The Wrangell sentinel., 1947-05-16
COLONEL T. J. FULLY
 AND ACs PARTY GUESTS
 AT JOINT CHAMBER LUNCH


 Col. T. J. Fully. Commander of the Alaska Communications Sys- tenn, Captain NJ Armstrong, Com mander of the Army cable boat. Lenore. Master Sergeant W. c Gustafson and MT. William Bruen- CT, technical engineer, were guest yesterday afternoon at a joint lun- cheon of the Senior and Junior Chambers of Commerce Luncheon was prepared by women of the Civic Club with Mrs. Charles Els lick and Mrs. Neil French Ih charge.
 Col. Fully, who is making an in spection trip of ACS stations in the Territory from Ketehikan to Point Barrow, was guest speaker. The meeting was presided over by C.. Howard Baltzo, President of the i senior Chamber.
 Col. Fully explained he was on his trip to get an overall picture of projects now being carried out by the ACS and plan for future projects. He stressed that main cB- iective of ACS was to give the best service possible at the cheapest rates possible. He said that in spite of the telephone strike and the re- cent cut in rates over ACS sta tions, the systems books showed an increase in revenues of 596 this year over last year.
 However" he stressed, the Al aska Communications System is not in the business to make money Every dollar taken in over the counter goes to the U. s. Treasury. Our appropriations come from Con. gress." He further explained that in order to get the money for the improvements the system has in store for Alaska, it is well to show Congress that the increase in traf- fic warrants the outlay.
 He said the ACS in Alaska rel presented a $10,0O0,00O invest ment with 625 enlisted personnel and 150 civil employees and oper- , ated 35 stations.
 In conjunction with telephone communication, Col. Fully said the
 
 Wrangell's telephone problem as far as it concerned the Signal Corps future plans. It was hoped, he said. that Wrangell, within the next 45 days would have telephone communication with the States. HeI said that although, obviously, ACS could not enter into private busi- ress or private affairs, it would do ACS no good to bring signals toI within half mile of Wrangell anal 1 then not be able to distribute them over a telephone system" There fore, he said, MT. Bruener would look over Wrangell's telephonc system and see what was needed to make possible direct communica. ] tion, through thelocal ACS station. with the Outside necessary ana then they could recommend ant perhaps put whoever owned tneI telephone system in touch with parties having the available equip ment, and then it would be up fol the telephone company to complete the deal.
 In answer to an inquiry by F. G. Hanford on surplus war equip. ment Col. Fully said he would have his men on the lookout for what ever was needed here and if any were found the telephone company would be notified.
 Chairman Baltzo paid tribute tU the local staff of the ACS. He said service now out of the station was the best he could remember Wran gell had ever enjoyed and told Col. Fully that Wrangell was apprecia- tive of the splendid efforts of Sgt. Sam Pickering, Sgt Maynard Ward and Pvt. Bob Dempster.
 Col. Fully and his party left early this morning on the Lenore for Petersburg.
 In closing the meeting, Chair man Baltzc announced that there would be no senior Chamber meet ing next Thursday as the Civic Center will be in use for the mass &-ray program.
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