The Paper • Page 5 • September 12, 2019
Singing Cowboy Heroes Cont. from Page 3
insisted to the show's producers that Wonder Woman star, Lynda Carter wear more clothing than the "bathing suit" type of costume she normally wore. Roy’s protest prevailed. Carter donned a sleeved solid red top and white chino pants for scenes with Rogers.
In his long career, Roy received many awards, among them his induction, along with Dale, into the Hall of Great Western Performers of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in 1976; this institution honored him again in 1995, as a founding member of Sons of the Pioneers. 1995. Rogers was also awarded 3 Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Motion Pictures at 1752 Vine Street; for Radio at 1733 Vine Street; and for Television at 1620 Vine Street Over 50 Million People Watched Him
It comes as no surprise that he was a strong advocate of gun ownership and appeared in TV commercials sponsored by the National Rifle Association opposing a proposed ban outlawing certain types of guns in California. In his later years, he had financial difficulties due to real estate investments that didn’t work out, and Dale Evans often paid his bills. Rogers became a bit of a curmudg-
Letters to the Editor Cont. from Page 4
Well, I look forward to reading Chuckles every week. (I hope that doesn’t give you the impression that I don’t lead an exciting life).
Truthfully, the comics in my daily paper . . . I never crack a smile. Chuckles makes me laugh out loud. My friends got interested in The Paper just because I shared some jokes.
Well, this is the only letter to an editor I’m ever going to write so I’ll continue sharing my opinion. Hey! Are you still awake?
OK. My mind is quick as a whip. I guess that’s why I have litle interest in reading something longer than four or five paragraphs. In your column, I’ve read many people praising and gushing over Friedrich Gomez. I decided to see what the whoop-de-do was all about and read a few paragraphs. When I turned to page 2 there was Chuckles and I forgot about Friedrich. The next week I was interested
eon as well. “When I die,” he said, “just skin me out and put me up on old Trigger and I'll be happy.” He also expressed his dislike of a certain California Law: “Another thing that burns me up is that California voted in capital punishment and the politicians haven't electrocuted anyone yet.’ One last reminder about the width and depth of Rogers’ popularity. Over 50 million people attended his movies, listened to his radio show or watched him on TV. Not bad for a western cowboy who wanted to be a country doctor. •••• For better or worse, Orvon Gene Autry ushered in the ‘singing cowboy’ rage of the 30s and 40s. According to many authorities, he’s the greatest western star of all time, earning the designation of "America's Favorite Cowboy" and “The Singing Cowboy,” in 1931. After graduating from Ravia (Oklahoma) High School, Autry worked as a laborer for the St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad. Always curious and a good student, he became intrigued by the speed and range of the telegraph and quickly learned the dots and dashes needed to become a licensed telegrapher. He often took his guitar to work with him and playing tunes in the railroad depot for his own amusement. One day Will Rogers, the rope-twirling Western comic and storyteller, heard him. Following his advice, Autry travelled to New
in the subject Friedrich was covering. When I got to about the eighth paragraph I thought, “this is the longest I’ve ever read without a break.”
I don’t want it to sound like a cliche’ or that I am gushing, but I couldn’t put The Paper down until I finished Friedrich’s story. (OK. I took one break. Because I was drinking a lot of iced tea while I was reading.) But I came right back. I know it’s just my humble opinion, but I love you guys. /s/ Walter Cramp (Yes, Cramp!) San Diego County, CA.
A Discussion
Let’s see if I understand this.
San Diego Gas & Electric is a privately owned regulated public utility providing natural gas and electricity to all of San Diego County and the southern part of Orange County. The company has no competition in the areas it serves. By law it can’t bill for a profit on the electricity it provides, but it can and does get reimbursed for its cost. It additionally bills for cost of the pipelines and other infrastructure required to deliver the electricity. They are allowed to mark up the infrastructure costs for a small profit approved by California’s Public Utility Commission. On the sur-
York to test his talent there. He was unsuccessful, not for lack of talent, but because of lack of exposure.
Gene returned to Texas and began his career singing on a local radio station in 1928. He was a busy boy after that. Within 3 years he had his own show and turned out his first recordings. Three years later he was in Hollywood, debuting in Ken Maynard's movie, In Old Santa Fe; he starred in a 13-part serial the following year for Mascot Pictures, The Phantom Empire. The next year Autry signed on with Republic Pictures and began making westerns. His movies were churned out quickly, and the alert viewer often saw moving automobiles, airplanes and other modern conveniences in his screen shots. Autry’s audience could care less about such distractions and his picture shows often grossed ten times their average $50,000 production costs.
World War II came along and ever the patriot, Autry enlisted in the Army. He became a flight officer for the Air Transport Command, serving from 1942 to 1946. After his discharge Gene returned to the movies, this time with Columbia Pictures, and finally with his own company, Flying A Productions. In the 1950s, he produced his own TV series, The Gene Autry Show which was followed by The Adventures of Champion, and Annie Oakley. During his career, Autry wrote over 200 songs. A savvy businessman, he retired from acting in the early
face it sounds like a pretty good deal for SDG&E customers.
Suddenly popular among municipalities are attempts at major savings on electricity cost through Aggregating. Meaning cities want to hire their own expert to buy electricity on the open market but still rely on SDG&E’s infrastructure to deliver the electricity. In order to achieve a sufficient volume of energy to permit perceived savings the municipalities (San Diego County cities) propose forming partnerships among themselves to share in the costs and potential profits. Are there really that many experts in energy privately available to cities as to ensure the success of such a venture? What happens to participant cities if having purchased electricity on the open market for future delivery the cost goes down? It seems electricity is just another commodity like soybeans, barley and wheat. Is it really a good idea for our city governments to be speculating in the commodities market? Does it make more sense just to leave our arrangement with SDG&E alone? They seem to know what they are doing. But then, maybe I just don’t understand. /s/Sid Colquitt Escondido, CA.
The Old Geezer
I enjoyed the cover article about the Geezer Bandit. Has anyone
1960s and became a multi-millionaire from his investments in hotels, real estate and radio and TV stations. He also owned the California Angels, professional baseball team. “I was a light-hitting second baseman when I played on town teams in Texas,” Autry said, “but no one loved the game more than I did.” Those who dismiss him as a simple cowboy, would do well to check his credentials. He was a serious composer/songwriter penning, and in some cases, singing such classics as "Back in the Saddle Again” and "That Silver-Haired Daddy of Mine". He won the National Parents-Teachers Film Award for the movies and television programs he produced. He joined ASCAP in 1939 and composed and recorded such hits as, "Here Comes Santa Claus", "Be Honest With Me", "Tears on My Pillow", "Dixie Cannonball", "Good Old-Fashioned Hoedown", "You're the Only Star in My Blue Heaven", and "I Wish I Had Never Met Sunshine."
His song, "That Silver-Haired Daddy of Mine" sold over 500,000 copies in its first release and Autry is the first artist in history to earn a gold record, and the first to sell a 1,000,000 copies of a recorded song. He accomplished that feat with the afore mentioned, "SilverHaired Daddy." His concerts were well-attended - he was the first
Singing Cowboy Heroes Cont. on Page 6
thought there might be a link to the famous D.B. “Cooper” airplane hijacker? Some investigators think the late San Diegan, Robert Rackstraw was D. B. Cooper. Rackstraw died in July of this year at age 75. Both the highjacker and bandit were brilliant! What do you think?
Susan Clark San Diego County, Ca.
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