MOOSE PI'A S S MINER
By L. H. Allen ~
12 issues for $2.00 Single copy 25j:
RAILROAD TAXES THOSE WHO
DO NOT PATRONIZE IT
From the Ketchican Alaska Chronicle *
Those who live along Alaska's railroad
belt are giving thought these days to the
administration's plan to do something
about the nation's railroads. These peo
ple conclude that if the government is to
try to save privately-owned roads by pro
viding financial aid, then surely the gov
ernment can do something in the way of
spending for its own road in Alaska.
The rates charged by the government-own
ed Alaska Railroad are indeed a sore point
to interior Alaskans. Many in Anchorage
are highly resentful and are shipping all
they can by boat in summer time. In Fair
banks, a tremendous trucking business has
been built up, the trucks operating from
the steamship landing at Valdez to Fair
banks.
The government's way of helping the rail
road has been to put a toll on all freight
destined for Fairbanks and hauled over the
Richardson highway. Thus, in effect, the
railroad is able to tax those who do not
patronize it. That is un-American and
dictatorial and could be expected to do
just what it has done* make the railroad
still more unpopular.
At the same time, the railroad isn't get
ting rich. It is barely breaking even. So
the problem is two-sided. There are many
loyal shippers who use the railroad the
year around, knowing that it is available
every month in the year and knowing that
it provides a tremendous payroll for the
interior. Nevertheless, the loyal ship
per cannot long pay the difference while
his competitor ships goods in at a lower
rate.
Interior Alaskans point out that the
road is greatly in need of rehabilitation.
Some say it v.as never really completed.And
they further point out that the rates must
be lowered if interior Alaska is not to be
stifled.
The ICenai Peninsula Defense League with'
Elwyn Swetmann, chairman, and Miss Gjeis
beck, secretary, is doing good work and it'
does not intend to be lulled into a false
sense of security. The editorial above
shows that lowered freight rates will be
Colonel Ohlson's talking point before any
Bpending committee appointed for railroad
rehabilitation as a plea for money to re
move the Alaska Railroad terminus to Por
tage Bay and as few. if any. of the commit !
tee will ever have heard of Kenai Fer.insu- ;
la, he'll probably get the- money.,
BINGO PARTY
The first of a series of once-a-month
parties will be given by the Sewing Club
next Tuesday evening at the school house.
Each party will have two hostesses and
the hostesses next Tuesday evening will
be Mrs. Harry L. Smith and Mrs. Antoine
Velanis. Bingo will be the diversion
and everybody in Moose Pass is cordially
bidden to attend. Refreshments will be
served and the only requirement from those
in attendance is that bring a few nickels
and get active in the Bingo game, which
will begin at at 7»30 o'clock.
"An Evening in Old Mexico" dance held
at Hielo's Roadhouse last Saturday night
was a distinct success. Mrs. Alice Ebing
Murphy and Miss Mary Stafford had decora
ted the roadhouse with clever posters of
Senoritas and Dons and a border of Old
Mexico pottery. Several serapes were hung
on the walls. Music was furnished by
Miss Mary Stafford playing piano accord
ion; John L. Nelson, saxophone and Gus
Manthey of Seward, drums. Attractive
costumes were worn by Mrs. W.H.Williams,
Mr. and Mrs. Jake Laubscher, Bud Tolson,
Mr. and Mrs. Ray Stafford, Mrs. Harry L.
Smith, Mrs. E.L.Robbins, Miss Mary Staf
ford, Mrs. Alice Murphy, Albert and Bob
Williams, Harry Conkey, Lyle Saxton, Vern
Saxton, Fred Laubscher, Lewis Tulare,
Charles Clements and others. The floor
show was excellent. Bud Tolson acted as
Master of Ceremonies. The best number
was the Spanish fandango given by Mrs. W.
H. Williams and Jake Laubscher. Wilson
Camp sang three songs in Spanish , Miss
Mary Stafford and Bob Williams danced the
tango,’Mrs. Jake Laubscher and Albert Wil
liams danced a colorful Spanish dance.Mrs.
Williams sang and danced a solo Spanish
dance. Not in a long while has a more
enjoyable affair been given in Moose Pass.
The Sewing Club met last Wednesday aft
ernoon with Mrs. Lois Allen. Present were
Mrs. Roy Thurston, Mrs. Clarence Scheiber,
Sirs. John L. Nelson, Mrs. James Pierce,
Wrs. Jake Laubscher, Mrs. E.L.Robbins, Mrs.
Ray Stafford, Mrs. Don Cook, Mrs, Glenn
Collins, Mrs. Harry L. Smith, Mrs. Paul
Williams, Mrs. Raplh Reed, Mrs. Antoine
Velanis. The afternoon was spent sewing
garments for some children- a request hav
ing been made by Miss Helen Smith, Terri
torial nurse. It was decided to launch
a series of cnce-a-month parties with a
Singo party next Tuesday evening at the
school house with Mrs. Harry L. Smith and
i!rs. Antoine Velanis for hostesses. When
the sewing was laid aside the hostess
served salad and sandwiches.
The next meeting will ba held v/ith Mrs,
Ilarence Scheiber on January 25th,