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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (April 30, 1912)
TTTTC JTOKXTTVO OKEGOyTAX TUESDAY, AFRTL 30, 1913. 10 rORTI-AXD, ORWK". Bnt-r-4 t Prtlnd. Or-n. Foatoffto S-on1-c!- Vtl-r. Subscription llat- Inribly In Adsne. IBT MAIUl lMr. Fund lnclu1t n rar C? ritr. sundar ln-lu1t. ! month.... P.ily .in.ty Inrlurt-J. thr month.. - li!v un.lT lnrlu.Id. dm month ri;y. wl'hout Sunday. nn y-r ru-. without Fun.1. t month IXi:r. withnuc hu-iU. thr month... - P:IT. without Sunday, on month " W-kli. on r Sunday, bm y-r " - gunda) and W.akly. on yr BT CARRIER.) PIIt. Wundav Includ-l on yr.. J" IHy. Sunday Included, on month l llw tm Remit .nd rtoffl-- money or-d-r fipr'M or.lr or p-rannal ehck on yoar lo-al b.nk. Stomp, coin or r'ljnncTmrm ml th .--rt-r- ruik. Olv potofflc- ddr in full. Includin county and tat. ra.ta.1. RIr- 10 to 1 r.- Bii,i" to s r.... 3 com. .K to P. 4.. to pa-a. 4 c-nt. For.lftt pota. doubl rat. Kaaterm Bolari Office Vrr A lln Nw York. Hrunlc bulldlna. cm rarn. tr bul'dina. Empaa OffW No. 1 Rent trt, S. W London. PORTLAND. Tl FJIDAT. ArKlt . Itlt. A WHECKDD nui:ruir. Whatever may be the political out come of the present controversy be tween Taft and Roosevelt, no man of healthy mind can help regretting that It haa aundered a friendship between two strong men which It waa a delight to contemplate. When they were pull ing together In harness prior to Taffa election to the Presidency, they were aa closely bound by the ties of friend ship as were David and Jonathan, Da mon and Pythian. Roosevelt, with his exhaustless energy, hla boundless en thusiasm, his love of action; Taft. with his calm. Judicial temper, with his wide experience on the bench and in public administration each seemed the complement of the other. The delicate tasks of the Administration were confided to Taft the pacifica tion of Cuba, adjustment of affairs on the Isthmus, a tour of the world to smooth out all the wrinkles in our foreign relations by personal contact with the rulers. And when he re turned, he was always greeted by his chief with generous praise. But the beginning of coolness dates almost from Taffs election. The first sign of It came when Taft gave the chief credit f'r his election to his brother. Charles, and to Roosevelt, putting Roosevelt second when he ex pected first place. Then came ru mored quaireui over Taffa refusal to put Loeb in the Cabinet and to make Kellogg Attorney-General. A long sep aration followed, during which Roose velt was In Africa, the Balllnger-Pin-chot controversy broke out and Pln chot waa removed. Plnchot went to Italy, smarting under a sense of sup posed Injury, told his story first and poured the poison Into the Colonel's ear. Since then the trouble-makera have been busy disparaging and mis representing Taffa every act. studious, ly fostering in Roosevelt's mind the Idea that the country needs a savior and that he alone can save It. Roose velt's egotism has done the rest. He has been tempted to dim the glory of his many great achievements, to split the Republican party Into factions, to rend apart the bonds which had grown up through many years of close per sonal and official Intercourse. This has been done by a band of men with a "grouch." who can see no good in any public work unless they have a hand In It. These men have much to answer for to the country, to their party. They also have much to answer for to Taft and Roosevelt as men, for they have wrecked friendship and left a poisoned wound In Its place in the breast of each. When the strug gle Is ended and both look back calm ly at Its small beginnings and how they have been magnified and exag gerated. Roosevelt, no less than Taft. may well curse the whole pernicious breed of mischief-makers. TAFT"" MEXICAN POLICY. President Taft Is cautiously travel ing along the road towards Interven tion in Mexico. He realizes that In tervention would be the signal for anti-foreign frenxy In Mexico which would cost many American lives and for an outbreak of denunciation from South America, where It would be re garded as confirmation of suspicion that we have aggressive designs. This would come. Mo, at a time w hen Sec retary Knox has been paying a per sonal visit to the republics bordering on the Caribbean Sea and assuring them that our policy Is only to aid them In meeting their obligations and in keeping out of trouble. But the foreign mining Interests of Northern Mexlcrr have appealed to Taft for relief and their appeals have been backed by the British. French and German Ambassadors. French and Kngll.ih papers complain of our Inac tion. France Is said to have obtained Taffs consent to a naval demonstra tion off the Mexican Coast, but Brit ain and Germany are said to prefer a Joint demonstration, followed by the landing of a small force, purely for police work. The Kuropean press- ar gues that the course suggested would convince Mexico that the United States Is not the foe to be dreaded and might cause the factions to rally around Madero In a patriotic spirit. It Is possible that Taft Is so shaping events as to cause the European pow ers to go Just far enough towards in tervention to convince Mexico of her imminent danger and to canse her to Invite American Intervention as the lesser of two evils. By thus sending our troops In response to Mexico's appeal Instead of on his rwn volition, he would figure as a deliverer rather than as an invader. The edge would then be taken off Mexican hostility to Americans and our expedition would he able to rescue American residents In Mexico alive. If we went as In vaders or were so regarded, our forces could probably render no better serv ice to American residents than to bury them and chastise their murderers. There Is every evidence that Taft Is preparing to act, but he Is reserving action until circumstances are pro pitious for the attainment of his end. which Is relief of Americana alive, not dead. Perkins supported Taft. as Roose velt's nominee. In 190. He support ed SUmson. as Roosevelt's oomlpee. In 1910. He began to nppose Taft when the latter had entered suit against the steel trust and was threatening suit against the Harvester trust. The natural Inference is that he Is actuated by resentment that Taft should not be Influenced by gratitude for his cam paign contributions to grant Immunity to the trusts In which Perkins was "interested." He pretends that reor ganization of the oil and tobacco com panies In a lawful manner has so en hanced the value of their stocks that other trusts would naturally welcome suits and compulsory organization. Then why Is he so angry at the prose cution of his two pet trusts? His ac tions belle his words. THE IRRIGATED HOMESTF.AP BILL The provision of the Borah Irrigat ed homestead bill are so reasonable and fair, both to the Government and the settler, that there should be no obstacle to its passage. The bill places the Government Hen for the cost of reclamation on the same footing as the city places a lien on a lot for the cost of street improvements. The dif ference consists In the fact that the Government is the owner of the Irri gated land, while an Individual owns the city lot. By providing that patent shall not be given the settler until he has paid 40 per cent of the charge for building Irrigation works nor until the settler has put half the land under cultiva tion, the bill gives the Government ample security for the remaining 60 per cent. This consists not only In the settler's equity represented by the 40 per cent he has paid, but In the In creased value of the land due to build ings and cultivation. At the same time the settler is enabled to borrow money on mortgage, subject to the Govern ment Hen. with which to complete his Improvements and buy Implements for economical farming. The Investment of this borrowed money adds further value to the farm and proportionately Increases the Government's security, at the same time adding to the set tler's means of payment. The passage of this bill, together with that of the three-year homestead bill, should do much to increase the number of settlers coming to the West and divert the flood of settlers which Is being attracted to Canada by tho liberal land laws of that country. Pro moting the full settlement of land Ir rigated by the Government will also Increase the sums returned annually to the reclamation fund and will thus provide funds for further irrigation projects. CRIME AI ANARCHISM. The crime of the French autoipo blle bandits and the great force re quired to capture them. Impress upon us that modern Invention multiplies the effectiveness of criminals as well as of honest men. Riding in an auto mobile at a speed which shows no re gard for legal limits, armed with au tomatic pistols. repeating rifles, skilled In the use of explosives, re sourceful, daring and indifferent to the lives of others as to their own death. Bonnot and Dubois committed crime after crime marked by un equaled audacity, dashed away at In credible speed, evaded capture by the celerity and secrecy of their move ments and by the aid of their many confederates, and were finally brought down only by a small army. The fact that their final stand was made In a garage owned by Kromen tln, the millionaire anarchist. In the heart of the "Red Nest" founded by him. Implies a close connection be tween crime and anarchism. It Is but natural that the two crime and an archism should blend. Crime is a practical denial of the right of or ganized society to exist. Anarchism Is the philosophical basts for such a denial. Anarchism declares war on society: crime carries on the war and takes from society the money with which to buy weapons. What more natural than that the criminal should, accept the. teachings of anarchism as furnishing a moral ground for his con duct? Or what more natural than that the anarchist should welcome the aid of the criminal In putting his the ories In practice? Just as the most vicious despotism can find plausible excuses for Its ex istence, so the most ruthless criminal can find a political theory to excuse his crimes, or even as a basis for the pretense of noble motives. The con duct of the Paris robber-anarchists is the most convincing argument for laws against anarchism, not only ac tive but philosophical. What the philosophical anarchist, who would never throw a bomb himself, teaches today, the active anarchist will put in practice tomorrow. There is but one course for every nation to pursue: treat the teachi. of anarchism Just aa It treats the anarchist who argues with dynamite and lead. ITALY AND THE TRIPLE ALLIANCE. Will the triple alliance of Germany. Austria and Italy, which expires this year, be renewed? This Is the ques tion which now occupies the minds of observers of European politics. There is such community of interest" between Germany and Austria that there can be little doubt of their remaining al lies, but the motives which induced Italy to Join them have passed away. Italy Joined the alliance In 18S3. when her relations with France had become strained by the French occu pation of Tunis, only 100 miles from the coast of Sicily, and by the erection In that country of an arsenal and for tifications at Blzerta, threatening Italy. These events were followed by the downfall of the Italian cabinet, the In crease of Italy's army and navy and a custom war with France. Italv then threw herself Into the arms of Ger many, the hereditary enemy of France. The building up of a counter alli ance by France and reconciliation with Italy was the work of Delcasse. the French Foreign Minister. He reached an understanding with Italy regarding Crete In 189.. made a treaty recogniz ing Italy's prior claim to Tripoli, ended the customs war and removed all cause for Italy's adherence to the triple alli ance, so far aa France was concerned. He formed an alliance with Russia and reached an agreement with Britain In 1904 by which British support of French claims on .Morocco was pledged. The Anglo-Russian agree ment of 1907 removed all danger that France might be called upon to choose between her two allies. King Edward also cultivated the friendship of Italy and relations of the latter country with Russia have lately become closer. Thus the tie which binds Italy to her allies has been perceptibly weakened, while those which bind her to the rival com bination have been equally strength ened. There Is now more cause of conflict of Interests between Italy and Austria than between Italy and any of the three powers against which the triple alliance waa formed as a defense. The two nations are rivals for control of the Adriatic Sea. Trieste and the sur rounding country are mainly Inhab ited by Italians, though under Austrian rule. Italian patriots have given to that district the name "unredeemed Italy," and at times clamor for its an nexation. The ambitions of the two nations in the Balkan peninsula also make them rivals. Fear that Italy may throw In her lot with France. Russia and Britain and desert the triple alliance there fore haunts the two Teutonic powers of Central Europe. This fear may ex plain the hesitation of Germany to give Turkey diplomatic aid against Italy during the Tripoiitan War, much as the Kaiser desires to cultivate Turkish friendship with an eye to the extension of German enterprises in Asia Minor. Italy Is In fine position to cry. "hands off to all Europe, while she fights the Turks. MAN'S KM; ITT TO RTT. A story comes from Walla Walla, Wash., of an Irate physician who, be coming distracted at piano practice at unseemly hours In the room above his sleeping apartment, rushed up stairs and laid violent hands upon the young woman who "was pounding out the "Maiden's Prayer" with improved variations at an hour when all well regulated persons are supposed to be asleep. We recall a similar case of distrac tion years ago, when cows still had the privilege of roaming and browsing upon East Side streets. An old Ger man, who wished to be able to locate his cow at milking time without un due effort, strapped an old-fashioned bell to her neck. Every Summer morning about 4 o'clock the creature. In nibbling the short grass by the roadside, found her way to the locality In which this long-suffering, hard working woman lived, and the blng bang. blng-bang of the cow's bell, as the animal busied herself in biting closer the short, green grass, made sleep In the house hardby Impossible. Finally one morning the monoton ous, unmusical sound became unbear able and the woman rushed forth in her night-robe and slippers and seiz ing a garden rake t hand, burled the teeth In the animal's flank. A lawsuit followed In which a sympathetic Jury found for the defendant. A Jury, if called upon, would doubt less find for the Walla Walla physi cian on the same basis, viz: That no one haa a right to rob a ncighbos of sleep by discordant and untimely noises. f HA MFM.AINK TERCENTENARY. A delegation of distinguished Frenchmen landed In New York the other day to commemorate by a visit to the United States the tercentenary of Samuel De Champlain. Aa a token of the traditional good will which ex ists between France and this country, the delegation brings the bust of "La France" by Rodin, the greatest of liv ing sculptors, to present to America, At the head of the visiting French men is M. Gabriel Hanotaux. Member of the Academy, who was formerly the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Premier of France, M. Poincare, Is personally represented by Le Vlcemte de Chambrun. The other members of the delegation are distinguished and Interesting. Among them one notices the name of M. Bleriot. the aviator who was the first to fly across the Straits of Dover; M. Fernand Cormon. president of the Academy of Fine Arts, and the Comte de Rochambeau, whose historic name is familiar to all Amer icans. Many pleasant entertainments are meeting the visitors In the course of their trip through the eastern part of the United States. On Monday they dined with President Taft at Washing ton. Today Columbia University gives them a reception. On Wednesday they will visit Independence Hall' at Phila delphia. Leaving for Canada they will pass by Tlconderoga, on the banks of Lake Champlain, and go to Niagara by way of Montreal. They expect to sail for France from New York on May 9. The bust will be presented at Crown Point. Samuel de Champlain was the greatest of those French pioneers and explorers who laid the foundation of an empire in the American forest. The son of a ship captain, he began his career in the army, but when he was 32 years old. In 1599, he was ap pointed to the command of the ship St. Julien, by King Henry IV. and sailed for Spanish America. The re port of this voyage was not published until 1870, but the manuscript was read by the King, whose favor waa won by the bold spirit of the narrator. He gave Champlain a "pension and made him an untitled noble. Some what dazzled, perhaps, by the royal favor. Champlain dangled for a time around the Louvre showing his grati tude for past favors by a lively expec tation of fresh ones, after the accepted manner of courtiers, but this phase of his career did not last a great while. Every adventurous soul in France at that time was fascinated by the stories of fame, power and fortune to be won in the Canadian forests. Jacques Cartier had led the way in 1534 and from that time till the capture of Quebec by Wolfe and the final fall of the French power in America, bold spirits, like Champlain, were eager to follow and emulate him. In 1603 Amyar de Chastes, a man who had been loyal to Henry of Navarre In his darkest hours and was now enjoying the felicity of hla triumph over his enemies. 'suggested to the King that it would be a fine thing to plant the banner of the Cross In the Canadian wilds and requested permission to un dertake the noble work with a monop oly of the fur trade for his earthly re. ward. Henry granted the monopoly and De Chastes made an exploring ex pedition in which Champlain had a place. The King commissioned him to bring back a "true report of what should befall" the adventurers. This duty naturally fell to him because of Henry's liking for his account of the voyage to Spanish America. They explored the Gulf of St. Law rence and sailed up the St. Lawrence River as far as Lachlne Rapids and some 30 miles up the Saguenay. Champlaln's account of this voyage was publishes in 1604 with the King's approval. It Is especially useful to historians because It gives a full and accurate account of the Canadian In dians. De Chastes died before the ex pedition returned to France, but he was succeeded by De Monts, in whose interest Champlain made four distinct voyages In the course of the next three years and explored the Bay of Fundy and the New England coast as far as Vineyard Sound. In 1608 he was ap pointed Lieutenant-Governor of New France and on July 3 of that year be gan the foundations of Quebec. It was Champlaln's policy to unite the various Canadian Indian tribes In an alliance with France against the Iro quois. The confederacy of the Iro quois, or Five Nations, was almost the sole attempt of which we have any account on the part of the American Indians to establish a well-organized government. Primitive as their fed eral union was. It nevertheless so far surpassed the wild savagery of the surrounding tribes in military effi ciency, that the Iroquois were well on the way toward extending their power over the whole of America east of the Mississippi and North of the Ohio. This, of course, was not at all to the liking of the French and they sought to prevent it by enlisting the other tribes on their side. In the year 1609, while Champlain was leading a band of allied Indians against the Mohawks, he incidentally discovered the lake which bear his name. We quote a few sentences from his description of It: "The lake Is of great extent, say eighty or a hundred leagues long, where I saw four fine islands, ten, twelve and fifteen leagues long. There are also many rivers falling Into the lake, bordered by many fine trees of the same kinds as those we have, in France, with many vines finer than any I have ever seen in any other place. Also there are many chestnut trees on the borders of the lake, which I had not seen be fore. There Is also a great abundance of fish of many varieties." In the course of this trip with the Indians Champlain witnessed the perform ances of a medicine man. whom he calls a Pllotols. The Pllotols Invoked the devil, he says, and got a promise of victory over their enemies by "lying prostrate on the ground,, motionless, only speaking with the devil. On a sudden he rises to his feet, talking and tormenting himself so vigorously that although naked he Is all of a perspiration." The medicine man made the tent shake In the orthodox fashion and the savages told Champlain that the devil did it. but unfortunately for his faith he happened to see the "rogue Inside" do It himself with his hand on the center pole. It would be agreeable If some other travelers were as vigilant and skep tical. Parkman. who is the best of Judges, says that Champlaln's name "stands foremost on the list of the pioneers of the North American for ests. It was he who struck the deep est and boldest strokes into the heart of their pristine barbarism." Humane sentiment applauds the appropriation of 11,500,000 by Con gress to repair the Mississippi levees but It is fairly certain that the work will do no permanent good. It Is a universal experience that floods grow worse and worse In rivers which are bordered by levees. The bed of the stream rises gradually by the deposit of silt and it becomes ever more diffi cult to retain the water. The Po flows for miles above the level of Its plain. Ultimately perhaps, some system of agriculture will be adopted In the lower Mississippi which will utilize the overflow and the effort to prevent It may then be abandoned. The unlucky' experiences of the babies who were placed in Mrs. I. E. Miller's "home" seem -to Indicate that an enterprise of that sort ought to be licensed and regularly inspected. We have passed by that stage of civiliza tion when it Is deemed proper to starve and poison human infants in order to save the expense of rearing them. Life is somewhat more valu able In this country than It was for merly and society sems likely to as sume the task of protecting the lives of babies before a great while. The leisurely processes of American Justice which were so much admired In the beef trust case are equally con spicuous in the prosecution of the Harvester trust. Five years of inves tigation were required before begin ning the suit. To try It will naturally require 10 or 15. The appeals and retrials will carry us well on Into the latter half of the century. Our grand children may. If they are lucky, see the end of It. Presence of women as delegates at the Republican convention of "Clark County. Washington, will restrain the brethren from repeating the scenes which marked the state conventions of Michigan and Missouri. Decorum In conventions will be a welcome In novation, though some may complain that it makes them Insufferably dull. Those who have assumed that the adoption of woman suffrage will be quickly followed, as a logical sequence, by adoption of prohibition will be undeceived by the vote which made Sacramento's annexed district "wet." There is as much difference of opin ion on prohibition among women as among men. This Is Raisin day and to give the event a proper touch of local color, Portlanders should devour an extra ration for that sterling old Oregonlan, Mr. Joe Levlnson, who Is editing and owning a daily paper at Fresno, where they make the best kind in all the world. Floods In the Mississippi Valley and tornadoes In the. -Middle West and Southwest make us refrain from grumbling at our Spring showers and thank God we live In Oregon. If little Roosevelt Sahn and little Taft Sahn should quarrel as furiously as the famous men after whom they are named, there will not be" much peace In the Sahn family. A big party of Eastern millionaires will visit Portland this week and It Is a safe venture to say each will Jingle less money in his pockets than the av erage salaried man. Lafayette agrees with Puddln'head Wilson to put all the eggs Into one basket and watch the basket. The town grants license to one saloon at a fee of $1500. These April showers are special en tertainment for Bill Hanley, who lives in a region where the natives stay out In the joccaslonal rain for the pleasure of getting wet. Greece regards the Aegean Archi pelago as her future heritage. The capture of some of yi Islands by Italy will make the PanhellenlsU boll. Apple bloom is not enough advanced to be injured by the showers, and the early fruit Is set. So the rains are welcome for the good they will do. Taft answers the Colonel and the Colonel replies to Taft. so Is. formed each link of the chain that will gall where It binds. Warships of all nations are to feel of Mexico at long distance, it seems. Make a memorandum to buy that straw hat today; also an umbrella. ftlESTIONS ASKED ARE NOT FAIR Mode of ftenate Inquiry Into Titanic Disaster Criticised. . INDEPENDENCE. Or.. April 28. (To the Editor.) I have followed closely si ....nun,- nf the TltsntC disaster. You are to be congratulated on the thoroughness ana at in time the conservatlvness of the ac counts you have rurnlsneo me puui". I note that the British press and pub lic are beginning to protest at the man ner in which the Senatorial committee is conducting its investigation. What ma i that thev have not entered an emphatic protest ere this. Our brothers across the sea are rather touchy as regards the Brltlsn seaman i hi. .uhi, with verv few ex ceptions, the accounts so far given by the survivors or the disaster nave u..i talned notnlng but praise for the offi cers and crew of the Titanic Apparent ly "quarter deck" and "forecastle" lived up to the best traditions of Anglo Saxon seamen. Why then should not the British ...uni.t.. n.fito ,t sn i n vpR ti erat Ion or at least questions asked British sea men that are not only unfair and biased, but frequently more than in sulting and in themselves for the most part absurd and ridiculous and founded on absolute ignorance of the subject In question? Is there any good rea son why these seamen should not be investigated"" by naval men or at least men who have some knowledge of the sea? Although Senator Smith may have the best intentions in the world, he is too good a politician not to realize the effectiveness of the "spot light" and he is going to hold the public attention as long as possible. Yet I doubt if he would know a belay ing pin from a bob-stay or a spar buoy from an anchor-light. If he was told that bilge water was served only at the captains table he would be in dignant that the passengers should be so overlooked. His profound knowl edge of matters pertaining to the sea and ships is shown in the early part of the "investigation," where he asked a Junior officer "If it were not pos sible that many would have been saved if they had entered the water-tight compartments." These may not be his exact words, but they are the gist of them. How would any seafaring man In Portland harbor or any other harbor like to have a man capable of asking a question like that, sit in Judgment on him? His questions time after time have not only shown his unfitness for the work In hand, but made him the laughing stock of any man who has seen a piece of water larger than a duck pond. The crew of a liner are not seamen, they are deckhands, or laborers, or roustabouts. Under the circumstances they showed themselves to be made of the right kind of stuff. Any skipper can pick out a better boat crew along Portland's waterfront than can be found on the average liner. It is so easy from the seats of the mighty to Insult by insinuating questions men of more lowly estate. Do the Senators of the committee know in their hearts that they would have been above reproach if they had been placed as the officers and seamen were placed? Is not a sea T..an's life as dear to him as a Sena tor's? Is not the law of self-preservation Just as strong? Are not a sea man's wife and children Just as precious to him? Where can you find greater chapters of heroism and loyalty and self-sacrifice than are stored forever in the bosom of the deep? The public have already forgotten the true history ot the burn ing of the General Slocum and the in vestigation that followed. It was shown that the so-called crew was made up of the riff-raff of the docks. United States inspectors had been bribed to O. K. life preservers (?) that in many cases wouldn't even float, her boats seams were parted, practi cally none of the regulations covering steamers of her class were lived up to. And why? Simply because her owners wanted the last pound of flesh and they got it In the practical mur der of over 1000 women and children. And who paid the piper? Not the greedy owners, but the captain. All he had was years of faithful serv ice behind him. old age in front of him and a wife and family to support. He was given ten years for "Bad Judg ment" and recently released, a wreck of a man. I was in New York at the time. I never heard of any owner paying the price of his greed. A few years ago I saw tm excursion steamers in New York harbor, deck stanchions where the dryrot could be picked out with a finger nail, yet on the decks there was "standing room only." Conditions may be better now. but I doubt it, and when the catas trophe comes and one is about due. around whose neck will the rope go. and who will be hung from the yard arm of public opinion? It will again be the man who to make a living "goes to the sea in ships. One's heart goes out to the widows and orphans, whether they are of the family of millionaires or stokers, but before we hold up our fellow-man in scorn, or charge him with cowardice, let us be cVrtain that we have not some little mote in our own eye. Put your self in his place. I personally feel that many of the questions asked by the committee are not only cowardly, but brutal. They are accomplishing nothing but the ruin of. the lives and careers of Innocent men. There Is not an intelligent man in the country that does not Know where the trouble lies, and in those matters where technical training or knowJedge Is desired it can be obtained. The public demands luxury, speed, sensation, excitement. The sea simply took her toll. Let the public Insist on saneness and they will get it. But sanity would make life too prosaic. I am not especially pro-British, seeing that I and ' num erous of my paternal ancestors had tnelr being pretty close to the land of the wooden nutmegs, but I from train ing like to see matters "ship shape and Bristol like" and the present in vestigation is hardly that SAMUEL PECK. VNIVF.RSITY STCDENTS ADVISED. Correspondent Urges Them to Seek Knowledge, Not Approprlntlona. WESTPORT, Or, April 25. (To the Editor.) The appropriation of $500,000, plus a $250,000 biennial appropriation, is too much money to put into our State University, whose enrollment at Eugene does not exceed 600 students. It is too much at one time. We should encourage our schools, but here is a case where a vast fortune is expended upon some 600 students, and is the state, the taxpayer, repaid? It was stated in The Oregonlan that the loyal students this Fall would go and stump the stats in the interest of their school. We would ask the boys to stay on the campus and turn their attention to bettering conditions about the university. The large sums of money netted by the many athletic or ganizations, the big salaries paid coaches and trainers, whose express duty is to teach the husky how to buck the line, could all be saved and paid to those who teach knowledge and not sport. The spending of nearly $1,000,000 by the public upon a school which permits Its social life to be dominated by secret societies is another item which the tax payer should think of. A free public institution should be free from such. The cry of more costly buildings, ap paratus and more athletic room. Is in nine cases out of 10, begun by a few students who are at college at the ex pense of "dad," and know not the value of money. The student body is next heard from and then the faculty and friends, till the Legislature Is asked to make an appropriation and the tax payer stands good. Let us hope for education which gives better results and coata leas. JAMES GROVE H. INCREASE IN RATES DEFENDED Modern Woodman Combats Criticisms Made by Correspondent. PORTLAND, April 28. (To the Edi tor.) In The Oregonlan, April 27, I find an unsigned article from Eugene, Or., concerning the new rates recently adopted by the Modern Woodmen of America. I would not ask space to reply to any unsigned article were it not for the fact that the society mentioned has over 10,000 members in Oregon, many of whom are readers of The Oregonlan and the future welfare of whose bene ficiaries is in many cases largely de pendent on the protection carried in the society. Furthermore, the society has over 1.000.000 members, with insurance in force aggregating $1,800,000,000. and it may be truly said that In a large measure the future of our society will, to a large extent. afTect the entire fra- ii . a 1 Inaiipanit, wnrlri In which at this time, practically 40,000.000 of the American people are Interested. T llr All v.fnnAAv rotAnal lneiitfln-A UIAO A, l (iiuurci .... vv. i ........ ... ...Iniin. h a Xlnepn WnndmAn WAR organized by men who had little knowl edge of the fundamental principles of lire insurance or me taws oi muridiuj, but who undertook to furnish protec tion t each other on the mutual "cur rent cost" plan. Experience has taught that this can be done very cheaply for a few years while the members are all young, but In the course of time, when any great percentage of the mebmers pass into the higher" ages, the death rate nat urally becomes higher and the cost must inevitably increase in proportion, and this can only be met by levying ad ditional assessments on the member ship, or Increasing the rates of con tribution. It has been the history of every so ciety that ever passed through this experience that whenever it becomes necessary to call a "double-header" (two assessments In one month), the young and healthy members will leave the society and secure cheaper insur ance elsewhere, thus leaving the old and Impaired risks to meet their own death losses, which eventually become so high that they' oannot be borne, in which ecent the "old members" lose thoir protection entirely. It was to prevent Just such an un fortunate condition as this and to pre serve the protection for the present "old member" as well aa the younger ones that the recent head camp, or law making body very wisely provided a safe and scientific rate for the future, which will guarantee to every mem ber of the society, whether young or old. that his benefit certificate will be paid in full at maturity, with not to exceed 12 assessments per year.t These rates will still furnish pro tection to our members at "cost," therj being no possible element of "gain," as not a dollar of the benefit fund (or assessment) can be used for any pur pose except for the payment of death benefits all expense being paid from a per capita tax of $1.20 per year on each member. The facts are that the Modern "Wood men recognized Its Imperfections of the past and have now courageously established the society on a sound and enduring basis, on rates based on a mortality table that Is now recognized and In use by the United States Govern ment. , , The whole tenor of this article seems to be that the "old member" has been unfairly dealt with. For the benefit of our own membership, as well as fra ternallsts in general, permit me to say that the present "old men" In the so ciety, while paying all that was re quired of them by our laws In the past have really had more than they paid for (because their rates were never high enough to pay even the "current cost" at their respective ages), but assuming that in the past they have paid for all they have received and that it is now an "even break," up to the present time what does the society offer to the "old man" In the future? Under the new table of rates, the younger men will pay Just about one third of the actual cost of insurance for him. and in addition thereto if ho so desires, the society will lend him one-third the money with which to pay the balance, at 4 per cent interest (a lower rate of Interest than he can ob tain in Oregon) and deduct this amount only from the face of his certificate at death. . Instead of "raising the old man out of the society" the recent head camp took measures to perpetuate the so ciety, so that when the "old man s cer tificate matures by death, it will be paid in full and his contributions of years- duration will not have been in Valn" J. W. SIMMONS, State Deputy M. W. of A. PLEA MADE FOR I1 KITED PARTY Writer Decries Talk of Bolt From Roosevelt, If Nominee. MEDFORD, Or., April 25. (To the Editor.) If the combined vote of Roosevelt and La Follette anywhere near represents the progressive senti ment of the Republican party in Ore gon, then "Mr. Taffs followers should accept gracefully the result and not threaten to stay at home or bolt the t'eket if Mr. Roosevelt is the nominee at Chicago. Mr. Roosevelt. number of years ago, when he was badly beat en in the New York Legislature, was asked why he did not bolt the ticket Ho said that he believed in staying In and continuing the battle for what he believed to be the right things until the majority would be convinced that it was the right way. too. So he staid in and finally became President and lead er of the greatest party and country in the world. Many who have followed him in his career believe him to be a the most capable man to lead the big battle that now Is soon to engage the great nations of the world the battle of the rights of the common PPle against the big minority and handful of rich men who now have control or the leading banks and big corporations and trusts of the leading nations of the world v It Is not only the big things in our own United States that are soon coming up for adjudication, but many world wide matters, in which the United States as a Nation has got to take an active part in the final settlement. Many men In our different states to day honestly believe Mr. Roosevelt has the highest respect of other nations of the world, for his education, sincerity and courage to carry out the will of the majority of tho people to be ex pressed at tho polls this coming No vember. All Mr. Roosevelt has asked Is for the people to be given an oppor tunity to express their choice in the different states. If Mr. Taft is that choice, then support him: if Mr. La Follette is the choice, then support him, but If the majority wish Mr. Roosevelt again to take the reins and do the driv ing, then let's don't talk bolt or stay at home. Accept the result and try again if defeated. A. K. WARE. Bulkheads WeTe Weak. PORTLAND, April ?9. (To the Edi tor.) My theory of the sinking of the Titanic is that the bulkheads, or air tight compartments, were not made strong enough. It is not theoretically reasonable to suppose '.hat any boilers exploded. They certainly did not If the sea water got to them first. I have not seen the plan of the airtight com partments, but assuming that they were 60 feet high and 200 tee long, and that the end was lowered, and that the water was leaking in ftom the lower end and the upper end was tight, the pressure may have been a ton or more to the square foot, wh4ch may have blown up the deck and caused superficial observers to believe the boilers had exploded, ard that, the ship had been broken In two. . W, BRITTS. Half a Century Ago From The Oreponlan of April SO, 1982. The steamship Julia, which arrived last night, brought down Wells-Fargo & Co.'s express from the Salmon River mines and $75,000 .in gold dust. The steamer Tenino has made a successful trip to Lewiston, bringing back to Wal lula some 30 passengers, who had in their possession over $50,000, making In all about $125,000 which came down last night. Lieutenant Mullan has received orders to suspend work on the Fort Benton military road and to return to Walla Walla Immediately. The road is nearly finished and in passable traveling con dition to Fort Benton. A new stage line has been started between Walla Walla and Lewiston. We are permitted to publish the fol lowing letter written to S. N. Arrigoni. of this city: "Lewiston, April 23, 1862. We are all anxiously awaiting the ar rival of the first steamer, as provisions are scarce and bacon readily commands 75 cents per pound, and has been as high as $1 per pound, consequently living costs about $2 per day and cook yourself. In the Salmon River mines flour sells at $2 per pound, or .uu per barrel; coffee, $2.50. Dried apples. sugar, candles, gum boots, shovels, picks, etc, are very scarce, and little or no bacon, which readily commands $5 per pound. I understand that the river diggings along the bank will readily pay $10 and $20 per day to the hand." Chicago, April 18. A letter received from Cairo this morning says that Fort Wright (on the Mississippi) has been captured. Fort Monroe. April 18. A eorre- Siuiiucii, vfc ..o says at intervals last night and this morning heavy ccnnonaaing wua unuu In the direction of Yorktown. Forty deserters who came into our lines re port that Jeff Davis had arrived at the rebel camp and it was understood he would take command in the approach ing battle. Constant skirmishing is ,,,.ii nn nv thn riflemen. Occasion ally Bhot and shell are thrown. A dis patch from McClellans neaaquariers says that near midnight the enemy attacked General Smith's position and attempted to carry his guns. They were handsomely repulsed. Yorktown has been shelled by our gunboats, but without effect. Washington. April 18. The select committee to investigate the loss of the Norfolk Navy-yard and Harper's Ferry reported the total value of the property taken at Norfolk at $974,000. The number of guns seized by the rebels was 200, The committee, after a long review of the matter, censure the Buchanan Administration for gross neglect of duty, and say that Lincoln s Administration cannot be held blame less, for 37 days elapsed without any effort to defend the yard. Washington. April 18. General Shield's division occupied Mount Jack son yesterday morning. At 7 o clock the enemy appeared -In fores In front of Rude's Hill. They resisted our ad vance with energy, in order to obtain time to burn the bridges, locomotives and cars which would accumulate at the terminus of the railroad Our movements were so sudden that, we were able to save the bridges, two loco motives and several cars. We are glad to announce that the difficulties in regard to the PuW school have been removed, and that it will be reopened this morning. The certificates so wrongly withheld by Mr. Pennoyer were yesterday given to Mr.. Frambes and other teachers. Yesterday was the warmest day we have had this year. At 8 o'clock P. M. The mercury was up to 84 in the shade. As "Ed" Howe Sees Life Men everywhere seem to think their vote is a thing with which to get even" with those who have in any re mote way incurred tholr displeasure. It will finally be unconstitutional for any man not a lawyer to be a member of Congress. Lawyers stand together better than any other class; that is the secret of their power. You may get whaTis not fairly com ing to you: but It will make you more trouble than it is worth. Ever notice that Fate sometimes pur sues you with relentless fury, but. Just before getting you in Jail, seems to be come ashamed of Itself, and lets up a little? As a rule, society people keep out of the society columns of tho newspapers. The old phrenologists used to say a good deal about the bump of imagina tion. I have It, but it has fooled me so often that I am becoming more con servative. We speak of new evils, whereas evils are almost without exception, old. But many remedies for old evils are new, and modern men deserve the credit. As a general rule, the man who be haves himself doesn't do much howl ing because he doesn't get Justice. A girl doesn't mind working for a living, if she gets married to do it. Every man flatters himself that he will finally whip his enemy, and that he will give him a good one when he gets at him. WIFE OF POHCEMAS PROTESTS. Administration Charged With Failure to Keep Pledges to Department. PORTLAND, April 26. (To the Edi tor.) At the regular session of the City Council held on Wednesday, when the resolution giving policemen two days off duty each month was brought up for action, one of the members of that body is reported to have said, "this matter under consideration has been dragging along for nine months." to which the Mayor replied, "It ought to drag for nine months more." If I mistake not, during the Mayor s campaign previous to his election to his present position, this matter of giving policemen two days oft each month was one of the foremost election promises given. Since that time the police department has been a target for the administration. The men have been held up to the world and branded as a set of bandits. Their every act has been criticised in the most scath ing terms and humiliation has been tha lot of the men that have worked hon estly and faithfully for years. I say "honestly," for I believe that today there are as honest men to be found In this branch of the service as in any other calling of men. . Most of the officers are men of famil ies, who have provided homes for them selves, thus becoming taxpayers and contributors to the general fund that keeps the machinery of this big city in operation. They take a pride in im proving and keeping up these homes, and what spare time is given them will be Industriously employed in doing their share toward making their sur roundings more beautiful. At the time of the election, a year ago, at least 95 per cent of the men in this department supported our present Mayor, and let me ask here. .What has he given in return? Abuse, unadulter ated. A POLICE OFFICER'S WIFE. 4