r
God offers to every mind Its
choice between truth and re
pose. ..Take which you please,
you can never have both.
Emerson
Seward
The Gateway City of Interior Alaska Since 1903.
$ e a P 0 r f
Record
Seward’s All-fVeather Port is Alaskds Greatest Asset.
The 8eward Seaport Record
is independent in every re
spect and none shall ever be
denied the right to use its col
umns for any legal purpose or
expression.
VOL. XI, NO. 3.
SEWARD, ALASKA, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1954
PRICE 10 CENTS
CHAMBER GUEST SPEAKER
INDICTS PUBLIC APATHY
In spite of the fact that Tuesday <
was a holiday, there was a pretty
good attendance at the session of
the Chamber of Commerce with 16
members and four guests present.
BAND UNIFORMS
It was reported to the group
that the Band Mothers drive for
funds to purchase uniforms for
the school band had met with a
good measure of success and 27
uniforms had been ordered.
MEMBERSHIP
Tom Ousdale reported for the
membership committee that things
in that department were very
bright with several new members
signed up. To date, a total of 23
business memberships had been
paid and three regular member
ships. He also told the grpup that
the certificates were bejng filled
out by Mrs. William Bonser.
PROGRAM
In the absence of the President.
Win Ervin, Jack Jeffrey took over
the chair and called for the group
to give some thought to what pro
jects they would like to see the
Chamber undertake in the next
year. A poll will be conducted at
the next meeting, Jeffrey anonunc
ed.
AIRFIELD
It was reported that the matter
of snow removal at the Municipal
Airport had been cleared up as the
Bureau of Public Hoads apparently
has the necessary funds for keep
ing the field clear this winter.
However, it was reported that the
Bureau would like to use their
rotary plows to clear the field and
this would mean that the larger
rocks would have to be removed.
It was also recommended that the
field should be surfaced to keep it
in condition so the plows could be
used on the field.
It was agreed that the Chamber
should go after funds to have the
field surfaced.
GUEST SPEAKER
One of the four guests present
was Judge William Long of the
King County Juvenile Court. Doro
thy Prior. Republican Candidate
for the House of Representatives
and Major and Mrs. Townsend.
Judge Long was the main speak
er and told the group of his ex
perience in juvenile court work
and his observations of the pro
blem in Alaska.
The Judge told the group that
the problem of juvenile delinquen
cy was not a problem separate
and distinct from all other prob
lems but was brought about by the
larger domestic problems of the
family or parents.
"In Alaska." the Judge said,
“you haven't seen anything yet."
The lack of facilities for handling
the problem of juvenile discipline
is both pathetic and alarming.
Penitentiaries and even insane
asylums are full of people who
could have been helped if more
(Turn to Page 4)
SCHEDULED FLIGHTS
WITH NO CHANGE IN PLANES
DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY
Anchorage -V aldez
Cordova
ON TO
YAKATAGA — ICY BAY
TUESDAY
ON TO
MIDDLETON ISLAND
THURSDAY
THESE ABOVE FLIGHTS DEPART
SEWARD 9:35 A.M.
For Information or Reservations, Call Main 99
Qojv&ov AinliiteA
•fa Serving the Heartland of Alaska Since 1934 ^
►
Light Vote Recorded
At City Election
A fairly light vote "as recorded
this week when City voters went
to the polls to declare their choice
for three councilmen, three Util
ity Board members and a School
Board member.
In the council race O. T. Blair,
who sought reelection, was top
man with 192 votes out of a total
of 282 cast. Other seats on the
Councvil went to Alex Petrovich
and Harry L. West. Former Coun
cilmen John Rose, Raymond Lee
and John V. Mattson were unsuc
cessful candidates for office.
Utility Board seat were awarded
Phil Durant with 257 votes which
gave him a five year term; Clar
ence Larsen, a four year term and
Robert A. Stearns a two year term.
Appearing on a separate ballot
were the candidates for School
Board . A five year term was ail
that was open and Thomas E.
Howell beat out Dr. J. B .Delsher
with a vote of 174 to 104.
The City Council met on Wed
nesday afternoon to canvas thf
ballots and officially declare the
results of the election.
City League Cagers
Plans Announced
The City Basketball League will
start its schedule about November
13th and will play two nights a
week. The deadline for team en
tries in the City Basketball League
will be November 1st. Any team
desiring to enter this year’s league
should register with Coach Dalberg
before the 1st of November. A
registration fee of $20 for each
team must be paid before that
team is considered registered. This
fee is necessary to provide funds
to buy a couple of basketballs’for
the league, trophies, gym and in
cidental expenses.
The local Army post will put
at least one and possibly two
teams in the league. Bear Lake and
the Nazarine Church have also
signified intentions of enter i n g
teams. There are also other play
ers now looking for a sponsor. It
is hoped that possibly six teams
will enter the league. If necessary
the high school will enter a junior
varsity team which will exclude
the lettermen. It is felt by school
officials that the varsity Sealiawks
have enough of a schedule playing
in the Railbelt together with some
practice games. The Seahawks
will, however, play some practice
games with City League teams.
The City Basketball League is
part of the adult City recreation
program and your support is need
ed to make it a success. Also if
enough interest is shown, volley
ball league will be started to oper
ate one night a week.
HEALTH COUNCIL MEETING
STARTS STUDY OF PROBLEMS
4
A1 Tofflemire
Injured In Crash
A1 Tofflemire. well known local j
electricitian was seriously injur
ed recently when the plane he
was flying crashed as he was com
ing in for a landtag'at the Seward '
Airport.
The crash occurred, as far as |
is known, about 6:15 p.m. and was ,
not discovered until next morn
ing about 12 hours after the plane
plunged into brush pinning Toffle
mire in the crash hanging upside- |
down with multiple fractures of
the leg and a broken wrist.
Tofflemire was discovered by Bob
Clark who was driving by the air
port. The Seward Rescue truck
was called out and Tofflemire was |
removed from the plane and taken
to the Seward Hospital. He was '
later taken to Anchorage, in the
Ambulance, where he was to re
ceive further medical attention, j
Cause of the accident has not
(Jefiaitely l^een established, but
darkness and resulting poor visi
bility were believed to have caused
the crash on the unlighted field
The Chamber of Commerce and
City are expected to seek lighting
for the field so it will be safe
for night operations.
The Seward Health Council met
last Friday evening to discuss the
Constitution and By-Laws and to
name its committees with a total
of 14 members present.
Major business of the evening
and most of the meeting was de
voted to reading the rough draft
of the Constitution and By-Laws,
making amendments and correct
ions and approving the final draft.
Mrs. Jack Hull, president of the
newly formed health group an
nounced her appointments to the
standing committees of the or
ganization.
Mrs. Anderson was named Chair
man of the Constitution Commit
tee and will be assisted by Mrs.
Shaft'ermeir. An additional mem
ber is to be named by the Chair
man of each of the committees.
Other committees named were:
Finance. Del Zentmire and Mrs.
Frank Cooper: Publicity and Edu
cation, William Bonser and Mrs.
Margaret Hafemeister; Legislative
Mrs. Frank Woods and Stanley
Hall; Fact Finding. Mrs. Paul Nel
son and George Callaway; Pro
gram. Mrs. Leon Lewis and Mary
Stoeckle;
Having disposed of the admin
istrative details of setting up in
business, the members o f the
Council started to work.
The first item was the reported
need for an ordinance or enforce
ment of existing Ordinances cov
l l’um to Page Threev
Rev. Gunter Hutson
Leaving for Outside
The pastor of the local Assem
bly of God Church, Itev. Gunter
Hutson, will be leaving this week
end to join his wife in the states.
The itev. and Mrs. Hutson have
pastored in Seward for the past
three years and this will be their
first furlough to the states since
taking over the pastorate in 1951.
The couple plan to be away sev
eral months.
In the absence of Rev. Hutson,
the duties of the church will be
taken care of by Ruth Anderson.
Miss Anderson is an ordained
minister of the General Council
of the Assemblies of God, Spring
field, Missouri. She holds a Miss
ionary appointment granted by the
Home Missions Department of the
General Council of the Assemblies
of God. She received her Bachel
or of Science Degree from Texas
Weslyan College, Fort Worth,
Texas and has done graduate work
at Texas Christian University
and Southern MethodUt Univer
sity. This past year Miss Ander
on received her Bachelor of The
ology Degree from Southwestern
Bible College, Waxahachie, Texas.
SCHOOL CARNIVAL
7:30 P. M. IN HIGH SCHOOL
OCT. 22
Polio Combat Group
Calls for Volunteers
Still smarting tinder tlie sling
of some SO polio cases a small
group of Seward people met on
Wednesday evening in the City
Hall to organize a polio chapter
for Seward so that should the prob
lem strike again the community
would he organized to meet the
problem and in the mean time
the work of clearing up the pro
blems left behind by the recent
epidemic could be cleared up or
worked out.
The meeting was opened by Mrs.
Melba Torvanger and Dr. J. B.
Deisher spoke to the group on
what had happened and what could
be expected in the future.
Now that the acute phase of the
epidemic is over there is a lot
of work to be done and much of
it is plain hard work not requiring
trained technicians or medical per
sonnel. On the long haul treat
ment one of the major problems is
rest for the victims some of them
women with families also many
of the victims will require up to
two years of physical therapy treat
ment.
The physical therapy treatment '
will get under way shortly, the
group heard, as a center has been
set up at the Sanitorium under
the direction of Mrs. Florence
Aylen. Equipment such as steps,
finger ladders, parralle! bars, other
small items are for the Physical
Therapy Center.
Other needs are for clerical help
at the center, readers to go into
the homes and entertain children
who are victims or to keep them
ocupied so that their mothers and
fathers who are victims can get
some rest. There is need for vol
urrteer labor to do housework,
baby sit and provide transporta
tion to and from the Sanitorium
for norsons going out to the Phy
sical Therapy center.
Mrs. Torvanger urged all the
people present to carry the story
back to their respective organiza
tions and ask their support for
! work of the Polio Committee. She
said that she had been assured of
the cooperation of the Press. Radio
and if and when it gets here, TV.
Persons wishing to help out in j
the program are urged to call
Mrs. Mildred Kirkpatrick at Lincoln 1
57 or Mrs. Torvanger at Lincoln 25.
At present there are about 10
mothers down with polio and need
ing help which must be volunteer
help as the Polio Committee has
no funds to hire help and in most
cast^ the families in question do
not have funds to hire help. Mrs.
Torvanger did say she had one
request for a part time helper for j
a mother for which there would ;
be some pay.
High School Carnival
Promises Big Time
The “BIG” day is fast approach- '
ins—Fridav, October 22nd. At 7:30
p.m. That night the doors will
open at the high school gym for
the annual school carnival, which
is always one of the year’s biggest
events for the citizens of Seward.
The prizes are the best ever, and
besides being assured of having a
wonderful time you have ft chance
to win some good prizes.
There will be many concessions,
with new and different booths to
delight the old and young alike.
There will be the usual paddle
wheels, cupee dolls. Mammy’s grab
hag. fish pond, penny toss, basket
ball throw, and many other side
shows. The athletic show this
year promises to be better than
ever. Then, of course, there will
be Alaska’s favorite game with
outstanding prizes.
Mark the date on your calendar
and come out and enjoy the fun.
Proceeds from the carnival will
go for band uniforms and band
expenses.
SEWARD POST PICKS
CIVIL DEFENSE TEAM
A request for volunteers for a
six-man Civil Defense Rescue Team
was greeted with great enthusiasm
by Seward Post No. 5. Every
member present at the regular
meeting October 6th, volunteered
for the job. Those finally chosen
to this important and vital work
are as follows:
Gene Lanier, Chairman; William
Ferguson, Albert Lanier, Gene
Brietenbach, George Galloway,
George Everett and Al Trump.
Congratulations are in order to
Seward Post No. 5 and all of its
members.
Local ACCA Group
Plans Christmas Sale
The Seward chapter of the ACCA
aas announced the annual sale of
:heir popular Alaskan motif Christ
nas cards, along with two unique
recipe books. Roth items will soon
ae on sale at local stores.
Seward business establishments,
in conjunction with the ACCA are
providing their services as a con
venience to the public, and to aid
the association through the sale
jf these items, to obtain funds
[or the aid and gifts that will be
distributed by the ACCA in the
coming Christmas season.
The beautifully illustrated and
well printed "Out of Alaska’s Kit
chens” recipe book has been a pop
ular favorite for many years in
aur community. It is excellent
[or both personal use and as a
delightful gift to our friends out
side.
The very unique "Eskimo Cook
Rook.” compiled by students of
the Shishmaref Day School, is the
most fascinating recipe book of its
kind. Eskimo terminology is used
along with the English translations
in the titles of the recipes. Re
quests for the booklet come in
daily from all over the United
States.
Mrs. Emil V. Nelson, president
of the Seward chapter of the ACCA,
has announced a meeting will be
held at 8 p.m. on October 18, at
her home in Forest Acres. The
public is cordially invited to come
and familiarize themselves with
pending activities. Any who at
tend may stay for a card-playing
social at the conclusion of the
meeting .
UTILITY BOARD SESSION
DIGS INTO DITCH PROBLEM
The Seward Utility Board met
on Tuesday evening of this week
to transact the business of the
Utilities and welcome onto the
Board two new members and one
holdover.
City Clerk Sigrid Stearns swore
new members Clarence Larsen.
Robert Stearns and Phil Durant in
for their terms of office.
DIGGING CONTRACT
The Tuesday evening meeting
was the time declared in an in
vitation for bids to be the time to
open the bid letters offering to
dig all water department ditches
for the next year. No bids were
received so for the present the
City will continue to have ditches
dug on job basis.
The two contractors who have
been digging the City’s ditches
were present and gave as their
reasons for not bidding the small
amount of digging and the fact
that if they signed a contract they
would be obliged to keep their
“rigs” in town at all times
The City Manager told the Utili
ty Board that the City had under
consideration the purchase of a
Quickway shovel and would likely
be able to do the digging for the
Water Department if it were pur
chased.
As a part of the discussion of
the digging contract the Utility
Board also got off on the subject
of the present charge for digging
in new connections to the water
line. At present the charge is set
by Ordinance, which the Utility
Board cannot change, at $1 for a
permit, $35 for materials to hook
to the water main and pipe the
water to the property line and $60
for digging the trench, which
though it is sometimes as long as
56 feet, and at others only 10 to
24 feet, would reflect the average
cost of digging 40 feet from the
center of the 80 foot streets. The
charge for digging and backfilling
40 feet of ditch is about $1.50 per
foot or $60 on the average.
Contractor Ray James was pre
sent and told the Board that he
thought the cost of digging should
be born by the system. It was his
belief that it was common practice
elsewhere for the water system to
bear the cost of digging from the
water line to the property line.
The City Manager, and apparently
the Board, did not agree.
After nearly two hours of discus
sion it was decided to go on to
Dther business and consider, at a
future meeting, charging the water
user for the actual amount of dig
ging rather than a flat rate, even
though some would have to dig
(Continued- on rage n
DEMOCRATS SHOW BIG LEAD
I TERRITORIAL ELECTION
--.-—-«
Nurses Association
Meets Next Tuesday
The District 2 Alaska Nurses As
sociation, will meet next week on
Tuesday, October 19th, it was an
nounced this week. The meeting
is to be held in the Nurses’ resi
dence on First Avenue.
All Registered Nurses, whether
or not they are actively engaged
in nursing, are invited to attend
this meeting.
Halloween Ball
Planned by Emblems
The Seward Emblem Club in
cooperation with the Elks Club, is
planning a big party for Saturday,
October 23rd. A ^portion of the
proceeds will go to the Cerebral
Palsy Fund. The party will be a
costume ball following the Hallow
een motif, with prizes being award
ed for the best costumes. The
highlight of the evening will be a
floor show presented by members
of the Emblem Club. There will
be comedy acts, singing, dancing
and a surprising specialty act. All
j Elks. Emblems and their guests
are sure to have a marvelous time
along with helping a worthy cause,
so keep October 23rd free and plan
' to attend this big affair.
Seward Seahawks
Begin Practice
Coach Dalberg announces that
basketball practice will begin tor
the Seward High School Seahawks
on Monday, October 18th. For the
first tfiree days a class intramural
tournament will be held and the
squad will be selected on Thurs
day, October 21st when regular
practice will start.
Even before the season or prac
tice has started, it was learned
this week that lettermen Henry
"Doc” Blatchford will be unable
to participate for the Seahawks
this season because of a heart ail
ment. ,‘Doc-’ will be sorely missed
this season because of his out
standing ball handling and floor
maneuvering. "Doc,’’ a sophomore,
broke into the starting line-up to
wards the end of last se: son and
really put on a show for *he Sew
ard, Nebraska fans with his fancy
dribbling and deceptive jballhandl
ing. It is hoped that "Doc” will
take it easy this year and perhaps
will outgrow his heart difficulties
in another year or so. He will be
on hand to give his loyal support
to the team and the team • now
feels that they are going out this
year to win for "Doc.”
Other returning lettermen are
Seniors Pete Wagner. 6' 5" center,
Wilbur Hamblin, 6’ forward; and
Danny Rose, 5' 11*4" forward;
Juniors Kenny Bahr, 5’ 6*4". guard
and Dave Hughes, 5' 10%" for
ward; and Joe Hughes, 6’ 2" cen
ter. These boys have had more
experience now and with some
! other promising hoys are determ
I ined to make this a great year for
I the Seahawks.
Band Mothers
Thank Supporters
The Seward Band Mothers re
ported this week that thanks to
the fine support of folks in the
community they have been able to
order 28 uniforms for the school
band.
A list of the donors will be car-,
ried in the Seward Folly which
should be off the press shortly.
Ticket sales on the painting do
nated by Jim Jensen paid for six
of the uniforms and the painting
was awarded to Dr. R. M. Wagner.
The Band Mothers truly appre
ciate^the support they have been
given and hope that there will be
a big turnout for the Band’s first
appearance in uniform. No date
has yet been set for this big
event.
Voters in three Seward area
precincts turned out in good num
bers on Tuesday of this week to
follow the trend of sending nearly
a full slate of Democrats to the
Legislature and giving strong sup
port to Democratic candidates for
Delegate to Congress, Commission
er of Labor and Treasurer of
Alaska.
A total of 521 votes were cast in
Seward, 112 in Bartlett and an
estimated 31 in the Bear Creek
precinct, at Mile 6% on the Seward
Anchorage Highway.
Votes cast for the candidates in
the Seward, Bartlett and Bear
Creek precincts were as follows:
Delegate to Congress, E. L. Bart
lett, D, 339, 73, 24. total 496: Bar
bara Dimock, R, 120, 30, 7, total 157.
Commissioner of Labor, Henry
Benson, R, 225, 66, 13, total 334;
H. J. Lannen, D, 254, 37, 14, total
305.
Treasurer of Alaska, Hugh
Wade, D, 284, 47, 16, total 347;
Earle Hunter, R, 218, 54, 11, total
383.
Kor Terriorial Senate (two to be
elected) J. Earl Cooper, D, 277, 39,
14, total 330; Gerrit 'Heine' Snider
R, 246, 62, 10, total 318. Others on
ballot were Dr. Lee McKinley, R,
213, 71, 15, total 299; A1 Owen, D,
181, 22, 11, total 214; George Lingo,
I, 60, 6, 5, total 71.
For Senate, short term: Jack
Werner topped the entire ballot
with 507 votes distributed as fol
lows: 424, 59, 24.
lows: 424, 59, 24, total 507. Werner
is a Seward businessman and ran
on the Democratic ticket. Sally
Gorsuch, R, 72, 39, 6, total 117;
Alex Bowker, I, 5, 4, 0, total 9; H.
E. (Red) Poole, I, 4, 0, 0, total 4;
Bill Buxton, I. 2, 1, 0, total 3.
In the race for ten seats in the
House of Representatives, popular
Seward Republican Paul Nelson
topped the field with 406 votes
distributed as follows: 299, 90, 17,
total 406. The next nine places
went to Ken Johnson, D, 315, 45,
15, total 375; Win Ervin, Seward
Republican, 288, 60. 18, total 364;
Ray Plummer, D, 305, 42, 14, total
361; Stanley McCutcheon, D, 286,
37, 17, total 340; Wendell D. Kay,
(Turn to Page Three)
Two New Businesses
Opened Last Week
Two new’ businesses opened their
doors in Seward this week adding
to the services that are available
to the Seward public.
Both businesses are in a sense
outgrowths of previous businesses
in the area.
Don Balniat has sold out his
Seward Credit Bureau to a new
corporation known as the Kenai
investment Corp., which was form
ed by Miss Billee Lee Poor, Wal
lace Crain and Mr. and Ben Wal
ters. Offices are located next
door to Vina’s Beauty Salon, 232
Fourth Avenue.
Kenai Investment plans a com
plete listing of everyone in town
for purposes of the Credit Bureau
and also will act as exclusive age
nts for the United Underwriters.
They will also conduct the Terri
torial Bookkeeping Service and
will act as a town pick-up point
for film to be processed at the
Rehab. Photo Shop and Shoe Re
pair agency for the Rehab. Shoe
Shop.
MV. Crain, President of the Cor
poration reports that business is
booming for the new business and
has already exceeded their expect
ations.
The other business which opened
its doors this week was Pete’s
Print Shop which is being run by
Pete Dubeau.
The print shop is the successor
to the former Seward Seaport Re
cord commercial printing depart
ment. Pete, who formerly worked
for John Coleman, bought out the
salvage rights on the printing equip
ment which was left after fire de
stroyed the Seaport Record build
ing and plant last May.
The new print shop has been set
up at 518 First Avenue, adjacent
to the Dubeau home. It no longer
has any connection with the Sew- t
ard Seaport Record which is now
printed and published in Cordova
by The Bonser Co., Inc., which
has its Seward Office in the Ar
cade Building across from the Al
aska Steamship Co. office.