Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 31, 1953)
0o o CO O " op o The Bobson Predictions Economist Expresses Optimistic Outlook For Coming Year BY ROGER W. BABSON I do not now believe in the theory of most economists that busi ness will fall off 10 in 1954, with a greater decline in net earnings. My feeling is that everyone will unite forces to hold up business, at least during the first half, to its approximate 1933 average. This can be done by expanding research, in. creasing advertising appropria- uons, extending further credits, and obtaining labor's co-operation, But, I say something much more important than the above; namely, if business should slump 10, the decline would probably not stop at 1 10. Too many business concerns and individuals are working on a ' ery narrow and slim margin. The decline in employment, with re sulting business losses which a 10 decline in gross would cause, could result in millions of families being unable to pay their bills and installment obligations. This could set off a chain reaction, which could send business down 10 to 30 more, with a corres ponding decline in the stock mar ket, commodity prices, and real estate. In this latter case, the Eisen hower Administration would suffer as did the Hoover Administration. In view of ths possible serious leading newspaper publishers as ((immunities. Of these, over 970 have replied as follows: The people of 30 communities are discouraged and want to liquidate; 297 com munities are optimistic and want to buy and invest more; 643 are now content and in a strong position, but are waiting until they see how 1954 develops. Due to the results of this survey. I believe the chances are ten to one that at least the first half of 1954 WILL BE FAIRLY GOOD. Below are 23 different forecasts which, in any case, should prove correct for the first six months of 1954. My forecast for the second six months will appear in this paper next June. 1. There will be no World War in the first half of 1954. 2. The Dow-Jones Industrial Stock Average will be less on June 30 1954, than on January 1, 1954. 3. Taxes will be lowered by expiring laws. 4. The price of most com modities will be lower on June 30, 1951. 5. The Eisenhower "Honey moon" is fast ending and he will have a hard time controling Con gress during the next six months. G. Retail sales can be kept up by manufacturers and merchants spending more money on adver tising, selling, and developing new products. 7. The U. S. population will continue its growth and the best prospects for sales in 1954 will be the "teen-agers '. 8. Interest rates during the first six months of 1954 should average about as at present, except on the renewal of low-rate loans. 9. Farm lands, except near cities, will sell for less during the first half of 1954, when far mers' profits will' begin to de cline. 10. The Central and South west will not suffer drought as in 1953. 11. There will be more fear of World War III as years go on. People w ill gradually move out of certain large cities. Nearby farm land will be split up. A rise in the price of such fringe farm land is certain. 12. The U. S. Government will give less money to the European and other nations direct; but win help them through the United! Nations. 13. There will be fewer em poyed next June the total take-home-pay will be less than last June. This, however, may be a good thing for the morale of the nation. 14. The present Aciministra tion will suffer much opposition Hirers are learning uuu u.ey can to attempts to reduce tariffs if; not beat labor through mere profits decline or unemployment 'strikes. They are winning only increases as tny purchase new labor-sav- i- ti, Administration and the' Labor Leaders will try to re-'money on research and on well , .,,nn the Taft-Hartley Bill dur- 'directed advertising. in(r 1954: but bad strikes are1 ";,-, 16. I am no weather prophet, but experts expert a warmer win. j AREVIEWOFTHENEWSOF1953 Good News and As an end-of-the year recapitu lation of the happeningc in Hepp ner and Morrow county during 1953 the Gazette Times has pick ed some of the interesting and important events as reported in thise columns since January 1. No attempt has been made to place them in the order of im portance, merely in their chrono logical order starting with the first of the year. Pioneer Memorial hospital re ceives gift of a $27,000 home from Mr. and Mrs. Harry Duvall. Dr. L. D. Tibbies appointed to fill vacancy on city council. Morrow county Grain Growers reach new financing agreement to pay for construction of two new elevators in county. Hardman residents set March of Dimes record with collection of $301 raised in one day. Work gets under way in ear nest on Heppner'8 sewer ytem and disposal plant. W Koger W. Babson alternative, I have contacted the to the attitude of their respective ter for the eastern portion of the U. S. and a colder Florida. 17. Canada will continue to boom during the first half of 1954, but this may be a good time to take profits on Canadian in vestments. 18. The above may also apply to Southern California and its airplane and movie industries. Both now have reached their peaks for the present. 19. Automobiles will be hard er to sell and easier to buy dur ing the first half of 1954. Both the automobile stocks and the cars will be in less demand. There will be more bargains in used cars, discounts on new cars, es pecially cars of the "indepen dent" manufacturers. 20. Florida may have killing frosts during the next few months. This will cheer up Cali fornia, Arizona, and Texas. ' 21. The Korean situation will remain about as is as the China man says, "much talkie, no shootie." 22. There will be one or two resignations from the Eisenhower "businessmen's Cabinet," re placed by "politicians." All is not going too well. The Presi dent is not used to being pres sured by lobbies. 23. The first half of 1954 should be your best time to get out of debt or at least reduce your debt. Remember that most bankers are in the business of "loaning umbrellas when the sun is shining, and calling them in when it rains." Moreover, you cannot blame them because the umbrellas really belong to the depositors, who also will want them on rainy days! Operate so you can clean up bank loans once duiing 1954. 21. The companies which will prosper most are those which have inaugurated effective labor- saving programs. Most manufac- ine machinery, spend more 25. There may be some further inflation in 1954; but percentage wise to the total national output Continued on rage b Boy Scout council withdraws from county Community Chest after dispute over allotment ol funds. Contract let for construction of new overpass at Heppner Junc tion and a new highway between the Junction and Arlington. J. L. Kraft president of the Heppner Lumber Company, died at his home in Chicago on teb. 16. Local rainfall records started to fall early in the year, when 2.02 inches was measured here in February. The Columbia river claims the life of Dale Hug of Boardman on March 8. Heppner high school basketball squad wins fifth place in state tournament at Salem. Sally Palmer wins I. O. O. F. United Nations Pilgrimage trip to New York. The Heppner school board pick ed the Cason property as pro Copies 10 cents X-Ray Program to Be Started Here By TB Association The 47th annual Christmas Seal sale program is now completed except for the complete return of monies for stamps which have been mailed out, it was reported .this week by officers of the local TB and Health Association. Of ficers and members are now turn ing their attention to the tuber culosis program as it is spear headed by this group. Based on a four-point program TB associations carry on health education, case finding, medical research and rehabilitation, join ing with more than 3000 other local associations in thr nation to acomplish the work nation wide. One of the most recent facets of the case-finding program has been the routine x-raying of local hospital admissions. This program throughout the nation has been partially financed by TB funds. The local TB and Health asso ciation met earlier this year with the local hospital and medical staff and encouraged Pioneer Me morial hospital to inaugurate a program in which all patients admitted to the hospital would have a routine chest x-ray taken. The planning took considerable time, but this program for chest x-ray of all patients over 14 years of age is now ready, on a local basis and will begin here shortly after Jan. 1, it was announced. The plan will be mostly finan ced by the local TB and Health association with only a small charge of $1.50 to the patient. Recent statistics have shown that ten times more TB can be dis covered in the very early stages and treated successfully through this means than through the mass survey method. The inaugu ration of the program here is based on the premise that any means will aid in the discovery of tuberculosis must be encour aged. The sole support of the work is the annual sale of Christmas seals and its continued support through the purchase of sheets of seals is urged by the members of the association. o Pomona To Meet At Irrigon Saturday Pomona Grange will meet at Irrigon Saturday, Jan. 2 starting at 10:30 a. m. and there will be a dinner at noon, it was announced Monday. Judge Garnet Barratt will speak on "Tax and Reappraisal program of Morrow County," and his talk will be followed by a dis cussion period on the subject. It was also announced that each county Grange will furnish one part of the day's program. 1953 RAINFALL TOTALS 17.09 INCHES; YEAR ONE OF WETTEST Morrow county has just lived through one of the wettest years in its history, complete rainfall figures for the year compiled by Leonard Gilliam, Heppner wea ther recorder, showed today. The total for 1953 was 17.09 inches. The slightly more than 17 inches of precipitation far ex ceeds 1952s 11.58 inches and 1951s 10.57 inches and is only 2.14 inches less than the all-time rainfall record established in 1912 when 19.23 inches were re- cordel. The 38 year average for Bad Found posed site for new grade school, and chairman L. E. Dick Jr. re signed from board over selec tion. Installation of dial telephones started in Heppner. Elise Bauernfeind, Morgan, is chosen rodeo queen. H. C. Reed named new superin tendent of Heppner schools. Morrow county first in state to top cancer drive quota. Homemaker's Festival at lone attracts hundreds. Price Greenup and Jack Hart man, both of Heppner, were killed when their car struck a bridge south of town. Wheat acreage allotments and marketing quotas talked as pos sibility for 1954 crop.' Ches(er L. Ward named new superintendent of lone shools. 121 pints of blood are collected during bloodmobile visit. Cason site for new school voted down 207 to 101. Heppner, Oregon, Who Has 40 Cents? -It'll Put Chest Drive Over the Top Figures compiled Wednes day evening by Community Chest treasurer Robert Fer rell showed the Heppner drive had collected a total of S952. 60. just 40 cents short of its quota of S953. Ferrell said he felt sure the 40 cents could be found somewhere to put the drive over the top. Of the county qucta of $1,906, a total of 1,238.50 has been reported so far, but it was pointed out that there are several communities yet to report. Heppner Fire Loss Up During 1953 Heppner firemen answered the fewest number of calls during 1953 (through Wednesday, Pec. 30) of any recent year, but fire loss was more than double that of 1952, a compilation of figures by fire chief C. A. Ruggles, indi cated. The department responded to only 16 genuine alarms during the year which inflicted a loss of $7,382.90 to buildings and person, al property. This compares with 19 calls and $3,700 loss in 1952. and 22 calls and loss of 12.590 in 1951. The majority of 1953s loss was suffered in one blaze late in the year which badly damaged the Les Wyman residence and of the total damage inflicted by flames during the year, all but $300 was covered by insurance, the figures showed. Heppner firemen made many more runs to the fire hall in ans wer to the siren, though no equip ment was moved, when the de partment had a rash of false alarms after the installation of an automatic alarm system at the time local telephones were changed over to dial. An exact count of the false alarms was not kept, but it is thought that there were around 15 over a six weeks period before some "clmngos were made in the system. Most of them resulted from dialing mistakes. Dress Shop to Get Larger Quarters Mis. Norah Rasmus, owner of Norah's shop in llepp'nor, said this week that work is progress ing on the remodeling of the store building formerly occupied by Settles' Electric in the Case apartment building and that she will move to the new location possibly within two or three weeks. The new building Will give the store more than twice as much floor space to display its com plete line of women's, children's and infants' wear. The opening date will be announced later. the area is just under 13 inches. The rainfall by months shows January. 1.71 February, 2.02 March, 1.37 April 1.11 May 2.33 June, l.Cl July, August. 1.83 September .03 October, 1.23 November, 1.98 December, 1.84 Total 17.09 in Check Newt O'Harra, Lexington,! named County Grassman of the year. C'ommemmoration of the 50th anniversary of the Heppner flood is observed with a secial edition of the Gazette Times. Reception from midwest tele vision stations reported from Eight-mile area. Entire Heppner police force dis charged after shooting of local man. Five Morrow county boys leave for California to attend Boy Scout jamboree. Roscoe Kelly. Pendleton, ap pointed new Heppner chief of police. State highway commission visits for dedication of recently completed Lena-Nye Junction highway. Wheat allotment cuts county acreage by 30 percent. Lore Felger, who is better known as Mist Austria upent Thursday, December 31, 1 Strengthening of Main Power Line llo Eliminate Breaks Following a meeting of 15 Bon neville and Pacific Power and Light Company engineers last week at the Columbia Basin Elec tric Coop in Heppner, it was de cided to strengthen the entire power feeder line from lone to llermiston to remedy the scries of line breaks suffered during the last two months. The W.fXX) volt line which feeds all the Coop and many of PP&Ls customers in Morrow and Gilliam counties, had broken three times recently and the engi neers were called in an attempt to determine the cause. The strengthening will come from the installation of devices at each pole mounting known as Armor Rod which are designed to strengthen the line at such points and increase conductivity. Th three breaks had occurred in the mounting shoes in every cise. It had been tentatively planned rebuild the entire line with heavier cable, but it was found that this could not be done on the present poles and the expense of setting all new poles was not deemed feasible at the present' time. Edgar Collison, Coo) manager said that it is planned to start installation of the Armor Rod about Jan. 25, or as soon as Pa cific Power can install a large transformer at its new Fossil sub station so that this district can be supplied from that source. The line will have to be killed to allow workmen to make the in stallation. Collison said the complete in stallation will cost about $30,000, and will insure uninterrupted service when completed. o Lexington Teacher Resigns Position Lexington school superinten dent, James Vanover, announced Wednesday that Mrs. Leila Owens, a teacher at the Lexing ton school, has resigned her posi tion effective Jan. 1 and will re turn to her home in Prineville. At present no permanent re placement has been obtained, but her classes will be taught by a substitute teacher starting next week. School will reopen there on Monday, Jan. 4 following the Christmas holidays. March of Dimes To Start Saturday The annual Morrow county March of Dimes will get under way Saturday, Jan. 2, county drive chairman, Mrs. Joseph Hughes said this week. All supplies and information will be in the hands of the. vari ous committee heads by that date and a full list of county officers will be announced later. TAX FORMS PUT IN MAIL TUESDAY The assessors office said this week that personal property tax declaration forms have been mailed to all county taxpayers and that the law requires they be completed and returned by March 2. Soldier's exemption forms have also been mailed and the office asks that anyone who qualifies for the exemption and has not re. ceived the form, call for it at the court house. of the Events of the several days in Heppner visiting with her pen pal, Miss Virginia Gonty. More than 20 blocks of Hepp ner streets receive resurfacing. Early morning fire damages six buildings with greatest loss suffered by Men I LaVelle who lost his stock of paint and equip ment. Wheat farmers vote approval of marketing quotas. Clark Stevens farm home near Hardman destroyed by fire. North Morrow fair at Boardman and county fair at Heppner at tract big crowds. Cpl. John L. Smith, Korean prisoner of war for nearly three years released at Panmunjom. Flash floods caused damage to railroad brideres and fields in Blackhorse, Lexington and lone areas. School opening sees Heppner firt ffrade clax&ei houMnl in churches. 1953 Restricted Mail Service Discussed By Chamber Monday The Heppner-Morrow counts Chamber of Commerce Monday discussed at length ihe recently announced plan to curtail mail service into and out of Heppner. Lexington and lone and plans were made to turn the matter over to committee for investiga tion and further action. The proposed cut in service, which was announced last week by the postal department was objected to by several persons who pointed out that Sunday service is used frequently and is quite necessary especially for ordering and receiving special medical supplies for drug stores, doctors and the hospital. It was also emphasized that there is no other means of public transportation into the area, such as bus or train on which to ship needed supplies on Sunday and holidays. The emphasis on the medical need for the service was brought out when it was asked that an investigation be made into the need for and use of such service. The problom was continued for further investigation with the probability that if arguments favor the continuance of Sunday mail service, that copies of such a resolution will be sent to heads of the postal department and to congressmen. Members present at the Mon day meeting said that other or ganizations in the county would be asked to make their feelings known in the matter. Architects to Check Hospital Plans For Federal Aid County Judge Garnet Rarratt received notice this week that an architect from the federal public health service will be in Heppner Jan. 11 to examine the plans for the proposed new wing for Pio neer Memorial hospital and it is honed changes can be made at that lime which will allow quu approval of the plans so construe. (ion can get underway. The original plans were ap proved several weeks ago by the state board, who must give prior approval before they are submit ted to San Francisco, but later they were disapproved because of (he inclusion of the nursing home on the lower floor. County pa tients and convalescents are housed in this area. Complete approval must be re ceived for the plans before the county can receive federal aid for the construction in the form of Hill -Burton funds. Barratt pointed out that the delay and change in plans will in no way impair the hospital's priority for the aid money. The court expressed the hope that when the architect arrives the difficulties can be ironed out quickly and early approval be granted. The new wing will add several bndly needed bedrooms to the hospital which has been over crowded during most of the past year or longer. o Mr. and Mrs. J. O. Turner spent Christmas with their son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Turner in Portland. Mr. and Mrs. Garnet Barratt were in Portland to spend Christ mas with his mother. Mr. and Mrs. Jack Loyd spent the Christmas holidays in John Day. County 4 II canning judging team consisting of Sally Palmer, Patsy Wright and Jean Marie Graham win championship at state fair. Heppner businessman, David A. Wilson, dies following heart attack. City sewer system and disposal plant is completed and placed in operation. Automobile accident takes life of Archie MeCowan of Heppner. W. O. Dix resigns as county as sessor. Stephen Thompson named the county Cattleman of ihe year. Nails in road cause hunters more than (i5 flat tires. Kenneth Peck, Lexington, named county Conservation Man of the year. Second school site election planned by board. lone high school football team win district championship with victory over .SfanJKld. 70th Year, Number 42 Former Assessor, William 0. Dix, Dies Here Tuesday William O. Dix. 78. died early Tuesday morning at Pioneer Me morial hospital. He had been ill for several years and for the past two months had been confined to the hospital. His wife, Elizabeth, is also a patient at the hospital. Until about two months ago, Mr. Dix had served as Morrow county assessor since taking over the position from Tom Wells when Wells was called into the service during World War II. He came to Heppner in about 1910 and for a short time was in the furniture business with the late M. L. Case. He and Mrs. Dix left Heppner for a few years but re turned later and operated the Dix and Iliatt grocery with John Hialt for many years. He was a member of the Heppner Masonic lodge and Eastern Star. Funeral services will be held this afternoon (Thursday) at 2 p. m. at All Saints Episcopal church with Rev. John H. Reeves officiating. Commital services will be Saturday morning at 11 o clock at Lincoln Memorial Mausoleum in Portland. Phelps Funeral Home is in charge of ar rangements. Mr. Dix was born April II, 1875 at Cedar Mills, Oregon and spent s early life in the Portland area and in southern Oregon. He mar ried Elizabeth Young in 1900. Surviving besides his widow, Elizabeth is a daughter Virginia and a granddaughter, Jo Jean of Seattle-; four sisters, Lucy J. Lane, Ethel N. Miller, both of Portland; Rhoda Von Appen, Mt. Vernon, Wash.; and Gladys F. Hall, Cot tage Grove; three brothers, Er nest O. Dix, Alson A. Dix and Samuel 11. Dix all of Portland. o Stores Offer Prizes For.New Year Baby The first -baby to be born at Heppncr's Pioneer Memorial hospital after the start of 1954 will be the recipient of a host of gifts Heppner stores and busi. nossos announce in an advertise ment in this issue of the Gazette Times. The new arrival and its parents will receive a large assortment of gifts ranging from cash prizes with which to start a bank ac count to cases of baby food, bot tle warmers etc. A complete list of the prizes and rules will be found on page four. Annual Church Meet To Be Wednesday All Saints Episcopal church will hold its yearly congregation al meeting and election of new vestrymen Wednesday evening, January (i. There will be a potluck dinner starting at 7:00 p, m. and all members and friends are urged to attend. o - IONE LEGION TO HOLD NEW YEAR'S DANCE The lone American Legion post is planning a public dance at its hall Thursday, Dec. 31. Gene Rietmann's orchestra will provide the music. o Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Hayes of Loncroek were Heppner visitors on Tuesday. Mr. and Mrs. Jim Wilson had j as their guests during Christmas, Mrs. Wilson's mother, Mrs. Irma McElroy of Helix. Year J. O. Turner resigns as mayor of Heppner. Governor Paul L. Patterson speaker at special dinner here. Governor Patterson opens county taxpayer's meeting. District's biggest forest fire, less than 10 acres in area, occur red on November 10. lone knocked out of football title by Union in playoffs. New VFW post is organized at Lexington. First of a series of power line breaks darkens county. Farm Bureau opens investiga tion of wheat allotment system. Dr. D. L. Tibbies appointed new mayor of Heppner. Jeff Carter named new presi dent of Heppner-Morrow county Chamber of Commerce. Rev. and Mrs. Alfred Shirley, lone and Patrck Lee, Heppner re ceive citizenship papers. Storm gives parts of city heavy mud bath.