The Daily Alaska empire., 1949-01-13
ADMIRAL zEUSLER SPEAKER, CHAMBER MEETING THURSDAY

WEEIIVO 1nUkJVAI
 ITO provide Alaska with the best freight and passenger service pos sible at rates that will encourage a Territorial growth and prosperity is the mission of the Alaska steam ship Company stated Admiral F. A. Zeusler, Executive Assistant to the President of the company, who was guest speaker at the Chamber of Commerce meeting today.
 Admiral Zeusler in outlining the history of the Company, pointed out that since 1897, the year the Con- pany was organized, 65 other com panies have started Alaskan op- erations and have withdrawn after la period of time giving such req sons as insufficient business for all competing companies, excessive op- erating costs, and lack of interest on the part of Alaskans. The Alaska Steamship Company is a component part of the structure of Alaska and Admiral Zeusler pledged his company's support to the future development of Alaska
 LEGISLATIVE REPORT Presenting a report on House B'.' No. l, which would provide for [ general property tax in the Terri tory, the Legislative committee pro- posed that an exemption be granted for all bank deposits and insurance funds held by residents in the Ter ritory.
 The committee stated that if this exemption were not granted bank deposits would te withdrawn from Alaskan banks and placed in banks in the States and also that it would work an unnecessary hardship on people who are living on accumu- lated earnings.
 The proposal was unanimously accepted by the members of the Chamber
 The Legislative committee stated that they do not plan to take stands on any specific method of taxation that is proposed in the Legislature as they feel that it is only the con- cern of the Legislators. The com- mittee will, however, point out any weaknesses they find within the hills that are introduced. Curtis Shattuck is chairman of the Legis- lative committee.
 MEMBERSHIP DUES RAISED
 The Chamber accepted the pro- posal of the Executive Board that the minimum fee of the Chamber be raised from $10 to $15. The an- nual membership drive is planned for this month.
 Harry Sperling, chairman of the Tourist committee, proposed that the Chamber take a booth at the Seattle Times Sportsmen's Show, which will be held in Seattle dur ing the week of March II. The Chamber unanimously accepted the plan and it was decided to con- tact other Alaskan Chambers to ask if they would like to partici- pate in the plan. The Ketchikan Cram CT of Commerce has already allotted S20O for the purpose.
 Members of the Territorial Legis- lature will be invited as guests of the Chamber to attend luncheon. It was decided to tender the invi- tation to members of one division each week
 UNUSUAL" WEATHER
 At the suggestion of Bob Drux- man, the Chamber decided to dis patch the following telegram to the Los Angeles Chamber of Com merce, According to recent news items your city suffering unusually hard winter weather Juneau ot- fers condolences and suggests your Chamber make annual Alaska pill grimage now instead of summer be- cause Juneau temperatures ten degrees higher than Los Angeles during past week"
 Totem Lands an outstanding film taken in Tongass National For est, was shown to the Chamber members this noon by Eckley Guer- in. Harry Sperling wrote the sec mario for the film and Joe Yolo, former Juneau resident, was pho- tographer.
 Guests at today's meeting were: E. F. Wann of Fairbanks, Mrs. Amelia Gundersen, Ketchikan; Mrs. Doris Barnes of Wrangell. Walter E. Huntley, Palmer, and Edward A ,a1n