HEPPNER GAZETTE-TIMES. Thurtdcrr. November 16. 1967
THE mf fX-" HEPJPIMEK
GAZETTE-TIMES
Heppner, Oregon 97836
Phone 676-9228
MORROW COUNTY'S NEWSPAPER
The Heppner Gazette established March 30. 1883. The Heppner
Times established November 18, 1897. Consolidated February 15,
1912.
NATIONAL NEWSPAPER
NIWIPAMt
PUILIIHIII
ASSOCIATION
WESLET A. SHERMAN
HELEN E. SHERMAN ..
ARNOLD RAYMOND
Shop Foreman
Printer
GAIL BURKENBINE
Sbciety
Circulation
v5n Asg)cgTIN
EDITOR AND PUBLISHER
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
REGGIE PASCAL
Linotype Operator
RANDY STILLMAN
Apprentice
JIM SHERMAN
Pressman
cihcrrintinn Rntps: $-t .50 Year. Single Copy 10 Cents. Published
Every Thursday and Entered at the Post Office at Heppner, Oregon,
as Second Class Matter.
Office Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday; 9 a.m.
until noon Saturday.
A New Tack on Tax Problems
Now that the special session of the legislature has gone
well over the time It was expected to take to propose a
settlement on property tax relief, it appears evident that the
Impasses being faced by the legislators will not be satisfac
torily resolved.
rA. Un nmii'tntr rrrontpr thflt whatever tvDP of
wuua oirtriii uc fiiw"'6 - ' - - ' ' -j r - .
tax program that Is proposed will be defeated by the people I
when it Is referred to tnem. At xne same rime, uie reason
ing of some Is coming full cycle and one hears more and
more that the property tax "isn't such a bad system after
all."
Since this seems to be the trend, however reluctant, what
about focusing attention on some new tacks? Instead of at
tempting a "crash program" of effecting property tax relief
all at once, concentrate on finding means to escalate, as the
state's economy permits, the property tax relief program now
in effect. This year the state is providing property relief at
the rate of $1.21 per 51000 of assessed valuation. At least
that's a good start.
Turning to another tack, the two groups who find the
property tax most burdensome are farmers and home owners.
As to the farmer, if the tax is oppressive but is to re
main with him, the alternative may be to find a way for
him to gain a fair share of income. While union workers'
wages have gone up rapidly, the farmer's "pay" hasn't really
increased for many years. He surely isn't paid in proportion
to his investment, particularly in a county like Morrow where
the capital outlay essentially is rather great to develop a
spread sufficient to ma). v a living.
Why not take the tack of focusing on a plan to Increase
the farmer's income to relieve his tax burden? He should
have a greater share of the food dollar even if it Is neces
sary to raise the price of the foodstuffs he produces.
This probably would not be too easy to accomplish, par
ticularly without complaint by consumers. But in a pressure
packed society where the militant groups are getting their
way (such as the automobile workers), the farmer is pecul
iarly non militant. Through his organizations he may com
plain vehemently, but he so far has been too dedicated to
his calling to "go on strike." It is rather repulsive to think
that the time may come when he, too, must resort to string
ent pressure.
Some steps have been made towards property tax relief
on homes. Elderly citizens of low income have senior citizens'
exemptions on property taxes. Disabled veterans are provid
ed with exemptions.
Maybe other reductions on home taxes might be effected
by considering taxing some property which is currently tax
free, such as churches. Maybe encompassing some of these
properties with an accompanying reduction on homes might
be more palatable to the public.
Maybe the legislature has made the mistake of trying to
take too big a bite at once. Maybe the problem has to be
hacked at around the fringes by diverse means to come up
with some answers that may make the present system less
oppressive.
'Livestock' in the City
A perenlally troublesome matter within cities is that of
whether a resident should be allowed to keep chirkens, rab
bits, ducks, cows, horses or even dogs and cats that may
be nuisances to his neighbors.
Probably most humans have a fondness for animals of
some kind. Many have a particular affection for horses;
many others consider dogs as "man's best friends"; and some
adore cats. A few may wish to keep a cow for the milk she
produces; and some lik,? to have fresh eggs from their own
chickens. In none of these instances can others blame them.
However, when one lives within the city limits and en
joys the advantages that come from urban living, it would
seem that he must expect to forego some of the benefits of
living on a farm, from which lie must travel some distance
to obtain the services that city living provides.
A person cannot reasonably expect to "have his cake and
eat it."
But Heppner, as some councilrnen put It, Is a "good went
em town" and it allows a little more freedom and a little
more leniency on this "livestock" Issue than some larger cities.
Dogs and cats roam the city without bringing too much
complaint, and the horse population within the city limits
must reach a considerable number.
It would seem that the "love thy neighbor" philosophy
. here as it is in many instances of human relationship-
should be a prevailing guideline. If ones animals, indeed,
are a constant bother or nuisance to a neighbor, the owner
is imposing on that neighbor. One who feels moved to keep
animals or poultry In quantity might well consider finding
a place outside the city limits large enough so that he could
enjoy them without being kept in a turmoil by his neighbors'
complaints.
Aside from the issue of whether it is permlssable or
legal, the matter comes down to a question of why should a
person do things that are constantly offensive as intruding
on a neighbor's rights and privileges?
TO THE EDITOR...
Chaff and Chatter
Wes Sherman
WE'RE more convinced than driving, wanted to cut over to
Students Visit Council
It was good to see Adrian Cook, high school sociology
and history teacher, and two of his students, Vernon Fred
rickson and Rick Witherrite, at the Heppner city council
meeting for November.
Perhaps this is a little thing for editorial comment, but
it is an infrequent occasion when students or any citizens
attend a council meeting just to observe or show interest in
what is going on.
Municipal government is an important part of lives of
all city dwellers but it is often taken nonchalantly and all
too casually by the public.
The community offers quite a laboratory for social stud
ies with the county seat here and the municipal government
in operation. Students the citizens of tomorrow can profit
by learning how they function. Some day some of them will
sit on city councils or county courts and deal with the prob
lems faced by municipalities and local government agencies.
The council has a standing invitation for anyone to at
tend its meetings, and it was obvious that the city fathers
were glad to have Mr. Cook and his students present.
It is rather surprising that small towns do as well as
they do in maintaining their governments when so few per
sons take a genuine and active interest.
A night observing the council in action can be quite an
education to those who have not suffered with the many
problems large and small which face a community. On
some first Monday night of the month try taking the time
to drop into city hall and see for yourself.
Proud to be American
It Is pointed out that the National Observer, in a recent
article, declared that we should quit apologizing for Amer
ica being America. "Be a proud American" is the theme.
One group that has always left no stone unturned to
show that it is proud to be American is the American Legion.
This is the patriotism that the Heppner post exemplifies
as it starts the service of placing flags on downtown streets
for nine major holidays and other special occasions when
the colors should be displayed.
We're glad that they are proud to be American and step
forward at every opportunity to say so! All who love their
country should join in a re-dedication to Americanism.
Already more than 40 Heppner businesses and five in
Lexington have subscribed to their flag service for a nom
inal charge. Others who may not have been contacted are
invited to sign up.
May the spirit that the Heppner post manifests spread
throughout the country and start to be an antidote to the
draft card burners and others who seek to desecrate the tra
ditions and principles that American citizens have respected
and cherished through its history.
ever as of this 14th day of
November, 1967, that what this
country needs to win the world
from communism is more Mike
Benges. He is a person who is
willing to devote a good share
of his life in a strange land in
close contact with a people far
less privileged than Americans.
He lives on their level and thus
demonstrates that equality, in
the minds of some from the
United States, is really a prin
ciple and not merely a word.
If everyone had a chance to
visit with Mike for a couple of
hours, as we did on his current
emergency leave home follow
ing the accidental death of his
step-brother, Ralph Benge, all
would eet a much better under
standing of Vietnam and what
is trulv going on there. Mike
has lived with the Montagnards
and the South Vietnamese for
five years. He understands them,
understands their background,
and knows their culture
He can give some considered
opinions on what the U. S. is
doing in Vietnam, what would
happen if our armed forces are
pulled out, and what to expect
if they stay.
That he has gained the re
spect of the Montagnards is ev
ident from the fact that they
recently sacrificed a buffalo for
him, one of the greatest exhib
itions of honor that they can
bestow.
Mike plans on staying in Viet
nam as long as he can make
a contribution and as long as
the Agency of International De
velopment, with which he is as
sociated, permits him to stay.
Sometimes his disdain for red
tape and his intolerance of
sham put him in a bit of a
spot.
For instance, he was asked to
make a government report in
July which asked, "How are
you going to improve rice pro
auction in iub77" The rice,
which in his area is a dryland
variety, and doesn't grow in
paddies, had lone since been
planted. There was no chance
to change anything.
He wrote on his report, "May
be we should import an Indian
Hopi dancer to pray for rain."
This brought some remon
strances from the higher ups,
but Mike didn't retract it.
But the lone man has a great
respect for America's leaders in
Vietnam. His emergency leave
came lust at the time that Am
bassador Ellsworth Bunker was
returning to Washington, D. C,
for conferences, and so Mike
came to the States on the same
plane with the ambassador and
other dignitaries.
"The ambassador is a very
intelligent, very capable man,"
says Mike. "He has a mind like
a steel trap." He pointed out,
too, that the ambassador has an
awesome responsibility.
We just wish that what Mike
had to say to us this day could
have been nationally televised
across America. We hope that
we convey accurately some of
his opinions in the story else
where in this paper.
a back way through Albany.
"Oh, no," we advised, with
our paternal wisdom, "you'll
hit the Albany crowds at the
parade for Governor Reagan.
Dutiful Dick stuck to the
freeway, and in a few minutes
we were enmeshed. It took two
hours literally two hours to
travel five miles on the free
way to the Corvallis cutoff,
which is still 16 miles from
Corvallis.
Cars would inch forward for
a few feet, then stop. Some tried
cutting back and forth from
one lane to another as opportu
nity presented. Some tried driv
ing, down the shoulder. Some
drove across the ditch and head
ed back north. Quitters!
We got tangled in a group
of five big busses and sniffed
their diesel exhaust for an hour
or so.
Other Heppnerits were in the
same jam. - Beverly and Eddie
Gunderson were among them.
Their car started heating from
the constant idling and they
had to Dull off. Many others
were in the same plight. Our I had
THE FACT that Oregon State
I nn-oroitif'o fivith"! tinm ic
....wo.vj " f orty thousand people, aner
now rated only No. 8 in the na- all. is three times the popula-
Pontiac behaved itself.
Some folks got out and start
ed walking. Kids got out and
played at the roadside. Occas
ionally we would go forward a
few feet.
When the game started at
1:30 we were still on the free
way. Bob Blackburn, whose
voice came in over the car ra
dio, announced that the stadi
um was jammed, which was
heartening news to the thous
ands passing the time of day
on the freeway ." iust a few
vacant spots visible in the end
zone seats, said he
We didn't know it at the time.
but Dr. A. D. McMurdo had left
Heppner the same morning.
went to Portland, visited his
son, and they flew to Corvallis,
There was no traffic jam in the
sky. They had a leisurely lunch
in Beaverville and then went
to the Stadium in plenty of
time to view pre-game activi
ties. Too bad he didn't have a
helicopter to rescue some of
his Heppner friends!
We finally gained the turn
off and conditions improved,
We reached the outside of the
stadium in time to hear the
public address announcer des
cribe Haggard's field eoal, af
ter the roar of the crowd had
died away.
With one minute to go In the
first half, we reached our seats.
The rest of the- game, we decid
ed, licking our wounds, was
worth it. And we observed a
minute's silence for the thous
ands who were still behind us
on the freeway.
Now we understand Tad Mill
er and his party had intelli
gence enough to go down 99
W and got there in good shape.
Parker Stadium will hold
more than 40,000 people with
ease, but if there are many
more crowds this big, the pub
lic is going to have to learn to
get around in the cool of the
morning or else someone is j
going to have to engineer a bet
ter system of getting there
Forty thousand people, afte
Co-op Control Urged
lone, Oregon
November 6, 17
To the Editor:
Hep. Joseph Y. Resnick, New
York, who has issued stinging
charges against various farm
organization!! during the past
several months, last week in
Washington. D. C. labeled some
farm cooperative leaders as
"nothing more than Mafia in
Overalls."
In issuing the charge Resnlck
called On the U. S. Treasury De
partment and the U. S. depart
ment of agriculture to propose
enabling legislation to exert
the same control over coopera
tives as the government now ex
ercises over all private Indus
trv.
Legislation must be enacted
to curb tax excesses and other
unfair practices without harm
lne lee t mate farmer coopera
tives, Resnick said. He argued
that cooperatives are now con
trolling farmers and threaten
ing the very existence of private
companies in the iarm supply
sector.
In substantial areas of the
U. S." he said, "the co ops have
taken over the farm supply bus
Iness and the commodity mar
keting business. They practic
ally pay no taxes. They are
buying up and absorbing, the
private companies they were
established to compete with on
the theory that healthy compe
tition would benefit the inde
pendent farmer. The co-ops are
now gigantic business, often
controlling their own sources of
suply such as oil refineries, po
tash mines and feed mills.
Since July. Resnick has been
heading a one-man blitz on the
American Farm Bureau Feder
ation business activities. And
he has received many com
plaints from producers regard
ing the patronage refund poli
cies of Farm Bureau connected
co-ops and other cooperatives.
He asserted that there is now $4
to $16 billion outstanding "in
worthless certificates" issued by
cooperatives to member farmers
in lieu of cash refunds. Very
simply, what happens is that
the co-op keeps the cash, the
customer keeps the certificates
and the co-op then refuses to
redeem it, making the certifi
cates worthless!" To make this
situation worse, he contends,
the customer must treat
worthless certificates as if they
were cash, and must pay per
sonal income taxes in some
states personal property taxes,
on the full amount while the
co-op deducts these so-called
securities from its taxable in
come, and as a result, pays
practically no taxes."
Resnick told a press comer
ence that one Pennsylvania or
chard operator told him that he
more than $125,000
verts Into tax-exempt coopera
tives." He Raid that the Farm Bur
eau Is using "kept money" to
drive Independent millers, sup
ply houses, oil dealers, ware
houses and grain elevators out
of business. "They ure expand
ing Into contract farming a
system which destroys the
farmer as an Independent bus
inessman and, In effect, makes
Delegates Report
On Youth Meetings
At Legion Dinner
A good turnout of members
attended a loint put luck dinner
meeting of the American Legion
Post No. 87 and Auxiliary held
Moniliiy evening, November 6,
In the Legion hull in Heppner.
Special guests for the even
ing were Mrs. Ora Coe of Mil.
ton-Freewater, district president
of unit 6, and Gail Zerba of
Athena, district commander.
Reports were heard from five
youth delegates who had at-
him the captive employee of the tended the Girls' and Buys' State
contractor The Farm Bureau conventions in Salem last sum
Coop or the feed companies nu.r where they learned of
Some co-ops, according to' ,ate government and its poll.
Resnick admit to not redeeming cl4,s xhe students elect thrir
their paper for 20 years. He own government officluls to
termed a redemption period of rm pOVernine bodv and reo-
over three years "unreasonable , r0Sentatives are chosen lo at
and added that coops should
pay interest on the refunds n
holds.
Resnick complained that there
is no government control over
any aspect of the activities oi
co-operatives. He said he had
been unable to find anyone in
the government who can tell
him how many co-ops there are,
what their sales value is and
exactly how much in worthless
certificates there is in circula
tion. "Co-operatives are virtual
ly exempt from anti trust laws
under the Capper-Volstead Act.
They are also free from scru
tiny by the Securities txenange
Commission. Today, a man
holding a share of stock in Gen
eral Motors has more influence
in determining management
policy than a man owning a
share of stock in a co-op. If
the trend continues, soon there
won't be any tax-paying busi
nesses left, he warned.
Resnick said that he was of
fering an amendment to S 109,
the producers' bargaining rights
bill, which would give farmers
adeauate protection from un
fair treatment by co-operatives.
The U. S. department oi ag
riculture reports that there are
about 8,500 farm marketing ana
purchasing co-operatives with
gross annual business of $20
billion. This, USDA pointed out,
represents about 25 percent of
the total farm marketing sales
and 25 percent of the total farm
supply business in the nation.
This is a reprint from the
Commercial Review dated Octo
ber 10, 1967.
Sincerely yours
Lloyd Morgan
'worthless certificates" from
local cooperative.
According to Resnick the law
states a co-op must distribute
only 20 percent of its earnings
in cash, and many distribute
the rest in common stock, re
volving fund certificates or sim
pie book allocations. "Most
Farm Bureau cooperatives dis
tribute the 20 percent in cash
and the balance in what I call
"funny money". They then re
port to the Internal Revenue
Service that they have no tax
able income for the year, and,
in turn, the co-ops tell their
customers that the certificates
or stock that the customers own
are unredeemable and pay no
interest or dividend. They can
not be cashed or be used in
payment for merchandise pur
chased. In actual fact, the con
gressman argued, they are
worthless.
To further compound the
problem, he pointed out, the co
op is left with vast amounts of
cash "which it uses to go out
and purchase taxpaying Dust
ness, and which it then con-
Pioneer
ltggJ rwHuw "I
lilllllif
Ponderings
Bv W. S. CAVERHTLL
tion is the most disconcerting
news ever to be heard bv those
who fought the freeway jam on
Interstate o to get to Parker
Stadium Saturday.
We know most of the back
roads around Corvallis from
Irish Bend to Airlie after liv
ing nearby for 20 years, but
didn't have sense enough to
take them.
The whole family had a case
of Beaver football fever after
watching the WSU game, and
so we got up at 4:30 Saturday
morning to see the "big one
between the Beavers and USC.
We took granddaughter Becky
Lynn to Stayton from Salem and
ett there 21 hours before game
time, iiguring on being settled
in our seats at Parker stadium
by 12:30.
It was 11:45 when we came
to Albany. Son Dick, who was
tion of Pendleton
- Should we go again when a
capacity turnout is expected,
we'll plan to go out the Falls
City road from Dallas, head
south to Airlie, through Kings
Valley and hit Philomath to
double back to Corvallis. By
that time, though, all freeway
users should have decided to
do the same thing and we'll
get caught in a jam again. Or
maybe it would be better to get
a skiff at Oregon City, put it
in the Willamette and row to
Corvallis.
But it was wonderful! Three
to nothing. Wonderful!
As to the U of O-OSU game,
though, father will keep lip
buttoned what with one son a
senior at Duckville and another
son and drughter-in-law alumni
of Beaverville.
Confusion in Our Coffee Club
Confound the experts, any
how!
One of our club members hap
pened to read that Bad Boy
Maccoi- Viae ITtrvnt in tho rmlo
rof a billion dollars. It looks a"a
Join the PTA
November 7, 1967
To the Editor:
A communication to the peo
Die of Henoner.
We realize that educating
children is the largest, most im
portant, and most costly under
taking a community has; a pro
ject which is the responsibility
of every person in the commu
nity, not just parents andor
teachers and school administra
tors. Employers in all trades or oc
cupations have educational re
quirements that must be met
by employees, and their interest
in education is great. The min
imum state requirements of
school attendance and of col
lege entrance are of utmost im
portance to every citizen of Ore
gon. Our laws and our regula
tions point to the need for bus
iness and social behavior stand
ards which our schools teach.
tend Boys' and Girls' Nation in
Washington, D. C.
Representatives present for
the dinner meeting were Meri
lee Jacobs, daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. Walt Jacobs of lone; Nan
cy Doherty, daughter of Air. and
Mrs. Bernard Doherty; Russell
Kilkenny, son of Mr. and Mrs.
Bob Kilkenny: Earl Ayres, Jr.,
son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Ayres,
and John Rawlins, son of Mr.
and Mrs. William Rawlins, all
of Heppner.
Slides were shown by John
Rawlins during the evening, ac
companying the representatives'
reports.
Other special guests were Bob
Kilkenny and Earl Ayres.
Wrangler Awards
Given at Dinner;
Two Tie for Trophy
Members of the Heppner
Wranglers club and their fam
ilies enjoyed the annual "buck
burger" feed sponsored by the
club In the fair annex building
on Wednesday evening, Novem
ber 8, at 6:30 p.m., with Fred
Mankin as chairman.
Awards were given out dur
ing the evening for playday ac
tivities. Those winning in the
six-year-old and under group
were Maureen Healy and Ron
nie Currin, tie for first; Krynn
Robinson, second, and Cindy
Dougherty, third.
In the seven-to-12-year-old
group, Joan Healy won first;
Kyle Robinson, second; Mary
Adair, third, and Abby Wilson,
Susan Healy, Lisa Collins, and
Jeannie Daley tied for fourth.
In the 13 to 17-year-old class,
Marsha Jones won first; Becky
Fulieton, second; bherri O-
Brien, third, and Ruby Fulleton,
fourth.
Those winning in the senior
group were Bob Steagall, first;
Beverly Steagall, second; Cliff
Adair, third, and Patti Petty
john, fourth.
Sharing the honors for the 3
year revolving trophy were
Maureen Healy and Bob Stea
gall. Those winning the timed re
lay were Gregg Brooks, Patti
Pettyjohn and Sandra Rodrig-ues.
Jaycettes to Meet
Monthly meeting of the Hepo-
ner Jaycettes has been announc
ed for Thursday evening, No
vember 16, 8:00 p.m. at the
os wmcn our scnoois teach, home of Mrs. Pat Wonser. All
Schools, however, can not do members are urged to be pies-
the job necessary without citi
zen participation. One of the
better ways of participating is
to join the PTA and be an ac
tive and participating member.
Each business, each social, each
religious organization, and each
citizen should be represented
and take an active part in the
PTA.
The PTA is a voluntary or
ganization, and it is sort of a
buffer zone or a communication
zone between the people of a
community and the school.
There are many committees to
be filled by volunteers, if citi
zens wish to communicate with
the school in an organized
manner. There are many social
and fund raising projects that
require committee workers and
leaders; these projects are to
benefit our children.
The PTA for the Heppner El
ementary School has sponsored
an enrollment drive primarily
for their organization but in
cluding the high school club. I
am certain, however, that there
are many who did not for one
reason or another buy a membership.
This is another invitation or
request for you to join the PTA.
Know darned well most of you
are not too busy to volunteer
for a committee and to helD
form a good interesting, active
rlA, Mrs. raul Warren is sec
retary of the high school PTA.
Call her up and order a mem
bership card; tell her which
committee you would like to
work on, too, if you will. Above
all, attend the PTA meetings
De actively concerned
ent.
COMMUNITY
BILLBOARD K
like bankruptcy for his country.
That news item stirred our fel
low to a flow of words (he can
talk a parrot off its perch). We
couldn t stop him, didn t try.
"Thirty million Egyptians
owe one billion. That's $33 per
capita, too bad. Compare that
situation with that of Uncle
Sam, a good buy, 200 million
of his people owe somebody
$320 billion. That's $1,600 for
every man, woman and button
in the country. The experts say
we are doing fine, that Nasser
owes others, while we owe our
selves. We do. All of us owe
some of us, and the 'Some of
us' are increasing their claim
on the rest of us rapidly." He
stopped for a breath, then add
ed, "We may be foundering in
debt up to the top of our ears,
but we still have the best coun
try in the world to live in."
Meanwhile, our coffee had
grown cold.
about schools and kids and
show it.
Bill Weatherford, President
Heppner High School PTA
POWER
CONTROL
ELECTRIC MOTOR SERVICE
WE REPAIR:
Electric Motors
Power Tools
Hydraulic Jacks
Alemite Equipment
421 S.E. 4th Pendleton
Phone 276-5862
Coming Events
JAYCEE FIDDLER CONTEST
Old-time Fiddler Contest
Sponsored by Heppner Jay
cees v
Friday-Sat. nights, Nov. 24
& 25
Junior High Gym
YOUTH MOVIE
"Berkeley Revolution", 50
minute color movie
Friday night, Nov. 24, grade
scnool multipurpose room
High School and College stu
oents invited
No admission
COMMUNITY SERVICE
United Community Thanks
giving service
Wednesday, Nov. 22, 8 p.m.
Heppner Christian Church
People of all faiths invited
CowBELLE MEETING
Morrow County CowBelle
luncheon meeting
Friday, Nov. 17, noon, Wagon
Wheel Cafe
Installation of officers
PEP CLUB PIE SALES
Tuesday, Wednesday after
noons, 4 to 6 p.m., Nov. 21,
22
By Heppner Hieh PeD Club
Next door to Gardner's
Benefit for cheer leading un-
iiorms
DON'T FORGET CHRISTMAS
OPENING NOV. 24, 25
DOWNTOWN HEPPNER
SPONSORED AS A PUBLIC
SERVICE BY
C. A. RUGGLES
Insurance Agency
O. Box 247 PH. 676-9625
Heppner