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The Infamous Black Bird Southern Oregon History, Revised


Medford News: 1925

Medford-related news items from 1925. Also see descriptions of Medford and Jackson County for this year.

THANKS FOR GOOD LETTER AND $2.00.
    Medford, Oregon, 401 So. King St., Mr. U. Elmer (Bump) Wilson, Hermitage, Mo. I wish I could make you hear me over the radio tonight, then I could get out of writing this letter. Many Medford citizens heard the Inaugural exercises by radio today. What a change since Garfield's election in 1880. I well remember Luther J. Slavens, who was then teaching at Olive Point, coming to my father's home where the Lone Spring post office then was and waiting till late in the night to get the papers giving the election returns, nearly one week after the election was held. (The mail was then carried from Lebanon via Urbana, Preston and Cross Timbers to Warsaw.) The mail was brought one day from Lebanon to Urbana and then after night from Urbana to Preston by a horseman. Often it was eight o'clock, sometimes nine o'clock, by the time the mail reached Lone Spring, which was about halfway from Urbana to Preston. The next morning the mail was carried from Preston--leaving about four o'clock--to Urbana, where the Urbana-Lebanon carrier would be waiting to take it to Lebanon. From Preston the mail was carried to Warsaw. My wife has been wanting me to send you a check for more Index for the last month, but I have neglected it. I told her I didn't want your "old paper." Last evening she said two blue marks were on the wrapper and that I must mail you a check for a year's subscription or hunt another cook, so here's the check. Hope it will be worth two whole "simoleons" to you. The weather is fine, everyone is very optimistic about Medford and this valley--the Rogue River Valley. Have had a very wet winter. The ground is full of water. Lots of snow in the mountains. Prospects good for a wonderful fruit crop. Building is active and everyone feeling good. My entire family is well and making a living. I am with the Golden Rule; Neil and Dale [Franklin]  have a confectionery and cafe business together with Virgil Martin [Franklin's Confectionery and Cafe]. Many of your Cross Timbers readers will remember Virgil. He is a stepson of Pete Norman, who used to live just west of Robert Hickman's. The boys have the finest place of its kind in Medford, and if hard work will make the business a success, it will "be a go," for they are sure on the job. Doyle Franklin is night man at a garage at a good salary. Mrs W. T. Whillock and two of her sons, Floyd and Loren of Coulee, N. Dak., were here. Floyd has been here for a year. Mrs. Whillock and Loren came before Christmas. Harry Wisner came up from 'Frisco and visited with them a few days. Mrs. Wisner and Mrs. Whillock are sisters of C. Bandle of Preston. Mrs. Whillock underwent a very serious operation about three weeks ago, but is getting along nicely. We think she will be able to leave the hospital in a few days. I think I told you in a former letter that the city superintendent of schools was a Missourian, a cousin of Mrs. Etta Powell, formerly Miss Etta Smith and Lon Smith, of Wheatland. Prof. Smith's father of California, Mo. now lives here, as does the latter's daughter and family of Latham. The son-in-law is Pete Latham, a son of old Dr. Latham. These people were all acquainted with our mutual friend, Wm. Howard, and family. G. A. Edwards and family, formerly of Barrister, Missouri, live here. C. W. Whillock has just returned from a buying trip in the Eastern markets. He came back through his old home town of Humanaville; his reputation as a checker player is as good out here as it was in Missouri. Since I read in the Index last night of the coming to Oregon of A. B. Wilson, I have been hoping he would pass through Medford and say "Hello." How I would love to see him and hundreds of others from the kingdoms of Hickory and Dallas counties. I hope to drop down among the Hickory County colony in California sometime this year.  Don't tell Walter Delmont anything about it, for I want to "sprise" him. See? Well, I must close, Elmer, and in conclusion let me say that if you or any of our friends should ever decide to take a trip "out West" by auto, do not forget that the Pacific Highway is paved almost all the way from Los Angeles to Vancouver and passes through Medford, the gateway to one of the world's greatest wonders, Crater Lake. Hope to see many of you. Come and see us. I almost forgot to say that a brother-in-law [Frank Delbert Jones] of Mrs. Jones, formerly Stephens, of Hickory County fell from a roof this afternoon and killed himself. Yours etc., N. H. Franklin.
    P.S. Be sure to send copy of Index of March 5th.
The Index, Hermitage, Missouri, March 12, 1925, page 1


Open Medford Office.
    Medford, Ore., April 10.--Steinhardt & Kelly of New York, who recently announced their entering the Medford district, have opened temporary offices in the Earl Fruit Company warehouse, with Floyd J. Cook as district manager and H. T. Hubbard assistant manager. This firm will occupy a commodious packing house, provided with modern equipment for handling and packing pears and apples, adjoining and in connection with the cold storage plant now under construction for the Ash Cold Storage Company.
The Chicago Packer, April 11, 1925, page 18
New Cold Storage at Medford.
    Medford, Ore., April 10.--The Ash Cold Storage Company has been incorporated with the following officers: Archie Ash, president; F. G. Wortman, vice president; H. K. Hanna, secretary. During the past week contracts were let for the building of the new pre-cooling plant to the Gray Engineering Company of Los Angeles, and active work on the new plant will commence next week. Work will be rushed to completion, and it is hoped to have the new pre-cooling plant in operation in time to handle the 1925 Bartlett pear crop.
The Chicago Packer, April 11, 1925, page 18


Raymond Reter a Medford Visitor.
    Medford, Ore., May 22.--Raymond Reter of the Los Angeles office of the Stewart Fruit Company is in Medford on business connected with his concern. Mr. Reter was formerly a resident of Medford but left here several years ago when he was promoted to a position in the main office of the Stewart Fruit Company.
The Chicago Packer, May 23, 1925, page 26
Trade News from Medford, Ore. District.
    Medford, Ore., June 5.--The outlook for the pear crop in this district is somewhat better than it was two weeks ago, and conservative estimates now place the crop at between 1,500 and 2,000 cars. Owing to the heavy drop of fruit several weeks ago, growers were alarmed, and some districts suffered a considerable drop, but the fruit remaining is rapidly sizing and the pack this year will be of considerably larger sizes than in ordinary years, it is said. There is considerable blight in the pear districts, and some orchardists have suffered considerably from the disease; however, with the warm weather now prevailing, it is being checked and growers hope to soon have it controlled.
----
    Rosenberg Brothers of the Bear Creek Orchards are this year bringing out a new patented picking bucket, claims for which are that it incorporates the protective qualities of the picking bucket and the speed of the picking sack. For many years the principle of careful picking has not been conducive to speed and has caused many growers to turn to the old-style picking sack.
    However, the Rosenbergs feel that they have finally been able to develop a picking device which handles pears just as easily as possible, and at the same time picks conservatively 10 percent faster than the bucket type. Last year this bucket was developed in the Bear Creek Orchard, where it showed a saving to the orchard of 30¢ per man per day. As a result they are placing this new bucket on the market this year.
 The Chicago Packer, June 6, 1925, page 33
Drum Corps of Medford Legion Makes a Big Hit
    MEDFORD, Or., June 6.--In their new uniforms the American Legion drum corps made a fine appearance in the 1925 Memorial Day parade in Medford.
    The drum corps of 21 pieces is under the direction of F. Wilson Waite; C. H. Isaac, manager; L. C. Garlock, secretary and treasurer; Lloyd Williamson, drum major; other members are Jack Heath, Morris Leonard, Paul Leonard, Jim Ross, Leo Williams, Henry Pace, Henry Fluhrer, W. J. Reinking, George Gates, Rollie Petty, Fred Scheffel, Roland Hubbard, J. W. Judy, B. Allen, W. P. Brooks, N. E. Bohall and Ted Fish.
Oregon Journal, Portland, June 7, 1925, page 46 (D10)


Medford Cherries Sold.
    Medford, Ore., June 19.--Local Royal Anne cherries will probably all be turned over to the local canneries here at prices 10¢ for 65s and 7¢ for 85s and smaller. This price is quite satisfactory to cherry growers here, and therefore the bulk of the tonnage will go to the local cannery.
The Chicago Packer, June 20, 1925, page 11
Rogue River Apples.
    Medford, Ore., June 19.--F. L. Kent, agricultural statistician for Oregon, has issued a recent bulletin wherein it is estimated that 425 cars of apples and 1,600 cars of pears will be shipped from the Rogue River Valley this year
The Chicago Packer, June 20, 1925, page 11

New Storage and Pre-Cooling Plant at Medford.
    Medford, Ore., July 3.--The Medford Pre-Cooling and Storage Company is constructing a big pre-cooling and cold storage plant here, representing an investment of more than $250,000, which will be ready for operation in time to handle this season's crop. Officers of the company are Archie S. Ash, president; H. G. Wortman, vice-president, and H. W. Hamlin, secretary and treasurer.
    The Southern Pacific has granted a tariff whereby fruit can be pre-cooled and stored here instead of at Portland. A great many pears are grown in this district and growers are pleased that these added facilities will be available this year.
The Chicago Packer, July 4, 1925, page 10
CITY'S DELINQUENT LOTS NEARLY GONE
    In 1919, 750 delinquent lots were on the city's hands. Over a full-page advertisement was necessary to list them for sale, but since that time the number has gradually decreased, and when such lots were last listed for sale early this spring only 100 were included. At the present time the few lots that are still on the city's hands will no longer be advertised because of insufficient numbers.
    During the past six years owners of delinquent property in the city, realizing the benefit that would be derived if settlement were made, have either deeded the lots to the city, or have paid amounts covering delinquent taxes. The city attorney's office expects that the remaining few delinquent lots will either be paid up or deeded to the city in a very short time.
Medford Mail Tribune, July 10, 1925, page 7
Medford Has Govt. Employment Bureau.
    Medford, Ore., July 24.--Through the efforts of the local Fruit Growers League, the U.S. Department of Labor has established a seasonal employment bureau in Medford which will operate annually during the three months of the fruit season. Chris Gottlieb, a prominent orchardist here, and formerly connected with the Earl Fruit Company, will have charge of the local office. The establishing of this office fills a long-felt want of the fruit growers and will centralize the labor employment efforts, whereas heretofore it has been handled in a more or less unorganized way. Fruit growers feel particularly elated over the securing of this office for this season, inasmuch as it is believed that there is going to be a scarcity of labor and, through the governmental agency, efforts will be made to bring considerable labor into the valley for the handling of the fruit crop.
The Chicago Packer, July 25, 1925, page 26


CALIFORNIA MEN BUY LARGE ORCHARDS
IN JACKSON COUNTY, ORE.
Rogue River Properties, Inc., Name of New Firm that Takes Over 3,380 Acres--
Six Hundred Acres in Fruit.
    Medford, Ore., July 31.-- The largest sale of orchard and farm lands in the history of Southern Oregon was completed July 24 by a group of Los Angeles business men, following the negotiations started last February. Although the purchase price was not made public, it is understood the appraised value of the land is approximately $500,000.
    The real estate purchased includes three of the finest orchards and four of the best ranches in the valley. In connection with the operations of these lands by the Los Angeles men, who have incorporated themselves as the Rogue River Properties, Inc., they will erect and operate a new process dehydrator with a daily capacity of 14 tons of dry fruit, near the Oregon Growers' packing house at the end of North Central Avenue, which the company leased from the Oregon Growers' Association to re-lease for one year to the Suncrest Orchard Company, a Southern California concern, which has no connection with the local Suncrest Orchard, after which the local company has an option to purchase.
    With the exception of one orchard, which is the Glen Rosa near the Voorhies crossing, the entire acreage was purchased from the Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Company, of Los Angeles, Calif.
    The three orchards included in the sale are the Suncrest, with an acreage of 465 acres, planted to bearing apple and pear trees, the Mira Vista, of 225 acres, 100 in apples and pears, and the Glen Rosa with 80 acres of Newtown apples. All of these are located very close to Medford.
    The Davis ranch at Davis station on the Owen-Oregon logging railroad, adapted to the growing of alfalfa and wheat, and also a stock ranch, is one of the four ranches purchased. The 1,120-acre stock ranch, formerly owned by Hal Bingham, four miles east of Talent, is another, the 710-acre Crane stock ranch six miles east of Medford is the third and the 130-acre country club property adjacent to the golf grounds east of the city is the fourth.
    Six hundred of the 3,380 acres is orchard land, and 1,000 acres are under irrigation, an area of irrigated and fruit acreage which never before has been under the control of one company in Jackson County or Southern Oregon.
    The Rogue River Properties Company includes five stockholders, all of whom are residents of Los Angeles. They include F. W. Braun, a manufacturer, H. S. Mudd, a mining man; E. Q. Stanton, a builder; John Pike, manager of the California Cyanide Company and F. O. Booth of Los Angeles.
    The officers of the company include Mr. Pike as president, Mr. Stanton, secretary, and Mr. Booth, treasurer, and also representative of the company in Southern Oregon.
    Mr. Booth, accompanied by his family, arrived last week to take up his duties, and at present is a guest at a local hotel, but will soon be ensconced at the Mira Vista Orchard. Although he may not spend his winters here, his residence in the valley will be permanent, especially during the fruit season, which will be a very busy one because of the large acreage of fruit that must be harvested.
    While Mr. Booth is the representative of the company, it is understood that Bert Anderson will be in active charge of the properties of the company.
    The orchards and ranches will be operated under the same personnel as before the sale, i.e., there will be no change in the foremen or managers of the different properties.
    A carload of equipment for the dehydrator plant arrived in the city yesterday, and within the next week R. L. Puccinelli, the inventor of the new fruit drying plant, will arrive in the city from Los Gatos, Calif. to take active charge of the erection of the plant, which will be made of concrete and steel. The plant is capable of drying any kind of fruit and, it is said, will produce more than the guaranteed 14 tons daily.
    The Rogue River Properties Company, Inc. is in full possession of the entire acreage, having taken charge at the time of the completion of the sale.
The Chicago Packer, August 1, 1925, page 18
Medford, Ore. Pears.
    Medford, Ore., Aug. 21.--Up to the end of last week 124 cars of Bartlett pears had been shipped out of Medford this season, and packing houses are working night and day to move the heavy tonnage of Bartletts being picked. A large part of the crop will go to canners. Growers who have not sold their crops are very much concerned over the present low prices prevailing in the East and are hopeful the market will strengthen before the Oregon pears are placed on these markets.
The Chicago Packer, August 22, 1925, page 32
Peak of Bartlett Season Reached in Medford Dist.
    Medford, Ore., Aug. 28.--Up to the present date 401 cars of Bartletts have rolled from Medford, and the peak of the season has been reached; shipment of Bartletts is now on the decline. Approximately 125 cars are now in storage in local pre-cooling plants, and it is expected that about 200 more cars of Bartletts will move from this point. These figures include the entire Medford district with the exception of Grants Pass, from which point about 75 cars have moved, practically all having been shipped to local canners in this state. Owing to the depressed prices prevailing in the East, much fruit that would have otherwise been packed is being turned over to the canneries, and it is believed that much of the tonnage from now on will be disposed of in that way.
    Picking of Howell pears has commenced, and will be followed by Comice and Anjous. It is expected that Bosc pears will be ready to pick about the first of September. All packing houses here have been operating at capacity, and several of the larger houses have operated with night and day crews.
The Chicago Packer, August 29, 1925, page 22
Melon Growers Organize.
    Medford, Ore., Aug. 28.--A local melon growers' association was organized at Medford last week, but the personnel of the organization is not as yet available. With irrigation coming into general use in the Rogue River Valley, a considerable acreage of melons has been set out, and growers have organized their own association to facilitate marketing and shipping. It is estimated that about 15 carloads of melons will be grown here this year, most of which will be sold locally and to nearby points. Each year will see this tonnage doubled for the next few years, it is said, and there is a possibility of this district developing into a considerable factor in the melon deal.
The Chicago Packer, August 29, 1925, page 39
Bartlett Season About Over in Medford Dist.
    Medford, Ore., Sept. 4.--Five hundred and sixty-nine cars of pears have been shipped from this point up to the present time, and the Bartlett season is about over. It is estimated that there are 250 cars of Bartletts in local cold storage and pre-cooling plants. Howells and d'Anjous are now rolling from here and will be closely followed by other later varieties.
    Most local pear growers will show good profits from their operations this past season, and the fact that Bartlett prices were so unsatisfactory in the East caused many of them to sell their pears to canners at good prices. At the present time canners are still taking pears at $60 or better per ton and are apparently eager for all they can contract. Owing to the light crop of Bosc pears a number of satisfactory f.o.b. deals has been consummated, and it is believed that very little tonnage of this variety will leave here unsold.
 The Chicago Packer, September 5, 1925, page 17
Southern Oregon Fruit Shipments.
    Medford, Ore., Sept. 18.--The apple crop for Southern Oregon has been estimated at 400 carloads by Pacific Fruit and Express officials, while the pear crop will total approximately 1,600 cars, according to present calculations.
    Packing houses have been giving their attention to d'Anjou pears, which will be followed by Comice pears.
    The Winter Nelis pears are large enough to harvest, but are still too green. When picked, it is the plan of local growers to put the major portion of the fruit in the local pre-cooling plant to be stored until market conditions are satisfactory. This will mean that fruit shipments will be made from Medford for the following four or five months.
 The Chicago Packer, September 19, 1925, page 8
Fruit Shipments from Medford, Ore. District.
    Medford, Ore., Sept. 25.--Twelve hundred and fifty-six cars of pears and 13 cars of apples had been shipped from the Rogue River district up to the end of last week. Owing to the heavy rains, picking was at a standstill early this week. Practically all varieties of pears with the exception of Bosc and Winter Nelis have now been shipped, and by the end of the week the Bosc tonnage will have been picked and shipped. The picking of Yellow Newtown apples will commence the latter part of the month, and it is expected that about 300 cars will move. At the present time Winter Bananas, Delicious and Jonathans are rolling, but owing to the small acreage of these varieties it is not expected that more than 75 cars will be shipped from here.
The Chicago Packer, September 26, 1925, page 18
Shipments of Apples and Pears from the Medford, Ore. District.
    Medford, Ore., Oct. 9.--Up to October 1, 1,528 cars of pears and 72 cars of apples had rolled from the Medford district. Winter Nelis pears were being picked and shipped, and with this pear out of the way the pear season of the Rogue River Valley is ended. Several hundred carloads of pears have been in storage locally, and it is expected the 2,000-car mark will be reached when the last shipment is out of the way.
The Chicago Packer, October 10, 1925, page 11
COUNCIL REFUSES TO ALLOW SHOE SHOP ON AVENUE
    The property owners of the entire length of Riverside Avenue, especially those in the section immediately involved, breathed a sigh of relief when it became known that the city planning commission at a public hearing last night displayed its intention to keep that thoroughfare not only free from the encroachment of business as much as possible, but to keep it as sightly as possible.
    Hence at the hearing petitioning the commission to change North Riverside between Jackson and Maple streets, from a residence zone into a business one, the commission turned down the petition which had been presented by V. Amoroso for the purpose of allowing him to build a shoe shop at 619 North Riverside.
    The property owners and others in the section in dispute were well represented at the hearing: Amoroso's petition was signed by only 11 signers, including three or four from one family, but the protest petition against was signed by 27 property owners said to be thoroughly representative of the entire district.
    The commission in making its unanimous decision held that there was no occasion to upset this residence section by admitting business, and that no emergency existed to grant such a change.
    It was the second time such a petition presented by Amoroso had been rejected, and last night's action was final. However, it was reported at the city hall this forenoon that Amoroso had called there and declared that he intended to ignore the commission's ruling and build at the disputed location anyhow.
    If he attempts to do so the commission will order his arrest at once and fight the matter out in the courts. The authority given the city planning commission in functioning is regarded as legally secure since the recent decision handed down by the state supreme court upholding the Portland city planning commission.
Medford Mail Tribune, November 10, 1925, page 6
Bulletin on Pears Issued by Station.
    Medford, Ore., Nov. 13.--The Southern Oregon Experiment Station has just published an important bulletin entitled "Blight Resistance in Pears and Characteristics of Pear Species and Stocks." This bulletin gives the results of the work Professor Reimer and his associates have been conducting during the past ten years in an effort to find varieties of pears and root and body stocks more resistant to blight than those now grown in Southern Oregon.
The Chicago Packer, November 14, 1925, page 9
Rogue River Shipments.
    Medford, Ore., Nov. 13.--Up to the present time 1,497 cars of pears and 376 cars of apples have been shipped from the Rogue River Valley district. Practically all of the packing houses have now suspended operations for the season, and there remains about 160 cars of apples in storage here which are being held for later shipment.
The Chicago Packer, November 14, 1925, page 9
SOME OF THE THINGS MEDFORD HAS DONE IN 1925,
AND SOME OF THE THINGS PLANNED IN 1926
Salient Points in Rotary Meeting.
    New grade school and new wing to high school will be needed in 1927.
    Over 200 lots sold by city in 1925 at total of $125,000.
    Sixth Street to be opened up in 1926.
    City attorney's office has alone sold $85,000 worth of city lots, the commission on which would pay the city attorney's salary.
    New city building for street department, to cost $12,000 entirely paid for by sale of city property on Riverside.
    For the first time Medford's city streets are to be properly repaired, $5000 being put in the budget for this purpose.
    Salaries of city policemen raised and council expects to raise the salary of the chief of police next year to $250.00 a month.
    Community Chest endorsed by local service clubs.
    Service clubs to cooperate with city to put in comprehensive system of children's playgrounds.
    Water Commission to erect a standpipe near Coker Butte so city will not only get three times as much water under the new system, but secure greatly increased and even pressure throughout the city.
    New water system should be completed and in use May 15, 1927.
    People must expect less water in 1926, due to increased population and consumption.
    Bids for construction of new water system will be asked in March 1926.
    The Medford Rotary Club held one of the most successful meetings in its history Tuesday night at the Hotel Medford, when the speakers of the evening were representative heads of many of the most prominent organizations of Medford and each speaker related in detail the results of the past year's efforts in civic work and gave outlines as to the plans for the coming 12 months.
    Glen Fabrick, president of the Kiwanis Club, was the first speaker and gave a detailed account of the past year's accomplishments, including aid given defective children in this community, cooperation with the county health nurse in bringing about a better living condition, work in obtaining the National Guard encampment in Medford, [and] their efforts regarding the development of the proposed road to the Oregon Caves. They also cooperated with the city regarding the new water system and the voting of the water bonds. The Kiwanis Club also had charge of the last Red Cross drive and contributed materially to the success of the community Christmas tree this year.
    For next year's work they have in mind cooperating in the improvement of a public playground and to aid in the proper supervision of the amusements.
Schools Are Filled.
    Elmer E. Wilson, president of the Medford school board, spoke on the increased attendance in the schools, and at the present time there are 520 students in the Medford High School and 60 or 70 more will become high school students in February. This increase in students in the high school will make it necessary to use every possible resource at this time, and the school board have made provision to use temporary additional quarters until the completion of the new high school.
    The school board will pay off a portion of the bonded indebtedness this year. The coming year they expect to have the entire four-year high school course in the new high school building now being erected, and the 7th and 8th grades will then fill the present high school building on North Bartlett Street. The increase in population and the increase in the school attendance will necessitate an increase in the teaching force.
    In reviewing the work on the new high school building now under construction, the speaker said that this building will be one of the best of its kind in the country and that the taxpayers are receiving full value for every dollar expended. The contractors are doing the most excellent work; all departments of the school board and the school force are working in harmony to get the maximum results.
New Grade School.
    From present indications, taking the past year as an example of the growth of our city, it is anticipated that by the fall of 1927 it will be necessary to construct a new wing to the new high school building to take care of the increase, and it will then be necessary to construct a new grade school for Medford. Also the school board is now planning on acquiring additional sites for school buildings in the proper locations within the city.
    Justin Wesley Judy, president of the Lions Club, spoke of the accomplishments of the newest service club in Medford. They cooperated in helping install the National Guard encampment last summer and did the Lions' share in obtaining so favorable consideration of the proposed road to the Oregon Caves. They also helped defray the expense of the Jackson County athletic meet at the fairgrounds, and they are very active in child welfare work in this community, having accomplished great good in their efforts.
Community Chest.
    The Lions Club desires to sponsor a community chest with the aid of the other clubs and civic organizations of Medford. They are sponsoring the moral code of ethics for the school children of Jackson County. They believe that the joint meetings held between various clubs and civic organizations are a great benefit because it helps prevent the duplication of effort.
    O. O. Alenderfer, mayor of the city of Medford, spoke of a few of the accomplishments of the city administration [and] expressed appreciation for the support that has been given his administration in their efforts to put over many needed accomplishments. The major spoke most highly of the excellent work being accomplished by City Treasurer Berrian and his aid in the work in connection with the city finances at this time. The city has been able to pay off $75,000 of its bonded indebtedness during the last year.
    In view of the growth of the city and the additional work necessary, the salary of the chief of police has been raised to $150 per month and the policemen to $130 per month. The mayor, at a later date, will recommend the salary of the chief of police be raised to $250 per month at the proper time, for the reason that the additional work that will be necessary will justify this salary.
    In 1928 the city will receive a portion of the money from the county road funds to be used in the improvement of the city streets. This work of keeping dirt and macadam streets within the city in proper repair has been a problem during the last several administrations, but the present administration through its work and that of the past few administrations will be able to solve this problem to a great extent by obtaining a portion of the funds in 1928.
Open Up 6th Street.
    The Southern Pacific Company has definitely promised to open up the Sixth Street crossing when the Natron Cutoff of the Southern Pacific is completed, thereby relieving the main line through Medford of a portion of the heavy traffic now carried. The opening of Sixth Street will relieve, to a great degree, the traffic congestion of the present Seventh Street crossing.
City Attorney's Office Pays.
    The mayor spoke regarding the city attorney and the work he has been accomplishing in his efforts to help clear up the sales of the city's lots on paved streets. While $125,000 worth of real estate has been handled during the last year, the city attorney's office has handled approximately $85,000 worth of this business or a total of over 2200 separate pieces of property, and at the present time all paved lots, previously owned by the city, are sold and are now back on the tax roll, increasing the city's revenue materially.
    The Water Department and the Water Commission will soon be located in their new water building, now being constructed. This will give ample facilities for the proper care of these departments and a portion of the Water Department equipment. The city has set aside $5000 for the repair of the streets, and this will be used as required.
    The mayor called attention to the accomplishments of Mr. Davis, formerly of the Water Department, now city purchasing agent, who will have charge of all the city purchasing for the various departments, and the heads of the various departments will be responsible to him for the purchases made in their regular departments, and these facts regarding the expenditures of the various departments will be made public from time to time so that the citizens may know what they are obtaining for their money. The park and playground will be provided for in the proper manner as conditions arise, as the various administrations have had in mind at the proper time that these parks and playgrounds should be developed, and tracts have been acquired by past administrations for this purpose. The sum of $2000 is provided in the budget to improve these grounds for the benefit of the children of Medford.
    Several years ago there were 2256 pieces of property with unpaid taxes on the paved streets of Medford. The work of the present and previous administrations since that time has cleared the city of these pieces of property.
    In his closing remarks, the mayor paid tribute to the efforts of the various organizations and civic bodies for their help in making Medford a larger and better city, and he extended to the citizens of Medford greetings for a prosperous New Year.
The Water Situation.
    Harry L. Walther, chairman of the Medford Water Commission, spoke on the accomplishments of the water board. The approximate total expense for 1925 was $83,199.30. The year 1925 shows a growth of 200 new water users for the City of Medford or 8⅓ percent increase over the previous year. The maintenance on the present system cost $25,000 last year and $23,098 this year.
    The Water Commission expects to call for bids for water bonds during the first half of March, and when these bonds are sold the commission expects to open bids for the construction of the new pipeline.
    The Water Commission and the city are completing a new city map, bringing this down to date with all the additions to the city and the new pipeline of the water system to be shown. They plan on the equality of the distribution of the water in the various parts of the city. They also figure that they will gain 30 pounds in pressure in the pipeline, and may expect a new completed water system between May 15th and June 1, 1927 and that this new system will have three times the present water capacity.
Medford Legion.
    Richard E. McElhose, manager of the Medford post of the American legion, spoke on the accomplishments of the legion during the past several years and especially during the last year under his administration, and he placed special stress on the need of patriotism and the education of our children along this line. The accomplishments of the American Legion during the last several years have been of great importance, he said.
    They helped complete the last big endowment drive of five million dollars. Medford's quota for this drive was put over in two hours and fifty minutes. The legion has helped in community service recently, and they have taken part in the ceremonies in Jacksonville for those who wish to acquire naturalization papers.
    They completed the uniform decoration of the city streets with flags during the last year and are working with the G.A.R., D.A.R. and other organizations and hold joint meetings with other legion posts of Jackson County. They were instrumental in obtaining the new golf course at the fairgrounds. The 20-piece drum corps of the American Legion is one of the finest of its kind in the country and has attracted much attention and favorable comment from all who have had an opportunity to see and hear it.
    The legion was also instrumental in helping secure the National Guard encampment in Medford in 1925 and helped put over the Boy Scout drive for 1926. They plan to increase their membership from 231 members at present to 288 this year and to compete for the first prize at Marshfield this season and to take part in various work. Especial stress was placed on the business men of Medford to close their places of business on Armistice Day and to properly observe this occasion.
    Fred W. Scheffel, the new manager, expects to carry on the good work already started and to increase the accomplishments of the legion in Jackson County.
Merchants' Association.
    John C. Mann, president of the Medford Merchants' Association, spoke of the object of the association in promoting good fellowship among the merchants of Medford, the aiding and financial support in the work of the community projects, the elimination of unfair competition, elimination of fake and unsatisfactory advertising during the last year, saving the merchants of Medford over $5000.
    Special stress was made on the efforts to increase trade at home support that is now being accomplished. The merchants' association built and equipped the merchants' building at the Jackson County Fairgrounds, and this is not only a great asset to the merchants, but is an added feature to the fairgrounds. The merchants have decorated the streets each season with Christmas trees and have cooperated in making the community Christmas tree a success each year.
    They sponsor and advise the forming of a community chest, the improving of a playground and improving the city auto parking ordinances in the city. They desire to cooperate with the rural districts of Southern Oregon in every practical way in order that the residents of these communities may get better results from their efforts and to bring about a closer and better understanding between the merchants of the city and the residents of the rural communities.
    The Merchants' Association believes that there should be a ban on street carnivals.
    The past year's accomplishments of the Merchants' Association have been marked with success, and the hopes for 1926 are for a greater and better accomplishment to be made.
Crater Leader Gets a Laugh.
    E. C. Ferguson, president of the Craters Club, spoke in lighter vein and [said that] what had not been accomplished by the other organizations had been completed by the Craters Club. They had accomplished great work in helping the community. They had acquired the airplane mail service, had installed the new clock on Vernon Vawter's banking institution, had made possible the championship football team of Southern Oregon.
    The Crater Club is beyond any question one of the livest organizations in the country and has accomplished much good in the community.
    Robert H. Boyl, secretary of the Medford Chamber of Commerce, spoke in behalf of the president and the chamber. He reviewed the past year's accomplishments and gave much interesting information regarding the air mail base that is to be established at Medford and the fact that this will draw mail in this office from points as far distant as Marshfield, Bend, Oregon and Chico, California.
    Mr. Boyl called particular attention to the necessity of a community chest and the work which is required to make such a move a success. He called special attention to the Odd Fellows convention and to the D.O.K.K. band and the benefits of such organizations to the city. He also called attention to the necessity of cooperation between the service clubs and various organizations of the city with the Chamber of Commerce and the work that can be accomplished in cooperating with the Merchants' Association in Medford, the efforts of the fruit growers in marketing local products, the establishment of the labor bureau of Medford and the benefits to be derived from same, the state Horticultural Society and the meetings held in Medford.
    Mr. Boyl gave a very interesting review of the work of the Chamber of Commerce during the last year and the necessity of the local cooperation of all organizations during the coming year and called attention to the many interesting features in connection with work in the community.
    Carl A. Swigart, president of the Medford Rotary Club, spoke briefly on some of the various undertakings during the last year, the appreciation of the members of the club of the efforts of the various organizations in making a meeting of this kind such a success and thanked the various speakers for the information they had given and hoped that more meetings of this kind might be held so as to create a better understanding between all the clubs and civic organizations of the city.
    The banquet was most excellent and the music furnished by Alford's orchestra was greatly appreciated.
VOLNEY DIXON.
Medford Mail Tribune, January 7, 1926, pages 7-8



Last revised March 31, 2024