The weekly Alaska citizen., 1919-02-10
ACTION BEING
 TAKEN HERE ON
 SOPHIA WRECK

The Fairbanks Commercial club Is taking action regarding the investi gation to be held on the wrecking of the Princess Sophia. For the past few days messages have been exchanged between Fairbanks and Juneau regarding the attendance of witnesses.
 The club took the matter up with Acting Governor Davidson during the absence of Governor Riggs. request. ing him that what witnesses were necessary should be procured and the payment of the expense occurring to be paid out of the deficiency fund of the territory. The club also took the matter up with Representatives Collins and Nordale before their de. parture for Juneau and they pledged themselves to work for the expense allowance. Representative Dunn, of Ruby. was communicated with and he responded that he could be count. ed on to assist.
 The club also sent wires to the Iditarod. Ruby. Hot Springs, Nenana. regarding concerted action by the interior demanding that the neces. sary witnesses be summoned and If possible to have the proceedings held at Juneau. for the convenience of those who could not make the trip to the Canadian cities. At Ruby a mass meeting was held and the ac. tion of the Commercial club en. dorsed.
 Lately a wire was received from |C. E. Davidson stating that Governor Riggs would be at the capital soon and the matter would be referred to him immediately on his arrival. Hearing nothing from Juneau the club last Monday sent the following wire to the governor:
 Fairbanks. Feb. 3, 1919. Riggs, Governor, Juneau. Alaska.
 Commercial club anxious to learn what action you have decided upon in matter of sending witnesses t. attend Sophia investigation at Van couver. Kindly refer Davidson's wire of January twenty.second. Urge immediate answer as we are daily queried on this matter by relativei and friends of victims from Fair banks ard interior. at request of which our wire of January twenty first was sent.
 FAIRBANKS COMMERCIAL CLUB.
 By H. Claude Kelly. president.
 Tuesday the club received the fol- lowing from the governor:
 Juneau. Feb. 4. 1919. Claude Kelly. president Commercial Club. Fairbanks.
 Some difficulty in getting attend ance of important witnesses. Have been in communication with A. F. Luxton, crown counsel. who wires. Am corresponding with department at Ottawa as to recompensing wit. nesses. If cannot arrange this or If witnesses cannot reach here by tenth or all witnesses cannot attend here. shall have to postpone date of taking their evidence and probably arrange sitting at Juneau" Sittings to be held at Juneau would be most satis. factory to all and am trying to bring this about Show this telegram to Wood
 RIGGS, Governor.
 Later on in the day the club was advised that the wreck inquiry would be held at Juneau by the following message:
 Juneau. Feb. 1, 1919. Fairbanks Commercial club. Fair
 banks.
 Wreck inquiry will be held Juneau at date to be later fixed. RIGGS. Governor.
 The holding of the inquiry at Ju' neau will permit of Q number of witnesses attending that would have otherwise gone unheard owing to the impossibility of their attendance in the Canadian city.
 The relatives and friends of those who perished on the ill.fated steam CT will be relieved to learn that a full investigation Is now going to be made regarding the wreck and the terrible loss of life among the people of the north.
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