CHAMBER COMMERCE HOLDS ANNUAL MEETING
_J. J. HAMLYN.
KARL C. MODINI.
. O. S. WEAVER.
J. REED. GEO. S.
Th« annual meeting of the Northwestern Chamber of Commerce or
Nome met la the Pioneer Igloo on February 2. 1924 for the purpose of
ejecting officers for the ensuing year.
The meeting was called to order by the President, Ralph Lomen.
nnd the following officers were present: Ralph Lomen. President; R. B.
Julian, Vice President; A. Polet, Secretary; O. S. Weaver. Treasurer; and
j. J. Hamlyn. Director.
President Lomen. Secretary Polet and Treasurer Weaver made writ
ten reporta which were read and placed on file. A letter frnm National l
Councilor Geo. D. Scbofleld was read and filed, and correspondence anil i
telegram*, Lu regard to the Polar Flight, and the erection for the rnaat for
the gigantic dtrlglble Shenandoah, wan read by the Secretary and placed |
on file. The report which waa compiled by President Lomen and read at j
the meeting is herewith published.
The election of officers was then announced by President Lomen. i
and the following were elected to office for rite ensuing year
President...
Vic.) President.
Secretary.
Treasurer.
Directors, RALPH I/OMKN. A. POLET. R. W
MAYNARD and J. .1. KEENAN.
National Councilor. «EO. D. SCHOFIELD.
A r«*cess was taken at this time and a delightful luncheon, which was
referred to as a “Sourdough Lunch,” wus served, and when the nmokes
were passed around. President Ralph Lomen surrendered his office to the
President-Elect. R. B. Julian, who responded by saying that it would be
his greatest endeavor to further the interest* of the Chamber.
President-Elect Julian then introduced Mayor George S. Maynard,
the first speaker of the evening, who in a few well chosen remarks spoke
volumes of hopeful news in regard to the future development of Nome.
The Mayor stated that there were many projects as yet undeveloped, but
which are practically assured, that wiil be of great benefit to Nome.s pros- ,
perity. The nature of these new developments cannot be divulged at '
the present time, according to the Mayor but will in the near future be j
made known. Mayor Maynard voiced his opinion that this cora.ne year |
will be a banner year for Nome. The Mayor stated the City of Nome j
had received advices that the Government contemplated spending approx- j
imately $20,000 toward the further improvement of Nome Harbor, and j
there is very little doubt but the City of Nome will be relieved of cntri
buting $2,500 annually to the maintenance of the harbor, thru the untir- t
insr efTorts of the City Council and Delegate Sutherland in introducing j
a Bill in Congress relieving the city of the said contribution after this year,
should the city be relieved of spending this amount on the maintenance
of the harbor, the equivalent of that sum could, and is contemplate*! being I
epent on the erection of a dock, wharf and buildings on River Street. J
The Mayor also stated that upon his request Mr. R. L. Summers. Superin
tendent of the Alaska Road Commission, prepared plans whereby it is
understood that the United States Engineers and the City of Nome will
eooperate in the erection of the docks, wharf and buildings on River
Street, when the remainder of the revetment is built this coming summer,
by utilizing the tools, machinery and help of the Government engineers,
Nome should have the first unit of the dock built very economically as the
government will pruehase the necessary timbers for the dock and have
them shipped in with their own consignment of material.
Professor Ryn-ning of the Nome Public School was the next speaker
and he informed his audience that at the close of this school year there
will be five graduates from the High School and that four of these five
are children born and raised and received all their education In Nome, and
the Professor stated that these graduates compare very favorably with
graduates in any other part of the United States. Prof. Rynn ng is very
optimistic in regard to the future of the Nome Schools.
Judge Lomen then told a very interesting story and omp niented the
officers and members on the good showing of the. Chamber in their la,st
year's work.
Customs Collector. R. W. J. Reed reviewed the Customs Report of
last year, which was printed in the Nome Nugget at the close of navigation,
and in comparison showed a great gain over the year previous. Mr. Reed
Is very optomistic in regard to the future development of n- w industries in
Nome and the Seward Peninsula. He covered the possibilities of a Sal
mon industry for the Seward Peninsula in a very capable way. touched on
the Reindeer industry as well as the Herring fishing and Mining. Mr.
Reed’s talk was confined mostly to facts and figures which speak for them
selves and was apprecia
the United States Coast
led by every one preset
Guard was urged and
of the transportation link betw
cated in his speech.
Vice-President J. J. Hamlyn spoke on the n
for the. Chamber, stating that as the telegrams re
of the Puget Sound Navy Yard inquired if then
tlie answer to that question is obvious as Nome
such instruments are in constant use. and if Nom
such questions would not be asked, they would be
nd St. Michael
Commandan
i;ity Attorney u .npii was caned upon to make a talk on tne ,1 vision
of Alaska, and in what he termed a “curb stone” opinion, stated that we all
will be better off if Alaska is divided, but added that he believed that it
all depended on where the line of deinarkatioa was made.
District Clerk Captain John Sundback complimented the outgoing
President. Ralph Lomen, on his excellent report.
A. Polet who has acted as Secretary for the Chamber for several
years, was then- called upon to make a speech and taking the floor he
called attention to the words of Mayor Maynard and shared with the
Mayor the future bright outlook for this'section:- Mr.' Polet mad** a very
Interesting talk on what is needed for the development of Nyme and the
Seward Peninsula, he touched on what Pacific Coast cities are doing for
their Chambers of Commerce and compared Nome very favorably to the |
above cities. Mr. Polet read sdirie very interesting articles on what the j
Spokane Chamber of Commerce is doing, and read transcripts of a recent j
letter from President Coolidge to the Jacksonville. Florida. Chamber of j
Commerce. • r .
Rev. H. M. Mobbs made a short talk and spoke of being pleased j
to listen to the future bright outlook for this section, and wound up his j
talk by paying the people of Nome and the Seward Peninsula a very ,
high tribute.
The meeting lasted until near 12 o’clock and everyone attending :
f went away feeling that the evening had been very profitably spent. The
f Northwestern Alaska Chamber of Commerce are contemplating putting (
Into effect very soon an advertising campaign which will cause the outside j
world to sit up and take notice of the opportunities offered in the Seward i
Peninsula.
The report of Mr. Lomen is herewith published verbatim:
Nome, Alaska, February 2. 1924.
TO THE NORTHWESTERN ALASKA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE,
Nome, Alaska.
Gentlemen:—
For the two years last past it has been my pleasure to act as pre
siding officer of this Chamber, a* well as your Board of Directors. To*
night, I address a report to you covering that period. u«l. with your per
mission, venturing a few suggestions for the future.
During the first year, 1922, our efforts were devoted almost entirely
to promote the Kougarok Railroad as a main artery of travel for Seward
Peninsula. The Territory purchased this road and during last summer
rehabilitated that portion from Little Creek to Nugget Roadhouse, ex-'
pending between twenty and twenty-five thousand dollars. During the
coming season the balance of the road will undoubtedly be plaoed In re.
ppir. and. from the SutherlppdResphitfoa; aa it appears in today's’paper..
t is limrp than possible that steps will be taken to eaten-I the road to the
horen of Kotzebue Sound.
Your Board of Directors hav*\ during the year 1923, held twenty
dd meetmgs ancl have discussed nunw-rous problem* concerning mail
aovements, telegraph service. road work, transportation, coast lights
ubsidy for coastwise schooners. legislation, and, last, but not least in.
•ortant, the entertainment of public visitors.
The extension of the Federal Highway Act to Alaska, is perhaps the
Dost important piece of Congressional legislation pending at this time
f this Act Ls extended t«* Alaska it will release a far greater sum of money
or road work than has ever been expended in the past. Onr Chamber
Kissed a resolution similar to on*, p.i-swd by other commercial bodies in
Uiu»kA. approving the Act and petitioning Congress to extend said Act
The Sutherland Resolutions now pending, covering appropriations for;
uirbor and road improvements, ore likewise, of great importance to us. ,
During the summer we were afforded au opportunity to act as ho. s
>n the occasion of an excursion to Nome, under the auspices of the Ran
Francisco Chamber of Com mem*. A program was arranged and it is
tafe t.» report, that our guests departed with n favorable impression of
S'ome. Letters from the Chairman and Secretary of that delegation. !
written since their return assure u* of their whole, hearted cooperation
n all matters concerning our welfare.
There Is no doubt but that a close contact with the business interest? j
>f the Pacific Coast would result in material benefit to Nome. Seattle. !
•ealizing that she is the natural supply point for Alaska, has accepted chi* j
tremendous advantage as a birthright and. at feast, as far as our sec- j
ion is concerned, has lost sight of the personal and human element ne^- j
*.«sary In developing satisfactory business relationship. I would suggest
;bat the Seattle Chamber of Commerce be invited to promote an Alaskan
excursion including Nome in the itinerary, and it might be suggested that
;he occasion of the Trans-Polar flight would be an ideal time for us to re
ceive visitors. That this will be the psychological time for Nome to put
forth her .greatest efforts toward publicity will be apparent to all. '1 he
'Shenandoah.” the world’s largest dirigible balloon, attempting the • real- j
pst air feat of record, and using Nome as a base, will attract the attention j
id the world to our city. A fund should be established to ndv rtis • Nome .
Every effort should be made to attract the tourist and investor. There
arc many skeptics who may question the advisability of such an invest
ment; but that it pays is beyond any doubt. Los Angeles at.d San Man
i*lsco have each raised $490,000; Portland, $300,000; Vancouver and San
Diego each. $100,000 for a civic advertising campaign during U‘2? Se
attle asks her business interests for $135,000 for the saim purpose. Ex
perience has proven to them that this form of advertising pays big re
turns on the investment.
Nome, the greatest placer dredging basin in the world is on the man
today. We need no other claim to distinction to hold our own in th**
mining world. Nome has been the most consistent placer mining camp
in Alaska and judging from the confidence manifested by recent heavy
investments in this field, we are destined to hold our place for some time
yet to come. The transition from a boom camp, with spirit of ‘‘easy
c one-—easy go.” to a conservative dredging field has been beset by trials
and tribulations, but. theta* is little doubt but that the change has been
for the better. The conservative enterprise will build up it more stable
community, and develop a population which will be better satisfied, and.
which will have greater interest in matters of general community welfare.
Up to the present time the entire history of Nome, which has been it ro
mantic tale, has been based entirely upon the mining industry.
The reindeer industry is second in economic importance at this time,
and. you will pardon my enthusiasm if. I predict that it will be but a few
short years before it steps into first place in this Division.
At my request, the local office ,,f the Biological Survey. Mr. L. J.
Palmer has prepared a table showing the economic importance of the in
Reading from the table I find that there are at the present time ap
proximately 175,000 deer on Seward Peninsula maintained in 7s herds.
This number represents 1800 Eskimo owners, besides 25 whites and one
corporation. Five men, on the average, are employed in connection with
each herd, while more than double that number are employed during
months of the year, assisting in round-ups. marking, etc. One does not
need to be a mathematician or an economist, to appreciate the importance
of this industry
slaughtered for
number in 1000
future stock yai
products plants incident thereto; the
ment to a far greater population than
tion. Reliable recorf
in 1900. to 250,000 tr
riling more than lOO.t
lothing, which in itsel
all Alaska
is of Seward Pen instil
with the packing plants and by
itire industry furnishing employ- |
this Division, the lower Yukon, Kotzebue Sound and Golovin Bay are
the scenes of our only commercial fishing. On the lower. Yukon and at
Kotzebue their efforts are. confined to salmon, while at Golovin, th* y pro
duce a quantity of herring, for which there is a steady demand. The
lower Yukon produced nearly a quarter of a million pounds of salmon and ;
Golovin shipped 100,000 pounds of herring during the last season. A !
study of the fishing industry in Alaska will show that each year the do-I
velopments have been carried a step to the Northland. It is a known I
fact that halibut and cod are to be found in quantity in Bering Sea to the
North of the Yukon. As yet there has been no concerted effort to de
velop this industry locally. The Government should conduct a -system- j
atic fish survey in Bering Sea—to determine the extent* of these hanks I
and their commercial value to the Territory. This potential, wealth, j
awaiting development, would support many times our present small coast
wise fleet, and furnish considerable tonnage toward the development of i
our commerce with the States.. I consider that the greatest field of act-;
ivity for the Chamber, during the next two years, lies in this direction. !
We are pledged the support <>f the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. J
and if we exert ourselves, the Government can no doubt bo prevailed upon j
to assign a hoaf to these waters for the purpose of making this, survey, j
In a study of the food possibilities of Bering Sea it is not impossible to pic- |
ture the development of a luscious crab, and dam fishing enterprise.
The situation with reference to trade with Siberia is peculiar. Our
Government at Washington, actuated by high ideals, refuses to recognize
the government of our neighbors, and that trade, which so rightfully be
longs to us is going to ships flying the. English flag. For the time being
it appears to be quite hopeless for us to expect to renew or develop the
trade which, sooner, or later, will of its own course come to us.
The fur industry holds up well with those- of importance to us. To
date, however, we have been content to accept it as it came, while in
Southeastern Alaska they have recognized great possibilities of improve
ment and have established several hundred fox farms, where they prop
agate blue, black and silver fox. and last year produced more than $800
000 in pelts. These pelts do not represent the full value of this industry,
as the sale of breeding animals is a great source of revenue, and the in
crease in number of live animals remains as accumulated profits. Manv
of these farms, but not all. by any means, are situated on islands ideal
for the purpose. Our lack of islands does not destroy the opportunities
in this field. Ours, is the natural habitat of the fox and there is no
:eason for our failure to develop the industry, except for lack of energy
and capital. The black fox, most valuable of all, adapts itself to close
confinement though other species do not thrive unless given greater free
dom. The few efforts made here were not on a commercial scale, and
were confined to red and white foxes; the least valuable. The success
of this industry in Southeastern Alaska has attracted large capital. The
only attempt being made at this time on Seward Peninaulc is at Shisnjar
eff, and according to a late report by tbe "Teller Scout.” the owner i3
well pleased with his efforts.
Eskimo Industrial
One item of importance which warrants the efforts of the chamb'
hose who occupy legislative office, and th*- representative of the Rurea
*f Education, is that of establishing an industrial school for the Lskim*
rhis is not an original idea, but is one in which I see great necessity an
nurh merit. The Directors of the Chamber have advocated this an
Senator Ayer introduced a Rill in the las' Legislature to bring this about
>ut we are no further advanced today than we were when th** though
iriginated.
From an economic sta-ndpoint there is nothin? more important tha
•le* further development of the Eskimo. Today, owing to the introdui
Ion of the reindeer, he is advanced from the huntsman to the herdsmai
>uf there is much more room for improvement before he. rna-ehes h,s ful
►sf capacity as an economic factor.
There ar<» today 2.000 Eskimos, more or less, on Seward Peninsul
ind if we extend to Barrow on the North and to n,«* Yukon on th** Sout
vc bring this number up in excess of 5,000.
The m in power represented by this great number ha « been left und*
.■doped, except so far as their services have been required :n the con dm
>f th«> reindeer industry and trapping.
The Bureau of Education has confined their efforts in this District t
eaehing the three Rs and a smathering of domestic science, sewing an
nu-nual training, but, even in this, little effort has been mnde to roac
no re than the children.
In the manual and mechanical arts nothing has been d »ne althoug
.he Eskimo is by nature qualified to excell in these lines.
That they would benefit from i-nstructioos in wood work, tannin*
Mack.smithing and engineering there can be no doubt. With the nature
levelopmoat of their vast herds of reindeer a tremendous field is bein
leglected when the Eskimo is left without an understanding of the utilizi
:ion of the by products.
Time does not permit an argument on this subject—but it is worth
if the earnest consideration of everyone who is interested in the Eskim
*r the development of Seward Peninsula.
During the past year we have been in communication with Colon*
Steese on the subject of Nenana coal, but have accomplished nothin*
The Eva ns-Jones mines are now employing nearly one hundred men an
•supply coal to the towns along the railroad. Last year they made an li
itial shipment of several hundred tons to Juneau, but the greatest ol
staclo between Nome and the Nenana coal fields is that of transportatioi
T’p to the present time the large river steamers, operated by the Go’
eminent, do not ply lower than Holy Cross, on the Yukon. The Goveri
merit ■ .^templates a connecting link between the Yukon and Kuskokwt
River* by a barge canal from Russian Mission to Bethel. This canal wi
open a large section, offering considerable tonnage down the Yukon—au
by reason of the increased traffic—there will probably be fewer difficult!*
for us to overcome. If the demand for coal, in the lower Yukon terr
torv. develops sufficiently to warrant the operation of a few small co
barges we will once more have twenty-dollar fuel in Nome.
A limited amount of Alaska coal was brought to Nome by Capta
Allan and George Hilfrich last season. Although, due to th*- limit*
quantity, they were not able to greatly reduce the prevailing price,
represented a step in the development of an Alaskan industry and ti
support of local shipping.
In bringing my remarks to a close, permit me. once again to sa
that this organization has highly important duties to perforin—tasks til
are likely to tax the energies of us all. We do not gather merely to e
gage m social converse, or to spend time in discussion of inconsequenti
affairs, but we have before us great problems, to the solution of which \
must devote all of our attention.
Nome must have its ups and downs, its days of prosperity and i
eras of depression it* measles and its mumps so to speak. Let
hope that we have come up out of the valley of depression and that b
yond ar<- the golden peaks of prosperity.
There are many who are not in sympathy with the Chamber of Cot
merce. Hie same condition is true, so 1 am told, in Juneau and oth
Alaska towns. Let us learn the reason for this opposition, which,
am sure, can be overcome, if the true facts are presented pro and con.
I have frequently endeavored to enlist tin* support of new* timber
the Chamber of Commerce, and to debate some ■ .f the objections which
have head, relative to the Chamber. Some have refused to affiliate <
the grounds that we are a political organization.
According as we understand th*- term politics, we plead guilt
Webster defines the word political as ••pertaining t*> public policy
Then w.- ,re political in the sen*.- of being concerned in all matters •>
tainlng to public policy.” or interest. This, we maintain, is commendabl
Th- principles involved in political economy are those which shaj
our policies. Webster defines political economy as "that branch of ci’
ics which treats of th.- -nature of wealth and the laws of ns produetio
and distribution, including all the causes of prosperity and the revers.
ft discusses labor, wages, population, capital, money, rent, value, trad
and the relation of government to industry and economic conditions.”
So far. we plead guilty and maintain that an interest n politics an
its kin political economy, are our only excuse for existence.
Ot partisan politics; with reference to the advancement of the ii
dividual, rather than the policy, we have never been guilty.
Some have the impression that the chamber ..f Commerce is an oi
ganization of the merchants. Of course this is -not a fact, and in n
sense does the Chamber of Commerce act as a Merchants Exchange o
Merchants Credit Association, nor is the Chamber of Commerce a politic;
organization, to further the individual interests of anyone.
•>u 'luiniiiR nuiij mi* preamdip to tne constitution :
riu* purpose and object of this organization is to promote
ihr mining and commercial interests of Nome and Seward
Peninsula and the best interests of the inhabitants thereof”
The purposes of the organization, therefore, art* beyond reproach
If the organization fails to function to the greatest advantage the fanl
rests with those who fail to throw their support to it and not to the or
ganizatlon itself. No one should oppose bona fide organization whir
endeavors to promote the best interests of the community in which the
reside, unless they can present some method by which better results ca
be secured. Results cannot he brought about by individual effort, an
if concerted ami organized affort are required, what method cun be bette
than the one which we adopt. Membership is open to all. Discussion
are open to a LI and the public is at all times invited to attend meetings.
1 am a firm believer in organization, as against individual action
I am a firm believer in an active organization, which concerns itself witl
community welfare during all twelve months in the year. A political or
ganization cannot function, by reason of its partisan nature, in lieu of ;
community organization.
Now that I am releasing the helm to someone who. no doubt, wil
steer a better course than I. it is ray privilege to make an earnest appea
lor the wholehearted support of you aii. Get behind the organization
attend its meetings, but above all. lend your advice and counsel. Com*
before the Chamber with matters of public concern, and by eooperatioi
and hard work we may make of this a bigger, better and more prosper
ous community. Nothing succeeds like success, and as we improve oui
community to the same degree we improve ourselves, our homes and pos
Every citizen owes it to himself and to his city to be a booster and a
community builder. Boost. Don’t knock! Do your share to keep up t
lively interest in the movements for a better business and home city
Stand for the best in schools, streets and all civic advancement.
There should be a fund to “Blue Ticket” the citizen who stands in
the road of progress;who growls about his town beLng a poor one. Boost
your home town, and. If you wish to see it prosper, push. pull, or get out
of the way. Respectfully submitted.
RALPH LOMBN. President