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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1948-1-28, Page 2Lord of Plains Vanishing from Western Ranges Cowpokes, wranglers, and pr.•fc- atonal horse hunters are going to be looking for something else to do. The wild horse, that had such glorious part in developing the ee•- tern country, is rapidly disappeatn front the horizon. He has been har- ried from one range to another by rifle, trap, lariat and barked wire until he has all but vanished, Estey I. Reed writes in The Christian Sel. ence Monitor. At the start of eeeaki\Car 11, there were 100,eloo rani -g the test ranges of the 1l'rsr Twiny, it is estimated there are less than fiakl. Lots of Thrills It teas great fen, wed, a lot of thrills and tan r thrown in, to hunt down the c,iid horses, Path elderly in the tee f"re the air- plane was death,/ int., action. The country where they roamed was wild and the annual: matched the terrain. Their range ra-ai neck-. and hard ground. As a result, their .feet were had, and like any animal which exists on short fo-a:ye, they had un- equaled wind and endurance. They could en at breakneck spend over the worst . ountry possible. Badger and prairie deg holes failed to alter their gain. They went over the rintrnces and through thick mes- quite with the east an army tank goes through yeueg timber. When once caught they made ideal ani- mals for Lgmc riders in rodeos, When broken. they made top cow- ponies for cattlemen. The demand for them grew and et•:h.oys and professional horse hun- te•'s ivuit to ever]: Ler all they were worth. The old e,ethed,oi rounding them up on horseback was too slow, so pilots were i,reught into play in their planes, Spotte,i by Planes So, since the war, instead of sharp-eyed trailers locating the herds by following dim trails, planes flew around until a hunch was spotted, Then, the flier dived down to head them toward a camouflaged corral in a gully or box canyon, with small arroyos leading into them. Fences, disseised with sagebrush or grease - wood, were built in the ravines leading to the corral. When a herd grazes, the lead stal- lion stands majestically on the high- est point, keeping an eagle eye for invaders. When clanger comes, be gives out with a shrill whistle that echoes through dale and canyon, and the whole hunch is off among jagged crags and around the rims like so many mountain sheep. Run Like Wind Although they run with the light- ness of pronghorns, their hoofs beat out a rhythmic staccato on the har- dened ground or rocks. They run through the canyons en fast it sounds like a stiff wind blowing through mesquite. The history of the American wild horse's ancestors dates back to Ara- bia in 647 A.D. At that time, the Arab warriors went on a rampage throughout the Old World. In 710 they reached Spain. Some of their fine mounts were captured by the Spaniards, who saw the value of the horse in warfare. They brought hint to the New World in 1519, when Cortez landed at Vera Cruz. However, the American horse did not dsecend front Cortez' animals, as is often believed. His ancestry dates from the years I540 to 1542, when the daring Spanish captain, Corona- do, paraded through what is now New Mexico, Texas, Kansas, Okla- homa and southern Colorado. ]t was from the mounts he lost, when they were stolen by Indians or wandered from the garrisons, that the wild horses sprang. r Boys Abandon the South American Way—A group of Ridley College lads from Central and South America have been enjoying winter sports near Huntsville. At right, D. G. McLeod, resident master in Ridlev's lower school, instructs a few of his students in the tricky art of skiing. For many of the boys it was their first experience of a Canadian winter. Louis, a Fighter and a Gentleman After that fight on a recent Friday night, when Joe's crown was saved by an eyelash, one of the reporters asked Joe if he did not still think Walcott was "a third-rate fighter." "No," said Joe, "I am." Speaking about his fight against the galloping Billy Conn, Joe cracked, dead pan as always: "He can run, but he can't hit." When the Associated Press flashed that Joe's wife was suing him for divorce in Chicago, he was hit harder than he ever was in the ring, pleading that such things were not to be joked about, "This is no joke, Joe," Eddie Edgar of the Press sports staff said. "I never heard of it" said Joe, "and I don't know anything about it. But, if you put anything in the paper, will you PLEASE say that whatever she says is right? I don't want to hurt her feelings." No lord of the manor could have said it wish such quiet and yet magnificent simplicity. When Tony Galento went with Joe to be weighed in at their fight Tony took a round -house swing at Joe's jaw. It is an old trick of the prize -ring roughnecks the idea being that an opponent may be unnerved. Joe dreamily moved his chin a fraction of an inch. "S'matter, bum?" howled Tony. "Are yuh afraid?" "I do my fighting in the ring," was Joe's quiet answer. Undoubtedly A stock exchange broker wants to know "Who started the foolish idea that it is dangerous to get into tin?" Some poor fish, we should say, Ten Minutes Late Ae.GE V. HOVM's.ND The evening was dark when at 11 o'clock Head Signalman Petersen ar- rived at the signal box for duty. "Evening, Hansen; Any news?" Petersen took off his cap and coat, "They say Sivertsen 's out." So this was it; Sivertsen had been his mate but Petersen had had to report him. Sivertsen had been given a year in jail. He had threatened to get revenge. "Nothing else to report, Hansen?" "Eight cars rom the brick works, There was no room in the freight siding. They're on line No. 2 wait- ing to be picked up by the early morning freight. That means n through trains on line No. 2," Hansen had gone. Petersen was alone. Keep calm, he tolyl himself. He lit his pipe and began to read the paper. The night express was due to pass at 11:27; at about 11:20 it would be signalled through from the junction. He raised his head to glance at the clock and stared sideways into the muzzle of a revolver. He felt his sr* shrink. Behind him caste Sivettsen's ugly voice. "Put your hands behind you." Petersen could feel his hands be- ing tied to the back of the chair. Suddenly the phone rang. Sivert- sen lifted the receiver. "Right .. , all clear!" he said. The word was that the night express was passing the junction, "I see you still have the had ha- bit of parking cars on line No. 2," grinned Sivertsen. He switched the main line over to line No, 2 and lowered the signals. Petersen shonted in terror. Si- vertsen said: "What'•ll happen when the fast express hits those cars? And what'll happen to the man re- sponsible? Perhaps you'll try to con. vince the prosecution that you're not guilty? That I was there with a knife and cut you loose and ran off with the rope the moment it hap- pens?" Sivertsen lighted a cigarette, "I'm going down to see if the cars are properly braked. Then it'll work better." Petersen was deathly pale. He was speechless. "What are you glaring. at?" sneered Sivertsen. "Want a smoke to steady your nerves a bit; FOR FASTER RELIEF 1> Cold' f1# isjP 1947 05 NEA sCtitltOt. INC. T. AI. PEG. U. S. CAT. OFF. "Your discipline would carry more weight, George, if you didn't make such Silly faces when you try to scold the child 1" quick! Use These Speclai Double -Duty triose Drops A little Vicks Va-tro-nol in each nos- tril relieves head cold distress fasti ft And if used at first warning sniffle or sneeze, Va-fro-not actually helps to prevent many colds front developing. Try itt 1?ollow directions in package. MKS VAIRO-MPOL is that it?" He thrust a cigarette into Petersen's mouth, lit it and was gone: Petersen puffed automatically at the cigarette. Shout for help? Use- less, there was no one near. Four feet away from him was the signal lever. Move it and the express would be saved. But he could not move his hands. He knew that 200 yards away two green lights were signalling all clear. And 500 yards further on was another signal indicating there was no dan- ger. 11:34! Sivertsen had received the junction's news of the express at 11:30. It would be here at 11:37. Petersen tried to bend forward. The rope tightened round his wrists. Now with his cigarette he could nearly ' reach the rope across his knees. The cigarette was half finished. He puffed vigorously and the glow in- creased. He pressed it against the rope with desperate energy, drawing deeply. He heard the faint cracking sounds as the threads of the rope broke. But be heard another sound too, farther away, the whistle of the express. With all his might he sthetched his knees and the rope broke. He could stand upright and in feverish haste he freed his hands. A glance out of the window shoved him the lights of the approaching train. Dragging the chair with him he threw himself on the signal lever and changed it to red. But the en- gine was already passing under it and the engine driver noticed nothing, Like lightning he grabbed another lever and charged the points to connect rap tine main line.. Five seconds later the express pass- ed safely by. A streak of light front its windows marked its rou,'se through the night. Petersen looked at the clock. 11:371 Ten minutes late! Then he collapsed on the chair,. THE ROYAL BANK OF CANADA NNUAL MEETING Sydney G. Dobson, President, declares European recovery most important factor in Canada's economic life, "Should American Continent fail to provide what is necessary to save Europe, the effect on our economy would be serious," Intelligent participation in Marshall Plan will be of service to both Canada and the United States. James Muir, General Manager, reports marked increase in com- mercial Ioans ... public deposits again increase ... profits improve. Royal Bank depositors now total 1,750,000, Unique service to foreign traders provided through 71 branches in foreign countries. The vital importance of Euro- pean recovery to the welfare of Canada, and the part Canada can play in restoring Europe to eeono- mi.- health, were stressed by Syd- ney G. Dobson. President of The Royal Bank of Canada, at the bank's annual meeting. "Should the American continent fail to provide what is necessary to save Europe" he said, "the effect on our economy would be serious. I mention this because it is not generally enough realized that Canada depends to the extent of 30% of her national in- come upon export trade. In addition it should be noted that Canada's ex+ ports to the Western European countries in the last pre-war year composed 47% of her total exports, a fact which emphasizes the import- ance of European recovery to the maintenance of Canada's econom- icher, aDlth," Mobson pointed out that Canada had already done much to help provide Europe with the ne- cessities of life. Canadian exports to Europe in 1946 had amounted to $932 million. In the past few years Canada had provided over $2 billion worth of aid to Europe in the form of loans, credits and gifts. "However, what has been done by Canada and other coun- tries. has not been enough," said lfr Dobson, "Plans are under way which it is hoped will, in the course of a few years, permanently restore European economic health." The Marshall Plan, "one of the happiest suggestions ever made in international relations,' and the Geneva trade agreements last No- vember were, be said, important steps to world recovery. An intel- ligent programme for North Amer- ican partici tion in the Marshall Plan would be of service to both Canada and the United States, RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENT Canada, said Mr. Dobson, lead been singularly blessed by Prov- idence. Notable progress had been made in both production and trade during recent years. and the stand- ards of living of the Canadian peo- ple had shown marked gains. "Can- ada's foreign trade," he said 'reached a new high total .in the first ten months of 1947, ($4,435- 600,000). This was made tip of all kinds of goods, raw and processed. "Seventy-five years ago we ex- ported goods to the money value of $18 per capita; in 1946 we ex- ported goods worth $184 per capita, an increase of ten times. Employi ment exceeded five million for the first time on record in August last, Productivity, too, is high. Can- ada's national income increased from $3,972 million in 1938 to $9,- 464 million in 1946. When trans- lated into dollars of the sante value we find the increase to be 97 per cent, equal to an addition of $379 per person per year. "1 find that (in dollars of the same value) the personal income of Canadians has .increased from $361 per capita in 1938 to $603 in 1946. The . total personal expend- iture on consumer goods and serv- ices amounted to $3,714 million in 1938 and $5,926 million in 1946, an increase of 60 per cent compared with our population increase of 10 per cent. This increase in the sum spent on personal consumption goods suggests a significant rise in ti.e standard of living." RECIPE FOR PROSPERITY These figures, Mr. Dobsonsaid, were gratifying and encouraging, but two dangers had to be faced to maintain present prosperity. One danger was the possibility of economic collapse in Europe. The other was inflation. "Price rises," he said, "stake it more necessary than ever for us to measure our real advance in dollars of constant value. The rest of the rise in money value is for the most part the empty t' of inflation, When stoney incomes are excessive re- lative to the available supply of goods, as they arc now, the logical way to reduce the pressure on prices is to increase the supply of goods. We have the physical equip- ment to do this, but the human factor is needed; a competent workmein seeking to get out of his machine the whole production of t hich it is capable. I believe that what I said a'year ago still holds true. There are still too many people who tnalce high wages aid plentiful leisure the greatest ahtts of their lives; still too many who believe that less production and more pay per worker is a solid bash for prosperity. This is, of course, a fallacy. An honest clay's work for an honest day's pay is still a good recipe for pros- perity, perhaps the only formula that will insure lower prices, a higher standard of living, and last- ing good times for all. "Part of our current output, of course, is devoted to enlargement and replacement of plant and equipment. Necessary replace- ments of plant must be made, and at times expansion is essential; but a strenuous effort must be made to limit non -economic expansion of construction. Much construction is going forward now at costs so )sigh that only continuous prosp- erity at present levels can nlalce it pay. CONSERVATION NEEDED "Canada's present prosperity, which is spread so widely m Dogra nation, is based upon the develop- ment of Canada's natural resources, "Agriculture, because it supplies the basic need of men for food, is of highest importance. "This source of livelihood for farmers and of revenue for the country is worth preserving. It is becomine. recognized that the fertility of our soil is not everlast- ing. Fortunately Canada has an opportunity to apply measures of consen•.r' n rather than of recla- nnaticn, We trust not wait for 'dust bowls' to form, or for prairie farms to be buried in sand. "The sane need for conserva- tion is found in our forest resour- cl.. More than 27 per cent of the value of our exports stens from our forests. "Better protection and improved cutting practices have contributed in recent years toward preservation of our forest wealth, but there is still a veru heavy annual loss from fire and insects which should he substantially reduced. Forest con- s"rvation is a 'must', "There can be no better example of newly created wealth than that of our mining industry. Forty years ago the total dollar value of our nine production in a year was $42 million; in ten years it had become $108 million; in the peak year 1941, it had reached $395 mil- lion. The mines have added to Canada's wealth some $12 billion since mining statistics' were first kept. Not much is heard in Canada about our fisheries, although they give employment to 85,000 persons e• the primary and processing branches, and the investment in them amounts to $75 million, "Development of hydro electric power in the last -forty years has been rising sharply and consistent - 1y. Our present installations, pro- ng 1034 million horsepower, place us second only to the United S' :tes, in development of water wer, and as yet only 20 per cent of our potential power has been developed, FREEDOM OF ENTERPRISE "It is only right to say at this point that the greatest advances in well-being for their people have been made in countries like our own where freedom of enterprise has been allied to natural resour- ces. The restrictive trade practices of so-called 'planned' economies deprive the world of that freedom of development, and expansion of business, and free interchange of goods which alone can bring decent living conditions on a wide scale. "It is significant that in all the world the only countries to which Europe can turn for effective help are these two democracies of America, 'free -enterprise countries. It is obviously not we who are unstable, but the totalitarian coun- tries. It is not we who are depress- ed, but the totalitarian countries. It is not we who are short of protluc- tib•n of the things people need to live, but the totalitarian countries. "It would, however, be very wrong to be complacent, Progress depends upon our keeping our freedom. n, 1 arc how mach freedom business shall keep, and how long it will last, depend upon our ability to recognize, understand and meet our obligations to the nation as a whole, It should be our ob- jective to show that free enterprise is the only economic system in the history of the world flexible enough to change in keeping with the needs of its people. At the sante time it is the only economic system in the history of the world that has ever brought about great stability, and advancement of the standard •of living of the people living tinder it," GENERAL 'MANAGER'S ADDRESS In presenting the batik's 78111 Annual Report, 91r. James Altair, General Manager, reported that the bank's total assets now stood at $2,093,641,218.61 and that liquid assets constituted 74% of the baule's liabilities to the public, "One feature of this year's bal- ance sheet is the marked increase in commercial loans in Canada." said 911•, Muir. "This item is $126,- 138,687.47 larger than a year ago, reflecting an experience common to all banks, The reason for it is the very high level of business activity, the expansion of produc- tion facilities, the increased volume of goods on hand, and, of course, the influence of higher prices, it takes more dollars than it did a year ago to conduct a compar- able amount of business, As a consequence, the amount of com- mercial borrowings represents a substantial . m, and 1 think 1. say passing thatu viewmay a rapidin ;utd large increase1donwt bank loans with equanimity, "The number of personal loans made during the year continues large. ')'hese are principally to the $500 and under category, where, in fact, the number of new loans tctalled one hundred and fifty -late thousand. When one considers the high volume of these personal loans from banks, plats the substan- tial business of personal loan and balliedcatthy.compan" ies, all at a time when there is full employment and high wages, the thought occurs that per- haps a living -beyond -one's -means policy is able ed. If so, it is tut - Mr. Muir pointed out that there had been an increase of $33,654,- 989. in the bank's public deposits and that total deposits stood at $1,934,185,849. He reported that the number of depositors continued to expand and now totalled over one and three quarter million. PROFITS It will have been satisfactory for you to learn that the profits were $1,818,132.54 higher than fit the preceding year," he said, "The amount required for government taxes was $2,850,000, after deduc- tion of which there remained $5,- 874,519.48 from the year's opera- tions, Dividends required a dis- bursement of $2,975,0110 and dep- reciation on bank premises anoint- ed to $892,687,01. After providing for all the foregoing charges, there is a residue of $2,006,832,47 in Profit and Loss Account, leaving a carry -forward of $3,474,246.55." 71 BRANCHES ABROAD The ..nportant role played by the branches of The Royal Bank of Canada in foreign countries in providing facilities for foreign traders was stressed by Mr. Muir. "Over a long period of years our activity in foreign countries has been an outstanding feature of • our service t., Canadian business. We have expanded in keeping with the progress of the foreign coun- try and the development of Can- ada's extern' 1 trade. The result is that The Royal Bank of Can- ada is very much integrated with the commercial life of many na- tions and has become for their business men a real and attractive symbol of Canada. "Last year I made reference to the unique position we occupy re- garding our branches abroad and I believe it bears repeating, because it is our belief that there is no adequate substitute for direct rep- resentation by our own trained or- ganization, experienced in Cana - tan ways and fully informed by close liaison of the needs and of- ferings of Canadian businessmen, "Apart from world-wide rela- tions with banking houses, we have seventy-one branches outside of Canada. There is a constant flow of information regarding market and general conditions from these branches to a central department at our Bead Office in efontreal, and similar information reaches us from correspondents throughout the world where v do not operate branches of our own. This, you will appreciate, enables us to fur- nish a highly efficient, unmatched and valuable service to exporting and importing clients." TRIBUTE TO STAFF A warm tribute to the staff for their splendid co-operation and ser- vice, and devotion to the welfare of the business in which they were engaged was voiced by Air. Muir: "I have reason to hope that our personnel know of the high regard in which they are held," he said. "I have never come across in all my years, of contact with other business institutions, a staff more earnest, more devoted to the wel- fare of the business with which they were associated, or more con- scious of their important place in the economy of the nation. A good hanker neat be part accountant, financier, diploiliat, lawyer and economist, and above all he must be a human being with the ability to understand his fellow then. I am proud to say that the staff of this bank, with all these necessary qualities, has also the spirit of teamwork which is so essential to happy relations, -and which counts so much in the fine results of the year's activity. "The staff of the bank numbers in excess of 10,400—more than half of whom are women. They have dote a splendid job thrnughnttt the year. We are grateful to them and commend them highly to you." L+A A A 11.411, t\L V.kl S., y Margarita t ,, 1 I�I� r i i111 4. IIIII!(II8 III `, �� Ar®pf ���� ,� ®� '�-u n" • A'; ar '•c I °'e, \I tom.. F. II1 IU r d ' I II B [LIN A[3E LINCOLN WAS YOUR HE WAS '1415 OWN `" Ya4ii; , WHEN � AGE EARNING `" LIVING Il I` J 1 °,,t., I Oto <I � f; � � �i' i I II "t� YES SIR— e' 1 AND WNEN N WAS �a .1 rC la (� ti ��I 0111 1,, s 1 ``""s.' , 3 .sr�sh..•I, VIII . II 11101IIIIIIIPnn P� C nit 14E �B i'Mt 0 ,i°''' ® .... „it WAS C�G� �"+, B ,. 6 .tri ier, .1`: . t.'^';ls �' i �.•U, 1'x.1 400 ,tdF ..'! :' .: A.r �:.' 14i ,,1