The Daily Journal from Flat River, Missouri • 1

Southwestern Bell Seeks Basic Rate Increase Southwestern Bell Friday ask- increasing costs faster than we vice improvements put on it." main expense items are wages several years," Shockley said, the Missouri Public Service can absorb them and we have Our present rate of return is and taxes, both of which have "and it is far below the level of Commission to allow a higher really no choice but to seek an lower than the rate of interest been increasing along with ev- other businesses with whom we rate of return on the company's increase in telephone rates. This we have to pay on the money erything else. must compete for investment operations in Missouri. increase is necessary if we are we borrow to expand our sys- capital. In spite of this, we have R.

Ray Shockley, vice presi- to provide our customers with tem to meet service demands, "Wages are our biggest ex- kept our request for additional dent and general manager for new and improved communica- Shockley said. item," Shockley said. revenues at 8 minimum." Southwestern Bell cited in- tions services they are demand- "Since 1952, wage increases The request, filed with the creasing costs including high- ing. Shockley pointed out that have increased our annual ex- Commission today, would result er interest rates on borrowed Southwestern Bell's last state- penses by $26.6 million annually. in additional revenues totaling money as reasons for the re- is much at stake here, wide rate increase was in 1952.

The new contract signed in July $44.5 million each year. "There quest. not just for the telephone com- Since that time the company's 1968, will add another $11 milpany, but for the people of Mis- investment per telephone has lion to our expenses by 1970, but Shockley said that $20.5 16 years, we have been souri," Shockley said. "A good risen from $273 to $470 a 72 we must keep pace with the lion of the total amount would absorbing higher costs and figh- communications system is vital per cent increase. trends in wage treatment if we go to the company and the reting the effects of inflation," to the economic growth and SO- As an indication of the gen- are to attract good people and maining $24 million would go for Shockley said.

"We have done cial life of the state." eral upward trend in costs, keep Federal, state and local taxes. everything possible to increase "Only a telephone company Shockley cited the Consumer's "Taxes, our second biggest ex- The $44.5 million increase in our efficiency and hold down with good earnings can attract Price Index which since 1952 has pense, have increased 235 per annual revenues would produce the cost of providing service. the investment capital needed risen 30.9 per cent in St. Louis cent since 1952," Shockley said. a rate of return of 6.5 per cent "However, we now have rea- to handle the increasing de- and 34 per cent in Kansas City.

"The company's rate of return on the present value of Southched a point where inflation is mands for service and for ser- The telephone companys has been trending downward for western Bell property. This rate The Daily Journal St. Francois County's Home NEWSpaper Flat River, St. Francois County, Mo. Copyright Tuesday, November 1968 Vol.

No. 228 Single Copy 10c Lower Price For Missouri Publications, Inc. Price Carrier Delivery 19, 38, 0,4 DEPT DESLOGE MAYOR Elva Thurman (left) takes delivery of a new fire truck from Gary Towers, representing the Towers Fire Apparatus Company of Freeburg, earlier today while Fire Chief Bob Bryan looks on. The Towers pumper fitted on a Ford 600 chassis has a 500 of water per minute. It will carry 1,000 feet of hose and 300 feet of hose.

The approximate cost of the new fire fighting apparatus to the city of Desloge was $11,000. Desloge now has two pumpers and one tank truck, the new pumper being owned by the city and the two older vehicles owned by the Desloge Volunteer Fire gallon booster tank and is capable of pumping 500 gallons Department. Staff Photo Transient Bilks Desloge Widow An elderly widow of Desloge complained to Sheriff Ken Buckley's department Monday about apparently having been victimized by transient workmen who charged her $110 for termite treatment of her home. The woman said she was sick but consented to having the termite treatment after the two men showed her a board they said was taken from her house. They were only there for a little while, she said, and then charged her the $110 for the job.

The woman said she became suspicious -and called the bank about half-an-hour after giving the check but that it had already been cashed. THE WEATHER THE WEATHER High (yesterday) 39 Low (this morning) 29 Precipitation none FORECAST: Fair and colder tonight with the low in the 20s. Sunny and a little warmer Wednesday with the high in the low 408. Farmington Chamber Nominates New Slate Of Officers For '69 The Farmington Chamber of Commerce held its monthly luncheon meeting Monday during which they nominated seven new officer candidates and were briefed on the importance of the Ozark Regional Commission by Liason Officer Don Hearnes, brother of Missouri Governor Warren E. Hearnes.

New officers nominated were Harry Denman for president, Dean Danieley for vice president, Walter Delp for secretary and treasurer, and for two year terms as directors Bill Braun, Bill Grief, Jack Sebastian and Raymond Holmes. Principal speaker Don Hearnes told the businessmen that the chief goal of the Ozark Regional Commission is to raise the per capita income of the area to the national average and halt the outward migration of citizens. In 1960 the annual Income of this area was $600 below the All States Have Two Letters Post Office Lists New Abbreviations By Jim Strader Along with Zip Code the U. S. Postal Department has now come up with a new list of twoletter state abbreviations for use with the Zip Code.

New two letter state abbreviations are also capital letters and there are no periods following the capItal letters. Two spaces should follow the abbreviation and then the Zip Code. The Post Office Department has issued a list of 55 new abbreviations for states, the District of Columbia and U. 8. protectorates.

Only 21 state abbrevlations remain the same and those 21 are now changed such as Missouri which was Mo. and 18 now MO without the period. Only by securing a new list of the Postoffice approved two letter state abbreviations can the millions of Americans who mail Christmas cards address them postoffice standards). Another exception has been made in the English language of return equates to approxima- cording to the type of service. proposed $5.00.

tely 8.7 per cent on net invest- involved," Shockley said. In Two-party residence: ment at the present time. Flat River, the following increa- proposed, $4.25. ses in monthly rates are being "The amount of increase for requested: One-party each customer would vary ac- One-party residence: Present proposed, $11.25. Farmington Marine Cited ForHeroismWhenAmbushed Ten Day Sentence On Drunk Charge Magistrate Judge Francis W.

Rentfro on Monday assessed a 10 day jail sentence against Howard Wilson, Baker, 56, Cape Girardeau on a charge of being drunk and disorderly and then stayed the sentence. Baker was picked up shortly after noon Saturday by Cpt, W. R. Petrus of the Highway Patrol and lodged in the county jail after. he was found passed-out on Route near the Highway 8 Intersection.

To Play The KXOK All-Star's Basketball team will play the North County faculty at the North County Gymnasium in Desloge on Nov. 23rd at 8:00 p.m. A Advance tickets may be bought by contacting the North County High School or they may be bought at the door. Admission phices are, Adults $1.00 and children under A former Marine from Farmington has been cited by the President of the United States for "gallantry in action" and will be presented the Silver Star Medal, third highest award available to servicemen. Victor Jinkerson of 11 North Jefferson in Farmington and circulation manager for The Journal, will once again don his Marine uniform in the near future for presentation ceremonies.

Site and date of the presentation is to be determined later this week. The Silver Star is being presented Jinkerson for his quick response in assuming the responsibility of command when his unit was ambushed in the demilitarized zone between North and South Vietnam on February 7, 1968. Jinkerson's outfit was ambushed by a battalion-sized force of enemy troops. In the first few minutes, many Americans in his unit were killed by hostile force. This included the Speed Cases Still Dominating Court Court Still by following too closely and being in an accident.

Kerry Glen Smith, Cantwell, was fined $25 for driving while drinking and another fine of $1 was assessed for driving with an expired operators lieense. Lee Moyers, Rt. 3, Farmington, paid a $5 penalty for driving with an expired vehicle license plate. Francis Edgar Gibson, Weingarten, was fined $25 for operating a car while his operators license was under suspension. Thomas Robert Burnette, Rt.

2, Farmington, was fined $1 for operating a car while having no operators license. Leaman Willard England, Rt. 2, Bonne Terre was fined $15 for speeding. Glenn K. Jones, St.

Louis, paid a $15 speeding penalty. St. Louisans fined $10 each for speeding included Clarence L. Brown, Alvin L. Bowen and Henry L.

Thornton. Carrol E. Harwell, Poplar Bluff, was fined $60 for driving in excess of 100 miles per hour. Clifford D. Roach, Fredericktown, paid a $30 speeding fine while Billy M.

Hyde, Arnold, was assessed a $25 penalty for the same offense. Missourians fined $10 each for speeding included William J. Loftis of Doniphan, Phillip R. Shaver of Marshall and Issom S. Lewis of Annapolis.

Seven Illinois drivers paid a total of $75 in fines for speed violations. Four speeding motorists from Arkansas paid $60 in penalties. In addition to the fines as shown, each traffic charge carries a court cost penalty of $11 which is fixed by state statutes. ranking officer and non-commissioned officer. Jinkerson, corporal, realized the situation and took command.

While covered by enemy fire, Jinkerson drug wounded Americans from the ambush site and established a perimeter of defense to hold off the enemy attack. With most of the Marine unit killed or seriously injured, those remaining fought against unnumberable odds, killing many of the enemy. When the encounter was over. only a few Marines walked away without injury Jinkerson was wounded twice during this time. Jinkerson.

20, attended the Farmington public schools prior to entering service. He was released from active duty late this summer after his tour in Vietnam. Christmas Seal Drive Begins Around County Present Present Church Home Has 25 Children From This Area The Home for Dependent children in Farmington is really a home for many local boys and girls. Twenty-five of the current residents are from St. Francois County families.

This means that approximately one-third were born of local residents. Circumstances of various kinds have made it necessary for these children to be cared for outside of their home. Since their relatives cannot take care of them it seems at least partly the responsibility of the community. The Children's Home is here for this purpose. Hence the Tag Day Drive for funds each fall 1 to help pay the operating expenses.

Established in 1914, the Home has helped raised hundreds 01 dependent children who have been left homeless. Many prominent men and women have had their start at the Home or at Boys' Farm. The drive for funds has become a tradition and a gift at this time will enable the local institution to continue giving loving care to the children. The citizens of St. Francois County are urged to send a Thanksgiving gift.

The address is Tag Day Drive, P.O. Box 31, Farmington, Missouri. Effort Launched To End School Traffic Hazard A legislative committee has proposed major. overhaul in Missouri school administration to Governor Warren E. Hearnes which would provide the state with only 20 regional districts and reduce the number of local school units from 786 to 132.

The plan, which is likely to go to the General Assembly early next year, would make St. Francois County a part of a ten county regional district. The proposed change was unveiled Friday when State Representative James I. Spainhower of Marshall presented it to Gov. Hearnes in Jefferson City.

Spainhower is the chairman of the Missouri School District Reorganization Commission, which conducted a study and came up with the far-reaching proposal. Under the proposal, the 20 regional districts would be supervised by 12 board members elected at large from the district. Smaller units, likely to be set up on a county basis, would have a nine member board and still have control of general administration of the school operations. The regional board would disburse revenue, handle building projects, set up vocational, technical and special education programs as well as establish longrange educational plans. In addition to the regional levy local school units may establish local school taxes not too exceed 10 per cent of the regional levy.

St. Francois County will be in the Southeast Missouri Region. Other counties involved are: Madison, Ste. Genevieve, Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Iron, Perry and parts of Crawford, Reynold and Dent. Spainhower said the new plan is to be studied by the State Department of Education for final drafting before presentation to the General Assembly during the session which opens in January.

The legislator also pointed out that he expects opposition to the plan but feels that those who will carefully evaluate it will see how Speeing violations continue to make up the major portion of traffic offenses in the county with Magistrate Judge Francis Rentfro assessing 22 speeding fines last week along with nine 'others fined for license and careless driving infractions. William Edward Wilkinson, Knob Lick, was fined $25 for careless and imprudent driving by passing in the face of oncoming traffic. George A. Bauman, Illinois, was fine $10 for driving by making an improper left turn and being in an accident. John Bebres, O'Fallon, pald a $15 fine for pasing in.

a no passing zone. John Lewis, St. Louis paid a $25 fine for driving Gennie C. Belken Died At Home In Farmington Gennie Catherine Belken died Nov. 15 at her residence at 617 East Liberty, Farmington.

She was born Aug. 31, 1888 in Perry County, daughter of the late John Sonderman and Louise Schule Sonderman. Her husband nd Charlie Belken preceded her in death in 1951. She was also preceded in death by one daughter Mary Morgan and one son Charlie Belken Jr. Surviving are: six daughters, Edna (Mrs.

C. E. Woodward) of Sikeston, Sister Ursula Marie of Old Park, Maxine (Mrs. Earl Strong) of Kansas City, Glenda Josephine (Mrs. Robert Boyd) of Farmington, Kathryn (Mrs.

Charles Miller) of Farmington, Lucille (Mrs. C. E. Koppeis) of Farmington; one sister, Mrs. Elizabeth McWilliams of Fredericktown; 22 grandchildren; and 11 great grandchildren.

Rosary was recited at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the chapel. Funeral service was Monday at 101 a.m, at St. Joseph Catholic Chu-: rch in Farmington. Interment was in the Calvary Cemetery at Fredericktown under the direction of Miller Funeral Service, Farmington.

it can benefit Missouri's educational process. One of the major reasons for the proposed revision is to assist districts now having serious revenue problems where the educa'tional standards are dropping drastically. One of these' areas of major concern Is St. Louis city, the problem being created by the mass movement of middle and upper 1 income families to the suburban areas around the city. He also stressed, however, that it will benefit many rural area schools that are having similar problems.

The plan is basically a fiscal move to provide all Missouri children with an equal opportunity in education. While Spainhower Is aware that there will be those against the plan, he has scheduled a tour of Missouri to speak before groups and explain the proposal. Since the turn of the century, Missouri has worked to reduce the number of school districts in the state. It was at one time as high as 8,000 but now is down to 786. This is the ninth highest number of districts for the country and is said to be detrimental to a good school program.

The sale of 1968 TB Christma. Seals is underway throughout St. Francois County. Two hundred of the attractive Christmas Seals showing a traditional holiday partridge in plum tree were mailed to thou-, sands of county homes the past week by Mrs. Ruth Brown Reeder, escretary of the St.

Francois County TB association. The Seals sell for one-cent each and the proceeds -will constitute the association's only source of funds for combatting tuberculosis in the county throughout 1969. Tuberculosis 1 one of the most contagious diseases in the world and is doubly dangerous because persons with active TB can distribute the germs for months before they are even aware they are afficted. Jeff Matkin, of Flat- River, president, heads the county association which also is interested in controlling other respiratory diseases such as emphy. sema, asthma, influenza, histoplamosis, hay fever and the common cold.

It is hoped every county famIly will use the enclosed envelope with their Christmas Seals to contribute $2.00 or more for 1969 activities. The envelopes carry the return address of Mrs. Elmer Wilfong of Bonne Terre, treasurer. Among association directors are Mrs. Margaret Simpson, county health nurse; Dr.

C. W. Chastain, of Farmington, a former president, who is currently first vice-president and Dr. Stanley Hardy of Desloge. national average.

We are going to close that gap and bring the people's income up to the national average, he said. Hearnes said the goal of Ozark Regional Commission is to create jobs through economic development and thereby raise per capita income to stop the migration of people away from the area. The widest gap in annual earnings is between the low income group and the middle class group. That gap will increase AS economic development progresses and we will have to continue efforts to lessen the difference, he said. Hearnes said the Ozarks program is designed primarily for rural areas.

He said our nation is troubled with urban problems but that the ozark region also suffers from economir crisis in rural employment. Ozark Regional Commission Massachusetts, MA; Michigan, tana, MT. MI; Minnesota, MN; Mississippi, MS; Missouri, MO; Montana, MT. Nebraska, NB; Nevada, NV; New Hampshire, NH; New Jersey, NJ; New Mexico, NM; York, NY; North Carolina, NC; North Dakota, ND. Ohio, OH; Oklahoma, OK; Oregon, OR.

Pennsylvania, PA; Puerto Rico, PR. Rhode Island, RI. South Carolina, SC; South Dakota, SD. Tennessee, TN; Texas, TX. Utah, Vermont, VT; Virginia, VA; Virgin Islands, VI.

Washington, WA; West Virginia, WV; Wisconsin, WI and Wyoming, WY. It remains to be seen what will happen to the popular nickname of Tex which has been applied to Texans whenever they moved to other states for as long as there bae been a state of Texas. is made up of parts of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Hearnes described the numerous studies which have made in determining how best to improve the economic climate of the area. We need to promote jobs for everybody but also to train and retrain the people 50 they can take advantage of jobs created, he said.

Hearnes said the commission is also looking to new crops, especially vegetables, to increase earnings in rural areas. Arrangements Incomplete For C. E. 'Ted' Byers Clarence Edgar (Ted) Byers of Elvins was born Feb. 1, 1912 in Elvins son of the late Henry Byers and Mary Barton Byers and died Nov.

18 at the Mineral Area Osteopathic Hospital at the age of 56 years. Surviving are: his wife, Leota Byers of Elvins; three children, Teddy Byers with the U. S. Armed Forces in South Vietnam, Dale Byers and Michael Byers of the home; one sister, Delcie (Mrs. Frank Downs) of Elvins; three brothers, Raymond Byers of Liberty, Charles Byers of St.

Louis and Frank Byers of Sweet Springs. He was a member of the Elvins United Methodist Church. Masonic Lodge 599 will have a memorial service at 8 p.m. Wednesday. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.

The body will be in state after 7 tonight at the Caldwell Chapel in Elvins. Girl Scout Leaders To Meet Thursday Girl Scout Neighborhood 5 (Desloge, Bonne Terre, Esther and Flat River) leaders will meet Thursday, Nov. 21 at 7 p. m. at the Taylor Avenue Methodist Church, Flat River.

This is an important meeting and all leaders, assistant leaders, chairmen and sustaining membership captains are invited and urged to attend. Mrs. Dorothy Rouggly serves as Neighborhood Chairman and Miss Mary Ann Thompson is the Field Advisor. Ambulance Calls Monday Lena Boswell was removed from her residence in Farmington to Madison Memorial Hospital. Tuesday Lavada Thurman was removed from.

her reelience in Landwood to Bonne Terre Hospital. rules as used in the United States of America. Rewriting of all text books is likely to take number of years. Ingenious Americans are likely to ignore the new two letter abbreviations as an individual problem and continue to use the same state abbreviations they learned were proper during their school years. The new list is as follows for those readers who wish to clip and save the P.O.

approved state abbreviations for future reference. Alaska, AK; Alabama, AL; Arizona, AZ; Arkansas, AR. California, CA; Canal Zone, CZ; Colorado, CO; Conneticut, CT. Deleware, DE; District of Columbia, DC. Florida, FL.

Georgia, GA; Guam, GU. Hawaii, HI. Idaho, ID; Illinois, IL; IndJana, IN; Iowa, IA. Kansas, KS; Kentucky, KY. Louisiana, LA.

Maine. ME: Maryland. MD: LOOSE CABOOSE- -Over the weekend this Missouri Pacific caboose derailed on a crossing near the Bonne Terre Farming Cattle Co. facilities in Flat River. Part of a freight unit, it had to be dragged from the crossing to allow traffic to move.

It was placed back on the rails Monday..