Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-05-09
MANY TONS OF COAL
THROWN OVERHEARD
BY ANGRY CITIZENS
Boston Tea Party" Is Repro
duced After Many Years by
Enraged Business Men in
Cordova Alaska

CORDOVA, Alaska, May 6.-The excite
ment caused by the governments failure
to hurry action in Alaska coal land
cases reached a climax here yesterday,
when 800 business men an citizens form
ed mob and armed with shovels, march
ed to the ocean dock of the Alaska
Steamship company, where they proceed
ed to throw several hundred tons of
British Columbia coal into the bay.
Ineensed at no reply to cables to urge
action looking to the opening Of the
Alaska coal fields, the citizens of Cordova
decided to follow the example set by
the Boston tea party" and thus ex-
press the serious crisis that has been
reached in the Alaska coal situation.
PUBLIC OUTBURST.
For several days the sentiment in favor
of some public outburst has been quietly
growing.
When yesterdays cable dispatches from
Washington failed to bring news of Pres
ident Taft having acknowledged the re-
ceipt of the appeals from Alaska, feeling
increased and the call to arms, which,
in this instance. means a call to shovels,
was sounded.
Among those who participated in the
coal party were A. J. Adams, president
OF the chamber OF commerce, ex-Mayor
w. II. CndSe ana JaAAtCa
Jemes Flynn and Charles Ross.
The time selected for the movement was
opportune, for United States Deputy Mar
shall Samuel Brightwell was three miles
away. United States Commissioner o. s..
Tucker could not be found, and Chief of
Police Dooley could not be reached un-
I'll several tons of coal had been disposed
of, and the party was in full swing.
TAKEN BY SURPRISE.
.cf4 IL
Alaska Steamship company, and the Cop
per River railroad, was in his office on
the dock and was taken by surprise when
the mob swooped down on the property.
He demanded that the shoveling cease,
but the crowds only answer was: Give
us Alaska coalT'
Barry was armed, but friends persuad-
ed him not TO fire. Workmen of the rail-
road shops were sent for and arrived
with superintendent Van Cleave at the
same time that Chief of Police Dooley put
in an appearance.
Dooley ordered the mob to dispense,
but President Adams of the chamber of
commerce, shouted, Shovel away, boys.
We want only Alaska COAL"
Demand was then made in the name
Of the United States to disband or suf-
fer arrest for rioting. This demand was
Needed merchants returning to their
places OF business anu olileE CltlZSuS
going about their regular occupations.
ANOTHER DEMONSTRATION.
1t is not believed the trouble is over
as threats to make another demonstration
upon the arrival of the steamer Edith,
which Is bringing a cargo of Canadian
coal.
Mayor Lathrop has appealed to Gov.
Walter E Clarke. who is in Washing
ton, for assistance.
If the local situation remains unchang-
ed. II is thought that Governor Clarke
will ask that troops be sent from Fort
Liscomb. The United States cruiser Buff
faIo will soon come here to repair the
government wireless station, and an eff
fort will be made to have her land a
guard.
Yesterdays action is the elimination
of many indignation meetings in Cordova
and surrounding towns. A telephone re-
port received from Katalla says that
clifford Pinchot was burned in effigytthere
last night by mob of angry citizens.