TTTE MORNING OU'EGONIAN. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 1914.
PORTLAND, OREGON.
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PORTLAND, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 1814.
AN ACT OF WAR.
American marines at "Vera Cruz
have been fired upon. American
'blood has been spilled by Mexican
troops in territory under Huerta's
control. The die is cast; it means
war war at least on Huerta and the
de facto government of Mexico. It Is
inconceivable that Mexico City shall
not now become- our objective point;
that such military force as is neces
sary shall not be employed to crush
the Mexican dictator.
"Whether the whole of Mexico will
now rally to the colors borne by
Huerta would seem to be the one un
settled point. Opinions may differ as
to this, but in the light of the Mexi
can temperament, the outlook is
dark. Armed intervention through
out the length and breadth of Mexico
ia an ominous possibility if the Vera
Cruz incident lays hold, of the turbu
lent imagination of the Mexicans.
Even the ousting of Huerta will be
come no small matter. Our troops
will meet with stubborn resistance
along the line of communication to
Mexico City. If they are held in the
hot damp districts outside of Vera
Cruz their position would be more
dangerous than in a contested ad
vance. Disease in that domain would
prove a valued ally to the Mexicans.
That the United States will act
promptly and vigorously against
Huerta is inevitable. Huerta has
chosen to make this necessary. His
men have claimed a toll of American
lives that makes further haggling in
conceivable, if not Impossible. As
pointed out yesterday by The Orego
nian, the one chance of a rift in the
war clouds lay in the conduct of
Huerta ,when our marine's were land
.ed to uphold the dignity of the United
States. He has made his grim choice.
He has thrown his bloody gauntlet
into the hopeless arena of armed
conflict.
"Whether what happens is called
something else than war does not
matter. That will be a mere play
upon words. Call . it retaliation
against Huerta, intervention or what
you may, the consequences will be
the same. The only uncertain point
at this time Is whether the whole of
the Mexican people will throw them
selves into the desperate trap that
Huerta has set to catch their loyalty
and save his selfish dignity.
INVITING THE STEAM-ROLLER.
In Salem, where it might be sup
posed the opportunities for personal
observation of the working of the
Legislature would promote accuracy
among its critics, is published the
"Weekly Visitor. The Visitor does not
have a high opinion of the Legisla
tive Assembly. Here is one of its rea
sons inexcusably distorted as to facts:
When the "people" demand certain legis
lation and an intiativo Is submitted for pop
ular acceptance or rejection, tho people vote
this measure down by a heavy majority of
votes cast. It would seem to any sane man
that since the people, the sovereign power'
in the state, had spoken against this mean
re. that that wou!i settle H for the time
being at least. But no. The same Indi
viduals who were behind the popular peti
tion at once take the defeated measure be
fore the subsequent Legislature and log-roll,
force and trade the measure through, thus
making a law of the very measure the peo
ple decided upon adversely. The emergency
t-iause is blandly attached In order that the
usual 00 days' irrace for referendum cannot
be Invoked. Why should the people con
tinue to countenance a weapon which Is
deliberately turned upon them? So strong
is this feeling in Multnomah County that
" It Is said that there are some very "good"
men there who have refused to become can
didates Tor the Senate for the reason that
they believe the initiative petition which
will come before the people at the coming
election to abolish the Senate stands good
chances of carrying. If this bill ever car
ries, leaving the House alone, there will be
a lesson taught some aspiring politicians
which will not be soon forgotten.
Several bills containing provisions
similar to some contained in measures
defeated at the polls In 1912, were
adopted by the 1913 Legislature, but
the emergency clause was not at
tached to one of them. Chief among
them was the blue sky law. When
this law was before the people prac
tically the only argument made
against it was that it was inappropri
ate legislation to submit to the voters.
It was defeated on that ground and
its adoption by the Legislature was
recommended by the Governor.
The electors in 1912 also defeated
all constructive good roads measures.
Their rejection was due solely to the
fact that the main issue was compli
cated by the submission of a number
of conflicting bills. Each bill oper
ated to defeat the other. Good roads
legislation was also recommended by
the Governor. The people wanted it
and the Legislature supplied it.
Other measures adopted that had
theretofore been rejected by the peo
ple were laws levying a millage tax
for support of the University and
Agricultural College and a measure
providing a method for division of
counties. None of these bills was ob
jectionable to the voters. They had
been rejected because the initiation
of bills had run wild. There were
too many on the ballot and the peo
ple as a rule voted "no" on miscella
neous legislation that should have
properly gone to the Legislature in
the first place. Governor West, whg
is a fervent advocate of direct legis
lation, recommends the millage tax
also in his message.
Today-there is an earnest and
widespread demand "for consolidation
of numerous state commissions "and
for abolishment of others. Already
the voters are promised two Initiative
plans for their rejection or approval.
There will perhaps be others, but in
any event the submission of two "con
flicting bills on the same subject will
mean the defeat of both at the polls.
Are we to be deadlocked in the ac
quirement of an economical govern
ment by the unwieldiness of the ini
tiative competitng with fanatical
worship of a verdict that does not
define the will of the people?
If the people abolish the Senate
because the Legislature has declined
to accept an indefinite popular vote
as final, then the office of Governor
also should be abolished. He is
equally guilty. He gave his influence
to three reversals of "popular will."
But before the Senate is abolished
there is one point that should be
calmly considered. The difference in
the length of terms of Senators and
Representatives minimizes the dan
ger of steam-roller legislation. The
controlling influences in one ejection
are not the controlling influences in
another. Organization that will run
through both houses for that reason
can rarely be accomplished. But to
choose all the members of a unicam
eral Legislature in one election will
undoubtedly promote gang rule. A
brief experience with a house, not
held in rein by the Senate, will con
vince the people that heretofore they
did not know the meaning of the
word "steam roller."
. TIME TO ACT. NOT TO TALK.
We have been accustomed to re
gard President Wilson as a strong
contrast to President Roosevelt in
character and method. Mr. Wilson
has shown" scrupulous regard for the
prerogatives of Congress,- while Mr.
Roosevelt could scarcely conceal his
contempt for that body, but Mr. Wil
son's action in the present emergency
closely parallels that ot . Mr. Roose
velt in the Panama affair.
Mr. Roosevelt said he "took" Pan
ama and let Congress go on talking.
Mr. Wilson has (taken Vera Cruz
while Congress talks about the reso
lution authorizing him to do so. His
course differed from that of his pre
decessor only in the fact that he
asked Congress to approve it in ad
vance. But he pointedly told Con
gress he had authority to act without
its approval and, when Congress de
layed to talk, he acted, leaving Con
gress to approve after the event, if it
is so minded.
The Nation will indorse Mr. Wil
son's promptness. It was necessary
in order to prevent the guns and
ammunition being imported from
Germany from falling into the hands
of Huerta to be used against us here
after. In such emergencies action
must be taken first and the talk
which delays it is too costly for in
dulgence. That is the view Mr. Roosevelt took
of the Panama affair. Had he not
acted promptly, had he waited till
Congress finished talking, work
might not yet have been even begun
on the canal.
MISGUIDED PATRIOTS.
Word that Tom, Dick and Harry
want to form commands to fight
Mexico comes from many sections of
the country. Here it is a ranchrr-.-who
would get a band of cavalry
gether; there a fraternal society .
ganizer would organize a few reg
iments and'rush to the front in event
of war. Those jingoes who don't sug
gest raising regiments, brigades or
field armies are pursuing commis
sions of any denomination from cap
tain to captain-general. " ' . -
No doubt these men fancy them
selves true patriots. But they are
deceiving themselves. Warfare is
more or less of a- science these days
even the guerrilla type of conflict.
The untrained man who assumes
command of troops Is more danger
ous to his men than the enemy.
Should he be sent into the field at
the head of troops, ignorant mili
tary blunders would roll up the cas
ualties to a frightful degree. Putting
an untrained man in command of a
regiment can be likened to plac
ing a day laborer at the wheel of
a river steamer or at the throttle of
an aeroplane.
However, war or no war, the coun
try has obtained the measure of that
type of patriot through bitter experi
ence in the past and under no con
ceivable circumstance will the novice
get in his deadly work, at least not
In any war of the magnitude a con
flict with Mexico might assume. The
new volunteer bill takes the giving
of eommmissions out of the hands of
Governors. This is now a function
of the President and capacity to
command is required. In a big war
calling for hundreds of thousands of
men the political type of warrior
might get a chance to help pile up
the death roll of his own countrymen,
but there is no such prospect for him
immediately ahead.
The gentlemen who are now wiring
their services to the President to go
to the front as Colonels and Generals
might just as -well return to their al
lotted avocations and forget their idle
dream of martial gore and glory. Or,
better still, they might take the les
son of their military incompetence to
heart and set about preparing them
selves by service and study in time of
peace.
A REVIVIFIED SCIENCE.
This is an age of revivals. Among
some other things which were long
supposed to be dead phrenology is
waking to new life. On the fringe of
the sciences at any rate, if not really,
within the elect circle, it is receiving
a - great deal of learned attention.
Phrenology was invented by the Aus
trian Dr. Gall, who was forbidden by
the Government to practice his magic
power", but his disciple Spurzheim
carried on his work and wrote a book
which was translated into English
and widely circulated in the United
States. Later the noble art of deter
mining character from the shape of
the head was taken up by an Ameri
can, Fowler, who made a good deal
of money by it if he did not acquire
any great renown.
There was a time in the United
States when few young men cared to
venture out on the waves of life
without a phrenological chart signed
by Fowler or one of his accredited
pupils. All through those exciting
days the regular physicians and other
scientific men hotly contended that
phrenology was all humbug and in
the end they carried their point. The
pretended science fell into disrepute
and Its practice was abandoned to
furtive itinerants without visible
means of support.
But now its fortunes are looking
up. The celebrated criminologist
Lombroso taught that the shape of a
man's head had much to do with his
traits of character. The ears In par
ticular were, in his opinion, infallible
indicators of the state of the soul. If
a man's ears -are differently shaped,
or If one stands out liJce"a..rnushroom
on a dead tree and the' other" clings
flat to the fikull, look, out for .him.
says Lombroso. Dr. Montessori also
makes something of phrenology in
her great "Pedagogical Anthropol
ogy." The shape of the head tells
her many quaint facts about a child's
inner workings. ,.
Dr. Paul Sohn, of Germany, car
ries these analogies between the in
ner and the outer man a great deal
farther. He tells us, for instance,
that there is a special type of skull
belonging to musicians. It is very
wide, with a broad nose and chin and
eyes dreamily remote from each
other. Beethoven, Wagner, Schu
mann and all the other musical dem
igods had heads of this 'shape. It is
not a beautiful form, but since it oc
casions the production of beautiful
sounds it wins regard. No musical
genius ever had a turnip-shaped
head.
OPINIONS ON MEXICO.
The action of President Wilson In
sending the fleet to Mexico in order
to take reprisals for repeated - insults
to the American flag is approved by
all except a very few of the leading
newspapers. They generally call upon
the people to keep cool and some
express the hope that the intended
seizure of Vera Cruz and Tampico
will not lead to intervention or war.
but many say such an outcome is
unavoidable and one newspaper
frankly says that, If we go into
Mexico, we should stay there.
The New Tork Times holds that
those who say we are going to war
jump at that conclusion quite prema
turely; that there are dozens of
precedents where seizure of ports did
not lead to war. But it admits that
our pressure on Huerta will increase
with the resistance he offers. It says
that, if any serious trouble now
comes, it will be due to his obstinacy
and rashness.
While upholding the President and
saj-ing the people do not want to be
drawn Into war. the New York Trib
une says: "More alert and experi
enced diplomacy would have found a
way before this to accomplish prac
tically everything desirable which
armed intervention is likely to ac
complish." It says: "The Adminis
tration has drifted into this course";
that "the United" States will stand
face to face with the evil which the
President's watchful waiting was in
tended to avoid"; and that this pol
icy "was never calculated to do more
than postpone such- a crisis as now
exists."
The New Tork World is confident
that the President has sent the fleet
"on an errand of civilization, not on
an errand of bluff and aggression."
It exhorts the people to keep cool,
says they "are not likely to be
shrieked into another war" and that
"there is little disposition to create a
new Philippine problem south of the
Rio Grande."
Applauding the President's insist
ence on a salute, the New Tork Mail
says: "When the flag Is once raised
with armed men behind it, the voice
of criticism ceases."
The New Tork Sun says the send
ing of the fleet "is not necessarily a
war measure, but it portends mili
tary retaliation if satisfaction Is not
given and a state of war would then
exist." .It means "that the Mexicans
have mistaken the immobility of our
Naval officers for the expression of a
policy that would put up with one
indignity after another." It,- how
ever, calls attention to the Navy reg
ulation forbidding the firing of a
salute "In, honor of any nation or of
any official of any nation not for
mally recognized by the United
States," and asks if this rule has been
rescinded.
"Any general explosion of senti
ment" Is deprecated by the New Tork
Evening Sun, which says: "The Na
tion's desire is to keep the peace and
every citizen's duty is to keep his
head.' Particularly, those who ques
tioned the Government's line of ac
tion are warned that "the Govern
ment needs every man behind it."
The New Tork Herald says a
blockade of the ports Is most likely
and recalls that it advocated this
course as far back as November. It
holds "the vacillation and demon
strated Incapacity" of Huerta at bot
tom responsible for the aggravations
to which we have had to submit, and
says there is no hope of pacification
of the country through him.
Declaring Mr. Wilson "honestly and
sincerely opposed to intervention,"
the New Tork Globe says the occu
pation of Vera Cruz or Tampico
"does not necessarily imply war," but
surmises that the dispatch of the
fleet is partly prompted by expecta
tion of a rising in Mexico City.
The New Tork Evening Post con
tinues to belittle the insults to the
flag, saying they are "grave or
trifling, wholly according to the point
of view." It scoffs at the idea that
bombardment and seizure of ports
are not acts of war, saying: "They
appear .to be regarded aa neighborly
calls" and remarking:
Let our coast be blockaded or one of our
custom-houses taken possession of and the
Nation would have no doubt that there had
been an act of war.
While approving the President's
present course, the Chicago Inter
Ocean says the crisis is due to
his idealistic policy, and that he
"ought to be somewhat thankful for
the opportunity to escape from a po
sition that was becoming decidedly
ridiculous." It says that, "should
our flag go across the Rio Grande, it
will go to . stay," and that "it is only
a question of time before the flag
reaches the Panama Canal."
The Chicago Tribune finds In the
present developments in Mexico an
explanation of the President's refer
ence in his canal tolls message to
"matters of even greater delicacy and
nearer consequence" and reads a lec
ture to opponents of the repeal bill.
"The President will have the back
ing of the people" as a whole because
he has., made a clear case," says the
Chicago Record-Herald, adding that
the strongest opponents of interven
tion will be more strongly opposed to
submission to Huerta's insults.
"Huerta now learns that acts lie
behind words," says the Chicago
Evening Post; "that even the patient
Idealist in the White House can reach
the end of his patience."
The country Is congratulated -Hay
the Boston Transcript that in such a
crisis the President is responsible for
foreign policy, since "it eliminates
from any responsibility the blunder
buss in the Department of State."
The Transcript ridicules the "whining
defense" which Mr. Bryan makes of
the President's action and tells him
to "keep his mouth shut." It says
the dispatch of the fleet should mark
"the abandonment of the policy of
watchful waiting along the full
length of the Mexican border" and
calls for action against Villa as well
as Huerta.
After justifying the President's
course by citing several historic prece
dents the Springfield Republican
suggests that Huerta, Jjhaa reached a
desperado determination to provoke
American intervention as preferable
to the triumph of the Constitutional
ists. Or he may desire to force in
tervention in the hope of uniting all
Mexico under his leadership against
the intervening power."
, Says the Washington Herald:
Millions of peace-loving Americans believe
that the Administration should long ago
have adopted sterner measures. The Presi
dent believes it Is now time to act. even if
that action means war, and the undivided
sentiment of the American people will sup?
port him.
" The Baltimore Sun exhorts the
people to keep cool, saying: "There
can be little doubt that intervention
means war," but that respect for us
can probably" be enforced "if our
officials keep clear-headed and sober
minded and are not forcedto unwar
ranted action." It, too, suggests that
Huerta would welcome hostilities and
says we may be sure that, "if the in
sult to the Stars and Stripes is not
wiped out, Huerta will be." It also
says: "
To hand over Tampico and Vera Crux to
the revolutionists and to recognixe their
belligerent rights may be all that is needed
to pull Huerts down from his Insecure place.
The' Indianapolis News hopes we
shall still be able to keep out of Mex
ico and says "there ought to be some
solution of the problem that will
avoid anything like Intervention." It
deprecates Senator- Borah's sugges
tion of annexation as likely to be
misinterpreted in South America.
The Naval movement is recognized
by the Indianapolis Star as the turn
ing point In our attitude towards
Mexico, force being the only alterna
tive to Huerta's submission and
"force means war."
A WONDER CHILD'S SCHEME.
Pittsburg's wonder child an 11-year-old
girl who speaks nine lan
guages has expressed this opinion:
I think we should have two Presidents of
the United States a Mr. president and a
Mrs. President. They ought to be of the
same political party, and It would be better
if they were married. But they ought not
have very many children to look after; and
while they are President the doors of the
White House should be closed to (ha stork.
That would conform to the cus
toms of those times when a King and
Queen were Joint rulers over a king
dom, as was the case with Ferdinand
and Isabella of Spain and with Will
iam and Mary of England. But It is
distressing to think what would be
the consequence if Mr. and Mrs.
President disagreed on a measure of
importance. If the signatures of
both were required to make a bill
passed by Congress law, and if one
signed and the other vetoed it, there
would be a deadlock in the White
House. What hot debates there
would be over breakfast. They might
be continued in the bedchamber and
might generate such discord as to
cause a divorce. If Mr. and Mrs.
President were divorced, what should
we do for a Mrs. President, or, per
haps, a Mr. President?
On the whole, there are serious dif
ficulties in the way of adopting the
Pittsburg wonder's scheme. She had
better apply her brilliant intellect to
some other problem. She is doubt
less bright, but there are points about
statesmanship and matrimony which
are beyond her youthful ken.
One of the big old New England
schools has addressed a sorrowful
letter to its graduates. This is the
tenor of its complaint. Formerly it
had many boys from "middle-class"
families. Their fathers. were doctors,
lawyers, ministers and the like, re
spectable, but not truly of noble
blood. . Now the boys who come are
all aristocrats. Their fathers are
millionaires. The head master thinks
the change Is not good for his school.
Hence his tears. We fancy he should
blame himself. If middle-class boys
were really wanted at the school,
they would go there just as of yore.
It would have been convenient for
the Rev. Mr. Tidrick had he .pos
sessed some of Daniel's lion-taming
power. The prophet controlled a den
full of the raging beasts, but one of
them was too much for Mr. Tidrick.
He was'a missionary in the Soudan
country, and while he was traveling
on duty a lion injured him so badly
that he died. There are still features
of the Christian life which are not all
ease and luxury. Duty calls for mar
tyrs as loudly as ever. Will she ever
cease to call for them?
Mr. Creelman's question about Robert Em
met Is pertinent. If It Is patriotic and vir
tuous to resist an act ot the British Parlia
ment In Ireland, why was Robert Emmet
hanged for doing that very, thing? New
York Mall.
Because the army was willing to
shoot at the rebels who backed Em
met. That is the same reason. In
substance, as Sir John Harrington
gave when he wrote:
Treason' doth never prosper; what's the
reason ?
Why. if it prosper, none dare call It treason.
Every rural school should cele
brate a Good Roads day this Spring.
The celebration should be manual,
not oral. Armed with picks and
shovels, the boys ought to sally forth
to make war on mudholes and gullies
and they ought to enlist their fathers
in the same sacred cause. The school
girls and their mothers can best serve
by baking pies for the picnic dinner
to follow. What school will lead the
van?
War on auto-speeders has been de
clared by Mayor Albee. It should be
prosecuted .vigorously in order to
keep down, not pile up, the local
casualty list.
The situation In Colorado is more
distressing than in Mexico, but being
a domestic affair, it lacks the luster
of glory.
The Great Lakes are finally open
for navigation. Out this way our
waterways are open the year around.
But then some of the politicians in
Congress had o make a little politi
cal capital of the matter, you see.
While the men folk are talking of
war, let the women attend to regis
tration. Good old dry-salt bacon puts the
righting blood into the boys. j
While Congress wrangled our fight
ing men went right ahead.
Embalmed beef will not be on the
bill of fare this time.
"And the Star-Spangled Banner in
triumph shall wave!"
Scotch the I. W. W. snake
Remember the Alamo!
On to Mexico Cltyl
MILDEW AND BLACK SPOT REMEDY1
Formaldehyde Solution la Spray Fossd
ISIfectlve ob Affected Hose 13 us fees.
PORTLAND. April 21. (To the Edi
tor.) It Is now time for rose growers
in Portland to spray for mildew. Here
tofore, the best spray has been made
with what is called "liver of sulphur."
Up to this time, there has been no
spray for black spot or yellow leaf.
We have been compelled to hand-pick
the defective leaves and burn them.
Dr. Arthur R, Waddell is a very
noted amateur English rosarian. In
the Rose Annual for 1913 of the Na
tional Rose Society of England, he
contributes an article showing suc
cessful treatment of both mildew and
black spot with a dilute solution ot
formaldehyde. For Summer spraying
this solution should not be more than
one-eighth of 1 per cent strength. In
the Winter a solution of double this
strength may be used successfully. It
la more important to know how to
make the mixture than to figure on
percentages. The solution for Summer
spraying is made by putting one table
spoonful of commercial formaldehyde
of 40 per cent strength to a gallon of
water. The Winter spray ta made by
using two tablespoon! uls of the com
mercial formaldehyde. On consulting
with dealers In commercial formalde
hyde for sale in Portland I learned
that the strength is 40 per cent, the
ame aa It is in England and set forth
In Dr. Waddell's article.
One advantage of using a solution
of formaldehyde Is that It vaporizes
very easily and the vapor will reach
spots which will not be reached by the
use of liver of sulphur. Id applying
this spray, it should be In the form of
a vapor and not a shower. It is Im
portant that the spray shall not roll
off the leaves but stay on them and
vaporize.
Dr. Waddell says that this Summer
spray should not be applied on a windy
day and when the state of the soil ia so
dry that formaldehyde would be rap
Idly evaporated. It is best to apply it
in the cool of a calm evening and when
the soil has been previously loosened
and moistened." If necessary. In using
the - spray, the ground should be
prayed as well as the bush, for the
spores fall to the ground and they
should be killed without having a
chance to be carried to bushes.
I have not tried this spray but from
the reputation of Dr. Waddell and the
fact that he has tried it for several
years with successful results, lead me
to recommend its use in Portland.
Care should be taken not to have the
solution of a greater strength than I
have set forth in this letter. If made
much stronger. It is liable to damage
the new shoots and leaves.
FREDERICK V. HOLMAN.
DOG MUZZLES AND PUBLIC GOOD
Ilumaa Welfare Placed Above Con
venience of Dogs by Writer.
PORTLAND, April 21. (To the Edi
tor.) Pardon my curiosity, but would
some one inform me what matters are
urged as arguments against the muz
zling of dogs? Is it really seriously
contended that the convenience, or even
comfort, of the canine family is of any
consideration as againBt the safety of
the public? Even if the percentage of
rabid dogs is very small and cases of
rabies relatively infrequent, is not one
human life of more moment than all
the dogs in the city?
School children, families, business
men are often seriously but rightfully
inconvenienced by quarantine or
vaccination to prevent spread of con
tagious disease. Should a possible car
rier of the horrible disease of rabies
be allowed free range merely because
he happens to be a dog?
I am a mother, in a community of
mothers, and would crave the privilege
of taking the children out. without the
remotest probability of encountering a
rabid dog. I think it is time for us
to throw oft indifference, and not let
the dog-harborers do all the talking.
If we must have the dogs in our
midst, let us hope at least that the
Council will make it difficult for them
to bite us. L. M. W.
Cos
llsslon Government for Counties.
BANKS. Or.. April 21. (To the Edi
tor.) 1. Can a county. If the majority
of the voters are willing, take unto
themselves the commission form of
government? 2. If they can, will It
not have to be done by an act of the
Legislature or an amendment of sor
of our laws? 2. Do you think such
an undertaking would be a saving to
the taxpayers? 4. What has been the
result in Portland since that has been
adopted? Is there any noticeable change
in expenses? Youri truly,
JOHN HERB.
A Subscriber.
1. Not now.
2. Section 6. article VI of the consti
tution requires that Xhere shall be
elected In each county a County Clerk,
Treasurer. Sheriff, Coroner and Sur
veyor. Both a constitutional amend
ment and a legislative enactment
would have to precede a local vote on
a change to county commission gov
ernment. 3. It would depend on the character
of officials elected, the authority given
them and the limitations on salaries
and number of appointive positions.
4. The tax rate this year under com
mission government Is the same as last
year under the old plan, and other rev
enues are about the same. It is ap
parent that there wilt be at least no
increase in the total city expenditures.
It is too early to form' a conclusion
as to the record.
Let Children Keep Pets.
PORTLAND. Or.. April 21. (To the
Editor.) In The Oregonian. April 20.
I notice that some citizen has advised
the raising of taxation on dogs, as a
safeguard against the rabies Infection.
Does the citizen in question think
that a bite from & thoroughbred is less
dangerous than that of a cur? Or is
the kind citizen so ae'.fish that he
wishes to deprive -the children of the
humble class the pleasure of the car
essing wiggle of a little cur's tall?
The raising of taxation on dogs will
not eliminate any disease. The only
thing that la right to be done is lor
city officials "to see that dogs are kept
in a humane and sanitary condition
and dog owners see that the dogs re
ceive proper food and care.
The citizen in question, from all ac
counts, 'is not a lover of dumb crea
tures. If dogs are to be prohibited,
what about the house cat, which al
ways cries at night, or the canary bird
or parrot, that sing or talk all. through
the day? If we are to eliminate the
dogs because they have a frisky bow
wow, then we must likewise end the
pussy's meow. When all these have
gone, doesn't the cltisen think that
the little boys and girls of today are
to be deprived of a great happiness?
Is it not a noble work to teach little
children to love dumb animals, as they
are God's creatures?
A TAXPAYER.
Popnlatloa Statistic.
COYOTE. Or., April 20. (To the Edi
tor.) To decide an argument, kindly
tell roe the population of India and
population of the world according to
yie latest estimates. , F. G.
Population of world (estimated). 1,
623,300,000; India. 295,000,000.
SALEM, Or., April 20. (To the Edi
tor.) Rumor has It that a dollar made
in a certain year Is good for a free
trip to the fair at San Francisco. Do
you know anything about the state
ment? A READER.
INQLESTIOXED LOYALTY NEEDED
Correapondent 1'bink.a lr. Ackerson
L'naultoble for Party Manager.
DALLAS, Or., April 19. (To the Ed
itor.) I notice in a recent number of
The Oregonian that Charles W. Ack
erson. of Multnomah County, has filed
as a candidate for Republican National
committeeman for Oregon.
As the political record of a candi
date for office is public property, I
would like to call the attention of the
voters to the record of this new aspir
ant for the responsible position of
manager of the Republican party in
Oregon. If any resident of this state
has been more harsh -in his criticism
or more persistent. In his abuse of Re
publican policies and Republican lead
ership than this same man Ackerson. I
do not Just now call it to mjnd. j
If I understand the facts correctly,
Mr. Ackerson registered as a Progres
sive on the 8th day of January of this
year. On March 1 he changed his
registration to that of a Republican
and immediately filed for the respon
sible position of Republican National
committeeman. notwithstanding the
fact that only a week before this pro
fessed change of politics he had
signed the petition of his friend and
former co-worker. Dr. H. W. Coe. the
Progressive candidate for National
committeeman. It would seem perti
nent for the Republicans of Oregon to
ask him, "Why this apparent change
of heart?" Is he no longer a believer
in the Progressive movement, or is his
candidacy merely a step in a cunning
lywlevised scheme to kidnap the Re
publican party In this state and turn
It over bodily to the Progressives?
With Coe as the Progressive com
mitteeman, and Ackerson aa the Re
publican committeeman, and Ackerson
till a Progressive at heart, the Re
publican party In Oregon would stand
about as much show of winning the
next election as an Eastern Oregon
Jackrabblt. No party can hope to win
unless Its managers are in sympathy
with its principles and candidates.
Let the Republicans of Oregon take
heed lest, by their votes, they deliver
their party into the hands of its ene
mies. Let them bear In mind that
there are only two candidates seeking
the important position of National
committeeman. One is Ralph E. Will
lams, the present committeeman,
whose loyalty to his party and whose
desire for its success, has never been
question. The other is Charles W.
Ackerson, the erstwhile Progressive.
In view of Mr. Ackerson's recent
flip-flopping political record, we think
his candidacy for the important posi
tion of National committeeman Is a
good deal like Abe Lincoln's rat-hole.
It will bear looking Into.
J. C. "tlAYTER.
HOW TO REG I LATE DOG NCISAXCK
Fines for Permitting; Them to Ran at
Larue Propoaed by Writer.
THE DALLES, Or.. April 20. (To the
Editor.) In The Oregonian you give
space to a letter from "A Citizen," sug
gesting high licenses as a cure for the
dog nuisance. A few short years ago
that was my theory; however, I have
changed my mind and would suggest
what to me seems to be a better sys
tem. All dogs in cities are nuisances, ac
knowledged to be such by all citizens
who do not own dogs, by some citizens
who do own dogs and disputed by only
a few dog owners, who except, as a
rule, only their own dogs.
Chicken fanciers are not licensed to
keep chikens in cities. Cow fanciers
and hog fanciers are not licensed to
keep the objects of their respective
fancies In Incorporated municipalities.
Why should a distinction be made as
between them and dog fanciers?
While the keeping of hogs, and in
some cases the keeping of cows, has
been stopped In cities, the end of
keeping chickens and dogs is as yet
a thing to look forward to.
.There are laws penalizing the own
ers of chickens if they allow their
flocks to run at large, and in many
places It is legal to kill tbe chickens
if they stray into other people's yards,
the only requirement being that any
one killing a chicken under those con
ditions shall throw such a chicken into
its owner's yard.
I would suggest that dogs, being an
acknowledged nuisance In cities,
should., not be licensed at all, but a
heavy penalty and costs should be Im
posed on every dog owner who lets
his dog run at large or who la any
way lets his dog become a nuisance to
anyone else within the city limits. If
a dog is killed while away from Its
owner's premises there should be no
redress.
Dogs, besides being a. nuisance, are
dangerous at such times as these, and
It seems to me that every fair-minded
dog fancier who loves his dog they all
claim they do would insist that nil
dogs should be kept within their mas
ter's enclosure, '. ft not for the protec
tion of men, women and children, then
at least for the protection of each dog
fancier's individual dog.
I hope I have made this clear enough
and strong enough to touch the heart
strings or those who have the welfare
of the people at heart and those who
have the welfare of valuable dogs at
heart and assure both that if this mat
ter is ever referred to tho people that
the stricter and the more far-reaching
any proposed law will be. the more
eagerly It will be accepted.
BOB WHITE.
Keep Don mt Home.
PORTLAND, April 21. (To the Edi
tor.) Much needless expenditure of
time and money is being made, it
seems, on the dog question, when to me
It is one'very simple of solution.
If an ordinance could be passed and
enforced compelling owners of dogs to
keep them on their own premises and
if It Is absolutely necessary for a dog
to be on the street is must be under
leash- much damage to the gardens
and lawns of the people who do not
own dogs would be done away with
and the danger from rabies almost
eradicated.
It is too bad for us who do not own
dogs to have to put up with the dam
age done our gardens and lawns by
our neighbors' dogs when it seems so
entirely unnecessary.
With an ordinance such as men
tioned, with a substantial fine attached
thereto for non-observance, propcly
enforced, the dog question, muzzles and
all, would be settled for all tln.e.
C. B. W.
A Columbia River " Kleay.
Eventide, falling light.
Red at tbe edge of the sea;
Ebb-tide, westerly wind.
The buoy swings wearily.
Half-moon. Venus star.
Distant lights of the town:
A mother's love, evening prayer,
Now I lay me down.
Slashing rain, southwest wind.
Bobbing lights all around;
Rolling swell, a boat's bottom.
Sometimes fishermen drown.
Anxious wife, wondering babes.
When will dad be In?
Jibed sail, hurtling boom.
What was this man's siu?
Morning mists, a ship's bell.
The sea-gulls' feeding cry:
Down-stream wind, a flood-tide,
A blush in tbe eastern sky.
Tolling men, waiting women.'
Daring the bar fishers rove:
Pockets of sand, a battered face.
On the beach at Dead Man's Cove.
Brave hearts asleep, widows to weep.
No father for children at home;
Broken boats, drowned men.
And recompense why. Just a bone.
S. A. Young.
Twenty-five Years Ago
From The Oregonian of April 22. 1SS9.
Salem. April 21. Fire tonight dam-
Laged the building and destroyed the
siock or it. w . jox i Co. s drug store.
100 State street. A. J. Basey had his
hand badly cut by falling glass. Jay
Phillips was struck by an ax. Jay
Minto had a hand mashed by the soda
fountain falling.
Tacoma. April 21. The O. R. & N.
Co.'s steamer Emma Hayward will
commence making regular trips from
Tacoma to Whatcom.
San Francisco. April 21. Mrs. M. W.
Gibbs and Miss Gibbs. S. S. and Mrs.
Goldsmith, of Portland, are at tho
Grand.
-William Reid. of the Portland & Wil
lamette Valley Railroad, has been pre
paring for building a pretentious and
expensive residence on the high ridge
south of the city not far from the Red
House. It is to be of artificial stone.
Willtam Skivers, an old steamboat
steward, died at St. Vincent's Hospital
yesterday.
Articles Incorporating the North
western Teachers' Agency will bu filed
by County School Superintendent Wet
zell, R. F. Robinson and G. A. Adams.
The object Is to secure places for
teachers and to aid school directors In
securing efficient teachers.
A. H. Wemnie, of Wemme Brothers,
Is laid up with a badly cut foot. He
was splitting kindling wood when he
missed his mark.
Colonel P. n. Harrington's new resi
dence at Nineteenth and F streets is
nearly finished.
A box containing a fine peal was
received at The Oregonian office yes
terday from S. Elmore. It was sent to
City Park and put In a tank with Mr.
Myers' seul. Babe.
.Tabes B. Nelson, telegraph editor of
the Seattle I'ost-lntelllgencer. left
for his home yesterday.
-r
The cornerstone of the new St.
Mary's Academy, at Fifth and - Mill
streets, was laid yesterday by Arch
bishop Gross.
Mr. J. B. Montgomery and Miss May
passed Easter Sunday In Rome.
K. M. Watkins. one of the pioneer
merchants. of Albina. and family have
moved to their new homo on a ranch
in North Yamhill.
Half a Century Ago
From The Oregonian of April 22. 186 4.
New York. April 20. A telegram
dated the 19th, says it is rumored
that I,ee is moving his cavalry this
side of the Rapidan near Madison
Courthouse.
Mobile. April 15. Farragut is said
to be purposing an attack on Mobile
with six monitors.
Chicago. April 20. Letters from the
Red River expedition confirm the re
ported defeat of a portion of our
forces. In the fight on the 8th we
lost 24 guns, all that were in action,
and our corps la cut to pieces. In the
morning General Smith came up with
his command and relieved General
Franklin, whipped tho rebels badiy,
capturing 25 guns and 800 prisoners.
Several large wagons arrived on
the schooner Monitor from California,
one of which may be set down as the
largest wagon at present In Oregon.
The running gear alone weighs up
ward of 15u0 pounds, the wheels are
M-inch hub, weighing 850 pounds, the
hind wheels are 21 inches .In circum
ference and the carrying capacity is
9000 pounds. ,
William Burnett, United States su
pervising inspector of steamboats,
boilers, pilots, etc.. arrived by the
last steamer.
Thomas Frazar and J. N. Dolph. for
the Union county committee, have called
precinct meetings for April 23 to elect
delegates to the county convention to
be held on May 7.
The steamer Wilson G. Hunt, Cap
tain Wolfe, arrived from the Cascades
last evening, bringing the largest
amount of treasure on any trip this
season. Mr. West had about $60,000
for Wells. Kargo & Co.. and there was
a like sum In the hands of passengers.
The steamer Senator took a very neat
steam engine and turning machinery
up the Willamette yesterday for S. Alt
houen, Albany, who is about .putting in
operation a steam turning lathe.
Mrs. Sallle B. Thayer meets with
charming success up the Willamette.
The Portland Water Company has
turned tho flow of aqua for Second
street into Its new mains along that
section.
Prraldest In War Time.
PORTLAND. Or., April 21. (To the
Editor.) Suppose President Wilson
was in office during war. and the war
had not been settled when the timo
came for another election, could or
could not another man be elected and
assume office at once?
W. E. REED.
A state of war would not effect elec
tions in the United Stales.
Kmployment of Teachers.
CLATSKANIE. Or.. April 20. (To the
Editor.) Please give me the name and
address of the company In Portland
who secures position for (Government i
teachers. It is the Pacific Coast
Agency, or something like that. But
I have forgotten the exact name and
address. MRS. H. PENNINGTON.
There
agency.
is no authorized private
Helping Him Oat.
Pathfinder.
Mother If you don't marry pretty
soon, you'll be an old maid.
Pretty Daugbter The only man 1
want doesnt' want me.
Mother Nonsense! Let him know
you want him. and then see.
Pretty Daughter I did.
Mother What did you do?
Pretty Daugbter I told nim I didn't
object to smoking.
eit.
ROSEBURG. Or.. April 20. (To the
Editor.) Please advise whether Japa
nese and Chinese born In this country
are American citizens. Can they vote?
SUBSCRIBER.
Ask the Retailer
Most manufacturers are so busy,
or think they are. that they never
meet face to face the hundreds of
retailers throughout the country
who sell their goods.
An occasional flying trip "on the
road" would put the average manu
facturer closer to his own proposi
tion than a year in factory or count
ing room.
Real inspiration comes from the
firing line close contact with the
retailer and the consumer.
For one thing, the retailer will
prove to any manufacturer willing
to learn, that the one best way to
help sell his goods is to advertise
to the consumer in good newspapers
like The Oregonian.