The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-12-25
MfRR|AM CALLSPRDALTON.
IMPORTATION AND ADVICE ron TIM
DAWSON RELIEF PARTY.
The wen-Kaewn Guide, ana ". ..
Garainer, asst Out FFen the Klen-
Aike, Go to Vancouver To-Day
Complaints 81 High Duty Chargss.

Today Is Christmas, but that fact does
not stop Jack Dalton. the pathfinder OF
Alaska" from trying to do something
that win help his feliow-men- Brig. Gen.
Merriam, commanding tho department OK
the Columbia, has sent for the redoubs-
able Jack to go to Vancouver and give
him information and advice that viii
Be Of assistance to him in planning the
Dawson relief expedition
A. telegram from Gen. Merriam. asking
that Mr.. Dalton come to Vancouver on
this errand. was received yesterday by
Can't. w. ". Robinson. assistant quarter
master OF the United States army. Capt
Robinson sought out Mr.. Dalton and
showed hin, Gen. Merriam's request
After some little pariey. Mr.. Dalton con-
sented to place the information no has
gained in years OF hard knocks in Alaska
at the disposition OF the department.
To this end, Mr.. Dalton will make a
Christmas journey to Vancouver this
morning. Last Monday the Post-Inteili-
gencer published an interview with Mr..
Dalton. in which he gave his opinion Of
the plans proposed by the secretary Of
war. He favors sending the relief party
over the Chiikoot pass. and IN utilizing
horses. not reindeer or dogs. He WAS
asked yesterday what he would tell Gen.
Merriam, but requested to be excused
from discussing the matter.
Are you IN a position to entertain q
proposition from the government to guide
q relief party into Dawsou?" was asked
Of Dalton.
mo. not now" he answered laconicallv
Last night Capt. Robinson had a con-
ference with w. 8. Gardiner. who was
one OF the party Of three Kiondikers that
came down Thursday night on the steam
as to the condition OF the trail over the
fee. He told Capt. Robinson that II was
bad travelling for part OF the way but
very good after reaching Lake Lebarge.
On the lower river the ice had frozen in
hummocks so that some work would have
TO be done in order to make the passage
OF a large caravan easy.
A Post-Intelliseneer reporter asked Mr.
Gardiner IL he believed there would be
suffering at Dawson.
Lots of the miners will be on short
rations.' he replied, ''yet I do. not look
for actual starvation. Some Of the men
In the camp have more than enough Of
food They will not divide up on the
theory have heard talked Of out here
that is, for every man TO pu. In what
he has and then divide up equally All
miners would stand any such a PROPOSE
ton as that. ] would fight first. for grub
Is more valuable In that country than
gold. STILL do not believe that any one
will starve. for before IL gets to that
those who have food viii give out little
-four and such stuff TO those that are In
want and so they will be relieved.
There are large number of gam
blers and saloon hangers-on in Dawson
have M ha
be better off without them. No, they
cannot get any grub with which TO come
out. There Is none to be had in Daw-
son. What vii, these people do? Go
down the river 10 Fort Yukon. I suppose.
Many OF them have gone already"
Mr.. Gardiner said that he met number
OF parties going down the river with barely
enough pr visions 10 last them on the Jour-
ney. Some had enough 10 keep them half
through the winter aud others had a years
supplies. Those who were short he ad-
vised 10 go back. One man and a woms n
were going down the river with 100 pounds
or food. He told them that they would be
out OF provisions soon after thew got 70
Dawson. and advised the man to leave his
wife in charge of tire camn and go back
after more grub. The advice was re-
je,tad.
On the way out Mr. Gardiner met num-
because they were charged exnrh.tant
rates OF duty by the Canadian customs Of
hciais at Lake Tagish. THE complaint
was general all along the line" said Mr.
Gardiner. a feeling Of soreness at their
treatment was expressed by many AmerI-
can miners / met going into Dawson. I
cannot give you any names, for seldom
asked for them. Nor can I saw whether
the Canadian officials practice extortion or
not. for was not able TO learn the amount
OF duty charged on a mans outfit. I was
told that the rate was extraordinary and
high. One man IN Dawson who arrived
shortly before / left said they had taken
$50 from him. OF course cannot vouch
Tor the truth OF the statements that an
unreasonable charge was made"
Mr.. Gardiner will go 10 Portland TODAY
to see Gen. Merriam at Vancouver and
furnish him information concerning the
trails and the condition Of affairs at Daw-
son.