PRINCE GEORGE CIT VOL. 5, |O. 14. TKIfiOK GKORGB. B.C., FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, FIVE CENTH. Premier John Oliver a Busy Person at Ottawa PREMIERS FIGHT FOR LOWER FREIGHT RATES IN THK MOUNTAINS IS IN FULL SWAY�STATES THAT PRKHKNT DI8CRIMIN-ATJt)N WAS A BREACH OF TERMS UNDER) WHICH B.C. ENTERED CONFEDERATION. OTTAWA, February l(i�The opening day of the freight rates hearing before1 the Railway Commission, brought a. denial from W. R. Uini^an, of thi- (Imadian Pacific, that the mountain rates were higher than operation demanded. The rates were lower, he said, in nearly every case, than those frort Seattle, on the American side. IS an interview, Premier Oliver^� saii that if British Columbia's appli-ca/lon for lower freight rates failed tl/e province would carry the case to the Imperial government. The examination of Lanigan con-tiiiued today. He quoted figures and rates on the American Hues to Hhow that the prairie shipments were not being diverted from the Pacific coast ports because of unduly high freight rates. The Pacific Fisheries Another point urged upon the Mackenzie King government was the establishment of a federal government organization to control and administer the affairs of the Pacific, it being claimed that difficulties resulting from the fact that the central organization was thousands of miles from the scene of action created a complete disorganization, and it was urged that British Columbia be allowed to administer her own fisheries on the Pacific coast. being discriminated against by the present Bcale of freight rates. The ground was taken that the present scale was a breach of the terms of the Union under which British Columbia entered confederation. WILL RELEASE PRISONERS LONDON, Feb. 16�The current issue of the Irish Bulletin asserts that the British government intends to release half the Irish prisoners and says that Ireland will intensify its campaign of protest against the haggling methods of the British government. TEX K1CKARD INDICTED NEW YORK. Feb. 17�Tex Rick-ard, the fight promoter, was today indicted before the Supreme court grand jury on a charge of criminal assault on two young girls, one fif-tceu and the other eleven. The charges were laid by the Children's Society of New York. Interviewed Mackenzie King OTTAWA, Feb. 17�Premier Oliver and other members of the B. C. delegation on the freight rates hearing interviewed Premier Mackenzie King and members of his cabinet, claiming that British Columbia w^-. SEATTLK NOW IN" LEAO SEATTLE. Feb. 17�-In the Pacific coast hockey match last night the Metropolitans defeated the Victoria Aristocrats by a score of 7-0. and went into the lead of the series, taking the first place from Vancouver. NEW RAILWAY . �*" I FORMA 1 1 > TAKEN ' >' � Commercial Tele* i ill be Hoattod in :��* .John Keren. It Canadian Nation he "he m'w station buiK....o on �VednB3day, the keys being handed over to him by Percy Reynolds, the representative of the contractor. Graham. The building is now ready for occupancy and an inspection of It reveals a great deal more office space than the exterior would suggest. On the ground floor there is a central office for the dispatches and ticket service, with a small conductor's room ad-joiaing. On either side of the central office are the ladies* and gentlemen's waiting rooms, which are connected by a passage-way. At the east end of the building the office of the express company is located, and at the west end ample accommodation is provided for the baggage. A waterproof basement is under the greater part of the entire build-t ing. This will be utilized for the | batteries of the telegraph service | and also for express storage pur-I- poses. Above the ground floor there are [provided three large offices, two ot | which have been finished, and the third requires only the plaster. There is no immediate requirement ! for these rooms but there is a sug-| gestion that the roadinaster will be \ brought iu from Endako and quartered in one of the offices. The commercial telegraph office will also be moved from the present George street premises as soon as the weather will permit of the setting of the necessary poles. The building should be one of the most comfortable in the city. It is fitted with storm windows throughout, and heated with steam from the company round-house which gives an uninterrupted 24-hour service. There is radiation in the building which, taken with the steam service, is sufficient for a structure twice the size. Sir Ross Smith will Land Near Prince George ALL ARRANGEMENTS PRACTICALLY COMPLETED FOR ROUND-THE-WORLD FLIGHT OF THE MAX WHO FLEW FROM ENGLAND TO AUSTRALIA�WILL PROBABLY LAND AT EAGLRT LAKE. OTTAWA, February 17�All arrangements have been practically completed for the trans-Canadian flight of Sir Rosa Smith, who plans to make � round.thtvworld flight, starting from England this year. After crossing (irom Siberia to the ALaakan side, Sir Rosa Smith, in his big amphibion machine, plans to skirt the coast, making his first landing in Canada on Fraser lake, or Eaglet lake, the latter about 28 miles east of Prince George. He-fuelling arrangements, etc., are in tho hands of the Canadian Air Hoard, through officers of the air force along the route. including nine American relief ships with food for starving Russians. Aeroplanes are trying to carry supplies to the steamers, which are under-supplied. OLIVER DEPLORES NARROW SPIRIT OF LOCALISM Premier Oliver MakeH Appeal National Unity of Purpose at Ottawa for Officially Announced That Irish Situation Improves BOTH BRITISH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT ANNOUNCE THAT IRISH SITUATION' 1ft ON THE MEND�.JOINT COMMISSION APPOINTED TO INVESTIGATE BORDER FIGHTING BETWEEN DLSTER AND SOUTHERN IRELAND. OTTAWA, Feb. 16�An appeal to J Canadians, outside his own province, to forget sectionalism and to coop-orate for the general good of Canada was voiced this afternoon by Premier Oliver of British Columbia. He deplored the "narrow spirit of localism in Canada" Canada, he said, had resources which could not be properly developed except by the whale-hearted co-operation of all tho provinces. Premier Oliver made this speech, when, with other British Columbians he was the guest of I the Ottawa Board of Trade, at lun- I cheon. C. N. It. DANCE WAS A BRILLIANT SUCCESS Railway Men I'reparod a Beautiful Decorative Scheme for St. Valentine's Night LONDON, February l<>�The British government announces in both Houses of Parliament, that the Irish situation is improving, and a joint commission has been appointed t*> Investigate the recent border fighting. The arrangement has beeu accepted by both north and south Ireland. Most of tho kidnapped ITlatermen were released last night Jiud Ulster has been quiet]}' informed in the House that if tho southern footballers, arrested for currying arms, were released, the rent of the kidnapped Dlster-men would very likely be released also. Shooting continued in Belfast today, and the deaths there now number more than loo. CURLING COMPETITION IN THK FINAL STAGES The Ritt8-Kifer hall has seldom presented such a pretty decoration scheme as that which was arranged by the C.N.R. employees on Tuesday night, St. Valentine's festival. The task of decorating the hall represented days of industrious work on the part of the railway men and their ladies, and the high praise which the scene won from the large gathering on the night of the dance rewarded their efforts. Streamers of vari-coloured paper were suspended from the centre of the hall, festooned in a great circle reaching close to the walls. Above j the web of colour all the hall lights were shaded a deep red, and suspended about the hall were large arrow-pierced hearts, symbols of St. j Valentine's day, when the birds are j supposed to mate. The windows! were hung with a unifo.Tn scheme of streaming color, and onfiue northern wall was fixed a large illuminated sign "C.N.R." The corners ot' the room contained clever imitations of locomotive headlights. The seven-piece orchestra, comprising the best available musical j talent, provided music that delighted the big throng, and by the divi-1 siou of the orchestra for the supper i period dancing was continued throughout the evening. An active committee discharged its duties very creditablby, and made strangers who appeared on the scene, fee! at home immediately. A railing from the entrance to the stairway to the dressing rooms prevented snow and grit from being taken on to the dancing floor by the new arrivals, and the floor was in better condition than has been the case for a long time, owing to the work which the railway men had done upon it. A splendid supper was served by the Women's Hospital Auxiliary. The C.N.R. dance, on St. Valentine's night, is to be an annual event, and it is one which will be eagerly looked forward to in the social fixtures of this city. Finals in the Club Medals May be Played Off Thin Evening The competition in the club medals contest of the local curling club will probably reach tho final game this evening. In the first round Randall defeated Steacy, Patterson won on default from Alwsird, McKay defeated Harper, Ewert won on default by Aikiua, Ogilvio defeated Mc-Leod, Flaten defeated Jones, Fitz-patrick defeated Hornsby, and Pldg-eon defeated Ogg. In the second round Patterson defeated Randall by breaking a tie in an extra end, and Ewert defeated McKay. Ogilvie lost a close game to Flaten on a score of 9 to 7, and Fitzpatrlck defeated Pidgeon 11 to 6. In the semi-finals Flaten and Fitz-patrick will play off at 3:30 this afternoon and Patterson and Ewert at 9 p.m. The final game may be played later in the evening. The final game in the McCullagb. contest has yet to be played off between the Fitzpatrick and Patterson rinks. When the finals have been played, in these two competitions the drawing will take place for the twelve rinks available for the consolation sories. The drawing for the Bunk of Commerce cup will probf^ly take place early next week. THK BELFAST DISORDERS BELFAST, Feb. 16�The authorities have commandeered Ulster hall for the use of troops now combatting disorders here. Up to ten this morning the casualties totalled 114, with deaths numbering 34. The day opened with the death of a five year old child, struck by a bullet while playing in the street. Workmen, proceeding along the streets, were shot dead at eight this morning. Some youthful gunmen held up other workmen and wounded some of them. ANOTHER CUP FOR THK PRINCE GEORGE (TltLKllS Al. Field, of Simons ITigiu' Conn]>ajvv, Responds to Suggestion of Karl Anderson Prince George curlers are to have another cup to compete for, in addition to the McCiillagh trophy, and the Bank of Commerce cup. This latest prize is being hung up by the Simons Cigar Company, by an arrangement with the well known B. C. representative, Al. Field. Mr. Field, who has been known here as the harbinger of the well known Simons cigars, since early days in construction times, is in the city, and being well known as a good sport, he was approached by Karl Anderson, local agent for the Simons product, with the suggestion that his firm should donate a cup. Mr. Field responded readily to the suggestion, and has promised to send up a cup, for local competition, just as soon as he returns to his headquarters on tht> coast and is able to secure tho trophy. This courtesy will be much appre- ciated by the local curlers, and the aroma of Simons' cigars will haunt the rink on many a hard-fought contest. THK TON<;8 AT \\ AK SAX FRANCISCO. Feb. 16�Chinese tong men throughout the west are reported today to be under cover and on their guard as a result of an apparent outbreak of a tong war recently, when two Chinese were killed and a third wounded In Seattle. There were troubles also in Butte. Moutana, and San Jose, California. In the former city one was killed and in the latter one was shot, probably fatally.fU Daily News. LONDON, February 17�The Hon. A. J. Ralfour, head of tho British delegation to the Washington disarmament conference, on being welcomed homo, �*> acclaimed the hero of the hour. ..Today ho was welcome*! at a luncheon by tho government and coalition members of parliament. l*re-mior Lloyd CJeorge, presiding, puid high tribute to the honored Rue.st, and declared that he had taken part In one of tho most notable contributions to statesmanship which had eved been mad<> towards human pe-ace and happi* WOULD HOYCYrTT BEEK LONDON, Feb. 17�Because of the wage reductions in the brewery trade the National Transport Workers' Federation has recommended Its members, and workers generally, to boycott beer because of the brewers' profiteering'1. BELFAST VK/TIMS RUIIIED BELFAST, Feb. 17�-The day wan occupied in many funerals of victims of the recent shooting. Armoured car detachments and special police accompanied the funerals everywhere, to preserve order. There were no untoward incidents today.