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The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1953-04-30, Page 2Page 2 THE TIMES-ADVOCATE, EXETER, ONTARIO, THURSDAY MORNING, APRIL 30, 1953 This journal shall always fight for progress, reform and public welfare, never he afraid to at tack wrong, never belong to any political party, never be satisfied with merely printing news. THURSDAY MORNING, APRIL 30, 1953 Encouraging Everyone Can Help Secure Industry Good Festival The second annual South Huron Music Festival, held last week, was a decided suc cess. The compliments of the adjudicator, F. J. Holton of Brantford, are especially significant since, they reflect his comparison of the local festival with others in the pro vince. He noted the standard of music was high and the organization of the festival was efficient. For the children, music teacher^, and parents, the festival gave enthusiastic en couragement. The event is certainly raising the interest in and quality of music in the district. Our congratulations go to the Huronia Male Chorus and its members who sponsor the event.* * * * Support A meeting of officials interested in the proposal to establish a public park in the Pinery recommended that the Ausable Au thority instigate a public relations campaign to sell the need of this park to the residents of Western Ontario. Some who attended the meeting said sections of the district might be reluctant to provide funds for the project since they knew little about it. They need to be "sold” on the necessity of preserving the Pinery for a park. In view of this situation, a strong pub lic relations campaign is necessary and should be launched as soon as possible. Pub lic support must be evident before munici pal bodies will contribute to the project. Some disagreement has been voiced with the suggested method of financing— $15,000 from each of Huron, Lambton and Middlesex counties and the cities of London and Sarnia over a three-yeear period. Popu lation and assessment figures vary among these municipalities, it is argued. Others in sist the provincial government should pay the entire cost. As pointed out in an earlier editorial, we do not agree that the province should finance the project alone. There is no rea son why the government should spend mdn- ey contributed by all residents of the pro vince for the park unless the area concerned shows sufficient interest to make a distinct contribution. If the surrounding area shows it is behind the project, then the govern ment should make a substantial contribution, as suggested in the report. The distribution of costs over* the area can be argued for many years but it is doubtful if any proposal would arise which would be exactly equitable. The suggested method distributes the cost so that no particular community is too severely affected financially. Small towns and villages in the interested counties have raised $15,000 for community projects all by themselves. Spread over a three-year per iod, the counties and cities should be able to raise this money without too much trou ble. There can be little doubt of the neces sity of the park. If we're going to get it, we’ll have to sacrifice a little for it,* * * * Canadian Wit And Wisdom Hope is a pleasant acquaintance but an unsafe friend. (T. C. Haliburton, 1853.) As a matter of fact your neighbors think just as disagreeable thoughts about you as you think about them. (Bob Edwards, 1917.) Happiness lies in the absorption of some vocation which satisfies the soul. (Sir William Osler, 1891.) We should try to arrange ourselves so that we will appear as plausible as possible to posterity. (R. D. Cumming, 1915.) We have a habit of continually worry ing about the problems of other countries in order to keep from worrying about our own. (H. A. Innis, 1939.) As far as I can judge, not much good can be done without disturbing something or somebody. (Edward Blake, 1874.) There are times when it requires more courage to Stand still than to go ahead. (John Oliver, premier of B.C. 1918-1927.) The work of the Industrial Committee of Exeter council is encouraging. Efforts of the two members to organize a promotion campaign are commendable. Mayor W. G. Cochrane’s recent optimis tic statement on the prospects of bringing industry into the town will be heartening to residents, It reflects the encouragement he and Councillor R, D. Jermyn received from the Ontario Department of Planning and Development. The department indicates there are many firms inquiring about the establishment of factories or branches in Ontario and that, coupled with the trend of decentralization, means municipalities who are wide awake may take advantage of these opportunities to attract industry, As a result of this conference, both Mayor Cochrane and Councillor Jermyn feel certain industry can be acquired if the pro per promotion is organized. This will mean, initially, the publication of an informative brochure on the advantages offered by the tourn, -which can be distributed among places of industrial contact. It also means the es tablishment of an active committee which will interview business leaders and welcome and assist them to inspect the facilities of the town. It is important, too, that residents be come conscious of industrial promotion. At every opportunity, they should mention to their out-of-town and city friends of Exeter's desire and advantages for an industry. If each citizen would boast of our new schools, our parks and recreation centres, our arena, our hospital, our clean and at tractive town, it is quite possible these ad vantages might reach the ears of an expand ing industry. Everyone should be a com munity booster. One important advantage we have is the quantity of skilled labor -which -will soon be available when the construction at RCAF Station Centralia is completed. It would be very convenient for an industry to move in and utilize this asset before it moves away. The type of industry which might locate here is not particularly important. It is, of course, important that it should be a credit able industry—a firm that has bright pros pects and with leaders who have a good re putation. Two or three small industries would be more desireable than one large industry be cause of the effect a shutdown might have. Communities who are geared to the tune of one large manufacturing firm sometimes find themselves in difficulty in times of strikes or recessions.* * * * Commendable The cooperation of Fred C. Walker, of Grand Bend, who optioned 38 acres of his land to the Ausable Authority for an en trance to the proposed park, is commend able. Mr. Walker* gave the Authority first rights to buy the land at the evalution price set in the report without argument — a unique case in these days when most private owners attempt to secure as much money as thej'- can from government or public pur chases. Mr. Walker has also shown a rare atti tude towards the preservation of forest areas. He has taken considerable pains to maintain fire guards on his property to pre vent tlie spreading of fire and he has regu lated the growth of trees to the best advan tage of the forest. His cooperation with the Authority and his own attempts at conserva tion deserve praise.* * * * Progressive Step The. Hensall recreation council, which has been established recently, will be an asset to that community. It has only recently been recognized that the value of proper recreation facilities and organization to a community is relatively high. A municipal council is the best method to regulate these activities. We extend congratulations to the leaders in Hensall who have organized this body. Cxeter ^imes ^bbocate Times Established 1873 Amalgamated 1924 Advocate Established 1881 Published Each Thursday Morning at Exeter, Ontario An Independent Newspaper DOvOted to the Interests of the Town of Exeter and District Authorized m Second Class Mall, Post Office Department, Ottawa Member of the Canadian Weekly Newspaper Association Member of th© Ontario-Quebec Division of tli6 CWNA Member Of the Audit Bureau of Circulation Paid-in-Advance Circulation as of March, 1952 2,534 SUBSCRIPTION RATES Canada, in advance, $3.00 a year United States, in advance, $4.00 a year Single Copies Bach J, Melvin Southcott * Publisher* « Robert Southcott tiiltiiiiniiiitniiniiiiiiitiiHuoiiHiiinoiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiHUiuuiiui As the "TIMES" Go By 50 YEARS AGO Mr. Charles Down occupied the pulpit of James St. Church on Sunday evening last. Mr. Down is the son of Mr. John Down of this place and is a pro bationer for the -Methodist mini stry. He has just been writing his annual examination papers. Mr. E. C. Pickard has very successfully passed his final examination at the Royal College of Dental Surgeons and is now admitted as a licentiate of dental surgery In Ontario, Mr. W. L. Talbot, who, over a year ago, purchased the baazar known as Levett’s Fair, last week disposed of his business to Mr. J. Charlton, a resident of Exeter for the past four years. Mr. Thomas Fitton, who lias been in the jewellery trade here continuously for more than 35 years, retired this week from active business life and has dis posed of his stock to his son, Mr. Saxon Fitton, who has been associated with him in the business. 25 YEARS AGO At a meeting of ratepayers called to hear the report of the committee appointed to visit the school, Reeve C. B. Snell pre sided and called upon the mem bers of the committee who re ported rooms overcrowded and sanitary conditions poor. After much discussion, it was moved that the whole matter of pro viding adequate accomodation at the school, be left with the council and board of education/ The Town Hall was packed to hear Herman Gower deliver an address “The Future of Canada.” Mr. Gower has won several con tests and next week will com pete in Massey Hall, Toronto, for tlie championship of Ontario. The meeting, at which Dr. J. H. Browning also spoke on the im portance of pure milk and drink ing water, was sponsored by the Women’s Institute. Mrs. J. C. Gardiner, Usborne, was in Ottawa last week attend ing the national convention of Liberal Women, by special in vitation from the Rt. Hon. W. L. McKenzie King, Prime Minister of Canada. 15 YEARS AGO Miss Reta Rowe sailed from Montreal on the liner Duchess of Bedford, for a six-weeks’ holiday in England and Scotland. *The Huron Presbytery of the United Church of Canada met in ■Main St. Church this week, with the Rev. A. E. Elliott presiding. Rev. A. V. Robb of Bluevale, was elected Presbytery chairman for the ensuing year. A relay team from Exeter High School carried off bronze medals for second prize when they competed in an indoor race meet at Hamilton last Saturday. Over 250 delegates attended Huron Presbyterial of the WMS held in James St. United Church this week. 1O YEARS AGO Anna. Grace Snell became the bride of Aubrey C. Farquhar, of Bippen, in a pretty Easter wed ding on Saturday, April 24, at the home of her mother, Mrs. John Snell. Lions Clubs of Huron County decided to sponsor war gardens. The Exeter Club will investigate the possibility of planting eight to 10 acres of potatoes if the seed and land can be secured. A memorial service for. P/O Harry Anderson was attended by 500 on Sunday afternoon in Thames Road United Church. P/O Anderson, son of James and the late Mrs. Anderson, was a teacher in the community before his enlistment. He was assumed dead after an attack on German war vessels early in 1942. Henry Squire observed his ninety-fourth birthday with his family of three sons and six daughters with him. A birthday cake with 94 candles centred the table around which the family gathered. News From Our NEIGHBORS Send Grader To Algiers A 107 horsepower grader, made by the Dominion Road Machinery Company Limited, Goderich, will this summer be working on roads in Algiers, North Africa. It is being made now in Goderich and will be shipped early in June. A smaller •one, a 47 li.p. grader, was ship ped to the same country from Goderich last November. Among recent shipments to foreign countries from this Gode rich firm has been: a grader to Pakistan in January of this year; grader blades to New Zealand in 1951; a Sho Bio to Norway about a year ago. (Goderich Signal-Star) Confusing Time The rather annoying Daylight Saving Time is again being thrust upon us whether we like it or not. Of Course our higher- ups are very lenient about it. They tell us we can have our choice in observing it of not, but who would Want to put up witli the nuisance of going about with your clock and other routine an hour behind everyone else. (Zurich Hetald) Midland Won’t Accept I’Oew Wee Challenge Judging from the lack of re sponse, Midland doesn't seem to wants its AlbCanada pee wee hockey championship team to meet Godetich Lions pee Wees in a home-and-home two-game ser ies. , According to 'Nip' Whetstone, Midland has failed to accept the challenge issued by Goderich aftef tlie local youngsters won the Young • Canada Week title Jottings By J.M.S. Without News For A Week I was asked last week if I re membered the time when there was a suqw blockade in Exeter and the hotels were filled with passengers from the London, Huron and Bruce Railway and with the trainmen who spent days in fighting the drifts.. It was in March, 1909, that Canada suffered its worst tie-up in the history of railroading. At one time during that 'month 2,500 railway cars were tied up at the Suspension Bridge at Niagara Falls and there was an acute coal shortage in Ontario. The storm struck this district the last day of February ajid tied up traffic for 10 days. On that • morning the train from London got as far as Exeter and could go no farther. Passenger traffic in those days was usually heavy as it was the only means of travel. The train from the north got within a few miles of Clinton and was also stalled. Heavy engines with snowplows were brought in to buck the drifts. The section gang com prised Charles Birney as foreman and Robert Sanders and G. Easterbrook as section-men. Ad ditional crews were rounded up and the workmen almost filled a passenger car while shovels and tools were stored in the caboose. There were two engines. Drifts of snow that had been piled up were so high that the workmen could hang their coats atop the telegraph poles. One engine would practically bury itself iu a drift and the tnen would >get out and shovel the engine out. One gang would throw the snow to one level and another gang shovel it over the top, By March 7 the track was cleared as far as Kippen and the train came up in the morning from London and backed down at night.On Friday, March 4, the engine and snowplow left the track about one-half mile south of Centralia, the plow taking the west ditch and the engine the east. Both succeeded in almost burying themselves in the snow, having run some 25 to 30 rods over and through ice and snow, coming to a standstill in a cul vert. The engineer and fireman had a narrow escape and saved themselves by jumping through the cab window. The following week a passen ger train from the south got within a mile of Exeter when the engine left the tracks and almost buried itself in the snow and earth, The passengers were shaken up considerably but no one was injured to any extent and all walked into town carrying their baggage with them. The track was cleared by the following night. On Sunday, March 8, two car loads of coal for W. H. Levett arrived in Exeter and was dis tributed in small lots to around 100 homes. At one time there were IQ engines at the Exeter station, according to Wellington Hem, who was one of the workmep. He was op one of. the trains when it was derailed near Kippen. The train crews rap out of fuel for the engines and ip order to keep the engines from freez ing used up several large piles of wood from the near-by Exeter salt block. There was no radio in those days and for a week Exeter was without a daily paper or news of the outside world. Someone drove to London and brought the mail back. The roads were heavy and filled with pitch-holes. Only those who have driven oyer pitch-holes will know what they were like. In some of the holes you could bury a cutter. Cutter riding was just one jolt after another. The winter of 1904 was very cold. During the first three months of the year there were only three deaths iu the village. Tlie trainmen during the storm made their headquarters at the Metropolitan Hotel, then run by Miss Sadie Hays, who succeeded' her father. There was a lively time during their stay, as many practical jokes were carried out. The playing of cards or of dom inoes. in hotels was against the law in those days but the law was not always kept. Canadiana By JIM GIIEENBLAT Huron County Crop Report By G. W. MONTGOMERY during the series here two weeks ago. Members of the Goderich Lions Club hockey committee felt a match between the two squads would provide a real thriller, since Midland defeated Winnipeg for the title, and Goderich came out on top of 32 teams to take the Young Canada title. But with the hockey season just about on its last legs, it looks as if such a series won’t be arranged after all. (Goderich Signal-Star) Local tShuiThes Vote For Union In a vote taken by the mem bers of the congregations of the two St. Marys Presbyterian Churches from the first to the fifteenth of April, on the ques tion of the union of the con gregations of First Presbyterian Church and the Knox Presby terian Church, it is reported the results were in favor of the union. According to reliable In formation First Church members cast 125 votes in favour and 52 votes against and Knox cast 72 Votes for and 62 against, The matter is now before the Strat- ford Presbytery. (St. Matys Journal-Argus) A man touring Europe sent back to his son a picture post card Which bore the following message; “Dear Soft: Ort the other aide you Will see h picture of the rock from Which the Spar tans threw their defective child ren. Wish you were here,—bad?* • Canadiana: A new kind of aerial blitz was undertaken in the Wetaskiwin and Camrose areas of Alberta when thousands of strychnine bombs (lard and poison mixed in dixie cups) were dropped over 108 miles of water courses and shore lines, aimed at decimating the coyote population . . . • at Boissevain, Man., Mr. Williams brought-to the Recorder office a dog tag license dated 1899 ... proudly the Fraser Valley Record of Mission City, B.C., gets statistical, tells that the CPR moved 1615 carloads out of the area last year, includ ing 900 of forest products worth around $8,500,000 . . . cabinet ministers are pikers; at Edmon ton the salaries of the mayor and two commissioners were raised to $11,600 each . . . coyotes are getting not only numerous but playful in Alberta; at Spring Valley, farmer Bernard Duffy found coyotes gamboling happily with some feeder pigs, playing tag and having lots of fun . . . kids really enjoyed it; at Drum heller/Alta., fire in a coal seam under the Rosedale school start ed burning and they had to sink down shafts to quell the nuisance ... At Tatamagouche, N.S., wo men’s and men’s association of Sharon United Church had a heated debate before a packed hall; “Resolved that women should by law be paid salaries by their husbands.” . . . Life has its embarrassing moments; at Steinbach, Man., the brigade was called out as a milk wagon caught fire on the street, and they had to’ unharness the poor horse in a hurry, where was the milkman? A kind lady had in vited him in for a mid-morning cup of coffee and when he came out his rig was a smouldering mass of ruins, ddbbin hitched to a telephone post nearby . . . . Penicton, B.C., emulated Los Angeles as the ministerial association arranged for a Sun rise Service on Easter Sunday on Munson’s Mountain ... A flock of eight white swans were seen on a slough near Weyburn, Sask., by J. E. Powers, making a pretty sight one morning . . . Mary Ann, nine-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. Glebe, of Wes ton, Ont., made a scrap book de picting the life of Queen Eliza beth, sent the book to the Queen, and got a beautiful acknowledg ment through the Governor- General of Canada .... Father Athol Murray, of Notre Dame College (Sask) told a Yorkton audience that he didn’t think much of our present system of secondary education as “a crazy quilt pattern, a jig-saw puzzle that offers little in intellectual attainment” and unless steps are taken to provide more advanced education our youth on the prairies will ’ be vunerable ' to some dicator taking Over as were the youth of Germany a Score of years ago. H. Berryman, who edits the Oliver (BC) Chronicle and Oso- yoos Observer carries on a con tinual educational campaign in favor of our political and econo mic system,- and is quick to blast any deviation from it. Of the government’s TV monopoly, he writes: “Unless the public wakes up to What is happening there will be no television voice in Canada other than the govern ment’s—a situation undemocratic and not at all desirable.” • Prince Geofgd (BC) Citi zen: If patents don’t want their children to become victims Of the drink habit, they Should practice moderation in their homes. Even childish reason is revolted by precepts that are ignored by the teacher. •i Little Wonder that When the cost of Ottawa’s social security package works out, in direct and Indirect taxes, at $284 tor the average family of four, says the Barrie (Ont) Examiner, more Canadians than ever be fore are wondering whether they couldn't spend the money to better advantage and achieve greater security on their own. • Times do change and may be a good thing too, sighs the Claresholni Local Press, com menting on the fact that at one time the Aberhard government thought so little of the Crown representative's use in the pro vince that the Lieut. Governor had to vacate Government House and for a time sought refuge in a hotel. Now, the paper points out, Solon Low, national Social Credit leader was one in the House of Commons to stick up for increased costs of the office of Governor-General. • Hanover (Ont.) Post: One of the human rights that are threatened by the modern craze for having the state provide for all our needs, with equal shares for all, regardless of our contri butions to the production of them, is our right as individuals or as families, to live within the things we can't'3 afford . . . the man of independent mind wants his children brought up in the belief that, in this world, they are entitled to only what they can earn, and should pride them selves on giving value for every thing they get. •' Cranbrook (B.C.) Courier: The people who can make the biggest dent in the car accident record are the drivers of cars . . the accident that doesn't happen never costs anybody a dime. • The Hartland (NB) Obser ver takes M. J. Coldwell, MP, to task for his charges that objec tions to increased social benefits come from the heads of ‘big business. “We sincerely believe that if he reflected carefully and disinterestedly on what he has said, he is far too intelligent a man to believe it himself. He would realize that he is just as prejudiced on one side, as he thinks big business might be on the other. What he urges is tantamount to saying that any one who criticizes the timeliness and wisdom of certain courses can do only from the selfish motives and unpatriotic motives. He urges that all criticism must be biased.” • St. Croix Courier St. Ste phen, N.B.): The best thing that could happen in the next federal election is the victory of one party by a majority strong eifough to run affairs, but so slim that it would have to take serious account of what the Opposition says and does. First Mechanic! “Which do you prefer, leathei’ or fabric up holstery?” Secohd Mechanic: “I like fab rics; leather is too hard to wipe your hands on.” Seeding was general through out the County, and already a number of farmers have report ed that they have completed the seeding of their spring grains. Heavy rain the end of the week will be most beneficial, and should promote more growth of hay and pasture fields. Fall wheat is looking particularly good for this time of the year, and in practically every case has come through the winter in good condition. Most farmers report ample feed supplies in storage to main tain livestock in good condition until pasture is available. Already enrolment in 4-H Club work in the County has ex ceeded by far the numbers en rolled in this work at the same time last year. Maid: “The master’s locked up for the night, ma’am.” Mistress: Fine, but I didn't hear him come in.” Maid: “He didn’t. The police just phoned.” The Voice Of Temperance “IT's NOT THE CAR YOU DRIVE; IT’S THE LIFE YOU LIVE!” So declares an insurance company dealing in preferred risks. This week, in a near-by city, a safety campaign is taking place. Cars are being checked for mechanical defects. But is this the real cause of accidents? In March, 1950, the Harvard Law Review in an article on accident causes said: “Studies make it clear that contrary to widespread popular impression mechanical defects play an "insignificant part in causing automobile accidents. Thus, only 3.5% of all cars in volved in accidents have been shown to have mechanical de fects. And mechanical inspection of vehicles has yielded dis appointing results in promoting safety.” The truth is that ac cidents are due to the HUMAN element. This same article says: “It is not according to chance that 10 per cent of the working population may be responsible for 75 per cent? Of the accidents.” Who are the people who have the accidents? In 1948 the Eno Foundation at New York Uni versity said, as a result of a study, “Accident repeaters, as a group, are almost twice as cocky about their tolerance to alcohol as non- repeaters.” We people of Huron are as interested in safe highways as we are in good highways. We are, therefore, in terested in safe automobiles. But we are more interested in safe drivers. That is one reason why we have public support for the law that declares alcoholic beve rages are not to be sold in Huron County. (adv’t)