Seward daily gateway., 1931-08-05
WAITING, WAITING, WAITING!

There are many, no doubt who may think the great Fairbanks airplane landing field and base, like Topsy, just happened However, such was not the case: One of the most active and air minded of Fairbanks citizens Thomas A. Marquam, and to him Is given much ot the credit for the inauguration of plan of action which started movement which is annually gaining momen tum This, of course, following the original entry of the apane into the Interior by the late Col Carl Ben Eielson who was assisted by the late Editor W. E. Thompson, and Chas. Thompson.
 During the past few years Marquam has been in Washington, D. C., and though he to have since vanished into thin air. prior to his disappearance, he fairly haunted the various departments which in terested in aeronautics Unavoidable incidents of some nature, forgotten now, responsible for the German dirgble Graf Zeppelin canceng it's proposed visit to the Fairbanks airport It is said Fairbanks at time sent Marquam $5,000 in order that he remain the ground and keep up the good work The groundwork laid by him is perfectly visible today; fers circng the globe are making 1t point of contact Fairbanks IS on the world air route and it's future from this angle, is indeed rosy.
 The point desired to be brought out is that what Fairbanks has accomplished Seward can do, providing attain such objective. Because strangers in Alaska, aviators from the States who after being the Terri tory for few months say that the coast too foggy cloudy etc., does Seward have to stand meeky and listen to that whooie? Is coast line any than any other? Not so according to weather reports and the United States Coast Pilot.
 It's about time for the entire community to rise up united band and fight, shoulder to shoulder for what is due Seward
 For years, almost 30 years now Seward has listened peacefully to promises of every nature and today the city is just where it three decades ago; some say the town is not good but that is subject for argument.
 Soft-soapng, saying nice things to Tom, Dick and Bi won't get anywhere You got to battle to attain the heights and if Seward expects to rise above it's pres ent provncalism it's lamb-ke docility it must throw aside the olive branch don suit of amor and dive into the thick of the fray letting the sparks fly where they may.
 One of the finest examples of bridge and road building locally in years is illustrated in the Seims Spokane project At time has traffic been held up for than hour at the Resurrection River site where now stands modern steel bridge, replacing the former decrepit wood structure. Detours have been made over and over thanks to the courtesy of the B reau of Public Roads and the contractors and for this tEe thanks of the entire community is extended.
 The big dredge of the Puget Sound Dredge Com pany is daily making Seward richer and weathier by pumping the sea-bottom behind the breakwater and de- posting in the lagoon behind the railroad tracks where a considerable acreage will be recovered Which leads to the thought what wonderful aviation field or base ball field that would make if completely filled in
 A city is only as progressive as it's citizens
 XMenber l03l7E
 NATIONAL EDITORIAL Assoc1Ar1oN