The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1942-07-16
Accomplishments

During the entire nine years OF
its life, the Corps has been actively
contributing to the well-being of
American youth and it is recog-
nized by high authority that this
is one of the most important con-
tributions to National Defense. For
example, the CCC has been doing
the following:
L. Building the health, strength
and stamina of young men of the
Territory.
2. Teaching them the meaning
and purpose of discipline while liv-
ing and working in groups by
themselves.
g. Training them to drive trucks,
operate tractors and other heavy
equipment, build roads and trails,
cook and handle clerical work.
4. Using its man power on every
type of emergency that came along,
such as floods, fires and rescue
work
5. Giving inexperienced young
men such training as has enabled
hundreds of them to obtain good
positions in private employment.
The work projects offer the most
tangible results of the CCC in Alas
ka. During the past year, work
projects concentrated upon were
of the type which contributed di-
rectly to the war effort, such as
the construction of Army airfield,
the development of strategic roads,
trails and community gardens, and
the providing of several camps for
the armed forces. However, a large
part of the work accomplished dur
ing the entire nine years that the
Corps has operated in the Terri
tory is now of real value to National
Defense. Air, sea and land trans
portation have been materially
ber Gifted by the construction of
emergency airplane landing fields
in remote areas, the installation of
docks. floats and breakwaters, and
the construction of low standard
roads. trails, bridges, shelters and
dog trails. Great strides have been
made in the improvement of sani-
tation and living facilities in the
Eskimo and Indian villages through
the development of water systems,
drainage bitches. sewage disposal
sy tie ms, hydro-electric plants,
model homes and street improve
ments. Recreation areas through
out the National Forests have been
developed by the construction of
shelters, cabins, lighthouses, picnic
areas and trails.
Another Project
One extremely important project,
having great archaeological value,
has been the restoration and pres
ervation of totem poles and COM
munity houses, the most interest
ing form of art developed by the
Southeastern Alaska Indians. The
totem poles and community houses
were rapidly decaying and disap-
pearing from sight when the CCC
the task of preserving
these strange memorials and per-
petuating this ancient art. When
possible, the poles were restored but
often they were SO badly decayed
that duplicates had to be carved.
All of the community houses we're
in such poor state of preservation
that they had to be entirely rebuilt
All of this work was done by In
dian enrollees, the older Indians
teaching the younger men the art
of carving. In addition to preserv-
ing the totem art, many of the
younger Indians will be able to
earn livelihood in the future,
through the sale of their carvings
to curio shops and tourists. This
program of rehabilitation has re-
ceived high praise from many Or
CARNATIONS and individuals through
out Alaska and the States.