The daily Alaska citizen., 1920-01-21
WAGE INCREASE
 DEMAND CAUSES
 HOT ARGUMENTS
WARFARE THREATENED BE AUTHORITIES AND CONNER CIAL CLUB THERE OVER POR- TION OF COMMUNICATIONS.

TION OF COMMUNICATIONS.
 Arrivals from Nenana last night re- port somewhat strained relations be tween the head of the Alaskan Engi- neering commission at Nenana and members of the commercial club at that place as the result Of arguments arising in a meeting of the club last Friday evening at which Enginee~ in Charge Browne and Examiner Barn dollar were present by special invi- tation. The discussion apparently arose over the demands of the com mercial club for an increase in wage $ for the commission employees that was contained in a letter 10 ]. l. McPher- son, of Seattle, in which the latter was asked 10 see if it were not possi- ,ble to secure more adequate pay for the men
 In an article appearing in the Ne mana News relating to the meeting. it is said that the discussion was somewhat heated at times. but withal friendly" Nenanaites arriving in town last night confirm the "heated" phase of the situation but the friend- illness, according to their reports. was not so apparent and k still not in evidence.
 After rcCiting that the slump in interior Alaska population has been greatly accelerated by a government wage scale which is inadequate and increasingly difficult in application, ," the steadily increased cost of living stationary pay. etc. the club reaches the conclusion that interior Alaska is losing much of it's most-necded male population because of the low wages and intermittent employment" ;" The last two words in the conclusion were added after strenuous protests had been made by Mr. Browne to the whole wage question.
 According to the Nenana News, MT Browne said that he had no objection to an advance in wages. and that. while he had no authority himself to alter the scale, he thot that a rec Ommendation made by him might have some weight with those who have the tn fiNyy or not he would make such a recon mendation, or any recommendation he said he would prefer not to say.
 In conclusion. Mir. Browne stated the request for an increase in wages, coming from the commercial club, suggested desire on the part of the Nenana business men to have the railroad employees receive more money in order that they might have more money to spend locally" The version of the story prot to town by arrivals last night say that MT. Browne either directly or by plain inference called the Nenana business men "leeches," but no mention is made of that fact by the News writer. MT. Browne also challenged his hear CTS to stand responsible for the state ment that men are leaving the in terior on account of low wages paid by the commission.
 The challenge was taken up by several of the members. Ali Eek lund is said to have talked "war-talk" while several others made out case in plain and unmistakeble terms. The discussion resulted in the words and intermittent employment" being added to the low wage protest and both sides quit the field for the night and are reported to be resting under arms.
 eve almost overlooked saying that the row started over the proposal of the commission to cut out the tele- phone service between midnight and ' a. m. It is understood that the proposed cut has been at least tenn porarily abandoned)