An Independent  Semi-Weekly  Newspaper   Devoted
Vol 37; No. 47
 Sections)
to   the
Prince George, B.C., THURSDAY, June 17, 1954
 5^ per copy
j ustees Won't Quit School Posts
Study Modified Referendum
Aftermath of defeat of a $2,060,000 school expansion referendum here' last Friday started shaping up this week as ii became known that:
1.    No members of the board of school trustees will re-Elgn as a result of the referendum defeat.
2.    There is every possibility that a modified program of school expansion .will be drawn up with the-support of the'city csuncil.
^-^ The new program will be drawn up by the same �Dj,idingXornmittee which was responsible for the planning behind the defeated referendum.---------------  ^      __________
levelopnterrt In  the new  we are  convinced  that an  alternative program of building must
,  i   expansion   picture   came fsdny   when the school   boa'rd ;.,,! to accept the resignations � �(i i >f its members. Vi-tiTilny   '   Mayor      Gonhm |-tnv;mi, whose <>pp�sltlon-tt�-the
5
, (iedited with its rejection by ,iiv ratepayers, issued u formal
,i,iirmi'iit    which    brought    to n liis willingness lo support tin'  lio;ird   fir"~
id fhe mayor: "The city coun-ml myself are pleased that ^rfrx4_bx>a.rd_lhji8- decided to
on. We ~have~repBatcdly-,i. and still believe, that the lltl Ipng-range planning for rooms cannot be disregarded.
is apparent to us that plans [     e to be forthcoming  to take of next year's needs.-
pcrJionally " commend the I, in spite of the defeat of naster referendum, for signl-; their willingness to work , revised building program. 'e wish to co-operate with Imard on their revised' pro-. tn the end that the city i :!� c.iri recommend it to the layers along with the school
IMOFKAT
�:itiianeovisly statements were !sid by Trustee H. A. Moff^t
 of Xthe..- Bchool -
hoani
committe,   and   Trustee |febcrt.  Range,   chairman   of   the
Moffat hiui threatened to f resign if the referendumuaileii, ul lie confirmed hls_int.entiohxaf-r ik defeat.
incational picture in this school puict and in the light of pres-:<� 11rouklit to bear    upon . hw
n many levels, I .have -deci'd-I to reconsider my plan to re--:) ;is trustee.
"The need for classrooms is III with us and they are needed i quickly as possible. Quick ac-on is imperative if we are go-ip; tn avert    an accommodation
�: in this district. For that (Son- 1 have decided to remain '�iv.i-t long enough to help pre-��'�� i plan of building which all '-'< it.-, it is hoped, can support. ' !� is my hope and wish that . a i future elections for school 'W;\>. there will be more than
� candidate offer himself to/as-
 pg               ing must
be submitted at the earliest possible date. We owe It to the children of this school.district to see to it that something is done to ..relieve a condition that is fast becoming extremely s er i o u s. ����~REEERENDUM,  Poge 2)
Electric Firms Ask City Id Turn Over
inspection To Govt.
City co^jncTnToTiJeeTrpetitioned by nine city electrical firms to get out of the electrical inspection business and turn the work over to the provincial government.
The petition, signed under the name Central British -Columbia Electrical Association, states that besides Vancouver. Prince George Is th&/only municipality in B.C.  undertakes  to  operate  its
THE    U.S.    PiAVYS    flying
"Pogo  Slick,"   vertical  rising
fighter plane, moves upward in
�teth�red_fjightjinside a huge
hangar at MoffetfTieldrCalifi
The plane is designed to rise
vertically and> turn horizontally
after it has gained altitude.
Lumber Wage Talks Here Are 'Very Amicable'Says NILA
/:'' Negotiations which operved here Monday between the Northern Interior Lumbermen's Association and the International' Woodworkers of America are "proceeding very amicably" N.I.LA. President R. W. Hilton told The Citizen this
Prices Jump But Spruce Unaffected
First indications in almost a year of a strengthening [n the lumber market were reported here this week.
Reporting for the Northern-Interior   Lumbermen's   Association, fRT-.W.  Hilton, its president, said a'heartening boost of from $5 to $6a per fir  has week.
g
 thousand  board   feet of  been  noted   in   the  past
morning.
Meetings
between   union   and   hour week, all statutary holidays
management    spokesmen     were   with pay and union shop.
held Monday, Tuesday and yesterday.
Principal demand of the N.I.L.A.
is for a wage cut of
 cents an
So far nothing has been agreed   hour,  the amount-of   last year's
upon but Hilton said he ts "very   wage Increase,
hopeful" of   an early and   satis-      Negotiations will be suspended
factory settlement. "                        for several  days because I.W.A.
The I.W.A. is asking for a wage   President Joe Morris is scheduled increase of six cents an hour, 40   to leave for Ottawa on a short ------------------------------------------,   trip.
Participa~nts in (he negotiations left last night for Vancouver.
Representing   the   N.I.L.A.   In the talks was Terry Watt, Vancouver   labor relations  specialist, and R. J.   Gallagher,  association A well known resident of Prince  secretary.
George for 12 years died In Kelow- Union bargainers were Joe na on June 9. George Albert Hod- Morris, district vice-president W. son,   retired CNR   engineer,   had  Gray and local financial secretary
Locomotive Engineer Buried At Kelowna
Highway Relocation
Crews Set Up Camp
been in falling health for several months, and was 63 at the time of his death.
An active member 6f the Broth-
the late Mr. Hodson Was secre-~ tnry-treasurer of the Prince George Local virtually all the, time he resided here.      *
He left Prince-George in  1953 to work out of Kamloops for a
C. H. Webb.
Negotiations    will about two weeks.
resume   in
Unfortunately, in spite of the highest mlllyard Inventories in history, there is practically,;.^ fir available in the Prince George Forest District.
But Mr. Hilton said It is possible that the trend in fir-, always considered a lumber market, baro-meter,_will be felt next in spruce.
He also-said that the stimulated, market conditions may reflect nothing more than the threat of a strike in the lumber Jndustry of Washington and Oregon.
Workers there voted to strike some days ag"o if their demands were not met and the rise in fir prices may be the result of "panic buying" hy flrnvs-who cannot risk having their source of supplyjshut off, the N.I.L.A. president said.
Meanwhile.the increased price has injected a cautious note of optimism into the lagging lumber manufacturing business here.
It is believed some mills whjch have been saving their standsxo� fir for summer logging will commence cutting It In the hope of getting It to market while the market is strengthening.
110-Seat Balcony At Princess Theatre
Seating capacity of the Princess Theatre situated at Third Avenue and Vancouver Street will increase to 500 by this week-end when a new balcony will see service for the first time.
Several months in building, the new. balcony and other improvements cost Trans-West Theatres Lttl. about $25,000.
The balcony, which provides loge accommodation only, at sUghtly higher prices than downstairs, will seat 110 persons.
Seats in the new section are of highest "quality available, H. G. Stevenson, president of the theatre company stated this week, and features padded armrests.
The entire balcony is supported on steel girders and columns which incorporate a liberal safety factor.
 for balcony  constructed. and access to the new seats is "through the ends of the lobby.
Rejnovations and construction was carried out by Dezell Construction t:o. Ltd.
Special fire exits patrons   have   been
VU-WalermainJL_ Problem For City
Installation of a~clty watermain to an area south of the city where
short time, after which he moved 38 Veteran's Land Act plots have j to Kelowna jwhere he retired last been allocated, and where con-^September.                                   Istruction of. several dwellings is
In line with the Provincial Pub-iHe ~te71ur7WesarL> not of  opinion   that   it    \\us  over-ious, because it was oesigri- t.ike cure of childrer/who
 ere now,
 /  �
However,   the   popple�have
).  We have'achieved    our
ose nf having /\  bettttie forecast states, \with ligh^t, winds'.
Cdol temperatures will persist, however, with lciw and high readings expected in Prince George tonight and tomorrow 35 and 60.
'r. George Convention Centre For District Farmers' Groups
 of   paramount   impor- l         f th
 p  future welfare of the
tai
i'ulinral industry in a wide ?�>�! of^ccntral B.C. will be dis-"-�>�'d when 35 or more dele-�'�'�> from Vanderhoof, McBrlde, vj""1 F'raser, Woodpecker, Salmon �vj%y and other farming centres Satbter in Prince' George next v'"'k for the annual convention 11 District "C" F^armcrt;' Insti-lutes.
-vKagles Hall;' Seventh Ave. and
'"�'in-wick St., will be convention
''-�KKiuarters    for    meetings    on
rr'tl!>y and Saturday, June 25, 26.
Opening business sessions will
"' held on  Friday  at 9:30  a.m.,
'' ;'t  noon  the  delegates will
.ot�r "lit to Plneview Hall where
Council Passes New Civic Centre Bylaw
City council last night gave first, second and third readings" to a bylaw which is designed to extract approval from the provincial' government for an expenditure of $66,000 on the Prince George Civic Centre this year.
The .city\s original bylaw was for $52,600 but on the advice of municipal inspector B. C, Brace-well the unspent portion of a bylaw authorized last year was added to "ft.-�
The new bylaw, drawn up by the inspector himself, will now be "sent to Victoria where Mr. Bracewell will recommend to the cabinet that it be approved.  �
Alderman Carrie Jane Gray registered her opposition' to the measure at last night's meeting.
$75,000 Startime Theatre Will Open Here On July 15
Prince George's first drive-in theatre, representing an investment by. Trans-West Theatres Ltd. of $75,000, will open on July�15 about one mfle south of the city adjacent/to the Northern Trans-Provincial Highway.
� H. G. Stevenson, president of Trans-West, said today the Star-time Theatre' will contain the most up-to-date features of drive-
finance chairman as \reii�-is-municipal appointee to the board of management of Prince George & District Hospital, termed the original estimate of the city's share of $167,000 as "unrealistic."
He said that an amended figure of $191,000 recently released- by a hospital official is still too low.
These figures, Alderman Ferry said, are based on comparative occupancy of the hospital by rural and municipal residents.
Estimated cost of the hospital is close to $2,000,000 and the rural area's share on the comparative Hjsage basis would be about $575.-000.
p^2;000   which wdy-id haVe to he raised locally!
Actvlal decision on what amount th.e vCltv^Syould pay -if the plan goes ahead would be a matter for negotiation between the trustee-! of the hospital district and the city council, Alderman Ferry stated.
\ figures ' were    based    on hospitaKrecprds which show that
the  city\recjulremont   is   about 30 beds. *     \^
Alderman Ferry said he doubted If rural residents in the proposed Prince GeorgevHospit;d Improvement District would put up that amount of money in xornpari-son to the lesser amount \vhich the city would put up. \He said he believed that thb-comparative assessment system would be the only acceptable basis for dividing the financial responsibility.
Using current-assessment figures this would mean that the city would   have  to put  up  about  57
Legion Bids Opened But Not Disclosed
Tenders on -what is reported to be a $.25v00p renovation and ex-piinsion progra'm-f.arll.he Canadian. Legion building here were opened at "> p.m. yesterday but a' joint meeting of the Legion executive and the building committee later decided not to disclose the amounts of-tlie bids.   -.
Legion president Frank Bond told  The Citizen  today  that   two bids on the program hud been rex" ceived.
He said'that last nlBht's/meet-ing decided to �'further/investigate" the program and to put it bT                        l     membership
be-Torc meeting  on
 24,  one
from
He declined to�disclose the names of/firm;* which bid on the project,/           \
men's Institutes  of District "C who will be holding a convention there at the same time.
There will be another business session at 2 p.rm, to be followed at 7 pm. by a banquet in the Prince Georgtf Cafe under the joint auspices of Prince George Board of Trftde and the Farmers1 Institutes. Guest speaker will be Hon. Kenneth Kicrnan, minister of agriculture.
Schedule for Saturday morning includes a final business meeting at D o'clock and a trip to Giscome Farms with manager Tom Berry as conductor. Following lunch, the delegates will meet at the. Eagles-Hall prior to a tour of the Pine-view district rahd~ a visir to Jthe
 will be served by the Wo- Dominion Experimental Farm.
Top BX. Railroad ; 'Brass' Goes North
The British Columbia Government's top railway "brass" arrived here late last night and left early thin morning for the Peace River district.
In the party was Hon. Ralph Chetwynd, minister *of railways, Joseph Broadbent, deputy minister, and J. A. Kennedy, chairman of the board of directors of the Pacific Great Easter/vTRallway.
"flie party was met .-J&re by* W. N. -Rusty" Campbell, P.G.E.-public relations representative in Prince George. Mr1. Campbell accompanied them to vthe Peace River.
� Purpose of the trip has not been disclosed but it is believed to he connected with a choice^ of routes^ for the P.G.E. northern extension.
in theatres now available.
Built on a 27-acre tract of level ground immediately south of the former municipal airport site, the installation is completely screened by .pine forest and will be reached through a 100-car waiting area and short access road.
Both new wide-screen type films and standard width can be shown at Trans-West's newest venture.      �"*"**"
Top of th& huge screen towers 70 feet in the air and the rectangle of opalescent surface measures 53 feet in width by 40 feet high.
The Startime will accommodate 300 cars Initially-and can be expanded to provide space for 500 cars.
Located centrally In the park ing area will be a concession and projection building containing a snack bar 30 feet wide by 48- long, as' well as projection booth housing $25,000 worth of new equipment, spacious restrooms anc1 storage space.
Admissions will be taken at an other small building on the access road.    ,
The Startime will present one showing per evening during the long days In early summer, and two showings as the days get shorter.
Perfofmimces will commence at about 10:15 p.m. when the big drive-in theatre first opens.
-Cars will be parked on special ly inclined ramps and each wil be equipped with Its own speak er and volume control.
Powor to operate the projectors outidde_liglits_and the'huge lamp
ance of 445 feet will come from special 'soundproofed   30  k.w. owerplant   located  on   the, perimeter of the cleared area.
Mr." Stevenson said he believes hat drivc-ih theatres could' com-ne'hee their season's operation nere by the middle of May each rear and could ikeep going.until he advent of cold weather.
The Startime ; Theatre  will  require a staff of 10 to 15 persons 0 operate and at a later date will boast   its   own   children's   playround/and a picnic area. All   construction   work   at   the Startime Theatre is being carried out  by  Dezell   Construction   Co. Ltd.
�which will
 the picture a dls-
Off TheWires Today
(Canadian  Press�Thursday; June   17,. 19b4)
Central B.C.'s Main Problem Is Power, Soys Williston
VICTORIA-�Education Minister Ray Williston soys powcr^ not the northern extension of thef Pacific Greot Eastern Railway, is northern and central  British  Columbia's  greatest   problem.
*The member of the Legislature for Fort George told a meeting of Ook Boy Sociol Credit Constituency Association Tuesday night that B.C. has no major source of power north of the Whatshan project..
�Referring   to   a   possible   natural   gas   pipeline   from   th^Pedce 'Rivor> courjtry,  he  said:   "If   the  gos comes  down,   that  moy   bc^fho  answer.      It would t)� 0 boon both as fuel and a source of powcr,/dnd work could stait on expanSibn of the area two days after we get the'word."
Construction   Engineer Quits  PGE Southern   Project
VANCOUVER�r-Oavid Livingstone, ^cnief engineer for construction of the southern extension of the goverrjrrfent-owned Pacific Great Eastern Railway, Tuesday announced" his resignation.
He was first  reported 0><5aying he had quit because of  "too much interference," bur said lotpr   'tharvriot quite right." .  inte
Waterworks Project Grading Underway
Rough grading is underway along new streets In the Central Fort George area where ramifications of a- $2307000 waterworks extension bylaw will be felt before winter.
City Engineer, George P. Har-ford reported to city council Monday that clearing of stumps along some of the new streets is proceeding slowly due to inclement weather.
He stated that -work is farther advanced in the- Central Fort George area than it is in that part of the Millar Addition which is tied into the 1954 waterworks program.                                ��   i
Completion of the project this summer will see water service extended to the vast majority of residents living in the area annexed by the city a year ago, as well
"Sure there was  interference, but nothing startling.     I  decided  I not  hove liked the  job as much as  I   thqught   I  would,  for  one thing,  and then my principals and I didn't see exoctly"Teye-4'o-eye."-
He said'he had nothing against the- government. "After all, they're anxious to get going, and as laymen, they don't seXtechnical points. | just couldn't see mywer/ clear to stay." ,
Alcan, Unions Study Contract Proposals For Kitimat
VANCOUVER�Conciliation Board hearings that moy set a contract for future workers at the vast/Atcan project in northern B.C. get underway Friday  in Kitimat.                              \.
A three-man conciliation board left^hcre by boot Wednesday for talks with union officiots and representatives xo( the Aluminum Company of, Canada.              J     � .
The AfumTnurn Workers of America and nine>other AFL unions which form Allied Aluminum Workers Council are negotiating the first contracr of the 250 smejter workers now employed at the Kitimafproject.' The con-troct will set trie pattern for 1,000 workers who eventually will be employed ot the smelter.
Youthful Vancouver Slayer Escapes Hangman's Noose
VANCOUVER�William Wokeficld Gosh, 19-yeor-old convicted killer, she,d tears of joy Wednesday when told his death sentence had been commuted to life imprisonment.
I The slender youth was waiting in his dcoth cell in -.pakallo prison's death row, expecting to die on the gallows next Tuesday, when' word come tfiot-his sentence has been commuted by the Justice Department.
' Gash was convicted March 18 of the bludgeon-slaying of Frank Pitsch, 45-ytar-o!d golf  shagger.'                            �                                         .  ..-.-_   ;'    >.
VICTORIA�Lobor   Minister   Lyle   Wicks   Wednesday   announced   im-
as water availability at about 500  mediotc proclamoHon  of  British Columbia's new  Labor  Relations Act  and
vacant home-sites.
dismissal of the Labor Relations Board.
I