Don't Forget
Annual Harvest Dinner
Northland Pioneer Grange No. 1
Thurs., Oct. 23
5:30—8:30 p.m.
The Frontiersman
PUBLISHED IN THE INTERESTS OF THE MATANUSKA VALLEY
TRY A FRONTIERSMAN
CLASSIFIED AD for that
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PALMER. ALASKA. THURSDAY. OCTOBER 23. 1952
PRICE TEN CENTS
VOLUME 6. NUMBER 5
City to Reconsider Sewer Proposal at Special Election
MARITA FARELL, FAMED LYRIC SOPRANO,
TO PRESENT HOSPITAL BENEFIT CONCERT
An unusual opportunity will be
offered to residents of the Val
ley next Sunday afternoon when
Marita Farell, lovely soprano of
concert, radio, and opera fame,
will present a full concert for
the benefit of the new Valley
Presbyterian Hospital. The con
cert will begin promptly at 3:30
p.m. in the Palmer School Gym
nasium.
Formerly a member of the
Metropolitan Opera Association,
Miss Farell has been acclaimed by
critics of New York, Boston, Phil
adelphia, London, Buenos Aires,
and Prague, for her intelligent
interpretations of a full repertoire
of operatic roles.
Bringing her rich experience to
Alaska, where she now makes
her home for the greater part of
each year, she has been the guid
ing star behind community musi
cal endeavors in the Anchorage
area for the past few years. Her
professional instruction to promis
ing young singers in Anchorage
was extended this year to Palmer
where she set up a temporary
studio at the Church of God. Sun
day, October 12, nearly 100 local
music lovers heard ten of Miss
Farell’s pupils in recital at the
Church of God. Included were
local vocalists Esther Pederson
Ray Nelson, Jesse DeVries, anc
Mel Munson. This Sunday thej
and many others will have an op
t portunity to hear the glamorous
lyric'soprano herself. Miss Farel
will begin her vocal concert wit!
the following selections: “M3
Mother Bids Me Bind my Hair” bs
Haydn; Schubert’s “Serenade” ir
German; Mendelssohn’s “Auf
Flugen Des Gesanges” in German
Faure’s “Apres Un Reve” ir
French.
From Mozart’s opera “The Mar
riage of Figaro” She will sing ir
Italian the familiar “Voi Che Sa
pete” to begin her second group o:
songs. “O Mio Babbino Caro’
from Puccini’s opera “Giann
Schicchi” will be sung in Italian
From the opera “Rusalka” b]
Dvorak Miss Farell will sing th<
moon song with the origina
Czechoslovakian lyrics. “La Dan
za,” a Neapolitan tarantella ty
Rossini, will conclude the seconc
group of songs.
The third group of selection
consists of semi-classical favor
ites, including a group of Czechos
lovakian folk songs, Romberg’
“One Kiss” from “New Moon,’
“One Alone” from Romberg’
“Desert Song,” “Thine Alone’
from Victor Herbert’s “Eileen,’
and “My Hero” from “The Choco
late Soldier” by Straus.
Miss Farell was most enthusias
tically received by Palmer Schoo
students, grades 7-12, in a pre
liminary concert at the schoo
gymnasium Wednesday. So pleas
ed was the famous artist biy th<
obvious appreciation of her youth
ful audience that she announce!
in her charming way, “For tha
I will come back next year am
sing for them.”
Tickets for the benefit con
cert Sunday are being sold b;
members of Kiwanis and Bet
Sigma Phi, by the churches c
the community, and by student
of Miss Farell. The price of $1.5
is ridiculously low for a concer
of this caliber.
Immediately following the con
cert, the Theta chapter, of Bet
Sigma Phi will hold a tea in hono
of Miss Farell in the school cafe
teria. The public is invited to at
tend. Eileen Branton, sororit;
president; Marive Laird; an
Blanche Ryan head the tea com
mittee. Others will assist, A silve
offering will be taken, with a]
proceeds going to the new hos
pital fund.
Marita Farell
New Addition Begun
For Expanding Co-Op
Creamery Business
Footings were being poured
I yesterday for a new addition to
the Co-Op Creamery which is to
be located adjacent to the present
building on the east.
Co-Op Manager Fred Zieke re
ported that the new structure will
; provide 1,500 square feet of space
on the first floor and a similar
amount of space on the second
floor. A modern egg department
will be set up on the first floor
L and provision will be made for an
, additional sharp room and more
working space.
l The new addition will be of
concrete structure — reinforced
. steel with concrete blocks. Glass
t blocks will be used to provide ad
. ditional light.
: “It’s been needed for a long
time,” said Manager Zieke. “Ex
1 pansion of the creamery and dairy
l business has been so rapid that it
: has outstripped our facilities for
l handling it.”
Beginning construction on the
j new addition followed fast on the
decision of the MVFCA Board ol
Directors this week to go ahead
5 with the building expansion
plans. The new structure will be
’ the first addition to Co-Op busi
| ness property since it was pur
chased from the ARRC in 1939.
’ The present buildings were con
, structed by the ARRC after the
arrival of the Matanuska Valley
Colonists in 1935.
The spotlight on MVFCA has
' taken on an additional brilliance
recently. Evening visitors to the
! business area have noticed al
ready the great improvement in
outside illumination. When five
' more mercury vapor lamps are
' added to the trial one now in use
| the Co-Op shopping area will be
^ lit up like the Great White Way
* This is part of the Co-Op im
provement program suggested bj
- the new manager. These mercurj
r vapor lamps are being used, he
a said, in all the big metropolitar
f cities. They provide more lighl
s and are much more economical
3 than ordinary electric lights.
VALLEY FAIR WINNERS
‘ EXHIBIT GRAINS & GRASSES
1 AT WASHINGTON FAIR
r Earl and Mary Combs of Wasil
' la who won first prize at the
- Fair for individual farm exhibits
/ sent an exhibit of Alaska grain:
I and forage grasses to Puyallup
. Washington for display at the
r Western Washington Fair. Yes
i terday they received a thank-yoi
note from the department super
intendent, who expressed hope
for a similar exhibit next year.
FORMER VALLEY BANK
MANAGER INDICTED
BY GRAND JURY
Jack fcu.ze, former manager of
the Matanuska Valley Bank,
was indicted by the grand jury
of the Third District Court this
week on charges of embezzling
approximately $100,000 of the
bank’s funds between April of
1949 and December 7, 1951.
Maze was relieved of his
duties as manager of
the bank on the latter date.
Last New Year’s eve, after a pri
vate investigation by the Anchor
age accounting firm of Jones and
Anderson revealed shortages in
the bank’s acounts, Maze was tak
en in custody by the U. S. Mar
shal’s office on a complaint sign
ed by Jan Koslosky, then presi
dent of the Matanuska Valley
Bank. Arraigned before U. S.
Commissioner Dorothy Saxton on
charges of embezzling more than
$35 in bank funds, the former
bank manager was held under
$45,000 bond. A few weeks later
he successfully petitioned the
Third District Court for a reduc
tion of the bond and was released
on the posting of $20,000 bail.
After their investigation, the
accountants revealed that bank
accounts had been “juggled” to
cover overdrafts in the accounts
of the Matanuska Press, managed
by A1 DeJulio, and the Palmer
Drug Store. After the overdrafts
had been discovered the investi
gators declared, Maze, himself,
furnished the information as to
how the overdrafts were covered
up. Before his arrest, the former
bank manager turned over to the
bank all of his personal assets,
including his home, a farm, and
his interest in the Butte road
house.
No date for Maze’s arraignment
before the petit jury has been
set. A new petit jury was sworn
in Tuesday and reported for duty
yesterday to hear cases referred
by grand jury indictment.
Last April 1 assets of the Mat
anuska Valley Bank were sold by
stockholders to Robert A. Baker,
vice-president and manager of the
First National Bank of Anchor
age. Subsequently, the capitaliza
tion of the bank was raised from
$30,000 to $75,000 and additional
reserves were set up in accord
ance with the wishes of the Ter
ritorial Banking Board. Assets oi
the Matanuska Press were taken
over by the bank before the
bank’s purchase by Baker. Equip
ment of the Matanuska Press was
later sold to A1 DeJulio, who re
organized the printing and pub
lishing business under the name
of The Frontiersman.
BOB BETTINE TO
BE MOVED TO SEATTLE
Arrangements were being made
this week at the 5005th Air Force
Hospital, Elmendorf, to fly Roberl
L. Bettine Outside for furthei
treatment at the new Veteran’:
Hospital in Seattle.
Pending the arrival of a special
bed for the flight, plans called foi
his removal this morning, accom
| panied by an Army surgeon.
His wife Bonnie: their one-yeai
old daughter, and his father, Le
ach Bettine who came to Palmei
immediately following his son’i
accident October 9, planned t<
’ leave for Seattle this morning h
Northwest.
Although slightly improvec
1 since his 60-foot fall two week;
! ago today, Bettine has not ye
’ regained consciousness.
Bettine was injured in a 60
. foot fall to the Goat Mountain ac
cess road leading to the Eklutn:
■ tunnel after he went to the ait
s of a moose trapped in transmis
sion wires.
Dr. Graves Resigns As
Veterinarian, To Open
Small Animal Practice
After 15 years of service to the
Territory, Dr. Earl F. Graves is
resigning his position as Teirritori
al veterinarian.
The resignation, which was sent
to Commssioner of Agriculture
Clyde Sherman last week, is to
take effect October 31. On that
day, Dr. Graves will move his
family to 1010 Fire weed Lane in
Spenard, where he will go into
small animal practice.
The loss of Dr. Graves will be
felt keenly by farmers and dairy
men in the Valley. It will also
be felt by small animal owners
who have long depended on his
demonstrated skill and devotion.
Dr. Graves first came to the Ter
ritory in August of 1927 and made
his headquarters in Juneau. He
was the first Territorial veterin
arian. His first tour of duty lasted
for three years, but he returned
to Alaska in 1940, making his
headquarters in Palmer, where he
has lived and practiced his pro
fession for the past 12 and one
half years. Until about a year ago
he was the only Territorial veter
inarian. His duties called for peri
odic inspqption trips all over Al
aska. Last year a second veterin
arian was appointed to take over
the duties in southeast Alaska.
Originally the job of Territorial
Veterinarian was immediately
under the governor, but when the
Department of Agricultuure was
set up a few years ago, the Ter
ritorial veterinarian’s work was
placed under the supervison of an
appointed Commissioner of Agri
culture. Probably no public ser
vant received a greater tribute
from those he served than did
Dr. Graves last spring when he
came under the fire of the pres
ent commissioner over a differ
ence of opinion about the live
stock improvement program. Nine
ty-one Valley farmers and dairy
men immediately rallied to his
support with such a determined
championship of his service rec
ord in the Valley that any con
templated restrictive action was
dropped like a hot potato.
No word regarding a replace
ment for Dr. Graves has been re
ceived.
When the Graves family leaves
next week, the Valley will no1
only lose a good veterinarian
also lost will be a most valuable
member of the Valley Hospital
board of directors and the guid
ing force behind the Palmer Li
brary Association. Mrs. Julis
Graves was the leader of the
movement to organize a library
for Palmer. Under her devotee
leadership the library has growr
from a handful of donated book:
in a donated space to a well-or
ganized and up-to-date reading
service in a new building that is
now paid for completely. The
Continued on page 7
UNITED NATIONS DAY,
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24
Friday, October 24, has beer
' proclaimed “United Nations Day’
by the President of the Unitec
States and the Governor of the
Territory.
\ In his proclamation, Governoi
Ernest Gruening urged all peopli
’ of Alaska to observe United Na
| tions Day. Among other ways o
celebrating this day, he suggestec
sending greetings to friends, rela
1 tive, and associates in other coun
> tries which are members of thi
: United Nations. These letters, hi
added, should express confideno
in the United Nations, our friend
' ship for other peoples, and ou
I faith in the ultimate demonstra
tion throughout the world of th
brotherhood of man.
Ktaiutn i heal Anil rtnauniu. rnurtn 11
OWNERS TO VOTE ON PROPOSAL NOV. 18
COMMUNITY CHEST c
DRIVE EXTENDED; '
$1,450 YET TO GOAL J
The Matanuska Valley Com
munity Chest drive has been ex- *
tended until October 31, Marvin
Slaughter, president of the Com- 1
munity Chest Board announced ’
yesterday. 1
Decision to extend the cam
paign beyond the original termin- ]
ation date of October 18 was
made Tuesday night at a regular
meeting of the Chest board. With 1
only $2,050 of the $3,500 goal turn- 1
ed in by campaign workers, the
board felt that additional time
might bring more contributions
and spur the volunteer workers to
further efforts. Returns from
four of the areas in the Commun
ity Chest district had not been
turned in when total receipts were
counted Tuesday night.
Reports have been received at
campaign headquarters that sev
eral persons have been missed by
the volunteer solicitors. Emil
Ganschow of this year’s campaign,
announced that the Community
Chest welcomes contributions for
its six member agencies even
though they have not been solic
ited. Checks may be sent to the
Community Chest in care of Mr.
Ganschow or President Marvin
Slaughter, Palmer.
Last year Valley residents
went “over the top” on a $3,000
goal. Members of the Community
Chest Board ai'e confident that j
they will do it again.
Anchorage Salesman
Has Fatal Attack
In White Spot Cafe
Sudden death came to an Anch
orage man in this city Monday
afternoon when he sat down to
eat in the White Spot Cafe.
William Brewer, age 43, died of
a probable coronary occlusion, ac
cording to the report of Dr. C. C.
Bailey, who was called to the
scene shortly after the fatal at
tack took place about 3:10 p.m.
The body was sent to the An
chorage Funeral Home for funeral
arrangements.
Brewer was sales manager for
Alaskan Merchandisers, an Anch
orage firm. He had lived in the
Territory only since February.
Surviving him are his wife, Faye,
and a daughter, Judy.
Interrment will be in Richton,
Mississippi, where lives his moth
er, Mrs. W. M. Brewer, who also
survives.
SERVICEMAN GETS .
SIX MONTHS FOR
CO-OP BURGLARY
’ Pfc. Richard Gardner, who
was apprehended early on the
. morning of September 15 after
burglary of the Co-Op service
station, was given a six-month
sentence at a-special court-mar
tial held at Fort Richardson yes
i terday. He was also fined $360.
Police Chief Bernie Bouwens
^ testified at the trial.
; Gardner and an accomplice
were observed by O. R. Huntley
' as they escaped from the Co-Op
■ service station in a car. Descrip
■ tion of the car and license num
£ ber were flashed to military auth
l orities at Fort Richardson by Po
■ lice Chief Bernie Bouwens. The
- servicemen were picked up as
■ they entered the post gate. Evi
J dence of oil taken from the ser
- vice station was found in the car.
The accomplice, another ser
r viceman, will be tried by court
■ martial next week.
i By co-incidence this felony took
(Continued on Page 10)
Members of the Common Coun
il of the city of Palmer, meat
ng in special session Tuesday
light, adopted an ordinance pro
dding for a special city election
ruesday, November 18, to recon
ider the sewer proposition that
ailed by three votes to win the
lecessary approval of 65 percent
if the property owners in the
October 7 general city election.
The proposition called for ap
>roval of an indebtedness up to
>250,000 for the purpose of acquir
ng from the United States Gov
ernment an extension to the sew
erage collection system. The pro
posal provided for the issuance
ef general obligation bonds to
eover the city’s one-half share of
;he project cost. The bonds were
:o mature in no less than 20 years
and were io be secured by a
pedge of full faith and credit of
the city and the levy of a tax
sufficient to pay interest and prin
cipal on the bonds when due.
The proposed project is made
possible through Congressional
appropriations to Alaska Public
Works, an agency of the federal
government. APW would assume
responsibility for construction of
the project, advance all funds, and
assume one-half of the total cost.
The city’s obligation for its one
half share of the project cost
would begin only when the pro
ject was completed and turned
over to the city.
In the last city election, 68 per
cent of the electors approved in
debtedness for the sewer system,
but only 63.6 percent of the prop
erty owners approved. For the
propostition were 149 property
owners; against it were 85. It
was pointed out at the special
Council meeting that judges in
the last election, in the absence
of an opinion to the contrary,
ruled that the term “property
owner” applied only to owners
of real property who were quali
fied residents of the city. In a
decision given Tuesday night.
City Attorney Harold Butcher
ruled that both real and personal
property owners who are quali
fied residents of the city should
have been permitted to vote. He
pointed out that the assessment
roll includes both real and person
al property owners; both would
be responsible for any tax im
posed by the Council to meet pay
ments for the sewerage system.
Attorney Butcher further stat
ed that the city’s assessment roll
should be brought up to date as
of 1952 so that property owners
who have acquired their property
in the past two years may vote.
Only property owners whose
names appear on the assessment
roll may vote, he added.
Butcher told member of the
Council that this may be the last
opportunity the city of Palmer
will have to get the needed sew
er extension at half price. He
said that enabling legislation for
Alaska Public Works expires in
1955 and the present political
trend suggests that an extension
of the time might not be granted.
APW officials have informed the
Council that there may still be
time to get the sewer project in
their 1954 budget for presenta
tion to Congress in January. Or
iginally, APW had insisted on
early October approval to get the
project included in the budget for
the next fiscal year.
Butcher urged the Council to
consider favorable publicity for
the sewer system. Outlining the
history of the proposed sewer pro
ject, he concluded that long
range planning dictates that we
have to have the sewer extension.
The question is, he said: Shall we
get it now when “the shoe pin
Continued on page 10