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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 12, 1950)
SECOND SECTION Fflaturt m Editorial Th titers Comics Radio Medford Tribune Second Section MEDFORD, OREGON, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1950 Pages 1-8 VALENTINE'S DAY THROUGH YEARS; TRADITION TRACED BE PREPARED MEN Sentiments Range Widely; Dan Cupid Comeback Seen Comes Tuesday, it'i Valentine's day. It's not anything to joke about, either, brother. We know a guy who got married the following day. And according to the Press Information Service of the Na tional Association of Greeting Card Publishers "Cupid has staged & dramatic comeback as a symbol of tender romance." As a warning 10 romamicany inclined but reluctant swains, it is only fair to warn that this Valentine's day business has been going on for a long, long time. And, since the so-called eentler sex is undoubtedly deter mined to keep it going on for another long, long time, it might be just as well for you to be pre pared with some vital statistics. Actually (acain thanks to the Press Information Service of the NAGCP) Cupid began enchant ing lovers 2,000 years before the first romantic valentine appear ed According to Roman legend, he was the son of Venus, god dess of love, and Mars, god of war. Back in the fourth century, B. C, Praxiteles carved the old est known statue of Cupid. It showed him as a beautiful little boy with wings, carrying a bow and arrow. Younq Priest Starts It The first valentine wasn't penned until 270 A.D., by St. Val ntine. at that time a young Ro. man priest (also according to the PI section of the NAGCP). On the eve of his execution for re fusing to renounce (Jnristianny, he sent a note of cheer to his jailer's blind daughter, signing it "From Your Valentine. Valentines remained strictly messages of friendship for the next thousand years, cut v-upiu started changing them into lov ers' missives during the middle ages. To elude vigilant fathers, the billets-doux were hidden In hollow trees that served as trysting places. Frenchmen Allies Cupid's staunchest allies were Frenchmen. The Duke of Or leans was captured by the Eng lish at the battle of Agincourt in 1415. Imprisoned in the Tow er of London, he composed the oldest existing valentine, and bribed a guard to smuggle'ilout. Valentines reached a peak of size and elegance in the royal court of Louis XIV. Cupid ap peared in the designs for the first time, surrounded by cutout hearts, paper fountains, tiny birds and flower reproductions circled by expensive Venetian lace. "Dan" was an ancient title of honor, so Shakespeare christened the winged cherub "Dan Cupid" in his Dlavs. Lesser Doets. busy composing amorous verses that tongue-tied lovers might copy, gratefully incorporated the name into their rhymes. One such handbook for amateur valentine writers was frankly titled "The Quiver of Love." Popularity Peak Cupid reached his all-time popularity peak in the frilly, fussy valentines of the Victorian era. But public taste was already swinging toward the comic. John McLaughlin, a Scotsman with a book and printing business in New York City, introduced "Vinegar Valentines" in 1858. Bv 1890. the sarcastic verses and crude, insulting drawings were outselling sentimental valentines. Valentines with clever illus , trations and whimsical verses caught the public fancy in the early 1920's. In the reaction against Victorian traditions, "Vinegar Valentines" and ex tremeiy sentimental missives Doth went out of style. Cupid began his long descent into oblivion. Tenderness Returns Last year, however, tender verses started climbing in popu larity again. (We're still quoting the PI section of the NAGCP.) This year's valentines are as lacy and sentimental as any grand mother ever sent. And Dan Cu pil, diminutive god of love, is back on his famed pedestal, tak ing careful aim at unguarded hearts on February 14. So says the Press Information Section. Now let's take a quick glance at some of the cards available from the clients of the Press In formation boys. There's one which, when open ed, has two cardboard lips leap out on a spring to kiss your startled lady love. (Isn't that re volting?) Another pops a tiny figure skyward with the nota tion "you hit me like something ATOMIC." (If you think that's bad, read on.) Faintly suggestive messages also are allowed to appear. Here's one: "Wish you'd stop teasin' and listen to reason, because it's more pleasin' to get in some squeezin'," And for pure corn, check this one: There's a picture of a bathing suited girl, under the title "If you want me for your valentine . . ." Inside is a two-tone whis tlecapable, the manufacturers say, of being heard for four blocks. Newest Thing Newest thing, it is said, is a series of 20 nursery rhyme greet ings portraying Little Jack Hor ner, the Queen of Hearts, and other Mother Goose characters. The cards run from a nickel up to several dollars. The more expensive ones brim with ribbons and lace, and are ornamented with strings of pearls, simulated orchids, ruby lockets, rhinestone lapel pins or detachable corsages of artificial violets. Wonder what St. Valentine would think if he could see what he started. E. A. , iWimUni Or 'i'nfc, GUI) i,upid used to oe a god. He sun nad some of the appurtenances of godhood in 1850, but by 1900, he'd become a tailor. In 1950, he's an iceman yet. The illustra tions above show minor twinges in the trend which valentine cards have taken in the last century. It is estimated that about 300 million such cards will be exchanged in American alone this week. Medford Firemen To Start Tours of Familiarization In Downtown Area Medford fire department will soon embark on a system of pre fire planning surveys or familiar, ization tours aimed at acquiring vital information on buildings, according to Acting Fire Chief Leo Weidner. He said these surveys will prove helpful by providing added inspections and information es sential for fighting fires. They should assist in securing and maintaining a low rate on fire insurance, Weidner declared. The surveys may begin late this week. Building Each Day Each day, according to Weid ner, a building will be selected. The firemen on duty that day will have a brief discussion about the structure to be toured, using maps or whatever other informa tion they have concerning it. They will look up technical or related data that will be helpful. Weather permitting, all but two men will leave the station about 1 p. m. for the objective. On the tour one man will be left with the apparatus to tend the radio and give the alarm if a fire occurs. Firemen will have an inspection form to fill out which will require two hours on the average building. On ex tremely large plants a second visit may be necessary. Will Study Structure Upon return to the station, Weidner said, the crew by use of a blackboard and sketches, will prepare a general plan for fighting a blaze in the structure surveyed. An action card will be compiled and placed in a file in the chief's car where it will be quickly available. This or similar Dlans have been adopted in several cities with SDlendid results. Weidner report ed. "We think," he said, "this plan will produce the fire facts concerning our city, tne proD lems confronting us, the recom mendations necessary, the solu tions to some of our problems and the action to be pursued in case of fire. t This plan can be put into ef fect with verv little added ex pense to Medford, adding to the plans attractiveness, he pointed out. He stressed that objective of the tours is familiarization for the men who must fight the fires and for those responsible for tne protection of the city against fires. The survey, Weidner stated, Hnes not reolace regular fire orevention inspection- by a reg ular inspector and no citations will be issued for violation of state or local laws except lor imminent life hazards. Weidner brought out that many lives are lost and much damage caused by fire each year and that in many instances Dis asters could have been prevented by elimination of fire hazards, public education regarding fire safetv and good laws relative to carelessness and negligence. FOR RESIDENTIAL OR COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS Use the Besf Materials Obtainable Select Builder's Supply Light Weight Pumice Blocks and Bricks Saving in Labor Cost! Highest Fire Rating! Excellent Sound and Heat Insulation! Low Maintenance! INQUIRE ABOUT Pumice Chimney Blocks BUILDER'S SUPPLY CO. 727 W. McAndrews Phone 2-4107 "Be Safe and Buy from Builder's Supply" "WE REFUSE TO BE UNDERSOLD" You Actually SAVE on the purchases you save at McLAIN'S All drugs, cosmetics and sundries at minimum fair trade prices Compare. You also save when you ask for Coast-to-Coast Trading Stamps, a stamp for each dime you spend. Ask for your FREE stamp book, when filled each book means $2.00 in cash or $2.65 in merchandise (Fair Trade Items Excepted) Park in any Geo. Goodman park ing lot while you shop here we pay for your parking. Frer Delivery in City " Compare Quality, Selection, Cour teous Service and you'll agree "in Postal Committee Receives New Bill Washington, Feb. 11 (U.R) The senate post office commit tee had a double-barreled re minder today that President Truman wants more postal revenues. The committee received a new postal rate bill from the house and filed it with a similar sen ate measure already pending on its calendar. Chairman Olin D. Johnston (P., S. C), said the committee will consider them when it meets again on regular business. But ne said no meeting will be call ed until republicans return from tnelr Lincoln day engagements, Mrs. Max Peirce Reelected to Committee Post Mrs. Max Peirce of Medford was again named vice chairman of the state sponsoring commit tee for social hygiene education at the annual conference held in Portland last week. Mrs. Peirce s selection for the office is in rec ognition for the work done by the social hygiene committee of the Jackson County Public Health association during the past, four years. The Rev. Wil liam H. Genne of Pacific univer sity was again named chairman, and presided at the meeting, which was attended by approx imately 200 representatives from health associations, teachers, school leaders, doctors and law enforcement agencies. Attending the conference from Medford were Mrs. Peirce, Mrs. Frank Conner, vice-chairman of the local committee, Dr. A. E. Merkel, county health officer. and Mrs. Chester Guches, pub licity chairman for the Health association. Agencies Cooperate Cooperating with the Oregon Tuberculosis and Health associa tlon in the conference were the Oregon state board of health, the Mental Health association, the American Social Hygiene asso ciation and the E. C. Brown trust. Dr. Ralph G. Eckert, psy chiatric consultant for the Calif ornia state board of education, was principal speaker, and Fred G. Scherer, Portland, was in charge of arrangements. Local residents will be inter ested to learn that Mrs. Sadie Orr Dunbar, president of the Oregon Tuberculosis and Health association for the past 35 years was awarded an honorary life membership in the American Social Hygiene society in recog nition of her accomplishments in this field. Presentation of the award was made at the opening luncheon by Mrs. Walter W. F. May, Oregon City. Purpose of the conference was to form a coordinated program through parental education, schools, the medical profession and law enforcement agencies in the state of Oregon. MOTORMEN END STRIKE Hong Kong, Feb. 11 (U.R) Two thousand motormen and conductors returned to their jobs on Hong Kong street cars today ending a seven-weeks strike. !!" v (Acme Telephat) REAL SHARP CHRISTIAN Actress Colleen Townsend (left) Ungs "Id rather have Jesus" from the pulpit of the Punxsutawney, Pa. First Presbyterian Church. She told Jam-packed church congrega tion the inside story of how she became "a real sharp Christian an gave up a 750-a-week movie contract and a chance at stardom. Services Planned In Advance of Need . . . give deeper satisfaction because arrangements, price, and selection can be fully considered. Chapel Mortuary Frank Morgan - - Harold Snodgrast Funeral Directors Across from the Courthouse PHONE 2-8030 PRSf.RIPII0NSQ I DRUG CtMRc J V FIRST 17 Medford it's McLAIN'S." PHONE 2-7113 1 i A REAL Fiesta! .feiL, W ctmem rich, luscious ja 3 NUTRITIOUS M; I 1 m Xw ice Jr CREAM M X$h Tuesday it VALENTINE'S DAY , . . and that calif JrT 1 CTjiak and don't forget . that new special milk nutrient . NTX FIESTA ICE CREAM . . . positively the most pal S? ijK. ate-pleasing, health-building dessert you can pos- ?uf illy choose. To make YOUR Valentine's party Aivl,J' " vertible Fie,, e"' FIESTA ICE CREAM! 4Sie ; J GET FIESTA In the gay, new, colorful package J v r, on t '0,9er ,na Bew P'al nu"ent J t 1 V N ' NUTRIMIX has been added to make it the finest 3 VVeVy lee cream you've ever tasted! V i v J V At Your Grocer or Favorite Fountain
