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About The news-review. (Roseburg, Or.) 1948-1994 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 27, 1949)
E OLDE ROSEBURG DAYS Era Of Bond Issues Put Growing Municipality On Road To Modern Status ltd. Hoit: Thl u the fourth In net of inlrla on tarlr Honour! hUtory u compiled from rlly nrordi by City Manner M. W. Sl.nkard I By M. W. SLANKARD The year 1905 showed considerable activity in the administering on the public affairs of the City of Roseburg as well as of other cities of Oregon. People all over the United States were getting to know about "That beautiful state of Oregon, where everything was green." Oregon was rugged. Lumbering had been going on In Washington for many years, but Oregon had been untouched. The Interior of Oregon remained unknow n due to the rugged hills and poor roads, until a very lew years ago. Douglas county right around Roseburg is still the outstanding timber area of the world. We can truthfully say that we are the "Timber Capital of the World." In October 1905 a bond Issue of $200,000 was passed by the citi zens of Roseburg to purchase the local water and electric utilities. There was considerable discis sion regarding the purchase, and on Oct. 1, 1906. an ordinance was adopted, granting a 50-year fran chise to Mr. A. Welch to main tain water, electric and power ervice. Under the franchise no fmoney would be received by the city for the option and the city would be under this contract until the expiration in 1956. The Cali fornia Oregon Power Co., the holder of the franchise, had ex pressed willingness to enter Into a new contract with the present citv council On mar.v occasions the city charter was changed by the vol-! SI 25.000. making a total bonded e of the citizens. Three new citv j indebtedness of $925,000 or 45 per charters were voted on. The last : cent of the total assessed valua In its entire form was adopted j tion of the citv. It seems that and printed in Way 1907. Other regardless of the amount of the than changes to chapters and sec-1 issue the electors were In favor tions, It is still In effect. I of it. Narrow Streets Noted The yean 1908 and 1920 saw a major "plan started to sewer and pave the streets of Roseburg. Most of the streets were paved 18-20-24 feet wide, w hich was con sidered wide enough. Today with the present travel these narrow streets are causing the city coun cil no end of worry. Numerous bond issues were passed paying part of the paving costs and building of bridges. 1909 saw the first bond of $.15,000 and 1910 saw the second bond of $10,000; there were many others from time to time in amounts of $25, 000 to $50,000. In 1911. Carl Wimherly. now circuit Judge, was elected "city re corder, he held the office until 1915. Then another well known citizen was chosen recorder K. L. Whnpple, a local attorney. He held the position until 1926. short ly after this A. J. Geddes was appointed city recorder and he held the office until 1947. Geddes is now Justice of the peace. Numerous Improvement bonds were issued during the years up to 1920 for re financing delinquent property that defaulted in paying ewer and street improvements. fThe council meetings of these i years must have lasted late into the night as considerable work was connected with the improve ments, such as ordinances, hear ings, awarding of contracts to cover improvements madt. There were as high as 14 lobs going at the same time In 1914. Heavy Bond lisues Ordinance No. 610 was passed and presented to the qualified voters of the citv on Jun 3, 1915, calling a special election to bond ho oitu tnr ttnnnm tn mnti-nrt i a railroad to Rock cree'-: above Library Building Bought Idleyld March 24, 1921. saw another At about this same time an-1 hood iss,u" "f. $18 o provide other election was held to con- j library facilities. The issue pass struct a railroad to Coos Bav;ii 2 ' Tne Present library this was to cost SjOO.om. The proposition to Rock Creek failed as there were no bids to sell the bonds. There were 721 votes cast of which 613 voted yes I suit Iyourself I don't think he'll ever propose. He Just comes over to keep warm since we Insulated with Western Homeguard Insulation. HOMEguard is famous FOR EFFICIENCY PLUS Insulate with HOMEguard, the insulation that's made to pro tect you from the cold In winter and the heat In summer. Save up to 35 on your fuel bills. It's so easy and economical to in stall HOMEguard. Phone (7 FOR A FREE ESTIMATE ON YOUR HOME TODAVI and 78 voted no. The plan was for the city to finance the prot ect and lease the line to a com pany known as the Eastern and Roseburg Railroad company. Plans were drawn and right o'f way secured to construct the rail road. On the proposed railroad to Coos Bay. which was voted bv the citizens of Roseburg in the amount of $500,000, the city was to form a commission to handle the affairs and operate the line. This was also repealed later as bonds could nt .be sold. It is well to note that the citi zens in 1914 and 1915 were anx ious to improve and advance Roseburg. The citizens voted two bond issues, one for $300.0J0 and the other for S500.000. while hav ing a bonded indebtedness for 'other citv improvements of over I If the city of Roseburg today isuru injnus III Wltr auiuuill Ul 45 percent of the total value of the city's present assessed valua tion of $7,323,000. the bonded in debtedness would be over $3,395, 500. This would be impossible to do as the bonds could not he sold. On April 20. 1920. another bond issue was approved for $500,000 to purchase the Light. Power and Water companies. The proposal passed with a total vote of 1007 yes 590 no 417. The oonds to expire at the end of 30 years. On the same ballot was a pro posal to purchase property for an airport and public park in the amount of $7,000, to be located south of the city. Bonds were not sold. The total budget requirements for the year 1923 were $11,412.94. This was for maintenance only. A referendum was voted upon to stop the airport purchase measure which voted yes to build an airport 618 - no 709. Street Lights Installed The street lighting system, re cently replaced with the new sys tem of mercury vapor luminairs, was installed in 1923 at a tolnl cost of $10,799.30. There were 53 light standards. The citv in February 1934 issu ed $60,000 in refunding bonds for citv improvements and on Sept. 1. issued $35,000 more. Still later another for $15,000 was issued. Years prior to 1935 saw a grand spending spree to provide neces sary faciliiies. The city is fortu nate todav because of Ihe spend ing of money years ago for sew ers and streets. We are not in debt todav and have the facili ties even though they are In bad shape. building was purchased for $12 000. Julv, 1924 saw still another bond' of $15,000 sold for fire equipment. The present truck SECTION TWO Established 1873 Flower Show l-Vt . ! i ' si 1 Ls.klrfN.. ;X mi. ni.i i -J LJ ? y c 'v'vt.s I , rTnV kf i-T- h . fir frffcr W:k4 ,,,., in a, a ma, mtm i m FALL FLOWER SHOW The Roseburg Woman's club's annual fall flower show, conducted Tues day and Wednesday at the Methodist church, attracted considerable interest among local townspeople. The above pictures are representatives of the many displays. Top picture shows the seed and plant sales table, a feature of the show, attended by Mrs. W. H. Carter. The mid dle picture shows Miss Clementine Armson, Mrs. Sturgill Walker and Mrs. Leona Reed viewing the display of Mrs. Horace Berg. The lower picture includes Mrs. H, C. Pargeter, left, and Mrs. Glenn Wimberly standing before one of the many displays. (Pictures by Paul Jenkins I was bought from Howard Coop-; er corporation for $14,444. j Ordinance No. 929 was for the issuance of $60,000 for geneir.l improvement bonds to refund im provements on street-sewers. Airport Site Bought j A general obligation bond In the amount of $25,000 was held Now Available Safe Deposit Boxes Douglas County State Bank MEMBER Federal Deposit Insuronce Corp. MBM " 'IT -T st.HH fliMW Features Many Attractions to acquire the present airport property. Since the first property was bought considerable mor" was spent for added improve ments. It can be assumed that with the amount spent by W.P.A. and special funds from the general fund. Ihe total cost has been near Various Sizes ROSEBURG, OREGON THURSDAY, OCT. 27, 1949 i ! $100.010. I A chatter election was held on Nov. 4. 1!130, to vote on two meas ures. One was a proHsal to pur chase the present Soldiers home pinierty. A bond issue was ap proved for $rj5.000. The vote in fiivnr was 1.462 yes and i6 no. ; The projieriy was bough i and presented to the fedi-ral govei n ment. The city of Roseburg Is still paying off this bond. At the end of July next theie will still be $11,000 li ft to pay. Some proier ty was purchased outright and some was condemned to provule tho property as needed for the Soldiers home. On Jan. 28, 19.T2. refunding I YOUR ONE-STOP STORE We are prepared to furnish a complete line of building materials at one store so that you may get what you want, when you want it and at reasonable prices. C0EN SUPPLY COMPANY Everything For The Builder A School And Scout Activities Told At Canyonville By MRS. H. M. ANDERSON Nw-Rv.w C'orrt,(K)ndf nt Need for a permanent meeting place for the school band and Ihe need for more trombones, saxo phones, and drums were told to the Canyonville Pai-ent-Teachers association Thursday, by Curtis Winders, music instructor. Instrument, with the excep tion of drums, may be purchased bv pupils on the rental plan, Win ders told the P.-T. A. at its first regular meeting of Ihe school y-ar. Persons Interested may see j O. J. Monger, superintendent of I schools. ! Winders said a Band Parents' j association might he organized ' here to "get behind the band." j Monger reported on school ac- i tivilies, stating a school play had been ordered and would be pre sented in about six weeks. It is to be directed by Mrs. Lcla Wim herly and Mr. Powd. He an nounced Nov. 18 as the date lor the school carnival. Den Mother Needed The local cib pack, w hich is j sponsored ny ine r.-i. a. is in need of a den mother and two committeemen. ' In order to get the charter renewed it is neces sary to hav a full committee of three and one institutional repre sentative who makes contacts be tween the pack, the P.-T. A. and the district council. The represen tative may also be one of the committeemen. Mrs. Rulh Parker, who has very successfully been a den moiher for the past two years, would like someone to take her place. Any one interested mav contact her or the P.-T. A. president. The den meetings are held one afternoon a w-eek. Srrapbonks made by the cub scouts, under the direction of Mrs. Parker, were Judged by a committee with the first prize awarded to I.arry Fuller, whose theme was flas. Honorable men tion went to Eddie Parker, whose book was on Indians, and Ixon Oaks who had chosen airplanes. Bud Phillips was named as being a new member of the cub pack. Boys In the age group 8, 9 and 10 are eligible to ioin. Mrs. Parker was in rharee nf the program. The participants were students from the Canyon ville Bible ae.idemy, as follows: Accordion solo, Gloria Slmpken; reading, "Lena at the Baseball game," Naomi Hlxson; trumpet duel, Jerry Parker and Don Inks; a girls trio, ltolly Parker. Betlv Smith and Esther Cleavliiger. ac companied on tne piano by Carol Rueck: and a Diano solo. Ruth Andrews. A social hour followed .the pro gram, with refreshments in keep ing with the approaching H.il loween season, served hy the Tanda Camp F're Girls. Vandalism Rampant As Police Plan "Guidance" TACOMA. Oct. 27.-(,TlThc Tacoma police department's: youth guidance division staged a party here Friday night for Ta coma teenagers "to keep the kids off the streets." Monday they totaled up the damage done by the youngsters on their way home as: A number of broken light globes; Several blocks of tipped over garbage cans with contents strewn along downtown streets A false fire alarm calling out five trucks and two battalion chiefs; A false call to police reporting an accident. Police Capt. A. E. Farrar, head of the division, didn't come to work Monday. He reported "111. with a headache." bonds were sold to refinance th rilv hall bonds. Remember the Citv Hall was built in 1S92 for $7,020.00. A general obligation bond In the amount of $100,000 was mi proved In August of 1933 to pro vide a sewage disposal plant. The vote was yes 612. no 92. The pres ent sewage plant was construct ed and is In perfect condition to day. Kosehuig is one of Ihe few cilies in Oregon that does hav adequate sewage disposal facil ities. More refunding bonds of $91,114 were sold in 1935 to refinance outstanding amounts for impro nients. It might seem that Roseburg councils had .spent considerable money in past years, hut it takes a lot of money over the vears ti Improve and Install facilities. A city to improve must spend mon ey. We lodiy are almost out of dehl, because existing facililici are paid for. AT Houston School Board Bans Use Of Textbook Written By O. S. C. Professor Magruder HOUSTON, Oct. 26.-(.T The text book "American Govern ment," used for senior high school civics classes, has been banned in Houston schools. Only one member of the school honrd Monday voted against tha ban after a paragraph In the book was cited. The hook, written hy Dr. Frank I Magruder, contains this passage: "The United States is called a capitalistic country, hut it does not have pure capitalism. It has capltalsim subject to increasing government control as our man ner of living becomes more com plex. .The country is capitalistic with strong socialistic and even communistic trends. The postal system, power projects, and pro gressive taxes are bits of social ism; and public free education and old age assistance are ev ample of communism. . .to each according to his need." Magruder is with Oregon State college. Magruder was not available here for comment. The book has been on the State Textbook commission's approved list since 1944. Members Express Views Ewing Weiiein. member ol the Houston independent school dis trict board, told the board the paragraph on page 37 had been railed to his attention and he thought the book should not be used. Werlein said he had alwavs thought that free public educa tion was one of the bulwarks ol democracy. He said the effect on a child's mind would be bad when he read the book. "When he reads about the post office, free education and such things, he'll think they're gooJ and he might think socialism and communism are good," he said. Voting against the ban was Mrs. Olon Rogers. She said her vole did not mean she approv ed the paragraph but that she thought the board should a' least read the rest of the chapter be fore taking action to throw the hook out of the schools. Jake Waters, . . member of the Stale Textbook commission when Ihe book was adopted by Houston schools in 1944. said tne honk la the most popular text used by American schools. It Is unfortunate for the para Graph to be In the book, which he described as "otherwise ex cellent," he said. Waters said he docs not know how ihe paragraph got by the commission. SALEM, Oct. 26 I.V) Tilt textbook, "American Govern ment," which was banned In Houston. Tex., schools, has been a standard textbook In Oreeon s'-hools for about 30 years, Ihe Stale Department of Education said today. The hook Is used hy Junior JOE J7 ft rfd 0 V 9U Luverne has found some extra special end ol the month buys for you. All top quality merchandise you will lind that these are buys you shouldn't miss. Remember you can't find prires like these every day so you had better hurry. SLIPS Thete slips come in blue, pink and white with a com plete aire range. Tine qual ity at a low price. 2.95 Reg. 3.95, 4.95, 5.95 Reg. 3.9S Brassiere Now 1.00 Reg. 35e Handkerchiefs - Now lie Reg. 1.50 Anklets - - - Now 1.00 Reg. 1.19 Panties Now 9e Reg. 12.94 Cirdles - Now 3.7 Broken sizes 34 to 42 COATS 4 Only Here Is real top quality coats at a very low price. In the lat est style you will find the winter coat you like. Better hurry, remember 4 only. Black only. Reg. 49.95. 253-49 claw civics classes In high schools. Offkials of the department, when told of the paragraph which caused the banning of the book In Houston, said thev think the paragraph Is the truth. The disputed paragraph, ti which the Houston school offi cials oblected, was from Magrud er's 1946 edition. The book is re published and changed every year. Oregon schools use his 1948 edi tion, which has the paragraph phrased differently. Here's how it appears In ths 1948 edition, as used in Oregon schools: "The United Slates Is called a capitalistic country, but it does not have pure capitalism. It has capitalism subject to increasing governmental control as our manner of living becomes mora complex. The country is capital istic, modified by certain so cialistic trends. Among them may he mentioned the postal sys tem, public power projects, pro gressive Income taxes, old ace pensions, and free public educa tion. Some of these are so old and so well established that w seldom think of them as socialis tic." It will he noted that between 1946 and 1948, Magruder Hr-jpped the reference to some American institutions as being Communis tic. Polio Victim Transfers With Aid Of Army Truck ABERDEEN, Oct. 27. (.ft A siwclally rigged Army truck Tues day took a polio victim from a hospital here to the Veterans' . hrttmitnl at Vsnmnvnr . " " "." " , James Berk of El ma was trans ported in the same Iron lung which has kept him alive for two months. Power for th? "lung" was provided by a generating unit in a trailer. Another generator was carried for emergency use. The slate patrol provided an escort. Miss Ann O'Connor of Ta. coma, a special polio nurse, at- I tended the ex oaratrooner. His wife drove behind the truck. It is the second time Ihe truck has been used to carry a stricken veteran to the Vancouver hospital. The other patient was carried from Brllingham. A fence made out of shrubbery of any sort is known as a "living icnce. une oi ine Oldest is tne hedge, whose sham barbs kent J nlmal In as well as out. RICHARDS BLOUSES Here is a chance to buy a few of those extra blouses you have been wanting. See these today. 3.95 Reg. 5.95 29.95 Stephens end Cost Phone 97 Phone 121 Floed and Mill Sts. 124 N. Jackson Phone 565-J