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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (June 26, 1955)
TWK.TB MIDFOHD (OREGON) Sen. Lowry States log facing Brings Political Effects ' (Editer'i aoiot The county court if expected tomorow to ' give jk decision on its recommendation to tha atata racing commiasiea regarding tha licensing of dog racing in Jackaon county, which has baan proposed by a grouo of Madford and - Ashland man. Thay will bata thair dacision on taitimony given at a public haaring hald hara Friday morning, and on latiora and othor axpratsions of opinion from local paopla. - Among tha letters is ona praparad by Stata San. Philip B. Lowry which, bacausa of its special interest and tha back ground it gives on cortain pnases of tha proposal, is publishad hara. Tha lattar was addrassad to tha thraa mambars of tha " county court.) Gentlemen: This letter is, written to you in connection with a petition filed with the Jackson county court to establish racing and a system of pari-mutual wagering in Jackson county, Oregon. . . No doubt the moral, legal and economic issues here involved will be, or already have been, brought to the attention of the court.- I believe that these con siderations, standing alone or in combination, will fully, justify this court in denying the petition before you. Political Consideration There is, however, in my view, an equally compelling and addi tional ground for denying this petition that is the political consideration. My recent experience at the Oregon legislature gave me an opportunity to observe certain definite political evils that will flow from the licensing of rac ing, and its attendant pari mutuel betting, in any part of the state. The inevitable result is that the racing and allied inte rests succeed in piercing and in filtrating the fabric of govern ment wherever a government compromises with such enter prises by licensing them. Historically, gambling and pari-mutuel betting appear to have gained footholds through government authorization by the illusory promise of revenues to that government. It is always argued that it is a method of easing the tax burden or avoid ing tax increases. This argu ment, however, is most fallac ious. It may remain true for a time, and, then, to the extent that these people can penetrate and control the government they set about running it to suit themselves. Steady Expansion Effort Dog and horse racing with pari-mutuel betting fortunately have heretofore been confined to northern Oregon. A steady ef fort has been going on to in troduce such operations into the populous Willamette valley. Thus far the residents there have succeeded in fighting it off. We see in this petition an effort to spread this pattern into southern Oregon. It is the stock in trade of the pari-mutuel operators that their activities in Oregon have been clean. Notwithstanding this claim, tha racing interests spon sored a series ot-bills at the last session of the legislature which were said to be for the purpose of allowing them to clean up some of the mess which goes along with this sort of business. One bill provided that any em ployee of the race track could order anyone off the premises with or without cause. This was said to be necessary because un licensed bookmakers were ope . rating in the stands, with the re sult that a substantial amount of betting was not going through the pari-mutual ' windows. An other bill provided that the em ployees of the tracks would be Oregon state employees, paid by the state of Oregon. It was rep resented that this would enable the operators to overcome the evils that had arisen through the employment of privately en gaged personnel. Beat Tax Increase The most significant fact to ire, however, was that the pari mutuel betting interests suc ceeded in beating a determined effort by a number of legisla tors to increase the taxes on pari-mutuel betting. This demon strates the power and influence of these interests when you stop to consider that individual in come tax payers were given a tax increase of approximately 50 per cent, life insurance, fire insurance and casualty insurance taxes were increased and pre viously exempt organizations were taxed for the first time. The records of the legislature indicate that I moved in the Sen ate tax committee that that com mittee present a motion on the floor of the Senate to take the bill amending Oregon Revised Statutes 462,060 from the calen dar and re-refer it to the Senate tax committee for the purpose of considering a tax increase on pari-mutuel wagering. Both mo tions were successful because they were unexpected. Within hours the racing lobby went into action and the formidable op position to the proposed tax in crease took shape. The chairman of the Senate tax committee, the same day, received a telegram , from Mr. Kyne in California, threatening not to open Portland Meadows, if we persisted in our MAIL TRIBUNE efforts. San Francisco lawyers appeared at the hearings which followed before the Senate tax committee. Opposition from all parts of Oregon to the proposed tax increase were soon heard. Funds Divided To understand the Oregon op position, it is necessary to know how the racing revenues paid to the state are divided. Two fifths of the racing tax goes to the state general fund. The re mainder in any one year is di vided as follows: $35,000.00 to Oregon State Fair $35,000.00 to Pacific Internation al Livestock Exposition held in North Portland $7,500.00 to the Eastern Oregon Livestock Show at Union $5,000.00 to the Mid-Columbia Livestock Show at The Dalles $7,500.00 to the Pendleton Roundup at Pendleton $2,400.00 to the Northwestern Turkey Show in Douglas County $5,000.00 to the Klamath Basin Roundup Association, Klama th County $2,500.00 to the Spring Lamb and Derby Show at Canby $2,400.00 to the Pacific Coast Turkey Exhibit in Yamhill County $2,500.00 to the Oregon State Corn Show to be held under the direction of the Director, of the Department of Agricul ture of Oregon State College Any remainder is appropriated to the several counties in equal parts, for the benefit of their county fairs. The naming of these benefi ciaries through this pork barrel device of course creates a tailor made and seemingly reputable lobby for the racing lobby. These Oregon organizations, in effect, become puppets for their racing masters. Many of them seem to feel that their very existence is dependent upon pari-mutuel bet ting. Any intervention by the legislature into the established setup provokes the immediate opposition of many of those re ceiving a hand out. Many of them only need to be alerted by the Salem racing lobby to rise to the occasion. Raluctant With Books The hearings before the Sen ate tax committee were of ex treme interest to me. They re vealed that the Senate tax com mittee could only secure the books and records of the Mult nomah Kennel club to examine their earnings if the stockhold ers approved. This, despite the fact that the skyscraper orga nizations, private utilities and insurance companies, had all given such information without hesitation. Upon my request for a balance sheet and profit and loss statement, Mr. Kemp of the Multnomah Kennel club did on the following day produce a document which showed that the racing corporation had sustain ed tremendous bqpk losses. Fur ther interrogation revealed, however, that this corporation, which has a dog racing license at the sufferance of the state only, had paid a $100,000 divid end in December, 1954. A final and grudging production of ad ditional records of this corpora tion snowed it to have paid about 100 per cent on the investment in each year since it started in 1933. The Senate tax committee and the Senate passed the bill in creasing the taxes on pari-mu- tuei betting. Word was passed along that we were wastine our time because things were pre pared in the House. This proved to be true, although many mem bers of the House would have supported the tax increase,, had they been given an opportunity to vote upon it. The House re fused to concur in the Senate amendments to the original House bill and in the course of conference committees the tax increase on pari-mutuel betting m the bill was eliminated and the bijl was then repassed. This was a convincing demon stration to me of the fact that gambling and good government do not mix any better than gaso line and alcohol on our high ways. For this reason, and the others above noted, I earnestly solicit the court to deny the petition pending before it. Your very truly, Philip B. Lowry POPULATION GAIN Washington Population of the U. S. has gained one-fifth since 1940, and at the same time the number of children has in creased by about two-thirds. Sunday. June 28. 1855 SCOUT CAMP SCENE The picture above, taken at an earlier session of Boy Scout summer camp at Camp McLoughlin, is typical of the activities which take place each year. It shows the , Protestant service conducted each Sunday at the natural chapel in the Boy Scout History of More than 650 Boy Scouts and Explorers of the Crater Lake Area council, including Jose phine and Jackson counties in Oregon and Siskiyou county in California, will attend Camp Mc Loughlin at the Lake O' Woods this summer. The camp is located on the northern end of the west side of this beautiful lake in the Rogue River National forest. Camping in this council has had a varied history. The first organized Scout Camp that the records show was held in 1924 at Diamond lake with 105 camp ers. It cost each scout $5 per week, but it actually cost the council $8.25 per scout. This camp was held before the formal organization of the Crater Lake council. . . In 1925 Camp Hy-U-Sku-Kum was held at the Lake O' Woods with 76 scouts attending. From 1926 to 1929, the camp was held on the Applegate river, opposite the Star Ranger station. Present Camp Secured In 1930 the present camp area at the Lake O' Woods was se cured. The Crater Lake council then included Klamath, Lake, Josephine and Jackson counties. In 1933 there was no camp held because no scout executive was employed in the area. After the formation of Modoc council with Klamath Falls as headquarters, the two councils used the camp together for a while. Later each council took part of the summer for their own scouts. In 1937 the Crater Lake coun cil purchased the Modoc coun cil's share of Camp McLoughlin, with Mel Hogan heading the Medford group handling arrange ments, under the direction of Larry Schade Sr., president of the council for many years. Many improvements were made at the camp during the next few years. It reached a maximum ca pacity of 90 campers and 10 staff members per week. Five Year Plan Laid In 1949 a complete study and a five year development plan was adopted by the council. George C. Flanagan was chair man of the long range plan and then was. made camping chair man. It is under his leadership as camping chairman that the camp has been remodeled. In 1951, the new dining hall called Elk lodge was completed. It is designed for 200 campers and staff. . From one large circle of tents and cabins for 90 campers, the camping area has been dispersed to form seven smaller troop sites which house 24 scouts in three tents in each site, for a total ca pacity of 168 camping scouts per week: In addition to this there is one special troop site. A troop furnishing its own leadership, tents and food may use this spe cial troop site at no cost and still participate in all the program and activities at camp. New Dock A new waterfront dock was completed and also the new, well-equipped hot water shower house was built last year, Many other improvements and addi tions to camp have been made in the five year camp develop ment, water was piped to each camp site, a new electric power system and two new power mo tors have been added to. assure full electricity for the dining hall at all times plus many other items that now make Camp Mc Loughlin one of the most out standing camps in the country. A new troop site was completed this year called Modoc. This area has been previously used for troops and Scouter families who do their own cooking at camp. A new area has been se cured for the troop camping and family area. One of the old build ings has been remodeled to form new living quarters for the Ex plorer Scouts who are serving on the camp staff in the kitchen and dining room. A new - experiment is -being Summer Camp Hears; Organization Told conducted this week, June 26 to July 3, at the request of the Ex plorers in the council. (Explorers are the young men in the Scout ing program who are 14 years old and over). . A week of camp for Explorers only will be held. They will plan their own pro gram and activities, including ad vancement, mountaineering, hik ing, expeditions into many new areas, wateriront and iieid sports. "This is an entirely new and interesting program," Flanagan explained, "and about 60 Explor ers will take part in this special event." July 5 to 10 is designated as staff training week for the men who will serve on the regular camp staff during which the pro gram facilities will be completed. Staff Listed The 1955 camp staff includes Fred McMullin, field executive of the Crater Lake council, as camp director. He is serving his third year in this capacity. Rob ert Stothers is returning as pro gram director after serving in the Army. He has been active on the camp staff in many ca pacities since 1946. Larry Hammond, Post 8, Med ford, will serve as activities di rector and will be assisted by Gary Kliever and John Van Dyke, of Post 3, Medford. Pat Niles of Grants Pass is the aq uatics director and is returning after serving in the Navy. As sisting him is Wilson Gilinsky, Troop 9, and Wayne Breeze, of Post 8. Jim Dunn of Jerome Prairie is the field sports di rector. Quentin Spangler of Post 21, Grants Pass, is the archery instructor. Don Weber of Troop 9 is again serving as the camp clerk and bookkeeper. Dennis Patton of Post 3 will be the new trading post manager. Carl Gor don, Post 8, is serving his first year as handicraft director. Dick Swinney, Post 8, will be the camp truck driver. Mrs. Paul Throne of Gold Hill is again serving as the cook. This year she will be assisted by her husband. As Leaders Many Explorer Scouts are serving one to two weeks each as provisional unit leaders and as assistant stewards in the kitch en and dining hall. Henry Van Berger is return ing for his 19th year as the camp engineer and caretaker. The Crater Lake Area coun cil sent four of the men from the camp staff to a National Camp Staff school for a week of special training in program de velopment. Robert Stothers at tended the program and activi ties development, session; Carl Grodon participated in the handi craft training; Pat Niles and Wil son Gilinsky attended the ac uatic school. This school was held near Tillamook, Ore., in the Portland area at Camp Meri wether on the coast. For Five Weeks The Boy Scout Camp proper will be held for five weeks start ing on July 10 and changing pe riods each Sunday until Aug. 14. . Many doctors in Jackson coun ty have volunteered their time to come to camp "each Sunday and recheck the incoming scouts for contagious diseases or other last-minute ailments that a boy may develop just before coming to camp. Many ministers of the Prot estant faith come to camp on For A Pleasant Sunday Afternoon DARDANELLE For Really FINE FOOD v Children Always Welcome Very Pleasant Atmosphere Open at 1 p.m. Sunday CLOSED WEDNESDAY PHONE 5-9230 GOLD HILL woods. A one-week camping period for Ex plorer Scouts only opens this week, and the regular five one-week periods will begin next month. A history of the scout camp work in southern Oregon is given in the accompany ing article. Sunday morning and conduct church services to lielp the scout in his oath and law "A Scout is Reverent." The Catho lie scouts travel to Klamath Falls, Medford or Ashland for their services. Radio Used One of the special precautions that is taken at Camp McLough lin is the short wave radio that is tuned with the Southern Ore gon Conservation and Tree Farm association station in Med ford for any emergencies. Lewis "Doc" Simpson has directed this program for several years. "We believe that Camp McLoughlin is the only camp in America that is equipped and prepared in this way," Sam Taylor, assistant camp chairman and one of the men who has helped build the well planned camp, has said. The scout attends camp with his troop, or, in some cases, as en individual. He arrives at camp after the noon meal and before 3 p. m. on Sunday. He may be brought to camp by his parents who wish to see the camp. "This year we hope that all the par ents of scouts will visit Camp and see the facilities and program for their son," stated Dr. Elmo Stevenson, president of the Crater Lake Area council. "They will have a better understanding of the program and will be proud to have their son there." . The camp period ends Sunday after the' big noon meal and most of the scouts ride home with the parents of the boys just arriving in camp. Transportation is fur nished by the scouts themselves Waterfront Popular The waterfront is one of the popular sports at camp. The scouts are taught swimming, life saving, canoeing, rowing and many aquatic sports. Personal attention is given to scouts who cannot swim as well, as fo those who are beginning swimmers, by trained instructors. Safety is stressed at all times. The activities staff is also well schooled. Pioneering, outdoor cooking, camping, hiking, com pass training, axemanship and ropework are just a few of their skills and abilities. - In the field sports, there is the rifle range for safety instruction in firearms, as well as the hand ling and (shooting by each Scout. Archery will again be popular and has an added feature of field shooting at animal targets set throughout the archery area. The new sport that was added last year will be more popular than ever. It is called Mo-Skeet, using a 22 calibre rifle bird shot fired at small clay pigeons. Also in the field sports will be a new feature, plug casting and fly casting instructions. Hikes Conducted Another popular activity held each year is that of hiking to other lakes and climbing Mt. McLoughlin. Scout advancement is stressed under the leadership of the camp staff, who assist the scoutmas ters of the troops. The first and fifth periods are the only periods open to troops and scouts who are not already registered for camp. If a scout who has not yet made his camp reservation belongs to a troop that has registered for camp in a period that is now full, his registration will still be accept ed for that period so that he may attend camp with his unit. Mail Tribune Carriers Deep Sea Fishing Experiences By DICK SIMONSON Mail Tribune Circulation Department Last Saturday 34 carriers of the Mail Tribune proved that they were more than just paper boys. They spent the day deep sea fishing at Crescent City and brought back nearly 500 pounds of assorted salt-water fish to show for their effort. It all started when a big Greyhound bus parked in front of the Tribune office and soon every seat was taken by a po tential fisherman. They were all so eager to get to their destina tion that every few minutes one would ask the driver if he couldn't go any faster. Boys' Refuel Near the California border we made a "refueling stop." By "re fueling stop" I mean that all the boys replenished their supply of candy, cookies, pop, peanuts, milkshakes and anything else the cafe had for sale. A few miles ahead the wind ing mountain road caused a few to feel the effect of eating too much. One fellow having a rather bad time keeping his sup per anyway was the pomt of a rather timely joke. For some reason au was quiet lor a mo ment and then one of his friends spoke to him, "Hey Chuck, want another cookie?" We had hardly stopped laugh ing over tnis when a stop was maae at tne uaiixorma inspec tion station. The inspector came aboard and every boy had a com ment for him. I remember him asking one fellow if he had any oranges in his suitcase. The repiy was, "jno, out I have a horned toad in my pocket." Upon arrival at Crescent City they engulfed the Surf hotel and within minutes the sound of run ning feet could be heard in the halls as all were out exploring the surroundings. For many it was the first time away from their families and this was their big chance to be on their own. More to Eat Even knowing that they would have to rise at 6 a.m. didn't have any effect upon causing them to settle down. From out of the suitcases came more deliciacies to eat, and everything from play ing cards to monopoly sets to provide the excuse for staying up until the wee hours of the morn ing. Once I paused and knocked at a door that filtered sounds of at least five or six boys. After scurry of footsteps there came the question "Who is it?" "Po lice," I answered in a husky voice. Immediately there was a commotion and' from within came the answer, "We didn't do anything." "Open the door," insisted. Trembling hands final ly turned the key and as the door opened all were sitting around the room in a very order ly fashion. At first there was the look of astonishment on their faces but then broke out in laughter when they saw it was me instead of the police. Af ter an onslaught of remarks everything settled back down to a mild roar. And so far into the night one would hear running footsteps or muf fled voices behind doors. Down to Beach A scant few hours later I was awakened by the noise of run- ning out in the hall and a con versation between several of them trying to figure out where my room was so they could wake me up. Long before break fast most were out of the hotel and down to the beach seeing what, if anything had been left by the receding tide. The word that breakfast was ready , spread like fire in gaso line, and the aroma of fresh ba con and eggs brought all running to sit down for a few moments. for the Annual All Interested Girls Between the Ages of 14 and 2 Please Contact... Jacksonville Jubilee Headquarters U.S. Hotel, Jacksonville A passing policeman on his early morning beat stuck his head into the dinine room and was met with a barrage of remarks about everything from why it was fog gy outside to the price of tea in China. Soon all were outside and ready to fish. Visit Aquariums One group didn t get to do their fishing until the afternoon, so we explored the beach, found starfish, snails and baby lobsters under the rocks. A visit to the acquarium completed the morn ing and all were starved when If I EXPLORATION ON BEACH rier boys who last week end r if (I v'4 ;pf 3 ') sea fishing trip are shown above as they explored the beach during a non-fishing moment. Left to right they are Bill Young, Kenneth Brookman, Keith Harrison and Leslie Little. The object of their interest is a sand crab. ' x y lllllii llIilSiBiSlillf ... ' s : m ft W .jB MORNING SHIFT Boys in the Mail Tribune party were div ided into three groups and fished at separate times. Shown above ii the boat carrying group No. 1, who fished, the waters of the Pacific off Crescent City from 7:30 a.m.- to noon. fi & ANY BITES? Group No. 3 of the young fishermen was on the water from noon to 6 p.m., collecting a substantial number of fish and a lot of peeled noses. A close-up view of the fishermen is shown above. None of the younger boys got seasick, .perhaps due to the fact they all were furnished seasick pills. Enjoy the other two groups returned at noon. In the afternoon the third group went fishing and after a slow start caught more fish than either of the boats did in the morning. Seasick pills were given to all in my group except me. And who couldn't take it? Yours truly the old sea dog. All had a swell time and many of the mothers will remember for a long time the after effects of their son's first deep sea fish ing trip staying up most of the night cleaning the darned fish! mm4 Four went to of the Mail Tribune car Cresent City for a deep 1 ,V:"'v;;:':-: o i
