The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-08-11

whether II was true that exclusive timber
privileges had been granted 10 the fellow
ing parties: Capt Hansen, on al logs
over Inches Ia diameter GA the Stewart
river and Its Tributaries; TO Heaiy. for
same On the 6ixtyMsie river and Swede
creek, and 10 Alexander Mcdonald ca In
dan river and its tributaries, all being
rsonopoIes tina. would compel mine own-
ers buying from these several parties. the
major replied that be had never heard Of
Il. that he cd not believe his government
would 90 IL, and that certainly the Of
aefas here were not cognizant OF any
such deals.
Touching the 10 per cent. royalty on an
output OF gold. the major said that at last
that matter had been decided, and that
this royalty would Rave 10 be paid on all
gold taken out Of mines leased. or re-
newed since August is. lss7, but that all
leases taken out before that date would
for this season only BE- exempt.
TIE major sustained the gold commits
sioners rulings that man could only re-
cord four claims in one year, thinking it
a wise provision and one the enforcement
OF which had checked the prom.scuous
stalking OF claims by the wholesale simply
for speculative purposes. and by which
whole creeks were monopolized by few.
While the gold commissioner. the major
said, was in a MEASURE absolute in his
rulings. yet any one not satisfied with his
decision could appeal to him. the major,
or 10 the department.
The Overweight SwindleF.
The gold commissioner. he said would
continue to take gold dust at the rate Of
SIS al ounce. which, the major said, was
81 better than the banks were doing on
the outside In this connection, while the
stores IN Dawson are taking dust at 81
ounce, the Alaska Commercial Com
pany announces its intention OF taking IL
at SIG an ounce commencing with June l.
In this same connection / called the
majors attention 70 the gold scale weight
eyil no@ existing in this community by
which everybody was being systematically
robbed. ] explained to him thai dust be-
ing the only money current here. gold
scales were indispensable TO every one
doing business. The scales in "a looms,
restaurants and stores Of ali kinds were
OF all makes. az.s and imperfections. and
4, is a generally accepted fact that no two
scales IN the town are alike in their
weights They afford the easiest possible
way of sw!ndiing In weighing out for
small amounts, both by overweight and
loaded weights and IL has become an ac-
cepted fact that on all purchases ranging
from 80 cents to IS not less than from Is
the scales each time. and IL the purchaser
is careless in watching the weighing the
overweight Will run up to 50 and Is per
cent in excess OF the purchase price.
This has become notorious and - a crying
evil. Saloon men and gamblers are said
10 be the greatest offenders Drinks or
games are paid for BY handing the sack
10 the wexher. who. being quick in his
movements. puts enough gold on the scales
to tip them in his favor. and without any
attempt at balancing returns the sack
and proceeds with the next victim. While
drinks are - cents and 81 each in price.
this system Of petty swindling brings them
up 10 about twice the prices demanded.
The ma jor. On hearing this. said he could
do nothing 10 remedy the evil at present
until such time as an excise officer should
arrive with the standard weights and
measures. Then the matter would receive
his personal attention, and scales would
then have to conform 10 his standard.
This officer would arrive shortly from the
lakes. The major suggested that dust
should be exchanged for coin. A govern
ment bank would soon be established in
Dawson. which would also open with if an
assay office. SO that a person bringing
gold dust would have II axsayed and re-
ceivs its full value Ia coin.
The renting OF the water front to pH-
vate parties, which had created so much
smatc business transaction for the pur-
pose OF increasing the revenue necessary
to run the district. The government, he
said, was spending much money in keep
ing large force OF men here and in max
ing Improvements. for all of which money
was needed. and he had made many rec
concentrations for more improvements. Al
present the government was expanding
nearly $500 on a trail. over the hill back
OF Dawson. seven miles up the kiondike
and Bonanza creeks. The bridge company
would expend a similar sum in continuing
the same work. The government was also
preparing to send all mail matter for men
on the creeks UP to the Forks, where a
postoiice would be established. Beside
these. the major said, he had made rec
ommendations looking TO many other i'm
provemeuts in the district. among them
the erection OF Il government building to
take In all the public Offices including the
postotfce. which will also have Il regu-
larly appointed postmaster. Al present
the major is having erected a large teDe-
msnt house fer the housing of the corps
OF officials at this point. The building will
cost s.. 90.
A new government post will shortly be
es. abEshed at the mouth Of the Stewart
river. and recorder viii be appointed and
located at that point.
The rumor that an annual tax of So
here was emphaiicaly deaied by the
ma 0r.
The crown. he said. would continue 10
reserve every alternate ten claims on new
creeks opened up for locations.
All so-toot claims recorded with the
proviso that the government might event
ually reserve 100 feet OF zach. the major
said. had been decided In favor OF the
raiher. who woua be left in undsputed
possession of his go feet as stsked. Al,
5s}-f0ot claims, he said. located on old
creeks viii not he cut In two. az anttci-
pated but the holdings will be confirmed.
All future claims. however. except DIS
coyewes. were 10 be 80 fees only.
Three Mining Districts.
MAJ; Walsh announced tina, he had re-
arranged the districts fer the better trans
action Of business, ard that hereafter
there would be- three mining districts. al