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About The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (April 2, 1953)
CASS COUNTY'S GREATEST NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED SEMI-WEEKLY Monday - Thursday Consolidated with The Nehawka Enterprise Delivered Twice Weekly to More Than 3000 Cass County Families VOLUME 72 TWENTY PAGES PLATTSMOUTH, CASS COUNTY, NEBRASKA, THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 1953 FIVE CENTS PER COPY NUMBER 37 L Voters callous chool Voting on candidates at Plattsmouth high school has set a standard for city and school district voters to meet in the coming election here on April 7. As usual well over 75 per cent of the high school voters cast ballots. While the city election will have a much greater importance it is doubtful if 40 per cent of the eligible voters in the community will cast ballots in the important city and school board election next Tuesdaj'. Jack Holt to Be ir in liPmnn a$f AT caWvfellltj Ilyivl Boys' Stater Jack L. Holt has been selected as Boys' State representative at ! Weeping Water. Holt's selection was announced by William M. Finley, adjutant of the Ameri can Lesion Post at Weepins Water following selection by the ; executive committee. "Nil M. i.-n , jilmil 1 1 js TfL r m ' i Jack L. Holt j Voters will cast ballots at the The committee also named i forowin voUn? booths: William E. Everett as alternate. I rst Ward, first precinct , . ; Cass county courthouse. Hcut son of Mr. and Mrs. First Ward second precinct Chris Holt, who live five miles I Plattsmouth Motors, north of Weeping Water, is the j second Ward, first precinct president of the junior class at ; Cass countv Motor Co. Weeping Water. His other ac- I second Ward, second precinct tivities include being in the I cass County Mavtae. junior class play, member ofj interest in the election to date the Student Council, delegate to has been generally laeging. can- tsoys ana uins uouniy crov- j ernment at Plattsmouth on April 8. He has also been active in 4-H club work. His alternate. Bill Everett has lettered two years in football, is a member of the junior play cast, serves on the Student Council and is employed by Nor ris Hatchery after school and on Saturdav. Bill's brother, Ar thur, attended Boys' State in 1938. Everett is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Francis Everett of Weeping Water. Holt or Everett will join other Cass county youths in attending Boys' State at Lincoln in early June. TO ATTEND EASTER SERVICE Knight Templars of Mt. Zion Commandery will meet at the Masonic Hall at 8:35 a. m. Sun day morning, April 5, to attend Easter services in Weeping Wa ter. Journal Want Ads Pay! Equalization Values Compared To County,s 1952 Assessed Valuations Comparison of actual proper- ty values as determined by E. T Wilkens & Associates of Lin coln with assessed valuations of property for last year presen ted some startling figures to Cass County Commissioners on Tuesday morning at a special meeting of the board with a state tax and company official. Fred A. Harrington, represen tative of Wilkens Company, which has recently completed an equalization survey in Cass county, submitted actual valua tions as determined by the com- rrr. cwroi Hties and ore - ftnets in the county for com- rvTrison with 1952 real estate Valuations. A The company s iiuico ft 200 percent increase in Avoca precinct to a 500 percent increase at Greenwood. All areas reported by Mr. Harrington, showed increases generally ab out 300 percent. For example valuations at Plattsmouth as determined by the company were set at $8, 444 S35 while the 1952 assessment valuation for the same proper ties " was ; $1,707,070. or about 20 Percent of the actual valuation s determined by the company. Wilkens figures compare fav orable with a report of the state tax department in comparing Ssessed valuation with sale ilue of Plattsmouth property. Xsielsed valuation in Platts S has averaged 21 per cent S tie sale value as determined To Cast In City, lectDOim Voters will be asked to select I two city councilmen, one from i each ward, and two members of ! the board of education. I Since all candidates will have i ODposition in the city and school elections, voters have an oppor- I c unity to express tneir pleasure I by casting their votes on Tues i day. Polls will be open from 8 m. to 8 p. m. at the four vot- mS precincts. Candidates for the city coun cil include two encumbents, one from each ward. Councilman D. L. Grove, dean of the four city councilmen is a candidate for re-election from the first ward on the Republican ticket. His opponent is B. H. G. "Jerry" Eiting, who is a candidate for the first time. In the second ward, n veter an councilman. E. O. Vroman will be seeking re-election ! against Clark Finney, a newcom- er in the city's political life. In the school board race, two ! encumbents, Herman Tiekotter and Robert Painter are seeking re-election. Only other candi date is Harold L. Gaines. Tie kotter and Painter are each i completing three-year terms on the board of education, while Gaines is seeking his first civic job. A fourth school board nominee, Lt. Col. Harold "Chips" Wood ruff, was forced to withdraw from the race because of Air i Force regulations. Woodruff has also recently received a transfer to New Mexico, effective May 1. didates have found, altnougn it is generally expected in an "off vear election. A year aeo elec tion interest ran hieh in view of the state and national pri maries. Only 18 Days To File Schedules Filing of assessment schedules opened at Cedar Creek and South Bend today, last two Cass coun ty communities to be served by local assessors. Schedules may be completed at Cedar Creek throuehout Friday and at South Bend through Sat urday. Property owners may also file schedules at Weeping Water un til April 10 and at the courthouse in Plattsmouth until the filing period deadline, April 20. A Classified Ad in the Journal costs as little as 35 cents. by the state. The state figures were exhibited to the County Commissioners by E. C. Wood ward. The state's figures show that the county as a whole, taking real estate sale and assessed values for all communities, Cass County's assessed valuation is 22 percent of the sales value. In submitting the figures to the county board, Harrington explained that men conducting the equalization survey nere cua i "not" know the old valuations j on any of the property. He also I pointed out that the valuations . include property on leased 1 &1 . , , . . llliff trUll ttiOU tAUiailltU that farm property is given an automatic 30 percent deprecia tion allowance on the actual value as determined in the eaunlizition survey. He explain ed that the 30 percent, depre ciation is allowed in th'e rural areas because it is "doubtful if costs of farm improvements in crease the value of the farm by an equal amount." Harrington also nointed out that real estate value in Cass county, as determined in the "actual value" survey will climb about 80 million dollars. He showed however that real estate values on the farm have been increased through the sur- vey almost as much as city property. As examples, he ex- 2,500 Cones Given At An estimated 2.500 candy cotton cones were served to youngsters at Ruback Super Store at Plattsmouth last Friday and Saturday. Serving the kid s favorite was the first time it had been done by a retailer here. Interest in the candy can be noted by the young girl's undivided in terest in the cotton candy as the girl in front of Groups Seek Palomino Horse Show Here Soon Plattsmouth Lions Club direc tors have voted to join with the Ca?s County Horse Show Assoc iation to bring an all-Palomino Horse Show to Plattsmouth early this spring. The action of the Club will be contingent upon action of the Horse Show directors who will meet early next week to decide whether to go ahead with ten tative plans for the show. Chet Wiles, president of the Horse Show group, explained to Lions Club members Tuesday noon that the Plattsmouth o"uir mav bid for the Eastern Division show. He said it would brinJ registered Palomino hors es here from about six states area. Horse Show directors early next week to decide their action. If tion of the show win be sought, Wi'.s explained. Th snw will probably be held in late May. j Lump Settlement Asked In Court Application for approval of final lumn settlement has been filed in Cass district court by Charles F. Fisher against Turn pane and United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company. Plaintiff and defendant have agreed to an $840 settlement for claims by the plaintiff under the workman's compensation act. Fisher, a Pacific Junction. Iowa, machinist, emDloyed by Tumpane, was injured last No vember 2. plained that East Rock Bluff precinct climbed from the 1952 valuation of $43,540 to $223,020; and that Elmwood precinct climbed from $224,390 to $615, 670. To analyze their own figures, company officials take town ships of the greatest value and compare figures to see whether they make common sense, and if these townships have been given the largest increases. Here are comparisons of real estate valuations for eleven county communities and pre cincts. OLD NEW City of Plattsmouth $1,707,070 $8444,935 East Rock Bluff Pre. $424,210 $1,089,880 Elmwood Precinct $1,710,600 $4,168,810 Eight Mile Grove $1,475,090 $3,505,265 Avoca Precinct $1,120,880 ' $2,566,350 Avoca City $91,020 $267,540 Murray Village $106,400 $480,240 Manley Village $21,390 $88,560 Eagle Village $120,550 $425,415 ureenwood vuiage , $75,690 $534,780 I Elmwood Village $274,090 $1,085,040 mpr-j o j It ' 1 ' V f 2 : U Why Don't They Go Home? We doubt Nebraska taxpayers can stand another 30 to 60 days of the present session of the Nebraska Legislature. Failure to pass repeal of the 50 per cent tax law at Wednesday's session following- recommendations of Gov. Crosby, is the greatest calamity to fall on Nebraska citizens since the dark ages. Following this display of intelligence and statements made by some observers, even Senators themselves, we are convinced that not one out of ten Senators can explain the appli cation of mill levies to assessments in Nebraska's tax system. - - r'V " ' Cass County real estate owners can look forward to a terrific increase in their tax bill for 1953 it could run to as much as 50 per cent greater than 1952. Might we suggest that Nebraska's Senators please go home. The building could be leased to the Commodity Credit Corporation for storage of TUR KEYS at least Nebraskans would have some reve nue coming in and the stench would not equal that which is emulating from the structure at present. j j E&ster Specials oaturday Only: Ads Tell Story A variety of merchandise is on sale this Saturday in Plattsmouth for the Easter Valu hunt. The merchandise, one article at each participat ing: store, is listed as a "Sat urday only special in adver tisements in today's Platts mouth Journal. Buyers are urged to check the advertisements closely and to compare these very special Easter buys. Meanwhile the Chamber of Commerce has announced that it is sending copies of today's Journal to some 750 rural residents in the Pacific Junction and Glenwood, Iowa, areas. 12 Alvo Students Coming Here for Government Day Selected to participate in Boys and Girls' County Government here on Wednesday. April 8, were 12 boys and girls from the Alvo consolidated school. Superintendent Kenneth L- D. Gardner has submitted the list of Alvo county officers to Richard Peck, chairman of the. government day program. Alvo officers are: Darlene Johnson, county clerk; Dick Printz. county commission er; Eleanor Kellogg, county judge; Dick Clark, county trea surer; Jim Hermance. register of deeds; Jim Morgaridge. coun ty assessor; Lee Fischer, sheriff; Lee Nickel, county attorney; Marilyn Sutton, superintendent of schools; Bob Kellogg, county surveyor; Junior Weichel. clerk of the district court: Mary Louise Eckery. welfare director. They join Avoca and Weeping Water schools, who have certi fied candidates for the all-day government study to be held here. Other schools from the county are expected to submit officer candidates within the next few days. Ptooning her? for a short visit with Mr. and Mrs. R. R. Furse Wednesday while en route to their home at Aurora from Flor ida were Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Bremer. Ruback's I i her gets the cone from a sugar company repre sentative. At right another company representa tive speeds up the next cotton candy cone. At the time the picture was taken the three girls headed a Jine that extended about three abreast the full length of Ruback's Store. Journal Photo. License Local Cleaning Plant For New Process Luesch Cleaners at Platts mouth has been awarded a li censed right for use of the Sta Nu process for Plattsmouth, Fred Lugsch, owner - manager of the firm announced today. Lugsch said today that he feels that the demand for this finer finishing merits his ad ditional exDense in bringing Sta Nu to Plattsmouth. He said "any one can see the difference it makes at a glance." Mr. Lugsch explains that it is a mechanical and chemical op erational technique which auto matically feeds and homogen izes textile oils into steam used in the finishing operation. It restores to fabrics the original texture and body found in new clothes. The fabrics absorb just enough textile oils to counter detergency losses from cleaning and normal wear, Lugsch points cut. Lugsch further added that this process is given to customer along with his finer dry clean ing at no extra cost. Mrs. H. Wetenkamp, Eagle Resident 33 Years, Dies Monday Mrs. Henrv Wetenkamp, 76, of T.mroln, native of the Earle and Walton area, died Monday at Lincoln. Born near Walton she was christened Katherine Mayer and lived in Faele for 33 years be-fo- eoine to Lincoln in 1945. She was a member of the Methodist church at Tagle be fore eoln? to Lincoln. Surviviner are her husband. Tnrv of Lincoln; brother. M. J. Maver of Denton; three nephews and a niece. F rl RJrJnt ; -'-gie XVesiaeni Plattsmouth high schol sen iors took Regents examinations for the University of Omaha on Monday. Mr. and Mrs. Mark Romohr of Oresham wre visitors here with Mr. and Mr Hptv Cane for a short time Monday. Mr. andt Mrs. Wraher Heil of Plattsmouth were callers at the A. c. Hennlngs home near Louis ville Sunday afternoon. ILeo fisDeoi& (lq ire CCdDDs Booirdl's Offices Planned In Old Farmer's Bank Building Purchase of the old Farmers State Bank building from Clem- ; ent T. Woster was announced ! r,Mn Kit T 1-v..i 11 attorney and insurance agent, i who plans to make business of- cation. Davis said today that he plans immediate remodeling: of the building to provide office space j lor nis own business as weil as additional offices. j The building, vacant at the present time, had previously housed the Gamble store at Plattsmouth. i In announcing purchase of ! eu mat a numDer oi moaern offices will be completed in the structure. Although he has made no committments, he ex plained that several have in dicated interest in office space. Purchase came as Davis noted his 24th year in Flattsmouth. He recalled that it was 24 years ago on April 1, that he came to Plattsmouth and entered the employ of the Plattsmouth State Bank. Three years later he joined Judge A. H. Duxbury in the insurance business and in 1934 Mr. Davis was admitted to the bar. His offices are presently located in the Soennichsen build ing. During his 24 years in Platts mouth, Mr. Davis lists as his outstanding acnievement. con struction of the Oakmont hous- ! Sunday in the World War II ing district which he started in Memorial Park aV Omaha. 1941 and completed in 1942. He 1 Services are sponsored by the served as city attorney for seven j Mount Calvary Knights of Tem years, is a past president of the ; plar. Plattsmouth Chamber of Com- ! merce and Plattsmouth Rotary ii w i Club, is a past master of Platts- ; HASICQ KlIEIff tlVt mouth Lodge No. 6. A. F. & A. M., and has been an active i worker in the Methodist church where he served for eight years ouiiuaj, noui nmn.u- Mrs. Davis has also been an active vrorJEer at tne Methodist in the community. They have a daughter Carol l! T WliiV. 11 O ULli V A CIV. Schools Close Today; Reopen Tuesday, April 7 Plattsmouth schools will be dismissed at 3 p.m. today, Thurs day, for the Easter holidays. Principal William Floyd an nounces. Flovd also points out that school will resume on Tuesday, April 7. at the regular morning hour. The arrangements gives students and teachers Friday QtiH Mrmrtav vor-Qtinnc fmm re- gular school work. i Council Confers Degrees on Five Adoniran Council No. 5. con- ferred Royal and Select Master degrees upon five candidates at a meeting held I rid ay at the Masonic Hall. Degrees were conferred upon Clayton Rhylander. George M. Epperson. Lt. Col. Harold Wood- ruff. Marion Brown and Kenneth Wohlfarth. Egg, Valu Hunt, Free Meters Here On Saturday Some 300 colored eggs, more than one-third of which will bear a 50-cent cash value, will be concealed at the city park Saturday morning for children uo to spven years of age to seek out and redeem. Howard Ruback. chairman of the Retail committee of the Plattsmouth Chamber of Com merce is ceneral chairman of the Easter eg0, hunt. Members of th? Junior Woman's Club are polorine the es which will be distributed under the direction of Bill Knorr. Policing of the area will he handled bv Al Lin der and the Boys Scouts. Names of retail firms in Plattsmouth will be marked on a treat manv of the eggs and will bear a 50-cent cash value. The eges when turned into the store who name appears on the eg? will he worth 50 cents to the finder. Firms participat ing will have their names on two eg?s. But local shoppers also will participate in an Easter Valu hunt, also a promotion of the Chamber of Commerce in co Move: Coss H!es 0)5e u Faith in Cass County Commissioners in the 1953 Xe ; braska Legislature was dealt another lethal blow Wednes I day when the state Solons turned down Governor Robert , Crosby's request that they kill the 50 per cent assessment i law passed three weeks ago. ; Informed early Tuesday morning by E. F. Woodward , of the state tax commissioner's office that a movement ! was underway to have the law repealed, the Countv Corn- missioners delayed action on they had been fighting since the laws were put into pfW-t L- Pv Cnnlr Will Conduct Services Raymond C. Cook Raymond C. Cook, Grand Cus todian of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Nebraska will deliver the Easter address at 8 a. m.. I IvUiv BSUEIUWlJ Coming Sunday Blodgett & Krajacic, contrac- t,.o rst u i "u R ,rt'T rWnn ration i ;0V the start of construction of Oil . . - , , """"S i me new vaney view ! housing project south of Platts- j mouth on Highway 73-75. The company will set up head ! quarters across the highway from the housing project, and today announced that 63 hous ing sites are available in the proposed housing district. Persons seeking sites may contact the contractors at Om aha throughout the remainder of this week cr here after 1 p. j m., Sunday, April 5. i Suitable housing plans and i loan arrangements are available. 1 J Mf,yArr-lr Mam UIUUV.Ii ITAClIl Ranks High In Poultry Contest William Strrich of Murdock has won high ranking in the I national in-cross parent stock ! flockowners' best records con- j test, it was announced this Streich will receive a $6.95 j cash award. More than 200 1 poultry raisers in 12 midwest states competed for thousands of dollars in cash prizes in the ' contest. operation with local merchants. Many merchants are today fea turing special Easter Values in their advertisements in The Plattsmouth Journal. One special merchandising of fer is featured bv each of the j participants. Along with the Easter egg and Easter valu hunts, the Chamber of Commerce has also made ar rangements with the city to have free parking for the day, Saturday. April 4. Meters will be covered with sacks on that day to provide the free parking. In announcing the free park ing program, the Chamber how ever points out that it can be successful only if merchants and employees in the business district refrain from parking in the metered zones. Cooperation of employers and employees is asked so that the parking area can be kept clear for the shop Dinn: public. This free parking tr'al, the Chamber points out, will be determined by the co operation exercised by people of the community. Vs. . ! V nf""' i nlf VW i frini a number of problems which At a special meeting with Woodward and Fred A. Harring ton of E. T. Wilkens Si Associates Tuesday morning, the County Commissioners learned of the in tended move and decided to nine to straighten out the tax assessment problem by going back te last year's standards. Now, the action of the "yes we will, no we won't" legislature, has tossed the problem risht 1 1 back into the laps of Commis 1 j sicners Herman Bornemeier, Ray Norns and v. F. Notte and Countv Assessor E. C. Giies. During discussion however. j Woodward told the commission 1 1 ers that "the 50 per cent assess j ! ment law definitely will be re pealed. He said rumors in the 1 1 Canitol City that morning Ivul i indicated that about 35 lawmak ers would favor repeal. Woodward, who also met with ! officials here a week ago. also explained mat many counties have refused to follow the new law and won't do anything un less ordpred to by the state tax commissioner. Action of the legislature in re- 1 fusing to repeal the assessment laws came as much of a surprise to the state executive officers as to local officials who, after the Tuesday meetine, had counted heavily on the legislature's ac tion to clarify the issues local! v. Woodward, however, told the Cass county officials that "value of nroDerty will be decreased bv burdensome taxes." He explained that noticeable decreases in per sonal and business schedules un der the new sssessment stand ards, will result in a definite in crease 'n real estate property tav. "It is possible to destrnv prooertv bv' overtaxing" the 1 stf,te lx n He further evnlained thnt throughout the midwest, as well as in Nebraska, farms have ?en rrallv been assessed at a higher valuation Percentage than city rroi-ertv. Most counties harp rioubled property valnations In th" past ten years, Woodward said. ; At that time. Woodward tol4 the commissioners that a mept irr rf all f i ol A m an w4fVi tVin to j rcmmittee would be held Thurs- da v. Governor Robert Crosby to day, in a statement to the press, also advised prooertv owners to tet readv for a tax increase, fol- 1 lowin tvD Legislature's action I Wednesday. Junior Hi Music Clinic Declared Very Successful The first Junior. High music clinic held here "exceeded ex pectations". Music Director. at Plattsmouth. Melvin McKenney said, following the all-day clinic here Tuesday. Seventy-one students from four schools. Tecumseh. Belle vue. Syracuse and Plattsmouth participated in the clinic. Individual performances at the Presbvternn church through out the afternoon was followed bv direct criticism to the narti- cipants followed by band re I hearsal at the high school audi torium from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The evening band concert pre sented by the massed group in cluded: "Normal" march by the group; french horn solo bv Judy Mas ters of Syracuse: Chapel Shrine bv grouo; flute solo by a Belle vue Pirl: The Great Gate of Kiev bv the band: clarinet duet bv Marilyn Kline and Carolyn Mardrery of Tecumseh: Dane ot the Annrentice. group: cornet trio. Bob Beverage Carol Davis and rioan Biles. Plattsmouth; and Military Esrort, band. Designed to give junior hteh students recognition for their manv hurs of nracticp and oarticination. the clinic will be held Prain next var at one of the other four schools. A Universitv of Kansas brnss "rprnbi rtorfomM before te high eehoni st'i(int assembly here Tuesday afternoon. Mrs. Frank Blotzer of Omaha ras here Thursday on business and to visit with relatives. I I