OREGON HISTORICAL SOCIETY
P J BL I C A 'J D I TOR I U M
PORTLAND. ORE.
Volume 54, Number 26
Mrs. Rodgers Cites
Consolidation Need
Before Lions Club
Improved Financial
Condition of Schools
Shown from Report
Displaying a map before the Mon
day Lions . luncheon which showed
the majority of Morrow county pu
pils being educated in seven dis
tricts, Mrs. Lucy E. Rodgers, county
school superintendent, declared that
much simplification of and economy
in administration could be effected
by eliminating many of the 43 active
districts most of whom now transport
pupils to the seven main districts.
"Either a consolidation into sev
eral large districts or inclusion of
the entire county within a single
district seems advisable," Mrs.
Rodgers said. Elimination of clerk's
pay, bonds and auditing expense for
many of the small districts would in
itself make a considerable saving
each year besides the possibility of
coordinating facilities to lower the
annual per pupil cost of education
which runs very high in some dis
tricts." Mrs. Rodgers quoted from the an
nual report of C. R. Ham, auditor, to
show the per pupil cost of education
in the various standard high schools
of the county for the year 1937-38,
viz: Heppner $116.37, Irrigon $210.66,
, Lexington $221.77, Boardman $298.
45, Pine City $243.90, lone $163.42.
These figures were arrived at by
dividing the total cost of operation
in each district by the average num
ber of pupils in daily attendance.
Total cost of operation and average
daily attendance in each district was
given as follows: Heppner $13,429.24,
115.4; Irrigon $5,182.14, 24.6; Lexing
ton $5,610.75, 25.3; Boardman $8,
953.50, 30; Pine City $2,263.50, 9.3;
lone $6,291.65, 38.5.
General improvement in the war
rant and bonded condition of dis
tricts of the county was shown the
past year, Mrs. Rodgers cited from
the report. Total warrant indebted
ness of all districts was reduced
$14,506.65, and bonded indebtedness
was lowered $9000 for a total of $23,
506.65. Cash balances in all districts
decreased $14,921.26 in the year,
leaving a net improvement in finan
cial condition of $8,585.39.
All districts except six were on a
cash basis at the end of the year.
School District No. 1, Heppner, while
still on a warrant basis, reduced its
warrant indebtedness by $10,414.04
from $27,301.47 to $16,887.43.
Total warrant indebtedness of all
districts at the third Monday in June
this year was $26,849.47; total bond
ed indebtedness, 109.000, leaving the
total indebtedness at $135,847.47. The
cash balance at the same time was
$34,886.05.
Miss Althea Stoneman and Mrs.
E. R. Huston were luncheon guests
of the Lions and G. J. Ryan of Lex
ington was introduced as a new
member. Mr. Ryan, manager Mor
row County Grain Growers, made a
short talk on the necessity of coop
eration for general community prog
ress in the county.
HUNTERS, ANGLERS TO MEET
Morrow County Hunters and Ang
lers club will meet at Elks hall next
Wednesday evening at 7:30 to discuss
activities, announces Logie Richard
son, president Among matters to
be considered will be the offer of
Superintendent Kisler of the Soil
Conservation service to cooperate in
providing pens for care of game
birds and assistance with construc
tion of fish ladders on dams where
needed.
RUTH CHAPTER TO MEET
The regular meeting of Ruth
chapter, O. E. S., will be held to
morrow evening at Masonic hall.
Mary Guild, worthy matron, urges
a large attendance of members.
Heppner,
PORTABLE KITCHEN
HERE SEPTEMBER 10
O. S. C. Demonstration Project
Gives Helpful Suggestions for
New or Made-Over Houses
Mrs. Virginia Schneider, assistant
in the home economics extension
service of Oregon State college, is
in charge of the traveling kitchen
demonstration. The traveling kitchen
will be on display in Heppner on
September 20 at 10 a. m. and will be
available for inspection until early
in the evening.
This modern kitchen on wheels has
many valuable suggestions on con
struction of built-ins and kitchen
arrangement for families who are
planning to build and for families
who are planning to remodel. Sug
gestions are also given for rearrang
ing kitchen equipment in order to
make the farm kitchen more con
venient. Some of the features of the built
ins of this modern kitchen consist
of a floor-to -ceiling cabinet for the
storage of packed groceries and
cooking utensils, a specially designed,
wood box, a cabinet for the storage
of farm records and bulletins, and
a play cabinet for the children.
An interesting and new color
treatment has been used throughout
in the finishing of the walls, wood
work and accessories.
The kitchen will be exhibited in
14 counties in Oregon in the summer
and fall of 1938. Local arrangements
for the traveling kitchen display
are in charge of Joseph Belanger,
county agent.
BPW Launches
Year at Breakfast
The first meeting of the Business
and Professional Women's club year
was held at the home of Mrs. E. R.
Huston Friday morning at 7:30. Mrs.
Huston, Miss Leta Humphreys and
Rose Leibbrand were hostesses at a
delicious breakfast served on the
spacious veranda of the Huston
home. The following members were
present: Rose Leibbrand, president
of the local dub; Mary White, Leta
Humphreys, Neva NeilL Lorena
Wilson, secretary, Clara Beamer,
Elizabeth Dix, Catherine Parker, Lu
lu Hager, Eleor Huston and Lucy
Rodgers. Visitors were Althea Stone
man and Ruth Green.
The program for the year was
planned around the subject, "Per
sonality Development," giving spec
ial emphasis to "Your Job and Mine."
It was agreed that the club would
participate in the civic activities of
the town and that it would sponsor
at least one cultural attraction and
than an Oregon Products luncheon
or dinner would be given.
The next meeting of the club will
be a "jamboree" at which time pros
pective members to complete the
membership quota of twenty will be
invited.
ATTEND GOLDEN WEDDING
Rev. and Mrs. R. C. Young de
parted Sunday evening for Port
land to be present for the golden
wedding anniversary of Mrs. Young's
parents, Mr. and Mrs. Duncan Gray
of Aloha. They also expected to stop
over at Portland for a glimpse of
their first grandchild, the baby of
Mr. and Mrs. Howard Rasmussen.
Rev. Young expected to be back in
Heppner tomorrow and to conduct
regular morning services at the
Methodist church. The union eve
ning service will be held at the
Church of Christ.
TB TESTS TO BE HELD
Dates and places for a series of
free tuberculosis testing will be an
nounced in the near future, says
Miss Althea Stoneman, who advises
all those wanting the tests to list
members of the family at the closest
school. These tests and follow-up x
ray examinations where needed will
be paid from proceeds of the seal
sale last Christmas through Morrow
County Public Health association.
ELKS MEET TONIGHT
Heppner lodgt 358, B. P. O. Elks,
will hold regular meeting this evening.
Oregon, Thursday, September 8, 1938
PWA Grant for State
Roads Assures Rhea
Creek Surfacing
$50,000 Expected to
be Available Next
Year; Grade Aided
Granting of $28,545 by WPA for
surfacing on Heppner-Condon high
way, announced by the regional of
fice yesterday, practically assures
that the Heppner-Rhea creek sec
tor of this road will be surfaced next
year.
This amount was included in a
total of $211,465 granted by PWA
for Oregon projects, according to a
press release yesterday,' and the
Morrow county court was told by
the state highway commission at
Pendleton last week that if PWA
made this grant, $50,000 would be
available on the sector from Hepp
ner to Rhea creek, and it was con
templated that additional funds
would be found to complete the
work, if possible. Total cost of the
project was placed tentatively at
$60,000.
The highway commission had al
ready allotted $25,000 of its funds
for application on the Rhea creek
sector, and another $25,000 for work
on the Burton Wilson grade into
Rock creek. The PWA grant, how
ever, will take care of the Rock
creek grade work, releasing the
state's money previously earmarked
for that work to be applied on this
end.
Judge Bert Johnson was in re
ceipt of a telegram from Represen
tative Walter M. Pierce Tuesday
morning, stating that 1 Washington
had advised that this project was
under active consideration and that
announcement could be expected
soon.
National Head
Tells of Conclave
Mrs. W. P. Mahoney, president of
National Wool Growers auxiliary,
told of plans for the coming con
vention in Texas at the local unit
meeting at the Lucas Place last Fri
day afternoon, as one. of the two
local women honored with high po
sition in auxiliary circles. The sec
ond, Mrs. Ralph I. Thompson, presi
dent of the state organization, told
of plans for the booth being con
ducted at the state fair this week,
where she, assisted by Mrs. J. O.
Rasmus, is selling home-made wool
lambs and lamburgers.
Seventeen members were present.
Guests included Mrs. W. O. Dix,
Mrs. L. E. Bisbee and Mrs. Chas.
Thomson. Mrs. Roy Neill was in
troduced as a new member.
The unit also rejoiced at the report
of its having won the $45 sweep
stakes and $25 first prize for floats
for its entry in the recent Rodeo
parade.
Rodeo Organization
Set for Tomorrow
The annual Rodeo organization
meeting will be held at the Elks club
at 7:30 o'clock tomorrow evening,
announces Henry Aiken, president,
who urges the attendance of every
one interested. Any citizen of Mor
row county is eligible to vote on
matters coming up for consideration,
it is pointed out.
Election of officers for next year's
show and financial report on this
year are among matters of business
to be considered.
DISTRICT DEPUTY VISITS
Sid Bowman of Pendleton, dis
trict deputy grand master I. O. O.
F., was received by a large attend
ance of local Oddfellows when he
made his official visit to Willow
lodge 66 last everting. A guest of
the evening was Howard K. Zim
merman, past grand master for Oregon.
GOOD ENROLLMENT
AT SCHOOL START
181 in Grades, 125 in High
School Signed; First Football
Game With Fossil Here, 23rd
Heppner schools got off to a run
ning start Tuesday with 181 enroll
ed in the grades and 125 in high
school, reports Alden Blankenship,
superintendent.
Registration in the high school was
featured by enrollees from Idaho,
Washington, California and two from
Portland, with tansfers swelling the
senior class to 31, the largest for
some time. Equal distribution in
the high school divisions was evi
denced by the 30 freshmen, 33 soph
omores and 31 juniors signed up.
Enrollment in the various grades
was, 1st 24, 2nd 19, 3rd 24, 4th 31,
5th 14, 6th 22, 7th 22, 8th 25.
All teachers were, on hand and
class work started out smoothly.
First football practice was called
Tuesday with 27 players reporting
and three or four more in prospect,
reported Robert Knox, coach. The
first game is set with Fossil here,
Sept. 23. A practice game may be
slated the week before.
At the initial high school assem
bly, Bill Barratt, student body pres
ident, and other students gave good
explanation of the different school
activities and clubs for the benefit of
new members.
Mill Accident Fatal
To Chester Kesler
Chester Kesler of Fossil was killed
at the Reed mill on Rock creek
Tuesday morning when a log kicked
off on the wrong side of the truck
being unloaded and caught him un
awares. This is the first fatality recorded
at a local mill in many years.
Chester Roy Kesler was born at
Council, Idaho, May 7, 1903, to John
and Edna A. (Spangle) Kesler of
Virginia and Kansas respectively.
He married Margaret E. Brown of
Fossil at Summit, Ore., in 1929. Sur
viving besides the widow, are a son
and daughter, the mother residing at
Council, three sisters, Mrs. Roy Wo
mack and Mrs. James Ross, both of
Port Angeles, Wash., and Mrs. Reta
Hiatt of Oakland, Cal., and two bro
thers, Paul of Port Angeles, and
John A. of Council. Two daughters
by a former marriage, Beulah and
Jackaline, reside at Eagle, Idaho.
The body was shipped to Council,
Idaho, where funeral services are
being held today.
GRACIE STEVENS PASSES
Mrs. Gracie Stevens, 82, long a
county resident, died at the county
home here last night following a
prolonged illness. Funeral services
are expected to be held some time
Saturday from the Methodist church,
Rev. R. C. Young officiating. Case
mortuary is in charge of arrange
ments. Gracie Smith was born in
Germany in 1856, and first come to
Heppner a good many years aeo as
the wife of Jack Newcombe. She
was later married at different times
to Jim Simonds and Jim Stevens.
She is survived by a nenhew. John
Smith, residing here, and a brother
who lives at Lone Creek. She had
been living at the countv home for
five years. Mr. Smith, the nephew,
was accidentally hurt this week
when a speeder load of ties went
through an open switch and struck
him while he was at work on the
section gang on the local district A
broken hib was sustained. He is
undergoing care at the home of Mrs.
Corda Saling.
FOOTBALL BOYS TO REPORT
Len Gilman and Elwayne Lieual
len, two Morrow county stalwarts
on the Bulldog football team, will
report for first football practice at
Pacific university next week. Both
boys were regulars on last year's
Pacific team, Gilman being high
scorer for the squad. Lieuallen was
out part of last season with injuries
but both boys are looked to enhance
the Bulldogs' pennant chances this
year, according to reports emanating
from the college.
Subscription $2.00 a Year
Council Drops PWA
Application for
Sewer System .
Amended Water Pro
ject to be Presented,
Excluding Reservoir
The application for PWA assist
ance in constructing a sewer sys
tem in Heppner was definitely drop
ped by the council Monday evening
when it was returned from the state
PWA office for correction. Decision
was made that the large indebted
ness the project's completion would
create would jeopardize the city's
credit structure as well as burden
individual property holders too
heavily. It was estimated that the
cost to property with $2000 assessed
valuation would be well upwards of
$200.
At the same time the council bv
a split vote recommended application
for an amended project on the wa
ter system, totalling $30,000. The for
mer application on this project called
for construction of a new 120,000-'
gallon reservoir at a cost of $8000
in addition to a pumping plant,
pump house at the wells, about 3
miles of new mains in the city, and
20 new fire hydranta Agreeing that
the reservoir cost was too great for
the amount of storage to be ob
tained and that present storage fa
cilities would suffice with adequate
pumping equipment, the council
struck out the reservoir construc
tion from the application, leaving
the $30,000 to cover the other pro
ject items.
Coundlmen , Wilson, , Phelps and
Tibbies who voted for application
in the amended form stressed the
necessity for making the improve
ments, which if the application is
acecpted by PWA. could be ob
tained for $16,500, the city's 55 per
cent of the total cost.
Councilman Mahoney opposed
making the application, while Coun
dlmen Bennett and Ferguson were
absent.
Mayor Jones, while not having a
vote, declared himself opposed to
applying for the water project, be
lieving that it would be too small to
interest the federal agency and that
additional engineering cost, cost of
holding the spedal bond election
and other items of contingent ex
pense would not be justfied.
Mayor Jones believed that due to
a much smaller appropriation being
necessary for streets next year, a
sufficient amount could be included
in next year's budget for installing
an adequate pumping plant as well
as enough to take care of the im
mediate need for mains replacement,
and that by replacing part of the
mains each year this work could be
accomplisher by paying for it as it
is done and thus saving the city in
terest on bonds and other costs of
debt service.
Those favoring the water project
application, however, said no assur
ance could be given that such a pro
gram as outlined by the mayor would
be carried out by future city admin
istrations, and that by receiving 45
per cent of the total cost from PWA,
if the project is approved, the im
provement would be obtained at
very reasonable price.
The resolution calling for special
bond election will be presented at
the mid-month meeting, Sept 19. It
is necessary for the bonds to be ap
proved by the electorate before PWA
will take final action on the appli
cation, and final action must be
taken before Oct. 1, under the PWA
ruling. If the application is approved
actual work must start January 1.
Transfer of deed was made this
week at the clerk's office of the
Mary A. Notson property on Gale
street, recently purchased by Mr.
and Mrs. Richard Wells. Mr. and
Mrs. Wells have moved their home
there from the former residence just
below town.