The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1934-08-29
P. 0. EXECUTIVE
TELLS LAWYERS
OF HIS SURVEY
Second Assistant Post
master General Indicates
Early Improvements
HERE TO STUDY SOME
OF ALASKAN PROBLEMS
Can't Make Definite Prom
ises but Believes Mail
Routes in Ofing

Although he emphasized he was
not in position to promise any
thing as regards air mall Harllee
Branch, Second Asst. Postmaster
General. told the local Bar AsSo-
citation, whose guest ne was at a
noon lunch today, that Il can Wis
ualize a substantial, well-developed,
and well-sustained air mail sys-
tenn in Alaska" in the near future.
His statement was made fol-
lowing an all-morning conference
with Gov. John w. Troy, Delegate
A. j. Dimond, Robert G.. Thach,
General Attorney and Vice-Presi-
dent OF the Pan American Always.
Lyman s. Peck, Vice President and
General Manager of the Pacific Al
aska Always, Murray Hall, Inspec-
tor of Aviation for Alaska, A. B.
Hayes, General Manager of the Al
aska Southern Always, and R. w.
Bender, President and General
Manager of The Empire.
Delegate Also Guest
Delegate Dimond, Gov. Troy,
Robert c. Thach, executive of the
Pan American Anyways, and Thorn
as M. Donohoe, Cordova attorney,
were also guests of the Association
and made brief talks.
The Delegate complimented the
Post Office Department on its read
mess to aid Alaska. In Washing
ton" he said, those who run the
Post Office Department understand
Alaska very well. They have done
all they could to give better air
mail service to Alaska. The best
testimonial of their interest is the
presence here today of Mr.. Branch
in person
II have been informed" said
Judge H. B. LeFevre, President, in
introducing Mr. Branch, that Mr..
Branch is here to establish air mail
service in Alaska. I would like
to question him about that,
and have him answer the question
in the affirmative"
See What He Can Do
Smilingly, in response, Mr.. Branch
said he was here ito see if we can
do anything toward improving COM
munication." He referred to the
conference held earlier in the day,
which is the beginning of study
of conditions that will be conduct
ed all the way to Nome.
This Administration feels some
responsibility for the development
of Alaska" he declared. Although
President Roosevelt has many great
and serious problems pressing upon
him for solution, with 1t all, his
Administration is not unmindful OF
the fact we have this great Ter
ritory up here and those of us who
have something to do with it are
trying to improve things
Can Visualize Air Mail
Although he pointed out he was
in no position to make definite
promises, he said he hoped his visit
means "at no distant day you will
have considerable improvement in
communication ard that it will be
progressive
He didn't see Immediately forth
coming an air mail system net
work throughout the Territory, con-
Meeting up all of its communities,
he said that he could visualize
a substantial, well-deyeloped, we'll
sustained air mail system in Al
aska." Whatever is done, he add
ed, will be done for the betterment
generally of all air transportation.
That is one of the fundamentals
Of awarding air mail contracts, to
enable the commercial airplane in
dustry to develop into self-sustained
and self-sustained units, serving not
only the public but commerce and
industry efficiently.
Is Virgin Territory
He pointed out that Alaska is
virgin territory insofar as air trans
portation of mail is concerned.
There are many obstacles to be
overcome, more expensive obsta-
cles than those which exist any
where else in the country.
But he added, Il hope when
I get back to Washington, We can
set down around a conference ia
BILE and do something to advance
development" He warned there
are a number of things to be gone
over carefully. Due TO the fact
that sirplanes must fly over Can