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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 27, 1961)
d) Ifi) Rogue Valley Edition Medford 55th Year Price 10 Cents Kennedy Greets Released Airmen At Andrews Base Tribune 20 Pages MEDFORD, OREGON, FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 1961 Cigarette Tax Propose ight O&C Allocations Result in Reduced Equalization Fund Court, School People Discuss Remedies Jackson county's substantial allocations of O&C funds to schools in the county, started 4'2 years ago as a property tax reduction measure, actu ally have caused considerable amounts of stale school equal ization money to be lost to the county. As a result, the county has used O&C money for schools, which could have gone for other county purposes, while at the same time it has lost hundreds of thousands of dol lars from state sources, which otherwise would go to many of the county's school dis tricts. The reason is an obscure provision in Oregon school law. It provides that an amount equal to $10 per census child in the county be levied and distributed to districts on a per census child basis. This S10 has no effect on state equalization funds, if it is levied. But, if this S10, or addi tional amounts (and Jackson county last year allocated S20 per census child to school dis tricts), c o iri e from other sources, it acts to decrease the amount of school equalization funds from the state. During the 1060-61 school year, the county lost $211, 378.18 in stale equalization funds for this reason. The to tal of equalization monies re ceived this year was $107, 357.16. Had the O&C funds not gone to schools, the equal ization total would have been $318,735.34. The amount received was distributed to only three dis tricts, Ashland, $31,757.16; Central Point (6C), $60,427. 72, and Rogue River, $15, 172.28. Unless a "way out" can be found, the county stands to lose even more next year. The allocation for the 1960-61 school year was reduced on the basis of last year's allo cation of $20 per census child from O&C funds; for next year it will be reduced on the basis of the $35 per child allocated from O&C funds this year. School officials have been meeting with the Jackson county court this week to see If some way can be worked out whereby the school dis tricts of the county will not continue to lose money be cause of what started out to be a generous gesture of sup port from the county. The formula under which slate equalization money is distributed to school districts is an extremely complicated one, and takes many factors into consideration. The O&C fund distribution is only one of them. Before the decision was first made to allocate O&C funds to schools by Jackson county 4'i years ago, a check was made with state authori ties to determine whether there would be any effect such as the reduction of state equalization of state equaliza tion money. Local school officials and the county court were assured there would be no substantial reduction, but in the applica tion of the formula, the reduc tion turned out to be far great er than anticipated. Durno Asks Immediate Action on Labor Problem Washiiigton-'IPI'-Rcp. Edwin R Durno (R-Ore), today urged Agriculture Secretary Orville Freeman to move immediately to solve what he called one of the major economic prob lems of Oregon and the Pa cific Northwest. Durno asked Freeman to look into a cost-price squeeze on forest products, which he said has resulted in a loss of 17,400 iobs in the industry in me .onnwesi in me pas.j Survive Crisis Howard Morgan Picked by Kennedy For Post With FPC Washington - IUPII - Former Oregon Public Utility Com missioner Howard Morgan Thursday was appointed by President Kennedy to the Fed eral Power commission. Morgan was named along with John Swidler, Nashville, Tenn., attorney, to the FPC. Morgan, 46, who served as public utility commissioner in Oregon from 1957 to 1959 during Democratic Gov. Rob ert Holmes' administration, will fill the remainder of a term that expires June 22, 1963. Paul A. Sweeney has been serving in the post on a re cess appointment. Morgan, who owns a ranch at Sisters, was slate Demo cratic party chairman for 4'2 years. He did not seek reelec tion in 1956. Reed Graduate Morgan, a graduate of Reed college, said in Salem that he would go to the nation's capital Saturday with his fam ily. He said he would contin ue to operate his Sisters ranch. He declined to comment on the proposed Nez Perce and high Mountain Sheep dams, proposed as rival projects on the Snake river. He said he did not know when he was to appear before the Senate Confirmation com mittee or when he would ac tually go to work. The FPC job pays $20,000 annually. Staub Likes Choice In Salem, Oregon Demo cratic Chairman Robert Straub said the appointment of Morgan is one of the "out standing appointments" the new Democratic president will make. Straub said Morgan's ap pointment "not only will ad vance the public welfare in affairs regulated by the FPC but brings considerable credit to the slate of Oregon." Stewart Culvert To Be Extended The Jackson county court will include some funds in the 1961-62 fiscal year budget for extension of the Stewart ave. culvert, it was reported today. A group of Stewart ave. residents have petitioned the county court for extension of the culvert to Columbus ave. Although the culvert will be extended, the county court has not yet decided how far. County Engineer Robert J. Carstcnscn said- work on the widening of Stewart ave. is ahead of schedule due to favorable weather. The work, which started Jan. 3, is due for completion early in May, according to the tentative schedule. Counly road crews spent the first two weeks on the project building forms. BILL INTRODUCED Salem - H'Pli - A bill intro duced in the Senate today would provide for a penalty of one year imprisonment or a $1,000 fine for making a long distance call on another per son's telephone without in tending to pay. Salem -H'PP- A 15-mile per hour speed limit will be set and strictly enforced at Can non Beach, the State High way Commission decided to day, year. He said it has been caused by failure of the U.S. Forest Service to make real istic appraisals of timber values. Durno asked Freeman to make an Immediate investiga tion to determine the extent to which National Forest tim ber appraisals arc unrealisli cally high in the light of exist ins distressed condition in the lumber industry and to take stepj to have the an- 111k ll HOWARD MORGAN Fills Unexpired Term Opinions Voiced On Selection of Howard Morgan By United Press International . Democratic National Com mitteeman C. Glrard Davidson said today he felt there were others "who are as well or better qualified" than Howard Morgan, former Oregon Demo cratic chairman named Thurs day to the Federal Power Commission. But Davidson, who said "we have had our political differ ences," added that he wished Morgan well in the FPC job. Other comment included: Gov. Mark Hatfield: "This brings recognition to the state of Oregon. He will make him self known on the national scene." Democratic Chairman Rob ert Straub: "The appointment will prove to be one of the outstanding appointments by President Kennedy. Morgan will perform with dynamic force, keen ability and com plete honor. J. D. McDonald, Oregon AFL-CIO president: "It is a good appointment." Sen. Maurine Neubcrgcr: "Although I was not consulted about the apopintment, I was pleased to learn . . ." of the appointment. "Morgan served ably as Oregon's public utility commissioner." New Deputy DA Is Named by Holmes A new deputy district at torney, Thomas J. Owens, will start work here Feb. 1, Dis trict Attorney Alan B. Holmes said today. Owens has been chief dep uty district attorney of Coos county under District Attor ney John Eaton for the past three years. He was admitted to the Oregon state bar in 1957. He is a member of the state bar association, Amer ican Bar association and the Coos-Curry Bar association. He is 33 years old, single, and was graduated from Whit man college in 1949 and from Willamette university law school in 1957. During his law school years Owens was active in law school work and was a mem ber of the Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity. He spent three years as an enlisted man in the U. S. Air Force. While living jn the Coos county area he has been active In Elks and Jaycees. Cuban Executioner Arrested in U. S. Wasliington-il'Pli-Atty. Gen. Robert F. Kennedy announced today the arrest of Herman F. Marks, a native of Milwaukee, who reportedly was respon sible for the execution of more than 200 inti-Caslro Cu- in Havana. Opposition by Hatfield Brings Scuttle Threat Governor Denies Any Doublecross Salem - IUTII - There were signs today the three-cenl-a- pack cigarette tax proposal might survive its first crisis in spite of the warfare it has prompted between the gover nor's office and the House Tax committee. Tax Chairman Richard Ey mann (D-Mohawk) reiterated his threat to scuttle the mea sure unless Gov. Mark Hat field retracted his announced opposition to the tobacco levy. Waste of Time Eymann said he considered it "a waste of time" to con tinue consideration of the bill in the face of Hatfield's oppo sition. In a letter earlier to Hat field, Eymann said the gov ernor's "liberal use of the veto in the past" seemed to make futile any further discussion of the cigarette tax measure. But Hatfield told United Press International his dislike of the measure did not imply an automatic veto if a cigar ette tax bill passed. Seeks Other Changes The governor, who has ar dently urged a net receipts tax and other tax reforms, added: "There is no way'bf Know ing what form it might take, or how it might be incorpo rated in the overall tax pack age.". Hatfield denied any double cross in revealing his opposi tion to the cigarette tax, and said his support of other tax changes never had extended to the tobacco tax. Senate President Harry Boi vin, Klamath Falls, and House Speaker Robert Duncan, Med ford, warned that death for the cigarette tax likely would put an end to hopes for an in come lax cut. Consideration Hoped Rep. Victor Atiyeh (R-Port-land) said after a talk with the governor he hoped the measure would receive fur ther consideration. Atiyeh sug gested the measure might be referred to the voters, a deci sion that might prevent a veto, but opponents of the tax have predicted it would meet certain defeat at the polls. Hatfield indicated he would be unwilling to sec the other tax reforms he advocates go down along with the cigarette tax. On the oilier tide, in spite of Eymann's powerful posi tion, several Democrats indi cated it was unlikely they would concede Hatfield such a quick victory by dropping the measure. Seven-Year-OldHit By Car in Medford A 7-year-old girl sustained apparently minor injuries on Thursday afternoon when she was struck by a car while crossing Holly si. between Main and Eighth sts., accord ing to Medford police. The girl, Vickie Dale Jef ferson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dale Ellis Jefferson, 2448 Edgomont dr., suffered bruis es and abrasions of the left ankle, knee and left hand, po lice said. Witnesses told police the girl stepped from behind a line of cars into the path of a car operated by Bill Bobb Hobbs, 18. of 30.1 Ross lane. Police said the Hobbs vehicle skidded 13 feet before strik ing the girl. No citations were issued. Riverside Widening Project Approved Salem - it'Pli - The Oregon Highway commission today approved a request by the city of Medford for a Joint project to widen South Riverside ave from 9th si. to the intersection of South Central ave. The project will cost SI 32 000. The city will pay $34,500 and the Hale til. itt. HAPPY REUNION President Kennedy stands aside as the freed RB47 fliers are reunited with their wives at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., today. At left, Capt. Freeman Olm- Suspect in Bank Robbery at Drain Nabbed by Police Drain -IUPII- Donald Gene Kelso, 35, suspect in Wednes day's robbery of approximate ly $2,000 from the Drain branch of the U. S. National Bank, was taken into custody just north of here Thursday night. Kelso was apprehended by state police officer Ken Thome as he was apparently trying to flee police in a Eu gene taxicab. The cab driver, who said he picked the man up at a cafe here, told police he did not know the man's identity., Kelso was taken " to the Douglas county jail in Rose burg. Earlier Thursday the Federal Bureau o Investiga tion announced that a com plaint had been filed against Kelso with U.S. Commission er Claire Mundorff in Port land after witnesses had picked out Kelso's photograph. Didn't Resist The getaway car was later found on a logging road a few miles west of here and police had been searching the area. The state policeman said Kelso did not resist arrest. Authorities said it was first believed two men may have been involved in the bank rob bery, with one driving the car, but that it may have been a solo operation. Kelso listed his last address as Coos Bay. Temperature Equals All-Time High for Date When the mercury in the weather bureau thermometer at the Medford airport climbed to 62 degrees yester day, the temperature equaled the all time high on record for Jan. 26 for Medford and vicinity. Previous 62-degrce reading for Jan. 26 was in 1924. The weather station antici pated a maximum tempera ture of near 60 this afternoon with cold air aloft keeping the mercury from rising to the 64 degree all-time high for Jan 27. "Nature And Some Minor Officials Have Failed You" o Evaluation Mosquito Program Received An evaluation of and rec ommendations for a mosquito control program in Jackson county have been received from the Oregon stale board of heallh. The study is the result of a meeting in Medford last month with members of the county court, county health department, and the vector control program of the slate board of heallh. In addition to recommenda tions reviewed at the meeting, field investigations were also made. Thirteen general rec ommendations were Included in the report. The mosquito problem In the counly should be defined by determining mosquito spe cies present, their relative abundance and seasonal dis tribution, the report states. It calls for the locating and re cording onto maps all breed ing sources and determining when they can best be con trolled to save both money and time. Education Suggested An evaluation of the cost benefit ratio of the mosquito control program should be made to ascertain whether or not the control presently car ried out in small localized areas away from populated centers is justifiable from a cost standpoint. It also calls for a realistic budget to allow for full-time personnel to car ry on mosquito control during the mosquito breeding season. Other points brought out in the report include an educa tional program to acquaint the people wilh mosquito control and how they can help in the program, source reduction measures to be undertaken, the purchase of necessary equipment to identify mosqui to adults and larvae and a study made of all log ponds to ascertain species of mosqui toes present. It was pointed out that some ponds produce non-biter mosquitoes, which need not be controlled. The use of a stead embraces his wife, Gail. At right, Capt. John R. McKone kisses his wife, Connie. Watching, in background right, is Mrs. James Olmstead, the flier's mother. (UPI Telephoto) of Area Control mosquito fish, Gamusia, is also recommended. Cooperation on the part of mill owners, irrigation dis tricts and water-users in the. maintenance of dikes and ca nals and good agricultural practices are also necessary for the success of the control program, the report states. The study said that the equipment which the counly health department now has is -adequate to carry out the control of mosquitoes in the urban area. It added, how ever, that after the .survey is completed additional equip ment may bo indicated. The report also lists three insecticides which may be used in the program, stressing the areas where each should and should not be used. Charge Against Picard Dismissed A charge of failure to file a registration against Roy R. Picard, owner of Picard's of Medford Jowelers, was dis missed in municipal court this morning when one of the city's key witnesses was un able to appear. O. R. McNccl, city building inspector, is recuperating at his home from a back ailment. He was one of the city's chief witnesses in its case against Picard who they accuse of selling electrical products without a city permit. At first it was suggested that the trial, originally sched uled for today, be poslponed until McNecl had recuper ated. Robert Dames, defense attorney, objected to this, however, as one of his witnes ses was leaving town tomor row for six months. Municipal Judge Ronald L. Ricketts then ordered the ease to be dismissed, but noted that the city could bring new charges against Picard at a later dale. City Attorney Joel Rccder agreed to the dismissal. He said later that It Is not the city's desire to prosecute Pi card, but to force him to com ply with the city ordinance. The trial would have been the first jury trial in Med ford's municipal court this year. A six-man Jury had al ready been selected at the re quest of Picard, who entered a plea of Innocent to the charge. Pirate 'Accepts' Navy Protection San Juan, Puerto Rico-il'Pll- Rebel leader Henrique Gal van radioed today from the hijacked liner Santa Maria that he would "accept" U.S. Navy protection against Por tuguese warships while taking his 620 captive passengers to an undisclosed port. Galvao, in a message inter cepted here by the Navy, said he would "land passengers near the South American or west African port, giving pref erence to Africa" If he were guaranteed that the ship and his followers wiMcf not bt captured, o Medford Planners Reject Request For Zone Variance Mcdford's city planning commission last night turned down a request for a zoning variance to operate a kinder garten at the Congregational church, 300 Oakwood ave., after several residents of the area expressed their opposi tion to the request. Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Miller have been seeking the request and the commission called last night's special meeting to consider it. Fol lowing the vote to recommend denial of the request, Com mission President Jack Edson told the Millers they had the right to appeal the commis sion's recommendation to the city council. Miller indicated that he would do this. One of those speaking against the kindergarten pro posel was R. A. Plckell, 34 South Richmond ave., who noted that the kindergarten would be operated for a pro fit, and said: "Im certainly not interested In having any private enterprise In our resi dential district." Piekell said he would not be opposed if the kindergar ten were to be run by tne church on a non-profit basis, but said "this is definitely not a church operation." Mrs. Miller told the com mission that the kindergarten would have a maximum of 25 pre-school children. She said the fee to be charged would be less than that charged by the average kindergarten, and the profits would be shared with the church. Miller elaborated on his wife's comments and said there is a "definite need" for a kindergarten In Medford. He contended that the exist ing kindergartens in the city are not aimed at preparing the child for school, whereas this one would be. It was pointed out that there are two other kinder gartens In the area of the church. But, It was also noted that one of them is a non profit school for handicapped children, and the other was in the area prior to adoption of the existing zoning laws some years ago. Commission Member Larry llorlon moved to rec ommend denial of the request on the basis of the opposition that had been expressed by residents of the area. He was Joined by Commission Mem ber Harold Snodgrass. Members Donald Walters and Walter Higgins abstained from voting because of a "con flict of interest" on their part, they said. Edson, as commis sion president, did not vote. Living Costs Record Hiqh Washington - UM - Living costs edged up to a record high In December for the fourth consecutive month, the government reported today. Higher prices for food and housing nudged the Labor De partment's consumer price in dex up by one-tenth of 1 per cent to 127.5, a new high. This meant that prices of goods and services bought by middle income families were 27.5 per ceo higher last month than in 1047-49. Robert J. Myeri, deputy Families Taken To Guest Apartments Washington (UPD Two American airmen flew homa today to a welcome from Pres ident Kennedy and a joyou reunion with their wives after seven months in a Rus sian prison. An Air Force Constellation, carrying the RB47 fliers, Capis. John R. McKone and; Freeman Bruce Olmstead, landed at nearby Andrews Air Base, where Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev first set foot on American soil in 1959. McKone and Olmstead, who were shot down by Red jets over the Barents Sea last July 1, stepped from the white painted plane into the arms of their wives. President Backs Away They shook hands with Ilia President, who had dramati cally announced to a radio televised news conference Wednesday night that tha fliers had been released by the Russians. The President's word as ha greeted each of the fliers were: "How do you do, captain; glad to see you." Kennedy, smiling shyly, im mediately backed away to make way for the officers' wives. After the two fliers had had some moments with their wives, the President approach ed them again. Talks Several Minutes The fliers, their wives at their sides, stood talking with, Kennedy for several minutes in the 22-degree weather. A procession o Air Forca cars was drawn up to taka the released airmen and their families to guest apartments at snow-covered Andrews Air Force Base. In the welcoming group with Kennedy were Air Forca Secretary Eugene Zuckert and Gen. Thomas D. White, Air Force chief of staff. The President flew to An drews by helicopter. He then joined Mrs. Mc Kone and Mrs. Olmstead to walk to the side of the plana and welcome the returning heroes. Returns to White House After seven minutes of tha happy homecoming ceremony, Kennedy strode across tha field about 50 yards to his Marine helicopter for tha journey back to the White House. Meanwhile, the fliers and their wives happily obliged photographers who wanted pictures, repeating the em braces and kisses that had marked their arrival. There was a ban on Inter views with the men about their experience In Russia and their present condition. Public Hearing on Pollution Bills Set A public hearing on two water pollution control bills of Interest to many Jackson county people will be held at 8 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 2. State Sen. Lyndel Newbry told tha Mail Tribune today. The hearing will be held by the Senate local government committee in Room 114 of tha Capitol. One bill is proposed by the state sanitary authority, tha other by the city of Portland, and the two are similar in in tent, Senator Newbry said. WEATHER FORECAST: Kir with mild daytime temperatures through Saturday. Low tonight 25-28. High Saturday near 60. Temp. HUtieat Yesterday 82 I.oweit this Morning 41 Prec, to 10 a.m. Today, Trace. Our Skies Tonight Sunitt todny 5:1(1 p.m. Riinrlfte tomorrow .... 7:30 a.m. Moimict tomorrow 5:07 a.m. Full Moon Jan. 31 The liar, Betelieu, li high In the outh tonight at .. 9:38 a.m. Above It li the Moon and ihove the Moon li the planet, Man. Climb To in December commissioner of labor statis tics, said no long-range abso lute price stability Is In sight. He said that In 1961 the con sumer price Index Is likely to rise by 1 to 2 per cent. Myers said, however, that the index for January might hold steady because declines in some prices might offset Increases in others. The department eprted that ir all of 1960 ttie'pnice index, averaged 126.3, fc5 per cent from 1959. I O o
