Boy Scout Drive Kick-Off
December 8, at Kiwanis
Luncheon; Public Invited
The Frontiersman
PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF THE MATANUSKA VALLEY
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VOLUME 6, NUMBER 11
PALMER. ALASKA. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4. 1952
PRICE TEN CENTS
COUNCIL REVIEWS CITY'S FIRST AUDIT
VALLEY TO GET
PUBLIC HEALTH
HURSE JAH. I
An announcement of interest
and concern to the Valley was
made this week by Thomas Moy
er, president of the Valley Health
Council, who has been assured by
the Alaska Department of Health
that the Valley will have a pub
lic health nurse on January 1.
Although her name was not dis
closed. It was indicated the new
nurse is already in Alaska and
will come to Palmer around the
first of the year.
The Valley has been without
the services of a public health
nurse for over a month. Former
Health Nurse, Marjorie Myreh is
on accrued annual leave which
will expire on December 30 and
at that time a new nurse will be
assigned to the Valley area.
An increase in the public
health nurse’s salary plus main
tenance of the vehicle was re
quested by the Alaska Depart
ment of Health. In order to com
ply with this request, the Com
munity Chest is faced with a
problem. During the 1952 drive,
their required goal fell short by
seven percent. Because their
drive has ended they may not
ask for additional funds from the
public, nor is the Health Council
permitted to do so. The possibility
of some local organization or the
Wasilla, Eska Chugiak area rais
ing funds for the operation of
the nurse’s vehicle has been ad
vanced.
Mrs. Eileen Branton will con
tinue as assistant at the Health
Center.
Local Chamber
Takes Stand In
Strike Problem
New Chamber of Commerce
President, Fred M. Zieke urged
at the groups’ meeting Decem
ber 3, that the local chamber
make a definite stand on their
policy concerning the proposed
court injunction against strik
ing ship unions in Seattle. There
has been a definite program
throughout chambers in Alaska,
he said, to sponsor a court in
junction against the unions in
ihe hope the strike would end
and relieve the present shipping
tie-up.
Chamber members unanimous
ly voted to take a neutral stand
In the issue. They expressed their
unwillingness to participate in
the injunction move, because of
lack of knowledge of existing
facts; not the proper party and
that they felt the injunction was
not a solution to the problem.
Copies of a letter expressing their
neutrality in the matter will be
sent to Chamber of Commerce
groups in Anchorage, Portland,
Seattle, Bellingham, Tacoma,
labor union heads and the steam
ship line. In addition, copies of
the Pitchfork Committee letters
will be enclosed to those cham
bers in the States.
M. D. Snodgrass, who will go
to Juneau early next year as
Territorial Representative spoke
on the possibilities of locating an
agriculture branch of the Uni
versity of Alaska in the Valley.
Citing advantages to locating
here, Snodgrass pointed out that
t is the largest farming area and
the more logical site for practical
work. Chamber members approv
ed and offered their support to
an action on the part of the Ter
ritorial Legislature to place a
proper agriculture branch of the
uaivarsity in the Valley.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
IN NEW CITY OFFICE
Police Chief Bernard Bou
wens announced this week
that effective Monday he will
be in the city office in the
Neal Wright building from 10
a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m.
to 3 p.m. each day except
Tuesday. All complaints
should be taken to the office
during these hours, he said.
After hours and on Tuesdays,
he or the officer; on duty may
be reached through the tele
phone operator. Joseph Loyer,
assistant police chief will be
on duty on Tuesdays.
ART STACY NAMED
HEAD CD WARDEN
The Palmer Civil Defense com
mittee met Monday, December 1
at their new headquarters in the
Carpenters’ Hall, with Ed Fortier,
CD director for the Third Divi
sion, as guest.
During discussions, it was re
solved to have fixed boundaries
for the jurisdiction of the Pal
mer Civil Defense organization
clarified by Colonel James Crock
ett, Territorial Civil Defense Di
rector. This resolution was made
by the committee who felt that
through cooperation Palmer Civil
Defense organization clarified by
Colonel James Crockett, Terri
torial Civil Defense Director.
This resolution was made by the
committee who felt that through
cooperation Palmer should try to
meet the boundaries of adjacent
CD areas with no gaps in the
overall Civil Defense plan for
Alaska.
The city of Palmer was divided
into nine warden zones, with Art
Stacey appointed Chief Warden.
His responsibility will be to re
cruit zone and block wardens for
each designated zone. At least
forty wardens will be needed
for Palmer and the Bailey Hill
section. An efficient staff of war
dens is absolutely essential before
any blackout or extensive test can
be attempted, Edward Imme, lo
cal director pointed out.
The next meeting of the CD
committee will be held Monday,
December 8 in Carpenters’ Hall
at 8 p.m. All workers and others
interested are urged to attend.
BETTINE TO LEAVE
HOSPITAL THIS WEEK
According to word received
this week, Robert L. Bettine, who
has been recuperating in the VA
Hospital in Portland, Oregon,
expected to be discharged from
the hospital this week. Bettine
was seriously injured in a 50 foot
fall at Goat Mountain, October 9
and remained in an unconscious
condition for several weeks. Al
though he has improved great
ly, a convalescent period will be
necessary. His family plan to re
main in Portland with him for an
indefinite period.
NEW VETERINARIAN
ARRIVES IN PALMER
Dr. Fred S. Honsinger, Ter
ritorial veterinarian arrived in
Palmer early this morning and
is temporarily quartered at
the Co-Op Dorm. Because of
facilities, Dr. Honsinger will
be operating on a limited bas
is for the first few days. Any
one wishing to contact him is
asked to call at the Dorm,
Room 15 or at the Extension
Office. Dr. Honsinger has been
located in the Southeast area
of Alaska and we delayed in
his Palmer arrival by routine
Fall work in that region.
FRED M. ZIEKE
ELECTED AS
NEW CHAMDER HEAD
Fred M. Zieke, general manager
of the Matanuska Valley Farm
ers Cooperating Association was
elected president of the Matan
uska Valley Chamber of Com
merce at the meeting held No
vember 26. He succeeds Acting
President, William Zahradnicek.
Harry Ryan was elected to the
office of vice-president and Betty
Mears as secretary-treasurer. The
board of directors consists of Jan
Koslosky, Jim Hurley (hold
overs) and John Weisenberger,
Richard Jones and William Head.
President Zieke was elected as
Chamber representative to All
Alaska Chamber of Commerce
meetings, with Hurley as alter
nate.
Next regular membership meet
ing will be held December 3 in
the Co-Op Club Room at 12:05.
Guide Pamphlet
Arrives From
Civil Defense Head
James C. Crockett, Territori
al director of Civil Defense
with offices at Juneau recent
ly compiled a pamphlet for
distribution to all CD directors
in the Territory. Published as
a guide for better civil defense
in Alaskan towns and commun
ities, exerpts will be printed in
The Frontiersman from lime to
time with the following as his
introduction:
ARE YOU PREPARED?
The following reminder, is very
timely and brings home the true
fact that the time to organize
Civil Defense forces is NOW and
not AFTER a disaster has occur
red. It has been said that the Rus
sians have atomic bombs and
planes in sufficient numbers and
excellence to assaul all of our
major cities in one attack. There
is little or nothing we can do to
stop them. The best to be ex
pected is that some ten percent
of the attacking forces may be
downed or deflected. The attack
can come with little or no warn
ing. The best we can hope for is
a few minutes notice. The Rus
sians are capable and ready to
deliver this destruction whenever
they feel like it—whenever it
is most profitable for them to so
so. For the above reasons it is
highly imperative that we become
prepared NOW.
If a tornado, fire, flood, earth
quake or other catastrophe strikes
our town, plant or school tonight,
WHY NOT BE READY? Civil
Defense should be organized as
follows: STAFF, LOCAL DIREC
TOR, ADVISORY COUNCIL,
Emergency Teams consisting of
mass care, first aid, fire, police,
rescue and utilities. It’s too late
to organize AFTER disaster
strikes.
If war comes, or a natural dis
aster of magnitude occurs, Alaska
will not be immune. If we are
not harmed directly by bombing,
we must consider the probability
of food shortages and the possib
ility of bacteriological, chemical,
and atomic warfare as a serious
menace.
There will be fires and disord
ers to cope with; our food sup
plies, our fuel, or electric power,
gasoline for cars, trucks, and
tractors will be cut off; there will
be numbers of refugees to care
for—life will not follow its nor
mal pattern for any of us. Each
communit, no matter how small
is a unit of the whole Territory
and therefore it is fully as impor
tant as any other community, re
gardless of size.
SCOUT EXEC. GUEST
AT KIWANIS LUNCH;
PLAN KICK-OFF
Guest speaker at the Kiwanis
meeting held December 1 was
Clifford Smith, field executive
for the Chugach Division of the
Alaska Council, Boy Scouts of
America.
In outline the work of the Alas
ka Council Smith explained the
purpose for which the Boy Scout
Fund raising campaign is being
conducted, demonstrating that
this annual campaign is the
means by which the Boy Scouts
of America are able to carry on
their extensive scouting program
in Alaska.
Palmer is joining other com
munities throughout the Territory
in putting on this campaign and
Smith pointed out that Palmer
contributions will join those of
other cities in Alaska to enable
the Alaska Council to maintain
offices and field workers in the
Territory. Smith will be in Pal
mer regularly to conduct train
ing meetings for local scout lead
ers and den mothers.
During the course of the talk
Smith answered may long stand
ing questions concerning the Boy
Scout movement here in Alaska
and it is a tribute to his presen
tation that the Palmer Kiwanis,
following his talk and discussion
period, voted enthusiastically to
back the Scout Campaign to the
fullest extent.
As a result of the Kiwanis de
cision, the kick-off time for the
campaign has been changed to
Monday noon, December 8 at
which time all volunteer workers
are asked to join the Kiwanians
at lunch and receive their pros
pect cards. Nearly all ground
work has already been done by
Smith and he will be in attend
ance Monday for the kick-off of
the campaign. Monday evening
he will meet with den mothers
at the home of Mrs. Richard
Jones.
25 BOOKS DONATED
TO PALMER LIBRARY
Palmer Library is richer by
25 new books this week. They
are the gift of the Port Angeles
Chapter No. 3^ Women of the
Moose and are a result of a one
woman campaign being carried
on by Miss Katherine Smith of
Mooseheart, Indiana.
Miss Smith was a Palmer visit
or this summer and was very
much interested in the local lib
rary and its need for additional
books. Since her return to the
States she has interested several
chapters in the Palmer Library
and the recent gift is the first
result of her campaign. Miss
Smith purchased a membership
in the local library during her
visit and announced her inten
tions of retaining her member
ship.
CHARLES SPALDING
Charles Spalding, 77 of Wasilla
and long-time Valley resident
died at Valley Hospital December
4 following a long illness. Well
known throughout the Valley, he
had been employed many years
by the Alaska Railroad and vari
ous mines. He is survived by a
sister in Oregon.
The body was removed to the
Anchorage Funeral Home, pend
ing arrangements.
The Cordova Chamber of Com
merce recently joined the Ter
ritorial C of C group, according
to a recent announcement. A list
of proposed items to present to
a special session of the Chamber
which will be held in January
will be compiled.
" SANTA CLAUS IS
COMING TO TOWN"
Well, no one need worry any
more whether or not the boat
strike will prevent Santa
Claus from getting to the Val
ley for the annual Merchants’
Christmas party. Early this
week his shipment of 200
pounds of candy, 150 pounds of
holiday nuts, and 100 pounds
of peanuts arrived in Palmer;
will soon be sacked by the
Women of the Moose and
ready for Santa to distribute
on December 24 when he will
be at the Valley Theatre. All
Vally children are invited to
the party, where in addition to
Santa there will be several
reels of commedies for a full
afternoon of fun.
JANUARY I DEADLINE
FOR CITY LICENSES
January 1 is going to find City
Cerk L. K. Mooers a busy man.
All business establishments, pro
fessional men or anyone operat
ing a business in the city of Pal
mer who required licenses are
reminded that January 1 is the
due Hate. Payments may be made
at the city office or by mail.
Checks should be made payable
to the City of Palmer, Mooer
said.
Following the policy for col
lections printed at the foot of
city telephone statements, all
telephone payments are due the
tenth oi each month and if not
paid by the 20th, service will be
discontinued, Mooer added.
Prison Work Farm
May be Located
In Third Division
Roy Casey, recently appointed
superintendent of federal jails in
Alaska made a routine call on
U. S. Commissioner Dorothy Sax
ton this week in the company of
U. S. Marshal Walter Huntley.
While in Palmer Casey told of
possibilities of a federal prison
work farm for the custody of
short term offenders and others.
Hardened criminals or those to
serve long terms sentences will
still be taken to McNeil Island
penitentiary in Washington. The
farm will probably be located
within the Anchorage area, he
said.
Casey said work on the new
$480,000 federal jail planned for
Anchorage should start early next
spring. Bids will probably be let
soon after the first of the year,
he expects. The proposed struc
ture will house 60 prisoners.
A thorough inspection of fed
eral jails throughout the territory
is planned by Casey, who is filling
a newly-created position as sup
erintendent of Alaska jails. He
previously served as prison in
spector in several western states
and has been an employe of the
federal Bureau of Prisons the
past 19 years.
Casey said his headquarters
woud probably be located in An
chorage, although his work will
take him to all federal jails in
the territory.
DOG TAGS ARRIVE;
LICENSES DUE JAN. 1
1953 dog tags for the Valley’s
very populous canine set have
arrived and are available at the
city clerk’s office, it was announc
ed today. Dog licenses are due
and payable on or before Janu
ary 1, 1953. Male and spayed dogs
are $2; females $5 and impound
ed dogs, $3. Dog owners are urg
ed to get these licenses as soon
as possible.
EXAMINATION REPORT
GIVEN AT SPECIAL
MEETING DECEMBER 2
At a special meeting held by
the Palmer City Council Decem
ber 2, O. K. Kincad, CPA, pre
sented the results of an audit per
formed by him on the financial
condition of the City of Palmer
for the period from May 3, 1951
to September 30, 1952.
His examinations showed that
up to September, 1951 the city
had no income. At that time a
retail sales tax. passed by the
voters the previous month, began.
This method of obtaining revenue
has produced the main portion
of operating funds for the period
examined. The retail sales tax
collected for this pexiod totaled
$75,889.19 for an average monthly
income of $5,837.63. The month
ly report from the businesses col
lecting this tax were examined
and analyzed and it was noted
that the terms of Sales Tax Or
dinance No. 10 was not being
complied with by many. No pen
alties or interest on delinquent
filings of the reports have been
assessed.
L. K. Mooers, city clerk, an
nounced this week that effective
■nuary 1, the sales tax ordinance
will be strictly enforced, with
particular emphasis on section six
of the ordinance which reads in
part: “ .... on or before the
tenth day of each month shall
make out a return for the pre
ceding month upon forms to be
pro/ided by the City Clerk set
ting forth the amount of all sales
and services . . . . ” Also: “In the
event the tax is not paid before
delinquency as herein provided a
penalty of five (5%) per centum
of such tax shall be added to the
tax for the first month or fraction
thereof of delinquency until a
total penalty of fifteen (15%) per
centum has accrued. Such penal
ty shall be asessed and collected
in the same manner as the tax is
assesesd and collected. In additon
to the aforesaid penalty, interest
at the rate of six (6%) per cen
tum per annum on the delinquent
tax from the date of delinquency
until paid shall accrue and be col
lected in the same manner the
delinquent tax is collected.”
Mooer emphasized that these pen
alties will be charged on all de
linquent returns effective Janu
ary 1. The ordinance will be en
forced so that all persons will
bear their equitable share of the
tax burden, as was the original
intent when the ordinance was
adopted, he stated.
Kincaid’s report went on to
state that the city of Palmer does
not levy a tax on real or personal
property: however, there has
been a tentative tax roll estab
lished for the purpose of obtain
ing Alaska Public Works monies
for a municipal water system.
This system is now under con
struction and the completion
date is set as August 1, 1953. This
program is under the direction of
APW and the estimated city cost
of the project is $337,500. It is
anticipated that the city’s share
of the cost will be amortised over
a 20 year period from the rev
enues of the water system. As se
curity for their share of the cost
of the project, the voters of Pal
mer authorized a bond issue in
the amount of $400,000 if such
would be required by APW. It
does not appear likely that the
city will be required to issue
these bonds, but the Common
Council have the authority to
do so if it is required. The es
timated annual cost to the city
is approximately $3,000 per year.
Another item, the report went
on, important in the municipal
water system is the acquiring of
continued on page 8