davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Alaska citizen., 1915-03-15

the department has a large surplus
each year that goes into the treasury
and is appropriated back to it by
congress.
In the congested districts. the de-
Dartment gets its MAN revenue.
and the large net profits in those
lCes are supposed to be used a.
providing service to places that do
not pay expenses. Thus tie people
# Interior Alaska are just as much
entitled to good mail service at d
dead expense to the government a.
are the people of other remote
places, including the island Deepen
denotes
There seems to be a misunder-
standing in Washington regarding
the amount of territory that is serv-
ed by the stage bringing mail here
/ from the coast. They do not seem
to understand there that the stage
running from Chitina to Fairbanks
carries. in addition to the mail for
this city and the creeks. that which
( is intended for the people at Circle
and way points for all the other
Yukon river points along the entire
length, and for Nome and places be
yond.
In order to get more mail in In
terror Alaska in the winter time. it
will be necessary for the people here
to keep up campaign of explana.
tons, directed to the postoffice de
partment, with the object of getting
the officials in Washington to realize
be obtained
The Alaska citizen., 1915-03-15
WHY SEWARD BOOMS.

Seward is becoming recognized as
one of the really progressive Alas.
ka cities, and it is for that reason
that New York capital is willing TO
go there, Recently new bank, a
national bank, owned by New York
people, was organized for Seward
and charter has been granted the
institution. a library has been Of
fered the city and people are writ
ing there for information, with the
view of going there to make Their
homes
There are other places in Alaska
that are just as promising as Sc
ward, and it would seem that they
would draw just as much attention
as does the little city on the PENN
sula. Fairbanks, for instance is
much more promisingly situated
than Seward, and should be a great.
er attraction to homeseekers and in.
vestors, for here we have almost
unlimited farming and mining pos
sibilities that are enjoyed only il
a limited way in Seward, In fac
Seward offers but little of advantage
with the exception of becoming the
possible gateway to the Fairbank
country.
Then why is it that Seward is re,
ceiving more attention than is this
city? There is reason, and one
which is self-evident when one looks
into the matter carefully The fact
is that the people of Seward are q
unit when it comes to working for
the city's good,
One glance at the Seward Gate
way, the only newspaper of im
portance in Seward, shows why that
city is gaining ground. The Sc
ward Gateway carries more local
advertising than any other news
per in Alaska, and in this way the
people are aiding in the work OF
promoting their city. One look al
the Gateway proves that almost
everybody in that small town ad
vertises. and are willing to aid in
giving the city the publicity that
is necessary for its progress.
There is certain element in
Fairbanks that is like the people of
Seward, inasmuch as they are moved
by spirit Of progressiveness, and
The Alaska citizen., 1915-03-15
Chatanika Will
Keep Postofflce

In order that they may be able
to retain the postoffice at their town
and to prevent its immediate dis
continuance, the people of Chata-
nika have raised the sum of $225
which is to be paid to Postmaster
Paul Ringseth for his services during
the next year. The office had been
ordered discontinued tomorrow by
the postoffice department, on ac
count of the fact that Postmaster
Ringseth resigned, as nobody else
had qualified for the position.
Ever since the resignation of Mr.,
Ringseth was handed in some time
ago, Postmaster r. H. Deal of this
city has used every means in his
power to keep the office from being
discontinued He received informa-
ton from the department in a wire
received Saturday, to the effect that
it would not be discontinued in the
event that an agreement with a suit
able man for postmaster could be
reached. and the agreement between
Postmaster Ringseth and the people
of Chatanika is very satisfactory
according to all reports. In addition
to the 1925 subscribed for him by
the people Of Chatatnika, Mr. Ring
seth gets the cancellation of stamps
and other small sums Of money from
the government.
Mr., Deal is making a determined
effort to get the department to
change its plans about abolishing
the postoffice at Berry, which is on
Ester creek The latter postoffice
has been ordered TO be discontinued
on April Is
The Alaska citizen., 1915-03-15
Phone 2O2 Phone
TOO MUCH FIRE DEPARTMENT.

Just why the people OF Valdez
maintains fire department for $4,000
year. while the people OF Fair
banks pay approximately five times
that much and are required to pay
in addition. slightly more insurance
rates than are charged in Valdez.
is problem that is worth looking
into The present assurances rates
in Fairbanks were established in
1908. and the fire department has
been improved since that time.
though the rates have not been de
creased.
1t really seems that the Fair
banks fire department is top-heagy
or. in other words that it is too
big for tie city. especially for the
city's pocket book. If the insur
ance companies Will permit NaIdes
to keep volunteer fire department
without increasing the Insurance
rates, certainly Fairbanks should be
allowed to do the same thing.
AS long as all its incomes are
used up in paying running expenses
Fairbanks can not expect 10 gel
its streets improved or to have amy
money available for such other inn
provements as may be found neces
sary during the growing period Of
the city.
The only way to remedy this con
dition will be to determine whica
of TIE candidates for city council
will ple5.a themselves to reOrEan.
ize IT, i,.e Department so that il
will b. in accordance with the city
purse This j. ne only town in
Alaska that -ie-+ SO much on fire
protection and 8. Il it gets no spe-
The Alaska citizen., 1915-03-15
DELAY HAS ADVANTAGE.

Even the cloud that is hanging
over the construction work on the
railroad, as far as this end of the
line is concerned, has a silver lin
ing We are objecting very strenu-
ously to the evident delay In the
construction of the road, but when
we look at the matter in purely
selfish light, it seems almost as well
that the construction work is to
be slow.
1t is true that the mining develop
ment must depend upon the compile
ton of the road and the lowered
transportation rates that are eX-
pected to follow. But it must be
remembered that the period of con-
structiOn will be sure to be one of
unusual prosperity in Alaska, and
especially in this district, and that
the longer the period over which
that time extends, the more money
spent in its construction will find
its way to local people.
During its period OF anticipated
development, country sometimes
enjoys more prosperity than after
the development becomes a mater
ial fact. 1t Is usually the prospect
Of good things to come that attracts
people to new country and thus
we can expect that during the
years the railroad is being built
that the population of the interior
of Alaska will enjoy a comfortable
growth
II it were possible to complete
The Alaska citizen., 1915-03-15
COST OF OUR MAIL.

There has been more complaint in
Alaska OF late regarding the mail
service than ever before. The com
plant seems to be justified, but the
poor service is probably more the
fault of official ignorance of condi-
tons here than of any other thing.
The excuse has been made, how
ever, by the government that the
transportation of mail into the in
terror costs far more than its rev
enue amounts to, and that for that
reason a better service cannot be
provided.
| If the United States postal ser
vice is to be looked upon as a pay
ing scheme, then it can be seen why
! the cost would be a feature in the
| scheme, but it is generally supposed
that the government is not being
run on self-supporting basis and
such an excuse as that of ordinary
expenses should not enter into the
matter
When called upon to do so, the
government meets all the expenses
of the legal department in Interior
Alaska without objections. But the
legal department of the government
is not self-supporting and is almost
all paid by indirect taxes of the
people.
On the other hand. the postoffice
department is self-supporting and al
each year for its maintenance.
The Alaska citizen., 1915-03-15
EXHIBITS OVERLOOKED.

According to adyices that have
been received in Fairbanks, the
Alaska exhibit at the Panama-Pa-
cific exposition has received no at
tention from the San Francisco
newspapers. which is believed to be
due TO the inability of the people
having charge of it to properly ad-
yertise it.
Half of the work of a good eX-
hibitor is to get publicity for his
exhibits This is realized by all
countries that send exhibits to
big fairs, but it seems to have been
overlooked when a manager was
selected for the Alaska exhibit.
The Citizen does not know the
name of the man who has charge
of the Alaska exhibit, and therefore
cannot he accused of having any
thing of a personal nature in its
criticism of the man All that seems
to be known in Fairbanks is that
the exhibit, which is declared by
those who have seen it to be un-
usually interestine has had no pub
hcity
The fair is still in its infancy. and
there is still time for changes to
be made in the management Of the
Alaska exhibit At least. it is pos
sible to have the manager of the
exhibit notified that he must do
something to bring the Alaska pro
ducts to the attention of the visitors
of the great eXnnSitiOn
The Alaska citizen., 1915-03-15
AFFAIRS IN MEXICO.

Conditions in Mexico are becoming
more and more serious, and in spite
of the desire Of the United States
to keep hands off that country, it is
beginning to look as though some
thing must be done to protect the
poor people there who are being
made the victims of the fractional
fighting that has brought ruin and
devastation to that republic.
Among the leaders of the various
factions, undoubtedly Carranza is the
most honorable and well meaning
though he, too, can be criticised for
refusing at times to abide by the eff
forts made to pacify the country
Carranza would probably be the
best man for the presidency, but
the draw back in placing him in that
position is that he already has the
enmity of SO many Of the other fac
tons that it would simply mean a
long duration of the war
There are SO many sides to the
Mexican situation that it is not pos
sible to outline a policy that would
assure peace. The United States
might go down there and establish
a protectorate over the republic
until the trouble is ended and there
by put a stop to the spilling of
blood. but there would be a serious
danger that such an act may in
volve the United States in trouble
with some of the European powers,
which at this time would be disas-
trous.
However, there is one excuse that
the United States can aptly use for
interfering with the warning fac
tons in Mexico, and that is the
protection of foreigners. If it is
proved beyond a doubt that Ameri-
cans and Europeans are not insured
safety in Mexico, then the United
States will be enabled to send
troops there to protect them, and
not be criticised for doing so.
1t seems az present that conditions
in Mexico must soon improve, or it
will be necessary for the United
States to exercise some kind of au-
thority there. A crisis in the Mexi
can situation seems to be drawing
near
The Alaska citizen., 1915-03-15
THE DETENTION HOSPITAL.

If the proposed development board
for Alaska, which more properly
should be called a board of control,
had been in existence for the last
few years, the government either
would not have built the detention
hospital at Fairbanks. or it would
now be operated. The detention hos
ptal incident Is one which proves
as conyincingly as possible the ad-
vantages of the proposed development
board. as suggested by Secretary
Lane
The hospital was constructed at
cost of $4,000, not including the
site, which was donated by the
people of the city. A similar hospi-
al was constructed at Nome, and
since the two were completed they
have been standing as idle and use
less as dismantled locomotives.
1t was not until after the hospital
was completed that the government
suddenly discovered that it would
not be worth while to operate it.
The expense of operating such an
institution and the probable mum
Der of inmates that would be re-
tanned in it could have been deter
mined as well before the building
was constructed as afterward, and
would have saved the government
It's cost and the people of the city
its site.
Among the people Of Fairbanks
il was the general understanding
that the detention hospital would
be used for holding insane prison
ers temporarily until it could be
determined if they would necessar-
lily be compelled to go Outside
Marshal Erwin says that the rea-
son the government will not open
the hospital is because statistics
prove that there would be but an
average of one inmate in it half of
the time, and therefore it would
not be advisable to spend so much
for its maintenance. This is prob
ably correct, but just the same it is
evident that someone has bungled
or the building would not have been
constructed for the purpose of re-
naming empty.
1t is not easy for the people in
Washington, so far removed from
Alaska, to be familiar with the con-
ditions as they exist here This has
been made evident in numerous 9th.
er ways, and it was for that rea-
son that Secretary Lane suggested
the establishment of a commission,
to be composed largely of Alaskans,
which would have for its purpose
the direction of all federal routine
matters in the Territory
Probably the next congress will
pass the bill that will establish the
development board here, and bring
to Alaska a needed relief from the
red tape" which is so woven about
all our affairs as to hinder much
OF our progress.
The Alaska citizen., 1915-03-15

THE Arizona legislature has the
smallpox. That is nothing compared
to what is the matter with ours.
MEN elected to serve in a legis-
lature should first be required to
pass an examination in the elements
of political economy.
tain that the war in Europe would
ruin the San Francisco exposition
have little to say these days
II everybody would enter into this
potlach with a real holiday spirit,
not the kind that is taken into the
stomach, the success of the affair
would be assured
If this continued destruction Of
European steamers is kept up by
the warning nations, it will not be
long until the United States will
control the shipping of the world.
1T is now proposed to make two
states out of Texas. We ought to
he able to get along with one Texas
for some time yet-We have always
been able to get along with one hell,
A PART of the Columbia river
jetty having been carried away, it
would not be surprising if the bar
at the mouth of the river would
now go dry with the balance of the
state.
THEY say that every time a sug-
gestion is received by the mind. a
mental picture is formed. II that
be so, then the picture that must be
formed in the minds of Alaskans
when the proposed government rail
road is mentioned is that of a big
question mark.
1T is reported that an effort is
being made to create republic
out of the northern part Of Portu-
gal. The advantages of repub-
lican form of government was prob
ably never before impressed upon
the people Of Europe as it has been
since the big war started.
THE big celebration that is to be
held in Fairbanks this week is
called "potlach," on account Of the
many free features that will be Of
fered to visitors. Probably those
who come here to take part will go
away with the feeling that it is the
biggest potlach ever enjoyed by
white people in Alaska.
ONE of the leading men of Fair
banks said a few days ago that the
discovery Of plenty Of pay dirt in the
Tolovana country would do more
for Fairbanks this year than the
construction of the railroad this
summer This is probably true, and,
according to late reports from Tolo-
vana, the pay dirt is certainly there.
THERE seems to be danger Of
international complications concern
ing a new seamen's law that has
been passed by the recent congress.
The details OF the new law have not
been received in Fairbanks, but it
is to be presumed that the law
places some limitations upon for
eigners, which other countries do
not like.
1T is pleasing to note that there
The Alaska citizen., 1915-03-15
ARMY WANTS WOOD,

Postmaster Deal has received spe-
cifications from the United States
quartermaster's department., for bids
for wood needed in Alaska for the
army. For the post at Fort Gibbon,
$500 cords are wanted; for the Fair
banks telegraph station $50 cords
are wanted. and similar amount is
desired for each Of the following
places: Circle, Nulato. and Eagle.
All bids must be in the hands Of
the quartermaster by May 3. and
specifications and details may be
seen at the local postoffice.
The Alaska citizen., 1915-03-15

they support the newspapers Of the
city But unfortunately there are
businessmen in his city that do not
spend a cent to promote the wei
fare of the newspapers. and these
are letting their neighbors spend
TIE money that will indirectly bring
the population 10 Fairbanks
1t is time that these Indifferent
people Of Fairbanks. who have all
their financial interests here, wake
.up and size themselves up. Per.
haps they would see then how little
real benefit to the community they
are proving to be.
The Alaska citizen., 1915-03-15
COYOTES SPREAD DISEASE.

SALEM, Ore.-That death to man
and beast is following in the wake
Of attacks by mad coyotes in Cen
trad ana Eastern Oregon is the sub
stance Of many letters being receiy-
ed by Governor James Withycombe
from residents of those portions Of
the state. Rabies is so prevalent
that travel on foot and even on
horseback is declared to be peril
GUS
The Alaska citizen., 1915-03-15
Moose Elect New
Set of Officers

New officers were elected by the
local order Of Moose at the meeting
held last Wednesday night. The
new officers, who will be installed on
the evening of April IA, are as fol
lows:
Dictator, A. J. Nordale; vice die
tator, e. C. Ross; prelate D. l..
McGinnis; treasurer. e. A. Suter;
inner guard, Louis LaFountain; trus-
tee for three years, p A. Peterson
representative to supreme lodge, S.
r. Weiss, alternate, DR.. NJ. F. Hall.
G. A. Olson remains as secretary, a.
he was previously elected for a three
year term.
The Alaska citizen., 1915-03-15

is growing sentiment among the
people Of the United States against
the maintenance of a large stand
ing army and other war prepare
tons. If the United States were
surrounded by hostile nations. as the
nations of Europe are. the situation
would be quite different but we are
so isolated that before any foreign
nation could hurt us materially. il
would be possible to have in the
field plenty of soldiers to meet any
emergency
THAT there is a tendency on the
part of society to be more humane
10 prisoners, many of whom are
the victims of weak will power, is
made evident almost every day in
some way. 1t was quite well illus
trated few days ago. when the
inmates of the Oregon penitentiary
were treated to moving picture
shows. When people begin to treat
prisoners with the idea of correction
and not so much with the idea
Of punishment. more good will re-
suit.
GENERAL COCKTAILS is planning
to resign next year as governor of
the Canal zone. He has accomplish.
ed great engineering task that is
conceded to be one Of the won
ders of the world, and he is entitled
to retirement. General George
Washington Goethals was born in
Brooklyn. June 90. 1853, and gradu
ated from the United States mill.
tary academy in 1880. He has grad
ually worked himself up until he
has become the best known engin-
eering authority in the American
army.
USUALLY the headlines of the
News Miner carry so many jokes
that it is not possible to tell wheth-
er misconstructed sentence is a
joke, a mistake. or is due to the
lack of education Of the head writer.
Thus last Monday afternoon, the
sentence. They had went to far,
which appeared on the front page
Of the NewsMiner, might have been
taken for a joke. but when the
same verb was abused in the same
way the following afternoon on the
first page of that newspaper, it
ceased to look like a joke.
The Alaska citizen., 1915-03-15
DONATE BEFORE LEAVING.

Mr.. and Mrs. Al Rap started for
the Outside yesterday morning on
one of the Sheldon autos. Before
leaving they purchased two of the
Potlach badges for IS each, thereby
donating that sum to the big Pot
ZACH which is to be held here dur
ing the next three days.
The Alaska citizen., 1915-03-15

l Hat lUe w Ouldu 5 llNlC CluU
will take up the early to bed" ques
! ton, regulating the hours when the
Wee ones shall be tucked in and
| say "night-night," and that about
/ the only point yet to be decided is
| how far-reaching the movement viii
| be.
| That two hearts will go pit-a-pat
all the same as one during the
present week, the cage being al
ready provided and arrangements
properly made.
That there will not be enough
| people left on the creeks for at
| least half of this week to keep
company with a corpse. They will
| all be in town having a good time
at the expense of w. Forepaugh
| Thompson and the balance OF the
good people of Fairbanks. The
dead ones" will remain at home.
That when it comes to an EYE
opener" a couple of charming young
chickens of the town have the best
mix artists" beat city block.
That the amount of taxes collect
| ed each year for running the city
| is in the neighborhood of $65, 900,
which is practically equal to a man
wearing broadcloth when he can
only afford No. l Levi Strauss
dress suit bought at cut-rate prices.
That there is less leakage from
the present grand jury than from
any that has ever sat in the city;
and that from results they are using
their heads to think with.
That a case Of empty milk bot
| ties discovered in the grand jury
room is no sign that the members
comprising that body are weaklings;
| that it is far better to be milk bot
ties than beer bottles.
That curling prizes are so numer-
Gus since the ad in last weeks Citi-
zen that it may be necessary to
| have a special drawing to compete
for The Citizen cup. If such action
is taken, the cup will be placed on
exhibition in Halls Book store
window.
That Howard Merritt has learned
why Bob Warren had the sights
| of his guns filed off. For further
particulars see Bob Gels.
That well known federal EN-
| ployee is, in common parlance, soon
to have his official block chopped
| off
That DR.. McCallum has added
two more letters to his title. 1t now
reads: "Dr. H. J. McCallum, M. D..
B. D."
That five members of the present
city council have entered into an
agreement among themselves to try
for reelection. They are said to be
Councilmen Gordon, Myers, George
Smith. Murray Smith and Lorentzen.
The Alaska citizen., 1915-03-15
EAGLES TO ENTERTAIN.

Friday evening, March 90, has
been set for the holding of the La
dies Night entertainment by the
local aerie Of Eagles. The affal
will be for members of the order
and their lady friends only.
The Alaska citizen., 1915-03-15
lit IS RUMORED
ION the Streets

That the Womans Civic club
will take up the early to bed" que5-
ton, regulating the hours when the
Wee ones shall be tucked in and
say nightingale" and that about
the only point yet to be decided is
how far-reaching the movement viii
be
The Alaska citizen., 1915-03-15

That two hearts will go pit-a-pat
all the same as one during the
present week. the cage being al
ready provided and arrangements
properly made
The Alaska citizen., 1915-03-15

That when it comes to an EYE
opener a couple of charming young
chickens of the town have the best
mix artists" beat a city block.
The Alaska citizen., 1915-03-15

That Howard Merritt has learned
why Bob Warren had the sights
! of his guns filed off. For further
particulars see Bob Gels.
The Alaska citizen., 1915-03-15

That five members of the present
city council have entered into an
agreement among themselves to try
for reelection. They are said to be
Councilmen Gordon, Myers, George
Smith, Murray Smith and Lorentzen.
The Alaska citizen., 1915-03-15

That well known federal EN-
| ployee is, in common parlance, soon
to have his official block chopped
| off