SEWARD’S
>All-cWeathec
‘seaport
Is Alaska’s
Greatest Asset
Territorial Library 4.30
Seward Seaport Record
Voi. VI, No. 18
SEWARD, ALASKA, FRIDAY SEPT. 2, 1949
Price 10 Cents
Take Business
Census Here
In September
Clarence P. Keating, Territorial
supervisor for the Bureau of Cen
sus under the Department of Com
merce, was in Seward this week
to prepare for the business census
to take place here in a couple of
weeks.
Keating announced that D. T.
McMahon, who is census super
visor for the Third District, will
he here to supervise the work. The
census is to .be taken by school
teachers. Teachers have been cho
sen, because, as a group, they rep
resent a higher than ordinary edu
cational level. This should make
for efficiency.
Modern Idea
While the national population
census has been taken every ten
years during the history of’ the
country, Keating said, the busi
ness census was not started until
the National Retailers Association
and U. S. Chamber of Commerce
prevailed on the Commerce De
partment to make a business cen
sus in the year 1925. This was
while Herbert Hoover was Secre
tary of Commerce. Every five years
since then the government has
taken a complete inventory qf all
businesses in the country for sta
tistical purposes.
While the figures are divorced
completely from the business sub
mitting them, the statistics serve
as a very effective check on busi
ness conditions in any particular
Strictly Confidential I
One rule the Census Bureau
makes is that no one may ask for
figures on less than five types of
business in any area. This rule is
made so that it will be impossible
to use government statistics in an
unfair competition.
Information gathered gives the
government figures on the number
of people employed in the country
as a whole or in any area, gross
income, merchandise sold, and the
need for new businesses. No infor
mation will be requested concern
ing professional men such as doc
tors, lawyers and insurance men.
First in Alaska
This is the first business census
to be taken in Alaska, Keating
said, and so far the response has
been gratifyingly favorable. Enu
meration has been about one-third
completed in the Territory. Alaska
is part of a census area including
Idaho, Montana, Washington and
Alaska with the central office in
Seattle.
Seward residents are well ac
quainted with the census super
visor, since Keating was mayor of
Seward in 1947-48 and is now Ter
ritorial representative.
BPR NOW UNDER
COMMERCE DEPARTMENT
The Seward office of Bureau of
Public Roads received word last
week that the Bureau has been
transferred from General Services
to the Department of Commerce
under the authority of a new ruling
called “Change Number Seven.”
Bids were opened on the contract
for rebuilding the bridge over the
west channel of Snow River at
Mile 18 on the Seward-Anchorage
Highway. The name of the com
pany winning the contract has not
been made known in Seward.
The new bridge is to take the
place of a temporary structure
erected after the former bridge was
washed out in a flood about three
years ago.
The roadbed of the highway be
tween Mile 3 arid the Chugach For
est boundary at Mile 5 is to be
raised. At present the level is only
a foot or two above a stream which
has flooded the road in times past.
City police report that there was
an unusually large number of
drunks this week. Four were picked
up Wednesday.
Anchorage Artists
Spend Holiday
On Kenai Peninsula
Mrs. Mildred Hamill, whose
paintings are well known, and
Margery McCormick, prominent
Anchorage real estate woman, flew
into Seward today with Gentry
Shuster. They visited with their
friends at the Seward Fish and
Cold Storage Company, after which
they planned to spend the holiday
with Mrs. Margaret Hafemeister at
the Kenai Lake cabin.
Miss McCormick, who is also an
artist, said that she expects just to
rest, and Mrs. Hamill, pointing to
their paint kits, stated that they
both hope to do some painting if
the weather is good.
Registrations Slow
For Sept. 8 Election
Registration of voters for the
September 8 election is running far
behind the expected total, al
though the number registered
reaches a total somewhat higher
than for other elections.
According to the new regulations
made by the City Council last
month it is now necessary to regis
ter once each year in order to be
eligible to vote.
Tire reason more voters were ex
pected to register for the election
is that an unusual amount of dis
cussion has been stirred up over
the three propositions to be decid
ed next Thursday. •
Th sales tax question and the
SUM.000 bond issue for the power
plant are bound to hit the voters
directly in the tenderest part of
the pocketbook, and whether or not
individual attitude is favorable the
turnout should set a voting record.
On the'question as to whether
the mayor’s term of office should
be extended to two years is a mat
ter of administrative policy. On
that particular question the public
appears to be unexcited.
LESKO BRINGS HOME
THE FIRST MOOSE
The first moose to be in the Cold
Storage plant for the season was
brought in today by Lesko. It was
not known whether it was George
or Ted who got it but it was
thought they were out together.
The moose was a young fellow
that promised good eating and the
Leskos were the envy of all who
saw the meat awaiting the freezer.
UNIVERSITY ADMISSIONS
NEARLY 300 TO DATE
Applications for admission are
coming in at about the same rate
as last year, it was announced by
the Office of the Registrar at the
University of Alaska.
Thus far, a total of 218 men and
57 women have been formally ac
cepted for admission to the Uni
versity and it is expected that the
registration for the fall semester
will total between 300 and 350. A
total of 380 different students were
enrolled for resident instruction
last year, with extension students
bringing the total enrollment f®r
1948-49 to 1016.
In addition to the 218 men al
ready accepted, there are approxi
mately 100 applications which are
considered active, but which are
still in process, according to Blaine
E. Mercer, Registrar. “Although
many of these men will be ad
mitted to university classes, they
will still face the problem of se
curing housing. All dormitory
space^ for men has been taken and
thereis a waiting list for dormitory
rooms. Local citizens have re
sponded enthusiastically and are
aiding the university in locating
private rooms at rentals within the
means of students. We are grate
ful for this help and most espe
cially to the local newspapers and
radio stations for calling attention
to the room shortage,” Mercer
said.
The university still has available
dormitory space for women, it was
stated.
Labor Day Ball
Profits Go To
Fire Hall Fund
An eight piece orchestra will
swing the beat for dancing feet at
the annual Labor Day Dance next
Monday at the Civic Center and a
three piece combination will pro
vide specialty numbers. Music will
continue as long as anyone can
shake a leg.
For Fire Hall
While the affair is sponsored by
the local longshoremen’s unions,
it is strictly for the benefit of the
new fire hall fund, to which all
proceeds will be given.
Work is progressing on the fire
hall now and concrete blocks are
arriving on the scene for the erec
tion of the second story, which will
house the city clerk's office and
council rooms.
The usual refreshments will be
available, including a soft drink
and hot dog stand. A program is
being arranged for intermission.
Kids Parly
The unions have taken over the
Civic Center for the entire day. In
the afternoon there will be a party
for children with free roller skat
ing for all. The party will begin at
2:00 and there will be ice cream,
pop and hot dogs for refreshments.
While the dance is sponsored by
the longshore unions, businessmen
in town are supporting it. This is
the first time that these unions
have entered into civic affairs not
closely connected with union inter
ests, and businessmen have reacted
very favorably. In fact, a number
in luoa* rums nave mane aona;iuns
to the cause.‘They have remarked
that it is especially fitting for labor
unions to sponsor a civic cause
.with a Labor Day benefit dance.
Alaska Steamship Co.
Lowers Fares
The Alaska Steamship Company
■ this week announced special re
duced passenger fares on round
trips from Alaska to Seattle and
return for the fall, winter and
spring seasons, effective Oct. 10.
“In addition to the lower fares,”
Admiral F. A. Zeusler pointed out,
“passengers may now plan to take
their cars along on steamer trips
at greatly reduced rates under a
j new baggage tariff also being filed
| with the Maritime Commission.
I That will reflect an average saving
| of approximately 30 per cent on
I the former shipping costs on pas
| sengers’ automobiles and will ap
ply both north and southbound."
I This tariff likewise becomes ef
fective October 10. but is not limit
[ ed as to duration.
The company also announced the
inauguration of a new fall and win
ter Southeastern Alaska freight
service with sailings every second
Friday beginning Sept. 9.
The steamer Victoria will be em
ployed on this run, calling at Ket
chikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, Ju
neau and Sitka each voyage. The
additional port of Pelican will be
made on alternate voyages begin
ning Sept. 23, and the ports of
Haines and Skagway on alternate
voyages beginning Oct. 7.
RAINBOW GIRLS ELECT
OFFICERS
The Order of RainT?ow for Girls
held election of officers Thursday
evening elevating Jeanette Lind to
the position of Worthy Advisor,
with Marian Gilbert as Associate
Advisor. Margaret Lindsey, Eleanor
Salit and Ruth DeWolf were elect
ed to Charity, Hope and Faith.
There will be a public installa
tion on Saturday, September 10, at
8 p.m. in the Masonic Hall.
Miss Margaret Spencer returned
by plane Thursday morning from
a trip Outside. Miss Spencer will
teach this year in the Seward
School.
Sidener Has First
Geiger Counter Here
For Prospecting
The first Geiger Counter, used
for locating and tracing atomic
metals, to arrive in Seward has
been purchased by M. H. Sidener.
Sidener has long been interested
in prospecting and minerology. He
has obtained the Geiger Counter
with the intention of prospecting
Ihe area for traces of uranium,
which the government is seeking in
paying quantities.
Fairly extensive quantities of
uranium have been discovered in
northern Utah and Tn several spots
in the Rocky Mountains, and a
small amount on the Seward Pen
insula. The Kenai district, however,
has never been prospected thor
oughly for the atomic metals.
ARR Change Makes
Johnson Foreman
A change in cargo handling at
the Seward dock in which Elmer
Johnson, one time manager of the
Northern Stevedoring & Handling
Corp. here, became dock foreman
for the Alaska Railroad took place
Thursday.
At the same time the Railroad
took over the hiring of checkers
in an economy move. Actually the
Railroad adds eight persons to its
employment list. Some of the men,
however, were employed by the
Railroad before the change.
Actually the salaries of the
checkers have been paid indirectly
by the Railroad through cost of
freight handling. The only differ
ence is that now the Railroad has
direct control, which will make
cooperation with railbelt shippers
more effective.
Llmer Johnson, who was r.rma
ger for Northern Stevedoring from
January 1947 till April 1948. has
been in Anchorage for some time.
For a time he was a partner in
operation of the Jade Room Cock
tail Lounge there, but his partner
actually managed the place, John
son said, while he worked for the
Alaska Railroad.
WATCH OUT, MR. MOOSE!
The Weatherman promised Mrs.
Howell this morning that there will
be a 24 hour let-up in the weather.
It has been estimated that there
are ten hunters abroad on the
peninsula for every moose and with
this weather news, the half dozen
who stayed home yesterday can
oil up their guns and get going.
TERRITORY NEARLY HALF
MILLION IN THE RED
The general fund balance for the
Territory on August 31 was $109,
535 as against $573,873 in unpaid
vouchers in the auditor’s office on
that date, making a deficit of
$404,342 as of that date.
The information on the deficit
was received by telegraphic dis
patch direct from the office of
Territorial Treasurer Henry Roden.
The Territory has been attempt
ing to negotiate a loan for one
million dollars but so far has had
no success.
FORMER SEWARD COUPLE
RETURNS HERE TO LIVE
Seward welcomes the return of
Mr. and Mrs. L. T. Kirch, parents
of Mrs. Barbara Bedford The
Kirches moved to Billings, Mon
tana, two- years ago, but like many
others, the pull of Alaska was too
much for them and they had to
come back
Peg and Monk Oneta of Jackson,
California, who say they are only
known by their nicknames, have
spent two weeks fishing at Soper’s
Lodge with Mr. and Mrs. Bob
Trotter who have a cabin nearby.
Peg and Monk were here two years
ago on a trip which took them as i
far north as Point Barrow. They
came directly to Seward by air this
time and expected to return the
same way on Thursday evening.
They plan to return again In a
year or two.
Public Works
Bill Aids Local
Sewer Project
Extension and renovation of
Seward’s sewage disposal system
appears to be almost a sure thing
since the Public Work Bill S.855 for
Alaska was signed this week by
President Truman.
News of the President’s signing
of the 70 million dollar Public
Works Bill August 24 was received
earlier this week by special dis
patch from Delegate E. L. Bart
lett’s office in Washington. Bart
lett stated that a group df public
works specialists will be arriving
in the Territory very soon to con
fer with Territorial and municipal
officials on procedure to be fol
lowed under the new law.
Seward Report
At the Congressional hearings
one of the decisive factors was a
municipal report from the City of
Seward on the financial status and
the difficulties the city has en
countered because of its rapid
growth. The report was submitted
by Mayor Eugene N. Lanier.
The estimated S40.000 needed to
bring the local sewage system up
to date, when approved by the pub
lic works experts, would be a
great stabilizing factor in the city’s
administrative problems, since the
new addition to the school should
be adequate for five years and
ATEC is installing a modern dial
phone system.
The Public Works program has
! been «.:1 up in C'-nerov- *,'■ e’>
couragt- an increase in permanent
residents in the Territory, to stim
ulate trade and industry. It is ex
pected that the improved facilities
: will encourage commerce and in
dustry and provide facilities for
community life. The work and
money needed to effect the pro
gram should be good for Alaska
business.
i
JURY FINDS SUICIDE is
; IN WELCH DEATH
I Self inflicted gun shot wounds
! sometime between the hours of
; 9:30 p.m.. Aug. 28, and 3:00 a.m.,
, Aug 29. was the decision of the
i coroner's jury in the case of Walker
; P. Welch, who was found dead in
I his home last Monday afternoon.
The weapon, a .22 calibre rifle,
| was lound by the body when a
'friend discovered the tragedy.
; Funeral arrangements are awaiting
! the arrival of his wife who was in
1 Idaho at the time of his death.
APPEALS SENTENCE IN
LARCENY CASE
Sentenced to serve three months
in jail on one count and given a
suspended sentence on a second.
B. B. Williams has appealed the
suspended sentence while serving
the other sentence.
The suspended sentence was im
posed on a charge that he had
taken household articles from a
house rented from Dewey C. Bunch
and the three months Williams is
to serve is for falsifying informa
tion to secure a resident hunting
license. He pled not guilty to both
charges.
OFFERS $200 REWARD IN
BURGLARY CASE
Sam Romack reported to Dep.
U. S. Marshall Irwin Metcalf that
his cabin at Mile 6 had been broken
into and ransacked recently. He
announced that he is offering a
reward of $200 for the arrest of the
person or persons who damaged
his property and removed articles
from the cabin.
The burglary was discovered
when Romack stopped at the cabin
on a return trip from Hope Thurs
day with Osky Weeda of Anchor
age. This is the second time the
cabin has been broken into and
articled stolen.