The Daily Alaska empire., 1941-03-13


 merce to further discuss the
 Armory Bill resolution, the vote
 will be by secret ballot according
 to information to The Empire
 In a lengthy session that lasted almost an hour overtime and ended with motion that a special meeting be called for tomorrow noon, the Jul lneau Chamber of Commerce meet | ing at neon today in the Gold Room of the Baranof Hotel, discussed the Chambers stand on it's resolution condoning the construction Of arm ories by the Territory for Alaska National Guard units.
 Climaxed by pr. w. w. Councils move that the rules be suspended and the Chamber go on record for the Legislature immediately passing tax legislation to erect armories in the Territory, discussion and debate on housing for the National Guard was long and intense.
 MCticn Over Ruled
 President Curtis Shattuck pointed cut that in view of the Chambers constitution and of other motions pre- viously passed, he could do nothing else but call the motion out of order unless the Chamber wanted to over rule the chair. No motion was made to set aside the ruling.
 The armory debate started when Shattuck explained the Chambers former endorsement which approved of an armory bill to provide for mini mum, adequate housing for National Guard units, but did not endorse House Bill 66. Dr. Council asked Maio Jesse E. Graham if survey had been made of Juneau and other Alaskan towns now with National Guard companies to see if buildings now standing could be converted in- to armorieS.
 Housing Inadequate
 Graham replied that the present housing for Guard units is totally inadequate'' and that he could find no buildings in the four towns hav- ing Guard units that could be con- verted into adequate armories tc meet the requirements and regula- tions of the War Department. Backbone of Army
 Saving that the National Guard is the skeleton of the United States Army, the Major explained that armories are also used for civic af- fairs. Several Chamber members cited cities where armory buildings are used for civic dances, meetings and automobile shows.
 Because of the short time left in which to act, Dr. Council stated that an acton must be taken im- mediately by the Chamber and said that ''the refusal of the Legislature to appropriate money for armories would be a Territorial disgrace" The Chamber finally decided tc lay the matter over until tomorrow noon at a special meeting.
 Bring Barracks Here
 Shortly before the extended ses- sion ended, Keith G. Wildes proposed that the Chamber take steps to bring housing facilities for the canton ment of Alaska Selective Service sell ectees to Juneau. He pointed out that included in defense program ap- propriation before Congress is $8l3.- 75O to be used for, the construction of quarters for Alaska selectees and National Guard units in the event that the Guard is called into active service and when the selcctees are called for a years training.
 He said that facilities for quart ering men and their families in Ju- neau were better than in any other Alaska town now with an Army post and named facilities for erecting the barracks at Eagle river. Wildes proposal was met with general ac- clamation by the Chamber members but Major Graham explained that the money must be spent at some central location where men can bt trained and assembled with other
 Other Business
 llnitc Of the Army
 The proposal was referred to tht local industries committee,
 Other business disposed at th' meeting was announcement of tht membership drive which will be fin. ished, it was hoped, by the next re lgular Chamber meeting, and re port on the planting of trout an< game fish in the streams and lake near Juneau.
 Guests introduced were Ed Locken Petersburg banker; c. Clausen, Pet ersburg City Clerk; Hack White sponsor of Hacks Hornets and MI Sawyer of Windham Bay.
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