The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1950-10-20


sidents to visiting members Of the
United States Senate Armed Ser
vices subcommittee investigating AL
aska defenses?
Extension of the Juneau run
way from 5000 to $500 feet along
with construction Of an adjacent
seaplane landing area and a hang
ar and operations building.
Paving and otherwise improving
| the 318-mile section of the ALASKA
Highway running through Canada
and new ship terminal near
Haines, all to provide the shortest
safest and most logical route to
interior Alaska
General protection Of the Skag-
way Haines area, key point at
which on enemy could mp off,
the bulk of Alaska, blocking rail
and highway transportation of
troops and supplies as we'll as oil
pipelines which might well be the
heartlines of defense, and major
communications to the north.
encouragement of the reserve
components program Of the Armed
Forces In Alaska, to make available
and ready eevry able-bodied man
in the Territory.
Preparedness Committee
Saying, I'VE are part Of the Pre-
paredness Committee Of the Sem
ate Armed Services Committee di-
rected to look into the defenses
of Alaska" Sen. Lester Hunt Cd
Wyo) opened the two-hour hear
ing this morning in the Territorial
Senate Chambers.
I'VE hope" he said, ito make a
report Of Importance to Alaska and
the entire United States"
Besides those making presenta-
tons, the floor and galleries were
filled with some rs spectators, re-
presenting city, Territorial and Fed
eral branches. IT.
At Senator Hunts right was Sen.
Leverett Saltonstall (R-Mass) at
his left, Sen. Wayne Morse (R-Ore).
Helpfully near by was Col. Justice
Chambers, special technical assis-
tant to the Armed Services Com
mittee. A court reporter recorded
the entire session by stereotype.
Norman Banfield, appointed by
the Juneau Chamber Of Commerce
and the city, made the carefully
prepared and well-documented pre-
sentation of the case for the Ju-
neau runway extension and install
lations.
He related that the Alaska Civil
Aeronautics Administration had
applied for the runway extension.
and that the CAA had refused its
construction under the Federal Aid
to Airports program.
The extension and seaplane land
ing would cost approximately $780,
900, toward which the City Of Ju-
neau, under a Territorial Aviation
Commission grant. has made avail
able $4,000 to assist the CAA Tin
der the Federal Aid Act.
Banfield said the city had been
advised that as Juneau Airport
is owned and operated by the Fed
eral Government (the CAA), the
runway extepsion would have to be
financed by a special appropfa-
ton from Congress.
Three Years Work
He reported that the City of
Juneau and Chamber OF Commerce,
with the Aviation Commission,
have worked for nearly three years
for the extension.
The C. of c. brief emphasized
the Importance Of the Juneau att
port in wartime, giving statistics of
use in World War II, and relating
the Juneau field to the entire stra-
tegic situation Of southeast Al
aska.
Supporting evidence was given at
the hearing by j. s. MacKirnon,
Capt. (USN, inactive) and T. H.
Dyer, the Chambers Aviation COM
mittee chairman.
Capt. MacKinnon. q 35-year resi-
dent of Juneau with is years Ma
Wy service, including high Wartime
commands. emphasized the import
ance OF the land-seaplane base for
submarine patrol.
Military Endorsements
"A letter written by him was among
the documents read and attached
to the brief, everything becoming
part Of the formal testimony. A let
ter from Mayor Waino Hendrickson
also was read and attached. as we're
the recommendations Of the Pan
American World Anyways Investi-
eating Board. following investiga-
ton of the accident on the icy rum
way February 10, 1850.
Other documents. likewise stress
ing the importance Of the Juneau
airport and its runway extension
project to Alaska's military de-
lenses. included statements from
1t. Gen. N. F. Twining. USAF.
written when he was commander
in-chief. Alaskan Defense Com
v,oovI. Door ASvnfro1 Eronlr n