Page 2. THE GAZETTE-TIMES, Heppner, OR.. Thursday, Apr. 24. 1975
Horse sense
Itv
ERNEST V. JOINER
V.
I
t) There are times when we become so exasperated with
laws and problems of their enforcement that we're inclined
to throw up our hands and go along with those who would
decriminalize" crime. This is, in fact, a growing practice.
England had a dope problem, with severe penalties for drug
abuse. Unable to curb the spreading cancer, she decided to
join'em. The English passed laws making it possible for any
drug addict to get a free "fix" at taxpayer expense. The
problem has considerably diminished. In India, the New
Delhi Municipal Council found by experience that it could not
stop politicians from stealing and accepting graft. It passed a
law legalizing bribery and corruption, but set limits on the
amount any one politician could steal. The United States has
been unable to cope with drugs and with marijuana in
particular. Consequently, several slates (Oregon among
them ) are moving to make marijuana use and possession a
misdemeanor. The limited experience indicates a slackening
of interest in the stuff. A high school in Baltimore was
plagued with fistfights and petty crime. Police officers
decided that if they couldn't whip'em, join'em. They got hold
of the ringleaders and made Junior Policemen of them.
Comparative calm descended upon the campus. California
schools find they cannot control smoking among the public
school students! There is a bill in the legislature now to
permit schools to set aside "smoking areas" where students
may gather to jeopardize their health in a segregated
environment. We all remember 'the classic solution to
winning the war in Vietnam: just declare that the U.S. had
triumphed, bring the boys home for a ticker-tape parade, and
ignore anv resultant protests! Now. the way things are going
in the courts these days, we appear to be well on the way
toward solving the problem of murder by turning the
murderers loose-to be followed by repeal of laws against it.
I suspect.
On the other hand, when this country was young and
vigorous: when heroes were being made whom we honor to
this dav. a rigid criminal code regulated frontier society. A
lot of people didn't live to draw their social security
pavments. but people generally were safe in their homes.
Lvman Jones, Times editor, produced this excerpt from the
Criminal Code. State of Connecticut, circa 1650: "If any man
have a stubborn and rebellious son of sufficient years and
understanding, viz., 16 years of age. which will not obey the
voice of his father or the voice of his mother, and that when
thev have chastened him will not hearken unto them, then
mav his father and his mother, being his natural parents, lay
hold on him and bring him to the magistrates assembled in
Court, and testify unto them that their son is stubborn and
rebellious and will not obey their voice and chastisement, but
lives in sundry and notorious crimes, such a son will be put to
death."
aj Here we have two opposing social philosophies, the
extremely lenient one toward criminals and the extremely
harsh one. What interests me is that in both attitudes there is
a lack of interest in human life. In today's popular retreat
from punishment there is little or no consideration for the
innocent victims of crime and murder. In the old and harsh
frontier code there was little or no compassion for the actual
perpetrator of crime, including murder. Now that we have
enjoved both systems we should be able to make up our
minds whether society's consideration is to be for the
criminals or for the victims of criminals.
It would appear the board of equalization may have its
work cut out for itself this year. Most of the Heppner
residents received distasteful news in last weeks mail. It
came in the form of a notice concerning the increase in
appraised property values. Some of the raises came in
whopping proportions. Perhaps its time for the State
Department of Revenue to distribute pamphlets telling how
to appeal values you feel are too high. It is a little hard to
understand how last year's appraisal could be so far off. It
was made from an inside inspection and this one had to be
from the sidewalk in my case.
0 A few years ago during our involvement in Vietnam, the
demonstrators were out in force protesting our inhumane
methods of carrying on the war. There hasn't been a war yet
that didn't see the innocent, women and children, being
killed. It was particularly true in Vietnam due to the
uncertainty of knowing who the real enemy might be. Where
are all the protestors today now that the Communists are
killing women and children and beheading surrendered
officials. No one is cry ing about inhumane treatment. Maybe
their true color is showing. NP
1 L
PROSECUTION MANIA
HATCHECK
Tax appeal Mayor of Hardman
assistance dear mister editor:
available
"Mine Is The Big White One Over There
With The Halo Above
Property owners have the
right to appeal if they feet
their property value is exces
sive. The assessor's office should
be contacted before May t to
determine if a mistake may
have been made. After May 1
you must appeal to the county
board of equalization.
The appeal form is available
at the county assessors office.
After filling out this form it
must be filed with the county
clerk between the 2nd and 3rd
Monday in May.
The State Department of
Revenue has published a
pamphlet giving guidelines for
making your appeal. This
publication is also available at
the assessor's office.
Returns home
Following three weeks of
chemo therapy treatment at
the University of Oregon
Medical School. Portland.
Garland Swansnn. president
of the Port of Morrow and a
prominent rancher has re
turned home
Although visitors are re
stricted, the family said that
cards and letters would be
appreciated as he 'is still
receiving treatment.
The mail pouch
EDITOR:
I am writing this letter not to the editor but to the general
public I would like to make you aware of a problem that I'm
sure most people don't know exists.
If the average person desired telephone service, he would
contact the telephone company and ask that a phone be
installed. In a few days the service man would be at your
door to install your phone. In our case service has not been so
easilv obtained.
Four years ago we first asked for telephone service to find
out that even though we were only 18 miles from the nearest
telephone we couldn't go to the end of that line because we
were in another company's territory. At that time their
nearest phone (in our territory! was over 10 miles away.
Since then they have built a line to a new site. We are now 51
miles from the nearest phone in our territory. Still the cost of
building to that line is over $5,000. to the phone company, plus
the time and equipment to put the line in. The construction
would also be our responsibility. In addition to that it would
be up to us to get all of the legal easements.
We have tried many times and in many ways to be released
from the territory we are in so we could be serviced by the
other company or to be allowed to go the route of a foreign
exchange service, thus going the 18 miles to service. Paying
the company whose territory we are in a FEX fee every
month The manager has refused to release us from his
territory or even to allow us to use the foreign exchange
policv to receive telephone service.
Recently I spent some time in the P.U.C. office in Salem
only to find out we are at the mercy of the telephone
companvs. There is no way a private individual can petition
the P.U.C. Dept of a telephone company which would allow
us to cross this imaginary line.
I realize the P.U.C. Dept. was established to protect the
public but as near as I can see it is creating a monopoly
working for the big companies at the expense and mercy of
the individual.
Right now we are trying a mobile phone in our car, so far
. the problems have been so many I can't even begin to list
them.
The only hope I can see is to get a bill through the
legislature to allow an individual to petition to be released
from one territory thus allowing another company to service
you if you can show good cause. I think the outlay of over
$5 ooo is more than ample cause.
LEANN REA
7 S. fl
wm 'Waal ' I E - aW T ' m ix M 1
vr V vrv R iy-''
It."
School board . . .
(Continued from Page I)
High, Pamela Dean. Language arts teacher at Heppner High
and Penny Shepherd, fifth grade teacher at A C. Houghton
Superintendent Doherty told board members that at present
it appears that there will be very little turn over in staff this
coming year. He reported that he already has some 150
applications from teachers wanting jobs in the district.
The board voted to advertise a job opening for an assistant
to the superintendent. Such a position had not been filled
after Ernie Teal resigned as curriculum coordinator in July.
1974. However, the position had been budgeted for.
Members of two vocational cluster advisory committee
were approved for Riverside High School Memlx-rs of the
vocational agriculture cluster are Mike Conley. Robert
Sicard and Kurt Gantenhein of Boardman and Benny McCoy
and George Kenney of Irngon Members of the
secretarial-clerical cluster are Barbara Centner. Shirley
Zielinski. Harold Baker. Oscar Showmake. and Shirley
Donovan of Boardman and Barbara Byrd of Irngon.
The board received a request from a national committee
for National Guard and Reserve Armed Services asking the
board to adopt a policy that would insure that all employees
of the district in the Guard or Reserve be allowed
participation in the training exercises of those bodies at
anytime during the year without a cut in pay or vacation
time. The board choose not to respond because they felt that
the majority of their employees were hired on a nine months
basis and such a policy would place a hardship on the district.
Secondly, because they didn't think any of their employees
were members of such groups.
Mr. and Mrs. Stein were present to discuss the sale of
school property in lone to them by the board The property in
question has been before the board for discussion on several
occasions. Originally a lot was sold to the Elwayne
Bergstroms for $212 50 The Bergstroms could not get title to
the lot because a 30 by 100 foot piece of the lot actually was
not the boards to sell. The money was returned to the
Bergstroms. The board then agreed to sell the lot to the
Steins for the same price charged the Bergstroms. However,
the Steins requested a reduction in price because they were
not purchasing the 30 by 100 foot piece of land. In action
Monday night the board approved a price of $75 for the actual
land being sold to the Steins The Steins indicated they would
accept the offer.
Board members Jack Sumner and Don McElligott were
absent from the meeting The next regular meeting of the
Morrow County School Board will be Monday. May 19, at
Boardman, beginning at 8 p.m.
Girl receives injuries in
early morning accident
W1ien "lil" feller needs a friend Although only Ihrw yean old, Justin (Jak)
Murray is not too young for com tition. He participated In the barrf . racet,
Sunday at the Wrangler'i play day and finished third, with the help of hit il.tef
Anne, who is leading the bronco.
Jeanine Hammons, 19, nar
rowly escaped serious injury
early Sunday morning. She
was driving home and fell
asleep at the wheel of her car.
The car hit a bank and rolled
over, pinning her arm under
the top of the overturned car.
She tried to free herself but
wai unable to do so.
Knowing she was but a short
distance from her home, ihe
started honking the horn. The
noise awoke the family dog,
who started barking. The
dog'i barking awakened
Jeanlne'a father who heard
Field day .
(CanUnue from Page 1)
Murry was junior showman.
Sub novice in dog obedience
went toTamlGorham; novice
wai Dee Dee Rood and Kathy
Enbysk was winner In the
senior division.
Public speakers from The
Dalles FFA chapter took 1st
and 3rd place honors. First
was Debbie Miller, 2nd Jerry
Lee of Prineville and 3rd was
Ann Tenwuon.
Bobby Fisher of Spray was
most proficient in the 4 II
tractor driving contest to take
1st place honors. His counter
part In the FFA contest was
the continuous honking.
Thinking it was some prank
sters in the area he Investigat
ed and found his daughter. He
notified the hospital who sent
an ambulance to the scene,
however, they could not free
the girls arm.
Sheriff Mollahan was called
and with the aid of a Jack the
girl was released. She was
taken by ambulance to Pio
neer Memorial Hospital for
treatment of a broken collar
bone and multiple bruises.
She was released from the
hospital Tuesday.
Tom Wood of Prineville.
The 4 II displays Included
bicycle club, International
bread display, pin cushion,
lealhercrafl, clothing and
purses.
Sue Olson of Heppner won
the drawing for the purse.
The Heppner FFA displayed
projects of skill In woodwork
ing and welding.
Cherl Jo Carter, extension
agent from The Dalles, was
home economics Judge. Ron
Davis of Olex, was livestock
Judge and Ken Killingsworth
of Fossil was presentation and
public speaking Judge.
. .... .i ,! liitl nlace. lest like we
S ?S! le can depend on to operate on skedu e. M, d
I?S5ft heirwl h the cleaning and with gi.ting the
ISJSt like I ain't been helping fer the past 50 year
8 T. w!s giod , Mist" Editor, to git down to real Issue, during
the sAionV the country store Saturday nigh . It was Zeke
rruhb that allowed the hole thinking machinery of this
J try ha bTn overhauled fer the worst In the las. 25 year,
He sa d we got our gears stripped when we can repeat down
to the S how much military aid we m"
Ikle in a civil war on the other side of the world but we ain t
1 nl i how much our county tax rate s or how much we
Sy our police to keep order at home. It's that kind of big
Eki g declared Zeke. that Is the root of some o our woet.
rnefa I speaking, the fellers was agreed with Zekes S
c S J a thinking. Bug Hookum claimed our
cS is to blame" fer a lot of It. We leach agriculture,
ho Sture and all them cultures. Bug laid, and we know all
K big words ain't worth a cuss til we boil etr . down to
arming and ranching. We got companies begging fer
S s and accountants. Bug went on. and we .end our
yXgun-sto college where they take training In movie
appreciation and how to shoot pool. ....
FdDoolittle got the floor and said he read a piece where
some col ege is giving a course called the science of
Strimony " In the firs, place, matrimony ain't a -lence.
Fd said, it's a mistake ever man ought to make one. fer his
own itood In the second place, Solomon hisself couldn . teach
waller of scalding ho. coffee. You got to do it to know It. and
when you do you're stuck with it.
Actual, broke in Zeke. Ihe hole world is like Ihe ocean l.ner
that lost its compass. The captain come on the speakers and
old the passengers not to worry. We don't know where we
are, the captain said, but we know we re making good time
It looks like, Mid Zeke, that the civiliied world has give up all
important business but learning how to kill one another
qlpmonal Mister Editor, I couldn't help but recall the piece
S saw in the papers recent where dentists die younger and
have a higher rate of suicide and divorce than any profession.
Thev know how to fix teeth painless, but they worry theirselfs
to death over their patients worrying about the pain of going
to the dentist
It looks like we've lost confidence In ourselfs. and that
worry is catching I would say w e got a world worry epidemic
to worry about. Vours truly.
MAYOR ROY.
Jen
Elijah Muhammad
in retrospect
l IKSTKItKINSOl.MNG
The Rev and Hon Walter Fauntroy. Congmsonal
Delegate of the District of Columbia, has described the
recent death of Black Muslim leader Elijah Muhammad a.
a loss to the nation " ... i.
Chicago's Mavor Richard Daley lamented this demise in
what he termed' "a great loss to Ihe City of Chicago and the
MTht Rev Jesse Jackson, also of Chicago, proclaimed:
The Prophet has passed, but the prophecy lives on '
The Washington Post published reams of such extensively
doctored encomia as to suggest the possibility of their
eulogizing the wrong man
For those who are at all acquainted with the highlights of
the career of this meretricious hate peddler, such
eulogies-even from religious groups-inevitably brought to
mind Ihe ancient aphorism:
Here he the dead-and here the living lie.
In Chicago, the superb editorial voice of Mike Royko
provided a rare dissent and antidote to this near-epidemic of
effusion, For Royko, who has been closely watching the
Honorable Elijah Muhammad lalso of Chicago) for years,
has noted:
We're told about the fine example Muhammad et lor nis
followers, teaching them self respect and selfIisciplin.
That may be true, and those are desirable virtues. But
wonder what part Ihe death of Malcolm X had in teaching
discipline-an event noticeably overlooked by Elijahs
eulogizers." , .
Somehow over the years the blame for Malcolm s death
has been shifted to (what Elijah described a 'the
white-skinned, blue-eyed devils' ... But the convicted killers
of Malcolm were black and at least two of them were Black
Muslims."
"Some of the warmest praise came from national religious
organizations, who spoke of (The Honorable's) firm
leadership, good works and fine example ... I wonder If they
would gush in the same way about a white leader who ranted
quite recently about blacks being 'the enemy.' What about a
white leader who preached that we must segregate whites
and black? . . . Who preached racism and racial hatred? . .
He preached racism and racial hatred, pure, simple and
unmistakable."
"Try to Imagine somebody establishing white private
schools In Chicago that preached racial hatred against
blacks. Jesse Jackson would have pickets all over the place.
Yet the Rev. Mr. Jackson has praised rather than picketed
this patently anti -Christian bigot, who managed to
merchandise malice Into an empire worth a reported 175
million and a following of nearly 100.000.
This following Included an unofficial and Informal sort of
harem for The Honorable, according to a report of the late
Malcolm X. This expose was announced by Malcolm
publicly-Just before he was assaasinated.
To give credit where it is due. Elijah Muhammad did leach
"racial pride" and "discipline," Indeed yes. Thia la
undoubtedly the reason that one celebrated guest of the
Black Muslims was the late American Nazi, George Lincoln
Rockwell, who hailed The Honorable as "The Adolf Hitler of
the black man."
And THIS la what Congressman Fauntroy, Mayor Daley,
the Rev. Mr. Jackson, The Washington Post and other
gushers are telling us is "a loss to the nation."
THE GAZETTE-TIMES
MORROW COUNTY'S NEWSPAPER
Box 337. Heppner, Ore. 97836
Subscript ion rate : 16 per year in
Oregon, $7 elsewhere
Ernest V, Joiner, Publisher
Published every Thursday and entered a. a
second etas, matter at the post office at
I leppner, Oregon, under the act of March S, 1879
Second la.s postage paid at Heppner, Oregon.
tmttutt