75 years ago

January 6, 1945

Sale of the Becker building, Aberdeen’s largest and tallest structure, to J.W. Newbert and Floyd R. Clodfelter, Seattle business men, was announced today by Miss May J. Becker, sister of the late Frank Becker and executrix of the Becker estate , and by Adolph Norin, building manager.

The consideration was not announced.

The building, whose seven stories dominates Aberdeen’s skyline, was completed in 1926 by Frank J. Becker, Harbor pioneer. Since his death in 1938 his estate has been managed by his sister.

Built on the tideflats on a “floating foundation” of piling capped with concrete, the building’s construction surmounted numerous engineering difficulties.

50 years ago

January 6, 1970

Westport city fathers had their turn at their January meeting last night at the thorny problem which plagues most municipalities this time of year — an employe salary and wage schedule which must stay within the budget and yet satisfy the employes.

Mayor Ralph Boohm and other councilmen pointed out that the police department had received larger raises than the other departments (deputies up to $550 from $500 and dispatchers up to $325 from $300 per month). Marshal John Regan acknowledged that was true, but said that in point of total hours worked by his employes, their per-hour wage raise was not equal to other employes. He said his dispatchers work so many hours that their hourly rate is about $1.77.

Most present town employes work on an hourly basis, ranging from a 1970 rate of $3.08 for utility department laborers to $3.70 for street superintendent.

25 years ago

January 6, 1995

The first quarter cushion was slender, but Elma’s boys still had most of it at the end.

The Eagles carved out a three-point lead after one period and beat back repeated Rochester challenges to edge the stubborn Warriors, 73-71 in a South Central League boys’ basketball game Thursday night at Elma.

Compiled from the archives of The Daily World by Karen Barkstrom