PROPERTY Or
Ihe Alaska Agricultural college
and Sclj^jj^5
VOL. 1
NO. 7
McGrath, alaska, February 9. 1921.
PRICE 25 CENTS
MAJOR GOTWALS
ARRIVES HER
. Head of Road Commission Tells of
Work Planned—Says the Future
Looks Bright for the Interior.
Y ^ -■
Major J. C. Gotwals, president of the Alaska
Road Commission, arrived in McGrath on Mon
day, headed by Leonard Seppala and his string
of fifteen Siberian dogs. Major Gotwals, who
came direct from the Outside to Anchorage,
which latter place he left on January 8 to make
the present trip, has been in such close touch
with Outside affairs and conditions, that the fol
lowing interview, in which is detailed the work
planned by the Road Csmmission affecting this
section, will be read with most pleasurable in
terest.
“Prices have taken a tumble on the Outside to
such an extent that relief may be expected in the
interior of Alaska during the coming summer,’'
said Maj. Gotwals. “Taken at random, the fol
lowing prioes,,current in Seattle during my visit
there in December, illustrate this downward
trend: Potatoes* $P>0 per ton; Douglas fir, $20 a
thousand; wheat, S-1.50 per bushel. Other com
modities are at low prices corresponding to these
staples.
“With the completion of the Government rail
road this next summer and the delivery of freight
through this new artery, a drop in prices in much
of the interior is to be looked for, for the reason,
first, prices have dropped outside; second, the
more rapid deliveries cut down the charges for
warehousing and interest on capital while goods
are in transit. This twofold effect will be most
f welcome to the interior operator who has borne
such a heavy load of risen prices.
‘•The full advantage possible from freight de
liveries on the railroad will not be received with
out the careful maintenance of river traffic on the
Yukon river and its tributaries and the construc
tion of feeder wagon roads and trails.
The road system planned by the Alaska Road
Sommission is especially planned to carry the ad
vantage of the railroad to the interior. With a
large quantity of equipment received from War
Department surplus stocks, and with a strength
ened organization, the speedy carrying-out of
this program only awaits liberal Congressional
appropriation.. It Ts hoped that the reports of
cuts to appropriation do not affect the amount
requested for Alaska roads.
Plans for the Kuskokwim.
“The construction planned for the Kuskokwim
' call first for the completion of the Ophir-Tacotna
road. Excellent progress was made on this road
in spite of a considerable shortage of labor this
last season. With tnis must be maintained the
existing winter trails, and particularly the Mc
Grath-Rainy Pass-Railroad route. This route is
the shortest out to the Government Rvilroad, and
(Continued on Page 2.)
Los Angeles.—Mrs. Gladys Witherell, wife of
the president of a prominent investment company
here, who has been missing for some days, and
who has been held for .a large ransom, according
to a communication to relatives, which intimated
that her life would be endangered if the demands
were made public- was found today on a ranch
seventy five miles east of here, a prisoner, but
unharmed. Floyd and S. J Carr, who admitted
that they held a grudge against a member of the
family, and who were arrested by the police, it is
claimed, have confessed to holding her for the
purpose not only of satisfying the grudge, but
also to obtain the sum of twenty thousand dol
lars.
Would Sterilize Unfortunates.
Helena.—A bill providing for the sterilization
: of imbeciles, idiots and other insane, had its first
reading in the Montana Legislature today.
Shot Down With Machine Guns.
London.—Father Dominic, spiritual adviser of
MacSvveeny, who was sentenced to a term of five
years, has had two years of his sentence remitted
by the court martial held in Dublin early in
January.
Dublin.—One constable was killed and five
wounded in ambush in County Curry. The at
tackers used machine guns.
V _ _
“Shadow” Suspect.
Portland.—George Billings, who is being held
here under suspicion of being Shadow, the notoi
ious blackmailer, was today picked up from a
line of prisoners as the “talkative prisoner” who
robbed two homes in this city. Billings denies
connection with any of the offenses.
Seattle Police Grab a Bandit.
Seattle.—In a battle with bandits here today,
jn which several shots were exchanged, the police
came out victorious, capturing one of the four
who were holding up a store. Three of the ban
dits made their get-away in a waiting automobile.
Fourteen Cases of Whiskey.
Nanaimo, B. C.—The steamer Latouche is held
here by customs officers, charged with having
fourteen cases of whiskey aboard.
President Wilson Attends Theater.
Washington.—President Wilson attended the
theater here tonight, for the first time since his
illness. His appearance was the occasion for
rounds of cheering on the part of the audience,
the president acknowledging the same with
many bows.
Washington.—Democratic Chairman White has
appointed a new executive committee, called to
meet February 17, to consider organization.
iN FAVOR
OF BERGER
Judge Landis Reversed
on Grounds of Bias
and Prejudice.
- 1
Washington.—The supreme court to
day handed down a decision reversing
the conviction of Berger and other so
cialists convicted undor the espionaga
act. .
Reversal is given on the ground
that Judge Landis, before whom the
case was tried, should not have heard
same after his eligibility had been at
tacked.
Appeal was made upon the ground
that Judge Landes had shown personal
bias and prejudice against the defend
ants.
GOT AWAY WITH
810,000
Bank Holdup in De
troit--3 Detectives
Wounded.
Detroit.—In a fierce battle between
members of the police force and a
number of bandits who were engaged
in holding up a down-town bank three
detectives were seriously wounded.
One robber was shot and will die Two
of the bandits made good their escape,
taking with them $10,000 worth of
Liberty bonds.
CANADIAN
SYNDICATE
Wants to Get In On the
Dempsey-Carpen
tier Match.
New York.-*-A# Canadian syndicate
has offered to buy from Tex Rickard
all his right, title and interest in the
Dempsey-Carpentier fight or go part
ners in the same. Failing in this the
Canadians offer to stage the fight in
Canada, guaranteeing Rickert against
loss.
Major Gotwals at Nixon.
Major Gotwals left Tuesday morning
on a visit to the Nixon quartz mines.
He fe scheduled to return to McGrath
tomorrow evening.