Springfield Leader and Press from Springfield, Missouri • 31

(Mo.) LEADER-PRESS April 17, 1969 31, Smaller Northside Renewal Proposal Offers a 'Choice' Committee Would Establish Arcades For Pedestrians From Parking Areas, Urge Renovation on Rear of Buildings A renewal plan for the mercial Street business district featuring extensive rehabilitation and limited clearance is being proposed by the Commercial Street Development Committee to urban renewal officials. "It's relocate or rehabilitate, and we don't want to move," said LaRue Savage of Wilson Off Beat By The Leader and Press Staff OFF BEAT'S Ode of the Week, on rezoning to allow doctors' offices to be built near hospitals, a possible way to ease problems from having no staff physiciansNo Appointment Necessary We'll do our best To help you survive If your emergency Occurs 'tween 9 and 5. WHO SAYS the sympathetic neighborhood druggist can't recognize man's ills? -A colleague of Off Beat's was buying some business size envelopes, Monday, and the druggist observed kindly: "So you haven't mailed your income tax yet He was right and the least he could have done was throw in some aspirin for Excedrin headache No. 1040. QUESTION, and from our answer special of Des Moines do sessions of the Iowa Legislature start at 9 a.m.?" "Because if it started any earlier, the legislators would miss Captain Kangaroo." CITY MANAGER David Burkhalter discussed city government with fifth and sixth graders at Eugene Field School the other day and, as usual, drew some interesting comments from our young citizens.

"If the city government fell down and quit, there would be a lot of people out of a job," wrote one young man in "thank you" note to the manager. Incidentally, he somehow got the idea that 4000 people work for the city; it's really just over 700. One lad was disturbed to learn that Mayor Carl Stillwell is unsalaried, relieved to know that he does get paid as "a teacher." He's vice president of Drury College. Another thought it interesting that "the first city government was formed in Galveston, Va." Burkhalter guessed he must have been going a bit fast at that point in the discussion. The first commission form of government was at Galveston, the first council-manager goverriment at Staunton, Va.

Statistics on automobile accidents interested most of the audience: "When you said more men have accidents than women the boys got mad," wrote one of the boys. "I thought about how many people get killed in car accidents," wrote a girl. "I don't see how Springfield grows, because it seems like it would A youngster, who may have been listening at home, said she thinks Springfield "needs the civic center, but the reason it was voted down is because people thought the price would get The manager appreciated all his fan mail, particularly a note. which ended: "I now know how our city is run, I am glad I live in it." AS A WARM UP for his Field School appearance, Manager Burkhalter tested the young people on their knowledge of the Great American Sport. "Who are the Cardinals?" The answer was called out accurately and apparently unanimously.

"Where did they play last?" "Montreal." was the one outstanding thing in the game?" Maxville's home run." The game was played Monday See OFF BEAT, Page 34 Furniture, 229 East mercial, committee chairman. The "tentative proposals? which the committee hopes can be substituted for the more extensive plan developed by consultants for the Commercial Street -urban renewal project would be restricted to the area between Commercial and Division, Washington and Lyon, and thus is somewhat smaller than the original project area. didn't it want to get too far away from the retail said Savage. It's more nearly comparable to the original proposal for redevelopment of the northern business district, contained in the city's comprehensive plan, than to the later urban renewal proposal in that it suggests the renovation of the south or rear side of buildings fronting on Commercial and the establishment of pedestrian arcades leading from parking areas to the rear. However, no mall-like development is proposed.

"We feel that if a man is willing to spend the money to restore and rehabilitate a building, and if he wishes to continue in business there, he should be permitted to do so," said Savage. "If he is not willing to bring it up to standard, then it should be removed. But he is given choice and this is something the other plans didn't offer." The committee has made a thorough study of the area, Savage said, but: "We're just a bunch of amateurs, and we realize it. We will need a lot of Rites Friday For Herrick Pioneer Car Dealer Dies in Hospital Funeral services wilt be Friday for one of Springfield's pioneer auto dealers, Otto Herrick, 68, who died at 10:28 p.m. Wednesday, in following a Burge-Protestant short illness.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday in the Herman Lohmeyer Funeral Home East Chapel with Dr. William E. Everheart officiating. will be in Maple Cemetery, Mr.

Herrick, of 3742 East Cherry, was a lifelong resident of Springfield. In 1908 his started a transfer and storage business in Springfield. In 1910 the firm became Sam Herrick and Sons, one of the first auto dealerships (selling Maxwells, Hudsons and other early makes) in Springfield. The firm, in 1931, became Herrick Desoto-Plymouth agency and Mr. Herrick remained with it until 1940, when he started his own Desoto-Plymouth agency.

He retired in 1957. Survivors are one daughter, Mrs. Bob Wright, Route two brothers, Sam and Everett, both of Springfield; one sister, Mrs. J. C.

Williams, Kansas City; and two grandchildren. A brother, Ira, died in 1967. Mr. Herrick was a member of First and Calvary Presbyterian Church, a member of Hickory Hills Country Club, and was active in work with the American Cancer Society crusade. He was a former private pilot and an active outdoorsman, hunter and golfer.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Otto Herrick help." Other members are Paul Harris, Roderique, Bob Groce, Ralph Young, Bill Gilkerson, and Carl Haden. The committee was formed after St. Louis consultants on the Commercial Street project 1 last fall recommended three alternate plans all involving considerable clearance of buildings on Commercial itself.as well as in adjoining areas, and a reconsolidation of business and office facilities extending south from Commercial along Boonville. None met the approval of most project area residents.

In a "memorandum" delivered to Hubert Riebold, member of the Authority, and Floyd Mattlage, renewal director, the committee offered this explanation: "Few locations in the City of Springfield have had closer ties with the development of the city than has Commercial Street. Many of the residents, property owners and businessmen are descendants of the pioneers who founded this community more than a century ago. The children of these original settlers continue to accept roles of responsibility and leadership Riebold was to distribute copies to other members of the See RENEWAL, Page 34 KWFC Launches Operation on FM Radio station KWFC," owned by Baptist Bible College, began FM operation today at 6 a.m. The new station received approval by the Federal Communications Commission to operate on 97.3 megacycles and will be on the air 18 hours a day broadcasting gospel music and programs, news, sports and weather information. Some Footprints in dangling from straps around his neck.

He's best known around the state as the "man who takes pictures for the Department of Conservation." His photographs have graced the covers of the Missouri Conservationist more times than he remembers. He's had photos in virtually all of the "big slick" magazines, as well as pictures and articles in the "Big Three" outdoors magazines Outdoor Life, Sports Afield and Field and Stream. And he is the kind of a. guy who turned down twice his salary from a big city newspaper simply because he didn't think the big city was the place for his wife, Jane, or his three girls Ann, 17, Sue, 16, and Barbara, 11. He.

speaks of his work with little-boy enthusiasm that is refreshing in an age of cynicism: "Oh, gee, I wouldn't trade it for anything. "There is a lot of personal satisfaction in it. It's not the letters from the readers, but you have a feeling of making some footprints in life for the good of humanity although sometimes Ldon't think it deserves it. "I wouldn't call myself a cynic, I have my cynical moments, but I think my family especially my girls have benefited from my job and life as much as anyone. They have a Days Since 7 Last Fatality Springfield Traffic In In City This Year 8 Same Time Last Year 5 In County This Year 15 Same Time Last Year In State This Year .339 Same Time Last Year .345 In City Monday: Accidents 12 Injured If, in some unfortunate future, the fields and streams and forests are stamped out concrete and man's unkind feet, photos such as this one of two baby raccoons playing surely -Photo by Don Wooldridge dridge, chief photographer for the Missouri Department of Conservation, the taking of such pictures is one way to assure that nature always will have a place in the lives of Amer- will become priceless.

But, for, Don Wool- icans. Roving Photographer Wooldridge Wants to Preserve Nature's Wonders By FRANK FARMER Leader and Press Staff Writer "I wish I could take my wife and girls, put them in my sail boat and start around the world. I'd stop and take pictures when I felt like it, but I'd really just be a vagabond." That's Don Wooldridge talking, a man who once cherished ambitions to become an aeronautical engineer and now wonders why. Wooldridge is 45, wears, glasses; but his heavy black hair still dangles in unruly locks across his forehead and his face is deeply tanned from combat with the elements. He is most natural with a camera or two With Business, Other Schools Compare Salaries, Graff Challenges Critics of school trators' salaries should make comparisons with salaries paid in business and industry and other school systems for comparable responsibility, Superintendent Willard J.

Graff said today. Salaries of school administrators in Springfield are as low, by comparison with those paid in other school systems of comparable or smaller size, as are the salaries of teachers and other employes, he said. "Several of the central administrators have had offers of positions in other school systems or in industry which would have paid considerably more. Recently, one of the young administrators accepted another position at approximately $8000 more than he is presently receiving in Springfield," Graff said. -Leader and Press Staff Photo Don Wooldridge "There's no reason to have a wilderness area unless people can enjoy it.

Yet, their enjoyment can mean the death of it." If So, Litton Probably Would Move in Another Part of Business Death Knell Sounded for Royal Here? By a Leader and Press Staff Writer and concerned public. in the near future, what would operation here. But several fac- lation which took over the valuWill the locked doors at What many members of Royal happen next? tors point to another Springfield's Royal Typewriter answer. able electric model production management and many mem- Most insiders feel that the an- For one thing, it is no secret line a few weeks after the Feb. Company plant ever swing open bers of the striking union appar- nouncement would be coupled that sales of Royal's manual 22 union walkout here.

for workers again? ently have been told is that the with word that Litton will do portable typewriter line have It is rumored, however, that The question rumbles louder parent firm, Litton Industries, is something to rejuvenate the been lagging behind other man- Royal has piled as up many as and louder around town, and the seriously considering pulling the plant as soon as possible. ufacturers IBM in particular, four of inventory of the years answer which seems to be grow- Royal manufacturing operation The means are many: according to authoritative sales current manual portable maing in volume is "no" at least out of the Ozarks. -Move another facet- of Lit- records. chine. Litton might then be most not with Royal's name over ton's vast industry into worried about how to get rid the of 100 Royal foremen and building perhaps even the And for another, last week's present stock and abandon doors.

the Thus far, the answers are other personnel, and perhaps printed circuit operation now action by the Federal Trade manual typewriter business almostly rumor and all unofficial. several hundred union members housed near Municipal Airport; Commission to strip Litton of in- together, in the absence of the Authoritative word, one way or at a closed meeting last night, -Sub-lease the structure to terest in two successful German new model from Germany. the other, could come at any reportedly have been advised another industry looking for a typewriter manufacturing plants In any event, union members time from the closed meeting that the company told the union home. may have dealt to the are understandably concerned rooms where Royal manage- of the possible move during ne- The list could go on, but most Springfield plant from two di- as to what might happen to ment and representatives of the gotiations early this week. Nei- observers feel one thing is sure rections if Litton had planned them.

The answer remains to be striking Allied, Industrial Work- ther faction will publicly con- Litton will do SOMETHING to produce the German seen. ers Local 469 are negotiating. firm the reports, pointing to with the facility as soon as it typewriters here, the FTC suit In the meantime, observers groand rules established at the can. The building reportedly is could take, away the patent authorities, though, Legal can only speculate. start of negotiations.

owned insurance rights; and if Litton decides to speculate that another Litton opby a large eration would leave Local 469 There are, however, a consid- But the unofficial reports per- company, and the monthly lease stick with its current model, the with a big foot in the door fees amounting to thousands of company might argue that it establishment toerable number of these observ- sist a ward as the that, dollars must be met. can be produced quicker and gaining unit. If the building bar- is ers more than 1000 Royal em- Considering for moment ployes, other firms looking for a joint union-company state- Litton could always, of course, easier at some other plant, perpermanent help, plus a curious ment should announce a pullout decide to keep the typewriter haps the Hartford, instal- See ROYAL, Page 34 better working knowledge off conservation and outdoors critters." Philosophy? "I don't know if it would 1 be a philosophy or not, really. But most assuredly, I would like to see the preservation of many things we are not going to have if we don't change our ways. I am concerned about our rivers, which we won't have any more if we don't care.

"I am concerned about the population explosion, because just by sheer numbers, preservation of nature is going to be very difficult. It is difficult to have both society and nature, "We create a wilderness area, but people tromp it to the ground coming to see it. It is a paradox that is difficult to rationalize. There is no reason to DSA to Tabulate Votes Monday Ballots for election of new directors for the board of the Downtown Springfield Association will be tabulated Monday, W. E.

Wood, executive director of DSA, announced. Following the election, Wood said, the board will be reorganized at its next meeting, Wednesday, May 7. Wood said the DSA now has 160 members. Second Suit Filed In Building Collapse A second damage suit was filed today in circuit court in connection with the collapse of a downtown building wall Dec. 18.

Randolph D. Talmage, Route 11, asks for $2571 actual damage to his car parked in an adjoining lot and $5000 punitive damages. The defendant is James I. Robberson, 1132 South Oak Grove, owner of the fire-damaged building in the 300. block of East Walnut.

have a wilderness area unless people can enjoy it. Yet, their enjoyment can mean the death of the area. "It is a difficult situation to rationalize." The author of such thinking was born in Springfield to Mr. and Mrs. Tom Wooldridge.

His mother died last July, but his father is today very active as circuit court bailiff to Judge James Keet. A brother, Dr. W. E. Wooldridge, practices in Springfield.

Wooldridge's wife, Jane, is the daughter of the Rev. and Mrs. James O. Michael. Mr.

Michael was formerly pastor of a Church of Christ in Springfield. Wubldridge graduated from Central High School, attended Cal Tech in California, and Southwest Missouri State. College. He joined the U.S. Air Force the latter part of 1942, saw service in Florida and North Africa and Italy with the Air Transport Command, going in as a flight engineer and windup service pilot (co-pilot) on C54s and C46s.

His ambition to become an aeronautical engineer faltered while in Europe and he began to "play around with photography a bit." When he got out of service, he returned to Springfield See PHOTOGRAPHER, Page 34 "As for the superintendent, it might be of interest to the 'general public to know that inincluding one more year of service at the same salary, his average income for 18 years as superintendent of the Springfield Public Schools will be $16,423.22." Graff said, "It should be pointed out that the Springfield school system is one of the largest business operations in the community, involving a budget this year totaling $15.5 million. During the calendar year, 1968, 2791 different people worked for the school system in either a full-time or part-time capacity in all programs. There are some 300 volunteer workers at the present time and thi dear the school system will serve approximately 250 student teach- See GRAFF, Page 34.