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ALASKA DAILY EMPIRE J. F. A. STRONG. TELEPHONE 3-74 Application has been made to the postotttce depart incut for the entry of this newspaper as second class mat ter. SUBSCRIPTION RATES: One Year, by mail $10.00 Six Months, by mail 5.00 Per Month, delivered 1.00 Jl'NKAU. ALASKA. NOV. 29. 1912. GROWTH OF EXPRESS BUSINESS. Kvidence of the growth of Juneau during the past year Is also revealed in the increase of the express busi ness with outside points. According to the statement of James \V. H'll, Alaska superintendent of the Wells Fargo company, it has doubled dur ing the past year, and Mr. Hill is coniident of a stilli greater gain dur ing the coming year. Of course this express company has a monopoly in Alaska that is com- I plete. but It also succeeded to the business of a monoply. therefore the increase shown has been due to ac tual growth and expansion of the business in this section. Beginning on January 1, next, how ever. the express companies of the United States will have a competitor in the parcels post system which will be established on that date. That It will make substantial inroads in the business of the express companies .s undoubted. It will be a competitive factor that the express companies will have to reckon with, but in the reckoning they are not likely to cut rates below those fixed by the post ottlce department for the parcels post servie. If they should the people generally will be the gainer. For many years the big express companies were able to defeat any proposal look ing toward the establishment of a par cels post system, and were even in fluential enough to cause the pres ent law to be much more limited ir. its scope than the needs of the coun try demand. However, a start has been made and the limitations now placed upon It will be removed in time, and Its usefulness greatly ex tended. At midnight on the tented field the Turk sat dreaming?but we judge with the Bulgars so hot on his trail the Turk just now has no time for dreaming. A VENERABLE DAY. Thanksgiving is over anil some have given thanks orally and some silently yet just as heartily. The season of thanksgiving is older than the repub lic but not the nation. History and tradition tell us that the custom of observing a day of fasting and prayer was established by the Pilgrim Fathers on the stent and rock-bound coast of New Kngland. It may be that they brought it with them from Holland, where some of them had lived as strangers and ex iles. for conscience' sake, before em barking for the new world. At any rate we may lay claim to it now as something that was cradled on American soil, and it breathes the spirit of the new world. Originally, we are told, a day was set apart for thanksgiving and prayer, for mercies received, for pro tection from enemies, for material benefits?good crops of com. for in creasing prosperity, for freedom, from sickness and disaster?and thus the day was strictly observed in the most orthodox Puritan fashion. In our Thanksgiving Day proclama tions of the present time, may be still observed traces of the language and spirit of the olden time. But Thanksgiving Day now has lit tle of the fervor and spirit, we fancy, of the days of the Pilgrims and their immediate descendants, because times have changed and we have changed with them. With us it is, of course, still a time of thanksgiving, but it is also one of feasting, of reunion, of recreation and pleasure ? features that have been added to it with the process of time. But while it was yet per se a New Kngland institution, the Puritans, re laxing somewhat, added to it the feast that though solemn was abundant, and the wild turkey was introduced as the national bird together with the ven ison of which "no finer or fatter e'er ranged in a forest or smoked in a platter." So It has become a veritable na tional holiday with us.?just as much as Christmas Day or the Fourth of July. It is a cherished institution and its origin is well worthy of being kept in remembrance, for the land which nurtured it and the people, who there sought a home for the free and the op pressed of every nation,?"God had 1 sifted the seed of three kingdoms for ] the wheat for that planting." > PENSIONS FOR PRESIDENTS. Former President Roosevelt Bays that he is not interested In pensions for ex-presidents, but that he is vl ally interested iu the poor niun and his environment. President Taft Is of record as ex pressing the belief that the country itself should make suitable provision for the care of these officials when they shall have been retired to pri vate life. These expressions of opinion were the outgrowth of the plan proposed by the trustees of the Carnegie Foun dation to pension our ex-presidents. The Empire is inclined to agree with the views of President Taft; and the idea of a pension from the Carnegie Institution is not likely to be received with popular favor. As a concrete matter of fact for a former president of the United States to accept such annuity would be a distinct reflection upon the American people. We do not want our ex-presidents to depend upon a pension of this kind for their mainte nance. This provision should come from the Congress and the people would not object. None of our pres idents has been rich, in the modern acceptation of the term, but none has ever lived in penury after his retire ment. though some have not been even in what might be called "easy circumstances." if history Is to be believed. In more recent times Grant,?a j failure as a practical business man through an unfortunate business con nection?paid off his debts through the sale of his memoirs and left a substantial sum for his family after he died. Hayes was not wealthy but he had enough after he retired; Gar field's family never complained, and Arthur was accounted comparatively wealthy. Cleveland after his retire ment increased his bank account in the practice of law. and so did Har rison. who was one of the ablest law yers of his time, and when he died he left his family comfortably provided for. Cleveland's enemies asserted that he accumulated much money dur ing his two terms as president, but it was a base calumny. When he died he left only a comfortable estate? enough to support his family in inde pendence. however. McKlnley had business reverses be fore he became president of the United States, but he had loyal friends to come to his aid, but at no time was he a wealthy man. As mod ern fortunes are estimated, Roosevelt is not a rich man. Still he is not de pendent upon anyone for his living. His wealth was inherited, and besides he is something of a money-maker himself and will continue to be with out doubt, for a good many years to come. President Taft says that he will return to the practice of law In Cln cinnatt after he retires next March, and it goes without saying that he will soon have a lucrative practice. He is yet a comparatively young man and should occn vvl dSwffl fll and has a number of years ahead of him. in the ordinary course of na ture. He is not wealthy either, but he has an advantage of having wealthy and loyal relatives. So, on the whole, it would seem as though Car negies munificence should not be di rected toward our ex-presidents. The United States, however, should make provision by law for thir maintenance, should it ever be needed. Considering the confessions of the dynamiters, the wonder is that any building in the country into which steel went, escaped. The European status quo is certain ly the tenderest plant in the hothouse of civilization. THE FORESTRY AUTOCRAT. The American Mining Congress, in session at Spokane, denounced the policy of placing four hundred million acres of land under the domination of one forestry official. This official is the chief forester, an office creat ed and held by Gifford Plnchot, for a time. The criticism of the mining congress is eminently fair, from The Empire's point of view. Too much arbitrary power is placed with one man, and when it is exercised by an enthusiast of the Pinchot kind, to use a mild term, new regions? such as Alaska for instance?arc bound to suffer grievously. The trouble with Mr. Pinchot was that he permitted his zeal to outrun his discretion, and he has Impressed many who have come in contact with him as lacking in sound judgment. Most people believe in the conserva tion of the nation's natural resourc es, but they do not believe that mil lions of acres of the natural resourc es of a country, such as is Alaska, should be closed to legitimate devel opment at the whim or .caprice of a school of ultra-conservationists. In his forestry and conservation policies Pinchot had the support of President Roosevelt, who appointed him to office, and then began that 1 policy of setting aside immense re- 1 serves, and withdrawing coal lands i from entry?all of which aro not, nor can they ever be, of any use bavo for J natural resources which, they con tain. The result has been only too apparent. Development has been chocked, handicaps that are almost intolerable have been placed upon those men who would be only too glad to have the opportunity of male ' lug these latent resources productive. 1 In a country such as Alaska we do 1 not believe in limiting the opportunity for human activities. Encouragement. 1 not deterrents and handicaps?Is. 1 needed, but these aro what the pio neer, the developer, the prospector, and the capitalist have encountered through the operations of as crass a policy as was ever Inflicted upon a helpless peoplo. Continue the policy of the last eight years, the next four years and the debacle of Alaska will be almost complete. Reform must be had, and speedily, and one of the first consid erations should be the placing of lim itations upon the chief forester?at least so far as Alaska is concerned. There Is honor among every class of thieves except those who steal an other's reputation and give nothing in return. i m 1111 m m m m 111 "i"i' i' I Alaska News Notes I T'l 1 1 M'HMM'MH-H 1 1 1 1 M-H The wharf of the "Alaska MetalB Co., at Bruce, on the weBt coast of 1'rlnce of Wales island, collapsed to gether with the ore bunkers recently, and 200 tons of ore went Into the ocean with the wharf. ? ? ? While making a test run on Nov. 22 at Prince Rupert a new automo bile overturned, killing one firemun, breaking the arm of a second and dis locating the wrist of the chief, and Inflicting minor injuries on a number of others. ? ? ' H. C. Anderson, a Danish prospect or, killed himself with a 38 caliber Colt's revolver at Ketchikan. Nov. 25. He had been a resident of that sec tion for twelve years. He is supposed to have relatives in Pierce County, Wash. ? ? ? A rich placer 'strike Is said to have been made in the Innoko district and a stampede has been on from Fair banks and the Iditarod. ? ? ? There are sixteen stamp mills in the Fairbanks recording precinct, twelve of which are located on the mines themselves, and all of which will be at work before Dec. 1. * ? ? The total clean-up of Ruby district the past season was in excess of $100,000, of which the most came from Long creek. ? ? ? A new road is being built from Ruby to the diggings, 30 miles diRtant, and the freight will be about 5 cents per pound as compared to the summer rate of 12 cents. ? * ? An immense slide was the cause of the breakdown in the Wrangel-Sltka cable. It began within a half mile of Wrangel and for nearly three miles tons of rock had slid down on the cable putting it out of business. MEANING OF THE APPELLATION KANAKA. When Evert Nymanover, the piano expert, now in Juneau, visited trop ical Hawaii, he was once called in to tune a piano of the old Mozart type, the property of a genuine Kanaka chief. Turning round while at work, he found the whole family watching him. Breaking the silence, the tuner said: "May I ask you, Mister, what race you really belong to. "I am a Kanaka." the chieftan said. "What does that mean'" Herr Ny manover asked. "It means a human being," said the chief. "And you, then?" turning to the old mother of the family, "what are you?" "I am a wahini. It means a wom an." "And you are satisfied at that?" "Yes, we Hawailan8 are perfectly satisfied at that," was the quick re Joinder. The Kanakas, as an island people, are in the north equatorial division of the great Polynesian family found by Capt James Cook in 1778, and who, according to a Fijian tradition, came from Africa. Capt. Cook was killed by a Hawaiian or Sandwich islander, as those islands were then called, be cause of his many extortions. Have you seen them? Beautiful IVOItY CARVING SETS at W. H. CASE. tf. PLEASANT TIME PROMISED. On the night of December 12 the laides of Trinity church will give o ball which promises to be a long re membered social event Father Bruckhart 0 Industrious Priest' Rev. Father Bruckart, of Douglas, la the moat Industrious priest that ^ i-ver cumo to Alaska. He bolleves that work la good for both body and mind. Almost any day he can be seen out with hla hammer and aaw, or spade, as the case1 may be, trying to build up and add to or trying to make some corner more productive or more beautiful. Since coming to Douglas ho has remodeled the Interior and exterior of the church. He haa also remodel ed and enlarged the club building. He la now building a stage In the club room. The atago not only adds to the appoarance or the club room, but It is necessary for the enter tainments which are one of the fea tures of the club during the winter months. Father Burckart renlizes that It la necessary In this day and generation to play aa well as to work and pray. This priest 1b deserving of much cred it for trying to give to the people of Douglas good, clean entertainment, rather than have them look for such entertainment as they may find. NOTICE. In order to Insure the publication f advertisements In The Daily Em ilre, copy should reach the office not ater than 9 a. m. Newest stylos In IVORY JEWELRY ust In at W. H. CASE. tt. The Juneau Steamship Co. U. S. Mail Steamer GEORGIA Juneau-Sitka Route ? Leaves Juneau for Hoouah, Gypsum, Tenakeo, KUlisnoo and Sitka? 8:00 a. m., Nov. 5, 11, 17, 23, 29, Dec. 5, 11, 17, 23, 29, Jan. 4, 10, 16, 22, 28, Feb. 3. 9, 15, 21, 27, March 5. 11, 17, 23 and 29. Leaved Juneau for Funter and Chatham, 8:00 a. m.?Nov. 17, Doc. 11, Jan. 4, 28, Feb. 21, March 17. Leaves Juneau for Tyee, 8:00 a. m.?Nov. 23, Dec. 23, Jan. 22, Feb. 21, March 23. Juneau ? Skagway Route ? Leaves Juneau for Pearl Harbor, Eagle River, Yankee Cove, Sen tinel Light Station, Jualin, El dred Rock Light Station. Com et, Haines, Skagway,, 8:00 a. m. ?Nov. 3, 9, 15, 21. 27, Dec. 3, 9. 15, 21, 27, Jan. 2, 8, 14, 20, 26, Feb. 1, 7, 13, 19. 25. March 3, 9, 15, 21, 27. Returning loaves Skagway the following day at 8:00 a. m. WILLIS E. NOWELL, MANAGER " FERRY TIME SCHEDULE JUNEAU FERRY & NAVIGATION Co.?Operating Ferry Service Be tween JUNEAU, DOUGLAS, TREADWELL and SHEEP CREEK Lv. Juneau for Do UK las nnd Treadwoll | ?8:00 a. in." 9:00 a. m.1 11:00 a. m. 1:00 p. m. 3:00 p. m. 4:30 p. m. 6:30 p. m. i 8:00 p. ni.! 9:00 p. m. I 11:00 p. m. 1 Lv. Tread well for Juneau *S: 25 a. in. 9:25 n. m. 12:00 noon | 1:40 p. m. j 3:25 p. ni. 4:55 p. m. 0:55 p. in. 8:25 p. m. | D:2? p. m. 11:25 p. in. | Ix-nvcn Douglas for Juneau *8:30 a. m. 9:30 a. m. 12:05 p. ra. | 1:45 p. m. 3:30 p. ra. 5:30 p. m. 7:05 p. m. 8:30 p. m. 9:30 p. m. 11:30 p. m. Leaves Juneau daily for Sheep Crock 11:00 a. m. 4:30 p. m. Leaves Sheep Creek for Juneau 11:40 a. m. 5:10 p. m. , From Juneau for Sheep Creek Snturdny Night Only 11:00 p. m. for Juneau Returning Leaves Sheep Creek 11:40 p. m. Leaves Treadwell 11:45 p. m. Leaves Douglas 11:50 p. m. _ I Sunday Schedule same a* above, except trip leaving Juneau at 8 a. m. U omitted HUMBOLDT STEAMSHIP CO. Tin- Ala ka Kly? r S. S. HUMBOLDT The Alaaka Klycr J NORTHBOUND NOV. 26 SOUTHBOUND NOV. 27 DOCKS AT JUNEAU CITY WHARF Seattle Office, 716 Second Ave. GEO. BURFORD, Agent |m| | ,| 1.1 | |-|-|. 1.1..|. | 1 H-H-H I I ALASKA STEAMSHIP CO. '' STEAMERS CALLING AT kETCHIKAN, WRANGEL, PETERS- ?? BURG, DOUGLAS, JUNNEAU, HAINES AND SKAGWAY STEAMSHIP DOLPHIN -? NORTH NOV. 28, DEC. 9, 21 I! SOUTH NOV. 29, DEC. 10, 2? !! " Tickets to Seattle, Tacoma, Victoria and Vancouver. Through t tickets to San Francisco. !! ELMER E. SMITH, Douglas Agt. WILLIS E. NOWELL, Agt. " . -i-i-I"|..H-i-H"H"I"l"I"Ill"l"l"l"li,l"I-,I"l"I"l"l,,l"l"l"l'*l"l"l"l"l"H"l"H-I-l"l-I"l-l,il"l"l"I"i' . ? I NORTHLAND STEAMSHIP COMPANY Operating S. S. ALKI and S. S. NORTHLAND S. S. ALKI, South, DEC. 7 First Class Fare to Seattle ? - - $19.00 Second Class Fare to Seattle $12.00 H. C. BRADFORD, Mgr., Pier 4, Seattle. SOWERBY & BELL, Juneau JOHN HENSEN t CO., Douglas CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY CO.-B.C.CoastService Sailing from Juneau for Port Simpnon, Prince Rupert, Swnnson. Alert Bay. Vancouver Victoria and Seattle PRINCESS MAY DEC. 5 Front and Sewnrd St*. C. P. R. TICKET OFFICE J. T. SPICK ETT. Ag?. j THE ALASKA DAILY EMPIRE A paper for all the people, all the time. Independent in every way. It stands for everything that will tend to the opening up and development of Alaska?especially South eastern Alaska?along legitimate lines. The EMPIRE'S motto is Progress in all things. The world never stands still. Neither can mankind. They must move backward or forward. By subscribing for the EMPIRE you can keep in touch with the growth of Alaska. By advertising in its columns you can reach the people who read. Try it. The EMPIRE, office is thoroughly equipped for doing up-to-date job printing in all its branches. Give us a trial. Office: Main Street, between Front and Second