Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (April 11, 1963)
1 w - Salem Scene Modernization Proposed for Industrial Accident Program Oregon's workmen's compen sation law has been in effect for 50 years. It provides pay ments to workers involved in industrial accidents, through an employer-paid insurance pro gram. Some legislators feel the 1913 vintage system is no longer ade quate for either employee or em ployer, and that the Oregon law has not kept pace with most other states. As a result, two pro posals have been introduced which according to their pro ponentswould revise and "modernize the state's work men's compensation program. One bill, S. B. 30 (often called the "competitive" bill), was in troduced by the Senate Labor and Industries Committee. We asked its chairman, Sen. Walter Pearson (D-Multnomah), to de scribe the problems in the present system. "Primary problem Is the exist ing law, Itself," he said. "It was one of the earliest laws of its type, written at a time when no one knew much about work men's compensation." He explained that it'originally was designed to apply to haz ardous industries only, with only one source of insurance a state fund, administered by the Slate Industrial Accident Commission, An employer had a choice of either accepting or rejecting this coverage. But he could not ob tain insurance from any other source. If an Injured worker for a non-covered employer could, in a lawsuit, prove negligence, he was entitled to collect damages. S.B. 30, explained Sen. Pear son, would inject competition in to Oregon's workmen's compen sation system, "to the advan tage of workers and employ ers." "It retains the slate fund as an insurer," he said, "and also permits employers to obtain coverage, if they wish, from a private Insurance source, cr through self-Insuring." Private industrial accident insurance is available In 43 states. In 33 of these, state insurance Is non existent. The bill also calls for "uni versal" coverage for all work ershazardous and non-hazardous with very few excep tions. "S. B. 30 also provides a better appeals system, as well as an independent hearing board on claims," he added. "The present system is bad, because the State Industrial Accident Commission is confronted with many con flicting functions. It now acts as the insurance company, regula tory agency, court, judge and jury." Benefits now paid to injured workmen under the SIAC "in surance monopoly" system were criticized by Seii. Pearson, who claims they are "too low" in comparison to the rates, and barely adequate for a person to live on. He says a competitive system would provide "better benefits and have little effect on the rates." Under S. B. 30, Insurance rates would be based on an employ er's accident and safety exper ience. It also offers "a better safety and workman rehabilita tion program," Sen. Pearson claims. The latest improvements in safety techniques from throughout the nation will be available to Oregon workers and employers if private insurance companies are allowed to pro vide coverage in the state, he points out. Another bill, S.B. 370, has been introduced following many months work by a specially appointed "Governor's Advisory Committee on Workmen's Com pensation." This group, selec ted in 1961, consisted of repre sentatives from management, organized labor and the state. Also Intended as a cure for the state's antiquated workmen's compensation system, this bill doesn't go far enough, accord ing to Sen. Pearson. It does par allel S. B. 30 in some respects, however. "But S. B. 370 would still leave by reflate red pharmacists. HUMPHREYS REXALL DRUG STORE Mr. and Mrs. Bod Murray 217 N. Main Ph. 678-9610 Two Registered Pharmacists At Tour Service Around The Clock Nights. Sundays and holidays call 676-9611 or 676-5SU by Robert H. Eisner the state with an insurance mon opoly, even though it claims to open the door for self-insurers," he said. "Due to its rigid re quirements for these self-insurers, it would limit this to a few major employers." It does not provide for private insurance. Organized labor gener ally supports S.B. 370. Management has come out in favor of S.B. 30. Latest developments in the Senate Labor and Industries Committee has been to urge rep resentatives from both groups to meet and attempt to reach la compromise. Sen. Pearson predicted a com promise bill will result, "incorp orating the best parts of both 'bills particularly regarding ad ministration, appeals and hear ing boards, safety programs and I rehabilitation procedures." He believes a compromise bill will call for universal coverage, but that it will be a "2-way" bill. This means employers will have a choice of insuring through the state or through self-insuranct by posting a large bond. However, in the latter in stance, they will probably have the right to re-insure their lia bility with an outside (private) carrier, he felt. "In its final form," Sen. Pear son concluded, "the compromise bill will more closely resemble the original intent of the 'Gov ernor's Advisory Committee' pro posals. This was not the case in the language of S. B. 370 as it was introduced." Deposits Reach $6,148,471 Total At First National First National Bank of Oregon reported record high deposits and loans for the first quarter of the year, President Ralph J. Voss announced. Deposits of $970,190,000 were reported March 18, as compared with $i93,7(0,887 in March of last year. Loans outstanding among the bunking system's 91 offices totaled $508,559,531 for a gain of $06,487,013 over the March, 1962 figure. Resources topped the $1 billion mark. Hgures were announced in re sponse to the quarterly call for statements of condition by the Comptroller of the Currency. lne ileppner branch of First National reported first quarter deposits of $6,148,471 and loans outstanding of $3,484,512, ac cording to Branch Manager J. H. Bedford. Comparable totals for the branch a year ago were $5,178,- 718 in deposits and $2,657,867 in loans. During the first quarter of 1963 the First National Bank added the University Branch in Eugene to the statewide system, Voss said. Five new branch offices cur rently are under construction, with opening dates set for this year. The new Madras branch will open In April and Portland offices at Burlingame, 5th and College Street and the new Standard Plaza will open later. Construction of a second Spring field branch was started this month. Club Hears Reports April 2 was the date of the meeting held at the Pine Cltv schoolhouse by the Butterereek Junction Livestock club. The club heard two reports. One was by Jim Ashbeck and Allen With errite on "How to Disinfect a Hog House," and the other was by Carla Luciani on the "Junior Leader's Duties." Sharon With errite and Tom Ashbeck were the visitors. Ed French, reporter Bob Mahoney and fiance, Sherrie Wager, Pacific Univer sity, are visiting during spring vacation with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Phil Mahoney. LIVE LONGER Guard your health! Follow your physician's instructions to the letter ... we do! The prompt, accurate filling of his prescrip tions Is our business. AH prescriptions promptly filled Services Held at Monument for Richard Robertson By MARTHA MATTESON MONUMENT Fun e r a 1 ser vices for Richard Earl Robert son, Burns, were held Thurs day, March 28, at the Monument Presbyterian church, with the Rev. Frank Goodwin, minister of the Burns Christian church, officiating. Mr. Robertson died March 25 at 9 p.m. at Burns, at the age of 54 years, 4 months. He was born November 3, 1908 at Monument, the son of trie late Clarence and Effie Viola Ervin Robertson. He was married to Anne E. Robertson at Fossil on May 20, 1929, and spent most of his life in the Monument area and in Wallowa. They moed to Burns in July, 1962, where lie was a maintenance carpenter, mem ber of Lumber and Sawmill Workers Local Union 2902, Burns. Surviving relatives include his widow, Anna E.; his mother, Effie Viola Lovely; three sons, Robert, William and Richard; four daughters, Carol Doherty, Anna June Nlswender, Irrria Irene Doble, Cleta and Donna Robertson; one sister, Rozella Roza; four brothers, Zirl, Lewis, Leonard and Lyle; 15 grand children; an aunt, Minnie Gam ble of Monument. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Martin drove to Heppner last Friday on business. Mr. and Mrs. Fred McWillis spent March 27 and 28 visiting in Redmond. Mrs. Theo May Johns and two children of Prairie City visited recently with her father, Chuck Van Detta and family and friends. The Stanley Boyer family spent the week-end of March 29, 30 in Salem where they at tended the wedding of Mr. Boy er's niece, Miss Nancy Healy. The bride is the daughter of Mrs. Herb Copeland of Salem. Mrs. Stella McCarty drovo to Portland March 30, returning home with her daughter, Miss Aleanne Reynolds, who has fin ished her course at Beauty School In Portland. Fits your plan for modern living. . . QUICK RECOVERY ELECTRIC WATER HEATING No flues or vents fits anywhere dependable and clean! I A Quick Recovery electric water heater gives you all the hot water you need, any time you need it. And because electricity requires no messy flues or expensive vents, you can tuck your Quick Recovery electric water heater away in that extra closet or under the stairs . . . any place out of the way. See your appliance dealer right away. You'll be delighted with the efficiency and convenience of a modern Quick Re covery electric water heater. Pacific Power & Light Company You Mr. and Mrs. Henry Martin returned March 27 from Sacra mento, Calif., where they had spent 10 days visiting their daughter and family, the Charlie Williams. D. L. Matteson of Milton Freewater were recent visitors with his folks, the Elmer Matte sons. The American Legion Auxil iary held its birthday party Sat urday night, March 30, in the Legion-Grange hall. Cards fol lowed a potluck dinner at 7 p.m. Mrs. Jessie Scott drove to John Day March 28, taking little Dianne Hinton over to see her folks, Mr. and Mrs. H. D. Hin ton. Mr. Hinton is a patient in the Clinic Hospital. Gary Martin of Prineville vis ited recently with his grand parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Martin. Mrs. Doris Vinson and Mrs. Thelma Williams took care of the Boyer Store, while the Boyers were in Salem recently. lfeilii'f ; pill Hill ill! life " m U Live Better. ..Electrically! Mr. and Mrs. Ansil Martin and son Henry and Miss Arvella Hunt of Prineville were week end visitors with their folks, Mr. and Mrs. Ernie Johnson and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Martin. Gary, son of the Ansil Martin's, return ed home with them. Maynard Hamilton received word from his niece, Dorothy Merrell of Boise, Ida., last Mon day afternoon that his sister, Evelyn Banta, was to undergo surgery last Wednesday. Mr. and Mrs. Verne Wiese took him to John Day to take the bus to Boise to be with the family. Miss Margaret Martin and her aunt with whom she lives in the valley while going to college were here to visit the Henry Martins recently. Mrs. Mildred Cowden of Port land spent Palm Sunday here with her four grandchildren and their mother, Mrs. Francis Nol and. Mr. and Mrs. Ansil Martin and two sons, Gary and Henry, and Miss Arvela Hunt all of Prine- ill Page 4 Thurs April 11, 1963 GAZETTE-TIMES HEPPNER, OREGON ville, spent three days here visit ing. Mr. and Mrs. Roger Howell of Portland arrived Friday for a visit with his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Howell. Verne McCarty drove to Hepp ner Friday on business. Maynard Hamilton went to Boise, Ida. last Monday even ing to be with his sister and family Wednesday mor n i n g when she went into surgery. He returned Thursday evening. Mrs. Jessie Scott and her mother, Mrs. Elmer Matteson, drove to Burns last Wednesday morning where they met Mrs. L. J. Matteson and brought back the two grandchildren, Martha and Ralph, to care for them while their father is in the hos pital In Cederville, Calif. Mrs. Stella McCarty and daughter, Elaine Reynolds, drove to John Day Monday on business. V5i 1 ?
