The Wrangell sentinel., 1946-08-23
CHAMBER DISCUSSES
 LACK OF BOAT SERVICE
 TO SMALL ALASKA TOWNS

Main topic of discussion at the noon luncheon meeting of the Wrangqll Chamber of Commerce yesterday was the woefully in- adequate boat service of Wrangel, in Southeast Alaska. IL was point ed out that until the North Sea arrived Tuesday it had been g days since Wrangou had received freight, served as it is only by the Square Sinnet Juneau and Ketch- tkan il was said. suffered no shortage of merchandise or com modities and il was said, reasoned that during the busy summer seq son especially. Wrangel and other smaller towns entitled 10 better service. Mayor Doris Barnes. See retary of the Chamber. made the suggestion that all of the small towns pull together in an endeayor 10 get better service to all the smaller southeastern towns and said that al the rate hearings which she attended as a represent ative of the Chamber, her impression was that the operators of the Alaska line and the Northlaud and Alaska Transportation com panies mostly feared the talked of southeastern Alaska service out of Prince Rupert which would not only cut in on their freightage but would also gVeapg injure seatue's trade with the Territory. As Chamber member Jack Waters and President James Nolan pointed out, Nome and Telegraph Creek have better and nor frequent boat service than Wrangell.
 A motion was made by William Eastaugh and seconded by Don House that wires be sent to the War Shipping Administration, the heads of the Alaska Line and the Northland Transportation Company and also to the Chambers of Sitka, Petersburg and skagway asking that Wrangell and the other small Ter towns be granted at least a boat a week service.
 rrosidcnt James Nolan said that the Henry Jackson Investigating committee which conducted fear ings in Juneau week before last on freight rates and general fish mattrs paid Wrangells represent atiYe al the hearings high compli- ment Mayor Doris Barnes, at her ] Cwn expense, attended the hear l ings and it was moved Mrs Barnes 1 be given a rising vote of thanks for her presented Wrangell's case. He also said the committee, which spent a short time in Wrangel a week ago Saturday, appeared U be one of the best informed com mites ever to have visited the Territory. He said they showed | their knowledge of Territorial problems and affairs by asking questions of the Wrangell delega- | ton which met them. on matters with which very few outside the | Territory are acquainted.
 It was also reported that the S25 appropriated by the Chamber | for entertainment of Governor and Mrs. Gruening and their party from l Juneau two weeks ago had not been sufficient to meet the expense but the deficit, of another $25 was made up by the Chamber members James Nolan, Fred Han ford, Leo Mccormack and Leonard M. Campbell. The party was re- ported a great success and much accomplished for the benefit Of the town.
 Secretary Doris Barnes reported that she, as Mayor, had written the Alaska Communications System a letter of appreciation for the newly installed telephone service to Petersburg. It was inaugurated last Wednesday.
 A letter from the Juneau Cham Der on gold mining referred to the publicity committee for study as also was another letter from the Travel Mart, in Seattle, asking for detailed information on what the Wrangell area has to offer tourists in the line of hotel accommodations scenic attractions, ste.
 MT Ed Dick was introduced to the Chamber as a guest by Leo Mccormack Mir Dick arrived here Tuesday on the North Sea to be assistant to William Eastaugh at the Mccormack Dock Company.