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Steel Plays Major Role In America Prom tin cans and safety pins to automobiles and bridges, steel plays a major role in our lives ... as indicated by the attention focused on the industry’s current labor contract negotiations. But it took a Chippewa Indian chief and “seven iron men” to point out the mineral wealth that herders Lake Superior . . . and to lay the foundation for the world’s largest steel industry. Michigan was a wilderness in 1845, when a merchant named Philo Everett heard rumors of possible ore deposits and went looking for copper and silver. Ac cording to research experts with The World Book Encyclopedia, Everett reportedly ran into Full Moon, niece of Chief Marji-Gesick, who told him about a mountain of ore. The chief entertained Eve rett with Indian dances, passed him the ceremonial pipe, and then led him up a hill to a fallen pine tree. Under its roots lay chunks of iron ore . . . ready to be scoop ed up and fed to the furnaces in the east. In 1810, the U.S. had made 1,000 tons of steel. In 1873, the figure topped one-million tons. But the richest deposit was still to be found. Iron experts had ignored one range in Minnesota, convinced nothing worthwhile lay beneath its glacial drift. One company had even built its railroad across the eastern end of the range. The Merritt brothers, however, had grown up amid the prospect ing fever and they took a chance on the range the Indians called "Mesabi”—“h idden giant.” In 1890, they uncovered ore testing at 65 per cent iron. They had tap ped one of the greatest concentra tions of ore yet discovered in the world. The “seven iron men” plunged into the development of the Mesa bi, but the Panic of 1893 caught them with too many commitments and too little money. They were wiped out. Men like Rockefeller, Carnegie, J. P. Morgan and Cyrus Eaton went on to give the steel industry its key role in the American econ omy. Qne indication of the import ance of steel is the fact that the first billion-dollar corporation was a steel combine. Today the indus try—comprising more than 250 companies—has the capacity to produce some 120 million tons of steel a year. And almost 40 per cent of all jobs in manufacturing industries* depend on the manu facture and use of steel. 4th Concessions Can Be Selected The Jaycee Finance Committee consisting of Chairman Bob Leo nard and committeemen Chuck Powell and Roger Reed announce that the Concession organization for the Fourth of July is all set up. The cost for a plat is nothing, but. a percentage of the net profit will be expected from each concession aire to help finance the celebra tion of the day. Those interested in arranging plats for concessions may call Bob Leonard at 3201 days, 4184 even ings, Chuck Powell at 2233 days or evenings, Roger Reed on the base, 0-360, days or evenings. Organizations are advised to get their reservations in early, for first come first serve on choice of plat. Theatre Group In Roles Of Struggling Actors Ken Becker will be seen as the ringleader of the hopeful band of actors and actresses sharing a bar ren apartment while they try to get jobs on Broadway, in the Ko diactors’ presentation of “Out of the Frying Pan'” This is the role created by Alfred Drake on Broad way and played by William Holden in the movie version of this com edy success which opens at the Lake Louise Little Theatre soon. In the part of the dim-witted but pleasant young lady from Bos ton, the only solvent member of the stage-struck group, Sharon Van Buren will be playing the role which introduced Barbara Bel Geddes to the New York stage. Jill Acheson, Norma Gaillard, Tom Mann and Bob Biel will r HOSTAGES ESCAPE THROUGH WINDOW—Mr. and Mrs. Les Darter, handcuffed together, climb through small window to escape crazed killer after being held hostage all night at Dallas, Texas. Police finally killed the mad man after he held police off for two hours. (AP Wirephoto)^' play other acting tyros who live innocently and economically in the communal set-up in New York’s West 50’s, as energetic in their efforts to dodge the rent collecting landlady as in their at tempts to meet the playcasting producer who has the apartment below them. The latter is played by F. L. McCrady. The Kodiactor’s presentation of “Out of the Frying Pan” is being directed by Dick Lasater, and others in the acting company will include Cris Boxwell, Genevieve Layman, Ken Lewis, Dave Shop inski and Dave O’Conner. BOILER INSPECTOR HERE Phil Burch is in town this week inspecting boilers in the two can neries here. He just returned from of an inspection tour taking over Bristol Bay and Westward, a part the whole State of Alaska. He is representing various in surance companies in America, including the General, First Na tional, Safeco and General Life Company of America. SCHOOL PATROL GUESTS Six members of the School Patrol, accompanied by Chief Vickery were guests of the Cham ber at the luncheon Thursday. New Dentist Soon Dr. Thomas Colford, dentist from Oregon, was a visitor over the weekend. He will return in about ten days to practice in Ko diak. The new dentist purchased the home and practice of Dr. Gene Sullivan. He and his wife will drive up the Alaska highway, ar riving here about June 20. Rev. R. Sturmer Addresses Group Rev. Roman Sturmer, pastor at the Russian Orthodox Church here, was the principal speaker at a meeting of the Cook Inlet Historical Society held in Ancho rage Thursday. Rev. Sturmer’s topic was “The History of the Russian Church in Alaska.” He returned to Kodiak Friday. Employee Cited In ACS Ceremony Margaret Lightfoot was award ed a 10 year Length of Federal Service Award Pin, in a ceremony conducted at the Alaska Commun ications Systems office, Tuesday. Present for the award ceremony in addition to MSGT Archie L. Zehe, who presented the award, were Mrs. Lightfoot’s daughter Mrs. Phyllis Sundberg, grandsons Phillip and David Sundberg, Mr. and Mrs. William Lamme and ACS co-workers. Following the ceremony coffee and a beautifully decorated cake with a congratulatory message was served. Mrs. Lightfoot was one of 150 civilian employees of the ACS who were honored on the 50th birthday of the System, May 26, and were presented with 10. 20, 30 and 40 year pins. The System wide ceremony consisted o f presentations at Anchorage, Fair banks, Juneau, Ketchikan, Skag way, Delta Junction, Tok, and Seattle, Washington, as well as Kodiak. A RARE SIGHT—IPs very sel dom that John L. Lewis is seen with a smile on his face. The bushy-browed United Mine Work ers Union leader was caught chuckling at some remark made during a function of the West Virginia state society in Wash ington Saturday night. Lewis was declared an “adopted son of West Virginia" for his nearly 30 years of work in the interest of West Virginia coal minersi. (AP Wire photo). KODIAK MIRROR ALONG THE WATERFR N“5 (Continued from Pag a later date for the purpose of considering legislation relating to crab fishing. At the Union Oil dock, several shrimp boats were in for fuel. Del Valley Construction Com pany completed work on the new float this week. The old one was wrecked by winds recently. The Fish and Wildlife auction held last Saturday resulted in 11 outboards and one skiff be ing sold. Due to a government regulation, sales were limited to $500, so the remainder of the boats could not be sold at this time. Another auction will be held after July 1. FWS field men are now out. All canneries have been contacted on gear regulations according to Chuck Connelley. Local boats will register at the FWS headquarters here. No estimate on gear out can be made at this time—possibly within the next two weeks, ac cording to Sonnelley. & Kodiak Airways is expecting delivery of a new Colonial Skim mer, 4-place amphibius plane Sun day. The plane will be piloted by Wynn Young, chief pilot of Colo nial. Kodiak Airways has been appointed distributor for Colonial in the State of Alaska. Cannery workers are arriving on direct FNA flights, but there are not many in yet. Paul Hansen, Contract pilot for Kadiak Fisheries* is in town. Snores aren’t heard around the Kodiak Insurance & Bldg Corp. Here we practically Break our necks to be of service to you and all we want is for you to get the true Picture Merchants can display mer chandise but a combination of service and knowledge is all we can put in our show Window! 2561 ART BROOKS 3401 Kodiak insurance & BUILDING CORPORATION y yssyktiftM/ » I SAILINGS FROM SEATTLE MS GALENA II June 3 Calling at I I Womens Bay, Kodiak Seldovia, Homer ■ Port Graham, Snug Harbor I • l t % Lou Veerman Agent * ; Thone 4521 Hi