PAGE FOUR THE G UAR D IAN

“Qt-ll. um; (Ioulldasl ll ll") Anlborlwd u den-unit Chum lull. "t" om” I-Mplllllltlll, oll-III- Thn Inland liunrrflnn lzubllumal Co. norm no llroulllnl vireo-m. d ls- Berle"- Auoclalo Edliul. Frank Wllllll- "Tho Strongest Memory is Weaker The"

the Weakest Ink.“ .

CHARLOITETUWN. MONDAY. run. 14. 1949

St. Valentine

if history is correct, St. Valentine was notra very romantic or glamorous figure. 05 “Kl! q"°_ l‘ ties are regarded these days, but rather a sin- ccre and determined man. He died a motif" death more than L600 Yell" °9°- Hi5 "smcw" tion with love was accidental, but there had to be a St. Valentine somehow -— the world WOI-Ild riot be quite the some without one. _

St. Valentine's Day was origlnflllY "ssclc-fui‘ ed with Lupcrcolia, an ancient Roman festival devoted originally to pastoral and agricultural ceremoniols, hopefully intended to ensure good harvests and large flocks. Over the centuries, however, it become a date for choosing a wife or husband, to which more thought used to be givon by Roman parents than by some of the later generations. Sometime in the dim past St. Valentine was substituted for Lupercus and a pleasant custom was given virtual immortality.

As time passed valentines were taken rather seriously. The date was made the occasion of proposals and for beginning courtships. Then there intervened a lamentable era when in- sulting and abusive valentines were sent anony- rnously by persons as a means of "evening on old score" —- real or imaginary - and to less for- tunate persons as if their physical appearance were a personal fault. Fortunately, this era seems to be passing. Valentines are more senti- mental these days, and that is as they should be. Acord, a little present, to some one loved can never be amiss.

A Staggering Total

When it comes to analyzing pledges in the next general election campaign, island YOleTS would do well to realize what the C.C.F. pro- posal to pay $50 monthly to oll persons over 65 would involve.

If the means test were dropped, we would have in this Province 6,200 pensionable persons over seventy years of age. Between sixty-five and seventy there would be another 2,800 eligible pensioners, making a total of 9,000. This would mean an expenditure for Prince Edward island of $5,400,000.

At present the joint Dominion-Provincial ex- penditure is about $800,000. Next year, allow- ing for normal population increase and adding pensions to the blind, the figure will be in the vicinity of $975,000. There is a sizeoble dif- ference between this figure and the $5,400,000 required under the C.C.F. platform. How many millions the plan would involve for all Canada has not been estimated, but the total would be staggering.

Almost Unanimous

On the day ohpolling in Nicolet-Yamosko, the Montreal Star, an independent-Liberal news- paper, printed o dispatch saying the outcome "was expected to have a telling effect on o fu- ture general election." in assessing the chances of the rival parties, the Star supplied the follow- lng comment and figures:

"The lost two elections in Nicolet-Yomoska have shown the riding to be almost unanimously Liberal. The results in i940 and in i945 follows:

i940 F. M. Manseau, Liberal . . . . . .. .. . . . .. 6,865 J. H. Belcourt, Nat. Gov't. 410 L. Dubois, lnd. Liberal . . . . . .. 7,445 Loo Cote, lnd. Conservative ..._,._..... Z32

i945 L. Dubois, Liberal 7,973 Trohan, liid. Liberal . . . . . . . . . . . .. 6,658 Mondou, lnd. Conservative . . . . . . . . . . . 944

Judged by past performances, there are probably at least 60 of Quebec's 73 constituen- cies which offer better chances to the Progres- sive Conservatives than Nicolet-Yamaska did be- fore last week's by-clectian. A comparable turn- over in these other ridings would make Quebec almost unanimously Progressive Conservative.

Lengthening Our Summer

lf Canada would back the campaign of many ll. S. communities and postpone its annual Labor Day holiday a couple of weeks, millions would be added to our tourist revenue. That is the opinion of Mr. D. Leo Dolon, head of Canada's Travel Bureau, who has been actively campaigning for such o change. He says it would be worth "con- cervotively" on extra $25 to $30 millions in tourist dollars ‘or us. At present Labor Day falls on the first Monday in September and it has come to be regarded by the public at largo as marking the end of the holiday season. if postponed until mid-September, Mr. Dolon argues that tho lush season for tourists would bo extended a fortnight with benefit to oll of us.

Whether or not a simple change like this would prove as practical and profitable as Mr. Dolon predicts, comments the Financial Post, certainly tourists are neglecting one of the most beautiful months in Canada. And June, ot the other ond, is another good month for travel and outdoor holidays, but it too is neglected.

Tho great majority of Americans and Co- riodians slavishly consider only July and August for their annual outings. These are good months. but if tho weather is fair, not o bit better than Juno and September. if wo could add those to our summer tourist season wo would hovo hop- picr and more sotisfiod tourists and we would add a whopping increase to an industry which is already worth $275 millions a yoor. iprcod over four months instood of being

and gain still more volume.

1 EDITORIAL ~01 es /.

i-

St. Valentine's Day. i‘ w W

Confederation Bonspiel. i I fi

vegetables for which export permits arc no longer required.

Cheques cashed in Canada in i948 were $80.7 billion — 8.3 per cent over i947. In i938 the figure was $30.9-billion.

Mr. Churchill gets credited with many state- ments which he may or may not have made. The latest London story is that, speaking of the rc- cent bribery case in Britain, he said, "What o pity! If poor Clem Attlee hod been olive, this would never have happened."

W fl i

The co-operative movement continues to grow but the problem of educating members in its principles is going to be more serious than ever. "Open membership" for the purpose of avoiding taxation means that a great many members will know nothing about the movement and core less.

‘ fl i l‘

Efforts of all parties here to gain the femi- nine vote appear very mild indeed compared with the bid Britoin's Labour Government is making. Proposals to ease the housewive's bur- den through municipal and other labour sav- ing services range from loundrics to improved food distribution.

I i Q

The report from Ottawa that import re- strictions on fats and oils are to be lifted does not mean that large supplies will be immedi- ately available. There is still a world scarcity of those products and Canada con only increase her shore by outbidding other consuming coun- tries. But it opens the door for margarine.

i’ A

An Ottawa Journal report indicates that the capital's aldermen are having difficulty find- ing out what the Board of Control is doing. Members of the City Council complain that the Board is slow in providing information on vital issues and holds altogether too nu-ny meeting; behind closed doors. I O A U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization official is reported as saying that, "The ocean is man's next frontier — it may be his last." He said that man must turn more to the ocean to survive. Careful conservation and the ex- tending of operations to relatively deep waters are now necessary. * The Prime Minister is being wrongly blam-' ed for shutting out M. P.'s from succession to the Senate at the present juncture. Mr. St. Lour- ent is too much concerned over world affairs to give attention to patronage and details. of party policy. It would be the board of strategy that shut out M. P.'s becoming senators to ovoid further loss of government seats. I I I

The New York Times reports that a revision of the 50-year-old Gregg Shorthond System is to be published this year. The bulk of the memory forms and arbitrary symbols are eliminated. The result is o script that looks longer than the old style but can be written or read back more quick- ly because of the fewer mental impediments.

The slight erroxofla iilerk in Bristol, Eng- land, which resulted in the local naval reservists receiving "general mobilization" coll up forms instead of the routine drill notice, has "nothing to it," according to Mr. Charles Mills Drury, Deputy Minister of National Defence as report- ed by the Ottowa Journal. "lt could happen any- where." Canodo, he said, has a full-scale plan with a carefully worked'out mobilization pro- ccdure.

Q i’ I

Benvenuto Cellini, ltolian artist, metal work- er, sculptor and flautist, died this date i57l. Nothing but his famous and inimitable Autobiog- raphy can do justice to his mony-sidedness: ap- prenticed to o goldsmith; then took up flute- playing, and become one of the Pope's court musicians; he enjoyed considerable patronage as a metal worker under Clement Vl'l, but his pen- chant for browling led to his constant change of domicile, and ho lived at Paris, Siena, Pisa, Rome and Florence, changing his profession as ofton as his place of residence. His greatest work as sculptor is the bronze group, Perseus holding the Head of Medusa.

i

Last Monday Prime Minister St. Laurent was in exceptionally good spirits while reading to the House of Commons letters from the premiers declining, with thanks, his offer to restore rent control, says the Gazette's Ottawa correspondent. At the outset of the some address, Mr. St. Lou- rent hod, inadvertently perhaps, made this timid provincial reaction somewhat understandable when, soaring to new metaphorical heights, ho declared: "The premiers of tho provinces realize what the situation is. They roolizo that we have caught hold of a lion's toil and wo do not want to let go until somebody else grabs it. They soy that they are not going to grab it." Which seems to be fair enough all around, though few peopl con have suspected up to that moment that Ottawa had found this particular piece of pur- loined autonomy such a painful embarrassment. Unfortunately, the letters from the premiers were couched in terms of rent controls rather than the "lion's toil" to which Mr. St. Laurent hod referred with such eloquence. Rowrittcn in terms of tho Primo Minister's own metaphor, the lot- tors givo o now and refreshing picture of lifo

in rho legislative jungles.

largely concentrated into two, than would bo less crowding of our tourist capacity in goods, hotels, resorts, cottages, otc., and yot a for big- ger total volume. There would also be for more incentive for capital to enlarge present capacity

Potatoes were not included in the list of

\

rue GUARDiAN,

WHAT DAY THIS

0 PUBLIL lUllUM a ‘This column ls open to the ll

‘i- \E/0L-Yi00§?»00<i0

discussion by correspondents of questions uf interest. The Guardian docs nut. necessar-

A ll) endorse the opinion iit \ E correspondents. n-isoo-Q-ooecixwoo-Qw THE UNKIND WORD

sir. — The writer read with pleasant interest. the letter of Capt. W. P. C. LeBoutilller of Kenogaml. Que, published in 3'01" Feb. 12th issue.

Capt. LCBOUlliiiEPn gesture on tic-half of his former Colonel inow Brigadier) Jirn H. Price. was not. as interpreted by some. the usual political back-slapping. It. was in fact the tribute of a gallant officer lo his beloved superior, a mark of the great respect born of mutual experience in total wnr and terrible privation.

Capt. LeBoutllller suggested to the electorate of Prince the wis- dom of electing Brig. Price as their Federal representative. And well Ixe might! Brig. Price has. had an unimpcachable military c a r e e r. Tvrice ln his lifetime, like thous- ands of others. he has taken up arms to defend his country in any pert of llte world. His gallantry vras recognized in the First War and again tn the late war his out- standing lendcrship won him the commendation of the Canadian people.

is it passing strange then that this fine Canadian citizen who went to the ends of the earth to defend his country in wartime should come to this part of Con- ado, not by command. but by re- quest. to serve her in peace time? It ls regrettable that one com- mentator sisw fit. to use the derislve term of “superman" in reference to Brig. Price. This odious nick- name was used by all Allied publications to pour scorn on the leaders of Nazi Germany and Tojo‘s Japan during tho grim days of war. It. ls also is fact. lliaf. Brig. Price's steadfast opposition to Japanese. cruelty at Hang Kong caused the Japanese captors to level at him the Ntpponese equivalent of this nasty nickname in derlillrig him as he strove t0 save the lives of Canadian lnds. Those who had the privilege of hearing Brig. Price in his initial address at summerslde have know- ledge of the slnceflly and honesty of the man. To meet him ls to have met: a gentleman, n man conversant with our country's problems. a man with purpose ln seeking a cure for its lils.

Again I say it. ls i-cgretable that this contempttblo misnomer should be transferred from its former apt. usage in reference to those who set out ta destroy free- dom and flunz willi utter disre- spect in the face of one who fought to save that some freedom.

Capt. LeBoutlllleFs letter of suggestion to the Prince voters stlii stands. This unkind word will not deter Brig. Price tn serving his country in peacetime. But. the im- klnd word would have been better left. unsold.

40W‘

I am. Sir. clcn Charlottetown. A GIIOSTLY VISITANT

CHARLOTTETOWN

oAuoY. 0o vou kuoiiv is .9

Ave L155, ‘involve-sinc- on m; micro corrriocrulrion aonsmcc, m0 !E'Ll. no LIKELY see

MUCH Mom- (I'M! fins WEEK]

as from his own. The highway‘ ran between our places. The cemetery was across the road near- ly opposite to my liome. Julin gave his chair Another liitch which brouglt him vei") close to me. At. last. the mystery broke — John asked me if I be- lievr-rl iii ghosts. My answer was. "John, have you gone crazy?" “Wellfl do not think so. John said; “but, David, there is some thing I have been trying to tell you for the past. year, but was afraid lest. you might. tlrlnk really was getting psychlatrlm-but. Dafld, I have three times seen a ghosts in yonder field near the road. I hesitated to tell you since I knew you would not believe: but as you know. David. I am no coward or ‘ghosf man. Still seeing is believing." Well after I lied made full en- qulrles and got. the story as to how many times John had seen his ghost, where and when — in Lort was introduced l0 John's ghost in all its aspects, — I bargained with him to come :nd tap on my window at its very next appearance. This night tn question. when John came. was cold. cloudy and with a heavy drift at intervals. Though there was a moon, there was poor vision. Exactly at. l2 a.m. John tapped loudly an my window. "Come." he sold. "the ghost: ts walking." I never dressed so fast in my life and even then he hurried me twice; “ll. may be gone.“ he said, "by the time we get. there." We hurried across the field tn 'r:e direction tn which his dog was barking. Sure enough. there was the figure. covered completely with what appeared to be a large white robe. The dog was 4 or 5 feet wiry barking his head off. On this occasion it was the dog that had first seen the apparition. We siowely closed tn to. I should say, about fifty yards from the ghost. Between the gusts of wind. when the drift; would subside. we could get a fairly good view. The ghost stood erect and perfectly still. — The dell keeping up his furious barking. "Well. John," I said. "we use here and tho‘ night is cold, we must: investigate further." I pro- posed that we go rig-t. up and face whatever it might be. "Come on. Johnl" “N0? he replied. "I will not." “Then I will go. but tf I um al- lacked in any manner. will you come to my help?" “No." said Jrlzn, "It ygu Io you will fight your own battle. I will not face that thing even 1m- yoiir life." - Well. I was on the spot - m it seemed: not a desirable spot either. I do not say but my knees wobblcd somewhat as I slowly drew nearer. Now 1 was at arm's length! I put. out rriy'h:nd and grnsped the white sheet and pullod ft off the object. there stood before as rm old woman viliose mind wan derenseo and who lived a mile further down the road. She had Slipped away from the young Blrl who had slept with hef’ on n guardian. Her toes were frozen as she was bare-foamy

We took her tn and gave hor-

FRANK G. O'NEILL hot coffee and toast. In the elect-

ric "Bht the did not look at all ghostly.

I 1m. lr. m, DAVID

Sir, — “Uncle Joe's" writings Feb- 1940.

and tales of the long ago are most. interesting; even his ghost stories are extremely edtfyfng. I have not

LONG OLIMI

very frightful gobelln or gholf stops. story to toll, tn ultlch I was tn- volved myself, in the winter of

EVEN IIOUDINI BTUMPID 1M8. i

the crow-fly. One night during the experfl, oven Houdini, winter ho culled on me. There we: nryiilng unusual tn this, but. John seemed to have something on ht:

OOIVINOING IAIII.

usual. convincingly. when frightened

little oeme‘ y that wal on his an“ form. not. oo for from my dwelllnl

l! f U l . t x _ To "uh OM . T l notice were subject to a flno of gfigssgloti. obul; xhlnieaiietas h‘; grolgn Jlde Ihiperor Tlelriijaii :5’ En" Dmrlct Bu“, w“ f" f" the foe tn the matter of ghost “l” "quire: climbing a stairway stories I have a very flno and 16 rnllor long containing 6,100

My neighbor. John. a very otsld Thoro have been three typos of and sober Boot. ltvos from mo :t. iiandouff: tn existence that could thereof. n distance of about 250 yards by not be picked by any of the world‘:

mind. and stayed much Inter than Tho oppolum feign: death so

Fin-Hr. John moron ht: chair "prom. it fl virtually impossible nearer to mo and mentioned rho m gm “my.” h. 5 ‘u. o,‘

- Notes By

stomach: tn tho proper place while it doe: so. — Peter-borough Exam- trier.

An Anon-loan publlonflon olalms that even In the capital city of Washington no fewer than IMLOOO people still get their drinking wo- tei-‘from outdoor hydrantrond use outside toilet fncllltlel. Ottawa, we feel certain, does rather better in looking after the convenience and health of it: citizens. — Broekvlile Recorder and Timel.

Port Elgln, filo “Town of the Maples", and Bruce county village on the shores of Lake Huron, has outgrown it: status and l: the Int- eot Ontario community to be tn- corporatod ll a town. Effective December 31, this status was grant- ed the» picturesque resort by the Ontario Municipal Board. Port El- gln became a village tn 1815 and has steadily grown to its present population of 2,486. — Owen Sound Sun-Times.

When a Inna Irina steadily for 20 years ‘without an accident it. is safe to assume he has always been thinking tn terms of nsfety while behind the wheel. A. '1‘. Prlne of Alabama must have been such a man. For 20 year: he drove chil- dreri to and from school in his bus. During the Christmas holidays he suffered a slight heart attack. As a precautionary measure after that. he asked hi: wife to ride with him on dolly trips. Last week, he felt the heart pain while driving along the road. He brought tho bu: to a stop. turned off the ignition, coi-

.7 f ifloefifiimn,

l

YALENTINLS

Some Valentines are wonderful! The kind that lovers choose, Embeiiishefi with ilie greatest art That. human skill can use.

Some weave in fanciful display The thoughts of happy hours: Some as mementos. bring the dreams Of moonlight nights and flowers.

Bul licai-ls on cards are not the kind

That lhrob with tender love,

Nor still that longing tn the breast.- Nor lift to heights above.