The Wingham Advance-Times, 1979-05-30, Page 4u
" DVil ilCEowTIMES
Reflections on the campaign
Thinking back over the thousands of words
to which we were subjected during the elec-
tion campaign we find ourselves more im-
pressed by what was not said than by all the
streams of rhetoric.
For instance, did you hear any one poli-
tician say a single word about the post
office? Goodness knows, Canadians have
suffered enough irritation, not to mention
financial loss, because of the chaos in the
P.O. No suggestion for improvement in
management -labor problems except Mr.
Trudeau's statement of several months ago,
promising that the post office would be
handed over to a crown corporation. And
given the history of many other crown cor-
porations that solution smacks more of buck -
passing than problem solving.
And how about the all-important issue of
national unity. Mr. Trudeau did revert to
that theme often enough during the cam-
paign, but all he said was that he was better
equipped to maintain national unity than
was Mr. Clark. He failed to say what new
and better ideas he had for the solution of the
problem than those which had been
employed so ineffectivlely over the past 20
years. Nor did Mr. Clark put forward any -
thing new or different on the same subject.
Precisely the same lack of policy pre-
val!ed where energy is concerned. None of
the leaders managed to tell the electors of
the country what they could really expect In
the way of gas shortages, or electric power
reserves.
Nevertheless we refuse to include our-
selves with those who are predicting dire
consequences because Joe Who has been
elected to lead the nation. Joe Clark, as the
nation's youngest prime minister, is well
aware of the need to obtain the soundest
advice in every field and to confound his
legions of detractors by sound legislation.
One distinct benefit accrues to Canada
through the change of governments: the
armies of hangers-on with which every
government which has been in office over a
long period of time becomes inevitably bur-
dened, will be shucked off. This will be a
brand new ball game. One promise Clark did
make was that he will reduce the roll of
federal employees by 60,000 over the next
few years — not by merciless firings, but by
attrition. He says he intends to simply avoid
that many replacements as present em-
ployees retire.
Bell must co-operate
Bell Canada has encountered a few set-
also become not a little arrogant. As an ex -
backs in its monopolistic plans since juris-
ample, Bell charges very stiff fees for ser -
diction of communications has been placed
vicing its own equipment — equipment
In the hands of the CRTC rather than the
owned not by the user, but by the phone com-
Board of Transport Commissioners.
pany. If you have had occasion to have a
A few months, back the Canadian Radio-
telephone moved recently, or have yourself
Telecommunications Commission ruled that
moved to a new residence' you are all too
Bell would be obliged to offer pole usage to
familiar with their charges.
the cable TV industry at competitive rates.
When any business corporation is given,
Then, a week or so ago the CRTC ruled that
by the people of the nation, sole right to
Bell must permit connection of CN -CP
operate in any field, the people should have
equipment to Bell facilities.
the right to, full knowledge of that corpora-
tion's profits. What, indeed, do we know of
Bell has enjoyed a long and obviously
Bell's needs or its moral right to high rates?
profitable monopoly of services in many
Nothing.
areas of Canada and without question has
It would .appear that the CRTC also be -
contributed in no small measure to the
lieves that Bell Canada should be required to
development of the nation. But, as is not -un-
act, somewhat more responsively to Canad-
usual with monopolies, Its demands have
ian needs.
Picking on the innocent
Last week a group of Bruce County farm-
ers who are up in arms about the decisions of
the Niagara Escarpment Commission clog-
ged the one highway to Tobermory with
slow-moving tractors as a form of protest.
They are reminiscent of the airline strikers
who pick the busiest travel period to shut
down services. ,
The right to protest injustices is basic to
our form of self-government, but one
wonders whether that right includes the
trampling of the rights of others who are in
no way connected with the dispute at hand.
Selecting the holiday weekend for their
demonstration, the Bruce farmers no doubt
created all kinds of travel difficulties for
people trying to meet the ferry at Tober-
mory. Scarcely one of those people who had
0
to crawl their way north and then miss the
boat would even know, what the tractor
parade was all about, much less be in a
position to do anything about resolution of
the dispute.
This form of disruptive action comes close
to being mass hostage -taking. Innocent
people are made to suffer as a price for
meeting demands. It's a cowardly way to
make a point. If those farmers were so
wrought up they should have been picketing
the homes of the commissioners to get atten-
tion, rather than disputing the lives of inno-
cent travellers.
It is high time that we enact legislation to
prevent this costly and inconsiderate form of
argument.
Inexcusable waste of money
The Glengarry News comments on anoth-
er situation in federal spending.
"Countless examples of financial blunders
by government have been reported in the
media over the years ... When a govern-
ment consciously wastes public money,
surely cynicism and political opportunism .
have reached new heights.
"'Confidential documents leaked to the
mss indicate that the federal cabinet ig-
nored warnings from senior civil servants
that a major shift of public servants to Hull
would create an., ffice glut in Ottawa.
"The documeni"'show the cabinet knew
early in 1970 that approval of the relocation
plan would cause a 3.3 million square foot
surplus of office space in Ottawa by 1979.
"The cabinet, however, approved the pro-
gram on May 7, 1970, setting the stage for the
transfer of about 15,000 public servants to
Hull by the end of the decade. A second
warning about the surplus carne in 1975 when
the cabinet was considering a $14 million a
year lease -purchase deal with the Campeau
Corporation in Hull.
"Despite the warning that the office space
was not needed, the government approved
the scheme and created an additional 1.4
million square feet of space.
"It is important to recognize that not only
did the government unnecessarily spend
millions of taxpayers' dollars, but it also
pulled the economic rug out from under the
nation's capital, the City of Ottawa, by
creating an office ghost town.
"The manoeuvre may have bought some
votes in Quebec, but we suspect it has done
little for the image of the Trudeau govern-
ment in the rest of Canada."
( Results of the election seem to bear out
the above theory.)
+C A THE WINGHAM ADVANCE -TIMES
Published at Wingham. Ontario, by Wenger Rros. Limited
Barry Wenger, President Robert O. Wenger, Sec.-Treas.
Member Audit Bureau of Circulations
Member Canadian Community Newspaper Assoc Ontario Weekly Newspaper Assoc
Subscription $14.00 per year Six months $7.50
Second Class Mail Registration No 0821 Return postage guaranteed
1
II
I
A page of editorial opinion
WALTER'S—cord and Mary Walter have been operating
Walter's clothing store at 208 Josephine Street since May 5,
1969, and have concentrated on offering good quality ladies'
and men's clothing at medium prices. Before moving to
town Mr. Walter was a salesman, with Wingham as part of
his territory.
MUSEUM
I
Wednesday, May 30
Walter's fs the site
of long-time store
Gord and Mary Walter moved to Wingham
from Goderich 10 years ago to take over one
of this town's oldest retail businesses,
renaming the clothing store Walter's.
The Walters took over from Edward
Edighoffer who ran the store since 1953. He in
turn had bought the store from a Mr. Wein-
burg of Chatham.
The 208 Josephine St. store had been run by
the King family in town for many years.
George King started business where The
Advance -Times stands, but when a part-
nership fell through in 1891 he moved on. In
1892 he moved to the preamt location, where
his sons carried on following his death. More
details are available in the Wingham
Kinettes' 'One Hundred Years of Memories'
book.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Walter knew Wingham
well before they moved to town to operate
their first retail business. He had been a
traveller for Biss•t's Ice Cream and part of
his route was Wingham. He had also been a
salesman for Purity Flour Mills and again
part of his territory was Wingham.
Wingham .. .
Mr. and Mrs. Walter were both originally
from Goderich, but Mrs. Walter's parents
came from Wingham, so she knew something
Of the town before the decision was made to
pull up roots and make the move. 1
Wingham and area people have been good
in patronizing Walter's and the store has
developed a clientele the Walters believe is
well dressed.
One of the most important things about
running a clothing store is having a
knowledgeable staff, Mr. Walter says. At
Walter's Lloyd Ellacott has been with the
store since 1947, long before it got its present
name. Heather Riley is the othev full-time
employee. Eileen Johnston and Odel Michael
work part-time.
It is the largest clothing store in town, with
the main emphasis on women's clothing
though fabrics and men's clothing are also
important. The store's policy on quality is to
carry only good quality products.
"We don't buy garbage," Mr. Walter says.
There is an unspoken assurance with each
purchase that the quality of the product is
good and the price fair.
Ini'ots 100th year
Lette r -s to theEd*tor,
Remember garbage. I refer to another bylaw up humorous comments that One
MUSINGS which states that everything Hundred Years of Memories
must be placed in plastic garbage didn't dare print, but we all
the shut-ins bags. Why bags? What is wrong certainly laughed at.
Dear Editor,. with boxes or garbage cans Thanks to all the Towne
Ever since 1942 when the Shut -
The upper dam on the Maitland the next year by the present one. which can be emptied and not Players for all their hard work
River in Wingham, which has From 1899 on, the mill paid the Ins Day Association was founded contribute to pollution? and' long hours, as well as the
been called. Howson's Dam for town yearly for the use of the In the area of Tdtonto where I Wingham Kinsmen -for their
many years, was first built by power. by Ernest Barker, a young live, up to a year,;, ago We"had firiiiriCt81 `backing. Yds all must
Canadian shut-in the first
Thomas and John Gregory in three collections per .week, be very proud of the success.
1861. At the turn of the century Sunday of June each year has Tuesday and Thursday were for Chairperson
Peter Fisher had purchased an Howson, Harvey and Brockle- been designated as the day set
bank took over. W. J. Howson aside to honor a large segment of regular garbage and Wednesday One Hundred Years
option on the water rights on the out society and make it their was for anything we wished to of Memories
came to Win from Tees- Y
river north of Albert Street from special � put out including chesterfields,
a man named Wrenchman. water, where he had been in pec y• washing machines, mattresses
charge of Thompson's mill for 19 The news media have and old lumber. You name it— Thanks for
However, ignoring the option, cooperated through Wrenchman sold the rights to the years. In 1904 new oscillating silk pe � the years m they took it. Since then they have
screens were installed to sift the calling attention to this day and •
Gregorys. After construction of flour. we pay special tribute to the eliminated the Wednesday cancer donations
the -dam, by 1866 the Gregoryscollection and now .take
had built a grist mill on the west mayors
major yrs and governors of many everything with the regular Wingham Advance -Times
g This was much faster and cities in the USA who have Dear Editor,
side of the river and the first yielded a higher grade of issued proclamations urging garbage that could possibly fit I would l
sawmill in Upper Wingham on product. Mr: Harvey sold out in citizens to open their hearts and into the compactor. If there is expressm Y
the east side, where the old pump 1906 and it was Howson and become aware of this neglected anything too large the works siwoulike to ncere appreciation to the
house remains today. department truck will ick it u people of Wingham for their
By 1879 Emmanuel Rockhey During this period a feed store of one such proclamation issued Why amt In this e bet)ungs are Society in our April campaign. I
and Sons owned the grist mill. was operated as well as the mill by the distinguished mayor of would also like l thank the
John Gregory had left Wingham from 1914 until 1921. It was Detroit, Coleman A. Young, in kept clean and not left to ac -
for the west, but Thomas cumulate. I am sure the cost businesses, industries and ser -
located in the present office of 1 • It carries es understanding would not be any more than the vice clubs whose generous
remained in town as a merchant �Viaitland Ready Mix. and sensitive message for us all. support made our
and builder. Many owners of the "In the daily business of life, of present selective pickup system ppo campaign a
mill followed over the which eliminates such things as success.
years, In 1917 Mr. Brocklebank sold caring for our families and Thank you.
including Johnston, Hamilton out and Mr. Howson's son Frank seeing to our duties and furniture, hedge and tree clip
and Turner. Hutton and Carr, joined the firm that became responsibilities, we often forget pings, etc. (Have you ever tried Marc Forrest
who had purchased the mill in Howson and. Howson. In 1932 W. the shut-ins who lead lonely and to put a pile of hedge clippings Wingham Campaign Chairman
Lower Wingham from Peter J. Howson died. Ten years later -solitary lives day in and day out. into garbage bags?) Canadian Cancer Society
Fisher, bought the upper mill Frank's son Fred was taken into "As endless days pass the shut- I was told by the commissioner
from Turner. the company. In 1947 the flour in can become withdrawn' will that the cost of garbage pickup is Thanks for
In 1888 the Fisher mill was mill in Blyth was purchased and tend to lose contact. wvery low—about $2 per household
ith reality per week (before the recent household
burnt again and not rebuilt so was operated along with the local and suffer the all too human crease granted by council). In
emotion of loneliness. bus service
their full interest was devoted sold
onDisaster struck in 1950 when "To show compassion and my case I have about one full bag
the Gregory mill. Mr. Hutton sold gentle feeling t per 'month. If the grocery man
out his share to Mr. Carr's two lightning started a fire that g ng oward these lonely charged $8 to deliver our food we Dear Editor,
sons and it was known as Carr burned in a short time the old people would take just a small
Brothers until 1899. That year the Gregory mill that had stood for 84 expenditure of time on our part= would protest loudly. It is argued On behalf of the rural tran
Y a that it costs just as much to sportation committee of North
dam went out for'the third time. Years. gift or card of remembrance, a
Although it was not rebuilt a personal visit, a special service collect a small bag of garbage as Huron I would like to thank Allan
The town bought the water new retail outlet was opened in done—to show they are not to stop for a large one. If this is Nicholson for the extended bus
rights for $4,000 and built a new downtown Wingham and after 80 forgotten and that somebody true why not pick up the garden service he has been offering the
dam for $3,500. This structure years the Howson firm is still cares. refuse and other trash at the people of Wingham and
lasted until 1921. It was replaced active in Wingham. "Therefore I, Coleman A. same time, as the quantities surrounding area in the past two
Young, mayor of the city of would be small and the extra cost months.
l.
Detroit, urge all Detroiters to minimaIt appears that the "Day Out"
pause and remember the Council: why not renegotiate bus trips once a month to cities
isolation of some of us and make Your contract so that we get the such as Kitchener are Par-
a same service as other ticularl
special effort to reach out y popular and therefore
Ai a ra i a Aft,L during Shut -Ins' Day." municipalities? well attended. Short trips to
8 C V V V sl 3 Th;-- year Shut-ins' Day is June Jim Meyer Listowel on a weekly or bi-weekly
3, the first Sunday of June. Surely basis have —.f .#h iitt'.e
in the -Library we can make the effort to do response,
something nice for a shut-in, not Delighted withIf the people in this area really
only on Shut -Ins' Day but as often feel a need for this type of
A VERY POLITICAL LADY by pretrated for no apparent reason as possible. transportation I hope they'll
Judy I,aMarsh shatter a suburban home in this
Dell Daykin, President town play support Mr. Nicholson in his Politics and politicians come to tightly writtenpsychological Sparkles of Happiness Club
efforts to satisfy that need.
Kingsville, Ontario Dear Sir, Inge Wraith
life in the pages of Judy suspense novel. John and Merle I would like a small place in Wingham
LaMarsh's first novel. The story Wright's horror begins when they • your paper to express my delight
rings with the authentic sounds of come home to find their Suggestions madePlayers,
over the Towne
parliament, both from the floor of babysitter bludgeoned to death production, ''Remember Presentation
the House of Commons and in the and their child gone. Then the on garbage pickup When ...... Anyone who didn't get
corridors and backrooms where phone calls begin. , to one of the performances sure to 50 -year
the real decisions are made. Dear Sir: missed one of the highlights of
CRAZY FOR GOD by MS. PiNCHPENNY'S BOOK Letters to the editor concerning our Centennial Year,
Christopher Edwards, OF INTERIOR DE8iGN by iocal politics have, over the past Wingham is lucky to have a employee
Now for the first time an ex- Dorothy Parker. several weeks, made interesting man like Jack Gillespie with such
Moonie reveals a hidden world Here is a down to earth wise reading and taxpayers should be a talent for directing a play like
heretofore known only to cult and funny book that shows how to concerned• onoy
Gordon Lediet was honored b.
this. it would be no easy task with fellow employees on Fond
members. This timely portrait of furnish and decorate living space Your editorial on the new bylaw so many characters. The cast did occasion of his retirement yfrom
logical violence provides and
a4yche- with lose- sources te anduch origins ity using
Passed
the by council
uover-regulation
s ilia a superb job. My children best Lloyd -Truax Ltd. after 5o years
exactlyremember Norm Welwood and of service.
up look at the realities of life in a dumps, junk shops, auctions and is taking place in Wingham, As I Dr. Bradley. They believed Norm John Se -hipper
sed the
W ern day extremist religious flea markets. It presents a gold understand it the purpose of the must have been around for 100 good wishes ofpthe plant �staff and
mine of information and good bylaw was to force residents to years as he knew everything. presented Gordon with a set
THE RARYgiTTF.R by Andrew sensible advice about household clean up yards, etc. This is fine John Bradley stole the show of
lawn chairs. Hat'per English
Coburn items and how you can acquire except that our council has made which delighted all.
Murder and abduction per them at little or no cost. it exceptionally hard to get rid of "Remom
ember. When picked on behalf of the emmade the presentation of a
clock
C