The Wrangell sentinel., 1944-03-10
Post War ReCreatiOnal Development Urged Here By Gruening, GabrieISOn

l war tourist industry through devel.
 opment of recreational facilities l Gov. Ernest Gruening and Dr. Ira x. l Gabrielson, Director of the U.
 Fish and Wildlife Service, were m
 town this week and pressed the.r point before meetings of the Hone Industries committee and the Cham Der of Commerce.
 Dr. Gabrielson was returning
 Washington after attending the aH- nual session of the Alaska GaH Commission and setting up the ne ]. regional office of the Fish and Wildlife service in Juneau. Go. l Gruening was accompanying him as far as ketehikan aboard the fish ies vessel Crane. In the official pa ty with the two executives we're Metcalfe Mailing of the wage d. hour division of the |. S. Depoa ment of Labor in the Territory connection with work of that q
 partment, and new Regional Dire tor Frank Hynes of Fish and Wi. life he latter was enjoying meetil his many friends in Wrangell whe
 he made his home for about five years.
 Addressing the Chamber lunhcea1 yesterday in the Civic Center tIs Governor pointed out that Southea
 Alaska can, if local initiative will, develop the tourist industry inta one of the major industries in tla Territory. Movement has now be-a started for all Southeast Alaska to cooperate in a post war program .5 care for the mammoth tourist trace that is anticipated for the norts Earl N. Dinner of Petersburg h. been named chairman of the under taking and already in Juneau committee is at work to develop part of the program in that area It is expected that groups will
 formed in the various communities to promote the development in those areas, with the cobmined program an all out Southeast Alaska enter prise. Tentative outline is not dis similar to Washingtonians. Inc, Washington states organization fos bringing people to that state, and dozens of like groups throughout the nation. Both the Governor and Dr. Gabrielson emphasized that the job of accommodating the anticipal- ed tourist trade to Southeast Alas. ka is far more than a one-commun- ity task. It calls for the united ef- fort of the entire Southeast with no pickering among communities but a solid front to bring and ac- commodate the travellers.
 Our evidence which comes in from people all over the country. is that people are coming to Alaska in throngs after the war" said pr. Gabrielson. Alaska has been given such prominence in the news in the last couple of years since the war that everyone in the States is AL aska conscious. They want to com to Alaska. How are you going t3 accommodate them? If they find facilities, they'll come back anl bring their friends If they do nc they are likely not to come aga il. My suggestion is that now is tf time to get ready to greet that in flux of visitors"
 Gabrielson and the Governor su gested the building of modest ca ms on lakes, streams or near seem spots where the tourist can
 meals at reasonable prices, can eI joy the outdoors, climb mountain, fish or whatever they choose to Go
 It's gigantic" said the Goverua.
 These people who are coming l. here want to do everything in th oook-fish, hunt, hike climb mon. talns' take pictures pick wild f,pv CTS, study bird life-all the thf. the outdoor enthusiast goes in fof Having all these things at our iron door we think little of it, but ther. are thousands, yes millions of Dec pie in the States who will pay f their limit to enjoy for acouple q, weeks just little of the out dooof wonders which Southeast Alaska af fords."
 The start does not need to be el. aborate, both men stressed. Modes. places, developed by Alaskans in tl., various communities are preferable AS Dr. Gabrielson put it: "The biz hotels, the resorts will come of their own accord; they always follow tn. crowd. What you need do it take care of these people who are coming up Just as quick as the war is ovor The big majority of them will b. people of modest means. They vii, probably spend an average of $10 day and have time for about two weeks at one little place where they can do the thing they want most to do for that time. That, to me, is the goal you should strive for first
 Dr. Gabrielson explained how the business had been developd in many