Stikeen River journal., 1898-10-22
WHAT THEY SAY.
Leading Citizens Interviewed Re-
garding the Wrangel Cham.
Der of Commences


failing to make any effort to SECURE any
part of the 100000 appropriated by
Congress for public buildings Il Alaska,
or in fact to do anything looking to the
interests of Wrangel or southeastern
Alaska, and with view of securing an
opinion of our leading citizens on the
Chamber of Commerce., representa-
tive of the JOURNAL called on num-
Der of merchants, with the following
result: Rufus Sylvester of the firm of
Reed Sylvester, says. "Our Chamber
of Commerce appears to be very slow
to act in the matter of obtainiag any
part of the Congressional appropriation
for public buildings in Alaska. Wrang-
ell is very much in need of a new Jail
and improvements ON the court house,
and at least $4,000 of the appropria
ton should come to Wrangel.s
Duncan McKinnon says: IT have
taken very little interest in thaChamb-
er of Commerce for the reason, that no
concerted action was being tlken by
the merchants here, lookingsto the
betterment of our city. l AIN fheartily
in favor Of anything that will Improve
our condition, and consider a new Jail
and courthouse very essential in the
upbuilding of Wrangel and you may
say for me that am always ready to
do my part in any undertaking which
has fol its object the improvement of
southeastern Alaska"
Robert Reed The firm of Reed a.
Sylvester, Gays: II believe in o Cham
Der of Commerce being up to the times,
always willing to abolish petty Jealous
les and work entirely for the general
good of all. Wrangel is very much in
need of a new courthouse and Jail and
efforts should be made at once to secure
an appropriation for that purpose. The
cost would no exceed $40, 900 md the
money would be spent right here ii
town for labor and material. by all
means let action be taken at once, be-
fore it is too late
Mr.. Healy says: " am not mem
Der of the Chamber of Commerce and
have no interest in anything that they
may do. | have all can do to attend
to my own business
Geo. w. Bloomhardt of the Wrangel
Drug Co E, says: at is Il shame to see
the way the Chamber of Commerce
neglects its duties. Wrangel should
not only secure a part of the 100000
appropriated by Congress for public
buildings in Alaska, but steps should
be taken at once looking to closer bust
ness relations with the nearby towns,
such as klowac. Howcan, ketchekan.
and Metlakata and neighboring islands,
all of which are coming rapidly to the
front. Our present mail contract calls
for only one mail month, with post
offices off the regular run of Alaska
steamers. This should be increased to
two at least in order to afford our mer
chants an opportunity to do business
with merchants and prospectors in
southeastern Alaska. There are many
other subjects which need attention,
and it is the duty of our Chamber of
Commerce to attend to them"
Tom Case OF the firm of Case & Will
son, says: 81 am a member of the
Wrangel Chamber of Commerce, but
have not of late attended any of their
meetings for the reason that their time
was all taken up discussing sanitary
improvements and such other subjects
that properly belong to = Board of
Health. The great and vital subject
of building up Wrangel and fostering
her industries were not even touched
upon. l am heartily in favor of a
Chamber of Commerce that will work
unitedly for the advancement of Wrang-
ell and her industries. We should have
a new courthouse and jail, and it is the
duty of our Chamber of Commerce to
see that we get it, We will never get
anythink we don't ask for and by all
means let us not allow an opportunity
pass without asking for at least Sl5, 900
of this appropriation.
Judge Willoughby Clark says: ''The
Chamber of Commerce seems to be
passing through a period of sound
sleep from which, sincerely hope it
will soon awaken, refreshed and able
to grasp the many subjects that are
awaiting immediate attention. Wrang-
ell is very much in need of courthouse
and Jail, and it is a shame that no effort
| has honn Inada Nof To Il fn1,n,