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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 10, 1958)
n3 (7 JJ J IAS i 53rd Year MEDFORD 22 Pages tit , ' i JL l-M $?V r , f v c3 FIRE ESCAPE A group of parents and civic leaders in Ash land were taken on a tour at the Ashland Junior High school this week, so they could see for themselves the fire dangers that exist in the building. Part of the group, above, is shown coming down the narrow fire escape that would be used by students in evacuating the building. Copco Wins Suit Brought by State Circuit Judge Orval J. Mil lard, Grants Pass, late yester day ruled in favor of the Cali fornia Oregon Power com pany in a suit brought against the company by the state as a result of a forest fire. The state sought to recover $40,682.40 which is claimed to have spent in extinguishing a forest fire in the Sykes creek area of Jackson county. The fire started on Labor Day, 1955. Judge Millard's ruling yes terday ended the week-long trial. He ruled that Copco was not negligent in the origin of the fire and that it was nei ther an owner, operator nor Derson in possession of the land where the fire started The state clainied the com pany had possession of the premises where the fire start ed, and that it was the com pany's duty, as possessor, to clear the area of the right of way and adjacent land of trees dangerous to power lines. Charges Negligence The state charged that Cop co was negligent in failing to fight the fire or in preventing it from spreading. . Judge Millard said it was his opinion that Oregon law does not require the owner of a right of way to fight fires which start on or spread across the land. Testimony during the trial brought out that a pine tree was topped by a strong, twist ing wind which blew the tree top into an electrical distribu tion line, causing the line to break, and starting the fire. Attorneys appearing for the power company at the trial were Roberts, Kellington and Branchfield. The state was Snow Continues To Fall On Paralyzed N.Y. Town By United Press International A blinding storm aumpeu another 12 inches of snow to day on Oswego, N.Y., al ready virtually paralyzed by a five-foot blanket, but some relief was promised for the snow in Oswego and across the nation from biting cold. End Said Coming The Weather Bureau in Syracuse, N.Y., said an end to Oswego's seemingly endless snow was finally in sight. The forecasters said about six more inches could be expect ed today and "then it should be all over with.", MEDFORD, OREGON, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1958 WhWl i -04 III 'f: represented by Thomas C. Sta cer and Nicholas D. Zafiratos, assistant attorneys general, both of Salem. Procedure For Trees Changed A change in the procedure under which individuals may secure permits to cut Shasta fir Christmas trees for home use on Rogue River National forest lands, has been an nounced by S. T. Moore, act ing forest supervisor. Moore said that two men in the Prospect ranger district have been authorized to re ceive cash payments and to is sue permits for trees at $1 each. He mentioned that a separate permit will be issued for each Shasta fir tree. The permits may be ob tained at the Prospect ranger station on week days. The per mits will authorize cutting in a limited area above Union Creek. On week ends the per mits may" be secured at the forest service log scaling sta tion one mile north of Pros pect. Moore stressed that no trees may be cut on the national forest without a permit. Free permits for cutting Douglas fir and white fir trees for per sonal use from marked areas may also be obtained at the same offices as the Shasta fir permits. Officials said that unauthor ized cutting in commercial quantities in the Blue Rock and Four Mile Lake areas has been reported and is under in vestigation by the forest serv ice and the federal bureau of investigation. In Oswego, sharp gusts of wind piled snow into deep drifts. The city's 23,000 resi dents have been virtually cut off from the outside world since Sunday. Schools, fac tories, and most businesses remained closed for the third straight day. Trapped in Homes Police and Red Cross teams using skis and snowshoes, de livered food to many snow bound residents, many trap ped in their homes, despite scores of plows thrown into the battle against the tower ing snow mounds. CONDEMN CLASSROOMS The Ashland by the state fire marshal. The condemned Junior High school building, built in 1912, classrooms are on the top floor, where stur which has for a number of years been of dents would be unable to escape through concern to parents as being a "fire trap," windows, had part of its classrooms closed this week Third Floor of Ashland Junior High Condemned Ashland - The third floor of Ashland Junior High school was permanently condemned as a fire hazard Tuesday by the deputy state fire marshal. Classes were dismissed for the remainder of the week. Deputy W. R. Roble, Grants Pass, condemned the entire third floor of the 58-year-old structure after he had been summoned to Ashland by Fire Chief Charles Davis. Davis said that a group of parents made the request. School Superintendent Stan ley Jobe said the school will be permitted to use the two lower floors of the building when classes resume Monday, Dec. '15. He explained that daily schedule will remain unchanged but will be in more cramped facilities until a new structure can be built. No double shifts will be re quired, he stressed. Inadequate Facilities The third floor, containing seven classrooms and a music room, was condemned due to inadequate exit facilities, Davis said. He explained that during parts of the day near ly 200 students were on the third floor. Two metal exter ior fire escapes and the in side stairway were the only 18 Prizes To Be Awarded in Contest . A total of 18 prizes valued at more than $450 will be awarded in the Medford Jay cees residential Christmas lighting contest, Del Landing, contest chairman announced. Sweepstakes prize is a four - speed hi-fi portable phonograph, he said, "and added that the prizes are on display at the Jackson Coun ty Federal Savings and Loan association. Entry blanks for the con test are available by contact ing the Medford Jaycees, post office box 251, or from sev eral downtown stores. He said the blanks also are available from Jaycees members. All entries in the lighting contest are eligible for prizes regardless of size, Landing said. He explained that the organization was encouraging residents to start new displays even though they may be small. Salem - (CPD - All Oregon highways are clear of snow. Tribune exits from the area. . He explained that the build ing had been listed as sub standard for several years and that enclosing the stairwell had been suggested. This, he added, was found not to be practical since the cost would exceed $15,000 and the walls in the old building would act as a flu in case of fire.. He explained that smoke, gas and fumes could travel quickly from the basement to the attic between the walls. The fire marshal made his last formal inspection of the building in January, 1957, Davis said, but added that the fire marshal had conducted "drop - through" inspections three or four times during the year. Each time any cor rections brought to the atten tion of the school authorities were immediately made, he said. The first two floors of the building are considered safe for classes, school officials said, since both floors are partly on the ground-level. A list of corrections for the first and second floors are expect ed this week from the state fire marshal's office, Davis said. 447 Students A total of 447 students at tend classes in the junior high school building, Superinten dent Jobe said, which includes 71 sixth grade students. These students, who met in the jun ior high school building due to the overcrowded conditions in the elementary school, will be transferred to the Belle view Elementary school. Tem porary classrooms in the school gymnasium is being made available for the three classes. Jobe said that cafeteria ser "I Don't Know Why Everything Has To Keep Changing. When I Was A Young Man" Price 10 Cents No. 224 vice at the junior high school will be discontinued and con verted into two classrooms. Students wishing a hot lunch at noon may attend the Lin coln school approximately four blocks away. The super intendent stated that the food served at the junior high school had previously been brought to the cafeteria in hot ovens from Lincoln. School officials said classes also will be held in the library and the faculty room. The vocal-music program, former ly held on the third floor, will be transferred to the orches tra building on the grounds. The action by parents which resulted in the condemning of the third floor of the school came as a direct result of the Chicago school fire disaster last week. New Building Planned School officials said that since the old school could not be made to measure up to re quired safety standards a new structure will have to be built. Jobe said that school of ficials had been planning a new junior high school build ing for several years and had planned to have a school bond election either in March or April. He explained that the recent action by the state fire marshal would probably ac celerate any planned election. The school superintendent said that the new junior high school building would accom modate between 750 and 800 students and would include seventh, eighth and ninth grades. The ninth grade is currently with the senior high school. Jobe said that it was not expected to have the new building before 1960. Campaign Hits 62 Per Cent of $275,000 Goal - $170,978 Reported Contributed to Fund A total of $170,978.93 has been solicited in the Oregon Shakespearean Festival's new building fund campaign, it was reported this noon. The total of a little more than 62 per cent of the $275, 000 goal for the new theater in Ashland. The new Medford total is $54,515.50, Otto Frohnmayer, cochairman of the campaign, reported. Last week, the Med ford total was $43,748.50, and goal for the Medford drive is $100,000. Ashland's total is now $51, 430.84, which does not include a matching fund set up by an anonymous donor. A. C. Fries, Festival association president, Ashland, predicted that Ash land may raise as much as $70,000 toward the building. Goal for Ashland was $50,000. R. M. Sorenson's special gifts committee this noon re ported a total of $42,699.50, material' gifts now total $5, 542, and out-of-town gifts which are chiefly mail gifts, now totals $7,433.75. W. J. Williams, vice presi dent of Harry and David's Bear Creek orchards, dis cussed values of the Festival this noon. Medford's final report meeting will be next Wednes day in the Red Cross building, 60 Hawthorn ave. Frohnmayer- reminded volunteer workers. Construction of a new Fes tival theater building and public restroom facilities is expected to start when the campaign goal has been reached. The old theater was torn- down following last sea son's productions. It had been condemned by the state fire marshal. Perking Service lo Be Available Parking service, provided by the Medford Junior Cham ber of Commerce, will be available between 5 and 9 p.m. tomorrow in downtown Medford. The Jaycees started the au tomobile parking service Mon day, and will continue the service each Monday and Thursday nights and Saturday afternoons, until Christmas, Gary Shuler, general chair man of the project, said. Shoppers may leave their car at one of two stations, and Jaycee members will drive it to a parking lot and return it upon presentation of a ticket, Shuler said. The Jaycees hope to elimi nate much of the traffic prob lem and at the same time help Jaycee funds used to finance other Christmas programs. The downtown stations are in front of the U.S. National Bank of Portland, and at the parking lot of the Medford branch of the First National Bank of Oregon. Roseburg Mayor Freed on Bail Roseburff- (UPD -Mavor Arlo Jacklin of Roseburg was freed under $250 bail Tuesday nignt after his arrest on a com plaint alleging a cash payout to a .17-year-old boy tor iree Dinball games at the mayor's bowling" alley. District Judge Warren Woodruff today continued the case for arraignment until Friday morning. The arrest was made by Douglas County Sheriff Ira Byrd and Deputies Louie Suit er and Roy Cox. The' com plaint, initiated by Cox, al leged that $16.60 was paid for 332 free games. Washington (UPD The De fense Department called for 9,000 draftees for the Army during February, the same total as for January. WEATHER FORECAST: Valley fof and low cloudiness tonight and Thurs d a y. Thickening cloudiness above the fog Thursday with chance of showers late in day. Continued mild. Low tonight 45. High Friday 50. Temp. Highest Yesterday 50 Lowest this Morning 45 Prec. to 10 a.m. Today, Trace. Our Skies Tonight Sunset today 4:39 p.m. Sunrise tomorrow 7:30 a.m. New Moon today 9:23 a.m. Moonset today .5:11 p.m. VISIBLE PLANETS (their approximate distances from the Earth' tonight) Mars 55 million milei Jupiter 582 million miles (They are now equal in brilliance.) Heoyy Turnout Of Voters Noted In City Election A relatively heavy turn out of voters in today's municipal' off-street park ing election was indicated shortly after the polls opened at 1 p.m. In Ward IV, for example, 18 persons had voted in the first 10 minutes, with a dozen more waiting in line lo cast their ballots. Polls will remain open until 8 p.m. All registered voters in the city are eli gible to cast ballots. Polling places are, for Ward I, Hedrick Junior High school; Ward II. girls' gym at Medford High school; Ward III, McLaugh lin Junior High school, and Ward IV, Girl Scout house in Hawthorne park. Ike Refuses To Refute Russian Missile Reports Washington - (UPD - Presi dent Eisenhower said today he saw no reason to refute reports from Russia that the Soviet Union has an 8,700 mile ballistic missile. But he sharply rejected as without evidence a recent report that Russia was test flying an atomic-powered plane. Highly Guarded View The President, at his first news conference since Nov. 5, declined to discuss in spe cific detail information from the Kremlin relayed to him Tuesday by Sen. Hubert H. Humphrey (D-Minn.). But he took a highly guard ed view of a number of re ports of startling Russian pro gress in the development of scientific weapons. He said that in the case of the atomic plane there was absolutely no reliable evidence of any kind that the Soviets had flown such an aircraft. (Continued on Page 6) DOW-JONES AVERAGES New York - (UPD - Dow Jones final stock averages: 30 industrials 564.98, up 6.85; 20 railroads 155.64, up 1.70; 15 utilities 87.95. up 0.50, and 65 stocks 196.73. up 2.10. Sales today were about 4,340.000 shares com pared with 3.790,000 shares Tuesday. Becken, Jeweft to Speak at Meeting Elliott Becken; assistant superintendent of Medford schools, and H. P. Jewett, superintendent of schools in district 6C, will discuss their respective districts at a public meeting of patrons in Howard school district tomorrow night. . . The meeting was called by the Howard School Reorgani zation Information committee, of which Nick Gier is chair man, and will be held in the Howard school gymnasium starting at 8 o'clock. Questions regarding future plans of the Medford and 6C districts, construction of addi tional facilities, and changes in the academic programs are expected to be discussed by Becken and Jewett. The Jackson County Reor ganization committee has recommended that Howard district be consolidated with district 6C, which now in cludes Central Point, Gold Hill and Sams Valley. Applegate Valley flu Fire Report Involves Ranger Station, Dancers Applegate Valley A flue fire at the William Roby residence, and a par ticular set of circumstances recently, started a chain reaction which had most of the Applegate valley residents driving around searching for a fire and alerted the Jacksonville fire department. Mrs. Roby discovered the house near the flue burn ing. She called her hus band from a nearby service station, and the Medford telephone operator to noti fy proper authorities. The telephone operator apparently called the Star Ranger Station. Since everyone was at a farewell party for Ranger Vern Taylor and not available at the moment, Miss Carolyn Matteson of Grant Pass, baby-sitter for Byron Peff ley, office clerk at the rang AT LEAST 'HIM CULTIS BODY OF 'MESSIAH' DISCOVERED IE) DEBRIS Chatsworth, Calif. (UPD An exploding bomb ripped through a religious colony today, killing barefoot "messiah" Krishna Venta and at least eight other persons, including an 11-month-old boy. FBI agents threw a cordon about the charred debris of the main monastery building of the Fountain of the World Cult and began a search for more bodies, possibly including that of a maniac who touched off the bomb. Ventura County Sheriff's Lieutenant Ralph M. Hollis said the colony listed only eight persons as missing and that por tions of another body were found. "It is our opinion now" that it is that of the bomber, Hollis said. Venta's body was one of the charred bodies found in the smouldering wreckage of the building. He was identified by dental work an upper plate. The blast caved in one wall of the building, setting it on fire and spreading debris several hundred feet in Box can yon, some 30 miles northwest of Los Angeles in the Santa " Susana mountains. The flaming wreckage touched off a brush fire that roared out of control through the tinder dry watershed. Some 250 men were on the fire lines. (Continued on Page 7) Work on Recreation Facilities Planned Work on some of the recre-. ation area facilities at Howard Prairie reservoir will start during the next construction season, James Callan, project engineer for the Talent proj ect, told the county court yes terday afternoon. Work on the recreation fa cilities proposed for Emigrant reservoir will start "a year from now," Callan added. About $140,000 will be avail able for planning and con struction for facilities for both reservoirs, Callan said. Members of the county court said they should be ready to grant concessions on Howard Prairie reservoir late next year. Assures Court Gordon Whitaker, chief of lands branch, regional office of the bureau of reclamation, Boise, Idaho, assured the county court and officials of the Medford, Talent and Rogue River Valley irrigation districts yesterday that recom mended changes would be made in the contract for de velopment and administra tion of the recreation sites and it would be returned "in the next two or three days." Changes were recommend ed at a meeting of representa tives of the three irrigation districts yesterday afternoon. It should be made clearer in the contract that primary pur poses of both reservoirs is for providing irrigation waters, irrigation district officials said. That the irrigation dis tricts have the right to run the water levels of the reser voirs up and down as needed should also be clearly stated in the contract, officials sug gested. Water Level Lowered The water level- in Hiatt reservoir will be lowered in 1960 when Howard Prairie and Emigrant reservoirs are both in operation, it was re ported yesterday. It will be possible then to clear many of the snags from the lake. The lake should be poisoned for clearing trash fish in 1960, it was suggested. Whitaker said probably the bulk of the money allowed for development of recreation fa er station, answered the telephone. , Miss Matteson thought of calling Upper Applegate store at McKee bridge. But she found no store under the name "McKee" in the directory, and called Leo nard McKee of Jackson ville. His understanding was that the house from which the baby-sitter was calling at the station was on fire, so he tried to telephone neighbors in the area, who apparently were at a Grange square dance. McKee finally contacted Mrs. Jim Winningham, who roused her husband from bed to drive 12 miles up the valley looking for a fire. The Winninghams found everything quiet, but spread the alarm at the square dance. It was about 10 p.m., and the dance cilities would go to Howard Prairie reservoir. What pro portion is allotted for each of the two reservoirs will depend on estimates made on con struction of facilities, Whita ker said. All engineering on the project will be done this winter, he added. Recreation developments on Howard Prairie will include a boat basin with docks and ramp, swimming area, motor court, trailer park and pic nic areas. Plans have yet to be made for recreation facilities on the Emigrant reservoir, Callan said. Dedication Set Af Hoover School Open house and dedication ceremonies at Hoover school, one of two new elementary schools in Medford, will be held Jan. 20, school adminis trators reported to' the Med- ford school board last night.- Classes at Hoover started this school year. Open house and dedication of Wilson school, which opened for classes last month, tentatively is planned in Feb ruary, school board members were told. Construction crews are putting the finishing touches on Wilson school. Board members reviewed plans for purchasing sites for junior high schools, but any action has been delayed until after plans of the Jackson County Reorganization com mittee are completed. The board approved a schedule for preparing and considering the 1959 school budget, including salary schedules. A study of the pro posed budget will be complet ed next May, school officials said. Also discussed was the pos sibility of changes in account ing procedures of the district. School administrators have recommended that machine accounting - be used as an economy measure. A study of the possible change has been under way for sometime by school officials. quickly broke up since many of those attending had left children at home. Meantime, men at Star Ranger Station had been told that the fire was "across from the blue swimming pool at the James Miller ranch." Ben Twiss and Bob Sor ber went to the J. B. San ford home across the river Mrs. Sanford had received a call from Elba Graham, Jacksonville fireman, who believed Sanford's house to be on fire. He told Mrs. Sanford the Jacksonville firemen were at a meeting and would be standing by 11 received directions. The flue fire was about' a mile from the Sanford's. Soon after Mrs. Roby rel ported the fire to the Me Ro'bv ephne Roby had extinguished it with a bucket, of water meant for his horse.
