The Daily Alaska empire., 1938-07-07
DISTINGUISHED VISITORS MEET
 WITH CHAMBER

Great progress already has been made toward the development of 1 Alaska and the program will be continued in an effort to give the Territory further expansion of its industries and development of its natural resources, Dr. Ernest Gruen- ing, Director of the Division of Ter ritories and Island Possessions in the Interior Department, told the Juneau Chamber of Commerce at it's weekly luncheon meeting this noon in Percy'S Cafe which filled the dining room to capacity.
 Dr. Gruening was one of dis tinguished group of visitors who were guests of the Chamber today. Included among them were Alaska Delegate Anthony J. Dimond, Con- gressman F. Caldwell of Florida, Capt. R. w. Mathewson of the cruiser Louisville, Fisheries Com missioner Frank T. Bell, Noel J. Ogilvie of Ottawa, Canadian mem Der of the International Boundary Commission; former Gov. Thomas Riggs, American member of the Boundary Commission; Capt. F. J. Willie, U. S. N, Lieut.. Comdr. R. E. Duncan, U. s. N, and Lieut.. E.. w. Fenton, U s. N. R., all Of the Louisville.
 Compliments Dimond
 Dr. Gruening said that the Inter- for Department is pushing for as rapid development as funds will permit and paid warm compliment to Delegate Dimond for the strenu- ous and persistent work the Dele gate is doing in Washington in behalf of the Territory.
 "You Alaskans should get over your inferiority complex about the weather" said the director. Every time I come to Juneau the sun is shining. I can't believe you have all that rain I hear so much about You are ahead of California on everything else in your boosting except the weather and by the looks of the weather I've seen you could excel in that if you went at it."
 Delegate Dimond touched briefly on the general Alaska program and declared that every bit of devel- opment which comes to Alaska is a benefit to every citizen of the Unit ed States and that it was upon that premise that the Alaska pro- gram was being pushed. He de- scribed Dr. Gruening as one of the best friends the Territory has in Washington and one of Alaska's greatest boosters.
 Commissioner Bell brought report of a good salmon season outlook, with light runs in the Bristol Bay area giving way to heavy runs the last few days, indicating a normal pack. The labor dispute in the fishing industry he described as mot as bad as a few weeks ago" and was hopeful of peaceful ad- justment all along the line.
 Greetings from Canada
 MT. Ogilvie brought greetings from Canada, and recalled Juneau 29 years ago when he first came north as a young surveyor.
 The International Boundary Line is just a fence between good neigh bors," said former Gov. Riggs in explaining briefly the business of the commission.
 To the business men, the former Governor brought encouraging word from the Outside that business is improving generally and T believe business is definitely improving re- gardless of government spending. It had begun to improve before the pump priming legislation was put into effect
 The labor disputes, the former Chief Executive said, reminded him of the I. w. w. troubles of war time days which were ironed out.
 T think of Alaska as the last
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