LET THE NAVY
CARRY
THE FREIGHT
Fairbanks Times)
An unappreciated statesman from
Eastern Washington knows how to re
vive the American merchant marine.
“There is no occasion for a ship sub
sidy"— he says—“for America already
has the ships, the men and the money.”
This bunchgrass mariner would have
the American navy carry American
freight!
Precisely! For a hundred years the
best minds in America have grappled in
vain with this problem; but strange to
say no one ever before thought of this
plain and simple answer to the question.
It is here. Like a Hash of inspiration
it has come from a citizen who, mayhap,
has never seen a warship—yet knows
that it must he hollow and able to carry
a load besides coal, ammunition and re
freshments.
Assume that the Oregon, instead of
preparing fur a speed trial on a mission
of glory through the Straits of Magel
lan, is loaded with baton and beans at
Seattle for Alaska.
Proudly the noble vessel would puff
under forced drift from Puget Sound to
wards the Gulden North 1 A~ she
neared a harbor there would be no need
to tie to the wharf. A mating salvo
from its L'i-ineh guns— and behold a
broadside of bacon would be shot with
unerring accuracy straight to the dock.
What need to enter harbor at all?!
This method would abolish harbors.
Controller bay, for instance, would in
stantly become all that the rabid con
servationists have claimed for it.
A 13-inch gun will shoot 13 miles.
After a little practice the jolly tars, the
powder monkeys and the gold-braided
admirals could land their cargo from
afar. Why not lie off coast, lill the
great projectiles with bacon and beans,
elevate the rifled cannon to the proper
trajectory, and bombard all Alaska with
staple articles of food ?
Not only would the needs of com
merce be subserved—the gunners would
be given constant practice. If they are
invincible now—what terror would they
inspire in an enemy after the finishing
touches of service on the Bean Fleet.
The great man, who as yet is un
known to fame, is Hon. George Shafer,
state senator, candidate for congress in
the Third district.
By all means, send Shafer to congress, j
Put the navv to work. It has loafed
. i
long enough. Despite an autocratic
Ii'umm, let the hero of Santiago be re
turned to the service. Let that other
hero. Admiral (leorge Dewev, he as
-igned to sea duty, to take command of
the Naval l’ean Meet between Seattle
mil the Auroral Kldorado.
In that proud moment we would for
get all about the battleship fleet of the
Pacific. We would have something just
is gimd or better. We would have the
-aim* ships and tliev would be conse
crated tu the uplifting influence of com
mei ce.
Here, too, would be a new opening for
the valient naval miltia, which in its
practice cruises in the monotor t'liey
■nne, could distribute bacon and beans
to every awaiting harbor on Puget
•S mud.
Shafer lias found the way. Why not
take advantage of his resplendent gen
ius. and by means of the navy rehabili
tate the decadent merchant marine?
Down, Subsidy! bp. Bean Fleet!
Let the navy carry the freight!
>
)
WIRE FLASHES
Sim Francisco, .Imu' 25.—Abe Attell
uni \\ olgast were matched here todav
fur a 20-round contest to take place '
•arlv in August.
l our aviators met death dining the
ivcek-—one woman, two army otlicers
mil a young man of lit who was just
earning to liy. The living machines of
lie army otlicers collided in the air
md both machine-dropped to the earth.
<
-i
London, June 15.—Introduction bv!
Bichard (roker, former boss of New
Vork's Tammany hall, of Miss Annette
Kellerman, the Alaskan swimming girl, ,
is his “niece” at the derby here, has
liven rise to the rumor today that
'roker intends to adopt the beautiful
t'oung “diving Venus.”
M hen b roker came here, ostensibly
to attend the derby for the first time in
live years, he sailed on the same ship as
Miss Kellerman, and she was his guest '
for two weeks at Odeneairn, wheie she i
lave him physical culture and swim
ming lessons.
On a recent trip to California, Bert
Walter, the comedian, says the Pull
man porter acted as though he wanted (
something from the passengers.
“What do you want?” Bert asked
him.
“Oh, anything you see fit to give,
boss,” replied the porter.
“All right,” said Bert. “Boys, let’s ]
live the porter three cheers.” And they !
lid. — Kansas Journal.
MARTIN HARKAIS
The Democratic Candidate For
Delegate to Congress From Alaska
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM
MARTIN 1IARRA1S, tlu* I Jcniocratic ('andiilatc for I >«•!<“—
gate to < ongrcss.
Relievos in the old 1 )enioenitie principles of local self
govern incut.
Favors the passage of a law requiring nominating pri
nary elections.
Advocates the Initiative, Referendum, and the Recall of all public servants.
Favors the Australian ballot system that machine politics must cease.
Relieves in “Alaskans for Alaska,” no non-residents for Alaska (Alices.
Vigorously condemns the appointive legislative commission by Federal gov -
•rnment.
Advocates government ownership and operation of railroads.
Favors building of wagon roads and trails by the government.
Relieves that the tax on export fish products should he increased.
Condemns the present system of paying tish taxes by aflidavits of operators.
Contends that all moneys derived from public lands should go to Alaska
und.
Recommends that Congress make provision for destitute white people in
Maska.
Demands the passage of a miner’s lien law covering the claim and all
Machinery.
Recommends the abolition of the present unfair road tax.
Asks for thorough revision of mining laws to prevent present abuses.
Demands the inspection of all hanks, private as well as Federal, in Alaska.
Demands strict enforcement of law for prevention of imported labor.
Urges establishment of an Insane Asylum in Alaska by the government.
Demands the eight-hour labor law in mines, smelters and reduction works.
Recommends that the government should provide homes for indigent pros
ectors.
Demands that all valid entries of Alaska coal lands proceed to patent.
Favors conservation against waste, but opposed to conservation of use.
Urges the passage of a rigid mining inspection law for Alaska.