Welfare Case
Load, Costs
Down in March
Factors Cited for
Reduction of Program
Expense, Participation
For the month of March, old age
assistance cost $16,555.00 for 305
cases, as compared with $16,-
564.00 for 332 cases a year ago.
Information about the cost of the
program in the county for the
month was released a few days
ago by Louis Fluhrer, chairman
of the Columbia County Public
Welfare commission from St. Hel
ens.
Several aspects stand out. The
present average is $54.28, as com
pared with last years average of
$49.89. The increased food al
lowance of October. 1952 brought
up the average. At the same
time the increased participation
($5.00 per case) of the federal
government, resulted in there
beiag no increased cost to the
state and county.
The drop in case load may have
resulted from several things: the
increased payments from O.A.S.I.
(social security accounts), the
restrictions on property, the es
tablishment of the liability of
relatives, and the increas d and
often expressed feeling that age
65 does not mean complete in
ability to face the business of
supplying ont’s own needs.
The ages of the six old ag?
assistance applicants established !
this month are 67. 68. 71, 73, 80, i
and 86. Only one of this group I
had been previously on an as
sistance program and this man is
a victim of cerebral hemorrhage.
Currently 72 aid to d p ndent
children families <184 children) |
receive $6,677.00. an average of |
$92.73, cases average 3.6 persons.
Mirch last year there wer? 73
casts averaging $94.53, total $6.-
901.00.
Th? recently publicized support
laws are not now reducing Co
lumbia county's A.D.C. program,
but the district attorney states
that he is planning to submit all
ceses, wherein it appears pro
bable that the party responsible
for support is guilty of criminal
fa ure to support, to the grand
jury, (possibly in April) with the
hope that the grand jury will re
turn felony indictment.
A conspicous characteristic of
the aid to dependent children pro
gram is that the group changes
very rapidly. About 2.5 cases go
off each month, and 2.5 cases
come on.
Blind assistance in Columbia
county changes little. Three cases
(all single persons) receive $176.00
Th.< same three were in the pro
gram last year.
Aid to disabled cases total 38
at a cost of $2,298.00. A year ago
32 eases received $1,858.00. This
group was previously the basic
group on general assistance and
the program has been reduced by
the establishment of this new
classification.
General assistance for Febru
ary (March figures incomplete)
totaled 135 cases. $8,463.68, distri
bution as follows:
Foster Home Care. 13 children,
$600 00; 76 unemployed and or
unemployable families, full or
partial support. $3,817.00.
Second Typing
Class Started
T/imbers of the second adult
typing class which meets Monday
evening of each week are as fol
lows: Mrs. Mary Bell, Mrs. Hazai
Bcrgerson, Mrs. Shirley French,
Mrs. Charlotte Helm. E. B. Hibbs,
Btn Gertrude Hibbs. Mrs. Mar
garet Kouva, Mrs. Ralph Lais,
Mrs. Bess Nichols, Mrs. J. M.
Peachey, Miss Lilias Peterson,
Mrs. Faith Reynolds. Mrs. Donna
Robertson. Mrs. Herlene Robert-
sor., Mrs. Norma L. Silver, Mrs.
Nc.l Thomas. Mrs. Frances Thorn
ton. Mrs. C. T Wildt. Mrs. Irene
Wildt, Mrs. June Willis, Mrs.
Jun’ Ray, and Mrs. Margaret
Hartzell.
Including this class and the
ciass which meets on Wednesday
evening, 49 adults of the Ver
nonia area are taking advantage
of these classes, which are the
first classes in adult education
offered by the Vernonia union
high school district. The classes
meet for 10 sessions, one hour in
length, and are receiving basic
instructions in typing and the
use of the machine. Mrs. Myra
Sorensen, commercial instructor
at the high school, is teaching
b-x*h classes.
Negotiations for Change of
O-A Ownership Underway
By Long-Bell Lumber Co.
STAFF SEF.GEANT Roy Frank d'splayed articles brought back from the Phil ppires Tuesday even
ing of last week at the reception at the Legion ha’l. He stands beside a large mat hand woven from
native fiber and similar io mats upon which Filipinos sleep. For the display he pinned six photos,
three on each side of the mat. showing scenes of rice harvest ng methods employed on the islands. At
the extreme right are a bow and arrows like those used by the Negrito tribe and a spear similar
to those used by tribes in the Mounta n providence.
Scout Funds Sought in
Drive to Start April 6
Tom Bateman has been named
chairman of the annual Boy
Scout finance drive which opens
Monday, April 6 and continues
to April 10. Also serving on the
committee are Jim Davies, Con
nie And?rson, Charlie Wall and
Jim Cox.
In accepting this responsibility
Bateman said "The Boy Scout
program of character building
and citizenship training is a dis
tinct asset to the community.
Never before has there been a
greater need for young people to
appreciate fully the American
way of life. I am confident that
the people of Vernonia will give
generously to the Boy Scout
movem-nt whin
th?
appeal
reaches them next week."
He pointed out that scouting
in Vernonia is served by Dick
Whitney, field scout executive
of th* Portland Ara Council, and
| that funds raised will help meet
, the whole council budget for the
year of 1953.
"People sometimes ask why the
i funds raised are sent to th? Port
land offic.” continued Bateman.
"The answer is simple: scouting
in Vernonia is part of the scout
ing family in 15 Oregon and
i Washington counties. By join
ing with other communities we
are able to receive much better
service than if we tried to 'go
it alone’.”
"Membership in the council
| brings us the use of council
camps.
training films, other
equipments and office records in
addition to the services Mr Whit.
' ney brings directly to leaders in
i this community.
“Of the 325 Cubs and Scouts
I in Columbia county 4S are in Ver
! nonia.”
Blood Unit Arrangements
For Stop Made by PTA
Hours will be from 2 to 6
p m. at the American Legion hall
April 6 for the coming visit of
the R-d Cross Bloodmobile to
Vernonia. Arrang?ments for the
stop of the unit are being made
under the chairmanship of Mrs.
Byron Kirkbride, P.-T.A. presi
dent.
Donors are urged to com? as
early as they can so as many as
Walrod Chosen
County Agent
Appointment of Don Coin Wal
rod as county extension agent to
succeed W. G. (Jerry) Nibler has
been announced by the Columbia
county court.
Nibl-r has been appointed farm
crops specialist with the Oregon
state colleg? extension service
and will live in Corvallis.
He has served as county exten
sion agent in Columbia county
since March, 1947 when h? re
placed George A. Nelson who re
tired.
Walrod has been a county ex
tension agent in Clackamas coun
ty for the past five years Pre
vious to that he was 4-H club
agent in Delta county, Colorado.
His training is in livestock
and agronomy
In Clackamas
county he was in charge of the
extension programs for livestock,
dairy, poultry, forestry and pas
tures.
Walrod. his wife Eleanor, and
their two children will make their
home in St. Helens. This change
is scheduled to become effective
about May 1.
; THOSE WHO
ARE IN IT . .
Pfc. Ralph Waddell arrived
| home last Thursday from Port-
* land where his parents met him.
■ He returned to this country ear
lier last week from Korea.
Master Sergeant George H.
I Peachey is spending a leav? at the
I home of his parents, Mr. and
Mrs. J. M. Peachey. He will leave
the U. S. May 1 to spend two
years in Europe.
M. C. Brewer has enlisted in
the paratroopers and will report
for duty at Fort Lewis April 1.
Word was released in Portland
late last week of a sales agree
ment by which Long-Bell Lum
ber company. Longview, is pre
pared to acquire 79 per cent of
the stock of the Oregon-American
Lumber corporation through pur
chases that may amount to $5,-
000,000.
First public word of
the negotiations appeared Sun
day in The Oregonian. Word ot
th? deal came from Sigmund
Stern, president of Central Coal
and Coke corporation of Kansas
City, Missouri.
As announced then, Long-Bell
is prepared to acquire 79 per
cent for now. The 492 minority
stockholders will be offered deals
for their stock first and Central
Coal and Coke then will sell
enough holdings to make up the
Fund Campaign
Head Chosen
This area’s participation in the
Red Cross fund campaign will be
conducted under the chairman
ship of Mrs. Marie Frazee. Mrs.
Frazee was named for the post
late last week. Preparation for
the undertaking calls for an in
tensified one-week drive.
The need for a satisfactory re
sponse to the Red Cross call for
financial aid is emphasized by
the increased costs of the blood
program and the procurement of
gamma globulin to fight polio.
Auxiliary Plans
Annual Egg Hunt
The children in the community
will again be treated to an Easter
egg hunt given by the American
Legion Auxiliary in the city park
on Saturday, April 4, at 2 p.m.
Children up to 10 years of age
inclusive are invited to partici
pate. A portion of the park will
be reserved for smaller children.
The candy eggs will be placed in
cellophane bags and hidden about
the park. The junior members of
the American Legion Auxiliary
will assist in hiding the eggs.
Many prizes will be found in
the candy bags. Business houses
furnishing prizes are: Safeway,
Nichols Variety, C & C Cafe,
Palace Cafe, Apparel Shop, Ne
halem Market, Bush Furniture,
Cozy, Kullander, Nance Pharm
acy, Thomas Variety, Commer
cial Bank, Bill and Reatha Horn,
Vernonia Eagle, Ma Vike, Sam’s
Food Store, Vernonia Bakery,
Miller’s, Nance Beauty Shop,
Schaumburg, Hahn Hardware.
Western Store, Sundland's, Pal
Shop, Brunsman Hardware and
Vernonia Drug.
possible can be accomodated. The
Oregon-American management is
again cooperating by giving time
off to employees who wish to
participate. A contact man has
been appointed to sign up the
men.
Child car? will be provided in
the upstairs clubroom to make it
easier for more mothers to be
donors. Many P.-T. A. units in
the state are sponsoring the blood
collection efforts this month in
line with the national Red Cross
"Special Appeal to Mother.” They
hops to recruit a number who
have never offered to give their
pint. Women who cannot be do.
nqrs are asked to encourage
Seaman Gene Wall, son of Mr.
family members or neighbors to
Funeral arrangements were made
do so.
and Mrs. Charlie Wall, returned Wednesday forenoon for Nancy
At th? last Bloodmobile visit to this country about two weens Elizabeth Carnker, former • Ver
quite a number were rejected
ago after being overseas and nonia resident for nine years,
because of exposure to yellow
who had resided at Newport for
in
Hawaii for the past one and
jaundice. They will now be ac
the past four or five years. Death
cepted if they meet the other a half years as a member of the came at the Clark county hospi
qualifications, age 18-59 in nor crew of the submarine Tilefish. tal at Vancouver, Washington on
mal health Those who have had Since returning to the states he March 31.
T.B. or yellow jaundice are per
The final rites will take place
! has
been
attending cooking
manently disqualified. Each do
! at the Bush Funeral home Sat-
,
sc
hool
and
is
due
home
for
a
30-
nor is given a check-up and re
i urday, April 4.
ceives a card within two weeks day leave when he completes the
The deceased was born at El
that gives blood type and Rh nine-week course.
Dorado Springs. Missouri
The
factor. In case of an emergency
Bush Funeral home will be in
this knowledge would save valu.
charge of the service.
able time or a laboratory fee for Secretary to Change
Mrs. Carnker is survived by:
the individual.
M ¡si Doris Hahmeyer will be- her husband, Earl, of Newport;
g.n work Monday as secretary at two daughters, Alice Long of
Vernonia high school to fill the Vernonia and Earline Foster of
Examiner Scheduled
vacancy caused by the resignation Mill City; a son, Samuel, now
A drivers license 'xaminer will of Mrs. Pat McNair. Mrs. McNair station?d at Chanute air base.
be in Vernonia Friday, April 10, will assist Miss Hahmeyer for a Illinois; her parents, Mr and Mrs.
at the city hall between the hours day or so early in the week until Roy Kelly of Empire; two sisters,
of 10 a.m. and 4 p m. Persons the latter becomes familiar with Beulah Slemmons and Lillian
wishing original licenses or per the work. Miss Hahmeyer will Meyer, Vernonia, and two broth
mits to drive are asked to file take the position for the remain ers, Roy Kelly, Alaska, and Da
vid Kelly of Newport.
der of the present school year.
applications then.
Past Resident
Taken by Death
[
i
|
'
i
|
agreed ratio. The Missouri firns
owns 64 per cent of the O-A
stock.
Long-Bell, which owns plants
at Longview in Washington. Gar
diner. Reedsport and Vaughn in
this state and at Weed, California,
released no details as to how th?
plant here would be handled
along with other operations of the
concern. Sunday's story of the
transaction stated the Ixingview
firm owns lands in northwest
Oregon, but not adjacent to O-A
holdings.
The Oregon-American usually
cuts over 70,000,000 board fe.-t
of lumber yearly and is one of
the top 15 mills in Oregon. It
owns about 20,000 acres of tim
berland, of which less than 459ft
acres has mature timber, and
employees about 600.
The local concern was started
by the Delta Land and Lumbec
company, a subsidiary of Centra!
Coal and Coke, in 1924 and whs
reorganized in the early 1930s so
that Central Coke became owner
of 64 per cent of the stock.
Shares of stock outstanding ar*
said to be 39,166 and has been
quoted at approximately $160
Last year dividends were $20 a
share and in 1951 the amount
paid was $27.50.
Judd Greenman is president
and manager of the O-A. He
joined the firm the year after it
started business.
March Weather
Shows Variance
This month of March began
and ended with high and low
temperatures that were almost the
same, the report of Mrs. Helen
Spofford for the month’s record
ings indicates. She issued the re
port Wednesday morning. March
began with high and low temp
erature readings of 46 and 22 and
ended with 47 and 29 on the 31st.
Highest reading for the month
was 72 degrees on the 8th and
lowest was 21 on the 2nd.
Weather of about every kind
was
listed.
Some mornings
brought a mixture of snow, fol
lowed by rain during the early
part of the day, sl??t in the late
forenoon and sunshine in early
afternoon. Addtd to that were
three days of high wind and
thunder on the 30th.
There were five days of snow
totaling about five inches and 17
days in which rain or snow fell.
Precipitation totaled 5.54 inches
with 1.05 inches bring the great
est amount to fall in any one day.
That day was the 16th.
Board Members
Set Salary Base
The setting of a basic salary
pattern for instructors in the
union high school district was th.-
purpose of a special meeting
which members of the high school
board attended last Thursday
evening. In past y -ars salaries
have been set at figures neces
sary to obtain teachers needed to
fill vacancies.
At the Thursday me-ting board
members decided upon a mini
mum salary for ntw teachers
and that increases above that
amount would be determined by
the experience of each teacher
The minimum pay figure is $3600
for teachers holding a Bachelor
degree, $3800 for a teacher hav
ing a five-year certificate an.t
$4000 for a teacher with a Masters
degree.
Along with the board decision
setting the basic scale figures, th-
members granted a $100 cost-of
living increase to offset rising
prices since last June 1 and also
a $100 annual increment increase
for each of the six teachers who
will return here next year.