AMERICAN LEGION
ARMISTICE DANCE
Saturday, November 14
School Gym
The Frontiersman
PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF THE MATANUSKA VALLEY
FRONTIERSMAN CLASSIFIEDS
ALWAYS BRING RESULTS
TRY ONE NEXT WEEK
VOLUME 7. NUMBER 8
PALMER, ALASKA. THURSDAY, NOV. 12, 1953
PRICE TEN CENTS
GAS TAX INCREASE
ASKED BY LEAGUE
OF ALASKA CITIES
Mayor Don McKechnie and
Council woman, Betty Mears, re
turned to Palmer ths week end
following their attendance at the
1953 convention of the League of
Alaska Cities and reported to
council members that league
members proposed legislation to
increase the gasoline tax from the
present two cents, to four cents
per gallon, allowing the return
of one cent per gallon to the cit
ies. This tax would be effective
for all motor fuel on a propor
tionate basis. Also proposed was
a recommendation to Governor
B. Frank Heintzleman that a
special session of the legislature
be called; immediate action on
th extension of Alaska Public
Works extension of highways
through cities and passage of a
bill already before the legislature
to create port districts and com
plete the artierial highway to Cor
dova. Fairbanks was selected as
the 1954 convention site.
Fairbanks Mayor Ralph Rivers
was elected president of the Lea
gue and will succeed Mayor May
nard Taylor of Anchorage. Other
new officers include Mayor Rus
sel Painter of Seward vice-presi
dent and Trustees Mayor Taylor,
Mayor Don McKechnie, Mayor
Jack Hinckel of Kodiak, Mayor
Will H. Chase of Cordova and
Councilman Richard Grew of
Fairbanks.
In addition to Palmer, cities
participating in the League are
Anchorage, Fairbanks, Cordova,
Kodiak and Seward.
ANNUAL XMAS PARTY
MAY BE CANCELLED
There seems to be a possibility
that the youngsters of the Valley
will not be treated to the merch
ant’s annual £bristmas party this
year. j
Lack of active interest on the
Dart of participating merchants j
indicates that there will be no
party unless some civic organiza
tion or group takes over the oper
ations. Only one merchant was
present and only two sent word
to a meeting called for Novem
ber 9 for a participation discus
sion.
More than 550 children attend
ed the 1952 party held in the
Valley Theatre and over 100
other children who could not at
tend were given bags of Christ
mas goodies.
During the past five years, the
average cost of this once-a-year
party has been around $500. The
money has been donated by vari
ous merchants; and organizations
have lent support. Women of the
Moose have bagged the many
hundred bags of “treats” given to
the youngsters each year. Moose
members have acted as ushers
in the theatre during the party.
They have offered their help in
addition to their own annual
Christmas party.
Any organization interested in
assisting in the operations of such
a valley-wide party is asked to
contact A1 Hagen at the Valley
Theatre.
Expert
RADIO, TELEVISION
REPAIR AND
INSTALLATION
COMPLETELY EQUIPPED
SERVICE DEPARTMENT
See Marvin Wilson
DERT’S DRUG STORE
Television Department
AGRICULTURAL LOAN BOARD MEMBERS
mmasm
Seated: Paul Greimann, president of the board and businessman of Fairbanks. Stand
ing. left to right: Jim Wilso n, Commissioner of Agriculture, Robert Webb, dairyman of
Palmer, Richard Jones, banker of Palmer; Bert Stimple, farmer of Fairbanks; Archie Mc
lane, farmer of Kasilof.
Ask Reopening
Of Losal Deputy
Marshal Station
A request that the U. S. Deputy
Marshal station in the Palmer
area be reopened was sent this
week to recently appointed U. S.
Marshal Fred Williamson at An
chorage bv the Matanuska Val
ley Republican Club.
Several reasons for the request
were pointed out in the letter,
among them that there are near
ly 5,000 people in the Valley that
have little or no police protection.
At this time there is one Terri
torial Police officer on duty, cov
ering a distance extending from
Eureka to Big Lake, a distance
of nearly 150 miles. The letter
also pointed out that this one rqan
is on duty around the clock tak
ing care of the large area without
adequate radio contact. The City
of Palmer has one man on a
“round-the-clock” basis that is
limited to work within city limits.
Members sugges^.i ~j other
groups, civic or fraternal, or in
dividuals interested in seeing the
deputy station reopened, send
similar requests to the U. S. Mar
shal as soon as possible.
TO START SHEET
ROCK WORK AT
HOSPITAL NEXT WEEK
Work is progressing rapidly at
the new Valley Presbyterian
Hospital, Jack Newcomb, acting
hospital administrator said this
week.
Last week heat and hot water
lines were tested and approved
and installation of the lines is
already about half completed, he
said. The workers expect to
commence sheet rock work some
time next week.
Stokers have been installed in
the boiler room and fire-bricking
inside the boilers is expected to
begin soon. A high pressure boil
er has been obtained and will
provide steam for the sterilizers.
Dan Apker, Department of
Health inspector is expected on
the job next week, Newcomb
said. He will make another rou
tine inspection of the hospital
progress. His inspections result
in the amount of funds received
from the Hill-Burton fund.
Mel Kohler, member of the An
chorage interior decorating firm
who will do the hospital interior,
is now on a trip Outside where
he plans to make arrangements
for drapery materials and other
lecorations.
rOST'S TO REOPEN
Tost’s Service will reopen for
regular business tomorrow mom
ng, John Gore announced today,
rhe station has been closed since
November 5.
I
DO YOU WANT
TO FLY TO KODIAK?
Members of the Palmer High
School basketball team will
be flying to Kodiak for basket
ball games November 27 and
28, . William Zahradnicek,
school superintendent announ
ced this week.
Although the team and a
few faculty members will fill
one plane, Zahradnicek said
that if enough interest was
shown a second plane would
be chartered for the trip. The
planes, DC-3’s will be leaving
Palmer Friday morning, No
vember 27 at 10:00 a.m. and
will leave Kodiak Sunday
morning, November 29 at 10:00
a.m. Round trip fare is $30.00
and deposits may be made at
the school office. Hotel arran
. . gements may be made in Ko
diak.
This is the only flight plan
ned by the school this year,
Zahradnicek said. Anyone in
terested in making the trip is
asked to make reservations as
soon as possible so that arran
gements for the second plane
can be made.
PALMER GIRL GETS
U OF A SCHOLARSHIP
William T. Zahradnicek super
intendent of schools, this week
received word from the office of
the registrar at the University of
Alaska that Geraldine Kindgren
of Palmer has been awarded the
Standard Oil scholarship for
Freshmen.
This scholarship, valued at
$500, is annually awarded to a
freshman at the University of Al
aska and made on a basis of
grades earned during the first
six weeks and on general con
duct at the university.
Miss Kindgren is a graduate of
the Palmer High School, class of
1953, and is a member of the
business administration curricu
lum at the university.
COMMERCIAL TELEVISION
BEGINS SUN., NOV. 15
Television station, KFIA, will
begin commercial telecasts on
Channel 2 November 15, officials
of the station announced this
week.
Programs are scheduled to com
mence at 5:00 p.m. and continue
until 10:00 p.m., James Duncan,
station manager said this week.
Test patterns will be run bet
ween 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. The
daily programs will be increased
as new business is acquired.
Anchorage reception has been
good, Duncan said. However,
average Palmer reception has
been weak. Duncan predicted
that set owners will probably find
improved reception when the
station goes on full power Sun
day.
Recessed Council
Meeting Will Be
Held Tonight
The regular city council meet
ing held November 10 was re
cessed until tonight at 7:30 when
a proposed city ordinance pro
viding for the levying of a real
and personal property tax for
school and municipal purposes
will have its first reading.
As a practical matter, the tax
payer will not know the differ
ence when the city becomes a
taxing agent in that funds col
lected will go to the school as
they have in the past. The new
ordinance will give the city the
authority to make the collections
within the city limits. The school
district area will continue to be
collected, in the same manner
practiced the past few years.
The collection of the tax will
necessitate one of two things for
the City of Palmer, i.e., look for
an assessor for the city or con
tract for the school assessor and
collector, who has been doing the j
work in the past, to continue forj
the city.
During the November 10 meet-1
ing Mayor Don McKechnie an-1
nounced that the street signs
have arrived in Seward and
should be shipped to Palmer with
in a short time. Upon their ar
rival they will be erected and
the city traffic ordinance put
into effect.
Reports were made by the city ;
clerk and the telephone commit- :
tee, accepted by council mem
bers and refered to the budget
and finance committee for co- i
ordination. The city clerk was (
given authorization to prepare a '
tentative budget for the commit
tee's consideration. .
Several liquor business houses ]
applied for renewal of liquor li- t
censes for the coming year. They j
were: Koslosky’s Liquor store, <
Palmer Bar, Frontier Bar, Fontier j
Liquor store* Buck’s Place, the ]
Elk’s home and a new license was ]
asked for the Shamrock Lounge l
under the names of John Reed ]
and William Roberts, all of which ]
were approved by council mem- ‘
bers. ]
VOTE TO SELL FIRE
TRUCK TO CHUGIAK
Members of the Palmer City
Council voted to sell the city’s
American-LaFrance fire engine,
now on loan to the Chugiak fire
association, to that group and au
thorized City Fire Chief Joseph
Gallant to enter negotiations with
this group for the sale.
The truck has been on loan to
Chugiak, association the past few
months and a recent request to
continue the loan prompted the
lecision to sell. The Chugiak
group plan extensive improve
ments, including a larger tank.
Loan Board Approves
$140,000 To Farmers
A total of 31 applications,
amounting to $305,938, were con
sidered by members of the Al
aska Agricultural Loan Board
:his week.
The board spent a busy two
days, November 9 and 10, at the
office of Comissioner of Agricul
ture Jim Wilson. The biggest
problem facing the members
proved to be the determining of
how to stretch the limited supply
MANY PAY FINAL
TRIBUTE TO JACK TOST
A host of friends and associates
from the Valley and Anchorage
attended funeral services held
for Jack Tost on November 9 in
bt. Michael’s Catholic Church. A
Requiem Low Mass was offered
by The Reverend Raymond Mos
ey. Mrs. Cy Brewer played the
organ.
Bearers ‘were members of the
Palmer B. P. O. Elks lodge and
the Palmer Moose lodge both of
which Mr. Tost was a member.
Elk bearers were Louis Odsather
of Anchorage, Leonard Kygar and
Oliver Onkka. Moose bearers
were Eino Wertinen, George
Plumley and William Fogg. Es
corts were Don Ingalls of the
Moose and John Reed of the Elks.
Matt Onkka of the Elks and Al
fred V. Hagen and Louis Lobbrg
of the Moose were ushers at the
church.
Following the church services,
Rev. Mosey conducted brief com
mittal services at the Palmer
Cemetery, followed by graveside
services of the two lodges. Those
taking part were Moose Gover
nor Ralph Moore and Moose
Chaplain Leo Lucas. Exalted
Ruler Leonard Kygjjr, Leading
Knight John Reed, Loyal Knight
Russel Felzien, Lecturing Knight
Leroy Johnson and Chaplain
Oliver Onkka conducted the Elks
services.
There was a profusion of flow
ers and spiritual bouquets at the
church and cemetery.
Mr. Tost was killed in a truck
accident on November 5 and is
survived by his wife Rosina, and
son John Gore. Two brothers and
eleven sisters, all of whom make
their home in the States, also sur
vive. Two sisters, Mrs. George
Penoza of Seattle and Mrs. Jack
Capponi of Enumclaw and a
neice Mrs. Jim Bertonson of
Seattle flew to Palmer for the
services.
CITY FUEL PURCHASE
SCHEDULE APPROVED
Members of the City Council
approved the 1953-54 gas and oil
purchase schedule presented at
the November 3 meeting. Purch
ases will be made by the various
city departments from the follow
ing suppliers: Hartley Motors,
Inc., October (1953) and May;
Kirk’s Sales and Service, Novem
ber and June; Matanuska Valley
Farmers Cooperating Association,
December and July; Motor-In
Service, January and August;
Palmer Automotive Service,
February and September; Tost’s
Service, March and October,
[1954) and Westside Service,
April.
of money. Since only $140,000
was available, only 17 applica
tions could be approved.
In an effort to distribute the
funds equitably throughout the
Territory the board apportioned
$50,000 each for the Matanuska
Valley-Anchorage area and the
Tanana Valley; and $40,000 for
the Kenai Peninsula-Southeast
ern Alaska area for long-term
farm loans. A reserved of $50,000,
not apportioned, is being held for
short-term loans. Ten thousand
dollars is reserved for administra
tive costs.
Applications were proportion
ately more numerous from the
Tanana Valley area where many
farmers are just getting to the
point where they can switch to
full-time farm operation.
Fifteen short term harvest
loans, amounting to $25,400 have
been made since the board’s last
meeting. Applications for long
term and chattel loans may be
submitted any time for considera
ion as further funds become
available,_ Wilson pointed out this
week. Funds are still available
for short-term loans.
Loans were limited to those
which the board felt would best
i further the development of agri
culture in the Territory.
Robert Webb of Palmer has
asked to be relieved of his duties
as a board member because of
the press of other duties, it was
announced.
LOCAL ELKS LEAVE
FOR CONVENTION
Early yesterday morning sev
eral Palmer Elks and their wives
left the Valley /or Fairbanks
aboard the ARE Au-Ro-R!a where
they will join with other Terri
torial Elks for the sixth annual
Alaska Territorial convention.
They expected to arrive in
Fairbanks in time for a buffet
supper and dance last night.
Opening ceremonies were held
today with business sessions set
for Friday and Saturday. Instal
lation of new officers and a grand
ball will climax activities on
Saturday.
Those attending from Palmer
are: Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Kygar,
Mr. and Mrs. Olver Onkka, Mr.
and Mrs. Lawrence McNarry,
Carl Peterson, Ray Robertson,
John Reed and L. C. Stock.
TRAVELING
ANY PLACE?
See . . .
WRIGHT’S TRAVEL
AGENCY
Bert’s Drug Store
Tosl's Service Station
DOWNTOWN PALMER
RE-OPENS FOR OUSINESS FRIDAY,
NOVEMRER 13
American Legion
PALMER GYM NOVEMBER 14
Armistice Day Dance
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