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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 13, 1963)
JiturunU iii.HiL, lninuic, incut UKU, Oit&UOX ... Communications ... Letters io the Editor must bear the nam and address o the writer, although under certain circumstances the use ol a pen name or initial for publication is permissible. The Mail Tribune reserves the right to edit all letters with a view to clarification and condensation. Letters submitted for publication must not exceed 400 words. The letters printed in this column do not necessarily represent the views of the paperi in fact the contrary is often the case. Ominous Challenge To the Editor: Higher educa tion in Oregon is facing a most ominous and foreboding chal lenge, one likely to culminate in a crisis of far-reaching pro portions. The dilemma of Spe cial Tax Measure 1 will be re solved at the polls in a referen dum set for Oct. 15. A YES vote on Tax Measure 1 will add $60 million in revenues to the state treasury and balance the forthcoming biennium's propos ed budget. It will also insure the present level of quality in Oregon's higher educational sys tem. A NO vote will deprive the state of that vitally needed $60 million and force drastic cutbacks in the proposed budget. Higher education in our state will suffer financial losses of some $11 million to $24, million, monies essential to the main taining of the present quality of higher education. Cutbacks as radical as the ones expected to occur should this referendum fail are unpre cedented in Oregon's history. These inevitable reductions will serve to minimize the opera tional efficiency of our colleges and universities, visiting upon them a crippling shortage of monies. The damage incurred will be substantial and could lead to a disastrous retrogres sion in higher education. Ore gon's ability to educate its young men and women will be seriously impaired as oppor tunities for advanced studies will be severely limited. Opponents of Tax Measure 1 espouse arguments that are specious and unrealistic. They contend that defeat of the refer endum will lead inevitably to the framing of a more equitable and practical state tax structure and eventually make recompose to higher education for the un avoidable grief it must suffer now. Actually, the realization of a more functional tax structure is contingent upon innumerable imponderables that are beyond the logical speculation of any group of prognosticators. It should be painfully obvious to everyone in Oregon, though, that a massive cut in operating funds augurs a bleak and very uncertain future for higher edu cation. Certainly there must be an efficacious alternative to achieving more accurate taxa tion aside from inhibiting the process and effectiveness of Ore gon's colleges and universities. The day of reckoning is fast approaching and both propon ents and opponents apprehen sively await the fate of Tax Measure 1. And from the effu sive equivocations and rational izations that have punctuated the arguments of both sides there is starkly emerging one unalterable reality: the young, capable mind that will be de nied the chance to develop through higher education. To day's voters are in a position to insure that for them by a YES vote or to deny them an opportunity by a NO vote. The students of Oregon State Uni versity urge and support the Oct. IS tax measure as a means of perpetuating quality educa tion in the state of Oregon. Grant Watkinson, President, Jud Blakely, First vice president, Anne Taylor, Second vice president, Associated Students Oregon State University, CorvalliS, Ore. Brainwashing To the Editor: After reading your editorial dated Tuesday, Oct. 8, it seems to me that for a person who has pointed his poison pen at others and has used the word "ignorance" so many times in one day, you should pause for a moment and wonder if you haven't put your self in the same category. I notice that you are on the Committee for the Personal and Corporation Income Tax Bill which will come to a vote on Oct. 15. I think it is a fine thing for a person to work for something he really believes in, such as you have done on this committee. It is also a horse of quite a different color to try Poets' Corner Conducted by Arnold Eugene Jenny continuously, in the only local newspaper of any size, to push this belief on others who are quite capable of reading the pros and cons in their Voters' Pamphlets and making as intel ligent a decision as you are, and I might add, without your one-sided brainwashing tactics. I for one signed a petition to bring it to a vote of the people whom you apparently feel have no right to a contrary voice in this matter, and for lack of good sense, should be herded through this like a band of sheep. I highly resent your in ference that the many many people like myself are "lined up" with the John Birchers. You seem to have a fear your self that the citizens of Ore gon may not go along with your committee on this tax measure. Well Mr. Editor, to quote from your own editorial, "Fear compounds ignorance; ignorance compounds fear." Shirley M. Madden 1902 Houston rd. Medford. Ied several times, but he would not enter. I think his nrohlem is a nor- sonal one, not a public one. He can solve it if he will. Sincerely, Errand Boy, Gar dener, Butcher, Carpenter, En gineer, Teacher, and Adminis trator. Clarence E. Howell, Rogue Valley Manor Medford Requirement We live by Faith: but Faith Is not the slave Of text and legend. Reason's voice and God's, Nature's and Duty's, never are at odds. What asks our Father of His children, save Justice and mercy and humility, ' A reasonable service of good deeds, Pure living, tenderness to human needs, Reverence and trust, and prayer for light to see The Master's footprints in our daily ways? No knotted scourge nor sacrificial knife, But the calm beauty of an ordered life Whose very breathing is unworded praise! A life that stands as all true lives have stood, Firm-rooted in the faith that God is Good. John Greenleaf Whittier O From: Sedge Songs By the secret forest pathway Now at eve I gladly flee To the reed-grown lake where I may Think, my love, alone of thee. When I part the sedge asunder Rushes murmur secrets deep; And they sorrow and they wonder That I weep oh, that I weep! And I think I hear thee grieving . In a sad lament and long, As thy cherished tones are weaving A most lovely, haunting song. The sun goes down and black clouds race; Moaning sultry winds give chase. Across the heavens lightnings break, While thy face gleams from the lake; How clearly by their light I see Thy storm-tossed tresses blowing free! Nicholas Lanau Translated from the German, by Elizabeth Olsen, Portland, Ore., frequent contributor of her own works. o Hawaiian Haiku Petals, stained-glass red, vibrate, in wind and sunlight against a blue sky. Dawn gives flaming life to hibiscus for a day; night brings folded death. Wind and swaying fronds elude the artist's brush, and try the poet's pen. Waikiki at night . . . a constellation's fire between sea and sky. For you a Haiku: my "Aloha" distilled to few words and kind thoughts. Lloyd B. Halverson Medford The haiku is a Japanese poetic pattern restricted to 17 sylla bles in 3 lines: 5-7-5. O Tomorrow Is In the Sky Tomorrow is in the pink and black clouds playing over the mountains, paradoxical promise in shreds of haze that sprays like fountains in jagged spurts toward the south: Pale-rose to bring fun-weather, heavier blackness to heal the drought. Tomorrow is in the sky waiting for winds to comply. Helen Orhardt Russell Los Gitos, Calif. New Committee To the Editor: The National Committee to Repeal the Mc Carren Act has been formed, with offices at 431 S. Dearborn St., Chicago, 111., 60605. The pur pose of this committee is to ac quaint Americans with the mean ing of this act. Many otherwise well informed persons confuse it with the Walter-McCarran Act which shares a common author ship and a common distrust of democratic principles. Ultimate ly, it is noped, proper legisla tion will be introduced in Con gress calling for its repeal. The committee affirms that the act is of dubious legality, that its operations do and can increasingly subvert the Bill of Rights, that its provisions le galize procedures which attack the traditional and honored right of free association. Over a hundred years ago Tocqueville, apparently in con siderable astonishment, observ ed of the people of our wonder ful and free land that " . . . Americans of all ages, all con ditions, and all dispositions con stantly form associations. They have not only commercial and manufacturing companies in which all take part, but asso ciations of a thousand other kinds, religious, moral, serious, futile, extensive or restricted, enormous or diminutive. If it be proposed to advance some truth or to foster some teeung by the encouragement of a great example, then torm a society. We realize that we are launch ing a new national organiza tion which deals with a highly controversial issue. The handle of liberty is always hot. Who ever eets hold of it in times of national anxiety will be open to charges which the McCarran Act makes difficult to refute. He will be called Communist, Communist fellow - traveler, a protector of subversion, a friend of rascals. That chance of the loss of prosperity and private tranquility we must take, if we are not to let slip away the in stitutions and procedures of a democratic state. The Rev. Prof. Joseph Sittler, Chairman Dr. Harold C. Urey, Vice Chairman Prof. Alexander Meiklejohn Honorary Chairman Bishop Edgar A. Love, Vice Chairman Chicago, 111. Letter From Governor To the Editor: I would much appreciate the publishing of the enclosed letter from the Gov ernor. If a really large ma jority of the people vote "No" in this referendum election, it should show the Governor one important fact, and one impor tant hope. 1. The people are very much displeased with tax law. 2. The people will stand back of the Governor in a possible difficult struggle with that un wise portion of the Legislature that voted in this foolish law. Horace W. Thompson, 3642 Hilsinger rd., Medford o The letter follows: Dear Mr. Thompson: Thank you for sending me a copy of the letter you sent to the Editor regarding the tax referendum problem. You mention in your letter to the Editor that I am vested with power to call a special session of the Legislature and to out line a good tax law, telling them clearly that I will promptly veto a bad law. Four years ago, I proposed a thorough overhaul of our tax system. Two years ago, I urged it again. Last January, I did the same and recommend ed that the Legislature refer new or increased taxes to a vote of the people while the Leg islature was still in session. The Legislature turned down my proposal and now the peo ple will decide whether to ac cept the tax increase they pro posed. With well over two-thirds of the General Fund budget going for education and welfare, it is obvious that opportunities for savings In other programs are limited. For example, the budg et I submitted called for small er appropriations in 1963-65 for ten agencies. We are making every effort to reduce expendi tures, but the growth of the numbers of our school children make this difficult. (22 per cent increase in college students and 33,000 more school children ac count for most of the budget increase.) Whatever the out come on Oct. 15, you may be sure that expenditures will be held down to match the state's income. I have written a long letter. but I did want you to know some of my thinking, too. I do thank you for your kiiid words regard ing my performance in ofnce. My prayer is that I will always continue to merit the confidence you have placed in me. Mark O. Hatfield, Governor Example 1: You are retired or a student and have an oppor tunity to earn an extra $5. You then must file an income tax return and pay $5 for a filing fee. You can't break even. It will cost you 5 cents to mail the return. The tax rate is 101 per cent. O.K. You don't believe it? You earn $100; again you pay $5 filing fee plus 5 cents for postage; tax rate is S per cent; the same rate as if your income was over $2,000 per year. Example 2: Taken from the Editorial page of the Medford Mail Tribune of Oct. 8: You earn $600; your State Tax is $16. Right: Your Federal exemption is $600. No tax. Right? How are you going to save 20 per cent on your state tax increase? Mr. Editor, with all the col lege degrees, high-priced educa tors and electric computors available, you should be able to come closer to the correct percentage than this article gave. Figure it again, and see if you come up with a 20 per cent saving on the state tax paid. In your Oct. 9 issue you have articles written by University of Oregon and Southern Oregon college students. I would like to inquire if these articles are the profound studies and con clusjons of the students on this subject, or the ideas promul gated by the faculty? And just how much experience have you students had in earning your own living and paying taxes? I grant you the right to ex press your opinions, but it is just a little premature to set yourselves up as tax experts, I recall reading someplace this statement: "A wise man can change his mind, a fool never does." Phil Motschcnbacher, P.O. Box 265, Shady Cove, Ore. Have Had It? To the Editor: Since we here in Oregon are soon to vote on a tax referendum, it seems that it might be of interest to know what the voters of North Dakota did in a similar situation re cently. By a margin of better than 5 to 1, the people of North Da kota defeated their referendum. All the tax increases passed by their 1963 legislature and submitted to the voters were rejected by a margin of more than 5 to 1. Swept into discard were three state income tax measures, a special urban renewal tax for the city of Fargo and a higher ceiling for school district prop erty taxes. Could this possibly mean that Americans, not only in North Dakota, but in every other state are getting fed up with the insatiable demands of the "big spenders in every unit of gov ernment for more and more tax revenue, without seeming end? Is it possible that the tax' payers "have had it?" Catherine G. Lynch, 139 Kenwood ave., Medford cations were misleading Oregon vaters on this point. Senator Ma honey, Portland, said addition al revenue Isn t needed if the fat is trimmed. Senator Pearson said that it is a misrepresentation to say that reduction of the state basic school fund appropriation would automatically bring an increase in local property taxes. There is misrepresentation also in fig ures showing per capita tax paid by citizens of different states. "In the last 20 years," said Pearson, "the Oregon school census has increased 102 per cent. Basic school fund support has increased 792 per cent, and the local property tax has in creased 1,058 per cent." The average salary of teachers in Oregon, excluding admmistra trators, has increased from $3,000 a year in 1952 to $6,200 in 1962. Pearson said that an inves tigation of the State System of Higher Education would uncov er wasteful, scandalous and pos sibly illegal spending. Appling confirmed that his office is ex amining some of the financial procedures of the state system ot higher education and has requested them to either cor rect or justify them. Millions of dollars were allo cated by the 1963 legislature for pay increases, most of it going to those in the higher income brackets. The State Board of Higher Education received $1,781,627 for pay raises for academic personnel. This mon ey in addition to automatic merit increases. Citizens are rapidly losing their homes by a system of government that is taking from those who have less and giving to those who have more. The voters got something in their eyes when they voted our lawmakers a blank check to fix their own salaries. Here's hoping they will not get croco dile tears in their eyes when they go in the booth Tuesday. Alice I. Black, 812 Newtown St., Medford more property taxes if neces sary rather than have a sales tax. Second, all the pressure groups are taken care of through their increase in wages and other fringe benefits, high er prices for their goods and services. This group is the one which enjoys the highest stand ard of living and should be the one to pay for what they get rather than to leach off of the underprivileged. Where was Mr. Francyl How ard when Ike give the offshore on to me on producers and when he gave the Al Serena timber away. The revenue from the above could have been used for education the same as the revenue from Telstar given away by President Kennedy and which was the biggest eiveawav of all, and to cap it all the Pri vate Communications Sattelite corporation expects the govern ment to finance its research in a continuing giveaway of our tax dollars. Not a cheep from Mr. How ard or in fact not a cheep from any of the no voters. Why hasn't Mr. Howard protested any or all of these gifts to the private enterprise system. Without either a war or heavy taxes the private enterprise system would fold up like a paper bag, and since the whole economy de pends on tax money, either state or federal, the ones who enjoy the highest standard of living and the most benefits should be more than willing and truly thankful for the blessings that they receive. John R. Schumpf Route 1, Box 312 Central Point, Ore. the in- Personal Problem To the Editor: I followed the advice of your Sunday editorial, and read the letter on Page 5 from a boy who dropped out of school. To my mind this letter points up the attitude of too many J young people. While he admits' his failures in school, and that his teachers gave him every ! chance to succeed, his letter seems to fairly drip with self- pity, and criticism of our social structure for not correcting con ditions which are his own crea tion. He is getting an education out side school which the school was unsuccessful in trying to pound into him. Perhaps he should have dropped out sooner, to be gin his education at an earlier : age, instead of wasting the time of his teachers, and the money of the taxpayers. But why cry about it now? His letter, unless written or edited by someone else, indi cates a (air ability to express himself intelligently. The doors of our social structure are not closed to him. Correspondence schools, night schools, and sim ilar agencies are available if he has the guts to go on. Many men have dug in and succeed ed by means of their own deter mination and industry. The world is full of such examples. His big fault, compounding all of his earlier self - admitted errors, is in assuming that "it is too late." He should realize that the tax payers' "hard earned money" has already been spent in try ing to persuade him to see the light, probably more on nim than on the student who really wanted an education. Let's not cry about the school hoard not opening a door which by his own admission, was open- Figuring It Again To the Editor: Before personal and corporation come tax bill was referred, the Governor of the state of Ore gon, as well as several Legis lators publicly announced through the press and other news media that it was a bad bill. They should know better than anyone. Since the hill has been re ferred, a number of these same people have come forward with innuendoes and half-truths; that it v.ild be a catastrophe, and lead lo chaos if this same bill were defeated. Does this change of attitude make it a good bill' How many of the supporters of this bill have ever looked in other than their own income brackets to see just how bad this bill is to the people in the lower income brackets? Alternates Listed To the Editor: Let's pass bal lot measure one. The alterna tive is no tax bill, doubt and indecision, a likely recalling of the legislature, a probably fu tile attempt in writing a better bill, and finally a new measure to be voted on which will have as many sore points as the pres ent one. Let's save time and money; vote ballot measure one a yes. Work for a better tax reform next year. Jeannine James, 24 Lincoln St., Medford Crocodile Tears To the Editor: The deluge of crocodile tears that the pro ponents of the income tax meas ure are shedding for the blind, the needy, the mentally retard ed, the ill and the sacred cow, education, are a repition of what transpired when the voters faced the sales tax issue. We were led to believe that everything would go to the bow wows if we didn't vote for a sales tax. Many are still around who remember. At a public meeting in Ash land concerning the Oct. 15 tax referral election last Thursday, all four legislators Newbry, Branchficld, Redden and Dellen back agreed that no matter what the vote outcome the state would not go into financial chaos and they regretted that some organizations and publi- Speaking of Money To the Editor: If I had not al ready decided to vote no on the tax measure, learning that so much money is behind it would have convinced me. And speaking of money how is the average man with a fam ily of four supposed to be able to pay four times as much in increased taxes as one earning only one half as much? How is he to pay this Increase for this year, 1963 due in April and not one cent de ducted through withholding to help cover it? Looks like a big month for our local loan companies! The yes people say the state cannot afford a no vote. Per haps the majority of the people cannot alford to vote yes. Steven J. Dodge 907 South Holly St. Medford. Article Quoted T o the Editor: In view of all the controversy on the tax bill, I would like to quote several paragraphs from an article pub lished in McCIures magazine, August, 1911. Some will say the problems of that era have no comparsion with our problems today. But as election day nears I can see a parallel. Perhaps votes today aren't bought in the same manner as referred to in this article, but isn't the pressure brought on by threats of loss of funds for education, welfare, etc., just another method of nurchasina votes? These old threats have been made many times to play on voters' sympathy, whenever a tax issue is to be voted on. I am not against education, though I feel more stress on essential subjects and less frills would better prepare our youth to meet me prooiems ot earning a living as adults. Nor am I against welfare with its broad coverage. However, I'm sure none will be deprived of neces sary care, despite threats now being made to that effect The following is what I'd like printed: "Law Making by the Voters by Burton J. Hendricks, "In the last nine years there has been a general transformation in po- litical conditions in Oregon. The public life of the State which for nearly half a century had been a scandal in practically every department, has become clean and respectable. The mercen ary lobby has disappeared from the legislature. The purchasing of votes at primaries and elec tions, which ten years ago was an almost invariable practice, has absolutely ceased. The cor porations no lonser dictate the official acts of the legislature and the executive. In the United States Senate and in Congress, Oregon's representatives stand for the people of the State, and not for special privileged class es. In local and state affairs po litical machines no longer exer cise appreciable influence; the party voters control the party organization and dictate party nominations. And, comcid e n t with this reformation in politi cal conditions, Oregon has a new code of laws which have immensely stimulated the so cial and business life of the state, "More remarkable than these reforms, however, is the man ner m which they have been obtained. The legislature has passed practically none of the dishing out the tripe they haves offered in defense of the pro posed Oregon Tax Bill? Unless we the taxpayers agree to bail them out of the financial mess they have worked themselves into, they threaten to take their spite out on the lame, the halt and the blind. Our children are to be the special objects of their spite. And the sick and the old can lay in the gutter and starve. How many thousands of dol lars do you suppose this cam. paign in the newspapers, radio and television cost, to tell us what will happen if we don't play according to their rules? They'll tell you the newspapers and the broadcasters donated their space and time. But some body had to write the junk. And somebody had to dream it up. In the name of common sense, stop this thing now. It has al ready gone too far. Vote no on Oct. 15. Bruce Y. KleinSmid 1719 SE Portola Dr. Grants Pass, Ore. Wants Know-How To the Editor: I'm a deaf person in need of employment, but not having any qualification or special services to offer a prospective employer, I was wondering if there is a woman who clean motels would let me come along with her on her routine jobs, so that I may get the know-how of it? I could also do dish washing or baby-sitting or tiny tot care, having reared a family of four, am capable of that. E. C. P., P.O. Box 372, Phoenix, Ore. Point Is Missed To the Editor: There have been volumes written and spok en for and against Tax Bill 1846. Through all this barrage o! words, the issue, or the point that has stirred the people most, nas been missed. The legislators have told us how hard they worked to formu. late this tax bill, they told us how badly the money was need ed and which services would ba injured if this bill was defeated. Some have suggested a ciga rette tax as an alternative. This would be a partial relief, a re lief for non-smokers only. Oth ers would increase tax on liq uors. This would only invito moonshining and bootlegging, as the tax on whiskey is already 300 per cent the cost of manu facture. Still others advocate a sales tax. This too haa many objections. Think it over, Mr. Business Man, the extra work it would impose upon you, and listen to this: The other day I talked to some people at the Thunder- bird parking lot. They were from Northern caiuomia and the lady told me that not only they, but many of their neighbors came to Oregon to do their shopping be cause we have no sales tax. Sure, a sales tax is collected a few pennies at a time, but it solves nothing for the same people who pay property and income tax would pay it also. HEADACHE meckache Should Be Thankful To the Editor: I am going to vote yes on Oct. 15 for various reasons. First, I would rather pay A Fair Tax To the Editor: Why Is it that some people can't see the forest lor the trees? When all a fellow looks at is his nose or "his11 tree how does he know what the whole thing looks like? It's pretty obvious that people naven t been thinking with all tnis tax talk that never looks at hard facts. Don't prices usually go up over a period ot timer Even cigars cost more these days (and they're littler too), as well as a heck of a lot of other things. Why not wake up and realize that costs of running thing especially a whole state also go up as things grow. (Speaking of growing, take a look at the cost of kids clothes, and notice how fast they grow out of them too.) At least the proposed tax is a fair tax it hits everybody, not just a few, as older, or other taxes do. Stanley Petworth Cascade D Ashland, Ore. It would discourage many tour- laws that have brought about ists who would come or already this changed situation. The peo- have been coming to Oregon, pie have improved conditions The sore spot is, that as the themselves by depositing slips bill now stands, and all alterna- ot wnue paper in tne ballot- tives so far suggested, would boxes on election day." vera M. Jones 245 Maple st. Central Point, Ore. Has Gone Too Far To the Editor: Politicians have never been known as con spicuously unselfish individuals, dedicated to the interests of the people who elect them. Nor have they recently showed enough in telligence to even protect their own interests. But the disgusting sniveling of the Oregon State Legislators and their favorite beneficiaries in the departments of education and welfare, because their ex travagancies have finally caught up with them, is nauseating. How can any of them have a shred of self respect loft after still leave burden on the prop erty . owner and the person whose income is $6,000 and less. The cost of living Is climbing, the cost of enrolling children in school is going up, taxes have been raised, but if these people. the wage earners, asked for an increase in pay they would ba very unpopular. No one likes the imposed fil ing fee and the whole setup that leaves the burden on the lower income brackets. Why not a rea sonable tax on these, and if any more is needed place the increase on income over and above what is needed for a de cent level of living on the higher income brackets in proportion. Let it be assessed in according to ability to pay. C. R. Burrill, BM'i Cherry st., Central Point, Ore. BACKACHE N Excruciating headaches may be caused by eyestrain. Eyestrain can also reduce working efficiency, promote fatigue and irritability and may be allied with other physical troubles, such as neckache, backache and upset stomach. Why suffer needlessly? Protect your eyes with properly fitted glasses. Heed the danger signs. Be sure of proper eye care. Have your eyes examined at least once a year by Dr. Notes Optometrists. No Appointment Needed Convenient Credit We give Green Stamps awi 5? (A ye COLUMBIAN OPTICAL CO. MEDFOW5 SHOPPING CENTER Phono 772-9990 casual shopping with convenient parking ' On. Omm i. Halts ind Willi. m T. Hedie in- HO Is this the reason Horseless carriages weren't called horseless carriages for nothing Gas engines may have token the place of the hone. But the horse left its mark. Early cars kept their whip sockets, long alter there were no horses lo whip. Dashboards once kept the horse from splashing mud on the passengers. And most cars have kept their engines up Ironl, where the horse used to be. When the Volkswogen was designed, it wot assumed that horses would never be back. most engines still aren't in back? So VW felt Iree lo put the engine over the rear wheels, the ones that drive the car. That way, you don't spin your wheels getting power from the front to the bock. Or horse around with heavy driveshalts. You olso get more weight over the drive wheels for firm traction when the going gets sloppy. Actually, the VW'j air-cooled aluminum engine would have been a sensotion, even in front. But the big idea was moving it to the rear. It was a great step backward in the world of outomobiie design. MORSE MOTORS 6th & Ivy 772-7155
