Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 27, 1951)
LIBRARY U OF 0 EUGENE. ORE INFLATION TAKES Penny Postcard Thing of the Past After January First 4 January 1, 1952 will mark the end of an era. The last stronghold of the American penny will bow to the pressure of rising prices next Tuesday when Uncle Sam's fam ous old postal card, long one of the standbys of the. Post Office department and of the American people will go up to two cents. The last session of congress, realizing that the mounting post .'$3.00 Year, 10c Copy Garnet Barratt: Named New Chamber President a npw slate of officers were elected last week by the direc tors of the Heppner chamber of commerce to head the' organiza. tion for 1952. ' Chosen as new president is Gar npt Rarratt. Leslie Grant will serve as first vice president and -Robert Penland, second vice president. Reelected to the posi tions of secretary and treasurer were Tom Wilson and Frank Tur ner. Barratt replaces J. R. Huff man as head. The announcement of the new officers was made to the mem bership at the regular meeting Home Nursing Classes Set For January Miss Delia E. Morgan, nursing field representative for the Ameri can Red Cross will be in Hepp n,er in January to conduct a series of classes in home nursing. The instruction is scheduled for two hours a day for seven days, January 22 to 25 and 28 through 30. Two classes a day have been set to accomodate all who wish the instruction. Morning classes will be held from 10 to 12, and evening class from 7 to 9 o'clock. All will be held at the Heppner American Legion hall. The group will be limited to 12 and 15 per sons. Anyone interested in the course is asked to contact Mrs. Mary Van Stevens, Morrow county home nursing chairman at Mary Van's Flower Shop. o First National Bank Raises Interest Rate an increase of 2 per annum at its meeting today, according savings accounts starting Janu ary 1, 1952 at the First National Bank of Portland was authorized by the bank's board of directors at its meeting today, according to Frank N. Belgrano, Jr., presi dent of First National. Interest at the 2 rate will start on January 1, 1952 and will apply to all savings accounts re gardless of size at the First Na tional Bank and its 46 statewide offices. In taking the action, First Na tional becomes the first statewide banking institution in Oregon to announce an increase in savings interest rate to 2. Belgrano added that the gener al high level of business activity and the increased volume of busi ness at First National were the factors which made it possible to pass the advantage of a higher interest rate on to the bank's cus tomers. It is understood that other banks in this state affiliated with the First National Bank of Port land are expected to take similar action. HOSPITAL NEWS New Arrivals To Mr. and Mrs. Edwin DesLauriers, Condon, a baby boy, weight 6 lbs. 1 oz., born 5:40 a. m. Dec. 25. To Mr. and Mrs. Gene Cutsforth, Lexington, a baby girl weight 5 lbs, 11 oz., born at 3:17 a. m. Dec. 25. . To Mr. and Mrs. Gene Church a baby boy, Dec. 20. To Mr. and Mrs. Bob Walker, Heppner, a baby boy born Dec. 21. Medical Marilyn Anderson, Spray, dismissed; O. L. Adams, Kinzua, dismissed; Mrs. Betty Lou Curnutt, Kinzua, dismissed; Guy L. Abrogast, Condon, dismissed; Mrs. Lucy Rodgers, dismissed; Tommy Baker, Lexington, dis missed; Darlene Wise, Heppner; Henry Harala, Cecil; E. L. Kirk, Heppner. Minor Surger Shirlee Adams, Kinzua, dismissed; Rosilyn Belin, Dayville, dismissed. Major Surgery Cyrus Balser, Lexington, dismissed; Mrs. Beu lah Ogletree, Heppner. ITS TOLL office department deficit had to be cut down, doubled the cost of writing a post card in fact if you write very many it will cost more than double because of pe culiar quirk in the new law whereby an extra 10 will be charged if cards are purchased in lots of over 50. Other increases written intcthe new postal law that will directly effect all mail for boxes within Monday noon. Barratt accepted the position with the statement that the by-laws of the chamber specified that the organization should work for the good of the entire county and he planned to carry on the activities in that scojSe. The new officers will take over the first of the year. o Charlotte Lanham Dies at The Dalles Word was received today of the death of Charlotte Marie Lan ham, 43, early Thursday morning at The Dalles hospital in The Dalles. She had been taken there for treatment last Satur day. She was born in Lake City, Min nesota and moved to Heppner from Havre, Montana, in 1941 Surviving besides her husband, Conley, is a son Michael Conley, 16, and a daughter, Sandra Jean, 14. Funeral arrangements have hot yet been made. , o Beef Problems To Be Discussed At State Meeting Demand for younger and light er weight feeder cattle is bring ing about changes in the state's livestock picture. Whether the trend will con tinue or not is a topic being dis cussed preparatory to the state agricultural conference to be held on the Oregon State college campus in March by a beef cat tie and horse committee headed by Larry Williams, Canyon City. Harry Lindgren, OSC extension livestock specialist, is secretary to the committee which includes rabbit, sheep swine and goat, and swine subcommittees. While a high percentage of the feeder cattle are sold to out of state feeders, recent pasture im provement in the western portion of the state has brought prob lems to be considered. Among them is the fact that eastern Ore gon livestock operations are "big" in comparison jvith western Ore gon set-ups where a compara tively few head are kept. Large operation cattlemen pre fer selling feeders and other stock in large number sales. This works to the disadvantage of the smaller western Oregon operator who must shop for a . compara tively few head, the committee has found. While it is customary to sell feeder cattle in the fall in eastern Oregon, most western Oregon grassland cattlemen prefer to ob tain their cattle in the spring at the start of pasture season. The state's beef cow population two years of age and older now approximates 322,000 head of which 50,000 head are located in western Oregon. This latter is a comparatively recent develop ment. In the past, a large num ber of cattle were sold as two and three-year olds. Today, feeders are looking for younger, lighter weight stock, the committee says. Steers produced annually ap proximate 110,000, the opmmittee adds, and a considerable number of them go into California feed lots. Development of more feed ing operations in Oregon is one of the points being considered. o Mr. and Mrs. A. A. (Bert) Scouten, former owner of the Blake ranch on Hinton creek, has news of the birth of a son, Mark Richard, on November 26. The Scoutens now own a ranch near Grants Pass and are very happy with life on the Rogue River. Mr. and Mrs. Jesse C Payne and her father, William Furlong, left Saturday, for Portland to spend Christmas with Mr. and Mrs. Orrin W. Furlong and sons, Michael and William Patrick. pper the post office, is an increase, from one to two cents for this classi fication. In other words, any letter mailed at the Heppner post office, for distribution to a box holder in the same post office will cost two cents instead of the former one cent fee. All other first class mail, to rural routes or any other outside area will re main at three cents, the same as before. mmzttt Heppner, Oregon, Thursday, December 27, 1951 Winchester Home Wins First Prize For Decorations First place winner In the resi dential section of the Christmas decoration contest sponsored by the Jaycee-Ettes went to the Ernie Winchester residence on North Main street. All the win dows facing Main street were filled with Christmas scenes and the motif was carried out also on the roof of the house. An outline of blue lights set off the W. C. Rosewall home to give it second place on the mail bal loting with the Henry Rausch home on Gilmore street placing third. It was brightly decorated across the entire front with lights and Christmas scenes. The general public again acted as judges with over 173 ballots being returned to the Jaycee Ettes by Christmas day. Many other Heppner homes received a good number of votes, but the first three were bunched closely in the voting. First place winner will receive a prize of $10 with $5 and $2.50 awarded to the second and third place winners. The money for the residential prizes was donated by Jack Loyd, Ed Dick, Gonnty's, Claudien's, Wightman's Insurance and the Jaycee-Ettes. The committe expressed their thanks for the heavy response to their request for ballot returns by the Christmas day deadline, o Susan Padberg Wins Suit For Money A circuit court jury last Thurs day awarded Susan M. Padberg $1,800 in a suit brought by her against the John Padberg estate for services rendered the de ceased. The case was the last to be heard by circuit judge W. C. Perry for the present during the winter term of court. There is one other damage case pending, but no date has been set for. the hearing. Mrs. Padberg had sued for slightly more than was awarded by the jury. o Blue Bird Party Held December 17 The annual Christmas party for the Lovely Blue Birds was held at the home of Mrs. Stephen Thomp son on December 17th. Mrs. John Pfeiffer, Mrs. Howard Evans and Mrs. James Thomson assisted with the transportation, games and refreshments. There was also an exchange of gifts, and pictures were taken of the group who now have all their uniforms. At this meeting, the girls fin ished wrapping their Christmas gift to their mother a tea towel, which they hemmed by hand, and in one corner painted a Blue Bird sitting on a holly branch. Dimes Drive Governor Douglas McKay today sounded the keynote for the 1952 Oregon March of Dimes which opens Wednesday with thous ands of volunteers moving into action throughout the state in the first month-long campaign in the 14 year history of America's annual drive for funds for the ever waging fight against polio. 'The number of polio patients needing continuing help from the March of Dimes has reached re" cord peaks, both in Oregon and nationally, because of four suc cessive years of heavy polio inci dence". Governor McKay, the honorary chairman of the 1952 state campaign said. 'The situation is so grave, from the financial standpoint, that it has become mandatory upon the National Foundation for Infantile The new increases will apply to any mail dropped after 6:00 p. m. December 31. Charges for registry and insur ance were also increased effec tive the same date, but were not so drastic and will be noticed less by the general public. Other increases in second class mailing, such as newspapers, and third class ' mail, under which circulars, handbills and the like Railroad Man Found Dead Along Tracks Wednesday Morning The body of Chancey R. Full mer, 60, of LaGrande was found early Wednesday morning along side the Union Pacific railroad tracks about one-half mile east of Castle Rock, He apparently died from a heart attack accord ing to .. investigating officers, sheriff C. J. D. Bauman, J. O. Ha ger and Oliver Creswick. Fullmer, a brakeman for the railroad was found by a train crew and was reported when the train stopped at Arlington. Sher iff Bauman said that the man was working the train that left Hinkle at 2:30 a. m. The body was brought to the Phelps Funeral home in Heppner. o Snowflakes Fall -So Does Mercury The weatherman tried hard to give Heppner and Morrow county a white Christmas, but the few flakes that fell Christmas day hardly more than made a show ing. However, Wednesday's snowfall,, the first in Heppner in a suffic ient amount to be measurable gave the area its first real look of winter. Official temperature for Christ mas day, though, told most resi dents that it was winter. The maximum was 19, and Wednes day morning it dropped to 14, not quite equalling the low of 13 registered last Saturday morning. FIREMEN CALLED Heppner Firemen were called to the Scott Furlong residence on Chase street Friday evening to watch over an overheated oil stove that threatened the home, There was no damage. EASTERN STAR, MASONS, ROYAL ARCH INSTALL NEW OFFICERS SATURDAY At a joint public installation following a Turkey dinner at the Heppner Masonic hall Saturday night, Ruth Chapter No. 32, Order of Eastern Star, Blue lodge No. 69, AF&AM and Royal Arch Masons Installed new off icers . for- the coming year. New Eastern Star officers, are: Delia Davidson, worthy matron; Thomas J. Wells, worthy patron; Vivian Hays, associate matron; Janws Hayes, associate patron; Neva Wells, secretary; Phyllis Stout, treasurer; Ruby Beckett, conductress; Juanita Charmich- ael, associate conductress; Melba Quackenbush, chaplain; Beth Bryant, marshall; Helen Ruggles, organist; Hester Creswick, Adah; Gladys Jones, Ruth; Inez Huff man, Esther; Lota Tibbies, Mar tha; Virginia Wilkinson, Electa; Beryl Sanders, Warder; Harold Beckett, sentinel. Committees in charge of arrangements includ ed Harriett Hall and Jasephine to Start Next Paralysis to conduct the 1952 ap peal during a 30-day period in stead of just the last two weeks in January", the governor said. "Impressed with the splendid work of the Foundation and the enormous task it is facing. I designate January as March of Dimes month in Oregon and urge all Oregonians to join in helping to assure the success of the 1952 March of Dimes battle against polio". , Mrs. Olive Hughes, Morrow county campaign director, an nounced today that nearly all committees were complete with the appointment by Heppner chairman, James Driscoll, of the following members: Women's activities, Mrs. John Bennett, chairman, Mrs. Jack Loyd; men's organizations, J. H. are classified, are scheduled to go into effect in the near future, There will be no further in creases In parcel post charges at the present time, increases were taken in this mail classification last October. HeDDner Postmaster, James Driscoll urged all residents to make note of the new rates to avoid delays in mail delivery, Improperly stamped mall will be returned to the sender, Volume 68, Number 41 Echo Trips Up Mustangs 41 to 40 The Echo Cougars eked out a 41-40 victory over the Heppner Mustangs on the Echo floor Fri day night to avenge an earlier 42-35 loss to Heppner. The game was close all the way and the greatest lead en joyed by either team was 5 points held by Heppner 18-13 early in the second period. The lead changed many times, especially in the final period. Heppner led 22-20 at the half. The lead see-sawed during the third quarter which ended 33-33, but the loss of center Gary Con nor in that period weakened the Mustangs considerably. Heppner was ahead 40-39 with 15 seconds to go, but Echo connected with one from the floor in the final seconds to sew up the game. Prock was high man for Hepp ner in the game with 12 points, while Ramos led Echo with 10, in tne junior varsity game Heppner took a 36-28 win from Echo with forward Roy Taylor scoring 9 points to lead the local scorers. WINDOW TO BE DEDICATED SUNDAY A new chancel stained glass window recently -installed in the Methodist church, will be dedi cated to the memory of Alec Green, long time Heppner resi dent and churchman, at the 11 o'clock service Sunday. The round window was a gift of Mrs. Green. o- John Bennett arrived by plane from Alaska to spend Christmas with his wife and children. Mrs. Bennett is spending the winter with her mother, Anna Q. Thom son. Arthur (Bud) Chaffee is ill and in the Veterans Hospital Port land. Thompson, table decorations; Hazel Bauman, kitchen; Vivian Hayes, Beth Bryant, Howard Bry ant, Beryl Sanders and Jaunita Carmichael. hall decoration; Anna Bayless, Elizabeth Dix, Ealor Huston, Viola Van Horn, Gertrude. .' Parker,, -Sophronla Thompson, Wavel Wilkinson, and Virginia Rosewall, reception. Royal Arch officers are Paul Warren Jones, high priest; Mar ion Hayden, king; George Smith, scribe; Loyal R. Parker, secre tary, and C. J. D. Bauman, treas urer; Haold W. Becket, captain of the hosts. Blue lodge officers are Paul Warren Jones, master; Millard Nolan, senior warden;. Samuel McMillan, junior warden; Robert B. Rice, treasurer; Harold W. Becket, secretary; Claude Gra ham, senior deacon; Oliver Cres wick, junior deacon; Marion Hay den, senior steward; Douglas Ogletree, junior steward; Ken neth Keeling, tyler. Wednesday Driscoll and Jack Edmondson. In the individual districts the fol lowing appointments have been made: route 2, Heppner, Mrs. George Currin, Lena; Mrs. Jasper E. Myers, Pine City; Mrs. Sam J. Turner, Sand Hollow and Black horse. Rhea Creek, Mrs. Floyd Jones, and Mrs. Barton Clark; Eightmilp, Mrs. Frank Anderson and Mrs. Floyd Worden; Schools, L. L. Pate; CIO, Douglas Ogletree. Mrs. Hughes announced that Roy W. Lindstrom will act as special gift chairman in the Mor gan district. - Morrow granges have been asked to appoint a committee for the drive and the Lexington grange has announced that Mrs. Ray Dolven will act 'in this ca pacity. Other grange appoint ments have not yet been made. Economist: Predicts Business and Financial Outlook for New Year (One of America's best-known business economists, Roger W. Babson, writes for the Gazette Times again this year. His predictions give an insite on what to expect during 1952.) By Roger W. Babson 1. Excluding defense orders, the total business volume in 1952 will be less than that for 1951. However, National Income in 1952 will be very high, as war orders take the place of peace production. Government Controls 2. The outstanding feature of 1952 barring all-out war will be the Presidential Election on November 4, 1952. I comment fur ther upon this under paragraph 48. 3. The Administration and its economic advisors appear firmly convinced htat radical niflatlon is about to break out next year. But the "brain trustsers" are overlooking the fact that the boom is already old and that it was creaking badly when the Korean War broke out. The date of the slide has only moved ahead. , 4. Farm income will continue high in 1952. 5. As 1952 wears on, the effect of controls, Increased taxes, and high prices will cause a decline In legitimate business. If civilian production declines too much, the public may then cry, "This is a government-made slump; let's change the Administration." 6. If in 1952 it becomes evident that business is declining too much as a result of government curbs, the planners at Washington will rush their patient into an oxygen tent. Labor Outlook 7. Many labor groups will be successful in getting another round of wage increases in 1952. Although there may be more Im portant strikes in the first part of 1952, there should be a decline in work stoppages in the last half year. 8. Tightness in the labor supply will continue through 1952, particularly of highly-skilled workers. Wages of such workers will be advanced voluntarily in order to hold them. 9. The Taft-Hartley Law will may be amended. The Administrators of the Law will continue to wink at some of its clauses. Commodity Prices Will Remain Firm 10. Wholesale prices of many commodities will suffer a mild decline in 1952 when compared with the price level for December 31, 1951. In some lines the drop may be quite steep from the high levels of 1951. Retail prices for 1952 will hold steady. 11. Commodity speculation Furthermore, our expanding stockpiles of strategic materials pre sent a real price threat in the event of a peace scare. Such stock' piles could then act strongly as chants will operate with only a conservative inventory. 12 The cost of living will re- main high during 1952. This pre diction recognizes that living costs next year may continue above the lower levels that exist ed during the first half of the year now closing. I also predict further rises in freight and pas senger rates. Farm Outlook Good 13.' Congress will not take any action during 1952 to legally bol ster so-called Fair Trade price maintenance." It's too risky politi cally when consumers are com plaining about the cost of living. But, some manufacturers will tighten up on distributors, elimi nating those who won't sign Fair Trade contracts. , 14. Barring crop failures, the total supply of food available should be larger in 1952 than for 1951, since the government will raise planting quotas as part of its attack on inflation., If the weather is extremely favorable, the government will be. asked to give away surplus crops. 15. With Drosnects eood for a rising supply of feed grains, most meat should be more plentiful next year than in 1951. - Prices for beef however, will be held up by high wages and military needs. Local Taxes Will , Be Higher 16. The burden, of Federal Taxes, both corporate and per sonal, will not be increased again during 1952 above the advance late in,1951.. State and Munici pal taxes,' however, will go high er again. 17.- The above forecast is based on. the assumption that unless Stalin starts World War III dur ing the early months of 1952, he has made up his mind to forget World War III until'the United States and our Allies again "Go to sleep", which may be some years hence. We give this as a definite prediction as to the outlook for World War III. 18. There are three ways of preventing inflation: (1) increas ed production; (2) decreased spending; and (3) as a last re sorl), increased taxes. I fore cast that the current exploitation and accompanying fear of infla tion are not yet at their peaks for this business cycle. 19. State and Munieipalities will again be under pressure to find adequate sources of revenue. Further increases in sales taxes by States and Municipalities can be looked for next year. 20. There will be no increase in "luxury taxes" during 1952. Domestic Trade Uncertain 21. Credit curbs will continue to hold down the demand for automobiles and certain house- hold equipment. Completions of fewer dwellings will also act as a damper on furniture sales. 22. Falling demand for hard goods should stimulate the pub lic's spending for food and lower priced soft goods. 23. The above trend forecast will mean a decline in depart ment store volume. I predict a rise in the sales of variety and drug chains. Foreign Trade Outlook 24. I believe that armament is to become a new and permanent industry, at least for many years to come. Airplanes, tanks, artil lery, guns, and munitions will constantly be replaced as they become obsolete. This new ac not be repealed during 1952, but for a rise will not pay in 1952. a depressant on prices. Wise mer tivity will operate much as the automobile industry has operated. I forecast that this will be more and more recognized throughout 1952. 25. Barring new war develop ments, I look for continued shrinkage in our civilian exports during 1952. Imports, however, may rise further. Exports to South America will be off. Total foreign trade should not be changed much, but the exporters will be on the short end of this business with the Importers gain ing. 26. Except for war supplies, it will become more difficult to convince Congress that addition al heavy credits should be grant ed abroad. 27. Many domestic manufac turers will feel increasing com petition from foreign merchan dise. A cry for increased tariff protection will be heard; but no radical tariff legislation will re suit. More Deficit Financing 28. The first quarter of 1952 may actually see a budget sur plus as a result of high National Income and increased taxation. But, a Federal deficit will Burelv arise during the balance of the year. 29. Government loans will gradually Increase during 1952 and there will be some strength ening of basic Interest rates. 30. Government bonds will continue to be held tightly be tween the floor of Federal Re serve support purchases and the ceiling of Federal Reserve anti inflation sales. Under such con ditions, price changes should be negligible during 1952. 31. While Canada and South Africa have permitted "free mar kets" or revaluation of gold, be cause of Increases in costs of production, the Administration is still opposed. The Gold Stock of the United States is however, likely to be revalued upward when the nation, in the opinion of government economists, "needs, another shot of inflation." This will not be in 1952. Stock Market and Bond Outlook 32. Until the danger of war Is past, wise people who can easily do so will move out of large bomb-vulnerable cities and avoid having investments in such areas. 33. Sometime during 1952 stocks will sell lower than cur rent quotations. This applies especially to oils and certain "blue chips." - 34. Stocks now in the best position for 1952 should be many of those that have not been popu lar as inflation hedges in the past months. I like good chain variety store stocks, certain movie stocks and possibly the air transportation issues. 35. Investment Trust funds, pension funds, and Insurance companies may provide an ex cellent backlog of demand for sound Income Stocks where good values can be demonstrated. 36. Successful Investors of 1952 will be those who have the PATIENCE to follow a carefully planned investment program. Such a program will emphasize diversification not only by com pany ana industry, out also by Continued on Page Six