Home Demonstration Week
May 3 — May 9
Public invited to tea at
United Protestant Church
May 5 — 1*30 to 3:00
The Frontiersman
PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF THE MATANUSKA VALLEY
TRY A FRONTIERSMAN
CLASSIFIED AD for that
item you may kara for tala,
real or laasa.
VOLUME 6, NUMBER 32
PALMER. ALASKA. THURSDAY. APRIL 30. 1953
PRICE TEN CENTS
MAYNARD SANDS SEVERELY
INJURED IN TUNNEL ACCIDENT
Maynard sands, iormer ownci
of the Matanuska Valley Tele
phone Company, was severely in
jured while at work in the tun
nel at the Eklutna project, Mon
day of this week. .
The accident occurred when an
empty car. jumped the rails,
knocking a full car off the tracks,
which landed on Sands, who was
working nearby at the time. In
juries include two broken, legs,
both in the upper bones. He is
confined at Providence Hospital
in Anchorage.
Contrary to circulating reports]
in Palmer today, his physician
Dr. Jack Sedwick said that al
though Sands was seriously in
jured in the accident, he is get
ting along pretty well and is
well enough to receive visitors.
REA TO CLOSE
OFFICE TONIGHT
The Palmer office of the Rural
Electrification Association will
close tonight, following an exist
ance of five years.
Representatives of the associa
tion first came to the Valley in
1946 and worked out of the Co-Op
Dorm until the first REA office
was opened in 1947, in the Neal
Wright building. In 1949 Miss
Edna Wehking joined the staff as
secretary and has remained in the
Valley since that time. She now
goes into the Power Division,
REA, in Washington, D. C., plan
ning to report there on July 1.
Although the office is closing,
Stewart Hamilton, general field
representative said, there will be
four men working the Territory
With official headquarters remain
ing :n Palmer 'There will oe no
office or secretary, he said, but
communications may be mailed
to Box G, Palmer. Also remain
ing, in addition to Stewart, will
be Earl J. Smith, loan specialist,
Clark L. Johnson, field engineer
and Russell E. Wade, auditor.
CHIUGIAK EXPRESSES
THANKS FOR LOAN
OF PUMPER TRUCK
An open training meeting of
the Chugiak volunteer fire fight
ers was held Wednesday evening,
April 29 at the Chugiak Commun
ity Hall in cooperation with the
Bureau of Land Management For
est Ranger. A film and lecture on
fire prevention and control was
.shown.
Members of the Chugiak com
munity expressed their thanks
this week to the city of Palmer
:or the loan of the pumper truck
and announced they have arrang
ed to purchase a chemical unit
capable of operating in 40 below
zero weather. Members of the
City Council authorized the loan
of the pumper truck last week,
following a second request from
the Chugiak community.
CIVIL DEFENSE TO MEET
Edward Imme, local Civil De
fense director, announced there
will be a meeting of the Palmer
CD organization Friday evening,
May 1 in Carpenters’ Hall, at 8
Everyone interested is invited.
All wardens are especially urged
to attend the meeting, Imme said.
STREETS GET GRAVEL
Work on city streets was
started last night in an attempt
to alleviate city driving.
Three trucks and a loader
are scheduled to start loading
gravel this afternoon. The use
of the loader is being permit
ted by the water line construc
tion company in cooperation
with the city’s effort to im
prove spring break up con
ditions on city streets.
Minstrel Show
Big Success; Funds
Go to Hospital
“Better than ever” seemed to
be the popular concensus of opi
nion on the fourth annual Ki
wanis Minstrel show presented
April 24, 25 and 26.
It would be difficult to select
presentations for particular men
tion, although much acclaim was
accorded the chorus, which was
under the direction of Miss Lois
Thompson. The chorus presented
seven numbers including one of
mixed southern airs and the
grand finale, “This Is My Coun
•try”.
Conducting himself like an old
“trooper” was young Carl Vuco
vich who gave several accordion
selections.
“Rastus” (George Small) and
Edith Carrier presented a dance
routine that was well received as
was Norm Rousey who was fea
tured in two numbers: one in
the Berle Ives style and the other
an original presentation of “I
Love the Way She Says Good
night.”
Dana, Robin and Terry Nei
mann were called back for an en
core following their interpreta
tion of “One More River to
Cross.”
Much new local talent was
added to this year’s show includ
ing Gary Krise who opened the
second act with a trumpet solo;
I Dolores Mattila, capable pianist
| who played “Deep Purple” as
i well as acting as accompanist-for
the chorus; Doyle Smith whose
| pleasing tenor voice was heard
; in “Alaska’s Flag.” and Sally
Moore who sang several south
I ern melodies, accompanying her
. self with her guitar.
Keeping the show in top per
formance was Jim Hurley as in
terlocutor and the favorite end
men who were Harold Stephan.
Wayne Ebv, George Small arid
Paul Martin, the latter who alsc
presented "Swing Low Sweet
; Chariot.”
| Proceeds from the annual pre
j sentation will go toward the club’s
hospital fund.
RECORD SET AT
EKLUTNA TUNNEL
Contractors and workers at the
Eklutna tunnel last month not
only reached a long sought goal,
but surpassed by completing 2,012
feet of tunnel. They have been
striving for 2,000 feet a month
and up to this time had not been
able to quite reach that figure.
Power Plant Started
Clearing has been started foi
aggregate storage space for con
struction on the power plant by
Rue Contractors. Actual construc
tion work is expected to be start
ed within a week, it was announ
ced today. Contractors plan tc
complete exterior work including
pile driving and structure for the
power house this year. Installs
tion of turbines, gates and elec
trical equipment will be complet
ed next year.
Tie in Lines
Wednesday afternoon saw the
completion of the transmissioi
line phase of the project whei
the Eklutna-Palmer, and Eklutna
Anchorage lines were tied in. Pal
mer now receives power direc
from Anchorage.
Work will soon be started oi
the Anchorage sub-station tha
when completed will tie in wit!
the power plant upon its comple
tion.
PALMER YOUTH
TO VISIT ECUADOR
Roger Woods, son of Mr. and
Mrs. Glen Woods of Palmer, will
be Alaska’s first International
Farm Youth Exchange delegate to
South America when he goes to
Ecuador this summer, Lynn O.
Hollist, associate director of the
Roger Woods. IFYE Delegate
Agricultural Extension Service,
said.
• The Palmer youth will leave in
June to spend six months in Ec
uador. Part of his stay will be in
the sierra, or mountainous, coun
try where he may find agricul
tural problems similar, to those
in Alaska. The other half of his
visit will be in the littoral or
coastal section which is the major
marketing area. Since Woods is a
business major at the University
of Arizona and desires to help
develop agricultural marketing
facilities in Alas'ka, Tie will have
an opportunity to observe Ecua
dor’s efforts to break into the
Central American banana market.
Woods’ parents operate a farm
here in the Valley. It was on this
farm that he received much of his
practical experience that helped
him win appointment as IFYE
delegate. During a summer vaca
(Continued on page 8)
Governor Greeted
In Palmer Visit
Approximately 60 Valley resi
dents >vere on hand Sunday after
noon to greet Governor B. Frank
Heinzleman during his visit to
Palmer.
During the informal gathering,
j held in the school auditorium,
Governor Heinzleman expressed
, his interest in the Valley and the
| industrial development of the ter
ritory, citing several Valley po
tentials including mining, agricul
ture, hydroelectrc power, timber
and tourists.
The governor said he felt that
southeastern Alaska is pretty well
established and hopes to concert
his attention on development in
the second, third and fourth divi
sions, seeking funds for develop
ment, including private industry
There is a prospect of a special
session of legislature by early
next year, or sooner if possible, he
said, One of the most needful
factors for rapid development in
cludes road funds. A gas tax
might help meet the needs of the
road building program in coopera
tion with federal feeds, he added,
Members of the Womens’ Club
> served coffee, cake and ice cream
i to the group following the Gover
i nor’s talk and the introduction oi
- Mrs. Don Irwin, president of the
- Matanuka Womens’ Republicar
t Club who supported Governoi
Heintzleman's appointment anc
1 other guests including Represent
t tative M. D. Snodgrass, who actec
1 as chairman and Senator Gerrit
- Snider who had presented Gover
nor Heintzleman to the group
Hospital Association Gels
$15,000 From Fund Committee
Mayor Returns from
Statehood Hearings
And Family Reunion
Returning to the Valley Mon
day of this week was Mayor Al
fred Hagen who spent the pre
vious 16 days in Washington,
D. C. attending statehood hear
ings and enjoyed a reunion with
his four brothers.
Together for the first time in
32 years, the five Hagen brothers
were feted on several ocasions,
including a formal dinner party
held in honor of Harold Hagen,
9th District Representative of
Minnesota, in the Dominican Em
bassy. Also in attendance were
several U. S. Congressmen and
representatives from Carribean
and Central American countries.
Following conferences with
many Washington oficials, Hagen
said this week he feels there is
I a great need for cities in the
1 Territory to have representatives
in the Capitol city to get infor
mation on territorial proposals
and fight for requests. “Delegate
Bartlett is doing a fine job in
public relations,” Hagen said,
“but he is handicapped for his
salary is not adequate nor does
he have time to further promote
the needs of the territory.” We
are so far away from Washington
that we have but a small voice
in our own government, he added.
Several cities, Seattle included,
have offices in Washington,
; which are constantly working for
their individual needs, he said.
Commenting on his official visit
: with President Eisenhower, Ha
; gen said he found him to be
very cordial and natural in his
1 greeting. The President advanced
questions to Hagen and Bruce
Kendall of Cordova concerning
■ the economy of Alaska and told
1 of golfing at the “fartherest.north
! golf links”.
The reunion of the Hagen bro
thers was made possible by the
Mayor's trip to Washington and
the recent return of two bro
: thers from foreign missions,
i George Hagen, federal state de
partment attorney, returned to
, the Capitol recently after serving
on the legal staffs of General
. Douglas McArthur and General
: Matthew Ridgeway in Japan the
past several years.
Another recently returned
■ brother, Norman, is with 4he
' weather bureau, having spent the
past seven years as director of
- the U. S. weather bureau in
l Europe.
■ Congressman Harold Hagen is
1 now serving his sixth term as
' Republican representative from
Minnesota. Adolph Hagen con
' ducts an office supply business ir
1 Falls Church, Virginia.
[ The five brothers attended the
j baseball game that saw the Wash
1 ington Nats and the Yankees oper
the 1953 season, following the
[ first pitch by President Eisen
hower.
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HEDDENS BUY DRUG STORE
Word was received in the Val
ley this week from the Kennetl
Heddens, former Palmerites
They have purchased a drui
store in Tenino, Washington, lo
cated about 50 miles south o
Tacoma. While living in the Val
ley, Hedden was employed a
pharmacist at the Palmer Dru;
store. Regards to all their friend
was sent by the young couple.
ROAD LIMIT LIFTED
As of 6 a.m. April 29, the
Alaska Road Commission lift
ed all restrictions for truck
loading on the Glenn highway
from Anchorage to Tok, Spen
ard road, the Post road, Anch
orage secondary roads and the
Matanuska Valley roads only.
All other restrictions will be
in force, 50% gross loading, on
the Seward-Anchorage high
way from Fireweed Lane to
Seward, Sterling highway,
Richardson highway, Valdez
to Big Delta and Alaska high
way from Tok to Big Delta.
Because of local conditions,
truckers are urged to use des
cretion in the heavy use of
Valley roads.
Alaska RTA Drive
{Starts; Palmer RTA
Invited to Join
Anchorage—A drive to secure
applications for rural telephones
is to start immediately under the
leadership of an area-wide ex
ecutive committee headed by
Henry Cuffel.
The executive committee was
named at a meeting of about
125 persons called last night
hy the Spenard Community club
president, Lu Graner. Each com
munity club in the area will be
! asked to appoint telephone soli
citors, to visit residents and ex
plain the plan.
This is the same type drive
being conducted in the Valley
at the present. The Palmer RTA
will be invited to sit with the
executive committee members
at their next meeting to plan
for an area-wide system, it was
; announced.
A meeting of the executive
11 committee will be held at the
j South Shore motel May 5.
CLEAN-UP WEEK SET
FOR MAY 9-MAY 16
Clean-Up Week will be observ
, ed in the Valley from May 9
1 through May 16, Mayor Alfred
, Hagen announced at the council
| meeting held April 28.
All local organizations and in
dividuals will be asked to partici
^ pate in the concerted drive to
1 clean up the city. Home owners
“ and renters are asked to clean
■ accumulated rubbish for remov
1 al to the city dump. Tentative
plans indicate there will be a
s special day designated for rub
5 bish collection, for those unable
i to take their rubbish to the dump,
Conditions at the dump have
i not improved this past week, it
was reported at the meeting. In
> dividuals are still dumping in the
- road. Councilwoman Mears re
i ported that a new entrance to the
; Continued on Page 8
Xiic v aiifj nuopuai iuuu
mittee turned over a total of
$15,000 to Jack Newcomb, trea
surer of the Valley Hospital As
sociation to be used in the con
struction of the new Valley Pre^
byterian Hospital.
The money is an aggregate of
sums raised throughout the valley
by various organizations, indivi
dual donations and Outide contri
butions, including sums from An
chorage and stateside parties.
When the fund raising commit
tee started the local drive a year
ago, Hugh Johnson and Ed Smith,
drive chairman announced that
none of the funds raised for the
new hospital would be turned
over before a contract for its
construction was signed..
When first bids were opened
last June it was found that they
were $102,000 over available
funds, and were rejected. Fol
lowing changes in design, alter
nate bids were put out and C. R
Foss, Inc. of Anchorage was suc
cessful bidder, with complete con
struction possible.
However, the construction bid
did not include the cost of X
ray machines, sterilizers, stand
by generator, landscaping nor
1 several other items necessary for
the complete construction of the
new hospital. Additional funds
j will be needed to complete these
! purchases and fund committee
men announced this week that
the drive will continue.
Palmer Kiwanis club, as in the
; past, has pledge recipts from the
minstrel show to the fund. Home
makers’ groups in and around
the valley are continuing their
fund projects as is the local Beta
Sigma Phi sorority.. The latter
group have announced their in
tention of furnished and main
taining a mobile library for he
hospital. Several pledges given by
merchants last year will be col
lected, and other organizations
have projects started or in the
planning stage.
Miss Clara Eggleston, techni
j cian at Valley Hospital, turned
j over a $50 check to the commit
i tee recently.. It had been sent
to her for that use from the Pres
byterian Church in her former
home town, Enid, Oklahoma.
Clearing and excavation at the
[ new hospital site have been com
! pleted and workers today are
building forms, for the pouring
of cement footing which they ex
pect to start tomorrow.
Survey Office to Move
Occupying the vacated REA of
fices will be the Geological Sur
vey, surface water branch, which
has been located in a smaller of
fice in the Wright building. Any
one desiring maps or stream flow
information is asked to call at
the new office, located over the
drug store
Alex McRae, senior biologist
: with the Alaska Department of
Fisheries was in Palmer this
i week on business connected with
his work.
Automobile Insurance
WE WRITE AUTO INSURANCE FOR ALL RISK—
Life Hospital, Health and Accident
Fire and Casualty
M B MARTIN AND SON
Anchorage Office Mile 45
238 - 5th Ave. Palmer Highway
SATURDAY, MAY 2
II P.M. - MIDNIGHT
Steamed Clam Feed t^A.oVes