WANT ADS Buy or Sell Everything Phone LO 4-2441 The Only Daily Newspaper Serving North-Central British Columbia WEATHER FOR Low 20; High 35; Cloudy Crown Life Insurance Co. Wm. J. Shockey District Representative Phone LOgan 4-2441 Vol. 4; No. 62 PRINCE GEORGE, BRITISH COLUMBIA, TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1960 Business Trend Move Upward Review Indicates First Quarter of 1960 Better Than Last Year and Outlook Good By DON LOBB (Citizen Staff Reporter) In the opinion of some 35 business firms, banks, finance firms. and Avholesalers in Prince George, business during the first quarter of 19G0 is better than during the same period last year. And indications are it will continue better during the remainder of the year. Only one local business firm stated that business was bad. In fact, he went further than that� he said it was "terrible." BLAMES OTTAWA Brownie Ruse, manager of Prince George Builders' Supplies, blamed bad business conditions in his field on the federal government. Said Mr. Ruse: "Housing has been at a standstill for the last seven months and the federal government has refused to do anything about it." He said that by grouping the Prince George area with all other areas Ottawa has failed to consider the nature of the development of this area and caused hardship to the building industry. However, he failed to find support froni another building supply firm, A. P. Andersen's Lumber Yard. Donald Straughan said business has definitely improved over last year. MORE VISITORS Hotel manager Lou Simkin reported hotel registrations improved over 1959. "There is more activity in the area than there was last year at this time. Travellers and other hotel patrons appear to be getting into the city earlier. Perhaps the mild weather is responsible, but I would have to say business is better." A check with Canadian Pacific Airlines assistant senior passenger agent Joseph Lavoie revealed that January air passages were up more than 200 from 1959, February passenger service at a par and March was down. "While our March, passenger bookings are considerably -lower Uian-^ciol ycarV''Jaffii&ry 'ffata-sucfr a heavy" traffic month'" that we arc going to find ourselves about level with the 1959 figures or perhaps even a little up, depending on wMat happens in the next week or so," he reported. GENERALLY HIGHER Bank managers generally agree that the volume . of business is slightly up over the first three months of 1959. While figures were not available, they agree that lumbering and logging firms have provided a slightly increased volume of business to date. They cautioned, however, that much of the future outlook depends on the length of time the operators are out of business during breakup. Said Bank of Nova Scotia manager Stuart MacLean: "Our peak months actually come in April and May, but business throughout the winter would appear to have been steady or slightly higher." RETAIL OUTLOOK Bill Bunton of Fraser Riv.er Hardware reported that business was slow during January and February but is now picking up. V He said paints and fishing equipment purchases are responsible for the increased trade in the hardware field. Electrical appliance store manager Dave Tracy of S. & S. Electrical Appliances said business during the first two months of 1960 was "terrible" but there has been a definite upswing during* March. lie was unable to make a comparison with 1959 because his firm had only been in business since last October. CREDIT MAINTAINED The manager of a large department store agreed that business was improved and that credit payments were coming in well. "I would say that business in the first part of 1960 is considerably better than a year ago," he reported. Jewelry and women's wear firms also agreed that business has improved and garages find that purchases and repairs follow the same trend. All the firms contacted during the survey feel that a drop in sales and payments may occur shortly with the advent of breakup, but they expect sales to move ahead of the level for last year. Now Hear This... There were 18 drunks up in police court yesterday, which prompted City Prosecutor Peter Wilson to comment: Fine way to observe tent . . . If you were wondering about the unusually brisk traffic in police cars about 5:30 p.m. yesterday, city detachment explains that two calls to pick up two inebriated parties in two separate back lane locations caused the rush. When one car goes out on a call of that nature, another sort of tags along to cover up if necessary . . . City detachment also warns that another type of ticket is going into circulation. These are not for over-parking or other traffic infractions, but ducats to the second annual policeman's ball April 22. They say the orchestra of four which played last year has been increased to six as Rhys Thomas' group will provide the swing 'n' sway at the Civic Centre . . . City Building Inspector Ed Neff is out of action. He's in hospital after losing his appendix . . . Local radio took action after Hear This made public recently where they were getting their news. They sent a man to cover last night's council meeting, all of which helped to overcrowd the already congested press facilities at city hall . . . Men's Wear Merchant Bill Car-michael, who probably sells as many shirts as any man in town, thinks it would be kinda funny if he lost his shirt in his latest venture � a three-quarter section farm at Shelley which he has sown to spuds . . . Clerk is INSTRUCTOR ELLWOOD HENDERSON points out some of the tricks of lumber grading to eager student Jesse Peachey, notebook in hand. Fellow instructor R. Milton Burgess, at right, looks on as the Northern Interior Lumbermen's Association here once again offers its lumber grading course. About 150 are taking the course. , �Hal Vandervoort photo INJUNCTION COVERS QUESNEL JOB Judge Bans Bridge Judge C. W. Morrow issued an njunction Monday against two unions and three individuals fol lowing an application by Benray Bridge Co. Ltd. to "prevent fur :her unlawful interference" with Us Quesncl River Bridge project Injunction was made against the United Brotherhood of Car penters and Joiners of America, he Union's Local 24; Piledrivers Bridge, Dock and Wharf Build ers, Local 2404, 2415 and 1549; their representatives, Victor Midgely, Guy Canning and Ken neth Callis. HANS ROINE . . . New president of the Prince George Rotary Club is Hans Roine who replaces retiring president Charles Cranston. To Buy North-west OTTAWA (CP)�A commons omnjittee Monday approved British Columbia Telephone 'ompany's request for parlia-lcntary authority to buy shares i Northwest Telephone Co. Approval came quickly after company spokesman assured 3.C. CCF MP Erhart Rcgicr, Burnaby-Coquitlani), that "not no cent" of his $0.25 monthly elephohe bill would go into the eal. G. R. Kennedy, company vice-resident for finance, said tele-hone rates arc fixed on the asis of the number of suhscrih-rs served in the area, and in citing rates, wliich arc approv-d by the Board of Transport Commissioners, � the cost of perating alone is involved. No onsideration was given to ex-ansion plans in setting the ates. The bill approved by the com-littee was passed previously by Senate and now goes back the Commons for third and inal reading. Plaintiff was Ray Cunliffc, general manager of the construction firm. About four of the company's 15-mah crew quit the project, and all workers were off the job Friday after Midgely, provincial representative of the Carpenters Union, charged the company wasn't meeting its work agreement. An unofficial picket was formed at the bridge site Friday. The unions made these claims: That the company is paying $1.80 an hour when the union scale for carpenters is $2.98. That straight time is being paid for overtime and that 44-hour basic week is being observed. That these contravene a fair wage clause in the union's contract with the company. That safety conditions are bad. In regard to the last claim, safety inspector Don McEachnie of the Workmen's Compensation Board here said today the job "the was checked last week and operation was in order." However, following a complaint by the union, Mr. McEachnie said he is going to Quesnel today to "look into the matter." "We had no dispute with our employees or with a union representing them," a company statement issued by Mr. Cunliffe said. "As nearly as we can determine some of our men have been improperly persuaded to remain" off the job. "No union has been certified to speak on behalf of these employees and this makes the happenings of the last few days not only unusual but illegal." ARRAN THOMSON By JARVIS WHITNEY (Citizen Staff Reporter) 'City council Monday night named city clerk Arran Thomson acting municipal manager for the balance of 1960. Becoming the city's first manager he fills a position created by a bylaw approved by voters in the last civic elections in December. � The 46-year-old Thomson, who assumes the job on a probationa basis, receives a $100 a month salary increase to $725, but he will also continue his duties as clerk, a position he has held al most five years. PAY HIKE Tax collector Ted Nelson-Ken gets a $55 pay hike to assume the position of assistant clerk but will also continue his cur rent duties as the two men take on three jobs for the remainder of the year. Council will pass a bylaw to spell out duties of the manager whose duties commence official ly April 1. City council will review effect ivencss of the new system ai the end of the year, probably to make a permanent appointment and split the three jobs among three men. Mayor Garvin Dezell explain ed the appointments to the press during the council session im mediately after they had receiv ed council's unanimous approV' al. EXTRA DUTIES He said the city employees had volunteered to undertake the extra duties. "It wasn't our idea It was their own." And, explain ing the delay in acting on the bylaw, he said the appointments were ideal in that overcrowding at city hall made it impossible to find room for a municipal manager's office. City council also felt it wjse to Have a manager completely familiar with city affairs from the onset. Besides recommendations oJ pay hikes for the city clerk and tax collector the finance committee advised a $25 per month hike in salary for comptroller Chester Jeffery . Aid. Charlie Graham said even with the increase the cdmptrol ler's salary was not commensurate with his worth but the committee felt it must recommend some increase to Mr. Jeffery for his efforts which arc "far beyond the call of duty." Duties of the manager-clerk-collector complex are expected to be set clown by council shortly. ass to Improve 0 gig ft |�w� Plans for the proposed addition to city hall, which had jumped from one to two storeys, are now back at the one storey stage. But the one storey addition now planned will be larger than the first proposed. City council has instructed town planner Des Parker to redesign a one-storey addition, increasing floor area from 1,100 to 1,500 feet. Increase in the size would allow not only for the proposed new council chambers but two or three offices to provide even greater relief from overcrowding in current quarters. Only cost estimate available for the addition puts value of the proposal at about $20,000. The Prince George Golf Club last night elected a new slate of officers during their annual meeting at the Golf Club. Finlay Young was elected president of the club, succeeding Matt Briggs. Irving Hill was lccled vice president and Mark Thibaudeau secretary. John Mclnnis, Ralph Estcs, Bob Clements and Ev Kayner were elected to the executive while Ford Wray was named to succeed Cliff Dezell as Club Captain. A recommendation that the golf club suspend the initiation "ee of $25 for anyone joining the club before April 30 was adopted at the meeting. This would jring the fee down to $50. \ City council Monday night ac cepted a bid of $7,777 from F. Drexell Co. Ltd. of Vancouver for installation of a suspended fiberglass ceiling to improve ae coustics and appearance of the Civic Centre. The company said it could in stall the ceiling in three weeks after materials arrived and the city is honing the job can be done before a heavy round of conventions slated for the building in May. Previously it had been thought there was no chance of having a ceiling in the centre by then. Most important feature is that OTTAWA (CP) � Some tidy sums are being tucked away in Eskimo savings but northern youngsters need more vocational training, it was suggested Monday. The development of Eskimo co-operatives- has netted some handy cash, the Eskimo advisory committee was told on the first clay of its two-day session. Dr. P. E. Moore, director of Indian and northern health services for the federal health department, predicted that the need for greater Eskimo employment is going to grow. Canada's 10,500 Eskimo population may double in 25 years, he said. Perhaps a third could continue hunting and trapping and another third might gain northern employment but the surplus might have to come south. He suggested the government might consider a selection program for vocational training and said his own section is anxious to use more Eskimo nurses, ward aides and other staff in northern hospitals. roof panels can be taken out easily to allow reinforcing ol trusses in the building, which town planner Des Parker said was absolutely necessary with the additional weight of the ceiling. He said, however, that truss reinforcement could be delayed but no longer than the latter part of this year. The ceiling and truss work is estimated at about $15,000. City council moved to consider in closed session an offer from the Coliseum architects lo pay more than $3,400 for alterations to eaves on the building which freeze in winter and cause damage to the building's exterior. . The city favors a more expensive remedial measure, to which the architects would forward the $3,400 and no more. Council is discussing which measure to adopt. The eaves problem follows the city's victory in having contractor C. J. Oliver pay for reinforcing of trusses in the building which, too, did not meet specifications. A further action pends regarding the Coliseum. The city is seeking an unknown amount for loss of revenue, during the period the building was closed as a safety measure, from a Mr. Clayton of the firm of Russell and DuMoulin. Teachers Get Paid; School Can Reopen NOTRE DAME de la LORETTE, Que. (CP) � Eight :eachers who refused to work ast Monday are to reopen school today. They had refused to report for work because they had lot been paid since December. The teachers have since been paid their January and February alaries. Fire Razes Shelley Fire of unknown origin destroyed Shelley Sawmills Ltd. sawmill and planing mill shortly after noon today. Damage is estimated at close to $300,000, fully insured.. Only the green chain, loading platform and burner were left. The mill normally employs 100 men double shift all sunmier. It had been shut down since November but was due to open shortly. Chairman Claude Hampton announced today the three-man arbitration board formed to review School District 57's 1960 budget will begin hearings Monday at 10 a.m. Locke to Represent Gun Club at Meeting George Locke last night was chosen as the 'Prince George,Rod and Gun Club representative to the Federation of B.C. Game Club convention in Penticton May 5, 6 and 7. Locke is also one of the local club's delegates to the North Central Zone Rod and Gun Club. Service Interrupted On CNR and PGE Derailments in northern B.C. Monday knocked out both Canadian Nationajand Pacific Great Eastern rail lines, interrupting service in one case more than 24 hours. At last report the CNR main line at Quick, 19 miles east of Smithers, was still out of service following the larger derailment of the two, in which 19 cars of a 91 car freight left the rails. Officials said the line was expected to be cleared by early this afternoon. Nobody was injured in the wreck, cause of which is undetermined. Railway cars loaded with barley, coal and bulk sulphur jumped the tracks as the freight traveled westward toward Smithers, causing extensive track damage and causing one sulphur loaded car to burn. Only train held up was yesterday's eastbound passenger train. Passengers were taken around the wreck scene by bus and continued on their journey. PGE traffic was back to normal today, following Monday's derailment of five cars of a freight train three miles south of Quesnel. No one was injured in the derailment, which is being investigated. Southbound passengers were taken around the derailment monday by bus, from Quesnel to Clinton. Northbound passengers were taken by bus from Williams Lake to Quesnel. A nine-month-old child escaped injury Monday night when an over-heated oil stove set fire to the wall of a house at 1767 Ingle-dew. Fire department spokesman said today the child of Mr. and Mrs. Fern Bcaulac had been left alone in the house while the parents visited neighbors. The father returned to the liousc and discovered the blaze. He took the child from the house. A doctor was called and the youngster was found to have suffered no ill effects. Fire Chief August Dornbiercr said further investigation is be-ng made into the incident. Intoxication Fines Donald Gray, charged with intoxication under the Indian Act, vas fined $10 or, in default, one lour, in police court today. Also fined for intoxication were Walter P. Andreychuk, $25, and Karel Slama, $10. The Rod and Gun Club also decided last night to award trophies to the hunters turning in the biggest set of moose and deer horns during the hunting season. A third trophy will go to the hunter turning in the largest black bear skull. This trophy has been donated to the club by George Kortvelyessy. The club also decjded to hold a iJaiii Shoot at ihe'iiido'or range in the basement of the Civic Centre April 8 and another one at the trap range on April 10. Jim Brown and Korlvelyessy were chosen to head the trap shooting committee. Plans arc also being finalized for the Rod and Gun Club banquet in the Hotel Simon Fraser on April 29. .1 O H A N NESBORG <(T) � Tense quiet settled over Scarred Negro townships in South Africa today after an pi'gy of violence that left at least two dead, untold injured and many buddings burned. Police combed the areas for tho hoodlums who turned Monday's clay of mourning into six hours of concentrated bedlam. Col. J. C. Lcmmer, deputy commissioner of police in Johannesburg; said four Negroes have boon arrested in connection with the killing of a Negro constable and the wounding of three others. The body or a Negro civilian .va.s found besides a badly dam-awed automobile. if others were killed In the terror which swept through "our townships, their bodies have not been found, Lemmer said. Reports from 'Capetown said that although its settlements were quiet this morning, Negroes were still staying away from work. Police said they expected further trouble as Negroes were reported burning their identity passes. WEATHER Cloudy with snow flurries today and Wednesday. Turning a little colder. Winds northerly lo. Low tonight and high Wednesday at Prince George and Smithers, 20 and 33; Quesncl, 30 and 38. Peace Hiycv Ucgion Cloudy early Wednesday clearing in the afternoon. Snow ending Wednesday morning. Not quite so cold. Winds southwesterly 15. Low.tonight and iiigh Wednesday at Grande Prairie, 5 and 20. I-rfist 21 Hours Lo Hi Precip. Prince George. 27 33 .02 Terrace ....... 30 42 .03 Smithers ....'"' 2G 38 .13 � Quesnel .......... 30 44 � Kamloops ........ 42 5(5 � Dawson Creek "> 17 -22 Fort St. John 0 12 .20 Fort Nelson.. -12 S .07 While-horse .... y 11J tr.