For several years the combination of tire makers, which is not a trust, by the way, but a problem, has been almost as absolute in its field as the Standard Oil Company has been in its sphere. The next year, however, will witness some determined efforts to break the pool.

There is no truth in the rumors of a split in the combination, but it is positively known in high circles that the new tire company launched by the independent, or unlicensed manufacturers, will not operate the only opposition tire plant next year. There will be several of them started.

50 Years Ago, 1956

BAR HARBOR – Welcomed by the blare of the town’s fire whistle and the cheers of 400 spectators, the Canadian ferry Bluenose completed a 6½-hour maiden crossing from Yarmouth, N.S. today. Gov. Muskie and five members of his Executive Council flew to Bar Harbor from Augusta to greet the vessel.

Plans for a Maine-Nova Scotia ferry service were launched in 1953, when the Maine Legislature approved a one million dollar loan to help build the Bar Harbor terminal. The loan was made without interest for 30 years.

The project cost the Canadian National Railway nine million dollars, including four million for the vessel.

Daily round trip service is planned in summer and there will be several crossings a week in other seasons.

25 Years Ago, 1981

Warnings about the forthcoming flu virus in an especially virulent form caused Congress to enact the National Influenza Immunization Program in 1976. From the beginning, the attempt at mass inoculations suffered setbacks. Manufacturers of the vaccine refused to go ahead with production until the federal government guaranteed to protect them against lawsuits. After the vaccinations began, the Guillain-Barre Syndrome showed up, causing widespread consternation. Then, to make matters even worse, the swine flu never did spread in the United States!