The Daily Alaska empire., 1943-08-03


 of the Alaska Aeronautics and Communication Commission during the period beginning July l, 1942, and ending June 30, l943, complete with self-explanitory maps and in- formation to the general public, is contained in a report just issued by w. R. Nichols, Supervisor, with headquarters in Juneau.
 Supervisor Nichols, in his report says the Alaska Aeronautics Act" charges the Commission with the supervision, promotion, and devel- 1pment of aeronautics and com- munications within the Territory. The Commission is also charged with the promulgation, adoption, and enforcement of rules, regula- tions, and orders to safeguard from accident, and to protect the safety of persons operating or using air craft, and persons and property on the ground; provided, that such rules, regulations, and orders shall not duplicate nor conflict with the aeronautical and communications regulations in force by the Depart ment of Commerce of the United States, andlor the Federal Com munications Commission, andior the provisions of the Federal Air Commerce Act of 1926.
 Special Problems
 The sparse and scattered popu- lation of Alaska, which means a similar dispersion of economic act ivity, gives rise to special problems in transportation and communica- tion. Approximately 800 miles of railroads and 5000 miles of ve- fiicular roads serve an area of ap- proximately 100000 square miles. Air transportation is serving as the most logical solution for the lack of other methods of travel Planes operate to and from communities that have no other communication with the outside world than occas- icnal mail during the summer months. The vastness of the area served, weather conditions prevail ent in northern climates, communi- cation difficulties due to distance and lack of proper radio facilities, and economic problems have been major problem to aircraft oper- ators.
 The Alaska Aeronautics and Com munications Commission, meeting in Juneau March 1922, 1943, real izing these conditions planned and adopted regulations designed to add to the safety of aircraft and occu- pants. These regulations, in their final form, were the result of the experience of pilots from every sec- tion of Alaska and do not dupli- cate any regulations of the Civil Aercnautics, Administration. They are sufficiently broad that they may te adapted to any portion of the Territory without hardship to those concerned. hs. t.ss
 Post War Planning
 Post war planning places Alaska as the hub of world aviation opera tions. The great circle routes to Manila, Hong Kong, Calcutta, Bom- bay, and Tokyo are by way of Alaska. Technical developments predict large volume of post war private flying in addition to the expansion of commercial air trans portation facilities. We have every reason to expect an aeronautical future for Alaska.
 Much of the progress of nation depends upon its communication and transportation facilities. This IS also true of any Territory. It is obvious that many deficiencies exist in communications within Alaska. In an area as large and sparsely settled as Alaska the cost of net work of wire lines would be pro- hibitive. The nucleus of all com munication within the Territory is the Alaska Communications Sys- tenn which is composed of twenty enc radio stations. Other line ex- tensions are, for the greater part, i represented by the Office of Indian. Affairs with fifty-six stations and the Alaska Aeronautics and Con- municationS Commission with nine, teen stations. Fifty-three stations are licensed to individuals or com munities. Approximately eight hundred fifty communities have no communication. Only two hundred twenty communities have post of- l fees. %
 Since the. majority of the stations do not operate at profit their cnly measure of success can be at tributed to the whole hearted CO., operation of these agencies and in- dividuals who have given freely of their time without remuneration. The furnishing of communication to every community is possibility that could be realized through the