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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (July 31, 1955)
TWELVE ME D F O R D (OBECOK) i. H. hedrick To Keftiire Aft:er 3 By DON ROBINSON . Mail Tribune Sltff Writer "A man's got to love his work . . . and hia work becomes a hobby." These words of E. H. Hedrick best describe hia 30 yean at the superintendent's desk of School District 49. Med Xord. On August 1 he retires. When he first arrived in Med ford, there were five schools. The high school stood at the site cf Safeway Store No. 2, on Bart lett at. A gym had yet to be built in town. Baseball games were played in the old Armory build ing. .Football players, having no turf available, were sometimes half buried in mud holes. Hot school lunches were just an idea. Changes Told Now, Medford schools number eight. Eight gyms are standing, three more abuilding. Looking into the future, the district owns two elementary sites on Grand ave. and Orchard Home dr., and has just closed an option on 35 acres east of the old Crater Lake highway, north of town. Perhaps schools will be built here, perhaps not. But if the need arises (and indications are that it will) Medford is prepared. Hedrick was born, the son of a achool teacher -lumberman-rancher in Josephine county, near Merlin. When he was 5, the family moved to Drain, in Douglas county. There he, his brother and two sisters received training through high school. Decides on Law Seeking a future, Hedrick de cided upon law. He entered Mon mouth Normal school, now Ore gon College of Education. With the money from teaching, he meant to put himself through law school. He taught his first term in a Douglas county rural school in 1908. Graduating from Mon mouth in 1909, he spent the next three years teaching in rural schools around the county. About that time, the state legislature enacted a measure establishing supervisors for Ore gon's rural schools. Hedrick was one of the first of these, being elected supervisor, with 51 dis tricts to look after,. in northern Douglas county. There he stayed for three more years. Seeks More Background By this time, the boy from the ranch had unconsciously con vinced himself that lawbooks would not do. Teaching was his field, he decided, but he needed more background. Entering the University of Oregon, he earned a bachelors degree, with a major in education and a minor in phi losophy. Later he gained a mas ters in education, minoring in psychology. World War I. came, and Hed rick spent a year with the 213th Field Signal Corps, at Ft. Lewis, Wash. For a short time after wards he was in the Army edu cational service at the base hos pital. Discharged in 1919, he came south to take the superin tendent's reins at Central Point. In 1923 a Central Point girl, Helen Norcross, and he were married. They had four chil dren: Eva, now married to Sam Richardson, salesman for Home Appliance company; Bill, prin cipal of the Hugo, Ore., high school; Lala, wife of Robert Work, both having taught t Lone Pine for the past three years, coming to Medford High next year, and Carolyn, a Med ford High junior. In Heppner From 1923 to '25 Hedrick was superintendent of Heppner schools, in Morrow county. At the turn of the quarter century, he was back in Jackson county, having been elected superintendent of Medford schools. He intended to stay only a year, then take a position at a teacher's college. But the one year stretched into two. then three. He had found the town and the job he liked. He settled down, and started to build Medford's school system. The second year of his stay, 1926, the high school was moved into a brand new building on West Second st. With the Bart lett st. structure, the superinten dent and his board introduced something new to Medford a junior high school. The district switched from the 8-4 plan (eight years of grade school and four years of high school) to the new 6-3-3 plan. With the construction situa tion temporarily in hand, Hed' rick turned to the students. Courses of Study The first move was to institute courses of f-tudy for all subjects. Teachers committees work with the superintendent in developing an outline of work to be taught during the year Next, Medford initiated testing procedures, the results revealing local students' ranking with those around the state and na tion. With the coming of a junior high school, District 49 began MAIL TRIBUNE Years with the "group"' system. Students capable of more were put in group one, average students in group two. and slower students in group three. The dividing factors were three-fold: the amount of time taken to cover a topic, the quan tity of work given, and the ap proach of the teacher giving an assignment. Stuck by System Although cries of "undemo cratic" arose from time to time, Hedrick and the board stuck by their beliefs. With the backing of the majority of the people, they employed the system for 20 years. In 1946, two things occurred, as a result of which group three was discontinued. The "inherent difficulty" of the curriculum decreased. In other words, state and national standards didn't demand that so much be learned in each grade. Secondly, special education de partments were developed. Slower children were placed in these departments, the aim being to bring them back, through concentrated individual attention, into their own group. The names '"group one" and "group two" were dropped in favor of "regular" and "advanc ed" classes. Subjects such as typing, shop, or physical educa tion, involving individual accom plishment, have no advanced classes. But in studies where the class as a whole must move together, students are divided to facilitate learning. Emphasizes Point With regard to divided classes, on one point Hedrick hits hard: "It's bad to advertise that a kid is in an advanced group." He wants none of the never-crack-a book type notions in his schools, That kind of student, he says, "is like a Chrysler without gas . , it might just as well be a Ford." The philosophy of District 49 and Hedrick, has been this: Edu cation is the schools primary concern. Outside activities are necessary, but secondary. HedncK doesn t believe in narrow education, or "just the three Rs." But it is his chief concern to "educate where so ciety's other institutions can't." Churches can give spiritual train ing, and the YMCA and Scouts recreational training, but none beside the school can teach read ing, science, English, math, spell ing the basic solid courses. In Minority For the past decade, Hedrick and Medford have held this view in the minority. "Progressive" education methods have seized the fancy of many school men, and "solids" have suffered for extracurricular activities. Now, the swing is back. It has long been Hedrick's con viction that "the heart of any school is what you're doing in the classroom"; in other words, the curriculum the material of fered. The two main obligations of a public school, as he sees them, l. I 'Ph i amililemigit U ml L ; mm- '.LM: Sunday. July 31. 19SS are to build citizens, on the one hand, developing likenesses; and to build individuals on the other, developing the distinguishing qualities in 'people. History, English, and. math for instance, are required so that E. H. HEDRICK Veteran School Superintendent To Retire After 30 Years (Photo by Bramcrd) the students may cultivate com mon ideals, loyalties, and the ability to live together construc tively. Music, art, debate and studies along this line are made avail able for "development of the stu dent's own peculiar interests, at titudes, and abilities." Two GuidepoiU These two purposes, citizen ship and individuality, Hedrick has always used as guideposts when making up Medford curric ulums. Then too, he says, the curricu lum must reflect the interests and nature of the community. More than half of Medford's par ents want their children to go on to college. For that reason, Dis trict 49 has. stressed academic courses. In 1931, Washington school was moved to its present site from where the courthouse now stands, and the high school was constructed, south of town. Twenty acres had been secured on Oakdale ave. for the pros pective Medford high. Though many opposed it as being too extravagant, ("They thought we were building a country club"), they wish now it had been an even larger area. Bricks Sared The old high school and Wash ington element ary structures were wrecked. From the bricks saved, Jackson school gym was erected. Back in the 30's, the board bought a piece of land for $8,000. Today, it could be sold for $100, 000. Next year, the new East Medford Junior High school will open on the same tract. The outstanding trait of the man whose career these events have filled, is a hard and fast philosophy of life. "The men wb run this world," he will tell you, "are the ones who have three qualities: First, they know their job. There's no substitute for background. Sec ond, they're willing to work at it. They're the ones who take their work home and stay at the of fice after-hours. Third, they've got personality . . . and charac ter." Likes 'Good Man' . He loves to see a "good man." Not a puritan but an honest man, who fits his job like a nut fits a bolt. Hedrick is ever on the look out for such men and women for his District 49 "family." He once hired an extra- man for one day, shoveling dirt in front of the administration building. He walked past, saw the workers, and in particular, the extra man. "Keep that man on," he told the foreman. "I want to watch him." The new man moved from one menial task to another, and in Tomorrow City S chools each Hedrick detected a spark of enthusiasm and pride in his work. Soon, the man applied to the superintendent for a va cant janitor's position, but was told, "We can always find jani tors. I need a man like you on maintenance." The onetime day laborer was hired. Biggest Problem "A superintendent's biggest problem," says Hedrick, "is get ting and keeping the right kind of people. No matter what your aims are, unless you have people that can translate them into ac tion, you can't do a thing. The trouble is, they don't make those superior people often enough." The fact is, Medford has been blessed with more than its share of "those superior people," as he will readily admit. In sports, Hedrick points with pride to local track teams. Bill Bowerman and his "pup," Bob Newland, are the coaches that made Medford, trackwise. "There aren't two better track coaches in the state of Oregon," boasts the superintendent. . As for teaching, "We've al ways been strong in English, math, social studies and science." Though he's provided the best possible buildings, Hedrick doesn't care "if you've got a log cabin or a palace. It's the teach- rrs that make a school." Became 111 From March 11. 1934, to the same date, 1935, Hedrick was off duty. Not voluntarily; he took sick and was in and out of hos pital beds all over this state and even California. Doctors said it was heart and stomach trouble. Hedrick never put much stock in doctors he still claims it was "just nerves." In any event, he wasn't the ideal patient. He kept trying to run the district's schools from his bed. He had his assistant jumping back and forth with in structions constantly, and all but set up office wherever he was taken. He says the best way to lick illness is to lie down and make a job out of getting well. But then, smiling admits, "You can tell the other guy that, but it's hard to take yourself." Has Earned Support Throughout his 30 years at Medford's helm, Hedrick has en joyed and appreciated steadfast support of school board and pub lie. During that period, the town nas never voted down a Inter health, rat, eemtort end hospitality amidst pleasant surroundings. Completely turnished Sleeping end Housekeeping Cabin, with all modern facilities. MOT MINERAL en MUD BATHS Per Rheumatism. Arthritis, Neuritis, . Sciatica, Nervaasness 'carbon oioxipe vapor baths Are excellent far lexeme. Sinus, Skin tnrp tmm, Hiafc ana" Lav Bleed Pressure "Your Health Is Our Business" for P. nervations end information Address tockneni Mineral Sarins, Rt. 1, Ashland, Oreeon ar Phone Long Oistence. Dr. Herman Wexler. Director Chiropractic Physician budget or a bond issue. "There is probably no finer town in America for conducting a 'good school system," claims Hedrick. He believes Medford has a high cultural level, and therefore is a challenge to a school man. Furthermore, the people want good schools. They like the philosophy of "educa tion first." The superintendent has al ways taken confidence from the fact that "If the people are con vinced you're running a good system, they will support you." Looking back, Hedrick feels 30 years have flown fast. To him, "It doesn't even seem like ten." Busy, Full. Happy Years But they've been busy and full, and for those reasons, happy. By his own standards, Hedrick is one of the men "who run the world." He knew his job, he couldn't be kept from his work, and he had the personality and character to carry him through in every public test. As for the future, he has "two or three ideas" in back of his mind, but nothing definite. What ever he decides, those who know him feel certain, Tie won't stray too far from the public schools. Two Drivers Fined For Reckless Auto Driving on Streets City police said that Coe Eu gene Brown, 21, of 1086 Spring st., who was fined on reckless driving charges in city court Sat urday morning, led them on a high speed chase through Med ford and in the north outskirts of town about 10:30 o'clock I riday night. Coe entered a guilty plea, offi cers said, and was assessed $50 by Judge James Main. His driv er's license was suspended one year. Police Sgt. Lyle Perkins said that Brown was clocked at 87 miles per hour on South River side avenue. The sergeant said also that the chase was over East Main St., Hawthorne ave., Jackson st., Crater Lake ave., McAndrews rd., Biddle rd., Cra ter Lake highway, and Delta Water rd. and Crater Lake high way, headed back to town and was "lost" on North Central ave. Police arrested Brown on a warrant Saturday morning. Arthur Bryan Hall Jr., 29, of 610 Benson St., was fined $75 and $5 court costs by Judge Rawles Moore in district court Friday on a reckless driving charge. He entered a plea of guilty, records showed. Judge Moore also recommended to the secre tary of state that Hall's driver's license should be suspended for 30 days. Hall appeared on a state police complaint that he drove in excess of designated speeds on Highway 99, on McAndrews rd. and on Central and Riverside aves. He was accused of going 60 miles per hour in a 35 mph zone on the highway, 50 in a 25 mph zone on McAndrews. 60 in a 35 mph area on Central and 85 mph on River side. About 83 per cent of all U.S vacation trips are by automo bile, and the average mileage is 978 miles. sssssssssssssflBl BzmmSBaiBBlBVBzsmmTe ITS UC3TH A TIUP TO SJU1 FRA1IOSC0 to) SSSaaa . ' r$S M its ITS jiirg3 ZJ 18EKW T3 2m KESEITrTICI RESERVED SEATS WOW ON SALE BOX OFFICE OPEN DAILY lOam-9 pa OR ORDER BY MAN. BRSIATKI PVmk U 1-5SSt c ?BJ?fJrV. "-w 4WT JuU ;-,?slfiBS Dagger Owned by Noted Actor Owned by Camp White Member "Is this a dagger, which I see , before me?" These words from one of the most dramatic passages of Mac beth, which w'ill stir audiences at the Shakespearean Festival which starts at Ashland tomor row, have more than passing significance to one world war veteran, now living at Camp White. Ralph Baker owns the dagger used by Edwin Booth in this and other Shakespearean plays. It is a reminder of the fact that his father and step-father both achieved recognition on the stage, in portraying the char acters in plays of the immortal bard. Is Inheritance The dagger has come down to him as an inheritance of the past, which is rich in memories of the way Shakespeare was presented to audiences in the gay nineties and until the first World War repopularized the barnstorming engagements which were cur rent for many years. Revival of Shakespeare in the classical interpretation of the Festivals, such as the one which has been running for 20 years here in southern Oregon, has changed the entire tradition, Baker believes. Although he has lived at the j VA Domiciliary for the past four years, he has assiduously avoid ed attending the Ashland per formances. He does not explain why, but observes dryly, "I was brought up on those lines, and lived in that atmosphere long enough." Different World Actually, he feels that the treatment today belongs to a world other than the one enacted by his father, Leighton Baker, and his step-father, Frederick Vroom. The dagger, was acquired through his mother, who after the death of his own father, mar ried the distinguished Shake spearean actor Frederick Vroom in Los Angeles, after a friend ship of 60 years. Vroom was a member of the famous Booth- Barrett company. Baker has a flock of clip pings acquired from his step father, one of which reproduces a program dated 1891 from the Brooklyn Academy of Music, with Edwin Booth and Frederick Vroom featured in Hamlet. In this engagement, Vroom played the part of King Claudius. Booth, of course, played Hamlet. In an interview published when he was slaving movie parts in Hollywood in 1939, Vroom ventured this note of pro phecy: "The stage will not re cover the glories of the days of Booth in this dispensation. We will have to get over the jazz age. After some great upheaval, there may come a time when great stage actors are again produced." Medford Dentist Will Reopen His Practice Dr. Cornell A. Sabo, Medford dentist who has been in the Army two years, will reopen his office on Monday, Aug. 1. His practice will be at Room 305, Medical Center building, his location before entering the service. Dr. Sabo was stationed at Heil bronn, near Stuttgart in Ger many, for 20 'i months. His wife and three daughters were with him and his son, Cornell Jr., was stationed nearby in the Medical Corps. The family home here is at 257 Winema Way. Steel mills in the U.S. in 1953 used a total of about 3,108 tril lion gallons of water. JMil.i!!.K) WE5TOAST PREMIERE TUES. EYt AUG, 2 at 8:30 mmm man n mm bw tmm, t, 1. Mia mi.i.'i' n tM )t STABS IOTEBSC31 VH cammEsT ussm baessi rvn E7EIT E3LDAT TCT ETEB REAMED CF CCE TOTE! in sstwni al ariediiiaett tokss tea tnmt ftt wmU m i MEIUU MUNR tVMRaS: WO Deaf Except Sat. 7J0 t 1MB Stm. at I-S 1:30 Orckslia SUS Mcsay $1 JS UT1NK5: 2 ml WW., Tiers, W. aJ Set. Orcarslri JUS leksey Sl-20 Ssaarr 2 t 5 ml Ordwslre S2.eS leicsey S1.7S Mm i. Cndw. Xe ii.ni, dm la of&s MS hnl mi tnmft. (MM t IvtrW- nic ; . i BOOTH'S DAGGER This dagger, used by the noted Shake spearean actor, Edwin Booth, in plays produced 75 years ago, is now owned by Ralph Baker, a veteran now living at Camp White, who inherited it from members of his family who played with Booth during that -period. (Payne Photo.) ' Farm Credit Organizations Report on Their Activites Two farm credit organizations reported on their activities last week. F. E. Bowman, secretary treasurer of the Southern Ore gon National Farm Loan asso ciation, said that long-term, low interest credit furnished farmers in this area is being used to re finance and consolidate present indebtedness, to make improve ments to land and buildings, and to purchase land, livestock, ma chinery and equipment. The association extended some $200,000 in credit during the year ending June 30, he said, with the 4 per cent loans going to farmers and ranchers in Jack son and Josephine counties. The loans are made for the Federal Land Bank of Spokane. Back From Conference Irvin Patten, secretary-treasurer of the Southern Oregon Production Credit association, has returned from a conference at Spokane with officials of the 30 PCAs in Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. He said the federal farm credit board is now gathering in formation to develop national Wh re rhra uritheut i modem, cleen operat ing, fuel savinf, eil heater. Why wiit until the tnew fliea and lose $15 en your eld heater. BUY year new Spark Oil Hearer aunng the mentn et August ana ger an exrra I ror me heater. aether. winter f jBfe, ' ' 1 This offer is made eeetikle be cause the Factory is sharing m this extra $1$. There have baea no increases hs Spark arices. Cent in today anal talecr the til Spark Oil Heater you need, in the lovely Neutra-tone Baked Emmal Finish and get this extra $15 for your Id heater. Telephone 2-5295 SAMSON FEED & SEED CO., Agents 4th & Front Streets plans to further improve credit services through the associa tions, which work with the Pro- duction Credit Corporation of Spokane. At the' meeting, Patten re ported, representatives of th Farm Credit Administration at tended, and there were discus sions as to possible ways for farmers eventually to take over ownership from the government of the production credit corpor ation and the intermediate credit bank. Most of the PCAs in the farm credit district are now farmer-owned, he pointed out. Yreha Votes Tuesday On Swim Pool Bonds Yreka Yreka voters Tues day will pass upon a proposal to build a new swimming pool. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. A $70,000 city bond issue hag been proposed to finance the pool, and it is on the bonds that voters will ballot. The present city pool has been termed ined equate for the use given it.by Yreka residents. ro8 I
