The Daily Alaska empire., 1947-09-16

ab,e 10 qualify for such funds anyway, as the Territory of Alaska does not have enabling legisla- ton. The issue. Plett said, has been put up to Territorial At torney General Ralph Rivers to write an opinion holding that Alaska cities can participate in the Federal Airport Act-an opin- ion that will hold at least two quarts of water out of four So far Rivers has not come up with such an answer Mayor and Councilmen thought they might try to build a fire under tAe Attor- ney General.
 EVA Wants Action
 Foss emphasized thc advance of planning funds for the airrort tuilding, received by the City from the Federal Works Agency, has not been put to use because of the uncertainties Meanwhile. the, EVA has grown anxious for the planning loan. to be used or turned back to be allotted else where. The problem arises as to how elaborate an administration building the City should plan for. If it cannot get Federal Airport money a rather modest structure is all the City could pay for it. self If it can get Federal money, larger building must be planned to provide for required Federal agencies.
 Alaska EVA head Earl McGinty was asked if an extension of time on the planning loan could be se- cured if the full circumstances were explained to the EVA He thought a few months more could be obtained.
 Plett further suggested that, though the City cannot obtain title to the airport building site. it night be possible to obtain such title upon CAA recommendation were the field declared surplus The portion of the field proposed for the tuilding might then be from the rest and turn ed over to the City He agreed with White, that the Citys under taking to improve the field by proceeding with erection of some sort of administration building would well become a first step toward resolving the entire prob lem satisfactorily. He also thought ! the City could be protected in it's investment by action Of his agency.
 Vital For Defense
 Another angle from which to view the airport problem was opened by contention of Chamber of Commerce President Simpson Mac kinnon that the Juneau field is vital militarily for the defense of Alaska, and that the armed ser vices cannot afford to let go of it. MacKinnon called on his war time experience as Navy Staff Captain to show that every spot where a plane can be set down is necessary as staging area for moving planes into and through Alaska The Juneau field, as one of three on a long hop from Se- attle, has great importance, he felt.
 Referring to the fact that the Juneau field does not rate main tenance priority. Councilman Johnson wanted to know why it is not classed as an airway fac ility Plett answered that the sur rounding terrain puts a high ceil- ing on instrument letdowns. The Gustavus field was built at mili- tary demand, he said, because that difficulty at Juneau could not be licked.
 Have Two Hopes
 So, with two hopes-that the emergency contracts can be ar ranged to keep the field open to fcur-engine ships during winter, and that the Attorney General can find way to qualify Alaska cities for Federal Airport money the meeting broke up. The CAA officials expected to remain here at least until this afternoon. Yes terday's meeting was held in tire Fire Department quarters, since a trial in City Court was still in progress in the Council Chamb- ere nt :. 2Q n,clanl. uhaln tho C. A