The Wrangell sentinel., 1931-01-16
New Officers Are Elected By Commercial Club
DIR. R. N. SCRUBY WILL HEAD CLUB FOR COMING YEAR; DIS- CUSS HIGH COST OF LIVING IN WRANGELL

Approximately twenty-five mem bers of the Wrangell Commercial Club met last Saturday evening at the Bills Club to elect a board of directors for the coming year, and transact other business of the club.
 Members elected to serve as the board of directors were Charles Ben- Reed, J. G. Grant, Ernest Campbell and L. B. Pentz. The board of di- rectors in turn met Monday noon immediately following the regular luncheon and elected the following officers and committee heads to serve during the ensuing year:
 President, Dr. R. N. Scruby; vice president, L. B. Pentz secretary treasurer, James Nolan; finance committee, Rev Russell F. Peder- son; publicity committee, R. W. J. Reed; entertainment committee, F. R. Hanford; mail and transporta- tion committee, H. V. Callow: road and trail committee, Capt. J. Acton; home industries committee, Prof. Axel Rasmussen. Committee heads will select members to work with them, and are expected to announce their selections at the next regular meeting.
 Following the election at Satup- day nights meeting the matter of dues came up for discussion, it be- ing felt by some of the members that the clubs income was insuffi- cient to meet operating exDeness. However, it was agreed on motion to retain the present membership fee of $6 per year, but to solicit ad- ditional support from the business houses of the town which feel they can afford to do more toward the support of the club.
 The matter of appointing repre- sentatives to the dedication of the new capitol building in Juneau was also discussed and upon motion the chair was authorized to appoint such delegates. The following were chos- en: Leonard Campbell, R. v. Call low, and L. B. Pentz.
 Talk on H. c. L.
 Following the disposition of stat ed business. a lengthy and lively discussion was opened on the cost of living in Wrangell, it being the sentiment of some of the newer members that living in Wrangell is higher than in other towns of south east Alaska. Representatives of var ious local business houses took ex- ception to this contention and con- siderable argument followed in the endeavor to show that Wrangell Is not out of line with other towns, all factors considered.
 Speaking as one of the newer members, c. P. Kirtland of the Bank of Alaska stated that in his belief a contributing factor to the cost of living in Wrangell was the lack of a credit association, which would enable merchants to keep check on individuals showing any inclina- ton to abuse credit accommoda- tions, and it was the opinion of the club that such an organization would be of benefit to the town if it could be organized with the CO., operation of the majority of the business houses. Some of the busi- ness men contended that they are familiar with the credit ratings and credit capacity of practically every one with whom they do business, but it was pointed out that with the coming of spring many new people would probably come to Wrangell and that these people, seeking credit, would be unknown quantities so far as their credit standing was concerned.