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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 26, 1909)
8 TITH arORNTN'G OREQONIAy, FRIT) AY, FEBRUARY 2C, 1909. i 1 ' ' " I " . f nfnm --lT A t A fl PORTLAND. OEECON. I ' Enurtd at Portland. O rerun. Poatotlloa aa Eccund'Claa Matter. bubscrlntioa Kate Invariably t AdTaaea. By Mail Dally. Sunday Included, out year S 00 Xaily, Sunday Incluuetl, six monthi.... 4.1S Laily, Sunday Included, threa montba. ,.2.S lHily. fcunday Included, one month.. .16 Daily, without feunday. OlM year t-Otf Dally, -without Sunday, aix montba..... 3.JS Daily, without Sunday, three months.. 1.7 5 Dally, without Sunday, ona month..... .69 Weekly, one year......... 1-59 Bunday. one year v 2 oo Sunday and Weekly, ona year... . . By Carrier.) Da l!y, Sunday Included, ona year t oo Dally. Sunday Included, out month. ... .76 How to Remit Send postorflce money rder, express order or personal check on your local bank. Stamps, coin or currency are at th sender's risk. Give postofnca ad dress In full, including county and state. rofitaice Itatei lu to 14 pages. 1 cent; If to 2S pages. 2 cents; 30 to 4 pases, cents: 4 to Ci cases. 4 cents. Foreign postaga double rate. Extern Business Office The 8. C. Beck with Special Agency New York, rooms 4 ( Tribune building. Chicago, room 610-611 Tribune) building. PORTLAND. FRIDAY, FEB. 16, 1309. remarks ox fossils a'd fossiUsji. It pleases one and another, here or there, as the mood seizes them, to characterize. The Oregonian as "a draff on the State," "an obstruction to its progress." and "its blighting in fluence the main reason why the State of Washington has surpassed In growth and development the State of Oregon." Also, for variety, it is sometimes remarked that "The Ore gonian's desir- is to hold the State of Oregon to conditions that existed in ' pioneer days," and so forth and so on. Since this gabble, which has been , going on at intervals during many years, has not injured The Oregonian, nor even annoyed it, but doubtless has afforded gratification to its shallow" authors. The Oregonian will make no objection to its indefinite continuance. For the people of Ore gon know, and the people of the entire Northwest know, that this newspa per has always been the one thing in Portland that has kept the lead in the growth of city and State; has In fact, always been in advance of the general development, has pushed Its opportunities for service to the coun try to the - uttermost, and has pub lished more "development matter than all other publications in the State put together. All the time, too. It has. been the one leading newspaper of the Northwest, recognized as such not only in its own field, but through out the United States. Moreover, as a Journal of opinion and discussion the recognition it obtained long ago and has held throughout Its career, speaks sufficiently for its achievement. It doesn't find it necessary to make any apology for lack of efficiency or en ergy, at any time of Its career. The Oregonian confidently submits that It has done things and that its owners have done things, too. It and they have pushed various kinds of indus trial enterprises to the limit of their means and are doing it today. They have erected buildings, engaged in manufacturing Industry, in sawing lumber, making paper, clearing and cultivating land and rearing livestock. In short, they push business; and more than all. The Oregonian news paper Is the main agency which keeps the City of Portland, the State of Oregon, and the Northwest In general before the attention of the outer world. 4 And as this newspaper Is not .a drone, it rejoices In the progress of the state. In which It has borne a not unimportant part. But significant as the progress has been, it ought to have been greater. The state has been neglected by those -who ought to have supplied It with means of transporta tion, as "Washington has been sup plied. This Is the one cause why the development of the State of Washing ton has so, far exceeded that of Ore gon. On this subject the Impatience of our people Is great- But their prudence and good sense will forbid them to change the Constitution of thu state for the purpose of commit ting the state to the policy of con struction and operation of railroads; for that would lead to enormous debt and to enormous waste; It would mortgage the property of every cltl ren to the holders of the State rail road bonds; it would Introduce with public ownership the Insoluble prob lem of public operation, and establish the wildest orgy of political graft known since the days of Southern re construction. Logically It would lead also to the so-called Socialist state that Is to say, public ownership of land and. capital the totality of the Instruments of production and distri bution. Looking to this result, and regarding the present proposal as the one great first step- towards It, every Socialist will Joyfully support the ef fort to remove this main barrier erected by tho Constitution to the furtherance of such designs. But because The Oregonian op poses this destructive scheme it pleases the subverters of the Consti tution, the destroyers of a civilization based on the rights of private prop erty and proposing the extermination of individualism In the state, to call It "a fossil," "a back number," "a clog upon the progress and prosperity of the state." ' One has called it a "Job bernoll" which Is awful. Indeed. Still another has asserted that "The Oregonian would have the state re vert to the conditions of fifty years ago." We believe this an exaggera tion; for The Oregonian of today would hardly be at home in such a situation. But some things did exist fifty years ago that this Journal would like to see revived, or restabllshed. For example, that self-dependence and self-reliance which characterized the people of the older time, when nobody expected anything that he didn't work for, and dependence on the state to "do things for the people" was not so much as thought of; when prudence and Industry were culti vated among the virtues, and men ind women expected to find their resources within themselves and not to "lie down on the state"; when it was inconceivable that the state should attempt to promote its own progress and prosperity by borrowing money In immense 'sums and spending it; when constitutional barriers against these follies and the ruinous conse quences were erected without protest, and the safety of the state was be lieved to lie in the established princi ples of honor, truth. Justice and per sonal Independence. It may be a fashion to think of all this as "fossil Ism." and to regard It as "fifty years behind the times"; but The Oregonian does not accept that opinion, and trusts it never will, subscribe to that mistake. When the time, for the next session of th Legislature shall arrive It will be found that the dairy Interests of the state will ask for legislation Just a. much as did the fruit Industry a few years ago. The request will come from the progressive men who will not brook competition by slovens. No dairyman will admit his methods are unclean and shiftless, but a little in-spa.-tlon would not hurt some of his neighbors. More light on the subject, by precept and example, will bring It about in good time. LARGER SALARIES iO REMEDY. Mr. J. F. Patterson, in a letter to The Oregonian, published yesterday, held that the salaries proposed by the new charter are not exorbitant. Here, he says. Is a corporation the city of Portland disbursing $2,000. 000 a year. Mr. Patterson insists that men in charge of such a business should be worth the salaries proposed by the new charter, for in private Bervice men fit for their positions can command greater sums. Further: The crcat mistake of the American people Is that they do not pay their public servants tne rnarKet value or me voik requireu wi them. The consequence is that they get an Inferior grade of men. When they discover that they are getting the Inferior grade of work, they abuse the poor bedeviled official and thereby impair his already nmiteo. eiu clency. This criticism misses the whole matter. In private business only com petent men are employed. These can command high salaries. They are worth It. But in public business every upstart and pretender has a chance. The favor he receives from the electorate, does not depend at all on his fitness for the position, but on his ability and adeptness in making himself agreeable to the electorate. Men fittest fpr Important positions will not enter these contests. They can obtain employment In private business at perhaps higher salaries, and be free from the changing moods and humors of the' electorate. Men who can please the electorate, but whose other qualifications are scant, contend for and win public positions. Consequence Is that private business enterprises are served better than those of public nature. Nor is there any help for it. Larger salaries will not change the conditions; for the people will always vote for a pretend er who erects air castles for them, who flatters and pleases them, rather than for the man who is capable, and therefore earnest and erave. The public service, in Its administrative details and general management, therefore, never will get as efficient and thorough men as private enter prise can obtain. "The people", will reject the best man for business and elect the Inferior one because he has a way that "pleases" them. It is hopeless, therefore, to look for as good results from men at the head of our municipal administration as from those in control of large affairs in private place. The salary will have nothing to do with it. Better men will not be obtained In important pilbllc positions by payment of high salaries. Men of the class that pri vate enterprises want, and will pay high salaries to" obtain, never will please the electors. What chance would Mr. Josselyn of the General Electric have for a minute with the electors of Portland? Or C. F. Adams of the Gas Company? Or the editor of The Oregonian? Every one of them would lose "his Job" at the first election. And under our direct primary It will become less and less possible to obtain men of real fitness. The scramble in tha direct primary never will bring forth the best or fittest. It will Increase the number of applicants, with best chance for the least fit, always. We must have "the will of the people," but it "comes high." THE NEW STATES HALTED. Arizona and New Mexico will not be erected Into states at this session of Congress, though the House of Representatives has passed the bills for their admission.. The bills went to the Senate, where Senator Knute Nelson, of Minnesota, and others, stopped them, saying they wanted more time for examination of the various features of the constitutions that are presented. The Senate Is on )ts guard against more "fool states," because the older states are unwilling to be controlled by the new fads prevalent in states which have scarce ly the population of a county In a state of the great Eastern section of the TJnion So the opponents of -the admission of Arizona and New Mexico say. It Is alleged further that the con stitutions of Arizona and New Mexico have all "the new trimmings" of the system prevalent in the Rocky Moun tain districts, where "the child of natur" and the child of freedom", is striking out new ideas of political philosophy and statesmanship; which penetrate even to the Pacific Coast, where it has been extremely difficult to hold the ground against Bryanism and the notions of the silver craze, and where even Oregon has gone daft on such things as Initiative and refer endum, and on schemes to subvert the old Constitution, establish Socialistic doctrines and compel by law one party to elect to highest positions the candidates of the other party. Not having seen the constitutions of Ari zona and New Mexico, The Oregonian is not In position to pass opinion on them. It merely reports the allega tions on which the states seeking ad mission have been "held up." Arizona and New Mexico, therefore, will not be made states now, nor till these things shall have been consid ered. At the special session or the next regular one, there is certain to be a debate in both Houses of Con gress on the subject that may tend to illumination of many things. The East and South, that have the popu lation, constitute the great bulk of the Nation, pay the taxes, are respon sible for the action f the Govern ment and must defend it, don't want any more "fool states," of scant pop ulation and wild Ideas, and Insist on being "shown." WHEAT'S PHEXWCErNAI, STRENGTH. July wheat In Chicago yesterday es tablished a new high record for the season, while May, hovering around the top notch, showed no signs of weakness. It is now five months since May wheat left the dollar mark in the rear, and for the past two months there has been a steady shrinkage n tne visible supply as well as in- stocks In farmers' hands. Since the turn of the year, and especially since Febru ary 1, there has been a distinct change In the sen'Iment of the Eastern grain experts regarding tho probable suc cess or fvlur.. of the Patten deal, which is credited with the creation o' most of the present strength In the market. The chief argument ad vanced by Patten has always been thwt there was an actual shortage In the "domestic situation and that the prices toward which the market was steadily rising were warranted by the short supplies in tnis country. Failure of these excessively high prices to bring out any big supplies and increasing strength in the foreign situation are beginning to point to the success of Mr. Patten's deal, although with three months yet to elapse before its consummation, some changes of considerable importance may be made. In the Chicago market yesterday wheat for September delivery sold as high as 98 4 cents, ' compared with 87 cents on the same date last year, when crop conditions were less favor able than at this time. September is exclusively a new-crop month in the Chicago market, and the high prices for that month's delivery cannot be regarded as in any degree due to the present short 6tocks. The farmers of the country will all hope that the speculative element that Is paying so close to $1 per bushel for 1909-crop wheat has not made a mis take. Another year of dollar wheat, snoz-iaiiv if tha nrpapnt satisfactory crop conditions remain unchanged, will spell prosperity for the farmers in large letters. ' PISTOL HONOR. The two Coopers, father and son, who in conspiracy with John Sharp planned and executed the Carmack murder, have since concocted a more or less plausible story to make out a case of self-defense, but there are few who will be simple enough to believe It. Mr. Carmack was shot, as so many other men have been shot In the South, to vindicate that pernicious specter which is called "honor" in the parlance of the pistol toters of the land of hominy and cotton. The Cooper tale of self-defense Is a bit of after-thought invented to fill the gap which was made when tho Cooper honor exploded. As long as the fetich lookec' robust the murderous gang re lied upon to clear them In the e3"es of a Tennessee Jury; but when It ap peared that Cooper the elder was a defaulter and embezzler, it began to look as if "honor" would hardly save his precious neck. There Is Just about as much and Just about as little in the Cooper honor as in that of any of the other loud mouthed, pistol-toting Colonels of the Southland. Those who talk the most about their exalted feelings and deli cate sensibilities have the least to show behind their talk. The kind of honor which relies on shooting a man lri the back to defend itself has pretty nearly disappeared everywhere else but south cf Mason and Dixon's line. In that happy realm It still flourishes almost as vigorously as it did in Eu rope in the dark a;res. It goes with negro lynchings, night riding and the chaingang. It' is one proof among many that the civilization of the South has lagged behind that of the rest of the country. The Southerners or some of them are too much occupied with introspection to keep up with the procession. They are all the time thinking what elegant creatures the Lord has made them, and how much more beautiful and dignified they are than the rest of the people of the country. While they are thus ab sorbed In self-contemplation the rest of the world advances and they stand still. Other people work and pro gress. The Southern Colonels brood over their honor and stagnate. Tho Coopers and their deed are typical. STATE RAILROAD OWNERSHIP IN PRACTICE. If Oregon should decide to engage in construction and operation of rail roads, thus relieving Mr. Harrlman of the necessity of building a line of his own Into Central Oregon, It would not be- establishing a precedent. The state already owns and operates one railroad, and, while It is a small af fair, it offers an excellent illustra tion of the results which will be se cured on a vastly greater scale when we rroceed to ramify the state with roads of our own. The railroad which has afforded Oregon such a good op portunity for determining' the merits of state ownership Is the portage line running between Celllo and the Big Eddy, a short distance above The Dalles. Six years ago the state ap propriated $165,000 for construction of the road and $25,000 again in 1905, and $10,000 in 1907. In 1909 the ap propriation is $75,000. The road has been in operation since June, 1905. The report of the Board of Portage Commissioners, who have direct charge of the operation of the road. has Just been issued. It shows gross earnings for the two calendar years 1907-1908 of $5,098. The expense of "maintenance and operation" for the two years was $18,535.91, the net loss thus being $13,437.91. The traf fic statement for the two years shows that the road handled In tons: Mer chandise, 1301; wheat, 1536; lumber, 626 (424.000 feet); other grains than wheat, 13; machinery, 7; cement, 4; coal, 3; powder, 55. A total of 3545 tons. There were also carried, 39 passengers, 16 boats and two horses. These figures, taken from the report, show that It cost '.he state $3.80 per ton more than It received for handling the business. This Is perhaps a rea sonable figure, since It enabled Port age Commissioner Lewis and his fel low grocers to eiieci oavms uu freight rates to up-river points. Mr. Hill, who shipped the powder and some of the lumber for use In con struction work on his North Bank Railroad, also undoubtedly appre ciates the generosity of the State of Oregon; and the Washington farmers who shipped the grain should like wise be duly thankful. Unfortunately, this $3.80 per ton does not cover one-half the loss suf fered by the state. When we begin building railroads cm the wholesale plan outlined by Colonel C. E. Sellers Wood and the self-sacrificing Mr. Teal, we must borrow the money and pay interest on It. Money has an earning power and value and the $165,000 which the state sank as an original Investment in the portage road Is worth at least 6 per cent. For the two years this would amount to $16,500, which must be added to the cost of operation and maintenance, and we thus have a net deficit for the two years of $29,937, which on the tonnage handled means that it cost the state $8.44 for every ton of freight transported over our railroad In 1907 1908 a distance of ten miles. There was no railroad In operation on the north bank of the Columbia until late in 1908 and considerably more than one-half of the traffic handled by the Portage road was to and from Washington points. As this traffic benefited no one but Portage Commissioner Lewis and his fellow grocers who sold the goods. It seems reasonably clear that Oregon enjoyed the benefit of Portage railroad trans portation on only about one-half of the 3545 tons. In other words, the trafflo which Oregon had over the road for which Oregon taxpayers paid and are maintaining, cost the state about $16.88 per ton. The argument has been advanced that this portage railroad forced the rafiroads to reduce their rates. As the railroads handled something more than 960,000 tons of grain while the Portage road was handling 1536 tons, the competition hardly appears to have been appal lingly serious for the roads. Yet the Portage road did succeed In reducing some commodity rates. With . a $16.88, an $8.44, or even a $3.80 per ton bonus' from the state, there are great possibilities in the rate reduc tion line. Prior to the completion of the port age road, the railroads met ocean competition at Portland by making a low through rate which permitted Portland Jobbers to distribute from this city. When the generous State of Oregon donated this $3.80 or $8.44 per ton to' the -cause of cheap freights, the railroads on a large number of commodities, shifted the point at which ocean competition was met to Walla Walla and other interior cities which are now distributing centers. Thereupon Portage Commissioner Lewis and his fellKW grocers estab lished branch houses at Walla Walla and the distributive trade in certain lines vanished from Portland for ever. This is all very lovely for Port age Commissioner Lewis and his fel low grocers; but the Portland taxpayer- -whn la cnntrlbutine his pro-rata of that $3.44 per ton bonus will hardly be able to discern any direct Denents. It Is even possible that the Oregon taxpayers may object to paying a bonus of $3.44. per ton for the privi lege of having Washington wheat shipped over , our portage road. This burden becomes especially ob jectionable when It Is remembered that the Washingtonians -secure liberal rate reductions by the simple and In expensive method of maximum rate bills, by-means of which1 they have within the past fifteen years enjoyed three very liberal reductions In wheat rates. The results shown in the portage commissioners' report are not surpris ing. The Oregonian was perhaps remiss- in it3 duty in failing to call at tention to the Inevitable outcome be fore the state's money was sunk in the project. A warning at that time, however, would have been without ef fect, for the men who gilded the brick made a good job of it and the "acid test" of net earnings and operating expenses could not be applied until it was too late. If this little "flyer" in state ownership of transportation fa cilities should serve as a lesson to the Oregon taxpayers, it may be worth all It cost and even more, In preventing them from repeating the experiment on the colossal scale which -the Cen tral Oregon state road would necessi tate. If the state must engage in the rail road business, why not accept that bona fide offer of Mr. Harrlman to build a line to Coos Bay for a guar antee of 4 per cent? In no other manner can we secure the money for building at so low a rate of interest. Mr. Harriman's road would also be put through at much less cost than a state-built road. There would accord ingly be a saving on the original cost and a saving on the rate of interest to be paid. Of course the promoters of the state ownership scheme, not being interested in Coos Bay, might object to building anywhere except through their Central Oregon land grant. They should not forget, however, that Cen tral Oregon has no more right to a railroad than Coos Bay, Sluslaw, Tilla mook and a dozen other localities In the state, and, If one Is built, the oth ers cannot be slighted. ( From the standpoint of economy, if there is any possibility of the state embarking in the railroad business, we would do better to get In on a 4 per cent inter est basis than nt a higher rate. William H. Taft has been one of the world's greatest travelers, and has carried his handbag all round the globe. And the side excursions he has made aro almost numberless. He has been one of those who "post o'er land and ocean without rest." The "fat man" has been the "winged Mer cury" of Th.:cdore Kaoievelt. But now he Is to be President, and will make no excursions into foreign coun tries. But so good a traveler is he that we shall expect to see President Taft en the Pacific Coast, even as far as "Ounalaska's shore." The business of selecting juries grows tiresome. We shall have to es tablish' a jury colony on some Island, exclude all the newspapers from it and make it the sole source of the enlightened and - Intelligent supply when a murder trial Is on or an aris fecratic grafter is arraigned. Enough time would be saved to the courts to balance the expense a dozen fold. The country along the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers is once more paying Its annual tribute to the folly which destroyed the forests. The story of waste and ruin is repeated in every detail year after year. Levees are breaking, families In flight, property swept away. Yet there are those who contend that forest destruction has no connection with floods. The word "immediate" does eeem to have a certain significance In the emergency clause when you come to think of it. Presumably all laws are necessary for the public peace, health and safety, but not all of them imme diately. It's ' the immediately that makes the emergency, is It not7 Evidently we are in full career toward the old-fashioned skyscraper bonnet. Anybody with half an eye can see that horror following the cab riolet hat as the only logical successor. Just think of it! You will wake up next Friday morning and Theodore Roosevelt w'ill no longer be President of the United States. It's awfully hard to do anything for the state, when there are "sneers" at such results as those of the Celllo railroad. Nosey Joseph places his own schemes, for his own profit, first, al ways. Don't be mistaken about Nosey Joseph. Fat is out of style for the gentler sex, but for mankind drop in at the White House next Thursday and see. The Governor's ax will need honing today. I WHAT IS DEMOCKiCTS FntEEt WHO MTST PAT CUKREST TAAMi utrrjv " If Bryan Runs Again, It Spells Ruin, Saya Tills Bryan Democrat. LA GRANDE. Feb. 24. (To tha Edi tor.) In a speech recently delivered at Pittsburg, and, more recently, in an ad dress at Denver, Hon. W. J. Bryan noti fied the people that he will be a candidate for the Presidential nomination to be made In 1912, if his party wants him Those who have supported him with more or less reluctance in past campaigns have had little doubt that he would be a can didate Just as long as he can muster a following sufficient to afford him a rea sonable chance to be nominated. He has been a standing candidate ever since he was discovered in 1896. In 1904. he was really a candidate and did not consent to the consideration of any other name until it was clear that he could not be nominated, and then he supported, not the man whom the people wanted, but Senator Cockrell, of Missouri, whom only a few wanted. He was disappointed ax the nomination of Judge Parker and really did nothing for Parker's election, and his especial followers in many In stances, either refused to vote at all or supported Roosevelt. The vote in Mis souri shows this statement to be true. The writer has supported Mr. Bryan for President three times. The first time he voted for him with enthusiasm, the second time, willingly, and the third time with much reluctance, and with a vow that he would not do so again. What are the Democrats who have stood by their principles and ' party in National cam paigns for a third of a century, to do in the future? It is evident that the party is thoroughly Bryanized and that Bryan dominates It at his will. A distinguished Oregon Senator said In a speech in the United States Senate, during the Civil War, that "the flesh and blood of the Government Is Abraham Lincoln." The enthusiastic followers of Bryan seem to believe that the flesh and blood of the Democratic party is W. J. Bryan. They obey his will implicitly and the Demo crat who has audacity to efiticise him or his policies is at once looked upon as an enemy to the party by these "slmon pure" disciples of "the boy orator of the Platte." It is evident to Intelligent and thought ful persons that the people of the United States do not want and will not have Mr. Bryan for President They may ad mire him as a lecturer, but their admira tion for him in that respect does not con vince them that he would make a good or a safe President. They regard him as an agitator and they are not willing to trust either him or his policies to govern the country. The people have rejected him three times, and this should convince everyone that he cannot be elected Presi dent. Prior to 1S96 the Democracy usu ally carried the States of New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware and West Vir ginia, but since that time that party has not in a single instance carried either of them. Prior to 1896 Indiana was about half the time Democratic, but since that time it has uniformly gone Republican, ex cepting that the Democrats carried that state last Fall on the state ticket and elected a Democratic Legislature, al though Mr. Bryan failed to carry the state. Prior to 1S96, the Democrats car ried New York about half the time, but since that time it has uniformly gone Republican in state and National elec tions excepting that at the state elec tion next to the last the Democrats, by a combination with the Independence League, elected all of the state ticket but Governor. Prior to 1S06, Maryland, Kentucky and Missouri were reliably Democratic states, but since that time they are not. Prior to ISM. one or even both houses of Congress were not unfre quently Democratic, but since that time both houses have been largely Repub lican all the time. It was Bryan and Bryanism that wrought all these disas ters to Democracy, and it looks as if the whole country will become Republican as a protest against him and the things for which he stands. The South tolerates, but does not like him, and it is only a question of a short time when several more Democratic strongholds will sur render and haul down the flag of Jeffer son and Jackson. The picture' is not. an encouraging one to these who have ' In the past been proud of the principles and policies of Jeffersonlan Democracy. What Is now styled Democracy is nothing but Bryan ism, and those who believe in principles rather than in any man have little to hope for In the future of the Democracy with Bryan dominant in its councils. It is my opinion that Bryan Intends to rule or ruin the Democratic party. He has prevented its success the last 12 years and he will probably have influence enough to defeat It in the future, if it rebels against him and throws him over board. If this is a correct diagnosis of the condition of the Democratic party, what should be done by its friends to save the patient? Will some one suggest a remedy? Perhaps Eddy ism or the "Im manuel Movement" may havs a bnlm for Its healing. JEFFERSONIAN. Choate Set the Precedent. Kansas City Star. h.n Thnmna "R. T?eer1 WAS with n "vii j. ........ - --- -- the late Senator Wolcott of Colorado and Josepn urinate, jar. uiiuaio wneii asked to take a drink said he never drank, never smoked to excess ana never gambled in his life. Wolcott, who was a sinner In every one of these it i i. .1 niithAtlpallv ft f T?pprl nnrl j 1 1 1 a , 1 1 . v.. , . ......... j said: "I wish I could say that" "Say It," said Reed; "Choate did." THE WONDERFUL BALANCE SHEET OT THE STATE POETAGE RAILWAY AT CELILO. General Statement of Traffic, Earnings, Expense of Maintenance and Operation, From the Report of the Com missioners, for Ihe Biennial Period, 1907-1908.- S3 a S-5 2 la 3 : e 1907 January. . . . February. -. March April. .. May Juno July Aujrust September. . . October. - November. December. . 1908 January. ... February. . . March April May June July August September. . October. ... November. . December. . Totals. . 2,205 890 220 . BOul. 301.1001. 32.000 7.'.. 18 132.4.'. 437,200 202,060 162,673, f 8O'3,210r..- 16 144 (lis. 283, 4 .j 5, 2SO 127 1.0e,t.922 340i O80.275I t5 2,602,010l3,072,817424.256 BOO As Between Buyer and Seller, It De pends on Date of the Levy. PORTLAND, Feb. 26. (To the Ed itor.) Will you kindly settle a dispute, through your paper? , Suppose A sells a piece of land to B be fore the 10th of December. Who pays the taxes on said land, A or B? TAXPAYER. In the absence of an express agreement, B will be required to pay the tax. This is an appropriate time to remark once more, that The Oregonian has no interest whatever in "settling disputes." However, in any and all matters of genu ine interest, it will spare neither time nor labor to ascertain and make public the facts pertaining thereto. The general laws of Oregon provide: As between the grantor and grantee of any land, when there Is no express agree ment as to which shall pay the tax that may be assessed thereon before tho convey ance, if such land Is conveyed at the time or prior to the date of the warrant author izing the collection of such taxes, then the frrantee shall pay the, same, but If conveyed after the date the grantor shall pay them. This has been the law since 1S54. Taxes are due and payable when the levy Is made and a warrant for their collection is delivered to the tax col lector. They' then constitute an encum brance on the property. The seller could not convey clear title if he did not pay the taxes. In Multnomah County, the levy and the delivery of the warrant usually take place about the middle of January. This year the warrant was delivered Febru ary 1. After that date, in the absence of an express agreement, the seller would be required to pay the taxes. In the case mentioned by "Taxpayer," the convey ance was made before February 1; the taxes were not then due and payable. It is apparent, therefore, that B, the buyer, must pay the 1908 taxes. . MrJ Taft and Woman Suffrage. PORTLAND, Feb. 25. (To the Editor.) Permit me to inform The Oregonian readers that President-elect W. H. Taft said at the public meeting he addressed during his recent visit to this city, allud ing to certain disfranchised classes in the United States:- "Of course women ought to be allowed to vote." This state ment was published In the local pi ess re ports at the time; and. as I recall the cir cumstances, no part of the address elicit ed more applause than this one emphatic sentence. This note is offered, to The Oregonian in reply to an .'Anti-Suffragist," who denied at the suffrage hearing in Albany, N. Y.. that "Mr. Taft had ever expressed such views." ABIGAIL SCOTT DUNIWAY. Ninth Federal Circuit. CARRODLTON, Wash., Feb. 24. (To the Edltor.V-What United States circuit is this state in? Who is the Judge of the United, States District Court of this dis trict? B. M. F. Washington is in the Ninth circuit; C. H. Hanford, Seattle, District Judge. Yes. PORTLAND, Feb. 25. (To the Editor.) Could you kindly Inform me through your paper whether the Oregon Railway & Navigation Company's shops in Albina are In the city limits? S. A. WILL OPEN DINING - KOOM Y. W. C. A." Keady Tomorrow to Serve Meals In New Building. One of the novel appointments of the opening of the dining-room of the Young Women's Christian Association tomorrow, is that pretty waitresses will be dressed In huntress green uniforms to harmonize with the wall coloring of the room. This costume will be completed by white caps and aprons. The room will be decorated with boughs of pussy willows and bunches of jonquils. There are few places In the city that can show a handsomer dining-room than the new Association building, and It is to take on special at tractions for this opening affair. Miss Elizabeth Green, the lately-arrived manager of all culinary matters has brought with her tje latest Ideas about good things to eat and how to serve them. She graduated in domestic science from Drexel Institute and has been an instructor of dietetics In Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, as well as a successful manager of a tea-room. She arrived about a week ago and has been on dlity each day in the cafeteria. Equally busy with Miss Green over ar rangements for the big opening, is a com mittee that Includes: Mrs. A. H. Tanner, Mrs. L. A. Wandell, Mrs. H. 9. Butter field, Mrs. "William Flack, Mrs. E. W. Jones. Mrs. C. W. Nottingham, Mrs. J. H. Barbour, Miss Ruth Drake. This dining-room will be open to all ladles, and also to gentlemen who are accompanied by ladies, from 11:30 until 5 P. M.. for after luncheon is over at 2, tea with light accompaniments will be served. Every effort Is being put forth to make the quarte'rs of the association homelike. In order that the girls may get more service out of the building- and its equipments cafeteria suppers will be served there beginning March 1. the hours being from 5:15 to 7 o'clock. The living room with its piano and the library with its magazines and bonks, offer attrac tions for the evening hours. Besides its regular meals in tea-room and cafeteria lor patrons, me associa tion Is going to serve banquets, lunch eons and teas for different clubs and other organzations. More Lincoln Stamps Tlere. The 'teecond consignment of Lincoln stamps was placed on sale in the main postofflce yesterday. The consignment consisted of 200,000 stamps. The previous lot of 9000 received a week or more ago was exhausted In a few hours. Quantities of freight transferred. S a 5 3 1 a s o a I ' 1 '326 . ! . . i launch 1 1-cli, 1 scow 1 scow . ... . . . . . i l'ch, 2 Em. bts 6066 7. ro i ' boat. 3 sitirt s .!"".!.! 6,000 .... 4 boats .! 2 horses f .... i houseboat I110,52ri 1 I 1 600 ! 1291 S.616I 8. OOO! 6.5001 1449 144 799 20 831. . 24.310 61.13 400 8IKI 1S4.9. - .7 B0!U 19,400 1032 67.287 24 400 . 73.4581 60111 200 -I l39 !28, 60ol8356ll3.980; 600oi St. John City Council Likely to Ac cept Terms Tendered. The St John Transportation Com pany has offered to sell its ferryboat to the City Council for $14,000. Its previous offer was $17,000. The trans portation company in making this of fer of $14,000 has placed on file with the Council bills showing that this amount Is less than the boat cost: but it was convinced that tha city is de termined to have a free ferry, and that if the boat were not put down at a low figure the city would build and oper ate a ferry of its own. The Council believes it is wise to ac cept the offer, and has issued an order for a special election to vote $14,000 in bonds to buy the boat. The purchase is considered advisable because under existing circumstances they would pay at least $SO0O in ferry tolls this year. There will be $C000 in ferry tolls paid this year for hauling crushed rock from the crusher across, the river for the improvement of streets. In addi tion to this there is an average or 5000 foot passengers. These figures are taken from tho reports submitted each month by the transportation com pany. That amounts to $250 a month, or $1500 a year; with teams added. $2000. That means more than half of the amount asked by the transporta tion company and would be paid to it in tolls this year. WOMAN ROUTS DETKCT1VK Drives Secret Service Agent From K00111 With Ink Bottles. TACOMA. Wash., Feb. 25. (Special ) Emitting a scream that was heurd throughout the offices of tho Bank of California building, Lottie Jeffr-ries. ar raigned yesterday before United States Commissioner McMillan, assailed Chief Operative Foster, of the United States Secret Service, and bombarded him with ink wells, paste pots, paperweights and other miscellaneous objects near at hand, driving the Secret Service agent from the room and causing- other spectators to scramble madly for safety. Earl and Lottie Jehenes were arrested as suspicious charueters and on them was found tM in counterfeit money. After being overpowered, the woman began to cry hysterically and was led away to the county jail without further trouble. BOY'S KILL 8-FOOT COUGAK Iads or 14, Armed With Small Tiirics, Bag Big Cut. WALLA WALLA. Wash., Feb. 25. (Special.) Two youthful Nimrods, liv ing in the mountains above this city, while on a hunting trip through the woods for squirrels several days ago were followed by a cougar, which, when finally detected by the hoys, was killed. The hide of ihe beast measured over eight feet in length and was shipped to Waitaburg for mounting. Although armed with light-bora rifles,- these lads, who are not yet 14 years of age. manapred to mortally wound the huge cat at the first volley, and as it was lying on the ground mak ing frantic efforts to approach its kill ers, they rushed upon it and fired sev eral more shots Into its body. BLINT PIGS ARE RlVTDED Astoria Sheriff Finds Whisky and Beer in Cigar Stores. ASTORIA, Or., Feb. 25. (Special.) A cigar store conducted by K. J. Hermun stadt, in the east end of the city, and one conducted by John Hanson, near the Hammond Lumber Company's bill, were raided bv Sheriff Pomeroy this evening and a stock of whisky and beer seized in eacn- , . , . As these oipar stores are located In "dry" precincts, it Is expected the pro prietors will bo arrested for conducting "blind pigs." , .. . . Four more- of the saloonmen Indicted for selling llduor on Sunday pleaded guilty today and were fined $40 each, making a total of $1010 that has been collected in fines in these cases. IIARRIMAX BUYS IX rDATIO Believed to Be Behind Purchase of Xez Pcrco Electric. SPOKANE. Feb. 25. The Willamette Valley Oil Company has purchased the Nez Perce & Idaho Electric Railway, now under construction, to connect Nez FercJ and Vollmer, Idaho.' This is believed to be a Harrlman purchase, giving him ac cess to a rich iicld in North Centrnl Idaho. ' tl is predicted the new line will ho extended 12 miles to Forest, Idaho, to connect with the Lewiston & Southeast ern. Abandoned Crew Rescued. r,.i,n reN11ltv. nautical expert in chares of the local United States hydrographies office, issues the following notice 10 ma riners: rantain J. A. O'Frion. of the Ameriean Ft.amehin Northwestern, report that " Hiejiembrook r lltlilll. e. A.nskil, pas-sed il,.-..u2-i larco fields of lee. l.ulll Rnir.e; 111 and eonilnK out. .,.,,. , -n Also on Ki'frnnry 11. '. 11 -decrees 30 minutes nerth. lontlunle 1" a ,r no.1tit..M wnni. took oif the er'W "T the sloop XucKut, which was ulian.ioni-cl. The erew of the XunRnt reports navlrii; FlKhted a two-m.-ipted seliooner dmmantetl in the sumo vicinity. St. John School Bonds Sold. The $50,000 issue of school bonds lately voted by the St. John school district were sold yesterday to Morris I!ros. for $101 premium, and the interest they pay is 4Vi per cent. H M 3 . E. 69.8S,$ 93.90! 149.20 173 .S3 289 79' 40.171 9.2(1 130 -IS 4l)S.S7 619.60 244.20 108. 6O 914.05 $ 18.75 237.60 420.07 23.811 273.59 41.021 43.10 230.75 S7.olll S64.74 428 50 455 14 677.8-1 870.24 Ml 1 33 732. S3 985.04 1.930.99 1,842.00 1,203 46 &39.4S 473.M 387.4t 847 54 426.5S K38.14 315.95 , 440.41 1131.88 1.419 37 810.20 0110.38 1.031.27 287.88 SS8.65 43.40! 80.731 148.70 63.13 23.05) B7.SOI 91.031 137.74 338. 9V 824. S2 1 03 40 170. 9r ns.o! 62.2'i 200.90 80.00 33.01 5.50 12(1 14 41.75 48.3H 827.25 334.30 5I10.1O hlO,525l $5.098.001 S,0Q4.o4;$18,535.91