PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEK
n. i i
. No. 12.
PRINCE GEORGE, B. C, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1928.
Five Cents.
Setting Stage for General Election During Summer
Premier MacLLean Will Have Good Material for Appeal in Present Budget Provisions.
j VV. Jones, of Kelowna, Asserts
Conservatives Entitled to
Credit for Reforms.
Victoria, Veb. 16.�In the provin-.. rislaturd the budget debate close on the heels of the king's talkfest, with obvious govern-intention to f rce matters for-; and hasten the session's end with securing of supply. That a , ,, rhl election will be precipitated :�,. another meeting of parlia-most probably in June�is onlirmd by all admittedly re-. portends, and Liberals and i ,i -, natives accept this conclusion w � declared satisfaction. The con-.. sted views of the contented "ins" and the longing "outs" on the-finan-cisil situation, the acid test to be ap-. od to the success or failure of the :, ipning power, may thus be summarized from the respective budget tl< v-erances of Finance Minister MacLean and his notably energetic . , sition critic, J. W. Jones. ,;.. premier-finance minister esti-,tes revenue for the coming fiscal ,. r at $20,830,296 and expendi-tures at $20,821,360�a predecated $8935 surplus. Assets are reported at $65,695,018 over liabilities, a $1,-643,891 Rain during the past year. Public debt is shown at $80,429,-701 and sinking funds at $16,403,-543 -an increase of $1,327,540. These figures exclude Pacific Great I stern accounts, costs of that road to date aggregating $52,799,564.
Chief features of taxation reduc-
: n policy forecast by the premier
include a ten per cent, cut of income
tax; allowance of ten per cent, off
[or payment of gross income (turn-
over) tax prior to delinquency, and
lowering the minimum of this tax
burden from $3 to $1 half-yearly.
Turnover tax on the first *4000 of
income earned by professional men,
agents and brokers reduced 50 per
cent., from half of 1 per cent, to
� ne-quarter of 1 per cent. Taxation
1 Class H undeveloped coal lands to
< 2 instead of 4 per cent, per acre.
Unearned increment tax to be aban-
oned as such, but the tax to be Te-
iposi d as adjusted depletion allow-
- in taxation of natural re-
: � . All payments out of super-
1 latiqn funds to be wholly exempt
ncome taxation, and further
:es to In* made from contri-
to superannuation funds.
Statutory increases are promised
all civil servants' salaries, and
� ,000 will he provided for old-
pensions-�despite which, tax
". ons in gross are estimated ;*t
� o,ooo.
Pthur high lights of the 1928-29
1 aie provision for a new loan
$4,600,000 for highways, bridges.
buildings and university lands
i ven ents, and a provisionally
loan of from $4,000,000 to $6.-
OJ),000 for completion of Pacific!
' Eastern contacts at Prince
1 >rge and Vancouver, this loan to
1 ted to carry forward such con-
iction if a sale, presumably to thf>
nadian National railways, is not
1 msumated before this session closes.
Abandonment of the absentee vote
Iready lias been stated to be a fea-
re of immediate government pol-
" , ;in(i zs to this the premier
didly told the house that the gov-
i lental course is taken, and with
I ' < ' to the unearned increment
1 s also, in compliance with opposi-
' on urging.
I iic Conservative critic prophesies rom last year's experience, when !''mlitures exceeded the estimated �'-�tal by approximately � $2,000,000, the now forecast surplus for 1928-29 will prove a heavy deficit, fie D6ints to the public works and �E. loans to be asked, with the ^expended borrowing power of $6,-n�.OOO now at command of the government, as adding $15,000,000 or "> to the total of estimated expen-''Te and debt, bringing up the lat-:<''� to $100,000,000 to $115,000,000 Sross, inclusive of P. G. E. disbursements.
Credit is taken by the Conserva-�ves in forcing tax reductions on income, turnover charges on small snopkee,pe*B, abolition of the absen-
1 vote, reform of the increment ""Post, reduction of the cost of far-n"-rs Joans, and relief for those concerned m the irrigated land over-��e�, all of which results the op-I osjtion has strenuously worked for.
H is charged that the capital assets �ve been inflated by forced theor-(Continued on page 4.)
WOMEN'S INSTITUTE IS
GAINING FAVOR WITH
RESIDENTS OF DISTRICT
The regular meeting of the Prince George branch of the Women's Institute, which was held in the city hall on Monday afternoon, was attendta by some thirty members. The. feature of the meeting was an address delivered by Mrs. F. P. Burden on the Queen Alexandra Solarium, which was erected last year on Mala-hat Beach, in the vicinity of Victoria, and provides a haven for crippled children. Although the solarium has been opened for less than one year, and has some forty rooms available for the accommodation of patients, the demands made upon it have taxed its capacity to the utmost. It is an institution in which crippled children are not only given relief from their ailments, but through courses of instruction are fitted for the lighter employments in which they will ha/e an opportunity to earn their livelihood. A vote of thanks was tendered to Mrs. Burden upon the conclusion of her address.
The Queen Alexandra solarium was the creation of the Women's : Institute of British Columbia, al-1 though the plan for the building and maintenance of the home was later carried out by :i special organization. One interest which it possesses at the moment for the members of tlv local branch i� by way of an exemplification of what the institute movement stands for In community betterment in view of the fact that it is at present ministering to the requirements of one Prince George chiUl as well as one from Aleza Lake. The big object which the members of the local branch have in view at present is the building of a community hall which will bo available for social gatherings, and will provide needed accommodation for women of the surrounding districts on their visits to the city. They realize they are attempting a big job, but they have a growing membership and are confident of ultimate success even though their efforts be extended over a number of years.
Good Showing is Made in Collection of Trades Licences
Delinquents Have Been Turned Over
to City Solicitor for Necessary
Action.
Ci
Health Committee of the Council
Directed to Declare Wai on
Restaurant Cockroaches.
ENGINEERS OF CANADIAN NATIONAL MAKE INSPECTION OF P. G. E. RAILWAY.
Thousand View the New Ford now on Exhibition
Showroom of Prince George Motors
-Center of Attraction Since
Arrival of Car.
Local Dealers Expect First Shinment
of Cars Will 'Come to Hand
Next Month.
More than one thousand autoists have inspected the model of the new Ford which arrived at the showroom of the Prince George Motors on Saturday. Nothing in the line of motor cars has created anything like the interest which attended the coming of the first of the new Fords. F<>r months the press, has been full t^f descriptions- of the new car. and this whetted public interest in a most unprecedented manner. Within one hour after the car had been placed on exhibition Fully 150 persons had examined it. and since then they have kept corning until almost everyone interested in motors had given the" latest aspirant for public favor the once over.
An (.'numeration of the distinctive features n{ the new car appears in an announcement in another c ilumn. but the interest in the car is such that nearly everyone is anxious to ?er it for himself. Those who have ��e<.n tlie car are agreed thai a mere description" of its merits in appearance and mechanical perfection givr an altogether imperfect conception of what the new car stands for. That, there will be a large sale for the car goes without saying. The Prince George Motors have as yet received no intimation from the company as to when deliveries will commence in this district, but they the hopeful the first consignment will come to hand early next month.
Messrs. Duncan and Wheeler, the Prince George Motors mechanics, have just returned from Vancouver where they received a special course of instruction on the new car, so that purchasers can be assured of a first-class service.
CONSERVATIVES ASK FOR ABOLITION OF SALES TAX
BEFORE END OF YEAR
Ottawa, Feb. 20.�Hon. C. H. Cahan, Conservative member for St. Lawrence-St. George, moved an amendment to the budget resolution todsv which calls for the complete abolition of the sales tax before the close of the present year.
Local merchants who have failed to pay their traders' licences will this week receive attention from the city solicitor. This_action was decided upon at the meeting of the city council on Monday evening on motion of Alderman Opie, seconded by Alderma Fraser. There are quite a number of names appearing upon the delinquent list, but it is by no means certain that icence fees arc collectable from all of them. The standing of the account is in a very satisfactory shape, City Clerk Clerihue informing the members of the council he had sent out demands approximating $2946 and had so far collected $2273.
The collection of the dog licences is not proceeding so well. Up to date Collector Bottineau has turned in but $136, which would account for something less than sixty dogs, which to the aldermanic mind falls a long way short of the actual number. The collections last year amounted to $211. It was decided to have a list of all delinquencies under this tax before the council at its next meeting. .
Alderman Opie suggested the time was ripe for a declaration of war upon the cockroaches which infest a number of the city restaurants. It had been the policy of the council in the past to have all restaurants inspected by the health committee of the council, and he expressed the opinion that another raid should be made. He moved that the matter be. referred to the health committee for report. The motion was seconded by Alderman Moffat and agreed to.
The indemnity bylaw, which increases the salary of Mayor Patter- I son and provides an indemnity of $1") per month for the .".ldermen, was i reconsidered and finally passed, and J similar action was taken with respect to the bylaw extending the early closing provision to the barber shop*; of the city. The petitioners for thi^ bylaw will not have their way in asking for imprisonment as a penalty for violations, as the city solicitoi softened this down to the imposition of a fine not exceeding $100 and costs.
Alderman Reid submitted a verj satisfactory report as to the condition of the city library. There was also a- report from W. J. Pitman who conducts the library; He said there was a marked increase in the number of school children who were making use of the library and sutr-gvsted an expenditure be made for books suitable for them. He asked for a $200 appropriation, and this was passed on to the finance committee for consideration in the framing of its budget.
Petitions for a sidewalk 6i Fifth avenue, west of Vancouver street, and for water services on Bowser street, were referred respectively to the board of works and water committees.
Alderman. Opir directed attention to the fact that ice had been cut in the slough for domestic consumption. and condemned the practice from a health standpoint. It developed that the cutting had stopped when objection was recorded against the use of slough ice.
The finance committee recommended the payment of accounts amounting to $410.28.
Victoria, Feb. 20�That negotiations for the acquisition of the P-G. E. railway by the Canadian at-ional are still proceeding is evidenced by the fact that District Engineer Mossison, of the Canadian National, has just completed an inspection of the completed-line of the provincial line, and that his inspection was followed by a conference between Chief' Engineer Dixon, of the Canadian National, and the directors of the P. G. E. If an agreement is not arrived at for the sale of the railway Premier MacLean announces he will bring down a loan bill to provide sufficient capital to bring the railway into Prince George and Vancouver.
Local Performers Score Success in Minstrel Show
Citizens Show Their Appreciation by
According Good Patronage for
Two Nights.
Matinee for Children on Saturday
Taxed the Capacity of the
Capitol Theatre.
LEGISLATURE ENTERS
UPON FINAL STAGE OF THE SESSION NEXT WEEK.
Victoria, Feb. 20�With the probability that the budget will be disposed of within a few days the session may now be considered as entering upon its final stages unless some new issue is developed. There remains to be disposed of the marketing act, the amendments to the elections act including the abolition of the absentee vote, the debate upon the proposal for the exclusion of Orientals from the province and the provision of the funds necessary for the completion of the P. G. E. to Prince George and Vancouver in the event of failure on the part of Premier MacLean to effect a satisfactory sale of the railway to the Canadian National.
COLONEL HUNTER ADVISES SEVERANCE OF PENSIONS AND TREATMENT BRANCHES
Ottawa, Feb. 20.�Colonel A. T. Hunter, in his report tabled in the house of commons today, recommends complete severance of the pensions and treatment branches of the department of soldiers' civil re-establishment.
BRITAIN APPOINTS NEW
FRENCH AMBASSADOR
London, Feb. 20.� Sir William Tyrell, former under-strretary of the British foreign office, has been appointed ambassador to France in succession to Lord Crowe, who recently retired.
WEATHER REPORT
Prince George and vicinity enjoyed mild weather for the week ending February 21st. Yesterday morning the barometer was rising and the probabilities are for colder weather during the week. The maximum and minimum readings for the week end-iner Tuesday, February 21st, were as follows:
Wednesday .............. 47 18.5
Thursday ................ 49 17
Friday..................... 42 9
Saturday ................ 401 25
Sunday .................... 40
Monday ................. 38 6
Tuesday ... .............. 25 1.5
Nineteen Million Tax Cut Made in Dominion Budget
Agitation Forces Reduction of Twenty-Five per cent in the Unpopular Sales Tax.
Personal Income Taxation Cut 10 per cent and Corporation Reduced by 8 Per Cent.
Ottawa, Feb. 16�Announcing, a reduction in taxation estimated at nineteen millions, Hon. J. A. Robb, minister of finance, today presented his eagerly expected budget to the House. It was a document of hopefulness and optimism. �
Estimated reveune $419,480.000; estimated expenditures $364,665,-000; estimated surplus $54,615,000.
Deduction from this estimated surplus sixteen millions for the writing down of soldier lands settlement loans and other items, net debt reduction for 1927-8. is estimated at $38,815,000, and during the five-year period March 31, 1928. Mr. Robb added, the net debt had reduced $144,700,000.
The tax reductions which have interest for the greater number are those affecting incomes and the sales tax. On the personal income tax there is to be a reduction of 10 per cent, and the taxation on the incomes of corporations is brought down by 8 per cent. A substantial reduction is made in the sales tax which will affect nearly every manufacturing concern in the dominion. The sales tax is reduced from 4 per cent, to o per cent., the cut being equal to a reduction of 25 per cent.
In the tariff there are few reductions. There are material reductions in a large range of household cottons, the rates on yarns are lowered,# and the British preference is widened. On wollen wear there are reductions in all lines excepting the expensive lines.
WARDEN COOPER RELIEVED FROM OFFICERS HEAD
OF PENITENTIARY.
New Westminster, Feb. 18�Colonel H. W. Cooper has been relieved from office as warden of the dominion penitentiary. Notice of dismissal came in a telegram from Ottawa informing Colonel Cooper he was be-ine retired with a view to promoting efficiency and harmony in the prison staff. He was instructed to turn j his office over to George W. Trol- j lope who hnd served under him as ! deputy warden.
The people of Prince George aye indebted to the officers and members of the local branch of the Canadian Legion for exceptionally good entertainments on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, and on Saturday afternoon, in the presentation of their minstrel show. The show drew good houses on Thursday and Friday evenings, and played to capacity on Saturday afternoon when a matinee was put on for the benefit of the school children.
The presentation of the show had been under consideration for a long time, but it was not until the officers of the Legion got into touch with O. Wrennell, of Vancouver, who offered to conduct the musical end, that the performance got under way. He is a man of some attainments as a msician and soloist, and threw himself heartily into the work in the time at his disposal, and when it wap all over expressed himself as highly pleased with the co-operation extended to him by the performers.
From the time the curtain went up for the first part until the conclusion of the performance there were few moments lacking in fun. C. S. Foot acted as interlocutor and extracted the comedy out of the four endmen, G. L. Tapping, A. Plant, M. S. Buchanan and John Clapperton. The others makig up the circle were William Bexon, J. Kinney, John Gaul, James Quayle, Thomson Ogg, H. Ward, Herbert Wood, J. W. Miers, Mrs. C. S. Foot and Mrs. A. H. Booth.
Interspersed through the patter of the first part came duets by Messrs. 'Bexon and Ogg, and the Watermelon Twins (Miss Wilkinson and H. Taft) and songs by A. McB. Young and James Quayle, a dance by Bones Tapping, and songs by William Bexon and A. Plant.
A striking feature of the stage setting w&s the tableau in which Miss Ida Geernaert personated Britannia, and Miss Elsie Bostrum personated Canada.
After: the chorus in the openin.tr of the second "rt, Messrs. Bexon and Ogg and Mrs. C. S. Foot gave a cork production of their old number, "The Poets," in which the effect was greatly heightened by the costumes. Three very good songs \\?rC' contributed by Messrs. Tapping, Ogfr and Buchanan, and Miss Inga Andersen gave a very clever exhibition of dancing.
An exceptionally amusing feature of this part was the patter contribution by "Rastus" Buchanan. It was delivered in a very strong Scotch brogue which convulsed the members of the company quite as much as the members of the audience.
Mrs. A. HE. Booth sang a clever little, skit in which the P. G. E. figured, J. W. Miers came on with a banjo solo, and O. Wrennall followed with a song. Then there was a number by the "hand-sorted" mixed quartette, and a second appearance of the Watermelon Twins in a duet, and of Miss Craig and Mrs. Hodgson in the Apache dance.
On Saturday evening, prior to the evening performance, the members of the troupe paraded to the railway-depot to meet the incoming train, the members of the local band also turning out, and visitors to the city were given a most unexpected welcome,
NO TRACE SECURED OF
AIRMEN LEWIS AND TERRY LOST IN HUDSON STRAITS
Ottawa, Feb. 22.�Radio advices to the marine and fisheries department report no trace has yet been had of Flying Officer A. Lewi* ami F'igLt Sergeant Terry who have !?ft��n lost for six days in the Hudson Sticiits. The men were members of an observation patrol in the service of the govern:: en: and left Barweil on February l'"th. At 3:15 the same afternoon Lewis advised he hud lost his position and was making a landing on the ice. Three planes have continued a search for the missing party without result. The missing men had emergency rations and a small stove. Lewis came from Winnipeg, where his wife resides, and Terry came from Great Britain and has no relatives in Canada.