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A Growing Newspaper in a Growing City The Osha Daily Times Succeeding The Oshawa Daily Reformer While It Is News" VOL. 8-No, 48 EE STL REET a. OSHAWA, ONTARIO, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1931 12 Cents a Week; 3 Cents a Copy TEN PAGES TAX RATE REDUCED ONE AND A HALF MILLS All Oshawa Electors to Vote NEW BYLAWS ARE PASSED "PROVIDING FOR GENERAL VOTE ON ONE QUESTION on Gas Franchise By-law ---- Property-Owners Only Will Vote on Two Bylaws Pro- viding for Sale of Gas Plant and for Fixed As. sessment for Ten Years THIRD BYLAW NOW FOUND NECESSARY Restriction in Previous By- law Is Removed and By- law to Grant Franchise for Fifty Years Will Be Voted on by All Electors I'he electors of Oshawa. as a Whole will have the opportunity to vote on the franchise which it is proposed to extend to the Ontario Shore Gas Co., to operate the lo- cal gas manufacturing and distri. bution plant, it was decided by the city council last night. New by- laws concerning the sale of the plant were passed last night to supersede the bylaw passed at the last regular meeting and to give effect to this decision, which, it was stated, was required ty the Municipal Act. The previous by- law restricted the vote to prop- erty owners, eligible to vote on money bylaws, The people of Oshawa will be required to vote on three different bylaws on March 21. Polls will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m, and the vote will be taken at the same places and by the same re- turning officers and poll clerks that officiated in the mulcipal elec- tion in January. It will be re- membered that these men were drawn from the ranks of the un- 1 AY St thisis questions will be Kiwan} voted on by Fiyerty owners only, and the third by all those entitled to vote at municipal elections. The two on which only property owners may vote, are those for the sale of the Oshawa gas system to Ben KE. Tate on the terms contained in the agreement arawn up between the parties and the bylaw granting 4 fixed assessment of $84,000 to the local gas plant for a period of ten years, on general taxes only, not affecting school or local im- provement rates. The bylaw on which the elec tors may vote is that to grant a franchise to the Ontario Shore Gas Company or similar company to be formed by the purchaser, Ben E. Tate, for the exclusive right to sell gas in Oshawa for a period of fifty years. This franchise also includes a provision that the pur- chaser has the exclusive right to sell steam as a public utility in the city for fifty years providing he establishes a central gteam heat- ing plant in the city within five years. If he does not do this, the part of the franchise relating to the central steam plant will lapse and the providing of this service will be thrown open to general competition. MEDITERRANEAN WONDERS WILL BE SHOWN ON SCREEN Captain J. Milton State Gives Illustrated Lecture at Whitby Tonight and in Ro- tary Hall Friday Night | This evening at eight o'clock, in the town hall at Whitby, and tomor- row night at Oshawa, in the Rotary Hall, Captain J, Milton State, noted traveller and lecturer, will take his audiences on a wonder cruise "Around the Mediterranean" Cap- tain State is a man of engaging per- sonality, who has travelled in prac tically every part of the world, and in his cruise "Around the Mediterran« ean" he gives glimpses of the scores of wonderful and beantitul places of romantic and historic interest which are to be found around this great in- land sea. The pictures to be shown are 8ll in color, thus revealing.all of the charm and beauty of the places visited, Greece, Italy, Spain, Tnrkev, Palestine, and the shores of the Afri- can coast will all be portrayed, and their story told, the whole making J nt. fascinating evening of enpertai for ig 75 Bhd atten KIWANIS CARNIVAL OPENS TONIGHT AT LOCAL ARMORIES Provide Fun and Frolic for Old and Young The Armories was a busy place this forenoon as a staff of carpenters took possession and started work on the erection of booths, platforms and other necessary equipment' for the Kiwanis Club Winter Fair and Carn- ival which opens this evening in a blaze of glory. Shortly after noon, the Kiwanians and their assistants arrived on the scene and started the work of decoration. 'I'here were no half measures taken. Everything was done in the very best of taste, and in a thorough manner, so that, when the citizens flock into the Armories tonight, they will not be disappointed by what has been provided for them. Music will start off the evening, with the Salvation Army leading the way to the Armories for the opening of the carnival. And music and mer- rinient, with the McDonald Tobacco Radio Orchestra and Watson's or- chestra in attendance will be featured both evenings of the fair, which will not come to a close until the mid- night hour on Friday night, after Mayor Marks announces the name of the winner of the Chevrolet Coach which is to be given away to the holder of the lucky honorary mem- bership ticket. The great variety of entertainment which is being provided should be sufficient to satisfy all-comers to the s Carnival, and thie Kiwanians themselves are confident that their reat effort to provide funds for their oys' work program will meet with the generous response of the public. POLICE CHIEF ARE HONORED Chiefs of Oshawa, Cowman ville and Whitby Given Prominent Mention in Magazine The police departments of Oshawa, Whitby and Bowmanville have re- ceived more than usual attention in a recent issue of the Policeman's Re- view, an interesting Canadian Police Journal which is published in Tor- onto. A photograph of Chief Owen D, Friend, Oshawa's well known chief constable, appears upon the cover of the issue, while inside one may find on opposite pages photographs of Chief Sydney Venton, of Bowman- Sille, and Chief H, Quantrill, of Whit- y. Beneath the picture of Chief 'Ven ton is published a brief, but interest- ing account of his career. Born in Cornwall, England, the account sta- tes, Bowmanville's police head came to Oshawa in 1909 and joined the police force here. He was on the reserve force of the Coldstream (Continued on page 2) HOPE FOR EARLY WHEAT PURCHASE BY FRENCH GOV'T Br Paris, Feb, 25.--Negotiations are under way which, it is hoped will lead at early date to pur- chase of Canadian wheat by France as announced by Premier Bennett in his year and speech at Regina, Sask. The Canadian government it is understood, has already been notified that the arrangement made by Andre Tardieu while he was premier still holds good. No def- inate arrangements have been concluded for the actual movement of wheat, rg tn Ld ------------ HOME 7 1 Kitchener, Ont, Fel, 35.--In « home made aeroplane with motor-| cycle engine, 'Theodore Dietrich, garageman, yesterday 'aftained al- titude of 13,600) feet, | "The plane, 'was equippe ith ok "one. of hh Wi / slg Iy| danfaged' on 3 A b 3 % |) Fi -- Fourteen and sympathizers ar- y Were Timanded recognizance for charges of parading with- ity so Great Preparations Made to : or] arr STEAM CLAUSES TO BE REMOVED | FROM THE BY-LAWS Another special meeting of the city council for the pure pose of making some changes in the bylaw for the granting of a gas franchise, in conjunce tion with the sale of the gas plant, is being held this after noon at five o'clock. It is une derstood, that the Council in agreement with the purchaser has decided that the steam franchise which it was pro. posed to grant be eliminated from the franchise bylaw, and that it be passed as granting a franchise only for the manu. facture, sale and distribu tion of gas. This action is being taken by the council, it is understood, with the con. sent of the prospective pur. chasers. --- -- GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION IN ANOTHER MERGER Australian Automobile Body Concern Is Absorbed by General Motors in Big Deal New York, Feb, 26.--Merger of the General Motors Co., Ltd., with Holdens Motor Body Builders, Ltd. both of Australia. was announced today by Gragme K. Howard, gen- eral manager of the General Mo- tors Export Company in New York. The stockholders of the Holdens Motor Body Builders, Ltd., will meet on March 5 to ratify the deal. Mr. Howard said the merger con- stitutes the third important liaison of General Motors with a strong native industry during the last 11 years. The new company will be known as General Motors and Hol- dens Ltd. 'The motor bodles' com- pany has 1,600 Australian share- holders and it manufacturers 80 per cent. of all automobile bodies sold in Australia, exclusive of Ford. TREASURER OF COUNTY HELD FOR EMBEZZLEMENT Walford Biggs of Pembroke | | Charged With Theft of $120,000 From Renfrew County Pembroke, Feb, 26--Son of Pem- broke's mayor, former treasurer of Renfrew County, 31-year-old Wal- ford Biggs was arrested last night charged with theft of more than $120,000 of the county's money, This northern Ottawa valley town was seething with excitement as the ews spread of the arrest of Biggs, scion of one of the town's oldest and most respected families. Mr, Biggs resigned his position in December to take a position with a Toronto trust finn and was given a magnificent banquet with all the town's notables present. He was to have taken up his position in the Ontario capital shortly after the new year but was still in Renfrew when the warrant for his arrest was issued last night. The shortage was discovered Mon- day by J. M. Jamieson, who was ap- pointed treasurer when Biggs resign- ed in December last. On Monday Biggs was to have turned over the cash to Jamieson and was to leave the following day for Toronto, The reports of the auditors stated there was $120,000 on hand but the cash box revealed exactly nothing. HURRICANE HITS THE FIJI ISLANDS More Than 180 Persons Are Killed and Much Prop- erty Damaged 3 ral 8 BN Wellington, New, Zealadd, Feb, 26.--More than 180 persons were killed in Da and Singatoka dfs- tricts of the Fiji Islands in the worst hurricane and floods there fl recent'years, the crew of a gov- ent steamer reported on their val 'at Suva tonight. | "The hurricane; which occurred a few days ago, was reported to have blown thé train off the rails at Lautoka, causing many casual blown away. The hurricane was felt along only a narrow strip of territory thé outside of which out police permission; WORKED HARD TO LOWER TAX RATE ARR A RB ALD P. A, MACDONALD The ratepayers of this city will TREASURER P. A. BLACKBURN benefit, to the extent of a mill and a halt reduction in the tax rate, through the efforts of the members of the city council and the city officials. Largely re- sponsible are Ald. Macdonald, chairman of the finance tee, and City Treasurer P. A. commit. Blackburn. R. S. McLaughlin Denies 1 housands Will Lose Jobs as Result of New Discount The claim that several thousand men will be thrown out of work by the recent adjustment of the tariff protection against foreign automo- biles will not bear close analysis." Such was the comment made to- day by R. 8. McLaughlin, president of General Motors of Canada and veteran of 45 years' experience in carriage and motor car building in the Dominion, when his attention was drawn to a statement by auto- mobile importers. Mr. McLaughlin pointed out that those employed in the automobile industry could be divided into two classes: workers employed. in the manufacture and assembly of tars, and the dealers, .with their staffs who sell and service the complet- ed automobiles. It was the selling force now han- dling imported cars which the {m- porters claimed would be affected by the tariff change, But Mr, Mc- Laughlin explained that a given number of men were required to sell, service and handle trade-ins for every new car put on the mars ket. "Since the actual number of cars sold in Canada will not be af- fected by the new regulation, there will be no adverse effect. on retail staffs," he said. 'The sales effort will simply be diverted from one channel to another. Presuming that the importers cease to bring cars in from the United States new dealers will be required by the Caradian makers and larger stafls will be needed by dealers at pres- ent handling Canadian cars to take care of their increased business. "The 1,250,000 cars already in use, whether domestic or imported, will still have to be serviced, and this Lisiness will require just as many service men, irrespective of what dealers employ them." Sees More Factories While the retail selling staffs should not be adversely affected by the new tariff regulations, Mr, McLaughlin believed that factory employment should be very appre clably increased, due to new .fac- tories established by American (Continued on page 3) { | { ties, A lighthouse at. Nadi was|, Comparison of 1ax Rates Shows Where Reductions Were Made tor local improvements. by City Treasurer Blackburn, is: Separate School Maintenance Public School Maintenance Public School Debentures Collegiate Maintenance Vocational Maintenance General Municipal Services Debenture Payments General Debenture Payments General Share Local Improvement; Reductions in practically all divisions of the tax rate helped to make up the 1.5 mill decrease effected by the council in striking the rate for this year at a special meeting last night. are noted in the rates for public school maintenance, collegiate and vocational debentures, and general muicipal services. | creases in the rate for vocational school maintenance, general de- benture payments, and the general ratepayers' share of debentures The analysis of the tax rate as prepared ANALYSIS OF TAX RATE 9. Collegiate & Vocational Debenture Ratepayers Reductions There are in- 1931 1930 Public School Rate 5 00944764 $0097 00358444 00363 00232745 003236 00269532 002659 00274515 002765 01496837 01595301 00323256 00294802 00649907 00609897 45% mills. 47.amills Oshawa Girl Secretly Married to Son of Radio Multi-Millionaire Has Started on Belated Honeymoon Secretly married last April to Powell" Crosley 111, 20-year-old son of Powell Crosley Jr., multi- millionaire radio and airplane manufacturer, Miss June Houston Smith, 18-year-old daughter of Lt.-Col, H. E. Smith and Mrs. Smith, of Oshawa, left Cincinnati with her hushand last night on a belated honeymoon. The an- pouncement of the marriage was not made to even the parents un- til about three weeks ago, and to the outside world only last night. Miss Smith is a grand-daughter 'of Mrs. T. Edgar Houston, also a member of one of the multi-mil- lionaire American families, being a lafde| timber and oo land and min holder. Thé girl was offen a visitor at the Houston mansion, Collegehill, on the outskirts of Cincinnati, Ohio, which adjoins the Crosley estate, There about three years ago, she first met Powell Crosley, and the two hecame fast friends. In her subséquent fre- quent. vigits to her grandmother's home, the friendship of the girl and the youth were more firmly cemented, Last April, while Miss Smith was ding her Easter holidays from p Bethune College, Oshawa, at Collegehill, the two eloped and country was unatfocted! were married in Newport, Xen- tucky, but so quietly was it done that no one suspected that the nup- tials had been performed. The husband and wife continued to live apart, Mr. Crosley returning to his studies in Miami University, Ohio, and Miss Smith returning to Bishop Bethune College. Last Sep- tember she went to England with her grandmother, and entered school to take a speclal course. About three weeks ago, her mo- ther in Oshawa received a letter- from England, in whicn her daughter informed her that she was leaving the British Isles short- ly, to join her husband and his family, on a belated honeymoon. . Smith went to Cincinnati a few days ago to welcome the bride and groom, who left last night on a cruise to the elder Crosley's es- tate at Sarasota, Florida. They may extend their trip to Cuba and South America, Lt. Col, H. E. Smith, father of Mrs. Crosley, is a fermer officer commanding of the Ontario legi- ment in this city, and is the pro- prictor of Smith's Cleaners and Dyers here, He is still in liospital in Hollywood, Cal., recovering from injuries sustained in an auto- mobile accident near that city, in which he received three fractured ribs and a broken nese. LT.-COL. HODGINS IS HONORED BY BUSINESS FRIENDS Presentation Made and Good Wishes Extended at! Dinner to Departing Bank Manager An interesting function took place at the Genosha Hbtel last night when a banquet was held in honor of Lt.-Col. E. C. Hodgins, manager of the local branch of the Canadian Bank of Commerce, who is leaving shortly for King- ston where he will take charge of the Kingston branch. The affair was a stag party, over thirty friends of Lt. Col. Hodgins being present, representing the manufacturers, business and pro- fessional men of the city. Col. W. E. Phillips, president and manager of the W. E. Phillips Co. Ltd. made a very genial and capable toastmaster, The climax of the evening came, when on behalf of the assembled guests, Mr. R. S. McLaughlin, president of General Motors of Canada Ltd, presented Lt. Col. Hodgins with a silver cigarette box as a token of the high esteem with which he is held in Oshawa. While feeling, Mr. McLaughlin stated, that the city was ststain- ing a great loss in Col. Hodgins' removal to Kingston, all wished him success and happiness in his new position. He also mentioned that Mrs. Hodgins would be great- ly missed in Oshawa and at this juncture Dr. D. 8. Hoig presented Col. Hodgins with a beautiful bouquet of flowers to convey to his wife. Simply, but with sincerity, the recipient of these fine gifts, ex- pressed the appreciation of Mrs. Hodgins and himself for the kind- liness which has been shown to them during their residence here. It was a hardship, he said, to break away from the warm friend- ships which they have enjoyed and be assured his hearers that Osh- awa would always occupy a high place in their memories and af- fection. ---------------- SEPARATE SCHOOL AGREES TO RATE Reduction in Public School | Rate Will Mean Less Rev- enue to Separate School Board A letter was received by the city council last night from the Separate School board of the city, stating that the board would ac- cept the Public School rate as the basis of taxation for the mfwyp basis of taxation for Separate School purposes in Oshawa this year. This will mean a loss of revenue to the Scparate School Board of $250.30 due to the re- duction in public school rate, The separate school board of the city has followed the practice for some years of adopting tho same rate as that set for public school support- ers, this saving confusion in the collection of taxes, and in the CITY COUNCIL STRIKES ESTIMATES FIXING RATE AT 451; MILLS FOR 1931 > WOMAN IS KILLED | ONHIGHWAY AT HIGHLAND CREEK Two Cars in Head-on Col-| lision in Which One Was Killed and Five Others In-| jured Mrs. Jennie Plunkett of 237 Prince Street, Peterboro', was al- most instantly killed, while five others were injured, one seriously, as the result of a head-on collision of two cars on the Kingston High- way, near the Highland Creek Bridge, shortly after 8 o'clock last night. Killed Mrs, Jennie Plunkett, 237 Prince Street, Peterboro'. Injured Miss Mary Seeney, aged 63, of 33 Charles Street East, Toronto, who is at the East General Hos- pital in a serious condition. Miss M. B. Nelson, 33 Charles Street East, Toronto. Leslie Plunkett (son Plunkett), Peterboro'. Koon Lee and his brother, Tom Mark, of Niagara Falls, Ont. Place On Kingston Road, just west of the Highland Creek Bridge. Came From Behind Truck Mrs. Plunkett was a passenger in an eastbound car driven by her son, Leslie Plunkett, the other pas- sengers being Miss M. B, Nelson of 33 Charles Street Kast, Toronto, and Miss Mary Séfney of the same address. As the car turned on the bend from West Hill to the bridge approach, a truck was seen com- ing in the opposite direction, from behind which, it is alleged, a car driven by Tom Mark, a Chinese of Niagara Falls, Ont, suddenly swerved into the middle of the road, and crashed head-on into (Continued on page 3) 0? Mrs. COLLECT TAXES IN TWO INSTALMENTS City Council Decides to Make No Change in Col lection System for This Year 3 The system of collecting taxes in two instalments will be retained this year, the hylaw passed last night striking the tax rate pro- viding that half of the taxes shall be due Jupe 1 and the remainder October 1. A rebate of two per cent. will be made on the second instalment if paid with the first instalment, and a penalty of five percent will be added to all taxes pot paid by October 1. City Treas- prer Blackburn urged last year that the taxes be collected in monthly {nstalments dividing the payments into about eight instalments instead of two, but the has evidently decided to leave this question in abeyance this year. FORMER DURHAM minds of the public, TO INVESTIGATE RADIUM DEPOSITS Dominion Government Is Hopeful of Rich Discovery in Northwest Territories + (Canadian Press Despatch) Ottawa, Feb. 26,--Possibilities of obtaining radium. from piteh- blende discovered on the east shore of the Great Bear Lake north- west territories, are being studied in Toronto and Ottawa. The de- partment of mines here hag just been urged to proceed with tests with all possible speed so that if they prove as promising as are ex- pected, exploration work may be rushed this summer to ascertain the extent of the deposits. The world's production of radium at present is practically in the hands of the Belgian government and is worth more than two million dol- lars an ounce. In Wilberforce, On- tario, uraninate containing radium is being treated, put much will de- pend as to whether it will yield radium in sufficiept quantities, s GTUEN DIES John W. Ellins, Well-known Contractor, Passes Away at Home in Toronto John Wesley Ellins, retired con- tractor of Toronto, died yester- day at his home, Scarlett Road, Toronto, in his sixty-sixth year. The lato Mr. Elling was born in Darlington Township and received his early education, in the Oshawa Schools. Yor twenty-five years Mr. Ellins carried on business as a contractor and building supplies dealer in To- ronto before retiring about two years ago due to {ll health. He 'was a member of Humbervale United Church. Mr. Ellins is survived by ome brother, Levi, of Columbus and three sistors, Mrs. Hancock, of Courtice, Mrs. Ashton, of Toronto and Mrs. Ashton, of Manitoba. He is also 'survived by his wife, Al- berta, three sons, Russelly Fred H., and Frank W. Ellins; four dsugh- ters, Mrs. W. Levy, Mrs. W. J. King, Mrs. J. K. Taylor, Mrs. E. B. Ewart and several grand chil- dren, all of Toronto. . The funeral will take place at his late residence, Scarlett Road, Mayor Marks Congratulates' i by City Treasurer P. A. City Council on Success of Its Efforts to Reduce Tax Rate for This Year UTILITIES' BODY GRANT IS DOUBLED Co-operatiod of Spending Bodies and Committees, Especially Board of Edu- cation, Makes Reductio Possible wn The tax rate for the city of Osh» awa this year was struck by the Osh- awa city council at a special meet- ing last night, at 45% mills. This is a reduction of 1% mills from the rate of 47 mills levied last year. The budget statement as prepared Blackburn and presented to the council last night by Alderman P. A. Macdonald, chairman of the finance committee, shows that the taxation per capita will be $40.02, a reduction of 27 cents from the figure of $40.29 of last year. The actual reduction in taxation is stated to be slightly over one half of one per cent. Council Did Well Commenting upon the budget when it was presented to the council last night, Alderman Macdonald said that the council had done exceptionally well in paring the estimates so as to show a mill rate 1% mills below that of last year. This. was extra ordinary in view of the fact that une controllable expenditures had . ine creased approximately $25,000, - or more than a mill and a half. Deben- ture payments alone were $14,502 higher than last year, while the ex« penditures for social welfare and re- lief work expected to be $11,000 higher than the estimates of 1930 porvided for, 'To balance this there had been an increased grant from the Public Utilities Commission of $10,000 instead of $5,000 from the wa= terworks division, and $5,000 was be= ing taken: from accumulated surplus to lower the rate. The Board 'of Education had lopped . $15,700 from its estimates, while the other civie bodies, including the various commit tees of the council, had cut their gs« timates $12,110. Again in assessment of $324,085 yielded $8,000 more 'in revenue, Cut in Education Costs Mayor Marks congratulated the council on its achievement in reduce ing the rate, and lauded the' chair men of the standing committees of the council for their cooperation in achieving the desired result, The reduction in the tax rate for (Continued on page 9) FORMER OSHAWAN PRESENTED WITH © 50-YEAR JEWEL Dr. F. J. Patterson, Who Joined Oddfellows Here in 1880, Honored in Illinois Dr. ¥. J. Patterson, formerly of. this city, was recently presented with a fifty-year jewel by E. M. Cobb, Grand Master of the Odd- fellows Grand Lodge of Illinois. Dr. Patterson is now a member of Mendota Lodge, Mendota, Ill. Dr. Patterson joined Phoenix Lodge No. 22 at Oshawa on August 19, 1880. He resided In Oshawa for fifteon years after this time, then moved to Mendota, where he established a dental practice. There he took a very active inter- cst in the Oddfellows work and held practically all the offices in the lodge. He was instrumental in organizing the first Oddfellows" Encampment in Mendota and he- came its first Chief Patriarch and named it after his pavent Jodgo in Oshawa-~Plheonix Eucampment. Mr. Paterson's father was also a dentist, and was a member cf the firm of Patterson and Fenton, at that time one of the two dental offices in Oshawa. Their office was in the Oddfellows' Block on King street west. Dr. Patterson mare ried Ruby Kelley, of Oshawa, who is still living and was p at the presentation to her husband in Méndota. He was a brother-in- law of Dr. C. F. Jchaston, of Chis cago, one of the foremost dentists in the United States. A The Patterson family moved from Oshawa to "Toronto, from whence Frank J. Patterson went to Chidago, where he graduated as a dentist and established a prac- tice in Mendota. The Patterson & was sold to Dr. Marshall pic : 5 hands 'of Dr. J. Toronto, on Saturday, February 28th at 2.30 p.m, brother of Dr. ¥. L. Henry, : into . Overholt city, and it later the then to Dr. K, L. Henry, -- \ Ve B