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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (July 20, 1910)
lliu MORXIXG OREGONIAN, WEDNESDAY, JTTT.X u, iio. ft FOLK PUTS TARIFF IN VAN OF ISSUES Missouri ex-Governor Does Not Deny Ambition to Be Named for President. NATIONAL CRISIS FEARED remocratic Party Should Invite All Protectionists to Flock With Other Side, Says Visitor. Welcome Is Cordial. Joseph w. Folk, ex-Governor of Mis souri and candidate for the Democratic nomination for the Presidency of the United States, arrived in Portland yester day. As he stepped from the train he was received by ' the familiar "Missouri yell." as understood by the representative citizens who acted as a voluntary recep tion committee under the leadership of Benator M. A. Miller, of Lebanon, and William M. (Pike) Davie, president of the Missouri Society of Oregon. Governor" Folk, as he is designated by the former residents of his state, has been in Oregon only three days, although I.e crossed the east line of Oregon ten cays ago. After delivering a lecture in Eastern Oregon, the Governor went to California. He returned to Albany and Was at Ashland Monday. Mr. Folk does not deny that he hopes to become the standard-bearer for the Democracy in 1912. but is reticent In dis cussing other candidates. He ignored questions as to the relative strength of himself and David R. Francis, ex-Governor of Missouri, who is said to be a can didate for the same nomination. A like ate met all Inquiries as to what would happen if Governor Harmon, of Ohio, entered the race, or what influenoe Wil liam J. Bryan would have. Rule of "Classes" Feared. "I am more concerned at this time "with advancing real Democratic princi ples than in securing any public office," said Mr. Folk. Mr. Folk Is here to preach against spe cial privileges for the "classes" as the fireat Issue of the next Presidential cam paign, and charges Colonel Roosevelt with responsibility for the Taft Adminis tration and the Payne-Aldrich tariff bill. The tariff Mr. Folk declares to be a privilege enjoyed by the "classes" as against the "masses" of the people. In cidentally Mr. Folk took advantage of the opportunity to criticise the Democratic Senators from the South who voted for the adoption of certain tariff schedules, labelling their efforts as a sham fight. When speaking to the lawyers he also Indorsed the assembly idea. "Public office." said the candidate, "should be desired only as It will offer an opportunity for public service. "There Is a great tidal wave of Demo cracy sweeping over the country. Wheth er the Democratic party will ride on the crest of the wave or be buried beneath It. depends on the Democratic party be ing democratic. My main ambition is to teach to the best of my ability the principles of real Democracy as I under stand them., and aid. as far as I can, in bringing these principles into control in the affairs of the Government. "The Democratic party cannot be dem ocratic by representing merely a class or truckling to special interests. If the party should be dominated by special in terests or the agents of privilege it can not benefit by the growing sentiments Bgalnst privilege. Nation Faces Crisis. "A crisis has been reached in the af fairs of this Nation. Pick up a newspaper any day and one will find accounts of thievery and graft. What does It mean? Is corruption becoming a National dis ease? Is there something in our system of Government that encourages men to violate the conmmandment. 'Thou shalt not steal?" "Has not the example the Government set of enriching a few by taking from all, ty means of privilege, been an Influence for corruption? "With the National Government giving; privileges to a few there is encourage ment for all forms of graft. For all graft Is based on privilege. Officers are not bribed to give equal rights to all but to confer some privilege on a class. The doctrine of equal rights should be made a living, vital force in government. This doctrine opposes the privilege of sub sidies and all forms of Government fa vors. The Government has no more right to take from one man indirectly to add to the wealth of another than it has to compel one man to contribute directly to the fortunes of another. "When such Governmental favors are conferred they go to those of wealth and Influence enough to secure them, and are beyond the reach of the average -man. All political parties cetensibly oppose the privilege of lawlessness, but when it comes to the privileges conferred by law there is a distinct issue between the parties. "The Republican party stands irrevoc ably for the privilege of the tariff. The Democratic party. If true to Itself and its iram8, must siana squarely against that privilege. A tariff for revenue only Is for the benefit of the people. A tariff tor the protection of a class is for the benefit of that class at the expense of he public. Tarirr Means Monopoly. "The chief purpose of a protective tariff is to give monopoly. The Demo cratic idea should be to protect the peo ple from monopoly instead of protecting monopoly from the people. A tariff for other than revenue is a legalized graft. "The Democratic party should take an unmistakable stand on this question and Invite everyone of all parties opposed to the system of protection to unite with it and let all of those in favor of protec tion go over to the other side. Then there can be a square issue between privilege and equal rights.' A fight over tariff schedules, asserting that some are too high and that others should remain as they are. does not involve any principle, and can oly result in a sham fight." In response to questions Mr. Folk said that he believed that the elimination of privilege was the greatest question be fore the American people, but when pressed for his understanding of the ap plication of the pdmclrJe of "conserva tion." as applied to the locking up of re sources in the Northwest, he said that he was not ready to announce a plat form. "I have favored the principle of con servation under the meaning that such procedure has provided for prevention of waste of the natural resources of the Test. or their acquirement by wealthy citizens as a privilege to be exploited at the cost of the public," he said. Individual Cases Considered. "Since coming West I have acquired i Information pertaining- to your point of -lew. that is. that the resources of the Northwest have been locked up by con servation. It seems to me that the so- j lution of that question means -consideration of the merits of each individual case." When asked aa to whether Colonel Roosevelt could "come back" as the great leader of the people of the United States. Mr. Folk seemed to think that all the responsibilities of the Taft Ad ministration had been shouldered by the ex-President prior to the African hunting trip. "Mr. Roosevelt has done a great deal of good, and Is undoubtedly very popu lar," conceded' the Governor. "I have no Information as to what he will do in the future. "My opinion is that Roosevelt will support President Taft. He - is the creator of President Taft and he could not do- otherwise than support him without admitting that he made a great blunder in making a President as Frankenstein did in manufacturing a man. The present indications are that Mr. Taft will be renominated by the Republican party."' Mr. Folk is confident that the next House of Representatives will contain a Democratic majority, and that Champ Clark will be the Speaker to succeed Joe Cannon. Mr. Folk was met at the Grand Cen tral Station yesterday by members of the Missouri Society, the Kentucky Klick, the Democratic state central committee, the Mayor of Portland and several foremost members of the Mult nomah County Bar Association. He was taken In the Mayor's automobile to the Courthouse, where he gave his unquali fied indorsement to the assembly idea. Members of the Multnomah Bar Association and lawyers from other counties in the state were holding an assembly for the purpose of recom mending a non-partisan Judiciary ticket for election as members of the Supreme and Circuit Courts. As the ex-Gov-ernor entered the room a recess had been declared to allow signatures to nominating petitions to be circulated. Among the signers were Democratic Chairman Sweek. Senator Miller, Charles Miller, of Forest Grove, and many other Democrats who were acting as escort to Mr. Folk. When Introduced to the assembly Governor Folk was applauded. He said that he had been kidnaped at the Cen tral Station and brought to the law yers' assembly, but that if he were charged, with the pardoning power, and such kidnaping were a crime, he would grant a pardon. He complimented Ore gon, and said that he was glad to be with the lawyers, whom he regarded as the foundation of the Republic "Too many lawyers," said Mr. Folk, "sell their brains to the interests. It is no part of a lawyer's business to ad vise his client how to commit a crime. If by this meeting you can make the judiciary representative of the people, and not of any party or clique, you will have accomplished a great deal for your state. If you can put men on the bench who will have more regard for justice and for common sense than for trivial technicalities, Oregon will again lead in the fight for better things. "I do hope that you will be able to put men on the bench who will be guided alone by the law, their own con science and justice." Busy Programme Planned. After retiring from the Bar Associa tion meeting Mr. Folk was taken to the Imperial Hotel, where he will make his headquarters' during the four days he will be in and out of Portland. He will be escorted, today to the beach, where he will make an adddress at the Chautauqua. State Chairman Sweek, of the Democratic party, will aid the en tertainment committee appointed by President Davis, of the Missouri So ciety. The committee la composed of M." A. Miller, A. W. Lafferty and W. D. Fen ton. Mr. Folk will address the Chautauqua at Gladstone Park Thursday night. On that occasion a special train will be run. leaving the corner of Hast Morri son and Water streets at 7 o'clock. The fare is 25 cents for the round trip, and all passengers will have reserved seats at the Chautauqua. Among those who asststed in receiv ing Mr. Folk yesterday were: to. A. Miller, W. D. Fenton, A. W. Lafferty, W. M. Davis, A- P. Muntzell, J. Syd McNalr, Mayor Simon, Alex Sweek, R. D. Inman, Charles Miller. Dan Watson. Judge R. R. Butler, of Condon: F. S. Myers, For est Grove: E. L. Fraley, John Manning, W. C. Bristol. Sam White. W. L. Cooper, Bert Haney. T. T. Geer, William Vaughn, C. W. Lowe, Mark O'Neill. W. W. Cot ton, Jack O'Neill, John Annand, Dr. C. C. Lowe, G. H. Thomas. Charles Johns, C. E. Moulton. T. A. Hayes and Oglesby Toung. PORTION OF BAND OF PORTLAND MEN WHO WELCOMED JOSEPH W. FOLK AT GRAND CENTRAL STATION, AND MISSOURI EX-GOVERNOR. I . """"HOCLa, ' " .'I'lSSH ... - .. ... .. '7 I) J V ' r . t-" !) Jullos Sllvestone, Mayor Joseph Simon. Jorph W. KIh, William M. Davis, Presldeat of the Missouri s4rtT. n eer"Jo JVaaZrB M T FaT" "tate Senator M. A. M.r, Chairman of Tie hVn Commite, "0 T. T. MW, r.TG H"ey' Cwu Vanghn, Oglesby Y.nag, Secretary ef the Mutwonrl Society, Judge W. Jil G.tens, and Charie. ATTITUDE IS SHOWN Galloway Explains Letter Tax Commissioners. of SOME ASSESORS SCORED Official Declares No Command t List Notes Was Issued, but Men Are Urged to Comply With Law to Best of Ability. SALEM, Or., July 19. (Special.) In view of conflicting statements that have been made relative to a recent let ter of the State Tax Commission, is sued to the County Assessors of the state. Tax Commissioner Galloway to day submitted an interview on the sub ject, in which he points out the atti tude which is taken by the Commis sion on the question of assessing mort gage notes and gives more fully the reason why the Commission issued the letter. Mr. Galloway said: "Some interesting discussion seems to have been started by the letter re cently sent by the Tax Commission to the County Assessors in reference to the assessment of mortgage notes and other intaglble personalty. Much of this discussion has been to the point and valuable, but some of it has been highly imaginative and wholly erron eous. It Is not the purpose of the Com mission to engage in a useless contro versy over this subject; all that we ask is a fair statement and a full un derstanding of ouf position. Order Xot Issued. "In the first place, the Commission has made no order directing or com manding County Assessors to list mort gage notes or any other kind of in tangible personal property for taxation. We fully realize that it is impossible for any Assessor to place all of this class of property in his county on the assessment roll. At the same time, some of the Assessors have been and are doing all that they possibly can do toward listing such property; others are making only half-hearted effort or no effort at all In that direction. Some are trying to comply with the law strictly and are making every Inves tigation possible, even to the extent of searching records of mortgages. Oth ers are making no such effort, are searching no records and are listing for taxation only such moneys, notes, accounts, etc.. as the taxpayer In the goodness of his heart voluntarily re ports. "This state of affairs being apparent to the assessing officers of the state, the question has been repeatedly com ing to the Tax Commission, 'what do you advise us to do?" or what are you going to do to equalize the assessments of mortgage .notes?" These inquiries have been answered from time to time as presented. Finally, it seemed ad visable for the Commission to Issue a general letter on the subject and send it to all the Assessors. Assessors Are Advised. "When a question of this character arises and inquiries come in from the Assessors, we try to point out t.-e law and advise each Assessor to do nis duty to the best of his ability. The As sessor who tries to comply with the law, both as to the assessment oJ all kinds of taxable property and as to the valuation thereof, is commended by this Commission and we r. willing to assume our full share of responsibility for advising the course he pursues. "In equalizing the county valuations last year for the purpose of making the apportionment of the state tax, we took into consideration the evident fact that Assessors had exercised various degrees of diligence and care in listing moneys, notes, accounts, etc. We made allowance for the condition that in some counties a much larger proportion of the intangi ble personal property had been assessed jtAm kr& than in other counties. We shall doubt less follow a similar course this year. The commission will certainly not pen alize diligence and reward negligence on the part of assessing officers. This talk to the effect that the commission may have some plan in mind to bump Mult nomah County is foolish. We have tried in the past to treat all the counties fair ly aqd we shall continue that effort in the future. The fact that the total assess ment of moneys, notes and accounts amounts to less than ,6 per cent of the total taxable property of the state shows that this class of property cannot be an element of great consequence in the equalization between counties. Assessment Xot Defended. "We do not defend the assessment and taxation of mortgage notes, or of intangi ble personality generally, as an economic propostion. Personally, I am willing to agree with much that has been said in regard to the futility and injustice of such taxation. But this board is not a legisla tive body. It is not its province to say what the law should be. In its adminis trative capacity, it is the duty of the board to advise Assessors as to the law and urge them to comply with it In as faithful a manner as possible. That a law may be bad. or impossible of equit able enforcement is not our fault. It can hardly be argued that It Is within the province of a public officer to advise or encourage violations of any law. Only through honest endeavor to enforce a law can Its defects be fully realized and a rational demand for its modification or repeal be awakened. "In further explanation of our position I trust it is not, amiss to quote some law: Section 1, article IX of the constitution of Oregon states: Constitution Is Cited. " "The Legislative Assembly shall pro vide by law for uniform and equal rate of assessment and taxation: and shall prescribe such regulations as shall secure 'a Just valuation for taxation of all prop erty, both real and personal, excepting such only for municipal., educational, lit erary, scientific, religious or charitable purposes, as may be specially exempted by law." "Referring to this section, the Supreme Court of Oregon has repeatedly held that no power exists in the Legislature to exempt from taxation any property what ever, except the certain classes specially enumerated. "Section 1, chapter 268, laws 1907 vides: pro- "" 'All real property within this state, and all personal property situated or owned within this state, except such as may be specifically exempted by law, shall be subject to assessment and tax ation In equal and ratable proportion." "Section 3 of the same law Includes within the classification of taxable per sonal property: "All debts due or to be come due from solvent debtors, whether on account, contract, note, mortgage, or otherwise, either within or without this state." "I may have something more to say on this subject later." WORK ON ROAD IS STOPPED Progress on Coos Bay Line Delayed Pending Proposed Sale. MARSH FIELD. Or.. July 19. (Special.) Most of the work on the property of the Coos Bay Rapid Transit Company has been stopped. Recently L. D. Kin ney, the promoter, gave an option on a majority of the stock to a representative of San Francisco people and It is said that the delay is for the purpose of await ing action by the new owners. The com pany had done a good deal in the way of building and equipping offices and in grading for terminal grounds. Some grading on the proposed right of way was done. The steam schooner Redondo brought a cargo of steel rails for the company but as they were to be paid for on delivery, and as the company did not settle, the rails are still being held by the owners of the boat. J. M. Blake, who was granted a fran chise for an electric line In Marshfield, has been given some extensions by the City Council. He agrees to have one mile of track built in Marshfield by the first of next year. RAILWAY CHANGES ROUTE Mount Hood Line to Pass Two Miles North of Gresham. GRESHAM. Or.. July 19. (Special.) The Mount Hood Railway Company's ' I t XTRA Boys' Knickerbocker Suits at Extraordinary Reductions TO CLOSE BALANCE OF STOCK ON HAND WE OFFER $20.00 Knickerbocker Suits Now .... $15.00 Knickerbocker Suits Now .... $18.00 Knickerbocker Suits Now . . . . $12.50 Knickerbocker Suits Now . . $10.00 Knickerbocker Suits Now .... $ 8.50 Knickerbocker Suits Now .... $ 6.00 Knickerbocker Suits Now . . $ 5.00 Knickerbocker Suits Now .... BEN surveying crew, engaged for a month in locating the right of way to Bull Run, has completed its work. Grade stakes have been set from Rockwood eastward to the powerhouse and the en gineers have gone to Montavilla as a base of operations for the remainder of the work. By the new route the railroad will not go through the corporate limits of Gresham as Intended two years ago, when operations ceased on account of litigation. The road will pass to the north of the city where a large tract of land has been bought, and where the depot buildings and side tracks will be built. It is currently reported that active operations will be begun in a few weeks and that the road will be in operation by the end of the year. It is understood that cars will enter Port land over the O. R. & N. Company's In FECIAL $12.50 $10.50 $12.00 $ 8.15 $ 6.95 5.95 4.35 3.65 LEADING CLOTHIER tracks from Montavilla, where the two roads will connect. Camp Meeting to Open. Wednesday. SAIEM, Or., July 19. (Special.) The United Evangelical campmeetlng at Qulnaby Park, a few miles north of SUMMER DELIGHTFUL DAYLIGHT TRIP DOWN THE COLUMBIA On the Oregon Railroad & Navigation Co; POPULAR T. J. POTTE Leaving Ash-Street Dock during the week at 8 :30 A. M. On Sat urday at 1 P. M. No Sunday trip. Connects at Megler with Ilwaco Railroad trains for all North Beach points. ' The Steamer HASSALO also leaves Portland daily except Sunday, from Ash-Street Dock, for Astoria at 8 P. M. (Saturdays 10 P. M-). On its return trip it leaves Astoria at 7 A. M. daily, except Sunday) and touches at Megler at 7:30, so that passengers for Beach resorts are not required to change steamers at Astoria. On Sunday mornin it touches at Megler (7:30 o'clock) to land Beach passengers before arriving at Astoria. Sunday visitors to the Beach who may not be able to take the Pot ter at 1 P. M. Saturday can leave on the Hassalo at 10 P. M., and reach destination Sunday forenoon. The return trip will be on the Potter Sunday mght, arriving Portland early Monday morning. This con venient arrangement affords nine hours at the Beach without loss of time from business. Send for our beautifully illustrated booklet, "Outings in Oregon telling all about the Beach resorts. Season Rates from Portland, good six months S4 OO Three-Day Saturday to Monday Rates !s300 Portland to Megler jand return, one-day trip on Potter! !.!!"2!oO Corresponding low rates from all 0. R. & N. and 3. P. points. Baggage for steamer Potter must be delivered at Ash-Street Dock at least thirty minutes before leaving time. For further particulars, reservations, etc.,. call on our City Ticket Agent, Third and Washington StreetsPortland, Oregon, or write to WM. McMURRAY, General Passenger Agent r. IMtli ! W1ISJH1 ' 1 I'ltuLL 1 I'opo.ristrtford, Coaimert, tiudton, Gramm Commercial Vehido fn no V' A C SOTH A I ; JMUaMnMWsi LING Salem, will open "Wednesday evening and an exceptionally large attendance is looked forward to . The campmeeting will continue through July 23, and an ex cellent programme has been arranged with speakers scheduled from all over the Valley, as well as from out of the state. SERVICE -TO- STEAMER Beach R misligi vrrirnTTr f j 1 j 1 x 1 X rFn 105.0