The Nome Nugget

Chamber Meeting
Presents Problem:
Nome Is Aroused

A capacity crowd filled the Pioneer Hall last evening for the dinner meeting of the C. of C. with enthusiastic citizens anxious to do their part toward solving the grave health and moral situation confronting our community.

Pres. Harper opened the meeting after the group had enjoyed a very fine dinner. As the final results of the election was evident he did not carry out that part of the program, but opened the vital subject for which the meeting was called.

Pres. Harper briefly brought up to date the events leading to the issues in question. He reported the action of the board of directors who had discussed the last meeting of the City Council and resolved to bring the issues out in the open and arouse the people of Nome to action.

President Harper reported for the harbor committee recently appointed to take charge of the raising of revenue to send a delegation to Washington to endeavor to obtain passage of the appropriation bill for our sea wall.

The committee appointed are Messrs. Harwood, representing the Chamber; G. R. Jackson the owners of the south side of Front street; Carl Dewey president of the Rotary club; Luther Dunbar, representing the City of Nome.

The president reported that the report of the road committee was to be printed for distribution.

The president opening the main subject for the evening, stated that he had appointed the entire board to study and report at this meeting. First to be called was John McNees, who stated that there were several vacant rooms in the hospital that could be used to quarantine and treat infectious cases of V. D. He also stated that the air lines should be enlisted to return these girls to their homes when cured.

Mr. Nay, of the Alaska Airlines, called attention to the fact that the CAB regulations state that if anyone has the money for passage they cannot be refused transportation. However the airlines can divulge the destination of passengers to the proper authority in these cases he stated, and the Chamber could be assured of his cooperation.

Colonel Harry Burkhalter, commander of the Marks Air Base, was called upon and state in part that the young men on the Marks Field are mostly boys who are underage and many of them away from home for the first time. He stated that he receives letters from their parents continuously asking
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Chamber Meeting Presents Problem; Nome Is Aroused

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him to give the boys fatherly guidance. These boys he stated are normal and react as any boy does away from home and should not be given liquor freely until their age is determined. He especially stressed the fact that credit is being given the boys against payday for the purchase of liquor, which he strongly objects to. As to law enforcement, he stated, it is necessary for the military police to have respect for the city law enforcement and vice versa, and a feeling of cooperation must be firmly built up. He stated that the V. D. in this community was introduced to the natives by the white man, and therefore is the white man's problem and they must face it and wipe it out.

Rev. Fred Wagner, when called upon said he was interested mainly in the spiritual guidance in the controlling of the natural instincts. He felt that the liquor situation could be controlled by curtailment, and a more active part of the religious leaders in the community should be undertaken. Mrs. MacLain recommended the forming of a volunteer police force due to the city's lack of funds. Even women should be enlisted in this work, she suggested. Paul Mandeville suggested that all business men and individuals should notify the police department immediately when they notice anything improper on our streets or alleys and be alert to the situation. The City Clerk commented that with only one policeman on duty it might prove difficult to comply, and impossible to house offenders in the jail, unless the roof is used. Col. Burkhalter stated that he believed the native girls involved are not alcoholics but vulnerable to drink, and for that reason, native homes are off limits to the soldiers. Commissioner Duffield stated that he felt quarantine was the most important item for the control of V.D., which statement also was recommended by Chaplain A. Darling. Carl Dewey suggested the revoking of licenses of liquor dealers who do not comply with the law. He stated that he was not too sure as to the success of a volunteer police department, but that it might work out with proper personnel. W. Angell called to attention that these girl offenders all lack education, as none of them will be found to have even a good elementary education. Frank Whaley suggested a special force, enforcement of a rigid curfew, heavy fines and penalties for a period of 60 to 90 days to see the results. The City Clerk revealed that she had been fining not only the girls but the parents for not keeping their minor girls at home. Jim Frye suggested that citizens should open their homes to the boys at the post, and he personally has extended an invitation to them to visit at his home at will, and spend the evening talking, drinking coffee; in home surroundings. He said "Give the average boy a chance and he will not abuse it. My home is open to them." Ted Duffield, representing the Red Cross said that he would be glad to place boys as guests in private homes, if request is made to him. A. Polet suggested that the many good ideas offered should not be forgotten as soon as the meeting adjourned, but be worked upon until a solution is found to our difficult task. Wm. McDonald said. "Let's start on this reform tonight" and moved that the Chamber stay behind the program. The motion was carried unanimously. Mrs. Bochman suggested that the chamber should appoint a committee who has in charge the co-ordination of local social activities among organizations and suggest the inclusion of a limited number of boys to these groups' functions. Mrs. Harper suggested that a woman police officer be brought to the City from the outside, if none can be employed in Nome. She believes that a woman may be more efficient and have a different reception and approach to the problem. The meeting adjourned.