Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 4, 1968)
HEPPNER GAZETTE-TIMES, Thursday. January 4, 1968 THE " fx$ HEPPNER GAZETTE-TIMES Heppner, Oregon 97838 Phone 676-9228 MORROW COUNTY'S NEWSPAPEH The Heppncr Gazette established March 30, 1883. The Heppner Times established novemocr j.3, ibhi. unao.iuuieu reuiuary -j, 1912. NATIONAL NEWSPAPER NIWIPAMI PUIUIHIM ASSOCIATION WESLET A. SHERMAN HELEN E. SHERMAN ARNOLD RAYMOND Shop Foreman Printer GAIL BURKENBINE Society Circulation EDITOR AND PUBLISHER ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER REGGIE PASCAL Linotype Operator RANDY STILLMAN Apprentice JIM SHERMAN Pressman Subscription Rates: $4.50 Year. Single Copy 10 Cents. Published Every Thursday and Entered at the Post umce ai Heppner, uregon, as Second Class Matter. Office Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. until noon Saturday. Prospects for a Good Year If a poll were taken on what the American people most desire for the common good for 1968, there Is no doubt that the vast majority would unhesitatingly name a satisfactory cessation of hostilities in Vietnam. If the New Year could attain such an Important accomp lishment, ending the loss of life of hundreds of our boys and the suffering of thousands of others who are wounded In the war, It would overshadow anything else that the year could bring. Unfortunately, there Is little hope, as 1968 starts, that another year will see the end of the conflict. We can all fervently hope that It will be ended, but maybe the best we can expect Is that the United States' position there will be greatly improved and pray that as few as possibe of our men will die or be wounded. Except for this dark cloud over us, the New Year may be expected to be a real good one. There is no doubt that there will be more riots, demon strations and racial flareups, but there are some signs that these will start to taper off. There seems to be some tem pering of attitudes In the deep south, as witnessed by the election of the first Negro to the legislature In Mississippi, and his colleagues' acceptance of him even by those from the "troublesome" counties. We wouldn't want to assume the role of a soothsayer, but we tend to think that the hippies will start to silently steal away as their fad runs out and their stomachs get hung ry. We think that 1968 will "see an Increasing effort on the part of young people to react against these racial groups. There is some evidence that young people will find more true meaning to their lives, that they will achieve more depth through religion, that the voices of the ones who stand on solid principles will become louder. Turning to the local scene, prospects for 1968 look very good as this page of history opens. The year 1967 concluded with 8.64 Inches of rainfall. It would be too much if we had two such years In a row, and the odds would appear that we can expect more near normal rainfall. This means better crops, greener ranges, and, we sincerely hope, a more prosperous year for ranchers. In Just a few months, the John Day dam will be com pleted, and barring some unforeseen development, the pool will have been filled behind the dam for some months by December 31, 1968. The new reservoir may open avenues that we can now just conjecture about. Sale of the BLM land to private par ties in the north end of Morrow county is the first step to- wards agricultural development under irrigation. Some of these may be underway by the end of the coming year. The Port of Morrow may start to bear fruit on the new reservoir and some Industrial developments may start to emerge. The new Riverside High school will be completed and occupied. At Heppner, the summer will open with a new swimming pool for the population to enjoy. There will be an expanded bank building at the corner of May and Main streets, and the new Columbia Basin Electric Co-op building will be con structed or well on the way towards construction. There probably will be other business developments, which, at this time, are still not conceived. Prospects for moving ahead on the Willow Creek dam project this year appear rather dim because of the financial demands of the Vietnam war, but supporters of the project will do all they can towards Its eventual culmination. There are good hopes, too, for the recreational develop ment of the county. The John Day dam pool will bring some. In the south end, the state and county are working jointly towards at least one additional fish Impoundment, and the year 1968 Is almost sure to see some good steps to wards recreation development In the forest areas. There are many more little straws In the wind to give cause for optimism, matched against the pangs of pessimism. There are sure to be troubles and hardships and suffering. But these will make the achievements sweeter, for without adversity, there would be little appreciation. OTHER EDITORS SAY John Day Dam (From Sherman County Journal) When the first brief was written to request a study of dam sites near the John Day river mouth, one of the argu ments included was that industry would surely come to the middle Columbia River section with the advent of cheap pow er. The value of irrigation was also a factor mentioned. Now that the dam is nearly completed, irrigation is being considered in Sherman, Gilliam and Morrow counties, all from river waters backed up by the dam when the river is finally closed. In Morrow county the federal government auctioned land and private persons bought it, no big companies, indi viduals. So far as is known the government has not been asked to aid irrigation In any one of the counties. That is indicative of change change in attitude toward government by land owners and maybe a change on the part of government which has been the sponsor of irrigation In much of the west. Now irrigation is being done by private money. A lot of money has been put into business in this country, so much that manufacturing is now operating at little more than 80 percent of peak production. Agriculture in this county is at little more than 60 percent. - But let a scarcity develop in any crop or livestock and there Is money available to buy land, irrigate it if necessary, and build a plant to process the crop. There are many big outfits in agriculture today. While farmers groan at a figure of $200 per acre on the assessor's books, it is really a cheap price for productive land. Any big company with a market for sugar beets, vegetable crops, grapes or many others expect to pay as much as $1000 for the land they use. Producing orchards have been assessed at that price for years. It will probably take some time to establish irrigation in our dry land counties and much of it will be needed to permit landowners to grasp the new and bigger possibilities available. Maybe someone will have to come from the out side to make the start Giles French. Soldier's Wife Expresses Thanks To Red Cross Proof that gift kits prepared Dy the Morrow county chapter, American Red Cross, reached their destinations in Vietnam and were appreciated by the servicemen there came In a let tor received this week from I soldier's wife In Texarkana. Ark., according to Robert B. A b rams, Morrow county chapter chairman or me ttea cross. Mrs. Walter B. Coopwood of 1416 Forrest St. Texarkana 75501 sent a card of appreciation to the Morrow county Red Cross and added, "I want to take this moment to say I appreciate the dox tnat was sent to my nus- band in Vietnam, SFC Walter B, Coopwood." The gift kits were prepared nere unaor tne direction oi Mrs. Paul (Bethel) Heinrlchs, secre tary of the Red Cross chapter, who spearheaded the work. More than MO.OOO such tin kits, one for every U. S. service man and woman in Vietnam, were prepared by the American Red Cross for holiday distribut ion to the American forces. Packed in multicolored Christ mas bags, each of the kits con tains seven or more useful vera onal items, small games, puzzles, paperback books, playing cards, ballpoint pens, stationery and oice tapes. Two thousand bags pacKea especially lor service' women also Included cosmetics, powder puffs, facial tissues, ewing kits, hand lotion and shower caps. lne task or assembling and packing the gifts was in progress some 1,840 coram u n 1 1 les throughout the U. S. since early last summer. Chaff and Chatter Wes Sherman Maralee Murray On OSU Honor Roll Maralee Murray, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rod Murray of Heppner, is listed on the fall term honor roll at Oregon State University. A graduate of Heppner High school with the class of 1967, Miss Murray is a freshman this year In the School of Pharmcay at OSU. To be eligible for the honor roll, students must make grades of at least B plus or better for the term. Mr. and Mrs. Don McClure and family of Ashland visited her mother, Mrs. Elsie Molla han, and her brother and sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. John Mol- lahan and family during the Christmas holidays. The Mc Clures, former Heppner resi dents, are now living in Ash land, where he is a teacher and coach in the high school. ONE OF HEPPNER's more prom inent natives, litis (Jen. John Beckett, described "The Game that Saved the Rose Bowl" in an artk-le In This Week maga zine distributed with daily newspapers across the land Sun day. Gel. Beckett, now 74 and re tired, was captain of the Mare Island Marines that played nn armv team from Camp Lewis in the war year of 1918 and won, 19 to 7. It had taken a special meet Ing of President Wilson and his cabinet to approve the game bo tween the service teams at time when colleee football had all but vanished because of the war. Gen. Beckett has seen many Rose Bowl games since the one in which he played In 1918 and was on hand at the USC-lndi ana game this New Years, report simmers here, too, that he was one of a number of guests of honor at a dinner fol lowing the game. John Beckett was born on the Beckett ranch in Eightmile country near Heppner in 1893 and went to Liberty school. He left with his family when he was 13 years of age (in 1906) His brothers, Walter and Char lie, still live here, as does a sis ter, Mary Beckett, who resides In Pioneer Memorial nursing home. Two brothers, Ralph ana Henry, are deceased. Harold Becket and Laurence Becket, who are cousins, are nephews of Gen. Beckett, as was Mrs, Margaret Buschke who died De cember 22. After leaving Heppner, John Beckett became an all-Ameri can tackle for the University of Oregon, and then played with the Mare Island Marines after entering service. He later enter ed coaching and from 1921 un til 1924 was coach of tne yuan tico Marine teams which play ed many of the best college teams in the country. Alter 32 vears in service. (Jen. Beckett retired and now makes his home in La Jolla, Calif. He often returns here, mak ing two trips here last summer. Gen. Beckett retains an interest in the family ranch in Eight-mile. By the way, John is a "two Beckett, as are Walter and Charlie. But Harold and Laur ence, though in the same fam ily, are "one-t ' BecKets. wny some have two "t's" and some one "t at tne ena or. ineir names, we don't know. But we suspect it is just to confuse newspaper editors. However, Harold conienas that some in his family have slipped to the two-t side Do- cause they have become urea of telling people to use one t. Harold and Laurence are strong holdouts. IF A COUPLE of well known local citizens give you the cold Khoulder, think nothing of It. There a good reason. Herman Green, bless his ven turesome heart, succumbed to the lure of Ice skating at Bull Prairie over the week-end. Fish ing through the Ice wasn't good enouch. He had to try a few fig ure eights on ice skates. Well, sir, apparently one of the figure eights was done ver tically Instead of horizontally when the skates slud out from under him. His shoulder Is dislocated, but he is touehlne it out. still muk- ins his rounds with the sanitary service, though one arm is in a sline under his coat. The other is Herb Hvna, tne genial gentlpman from Butterby Flats, near Cecil. Herb, early In December, was helping pile bales of hay on a truck during a cattle drive. He was ud about yay-high jumping on a bale that he was trying to wedge between two stacks. Another fellow was helping. Someone zlgged Instead of zagged, the bale tipped in stead of sagged, and Herb flip ped. He didn't make much or a splash following his headfirst dive from the truck, since there wasnt anything but dirt and eravel to land on. He hit on a shoulder and his head, thereby breaking a collarbone and a rib. Herbs back in circulation aeain after a hitch in the hos pital. and it's good to have him around, even if he is shaking hands with his left paw. You can t keep good men down. Signs Not a Challenge New signs posting higher designated speeds within the Heppner city limits are not to be considered a challenge to travel that fast regardless of conditions. For, as Police Chief Glen Kolkhorst points out, the post ed limits are designated speeds only, and the state's basic rule still applies. If streets are slippery and icy, if visibility Is impaired for any reason, or if unusual congestion or po tential hazard is present, the posted speeds might well be too high for the conditions. While there may be considerable reason to support the contention that the previous designated speed of 25 miles per hour to the north city limits was too low, there can also be some argument advanced that the 40 miles per hour may be too high at the south end of the zone. Linden Way is flanked on the east side with many homes. There are a good number of children living there, as well as adults, and there are no sidewalks along the high way for them to use in walking to school. There is always a chance that a child may dart on to the highway in front of a car. and it will take some distance to stop a car travel ing at 40 miles per hour. On the west side are a number of commercial establish ments and the Union Pacific depot. From these, traffic feeds off and on the highway and brings additional potential haz ard. The 40 mile per hour designated speed extends south from the city limits to near the Quaid Street intersection at the Willow Creek bridge, where it drops to 25 miles per hour. Thus, under the new rules, a driver can roll pretty far into town at 40 miles per hour. Some who habitually speed up to more than 25 miles per hour before they hit the city limits leaving town on the north also habitually slow down to considerably less than 40 miles per hour by the time they reach the Willow Creek bridge coming Into town. A careful driver, indeed, may find it difficult to hold to 40 miles per hour to the south end of this designated speed zone. It may be contrary to his in stincts and training as he realizes that he must be able to stop in the distance that he knows to be free and unobstruct ed, and that under the basic rule, he must drive at such a speed and in such a manner so as not to endanger life and property with due regard for all existing conditions. The 25-mile posted speed now designates the limit through the downtown district, an increase from 20 miles per hour. This limit, too, may, under certain conditions, be too fast for the prudent driver. The State Speed Control Board proposed a 30 mile speed through the downtown district, but the city council couldn't "buy" this. It seemed much too fast There is no point in holding traffic to an unreasonably low speed when highways are good and conditions are right, but it is a little difficult to understand why the board would suggest a 30-mile speed in an area so congested, particularly when there are a number of crosswalks and school crossings. It seems to us that the 40-mile speed towards the north city limits is reasonable at the point where residences thin out but it extends too far towards the heart of town. Try it when you come into town from the north some time and see what you think. With prudence, the 25 miles per hour through town might work out satisfactorily, but it is well to remember that Hepp ner is filled with habitual jaywalkers. Too, the diagonal park ing system that we use poses additional hazard. A car travel ing 25 mph can come upon a person backing out pretty quick ly. Let's remember that phrase "with due regard for all ex isting conditions" as we start to drive under the new desig nated speeds. Keep a wary eye for that child who may dart out, or that jaywalker who may step from between parked cars. The signs indicate more of a privilege than a right WE'RE TRYING to figure out the logic of the new sys tern of predicting rain, as "10 per cent chance of rain tomor row." We'll admit we do a lot of puzzling over this. Suppose tomorrow comes, and it rains. Then the "10 per cent chance" is 100 per cent, right? And if it was going to rain when the prediction was made the previous day, then there actually was a 100 per cent chance of rain. It was just that the predictors didn't realize It And if it doesn t rain when tomorrow" comes, instead of 10 per cent chance of rain, there is zero per cent chance, right? So, the percentage is a meas urement of the forecasters known conditions, as compared with the actual natural condit ions that exist. If the combina tion of natural forces is form ing to culminate in rain, it will rain. If thev aren t, it won t, We'll agree that the forecast ers today are pretty accurate on their predictions, but this per centage business is a little silly or so we thought when the rain drops hit the windshield on the day of "10 per cent chance of rain." You couldn't say the forecast er was all wrong, since he had allowed 10 percent lor a loop- ed. hole, which is a pretty cagey tactic, wot? Oregon's Location Resources Brighten Outlook for Future Oregon's location, Its land re sources, climate, abundant wa ter. and Ions Pacific Ocean bor der are assHs that have taken on tremendous value and that tiffor ereat promise for eoonom Ic development in the future, the head of the Oregon State University Geography Depart mont believes. During the first century of Its history, urccon s -way-out west" location resulted In a con sldprable disadvantage, Dr. Richard M, HlRhsmlth pointed out. . . Today, the state Is marginal to the most rapidly-growing area of the nation, he noted, New markets are opening, transportation cost disadvant ages are disappearing, and the new federal highway system is hclDlnir facilitate faster move ment of products, Hlghsmlth ob served. Oregon's land resources are a blessing, mixed with a problem and a challenge, Hlehsmith said. The blessing Is that most of Oregon is suited to some kind of commercial production. And plenty of open space still is available. The problem, at the moment, centers around the Willamette Valley, which contains a lion's share of the state's highest- quality land and population, says Hlghsmlth. The long stand ing use of the land for agri cultural production is coming under Increasing competition for use as "surface space" for urban and business purposes. The challenge that's ahead is whether the state can handle the " anticipated contl n u e d growth and expansion In an or derly manner, Highsmith believes. Can the potential be develop ed without falling prey to the problems other areas have en countered smog, water pollu tion, disorganized development, urban and commercial sprawl on prime croplands? At present, he noted, about 50 per cent of the state's 61,572,480 acres are in forests and wood lands; 36 per cent, range land and grassland pastures; nine per cent, croplands; five per cent, urban centers, highways, etc. Oregon's climate is an attrac tion for tourists and is helping draw increasing numbers of people and businesses to Ore gon, Highsmith stated. Again, the challenge is to maintain the state's "livability" with hund reds of thousands more living here. Water deserves particular mention, the geographer says. "Important in the past and the present development of Ore gon, it likely will be even more significant in the future. It of fers a major opportunity for the intensuication of use of crop lands. Presently, about 1,650.000 rarm acres are irrigated; it is probable that this figure could be at least doubled. ' In Western Oregon and alone tne Columbia and its tributar ies, water availability offers a major industrial asset, he not Bormans Entertain For Visiting Guests Holiday guests at the homo of Mr. and Mrs. Dick Borman were hi brother and slster-ln-law, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Pat ton of Auburn, Wn, and her brother in luw and slstor, Mr. and Mrs. James McNabb and Patty, Cindy, Ellon, and Jamcy, of Wichita Fulls, Texas. On New Years day, Mr. and Mrs. Borman were hoata to mem bers of their family and friends for dinner. Later In the day. an open house was held from 4 un til 8 p.m. in honor of the Mo Nabbs, who were vacationing and visiting In Heppner with her father. Ben Cox. During the afternoon and evening, several friends and relatives called at the Borman home to renew ac quaintances with Mr. and Mrs. McNabb, who left January return to ineir nome. 2 to Mother, Daughter To Go to Africa To Join Les Marks Pioneer Ponderings Br W. S. CAVERHILL If recent news items have substance, it appears that some of our schools or higher educa tion are almost recommending experimental use of LSD and other drugs giving the users a "trip." If that Is the course you are taking and are insistent on liv ing dangerously, why pay a middleman a commission for getting the stuff for you? You can take a trip into the Blue The lone border on the Pacif ic provides opportunities that are shared bv comparatively rew states, Highsmith contin ued. Oregon has become a re search leader in the study of the sea and it "stands to profit greatly" from this in the fu ture, he predicted. in its future development. Oregon needs to learn from the lessons provided by the exper iences of other areas that have gone through rapid growth. Highsmith stressed. The nearby San Francisco Bay area, Santa Clara Valley, and the Los Angeles lowland "pro vides us with examples of rap id, uncontrolled growth and the unnecessary loss of some re source value and environment al quality," he emphasized. Oregon can avoid most of these problems with foresight, coordinated planning efforts. and improved scientific and technological means, he con cluded. Mrs. L. J. Marks and daughter. Miss Margaret Marks, both of Fossil, expect to leave in mid- January to join Les Marks, form er Wheeler county agent, in Buea, West Cameroon, Africa. Marks, who Is beginning a two- year tour of duty for the Near East Foundation, left for his post about a month ahead of his wife's and daughter's departure date. Margaret is a graduate of Heppner High school and stayed here with Mr. and Mrs. Robert Abrams and family during the latter part of her high school years. She is now a Junior at Oregon State University, major ing in food technology. She plans to continue school by correspon dence courses and then attend the University of Madrid in Spain for a term next falL The mother and daughter vis ited at the Abrams home during the vacation period. Margaret came December 29 for a few days to visit friends, and her mother arrived on New Year's Day. They returned to Fossil Wednesday. The two plan to travel across the United States by train and then fly to Buea (pronounced "Boo-ya ) rrom rvew xom arter visiting Philadelphia and Wash ington, D. C. David Marks, a son, will attend OSU throughout the winter term. Marks' position with the Near East Foundation is similar to that of Nels Anderson, former Morrow county agent, who rec ently returned from Niger, Africa, after two years there. The former Wheeler county agent is well known here due to close association between the counties in farm circles. He often served as a horse show Judge here and cooperated in other ca pacities in the field of agricul ture. West Cameroon is located on the African coast, and Buea is said to be located at a relatively high altitude ,000 feet. There are more English speaking people in the country than the Andersons found in Niger. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan Connor and girls, Tracy and Tina, spent New Year's week-end in Hepp ner visiting at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Hutchins, and with other friends and relatives. Kathy Melby to Play In Concert Tour Kathy Melby, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Melby, return ed to Pacific University In For- Mountain country and die out est Grove January 3 to beein re. your own hazards. Try chewing hearsals with the Pacific Univer- the roots or dwarr larkspur, or sity concert band and singers, who are preparing ror an annual scheduled tour in the Los An geles area. Miss Melby, a freshman music major this year at the university, plays the bassoon in the concert band. Two Trailways buses have grind up the pulp of water hem lock (wild parsnip). Make a meal of dry beans of lupine and see what happens to you. You may get a "kick" colic or kill. Then there Is the Indian sneeze weed. If you can find it and dry it to powder, you can guaran tee that an ounce of it dispens ed in the right places will throw J6" ehartered to transport the an entire campus into sneezing convulsions for two hours. If you are bent on being a "dope" don't let the "pushers" take you. Gather your own death in your own Blue Mountains. Guests on New Years day at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Driscoll were their son-in-law and daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Daryl Brunning and daughters Jodi and Julie, oi Portland. Mr. Brunning was on a week-end vacation from his work in the accounting department of Safe way stores in Portland. The Driscoll's son, Tim, returned to Corvallis on Monday for the sec ond term of his sophomore year at Oregon State University. Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Jensen and family, Mr. and Mrs. Dean Con nor and family, and Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln Nash all traveled to Beaverton to enjoy Christmas with the Nash's son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Bob Par sons and family. tour members, who will leave Saturday, January 6, for the Los Angeles area. The combined concert band and singers wm give concerts each merit in churches and schools while on tour and some days have as many as three ap pearances scheduled. Tour members will have some free time for sightseeing while in uamornia, ana win visit such places as Knott's Berry Farm, Disneyland, Marinel and, and Farmer's Market The group will return from their concert trip January 14. Miss Melby will register for spring term at the university on January 15- Max Jessup of Cassopolis. Mich., was a visitor over New Year's week-end at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Lutkins. Jes sup, who has spent several weeks visiting in the area, had also spent time visiting his sis ter, Mrs. Thelma Walker at Col ton, Ore. COMMUNITY U BILLBOARD (V Coming Events HEPPNER HIGH BASKETBALL Enterprise at Enterprise Friday, Jan. 5 lone at Heppner, Tues., Jan. y Pilot Rock at Pilot Rock Fri., Jan. 12, League game PTA CHILI-NOODLE FEED Tues., Jan. 9, 5 to 7 p.m. Preceding Heppner-Ione bas- ketball eame Family tickets, $5; adults high school, $1; grade scnooi. ouc Everyone welcome RAINBOW INSTALLATION Sunday, Jan. 7, 2:00 p.m. Ruth Assembly No. 50 Heppner Masonic Hall Jill Padberg, New Worthy Ad visor Reception following ELEMENTARY PTA weanesaay, Jan. 10, 8 p.m. Grade School room Business eram Everyone welcome Multipurpose Meeting and Pro- SPONSORED AS A PUBLIC SERVICE BY C. A. RUGGLES Insurance Agency P. O. Box 247 PH. 678-9625 Heppner
