HEPPNER GAZETTE-TIMES. Thursday. Dumber 8. 1966
THE
HEPPNER
GAZETTE-TIMES
Heppner, Orgoo 97836
MORROW COUNTTS NEWSPAPER
The Heppner Gazette established March 30, 1SS3. The Heppner
Times established November IS, 1SS7. Consolidated February- 15.
1912.
,- I
NATIONAL NEWSPAPIl
lAsbcMTteN
J KJ
History Publication Needed
r
X W-ASSOCIATION
-s
ni
HELEN E. SHERMAN
Associate Publisher
Monday through Friday; 9 am
WESLET A. SHERMAN
Editor and Publisher
Office Hours: S a.m. to 6 p.m.
until noon Saturday.
Subscription Rates: $4.50 Year. Single Copy 10 Cents. Published
Even- Thursday and Entered at the Post Office at Heppner. Oregon,
as Second Class Matter.
Soles Tax Not the Answer
If the 1967 legislature moves in the direction indicated on
the basis of the recommendation of the state tax study com
mitteeto propose a sales tax to the people the results
will be disappointing all the way around.
People of this state have never gone for a sales tax, and
although proponents believe that conditions have changed to
the point that the public would do almost anything reason
able to alleviate the burden on property, we don't believe that
they will approve a sales tax even now.
The tax study committee's recommendation, we under
stand, was by vote of 6 to 4 the Republicans In favor
and the Democrats against. Governor-elect Tom McCall Indi
cates that he is not In favor of submitting the sales tax to
the people at a special election, preferring to explore the
realm of the income tax first McCall favors a broader-based
income tax. This seems to us to be the best route.
When it appeared that the 1H property tax limitation
measure would be on the general election ballot, legislators
realized that the situation was acute and that the people
were crying for action. When the measure was stricken from
the ballot on a technicality, the legislators still realized that
they were faced with a mandate to do something to relieve
the property tax burden in the 1967 session of the legislat
ure, and this still holds true. Something must be done. If
i .n,v,i, nArf nH o.-nrkahlp and if it doesn't Dro
ll Oil I jviucuiuij fcw " -- -
duce results, the state's voters will undoubtedly have another
initiative presented In the nature of the IH limitation, al
though it may be a somewhat different version.
Oregon is among the few states in the nation which do
net have a sales tax, but this is not an argument for im
posing one. Our state is more attractive without one.
The greatest arguments against a sales tax is that it is
not based on a person's ability to pay. A man who has a
large family and works for small wages, for instance, must
buy considerably more consumer goods than a well-to-do
couple without dependents. Tentative proposal as we under
stand the plan backed by Speaker F. E. Montgomery of the
House is that food and drugs would be included, making it
even worse on the low income consumer.
There are many more reasons to oppose the tax:
As analyzed on a telecast by Forrest Amsden of KGW-TV
News the other night, a man owning a $15,000 home, given
as an example, would pay more in sales tax than he would
get in relief on property taxes, even if the sales tax were
all earmarked for property tax offset One reason is that util
ities would also benefit by the property tax reductions, ben
efitting them by millions, and John Q. Homeowner, and John
Q. Farmer would be pungling up for them through the sales
tax.
The sales tax is costly to administer. It would require set
ting up new machinery, and, we presume, hiring of auditors
and personnel. Machinery for the income tax, it should be
remembered, is already in operation and would require little
more expense if the income tax base were broadened.
No matter how you look at it the sales tax is a nuis
ance. It involves more records and more bookkeeping for all
business, and this is especially tough on small businesses,
which can hardly keep up with federal and state bookkeep
ing requirements on social security, unemployment compensa
tion, workmen's compensation, withholding taxes, and oth
ers. To impose this on some businesses would be almost the
last straw. The sales tax. too, is a chore for the consumer
who has to face the irritation of carrying a pocketful of
pennies to pay for it. This is emphasized every time a per
son takes a trip to our neighboring state to the north.
Ranchers and farmers will be hit by a sales tax, too.
The degree to which they suffer depends on how the bill
is written. They are among those most desperately needing
property tax relief. But what good does it do to relieve them
in one pocket when the state takes it out of another pocket?
Once the gate is opened on a sales tax, even though it
may be only two per cent at first, the pressure is almost sure
to make it climb to a higher percentage for other purposes.
Neither Irvin Mann, representative from our 28th district
nor Martin Buchanan, who lost to him in the general elec
tion and who is a member of the state tax study committee,
are in favor of a sales tax. Buchanan was among those who
were in the 4-man minority on the report
Rep. Mann points out that he believes the legislators are
"gun shy" on another income tax proposal because of the
resounding defeat of the state tax program in the fall of
1963. But it may be recalled that this program was designed
to go towards an alleged deficit in state funds. If provisions
for a broader based income tax were designed so that the
additional, above what is now being paid, would go solely
against property tax, it Just might win enough friends to
carry.
There is a considerable difference. In the fall of 1963
voters had the feeling that the state was wielding a club
on them and saying, in effect, "Either vote for the program,
or we'll cut out this or that service." Whether right or
wrong, voters weren't in a mood to vote yes under this imag
ined compulsion.
The handwriting, so clearly marked by those who signed
the Vk property limitation petitions, is still on the wall.
If the legislature pins its hopes on a sales tax, the situation
will only be aggravated. The plan towards a broader in
come tax should be tried first with its provisions carefully
designed to provide relief on property taxes and without any
attempt to tie strings to it for some other purpose.
Oregon may have one of the highest state income taxes
in the nation but it is only a drop in the bucket compared
to feJeral income tax. It is the fairest tax, and while no
tax is painless, the income tax doesn't have all the obvious
disadvantages of a sales tax.
Under the income tax, relief to property owners would
come from our people according to their ability to pay.
Rep. Mann is in favor of working out plans for a poll of
the peop'e to determine which way they wish to go. This
would seem to be a good and reasonable suggestion if it can
be worked out to give a valid cross-section of opinion. It
would certainly have more merit than plunging into a spe
cial election on a "do or die" sales tax.
Oscar Peterson's efforts to stimulate interest and enthusiasm
towards publication of a Morrow county history deserve serious
attention of all who are fond of the county and appreciate what
it means to them.
The true Morrow cvuntian has a high loyalty for this county.
He cherishes the way of life hero, which Is rather unique In a
nation that is tending to concentrate its population in metropol
itan areas. He likes to think of the past, reliving the thing that
have Influenced the culture and development of the county
early settlement by hardy ranchers, the old time harvests, the
huge flocks of sheep that once were characteristic, the Indian
days, the 1903 Heppner flood, the early days at Hardman as an
important stage coach stop, the problem of coping with tne vast
distances bv horse and wagon, the cattle drives, the early home
steads, the rural schools that once were scattered to the remote
corners of the county.
Despite the great Interest in these things, little has been
done towards publishing an accurate history to form a perma
nent record. Only bits and pieces are scattered around, une oi
the best efforts was the publication several years ago of "Yes-ten-ears
cf Morrow" as a cooperative protect of the extension
sen-ice and home extension units. This publication, which could
only touch the highlights of the county's history, has been In
great demand and copies are still being sold nearly every' wek.
Something more detallea Is needed, and this Is what Oscar
Peterson Is striving for.
Ora Yeager, now of Castle Rock. Wn., an old timer nere. nas
written a history centered around Heppner, but the mgrt cost oi
publishing it has been a stumbling block. He has devoted hund
reds of hours writing the manuscript but has met with little
success in his effort
Peterson says that Giles French of Moro, who has Just com
pleted a third book of his own. These Things We Note, nas
shown interest In editing and supervising publication of a his
tory and estimates the cost at about $5000. This may seem a
high price to some, but those familiar with publishing costs
know that it would be a real bargain if it can be done tor that.
History of another Eastern Oregon county was published at a
cost twice that sum.
French, a native East Oregonlan, is a natural ror sucn a
task. A talented writer with a gift for expression, he is intimate
ly familiar with the history of this part of the state. He is an
excellent and accurate editor. Because he has had several books
of his own published, he knows how to go about it Now retired,
he has the time to work at it
The plan Is that French, with Yeagers permission, could use
the existing manuscript as a basis for the book. But a great
amount of work would need to be done in coordinating, research
ing, editing, adding material and perhaps getting and selecting
pictures to make a complete and accurate publication.
Cost of publication is more than any single Individual could
be expected to pay. While there would be a keen demand for
the book from those particularly interested In the county, It
could not be expected to generate any widespread general circula
tion, and so cost could not be covered by book sales alone. His
torical societies, libraries, and those out of the area with a pen
chant for history would supplement the local tale, however.
So, what is particularly needed Is financial help. Folks who
realize the Importance of this project could offer to donate to it
with the thought that their contributions would document the
history of the county so that generations to come could appre
ciate the heritage they enjoy. The county's history Is filled with
drama and color. Stories of the past here are even more remark
able and powerful than fiction because they are true.
Old timers still remaining can reach back in their memories
and enthrall listeners with their tales of the early days, but few
of these stories are being recorded. Every passing month sees
more and more of the old timers slipping away, and it will not
be long until their accounts are either lost or so distorted in
passing down from mouth to mouth that they are no longer his
torically valid.
Peterson hopes to interest farm groups, civic organizations and
others in supporting this project. Financially, it has to be con
sidered a losing proposition, but the result would be something
that could not be measured in money. It would be an Invalu
able work to the county and its people.
The hope is that this will strike a spark with those willing
to help. I? it does, give Peterson) a call to express this lrtterest
and talk it over with him.
OTHER EDITORS SAY
Chaff Chatter
Wes Sherman
MOKKOW Is a county of many
moods. In the spring it Is
verdant and vibrant. In the
summer it Is teeming with ac
tivity ami warmth. In the fall
it Is crisp and mellow, and In
the winter it can become cold
and brittle.
Sometimes it is temperament
al and capricious, flaring up
with a sudden or unex inn-ted
outburst. These still surprise the
old timers, but they amaze and
.sometimes bewilder newcomers
A sudden waterspout that
gouges gullcys ami w reins
buildings is one such manifes
tatlon of this temperament.
We experienced another ex
ample Sunday night which had
us a bit concerned.
We went to the valley to vis
it relatives and paused Sunday
afternoon to see the 5:Ji per
formance of Holiday on Ice In
Portland. It was late when we
reached Arlington and then
headed over the McNab cutoff
towards lone.
It had been a real pleasure
to get back to tranquility of
Eastern Oregon after sloshing
through the downpours thai
held through Hood River.
Suddenly, about halfway to
lone from the Arlington Condon
highway, we came across a
bunch of tumblrwced on the
road. We skirted around It with
the thought that there must
have been a storm here. too.
A little farther along, we
right through It with scarcely
n cough i n slop to clear lur
throat. She averaged a tlc
written single spaced page ev
ery l' minute for n total
elapsed time of i: minute.
That's a pretty good record.
The ordinance wasn't n bad
listening as one might think.
even Ihoiu'h It dldn I have a
plot Certainly It was not a
had entertainment as homo of
the TV programs one sees now
adas.
OKVll.l.K Cl'TSKOHTl! recently
came up won a new iiuu-m
rum-liers are encountering a a
result of littering. The Utter
bugs scatter beer and soda pop
cans along the Mads, and cows
or calves occasionally step on
the cans. This makes the ends
clamp over the hoof, and the
bovine Is stuck with an unwant
ed shoe. Ik-fore the ran Is fl
nallv knocked off. the animal
gets lame ami may suffer per
manent Injury sometimes re
sults. "Handlers would much rath
er be bothered with bottle
than cans." Orvllle said.
All of which they should
have to do neither, as the high
schixd hoy once phrased It.
Fire Department
Misses Coffccmakcr
Missing one :ui cup auto
matic West Rend aluminum
eoffccnwiker from the llepp
ncr lire Department. And un
happy Is the fireman without
that hot cup of coffee on a
cold, winter ulc.hl of practice
or fire fighting!
Anyone who might have In
formation that would lead to
return of the coffeemaker
asked to get In touch with
Klre I bu t Charlie Uugglcs.
Korrle llurkenlilne. or one of
the volunteer firemen. It has
been missing for several
weeks, (and no one likes to
see un unhappy volunteer
fireman).
Service Held Monday
For Lcota Brannan
Resident of Spray
blinked our eyes w hen the road s Brannan, a resl
seemed to dlPP" , the (of ,he ,,, thrw vrsri o(
The 'Junk Mail' Handicap
By CONNIE JOHNSON. EDITOR,
BLUE MOUNTAIN EAGLE, JOHN DAY
News reports, a short time ago, told of a virtual breakdown
in mail handling at the Chicago post office. Millions of pieces
of mall accumulated creating a critical Jam with resultant de
lays that led a trouble-shooter from the Postmaster General to
propose that large amounts of third-class mall be destroyed.
Caught in the backlog were 5.600 sacks of parcel post
Blame for the crisis was placed on a high rate of absenteeism,
a high volume of pre-Christmas advertising matter and the diffi
culty of recruiting new employes. The basic problem, according
to a report in U. S. News & world Kepon, . . . appears to oe a
growing shortage of dedicated labor that once made good mail
service possible in many places. Up to now, nobody has come
up with a machine that can replace this kind of labor.
It seems that the Post Office is always getting criticism oi one
sort or another. We're not authorities on big city postal employ
es, but we can't find much to complain about with the postal
department at the local level. There are exceptions, nowever,
and we believe many of these problems are inherited by local
postal employes from the overall government system.
One think, were certain that postal problems wouia De re
duced tremendously if the postal department altered its policy
on third class mail the "junk mail" that usually winds up in
wastebaskets before it is read by the boxholder.
Third class mail requires a large amount of the postal work
er's daily production. It also enjoys a low postage rate. We
believe if rates on this third class, or "junk mall", were made
the same as first class mail, there would be far fewer foul-ups
In post offices, and costs of operating the post office department
would be reduced.
Instead of making scapegoats of post office employes, wed
rather point the finger of scorn at the third class mailing "priv
ilege".
reaches of our headlights. There
was nothing ahead but a jung
le of tumbleweed. The road
wasn't even visible and the
turableweed appeared to be up
to three feet deep over the
road, a sodden mass from ap
parent heavy rains.
We started through the Jung
le, but it got thicker and thick
er. Finally the car could push
aside no more of the weeds and
stopped. We tried backing up
and making a run for it. still
unsure whether w-e were on tne
road or not, but the pile of
weeds resisted. We got out and
moved some, uncertain wheth
er to try to proceed to turn
back.
All we could see was tum
bleweed ahead as far as the
lights would shine. It was a
bit strange digging tumbleweed
off the road at midnight with
nary' a soul around but us.
We decided to go on ana
picked our way through It.
Soon it was behind and there
was no more evidence of a ca
pricious outburst until we came
upon the snow starting Just out
of Lexington, another example
of a fickle jtemperament
TUMBLE WEED, which has
been immortalized In song,
isn't always so fondly romanti
cized by the ranchers. The
greenhorn thinks of it as harm
less and novel, as it tumbles
along In the wind. But the
rancher know that when It
piles against fences in a good
blow, the combination of the
strong wall it presents and the
force of the wind can take fenc
es right out
Even knowing this, we were
unprepared to find such a
blockade on the road which had
been so free and clear when
we went west Just about 30
hours earlier. Maybe a fella
ought to carry a pitchfork in
his car as well as a shovel.
ONE OF THE requirements In
passing an ordinance by the
city council is that the ordin
ance be read In full at a coun
cil meeting. In most cases this
Isn't much of a chore, but it
was different with the new zon
ing ordinance. This is 30 pages
long.
For the past two months, the
council dreaded the time when
this would have to be read. The
planning commission had care
fully worked out the ordinance
with the engineers, and the
council had gone over its pro
visions in detail.
So Monday night, the time
finally arrived. Mayor Rosewall
offered to take turns with
Elaine George, recorder, in read
ing it but Mrs, George said she
was willing to get at it, even
though she had a cold and sore
throat
She plunged in and waded
Sprav and a former Heppner
resident, died November 30 at
St. Anthony hospitul In Pendle
ton after a lengthy Illness. She
was 40.
Lcota Jean Allison was born
May 17. 1H2G. in Montana; she
was united In marriage April
22. I'MVi. in Lexington to Mur
riith Brannan of Sprav.
In addition to the widower,
she is survived by a brother.
Leon Allison of Lawn dale,
Calif.; two sons, Dan Woolery
and William Norman Woolery.
both of Tacoma; a daughter,
Norma Jean Dlckman. Morrow
(la, and five grandchildren.
Services were held Monday,
Dii-ember 5. at 1 p.m. at the
Spray Assembly of Cod church
with the Reverend Darrel Hos
kins officiating. Interment was
at Haystack Cemetery. Arrange
ments were under the direction
of Sweeney Mortuary, Heppner.
Average Ex-GI
Pays Tax of $337
The average ex CI with an
Oregon veterans farm and home
loan paid a property tax or JJJ7
this year, i 5.3 porcent Increase
over the $X!0 he paid last year
and 94 percent above his VM
payment of $M
llils f.gure was reported by II.
C. Saalfeld, director of the Mate
Department of Veterans' Affairs,
which paid S10.M9.6U in 16
07 taxes this month on the prop
erties of J1.H3 World War ll and
Korean veterans who have state
loans. Last year's tax payment
was &M10.005 on 29.407 proper
ties
This year's tax increase was
higher than last year's. How
ever. In Mmc counties there was
a decrease from last year.
In Morrrow county, the tax on
54 properties this year $12.
51 ITS. The average x here
was 123100. against last yesrj
average uf $214 00 and as com
pared to the statewide average
this year of J337.
The borrower pays his taxes
monthly to the state veterans'
department along with his loan
repayment- The department In
turn pays the tax collector, and
does It by November 15 to earn
the veteran a three percent dis
count. The discount this year
saved the veterans $X5,34!).
Churches to Join
In Sunday Program
Churches of the South Morrow
County Ministerial association
arc Invited by the Chrtstiun
Church to attend a Sunday
meeting at 7:30 p.m. to hear
Frank Sutton, The Dalles. North
west representative of the Amor
lean Sunday School Union, and
see a llm that he win present,
This One for Jesus," Al Boschee,
pastor of the host church, an
nounces.
The meeting will be in the
Christian thurch. This is on the
occasion of the 105th annivers
ary of the American Sunday
School Union, the pastor said.
A free will offering will be ta
ken.
1
COMMUNITY
BILLBOARD
Couple Announces
Birth of First Child
Congratulations are being re
ceived by Mr. and Mrs. Kit
George on the birth of their first
child, a sen, born Saturday, De
cember 3, at Fort Collins, Colo.,
where the father Is attending
Colorado State University. His
birth weight was 7 lb. 6 oz., and
has been named Robert Cam
eron. Maternal grandpare n t s are
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Van Winkle,
Heppner; paternal grandparents
are Mrs- Elaine George, Hepp
ner, and Oscar George, Walla
Walla, Wn. Great grandparents
are Mr. and Mrs. Don Hanna
man, Lapwai, Idaho, and Mrs.
Cleo Van Winkle, Lexington.
Maternal great-great grand
mother is Mrs. Julia Hannaman,
Prosser, Wn.
Mrs. Van Winkle and Patricia
will leave Friday by plane for
Fort Collins to help with the
care of the new infant . Home
address of the new parents is
No. 7C, Aggie Village, Colorado
St. University, Fort Collins, Colo.
80521.
More Fun, Always...
At the TWO Sparkling New
In SALEM In EUGENE
112 Rooms 150 Rooms
KMUtaawcaiU IKUsiM
frshlUflXMUl fcsspMJMHM
BOTH HtHi HAVt MMTAWMHTf WITH i-H0UR COM! MHO
SCHOOL LUNCH MENDS
Heppner Elementary School end
Heppner High School
December 12 thru 16
December 12 Sloppy Joes,
green beans, canned fruit, milk
December 13 Macaroni and
cheese, molded vegetable salad,
peas, cake, milk, bread and but
ter.
December 14 Beans and ham,
cornbread and honey, celery and
carrot slices, purple plums, milk.
December 15 Buked potatoes,
wieners and sauerkraut, bread
and butter, peaches, milk.
December 16 Creamed tuna
on toast, cabbage salad, cheese
sticks, milk, dessert.
Mr. and Mrs. Bill Farra visit
ed her brother-in-law and sis
ter in New Plymouth, Idaho, over
the week-end. The Karrag are
looking forward to a Christmas
visit from their son, Jim, on
leave from the U. S. Navy,
Coming Events
HEPPNER HIGH
BASKETBALL
Heppner vs. DeSales, Friday.
December Heppner Hlgn
Gym
Heppner vs. Condon, Satur
day, uec. iu, London itign
Gym.
CHRISTMAS SHOW
AND SILVER TEA
Bv lone Garden Club
Friday, Dec. 9, 2 p.m. -8 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 10, 10 a m. 5
p.m.
Gilliam A Blsbee Building
Public welcome. Lot of
Christmas decorating Ideas.
CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
Tuesday, December 13
Elementary grades 1 5
"Christmas Windows"
Junior High Gymnasium, 7:30
p.m.
No admission. Public wel
come.
HIGH SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE
Wednesday, Dec. 13. 7;00 p m.
Heppner High ITA Invitps
all parents to attend stu
dent s classes.
SPONSORED AS A PUBLIC
SERVICE BY
C. A. RUGGLES
Insurance Agency
Heppner
P. O. Box 247 ML 678-9629
One of The Very Finest Gifts
A PORTABLE TYPEWRITER
FOR CHRISTMAS
GET YOURS
NOW!
CONTACT THE
HEPPNER
GAZETTE-TIMES
LARRY H0LL0WAY of
Standard Office Supply
Will Be in Heppner December 15 and Id
Thursday and Friday
And Will Have A Supply of Popular
Portables With Him
Or We Can Get The One You Want.
Leave Word at The Gazette-Times.
AN ADDING MACHINE IS A FINE GIFT IDEA, TOOI
STANDARD OFFICE SUPPLY
1214Vi Adams Ave.
La Grande
Ph. 963-3531