The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-12-19
Chamber Asks fa.8 sssf &S Coast Guard
 4s krf
 Consideration
Withhold Final Decision on Station, Headquarters,
 Is local Plea


 Guard to reconsider it's recent de- cision to build its $250,000 Alaska communicat ations station at Ketchi- kan was sent this week by the Juneau Chamber of Commerce to Rear Admiral Russell R. Waesche, Commandant of the Coast Guard in Washington.
 R. E. Robertson, who wrote the message. said today this might be locking the barn door after the horse has been stolen but it would at least bring from Admiral Waesche some explanation of why Ketchikan was chosen in preference to Juneau. a~
 The Juneau Chambers radiogram to Waesche was as follows: Advantages Cited
 We respectfully submit your definite decision relative to loca ton of your communications sta tion as well as permanent Alaska headquarters should not be reach ed without full consideration of fine harbor advantages of Aux Bay with accessibility to nearby Juneau airport for which CAA has recent ly appropriated half million dol lars for further development, as well as Juneau's airmail and other advantages and central situat tion with respect to water and air trans portation."
 Marshall Crutcher, Seattle certi- fled public accountant and member of the Alaska Committee Of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce, said at today's meeting he had been hearing a great deal of Ketchikan's side of the Coast Guard location argument for some time and it was refreshing now to hear from Juneau. If it were not for Govern ment work, Ketchikan probably woud be in poor condition this winter, he said.
 Juneau, Crutcher said, appears to be the only place he has visited in recent months which has not felt the defense expansion program He said things seemed to be nor nal and quiet" here.
 Ernie Parsons suggested that if Juneau wanted to have the Coast Guard warm up to the place ] little more, it might be good idea to invite Coast Guard officers to the Chamber of Commerce meet ings occasionally
 Years Progress
 President Charles Beale, who will hand the gayel over to President elect Curtis Shattuck after next Thursdays meeting, read brief report showing the Juneau Cham ber's growth and accomplishments during the past year.
 The Chamber all through 1940 has had an average weekly atten- dance of 42-plus; at present has l34 active members, the greatest number ever; has been called upon to furnish more information about Alaska and Juneau in l94O than ever before. has had 331 visitors at it's meetings during the year, and will go into 1941 with between $400 and $500 in the treasury.
 Former President Charles w. Car ter complimented Beale on his ser- vice during the year, whereupon members showed their appreciation by applauding.-
 Appropriation Sought
 A letter from the Coroova Cham Der urged that all Chambers take part in campaign to persuade Legislators to make a substantial appropriation next year for the Territorial Chamber of Commerce.
 The Juneau Chamber voted to donate $25 toward National Guard fund here.
 Keith Wildes was elected mem- Der of the Board of Directors to fill a vacancy created by Dr. M. J. Whittier's appointment as Sec retary, succeeding Ray Stevens.
 Dr. Thomas Morcom of Nome was a guest at the meeting.