davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Cordova daily times., 1920-09-11
ROAD APPROPRIATIONS

When the House Committee cut down the estimate of the Road Com mission from $425,OOO to $15O,OO0, MT. Grigsby induced the Adjutant General to wire for Gen. W. P. Richardson, then stationed at Atlanta, Georgia. He took Gen. Richardson to the Senate Committee on Military Affairs and after exhaustive hearings the Senate Committee raised the appropriation to the original amount of S425,000. The Conference Committee finally allowed $350,000, which was an increase of $200,000. It was this increase which prevented the Road Commissions pro- gram in the North from being failure this summer.
The Cordova daily times., 1920-09-11
PUBLIC BUILDINGS

MT. Grigsby introduced bills for additional appropriations for a pub lie building at Juneau, courthouse, jail and post office at Cordova, and also for a public building at Fair banks. The Public Buildings Con- mittee, however, reported against the construction of any new build ings anywhere in the United States, and not single appropriation of this kind was passed by Congress. MT. Grigsby then introduced a bill to make the funds heretofore ap- propriated for the Cordova court house, jail and post office available for court house and jail, dispens ing with the. post office, and secured a favorable committee report on the same. The bill is assured of pas sage next session. The Supervising Architect is now, or was recently, at work on the plans for the con- strNction of the Juneau public building so that the same may be built by units, on the expectation that the Grigsby bill for an addi- tional appropriation of $650,000 will pass the next session.
The Cordova daily times., 1920-09-11
ASSESSMENT WORK

MT. Grigsby prevented the sus- pension of annual labor on mining claims in Alaska for the year 1920, after consulting every mining com- munity in Alaska, and ascertaining that a large majority was against further suspension. He made an ex- haustive statement on this measure before the committee, taking the pos ition that instead of benefiting the Territory, development would be re- tarded by the further suspension of assessment work. MT. Grigsby con- suited all organized commercial and labor bodies before acting on this measure. Both working men and busi- ness men were opposed to further suspension.
The Cordova daily times., 1920-09-11
RIVERS AND HARBORS

Mr. Grigsby introduced a bill pro- viding $2,500,000 for the dredging of Dry Straits, and $50,O0O for a breakwater at Wrangel1 for the pro- lection of the small vessels. The Rivers and Harbors Committees, however also reported against a harbor improvement project either in Alaska or elsewhere in the United States. But when the bill appropri ating $1S,0O0,000 for the maintenance Of projects already under cOnstruc ton and for surveys for new projects came up, MT Grigsby secured two items in this bill, one for the survey of 'Wrangell Narrows, for the purpose of determining the relative advantage of widening and deepening Wrangell NarrOWs or dredging Dry Straits, which recently was surveyed, and the other for the survey of the breakwater at Wrangel. He also pro- cured from this rivers and harbOrs money enough to repair and complete the Nome Harbor improvement pro- ject. The Delegate was materially as- sisted in this work by the Nome Chamber of Commerce of Nome, which was represented by George B. Scho- field.
The Cordova daily times., 1920-09-11
ALASKA PROVISION IN BILL RETURNING RAIL
 ROADS TO OWNERS

When the bill providing for the re- turn of the railroads of the country
 to the owners was before the House an amendment was introduced at the instigation of w. l.. Clark, represent ing Alaska steamship lines at Wash ington, which would make it unlawful TOT any United States carrier to partic- ipate in the transportation of passen- gers or freight from any place in the United States, through a foreign coun- try, to another place in the United
 States, at @ less rate than might be fixed by the Interstate Commerce Com mission for an a1l-American route. MT. Grigsby made the only speech in the House of Representatives in oppo- sition to the amendment and suc- ceeded in defeating it. The amend ment would have deprived Alaskans of the benefits of Canadian water and rail competition.
The Cordova daily times., 1920-09-11
WIRELESS STATIONS

~ MT. Grigsby induced the War De- partment to purchase private wireless stations at Brooks, Iditarod and Mo- Grath, which were about to be shut down, because making no money for the private owners, although profit able to the Government as feeders to it's telegraph lines which got most of the tolls in the division of the receipts. This purchase was twice turned down by the War Department on the alleged ground of no military necessity, but after weeks of effort MT. Grigsby suc- ceeded in removing this objection, and the stations were purchased and are
 being operated.
The Cordova daily times., 1920-09-11
DEVELOPMENT BOARD

MT. Grigsby has actively support ed the Alaska Development Board bill, designed to consolidate all Fed eral activities concerning the admins tration of the natural resources of Alaska and place them in the hands of one resident board instead of having them distributed, as now, among doz- ems of bureaus, boards, commissions and other agencies. The great pur- pose is to make the administrator of Alaska's resources responsive to the needs of the Territory and to do away with the confusion and delays of red tape processes now obtaining. This bill was introduced by Chairman Curry of the House Committee on Territories at the request of MT. Grigsby, who, as in the case with the railroad appropriation bill, decided that it might facilitate it's passage to have MT. Curry be sponsor for it. The dozens of bureaus having charge or | SupIaI dCIlNlJleS Ill AldShtt lo1NS been called upon by Chairman Curry for full reports of their activities for the purpose of the hearings which will be held immediately upon the opening of the next session. MT. Grigsby has had several conferences with Mir. Curry with respect to securing the speedy passage of this bill. He se- cured a plank ill the Democratic plat form endorsing this bill, so that the Democratic party and the Republican chairman of the Territories Committee are pledged to same. It will undoubt- edly pass and will result in unlocking the resources of Alaska. MT. Grigsby is already preparing himself to lead the fight in support of this measure on the floor of the House.
The Cordova daily times., 1920-09-11
TRANSPORTATION BILL


 Mr. Grigsby introduced in the House of Representative the trans portation bill prepared by the Alaska Territorial Shipping Board which led eral Government in Alaska transpor- tation matters and resulted in the ap- pOintment of the Interdepartmental Commission, which has been investi- gating Alaskan matters, and the first visit of Secretary of the Interior John BaBrton Payne to Alaska. All the indications are that great good will come to Alaska from this con- mission and the visit of the Cabinet officer.
The Cordova daily times., 1920-09-11
SECURED PLANKS FOR ALASKA IN DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL PLATFORM

After Congress adjourned Delegate Grigsby went to the Democratic Ma t5olal Convent:2l at San Francisco, where he, at his own request, vas placed on the platform committee, in order that he might pledged the Dem- ocratic Party to further Alaskan leg islation. There he succeeded in se- curing the insertion of seven Alaskan blanks, which were adopted just as MT. Grigsby had written them. These Alaska blanks are as follows:
 We commend the Democratic Ad-
 ministration for the inauguration of new policy as to Alaska; as evil Idenced by the construction of the Alaskan railroad and opening of the coal and oil fields of Alaska.
 I've declare for modification of
 the existing coal land leasing law to promote development, without dis turbing features intended to prevent monopoly
 ''We declare for such changes in the
 policy of forestry control as will per-
 init immediate initiation of a great
 pulp paper industry.
 We declare for relieving the Ter ritOry from the evils of long distance
 government by arbitrary and inter- locking bureaucratic regulations, and to that end we urge the speedy pas sage of law, containing the essential features of the Lane-Curry bill now lpending, cor-ordinating and consoli- dating all Feeral control of natural resources under one department to be administered by a non-partisan board permanently resident in the Territory.
 we declare for the fullest meas ure of Territorial self-government with a view to ultimate statehood, with jurisdiction over all matters not of purely Federal nature, includ- ing fisheries and game preserves, and for the intelligent administration of Federal control. We believe all off, Ificials appointed should be qualified by previous bona fide residence in the Territory.
 we declare for a comprehensive |system of road construction with in- creased appropriations and full exten- |sion of the Federal Road Aid Act to Alaska.
 we declare for extension to Alas ka of the Federal Farm Loan Act
 It will be noted that these blanks commit the Democratic Party of the Nation to the Territorial control of the fisheries of Alaska, which MT. Grigs- by believes will be attained.
The Cordova daily times., 1920-09-11
CONCLUSION

MT. Grigsby has made this remark able record in congress nOtWithstand. ing that he has had a contest for his seat on hand. He was served with notice of the contest immediately after he arrived in Washington. To meet the contest he had to secure testimony covering the facts of the 1918 election, to prepare an eXhaus- tive answer to Wickersham's allega- tions, to make @ trip to Alaska and examine witnesses, to write a several hundred page brief, and prepare for an argument before the committee which continued for twelve hours on leach side That MT. Grigsby has done this work successfully is the cOnv1c-
 ton of all those who followed the ease
 The people are urgently requested to take Alaska into account when considering the question of whom they will support to represent them in congress- The welfare of the Territory and not partisan, factiona1 Tor sectional politics, should control
 the electors in making their choice. Personal friendships, likes and dis likes, grouches and animosities should all give way at this time when there
 is so much to be done for the land in which we live. It is submitted that MT. Grigsby has proved by his
 works that he is the man above all others who should represent Alaska lin Congress during the next two years. He has not only earned a re- election on his record, but he has got matters started that the good of all demand that should finish. He has the confidence of both parties in the Senate and House of Representa- tives at Washington, and he has friends among those of all parties which will enable him to accomplish
 more for Alaska than it would be pos- sible for any other aspirant for the office to secure. He has proved that it is not necessary for an honest, able, hard working, faithful and under standing Delegate in Congress to be Ia member of the majority party to get results at Washington.
 -(Advt)
The Cordova daily times., 1920-09-11
SECURES MUCH LEGISLATION

In addition to having to conduct the cdtest for his seat, MT. Grigsby, as Delegate to Congress, has been able to secure more legislation for Alaska in the single year of his incumbency than any other Alaska Delegate before him had been able to secure in whole term.
 The bills which Mr. Grigsby intro duced and which were passed by both houses of Congress and signed by the President include the following:
 CD The Wrangell Bonding Bill, pro- viding for the issuance of bonds to secure money for the construction and maintenance of schools, a water power system and city dock.
 CD The Ketchikan Bonding Bill, to provide funds for the construction of a school house.
 (3) The Petersburg Bonding Bill, to provide funds for the construction of school houses and power plant. CThis bill authorized the issuance of bonds in the amount of $75,OOO. After the bill was passed the authorities of Petersburg ascertained that the sum provided would not be sufficient to accomplish the purposes desired, so, late in the session, MT. Grigsby se- cured the passage of the second bond ing bill.)
 (4) The second Petersburg Bonding Bill, as described in the preceding paragraph.
 (5) The S0-nod- -Strip-Bill, \eliminat- ing the S0-rod strips between home steads on navigable waters, and the 160rod limitation of water frontage for single homestead. (This bill was twice previously introduced; once by Senator Key Pittman and once by Del egate Charles A. Sulzer Mr. Grigsby secured the passage of this bill through the Senate only after he had gone on the floor of the Senate and personally polled the Senators of the Committee on Territories, and secured the signatures in that way of the mem bers of the committee to report urg- ing the passage of the measure.) In addition to this concrete record of achievement, MT. Grigsby devoted great deal of time and ability to affected Alaska. Among his great ac. tivities in this line, the following are worthy of mention:
The Cordova daily times., 1920-09-11
BIOGRAPHY

George B. Grigsby IS a native of South Dakota, where he was born in 1874. He was admitted to the bar at the age of 21, and is a veteran of the 3anish American War, during which he served as a First Lieutenant in the Third United States Volunteer Caval- ry known as Grigsby's Rough Riders. After the war he worked as a hard rock miner in the mines at Joplin, Mo-, Cripple Creek, Col, and in the vicinity of Butte until 1902, when he went to Nome. He has been a resident of Alaska since that time From 1902 until 1908 he was Assistant United States District Attorney at Nome and from 1908 until 1910 he was United States District Attorney for the Second Judicial Division with headquarters at that place. He was elected City Attor- ney of Nome in 1911 and Mayor of that city in 1914. He was elected Attorney ~General of Alaska at the general elec- t1OA III 1o1O Dy cu OPSl " WuS1luIuS p1E- rality.
 At special election held June 3, 1919, he was elected Delegate to Con- gress from Alaska to fill the vacancy caused by the death of the late Del egate Charles A. Sulzer He has made an enviable record in all the official  positions held by him.
 MT. Grigsby is married and has four children Melvin, George B. Jr, Eliza beth and Jane, all born in Nome, Alaska.
 MT. Grigsby is a very able lawyer, alert and capable. He is a forceful and agreeable public speaker, is a good mixer, makes friends readily and holds them. He is a man of the high est integrity and is very hard and R quick worker. He is endowed by na- ture and training for the work that a Representative in Congress from Alaska is called upon to perform.
The Cordova daily times., 1920-09-11
RECORD AS ATTORNEY GENERAL
Won Every Suit Tried for Ter ritory in All Courts, Includ- ing United States Supreme Court, and Collected $500,00O Delinquent Taxes.

When MT. Grigsby was sworn in as Attorney General of Alaska he was \ confronted with a delinquent tax list of $500,000 which was owing to the Territory. He compelled the payment of these taxes, establishing in the Su- preme Court of the United States the right of the Territory to their collec- tion. He personally argued three test cases for the Territory in that court, in all of which he won decisions When he resigned the office of Attor- ney-General in 1919 to become Dele gate in Congress from Alaska there was less than $1O,OOO of delinquent taxes due the Territory, most of which was uncollectable or in dispute pend ing the termination of litigation.
 In the course of his two-and -a-half years of the incumbency of the office of Attorney-General, MT. Grigsby tried cases for the Territory in the District Courts and the United States Circuit Court of Appeals and won every suit so tried.
 ~ In addition to writing opinions for various Territorial officers and Boards and advising them as to legal matters in connection with their duties and preparing forms for them, including all the forms now in use in connec- tion with the Primary and General Election, he rendered valuable assist ance to the Legislature during the ses. sions of 1917 and 1919. He gave many legal opinions and drafted many bills. A very large proportion of the laws enacted by the Legislature in 1917 and 1919 were written by MT. Grigsby.
The Cordova daily times., 1920-09-11
MISCELLANEOUS

MT. Grigsby has devoted great deal of time to efforts to secure inn proved mail service for Alaska and to prevent further Rehabilitation. He has opposed the reduction of al- lowances for clerk hire in many post offices, the reduction of the Gastineau Channel mail service, secured rec ommendation for twice week ser vice to Hyder, and aided in many ways in that branch of the Govern ment service.
 He has found time to attend to
The Cordova daily times., 1920-09-11
FISHERIES

Mr.. Grigsby introduced a bill for the Territorial control of the fisheries in lieu of the Alexander bill, which had been introduced short time pre- viously. The Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee decided to hold no hearing on either bill until the next session, as hearings would involve i'm mense labor and the Committee was busy with the Merchant Marine bill.
 He also introduced @ bill for the abolition of commercial fishing on the Yukon, at the request of the population along the Yukon and Tan ana rivers, and as a result of the hear ings on that bill the Committee rec commended immediate investigation by the Bureau of Fisheries. This inves. tigation is now being conducted. The fate of the bill will depend largely upon their report.
 It might be added right here that while MT. Grigsby favors Territorial control over the fisheries and be- |lieves he will succeed in securing it, if he should fail, it will be his pur- pose to introduce and urge the pas sage of the very best fisheries bill that it will be possible to obtain, providing for closed seasons, the pre- vention of stream fishing, limiting the length of leads to traps, increasing the distance from the mouths of
The Cordova daily times., 1920-09-11
SOME REASONS WHY Hon. GEORGE B. GRIGSBY SHOULD BE REELECTED
 TO CONGRESS

Congress especially we'll qualified to perform the duties required Of him there. His experience as a pioneer, and as a long resident of Alaska, his training as Federal, Municipal and Territorial official, his ability as a lawyer, his adaptability in his relations among men, fitted him particularly to represent the people of Alaska and to cope with the situation at Washing ton.
 Upon his arrival at Washington as Alaska's Delegate to Congress, Mr. Grigsby was confronted with a contest for his seat by Judge James Wick sham, who contended that he and not MT. Sulzer had been elected in 1918 MT. Grigsby and the platform on which he ran challenged Judge Wickershaw to enter the contest at the special cleo tion and permit the people of Alaska to decide as to which of them they desired to represent them in Congress.
 Judge Wickersham, fearing the re- suit of such a contest, declined to ac- cept the challenge. Notwithstanding that MT. Grigsby is a Democrat and was elected on the Democratic ticket while the House of Representatives and the Elections Committee which heard the contest contained Repub- lican majorities, MT. Grigsby has re- tained his seat in Congress, and it is generally understood that he will serve out his term there.
The Cordova daily times., 1920-09-11
MERCHANT MARINE BILL

MT. Grigsby secured two amend ments to the Merchant Marine Bill; one continuing the. Yukon service, and one striking out the joker in the bill which limited the power of the Ship ping Board to place government boats on runs to Alaska to only such points as had adequate railroad terminals. (This was the joker inserted in the bill by w. L. Clark) Grigsby ap- peared before the Conference Commit tee and secured these two amend ments.
The Cordova daily times., 1920-09-11
RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENT

hibitive of development by reason of the large royalties charged. By bring ing influence to bear upon the Secre- tary of the Interior, MT. Grigsby twice succeeded in reducing the royalty charges, and got a final adjustment whereby no royalty whatever is charged for the first five years, and after that a very liberally graded roy alty according to production.
The Cordova daily times., 1920-09-11

ative Charles F. Curry, Chairman of the House Committee on Territories. The bill was offered to Mr. Grigsby for introduction, but he recommended that MT. Curry introduce it because of the attacks on the railroad manage ment by Judge Wickersham and John E. Ballaine. MT. Grigsby made the principal speech in support of the measure in the House, explaining the cause for the delay in construction which was largely due to the delay in appropriations. Since MT. Grigs- by's speech was made on the subject the appropriations have been made as required, and there has been no delay in construction.
The Cordova daily times., 1920-09-11

streams at which fishing may be car
 ried on by traps or otherwise, in- creasing the distance between traps and increasing penalties for illegal fishing. MT. Grigsby says he does not
 represent either the cannerymen or Independent fishermen, and will op- pose any bill that is not absolutely fair to each. He declares the interests of the Territory and the preservation of the fisheries of paramount interest.
The Cordova daily times., 1920-09-11
SOLDIERS AND SAILORS

MT. Grigsby expedited the dis charge from the service of many soldiers and sailors enlisted from Alaska and also attended to the of allottments and allow ances to wives and dependents where by reason of the congestion in the de- partments delays were frequent.
The Cordova daily times., 1920-09-11
SKAGWAY BILL

He introduced a bill appropriating $10O,000 for the purpose of construc- ting dike on the Skagway river to prevent the water of said river from overfloWing the town of SkagWay. For the reasons stated as to river and har- bor Improvements, hearings on this bill could not be had during the past session
The Cordova daily times., 1920-09-11
ALASKA RAILROAD APPROPRIATION

Shortly after MT. Grigsby took his seat in Congress bill was introduced to increase the amount of the author ization for the completion of the Alaska Railroad by an additional ST. 00O,O0O, to be available as required. The bill was introduced by Represent
The Cordova daily times., 1920-09-11
SITKA BILL

MT. Grigsby introduced a bill for vacating five acres of the naval re- serve at Sitka, for the purpose of donating the same to the town of Sitka as a site for the construction of a municipal hospital. This bill is assured of passage next session.
The Cordova daily times., 1920-09-11

every one of the innumerable calls made upon him by constituents who needed help at Washington, and has gone before practically all the De- partments, Bureaus, Commissions, and other governmental agencies at the National capital in that work.
The Cordova daily times., 1920-09-11
OIL LEASING BILL

The first regulations promulgated for Alaska under the Oil Leasing Bill passed by the last Congress, were pro-
The Cordova daily times., 1920-09-11
SURVEYOR GENERAL

Defeated the abolition of the office of Surveyor General in Alaska by vigorous speech on floor of the House.
The Cordova daily times., 1920-09-11
RECORD IN CONGRESS

With Special Qualifications to
 Represent Alaska, MT. Grigs-
 by Has Accomplished More in One Year Than Any Other Delegate in a Whole Term.
The Cordova daily times., 1920-09-11

MT. Grigsby went to the National capital as Alaska's Representative in