The Daily Alaska empire Newspaper, June 15, 1931, Page 1

THE DAILY ALASKA EMPIRE “ALL THE NEWS ALL THE TIME” VOL. XXXVIIL, No. 5746. JUNEAU, ALASKA, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 1931. MEMBER OF ASSOCIATED PRESS * PRICE TEN CENTY MOUNT FAIRWEATHER IS SCALED FOR FIRST TIME HURRICANE OVER FOUR HUNDRED WOMEN, MEN AND CHILDREN ARE LOST: DISASTER OFF FRENGH COAST Storm Breaks in Sudden Fu man Car ry; Turns Craft Over; Hu- %o Spilled into Water; Bay Becomes Reg- ular Maelstrom of Struggling Persons; Dozens of Boats Rush to Scene but Few Survivors Found. ST. NAZAIRE, France, June 15.—More than 400 men, women and children were drowned Sunday when a hurricane capsized the excursion steamer St. Philibert. harbor craft picked their way across the Bay of Biscay|days ago and all are awaiting hear- with outlooks samn!ng the v.vnter for bodies. Eight persnns; ngémcrmgs L P T R were rescued and eight bodies have been recovered so far. marked by much violence. Dozens of It is believed that 460 were aboard the vessel when it left | on the excursion. It is possible that others escaped death and they have not yet been re- ported. The toll of the disaster is esti- mated with as much accuracy as possible and placed at 422 dead. The excursion steamer St. Phili- bert, a flimsy 100-foot river steam- er, put out from Nantes witl crowd of picknickers on an outing | run by a labor organization. | Storm Arises Steaming down the river to St. Nazaire, then across the bay to the island of Noir Moutier to the| south, most of the passengers went ashore. The weatner was throatening | when the steamer started cn the return trip. Off Point De St. Gildas, a storm broke with sudden fury. The passengers stampeded to the leeward side, threw the boat off an even keel, the steamer turned over and the human cargo was spilled into the water. | { i | FRENCH LINER ITALIAN SHP CRASH IN FOG One Craft Goes to Bottom; All Members of Crew Are Saved HAVRE, June 15—The Italian freighter Ungheria sank off Ushant, near the entrance of the English Channcl, after collision with the French liner Rocham- beau, aboard which were 24 Amer- icans returning to New York. The entire crew of 20 men took Unemployed ' Under Arrest in Vancouver Palice: Agt. . Disiegnatra: tion ;Traffic Blocked at City Hall VANCOUVER, B. C, June 15— Five men were arrested last Sat- urday in course of a gathering of ‘unemployed in the vicinity of the City Hall. Vehicular traffic was blocked for a time in front of the Hall. Twenty-four men were arrested for similar demonstrations a few VISITORS FROM LOS ANGELES . GREETED HERE Eighty-five L xc ursionists Are Delighted With Voyage to Alaska “Delightful! Glorious weather and a wonderfully beautiful country! A people, charming and hospitable! | ,'mu visit surpasses our fondest ex- | pectations. It leaves nothing to be | desired.” ‘Such were the expressions of J. A Kerr, vice president of the Se- curity-First National Bank of Los Angeles and president of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, who heads the excursion to Southeast Harding’s APSIZES EXCURSION BOAT Last Days By SCOTT C. BONE LW.W.Asks Clemency in Wash. Case/ (NOTE—This article was writ- jon one of his constitutionals on Telegram Sent from New tcn by Gov. Bone for publica- tion in the East in connection with the dedication of the Pres- ident Harding Memorial at Ma- rion, Ohio. Gov. Bone permit- ted The Empire to use it in ad- vance of Eastern because of the local color, the subject being President Hard- ing’s visit to Alaska imme- diately preceding his death at San Francisco, August 2.—EDI- TOR.) Standing on the super-deck of the transport Henderson, anchored in the picturesque harbor at Sitka, the old Russian Capital, Warren G. Harding, as the morning of his next to last Sunday on earth dawn- ed, July 22, 1923, was in sober, rem- iniscent mood. His jouraey w Alaska was end- ing. The beauty of the environfment absorbed him. Mt, Edgecomb, bathed in sunlight, shone lustrously, and commanded the scene. Ashore, the once gay Capital, now a mere village, was proudly expec- tant of his coming. Never before had a President of the United States set foot on Alaskan sofl. The bells of the quaint Greek church, relic of the past, its an- tique tower rising from a point of. vantage facing the water front, rang out a glad welcome. Here, a century ago, princes and potentates, and ladles-in-waiting, held lordly sway, ang fur baroms flared. forth thelr wealth ‘gitdlly and regally. Here, then, a manu- facturing center in embryo fash- | joned church bells to meet the needs of padre missions lining the deck, emerging from two hours con- centration in his stateroom and the dictating of a speech, he had re- marked, wearily: “I am tired, I'm VERY TIRED.” But he hastened the reassurance that this wonderful trip had not wearled him. ‘No,” he insisted, “I have enjoyed every moment of it. But I came tired.” And again he said he was sorry the trip would “So soon be over.” He was aging. Those journeying with him, did !not, at the time, detect his fa- tigue. He concealed it. Often, however, it was remarked that Mrs. Harding, ever at his side, was much more animated than he, although only recently recovered from a seri- ous illness. He was worn out. Pic- tures taken on the journey, show- ing him leaning heavily on his cane and in a drooping attitude, later revealed the fact unmistaka- bly. Possibly he sensed administra- tion troubles impending—a storm about to break. No doubt he did. Trustful—over trustful—the very thought of recreancy in his official household wounded his sensitive soul. He could not believe ill of a friend, high or low of station. Once only on the fortnight's jount was he heard to speak disparagingly of a fellow-statesman. Then, mild- ly, he ‘told how, on the Ohautua- qua circuit, one summer his ad- miration of a colleague had under- gone a change, when, because his fee was not immediately forthcom- ing, - this colleague had refused to lecture. ‘As for himself, he remark- ed, he would forget the money rather than disappoint a crowd eager to hear him. York City to Gov. R. H. Hartley NEW YORK, June 15—Several hundred persons attended a mass meetine of the Industrial Workers of the World in Union Square Sat- urday to formulate an appeal to Gov. R. H. Hartley of Washington for clemency for six I. W. W. mem- bers serving prison terms of 25 to 40 years for killing Lieut. Warren Grimm, American Legionnaire dur- ing an Armistice Day* celebration in Centralia, Washington, in 1919. Lieut. Grimm was shot during a raid on the I. W. W. hall follow- ing a parade. One of the six men convicted Eugene Barnett, was recently pa- roled by the Governor so he could care for his wife who is ill. A telegram asking clemency was approved by acclamation and sen! to Gov. Hartley. DELEGATION OF OFFICIAL PARTY | | i 'Sawyer Here Enroute to Anchorage;: Tells of “+ Forthcoming “Visit visit Alaska next month will in- 5 S SREREOEET IR R PARKA FLYING FROM POLE SET IN SNOW ON TOP OF PEAK SIGNALIZES CLIMBERS' VICTORY Steep, Rocky, Ice-Covered Sides of Lofty Pinnacle Are Conquered Only After Long, Desperate Battle Against Unfriendly Elements by Two Enthusiasts from States, Guided by Alaskan. By W. S. LADD President of American Alpine Club The first ascent of Mount Fairweather was accoms plished early on the morning of June 8. A tent pole with a parka tied to it was left standing in the summit snow and was seen from the coast two or three days later. The party attempting the ascent consisted of Allen Carpe of New York, Terris Moore of Haddenfield, New Jersey, Andrew M. Taylor iof McCarthy, Alaska, and me. I live in New York. We - WILL NUMBER 22 The Congressional deiegation to| made three different attem 'RAGGED ALPINE PARTY GUESTS OF BARRYMORE 'Mount Fairweather Climb- ers Entertained on Palatial Yacht Lifted all of a sudden from the depths of need and discomfort to the heights of plenty annd luxury was the Aladdin<ltke experi¢nce in (full degree of Terris Moore, recent student at Harvard University, and |to a lesser extent of W. 8. Ladd, ysiclan, and Allen Carpe, civil pts to reach the summit. On one of these the whole party es= tablished a route to within 200 feet of it but was turned back b; weather conditions. A few days later two of the party repeated the ascent and succeeded in attaining the top. They were Mr. Carpe and Mr. Moore. The party left Juneau April 4 on the powerboat Yakobi, with Capt. Tom Smith, We returned here from Lituya Bay June 13 on the Pheasant with Capt. Maycock. It was our intention on leaving Ju= neau to make a landing at Sea Otter Bight, a few miles west of ,Cape Fairweather and to proceed to the mountain by the route Mr. Carpe and I used in 1926 when we reached an altitude of 9,500 f¢ on._the morthwest ridge. Bad Surf and Weather Unfavorable weather and surf conditions prevented the landing and Lituya Bay was made the base - h taki i A lude 22 members of Congress and Ph: to the boats and were taken aboard California trails. Great-Souled Man a8 . g4 ‘engineer, of New York City, and for the attack. We were equipped No Chance for Life ‘The ordinarily calm water of the bay became a maelstrom of strug- gling human beings. A majority sank without a chance for life. the Rochambeau. None were in-| jured on either ship. The French liner put back to port and the passengers will sail and Southwest Alaska directed by the Chamber. “I am sure I voice the sentiments of all members of our party,” add- ed Mr. Kerr. Here, half a century later, plus six, William Henry Seward consu- mated the purchase for Uncle8am, “Polaric” and ‘“Ice- | tomorrow on the Ile de France. The cries of the drowning were drowned out by the raging storm. The strong current off shore evi-| dently carried scores of bodies out to sea. Most of those aboard the steam- ' er were of the working class affil- iated with Socialistic socleties and the Socialist Party. The accident occurred in a Includes Many Leaders ! |of so-called often derisively termed bergia,” Here the Czar's “geward's Folly." heavy fog ten miles off shore. ——————— LATE NEWS BRIEFS The 85 excurslonists who include ymany of the leading business, fi- » nancial and professional leaders of | {Los Angeles arrived in Juneau on | the steamship Aleutian at 8 o'clock Sabbath morning! Al fla; I g! merican flags ® this forenoon. They remained unm‘were flying, but without marching |emblem was lowered and the Stars and Stripes hoisted in its stead. What a Contrast What a contrast, -this tranquil '2 o'clock this afternoon, when the LONDON.—Ramsay MacDonald’s yesse) Jeft by way of Sitka for Sew- troups or martial music. Modesty | Sensed Tragedy l A lighthouse keeper was the nml person to sense the impending ment to the Finance bill. A few tragedy and telephone for help. . minutes later the Premier’'s Gov- Life saving crews put off. Tugs ernment got a majority of 14 votes and other small boats immediately jon a closure motion. started from the shore but by the! 3 O, time they arrived at the scene of SAN DIEGO, Cal—All defendants the disaster there was merely a in the “Girl Market” case rested gray expanse of water dotted by their cases suddenly an hour after a few survivors and bits of wreck-' Alexander Pantages had completed age. th testimony. 'The State present- Survivor Gives Details |ed no rebuttal witnesses. A recess Daniel Duverger, aged 20, a car-| was taken for discussion of in- penter, told of the sinking of the'structions to the jury and. comple- excursion steamer. He was one of tion of final arguments by coun- eight who ‘escaped. sel. “There were 467 of us aboard cm‘ gy o boat when it started back* from the' NEW YORK.—Selsmographs of island. The steamer rolled badly, Fordham University recorded two and the wind was terrific” said 9uakes of moderate intensity at a Duverger. iululmd distance of approximate- “At 6 o'clock last night the 1y 3,700 miles, probably in the Aleu- waves, piled up by the wind, hittians, westward Alaska. a terrific blow POLIS, Minn~D “Everybody lwxm.mwdmlfldad!‘:;i! MINNEAPOLIS, r. at once to get to the other side enry Williams is dead at the age and rushed together, the worst)®f 6% thing that could have been done. “None of the excursionists being seamen, did not realize that the rush would send the ship over and Labor Government was defeated to- WASHINGTON, D. C—The o ement, ard and way ports. akin to shrinking, self-effacemen A generous, great-souled man was Warren G. Harding. He never im- pugned the motives of party foes, and numbered Democrats among his best friends. For example, he and Oscar Underwood were as brothers. Colleagues on both sides {of the Senate Chamber gave him their respect, confidence and ad- ) miration. Recall his patriotic magnanimity when Woodrow Wilson refused to approve his bill to send Gen. Leon- ard Wood to France during the World War. other Government officlals and |their familles, according to Ernest Walker Sawyer, Special Represen- {tative of the Secretary of Interior, ‘who visited here today with the iLos Angeles Chamber of Commerce Anchorage and will remain in the irail belt for about two or three weeks. The Congressional party will leave Seattle on two boats, 16 on the Coast Guard cutter Tahoe and six traveling on the steamer Yukon, leaving Seattle on July 18. Mr. | \Andrew M. Taylor, guide, of Mc- With Yukon sleds, skiis and snow= Carthy, Alaska, all of whom par- Shoes, but the glacier route from ! ticipated in the recent expeditionto Lituya Bay could not be used be= Mount Fairweather, lofty pinacle of cause the very light winter snows 15,202 feet, 20 miles northwestward there had already melted. The |tour party. He accompanied it to of Cape Spencer. sleds were left behind. Proceeding Mr. Moore is the youngest of the up the beach to Fairweather Glac=- party. He is still in his 20's, but ler in beautiffil spring weather we iart,er his conquest of the peak made excellent progress. A trail with Mr. Carpe he lagged behind had to be cut from the beach his companions in going to Lituya through about two miles of forest, Bay, where the power boat Pheas- half of which was dense alder ant was walting to bring the moun- talneers to Juneau. growth, to the glacier moraine. Once on the glacier we met with Rested In Cabin hyhyflvfluonsmfin«md~1 ‘The visitors on their arrival were marked Sitka's greatest dflyh’d “T bow to the will of the Com- modern history. Its monarchlal] oy qer in.Chlet,” was his only imet by officers and members of the Juneau Chamber of Commerce. | A large number of the tourists were ::hown through the Capitol, many | spending considerable time in the| | Territorial Museum. Motor trips| iwere made to Mendenhall Glacier !And nearby fur farms, Several Jar- ties took airplane flights ovor Men- -hearted, Alaska: Icome. denhall and Taku glaclers. Scumei‘":‘gc paw "“' Agump:lln: eme pic- of the tourists went to the mine| ik hi a {and the mill of the Alaska Junean tures abounding, anon watching company. £ Courte across the water, the President talk. Ty m‘;‘;y‘" Extended een | ed interestingly, but without anima- extended the travelers since they |oR 10 fellov:-vonfert; and v::omu; { his appreciation o e won ety So6 Sty pa) Mt Kerr. | eauties unfolded on every side. The vessels first stop on her| the ocean, northern voyage was at Portland, Miniature lslands :’:"’:udt e Ore. A day ‘and nighi—trom 10| OO I sccasion. Ab- am. until 11:30 p.m—were spent sorbed in the superb vista and at- there. The Rose Carnival Was Iy, .4 ¢o this ancient capital's tra- progress and the California visitors | Py ’ ught: | were received as guests of honor, | ditions, u::d o?:’:;: cto}:z,i:en: |They were escorted by the Mayor |78 Eastward acx P and the Chist of Police of Port-|io that grestest of all caplte® ™ Jand up the (Colimbis, River, wers | Washinglon—whers Fate hac EE0 shown all the floral floats and were af“"h:h)‘“::l‘d ot‘“ mfl i i:,riod o | [ a:'“‘m”‘:”u“dg"]:"m;‘:" Wew | relaxation 'this next to the last i o E {Sunday of his on earth, was com- glory was gone. Only its tradi- tions remained. It presented and deported itself as any other pa- triotic American village would have done, without pomp and ceremony. Crowds gathered on the dock, awalt- ing the launches bearing heads of the nation, prepared to extend a |myriad of gulls on the hillside § suddenly the little steamer keeled of last year, has gripped the North- | west from Wisconsin to the Pacific. % | Much wheat and othier crops, it is Big Waves Aboard and Ernest Walker Sawyer, per-| sonal representative of the Secre- tary of the Interior, were made ing to an end. |comment. That typified Harding. Reminiscing on the super-deck at Sitka, mention was made of the Gridiron Club and he voiced the pleasure its Spring Dinner had given him. He thought it one of the most enjoyable functions of the kind he had ever attended. “I rarely miss a Gridiron dinner,” he said, “but I shall not attend the inext. 1 want that dinner to re- volve about Cal Coolidge. If I were | there, it would revolve about me. 1 wish it to revolve about Cal Coolidge.” So it did at the re-opening of Congress, Warren G. Harding, meanwhile, had gone on a long Journey to a far country. This incident exemplified the in- nate kindness of the man. Will- ingly would he share the glories of his exalted office, and quite as will- ingly, surrender it when his work was done. He loved his fellows. On his trip to thesNorthland, it was esti- imated that he shook hands with {one-half of the meager population, at least, and exchanged a pleas- | 5 Sawyer will return to Seattle In| e the others had reached the time to join the official visitors ghore and boat last Thursday fore- there and accompany them on the noon, Mr. Moore stopped in a de- entire trip. |serted cabin and did not get to Wilbur Not to Come the beach until 9 o'clock Thursday It is not likely that Secretary night, He was a disconsolate sight. Wilbur will be able to come to His halr was long, his face covered Alaska this year, as he had hoped with whiskers, inasmuch as his halr to do, Mr. Sawyer said. He Will had not .been cut or his face spend a short time on the Pacific shaved since early in April, when Coast but most of the summer will he and associates left here on their be spent in Washington where his mountain-climbing mission, His presence is ‘required owing to thelshln and trousers were torn and press of official business. | soiled. His shoes were worn through Mr. Sawyer, himself, will be In at the soles, and his feet, bare, had Alaska most of the summer. He oeen lacerated by rocks and were plans to keep in close touch with bleeding. He was tired, cold and the Geological Survey's pending hungry. mineral investigations in the rail-| On arrival at the beach, he saw road belt from which much is ex-'a smart-looking craft not far off- pected of benefit to the road. shore. Can she be the Pheasant? Interested in Alaska he thought—a boat he had never In this connection, Mr. Sawyer Seen but which he had not pictur- pointed out that Cecil A. James, € as anything like the palatial- Assistant Manager of the Depart- ' looking vessel that met his view. ment of Forel Commerce and | Power Launch Lowered Shipping of the Chamber who is! In answer to his shouts and sig- aboard the Aleutian, will remain in | N31s a trim, power launch was low- the Territory sometime. His mis-, eréd, and made for shore. In the sion is to obtain data on industries STAIl boat, he was taken to the and resources and possible oppor- larger. She was the yacht Infanta. ant passing word with each. His He did not want to go. graclousness was unaffected. He Time after time he had express=| .14 not dissemble, do anything tunities for investment in them. Carl /4 McStay, PField Secretary of the Automobile Club of South- He was welcomed aboard of her by | the owner, John Barrymore, famous |actor on stage and screen. Mr., Moore was shown to Mr. “Several huge waves came aboard, one after the other. I had a pro- —————————— monition we would sink. I am n! When Nature wanted to furnish good swimmer and I dived into the the world with something really bit- water. (Continued on Page Three) ter she thought up disappoint- ments. % Gandhi Is to Live Among Humble Mendicants when & - BORSAD, India, June 15—Ma- hatma Gandhi, who goes about the middle of August to the meetings of the Federal Structures Commit- tee in London, has decided he will live there among the most humble mendicants, in Kinkley Hall, Lon- don‘s East End home for the poor. The other Indian delegates will install themselves at hotels or cas- tles of their friends. ' He Makes Trip to Londo n if the weather permits, will wear his habitual white shawl, thin cot-| Knights of Rosearia by the Queen of the Carnival., Flowers In State Rooms ! The Aleutian was at Seattle only half an hoyr, but that brief time proved sufficient for officers of the, BSeattle Chamber of Commerce to' pay their respects to the travelers (Continued on Page Eight) ed regret that it would all “so soon be over,” when he would resume that killing task at Washington. Dreading the prospect, he longed for peace and rest—a continuation of the tranquil interlude he had found in Alaska. A week ago, riding though the streets of Fairbanks, off in the inte- rior, up toward the Arctic C\rcl)e, pansy-covered lawns and flower- enshrined log bungalows enchanted {him. Espying one of these that jcaptivated him completely, he said impulsively: “I'd give a year's salary if I had |that house on my farm in Ohlo,” adding with emphasls: “Yes, I'd give two years' salary.” Craved Simpler Life Such was his mood this Sunday morning in Sitka. He craved the simple life. Plainly, when this trip was over, he would like to'live on that farm, or be running a news- {paper; ap arioc, d Re-crossing the Gulf of Alaska, ‘on his return trip, enroute to Sitka, i Former Juneau Pastor Installed In Seattle Church SEATTLE, June 15—The Rev. Harry R. Allen, who serv- cd five years as the first pas- tor of the Resurrection Luth- eran Church in Juneau, Alaska, in 1927 and chaplain of the Alaska Territorial Senate this | perfunctorily. When he sald, “I jam glad to see you,” he meant it. His greeting was genuine in Alaska, as ever In the White House. He could not look into a human eye without feeling a real, hot feign- ed, interest In its possessor. Had he been less human, his burdens would have been lighter and he would not have come to Alaska, “tired—VERY TIRED.” Killing Job He was not in Alaska the com- manding personality who presided over the Republican National Con- vention of 1916, nor who, on March 4, five years later, took the oath as President. That killing job had wrough sad havoc with the physical being of this kindly, once virile Iman,. After his tragic collapse, it was all too plain to see. Playing Bridge from day to day with Secretaries Wallace and Hoov- er and Speaker Gillett on the jour- ney, or following the panoramic un- (Continued on Page Five) ern California, will go to Fairbanks | and over .Steese Highway to Circle | and part of the way over Richard- | Barrymore's private quarters, and (Continuea on Page Two) § a series of severe late winter storms which caused much hardship and delay. For more than three weeks the mountain was not seen. It was evident that the route of the earlier. attempt up the northwest ridge must be given up because of the shortness of time. Finally what was thought to be a possible route was observed on the southerm slope of the mountain. At this time we had been storm bound by fifteen days of snow and rain a the mountain’s base during which fierce gales slashed the tents. Skiis and Overshoes All effort was now bent toward making progress to the foot of the new route up the steep part of the mountain. Skils and snowshoes were a necessity. Ten of glacier work, where at times the snowshoes could not be worn be- cause of the steepness of the slopes brought us on May 24 to camp at 5,000 feet altitude just above the second icefall of the Fairweather Glacier and at the foot of a sub= sidiary ridge to the great southeast ridge of the mountain. On May 25, a one-tent camp was established at a little over 9,000 feet. The climbe ing to this elevation was over very steep ice slopes and across two bands of rock cliffs which proved somewhat troublesome. (Continuea from Page Two) son Highway, familiarizing himself | with roads which are expected some | day to form the northern sections of the Pacific International Hwh-| way. Financial anc tndustries lex\del’sl of Los Angeles see in the Territory a virgin field for devleopment, lc-, cording to Mr. Sawyer. They are :‘e‘:’;’“”uc‘g :Mu:‘ 3"""“’2““:’::& SEATTLE, June 15—Two elderly rinc' ¢ P! hp | Washington pioneers, Mr. and Mrs. | print program of the Cameron-iy; j pewis, without money to buy | Chandler syndicate, which will give or the | them a permanent foothold here. ’;;,Od“s ;nyarec:v;a:n?s'mh;muu\:s' { The present party includes & executing a suicide pact. number of influential men Who A note was left requesting that have the financial resources neces- ‘their bodies be cremated in the sary to put through any project Georgetown crematory and the that might appeal to them, and ashes scattered on flowers. I am confident we shall advance Unable to find employment as a our development through such farmhand and housekeeper at & methods as the tours which draw ranch on Lake Sammanish, the men of this type to Alaska,” Mr.'couple probably became despondent. Sawyer said. i The two were employed on the Two W ashington State . Pioneers Execute Pact and Take Their Livea‘,é,_ ——— ranch up to a few months ago. Mrs, Lewis became ill and was taken a hospitdl here, her husband maining at her bedside until recovered. They returned to e ranch to find their positions M‘m by other persons. The only known relative is & daughter, Mrs. Guy Van Horn of Marietta, Washington, the wife of a state representative. She sald the aged couple were married in 1900 and described it as a belated romance. She did not know they were in want. g/