The Daily Alaska empire., 1948-07-29
COMMUNITY LACK OF COOPERATION
 A55AILED TODAY
Chamber of Commerce Cri- tieizes Poor Attendance
 at Important Hearings

Juneauites were severely criticized today by the Juneau Chamber of Commerce for failure to take an active interest in projects of special interest and value to the community The criticism was begun by Gurus Shattuck. Chairman of the Chamter Transportation Committee, who was reporting on the recent Juneau hear ing for the re-establishment Of the Alaska Coast Guard District.
 Merchants are always complain ing that the town is going to the dogs and that we aren't doing any thing about it." said Shattuck, but, when there is something that they can do. they don't help" He point ed out that mere attendance at sucn hearings would display the com- mu1ity's interest in the subject and would carry considerable weight toward securing the objective. He said it isn't necessary for most people to speak at the hearings II they can just ill the hall by their presence.
 He said that local fishermen are the same. They continually ask us for help, but only one or two were present at the Army Engineer hear ings cn the proposed Oliver Inlet Canal which," he said. was prl- ,,,o,;,,, for thpir benefit" :"
 Vital To Everyone
 These matters are vital to every one" declared Shattuck. "the Cham Der cannot do the job without the assistance of everyone in the Com munity whether or not they are d. rectly concerned or affected He stated that it would be impossible to expect favorable results from these hearings on the basis Of the number of persons who attended them.
 Some Good Words
 Shattuck did, however, have good words for Chamber Secretary Fred Eastaugh and Lieutenant Comman- der Edward P Chester, Jr., who he said did offer important facts on the situations. Both hearings, ln question, were attended by only a few members of the Chamber with a lack of representation by mer- chants, fishermen, other citizens and the Alaska Development Board which was originally created to rep resent the Territory on such matters.
 Shattucks remarks were strongly applauded by the entire Chamber. Mayor w. E. Hendriekson endorsed them with the statement that many organizations start but don't finish things. Chamber President ". Burr Johnson said it was very discourag- ing to try and do something With cut public cooperation.
 Davis Guest Speaker
 James F. Davis, Director of the Iivision of Territories and Insular Possessions in the Department ot the Interior, was principal speaker today. He said that Alaska, at pres ent, compares with Los Angeles in 1903. It is on the threshold Of great development, he declared. He pointed out that Alaskans now have the opportunity to build permanent community and economy.
 Davis was optimistic on proposed pulp development in SEE Alaska. He said that an announcement can be expected soon on this situation. He declared that this would mean the development of power, transporta- ton, business and people in the Ter ritory
 There has been no idea of Ter ritorial unity or community CIVIC spirit in the past in Alaska, he stated, but, the time has now come to build. such spirit and unity" He pointed out that many persons are coming to Alaska now who are lm- portant to it's future because they have the money and the influence GIl OtIltI pCloOi " iStoid oA o~ vance it's welfare.
 Davis also reminded the Chamcer that the next two or three months are critical for getting Federal ap- propriations to benefit Alaska. He said that requests must be received by October in order to be considered for the l949-50 fiscal year.
 A group of slide5 on Glacier Bay taken by Eckley Guerin, Harry Sperling and others, was shown al the conclusion of the meeting.
 President Johnson named spe- cial committee to work on the To- cation of office space for the pro- posed U. s. Coast Guard District Headquarters.
 Other visitors were: Ned Skinner, Vice-president and Manager of Pa cific Cruise Lines; Howard Hop kins, Assistant Chief of the U. s. Forest Service; L. E. Evans, Edward E. Goshen, and Walter A. Lee, all of the U s. Department of Labor; pr. Ernest E. Wadlow, Dr. G. A. Law, Rev. Ele Wadlow and R. E. Jones, all of St. Joseph, Missouri and Wal ter Baum, La Sale Extension Uni- versity.