PAGE SIX
HEPPNER GAZETTE TIMES, HEPPNER, OREGON, THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 1926.
C. C. CLARK TELLS
(Arlington Bulletin)
Portland, Oregon, February 27, 1926.
George Huntington Currey, Arlington.
Friend Currey:
In our last talk before I left Ar
lington we took up the matter of the
John Day Irrigation District. As we
hurried over it, it was impossible to
give you anything definite, as to the
present situation and the steps that
have led up to it I will not, however,
take time to give you the dates of the
different events which comprise the
petitioning and forming of the John
Day Irrigation District.
Nor will I say that it was a good
policy that two farmers were chosen
on the board of directors to act for
the taxpayers of the district in form
ing the district, but, however, that
was the case. The board was com
posed of M. D. Clark, Edward Riet
mann, and C. C. Clark; M. D. Clark
being one of the prominent merchants
of Heppner, Morrow County, Oregon.
The board of directors had no other
guidance in their work except the
District Irrigation Laws and the best
attorneys in the State of Oregon as
their advisers and in all their trans
actions they had in mind the interest
of the taxpayers within the district.
In due course of time the district was
formed and the necessary resolutions
passed by the Board of Directors to
enable them to levy a tax for the pre
liminary survey of the district. The
board was accused, first, of not having
their minutes of each and every meet
ing were given to the press and they
met regularly according to the irriga
tion statute of the state.
The asking of a blanket assessment
on all of the land within the district
in order to raise funds for the ex
pense of the preliminary survey, was
published according to law and, up
until the time that the present board
of directors took over the manage
ment of the district, the taxpayers
were fully protected by a bond from
the engineer in charge of the survey.
This brings us up until the time that
certain land owners within the dis
trict brought suit against the board
of directors and the district. At the
time of bringing this suit, the old
board was acused, first, of not having
the ability to conduct a district of the
magnitude of the John Day Irrigation
District, also that some of their acts
did not conform with the irrigation
district laws of the state.
The new board who should, if they
did not, have taken an oath to comply
with the irrigation laws have utterly
failed in many respects to comply with
the irrigation laws. They have failed
to call elections as required. They
have given out no reports of their acts
or made any statement of why they
have spent over $32,000 of the tax
payers' money. They have not had the
books of the district audited annual
ly. They have made no move to per
mit the district to function for the
purposes for which it was created. In
making an agreement with the engin
eer, they have paid him $11,000.00,
but left him in possession of all data,
surveys and information. The origin
al levy was authorized for the purpose
of securing a preliminary survey and
while the present board has spent
thousands of dollars for attorneys'
fees, they refused to authorize the
engineer to make a report of his work
at a cost of a few thousand dollars,
leaving him in possession of all the
data and surveys worth at least $50,
000.00. They" ordered the county not
to collect the levy, yet that levy was
legally made and remains a lien on
the lands of the district.
Some land owners have paid their
assessment and unless the directors
can show good faith in spending that
money for the declared purpose have
the land owners not a right to enjoin
the payment of all warrants issued
for the pupose of dissolving or dis
crediting the district?
One of their claims in bringing
suit was to save the tax payers within
the district any needless expense on
the ground that the old board had
overstepped in interpreting the law in
this respect. In the complaints against
the old board it was claimed by the
new board that many thousands of
dollars had been spent by the old
board but the fact of the case is that
the new board is spending money
more recklessly than the old board
ever had any idea of spending in
fact as near as I can figure out by
what data I have been able to get hold
of, they have spent more money try
ing to keep from paying the just debts
of the district than the district owed
in the first place.
I find many warrants being drawn
payable to large land owners within
the district who openly were fighting
the district. We find large attorneys'
fees beinjpaid attorneys whose only
excuse for accepting the fee was an
effort to keep the district from pay
ing a just claim to the attorneys that
had assisted the district. Taking
these fees as a base, we are willing to
leave the fair minded people of the
district to decide for themscdves who
have been the most extravagant with
the taxpayers' money, the old board
or the new board.
I further wish to call the public's
attention to some of the warrants
that are being drawn that the poor
taxpayer will have to pay.
On June the 10th, 1925, N. P. Ry.
Co., $3051.52. Total attorneys'
fees warrants issued in last year,
$17,893.15. (No taxpayer in the
District knows how many more
warrants may be issued.)
The John Day Irrigation District
was formed under the irrigation laws
of the State of Oregon which, taken
in connection with the Federal Law
known as the "Smith Bill" made the
government land included within the
district subject to its pro rata cost
for survey and other incidental ex
penses in the formation of the dis
trict, and, if the engineering f atures
had been carried out and accepted by
the national government, the vacant
land within the district would have
shared the expense pro rata per acre
with the taxpayers within the dis
trict and it looks to me that, if there
is any settlement made whereby the
district is killed, the only thing for
the private land owner is to pay the
whole bill, while if the free issuance
of warrants goes on as it has in the
past year, the Northern Pacific Rail
way Company, and associates, will re
ceive warrants nearly equal to the as
sessment against their acreage wtih
in the district and the small taxpayer
Now is the time to
order your
COAL
for your winter
needs
TUM-A-LUM
LUMBER CO.
Heppner, Lexington, lone
TO OUR CREAM CUSTOMERS :
We can only make the grade of buttre from the grade of
cream we receive. Now, if we are going ahead and be on the
map like other surviving creameries, we must have A-grade
cream. We are not churning any B-grade cream. We will pay
market price for A-grade cream.
Morrow County Creamery Co.
W. C. COX, Manager.
Service and the Small
Account
This bank is a service institution organized to meet finan
cial necessities of its depositors. The amount of its ser
vice to its dpeositors often depends on the bank balances
they maintain.
This bank must carefully protect the funds deposited
here by its depositors. Money can be loaned only when
we feel sure that it will be safe. When a depositor main
tains a reasonably large, steady balance, it is an indica
tion to us that he knows how to use money successfully.
It gives us a reason to believe that loans to him will be
safe. That is one reason why depositors who maintain
large balances get better service from their bank. They
are entitled to it.
And even more than that, a large balance provides
the depositor with sufficient funds to take care of emer
gencies and business opportunities that may arise.
-MM-
Farmers & Stockgrowers National
Heppner Bank 0rSn
will have to pay almost all of the le
gitimate expense of the district.
Very truly yours,
C. C. CLARK.
ALPINE
(Contributed by Alpine High School.)
The students of the Alpine high
school are busily rehearsing the play
"Bashful Mr. Bobbs" to ba given at
the high school March 13.
The Farm Bureau l ad its monthly
meeting March 6. A large crowd and
a good time were reported.
J. W. Sibley has rented a place
south of Heppner where he and his
family will move March 7. Alfred
Sibley is moving into the little cabin
on the school grounds where he will
try batching until school is out.
Mrs. B. P. Doherty and son Ber
nard drove to Portland for a few
days' visit last week.
There will be a pie social at the
April Farm Bureau meeting.
Mrs. Ralph Finley and sister, Miss
Pearl Parks, returned to their home
last Thursday evening after a few
days' visit at Hermiston.
Margaret Melville and Bernice Se
panek were absent fom school part of
last week on account of illness.
Mrs. Dee Cox and family are visit
ing at the home of Mr. and Mrs. C.
D. Morey.
IRRIGON
(Too late for last week).
Mrs. Roscoe Williams left Sunday
for a visit with the home folks at
Mabton, Wash.
Wayne Steward, employed in Port
land, spent the week end with his
parents, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Steward.
The Grange social on Saturday night
was a huge success. Although the
attendance was not 100 those pres
ent had a merry time. Mrs. Walt
Wright won all prizes on fancy old
time dancing.
Frank Moore, owner of station
KOWW of WalJa Walla, called on
W. R. Walpole Sunday. He welcomes
constructive criticism of programs
broadcast from his station from the
radio friends of this fair city.
Frank D. Strader is sporting a new
Essex coach purchased from Seaman's
garage.
W. A. Chaney and wife made a trip
to Prescott, Wash., Saturday.
Prof. George Hendricks has re
turned to out city after a five-weeks
stay in Portand where he conducted
a forty-piece orchestra during part of
his stay in the metropolis.
Mrs. Bonnie Grim has resigned her
THE Bolls
leFLORSHEIM
SHOE
Two men sign two promissory
notes. One is worth one hundred
cents on the dollar. The other
note is worthless. 5 The same
with two shoes. The Florsheim
crest is a promise of quality that
is backed up by years of integrity.
Wilson's!
A MAN'S STORE FOR MEN
position as teacher of the school at
Cecil, and is staying for the time be
ing with the C. C. Grims.
For some time a number of the good
people of the community have been
suffering from flu, but at this writing
all are on the road to recovery. The
whooping coughers are also on the
mend.
The school invested $25 this week
in baseball goods. Now watch Home
run Seaman, Never-Muff-'Em Allen
and "Casey" Jones,
Mrs. Nester Seaman, accompanied
by son Lyle and daughter Freda, Bish
op "Spot" Wisdom and Jesse Wads
worth, drove to Portland Sunday.
EXTRA SPECIAL! I have con
tracted for a limited amount of No 1
Inspected Netted Gem Seed Potatoes.
I will be able to sell these at 4c per
pound f. o. b. the store. Phone or
write your order as they are going
fast at this low price.
Cash and Carry Grocery.
WANTED Bids for plowing and
harrowing 225 cares, IT miles south
of lone. Or would hire teams and
plows. Address Chas. M. Wagner,
48514 Jefferson St., Portland, Ore.
FOR SALE Or will trade for Port
land property, 402 acres in Blue
mountains, known aa South Jones
Prairie. Margaret Jones, 777 Sandy
Blvd., Portland, Ore.
Wanted Competent girl for house
work. Apply Mrs. W. H, Cleveland,
Heppner.
Two Per Gent Reduction in Tax
Effective Now
We will absorb immediately on all Ford
Cars the two per cent reduction in tax
which normally does not'become effective
until midnight, March 28th. This means
that you can have immediate delivery of
a new Ford Car and take advantage of
the 2 Tax Reduction.
Latourell Auto Co.
Heppner, Oregon
Star Theater
THURSDAY and FRIDAY, March 11 & 12 :
Tom Mix and Lucy Fox in "TEETH"
WITH TONY THE HORSE AND DUKE THE DOG.
A red-blooded drama of the Weat. Battles, a real forest fire, ex
citement, thrills, suspense.
Also Billy Sullivan in "LOSER WINS," a typical "fighting cow
boy stoy, and fourth episode of "THE FAST EXPRESS"
SATURDAY, MARCH 13:
GLENN TYRON and BLANCHE MEHAFFY in
"THE BATTLING ORIOLES" P JPr O 2-way 16 in. steel
ASSISTED BY "OUR GANG" II I VjCs Vy PrlSh lYTICe - -
A Joyous Romance of lrreoreflsihle Youth with n dnsh at Auld
Lang Syne. Here's Novelty and Laughter and Delightful Entertain
ment. A real Gloom Buster.
CAST:
Nine Heroes Combined age 653 years young I
One Assistant Hero Old enough to be in love.
One Gazelle Just old enough to be loved.
PLOT:
The Gazelle is In trouble The Assistant Hero needs help and the
nine heroes, who creak like wooden bedsteads, wheeze like second hand
autos and are only two leaps ahead of the gentleman with the long
whiskers and the sythe regain their girlish laughter, and
RESULT:
The fastest, funniest fight that ever gave an audience hysterics.
Also "LUNACY," one of the Stcreoscopik scries, in which
the nearby objects stand right out in front of you when
viewed through the colored spectacles.
This show is worth twice what you have to pay to see It.
REGULAR PRICES, 20c and HOC.
SUNDAY and MONDAY, March 14 and 15
CHARLIE CHAPLIN in
"THE GOLD RUSH"
A DRAMATIC COMEDY.
A real love story, tenderly sweet, strangely pathetic, yet full of
funny angles, threads through this GREAT COMEDY, that hits a new
note and turns tragedy into laughter. Charlie Chaplin was never fun
nier, his antics more laughable,
A MASTERPIECE!
Also "PAUL REVERE," one of the Hysterical History series.
CHILDREN 3)c, ADULTS Bnc.
TUES. AND WEDS., MARCH 16 and 17:
THE MEMPHIS MINSTRELS
14 PEOPLE.
WATCH FOR LATER ANNOUNCEMENT.
NEXT WEEK Robert Agnew In "OLD HEELS," a rare track story.
Capt. Nungessre In "THE SKY RAIDER."
Lon Chaney in "THE UNHOLY THREE,"
Florence Vidor in "BARBARA FREITCHIE."
Every picture advertised here Is a good one, well worth the
money chaged, and you are cheating yourself If
you don't see every one of them.
What Is Wrong
with these Plows?
We know there is nothing
wrong with our prices!
OLIVER3-bSpS-gang-$110
OLIVER 2"wcLh6pricf ng - - -
$90
$90
We want to sell these plows. Come in and look them over.
We also have a store full of good, salable merchandise, paints,
kalsomine, brushes, household utensils, dishes, ranges, stoes, etc.,
open for your inspection with the prices on them in large tags. We
are not ashamed to show our prices.
WATCH THE FRONT PAGE 9 V
FOR CASE COMBINE NEWS J J
Peoples Hdw. Co.
Agents for J. I. Case and John Deere