HEPPNER GAZETTE TIMES, HEPPNER, OREGON, THURSDAY, MAY 13, 1937.
PAGE SIX
Heppner
Gazette Times
THE HEPPNER GAZETTE,
Established March 30. 1883;
THE HEPPNER TIMES,
Established November 18, 1897;
CONSOLIDATED FEBRUARY 15, 1912
Published every Thursday morning by
CRAWFORD PUBLISHING COMPANY
and entered at the Post Office at Hepp
ner, Oregon, as second-class matter.
J'ASPER V. CRAWFORD, Editor
SPENCER CRAWFORD, Manager
SUBSCRIPTION RATES:
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Single Copies .05
Official Paper for Morrow County
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The Oregon Pioneer.
MUCH verbal contumely has ap
peared in the public prints of
late anent the statue of the Oregon
Pioneer chosen for placement atop
Oregon's new capitol. Criticism has
been rife. In some cases it has been
vitriolic. And while we have little
to offer on the subject, being slight
ly schooled in such things, we do
believe the statue, whatever the
mould, to be a thing which should
long endure and become endeared
to the hearts of all. It is something
in which all Oregonians have a
common interest, and it should evoke
a common pride.
Hence, lest ridicule form unfound
ed inhibition in the public mind,
which might long prevent true ap
preciation of a real work of art, we
are reprinting a masterly editorial
from the pen of Charles A. Sprague,
editor of the Oregon Statesman, Sa
lem, which we believe to be the
most logical analysis of the subject
brought to our . attention. We are
indebted to George R. Lewis, a mem
ber of the State Capitol Reconstruc
tion commission, for bringing it to
us. Here it is, entitled "Pioneer
Statue":
The criticisms which have been
heard over the design for the statue
of the pioneer to stand on top of the
new state capitol should occasion no
surprise. In fact the lack of criticism
should be the worse shock. For not
only do tastes differ, but ideas differ;
and a public memorial is regarded
as fit subject for public expressions
of opinion. We recall the furore in
Iowa over the murals of the ox
train, painted in the state capitol by
Edwin H. Blashfield, one of the dis
tinguished painters of Amerca. The
complaint was that Blashfield had
put the driver on the wrong side of
the ox-team! More recently the
murals in the Missouri state capitol
by Thomas Hart Benton, descendant
of the great senator of that name,
have stirred up the Missourians who
do not like "to be shown" such real
istic scenes as Boss Pendergast sit
ting in a meeting, and the Kansas
City stockyards. Inasmuch as there
was some local feeling for the hiring
of local artists for the capitol dec
oration it is only natural to expect
that the art work will be subjected
to very critical scrutiny.
There are objections to the figure
designed by Ulric Ellerhusen for
Oregon's capitol; the pioneer lacks a
beard; the axe he carries is not hefty
enough; the robe or blanket draped
over his left shoulder is hardly en
character. The critics would prefer
a heavy-bearded oldster, somewhat
uncouth in personal appearance, with
a heavy axe in hand. It is noted,
however, that these criticisms have
brought their own rejoinders from
men whose testimony is competent,
the men yet living who are sons of
the pioneers. These protest the Idea
that the pioneer was coarse and un
couth and always unshaven; and one
says that the double-bitted axe is a
comparatively recent innovation.
In venturing on a discussion of
this subject The Statesman would
confess at the beginning an igno
rance which is broad and deep of
art; and disclaim any pose as author
ity on Oregon history. But it is our
opinion that Mr. Ellerhusen will be
fully able to defend his design, as to
its historical accuracy, where it is
essential to his theme. He did not
rush to -grab moist clay when he re
ceived his commission for this job.
In fact he has done considerable
work in this very field.
He did a high relief frieze, fron
tier Farewell" for the monument to
the pioneers at Harrodsburg, Ken
tucky, for which he won an award.
In the city hall at Kansas City he
executed two sculptured friezes:
"Lewis and Clark" and "The Road
to Oregon." We need to remember
that the Oregon trail had two ends,
one of them in the middle west, at
about Kansas City; and the tradition
of the dress and accoutrements of
the period are preserved in the mid
west and east as well as out here.
The "Road to Oregon" panel has
several characters; men, bearded
and smooth-faced, a woman and
child. The details prove that the
sculptor has made rather an intr
mate study of his problem in the in
terest of historical fidelity. The
critics may well move with caution
before they challenge the design
Mr. Ellerhusen proposes for the Or
egon capitol.
It is a mistake to assume that the
pioneer was always a man with a full
beard. Styles change in hirsute
adornment as well as dress. The
razor is not a recent invention; and
barbering was one of the earliest
professions. Our early presidents
were smooth-shaven. The full beard
dates rather from the civil war per
iod, in its full bloom, tapering off to
the mustache (remember the waxed
handlebars?) of the '80's and '90's.
Then the swing was to the beardless
style, and lately to a sprig of parsley
gracing the upper Up.
Look at the pictures of those who
came early to Oregon. Capt. Robert
Grey was smooth-faced. Lewis and
Clark had sideburns, as did Hall
Kelly. Dr. John McLoughlin, beard
less, was distinguished for his flow
ing white hair. Capt. Bonneville
and Nathaniel Wyeth were smooth
shaven; also John Ball the first
schoolmaster. Jason Lee had a full
beard, as did Joe Meek of the
"mountain men;" but Sam K. Bar
low had sideburns only. Gov. Aber
nethy and J. Quinn Thornton affect
ed a sort of mutton chop style; and
Senator Nesmith didn't let his beard
cover his chin or upper lip. One
picture of General and Senator Jo
Lane shows a light growth of whis
kers under his chin; another shows
no beard at all. In fact studying the
picture of Lane one might easily
imagine that in his younger days he
could have been a model for the El
lerhusen figure. Look at the picture
of Thomas Cox in the chamber of
commerce rooms. He was Salem's
first merchant, coming in 1847. He
is smooth-faced. Among early gov
ernors Gaines and Davis wore no
beards; Curry did. So there is plenty
of precedent for a shorn pioneer.
The fundamental error of the crit
ics is that they are looking for an
effigy; what the artist is creating is
a symbol. An effigy, a portrait stat
ue, might easily be grotesque on this
capitol. It would give it a "dated"
effect; and a dating quite out of har
mony with the original and some
what modernistic design of the struc
ture. Moreover the pioneer the
critics appear to favor is a conven
tional type, like the figure on the
carton of flapjack flour, more typical
of the California miner than the
Oregon settler.
With fine intelligence the sculptor
has chosen to execute a figure of
the pioneer as symbol, a figure to
live through the centuries with the
building of which it is a part, rather
than to set up a bronze calipered to
accuracy as a conventionalized por
trait. He has chosen a youthful fig
ure, which suggests youthful vitality
of a growing state.
The statue is one of the most im
portant elements of the whole cap
itol design. The buildnig is designed
without a conventional dome. A
turret or cylinder surmounts the
mass; and it in turn is capped by a
bronze statue on a cylindrical base.
The darker bronze figure then is the
accent to the white mass of the
building. If it is not well done, the
whole design suffers. Well executed,
it gives the final spiritual elevation
which the vertical lines of the build
ing initiate.
Another thing which must be re
alized is that the pictures so far
shown were taken "on the level."
The statue itself will stand high in
the air, on top of a building. It must
be visualized as the observer will
see it up over a hundred feet. That
is why the final appraisal of the
work cannot be made until the
statue is in place.
The murals will probably be much
different. They will be near. They
will be spacious, allowing for much
detail. But here again it must be
remembered that art is not photog
raphy: an effort at exact reproduc
tion. Art is that expression of beauty
which conveys truth not in mathe
matical language, but in the symbol
ism which becomes the enduring in
spiration of the people. That should
be remembered in forming judg
ments on the capitol work.
Drama on the World
Front.
ENGLAND throned a new king
yesterday. And even as George
VI was spotlighted in the billion
dollar show scintillated by Kohi
noors and Stars of Africa, a much
lesser emerald gem in Monts, France
overcast the ceremonies with a
greenish haze. It was the ring that
David Windsor, the king that might
have been, just the day before slip
ped on to the proper finger of WaL
lis Warfield.
Thus did the love theme take a
heavy role in one of the most dra
matic presentations on the stage of
world history.
The incident at Monts, so unpor
tentously staged by the elder broth
er of the two principals, relieved the
strain for the minds of a tense pub
lic audience. Concentration of Ger
man, Portugese and French troops
on Spanish borders was foreboding.
And there was little of simplicity in
the London act. But who could not
readily comprehend David Windsor's
act smile and relax?
Sometimes we get to thinkin' this
old world's a whole lot like the girl
who contracted poison oak and im
petigo at the same time. What
helped one hurt the other.
Looks like we're about ready to
start the annual early summer sport
of juggling the heating stove back
and forth between the wood shed and
and the living room.
Other joys of the season just now
are the croaking frogs, the young
sters picking wild flowers . . . Dern!
those pesky gnats swarming about
the reading-lamp!
Percival Practicality opines there's
nothing like arnica to overcome the
ailments from back-bending in the
flower garden.
And a coupla' crow hunters bet
ter watch out for an irate farmer
since turning in those turkey hoofs
for buzzard souvenirs.
Judging by the number of squeez
ers received by ladies at the swim
ming - tank benefit, someone must
have meant to infer that Heppaer's
men are all lemons.
A bunch of Morrow county far
mers went to Waterville this week
to study soil conserving practices.
Their good wives are probably hop
ing they don't get home with a bunch
of Washington's tin money.
And we hope none of them buys
the Grand Coulee dam.
Again, speaking of water, are you
going up to the Willow-Ditch creek
ditch tomorrow?
CALL FOR WARRANTS.
Outstanding warrants of School
District 42, Morrow County, Oregon,
numbered 350 to 353 inclusive, will
be paid on presentation to First
National Bank of Portland, Heppner
Branch, or to' the district clerk. In
terest on said warrants ceases May
14, 1937.
MRS. SOPHRONA THOMPSON,
Clerk, Heppner, Oregon.
TOWNSEND MEET SET.
A meeting of the Townsend club
will be held at the home of Mrs.
Minnie Furlong at 7:30 Wednesday
evening, May 19. After the regular
business meeting, a social hour will
follow. Drawing for the quilt do
nated by Mrs. Martha Wright will
be held at this time. Townsend
members and friends are invited.
EXAMINER HERE 15TH.
C. M. Bentlev. examiner of oper
ators and chauffeurs from the office
of Earl Snell, secretary of state, will
be at the courthouse in Heppner be
tween the hours of 10 a. m. and 4 p.
m., Saturday, May 15. All those
wishing permits or licenses to drive
cars should get in touch with Mr.
Bentley at this time.
STAR MEETS TOMORRROW.
Regular meeting of Ruth chapter
32, Order of Eastern Star, will be
held at Masonic hall tomorrow eve
ning. Special work is announced by
Mrs. Virginia Turner, worthy ma
tron.
CARD OF THANKS.
We extend our sincere thanks to
the kind neighbors and friends for
their help and expressions of sym
pathy at the time of our bereave
ment.
' The Cochran family,
Delbert and James.
SELL OR TRADE.
300 acres growing grain, about 700
acres good pasture with lease for '37;
also good combine; in Eight Mile
district. Will take horses or other
livestock. Write or telephone E. P.
Dodd, Hermiston, Ore. 10-llp
CARS KILLING 271 PER DAY.
In the United States in 1936 and
Oregon's quota holds to the national
record 271 persons were killed ev
ery day, 11 every hour, one every
five minutes, the Oregon State Mo
tor association notes.
Will M. Peterson and son, Charles
A. Peterson, were business visitors
in the city this morning from Pen
dleton. They are attorneys in the
Umatilla city. Mr. Peterson, Sr.,
said work would start tomorrow on
the Echo -Pendleton sector of the
Oregon Trail highway which is be
ing relocated and straightened.
Mrs. Eller Brock, niece and grand
daughter, and Mrs. James Cooley
were Sunday visitors in Heppner,
Mrs. Block being a guest at the home
of her sister, Mrs. Josie Jones, and
Mrs. Cooley visiting her sister, Mrs.
Cora Crawford.
Martin Bauemfeind, Morgan store
keeper, was a business visitor in the
city yeterday, accompanied by his
young son. Wheat in his section
appears backward for the season.
Kenneth Akers, assistant at the
W. O. Dix store for some time, has
taken a position with the new Bra-den-Bell
store.
Mr. and Mrs. Dixon T. Smith and
baby son were business visitors in
the city yesterday from the farm
west of lone.
Miss Nellie Doney was a visitor
in the city yesterday from Hynd
Brothers' Rose Lawn ranch, Sand
Hollow.
Why Ship Your
Cream to Portland
WHEN YOU CAN HAVE
A MARKET AT HOME ?
We will pay you Portland prices
and give you the same service
you get in Portland.
MORROW COUNTY
CREAMERY COMPANY
W.CCOX,Mgr.
Crop Increase in Sight
Despite Late Season
No marked change in consumer
demand for farm products is expect
ed in the near future, although there
have been indications of some slack
ening in the rate of increase, says a
review of the agricultural situation
just released by the OSC agricultural
extension service. With some ex
ceptions, however, the present pros
pect appears to indicate an increase
in crop production in the country as
a whole, despite a backward spring
season.
The cold, wet weather in March,
followed by heavy rainfall in April,
delayed land preparation and spring
seeding operations. Farmers found
it necessary to feed more hay and
grain than expected, owing to poor
early pasture growth. Farm sup
plies of feed grans have consequent
ly been reduced to a point similar to
two years ago, following the drouth
of 1934, but soil moisture conditions
have been materially improved for
later growth of crops and pastures.
With respect to farm prices and
costs, the report indicates the cur
rent Oregon farm price level at a
point slightly lower than the mid
March index figure of 82 per cent
of the 1926-30 average. This repre
sents a tremendous gain compared
with March, 1936, when the Oregon
index stood at 70. For the first time
in many years, farm prices in Oregon
average out approximately up to
"parity" in exchange value for the
commodities usually bought by far
mers, despite an upward trend in
farm costs of around seven or eight
per cent during the past year.
Commercial hatchery records con
tinue to reflect a considerable de
crease in the demand for turkey
poults, compared with a year ago,
according to the report. This situa
tion suggests that the market out
look for Oregon turkeys of the 1937
crop is more favorable than a year
ago.
Test Shows Innoculation Value
Oregon City Although no farmer
ever thinks seriously any more of
planting alfalfa without first innoc
ulating the seed, Frank Coffield of
Currinsville last year left just a
small strip through his field on
which the seed was not innoculated.
The seed came up, he reported to
County Agent Inskeep, but the
plants soon disappeared and the strip
is barren and must be planted over,
while the innoculated plants on each
side form a vigorous stand which
will be ready to cut in June.
For Sale 1 3-4-Black Percheron
mare, 6 yrs. old, wt. 1450, broke; also
1 4-yr. old mare with colt, suitable
for saddle, gentle, wt. 1050. Frank
H. Lindsey, Morgan, Ore. 8tf.
Cooked Food Sale, Humphreys
Drug store, Saturday, beginning at
10:30 a. m., by ladies of the Christian
church.
Dr. J. P. Stewart, Eye-Sight Spec
ialist of Pendleton, will be at Hotel
Heppner on Wednesday, May 19.
For Sale 7 weeks-old pigs, dan
dies. Also wood and posts. Cloy
Dykstra. lOp.
V