The Alaska daily empire., December 11, 1912, Image 2

About The Alaska daily empire. (Juneau, Alaska) 1912-1926

Image provided by: Alaska State Library Historical Collections

ALASKA DAILY EMPIRE
J. F. A. STRONG
Entered as second-class matter November 7. 1912 at the postottlce at Ju
neau. Alaska, under the Act of March 3. 1879.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES:
Que year, by mail $10.00
Six months, by mall 5.00
Per month, delivered 1-00
JUNEAU. ALASKA. DECEMBER 11. 1912.
OUR NEIGHBORS TO THE WESTWARD.
It occurs to The Empire that the people of Juneau and this
section of Alaska should take more interest in the southwestern
portion of Alaska. Specifically, we mean the Prince William
Sound section and the country beyond. There lies a great do
main containing coal and oil and copper and gold. Anl al
though Alaska is truly a country of magnificent distances?a
vast region where miles immeasurably spread seem lengthen
ing as they go?after all it is our neighbor, and though our in
terests may not be identical, still we have much in common and
that section and its people should be cultivated. There is where
the great coal fields of Alaska lie, and it is from that section
that in the coming years all Alaska and a great proportion of the
great Pacific coast will get its coal supply. It offers unlimited
opportunities for expansion and development of a permanent
kind There, too, will be found the oil which will supply the peo
ple of the North Pacific coast, and its copper possibilities are
practically unlimited, both on the coast and in the interior of
the great valley of the Copper river.
Here, we are, or at least we should be, more interested in
the coal development of the Bering river and the Matanuska
coal fields. For we need the coal. And we will need it more and
more as the years go by and the population of Juneau and ah
the Alaska panhandle increases, as it will by leaps and bounds.
This is no fanciful picture. It is just a plain statement of
unadorned, unadulterated fact. Alaska has not had a square
deal in many ways, but more especially with regard to its coal
lands and their development. The growth of the Prince William
Sound country has been grievously retarded by reason of policy
adopted by the present administration and the preceding one.
A fabian policy such as has been pursued is not the kind that
is beneficial for an undeveloped country. The energies of two
Washington administrations seem to have been directed?not
along the line of least resistance?but along the line of how not
to do things for the territory; and how to prevent those men
who are willing to try from accommplishing something real and
tangible.
From a knowledge of conditions and of many of the men
who have endeavored to obtain patents to coal lands in Alaska,
we are compelled to say that they have not been treated, in
a number of cases, with justice or equity. But above that the
people of that great section have suffered sorely as a direct re
sult of the blundering methods of government, of bureaucracy,
coupled with a profound lack of knowledge of the conditions.
And a potentially rich country lies dormant. And it will contin
ue to remain unproductive until a safe and sane policy replaces
that under which the territory now struggles, and which it has
to endure as best it may.
Just two weeks until Christmas, and no winter yet?unless
it should butt in after this gets into type.
Maybe, after all the Japanese current has slipped landward.
MORE LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS.
One of the best advertisements that any town or city can have
is to be well lighted. Two of the best lighted cities of the world
are Seattle and Los Angeles and this fact has been noised over
all the land. And it pays. An ill-lighted town gets an alto
gether different kind of publicity?not a desirable one. Let us
begin at home. Juneau is not well lighted. Its street lights are
inadequate. There are too many dark places, and pedestrians
stumble along?sometimes in a darkness that might be felt.
When steamers arrive in the night and remain for a few
hours, if the business streets were better lighted, many more
people, who are passengers, would visit the town and incident
ally increase its business and take away with them a much more
favorable impression. #
And more than this. Those of us who live here would be
more comfortable, and we would take much more pleasure in
life were we permitted to walk in well-lighted thoroughfares
after the mantle of darkness has enveloped the earth, during the
short days of the winter.
Therefore let there be more light. It will be an excellent
investment.
Never cry out until you are hurt. Also never say die.
By inference the dispatches tell us the Colonel will retire
as the leader of the Bull Moosers. As a plain matter of fact,
however, the Colonel will continue to stand at Armageddon and
battle for himself?and the party.
TAFT, CIVIL SERVICE AND THE AXE.
To some thirty-odd thousand fourth-class postmasters, whom
he placed in the civil service recently, by executive order, Pres
ident Taft has now added twenty thousand or more skilled labor
ers in the navy yards of the country. Thus does the work of ex
tending the civil service increase, and incidentally, the standing
army of employees of the country, mostly Republicans; so
also increases the indignation of the Democrats, who thus see
tens of thousands of men confirmed in places for life or good be
havior, which they themselves would like to fill.
But while he is thu3 shutting out the Democrats, President
Taft is not overlooking the Progressives, or Bull Moosers. When
ever he finds that any of the latter federal officials have been
guilty of what Grover Cleveland called "pernicious activity, off
go their heads." Recently President Taft for this reason re
moved Dupont B. Lyon, United States Marshal for the Eastern
district of Texas, and Eugene Nolte, marshal for the Western
district of the same state. Lyon is a brother of Col. Cecil Lyon,
the head and front, the alpha and omega of the Progressive
party of Texas.
Maybe it was for removals such as these and the appointment
of his own partisans that Senator Poindexter declared that Pres
ident Taft should be impeached for "flagrant misuse of the ap
pointive power." At any rate the President is using the axe
with the deadly precision of a sixteenth century headsman, and
he is showing extraordinary devotion to the expansion of the
civil service, much to the disgust of both Progressives and Dem
ocrats. He is thus arousing animosity in these parties, and
with the incoming of the Democratic administration, reprisals
may follow and officials who should be permitted to fill out their
terms may suffer removal. This is a condition that may arise and
the civil service system and faithful discharge of duties on the
part of government officials may count for naught?something
which would be deplored by all those who believe in maintaining
the highest state of efficiency in public life.
' I I CHARICK
I if JEWELER
? ? & ? d OPTICIAN ?
f
Mlllll I-M-hHH-M-i IIIIIHII
GREAT CEMETERY
OP HUGE BEASTS
A Council Bluffs, la., dispatch says:
Excavations now being made in build
ing the new lino of the Milwaukee
Kallroad in Western Iowa are bring
ing to light the great monsters of the I
Pliocene and Miocene ages as to at
tract the attention of scientists.
Already the excavations show the
immense burial Held to extend from
Sioux Falls, S. Dak., to Hamburg, la.,
und from the Missouri river to a point
half way across the State of Iowa,
embracing probably 40,000 square
miles.
From the great area thousands and
thousands of pounds of what were
once bones of giant animals of an
other age are being brought to the
surface almost daily. So common are
they that they no longer attract the
attention of the workmen. Instcnd,
they are being used for ballast aloug
with rocks and gravel which come
out with them.
The huge quantity of remains
shows that in the far past Western
Iowa was much more densely populat
ed than it is at the present time, and
to support this population the terri
tory must have been covered with a
growtu so dense that the most luxur
iant forest of today would seem bar
ren when compared with it.
The Spanish conquerors are cred
ited with having brought the first
horses to America, yet 1,000,000 years
before the days of Columbus the prai
ries of Iowa literally teemed with the
forefathers of the present-day horse.
Some of these were gigantic in stat
ure, while others were scarcely larger
than an ordinary dog. The railroad
graders are bringing up their remains
by the ton.
The days of the Iowa prehistoric
horse were also the days of the Iowa
prehistoric camel. This Iowa camel
was no small affair, according to the
fossil bones which are dally brought
to the surface. He was big and
strong and would compare favorably
with the best of tho kind in a modern
circus.
Klephants? u ineir remains art* a -
criterion of their numbers, any little <?
Iowa county could furnish as many
elephants as the whole of Africa can
today. There were a dozen different < >
species, ranging from what would to- , >
day be called a "baby elephant" to the ' J
enormous Elephas imperutor, the gi- < ?
gantlc mammoth with tusks like tele- < >
phone poles, feet the size of a eel
lar door, a trunk long enough to reach < ?
around large trees, strength enough <?
to uproot them, and teeth large J [
enough and strong enough to cat <?
them. < >
In fact, one tooth recently discov
ered had a grinding surface nearly 12 < J
inches long, 4% inches wide, and was <?
11 inches deep. With a' mouthful of I ?
that kind of teeth, the groat animal ^
could easily chew up and masticate <?
a pretty good-sized tree. <>
< >
< >
DURAZZO. \;
< ?
o
The Balkan turmoil is stirring our <[
historical and geographical memories. <?
For a thousand years or so no one <>
has thought much of Durazzo. But it
was a famous port when the Romans
called it Dyrrachium. It was the < >
nearest point acrosB from Brunduslum < >
?which is now Brindisi?and was
chosen by Cicero as his place of pleas- < >
ant exile. In fact, Brunduslum and <?
Dyraachiun; were the Dover and Ca- <>
lals of the Romans, and now once \'
more Durazzo is springing into im
portance. <!
Job Printing at The Empire Office. 44
CANDIDATE FOR A THRONE
ONCE GLAD TO GET A CIGAR.
COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Dec. 11.
?Prince Aracne Karngeorevlch, the
King or Servia'B brother, who has
been mentioned as a candidate for
the prospective throne of Albania, re
sided here some years, earning his
living teaching language. His mail
got him many pupils who became very
fond of him. His income was so lim
ited that he could only afford to hire
a tiny furnished bedroom, in which
Ills lessons were taught. During that
period King Peter worked on a Social
Democratic newspaper published in
Switzerland. When Peter was called
to the throne Arseno left Copenhagen
and went to Servia. His former pupils
are watching him with keen interest,
boasting of having had a possible
king as a teacher who was made
happy by an invitation to take a cup
of coffee and gratefully accepted a
penny cigar as extra remuneration for
instruction.
LIVE FROG SEALED YEARS.
James Young, of KansaB City, Kas.,
says demonstrated that the the
ory of a frog living without food or
water is correct. Young made an ex
periment after reading a statement
that frogs have been known to live
hundreds of years while sealed in a
brick wall.
Obtaining a frog, Young placed it in
the hollow of a tree and sealed the
hollow with cement. Years passed
and he forgot all about the frog.
Young says he was a mere boy
when the creature was shut in and
that a few days ago, when the tree
waB broken open the frog leaped out
as live and hearty as when it had been
sealed up.
FEMMER <t RITTER.
See this firm for all kinds of dray
mg and hauling. We guarantee sat
isfaction and reasonable prices. Coal
delivered promptly. Fcmmcr & Rit
ter'8 Express. Stand Durford's Cor
ner. Phone 314. Residence phones
402 or 403. ???
HIS CULTIVATED TALENT.
"That man Grigaby seems to de
light in showing off his (literacy and
cheap slanginc8s."
"Yes. He's been very successful."
"Sucessful! In what?"
"Didn't you know? Why, he writes
the verses for nearly all the rag-time
ballads."
The newest and bent, the original
Idea and the modern thought in
Christmas goods is seen everywhere
in Valentine's bright, fresh stock of
Jewelry, silverware, cut glass, and
every other thing that you may de
Biro for presentation. ???
NOME BANKER MARRIED.
Frank H. Thatcher, president of the
Alaska Banking & Safe Deposit Co.,
of Nome, and Miss Claire Ferrin, were
married recently at the bride's home,
at Berkeley, Calif.
Subscribe for The Empire.
Professional Cards
R. W. JENNINGS
ATTORNEY-AT-LAW
Lewis Building, Juneau
Z. R. CHENEY
ATTORNEY-AT-LAW
Lewis Building, Juneau
Gunnison & Marshall
ATTORN EY8-AT-L AW
Decker Building
Juneau Alaska
H. P. CROWTHER
U. 8. Deputy Surveyor *
U. 8. Mineral Surveyor
Office?Lewis Block ? Juneau
N. WATANABE
DENTIST
Office Over Purity Pharmacy
Juneau .... Alaska
The Juneau Steamship Co.
U. S. Mall Steamer
GEORGIA
Juneau-Sitka Route?Leaves
Juneau for Hoonah, Gypsuni,
Tenakee, Kllllsnoo and Sitka?
8:00 a. m., Nov. 5. 11. 17. 23, 29.
Dec. 5. 11. 17. 23, 29, Jan. 4, 10,
16, 22. 28, Fob. 3, 9, 16, 21, 27,
March 5, 11, 17, 23 and 29.
Leaves Juneau for Funter and
Chatham, 8:00 a. m?Nov. 17,
Dec. 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 ?
LeaveB Juneau for Pearl Harbor,
Ragle River, Yankee Cove, Sen
tinel Light Station, Jualin, El
dred Rock Light Station, Com
et, Haines, Skagway,, 8:00 a. m.
?Nov. 3, 9, 16. 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 leaves Skagway the
following day at 8:00 a. m.
WILLIS E. NO WELL. MANAGER
HUMBOLDT STEAMSHIP CO.
The Alaska Flyer ?? S. HUMBOLDT I The Alaska Flyer
NORTHBOUND DEC. 8
SOUTHBOUND DEC. 9
DOCKS AT JUNEAU CITY WHARF
Seattle Ofllce, 71G Second Ave. GEO. BURFORD, Agent
IM 1M 1 1 1 1 1 1 I 1 1 1 I 1 I I 1 I 1 I 1 1 1 1 I I 1 111 1 111 111 1 11 I I 1 I I I 1 ?
ALASKA STEAMSHIP CO.
- STEAMERS CALLING AT KETCHIKAN. WRANGEL, PETERS- ??
I! BURG, DOUGLAS, JUNNEAU, HAINES AND SKAGWAY !!
STEAMSHIP DOLPHIN
?? NORTH NOV. 28, DEC. 9, 21
!! SOUTH NOV. 29, DEC. 10, 22
!! Tickets to Seattle, Tacoma, Victoria and Vancouver. Through
tickets to San Francisco. !!
!! ELMER E. SMITH, Douglas Agt. WILLIS E. NOWELL, Agt. "
? ??M 1 1 1 1 1 M 111 111 111 1 111 111 1 LI 111 1 I 1 1 1 1 II 111 1 1 1 1 111 1-K
??
NORTHLAND STEAMSHIP COMPANY
Operating S. S. ALKI and S. S. NORTHLAND
S. S. ALKI, South, DEC. 7
First Class Fare to 3eattle $19.00
Second Class Fare to Seattle $12.00
H. C. BRADFORD, Mgr., Pier 4, Seattle.
SOWERBY & BELL, Juneau JOHN HENSEN % CO., Douglas
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY CO.-B.C. Coast Service
Sailing from Juneau for Port Simpson. Prince Rupert, Swanson, Alert Bay. Vancouver
Victoria and Seattle
PRINCESS MAY .* DEC. 19
| Front and Seward Sts. C. P. R. TICKET OFFICE J T. SPICKETT. A*t.
-
| ALASKA COAST CO. jj
? > For Yakutat, Katalla, Cordova, Ellamar, Valdez, Latouche, Seward, , ?
I! Seldovia?SAILS FROM JUNEAU "
:: S. S. YUKON NOVEMBER 24
I! SAILS FROM JUNEAU FOR SEATTLE AND TACOMA I
j j connecting at Seattle for San Francisco and Southern California ports | j
S.S.YUKON DECEMBER 4 "
Right is reserved to change steamers or sailing dates without notice.
For further information apply to ?'
S. H. Ewing, Juneau Agent. ALASKA COAST COMPANY, Seattle ? ?
11111 ii 11111111111111;1111111111111111111111111111111
FERRY TIME SCHEDULE
JUNEAU FERRY & NAVIGATION Co.?Operating Ferry Service Be
tween JUNEAU, DOUGLAS, TREADWELL and SHEEP CREEK
Lv. Juneau to
Dousria* and
Trcadwoll
?8:00 a. rr..
9:00 a. m.
11:00 a. m.
1:00 p. m.
3:00 p. ra.
4:30 p. m.
6:30 p. m.
8:00 p. m.
9:00 p. m.
11:00 p. m.
rl Lv. Tread
wcll for
Juneau
*8:25 a. m. I
9:25 a. m. |
12:00 noon
1:40 p. m.
2:25 p. m.
4:55 p.m.
6:55 p. m.
8:25 p. m.
9:25 p. m.
11:25 p. m.'
Leave*
Doufflaa for
J menu
"?8730 a. m.
9:30 a. m.
[12:05 p. m.
1:45 p.m.
3:30 p. m.
5:30 p. m.
7:05 p. m.
8:30 p.m.
9:30 p.m.
111:30 p. m.
Lc?vch Juneau daily
for Sheep Creek
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
Saturday Night Only
11:00 p. ~nT
for Juneau
Returning Leaves
Sheep Creek
11:40 p. m.
Leaves Treadwell
11:45 p. m.
Leaves Douglas
11:50 p. ni.
4-1 I 1 I 1 I 1 I 1 I 11 I 111 M I I M-M-H I 1 111 M 1 III III 1 111 I iii i 1 H"
I OCCIDENTAL HOTEL AND ANNEX J
Restaurant in Connection Established 1881 European Plan "
COMMERCIAL MEN'S HOME !!
FRONT ST. JOHN P. OLDS, Mngr. JUNEAU, ALASKA ??
11 i ii 1111111111111111111:11111i11111m 11 m m i l ii 111
We Are Headquarters for ij
DRY GOODS, CLOTHING
/ .
BOOTS AND SHOES, FURNISHINGS
STAPLE AND FANCY GROCERIES
ALASKA-TREADWELL GOLD MINING CO.
?' i ?