The Daily Alaska empire., 1949-11-22
NATIONAL GUARD
 IS OUTLINED FOR
 ROTARY MEMBERS

A sketch of the organization ano activities of the Alaska National Guard as given by three officers of Headquarters Detachment, Jul neau, made up the program for tnt Rotary Club at today's weekly lun- cheon meeting
 2nd It. Vern Metcalfe outlined AVG progress from its authoriza- ton by the 1949 Legislature through activation here on May 10 of Headquarters and Headquart- CTS Detachment, to projected forma- tion early next year of an infantry battalion in Southeast Alaska.
 It. Col. J. D. Alexander. AVG Ad- jutant General, was expected to return today from Anchorage where he and It. Claude L. Mcbride went last week to organize the 207th h. fantry Battalion. The Southeast AL aska unit will be the 208th.
 Metcalfe called attention to the type of services provided by the National Guard, of which the Gov ernor is commander-in-ch The Guard can be called out in cases of internal strife or national em- ergency and, in Alaska, is import ant for another duty-serving as eyes and ears of the Army.
 It is in this capacity that the first two Alaska National Guard units-the Eskimo Scout Battalions at Nome and Bethel, respectively are of present use. Nineteen units in Alaska have been authorized and seven already have received federal recognition. Of the author ized complement of 2,807 officers and men, the AVG now has "A officers and 229 men.
 Closing with mention of pay re- ceived for Guard duty and the hope for an Air National Guard within a year, Metcalfe introduced Capt. Arthur Walker, of Section Plans, Training and Operation. After Walkers brief talk on that work, Capt. Joseph Shofner discussed the work of his section (S-3, Intelli- gence and Public Relations), which includes training Eskimo scouts in observing unusual activities in the Identification of aircraft.
 Tn matters of Rotary business, Dr. William P. Blanton, the clubs 1949 Soap Box Derby chairman, an- nounced that The Daily Alaska Empire yesterday signed the fran chise for the 1850 event, in CO., operation with the Rotary Club
 Reminding members that Decem- Der 6 is the birthday" anniver- sary of the Juneau Rotary Club President Bob Akervick named these members to serve on the December program committee: Tom Morgan, Eric Newbould, Judge George w. Folta and Elton Engstrom.
 Following last weeks deadlock vote in meeting, the Board decid- ed against having a New Years party this year, but voted for a Valentines party.
 Member Carson Lawrence brought an incredible assortment of Christ mas neckties which he is willing to put into a 'tie pool" each con- tributor to pay one dollar and take his choice, the money to go into the Rotary welfare fund. The tie swap is scheduled for next Tues days meeting.
 Among the guests introduced was Arthur D. Morrell, Deputy Con- missioner of the Bureau of Com munity Facilities, who was asked to speak briefly. Morrell pointed out that the Washington headquart- CTS had not sent orators pr sight seers, but people to do the work of getting the new Alaska Public Works Act in action.
 Other guests introduced were Lester Marx, Special Assistant to the Community Facilities Commis- sioner; John Argetsinger, District Engineer, who will remain in Jul neau permanently, in charge of the Bureaus Alaska office; Joseph T. Flakne, Interior Department re- presentative, and Les Mcconnell City Manager, and John Weir, Pub- lie Utilities executive, both of Ket- chikan.
 The Rt. Rev. William J. Gordon Jr., Episcopal Bishop of Alaska, was introduced, as were Wes Overby and