The Daily Alaska empire., 1946-12-26
News Noies
 From Sifka
ESPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE

ESPECIAL coRREsPoNDENcE)
 SITKh. Alaska, Dec. 2l.-lts s still snowing-or perhaps one should say showing again as there was 8 three day thaw early in the week At the Observatory, a snowfall oi about 32 inches has been recorded the highest on their records fol December, and still ten days to go The last high December snowfall was in 1942, 308 inches. Several people have built ana erected bird houses big enough fol only the smaller birds which arc unable to compete with the blue jays. crows, ravens and seagulls And everyone worries over the sur vival Of the deer.
 The posters advertising the com- munity Christmas Sing at 6::30 on Christmas Eve are works of art They were made by Mrs. Robert Wheeler, a member of Beta Sigma Phi, whose members are respon- sible for the carolling,
 The City Council met in special session Tuesday evening with the members of the School Board Jack Calvin, Robert Gaylord and Art Franklin, and School Superin- tsndent T. J. Cole, to discuss the school situation which is fast be- coming critical.
 The EVA is asking $62,0O0 foI the present High School building which was built With governmo nt funds during the Naval Air Station construction boom.
 The School Board and Mir Cole presented the following facts:
 l. That the Grade School build ing is already crowded and its heat ing plant obsolete, needing re- placement next year.
 1 2. One hundred ten to one hun dred thirty additional pupils are anticipated next year, raising the enrolment to 425.
 ! 9. The addition of wings to the present High School building would be small help.
 4. The City spent S8,0C0 in com pleting and equipping the higt school; work which was to have been included in the building dock ct.
 5. The Government is directly responsible for the overcrowding oi local schools; originally through tht Siems Drake and Military personne and now through the closing o1 the government school and mex year by the addition of the chil' dren of the Alaska Native Service personnel.
 6. The most economical move toward a solution of the schoo problem is believed to be the con struction of a new building fo Eoth the grade and high school a a tentative estimate of $400 ,000- but not before building materials are more readily available.
 Council voted to make a reason able bid for the present high schoo building and requested MT. Coles tt draw up resolution for presenta ton at the next Council meeting.
 City Clerk Calvin was requested to present a chart of present schoo property boundaries at the mex meeting. Council decided to post pone action on the purchase of thu Orphanage property until final de cisicn is made on the present higf school.
 To avoid the necessity of meet ing on Christmas Eve, the neX regular meeting date, Council ther transacted a minimum of routin' business.
 The Trollers Union was granted permission to place a bulletin boart on the City Float approach; tn
 
 Ilccal business men were granted the use of the Council Chambe for meeting on any date not con flicting with other regular use 0 the quarters. Bills totaling $23.2 were approved and Council adjourn ed.
 T'hirty-five were present at meeting of Sitka merchants Wed nesday evening at the Counc Chambers, to organize an associa ton for the promotion of loca business interests. Harvey Brow called the meeting to order; w. W Knight was elected to act as tenn porary chairman and Harold Veatc as temporary secretary. Two letter from the Juneau Merchants Associa ton were read. outlining plans the Briggs Steamship Company fo operation between Prince Rupei and Southeast Alaska ports, start ipo Marcb af rates 20 mercer