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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1953-03-19, Page 2PaEe2 THE TIMES-APVOCATE, EXETER, ONTARIO, THURSDAY MORNING, MARCH 19, 1953 This journal shall always figrjit for progress, reform and public welfare, never be afraid tp at- tack wrong, never belong to any political party, never be satisfied with merely printing news. THURSDAY MORNING, MARCH 19, 1953 Reminder Disastrous Fire Can Strike Anywhere Good Question A good question is asked by The St. Marys Journal-Argus: How does it come about that the Ontario Government, which is made up of members who mostly repre­ sent rural areas, has been able to put through a one-sided grant system which leans heavily to the big population areas on a per capita sliding scale, basis ? “Are the representatives from the more rural localities speechless when it comes to policy making? “The result of the grant system an­ nounced a fortnight ago means that greater Toronto will receive subsidies amounting to $4 per person while smaller centres get a lot less (London $2.75, St. Marys $1.60 and townships $1.50) to do the same work. “The point to remember in this appar­ ently unfair distribution of subsidies is that the man on the back street in a small vil­ lage or town pays just as much gasoline tax, just as much entertainment tax, and all the other levies as the fellow in Toronto. He. usually pays a higher rate for many other commodities too, such as hydro power, so why the difference in subsidy?” We’d like to. know the answer to that one ourselves. # Representation In our opinion, 'Com Prvde, M.L.A. for Huron, is a good representative in the legis­ lature. His recent remarks during the de­ bate on the throne speech strengthened our belief. As a member of the party in power, Mr. Prvde naturally commended the govern­ ment for the excellent work it is doing. But, unlike most government supporters in the legislature or parliament, his speech con­ tained not all praise. He asked for more effective government action with respect to the regulation of cemeteries; more grants made on a popula­ tion basis; a ban on synthetic dairy pro­ ducts. These opinions indicate that while he is an ardent supporter of the government, Mr. Prvde realizes that his party is not perfect or that its policies cannot be im­ proved and he is not afraid to publicly state his personal opinions even if they differ slightly from those of his party. We believe that too many provincial and federal representatives are just puppets of their party. Perhaps they have their say in the closed party caucuses, but once out­ side in the public eye they seem to support their party whole hog. They swallow the policy hook, line and anchor—at least for the benefit of the public. The attitude appears to be that if any man does not agree with his party he is a traitor, an ingrate or a rebel. We feel this attitude is wrong in a de­ mocracy and that it is not conducive to good representation. Democracy thrives on debate and de­ bate thrives on the expression of opinion. It is the airing of personal opinions which serves to form sound collective decisions. It surely is no sin to disagree with the opinion of the majority and to express pub­ licly those vie'ws. We send our representatives to Toronto and Ottawa to investigate our problems and present solutions as they see fit. We don't send them there just to follow the party line. More open discussions „on policy would be healthier for political parties and for the country, too. ** * * * * Note And Comment The success story of South Huron’s campaign to build a hospital is gaining wide attention. From New Brunswick, a subscriber sends a copy of The Moncton Transcript which features an article on the new hospital. Local residents have noticed the story in papers they receive from a dis­ tance. Wfc Cxeter The; fire which destroyed the Lucan public school should cause school trustees and custodians of public property to investi­ gate the amount of protection these build­ ings and the -people who use them have against the damages of fire. In the face of constantly rising costs of construction, insurance coverage should be cheeked regularly to see that it is ade­ quate, All types of fire extinguishers, fire escapes and fire alarms should be inspected frequently. Fire drills, to remove pupils from buildings as quickly as possible, should be constantly practiced. This by no means is meant to suggest that the trustees or staff of the Lucan pub­ lic school were in any way negligent in their duties in this regard; the example is used only to point out that the possibility of fire is always at hand and that we must constantly be prepared to meet an outbreak. ?v* # w Another Lesson Once again we learn the difference be­ tween “duplicity” and “duplication”. “Duplicity” means deception, falsehood, double-dealing, “Duplication” means the State of being duplicated. In an editorial supporting the Red Cross and Crippled Children campaigns last week, we stated: “It is unfortunate that these two campaigns are being conducted at the same time. Perhaps both will suffer be­ cause of the duplicity.” We meant “duplication”, of course. Our apologies to the Societies concerned. . £• -X- * Can Help The newly-formed-Bxeter Businessmen’s Association can be a big factor in stimulat­ ing trade and general improvements in town. Over 60 merchants have joined the as­ sociation so that it has a good ^beginning. How active the members are will determine the success of the venture. It is not an easy thing for merchants to sit down to discuss problems and come to a decision which will be favorable to all. The real test of the Association’s strength will be the willingness of members to abide by the decisions of the majority and co­ operate in the various projects approved. By working together, the merchants can achieve more effective results for the good of the town and the community than they can individually. All will agree with this principle; it is when the actual projects are proposed that differences may arise. If these questions are settled amicably and co­ operatively and the work is carried on with vigor and earnestness, the results will be favorable. Residents of the town and farmers in the community may wonder how such an organization will affect them. If successful, it will create more and better services for them; it will create greater good-will and a better shopping area. * * * Canadian Wit And Wisdom What a pity it is that marryin* spoils courtin’.—T. C. Haliburton, 1853 After all the easiest way to get money is to earn it.—Peter McArthur, 1903 Hard hearts and soft heads generally go together.-—John MacNaughton, 1946 Mating is like dinner-hour; the more fashionable you are the later it occurs.— Arthur Stringer, 1929 As far as I can judge, not much good can be done without disturbing something or somebody.*—Edward Blake, 1874 Any man that understands horses, has a pretty considerable fair knowledge of women, for they are just alike in temper, and require the same identical treatment. Incourage the timid ones, be gentle and steady with the fractious, and lather the sulky ones like blazes.—T. 0. Haliburton, 1836 Jottings By J.M.S. Visions Of Fame And Wealth Speaking last week of the first automobiles, recalls visions that Bill Beer and I once had of be­ coming famous and wealthy. At that time all cars had to be cranked by hand. It was not only a difficult but dangerous pro­ cedure. Often the engine would backfire with the result that the crank would swing backwards, sometimes striking the wrist and fracturing a bone. When the engine balked, one had to crank it until they were blue in the face and some of' the words used are not to be found in the Eng­ lish dictionary. The whole thing was an arduous and provoking experience. It looked as though there was a fortune in it for someone who would invent something to start the engine quickly. Bill Beer, who owned the har­ ness making and- electrical shop now owned by R. E. Russell, was using acetylene gas for repair work and conceived the idea of piping a small quantity of the gas through a rubber tube into the manifold of the car. A hole was drilled and a petcock insert­ ed. Then came the big experi­ ment. The gas was turned in and away went the engine on the first turn of the crank. The operation was repeated several times with the same results each time. I don’t know how I came into the picture, but Bill and I were always tinkering and gypsying and so I became a silent partner in the new discovery. Imagine the ecstacy of two young inventors who thought they had discovered something for which the world was waiting. The next step was to continue the experiment on some other car that had a reputation for difficult starting. I remember going to the late E. A. Follick, who conducted a bakery business in the building now used as Statton’s pool-room. Mr. Follick was a wonderful friend of the Southcott family. He had a Ford car which in those days was a much-prized possession. When I put the proposition up to Mr. Follick he consented to allow us to go ahead with the experiment but he was not al­ together enthusiastic. I have thought of him a good .many times since. How many of us today would allow a couple of young fellows to try out some new experiment on a car we prized so highly. I also think of the nerve we had in asking. But our enthusiasm about the new discovery was what prompted us, and Mr. Follick did not let us down. But the bubble burst aiid to our chagrin and dismay after making the second experiment, it failed to function as we had hoped it would and our visions of wealth and fame vanished. That was in the days of the First World War. Bill Beer was a natural-born mechanic. He supplied the means and the brains and we lent a little moral support. I recall going to Grand Bend with Bill and selling Wil­ liam Elsie, who ran a booth and merry-go-round on the main street, his first Ford car, It was second hand and in good condi­ tion. The thing that stands out was that Mr. Elsie went upstairs, brought down six rolls of bills each containing one hundred dollars and we came home feel­ ing like millionaires. At that time radio was in its infancy and the only radios avail­ able were home-made sets. The manufacturers provided the drawings and the parts. The first radio to come to Exeter was built by Fred Heaman, son of the late W. J. Heaman, I was invited over to their home on a Sunday after­ noon and heard the first music and voices to come over the air in Exeter. Along with the music and voices was considerable static, but the fact of hearing for the first time, voices over the air was a great thrill., Quite a few home-made sets followed. Mr. Beer built one of the Sets and he and I took it to HensaH aiid set it up in the home of Mr. J. Dinsdale, who was then an invalid. Sunday after, noons a number of his *friends would gather at his home to listen to the programs. TIMES" 50 YEARS AGO Farmers in this section have taken advantatage of continued spring-like weather during the past two weeks and have con­ siderable plowing done. Some have already done spring seed­ ing. Mr. Dan Davis took a load of meat weighing 1,600 pounds to London. Within a few miles of the city, his wagon wheels be­ came stuck in the mud up to the axles. Extra horses failed to free it and a street car was used be­ fore the wagon was freed from the sea of mud. Mr. Davis in­ tends to ask the city to pay for damages to his wagon, Mr. A. Q. Bolder is in Dresden in connection with the sugar beet industry and there is a pos­ sibility a factory may be built here in the near future. Ross and Taylor have just completed their new brick plan­ ing mill and are installing new machinery, They have been in business since 1877. 25 YEARS AGO Reeve C. B. Snell presented a. plan to council he believed would reduce taxes and at the same time-’ make permanent improve­ ments on niain traveled side streets. He thinks roads can be improved for less than it now costs to keep them in repair. Council have secured prices and estimates for crushed stone covered with tarvia. At James Street parsonage on March 14, Jean Evelyn Walper and Frank K. Parsons were mar­ ried'by Rev. Duncan McTavish. High School commencement wa* held in the Opera House. The program was directed by W. R. Goulding. Principal E. J. Wethey presented the diplomas and scholarships were presented by J. G. Stanbury. High School entrance scholarship was pre­ sented to Joseph Creech; Form 1, general proficiency to Mar­ garet L. Penliale, Anna Kathleen Wiseman, Ivan L. Stewart; Form 2, Hazel Eleanor -Hay, Mary Isabel Russell, Irene Rierljng; middle school, J, Alexander Ad­ dison, Harry Joynt; upper school, Ella 0. Morjock, Newell R. Gieger. 15 YEARS AGO Mr. Clayton P. Walker, 74, died at Oakwood Park, Grand Bend. Mr. Walker has developed one of the most beautiful spots along the lake, He has built a club house and laid out a golf course and done much to make the Bend the popular resort it has become. Hilda L. Sims was married to Robert W. Turnbulll by Rev. Donald Gladman of the Crediton United Church. W. G. Medd, Rev. Bremner, of Brucefield, and Dr. Moir, of Hensall, attended a convention of the Ontario Temperance Fede­ ration in Toronto where Dr. Moir was one of the principal speak­ ers. 10 YEARS AGO Mrs. John Cox died as the re­ sult of an accident while return­ ing from London in a blinding snow storm, March 1. The Car in which she was a passenger, collided with a London truck. Norm McDonald suffered a fractured back in a 25-foot fall while working inside a silo on the farm of B. W.'Williams, of Usborne, Stewart Fuke, who has com­ pleted his honor course in Busi­ ness Administration at U. of W.O., has enlisted for aircrew with the R.C.A.F. A cablegram received by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Anderson, an­ nounced the marriage of tlieir son F/O Jack Anderson to Doris Winton of Dundee, Scotland. Charles Salter, employee of Exeter Creamery, has been ap­ pointed county constable and will fill a vacancy at Wingham soon. News From Our NEIGHBORS Times Established 1873 Amalgamated 1921 Advocate Established 1881 Published Each Thursday Morning at Exeter, Ontario An Independent Newspaper Devoted to the interests of the Town of Exeter and District Authorized as Second Class Mail, Post Office Department, Ottawa Member of the Canadian Weekly Newspaper Association Member of the Ontario*Quebec Division of the CWNA Member Of the Audit Bureau of Circulation Paid-in-Advance Circulation as of March, 1952 — 2,534 SUBSCRIPTION RATES Canada, in advance, $3.09 a year — United States, in advance, $1.00 a year Single Copies Each X Melvin Southcott « j^ublisherst * Robert Sou th colt PREPARING FOR SPRING SHOWERS? — Yes, it’s a gag, folks. It’s one dreamed up by the publicity men connected With the Men’s Apparel Fair in Toronto to publicise pirate costumes for gals’ masquerades. No, no, that's not it at all. It’s to publicize men’s waferproof clothing, and the pirate, beauty queen Thelma Brewis, is just in the photo to pour the water. Or, that's what the publicity men say. —C.I’.C. “Notice how soft the bristles feel to the scalp.” ... ■ I AQUAftiuiyl I "Why—l-ya—was just trying to get in a little plug for my sponsor!" Pour School Frame Cold weather this month, the most wintery month of this win­ ter, has held up operations at the new St. Marys District'Collegiate Institute. The contractors how­ ever, are taking advantage of the warmer weather of yesterday and today to pour a large section of the concrete slab which will form the upper floor of this modern fireproof building. While the concreting is in progress, extra men are employed. (St. Marys Journal-Argus) Hobby Show One of the most successful evenings ever sponsored by St. Stephen Ladies’ Guild, Arkona, was held in the Legion Hall, Ar­ kona, Wednesday of last week. Various hobbies were presented by young and old alike. These included antiques, quilts, af- glians, ceramics, mats, needle­ point, crocheting, knitting, coins, stamps, salts and peppers, Indian relics, paintings, jewellery, jig­ saws, word working carvings, blind craft, pen knives, match covers and others. (Parkhill Gazette) Tax Rato 72 Mills At a special meeting of Coun­ cil planned for Monday evening, March 16, the Finance Commit­ tee will recommend that a mill rate of 72 mills be levied in Clinton this year. This increase from the 55 mill -rate of 1952, is, in part, made up of the 11 mills made necessary by the add­ ed maintenance costs of the Clinton Public School and the new Public School debenture cost. In addition is an increase of 1.7 mills in the County of Huron levy. This proposed .mill rate is to be levied on Clinton’s total assess­ ment of $1,772,480.98. (Clinton News-Record) Wins Fiddlers’ Contest Nelson Howe, of Cromarty, placed first in the rural section of the Old Time Fiddlers' com­ petition held in connection with the Middlesex Seed Fair at Lou­ don last week. (Mitchell Advocate) Baldwins Win Round Seaforth Baldwins put the cap, a crown for themselves, on the OHA Junior ‘B’ round-robin play­ down series in London Tuesday night as they drew a 2-2 tie with Lou Balls, after 70 minutes of close and hard-checking hockey. The tie gave the locals the one point needed to pull out of a jirst-place deadlock with Sarnia. The one point for London wasn’t enough to take them out of the cellar spot. After Tuesday’s game, the last of the round-robin schedule, Seaforth sits on top with nine points. Sarnia, who play here Thursday of this week in the first of a best-three-in- five playoff series, owns eight points in the middle, and Lon­ don, the eliminated club, finish with seven. (Huron Expositor) Continue Search For Oil The Imperial Oil Company is conducting a survey of Ashfield Township in the never-ending search for oil lands. Options are being sought on a considerable acreage of land, including sites on Concesion 6, Ashfield and in the Kingsbridge-Kintail district. Land options have previously been taken up by another com­ pany in West Wawanosh and Kinloss Townships. The crew has now moved into Huron Township. First test Well is being made in Colborne Town­ ship near Holmesville and the shaft is now down about 1,000 feet. (Goderich Signal Star) JASPER By Simpkins Mafcisans’ Magaaw y “This is (he first time it's over shrunk?’