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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (April 2, 1909)
.13 Men's Clothing, Hats and Furnishings THE MORNIXG OREGOXIAN. FRIDAY, APRIL, 2, 1909. ALTER AT ON ON MAY 1 WE ANNEX ADJOINING STORE-ROOM. TO REDUCE OUR STOCK BEFORE TEARING OUT THE WALLS, WE OFFER THE FOLLOWING BARGAINS SHIRTS, $1.50 VALUES - - - 95c KNITTED TIES, 50c VALUES - 35c HALF HOSE, FR. LISLE, 50c VALS, 35c SUITS $25.00 Suit $19.75 Suit $23.75 Suit $26.75 Suit $26.75 $30.00 $35.00 $40.00 SOFT HATS. 3.00 GRADE - $1.65 VESTS, $2.00-$4.00 GRADE - 1.15 UNDERWEAR iR 50c GRADE. 25c HEWETT, BRADLEY & CO. 344 WASHINGTON STREET NEAR GRAND THEATER GIVES CITY'S SIDE T. G. Greene Replies to B. S. Josselyn on Lighting. capacity and affording a certain Illumi nation. The Mayor and board, on what they believed to be reliable information and after careful Inquiry, ascertained that the city tias not petting either the current, lighting capacity nor actual il lumination called for by the contract. It Is possible, of course, that the Mayor and board are mistaken: that they have been misinformed, but when the Mayor questioned two of the officials of the light company they could not or would not give him any information upon the points desired. Whether mistaken or not, the city officials have been and are act ing In good faith and upon information nriitrnin , , i not yet reruiea. i ney nave aunuea ana REVIEWS ISSUE IN DETAIL . Pa,d f the company's claim that they deemed lust. Shall they audit and pay 1 what they honestly believe to be an unjust claim? would that be giving the city a "business administration?" Is it good business to submit to a holdup and blackmail? Is it not better to refuse to pay a claim for $30,000, about which, to say the leaBt, there Is a reasonable doubt, and leave the claimant to pursue his remedy In the courts where law-abiding citizens are wont to resort in settle ment of differences? When the controversy first arose the suggestion was made to Mr. Josselyn that the company sue the city for the amount of the deduction from the con tract price made by the city for March, 1908, so that the matter could quickly be determined by the courts, and If the de rision was adverse to Vie city's conten tion the amount withheld would at once be paid and no further deductions made. The Mayor, Auditor and board would then be protected In their action. " But Mr. Josselyn said. In effect, that his company would not sue the city: that he had intended, when " the city called for proposals for a new contract, to submit a bid at a lower price than the old con tract, but if the cty did hot refund the deductions already made 1 and refrain from making others he would make his bid enough higher than he had intended to make it. so as to oover all deductions, interest, costs, etc, .His threat was car ried out. for the hid for aerial street lights was $63 each per annum. Since then he has offered to, make it $58 per lamp rcr annum If the city will refund the deductions of $29,227.44. DEM. LIE J BLOW Mayor Loses Fight on Pacific Bridge Company. CONTRACTORS TO GET JOB Chairman of Kxeeutlve Board Com mittee Charges Company With Hold-lp That Will Lead to Municipal Plant. PORTIjAND. April li fTo the Edttnr.V- After two. months' silence. B. R Josselyn, 1 president of the Portland Railway. Light A- Power Company. If correctly quoted In The Oregonlan, -March 31, has again re sumed public discussion of the city light ing contract, and we have a repetition. In condensed form, of his version of the dispute with the city, which appeared day ' after day for two weeks In the daily papora during January, as advertising matter. 1 had understood from Mr. Josselyn per sonally that he preferred to negotiate with the city for an adjustment of tha controversy, free from acrimony and re crimination, which nearly always attend puhllc discussion of such disputes, but the unfair statement of the Issue attributed to him In the Interview referred to ought rot to pass unchallenged. "New liltlo have been asked by the city for lighting." says Mr. Josselyn. Just so. And the Executive Board took such ac tion on the advice of City Attorney John P. Kavanaugh. concurred In by F. V. Hol man. attorney for the power companv. who said he voiced the desire of Mr. Jos selyn, whom he had Just consulted by phone. Only Company In Field. "Our company is the only one that can supply the lighting current." Yee, and Mr. Josselyn is taking every possible ad vantage of that circumstance. The city must have lights, which are almost as great a necessity as water, and the com pany la getting rtie maximum rate by rea eon of its monopoly. The city is in the position of any other consumer of cur rent and must pay the price or do without. "1 have made all kinds of propositions to the city for a settlement of the trou ble." again says Mr. Josselyn. "but I have quit, because our company Insists that the old matter be settled before we make concessions in new rates. As the old dispute Is still unsettled, we seemingly cannot come to terms." All kinds of propositions hare not been made to the city for settlement. Only one kind of proposition has been made by Mr. Josselyn. It has been made In dif ferent forms, but In Its last analysis It gets back to Just what he says, vlx: "Our company Insists that the old matter be settled" before we come to terms." In short: "We. Mr. Josselyn Company, are the only peo ple; you. the people of Portland, must do business exclusively on our terms or get off the earth. Your city must be lighted. We ha.ve the only lights and you will pay our price and pay all our claims, whether Just or not, or do without lights." At a meeting of the executive board In January Mr. Josselyn stated that his company would entertain no proposition whatever for lighting the city which did not Include full payment of all dis puted accounts on the old contract. And when Jiis position was Justly character ised bv the members of the board as a holdup' and species of blackmail be re treated behind bis board of directors and named William M. I.add. Theodore B. Vllcox. John C Alnsworth. Charles F Swlgert. C. X. Huggtns and B. 8. Jos- welyn as being responsible therefor. A to Old Contract. Tha old contract expired December SI 1. Under It the company guaranteed lights of a certain kind, consuming a cer tain current, having a certain lighting Street Committee of Executive Board Strongly Favors Accepting $72, 000, Bid for Filling Series of East Side Streets. mission to citizenship dropped off 20 per cent last month, as compared with the same time in 1608. There was an increase of 20 per cent in the number of cases brought in the State Circuit Court. The complete report, with the exception of the amount of money paid to the County Clerk, this portion of the report not be ing complete last night, is as follows: Cases in Circuit Court. 1909, 207; 1908, 173; cases in County Court. 56, 57: nonaup port cases. 5. 7: divorces. '29, 3."; marriages, ISO. 119; Instruments recorded. 3310. 2449; marginal releases of mortgages. 454. 848; amount received for certified copies. $104.05, 180.40: articles of Incorporation filed, 59. 44; declarations of intention, 89. Ill : citizens admitted. 6. 0; insane committed to the asylum, 18. 25; notary commissions recorded. 45, 40: notary certificates issued, 92. 70: liquor licenses issued by county. 1. 1: medi cal licenses recorded. 9. 7: dental licenses recorded. 1." 1; optometry licenses recorded, 2. 0; stallion licenses issued. IS, 0; hunters' licenses issued. 28, 49; physicians' certifi cate issued. 4, 0. LIVE WIRES ON STREET WORKMEN HAVE CLOSE CALL AT SEVENTH AND STARK. l'assers-By Are Also Sent Scurrying When Tangled Lines Fall to Pavement. Live wires, falling on Seventh street, be side the Imperial Hotel Annex, which is in process of construction, caused people to scramble for safety yesterday after noon. Five wires carrying 10,000 volts each burned out with red, green and blue flame, accompanied with a loud sizzling, and dropped to the pavement near some of the workmen who are employed on the building. With blue flames at their heels, these laborers and a number of passers-by rushed to the opposite side of the street. No sooner had they reached the opposite side than a wire which was stretched across the street dropped, and the fright was increased still more. In their mad hurry to get away they collided with As the current was cut off at the sta tion at the time the wires burned out, no damage was done, and soon a force of linesmen replaced the ruined wires. It is not known what started the trouble, bit It Is thought that a piece of baling wire used in the construction of the building was thrown down from the top of the new structure, and that this, crossing the wires, caused a short circuit. The first wires then fell on the others, with similar resultB. . . Electric lights, elevators, fire signals and other electrically-propelled devices were out of commission for a time, but were soon started rxmning by a current curiosity-seekers who were hurrying to over other lines. Besides the inconvenl- the scene. I ence. the damages amounted to about $250. .The" Pacific Bridge Company has won a signal victory over the Lane Administra tion by securing the recommendation of the street Committee of the Executive Board that the contract for the big fill, on East Third street, from Hast Stark PENINSULA ADOPTS MOTTO Wants Big .Share of Portland's In creased Population. ' "Energy, Enterprise . and Enthusiasm; j 300.000 of the 500.000 of Portland's popula- j tlon to be on the Peninsula in 1912. We I grow roses. The Peninsula is growing. ( Come and grow with us." j r I .. . 1 ......-. nnntA nr i no miRinpsH men or I n femnsiuiH. street to Hawthorne avenue, he let at I a"nd will be placed on trhe envelopes and , the price of J72.000. The work has been business literature of all firms in that , neia up oy Mayor Lane and members of the street committee for many month Difference Would Be $37,000. The difference of $5 per lamp on the present Installation of lamps is $S140 per annum, of $24,420 for a three-year term. But as the Installation must be greatly increased, the actual difference would approximate $37,000. On a five year contract It would be not less than 52.500. The position assumed by Mr. Josselyn and his company, then, is Just this: The city must pay $37,000 more three-year contract! or 52.oOO more (five-year contract) than a fair profit to the company, as a penalty for holding the company to the terms and conditions of a previous contract. With all respect due Mr. Josselyn and his board of directors, this la not proper treatment to the city that has granted their affiliated companies such extensive and valuable rights in the public's property. That the city made virtual gift to those companies of franchises worth several millions of dollars affords, of course, no ground for the city to demand even a small gift In return. The city asks no gift. but It can, and does, assert the right to investigate all claims asralnst It and to Insist that .contracts with It shall be fulfilled. The attempt of this company, by the exercise of a, sort of extra-Judicial and super-governmental power to rorce the city to pay its de mands, whether Just or not. without resort to legal tribunals, places a red hot argument at the disposal of the ad vocates of municipal ownership of a lighting plant. In common with most others who have studied the subject. I am opposed to the Investment of a million dollars of more by the city for a public lighting plant, but tha Portland Railway. Light A Power Company Is putting In some mighty good .licks to overcome opposition to that plan. THOMAS Q. GREENE, Chairman, Light- Committee of tha Executive Board. as It was said they expected a lower bid. Five times the Auditor advertised, but the only bid was the one from the Pa cific Bridge Company. AVhile Mayor I.ane was assured by a contractor that a better bid would be submitted, it failed to materialize and because of the urgent demands of the property-owners in the district, the committee recommended the award. The only large plant In the city, prop erty equipped for the making of fills, is owned by the Pacific Bridge Company. The large fills on the Bast Side are all under contract by the company, which has a virtual monopoly of the business. It is said. however. that the price charged by the concern is reasonable although the total is $3000 above the City Kngineer's estimate. Mayor Lane was absent from the meet ing when the bid was under considera tion. He has opposed awarding the con tract to the bridge company, and his in fluence held back the award until yes terday. It seems evident now that the Mayor will not interpose any further objection, and it is fully expected that the contract will be awarded at the next session of the Executive Board. . Many property-owners in the district affected have strongly urged the award ing; of the contract, as they wish to pro ceed with important Improvements. Dr. Tj. M. Davis appeared before the committee and remonstrated against the character of the macadam pavement on Mason street. The inspectors of the City Engineer's office had certified the work as good and fit for acceptance, but Isaac Swett, a member of the committee, de clared that the inspectors cannot be de pended upon, that their reports have been found to be incorrect in many cases. Chris Minsinger, representing the Star Sand Company, the contracting firm, said that Ir. ravis never pays an assess ment until his property is ordered sold. and read from the city official paper to prove his assertion. Mr. Minsinger said he knew beTore the woik was begun that Dr. Davis would remonstrate. The com mittee will make an inspection of the street before taking final action. portion of the city. This motto was adopted at a meeting of the business . men-of North Alhina -Wednesday night, held in the office 'of J. H. Nolta. This meeting was called to consider the part -the Peninsula was to have in the cam- - palgn for the 500.000 population in 1912. It was an enthusiastic meeting, and it was deckled to co-operate with all the i civic organizations in the city. ! C t .. ...... nf . V, -Dma 1 Culture Club, was present, and he will see that the same motto will be used on -envelopes and letter paper used by the members and officers as far as possible. The North Alblna Push Club has also I ! adopted the motto and will place it on all letters and envelopes. Residents on the Peninsula will be asked as far as nnasihle to use envelopes and letter nalwr containing the motto. A very large order I for the stationery with this motto- was ! placed this week. BUHJINOTON is the first terminal site of the UNITED RAILWAYS. For the purpose of acquainting the people of Portland with the topography of BURLINGTON and its environ ments, we have had prepared for us an elaborate, expen sive and very large Trolley Wires Being Strung. Operation of the United Railways will be started. It is expected, during the coming week from Portland to Holbrook. The loose ends remaining to be fixed up be fore cars are run are now being adjusted and It Is expected that early next week the road will be in operation. Trolley wirea are now being strung" and the few remaining details disposed of. Trolley cars have arrived and are beinpr equipped with motors. Chief Engineer Wiekerha.m has been sick with the grip for the past week, but was well enough to return to his of- '. flee yesterday and Immediately took up the matters awaiting his attention. He will go over the line today and will then be able to fix the exact date of the open ing. mm MA ORDER YOURJJUNS TODAY! It's just as easy and a lot mors sural We want to supply everybody, but we can't do it unless the orders are in ahead of time. Either branch. Royal Bale my. COUNTY BUSINESS HEAVY Clerk Fields Report Shows Gain In AH Lines. That the activity in Portland's real estate transactions last month was most marked Is shown by County Clerk Field's comparative report for March. The In crease over March, 136. in the number of deeds and mortgages recorded is 37 per cent, 3310 having been received for recording last month, and 2449 in March, last year. . An increase of 26 per cent in the number of marriage licenses is sued is also shown, while the number of divorces decreased 30 per cent. The number of aliens who sought ad- Webfoot oil blacking fa shoe erea.se). softens leather, weatherproofs shoes. Brain-fag has no terrors for the one who eats Grape-Nuts 'There's a Reason" Read the little book. The Rood to Rellx-ille." in pkgs. showing every road, every ravine, the right-of-way of the UNITED RAILWAYS, its bridges, trestles and fills, showing every block and every numbered lot. This is the most complete topographical map, made to conform exactly with the contour of the ground, that has ever been exhibited in the City of Portland. This map will be on exhibition at this office all day today and tomorrow. It will be well worth your while to see it, and you are cor dially welcome. mm TRUST GO. OWNER Room 3 Chamber of Commerce PORTLAND, OREGON