Entered at the Post Office at Athena, Oregon, as Second-Class Mail Matter VOLUME 47. ATIIENA, UMATILLA COUNTY, OREGON, FRIDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 10, 1926 NUMBER 49 k Short Session of Congress Convened Huge Task Faced as Calen dar of Both Houses Are Congested Washington, D. C Once again the constitution called congress into ses Bion Monday. At noon the gavel fell in senate and house, setting in motion the nation's legislative , jrijchinery which lias been idle since adjourn ment last July. The new session, the second of the 69th congress, will face a huge task. It will have but three months in which to work, for its ten ure under the constitution' expires March 4. More than 12,000 bills remain on the calendar untouched from last session To these will be added' several hun dred more as soon as the fcrmalities of the opening day are over. Out of this brief three months of work must be taken 10 days for a Christmas vacation, while many hours will be consumed by the political orators. The burden of selection of those ' bills to receive preferential considera tion wlil fall on the shoulders of the republican steering committees of the two houses. They will be required to choose only a few bills to push for " ward for enactment. Fir3t in their minds are the annual appropriation bills to provide funds for the operating expenses of the gov ernment Besides these, agreement already had been reached to take up two measures on definite dates the rivers and harbors bill in the senate December 14 and a bill proposing sal nry Increases for the federal judiciary In the house next Thursday. The tentative legislative list alwo hi eludes alien property, radio, the Mc Fadden branch banking bill, the Lau sanne treaty with Turkey, and the treaty to outlaw the use of poisonous ' gas in warfare. Farm relief proposals in numerous forms also are knocking at tha doors tf both houses, while the democratic membership is srl'd ia its demand for a tax reduction bill. TAX CLAIM 5 ALLOWED Grant Land Refunds Recommended for Five More Origan Counties. Washington, D. C Claims made by five Oregon counties under the Ore gon and California grant land tax re. fund act have been recommended to the secretary of the treasury for pay ment by Secretary of Interior Work, bringing the total number of claims so approved to eight, with those of ten ether Oregon counties still to be passed upon. Under the recommendations by Sec retary Work, the following counties would be reimbursed to the extent given: Multnomah, $45,353.73; Linn. $198,345.47; Curry, $25,792.79; Tilla mook, $40,600.02; Yamhill, $52,734.30. Payment of claims made by Lincoln, Ccos and Columbia counties has pre viously been recommended, Charle3 RingMng, . Circus Man, Dies. Sarasota, Fla. Charles Singling, circus man, financier and railroad builder, died at his home here after an Illness cf several weeks. Mr. Ring ling was one of the original seven Blngling brothers, who in 18S2 formed a musical organization at Baraboo, Wis., and started a tour which later resulted In the present Itingliug Bros. Earnum & Bailey circus, Eastern Railroad Men Given Raise. Now York, N. Y. -Trainmon, con cuctors, baggagemen and flagmen of oastern railroads were granted a 7 per cent wage increase by the arbi tration board which has been hearing both sides of the wage dispute. The award affects employes on both pas sencer and freir.ht trains. Would Oust Eurley, Idaho, Officials. Burley, Ida. Ouster proceedings were filed here before Judge Baker by Attorney Larson of Twin Falls pgainst Charles A. Johrson, mayor; pari M. Johnson, chief cf police, and jPresley D. Pace, sheriff, charging them with failure to perr-m the duties of their ofic2 in tha tEiorctmect cf law in the city oi Hurley. School Play a Success Well Rendered and It Pleased Audience One of the niftiest comedy presen tations ever attempted by pupils of Athena high school was witnessed by a lare audience at the Auditorium Friday evening, and under the direc tion of Miss Mildred Bateman, "A Family Mix" will long be remember ed in Athena. Every member of the cast gave evi dence of thorough conception of his part, and never once was prompt ing necessary. Perfect line memori zation served to lend freedom of ac tion on the part of the characters, the result being a clever production of a play that was crammed from cellar to garret with mirth and laugh-provoking situations. Yes, "A Family Mix" easily bowl ed along to success from every angle. Financially, too, for the show gross ed $121.00. The proceeds will go to ward paying for scenery painting at the auditorium, which was recently completed by Mrs. Hansen, of Hold man. ' The State May Adopt Hoover's Uniform Law As Offered To Oregon Code Would Regulate Auto Traffic Athena Etude Club Gives An Interesting Program The Etude club enjoyed an inter. esting and unique evening Saturday at the home of Mrs. C. M. Eager on Jefferson street. The arrangements were in charge cf Mrs. B. B. Richards and Mrs. R. B. McEwen the subject being "Italian Music." One end of the spacious liv ing room simulated a miniature stage which was decorated to represent a Venetian carnival scene, bright col ored ribbon confetti and flowers of many hues being used to carry out the effect. The following program was presented: Paper, "Italian Music" Mrs. Lewis Stewart; Vocal solo, Tosti's "Good bye", Miss Edna Pinkerton; Reading, "Mia Carlotta", Miss Lorraine Ter ry; Vocal- duet, "0 Sole Mio" Miss Pearl Ramsey and Miss Edna Pink erton; Sketch of opera "Cavaliera Rusticana," Mrs. 0. C. Hadley; Vocal solo "Ave Maria," Mrs. David Stone, Vocal trio "Venetian Love Song," Mrs. David Stone.. Mrs. R. B. Mc Ewen, Miss Lorraine Terry;' Piano solo "Goodnight," from A day in Venice; Seng with ukelele accompani ment, Miss Mary Jane Cornelison; Musical reading, Miss Mildred Bate man; Vocal solo "Neapolitan Nights," Mrs. Bryce Baker; Chorus, " L; my Gondola" Mrs. Lloyd Michener, Mrs. Bryce Baker, Mrs. Archie Mclntyre, Mrs. Victor Hirsch, Mrs. Frank Ames and Mrs. Max Hopper. Many Italian ccstumes were in evidence and following1 the program the hostesses served spaghetti a la Italienne. Guests of the club were Mrs. F. B. Boyd, Mrs. M. L. Watts, Miss Pauline Myrick of Walla Walla and Mrs. E E. Goff of Newberg Oregon's adoption of the Hoover code, the uniform system of traffic regulations worked out in the past three years by federal officials and representatives of leading business groups, will be urged at the coming session of the state legislature, ac cording to Thomas P. Henry of De troit, president of the American Au tomobile association, says the Ore- gonian. The Hoover code, will undoubtedly be presented to the legislatures of 42 states next year. "The new code is not revolutionary and differs but little from the laws in effect in the different states." said Mr. Henry. "With the great amount of inter-state auto traffic, uniform ity in laws is necessary, and that is what the Hoover code will supply. "We are of the opinion that theio are too many traffic laws, that they are perplexing and confusing to the mctcrists, and for the person who travels from one state to the other there should be a general set of rules in effect in all states. "The Hoover code is the result of three years of work on the part of sub-committees composed of repre sentatives and government bureaus which took part in the conference. Before the code is presented to the Oregon legislature we are going to ask, through the Oregon State Motor association, that the governor call a conference to study the proposed law." "The history of all forms of trans portation has been to increase speed with safety," said Mr. Henry. "The old arbitrary .rule of 80 miles an hour, or 35 miles an hour, is falling into disregard. "It is the degree of recklessness, the endangering of the life and the limb of others that' is the ciiiYiimil element in speeding. Gradually, I believe, the various states will drop the rule of a certain maximum num ber of miles an hour and arrest of fenders for recklessness, raMier than speed." A. M. Meldrum Giving Illustrated Lectures At Christian Church At the Christian church this week, Dr. A. MacKenzie Meldrum, former pastor of the church, is delivering a series of illustrated lectures on the resources, growth and prospects of Australia and New Zealand. Always1 an interesting and instruct ive speaker, with aid of stereoscopic views on the screen, Mr. Meldrum is having no trouble whatever in trans porting his audiences through the length and breadth cf what may be aptly termed an enchanted land, where, metaphorically speaking, milk comes as nearly flowing in streams and honey growing on bushes, as can be found any where on earth. Mr. Meldrum has made several trips to and from Australia. For a time he resided there. Since leaving Spokane, where he was connected with the college there, he returned to Australia, where he married his pres ent wife. His series of lectures this week have interested many who were unaware of the colobsal etridea of progress of recent years made in the antipodes, and especially in Australia and New Zealand. Tax and Problems of Farm Were Discussed No Great Amount of Legis lation at Present Short Session "There Ycu Are," "Eve's Leaves" and "Mannequin" December 16, ? Mystery Uncovers Fine Program Music lovers are looking forward to Thursday evening December 16th, when the Etude club will appear in a concert at the High school r.uditor-ium. Ensemble numbers, solos, trios, duets and readings will make up the first part of the program. After on in termission during which there will be orchestra numbers, a program of stunts, humorous readings, an 'opry," a "ballet"' and skits will be givn. The public is assured of an evening of good music and lots of fun, the proceeds to be used for a good cause, namely to assist in paying for new- stage scenery for the high school The small admission fee of twenty- five and thirty-five cents will be charged. MRS. WHITEMAN ENTERTAINS Mrs. Otis Whiteman entertained a party of ladies at luncheon at the Elks club in Walla Walla Saturday. Those bidden from Athena were, Mrs. B. B. Richards, Mrs. H. I. Watts, Mrs. W. S. Ferguson, Mrs M. L. Watts and Mrs. R. B. McEwen. 52-YARD FIELD GOAL Maurice McFadden, playing on the Oakland foot ball team, against the San Francisco Tigers drop-kicked a 52-yard field goal, "one of the long est on reccrd. Maurice, a brother cf C. L. McFadden, is well known in Athena, having visited here in the past. He is a former 0. A. C. end, and is coach at Mateo, California, high school. For tomorrow nieht, the Standard offers Conrad Nagel, Edith Roberts and George Fawcett in Metro-Gold-wyn's sterling photoplay, "There You Are!" A slashing comedy, with an all-star cast, "There You Are!" has been filling the large city the atres for the past month. The picc ure is new, up-to-date and is a line production in every repect. Sunday night, Cecil B. DeMille's Producer's Distributing Corporation offers "Eves Leaves," with Leatrice Joy and William Boyd in the starring roles. This is the third photoplay in a block of six, the Standard pur chased from the DeMille corporation. "The Volga Boatman" and "Three Faces East," having been played. "Stop Flirting," "Whispering Smith'' and "Welcome Stranger" are to fol low. Next Wednesday night, Liberty Magazine's $50,000 story , "Manne quin" will be presented by Para mount, with Alice Joyce, Warner Baxter and beautiful Delores Costel lo in the lead. . Christmas night the Standard will present Rex Ingram's "The Magic ian," and has booked "LaBoheme," starring Lillian Gish and John Gil bert, for New Year's night. MAGPIE AND SPARROW Methods for the control of tha magpie and English sparjfow pests are now available at the office of the county agent. THE BRIDGE CLUB The Bridge club was entertained Friday afternoon at the home of Mrs. R. B. McEwen on College street. The rooms were attractively decorated with red and yellow chrysanthemums. Four tables were in play. Additional guests included Mrs. E. E. Goff arid Newberg, Mrs. Otis Whiteman and Mrs. Simmons of Walla Walla and Mrs. F. S. LeGrow. The hostess serv ed seasonable refreshments. Conceding that there could be no great amount of legislation during the present session, President Cool idge laid before congress Tuesday a long list of recommendations in which temporarily tax relief and at tention to the .'arm marketing prob lem stood z: .'. ; -r.iinently. To the house and senate was left the task of fitting the recommenda tions to the necessities of the limited time at the disposal of the law mak ers before the sixty-ninth congress goes out of existence on March 4, next. Inasmuch as Mr. Coolidge touched on almost every point of pressing national interest, there can be no question that in going about their task, the Republican leaders vill have at hand the desires of the chief executive. While leaving the form of tax re lief to be decided by congress itself, President Coolidge opposed any per manent reduction at this time, sug gesting that "it is possible to grant some real relief by the simple meas ure of making reductions in the pay ments which accrue on the 15th of March, and June, 1927,'' As to farm relief, he urged a "sound solution," with the stipulation that it was necessary to "avoid put ting the government into the business of production or marketing or at tempting to enact legislation for the purpose of price fixing." The message in addition to touch ing taxes and farm problems, listed as desirable, coal control legislation; a Great Lakes-to-the-seas canal; re clamation development; railroad con solidation adequate perparedness; prohibition enforcement legislation; branch banking laws; radio eontrol under the department of commerce; return of alien property; and anti lynching laws; development of the Mississippi and Colorado rivers; dis posal of the Muscle Shoals problom, and support of the Geneva prelimin ary conference and other movements' for the reduction of armaments. Athena Claims Only One Student Out of Total of 76, O. A. C. Oregon Agricultural College, Cor vallis, Nov. Of the 76 students from Umatilla county attending the Oregon Agricultural college, Athena is represented by one. Full time students registered at O. A. C. number 3420. The total enroll ment, including summer and short courses amounts to nearly 5000, in addition to those registered for ex tension courses. Miss Elsa Ringel is a sophomore in the school of home economics. This course offers work for those who plan to soecialize in it for fur ther professional development, and also, for those who study it for its practical value. Miss Ringei was a member of the inter-class co-ed basketball team. This is one of the major sports con ducted by the Women's Athletic as sociation, and entitles each member of the team to 100 point.3 toward the Orange "O" sweater, as well as to membership in the association. The Annual Message of President Is Read Advocates Continuance Policies Rather than Legislation ot NEW PASSENGER STATION The Union Pacific has just com pleted a new passenger station at Milton. It will be dedicated to public use Saturday December 11, and the public generally, Is invited to be present. The eeremony will be in formal consisting of flag raising, music by the Union Pacific band of Portland and serving of light refresh, ments from 11:30 a. m. to 1:30 p. m. PENDLETON BURGLARS ACTIVE Pendleton burglars were active In that city, Saturday night, between the hours of seven' and nine o'clock, three dwellings were entered. Loss to owners, $1.80 and a gold watch, t : ! 1 The President's Message v ; ; & i i i . sA, r r Srtsri iii, i iii i ... ,u . . i jiirr' inKW ' " n Mm ii.'i r .. iii.IiiiI J. rem Wife of Auditor cf Washingtsjj Die;:. Olympia, Wash, .'.iter illocsa of more than a year j.sst. Mrs E;.I!a Baa Bon Clausen, wife of Stats Auuitcr C. W. Clauses, died at the family time here. MRS. COFF HONORED Mrs. E. E. Goff wa3 honored at lunchern Thursday when Mrs. M. L. i Watts entertained c party of ladies ; in Walla Walla. Other guest3 wore ! Mrs. F. S. LeGrow, Mrs. H. I. Watts ! and Mrs. R. B. McEwen. THE WEATHER Fog and frost prevailed during thei past week, with very little clear J weather; rain in the mountains, and but slight snow fall. fllrr iMfeKlsSfc ill flililte list- 'ttfmwCM 4A- 0Mi-?iwkWM "try Mm -Bptee.. liw.5 i Pettv Thieves Active fn the Athena Neighborhood Petty thieves are again active in the Athena neighborhood, They have turned their attention principally to stealing chickens. At two places sometime ago the thieves made away with poultry. Mr. Hargett in the north part of town was a loser and the Wood place is minus chickens by the same raiders. Last week the E. A. Dudley plnce was overhauled with the result that the fowl population was materially decreased. On the night following, Bert Logsdon's slaughterhouse was raided. Here the thieves helped themselves to twenty-five hides, and also filched a can of gasoline. No clew was left by the thieves at either of the places where robberies occurred, but Logs don says he can easily identify the hides stolen from him, in event they are located by officers. Death of Mrs. Mosley At California Home . Mrs. T. P. Mcsley, a former resi dent of Athena, died at her home in Whittier, California, on November 4, after a short illness. Death fol lowed an operation for relief from gall stones. Mrs. Mosdey is survived by her hus band, three sons and four daughters, all of whom were present at the fun eral, which was held November 10. The three sons reside in Allyrta, t"r, daughters at Portland and two live at horntj, Mr. and Mrs. Mosley, after resid ing in Athena for many years, left here for Alberta in 190G. They suc cessfully engaged in farming. Of late years they resided in California, while their sons operated the Alberta ranch. SETTLED FOR $50 Rex Payne and a man named Brown from Montana, came together In an automobile crash on the high way, near Athena Monday. Slippery pavement had much to do with the collision. Both Brown's roadster and Payne's Ford were blemished Considerably by the impact. Payne claimed $110 damage to his machine, but eventually settled for $50. After a few kinks were taken out of his roadster, Brown proceeded on to Portland. JOLLY TWENTY-FIVE The Jolly Twenty-five club met at the attractive new home of Mrs. Max Hopper Friday afternoon. Pom pom chrysanthemums in ahades of bronze brightened the rooms. Plans were made for the annual Christmas tree at the next meeting which will be held at the home of Mrs. C. L. Mc Fadden December 15th. The hoctes, Mrs. Alex Mclntyre and Mrs. Ralph Cannon served a delicious concoction knewn as a Thrift pie at the tea hour, Washington, D. C President '..oI idge's inosaago advocated continuance of present republican policies for a guarantee of prosperity rather than r.ny untried legislation. Republicans generally acclaimed it aa "a typical Cool'ilgs document," and a "very strong message," while dem ocrats and some independent republi cans criticised it. Mr. Coolidge advocatod a temporary tax reduction on payments to be niacin In March; lauded the republican tar iff; Indorsed the Fesa farm relief plan and criticised the McNary-Haugen plan (without mentioning It by name); restated his position upon rec lamation, radio and development of water resources, and asked adoption of antl-lynching legislation. The president counseled that body against any farm relief that would put the government "into the business" of production, marketing or price fix ing on fawn products. Ho also macf. It clear he opposes any permanent tax reduction now, but favors a tax refund next year. For agriculture, ha favored greater development ot cooperatives; develop ment of inland waterways and Musclu Shoals, nntl other measures already advocated, and voiced the govern ment's "tonHi.iiit soliritudo and sym pathy for the Kimer." Strains n;;uin the Idea of "Cool idge economy," ho warned congress against exhavagant new ventures now. His message, unrolling a panor ama ot tho i".-d.;ral government's vat business, emphasized tho "genuine peace and ;:i oapority of the country," the a!wen e of major diplomatic trou bles and tii.: desire of America to con tinua its policy of non-aggressive armament. Baptist Program Savored of the Christmas Season A program savoring of the Christ mas season was presented at the Euptiat church Sunday morning, when a tree was laden with gifts to ba sent to an Indian mission in Southern California. The program follows: "Jov to the World," Congregation; Recitation, Rachel Smith; Vocal duet "Lullabye," Barbara and Robert Lee; Recitation, Jack Miller; Christmai carol, Mrs. R. B. McEwen; Reading "I arody of The Night Before Chrint inas," Miss Ruth Williams; Solo, Ro berta Cannon; Christmas story, Miss Margaret Lee; Instrumental solo "Spinning Song," Annabel Payne; Duet Valerie Cannon and Rachel Smith. MAKING IMPROVEMENTS Anticipating the series of dances to be given by the Legion beginning Saturday night, the organization has been making marked improvements in the hall. A recessed alcove hai been made for the orchestra at one end of the hall and a ladiesjessing room has been made neaThj en trance. Decorative effects of ' per manent order are being planned and if not in place for the initial dance they will be completed shortly. Don ald McFadyen and Joe demons have been dcing the carpenter work. COYOTES KILLING SHEEP Cliff Banister of Holdman recently lost a $50 pure bred Rambouillet ewe, killed by coyotes, ho reports to tho county agent's office. He was sup plied with coyoto poison of a new type, strychnine that is tasteless, anl which is now being used successful ly in destroying coyotes. THEY DON'T FAVOR BEAK The proposal of Oregon sportsmen and the Game Commission to put Bre'r Bear on the protected list as a ?ame animal is opposed by the Woolgrowers . K. G. Warner presi dent of the Oregon Woolgrowers' as sociation, will attend a meeting of the game commission at Portland next week, to voice the sheepmen';: protest against any measure that will j tend to propagate the number of, bears on the Oregon, sheep ranges, j CIH'RCIl CENSUS A movement going forward during thin week is that of a, church census being taken by the several churches of Athena. The object in to get a survey of church membership and affiliatkn in this community. Every houKe is visited and a record kept of information i b'ained. DOMESTIC SCIENCE EXHIBITION The girls in the Domestic Science? department of the high school will pive an exhibit of their work Satur day, beginning at 10 a. m., in tho Rfgcrs & Goodman Hardware store. Tea will be served during the after noon (tin) a sale of cakes, pastry and candies will be held.