Valdez daily prospector., 1914-01-09
DALTON PUNCHES
 JOHN W. SWIFT
Continued from page 1.)

five dollars, and the admonition of the learned judge in administering the fine would lead one to believe that the fine was imposed because Dalton did not hit the official trouble maker harder.
 The Knik ComnYerical Club and citizens of Knik held an indignation meeting, protesting against the ac- tions of Swift, which was attended by Dalton, who made statement to the club practically accusing Swift of be- ing in league with the big coal com panies and of conniving to prevent the completion of the delivering of the coal to salt water. Dalton said: Ever since this outfit left Seattle this man Swift has done all in his i power to prevent that coal from get ting out. He stalled and delayed get ting away from Seattle until the last minute, and then came up the coast at 8 speed of eight knots per hour
 
 Seldovia. He did not want to get l that scow to Knik and the ship was 1 speeded up to twelve knots, pulling the scow under and losing it. as was the intention When we arrived at Knik Anchorage we spent two days 1 wasting time looking for a landing, when I went to the captain and told him to land the supplies on the beach. We had g. gas launch which was put in the water, and after being tinker ed with by the chief enginer and first assistant engineer of the Hubbard they pronounced il out of order and impossible to run. I was looking for this, however, and mad an engineer with me. asked permission to let him try and the launch was running in twenty minutes. We landed the supplies all right and wanted to build trail. In this I was opposed by Swift, SO took the matter in my own hands and built the trail. For tunately we did not have to use this trail but with the assistance of Cap tain Sam Cramer we were able to land the outfit at Knik.
 Il wanted to start building a trail at once and again l was opposed by Swift. who refused to pay the men. I built the trail connecting the gov ernment wagon road with the Mata- nuska at Kings river, and if we never use it it will be good thing for the country. have been paying the bill out of my own pocket. and gentle men, l will tell you one thing, that coal is coming out from the Chick aloon-whether it comes out over the trail or down the river. If the river freezes we will bring it down that | way, if not, we will have the trail. am going to land that coal at salt water and it will be placed on cut it and spoil it as was done to the Katalla coal And I am going to do il in spite of Swift and all the ami mals of his ,.k that may try to stop me.
 My commission covers all of the acts that I have committed except the act of punching Swift in the nose, and I take all the responsibility for that on my own shoulders, and do not regret it, nor would hesitate to do the same thing again.
 MT. Dalton's statement was receiv- ed with applause by the Knik Com mercial Club and the club decided to wire to the department at Washing ton, asking for relief Dalton also wired and Swift sent his version.
 The citizens of Knik are behind Dalton to a man, and are firm in their belief that Swift is simply trouble maker and that he is in the employ of the interests that do not want to see the Matanuska coal delivered in good condition, and who are doing all in their power to hinder the work.
 In spite of this handicap. though. the trail is completed and at the time the mail carriers left Knik, it was said tbat the coal would be started Howard salt water by December 20. l