Refugio County Record (Refugio, Tex.), Vol. 10, No. 5, Ed. 1 Monday, September 23, 1963 Page: 1 of 4
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Texas Digital Newspaper Program and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Dennis M. O’Connor Public Library.
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That Highway Median Rail
There to Curtail Jumpers
Austin. — One day this summer
a 26,000 - pound diesel truck, its
driver asleep at the wheel, hurtled
out of control toward opposing
lanes of traffic on the U. S. 59
Southwest Freeway in Houston. Al-
though the truck was traveling 50
miles an hour, damage to the
truck amounted to only $75 arid
the driver emerged unharmed.
The reason? The truck hit Tex-
as’ first non-yielding median rail,
'a rail that deflects vehicles and
keeps them from jumping the me-
dian into opposing lanes of traffic.
This type of mjedian rail was
developed by the Texas Highway
Department’s urban project office
in Houston, and was installed on
a 65,000 - foot stretch of U. S. 59
near the Interstate 610 inter-
change.
For years highway engineers
have grappled with the problem, of
making it more and more difficult
for a driver to have an accident.
When the first divided multi-lane
expressways were built, hopes
were that head-on collisions would
be eliminated entirely. Mostly,
they were. But a few head-on col-
lisions still occurred, caused by
cars which jumped over the med-
ians into the opposing lanes of
traffic.
So research wheels began turn-
ing to design a protective device
for the median in an effort to
make the expressways even saf-
er. One type of median rail now
in use in some of the Highway
Department’s 25 districts through-
out the state is the “yielding"
median rail, which deflects vehi-
cles back into fee lane of traffic.
By damaging the railing, the en-
ergy of the vehicle is dissipated.
Now the new non-yielding rail al-
so has been developed in the con-
tinuing search sor even more ef-
fective ways to divide lanes of
traffic. An added feature of the
new non-yielding median rail is
that a wire mjesh fence erected
above the rails reduces night had-
light glare to almost zero, and pre-
vents pedertrians from crossing
the freeway.
This new three - in - one safety
measure is being watched with in-
terest by the Highway Department
engineers throughout the state,
and if it proves to be the mjost
effective median rail, indications
are that the non-yielding median
rail may be adopted for use on a
statewide basis.
The case of the diesel truck is
only one instance illustrating the
protection the non-yielding rail of-
fers. To date, no vehicle has
broken through the median rail,
and observation shows that ve-
hicles can come in contact with
the rail even at high rates of
speed without severe damage to
either the rail or the light bar-
rier fence. So far damage to ve-
hicles has been slight, and only
scratches and dent ntark the
places where vehicles have crash-
ed into the rail.
Behind the Scenes
Of American Business
Note: The information con-
tained in this weeky summary
of happenings in the world of
business and industry has been
obtained from sources we con-
sider reliable but is not guar-
anteed. Opinions and forecasts
are based upon careful analysis
but are subject to change with-
out notice.)
BY REYNOLDS KNIGHT
New York. — The weeks just
ahead are of vital importance to
the nation’s toy manufacturers, as
retail outlets select and stock up
merchandise for the holiday buy-
ing surge that’s less than three
months away.
Toy makers don’t look back on
1962 with any glee, even though in-
dustry sales reached a record $1.1
billion. Post - Christmias reckon-
ing showed two unhappy facts:
some of their more fanciful
wares, sold largely through stren-
uous television advertising, Were
less than pleasing to youngsters;
and adults complained that prices
on many items were too high —
especially in relation to product
quality.
As a result, several trends will
be evident when Mpm: and Dad
go shopping this coming season.
There’ll be more emphasis on me-
dium - price bread - and - butter
toys, like doll clothes, table games
and make-believe military equip-
ment. Costly and complicated
“gimmick” toys will be relatively
few, and not overly prompted.
With prices collectively tending
downward, dollar volume for the
industry may increase by only a
small percentage even as physical
volume mounts with the size of
the juvenile population. However,
most toymakers probably will be
happy if their warehouses are
empties and their merchandise
brings that intangible known as
“conumer satisfaction."
ROLLING CARGO COOKER
A “hot plate on wheels" is what
railroad transportation specialists
are calling a newly developed rail-
road tank car that heats its cargo
electrically while it travels. These
specialists feel there is a bright
future for this car in industries,
sueh as food and chemical pro-
cessing, where the ability to un-
load certain bulk commodities im-
mediately upon arrival at their
destination depends on being able
to keep them heated to specified
temperature, sometimes over hun-
dreds of miles of rail travel.
REFUGIO COUNTY
TRAFFIC TOLL
1963
DEATHLESS DAYS
247
Last Death January 20, 1963
DEATHS THIS YEAR
1
1962 TRAFFIC DEATHS
“Pitch and vegetalbe oil already
are carried successfully in this
equipment, and there is an active!
and immediate requirement for
such products as corn syrups, su-
gar syrups, chocolate syrups,
drugs such as milk of magnesia,
sulphur, and asphalt products,”
says Henry V. Bootes, vice prei-
dent of AF Industries, Incorpora-
ted and general manager of its
Shippers’ Car Line division that
developed the car.
“Electrical heat offers safer
easier, and in many cases more
economical materials handling
than the live steam, or natural gas
heat used in earlier cars," he
adds.
PRE-PLANNED CITIES
Increases in. population com
centration both domestically and
in other lands have led to note-
worthy efforts by a few leading
residential building firm$ to pro-
vide “pre-planned cities” — com,-
plete with shopping areas, schools,
and even their own fire depart-
ments.
Levitt and Sons, Inc. last week
celebrated a milestone in this
trend When the first exhibit houses
in a new ocean - front city just
west of San Juan, Puerto Rico,
were dedicated in ceremonies led
by Gov. Luis Munoz Marin.
The new city, Levittown de Puer-
to Rico, is initially planned for
3,500 families, and is the most
complete large community to be
built under the Commonwealth’s
program for the planned urbaniza-
tion of metropolitan San Juan.
Levitt and Sons showed furnish-
ed models of the five house styles
to be built — all single - family
homes designed for occupancy by
middle - income families and rang-
ing in price from $9,500 for a one-
story attached house to $15,500 for
a two - story detached home.
Governor Munoz Marin hailed
construction of Levittown de Puer-
to Rico as “a splendid example
to any community sincerely dedi-
cated to genuine urban progress."
THINGS TO COME
Something new in bread is a
white - bread loaf shaped like a
cylinder so that all slices are
round, or very nearly so. The
makers are testing it in the Chi-
cago and New York areas . . .
Heated blankets aren’t new, but
now an Eastern company has de-
veloped a year - round blanket;
in winter a separate covering blan-
ket is attached that helps maxi-
mize the body heat in the inter-
vening space, while in summer
the cellular design of the main
blanket lets cool air circulate for
maximum effect . . . Some 1964
autos will have in the rear win-
dows a new type of lightweight
glass only one-third the thickness
of existing types, but claimed to
be as strong as regular safety
glass. The secret is that it’s “che-
mically tempered.”
HARD TIMES
The cement industry, which nor-
mally might be expected to enjoy
prosperous conditions during build-
ing spurts such as are current in
many areas, is not too cheerful
these - days. Actually, sales are
running a bit ahead of 1962, which
was considered a “good" year.
But the bugaboo is overcapacity.
Despite a good showing in over-
all sales, some plants are working
only part - time. And in the East,
imports are cutting into domestic
iiefugio County LiTarexy
c/o Cslsa <i. Bxanlette
L07 Commerce
10/63
Refugio County Record
<L
VOLUME X—NO. 5
REFUGIO COUNTY, TEXAS, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1963
FOUR PAGES—TEN CENTS
TEXAS LEGISLATIVE STUDY - - -
Hurricane Season Prompts
Review of insurance Laws
(EXCERPTS FROM COPY OF
THE HOUSE GENERAL INVES-
TIGATING COMMITTEE RE-
PORT ON HURRICANE CARLA
WHICH WAS FURNISHED TO
THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE
OF REPRESENTATIVES AT
THE 58th REGULAR SESSION
OF THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE
—1963.)
HURRICANE CARLA
INVESTIGATION
Substandard performance and
policyholder mistreatment princi-
pally came from those carriers
(insurance companies and organi-
zations) operating outside the jur-
isdiction of the State Board of In-
surance, says the Report of House
General Investigating Committee
on Hurricane Carla. The respon-
sible performance camfe from
those companies operating within
the rules and regulations of the
Board — and particularly those
companies represented by local,
established insurance agents.
The most serious complaints
heard by the Committee were told
by those witnesses who did not
have the services of an insurance
agent with whomi they were per-
sonally acquainted. Many were
uncertain whom to contact about
their loss, stating their insurance
was handled by an investment
company or had been bought by
mail.
Some witnesses were not satis-
fied with settlement offers regard-
less of how the policy was mer-
chandised. However, the persons
mjost confused and dissatisfied
were those who had purchased in-
surance at less than manual rates,
were Without service of a local
agent, or had policies written by
carriers not under regulation of
the State Board of Insurance such
as county mutuals operating on a
state - wide basis, reciprocals and
Lloyds.
Unregulated insurance Writing is
matter of great concern to this
state. Carla brought to light
abuses of a type which, absent
such a catastrophe, must have
been practiced against policyhold-
ers in individual cases for a long
time.
The following testimony indi-
cates the problem,. '
Mrs. August Eberspacher from
Angleton, insured through the
Farmers Mutual Protective Asso-
ciation of Texas with headquarters
in Temple, Texas, had the doors of
her house blown from their hinges,
13 windows smashed, a gar-
age and bam destroyed. Damage
was estimated by reputable con-
tractors to be $7,500.00. She was
offered $25 as settlement in full.
A. W. Walters, a cab driver of
Victoria, had the porch blown
from his house, the shingles tom
off and water pouring through the
roof. A local contractor estimated
damage at $282.00. He received on-
ly $56.00. When he phoned Farmr
ers Group Insurance Company,
both the agent and adjuster hung
up on him,.
Mrs. Charles Hanzelka of Pla-
ced© carried the insurance on her
home With Farmers Mutual of
Temple. The roof was blown off
with resultant damage estimated
at $1,563.00 by a reputable build-
er. The policyholder agreed to a
settlement at $1,563.00. However,
one week later, the adjuster hand-
ling the loss for this company
brought his son to inspect fee
damage. The boy said the ceilings
and walls had never been wet and
the walls were not damaged. He
decided the wallpaper camie down
because it had never been glued.
Although an agreed settlement of
$1,563.00 had been made, the ad-
juster offered $585.00 and told the
insurred it was the “last offer.”
Mrs. Nadine Morthiljohni car-
ried insurance with the Hochheim
Prairie Mutual Insurance Compa-
ny and was offered $344.00 against
an actual $2,828.00 damage. The
offer made arbitrarily without a
representative of the company ev-
en inspecting the damage.
Mrs. Alpha Miller of Olivia car-
ried insurance on her home and
three rent houses with the Texas
Curricy Sum Prime Worry
Among Texas Educators
Austin. — What are the major
issues facing public education in
Texas?
Twenty Texas schoolmen come
up with the answers of curricu-
lum, professionalism, and financ-
ing in a survey conducted by
“Texas Outlook” magazine.
Survey participants were select-
ed to represent public schools and
colleges; classroom;, teachers, prin-
cipals, and superintendents; small
and large schools; and every cor-
ner of Texas.
These educators were asked:
“What do you consider to be the
major issues facing public educa-
tion in Texas at this timje Please
list three and explain them) brief-
ly.”
Their answers appear in the
September issue of the Texas
State Teacher Association maga-
zine.
Curriculum drew more first-
place references than any other
topic. Schoolmen expressed con-
firms’ traditional markets.
BITS O’ BUSINESS
There’s a growing trend to wid-
er and longer double beds, report
a major bedding manufacturer;
super - size mattresses from 60 to
78 inches wide and 80 inches long
are accounting for a sharply ris-
ing chunk of the industry’s sales
. . . Steel output in the U. S. at
the start of last month was run-
ning almost 12 per cent ahead of
the previous year and a good
fourth quarter is expected . . .
The competitive - battle among
makers of the new - type stainless
steel razor blades is now comr
pletely joined — the nation’s lar-
gest maker of shaving equipment
has unveiled its entry in this field.
cem over the school dropout prob-
lem. A more comprehensive
school program;, with more atten-
tion to industrial and vocational
training for those who will not go
to college, some felt would comr-
bat dropouts.
Concern was also voiced by
some for what they believe is ov-
eremphasis on science and tech-
nology and concentration on pre-
paration of college - bound stu-
dents.
Of next importance to teachers
is their own professionalism —
their training and upgrading.
One reply voiced this opinion:
“We must constantly strive to
seek out and develop within our
present group the enthusiastic pro-
fessional leadership required of
tomorrow’s educators.”
These educators consider financ-
ing of education of great impor-
tance, but they did not give it top
billing. Teachers salaries were
listed as top issue by only two
of the 20 schoolmen.
Comments on financing includ-
ed:
“We must spend more money
on education if we are to keep
pace with the times.”
“The people of our state want
and are willing to pay for better
school financing.”
“Too many men teachers are
forced to seek a second job, or
their wives feel forced to work to
maintain an acceptable standard
of living.”
According to the “Texas Out-
look” article, these replies may
or may not represent the general
views of all educators in Texas,
but they include vigorous opinions
on subjects ranging from; integra-
districts.
Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance
Company of Waco. TWo roof tops
were found in a cotton patch. On
the total loss of approximate^
$25,000.00 an adjuster from Waco
offered $6,000 and told the assur-
ed if she didn’t accept that
it would be $1,000 less the next
day.
Mrs. Lydia Busch of LaSalle had
$4,000.00 coverage on her dwelling
with her Farm; Mutual Insurance
carrier. They were allowed $160.00.
The adjuster denied all damage
to the house claiming water came
in from1 the louvres despite the
fact the sky could clearly be seen
through holes blown in the roof.
J. D. Greenwalt of Palacios
carried insurance with the Farmr
ers Insurance Exchange (recipro-
cal). Two adjusters agreed that
he had sustained a total loss of
$9,000.00 on his policy. They said
they could not write a check for
more than $5,000.00. The following
day they again agreed to pay the
total loss of $9,000. — less fee
$100 deductible. However, on the
next day, they returned and said
they would pay only $900.00 (or 10
per cent) because they had decid
ed the loss was from1 rising wat-
er.
'Correspondence and testimony
showed a consistent pattern of re-
fusal to recognize damage or to
make reasonable adjustments by
the Farmers Insurance Exchange.
Allstate Insurance Company,
which advertised its services dur-
ing Carla, had an adjuster who
simply went to homes and with-
out inspecting the roof for dam-
age or looking for broken windows,
denied damage because there was
rising Water in the area.
In the Palacios area, the Texas
Farm Bureau issued B. T. Elliott
a check for $200.00 without consi-
dering an estimate. The estimat-
ed damage was $2,000.00 with the
policy Written for $4,100.00. The
adjuster told the lady to “take it
or leave it” as that was all shej
would get. The agent handling the
insurance backed up the adjuster
saying she “wasn't hurting.”
Lawrence Abrahamson of Pa-
lacios carried $15,000.00 on his
home and $6,000.00 on contents,
plus living expenses. The Farm-
ers Isurance Group representa-
tives admitted his residence was a
total loss but would allow him
only $1,500.00 on the home and
nothing on the contents.
The International Service Insur-
ance Company of Fort Worth set-
tled a claim with Fred Kleingle
of Victoria and then told him that
his policy would be cancelled as
well as other policies in Texas
City and Galveston. The company
maintained, even though' the house
Was under an FHA mortgage, that
it had faulty construction and the
company would no longer be li-
able since moisture coming
through the foundation had caus-
ed the damage even though no
question of rising water was in-
volved. (This tactic raises the
ethical issue of a company col-
lecting premjumte for years of pro-
fitable operation and cancelling
policies with the first loss)
There were many cases where
policy holders were ignored or
where appointments were broken
by adjusters. Tactics such as these
only added to the anger and re-
sentment.
Not only should the State Board
of Insurance have the power to
regulate all carriers of insurance
in Texas, but it should also exer-
cise that power and cancel the li-
censes of companies about whom
there are repeated and justifiable
complaints.
One stock company operating
through agents left mjuch to be
desired in its performance. St.
Louis Fire and Marine Insurance
Company was condemned many
times.
Group. The reason for this de-
cision of course Was brought
about by the difficulties encount-
ered by this group after Hurri-
cane Debra.
... A statement was made to
Mr. Blunt by the writer that he
hoped that we would not have
the same difficulties and the
sarnie reports concerning the
St. Louis Insurance Group out
of Hurricane Carla as we did
with Hurricane Debra. At this
time Mr. Blunt informed the
writer that in his opinion the De-
partment would receive consid-
erably more complaints. I asked
him what brought him to this
conclusion and he informed me
that officers of the company
were due in Houston shortly and
possibly certain changes would
be made.
... It is the writer’s opinion
that this group will, based upon
the result of Hurricane Debra,
attempt to settle each and every
loss as low as possible and furth-
er will attempt to use the same
tactics that were employed pre-
viously.
Apparently the same tactics
were used because the Committee
received numerous complaints
against this group. It is startling
that the adjuster in charge of this
group’s operations during Carla
would admit to a staff member
of the State Board that they un-
doubtedly v/ould receive more
complaints against them than they
did during Hurricane Debra. The
public is entitled to action by the
State Board against such prac-
tices.
It was also noted that the St.
Louis group was one of the fore-
runners of the practice of deviat-
ed rates in Texas. It is incumr
bent upon the Board to ascertain
whether such deviations are in
fact justified by experience and to
make certain that lower rates do
not come at the expense of policy-
holders with justifiable claims.
Some of the confusion camb
when a few companies did pay
for rising water damage even
though not required to do so. The
public could not understand why
one company would pay such a
loss and another company refus-
ed.
While recognizing the need for
county mutual companies to oper-
ate within their own specific area
of interest, the Committee feels
that all insurance carriers operat-
ing in the State of Texas should
be placed under the same regu-
lations and subject to the same
penalties for inadequate perfor-
mance.
. . . Somje advertising appear-
ed to be misleading by companies
which lauded their speed in set-
tling Carla claims (but these were
automobile claims about which no
dispute existed). The State of Vir-
ginia fined the Allstate Insurance
Company for this type of adver-
tising. The State Board in the fu-
ture may wish to penalize such
deceptive business practices.
Many policyholders thought they
had certain coverages and discov-
ered only after the loss that they
didn’t. Others found their agents
knew little more about their poli-
cies than they did.
It is not the intent of this report
to applaud or condemn any insur-
ance carriers; rather, it is intend-
ed to report the over-all perfor-
mance and to make recommenda-
tions in the public interest for cor-
rection in those areas where con-
sistent sub-standard performance
has been found.
(The foregoing article is taken
from) the Report of House General
Investigating Committee on Hurri-
cane Carla which was furnished to
the members of the House of Re-
presentatives at the 58th Regular
Session of the Texas Legislature—
1963.) .....'
Beevilie Ekes
14-6 Victory
From Bobcats
Week's Weather
The Committee received a re-
Rain
High
Low
port from one of the State Board’s
Mon., Sept. 16
.27
89
73
investigators sent to the area stat-
Tues., Sept. 17
91
72
ing:
Wed., Sept. 18
91
73
. . . Upon my arrival in the
Thurs., Sept. 19
.25
87
74
storm area it was felt that a
Fri., Sept. 20
.14
89
75
good starting point would be
Sat., Sept. 21
92
68
with the St. Louis Insurance
Sun., Sept. 22
94
68
By BRUCE SPINKS
Beevilie.--On Friday night, Sep-
tember 20, 1963 the Beevilie Tro-
jans defeated the Refugio Bobcats
14-6, but not before a battling
bunch of Bobcats just about scared
the Trojans right off their white
horses. Action was at A. C. Jones
Field in Beevilie.
Refugio took the opening kick-
off and was unable to move the
ball in four plays forcing fullback
Russell Grumbles to punt, set-
ting up a first and ten for the
Trojans on the ’Cat 42.
On their first play from; scrim-
mage, Beevilie fullback Kyle Mon-
sher went up the middle 42 yards
for a Trojan touchdown. Ronnie
McCraig’s try for point after was
good and Beevilie led 7-0.
Refugio’s second touchdown of
the ’63 season came in the second
quarter on a series of downs that!
began on the Bobcat ’49 after Ron-
nie Adrian, 150 pound ’Cat half-
back pounced on a Beevilie fum-
ble.
On the first play from, scrim-
mage, Malik went around end for
6 yards and on a second and four
situation Jack Youngblood picked
up the first down. Fullback Gary
Green then took a handoff from
Malik and raced to the Trojan 17
yard line for another ’Cat first
down. Then a pitchout play, Ma-
lik to Ronnie Adrian, was good
for a yard. Gary Green then pick-
ed 5 more yards. Then on a third
and four situation Malik gave ta
Youngblood and the big halfback
was thrown for a 2% yard loss
bringing up fourth and 6%. Malik
then pitched back to Youngblood
who threw an incomplete pass
which was intended for Bobby Ha-
ley. However, there was a flag on
the play and pass receiver inter-
ferance was ruled against the Tro-
jans setting up a first and goal for
the ’Cats at the Beevilie 6. Then
Nelson Malik, who has been stead-
ily improving week after week as
one of the slickest field generals
around, crashed into the Beevilie
end zone on a quarterback sneak
for the touchdown. The ’Cats then
tried for two extra points, but
Youngblood Was stopped short of
the goal line on a sweep play. The
Trojans led 7-6 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Russell
Grumbles, who was back to punt
on his own four, hobbled the snap
from center and was smothered by
a swarm of Trojan tacklers, set-
ting a first and ten for Reeville
on the Bobcat four yard line. Jo-
dy Council, Trojan quarterback*
crashed into the ’Cat end zone
from, one yard out on the second
play from scrimmage. McCraig
again booted the extra point mak-
ing the score 14-6.
Bobby Haley, senior Bobcat end*
was outstanding on defense for the
Refugio eleven, intercepting two
passes and breaking up potential
Trojan touchdown drives.
Quarterback Malik executed one
play so neatly that even the re-
feree, not to mention the entire
Trojan defensive unit, was com-
pletely befuddled as to who had
the ball and the whistle was blown
with Malik coming around his own
left end apparently in the clear,
but the play had ended with the
sound of the whistle.
Other Bobcats seeing action Fri-
day night included:
Ends: Bubba Nixon and Roy Le-
on Lewis.
Tackles: Tommie Allen, Dare
Bricker, George Lewis, and Ed-
ward Martinez.
Guards: Marcus Weeks, Travis
Jones, John Greiner, Tommy Da-
ley, and Danny Heard.
Centers: Perfecto Martinez, Joe
Mascorro, and Paul Daley.
Halfbacks: Travis Lewis and
Neil Ritchie. .
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Refugio County Record (Refugio, Tex.), Vol. 10, No. 5, Ed. 1 Monday, September 23, 1963, newspaper, September 23, 1963; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth635232/m1/1/?q=technical+manual: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Dennis M. O’Connor Public Library.