Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 5, 1939)
SOC I ETY P ; R L I C AUDITOR IV" P 0 ?: 7 I A : D . 0 ,r . Volume 54, Number 43 Heppner, Oregon, Thursday, January 5, 1939 Subscription $2.00 a Year Illness Prevents New Mayor From Taking Office Mayor Jones' Ser vice Recognized; Reports Hopeful Illness of G. A. Bleakman, mayor elect, prevented his taking office at the year's initial meeting of city dads which saw re-elected council men P. W. Mahoney, R. B. Fergu son and L. D. Tibbies take office. Councilman R. C. Phelps was also prevented from attending by illness, and announcement of appointments regularly slated for this time were deferred until all the new council could be together. Mayor Jeff Jones gave his parting message to the council, in which he expressed appreciation for the as sociations he had enjoyed with co workers through 16 years' service on the council and as mayor. He said that he had at all times at tempted to act in the public inter est, and that such differences of opinion as had at times arisen had left no feeling of animosity toward any member of the council person ally. Mr. Jones had served as city parliamentarian continuously since 1923. In their turn, the three re-elected councilmen and Councilman L. D, Tibbies, who was present, signed a resolution of appreciation for the services of Mayor Jones, which was read by J. J. Nys, city attorney. It read: "Entering the new term of the administration of the affairs of the city we do so with considerable re gret in not having with us the assist ance of Mayor Jones. For the past sixteen years Mr. Jones has been in terested in city affairs, either as councilman or mayor, and long be fore that as a citizen. He was sel dom absent from the meetings, and was always ready to forego his per sonal interests for those of the city. "During his connection with the city government, the city has grad ually improved from year to year at a minimum cost to the citizens, and with a fifty per cent reduction in city indebtedness. "Mr. Jones is congenial to work with, considerate in all matters, and liberal in his views in all things. He knows the needs of the city and always works with that end in view. While we are sorry that he does not see his way clear to carry on for an other term, we have gained by his ' experience and help." Annual report of the city treas urer showed the city's balance sheet to be slightly in the black. Though some $600 in warrants had been is sued, cash on hand at the close of the year was slightly upwards of $700. Report of the watermaster showed collections in his department to be in the best shape for several years, with delinquent accounts totalling slightly over $500. The council okehed a clause in a resolution from the secretary of state's office passed at the previous meeting, the particular clause having then been overlooked. It calls for making such changes in the city bookkeeping system as the state au ditor may recommend at the time of audit. The resolution en toto calls for a yearly audit of city books by the auditing department of the sec retary of state's office. REPORTS OSTA MEET Miss Shirley Smith, commercial instructor in the high school, gave the Monday Lions luncheon meeting a report of the Oregon State Teach ers association meeting held in Port land last week end. Lions president F. W. Turner and C. J. D. Bauman expetced to represent the club in ar ranging a Morrow county wool dis play at the Montgomery Ward store in Pendleton to be shown during the state wool growers convention there Monday and Tuesday next Safeway Store Starts Remodeling Program Safeway store is starting the new year with a program of renovation and modernization that will bring it uffeto the same standards as the bet ter stores elsewhere, announces J. A. Anglin, manager. Work was start ed Tuesday and will be completed in about two weeks time. In charge of Thomas Berrie of Walla Walla, company carpenter, who is being assisted by local help, the work will include installation of new front, repainting of interior, in stallation of bins for canned goods where shelving is now used, and placing of modern display racks. The main store room will be enlarged by moving the back partition about fifteen feet. Installation of a large electric refrigeration system will fa cilitate keeping vegetables and other perishables in good condition. The checking counter will be placed in front, and customers will be enabled to help themselves. Mr. Anglin said that remodelling of the local store has been contem plated for some time. Its accom plishment comes in recognition of the profitable business done by the store here. Not on y will the new arrangement and pLasant surround ings make things nicer for the clerks, but Mr. Anglin believes the public will appreciate the better service that will result George Peck Faced With Election Charges George N. Peck, former president of Eastern Oregon Wheat league, co-sponsor of the "Anti-Picketing" bill at the November election, faces charges, along with H. L. Shoemak' er, president of Hood River Apple growers, to reveal who individual contributors were who made up the fund of $34,336 that the two organi zations expended in behalf of the bill. " Secretary of State Snell was quoted in this morning's daily press as saying that charges, either civil or criminal, will be filed against Peck and Shoemaker. Attorney Gen eral Van Winkle had advised such action as reports of expenditures so far filed were said not to satisfy the corrupt practices act. Peck, in the city this morning to resume his duties as county com missioner at the courthouse, did not appear to be worried over the con templated action. He said that he had reported the funds as coming from Oregon Business Council." The attorney general said this is an assumed name. SCHOOL DISCUSSION SET O. W. Cutsforth, chairman of the Morrow county committee which is making an investiagtion of plans for improvement of the school sys tem of the county, in Heppner Tues day morning, announced that a dis cussion of proposed plans will be held by Lexinton grange at its next meeting, Saturday evening, January 14. A general invitation is extended by the grange to all interested per sons to attend and take part in the discussion. Mr. Cutsforth observes a lively interest in the school sit uation in his visits over the county, and feels something of value will come out of the present discussion, HAS LICENSE RUSH The sheriffs office has been busy since the first of the year taking ap plications for temporary permits to serve until motor vehicle operat ors receive their new license plates from Salem. C. M. Bentley, exam iner of operators and chauffeurs from the secretary of state's office, was at the council chambers today, also assisting in taking care of the first of the year rush. ECHO TO PLAY IONE Fred Hoskins announces that his first string of lone casaba tossers will mix with Echo on the lone floor tomorrow night, while Stan- field will play the lone second string. The games are scheduled to start at 7:30. Hoskins announced the sign ing of Kenneth McKenzie of Hepp ner this week who will strengthen the first team. Wool Growers and Ladies to Attend Pendleton Meets Reciprocal Trade Talk Highlight; Entertainment Set Morrow county wool growers and lady affiliates are looking forward to the annual convention of Oregon Wool Growers association and aux iliary to be held in Pendleton, Mon day and Tuesday. Highlighting the wool growers program will be the appearance of Mr. Edminster at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon. Mr. Edminster will rep resent the department of state in telling about reciprocal trade agree ments. The two-day program, how ever, will include discussions on all phases of the industry that will be of vital interest to all growers. Leo Hahn of Prineville, association president, will preside. Leading the entertainment for both conventions will be the annual ban quet at the Vert Memorial building at 6:30 o'clock Monday evening, fol lowed by vaudeville show to be staged in the large auditorium in the same building. Mrs. R. I. Thompson, state aux iliary president, this morning re leased highlights of the women's program. The annual business meet ing will be held Monday morning, At 1:30 in the afternoon a lamb meat cutting demonstration will be staged followed by talk on cold storage lockers by Mr. Oliver of O. S. C Style show at 3:30, sponsored by Pioneer club of Pendleton, will be followed by tea. Tuesday morning reports will be heard from local units, .At 1:30 luncheon will be held at Pendleton hotel when a demonstration of prep aration of raw wool for mattresses will be given by 4-H club girls. A hobby show will be held at 3:30, displaying all known ways of using wool and yarn. Mrs. Thompson commended Pen dleton merchants for their fine co operation in preparing window dis plays. Featured in these are a loom and spinning wheel brought by a lady from the Willamette valley. Grange New Year's Party Enjoyable The Willows grange ladies and a few invited women guests were royally entertained in the grange hall at Cecil by the men of the grange on New Year's eve at a watch party. A splendid program of musical numbers, readings, vocal solos and quartet numbers, discus sion of county school affairs, and other talks was enjoyed by the au dience. Rfefreshments of pimento cheese sandwiches, oyster stew and coffee were prepared and served by the men. An hour or more of danc ing was also enjoyed. As a" climax to a splendid eve ning of entertainment Old Father Time appeared upon the scene right on the stroke of midnight, and im mediately afterward, to the surprise of the 75 assembled guests, the lit tle New Year made his appearance. The ladies in whose honor the party was given all declared it a complete success and wish to compliment the grange patrons on ' their splendid manner of entertaining. A dance will be given in the grange hall at Cecil on January 14 by the dance committee of 1939. Supper will be served by the Home Econ omics club ladies. SISTER DIES EN EAST Mrs. Alex Green received word this week of the death of her young est sister, Mrs. Pearl Rudolph, in Virginia. She did not expect to go east for the funeral rites. American Legion auxiliary will meet next Monday , evening at 8 o'clock at the home of Mrs. Lucy E. Rodgers. To Give Views Giles L. French, Moro publisher and representative from this dis trict will write observations of the current legislative session for publication in papers of his dis trict. These comments may be expected in early issues of the Gazette Times. AAA Allotment for 1939 Shows Increase In Non-Crop Land Committee Explains Procedure; Secretary Treasurer Elected Individual - soil depleting allot ments under the 1939 AAA program will be available before spring work starts, it was announced at the meeting of the county compliance committee held at the ' office here, Tuesday. The total county allotment for the new year was announced at 244,936 acres. As this is less than the 248,459 acres permitted to be sown in 1938, the amount of acreage out of production will be larger in 1939. In explaining the program county officials said: "Because of the large reduction in normal wheat acreage that was required of co-operators, most far mers were not permitted to seed wheat on all of their 1938 summer fallow. For those who wish to do so, any soil depleting crop such as barley, rye, or oats may be seeded on the summerf allow that was not seeded to wheat; provided, however, that any additional diversion must be taken out of the 1939 summerfal low. In other words, if an individual has summerfallow in excess of his 1939 wheat acreage allotment he may seed it to barley, rye, or oats. If he seeds one of these crops on the ex cess summerfallow, he must either seed grass on some of his summer fallow in the fall of 1939 or leave the ground idle (unplowed) in the spring when he plows." Clifford Conrad, new county agent who is expected to arrive Saturday, was named secretary of the compli ance committee, and Miss Florence Bergstrom, office assistant, was named treasurer. COUNTY AGENT EXPECTED Clifford Conrad, whose appoint ment as county agent to succeed Joseph Belanger was announced last week, is expected to arrive Satur day. C. W. Smith, assistant county agent leader, is expected to accom pany him and help get the new work started here. JOINT INSTALLATION SET Joint installation of officers for Willow lodge, I. O. O. F. and San Souci Rebekah lodge has been an nounced for Friday (tomorrow) eve ning, January 6, at the Odd Fellows hall in Heppner. Members of both organizations are requested to keep the date m mind. Miss Anabel Turner has gone to Bellingham, Wash., where she ex pected to enter teachers' college. County Starts New Year With Favorable Tax Balance Sheet Current Roll 1 14.5 Percent Collected; Delinquencies Down As the county court convened yesterday for the first meeting of the year, and re-elected Commis sioner George N. Peck started his new term of office, they had before them the tax balance sheet which showed encouraging signs of better ment in the county's financial status. Tax collections for the year show ed at $310,001.77 or 114.5 per cent of the current roll which totalled $271,814.20. Represented was a re duction of $41,524.11 in the amount of delinquent taxes to be extended as of January 1, 1939, over those of record at the beginning of 1938. Turn-overs from the sheriffs office for 1S38 were complete and had been for 1938 were complete and had been extended on the books of the clerk, by whom the statement was issued. While discount allowed for pre payment of current taxes, $4,198.18, exceeded interest collected on cur rent taxes, $1,399.43, the interest col lected on delinquent taxes more than offset the difference. Interest col lected on delinquent taxes amounted to $6,188.86. Total delinquent taxes at the be ginning of the year amounted to $342,373.52, of which $81,070.25 was shown as collected during the year, leaving a balance of taxes from years prior to 1938 of $257,966.73. Of the current roll, $271,814.20, collections of $228,931.52 were shown, leaving a balance uncollected of $42,882.68. As this amount is extend ed as delinquent tax at the begin ning of the new year, it is. added to the balance of former delinquent taxes unpaid, making up the $300, 849.41, total taxes unpaid at the be ginning of 1939. Tne clerk's statement itemizes both delinquent and current taxes for each of the various tax subdi visions, showing amounts credited to cities, school districts, etc., during the year, and the balance of uncol lected taxes due each. Collections credited to City of Heppner during 1938 amounted to $9,422.50, and the total unpaid tax shown to be due at the beginning of 1939 was $8,919.87. The 1938 rolls for the city called for $9,204.35. In addition, to auditing current bills, the court yesterday was busy checking up on officers' bonds. Mat ters of appointments and other first of the year business were left over until today. Judge Johnson and Commissioner Neill were in attendance as well as Commissioner Peck. Pomona Grange at Irrigon, Jan. 7th Morrow County Pomona grange meets 'at Irrigon for all day on Sat urday, Jan. 7, with business sessions being called in the fornoon and possibly again in the afternoon shortly after the close of the lec turer's program. This nrotrram in scheduled for 1:30 p. m. and the pub lic is cordially invited to attend. Morrow county Pomona officers will confer the 5th degree in the evening. SNOW GOES IN MOUNTAINS W. H. French, in the city yester day from the Blue mountain farm, reported that all snow disappeared Monday as the temperature went to 60 above and a warm sunshiny day prevailed. It was one of the prettiest days he ever saw, said Mr. French. He reported that the mercury had touched zero four times since winter started, with two below being the low mark. Cold weather is now over, though considerable precipitation of moisture may be expected, he predicted.