Heppner gazette-times., May 10, 1962, Image 2

HEPPNER GAZETTE-TIMES,
MOBHOW COUNTY'S NEWSPAPER
PHONE 676-9228
The Heppner Gazette, established March 30, 1883. The Heppner
Times established November 18, 1897. Consolidated February 15,
1912.
WESLEY A. SHERMAN
Editor and Publisher
NEWSPAPER
puiuimiis
association
SubscrlpUon Rates: Morrow and
where $150 Year. Single Copy 10
and Entered at the Post Office
Class Matter.
OFFICE HOURS: 8 a. m. to 6 p.
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Six Percent Limitation Amendment
One of tho two state measures on the May 18 primary
election ballot is a proposed amendment to the constitution
on the 6 tax limitation. It has three provisions and is peculiar
in that if it fails of passage in the primary, two of its provisions
will be dropped, and the single remaining provision will be
submitted to voters again in November. Thus, it is referred to
as the May-November proposal.
Changes to the law proposed by the measure briefly are as
follows:
1. Amendment to permit a taxing district to use as its tax
base the highest levy of the three preceding years in which
a tax was levied. This provision is designed to prevent loss of
tax base by taxing bodies in the state when they feel there
is no need to levy a tax each year. At the present, the 6
limitation is based on the highest of the three preceding years'
levies. If a taxing body, then, did not levy a tax in any of
the three immediately preceding years, it would lose its base.
Proponents of this provision feel that because the law stands
ius it does, the body is forced to levy a tax, whether it needs
it or not, to maintain its tax base. To keep its base now, a taxing
body must levy a tax at least once every three years. Under
the proposed change, this would not be the case. The last three
years that the tax was levied, no matter how many years back,
would he used in determining the six per cent limitation.
2. This change applies to new taxing districts and would
permit the new district to set a tax levy for the first year with
out an election, the power being vested in the governing board
of the taxing body, subject to the requirements of the Local
Budget Law. Proponents declare that the change would expedite
operation of a new taxing body which has been legally created,
and declare that necessity of waiting for an election for funds
to finance its operations causes needless delay. Opponents
feel, however, that the public should retain the right to vote
on the taxes to be levied. They say that a district may vote
on a levy at the same time the formation of the district is voted
upon.
3. This change would permit a tax base election at a
"regular periodic" election, rather than having to wait for a
primary or general election. It is now required that such a
vote be at a general or primary election because voter turnout
is higher at these elections than at a special election, and the
balloting Ls thus more representative. There is some confusion
as to the meaning of "regular periodic" election.
Should the measure be defeated at the primary, the last two
provisions will be dropped, and the first one to base the limi
tation on the highest levy of the three preceding years in which
a tax was levied will be submitted ugain in the lull.
There seems to be pretty uniform opinion favoring the first
provision from all sources, but opinion on the latter two is
divided, and it would appear that the May measure will be
rather soundly defeated.
The Oregon Voter points out that the proposal, Incorporating
all three provisions, passed both the House and Senate without
a dissenting vote, and that the Slate Tax Commission suggested
two of the changes and approved the third.
Under the local budget law there is some protection against
a "run-away" fixing of the first tax base by a new district's gov
erning hoard whose members are also taxpayers, it points out.
The power for the governing body to set Hie lust year's levy in the
ease of a new tax district was in otleet prior to 11)52, when it
was amended by vote of the people, and there was no abuse of
the provision.
Oregon Education Association backs the measure, but the
Association of Oregon Industries, City Club of Portland, Mult
nomah County Taxpayers association and others are against it
because of its second and third provisions.
We will vote No. on the measure because we feel that the
people should have the right to vole on a levy for a new tax
district and because we think it right that as many people
as possible should express themselves at the polls when a tax
base is up for change, although at the same time, voters have no
one else to blame but themselves lor their lethargy in turning
out at a special election.
We do favor the first provision of the measure and will
support it in November.
Reasonable Pay for State Legislators
In their niggardly attitude on compensation to their state
legislators, Oregon voters "have held a nickel so close to their
eyes that they have failed to see a dollar in the distance."
At the present time, a person who seeks a position in the
state senate or house of representatives can look forward to
a salary of onlv $111X1 per year, at the same lime standing the
expense and rigors of running for the office. Legislative pay
in Oregon ranks llllli from the top among the states of the
"ll California pays its legislators 10 times as much $0,000 per
year. Washington pays twice as much $1,200. Alaska pays
.i't.tKIO per year.
By limiting their pay to a pittance, we virtually restrict
entry in the legislative field to those who are financially able
to make the economic sacrifice. Among our potential candidates
for
the legislature are many well
and valuable service but who
lint
seek an office.
We expect our legislators to travel to all parts of their districts,
keep us posted on what is going on, answer our inquiries, de
vole hundreds of hours in addition lo the time spent at a legis
lative session, but we don't want to pay them .i reasonable
salary for it.
We give them the responsibility of handl.ng milhoivt or
dollars of state funds, but we don't ope:i the field to all who
may have top qualifications for this responsibility because we
don't pav a reasonable figure to attract all men of high caliber.
When the original stale eonstitti.ion was li inel m '.v'J it
provided a maximum of $3 per day for legislators whi e in at
tendance at a legislative session. It provided an annual salary lor
j'.overiHir of $1500.
Now the governor receives $20,000 per year, more than U
times what the office paid in l'o!, hut the legislators' pay at
$000 per year is no more than double the per day of UXiO.
It would be good economy to change this condition, and it
is fair and right to do so.
On the primary election ballot is n measure that would amend
the constitution by providing that legislators' salaries shall be
established and paid in the same manner as the salaries of other
elected state officials. This would take the matter of legislators'
.salaries out of tho constitution and allow them to be tixed by
state statute, as are those of otlur elected state offiehls.
In essence, this means that legislators' pay would he raised
because it could lie done through tile legislature and not require
a
vote of the people in the toim
ment.
Voters have repeatedly rejected an increase in pay tor
lei: is
lators.
.i .1. ti...
1 I11S UOl'N IHH UI'IHUV uu-
legislators unlimited power to fix
.. . .i.... i i
Tli
Hie nil I Iliai ail MUM illliuu li
and the referendum, if the voters
action.
Wt
recommend a es vote on
Mrs. Charlie Beckett ls visiting
her daughter anil family, Mr. and
Mrs. Dick Johnson in Dufur this
week. Mr. Beckett took her to
Dufur Saturday and he returned
home.
Thursday, May 10, 1962
HELEN E. SHERMAN
Associate Publisher
NATIONAL
EDITORIAL
Grant Counties, $4.00 Year; Else-
Cents. Published Every Thursday
at Heppner, Oregon, as Second
m.; Saturdays, 9 a. m. to 5 p. m,
IIMIIIIIIItllMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIHlimiMH
quaimed who couui lenuei
are too limited in means to
oi a constitutional amend-
, ,,i i-i.-,!,.? ,,. tl,,,
vu inn iif.n,.-, nvi f,,,, tin
ilieir own salaries because of
1.. i.-,. ....Kit.,.,
9ULtll in luiutum 'iiun'ii
are not in accord with the
this measure.
Mrs. Alvie Mahan and son
Alvin returned Thursday after n
three weeks st iv in Missouri, j
She visited relatives in St.
Louis anil a brother. Dr. Paul I
IHiuch, in Springfield, Mo.
Lowly Pine Stumps to Find Good Use
Progress on utilization of waste wood products in the past
few years has been amazing. Slabs that once went into a
burner are now made into hog fuel or chips for various kinds
of paper products. Shavings often go into an attractive press
board. Throughout the Northwest, the timber industry every year
more nearly achieves 100 utilization of logs brought to saw
mills. Not so long ago we saw a film, shown by a representative of
a timber company, in which a tree that had fallen generations
ago, and was covered with rot and brush, was hauled out and
cut into lumber, the inside being sound as a dollar.
From the Tillamook burn, where disaster fires scourged the
virgin forests of the coastal area, more timber was salvaged
from dead trees of the "silver forest" than original cruises had
shown to be in the green timber. Not too many years ago all
this would have been left as a total loss.
At Corvallis, the forest research center is doing remarkable
work in finding new uses for what was once termed "waste
wood."
The ultimate, though, comes in a recent news release from
the U. S. Forest Service News.
"The U. S. Forest Service today said it will offer for sale a
large quantity of pine stumpwood, purchase of which would
require installation of a multimillion dollar chemical distillate
plant in Oregon. The stumps are a primary source of chemical
extracts such as turpentine and resin.
"Pine stumps and topwood on 1,272,000 acres of the De
schutes, Winema, and Fremont National forests will be offered
for sale by oral auction bid following formal advertising about
July 1.
"It is estimated that more than 2,700,000 tons of satisfactory
distillate wood is available on the three National Forests, an
additional 2,000,000 tons will become available in that area in
the next 15 years, according to J. Herbert Stone, regional forester.
"An initial 15-year sale of 2,000,000 tons is planned. Such a
sale would require installation of a large plant in the Bend
Klamath Falls area. Such an enterprise would employ about
200 men."
Well! What has been considered more worthless than a stump
in the forest? About its best use in the past has been as a resting
place for a weary hunter, and then he had to be careful about
the pitch. Now comes this word that these same "useless"
stumps may be the raw material for a new industry!
The release doesn't mention the Umatilla National Forest.
Perhaps the varieties of wood are not right for this use. But if
the stumps are going to be utilized to advantage elsewhere, it
is almost a certainty that some day a good use will be found for
our stumps, too.
Morrow county is known as
the lumber and timber industry
foremost industry that brings top
prime economic importance, inus, tnese new developments
should be of keen interest to all residents of the county.
The ever-unfolding story of salvage of waste wood products
for new uses, together with increasingly better forest manage
ment and reduction of loss by fire, is one of the happiest
chronicles in the Northwest. It is a great tribute to those who
work as foresters, those who engage in research and those dedi
cated to timber management.
TO THE
EDITOR.
To the Editor:
It was most encouraging to
read in the Gazette-Times your
views on the county measure to
be voted upon now May 18:
"Should the county establish
a $115,000 Road Tax Base?" Tax
problems are always a delicate
subject and are now perhaps
more so than ever. To say that
they are down in one category
or another is small comfort,
when in the final analysis they
are there to be paid and seem
ingly in no small figure. How
ever, compared to the 14 years
wo had a special levy for roads,
this $115,000 is down. Based on
valuation over this 14 year
period and the ratios used, the
lowest figure we hive had is
$129,108.1)0. From there it has
gone as high as $144,000.00, not
counting the controversial year
1001-1902 when the going to the
25. ratio raised the returns to
$105,000. Anyway average well
above $135,000. There is one dif
ference with this being on the
tax base, however. It will be
there unless again votetl out by
the people. The figure itself, we
of the county court believe, is
very conservative. It is down
practically $20,000 over what was
brought in under the special 10
levy over the past 14 years.
The question is, is it worth
it, even if we have over the years
spent $1H5.000 or thereabout from
a special tax for road purposes.
There are 1200 miles or more of
county roads in the county. Some
of these are quite well improved,
certainly, hut the need for main
tenance is ever present. Also,
there are many areas where
little has been done even yet
to bring the roads into compar
able status with other areas. Also
match moneys must be provided
at best every two years, to take
advantage of State and Federal
0 jf PI?
6iv your wift KitchenAid dishwasher for
Mother's Day, and you won't have to do dishes
ever again! (Netthtr wW she.) The KitchenAid
scrubs dtshes cien wttn Its big blue wash arm
the scrubbingest wash arm made. Another
KHchenAfd exdusjve: gentle Flo-Thru circulation
for perfect drying. Sure, KitchenAid dishwashers
may cost just a little more to buy but they always
cost less to own. The beet always does.
MatchewAicl
DISHWASHERS
Lott's
369 N. Main
wheat and cattle country, and
is often overlooked. But it is a
income to the county and is of
F.A.S. road funds. This amounts
to, on our part, approximately
$20,000.
It might be of interest to men
tion what equipment that is on
hand and how the road depart
ment is handled, also personnel
involved. There are 18 men work
ing in our road department, in
cluding the roadmaster.
In equipment there is on hand:
10 dump trucks, 1 flat bed, 1
low boy, 1 water truck, 1 service
truck, 1 travel all, 1 F.W.D., 7
pickups, 1 Dodge Power wagon,
1 rock crusher, 1 shovel, 2 trac
tor loaders, 1 oil distributor, 3
rollers, 1 compressor (rock drill),
1 cement mixer, 1 12 yard carry
all, 4 tractors with dozers, and
6 patrols. Also there is the shop
with tools, quite complete. It
is possible that much of this is
not operated to the greatest ad
vantage, but certainly the court
is conscious of it and wants to
cot the most out of each tax
dollar spent. We would highly
recommend that the $115,000.00
tax base be established.
Oscar E. Peterson,
Count Judge
Dear Sir:
I would appreciate having this
letter to the voters of Morrow
county printed in your paper.
The responsibility of getting
petitions to the voters of Morrow
county for re-apportionment of
the Oregon legislators is mine.
I took this duty freely and with
the expectation it would be an
"easy" task as I felt every voter
in the county would be anxious
to sign or circulate a petition.
The sparsely populated portion
of this state is not adequately
represented in Oregon under the
new apportionment law. We
have lost a great deal of our
representation in Salem. The
constitution must be changed to
reestablish our former represen
tation. Much to my amazement and
disappointment I have had con
siderable difficulty in getting
voters to circulate petitions.
Residents of Morrow county
continually "complain" about
A portable to
dy, a built-in
tomofrow: Puth
button opira
lion. Klng-tiia
capacity ... has
maple
Culling top.
Electric
PH. 676-5811
1 rrrir-fs
Chaff
Wes Sherman
ONE WAY to tell that the end
of the school year is fast ap
proaching is by the number of
requests from pupils from all
over the state to the Chamber
of Commerce requesting infor
mation on the county for term
papers and scrapbooks. Their
frantic need, borne of procrasti
nation, is indicated by the ap
peals, "please send without de
lay," "rush by return mail," and
so on. One came the other day
with URGENT! hand-painted in
bold letters on the envelope. We
didn't know so many teachers
had their eye on Morrow county,
but the Chamber, through its
secretary, will do its best with
pamphlets and information to
help the kids obtain a passing
grade in social studies or his
tory. REMEMBER the time we com
plained about the slow mail
service from Los Angeles? (It
took nine days to get a package
from there that we needed
badly). Next time we will just
not having adequate represen
tation and voice in Salem. This
is their opportunity to work to
ward acquiring it.
Any one wishing to circulate
a petition for the legislative ap
portionment const i t u 1 1 o n a l
amendment may get one by call
ing my home, 422-7145.
Margaret B. Troedson
Dear Mr. Sherman:
Just a short not of thanks for
the very fine job you did in pro
moting our seat belt clinic. Both
the article and the editorial were
well written, and I am sure were
instrumental in the turnout we
had.
Our organization is always
anxious to do community ser
vice and we are particularly
pleased when the community re
ciprocates as yours has.
Again, thanks.
Sincerely,
Hal Parker
Pendleton Jaycees
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Sherman:
I think it was nice of you to
show us the Heppner Gazette
Times. Our class thanks you for help
ing us to understand about the
machines.
Diana Cutsforth
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Sherman:
Thank you for making our
names on the linotype machine.
Thank you for showing us how
you print the paper and how
you fold the papers.
Mary Kay Hughes
Our Store
17 WWV-S.''. MMWtfutw f Wt MIK
WIDE SELECTION OF
PERFUMES
COSMETICS
TOILETRIES
MANICURE SETS
INCLUDE A
HALLMARK CARD
vrni YOUR GIFT
WHEN YOU CARE ENOUGH
TO SEND THE VERY BEST
Jewel Boxes
Timex Wrist Watches
Vanity Sets
Musical Powder Boxes
Pen and Pencil Sets
Humphreys Rexall Drug
217 N. MAIN
Chatter
hnvo nnnor Oihhle walk bv from
his Texas army post and hike
back witn It. tie nucnea ms way
from Texas in 81 hours, a little
nvor thrpp riavs. and that is
about as fast as a fellow would
want to drive it. Someone figured
that he averaged aDoui & mnes
nor rinnTV His longest wait, oddly
enough, was right at the back
door of his nome town, in Ar
lington. Anyway, Doug, son of
tup anit Mrs l.nwpll Gribble. was
three times as fast as the mail
in the instance we citea.
BOYS IN the Nels Anderson fam
ily almost doubled last week,
if you believe everything you
read in the Gazette Times,
rhorioo ir and Steven Ander
son became junior members of
the American nereioru assoc
iation, according to a release
fmm thp association, and in the
story we printed, we listed them
as sons or Mr. ana mrs. iieis
Anderson. Of course, they are
sons of the Frank Andersons.
Tn talkinor tn Nels about the
hnn.hno wp made, he said. "I
wouldn't mind having them in
the family until it comes time
to send them to college or Duy
groceries for them. They're three
trnnit hnvs " Don't auite know
who to apologize to on this error,
since both are lamines, ana a
young man ought to be proud
tn hplnrrn to either one. but
we're sorry for the faux pas.
THEY DIDN'T exactly have what
you'd call a big tumour irom
Cecil at the annual school elec
tion. In fact, something oi a
rpcnrd must have been set
for a light vote. Only one vote
was cast for the advisory com
mittee member from Cecil. John
Krphs won hv a landslide, and
his candidacy was by writein
for a position that he didn't
want .Tack Hvnd's name was on
the ballot, but he apparently
didn't do any electioneering. It
is obvious that he didn't even
vote for himself, not to mention
members of his family.
STOPPED in a restaurant at The
Dalles Saturday night on a
trin west, and felt real svm
pathetic for those poor folks on
the time confusion. A clock on
nnp wall said 7 o'clock, and an
nthor nn a sidp wall said 8
o'clock. They apparently believe
STAR THEATER
Phone 6-9278
If no onswer call 6-9452
is Filled With Gifts For
SHE'LL LOVE
Candlewick Crystal Ware
DAINTY WESTMORELAND
Milk Glass Gifts
Bone China Teacups
Vases Glass Sets
Handcut Lead Crystal
FRANCISCAN WARE
In a fellow taking his choice.
The waitress explained that
much of the town is on daylight,
but the school is on standard
time. Result is an unholy mess.
(She looked as u sne migni
break down and cry).
Wouldn't be a bit surprised to
see civil warfare break out there
with riots and sandbags in the
streets. One barber shop had a
scrawled sign on the door, "We
are on day-Hght."
WHY WOULDN'T a political can-
AAr,t hs nrnnd pnoueh of his
home town to tell the world
where he lives? When you look
in your Voter's Pamphlet, notice
how many of the candidates
don't even state where they live.
Its tne iirsi ining iu um iu
i .. un,,f Viom in apttirtc HP-
KllOW auuui Hie". ... -n
quainted, and the impulse is not
tO VOte lor one WHO uuean i luuic
out and say where he resides.
Coming Events
STUDENT BODY PLAY
"The Little Dog Laughed"
Friday, Saturday, 8:00 p. m.
High School Gymnasium
Adults 75c, high school stu
dents 50c, Grade school, 25c
FOOD SALE
Episcopal Church Women
Saturday, from 1:00 p. m.
Central Market
HOMEMAKERS FESTIVAL
Tuesday, May 15, Catholic
Parish Han
Luncheon, $1.25, at noon
FOOD SALE
Past Noble Grands Club
This Saturday, from 10 a. m.
Red and White Grocery
This space will be used
each week to announce com
ing events of a public service
nature at no charge.
SPONSORED AS A PUBLIC
SERVICE BY
C. A. RUGGLES
Insurance Agency
Heppner
P. O. Box 611
PH. 6-9625
COMMUNITY I
J BILLBOARD I
CAMERAS
BOOKS
Costume Jewelry
Craftint Paint Sets
Hand Tooled
Leather Bags
Electric Clocks
WHITMAN'S
and
BROWN
and
HALEY
Chocolates
AND
Gift Candies
PH. 676-9610