davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1951-03-18

of Melbourne residents used up precious gaso-
line to haul loads of gum leaves to Quail
Island where emaciated koalas foraged in
stripped dead trees to stave off death by star
vation. This diminishing supply of gum
leaves, coupled with bush fires, has reduced
the koala population from several million in
the early 18OO's to perhaps 100000. They
are located for the most part in Zoo
logical gardens and sanctuaries in Vic
toria, the northern State of Queensland
and on a few island reservations.
Demand from New York and London for
millions of skins also did much to reduce the
population; as late as 192O-21, total of
now over. Fortunately law has been enacted
to protect the animal from fate similar to
the now almost extinct American bison.
Two Feet Tan
lHE only known ancestor of this cherub-
in-fur was huge. clumsy animal weighing
about half ton, or some % times as much
as living native bear of average size.
Today more appealing ball of fluff would
be hard to find. Like Juniors crib COM
panion, the koala with it's thick, fluffy coat of
fur, ranging in color from .ashen gray to
reddish or tawny brown, would bring out the
hugging instinct in anyone. If you stood him
against a wall you couldn't chalk him any
higher than two feet at maturity His outsize
head (the skull measures five and half
inches long, gives him lopsided iolling look
that strangely enough seems to add to his
appeal.
A perpetual expression of intelligent and
amiable surprise emanates from round, brown
eyes. While there are further picturesque
additions to Australia's native bear such as
Valley frontiersman., 1951-03-30
Fire Assn. Buys New Fire Truck
 Needs Volunteers

Palmer's new fire truck has been shipped from Seattle and is due any day, O. R. Mitchell, chief of the Fire Association, said yes- terday.
 As soon as it arrives, the Royal Bean high pressure pump and 400 gallon water tank will be mount ed on the new chassis and the equipment will be ready for ac- ton. The new fire truck probably will be used mostly in the outly- ing areas.
 This gives the Palmer district three efficient fire trucks and makes it possible to maintain the present insurance rating.
 According to the Pacific Board of Underwriters, no truck 10 or more years old can be considered in rating town. Hence the deci- sion of the Fire Association Board to sell their outmoded truck and buy the new one. The Palmer fire district now is in class 2 (the same that Anchorage held until about 6 months ago). Before the organization of the Fire Associa- ton the rating was clear up in class 10-showing a decided drop in fire insurance rates. Rates are higher outside the fire district. The inner. fire district includes most of the business part of town
 Calling More Fire-Fighters
 One emergency which con- fronts the Fire Association and affects the safety of the entire community is the lack of fire fighters.
 It's a volunteer job and a hot one.
 Property may be at stake and perhaps lives.
 Many of the volunteers who
 Continued on Page l2
Valley frontiersman., 1951-03-30
NO
BY CARL R. RASMUSSEN Acting Manager of Matanuska Valley Farmers Coop Assn.

The writer has been asked to set forth reasons why he believes the proposed incorporation of the town of Palmer is not feasible at this time. It was with some mis- giving that the writer agreed to write this letter for he we'll un- derstands at least two elements in favor of incorporation have fully made up their minds and regardless of what anyone says their votes will be cast for or against on a predetermined ba- sis. Everyone who disagrees with them will be accused of having ulterior motives. One of the fund amental principles of American Democracy is the belief that ev- eryone is wrong except me. But there are quite a few people who are anxious to hear both sides of the case and to those people this letter is dedicated.
 To be fair the writer feels that the farmers interest in the matter should be considered. The writer disagrees with the belief that some people have: that the people who have moved in near the farmers agency, the Coop, and who have benefited by that con- nection are parasites. In a way we feel that this is wrong and that everyone benefits by in creased population if it is made in orderly manner and the town is able to assimilate the newcom- CTS without economic confusion. , In this respect Palmer has been fortunate as it has had a small but steady boom for the last five years.
 Population And Housing
 One of our citizens who always overestimates in his statements
 Continued on page 2
Valley frontiersman., 1951-03-30
Y EES
BY WILLIAM w. HEAD
 "A Property Owner

In pursuit of public opinion re- garding the proposed incorpora- ton of Palmer as a city, I have heard many discussions on the topic, listened to many excuses but few reasons why some oppose the move. I have found however, that the minds of number of people are like concrete, thor oughly mixed up and set just as hard, many have been mislead by rumor, mis-statements and claims which border on the ridiculous.
 To thinking person, the reas- ons for incorporation are many, and advantages outweigh the dis advantages. The purpose of this letter is to express few reasons why incorporation of the area should be an advantage. Enumer- ation of good reasons are as fol- lows:
 Authority Needed >,
 Palmer has reached a point in it's progress and growth where it is necessary that an administra- tive body be elected to be the fo- cal point for handling the many problems extant in the commit nity. We may see every day wherein small groups attempt to cope with problems of a city, have no authority to act, and while sincere in their effort, do not represent anyone but the group actually participating in the effort. A common council, el- ected by the residents, would handle these problems and have authority to cope with them.
 Policing
 The matter of necessary polio ing the city is ever before us, and constitutes matter which shall | become more urgent when con- struction crews use Palmer as a , headquarters for work and play.
 Continued on Page 3
Valley frontiersman., 1951-03-30
RED CROSS CAMPAIGN
 ORGANIZATION STARTS

First materials for Palmer's an- nual Red Cross drive were re- ceived this week by William Bouwens, deputy marshall, Red Cross representative.
 Plans for the campaign, and appointment of chairmen will begin at once.
 There can be no question of our need for the Red Cross with the war situation as it is," BouW ems said. ..: .: ... =
Valley frontiersman., 1951-03-30
FACTIONS SPLIT OVER TOWNS NEEDS ARGUMENTS HOT AS ELECTION WEARS

FRoNTIERSMANS STATEMENT: The remarks and opinions expressed by following Valley residents and regarding the of not 10 be influencing the thoughts of the Valley We firmly that only through incorporation which results organization and unity rghtfu place in the Ter rtory question. Believe Incorporation of Pal by the two authors expressing their opinions.
Valley frontiersman., 1951-03-30
PALMER READY TO MOBILIZE CIVIL
 DEFENSE IN WAR GAME "FIRESTEP"

of actual warfare, to test their own capabilities in the overall war game. In actual hostilities such organizations would perform functions in connection wi h damage control, fire control, med
 Continued on Page l3
Valley frontiersman., 1951-03-30

In the Territory wide maneuv- CTS "Firestep"-the first in Alas ka involving all military of the three Armed Forces Palmer stands ready to follow any action required of Civil Defense organi- cations.
 50 far we have received no instructions, but no doubt we will be required by the Military to do certain things" William T. Zah- radnicek, deputy director of the Civilian Defense Committee, said.
 We have an efficient organi- zation set up, and we have met all requirements to date There probably will be blackout regu- lations or tests. As soon as we get instructions, we will call our heads together.
 Tn case of emergency. every one will be notified and given instructions"
 Exercise 'Firestep"
 Dates for the military exercise 'Firestep" are April 2-25. The maneuvers will involve all mili- tary of the three armed forces, troops from Outside Alaska, and possibly civil defense organiza- tions, according to It. Gen. w. E. Kepner, commander-in-chief, Alaskan Command.
 The extensive pretended war towering all Alaska will encom- pass all elements of the U. s. Army, Alaska, the Alaskan Sea Frontier, and the Alaskan Air Command, the three compon- ents which make up the Unified Alaskan Command. Col. Branner P. Purdue, USARAL, has been assigned as maneuver director.
 For the first time in the history of Alaskan War-games, airborne troops will participate.
 None of the multitudinous phases of actual warfare will be by-passed. Evacuation of military dependents will be practiced and plans for evacuation of military hospital personnel and patients. Military traffic control and CO., ordination with civilian traffic control agencies will be included; also protective measures against sabotage.
 Civilian Defense Agencies
 Gov. Ernest Gruening has been invited to call upon civil defense agencies to assume the conditions
Valley frontiersman., 1951-03-30

Palmer electors have a wide choice in voting for city council men April 10. Seven will be el- ected.
 Citizens of varied occupations have filed. All fundamentally want to see Palmer prosper and grow and be the right kind of city in which to make a living and raise family. Most have been active in civic, community and welfare projects. All are property owners.
 All realize the job is going to be tempestuous, tough, with much blame and little praise and with no pay. The candidates who have filed have done so mostly without self interest and because they are willing to give their time and services for the common good.
 To date 16 candidates have filed. More may enter before the filings close March 31. Candi- dates who have filed up to the time the Valley Frontiersman goes to press are,
 Ray Adams
 Bernard R. Bouwens
 Al J. DeJulio
 A. V. "Al" Hagen
 Al King
 Mrs. Betty Mears
 Dr. Allan Mick
 Carl Fl. Meier Oliver Onkka
 Matthew Perkins Robert Bob" Peterson C. "A. "Chet" Sandvik
 Lloyd w. Severns John L. Sullivan Steve Ward
 Mrs. KatherYn Wilson | The Frontiersman has in- vited each candidate to make his own statement in his own words These statements will appear in our next issue.
Valley frontiersman., 1951-03-30

The Frontiersman has in- vited each candidate to make his own statement in his own words. These statements will appear in our next issue.
Valley frontiersman., 1951-03-30

Civilian Defense Agencies
 Gov. Ernest Gruening has been invited to call upon civil defense agencies to assume the conditions
Valley frontiersman., 1951-03-30
Population And Housing

One of our citizens who always in his statements
 Continued on page 2
Valley frontiersman., 1951-03-30
Incorporation Fight Sweeps Palmer
HERE ARE YOUR CANDIDATES FOR CITY COUNCIL

Palmer electors have a wide choice in voting for city council men April 10. Seven will be el- ected.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1951-11-28
British Buck on Big Patf

STRASBOURG, France, Nov. 28 --9R-Britain indicated today she would not take a direct part in the projected European army, but in- sisted she had not yet made up her mind finally. A French spokesman said that Britain's implied rejec- ton of the European army would upset plans for creation of the supernational force and threaten West German integration in west ern European defenses.
 Sir David Maxwell-Fyfe, Home Minister of Britain's Conservative government, told the European Consultative Assembly here that Prime Minister Churchill will com init Britain at this time to no more than closest association" with the European army or the Schuman coal-steel pool plan.
 Later, at a news conference, however, Maxwell l-Fyfe said "the door is not yet closed and my state ments should not be interpreted as a refusal to cooperate"
 Apparently, however, the French delegation took the Briton's words to mean refusal.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1951-11-28
Orders Reported
 To Have Been Given From Highest Source

SEOUL, Kdrea, Thursday--tR- Korean ground fighting came to a complete, if temporary, halt We'd nesday on orders from the highest possibly the White House.
 Field dispatches said orders reach- Allied troops late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning in structing them not to fire on the enemy unless attacked
 The information apparently had reached the Communists. They also stopped fighting.
 The U. s. Eighth Army denied ordering a halt to fighting. The whole situation at headquarters bordered on the fantastic. At the same time the combat troops were being told not to fire unless fired on, headquarters information of ficers and censors pleaded ignor- ance with every evidence of sheer ity.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1951-11-28
Washington Synod Schedules 1952
 Meeting in Alaska

SEATTLE, Nov. 28-tR-The Pres hyterian Synod of Washington state will hold it's 1852 session in Alaska, and afloat, if the Synod's nine Presbyteries approve.
 The Synod's general council ap- proved the plan here yesterday, and rslayed it to the Presbyteries for action. Two of the Presbyteries are in Alaska and seven in Washington.
 Spokane had been named prev iously as the meeting place. The change was proposed to give Alaska more recognition in the Synod.
 The plan calls for sessions May 28 to June aboard the Canadian Steamship Prince George. Delegates would have a chance to visit church missions in Alaskan ports.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1951-11-28
Reds Refuse Vital poinis FofAfn;isiite

MUNSAN, Korea, Nov. 28-iR- Communist truce negotiators flatly refused. today to ban military buildups in Korea during an armis- tice or to set up joint inspection teams to police the truce.
 The Red stand let Vice Adm. c. Turner Joy, chief negotiator for the United Nations Command, to express suspicion the Reds might be planning to resume fighting after temporary truce.
 Joy told newsmen "the Con- munists came out in the open and said they were completely opposed to .sur principles" for inspection teams and guarantees against mili- tary buildups.
 "They brought up the question of withdrawal of foreign troops" Joy reported. They said that with withdrawal of foreign troops" the problem would be settled"
 You see what we are up against?' the admiral asked.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1951-11-28
Atomic Energy Head Says Nevada 1esfs Were Very Useful

WASHINGTON, Nov. 28-- R - Chairman Gordon Dean of the At omic Energy Commission (AEC) said today the atomic weapons tests conducted recently in Nevada prov ed very useful" in development of the nations military might.
 Deans guarded statement to re- porters was his first public con- ment on the latest series of tests, which he indicated has not been concluded. Six explosions have been c0aducted. in the series which started Oct. p, ranging from what was apparently baby A-bomb to misunderstanding weapons.
 The commission chairman was asked whether the tests so far had been generally satisfactory and whether they had advanced the building of this country's atomic arsenal.
 Let me put 1t this way" Dean replied. T don't think there has been anything in the Nevada shots (test) that has ever displeased us" l"
The Daily Alaska empire., 1951-11-28
Rea(iion on Front Line 10 Orders 10 Cut Out Shooting

WESTERN FRONT. Korea, Nov. 28 Front line reaction to the agreement on a provisional cease fire line in Korea ranges from just fine" to mo confidence"
 Sgt. Emanuel Moore. Pittsburgh. Pa. said his platoon cancelled a pa- trol scheduled Wednesday morning. He assumed that was because of the agreement.
 Moore said he thinks the armistice talks will work out just fine"
 Pfc. Armistice s. Harris, Pinetops. N. C., said T think it looks better than it did, but I don't have any confidence in 1t because I've been hearing about peace for more than four months"
 Pfc. Ignacio Gonzales. Los An- geles, said If they stop. you have better chance of going home. If they don't you have chance of staying here for life"
 It. Donald Truelock. Shelburn. Ind. said he is 'very optimistic about it this time and I think we're going to have an armistice. .
The Daily Alaska empire., 1951-11-28
Dance 10 Honor
 Members of Guard Al 1si Entampmenf

Members of the 208th Infantry Battalion (Sep) of the Alaska Ma tional Guard attending the first encampment of the organization will be honored by dance in the Elks ballroom Saturday night.
 The dance will conclude the Gov ernor's Day activities of the bat talion. The hall is being donated by the Elks and music is to be furnished by the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post. Special enter tainment for the evening will begin at 9:45 o'clock and will include the O'Reillys from the Pamaray Club, Jos1Hny and Leonard from the Barr anof Bubble Room and special dancing act by the Ssinners.
 Highlight of the evening will be presentation of an award to the winning drill team who will give an exhiblicn. Master of cere- monies for tie evening will be Ross Wheeler. .p
 Young ladies of Juneau are in yited since. most of the guardsmen will be without partners. There will be no admission charge and 1t is hoped that all of Juneau will at tend the dance and give the guards men a welcome to the Capital City.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1951-11-28
fl Navy Men Die as Plane Dives in Sea

SAN DIEGO. Calf, Nov. 28-tR- A Navy PBM (Martin Mariner) seaplane plunged into the ocean seven miles west of here yesterday, carrying II airmen to their death. It was San Diego's worst military plane disaster in a decade.
 In another Southern California plane crash, B-29 bomber burst into flames near March Air Base, but it's 13-man crew parachuted to safety.
 An eyewitness to the PBM crash said the plane, a two-engined craft, plunged straight downward, hit ting the water with a terrific splash.
 Tt was diving so fast, I thought it was a jet plane" said Donald Hubbard, truck driver.
 The Navy said the plane, attached to fleet air wing IA, on a routine training flight from the San Diego Naval Air Station, broke into pieces when it struck. It did not burn but soon sank.
 Three officers and eight enlisted men were aboard.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1951-11-28
Big Three Plan On Disarmament Stalled by Russ

PARIS, Nov. 28-tR--The western Big Three today formally accepted the Asian-Arab plan for private disarmament talks, but Soviet For eign Minister Andrei Vishinsky dodged direct appeals to give the Russian answer.
 With western acceptance, the de- cision on the closed-door discussions lay squarely up to Russia.
 Observers at the United Nations General Assembly felt Vishinsky's refusal to give straight answer meant the Kremlin has not made up it's mind whether it wants to get down to brass tacks about rid- ding the world of growing arms programs.
 Luis Battle Berres of Uruguay and Salvador P. Lopez of the Philip pines, speaking at today's session of the Assembly's political commit tee, both appealed to vishinsky to speak up. They said it was useless for delegates from little countries to keep on talking about disarma- ment without knowing Russia's ans wer.
 Vishinsky pretended not to know what they were talking about.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1951-11-28
Raid Drill
 Clears N. Y. Streets

NEW YORK. Nov. 28-R-An all-out air raid drill cleared New York's normally teeming streets of all visible life within two or three minutes today.
 The shrieking sirens of the first postwar test halted all traffic and sent pedestrians scurrying into nearby buildings at 10:33 am.
 The .alI clear" sounded 10 min utes later.
 Times Square, in the heart of the city, was deserted.
 Trading on the stock exchange, center of the financial world, came to temporary halt.
 Skaters on the ice rink at Rocke- feller Center clumped on their skates into nearby buildings.
 Office workers in New York's skyscrapers took refuge in inner corridors.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1951-11-28
GROUND FIGHTING IN KOREA IS STOPPED
31 Tax Employees 0usted in Wake Of Investigation.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 28 - Rl - The Truman administration today booted 31 officials and employees from its scandal-hit tax collecting organization.
 Top official to get the axe was James G. Smyth. internal revenue collector at San Francisco. He was already under suspension.
 Smyth's removal by President Truman was announced at Key West, Fla, where the president is visiting. Presidential s Secretary Joseph Short said Smyth was fired for failure to manage his office properly"
 As a preidential appointee, Smyth could be busted only by the presi- dent.
 Within half an hour after the Key West action, James B. Dunlap, Commissioner of Revenue, an- nounceG here the busting of 30 others IS part of his drive to elim- mate unfit" employees.
 It was the biggest single shake up since an investigation by House Ways and Means subcom- mittee turned up repeated indica- tions of corruption or inefficiency in many spots in tl.e federal tax collection service.
 It brought the total score since the inquiry to these figures,
 Three collectors, in charge of re- gional offices, fired.
 Three others resigned while under investigation.
 3s lessor employees fired, and 5 resigned.
 Dunlap did not announce the specific charges against the 30 em- ployees he dismissed today but he said complete files on all of the cases were being made available te the House subcommittee, headed by Rep. King tD-Calif).
 Dunlap said disciplinary actions" less severe than the 30 cases also have been taken against a number of other employees but he did not elaborate,
The Daily Alaska empire., 1951-11-28
Stotk Quotations

NEW YORK, Nov. 28-sR-Closing quotation of Alaska Juneau mine stock today is 3, American Can 1O81s, American Tel. and Tel. 1884 Anaconda 481a. Douglas Aircraft 56%, General Electric 555g. General Motors 49N, Goodyear .41E, Ken necott 85ss, Libby McNeill and Libby 8lz, Northern Pacific 58as, Standard Oil of California 491a, Twentieth Century Fox 21as. U. $. Steel 39A. Pound $2.80, Canadian Exchange 96-25.
 Sales today were 1,150.000 shares.
 Averages today were as follows: industrials 258.64, rails 1882, util- ities 45.91.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1951-11-28
Taff Describes EIetfion Deal as 'UtterIy FaIse'

WASHINGTON, Nov. 2S- R = Senator Taft R-Ohio) describes as utterly false" any suggestion "hy Joe Ferguson or anyone else that Ohio Republicans and Demo- crats struck deal to re-elect Dem- ocratic Gov. Frank J. Lausche last year.
 Joseph T. Ferguson. Ohio State Auditor, told a Senate Elections subcommittee yesterday he believ- ed there was deal' involved in Lausche's reelection over the Re- publican candidate, Don Ebright "got dirty deal from the Repubh- cans"
 Ebright lost to Lausche while most of the Republican ticket in Ohio was winning.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1951-11-28
The W ashington Merry Go Round tcanx-,aht 1as1. hx Bell Syndicate Inc
light, Iy5I, by BeII 5yndicate, Int
 By DREW PEARSON

" ASHINGTON The same House committee that has been proving tax scandals lately, tried to disprove one the other day. How ever, the public and press were barred. as the committee began a ticklish investigation of it's own chairman-Congressman Cecil King, California Democrat.
 The purpose was to spike rumors that King had intervened in a tax investigation of four Long Beach, Calif., business associates-Thomas A. Gregory, John D. Wilhoit, Cilf- ton s. Jones and Charles J. Jones. Under sharp, often heated question: ing. the witnesses agreed that they knew of no pressure from King to block the tax cases. However, at least one witness charged that klng had used his Congressional influ- ence on Gregory's side in a ESQ., 000,00 lawsuit.
 Believing Congressman Kings conduct should be as open to pub lie scrutiny as the tax collectors he is Investigating this column has obtained play-by play account of the closed-door hearing.
 Sharpest clash was between Ad- rain De Wind, Kings chief counsel, and Philip H. Angel. former presi- dent of the California State Bar