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About Nyssa gate city journal. (Nyssa, Or.) 1937-199? | View Entire Issue (Jan. 7, 1971)
Tttilm — Pag« Eight Thursday, January 7, 1971 Th« Nyssa Gat« City Journal, Nyssa, Oregon Idaho Power To Invest s22.5 Million In 1971 Bank Debits I p À. Salem Scene In November Bank debits for the eight reporting banks including Hat - ney and Malheur counties were up in November, 1970, com pared to November, 1969, the University of Oregon Bureau of Business and Economic Re search has reported. Debits for November, 1970, totaled $63,419,000. For Oc tober, 1970, the total was $51,583,000 and for November, 1969, the total was$62,138,000. Oregon with 364 banks reporting had a percentage in crease of 8.7 per cent in No vember, 1970, as compared with October, 1970, and a 7.1 per centage increase in November, 1970, compared with November, 1969. Total bank debits for November, 1970, came to $5,- 386,482,000. For October, 1970, the total was $4,955,607,000 and for November, 1969, the total was $5,031,419,000. by Jack Zimmermsn Zimmerum News stories from the marked for something speci nation’s capital indicate the fic education, welfare, etc. Revenue Sharing would be Nixon Administration’s Federal Revenue Sharing program is disbursed largely on a popula likely enjoying a revival of sorts. tion percentage plan, And the splash is causing conferred upon the state with a specific amount ticketed for some ripples in Salem. Among revenue-short state use by local governmental units. and local governments gen At the state and local govern erally , the idea of receiving ment level the plan would be funds from a new source-- a Godsend; predictable sums, with a minimum of strings unfettered by red tape, received of need and attached and without levying on the basis additional taxes themselves, guaranteed. As far as actual money is sounds attractive. But many fiscally astute ob concerned, the original pro servers look upon Federal posal called for one-sixth of Revenue Sharing as something 1 % of the total taxable per of a "straw man.” And no sonal income -- about $500 one in Oregon sees the program million, to be shared in fiscal as something that will solve ’71. The amount would increase the money puzzle State Legis to $1.5 billion for fiscal ’72 lators will start trying to un and as much as $5 billion by ravel when the 56th Legislative fiscal ’76. Despite Oregon’s compara- Assembly convenes January 11. small population, its Nonetheless, the Revenue tively < < share” would be welcome. Sharing concept is gaining The program was put forth momentum in Congress and Failure by 1971 could be its most-public in August 1969. ized year to date. And it might Congress to act immediately even achieve passage at least probably only postpones the Dale Parnell, state school eventuality. A lagging nation in the House. superintendent, will return to Revenue Sharing is a fiscal al economy likely contributed federal to Congressional inaction. But classroom teaching during the plan whereby the government would provide state the need for additional funds on month of January. He will work grades at and local governments with state and local governmental in the primary a portion of federal income levels continues to grow. And Whitworth Elementary School, tax receipts. Proponents point voter reluctance to increase his Dallas, under the direction of First to the fact the Feds have largely own local tax burden grows Mrs. Norma Gorman, grade teacher; Melvin Mc pre-empted the income tax apace. When first proposed, it was Cutcheon, principal, and Gordon as a revenue source. State and local governments usually hoped the Revenue Sharing plan Kunke, superintendent. Parnell must depend on less pro could be implemented without gave the following reasons for gressive taxation for their levying additional federal taxes. his unprecedented action: 1. “I’ve made my commit money. And there is a limit Now however, with a multi- beyond which the public simply billion-dollar budgetary deficit, ment to the teaching-learning will not venture when it comes it would appear some sort of process--that’s what it’s all All administrators to sales and property taxes, new federal tax program is about. necessary to support the state should teach from time totime, for instance. Meanwhile, demands for ser and local government kick- because teaching and learning are the only reasons for the vices from state and local back. This won’t enhance Con existence of everyone involved governments are proliferating at a pace those governments’ gressional chances for speedy in education. approval in 1971. Despite the 2. "Improvement of primary coffers cannot sustain. In theory--and in a “good fact Congress can boost taxes education is a top priority ob its jective of the Oregon Board economic climate” (in which the without voter approval, economy is on the rise), federal members are just as reluctant of Education. The first grade income taxes are supposed to to levy them as any elective is the most important grade reap rewards even greater than body. But Democrat forces are in all education . By becom the economy dictates. This is expected to mount the Revenue ing better informed about pri supposed to create a “surplus” Sharing band-wagon with a rival mary education myself, I hope of federal funds that could be proposal next year and that to focus more attention on the returned to governments on eventuality could create enough needs at this grade level.” 3. "Oregon Board of Edu lesser rungs of the bureaucratic momentum for some kind of compromise that would start the cation staff people need to keep ladder. in touch with the classroom. Revenue Sharing is especially money coming. What it all boils down to I hope to begin a routine ex attractive to those lesser lights because in connotes a minimum is the fact Revenue sharing change program whereby state of restrictions, isn’t supposed won’t solve Oregon’s immediate level people have opportunities But it is a for teaching in local school dis to be expensive to administer fiscal problems. and shouldn’t create anew level distinct possibility in the not tricts.” of federal bureaucracy. Fed too-distant future. So on the surface at least, state through the next biennium. eral assistance to state and local governments so far has one might expect Oregon solons The possibility a “benevolent” been largely on the basis of to tread lightly on the subject Uncle Sam is poised and ready aid grants requiring local of tax reform during the 1971 to come to the rescue might Stop-gap measures be reason enough to concentrate matching funds and block Session. grants, whereby the aid is ear- might be sufficient to see the on “gap-plugging” at Salem. State School Superintendent Plano IMwer Cumpaiiv an- nouced that it will invest nearly $22.5 million in new service facilities during 1971 as actual construction starts on the 1.5 million-kilowatt Jim Bridger steam generating complex. ‘•In spite of steadily rising costs now at record levels, Idaho Power has no choice but to move forward with its ex pansion so that we can continue providing the essential and re liable energy supplies required by our customers’ growing de mands,” said company presi dent Albert Carlsen. “Among the most critical of those growing demands that must be met,” he noted, “isthe use of clean electric energy to help improve the environment an our quality of life.” Carlsen announced the uti lity’s spending plans in a report on its accomplishments in 1970 and its construction program this year. Idaho Power’s 1971 in vestment, he said, is the second step in a five-year expansion that will see it spend an esti mated $250 million--equal to more than $1,800 for each of the some 134,500 domestic cus tomers the company is pre- sently serving. Nearly $9 million of this year’s outlay will be used to launch actual construction of the Bridger complex, being built jointly by Idaho Power and Pa cific Power & Light Company. Preparation of the new plant’s site some 30 miles northeast of Rock Springs, Wyoming, al ready has been completed and its structures are scheduled to start taking shape by the end of 1971. The first unit at the coal-fired plant, estimated to cost $300 million with related transmission facilities and coal-field development, is due to go "on the line” in 1974 to supply Idaho Power cus tomers. The company’s 1971 budget also earmarks nearly $3 million for transmission lines and sub stations and more than $8.6 million for distribution lines and substations. Another $1.5 mil lion will go for general facili ties and equipment. Carlsen pointed out that while other sections of the U.S. “suf fered” through power shortages and brownouts in 1970, Idaho' Power was able tosupplycusto- mer demands that set a new re cord for the company. "Energy use by our general business customers alone is ex pected to reach an estimated 7.1 billion kilowatt-hours in 1974,” he said, "but Idaho Power should be able to meet even this extremely high load require ment without any difficulty if we . are permitted to proceed with our expansion in an orderly manner.” Electricity, the utility presi dent predicted, w ill play an "in creasingly important role” in helping to improve the environ ment. He said several large indust ries in the Snake River Valley are installing or planning to in stall high-voltage jxillution con trol equipment and that “electri city, which itself produces less pollution than other forms of energy, can be used in many additional ways to clean up our air and water." Among them, according to Carlsen, is electric heat, which he said is being installed bv “additonal hundreds" of Idaho Power customers every year. “Ironically, the people who speak the loudest in their com mendable concern over the condition of the environment are the first to protest against in creased production and use of the very energy that can do the most to clean it up,” he said. “These people not only suggest that we stop building new faci lities to produce electricity, but that we stop promoting its use and thus reduce demand.” They fail to realize, Carlsen asserted, that the primary obligation of electric utilités is to fill existing demands in a better way.” He said that in a recent nationwide survey, more than 90 percent of those questioned were opposed to any restriction in their use of electricity and 83 percent believed air pollution would be reduced if every American home and building were electrically heated. Carlsen reported that Idaho Power’s 1971 investment in transmission facilities will in clude construction of new lines and reconstruction or recon- ductoring of existing lines for greater capacity and service re liability. The utility also will install ne* in crease the capacn/%. M- its transmission substations. One of the three facilities to be enlarged is the Boise Bench substation, where Idaho Power last year completed the $2.5 million installation of series capacitors to boost the carrying capacity of its 230,000-volt transmission lines from the T.E. Roach HellsCanyondeve lopment. GRAZING INCREASE The increase follows a one- year moratorium the two depart ments had placed on fee in creases to allow time to review recommendations of the Public Land Law Review Commission. In announcing the increase, as sistant secretaries of the two departments said that a review had been made of both the com mission report and decision of the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals on the matter of gra zing fees. The commission re port, while criticizing the for mulation of the fee structure, indicates that the announced 1971 level is within its concept of moving toward fair market value. The court found the fee structure consistent with exis ting law and the intent of Con gress, and that it was fair, rea sonable and equitable. Grazing fees for Federal lands will be higher next year, according to a joint announce ment by the Departments of Agriculture and Interior. Most stockmen using lands ad ministered by Interior’s Bureau of Land Management in 1971 will pay 64 cents to graze one cow or five sheep for a month compared with 44 cents in 1969 and 1970. The new rate applies.ineastern Oregon, Wash., and throughout other western states. New fees on western Oregon lands administered by BLM will be 88 cents per animal unit month. In 1970, the fee was 63 cents. Fees for public lands admini stered by BLM inside grazing districts consist of a 43-cent basic grazing fee and a 21- cent range improvement fee, for a total of 64 cents. Outside of grazing districts in eastern Oregon and in Washing ton, the basic grazing fee is 48 cents with 16 cents allocated toward range improvements for a total of 64 cents per animal unit month. One cow or five sheep equals one animal unit, whereas a horse is counted as two animal units. Grazing fees are not assessed for livestock under six months of age. The annual increase toward fair market value in fees for public lands administered by BLM is nine cents, while the Forest Service average annual increment is seven cents. Both Interior and Agriculture are increasing fees an additional Two new distribution substa eleven cents to reflect market tions are scheduled for con increases in forage prices du struction this year, while larger ring the two years since the transformers will be installed last fee change. The increases in eight existing substations will add to revenues for local throughout the utility’s system and Federal governments and to boost their service capabi will expand funds available for lity, Carlsen said. land improvements. WINTER WOES by^ Going to grandma’s Life’s filli of living expenses And the way to be ready for what’s coming is to save. Seriously. At U.S. Bank, you can open as many savings accounts, for as many reasons, as you want. And we pay the highest interest that any commercial bank is allowed to pay. So start setting some money aside now, at the place to go for any banking service you need. Our place. U.S. National Bank of Oregon. Member F.D.I.C. You owe it to yourself to save... 1 ‘Hoop Snake Ball’ Editor’s Note: The following account of the history of basketball was written by Stan Thompson, former Nyssa sports authority (?), who has been a reporter on the Pendleton East Oregonian. That paper printed the article, which probably accounts for the fact that Stan has changed jobs and is now in the public re lations department of the Pacific Bell Telephone Company in Portland. It seems the earliest account of basketball was in the primitive jungles, before mankind, and was played by our close friends, the monkeys Only then it was called “Hoop Snake Ball" because hoop snakes would crawl up trees at each end of a small clearing and make a hoop for the monkeys to throw coconuts through. A time clock for the game was a turtle. He was turned loose at one end of the clearing, and when he reached the other end the contest was over Some games, of course, lasted longer than others. depending on how ambitious the turtle was Then came the Fred Flintstone era — the cavemen dominion Monkeys sat down with man and taught him the fundamentals But man called the game “Huff 'n Puff Ball” because the only suitable clearing was two miles long, and the ball they used was a large rock. Many time the turtle would get Jost and the game would have to be called off Hoop snakes were nearly mashed to extinction and became hard to catch, come game time It was tough playing barefooted on the rocky ground, and th« only time-outs came because of earthquakes or passing dinosaurs. THE SPORT WAS almost forgotten during those years as the wheel and fire took so much attention. Then came the Roman Empire and the game became even tougher Hoop snakes were still in fashion, but turtles were replaced by sundials, except on cloudy days. The game took on a new name. “Food Ball,” because the losers were thrown to the lions. And because the lions were getting fatter by the game, the rules were changed to allow only five men on a side, thus reducing the calorie intake per day, keeping the lions trim This rule improved the game, but the number of available players was diminishing at a rapid pace, and the game nearly fell with the empire Robin Hood and his band of merry green men took a fancy to the sport and called it “Bow and Arrow Ball." A small leather ball was tied to the end of an arrow, the arrow was shot to a teammate who in turn shot it to another until a clear shot was available through a hoop snake Players had to be able to move fast But, unfortunately, during a playoff game, one fellow took bad aim and his arrow struck a hoop snake sorely in the rear, causing all the snakes to stage a crawl-out This was a stunning blow to the future of basketball, until an en terprising someone borrowed some bushel baskets (in which William Tell kept his practice apples) and hung them on trees Holes were cut in the bottoms without telling Tell, and the game flourished THE SPORT came over to this country with the Mayflower and was played by the Pilgrims and Indians after the first Thanksgiving. It was called “Slippery Ball" then because it was played with a greasy turkey gizzard, and the winners took the gizzard home Finally, the game reached the Old West, the most im portant era. Hoop snakes were plentiful, but their hereditary instincts made them shy of any clearings. The game had changed somewhat and. as the old-timers tell it, instead of turkey gizzards the rough and tough cowboys used a live porcupine, and called the game “Stickley Ball." The "porkies" didn’t mind except when someone tickled them in the belly. In place of bushel baskets were iron wagon wheel rims, and the court was on a street between two saloons. Because of the six-gun. many arguments were settled by the fastest draw. Sometimes this would result in one team having fewer players than the other, and realization of the need for a referee came to being. The fastest gun in town was always chosen for the job The players designed a shirt for him with the same striped colors of a little unpopular animal, befitting, in their estimation, of a referee The shirt idea stuck, as apparently did the estimation. This same referee tried to figure a way to stop the play when a foul was committed He tried whistling, but his horse would come on the run and nearly trample the teams. He tried calling the players by name, but he stuttered so badly the game was in the next quarter before he could finally blurt out the foul THE PROBLEM HURT the sport until a young fellow, known as Sam Basket, happened along A fast talker with a new idea, he soon had the cowboys out of their boots ana indoors, chasing around on a shiny varnished floor, and wearing soft rubber shoes and spongy knee-guards Glad to get out of the cold weather, the cowboys liked this idea, and toured the country with the game, calling it "Basketball’’ — after Sam The game has come a long way from the dark, primitive jungles and the monkeys. Let's hope world situations don't change to allow the game to be once again played by monkeys ' -------------------- ~~7~' UWBEje. 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