The Chitina leader., 1913-05-20
BER|NC COAL SCANDAL
Cordova, May 1o .

WI ocfd, -has i'
 Gossip with reference to the i coal scandal last simmer at the Boring river coal fields was revived yesterday by reason of the presence in our midst of one of the men who was on the ground to watch the min ing from the Cunningham claims, of which he was in charge. Roger Sammy contends that from the start there was conflict between the navy department, that was in charge of this expedition, and one or two en- ployees secured from the bureau of mines and Sumner B. Smith, mine in- spector for Alaska. Dr. Downey a physician in the navy department. was paymaster and the man on the ground with full authority. He had for his foreman MT. Williams. who was supposed to be a practical mining man, and who was suggest ed by Dr Holmes for the place. Sumner Smith was supposed to be present" because of orders re- ceived from the interior department. He had no authority in connection with the expedition, but people of Katalla contend that no move was made by Williams without first con sulting Smith
 When the Cunningham claims were reached it was decided to take the eight or nine hundred tons of coal that the navy department required for testing purposes from that prop erty. Sammy contends that in- stead of entering the tunnels and taking from the seams of high-grade coal exposed. Inspector Smith advised following smaller seams and mining what the men employed there re- garded as an inferior quality.
 The work went on and MT. Downey presumed that he was getting a fair average of the fuel as it was brought to light and placed in sacks. It was finally reported to him that S55 tons had been properly sacked and was ready to be transported to Saltwater, rom which point it was to be brought about l6 miles to the sea. Ar engagements were made for the over land haul and then the party return ed to Katalla in October, and on November finally sailed on the Yu- kon for Seattle.
 After returning to Washington, as the story goes, Dr. Downy caught on to the fact that he had been duped, and an investigation fol- lowed, showing to the department that not seven hundred tons had been mined. and that much of it was slack and of inferior quality. the good grade having been deliberately overlooked by orders of Smith and Williams. The facts brought out indicated that the latter two were prejudiced in favor of the Matanu- ska coal and that they were not desirous of making a good showing of the Boring river fuel.
 pr. Dawney returned from Phil adelphia a few days ago and is now at Katalla awaiting the rise of the water to take barges up the river to Saltwater. These lighters each hold fifteen tons, and will be taken up the river by gasoline launches, that have a capacity of 75 horse power. It is stated that it is the in tention of the Doctor to have all the coal examined and re-sacked, with the possibility that from one third 10 one-half will be rejected, because of it's worthlessness, that would give false idea of the real value of the Boring river coal. This will result in more delay and may cause the cr lser Maryland to be held in Cal if, mia for several weeks yet She to take the coal aboard and give a lest for steaming purposes.