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F. B. BOYD. Owner and Publisher
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Athena, Oregon, April 15 1927
A SPECTACLE
That in many Oregon counties
large interests are assessed at only
10 or 12 per cent of their book value
is declared, as revealed in the records
of the state tax commission at Salem.
And that other properties of far
less earning capacity are assessed at
40 to GO per cent of their book value
is also declared by a Salem news
story, as revealed in the records of
the commission.
A start was made to equalize these
assessments. A law was passed for
the purpose by the late legislature,
with great gusto. It was recom
mended by a legislative tax investi
gating committee after two years of
study. The "blue blank" wa3 issued
to get authoritive information from
taxpapcrs on which to make the
equalization. It is all recent and
illuminating history.
Back of the widespread revolt
against the "blue blank" was its
prying into business secrets, and that
it should be opposed is not surpris
ing. But the status remains as one
of the weaknesses of the property
tax system, now almost universally
criticized by tax experts as a failure.
The new law is as good as repeal
ed. The "blue blank" is as dead as
an autumn leaf. In the main, those
assessed only 10 to 12 per cent on
their book values are to go on pay
ing on only 10 to 12 per cent, while
those assessed at 40 to 60 per cent
of their book values, with far less
earning power, are to go on paying
taxes on 40 to 60 per cent.
This unequal taxation is a public
record. It is notorious and undenied.
It is an established and acknowledged
fact. And the legislature tried to
remedy it, but has failed. The esti
mate is that something like $401,000,
000 is thus kept off the property
tax rolls and escapes taxation.
It is one more indictment of the
property tax system. It is one more
powerful argument for the income
tax. Under the income law, all with
taxable income pay. They cay r.c
cording to their ability to pay. One
is not taxed on only 10 per cent und
another on 00 per cent.
These inequalities cannot go ;n. A
government can't endure half taxed,
half free. The sooner adjustments
are made, the better for the Ftate.
Oregon Journal.
It is u sad and lamentable fact
that powerful interests are advocat
ing the construction of a tramway
to the crest of Mount Hood, Oregon's
premier and incomparable natural
scenic wonder. And there are certain
civic organizations at Portland and
elsewhere which are falling for this
commercialized scheme to scarify the
natural grandeur of old and mighty
Hood with an unsightly mechanical
device. When nature's parks, one
by one throughout the great North
west are being sacrificed to commer
cial greed through deforestration,
and the construction of big hotels,
garages, tennis courts, golf links and
other means of denuding nature's
scenic effects, it is to be hoped that
a general protest from the people of
the whole state will save Mount Hood
from being defaced.
"Big Bill" Thompson is again may
or of Chicago and the wickedest city in
the world for four years more, is
supposed to be safe from "foreign
influence." If Thompson means the
foreigners comprising the gangster
groups in his town, he has something
to light against, but so far King
George of England seems to be the
invisablc local target that Bill has
been aiming at.
o
There's one unregretable circum
stance connected with the removal of
Ed Averill from the office of state
game warden, by the newly appoint
ed republican commissioners. He
can come back to old Umatilla coun
ty, from whence he went to become
the bct warden the state ever had.
Old's, Wortman & King store. Prob
ably; there's generally a woman in
the case!
-o
With seventy-seven deaths from
Eastern storms staring you in the
face, aren't you glad that you live
in Oregon?
o
The skies smiled, Portland smiled
and everyone smiled when the Beav
ers took the opening game from
Hollywood, Tuesday; score 6 to 5.
o
Weston Pioneers' Reunion June 10
and 11. Remember the dates and
keep them wholly in reserve for the
big picnic.
. o
A few more weeks and the kids
will vacate the school building lor
their summer vacation.
o
Well, the Mackmen dropped their
first one, but the week is yet young.
o
This is the day, but are they biting?
Card of Thanks
We desire to express our deepest
thanks for the sympathy and assist
ance given us during our bereave
ment in the loss of our husband and
father.
MRS. H. S. KNIGHT
AND FAMILY.
NOTICE OF REFEREE'S SALE OF
REAL PROPERTY UPON PAR
TITION Notice is hereby given that the un
dersigned, as referee, under and pur
suant to a decree of the Circuit Court
of the State of Oregon for Umatilla
County, duly made and entered on
the 7th day of April, 1927, in a parti
tion suit then pending therein be
tween William J. Kirk as plaintiff
and Mary C. Sommerville, Cora Kirk
and Clara Josephine Kirk, defend
ants, will sell at public auction for
cash in hand, all the right, title, in
terest and estate of said plaintiff
and of each of said defendants, of,
in, and to the following described
real estate, situate in Umatilla Coun
ty, State of Oregon, to wit:
The South half of the Southeast
quarter of Section 28, and the
North half of the Northeast
quarter of Section 33, all in
Township 3 North of Range 35
E. W. M..
together with the tenements, hered
itaments and appurtenances there
unto belonging or in anywise apper
taining, said sale to be subject to the
confirmation of this court.
That said sale will be made at the
west door of the County Court House
in Pendleton, Umatilla County,' State
of Oregon, on the 16th day of May,
l'J27, at the hour of 2 o'clock in the
afternoon of said day. That the in
terest of said Clara Josephine Kirk
in said real property is encumnerea
by a mortgage made on October 30th,
1924, by Roy A. Kirk, a single man,
A. O. Kirk and Josephine Kirk, hus
band and wife, to Moses Taylor for
the sum of $6000 on said lands and
other lands, which said mortgage was
recorded on the first day of Novem
ber, 1924 in Book 84 at page 150 of
the mortgage records of Umatilla
County, State of Oregon. That said
mortgage will be paid to the extent
of $2500 as agreement between said
Moses Taylor and said Clara Jose
phine Kirk, by the undersigned as
referee, from the proceeds of the
sale of the interest of the said Clara
Josephine Kirk in said real property,
and a release of said lands from the
lien of said mortgages will be pro
cured by the undersigned, as referee,
and filed with the County ClerK of
Umatilla County, State of Oregon.
Thut. Kiiirl l:inrl will he sold free
and clear of all other encumbrances
except that the purchaser will be re-
unrml fn nn v thn rrsnnnhln vnliip
of the summer fallow and cultivation
done on said premises, up to the dato
of sale for 1927.
A15M13. W. II. MORRISON.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
In the County Court of the State of
Oregon for Umatilla County.
In the Matter of the Estate of John
E. Froome, Deceased.
Notice is hereby given to all per
sons whom it may concern: lhat
I,Hina Froome and J. W. Maloney
have been appointed administrators
of the estate of John u. rroome, ue-
ceased; that said John h. froome
is also known as John troom.
All persons having claims against
said estate are hereby required to
present them to said Laura Froome
at Athena, Oregon, or to J. W. Malon
ey at Pendleton, Oregon, or to them
at the law olliee ot win m. reier
son, attorney at law, Pendleton, Ore
gon, duly verified in the manner re
quired by law, within six months of
the- date of the first publication of
this notice which is the 8th day of
April. 1927.
LAURA FROOME,
J. V. MALONEY,
Administrators.
Will M. Peterson. George R. Lewis
Attorneys for Administrators.
A8M6.
The eggopolis of the world Petul
unin , California is axalting over
the first snowfall in the memory of
its oldest inhabitant, and according
to latest reports from there, the
cackle factories were still cackling.
The duration of the cross examin
ation of Sapario by Senator Jim
Reed, inspires one in the belief that
both are in their verbal element.
One by one the daisies fall. The
new game commission has ousted the
chief deputy game warden and the
Crook county deputy.
o
Portland's detectives believe they
have a clue, through finding the heel
of a ladies' shoe, that a woman was
connected with the robbery of the
NOTICE OF FINAL ACCOUNT
In the County Court of the State of
Oregon for Umatillu County.
In the Matter of the Estate of
George W. Gross, Deceased.
Notice is hereby given that the un
dersigned have filed their final ac
count and report in the above en
titled matter and that the above en
titled Court has fixed Saturday, the
30th day of April, 1927, at the hour
of 10:00 o'clock A. M. of said day
as the time, and the County Court
room of the County Court house at
Pendleton, Umatilla County, Oregon,
as the place, for the hearing of said
final account and report. Objections
to said final account and report
should be filed on or before that date.
Dated at Athena, Umatilla County,
Oregon, this 1st day of April, 1927.
SARAH J. GROSS,
JAMES F. GROSS,
Executors of the I-ast Will and
TeBtament of George W. Gross, De
ceased. Watts & Prestbve Athena. Orecron.
1 Attorneys for Estate. A1A29.
HOW FAKE AUCTIONS GET YOUR MONEY
By W. R. MOREHOUSE
Public Relations Commission, American Bankers Association
(This is one of a aerie of articles exposing the wiles of sharpers who are
after your money.)
NEARLY everyone is ready "to take a fling" at getting some
thing for nothing or at least for less than it is worth. Be
cause of this many are duped into paying more than regular mar
ket Drices for thines thev buv. This class of
people is especially susceptible to the appeal of
anything resembling an auction. Fake auc
tions with the cards stacked against the buyer
are very common. They rank high among the
fraudulent schemes of the country.
The "here today and gone tomorrow"
auction faker rents a fine looking house in
some high-class section of the city in which he
plans to operate. He furnishes this house
with the cheapest imitations of high-class fur-
j4 jf&' I which is to serve for bait. Certain pieces are
wZA A " ' 1 alleged antiaues with a thread of glorious his-
' torv behind them. Of others it is claimed that
t.Vipv have been handed down for Generations.
-St originating with some person noted in history
v t -wwiiaHWfcimi m or wun some iamous aouuiern lamny. ji
Zjo TcZWScc other pieces it is maintained that they are
made of rare and precious woods imported
from far across the sea. The overstuffed furniture, it is claimed,
is all high grade of standard manufacture.
Regardless of its superiority and antiquity, the furniture
must be sold at once, for theS
owner Is compelled to take an
extended trip, the family physi
cian having ordered travel and a
change of climate as a means of saving
his life. Nothing Is to be spared and
the deep slashings of the auctioneer's
axe must go on with no price too low.
Individual pre-auctlon sales, of course,
will be arranged for persons who are
unable to attend the auction.
The day of the sale Is here. Pur
chasers are arriving. They are met
at the door by the woman member of
the outfit a dramatic person
who knows when to shed
tears at the thought of hav
ing her happy home broken
up and her valuable furnish-
they find hanging In the front window
a sign, "For Rent." The birds have
flown, without leaving any address.
Fake auctions are not exclusive
to residences, but are sometimes
staged In etores. We have reports of a
certain furniture firm that failed, hav
ing on hand stock Invoiced at $42,000.
An auction sale was announced. As
usual the stock must be closed out to
satisfy creditors within a few days,
regardless of cost. On" the windows
appeared glaring announcements of
big bargains. Al
though represented
as a legitimate sale,
it bad the earmarks
of an auction by
0 i .-ts. 1
Victims Clamor for Fake Pieces
Ings torn from her. She tells
her sad story how she must
leave her home and go to ditstaut lands
with her husband whose health Is
broken and life In danger. But she Is
resigned to her "awful calamity" and
will sell all her lovely furniture even
at a great sacrilico.
As she directs attention to certain
pieces ot furniture her voice quavers.
She almost sobs aloud as she names
the price Ghe Is forced to accept. "Less
than half the original cost, but price
Is no object. We must take the train
tomorrow," and she wipes a tear from
her eye. Fully convinced the sale
Is genuine, and sympathizing with the
unfortunate woman, buyers clamor for
the furniture.
lint no sooner a-e the articles trans
ferred from their setting In the slight
ly darkened rooms of their original
owner and displayed In the sunlight
of the purchaser's home, than the
truth about the sale begins to dawu lu
the mlud ot each new owner. Close
examination reveals that evidently
this wonderful collection of furniture
was but odda and ends and unsalable
pieces picked up from second-hand
storce by these fly-by-night fakers.
Some proves to bo the rankest of imi
tations of the cheapest grade, and the
overstuffed Is so poorly constructed
that it squeaks and weaves under the
lightest weight.
The Birds Have Flown
When those who have been cheated
rush back to the house the next day,
intent on making It "hot for the faker,"
(A future article will present means to foil crooked promoters' wiles and teU
how to separate good from bad investments.)
Messrs. Catch 'em and Skin 'em.
An Investigation of the store made
six months later disclosed that Us
stock was then larger than the day It
announced the auction. Its sales In
the interim had exceeded 1600,000.
The facts are that two trucks had
backed up to the rear of the store
nightly and unloaded new merchan
dise, principally odd lines and job lots
picked up here and there at a bargain.
Under the guise of a legitimate auc
tion, or private sale at auction prices,
fourteen times as much furniture was
sold in the six months as the store
contained at the time of the failure
Comparlsou ofsalo prices disclosed
that victims were persuaded to buy
liberally on the assurance they were
getting sacrifice prices, when as a mat
ter of fact they were actually paying
from five to 25 per cent more than re
liable stores were charging for better
goods.
Fake auctions and private sales are
used not only for furniture but also in
the sale of jewelry and otliur merchan
dise. The leasou which this 6tory
teaches is that there iv nothing to be
gained by patronizing such sales. On
the other hand, there is a belter than
&0-3) chance of sustaining a loss.
Not all auctions are fraudulent, for
some are conducted fairly and honest
ly, but before you draw your savings
from the bank and spend them for auc
tion goods It will pay you to get the
facts. For your own protection make
It an unbreakable rule to confine your
expenditures and investments to re
liable firms and iudividuals. In deal
ing with them you are assured a
square deal
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
In the County Court of the State of
Oregon for Umatilla County.
In the Matter of the Estate of Will
iam 1 Willaby, Deceased.
Notice is hereby given that the un-
dersijrned has been appointed admin
istratrix of the estate of William P.
Willaby, deceased, by an order of the
above entitled court.
All persons having claims against
the said estate are hereby notified to
present the same to me at Athena.
Oregon, or to my attorneys, Watts i
Prestbye. at their office in Athena,
Oregon, within six months from the
date of the first publication of this
notice. All claims must be verified
as by law required.
Dated nt Athena, Oregon, this 1st
day of April, 1027.
ULSTER WILLABY
Administratrix.
Watts & Frestbye Athena. Oregon,
Attorneys for estate. A1A2&
NOTICE OF FINAL ACCOUNT
AND REPORT
PV
"Famously Good Meals"
New 'Type Diners
For a quarter of a century the Northern Pacific has been improving its
Dining Car Service. Today, we believe the variety of menus, cuisine
and the service itself are better than ever betore. lhe next
time you travel, we invite you to judge. Our Big Baked
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One of America's s. the "North Coast Limited" this f. . Wood, AgU,
Fine Trains v spring and summer. Athena, Ore.
Northern Pacific Railway
?Fir$t of the Northern Transcontinentah'i.
DR. S. F. SHARP
PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON
Athena, Oregon
DR. W. G. COWAN
PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON
Athena, Oregon
D. J. McFaul, M. D. v
Office over
Inland Empire Bank
Pendleton, Oregon
Specializing in Electro and Quartz
Lamp Therapy.
WATTS & PRESTBYE
Attorneys-At-Law
Mais Street. Athena, Oregon
State and Federal Court Practice
In the County Court of the State of
Oregon, for Umatilla County.
In the Matter of the 'Estate of Au
gusta Betz, Deceased.
Notice is herebv eiven that the un
dersigned has filed his final account
and report in the above entitled mat
ter and that the above entitled Court
has fixed Saturday the 23rd day of
April, 1927, at the hour of 10 o'clock
in the forenoon of said day as the
time, and the Countv Court room of
the County Court house at Pendle
ton, Umatilla County, Oregon, as the
place for hearing said account and
report. Objections to said final ac
count and report should be filed on
or before that date.
Dated at Athena Oregon, this 22nd
day of March, 1927.
B. B. RICHARDS,
Ancillary Administrator for Ore.
gon. M25A22,
The Best
Dentistry
Done
Without. Pain
Dr. Leach
Bond Building, Pendleton.
Jensens
Blacksmith Shop
Horseshoeing
Prices Reasonable
- Athena, Oregon
rr
Care of
Cemetery Lots
We are equipped to furnish either
perpetual or annual care of lots in
the Athena Cemetery, at reason
able rates.
ATHENA CEMETERY ASSOCIATION
See: E. C. Prestbve, Secretary, or Ike Phillips, Sexton.
' '
CHIROPRACTIC MEANS HEALTH
and' will light the way for you to
row down the stream of life with
vim, vigor and vitality which you
never had before. Come today for
an adjustment. Consultation and
spinal analysis free.
Dr. W. Boyd Whyte
Stangier Building, Phone 706
Pendleton, Oregon. 957 J
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SOME OF THE FACILITIES OFFERED BY
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF ATHENA
SAFETY DEPOSIT BOXES For rent from $1 per year up.
These boxes are kept in our fire-proof and burglar-proof
vault, and they are accessable to you at any time during
banking hours.
INTEREST ON DEPOSITS We will pay you interest at the
rate of 4 per cent per annum, compounded semi-annually
if you wish, on our certificates of deposit. In the last five
years we have paid our customers over $75,000 in interest
on deposits. ,
WE OFFER FOR SALE Insured mortgage bonds, insured by
the National Surety Company of America. These bonds
are in $100, $500 and $1,000 denominations and draw in
terest at the rate of 6 per cent, coupons payable semiannually.
ESTABLISHED 1865
Preston-Shaffer Milling Co.
AMERICAN BEAUTY
FLOUR
is made in Athena, b Athena Ikbor, in one ol the very beet
equipped mills in the Northwest, of the best selected Bluestem
wheat grown anywhere. Patronue home industry". Your
grocer sells the famous American Beauty Floor
Merchant Millers & Grain Buyers
Athena, Oregon. . . Waitsburg, Wash