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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 22, 1919)
18 THE 310RXING OREGON I AX, MONDAY, DECEMBER 2. 1910 GIRL WAIF FACES PRISON 1DMTED "It Can't Be Worse," Says Youthful Alta Brooks. NEW BILLS AT THE THEATERS ANOTHER CHANCE SOUGHT Youngster, WIio Took Aulo, Pre fers Penitentiary to Other Penal Institutions. J is Homes and institutions there isn't a word to be said against them, but they don't quite replace mother, and a few and a friend or so. It anyone doubts, let the question be put to the smiling slip of girlhood who is now in the city jail under charge of the women's protective di vision. "Honestly, I don't mind going to the penitentiary in the least," she said quietly yesterday, with a faint whimsical smile. "In fact. I know the prison can't be worse than some of the institutions where they have been keeping me for years and years" This unfortunate little waif, who Iooks out upon ths broad vista of life with eyes which see only the clouds and shadows, faces a maximum term of ten years in the state penitentiary at Walla Walla, Wash., for the theft of an automobile from William Far rell at Battleground, Wash., early this month. Mercy for Girl Is Sought. She is Alta Brooks, aged 15, In whom W. G. McLaren of the Pacific Coast Rescue and Protective society has taken a kindly interest. Mr. McLaren has already put in motion the ponderous wheels of law in an effort to save the little golden-tressed girl the imperishable stain of a pen itentiary record. "But what's the use," she queried. earnestly. "If they don t take me to Walla Walla they will place me in some institution. And I am speak ing the truth when I say I would rather go to prison than to some of these 'homes where I have lived ai most since I was 2 years old." Alta Brooks is a pawn of fate nothing more nor less. She cannot remember ever having seen her moth er, and her father, to her, is not even a memory. She does not even re member when she was first placed in an orphanage, but the records Fhe says, show that she was adopted by a Washington county farmer and his wiXe when she was 2 years old She then took the name of her adopt ed parents. Home Is Loit by Death. "I got along fine until my foster father was accidentally killed In a railroad accident." she said. "Then my foster mother sent me to Portland and placed me in one of the homes here. I stayed there for months be fore I returned home. Then I was sent back to another institution and stayed there for several years. It seems now that I have spent nearly all my life in these instittuions." Alta readily admitted that she had stolen the machine with 18-year-old Eugenia McCool, but said they had intended to return it after taking a ride. "We went to Kelso and got tired and came back." she said. "They didn't arrest us In Vancouver, but waited until we got over to Portland, where the police picked us up. "And to think they should sentence me to ten years in the penitentiary for stealing a Ford!" she laughed, as though the waiting prison cell held no terrors for her. "But," she said as an after-thought, "they might as well send me there now because it looks like I'll go there sooner or later." Habeas Corpus Instituted. Mr. McLaren, who has instituted habeas corpus proceedings to prevent Washington officials from taking the girl to the penitentiary, is firmly of the belief that Alta Brooks can be reclaimed to society, and if he suc ceeds in his present attempt he will make every effort to direct her upon the right path. "If they, will only give me an op portunity to work and make a decent, honest living I would be glad to do Jt," she ventured. "But I don't want to be placed in any institution or any private home where I will have to stay in the kitchen day and nig-ht. Yes, I would be only too glad to attend night school and take up some line of work if I only had the chance Confidence Placed In Girl. Mr. McLaren has every confidence that the girl will make good If she is but given the chance. Once before he has placed her on her honor and though she was beset with tempta tions she did not betray the trust which he placed in her. Likewise, he Knows her uniortunate history since babyhood and he wants to see her Ket another chance. It was only because of a delayed train that the girl has been given this one chance to escape the Wash lngton state prison. She and the Mc Cool girl were brought to Portland from Vancouver Saturday and were to take a train from here to Walla Walla. They were late .in arriving here and. missed the north-bound train. It was then that Mr. McLaren put forth his efforts to defeat the Washington law which said that a 15-year-old orphan should spent 10 years in state prison because she helped to appropriate an automobile. Orplieum. BT LEONE CASS BAER. CK OSTERMAX, at the Orpheum, young enough in point of actual youth to belong in Gus Ed wards' revue and when the quick thinking Gus, in the midst of parad ing his trio of talented young pro togees, drags in young CUsterman also, pulling at the halter and scrap ing a half bow, the audience quickly grasped the humor of the situation. Jack's act, "15 minutes of some thing" had preceded Gus Edward's act by one or two others, but the audience had recalled him for several encores and a half dozen bows and when Gus came galloping on later leading young Osterman and intro duced him the applause started all over again. Mr. Edwards has not been here in six years, but he has been diligent in sending us' each season one of his productions. He is actor, author, com poser and manager, and besides all these he sings the songs he writes. sings em in a clear well-sustained tenor and his dancing is nimble and of grace abundant. He has too. a quick little way of chatting affably to his audience, putting in lines that never were written and getting a lot of fun out of it for himself and his three "partners." The partners are extremely young. There are the two attractive daugh ters of the house of Furness, who dance lively steps and break Into effective song. There is also Vincent O'Donnell who Is billed as the Kid McCormack," possibly because his voice is a very sweet high embryo tenor. He sings heart songs and ar- fords a great moment of amusement when, clad as a soldier, he is put through drill exercises by the original Mr. Edwards. But to return to Jack Oster man. Being Ambitious lor a stage Career" is the theme of one of the original songs he starts out with and between that one and his final chant about the "smart little feller who stocked up his cellar and wins all the beautiful dolls" Jacks keeps up a running fire of smart small talk and gay badinage of a humorous quality. The Arnant brothers, who came once with Anna Held and again with Julian Eltinge's road show, are a pair of capital fun-makers and scored decisively on yesterday's bill. Ernest Evans should echo the line used in Skeet Gallagher's act, "Heav en praise the man who wrote my part." Skeet uses it because his part provides him moments of close ups with a pretty partner. Ernest Evans has four pretty partners. One is a dancer, one a vocalist, another a violinist and the fourth a Theda Bara at the piano. Ernest himself dances and flits from one charming siren to the other. The act is pre tentious in artistic values and in scenic development and makes a col orful spot on the bill. Skeet Gallagher has Irene Martin for his partner in an episode about a sweater set to clever steps and delightful song. Skeet has some good comedy of his own. Marshal Mont gomery invests his ventriloquial art in sparkling new treatment, making a pleasant, plausible and highly di verting enactment. Tho two comely Jordan girls open the bill In a de lightful and unique wire act. P. S. There will be a show Wednes day night. I Baker. BY LEONE CASS BAER. F YOU do not believe that Verna Felton has the Baker Stock aud iences eating out of her hands, take a run over to that playhouse any night or matinee this week and watch her and watch the audience. Incidentally, you will be repaid many times while you are watching the versatile Felton. trr she is at I her best this week. She is playing the role Maude Fulton wrote for Maude Fulton in the play. "The Brat." Betty Bvlce made the ornery, mis chievous, forlorn, little brat a cross between little Eva and Peck's bad toy, and because she could not dance the brilliant little dance number in the last act was cut out. Verna Felton can dance and so the dance has been put back. When she strolled mournfully in last night in that last act. a pathetic droop to her shoulders, she sighed that the com mittee at the bazaar wouldn't let her do her dance. "Let me be your audience and you dance anyway," cried the motherly Irish maid, personified perfectly by Anna McNaughton. Whereupon with a rebound of spirits the brat dashed to the phonograph, set a dance tune whirling, and fairly leaped Into a mad spirited dance, out of which one remembers slim, white arms curving, a red mouth smiling, eyes laughing, and silken-clad legs keeping rhyth mic movements to the music. The role Verna Felton plays is that of a former pony in the Hippodrome, and on a cold night, when she is just out of a hospital and has been arrested for vagrancy for wandering the streets, an author In search of atmosphere and copy picks her up at the station and brings her home. That the home houses also his black sheep brother, provides further heart Interest in the play, and romance later when the brat, as they call her, discovers that the feeling she holds tor toe author is only gratitude and the feeling for Steve, the black sheep, is a genuine affection. The brat is a human little bit of flotsam, not overdrawn in type and a pathetic, lovable, mischievous child of the gutter. David Herblin is excellent and quite likable In the sympathetic role of Steve. His tipsy scene with George Taylor as a butler, proved one of the delights of the perform ance. Claire Sinclair adds to her laurels in a distinguished role as the mother of the two brothers, and George Webster occasions hilarity as a ranting preaching old bishop. There's wholesome fun and plenty ft entertainment in "The Brat" and it's an excellent bill for the Christmas week. The cast follows: The Brat Verna P.llnn Mrs. Forrester Claire Sinclair Macmillan Forrester John G Fee Steve Forrester David Herblin Angela Mayo Methot Jane Geraldine Dare Margot Anna McKaughton Timson George R. Taylor Bishop George P. Webster KILLING OF BOY, 7, IS LAID TO SCUFFLE Cousin of Vernon Franks Tells of Struggle for Pistol. BODY TAKEN DOWNSTAIRS! UXIQUI Hugo Lyric. A SILK STOCKIXG without a mate causes a lot of trouble in "So Long Betty," which opened at the Lyric theater yesterday. Sparkling comedy, tuneful songs and new and attractive costumes make the pro duction a worth-while entertainment. The best laugh in the new show at the popular musical comedy house is an unpretentious expose of the art of mind-reading which has be come a fad in recent montns. uooa lines are found in nearly every part. Ben Dillon and Al Franks are found in their usual characters of Mike Dooley and Ike Leschlnski, get ting Into trouble from their first ap pearance. Carlton Chase carries much of the light comedy of the piece. Clar ence Wurdlg as a forlorn adventurer, broke and in love. Is in misery till the last scene. Will Rader is General All, Iris (Olive Finney). Billie Bingham is Betty, IT, but in short skirts. Made line Mathews is Mrs. Leschinski, shy of largess but long of tongue, and Joan Maidment is a charming French maid. Naughty Hindu Eyes." "Funlculi- Funicula." and "Himalaya." made up the medley with which the chorus opened yesterday's first performance. "Ain't Ya Coming Back, Mary Ann, to Maryland." is Billie Bingham's song, with "Eleanor," Olive Finney's solo. Will Rader sings "Buddha," Carlton Chase sings "Bonnie, My Hieland Lassie." and Clarence Wur dig sings "All the Quakers Are Shoul der Shakers." A new face is to be seen on the Fourth-street stage this week. Pa tricia Adams having been added to the company. Her advent follows that of her sister, Ardie Adams, who joined the Lyric forces three weeks ago. Both are graceful dancers, pos sessed of vocal talent, and are of the Ann Pennington type. The usual special performances will be given this week. Country store night will find the house packed, with the air. In the chorus girls' contest will be Marie Celestine, Dot Mullally, Lillie Lytell, Delia Romig. Ruth Everett, Beverly Buskner, Fade Fur long, June Whitmore, Gloria Gordon, Genevieve Berkley. Ruth Leora, Ardie Adams and Pat Adams. Hippodrome. E as a vaudeville act is go Jansen's "Fashions a la Carte." which opened yesterday at the Hippodrome to run the first half of the week. The revue features Roy Wilcox, who seems to need only a package of pins and a few yards of material to create upon the stage the n.ewest in elaborate dress operations. While he works with his shimmery silks and beaded draperies his mod els sing numbers especially written for the act. Mr. Wilcox is particularly fortu nate in having a number of stunning models on which to display the gowns he turns out. Particularly beautiful is his interpretation of the Goddess of Liberty and the revue ends as this charming girls steps down from her pedestal and four of the manikins surround her and sing the closing chorus. A man who can sit on his own head is one of the contortionists of the Eddy and Howard team, who has a body apparently made of rubber. This human worm twists himself up into curious shapes and ends by demon strating a cat conversation, mimick ing every action of a household pet conducting a back-fence courtship. One minute the entertainer has his audience gasping with laughter and the next minute he has them holding their breath as he goes through some amazing act. As banjo players, a team, whose names are not on the programme. , make a distinct hit. They open their stunt with a casual conversation, in tensely funny and hinging principally on a banana which one of the enter tainers is devouring. From singing and banjo solos they finally work into a duet on the stringed Instruments. The "Krazy Kar" furnishes fun for motor fans. It is operated by a clown, but principally acts without his advice or permission, and keeps the poor man busy running after it. The Wilhat trio, of which he is a member, also has some good bicycle novelties, and seem as skillful when riding a one-wheeled cycle as a two wheeled one. Roth, Mitchell and Ross have a skit Youth Who Shot Kin Playing War Returns Home After Suffer ing Xervous Shock. I It was a scuffle for the possession j of a .38-caliber automatic pistol which resulted In the fatal shootlrt of Vernon Franks. 7-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Franks, 2067 De lano street, according to the story told by Edward Keller. 14-year-old cousin of the dead boy. yesterday. Edward Keller, who disappeared following the shooting with the pis tol, and who it was feared might harm himself, returned home last night after he had been the object of search by anxious relatives, friends j and the police. The boy suffered a severe nervous shock as a result of his fright and despondencr over the affair. Boya StruKCle for Pistol. The two boys were playing war in the upstairs of the building which is occupied by the Franks and Keller families at the time of the fatal ac cident. The boys were supposed to have had only an .air gun and a small wooden dagger. These. however. were supplanted by the automatic pis tol belonging to Joseph Keller, father of Edward. Edward Keller said he had the pis tol and that his little cousin seized it by the barrel and tried to secure It. In the struggle the trigger was evi dently accidentally pulled and the weapon discharged, the bullet, which entered under the boy s left arm and went through his body, coming out near the right arm. The heart was penetrated and death was almost In stantaneous. Lad Removes Body. When Edward Keller carried the body of his cousin downstairs the toy dagger was still tied around the waist. mute evidence of the game which had been so suddenly stopped by tragedy. Detectives Hellyer and Tackaberry made an investigation of the shoot ing and declared It clearly a case of accident. This view was concurred in by Deputy Coroner Leo Goetsch. Mrs. Franks, mother of the slain boy, had come from the hospital only last Thursday, where she had been for some time. She is in delicate health. The tragedy was a great shock to her. Funeral services will be held today at 2 o'clock. It was announced yester day. Rev. Mr. Doris will officiate. Vernon Franks attended the Hud son school. His cousin is a student at the Washington high school. EUGENE HUNTER IS SAFE Henry Holmes Follows Little Fall Creek to Settlement. EUGENE. Or.. Dec. 21 (Special.) After having been lost In the Cascade mountains for three days and two nights, Henry Holmes, a young farm er of Waltervllle, returned home yes terday none the worse for his ex perience. Mr. Holmes started on a hunt Wednesday, intending to re turn that night. When he failed to return, relatives and friends became alarmed and or ganized a searching party. Yester day Mr. Holmes telephoned home from a settlement on Little Fall creek, that he had crossed the divide to that stream and followed its course, finding a settlement not far away. Douglas School Club Progres-e-. ROSEBURG, Or., Dec. 21. (Spe cial.) The new Home Baking culb, recently made a part of the Industrial club work in the schools of Oregon, is meeting with great favor in Douglas county, according to A. E. Street, county club leader, who reports that out of the 15 members of the first club formed six of the number were boys. The club was formed at the South Deer creek school, a few miles east of Roseburg. SPUD EXPERIMENTS TOPIC O. A. C. Man to Tell Farmers of Potato Trial Results. OREGON AGRICULTURAL COL LEGE, Corvallis, Dec. 21. (Special.) Potato experimental work con ducted through reliable potato pro ducers of Oregon under the direction of William S. Averill of the college will be discussed by Mr. Averill as a feature of the farm crops programme Farmers' week, December 29 to Jan uary 3. The experiments are ex pected to prove valuable. Strains of potatoes numbering 35 were planted. The seed was given uniform treatment with the corrosive sublimate bath, rolled in land plaster after cutting, and all planted at prac tically the same time. The yields ranged from 17 to 288 bushels an acre, showing differences In produc tive capacity and freedom from disease. entitled "The Wrong Neighborhood, " grocery staples up in in which a wop. a cop and a nurse furnish the fun. Miss Roth, one of the company, is an excellent whistler. Van Orden and Fallows appear in a singing and dancing oddity. The feature film on the programme stars Herbert Rawllnson In "A Dan gerous Affair." t "Let's Be More Careful" 5 Every man, woman and child Zk K in Portland can help provide j K cheer in every home on Christ- j J mas Day by helping make De- J B cember 24 a "No Accident B j Day." Zk Should an accident occur on A 2 that day it would rob a home A W of Christmas cheer. You can W t help prevent it by doing your j ta nnrt tn keen l.hristmas hve Zk free from accidents. Biscuit Makers Dance. The first annual dance of the em ployes of the Tru-Blu Biscuit com pany was held Saturday night at the Multnomah hotel, with more than 500 in attendance. The grand march was led by Mr. and Mrs. Fred E Krause. The first prize in the waltz contest was awarded to Miss Albright and N. R. Greer. Refreshments were served. The dance was tendered by Mr. Kruse, president of the company, and will be an annual event here-After. WASH MffTON ST.. fouAth ST. "With Love From Dad" the little Christmas card read. And accompanying it was a pass-book of this institution, showing the entry of an initial deposit. An appropriate remembrance, this! J Not only for far-sighted parents to give to their children, but for friends to give to friends. tj To help instill the thrift habit; to steer someone successward; to lay, perhaps, the foundation of a fortune these are the possibilities of such a gift! MEMBER FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM. HIBERN1A SAVINGS BANK SAVINGS - COMMERCIAL - TRUST FOURTH ANDSHINGTON STREETS j. OPEN SATURDAY EVENINGS 6 TO S t The total number of acci- A dents that have occurred on A Portland's streets this year is p apalling. It has aroused the y thinking people to action; they Z have banded together in the 2 resolve to reduce the number Zk of accidents each day; they 2 have taken it home each one to himself, that it is an in dividual proposition that the only way injury and suffering can be reduced is for each in dividual to make himself and herself responsible by slowing down at intersections and dan ger points and by stopping to look, look, look, before crossing the street. It is necessary to be careful every day, but especially so on December 24, "No Accident Day," if you want to keep in jury and suffering away on Christmas Day. Join in this resolve: "Let's Be More Careful." Former Employes Are Invited to Report for Work at Superintendent's Office, Sixth Floor. M n Delineators The Christmas "Deline ators" for subscribers are now ready in our Pattern Shop. Meier &. Frank's: Second Floor. jffifflvw&t The Quality Store of Portland .fe Enlargements All orders given us up to 5:45 P. M. tomorrow will be finished by 5 P. M. Wednesday. Meier ft Frank's: Main Floor. Hour ma itore-JXealrp With Thousands of Useful and Acceptable Gifts in Books, Chinaware and Glassware, Gift Furniture Gloves, Handkerchiefs, Hosiery, Jewelry, Leather Goods, Men's Furnishings, Silverware, Toys, Etc, Do All Your Shopping Here Under One Roof A Few of Ovir Service Features of More Than Usual Interest at This Time 3000 efficient, willing salespeople will see to it that you are waited on promptly. Fourteen passenger elevators and eight escalators (moving stairways) the largest number of eleva tors and only installation of escalators in the city insure speedy inter-floor transportation. Christmas Parcel Station, U. S. Postal Sub-Station and Accommodation Bureau are on the Basement Balcony packages checked and wrapped free. Ask any floor manager for free booklet of Christ mas Gift suggestions. A Meier & Frank merchandise or glove bond will solve the "what to give" problem. Issued for any amount $1 or more redeemable in merchandise in any department at any time. On sale at special booth on the Main Floor. Toytown with its thousands of toys, dolls and games is prepared to make Christmas enjoyable for all the Kiddies. Fifth Floor. Christinas candies made in our own Daylight Candy Shop from the purest and best ingredients are here in many kinds. Ninth Floor. Groceries in abundance for the Christmas feast telephone orders taken from 8 A. M. to 5:45 P. M. Ninth Floor. Please shop early be here at 9:15 A. M. when our store opens, if "possible, or at least try to come1 some time in the morning. Be sure that the sales-person gets correct name and address. You can assist our representatives in their efforts to give the best service by carrying small parcels so far as possible. Butter or Cheese Dishes $2.69 A glass dish with a silver plated cover and tray in pierced design. Worth $3.50. Fine for gifts. Silverware Shop. Main Floor. Meier & Frank's: Gift Suggestions for Boys No matter what your boy's age, he is sure to appreciate some thing to wear for Christmas a suit, an overcoat, a shirt or a blouse, a hat or a cap, a mackinaw, a bathrobe or the like. We have full stocks of everything for boys at prices that are usually lower than elsewhere. New arrivals include "Oregon City" shirts in gray and khaki; flannel blouses in khaki, gray and blue; wash blouses; ties; belts; hats and caps; separate knickers; jersey i suits for the "little man" and many other useful things for boys. Meier & Frank's: The Store for Boys. Third Floor. E-X-T-R-A! Just In by Express--100 Bathrobes While Any Remain $4.85 The perplexing problem, "What shall I give him?" will be quickly and effectually solved when you see these bathrobes on display and sale today at $4.85 and buy them as you surely will. Made of good quality Beacon blankets in a variety of effective patterns and color combinations, also plain tan col ored robes with contrasting border and cuffs. Some have edges that are cord bound and seams are taped. Finished with rope girdle and large patch pockets. All sizes. Attractive values at I $4.85. - Meier & Frank's: The Store for Men. ThirU Floor. Your Christmas Phonograph What Shall It Be? Every home will be the better for music on Christmas. Every home can HAVE music the world's best for cash or on any reasonable terms if selection be made at this store. But do not delay the demand, already heavy and sure to be intensified during these three days, is rapidly depleting stocks. Make YOUR selection today. Brunswick Featuring Style At $100 Columbia All Styles and Sizes $20 to $250 Edison All the Models $95 to $295 Victor Special Model $70 Choose Here From the Foremost Instruments on Your Own Terms in Reason Special Combination Outfits Can Be Arranged Bringing Any of These Instruments and Records You May Select on Your Own Terms in Reason. Choose Here From the Most Complete Assort ments of Records of All Makes Columbia, Edison and Victor, Including the Newest Christmas Numbers. Meier & Frank's: Phonograph Shop. Sixth Floor