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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (March 15, 1901)
r n THE MORNING OREGONIAN, FRIDAY. MARCH 15, 1901. OOi FOR QUESTION New Oregon Law, May .In fringe on Constitution. ALLOTMENT OF STATE TAXES Act Fixe for " "Five-Year Ratio "Which - Counties Shall Be Am Bessed May Be Construed as Inequitable. in 6ALEM. Or., March 14. That the new law governing the apportionment oftate taxes among the several counties of Ore gon approaches very closely to an in fringement of the provisions of the con stitution, there arc many who believe. That the plan adopted for the apportion, ment of taxes for the next four years Is the best thift has yet been proposed few will question. Whether the new system ehall be effectually followed during the next four years, or any time thereafter, is a problem the solution of which may toe awaited with some degree of anxiety. Stated briefly, the new law provides that until 1905 the state taxes shall be apportioned among the counties In ac cordance with a ratio established by tho legislature, which ratio was determined by ascertaining the average valuations in the several counties for the past five years, and taking this average aa the basis for the apportionment of taxes until the permanent plan can be put Into ef fect. It is provided that each of the County Clerks must by January 5 of each year send to the Secretary of State a statement of all the expenses of his county for the preceding year, except ex penditures for roads and highways. In "January. 1903, the State Apportionment Board must ascertain the average amount of expenditure In each county during a period of Ave years, and "each county ehall pay such proportion of said state taxes as Us average amount of expendi ture for said period bears to the total amount of expenditure in all the coun ties." The plan for a permanent apportionment eeems to Involve an inconsistency, for in January, 1905, the clerks will have sent to the Secretary of State reports cover ing but four years, the years 1S0L 1902, 1903 and 1901. The clerks made no report covering 1900, and cannot make a report for 1905 until January. 1905. But if is pos sible for the next Legislature to remedy this and other defects in the permanent plan. It is the scheme for apportionment tfor the next four years that is of present importance. In section 32 of article 1 of the consti tution it is provided that "all taxation shalf be equal ana uniform," and section 1 of article 9 says: "The Leglslaitve As sembly shall provide by law for uniform end equal rate of taxation, and shall pre scribe such regulation's as shall secure a just valuation for taxation of all property, tooth real and personal, excepting such only for municipal, educational, literary, scientific, religious or charitable purposes as may be specially exempted "by law." For the apportionment of taxes until 1905 the Legislature has fixed an arbitrary rate based on the assessments of the sev eral counties for the past five years. Tak ing two counties as examples, Multnomah County is required to pay about 21 per cent of the total state tax, and Polk County about 4 per cent. These rates must prevail regardless of actual -values. Though Multnomah County should develop until she contained half the actual wealth of the state, she would still pay 31 per cent of the tax. If some disastrous fire should wipe out her great industrial en terprises. Multnomah would still pay the same arbitrary rate. However much Polk County may increase or diminish In her material wealth, if this riew apportion ment law shall be observed, she will pay the same proportion of the state taxes every year until 1905. To put the matter plainly, the Legislature has declared that counties shall pay in accordance with their property values five years previous. This Is not saying that the plan Is rela tively a bad one, or that it Is inferior to the one heretofore in effect It means no more than that the scheme seems to many to approach dangerously near to a conflict with the constitution. So far irom finding fault with the plan, nearly every one who has studied it gives it an approval, with the reservation that It Is probably the best plan available. It prom ises to afford the long-desired remedy for the constant reduction of valuations In order to escape taxation. Since each county will pay a certain established pro portion of tho state taxes, regardless of assessments, the incentive will be to in crease valuations and reduce the rate of .levy. Such a change Is very desirable, for it would make an attractive showing to strangers who come to this state with the purpose of investing in Oregon prop erty. The. total amount of taxes to be paid would be the same. Though there is probably room to ques tion the validity of the new law. It Is be lieved that every county will pay its pre ecribed proportion of the taxes without snaking any trouble. While the apportion ment may not be exactly equitable, It is probably as fair as that which has been made during the last five years. The burden of state taxes never has been borne equally by the counties, nor are the taxes generally ever borne with true equality by the people. "While the new plan does not have the appearance of being based upon present actual values. It is probably as nearly correct as any that could be devised. But the permanent plan, to take effect in 1905, is altogether another matter, and is open to still more serious objections than the temporary method of apportion ment. While the apportionment prior to 1903 Is to be made on the basis of as sessments for the past five years. It Is proposed that after 1903 values of property shall be Ignored altogether, and that taxes shall be apportioned on the basis of coun ty expenses. This would certainly en courage counties to cut down their ex penses, and has already done some good in that direction. But so far from ap pearing to be a- provision for a uniform and equal rate of taxation, It is manifest ly a provision for an unequal rate, for the sparsely settled county with a large area is placed on the same footing with a coun ty of small area, established Industries and dense population. There is nothing to show that valuations and current ex penses of a community vary alike, though to a considerable extent they would rise and fall together. The opinion has been expressed by men conversant with the needs of the sys tem of taxation that the next Legislature will change this phase of the law so that the apportionment will have some direct connection with the valuations plnced upon property, and until then It is hoped that the fixed ratio may be observed. Xo county can gain anything by de feating the Immediate object of the pres ent law, for the cost of maintaining the government must be borne, and eventually by the counties, in as nearly an equitable proportion as may be pos sible. If the counties should refuse to pay taxes under the new law, there would be no funds for a year or more, Interest wduld accumulate, and in the end the burden would be greater. The present prospect is that all the counties will rec ognize the law, and that the state will be free from that system which has led to a constant reduction of values and as steady an Increase in the rate of taxa tion, state, county, and municipal. McKInley Invited to Visit Oregon. In compliance with a resolution adopted hy the last Legislature, Governor Geer has written to President McKInley invit ing ,him to visit this state while on his tour of the country next Summer. The resolution also provided for the appoint-) ment.of a joint committee, "consisting of three on the part of the Senate, one of whom shall bethe president, and five on the part of the House, one of whom shall be the speaker, to -act in conjunction with the Governor in receiving and enter taining the President and making such arrangements for extending the courte sies of the Mate to the distinguished visi tor as may be appropriate." Speaker Reeder appointed to act with him Representatives Roberts, Poorman, Brlggs and McCraken. President Fulton appointed Senators Kuykendall and Brownell. Shaniko Incorporated. The town of Shaniko. In Wasco County, has been incorporated under the act of 1S93, empowering the citizens of a com munity to Incorporate by filing a certified copy of their proceedings In the office of the Secretary of State. The estimated population of Shaniko is 250. The ofheers elected were: Mayor, F. T. Hurlburt; Aldermen. George F. Ross, Fen Batty, F. H. Brunner, N. M. Lane, Frank Lu cas. C. C Cooper: Recorder, Ed Lewis; Marshal, Dell Howell; Treasurer, Don . Rca. By taking this course in accomplishing Its incorporation, the town saved tho time of the Xeglslature and the expense that Is Involved in the passage of a char ter hill by the Legislature. Portland Cnse Advanced. The habeas corpus case of Cass Wygant vs. Chief of Police McLauchlan, of Port land, was today advanced on the Supreme Court docket and set for trial March 25. School Director Sworn In. At the School Board meeting tonight A. O. Ccndlt was sworn In to succeed W. M. Cherrlngton. H. A. Johnston be came chairman of the board. CORNUCOPIA MINE CLOSED DOWN. Receiver of John E. Senrlcs Inter ests on "Way to Take Charge. BAKER CITY, March 14 P. J. Cirkle. general superintendent of John E. Searles Western mining Interests, yesterday is sued an order closing down the big Cornu copia mines until the arrival of the newly appointed receiver. George D. Beattys. This action was taken by Mr. Cirkle ow ing o a feeling of uncertainty among tne men employed at the property. Mr. Beat tys will reach here Sunday, and take pos session at once. The mill at the Cornucopia haB been under way only a couple of weeks since the big electric plant was Installed. Ex tensive Improvements were completed with that plant, and all was in readiness for a heavy run. Mining men regret to see the shut-down, but no one can take exception to Mr. Clrkle's attitude, which is in accord with the firm business tone that has always marked work at tho Cornucopia. It has been operated on a big scale and In a business-like manner. At all -times the company has evinced that independence peculiar to good hold ings, in which the utmost confidence is had. The earnest hope Is universal that the property will not remain closed long, although no predictions can be made at the present. Receivership affairs have many peculiar turns. Quotations of Mining Stocks. SPOKANE. March 14. The closing quota tions for mining stocks today were: Bid. Ask. Bid. Ask. Amer. Boy .. 0 10 Mtn. Lion ....10V4 ... Blacktall .... 0 l)!M6rn. Glory... C'A V& Butte & Bon.. 1 lMorrison G 7"i Crystal 3 0 jPrln. Maud... lit 1$, Conjecture -.24 3 tQullp 28l 33 Deer Trail ... 2 ZjCIRamb. Car... .20 27 Dewey 2 24Republlc 29H 40 Evening star. iiVi ?4 Reservation .. 2 3?; Gold Ledge... 1 2i.Ross. Giant... 3 3fg L X. L 16 Sullivan loyt, 11 L. P. Surp.... 7 Miller Creek.. ... iKTom Thumb...l2U. 12i 214 Waterloo 2V 2U, SAN FRANCISCO, March 14. The official closing quotations for mining stocks . today were as follows: Alta $0 02Julln. ... $0 01 Alpha'Con' rAlustlee 3 Andes vj&txican 10 ueicner luiuccidental Con ... 3 Bert &. Belcher. 170phlr CO Bullion Caledonia Challenge Con ... Chollar Confidence Con. Cal. & Va... Con. Imperial .... Crown Point .... Exchequer Gould & Curry... Bale & Norcross. 1 (Overman 13 G5 iPotos! 13 lSiSavage 9 14JSeg. Belcher 2 .OlSlerra Nevada ... 23 1 CO Sllxor Hill 40 1 10 1 1G Standard 3 00 Union Con 17 Utah Con 4 lellow Jacket .... IS 13 NEW TORK. March 14. Mining stocks to day closed as follows: Adams Con $0 23 Alice 35' Little Chief 50 14 Ontario S 25 Breece 1 20 lOnhlr 55 Brunswick Con .. 22Phoenlx 8 Comstock Tunnel. 5 Potosl 10 Con. Cal. & Va... 1 45 ISavage 5 Peadwood Terra.. 50 Sierra Nevada ... 24 Small Hopes ..... 65 Horn Silver 1 10 Iron Silver GOJStandard 300 Lead vl lie Con .... JS BOSTON, March 14. Closing quotations: Adventure $ 13 OOlHumboldt $ C2 60 Blng. M. Co.... 22 37 (Osceola 87 00 Amal. Copper... 101 12Parrott 83 00 Atlantic 32 00 Qulncy 174 O0 Boston & Mont. 345 00'Santa Fe Cop... 7 50 Butte & Boston 103 SOlTamarack 337 00 Cal. & Hecla... S00 OOiL'tah Mining ... 35 00 Centennial .... 25 75Vtnona o 25 Franklin 22 50,Wolverlnes 53 25 FINED FOR "WHIPPING CHILD. Baker City Fatherlust Pay 1?250, Stepmother, 50. BAKER CITY, March 14.-nJudge R. Eakin yesterday sentenced J. M. Melkle john to pay a fine of S250 for whipping his 8-year-old child, and Imposed a fine of $50 on Mrs. Melklejohn, the step mother, for the same offense. This Is the couple that were charged with assault and hattery by District Attorney White. Both pleaded guilty. Before sentence was passed, Melklejohn was asked If he had any statement to make. He said he was merely raising the boy as he had been raised, and he loved the child dearlj-. but admitted that he had hidden the boy's shoes to keep him from running away from home. Finally he broke down and sobbed like a child. It is the purpose of the District Attorney to have the boy placed in the custody of the Boys' and Girls' Aid Society, and the court was asked to make an order to that effect. HORSEOWNERS ORGANIZE. Propose to Brlngr to a Close Thiev ing: in Northwest. ONTARIO, Or., March 14. Horse-thieves throughout the range district of Eastern Oregon, Idaho and Nevada will be cared for by a protective association which has just been organized. Too many horses around this district have been stolen re cently, and the new association will here after have one or more members travel ing along tho lines of the different rail roads upon which large stock shipments are to be made. It will be agreed by each member that no horse shall be sold except upon a bill pf sale that shall accompany the same until the animal reaches the llnal destination in the East. The in spector on the railroads will be notified of any case of stealing, and will look out for the outfit. ' 3IYSTERIOUSLY DISAPPEARED. Colfax Schoolgirl Tracked to River by Bloodhounds. COLFAX. Wash., March 14. The town Is disturbed over the mysterious disap pearance of Laura Morgan, 16-year-old daughter of Mrs. Elizabeth Morgan, prin cipal of the Main-Street school. She was tracked by bloodhounds to a clump of bushes. There one of her books was found. The dogs then worked to a bridge across the Palouse river and would go no further. The missing girl's cap was found near by. The only clue is that a girl was seen on the railroad two miles west of the bridge at dark on the evening of her disappearance by a section fore man, who Is unable to dlscrlbe her. She had been suspended at school tor one day, and this Is the only reason known for her action. She was formerly a resi dent of Portland. LOSS IS OVERESTIMATED RAVAGES OF PESTS OX LAST YEAR'S WHEAT CROP. Professor Cordley Discussed Subject at Xcvruerj? Farmers Institute Large Profit in Dairying:. NEWBERG. Or., March 14. The first farmers' institute hedl here for a num ber of years closed last night. The at tendance Was large at each of the four sessions, and the discussion of the va rious topics presented was actively tak en up by the appreciative audience. Hon. Jesse Edwards opened the institute "and warmly welcomed the Oregon Agri cultural College representatives, -under whose auspices the meeting was held. Mr. Edwards predicted a bright future for the Willamette Valley, but said it was necessary for the farmer to study the scientific as well as the practical side of agriculture. Professor A. B. Cordley gave the re- PROFESSOR A. W mm '. WHO SPOKE ON "WHEAT PESTS" AT THE STITUTE. sponse. He said the Agricultural College professors were anxious to tell what they had learned by experiments and attend ance at other institutes. "I understand, however," 6aid the speaker, "that this Is your meeting. You are to make use of us, and allow yourselves to be used by us. Therefore, we must all speak on every subject presented." Dr. James WIthycombe gave an Inter esting talk on "Breeds of Livestock," illustrated with a stereoptlcon. Partic ular attention was called to tho difference In conformation of the beef type and the dairy type In cattle. A considerable num ber of views 'were shown illustrating some of the registered stock owned by Oregon breeders. "These animals," Bald Dr. WIthycombe, "compare very favor ably with similar stock anywhere In the United States." Professor F. L. Kent in discussing the topic, "Co-operative Dairying," held that all creameries and cheese factories are in a measure co-oparatlve, though It is customary to consider these Institu tions as being divided Into three classes as regards their management, viz., the proprietary or Individual plant, the stock company, and the co-operative concern. At those factories coming under the first two classes the milk is purchased, or the butter fat made into butter or cheese at a stipulated price per pound. At the co-operative factories the operating ex penses are deducted from the gross re ceipts and the remainder divided pro rata among the patrons. "If the community is one In which the people have confidence In one another, and especially In the community leaders, a co-operative concern is almost sure of success, provided of course that there is a sufficient numbc rof cows available to provide the milk supply, and that men of business ability are placed In the re sponsible positions." "Wheat Loss by Pests Overestimated. Professor A. B. Cordley, discussing "Wheat Pests," said In part: "The general failure of the wheat crop throughout the Willamette Valley last year has directed attention to the cause thereof. The prevailing opinion Is that It was due to insect pests. Hardly a week goes by that some one does not discover a supposed new wheat pesL At the experiment station considerable atten tion has been given to an investigation of these pests, with the result that we find that the actual loss from their ravages was much less than is popularly sup posed. These pests have been deter mined: The Hessian fly, the joint worm, and the grain aphis. The first Is cap able of causing almost total failure of the wheat crop and Is likely to prove a se rious pest In the future, but it has only recently been Introduced into Oregon and Is as yet not widely distributed. In the Willamette Valley It is not known to oc cur Bouth of Hlllsboro. It, therefore, could not have been the cause of such wide spread failure." A brief description of the habits of this insect, which was stated to be the worst wheat pest in tho world, was given and methods of preventing Its ravages were discussed. "The joint worm was numerous through out the Willamette Valley last season. It was thought by many to be the prin cipal cause of the wheat failure. It 1b a small greenish larva that works in the pith of the joints of the wheat stems. In tho past it has been reported as doing immense damage in some Eastern States. At the station we carefully examined a number of samples of wheat by counting and accurately weighing the kernels from infected and non-infected straws. The greatest difference was little more than 10 per cent and In some samples the grain from Infected straws weighed the most. "The grain aphis was also widely dis tributed last season and undoubtedly caused some loss. It does not lessen the number of heads or kernels bdt by with drawing nourishment from the forming kernels causes the grain to be shrunken. In certain instances this shrinkage was probably not less than 10 per cent, but the average loss was much less. While no one of these pests caused serious and widespread loss, still the loss due to their combined ravages was probably not less than 10 to 20 per cent of the crop. The rest of the loss was due not to Insect pests, but in all probability to unfavor able soil and climatic conditions." Profit in Dairying. In the discussion of "Profit in Dairy ing," J. M. Atkinson said in part: "To show the profits In dairying I will give a "short statement of our cows for the year ending December 31, 1900. 'Part of the cows were heifers, hence If the in- come is not so large as some others, age should be considered. Our cows are xnosti ly thoroughbred or high grade Jerseys. We received $51 65 for butter fat. The skim milk at 15 cents per 100 pounds would bo worth $6 70. Our calves are worth more than $10 per head, but we will figure them at $5. The total Income would thus be $53 35 per cow. Allowing that the calves and skim milk would pay for the care of the cows and the pasture, we have only to deduct the value of the feed from the amount received for butter fat. The feed cost was $24 55 per cow, which deducted from the 151 65 leave a profit of 527 10 per cow per year. Our feed consisted of bran, costing $12 per ton, clover hay valued at $5 per ton, and corn silage at $1 50 per ton. Of the $24 55 only $14 75 was paid out. for feed, as the corn and clover were grown on the farm. In January, February and March we fed eight pounds of bran, 30 pounds of corn silage, and some clover hay. In April, May and June, just enough bran to make the cows good naturcd so they would go into the barn to be milked. They run on good pasture both day and night. In July, August and. September the feed consisted of eight pounds of bran, vetches during the first six weeks, then green corn the remainder of the time with pas- ture. During October, rovember and De- B. CORDLEY. NEWBERG FARMERS' IN- cember the feed consisted of eight pounds of bran, SO pounds of corn silage, with some clover hay and pasture. The fore going Is the average amount fed, some cows consuming more and some less. "We try to have most of our cows be come fresh in the Fall, so they will he In full flow of milk during the Winter months, when butter is high-priced. They will not go dry until we want them to, which Is about a month or six weeks be fore they freshen. When cows come fresh in the Spring they will not give as much milk during the year as Fall cows will, and their largest flow will be at a time when butter is cheapest." Rotation of Crops. Dr. James WIthycombe, -In discussing "Rotation of Crops," said In part: "Farmers begin to realize that for some reason their farms are steadily growing less productive. Whllo the soil has been depleted through a long series of cropping with cereals, it Is by no means exhausted of Its plant food. It is not possible for one generation or oven many generations to exhaust the fertility of our soil. Nature has generously en dowed our soil with plant food that can be made, with an application of an In telligent system of husbandry, to feed and to bless generations of people for thousands of years to come. Changed conditions of our soil demand better and more Improved methods of husbandry. Tillage and a proper system of rotation of crops will restore the soil, and place the farmer upon the highway to pros perity. Grow more leguminous crops, and convert them Into meat and butter. Transform extensive into intensive farm ing. Conserve the manure and apply it to the land, thus replenishing the soil and causing it to bring forth abundantly. Clover traps atmospheric nitrogen which Is worth to the farmer from 12 to 15 cents per pound. Experiments have demon strated that three crops of crimson clov er plowed under In a green state in an orchard Increased the nltogen content of the soil to the value of JJ202 50 per acre; that is, if the Increased nitrogen brought to the soil by growing the clover had been purchased as a commercial iertilizer, it would have cost the sum named. Surely, then, clover Is a veritable gold mine for the farmer. "Plant food exists In the soil in two forms, available and unavailable. Con tinuous cropping with non-humus farming crops, such as the cereals, has exhausted the available plant food. Humus Is an important, In fact an indispensable fac tor in perpetuating soil fertility. Its offlcea in the soil are important, making the soil warmer and materially Increas ing its capacity for holding moisture. Chemically humus Is of great Importance to the soil for hy its oxidation not only is nitrogen formed, but It Is a constant source of carbonic acid. This acid will dissolve lime, and Is one of the active agencies by which potash is liberated. "Thus It will be seen that humlc acid. as it Is sometimes called, Is capable of converting unavailable or inert mineral matter Into available forms of plant food. The farms of Oregon are by no means exhausted, and I believe no field offers better opportunities for a young man than that of agriculture If he will study the principles that underlie soil man agement." To Preserve and Restore Land. Dr. H. A. Grafo, In an able paper, dis cussed 'The Land; Its Preservation and Restoration." Mr. Grafe held that it was unreasonable to expect to continually take crops from the soil without returning the plant food thus Temoved. Stable manure, green manuring, and commercial fertiliz ers are the means at hand for preservation of the fertility of the soil. Clover was recommended as a great weed killer. The first crop of clover, maturing before the weeds, gives an opportunity for cutting them back, and the second crop when cut gives the weeds a further setback. Clover may well be called the poor man's friend, for it furnishes plant food, Im proves the physical condition of the soil, adds nitrogen and humus, and conserves moisture intim e of drought. Other topics discussed were: "Balanced Rations," by Dr. James WIthycombe; "Care of Milk," by Professor F. L. Kent; "Oregon's Fruit In Commerce," by Pro fessor E. R. Lake; "The Codlin Moth," by Professor A. B. Cordley. Music and recitations by local talpnt served to enliven the programme. The position of chairman of the meeting was very ably filled by J. M. Atkinson. "WnshinKton Cows for Japan. CHEHALIS. Wash.. March 14. Cows are being purchased here for shipment to Japan. DON'T SEE AS HERMANN SECRETARY OF INTERIOR AGAINST LARGER RESERVES. Will Not Act on Commissioner's Recommendations for Northwest If He Can Avoid It. WASHINGTON, March 14. Commis sioner Hermann, of the General Land Office, has filed with the Secretary of the Interior numerous applications lor the es tablishment of new and enlargement of existing forest reserves in many Western States, including Oregon, Washington and Idaho. The scheme contemplates the cre ation of a new reserve In Southwestern Oregon, embracing 152,000 acres, and en larging the Cascade reserve by 43,000 acres. A reserve of about 55 townships on either side of the Blue Mountains, In Eastern Oregon and Washington, is In cluded in the- Intended change. In Washington it Is proposed to create a Mount St. Helens reserve, to the west of the Rainier reserve, embracing nearly 400,000 acres, while the Washington re serve Is to be enlarged nearly 200,000 acres, and the Rainier reserve 150,000, aside from the creation of the Cedar Lake reserve and smaller additions to the Priest River reserve. " In Idaho 160.000 acres are to be added to the Priest River reserve, and a new re serve In the Coeur d'AIene country, em bracing 264,000 acres, Is recommended. These propositions now are up to the Secretary of the Interior, and he does not seem inclined to take the responsibil ity for acting on the recommendations. So far as can be learned, he will not act In any of the cases In these three states If he can avoid It- The Secretary Is of the opinion that so much difficulty has been experience with reserves created In the past that new ones should be created or old ones enlarged only after the most careful examination as to the advisabil ity and necessity of such increases. Hi3 department Is just now more concerned in reducing existing reserves, and it is not probable that the Commissioner's recom mendation will be acted upon for some time to come. The Geological Survey is anxious to plunge in and establish more reserves, "establish them arbitrarily," as one offi cial says, "and cut out the undesirable selections afterwards, as we have done in the past." The Secretary, however, will hold down this desire. The proposed scheme, if adopted, would create one vast reserve across Washington from the Columbia to the Canadian border, and of greater area than the Cascade reserve In Oregon. BRITISH COLUMBIA RATES. Government Ofllclnl Will Interview Farmers. VICTORIA, B. C., March 14. In reply to the representations of the associated Boards of Trade of Southern British Co lumbia, Finance Minister J. H. Turner said that an official of the Agriculture Department would, start out Immediately to collect data for the use of the govern ment In fixing railway rates. This of ficial would pass through the farming districts, and get farmers' ideas in regard to proper freight rates on farm produce, so that British Columbia farmers might compete with farmers to the south of the boundary In supplying the mining camp3 of British Columbia. Another question of prime importance to the province at large touched upon by the delegates, was the attitude of the gov ernment toward the charter sought by the Crow's Nest Company from St. Michael to the international boundary. The dele gates spoke for free trade In railways. During the discussion which followed, Manager Drewry, of the St. Eugene mine, who acted for Dooderham In the purchase of the Trail smelter, said that he had as surance from Ellas Rogers, managing di rector of the Crow's Nest Company, that If the railway charter were granted, and the company thus enabled to put In their 1000 coke ovens, the company would guar antee to supply the smelter at Trail with all the coal and soke It required at 25 cents per ton less than it was' paying at present. Mr. Turner asked if the company would put this In writing, or would consent to its Insertion In the charter. Manager Drewry replied that his principals had no hesitation in accepting the statement, and had no fear that Mr. Rogers would go back on his word. Manager Troup, of the Canadian Pacific Navigation Company, announces' that the company will place tha steamers Islander, Amur, Danube and Tees on the Skagway run, and that they 'are looking for two more steamers, that will be better than any now on the routes. MULTXOMAHS "WOJT. Basket-Bnll Tenia Defeated Vancou ver by 7 to 4. VANCOUVER. Wash., March 14. The ladles' annex of the Multnomah Club, of Portland, defeated the ladles' team of the Vancouver Amateur Athletic Club, In a hotly contested game of basket-ball here last night. The score was 7 to 4. It was by far the most exciting game played here during the season. During the first half the game was ex citing In the extreme. Every point was closely contested, with honors In favor of Vancouver by 4 to 3. In the second half the visitors assumed the aggressive and forced the play from the start, two bas kets being thrown In quick succession by their players. The game was witnessed by over 300 spectators, including 60 visitors from Portland. After the game refresh ments were served to the visiting team and their frjends by ladies of the club, following which there was dancing until time for the visitors to catch their car for home. A return game will be played at the Multnomah Club gymnasium, Portland, on Saturday, March 30. Following is the personnel of tho teams, with their po sitions: Vancouver Forwards, Mlra Downie, Mrs. Elwell; center, Miss Thorpe; guards. Miss Padden, Miss Taylor, Mrs. Scanlon. Multnomah Forwards, Miss Murphy, Miss Hegele; center, Mfes Zimmerman; guards, Miss Lawler, Miss Lauer, Miss Wasserman. SETTLERS JOIN INTERESTS. Will Bnlld Roads to Homesteads and Act Tosethcr In Contests. DALLAS, March 14. Forty men who have settled on lands west of Dallas un der the homestead act met here yester day and formed an association. It is proposed to construct roads and trails to the several claims, Dallas and Falls City being tho Initial points. If any. trouble should arise In securing title, the home steaders are to act In unison In pushing the Interests of the settler. Hon. Georsre f Hawkins was elected president, and J. L Goodfriend secretary of the association. Burglars last night made an unsuccess ful attempt to enter the "White Corner" saloon. The proprietor was asleep In the rear of the building, and, aroused by the noise of some one trying to break In the door, fired a shot through the door. This was answered by a sharp cry, which would indicate that his aim was good. The officers are without a clew in tho case. NORTHWEST DEAD. Funeral of James Taylor. PENDLETON, Or., March 14. James Taylor, of Echo, who died Monday, was buried there yesterday. Mr. Taylor "was a well-to-do stockman, and leaves an es tate of $30,000. Mrs. Taylor survives him. Deceased was a native of Kentucky, and was born January 4. 1S26. He removed to Missouri in his boyhood, and to the Wil lamette Valley in 1S4S, coming to Uma tilla County in 1854. He was In the mer cantile business during the early days at Echo, losing his store by fire in 1SS3. Since then he had devoted his time to sheep and cattle-raising .and was heavily Interested in these Industries. Richard Herin, ml BIrIott. WASCO, Or., March 14. Richard Herin, of Blglow. a highly honored resident of Sherman County for the past nine years, died this morning aged 72 years. He was a native of Ohiot and had lived for many years in Iowa. Wni. Garwood, Washington Pioneer. STEVENSON, Wash., March 14. Will iam Garwood, a pioneer of Skamania County, died suddenly of heart disease yesterday. He left a wife and nine children. Oregon City Notes. OREGON CITY. March 14. County As sessor Williams and deputies will begin their official duties next week. The fol lowing field deputies have been commis sioned: Nixon Blair, of Elliott Prairie; J. A. Tufts, of Oswego: F. J. Harken- rlder of Garfield, and B. Sullivan, of High land. The latter will assess outside town plats, and the other deputies farm prop erty In their respective districts. County Treasurer Luelllng has issued a call for all road warrants indorsed prior to July U, and also several warrants in dorsed on that date. Road warrants are sold at par, while warrants on the general fund bring 2 per cent premium. David S. Moore, of Cams, was arrested today on complaint of his wife, charged1 with insanity. At the examination this afternoon, the physician was unable to discover any symptoms of Insanity, and the County Judge refused to commit him to the asylum. Sifted down, the trouble appears to be a family misunderstanding. Miners Had to Eat Dosri. VICTORIA, B. C, March 14. Further news from Cape Nome has reached here, as follows: J. Densmore has returned to Nome from Kuskokwlll and reports that his party. which had a hard trip, having run short of provisions, had to eat three dogs, their moccasins and deerskins. They found no gold, although they prospected the coun try thoroughly. C. Betch and J. McKay, while en route to Nome from Teller City, found a man lying nude In a sleeping-bag on the snow, frozen to death. They did not remove the body, but notified the authorities at Teller, who suspected foul play. Stampedes occurred from Nome to American Creek, in Kougrock and Norton Sound, where rich strikes- have been made. The news of the Presidential election had not reached Nome on December 10. Grant's Pnss to Have Another Banlc. GRANT'S PASS, Or., March 14. This place is to have another bank, with a cap ital stock of not less than $25,000. The principal stockholders will be Senator R. A. Booth and James T. Tuffs. The latter owns the best unoccupied business corner In Grant's Pass, and will at once begin the erection of a 50-foot "front two-story brick building, of which the new bank will occupy the corner. The second floor will bo used for much-needed office rooms. The bank is to be ready for business be fore the close of Summer. The recently organlzed Grant's Pass Banking & Trust Company expects to open its doors about April 15, so that the close of the Summer will see three banks doing business In Grant's Pass. After Title to Wonderful Cave. CHBHALIS. Wash. March 14. The man whomade the reputed discovery of a cave somewhere In the vicinity of Mount Rainier has a firm of local attorneys looking up the matter of securing him a title to the land. It has been established that he bought horses in Wlnlock, and was registered at one of the hotels there at the time he said last Summer. Fur ther than that no one knows as to the truthfulness of his story. His narrative Irangs together in every particular, and no one hero has been able to fathom the ob ject of his story if It Is not true. Will Visit I. O. O. F. Lodges. ASTORIA, Or., March 14. James W. Welch, grand master of the Oregon I. Q. O. F., will leave here Sunuay to pay of ficial visits to lodges at the following places: March IS, Detroit; March 19, Mill" City; March 20. Albany; March 21, Spring field; March 22. Coburg; March 23, Browns ville; March 25. Lebanon; March 26, Buena Vista; March 27. McCoy: March 2$, Amity; March 23, Cascade Locks; March 20, Co lumbia Rebckah, No. 3, Portland. One Miner Killed, Another Injured. WARDNER, Idaho, March 14. Patrick Donley was killed and Bartram Walker probably fatally Injured by a blast In the Last Chance mine this evening. The bodies were found near by a nhaft In the drift wher the men had been working. Donley had a wife and three children in Thornton, Wash. Walker had a mother and sister In Eastern Canada. They were experienced miners. Captured in Portland. ALBANY, Or., March 14 Sheriff Mc- Hargue was notified today of the arrest in Portland this morning of Sam Dugger, of this place, by the Chief of Police, and left this afternoon to bring him to Al bany. Dugger was one of the three men recently indicted by the District Attor ney of this district on the charge of gam bling at this city. He will be tried at the June te-n of court. Great Northern Delayed by Slide. SPOKANE. Wash., March 14. The Great Northern eaetbound passenger train Is held at Bonner's Ferry. Idaho, by a bad landslide near Troy. A large force of workmen are clearing the track, but it is reported the work cannot be completed for 12 hours. The slide is at a point which has given the company a deal of trouble. The track there hugs the moun tain side to keep out of the river. Syndicate's Paclflc County Holdings. SOUTH BEND, Wash., March 14. The Weyhauser syndicate pays taxes on $15, 444 64 in Pacific County this year, or, on $4500 more than It did last year. The syndicate's holdings are largely confined to timber lands, which represent the In crease over last year. Its assessment represents one-fourth of that of the county. Man Xnrrovrly Escaped Drovrnlntr. TILLAMOOK. Or., March 14. G. O. s'olan had a narrow escape from drown ing yesterday. He was working on a boom of logs In Hoquarton Slough, when he fell overboard. He had on .rubber boots and heavy clothes, which made swimming nigh Impossible. He had gone down twice when rescued by a laborer In the sawmill close by. Idaho Buffalo Fnlr Commissioner. BOISE,. Idaho. March 14. The Governor has appointed ex-State Treasurer L. C. Rice as commissioner to the Pan-American exposition at Buffalo. The law under which the appointment Is made makes an appropriation of $15,000 for an exhibit. Worlc Bcprun on IVew Sawmill. CORVALLIS. March 14. The Benton County Lumbering Company Wednesday began the erection of a large sawmill on the John Hyde place at the foot of the Alsea Mountain, 15 miles southwest of here. The plant Is to have a capacity of SO.C00 feet per day. Deputy Assessors. CHEHALIS. Wash., March 14. County Assessor S. A. Crimm has announced the following deputies for the present year: The Blies r Ever have them" Then you know how dark everything looks. You are completely discouraged,terribly depressed. A little work looks like a big mountain ; a little noise sounds like the roar of a cannon ; and a little sleep is all you can secure, night after night. The truth of the matter is, your nerves have been pois oned and weakened with the impurities in your blood. You want a blood-purifying medi cine a perfect Sarsaparilla that's what you want. You want rs Sarsaparilla the strongest and best nerve tonic you can buy. 51.00 a bottle. All druggists. "Write the doctor freely all tho particulars la Soar cae. You -will recefro a. prompt reply-. Ad rcss. Or. J. C. Ayee. Lowell, Mass. A. T. McDonald. Chehalls, office deputy; J. W. Osborne, Mineral; S. D. Coleman, Verndale; P. Somersett. Alpha; Clay Swl gert. Mossy rock; Dillon Farrell, Toledo; S. G. Btse, Wlnlock; F. J. Salltger, Che halls; J. E. Stearns, Adna; H. H. Speer, Pe Ell; C. G. Ellsburg, Centralia. School Cleric at Pendleton. PENDLETON, Or., March 14. The. newly-elected School Directors, C. E. Jack son, W. M. Pierce and Jesse Falling, and the two hold-overs, J. A. Fee andl Dr. C. J. Smith, met last evening, and elected Miss Bell Bishop, clerk, to succeed Mrs. Lura Bishop. Alaska Soldiers Are "Well. WASHINGTON. March 14. General Greely, Chief Signal Officer of the Army, has received a dispatch from Stj Michael, Alaska, dated January 12, which an nounces that the officers and troops at that post are all well. AT THE HOTELS. THK PORTLAND. D W McLean. Omaha (Mrs A E Law. Tacoma.- xi. r. j-ewis, aan tr Mrs A H Law. N Y H A Dowen, Grand Rapids. Mich A F Lowenthal. N X S B Hicks. Seattle E E Brehln. AVllkcson H E Boyrle. Seattle Mrs Etta Seaborg-. do J C Myersteln. San Fr S Llchtenstadter. Harv ey Matthews, S ueo H Peabouy, Ap pleton, Wis Miss Peabody. do Dr Carroll Kox. MHS S Mosely "Woods. N Y Julius Gelcler. Clnclnn H O Stlckney. Sumpter Mrs L E Slater, Oiymp S Arthur Sprlnir, Rich mond Chas K Garey, Troy, ! N Y H N Wheeler. Boston ,W S Sherwood, Jersey City M X Davis. Cincinnati E B Dalton Sam Kunatadter. Chso Prince of Wales laid C H Samson. Omaha I Blsslncer. San Fr R T Lola. N Y Jos Thleber. San Fr G B Van Valkenburgh, N Y J J McXamara. S F W "W Saint. Seattle Geo W 8imon Chicago THE PERKINS. A P Cayler. La Grnd C H Norrls. La Grnd 'Helena Weassell. Or TVm H Daugherty, Ta- coma L R Falrchlld. 'St L L E Stlne. Needles, Cal Thos Hammond. Mad ison, la K H Guthrie. Dalles E J Sommercamp. Boise. Idaho John Grete, Silver Cy Msr" Grete. do jFred Grete. Jr.. Jo j j k miner.- uuzaer Co. Cal Mrs A M Coddy, Mc MlnnvllI JN S Williams, do Aeiicn. jexinKicn. b ir cook. St Paul Anna M Beede. Mlnpls F H Runkel, Seattle G W Jones, Salem R Thomas, Astoria Mrs R Thomas, do J H EKBert.Wyeth. Or Or C A Johnson, do John J Hannahah.Cligo f weicn. spokane E W Hebard, Spokane Fred Dahl. Burbank. S D R R Glenn. Mollne. Ill A J Johnson, Astoria W J McConnell. BoUo C M Keepe. Spokane Leslie Butler. Hood R Chat Honnan, Hood R Anna Hannan. Hood R Mrs R R Glenn, do H A Joy. Tacoma M "W Gardner. McMIn B Jones, L.yle. Or Mrs E Jones, do Mrs L. E Crowe, Dalles w t Whiting. Seattle Mrs W T Whltlnjr. do Chas Hill. Seattle C D Metcalf, Ash land. Or F A Cram, Dalles J H Woisfe. Dalles MIssWhItJng. Seattle M Gunblat. Olympla Mrs il Gunblet. do E E Larrtmore. Scio Mrs E E Larrlmftre. do Miss Larrlmore, Solo J L Hill. Albany W J Warren, Cath lamet. Or F J Martin. McMinnvl J Connors, do H L Kurkham. Wash A Li Austin, Tacoma F A Whitney. What com J R Upson, St Paul. Minn F R Parkhurst. Bostn A Gruhn. San Fr R W Van Orman, Ra cine, Wl3 J Posner, San Fr E W Pike. Goldenaale Mrs E W Pike, do Miss Pike. Goldendale C Ward. Goldendale H R Simon. St Louis J C Mattlson. Goble G W Newman, Mqnte- sano. "Wash ' C T Peterson, Tacoma S A Plnnlch, Pendleton Ed James, Oaklnd. Or Mrs Ed James. do Mrs Emma Younc, Oakland, Or R C Bentland, Sumpter THE IMPERIAL. C. W. Knowles. Manager. R S MacEwah, Astoria B T Mjoesulls. Minn Robt Mcintosh, city E Williams. Dalles M E Bush. Harrlsbrg Mrs Bush. Harrlsburg W L Dudley. Seattle Mrs Dudley. Seattle D M Miller. Pa C J Hatch, Boston Mrs Hatch, Boston B M Flske. Boston Z F Moody. Dilles I L Patterson." Salem E N Carter, Oregon Cy Mrs Carter. Oregon Cy C P Castle, Mont Mrs Castle, do D B Foster, Ind Mra Fester, do D H Beasly. do Mrs Beasly, do Fred Reynold,. Fremnt C A JFlora. Oakland J H Orr. Mich City A K yeiSen. Seattle C D Hamlll. Chicago I Mrs Helten, Seattle F W Chausse. Gr Pass Mlsf Velten. .Seattle Mrs Geo C Crooks, Spokane Mrs C C Van Orsdall. Pendleton Edw C Pease. Dalles Mrs Pease, Dalles V F Hill. San Fr G O Lanborn. San Fr D R Davles. San Fr Mrs C P Hunt, Spokn R H Stlckney, Spokn Mrs Stlckney. do S G Rosenthal, Olymp Master Velten. -Seattle L M "Clark, city Chas Bowen. Boston W S Waterbery- Sa lem, j. E G Godlng. You Bet, Cal ;C N Pierce. San Fr Chas Evans. Toledo. Wn I Mrs Evans, da D R Jones. HoauRim IE J Maero, San Fr THE ST. CHARLES. Jos Knowland, Los Angeles H H Hobson. Stayton 8 II Rlstner. Rainier Geo Galthcr, city E B Elliott. Clatska- nle. Wash C F Stevens, Dalles B Verna Erwln. U S Eng Dept. Ft Stevens W D Case. Pittsburg 8 Smith, city H E Manson, city B H Parrlsh, Castle Rock H W Brown. Clats- kanle Ernest Bryant, do Arthur Backshaw, Ncwbcrg L Hammett. do W Lalghton. Seaside H RIcinI, city Henry Teets. city D Bahter, Kelso D E Thomas. Ken- drlck, Idaho G S Roberts, do j a bpringgate, Har rlsburg J B Franklin, Heppner A Dahl S Ekberg J W Dernbock. city H L Martin. Corvallls C K Nobl. Vancouver W Blackford S K Hudson, Vancouvr Mrs S K Hudson, do Hugh Glenn. DallpB J R Buckler. Maygers N T McCIure. Dalles Mary A Robinson. Scribner. Neb II T Colvin, Clatskanle C O Young W G Kelso. Kefco Mrs W G Kelso, Kelso Geo L Jennings, Vancr W A Atherton, Carl's Point Hotel Brnnsvrlclc. Seattle, European; first-class. Rates. 75c and up. One block from depot. Restaurant next door. Tacoma Hotel, Tacoma. American plan. Rates, $3 and up. . Donnelly Hotel, Tacoma. European plan. Rates, 50c and up. The Golconda mine received a carload of freight at Sumpter last Monday, in cluding an Ingersoll-Sargent compressor with three drills. For Infants and Children. The Kind You Have Always Bought Signature of CzyrfJ Ay