The Wrangell sentinel., 1937-03-05
COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY

Increased business and material betterment in Wrangell as a place to live and in which to make a living is more hopeful at present than 1t has been for many months because a group of men have united on an aggressive policy. Instead of accept ing what the tide brings in, as it were, they are going out with the determination of bringing to Aran- gell, instead of the flotsam and jet sam of the tides, those things Waich are important for the economic life of the community.
 So we see projects definitely un- der way for better living: harbor dredging for the convenience of the trolling fleet, a float for the ac- commodation of yachts, so that the numerous pleasure craft which de coming to Alaska in increasing num- bers each year, will make Wrangell a port of call; an airplane landing, lower light rates, street improve ments, more roads and improvement of such roads as we have. The re gently formed health cOGncil stand ing squarely back of the campaign to control he onslaught of tubercul- osis is Of vital importance. With these as basic projects and many others under discussion, the outlook is very promising in a material sense. But important as these things are and in full recognition of the necessity Tor their accomplishment, one is amazed at the manner in which the community permits it's young people to be destroyed.
 We have built fine school, .tatt- ed it with excellent teachers, who follow a modern and efficient course of study. We make churches and sunday schools available and then sit back and fold our hands com placently as though this were enough Enough? When there are young boys who are seen drunk on Sat urday nights as a matter of course? When babies cries are heard from darkened houses, little children peer out from he windows of homes that are dark and cold while their par ents, out drinking and carouslng leave them alone for hours at a time? Whether these neglected chil- dren are of Indian or white blood they are part of the community and deserve the protection of the strong toward the weak.
 And most certainly not all of the boys still in their early teens who are allowed to get drunk on pubic streets and appear in public places are of the Indian race. There are a tragic number of white youths among them. Some Of each group have mothers who are heart broken over the fact that the feet of thelr children are set in path that so def initely leads to sorrow and shame and the blighting of all they might have been. Other parents are having too gay a time at a drinking party of their own to care what happens to their children. We are confident that none of the Wrangell liquor stores or beer parlOrs are selling to minors. The supply is from boot logging adults who, depraYed be- yond belief, buy for the youngsters
 It is difficult to say which is the more tragic, the sight of men and women, who should be examples in conduct to the youth of the com, munity standing out in the street or in parked cars in front of danceI hall, openly sharing a bottle betweenl dances, or the boys and girls hud- dled in the dark alleyways adjacent to the hall, drinking, squealing andI drunkenly shouting and behavingI as much as possible like their elders And then these same adults when sober shake their heads and wOnderI what the youngsters are coming to!
 Surely there are enough people 3nI this community who believe that theI liquor regulations should be enforc-i ed who are aghast that the youth of the town are not protected and