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
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