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Letter to Editor
January 19, 1959
The Nome Nugget
Nome, Nome County, Alaska
What is this article about?
Village leaders from Mountain Village, Alaska, request assistance in obtaining a year-round DC-4-type airfield in the Lower Yukon area to improve mail service, employment opportunities, freight costs, military support, and address growing population needs.
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Lower Yukon Village Leaders Ask Help To Obtain DC-4 Landing Field
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
We, the Village Councilmen and Chief, representing the people of Mountain Village, Alaska, request your help in obtaining a year-round DC-4-type airfield in the area known as the Lower Yukon, from Marshall to the mouth of the Yukon River.
Several surveys have been made in the past for a site, but various conditions, some financial and some political, have blocked the construction of this type field in the area. The people here are not especially concerned as to the exact location, though there is an excellent site, we have been told, approximately halfway between St. Marys and Mt. Village. This site would provide float facilities as well as a site for a DC-4 field.
However, the location of a site is immaterial. The people of this area want an airfield centrally located to serve them.
We believe we need a DC-4 type field for the following reasons:
1. Mail service into this area is poor. Despite the fact that Alaska Airlines has good equipment and pilots, the distances, amount of stops and the volume of mail, freight and passengers put a terrific load upon the airlines. Often weather at either Bethel or Unalakleet prevents flights.
2. The native people of this area are hampered in the securing of summer employment due to the high cost of transportation on bush flights.
3. High freight rates hurt the economy of the area. Storekeepers are not able to bring in potatoes, fresh milk and vegetables and many other items under the present air-freight rate.
4. A DC-4 field would render a military service, and aid materially with the activities of the Alaska National Guard.
5. The population of this area is rising. Each year will find the problem of adequate air transportation accentuated.
6. The nearest DC-3 field on the Yukon River is at Galena. The need for adequate transportation for the people of the Lower Yukon has been largely forgotten in the past.
We ask you to carefully consider our request and lend your support to help in this project.
MATTHEW PETERSON, Chief,
HARLEY KANYEK, Secretary,
Village Council,
Mountain Village.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
We, the Village Councilmen and Chief, representing the people of Mountain Village, Alaska, request your help in obtaining a year-round DC-4-type airfield in the area known as the Lower Yukon, from Marshall to the mouth of the Yukon River.
Several surveys have been made in the past for a site, but various conditions, some financial and some political, have blocked the construction of this type field in the area. The people here are not especially concerned as to the exact location, though there is an excellent site, we have been told, approximately halfway between St. Marys and Mt. Village. This site would provide float facilities as well as a site for a DC-4 field.
However, the location of a site is immaterial. The people of this area want an airfield centrally located to serve them.
We believe we need a DC-4 type field for the following reasons:
1. Mail service into this area is poor. Despite the fact that Alaska Airlines has good equipment and pilots, the distances, amount of stops and the volume of mail, freight and passengers put a terrific load upon the airlines. Often weather at either Bethel or Unalakleet prevents flights.
2. The native people of this area are hampered in the securing of summer employment due to the high cost of transportation on bush flights.
3. High freight rates hurt the economy of the area. Storekeepers are not able to bring in potatoes, fresh milk and vegetables and many other items under the present air-freight rate.
4. A DC-4 field would render a military service, and aid materially with the activities of the Alaska National Guard.
5. The population of this area is rising. Each year will find the problem of adequate air transportation accentuated.
6. The nearest DC-3 field on the Yukon River is at Galena. The need for adequate transportation for the people of the Lower Yukon has been largely forgotten in the past.
We ask you to carefully consider our request and lend your support to help in this project.
MATTHEW PETERSON, Chief,
HARLEY KANYEK, Secretary,
Village Council,
Mountain Village.
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Informative
Political
What themes does it cover?
Infrastructure
Commerce Trade
Social Issues
What keywords are associated?
Dc 4 Airfield
Lower Yukon
Mountain Village
Alaska
Air Transportation
Native Employment
Freight Rates
Alaska National Guard
What entities or persons were involved?
Matthew Peterson, Chief; Harley Kanyek, Secretary; Village Council, Mountain Village
The Editor
Letter to Editor Details
Author
Matthew Peterson, Chief; Harley Kanyek, Secretary; Village Council, Mountain Village
Recipient
The Editor
Main Argument
the village council of mountain village, alaska, requests support to build a year-round dc-4-type airfield in the lower yukon area to enhance mail, freight, passenger services, employment, economy, and military capabilities.
Notable Details
Past Surveys Blocked By Financial And Political Conditions
Excellent Site Halfway Between St. Marys And Mt. Village
Reasons Include Poor Mail Service, High Transportation Costs For Employment, High Freight Rates, Military Aid, Rising Population, And Distance To Nearest Field At Galena