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.