THE ALASKA FISHERMAN
Published the 15 of each month at Ketchikan, Alaska
WILLIAM L. PAUL, ATTORNEY FOR THE
ALASKA NATIVE BROTHERHOOD
Entered as second - class matter at the Post Office at
KETCHIKAN, ALASKA
SUBSCRPTtON PRICE $2.00 FOR TWELVE ISSUES
OUR PLATFORM:
ALASKA FOR ALASKANS.
FULL TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT.
ABOLISHMENT OF ALL TRAPS.
COMPETENT CHRISTIAN CITIZENSHIP.
“DR. C. T. WILSON KNOWS ME”
In this way does the telegram sent by the
Rev. C. M. Van Marter end, when he telegraphed
to Congress regarding the fight against the
confirmation of certain names for federal posi
tions ma*de by Delegate Sutherland.
“Have been pastor of Methodist church here
ten years, also foreman and clerk of three grand
juries. I know conditions. Representations made
by Delegate regarding vice and Ree l and Shoup
untrue. Best people here endorse them.”
We insist that this telegram should end, “Dr.
C. T. Wilson KNEW me” instead of “KNOWS
me.”
It is not more than three years ago, that
this same Rev. Van Marter was delivering
Dhillioics against certain officials and laying the
blame for the immoral conditions in Ketchikan
at his feet. These sermons of the Reverend
gentleman were printed in tne Ketchikan
Chronicle aryl created a sensation thruout the
Division at least. Don‘t you remember them,
Mr. Van Marter?
You were then as Rev. C. T. Wilson knew
you.
It is only three short years ago, that you,
Mr. Van Marter organized raiding committees
of indignant citizens, including Mrs. Van Marter
and another lady, and you took these citizens
into the red lihgt district, house after house.
You organized this committee, and you solic’ted
and got the aid of Charles H. Miller, the
assistant United States Attorney. As a result
of this raid, some 18 houses of prostitution
were abated, and the “girls” were scattered
all over town. Charles H. Miller kept up the
fight against these immoral conditions, but you
did not. The “girls” are THERE again Mr.
Van Marter. The conditions have not CHANG
ED, but you have, and so you a preacher of
the Church of Christ can find the effrontry
to say that vice does not exist in Ketchikan.
Mr. Miller got into the fight to clean the
town because you inspired him to do so. And
you will remember too that both Thomas M.
Reed and Arthur Shoup were opposed to the
work which you, Mr. Van Marter, began.
Women's Council Protests
It was on Nov. 17, 1924, thats the Women’s
Council of Ketchikan, signed the following
statement: '
“The members of the Kdtchikan Woman’s Council
protest against conditions which are giving Ketchikan
the reputation of being the most wicked city in the
West. Bootlegging^ dope peddling, and wx)men engaged
in illicit and illegal business, with their agents and
solicitors, are the common knowledge of EVERY
CITIZEN OF KETCHIKAN.”
“We protest against this atmosphere of tolerance
and indifference that permits these conditions.
“We recognize the difficulties in combatting these
evils, and cannot but believe that if the law were
ENFORCED it would go a long way toward remedy
ing the flagrancy of conditions.
“We women are the MOTHERS of the Ketchikan
of TOMORROW, and we are offering to you our
heartiest co-operation. We feel the responsibility not
only of our own children but of all the children of
Ketchikan. ”
This letter was signed by Florence D. Stack
pole, Christine S. Malmin, Margery Y. Hall,
Lulu V. Taylor, Emma M. Falconer, Committee.
Were you, Reveren/d Van Marter, aware of
these facts, the same facts that caused you to
start Charles H. Miller on his crusade against
vice conditions?
Do you remember, Mr. Van Marter, the time
that the federal officials called the city officials
of Ketchikan into conference with the women
of Ketchikan, when Mayor Tom Torry in
whose political machine you are such an im
portant part for you cover it with the mantle
of the church and give it the cloak of respect
ability, spoke to the women of Ketchikan and
said that he could not tell the difference 'between
the good ladies of Ketchikan and a “sport” when
he met either on the streets of Ketchikan?
Don’t you remember, Mr. Van Marter, that Tom
Torry said this to the respectable ladies of
Ketchikan who were demanding that the city
officials do something?
In this same speech, Tom Torry, Mayor of
Ketchikan, elected by your support, and “one
of your best people” said, “I have my liquor
EVERY DAY and I don’t care who knows it.
Furthermore, I intend to keep right on?”
Have the conditions changed Mr. Van Marter
or have you lost your nerve?