The Daily Alaska empire., 1941-02-17
BILL WOULD
 MOVE HOME FROM BOMBS
Pioneers Unsafe at Sitkd, Saws Senator Brownell
 in Legislature

 neers Home at Sitka might be bomb- ed due to it's proximity to the Sitka Naval Air Station, Senator Don Car los Brownell of Seward today intro duced in the Territorial Senate a bill to sell the present Home to the Federal Government and build new Pioneers Home elsewhere.
 The bill states that "older persons usually enjoy participating in, or at least the observation of, gardening, farming and dairying," which the Senator contends is impossible at Sitka. Other arguments marshalled against the Sitka location are that radio reception is poor, the roar of airplanes and guns disturbs the rest of the pioneers, large cold storage plant nearby is the source of un- pleasant odors and noise, gasoline and oil storage depot within 1000 feet of the Home constitutes a haz- ard, the present structure is too small and an annex would be un- economical Provision should also be made, the bill says, for married couples and single women.
 S4O0,0O0 Asked
 Brownells bill provides that the Trustees shall sell the Home and Goddard Hot Springs for not less than $4O0,OO0
 A Pioneer Home Selection Com mission would be appointed by the Governor to pick a site for new Home. The Commission would con- sist of II members, the present Trus- tees and two members from each Judicial Division.
 Upon closing the sale of the Home," the bill reads, the Govern ment shall be required to make an initial payment sufficient to cover all expense incident to carrying out the provisions of this Act so that no appropriation need be made for this purpose by the Legislature"
 Brownell went to Sitka last week with the Legislative Committee to inspect the Home.
 Shuddering Thought
 When I saw that great new Sitka Naval Base located right across the narrow stretch of water and within a half mile of the Alaska Pioneers Home" he said today, T shuddererd at the result of bombardment of the base The Home is right in line if enemy craft should shoot in from the ocean, and the building is the most conspicuous of any in the group. It probably would be hit first in case of hostilities. Experience in the present war has shown the ghastly results to schools and hos pitals that were near military ob- | jectiveS.
 "The Home is now too small and otherwise lacking. For two years there has been a proposal to build a $175,000 annex, on a dark side of the present building. This would be unsatisfactory in many ways and should be done only as last resort. My plan is to build a new and ade- quate Home in safe location and having all desirable features the present Home lacks.
 No Selfish Thought
 ''The present building is ideal for hospital or barracks or Federal of- fices in connection with the Naval Base and I think there is very strong moral obligation on the Gov ernment's party to help Alaska move its aged pioneers to safer location Let me say right here that there is no selfish thought in my proposal as l am not suggesting a location, l want only the best place for our old folks.
 T am sure Delegate Dimond would assist in such worthy move, and hope Alaskans to man will get behind the idea to get new and better building in safe place for our pioneers to enjoy their declining years"