The Wrangell sentinel., 1948-07-23
ACs INAUGURATEs COMMERCIAL SERVICE
 WITH KETCHIKAN

Commercial telephone service be- tween Arangell and ketehik>n was inaugurated here last Sunday evening when group Of local cit izens was invited to the Alaska Communications System office 10 talk briefly with General Spencer B. Akin, Chief Signal Officer oi the U. $. Army Siguel Corps and Colonel T. J. Fully head Of the Alaska Communication Syetem who We're in kctehikan that even ing Sgt. Sam Pickering and Mrs. Pickering were hosts at the infor- nal party which celebrated the poening of the service and the two small Pickering children Linda and John. served candy and cigar ettes 10 the guests.
 Local people invited were Thor B. Hofstad President of the Cham Der of Commerce; Fred c. Hanford, Leo Mccormack, Mr and Mrs. Al Friedman. of Wrangell Telephone Company H. B. Thornquist, Mrs. Doris Barnes, Joyce Hay and Mrs. Winnie Williams.
 Extra telephones were rigged up by Sgt. Picering so that all his guests could hear General Akin who sent the first greeting over the new circuit.
 General Akin said his present trip to Alaska was the realization of a lifelong ambition. .The eN- pansion of this circuit between Wrangell and Ketchikan," he said, "is, We hope, only the beginning Of plans in the making for connecting you up with the Outside world. We hope the day is very near when you can pick up your telephone and talk to Chicaga, New York or any point in the world as readily as you are now talking 10 ketchi- kan" He added that this service was being completed as speedily as funds and personnel could bring 1t about.
 General Akin also said. "The Alaska Communications System has been so long in the Territory that We feel we are as much q part of Alaska as we are the Army and our aim is to give Alaska the best and most efficient service pos sible."
 Col. Tully then addressed the gathering and reiterated the Cen erals remarks by saying Sunday Yyanipg'g conversations b4-,,-.. ,.., Wrangel and Ketchikan were Ju forerunners of the service the Ai- aska Communicates sysfem ptal. 10 have in service Be,orc a.
 "InaugmatiCn of th.s new c.i = ice between Wrangell and kel nj kan is just a segment of the service We hope you will eventually en- joy" he said.
 Chamber President Thor IIofslad answered the Army officers re marks by sending them the greet ing of Wrangell and in explaining our Days of '9S" celebration here, pectors prb lowing pi.Fol norafdioo told them. Those rugged old pros pectors probably would be might fly surprised to see us talking so easily between Wrangell and Ket- chikan' Others in the party greet ed the Army officers and when conversations were over Col. Fully granted 30-minutes' permission for Wrangellites to call up any friends in Ketchikan free of charge.
 Advantage was taken of the op- poriuuity by several calls being put through and the Wrangell peo- pie enjoyed hearing the Ketchikan operator taking the number, ring the phone and then hear the sur prised voice of their friend at the other end of the line. Reception and conversations were as clear as if made locally.
 Sgt Pickering announced that rates between the two towns are: Day rate, $1.5O for the first three minutes, including tax and .35 for each additional minute; Night rate, $1.13 for the first three nm utes, including tax, and .25 for each additional minute. However, it is presumed that at present the lower night rate will not be avail able here as the local ACS office closes at 6 p. m. now and 5:3O Tn the winter.
 General Akin and Col. Fully were in Wrangell briefly Monday morning looking over installations hey left for Petersburg and then went on to Juneau where they were to join other Army officers