15
were less than $200. During the last
half of the month, he earned $108.00.
From this second monthly check, the
employer could only deduct, as the
employee’s contribution, the employee’s
rate on $94.00 of the $108 earned,
since deduction had already been made
from his first pay check covering $106
of his monthly earnings.
The employer likewise could only
match the employe’s contributions on
$94.00.
In every such case, this procedure
required a re-audit of the first semi
monthly payroll in order to accurately
deduct and match on the basis of the
second monthly checks. This difficulty
is removed under the amendment and
should make for greater accuracy and
efficiency with less work on the part
of the payroll department of the vari
ous agencies.
This particular amendment to the
act was given a great deal of study
by the school officials, the retirement
board and members of the division of
audits of the Secretary of State’s office,
and it was the concensus of opinion
of all those who considered the matter
that it was a vital step in the right
direction in the interest of all em
ployes and employers. The retirement
board has expressed the hope that em
ployers and employees everywhere will
familiarize themselves with this par
ticular amendment so that a minimum
of confusion may be caused under the
new procedure.
"FAREWELL, GIFF”
Death of Ralph I. Gifford last June
23 at Ontario, Ore., came as a deep
shock to all of his co-workers in the
State Highway Department, with which
he had been connected as Travel In
formation. Department photographer
since 1936.
Photographs taken by Mr. Gifford
were used on the cover of the first
State Employee magazine to be issued
in early 1944 and have appeared on
every cover since that time, including
the May-June issue.
"G iff,” as he was popularly known,
Ralph I. Gifford
will be long remembered for the ex
cellence of his work and his constant
spirit of cooperation in carrying out
his daily tasks. Picture missions took
him to every section of Oregon, photo
graphing Beaver state travel lures in
color, black and white and in moving
pictures. These were used through the
years in advertising and publicity to
create greater travel interest in Oregon
vacation lands.
"G iff” was the son of a pioneer
photographer, Benjamin A. Gifford of
The Dalles, who covered the state by
horse and wagon taking pictures of
people and scenery. To his son, the
elder Gifford imparted photographic
skill- and knowledge which provided
the foundation for th e ; success the
former enjoyed in his chosen vocation.
From beyond the hills of yesterday,
through the artistry of his many, many
pictures, the memory of "G iff” will
live on amid the scenes he loved so well.
"I tell you, 'J.B.’, a man’s outlook
is pretty hopeless these days. Every
year the Administration sees to it that
the dollar is worth less; and all the
while scientists keep adding years to
our lives.”