OREGON HISTORICAL SOCIETY PUBLIC AUDITORIUM & feette PORTLA-JO, OR Volume 48, Number 3. HEPPNER, OREGON, THURSDAY, April 2, 1931. Subscription $2.00 a Year ppner GAS, OIL SOUGHT AT WELLS SPRINGS New Test Hole to be Dug on Hill; Artesian Wa ter and Gas Present. 30,000 ACRES LEASED John A. Harbke, Company Presi dent, Optimistic, Though Reti cent Concerning Prospects, For years John A. Harbke farmed desert land north of lone; had vis ions of oil underlying the sand and sagebrush. Now Mr. Harbke, pres ident of Wells Springs Oil and Gas company, is hopeful of a dream re alized. The Wells Springs Oil and Gas company has leased 30,000 acres of land surrounding the 8-lnch hole bored into historical Wells Springs, out of which flows artesian water filled with gas bubbles. The pres ent hole, down 280 feet, will shortly be abandonedi Drilling operations will be moved to the top of an adja cent hill, several hundred feet high er, where, a geologist says, it is more proper to drill, as the substra ta there is convex Instead of con cave as in the canyon where the present hole is located. Many ex amples have been cited substantiat ing the geologist's theory, notably the famed Teapot Dome diggings. If surface Indications have been properly analyzed, gas in quantities should be struck between 2000 and 2500 feet, Mr. Harbke quoted the ge ologist. Stock Being Sold. Mr. Harbke did not make glowing promises of quick wealth In an in terview Monday. Ha displayed a lease form being used to secure leases for drilling purposes from farmers of the district, and a block of lithographed shares of stock that are being offered for sale at $10 each. "Farmers of the district are an xious to see the test hole dug, and are cooperating whole-heartedly. We have already guaranteed that the hole will be put down 2000 feet" The latter Is through arrangement with Fred Nlchoson, driller, and Louis Padberg, who deeded 2520 acres of land to the corporation, and whose farm is but a short dis tance from the well. Both men are expressing confidence in the venture by taking stock for services and supplies. "However, if I did not believe there is at least an even chance of striking something, I would be the last to bring my friends and neigh bors Into the development" Mr. Harbke, whose name was jokingly attached to sand storms many years ago by Frank Engelman of lone as "Harbke rains," because of a state ment he once made concerning them, still is affectionately remem bered by old friends whenever one of these blows occurs. He knows what it is to fight the desert, having been among the pioneer settlers of the region and battled there him self for forty-odd years. Aspects Favorable, He was reticent in making state ments that might lead to over-enthusiasm, as he did not have signed statements to give documentary proof. Among prospects that lead to optimism is the fact that just 50 miles north, In Benton county, Wn., in country Identical to the Wells springs section, paying gas wells have already been "brought in;" un verified analysis of the gas has shown it to be "wet" gas, such as comes from oil beds. The comoanv has been quite a while In course of organization, and it has been a hard struggle to get to a place where actual development work could begin, Mr. Harbke said. The company is incorporated for $100,000 now, and with a quantity of land under lease It Is possible to Droceed with some assurance for the future, Insofar as the organiza tion itself is concerned. While Mr, Harbke was the first to take stock, he is not the largest stockholder Prominent Portland men are finan cially interested in the venture, among them Lloyd Estes, company secretary. Wilbur Henderson is the company's attorney. Gas Long Known. Offers for purchase of gas if ob tained In worthwhile quantity nave been received, as well as drilling of fers. No one knows who was tho first to notice the gas bubbles In Wells springs, an oasis that sustained pio neers of the covered wagon days In the Journey over the Old Oregon Trail. An Interesting legend con cerning them probably exists among descendants of the Indians who roamed the sand hills before the coming of the white man, as physi cal phenomena were wont to cause stories to circulate among them, Certain It Is, that pioneers stopping there noticed them and people liv ing In the district have commented on them many times, but as Mr, Harbke says, passed them off as "vegetable gas. Many local people have visited the well the last few weeks, and have Interestedly watched the flame from a gas jet Inserted In the top of the pipe. The Jet was made by Inserting a half-Inch water pipe In a wooden plug which fits tightly in to the top of the 8-lnch Iron casing- (Continued on Page Six.) FREE TEXTBOOKS TO BE PROVIDED Expenditure Not to Exceed $1.50 Per Pupil; Consolidation Law Held to be Important Considered the most Important school legislation enacted by the re cent legislative session by C. A. Howard, superintendent of public instruction, is the "Free Textbook Bill," which provides for the free use of textbooks by all pupils at tending the public elementary schools of the state. In a resume of legislation affecting the public schools recently sent county and city superintendents, Mr. Howard included the full text of the free textbook law. This law as it affects School Dis trict No. 1 of Heppner has been in terpreted by W. R. Poulson, super intendent. The district is limited under the law, Mr. Poulson says, to the spending of $1.50 per each pupil enrolled this year. It Is required to purchase new textbooks from the state department, and cannot buy second-hand books. However, it can accept donated second-hand books, and the donation of such books for which owners have no further use will save the district the expense of new books. The law does not make It compulsory for students to use the free books in case par ents may desire to purchase new books for their children. Regulations governing requisition, purchase, distribution, use, care and handling of free textbooks in dis tricts of the second and third class are placed tn the hands of the coun ty school superintendents, with ap proval of the state board of educa tion. Such regulations may govern the assignment of textbooks to pu pils, their care in the hands of pu pils, their return to teachers and the responsibility of each pupil and the parent or guardian of such pupil for the care and return of all books so assigned; the sale of textbooks by the school authorities to pupils attending publlo schools, or their parents or guardians who may de sire to purchase the same. They may provide for the disposal of such textbooks as are no longer in fit condition to be, or which are o longer, used for the purpose of instruction; for the sale and dispos ition of textbooks by any district having a surplus, not required by the pupils of said district, to other districts; for the guidance and di rection of the county school super intendents and school boards rela tive to the order In which the text books shall be supplied, and such rules and regulations may require that the textbooks be acquired ac cording to subjects or grades or both. Another bit of legislation affect ing schools considered as important by Mr. Poulson, provides that in the event of consolidation of school dis tricts no contracting district may assume indebtedness that has been previously incurred by any other contracting district From the time of consolidation contracting dis tricts are jointly liable for only such indebtedness as may have been Incurred after the consolidation. laster Sunrise Service A Feature for Sunday The several churches of the city will join In an Easter sunrise serv ice Sunday morning, the societies taking part being the Epworth League of the Methodist church. the Christian Endeavor of the hurch of Christ and the Young People's Fellowship of the Episcopal church, which several societies hope that the older people of the churches will join with them. It is planned to gather at the residence of Mr. a'nd Mrs. Joel R. Benton at 5:10 a. and from there the pilgrimage will be made to the top of the big hill east of town where the services will be held around a cross the young people have erected. Services here will begin, promptly at sun rise, which should occur at 5:39 on Sunday morning. Rev. B. Stanley Moore of All Saints' Episcopal church will have charge of the devotions, and each society wil have a part in the wor- snip program, wnne congregational singing of appropriate hymns will add to the Inspiration of the serv ice. A bright morning is in antici pation, but should it prove cold enough to warrant, a bonfire will be lighted. The cross has been ar ranged for Illumination and it will be lighted Saturday night, being In plain sight of town. DENTAL CLINIC SLATED. Children of pre-school age will be given anlother opportunity to have their teeth examined If parents will take them to tho Hepnpcr school next Tuesday morning, announces Edith M. Stallnrd, county nurse At that time Prs. McCrndy and Barr, Heppner dentists, will hold a clinic for high school students, and will examine children of pre-school age as well. Last Tuesday the den tists examined teeth of all grade school pupils. CONTEST DATES SET. The divisional meet of the Ore- gonlan state oratoricul contest, in which Earl Thomson, Heppner high school student, will compete, will be hold Friday, April 10, at the Pen dleton city library. Announcement of the acceptance of young Thom son's paper was received by him last week. Winter of tho divisional contest will compete later In the fin als at Portland. L SWEEK TO SUCCEED FEE Governor Meier Appoints Local Attorney Judge For Sixth District. ACTIVE PART TAKEN Appointee Serves Long on Council, Prominent in Civic Affairs; Fee Takes Office Monday. Calvin L. Sweek, Heppner attor ney, has received appointment as circuit judge for the sixth Oregon district, to succeed James Alger Fee, Jr., recently appointed federal judge at Portland, according to re ports reaching this city througn tne daily press, the appointment having been announced Tuesday by Gov ernor Meier. The news was received with jubilation by the many friends of Mr. Sweek, who look upon the apponitment as a recognition of his fine character and qualifications. Mr. Sweek had not received offi cial confirmation this morning as this could not be given until official ecognltion of Mr. Fee's resignation had been received from Washing ton. He expressed gratification from the news, while regretting that the appointment will inecessi- tate removal of his residence to Pendleton where the bulk of the duties connected with the office Is located. The sixth district com prises Morrow and Umatilla coun ties. While he expects much of his time will be spent in Pendelton, he said the family will not move until after the close of the school year. Mr. Fee will be sworn into his new office Monday, reports state. Mr. Sweek has been, actively iden tified with civic and governmental matters during his residence in Heppner. Coming to Hepnper In October, 1915, he became a partner in the practice of law with C. E. Woodson, prominent attorney, and at the time of Mr. Woodson's death assumed the practice of the part nership. In 1916 he was appointed on the city council and served as councilman until the first of this year, 1931. He has served on the republican county central commit tee at various times and at present is chairman of that body. He is lso president of the Heppner Lions club and a member of the board of irectors of School District No. 1. Born of pioneer stock in Hamil ton, Grant county, March 3, 1886, Mr. Sweek attended the public schools of that county, and in his younger days lived a vigorous out door life. He was admitted to the bar after his graduation from the University of Michigan, having pre viously attended the University of Oregon. As an alumnus of the lat ter institution, he has been promin ently connected with many of its activities. Mr. and Mrs. Sweek have both been leaders in the community and the prospect of their leaving was the occasion for expressions of re gret on every hand. THE WISHING WELL S H. S. OPERETTA Presentation of Musical Play With Irish Theme to be April 15; Rehearsals Progress. April 15 is the date set for pres entation of "The Wishing Well," operetta, by the chorus class of Heppner high school under the di rection of Miss Charlotte Woods, in structor. The cast has been select ed, and rehearsals are already well under way. Catchy tunes carrying refrains from old Erin and colorful settings and costumes transplanted from tne imeraia isie, comDinea wun an Intriguing story, make "The Wish ing Well" one of the most popular of the late operettas. Thus pictur esque and appealing, with the pick of musical talent of the high school chosen for Its presentation, the op eretta gives promise of supplying an evening of enjoyable entertainment Costumes are of the old Irish style, with the girls wearing rather long, old-fashioned dresses, and the boys wearing knee-breeches and long-tailed coats. Principals In the cast are Eddie Kenny, Virginia Piercey, Lola HI- att, Gay Anderson, Earl Thomson Nancy Cox, John Franzen, Jeanette Turner, Bruce Gibb, Hazel Bcymer and Phyllis Pollock. The boys and girls chorus, repre senting neighbors, Is composed of Delia Ulrich, Alva McDuffee, Anabel Turner, Phyllis Jones, Winifred Case, Iretta Taylor, Lucille Moyer, Hazel Bcymer, Lora Gilliam, Rachel Anglin, Kathryn McLoughlin, Lu cille Beymer, Matt Kenny, Anson Rugg, Billy Cox, Jack Slocum Claud Hill and Marvin Morgan Girls from the grades will presen a fairy dance. They are Alice Lat- ourell, Patty Cason, Ella Ohlos chlager, Louise Anderson, Betty Ferguson, Harriet Hager, Betty Happold, Dora Bailey. Adele Nick- arson is queen of the fairies. For Sale White Pckln duck eggs, 50c per setting. Beulah Nichols. Lexington. 1-Sp OLD MAN WINTER SPILLS DOPE; TRY TO BE MADE AGAIN Old MAN WINTER kicked over the dope bucket and subject ed the fellow who talked about the baseball "feel" being nl the air to a great deal of ridicule, when the baseball "feel" being In the air painted the scenery a beautiful white for the first time in a year last Friday, the day slated for the attempted start of twilight base ball in Heppner. Of course the two-Inch snow all disappeared the next day, and Spring once more ruled the land scape If the old man is going to be so sensitive, it is probably tak ing a big chance to again tamper with his feelings, but a bunch of the boys say they are ready to go; so a call has again been Issued summoning the male population of the city, and so many of the "femines" as may be Interested, to Rodeo field tomorrow after noon at 5 o'clock, again for the purpose of starting a series of evening baseball games. IONE. JENNIE E. McMURRAY. In appreciation of the fact that her 4-H club girls finished their work 100 percent and had it com pleted in time to exhibit at the in stitute held March 20 at Lexington, Miss Hildegarde Williams gave a party Monday afternoon from 3:30 to 6 o'clock in the gymnasium. The girls present were the twelve mem bers of the club, Bertha Akers, An nabelle McCabe, Helen Lundell, Valjean Clark, Bernice Ring, Betty Bergevin, Maxine McCurdy, Vivian Ball, Genevieve Ball, Sibyl Howell, Shirley Larsno, Winona Ritchie, and four club members who com pleted the work last year, Charlotte McCabe, Miriam Hale, Margaret; Llndeken and Mildred Lundell. Games were played and the girls had a most enjoyable time. Ice cream slices, cookies and homemade candy were served. The club was rganized September 22 with Miss Williams as leader and the follow ing young folks as officers: presi dent, Betty Bergevin; vice president, Helen Lundell, and secretary, Ber tha Akers. Mr. and Mrs. Mike Rowell and daughter, Mrs. Glover -Peck from Stanfleld, were Saturday evening guests at the Harvey Ring home. The sectional declamatory contest of division one, comprising the high schools of Lexington, lisppner and lone was held in the schoolhouse here Saturday night. In the drama tic division, Beulah Eskelson of Lexington, giving "He Knew Lin coln," won first place; Earl Thom son of Heppner, "The Soul of a Violin," won second and Minnie Normoyle of lone, "At the Open Window," won third. In the ora torical class, Donald Heliker of lone, giving "The Eleventh Com mandment," won first place; Mau rice Reaney of Lexington, "War and Public Opinion, won second, and Theodore Thomson of Heppner, John Marshall a!nd Federal Su premacy, won tnird. in tne Humor ous class, Ralph Currin of Heppner, giving "Some Corn and Potatoes," won first; Jeanne Huston, Don t Tell Me No Gossip, I Won't Listen," won second, a'nd Erma Lane of Lex ington, "Lord Dunsdreary Propos es," won third. Judges were W. W. Head of lone, J. J. Nys of Heppner and Mrs. White of Lexington. Coun ty finals will be held in Heppner, April 11. The sectional contest for the grades was held in Lexington last Friday night. The lone winners were Harold Buchanan who won first place in the humorous class of division three, Junior Mason who won second place in the humorous class of division two, and Carl Lin deke'ni who won third place in the non-humorous class of division two. Willows grange will give an en tertainment in lone Saturday night to which the public is invited. The men and women of the grange will present competitive programs. If you want to laugh attend this meet ing. The program will be put on at the school gymnasium and the dance and Eupper will be at Legion hall. An admission fee of 15 and 25 cents will be charged at the gym nasium and a charge will be made for the supper. The dance is free. The Silver Tea given at the Con gregational church parlors Thurs day aftertnoon, March 26, was very enjoyable affair. About thirty ladies were In attendance. Refresh ments of sandwiches, salad, cake and coffee were served by the hos tesses. Mrs. R. E. Harbison, Mrs Hal O. Ely and Mrs. Alfred Troed son. John P. Louy Is a patient in t Walla Walla hospital. David Rictmann has purchased 160 acres of the E. H. Turner ranch This is the part on which the build ings are located and was originally the Ernest Rietmnlnn homestead. Tuesday evening, March 24, was social night of Locust chapter, O E S. Twenty-seven members were) present and all report a pleasant time, The following program was carried out: Playettc, "The Auto Age," having five characters with Ruth Mason as Mr. Perkins, Fan nle Grllllth as Mrs. Perkins, Delia McCurdy as Mrs. Bumper, Mabel Krebs as Lotta Bumper ana Katlv eryn Feldmolm as Bug. Following the play a piano solo was given by Margaret Blake and a piano due (Continued on Page Five) "LONELY WIVES," four -star laugh special, Star Theater, Sunduy and Monday. E Season to Start April 19 With No Hired Players ; Entrance Fee Smaller. FIVE TOWNS ENLIST Heppner, Condon, lone, Arlington, Fossil Take Fart; Six Teams Hoped For; Clow Head. Five of the towns participating in the Wheatland Baseball league last season sent representatives to Ar lington Tuesday evening to organize the league for another year. After amending the rules to eliminate hir ing players, and fixing the intention of playing all home boys, the repre sentatives voted to start the season April 19 with a 10-game schedule. Heppner, Condon, lone, Arlington and Fossil were represented at the meeting, and it was thought proba ble that Wasco, winner of the pen nant for the last two years, will again participate. "Kewpie" Clow, Arlington, was elected president; Raymond Crow der, Arlington, secretary-treasurer, and Werner Rietmann, lone, vice president Clow, who pitched for Condon for many years, has been an active figure In the league since its inception. Moving to Arlington since last season, he has become identified with the river city boys and will probably be on the mound for them this year. In case Wasco fails to come Into the league, it was decided to ask Kennewick, Wash., or some other town that might be receptive, to take a franchise. In case a sixth team is not available, the schedule will be drawn up for a five-team league which will necessitate each team drawing a "bye" once In the season. Other stipulations made at the meeting included lowering of the money to be posted from $55 to $30. Under the new ruling no money is forfeited in case a team fails to ap pear for a scheduled game, but any team failing to so appear imme diately forfeits its chance to win the league trophy which will include $25 of the money posted by each team. A new method of determin ing eligible players was also put in force. This year each club will post a list of its players, all of whom shall be recognized as belonging to said club, with the league secretary before the fifth playing date, and any player not so posted will be in eligible to play in any of the re maining five games. The Zenith baseball was adopted as the official league ball. The playing schedule will be drawn up within a short time and submitted to each club for Its ap proval. Representatives from Heppner at tending the meeting were Raymond Ferguson, Dr. J. H. McCrady and Jasper Crawford. Ferguson has managed the local club for the last two years, and will assist Dr. Mc Crady with the management this year. THEFT AT IRRIG0N GETS MEN IN JAIL O. Coryell. Storekeeper, Knows His Eggs; Waiver and Chance to Flea Asked; Bail Set at $500. Wesley M. Anderson and Clyde Furman, charged with larceny from the store of Oliver Coryell at irri- gon early Monday morning, were arraigned in justice court Tuesday morning. They asked that examin ation by the grand jury be waived and that they be given a chance to Dlead after consultation with a law yer. They were placed unaer auu bail. Anderson and Furman were ap prehended by Sheriff Bauman and Coryell on the Columbia River high way three miles west of Pnedelton about 2 o'clock Monday afternoon, and on identification by the store owner of groceries in their car, al leged to have been the goods stolen, they were arrested and brought to Heppner. The theft was reported to nave taken place between 12 o'clock and 8 o'clock Monday morning. The ar rested men said they were on their way from California to Iowa. Their car bore an Iowa license. In reporting the theft to the sher iff, Coryell told the exact number of brown eggs contained In a missing broken case. When the car was ov erhauled, and a partial case of eggs revealed, the number of brown eggs checked exactly with Coryell's count. There was also found one can of tomatoes, which checked with the storekeeper's prediction, as only one such can was in stock when he closed Sunday night, he said. Smoking tobacco, canned corn, bread, cakes, chocolate bars, soap, syrup, sugar and a rifle, were also found, in quantity and des cription checking with articles missing from the store. The coupe automobile of the Iowa men had the appearance of having come to tho end of Its jour ney when brought Into Heppner. WHEATLAND LEAGU IKES m RUES (Continued on Pago Six.) HEPPNER CUT OFF BY STORM, FLOOD News From Outeide Awaited With Anxiety; Toll of Life Features Reports of Disasters. Spring freshets that caused rivers all over the northwest to rise rap idly and many to reach a flood stage combined with a heavy downpour of rain the first of the week to cut Heppner off from rail and highway transportation service to and from the west Wednesday. The two-day accumulation of mail came through this morning, causing congestion in the local postofflce. Anxiety reigned on the part of many having relatives and friends in Pendleton and Walla Walla with phone messages carrying meager reports of flood damage in those cities. Daily news dispatches car ried in the daily papers reaching here this morning verified the re ports, with announcement that the damage in Walla Walla may reach $1,000,000 and the loss of one life. In Pendleton water poured over the levee on the Umatilla river sending a deluge of water into town that filled many basements in the lower districts. Slides in the Columbia river gorge that halted both rail and highway service were sufficiently cleared away yesterday to allow trains and motor traffic through, reports say. Travelers coming through from Hermiston yesterday evening said that on crossing the bridge across the Umatilla river the water was within a few inches of going over it and that the bridge appeared shaky. Bliss Hottman of this city who at tempted to drive to Walla Walla Tuesday, said he was forced to turn, back because of a bridge being washed out the other side of Pen dleton. No flood damage has resulted in this county, though heavy rains pre vailed Monday and Tuesday, and Willow and other creeks were swell ed to much larger proportions than at any time this spring. News from the outside was anx iously awaited by Heppner people this morning, who found flood dam age mot to be the only disaster fea tured. Report of earthquake in Nicaragua taking 1000 lives, and an airplane crash in Kansas which killed eight people including Knute Rockne, famed Notre Dame football coach, made the papers of more than usual interest. Star Theater Opens With New Talking Equipment The Star theater opened to the public last evening after a two-day shut-down for the installation of new "talkie" equipment and im provement of the theater's acoustic al properties. The new equipment, using direct film control of sound accompaniment to the pictures, is a big improvement over the old equip ment using disc reproduction, says B. G. Sigsbee, manager. "The Prod igal," a late popular picture, was used for the initial showing and will be shown again tonight The walls of the theater were re lined with smooth-surfaced wall board to cover the rough surfaced plaster that before had the effect of deadening sound. With the im provements picture and and sound are always In perfect synchroniza tion, and audibility is much better. The opening with the new equip ment was greeted by a much larg er crowd than is usual at mid-week, and Mr. Sigsbee believes the thea ter-going public will find their pleas ure in the pictures much enhanced from now on. 6TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATED. Miss Alberta Adkins, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Adkins, cele brated her 6th birthday anniver sary last Friday, and the event was made the occasion for a very pleas ant party at the family home to this city. Games were played and re freshments served. Present were Kathryn and Mary Nys, Wilma and Florence Beymer, Phyllis Marble, Peggy Tamblyn, Louise Green, Wil ma Hudson, Berdine Vance, Jean Gemmell, Dorothy Wilson, Lucille Barlow, Mary Emma Curran, Patsy Smith, Betty Marie Coxen, Norma Prock and Betty Marie Adkins. TEACHER GIVEN PARTY. Pupils of the fifth grade of the Heppner school gave their teacher, Miss Juanita Leathers, a birthday party at school Wednesday. In honor of the occasion Mrs. A. D. McMurdo baked a large angel food cake, and it was decorated with 16 candles. Excitement was rife in the room for a time when the cake turned up missing, but W. R. Poul son, superintendent, reports every thing was again serene when the cake was returned by Wm. Drlscoll. janitor, properly adorned with 40 colorful candles. The youngsters enjoyed a pleasurable hour also In honor of the evefnt CHAUTAUQUA DATES SET. Morrow county's annual free Chautauqua will be held this year June 23 to 26 Inclusive at Heppner, according to word received this week by J. W. Hiatt. secretary. An extra large tent has again been ar ranged for. Seven programs will be given to the four days, but an nouncement of the talent will not be available until later. "LONELY WIVES," four -star laugh speclul, Star Theater, Sunday and Monduy. E PUR T Head State Propagation Farms Speaks to Lions; Holding Pens Asked. 10 -CENT BOUNTY ON Predatory Bird Elimination Aim; Notson Reports State Chamber ; Meeting Held in Portland. Gene M. Simpson, a nationally known figure in game bird propa gation work whose ideas applied as superintendent of Oregon state game farms have been adopted In many other states, told . Heppner Lions at their Monday luncheon of a new plan being adopted to facil itate game bird propagtaion in Ore gon. J. D. Cash and Stanley Reavis were in charge of the special pro gram. Miss Fern Engelman of lone was well received in vocal so lo, accompanied at the piano by Mrs. Merle Venable. A short report of the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce meeting in Portland Thursday was given by S. E. Not son, president of Heppner Commer cial club. Mr. Simpson, in disclaiming any right to the title "distinguished" given him in introduction by C. L. Sweek, president, told briefly of the new propagation plan. The state game farms are capable of produc ing more birds than can be held at the farms until after the close of the hunting season, he said, and to aid in the distribution of surplus birds holding pens are being advo cated. Sportsmen's associations willing to build such holding pens and care for the birds are being of fered pheasants at weaning age, with feed. New Flan Better. Better results are obtained by placing day-old chicks out In brood coops in suitable localities, either In charge of a care-taker or with a re sponsible farmer, to care for until weaning age, than by indiscrimin ate distribution of pheasant eggs, he siad. Frequently volunteer care takers have raised a fair percent age of the young birds but one ob jection to this method of propaga tin is that the birds are released prior to the open season, and still another is that the birds are not well distributed. Mr. Simpson advocated holding only female brids. Being decidedly polygamous, he said, a shortage of male birds in the wild state is not liable to occur for many years. In a short quiz period Mr. Simpson an swered several questions relative to the cost and size of holding pens, and care of the birds. For a 250 bird pen, the cost would be approxi mately 75 cents per bird for mater ials, labor donated, he said. Fifty square feet per bird is the specified space, though good results might be had with a little less. An hour's time a day would be required to feed and water the birds, which must be attended to regularly. In connection with bird propaga tion work, B. R. Patterson, chair man of the Lions Crow-Magpie committee announced that a boun ty of ten cents a head for old pred atory birds is now being offered, and gave out word for the boys and girls to get busy. He said that choosing up sides for this year's Lions contest would be undertaken in the near future. The predatory bird population was diminished 4000 head by last year's contest, he said. Asked to "Carry On." Mr. Notson brought word from the state chamber meeting that this year's activities of the chamber had been crippled by failure of the leg islature to appropriate funds for its support There was a prevailing sentiment however, that the land settlement work is needed now more than ever. In a letter ad dressed to the meeting, Governor Meier gave unreserved endorsement to the work and urged support by business interests. It was not possi ble for the Heppner club to take out a membership at the time of his attendance as he would like to have seen, but he expressed the hope that the money would be avail able shortly. The club received congratulations on its many activities, in a commun ication from Melvin Jones, secre tary general of Lions International, read by Jasper Crawford, secretary. EASTER DANCE MONDAY. The annual Easter ball of Hepp ner unit, American Legion Auxil iary, will not be a formal affair, and assurance Is given by the pub licity committee that no one need hesitate to attend for fear they will be surrounded by "tuxes" and "low necks." Preparations have been un der way for several weeks to make the occasion next Monday evening at Elks' hall one of the outstanding dances of the year in the light of wholesome fun, however, and the committee promises no one will be sorry they uttended. The hall will be decorated, and many specialties have been planned, that will curry the occasion far above the ordinary dance, they promise. Pat's Five Aces will play. R. A. M. MEETS TONKiHT. Regular convocation of Heppner Chapter No. 26, R. A. M., will be held at Masonic hall tonight. OLD BY SIMPSON