County
News
SEAL SALE NOW
OVER $3,000
.
ST. HELENS—Sales of Christ­
mas seals in Columbia Co. as of
Monday, Dec. 25, have reached
a total of $3,185.61, according
to figures released last week by
Otto H.H. Peterson, county seal
sale chairman.
Receipts of $445 have been
added to the county total since
the first report was made last
week, Mr. Peterson said.
$815 Yet To Go
The present total is still $815
short of the county’s quota of $4-
000 for the 1944 seal sale cam­
paign. This year’s quota is consid­
erably higher than in the past,
having been boosted to help fi­
nance a visit of the mobile chest
x-ray unit of the Oregon Tuber­
culosis association.
RATION CLERK
RESIGNS JOB
CLATSKANIE — Mrs. Paul­
ine Russell has resigned from the
position of clerk in the local ra­
tion office, according to an an­
nouncement made this week.
Mrs. Russell has been in the
office since August 16, 1943
and has been cheif clerk in the
ration department since Septem­
ber 15th, 1943, replacing Leona
Rankin, who resigned.
Mrs. Russell’s resignation is
effective as of January 15, 1945
and it is hoped by that time that
an appointment will have been
made and the new clerk ready
to assume the duties.
CLARK-WILSON CLOSES
PRESCOTT MILL
ST. HELENS—Liquidation of
the Clark and Wilson company
has taken a sudden surge the
past week, which culminated in
orders to shut down the Prescott
mill Saturday of last week. It
was learned from a reliable
source that the big mill in Linn-
ton is already down and the
smaller mill at that point will be
shut down permanently within six
weeks.
ELSIE KUPARI BRIDE OF
WALTER I. TRACY DEC. 22
RAINIER — Elsie Kupari and
Walter I. Tracy, both of Rainier,
were married Friday evening,
Dec. 22, at the parsonage of
Rev. H. E. Gebert in Longview.
Mrs. Tracy is a member of
the faculty of the Fern Hill
school, and Mr. Tracy is janitor
at the Rainier union high school.
Both are well known after
long residence in the community,
and Mrs. Tracy has been promi­
nent in Columbia county grange
circles, having served at length
as secretary of the Pomona
grange. •
Mrs. Tracy is the daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Pete Mauris.
NIEMELA AGAIN IS
ELECTED SECRETARY
CLATSKANIE — Henry Nie-
mela was again chosen as ex­
ecutive secretary of the Colum­
bia River Fishermen’s Protective
union.
Alfred Johnson was re-elected
president of the union and Neils
Christensen was also re-elected
to the office of treasurer.
The proposed 36-hour week
end fishing closure was given an
affirmative vote by members of
the union and has been referred
to the legislative committee of
the CRFPU for consideration at
the coming session of the Oregon
legislature.
SKEANS ANNOUNCES
SALE OF MILK ROUTE
RAINIER — J. C. Skeans and
son announce that effective Jan­
uary 1 they will conclude 26
years of milk delivery in Rain­
ier, by the sale of their milk
route to the Rainier Creamery.
Mr. Skeans told the Review
Wednesday that it was felt that
by devoting the time formerly
spent in milk delivery to the ex­
tensive farming operations the
Skeans have organized, more
prime object of agriculture.
i
THOSE WHO
ABE IN IT
GETS ASSIGNMENT
Staff Sergeant Paul A. Gray,
20, former Vernonia high school
student, has been assigned to
the oldest heavy bombardment
group in the Mediterranean
theatre of operations. He is a
waist gunner on a 15th air force
flying fortress.
Sergeant Gray was employed
by Clark and Wilson when he
enlisted in the air forces on July
4, 1942. Later he attended the
aerial gunnery school at Lar­
edo, Texas where he won his
gunner’s wings. He also attended
the air mechanics school at Kan­
sas City, Mo.
The organization to which he
has been assigned has flown
more than 350 combat mission!"
bombing enemy installations in
almost every Axis - dominated
country in Europe from bases
in England, North Africa, Rus­
sia and Italy.
Business Condition of
1944 Similar to 1943
A general survey of business
conditions in this vicinity during
the year of 1944 should be heart­
ening to those who have felt
that a considerable decrease in
all kinds of business would be the
case during the past year. Re­
ports from every type of busi­
ness here revealed that such a
decrease was not true in most
cases. Some reported no gain
over 1943 and some reported de­
creases but the general overall
condition has been better. Chang­
ing local conditions such as the
moving of many residents to
other localities and the influx ot
new people was attributed b'
some as the cause of the de­
crease.
In the case of decreases, more
stringent regulations by govern­
ment agencies and difficulty in
obtaining merchandise were con­
tributing causes. Release for sale
GETS PURPLE HEART
In a letter dated Dec. 12, the
adjutant general’s office in­
formed Mr. and Mrs. Harry Lan­
der that their son, Pvt. Delbert
E. Lander, was making satisfac­
tory progress toward recovery.
Delbert has been awarded the
purple heart for his wound and
has sent the medal home to
his parents.
258 People in
County Benefit
On December 30 a total of
258 persons in Columbia county
had a monthly total of $4,840 in
old-age and survivors insurance
payments, an annual rate of
STAY PROLONGED
$!>8,080, according to James E.
- George Turner, who was sent Peebles, manager of the Port­
to Baxter General hospital at land field office of the social
Spokane after arriving in San security board.
Franc'sco a short time ago, will
These federal insurance pay­
be there longer than first an­ ments to residents-of Columbia
ticipated when he wrote his par­ county go to 126 retired work­
ents, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Turner, ers who get $2,914;- 24 wives,
a short time ago. They received 65 or older, of retired workers
word Monday that he was ill who receive $282; 69 children
with malaria and would stay of retired or deceased workers
there indefinitely.
get $909; 10 aged widows re­
ceive $172; 29 widows with
REPORTED MISSING
Russell'' (Tiz) Miller, former young children receive $560.
Kelso high school and Whitman The schedules are on a month­
college athlete, has been reported ly basis.
Slightly over half of the ben­
missing in action in Germany
since December 10. His aunt, eficiaries are wives, widows, and
which
demonstrates
Mrs. Jack Heenan, states that children
Miller, star athlete in basketball that this federal social security
and baseball, attended grade plan is truly a family insurance
school here prior to moving to program.
To make Sure that no benefits
Kelso, and that he has a number
of friends here. His mother, Mrs. are lost, Peebles advises that
Ruby Tisdale, resides in Califor­ whenever a person who has
nia; his wife is in Alaska with worked at any time in a job
her parents. He is 22 years of. covered by the law, reaches the
age of 65, he should call or write
age.
to the Portland office, even
WALDO TAYLOR INJURED
though he does not plan to re­
Waldo Taylor will soon be tire * immediately. And when­
discharged from the Walla Walla, ever a worker dies, after work­
hospital, according to recent re­ ing for some period in jobs
ports. Taylor was in a shack covered by the law, some mem­
with 3 other soldiers when a ber of his family should make
bomb struck, killing outright 2 the same contact promptly.
of the men and crippling another
so badly he was unconscious.
Firemen Called Thurs.
Taylor was the only one of the 4
The Vernonia Fire Depart­
who knew what happened. He
lost the sight of one eye and suf­ ment was called Thursday to
fered a hip injury as well as the rouse at Clatsop and Rose
severe face scars. A former em­ Avenue owned by Mrs. Ruth
ployee at the Oregon American Haverland. No estimate was a-
office, Taylor is a brother of vailable of damage done. Fire­
Phil, Lex and Locke Taylor; the men were handicapped momen­
latter two are also in the service. tarily due to lack of water be­
cause of a broken water main,
LEAVE FOR NAVY
which was being repaired. Ac­
Max Millis and James Johns, cording to Fire Chief Harry
both Vernonia high school sen­ Culbertson, this was the first
iors, left Tuesday afternoon for such instance .since his service
Portland where they entered with the department.
service in the navy. Senior class­
mates honored each before they
left with correspondence sets as Management Changes
Mrs. Marguerite Burton has
gifts.
taken over management of Bes­
ARRIVE HOME
sy’s Tavern, Riverview, from
'Elmer Michener arrived at his Mr. and Mrs. Mike White who
home here Wednesday evening have operated the business for
after being in the Southwest the past year. The Tavern will
Pacific for several years, to visit open at noon every day of the
with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. week with the exception of
Otto Michener. and friends. Ar­ Monday when it will remain
riving home the forepart of Jhe closed all day.
week was Harry Lusby who has
24 days leave from the navy.
CAN QUOTA SET
HOME FROM EUROPE
Dale Roberts arrived home a
few days ago with an army dis­
charge after seeing considerable
service in the aviation engineers
in Africa. Italy and France. He
will rest and "catch up” on some
fishing for a month or so and
then plans to work in the mill.
(More “Those Who” page six)
A monthly tin can collection
quota has been established for
Columbia County due "to the
appalling number of cans which
still are going into garbage
dumps instead of into proper
war channels,” the state salvage
committee announces. Quota for
this county is three tons per
month.
of other articles were responsible
for increases.
A similar survey of local busi­
ness made at the end of 1943
indicated at that time that local
tiade was considerably better
than had been the case jn 1942.
Low Recording
Is 18 Dagiees
Mrs. Helen Spofford, coopera­
tive weather observer for this
vicinity, in her report for the
month of December reveals that
the month’s minimum was 18 de­
grees on the 15th. Fifty-six de­
grees was the maximum record­
ed on Dec. 13th. Total rainfall
2.41 inches,
prevailing wind
direction southwest and 10 clear
days, 4 partly cloudy and 17,
cloudy, comprised further in­
formation in the report.
Mrs. Spofford has made a
comparison of 1944 with 1940.
In many respects the two years
were similar. Throughout the
state November was the coldest
since 1940 and December weath­
er ¡3 much the same as that of
the previous year but with less
rainfall. A few weather stations
along the coast reported no kill­
ing frost until last month. Less
rainfall in the interior of the
northwest portion of the state
was reported than any other
place.
Pastures are generally
good for this time of year in
western counties but winter
range in eastern counties is not
and considerable feeding of live­
stock is necessary. Most fruits
and nuts were harvested without
damage, but a few sugar beets
were not harvested and some po­
tatoes and onions were froien in
the fields. Throughout the state
the weather was slightly drier
than normal but average in most
other respects.
Work on Fire
Truck Continues
Further labor towards com­
pleting
Vernonia’s new
fire
truck was started this week when
Harry Culbertson started instal­
lation of the 250-gallon tank on
the truck chassis. The truck
was purchased last year and a
booster pump mounted at that
time but the tank which did not
arrive until later, was not placed
tn service.
The tank and pump, which
will provide a maximum pressure
of 200 pounds, will enable fire­
men to stop fires more quickly
and surely, especially in the case
of a small blaze where immedi­
ate action is necessary to prevent
the fire from increasing in size.
The pump will make available
much greated pressure than is
obtainable without this equip­
ment.
When Completea, the truck
will carry the pump and tank as
well as new ladders, hose and all
other equipment necessary to
fight fires. The fully-completed
piece of equipment will make
available to city residents much
more satisfactory fire protection
than has been the case for some
time. The truck will compare fa­
vorably with the best for towns
of this size.
Paper Load Sent
Aqcording to Paul Gordon,
grade school superintendent, one
truck load of waste paper col­
lected in the recent drive has
been token to the Pacific Straw
and Paper company in Longview
on December 27. No information
as to the weight of the paper
has been released from the com­
pany as yet; it is thought that
enough paper remains here for
another truck load.
STORK DOUBLES Cooperative
FIRST DELIVERY Directors Are
Mr. and Mrs. Archie Adams
and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Elkins
were presented new babies for
the beginning of the New Year.
A boy was born at the Clats­
kanie hospital Wednesday at 11
a. m. to the Adamses; he weighed
5 pounds 6 ounces. The weight
was learned by interview with
Archie Adams, Jr., who also di­
vulged that “Momma thinks she’ll
call him “Raymond”, which was
followed by, “How do you like
that name?”
,
A girl weighing 7 pounds was
born at 8 o’clock Wednesday
evening to Mr. and Mrs. Charles
■Elkins who are the parents of 8
other children. They live near the
Jablonski home.
Loggers to Open
League Play Fri.
First county basketball league
play for the Vernonia Loggers
will begin Friday evening of this
week here when the Clatskanie
Tigers will appear on this court.
Pre-season games for the Loggers
ended with McMinnville taking a
win from Vernonia December 28
and the Loggers enter county
play under handicap with Max
Millis out of suit and in the na­
vy and with Ralph Sturdevant
on crutches.
Games will be played on a
round robin basis, each team
meeting the others, twice before
completion of the schedule. Al­
though Clatskanie will provide
competiton, the district playoff
will Consider only St. Helens,
Rainier, Scappoose and Vernonia,
as Clatskanie is rated as a class
B school. Basis forthe rating is
the school attendance, Clatska­
nie having less than 150 stu­
dents.
Early in pre-season play, the
Loggers looked more like county
championship contenders than at
the present, when Millis is gone
permanently and the squad is
weakened for this game with
Clatskanie. Some fans are of the
opinion that other teams in the
county are going to offer too
much stiff competition under the
circumstances.
The county schedule for the
Loggers is:
Jan. 5
Clatskanie at Vernonia
bye
Jan. 12 Vernonia
Jan. 19 Vernonia at Rainier
Jan. 23 Scappoose at Vernonia
Jan. 26 Vernonia at St. Helens
Jan. 30 Seaside at Vernonia
(not a league game)
Feb. 2
Vernonia at Clatskanie
Vernonia
Feb. 9
bye
Feb. 16 Rainier at Vernonia
Feb. 20 Vernonia at Scappoorr
Feb. 23 St. Helens at Vernonia
Farmer Tax Aid
Itinerary Made
Deputy collectors from the
treasury
department
internal
revenue service have arranged a
schedule of visits between Jan­
uary 2 and 15 for the cities and
towns in the state. Visits are for
the purpose of assisting farmers
in prepariing their forms 1040-
ES, declaration of estimated tax
for calender year 1944. Other
taxpayers will be assisted later.
Dates for visits in this county
are: Rainier, January 5 and St.
Helens, January 6, Friday and
Saturday of this week. A longer
stay is scheduled for Astoria
from January 12 to 15 inclusive.
Farmers not able to contact the
collectors at any of these places
may obtain the information they
wish at Hillsboro from January
12 to 15 or at Forest Grove on
January 11.
Named Tues,
Same Officials Are
Selected for Coming
Year at Meeting
The annual meeting of the
West Oregon Electric coopera­
tive was held Tuesday evening
for the election of new directors
and the choosing of officers who
will serve the cooperative dur­
ing 1945. The annual meeting,
which is called for in the by-laws
of the organization, will be held
in January of each year for sim­
ilar elections.
Directors of the REA which
have served since its start in
the past year, were named again.
They are: Lee Wooden, Jewell,
Noble Dunlap, Mist, Harry King
and Paul Gordon, 'Vernonia,
Charles Uhlin, Timber, Frank
Genzer, Buxton, and Fred Knox,
Gaston. These directors have
been instrumental in carrying out
the details of organization of the
cooperative and have spent a
good deal of time and effort in
bringing the organization to the
point where it will soon be able
to assume the distribution of
electrical energy here.
Following the election of direc­
tors, they convened to elect their
officers which were named as:
Harry King, president, Fred
Knox, vice-president, Paul Gor­
don, secretary,
Lee
Wooden,
treasurer.
Directors were informed at the
Tuesday evening meeting that the
details for purchasing the local
utility property are almost com­
plete and it is believed that the
purchas cat be made thb month.
Considerable negotiation and ac­
tion by court have been neces­
sary to make possible the pur.
chase by the REA and comple­
tion of these details has taken
longer than was first anticipated.
Tire Quota
Amount Cut
People served by the local ra­
tion board will experience a cut
in the number of grade 1 pas­
senger car tires and 7:50 or
smaller truck tires for this month
as revealed by new quotas of
these articles assigned this board.
Amounts of these articles were
released this week by the local
board along with allowances of
gasoline, tires, oil and shoes for
the past month.
New quotas are: boots, 9 prs;
grade 1 tires, 44; 7:50 and
smaller truck tires, 14; hard­
ship gasoline, 50 gallons.
Allowances for December are
tabulated as follows: gasoline—
18 A books; Bs, 607 Coupons;
Es, 563 coupons
(17 applica­
tions); Rs, 878 coupons (14 ap­
plications) ; Ts, 4th quarter, 208
coupons and 1st quarter, 1405
coupons; purchase permits, 371
gallons (58 applications); hard­
ship gasoline totaled 28 gallons.
Fuel oil, 4029 gallons (56 ap­
plications).
Tires, grade 1, 53; small truck
tires, 23. Book 3s issued were
10 and book 4s, 12.
Benefit Dance Due
The I.O.O.F. hall will be the
location for several dances dur­
ing coming weeks in order that
Odd Fellows may build up a
fund for the Odd Fellows home
in Portland. The local lodge, a-
long with others in the state,
contributes to this home for
the support of aged members.
Red O’Brien’S orchestra will play
and the first dance is announced
for this Saturday evening.
GO TO OSTA MEET
MECHANICIAN HERE
J. L. Skoog, traveling mech­
anician of the post office de­
partment, was here Thursday to
check the scales and other me­
chanical equipment in the local
post office. It has been four
years since such a visit has been
made here.
Four of the men instructor,
of local schools were in St. Hel­
ens Wednesday evening to attend
a meeting of the Columbia coun­
ty branch of the Oregon State
Teachers’ association. Making the
trip from here were Paul Gor­
don, Orile Robbins, Ray Mills
and Wallace McCrae.