Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (July 8, 1954)
LIBRARY U OF 0 EUGENE. ORE WIPE LOSS OF SCHOOL FUHDS SEES'! POSSIBLE State Department Issues Warning That Building Program Imperative As an aftermath of last Tues day's special school bond elec tion, the Heppner school board and taxpayers may be faced with another serious problem that of possibly operating next year un der a seriously restricted budget, or of voting a special tax levy to make up for the state basic school support funds which may be withheld because the district has not taken action to provide better school facilities. The information Was given to the Gazette Times Wednesday afternoon by Walter Shold, ele mentary supervisor of the state department of education. He was contacted by phone at his Salem office. Mr. Shold said that the Hepp ner school has been classified as conditionally-standard, and that a plan of improvement was due in the state offices by July 1, to bring the schools here up to stan dard which is necessary if the district is to continue receiving state basic school support funds which last year amounted to $46, 000 and which are estimated at $50,500 for the 1954-55 school year. In discussing the necessary im provements to the Heppner schools (largely the elimination of the badly overcrowded class rooms), Mr. Shold said that "We will have to have something more or less concrete, or we must with hold .state funds." He continued that the state department under stood that the people must act upon an expansion program, but intimated that Tuesday's vote gave indication that apparently no immediate improvement of the district's facilities would be forth coming. He said that the next distribution date for state funds is in August and that the deci sion on whether to withhold the funds would be made at that time. New Census Gives lone 333 Population The city of lone showed a big increase in population in the past four years, a re-enumeration just completed showed. The new popu lation count showed 333 persons living in the town compared with a 1950 census of 262. The new nose-tount was taken with the help of the Secretary of State's office and under the di rection of Norman Frees. Local enumerators were Mrs. Omar 'Rietmann, Mrs. Cleo Drake, Mrs. Merle Baker and Mrs. Echo Pal ma teer. The town will gain consider ably in state tax receipts from the increase. o Air Force Gives Approval For Road Along Bombing Range The county court this week received word from the Army En gineers that the secretary of the air force has signed an easement which will give the county right-of-way for its planned road along the east end of the Boardman bombing range. The letter said that the actual papers can't be transferred until the air force has had opportunity to check the entire area for ex plosive materials. Judge Garnet Garratt said that the letter gives the county assur ance of the project's OK by the air force so that it can go ahead and secure the other rights-of-way necessary for completion of the road which will tie the north and south sections of the county together. o Fire Restrictions Now On in Forests All National Forest areas with in the Umatilla National Forest have been designated by Reg. ional Forester J. Herbert Stone as areas on which smoking while traveling is prohibited because of the fire danger on and after July 1, 1954 and extending to October 31, 1954. Camp fire permits are not re quired on the Umatilla forest, but is is a requirement that camp fires be built in a safe place, cleared of all burnable material, and that they be completely put out before left even for a short while. Campers are required to have in their possession a shovel, axe and water bucket. All per sons using the timbered areas are urged to use care to insure that no fire escapes. T&TE Curtail Program The effect of the loss of state money, which for next year amounts to nearly 25 percent of the total budget for the district, would undoubtedly result in a serious curtailed educational pro gram here if the withdrawal were continued for any length of time. The only other alternative would be for the school board to ask for a special tax levy in the district to , coop manager announced. Nel raise an equal aomunt of funds. son was followed closely by a Such a levy would have to be load of barlev from the Ashbock nearly 10 mills. If the educational program were curtailed it would probably be through the elimination of the school lunch program, transporta tion of students by bus, and pos sibly the discontinuance of seve ral classes now offered students such as agriculture, band, ath letics etc. When advised of Mr. Shold's statement, board members said today that they have been. aware of the possibility that the funds might be withheld, but were strongly in hopes that the bond program would receive the ap proval of the people, giving the district a definite plan for im proving the school's facilities and bringing the school system up to a standard rating. The members said that they have had no opportunity to study the problem since the elec tion, to know just what steps will be taken to save the funds. County Wheat Support Price Up Basic 1951 Morrow county wheat price support rates have been raised four cents a bushel over the previously announced price, it was announced today by Paul Tews, office manager of the local agricultural stabilization and marketing commission. The new loan rate on No. 1 soft white wheat will be $2.26 per bushel. Tews said. The increase was made to bring the loan rate up to 90 percent of parity. The rate here is four cejits higher than in Umatilla county. There was no change an nounced for the loan rate for No. 2 or better barley whicli remains at $1.27 per bushel. Tews said that he has received no further information on the new acreage allotment figures for next year, but said that it is pos sible that it is being held up pending final action on a con gressional bill which could keep local allotment cuts to the na tional average of 33 percent. Mor row county took a 32 percent cut last year and another reguction of about 12 percent has been pro posed. o Election of School Director Set July 16 The directors of school district No. l" Tuesday set Friday, July 16, as the date for a special elec tion to pick a director to fill the vacancy by the resignation of the former chairman, Mrs. Stephen Thompson. The polls will be open from 4 to 7 p. m. and the election will be held-at the school. The term of the new director will be one year and so far, only one person, Howard Cleveland, Heppner rancher, has indicated that he will be a candidate for the office. lone Man Named Portland Navy CO Comdr. Arthur W. Bergstrom, USNR, has relieved Comdr. G. F. Welker as commanding officer of the naval reserve surface bat tallon at the Swan Island navy and marine corps training center, according to Capt. E. L. Lugibihl, top officer at the center. A 36 year old veteran of the South Pacific action in World War II, Comdr. Bergstrom is a native of lone and a graduate of Grant High school and P.eed College in Portland. He is now in the lumber busi ness, headquarters in Eugene, but maintains his home in Portland. GRANGE MEETS FRIDAY Last week it was erroneously announced that the Rhea Creek Grange would meet Friday, July 2. The grange will be next Fri day. July 9 with a potluck dinner at the grange hall. Copies 10 cents Harvest Starts; Wheat and Barley Prospects High Harvest officially got under way Tuesday in Morrow county when D. O. Nelson, Sand Hollow area rancher, hauled the first load of wheat to the North Lex ington elevator of the Morrow County Grain Growers, Al Lamb, and Luciano ranch on Butter creek. Nelson is cutting Elmar variety wheat which has shown a test weight of 60 pounds and indica tions are that the crop will run about 20 bushels to the acre which is considered a good aver age for that area. Lamb said the early shipments of barley had tested good and a heavy crop is indicated from most sections of the county. The last few days of hot weather has done much to bring on the crop. The cool June weather has slowed the start of harvest for most sections of the county about two weeks later than last year, but several other ranchers in the north section of the wheat belt are expected to start operations within the next day or two. Lamb said today that his pre vious predictions that there would be ample storage facilities in the county for all the wheat and bar ley were being born out by recent developments. He said that con tinuing heavy shipments of the county stored grain to terminal points has assured plenty of space to handle this year's crops. Nelson was the first wheat rancher in the county to cut wheat last year. o Three Fires Keep Firemen Busy Over July 4 Weekend Three fires over the Fourth of July weekend kept Heppner fire men busier than at any time this year, though only one of the blazes caused any great amount of damage. The first fire was reported on Saturday afternoon when a barn on one of Frenk Wilkinson's ranches about 6 miles east of Heppner on Willow creek caught fire. Two local firemen made the run to assist residents of the area keep the blaze from running. The barn was completely destroyed and several acres of grass and grain were burned before the fire was stopped. No estimate of the I damage was made. The alarm was not sounded for this call as city trucks cannot leave the city. Two calls were received Mon day, the first to the Thoral Broa dus residence on Hill street to control a small grass fire, the second to the Allen Hughes resi dence on May and Chase streets where a blaze resulted from over heated cooking utensils. The fire had been extinguished before the arrival of firemen, but there was a small amount of smoke damage it was reported. o MORE FISH RELEASED The state game commission re leased a truck load of legal size fish in Morrow county streams this afternoon. The location? That's their secret! MOUNTAIN CAMP BEING DEVELOPED; EFFORTS TO GIVE IT AWAY FUTILE! Morrow county residents may soon have an attractive forest campsite available for their use, if plans now started continue to develop. Orville Cutsforth, Lexington rancher, recently purchased about eight and one-half acres of the Herren creek meadows area ad joining his cabin and is rapidly cleaning the area and making plans to install camp tables, fire places, rest rooms and other camp conveniences. His problem at the present lime is finding someone to give the land to, when his work is completed. Cutsforth is willing to deed the land to some organization or agency if they will agree to care for it and manage its operation, but so far he has had no takers for his offer. Cutsforth purchased the land several weeks ago and as soon as he made his plans known he re ceived several offers of assistance Heppner, Oregon, Thursday, July 8, 1954 City Street Asked by wpTji ii .ii ii. i miiwimiiiiiimiiiluji i.ninipL-.m.nnmnjiJi Jim i i .. i NEW LIONS OITICEES vcre installed last Thursday evening at a meeting attended b members and wives. Here outgoing presi dent Lowell Gribbie (left) is presenting the new president Al Lfimb with the gavel and bell. Bob Vogel, president of the Pen dleton Lions club, who was installing officer, watches. Other officers installed at the meeting were Loyal Parker, first vice, pres.; Robert Penland, second vice-pres.; Harlan McCurdy Jr., third vice-pres.; La Verne Van Marter Jr., sec-treas.; John Erns dorff, tail twister; Bill Faira, Lion tamer; and Paul Jones, C. J. D. Bauman, Ed Gonty and Pirl Howell, trustees. (GT Photo) Funeral Services For C. H. Bartholomew To Be Held Friday Funeral services for Charles Herbert Bartholomew, 76, who died Wednesday in Pendleton, will be held at 10 a. m. Friday at the Echo Methodist church. Mr. Bartholomew is survived by his widow, Mrs. Phebe Bartho lomew; one son Oscar F., Salt Lake City; three daughters, Mrs. Mary Set her, Seattle; Mrs. Faye Finch, Echo; Mrs. Lila Myers, of Echo; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He also leaves two brothers, Edwin of White Salmon, Wash., and Fred of Estacada; two sisters, Mrs. Jennie Saling, Corvallis and Mrs. Eva Don ley. Estacada. Mr. Bartholomew was born in Elmwood, 111., Dec. 13, 1877 and had lived in Morrow county for the past 70 years. He will be buried in the Echo cemetery. Folsom Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, Mr. Bartho lomew's family requests that con tributions be made to the charity of the individual's choice. Infant Daughter of James Petersons Dies Word has been received of the death of Mary Faith, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. -James Peterson in The Dalles. She was born July 5. The Petersons just recently moved to The Dalles from Hepp ner where Mr. Peterson was con nected with the Heppner school. n I. O. O. F. PICNIC SUNDAY The annual I. O. O. F. picnic will be held Sunday, July 11 at at Herren Mill sue on wiuow creek, everyone is urged to come. Sgt. Wayne Wilson arrived in Heppner Wednesday to spend a months furlough from Fort Bragg, with his mother, Mrs. Harold Cas tor. from local organizations and businesses including money for the construction of 10 small camper's fireplaces from the Hennnpr Odd Fellows lodge, lum- hr fnr a hridire from the Heppner Lumber comoanv and an offer of sufficient gravel for the bases for' i the Lions club, lso had assist- service in plan - the fireplaces from Cutsforth has al ance of the forest service in I ning the layout of the camp and fellowship comes from tne na ho himself has built several camp : tional Farm and Garden Assoeia tables, removed many trees, built, tion, Inc., Washington, D. C. Mrs. a garbage dump and done much ' Casswell received this fellowship other work. He had originally due to her work as leader in home planned to give the area to the ' demonstration work, her interest forest service for their manage- in horticulture and her interest in merit, hut a cut in the budget ap nronriations for this district has prevented the service from ac cepting his offer. He's willing to Five it awav free, along with all his expended effort in making it an attractive and useful camp ing area, to someone who will take care of it. But so far, no takers! Improvement Project West - Side Residents Temporary Water Shortage Brings Use Restrictions The weekend's hot weather, the first of the summer, has caused the Heppner water department considerable worry and numerous residents an equal amount of inconvenience. 1 Tuesday evening many resi dents of cemetery hill and those along the higher section of Gil more street were without water for several hours when water use in town exceeded the quan tity available according to Vic Grot-hens, water superintendent. The shortage brought a request from the city that all persons use caution in the use of water until an improvement project now un der construction can be complet ed. Groshens said that the heavy use of water early this week for lawn sprinkling etc., had drawn the water level in the reservoirs down to a dangerously low level which caused a sufficient drop in pressure that residents on higher elevations were without water at times. There is sufficient water available from the city wells, but under the present gravity flow system only a portion of the available water can get through the mains to the city. The city has ordered special pumping equipment to enable it to put the water into the system under pres sure, hut a few necessary parts have not yet arrived. When the pump is installed it will practi cally double the amount of water available, Groshens said. . care Asked in Use Groshens today asked that all residents on city mains use care in the? use of water until the new equipment is installed and he listed the following restrictions which must be imposed: Don't irrigate during the heat of the day. Don't irrigate all night. Don't waste water. If the fire alarm sounds, please shut off your waler immediately. Mrs. Maud Casswell Receives Fellowship i Mrs. Maud C. Casswell, county agent, home economics received word that she has been named first choice to receive a national; fellowship, the Sara Bradley Ty - 1, on memorial fellowship. This, - advanced study in landscape architecture. - ' Since the fellowship does not restrict the school which Mrs Casswell may attend, she is con- i idering several scnoois pending opportunities. She will leave her duties as agent this fall to con tinue her studies in landscape architecture. war (Mttttf Of 71st Year, Number 17 12 Blocks Would Get Curbs and Paving Under Plan Residents of about 12 blocks on Heppner's west side Monday nigm presented pennons to Du chy council asking that curbs and pavement be placed on Gale, Cen ter, Baltimore and Water streets. The improvement work would be done through the formation of an improvement district. The streets for which the im provements were asked are Gale street from the Willow creek bridge to its south end, Center street from Main to its west end, Baltimore from Main to its end, and Water street from Gale to its west end. Also included was the request for the same work to be done on the short "no-name" street connecting Water street and the Seventh Day Adventist church. In accepting the petitions the council decided to have all the necessary engineering work done on all streets in the area lying west of Main street with an eye toward more requests in the fu ture for similar work. The engi neering will establish grade lines for all curbs and streets and pro vide proper drainage of the en tire area. The council will set a public hearing on the proposals and if there are no serious remonstran- ces, will order the formation of an improvement district. The cost of the work will be charged against the property holders, but may be paid under a 10-year plan if the owner so desires. When the project is' completed, if will be one of the largest street improvement developments In- Heppner in many years. While discussing streets the council authorized the calling for bids on sealing and resurfacing many blocks of streets in other sections of town, as a continua tion of the resurfacing program started last year. This work will start by August 1. It was announced that the city has placed $50,000 of surplus sewer funds in special time de posit with the First National Bank that it may draw interest until 1902 when the first of the city's sewer bonds are callable. The council last month had in structed the finance committee to investigate the best method of investing the fund. The city will receive 2' a percent interest on the money. Local Bank Deposits Reflect Increase Quarterly statement of condi- lion figures for the Heppner branch of First National Bank of Portland show that on June 30 H-'1 deposits at tne nrancn were $5,032,990 and loans were $1,608,-; man of ,ne Ame,riean Soroptimist 3.34, according to branch manager Intornati()n;ll Mrs Bafton ls a J. H. Bedford. 'native of Kildare, Ireland having Released at the same time were wn)f t0 thp United statos ln 1920. comparable totals for the branch s0 wiM pome f0 HepptM,r frorn for June 30, 1953. On that date (hp njennial convention of the deposits were $5,370,358 and foans, Amt-ru an Federation of Soropti were $1,811,371. i mjst rluns at Banff( Alberta. Mrs. All-tirne record high figures for, Ruton ls a past president of the the First National Bank of Port-, .... nrn ,llh nnd has srvP(j as and and its 07 statewide banking offices were revealed by C. B. Stephenson, president of First Na - tional. As of June 30, 1934, de- posits at First National were $703,181,710, loans were $318.881. - 144, and resources were $775,- 744,041. In releasing the figures, Step- henson reported that all three fig - ures represent large increases over a year ago. Over June jo, 1953. deposits at First National have increased $131.11.1,37.), loans have increased $10,.80, (wl, and resources have increased $101, 189,303. This is the first mid year state ment of condition issued by First National sinre the statewide bank, purchased Its 15 affiliated banks; office did $10,880.78 in the six with 18 offices on February 8.! months period just ended against First National's capital funds $i 0,073.81 in the first six months now total $00,877,792, exclusive of j of last year, the reserve for possible loan loss-j The increase represents that es of $2,531,518, which represents! much additional business at the the largest employment of bank .office, Driscoll said, as there have copital, in the Pacific Northwest, -o Mr. and Mrs. Lowell Gribbie and family left Wednesday for a ten day vacation at the coast, Building Program Stymied By 26 to 191 Vote The voters of school district No. 1 Tuesday decisively turned thumbs down on a proposal to issue $325,000 in bonds to finance purchase of a new grade school site and build a new elementary school. The vote was 207 no to 101 yes. Nearly 50 percent of the registered voters in the district went to the polls. The rejection of the bond issue at least temporary brings to a complete halt any program by the school board to alleviate the seri ously crowded conditions in the Heppner schools. The planned new building would have housed the first five or six grades many of which were taught in church basements, inadequate basement rooms in the present building, and temporary quarters during the past year. The board is now faced with the problem of find ing outside classroom space for at least an additional two rooms for the large incoming first grade this fall. The heavy Tuesday vote was taken by some persons as an indi cation of disapproval of the planned location of the new building, however the site, the so-called Tum-ALum property was approved at a special election earlier this year and under school law the local board has authority to acquire and build on only such property as is approved by the people. The issue in last Tues day's election concerned only the issuance of the bonds however, and had no bearing on the choice of location which was decided at the previous election. Members of the school board Slid Wednesday, following their regular monthly meeting Tues day night, that they were uncer tain as to what course of action they would now follow. They did ndicate that nothing could be done at least until after July 16, at which time a third member of the board will be elected at a special election to be held then. ! whon questioned as to whether they planned to resubmit the bond issue to the people, the hoard said that they would have to study the problem further be fore they could make any decis ion, o New Lexington School Superintendent takes Over Position Lawrence Brent, formerly of Monroe, Oregon, has moved to Lexington and taken over as new superintendent of schools. He re places James Vanover who re signed at the end of the past school year. Mr. Brent served in an adminis trative position in the Monroe schools for the past five and one half years coming there from Texas and Oklahoma. He and his wife arrived in Lex ington about two weeks ago. o Michigan Woman To Install Incoming Sorpptimist Officers Members of the Heppner Sorop timist club will hold their annual installation of officers at a ban cnot in iio held at Hie Lecrion hall Z.rar,nv ,, 1S nt 1 ., m. Installing officer will be Mrs. Arthur A. Button of Dearborn, M. , u Assimiiatlon chair- aroa cxtL,nsion chairman for Michigan. She was chosen out- jtamUn(, ..DParborn Citizen" and (he Woman () the Year by her club she served in the R. A. F. . (ur, World War t and sne has three song and one daughter who have ,SPrved In the U. S. Armed forceSi j " (, P.cf (i I i iwpn.i Receipts Show (jam Postal receipts for the first six months of 1954 at the Heppner post office showed an increase of $12.97 over the same period last ri it year, postmaster james unscon revealed this week. The local been no major rate increases in the last year. Tiie office has shown constant gains during the past 10 or more years.
