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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
February 21, 2013     Shelton Mason County Journal
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February 21, 2013
 
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Komen Comment Former Simpson manager could have been governor ~poere was a time when helton was the hub of litical power. The year was 1924, and Mark E. Reed, manager of Simpson Logging Co., was on the threshold of becoming Washington's governor. It was his for the taking. His was a political career that twice had him elected Shelton's mayor and led him to the speaker- ship of the state House of Repre- sentatives. House speaker wields considerable pow- er and influence, often considered second only to the state's governor. In exercising hisBy JOHN House speaker's authority, Reed, a KOMEN Republican, won a reputation for fairness and integrity. Not surprisingly, he led the way for timber interests in their efforts to resolve complaints about a taxation system viewed as unfair. Along the way, with huge majorities in the Legisla- ture, Reed won cutbacks in all property taxes -- not just for timber barons -- and proceeded to slash the state budget, all the while sternly opposing talk of an income tax and winning improve- ments in workers' compensa- tion. Reed's adamant stand against a state income tax would surely attract atten- tion today. The income tax, he sputtered, was "one of the most vicious measures ever presented" to the Legisla- ture. He denied his opposi- tion had anything to do with his own high income. The Republican majori- ties that Speaker Reed en- joyed were astonishing when viewed from today's vantage point. In 1921, the Senate and the House each had only one Democrat. Add to that the widespread opinion the state was taking in way too much in taxes and you had a field wide open for Reed's brand of conservatism. And so the governorship beckoned. Some had called on Reed to run as early as 1916 and again in 1920. But in 1924, he was boomed as the "leading contender for the Re- publican gubernatorial nomi- nation," says Robert E. Ficken in "Lamber and Politics," his 1979 biography of Reed. The political winds couldn't be more favorable. The sitting governor was Louis F. Hart. CHart suf- fered from diabetes, a condi- tion that helped induce a rather lethargic personality," says Ficken. "As a result he tended to defer to stronger and more experienced men like Reed." "The Shelton lamberman was seen both by support- ers and by opponents of the Hart Administration as the power behind the governor, the prin- cipal source of ad- vice on issues and patronage." So it was thought if the weak and ill Hart didn't run, Reed would be the Republican candidate and eas- ily win over the ex- pected Democratic nominee, Roland H. Hartley of Everett, planning a third try for governor. Then came Hart's an- nouncement. Citing his poor health, he said he would not run again in 1924. Shelton's Reed was in a clear position to become governor of the state of Washington. Except he didn't want it. He cited business and family commitments: 'The business enterprises of which I am the active head are passing through a period of develop- ment which calls for the clos- est attention," he declared, and bowed out of contention. Shelton's political impor- tance waned. For Reed, tragedy was ahead. Economic conditions deteriorated, the 1929 Great Depression struck and Shel- ton suffered mightily. Then, in 1930, a disgruntled, crip- pled former Simpson worker shot and fatally wounded Reed's eldest son, Sol. Devastated by the 28-year-old Sol's death, Mark and Irene S. Reed re- treated from Shelton. They had long had Seattle con- nections, and now Seattle became their home. A weakened Mark Reed, suffering from amoebic dys- entery he had contracted at a conference in Chicago, died in Seattle on Sept. 5, 1933. He was 67. • John Komen, who lives on Mason Lake, was for 40 years a reporter and editor, TV anchorman, national TV network correspondent, pro- ducer, columnist, editorial writer and commentator. His column, Komen Comment, appears each week in the Mason County Journal. Mason County S While many Mason County they had brought home a statewrestlers -- Ben Anderson, Riley residents enjoyed the championship, we're proud of Rifle and Benny Olivas -- joined Presidents Day weekendthem. North Mason High School corn- catching up on chores, spending State championship tourna- petitors Tyler Grewell, Chase time with family or taking a brief ments -- in this case, wrestling's Davis, Tommy Marsh and Jon vacation, more than a dozen lo- Mat Classic and the state swim- Day at the Tacoma Dome. cal students were competing at ming and diving championshipsSix Shelton swimmers and the highest level of high school -- mark the ultimate in competi- divers -- John Pentony, Troy athletics, tion. Our local athletes sacrifice Krumpols, Harrison MacAlevy, Seven Mason County wres- their personal lives, after-school Ryder Phelan, J.D. Clemens and tlers, and six swimmers and div- activities and personal interests Sean Kealy -- took part at the ers, competed at their state tour- to hone their sport of choice. King County Aquatic Center in naments this past weekend. They must meet education re- Federal Way. While these student-athletes, quirements in order to compete. Nice work, winter athletes. as well as their coaches, would Otherwise, they're off the team. Let's hope our athletes this freely admit that they wished Three Shelton High School spring can continue the trend. INsI P oF USIt,l,6 TO Ol /kL TI4/kT E E ELELTEP A POPE, I4Y DON'T DEVELoI' AN AgP .'.P Letters to the Editor Response by sheriff's office lackluster Editor, the Journal On July 21, 2007, our camper van was stolen. We had planned to head to the coast the next morning. The van was parked in the carport next to our house and was loaded with food and our per- sonal property. The refridgerator was on and stocked with food and ready to go. The van was found off of Bloomfield Road south of Shelton. And of course, it was trashed. We called a wrecker and had it towed to a junkyard and we handed over the title. Shelton's fine detectives took fingerprints at this time. Several prints were found. Here is the kicker. That was in 2007 and we have not heard anything about it since. Personally, I think it's a conspiracy. Your fine sheriffs department simply can't handle theft. It is easier to pick on jay- walkers and minor offenses. If you have something stolen in Mason County, don't report it to the sheriffs office. It's a waste of time. Jack Cedar Mount Ida, Ariz. Supermajority too tough for schools to reach for bonds Editor, the Journal The headline of the Feb. 14, Journal said 'Voters reject school bond measures." Wow, what a negative way to update readers. Could it have read "School bond measures fail to reach 60 percent majority requirement"? Voters didn't reject the bond measures. They were approved by the simple majority of voters in both Pioneer and Grapeview areas. In Pioneer, the initial count showed approval by 1,645 voters, with only 1,314 voting against. A simple majority is in my mind completely adequate. I con- sider any other value illogical. There are obviously those who can find reason for the 60 percent or greater majority, and I'm not qualified to dispute them. I also respect the rights of those who voted against the measure. I will continue to urge my state representatives to correct laws to apply the simple majority, be- cause I'm an old geezer, and know that simple is better. Lee Hatch Shelton See LETTERS on page A-5 USPS 492-800 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Mason County Journal, Re. Box 430, Shelton, WA 98584. Published weekly by the Mason County Journal at 227 West Cota Street, Shelton, Washington Mailing address: P.O. Box 430, Shelton, WA 98584 Telephone (360) 426-4412 • www.masoncounty.com Periodicals postage paid at Shelton, Washington Mason County Journal is a member of Washington Newspaper Publishers' Association. SUBSCRIPTION RATES: $37 per year for Mason County addresses, $51 per year in state of Washington but outside Mason County, $61 per year out of state. Page A-4 - Mason County Journal - Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013 Owned and published by Shelton-Mason County Journal, Inc Kari Sleight, publisher Newsroom: Adam Rudnick, editor Natalie Johnson, reporter Gordon Weeks, reporter Emily Hanson, sports reporter Advertising: Dave Pierik, St. Acct. Executive Maggie Burdick, ad representative Front office: Donna Kinnaird, bookkeeper Rene~ Chaplin, circulation Cricket Carter, mailroom supervisor Composing room: William Adams, graphics Pressroom: Kelly Riordan, production manager Travis Miller, press operator Mary Northover, 3rsss assistant /