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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (July 31, 1917)
THE MORNING OREGONIAN. TUESDAY. JULY 31, 1917, 11 ALEXANDER TRIAL BRANDED AS FARCE Verdict Set Aside by Judge Gatens on Ground of Preju dice by School Board. MERITS OF CASE OMITTED Dr. Alan "Welch Smith Declared to Have Voted With Mr. Alderman In Return for Favors Shown. Mr. Plummer Also Scored. In an opinion of more than three typewritten pages. Circuit Judge Gatens yesterday branded as a farce the trial of Mrs. Alevla Alexander before the School Board and held that her dis missal from the public school system was not rightfully or legally accom plished. The opinion, which teems with burning criticism of O. M. Plummer and Ir. Alan Welch Smith, directors, holds that the order of the School Hoard In dismissing Sirs. Alexander must be set aside and held for naught. The decision yesterday came as the result of a petition for a review of the School Board's action which was argued before Judge Gatens last week. Mrs. Alexander first was transferred from the princlpalship of the girls' depart ment of the Benson Polytechnic School, to another school, but this action was set aside by the Supreme Court. The School Board then preferred charges against her and dismissed her from the school service after a trial before the Board. It was from this action that Mrs. Alexander appealed to the Circuit Court and won out In the deci sion handed down yesterday by Judge Gatens. Dr. Smith Scored. That Dr. Smith had, in effect, agreed to support School Superintendent Alder man In the latter's efforts to have Mrs. Alexander dismissed from the public school service "in return for the ap pointment of his relatives and intimate friends to high salaried positions In the city schools," Is one of the con clusions reached by Judge Gatens. The opinion likewise concludes that Mr. Plummer had shown his determina tion to have Mrs. Alexander dismissed from service even before she was given a hearing before the School Board and that he had publicly announced that he would support Superintendent Alder man In any action which the latter might desire to take. He further holds that the charges made against Mrs. Alexander were investigated by Mr. Plummer who was actuated by per sonal hostility toward her. "If a school teacher," he then adds, "or any person to be tried before any public body is to be tried by those who have investigated charges against the person, such trials become farcical." Charges Not DUcmssed. Judge Gatens does not attempt to say that the charges preferred by the School Board were not true, but simply confines his opinion to the conclusion, that true or false, Mrs. Alexander has a right to be tried before a fair and Impartial board. "It appears from the record before me that directors Smith and Plummer were so biased and prejudiced that they could not give Mrs. Alexander a fair and impartial trial," Judge Gatens holds as his primal reason for setting aside the verdict of the School Board. The decision, which created a furore In public school circles yesterday, reads as follows: This matter come before the court to review tho action of the School Board in removing Mrs. Alevla Alexander as a teacher In our public school. Charge were pre ferred against Mrs. Alexander by Mr. Alder man, City Superintendent, which the court feels it cannot enter into for the reason that, while they are not as definite in char acter aa they might be. still they are suf ficient to acquaint Mrs. Alexander of the charges proposed and for that reason the court cannot go into the question aa to whether or not there was any evidence to support the charges, that matter being en tirely within the province of the School Board. Bias Is Not Denied. Howerer, the record before the court chows that prior to the taking of testimony an affidavit was filed by Mrs. Alexander to tho effect that LMrector Allen Welch Smith was so prejudiced that he could not give her a fair and Impartial trial, which was dented by Dr. Smith. While the case was In progress. S. P. Lockwood, one of the directors, resigned aa a member of the board, leaving four members " to hear and determine the charges against Mrs. Alex ander. Before the matter was decided Mrs. Alex ander filed a case In the Circuit Court, pray lng that the School Board be enjoined from proceeding with the trial, and among the reasons assigned were that Directors Allen Welch Smith and O. M. Plummer were ao prejudiced against her that they could not give her a fair and Impartial trial. These charges were sworn to by Mrs. Alexander, and the record before me does not disclose any denial of her charges In that regard, The undisputed record shows that O. M. Plummer had made up his mind with re spect to the conclusion to be reached In the matter before the charges were filed or any evidence heard; that while the hear ing was In progress he had talked freely about the case to sundry persons; thac he publicly and emphatically stated that ha felt under obligation to Mr. Alderman to support him In any step he wished to take concerning the matter, and that he would vote for anything that Mr. Alderman wished or recommended with respect to the matter; that during the progress of the hearing rerore tbe board, ana while ne was sup posed to bo sitting aa -an Impartial judge, he conferred with and carried information to Mr. Alderman and to Mr. Alderman's counsel which he thought might be useful to them in the prosecution of the charges, and had talked with some of the witnesses for Mrs. Alexander before they were called, and had carried to Mr. Alderman and hli counsel the substance of such conversa tions, so they might use such Information in connection with the examination of the witnesses; that he had repeatedly stated to sundry persons that so far as he was concerned he knew where he stood In the matter and that It was a waste of time to be taking evidence, meaning, of course. that he Intended to hold against Mra Alex ander In any event; that he stated to sev eral persons during the progress of the hearing that there was nothing In the charges filed nor In the evidence In sup port or them, and that 11 that was all there was to the matter against plaintiff she would not be dismissed, but in connection with such statements he would always add In substance and effect, that she was being tried as far as he was concerned on some thing not appearing In the charges or in the evidence, and that If the other mem hers of the board should seem favorable to her. or if the public knew what he knew, everybody would agree the dismissal wa proper; that Director Smith inspired Mr. Al derman to bring charges against Mrs. Alex ander. and that he would consider noth lng other than the removal of her; that Director Smith, as early as June, 1916. be gan active work toward the removal of Mrs Alexander, and was actuated purely by mo tives of personal hostility to her; that upon the recommendation ox Mr. Alderman sister of Director Smith was given a lucra tive position in the girls' department of th Benson Polytechnic School, and upon a like recommendation there was given another position to an Intimate friend of the family that neither of the persons were qualified or experienced teachers, were never le gaily certified to teach and were women far Past middle age; that each received a sal ary upwards of $175 per month, through the recommendation of Mr. Alderman and through the Influence of Dr. Smith; that. acting for the best Interests of the school, Mrs. Alexander recommended the abolish ment of the position held by the friend of Dr. Smith; that Mra Alexander reported to Superintendent Alderman that the sister of Dr. Smith was wholly Incapable of teach ing the subjects which had been assigned to her. and which reports were made by Mrs. Alexander with no Intention of re flection on the personal character of Dr. Smith's sister. Fair Trial Demanded. It appears from the record before me that Directors Smith and Plummer were so biased and prejudiced that they could not give Mra Alexander a fair and impartial trial. It may be that the charges against her were true, but she had a right as a teacher to have her case tried before a fair and impartial board. The record shows that Director Drake voted for her reten tion, and Directors Beach, Smith and Plummer voted for her removal.. If Directors Smith and Plummer had not sat In her case and voted for her dismis sal, the vote would have stood one to one. and Mrs. Alexander would have held her position. If a school teacher, or any person to be tried before any public body, is to be tried by those who have instigated charges against the person, such trials become farcical. It seems from the record that some of the teachers were told that If they did not keep out of the Alexander trial they would be dismissed from the service. Prom the record before me. If Mrs. Alexander's dismissal can be upheld, then the tenure of office law becomes a farce. I am of the opinion that neither Directors Plummer nor Smith, aa shown by the rec ord, should have been permitted to sit in judgment in this case, and for that reasom the order dismissing Mrs. Alexander Irom the position she held should be set aside and held for naught. WILLIAM A. STOREY DIES LIFE IJf PORTLAND FOR MAPTT YEARS WAS PROMINENT. Official Positions ITeld Were) Mayor of Portland and Sheriff of Multnomah. County. "William A. Storey, who has been both Mayor of Portland and Sheriff of Mult nomah County, passed away late Sun day night at the home of his daugh ter, Mrs. Joseph C. "Woltrlng. of 105 East Twelfth street North. Mr. Storey recently underwent an operation in a local hospital, and was so weakened by the shock that his death had been mo mentarily expected for the past week. Mr. Storey was born in Machias, Me., In 1854. He came to Oregon in 1877. Here he was affiliated with many old time business concerns. At one time he was publisher of the Northwest Sportsman. In 1898 he was elected Councilman from the First Ward, and was subsequently elected president of the City Council. A few months later Mayor W. S. Mason died while In office and the Council elected Mr. Storey to serve the unexpired portion of the term. Mr. Storey subsequently ran for the of fice of County Sheriff, and was elected by a large majority. Mr. Storey Is survived by hl widow, Mrs. Dirkie Storey, four daughters and one son: Mrs. Florence Woltrlng, Dixie Storey, of Portland, and Han-let, Neva and Robert Storey, of Banks, Or., and three grandchildren; also one brother. George A. Storey, of Fremont, Neb.; two sisters Mrs. Alice McFad den, of San Diego, Cal., and Mrs. S. IL Whitworth. of Seattle. The funeral will be held tomorrow at 2 o'clock from the chapel of Skewes' undertaking parlors. Third and Clay streets. PANTAGES BILL IS RIOT EVERY NUMBER DECLARED GOOD FOR SCORE OF LAUGHS. Headline Act, "Miss Hamlet," Intro duces Panllne Barrl Cat and Rat Performance Approved. A riot of merriment Is the bill at Pantages this week. Every number Is good for a score or more of laughs. Some of the acts are all one big laugh. xne neacmne act, "Miss Hamlet, Is a dandy. Miss Pauline Barrl in the title role has a sweet voice and Is a charm ing little actress. Leila Shaw and company In "A Truthful Liar" give a playlet that has happy ending and some startling surprises. A novel performance Is given by Swain's cats and rats. The cats play in and out the windows" and do a ot of clever stunts and the rats Jump hurdles and walk the tightrope both cats and rats playing together In perfect safety and friendliness. Paula, a good-looking, cheerful young woman, is a popular favorite, with her songs and accordion playing. With many lively songs In which their voices harmonize well, Klotz and Nash get a storm of applause. VV 1th patter and chatter and song and lot of delightful nonsense, Howard Kicel and Herbert give the audience something new in the way of entertainment. The serial film, "The Neglected Wife," Is exciting and keeps up the interest. Uqaor Smuggling Is Punished. ASTORIA. Or., July 30. (Special.) Harry Gilmore, steward on the steamer Northern Pacific, was fined $50 In the police court today on a charge of hav ing liquor In his possession. He was caught last night stepping off a train with a suitcase and handbag, each well-filled with contraband liquor. NATIVE OF OHIO, LONG RESI DENT OF PORTLAND. WHO PASSES AWAY. All Charge Purchases Made Tuesday Will Go on Your August Account, Which Is Payable September 1 Tea Room on Fourth Floor S.& H. Stamps Given With Purchases of 10c or Over Stamps Given on Charge Accounts if Paid in Full by the 10th of Each Month Kodaks, Cameras Fourth Floor Quality First! at This Store dependable merchandise from re liable makers. We see to it that you get full value for every dollar you spend at this store. Shop here for quality goods at low prices. The Standard Store of the Northwest Olds, Wortman & Kin Reliable Merchandise Reliable Methods Expert Kodak Finishing, Devel oping:, Printing, Enlarging and color work. Bring us your films for best results. Quick service. S. & H. Stamps with purchases. Reduced Prices on Women's Street Dresses Rag Rugs Underpriced 18 x 36 Inch Rugs at 38c 36 x 72 Inch Rugs $1.48. Third Floor Rag Bugs make the ideal floor covering for porch, bedroom or Summer cottage. A recent large shipment came to us at a big reduction in price, enabling us to give our customers exceptional bargains. Mail orders filled promptly and cheaply. Rag Rugs, size 18x36 QQ i Rag Rugs, size 25x50 JJX Inchon. Tricr1 nrinl at inches, priced special at ' Rag Rugs, 6ize 24x36 EKg inches. rjriced enecial "Jv inches, priced special at R a g Rugs, size Q-f A Q 86x72 Inches, priced OXefitO ODD LINES OF LINOLEUM ON SALE AT SPECIAL PRICES. GRASS ROCKERS, CHAIES, TABLES, ETC., ETC. REDUCED $2.50 Tabourettes $1.69 One Style as Illustrated Third Floor Solid Oak Tabourettes in Jacobean finish. Three attractive styles, one of which is illustrated to the right. Good heavy construction and well worth $2.50. Only a limited C- ?Q number in this lot. Priced very special DX.O7 High-Class Waists At Special Prices Second Floor Beautiful Waists for dress occasions. This season's best styles. Made up in Georgette crepe, crepe de chine, pongee, taffeta, etc Styled with large collars, some trimmed with hand embroidery and lace. - Many In popular Russian blouse effects. White and good assortment of colors. LOT 1 Women's Silk Orj JfT Waists on srtecial sale at ' a-' LOT 2 Women's Silk Waists on special sale at $9.85 Great Sale of Wash Goods 12Hc, 25c, 33c Yard Center and Bargain Circles, First Floor With many weeks of warm weather ahead hundreds of women are taking advantage of this opportunity to buy cool Summer fabrics for dresses and waists at half and less than half regular selling prices. Thousands of yards in this extraordinary offering. Scores of weaves, including Silk-Mixed Pongees, Printed and Woven Voiles, Imported Dimities, Silk-Finish Sport Stripes, Tussah Shirtings and Many Other Weaves for Dresses, Waists and Skirts Second Floor Readjustment of stocks has brought to light many broken lines of Women's high-grade Dresses, which must be dis posed of at once. In order to accomplish this we have made deep cuts in prices. " Dresses at $8.75 Second Floor Women's and Misses' Dresses of pongee silk and crepe de chine in many handsome styles for afternoon wear. New large collars, fancy belts, pockets, etc Black, white, green, tan, purple and other good colors. QQ rrpr Priced for this sale at only OO. I O Dresses at $14.75 Second Floor Dresses ' of pongee, taf feta, wool jersey, charmeuse, Georgette crepe, crepe de chine Sport Dresses, Garden Dresses, Coat Dresses many in combinations of different materials. Black and leading colors. Q- A fjfr Priced special now at only &XTb. I O ill There are all-white materials, novelty sport stripes and figured effects in all the newest colorings, particularly the sport colors. If for any reason you could not attend the sale Monday, come today and get your share of these great bargains. LOT 1 Val--01 I LOT 2 Values OfT I LOT 3 Values ues to 35c, for up to 75c, for only ! up to $1, for only 33c 15c, 20c Embroideries 10c Odd Laces at Half Price Main Floor Odd pieces of fine Laces, Venise Edges, 2 to 8 inches wide: 36 and 18-inch Shadow Main Floor Embroidery Edges, Beading Edges, Beadings and In sertions of cambric, nainsook and Swiss. 15c, 18c and 20c - f qualities. Special, yard J-vFLr Lace Flouncings, Trimmings 1 and Medallions reduced 2 Special Demonstration Burnett's Extracts and Colorings Miss Crowley, domestic science expert from the Burnett Co., of Boston, will be here for a short time and will give a series of dem onstrations on how to use Burnett Extracts and Colorings in preparing desserts and table delicacies also for table decorations. Grocery Department, Fourth Floor, Tuesday 10:30 A. M. Bring your friends. Glenwood Creamery Butter, Two Pounds 90c kA MrA Sale of Made-in-Oregon Brooms Housewares Section, Third Floor Third Floor The following prices are lower than regular factory cost today. Housewives will do well to supply their needs now and save. Good Quality House Brooms 50 I Choice Select House Brooms 75$ Extra Quality House Brooms Go Extra Heavy House Brooms 80 $1.75 PUNCH MOP OUTFIT ($1.25 Mop and 50c Bottle of Oil) .$1 See special demonstration of Economy and Kerr Fruit Jars, etc., etc. TROOPS MOVE SOON Various Units to Assemble at Camp Withycombe. EQUIPMENT NOT ALL HERE Removal of Battery A and Troop A First Recommended by Adjutant General White, as They Have More Seasoned Men. If a recommendation mads to the Western Department at San Francisco yesterday by George A. White, Adju tant-General of the Oregon National Guard, Is adopted. Battery A, Oregon Field Artillery, and Troop A, Oregon Cavalry, will move to Camp Withy combe at once. Other troops now as sembled at the Armory will follow a: soon aa full supplies and equipment for them are assured. Supplies now are arriving1 at Camp Withycombe from San Francisco at the rate of about two cars a day. It is virtually certain that all the troops now at the Portland Armory, as well as Troop D, at Pendleton, and the Field Hospital Company, at La Grande, will be comfortably settled at Camp Withycombe by the end of this week. General White believes that the con centration at the camp can be accom plished with the best results If the troops are moved out there gradually Instead of being thrown Into the camp all at one time. Most of them are raw troops, and such a concentration would probably cause much confusion. His recommendation that Battery A and Troop A move to the camp first was made because these commands are more nearly fully equipped than any of the others, and because there Is a larger percentage of trained men In them than in other organizations. Con sequently, they can be useful in getting the camp ready for the other com panies. The organizations mff at the Armory under command of Major Charles E. McDonell are Troops A. B, and C. cav alry; Batteries A and B, field artillery, and Companies A. B and C, engineers. Troop D. at Pendleton, and the Field Hospital unit at La .Grande also will move to Camp Withycombe. One "War Cupboard" Will Be Well Supplied. Mm. J. C. Napier, of Oregron Cltr, Has Already Killed Over SOO Jars "With Food. OREGON CITY. Or., July 30. (Spe cial.) Among the women of this city who are looking out for the future In the way of filling their "war cup board" Is Mrs. J. C. Napier, of 612 Main street. Mrs. Napier has over 500 fruit Jars already filled with fruit. In cluding berries, rhubarb, salmon of the Royal Chinook variety caught at this place, peas and string beans. Mrs. Napier started In with salmon and rhubarb, and will continue her can ning when pears, peaches and other fruits as they come on. Besides this she has a large supply of jellies. Mrs. Napier keeps a record of the amount obtained In canned fruit from the fresh fruit. From 140 pounds of Blng cherries, a variety most delicious for pies, and from Royal Anne cherries she obtained 96 quart Jars. Several of these have been placed In the store of the Brady Mercantile Company to show what the steam process can ac complish. The cherries are in perfect condition, and even retain the rich color. This works in the same manner with rhubarb, also exhibited. Mr. and Mrs. Napier came to this city from Arkansas a year ago. John Brttton Parker. John Brltton - Parker passed away Tuesday morning at his late home, 2121 East Stark street. He was born March 30, 1840, In Hock ing .County, Ohio. He was the on of Joseph- Parker, a Baptist minister, and his mother was Julia Holcomb. His youthful days were spent In Ohio. He came to Portland In 1871. In 1892 he was married to Rebecca Long, who survives him. One sister, Mrs. Carolina Yeoman, of Bellingham, Wash., Is living. 113 H JfW SOAPOUNDOSoz). lV OVTHALFPOUNDIoozJ Jl Has caused an advanceof from 300 to 600 in one item alone-Freidh t. -T-l tit I. I nis is wny an cea prices are mgner., J! ':-r 5 52 TREE TEA STILL the; best for the least money. CeyloaJapaa 60 A POUND 30H ALF POUND NEW JOBS ABE OPEN FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE EXAM INATIONS ANNOUNCED. Artillery Ammunition Inspectors Kln cer Print Classifier and Pro duction Expert Wanted The United States Civil Service Com mission announces open competitive examinations, as follows: Inspectors of artillery ammunition, for men only, to Inspect the manufacture, as sembling:, loading and packing of artillery ammunition In various manufacturing plants within the United States, at entrance sal aries rangfnir from $1500 to $2400 a year, depending upon the Importance of the plant to which, the appointee may be assigned. A good common school education, proven diplomatic and executive ability and not less than six months of actual experience In munition manufacture or Inspection are prerequisites for consideration for this po sition. Finger print classifier, for men only. Fifty vacancies In the War Department, for duty In Washington, D. C, or elsewhere, and vacancies in positions requiring similar qualifications at $1000 a year, will be filled from this examination. Applicants are re quired to have a good common school edu cation, good eyesight and not less than six months experience in the classification of finger print records according to the Henry system. Until further notice and on account of the needs of the service, applications for the above positions will be received at any time. A u mint 21. 191 T. Production expert, for both men and women, to fill a vacancy in the office of the chief signal officer. War Department, Washington, D. C, at $1500 a year. Applicants must have reached "their 23d but not their 40th birthday on the date of examination. The duties will be the re ception of correspondence and connecting with previous correspondence; making of records, tabulations and estimates of pro duction of airplanes and engines. Further Information and application forms may be obtained from M. K. Wlgton, local secretary. Board of United States Civil Service Examiners, Postofflce building, Port land, Or. PICNIC INVITATIONS SENT Lewis Connty Merchants, Farmers and Breeders Arrange Outing. CHEHALIS, Wash., July 30. (Spe cial.) Invitations to speak at the pic nic at Claquato Grove August 9 given by Lewis County Farmers', Merchants' and Pure Breeders' Club, have been sent to G. F. Benson, State Commissioner of Agriculture; E. L. Brewer, of Satsop, Jersey breeder: William Bishop, of Chlmacum, Holstein breeder; Mrs. W. E. Brown, of Vader; Mrs. Millie Wilson, of Chehalls; Mrs. Kina Bower, of Centra 11a; E. A. Stuart, of Seattle, and F. Q. Favorite, of Chehalls. N. B. Coffman will be chairman of the day. It Is planned to have the mer chants of Chehalis and Centralla close their stores at 11 A. M. the day of the picnic man. was found today near Ilwaco Beach llfesavlng station. Watkins was drowned with his son. John Watkins. while trolling outside the mouth of the river a few days ago. The body Is to be sent to Albany. Women of Woodcraft Gather. ASTORIA, Or.. July 30. (Special.) About 150 delegates arrived today to attend the state convention of the Women of Woodcraft. Tonight there was a banquet and musical and th regular business sessions will begin tomorrow. sjIdqO Green Chile Cheese puts the punch In a sandwich! Fisherman's Body Fonnd. ASTORIA. Or.. July 30. (Special.) The body of Thomas Watkins. a fisher- ASK FOR and GET The Original Plaited EVHIk Substitutes Cost YOU Same Pries. company Mggr Jm3M$M2&l ammo iu taameuiammmmmumii mtwmrq ft . . - vBmiiiIiijI' ' iaj WHEREVER pasture land is richest, there we locate a Cloverbloom creamery. By dotting the country with creameriea going to the aoarce of production, rather than bringing the fresh product to one central point uniformly freah cream and hence uniform batter la always assured. And through unvarying Armour methods, you may always be certain of depend able quality. ARMOUR a? J. V. FTTRXtOXG, Mar. met F1xadre Staw Portland. Or. Fkoie Broadway 13SO. 'milium 7a Armour Oval Quality th tttp-graJ mark ie on thm pacActga.