Iditarod pioneer., 1915-01-16
MANY IMPORTANT SUBJECTS
 DEBATED 'I'IIIIESE L)NG IIIGGHa1L'SS $

Tl7 shcrt days eMd long nights of an AlasAu winter are somewhat trying to the nerl es of the man who is mer,ly marking time until the spring rams and thaW5 snail loose the streams and make possible tic mining operations on which the country depends for its sustenance. There are many such men in Iditarcd and time hangs heaT- fly on their hands Much reading is dona, and as q rule they gre d well-informed body of men who congregate in the various r@- sorts where men seek human CompaniOn- ship and while away the long evenings But reading, like all other occupations too sedu- tously adhered to, pals cn the mind, and anything in the nature of diversion IS wei cCmed to relieve the m0notCny of exist ence. The great war in EGrOpa has proven a godsend in this respect, and forms a never ending topic of conversation. Even this, however, has it's limitations, and so q new topic is ever welcomed and bounced upon with aviGity These discussions naturally develop into arguments, and while ss rule they are the means of bringing out much useful and diversified information, some times they degenerate into mere battles oL words in which asseveration is wont to take the place of argument, and in which an idea seems to prevail that the man who makes his assertions in the loudest and mos. savage tone of voice has the better of the .ntroversy to that extent, and thus scores over his opponent. l. is noticeable, how ever. that these arguments while some tines quite heated, never develop into Cuarrels
 Diverse Subjects Discussed
 Some rather amusing incidents have @ken place in Idltarod tEis winter in con nection with discussions of the war sjtua- tion, and likewise of subjects far remove from that subject, bat which have been eagerly taken up to interrupt the mcnotony.
 l. may be stated in passing that the mar Who ruahes bliajly into one of thee &rgg- alents and makes statements of fact not borne out by good authority, or who at temptS to pose as an authority upon 9 sub ect upon which he is not thoroughly in formed, will soon find himself at disad- vantage. Attempting to display an int riate knowledge Of a subject by sweeping general statements is another form of arou- ment which will be found to be impotent. Upon almost any subject that may be un der discussion religion, politics, war, pcJ- ties, both domestic and International phys ics, science, philosophy and current events the men who cOngregate ln ldltarod's Varl ous resorts to while away an occasional evening will be found to be exceptionally well informed And woe betide the man who thinks he knows all there is to Ja known of subject when he has the temer ,,,- oraclas. He will be surprised to realize how infnitesimal is his sum total of know}- edge. The embryo statesmen and military tacticians who form Iditarods public forum will attack him horse, foot and dragoons and literally tear him to pieces.
 An Extended Se5sioa
 As time IS not very valuable commodity in Alaska in winter time, these discussions frequently extend into the small hours of the morning, and enc of these a short time ago was the cause of much annoyance tD the occupants of certain rooming house who were kept awake and compelled tO listen to an argument on the relative posi- tons of the various belligerents in the war as viewed from four or five different angles As most of the contende95 in the converse ton sweepstakes were the p0ssessCrs of res onant voices, which were in fine working order, sleep was out of the question until nearly breakfast time And one of the un-, willing auditors was unkind enough to in innate that the argument was frivolous But no resentment Is felt by the ones who are inconvenenced by these discussions and they are taken as something to be expect ed like mosquitos in summer.
 A discussion of war topics develops the fact that sentiment is fairly vel divided between the Germans and the British and their allies. Many there are who heatedly advocate the cause of their choice and en. deavor earnestly to influence their asso- clates. Some few manage to maintain ar absolutely neutral position, and still others are able to sympathize with both sides and are kept busy avoiding the enmity of both.
 By Way cf Diversion
 Sometimes the war Is relegated to the rear while new subject occupies attention This occurred short time ago, when The Pioneer published a story about a will in which the testator left to his sons some mules, to be divided between them in given proportions. The puzzle was the subject of intense interest, and for several days the atmosphere was pervaded with it. Bets were made, arguments ensued, and various solutions were offered, each one having its adherents Even after the solution was demonstrated there were a few who still stuck to their own original ideas, and as a result one can still get various answers to the problem. The story had served its purpose however-it had provided little diversion.
 "Shep" Springs One
 In other Alaska communities the same tedum exists at this time of year. In the summer no one has time to devote to con- troversy, and what would start a dozen ar guments now would pass unnoticed when