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About The Athena press. (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 28, 1928)
Entered at the Post Office at Athena, Oregon, aa Second-Class Mail Matter VOLUME 49. ATHENA, UMATILLA COUNTY, OREGON, FRIDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 28, 1928 NUMBER 52 AGREEMENT MADE BY COMMISSION Banks to Be Taxed and An ' Income Tax Is Proposed. Portland. The State Property Tax Relief Commission has agreed upon ten major recommendations to the , legislature for the purpose of equal izing the tax load; and to relieve tax ation on tangible property. .The pro s' gram deals with the problems of .' both state and local taxation and pro vides for equalization through a plan of centralized control of assessment under the state tax commission, mis nrnnosal would encourage the equal- nronertv - values within .UUVW.. X i " counties. . .. - Banks would be taxed under the fourth method prescribed by the federal : law for the taxation of na tional banks, following the plan : recommended in California for an excise tax of probably four per cent on net income. Coming under this tax would be competing moneyed capital administered by financial corporations and all business corpor ations, including mercantile and manufacturing concerns. Against this excise tax would be an offset for taxes paid on personal property up to 90 per cent "of the amount. The personal property of national banks ; cannot be taxed under the federal statutes, so the offset would benefit other corporations which v must be brought under the tax scheme to validate it. It is calculated that the excise tax will replace to some ex tent the loss of $650,000 annually in ' the taxes which have been collected from banks under a capital Btock ''tax, but no longer collectible under federal court decisions. , f The commission has recommended a personal income tax in order to reach those doing business as indi viduals and in partnerships. While the details of this tax have not yet been agreed upon, , the principle of an offset for taxes paid on tangible property has been established, leav- i ing the rates, exemptions and off Bets to be determined after hearings. i It is expected that a personal income tax with, moderate rates and with a propery tax offset will decrease taxes on real property at least $1,000,000. In order to reduce taxes on tangi ble property still further, the com mission has recommended the repeal of the millage taxes for market roads and for elementary schools. Recogniz- ing, however, the demand for these revenues, it has been suggested that inairept taxes, sucn as a tax on gas oline and luxury taxes be substituted for the taxes on property. It is pos- . sible for local units, such as counties end districts to levy taxes without restriction, for the maintenance of schools and the construction of mar- - ket roads. ' " - The general principle of consoli dation of state functions has been recommended. It is proposed that all of the territory in each county outside of cities be placed in a single road district, and that the law creat ing super road districts be repealed. The. commission would compel county courts to use the 25 per cent refund from motor vehicle licenses for the reduction of county road bonds and interest thereon. Approval of the princilpe . of commission-manager government for counties has been given by the commission, leaving the matter to the legislature to submit to the people a constitutional amend ment which would be optional as to application by the vote of the coun ties themselves. -Recommendation is made of some control of local bond issues. The proposal for public hearings in ad vance of the election is suggested, along with a limitation of one third of the assessed valuation in over lapping territories. It is proposed that the laws relating to state and local budgets have more teeth in them and that accounting practites be standardized. A system of forest taxation to encourage reforestation is recommended for the purpose of obtaining . revenues . from federal forest lands legislation by congress is recommended. This is the substance of the pro gram of the Property Tax Relief commission so far as its major recommendations are concerned. The bill drafting committee will bring these suggestions to the legislature in concrete form. Their adoption will reduce taxes on real estate and improvements and will give the state a better tax system than that under which it is now operating. f 1 " " -" Tree Strikes House During . the high , wind early Wednesday morning, one of the shade trees in front of the .Boyd home oa Fifth street was blown over, striking ie front of the house. Fortunately H little damage resulted except for 5 of the tree. The upper railing the porch was slightly damaged. Wilt - 'ffr r y J tits milt 7 I h-F lite., emm HE storm boj;au at four In the nflwunnn. 1 nut th whirl and was deafening. "You can't go on tonight," said the woman peering out of her window. "See how dark it is.; The rain is like a sheet. You'll never be able to keep in the road, Jf yon make a mistake you'll drive over the. edge of the cliffs, - Better stay here, We'll give, you supper and a bed to sleep In,' The man, a stranger in the email, sea-coast village, stood silently beside the window. He frowned. "I'm not afraid," he said. "I must get on. This is New Tear's eve, and I prom ised to be home. I've been away a long time." The woman gave a grunt of disap proval. "Only a miracle will save you tonight," she mumbled. "But go if you must." "I don't believe in miracles," sale the man, ''Keeping your wits about you is. the only help from God,"' The woman threw up her hands, 'Pon't say that," she cried, ''Perhaps you have never been near death,, as our men who go to sea , , , and who have been saved suddenly as by a miracle." , "I have been to sea In my time," answered the man, "and I tell you, its all wits and luck, whether you drown or . live. I'll keep a sharp eye out for trou ble tonight, and If I'm smart," he smiled at the woman, "I'll make It." "If God sees fit," said the woman stolidly. "Here are your hat and coat." She gave him a few sandwiches wrapped Lb heavy brown pa per. She offered him an extra rug which he refused. "I'll send you word of my safe arrival home," said the mri, l ought to get there late tonight." " Good-by," called the. woman, "And may a miracle save you from your own folly." The door slammed. In a moment the furious explosions of a car about to Start penetrated the noise of the wind. The woman prepared supper for her husband and children. Then the dishes were washed and put away. She took np some mending, but the thought of the stranger trying to drive through the blackness of the storm never left her. She was a pious wom an and she prayed for him; her sim ple faith knew no other way. In the night there came a knocking on the door. The stranger had come back. The woman asked no questions until he was wanned and fed. ; Tour miracle happened," the man said In a low voice, "The gas In my car gave out three feet this side of a bridge that had washed away. I could see nothing In . the heavy rain. I should have been killed. I was saved, but not by mf pwn wits. And every Jfew year's ?v I shall thank God and remember." The woman smiled and wrusg the water from his soddtr, ccp. 1(21. Wts tfewfpiper Vnlon.) O tyTOME along, come along," said the , ' New . Year, "I've - no , time to waste." !: "You're one for hurrying," said the Special Traveler, "but I'm not a slow, one, either." "Good for you," said the Nevf Year. "That's the way to talk.'' The New Year just had to bo on time. No -yeap had ever been late in arriving, .; . "I don't have to have a ticket,, do I?'' said, the Special Traveler.'." "Of course not," said the New Year. "You can travel free. Come, Jump In to my bag." . The New Year carried a bag across his back. The New Year was not very big in sko. The New Year was not very old. But he was strong and burst ing with energy. "IIow do I look?" ho asked, with one last glance at the mirror of Time. "Wonderful," said Father Time. "Your snow costume Is most becoming. Most appropriate, too, I'm sure you won't catch cold, even thouglf you're only wearing a snow . costume and even though there isn't much of It , "But you're a healthy young year. I can see that," . The New Yea? was off, The Special Traveler was with htm. The bells began to ring, Jlorns were blowing, bells were pealing,,. People were singing, " "Happy New Yaar," resounded through the frosty air, through the warm rooms of the houses. Gay music was being played. Some people were dancing. And then came thes New Year. One, two, three, four, five, six, sev en, eight, nine, ten; eleven, twelve. The Old Year vanished. The New Year arrived, .. -"''"M ''Happy Jfew Year, Happy New Tear, Happy New Year," Every one greeted every one else. Ev ery one felt love In their hearts. Every one .felt the glow of friendship, the inspiration or romance. "Ah, I must be rushing about," said the Special Traveler, as he left the New Year's great bag in which he had traveled, quite free of charge, Into the world. He went everywhere, He darted here, he darted there. Sometimes he Just threw his arrows of friendship, sometimes ha threw his arrows of piercing love. Sometimes he threw bis arrows of devotion. For Cnpld, or Love, carries many, arrows. Cupid, or Love, Is always well equipped. And all over the world he darted, this way, that way, back again, faf ahead. For it was Cupid, or Love, who was the New Year's special .traveler. And It was be who came quite free of traveling expenses, ., ''Happy I'ew Yesr," said everyone. "A very happy New Year," said some. A happy New Year now and for ever," said others. The Special Traveler was bflsily at work I . " VH, 121, Waters Kwpmt Uulon.1 I ft. .BY ! CiARA ACCC HayI "THAT was one New Year's res, VL lutlon he would keep I Frank KW Harris sat on the edge of bed, and stared , gloomily out Y over lie frosty housetops. He'd never see Myrtle again. Des perately he shrugged off the quick memory of her blue eyes and soft voice, her tilted nose. Never I He pulled on his , sox viciously. To be treated the way she had treated hira I And there couldn't be any mis take. Night before last he had gone there.- She hadn't expected him, but from things she had said before and had allowed him to say yes, allowed him to say I He thrust his Jaw for ward angrily he had supposed she loved Mm.' Fool I That night he had intended to ask her to marry him. Had. taken along D nl ? He had taken along flowers the way they do Fool t How carefully he had tied his new four-in-hand and brushed his shoes. All the way he had smiled and whistled in . the anticipation of holding her, slim and surrendering, and kissing her. The corners of his mouth curled downward as he thought of it. ; Lord, It was hard I He had noticed a car out In front, so he had slipped up the steps a little more carefully thank heaven wondering If company would intrude. : One look through the window of the sitting room had sent, hira away in horror, disillusioned. He closed his eyes miserably, now, as he pulled his coat on to shut out, even yet, what he had seen. Myrtle in the surrender he had pictured for himself,, but to some one else I Oh, there wasn't any question. In stories It might turn out to be a broth er, but. Myrtle hadn't a brother, and this was a lover's kiss, anyway. No relative's. Next day, she had called and invited him for New Year's din ner! Beastly! He Jammed his hat on and started down the three flights and out for breakfast somewhere. He'd been so darned credulous I He glowered. - Suddenly his heart Jerked. There she was, and with that man! In panic, he tried to dodge into a door way, but she had seen him. She emlled. Oh, well, he'd go through With It -v- . - "Hello, .Frank I" she called. He tipped his hat and tried to brush past She touched his arm. He shuddered. "I want you to meet ray friend, Mr. Lee, Mr. Harris." Lee bowed suave ly. Frank nodded. One of those par lor sheiks! "You met Mr. Lee's wife at our house one evening when you were there." Frank remembered. He started to go. "I'm sorry you can't come to dinner." Myrtle looked troubled. She ought to I "Don't you think you could, yet?" "Sorry. No." Frank went on. It was worse than he had expected I A married man ! Frank groaned. She had seemed so Innocent and sweet I - There wasn't any question about Its being anyone else that fel low was klaslug. He'd seen both of their faces clearly. He passed his usu al restaurant and walked on. The Wholesome Food . people had changed their hlph electric sign on the hill. It read "Start the New Year right!" Frank smiled Ironically, ne had. He Suddenly, he stopped, frightened Maybe, he had walked too far. He wns delirious! He passed his hand across his eyes and clutched the railing near him. It was still there "a photograph of what he had seen that night A picture of Myrtle. Yes, It was Myrtle! In the arms of that fellow. He raised hla eyes. "The Community Playhouse . . . may nignt" He found a telephone. "When was that Dlcture taken?" ha demanded of Myrtle's voice. "Then von know?" Mvrtle lammed. "I hoped I could surprise you Fri day night when you'd go and discov er me as leading lady." "But when was It taken?" ' "Night before last We had re hearsal at our house. Why V "Say! Is it too late to come over for dinner?" Frank whistled on his wav to Mvr- tie's. ' Cr on the hill, the Wholesome Food sign blinked "Start the New Year Bight!" Frank laughed. He felt his cnrefullv-tied new tie and ran his lingers over the box of flow ers and winked bark. , A 1121, Western Knrnpaper Union.) Old Iildian Is Killed By a Hungry Cougar Spokane. A hunger - maddened cougar with two cubs attacked, killed and mutilated George Solomon, Welpinit Indian, a report reaching Colville, Wash., says. The aged Indian, who was partly blind, was described as a brother of Coyote Chief, Red Bones and Indian Wilson of the Colville and Spokane tribes. . Welpinit, which is accessible to civilization only by a lonely .trail and a single telephone on the reservation agency, could not be reached today for verification. 1 The incident ; had not been reported to Indian agency headquarters at Nespelem. The report stated that the big cat attacked Solomon when he was alone in his cabin the first of the week, then to have chased Mrs. Joshua, Indian woman, into her cabin on the following day. When she slammed and barred the door the cougar leap ed against it, then reared up and peered into the window, according to the Colville report. Indians on the reservation were said to have become terrorized and to have raised a fund of $100 to be offered a bounty for the animal's head. This is a large sum to the Col villes and Spokanes, as these tribes have been reported almost destitute. Efforts are being made here to bring pressure to bear on congress to pro vide an allotment to keep them from starving, according to one of their representatives who was here recent ly. Instances of cougars attacking hu mans are rare, although there are many in this part of the northwest. Automobiles In Crash At ! Main Street Intersection Cars driven by Donald Johnson of Athena, and Carl Larson of Pullman, Washington, collided at the intersec tion of Third and Main streets Wednesday evening. Mrs. Johns, of Pullman and little son, were riding with Larson. The child was thrown through the car window to the pave ment and Mrs. Larson's face was slightly cut by glass when the cars came together. The child escaped without a scratch. Dr. Cowan dress ed the cuts received by Mrs. Johns. Larson entered the intersection driving north, while Johnson came down Main street. The cars came together after both, drivers had slow ed down to avert the collision. The Johnson sedan struck the Larson coupe broadside, but damage to both cars was confined principally to fen ders, and they proceeded on their own power. The owners relinquished each other from blame for the accident. Larson is a school teacher at Pull man, and when a member of Wash ington State College football team, was known as "Swede" Larson. Fire Destroys Farm . House on Koepke Place . Fire completely destroyed a farm house on the Koepke place near town, Monday night. The house was on the old LaBrasche homestead, just south of the Koepke home, and was oc cupied by the Downer family, em ployes on the ranch. The fire which started in the base ment, was first discovered by a boy in the family, who awoke to find hia room filled with smoke. He gave the alarm, and the family had barely time to leave their beds and escape from the burning house with their lives. The contents of the house were totally destroyed, ' including the clothing of the Downer family. A number of persons were called over the phone by the night operator of the local telephone , exchange, ir.d went out from town to offer assist ance if possible. ' Goes On Cash Basis Beginning January 1, Steve's Gro cery will be on a strictly cash basis. No books will be kept and credit will be extended to no one. Mr. Stephens finds that to compete with chain stores his goods must be sold for cash, and by eliminating over head expenses, discounting whole sale bills, with no interest charges to pay, he can pass on to his customers a great saving in their purchases of groceries. He invites the continued patronage of his customers, offering the same high standard in groceries and provisions he gave them under the credit system. A Nice Profit In 1868 Charles E. Lawrence bought a New York exchange seat for $1,000. The other day his son sold the scat for $530,000 and retired. The Scout Banquet The father and son scout banquet held at the Athena Hotel Friday evening was attended by about 85 men and boy scouts. The banquet was enjoyed by all present. Short speeches were made by M. I. Miller, Rev. Dow, Jack Perry and others. An executive committee was chosen for the coming year and Jack Perry was elected scoutmaster. The Athena Boy Scout troop is in a flourishing condition, and activities for the com ing year will be outlined by , the executive committee and the scoutmaster. Fni-nlDiPLAII URGED ON SENATE Secretary ?. Jardine Writes Letter Showing Need of '? Immediate Action. Washington. A letter from Presi dent Coolidge's secretary of agricul ture, 'William M. Jardine, indorsing the McNary farm bill before the senate has started a drive for enact ment of the legislation at this ses sion. Chairman McNary of the senate agriculture committee, announced he would assemble the committee to con sider it during the holiday recess or immediately, thereafter. Seeking to avoid an early extra session of congress, which was prom ised by Herbert Hoover in the event farm relief . was not disposed of at this term of congress, a group of congressional leaders, including Sen ator Watson of Indiana, the prospec tive republican leader of the senate next session, joined in the drive. The letter was regarded at the cap itol as an expression from the Cool idge administration for the new farm bill submitted by Senator McNary and as a desire of the present ad ministration to get the legislation through at this time. The "fly in the ointment" is a de-' sire of many leaders to learn the attitude of Herbert Hoover on the bill. Feelers have been put out to get an expression from the president elect without success, and it seems likely that emissaries will be sent to him in this connection when he returns next month. In his letter to Senator McNary the secretary of agriculture indorsed the bill, which would establish a fed eral farm board with a $300,000,000 loan fund, and declared: "I believe that it should be passed as early as possible in order to make it appli cable to the 1929 crop." "The main objectives of this meas ure, in my opinion, are: "1. To provide means of handling recurring surpluses in order to stabil ize prices of farm products, and thereby to secure by orderly market ing the maximum returns for the crop as a whole. "2. To enable the producer to get a greater share of the consumer's dollar by reducing the cost of mar keting and by preventing speculation and waste in handling farm products, and "3. To encourage producers to or ganize effective associations under their control for a better balanced production, more economical distribu tion and greater, bargaining power in the market. "I am firmly convinced that these objectives are essential to a sound program for permanent improve ment in agriculture and that they are attainable with the aid of the plan proposed in this bill." Senator McNary said if the legisla tion were to be effective during the approaching farm season it would have to be passed at this session. He doubted if a bill passed even late in the spring could be put into opera tion in time to be workable this year. G. W. Bush Dead G. W. Bush, who for many years resided in this community, died at Pendleton Monday, and funeral ser vices were held from the Folsom funeral parlor in that city, yester day afternoon. Mr. Bush was born at Jacksonville, Oregon on January 22, 1861. He is survived by two daugh ters, Mrs. William Eldridge, Pendle ton and Mrs. Ralph Shafer, Hermis ton, by two brothers, T. M. Bush of Pilot Rock and Willis Bush of Lex ington, Oregon, also by a sister, Mrs. B, F, Swaggart, Lexington, Oregon. Christmas Programs Short Christmas programs were held at the Baptist church - Sunday morning, and at the Christian church Sunday evening, in which the Sun day school children participated. Owing to the influenza epidemic which is prevailing generally throughout this district, many who would have participated in programs which were earlier anticipated on a larger scale, were unable to do so, and the programs were necessarily curtailed. Scout Basketball Court The equipment for the Boy Scout's basketball court has been installed and the scouts are ready for practice. The court is at the boy scout hall. w. E. Campbell, Jack Perry, Mr. Edger and Will Campbell assisted the scouts in assembling' the equip ment for the court. William Howard Dead William Howard, a pioneer resident of the Albce district, died Tuesday evening at St. Anthony's hospital In Pendleton. Bnght s disease and in firmities of old age caused his death. Mr. Howard crossed the plains in 1862 and was the first settler to make a home in the Camas Prairio country,