Eugene register-guard., December 13, 1944, Image 4

Pag 4 Eugene Register-Guard, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 1944
AN INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER
(Published Every Evening and Sunday)
EDITOR AND PUBLISHER Alton F. Biker
MANAGING EDITOR WlUlam M. Tuptiejl
. NEWS SERVICE AmocU ted Press. United Presa
MEMBER Audit Bureau of Circulation
Entered at the Poet Office it Eugene, Oregon, second
class matter. ,
The Register-Guard'e policy It the complete end Im
partial publication In lt news pagaa of all newi and tau
menta on newa. On thla page the edltora of The Relter
Ouard offer their opinions on evente of the day and matters
of Importance to the community, endeavoring to be candid
but fair and helpful In the development of constructive
community policy.
GAMBLING "OUT OF BOUNDS" HERE
For many months the evidence has been
cumulative that gambling is going "out of
bounds" in Eugene and in Lane county.
There was the recent case of the "sucker"
who faced a long term for forgery (after
gambling losses) while the operator of the
joint where the sucker was trimmed got only
nominal fine for, misdemeanor. There was
Saturday night's raid on "a game" at Maple
ton where the officers seized "a pot" of
$4,000 and some of the alleged operators of
the game. The "slots" are prevalent in
clubs and roadside "jernts." The seemingly
innocent "punchboards" are everywhere, and
they have supplanted the pinballs as a lure
for schoolkids.
These conditions do not exist by accident.
They exist because the big time racketeers
of "organized gambling" have taken advan
tage of 'wartimeTonditions to stretch the
bounds of normal "tolerance." To say that
gambling is "out of bounds" may seem like
a contradiction, considering that the law
makes it strictly illegal at all times. Yet
everybody knows that even with the most
careful and honest policing there must be a
certain degree of "tolerance." The law is
aimed at the professional gambler and not
at the amateur. You hear it said:
"People will gamble, and you can't regulate
morals by passing 'laws."
. That is why police as a rule grant a cer
tain amount of leeway. But the professional
gamblers and racketeers in this state ap
parently have assumed that they have a
"green light" (and maybe they have in some
sections). In Lane county District Attorney
William S. Fort is wang a "red lantern"
and it is high time.
The reason he has done this is because
of the complaints that are pouring in. The
"sucker" seldom squawks, but his family or
his employers or his creditors have no such
Inhibitions. . They are yelling plenty. .
. We do not have any illusion that the
racketeers will quit Lane county merely
because a conscientious district attorney has
warned them to get 'out Gambling is a big
racket. There are no accurate estimates on
"the take" in Lane county but it is a huge
figure. Gamblers can usually afford to spend
10 to 1 for what the law can spend, and in
any war on gambling it is never easy to
reach the Big Shots or the crooks who are
In on the "fix."
Nevertheless, the public is not helpless.
All over Lane county people are asking why
gambling has been allowed to get so far
"out of bounds" and if present officers either
can't or won't "do their stuff," the public
will be insisting on having some officers
who can and wilL
We do not expect all gambling to be
abolished, but we do expect it to be kept
from becoming a common nuisance.
HIGHER EDUCATION'S POST-WAR
It is prudent for Oregon's higher educa
tion to look to its needs with a 10-year build
ing program, and there are many excellent
suggestions in the report which Chancellor
Frederick M. Hunter has ' laid before his
board. The proposal for a system-wide re
tirement plan (comparable to the one which
the University has had for years) is sound
and necessary.
But in our opinion, the Chancellor's re
port creates some over-optimistic illusions
as to our preparedness for post-war educa
tion demands. It conveys to the board and
to the Oregon public the impression that the
program is pretty well set and at least fair
ly well manned and that there is nothing
very urgent except to get some more money
for buildings.
We recognize the need of a certain
amount of official optimism and tact in dis
cussing Oregon higher education before the
people, but not being official, we feel no re
straints in offering these observations and
opinions:
1. Our Oregon schools are NOT ready for
the post-war and they are really pretty sick.
2. All of our facilities at the University,
State College and normals are under-staffed, '
under-paid.
3. All of our faculties are burdened with
a heavy weight of "over-age" and a high ratio
of mediocrity.
4. Many key positions in all the schools, but
most notably the presidency of the University
of Oregon are vacant, and it is not possible to
attract top talent at present salaries or under
present conditions.
5. Aggressive leadership of the kind to
which men who have seen service will respond
Js conspicuously lacking.
6. Research in nearly every field ll either
sporadic, pitifully Inadequate or non-existent.
The state board was created some 15
ears ago to pacify the bitter feuds, and it
has done a good job of pacification. Dr.
Hunter was brought in as chancellor to pour
balm on some of the old wounds and he has
done a good job of pouring. But the schools
have lost vitality under the neuterizing in
fluence of "the system." They have been
sapped by war. . Educationally Oregon high
er education is at all time low ebb.
We have no monopoly on this opinion. It
is shared by many people at the University,
at Oregon State and at all the other schools,
and even by a few members of the state
board. Oregon is not the only state where
higher education is facing problems.' Most
institutions, endowed as well as public, have
similar problems. When the war ends there
is going to be a tremendous task of reorgan
ization and rebuilding everywhere.
But the great schools will be built around
MEN AND WOMEN and not' encased in
brick and mortar.
At the risk of being painful, or even A
bit unfair, we are saying these things be
cause we think they need to be said to the
legislature and to the people of Oregon.
These are the conditions which we see here!
OUR CITIZENS
IN SERVICE
WASHINGTON LETTER
By PETER EDSON
Register-Guard Washington Correspondent
OLD AGE TILL FULL OF lOU'f
If the Old Age Security trust fund were a pri
vate life insurance company no sane person would
dream of permitting it to cut premiums so that
its actuarial reserves would be impaired or, on
the other hand, to raise premiums to keep us from
contributing to inflation.
Why, then, do intelligent and public-spirited
experts argue that it is perfectly safe for Uncle
Sam to keep premiums below the level -required
"to provide the benefits to which you are entitled
when you retire at 65, or thereafter?
It's like this. A life insurance company must
operate on the theory that it will go out of busi
ness some day. When that time comes, tomorrow
or in the year 3944 the company must, have
available sufficient cash and securities to meet
every obligation to Its policy-holders. If it does
not, it has no way to finance the deficit.
But the government of these United States is
assumed to be immortal and eternal. If ever it
should cease to exist, the crisis would be so cat
astrophic that the mere loss of old age benefits;
wouldn't be noticed.
Moreover, the trust fund Is invested exclusive
ly in government bonds, on the unchallengeable
theory that they are the world's safest invest
ment If ever this Government were put out of
business and had to liquidate its old age obliga
tions all at once, the bonds in the trust fund
would be worthless pieces of paper, and the re
serve would have been created in vain.
Reserve Won't Be Needed For a Lonr Time
Again, the reserve, now around six billion
dollars and growing fast, will not be needed to
pay old age benefits for many years to come.
Through June 30 of this year the trust fund had
received more than $3,700,000,000 and had spent,
including administrative expenses, only $670,000,
000. Interest alone, nearly $405,000,000, was al
most enough to care for the $544,000,000 in bene
fits and refunds.
The funds experts calculate 'that it will be be
tween 1970 and 1980 before benefit payments be
gin to use up each year all of the premiums (tax
es) provided for in the law. as it stands. ,
At that time or soon after, one of three things
would have to be done. Either reserves could be
depleted an unsound method if the reserve sys
tem is to be retained or the premium (tax) rate
could be raised above the top of 6 per cent (half
from the worker) now provided, or Congress
could make up the deficit out of revenues from
other sources.
The Money Is Used for Current Expenses
. The question is asked, then: Why bother with
the fiction of a reserve? As it is, your old age
insurance premiums (taxes) are used by Uncle
Sam to meet his current needs, and are replaced
with his IOU'sT The reserve isn't money; there
isn t that much money. It's just some pretty pieces
of paper that say the United staim ii.lll oli 4U
trust fund money for them some time in the fu-'
iure. wnen mat time comes, the Treasury will
have to tax, or borrow from somebody else, to
get the money.
Why not, asks this school, raise what is con
venient by the 'payroll tax and. stop pretending
that it Is necessary, or even desirable, that Uncle
sam should operate his insurance business as
though he were mortal and might go out of busi
ness some day?
If it is decided to keep Old Age Insurance on
the self-sufficient reserve basis, then you can bet
your bottom dollar that no board of experts with
reputations to protect will recommend against
stepping up the old age tax right away, quick, be
fore the trust fund shortage gets any bigger.
If the tax isn't raised, whatever you may be
told you can gamble that it will be because
Uncle Sam has decided to use the tax as just an
other source of general revenue, and to worry
about the money for your retirement income when
you call on him to make good his promises.
OLIVE BARBER'S OBSERVATIONS
HIE LURE OF FRIED CHICKEN
Maybe you've always had a full pocketbook. If
so, a few years back when traveling was done by
train, you walked into the diner at meal time and
ordered a good square. And if I were on that
train t envied you for I stayed In my seat and ate
my lunch out of a shoe box.
The contents of that box ran largely to fried
chicken. Mother was a great believer in the efficacy
of fried chicken, both as nourishment and as a
means of developing fellowship with the other pas
sengers. She'd get out a browned and crusty thigh,
bite into it with slow deliberation. Of course the
kids in the next seat were soon goggle-eyed and
drooling. At this point she'd offer one a drum
stick, anoUier a wishbone. The children's mother
would have to thank her and soon was munching
a slice of breast or a wing herself. From then on
to the end of the journey the conversation never
languished.
Very natural, on my recent trip to see the
parents, to have mother thrust a box in my hand as
t left. I was driving my own car but I was going
on a Journey; and taking a lunch box of course!
Soon I picked up a hitch-hiking sailor. Noon
came. "Open the box," I ordered. He did, a little
hesitantly. "Jeepcrsl", wes his only conunent as he
saw the contents fried chicken, dill pickles,
grapes, apple pie. And how that lad did eat!
Arriving at my friend's apartment late that
evening, she made a cup of tea. I got out the box.
The sailor and I had done pur best but there was
still a lot left.
"I had a lute dinner'and don't believe I better
eat any more," said my friend. And proceeded to
do the right thing by a chicken breast, 3 dlU
pickles and a huge bunch of grapes.
The next morning we got up late; too late for
my friend to wait for breakfast if she were to be
at her offiec on time. So we just made coffee and
finished the contents of the box. I must admit how
ever, that a dill pickle does not appear at its best
on the breakfast table. At iunch, or even for a
midnight snack, yes. But for breakfast, unh, unhl
But a chicken back, well I can take a chicken
back any time; especially If the little kidneys have
been left In.
Oh 1 see now that one should always take a
lunch along on a trip; a lunch composed mostly
of fried chicken and put up in a she box
Pvt. Frank H.
Blanchaxd. for
mer employe of
the Southern Pa
cific company at
Natron and Jas
per, Is serving
overseas. In Bur
ma. His wife,
Mn. Dollie
Blanchard. lives
on route 1,
Springfield. .
COULTER HAS AWARDS ,
' ' Lt. Donald H. Coulter, who was
wounded in action Sept. 10 when
American troops struck the Sieg
fried line, has written his parents
that he has been awarded both
the bronze star and the silver star
for his achievements. Details con
cerning his citation probably will
be received later. He was returned
tp a hospital in England in October.
working toward attainment of his
pilot wings.
OTLET VISITS . ;
Frank L. Otley, electrician's
mate 2-c, is home on 30-day
leave from the Hawaiian islands,
visiting his mother, Mrs. Rose
Otley, 37 North Madison. He has
been overseas for two years.
UNIT CITATION GIVEN
12th AAF BASE, CORSICA
Tech. Sgt. Floyd L. Wade of Har
risburg, now is authorized to wear
the distinguished unit badge, sig
nifying that he is a member of
12th air force B-25 Mitchell bomb
ardment group which has received
the war department citation "for
its part in destroying the Bene
vento, Italy, marshalling yards
with devasting effect."
The citation reads in part: "Dis
tinguishing themselves through
extraordinary heroism and un
swerving resolution, the comlaut
crews destroyed 18 of the attack
ing planes and bombed the mar
shalling yards with devastating ef
fect. The gallantry and combat
proficiency exhibited by the per
sonnel of this group in striking
this decisive blow have reflected
the highest credit on their organi
zation and the .military service of
the United States."
Joining his present group 25
months ago, Sergeant. Wade is
serving as ordnance section chief.
His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph
Wade, and his wife, Mrs. Margaret
Wade, and small daughter, San
dra Jean, reside in Harrisburg.
JOSLIN ON LEAVE
Lester Merle Joslin, seaman 1-c.
USN, is home on 30-day . leave,
visiting at the home of his mother,
Mrs. Joe Fix in Eugene. He has
been overseas for 22 months, and
has taken part in several engage
ments, on the Aleutians, Saipan
aad in the Philippines.
MOORE FROM ICELAND
Pvt. George K. Moore, who has
spent 18 months overseas 'in Eng
land and in Iceland, now is home
on 30-day leave and is visiting his
parents, Mr. and Mrs. Dewey
Moore of Mapletoh, and relatives
in Eugene. He. also plans to spend
some time in Portland, en route to
Fort Lewis, where he is to report
He has been 21 months in the service.
CADET ADVANCES
Aviation Cadet Ivan P. Kirsch
man, son of Mrs. Mabel Kirsch
man of 2541 Friendly street, Eu
gene, has successfully completed
his basic flying training at Stock
ton Field, Calif., and will go on
to an advanced army flying school,
Full Speed Ahead
Slogan For Lumber
SEATTLE Orders for full
speed ahead on output for a pro
longed war confront the Pacific
northwest lumber industry.
Central procuring agency pur
chases for war uses reached 214,
000,000 board feet in November,
approximately three times as
much as the previous month, the
West Coast Lumbermen's associ
ation said in the monthly report.
Stress is again on production of
boards, as last spring.
New-war requirements include
large quantities of best-grade
Douglas fir for truck bodies and
exceptionally large and unexpect
ed orders for crossarms for the
signal corps, along with urgent
items for Pacific naval installa
tions, beachhead construction and
lumber for boxes and crates.
November and December tide
water log inventories will exceed
700,000,000 board feet despite
shortages of all logging equip
ment, an outstanding record, the
association said. An open winter
is . needed, however, to keep the
logs coming out of the woods. -
Weekly average December pro
duction was 147,532,000 board
feet, 93.3 per cent of the 1940-43
average. Orders' averaged 139,
444,000 board feet and shipments
144,553,000 board feet weekly.
Unfilled orders Dec. 1 stood at
926,437,000 board feet, with gross
stocks 475,015,000 board feet.
Logger Recovering
After Freak Accident
Vernon Johnson of Springfield
was recovering in a local hospital
this week from the effects of a
freak logging accident.
Logging in the timber along Big
Fall creek, Johnson wai stanfflnsl
on the end of a log about 35 feet
behind a spot where other lum
bermen were felling a snag. When
it fell. It teeter across a rise in
the ground and landed with a re
sounding Impact on the other end
1945 Calendar 35e
IS beautiful views of Oregon .
Valley Printing and Stationery
76 West Broadway
. .
DRAPES CLEANED
Electric Cleaners. Ph. 300
Can I rent my home for more
If It's INSULATED? Yes. Twin
Oaks Supply Co. 669 High,
A Three Days'
Cough is Your
Danger Signal
Creomulslon relieves promptly be
cause it goes right to the seat of the
trouble to help loosen and expe
germ laden phlegm, and aid nature
to soothe and heal raw, tender, in
flamed bronchial mucous mem
branes. Tell your druggist to sell yoi
a bottle of Creomulslon with the un
derstanding you must like the way 1
quickly allays the cough or you an
to have your money back.
CREOMULSION
for Coughs, Chest Colds, Bronchiti:
uhndoi4
Optometrist
174 East Brdwy.
BATH TUBS!
WHITE, porcelain enameled CAST
IRON recess pattern with seat 5 ft.
or 4V ft. . . .
ABSOLUTELY PRE-WAR quality, are
available for those who have proper
priority and serial number author
ized by WPB.
IF YOUR APPLICATION' has been APPROVED and
you have your paper back from FHA or WPB wo
can aet you a bathtub ...
WE ARE accumulating orders ior the FIRST carload to
leave eastern factory between Dec. 25-Jan. 1 to ar
rive here two weeks later . . . BRING in your order
bring serial number shown on approved papers
... or turn it over to your PLUMBING CONTRACTOR
. . . well do the rest.
FOR THIS FIRST lot your order must be in our hands
by Thursday night Dec. 141
OTHER shipments will be made, of course, BUT to
get your nib early, Thursday nightj Dec. 14, Is it.
APPLICANTS whose papers have not yet been ap
proved can secure their tubs In the next shipment but
their orders should be filed with us as soon as ap-'
proval Is received.
TUBS only, S ft. $49.95. TUB FILLER and WASTE sets
at various prices from $9.46 and $12.42 per set up. ...
ALL BATHTUB ORDERS taken by us will be filled
through the plumbing contractor of your selection.
CLOSETS SINKS LAUNDRY TRAYS and OTHER
FIXTURES are available.
CP. Tillman Company
WHOLESALE PLUMBING and ELECTRICAL SUPPLIES
20 E. 13th
EUGENE
Phone 842
W Li fUl.L 0( NEW IDEAS-
Jhnson
mUch the 4
back, m.iT.1111
togethei
?5
ua 1
Peep! Peep! Hen
ww a Keu
JEEP
$495
A stron. realisH. .,
7. m it-... 7 ...
...bigandrtronieaoS.
use as t router
w
ll DU0TT6ACS8.
Wood Lok Blod
Set Build.
Everything",
re
1
98
Ifs o easy, so ftsAaft.,
make amazing, colorful u.
mala. hmisM. mIh.
kinds vita these elerer, iat
King DIOCKS. Alt taOOOf
finished with afc MM.
BLOCK WAGON
Jo Keep Nimble
Fingers Busy
2
98
Sturdy 18" pull wagon with
brightly colored blocks.
PEG BLOCK
.ffAGON
Colored blocks 'fit -on'
teaches color, shapes.
2.50
peg.
DOLLS
big and lifelike. - These
are cloth, but unusually
well dressed.
3.49
ON A BIG, BEAUTIFUL, MAPLE FINISH
Table and Chair Set
ALL OF THEIR OWN!
Little ladies love fine furniture, too, for OMlt
promptu luncheons and teas. Big, beautiful, three-piece
set is exceptionally well built Table has H4 8-plf
hardwood top (22" x 24") and block-reinforced left
Lovely Windsor type chairs (22" high) are eta
safe and comfortable. Each piece in attrac
tive maple finish
decorations,
chairs with svj
9
95
Build And Fly Your Own Fighter!
Famous JOE OTT
MODEL AIRPLANES
S VI
Log Truck
and trailer Just like flu.
real thing, loaded, too.
2.29
Loaded Lumber 1 flfl
Tracks ,-w
MOSQUITO DE HAHUAND. Movable ailerons
and wing flaps; retractable landing gear. Big beauty 1l 00
with 40tt wing spread. , beO
NORTH AMERICAN MIT.
CHELL: General Jimmy Doo
little'a famous Tokio
raider. 40" wing f Aft
spread. I.7
s SPITFIRE: Replica of the
famous RAF fighter the
Huns have learned
to hat. 45 wing 98c
spread.
Dart Games
4 Different Kindi
98Csna
LOCKHEED LIGHTNING J
Big, beautiful, realistic plane
ready to strike the.
enemy.' 45 wing 98C
spread.
GRUMANN AVENGES.
PBF: 6 torpedo released by
trigger through bomb A0
doors. 40" wing YOC
spread.
So simple, so much fun to build these big.-reallstic models of to
day s best known war planes. Special features, such as ready
cut wingi, ribs, nose blocks and propellers plus the easy Ott-O-Former
construction save half the building time, two-thirds the
assembly time; make better, sturdier models.
GAMES
old . ..games for the"'
family.
45cf 1.95
1 1 1 ..1 m
PH0NE'4SBkpg ?ite jto&44jfc
WE GIVE GREEN STAMPS