Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (May 7, 1950)
1 y IfOKT MEDFORD (OREGON) MAIL TRIBUNK Sunday. May 7, 19S0 Proper Understanding of Fire Department Problems Said Bond Issue Vote Need "If the fire department financ ing bonds are defeated at the pri mary election, I feel certain it will be because t h a voters of Medford have not been Kivcn proper understanding of the problems of fire prevention here." This was the gist of Acting Fire Chief Leo Weidner's re marks Friday when he discussed the Drooosed bond issue lor ornnn of nronertv owners meet big at the Girls' Community olub. Claaa I Danartmant "The longer we let It go, the more it will cost eventually," Weidner said referring to the imDrovement of the department "The fire department has been Pretty much 'forgotten' since the a s t fire insurance rating in 1933," he added. "We now have a department which was Class 5 for a population of about 11,000 people. At the time this rating was given, Medford had a prop erty valuation of $7,609,000. To day the population is near 20,000, with a valuation of more than S20.000.000. But the fire depart ment is the same," Weidner said. The chief, who Is on loan to Antiquated Method Of Plowing Found Better for Egypt Cairo 0J.R) A Canadian, Dr. James B. Harrington, who is ad viser to the Egyptian govern ment on agricultural matters, believes that the antiquated method of plowing in Egypt may be superior to modern methods. In an interview, Dr. Harring ton said: "The plow used by the Egyp tians is far less destructive to tne soil than the modern mould board plow. This view, expressed in one of the best sellers of mod ern years, "Ploughman's Folly," is clearly borne out here. "The Egyptians have been us ing these plows for a great num ber of centuries, and they still get from the soil some of the highest yields in the world." Unchanged by Time Describing the plow. Dr. Har rington said: "The plows used In Egypt are almost universally the type used thousands of years aso. A flat- tish, rounded piece of iron is fas tened to . the forward part of a wooden share. This in turn is fastened at an angle to a long beam or wood. "The forward part of this goes between the two oxen, while the rear part curves upward to be held as a control by the plow man. "The angle of the plow can be adjusted for different plowing depths by means of wooden pegs and holes where the plow is fas tened to the beam. The job done resembles that done by one shovel of a duckfoot cultivator. On Loan to Egypt Dr. Harrington is on loan for 18 months to the Egyptian gov ernment from Saskatchewan University. For the past 25 years the Egyptian government has been conducting scientific investiga tlon into the breeding of grain. the city from Portland where he is a senior lire captain, explain ed the insurance ratine bureau'i system of demerits for fire de partments. An arbitrary 3,000 noints are given each city, and then each deficiency in fire pre paredness is given "demerit points'' to indicate the rating, he said. In 1933, Medford had 2,133 demerit points taken from a pos- siDie a.uuu, placing it in Ulass s Would rlaise nates "I don't know what the rating bureau win do, weidner said, "but on the basis or the situation here at present, it couldn't do anything but raise insurance rates. In 1933, Medford was given 310 demerits for its water sup ply, he said, and at that time there were two sources of sup ply, tne present system, and stand-by auxiliary line from Fish lake, ine department proper was given 81S demerits from 1,500 points; the fire alarm system was given 398 demerits from 550 points; police cooperation got 35 demerits from so points, and oth er phases were comparable on the basis of demerits, he explained. Weidner went on to explain the plans for improvement and modernization contemplated un der the proposed bond issue. These include the purchase of a new aerial ladder truck, an alarm system, two new substa tions, added manpower, and new nose. One of Few Cities Medford is the only citv over iu.uuu population in Oregon which does not have such equip ment, he said, and one of the few cities in the nation of nearly 20, 000 population without one. The truck s chief purpose is to save lives, he said, but in addition it would be a potent weapon in fighting fires in tall buildings. packing houses and lumber mills and yards. Weidner covered other Dhases of the proposal, and supported his arguments with facts and fig ures. He said that the alarm sys tem, in the high-value portion of town and at schools, would be a Kreat safety factor, and a protec tion from the "excited caller." The new sub-stations, he said, would give much more efficient protection to the east and west sections of town, and would sup plement the protection now available from the central sta tion. The congested traffic in the downtown area, and the railroad tracks west of the mailt station, provide a serious problem in furnishing protection, he pointed nut. Man Power Needed He also cited the need for ad- litlunal manpower, and the nen- ulties, in the form of higher in surance premiums, which the rat- ng Bureau provides for the lack of sufficient men. He pointed out that the hose on hand at the department now s only enough to equip present vehicles. If hose repairs, or dry ing, are needed, it means takine equipment out of service, he said. Ihe next insurance rating is ue sometime this vear. he said. One has not been made since 1933, but they are ordinarily marie each 10 years. r ire protection will cost money," lie said, "but whether we pay for it in terms of insur- nce premiums to New York companies, or keep the money at home in the form of an improved department, is up to the voters." THIS CAN m HjtL Without proper scientific storage- precautions for your fun . . . anything can happen to thorn and often does! Our cientifically-planncd vaults will keep your furs safe from harm. Also, let us Polarise your fur coat. This service re moves all loos dirt and grime from both lining and fur. FREE PICK-UP SERVICE For your convenience dial 2-9169 for our free pick-up service. Our bonded messenger will call promptly. If you profer, us our drive-In accommodations at our modern plant, 601 E. Main St. Always plenty of parking room. H. D. Christensen, Prop. NO MATTER WHERE YOU BUT IT.? GET A GIFT FO DAINTY LACE TRIMMED Nylon Gowns They re beauitfui! Dainty lace - trimmed styles with molded midriffs and wide shoulder straps. Wonderful traveling companions be cause they pack so easily . . . perfect shower gifts, be cause every girl wants a ny lon gown like this. In pink, blue, or white. 32-40. 6 90 Special! Brass Plated TABLE LAMPS Here is a real buy on brass plated table lamps with white reflector bowl. Mother will love them. Several colors of shades to choose from. With Reflector Bowl 3 98 51 GAUGE 15 DENIER Gift Wrapped 'A VA. 345 Something New! Gaymode Twists I15 JL PAIR It's the twist in each fine nylon thread that gives you hosiery like this! You get greater elasticity for better fit snag-resistance for longer wear . , . and that permanent dull finish for sheer leg flat tery. Only at Penney's Am..a S J?' IS: I i a l -sry, 1 is mm 0 ' ' SPECIAL PURCHASE For Mother's Day All Nylon Slips To Keep Her Fresh Smooth and Smart All Summer Long Specially Priced at Our budget - priced nylon slips have such fragile looks . . . practical ways. Even the lace is nylon to give you ex tra insurance on wear and laundry. White, pink or blue. 32-40. PENNEY'S LINGERIE STREET FLOOR Frilly Cotton PERCALE APRONS 98c Full coverage apron ... big enough to be practical, pret ty enough to be becoming, with that floral print, all around ruffle. Various prints on white. SPECIAL PURE LINEN HANDKERCHIEFS FOR 89c Here is a real buy for Moth er 6 pure linen handkerchiefs in a package. Comes in white and pastel assortment. ADONNA RAYON KNIT PANTIES 69c Adonna panties in medium length flare bottom style, with all around elastic or or elastic back top. Pink, white, blue, maize. 32-50. Gift Hint GLOVE RING 100 no tax Here Is a practical gadget that stops glove loss. Fits on to purse. Shaped like two hands. Gold color. SHOP PENNEY'S COMPLETE SPORTSWEAR DEPT. TOMORROW As you like 'em... our well-cut '1 i I 45 SssiMaW' r Li H A come BRIEF ... shorts Because a girl's slacks just must fit perfectly . . . Proportioned Slacks In three lengths . . . man-tailored in hard finish rayon 1.79 IN BETWEEN... knee-length slacks J 98 LONG ... slacks 1 .98 They're Sanfnriredf denim, too ...carefully stitched to take knockabout life. And that means big money's worth, at thee liny prices! Faded, navy, brown, pastrra... 10-ia t.Shrinkaie will not ntnd fjb I The fit of your slacks is what makes all the difference . . . and our well-cut man-tailored slacks are scaled to height for a custom-fitted look I Black, brown, dark green, red, navy, gray, coffee cream, a qua. ..short, medium or tall in size 1 0 to 20. 4?8 9g FOR FIRST QUALITY ALWAYS Corner Sixth fir Central Shop 9:20 To 5 :30 r i
