Vol.2
Septy 8._1939 c
Palmer, Alaska0
Mo. 40
ARMY .. POST AT ANCHORAGE
TO BE LAUNCHED AT ONCE
Fairbanks, Sept,6-Majo Edward
M George, constructing Quarter
master in Alaska in charge of
U„So army project throughout the
territory, was scheduled to leave
for Anchorage to day with two
engineers from his office here.
Major George said he would estab
lish an office in Anohorage and
begin construction of the Anchor
age uhit of the army air defenGCo,.
Major George expects to have 20
men engaged in surveys and other
preliminary work, which will be
carried forward as long as it is
seasonably possible this fall.
The work to be undertaken will
be on the new military reserve
which was established a few months
ago over 50,000 acres between
Anchorage and the Chugach mountain
Later, Major George will go to
Washington, D-C. to' complete plans
for Alaska projects:, several of
which he 3ays, constitute the
Alaska air defense work.
Surveys are now under way for the
experimental station at Fairbanks
and three miles of new railroad
trhck to connect with the army
site. While definite information
was lacking on the first work to
be undertaken by iUajor George in
Anchorage, it whs"rpchllod hore•
today that he said that more than
$4,500 ,000 would be spent here
erecting an array post. The army
plans to move troops now at i3hil
koot Barracks to the new pest
adjacent to Anchorage, turning
over the old Ghilkoot building^ to
the Indian service.
A NEW GOVERNOR
Anchoragey- Resignation of
Governor Troy and the appointment
of T>r,Ernest II.Gruening as his
successor, came as a surprise for
most Alaskans last Saturday.
The change in the Office of the
chief excutive is to come Oct.15.
An Alaskan of many years standing
will turn over his duties to the
man who has been director of ter
ritorial and insular affairs under
Secretary Ickes0
Alaskans are sorry to see Governor
Troy retire. He came to the ter
ritory in 1899, during the stam
pede days. During the years since
ho has gained invaluable first
hand information on the problems
of the territory and of its resi
dents.
Admiration for Governor Troy may
be centered on his persistent
faith inthe Democratic party,
extending through many years of
consecutive Republican administra
tions .
Grov_rnor Troy has the distinction
of having opposed his superior in
Washington when it came to a pro
posal for an eight per cent gross
tax on gold production, ^t is a
unique distinction - one that
all Alaskans appreciate. This dar
ing stand showed his interest
and concern for the welfare of
Alaska. .
Secretary I ekes advised Governor
Troy that he was not in agreement
with the governor’s annual report
and that ho had taken the liberty
of changing a part of it relative
( continued on page 2)