The Daily Alaska Empire

"BABE" HAYES TELLS STATES ABOUT ALASKA
Well Known Resident of Valdez and Cordova Spreads Gospel
Known on the Outside as Alaska's one-man Chamber of Commerce, F. J. "Babe" Hayes of Valdez is down on the Puget Sound spreading the gospel of Alaska but is soon to head north. The Tacoma Ledger carried the following interview with the widely known Alaskan:
Alaska has its mountains and glaciers and growing cities and Alaska also has F. J. "Babe" Hayes. It would be hard to pick out Alaska's most striking feature, but there are thousands of persons in all parts of the world, from Cape Town to Halifax and from Tacoma to Melbourne, who will declare it is Hayes.
"Babe" Hayes was in Tacoma yesterday renewing acquaintances with dozens of Tacomans who have met him on trips to Cordova or Valdez. He claims both cities for his home but admits he spends most of his time at the latter.
Unofficial Greeter
Hayes, for the benefit of those who haven't been to Alaska, is the Territory's one-man Chamber of Commerce. Through sheer love of his chosen dwelling place he has made himself an unofficial greeter. Thousands of travelers to Alaska have had their visit enriched by a welcome from "Babe" Hayes, by the many courtesies he has shown them and by his eagerness to see that the visitors learn what a truly great place Alaska is, both geographically and in the matter of resources. That his efforts are appreciated is shown by the hundreds of letters he has received after the travelers have returned to their homes. Hayes is proud of these letters. One file that he displayed yesterday had letters from men of national prominence. Last year he received more than 400 Christmas cards from friends made among travelers he had contacted in Alaska.
The present trip to the States is Hayes' first time out in three years. While he is registered at the Gowman Hotel in Seattle, he is spending considerable time in Tacoma, making his headquarters at the store of Hy Mandles, one of his many friends here.
Finest Place on Earth
Hayes is a big man, towering six feet, four inches, and built in proportion. He has rare ability to make quick contacts without offending. "Alaska," he said yesterday in the course of an interview, "is the finest place on earth. I wouldn't live anywhere else. Why have I made myself Alaska's greeter? Simply because I love Alaska and because I like to meet people. I checked up once and found that 112 of those who have written me letters of appreciation are in 'Who's Who.' Others will tell you, however, that you don't have to be in "Who's Who" to get a royal welcome from "Babe" Hayes if you visit Cordova or Valdez. He expects to be around the Sound for two or three weeks and then head back home so that he will be on hand when the summer excursion steamers call at his ports.