The Daily Alaska empire., 1934-01-24

is MT. Wilson's intention to have all passenger vessels of the Alaska Line modernized to meet in every way possible, the desires of the company's patrons in Alaska, and to provide Alaskans with the latest in accommodations and the last word in comfort
 Probably the proudest officer aboard the Victoria last night was w. 0. Hubbard, Chief Steward, who has made his home on the 'Vic" for the last Ii years, serving under eight different shippers and with four mates and three engi- neers.
 He enthusiastically displayed the dining salon, with its colorful old blue carpeting and curtains and burnt orange table coverings; the social hall, newly finished and fur nished with overstuffed m o dern chairs and settees which make it a most comfortable lounging room Instead of being confined to the monotony of one color, the chairs and davenports are varied in color giving the large room a homelike appearance. Carpets can be re- moved to provide a large dancing space.
 BrOadcasting System
 One of the outstanding improve ments is the installation of a pub lie address system throughout the ship, by which talks, from the so- cial hall, the ships orchestra, pho nograph records or radio programs from the new twelve tube al1-wave set, can be heard with equal clar- ity from the steerage messroom forward to the boat deck aft.
 Staterooms Improved
 All cabins many of which form erly contained three berths, have been changed to two berth rooms. Decorations in the cabins are pleas antly varied and each has an att tractive and harmonizing painting on the wall. New spring filled mat dresses and new pillows through out, afford luxurious rest, unex- pected on shipboard. Hot and cold fresh running water has been add ed to all stateroomS and new water tanks, assuring an adequate fresh water supply, also act as double bottom, an additional safety factor.
 The smoking room, now called the club room, has been enlarged and combination hardwood bar and newsstand installed. Bright glazed chintz curtains of rust, beige and black with harrnonizing floor ing and rust covered settees give an atmosphere of comfort.
 Two thirds of the ship has en- tirely new carpeting, and through out the ship fresh paint and mod ern panelled wall finishing combine to give the old vessel most dress ed up appearance. Indirect light ing, with fixtures in chromium and frosted glass has been installed everywhere.
 New Barber Shop
 Officers are delighted With the new barber shop, finished in gray stained natural wood, which re- places the old fashioned folding barber chair which inadequately served for many years.
 In addition to the improvements to the portions of the ship com monly seen by passengers, the gal oven Buell. oil range, 3-oven cleo ley, with the latest thing in g. tric steamer and 3-oven electric bakers drum was exhibited by MT. Hubbard with feeling of pride and the steerage quarters, with new sanitary iron hunks, replacing the old built-in wooden ones, is vast improvement.
 Officers Aboard
 Capt. H. Odsen, in command of the vessel, has been on the Victoria for three years; Purser M. J. Will COX is temporarily replacing L. J. McNamee, Chief Engineer Oscar Johnson, Chief Officer Ben Lunden and H. G. Porter, Second Steward, are all of the regular staff and the latter has been on the Vic for the last eight years. All are pleased and enthusiastic with the trans formation the s50O00 improvements have wrought in their ship.
 The work was done in the com