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About The Athena press. (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 3, 1928)
AN INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER F. B. BOYD. Owner and Publisher Subscription Rates. One copy, one year $a-9 One copy, six months 22 One copy, three months Athena, Oregon, February 3, 1928 PUBLIC POWER POLICY wwn tViov realize that electric onVa with the nation's rail way systems in point of industrial worth and importance, the people of the Northwest will wake up and knock v,o ninna for a hutre power monopoly "into a cocked hat." But they will have to do the rising up pretty soon else the electric utilities will have beaten them to it, and the state-owned power sites will have been gob bled up. This newspaper realizes that the homes and industry of every kind in the Northwest vitally neea the unharnessed power now going tc waste within her boundaries to sup ply them with heat, light and power Electric utilities are supporting a huge lobby at Washington to secure legislation favorable to their cause, and maintain bureaus that send out weekly propaganda for newspaper publication. This propaganda xavors state control of power sites through administration of the public service commission, and is poisonly opposed to federal regulation of any degree whatsoever. Opposition to govern ment ownership is reasonable opposi tion. but opposition to federal con trol is quite another matter. The im nnrtance of electric service to the neonle and its distribution at equit able rates, is of such magnitude that in face of the tremendous effort that capital is making to acquire sites and control of electric power service leads to the belief that a federal com mission, organized on the lines of the Interstate Commerce Commission will regulate the new commercial giant Bv the way it was the Interstate Commerce Commission, delving into the affairs of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad that exposed an instance of hich finance in the electric power game. The commis sion found that John D. Ryan, a high up in control of the country's elec tric utilities, purchased from the rail road company its power sites at Thompson Falls and Missoula, Mon tana, for approximately $925,000, and turned it over to the "Montana Power Company" for $5,000,000 nom inal par value in stock of the comp any. The Ryan family holds large blocks of stock in this company, and since 1913 (four years prior to the Milwaukee deal) they have drawn down over $1,600,000 in dividends. Evidently Ryan knew what he could do with the Milwaukee power sites before he bargained for them, and believe us, those who are after other sites right now know what to do with them. Railway companies serve notice on the country that if Congress listens to the appeal of those who travel in pull nian, buffet and observation cars, and repeals the so-called "Pullman sur charge," the railroad companies will be deprived of $10,000,000 of their earnings, and would have to make up the loss by increasing freight rates. Well that's easy. Just what dif ference will it make to the railroads whether they scrape the $-10,000,000 off the cushions or pan it from the sweepings of their freight cars? In the end it's the Johnbrownsmith Company who pays the freight. Statistics do not give the number of milk wagon drivers at Seattle, but the fact that $13,000 and the vice president of the Milk Driver's xinion up there have disappeared, discloses the beverage Senttlcites prefer since the country wont dry. o A rumored soviet military revolt is countered with the statement from Moscow to the effect that present activity among the red soldiery is confined to cracking sunflower seeds ami flirting with "giggling lassies." o We read so much and hear so much of the Crane American, that we would really like to see a copy of the ol' sandhill buzzard. The guy who runs it evidently is on speaking terms with his garlic. THE ART OF APPRECIATION (National Republic) In this age of criticism one of the lost arts is that of appreciation. The values of thing3 are lost sight of in the contemplation c their de fects. A school of historians has arisen which can see nothing in the portraits of Washington but the wart on his face. Cr.ucs of govern ment, of the churches, of the schools, of every human institution exag gerate their weakness and overlook entirely their merits. There is as much to condemn in the doctrine: "Everything that is, is wrong,' as in the theory that ,'Everthing that is, is right." Criticism is, of course essential to progress. But it can be and is being, sadly overdone. Appreciation of any existing social value is quite as im portant to its maintenance and de velopment, as flaw-picking. No in dividual can be stimulated to achieve ment by constant criticism. Nor can the good in any institution be in creased by contemplation only of the incidental evil that may be in it. Much of the sneering criticism of the time is, indeed, not intended to effect improvement. It is often inspired by the desire for destruction rather than for betterment. What applies to institutions applies also to individuals. We take their merits for granted, and are inclined only to look for and point out their shortcomings. The value of en couragement is often overlooked. In this field we need to cultivate the art of appreciation. How many people think to add to the fee of the physician who has saved a life the word of appreciation which may be of even greater value ? How many people take the time to commend the preacher who has de livered a good sermon, the teacher who has helped some student over the rough places, the lawyer who has straightened out some difficulty without unnecessary trouble or ex pense, the philanthropist who has given a fortune to some good cause, the editor who has said some wise and helpful thing in his newspaper, the workman who has done an especially good job? And what it would mean if such evidences of ap preciation, felt but unexpressed, were given what it would mean not only in stimulation to further well doing in those who render such ser vice, but in its reaction upon the character of those who thus make their feelings known? Failure to do these things is in most instances due not so much to lack of appreciation as to the habit of taking the good in men and wo men for granted. Yet, when there is so much of evil, why should good be taken for granted? Perhaps we spend too much time in fighting the evil and too little in promoting the good. Perhaps we Dlace too much dependence on the restraints we put on wrong, and too little on the stimulus we extend to the richt. There is good in almost every individual which responds to encouragement, and which may van ish for the lack of it. Perfection is not of this world, and those who look about for the evil in it are sure to get an eye-full. Even the greatest men have their weaknesses, their short comings, their limitations. When we assume per-j fection in others, or in institutions which reflect the weaknesses of hu man nature, we assume that for which we can find no confirmation within ourselves upon close examina tion. It is not enough to condemn the mistakes and evil tendencies of our fellows; we must look for the good there is to be found m them and make some effort to bring it out if we are to help others along the way. Toleration can be broadened to the noint where it becomes condoning of evil. But we may condemn ideas of an anti-social character without bit terness toward those who honestly entertain them. "I do not hate my friend because he has the rheuma- sm," the late Vice President Fair banks used to say, "I hate the Once in a while Dad Hoffer, down Salem way, gives out something sensible and fairly accurate. Lissen: "Thrift should not be confused with miserliness!" o Chicago gangsters are keeping Mayor Thompson so busy that King George is enabled to take a long needed rest. 0 Having nothing to do and doing nothing but that, isn't conducive to pushing a fellow anywhere. rheumatism because it has my friend." Every day the newspapers record the unusual stories of lust, of cupidity, of violence and we are apt to acquire the delusion that this is American life. But for every crime there go unnoticed thousands of acts of self-sacrifice, of courage, of wis dom; unnoticed not only by the press, but by those beneath whose notice these deeds immediately fall. Only an infinite simal part of the total evidence of human goodness or great ness is to be discovered in those who fill the public eye. In obscurity millions of unknown men and wo men are doing their duty patiently and bravely, usually without hearing from those around them that word of praise which in itself would be sufficient recompense. Such people hold the world together. A survey of any community would reveal many of them. A little of the thought and energy we expend in praising ourselves by condemning others, applied to seek ing out and commending and helping those who are loyal to their obliga-4 tions to society and to those commu ed to their care, as officials, as pro fessional men, business men and wage-earners, as fathers and mothers, would make the world a more cheer ful and a better place. And the in dividual who cultivates the art of appreciation, and of its proper ex pression, will find that the effect of such an attitude upon himself will be to promote his own happiness and his own growth. ABOLISH PAROLE (Klamath News) The proposal of a law enforcement body in convention at Portland re cently to abolish the state parole board on the grounds that the board is inclined to grant paroles without sufficient investigation is well met and should accomplish its end. How ever little we may know of the exact investigation given crimes and their perpetrators by the board, we do feel qualified to state that the parole is flagrantly abused. Its abuse has been too often apparent in Oregon, and is much in evidence today through out the nation. Judging from a history of a re cent case in this state, of another now pending in California, and still others in the nation at large, the proposal for abolition of the parole board might better serve humanity if it sought instead to abolish parole entirely. That parole is often justi fied cannot be denied, but more often criminals who should have been hanged at the outset are given liberty after a few years' imprison ment and thus are free to prey again. It is the power of parole, whether it be vested in a board or one official who is directly responsible for the act, which often goes to make life imprisonment a farce and a fraud. Dr. W. Boyd Whyte CHIROPRACTOR Stangier Building, Phone 706 Pendleton. Oregon. 957 J DR. J. L. GEYEIt Dentist Post Building, Athena, Phone 582 DR. S. F. SHARP PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON Athena, Oregon DR. W. G. COWAN PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON Athena, Oregon With the snow fadeoul, the sled is in the basement: next it will bu fish in' and marbles. WATTS & PRESTBYB Attorneys-At-Law Main Street. Athena. Oregon State and Federal Court Practice IN FOURTEEN DAYS (Oregon Journal) February 14, in Portland, Levis, a logger, set aside all laws, all constitutions, set aside the inalien able right of Alma Mathews, 24, Portland waitress, to "life," liberty and pursuit of happiness." February 27, exactly 14 days later Portland court sentenced Levis to life imprisonment in the Oregon penitentiary. That was application of the law, without sham or humbug. There were no lawyer's tricks to confuse, no futile fuming to frustrate or postpone the penalty for known guilt. A valued correspondent wrote The Journal, saying, "I am greatly in terested in your motives manifest in the editorial headed "Make the Law an Ass?" And he added, "Are you trying to create a sentiment that will lead to the lynching of Levis or some other murderer?" The editorial challenged by the cor respondent referred in a few words to the Levis murder and asked these questions: "What are the constitut ed authorities going to do about it? When will they do it?" The Journal's "motives" in asking the questions were a hope that speedy justice would be meted out to Levis for his crime. That is what the courts and the district attorney have done, and they are to be commended for it. And they deserve public condem nation when they do not do it. Complete Kitchen Equipment EVERYTHING for the kitchen from an oil stove to a dipper . you'll find it at this store. We ve selected our stock thoughtfully with your kitchen nwxis always in mind. All the articles we offer you are tried and proved through long years of honest service. We have New Perfection Oil Cook Stoves clean and reliable, com plete with oven and warming cabi net. And we also carry a big assort ment of Utensils Aluminum and Enameled SteeL Let us help you select the articles you need for your kitchen. ROGERS & , GOODMAN j " " ' j i GOODMAN 1 Jl 1 '" jr NffilS9IEN NOTICE TO CREDITORS In the County Court of the State o Oregon forUmatilla County. In the matter of the Estate of Mar tha J. Shick, Deceased. Notice is hereby given that the undersigned has been appointed exe cutor of the last will and testament of Martha J. Shick, 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 & 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 at Athena, Oregon, this 13th day of January, 1928. ARTHUR E. SHICK, Executor of the Last Will and Testament of Martha J. Shick, Deceased. Watts & Prestbye Attorneys for Estate, Athena, Oregon. J13F10 ALCOHOL Half & Half will stand 35 below zero De Lux Weed Chains ATHENA SERVICE STATION RELIABLE WATCH REPAIRING Main St. H. H. HILL Athena "Keeping Tally" Now and then one still hears the phrase, "Keeping tally," but It Is doubtful If many of Its users know Its original meaning. The tally dates back to the time when only "scholars" could read and write. The tally was a notched stick, generally of seasoned willow or hazel, notched at the edye to represent the amount of the debt, the amounts betas Indicated by the size and number of the notches. The notch account -being made out and agreed upon, the tally was split, one piece given to the creditor as an ac knowledgment that the money was due, Rnd the other piece retained by the debtor as a record of the exact amount ho had to pay. Jensens Blacksmith Shop Repair Work Prices Reasonable Athena, Oregon r m We Handle Genuine Goods-No Substitutes. 2 Try Our JJ? D.R.SHAMPOO jf"'"" ''''feaJtitUSj Shaving and Baths Up-to-the Minute Bobs Hair Cuts and Shingles DUFFIELD'S BARBER SHOP Athena, Ore. American Beauty Bread Baked by the most modern and up-to-date process known to the art of baking. Insuring you uniform quality the year round. Ask your grocer. MILTON BAKERY, H. W. Kreiger Prop. WE CALL FOR AND DELIVER Monday, Thursday, Saturday Cleaning, Pressing, Repairing, Dyeing Rugs Cleaned and Sized Twin City Sanitary Cleaners . F. E. Smith, Milton-Freewater Our Agency is at Penn Harris Barber Shop. The home of good Haircuts and Shaves. Phone 683. It Pays to Look Well! To look well you should keep your hair properly cut your face shaved and massaged In fact everything in the Barber line. Come in and see Herb Parker and I. Perm Harris Barber Shop Agency for Troy Laundry and Twin City Sanitary Cleaners. Phone 583. SOME OP 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 ts made in Athena, by Athena labor, in one ot the very t equipped mills in the Northwest, of the best selected h. jem wheat grown anywhere. Patron ixe home industry". ?cur grocer sells the famous American Beaoty Flour Merchant Millers & Grain Buyers Athena, Oregon. ' Waitsburg, Wash v..iiW3'irt.,,,'i;1p