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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 27, 1913)
TOT? lrOTXTNO OJRTCOOXTAX. THURSDAT, NOVEMBER 27, 1913.- PORTLAND, OKBGOX. Entered at Portland, Oregon, poatoftlce second-class matter. Subscription Hates Invariably In Advance: (BY MAIL) Xtly. Sunday Included, one year 8'2? pally, Sunday Included, six monthi Lally, Sunday Included, three month ... 2. 25 lally. Sunday Included, one month Pally, without Sunday, one year 6.00 Pally, without Sunday, six months ,Zi Pally, without Sunday, three monthi ... Pally, without Sunday, one month ...... Weekly, one year - rn Cunday. one year on Cunday and Weekly, one year (BY CARRIER) Eally, Sunday Included, one year 9'22 ally, Sunday Included, one. month " How to Remit Send postoffice money or. der. express order or personal check on your local tank. Stamps, coin or currency are at tender's risk. Give postoffice address In full. Including county and state. Postage Rates IS to 16 pages. 1 cent; 18 to 82 pages, 2 cents; 84 to 48 pages, 3 cents; 60 to OO pages, 4 cents; 02 to 76 pages, o cents: T8 to 2 pages. 6 cents. Foreign post age, double rates. Eastern Business Office Verree & Conk lln. New York, Brunswick; building. Chi cago, steger building. 6an Francisco Office R. J. Bldwell Co.. 742 Market street. rOBTLaND, THURSDAY, NOV. 87. 1913. 1 THANKSGIVING. On Thanksgiving day the Spirit of Good Cheer has Its innings. All the rest of the year we may grumble at late If we will. "Today we count our blessings and thank the ruler of the v univerele that things are as well with tis as they are. They might be worse, Xar worse. The very fact that we are till alive counts for much. Charles Lamb, strolling through a graveyard, read on one of the tombs the warning, "Such as I am soon you will be, there fore prepare to come with me." The humorist " pondered and dissented. "Not so fast, my friend," he muttered, "I am worth a thousand of you yet." And In truth he was. It is a glorious blessing to be alive, not only because life In itself la the .greatest wonder of the universe, but because as long as iwe draw breath we can help make the world interesting. Even a person who can never hope to do a great deal to ward bettering conditions caq help to stir them up and keep them from stag nation. Our generation certainly has ample cause for thankfulness in that respect. The world is not permitted .to stagnate for an instant. What with wars and rumors of wars, feminism and social tides running criss-cross In " very direction, we cannot complain of too much placidity. No doubt the twentieth century will be the most Interesting .that has run Its course since time began. It has already made a good start in that di rection. With flying machines of va rious patterns, the development of col ored photography and moving pictures with all their possibilities, to say noth ing of the Diesel engine, we seem to be on the eve of developments more (wonderful than our fathers dared to dream of. Twenty-five years ago it Vised to be said disconsolately that all the great discoveries in natural sci ence had been made and the book of revelations was as good as closed. For the future there was nothing but tire some pottering over knowledge that had grown old and stale. This was the melancholy cry just before radium was brought to light with all Its marvels and the Wright brothers had perfected their first flying machine. It Is a sat. Isfactlon to think that we shall al ways have fresh miracles of science and Invention to wonder over. And it is still more of a satisfaction to un derstand the marvelous way in which every great mechanical advance trans forms civilization. The biologists have taught us that every step in the evolution of the body implies a thou sand adjustments befor.it can become "pragmatical" or workable. It Is the same with civilization. Some Ingenious inventor perfects a new machine like the steam engine or the cotton gin. Forthwith the entire structure of society sets to work to readjust Itself around the novel con trivance. The cotton gin transformed the economics of the South-and gave slavery a hold on the country it never could have gained otherwise. The steam engine with the machinery which It produced Initiated mankind Into what Herbert Spencer aptly called "the age of industrialism." What if Industrialism is not quite perfection? Nothing is perfect In this world or ever will be, luckily" for us, since as soon as we reach perfection we shall have nothing more to work and plan for and we may as well march straight to the grave. Industrialism with all Its fallings is Infinitely better than militarism, which it has almost thrust out of existence. That is another cause of thankful ness. In spite of all superficial evi dence to the contrary, war is seeing its last days on earth. Where it will go when it disappears from this world we need not specify, since unpleasant references ought to be shunped on Thanksgiving. It is sufficient for us that the next generation will probably .have seen the last of its hideous face. The final cessation of war will come to pass like a great many other fun damental reforms for the reason that it will no longer pay to fight. It is not so much the speeches and tracts of Mr. Carnegie and his disciples as the web f international trade that will ultimately fulfil the angel's bless ing of peace on earth. When slavery .no longer paid dividends It disappeared quietly over most of the world. In the United States its death was more tragic, but we may feel assured that If New England had been able to ex tract dividends from negro servitude , when the South rebelled Lincoln w6uld have drawn few troops from the vi- clnlty of Plymouth Rock. From this ' point of view we ought to give thanks for the extension of international i trade, inasmuch as it means inevitably the reign of peace on earth and good will among men. This is emphatically the age of trade and profits. Nor should we deplore it too much if eagerness for profit now and then degenerates into miserliness, . because it is the stored-up savings of this generation upon which the next 'will build its great foundations of love ; and mercy. First of all, before we can make any advance whatever to ward the Christian ideal, we must ac cumulate the means tp pay for it with. Men had to enslave their fellows unVl they had accumulated capital enough to set the forces of Inanimate nature at work. Then the slaves were freed. We ehai: be obliged to resort to some . regrettable devices of commerce until ; the world has gathered the means to pay for a better education. Before our morals and feelings can Improve we must improve the average intelligence of mankind and that is an expensive task. t Slowly the human race decides to ' spend its wealth on schools and little : by little-our schools verge toward the useful. The great ideal of a world where all shall work and all shall en Joy the fruits of Intelligent toil per s ' meates the social structure. Idleness , was once the recipient of the highest honor. It is still respected more than it deserves, but it is an idol of clay and It must come down - from its throne. Very likely the greatest cause of thankfulness we have is the growing splendor of toil. Once the teacher was a slave in his patron's household. Once the physician was a despised sorcerer. Once the farmer was the mudsill of the world. Now In telligent toil climbs daily nearer to the seat of glory as well as power and It will not be many years before the brightest .symbol in heraldrv will be the strong hand acting in unison with the intelligent brain. If we achieve wonders now when so many things are topsy-turvy what shall we net do then when all is orderly and rational? OITB ANTIQUATED SCHOOL LAWS. The school laws applicable to Port land need a thorough overhauling. There may be legitimate differences of opinion as to whether taxpayers onlff should vote or whether the privilege should be open to all registered citi zens. But there can be no difference of opinion about a system -which makes no discrimination whatever be tween legal and illegal voters. - At the meeting In the Anmory It was out of the question to decide who had a right to vote and who had not. It is not known that any Improper votes were cast, but had aliens . been disposed to take part in the election nobody could have hindered them. There was no orderly discussion, no adequate understanding of the ques tions at issue. It must be admitted by everybody that the time has come to relieve Port land of her antiquated school laws. Whatever may be true for the rest of the state it Is undeniable that vil lage conditions no longer exist here and that we must cease to act as vil lagers if we desire satisfactory returns for the money we1 spend upon the schools. The old rural school meeting is an anomaly in a city as large as Portland. It should be abandoned and the votes should be cast at polling places con veniently situated. Not one polling place, but many are needed. The questions to lje decided should be dis cussed before election day, as they are In other departments of government. The public platform .and the press pro vide a better forum for discussion than a chaotic meeting, where the loudest voice bawls reason down and disorder silences protest. TAXES. Taxes are high. They are always high and always will be high, so long as government assumes more and more functions and the citizen insists more and more upon having the bene fits of a paternal system. Everybody gets more from than he gives to .gov ernment; yet nobody, pays more in money than he must and few pay more in service. If we want taxes to be lower It Is obvious that we must quit building new schoolhpuses, better roads, new libraries, new parks, new playgrounds, new public buildings; and it Is. obvious that we must restrict and not expand our municipal and educational activ ities. As an illustration of the increased cost of government due .solely to the universal demand for better streets, the single Item of street cleaning and sprinkling alone in Portland may be mentioned. It is over $350,000 per an num. After awhile the cost of '"main tenance and repair will be a large sum, whereas Just now it is assumed for the most part by the paving companies. If we did not want to keep the streets clean and smooth we should not have built them. If the taxpayer wants to see where his money goes let him study the coun ty, city and school budgets. He will be astounded at the variety of the pub lic activities and interests, and at the numerous channels through which his money goes. Yet when it is proposed to cut off any of them, there is a loud and effective protest from some quarter. Just now the taxpayers themselves have added two mills to the proposed school levy. .,. It is true that the tax payers who attended the annual meet ing Wednesday were more or less di rectly interested, for a majority of them lived in districts where it was planned to build new schools for their children; yet the meeting was open to every taxpayer and it was his duty to attend. If he is displeased with what was done, why did he leave the meeting to. others who had something they wanted? Yet it seems that none except persons who are after some thing ever think of going to an annual school meeting. But we need schols and must build new ones if we are to have any at all. If we build them, we must pay for them. If we build schools we do not need we must pay for them, too. It is better, .of course, to build the schools we need when they are needed. So it is better to build the roads we need when they are needed and when we are certain of the benefits to follow. Public moneys Invested In schools and roads If they are well built and prop, erly located are never wasted. MAKE SEA TRAVEL SAFER. The seamen's bill, which has been passed by the Senate and which now faces fierce opposition from shipown ers In the House, Is not a measure solely for the protection of seamen. Its aim is and its effect would be to safeguard life at sea not only for sea men, but for the vastly larger number of passengers. The burning of the Volturno proved the need of such a law. The Kroon land was among the vessels which went to the rescue and among her passengers was Mrs. Florence Kelly, secretary of the National Consumers' League. She tells a graphic story of the Kroonland's work in saving eighty eight persons from the Volturno, but she makes this Impressive statement: The Kroonland, carrying only twenty-six seamen, eked out the crews for two lifeboats with stokers and stewards. All her other llfeboatB were useless for this rescue work for want of seamen! If a steamship cannot carry enough able seamen to man all her boats, her owners can insure that her stewards, stokers and firemen shall 'be able to handle an oar and shall have some drill I in rescue work. The seamen's bill requires enough lifeboats-to carry all on board a ship and enough able seamen to provide two for each boat. The otMer oars can be taken by other members of the crew or by passengers, for many men can row. But men are hired for the engine-room and cabin without regard to their ability to row and no boat drill is provided In many cases. When disaster comes, lifeboats are too few and some of those few are useless for lack of men to row them. Should Darlzae, the new wonder at the University of Pennsylvania, de cide to enter the ring after he gradu ates, he has more than one qualifica tion. His weight of 250 pounds, com bined with "the litheness of a pan- ther," promises well, but far more use ful to him as an exhibition prizefight er would be his gift o'f tongues. He is more or less master of nine lan guages. His probable income from the ring awes the imagination. AN rNTTTATIOX TO SUB. As we understand a recent ruling by the State Supreme Court in an Astoria case, it is in effect the law of Oregon that a jury may be called in court to pass upon the propriety, of any street Improvement ordered by city ordi nance. Actual experience, if this de cision is adhered to, or the law te not changed, will be multiplication of damage cases against every city that undertakes any sort of street improve, ment work. It is difficult to believe that the Legislature Intended that questions of locating grades, constructing fills in stead of bridges or vice versa, or se lection of paving materials might be made subjects of suits for negligence by affected property owners. Yet it seems that if a jury determines that a rough pavement ordered should have been a smooth pavement or decides that action was negligent in some sim ilar particular, the city may be mulcted for damages. The injustice of such a law Is ap parent when It Is realized that one jury's verdict will not be' binding on another Jury in a case in which the Issues are identical. Moreover it is a matter of common knowledge that there is more than an even chance to make out a case before a jury when a corporation, private or municipal. Is defendant. It is probable that in Isolated cases true negligence is com mitted in ordering street improve ment, but the Justice of the law must be casual and its injustice general and material. It is said that this rule was once in force in Ohio, but wide criti cism and complaint caused its overthrew-. . Its . apparent introduction in Oregon is vewed with grave appre hension by Portland's legal depart ment and in that apprehension the taxpayers generally may 'properly share. FORCING WIXSON'S HAND. John Llnd's hurried journey to Tux pam was prompted by anxiety for the safety of those British interests which have been most influential until re cently with the British government. The rebel General Aguilar telegraphed to the manager of the Pearson syndi cate at Mexico City on November 21, informing him that the rebels were in possession of all the Pearson mineral properties. Including El Petrero, the biggest oil gusher in the world. Aguilar ordered the manager to go to Tuxpam and meet his terms, which, a dispatch says, "evidently mean that he expects the payment of a large sum of money for the surrender of the oil proper ties." He threatened to cut off the supply of oil to the national railroads and demanded Immediate removal of all foreigners employed by the Pear son syndicate "in order to avoid inter national complications." Agullar's demands threaten to force President Wilson's hand. The rebel's chief means of raising funds is en forced contributions levied on property. By seizing the oil supply they fall foul of the interest which was strong enough to Induce promptrecognition of Baron Cowdray's friend, Huerta, by Great Britain. That interest is ex pected to supply the British "navy with much-needed fuel oil. It may be able to Induce Premier Asquith to demand that the United States protect its prop erty or consent to the landing of a British force for that purpose. Moral suasion is not likely to have much effect on General Aguilar. By holding the oil fields, he can raise funds for the revolution and can cut off the fuel supply from the national railroads, which are controlled by Huerta, and can thus delay movement of Federal troops against him. He will scarcely yield to anything but force, the one instrument which Mr. Wilson most objects to using. In this instance particularly, use of force would be contrary to the Wilson pol icy, for rescue of the oil supply from the rebels would materially, help Huerta, whom the President Is trying to starve out, and would render the rebels as hostile to the United States as the federals already are. But if he refuses to intervene at Tuxpam, he may have serious' difficulty ln-prevent. ing a British force from occupying the city. American policy has thus coma, into direct conflict with British interests, and we have drifted still closer to the necessity of armed intervention. FLATFORM TO REUNITE PARTT. Senator La.Folletto makes clear his purpose to fight for the adoption of a new platform at the special Republi can convention to be held next Spring. In a signed article in LaFollette's Weekly he approves the plan to revise the basl3 of representation, ut he says: The rank and file of a united Republican -party will demand more of such a conven tion than a mere change In the rules of tho game. They will demand assurance that the party is to keep step with the needs of the Kation. Tho divided Republican forces' can only be reunited as they are inspired to believe In the sincerity of purpose and leadership of the reorganization. An extraordinary convention must hold out some stronger Inducement than a plan for a new basis of representation if It would restore the 'party to confidence and power. In the effort to harmonize, the party must not yield to the temptation to com promise principle. Too often the party out of power adopts the policy of negation, seeks advantage in attacking tho weak points of the adversary and caters to the disappoint ed and disaffected with vogue promises of something better. This Administration is making a record for specific performance. Saying that the tariff law, the cur rency bill and the proposed anti-trust law "constitute a record of some ad vance against centralized power, which the country has been aching to see made," he continues: Ko mere negative policy of criticism of the methods of obtaining the legislation nor of the legislation Itself can be relied upon to reinstate the Republican party in control of National administration. An extraordinary convention ' that Is to arouse and enthuse the 7.000,000 Republi cans, men and women, to a renewal of their allegiance to the party of Lincoln "must fore cast a programme for the overthrow ef the centralized power that has" undermined representative government, more radical, more aggressive and more 'advanced than has been adopted by any party since the war. Perhaps th new declaration of Re publican principles need not go, so far as the Senator proposes; it need not be "more radical, more aggressive and more advanced than has been adopted by any party since the war," but it should be a ringing restatement of the principles announced by the founders of the party and should be so ad vanced an application of those prin ciples as to present conditions that the party can unite upon them. It should rally to the standard the divided and disheartened forces and inspire them with a unity of spirit and an enthusi asm which would draw to them hosts of Independent voters and make the result of the next Presidential election a striking contrast to that of the last. The .technical lawyer was rebuked by a common-sense Judge when Judge Meals, of the Appellate Court of Cleve land,, said in refusing to reverse the lower court's verdict on a pickpocket who had appealed on the ground of technical error: " If every case In which any error Is com mltted must be reversed, but few. If any, convictions could stand and law would be come a farce and we would be involved in anarchy. If on appeal the only question to be decided was as to whether any error has been committed the trial Judge would be the real defendant and the guilt of the defendant would be immaterial. But If that rule were to be invari ably applied, there would be so much less work for lawyers that niny of them would have to become" farmers. Commenting on a Mexico City dis patch which stated that Nelson O'Shaughnessy, the American Charge de Affaires, sTient an afternoon golf ing, the New York Sun say3: .What are revolutions, wars, conquests, treason, stratagems and spoils to your true golfer? If the game had been known In Nero's time, he would have played it while Rome was burning. Instead of merely fiddling. What would you? Must our repre sentative rest not day nor night from wagging his finger at Huerta and tell ing that obstinate despot to get out? He seems to have chosen an uncom monly mild sport to recuperate his energies. Let him golf in the inter vals between interviews with Huerta. Of the numerous bills In Congress aimed at the egg cold storage trusts some may possibly hit the mark. Such legislation is amiably intended- and wins more or less applause, but eggs will never be cheap the year round again until production increases and marketing processes are improved. Our products travel a long and difficult road from farm to consumer. The road might be short and easy if we cared to make it so. In almost every neighborhood there are families to whom this day is not one of thanksgiving in the sense of too much to eat, especially if there be little ones among its members. Let the housewife to whom economy is not a specter send to at least one family the first cut off the turkey and all that goes with it. If the big boy be the messenger the experience will be a lasting lesson. The New York police are known to be imaginative, but there may be something in their discovery of "an international society of crooks." A series of stories in one of the maga zines describes such a society by the name of "The Hundreds and Thou sands." As a piece of fiction the ac count is entertaining. As an incident of real .life such a society would' be almost too stimulating. People are already seeking another Job for Colonel Goethals, and Dayton, O., talks of hiring him as a city man ager. But if he undertook to manage a seIf,-governing city as he has man aged the Canal Zone he would prob ably be recalled in short order. Cities have to be coaxed and cajoled Into do ing that which is for their own good. Even the man whose wife would leave him can find something .for Which to be thankful today. He might be a bigamist In danger of losing both. It's a mistake to say the bank em ploye in New York who made away with $250,000 was a mere clerk. He was at least an embryo financier. A local burglar was frightened away by a woman s screams. It's usually a woman's pistol that does the trick these progressive days. Mrs. Pankhurst has gone, with $20, 600 loot from sympathizers. That sum will buy much ammunition on the other side. New Orleans has Imported Argen tine corn, and likes it so well that there is talk of growing it in Lou isiana. Pennsylvania boasts a student of stupendous physique. But it's brain. not . brawn, that counts these days. If it is true that Huerta is a drunk ard, news from Juarez ought to afford him inspiration for another spree. With the prices of commodities up and the price of autos down right here Is where the producer rides. The darky who does not at least eat chicken today has himself to blame in this dark of the moon. ' At . last something approaching a real battle appears, to have been fought on Mexican soil. The pessimist is giving thanks for the shrinkage in the hole of the doughnut. , The tango Is making a hard fight for survival against the onslaughts of prudery. It's only to be expected that the I. W. W. would disagree among them selves. The small boy Is thankful that his mother is the best cook that ever lived. With one big worry off his mind the President has only about half a dozen left. The rebels claim to have won. But how long will they be on the rebel side? "Fare thee well," Emmaline, "and if forever, then forever fare thee well . Congress will now endeavor to re duce prices. Like the tariff did? Many friends of the barnyard are meeting in cold storage today. Of course, we will now.have a regu lar epidemic of weddings. Let us all be thankful we have not died in the past year. As the goose said to the turkey, "I'll see you later." Does a prisoner come within the eight-hour law? Plenty is so plentiful that none need go hungry today. President Wilson is thankful it is over. Thanks. Home Town Thanksgiving v By Dean Collins. Nothing care I for the rich cafe, Nor chefs well versed In the cookery - books. For I am slated to get today The Thanksgiving dinner my mother cooks. -.. Though grills may offer their finest bills. With" turkey browned to the rlchesj. brown. And spices at which the palate thrills I'm going back to the old home town. For there is my dream of daintiness sure: One of the kinds you read in the books, To stir the soul of an epicure. Is the Thanksgiving dinner my moth er cooks. Sauces and sweets are there for me That never a chef, though widely known. Could offer me here, because, you see The recipe is my mother's own. Oh, the pumpkin pies and the salads fine. And cakes that out in the pantry stand. And the royal roast In this menu of , mine And all prepared by my mother's hand! , What care I for the rich cafe. With the cabaret and the dance and song? Not for me on Thanksgiving- Day The call of the home town Is too strong. So keep your music and wine and dm; The menu for me today shall be A Thanksgiving dinner that's genuine. That my little mother prepares for me. THANKSGIVING DAY. Oh, America, my native soil: To thee our Pilgrim Fathers came. And for their freedom did they toil Through that cold Winter In thy name. - Then, when the bitter Winter passed. And ripened grain in plenty lay, They all knelt down in thanks at last For blessings on Thanksgiving day. Two centuries with fortune fraught Have rolled o'er thy discovered shore. But oh! What changes have they wrought, Since that first . Thanksgiving day of yore. Amid the nations of the world You proudly hold the foremost place. Tho Starry Banner you unfurled Still waves an emblem of God's grace. Thy son's great deeds illume thy name; And now the Nation a will to please They add the last note to thy fame The glorious union Of the seas. And yet a question grave there stands Arousing many doubhts and fears About the hordes from foreign lands Who settle here throughout the years. They come, not as the Pilgrims came. To seek a shrine for faith eo pure; But only come for sordid gain And distant fortunes dazzling lure. But. Motherland, we trust in 'thee To teach them, for their' need is great . To purify them till they see A higher purpose in their fate. Marguerite Templeton. Portland, Or. . THANKSGIVING. O .Thou, who lovest all Help us on Thee to call, And render thanks. The God of nature praise. Our chorus voices raise, For blessings on our days, And render thanks. O God, our Father still. We yield to Thee our will. And render thanks; We see In earth and sky Ten thousand reasons why We should believe Thee nigh. And render thanks. Thou God of Providence For gifts of excellence, ' We render thanks; jp. Creator divine, know that Thou art mine And that all things are thine. And render thanks. This Is Thanksgiving day, Let all the nations pray. And render thanks; We will Thy goodness sing For gifts of everything. Making Thy praises ring. And render thanks. O God, all glorious, . In Thee victorious. We render thanks; The thought of Thee Is sweet. As round our board we meet. Our friends again to greet. And render thanks. Dennis Alonzo Watters. Portland, Or. What's the Hurry! PORTLAND. Nov. 2 5. (To the Edi tor.) I see by The Oregonian under the Items of 25 years ago that men have been put to work to grade and pave an approach from Holladay avenue to the railroad bridge. I see they are still working at it and the approach is not yet finished. Now I would like to know why there is so much kick about Fourth street, which has been torn up only nine months. It seems this new generation of Ore- gonlans are very hard to please. We old fellows do not know any different and were perfectly happpy, or least re signed, to walk in mud up to the tops of our high boots. What Is the use to hurry? The sooner the street is fixed the sooner it will be torn up or worn out again. Even If It should take years to fix, it would be money saved. OTTO KLEEMAN. If otv It Goes in Chlcsgo. Chicago Record-Herald. "Can you direct me to the best hotel In this town?" asked the stranger, who, after sadly watching the train depart. had set his satchel upon -the station platform. "I can," replied the man who was waiting for a train going the other way, "but I hate to do it. "Why?" "Because you will think, after you've seen it, that I'm a liar." Providing: for a Rainy Day. Life. The boy had just handed his father a sizable haberdasher's bill with the re quest that he pay it. "You are an ex travagant Idiot," roared the irate par ent. "Does it ever occur to you to pro vide for a rainy day?" "Why, yes, dad,' said the youngster.s'If you'll read over that bill you'll find that one of the items Is for a $25 raincoat, and $15 of it is for umbrellas. That German Wanderlust. Cleveland Plain Dealer. "They tell me you've lost your hired man." "Yep, best farm hand I ever had." "Sho! What wuz th' matter 7' "Nothln". John's a German, you know, and .these here Germans hev what they call the wanderlust. It's somethln' thSt keeps 'em movin from one place t'other, an don't let em stay long any wheres." "How long has John been with you?" "Only 11 years." WASHINGTON COUNTY CATCHING tHP AgreemeDt With Aoto Club on Read Work More Than Kept. HILLSBORO. Or.. Nov. 25, (To the Editor.) In The Oregonian Sunday George E. Waggoner, of Portland, tella us that be "would like to take Just one more fling at Washington County." then proceeds to ask: "Why should Jackson County, at our southern boun dary. Multpomah on the north, and all other intervening counties throughout the length of our state, spend millions on their highways without urging or forcing. If possible, Washington County to make half-way passable that small stretch of five miles (Rex-Tigardville road), so that we could have a con tinuous improved highway through the state?" Then listen to thil: "Washington County may think they can work the 'dog in the manger racket,' but they cannot." The facts warrant me in say ing that Mr. Waggoner's "complaint is based on false premises. Washington County has been my home for 22 years, and I have been a taxpayer most of that time. I believe I understand the situation much better than Mr. Wag goner, and I think' it well that all in terested should know the truth. This county agreed with the Port land Auto Club to take from the gen eral road fund of the county $3000 to be used on the stretch of road com plained of, the auto club to furnish the balance necessary to macadamrize the road. Up to last March the county paid for this purpose $2299.78, the auto club $6404.83; three miles 'of this road has been, completed and the remaining five miles graded. This leaves a. balance of $700.22 yet to be furnished by the county, and this will be forthcoming whenever it is called for and there is any assurance that the auto club will complete the balance of the road. It is apparent to anyone that this county more than complied with its promise to the auto club, as less than one-half the road Is completed and four-fifths of Washington County's contribution expended. In this connection I doubt the County Court's authority to take money from the general road fund and use it for any particular piece of permanent road work in the county. I live in Hillsboro and very seldom use the piece of road in question, yet under this contribu tion, part of which I have paid in taxes, funds were handed over to the several road d-istricts in that neighbor hood for their Immediate benefit: these road districts have evidently refused to tax themselves for Improving this road, but are willing that outsiders shall be taxed for their use. I have paid a. 6-mill special levy for five or six years in my own road district and rock roads have been built, and it is unfair that I should contribute to other road districts who refuse to levy taxes. Mr, Waggoner should take his "fling" at the road districts through which this stretch of road extends, and I am will ing to co-operato with him in doing so. I am glad to inform Mr. Waggoner, however, that the road districts com plained of are the exception and not the rule. The records of Washington County show that to date we have 130 miles of macadam and gravel road in this county and all paid for. Jackson County can bond itself for a half mil lion dollars for road purposes, but Washington County, in the very near future, will have hard-surface roads without resorting to the bonding act Mr. Waggoner complains that "we" should have a through highway to the Willamette Valley. Pray, who are "we ? I have been under the impres sion that "we" selected the Pacific Highway (through Clackamas and Ma rion counties) from Portland to Salem for this purpose. Why don't "we" use it? Returning home from the State Fair this fall I tried to use it, resultin in two broken springs. Washington County has a through highway to the Willamette Valley over which I trav eled to Salem to the State Fair, and rrom.my home In Hillsboro to the Yam hill County line I traveled over hard surfaced road every foot of the way. As soon as I came to the Yamhill Coun ty line I was on dirt road but a vastly bitter road than' the Pacific Highway. I drove to Salem over "our" through highway in three hours and IS minutes li comfort and without accident. As r.tated, I returned by way of Pacific ilighway to Portland, and It took me over four hours to make the trip "Our" through highway to the Willam ette Valley, commencing at the east line of our county to Gaston on the west, is all hard-surface road except six miles a distance of 30 miles. Take it from me that the best through highway to the Willamette Valley is not by the Pacific Highway nor by the Rex-Tigardville road, but by "our' through highway, and this county In all probability will continue to select its own through highways for improve ment regardless of the "flings" of "we' the Portland Auto Club. JOHN M. WALL. ECONOMY IN FLAT RATE SYSTEM No Need of Sending: Bile to Consumers or Reading: of Meters, PORTLAND, Nov. 26. (To the Edi tor.) I have read with much Interest the discussion about our Water Depart ment charging for water by meter or flat rate. In The Oregonian C. B. gives his reason for . advocating the meter system. . He compares the city with the big private corporations who are In business to make all the money they can, besides they have to produce what they sell, but .our city corporation is not there to make money, does not pro duce in this case; it simply levies a tax to meet the expenses of the Water De partment. It is the duty of our "business ad ministration" to find the best and cheapest method to raise this money and there is no doubt in my mind that the flat rate system Is the only busi ness system for Portland. Drawing the line between the "ordinary house" and the "big house" could be easily es tablished by giving the former six fau cets and the latter the larger number. C. B. could keep his water bill down to the minimum of 75 cents if he so chooses and would not be obliged to carry the "burden of someone else." We were told after the completion of the new reesrvolrs that our city would have water enough for 50 years to come; why do we have to be stingy with our water and why would it not be much more businesslike to spend the $300,000 Intended for meters In better ing our water system so we do not have to sit up to 12 o'clock nights to get water for our lawns? s The flat-rate system is by far the cheapest, as there is no necessity of sending bills to customers nor expense of reading meters. The wasting of wa ter could be eliminated to a great ex tent by having the plumbing Inspected at intervals and Imposing a fine on neglectful consumers. A. J. H. Rhodes Scholarships. INDEPENDENCE, Or., Nov. 23. (To the Editor.) Where may one obtain In telligence about the examinations for the Rhodes scholarships and about the scholarship Itself? Also information regarding the Olym pic Games? With thanks in advance for this fa for, I am, yours very truly, R. G. G. r The World Almanac, obtainable at book stores at 25 cents, contains in formation on the Rhodes scholarships and gives results of the 1912 Olympic meet. No. PRINE VILLE, Or., Nov. 25. (To the Editor.) When matrimonial candidates are refused license to marry, because 6ne or the other has not been divorced six months, are they legally married, providing they go to Canada and marry, and return to the state in the United States where they were re fused license for the above named grounds? SUBSCRIBER. Twenty-five Years Ago From The Oregonian of November 27. 18SS. New York. Nov. 26. The first storm of the Winter is still sweeping over the Atlantic Coast and the Great Lakes, causing, many shipwrecks. Washington, Nov, 26. Senator Quay today said the Republicans Would have a majority of nine in the next House. Heppner. Or., Nov. 28. The Willow Creek branch of the O. R. & N. was completed to Heppner today. The last spike was driven by Hon. J. L. Morrow and Henry Heppner, the pioneers of the colony. Albany, Or., Nov. 26. John Schwartz was shot dead on November 21 near Walton, on the Siuslaw, by George Montgomery, who mistook him for a bear. Salem, Nov. 26. The Republican city convention tonight made the following nominations: Mayor, Mayor George Williams; Recorder, L. Conn; Marshal, James Ross; Treasurer, E. J. Swaf- ford. Colonel W. W. Chapman is suffering from a stroke of paralysis. Chief of Police Parrlsh suggested to some friends at the Oilman House that something be done to give the patients at the smallpox hospital a Thanksgiv ing dinner. The suggestion was taken up by S. Hinshelmer and in a few min utes he collected $31. Tho County Court yesterday gave G. W. Brown a 50 years' franchise to build a street railway along the county road known as Hawthorne avenue. He will use two and one-half miles of the road. Ben F. Smith, of Sellwood, says that place is In favor of annexation to Port land. St. Johns This little town, on the east bank of the Willamette, is growing rapidly. The constant explosions in the north ern part of the city are from the clear ing operations on the Irving tract, east of Margaretta avenue. AMERICA'S DIPLOMATIC BLl'XDER Strong Hand Like Haerls's XecrsHary in Mexico, Ssyi Resident. BAKER, Or., Nov. 25. (To tho Edi tor.) Since my xeturn from Mexico, where I spent the last two years, I have seen nothing so sensible and level-headed regarding the Mexican situation as your editorial, November 24, headed "National Duty." You have scored many telling points, and have made plain the real issues at present confronting Mexico. The failure of the United States Gov ernment to recognize Huerta within a reasonab time after he became de facto the head of the Mexican state was a diplomatic blunder and also a great injustice to Huerta himself. The man has his shortcomings and is probably capable of committing the same kind of crimes that his predecessors in th; Mexican presidential ' chair have never hesitated at, but even so, there is noth ing proved against him, and the charge of complicity in the murder of Madero, so firmly believed in by those who know nothing whatever of Mexico and the conditions there, and flatly denied by those whose opinions are worth having Americans in Mexico City, missionaries. diplomatic representa tives and others, and Huerta himself seems to be the only real reason ad vanced for withholding recognition. As to his not having been constitu tionally chosen, that is sheer nonsense. How many votes, think you. were ever cast for Juarez or Diaz or even for Ma dero himself? Outside of Mexico City, there are not 3 per cent of the elec torate who would ever trouble them selves to sro to the polls. The auto cratic government of the Diaz type, ol' course, was the result of this apathy, and not the cause of it, as some would have us believe. In the present case, the sad part of the whole affair is that it really seemed as If a man had arisen who, with proper support from out side nations, might have brought back a semblance of law and order to the country and given the people a chanco to work out their salvation under settled conditions, but by the pure stu pidity of our Government the man's hands are tied and he can accomplish nothing towards pacification. Let no one think that the hundred and - one different bands of revolu tionists now in field against Huerta have the slightest political motives in their rebellions, or desire to better conditions for the people. Half of Madero's Generals were notorious bandits and outlaws, and they were the first to turn against him when they found that the success of his revo lution meant a cessation of their chances for plundering. These are the men now in the field, fighting for thn "constituclon." Nothing will at this time serve the turn in Mexico but a strong military government, with en iron man at the head who can suppress brigandage, restore, communications, give industry a chance, and, above all, reopen the schools and let the younger generation have an opportunity to grow into better citizens. And since we have knocked one seemingly capable man out of the run ning, let us hope that if another should arise, our statesmen will take a some what different view regarding self government in Mexico, and realize that the rights of men come after their sense of duty and responsibility, anil not before. . They will then see that Mexico has several centuries yet to no before there can be any hope of suc cess under a real democracy. KENNETH M'EWEN. Are Your Profits On Your Shelves or In Your Bank? r 1 January first is approaching. It is the time when most merchants make their annual inventory. A good mer chant goes through his stock with a fine-tooth comb, so to speak. He overhauls his merchandise, takes the loss on his deteriorated stock, counts his money, and figures out exactly where he stands. If he is fortunate, his inventory shows a profit on the year's busi ness. But he is doubly fortunate if it shows that his profit is in his bank and not tied up in merchan dise on his shelves. Many an otherwise prosperous business Is tied hand nnd foot be cause it Is overloaded with merchan dise. - The trend of retailing today Is toward simplified stocks of known merchandise that move quickly and put the profit where it belongs at the end of the year. In newspapers like The Oregonian readers can learn what to buy and where to buy it. Live manufactur ers are helping the retailers by tell ing the public through the daily newspapers, where their merchan dise may be found. The retailers are helping the manufacturers in a similar way. The benefit is mutual. The manufacturer and the retail er are joint-partners lu the crop of local sales. They co-operate in sow. lngthe seed. In cultivating the crop, and In reaping the harvest of rash profits. Newspaper advertising Is the chief "implement" for both. The retailer uses additional "tools" in the way of counter and window displays. Adv.