The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-03-31
$12,oOo,o0o IN A|RBA5E5 ARE BEING BUILT BY us.
 NAVY AT SITkA, KODIAK
Extensive Work

To finance the work the con- gress has appropriated S9,300,000 for Kodiak and $2,939,000 for Sitka. The former station will, of course, be very much the larger. However, at both stations many new buildings are to be constructed. including hangars, shops, StorehouSeS, barracks, quar- ters, radio stations, hospitals and power plants A large amount of dredging and filling is to be done at Kodiak, and much grading, clearing, etc, at Sitka. Again at both sta mcns there will be seaplane ramps for the launching and recovery of planes, paving, roads, sewer and wa ter systems and fuel storage. Each station will in fact be a self-con- tained and complete unit in itself upon final completion of the work now in progress.
 The contractors work schedule calls for completion of the Sitka station in September, 1941, and the Kodiak station one year later, or September, 1942. Prior to these dates the personnel of the Navy will begin to occupy the new facilities, aircraft will be assigned, and all of the reg ular aviation activities for which the stations were designed will be in operation. So far as l am in formed, the numbers of persons in the Naval service who will be de- tailed to operate these stations have not been determined, but there will be many.
 Many Problems
 There are many features about the construction at each place which will make the work most difficult With the principal exception of some lumber, practically all of the mater ials required must be shipped from Seattle or other United States ports. Housing and living accommodations for the contractors working forces have to be provided and operated at each place. In order to com plete in the time allowed the work must go on regardless of weather or season. Because of these diffi- culties and the importance of the work generally the contractors have their men with the greatest care as to efficiency and skill. hon. esty, integrity, reliability, sobriety, | energy and physical fitness To be selected for and employed on these projects should be a matter of pride to every individual, not only because of the high personnel standards which have been set, but because of l the honor which comes from aSSo- citation with such important na- tional defense work.
 Help For Territory
 The construction of these two | arge stations and their subsequent ,perational activities will contribute to the progress, devel- opment and economic welfare of Alaska. During the construction | periods alone labor at the sites will | ,e paid a total of some five to six million dollars Expenditures in he purchase of Alaskan materials will also be made to the fullest ex- ent justified by the materials which Ire available for procurement. Those unds in local circulation should stimulate business of all kinds. AL eady there is plenty of evidence o show at both Sitka and Kodiak hat this stimulation is real and will be lasting. Many of the con- ractors' employees who have been ent from Sea tile have already brought or will later bring their fam lies. If these new residents are into the Territory, their made reasonably pleas mt, and fair and equal opportuni- ies are afforded them, have no loubt but that considerable num- ,ers will elect to stay. Such an in- rease in population would surely be beneficial to the economic welfare f the Territory.
 Alaska's Interest
 The contractors, their workmen, nd the Navy personnel engaged on hese projects are mindful of the reat interests manifested in the york by the residents of the Terri ory. These interests are appreciat- d and they will continue to be and met to the fullest xtent permissible under the man. ates which have been laid down y our common superiors. All that , asked in return is your tolerance, nd your acceptance of assurance given and promised that very plan. policy. or operation in with these projects, re- ardless of superficial appearances , ) the contrary. is designed to per- lit construction of the works with 1 ne utmost of economy, speed and { f
 The opinions or assertions contained herein are the pri- vate ones of the writer and are [ not to be construed as official
 or reflecting the views of the Navy Department or the naval V
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