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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (April 30, 1950)
rOUH MEDFORD (OREGON) MAIL TRIBUNE Sundty, April 30. 19SS CTUKfiL SINTER OF MU 6ITY lECOMG AMITE West's Growth Seen In Gleaming Buildings By BUI Tore Mill Tribune Start Writer The Pacific northwest is expanding faster than any other part of the nation. That growtn is noi Dasea on ooom economics oui on the firm foundation of ideal living conditions, cheap hydro electric power for industry and a wealth of natural resources. Among the first beneficiaries of the solid, well-sustained growth of a particular region are the architects. Increased popu lation and material wealth are immediately reflected in the trans formation of the physical face of the land, and much of the new, gleaming modern face of the southern Oregon-northern California region could well bear the legend, "Designed in Medford." only two licensee Institution li located on highway 99 near Talent and will be ready for occunancy within two or three days. .Construction on the Douglas county farm begins to morrow at Roseburg. Both are handsome concrete! structures designed with the pocketbooks of the taxpayers kept uppermost in mind. The courts of both counties have been startled at the fine buildings Laing has de signed for them to be built at extraordinarily small cost. The Roseburg home will be almost a carbon copy of the model home built here but will Be somewnai larger. Ketney't Work Seen No one passes through Med ford's business district without seeing examples cf Robert Keeney's work on every hand The shopping district here has been described as one of the most modern in any .city of comparable size in Oregon and much of the credit for that repu tation should go to the architect who designed or remodeled the buildings. Two of his best known re modelling Jobs are the Newberry building at East Sixth street and South Central avenue and the Medical Center building Just across the street. The J. J. New berry store is already completed and the Medical Center building. though still covered with scaf folding, will soon present the same sleek modernity as its neighbor across the street. Bus travelers arriving in Med ford are greeted with a beautiful modern terminal that Kecney designed two years ago for Pacific Greyhound lines and it Is now considered one of the finest Greyhound terminals in the state. Firm Expands Keeney's firm has expanded, since he first began practicing here in 1937, to two branch offices in addition to his main office here. He maintains staffs at Coos Bny and at Crescent City. An exnmple of the extent of his work Is shown in a list of his current projects: he is now at work on a new courthouse for Siskiyou county In Cali fornia; he is constructing schools in northern California, Myrtle Point, in the Coos Bay area and here in the Rogue Valley; he is building an addition to the Med ford Ice and Storage company plant; he Is working on plans for the St. James Episcopal church In Coquille, and he is drawing plans for the remodel ling of the front of the Elks temple In Ashland. There Is a wide rang to Keeney's work. It runs from such esthetic projects as the lounge at the Rogue Valley country club to designs for in dustrial structures like the Reter Fruit cold storage plant and the Crystal Springs Packing com pany plant. The clean, simple gothic lines of the St. Peter's Lutheran church here are also Thpr are onlv two ,-.( ir in Architects In Medford and both of them are hectically busy. Their drawing boards are piled high with sketches and blueprints of projects they may not get to for months. These two men Robert Keeney and Wil liam Laing have made Medford veritable center of architecture in this middle coastal region. Both are men of vision and imagination who have become widely known for the functional and technical excellence of their work. Design Landmarks Actually the two are competi tors; thev maintain separate practices. But in a certain sense they are partners in a profession intimately touching on the lives of everyone who lives or does hiH.ine.ss In this area. The hand some piles of stone and concrete they have designed in the past five or ten years have the mak ings of enduring landmarks that will testify to the prosperity thi. inland valley ana uic wonderland around It. to Medford in 1936, William Laing has special ized in school architecture to the point where he is thoroughly expert In that field. The River side school in Grants Pass is the product of his drawing boards and has earneo mm mendation of national educators groups. He is now in the midst of Intensive research In prepara tion for the construction of $315,000 school for the Sacred Heart Catholic parish of Med ford. He plans an x te n d e d Inspection tour of church schools In California before the final working plana of th building are drawn. Ha brings to the Job the skill and experience that will guaran tee Medford In general and the Sacred Heart parish in particular on of the finest parochial school buldlngs in the state. Manr Schools Lalng-deslgned schools or school extensions are serving students In Grants Pass. Gold Beach, Brookings, Illinois Valley, Rogue Blver, Griffin Creek, Prospect, Jacksonville, Shady Cove and Jerome Prairie. Laing began his career as an architectural draftsman in Edin burgh, Scotland, as a boy. From there he went to serve appren ticeships in architectural offices In Perth, London and Liverpool. During his years of training, he studied nights at the Northamp ton Polytechnic Institute. H e ' later crossed the Atlantic and took up residence in Canada but he still reveals his Scotch origins with a soft highland brogue. He first became a registered archi tect In Alberta In 1011. coming to Ashland in 1930 and to Medford six years later. County Homes Important He feels that the most import ant Jobs he has done are the two homes for the aged and indigent designed for Jackson and Doug las counties. The Jackson county fr ft tifflTEST VALUE 1 INUIKI If VISfttWI IKIumMm CaM Mt Slak s4c, MM-reilil-Its M'talals HUltt ftltt ll-ilol, lilt- IMltlMtlM J. ... ,Vl , I ream li KIMIim- Idtr m4 cablntti, OUimlai wklt. 1 tuk I. m rut uf titciiti tUr icfciiM; Mitt Mritcriy MttltM. ff,ff W- W H I .i ;, A v 1 f 4 , ES' . iwmmsjph . LAING-DESIGNED FARM HOME This is the imposing tile and glass main entrance to the new Jackson county farm home that was built at a cost of about $150,000. including equipment. Ar chitect William Laing designed the building with economy plus maximum efficiency in mind. It has already been taken as a model for another farm home at Roseburg. It will be ppened within a few clays under the supervision of Mrs. Susie Maust. New Law Expands Gl Home Loan Benefits World War II veterans will find home loan benefits enhanc ed by provisions of the housing act of 1950, just signed by the president, veterans administra tion spokesmen said last week in outlining changes in the G.I. home loan program. Brannock said regulations and procedures to put the new pro visions into effect are now being drafted by the VA and will be issued as soon as possible. He asked lenders and veterans to keep inquiries to a minimum. Principal changes are: Changes Listed 1. The amount of the VA's guaranty on eligible veterans home loan is increased to 60 per cent of the loan up to a mnxt mum of $7,500 Previously, the guarantee was 50 per cent up to S4,uuu. under the new law, the 60 percent ration will npply on mortgages up to $12,500, with the guarantee remaining at $7,500 for loans over $12,500. Despite the Increased guar anty, the VA gratuity payment for credit on the veteran s loan will remain at 4 per cent of the first $4,000 of guarantee used, and may not exceed $160. 2. Unremarried widows of vet erans who died in service or from service-connected causes after discharge, are eligible for loan benefits to which their hus bands would have been entitled. 3. Combination FHA-GI loans to veterans will be eliminated after a date to be announced by Carl R. Gray Jr., administrator of veterans affairs. 4. The maximum period of time over which home loans may be made repayable is extended from 25 years to 30 years, to pro vide lower monthly payments. Direct Loans 5. Effective 90 days hence, VA authorized to make direct gov ernment loans at 4 per cent in terest to eligible veterans in cer tain areas where 4 per cent home f.ancing is not available from other sources. No direct loan mav exceed $10,000. 6. Homes on which construc tion is to becin subsi'uuent to 0 days from the effective date of the law will not be eligible for sale to veterans with the aid of G.I. loans unless the property meets certain minimum con struction requirement as pre scribed by VA. 7. VA is authorized, in cer tain circumstances, to restore the loan guaranty rights of vet erans who used their entitle- the work of Robert Keeney. He has been a Medford resi dent since 1932 and has always practiced his profession from a Medford office. He took his architecture degree from the University of Oregon. Fred Johnson is associated with Keenev here. GENUINE YOUNGSTOWN KITCHEN ImaoinicI A nationally famnui, jpmiln Youngitown Kilrhen t thti low price! It'i your chfttira to rpttr your old faihionpft kitchen with modern, work saving kitchen htr at price that may not be equalled ajr&in in years. Mad by tht world'i larjrrtt makera of steal kilck ens. An anequalled value t ONLY m7oftnajcfinrAmJ llMITED TIMI 0NlY t Meuias NO DOWN PAYMENT UP TO 3 YEARS TO PAY Smith-Dynge Lumber Co. Eighth and Fir, Medford Phona 2-7166 ment to purchase property which later is taken through condem nation, or is destroyed by fire or other natural hazard. To Limit Fees 8. VA is authorized and direct ed to issue regulations limiting the fees and other charges which may be made- against builder and veterans in connec tion with the construction and sale of homes financed through GI loans. 9. The Federal Mortgage as sociation is given $250,000,000 in additional authority for the purchase of G. I. and FHA loans made by private lending agen cies. This must be used for cur rent purchases only, and is not subject to earmarking in the form of commitments for future purchases. 10. Provisions are Included to make GI loans for farm dwell ings easier to obtain, and farm loans are granted equality with other home loans with respect to eligibility for purchase by Fanny May. HALF CHOW NO LIKE Bristol. Va U.R Half Chow, a dog, had his day in court here but he didn't like it. Half Chow was exhibit A in a case charging John Carter, 33, with dog steal ing. Exhibit A jumped out a window and Judge Robert Da vis dismissed the case. News of 4-H O CLUBS DESIGN BY KEENEY The J. J. Newberry company building, at the corner of South Cen tral avenue ana East Sixtn sireet, is an excellent example of the simple, sleek and functional design that is the hallmark of Architect Robert Keeney's work. Several of Medford's most modern and at tractive public and business buildings have been designed by Keeney, who now maintains two branch offices to handle the wide demand for his services. The Grange West Side The West Side 4-H Garden and Flower club held two meetings during April, both in the school. A plant exchange will be held at the first May meeting, with each member to bring a plant to trade for another. Refreshments were served at the first meet ing by Mrs. Metternich. the as sistant leader, and by the lead er, Mrs Maybelle Rains and Mrs. Metternich, at the latter meeting. Cily's 1949 Report Proving Popular The city of Medford has re ceived five requests for copies of its 1949 annual report and the report has been the subject of brief articles in American City and Western City magazines, according to City Superintendent Vernon Thorpe. He said the requests, along with routine sending of copies to other agencies, had depleted the city's supply of extra copies. Asking for the report were Summit county, Ohio; Spring field, Mass.; Royal Oak, Mich.; Princeton university and Griffin, Ga. Phoenix Grange Phoenix Grange met April 25 with Master Dee Hendrickson presiding. Visitors were R. R. Lytle, county commissioner from Bellview Grange alio Mrs. n.a Goehing from Griffin Creek Grange. Mrs. Goehing invited Phoenix Grangers to visit Grif fin Creek Grange and announc ed their dance May 6 at Griffin Creek Grange hall. Mr. and Mrs. A. fti. flioner were voted to be members by demit from Joseohine county. ; Mr. and Mrs. Ray Ward are visit ing their home orange aner spending the winter in the southern states. Nyla Kuesl was in cnarge oi display table and told about her collection of Japanese articles sent to her as gifts to every mem ber in the family. Edith Poe, Olin , Poe and Charles Hockersmith were es corted to master's station and each received a pen and pencil set. H.E.C. Chairman Elsie Lewis reported on Farm Journal sales and announced David Chase, the Crosley dealer of Phoenix, would install free in ine Lrranse a new Crosley electric range if the members could sell ten elec trical appliances by September 30. A motion was passed to try for this offer. During lectures program mem bers told fishing stories. Mr. Lyi?e spoke on taxes and wel fare conditions. Brother and sis ter Ward told briefly of their travels. Lecturer presenter sing ers Nvla Kuesl, Addie Simmonds and Louise Norton. Pianist was Mrs. Schmelzer. Next regular Grange meeting will be Mav 9. Serving commit tee will be Mr. and Mrs. Cliff Maust. Mr. and Mrs. Ray Ward and Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Lattie. Refreshment chairman for the evening was Mrs. George Drake. Grange will meet on standard time. 8 p.m. BIG PINES LUMBER C AO xflS! YEARS S::M. of. ; .LM '" """ Reserved for You! CASH COURTESY CONVENIENCE When You Need a Loan $50 to $500 You may hvt as long at 24 Months to Repay Sea AMERICAN FINANCE CORPORATION Kaem 210-211 Ltrerttt Sld. Llctnie M-M2 Llcanit S-213 PHONt 2-llSt EVERYTHING You Need for Building, Remodeling, Repairing Or Redecorating This Spring THIS IS THE BEST time in the year to start that new home . . . to remodel, repair and decorate. Big Pinei offer COMPLETE service everything you will need at eoniistently moderate prices. QUALITY and SERVICE have made Big Pinet Rogue River Valley's building headquarters for over 42 yean! If you're planning to build and you CAN around $6,000 and save rent payments we have home plant to fit your needi, Low FHA termi enable you to pay like rent. Big Pines will also secure experienced, dependable workmen to do the job for you, whether it be building a complete home or simply remodeling, fixing things up or painting and dec orating. You'll SAVE and be BETTER SATISFIED if you DEPEND upon BIG PINES' COMPLETE SERVICE! BIG PINES LUMBER CO. Since 1908 Sixth and Fir Sts. Phone 2-6251 - m AJL.-L,.. ... .. iW-n a fit -.ttTJ -J 1 - REAR VIEW This is a view from the rear of the new Jack son county farm home near Talent. Shown is the rear or kitchen wing of the 52-bed facility that will be ready to accommodate the county's old people within a few days. ..J Eagle Point School Sets Spring Concert Eagle Point, Apr. 2!) The an nual spring music concert of Eagle Point high school will be held at 8:30 p.m. Friday, May 5, at the school gymnasium. Directors Steve Whipple said the concert will have a general spring theme with varied selec tions. The program will include band and chorus numbers and vocal and instrumental trios and solns. There will be no charge for admission and the public is in vited. Whipple pointed out that tlie event will give residents of the community 'n opportunity Six Children Killed As Train Hits Jaxicab Campus, 111., Apr. 20 (U.R) Six grade school children and a taxicab dri-ver were killed when a speeding Wabash railroad train crashed into their school taxi at 70 miles an hour as they rode home from school. The taxi served as an impro vised school bus for rural chil dren at the Campus grammar school. The dead represented almost one-fourth of the total enrollment at the tiny, two-room school. to see the progress made by mu sic students during the past school year. High above Seattle, this striking room by famous decorator Deering Davis glows with glamorous color right from the floor where you see Gulistan Renaissance in fashionable Feminist Green. Famous decorator Svend Bocsen gave this exciting Colorado Springs room a flavor that is definitely western spiced it with Gulistan Renaissance in colorful Parakeet Green. PRESENTING OUR PORTFOLIO OF REGIONAL ROOMS BY FAMOUS DECORATORS FEATURING GULISTAN RENAISSANCE From east of the Hudson to wtst of the Rockies, you'll see the smartest homes carpeted with Gulistan Renaissance. Why? Because smart homemakers everywhere know they can't go wrong with the favorite carpet of famous decorators ... and that's Gulistan Renaissance! For that room of yiur, see our Gulistan Renaissance carpel today I BARNARD'S FLOOR COVERING SPECIALISTS 317 E. Main Phone 2-5487 fis shh m t v
