The Daily Alaska empire., 1941-03-13
COMMUNICATION
\ ' wI-E- wI- M A

 ture is still, in session, that some one brought to the attention the necessity of certain meritorious and essential aids to the marine minded in this locality.
 We are very unfortunate in hav- ing at both our front and back doors two of the meanest stretches of water for their size of any place in the inland waters of North America: namely; Taku Inlet and Point Retreat! I doubt if there is any small boat that has been oper- ating out of Juneau, or for that matter just passing through that has not at some time or other had close slaves at one or both of these places or been stormbound on either side of them! Look back in your own files at the number of times each winter season and even in the spring and fall for that matter, you have printed ar ticles concerning boats overdue. or stormbound, or wrecked at Point Arden and Point Retreat.
 think you will find enough toI even merit going as far as peti- tioning the Federal Government to- dig a canal from Hawk Inlet to- Young's Bay and another from the head of Seymour Canal into Oli- ver's Inlet. But, realizing the tre- mendous costs of such enterprises, believe that we should for the present have a few much-needed aids at and near these two places to safeguard life and limb and at least alleviate some of the worry for those in Juneau who must sit and wait, for the return of mem bers of their family.
 It is not necessary to go into de- tail concerning the weather n winter in these two places as most of the people know how bad 1t IS, but I might add that lot of nsI can recall, even in recent years, times that regularly operated steamships have been forced toI await a break in the weather toI round Piont Retreat or cross Taku Inlet, for as much as five days.
 As for the duration of winds at these points, tune in your radio to the weather broadcasts each evening any time from October toE April. How many times have you heard this: Gentle to moderate southeast winds over most of Southeast Alaska, except Lynn Canal; strong northeast winds?" Taku Inlet is being sighted on the air, but it is generally assumed that if one is dirty, so is the other
 Fortunately, both of these places have one fine harbor as last port of call to await favorable condi- tions for continuing on to town. And in both cases, the averagel small boat can nearly always beat their way to Funter Bay or Taku Harbor when it is virtually suicide to proceed any further. But, after they get there. still where are they? Now, for a suggestion. At both of these places there should be some kind of radio or wireless station e., ,,caI
 Now, along these same lines, what Juneau or the Marshals office, or any branch of the government all- thorized to render assistance toI local mariners, is good-high- powered small tug-something like the A. J. Trojan. Sure, we've got the Coast Guard cutter, but where is it now? And where is it every winter when it is most likely tol be needed around here? There are other things wrong with a boat like the. Haida besides not being here all the time; among which are: unhandy size for getting into small places, unnecessary delay be- fore being allowed to get under way and then only in the case of direst necessity; inability to travel in snow storms when stranded parties can row in an open boat, and the inability to not make you feel that you are being an un- necessary expense to the Govern ment!
 I have already sent letter to the CCC branch of the Forest Service suggesting that shelter cabins be built at several places near Point Retreat and Point Ar den and that good trails be made from these places to more sheltered spots nearby that stranded persons can be rescued.
 Very sincerely, L. H, "Kinky"I 1 Bayers, motorship Forester.
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