PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN
A Weekl^ Newspaper Devoted to the Interests of Central British Columbia
Vol 24; No. 8
Prince George, B.C., Thursday, February 20, 1941
#2.00 a Year
<:her Forecast
% r cloudy. �� \t night.
ide Board Holds Annual Meeting
Hear Retiring President's Address, Reports of Chairmen on Year's Activities, and Several
Speakers^
Officers Elected for Ensuing year.
Pitman Elected New President
I thirtieth annual meeting of Prince George Board of l the form of a dinner meeting in Prince George loom on Friday evening last, February 14, at which L laid for sixty and all seats'were occupied.
i Ltice had been done to< 'Seprovidtd by Cater-B Ivor B Guest, retiring Liivered his annual ad-1 lied on chairmen of the nlttees to give an ac-mst year's activities. ]Y officers for 1941 re-
IfoUows:
I* j pitman, [president. H. Hewlett. .President, E. P. Little.
W G McMorris. - Oonimittee-I. B. Guest, frson Dr. R. W. Alward, T Harry Bowman, G. B. � B Moffat, F. C. Smith, wald, James Travis, A. T.
"S ADDRESS
lvuu._ to report two ottt-
devefopments in 1940 for ,ation of which tlhis or-consistently worked
I past several years, 'velopments consist of the iht of the Dominion gov-rerimental farm at Pine-
Pthe start of construction
lio transmitting, receiving, flying equipment at the Bit a cost of $80,000 by iska Airways, a subsidiary nerican Airways, and the
formation that the federal ; is also to install a range
| the civic airport at a cost ately $80,000. These im-, will permanently estab-George as the strategic
J airway transporttaion in
fitish Columbia.
1939 report shbwecT'a hup membership of only i increased our member-Ik 1940.
al position as at Feb-lltyshowed our bank bal-Ilillwith outstanding ac-7COO. Today we have a ;of $184.97 with all ac-
nt of Guests
J14 we had as our guest Lip Mr. Justice A. M. Man-�ogust 23. J. G. Turgeon, [Cariboo; on October 26, our etary, w. L. Armstrong,
"""" ON PACK JTVB)
Mrs. C. Ewert, chairman of the works committee of Prince George branch, reports that a shipment consisting of 4cnited mitts, socks, sweaters and refugee clothing, weighing over 200 pounds, was forwarded to provincial headquarters, Vancouver,
Pilot Baker Busy On Mercy Flights In North Country
Besides Routine Mail Jobs, Brings Man to Hospital and Fiyg Out Two Lost Indians.
Russ Baker, pioneer northern B.C. pilot and local superintendent of Canadian Airways, made a mercy flight from Port St. James to Babine Lake on Saturday in answer to an emergency radio call.
At Babine Post he found Chief Williams suffering from a fractured sustained in a fall that morning. He had the patient in the Prince George city hospital Saturday afternoon, and Dr. E. J. Lyon reports the patient responding satisfactorily t3 medical treatment.
Flights during the past week have kept the popular pilot busy and he has made the round trip to Fort McLeod, Finlay Forks, Fort Grahame
last Saturday. Included in the ship- j and Ware in the far North with ment was a collection of refugee j passengers and mail; two trips to
|r Gale Gets sn Recruits
|R. L. Gale has received in-! to secure recruits lor the Scottish. B.C. Regiment \h Irish Fusiliers and the Main Rangers. The Sec-%ht Battery also has w mechanically inclined ien who would like to in-{�* knowledge of diesel eu-work. Anyone get in touch 'e at the Provincial avenue
aj-ecent trip to Williacis signed up 16 re-
l^s Playoff '"�or Hockey
clothing donated by the Junior Women's Institute, donations by Mrs. W. G. Fraser, Mrs. Gordon S. Wood, Mrs. I. B. Baird, Mrs. Robert B. Carter and Mrs. J. D. Gillis.
Mrs. John Newsome, Willow River, besides turning in knitted articles regularly, has made a donation to the local branch every month since its inception over a year ago.
Jack Nicholson, chairman1 of the salvage scheme committee, has started collecting, and asks every (housekeeper to save all the strings, clean rags, medicine bottles, silver paper, tooth paste tubes, tin foil and shaving cream tubes. All tubes should be opened up and washed clean. The string should be divided in three groups�cotton, jute and hemp�^and tied in hanks, not rolled in balls. Medicine bottles should be washed clean and corks or stoppers left in them. The method and time of ool-lecticoi .of- these materials will be announced next week. Mr. Nicholson's objective is to collect one ton by March 31. Heavier and bulkier materials will be arranged for in the next collection.
Mrs. J. H. McKenzie. secretary of the local branch, is grateful to Mrs E. J. Lyon for the use of a typewriter loaned for the duration of the war.
Mrs. Martin Caine. president, on behalf of herself and the executive committee, regrets failure to acknowledge a cash donation of $13.80 from the Prince George Horticultural Society made last fall. The matter was brought to her attention only this week, and she hastens to extend the thanks of the branch, with apologies for tihe unfortunate delay.
A new sewing and knitting circle has been formed in South Port George under the leadership of Mrs. R. B. Carter.
^eorge �Junior tes
$9,000,000 Set Aside For Northern Airports
Seven Modern Bases to be Established Across Alberta and Throughout Central and Northern British Columbia �Will be Available to U.S. Army, Commercial Planes.
F. R. H. Procter, district airway engineer for the Federal Department of Transport, was in Prince George during the past week in connection with new developments in northern British Columbia airfields. That this deevlopment is of major importance is attested by the fact that Hon. C. G. Power, Dominion air minister, announced from Ottawa on Thursday last that out of a total vote of $29,000,000 for extensions and improvements to operational defence bases throughout Canada, $9,000,000 is earmarked for a system of airports through Alberta and northern British Columbia leading to Alaska. It is expected seven major
Takla Landing; ttiree trips to Bear Lake, and two trips to Nation Lake
On one of the latter trips he was successful in finding two Indians reported lost. Pilot Baker was able to rescue the lost men when he spotted a huge cross in the snow, and on landing the cross proved to have been made by the men in the hope of attracting his attention. He flew them out to Fort St. James. Yesterday Pilot Baker made the regular flight to Manson and Takla Landing witih passengers and mail.
Fight Hitler by Purchasing More War Certificates
Local Committee Outlines Means of Speeding Sales in City and Adjacent District.
The war stavings committee of Prince George Board of Trade consisting of Elmer Little (chairman). F. J Shearer, George B. Williams, C. J Frederickson, T. S. Carmichael. I A. T. Cross and Prank Smith, met on Tuesday evening and outlined a program for boosting the sale of war savings certificates. Included among other plans a local sweep was t motored the i adopted in which tickets will be sold to Quesnel to for 25 cents each. Prizes will be drawn each time ticket- sales roach $100 which is expected to be weekly. The prizes will be nine in number as follows: one $50 certifacte, one $25, three of $10 and four of $5.
Employers and employees are also to be interviewed regarding regular pledges on the following terms:
(1) Employer - Employee. Under this scheme employers are authorized by employees to deduct a certain sum from their pay cheques for the purchase of war savings certificates.
(2) Bank Pledge. Under this plan customers of banks give the latter authority to charge their accounts each month with a certain sum, and purchase certificates therewith.
(3) Honour Pledge. This is an individual pledge made to the local committee that the maker will buy n stated sum in war savings-certificates at regular intervals.
A friendly � inter-city contest is proposed, and tihe committees in Courteoray, Cranbrook and Duncan will be approached to compete with Prince George in volume of sales
Masquerade Ice Carnival Set for Friday^Feb. 28
Gala Night Being Arranged at Prince George Arena in Aid of Red Cross Funds.
The ways and means committee of the local Red Cross branch are rounding out an attractive program for the public at u:e big masquerade ice carnival to be held at the arena on the evening of Friday, Februoiy 28, in aid of funds for the sociery.
With tiie arena richly festooned in gay bunting and colored electric lighting effects, the whole setting will be transformed into a. land of "make believe" where Queens will mingle with their Prince Charmings, Kings will skate with Peasants, witches, negroes, gypsies, clowns and many other impersonations will provide color and fun.
The full pogrram of events and prize list for costumes may be read in an advertisement on page 8 of this issue, which tells of basketball on skates, races, Maypole dancing and many other stunts.
One of the highlights of the night is promised in the broom ball game between a team of businessmen and the Junior Women's Institute hockey team.
"Cyclone" Williams, captain of the businessmen's broomball team, reports all his players in strict training. "Eddie Shore" Bowman claims to have already cut his weight from 238 to. 237 pounds for the game. "Lov'em" MacEachren says he is going to put on a smoke screen cause he has been moved from defence to the forward line. "Flash" Moffat has threatened to bring his home-
air bases will be established and'5 equipped to handle the largest military and commercial planes. A beam flying system, with radio transmission and receiving machinery of the most modern design is to be installed at each of these bases.
While the work is being done by the Canadian government, the bases will be made available to U.S. commercial and military planes. 200-MILE HOPS
The bases will be approximately 200 miles apart and with expansion of business in Alaska it is expected the commercial traffic will be large. At Whitehorse the service will connect with Pan-American Airways operating from Seattle to Alaska.
The route will be surveyed for use winter and summer and is being built as one of the earlier recommendations of the Canada - United States Defence Board.
Ottawa officials state that in addition to opening up this part of the Dominion "it will greatly increase the flexibility of the United States fighter air force. At present fighter planes have to be moved by steamship from Seattle to the Yukon, due
to their short cruising range. When this route is completed it will be possible for planes to rush across western Canada, in unlimited numbers."
Previously, when first intimation of the new air bases was given out by officials, attention was drawn to the fact that fighter planes travelling long distances need frequent bases because they have not the flying range of larger planes.
E. Lemarque, D.L.S., who is making a zone survey of the civic airfield and surveying an area in Pine-view on behalf of the Dominion Transport Board, has partially finished the former and is at present working on the latter, and expects
Time to Revive Pulp Mill Project For Prince George
Canadian Mills Working at Full Blast to Supply New Markets Created by War.
The value of pulp and paper exports from Canada during last year amounted to $225,000,000, an increase of $75,000,000 over the previous year. The tonnage of pulp and paper was 9,500,000 and shows an increase oi 1,500,000 tons over 1939 figures. The total value of wood and paper exports in 1940 amounted to $348,000.-000, up $100,000,000 over 1939 totals.
This big gain in exports has been brought about largely by the curtailment of supplies through the war from Scandinavian countries as well as additional requirements from importing" nations. Exports to the UJ3. for 1940 fell off from 68 to 62 per cent of Canada's total production, showing that other markets are being opened up.
During the last war, wood and pulp products were almost double the present prices which are controlled under the federal government's pegged prices. However, in spite of this governmental control, Pacific Mills pulp plant at Ocean Palls is running at full capacity 24 hours a day. The population is increasing so fast that there is a serious housing shortage there notwithstanding the fact that a second 42-suite modern apartment building has just been completed.
This expansion of the pulp and paper industry is certain to revive the hope that attention will again
to be in a position to complete the be turned to fohe splendid stands of
job within the next week or ten days. W. E. Gilbert, F.R.G.S., superintendent for B.C. of Canadian Airways, and who looms large as a key man in the new airways amalgamation across Canada under sponsor ship of the C.P.R., will be in Prince George in the next few days and is expected to make an announcement as to developments in aviation in relation to the new set-up in northern British Columbia.
pulp timber in Port George forestry district. With abundance of timber, hydro-electric power of enormous potential horsepower offering cheap development, Prince George is ideally situated for the establishment of a big pulp and paper industry, and present conditions may lead to its early development.
Today's News
---------------- BY BRITISH UNITED PRESS WIRE ---------------
The news items under this head are received by special wire to the Citizen from British United Press and will appear each week. These bulletins arrived Just before this page went to press this morning and provide our readers with authentic up-to-the-minute news as gathered by this world-wide organization.
MAJOR OUTBREAK LOOMS IN ORIENT TOKYO, Feb. 20 (BUP)�Japanese Domei news agency said French authorities in Indo-Chint are drilling into the orbit of the Free French movement. French forces are keeping close contact with Gen. Chiang Kai-Shek's forces just across the border pending possible Japanese moves. The British are aiding the French with 200 planes and quantities of ammunition. The Japanese are said to be poised for action in this theatre.
R.A.F. DISPLAYS STRENGTH IN GREECE ATHENS, Feb. 20 (BUP)�British Hurricane fighters are putting on an aerial circus over this citys and aided by Greek bombers have been bombing and machine-gunning Italian front lines and troop transports in Albania. Greek forces dislodged the Italians from barbed wire positions and captured two more villages. A big Italian counter-attack was hurled back into their own artillery barrage with severe Fascist losses.
GERMANS CLAIM SINKING OF FOUR SHIPS BERLIN, Feb. 20 (BUP)�The Germans claim destruction of four British ships in a convoy off the Hebrides by bombing planes, and also claim they set fire to a destroyer off Harwich.
GERMAN BOMB WRECKS LONDON HOSPITAL LONDON, Feb. 20 (BUP)�A German bomb wrecked 3
crowd of rooters with him to be sure I wards of a big London hospital last night, killing 22, wounding he gets lots of fan support. "Cy-, scores, including soldier patients and some nurses.
clone" Williams claims to have a real surprise in store�his goalie is I to be an imported player, and there] is great wonderment as to what he has "up his sleeve." "Weighty" Nich-
JAPANESE MOVES MENACE SOUTH PACIFIC CHUNGKING, Feb. 20 (BUP)�More than half the Jap-
olson star center, is so fast he is'anese air force strength on the Asiatic mainland is concentrated having special brakes put on his on Hainan Island and in Indo-China, a Chinese military spokes-skates. Further notes on other play- |man said. The bulk of the Japanese troops transferred from the ers will be available later and wM| trai China region to Formosa and Hainan is available fqr
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At the conclusion of the ice sports the drawing will be made for the ��Speed Queen' electric washing machine donated by Joe Sing, the embroidered dining room table set donated by Miss Pollinger, and the ragj doll donated by Miss Dewhurst of Willow River.
The rink will be open for general skating after 9:45 p.m.
g ioPerations in South China Sea, possibly against Singapore.
U.S. BOMBER HERE
A. United States army bomber plane en route to Alaska landed here Tuesday morning to have slight adjustment* made to its radio equipment In charge of Lieutenant Snider the plane left McChord Field at Taconia at 5:30 a.m. and landed in Prince George at 8:45 a.m., leaving for Fairbanks via Whitehorse a couple of hours later.
AUSTRALIA SPEEDS DEFENCE PLANS LONDON, Feb. 20 (BUP)�P. C. Spender, Australian defence minister, said measures would be taken to insure increased preparedness for any emergency. Militia training has been extended to 90 days, and at least 50 per cent of the Australian army at home is to be kept in continuous training.
NAVAL BASE, DOCKS ATTACKED BY R.A.F.
LONDON, Feb. 20 (BUP�Coastal Command planes last night attacked the German naval base at Brest and docks at Calais, the Air Ministry said. All planes returned safely.
NAZIS CLAIM MEDITERRANEAN SUCCESSES ROME, Feb. 20 (BUP)�German planes claim to have sunk two 8,000-ton vessels in the Mediterranean. A violent British attack in southern Somaliland is forcing passage of Juba River.
Will Soon Start British Columbia Road Program
Improvements to be Made Trans-Canada, Yellowhead, Southern B.C. Highways.
Announcement w:s made last week by Hon. C. S. Leary, minister of public works, that extensive road improvements would be undertaken throughout British Columbia during 1940. Such main highways as the Trans-Canada. Southern Provincial and Northern Trans-Provincial (Yellowhead) highway would receive attention.
In the Prince George and surrounding area the road is to be improved between Terrace, Vaaxierhoof and Prince George, and easterly from McBride towards J3cper.
Mining roads around Barkerville will receive attention as well as the roads in the Ohilcoten section of the Cariboo district.
A road will be constructed from Atlin to Dease Lake in connection with airport development in that area.
Many roads in outlying districts leading to farming areas are to be improved in all sections of British Columbia from the coast east to the Kootenays and north to Omineca.
It is hoped to have work sufficiently advanced to be ready for the expected summer influx of tourists according to announcement of public works officials.
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Local Rink Wins One at Smithers
Two T>rince George curling rinks journeyed to Smithers over the weekend to play in the Smithors Curling Club's annual bonspiel. Arriving back on Tuesday's train they are unanimous in their praise of hospitality extended to them by club members and residents of Smithers. They also report great sport en No. 1 keen ice. The three, main competitions of the bonspiel were the Shield, the Intermediate (silverware) and the Con-lation. Art Simpson's home rink copped the Shield. Bobbie Carson's Prince George rink the Silverware, and Bob Davidson's Smithers rink the Consolation a\yard.
Prince George rinks comprised the following players:
Bob Carson (skip>. C. E. S. Gow, George Kolias and Jimmie Graham.
W. J. Peckham (skip). H. Woods, Jock Douglas and Bob Baxter.
The boys of the Prince George rinks wish to express appreciation of assistance provided by John Stott. proprietor of Prince George Hotel, in helping them to make the trip to Smithers.