The Daily Alaska empire., 1950-04-06
JUNEAU AIRPORT OFFERED TO CITY
 FREE OF CHARGE
Dyer Tells Chamber Ad. vdnfages to Be Gained
 by Ownership

The Civil Aeronautics Authority has offered to give the Juneau Air port to the city free of charge, i! was revealed today.
 The offer was reported to the Chamber of Commerce at its noor meeting today in the Baranof Hote by T. H. Dyer. chairman of the organizations aviation committed which met with party of CAA off cials here Monday night.
 However, Mayor Waino Hendrick- son said the offer was made once before and turned down by the city because of the high cost of main taining the field
 "The offer looks better now" he said. Were waiting on a statemen. of the cost of maintenance and ex- pected revenues before we take any action whatsoever.
 Mayor Hendrickson said that Walter Plett, CAA regional adminis- trator, who headed the CAA party which visited here, had indicated that the information would be sent to the city within 10 days.
 Plett also indicated that the offe; of the airport included about $100,0O0 worth of equipment and maintenance machinery, Mayor Hendrickson said.
 Landing Fees
 Another factor making the offe, more attractive than before is the stated intention of CAA to charge landing fees at it's fields.
 This would mean that Juneau would not be by-passed if it charged landing fees at the field; and reve- nue gained in this manner, added to royalties received from fuel solo on the field and rental fees re ceived, might make possible prof. table operation of the airport bs the city, Mayor Hendrickson said.
 Further advantages to be gained by the city's taking over the field were listed by Dyer as:
 l. Federal Aid to Airports funds could be obtained for the 2,500-fool runway extension which is being sought.
 2. The proposed hangar and op- erations building could be built al less expense using an already-paveo portion of the field near the ad ministration building as a floor for the hangar; CAA would not permit this.
 3. The city would not have to pay rental fees for the ground on which the present administration building stands and on which the proposed hangar and operations building would stand.
 Featured speaker at the Chamber meeting today was Leo H. Saarela Territorial Commissioner of Mines.
 He said that Alaska had mined more than $26 million worth o1 minerals in 1940; in 1948 mines pro- duced $13 million; and last year mines in the Territory produced s11,300,0OO.
 He blamed the drop on the fact that mine operators are caught between $35 gold and high costs oi labor and materials.
 And all the time the easiest work ed deposits are being used.
 If mining is to continue, there must be exploration and prospect ing" he said. All available skill and the latest scientific procedures must be used to discover and de- yelop ore deposits"
 Pointing out that out of a total of $209 million produced by lode mining in Alaska $105 million came from the Juneau area, he said that Southeast Alaska has a greater diversity of minerals than any where else in the Territory.
 Agriculture and mining are the most basic industries" Saarela said Alaska has mining"
 The Chambers executive boarf reported that the local industries committee had decided that nc further good could be accomplished oy the Chamber in respect to tiI' importation of Canadian milk.
 A letter from the Rev. P. Cor. don Gould, director of Methodis work in Alaska, told the Chambel that it is not likely that a decision will be reached as to the location of the Methodist College for Al aska at the Methodist committee meeting in Cleveland, O., April IT It stated that it was not consid cred advisable for Alaskan com munities to send representatives tt the meeting.
 IT T., Faulkner had been chOSer