponed action on pending bank
measures in onnecction with the
three-day banking holiday because
the special measures failed to ar
rive in time yesterday for action.
With the exception of Los Ange
les and San Francisco all public
schools are remaining closed until
Monday.
IMMEDIATE ACTION
HONOLULU, H. I., March 3 —
Immediate appoitment of a gover
nor for Hawaii after President
elect Roosevelt takes office Satur
day was urged by territorial Legis
lators today as they considered a
I 30-day recess.
Who’s Who
in the Cabinet
SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
C. A. Swanson—Born Swanson
ville. Pittsylvania Co., Va., 1882,
A. B. Randolp-Mocan Coll., 1835;
LL. B. U. of Va., 1886; engaged in
practice Chatham, Va.; mem. 53rd
to 53th Congress, but resigned;
Gov. Va., 1906-10; apptd- U. S.
Senator August 1, 1910, for unex
pired term (1910-11) of John W.
Daniel, deceased; reaptd Mai'ch 4,
1911, until meeting Gen. Assemb,
which elected him for unexpired
term ending March 3, 1917; re-]
elected terms 1917-23, 1923-29; re-;
elected 1929. Mem. present Sen
ate. Home, Chatham, Va.
SECRETARY OF THE EXTERIOR
Harold L. Ickes— (pronounced
Eykes)—Lawyer, born Frankstown
Tp., Blair Co., Pa., 1874; B. A.
U. of Chicago, 1897; D. Cum.
laude, 1907; reporter on Chicago
newspapers, 1897-1901. Engaged
in practice at Chicago since 1907.
Active in reform municipal poli
tics since 1897, mgr. mayoralty
campaign John M. Harlan, 1905,
and of Charles Merriam, 1911, chm.
Progressive County Com. Cook o.,
111., 1912-14; chm. 111. Progressive
State cm., 1914-16; mem. Progres
sive Nat Com. and Nat Ijlx. Com. in
charge Chas. E. Hughes campaign
for President, 1918. Chm. I.. State
Council Defense Neighborhood
Com., 1917-April. 1618; Y. M. C. A.
work in France with 35th Div. A.
E. F., Apr. 18-Jan„ 1919; die at lg.,
Progressive Nat. Conv., 1916, Rep.
Nat. Conv., 1920; 111. mgr for Hiram
Johnson Presidential campaign,
1924. Mem. Nat Roosevelt Memo
rial assn, of Greater Chicago;
| mem- Exec. Com. Chicago Forum
j Council. Mem. Am. HI. State and
I Chicago Bar assns, Assn. Bar City
j of New' York, English-speaking
I Union, 111., Soc. S. A. R.. Phi Delta
Theta, Fhi Delta Phi. Home, Hub
I bard Woods, 111. Office 231 LaSalle
j St.. Chicago, 111.
FIFTEEN - DAY HOLIDAY
LEWISTON, Idcha, March 2.—
The 15-day banking holiday meas
ure was signed yesterday by Lieut.
Gov. George Hill. The moratori
um went into effect last night.
A
I SAN FRANCISCO, March 3.—
i Legislation was being drafted here
! and in Sacramento to speed the
| reopening of the state's banks,
| closed for three days by proclama
tion of Gov. James Rolph, Jr.
The Governor’s edict, issued at
10:40 Wednesday night after se
cret conferences at the State
building here, ordered a legal holi
day for Thursday, Friday and Sat
urday to protect depositors and
preserve public welfare.”
-+
CERMAK RESPONDS
MIAMI, Fla., March 3.—Mayor
I Anton J. Cermak of Chicago re
I sponded favorably to a second
; blood infusion yesterday: his
I breathing is almost normal.
MAY VOTE QUESTION
REPLM
SACRAMENTO, Calif., March 3
California may vote on the ques
tion of repeal of the prohibition
amendment at the August primary
election in 1934.
An Assembly bill by William E.
Hornblower, San Francisco, and A.
J. Austin, Los Angeles, setting the
1934 date was before the Assembly
today. In the event of a special
election, the measure would appear
at that time.
j A special meeting of the Seward
Legion Post is scheduled for this
evening at 7 o’clock, in the Post
club rooms, Harriman building.
TWO MEN CHASED
FOR MILES: BELIEVED
BEEN KIDNAPPERS
DENVER, Colo., March 3.—The
torment to which Charles Boett
cher II. was subjected during 16
days as the prisoner oi kidnap
peor, spurred hot pursuit of the
abductors who fled with $60,000
ransom after releasing the young
millionaire here Wednesday night.
Less than two hours after Mr.
Boettcher was released a trail was
picked up near Barr, where Deputy
Sheriff Charles Williams of Adams
county and two volunteers, battled
two men believed to have been the
fleeing kidnappers.
Fifteen shots were fired at the
speeding suspects. Some were be
lieved to have taken effect. The
men returned the fire, but escap
ed in their dark sedan. A few
hours later the men roared into
Greeley and ground to a stop.
Patrolmen Claus and Winn ap
proached in a police car when the
men, who had started to alight,
fired at the policemen who start
ed shooting. One of the suspects
appeared to have been wounded as
he scrambled back to his place hr.
the sedan as it sped away.
The officers pursued, and the
chase led northward on the Chey
enne highway. Gradually the fast
er machine of the men in flight
pulled away. Just before the Wy
oming capital was reached the- of
ficers were outdistanced. A second
time the trail was lost. Airplanes
were sent into the search as the
hunt for them spread through Wy
oming.
Police searched garages in Chey
enne in the hope they might find
eht kidnappers’ car. They warned
all doctors to report immediately
any person seeking treatment for
a gunshot wound. Special agent*;
of the Union Pacific Railroad
were enlisted in the huunt. Every
road out of Cheyenne was guarded.
MONTREAL, March 3. —An im
portant development in freight
services cf the Canadian National
and Canadian Pacific Railways
which will provide a door to door
pickup and delivery of freight
shipments in certain parts cf west
tern Ontario, is announced.
The two railways have complet
ed contracts w'ith some 45 truck
ing firms at cities and towns serv
ed by their lines in Western On
tario between Toronto and Wind
sor and Toronto and Sarana where
the service will be provided.
The railways, it is emphasized,
are not entering the trucking bus
iness.
BULLET-RIDOLED BOO!
LOS ANGELES, March 3.—The
bullet-riddled body of a young man
believed to be Robert Lovejoy, 19,
of this city, was found near the
highway in Baldwin Hills.
A trail of blood led from an
j abandoned automobile to the body.
I Police believe he was a member of
| a band of petty thieves.
TOKIO, March 3.—Earthquakes,
a tidal wave and floods took a toll
of at least 200 known dead and a
like number are reported missing.
Two thousand homes were de
molished and communications
shattered. It is estimated thous
ands of villages were damaged.
PUBLIC DANCE SATURDAY 1.0.0. F. HALL