The Daily Alaska empire., 1950-01-28
'ELkS LODGE l5 10
 BUY AMBULANCE
 FOR CHANNEL
Proposal to City Seems Reasonable to Mayor
 Other Groups Withdraw

OiilCI OiUupS VlI1uiuW
 ". Dedicated to the welfare o! sick and injured citizens in the entire Gastineau Channel area .. 7 l. So reads part of the proposal which Juneau Lodge No. APO BP.O.E., will make to the Juneal City Council at the meeting next Friday.
 What is so dedicated?
 An ambulance. The mercy vehicle which a number of Juneau and Douglas civic minded groups have sought to obtain and for which sev- eral organizations have set aside definite funds.
 Juneau Elks have voted that, II other groups wish to withdraw their limited participation, the lodge will undertake the entire responsibility of providing the much-needed ann bulance.
 However, the Elks accepted the offer of the Emblem Club, of pro- ceeds from the holiday ambulance benefit dance, for equipment and | any other accessories not covered in the vehicle purchase. This spe- cial fund totals $547.25.
 At a meeting last night at the Elks' Club, called by Wallis George, representatives of other interested organizations gladly withdrew their expected participation. voicing their satisfaction that the ambulance soon will be a reality.
 George, as Leading Knight of the | lodge. heads the social community welfare committee which carries on the Elks' charities, most of which are anonymous and individual, and for persons whose names never even reach a lodge meeting.
 Lodge APO, founded in Juneau in 1 1898, will purchase suitable ve- 1 hicle--"a sturdy one" according to 1 George-to be known and labelled 'Elks' Ambulance" It probably will cost around $3,500.
 The purchase is subject to agree ment by the City of Juneau to cer- tain provisions, these to be pre- sented to the Council.
 Mayor Waino Hendrickson, who attended the meeting last night, said he could not speak for the Council, but suggested ways in which Police and Fire Departments could cooperate to fulfill the pro visions.
 The agreement provides that the City furnish a suitable heated space in which to store the ambulance when not in use, that it supply per sonnel for it's operations, and op- crate the ambulance at it's own cost and expense.
 Proposed Agreement
 The proposed agreement further provides that an ambulance com mittee of three members be named. one member to be appointed by the Exalted Ruler of the Elks' Lodge, one by the City Council, and the third to be chosen by those two members.
 This committee is to have com plete supervision of the ambulance operation, is to establish schedule of rates and attend to such other details as they arise.
 All revenue from it's operation is to be set up in separate fund and held for replacement of the ambulance or it's equipment.
 Before last nights meeting George had received assurance that the Lions Club and the Soroptimist Club will withdraw their proposed participation, as will Douglas con tributors.
 Warren Houston, President of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, which initiated the ambulance drive about two years ago, expressed similar willingness on the part of that organization, and also spoke for the United Trollers of Alaska, which had contributed through the Junior Chamber.
 Similar action was promised by Hal Fennel, commander of Taku Post 5559, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Jim Brunette of the same or ganization.
 Mrs. Elizabeth Casperson, imme- diate Past President, and Mrs. Jen- nie Rusher represented the Emblem club.
 Speaking officially as the highest officer in the Elks' Lodge was Dewey Baker. Exalted Ruler. Stuart Houston, Chaplain, also attended.
 Elks were firm in their deter imitation that use of the new ann bulance should not be limited to Juneau.
 Their idea of the limit is any where it can go.'