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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 27, 1912)
MORNING- OKEGOMANV FRIUAY. DECEMBER S7, 191S. . . , ... : y PUBLIC UTILITIES TO GO Otl GRILL TODAY Action Begins Under Malarkey Bill and Results Will Ef fect People's Purse. ' RATE SCHEDULES TARGET Aim Is Directed at Companies Which Have Changed Schedules With ont Permit Since Jan., 1911. Sessions Open to Public. SALEM. Or- Dec 26. More than 1000 public utilities of Oregon will go through a grilling here before the railroad commission tomorrow and Saturday. The conferences probably will have a more far-reaching effect on the intimate expense account of the people of the state than any that have been held under public supervision. The hearings will mark the dealing of the first blow for fair and impartial rate regulation. service regulation and general regulation for all classes of utilities that come under the Ma - larkey act. Not a village, hamlet, community or city but wlU be interested. The con ferences will have to deal with the re mote telephone wires which stretch over sage brush and desert wastes of Eastern and Central Oregon or into the mountain fastnesses of Western Oregon. Power Flra Come Flwl. "The first conference is to be held with the electric light and. power plants and street railway systems, but the conference Saturday is with the gas, water, telephone and telegraph utili ties." said Chairman Clyde B. Altchl son. of the State Railroad Commission. "In order to determine, what utilities were within the jurisdiction of the commission and subject to regulation by the ptate, the commission some weeks ago addressed to the Mayors of the various Incorporated cities and towns of the state inquiries as to what utilities were located In their vicinity. The answers received have been tabulated and about a thousand persons, firms and corporations have been reported to the commission as engaged In business which baought them within its supervision. "A preliminary report form was thereupon sent out to each of the sup posed utilities with the request that the Information called for be returned forthwith. This report form desig nated the nature of the business of the utility and its capitalization, officers and such other facts as were necessary to enable the commission to know with whom it was doing business. I'alform Aceoaati Proposed. "Simultaneously the call for the two conferences to be held on Friday and Saturday was transmitted to each util ity. It was manifestly Impracticable to deal with all of the subjects which are to be considered in one day hence the division by Industries Into the two days. The matters to be taken up are a-eneraWy similar In .the case, of the various utilities within the Jurisdiction of the commission is the establishment of the proper and correct system of uni form accounts. In each rate case the primary question to be determined is whether the corporation is earning enough money or is earning too much money, and unless the accounts are kept In uniform manner according to economically sound basis the regu lation of rates will somewhat be In the dark. Many of the utilities are also operating In other states and it Is highly desirable that the system of ac counts prescribed shall be. uniform over the entire Northwestern section of the country. "The Washington Public Service Com mission has undertaken the establish ment of uniform accounts for the utlll- ties within its jurisdiction, as has also the Railroad Commission of the State of California. The commission wlJl ar range with the various utilities that they shall hereafter keep proper con 'structlon accounts which will show the quantities and the unit prices enter ing into all of the various items of construction, either by way of new property or additions and betterments. ' schedules to Be Probed. "Unquestionably the utilities will be advised to get their accounts in such shape that it will be a- easy as possible for the commission to estimate the re production cost and the original cost of each xt the utilities, both the amount by the physical property and that paid for franchises, etc "By law the commission, ia directed to ascertain the cost Of production of each of the units of t..e service of the various kinds of public utility serv ices. This is one feature of the ac counting' system which will be gone into at the two conferences. "By the terms of the Malarkey bill ever publio utility is required to file with the commission Its schedules In effect January 1, 1911. and is not per mited to increase such rates without obtaining the consent of the commis sion. It is known that In many cases during the Interval between the pass . in? of the Malarkey bill in February, 1911, and its final adoption by the peo. pie In 1912, many utilities have -increased the rates or have reclassified - their services in such way that the rates in effect January 1, 1911, are ex reeded or are no longer used as the basis. In each such case the utility will be required to file an application for authority t make sueh increases or deviations from the tarlfrs in efect on January 1, 1911. and to show cause for obtaining sueh permission. - Heaiiasa Opea to Public. "Of course, all such hearings will be opea to the public and the patrons will be given equal opportunity to ex amine into the applications and make any representations desired. The com mission will also discuss the forms of tariffs and schedules which must be filed by the rarlous utilities. With sev eral hundred utilities to be regulated and whose rates must at all times be on file with the commission. It is manifest that uniformity In the style of the tariffs is absolutely essential. "It la probable the commission will ask that copies of all franchises and contracts heretofore executed or ob tained by any utility in any way af mectlng Its service be. filed with the commission, together with a statement of the past history and consolidations of the company with other utilities for Interchange of business and the like. Particular attention will be directed to the question as to whether there are any discriminatory rates or con tracts at the present time. ; "In order to avoid dealing with the entire body of the utilities, the" sug gestion Is made by the commission and probably will be voiced at the confer ences, that representative committees be appointed from each industry which can take up the subject of uniform rates, tariffs and the like with the commission and represent their respec tive industries." ; POKTLAXD OFFICIALS ATTEND - Delegation From' tight & Power Company Leaves at 8:20 A. M. Officials of the Portland Railway. Llfdn &. Power Company will go to Salem today to meet with the State Railway Commission sittins as the newly ordained Public Utilities Com mission, and discuss with them the FATHER OF MBS. JOHN H. Bl'K f.ARU VICTIM OF PARALYSIS. p. 4l 4W5 (SrM Jd Orations William E. Clark. RICKREALU Or.. Dec id. (Spe cial.) William Edward Clark, pio neer of Oregon and an esteemed cit izen of this community, died at his home yeterday as the result of a paralytic stroke with which he was seized December 20. Mr. Clark was born In Missouri In 15134. and crossed the plains to Oregon in lSr.2. His father and mother died and were burled on the plains, and It remained for Mr. Clark, who was then but W years or age. to bring- his younger brothera and sister to their destina tion in safety. TTpon arriving in Or econ Mr. Clark settled in Polk County, where be resided continu ously until his death. He came to this state penniless and with family responsibilities thrust upon him. but by energy and thrift accumulated a competence. He was a successful farmer and stockraiser and leaver a valuable farm two miles north of F.Ickrcall. The funeral will be held tomorrow. Or. December 2H, IMS, Mr. Clark was married to Levinia Tatoin. who survives him. as do the following children: Kichard W. Clark, of Ta coma; Mrs. John H. Burgard and William E. Clark. Jr., of Portland, Mrs. A. P. Klrkland, of Indepen dence: Mrs. Nat S. Burch, Mrs. B. A. Washhnrne and James L,. Clark, of Pprlnrfleld. and Miss Maud Clark, of Btckreall. provisions of the public utilities bill passed at the recent election. They will" leave on the Oregon lilectrlc at fl.n a r.,1 u-ill pnbavnr tn cnnnlude their business so that they may return tonight. . The following officials will he in the niv Tt s -Tnnaelvn. nrenldent! K. W. Hild. general manager; F. I. Fuller, vice-president; F. D. Hunt, traffic man ager; C. J. Franklin, general superin tendent of railways: O. B. Caldwell, su perintendent of light and power department:-A. C. MeMichen, sales mana ger; J. K. Werlein. special agent: F. T. Griffith, general attorney; George J. Kelly, land agent: Fred Cooper, su perintendent city transportation ; a. r . Boynton, claim agent; It. W. Shepard, uditor, and otners. ALBANY DEPOT IS OPEN Oregon Electric Station Erected at Cost of f20,000. ALBANY, Or.. Dec. ?6. (Special.) The Oregon Klectric depot in this city was opened yesterday. It is one of the best depots in the state. The struc ture is 110 by 32 feet, constructed of red tapestry brick, laid In Flemish bond with raked Joints and Sterling stone trimmings. The center of the building is de voted to a large waiting-room and ticket office. The east end of the building is utilized as a baggage-room and the west end for a special waiting-room for women. The interior woodwork is slash trraincd fir except the wainscoting in the women's waiting-room, which Is of quarter-sawed oak.-,. The -main wait- Ins-room has a six-foot tile wainscot ine. The ceiling Is decorated with staff cornices and the lighting -fixtures are of solid brass for indirect lighting. The cost was approximately $20,000. LEBANON POOR GET .GIFTS Methodists Provide Christmas Pres ents for Needy of Any Faith. LEBANON, Or., Dec. 26. (Special.) The Methodist Church of this city de parted from the usual method of having a Christmas tree to distribute presents to the children of the church people. They held their tree in the church but it only contained presents for the poor and needy of the city.. Committees were appointed to iook Into the matter of the poor of the city and any family who was unable to pro vide their children with presents were reported to the general committee who provided all such with suitable pres ents. The giving 'was not limited to poor members ef their own church hut the poor outside of- the church were pro vided for as liberally as any. Tho church gave a concert Christmas night, Sunday school . children taking part. West Studies Judiciary Revision. SALEM. Or.. Dec. 26. (Special.) While Governor West has received both majority and minority reports of the commission to revise the Judicial system, nothing was given out on either renort from that office today. The Governor states that he has had no opportunity to look over the report and it will probably be a day or two before he makes the contents of the reports public Both are of some length. . The commission was appointed by the Governor to report to him and he states he desires an opportunity to go through the reports before he final ly issues them. wrnVh Wan Thursdav morning, has set all femininePortland a-talking! Scores invested their Christ mas eift monev yesterday in new Suits, Coats andDresses, at these compelling, low Pre-Inventory prices. ana lust ininis. 01 m joesiues we ucmcuuuuo 1.., - - a t.tp.t? A TTOflR. WHICH MEANS AN ADDITIONAL SAVING OF $2 TO $4. We invoice January 1 instead of February 1, as do most stores. And if the whirlwind selling of today keeps inn 4 HI s fs&p-it f -Sr . & ' WW flirt trill JV.Nwt -3n-fV7yS v. ... is ill 5 -viix wjto i --sc 1 c mmh r4 K' ; ' up, stocks will be materially loweredby New Year's. Come today! All Tailored Suits Reduced at $19.85 Wfi Dnr regular -T( $17.50 Suits at 4 X JL f Vf Our regular ?19.50 Suits at f9n $13.25 Smart Our regular (J - rf Q $22.50 Suits atlO.jU Our regnlarffji QC $24.75 Suits at p 1 O00 Winter Coats Stunning models in two-tone diagonal boucles, great wale cheviots, plaid back and doable faced cloths, serges, velvets, plushes and caraculs Our regular $30.00 Suits Our regulartfQ OEf $35.00 Suits at 43 ,tlJ Navy Suits $12.50 Coats, $10.00 $14.75 Coats, 11.75 $17.60 Coats, $13.95 $22.50 Coats, 818.50 $24.75 Coats, 19.75 $30.00 Coats, 24.85 .2 $12.50 Johnny $13.50 $14.75 $16.50 $19.50 Johnny johnny. Johnny Johnny $19.50 Coats, 15.95 $35.00 Coats, 28.75 English Cloth-Top Raincoats $16.50 Eaincoats... .'. 9.90 $19.50 Raincoats 11.70 $21.50 Raincoats .12.95 $23.50 Raincoats . -. -. 13.25 $24.75 Raincoats. ; .14.85 Coats. $ 8.75 Coats, $ 9.45 Coats,.$10.35 Coats, $11.55 Coats, $13.55 White Coats $17.50 White Coats, $13.25 $19.50 White Coats, $15.95 $24.75 White Coats, $19.75 $30.00 White Coats, $19.75 $32.50 White- Coats, $26.35 JUNIOR COATS All $8.95 and $10.75 Junior Coats, ages 13 to 17 years . . . 6.95 $14.75 Junior Coats: 9.85 $16.50 Junior Coats 10.95 $17.50 Junior Coats. ..... .11.65 $18.50 Junior Coats 12.35 $17.50 Navy Serges. , $19.50 Navy Serges. , $22.50 Navy Serges. . $24.75 Navy Serges.. $30.00 Navy Serges. . $35.00 Navy Serges. . .13.25 14.65 .16.95 .18.65 22.50 .26.25 Navy Norfolks $17.50 Navy Norfolks, 12.35 $19.50 Navy Norfolks, 13.65 $22.50 Navy Norfolks, 15.75 $24.75 Navy Norfolks, 17.45 DRESSES Prttlrnt tailored and d r -. frock of firrRfu, PnoamaM, whlpiordM rr in nnT, black, ii1nr( brown : SerEfM and Pii.ktt. $ 6.95 $10.75 $12.50 $14.75 $16.50 $19.50 $22.50 $24.75 $27.50 Dresses for. Dresses for. Dresses for. Dresses for. Dresses for. Dresses for. Dresses' for. Dresses for. Dresses for. S 4.95 7.50 8.75 9.95 11.55 .13.65 15.75 17.35 .19.25 JCTLT, COJLTLT, )J2UlTLr, TfaZTTLfX. Jecond 'loos- tea 7e-JcrrX'c- SHEPARD TO FIGHT Gold Robbery Suspect to Be gin Habeas Corpus Action. NO CHARGES ARE PLACED Prisoner Cljafes tTnder Three Days' Jail Life When Prosecuting At torney Fails to File an In formation Against Mini. SEATTLE, Wash.. Dec. 26. (Special.) Chafing- under three days' ioiprison ment In tho County Jail without any charge belns; filed against him. Clem H. Shepard, arrested aa a suspect in con nection with the Humboldt gold rob bery of September, 1S10, today stated that he would at once institute habeas corpus proceedings for his release. Jailer Allan Stark called up Prosecuting- Attorney John V. Murphy Wednes day and asked for some authority to hold Shepard in jail. Mr. Murphy promi Ised to hie an information against him today. The information had not been filed up to closing time this evening. "I am not authorized to hold prison ers here for any length of time with out some authority," said Jailer Stark today. Buaioesa Men Promise Support. Shepard has been assured of support In fighting for his liberty by promi nent business men who have known him for many years. His former em ployers have also assured officials of their confidence in his Integrity. It is contended by Shepard's friends that Cavaness and Barrett are relied upon by tha insurance company which guar anteed the afe carriage of the Hum boldt gold to fasten the crime upon Shepard's -shoulders and to give com prehensive details of how Shepard. as purser of tha boat, unlocked the door of his office and allowed the thieves to go in. Friends say that charges of this kind can easily be disproved and pfom lse a hard fight for the defense. GsrtrssMSt Btarta Probe. It is not improbable the Federal Gov ernment' will proceed against those al leged to be concerned In the Humboldt gold robbery. The announcement at the United States District Attorney's office today that an investigation was being made by agents of the Depart ment of Justice but that these agents as yet made no report. Theft on the high seas and receiving and concealing stolen goods, for which penalties of 13 years and fines' of $11, 000. or both, may be imposed, constitute the offenses against the Federal Gov ernment, should it decide to prosecute as well as the state, -under which pre vious convictions were obtained. GOOD ROADSJAX IS VOTED Clackamas County Districts Prepare for Improvement Work. OREGON CITY, OrM Dec. 26. (Spe cial.) The fight for good roads seems to be bearing fruit in the eastern as well as tn the western' end of Clacka mas County. The following supervis ors report tbo approved taxation ot their road districts as follows: A. N. Jensen, No. 9, 10 mills; O. T. Hunt, No. 19. 10 mills; Charles Duncan, No. 10, 5 mills; J. A. Reld. No. 35, 6 mills.. George, .of which district A. N, Jen sen is supervisor, voted a 10 mill tax. and made plans for blowing out stumps on the Estacada road In preparation for grading in the Spring. Springwater voted a tax of 6 mills and elected J. A. Reid supervisor. From one end of the county to the other citizens of different communities are fighting the battle of good roads. CONTRACTS NOT AFFECTED uting on Hood River $90,000 Bond Issue Arouses False Fear. HOOD RIVER, Or.. Dec. 26. (Spe cial.) Since tho news came from Sa lem that the Supreme Court bad handed down an opinion to the effect that the $90,000 municipal water bond issue of this city was illegal, Mayor Blanchar has received a lumber of in quiries as to whether or not the de cision will invalidate contracts let Mon. day night for municipal work. It is supposed by those who do not under stand tho situation that the decision of the Supreme Court refers to the re cent bond issue. However, it has no bearing whatever on the last issue, which has been sold and the money for which has been received by the city. The 'decision is -in an old case of three years ago. when an issue of bonds of like amount was held up by an in junction by J. F. Batchelder, a- Hood River citizen. As soon as the city found that the issue would be illegal proceedings were at once begun to remedy the defects and make a sale of the bonds by another advertisement. The contract let to the Reliance Con struction Company of Portland Is not affected in the least, and the city will proceed as soon as weather conditions permit to install the new municipal system. , , KLAMATH LAND RECLAIMED Government Will Iease Former Bed of Tule Lake to Highest Bidder. KLAMATH FALLS. Or., Dec. 26. (Special.) The United States Reclama tion Service officials hve posted notices that about 1100 acres of land, uncov ered on the shores of Tule Lake by the recession of. its waters will be leased for three years to the highest bidders, on January 13, 1913. This is the first tangible result of the large amount expended by the Govern ment in building the Clear Lake reser voir and the Lost River diversion chan nel. Many years ago Tule Lake. cov ered a much less area than at present and the old emigrant trail crossed the eastern portion of the lake bed, where there is now eight to ten feet of water. The Government work has stopped the inflow of water and has already uncovered much land belonging to pri vate parties, taken up when the water was lower than it has been of recent years. Some of this land was farmed in 1912 and the area which will be cul tivated in 1913 is estimated at 2000 acres. . . BOY BREAKS THROUGH ICE Klamath Falls Skater Besetted by Companion After Chilly Plunge. KLAMATH FALLS, Or., Dec. 26. (Special.) Joe Skelton. a member of one of several skating parties on Upper Klamath Lake, broke through the ice and had a narrow escape from drowning. "Where he fell in the ice was so brittle that it broke constantly under his efforts to climb out of the water. , Two of his companions were near and Maurice O'Connell skated as near the edge oC the ice as was safe and then made a rope from his clothing and that of Harding Cater, who went for a pole to help in the rescue. By using the pole and the clothing, tne ooys were able to pull their friend out and then clothing him with their own ef fects, they rushed him to the nearest fire. He suffered no ill effects. Whitman's Rhodes Man Named. WHITMAN COLLEGE. Walla Walla, Wash., Dec. 2o. (Special.) William James McKay, of Almirav Wash., a member of the senior class, has been chosen as Whitman's candidate for ap pointment as Rhodes scholar at Oxford. The University of Washington also has a candidate, and the decision between the two men will be made at a con ference of the. college presidents, of the state, to be held in Everett Friday. .Palace Reproduced on Agate, FOREST GROVE, Or., Dec. 26. (Spe cial.) M. S. Taunton a capitalist of this city, is the possessor of a -beautifully shaped and large slxed agate, which contains, in miniature, an almost perfect reproduction of the dome of the Palace of the Doges, rising above a network of canals upon which several gondolas can be observed. The -stone was secured at Newport. Three Hurt In Shawnee, Okla., Fire. SHAWNEE, Okla.. Dec. 26. Fire here today destroyed the Pottawattomle building, one of the largest structures In the business district, causing a loss estimated at $103,000. Three men were hurl. FAl AID ASSURED Klamath County to Get Experi ment Station. GOVERNMENT TO GIVE HELP With 9 78,000 Acres of Arable Land Extensive Co-operative Dry Fanning- and- Irrigation Methods Will Be Promoted. , OREGON AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, Corvallis, Or., Dec. 26. (Special.) President Kerr is In receipt of a tele gram from the United States Depart ment of Agriculture stating that the Federal Government - will co-operate with the State of Oregon In the estab lishment and maintenance of an irriga tion experiment and demonstration farm for Klamath County, the purpose being to provide scientific aid in demonstrating to the farmers the pos sibilities of production on reclaimed tillable land of that county. The action on the part of the Fed eral Government is the direct result of a conference held at Oregon Agricul tural College last November when j H. Newell, director of the United States Reclamation Service, met the .college authorities and took- up the matter of adopting some practical means by which the Federal Government could work to the best' advantage In aiding the farmers of Southern and Central Oregon to cultivate their lands most profitably. "It is estimated that Klamath County alone has something over 978. 00( acres of tillable land." said Dr. Wlthycorabe, in commenting on the recognition by the Government, "so it can be seen at a glance that the agri cultural possibilities In that county are enormous. In addition to the resrular work to TtF YOU ARE IN TROUBLE EVERY DAY With 2 Pair of Glasses or Just Reading Glasses When you wish to read or sew It Is a case of "hunt" for your glasses. You find them, and perhaps sit by the window or sow on the piazza with your work or reading. Some one 'goes by and speaks to you. You can't answer them intelligently un til you change your glasses or take them off. By that time the person has passed on. You feel annoyed and out of sorts. No uck trouble with Kryptoks when fitted by me. You can read, sew, attend church, theaters, without the annoyance of changing or removing glasses. They are very reasonable in price. Call and Investigate them. They are always guaranteed fully when I fit them. J. D. Duback ETEStGHT SPECIALIST Sixth Floor Selling Building:. Sixth and Alder. be carried on at the new public farm 'the- agricultural college Is expecting to interest the farmers of the county to do extensive co-operative experi mental work In dry farming to deter mine the best crops and varieties of cereals and forage plants. The field pea is claimed by some to be well suited to that locality and Its use in connec tion with dairying and hograising will be emphasized in the work. When asked when the new Klamath Irrigation farm would be in operation. Dr. Withycombe stated that nothing definite could be said until the Fed eral Government's offer be accepted by the state and the college authorities Instructed - to meet the requirements of the Department of Agriculture In the matter. Dullas Man After Post. DALLAS, Or., Dec. 26. (Special.) Eugene Foster, editor of - the Polk County Observer and President of tho Dallas Commercial Club, is a candidate for Calendar Clerk In the Senate. Mr. Foster, during the recent campaign, was one of the few newspaper men of the state that made a stralght-from-the-shoulder stand for tho Republican party. Support from 14 of Oregon's Senators has been pledged, and only two more are necessary. TODAY you have a headache; tomorrow it is arone. The next day it comes back ayain, and this continues. If you don't know the cause of vour headache, have your eyes examined by our REGISTERED OPTICIAN. He will tell you whether or not jour headaches are due to your eyes. If our optician finds that glasses will relieve your head aches, and you decide to purchase, we furnis-.li you them at a uniformly moderate price. You are cordially invited to come- in and have your glasses skillfully adjusted by a real expert. COLUMBIAN OPTICAL COMPANY 145 SIXTH STREET Floyd F. Brower, Manager I 5 !Ui S3 ., , X Safe, Convenient and Economical (rW 3 r-:3 is Every - Ready Flashlights, $ 1 . 50 1 Absolutely -s a fe around T" irasoline'and combustibles. Invaluable to the autoist, the mechanic anyone who has need for a reliable, efficient light. Style illustrated may be carried handily in pocket or handbag. Leather covered. Guaranteed Ever-Ready battery d 1 C f lasts for months with ordinary use. Complete at p X iUU Largest Line of Flashlights in Portland: Every size; and stvle, from small nickel-plated Vest Pocket Lights at-$1.25 to the largest at 3.50. Ever-Ready Guaranteed Flashlight Batteries, 30 and 40 "Portland's Largest Electrical Supply Housed Xmas Greetings! For those who know that the Removal Sale of high class Diamonds, Jewelry, Clocks, Silverware, etc., at Abendroth's, Jeweler, 342 Washington Street, be tween Seventh and Park, is to continue until Dec. 31st, when the building is to be torn down. This Bale is at 342 Washington Street. The new store is 313 Morrison Street, opposite Postoffice. F. ABENDROTH; Jeweler 342 WASHINGTON STREET