Image provided by: North Santiam Historic Society; Gates, OR
About The Mill City enterprise. (Mill City, Or.) 1949-1998 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 4, 1969)
-everal important points. First, it should be obvious that If a public majority did not want carry ■‘Hit service, trading stamps and other competitive conveniences, they would not be offered. Second, in reality by Everett E. Cutter ' competition hlds supermarket too much for food ami retail profits down o less than 1 per fJod merchants ire getting 1 cent. rich, site contends, because she Most important, the lady is able to buy so much more does not mention the fact that cheaply at the post commis , the commissary items she buys, sary. tat prices she quotes which are Othe-s argue that she misses below wholesale, are heavily subsidized by all taxpayers - including the retail stores. These points tire not made to detract from a fringe bene fit available to underpaid mil itary personnel. Rather, they illustrate some fallacies be hind a train of th ught which often leads people to believe government can operate more efficiently and sell goods more cheaply than American busi ness. This type of question is the basis for a current controversy in Oregtn over a new law pas sed by the 1969 legislature. Until July 1, a state “cenfal store” bought in bulk quan tities and held goods for resale to local government units. The new* law, which still allows local governments to band to gether for mass purchasing ad vantages, prohibits the state frm merchandising goods worth less than $500 per unit. The bill was supported at the legislature by both the business and labor lobbies. It was opposed by local govern ment representatives, who claimed goods could be pur chased for less from the state than from private businesses. Many still claim this, and la ment the meaure’s passage. Such a price advantage would appear to be the case, say the bill’s proponents, If one accepts state central store catalg listings at face value. But, like the post commissary, at prices which did not include the central store offered goods the hidden costs to taxpayers— realistic freight, storage, ser vice, interest and other over head items needed to present a true competitive listing. Such considerations must be included in bid quotations of private firms, they say, along with another significant cost of doing business: taxes paid government. The central store by private firms to support concept, in ignoring these, would have taxpayers unwit tingly sponsoring direct com petition with taxpaying busi nesses. This matter of government competition in a private en terprise econ:mic system real ly is trie main question, in the opinion of Ivan Congleton, ex ecutive vice president f As sociated Oregon Industries. How far should it be allowed to go, he asks, in disregarding the principles that built the nation and make it prosper to day? “Philosophy aside, it is a fact that government, lacking competitive drive and the pro fit motive, simply cannot oper ate more efficiently than pri vate business.” He quotes fi gures showing that private firms solci twice as much worth of go.ds to local governments than did the state, they used the same number of employees to do it, and paid them better. Businessmen have no o!> jection to the state’s purchas ing for itself, Congleton say«, or for local governments to combine for joint buying or for allowing the state to let bids for local government. “But w’hen the state buys and sells on speculation, that goes beyond purchasing and Salem Scene Government Business Hide« Taxpayer Costs A military wife in Portland has expressed an interesting notion ¡.bout today’s high cost of living. The general public pays far Let’s keep it this way. Please don’t litter. Olympia Brewing Company Tu mwater, Wash i ngton McCULLOCH SUPER 6-10A The “QUIET ONE” THAT’S PRO POWERED! into merchandising. This is the proper function of merch ants, and this is what the new law recognizes.” Not everyone is convinced by these arguments, of course. Many local government offic ials complain that i urrent pur chases are c sting taxpaye -s more money. “There probably will always be those who maintain post commissary prices reflect true costs and wonder why super markets cannot compete,” says Congleton. "If this premise were true, then America’s ec onomy is all wr ng and we all ■hould have commissary privi leges.” GATES Antonia Thomas Phone 897-2605 Mr. and Mrs. Walter A. Thomas, Sr., and Chris drove tc Vancouver, B. C. over La bor Day weekend. While there they visited with Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Howard of Vancouver and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Thomas and Charles, Jr., of Stave Falls. On their return trip they attended the North west Federation s 29th annual Festival of Gems held at the King County Fairgrounds at Enumclaw. Wn. They also vis ited briefly at Mt. Ranier Na tional Park. The weather was perfect and they were able to take many pictures. Mr. and Mrs. Willard Gab riel and family visited his bro ther and family, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gabriel of Sweet Home Sunday. His sister, Mrs. Dale Swenson from Arcadia, Calif., was also visiting the Robert Gabriels. Saturday Mr. and Mrs. Wil lard Gabriel went for a hose- back trail ride on Skyline Trail to Mt. Washington and into Belknap crater. Visiting the Fred Moore home are her brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Wiseley from Port Isabelle, Teaxs. On the weekend they visited Bend and Peters m Rock Gardens. The Wiseleys will depart for Texas Thurs day. Mrs. Herbert Hampton won second place ribbons on each of her two entries in the for eign cookies and pastries at the State Fair. Her entries were Chinese and Greek cokies. Mrs. Harold Wilson and house guest, Mrs. Aaron Wat son, of Portland, and Mrs. Nel lie Allen and Kay Colburn spent Thursday at Breitenbush Hot Springs. MEHAMA 3—The Mill City Enterprise, Thursday, Sept 4, 1969 Mrs. John Teeters James Phillips, son of Mr ami Mis. Keith Phillips has been attending summer school at the University of Oregon and will lie continuing to ob tain his master's degree in edu cation. James is a teacher in the Roseburg schools and has been granted a leave of ao- sence and a special fellowship ta finish his schooling. A lot of his work is with underprivil-1 aged children. He is a 1952 i graduate of Stay ton High. Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Wai len attended a family gather-| ir.g Sunday, August 24 at the home of their son-in-law ami daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Allan Choate and family in Stayton. Mrs. Don Engdahl and sons Lee, Max, Chris and Garth re turned Tuesday from Seattle where they spent several days at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Doug Verdery and Trean. Jane Engdahl remained in Seattle until Saturday. Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Taylor, were hosts at their home Sat urday evening, August 23 for the olanned pot luck supper and meeting of their pinochle club. Members present for the supper and evening of cards and visiting were Mr. and Mrs. G. D. Myers, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Bowes, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Rienk", Mr and Mrs. Keith Phillips, Mr. and Mrs. Giles Wagner and the hosts. Mr. and Mrs. Ron Julma and three children have moved to Beaverton after spending several weeks here at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Oren Small, while they were waiting for their new home to be finished. Also visiting a week recently at the Small home were Mr. and Mrs. Paul Coh net: of San Benito, Texas. Mr. and Mrs. John Shafer returned recently from a two weeks' trip to British Colum bia which included salmm fishing at both Power River and Campbell River. They were accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Otto R. Kuehn and Mr. and Mrs. James Barry. Both couples are from Milwaukee. Wise. The Kuehns and Barry’s spent a couple of days in Me hama with the Shafers after they returned. Mrs. M. V. Frame and Mrs. E. J. Hughes returned from the coast Wednesday after noon, August 28 where they spent several days in the com pany of Mr. and Mrs. Orval Greer of Leaburg. TEAGUE MOTORS WON'T BE UNDERSOLD largest Selection of New Compacts, Intermediates and Trucks in the Northwest New 1969 Dodge % ton Pickup New 1969 Dart 4 door Includes Title and License V8, 4 speed, 650x16 6- ply tires, anti spin rear axle, full foam seat, exterior trim, Mldg. No. 132 $2430 $2950 full Equipment no. 612 TEAGUE MOTORS DODGE Authorized Dealer For à Dodge Cars A Trucks ★ Chrysler leasing + Sinica & Sunbeam Import Cars ★ Beaver Campers 2650 Commi, So. Salem Phone 364-0184 Open Nites & Sundays fnyoy f/ie security of a complete “profile of protection” for your home - with Of course your home is insured against the obvious things. But is it covered for the unexpected—explosion, extreme storm damage, a car crashing into your living room, for example? We help you protect your home and possessions with a Safeco Home Owners Policy. It’ll be free of dangerous gaps and costly overlaps, will save you worry, save you money, too. And Safeco pays claims quickly. Call us today. JERRY PITTAM INSURANCE Ph. 897-2413 or 897-2754 Mill City, Oregon WHERE YOU ARE TREATED LIKE A PERSON — NOT A NUMBER BETTER HYING FROM TREES Hantiam Memorial Hospital (Stayton) REYES—To Mr. and Mrs. Leopoldo Reyes, Turner, a girl, August 27, 1969. ECKLUND - To Mr. and Mrs. Roger K. Ecklund, Silver- ton, a Ixjy. August 28, 1969. HISER—To Mr. and Mrs Gerrie R. Hiser, Salem, a boy. August 29, 196!). COLEMAN — To Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth R. Coleman, Tur ner, a girl, August 29, 196!). STEPH ERSON—To Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth A. Stephenson, Stayton, a boy, August 29, 1969. Swetow • As dependable as it is rugged- end fasti • Automatic bar and chain oiling • Pre-set breaker points triple point life • Takes bars up to 3 feet long • Larger cooling fan extends engine life Whether you plant them, grow them or harvest them. Whether you hunt, fish or picnic—trees are your babies. Tree Farming means full use of the forests for wood, wildlife, water and recreation. WO00 The McCulloch 6-1OA starts easier with DSP compression release, works easier and finishes faster because it's built for the pro’s. No power loss to achieve quietness. Big 70 cc cubic inch engine can really take it. Weighs only 12’A pounds less bar and chain. Como in for a free demonstration today I iffh\ WATER WILDLIFE RECREATION HEÍP KEEP THE FORESTS GREEN AND GROWING $269.95 Complete with bar and chain Alw.rt leelM m (Melee McCelleck ekeie. ker. •e'xk.tkl fer tee (trtemMM •Compered to >tandard cavity-typa muffler» r^i **cCutiOC* Highway 22 Mehama, Oregon Frank Lumber Company, Inc. Young & Morgan Timber Co. Mill City, Oregon Mill City and Idanha, Oregon Freres Veneer Cedar Lumber Company, He. Lyons, Oregon Mill City, Oregon Stout Creek Lumber Company Stuckart Lumber Company Mehama, Oregon Idanha, Oregon Boise Cascade Corp. Parkett Logging Company Mehama, Oregon THE MILL CITY ENTERPRISE Phone 897-2772 117 N. E. Wall Street Mill City U. S. Plywood-Champion Papers, Idanha-Lebanon P. O. Box 127 ic. Independence, Oregon The Mill City Enterprise Printors-Publishers
