The Jackson County Bank broke forward to the new year with the greatest feeling of optimism--a new year with new opportunities.
    It is generally conceded that we are passing through a period of business depression throughout the entire world, and it is natural to expect that our United States would experience in many respects this depression.
    The most gratifying feature of our experience has been the continuing friendship evidenced in many ways by those with whom we come in contact.
    We welcome the New Year in a spirit of hope and confidence, and we wish that it may bring to all health, happiness and a full measure of prosperity.
Medford Mail Tribune, December 31, 1930, page B1


Medford Mail Tribune, January 2, 1931, page 6


    Close to 400 names are now listed on the unemployment register of this county for emergency road relief work, according to Victor Tengwald, clerk of the county court. Seventy men are now employed and are rotated weekly, giving each worker $18. Four road crews are engaged, one out of Ashland, two out of this city, and one out of Rogue River. It is expected that the work will last well into the month of March.
    Weeding of the undesirables from the list has started, and there have been less than a dozen unworthy cases found.
    One worker showed up the day after Christmas in an intoxicated condition. Another was found to have an income, "and not in as serious financial condition as his statements would indicate"; another claimed dependents when he had none, one was indolent, and two or three were agitators.
    Two or three were found physically unable to work, but with a great willingness to that end. They were Red Cross charges.
    Several who sought emergency work, to "kill time," have been denied registration. Investigation showed they were not in distressed circumstances.
    Several workers reported at the registration office last week and today from outlying districts, under the impression that the emergency was general throughout the county.
    The county is employing about 80 men in the Prospect and Butte Falls districts clearing right of way, widening grades, and doing other work that can be done this winter, out of funds of the district in order to furnish employment. This work will be continued as long as the funds last.
Medford Mail Tribune, January 5, 1931, page 8

 
     SALEM, Ore., Jan. 10.--(AP)--Eight hundred and fifty-eight more men were put to work on the state highway relief program during the past two weeks, the highway department count for the period ending January 6 showed. The total gave 1908 men now employed and 75 crews operating over the state.
    In addition to these figures, 265 men have been absorbed in regular maintenance patrol crews, and 26 men are working in regular extra gangs with machine equipment.
    The majority of relief workers are employed on alternate shifts of three days. Much of the emergency work consists of clearing brush and trees on rights of way, grade widening, ditching and other operations.
Medford Mail Tribune, January 10, 1931, page 1


    Needless to say, this is a trying season for those engaged in the fruit industry. Even the citrus fruits, which held their own well during the early part of the season, are now selling at prices below handling and transportation costs. Apples have held their ground fairly well but pears, tangerines, oranges and grapefruit have faced declining markets from the beginning and no one is optimistic to the extent of saying that the bottom has been reached.
    Growers, shippers and other agencies generally attribute the present low prices to the economic depression which began a little more than a year ago. Undoubtedly, much of the difficulty can legitimately be laid to this cause, but the fruit industry must not lose sight of the fact that there are other factors involved and that these will have to be given serious consideration in the future.
    Taking pears as an example, the figures of the Bureau of Economics of the United States Department of Agriculture show that pear holdings on December 1st of this year were approximately sixty-one percent greater than they were on the corresponding date last year. Shipments of Bartlett pears from the Pacific Coast were approximately twice as great in 1930 as they were in 1929. One who studies these figures cannot escape the conclusion that a serious situation was at hand even had normal economic conditions prevailed. It is hardly conceivable that the present demand for pears, even backed by good buying power, could have taken care of so large an increase in tonnage from one year to another.
Henry Hartman, "Bartletts, Drpression Hurt Trade," Medford Mail Tribune, January 11, 1931, page B3


    A report issued today by the Volunteers of America for 1930 shows that since the soup kitchen was opened October 17, a total of 2154 free meals have been served, beds furnished 106, and 1054 garments given free. Twenty-four families have been helped.
    All help by people of Medford has been appreciated. The Volunteers have religious service on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday evenings at 8:15. Everyone is welcome. The hall is located at 129 East Main above the Toggery. Captain F. W. James is in charge.
Medford Mail Tribune, January 13, 1931, page 9


    Federal aid to the emergency employment situation in Jackson County will get underway next Monday, with the establishment of camps for forest road work at French Gulch in the Applegate and at Fish Lake. Six men are now stationed at Fish Lake and six more will be added next Monday. Six men will be used at the French Gulch camp.
    As winter passes and conditions improve in the forests, additional camps will be established.
    The Forest Service workers will be assigned to work through the office of the county judge, Victor Tengwald in charge, and will be rotated as are highway workers.
    First preference will be given to local married men, and able-bodied, owing to the nature of the work in the mountains. They will clear and grub right-of-way and do any Forest Service work necessary.
    In the Fish Lake camp the men will do labor in connection with the Lake Creek market road.
    The Forest Service workers will be assessed $1 per day for board, and will be furnished sleeping quarters, but must provide their own bedding. They will be furnished transportation by the Forest Service to the camps.
    Seventy men are now employed on the highway relief work out of this city and Ashland. They are rotated weekly. To date, the emergency work has proved of high value in tiding laborers over the dull season and is reflected in a decrease in local depression talk.
    The emergency work is expected to last until the middle of March, when spring work in the field, orchard and forest will again be under way.
Medford Mail Tribune, January 15, 1931, page 3


    WASHINGTON, Jan. 17.--(AP)--The Senate today approved the $25,000,000 appropriation for Red Cross relief work. There was no record vote.
    Will Jackson County answer the call for relief of little children, mothers and fathers, who are facing starvation in 21 states of the Mississippi Valley?  is the question facing local Red Cross workers today who find that only $236 of the $1800 quota for Jackson County has been raised.
    "Yes," is the answer J. C. Thompson, chairman of the Jackson County Red Cross chapter, gave when interviewed this afternoon.
    "Jackson County has always responded to the call for suffering people. It is impossible to believe that people who will feed the Chinese, starving Europe, Armenians and hosts of other foreigners in distress will not feed their own countrymen, who are facing starvation because of a 100 percent crop failure in the Mississippi Valley. Families are being herded into schoolhouses there, several families to a room. Hundreds of thousands have no other food than corn, which they pound into a flour and from this make bread.
    "The situation has become so grave that the Red Cross was last August called upon to take charge of the situation. It has already expended in the neighborhood of $1,800,000 in this relief work and given relief to 405,000 drought sufferers.
    "When it became apparent that the Red Cross relief fund of $4,500,000 would not be sufficient to take care of the demands, as they will continue through May, 1931, at least, President Hoover issued a proclamation calling on the American people to subscribe, through the Red Cross, to a fund estimated by experienced Red Cross directors to equal a minimum of $10,000,000.
    "Jackson County's share was placed at $1800," Mr. Thompson continued. "Of that amount only $236 has been raised. Ashland has contributed $23 and Medford $213, of which latter amount $200 was taken from the Community Chest $500 emergency fund.
    This means that the people of Medford have, so far, given in actual subscriptions only $13 to this call for relief.
    "We are making an appeal at this time and hope the residents of Jackson County will respond promptly so that it will not be necessary to put on a drive to procure our quota. Let it be remembered 'Jackson County never falls down.'"
    A list of places in various sections of the county where subscriptions may be left was named by Mr. Thompson as follows:
    John Pernoll, Applegate; V. O. N. Smith, Ashland; E. C. Faber, Central Point; Andrew Hearn, Phoenix Merc. Co., Phoenix; Fred O'Kelly, Gro. Store, Rogue River; First National Bank, Medford; J. G. Hibbard, Butte Falls; H. D. Reed, Gold Hill; Mrs. D. H. Ferry, Gold Hill or Foots Creek; Mrs. J. Terrill or Mrs. H. B. Jordan, Talent, Brown Bros. Store, Eagle Point; Citizens' Bank, Ashland.
    Difficulty encountered in impressing local people with the extent of the tragedy which has stalked into the homes of the Mississippi Valley was emphasized by Mr. Thompson, who pointed out that although crops have sometimes been poor in the Rogue River Valley and prices low, a complete crop failure such as has visited the 21 needy states has never been experienced by Southern Oregonians.
    Families and droughts are associated with Biblical stories alone by many people who have never suffered hunger. But conditions within the United States now rival those described at Sunday school, and the relief fund will have to be raised if workers are forced to carry on a house-to-house canvass.
    "With the exception of one time, we have never been forced to go out on special calls to raise a relief fund in Jackson County," Mr. Thompson concluded. "The money has always been volunteered, and we believe that it will be this time as soon as people realize the seriousness of the problem which is facing the drought region."
Medford Mail Tribune, January 17, 1931, page 1


    By the end of the present week, emergency relief work in this county will have furnished six days of labor to 350 unemployed. There are 210 registered with the county court yet to be furnished employment. The men receive their pay when dismissed, the state highway commission making provision for prompt payments.
    Federal relief in this county got underway this morning, with the dispatching of 18 men to Fish Lake and French Gulch, on a Forest Service detail. They will be replaced next Monday. The men are engaged in clearing brush for roads and trails and performing other forest work.
    The men are charged $1 per day for board and furnish their own bedding, quarters being provided.
    In the Fish Lake district, work will be done on the Lake Creek market road, the county grading and graveling the right of way next summer.
    According to Victor Tengwald, secretary to the county court and in charge of registration, the emergency work has reduced appeals for help locally and provided workers with funds for food and necessities to tide them through the winter.
    It is expected that the highway emergency work has sufficient funds to maintain the work until the middle of March.
    Sixty-five men were sent out this morning as replacements.
Medford Mail Tribune, January 19, 1931, page 3


     Difficulties found most common by Jackson County homemakers in feeding their families, according to a survey made through the home demonstration agent's office preparatory to the opening of the Homemakers' Economic conference, were told yesterday by Miss Lucy Case, nutrition specialist from Oregon State College, who met with a special group of farm women at the city library Friday and Saturday.
    Those which were reported by the majority of women were: vegetables not available, cost of foods, family likes and dislikes, and planning of meals.
    Sixty-two percent of the Jackson County families who answered the questionnaires reported sickness or physical defects in their families, directly or indirectly connected with feeding. Of these defects, defective teeth and frequent colds were in the highest number.
    The next in percentage were constipation and overweight and headaches. Underweight and indigestion were also reported by 10 percent.
    The preliminary conferences were completed yesterday at the city library and Miss Madge J. Reese, national field agent in home demonstration work; Miss Claribel Nye, state leader of the home economics division; Mrs. Harriet Sinnard, clothing specialist; Mrs. Zelta Rodenwold, home management specialist, who have also been in this city, and Miss Case left to return to Medford February 6th for the opening of the county conference.
Medford Mail Tribune, January 25, 1931, page 3


    The school board, through a statement released today by Supt. E. H. Hedrick, again reiterated its determination to use local labor and materials insofar as possible in constructing new school buildings which will go to bids within the next few days. Clauses requiring this are being written into all contracts. Local labor is defined in the school board's statements as follows:
    "First--Persons actually having residence within the limits of school district No. 49 on December 1, 1930.
    "Second--Persons who may move into school district No. 49 after December 1, 1930, providing such person or persons have become actual home owners within the district.
    "Third--Persons who own real property within the limits of school district No. 49 on which he or she is liable or subject to pay a tax, even though such persons may not actually be living within the limits of the school district.
    "All persons employed by any contractor or other person to do work or perform service in connection within the erection, alteration or equipping of any school building within the school district will secure such employment only upon presentation of a card obtained from the office of the school board identifying him as local labor, and no contractor or other employer shall engage any person for employment in connection with the construction or equipping of any school building unless such person shall first present a labor identification card secured from the school office.
    "A local labor identification card will be issued by the school office to any person qualified to hold one. Persons not known to the school office must be identified by someone who is known to it. The cards are not transferable and may be revoked at any time if secured by misrepresentation or if the status of the holder changes. The possession of a local labor identification card does not guarantee employment to anyone but is necessary before employment may be secured. When equally competent, available and willing to work married men with children will receive first consideration when employment is given by the school district.
    "If, in the course of the construction of the school buildings, it shall appear to the contractor that outside labor should be brought in either because of a shortage of home labor or because of the need of some special type of labor which cannot be supplied within the school district, such contractor shall appear before the school board or its representative and make his showing. If in the opinion of the school board the contention of the contractor is justified, the board will either supply the labor locally or allow the contractor to bring in the needed labor. Each and every laborer or employee brought in from the outside, however, must be approved by the school board for cause and a record kept in the school office of all such employees, open to inspection by any citizen of the school district.
    "The school board of district 49, Jackson County, Oregon, further announces that on all bids on work or materials needed or to be used in the construction or equipment of its school buildings, that it will favor local contractors, merchants or tradespeople by granting to them on any and all bids entered in competition with outside bidders a margin of 5 percent of all the lowest bidders' bid, or such an amount thereof as may be necessary to throw the bid to the local man.
    "In its effort to favor local labor, local contractors and local materials, the school board surrenders none of its prerogatives. It will not be unmindful of the interests of the taxpayers nor its highest duty to the schools.
    "In the case of 'holdups' or what the board considers unreasonable demands, or prices, or conditions imposed whether on the part of labor, local contractors, or local furnishers of material, the board reserves the right to revoke promptly any or all favor clauses in this statement of position which are being abused, and throw the matter open to outside competition on an even basis, if that should become necessary to protect the proper interests of the taxpayers and the schools."
Medford Mail Tribune, January 28, 1931, page 7

    Medford people are more optimistic concerning the immediate future than any other people of the Pacific Coast, according to B. Scott, acting secretary manager of the White and Sugar Pine Manufacturers' Association, who is in this city from San Francisco, calling on Southern Oregon lumber mills.
    "This is a wonderful country anyway," Mr. Scott stated yesterday afternoon. "A business trip to Medford is always a pleasure trip.
    "Pessimism is giving way to optimism in most sections, "Mr. Scott further stated, "although the change is very slight. The upward trend started in November."
Medford Mail Tribune, January 28, 1931, page 7


    The wage cut announced yesterday by the county court for county road departments employees includes all workers from skilled help to common labor. The cut ranges from 10 to 25 percent and is effective beginning February 1st. Forty workers are affected at the present time, and in the summer when road operations are at their height will affect close to 200 workers.
    The cut, which also applies to field deputies in the assessor's office, was adopted at a meeting of the county court Monday and was made following a demand for economy filed by organizations and taxpayers from all sections of the county.
    Owing to a reduction in road tax receipts, delinquencies and other causes, it was necessary to economize. It was a case of that, or laying off the workers.
Medford Mail Tribune, January 29, 1931, page 9


    The Owen-Oregon Lumber Company has resumed curtailed operations on a three-day-a-week basis, and will govern future operations by demand for lumber.
    The plant is now using a single shift of workers, three days a week, in the planing mill, sawmill, and on the railroad.
    Fifty percent of the help is now engaged in mill and office, and 50 percent of the normal cut of lumber is being made.
    If trade conditions justify, the plant will be placed on a full-time basis.
    None of the logging camps of the concern are in operation, and are not expected to start until March 1, and not then unless improvement is noted in lumber market conditions.
    The plant is now sawing its reserve supply of logs, at the loading stations int he woods and in the mill pond. Medford Mail Tribune, February 9, 1931, page 1


    Cooperating with the new effort to reduce the cost of living to coincide with the general conditions of the times, Gates and Lydiard announce today that the Economy Groceteria will sell bread for five cents a loaf as long as present low costs prevail.
    The loaf offered for five cents is the regular one-pound loaf and will contain the same ingredients used in the Groceteria bread in the past.
    This effort of the local merchants to reduce the price of bread is being made in order to enable the people to continue with a satisfactory diet in spite of low prices paid for their products.
    Five cents will be the everyday price as long as material can be obtained at present prices.
Medford Mail Tribune, February 13, 1931, page 6


    To the Editor:
    Double employment, or to employ a married woman if her husband has a job, is the greatest menace to our employment question. Take any department you wish. City, water, schools, county, stores, banks, hotels, highway, telephone, power, light, judiciary, state or government. They all employ women and a good percent of them have husbands. These women are capable, no doubt, but there are men just as capable that are walking the streets of our little city looking for work--any kind of work. They are heads of families and should have work, while so many of these married women are needed in their homes. We all know that the great war brought on these conditions. Mothers, wives, sisters and sweethearts were ready and willing to step into the men's work when they were called by their country. But when it was over and the men returned to work, did the women step aside and go home to their household duties? No indeed, they still feel they must go out and work and what about the men? They must do housework or be idle. Now don't misunderstand me, I think widows or women whose husbands are unable to work, of course, are the heads of the families. But I also think that any job that is paid from taxes, at least, should be refilled at once with the head of a family and in that way unemployment could be relieved more than any other way. There is entirely too much of this one-sided business going on. Hundreds of families where both the husband and wife have good jobs and maybe their next-door neighbor is in real need. Something is wrong and something must be done about such conditions, because fathers with families and no work are just about at the end of endurance and are not going to stand at attention much longer. Let's hear what others think that are in the same boat I am in. No work and a family to keep. Thank you.
Medford Mail Tribune, February 14, 1931, page 4


    To the Editor:
    The county court, in its economy budget, announces a cut in the wages of the men who do the hardest labor for the smallest wage, most of them being men of families, with the responsibilities of the average family man at least, which caused us to wonder why, if economy is necessary, there should not be an equal distribution of such an enforcement, whereby all employees would be treated alike and the burden not carried by the above mentioned, who are certainly no more able the bear it than the others?
    We mean, for instance, the office employees, many of whom are unmarried, and all others who draw full wages during this period of depression.
    Although they know nothing about it, evidently, from experience as they are immune. We believe in any law or enforcement that treats everyone alike but believe it unfair to compel the laboring man to ride the goat, while the swivel chair and high collar employee rides in the auto.
    Why not an economy budget that treats us all alike and evenly distributes a burden we should all be willing to share?
    Would it not be more fair?
"Communications," Medford Mail Tribune, February 17, 1931, page 4


    A letter received today from Charles W. English, who is vacationing in Los Angeles, tells an interesting story of the popularity of Medford apples in the southern city.
    The letter reads: "This was 'Medford Day' in Los Angeles all right. Downtown on every corner there were one or two boxes of real apples on sale and in big black letters on the side of each box was stenciled 'Medford, Oregon' and on the end of the box, 'Packed by C. A. Knight.'
    "Apples have been on sale here for some days past, as in many cities, by the unemployed, but in passing along I noticed the quality of same and found them of different varieties and from a number of different apple-growing sections.
    "But today all boxes I saw on sale at each downtown corner were fine big Spitzenbergs in finest of eating condition, evidently just out of cold storage and all from Medford, C. A. Knight pack. I was struck by the fact that all were so uniform in size and quality. I think Knight is in San Diego now. He would step high if here today to walk up and down the main business streets and see this fine display of real Spitzenbergs, all from Medford, packed by himself.
    "Speaking of the name 'Medford, Ore.' being stenciled so plainly on the sides of these boxes," Mr. English continues, "I think it would be a good idea for all the packers of apples to do the same. It is a good advertisement for the district."
Medford Mail Tribune, February 17, 1931, page 9


    Medford High School has been selected to furnish the queen for the prosperity parade on March 4 and to rule over the ball in the evening.
    Regular voting procedure as followed in the annual student body elections will be used. Class presidents and a committee of students will each pick three nominees from each class. These will be submitted to the student council and one final choice will be made for the queen.
    Selection is to be made the forepart of next week, and the voting will come about the middle of the week. All student body ticket holders will be allowed to vote toward the selection of the queen.
    The Active Club has offered a $5 prize to the high school organization or class which enters the best float in the prosperity parade, and it is expected that a number will compete.
Medford Mail Tribune, February 19, 1931, page 4


To the Editor:
    It is interesting to note that a year or so after wheat prices dropped out of sight the bakers have condescended to lower the price of a loaf of bread. Yet they are still making a profit!
    Bakers, together with butchers and candlestick makers, to say nothing of the other merchants and other forms of business, carefully figure out the cost of their raw material, stocks or what have you, then add their overhead, interest, etc., then slap on a good-sized profit and fix the price of their finished article accordingly.
    That is business! Unless they followed this procedure they would have to quit business.
    Yet these same business men expect the farmers to buy their bread, clothes, groceries, and necessary fertilizers and seed to say nothing of high-priced "labor-saving" machinery, automobiles, and so on ad infinitum, when he is selling his produce at a loss.
    For instance: the cost of the feed alone that is necessary for the production of a dozen eggs costs the average farmers, with the average flock, eighteen cents! This does not count the cost of raising the hen from a baby chick. Neither does it count interest on investment and not one cent for the farmer's time spent in caring for the hens!
    And at the present time, farmers are getting from nine to fourteen cents a dozen for their eggs! A loss of from 22 to 50 percent on each dozen sold.
    Anyone who can do simple arithmetic may figure out just how many dozen eggs a farmer will have to produce before he can buy a new auto--or even a dog license!
    What is more to the point, how long can he keep on producing without calling on the Red Cross to feed his family?
    It isn't only eggs. Wheat costs $1.50 a bushel to produce and is selling around 60¢.
    Pork costs 10¢ a pound to raise and is selling for seven cents.
    According to the Oregon State College, it costs 50¢ to produce a pound of butter and it sells for 35¢.
    If it is fair for the farmer to operate at such a huge loss, why wouldn't it be fair for the business men to do likewise?
    Unless there is a readjustment soon, there will be neither farmers or business men, for the former will die of starvation and without the farmer to feed on the business men would last long!
Eagle Point, Ore., Feb. 23, 1931
"Communications," Medford Mail Tribune, February 25, 1931, page 10


    Plans for Prosperity Day, Wednesday, March 4, the date chosen for the annual spring opening in Medford, will be announced to the public of Southern Oregon on the streets Saturday, Monday and Tuesday evenings, Activians who are sponsoring the Prosperity parade and ball announced today.
    Four well-known young men will appear in the announcement feature, which will be repeated again Wednesday evening prior to the dance at the Oriental Gardens. These men are John Niedermeyer, Kenneth Fennel, Ray Riley and Lee Bishop.
    They will ride through the streets of Medford in a Buick sport model roadster, to be furnished by the Scherer Motor Company, and will voice the plans for Prosperity Day through a large megaphone. A riot of noise will be displayed during the first show period. After the racket has conquered the attention of the city, Lee Bishop will do the leather lung stunt through the megaphone.
    This program of advertising will be presented in addition to the newspaper and radio publicity planned to promote the gala day in Medford.
Medford Mail Tribune, February 26, 1931, page 2


    Emergency relief work in Jackson County will be at an end by the middle of March and the work of tapering off the employment has started, according to Victor Tengwald, county court secretary, in charge.
    Beginning next week the road crew will be cut to 50 men and there will be no further rotation of workers. The week following the force will be cut further. The main employment is completing the work underway.
    Similar steps will be taken next week by the Forest Service, which will cut its camp forces at McAllister Springs, Fish Lake and French Gulch to 25 men.
    The Forest Service will start spring operations in April, when there will be a few permanent positions available.
    The emergency relief work has provided short employment for more than 800 men in the county and tided them over the January and February lull.
    With federal, state, county and city work underway and a general opening of work throughout the Pacific Coast, the worst is over for this year. Many are already planning on departing for government projects around the West, particularly the Boulder Dam site, where there is already a surplus of labor.
Medford Mail Tribune, February 27, 1931, page 1


    Plans for the annual spring opening and Prosperity celebration, which will be a gala event of Wednesday, were shouted from housetop to hilltop last night when the Activians, who are sponsoring the prosperity parade and ball, drove through the streets of Medford in the Prosperity car, announcing the program through megaphone.
    Beginning with the fashion revue, which will be the first of the day's festivities, they forecast all the happenings for March 4th.
    The fashion revue will open at the Holly Theater at 1:30 o'clock. It will be followed at 3:30 by the Prosperity parade. At 7:00 o'clock the windows of local stores will be unveiled as the leading feature of annual spring opening, sponsored by the retail trade division of the chamber of commerce. At 7:30 a very important announcement will be made at the Chamber of Commerce building, and all persons who shop in Medford are urged to be present.
    The opening will be followed by the Prosperity ball, which will be the grand finale of the hilarious day. Miss Bernice Rinard, elected Prosperity queen, will reign at the dance and will head the parade in the Prosperity float.
    The Activians expect at least 60 floats to be entered in the parade. Old Man Depression will be there, represented by Keith Fennel, Gloom by Darrell Huson and Pessimism by Harold Larsen.
    Following the parade a ceremony for burial of Old Man Depression will be held on the Southern Pacific lot, with Victor Tengwald performing the last rites.
    To keep the celebration in the minds of the people a broadcast will be featured over the Mail Tribune-Virgin station, KMED, between 8:00 and 9:00 o'clock tomorrow evening. An interesting program has been planned with music by Elwood Strader's orchestra, the same group that will play for the Prosperity ball.
    A large crowd from all sections of Southern Oregon is anticipated for the full day's program, beginning with the fashion revue to be sponsored by the Business and Professional Women's Club and ending with the dance at the Oriental Gardens.
Medford Mail Tribune, March 1, 1931, page 6


    Wednesday, spring in all her willowy loveliness will make her official debut in Medford. And the day will be filled with festivity, honoring the arrival of the year's most favored season. For to the annual spring opening, sponsored by the retail division of the chamber of commerce, will be added the prosperity celebration planned by the local Activians.
    The first event of the day will be the fashion revue at the Holly Theater, beginning at 1 o'clock. The revue is being sponsored by the Business and Professional Women's Club with the cooperation of the merchants. Lovely mannequins will appear in the newest creations that grace the spring season. Striking color combinations, which Paris is talking about, will be presented to Medford femininity in their most winning adaptations.
    Deep blues and corn yellows, jade green and pink, white, the all-hour favorite; new hues of rose, brown and violet, all colors of the rainbow span--Paris insists must take the place of the drab shades, formerly favored, and they will all be represented in the local fashion revue.
    Mannequins who will appear in the showing are: Lois Lindsey, modeling for Jacque Lenox; Margaret Hensley for Adrienne's; Donna Cooksey for J. C. Penney Co.; Mrs. O. C. Failing for M.&M.; Thelma Moore for Mann's Department Store; Mrs. C. T. Baker for Ethelwyn Hoffman; Margaret Childers for Cinderella; Mildred Willett for Burelson's;, Jean Lynch for Breier's; Betty Roberts, Montgomery Ward; and the little Misses Betty Baker, Joyce Sims, Nancy Swem and Beverly Jean Whitman for Needlecraft.
    Announcements will be made by Mrs. I. E. Schuler.
    At 3 o'clock the Prosperity parade, with Miss Bernice Rinard reigning as queen, will pass through the main streets of the city. The Activians anticipate a lineup of at least 60 floats for this event. Old Man Depression as well as Prosperity will be present. Then there will be gloom and Pessimism en route with Depression to an early grave.
    The last rites for Old Man Depression will be read by Victor Tengwald on the Southern Pacific lot following the parade. Other stunts will be presented and at 7 o'clock the crowds will meet at the Chamber of Commerce building to await an important announcement.
    At 7:30 windows of local shops will be unveiled to display the most beautiful showing of spring apparel ever brought to Medford from the fashion markets.
    The annual opening will be followed by the Prosperity ball at the Oriental Gardens, which will be a grand finale for a gala day. Added features of the day will be announced on the street and from station KMED by the Activians tonight.
Medford Mail Tribune, March 2, 1931, page 1


    Prosperity reigns in Medford today. And Southern Oregon is preparing for a gala night with the unveiling of shop windows for the annual spring opening at 7:30 o'clock, and the Prosperity ball at the Oriental Gardens at 9:00 taking high honors in the program schedule.
    Visitors and shoppers from all sections of the valley have been arriving since morning. The streets were crowded this afternoon when the Prosperity parade, sponsored by the Activians, moved through the main sections of the city. There were more than 100 floats in the lineup, representing all leading business houses, organizations and institutions of the city--the largest and most colorful parade sponsored in Medford for several years.
    Leading the long and varied line was the Activian float, "Prosperity" with Miss Prosperity, Bernice Rinard, queen of the celebration, seated on a brilliant throne with modernistic background. Seated beside her were two dainty pages, Dale and Gale Beebe, dressed in bouffant spring frocks. Announcements of the Prosperity ball at the Oriental Gardens tonight, at which Miss Prosperity will be crowned, were distributed through the streets.
    Old Man Depression, Gloom and Pessimism were also in the parade wending their way toward an early grave, which was realized on the scaffold on the Southern Pacific grounds following the parade. Last rites were performed by Victor Tengwald along with many interesting features of entertainment, which are still in progress.
    Balloon sales on the streets are adding much to the color and hilarity of the occasion, which has many of the characteristics of "circus day."
    Tickets are selling rapidly for the dance tonight, which will follow the official unveiling of windows, and a record crowd is anticipated.
    Previous to the unveiling of windows an important announcement will be made at the chamber of commerce building, and all persons who shop in Medford are urged to be present.
    One of the leading events for the evening's program is the balloon dance to be featured at the Prosperity ball. Many surprises are promised which will eclipse the festivities of the afternoon.
    The following line-up for this afternoon included the following floats:
    Colors.
    Mayor and chamber of commerce
    Boy Scouts
    Fire Department
    Rotary Club.
    Kiwanis
    Lions
    Girl Scouts
    Business and Professional Women's Club
    General Depression and Cohorts
    Activians
    High school band
    Prosperity float
    Boys' League
    Pantorium Cleaners
    Peoples Electric
    General Petroleum Corp.
    Girls' League
    Medford Tent and Awning Co.
    O. V. Myers Co.
    Standard Oil Co. of California
    Boys' Carpenter Club
    Scherer Motors
    Montgomery Ward & Co.
    Gold Seal Creamery
    Senior Class
    Gilmore Gasoline Co.
    Gates Auto Co.
    Eads-Holbrook
    KMED and Palmer Music House
    Copco
    L. C. Newman Co.
    City Cleaning and Dyeing Co.
    Girls' Pep Club
    Texaco
    Koke-Chapman
    M.M. Department Store
    Junior class
    Pierce Allen Motor Co.
    Richfield Oil Co.
    John Cupp Furniture Co.
    Latin Club
    Domestic Laundry
    Medford Electric Co.
    Sophomore class
    Pay 'n' Take It
    Southern Oregon Electric
    Union Oil Co.
    Freshman class
    F. E. Sampson Co.
    Medford Furniture Co.
    Hubbard Brothers
    Mead-Furch Co.
    Lewis Super Service
    Niagara Spray and Chemical Co.
    Maytag Co.
    Heath's Drug Co.
    Dance Float (Activians)
    Fox Craterian and Rialto Theaters
    Holly Theater
    High School Commercial Club
    High School Dramatic Club
    Maytag Shop
    Brownie-Marie
    Riding academy
    Snider's Dairy and Produce Co.
    Smith and Watkins
    Economy Cleaners
    Eden Valley Nursery
    Cander Motor Co.
    Crater Club
Medford Mail Tribune, March 4, 1931, page 1


    In connection with the Prosperity celebration in Medford today, marked by the hanging this afternoon of "Old Man Depression," a recapitulation of activities in store for Medford and vicinity reveals what is expected to be one of the bright years in local history. Plans are underway for quite a number of projects; work has already been begun on several and is well under way on others.
     While unemployment may present a problem at present, road projects, a revived building program and the possible establishment of new industries by the time summer has arrived are expected to overcome the present situation.
    Information has been received by Superintendent E. C. Solinsky of the Crater Lake National Park that the sum of $400,000 is to be expended for the construction of the first unit of the new rim road around the lake. It had been expected that the appropriation by the government would be in the neighborhood of $250,000, but with the larger amount, plans will be underway for the employments of hundreds of men during the entire summer. This work will probably start in early June, as soon as melting snow permits, and will continue until late fall when weather will prevent further labor. It is probable that at least 200 men will receive work during the entire time.
    This is all in addition to the regular maintenance work on roads and trails, representing expenditure of approximately $107,000. The sum of $100,000 will be expended for minor road and trail construction and in the control of pine beetles within the park. However, applications for labor are not to be received until a short time before the work actually starts and must be made with the contractor in charge. The employment of the big rim-laboring crews will bring Medford business, inasmuch as supplies must be purchased in Medford or Klamath Falls.
    In all, the future outlook for the laboring people for summer and fall work appears rosy, when plans of the state highway commission are taken into consideration. Large crews of men are to be employed in connection with the four miles of new paving between Medford and Central Point, eliminating four or five curves and making the distance shorter between the two places. The new highway will have a straight route from a point near the Owen-Oregon Lumber Company logging tracks to the present highway route near the J. G. Love orchards at the south Central Point city limits.
    The highway commission has extensive plans for the improvement of the Green Springs Highway, leading from the Klamath Junction with the Pacific Highway to Klamath Falls. This road is to be widened and greatly improved, giving employment to a large number of men. Considerable improvement work is also planned for the Pacific Highway over the Siskiyou Mountains and will represent a large outlay of money. However, definite plans for this work are not available at the present.
    Furthermore, the state highway commission is planning the improvement of all smooth-topped highways, with the application of material to minimize skidding danger in wet weather. Plans are also under way for the further widening of the Pacific Highway from Talent to Ashland, beginning at the point where construction crews stopped widening operations last year. Their work resulted in the highway being widened four feet from Medford to Talent and a new skid-proof surface.
    In Medford a building program of one million dollars is expected and is already underway with the beginning of construction of a new high school on Oakdale avenue and a new grammar school on Peach and Fourteenth streets at an approximate cost of $275,000, providing employment for quite a number of local men. Other school buildings in the city are to undergo the usual repairs and improvements.
    While just outside of the city limits, the probable construction of the new Motour hotel on the Earhart property near the end of South Riverside Avenue will represent an outlay of $100,000 and will directly affect Medford. It is to be a complete motor inn and is one of several planned up and down the Pacific Coast at specific points.
    Next summer is expected to see work begin on the construction of the new Jackson County courthouse on the present site of the Washington School on West Main Street. It is to cost between $250,000 and $300,000 and may be one of the most attractive public buildings in the state. Considerable employment is seen there that will cover a period of months.
    The possibility of a new office building at a cost of $200,000 or more continues to exist, and it is thought that it may be constructed this year, but no definite announcement has been made. A pending Treasury Department bill provides $85,000 for a second federal building in Medford. This is in addition to the repair work amounting to several thousand dollars, already being done on the present federal building, the interior of which will be repainted and oiled late this spring.
    The city building department reported today that 31 dwellings, all of a high type, are under construction in Medford. It is fairly safe to expect as many more to be constructed before the year is over. There are tentative plans for new apartment houses and business structures.
    The fruit industry, important in general prosperity of the community, is looking forward to a good year, and concerted efforts are to be used in advertising the Rogue River Valley pears in the East, encouraging further consumption of the fruit which has made this section famous. While it is still early to predict crop possibilities, the yield is expected to be up to average.
    The Standard Seasoning Society, operating a plant in Cottage Grove, announced yesterday that Medford continues to hold a good chance for the establishment of its second plant in Oregon. The plant would represent an outlay of at least $700,000 and employ quite a number of men. Several Medford citizens are to be in Cottage Grove tomorrow to discuss further plans for the company's coming to this section, which has undergone thorough investigation by the company for adaptability for plan needs.
    Another bright spot in the future for Medford and Southern Oregon, connected in this case with the Northern California district, is the work that has been accomplished in the construction of the Crescent City harbor. Late reports say the project has met the approval of the United States army board of engineers and before the year is over, possibly during the December session of Congress, the work to complete the harbor will be recommended. This will represent an expenditure of four million dollars and will give Crescent City a harbor of which it has dreamed for the past 40 years. Development will naturally follow the completion of the harbor, encouraging the general progress of Southern Oregon, the "Inland Empire."
    The local lumber industry is now operating on a curtailed schedule, but with the improvement of market conditions, the industry will operate with greater impetus, cutting as much lumber as possible, in keeping with the demand.
    The mining industry is showing development, and mining activity this spring, when water is available, is employing quite a number of men. Coal mine development in the Roxy Ann section is also progressing and recently over 400 feet of tunnel was driven in one mine, which has already made contracts for its output.
    The dairy, poultry, cattle and farming endeavors are looking forward to a good year, and a number of dairies are making improvements on their properties.
    Local business houses are optimistic over the future, and some are planning expansion programs.
    Reports from Ashland indicate that city is looking forward to a prosperous era, and it is pointed out that six new business houses have opened there during the past month or so. A new $30,000 gasoline concern is now completing construction of property. The fruit and produce concern, which formerly operated here, is to reopen for business soon to provide for demands for residents of that district.
    In Medford, City Engineer Fred Scheffel said today several paving projects are under consideration and will include the paving of Apple Street and a portion of Court Street.
    The closing of the Rogue River to commercial fishing is pointed as being a great factor in further popularizing the river as a fishing stream, attracting tourists, encouraging sale of angling supplies, construction of new river cabins, this stimulating business from the angling and recreation viewpoints.
Medford Mail Tribune, March 4, 1931, page 1


    Emergency relief work on the county highways will officially close next Saturday, but there is a bare possibility, according to word received this morning by the local office of the state highway commission, that employment of 35 or 40 men will continue through the third week of March. Definite orders on this situation will be known within the next two days.
    The Forest Service camps, which have been furnishing relief employment on a rotating basis, will be placed on a permanent basis next Monday. They will provide work for 40 men throughout the Forest Service season. The federal rule is to give preference to married men with families.
    Emergency work in Jackson County, according to Victor Tengwald, secretary of the county court, has furnished a week's work to 1,096 men with families or dependents. Of this number 820 have been employed by the state and 276 by the Forest Service.
    The state work started December 18, and the Forest Service work January 11. Approximately $20,000 has been expended in wages alone at $3 per day. Of this total, $11,760 was disbursed by the state and the balance by the Forest Service. This amount does not include money expended for material, etc.
    The emergency work was a godsend to many and lessened the tension of unemployment in this county.
    With the close of the emergency work employment, many of the workers will be released for other jobs now appearing on the labor horizon with the opening of spring activities.
Medford Mail Tribune, March 10, 1931, page 4


    The Crater National Forest headquarters here made the announcement today and asked that it be stressed that the Forest Service not only now has all the men it wants for some time to come, but also has a big waiting list of applicants for employment.
    "It will be a kindness to have this situation widely spread among the unemployed men needing work," said Miss Janie Smith, chief clerk of the Crater forest headquarters in the federal building, this noon. "Applicants are just running us ragged, as word has gotten around the city and valley that we are in need of men. I understand that such an erroneous announcement was broadcast over the radio last evening, with the result that many disappointed unemployed men flocked to our quarters today."
    The Crater National Forest in hiring men for work has all along given preference to married men with families, as much as possible.
Medford Mail Tribune, March 11, 1931, page 4


    Marking one of the most striking general reductions in passenger fares effected by any railroad serving the Pacific Northwest since the war, Southern Pacific today announced cuts ranging from 15 to 20 percent on its one-way and round-trip fares between Portland, Willamette Valley points and Southern Oregon, effective March 15.
    New rates will apply from all stations Portland to Eugene, inclusive, to Southern Oregon points via the Siskiyou line, and from Ashland to and including Creswell to Eugene and all points north. One-way tickets will have a limit of 10 days; round trips, 60 days; stopovers permitted.
    "Southern Pacific is determined to regain the local passenger business it has lost due to the highways during the past few years," J. A. Ormandy, passenger traffic manager, said. "The pronounced success which has attended our 'Dollar Day' and other special sales events leads us to believe people generally prefer to travel by train and these new fares are intended to stimulate that trend. We are putting in these reduced rates for a six months experiment."
Medford Mail Tribune, March 12, 1931, page 6


    Emergency relief work on Jackson County roads is being continued this week on a reduced basis. A force of 25 men is engaged in the Blackwell Hill district and will finish up the odds and ends. The relief work will end next Saturday.
    Federal relief work also ended Saturday, and the Forest Service camps were placed on a permanent basis this morning for the summer season.
    A force of men, a fleet of trucks and a steam shovel are engaged in widening the Trail-Eagle Point unit of the Crater Lake Highway. The steam shovel is gnawing at the hills at the Butte Falls juncture, and the trucks are distributing the dirt in both directions. It is planned to make a straight shoot in this section, eradicating four curves.
    Operations will start on the county road program for the year as soon as weather conditions will permit. The state engineer of the market road department recently inspected and approved the Lake Creek, Dead Indian and Sams Valley market roads. The Forest Service will cooperate in building a portion of the Dead Indian and Lake Creek roads which both tap the Lake o' the Woods country.
    Preliminary operations have begun on several of the special levy roads. Gravel has been stored and stakes driven for the widening and smoothing of the Little Applegate road.
    The past week the road scrapers have been busy on roads on the floor of the valley getting them in shape for spring traffic.
Medford Mail Tribune, March 12, 1931, page 6

    Because of his assertion that he made and sold beer to support his family, including several children, H. A. Smith, who resides on East Jackson Street, was given a sentence of 30 days in jail in Judge Taylor's court yesterday afternoon and then was paroled on condition that he will observe all laws in the future.
    He had pleaded guilty to the charge of possession of 58 bottles of homemade brew. The parole was given in order for him to obtain work, as with him in that the family would be without support.
Medford Mail Tribune, June 16, 1931, page 4


    "The local supply of help is ample to handle all work during the season" is the general report from districts and localities throughout the state concerning employment and, according to Chris Gottlieb, manager of the local United States employment bureau, the same statement also holds true in Medford.
    "There are between fifty and seventy-five people come to my office every day in search of work, and I have to turn them away," he said this morning. There are 350 unemployed registered with the Medford branch, and hundreds make their appearance without filling out the registration cards.
    Approximate estimations made by Mr. Gottlieb show that during the fruit season when the work is well under way close to 2800 people are employed in the valley. This number, however, can easily be found in the locality.
    Mr. Gottlieb stressed the fact that the unemployed in the valley will be sufficient to care for the needs, and that only local people will be employed when the work starts.
    The table made out by the local office for the number of fruit workers includes 750 pickers, 400 packers, 1000 sorters and wipers, 300 as trucksters, labelers, receivers, checkers, roustabouts, stampers, car loaders and pressmen, 130 box makers, 75 truck drivers and swampers, and 100 for miscellaneous jobs.
    Seasonal report issued from Portland shows in that city that 17,655 unemployed are registered, and there is now more than sufficient help for the work. The small town of Newberg, located near Portland, has 750 listed. About 300 are without work in The Dalles, where wheat, alfalfa and hay are being harvested, and cherries are being picked. Similar reports have been filed from practically every employment office in the state, according to the statement issued.
Medford Mail Tribune, June 19, 1931, page 8


    Leander Blackwell, a white-haired man of 89 years, who lost two sons in the world war, and has no kith or kin, appeared before the county court this morning and asked for aid. He will receive assistance from the Red Cross and will be sent back to Dunsmuir, Cal., where for many years he was the leading shoemaker. He has been in this city and county for two weeks and now the room rent is due. The meals have been irregular, he told the county judge. He also informed the court there had been fairer days in his life.
    Blackwell, a man of apparent education, in the course of a conversation revealed that he had an intimate knowledge of scientific questions and scripture, and could even discuss the Einstein theory volubly. He had been a miner and claimed to be able "to locate precious metals by mental vibration."
    The applicant for aid claimed he had "been in and out of Oregon since 1881," and "chased Indians in Arizona when they needed chasing." He said he had delivered lectures on scientific questions to small groups," but had never attempted "to capitalize my ability along those lines."
    Blackwell's plea was one of half a dozen presented to the county court today for aid.
Medford Mail Tribune, July 2, 1931, page 7


    Although figures released yesterday by the secretary of state show a pronounced increase in registration of non-resident motorists in Oregon this year, Medford is still falling below last year's record, Lee Garlock, local manager of the Oregon State Motor Association, stated this morning.
    During June, last year, 811 cars were registered at the Medford office. This year the total for June was 696. For the month of May a decrease of 200 was realized. Mr. Garlock believes that the location of the office accounts for much of the decrease. In Ashland and Grants Pass, where important increases have been reported, the offices are now located on the highway.
    Travel seems to be on the pickup this morning, Mr. Garlock said, and he is anticipating a better record for July.
Medford Mail Tribune, July 8, 1931, page 3


    Close to 700 men are now employed on the Prospect tunnel and flume project of the California Oregon Power Company, and a recapitulation of the workers shows that only six are non-residents of Jackson, Josephine or Klamath counties. A large proportion are married, have families and are taxpayers.
    A checkup of the autos showing ten with foreign licenses was made by the power concern, and it was revealed that eight of these belonged to tourists and one to a resident of Jackson County who journeyed to Montana last winter and is trying to use up his Montana license.
    It is expected that the laboring force will be increased soon, in order to complete as much of the work as possible before winter sets in. The work will be carried on as long as weather conditions will permit.
    The woods adjacent to the work are full of campers and include many local families who are enjoying the novelty of tent life in the open.
Medford Mail Tribune, July 10, 1931, page 7


    Conditions look better in Oregon than in any one of eight other states visited by Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Arnold on a recent motor tour, they announced this morning following their return from a six weeks' vacation, during which they traveled over 7000 miles.
    California, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Montana, Idaho, Washington and Oklahoma were included in their itinerary, and they found the weather dry and hot and times "hard" in all of them.
    Deserted shacks in great numbers were viewed in Montana, where the water scarcity is taking on a serious nature. In Oklahoma, farmers who have raised bumper crops of wheat informed Mr. Arnold they will not realize enough money at 28 cents a bushel, the present price, to pay for their seed.
    Several ranches in New Mexico had an almost prosperous look, but the agricultural regions of other states visited formed a sad picture, the Arnolds said today, and they are mighty glad to be back in Oregon.
    They were accompanied on their trip south by Misses Lucille Wright and Alice Snider of Eugene, who attended the meeting of the National Teachers' Association in Los Angeles. Miss Wright joined them again in Denver for the return trip.
Medford Mail Tribune, July 22, 1931, page 2


    Plans for sponsoring a soup kitchen, which present conditions indicate will be much needed this coming winter, were considered today by members of the Lions' Club at the regular luncheon at the Hotel Holland. It was decided to appoint a special committee to study the situation and possibilities of operating a kitchen in this city. Reports were made by Lions B. G. Harding and Carl Swigart regarding the subject.
    Lion Earle Davis, who was drafted into the position of program chairman, entertained the club with an article devoted to television, published in the Electrical Merchandising magazine.
    Approval of action taken by various groups of the city to oppose the proposed 15 percent increase in freight rates was expressed by Lion M. B. Jarmin, as chairman of the interclub committee. He informed the Lions that all service clubs join the Lions in their opposition to the railroads' proposed increase.
    An attendance excelling that of the past several weeks was reported and club members urged to better the record established today.
    Lion President G. W. Newberry opened the meeting with an intensive drill practice centering around the motto of Lionism.
    W. A. Holloway, the newest cub, was introduced today by Lion Verne Shangle. Mr. Holloway is owner of the Reliable Grocery.
Medford Mail Tribune, July 22, 1931, page 5


To the Editor:
    According to report, the city is preparing to run a soup kitchen this winter--fine advertisement.
   Now all these bums that will call for help are smoking cigarettes, no matter how hard up they are, in spite of the fact that their family needs the money they spend on cigarettes. The average smoker will smoke at least one package a day, 15¢, $1.00 a week, $52.00 a year. Now, if there is a worthy person, one that has not become destitute from his bad habits, fool deals and general cussedness, has been thrifty and saved his money, I will help him. I have failed, however, to find one single case where it has not been their own fault, and when pinned down they admit it. They will have to furnish proof of what brought them where they are.
"Communications," Medford Mail Tribune, July 24, 1931, page 6


    It is not the times but the will to work that determines business success. The country is anxious for prosperity, ready to respond, but seeks a definite and authoritative leadership, is the message J. C. Penney, founder and chairman of the J. C. Penney company, who is in the west for the opening of the new Penney store in Seattle, brought to Medford today in his address before the Forum luncheon at the Hotel Medford.
    "The Job Ahead Is One of Working Our Way Back" was the subject of his address, heard by more than 180 businessmen and farmers of Medford and the Rogue River Valley.
    "The time is ripe when we must pick up the working tools we dropped to chase the rainbow. It is the pick and shovel of individual industries that prosperity is searching for," he declared, placing much emphasis upon the word "working."
    W.S. Bolger, manager of the local J. C. Penney store, presided at the Forum luncheon, one of the largest ever held in Medford, and introduced the speaker and other guests. Among them were Fred H. Reese, representing the Portland chamber of commerce; Don Raymond, soloist of the Fox Theaters, and Joan Ellis, who entertained with a group of songs, and Mrs. Archie Holt, pianist.
    Mr. Penney arrived in Medford this morning from Crater Lake and will meet this evening with Mr. Bolger and the entire staff of the local J. C. Penney store.
    Men of today are facing a real tax on their business courage and ingenuity, he warned his listeners, as if challenging them to meet the demands of the age.
    "We can ascribe the lack of prosperity to the fact that the German war debt and reparations payments are upsetting European finance; that people have stopped wearing wool and, therefore, the wool industry which has been a mainstay of industrial life is gone and nothing has been found to replace it. You can lay it to politics, to the operations of Wall Street, or to any of thousands of potential causes which come to our mouths very fluently," Mr. Penney told his audience.
    "It is my firm belief that success picks no favorites, and under present conditions I believe that every man in business is as near to an equal starting line as almost anyone else you can mention."
    Deploring the present lag in spending, maintained under the guise of thrift, Mr. Penney said, "There never was more money lying idle in this country than there is at the present time. This idleness shows up in relation to the earning power of money the same way that idleness shows up in individuals. Idle money is cheap money and has never been so cheap as at the present time.
    "Too many of us are acting so much as a mirror for the present disturbed business conditions, that we are unconsciously forcing this same picture in the minds of many people who had no conception of how bad things really were, until we passed our picture to them."
    If sales are 20 percent off now, Mr. Penney explained, they can be brought back to normalcy by increasing the expenditures of everyone 25 cents a day.
    Turning again to the necessity for hard work, he said, "There is a powerful thing about work. When a man is really busy, when he is certain inside himself that he is worth carrying on his own payroll, when he can look at himself as an employee of himself and say, 'There is a man I want to hang on to,' he has very little time to find fault with his neighbors or to instill gloom.
    "During the past two years, or since the start of the present trouble when 'hard work' has replaced 'high hopes' as the code word for business advancement, there has been too great a tendency for criticism of our neighbor and too little attention to close analysis.
    "Some of the animosity which first expressed itself in personal challenges directed toward honesty, faithful  performance of citizenship's duties, and the like, has translated itself into attempts on the part of legislators to set up discriminatory tax regulations.
    "Just as the consumers were the first and last to pay the price of personal animosity among merchants in one community, they will be the ultimate people to pay the costs of legislation designed to restrict the development of retail selling.
    "The country as a whole," Mr. Penney declared, "is anxious for prosperity. It is looking for constructive rather than destructive suggestions. In general, it is satiated with the inability of politics to properly analyze the present situation and supply correctives.
    "If we have restricted certain of our markets by unwise regulations, it remains for the hard-working businessman who can point to his own efforts as sufficient indication that he is doing his best to see that corrections in those regulations are made.
    "I have always had the utmost belief in courage in salesmanship. It has been the practice among the men in our organization to look to themselves and not to their merchandise if they found their stocks were moving slowly, or that business was not moving ahead at the proper rate.
    "Profits remain in just as full volume as they have ever existed in the past," Mr. Penney said in conclusion, "but they remain for the man in the business world who trains his business muscles to do the best job with the pickax and shovel of real salesmanship. The job ahead of us is a working job."
Medford Mail Tribune, August 3, 1931, page 1


    The county court has announced its intention of employing, "as far as humanly possible," only Jackson County labor and Jackson County material in the construction of the new $265,000 courthouse.
    W. H. (Moose) Muirhead, manager of the Beaver-Portland Cement plant at Gold Hill, conferred with the county court this morning relative to using home-produced cement and was given assurances. Between 7000 and 8000 barrels of cement will be required. This will furnish five or six weeks' work for 125 men living in the Gold Hill district, most of them men of families and taxpayers.
    It was also stated by the county court that bona fide evidence of residence in this county would be required and would be a specific clause of building and material contracts.
    J. G. Link, architect, stated this morning that the final plans for the structure were well under way and would be completed by September 10. He said contracts would be let by October 15, and actual construction work started as soon thereafter as possible. This will fit in with the previously announced policy of the county to provide winter employment for Jackson County workers.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 4, 1931, page 3


To the Editor:
    I have been and am now a subscriber to the Mail Tribune, and haven't asked the privilege of expressing my views on this depression, or whatever you may call it. But after reading all the views of our so-called wise men, or in other words, men of great business ability, like Henry Ford and many others, and our great president Herbert Hoover, and last of all, the recent speech of J. C. Penney, "A Will to Work." As a common working man and Christian and minister of the gospel, I feel it my Christian duty to speak up in defense of my class, the working class, of decent American citizens. Now let me rebuke Mr. J. C. Penney, and others, for their insult to honest working citizens. There are hundreds of honest citizens in our fair city of Medford willing to work and anxious to work, walking the streets discouraged, hungry, wives and children at home just existing, house rent unpaid, water bills piling up.
    I am $35.00 behind with my own bills and am anxious to pay up. I have a will to work, with pick and shovel, or pick pears, or any kind of honest toil, and have worn out one good pair of shoes I bought from J. C. Penney company, looking for a job. With an overproduction of wheat, fruits, and lumber and most everything that mankind needs, and millions of our honest citizens willing to work, and no jobs, will Mr. Penney, or anyone else of our wise men, use some of their surplus wealth to even create a pick and shovel job. And Mr. Ford, with his billions of dollars, laying off thousands of men. Will he show us the jobs?  And our dear Mr. Hoover, will he please show some concern about the financial plight of millions of red-blooded Americans, as he does for poor Germany. Remember, I am a Republican, but progressive.
    Thanking you for space in your paper.
"Communications," Medford Mail Tribune, August 4, 1931, page 4


    The opening of the pear picking and packing season early this week has resulted, as usual during the annual fruit harvest, in giving the Medford business section a livelier appearance, and inculcating a more optimistic spirit among business men and other citizens, because of the many hundreds being employed in the fruit industry. The financial benefits will begin to be felt when the first payday comes tomorrow.
    However, despite the warning sent out all over the Pacific Coast for itinerant workers or other unemployed men to keep away, as Medford and the valley could well furnish sufficient home help, many unemployed men have found their way here this week and are standing around in hopes of getting fruit harvest employment or work in fighting forest fires.
    That accounts for so many, mostly young, men being seen congregated at the corners of Front and Main streets, the east side of the chamber of commerce building, and other places in the business district.
    Their presence is not so notable in the afternoons and late forenoons as they seek shady spots, but in early forenoon and the evenings they are out in full force on the streets, their numbers augmented by a number of employed fruit workers and unemployed local men. The erstwhile dwellers in the city come from all parts of the Pacific Coast, and from various other parts of the nation.
    For the most part they are well-appearing men, some of them fairly well dressed, who are down in their luck at least temporarily, and are willing to take any kind of work. The reason they congregate about the chamber of commerce building and at the corners of Main and Front streets is that it is well known among them that those locations are handiest to be at whenever any men are being sought by employers for work, or by forest officials seeking emergency fire fighters.
     Eleven men were picked up last evening for fire fighting, and word of this flew around the city like wildfire, resulting in hundreds congregating at the waiting centers in case more fire fighters should be wanted.
    The waiting unemployed men are very orderly and naturally having nothing else to do but talk as they wait, many impromptu street debates follow on various subjects.
    For instance, this forenoon a crowd of fifty congregated at the northwest corner of Main and Front streets, blocking the Main Street sidewalk, in an earnest discussion of rattlesnakes. Word was sent to the police station and Officer George Prescott went to clear the assemblage away from the sidewalks.
    Upon arrival he merely walked into the crowd and said: "Boys, you had better go and hire a hall." At once the crowd dispersed without showing a trace of resentment.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 7, 1931, page 3


    We agree with "W.B.C." in Wednesday's "Letter Box" that the excavations for the new county court should be done by hand labor instead of by machine.
    There would be comparatively little money involved. But every bit of gainful employment this winter is going to count. And during the depression, the more men on any job and the fewer labor-saving machines, the better for all concerned.
    We are glad to say that the County Court shares this view and has officially informed the Mail Tribune that as far as it is practically possible, all county work will be arranged to provide the maximum amount of employment for the maximum number of local people.
    Even if such a policy should increase the total expense of public work--which is doubtful--it would be justified, for it would combine public improvement construction with the most economic and desirable method of unemployment relief.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 7, 1931, page 4


    Great diversity of opinion regarding the percentage of California labor hired in fruit packing houses of Medford is being voiced in this city today. Few agree as to the exact number from the southern state employed, but the prevalent decision states that "fewer local people have obtained work this season."
    An investigation of the situation has not been made by the county court, showing a 95 percent hiring of local labor, contrary to yesterday's statement, County Judge Alex Sparrow announced this morning. The county court, on the other hand, is thronged with unemployed, who have been unable to obtain work at the Medford houses.
    Survey made by the state police department of autos owned by members of the packing house crews showed 40 percent of them carrying California licenses, J. O. Brien of the force reported this morning.
    These employees have obtained permits, which are good for three months, and cost them nothing. This fact is deplored by many workmen calling at the county court. Especially by those who have been unable to purchase Oregon licenses for their cars, because they are out of jobs.
    E. L. Hyde of Central Point, a resident of Jackson County for 10 years, comes in the latter classification. His car was taken from him at Jacksonville a few days ago because he had not purchased a new license. He has a family of nine and has been refused all types of jobs in the fruit harvest.
    D. O. Garrison of French Gulch was cited this morning as another one of the several hundred worthy men calling at the county court for aid. He has gone to every packing house in the city and obtained nothing. He is a large man, physically fit and anxious to work. He walked 25 miles to his home Saturday night to take the groceries, purchased through aid to the court, to his family.
    These men are willing to do any type of work, Judge Sparrow said today, and like the others who crowd the court have been residents of Jackson County for many years.
    The county court has spent in June more than half the budget allowed for the coming year for caring for these people, Judge Sparrow also stated.
    The court now faces the most demanding months of the year with the budget more than half depleted and local men still out of work.
    "The court wants these people employed so the county won't have to feed them," Judge Sparrow concluded.
    The county is now helping only those people who have been residents of the county for a year and of the state at least three years. In spite of that fact the budget, allotted to care for this need until December 31, was more than half exhausted in June.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 11, 1931, page 1


    No definite action has been taken by the county court relative to the wage cut of 10 percent for all county employees and departmental heads.
    The county court takes the position that any wage cut should affect all and no special group, and, unless all elected officers voluntarily agree to a slash, none should. Some of the elective officers are willing to accept a reduction, and others are not, and there the matter stands. A conference was held last Friday between the county court and elective officers, whose salaries are fixed by law, but no decision was reached. No county officer's salary has been cut.
    Elective officers in Coos, Klamath, Clatsop and Harney counties of this state have voluntarily accepted salary cuts, and it was suggested by local officials that a similar step be taken in this section.
    County Judge Sparrow characterized the situation this morning as "in the talkie [sic] stage."
    The county judge also said that he had attended a meeting of the Pomona Grange at Central Point recently, when economy was the main subject under discussion, and that he had urged "economy straight down the line," but had not mentioned county workers as special targets.
    The county court and county officials are still discussing the proposed cut.
    Some county officials argue that the amount saved by the proposed slash would not "be enough to worry about in the tax levy," while reducing the buying power of the community appreciably.
    The same question was last up for discussion in 1921, when a panic threatened and economy became a burning topic.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 11, 1931, page 5


    Widespread approval of the plan for giving the cull pears from local packing houses to the poor was voiced by numerous fruit growers, packers, and others today. The plan to utilize the fruit which is ordinarily thrown away was given in a Mail Tribune editorial Sunday.
    The Mail Tribune believes that hundreds of local families would be thankful to receive the pears for canning and making preserves. With sugar at the lowest price in years, the canned fruit would serve many during the winter.
    Attempts to devise a plan for distribution of the fruit is now underway. Local welfare organizations including the Red Cross will be asked to aid in the distribution as soon as the system is devised.
    As pointed out by Hugh W. Hamlin, manager of the Big Seven plant, early fruit will have to be handled soon or the pears will have become too ripe for canning. Some of the packing houses which have already disposed of their Bartlett culls announce that they will be glad to donate their winter pear culls. These are rarely used by the canneries, although housewives can many of them.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 17, 1931, page 1


    Packing house managers and shippers throughout the city and valley are rallying to the plan for giving the cull pears and apples to needy families as proposed this week by the Mail Tribune. A check of the many packing houses today revealed that large quantities of Bartlett pear culls of good quality are now available at the plants.
    The plan is to benefit families which would otherwise be forced to go without the fruit this winter. The tons of Bartletts are now ready for canning, making preserves and for the many other uses to which they can be put for winter consumption.
    The packing houses urge that all persons wishing to obtain the fruit bring their own sacks. They also request that persons capable of handling the fruit themselves call. It will be impossible for the workmen to devote their time to putting the pears in cars or trucks inasmuch as they are being given away without cost.
    The plan of disposal will make it possible to utilize tons of pears and apples which are otherwise hauled away to garbage dumps. Apples will not be ready for several weeks. Late pear culls will begin to accumulate at the plants next week, it is expected.
    Bear Creek orchards have Bartlett culls at the present time that they are willing to give away, providing the people furnish their own boxes.
    Pinnacle packing houses have Howells and winter pears which they are glad to give.
    Westerlund orchards have announced their willingness to give away all of their culls, which are at the Myron Root packing house.
    Medford Fruit Company will give away all culls, providing they are taken from the plant by truck so that workmen will not be inconvenienced.
    Big Seven houses have winter pear culls which they are willing to give.
    Kimballs report that although they have no culls on hand at the present time, they will be glad for the needy to come to the packing house for them, as soon as some more are on hand.
    Sgobel and Day reports they have a large supply of culls and are quite willing to give them to those who come to the packing houses with their own boxes.
    Palmers Corporation has only a few culls at the time which are available, but are glad to give them, and will also contribute culls when other varieties are being packed.
    Southern Oregon Sales, Inc., have disposed of all Bartlett culls, but will give away culls of later varieties of pears and apples.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 19, 1931, page 1


    Frank Fay Eddy, formerly special and editorial writer on the Albany Democrat-Herald, arrived in Medford today, and will spend some time here preparing an illustrated article on Medford and the Rogue River valley for the October number of the Oregon magazine published for many years by Murray Wade of Salem.
    Mr. Eddy recently left the Albany paper and is now associate editor of the magazine, which the publishers plan to make a genuine state periodical with a circulation throughout the Northwest. Mr. Eddy, familiar with business conditions all over the state, said that he had heard Medford was in better shape that most places on the coast, and remarked that after looking over the town and talking with business men, he was convinced this was true.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 20, 1931, page 3


    Guy W. Conner has announced that anyone wishing cull pears may have them by coming to the packing house of the Medford Fruit Company, and furnishing their own boxes. This information was forthcoming following the publication of a list of packing houses willing to aid the poor by giving away culls.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 21, 1931, page 9


    To the Editor:
    I wish to thank you in behalf of the board of directors of the Community Chest for your very fine editorial in the paper Sunday, August 23, entitled "A Word to the Unwise." The sponsors of the Community Chest in the past, who have been the most active in its support, have been the leading business men in the community. Its operation has not been limited to Medford, but has taken in the outlying territory. There have been many, as you point out, who have perhaps not understood the purpose of the chest. For this reason they have not contributed as generously as they might have, and in some cases not at all. We believe this results from a misunderstanding rather than from the fact that they are poor business men.
    Governor Meier is endeavoring to meet the unemployment situation in as efficient a manner as possible, and it is the intention of the chest this year to work closely with the local committee appointed by him.
    The primary purpose of the Community Chest is to raise necessary funds efficiently and to supervise the various units participating therein to see that the funds are expended efficiently.
    We agree with you that the need is greater than it has ever been, and that we are in fact faced with a crisis. If the business men of this country do not realize that some provision must be made for the unemployed, it is entirely probable that it may result in their having no business.
    Thank you again for your very timely editorial.
August 24, 1931.
"Communications," Medford Mail Tribune, August 24, 1931, page 4


To the Editor:
    "I don't care how big a man is, if you comb his hair long enough you will find a mite of hayseed somewhere."
    Uncertainty of employment, lower wages, high cost of living in the cities are some of the factors tending to make us aware of our "hayseed complex" while good roads, electricity in the country, the radio and the automobile have made the country more desirable.
    A man with his family on a small acreage does not have to produce a large "exportable surplus" in order to get by. If he has part-time employment he is relatively more prosperous that the city man, even though the city man may have more continuous employment. A man on a small tract of land soon has it paid for so has little, or no, rent to pay and can raise a good part of his own living. When out of employment he has a job improving his own place.
    This may be the answer until we are able to figure out with greater "mathematical exactitude" just how continuous employment can be furnished for everyone in a completely industrialized state.
    Our leading statesmen are beginning to realize the necessity of this stabilizing influence and are planning in every way possible to encourage home ownership of this kind.
    My prediction is that the next two years will see a greater exodus from our large cities to the country. Real estate boards and chambers of commerce throughout the country already realize this movement is under way and are encouraging it in every way possible.
    Mild winter climate--pleasant summers--good roads and schools already developed--cheap and abundant water for electric power--great forecasts of fine timber furnishing cheap fuel and cheap building materials--abundance of water for irrigation when our irrigation projects are completed--one hundred thousand acres of good land suitable for gardening, sheltered by surrounding hills and mountains, makes the Rogue River Valley in Jackson County the most ideal place in the world for suburban development.
    The immediate problem pressing us for a solution is how to complete at once our irrigation projects. This alone stands in the way of the immediate subdividing of our large farms into small tracts of land, that would become immediately desirable.
    This is a great country.
"Communications," Medford Mail Tribune, August 24, 1931, page 4


To the Editor:
    It seems to the undersigned that you attach too much importance to the Lindbergh's joy ride to Japan. In your issue of the 17th inst. you make it the occasion for pointing out the superiority of capitalism over socialism. "Had Mr. and Mrs. Lindbergh," you say, "been born in Russia they could never have played their present roles. 'Slim' . . . would never have been financed to make that epoch-making flight to Paris." Perhaps not. But is your comparison a just one? American capitalism is over a century old, Russian socialism--about to begin.
    Pretty much everywhere under capitalism the desires of man cross, collide and result in mutual ruin; hence its inevitable collapse. In Russia, for the first time in history, a movement has been launched to coordinate the social forces--i.e., the collective desires of man--for achieving dominion over nature to the vast betterment of all. So after a century of such activity, every Russian worker might be financially able to pull off an advertising stunt like that of Lindy's.
    Charles Augustus may be a typical member of our bourgeois and Anne a typical member of our money aristocracy, as you hold. However, the opinion is strong that they assay far above the typical members of these estates. Such members do not take such risks for so little. But the spending of wealth so foolhardily while millions of their countrymen are suffering the deprivations of the damned indicates a serious psychologic shortcoming of their natures.
    In this respect they truly typify the attitudes of their respective classes.
"Communications," Medford Mail Tribune, August 24, 1931, page 4


    The county court in its session Monday pored over budget estimates as submitted by the various county officers and found that the expenses had been pruned to the line, with an estimated saving of close to $11,000. Purchase of supplies, elimination of extra help by reduction of working forces, upkeep of machinery, such as typewriters, comptometers, traveling expenses and postage, telegraph and telegraph bill, are the main items slashed.
    There has been no cut in salaries, which are set by law. A voluntary ten percent reduction was suggested, but some of the elective officers failed to acquiesce, and the county court refused to sanction a cut that did not include all.
    One expense scheduled for a drastic reduction is the maintenance of the old courthouse at Jacksonville, now used only for public meetings, but having a light, water and fuel bill and a janitor.
    The coming year, according to the estimates of the county clerk, will see a heavy decrease in the county receipts--about $20,000. Expense cuts to date are about half that sum. The decrease is attributed to the reduction in the O-C tax refunds, tardiness of taxpayers occasioned by taking advantage of the eight percent interest penalty for delinquent taxpayers and the economic stress.
    The county court expects to name a budget committee before the first of the month to act with them in formulating the 1932 budget. They will start their work a month earlier than usual because of the need of retrenchment.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 25, 1931, page 7


    The Chamber of Commerce committee, composed of B. E. Harder, banker, W. A. Gates, merchant, both of this city, and John Anderson, farmer, Central Point, completed its report yesterday on its investigations of the local fruit labor situation.
    The report finds that 1253 people are employed in the Medford district packing houses, skilled and unskilled labor. In the general labor section, the report states that only 11 percent is outside labor, and in the skilled labor division, 20.5 percent is outside labor.
    The committee finds that conditions this year "are much better than usually prevail in the fruit industry here," that the condition "is not as bad as advance reports indicated," that the Red Cross reports a dwindling of the complaints," and that complaints "of local people, previously employed in the fruit, unable to secure work this season, "may or may not be traceable to a surplus of outside labor, but is more possibly a result of a shortage of fruit this season."
    The report further states:
    "A survey of the number of cars with foreign license plates parked adjacent to the packing houses would indicate a higher percentage of foreign labor than shown in the foregoing figures, in some cases running as high as 40 to 50 percent. This probably is not an accurate indicator of the situation, as many of these cars belong to people maintaining a residence in this district who have been in California the past two or three months seeking employment in the fruit industry there."
    The committee suggests no remedy, and states that the packers have shown an attitude of helpfulness, and a desire to employ local labor whenever they can consistently do so.
   The report in full is as follows:
Board of Directors,
    Medford Chamber of Commerce.
Gentlemen:
    Your committee appointed at the last meeting of the board to make an investigation of the various packing houses located in the Medford district to determine, if possible, the amount of outside help employed in handling the present fruit crop as compared with the amount of local help used, has made its investigations and submits the following report:
    We have found that out of a total of 1258 persons employed in the packing houses in the Medford district, 1111 are local people and 147 have been employed from outside sources, indicating that of the general labor employed in the packing houses, 11.7 percent are out-of-state employees. In the division of skilled labor, the percentage is higher; of the 428 persons employed as skilled labor, there are 331 local employees and 97 out-of-state employees, a percentage of 20.3 percent outside labor.
    In the opinion of your committee, this is not an abnormal condition, but rather it is much better than the conditions that usually prevail in the fruit industry here. In its studies, the committee has found that under normal conditions there are approximately 3000 persons employed in picking, packing, handling and shipping the Medford fruit crop. Under the conditions that obtain this year, and due to the shortage of the crop, the number of necessary employees has been naturally reduced, and that condition has led to a majority of the complaints received by the county court, Red Cross, and other local organizations. Your committee has been reliably informed by the local offices of the U.S. federal employment service that normally there are not over 1000 persons in the Medford district who can be counted upon year after year to offer their services in harvesting the fruit crop, and that at least two-thirds of the normal labor demand must be recruited from outside sources. This condition is not true this year, as seen from the foregoing figures.
    It is further noted that from the standpoint of the packer and grower, a highly perishable product is being dealt with, which must be handled speedily and efficiently lest a great part of its value be lost. Packers have stated that it is most difficult to obtain efficient local fruit packers in large enough numbers to handle the necessary work, and thus again outside assistance is an absolute necessity.
    Statements from practically every packing house manager interviewed during the course of this investigation indicate that the packer is keenly aware of the situation and is doing everything in his power to use local labor whenever and wherever possible. In a few cases, the manager does not exercise any direct control over the packing operations, which are being done by contract, but even in these cases, contract packers have indicated an attitude of cooperation.
    A majority of the complaints regarding the situation have come from people who have been employed in the fruit in previous years, but who have been unable to secure employment this year. This condition may or may not be directly traceable to a surplus of outside labor being employed, but is more possibly a result of the shortage of fruit this season. The local headquarters of the Red Cross states that numerous complaints were received prior to the beginning of the picking season, but that there has been a noticeable reduction in the number of complaints during the past 10 years.
    A survey of the number of cars with foreign licenses parked adjacent to the packing houses would indicate a higher percentage of foreign labor than shown in the foregoing figures, in some cases running as high as 40 percent to 50 percent. This is probably not an accurate indicator of the situation, as many of these cars belong to people maintaining residences in this district, who have been in California for the past two or three months, seeking employment in the fruit industry there. It is certain that a lack of employment in Medford for the past four months has caused a certain amount of this procedure.
    In the opinion of your committee, the condition is not as bad as advance reports have indicated, and we do not believe that there is a great amount of experienced local labor which is not able to find employment in the fruit industry. Of course, there are undoubtedly isolated cases where persons who have been successful in securing employment in previous years have been unable to obtain that employment during this current season, and we do not believe there is any action which can be taken by the chamber of commerce other than that already taken in urging upon those engaged in the fruit industry to use local help whenever possible; as stated before, the employers have indicated an attitude of helpfulness and the desire to assist in solving this community problem insofar as they can without impairing the efficiency of their plants and without involving a loss due to delay in handling.
    A byproduct of the labor investigation is shown in the results of your committee's findings pertaining to wages paid in the various packing houses, and although this was not designated as a part of your committee's duties, it might be well to outline, briefly, wage conditions as they have been found. Wages for common floor help in the packing houses vary from 30¢ to 40¢ per hour; one organization is paying as high as 65¢ to 70¢ for skilled labor, but the majority of the institutions are paying from 50¢ to 60¢ per hour; packers are paid from 5¢ to 6¢ per box in a majority of the packing houses.
    Your committee wants to take this opportunity to thank those concerns in the fruit industry for their assistance in making this survey; the investigation was made in the following packing houses:
    American Fruit Growers
    Bardwell Fruit Co.
    Bear Creek Orchards   
    Big 7 Fruit Distributors
    Del Rio Orchards
    Growers Exchange, Inc.
    Kimball Fruit Co.
    Medford Fruit Co.
    Newbry and Sons
    Palmer Corp.
    Pinnacle Packing Co.
    Rogue River Co.
    Sgobel and Day
    Southern Oregon Sales, Inc.
    Suncrest Orchards
    H. VanHoevenberg.
        Respectfully submitted,
    MEDFORD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
    EMPLOYMENT INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE.
        B. E. Harder, Chairman,
        W.A. Gates,
        John Anderson.
August 26, 1931.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 26, 1931, page 1


    A check made of the various packing houses in the city who last week expressed willingness to give cull pears to the poor people who called for them showed that many had been to the majority of the fruit houses and obtained the pears.
    The Bear Creek Orchards reported that they had given away about 200 boxes, and a large number of people are still calling for them. The late varieties of pears now coming on are expected to furnish more culls.
    The Pinnacle houses report that between five and six hundred boxes have been given by them.
    Medford Fruit Company officials say that quite a number of loads have been hauled from the plant, as well as many individuals bringing their own boxes.
    Although the Big Seven manager announced his cooperation in giving away the cull fruit, very few have appeared at the plant. Kimballs and Sgobel and Day companies have given large quantities of pears, but estimates were impossible.
    An approximate number of boxes was not available at Palmer's corporation, but a report was made that everyone who called had been given all the pears he wanted.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 27, 1931, page 3


    Centralization of all relief work in Medford for the coming year to be carried on by various agencies under the leadership of Governor Meier's emergency employment committee was effected yesterday evening at the meeting of the board of directors of the Community Chest, other relief organizations and representatives of the city and county governments in session at the chamber of commerce.
    The local emergency committee is composed of County Judge Alex Sparrow, B. E. Harder and Clarence Meeker.
    All organizations agreed to work through this committee and pledged their support to the plans under consideration.
    It was the consensus of opinion that as much relief work as possible should be provided by city, county and state governments. It was urged that city and county budgets be made to provide for as much emergency work as possible.
    A motion was passed appealing to the state to continue highway improvements and construction of county roads during the winter, using as much hand labor as practical. It was especially urged that the construction on the Green Springs roads be completed.
    The Community Chest will be expected to care for the relief work which cannot be covered by the government agencies.
    A committee was appointed to work out a new budget for the Community Chest. Members are J. C. Mann, W. W. Allen, H. A. Thierolf, Dr. James C. Hayes and John Orth.
    The Salvation Army, which withdrew from the Chest last year, is expected to apply for membership.
    The chest board of directors, members of the governor's committee, Mayor E. M. Wilson, representatives of the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Boy Scouts, Central Civic Council, women's clubs and press attended yesterday's meeting.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 28, 1931, page 1


    Resolution for adoption of a petition demanding reduced telephone rates, stating that unless such rates are granted, telephones will be removed, will be presented at the meeting of the Central Point Grange Friday evening.
    The resolution, drawn up by the Home Economics Club of the Central Point Grange, will also be presented before Granges of the county where members are dissatisfied with prevailing telephone charges.
    In was inspired, according to reports of the club, by the people who are members of the Central Point Grange but served by the Medford telephone system. The $2.50 monthly charge is considered too high.
    A recent report in the Grange Bulletin tells of the adoption of a similar resolution by the North Dakota Granges, where, the Home Economics Club points out, the rate is now only $15 a year. A threatened increase to $18 caused the farmers to remove their telephones until the satisfactory rate was granted.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 31, 1931, page 2


    "Early Settlers' Good Will Checks" do not point to the people who have made their home in Medford for some years, but those who are going to settle their accounts early. Business people of the city who are willing to make early payments on their accounts are buying the checks, each worth $5, which have been issued by the Medford Lions Club. They are redeemable at the Jackson County Bank.
    The "paper money" was printed through the courtesy of the Medford Printing Company and is being circulated by members of the local Lions Club.
    Before the money is redeemable it must have been used 25 times in payment on some debt or account, which, it is hoped, will stimulate the settlement on these outstanding debits, according to the plan.
    George W. Newberry, president of the club, spent yesterday afternoon in putting the idea into effect and sold a number of the bills early in the afternoon. Among business men who accepted the idea were Mayor E. M. Wilson, O. C. Alenderfer, president of the Chamber of Commerce; D. G. Tyree, manager of the investment department of the Copco; Alfred Johnson, local Standard Oil manager; Dr. D. A. Chambers, secretary of the Medford Rotary Club; Carl Y. Tengwald, secretary of the Medford Kiwanis Club, and E. L. Knapp, business manager of the Medford Mail Tribune.
Medford Mail Tribune, September 13, 1931, page 8


    A lower budget, but one which includes increased funds for relief work, was announced yesterday evening following the meeting of the Community Chest board and representatives of all organizations to be included. The total is $21,035.
    The Salvation Army was brought into the chest and allowed $3000 in the budget. This same amount was deducted from the non-relief organizations, making the entire budget $50 under last year's figures.
    The directors were unanimous in the opinion that all possible money must be delegated to relief during the coming season. The largest cut was taken by the Boy Scouts, whose budget was trimmed by $1250. The Y.W.C.A. was reduced $750, the Health Association $450, the Girl Scouts $340 and overhead was cut $200.
    The Red Cross was given a slight increase over last year, the total for the coming season being $6775.
    Other organizations in the budget will receive the following:
    Health Association, $1250; Y.W.C.A., $2250; Girl Scouts, $1360; Boy Scouts, $3250 and Salvation Army $3000, making a total institutional allowance of $17,885.
    An emergency fund for $2350 was included in the budget and $800 allowed for overhead and shrinkage.
    J. C. Thompson accepted the appointment as chairman of the chest drive for this year and will announce definite plans at a later date.
Medford Mail Tribune, September 22, 1931, page 2


    Possible plans that the Allied Social Workers' Association might use in its campaign of welfare work were presented to members of that organization this noon by County Judge Alex Sparrow, chairman of the governor's committee for Jackson County. The luncheon meeting at Hotel Medford was presided over by Rev. Claude B. Porter, president.
    Included in the suggestion made by Judge Sparrow was the use of scrip for any work that might be done. It was definitely decided that aid from the welfare workers could only be given to residents of Jackson County. All those who are able will be required to work for the food and clothing they obtain.
    Hamilton Patton was named chairman of the committee to gather the produce and clothing. He is to be assisted by Ensign J. R. Pack of the Salvation Army and Oscar E. Hoover. This committee will cooperate with the Red Cross and the Salvation Army, according to President Porter.
    B. E. Harder and C. A. Meeker, also member of Governor Julius L. Meier's committee, spoke briefly in support of the plan outlined.
    J. C. Thompson was asked to present to the association at its next regular meeting definite plans of the Community Chest and the standings of the groups represented by the Allied Social Workers.
Medford Mail Tribune, September 25, 1931, page 3


    Plans to set in motion at once the Medford plan for jobless relief, as adopted by the Community Chest and welfare organizations, have been completed, and it is expected that it will start to function on a substantial scale within the week.
    Exchange of labor for farm produce and foodstuff is the chief purpose of the plan, as means of providing food for those unable to secure cash-remunerative labor. The farmer in need of fall work brings to the warehouse grains, vegetables, fruit, eggs, milk and wood, and receives a warehouse receipt for same. The market value of the produce thus received will be determined by a committee of businessmen, and paid to the farmer in scrip, good for labor at a moderate wage. The wages and the produce prices will be posted and published. The scrip, in the hands of the worker, can be exchanged for the foodstuffs and produce.
    Warnings have been issued to farmers to deliver their produce only to the accredited collectors, or deliver in person at the warehouse. Reports have been filed that already men have asked for produce, representing themselves falsely as agents of the Community Chest. To prevent deception, it is suggested that farmers first advise the committee they have produce to deliver, and afterwards make arrangements for delivery.
    The plan, it is felt, will be beneficial alike to the needy and the farmer by affording a medium of exchange. The worker is enabled to provide for self and family in times of stress, and the farmer is enabled to secure needed labor. The plan was fostered that none willing to work might suffer.
    No supplies, the committee announces, will be issued from the Community Chest to those unwilling to work.
    The plan, starting at this time, dovetails with the opening of fall work on the farms.
Medford Mail Tribune, October 1, 1931, page 1


    J. M. Dever, attorney for the state highway commission, on a visit to the city today conferred with the governor's relief committee for this county, this noon, and later with the county court, on relief road work in this county the coming winter. County Judge Sparrow is chairman of the governor's committee. General details were discussed.
    The allocation of the state highway funds, voted Thursday, has not been made yet, but will be forthcoming within a week or ten days. No wage per hour has been fixed for emergency road work by the state.
    No definite selection of the road work to be undertaken has been decided upon, but it is expected that the major portion of the funds will be expended on either the Green Springs mountain road, or straightening the Pacific Highway over the Siskiyous.
    A portion of the funds will be set aside, probably, for relief work on some of the secondary roads in the north-central part of the county, so as to distribute the funds and the employment.
    The county court has instructed the county road engineer to prepare plans and specifications for the road improvements, so when a definite choice is made there will be no delay on that score.
    It is expected that relief road work will be underway by November 15th, at the latest, and probably sooner.
Medford Mail Tribune, October 2, 1931, page 1


    The governor's committee for relief for Jackson County, composed of County Judge Alex Sparrow, Ben E. Harder and Clarence Meeker, will send out a circular letter within the next few days outlining plans.
    All municipalities and Granges are requested to form subordinate relief committees to act with the central committee in the handling of any cases of distress, and to investigate and report cases in their district.
    The governor's committee expect to receive a sum from the state highway commission for emergency road work, the amount not yet determined. The money thus received will be expended at a low wage scale, and under the scrip system. Community and Grange relief leaders are requested to get in touch with Dr. D. A. Chambers, who evolved the idea of a central warehouse where the farmers could exchange their products for labor.
    A meeting between the governor's committee and the county committeemen, as named by the Granges and municipalities, will be called shortly after their formation has been completed for a general discussion of relief plans and the distribution of labor.
    The relief plan is in accordance with the plan approved by the governor's committee and will be uniform in all counties of the state.
Medford Mail Tribune, October 7, 1931, page 7


    Minimum wage scales for labor on the new $265,000 Jackson County courthouse were fixed yesterday afternoon by the county court and advisory committee, as follows:
    For common labor, 40 cents per hour.
    Skilled labor, 62½ cents per hour.
    Brickmasons, $1 per hour.
    Contractors can pay any wage scale they desire above the minimum scale, but not below it.
    The plans of the courthouse were adopted and the specifications, with minor changes, approved.
    The county court will advertise for bids for the work the coming week and set a date for the opening of the bids and the awarding of contracts. Actual construction is expected to start early in November.
    Bids for material will be asked, and brick supply concerns of the Pacific Coast have submitted samples and prices, including local supply men. Terra cotta samples and prices have also been presented, and the choice of facing material depends on the cost.
    The contracts for construction will contain an ironclad clause designating that Jackson County labor be employed, with preference to men of families and taxpayers.
    The opening work will be the excavating of the site and the draining of same.
    It is expected that all the preliminary work, including the assembling of material, will be completed the coming winter, depending on weather conditions. It is estimated that the work will require a year, and the courthouse be completed and ready for occupancy by January 1, 1933.
Medford Mail Tribune, October 10, 1931, page 3


    Details of the plan for the employment of Jackson County labor in construction of the new county courthouse are being worked out by the county court and Citizens' Advisory Committee. The local workmen's clause will be made a part of the contract and designated as "Addendum No. 1."
    All courthouse construction workers, under the plan, must register and must present an eligibility card to the contractor before securing employment. The card will contain data relative to age of the applicant, married or single, number of dependents, taxpayer and home owner, occupation, and length of residence in this county.
    The county will provide all laborers and mechanics, eligible for employment, but the contractor will have the right to hire and fire and the county court will have no connection whatsoever with this phase of the work. No worker shall be employed unless he presents a card signed by the county.
    It is also provided that no laborer or mechanic shall be employed who resides outside of the county, except by the special permission of the county. This covers the employment of experts and special artisans.
    The financial and physical condition of the worker will be taken into consideration and care taken to see that none are employed who have small incomes or seek jobs "just to keep busy, and not because they need them."
    It is expected that when the registration starts, there will be a rush of applicants.
    The minimum wage scale, as recently adopted by the county court and Citizens' Building committee, will also be embodied in the contract, and is as follows:
    Common laborers, 40 cents per hour; skilled labor 62½ cents per hour, and brick masons, $1 per hour. The contractor can pay above this scale if he desires, but no less.
    The full extent of the workmen's clause, wherein the owner as mentioned is the county, is as follows;
    "Distinct preference as to employment shall be given local laborers and mechanics, and no laborer nor mechanic who resides outside of Jackson County shall be employed by any contractor, except by special permission of the owner in each case. The owner will provide all laborers and mechanics eligible for employment with labor identification cards, and no laborer nor mechanic will be employed by any contractor who does not first present to the contractor such a card signed by the owner.
    "Each contractor will submit to the owner with his bid the number of foremen or others needed by the said contractor in a directive capacity. In case it shall appear to the contractor as the work progresses that there is a shortage of local labor; skilled or otherwise, or in case of strikes or unreasonable conditions imposed by local labor, said contractor shall appear before the owner with this representation. If the owner shall find this to be true, he shall take immediate steps to allow the contractor to bring in from the outside such laborers or mechanics as may be necessary to do the work in question."
Medford Mail Tribune, October 13, 1931, page 5


    Another burial for Old Man Depression's remains is being planned. The Lions' Club will officiate this time, for the members are going to be shown that "there ain't no depression" tomorrow, according to stories circulating about the city today, relative to program plans.
    Figures, statistics and testimonials will be presented as proof. The program is in charge of Lion Clayton Isaac, chairman. His assistants haven't been named, but there are several of them.
Medford Mail Tribune, October 13, 1931, page 5


    Grasshoppers flying, flying. The sun obscured by their wings for several days. All crops eaten up. Those were hard times when Delroy Getchell, president of the Farmers' and Fruitgrowers' Bank, was a little boy back in Minnesota.
    "The state of Minnesota repudiated; couldn't pay its obligations. Times aren't hard now!" Mr. Getchell exclaimed, when interviewed yesterday. "There's plenty of money in the banks, plenty in reserve. The only trouble is, people are waiting for a lower level to start building, spending it.
    "If people would spend money on things they need, things that should be done, the so-called depression would he broken in 30 days. Times aren't hard now. People just think they are.
    "Why, when I was a little boy, they killed the grasshoppers. New crops grew and the state of Minnesota carried on. Then came a cyclone--a real one, too. It killed 68 people, injured many and swept the Mississippi River dry between St. Cloud and Salt Rapids. Times were really hard then."
    They were also hard when Mrs L. O. Caster's father, T. B. Ellison, came here from Missouri with 25 cents in his pocket and five children to feed. "But he didn't complain about it," Mrs. Caster, in from Eagle Point to shop, told friends yesterday. "He had traded for a place near the 401 Ranch. What we didn't have we went without. Put up our own meat, raised cane, made sorghum, butter and bread. We didn't have any spending money and didn't go any place to spend it."
    "Those were the days when women wore red flannels and black corsets," C. I. Hutchison, local merchant, contributed. "They didn't spend 25 cents then where they spend dollars today. Had they gone in for any luxuries their troubles would have been mountains, where we have molehills. It is all a state of mind."
Medford Mail Tribune, October 14, 1931, page 1


    "I've seen the time when men begged to work for their board. Fifteen dollars a month meant good wages, and a lot of fellows worked for $10. We didn't exactly call times hard either," D. W. Beebe, rancher of the Agate district, and Henry Maury of the west side, remarked yesterday afternoon, recalling the old days, while congregating on the corner of Main and Central.
    "I've hired a lot of men for $15 a month, when I could have got them for $12," Mr. Maury added, "and I know a local farmer who got a man the year 'round to operate an engine from sunup to sundown for $10. There weren't any eight-hour, or any ten-hour, working days then. It was a daylight proposition, and they usually found something for a fellow to do after dark. There were always chores. If people were as economic now as they were then, they'd certainly get along."
    Beans, bacon and potatoes constituted a good meal with a little sorghum on the side to soak into the homemade bread.
    "And there was always a pit filled with vegetables buried for the winter, nothing fancy in cans," Ed Andrews, who knew "hard times" in Minnesota, volunteered. "We ate pork and potatoes, started working at four o'clock in the morning and stayed with it till the sun went down. People didn't go around begging either. We had more fun on fifty cents than most of the kids have on a $10 bill."
    And when the grasshopper catastrophe came along, Ed and the Wakefield boys, who also came here to reside, got rich catching the bugs.
    "Jack and Del, brother George and I got three dollars a bushel for catching 'em. The county paid for the work. That was three dollars a day and that was a fortune in about 1880. We cleared up the crop," Ed concluded, "and I'm still having a good time."
Medford Mail Tribune, October 15, 1931, page 1


    The following motion, carrying the unanimous vote of all the directors present at the regular meeting of the board of directors of the Medford Community Chest, Inc., was submitted to the county court, city council, and city and county budget committees.
    "The Medford Community Chest, recognizing that there is to be a need for relief work during the coming winter, pledges itself to do everything possible to raise the necessary funds by private subscription, but it is the belief of this organization that it is incumbent upon the state, county and city to create emergency funds adequate to take care of the situation which cannot be handled by private agencies.
    "It is the recommendation of the Medford Community Chest that the first item in the county budget for the calendar year 1932 be an emergency fund to be used for the purpose of supplying relief employment, if necessary; and it is further recommended to the county court of Jackson County that in the creation of a budget for the coming year various other items to be reduced sufficiently to provide for such an emergency fund, without causing an increase in the present tax rate.
    "We have been informed that the county budget committee is receptive to the idea of the creation of an emergency fund, and it is suggested that if such a fund is recommended by the budget committee that the county court approve such recommendation."
Medford Mail Tribune, October 18, 1931, page 8


    "The rich are getting richer and the poor have reached bottom." That was the way W. A. "Peoria Bill" Gates summed up his observations of conditions in the Middle West, upon his return here this morning.
    Drastic cuts in wages, with retail prices still maintaining a much higher level than is known out here, is another condition noted by Bill, who admitted that he was considerably depressed by the attitude of people in the commercial districts.
    "There is a haunted, driven look in their faces that one doesn't get out here at all," he explained. "Men and women hurrying on to work, indifferent to the world around them. In fact they act as though they were afraid to look to right or left for fear of encountering something they don't care to face.
    "There is apparently no prohibition law in effect throughout the Middle West," said Bill, who in one city (name not divulged) observed a large brewery running full time, with whistles announcing the hours of various operations.
    "However, the general expression is 'times are pretty bad, but we're better off in our town than they are other places,' which indicates that they probably could be worse every place," he said.
    While in Peoria, where he visited two brothers and a sister, Bill had the experience of listening to a soapbox orator, whose fluency in language, he said, far outweighed his mental equipment. He was one of the many communists said to be gaining support in the coal mining areas of that state.
    At practically every railway station, according to Bill, passengers who get out to enjoy a breath of fresh air were surrounded by hoboes and others begging for money. This condition, he said, was less existent in Oregon than other states, which was one of the many reasons he found the "climate" better here than elsewhere.
    Besides his own relatives, Bill visited relatives of Mrs. Gates in Pekin, Illinois, as well as numerous friends throughout the state.
Medford Mail Tribune, October 28, 1931, page 2


    "There is no unemployment in the West comparable to that which exists in the East," declared C. K. Warne, head of the Spokane Community Chest and special advisor to the Medford organization, who spoke before a gathering of local officials and workers at the Hotel Medford this noon.
    Mr. Warne, who has just completed a tour over the western territory comparing notes with the reports sent him from the other nine sections of the United States in regard to unemployment conditions, brought out the fact that the task here was an easy one. Concerted effort and a spirit of cooperation will solve the problem for Medford, he said.
    The speaker, who has been temporarily released from his Spokane, Washington position to serve in the nationwide welfare and relief mobilization, has been assigned as field director for Region No. 19, which includes Montana, Arizona, Utah, Washington, Oregon and California.
    At the noon luncheon, specific plans were outlined for the local Community Chest drive, which will open here Tuesday with a rally breakfast at the Hotel Medford. Hamilton Patton, president of the local organization, J. C. Thompson, chairman of the drive committee, and the captains of the various service club teams were present.
Medford Mail Tribune, October 30, 1931, page 3


    Owen D. Young, chairman of the committee on mobilization of relief resources of the president's organization on unemployment relief, describing the cooperation pledged by the different agencies says:
    "There is to be no campaign for a national fund of any character in this emergency. Communities throughout the country will make provision for their own needs, and the funds they raise will be administered and distributed where they are raised. The mobilization committee will not engage in these local campaigns. It will give them aid of a national character that local communities could not enlist for themselves--advertising on a national scale.
    "I am glad to say that this aid will be given to us without cost. Accordingly, not one cent of the money that is given to local funds will be used to meet the expenses of this nationwide program.
    "Newspaper and magazine publishers have offered space in their publications, and the heads of national advertising agencies in New York and Philadelphia are preparing copy."
    Posters for use in the Medford area have already arrived, according to information received today from C. L. MacDonald, local representative of Foster & Kleiser Co., and will be placed soon.
Medford Mail Tribune, October 31, 1931, page 3


    C. E. (Pop) Gates, ex-member of the state highway commission, is telling this one: "These people who croak about depression make me sick and they are making business sick. It's just like what Jonah told the whale. The whale had swallowed him and then got sick. Said Jonah to the whale, 'You old fool, if you'd had sense enough to keep your mouth shut this wouldn't have happened.' If more people would keep their mouths shut and tend to business this depression would be over before we realized." Mr. Gates was in Portland for the dinner tendered his former colleague on the highway commission, H. B. VanDuzer. He reports that conditions are good in Medford and that the pear growers are getting good prices for their fruit. The community chest campaign is about to start in the Southern Oregon city. Mr. Gates was at the Imperial Hotel.--Oregonian.
Medford Mail Tribune, November 4, 1931, page 4


    Work of the county budget committee yesterday marked time, due to the failure of the governor's tax committee, of which W. H. Gore is chairman, and Assessor J. B. Coleman and Fred C. Homes of Ashland, associate members, to file their recommendations, per schedule. The governor's committee is also acting with the chamber of commerce committee. The recommendations are due to be filed tomorrow.
    According to reports the governor's committee will recommend drastic cuts in the indigent funds of the county--urging that the fund for the care of the unlucky and unfortunate be cut 75 percent from last year, and the road fund cut to the bone, leaving the minimum amount for maintenance of established routes.
    Due to the times, the indigent fund is one of the most vital, and has been drained heavily. Certain portions, such as the widow's pension, are compulsory, under the state law, and must be provided for.
    Despite the purported recommendation for near abolishment of the road fund, three districts--Trail-Eagle Point, Butte Falls, and Prospect--have filed requests with the county court for the calling of special road elections to vote special levies, and daily requests are received for improvement of county roads, particularly routes over which school buses travel and fruit is hauled. The roads on the floor of the valley, radiating out of the cities, are in fair condition, but the rural roads are different. The recommendations also call for suspension of operations on the Dead Indian market and the Lake Creek market road, both of which would tap the Lake o' the Woods.
    The present attitude is a complete reverse of last year, when all but one of the county road districts called for special road levies, and a petition for the west side highway establishment was rejected by the county court, over objections of the backers. The west side highway, as proposed, would have extended from the top of Blackwell Hill to a point near the Hollywood orchards of the Jacksonville Highway. The road plan was rejected by the county court on the grounds that the terrain was already amply served by the Pacific Highway. It would have traversed some of the richest farm land in the valley, with a high cost for right-of-way.
Medford Mail Tribune, November 4, 1931, page 12


    A case is reported at Medford where a man and his wife took to making and selling beer in order to provide food for their family of five children ranging in ages from 1 to 18 years. It was the second time up for the man, Smith. When the court lectured him against violating the law because of bad example to the children the wife and mother interjected: "What are you going to do when you're hungry? When you are unable to get work and your family are hungry you are willing to do most anything."
    The man and his oldest son, it developed, were behind three months house rent and were trying to work out the bill by cutting wood for the owner at Jacksonville, walking the entire distance back and forth daily. When arrested Smith had seven cents and no fuel in the house. He had worked for nine years in a woodyard but lost his job several months ago.
    Now here is a concrete case which would excite the pity of the most stony-hearted. Even if the man had forfeited the respect of society either through law-breaking or downright worthlessness the plight of his family deserves consideration. The mere fact that he resorted to beer-making is only an incident. When men are desperate they resort even to crime to get relief. Jean Valjean’s theft of the loaves of bread is a classic in literature as it represents one of the occasional extremities of life.
    But there is no need or should be no need for men to violate laws, whether the prohibition law or the laws protecting property, that they may live. Medford for example is now raising a charity fund of some $21,000 which will take care of such needy cases as the Smiths. Bend started out to raise $6000 and expects now to raise $10,000; and that in a community which is chiefly dependent on one industry, lumber, whose ailment is well known. Other cities and towns are now engaged in similar projects. Salem will soon be raising its funds. There can be, there will be, no stint in giving.
    What happened to the Smiths at Medford? Well, the sentences were suspended and the judge and the assistant district attorney said they would set out to find employment for Smith so he could support his family decently. No one will condemn such administration of justice. As communities we have two duties: charity for those in immediate need; [and] provision for employment for those who are out of work.
Statesman Journal, Salem, November 5, 1931, page 4


    Initial steps towards the establishment of emergency relief work on roads of the county was started this week by the county court, with the dispatch of 15 workers to the Greenspring Mountain road, and the same number for maintenance work on the Crater Lake Highway in the Eagle Point-Trail district. The present small crews were sent out to make preliminary arrangements and prepare for the day when the work is under full swing.
    There will be a meeting of the state highway commission, also the county judges of the state, next Wednesday, November 12, when details of the emergency road work in the state will be considered, and the amounts of money each county will receive for emergency road work will be apportioned. Nothing definite will be known until after this meeting. No further workers will be sent out until after this decision is reached.
    Up to last night a total of 451 men in this county had registered with the clerk of the county court for employment on road work and the new courthouse. Each has a card which he must present ere employment is granted. This morning 25 men registered, and the grand total is expected to be between 500 and 600.
    This city leads the list of registrations with 289, Ashland 77, Gold Hill 6, Rogue River 3, Talent 17, Central Point 20, Jacksonville 11, Phoenix 14, Butte Falls 3, Beagle 1, Eagle Point and Trail 17, Prospect 1, Brownsboro 1.
    It is expected that the emergency road work will be under way early in December, so the workers will have money for Christmas cheer.
Medford Mail Tribune, November 5, 1931, page 5


    The city of Medford was still several thousand dollars short of her goal for this year's Community Chest drive when the Mail Tribune went to press this afternoon. The total was nearing the $16,000 mark, and the quota to be raised is $21,035. The enthusiasm of the more than 80 workers in the field, however, had not been dimmed, and all prospect cards will be rechecked and solicitations repeated if the goal is not accomplished tonight.
    The imperative need for accomplishing the goal this year is emphasized in the report received by Hamilton Patton, president of the local chest, from Will H. Hays. Unstinted generosity this fall and winter on the part of all who have either wages or wealth is demanded in the report.
    "If the job-holding rest of us do not tide friends, neighbors and friendless over the emergency," the report reads, "we must confess to even more frozen hearts than frozen assets in these United States.
    "Two persons out of three bleating about depression are wincing at wounds that their incomes have not yet received--adding pessimism to a condition which has not in the slightest encroached upon their standards of comfort, their means or their spending capacity. Money that isn't helping to produce goods, sustain trade or help a neighbor is a slacker and unfit to bear the mint-mark of the United States.
    "Borrowing a phrase from 1917, 'What answer will we be able to give our youngsters when they later ask about the part we played in this battle against despair and depression?'"
Medford Mail Tribune, November 7, 1931, page 1


    Medford Boy Scouts, in full uniform, today are calling at the homes in Medford, giving out little pamphlets which point out the necessity of cleaning up houses and yards. This campaign, sponsored by the Community Chest, is a drive to give local people in need of and deserving employment a chance to do odd jobs.
    Lawrence Pennington has been appointed in charge of the campaign, and assisted Scout Executive Oscar E. Hoover in organizing the scouts into groups with captains to see that all homes receive the circulars.
    People having odd jobs to be done about the premises are requested to call the central labor bureau, 104-J-3, where names of worthy people will be given out.
    As tomorrow is a holiday, when families will be together, they are asked by the committee in charge of the campaign to talk the matter over and come to a decision as to what work can be done.
    Boy Scouts who are aiding the chest are Frank Hull, Raymond Erickson, Robert Littrell, Robert Purucker, Dan Hull, Emerson Gould, Don Elliott, Lloyd Herron, Bud Thierolf, Ted Taylor, Earl Meiling, Jack Thompson, Ed Carter, Dorr Barrett, Hubert Santo, Clifford Clegg, Don Price, Elmer Wright, Bill Porter, Russell Jordan, Floyd Loomis, Robert Root, David Moore, Robert Hinman and George Cox.
Medford Mail Tribune, November 10, 1931, page 1


    In a cheery, well-lighted room finished in pale green, with shiny white oilcloth covering the tables, and attractive bouquets of fall garden flowers set here and there, hungry men in Medford receive food--if they are willing to work hard at the woodpile for 15 minutes.
    The kitchen, where substantial servings of meat and vegetable stew, bread and coffee are served every day, is located in the basement of the Salvation Army building on North Bartlett Street and is being sponsored by the Medford Lions' Club to rid the city of professional beggars. Meals are served from 7 to 9 in the mornings and from 4 to 6 in the evenings.
    Only those who will work for 15 minutes cutting, sawing and stacking wood, however, are fed. The project has been put into motion by the local service club to eliminate from the community beggars unwilling to work, according to George W. Newberry, club president.
    Several Lions' Club members have small books of 10 tickets, which have just been issued, and each one is good for an opportunity to earn a meal at the kitchen, which was opened the first of the month. The tickets are given "panhandlers" instead of coins.
    Reports have been made by Lions that fellows on the streets asking for money, who claimed they were hungry, refused to accept the tickets.
    One club member told of distributing 10 of these stubs, giving them to men who asked for money. A check made with the kitchen revealed that only three reported for work, in order to receive food.
    Police will be asked by the club to cooperate in the elimination of professional beggars in Medford, and those who will not split wood for desired aid.
    Plans will be perfected at a meeting this evening of the Lions' committee of aid for the working out of a plan to put in common use the tickets entitling men to work for meals. Carl Stuart is chairman of the group.
    Business men who have been told about the checks to be given, instead of money, Mr. Newberry said, seem convinced of the adaptability of the plan. However, it is not necessary for a man to have a ticket to earn food, it was pointed out.
    Ensign J. R. Pack of the Salvation Army is cooperating with the service group, and is in direct supervision of the project.
    Although the kitchen has been in operation for only a short time, it seems to be proving a success, Ensign Pack stated. An average of between eight and ten persons are fed daily. The woodpile, located directly in back of the Army headquarters, is kept in order by the workers. The wood is used to cook the food in the kitchen and is hauled to the grounds by the Salvation Army.
    President Newberry declared that "the purpose of the project is to help every person willing to work and show he is on the level, and to discourage the beggars. The woodpile gives him a chance to prove what he is."
Medford Mail Tribune, November 10, 1931, page 3


    Plans have been made, by the Oregon-Washington Pear Bureau, for Northwest pears to be sold the coming winter in eastern cities by the unemployed as a means of increasing small sales, according to a report made this noon at the regular meeting of the Rogue River Traffic Association. Pears and apples are adaptable for this style of sale and find a ready response.
    Good results to date have been obtained from the pear advertising campaign now under way in the East, and the present condition of the pear market is attributed in a large measure to this drive. New York and Chicago have been liberally posted with large lithographs, setting forth the excellence of the Boscs. At the present time, pears are enjoying a strong sale, with apples and oranges showing "in the red."
    Raymond R. Reter, president of the traffic association, leaves today for Seattle where he will attend a meeting of the directors for the purpose of formally incorporating.
Medford Mail Tribune, November 12, 1931, page 1


    Pledges to the Community Chest approximate $19,000 today, according to the latest report from Hamilton Patton, president, and contributions in the form of money, supplies and services are still coming in. Although the $21,035 goal has not yet been attained, anyone in distress can be cared for by applying at the Salvation Army, Red Cross headquarters or registering at the labor bureau. Anyone who knows of persons in dire need is asked to report the cases to Chest headquarters.
    The $19,000 estimate includes the quota from the schools which has not been received and $900 in pledges for supplies and service made by local doctors and merchants.
    There will not be a second drive for the unemployed, contrary to a report heard about town yesterday. All relief work will be carried on through the same agency.
    Two persons are continuing the re-checking of prospect cards today, and names of many people who contributed last year and have not this year are being found. Many of these people have not been called on but will be before the renewed drive is completed. Anyone who has not been solicited will be given the opportunity to contribute to this cause before the campaign is closed.
    The 10 percent tickets to be issued donors for direct charity work are being printed and will be ready for distribution as soon as the drive is over. Anyone interested in extending aid in this way is asked to call for tickets at headquarters. These tickets will be issued to the extent of 10 percent of the contribution to the Chest.
    The warehouse, where supplies will be received and distributed to the needy, will open Monday morning. All persons who could not give cash or pledges are asked to bring whatever they can contribute in the way of supplies or clothing to the warehouse.
    When the budgets are properly arranged for county and city, Mr. Patton also stated, there will be plenty of money available to care for any extra relief work which may arise.
Medford Mail Tribune, November 13, 1931, page 1


    Members of the Medford Rotary Club were up at an early hour this morning. Clad in overalls, they were busily engaged in unloading two big truckloads of potatoes for local relief work. The two truckloads constitute only a part of a total of 720 sacks of "spuds" purchased by the Medford Rotarians and donated to the Community Chest to help the needy this winter. This means a total of 72,000 pounds of potatoes to feed worthy families, and it is expected that this big donation will assist materially in relieving the local situation.
    The Rotarians enjoyed their work and handled the heavy sacks of spuds like professional longshoremen. Moving pictures and photographs of their activities were taken by Rotarians Horace Bromley and Bert Peasley for early showing here.
Medford Mail Tribune, November 14, 1931, page 7


    At the same tables where black and white, worthy and unworthy, constituting the great army of unemployed, each day rub elbows before a bowl of beef stew, members of the local Lions Club met for luncheon today noon.
    The green-and-white relief kitchen, recently opened on North Bartlett, resounded to a hearty roar as they expressed their appreciation of the effort Ensign J. R. Pack and other members of the Salvation Army have exerted to make the club project a success.
    The same menu which greets the eyes of the hungry weaving in and out of the army headquarters was prepared for the roaring Lions. The Salvation Army lassies served the meal and the club members agreed it was well worth working for.
    During the early part of the luncheon period the Lions were entertained with singing and whistling solos by Miss Ellow Mae Wilson, broadcast on the Littrell radio hour. The radio at which Floyd Rush officiated in the kitchen was furnished for the occasion by Clayton Isaacs. Miss Wilson was accompanied by Mrs. George Andrews at the piano.
    A report made to the club by Ensign Pack showed that 372 meals have been served through the kitchen since it opened October 29. A view of the kitchen during meal time, he told the club members, offers a wonderful cross-section of life. The diners range from college men to beggars, but all except cripples are forced to work for the food they receive. Many of them are on the tramp, but glad to work for some stew. They range in ages from 'teens to nineties, one of the oldest to call this week being a colored man nearing the 100 mark. One of two negro boys who called after working hours last night and promised to return to work for rations this morning "became very ill when he visualized the woodpile," and Ensign Pack quoted his pardner as saying, "decided he didn't want any breakfast."
    Meals are served at the relief kitchen from 7 to 9 a.m. and from 4 to 6 p.m. Mrs. McKeene, who exhibits a motherly smile for all, does the cooking. Mr. McKeene
supervises the work and Ensign and Mrs. Pack and other members of the Salvation Army care for other needs.
    The Lions Club committee, headed by Lion Stewart, was congratulated by Ensign Pack for the splendid work done preparatory to opening of the kitchen and the following firms and individuals thanked for donations: Medford Furniture and Hardware, Davis Transfer, Dr. B. R. Elliott, Peerless Meat Market, Rogue River Meat Market, Pay 'N Takit, Gates and Lydiard, MacMarr, Mrs. Alice Applegate Sargent, J. C. Penney and Co., McCrady's and Pacific Fruit and Produce.
Medford Mail Tribune, November 18, 1931, page 1


   Hamilton Patton, chairman of the Community Chest, today issued a second urgent appeal to the people of Medford and Jackson County to assist in giving worthy people work--particularly in the matter of odd jobs around the homes in the direction of an emergency cleanup campaign.
    "Our latest survey," said Mr. Patton, "shows there are approximately 1000 men in the county now out of work. Two-thirds of them have families to support. Up to date, in answer to our first appeal, the people have only given about 25 hours of steady work."
    "I don't believe the people realize the seriousness of the situation. The drain upon our Community Chest is tremendous. We must have outside help. So I again appeal, to all residents, to have cleanup work done now. If they will call up the Central Labor Bureau, phone 104 J-3, they can get good workmen at once--they can have necessary work well done and at the same time give relief to worthy families who must have it--not at some future time, but now!"
Medford Mail Tribune, November 19, 1931, page 1


    Up to last night, the unemployment registration in Jackson County reached a total of 991 men, apportioned by city and districts as follows:
    The registration this week has been the heaviest of the year, with more than 200 applicants.
    Emergency relief work in this county will not get under way until the county court ascertains definitely how much state highway funds will be apportioned. The sum is now placed at $25,000, which will be inadequate to provide work for even those in dire need and with dependents.
    Twenty-five men were dispatched this week to work on the Greenspring Mountain road and 15 on the Crater Lake Highway. In every instance, the workers were fathers with three or more minor dependents. The work will be rotated among this class, in order that the meager available funds will be spread far, and necessarily thin.
    The county court, in dispensing relief work, will check closely on each case. Some of the registrants are known to have ample shelter and full cupboards, but seeking work. A ban has also been placed on high school boys willing to work to escape school routine; men with pensions or private incomes, and those seeking work to "kill time." This list is not large, and a high percentage of the cases are worthy.
    The state highway commission is expected to take action next week, relative to the allotment of funds for emergency work.
Medford Mail Tribune, November 19, 1931, page 7


    The Jackson County budget, as framed by the budget committee at a session this morning, calls for a total levy of $412,870.14, which includes an estimated state tax of $100,000. It represents a reduction of $35,347.41, or ten percent less than last year.
    The amount for county levy last year was $348,217.55, with a state levy of $102,211.96.
    The budget as it now stands makes no levy for the general or market road fund, but anticipates that their maintenance will come from receipts from gasoline and license fees.
    Twenty thousand dollars is allowed for unemployment relief, with legal technicalities to be adjusted relative to its immediate use and designation on the budget. $15,000 is provided in the emergency fund for road needs.
    The budget committee, Ben Harder chairman, will meet with the chamber of commerce tax committee today to further discuss the budget, and any changes ordered.
    Much of the morning session was devoted to discussion of the legal phases of the budget and its appropriations, some of which are securely hedged about by state laws.
    Some of the budget committee felt that the 10 percent slash was not enough, and others declared it was more than expected.
    A public hearing will be held on the budget the first week in December as required by state law.
    After the public hearing, the next step will be the formal signing of the budget, which promises to be a moot point.
Medford Mail Tribune, November 25, 1931, page 1


    "It seems that the dire situation for the remainder of the winter and next spring, and even now, must be blasted into a portion of the general public to enable them to realize that much more money must be raised to relieve the local unemployment and misery situation," said Hamilton Patton, president of the Community Chest fund, who, flanked by Jack Thompson, chairman of the Chest drive fund and also of the Red Cross, attended the city council meeting last night to plead with the councilmen to make sure that that body's contribution of $1000 placed in the city budget for next year will be forthcoming for the fund.
    "While some Medford people have given or pledged liberally, and the general run of those employed or otherwise able to do so have pledged what they can afford, yet there are many slackers," continued Mr. Patton, who also not only asked that the city council's $1000 be paid in cash as soon as available, but that the council make use of its $12,000 fund for streets and roads in the budget for next year this winter.
    "The Chest needs cash and lots of it. You can readily see this when you consider that the bulk of the Chest money is to be paid monthly, or quarterly, thus stringing along for a year, but the absolutely necessary relief work is going on now and will greatly increase. We can't get away from this. It must be met.
    "The cash now on hand, or that which is beginning to come in slowly during the next twelve months from the monthly or quarterly payments, will soon be exhausted.
    "Unless we have much more ready cash the needs for relief of actual misery and poverty will soon outstrip the available cash on hand for the purpose. Thus it may happen in a few weeks hence that because of lack of money immediately available the Chest may have to shut down relief work entirely in several important features until more of the subscribed Chest fund comes in."
    Mr. Hamilton stressed the point that the city council by expenditure of the $12,000 item placed in the budget for streets and roads next year, as soon as possible this winter, will greatly aid in the Chest work by this money giving employment or partial employment to many men, thus enabling the Chest to have more money available for relief.
    Both Mr. Patton and Mr. Thompson assured the city officials that if they so desired, not a cent of the $1000 given by the city to the Chest would go to the character-building organizations. The council could stipulate, they said, that the $1000 be paid in for the Salvation Army or the Red Cross, which is a charity semi-relief agent for the city government, or to be divided between them. Any way to make sure that the $1000 be left in the budget and made available as soon as possible.
Medford Mail Tribune, November 25, 1931, page 2


To the Editor:
    What can we do for our boys? No work, no money, and no place to go to spend an evening without money.
    There is a bunch of boys wandering around in town, not bad boys, but full of energy. Boys of parents who are not affiliated with any church.
    If the boy could find a little recreation at times. Why not a junior community chest?
    Food kitchens and all are fine, but oh for a place of amusement for our boys.
"Communications," Medford Mail Tribune, November 29, 1931, page 8


    The county budget committee yesterday completed its preparations for the coming year, and the first publication of the budget as prepared will be tomorrow. The date for the public hearing with Ben E. Harder, chairman, presiding, has been fixed for Saturday, December 21. The budget will be ready for turning over to the county assessor early in January.
    The budget calls for a reduction of $36,572.05 over last year. The reduction in the state tax is estimated at $100,000 less than last year, or $92,211.96, making the total reduction, state and county, $128,784.01.
    The total amount for the 1930 budget was $348,383.15; and this year $301,811.10. The total state apportionment last year was $198,211.96. It has not been compiled for the present year, but is estimated at close to $100,000.
    The total state and county amount last year was $540,595.11; this year $411,811.10.
    The county reduction amounts to 10.1 percent less than last year. The chamber of commerce budget committee, headed by W. H. Gore, urged a 40 percent cut.
    The budget committee followed closely the recommendations, but found in many cases like school funds they encountered rigid state laws. In the funds for the care of the poor, the chamber committee recommended a cut, and the budget committee allowed a slight increase, holding that the time augured more needy.
    The levy for the county library fund was cut in two, to .2 of a mill. A petition was filed with the county court yesterday by Jacksonville citizens protesting against the cut as too drastic, and letters were received from taxpayers protesting the decrease. The county library slash is scheduled to be an issue at the public hearing.
    County districts, now reached or tapped by the proposed market road, for which no levy was budgeted, also plan to protest against the action, it is understood.
    The budget committee provided for a .6 of a mill levy for general roads, which will raise about $20,000, which will be used for emergency relief work on the roads.
    The first of the city, school and road levies for the year have arrived at the assessor's office for extension on the tax rolls and will be added to the state and county levies. According to Assessor J. B. Coleman, they will be about the same as last year. The budgets show that some of the districts have reduced their school allowance, increased their road budgets and vice versa, and that when all added up will total little, if any, less than last year.
Medford Mail Tribune, November 29, 1931, page 9


    The county court expects to take action the coming week, looking towards the launching of emergency relief work in this county, with county funds and financial aid assured by the state highway commission. The amount is problematical, but Jackson County expects to be apportioned $20,000 from the state funds, and will raise a similar amount by .06 of a mill levy in the new budget.
    About 40 men are now employed on preliminary emergency road work on the Crater Lake Highway and the Green Springs Mountain road. These men all have three or four dependents and are among the most urgent cases.
    In dispensing the emergency road work, the county court will do so, as far as possible, in accordance with the need of the applicants and the number of dependents. A checkup of the 1000 or more applicants will be made. County officials said that in a cursory examination of the application blanks they had found many, who while possibly lacking finances, had a full cupboard and shelter, and were able to weather the stress far better than others, who paid rent, and by force of circumstances had been unable to lay by a store of food.
    A policy will be worked out within the next few days, whereby the relief will be apportioned equitably, under the same rotation as last winter. It is hoped to have the work under way in time for the workers to have a measure of Christmas cheer.
Medford Mail Tribune, November 29, 1931, page 12


    Forty-five men were sent out this morning on emergency relief work on the Crater Lake Highway and the Green Springs Mountain road, and the two gangs will work until Saturday. All the men sent out today have dependents and were given work after a close check. No work is granted unless the applicant has a card.
    The county is now giving as much work as possible, with the limited funds at hand, and expending every dollar where it will do the most good.
    The $20,000 for emergency relief work included in the budget will not be available until after the first of the year. No money has been received from the state highway commission, Jackson County's share being estimated at $25,000. When the state highway fund will be available is unknown.
    Preliminary work of the excavation for the new courthouse started this morning, two steam shovels being on the job. This work will not take over two weeks, including the installation of drainage pipe.
    It is expected that work on the main construction will start shortly after the first of the year. The county court and citizens' advisory committee will hold sessions at an early date to decide on the alternative bids.
    The courthouse work is expected to employ between 50 and 75 men regularly, chiefly skilled labor until completed in six months.
Medford Mail Tribune, November 30, 1931, page 3


    Letters voicing a vigorous protest against the county budget cutting the levy for the county library fund from .02 of a mill to .01 of a mill continued to reach the county court today. All the protests came from residents of country districts, and Gold Hill, Butte Falls, Eagle Point, Rogue River, Jacksonville and outlying settlements.
    The matter of restoring the levy to its original .02 of a mill will probably be aired at the public hearing on the budget to be held Saturday, December 21. Any change rests with the budget committee. The Medford Chamber of Commerce tax committee, W. H. Gore, chairman, in its recommendations asked that the county library levy be eliminated entirely. The budget committee split the difference. The .02 of a mill levy raised $7,929.
    Proponents of the county library levy, in their letters and petitions, set forth that the branch libraries maintained throughout the county are a source of enjoyment and instruction to residents, and mean as much to the rural areas as the movies do to the cities, and that they are liberally patronized the year around by young and old, and are a part of the rural school system.
    Letters protesting the slash have been received from the Parent-Teacher Council, the Gold Hill Chamber of Commerce, the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, business men and heavy property owners and prominent women of the county.
Medford Mail Tribune, December 1, 1931, page 5


    In accordance with the suggestion of J. M. Devers, attorney for the state highway commission, the county court at an early date will appoint a "willing-to-aid" committee. The object of the committee is to give advice to wage-earners who by reason of the stress of the time are temporarily unable to meet payments on their homes and articles bought on the installment plan. The county court is considering the personnel of the committee. An effort is being made to secure men versed in the ways of the law, business and finance.
    The Devers letter explains that at present there are many residents of the state who, by reason of unemployment, are unable to make any payments and are in danger of losing their homes. Attorney Devers holds that in many instances advice and sound help will enable the homeowners to tide over their difficulty. The letter sets forth that "the home owner is potentially the best type of citizen, and should be assisted, as an integral part of the social fabric."
    "Willing-to aid" committees will be named in all the counties of the state and are expected to be in operation at an early date.    
Medford Mail Tribune, December 1, 1931, page 5


    A miner by the name of Ross, a recent arrival in these parts with his family of three children, was detained Friday by game authorities, charged with possession of venison out of season. He abided in an abandoned upper Applegate cabin, and all the food in the larder was the illegal deer meat. The officers came upon Ross and his flock by accident, while investigation a stock killing case.
    District Attorney Codding, after hearing the facts in the case, directed that Ross be allowed possession of the deer meat--even if it was out of season--and through the Red Cross, he was given other food to go with the venison. Then he was taken back to the cabin, to resume his pocket-hunting and panning for gold.
Medford Mail Tribune, December 6, 1931, page 12


    The chamber of commerce tax reduction committee, William H. Gore, chairman, and members of the county library board met at the chamber of commerce last night and discussed the slash in the county library levy in the budget from .02 of a mill to .01 of a mill. Rural districts of the county protested the cut. As a result of the session, it is understood that the chamber of commerce committee will recommend that the library fund levy be restored, but that it be deducted from other levies.
    The chamber of commerce-Gore committee, at the public hearing on the budget set for Monday, December 21, will urge that the budget be left as advertised, and that the state law allowing for a 10 percent additional levy be unused. The budget is advertised at approximately $311,000, so it could be raised approximately $11,000.
    At the public hearing, each item of the budget will be read separately and discussed. It is anticipated that practical abolishments of the market road fund will be the storm center. Sentiment is reported as increasing in the county districts and Ashland that this is too drastic action. The Dead Indian road, out of Ashland, and the Lake Creek market road, in the east portion of the county, and the Sams Valley road on the floor of the valley, are the chief routes affected. It also cuts into a source of employment in the summer and fall for the menfolk of the rural areas, and they have felt it heavily this year.
    One of the arguments advanced is that Medford now has all the roads paved and otherwise desired, and is therefore not solicitous for other sections.
Medford Mail Tribune, December 8, 1931, page 5


    According to statistics compiled by Victor Tengwald, secretary of the county clerk, 1300 residents of Jackson County have registered for work on the new county courthouse and the emergency relief work. This is more than a 200 increase over the number registered two weeks ago. The present figure is expected to be increased.
    Since the last compilation of figures, the Ashland total mounted from 117 to 317, an increase of 200. In the other districts and this city the number remains practically the same, and are as follows:
    Medford……………………….687
    Ashland……………………….317
    Central Point…………………60
    Eagle Point-Trail…………….55
    Gold Hill………………………40
    Jacksonville………………….31
    Talent………………………….33
    Phoenix……………………….23
    Miscellaneous……………..27
    Assignment of men for next week's emergency road work on the Crater Lake and Greensprings routes and the Gold Hill district have been completed. Fifty-five men, all with three or more minor children, will start next week, the same number as now employed. This is all that can be assisted because of the limited county funds available. When the state highway commission will make available funds recently voted is not known, but they will probably not be released until after the budget-making throughout the state has been completed, January 1.
    A check of the financial and food conditions of all applicants are made by county and civic agencies before any of the present small amount of labor is granted.
    Work on the new county courthouse is expected to be in full swing by February 1. It is expected the number of employees on this job will range from 50 to 75 men, chiefly skilled workmen.
Medford Mail Tribune, December 10, 1931, page 12


    The county court and budget committee, with the citizens' advisory committee, and a delegation of citizens from the Ashland chamber of commerce in attendance, in session yesterday afternoon, approved changes in the county budget as first printed, which permit the use of Indiana limestone and Ashland granite in the construction of the new county courthouse.
    A levy of .04 of a mill was approved to provide approximately $14,200 for construction, and at the same time the county library fund, previously slashed in two, was restored to the original levy of .02 of a mill. The cut brought protests from the rural districts and towns benefited by the county library work.
    Ashland granite, under the new conditions, will be used in steps, buttresses, pier bases, rails, caps and in the five entrances to the structure. The Indiana limestone will be used in the entire building, instead of the pastel brick, at a cost of only $10,000. This was regarded by the court, the advisory committee and all concerned as a good bargain. Indiana limestone, according to builders and architects, will stand to the ages, and is a stone of dignity and beauty. Many taxpayers voice their approval of the use of limestone.
   The county court and advisory committee were in session this morning, considering alternate bids for vaults and vault linings.
Medford Mail Tribune, December 11, 1931, page 6


    First steps in a program for re-establishment of payrolls by certain local industries to relieve the present unemployment problem confronting Medford were launched by the Chamber of Commerce board of directors at the regular session last night.
    A group of men was selected, following extensive discussion of the matter, to devise such a program. The group includes W. H. Gore, B. E. Harder, C. W. McDonald, Earl Fehl, Earl Gaddis, O. C. Boggs, A. C. Hubbard and O. O. Alenderfer, president of the chamber.
    The first move of the committee will be to contact and confer with some interests in the community that might produce payrolls.
    Proposed inclusion of Diamond Lake in the Crater Lake National Park was also discussed. The chamber of commerce has been asked to oppose such a movement, but the board of directors decided in view of the fact that no legislation promoting the move has been introduced that it would be profitable to consider both side of the question before taking a stand in the matter.
    A committee was appointed to make this investigation. It is made up of J. C. Thompson, A. P. Johnsen and H. S. Deuel.
    Two referenda presented by the national chamber of commerce received endorsement of the local board. No. 58, concerning continuity of business and employment, was presented with recommendation of the local committee, headed by W. W. Allen, and the 10 recommendations endorsed.
    The recommendations read:
    "The anti-trust laws should be modified so as to make clear that the laws permit agreements increasing the possibilities of keeping production related to consumption.
    Modification of the anti-trust laws should include provision for governmental supervision in order that agreements which are not in the public interest in stabilization of business operations and employment may be nullified.
    Business desiring to combine should have opportunity to ascertain from a suitable government authority whether or not the proposed combination will be in violation of the anti-trust laws.
    The principles of a national economic council should be placed in effect. For each field of business a representative trade association should perform the functions of an economic council.
    Aided by increased opportunity for stability of operations, each employer should so plan operations as to assure the greatest possible number of employees there will be work for the greatest possible number of weeks in the year.
    Aided by increased opportunity for stabilization, employers individually and collectively should provide adequate reserves for unemployment and other benefits for their employees.
    Through trade associations employers should make such reserves and benefits uniform throughout each field of business, in all states.
    Unemployment, which now exists and may presently occur, should be dealt with upon an individual basis, locally, through organizations to that end.
    Needed relief should be provided through private contributions supplemented by state and local governments, and without any federal appropriations for such purposes.
    Referendum No. 59, presented by the special committee, headed by Mr. Johnsen, asks that a tribunal of officials of the federal government, familiar with national resource industries, coal, oil and timber, be authorized to permit agreements for curtailment of production in such industries during the continuance of a condition of overproduction. The recommendation involves amendment to the Sherman Anti-Trust Law to allow curtailment of production.
Medford Mail Tribune, December 16, 1931, page 11


    Persons with names of needy families, to whom Christmas baskets are to be sent, are urged to turn them in to the Salvation Army at once, Ensign J. R. Pack stated last night.
    This year's list will be a long one and relief organizations will need more time than usual for preparing and distributing the baskets.
Medford Mail Tribune, December 20, 1931, page 12


    The Department of Agriculture report on the economic survey conducted in the Medford and Talent irrigation districts last November is expected to be filed early in January, and shortly thereafter, according to Olen Arnspiger, manager of the irrigation district, a meeting will be held with the representatives of the bondholders to discuss readjustment matters. The two irrigation districts a month ago announced a heavy cut in their water rates for the coming season.
    Survey experts of the government spent a month making a survey of the two irrigation districts this fall, covering every angle, and the report will be basis for the negotiations.
    Manager Arnspiger Saturday described the irrigation water situation of the valley for next year as "far better than last year, but still nothing to brag about." Snowfall and rain the balance of this month and in January are still to come. To date more snow has fallen in the mountains than all last winter.
    The warm wind and sun of the past two days has caused the snow at Fish Lake to drop from 32 inches depth to 22 inches, but the melting water is still held in the snow, and subject to future freezing. There has been no runoff. All streams of the county are carrying a fair flow of water.
    After the first of the year, the county watermaster department will start taking measurements of snow. Retrenchment this year limits the measuring to January and February. The county records, however, will be augmented by the records of the California-Oregon Power Company, which keeps a record of the snowfall through its line patrolmen.
Medford Mail Tribune, December 20, 1931, page 12




    Another week and Old Man 1931 will depart forever, to the great relief of a harassed and groggy world. "Good riddance to bad rubbish'' will be the popular verdict.
    But like most popular verdicts it isn't entirely true. The law of compensation works with years, as it does with other things. And if it isn't generally recognized now, it will be eventually, that the dark year of 1931 had its rays of sunshine.
    Like a major operation the deflation of 1931 was painful, but the patient has survived, the maladjustments have been corrected, the poisons eliminated, and a period of better health, greater happiness and prosperity is just ahead.
    The present situation of the Owen-Oregon Lumber Company provides an excellent example in the local field. As a result of the depression, it now appears likely that this company will resume operations, under more favorable conditions than ever before.
    It took the body-blow of 1931 to bring this about. The closing down of the mill brought home to the people of this community what it meant to THEM.
    As a result the local support and assistance that were lacking in the golden days of '29 will not be lacking in 1932. An excessive tax burden will be reduced. Local consumption of Owen-Oregon products will be increased. And even more important the quality of lumber in Medford and Southern Oregon will be raised--the cost to the consumer lowered.
    Mr. Owen declares Medford lumber dealers have shipped in inferior grades, and maintained an excessive scale of prices. This statement has been publicly confirmed by a member of the Chamber of Commerce committee named to investigate the situation.
    This is a serious charge. If true, it not only worked a great injustice upon the Owen-Oregon company; but upon the people of Southern Oregon.
    Whatever the final outcome, this much is certain--thanks to the black year of 1931, such a condition will not exist again.
    What is true here is true in general, all over the world. The destructive forces of 1931 were terrible. But sunshine always follows the storm, thunder and lightning deal death, but they also clear the atmosphere for new life.
    Nineteen thirty-one marked a period of critical illness for the economic world, but in the economic as in the physical realm, such a period, when not fatal, marks the triumph of health over disease.
    This may not be so apparent now. But it will be in the future, when a true perspective of the year 1931 is attained.
Medford Mail Tribune, December 24, 1931, page 4


    The state highway commission is scheduled to hold sessions tomorrow and Friday, when it is expected and hoped that action will be taken, according to promise, to release funds for emergency relief work on the highways. To date, much has been said but nothing done, while a discussion continued over which road into Portland should be widened.
    Jackson County has tentatively been promised between $20,000 and $25,000 as its share of the emergency fund. It is thought that the money will be received early in January, and that plans will be formulated for the proposed widening of the Pacific Highway over the Siskiyous, so that local labor can secure work.
    The county at present is carrying on emergency work through a depleted emergency fund which will be exhausted by December 31. This sum, totaling $8,800, also takes care of the bounties on wild animals and provides for the poor and the operation of the county woodpile at Jacksonville. Twenty thousand dollars is included in the 1932 budget for relief work and care of poor not otherwise provided for, but it will be spread over 365 days.    
    Storm conditions prevented work this week on the Green Springs road. It affected 25 men. Clearing of the weather will bring a resumption. No further authorizations for emergency relief work will be issued until next Wednesday, Victor Tengwald, clerk of the county court, has announced.
Medford Mail Tribune, December 30, 1931, page 8


    In the way of relieving the local unemployment situation in the city of Medford, through City Superintendent Fred Scheffel, the latter provides employment, in shifts, of about 20 men a week--at least it averaged that last month and so far this month--in putting them at work at extra common municipal labor, in stretches of three days each, at 35 cents an hour pay.
    For instance, eight men were placed at work yesterday morning at cleaning out gutters and the like, and after they have worked three days they are replaced by eight other unemployed men for three days, and so on. Of course, only local men are so employed, heads of needy families being given preference.
    One peculiar feature about the city's providing this extra labor in the way of unemployment relief is that quite a number of citizens who lack money with which to pay delinquent assessments owed to the city beseech to be given employment at this extra work, they volunteering that all the money thus earned be retained by the city to be applied on whatever delinquent sum [is] owed. A number of such have been given brief employment during the last two months.
Medford Mail Tribune, January 24, 1932, page 5


    MEDFORD, Ore. (UP)--Hard-pressed farmers and business men of the Rogue River Valley are using hay as a medium of exchange in place of money. Many farmers are paying workers in hay, priced at $6 the ton in shock.
Oswego Palladium-Times, Oswego, New York, July 27, 1932, page 7

    Orchardists who have some apples left that they haven't disposed of can make a good-sized payment on their taxes with them, Hamilton Patton, director of relief work for Jackson County, announced today.
    The relief organization is prepared to take a large quantity of marketable apples at 30 cents a sack, which will be traded to Klamath Falls farmers for potatoes. The potatoes will be used in the relief commissary here, and the apples will be used in the Klamath country.
    "Thirty cents a sack isn't much for apples," Patton said, "but we are getting the potatoes at 30 cents a sack, and some apple grower here can do a lot towards paying off his taxes."
    Growers with apples are requested to see or call Patton.
Medford Mail Tribune, February 2, 1933, page 1

    MEDFORD, Oreg., Feb. 6 (AP)--Hamilton Patton, director of Jackson County relief work, announced today that orchardists will be allowed to trade in apples in payment of taxes at the rate of 30 cents a sack.

    The Welfare Exchange will close tomorrow after a successful winter's work, it was announced today by those in charge, who said they appreciate very much the interest the public has shown in the work that has been carried on.
Medford Mail Tribune, June 19, 1935, page 1


    Sheriff Syd I. Brown reported today that he intended to take Rueben Train, Ralph Bender, Norman Abla and George Milton, Shady Cove residents, serving county jail sentences for possession of deer meat in a closed season, into justice court next Monday and recommend they be released, so they may go to work and support their families. Each was given [a] 60-day sentence and $75 fine.
    "Three of these men have jobs at $5 and $7 per day on road work in Jackson County, and the foremen have assured me they can go to work when released," the sheriff said. "All have families, have no funds and are unable to get relief. By turning them out now, they can support their folks.
    "If the men serve out their time and fines, it will be August before they are freed, and all the work will be gone," the sheriff further stated. "They will go into next winter in the same shape they are in now.
    "They have served three weeks, and I believe have learned a lesson. The purpose of the law is to reform, not persecute. If they violate the law again the old sentence and fine reverts against them," the sheriff concluded.
    The men were arrested by state police with nine deer while returning in an auto on the Crater Lake Highway from a hunt on upper Elk Creek.
    A committee of the Rogue River Sportsmen's Club, Inc., requested by Justice of the Peace W. R. Coleman to make leniency recommendations in the case, declined to do so Thursday.