Doris E. Bechtley 1158 Melville St. VANCOUVER, B.C.; Dec6-57 Cloudy with showers, clear periods. Little change in temperature, light winds. Low tonight and high tomorrow 28 and 38. Vol. 1; Nd. 51 Prince George, B.C., THURSDAY, November 14, 1957 (2 Sections 16 Pages) 7c per copy Phone 67 Morrison Endorses City Manager Plan Mayor John Morrison last light publicly announced his emphatic endorsement of the city manager plan. In-doing so Mr. Morrison made it clear that his support of the plan will be a major talking-point in his campaign for reelection as mayor of this city. He made it clear, too, that in view of the fact that the city manager plan has developed into c contentious issue, the decision on whether it is good or not for Prince George should rest with the voters. ' In a radio address last night, Mayor Morrison gave his listeners a comprehensive analysis of the whole manager proposition, glossarizlng arguments both for and against it. GKB5AT IMVHKKST "This issue has developed into a matter of great interest to all voters," siad His Worship, "that it should not be decided at the council table, especially when the aldermen are split down the middle. "I am of the opinion that this question should be settled by the electorate. "I can see no harm in permitting the voters to say 'yes' or no'." As for himself, he said "I feel the plan merits a trial-" NOT IN BEST IM'KKKSTH Mayor Morrison criticized the members of the city council who oppose the plan. "I certainly do not think it is in the best interests of the city for three individuals to deny the thousands of voters in this city the right to express their opinion on this contentious issue. "Any alderman who denies this right to the electorate might well retard the progress of this city indefinitely and will have to answer to the people for his or her actions." Mr. Morrison expressed the conviction that the success or For Track Centre Dropped Plans have been abandoned by the Prince George & Dis-triet Centennial Committee to construct a cinder track adjacent to the Civic Centre. Because of the estimated cost Pleads Guilty To Stealing Radios PRINCE RUPERT ICH^Jyen-_ noth -Bones, 21,' Torinef""VanK Oay to uharKcs of Ktenllny:' two car radios, a tool kit, three thefts of under $50, carrying a firearm without, a permit, and breaking and entering. He will bo sentenced Friday on these counts and another of robbing Mrs. Vernon Scherk at gunpoint, to which'he pleaded guilty earlier. of constructing a track in the area, the committee decided at a meeting last night to seek an alternative site on the grounds of Connaught School. Cost of constructing a track at the Civic Centre has been estimated at $23,000, due to a major drainage problem that is consistant with the soil structure. The centennial committee is limited to a budget of about $7000 for the consU'uction of a traclcr*........';^'----- � �-A-commlUaD tvmJotntoil to ' lt>- vosUKiac the likelihood of creating a track and field on the Connaught grounds consists of parks superintendent Charlie Krcman; W. Montgomery of Associated Engineering Services Ltd., Elftar Ncllscn, former Olympic track and Held contestant, W. Jones and 13. Ham-r.ton. Jim Crow Law Bats Out Willie SAN FRANCISCO (AP)�Willie Mays attempt to buy a house here failed Wednesday because he is a Negro. The spectacular 27-year-old San Francisco Giants centrefielder Offered the $37,500 the owner asked for a new house at 175 Miraloma Drive, but was turned down after a wait of several days. The owner said there was great neighborhood pressure against the deal. Walter. A. Gneadiloff, who is still offering the house at the same price�but not to Mays� said: "I'm just a union working man and I'd never get another job if I sold this house to that baseball player- I feel sorry for him, and if the neighbors say it would be ckay, I'd do it." Gneadiloff, a small-scale build- John Powers Candidate For Alderman A young Prince George businessman, John E. Powers, today announced he will contest one of the three aldermanic seats at the forthcoming municipal elections. .Mr- Powers, 32, is secretary-treasurer of Rustad Bros. & Co, Ltd. and is making his first entry into civic politics. Married with four children, he has been a resident of the city for four years and during that time has become extremely active in community affairs. He is cairman of the building committee of Prince George & District Hospital Board, president of Prince George Curling Club Ltd.; secretary-treasurer of Prince George Shrine Club; a member of Kiwanis Club and of Prince George Golf and Country Club: a member of Knox United Church and superintendent of Knox United West End Sunday School. er, said two property owners ho works for put pressure on him not to sell to Mays and neighbors objected by telephone. "I've never been through this kind of stuff and I'm not even mad about, it now," Mays said. "I'd sure like to live in San Francisco, but I didn't want to make an issue about it. "I figure if a guy has his own problems he's got to lick them himself, and if neighbors don't want you, what's the good of buying. "But talk about a thing like this goes all over the world, and it sure loks bad for our country." UKTTKK IN SOUTH Mays' wife, Marguerite, was not as philosophical. "Down in Alabama where we come from," she said, "you know your place, and that's something, at least. But up here it's all a lot of camouflage. They grin in your face and then deceive you." ?>layor George Christopher said: "What's happened is not in accordance with San Francisco's traditions-" JOHN E. POWERS . . uldcriuauic candidate failure of the plan rests on the calibre and qualifications of the manager and the attitude of the council toward him. "Let us not fool ourselves," he warned, "a good city manager is not easy to find, and when the supply is not equal to the demand, these' men choose their own locations." Earlier in his address, the mayor admitted that he had never taken a vigorous stand either for or against the scheme. He pointed out, however, that if the plan were to function successfully it should have at least the whole-hearted support of the council. DECISION SOOJV "This fact was clearly not in evidence during my two years of leadership at the city hall," he declared. Council will be provided with opportunity to reach unanimity on the question the bylaw comes before them for approval Monday. If endorsed it will be submitted to the voters Dec- 12, election day. When the bylaw was proposed lor submission recently, Ajtlcrmen Carrie .lime Gray, lien Jack and Howard Webb opposed it. "It. is not enough," asserted Mr. Morrison, "regardless of one's convictions, to elaborate on one side of the question while ignoring the other." As a result he spelled out the functions of a city manager as laid down in the Municipal Act, pointing out both what a manager could do and what he could not do. Following are verbatim excerpts from the mayor's address dealing with that phase of the subject: DUTIKS C1XUJD "There is x(uito-alonpr list of iluties deloKutod.tostho city muri-sif?er, and undoubtedly these (111- ties are now being carried out by either the administration or the council. "The question arises, however, are they being carried out. as efficiently and as economically us they should be? "Arc the duties of the various departments of the city coordinated into one major effort to avoid duplication, waste, expense and even friction between the various department heads? "Would the fact that a city manager, working closely with the council and fully informed on council policy, establish continuity to the betterment of the city as councils come and go? "Would the advent of city management erase all tinge of politics and interference by councillors in the administration of the city's affairs? "Would it not be reasonable to assume that an individual selected solely upon the basis of education, experience and professional qualifications would be more suited to the needs of the citly; could direct more efficiently the affairs of a city; and manage' more economically the administration of a city in preference to a mayor or aldermen who could be far lacking in administrative ability and qualifications, and who assume office on any (See MORRISON, Page 3) VIGTORS*over two-ctayottieWin wild bushland:near Batnuju.L.aKe and.happy to. be bacik-sufe at home again a�'.u veterin aHan dootor Peter J3uilder, left, and" optometrist Dr. Ian Evans. Pair were obj ect of a ground search sparked Monday when they were reported missing wtiil e on a hunting trip. See story this page. �Citizen Photo City Forced To Act Firing It was learned at' press time that two members of city council! Alderman Carrie Jane Gt'iiy and Alderman Ken .lack have demanded, under conditions provided in the Municipal Art, that a- special meeting of council be held tomorrow at 1 p.m. The demand came, in the form of a letter presented to Mayor Morrison shortly before noon. Court action against the City of Prince George involving the recent dismissal of building inspector E. S. Howarth looms larger than ever today. Mayor John Morrison and members of council have been advised by llowarth's -lawyer that unless a resolution ordering his client's dismissal is rescinded and a formal hearing into the dismissal launched immediately, an application will be Kitimat-Terrace KIT1MAT ten � Highways Minister P. A. Gaglardi said Wednesday the Kitimat-Terracc highway will be officially opened Nov. 2S. He hopes to attend himself, he said. Paving will start next year. made to the courts forthwith. Lawyer John Coates has given council until 2 o'clock tomorrow to reply to his request. According to information received _by The Citizen it is almost certain that the city will not comply with the request. In order to reach a decision 'egarding the lawyer's ultimatum, council would have to be called to a special meeting. NEED NOTICE As 24 hours notice is required to be given alderman before a meeting can be held, and as no such notice has been given, there is no chance now that a meeting wil be held to � decide on the matter. Howarth was dismissed fol- (See CITY FORCED, Page 3) No Stockpiles For Papers . � 6,000 B.C. Pulp And Paper Workers Go On Strike Today VANCOUVER (CP) � A strike publications themselves would of G,000 British Columbia pulp and paper workers began at S a.m. today. There was no last-minute attempt to avert the walkout voted for by the membership of two unions to back up wage demands. The strike adds to the labor troubles of a province in which there already is heavy unemployment. Precise effect which the str'Kc will have on newsprint supplies could not be ascertained immediately. D. R. Blair, spokesman for the seven companies involved, said they had no stockpiles to meet demands of publisheis. Stockpiles maintained by the | vary. The management side appeared to be settling down to a finish fight over the issue at stake. Mr. Blair said there-was no immediate prospect of a resumption of negotiations. BUILDING CONTINUES H. L. Hansen, representative lor the sulphite union, said an agreement was reached with Building Trades Unions to permit normal construction to continue. The decision to allow building men to cross picket lines was taken "because we don't want to restrain construction," Mr.' Hanscn said. However, the arrangement can be reviewed later. The employers' stand on further discussions was given earlier Wednesday by .Dr. D. R. Blair, manageu of the Pulp and Paper Industrial Relations Bureau. The companies, he said, are ready to renew talks on a conciliation board report which recommended a 7^-per-cent wage increase. The unions, which demanded 12V6 p.er cent, rejected tin's offer and another suggestion of S'/fc per cent made by the union's conciliation- board member in a minority report. OFFER $2.50 AVERAGE The basic wage in the industry is S1.72 an hour. The company-approved increase would bring this to $1.S5. Average hourly earnings are 52.30, Mr. | Blair said and would rise to 62.50. The bureau � represents those companies whose !>225,0OO,OO0-a-year business provides 1-1 per cent of Canada's pulp, newsprint and paper output: Alaska Pine and Cellulose, MacMillan and Bloedel, Columbia Cellulose, Powell River, Canadian Forest Products, Crown Zellcr-bach and Elk Falls. A prolonged strike will inevitably result in unemployment in the logging industry. Businessmen and normal employment service officials also saw the prospects of depressed retail sales in a number of towns in which the pulp mill payroll�amounting to $52,000,-000 a year throughout B.C.�is the main source of cash. Pair Make Their Own Way Back Two Prince George professional men, feared lost in the Blackwater country southwest of here, were found alive and none the worse for their hectic and lonesome escape in the soggy bushlands. City optometrist Dr. J. Ian Evans and veterinarian Dr. P. J. Builder ploughed their way back to civilization yesterday afternoon in a truck which carried them over some of the toughest roads in this district. They arrived home slightly tired, hungry and in need of a bath. Their return came at a time when search parties from three central B.C. points were reaching �a peak in their operations. Th,ree aircraft from Prince George were prepared to go into the hunt yesterday morning but they were grounded by an 800-foot blanket of foe over the area- RCMP from Prince George, Vanderhoof and Quesnel were converging on territory where the pair were believed lost. "We greatly appreciate all efforts. Everyone was marvellous. Next time someone gets lost out that way let us know," the two doctors said this morning. Dr. Evans was back in his office while his partner in the adventure, Dr. Builder, was preparing to head back into the area to retrieve a. new truck which hnrl broke down oil their joiirnty1 home. "The mud was. like creamed coffee. It was terrible," Dr. Evans described road conditions. <>.\ HUNTING TKI1 They left Prince George about G a-m. Sunday on a hunting trip and were travelling in a new � wheel drive "carry-all". The pair reached the Batnuni Ranch where they stayed for a day. The ranch is about 90 miles southwest, of Prince George in an area which is isolated except for an occasional plane visit to Bat mini Lake. They stayed overnight at the ranch and started on the trip home Monday afternoon. They hail travelled only three miles when the steering mechan- (See TWO DOCTORS, Page 3) Gag Idea Real Gag PHOENIX, Ariz. (AP) � Judge Fred J. Hyder warned the defendant in an arson ? rial Wednesday to keep silent. But James van do la 3o-gart, 65, continued to interrupt, court proceedings with loud cries of "I'm being railroaded. I demand my constitutional rights." Judge Hyder issued another warning. Van de la Bdgart yelled back, "Why don't you gag me?" Judge Hyder answered by instructing sheriff's deputy Kenneth Love to push a dish towel over the- defendant's mouth. The gag stayed there until a jury was selected. Postpone Alaska Highway Birthday DAWSON CREEK (CP) � A celebration planned for Nov. 20 to mark the 15th anniversary of construction of the Afaska Highway has been postponed until next year. � Town officials said advcr.se weather and the collapse last month of the Dufforin highway bridge were factors in the decision for postponement. They said it. is hoped ihe celebration will be hold next spring or next fall, when it will toe in with Dawson Creek's observance of British Columbia's centennial. New 'Peace' Detour Over PGE Bridge FORT ST JOHN, B.C. � Traffic on the 1,500-mile Alaska Highway will be routed over the newly-planked Pacific Great Eastern Railway bridge starting Monday, army officials said Wednesday. Highway traffic has been curtailed since the Oct. 1G collapse of the 2,200-foot, $-1,000,000 highway suspension bridge over the Peace River a few miles downstream. Since then a small ferry 10 miles from the downed bridge has been attempting to handle the heavy traffic on the highway. As ferry operators coped today with floating river )cc, trucks and cars were waiting several hours in a bumper-to- bumper line hair a mile long, ment consulting engineers arc studying the possibility of removing from the Peace River the 135-foot bridge pan which toppled last month when a suspension-cable anchor slipped in its bed of soft clay. The salvage job is expected to cost around $1,500,000. Drill Stuck In Lung LOGAN, W Va. (AP) � Charles Frye Jr., sued his dentist Wednesday for $75,000, claiming he had to undergo surgery for removal of a drill which became disengaged and went down his throat. Frye said it lodged in his left lung. Whooping Cough Outbreak Feared A warning against a possible outbreak of whooping cough in the Prince George district has been voiced by medical health officer Dr. D. G. Kettyls. The director of the Cariboo Health Unit appealed today to parents of pre-school age children particularly to make certain that their children .are immunized against the disease. Dr. Kettyls emphasized that there is no need for alarm but pointed out that an outbreak of the disease has been reported at Prince Rupert as an apparent result of the influenza wave. lie indicated that it could spread east into the Cariboo Health district. Whooping cough, which if fatal to more children than any other type of communicable disease, is particularly virulent during the first two years of an infant's life. Dr. Kettyls said. He is "almost certain" that it wil break out here. A number of cases have been reported at Quesnel. Parents with pre-school age children are urged to make arrangements for immunization by telephoning the health unit on Sixth Avenue.