Western Star (Corner Brook, N.L.), 1948-03-26

              The Western Star  48th Year-Number 2495 Corner Brook, Newfoundland, Friday, March 26, 1948 Price Five Centf Economic Union With United States Party Formed By C. A. Crosbie Will Seek Closer Trade Relations Between Newfoundland And U. S. To Open New Markets - Expand Exports - Higher Standard Of Living - Create Hew Avenues Employment ST. JOHN'S (From our correspondent) —The most significant political news of the week was* the announcement on Saturday that a party which pledged itself to seek closer trade relations with the United States under a Responsible Government ha& been formed here. The announcement was made by Chesley A. Crosbie who stated that he had been elected President of the organization which is to be known as "Economic Union with the United States" party. *  Mr. Crosbie, who is the son of the late Sir John C. Crosbie who was one of the country's leading politicians of the 1920'5, told newsmen that he had consented to lead this party because he believed that the restoration of responsible government and the establishment of closer trade relations with the United States was the best thing for Newfoundland. "I want to see Newfoundland a prosperous country, not just for a few years but forever," he said. "Because I am determined that my fellow countrymen will never again have to live on a cursed six cents per day, and because it is my urgent wish that the grim spectre of poVery and widespread unemployment be erased forever from the land, I sypport the plan for economic union with the United States," he added. . Mr. Crosbie said that economic union with the United States will mean * (1) the opening up to Newfoundland of the greatest and richest market in the world; (2) the vast expansion of oui exports to this wealthiest of all nations, thus insuring permanent profitable employment for all of out people, all of the time; (3) the difference between proud prosperity and a frugal livelihood, beset with uncertainties; (4) millions of dollars of American capital coming into Newfoundland to develop our vast natural resources, particularly the fisheries and the fabulously wealthy mineral and timber areas of Labrador. In appealing to the people to support his movement, Mr. Croebie said that his decision to support this cause and to accept the presidency of the party had been made only after prolonged and careful study. "It is my honest conviction, backed by many years of experience in the productive industries of the country/' he said, "that such an economic union can be brought about by the elected representatives of a self-governing Newfoundland. If I did not honestly believe this, then I could never, in all sincerity, ask the people to support the cause." Concluding his statement, Mr. Crosbie said that because the wishes of many thousands of Newfoundlanders were ignored by the British Government, Economic Union with the United States will not be on the ballot paper. It will be necessary, therefore, to return to self-government before Economic Union can be arranged. I know there are 'tome people who fear this return to our former status, but I assure them, on my honour, that there will be no restoration of the unlamented "old days". Immediately selfgovernment becomes a reality I will have the privilege of heading a party pledged to bring about Economic Union with the United States. The very first step this party will take will be to bring in a bill enlarging the districts and thus decreasing the number of members to about half the number elected in the old (Continued on page 7) Chesley A. Crosbie Sad Drowning Accident At Badger's Quay BADGER'S QUAY (From our Correspondent): Job Winters, seven year old child of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Winters of Badger's Quay was accidt en tally drowned here recently. f Evidently the little chap slipped on the ice which had baricaded near the shore, fell into the water and was carried under the ice by the tide. The body was recovered. The sor• rowing parents are receiving the sympathy of the whole community. This is the second tragedy experienced here in less than three months, the other being the loss of the Francis P. Duke with all on bowl. Local Doctor Elected To Medical Board The medical profession of the west coast has been highly honoured this week by the election of one of its members —Dr. Robert F. Dove of Corner Brook—to the Newfoundland Medical Board. This election was held recently to fill the vacancy created by the departure from this country of Dr. Walter Scott formerly of Grand Falls. The Newfoundland Medical Board controls the registration of all medical practitioners throughout the Island and Dr. Dove's election will mean that the west coast will have representation on this important body. Dr. Dove graduated from Dalhousie University in 1936 and served for three (3) vears as medical officer on the Hospital ship "LADY ANDERSON" on the south coast of this country, he later served as medical officer with the Anglo-Newfoundland Development Company at Millertown and for the three years prer vious to his appointment as chief medical officer with Bo wat e r' s Newfoundland Pulp & Paper Company, served as medical offjcer at Bonne Bay Cottage Hospital. Congratulations are extended to Dr. Dove on his election by his fellow practitioners to ttfis important position on the Newfoundland M.edical Board. Increase In Rates Paid To Woodsmen •  The annual general meeting of the Woods Labour Board which was held at St. John's last week concluded on Saturday afternoon. In a broadcast report of the meeting, Raymond Gushue, C.8.E., Chairman of the Board announced that increases had been granted to woodsmen as follows: The hourly rate for general labour will be increased by five cents, making the total 68c. as against 68c. last year: the prices to be paid for rough wood where roads are cut are $3.87 minimum and $5.59 maximum, per cord. In cases where woodsmen cut their own roads the minimum and maximum prices wil be $4.15 and $5.88 per cord, respectively.The Chairman stated that although it had been recognized by all that the actual cost of board has increased as against last year, there would no increase to the men, ir Ckis respect. Board will rehiain at the rate of $24.00 Y&r month. The Union representatives expressed their appreciation of the fact that this figure is much less than the cost to the companies who absorb each year a considerable loss under this heading. (Full text of Mr. Gush tie's address will be published next week.) Strong Support For New Party ST. JOHN'S (From our correspondent) : The political not is boiling—boiling mad. The announcement that Cheslev Crosbie would lead a party having for its platform economic union with the United States •is receiving strong support,. not only in St. John's but in every district, including districts which were unquestionably supporting Confederation as made known by the number of names who signed the petition sponsored by the party headed by J. R. Smallwood and Gordon Bradley, K.C. Mr. Crosbie's announcement over Radio Station VOCM on Saturday night seemed to have met with the approval of thousands of citizens who called in person at the Party's headquarters and enrolled. The President of the Longshoremen's Union and virtually all the heads of ormized unions have enrolled. A staff of seven were engaged day and night receiving hundreds of messages and acknowledging telephone calls from every section of the country. On Monday of this week more than 1,500 called in person to support the movement. On the same day a new newspaper "The Independent" was published. This paper is sponsored by the Responsible Government League, Chairman F. M. O'Learv, 0.8. E. In an interview, Mr. O'Leary told your correspondent that the policy and party outlined by C. Crosbie would in no way conflict with that organization as the League also endorsed the movement of a trade treaty between Newfoundland and the United States. Anticipate Increase Newsprint Prices ST. JOHN'S (From our S correspondent) According to a Trenton, New Jersey, mess| age, another increase in the price of newsprint is anticipated by United States pub! lishers. The present basic price of Canadian and New- I foundland newsprint 15"597.00 per ton. The increase is expected to become effective before April 15* Coming Home Soon The Linda Mae, one of Crosbie and Company's sealing vessels, which has practically secured her load of seals and expects to be the first arrival from the ice fields, early next Week. —Photo By Marshall Studios American Aircraft Crashes Near Bonne Bay Crew Of Five Escape Without Injury- Plane Completely Wrecked At approximately six o'clock on Saturday morning last, a huge C-47 Sky train aircraft of the American Army Transport Command, carrying a crew of five, crash-landed at Lobster Cove, near Bonne Bay, and was completely wrecked. None of the crew members were injured. -, Colonel Sloan, the Commanding Officer, at Harmon Field said in an official release that the aircraft left Torbay early that morning enroute to Harmon Field and a Canadian Aii Base. On reaching the West Coast it was discovered that weather * conditions prevented a landing at Harmon Field or the Canadian Base at Mignon and the Pilot radioed Harmor stating that he had decided tc return to Torbay. Shortly after this another radio message was received from the Pilot in which he stated that he was obliged to make a forced land ing and that he was going to endeavour to put his aircraft down near Bonne Bay. On re cript of this message an aircraft was dispatched to tht scene from Harmon Field an< when it was seen that the plane had crash landed, medical supplies and food were parachutet to the survivor 3. This waf found to be unnecessary however, as shortly after the crash, members of the Newfoundland Riuiger Force and nearby residents were on the scene and rendered all possible aid to the survivors. Having salvaged all their personal belongings they were takcn by snowmobile to B>nne Bay and later transported by th same machine to Deer Lake where they joined an awaiting Rail Car for Harmon Field and arrived at the latter place at 8- p. m. Officers, of the American Army Airforce Command later visited the scene and conducted by the same machine to Deer cause of the accident. Up to the time of going to press no details of their report were available. ■—- ' Colonel Sloan has publicly expressed his thanks to the residents of th£ location where the aircraft was forced down and to the members of the Newfoundland Ranger Force who rendered such valuable assistance to the survivors and gave them food and shelter following their escape from death. Presentation At Harmon —Air Force Photo. T/Sgt. Joseph J. Guevin (right) receives a pen and pencil set and the congratulations of Col. W. P.,Sloan, Commanding Officer of Ernest Harmon Air Force Base. Sergeant Guevin was awarded the set as second-prize winner in the AIRLINER essay contest. His winning entry, "entitled "What the Air Force Means to Me", was selected by the board of judges from over 40 entries sent in from the Atlantic Division, ATC bases. Drunken Driving Brings Stiff Fines From the Corner Brook Police it was learned that three cases of drunken driving were brought before the magistrate during the past week or so. The first case was that of Michael Merrigan, of Humbermouth Road, who was arrested and charged with being drunk in charge of a vehicle. On appearing in court Merrigan was convicted of the offence and ordered to pay n fine of $200.00, and had his drivers' lieemu* suspended for a period of six  similar charge was brdlight against Emanuel J. March Comer Brook East, who, upon conviction was also meted the same punishment as that for Merrigan. The third case was of e more serious nature when three charges were brought against s Monsieur White Corner Brook West: one, taking a car without the consent of the owner; two, being drunk while in charge of a car; and three, driving without a license. The accused was fined $25.00 on the first charge, $200.00 on the second and $50.00 on the third, a total of $275.00. These three are the first drunken driving cases to be heard in the magistrate'? court here this year and since all three occurred since the enforcement of the new Highway Traffic Regulations, they were subject to the heavy fines quoted therein. Good Reports From Northern Sealing Fleet ST. JOHN'S (From our respondent) According to re oorts received from the sealing fleet on Tuesday night nine vessels had accounted fir a total of approximately sixb thousand seals up to tha' time. Crosbie & Company'? Linda Mae has had much sue cess and is expected to arrivf at St. John's with a full load early next week. Prospect.-- are also bright for the remaining ships. On monday tht whole fleet was steaming a? fast as possible towards p point some 140 miles East,  St. Anthony where the sea' spotting plane had reported r patch containing an estimated 100,000 seals. The first ship? to arrive in the locality did excellent work and there is nov reason to believe that befort the patch is cleaned up, sev eral of the ships will have secured full loads. The catches at Tuesday night are as follows: North Voyager, 15,000; Magdalen, 10,000; Eagle, 10,000; Terra Nova, 4,500; Lady Macdonald, 2,500; Linda Mae, 8,500; Clarenville, 4000; Codroy, 4,000 and Bronco, 2,000. Local Police Officers Have Busy Year Report To Headquarters Shows Nearly A Thousand Prosecutions With Ninety Percent Convicted Predict Increase In Vehicular Traffic This District During 1948 According to tic annual report of the local Police Station forwarded to Police Headquarters at St. John's recently, 1947 was a far busier year than the previous one. The report is a comprehensive coverage uf happenings, within and without police circles in this community, and some of the highlights are given below: Prosecutions and Convictions Total prosecutions taken under the various charges numbered 945, of which 858 were convictions, 62 were dismissed, 9 were withdrawn and 16 are still pending-. These Igures are slightly lower than those of last year, which records show to be 957 prosicutions, 880 convictions, 68 dismissals, 2 withdrawn, and 7 pending. Convictions on charges of common assault numbered 27; issault and battery 22; simple ;arceny 99; breaking and entering 10; malicious damige to property 42; drunkenless 154; drunk and disorderly 641005e and disorderly conduct 75; under the Alcoholic Liquors Act 40; under the Highway Traffic Act 95, ind under the Dog Act 22. Convictions on charges of :ommon assault, malicious iamage to property, drunkenness, loose and disorderly conduct, breaches of the Alco'lolic Liquors Act and of the Highway Traffic Act show a decided increase, the comparison figures on the total of 'hese charges being 264 for lhe year 1946 as against 433 ?or the year 1947. This increaseincrease is very noticeable under the following chargesdrunkenness, loose and disorderly conduct, breaches of the Alcoholic Liquors Act and of the Highway Traffic Act. Convictions under these four charges for the year 1947 numbered 364 while the convictions recorded under the same charges for the year 1946 numl>ered 211. Breakdown of Arrests Total arrests made for the year 1947 numbered 392. Of this number, 31 prisoners were escorted to St. John's to serve various terms of imprisonment in 11. M. Penitentiary ; 4 were escorted to Grand Falls, 2 to St. George's, 2 to Twillingate, 1 to Stephenville Crossing, 2 to Clarenville, 1 to Deer Lake and 1 to Channel. The remainder served various tevms of imprisonment in Corner Brook gaol. Seven insane patients were escorted to Mental Hospital.Total reports forwarded to headquarters by the different officers of the Bay of Islands Stations numbered 993, assists numbered 279. Number of complaints received and attended to by the police totalled 879. Eight Serious Fires Records show that the police attended 33 fires during 1947, 25 of which were of a minor nature. The more serious ones were the dwelling and store of Owen Brake, Humbermouth; Marshall Studios, Corner Brook West; dwelling of Margaret Brake, Humbermouth; Ruth's Taxi Stand, Humbermouth Road; Post Office and Customs Building, Curling; Victor Oake's summer house, Cook's Pond; dwelling and store of Peter White, Corner Brook West; and Humber Pharmacy, Corner Brook. Accidents of a minor nature reported to and irvestigated by the police totalled.l4l and, in addition, the police conducted investigation? into the causes of seven deaths. There were 2 deaths caused by motor vehicle accidents, 2 deaths caused by drowning (both of which were suicide), 2 deaths due to heart conditions and 1 through accident. During the year a list of Grand and Petty Jurors was taken and showed that 2,380 were duly registered. 21 magisterial enquiries, of which four were into the cause of death while 17 were into the cause of fire, and 3 preliminary hearings were heard. Searches made under the Alcoholic Liquors Act totalled 63. Total number of court processes served 391. Survey Of Gaff Topsails Is Completed ST. JOHN'S (From our •orresporident): The report of .Mr. Dixon, retired Chief Engineer of the Canadian Na-. ional Railways, who made a uirvey of the Topsails at the -equest of the Newfoundand Government, will lie submitted to the General Manager )f the Newfoundland Railway this week, after which a conference will be held between the Management of ths Railway and the Commissioner for Public Utilities. Followng this conference it is ex>ected that full details of the lurvey will be released. Mr. Dixon, who is a veteran ailwayman, has had much ex)erience in solving the snow orobjem on the lines running )ver the Canadian Rockies as •veil as on the Hudson Bay Railway, and the report of his rindings on <*. the relatively minor problem of the Gaff Topsails is l>eing keenlv awaited.Magistrate Short Is Appointed Electoral Officer According to an announcement appearing in this week's ssue of the Newfoundland Gazette, His Excellency the Governor in Commission has appointed District Magistrate N. Short to be the Chief Electoral Officer during the forthcoming referendum. • S. Fraser Harris, Esq., has l>een appointed Assistant Electoral Officer. Magistrate Short left Corner Brook for St. John's last week ar)d is now engaged in preparing the Electoral Act for publication. (Continued on Page 3) Big Shipment Of D-and-A CORESTRY in The Ladies* Shop GOODYEAR and HOUSE LTD. Just • Arrived DRESSES, HATS & COATS in The Ladies' Shop GOODYEAR and HOUSE LTD. In This By The Way Page 2 Letters to the Editor " 2 News About People " 8 Newsy Briefs " 3 Sports Page " 5 Church Services " 4 Mill Page " 10 Women's Pages 12 & 13 A.N.D. Co. Notes* " 15 News of Fisheries " 17 Agricultural Page " 18 Radio Programmes " 19 Serial "19 Bowater's Woods Notes " 20