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About The Athena press. (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 3, 1928)
Entered at the Post Office at Athena, Oregon, as Second-Class Mall Matter VOLUME 49. ATHENA, UMATILLA COUNTY, OREGON, FRIDAY MORNING, AUGUST 3. 1928 NUMBER 31 FIRES E IN UMATILLA FOREST Big Forces Fighting 10,000 Acres of Burning Timber. The United States forestry office reports to the Morning Oregonian that three new fires, one of them covering 10,000 acres in the Uma tilla national forest are spreading rapidly. Two old fires, both m the Olympic national forest, are also drawing on the fighting strength of the -forestry service. Twenty-five fires were set in the Umatilla forest by lightning, and all but eight have been extinguished, of ficials said. Three hundred nrengnt ers, under the leadership of F. H Brundage, assistant district forester in charge of fires, who rushed to central Oregon Monday, are battling the flames south of Heppner. lhe blaze, creeping through the parched woods, is spreading over an undeter mined area, more than 10,000 acres already having been covered. An airplane was dispatched to the Heppner region to aid in reconnais sance. W. B. Osborne, fire specialist; Major John D. Guthrie and J. V. "Kummell, all of the Portland office, hurried to the Umatilla fire. It was reported the fore part of the week that the flames were out of control and licking their way rapidly through the pine timber. A wide area of timber in the Cas cade national forest is threatened by a fire east of Oakridge, which now covers 50 acres on the McKenzie river, near Nimrod. Fifty men are engaged in trying to keep the blaze from reaching more fir timber. The cause of the fire is undetermined, but officials believe it was started by campers or smokers. The lightning storm in eastern Ore gon swept south starting 31 fires in the Freemont national forest near Lakeview. Twenty-five of, the fires are on private timber and in the Modoc national forest across the line in California. All of those in the Freemont timber are under control, according to forest rangers, who said the lightning storm was the worst in 30 years. Convention Visitors To See Oregon Caves Through the cooperation of Grants Pass and Kerby Post with the Med ford Convention Commission, visit ing Legionaires at the 10th Annual Legion Convention will be given a trip to the famous Oregon Caves Sunday and Monday August 5 and 6. In addition to this feature, Kerby Post No. 70, the "baby post" of the state, is arranging a big free barbe cue at the junction of the Oregon Caves road and the Redwood High way all day Sunday and Monday. Starting at 10 A. M. Sunday, the Kerby Legion and Auxiliary will put on a continuous barbecue up until Monday night when a big Legion dance will be staged at the Red, White & Blue Pavilion. Crescent City Post has also offered to pick up visiting Legionaires at the Junction and take them on a trip through the Redwoods. It is an ticipated that a large number of visitors will take in both the Caves and Redwoods trips before returning home. Cresswell Manager Frank Ames who has been the man ' ager of the Standard Oil Company at Athena for a number of years, has been transferred to the Standard Oil plant at Pendleton. Mr. Ames took over the duties Friday morning of last week. He will continue to make, his home in Athena until it is pos sible to find a residence in Pendleton. The managership of the plant at Ath ena is now in the hands of James Cresswell, who has been on the force here under Mr. Ames for the past two years. A Pesky Pipe Leak Water Superintendent Taylor en countered one of those pesky leaks that happen once in a while in the city water mains, and which are hard to repair. In this instance water gushed from a broken main on upper Third street, shortly after dark Mon day evening, and that portion of the city was without water for several hours, while repairs were being made. Summer Conference The annual Summer Conference of the Oregon Christian Endeavor Union will convene at Turner, Oregon, Mon day, August 27 for one week, ending on Labor Day, September 3. The mornings will be devoted to class periods, the afternoons to out-door recreation, and the evening to in spirational addresses and bonfire meetings. Teacher Joint V. of O. UNIVERSITY OF OBEGON, En-, gene Thomas H. Gentle, prominent ed-j ucator and for many years head of the' training school at Monmouth Normal' School, has been appointed to the staff; of the Universityof Oregon, and will, teach education under the extension ser vice. Prof. Gentle will have a roving' assignment, teaching, classes at Salem,; Portland and Astoria. The appointment! of Dr. Gentle is regarded as one of the' most important made to the university staff this year, due to his prominence in1 educational circles and his recognized' proficiency as a teacher. Oregon State College Farm Market Review The general tone of the wheat and rye markets was weaker again last week. The movement of hard red winter continued very heavy and spring wheat prospects were general ly quite favorable. Premiums were paid for dry grain suitable for mil ling. Soft red winter wheat did not fol low the decline in hard winter. Soft red winter was quoted from $1.40 to $1.65 in central markets. Latest of ficial information indicates a world bread grain supply probably a little smaller in 1928-29 than for the year just past. Corn markets held steady but barley and oats declined sharply. The prospect for larger and earlier crops of barley abroad as well as in the United States was a weakening factor, although demand for feed grains has been keen because of scarcity of old stocks. Seasonal dullness with prices mov ing toward a new crop basis charac terized the hay markets. Supplies of top grade alfalfa have been limited but much damaged hay is offered. Statistically, the hay situation is much firmer than a year ago. Feeds in general were also lower because of seasonal influences and fair pastures throughout the country generally. Muling of alfalfa increased in July well above previous months and ex ceeded July 1927 by 13,000 tons. W. C. T. U. Meeting The W. C. T. U. met in the Chris tian Church basement Tuesday after noon, the regular business meeting being conducted by Mrs. Kibby. A solo was given by Miss Kidder and a duet by Margie and Jeanne Perry. Three new members were added to the roll, Mrs. Dow, Mrs. Kibby and Mrs. Blanche Crawford, Mrs. Clar ance Tubbs and Mrs. O. H. Reeder served refreshments. The afternoon was enjoyed very much by all. All members are urged to attend these meetings. Next meeting will be with Mrs. O. H. Reeder on Tuesday August 28th. The Bright Young Fellow Who Loafs Through High School University of Oregon. The bright young fellow who "loais" his way through high school without much studying, who then comes on to the University of Oregon, receives a rating higher than average in the mental tests, and then thinks he ran loaf and have a good time here is doomed to disappointment and in many cases an early trip homo. This is revealed in the study of the mental tests given to entering students here under the direction of Dr. Howard R. Taylor, professor of psychology, t On the other hand, the plodding type of student who found it neces sary to study in order to keep up with his high school classes, who comes on to college and receives only an average or even a below average rating in the mental test, still has an excellent chance of passing ; his courses here creditably, and at least has little difficulty in remaining in the university. The explanation for this is simple, says Dr. Taylor. The "bright" student never formed any study habits in high school, and is unable to adjust himself to the demands made for passing scholarship in the univer sity. The slower student has his study and work habits formedv and it is only necessary for him to apply himself vigorously to succeed. These facts have been definitely proved by statistics compiled as a result of the tests in high school and college records studied. Freshmen are given mental tests upon entering the university and are then rated in six different classes. This rating is not used as a basis of awarding grades, nor is it allowed to influence instructors in any way. Classifications are as follows: I. highest five percent; II. next 20 per cent; III. next 25 per cent; IV. next 25 per cent, (first group below aver age); V. next 20 per cent, and VI lowest five per cent. Students in the first two groups usually have little trouble in mak ing good scholastic records, and it has been proved that these students are on the whole superior in their work, both in high school and in the university; ' Chase Garfield Moves Here Chase Garfield, of Walla Walla, with his family, has moved into the Herr property, recently purchased by Mrs. J. F. Templeton, of Seattle. Mr." Garfield is well known here, being a brother of Mrs. Templeton, and a prominent newspaper man of Walla Walla and Spokane for many years. He will later farm the land holdings of Mrs. Templeton northwest of Ath ena, and will at once begin improve ments on the house which he occupies. Veteran Physician 111 Dr. S. F. Sharp, veteran Athena physician, is again in the hospital at Walla Walla, where he is receiving treatment for hemorhage. Dr.-Sharp spent a couple of days in the hospital last week, and returned to the hos pital, where since his condition has been serious. His daughter, Mrs. McSherry, is also a patient in the hospital. With Metro-Goldwyn Tommy Grimes, well-known Round Up performer is now a motion picture actor. He is associated with the Metro-Goldwyn producing group, and is now at Glacier National Park, where the company is making West ern pictures. Rate On Air Mail Has Dropped Lower The new air mail postage rate of 5 cents for a full ounce air mail letter went into effect Wednesday. Each ad ditional ounce after the nest ounce will require 10 cents postage. Postal authorities anticipate the radical re duction in the postage rate will great ly increase the volume of air mail. . The air mail volume of the Pacific northwest is expected to be particu larly aided Jby the new postage rate. To meet this anticipated increase three fleets of mail planes having carrying capacities that will permit a wide margin of overloading have been purchased. The Varney Air lines, operating the northwest's trans-continental air mail contract route between Pasco, Wash., and Salt Lake, have just placed in service six new Stearman mail planes. This is the first route of the northwest and one of the most prof itable in the country, according to post office figures. The Hunting Season The open season on deer will be from September 10 to October 20, bag limit two deer with horns; blue, sooty, ruffed grouse, or native pheas ant, same dates, bag limit four of any or all of the birds in one day and eight in seven consecutive days; China pheasants and Hungarians, October 1 to October 30, hunting days Wednesdays and Sundays; fishing season closes November 30; duck and geese season is from October 1 to January 15. Young Man Suicides Said to be brooding over the death of his mother, which took place two years ago, Everett Ray Parks, 24, employed on the Clifford Holdman ranch at Holdman, committed suicide Saturday night in the ranch black smith shop, by shooting himself in the head with a small calibre rifle. The body was found Sunday morning. He is survived by his father, Daniel M. Parks, of Hermiston. Legion Convention The State Convention of the Ameri can Legion has opened at Medford with a large attendance of delegates from the different posts throughout the state. Interesting programs are announced by Medford for entertain ment of the delegates and guests. Sues For Divorce Eppa Stubblefield, formerly Miss Eppa Piersol of Weston, has filed suit for divorce in the circuit court against Hanley Stubblefield, alleging cruel and inhuman treatment. The plaintiff is represented by Watts and Prestbye. Subscribe, don't borrow it. Electric Expert Says That Power Users Are Overburdened Yakima. Power users of the Yak ima-Walla Walla district are made to carry an unnecessary burden because of the contrast between the Pacific Power and Light company and the Washington Water Power company of Spokane whereby the latter fur nishes the former electric energy for disposal to consumers of the district, Kenneth G. Harlan of Tacoma, rate expert employed by the Yakima-Wal la Walla district, said Tuesday in. the opening hearing by the state depart' ment of public works to hear evidence in support of the districts demand for lower rates. "The conditions imposed by these contracts have caused an excessive price to be paid for the actual energy used," Harland said, "the contract makes it mandatory upon the Pacific Power and Light company to pay for 60 per cent of the electric kilowatt peak load during the entire year lr respective as to whether it is used." As an example he cited the year 1927 when he said instead of paying $536,064.00 the same energy consum ed could have been bought for $172,' 170.01 resulting in a saving of $363,- 893.99. Harlan attached no little significance to the fact that the con- tracting corporations are apparent ly in the same family group. John A. Laing of Portland, vice- president and general manager of the Pacific Power and Light company, ob jected cuttingly to Harlan's opinions being made a part of the record and to a bulky volume from which he read and offered as an exhibit. The hearing is a continuation of the district's fight for lower rates which started some time ago. Evi dence given in a hearing in Walla Walla in August, 1925, resulted in the reduction of the property valuation of the company to $6,012,257.57. Boy Has Foot Mashed Caught It In Combine Alton Lieuallen experienced a pain ful and serious accident Monday, when his right foot was badly crush ed when it became caught in the coupling between the combine ma chine and the caterpiller. Alton was brought to town immediately follow ing the accident, and an examination by Dr. Cowan revealed that the bones of the foot were fractured. The young man has been suffering con siderable pain since, and it win be some time before he is able to walk without aid of crutches. This is the first major accident to be reported in Athena harvest fields this season. While the weather has been unusually warm, conditions liave been ideal for harvesting, and aside from a few temporary breakdowns, cutting machinery has been working well. Free Swimming Instructions Sponsored by the Umatilla county Red Cross, Harold Hatton of Pendle ton natatorium, will come to Athena August 6, 7 and 8 to give swimming instructions at the Legion swimming pool. Swimming instructions, which will be given by Mr. Hatton will be free of charge, and the hours selected by the Pendleton instructor are from 3 to 6 p. m. each day he is here. Commander McFadden of the Athena Weston Legion Post, states that he appreciates the cooperation of Mrs. Holt of the Pendleton Red Cross in securing the services of Mr. Hatton. Anyone desiring to learn to swim should make it a point to be at the pool during the time Mr. Hatton is here. Local Moving Picture Director O'Brien, of Hollywood, who is making a motion picture with many of the scenes shot on the Uma tilla river, screened four reels of the picture from the projection machine at the Standard Theatre, Monday evening. The picture, based on a Western story features Aimee Berge- vin in a leading role, v manna Indians take a prominent part in several scenes, and the familiar land scape views of the Squaw Creek section is the background for the production. Mr. O'Brien was ac companied to Athena by members of the Louis Bergivin family. Tomatoes Take Tumble Tomatoes took a fall when a truck load driven by a Milton man tumbled out on Main street at the intersec tion of Third. In making the turn, the right rear wheel of the truck collapsed. The street wag red with tomatoes, a barrel of them being scooped up and carted away to the garbage depository. A new wheel was secured for the truck, which later resumed its trip to Pendleton. Planting Trout Thousands of rainbow and Eastern brook trout are being planted in Mc Kay reservoir. From Bingham Springs hatchery 60,000 rainbow have been taken to McKay, and 100,000 Eastern brook are soon to come from the Union hatchery. Chosen Best at V, of O. " t I I I 1 Boy Hcrndon, Freewater, has been ehosen as the most outstanding man of the junior class at the University of Oregon, and has been awarded the Koyl cup. He has been active in many campus affairs and stands high in Scholarship. Athena Man Placed On Socialist Ticket Salem. The socialist party of Ore gon has filed with Secretary of State Kozer a full list of candidates for state offices to go on the November ballot, candidates for presidential electors, a candidate for congress for the third district and a full list of candidates for Multnomah county offices. For congress for the third district Albert Etreiff of Portland is the nominee. The nominees for presi dentiol electors are Minnie McFar land of Umatilla, F. B. Wood of Ath ena, John Wehrli, M. K. Granum and W. J. Martin, all of Portland. The candidates for state offices are: Secretary of state, E. R. Dobbs of Beaverton: state treasurer, Neal Swetland of Portland; for supreme court justice J. E. Hosmer of Sil- verton, and G. L. Perrine of Port land; attorney general, W. R. Beeh ler of Boring, dairy and food commis sioner, Peter Streiff, Jr., of Portland. The list was filed by George Buicke- rood and Albert Etrei.T of Portland, respectively chairman and secretary of the socialist organization. He Changed His Clothing Weston Leader: For one reason or another perhaps because he felt like cooling off, or wanted to help out his wheat crop with some mangled fabric Gene Schrimpf fed his new Harris combine with all his outer garments the other day, and stood re vealed in his "undies on the ma chine in the pitiless glare of the sun. The shocked crew hustled their de nuded boss into a grain tank, took him to the barn and saw that he was again properly clothed. It seems that Gene is his own separator tender and got mixed up in the gears, which stripped him in a twinkling of jump er and overalls. He is regarded as fortunate in having escaped with limbs and body intact. His knife, watch and purse were ground up in the machine. Sodium Chlorate John Bannister who has charge of eradication of weeds in the Weston district is interested in the applica tion of sodium chlorate for destroy ing wild morningglory. Circular No. 136 issued by the agriculture ex periment station at Manhattan Kansas, gives the complete method of using sodium chlorate on infested farm lands. The cholrate may be ap plied as a spray or sown broadcast. New Round-Up Buckers Twelve new bucking horses have been secured by Earl P. Tullock, livestock director for the Round-Up contests. The horses come from the John Day district and are reputed to be top buckers. A new herd of long horn steers for the roping and bull dogging contests will be received soon from New Mexico. WESTERN SALES DOUBLED Both Western Farming and Grazing Lands Much In Demand. . Northern Pacific land department sales in the first six months of 1928 doubled the sales of 1927, J. M. Hutrhes. land commissioner of that railway company, said last night. The sales this year represented in money more than four times that in the corresponding months of last year, Mr. Hughes continued. Private ly owned land sales also are on thi increase emphasizing a sharp im provement in demand for western farm and range lands. . "Western farm and range lands are in increasing demand, as is shown by the sales results of the land depart ment of the Northern Pacific, and in formation derived from other sources regarding disposition of privately owned lands," Mr. Hughes said. "During the first six months of the present year the land department sold more than twice the amount of land disposed of in the corresponding period in 1927. The sales prices ag gregated more than four times the aggregate prices at which the sales were made last year. "One interesting feature this year is the active demand for virgin farm ing lands.. This is illustrated by ex periences shown in the sales records of the railroad company regarding sales of land in eastern Montana, largely within the Redwater district. This is the region opened to trans portation this summer by a 62-mile, $2,500,000 branch line of the North ern Pacific Railway. In the first six months in 1927, 1458 acres of East ern Montana farming lands were sold for an aggregate consideration of $26,652. In the first six months of 1928, 38,848 arces of farming lands in Eastern Montana were sold for an aggregate consideration of $490,712. These sales- were all made to actual farmers in lots of from a quarter section to a section in extent. "Increasing interest has been shown in the rural districts in the Central West in good, raw land adaptable to farming enterprises that may be purchased at reasonable fig ures and on easy terms." Eagles Have Picnic A large number of Eagles and their families from LeGrande, Pend leton, Athena, Walla Walla and Baker participated in a picnic at Meacham, Sunday. Walter M. Pierco was one of the speakers. A Grass Fire A grass fire occurred in the north part of town Saturday, which was put out by prompt action on the part of several persons, after the alarm had been sounded. Respite From Heat Respite from the heat wave was experienced here Saturday and since then the temperature has been normal. Standard Theatre Picture Program Of special interest to Standard Theatre patrons is the announcement that for the first time in many months, Lois Wilson has returned to the screen, and with Bert Lytell, will have the leading parts in Columbia Pictured greatest production of the year, "Alias the Lone Wolf," will ap pear at the Standard Sunday eve ning. The greatest of all mystery plays is the verdict of the public for this big Columbia picture. Tomorrow night the Standard pre sents Tim McCoy in a thrilling out door picture of South America, with Dorothy Sebastian in the leading role. Harold Lloyd in "Speedy" and Mary Pickford in "My Best Girl, have been booked by the Standard for showings in August. Big ones for September are Doug Fairbanks in "The Black Pirate" and William Boyd in "Two Arabian Knights." Sidehiller Upside Down The substantial construction built into the International Harvesters was practically demonstrated at the "hill side ranch of Richard Morrison, east of Weston Saturday last. The side hill machine was on a real hillside and the operator of the leveling de vice failed to function it properly, with the result that in a jiffy the sidehiller flopped over. Everybody jumped clear and no one was hurt. Chance Rogers went over and help ed 'the crew straighten up the ma chine, when it was found that the only damage incurred was the crumpling of a couple of elevator spouts. Hurt In a Runaway lie Phillinn. M-hn hnH hecn employ ed on the J. N. Scott ranch during harvest, was seriously injured in a runaway, Monday afternoon. En gaged in hauling hay from held to barn, the team became frightened. Mr. Phillmn was thrown headfirst from the wagon and sustained a fractured arm and a discolored optic. Morrow County Crop Good R. A. Thompson made a trip to Morrow county, near Heppner, where he has farming interests, Monday. He reports that Morrow county has a fairly good wheat crop this year, averaging from 20 to 35 bushels) per acre. The Thompson field of 400 acres, Ss going about 25 bushels to the arce.