The Daily Alaska Empire

U.S. COAST GUARD IS GETTING SETTLED IN NEW BUILDING

In the eyes of the service itself, the 17th District Headquarters of the U. S. Coast Guard may not yet be officially established here, as all operations do not yet function from Juneau.

But the details of one of the most important matters within the service -- payday -- were completely handled here this week, with every paycheck made out in Juneau. The disbursing officer mailed more than 700 USCG checks yesterday from the Juneau postoffice.

Juneau's handsome Community Building, constructed chiefly for occupancy by the Coast Guard headquarters, has begun to hum with activity.

Desks, chairs, office machines and wastebaskets are stacked in corners and corridors; enlisted men are swabbing the decks; cartons of records, books and other equipment are being unpacked and put in place.

However, Lt. C. V. Rudolph, District Finance Officer, and his staff had a payday coming up before the installation could be completed. So, thanks to the cooperation of the Army, check-writing machines, addressograph and other needed equipment was set up in the temporary USCG quarters made available by C. L. Robards, Resident Engineer.

"We never could have made the progress we have, without the Army," said Comdr. D. McGregor Morrison, ranking USCG officer here in the absence of the Chief of Staff.

FURNITURE LOST

Like any family moving day, there was almost bound to be a slip-up, and a need to borrow from the neighbors. Somewhere between Illinois and Seattle, a car-load of furniture with all the office chairs for the building, went astray.

"Thanks to the Army," said Lieutenant Rudolph, who handled the matter of furniture and supplies for the transfer, "thanks to the Army, we have nearly enough chairs to go around. However, they are surplus, and to be disposed of October 5, so we have to return them by then. Meantime, we are trying to straighten out the shipping tangle."

The chairs, sturdy and useful though they are, look ill-assorted when paired with the all-steel desks and stands.

The office furniture, shipped by the Bureau of Supply from Seattle, is of all-steel manufacture.

FITTINGS FIREPROOF

"We shall have a minimum of fire hazard," commented Lieutenant Rudolph. "The building is of fire-proof construction, and everything we have, insofar as possible, is fireproof. The all-steel furniture came from either the General Fireproofing Company or the Federal Prison Industries. Except for a very few items from other Coast Guard offices, there is nothing but the latest and most modern furniture and equipment-$50,000 worth."

The installation which is the heart of District operations for the Coast Guard-the communications system-is partly in operation. Key equipment in the big acoustically-treated room will be three teletype machines. One of these already is operating, giving a direct line to the Alaska Communications System.

Officers and men are working at top speed to get the new District Headquarters in working order, and planning the big open house at which the public will be invited to inspect the offices. No date has been set yet.

Yes, everything is fine, except for one little matter that was overlooked by the architect.

In the requisition for supplies was an order for a large electric wall clock for each office.

The clocks are here.

But there's not a wall connection in the building for them!