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Can We Afford National Defense?
The communist coup d'etat
in Czechoslovakia, coupled with
Stalin’s demands for a ‘“‘defense” agreement with Finland and
mounting totalitarian pressures in France, Italy and other Euro-
pean nations, has brought the international situation to its worst
point since 1939.
Serious accidents since V-J Day
Hospitalized Killed
DALLAS 2 11
; INGSTO 4
A
: ONRO TOW. 1
MORE THAN A NEWSPAPER, A COMMUNITY INSTITUT. ION
It is clear that those who dislike and envy us abroad respect
only one quality in a country — and that quality is military
It is not war mongering to say that the United States
strength.
must maintain a defense establishment far more effective than any
we have ever had in peacetime so long as the world remains in
‘its present explosive state. That
vival.
is simply insurance for our sur-
According to those who know best, all branches of our mili-
tary forces, Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard alike, are
in a dangerously weak condition.
We have sunk, in the space of
about two years, from the greatest military power on earth to a
third-rate military power.
This was only partially the result of the postwar demobiliza-
tion.
The armed services have been denied requested appropri-
ations for research and development which they consider absolute-
ly vital if they are to keep pace with the Soviet Union, whose
army is reported to be still at wartime strength. This has been
done, of course, in the name of economy. But while military
budgets have been cut, there has
other directions.
been the most flagrant waste in
As an example, no one can say that socialized government
power plants are necessary to the nation — taxed, regulated pri-
vate industry can provide the service at the lowest practical cost.
Yet the billions that we are now
and to build new ones, are far in
want for basic research. Those
difference between a progressive,
which is going downhill. The
spending to operate these plants,
excess of what the armed forces
billions would help to make the
prepared armed force, and one
proposed St. Lawrence Seaway
is another example of an incredibly costly public work that, in
the view of many experts, is not needed and could not possibly
justify itself on economic grounds.
And so are various flood
control and reclamation projects that, in reality, are a camou-
flaged form of public power development which simply duplicates
existing, adequate facilities.
This is not a political matter.
The national defense is the
first function of government, regardless of what party is in power.
And to say we cannot afford a
at a time when we are wasting
mislead the people.
first rate military establishment
untold billions, is to criminally
FROM.
PILLAR TO POST
By Mrs. T. M.
B. Hicks, Jr.
A chimney fire is a terrifying thin
g. There is a rush and a roar, and
suddenly the stove-pipe glows cherry red, first in one small spot and
then all around the clock. Shutting off the draft, discouraging the blaz-
ing logs with salt and water, then snatching them from the Franklin
stove and heaving them into the tub of water under the pump takes
only a minute of actual elapsed time, but it seems like a century. Then
there is that ominous black cloud pouring from the chimney, a cloud
which is soon lighted by sparks and then by tiny tongues of flame, while
* remember the ho
the roar gathers momentum and the stove-pipe threatens to melt.
Be . PAN
Under
stances it is
the fire department in Etgene,
gon. And also reflect that thank
goodness the roof is shingled in
asbestos.
Everybody in Eugene, Oregon,
burns huge chunks of heart-fir in
the furnace instead of coal. The
furnaces are made with especially
large doors, suitable for the admis-
sion of tremendous chunks of wood.
The basement, instead of harboring
a coalbin filled with anthracite, is
stacked with cords and cords of
pungent fir, the variety that is full
of pitch and needs no kindling.
To light a fireplace in Eugene, you
touch a match to a protruding splin-
ter, and the black pitch starts boil-
ing out on the hearth. For the
furnace, the big slabs are easily
split with one blow of the ax, com-
plete cleavage ‘every time and with
very little effort.
This type of fuel leads to chim-
ney fires. Residents of a year or
more, ones who have already cut
their wisdom teeth on the wood-
burning furnaces, pioneers so to
speak, think nothing of a little
chimney fire. They reflect that
they had a couple last year, and
that all they did, outside of creat-
ing a dense cloud of smoke ‘and
much interested comment on the
part of the neighbors, was to re-
move the soot from the chimney,
leaving it as slick as a whistle.
But to a newcomer, one who had
never before met up with a wood-
burning furnace, the experience was
truly nerve-shattering, and led to
an S.0.S. to the fire department.
The fire department in Eugene
plays checkers in a big way. If
the game then in progress was
not too engrossing, you stood ‘a
chance of getting a ripple of inter-
est from the department with your
chimney fire, but if the tournament
was tight, you got good advice.
We got good advice.
With the long lateral chimney
pipe red hot and the chimney
proper starting to roar, we felt
that we needed aid, comfort, and
assistance instead of kind words.
“Well, now, you're new to this
country. You're going to get an
occasional chimney fire when you
use heart-fir in your furnace. Thing
to do is cut off your draft, douse
your fire, and stay down basement
to watch your chimney fire. If the
fire doesn’t start to let up in about
twenty minutes, or if your pipe
drops in two, give us another call
and we'll be up right away with
the chemical outfit. G’bye.”
And that was that. Within twen-
ty minutes, true to prediction, the
fire was out, but twenty minutes
(Continued on page five)
vans Conducts
Famous lc Sale
Sells Two Items For
Price of One Plus lc
Evans Drug Store in Shavertown,
Rexall druggists, are this week con-
ducting a Rexall original One-Cent
Sale.
According to Mr. Evans hundreds
of nationally advertised Rexall pro-
ducts are available to the public
all over the nation on the money
saving “Two for the Price of One,
plus 1¢” plan.
Throughout the years the Evans
Store has continued to expand
from a small enterprise opened in
Shavertown during the depths of
the depression to one of the out-
standing inland drug stores in
Northeastern Pennsylvania,
Mr. Evans early saw the wisdom
of continued advertising in his
hometown newspaper and through
every other means availiable to him
including billboards and circulars.
He has been a consistent advertiser
in The Post through good times
and thin and the growth of his
business is evidence of how the
prompt service for customers, wide
range of items carried and adver-
tising can bring results.
$327 Contributed
To Cancer Fund
Those handling the Cancer Fund
Campaign in the Back Mountain
area were cheered this week when
they received contributions totalling
$327.50.
This amount was given by only
fifty contributors. The largest
amount received from any contribu-
tor was $100 and the smallest was
$1. $182.50 was received in en-
velopes forwarded to W. B. Jeter,
treasurer, and $145 was contributed
in Wilkes-Barre but applied to the
credit of this area.
Joseph MacVeigh is chairman for
the Back Mountain Region. Letters
were mailed to 1,100 residents of
the community by a committee
headed by Mrs. Fred Howell of
Shavertown. Assisting her are
Mrs. Harold Flack, Mrs. Harry Ohl-
man, Mrs. A. D. Hutchison, Mrs.
Granville Sowden and Mrs. Thomas
Reese.
Organizations and schools who
do not have coin collection boxes,
are asked to send their contribu-
tions direct to Mr. Jeter at First
National Bank. The Drive will con-
tinue until the end of this month.
Vol. 58, No. 16
Fire Destroys
Scovell Home
Lack Of Water Hampers
Three Fire Companies
Fire of undetermined origin com-
pletely destroyed the home of Mr.
and Mrs. Elmer Scovell of Hunts-
ville shortly after one Wednesday
afternoon.
The fire started’ in the second
story of the hople located on Fol~
Lehman Vgluntee, ire Company.
Dr. Henry M=¥aing Fire Company
was summoned and Lake Silkworth
Company also responded but fire-
men were hampered for lack of
water and the flames soon ate their
way through the entire structure.
Mr. and Mrs. Scovell who resided
there with their three small chil-
dren, were unable to save anything
except a refrigerator which was
partially burned. Loss was cover-
ed in part by insurance.
Mr. Scovell, a contractor and
roofer, formerly employed by Bert
Bryant, will probably rebuild. Until
such time as the family can find
other accommodations they will live
with a sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Field-
ing, Wilkes-Barre.
Wilson Elected
To Manage Team
Two New Teams Join
Bi-County League
Tex Wilson was elected captain
of the East Dallas team of the Bi-
County Baseball League at an in-
formal meeting of team members
Sunday at the home of Ted Wilson.
Walter Schultz was elected assist-
ant captain and Ted Wilson was
elected manager. Robert Pickett is
secretary-treasurer.
lies Road and ghad gained coustion
able headwa; coop ree arrival of
Matters of interest pertaining to
the club, which last year won the
League championship, were dis-
cuscussed. J 0
It was decided to b
equipment for the
the same unifi
Consideratign**was given to buying
new bases and a home plate, the
selection of umpires and the advisi-
bility of a mobile back-stop or bat-
ting cage.
Teams in the Bi-County League
are: Beaumont, Vernon, Carverton,
Noxen, Harding, Orange, Shaver-
town, and East Dallas. Both Hard-
ing and Shavertown are newcomers
this year. Addition of these teams,
plus the number of returning ser-
vicemen, is expected to produce a
faster brand of ball this season.
East Dallas won the regular sea-
son championship last year with
Vernon placing second. In the play-
offs East Dallas truimphed over
Noxen.
The Bi-County League schedule
opens Sunday, May 2, weather per-
mitting, and clubs will have their
preliminary meeting the previous
Sunday to decide on a schedule and
to approve team rosters.
Manager Wilson said, East Dallas
will welcome any one from this
section who wishes to tryout for
the team. Candidates should be on
hand Sunday, April 25 at the Dallas
Township field.
Attending the meeting were: Ted
Wilson, Melvin Morris, Tex Wilson,
Howard Garbutt, Bob Pickett, Wal-
ter Shultz, Al Morse, Peanuts Aus-
tin, Warren Stanton, Mike Kozik,
Chet Austin, Walt Shultz, and Gord
Austin. Those unable to attend
were: Harry Martin, Fred Stevens,
Art Bellas, and Robert Heminway.
Dallas Scouts’ Exhibit
Receives An "A" Award
Boy Scout Troop No. 281, spon-
sored by the Dallas Methodist
Church, under the leadership of
Scoutmaster Fred Butcher, received
an “A” Award for its booth in the
Boy Scout Merit Badge Show held
at Kingston Armory, Friday and
Saturday.
Members of the troop set up a
booth on canoeing in which they
had a large canoe mounted on
rollers. During the show, scouts
gave exhibitions of proper methods
of paddling and handling the canoe.
Roast Pig Supper
Sweet Valley Volunteer Fire
Company will hold a roast pig
Supper at the Church of Christ Hall
next Thursday.
(a small city near Nuremburg, the
FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 1948
6 CENTS PER COPY
Fernbrook Park Makes Way For New Industry
Fernbrook Park takes on an unfamiliar aspect as woodsmen fell trees and wrecking crews raze
buildings to clear the ground for the new plant of Bloomsburg Mills.
Col. John P. Kirkendall Returns
From Russia, Germany and Near East
Colonel John P. Kirkendall, who®
has just finished a three-year tour
of foreign service in Germany, Rus-
sia, and the Near East, is spend-
ing a short time in Dallas prior
to proceeding to the Mobile Air
Material Depot, Brooklyn Field, Mo-
bile Ala., his new command.
On this his latest tour of duty,
Col. Kirkendall left the States in
March 1945 as a member of the
U.S. Military Mission to Moscow.
On completion of his duties in
Russia, he was ordered to Berlin,
in charge of Air Operations, atten-
dent to the Big Three Conference
held there in July 1945. Following
a short tour of duty as Chief of
Staff of Berlin Air Command, which
was dissolved shortly after the con-
ference, he commanded two Air
Depot areas in the American Zone
of Occupied Germany. The two
depots being Kassel, on the edge
of Russian territory and Ansbach,
Teter Explains
New School Act
Back Mountain Lions
Discuss Consolidation
The Back Mountain Lions Club
was host to school directors and
citizens of Hunlock, Ross and Union
Townships on Tuesday evening at
Roaring Brook Baptist Church Hall.
E. S. Teter, Superintendent of
Luzerne County Schools, discussed
recent legislation pertaining to
schools.
He stated that fifty per cent of
the schools in Luzerne County were
one-room schools and recommended
that several smaller districts unite
to form a larger district which
could operate more efficiently. He
outlined the number of pupils and
teachers necessary to provide an
ideal administration unit in both
elementary and secondary schools.
self-styled capitol of German Na-
tional Socialism. His last service
was on the staff of L. Gen. Curtis
LeMay. Col. Kirkendall’'s duties
on the job required extended| While the law requires the Coun-
periods of service in Persia, South! ty Superintendent to make plans
Arabia, Egypt and North Africa. for union school districts and sub-
Col. Kirkendall arrived at West-, mit them to the Bureau of Educa-
over Field, Mass. in March of this| tion before July ¥st, he stated that
year, having returned on the Army| he had no defjhite plan to offer,
Transport Command’s C-54 ‘“Sky- but would leav: e directors
master”. and people of the districts to pro-
Prior to his last departure to| vide a plan.
Europe, Col. Kirkendall served 14' He recommended an eight-room
months in England, during the school for Hunlock Township, and
height of the German Blitz,. on a six-room school for each of Union
the staff of Gen. Ira C. Eaker. He and Ross Townships. Problem of
served in charge of the American financing the construction of .these
Office of Reciprocal Aid (Reverse schools, estimated at $15,000.00 per
Lend Lease) in which capacity he room, which greatly exceeds the
was able to obtain from the British borrowing capacity of the districts,
many million dollars worth of aid was left to the directors.
during the early stages of the war. | The Club also heard reports from
This program of which the majority the committee preparing to cele-
of American people knew little or brate Lions’ Week jointly with the
nothing, performed a great service Twin Cities Club at the Shickshinny
in the housing, feeding, and equip- Ball Park beginning May 10th.
ping of American troops quartered Attorney Miner Aylesworth pre-
on the British Isles during the sided and introduced a new mem-
entire length of the war. | ber, Russell Worrall.
Col. Kirkendall returned to the
States in July, 1943, because of
a physical breakdown caused by
a severe attack of pneumonia. On
recovery he was assigned as Deputy
Commander to the Air Materiel
Command, Middletown, Pa.
Col. Kirkendall was born in Dal-
Fishermen Disappointed
While hundreds of fishermen
visited nearby streams yesterday
for the opening of the trout season,
they found creeks high and fishing
| poor. No one reported any good
catches.
Fire Auxiliary Plans
Annual Garden Party
Ladies Auxiliary of the Trucks-
ville Volunteer Fire Company met
in the Fire Hall on Monday evening.
Mrs. Harold Yorks presided. Ten
dollars was contributed to the Can-
cer Drive.
Plans were made for the annual
Garden Party to be held at the
Hall on July 14. Mrs. Murphy, of
Scranton, will read a current best
seller. |
Mrs. Vern Pritchard will be gen-
eral chairman, assisted by the fol-
lowing committee chairmen: Pro-
gram, Mrs. John Kennan; Tea Ta-
ble, Mrs. Lincoln Long; Decorations,
Mrs. N. ‘Silverman; Kitchen, Mrs. '
D. Schooley; Posters, Mrs. R. A.
Finney; Tickets, Mrs. Jacob Harri-
son. The public is invited.
The Auxiliary will purchase three
dozen additional chairs for use in
the Hall. Refreshments were served
by Mrs. William Gregory, Mrs. El-
mer Coolbaugh and Mrs. Charles
Palmer to the following ladies: Mes-
dames R. A. Finney, Earl Gregory,
Sr., R. J. Gregory, Lincoln Long,
Samuel Miller, Franklin Hawke,
Raymond Greenwood, Joseph Ma-|
ther, Clifford Johnson, Vern Pritch-!
ard, J. B. Schooley, Miss Pauline
Besteder, George Shaver Jr.
D. A. Roberts, Jr., D. E. Schooley,
S. B. Dilcer, John Dykman, Karl
Stock, Harry Glace, William Glace,
Floyd Wells, David Williams, Morris
Lloyd, Myrtle Rineman, Dorey
Rogers, Neual Kester, V. J. McGuire,
John Cowell, Joseph Boyle, George
Parry, S. D. Finney, John Kennan,
Harold Yorks, N. Silverman, Dale
Zimmerman, Charles Palmer, Elmer
Coolbaugh and William Gregory.
Firemen Save Barn
But for the timely arrival of Leh-
man Fire Company on Saturday a
large barn on the Skopic pr
in Lehman Township mi;
been destroyed by flam
The company exhaus
gallon water tank before it extin-
guished a large pile of hay that
was burning within thirty feet of
the barn. The hay caught fire
when high winds carried embers
from a pile of rubbish which mem-
bers of the Skopic family were
burning.
Lt. Peter Skopic, Army Air Corps
navigator, home on leave from the
Canal Zone, highly praised the
work of the firemen and expressed
his family’s appreciation.
las and attended Dallas schools.
He also attended Seton Hall Acade-
my, Orange, N.J. before obtaining
an appointment to West Point. He
was graduated from West Point
in 1924 and has been on active
service ever since. He contem-| Mr. and Mrs. Jon Suis arrived
plates ten more years of active last week on the SS New Amster-
service in the Air Force and upon dam from Amsterdam, Holland, and
retirement plans to return to Dal-! are the guests of Mr. and Mrs. A.
las and live. S. James of Trucksville Gardens.
Col. Kirkendall is a son of the, Mr. and Mrs. Suis are enroute to
late George T. Kirkendall of Lake! Baker Field, California, where they
Street and a brother of George B.| will spend some time with Mrs.
Kirkendall of Boston, Dr. Henry L.| Suis’ son and daughter-in-law, Mr.
Kirkendall of Worcester, Mrs. Jean and Mrs. J. P. Van Wingaarden.
R. Kelly of New York and Mrs. Mrs. Van Wingaarden is the former
Helen L. Hart of Dallas. | Dorothy James. 4
Mrs. Kirkendall will remain in Mr. Suis, 45, operates a Ford
Dallas for several weeks before Parts Agency in Holland. Though
joining her husband in Alabama. he has learned English only in the
past year in expectation of his trip
: to America, he speaks it well.
Ham Supper Both he and Mrs. Suis are im-
W.S.C.S. of Lehman Methodist| pressed with the wealth and con-
Church will serve a ham supper at| veniences of this country and es-
the church starting at 5 on Tuesday | pecially with the beautiful rolling
Dutch Couple Impressed With
American Standard Of Living
.| Each person is allowed a half ounce
evening, April 20. hills of this area. “In Holland”, he
said, “one works eight years to see
America.”
“Everything there is rationed” he
said, “except potatoes and greens.
of coffee and tea for two months.
The weekly ration of meat is two
ounces. Cigarettes are seventy-two
cents per package, the weekly allow-
ance being two packages for men
and one for women. Use of auto-
mobiles is not permitted on Sun-
days.”
During the war, Mr. Suis was ac-
tive in the Dutch underground. He
lives near Poulton, the town with-
out men. It was there that an at-
tempt was made on the life of Ger-
man general Rauter. In retaliation
all men of the village were sent to
concentration camps. None has ever
returned. ;
’ BOX SCORE
Back Mountain Highway Deaths and
Firemen Order
Fog Equipment
$5,088 Is Pledged
To Jackson Company
Jackson Township Volunteer Fire
Company has purchased Hi-Pres-
sure Fog Fire Fighting Equipment
from the John Bean Company of
Lansing, Michigan.
The equipment will be mounted
on a new F-6 Ford 2-ton truck
chassis purchased from Motor Twins.
Delivery is expected before May 30
so that the company can enter the
Sweet Valley Community Parade on
Memorial Day.
The purchase was made Monday
night at a meeting of officers and
trustees of the company held
General Norman Smith’s hom
Huntsville. 1,200 feet of hos,
be included in the equipmen
More than $5,800 has been
pledged to the company with four
districts yet to be heard from.
$1,490 of this amount has been paid
in cash. The balance is to be paid
within a year. ,
Officers hope, however, that en-
ough will have been paid in by May
20 so that $6,800 can be paid on
delivery of the equipment.
The next report meeting of solici-
tors will be held at Mountain School
on May 10 because the Rome School
will be in readiness for the primary
election on the following day.
Township Band
Highly Praised
Took Part In Scout
Program At Armory
Dallas Township High School
Band, led by Alfred Milliner-Camp
received scores of compliments and
was enthusiastically welcomed last
Friday when it appeared as the
guest attiaction Lt the opening of
the Boy Scout Merit Badge Show
in Kingston Armory.
Wyoming Valley Council officials
had nothing but praisé for the local
musical organizati and the fine
spirit of cooperation shown by
Township Schogl Board i er
permission for the b 0 volunteer
its services and do its part in mak-
ing the show a success.
A high official of the Scouts said:
“Dallas Township can well be proud
of this capable organization which
represents their school and town-
ship. Many people had no idea that
there were such fine musical organ-
izations in the Back Mountain
area.”
‘Mildred Borton
Elected Queen
Township May Day
Scheduled For May 6
Mildred Borton of Alderson, dau-
ghter of Harold J. Borton, Lehigh
Valley Station Master in Dallas, a
senior enrolled in the Home Econ-
omics Course at Dallas Towns ip
Schools has been chosen er
Queen, by popular vote of’ Hi
School Students, to reign the
May Day Ceremonies.
Her maid of honor will be Peggy
Martin of Fernbrook. The senior at-
tendents of the Court of Honor
will be Mary Carey, Daisy Bellas,
Nancy Anderson, and Phyllis
Kunkle. Underclass attendents who
were chosen are Jackie Mahoney
and Clara Ann Evans, Juniors and
Lois Klein and Nancy Deibert,
Sophomores. -
St. Therese’s Troop
Wins Award At Kingston
Boy Scout Troop No. 232 spon-
sored by St. Therese's Church,
Shavertown, under the leadership of
John Butler received a “B” award
for its booth in the Boy Scout Merit
Badge Show held at Kingston Arm-
ory, Friday and Saturday.
The troop set up a booth featur-.
ing “Wood Handicraft.” During the
show, the scouts operated a lathe,
small circle saw, and jig-saw which
were novelities in that Scoutmaster
John Butler had made the equip-
ment from an old sewing machine.
John says that he couldn’t saw. a
board straight so he devised a way
to make equipment by using a sew-
ing machine and now he can do
most everything.