davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The weekly Alaska citizen., 1919-03-10

The banks are bulging with money. The people of this country are rich. Their govern ment borrowed billions, but it borrowed from the people who have recovered most of the money in business and at the same time holds the bonds, which are drawing interest. The bankers of the country are cautious-a good trait in bankers, if it does not degenerate into mere \sheepish tirnidity. Would 1t not be well for the bankers to examine themselves and the country and ask whether they are not a bit too cautions for the best interest of all concerned? Does the United States depend upon the peace conference after all? Is it not rather fact that the United States has been held back too long in its normal domestic de- veopment until it is too cramped? The 1OO,- 100000 individuals of this country want more railroads, more buildings, more homes, more schools, more churches, more suburbs, more farms, more gardens more of everything that brings comfort Why shouldn't the people have what they want when they have the money to buy it?
 With all due respect to the strength of the late German empire, it seems to us that many Americans Are conceding too much to the prowess of the enemy when they are afraid to go forward in business because of Unsettled conditions" Are they afraid that Germany will come back and start another war? Not chance! Nor will anybody else start war that need bother the United States This mighty, eager nation is suffer- ing now from nothing more than a false state of mind on the part of its own people. They have been shaken and are uneasy. Let them think twice and they will perceive that the old United States is intact, bigger and richer than ever, with greater prestige abroad and greater markets both at home and abroad than ever before. The victory of liberty did not hurt the United States. however terribly it wounded Germany. The free nations will give us better market than Germany ever dreamed of giving. All that Americans need to do now, if they wish prosperity, is to cut out foreign notions of government throw away their worry over the peace conference and the settlement of foreign questions, roll up their sleeves and get busy
The weekly Alaska citizen., 1919-03-10
THE UNFORGIVABLE CRIME

Now that the war is over the attention of federal agents charged with that work is being turned toward the prosecution of those who evaded the draft In the coast states, Washington and California, there are thou. sands who evaded the draft men of military age who failed to register for service under the selective service regulations.
 When the country needed the efforts of the best that her citizens could give, when every thot was bent toward the winning of the war in the quickest time, these men failed to share the responsibility; they did not take their places on the roll of the nations man power. They were slackers, letting someone else shoulder their load, and carry on for them. They could not measure up to the standard of democracy set by the selective service regulations, and were unwilling to sign up with Uncle Sam, to be used in what ever way he deemed best This is the un- forgivable crime, next to actual treason, the worst that real American citizen could com init.
 There were millions of boys who did sign up with Uncle Sam, signifying their willing
The weekly Alaska citizen., 1919-03-10

ness to do whatever they could to help in the time of need. They answered the call to arms; they answered the call to make ships: they measured up to the test of their democ- racy and patriotism, every inch the man and American. And while they did this, these others, these slackers, stayed at home, lived their comfortable lives, safe from harm, the surface of their existence unruffled except for the food regulations. They were not will ing to risk even as much as their peace of mind, by registering as one of the millions of Americans ready to serve the country in this crisis.
 The State of Washington reports that there are as many as twenty-nine thousand men of military age who failed to register for the draft. California reports over thousand already classified in this list, with records |of many more alleged to be draft evaders. All cases are investigated by federal officials, and every deliberate evasion will be punished It is thot that some of the delinquents were not deliberately trying to evade the draft but, because of the remoteness of their homes, failed to register at the proper time. Where it can be proved that the evasion was uninten- tional it is probable that there will be no severe punishment, but those who did not register, with all intent and purpose of evad- ing the seective service law, will be punished as they deserve They should be shown no clemency, for they demonstrated the un- worthiness of their claims to red-blooded Americanism, the heritage of every real American. Their conduct shows up so poorly in contrast with the millions of real Ameri- cans, the boys who, on the day appointed, reg istered themselves as ready to serve Uncle Sam in any way that would do the most good toward winning the war.
 l The slackers should be rounded up that they may not go on reaping the spells of their unpatriotic act, taking the work that should go to the returned soldier, benefitting because they did not offer their services to the gov ernment, at the expense of those who did. They should not be allowed to have this ad- vantage over those who did act like the Amer jeans their actions proved them to be. De- liberate evasion of the draft should be punish ed, just as failure to answer the summons of the draft was punished, for of all the crimes to be committed in connection with the war, this is as unforgivable as any, as contemptible an act as any man could commit
The weekly Alaska citizen., 1919-03-10

 AT KENNECOTT

A letter was recently received in Fairbanks from Martin Faustahagan, who was formerly employed in one of the hostelries of this city. Martin left a few months ago for the Out side and finally wound up at the Kennecott mines. at which place he is employed on the Jumbo claim.
 The letter states that number of men were laid off at all of the mines in that vicinity after the arm. istice was signed. many of whom were from Fairbanks There he met quite number of the interiorites among who were Al McDaniels, Her. man Fawcett and B. B. Brevig. Sev- eral of the former Fairbanksans ex. pressed it as their intention to re. turn to the interior when travelling became good in the spring.
The weekly Alaska citizen., 1919-03-10

In Fridays issue there is an account from Anchorage telling about the visit ot W. A. Ryan to that town on his way to the states. It relates how MT. Ryan visited the interior in the middle of the winter, the quiet season of the year, when everything is at stand still and little is doing. He came in with the viewpoint of the Outsider, and goes out en- t,lusiastic over the possibilities of Alaska tor tne future.
 It is this very fact that makes hls re- marks as to tl. interior more worth while and !, cestilo He came III here with the idea ot seeing the country at its worst, to gain an iA... of what it could do, and how best the government could aid i'll the development oi 1ne country. He goes out fired with optimism as to the future of the country, full of plans for l., development, and boosting for all he IS worth for Alaska.
 We who live in here for very long get to taking the wealth of promise that Alaska holds cut as matter of course. We know wI:.t it can do, and become so accustomed to it that familiarity minimizes it until it grows less and less in our eyes If it were possible to get C different perspective for time, ii we could look at our country thru the eyes of all Outsider for while we would regain our
 
 ,1e country Like Mr. Ryan we would become enthusiastic over the possibilities. We would seo how this country is going to pay the Ma tol war debt; how much more able it is to .io so than was the great West after the Civil War. We would see the rich mineral deposits il. the light of their true worth to the coun- try. ". would see the wonderful future lock- eu up in the great coal fields. We would see what could be done with minimum of gov erilnent aid-the power plant, good roads, the railroad farm loans, and other help, no more than is expected of the government in all new country.
 It is not right that it should take an Outsider to point out the good points of the country to the people who are living here. Alaska can pay the Nations war debt. We know it, better that does Mr. Ryan, and it is up 10 us to act accordingly. Boost for Alaska, first last and all the time
The weekly Alaska citizen., 1919-03-10
WILL FOLLOW
 THE BUILDERS

Fairbanks is to have one of its old landmarks back again-Billy Gilcher will probably return to his old home town and engage in business. This much was ascertained before his de. parture for the railroad town.
 For long time Billy was engaged In business in Fairbanks and when Nenana was placed on the map he followed the crowd and located there. For some time after his arrival he did real well, then things began to slow up. Every house and bathroom In the town that required his ser. vices were fixed up and they stayed fixed so long that Billy worked him. self out of job. He now sees a possible renewal of building activi. ties in Fairbanks and will move up some time before the building com. mences so as to be in at the begin. ming. Leave 1t to Billy.
The weekly Alaska citizen., 1919-03-10
ARE DRILLING
 ON STEEL CK.

According to late arrival from Steel creek. at which place the Ho, we'll drill is working, the indications of discovering a pay streak are favor. able. Yesterday hole was put to bedrock, a distance of 162 feet, and three colors were taken from the dirt that was visible to the naked eye. Just how much fine gold was in the dirt was not determined. Contrary to expectations the ground was frozen for the entire depth. It has been understood that the ground in this section was wet and that mining would be a diff. cult problem. The finding of frozen ground Is encouraging as it means the lessing of labor should a pay streak be found.
The weekly Alaska citizen., 1919-03-10

 ENJOYING LIFE

After living in the north for a number of years with indifferent sue cess one former Alaskan is enjoying himself in little old New York Gus Grahn, whom many will remember during the old California days, is now riding on the velvet in that city having fallen heir to a comfortable fortune thru the demise of a rela. tive.
 Gus, during his residence in Fair banks, was quiet hammered little fellow and had many friends who hope that the Great White Way will not prove too attractive. He left for the outside last summer immediately on hearing of his good fortune
The weekly Alaska citizen., 1919-03-10
THE UNITED STATES-A GOING
 CONCERN

There is passing uneasiness in the pub lie mind ii the United States which is mani festing itself in various ways. The war has c',aken irdiv .duals out of their former easy habits of thinking-or not thinking and the acquisition of knowledge is proving acutely pa;nful to many kinds of brains. ,5one of thc'l are unequal to the strain of absorbing ,i,,th. They are turning sour, pesslnistic or ,;"'Shvvist, according to the temperament of the individual. One type of mind that seems tf bt increasing in numbers is that which would throw away all the good that las been .,-Gu-red thru a century of effort, to em- brace notions that cannot stand ten minutes of Gr'et analysis This kind of hair-trigger -N'lerlcan IS reveling now in the chaotic state of affairs, hoping to see complete overturn ,n which he will stand chance of grabbing some advantage which he cannot hope to ac- 4uire i'll honest competition with his fellows.
 The fault, however, does not lie with the shallow-pated or the merely unripe intellects Some of the strongest business men in the country are behaving as tho their brains had deserted them. Instead of concentrating upon the new problems that are presented and quietly conferring upon ways and means to cooperate on sensible course of action, they a.e throwing fuel upon the Bolshevik bonfires by '!l-considered speech and unwise acts Oth- CTS have drawn into their shells, refusing to loosen their minds or their pocketbookS for il'c sake of keeping the wheels turning They excuse this turtle-like maneuver by asserting that mo one knows what is coming" and Eve must wait to see what the peace conference will do," or similar nonsense
 Of course, no one knows what is coming. But is it not presumable that the richest, strongest, most solvent, most active and most independently placed nation in the world will continue on the map? Surely that is not a violent assumption, altho, strictly speaking, it is no more capable of demonstration tli;in any other future proposition. It is sufficient, however, for the ordinary American if he will but stop to think that he and his fate are bound up in the fate of the country. the United States is to go down, the average American would just as soon go down with it; and if the United States is to go forward, the average citizen is satisfied to 20 along, rather than seek his fortune in other conn- tries.
The weekly Alaska citizen., 1919-03-10
MANY AMERICANS MARRIED
 WOMEN. OF FRENCH NATION

PARIS. March S.-ReThe 8. Paris Journal in a recent issue makes the statement that within the past year over six thousand Americans in France have married French women. The Americans will remain in the country and engage in the new enter. prises that will spring up during the period of recoustruction. f,
The weekly Alaska citizen., 1919-03-10
SHOWS WHERE THEY STAND

The recent election in Seattle reveals the fact that the laboring element has lost popu- larity with the voters of the city. There were three candidates, representing the laborites, up for office, yet the candidates opposing them won by substantial majorities.
 This goes to show the effect of the re- cent labor demonstrations in Seattle It is one of the results of the recent strike, which failed so utterly to accomplish anything for the workers. It shows that the ma ajority of the people have no confidence in representa- tives of portion of the people which handles its own affairs so badly. The strike of Seat tie harmed the people of the city, but this might have been forgiven if it had accom- |plished anything toward bettering working conditions. There was not a good and suf- ficient reason behind the strike, SO it col lapsed thru lack of substantial foundation on right.
 Later it was shown pretty concusively that the general strike was the result of I. w. w. agitators who thot they could stir Up revolution among the workers. The peo- lple know this and refuse to elect any of this element to responsible positions in the affairs of the city.
 Labor has lost some of its prestige and |pOWcI tIlIu tHe uTSuCCeSSIul SCT1ke. nat was to be expected. A strike at best should only be last resort, and should be spontaneous revolt of the mass of workers against condi- tions that seem intolerable to them When it is not founded upon such foundation it is apt to bring nothing in its wake except loss, both to the striking workmen and to the em- lployers. The strike as weapon of organized labor has been misused and misappropriated to considerable extent of late Strikes have been called on almost any excuse offered, often because of imagined wrongs done to the workers by the employer. These have harmed the labor organizations more than they have benefited them for they have de- stroyed the confidence of the people in their sincerity in calling strikes The losses entail ed by even a moderate strike are too great to be passed up lightly, and when strikes are called without real cause the public resent it.
 The labor organizations of Seattle can see where they stand with the public of that city and it is a good indication of the harm | they did to themselves by the general strike. The people turned down their candidates in the city election, showing their disapproval of the way in which the labor organizations had handled their own affairs. It was bad busi- ness for the workmen, and they know it now, much to their regret. They were led astray by agitators trying to stir up trouble, and they have suffered for it thru loss of power and prestige.
The weekly Alaska citizen., 1919-03-10
S0URDoUGHS RECUPERATiNG
 AT BIG cHENA SPRINGS

Among those to leave recently for the Big Cinema Hot Springs were Chas. Hardin and Al Sutton, the trip up being made with the Sutton dog team. They went prepared to enjoy themselves and will remain as long as the grub holds out.
The weekly Alaska citizen., 1919-03-10
TEXAS PAPERS BaAR OIL ADS.

Texas newspapers have started cam 'paign against oil gambling and oil promotion. The Houston Post has closed its columns to advertisements of oil stock, as also have the Galveston News and the Dallas News. The Dallas News recently published the following attack on oil gambling:
 "'The oil game is the worst gambling game ever played in Texas, and yet of all games (of chance) it is the only one which may be played lawfully.
 Just what the odds are against one who plays the oil game have not been calculated. Perhaps, when the excitement is over, some statistician having the idleness to indulge his curiosity will figure it out Until then one can only guess. And our guess is that odds against the player are at least 1000 to l.. For the one chance of winning he incurs at least 999 of losing; for every winner there will be 9o9 losers. And the pity of it is that, more surely than in the case of the outlawed gambling game, the winners will be those who could afford to lose, and the losers those who could not. Some fortunes have been and will be made in oil. But much larger number will be made by gathering into few hands the small savings of the multitude.
 Ut is probably impossible to contrive any highly effective method to prevent the cupid ity of the ignorant from being exploited, altho more can be done than has been done If the craze which is impoverishng so many thou sands is to be arrested, it perhaps must be chiefly by counsel and warning, and these it must be admitted, are but poor weapons with which to combat the seductions of the stock seller.
 And yet, it seems to the News, it rests as a duty on everyone who understands the dangers and iniquities of the oil game to exert whatever influence he can by way of counsel and warming Among the thousands who are tempted there are some who would heed word of reason spoken by friends. At least, any of them could be dissuaded from opening their purses to those who do not offer them even gamblers chance, and that is true of good many of the Opportunities that are be- ing Capitalized.
 Much of the stock that is being offered for sale does not represent even prospect. It lacks even the value of counterfeit bank note, because the counterfeit may be so clever as to remain in currency long time without detection, whereas only the man who is prac- ticed in swindling can pass certificates SO palpably worthless as is great deal of the stock which is being sold. At best the oil game is a gamble, with immense odds against those who put their money into it; at worst, it is swindle"
 Y V
The weekly Alaska citizen., 1919-03-10
FAlReURNS ENJOY LIFE
 IN CALIFORNIA TOWN

In the last mail a card was re. ceived from MT. and Mrs. D. J. Fairburn. formerly of this city. who state that they are located at Los Angeles and are enjoying life. Their kindest regards are extended to all friends.
The weekly Alaska citizen., 1919-03-10
LUCKY TO BE. HERE

Recent reports show that there are liter ally hundreds of thousands of men unennploy- ed at present in the Eastern states. Three states, New York, New Jersey and Pennsyl- vania have idle men up to the number of three hundred sixty-five thousand, while Ohio has as many as one hundred and ten thou sand men out of work. This condition is growing worse, rather than better, for there are returning soldiers being discharged daily as they come home from abroad.
 This condition is serious, and is what has been expected since the armistice was signed. It is caused, more than anything else, by the returning soldiers and by the release of thouk sands of munition workers and others employ ed at wartime work There has been much talk about this condition, for clear-sighted men have foreseen it and have feared for the results that it might bring. It is they who have urged that some constructive program be put into operation by the government that would give these men employment for the trying period of readjustment to times of peace. The industrial world of the United States was upset to no small degree by the war, and the necessity of putting forth every effort to win it came before everything else. If the industries had not responded as they did it is extremely doubtful if the war would have been won as quickly and as easily as it was, for they were the men and women, be- hind the men with the guns, and without their splendid effort the men fighting in the trenches would have been helpless.
 Now the intuition workers, the other special war workers, who perhaps left home or other employment to enter this particular field, are out of work because of the stop ping of the war. The return to the pre-war industrial status has not come as yet, and those who left other work for the munition works are left in the lurch until the industries that were allowed to slump that the effort put into them might go toward winning the war, are again started up on pre-war basis.
 The discharged soldier offers a com plicated problem at the same time. Many of these men left their jobs to fight for Uncle Sam, and there,are precious few who found their old positions waiting for them upon their return and discharge from the service Con- they also are left out, all the more so because of the natural slump that has fol- lowed the feverish activity of winning the war;
 The government has established employ ment bureaus that are making every effort to get these men at work as soon as possible Local councils of defense have been asked to cooperate in the work of finding employment for the returning soldiers, and altogether much is being done to alleviate the seriousness of the situation. The war department has is- sued orders that all men who were formerly employed at the navy yards should be given their old jobs again, and there has been some talk of government programs of construction that would gi i've employment to many of the men in question.
 Of course, these figures are not as bad as they seem, for there is always normal
The weekly Alaska citizen., 1919-03-10

A LEAvENwoRTH clothier says badness is the result of wearing derby hats but a writer in the Leavenworth Post gives the opinion that badness is what causes men to wear derby hats-away down.-Ex.