Small Crews Mop Up Where Fires Raged
k forest fire near Hidden Lake, 03 miles northwest of here which fast week destroyed one mill and damaged another/ leaving four f'milies homeless, is now in the mopping up stage, forest officials state.
Only 25 men are engaged in combating isolated sections of what was a few days ago one of tjie worst forest fires in the district this year.
\ short distance east of Hidden I ake, only a small mill crew is busy.' mopping up another blaze hich got.under way about.the
u came
time as the larger one.
Fire-guards were cleared around the flaming areas late last week and by Wednesday both blazes were under control.
A forest branch official declared Saturday that the fire hazard in local woods is considered "very low" and th$t the department here has come off 24-hour standby duty for the first time in a
fortnight. Close to
 100 men and, a half
Cos             ,
dozen tractors were engaged in fighting the Hidden Lake blaze when it. became a roaring inferno just seven days ago. About 40 men fought the Swamp Lake fire a few miles away.
Largest Circulation of Any Semi-Weekly Newspaper in British Columbia
Vol.35;    No. 57
Prince George B.C.,, MONDAY, July 21, T952
$4.00 per year        5^ per copy
Chains A 'Must* For Hart Highway Travel
I Motorists intending to travel the Hart Highway to Daw-son Greek should not leave without tire chains;�This was the statement of persons who have travelled the route recently.
According to unofficial reports coming back from tourists and Canadian travellers who have made recent trips over the Hart Highway, the road is very nearly impassable.                            �
- On Friday about 20 cars, light trucks and car-trailer combinations were stuck in deep mud north of the Parsnip River and it is reported that no vehicle has travelled the full distance' of the highway without 'he use of chains in the last few days.
An American tourist who arriv-
lumbermen Deny* They Caused Stall InlWage Talks Here
A Northern Interior Lumbermen's Association official this morning denied that 1952 contract negotiations with the International Woodworkers of America were broken off here last week due to failure of the millmen to present counterproposals to the union's original demands. Last week an I.W.A. spokesman
ed in Prince George Friday stated that wheel-ruts in some places are close to 30 inches deep and would leave a standard passenger car with all four wheels off the ground if ij. shoula slip into them.
He said''about 20 vehicles were stalled on one hill and had been waiting assistance for some time.
His car, he said, dragged mud for a distance of several hundred yards air the way down this hill coming towards Prince George.
In many of the worse patches along the highway mud closes in right behind a vehicle's wheels and if it becomes mired down,, prevents "backing up onto~firmer ground.
'New French Liner
stated that a negotiating -meeting hold here last Tuesday was adjourned because operators did not come prepared to state the mill-men's reply to the demands.
According to an N.I.L.A. official, the talks broke up when Joe Mori-is, head of" Che union's negotiating committee, received �a long-disfcfnce telephone call necessitating his immediate return.to the Coast.
The lumbermen's spokesman said that employers' representatives were not prepared to make counter-proposals last week, because the union has so far not laid a final wage structure before thorn.              �y�
He stated that although demands have been outlined generally, no definite figure on wage increases has yet been released.
It is believed Morris was called back to the Coast to deal with mediation of the strike of I.W.A. workers there.
In a statement made today, the
B.C. Municipalities Share p| Million
VICTORIA, July 21 (CP>�British
 i
N.I.L.A. said'"As a result of these adjournments - called by the I.W.A., the operators, who were prepared to submit their proposals to the union for the basis of a new contract, do not know when the union will be ready to commence negotiations."
A negotiating meeting scheduled to take place here tomorrow has been postponed at the request of the I.W.A., the lumbermen's Representative stated.
Tenders Called For Two New Schools
Prince George School District Number 57; today issued a call for tenders for the proposed new Connaught Elementary School and for an addition to Prince George Junior Senior High School.
A by-law authorizing expenditure of $678,000 for city and district schools was passed here in May.
The half million dollar Con-naught school building, will be the largest single " educational unit ever erected in this school, district.
Tenders . will be received by Gardner and Thornton, architects, Vancouver until noon, August. 15.
Travel ling Safety School Instructs Many C.N. Men
Some 300 Canadian National Railway personnel in Prince George vicinity should have an increased realization that "safety is a state of mind" when a special railway car pulls out
of the city yard tonight.
The safety instruction car, manned by C. E. Daly of Vancouver, safety supervisor, and D. Mc-Cutcheon of the C.N.R. safety department in Montreal, has been the scene of a special course in "safety mindedness," which ran throughout Saturday tt and again today.
Columbia's 105 municipajities-adlif   Afong with the "instruction car share a total of $12,643,475 in the \-^ihe business car of C. A. Berri-
provincial government's annual distribution, of sales tax and motor vehicle revenue.
Of-the total distribution, sales tax funds amounted to $10,363,-077 and motor vehicle revenue to $2,280,397.
, Prince George receives $56,907 from sales' tax and $11,752 from motor vehicle licenses. Prince Rupert gets $99,537 and $21,355.
er, divisional superintendent, who is accompanying the lecturers from Jasper to Prince Rupert.
With pertinent films as -well as talks to get across the importance of . "stop-look-listen, on the job and off," particular sessions of the course throughout the two days are . being slanted to particular sections of C.N.R. work.
For instance, stationary engine
$25,000 'Bay Addition To Open For Business Shor
A $25,000 addition to Hudson Bay Company premises on the corner of Third Avenue and Quebec Street is expected to
be put into operation next weekend.
The 33 x 90 foo.t construction which adjoins the west side of the existing building will almost double space on the main floor of the department store.
The addition covers the site formerly occupied by Prince George Meat Market.
The pew section will contain mpn's and boys'' wear and the shoe department as well as the store's offices.
 All other departments of the Hudson Bay will be expanded and relocated to take advantage  a former sleeper expressly converted for the purpose of the lectures, accommodates 60 in comfortable two-per-4 son seats. At the rear end a* projection booth also holds cupboards of films, rewind and other equipment.
At. the other end, - a compact sleeping apartment, lavatory complete with shower and a tiny but well-equipped kitchen provide living comforts for the two men travelling with the car.
It also boasts... its own deisel (See TRAVELLING SAFETY, Page 8)
Hiker Cusack Hits Coast Headlines
Jim Cusack, Prince George's pedestrian extraordinary Who intends to hike his way from Prince Rupert to St. John's, Newfoundland, is gaining attention at the coast for his planned exploit." (
A Vancouver newspaper carried a feature story on Mr. Cus-sack Friday. It disclosed, that the burly Kinsman, confessedly sick 'of the sight of automobiles, was already living up to his resolve to use only shanks mare.
He had been in the coast metropolis for five days and had not used a bus or trolley.
Currently toughening his feet with -soakings in salt water for the long transcontinental trudge, Mr. Cusack told Vancouver reporters that he planned to start out from7 Prince Rupert about July 25, .this coming Friday.
"I won't even accept cat rides if they are offered mo," he was quoted as saying. He will, though, take an autograph-book and ask for the signatures of those Who stop to offer him a "hitch."
-.   . �    r
The largest liner to come out of French shipyards since the war and the fourth largest unit of the French merchant marine, the 20,300-ton SS FSLANDRE of the French Line now is on trials at Dunkirk. The sleek vessel is scheduled to make her maiden voyage on the Le HavrerNew York run July 23.
Investigation Pending On Game Poisoning Charges
An on-the-ground investigation will be launched by the B.C. Game Department to look into charges of game conservation groups here that poison spray used on railway right-of-
Two Coast Runners Still In Olympics
OLYMPIC STADIUM, Helsinki, July 21 (CP)�Two- west coast runners, Jack Hutchins and BiU Parnell, were the only Canadians to escape elimination today in the record-studded Olympic track and field competition. Four failed to qualify.
Hutchins was. a heat winner and Parnell drew a third in the opening c round of the 800 metre run and both move on to Mon-day's semi final.
But the bit of glory they snatched for Canada at the Olympic Stadium was overshadowed by four brilliant record-breaking, performances.
Emil Zatopek, a sturdy Czech, broke his own Olympic record in winning the 10,000 metre race;, Walt Davis of Texas cracked the high jump mark; Nina Romasch-kova of Russia set a new mark in the women's discus throw and Charlie Morroe of the United States broke the 400 metre hurdle record in the winning heat.
Neither Hutchins nor~ Parnell were forced to go all out in earning a qualifying berth, but both will have to better their times if they hope to get past the semifinals.
Hutchins was clocked at 1:54.5 in wining his heat. The finish was so close that John Barnes of the U.S. and Jeno Bakos of Hungary, who placed second and third, also were timed in 1:54.^ Barnes is ranked among the top U.S. half-milers.
ways is killing game.
C. H. Olds, president of'northern zone of the B.C. Trappers' Association said he placed the charges before B.C. Game Commissioner J.. Cunningham Thursday on behalf of the Trappers Association and Prince George Rod and Gun Club.
It was the first time the game commissioner had heard the complaint, Mr. Olds said, and he considered it a serious matter that required the attention of the Game Department. . .He said he would have an investigation made with a view to correcting the matter before -the
Police Shoot Two in Prairie Gun Battle
VIVIAN, Man. July 21 (CP)�A bank robbery suspect was shot to death, another suspect in attempted murder wounded in the foot and an R.C.M.P. constable shot in the.face last night in a gun battle which erupted when police attempted to arrest the pair.
The R.C.M.P. said the^ shooting broke out when police flushed the pair -from a bush hideout near here. About $2,000, believed to be bank loot, was recovered.
R.C.M.P. said they identified the victim from personal papers as John R. Zahara, about 42, Pen-ticton, B.C.
The other suspect "Vas Alex-t ande.r Zakopiac, 33, of Winnipeg. Police said he is wanted in Vancouver on" a charge of attempted murder.                  ,
Constable . John Frederick Friend, 45, was. wounded in the cheek was a slug from a 45 re-v volver.
The two men were suspected of robbing the bank in East Kil-donan in suburban Winnipeg.
next spraying season begins, the veteran trapper revealed.
Local game conservation groups claim use of poison spray by the railway to kill weeds, along its right-of-way has resulted An death of numerous grouse and other animals.
Mr. Cunningham passed through Prince George Thursday morning on his way north to make an inspection tour.          ;
Federal   Election  Seen Near Start Of New Year
Some  political  observers  are predicting a Dominion election as early as February or March of' next year.
Reasoning behind this prediction is that the federal government will want the election over and done with before the coronation of Queen Elizabeth early in June.
George M. Murraj-, Cariboo M.P.. recently, added possible credence to this theory when he said he would attempt to arrange an
early nominatini his riding.
convention in
Three City Anglers In Brush With Death
An" abortive fishing-trip almost ended  in  tragedy nean Vanderhoof early yesterday' morning, when three" city youths" norrowly escaped death or-serious injury as their car plunged off the highway, over a 10-foot bank and into a slough.
Injured and still a patient in St. John Hospital, Vanderhoof, is Bob Wright, 1480 Second Avenue, whose leg was shattered in The mishap.
Facial cuts^.. and bruises were received by the other two occupants, Donald Baker, 1650 Fifth Avenue, and George Shires, 19S4 Twelfth Avenue, driver of the car...
According to one of the passen-gersVttie three left here Saturday night bound for a fishing trip on the Stellako River..
Finding* the highway west of Vanderhoof to be almost impassable, they turned back and early-yesterday morning started back for Prince George from Vanderhoof.                            .   -.
Climbing the hill immediately east of Vanderhoof, Shires was suddenly confronted by a small truck careening down the wrong side of the road and he was forced
Nine Die When Quake Strikes In California
LOS ANGELES, July 21 (CP) � At least nine persons died today as California's strongest earthquake in nearly half a century hit with'sudden'violence in sparsely-settled mountains-north of here.
Rescue crews trying to reach the stricken town of Tehachpi fought against blocked roads, and downed power linesv � One report to a sheriff's office said the "whole Ltown 'of Tehach-
pi is down."
The quake was felt generally through much of California from San Francisco south to the Mexican border and inland into Nevada.
In many homes dishes broke, windows cracked, and. pow;er lines were shattered.
In Los Angeles arid other cities residents streamed in fright from homes and hotels.   -,'
to steer -his car over a nearby bank.    �    -   .
One of the occupants said that vision was restricted on' the corner half-way up the hill by a large sawdust pile, and that the car swerved clear of the truck .with only inches to spare. ,, x-Another car travelling behind the one in which the city boys were driving was also forced to take to the bank.
Wright 'received facial lacerations as well^as a fractured leg, and Baker received a deep cut over his eyes. Both Shires and Baker returned to Prince George yesterday.
According to reports, the car is, considered a total loss.
Mrs. Emerson Sole Woman Delegate
Distinction of being the only woman among the 54 delegates at the Hamilton meeting of the Canadian Institute for Board of Trade and Chamber of Commerce secretaries was achieved recently by Mrs. Tracey Emerson, secretary of the Prince George B.O.T.
Another distinction she achieved was sitting in the special chair occupied at a function last year by Princess Elizabeth, when the Niagara Falls board of commissioners entertained the B.O.T. delegates from all over Canada.
Mrs. Emerson addressed , the Business and Professional Wo-� men's club at Hamilton, the exclusive Tamarack club in that (See MRS. EMERSON, Page 5)
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