The Nome nugget., 1942-09-14

to Postal Censors that this article has been read and passed at point of Origin indicates that can get together Note the deletions made by the Postal CensOrs. Edtor)
 UNALASKA, Alaska August - To the Juneau Empire: Recently my attention called to quoted statements made by the (eX) mayor of Unaaska, rel ave the air raid attacks here by Japanese June 3rd and 4h. As civilian and the local Pnted Stat es Commissioner and the attorney for the Cty of Un- alaska wsh to refute many of the exaggerated well as untruthful statements attributed to Mir Fletcher and appearing in many papers.
 resent do the other civilians here, Mir. Fleehers aegd statement that military forces would have been more effective had there been coordination be- tween the army and navy That is not only fabric aton; but casts reflection upon fighting forces here which has basis in fact and most certainly is unuStfed l am that personally witnessed more in detail the attacks on June 3rd and 4th than did MT Fletcher for the primary that immediately upon the first attack Mr. Fletcher with his few friends went far up into the hills where they remained, hidden away, for all of three days G.. Deeted by Postal Censor ) But this alleged statement by MT. Fletcher has just as much truth in il has many of the other statements reputed to him For example MT Fletcher says 1t was very cloudy at this time when as matter of fact the weather practically clear.
 He states: the civilians shaking like leaves" during the raid. saw during this occasion many times of the civilians than did Mir Fletcher but did not anyone shaking like leaf" in fact our people were particularly calm, there hysteria except that shown by the Mayor himself He is no doubt the one who shook like a leaf" for he was the first to leave the town after the raid began and go far into the hls and he the last to return to town follow ing the raids Likewise he the first to leave on vessel for the States after the attack As Mayor of the city, it his duty to remain in town It was like wise his duty to have stayed with his city following the attack instead of running out the towni post haste for the States to seek publicity with exaggerated statements not representing facts I told that MT. Fletcher made the statement just before leaving Un- alaska: Boy, the story will tell of what saw with all that l can add to it, will be terrific ,"
 The people of Unaaska regard Mr. Fletcher no less than one regards captain of vessel who believing his ship is sinking deserts her with all of his crew and passengers still aboard And, when there followed weeks of no further enemy raids and the ship did not sink, he eXcitedly wired from Seattle to each of the six counclmen urging them to have instituted at once proceedings to dsincOrpOae the city Very much
 Ike the deSertng captain, who found his ship did not sing after all returns to scute her to save his face C.. Deleted by Postal Censor =. ) In the news papers Of July l7h Mir Fletcher is quoted intimat- ing the military forces here are lying down on their duty to get the Japs off Kiska and Attu Islands This most certainly Is unWarranted and unustifed state ment Both our army and navy are right on the job; they have been right the job ever since the Japs landed on these islands, and from my observation as civilian and from available information can get all the headWay that is possible is beng made to oust the enemy. Both the personnel of the army and navy, every day that weather permits are doing big fine Job there is complete coordination between them and the brave fellows in both branches of the armed forces are together winning out. But while they ARE win ming they also are equally giving of their precious blood and some with their lives.
 The weather in these WeSternmost islands at this
 time the year is anything but ideal for blasting out the Japs from the air But in spite oft his handicap and in spite of MT. Fletcher the Japs, l am certain will be driven out or annhated before the passing of many moons And, when this is accomplished the army and navy will share equally the honors and the people wi. owe debt of gratitude to both branches of the