Pag 16, Rcgister-Guard, Eugene, Or., Sunday, Pee. 11, 1MT
AN INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER
iPublithod Kvar EvanlnM and Sunday)
EDITOR AND PUBLISHER ... , Alton t. Bakr
MANAGING EDITOR . . William M. Tufman
mpw reuvthb Atmoelated Preu. unltM Mi
1SMBEK , Audit Bureau of Circulation
Entered at th Post Offlca at Euftna. Oregon, aa Mcona-
alftKs mat tar.
The Register-Guard'i policy U the aompleta and Impartial
publication in 1U ntwi pagei of an new ana iiaiemenia on
newt. On thla page the edlton of The Register-Guard offer
their oplnlom on event of the day and matter of importance
to the community, endeavoring to be candid but fair and
helpful In the development of constructive community policy.
Question From The Eugene Side
It is interesting to note that the very first
question concerning' our long analysis of the
Springfield financial problem (and our sug
gestion of an Area consolidation and tax
equalization) comes not from the Springfield
side of the river but from Eugene. An owner
of downtown property in Eugene (conse
quently a large taxpayer) asks:
"Just what would that get us into in Eu
gen? Wouldn't we be bled white to Improve
and embellish these outlying areas with little
direct benefit to Eugene especially if we mere
ly contributed to their tax relief without re
taining a very strong control of expenditures?"
That's a good question. It is not possible,
at this stage, to make any final or detailed
distribution of funds or costs, but it is pos
' sible to give a rough outline of what could
' be done, and it shows that the Eugene tax
' payer would NOT be unduly burdened.
The 'present city levy for Eugene is 16.9
mills (which includes 5 mills for sewer re
serves and 1 mill for city hall). The present
city levy in Springfield is 23.3 mills. Let us
assume that in. spreading municipal services
over the entire Eugene-Springfield urban
area, we would require an average levy of
20 mills for all purposes, including debt serv
ioe. and that this revenue would be allocated
on the basis of population in the principal
units. On an aggregate taxable valuation
; of better than $30,000,000, there would be a
tax revenue of $600,000 a year which would
apportion as follows (using the major school
districts as provisional boundaries):
Population Allocation
Springfield (Dist. 1) 13,732 $162,200
Bethel (Dist. 82) 1,825 22,800
Danebo (Dist. 133) 817 12,000
Glenwood (Dist. 180) 1,411 17,000
Outlaying parte (Dist. 4) $,060 37,800
City of Eugene 27,000 337,800
(NOTE: In the present situation the city of
Springfield gets only $81,848.87 tax revenue
despite Its high levy; Eugene gets $302,786.88.
Springfield pays higher fire insurance because
its station is badly located and Its force under
manned. All of the suburban areas pay higher
fire insurance, higher water rates, and make
substantial fire district and water district
levies).
However, a consolidation is not as simple
as outlined here. One great need Is an amend
ment to state law so that tracts still in farm
use can be exempted from oity tax except
as they are developed, populated to get serv
ice. Under law, outstanding bond issues and
obligations must be absorbed. Some plan
would have to be worked out with the Eugene
Water Board for absorbtion of water dis
tricts into its system. Springfield's Willama
lane park district would be a' special prob
lem (we would favor extending it to cover
the Eugene area, thus divorcing parks and
recreation from other municipal functions).
Olenwood and the Garden Way area
would be important to any effort to bring
Eugene and Springfield together because
they would establish contiguity. After estab
lishing the boundaries of the consolidation,
there would be the problem of agreements
of charter revisions to fix the basis of repre
sentation, controls, distribution of funds and
functions.
Water, fire protection, police protection,
sewers and sewage disposal, streets are the
great primary and common needs of the
area.
One of the greatest elements of strength
in the program would be consolidated bor
rowing power. On $30,000,000 valuation the
credit ratio (5 percent of valuation on a 60
percent ratio) would be over $1,800,000.
(Springfield now has only $20,000 credit lee
way for general purposes). There would be
proportionate increase in ability to finance
sewers and other special improvements which
come outside the general limitations.
We cannot say truthfully that the Eugene
taxpayer would pay less than before (al
though with good management over the years
that might be achieved). He would NOT be
overburdened and he would certainly share
in the benefits which would come from clean
. ing up some of the mess which too rapid
growth has created.
GOP Forces Its Control Plan
The program for inflation control will
be the Republican party's program, or Sen-
ator Taft's if you prefer to put it that way,
President Truman's much more drastic prop
osition to restore price, wage and commodity
controls was given short shrift. The three
point Republican substitute was Jammed
through, the essentials being:
1. Voluntary price agreements within Indus
tries under suspension of the Sherman anti
trust act (not unlike the late lamented NRA).
X. Extended export controls.
3. Extended transportation controls.
President Truman is reported ready to
sign the measure, under protest. He and the
Democrats claim it is entirely inadequate,
that it places on the Administration a great
burden of supervision without the authority
to make effective regulations and make
them stick.
The proof of this pudding will be in the
rating (or lack of it for the people who have
the votes. It seems to us that the worst fea
ture of the GOP's plan was not the plan it
self but the high handed parliamentary
tactics used ta shut off debate and amend
ments. As might be expected, Oregon's Sen.
lor Morse is alliened with the forces of
protest.
Thinking has come a long way since the
days of the "Blue Eagle" and the late Gen
eral Hugh Johnson who god-fathered that
unlucky bird. This plan does not seem to be
so elaborate as NRA, but there may be a
question whether it can stand the same sort
of practical and constitutional tests which
defeated NRA.
The theory of self-regulation within in
dustries is fine, but it is not likely to stand
under the hard tests of competition for
scarce materials and the temptations to grab
and advantage in price.
Politically, it can be said that the two
parties have chosen their own risks. If the
inflationary trend is checked the Republi
cans can take a big bow. But if they are not
checked the Truman campaign slogan will be:
"I told you so!"
The demonstration of solidarity in both
parties is the most impressive aspect of this
pre-election legislative event.
The Elks Christmas Party
This is the season of Christmas parties, but
there is always one that stands out, and that
is the Elks' annual party for the children of
Eugene. It has been going on for years, in
good times and bad. It would be difficult to
estimate . how many boys and girls have
shared in this festivity over the years. Many
of them are now grown, and they send their
kids.
Way back yonder somewhere when the
late Jack Luckey was secretary of the Elks,
there came to be a saying:
' "When there is some big community need,
go and see. the Elks; the Elks get things done,"
That is a very fine tradition. We can re
call go many instances of action by the Elks
that we hestltate to make a list. No, the Elks
are not an "easy touch." Don't get that idea.
The funds of the lodge are carefully and
shrewdly administered. But they are always
attentive to any need; they are an organiza
tion created for mutual benefit, and they
are famous for their love of fun. What we
like is that somehow they have achieved a
tradition of "the open mind and the open
heart."
This big party for children goes on and
on. Sometimes we suspect that the old boys
have as much fun as the kids themselves.
Why not? That's what makes good. This
thing is our way of sending a sprig of holly
to "some grand guys."
Ajax McGurk says that after watching
one of the Town's Big Shots trying to wrap
a Christmas package, he has less faith than
ever in "intelligence tests."
Somehow or other that Republican plan
for stopping inflation by purely voluntary
effort reminds us of the brave mule who
balked in the tracks to stop the express.
Ardent Wayne Morse fans say he is just
trying to prove that he is a better Republi
can than all the rest, and if they and he are
right, he may be the only one left.
Messrs. Molotov, Gromyko, et als, keep
trying to prove that poor old Uncle Sam
is trying to capture the world when as a
matter of fact he'd be tickled to death to
remove to a less troublesome planet.
In The Editor's Mailbag
POOR FARM
EUGENE (To the Editor)
Upon mv observation and conver
sation with some of the people
who live in the Boor Farm it
would be a privilege for them to
get away from the place.
Mr. Wheeler says that it is a
orivileEe for these people to live
out there. Let Mr. Wheeter and
some of the County Court people
go out when not expected for din
ner and see what they feed them.
No butter and sugar, beans, po
tatoes one day, potatoes and
beans the next day and for the
next week made into potato cakes
until its sour.
The people at the Ferry Street
bridge are better off than the peo
ple at the poor farm, they would
get away if they could. The toilet
for the old people Is way out in
the yard, tor these people who
are blind and crippled. They all
have to tend to their own fire.
:ir. Hoare could do better. If he
can't the county commissioners
had better see that they do.
I think It s awful, those old peo
ple don't eat much I'm sure. Soup
and a few nice extras would be
better.
From one who knows,
MRS. I. J. KAUPAL. 1350
Lincoln.
P. S. We are giving to Europe.
I think charity begins at home,
EUGENE (To the Editor)
Your article in tonight's Guard
makes me cry out. "Aged Folk at
Poor Farm Worry over Where to
Go." Certainly Eugene is not go
ing to let those old people take
to the Road, with no place to go.
To sell the poor farm at this
time seem to me, is there a word
bad enough to describe it
Make another door to door can
vass, bring out the dollar bills and
take care of the helpless for just
a little time longer. Surely this
inflation and crrwded housing
isn't going to last forever.
I've come here from a richer
state, but it wasn't always rich. I
also am not too proud of Penn
sylvania, though I love it. I won
der now what they did with their
poor. on yes, they had some com
pensation. And we did have a
swell Welfare Department when
I left seven years ago.
Don't let these people down.
MARIE L. PARKHURST.
POOR FARM
EUGENE (To the Editor)
There is nothing more deplorable
tnan robbing these poor helpless
people of their rights, for they
have all paid taxes in their time,
that went for the upkeep of this
home. It is too bad that the ex
pense of this home is too great a
tax for the county. These Doerfe
helped build our county and
country and were good citizens in
their time. They are not a burden
to nobody m the home and enjoy
each other's company more than
they would that of relation, whom
they might try to livj with. A
large portion of our welfare coun
ty and state officials put in their
time seeing how little can be spent
on tnose in need, that the tax is
intended for and how much they
can get out of it for their own
wage as office holders. Wouldn't
it be nice if we could have a
Christmas ship at home for these
people of our own?
We don't seem to mind sending
billions to Europe to the ones re
sponsible for the killing of the
prize of our nation. There are no
people in our country or else
where that .deserve our help any
more than our poor old folks.
This lies at the door step of all
welfare offices and organizations
and such officials as might have
a say in the matter. Let's please
v.... v,oin from other svm-
Iuavc ot -i- - - -pathizers
for these people before
they can t be neipea.
C. 5. Anivir,,
Ki E. 31st, Eugene.
MAIL SERVICE
rair.FN? fTo the Editor)
I don't know whether you will use
space on the editorial page ior inu
letter or not, but I hope you do.
If not throw It in the waste
basket.
Just before Christmas Is no
nnht nmr time tn bellv acre.
but I'm getting scared. I'm afarid
someone might invite me over ior
Phrtetma. dinner and wa wouldn't
get the letter till next year. To
day's mail brougnt tne usuai as
sortment ol cards, etc., some were
miiu nf ia In Ohio: also a
post card mailed in Eugene Dec. 6,
arrived today, Dec. 18. iast weex
we received a large letter, nrsi
class, containing an insurance
policy from our agent in Eugene
urhfoh hA mailed find was can-
r-llprl at thA T.nfene Dost office
Wmr itt ami wa rApeiveri it nn Dec.
u . - -- -
12. Only 2 weeks, but I guess
that's not too bad, since we live
wav out In the country, almost to
Danebo.
ThA main thins that worries me
nnur tm that mv hlrthnHV COmAS in
March and just in case anyone
plans on sending me a present,
please get it mailed right after
tViA PhrictmaR man an I'll be rea
sonably sure of getting It on time.
If anyone doums my wora
about the letter and post card.
just drop me a line no, don't
write, come on out.
Sincerely yours, .
CLIFFORD VANSCHOIACK.
Rt 1, Box 438-M, Eugene.
THAT FARM
OAKRIDGE (To the Editor)
Thank you all for that very Im
pressive illustration In your yes.
terday paper: the Lane County
Poor Farm.
Yes, very impressive illustration
indeed, doing great credit abroad
to us as a Free and Rich Country;
the fact and matter is, and it is
well known no other country in
the world treats its needy and un
derprivileged class more niggard'
ly than our own U. S. Billions for
Europe, to Hell with the poor here
at home.
Knute F. Turnqulst.
lons and other fixed incomes,
with surprisingly little yelping in
evidence, at least not near as much
as the situation calls for.
Congress is far from blameless
for this state of affairs. It created
a set-up whereby money was bor
rowed from the banks to finance
the war, and, of course, the barjks
issued new currency to the extent
of their loans. The war material
was destroyed, but the money
which went to pay for It Is still
circulating, creating an excess de
mand for consumer goods. I think
it would have helped the situa
tion if Congress had siphoned off
the excess dollars by levying
heavier taxes during the war. But
having failed to do this, it ought
now to find some way of restoring
the value of the dollar and the
E-bonds. .
03car R. Anderson,
1483 Oak Street
Emma Abshire
Emma Ahahlia in j,..
at her home in Springfield si!
was born at Bloomlngton InSe
iOct. 6. 1889. and m.l.Ji' 1'
Abshli- nt Casper, Wyo D ,T
Besides T-av .
Chell. Elicr.n. ' '"7 Mlt"
Services will be at Pool-Un.n
Mortuary Monday at 3 p. mTwitS
iM
Hev.r.
-4m
lit iUniti
vwnHm HQS i
"4 1 1 n
RUSSIA AND V. S.
EUGENE (To the Editor) I
find that I enjoy reading most of
your editorials, as they present
issues and problems in an inter
esting and logical manner. Would
like to make a short comment on
your editorial of Dec. 17 regarding
Russian monetary troubles, the
last sentences of which reads:
"What we do we do with lots of
yelling! Just let Congress try to
cut your E-bonds in two."
But that is practically what has
happened to the E-bonds, if one
wants to convert them into ood
that one could buy In 1841, when
we iirst started to put our hard-
earned savings into them. The
same thing is happening to pen-
Why suffer any longer
Whan othara fan, nia aor Chlneie
remadiea. Amailna ineeaii lor 6000
reari In China. No matter with what
allraonta yoa ara aMietod dliorderr,
lnaaltli, heart, lonn, liver, kldneyi,
gut, constipation, nleori, dlabetci.
rhearaatism, rail and bliddtr fov-or,
kin, femalo complaint!.
CHARLIE
CHAN
CHINESE HEBB
CO.
Tit Willamette
OFFICE HOURS
4:30 to 6:80
Wednesday Only
Santy Claus flying over the rooftops has
nothing on some of the guys who infest the
highways at this season, only reindeer seem
to be a lot more controllable than gas.
The Eugene Water Board is struggling to
keep the voltage up, and some of the cus
tomers are trying to keep the blood pressure
down when the lights go off these nights.
.
Congressmen are in a scramble to get
home for Christmas. Can't blame 'em for
wanting to get in on the good will while it
lasts.
PAC is reported to be divided on whether
Henry Wallace should bust the Democratic
party or start a third party, but some of the
boys think the problem is to get Henry down
off the roof first.
Henry Wallace is reported to have pro
duced a new breed of chickens that will lay
more eggs than any known breed to date.
Some of the wags say that is quite appropriate.
FRIED CHICKEN
DELIVERED
To Your Home
No Charge lor Delivery In City Limits
Order Includes chicken,
French fries, toast and
collee U5
-Ar Orders will be delivered by DeLuxe '
Cab Co. to Insure their being hot on
arrival.
PHONE 172 FOR ORDERS
(Closed Thursdays)
WHITE PALACE CAFE
47 East 10th
A good many men are puzzled over what
to get the wife for Christmas, but old Adrian
Fuddle insists that the real puizle is what
to get it with.
U. S. Treasury is making moan because
dollar bills ,wear out too soon. It was our
impression that they merely evaporate.
The game of horseshoes is always pop
ular with elderly men at southern resorts.
Maybe because it requires only a few shoes
and a couple of chews.,
The easiest, way to break
drop it. j
habit is to
DICKENS
Christmad (arot
Will Be Presented
on COLLARD CLASSIC HOUR
STATION KORE - SUNDAY 4 P.M.
.WitH Best Wishes for the
Holidays from
Collard Motors
T2 E. 11th, Eugene
QUAKER
Curtain Stretchers
Now Available
JOHNSON FURNITURE CO.
649 Willamette Phone 2893
KUPPENHEIMER
CLOTHES
Byrom ft Kneeland
THE MAN'S SHOP
12 Fast 10th
Pt
SPIRAL
BRISTLEC0MB
IN A STIIKINO
NIW OI'T SOX
Avoid lottllnt
Shop lha eair, comforablt
Foliar war illbi in roar
, own none.
CALL O WRITl
Phone 2230 or 3425-W
215 Hampton Bldg.
We Will
Remain Open
For Your
last minute
Christmas
Shopping
Mil l FR Y
We
are
CLOSING 01
THE FOLLOWING rmisD,
TOY DEPARTMENT
METAL WHEELBARROWS
neg. sa.ss
Toy CARPET SWEEPERS .
Toy LAWNMOWERS
LARGE REDUCTION IN
rk;u.... TiDi r . ...
X.....U.CH1 imduc and tHAIR SETS
DOLLS . . . WAGONS
Entire Stock of
BEDSPREADS
Choice.... $5M
Table Lamps
Besides these specials, we have a larpemJ
of Christmas items lot & honui
LAMPS MIRRORS SWING HOOBRI
OCCASIONAL CHAIRS BOUDOIR CHJWI
PHLLCO RADIOS .
AND MANY OTHER USEFUL HOMS fflTIi
JOHNSON
FURNITURE CO,
649 Willamette
TelefhoM
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