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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (May 15, 1911)
TIIE 3IOIG OREGON IAX. MONDAY, MAY 15, 1911. 6 1 M)t (DmrimtttH lOB,TLA.VP. ORIOOX. Cntm4 at Portland. Oreson. Poetofflce as Pcosuc:m Matter. ubacrtpUoa Kates Invariably ta A J vane. (BY MAIL) IatTr. VcB6ay Included, on a year. . . M. rai:v. Suadar Included, sis mouths... lair. Bandar Included, three months. Pallr. Sunday Included, en month.. . . 111t. without Sunday. b year. ...... LaJ.y. without Pundmy, a x months. ... X!lv. without Sunday. thrM months., pally, without Sunday, one month. ... "Weekly. oa year. Sunday. one year.... Sander and weakly, on year. ...... . 4.M . ris . .75 . - . 1.73 . . 1.50 . $-eO . 8.50 BT CARRIEit) Dally. Ponder lo-tuded, one year....... Celiy. Sunday Included, on month..... Hot t Remit Send poetofflce W order, expreee order or personal ehec oo year local bank. "tamps, coin or currency are it trie sender's r'.aa. Oive. poetofflco address la full, lnclndlnc county and state. rataft Kates 10 to 14 iM. 1 cent: IS to 2 pases. 2 cents; SO to pasea. cents; eO to pases. 4 rents. Forelca postage doable rate. raw ni fraetaeae Oftli-s Verre Conlt I!n New Tor. I mosaic, building. Chi eeso. Stofer building. TOBTUaXD, MO NT) AT, MAT M. ltlt. a mtu BPrccxAnoN. Th poll, by the St. Louta Republic of the) Democratic editors of Missouri to ascertain the trend of eentlment re garding the choice of the next Demo cratic nominee for President recalls again the fact that Oregon and Ne braska will be polled under the authority of state laws next Spring on the larger Question of choice of can didates for both parties. The lack of value of such polls locally applied is . Illustrated In the Missouri case. Champ Clark, a favorite son and recognized Presidential timber, received only half the votes polled by the editors, while the remaining votes were scattered among eight other men. several of whom are not now looked upon as possibilities. Presidential preference laws are likely to result In diverse expression of whims, fancies and local favoritism. For. example, one Missouri editor favors W. J. Bryan, yet we may con fidently expect Nebraska Democrats to give Bryan a plurality If he consents to the use of his name In the pri maries. But If direct nomination of Presiden tial candidates had been the National policy In would the Peerless One now have the adulation of even one Missouri editor? Would he be the choice of Nebraska Democrats for any office? Chances are the "cross of gold" speech would have been de livered at some crossroads near the River Platte and Tryan would be re tired on his early laurels gained as the Boy Orator of Nebraska. Instead of his fame as a National party ' leader. Under Presidential preference laws, or direct nomination of Presidential candidates. If either becomes general throughout the country, future can didates will have to work their way ;up step by step. It will be Impossible to create a stampede with one flight of oratory. the Ideal avd the real. Dr. Woodrow Wilson says he has ot discovered anywhere a purpose to supplant representative government with direct legislation. The excellent doctor Is therefore heartily and un reservedly for the initiative and refer, endum, for he thinks that it rein forces, and does not subvert, the con stitutional system of our revered forefathers. If the doctor's thesis Is correct, no sincere friend and supporter of rep resentative government government of. by and for the pePl will quar rel with him. But unfortunately It is not correct. When the distinguished traveler reaches Oregon In his swing around the circle he will find here a decided and perhaps a growing senti ment to abolish the Legislature. It .has found expression In various ways. For example, at the session of the Etate Orange at Corvallls. last week. r resolution proposing substitution of The commission for the legislative form of state government was seri ously urged. During and immediate 1r after every session of the State Leg islature we see In the radical press violent attacks on that body, with di rect suggestions that it Is more than useless; that It betrays the people; that it Is venal, corrupt. Indolent, unintel ligent and reactionary; that it legis lates too much, with too little benefit; that it Is not responsive to public opinion; that as a system It has ut terly broken down; and that Its fall .ures. omissions, evasions and imper fections can and must ail be corrected by the people. The result is to de moralize the Legislature, and to bring upon It contempt and opprobrium not altogether deserved. Dr. Wilson understands and accu rrately states the true function of dl xect legislation; but he has yet to learn how it works In its free-and-aay form. In Oregon, as everyone knows, there are two Legislatures, one ft Salem and one at Oregon City, in VRen'a hat. There should be one Legislature and one court of popular appeal from the Legislature whenever it shall fall In its duty to the people themselves. Such a government would be Ideal. It Is the kind of government .Dr. Wilson and every other good citl cea wants. But who will say that we have it in Oregon? ax."iiRrxo r-OKTUAN'rv. The granting of a permanent In junction restraining the filing of "vex atious and frivolous suits" against the Broadway bridge ought to be suffclent to stop the numerous attacks that bare been made against the city's credit since the Broadway bridge be came a live Issue with the people of Portland. It Is unfortunate, however, that the order could not have Included the circulation of false reports which rave been sent out for no other pur pose than to damage the credit of the city to the extent of preventing the sale of the bridge bonds. As a rem edy for this latter method of "knock ing" It 1 suggested that civil action for damages be undertaken by the city. It la regretable in the extreme that the overwhelming majority of taxpayers who voted for the Broadway fcrldge. and w ho will be obliged to pay for It and all the delays that have been caused, should be unable to free the city entirely from, the unwarrant ed attacks made on our credit. The principal business Interests of the West Fide are anxious for the early completion of the Broadway bridge. In iorder that the thousands of dwellers on the East Side of the river can reach tthe West Side with as little delay as possible. For similar reasons, dwcll iers In the residence districts of the iEast Side are anxious for the early rcompletion of the much-needed bridge. rjThe problem, since its inception, has always been one of the "greatest good for the greatest number," and if the matter "were less serious It would seem ridiculous that a dozen or two Frank Klerxans could set aside the plans and thwart the wishes of a city of more than JOO.000 people. The persistent and consistent attitude of the Broad way bridge obstructionists has served to advertise Portiand in certain finan cial circles as playing the role of a bunco sharp seeking to sell gold bricks to the unwary. This is a reputation to which Port land is not entitled. The credit of the City of Portland is behind the bridge bonds, and that credit was placed there by an overwhelming ma jority of the people. There is no question about the legality, propriety and advisability of the bond issue. The money will be forthcoming and the bridge "will eventually be completed. Meanwhile there Is no apparent method by which the foolish crusade against the project can be entirely stopped. Portland is a big city, how ever, and is growing more rapidly than ever, and in contemplation of this growth and of the vote by which the Broadway bridge was carried, the Frank Klernans might, with ad van tnre to themselves, recall that old fable of the fly that clung to the cart wheel in a Tain effort to stop Its revo lutions. - 0 FREE TRADE FOR GEORGE, cAnA rYi.mluirlaln Tjrofesses to be indignant that The. Oregonlan has Intimated la Its Washington corre spondence that he la for free trade In wni tt. la ntt. The Orexonian should irnwn luiftor Hi la not and never was for anything that he thinks might Jeopard his political standing at TT ran blow hot and blow cold on the tariff with any of them. He can be for no tarirr or low tan it or high tariff or any old tariff on any old commodity. Just whatever suits the boys who do the shouting for Cham berlain about election time. If the boys want free wool. George Is for free wool; If they want a low tariff on wool, there you'll And your Uncle George; and If it occurs to them that schedule K the iniquitous schedule K U Just the thing for Oregon. George can go as far as the most pur blind protectionist in whooping er up for schedule K. Depend on your Uncle George. Of course George tells you during the campaign that the very babies are crying for tariff for revenue, or free trade, or some other of the immortal and variegated Democratic tariff doc trines but when it gets crown to real brass tacks George delivers the goods, no matter what the platform says. Free trade with George means free trade In somebody else's commodity, not the Oregon woolgrower's. Free trade in wool? Perish the thought. Free trade in moonshine and the other foreign commodities, but not in wool, or hops, or fruit, or anything" else raised in Oregon. The Oregonlan of course withdraws Its libelous statement that Senator Chamberlain was for free trade In wool. Ue is not for free trade In any thing but votes unless, of course. It is free trade in something or other that Is dr might get more votea in Oregon. Then George is for it, hide, hair and tall. A FARMERS rXTON. The farmers of Powell Valley, car rying out an Idea long held by the State Grange, have undertaken to form a farmers' co-operative organization through which they expect to do their marketing to better advantage to themselves. The object will be to eliminate the "middleman" the tra ditional and ever-present absorber of farmers' profits to a reasonable ex tent from the .handling of farm prod ucts. ' Farming In the Willamette Valley has grown during relatively recent years from the hit-and-miss methods of pioneer times, that were Induced by an almost total lack of a ready mar ket for farm products to a systematic business the results of which are com mensurate with the Intelligence and Industry employed In Its pursuit. So generous Is the soil and so dependable the climate of this section of the state that the returns from agriculture can be gauged with as much certainty as can those of any other business for which there Is a steady demand call ing for adequate supply. This fact. In conjunction with a constantly wid ening market. has revolutionized farming In the Willamette Valley, though, truth to tell, there are still plodders who pursue the old single crop system, the insignia of which is Impoverished lands, unpalnted houses, pest-ridden orchards and dilapidated fences. But these are diminishing year after year and new methods are succeeding the old lack of method in conducting farming operations. Still, there Is much to be desired in making farming in this region profit able to those who engage In it. Meth ods Whereby this end can be accom plished have been instituted by the grange movement from time to time, with Indifferent success, or at a heavy loss to those who engaged in It. The grange warehouse for the storage of wheat was one of these; the building of and attempt to run a steamboat on the Yamhill River up as far as Mc Mlnnvlile was another. These and other efforts, though unsuccessful, were commendable for the spirit that they evinced and for the purpose sought and only failed through lack of experience in the business of those who put up the money and assumed the obligations incident thereto, and through the formidable and trained competition which they met. There would be something pathetic In the efforts that farmers have made from time to time to secure fair returns for their Industry were not this effort so sturdy and so manly as to reject pity. As It I". It marks the noble discontent of intelligence that asks Just returns for productive labor. The new undertaking noted Indi cate the awakening of a practical and Intelligent purpose. There Is no rea son why the farmers of Powell's Val ley an exceedingly productive and well-settled section of Eastern Mult nomah should not i control, through co-operative methods, the marketing of their products and also secure through theadvantage of wholesale prices and lower rates upon home sup plies than now prevail In farming dis trict A farmers co-operative asso ciation, managed according to rules of business fairness and safety, has been a dream of years to thrifty farmers who have seen the profits of the "mid dlemen" absorb the profits of the pro ducer. .This realization of a long-deferred hope seems imminent in Pow ell's Valley, since a meeting has been called for May 20. the purpose of which is to form an association for the co-operative marketing of all produce I raised by Its members. Properly man aged, such an organization should prove of substantial benefit to those most vitally concerned. FOUTS T3. ELLIS. It seems that the recall la the form that has been adopted in Portland may be applied to almost any means or end. Just now the voters of the Tenth Ward are asked to vindicate Mr. Seneca Fouts. Mr. Fouts' record in office he holds that of Represent ative in the Legislature Is not in is sue and the recall l1 not specifically directed at him. But Mr. Fouts' hon esty and Integrity have been attacked by Mr. J. T. Ellis, who is City Coun cilman from the Tenth Ward, and to retaliate Mr. Fouts has brought about an election for the recall of Mr. Ellis. Of course it must be admitted that Mr. Fouts did not originate the recall movement. .That started some time ago over thS expediency of some ac tion or other of Councilman Ellis con cerning a proposed sewer. The peti tions languished, however, until Mr. Ellis accused Mr. Fouts of attempting to ferrba him. Then Mr. Fouts dls- j covered, for the first time, that Mr. Ellis "does not faithfully and effi ciently represent the interests of the, Tenth Ward nor of the City of Port land." He got very, busy, revived the petitions and has now filed them in the office of the City Auditor. The present status of the affair does not indicate, however, that any final issue will be drawn as to Mr. Ellis' doings In the City Council. It is to e simply a personal matter be tween him and Mr. Fouts. We pre sume. If Mr. Ellis is retained in office, that it will be construed that the Jury of the voters in the Tenth Ward be lieve Mr. Ellis spoke the truth when he charged that Mr. Fouts attempted to bribe him to drop the initiative petitions proposing a competitive pav ing ordinance. If Mr. Ellis Is recalled, we presume It may be inferred thaf the voters of the Tenth Ward believe Mr. Ellis is a liar and slanderer. All of which is a matter of grave impor tance to the community which pays the election costs. To such depths of usage does the recall descend when it Is made the easy medium for trying out personali ties, spite work and political squab bles. When will the people awaken to the need for safeguarding the re call so that it may be used solely In cases of public emergency? CREATING ABTIKICIAL CONDITION'S. The most serious objection ever made against the protective tariff was that it created artificial conditions to meet which artificial methods were re-' quired. The natural workings of old law of supply and demand which had governed commerce through all the world's history have been nullified by artificial laws for which the tariff alone Is responsible. The evil of this policy "of protection is quite plainly shown In the present Canadian reci procity negotiations. The manager of the National Lumber Manufacturers' Association, In testifying before the Senate finance committee last Satur day, declared that if the reciprocity measure becomes effective British Co lumbia lumbermen will wrest control of the California markets from Wash ington and Oregon lumber Interests, and upon completion of the Panama Canal will cut deeply Into the Eastern market, which these two states now dominate. The reason given by this expert for the passing of control of the lumber business into the hands of the Can adians was not that they had any economic advantage in the cost of timber or of manufacturing the same, but that "British Columbia mills can ship in foreign bottoms at less rates than are charged by American coastwise vessels." No suggestion or intimation is made that we should meet this threatened competition with exactly the same weapons that are used by our competitors, which in this case are free ships. We have, unfortunately, by denying American citizens the right to use foreign bot toms In their carrying trade except on special routes, created artificial conditions. The standpat element that is fighting Canadian reciprocity de mands a perpetuation of these arti ficial conditions, and to keep them In force must necessarily insist on the retention of the tariff on lumber. If we were permitted to use ships of all nations, an Inexpensive privilege enjoyed by the Canadians, there would be no need of any other kind of pro tection against Canadian lumber. In other words. If we will keep our lum ber business and our shipping busi ness on a natural basis instead of in sisting on the establishment of an arti ficial condition In one industry, for no other reason than to offset an arti ficial condition which we ourselves have created in another industry, we can quite successfully meet any jcom petltion which the untrammeled Can adian can offer. The imperative necessity that Amer ican commerce be provided with cheap ocean carriers is not confined to the lumber trade. The consumers and producers of commodities which are carried in ships outnumber the ship owners in the ratio of thousands to one. They have rights that should be considered in the matter. The prosperity of the entire Pacific Coast region would be greatly enhanced by granting our producers and consum ers the cheap oceaa freights now available to Canada. A LEAF FROM THE FAST. A prominent incident perhaps the most prominent, certainly that of the widest Import tn the political reign of the late ex-Governor Grover was his Issuance of a certificate of election to Eugene A. Cronln as Presidential Elector in 1S76 in the place of Dr. J. W. Watts, of Yamhill County, who was held to be disqualified for the po sition because, at the time of his elec tion. November, 1876, he held the commission of postmaster at La Fay ette, in that county. Dr. Watts was a man of consider able prominence in politics and espe cially as a temperance worker. He was a" powerful man physically, and his voice, with a decided nasal twang, was heard throughout the later years of hla life throughout Oregon and Washington in favor of prohibition. He was a frugal man withal "a little . in,4l which explains his folly in holding on to the position of village postmaster uno pay -wn .nn...r about S400 a vear). while eagerly accepting the honor of a place on the ticket as yresiaeniiai tucior for Rutherford B. Hayes. Of course neither he nor any one else thought that the electoral vote of Oregon would be a deciding and hotly fnrtor In the Presidential -i-i, aund' the campaign managers gave no thought to the postmastershlp of one or tne tnree Oregon eiectora until the astounding closeness of the votp in the electoral college was re vealed by the returns. Needless to say, the commission of Dr. Watts was surrendered without delay, notwith standing which the certificate of elec tion was withheld from him by Gov ernor Grover and issued Instead to Mr. Cronln. Though Mr. Hayes was seat ed by the electoral commission, his rightful Incumbency of the ofQce was and is still held in doubt by perhaps a majority of the American people. It may be said of his Administration that It was a clean one, though tame, absolutely without incident, and was from first to last under the shadow of popular disapproval. As to Dr. J. W. Watts, he fell utterly and Irrevocably from his party's grace and died some years later politically speaking "unwept, unhonored and unsung." Governor Grover's action in the premises was tnat of an Intense parti san who eagerly grasped an opportu nity to do hla party a great favor in a matter that was deemed of vital im portance. Though bitterly denounced at the time by a majority of his fellow-citizens for his action. It was con ceded, aftpr the storm had subsided, that he had done nothing more than what, under the circumstances, he might reasonably have been expected to do. Of the chief actors In the Presidential drama of 1876, Samuel J. Tllden. Rutherford B. Hayes, J. .W. Watts, E. A. Cronln and La Fayette Grover, the last, but yesterday con signed to his grave, was for many years the sole survivor. The salmon run at the mouth of the river is reported very light. Such a re port, however, la not unusual at the beginning of the season and It has not Infrequently happened that light runs early In the season have been followed by phenomenal runs later. Meanwhile it is encouraging to note that the lower river logging camps and mills are run ning full blast, while in other parts of the state wool is being sold in 600,000 pound lota and strawberries are about ready to move in carload lots. There is something doing all the time in Ore gorx If any one of the numerous re sources of the state Is backward In Its contributions to the circulating me dium, the deficiency is usually made up by the others. The salmon indus try is of immense value to the lower river country and a light pack would be deplored. And yet the difference between a large pack and a light pack means less to the state and to the lower river country than It formerly did, when salmon was the predominat ing factor in our prosperity. The Harrlman line into Central Ore gon was opened to Madras last Satur day. The first circus to show in Cen tral Oregon divided honors with the railroad "opening," some of the visit ors coming from points eighty miles away. Now that Madras has enjoyed two oelebratlons lrn honor of the com ing of railroads, she will probably set tle down to business and provide some thing besides circuses for the railroads to move. Both the Hill and the Har rlman interests have spent large sums of money in building up the Deschutes River and returns in keeping with the size of the Investment will not, under the most favorable circumstances, be forthcoming for a ferw years. But there Is an Immense area of rich terri tory tributary to the new roads, and Industry and thrift on the part of the residents will bring results that will make the newly opened region attract ive alike to the people and to the rail roads which serve them. Henry E. Reed's article on drift of population to the city strikes the nail squarely on .the head. There Is too much "orchard" land and not enough vegetables on the market. But where la the remedy? The lure of the little farm is a disease that must burn Itself out without a cure, on the one harM; on the other, the man of advanced years, whose ambition has been a life of so-called ease In the city, has ready ears to listen to the promoter and with the price of the option in his pocket will cheerfully let his-160 or 320 acres lie Idle a year or two. Dur ing the last cycle it was prunes. Many stayed with them and have prospered, but much of the land went back be cause it was unadapted. Now it is apples, and in twenty years the same atory will be told, unless discretion is used in choice of soils, climate and lo cation. The three branches of American Methodism are still discussing proj ects of union, but they do not unite. It is instructive to compare the nu merous Inharmonious factions of Christendom with the complete unity which prevails among the followers of Satan. We are told that if the devils should fall out among them selves hell would fall. What is likely to happen to the Kingdom of Heaven if the Christian denominations go on schematizing? . Senator Bourne and Senator Cham berlain are advertising through their press bureau what excellent commit tee appointments thejr now have. Then they really ought to do some thing for Oregon. They cannot here after blame it all on to Ellis. Malheur County seems to be able to "Bhow" Portland. An Ontario man was fined 125 for renting a house to people of questionable character. In that last frontier region a spade Is called a spade, when it is not a trump. Fifteen thousand people are idle In Chicago on account of an ethical dis pute between plumbers and steamfit ters. This should be a case wherein Mr. Gompers can earn his salary. Madero found it easy enough to start the Insurrection In Mexico, but neither he nor Diaz seems able to stop It. The story is an old one and finds many counterparts in history. Mr. Taft, having been a lawyer and a Judge, very naturally oppoaes the re call of the Judiciary. Bench and bar alike hold tenacious ideas of Judicial dignity. Lacking a Moses to lead the party to victory, let it be remembered that once upon a time a man by the name of David was a grand leader and fighter. The Oregon hop-contract market is firm at 21 cents, but the grower sees a better figure in the near future. By the looks of things, ex-Banker Morris has a haircut coming. The impressionable Caruso Is In more trouble over id amours. MAKING OURSELVES RICH BY TAXATION C-refni Analyal. of the T. a.d Debt Situation I. Portland -d County Inquiry as to Whether Proposed Bond Iaanea Are Jnatlfled. 1- PORTLAND, May 12. (To the Edi tor.) At the city election on June 5. the electors will vote upon several propositions which. If approved, will Increase the bonded debt and the an nual interest charge of Portland In the following amounts: Proposed Bond Issues. An'l Int. Purpose Amount. Yrs. P.C oharges. to'ldg. n.400,000 0 .04 56,000 Auditorium .... 600.000 RO .04 24.000 Cornell Oast". 350.OO0 SO .04 10.000 Municipal Jail.. 200,000 0 4 6.000 Garbage system. 75.000 80 .04 .000 Totals J2.525.000 $101,000 In considering the merits of these different Issues. It Is well to look Into the present bonded debt of the City of Portland. This amounts to $9,841,500. carrying an annual interest charge of $449,635. and Includes the following Hems: $60,000 of crematory bonds dated September 1, 1910. and maturing annually, the Interest being computed at the average per year for the life of the bonds; also. $125,000 of fire boat bonds now being advertised; also, $500,000 of Broadway bridge bonds recently sold but not yet delivered. In detail, the present bonded debt, to gether with the years when It shall mature, is as follows: City's Bonded Debt. Maturing 191T 1920 ........ 1921 ......... Amount. .$ 700,000 . 225.000 ,. 440,000 . 1.000.0OO . S.250.OOO . 200.000 . 489.000 MIi.000 700.000 . 1,000.000 . 1.12S.OOO 450,000 , 250.. 000 . 5O0.000 Ann mt. $ 83.000 10.125 ea.400 00,000 -12.500 10.000 28.700 20.750 28.000 40.000 45,000 18.000 10.000 20.000 lf22 1HS3 19S8 1923 1933 19.14 1US5 1?6 lfB9 1S0 3941 w . Totals 9,41,600 $449,535 In addition to the foregoing there are outstanding $1,609,000 of bonds of the Port of Portland and school dis trict No. 1. which the City of Port land will largely pay, as It comprises nearly all of school district No. 1 and pays on over 9S per cent of the tax able property of the Port of Portland. These bonds are: Amount. P.C An'l Int. Port of Portland..! 800.000 4 to 6 40.000 School district T19.000 44, to 6 S1.855 Totals $1.09.000 171.355 On top of the load of outstanding bonds of the City of Portland, the school district and the Port of Port land, bonds to the amount of $5,400,000 and carrying an annual Interest charge of $217,006 have been duly authorized but not Issued. These are as follows: Bonds Authorized. AutHorlrftd by. purpose. City 1907) parks 4 City (1907). docks City (1907) oreboat... City (lfiOOl B'y brldire. 1, City (1910) publlo aocka 2 Port of Portland towaBe-ptlotiee School Dlst., high school Amt Anl Int. 800,000 20.000 B0O.O0O 20,000 150.00O 6.000 250.000 5O.000 100.000 100.000 850.000 21.000 150.000 t Totals 5,400.000 $217,000 Unissued balance. tNot flxeo. So that If all the bonds to be voted upon next month shall carry, we shall find ourselves up against a situation something like this In the matter of bond possibilities: Issued, Authorized and Proposed. Amount. An'l Int. Municipal bonds out- ,,, . .... siandlng f &.841.500 $449,535 Port of Portland out- standing 890.000 40.000 School d!trtct bonds - ... outstanding ..: T19.000 81.855 Authorized, but not Is- Proposed for Jane. 1911 2.525.000 101.000 Totals $19,875,500 $838,890 That la to say, that If all the pro posed Issues carry next month, the counccll and the different boards and commissions auiaunwu w wuu can simply by executing laws already Class of property Lands in acres Town lots Improvements ; Railroad, telephone, telegraph express, oil. Irrigation, union jDepot ana leepuis-vw companies . Steamboats, engines and manufacturing ma chinery Merchandise Money, notes and accounts Capital stock -- Farm Implements, vehicles Household furniture, Jewelry Livestock - Totals In force, with an appropriate Increase In assessed valuations, saddle upon prop erty a total of bonded debt of $19,375. 600, practically all of which will fall upon the city of Portland. Add to this between $5,500,000 and $6,000,000 of outstanding improvement bonds, which are a charge against particular prop erty, and the .average taxpayer can comprehend to what dizzy heights we are ascending In the matter of taxation and bonded debt. Interest requirements of $S3S,S90 on a bonded debt of $19,375,500 would call for an annual tax amounting to three mills on $274,531,310. which was the taxable value of property 'in Portland In 1910. While there must be a day of settlement for all debt. It was not until A. L. Barbur became City Auditor, that the City Government gave any considera tion whatever to the Important matter of sinking fund. Mr. Barbur figures that a tax of four-tenths of a mill per year, the proceeds of which are Invested in local Improvement bonds bearing 6 per cent' will retire outstanding bonds as they mature, with the exception of water, school and Port of Portland is sues. In 1810 the Council levied a tax of two-tenths of a mill for sinking fund and in 1911 a tax of a quarter of a mill for the same purpose, but thiais DEMOCRATS IX THE PRIMARIES. Writer Objects to Interference With Choice of Republican Kvmlneca PORTLAND, May IS. (To the Ed itor.) Mr. Rushlight received a plu rality of the votes cast at the primary last Saturday, but how was that re sult secured? Was it by Mr. Rushlight m popularity with the Republicans? I think not. I understand there are about 18,000 voters registered as Republicans, and about 5000 registered as Demo crats. This, as almost everyone knows. Is a dishonest registration. It is Impos sible for the public to know how many Democrats falsely registered as Repub licans. This Is the oath the voter swears to: "L leaving been first duly sworn, say, upon oath, that I am a qualified elec tor, and the statements here entered opposite my name, as to my qualifica tions as an elector, are true." He does not say he Is a Republican, but that his statements are true. There Is the class of Republicans who are continually agitating the yuee tion of "voting for the man." If one observes carefully he will find these politicians always advocating the elec tion of some Democrat, as he Is al ways the "honest" man they refer to. The argument by the same class Is . - .tr.n linn, and honest (?) against an assembly or any kind of an organization by the regular Republi can a They will argue that the regular Re- kit.... arm. a ,ni f nf tl,A .1 i rent rtrl- pUUlltWJB - ' mary. when the very first sentence contained In the "noiy" primary law is: "Under our form of government, ..lt,l..l nn (tat ant naAflfl And nRr.n. ary at the present time." Their whole only a small beginning for a large and growing necessity. The status of the present bonded deDt ea cii uvi a thA olnsa of each five- year period since the first water bonds or tne pre; ent series were " Is thus shown: Bonded Debt by Periods. Bonded Period. debt. P. C. in Increase. crease. 1892-1888 4.705.000 $3,450,000 26-.S 1897-1901 6.195.000 30'0 1902-1906 8.716,500 621.500 10.0 1907-1911 ,41.500 4.123.000 72.1 The bonded debt has Increased almost as much In the four and one-third years since January 1, 1907, as it did in the entire 20 years from January 1, 18S7, to December 81, 1908. The greatest percent age of Increase was noted in the five year period between 1SS2 and 1S96 when the demands of the now city caused by the consolidation of Portland, East Portland and Alblna were exceedingly pressing. Of the total Issue of $3,450,000 in that period, the city hall called for $500,000, bridges and ferries for $750,000, and Bull Run water for $2,200,000. Ordinary prudence would seem to dic tate that the present is not a propitious time for Portland to take upon Itself any more bonded debt, no matter how worthy the object All over the coun try, business is marking time awaiting the clearing of the financial eky and the return of confidence, and Portland should not now plunge Into new debt. While communication between the two sides of the river is highly deslrab.e, the South Portland bridge will not suf fer by waiting for two years. South Portland Is on the long axis of traftio running north and south and will before long come into Its own In a way that will make up for the disadvantages which it has suffered In the past. Like wise, the Council Crest auditorium, municipal Jail and garbage propositions might rest for a few years without any harm being done. Iligh Assessments Responsible. Th,root of the evil of extravagance In Portland during recent years lies in the excessively high assessment of property in Multnomah County for pur poses of taxation. In 1904. the year before the movement toward higher assessments began, the gross valuation of property In Multnomah County was $56,427,577, and the tax rate was 40 mills. In .1905. the taxable valuation was put up to nearly $144,000,000, and the tax rate fell to 14.8 mills. It was confidently asserted at the time that high values would mean permanently low tax rates, but the theory has failed to work In practice. What has hap pened is only what reasonably might have been expected, to wit: Surplus revenues arising from high valuations have always led to an era of extrava gance, affeotlng first the public offi cials and then reaching to the general community. Thus In 1910, Multnomah County paid a 22-mlll tax on an assessed valuation of nearly $302,000. 000, which is more burdensome than a 40- mill tax on $144,000,000. In the general uplift of assessments people have come to think that our wealth Is Inexhaustible and have proceeded to tax themselves rich. The impression has got out that the West is free and Independent of the East In financial matters. This impression has, however, been lately very rudely shocked by the general caution In the financial markets, due to the business recession, the Mexican uprising, the tariff dis cussion and the wait for the decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States In the trust cases. We forget that we are only Just entering upon the period of settled agriculture in Oregon, and that we are still largely dependent for our prosperity upon our flocks and crops. Increase in Assessed Values. The increase In the assessment of various classes of property in Multno ( - j following table mah County since lav is sauwu m P. C. In Increase. crease. M''SSo ??om ;?2 13.989.8o5 1910. $ 23.090, S40 153,930.690 63,916,270 S IT.B7 2.770 326.3 130.303.490 36,950,915 651.5 263.9 1.674.890 95.306,684 SS.631.994 1411-1 1.711,560 7.840.900 5,629.340 328.8 4 034.845' 14.7B9.330 10.734.4S5 2!6.0 378.195 8.989,490 S.601.2V5 215.5 1.051.425 8.36350 7.311.523 6U5.4 123.770 1.084.165 958.395 702.3 2,166.785 7.033.810 4.867,025 224.6 279,682 839.525 719.S3S 237.3 $36.427,077 $301.825.649 $ 245,398.072 434.9 The proportion of the total assess ment in Multnomah County in 1910, borne by the various classes of prop erty was: Class Per cent. Land in acres 7-65 Town lots 51-00 Improvements 16-S7 Railroads, etc S'J? All other la.00 Total 100.00 Another factor which should make for caution at this time Is the Income tax which Congress will levy if a suf ficient number of states ratify the pro posed amendment to the Constitution of the United States, as now seems like ly. Until the amendment is ratified and the bill Introduced In Congress, we shall not know whether the tax will reach Incomes from Investments or from earnings or both. If it shall reach rents, land In Multnomah County will have a considerable National tax to bear In addition to Its present rather high proportion of local taxes. All In all, this is an appropriate time for the taxpayers of Portland to check all fur ther Increases In the bonded debt and take a breathing spell until they can find out where they stand. HENRY E. REED. argument Is to belittle a man who has the courage to stand steadfast for his convictions. The man who votes "for the man" discounts principles. The Re publican party is a political organiza tion which stands for certain well-defined principles, and a person to be trusted and relied upon will vote those principles. If he is a Democrat let him have the honesty and courage to vote his ticket the ticket represent ing the principles he believes are right and when enforced will bring the greatest prosperity to the greatest number. But what I. object to is the fact that the Democrats register as Republicans and make the Republican nominations. This corruption has been resorted to ever since we had the primary law and in my opinion is the worst feature of the law. -How long this condition Is going to continue no one can tell, but It will continue until the people be come aroused to the fact that there Is need of amendments to the primary law. I would like an opportunity to vote for some good, clean, able Republican for Mayor of our city one who is be fore the people not representing the North End, the corporations, or any other class one big enough to merit the confidence and support of those who vote tne ticket as well as register as Republicans. C. B. LA FOTJ.ETTE. Not Sympathetic In Dollars. Washington D. C.) Herald. "It certainly does make me mad." "What does?" "To find that a fellow I've been feel ing sorry for Is a heap better fixed financially than I am." Advertising Talks Br William C Freeman. William R. Hoichkln, who has been advertising director of several large department stores, does not believe In theoretical or scientific advertising. He holds fast to the good old adver tising doctrine that you must convince the purchaser at home before a sale can be made. In other words, Mr. Hotchkin thinks that the advertising copy of a firm must be powerful enough to convince to create a desire to pnrchaae before a man or woman leaves the home. When the man or woman responds to the advertisement, then polite. Intelli gent and accommodating salespeople must be on hand to consummate the ale and to create a favorable impres sion upon the mind of the purchaser. Creating a favorable impression Is most Important. Then the merchandise Itself must be all It has been represented to be the delivery must be prompt and the whole mechanism of the store must fit In with Its claims and promises. To write convincing advertisements is a hard task, but it is being done to day more frequently than ever before, because all advertising writers who use their brains realize that common case is the most effective advexttatner weapon In the world. Beautiful language. Impressive worfla, bright rhetorlo,- do not count half so much as a story plainly told. Everybody understands simple lan guage. It requires a good writer and a wonderfully human man or woman to write an advertisement that will hold; the attention of readers. Modern advertising Is plowtn and hnrrowlng and sowing seed things that must be done before the harvest can be reaped. The aale, as Mr. Hotchkin says, most be made at home first. j (To be continued.) Country Town Sayings by Ed Howe (Copyright. 1911. by George Mathews ,Adama) A hard-working man always seems to be lucky. Before I die, Td like to find something better than I expected it would be. Nothing looks prettier on a woman than a white apron with a big bow at the back. After a man has been out of Congress awhile, people say, "You wouldn't think that man had ever been in Congress, would you? They say an old fool is the worst fool: still, I know some young ones that would be hard to beat. How well-dressed, neat people are ad miredl Do you pay as much attention to your personal appearance as you should? Care in this particular pays big dividends. I A woman in half mourning doesn't seem to mind her grief much. If you keep a good resolution only a day. It has done you at least a day's good. There is the same dull routine about love affairs that there la about meals at a boarding-house. . Do you laugh at ugly people? And are you above suspicion in that particu lar yourself? Half a Century Ago From The Oregonlan, May 15, 1861. We have some important Items of Intelligence from Olympla. Acting Gov ernor McGlll has Issued a proclamation calling for the organization of the militia. The United States fort at Cbehalis is to be abandoned. JThe troops are ordered to the Sound, and Captain Molony, commanding, to the States. It ia. supposed the company at Stellacoom will be ordered home. The City Council last night elected a City Attorney. There were ten ballots taken. Result, J. H. Mitchell 6. G. H. Cartter 4, Mitchell 4. Mitchell elected. The Council then proceeded to elect a city printer. First ballot: H. I Pittock 6 votes, G. L. Curry 1 vote, Colonel King 1 vote, blank 1 vote. Pittock elected. There was a Union meeting at Ore gon City last night. The little demon strations which have been made there by the secessionists brought out the people. The flag goes up this morning. Mr. Martin for Law and Order. PORTLAND, May 14. (To the Ed itor.) Kindly permit me to correct a misstatement that occurred In The Oregonlan of this date. I have never objected to laughing children, but most strenuously object to vandals and law breakers. When I moved into this neighborhood the rule was "everything goes." Tons of cholera and typhoid breeding filth, had accummulated. I was told not to see It, to forget it, etc. On all sides our city ordinances were dally broken. In a friendly spirit 1 appealed to the lawbreakers, only to be threatened, cursed, denounced and as saulted. I have been obliged to report this unlawful state of affairs to the police department and when all milder measures failed, to swear out warrants for the arrest of the lawbreakers. By my efforts, aided by City Attorney Grant, and such a splendid deputy as Mr. Sullivan, and one of the most Just magistrates in this NatiorA Judge Taz well, I've succeeded in convicting sev eral of y these unruly people, and teaching them that other people, save themselves, have certain rights they are bound to respect. I also had a memorial In court, but signed by those who respect law and order, viz., the leading merchants and business men. I shall continue to insist on my neigh bors obeying the law. A. J. MARTIN, 1215 East Taylor street. Fields Suggested for Mayor. PORTLAND, May 13. (To the Edi tor.) If the Republicans who are op posed to Mr. Rushlight will get to gether and unite upon one Indepen dent candidate for Mayor they can elect him hands down. I know sev eral who could be elected If they would run. There is one man who can poll two votes to Rushlight's one. This man's name is Frank S. Fields. He Is well known and stands high in the es timation of the people. He is broad minded, consistent, honest and fear less and would give us a good, clean administration. We need a good, strong "Republican" to handle the Incoming Council. Mr. Rushlight is a "Populist" and has no business in the Republican ranks. W. H. GORDON. j Where the Daroasrea Go, Puck. Smith I want to sue Jones for dam- ; ages for being run down by his motor j car, but I'm afraid he has no money, j Lawyer Oh, that's all right. Lean use his car,