The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-03-31
Gov. Grueninq Sees
 Important l onorrow
 On Alaskan Horizon

where which has pioneered into South America and across the At lantic and Pacific Oceans Its per m anent establishment for year round service depends on the con- struction of suitable airports near Ketchikan, Juneau, Fairbanks, with alternative fields for emergency. Ef- forts to secure these major projects are under way Meanwhile, how ever, regular through service from Seattle for the summer months is being sought for sea-planes. Hear ings to make this possible this con- ing summer have just been held be- fore the Civil Aeronautics Admin istration. There is every reason to hope for a favorable verdict The benefits of regular communication by air for passengers and air mail are apparent. They will also result in greatly increased aviation &C., tivity within the Territory.
 8. The installation of aids to aer- ial navigation, and the construction of great airports at important points, adequate for sub-stratosphere planes of long cruising radius. is preemi- nently a responsibility of the Fed eral Government. The building and improvement of smaller, local air ports, designed for air service with in Alaska is properly the rcsponsi- bility of the Territorial authorities.
 Sea
 The passenger accommodations during the peak season on ships flying from Seattle to Alaska are in- sufficient. They have been filled to capacity in recent years. Now with European travel cut off the pressure will be even greater. Un- fortunately, there is no immediate prospect of securing additional pas senger vessels. The war has result ed in tremendous demand for ev- cry type of ship. Mounting costs of operation and consequent mcer- taiDty have hitherto discouraged long range planning and construc- ton of new vessels by most coast wise operators. These increased costs have incidentally created serious situation by which the Alaska pen- insula has been deprived, and stands likely to be deprived, of regular pas senger and freight service for the major part of the year. To meet this situation Delegate Dimond has been untiringly at work to secure an additional appropriation of Federal funds to enable the Post Office De- partment to seek bids for larger type of vessel than one which is adequate merely to carry mails. This is an unprecedented request and if granted will testify to the apprecia- tion in Congress of the special con- ditions requiring this unique type of assistance. As this problem of insufficient shipping is one beyond the power of AlaskanS to remedy immediately, our chief hope lies in continued agitation for increased shipping facilities.
 Land
 Roads are essential to the devel- opment of Alaska. Considering the Territory's great extent, it's sparse population and the relatively high cost of highway maintenance, the Territory has on the whole fared well, as the steadily, if slowly, in- creased road mileage testified. The Federal Government has supplied virtually all the funds for the high ways that are enjoyed and utilized by the residents of Alaska's towns and has borne the major part of the maintenance cost. Territorial funds have gone chiefly to making mining properties accessible and permitting their operators to carry on. For a number of years the