The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1949-07-16
NEWS ITEMS
FROM SITKA
Especial Correspondence

iSpeCldl COlIeSpOIlueIlCe)
sITKA, Alaska, July 9-Sitka
could have permanent hospital
of up to as beds within a year.
without waiting for Federal fl
nancing. it was revealed last week
by the Hospital Committee.
The possibility of converting
Community House had long been
discussed. Last week a committee
was appointed to inspect the build
ng with Max Boyer, Federal engi-
neer, and DR.. Phillip Moore, head
surgeon Of the Orthopedic Hos
pital. Both Mr.. Boyer and DR.
Moore gave an enthusiastic go
ahead to the idea Then l.. M. Price
and Jerry Kjelstrup of Carson
Construction Company were called
upon for further check. They too
agreed that the plan was not only
feasible but highly desirable.
To the all important question O..
fireprcofing, their answer was
asbestos sheathing which, Will
not entirely eliminating chances OF
fire, would be so slow burning that
the building could be easily evacu-
ated without endangering a single
life.
Max Boyer offered his services in
drawing up preliminary plans
which would &c disable in calling
for bids on construction. 1t was
estimated that conversion would be
approximately fifth the cost OF
building a new, Glass A hospital OF
smaller capacity.
An adequate survey of the Com
munity House foundations was to
be made Immediately to afford a
more accurate basis for estimating
conversion costs.
. In the meantime, the Hospital
Committee is considering the pos
sible emergency use of the Sheldon
Jackson Hospital which could be
put into use almost Immediately
with slight improvement in equip
ment, notably the undermining Of
kitchen and laundry facilities
Since at least six months will
elapse before preliminary work on
any form OF hospital can be done,
the use of Sheldon Jackson hos
pital might provide a test Of how
large a hospital is actually needed
oy the community immediate
stating of the hospital IS a major
problem but must sc met eventu-
ally under any circumstances. At
least the community can feel salts
fled that all possible means of pro-
viding the long needed hospital are
being exploited.
A daughter, Sylvia Marie, weigh
ing SIX and a half pounds, was
oorn to Mr.. and Mrs. Charles Kidd,
early Friday morning at their home
on Etolin Street. Sylvia is the Kidds
fourth child, second daughter. Mr..
Kidd is cashier at the First Bank
of Sitka.
A first baby, Carol Marie, weigh
ing seven pounds, was born to Mr..
and Mrs. Stanley Westover, early
Saturday morning at the home OF
the young mothers parents, Nh.
and Mrs. Harold Smith on ObSer-
vatory Street.
Rear Admiral L. O. Colcert, US
Coast and Geodetic Survey Direc.-
tor, arrived wednesday accom-
panied by chief of the Division OF
Coastal Surveys, Capt. w. M
Scaife They inspected the coastal
survey work being done by the
US. Patton and surveyed the local
observatory.
wednesday evening Mr.. and Mrs
Joel Campbell and Mr.. and Mrs
Vincent Thomas were hosts to the
visitors, the officers of the Patton
and ether US. C. e. G. S. person
mel After an early morning fish
ing trip to Sawmill Greek, Admira'
Colbert and Captain Scaite left
by plane to complete their survey
of all Alaskan surveys and stations
before returning to Washington
DC.
Rear Admiral Jack Perry will be
1 roIco,,a1 l,,- q fy,0IYr, of old friap RI