Commanding Officer’s Message (con't ) • ’ .p
portation Committee has stated that in determining the cost' of living indices
on 1 February 1959, separate computations were not made for Adak and that this
station was arbitrarily assigned an index computed for other stations in the
Alaskan area tnought to be comparable with Adak'. When the report was received
from Adak it was evident to the committee that the original index of 118 was
not warranted. Further, a review of the data submitted to the Per Diem Travel
and Transportation Committee in July 1959 by personnel stationed on Adakiesult
ed in an index of well below 100, and as a result the Cost of Living Allowance
for Adak was discontinued after 15 August I960, The Committee also stated that
with the increase of 09% in Commissary Store prices the Index for Adak rose to
some extent but was still below the ”100" mark and therefore did not generate *
a cost of living allowance. In addition, Adak, computed on the same formula
used worldwide, fails to justify an index, not because- of commissary prices
particularly, but because there are so many other elements in the cost of living
which are inexpensive or non-existent. Although Adak is unique in that it lacks
any commerical facilities, there are 68 overseas locations which do not rate a
Cost of Living Allowance,
I am deeply concerned about the unfortunate series of events that caused the
rise in prices and the discontinuance of the Cost of Living Allowance and its
effect on the military personnel. As a result, a close liaison' is being kept
with the committee which is monitoring reports received from Adak. This command
is in the process of submitting additional information and forms will be distr
ibuted to all military personnel who have dependents on board this station for
completion. When this is done the completed forms will then be sent tc the Per
Diem Travel and Transportation Committee for review. I am sure that we will
receive every consideration in the restoration of a Cost of Living Allowance if
it is warranted.
This command has a deep sense of personal responsibility to every individual on
the Island be they military, civilian, or dependent. Every reasonable effort
•is being made to make this a highly effective operating base and a good commun
ity for the residents. A positive approach to bettering conditions on Adak is
in the common interest. I and the members of my staff are always accessible to
any individual on the island.
W. F. HENRY
It goes without saying that any Ed
itor is constantly on the lookout for
ways to improve his publication. In this
regard I would like to remind everyone
who is interested in submitting articles
for the Adak Sun that they are welcome
to do so. Send any news to DAVIS, YN1
Central Files via Guard Mail or deliver
it to Quarters 164-A anytime. If you
have an item that is news call me on365
or^367 and give me the facts and I will
write the story.
Articles and news items must be sub
mitted by Friday evening to be publish
ed in the following Mondays paper# Late
items of interest may be submitted until
1100 on Saturday morning by calling 055J
or delivering the article to quarters
164A.
Articles and news items submitted are
desirable ifx
1* They appeal to a group of our
readers rather than one individual#
2. They are in good taste.
3# They are informative and are not
news which is generally known.
4. They tell what your Department or
Division is doing and who is doing it.
Suggestions on improving the paper are
invited and will always be considered#
Thank you for your past support.
H.T. DAVIS, YN1