The Alaska citizen., 1917-05-21
NJ WS ITEMS
 FROn NENANA

large degree by the continued cold weather plans have been for mula,ed whereby the work will be pushed faster
 Six miles ol steel have been laid for construction purposes; tres1ins and piledriyinG have gone forward on the line 10 such an extent th@ all is ready for the ties and bridge work for nearly the entire graded distance
 At the main camp in Nenana vast improvements are being made in all departments. X large annex has been built to inc warehouse. giving them nearly double the former stor age space
 The sawmuI is in the course Of construction. The main building is elevated on piling, and it's floor area is sufficient to give a large working space to each mill department.
 Skipper" Rotch is actively on gagged in getting his fleet in shape for the opening of navigation The fleet this year will consist of the Midnight Sun. the Gibson Girl and the Sunbeam, together with the aux Hilary scows. etc, Rotch will be in charge of his old standby, with Sam Dumbolton comprising the crew. cook and mess boy.
 Clearing for the yard terminals is jn progress, and the many and rapid discharges of blasting powder br.ne the overseas disturbance to mind with none of the horrors.
 A new three story bunk house VIII soon be in the course Of erection, fitted out with shower baths and other necessaries for the working man. At present both mess and sleeping quarters are somewhat con gested, as all of the labor is being taken care of at this end only.
 New arrivals at Ncnana this year will be able to get off the steamers on as fine a dock as there is on the Pacific coast Filing has been driven for several hundred feet along the waterfront the whole filled in with riprap anl covered with gravel to the depth Of many feet A spur extension has been run along the waterfront as far as the dock has been constructed, and the locomotive crane is now busy taking gravel from the river bed in the immediate front of the dock and filling in be hind, the whole making a structure that will last for years against the rayages of the ice.
 Telephonic communication can be had as far as Mile 43 south, and proves great convenience to the isolated ones.
 A fire department has been or ganized, consisting of chemical and a hose reel, in which all tue active employees of the commission are en- rolled; the light and faster men on the chemical, the heayies on the hose reel Drills are held quite regu- larly, and the department is becom- ing an efficient factor for the safety of the commission buildings.
 Athletics are assuming front rank in importance of social events. Base ball is receiving q grand impetus by liberal donation-yia membership fees. Two complete outfits have been ordered from the States; one for the commission team and one for Nenana. Tennis enthusiasts are constructing a court The present membership of the club numbers forty.
 In a short time the Nenana-Fair- banks telephone line will be con nected. The commission will then be in direct communication with any business house at both places.
 To facilitate the handling of em- 1 Dloyees, the commission has insti tuted an "employment agent" and it is proving a success in giving contractors competent help.
 When the thaw takes place the steam shovel will be put in opera tion at the gravel pit, and surface grading on track now laid will bring the steel to a permanent grade.
 For the accommodation of con- tractors, a commissary store and timekeeper have been established at Mile 43. Residencias have also been established at miles 20 and 35.
 The record of construction is re markable, in that no major injuries | to employees are noted, and the sanitary condition of the camp is conducive to good health, which all are enjoying to date