Weather:
High Low Precip.
Nov. 27 34 31 .34
Nov. 28 .... 34 32 1.04
Nov. 29 33 30 .33
Nov. 30 33 30 Trace
Dec. 1 32 27
Doc. 2 . 32 22
Dec. 3 24 20
Seward
The Gateway City of Interior Alaska Since 1903.
£ e 0 P 0 r f
Record
Seward’s A11-1Ceather Port is Alaska’s Greatest Asset.
Only newspaper in the
world that gives a hoot
about Seward, Alaska.
Vol. X, No. 23
SEWARD. ALASKA, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1953
Price 10 Cents
Win Ervin Chosen To Head
Chamber of Commerce
Win Ervin was elected presi
dent of Seward Chamber of
Commerce at the regular elec
tion held Tuesday. Ervin has
been head of the board of direc
tors for the past year, and has
sparked several progressive
movements of the organization.
Clarence King got the vote for
first vice-president, with Jack
Jeffrey as second vice-president.
Charles Malin was elected secre
tary treasurer. A five-member
board of directors elected are
Tormod Bie. Leon Urbach. Jo
seph Dieshcr. Jacque Roth, and
Juanita Everitt.
New officers will be installed
at the next meeting. Tuesday.
December 8. at luncheon.
NEW POSTOFFICE ABSOLUTE
NECESSITY
Clarence Larson, Seward post
master, invited to explain the
needs in his department to the
Chamber of Commerce, told the
group Tuesday that increase in
the amount of mail handled in
the Seward office has become so
great that a new building is '■ad
visable." Mr. Larson was re
strained as to the use of words,
but his hearers felt the term to
be used was definitely "neces
sary or imperative."
The present building has been
used approximately 35 years. It
was built and is still owned and
administered by the Justice De
partment. They have indicated,
Mr. Larson said, that the Justice
Department has no intention of
increasing the size of the build
ing, although there is still room
for a sizeable addition on the lot.
The Post Office Department
must then seek quarters in an
other larger building or have a
new building.
For comparison Larson quot
ed figures. Twenty years ago.
Seward pastoffice did $56,000
in money orders. In 1952 the
amount was in excess of S700.000
and this year total business will
come near reaching a million
j dollars. This is in money orders
| alone, and all done in the same
i quarters, which, if anything, are
i smaller than in previous years
i because of additional boxes in
1 stalled recently.
This is a terminal postoffice,
handling distribution and dis
patching of mail for Interior Al
1 aska, Aleutian Chain, and all of
1 Kenai Peninsula in addition to
i regular town mail. No less than
1 6000 square feet are needed
right now for adequate work
. space. Mr. Larson stated. With
adequate space, he added, there
1 seems little difficulty in getting
door-to-door delivery in Seward.
New Chamber of Commerce
! officers will begin the work of
acquainting the Postmaster Gen
eral of the need here, which, in
cidentally, is already acknow
ledged by district officials. Sev
eral local businessmen are look
ing into the possibility of con
struction for lease to the Depart
ment.
C OF C REQUESTS GUARD
RAILS ON HIGHWAY
A motion was made by Win
Ervin at the Chamber of Com
merce meeting to request the
Alaska Road Commission or Bu
reau of Public Roads to con
struct guard rails at the most
hazardous points on the highway
between Seward and Portage.
Several fatal accidents along
the highway will be cited in the
attempt to secure some measure
of protection for motorists. The
matter was left for new officers
to take up, but feeling was
'unanimous in favor of the pro
ject.
S5.000
$3,000
$1,000
$6,000
S'1.000
$2,000
$650
ALASKA - NEBRASKA
FUND
High School Plans
Tentatively Approved
School Board members in spe
cial session Monday reviewed
blueprints for the new high
school and gave tentative ap
proval except for two changes.
They decided to decrease the
size of three classrooms to make
a fourth, and suggested a rear
rangement of the cafeteria kit
chen.
The latter however, is pending
a clearer outline of the archi
tect's plan for placing of equip
ment.
The new building will give
adequate space for 300 students
except for gymnasium and audi
torium. These facilities are not
permitted under Public Works
participating funds.
Alaska-Nebraskti
Fund Progress
Werner's Furniture turned in
a check for $22.73 as ten per
cent of all cash sales on Wednes
day before Thanksgiving. If you
will recall, this was the day we
had the real heavy snow, so wc
think this is very good. The
same day the eighth grade stu
dents had their work period.
From baby sitting to waxing
floors and even to helping the
garbage man, the children ran
the gauntlet of jobs. They not
only proved of real worth as
"mother’s helpers,” they raised
a total of $66.20 and thus put
the fund up to the first thousand
mark. •
Tickets are now out for the
Benefit Bowling Match to be
held all day, December 29, and
all day December 30. There will
be three prizes in each of three
classes. Twenty-five dollars first
prize, fifteen free games of
bowling for second prize, and
ten free games of bowling for
third prize. The classes will be
divided into Men's Handicap
League, Women's League, and
an open class of non-bowlers.
Get your tickets and join the
fun.
Let's also get in those entrance
blanks for the Amateur Night
"Major" Sheffield has a real
treat in store for the folks that
night. There will be three
classes. School children, with a
prize of twenty-five dollars cash
for first place, ten dollars for
second, and five for third; Bar
ber Shop Quartets, twenty-five
dollars for first; and a non-com
peting class. There will be a
good deal of fun, too, when at
the close of the regular program
the audience will be given a
chance to hear or see some tal
ent that they always knew was
in town but could never coax
out into the open before. Mys
terious? No. Wc are just going
to open for bids any talent that
is in town. And if you bid high
enough we will get them to per
form—within reason, of course.
So get your application blanks
in today.
Jack Werner has some won
derful Christmas baskets that he
would like to get rid of on the
nineteenth for the fund. Ask
about them in his store. Mr. Pen
nington will show his very fa
mous Alaskan pictures to the
public shortly, and that, too, will
go into the fund. We still need
a few more to say that they are
definitely going back with us at
their own expense. That would
be a mighty fine Christmas pres
ent for either junior or senior.
"MAJOR" BOB SHEFFIELDS
AMATEUR SHOW
On Saturday evening, Feb. 6, we
would like to present the follow
ing act;
Name .
P.O. Box Ph..
Fill in and mail to Major Bob
Sheffield, c?o Seward Bank.
Basketball Schedule
Of Seahdwks
Set For Season
Seahawk basketball schedule
lias finally been decided upon.
Word was received today which
make the schedule official.
The first home Railbelt games
will be Dec. 11 and 12 with Fair
banks, as originally set up.
There has been no line-up re
ceived from Fairbanks yet, but
it is understood that they have
a tall team, averaging over six
feet. Teddy Butcher and Bob
Seaborn are returning lettermen
from last year's championship
Fairbanks team. Butcher was a
starter and Seaborn was the first
reserve. They also have a couple
of other players who had some
experience last year. Both the
Malemutes and the Seahawks
have comparatively green teams
and at present outcome of the
games is a toss-up.
The Seahawks have shown
considerable improvement late
ly and are beginning to work
better and smoother. The fol
lowing will start against Fair
banks: Gene Bee and David
Hughes at forwards. Peter Wag
ner ai center, and Kenny Bahr
and Don Ennis at guards. Danny
Rose and Wilbur Hamblin are
also likely to see considerable
action. At present. Joe Hughes,
who had worked his way to the
first six. and Packy Dick are
scholastically ineligible and will
not be able to play against Fair
banks. Joe's height Will be
missed against the tall Fairbanks
team.
Following is the Seward Sea
hawks schedule:
Home Games
Dec. 11 12 Fairbanks
Jan. 15-16 Cordova
(non-conference)
Jan. 23-30 Anchorage
Feb. 19-20 Palmer
Games Away
Dec. 18-19
8-9
21-22
12-13
Jan.
Jan.
Feb
Palmer
Anchorage
Fairbanks
Cordova
(non-conference'
Second week in March—Western
Alaska High School Activities
Association Tournament at
Fairbanks.
Season Tickets on Sale
The high school basketball
team will canvass the town next
week with the season tickets.
Although these season tickets
include only the Railbelt games,
holders of season tickets will be
admitted to the Cordova games
for half price.
Free Rooms At
McKinley Park
Until Dec. 10
Tilt re are free rooms at Mc
Kinley Park's palaeial hotel
until December 10. Yes, that's
right, free rooms;
It’s all part of a new "get ac
quainted program’’ set in mo
tion by E. W. Bud' Lauesen,
manager of the hotel.
“The season is slack right
now, the hotel is fully staffed
and ready to offer a fine time,"
Lauesen declares, “so we just
decided to throw a get acquaint
ed program on the house.”
Lauesen cited the move as a
wonderful opportunity for the
people who “have alw’ays want
ed to visit McKinley Park, but
just never quite got around to
it."
Visitors will be afforded the
regular privileges, he said and
they need pay only for their
meals. While there is still not
adequate snow for skiing at the
park, the hotel has a large ice
skating pond in operation. A dog
team is also being maintained to
give visitors a sled ride over the
nearby trails.
Dancing, parlor games, a free
excursion to park headquarters,
hiking, out-of-door sports and
other activities are on tap for
the program.
Those attending the “get ac
quainted program" should make
their reservations through local
traycl agents.
The Alaska Railroad is of
fering special excursion rates to
McKiqley Park from both An
chorage and Fairbanks.
1954 AUTO TAGS NOW
AVAILABLE
Automobile license tags are
now on sale at the Commis
sioner's office. They are not full
size this year, but a small gray
and red tab to be attached to the
old plate.
Applicants are required to
bring in their 1953 registration
or the title to a vehicle in order
to obtain 1954 plate tabs. Al
though tabs can be purchased
now, they arc not to be displayed
until December 15, Commission
er Southard explained today.
Reporter's
Notebook
The Mailboat Garland is here
this week and will leave with a
full deck load of Christmas trees
for the Westward.
Lt. and Mrs. John St. George
left on the Baranof for their
home in the East. Members of
the Beta Sigma Phi and other
friends saw them off on the ship.
Mrs. Helen Sellers has been in
town all week settling up busi
ness affairs for herself and the
doctor. They have decided to
make their home in California.
Mrs. Sellers is guest of Mr. and
Mrs. Charles Adkins.
Rev. and Mrs. Glen Widmark
stopped over in Seward on their
way to their church at Sand
Point and Unga. They planned to
sail Westward on the Garland.
Mr. Stan Rustad was elected
president of the Dockside Union
Local 1-82 this week. A1 Moser
was elected president of the
Shipside Union Local 1-39, for
the ensuing year.
Two new school buses went
on the route Tuesday morning.
Mr. Paul Lee drives one, and
Mr. James Watts drives the
other. One will i*e kept in town
at the city garage, the other will
be kept at the store at Mile 4
where Mr. Lee lives.
Mrs. An on Gouldsberry left
on the Baranof Thursday. She
will spend some time visiting in
and around Los Angeles. This is
the first time in several years
that she has been Outside for a
vacation.
Catholic women of Sacred
Heart Church will hold a bake
sale Saturday at Werner's Mar
ket. Tiie sale will begin at 10
a.m.
The Beta Sig>*n Phi sorority
held its annual Christmas party
a little early this year. It was at
the home of Mrs. Ray James.
Each member's secret sorority
sister was revealed at the party
and they drew names for the
next year.
Mr. Malin, secretary of the'
Chamber of Commerce, re
ceived word today that the Har
lem Glooctrottcrs will not come
to Alaska, after all, to play bas
ketball as was suggested earlier
in the year.
Mrs. A. C. Strutz was hostess
at a stork shower last Monday
night. The guest of honor was
Mrs. Beverly Dunham.
Mrs. R. H. Bruce of Anchor
age was the house guest of Mr.
and Mrs. Walter Blue three days
this week.
POSTOFFICE OPEN
SATURDAYS
Postmaster Larson announced
this week that Seward postoffice
will remain open until 5 p.m. on
Saturdays until Christmas. This
is for delivery of parcel post and
Christmas mail only.
O HARA AND CITY FATHERS
AGREE ON MANAGER JOB
Mr. Raymond O'Hara, whose
application was chosen by the
City Council as the man best
suited to take over the job of
city manager here, arrived last
Friday to look over the town
and discuss the position with the
council.
All parties being satisfied with
the selection, Mr. O'Hara was
definitely accepted and will take
office the first week in January.
SCHOOL CLASSES RAISING
NEBRASKA TRAVEL FUND
School children are working
like beavers to help raise the
fund for the Seward, Nebraska
travel fund.
Last week both Mrs. John
ston’s and Mrs. Whitbeek’s
eighth grade classes donated
three hours of work about town
to the cause. They have turned
in $61.70 for the fund. The*
youngsters cleaned sidewalks,
ran errands, did housework,
baby sitting, anything to raise a
dime.
The high school art class is
selling Christmas cards with
beautiful block prints which the
students designed themselves.
The cards sell for ten cents each
and are going fast. Order from
any student or at the school.
Money raised this way will
also go toward the travel fund.
Winter Schedule Is
Announced By
Alaska Steamship Co.
Alaska passenger vessel sched
ules for the balance of the win
ter were announced this week
by H. N. Peterson, general traf
fic manager of Alaska Steam
ship Company.
Sailings are set for each week
through December for South
eastern and Southwestern Alas
ka, employing the steamers Ba
ranof and Denali. From January
through March, the Denali will
be off the run and the Baranof
will sail every other Friday be
ginning January 8 for Ketchi
kan, Petersburg, Juneau and
Seward, returning via the same
ports. Effective February 19,
Wrangell will be added as a
northbound call. Beginning Ap
ril first, weekly passenger serv
ice will resume.
"This is probably the first
time since 1895 that there has
not been at least one passenger
vessel sailing from Seattle each
week for Alaska except during
strike periods,” Peterson said.
Earlier it was pointed out that
the increased operating costs of
passenger vessels and the moder
ate winter travel could lead to
the suspension of Alaska Line's
passenger service during the
winter season. A passenger
carrying contract extended to
the company by the Military
Sea Transportation Service help
ed reduce losses in October and
November and is expected to
tliis month. However, with the
reduced MSTS requirements for
January, the anticipated passen
ger travel does not warrant a
two-ship passenger operation un
til April, it was explained.
“Southeastern and Southwest
ern Alaska will continue to re
ceive weekly cargo service,”
Peterson pointed out. “The mo
torship Susitna will sail oppo
site the Baranof to Southeastern
and another freighter will sail
opposite the Baranof for South
western.
Under ttie MSTS contract, Al
aska Steamship Company han
dled 360 northbound and south
bound passengers in November
and is scheduled to handle 470
north and southbound in Decem
ber. The MSTS requirements
have been reduced to 150 south
bound passengers only for Jan
uary according to a contract ex
tension received by the Alaska
Line.
“While we have difficulty in
berthing all the tourists request
ing reservations during the sum
mer season, our vessels are han
dling a reduced number of win
ter passengers,” Peterson said.
Deliver Gifts To
Sanatorium
Fror.i 1 To 4 P.M.
Christmas present donations
for patients and veterans at
Seward Sanatorium should be
delivered to the business office
of the Sanatorium between 1
p.m. and 4 p.m., according to
Mrs. Sarah Garrett, supply of
ficer.
Every year Christmas gifts are
accepted from donors "to help
persons recovering from tuber
culosis have a more enjoyable
Christmas.” Mrs. Garrett said.
Over 120 patients, including
approximately 25 children, will
spend the Christmas holidays in
bed. Stressing the need for
proper psychological care in the
treatment of tuberculosis, Mrs.
Garrett added, "Our patients
must face the demoralizing situ
ation of being away from home
at Christmas, and it is both to
their mental and physical ad
vantage, as a stimuli to faster
recuperation, that they be re
membered during the Christmas
season.”
The Sanatorium receives do
nations at Christmas from
throughout the United States
and Alaska, and the personnel
provides a diversified program
for patient entertainment. Due
to the large number of patients,
however, local assistance in the
form of Christmas gift donations
is needed and welcome.
NOTICE—ALL ELKS
There will be an Opep House
Dance Party at the Elks Club
on Saturday night. December 12.
“Ragtime Joe” Sabrawski will
be at the piano, and Frank
Buschcll, pantomime artist, will
perform. This dance will be
open to the public, so come one,
come all.
There will be a joint memorial
service to be held at the An
chorage Elks Club on Sunday.
December 6. at 2:00 p.m., with
Anchorage, Palmer and Seward
Lodges participating.
Services To Be Sunday For
Mrs. Morrison and Child
Giardinct Commended
For Difficult Dive
Highest commendation is due
George Giardina for his work in
Uie recovery of the automobile
lost in Trail Lake last week. Al
though an experienced and pro
fessional deep sea diver, Giar
dina has not spent much time at
this work for the past several
years. He has suffered severe
damage to his ears from past
diving which made surgery ne
cessary in recent months.
Giardina volunteered to go
into the dark anu aeep water or
Trail Luke and made three trips
down, after dark and under the
ice, last Saturav, and against the
advice of his helpers, spent 40
minutes down with only one
compressor in operation. It was
due to his splendid work that
the car was raised with its tragic
cargo without further accident.
Everybody present gives un
qualified praise of Giardina.
Tlie Seward ambulance was
taken to the scene with the Fire
Department resuseitator in case
it should be needed for Giardina
or by any of the large number
of men who were out on the ice.
No further emergency arose,
however, and the ambulance re
turned to town with the bodies
of the accident victims.
School Boy Patrol
Effective Dec. 7
Beginning next Monday, De
cember 7, the Seward School
Patrol will be on duty at all
four corners of the school
grounds in addition to the traf
fic lights.
The patrol is sponsored by the
Seward Lions in cooperation
with officers of the Police De
partment. The club will/furnish
white belts and shields for the
patrol boys. Officers Bundy and
Dolan are instructing- the boys
in their work, and will train
them until they are ready to take
over full responsibility.
As in other cities which have
found the school boy patrol
beneficial, these boys will have
lull authority over the regulat
ing of traffic, Loth pedestrian
and vehicular, at the four points
designated. Motorists failing to
stop as directed or otherwise
breaking the laws in this area
will be reported by license num
ber or name to the Police De
partment for action.
A regular and a reserve team
have been selected to serve on
the patrol. Regulars are Frank
lin Alplanalp, Sidney Blatchford,
Thomas Hicklen, Neil Hollen
beck, Wilbur Cooper, Harold
Howell, Mike Muir (captain),
Stanley Watsjold, Bernie Treve
than, Gregory Doyle, Robert
Treharne, Dale Thomas, David
Rose, and Jimmy Lawton.
Reserves who will be called in
case of scholastic inability to
serve, absence or other reasons,
are: Bruce Disney, Dennis Dee,
Gary Davis, Melvin Olson, Ray
mond Rogers, and Richard Bros
sow.
UNION GIFT SWELLS
AMBULANCE FUND
A gift of $500 from the Dock
side Union this week brought
the- Seward Volunteer Ambu
lance fund to $3,324.70 at press
time. This is the largest single
contribution made to the fund
for purchase of a new vehicle.
The Elks Lodge is conducting
a campaign to aid the Corps in
obtaining the much needed new
machine. All contributions can
be made to the Elks for transfer
to the fund.
SURPRISE HOUSEWARMING
AT CASS HOME
Mr. and Mrs. Earl Cass were
surprised last Saturday night
when friends began to drop in.
After a few minutes it developed
that about twenty five people
had decided to give the Cass' a
housewarming party in their
new home at 426 Fourth Avenue.
Although she has not com
pletely settled in yet, Mrs. Cass
remarked today, it was a won
derful thing to know that so
many people thought of them.
She was so surprised, confused
and delighted with the whole
idea and the wonderful gift, she
received that she is sure she did
not thank the folks properly, she
says. Among the guests were the
Cass’ foster son, Bob Morgan,
and his cousin, Lt. Creamer,
from Elmendorf.
Mrs. Laila Morrison, who was
born Laila Thorsen on May 11,
1929, in Brooklyn, N.Y., died on
November 26, 1953. in an auto
mobile accident near Moose Pass,
Alaska. With her was her infant
daughter, Sheila.
Mrs. Morrison came to Alaska
in 1942 with her mother, Mrs.
Andy Novak, to reside in Sew
ard. She attended grade and
high school in Seward until the
spring of 1947, at which time
she accompanied her mother on
a trip to Norway.
Returning from her trip in
January, 1948, she enrolled at
the Tacoma University, where
she shared a room with her close
friend from Seward, deceased
Laila Thorsen Morrison
Mrs. Carol Breitenbach, who
only some weeks ago lost her
life together with her 18-month
olri baby.
Laila spent her summer vaca
tion in Seward with her parents,
Mr. and Mrs. Andy Novak, and
entered the University of Alaska
at Fairbanks in the fall of 1948.
She was elected queen of the an
nual Military Ball held at the
University and was given the of
ficial title of Honorary Captain
of the H.O.T.C. She became one
of the first Rainbow Girls when
the Assembly was instituted in
Seward.
In the fall of 1951. she mar
ried Mr. John Morrison of An
chorage and left school in the
early part of 1952 to reside in
California with her husband.
She went to New York to visit
her father, Mr. Thomas Thorsen,
spending several months there,
before returning to Seward this
sping with her daughter Sheila.
After vacationing at the No
vak cabin at Mile 18, Mrs. Mor
rison took a position for a short
time at the U.S. Commissioner's
oiiice in Seward. In the early
part of November she accepted
a permanent position as book
keeper with Estes Bros, at
Moose Pass, where she resided
until her passing.
Laila and Sheila are lying in
state at the Adkins Funeral
Chapel and may be seen Friday
afternoon and Saturday. Serv
ices will be held Sunday at 2
p.m. from Se.vard Memorial
Church. Interment in Seward
Cemetery.
Mr. and Mrs. Andy Novak
wish to thank the police officers
of Seward, Officer Thomas Rob
erts of the Territorial Poli :e Le
partment, Mr. Metcalf, and all
the people from Seward a id
Moose Pass who helped in the ir
time of sorrow. Especially lo
they thank George Giardina lor
his heroic efforts and success.
FAMILY NIGHT AT THE
METHODIST CHURCH
Starting with a carry-in dhi
ner at 6:30 p.m.. this Sund iy
night, the family night progr; n
for this month at ihe Methodist
Church will include: Classes for
every age group from 7:30 to
8:00 o'clock; a sound motion pic
ture "Holy Night.” starting at
8:00 o’clock, and a hymn sing
following. The picture is one of
the finest on the early life of
Christ that has been filmed and
is very fitting for the Christmas
season. This is a program for
young and old, so come out a id
bring the entire family.
CARD OF THANKS
To all the frienc’s, for their
prayers and syrr^pathy sent us in
the loss of our husband and
father, our sincere thanks.
Helen Ma’colm
Marjorie Juliussen
S. I. Juliussen \