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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (April 7, 1957)
Mm mini inm i.i iiii,n mi iiiiii.iii . m mi inn i urn u. 11 rn 1 rn I U l II J Sunday, April 7. 1957 MEDFORD (OREGON) MAIL TRIBUNE FIVE Wives of representatives in the Oregon Legislature who write for newspapers now term themselves the House News Hens. Last week they interviewed Governor Robert Holmes, who talked about building programs and proposed legislation affecting schools. Pictured here with the governor are (left Bills About Dogsagweed, Knives Take Time By MARIJANE DUNCAN Salem Though "they" say un. til the tax bills hit the Floor, we're not there, we have a "home - stretch" feeing these days. At least this legislature has hit its stride and everyone seems to know where he's going no longer in circles! As with every job, there is much routine, but the meaning of the daily task is apparent now. whereas as first it was lost in a maze of bills, amendmends to bills, hearings on bills, and cor respondence on bills. Now that many are safely past the House and tucked away in our yellow "passed bills" books, the huge, ungainly volumes which hold the new bills are not so intim idating. The variety of bills is endless dogs and ragweed to be con trolled, river channels to be deep ened, switchblade knives to be banned, obsolete laws to be amended or eliminated, and so on and on. You may wonder why the Legislature must con cern itself, in its limited time, with comparatively minor prob lems, when major ones such as school aid and new tax structure loom ahead. The answer lies with each one of us. Compare yourself to your neighbor, for instance. Are all the same equal ly important to each of you? Some things yes schools (if you are both parents) and of course, taxes. J? Dl t s lit,' , vh-'f''?x? - - ilSvAj But there are a myriad of oth er areas of state government, and each of them represents a com pelling interest on the part of one segment of our population. And, all of them must be served. It is a question of trying to sort out the most pressing problems of statewide import, and, at the same time, trying to serve one's constituents well. This adds up to many, many pieces of legisla tion, which go to the various committees; and some of which, by a necessary process of elimin ation, never come out. There just isn't time and sometimes there just isn't money enough for all. The committee chairmen have quite a burden of responsibility. First things must come first, and it is up to them to decide. In this they are aided and advised by their committee members. It is virtually impossible for each member of the Legislature to concern himself with what is go ing on in the committees of which he is not a member. He has his own committee respon sibilities, and these must be fore most in his mind. If a constituent writes about a particular piece of legislation, he tries to follow this and generally apprises the chairman whose committee has the bill of his constituent's feel ings. He may even suggest amendments, if the problem is a pressing and serious one. But all this takes tune, and there is precious little of that commodity DRESS f J4 Your Charge Account INVITED! O to right) Mrs. Allen Tom, Mrs. Emil Stunz. Mrs. Robert Duncan of Medford, Mrs. R. E. Schedeen, the governor, Mrs. Al Littrell, Medford, Mrs. Verne Cady and Mrs. Fayette Bristol. The seven women contribute to a total of 27 news-pepers. to spare. We are having longer sessions and, often, afternoon sessions, too. The Senate has had them all along, in an attempt to catch up on the time they lost getting organized. Though the House sessions often run two hours, I do not find them dull. They are enlivened by snatches of wit and humor, and there are rarely long, dry presentations. Rather, if a bill means enough to a mem ber that he must speak on it for several minutes, his enthus iasm and sincerity give zest to his words. Whatever one may say about lack of experience in this Legislature, no one can ac cuse this group of lack of en thusiasm or earnestness of pur-pose-or of unwillingness to listen to the other fellow's point of view. The most interesting exper ience I have had in recent weeks was an interview with Governor Holmes not an exclusive one, by any means, for there were seven wives of Representatives (all those who write for their home-town papers) who particip ated. The idea was Esther Bris tol's wife of Representative Fayette Bristol, of Grants Pass. Each of us was supposed to ask a question, and we tried to make them as diversified as possible. In answering them, the governor "stuck by his guns" and main tained his previously announced positions. I don't think any of Select Your Dress or Coat From Our Wide Selection in All Sizes Delightfully Exciting! Delightfully New! Your Easter dress-ups are here . . and how beautiful they are! Our just-arrived-for-Easter fashions in clude the nicest imaginable coats, suits, dresses and costumes. Come, see ... it will give your spirits a real spring lift, and you'll find just what you want for Easter. of Legislators us really expected that he would present us with any breathtak ing revelations. If we learned little we did not know already, it was because most of us asked the same, old questions. New Committee We did learn that a new com mittee is being formed on state parks, and that some new ones will probably be designated. And we asked about the idea of the state providing a governor's mansion; to which the governor answered that he felt this was not the right time for such a project, budget problems being what they are;' but that he felt that someday the state should and would provide a home for our executive. I don't think any of us disagreed with this. It doesn't seem that the governor should have to house-hunt, rent a place that may not be designed for the kind of entertaining he must do, and sometimes have to move out and house-hunt again, as the Holmes must do in a couple of months. On the other hand, there are other problems far more pressing, and it seems the best thing this Legislature can do will be to start planning toward a home for our chief executive. Most states provide one. The governor was friendly and informal and answered all our questions carefully. Yes, he still believed our tax problems could and would be solved by a re- House "News Hens" Interview Governor; Hearings Continue By FRANCES LITTBFT.T. Salem The House News Hens interviewed Governor Holmes. We were greeted by Harry Swan son, the governor's genial assist ant, who showed us through the beautiful suite of offices occu pied by the Governor and his staff. The .Governor, nattily dressed in a blue suit complete with pink carnation and lots of white handkerchief showing from his pocket, greeted us most cordially, said he wished we rep resented 227 newspapers instead of the 27 to which the seven of us contribute. I must, admit it was an exciting event. However, vamping of the income tax struc ture; no, he did not believe this would seriously hamper industry in Oregon; no, he did not think the sales tax was the answer at this time and felt sure it would be defeated if put to a vote of the people; yes, he still hoped for full basic school sup port and thought Key District plan, though imperfect, best method yet devised of allocating funds; yes, he is satisfied with progress of the Legislature and expects to see the major parts of his program enacted or groundwork laid at this session. Party Held Spent this morning helping to decorate for "our" party, the semi-annual "timber party" sponsored and planned by people from the Fourth District. It will be held tonight in the Legion hall and is to be completely in formal jeans, pedal - pushers, and "lumberjack" shirts are in order. The gentlemen have been informed that anyone foolish enough to show up in a tie will have it whacked off, forthwith. Several of the wives from the Fourth District climbed ladders and chairs for three hours, dis tributing about an immense amount of greenery, in an at tempt to make the hall look "woodsy". We think we created quite an effect and no ankles were turned or backs strained in the process. Once again may we say, if you are interested in pending legislation, write about it. If you don't know what is pending and are interested, write, and we will send you a calendar. As for legislation you think should be introduced, it is unfortunately, too late in the session for that. But it is not too soon to start thinking about it and working on it for possible introduction at the next session. There will be interim committees hard at work between the sessions, and your Representatives and Senators will be interested in knowing what you feel should be done to improve our state laws and our state government. For a Truly Beautiful OUR EASTER XT' Soft, delicate and colorful FLOWERED HATS PRICED FROM Step Prettily Into The Easter Parade X A Thii new foot fitting pump comes in & O QC " black patent or blue. lo-7J BThis lovely creation by OeLiso ij avail- 10 0 able in black patent, blue, red and I 7.J as to its newsworthiness, I can't say we heard anything we hadn't already heard. I'd say ditto, dit to, ditto inaugural speech. However, the governor did ad mit his school building program will probably have to be cut and the Key District Bill will, come back to the House of Represen tatives and will be revalued and amended vand will probably come out as the District formula. Of course we were pleased and flattered when he told us we asked better questions than' the press. In spite of the fact that the press and others feel the governor's proposed bold and new program for the. 49th ses sion of the Oregon Legislature is bogged down, he seemingly isn't worried and says when this session is over he expects most of his program to be approved. He will run again in 1958, and not one of us remembered to ask him this question. We asked for 15 minutes and he gave us 35. Many Hearings There are still lots of public hearings both afternoons and evenings. Many bills are being tabled, a few will go to interim committees for study after the session is over. Most of us were ready to purchase ear plugs to wear during the sessions. How ever, that will not be necessary as both the Senate and the House have decided to enforce the time rules on speeches. Friday morning an editorial page from the Medford Mail. Tribune with Eric Allen's edi torial on School Equalization was found on each and every desk in the House of Represen tatives. Saturday we sat in on the GOP state central committee meeting held in Portland to elect a new chairman. James F. Short, for mer administrator of the State Agriculture department was elected. Al says he is an excel lent choice. Sunday we were part of the throng at the open house given for Mr. and Mrs. Douglas McKay in honor of their 40th wedding anniversary by their two daugh ters and sons-in-law, the Lester Greens and the Wayne Hadleys, in the latters' home. And so we begin our 12th week in session. Adarel Social Club To Aieef Thursday Jacksonville Adarel Social club will meet for a salad lunch eon Thursday, April 11, at the home of Mrs. Earl Brewold, 2668 Jacksonville highway, Medford. Installation of officers will be held. Mrs. Brewold will be assisted by Mrs. William Childreth and Mrs. Lee Stone for the 12:30 p.m. luncheon. Hat We Offer FLOWERS as nature's own $595 The prettiest feet in the Easter parade will be wearing shoes from our fresh-at- ' spring collection. BURELSON'S SHOE SALON Medical Auxiliary To Hear Talk by Festival Director Dr. Angus L. Bowmer, produc ing director of th"e Oregon Shake spearean festival, will be guest speaker at the April' meeting of the women's auxiliary to the Jackson county Medical society. The meeting will be held Wednesday,- April 10, at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Earl L. Lawson, 301 Windsor avenue. A potluck dinner will be served at 7 p.m. Dr. Bowmer will discuss the plans for the enlargement of fa cilities of the Shakespearean Fes tival in Ashland and tell the tale of "Two Genetlmen of Verona," one of the plays to be given by the festival this August. FROM THE BOOK SHELF . . . Easter Ideals $1.25 BRAND NEW! JUST IN! Complete Concordance for RSV Bible $16.50 Wide Selection of Holy Bibles RVS Edition King James Editions Douay Catholic Edition Jst Floor BP With A HALLMARK or GIBSON Remember Your Family and Friends during this happy Easter Season. For Delicious Enjoyment ... 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Mrs. Richard Hawkins will give the devotions and a report of the nominating committee will be given. Committee mem bers include Mrs. Roger Note, Miss Mary Vandenberg, and Miss Nancy Lambo. Mrs. Gerald Shuman, presi dent, will be hostess for the meeting. TUftllMlTCU V uiuuunii Easier Recordings The Seven Last Words Of Christ 33Vb Various Artists Inspirational Songs 33 '3 Geo. Beverly Shea Songs Of The Christian Faith 33 3 Haven of Rest Quartet fj The Mormon Tabernacle Choir 3313 Great Sacred Choruses Treasury of Easter Songs 33 V3 Both by Robert Shaw Arias & Choruses from Messiah 33'3 Tennessee Ernie Ford Hymns 33W-45 R.P.M. 1 st Floor" CARD 1st Floor satisfaction. 1st Floor For Your Easter Sunday Guests Serve Steaming CONSTANT COMMENT TEA Many Other Flavors in Stock 1st Floor fHEDFDRD,DRKCnJ MAIN AND BARTLETT STREETS PHONE 2-6428
