The Daily Alaska empire., 1949-11-21
M0RRELL TELLS LIONS CLUB OF
 ALASKA PROJECTS

weekly luncheon meeting in tn Baranof Gold Room
 CD Arthur D. Morrel dis cussed operation of the Alaska Pub. lie Works Act. which he is here tt implement; sketched the structure and history of the General Services Administration of which his branch the Bureau of Community Facili- ties, is a part; explained that he really is a Colonel only on Thurs days at meetings of the Reserve Officers unit.
 @ Lester Marx and John Ar getsinger, two other members ot his party were introduced.
 t3) Joseph T. Flakne of the Department of the Interior, detailed the history of the Public Works Bill and its passage through Con- gress, and passed out some lavish compliments on Juneaus civic im- provements.
 N1l AlC lCSuld uclliNoS Ol lAAS Lions Club was conducted, to the noisy obbligato of roaring lion play by Tail Twister J. Gerald Williams.
 Morrell, Deputy Commissioner of Community Facilities, brought Lions up to date on organization and functions of the General Services Administration, which was created July l, 1949 He enumerated the agencies now included in GSA- Bureaus of Federal Buildings, Com munity Facilities and Federal Sup ply; the National Archives, and liquidation of the War Assets Ad- miniStration
 Morrell described the work of Community Facilities as many un- related projects" such as construc- ton in the Virgin Islands, dis aster program, liquidation of cer- tain power projects under the old Public Works program, and services under the Advance Planning Law, revived in 1947.
 The most recent program for which we have received authority and appropriations" he said, "is for the Alaska Public Works Act.
 The Government" he added, through building up defense in- stallations and trying to stabilize the Territory, has brought in many people. This is fine, but it created a problem which had to te met after great influx of population. This is an illogical sequence. There should first be school, water and sewage facilities and roads. then people.
 Finally" detailed .Morrell, through your Delegate, your Gov ernor, municipal representatives and interested persons who never have seen Alaska, Congress has recognized the need for federal assistance both in overcoming pre- sent handicaps and in building up the economic stability of Alaska. The President already has shown his full support.
 Tt is remarkable" Morrell went on. that, in the closing session of Congress, we were able to get even half of the starter we asked, with out any firm requests from the Ter ritory for specific public works.
 We did, however, get the $1,- 100000 in cash and $4,000,000 in contract authorization to get the program under way. And we were assured that, when we go back with firm requests from Territory and municipal authorities, funds fol a deficiency or added funds for 1851 will te available.
 We expect no lack of applica- tions," Morrell added. "On the other hand, it looks as though we would be flooded"
 Both Morrell and Flakne, as well as It. Comdr Edward P. Chester, Jr., who introduced the speaker gave great credit to Lester Marx for passage of the bill Marx, Spe- cial Assistant to the Commissioner of Community Facilities, took the lead in getting this highly import ant bill through Congress. He has worked arduously for it's passage for three years
 Argetsinger, new District Engi- neer here, will establish the Alaska headquarters in Juneau, starting immediately.
 The only other guest at today's meeting of the Lions was Dr. Max M Van Sandt, Assistant ANS Medical Director at Mt. Edgecumte.
 Lion Joe Shofner asked for more male voices to sing in "The Mes siah," which is being presented jointly by several churches, under the direction of Mrs. Jane McMul- lin.
 President Val Poor named the Rev. A. B. Morgan and Charles Mountjoy to head the Lions Com munity Betterment Committee.