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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 16, 1906)
THE SUNDAY OKEGONIAN, PORTLAND. DECEJ1BKK 1G, lyuwf j; 'if Mi E RAGE ENDS S IN GREAT SPURT Root and Folger Declared Win i ners of Six-Day Contest in New York. DECISIONS NOT POPULAR (l)Istaiice Covered Xot Up to Record. Walthour's Efforts to" Make Up tost Ground "Is Cheered Lustily. NEW YORK. Dee.-lS. Root and Fo1'ger first. Downing and Hopper second. Rutt and MaeFarland ithlrd.. - . These teams ;were winners in the six-day 'bicycle race concluded at Madion-9quare :-tonight. The last mile ws ridden by Fol-,,-ger. Downing. and Rutt. respectively, for ;.:';the three first teams. ' The time was 2:17, The distance covered by the eight teams '.remaining was 2292 miles and 2 lapp. At the finlxli the riders were 441 miles and 2 laps behind the record set by Miller and .Waller for the same number of hours in i' :3 S99. The same team won last year's race, Root then making the final dash. The order of finish of the other-teams follows, the partner riding the last mile being placed' first: Fourth, McDonald. SomerVllIe and Cof . fey. Boston; fifth, Mettling. Canada, and i ,Ijogan. Ireland; sixth, Clark and Pye. Australia; Feventh, Downey, Chelsea and ; Moran, Ronton: eighth, Georget, France. :.' ' At 10:OS o'clock, when the 144 hours of riding had been completed, all except the . -leaders were, according to the rules, ruled . off the track. Those retiring were Wal thour and Bedell', and Breton and Samuel . son, both teams having failed to make up the one lap lost earlier In the race-. This left eight teams, just one-half of the original starters, to fight out the fln ". lsh at one mile. ' (AMERICAN' LEAGUE AVERAGES Cleveland Leads In Batting, Stone ) Best- Hitter, Flk-k Best Jiunner. CHICAGO, Dec. IS. The batting av erages of the American Lcasrue. which iwere given out for publication to day, show that the team with the low est batting average carried off the championship. The highest average for teams was made by Cleveland, which scored .279. New York was second with .265; Chicago was last with .230. The Individual honors were . carried off by Stone of St. Louis and Clark of Cleveland, both of whom averaged ;.S5S. Stone played In 164 games, was a t bat 5S1 times, made 308 hits and 91 runs. Clark was In 57 games, at bat 17!) times, made 64 hits and 22 runs. Lnjoie was third with, an aver age of .355. Chase of New fork fourth .with .323, and Congalton of Cleve land fifth with .320. Chicago's best batter. Smith, was 16th on the list, lie made .293. The champion run-getter was .Elick of Cleveland, who made 9S. The rec 'ord for stolen bases, 39, was made by Flick and Anderson of Washington jointly. The leading; martyr of the season was Jones of St. Louis, Mo., 'who made 40 sacrifice hits. Flick of Cleveland and Anderson of Washing ton making; 39 each. HENLEY BARS YANKEE CREWS Cannot Compete Unless Association Has Agreement AVith Managers. LONDON. Dec. 15. By a resolution ;adopted by the regatta stewards at a i meeting held -at Henley this afternoon, : . jail American crews and scullers are de- 'barred in the future from competing il'at the Henley regatta until the Ameri ';.can rowing authorities complete an ':agreement with the Henley committee ; , such as already exists with the French, ', German, Dutch, Belgian and Canadian 4 ; -associations. . t' The question was brought up by Fletcher, the Oxford coach, as an out - come of trouble in the Vesper Boat Club of Philadelphia last June, and 'after, a . lengthy discussion the general t .rules of the regatta were ordered to ' be altered In accordant with a rule . which was unanimously approved. CITY WINS ASSOCIATION GAME Heats Four British Ships on Muddy Field by Five Goals to One. About 100 association football entfuisl ' .asts braved the mud and threatening rain yesterday aftprnoon to see the Port- land Association Football Club beat a team representing the Seaman's Institute s and picked from the British steamships Franklyn and Apollo and tho British sail-, ing ships Stronsa and Glenalvon by 5 goals to 1. The Manchester Port players, who combined with the Glanalvon and ' Franklyn to beat the city team a week ago yesterday, were unable to get off, but good men from the Apollo and Franklyn replaced them. The local 1 eleven appeared in somewhat strength s ened form. BURNS IS READY TO SIGN O'Brien Demurs on Bid of a Los An - geles Athletic Club. : LOS .ANGELES, Cal., Dec. 15. A meet ing 't'o.day between Tommy Burns, "Philadelphia Jack" O'Brien and prize fight promoters from two or three cities. Manager Tom McCarey, of the Pacific Athletic Club, bid Safl.oriOO foca fight be tween Burns and O'Brien, to be held here some time next May. This was $"000 more than offered by the Rhyolite Athletic- Club, of Rhyolite, Nev. Burns. was willing to sign the agreement, to . ftgnt-for this amount, but .O'Brien dls sented and the matter was deferred one week. BOMBS FOR D0UBASS0FF Conqueror of Moscow Is Wounded . Both Assailants Caught. ST. PETERSBURG, Dec. 15. Admiral ' Doubassoff, formerly governor of Moscow, was the object of a desperate attempt at assassination today, in which he re ceived light injuries. Three men believed , to be Terrorists participated in the at ' ta'ck. which took place while the Admiral ( J was walking along a secluded path of the Taurlde garden. i ,: A young man, uicswu as a. wonting- ijnian, approached and fired seven shots ' -. from a revolver, but missed. The terror- ' 1st turned and ran. with the Admiral ' )n pursuit. Seeing that his capture was imminent. Doubassoff's assailant turned and drew a bomb from his pocket and hurled it at his pursuer. 'Doubassoff was thrown to the ground by the explosion. The watchman ran up and seized the Terrorist. As the Admiral was rising, a second Terrorist appeared and threw a bomb at him, which passed over his bead and did not explode. The second Terrorist then fired three shots from ja. revolver at the Admiral and missed him. Doubas soff threw himself upon the Terrorist, disarmed" and held him until be was seized by the police. The two Terrorists were taken to the nearest police station. A third man succeeded in escaping. The attempt on Doubassoff's life is connected with the trials of Terrorists in progress at Moscow. His assailants are supposed to be workmen from that city, who were seeking to avenge their omrades. some of wh6m have already been condemned , to death. The attempt was one of a long series of plots on Doubassoff. due to the part which he played in suppressing the revo lution in Moscow a year ago. The first of these conspiracies, in' which' young men and a woman of highly connected family were concerned, was frustrated by the Moscow police, but another plot in May resulted in the Admiral's right leg being' Injured bjf a bomb, from which Injury he had only recently recovered. The same leg was hurt again today. Owing to the receipt of letters warn ing him that an attempt would be made upon his 'life, Doubassoft permitted the police of St. Petersburg to take extra ordinary precaution during the marriage of his daughter a week ago. when all the streets between the Admiral's resi dence and the church were closed during the passage of the bridal party. The Admiral, however, persisted In going out for walks without escorts. THREAT TO USE DYNAMITE IKKN'OWN' DEMANDS RELEASE OF STREETCAR RIOTER. Menacing Telephone Message Causes Police to Look Ont for Ex plosives at Jail. The first threat of violence recorded since the inauguration of the streetcar strike occurred at 2 o'clock this morning, when some unknown person telephoned the station and demanded the release of one of the men confined for participating in the several riots of the night. Captain Bailey refused to consider the demand and failed to get the name of the prisoner whose . release was desired, whereupon the person making the de mand threatened to throw a stick of dyna mite through' the window of the Jail. Patrolmen Brothers. Portwood and Richards were stationed in front of the Jail, with orders to shoot any -one acting suspiciously In the Immediate vicinity. The officers were instructed to remain on duty until relieved. REAL REGIME OF" PROGRESS Pope Lit iid American System of Re. ligious Liberty. ROME. Dec. 15. The Pope' is rejoicing this evening that the 1 happenings in France are not ,so serious as had been feared. He has expressed the hope that the good sense of the French people wllK result In. their finding a way to- triumph over the present difficulties: ' .'' The Pontiff today received Cardinal 8a- tolll, who was formerly papal delegate in the United States. The Pope explained the situation with regard to Catholicism- Jn the. United States, where- there exists real separation between church "and state. stating that the benevolent attitude of the state toward religion resulted in the complete and dignified liberty of the church. ' i , "That," exclaimed the Pope, "Is really a regime of progress." WHOLE MOB IS ARRESTED Attempt to Rescue Prisoners Lands Fifty Men in Jail. Shortly after 1 o'clock this morning an attempt was made to rescue two prisoners from Patrolmen Thorpe and Carr, as they were approaching the station. The alarm was given, and Captains Bailey and Bruin rushed the reserves to the rescue. The officers arrested every man they could catch, and their prisoners numbered 50. The jail was crowded to the doors, and proved entirely too small to lodge the prisoners with comfort". "' ' : DANGER FR0JW CHRISTMAS Displays and Decorations. To the Public: Your attention is hereby respectfully called to the fact that the introductlorf about premises of Christ mas greens, harvest specimens and other' inflammable materials such as cotton to represent snow, and the like. Introduces an additional hazard not contemplated by the underwriters in issuing policies of Indemnity covering tho usual lire hazard; and in this connection we refer you to one of the conditions of the standard form of fire insurance policy, wherein It Is stipulated that: "This entire policy, unless otherwise provided by agreement endorsed hereon or added hereto, shall be void, etc, 'if the hazard be Increased by any means within the control or knowledge of the Insured.' " In addition to the danger to property from displays referred to, the danger to life in crowded stores or places of meet ing by reason of a panic, occasioned by a tire, even though it be small and easily controlled, 1b so great that the under writers, who have made a study of such hazards, would only be partly fulfilling their duty should they fail to give warning. ' Electric displays where motors are used and where electric currents are shunted or broken on different circuits for ad vertising purposes will not be approved unless the device for motive power and for the shunting and breaking of cur rents on different circuits are Installed In accordance- with requirements of "Na tional Electrical Code." Board of Fire Underwriters of the Pa cific, by J. C. STONE. - . Manager District "D." Portland, Or., Dec. 16. 1906. SIG SICHEL & CO., 92 THIRD And Our New Shop", Corner. Third and Washington. : Magnificently carved meerschaum pipes. Must be seen.. FOR PORTLAND ONLY. Every day there comes from one to a half dozen inquiries for car load lots of the new Wellington coal, but the manager of the Rock Springs Coal Company, says he will sell no car load lots, but proposes to keep this good coal for the Portland trade alone. It is X9.5 a ton and worth it. Phone Ei 184. Bad tea and coffee ought not to exist; the good ate ao good. Schilling's Best. REWIEDY PROPOSED IS NOT ILLEGAL Legislature Can Pass a Valid Reciprocal Demurrage Law. LUMBERMEN SO ADVISED Attorney W. T. Muir Submit Opin ion at Mass Sleeting of Manufac turers Four Organizations and Two States Are Represented. , Money Is being raised by the Oregon and Washington Lumber Manufacturers' Association to insure effective legisla tion by the Oregon Legislature to guard against a repetition of the car shortage which now exists. The members of the association are unanimously in favor of a reciprocal demurrage law and there is a strong sentiment for a railroad com mission. , ' , At a mass meeting of the members of the association held yesterday afternoon in the Chamber of Commerce auditori um, -..e first steps were taken to raise money to insure the enactment of the desired legislation. Over 70 mills were represented and members of four lum bermen's organizations the Oregon and Washington Lumber Manufacturers' As sociation, .the Shlnglemen's Bureau, the Southwestern Washington Lumber Manufacturers'- Association and the Pacific Coast Lumber Manufacturers' Associa tion were present. - Attorney W. T. Muir has been engaged by the association to draft certain pro visions the lumbermen desired to have embodied in the bills that will be pre sented to the Legislature. He submitted a communication yesterday in which he said that it was his opinion that power could be conferred upon a railroad com mission to fix or suspend demurrage charges. The matter of legislation has been placed In the hands of a railroad com mittee, under the direction of which Mr. Muir is at work. Th bill that has been drawn up by the transportation committee of the Chamber of Commerce will be used as a basis for his work. By this method it is hoped to have all the interests affected by the car shortage agree upon the bill. The lumbermen take the view that If every body or organiza tion Interested submits separate bills there will be much needless confusion, which may Interfere with the accom plishment of the end in view. No Intemperate Speeches. No Intemperate attacks on the railroad companies were indulged in at the meet ing yesterday, but it was plain the lumbermen are determined to remedy. ex isting conditions and to settle permanent ly the car shortage question. Some believed that only a reciprocal domurrage law should be enacted, some spoke-, for' a railroad; commission, and many favored both. But all believed that the railroads have abused the con fidence of the people of the Northwest and that the time has come to call them to account. A dozen or more prominent lumbermen expressed their views. The meeting, over which L. J. Wentworth. vice-president of the association and manager of the Portland Lumber Com pany, presided lasted about three hours. Representatives of the lumbermen's associations in Washington appeared at the .meeting and asked the aid of the Oregon lumbermen in the legal fight that will be started against the Great Northern and Northern Pacific. They wanted to include the Southern Pacific and the Oregon Railroad & Navigation Company in the suit which will shortly be brought, but no such action was taken. The associations have banded to gether and are establishing a legal de partment for that purpose. The following is the communication submitted yesterday by Mr. Muir rela tive to the proposed legislation: Letter From Mr. Muir. I have been able to consider the question of the power of the State of Oregon to enact legislation, providing for a reciprocal demur rage charge applying to railways and ship pers, eutflciently to state that. In my judg ment, this may be done without violating- the Interstate commerce clause of the Federal Constitution. The Supreme Court of the Uni ted States In Houston & Texas C. Railroad Company vs. Mayes declared certain sections of the Texas' railway law fixing & reciprocal demurrage charge void because the law as framed was an Invalid exerrlee of the police power of the state, three of the Justices dis senting from the majority opinion. The Texas statute -provided for a charge of $25 pr car a day for each day's . delay In furnishing or unloading cars; the charge to begin to run from a time specified, and permitted of no excuse for failure to furnish cars ordered ex cept in cases of "strikes and other public calamities." The limited reasons specified as valid excuses for the .omission to furnish cars ordered caused the Supreme Court to declare the law on these points Invalid. . In the courue of Its decision- the court ad mits the right of the states to make reason able rules with regard to the method of carry ing on Interstate business not In conflict with regulations upon the same subject enacted by Congress, and provided also that such rules shall be consistent "with the general require ment that interstate commerce shall be free and unobstructed," and provided that such rule shall not amount to "a regulation of such commerce." The court declined to define the limits of this power of. regulation, and In doipg so used these words: ''The exact limit of lawful legislation upon this subject cannot. In the nature of things, be defined. It can only be illustrated from de cided cases, by applying theprtnciples therein annunciated, determining from these whether In the particular case the rula be reasonable or otherwise." Ruling of Supreme Court. The Supreme Court of the United States, In Chicago M. & S. P. Ky. Co. vs. Minnesota, 10 Sup. Ct. Rep., pp. 462, 70?, while declaring dnvalid the law of Minnesota authorizing the railroad and warehouse commission to compel common carriers to change the rates in force and to adopt such changes as the commission tehalt' declare to be equal and reasonable." without providing for any hearing before the commission, announced with some dissent that the Legislature- may constitutionally confer upon a commission the right to regulate, and tn effect to make transportation rates. This being so, I . can see no reason why the power may not be conferred to a commission to fix and suspend demurrage charges. Considering these decisions, I can see no reason why - an effective reciprocal demurrage law cannot be . enacted. And I sug-gest that any one- of the following methods may be adopted: ' First By establishing a fixed sum prescribed in the statute limited In amount and enforce able under such conditions as will not amount to a regulation of Interstate commerce, or b an unreasonable exercise of the pcllce power. Second By prescribing the mlrjrnum. and maximum amount of the demurrage charge, giving the commission power to suspend in certain instances either at the discretion of the commission or for certain defined reasons and for periods of time covering an emer gency, and power from time to time to fix the rate at any intermediate figure between the maximum and minimum limits. Third By conferring upon the comraietilon Us jBOWer in their discretion o fix the de murrage charge and suspend it In appropriate Instances. The question of the method of enforcing the charge or collecting the amount due any per son or common carrier X am not now clear on. Concerning this I will be glad to state my views later. WILLIAM T. MUIR. NEGRO CONVICTS REVOLT Desperate Attempt at Escape Foiled by One Prisoner. JACKSON,1 Miss.', Dec. 15. As a result of a fxee-for-all fight covering a desper ate aSPempt on the part of the' negro convicts to escape from the Oakley con vict farm, about 20 miles - Southwest of this city, today. Captain J. N. Buckley, In charge. of the camp, sustained a seven inch gash across the chest and Sergeant John Dodd's left arm was broken. The fight began in the hospital. Ben Cooper, a long-term negro convict, at tacked another negro, Chas. Prince, with a razor. The attack on Prince was the signal for a general fight, and when Ser geant Dodds entered the room he was beaten with clubs. Iron bars and other weapons. Captain Buckley attempted to quell the disturbance and was attacked by Cooper, who attempted to cut his throat, and was only prevented by Hezekiah Pluney, another convict, knocking the weapon down. Pluney then grappled with Cooper and disarmed him. When the other negroes saw Pluney take the razor from Cooper they quieted down. Governor Vardaman hastened to Oakley by a special train, accompanied by mem bers of the Board of Control. When they reached Oakley quiet had been re stored. Governor Vardaman brought Plu ney back to Jackson and will pardon- him for disarming Cooper. ' AMERICANS FIRST CHANCE Shonts Will Bar. Foreigners From Canal Contract. WASHINGTON. Dec. 13. Foreign con tractors are to be barred from competi tion for the contracts for the Panama canal. Chairman Shonts of the Canal Commission today made, the announce ment. Many changes have been agreed to in the form of contract, but the most Important Is the limiting of proposals to American firms. The right Will be re sorved by the Commission to reject all h!ds, the commission will then either throw the competition open to foreign bidders or proceed with the work with out contract. January 12 Is the date set for opening proposals. - A substantial reduction in the bond of the successful bidder was also made by the Commission. It will be only J2.000.000. and the total liability of the contractor is to be limited to the loss of percentage and premiums otherwise payable to the contract or J3.000.000 In addition Shonts Indicated other changes. Mr. LEARN CAUSE OF SHORTAGE (Continued From First Page.) have been completed for the Interstate Commerce Commission to probe Into the car shortage situation. . The hearing "will begin Monday morning -by Commissioners Franklin K. Lane and James S. Harlan. From Minneapolis the. Commissioners will go to Chicago, where a -hearing will b,e held Thursday. Other hearings will probably be held later in other sections. John K. Marble, attorney for the Com mission, stated that B0 witnesses had been subpenated to appear here. Thesevin cluded grain shippers, railway men. coal dealers, farmers and men wno are In any way connected with the. situation. The car situation is bad in the South also, Mr. Marble states. It being prac tically impossible to ship cotton. Okla homa and Indian Territory are feeling the effect of the shortage, and the Com mission will likely hear evidence from Southern shippers after the holidays. Aroused by the distressing predicament of those In North Dakota who face severe weather with insufficient supplies of fuel, the railroads will' try to hurry coal to the districts In which need is most im perative. Late yesterday afternoon the Great Northern issued an order that no carlot shipments except of coal would be accepted for points west of Grand Forks. This applies to shipments originating at Duluth as well as St. Paul and Minne apolis. WANT DECISION AMENDED. Eidtors Advised to Bring Test Pass Case Into Court. WASHINGTON, Dec. 15. About 16 mem bers of the National Editorial Associa tion had an Informal hearing today before the Interstate Commerce Commission in regard to the ruling of the commission that railroads cannot enter into contracts with newspapers for advertising and giv ing in return railroad transportation. ' Remarks were made by J. K. Junkin, of Sterling. Kan., president of the National Editorial Association, and others, and they asked that a revision of the commis sion's, interpretation be made with a view to the continuance of the business rela tions between railroads and the public which they said have existed for so long a time. - Chairman Knapp declared that promi nent railroad men had applauded the ac tion of the commission. The chairman de clared that the law comprehensively, ex plicitly and unqualifiedly prohibited jthe transportation by railroads of persona or property except In accordance with the precise terms of the tariffs far that pur pose, and that every tariff provided for payment in money. Expressing his own personal opinion, the chairman said that If a railroad were honestly and legally indebted to a news paper for advertising or anything else he saw no reason why It should not Issue transportation for it, but' that there could be no "fake" contracts which contem plated merely the furnishing of transpor tation for advertising.- It was suggested to the members of the association that they were not precluded by the ruling of the commission from making a test case if they desired to do so, and have the question Judicially determined-. DEFENDS RULER OF CONGO (Continued From First Page.) through the missionaries in the field, and I have no doubt the American Govern ment will be fully Informed of the situa tion through its Consul-General out there, who, I am told, has only recently arrived in the Congo and has not yet had time to send In a report. He will, no doubt,- soon set at rest the false accusations against King Leopold's administration, which has brought civilization and Chrlstiantly to Central Africa. "I may add that, In defending the Bel gian administration of the Congo, I have no personal or selfish motives to sub serve, but am actuated solely by a sense of justice and fair play. My zeal is quick ened by the very consideration that as sault Is made upon a weaker power. I would wllllngy make the same defense in behalf of Holland, Sweden, Denmark or any of the weaker powers, if circum stances demanded." How about Webster's indexed dic tionary and holder for Xmas. - J. K. Gill. 3d and Aider. . JOHN BARRETT IN PORTLAND AGAIN Minister to Colombia Happy to ' Revisit the Rose City. ON ; DIPLOMATIC MISSION Going to San Francisco for Purpose of Investigating Japanese Ques tion . There No Danger of War, He Sayg. "Say that I am glad to get back to Portland. Better than that, say that I shall always be glad to come back, and that I will, if I remain in America, make frequent visits." These were the first words spoken to an Oregonlan reporter 'last night by John Barrett, United States Minister to Colombia and prospective Director of tho Internation al Bureau of American Republics. Mr. Barrett arrived in Portland at 11 o'clock on a delayed O. R. & N. train. The fatigue of - travel has but. little effect on the man who has done more than any other now living to bring this country into close touch with the Latln-Amcrican countries. When he said he was glad to be In Portland, he said It in a tone that showed that it was not a mere formality. Mr. Barrett will remain in Portland until after Christmas, and on Monday night will he the guest of honor at a banquet given by the Commercial Club. From Portland he will c" to San Fran cisco. While he would not admit that while he is on the Coast he will de vote much of his attention to obtaining- Information regarding the Japan ese question in California, there is lit tle doubt that such is his mission, in part at least. The Minister to Colombia does not take the view of many that war with Japan will result from the San' Fran cisco school question, yet he admits the question to be a very grave one. For diplomatic reasons, however, he re fused to discuss the matter beyond saying that he felt confident talk of a possible rupture between ' America and Japan was confined to this country. Little Fear of'AVar. "I am not prepared to believe that Japan contemplates war with Ameri ca, and I do not place any credence in the rumors that have found their way into print regarding the preparations that Japan is said to be making for such a war," he remarked. "The ques tion is a grave one and it will not be settled easily, but I am sure It will be settled without a serious rupture be tween America and Japan." Mr. Barrett's appointment as Direc tor of the International Bureau of American Republics has not yet been made, but he expects that it will come upon his return to Washington. Pres ident Roosevelt has contemplated malt ing Mr. Barrett Ambassador to Brazil, but the President's plans were changed when Secretary Root returned, from his visit-to South America, Mr. Barrett met Secretary Root and -traveled with him over the greater part of South America, and it was during this trip that Secretary Root conceived the Idea of placing the Minister to Colombia in charge of the Internation al Bureau. Pressure Brought to 'Bear; Not only does the Secretary of State want Mr. Barrett to have charge of this bureau, but the leading Latin American Ambassadors and Ministers have personally requested that Mr. Barrett be given the appointment. "It will be necessary to reorganize this Bureau," said Mr. Barrett last night. "Yet when the Bureau is con ducted as it will be after the reorgan ization, it will bring America in closer touch with all of the Latin repubf cs YOU CAN A m mm MR. JAMES J. DUNDAS, Delta, La., says : "For many years your Bitters has been my family medicine, and we owe our continued good health to its use. It is excellent for all stomach and liver complaints. I freely endorse it." FOR ALL FEMALE ILLS from Mexico to Argentina. There are immense possibilities for commerce with that part of the world. Itswlli be a great thing for the commerce of the Pacific Coast. . The Bureau will be a sort of clearing house for business news, providing all kinds of informa tion about the progress and gTowth of every South and Central American country. The Bureau -will be In touch with all the commercial organizations in the United States. It will also pro vide information regarding the uni versities, colleges and educational cen ters. In order to develop closer intel lectual association. "While in Washington I added my word to the many spoken to the Pres ident regarding the Seattle fair. I am Interested jn the success of this fair just as deeply as I was in the Lewis and Clark Exposition. I not only hope that it will be a great suc cess,, but feel sure It will be." WHY MEXICO BUYS ROADS Government Ownership Only Refuge From American Control. MEXICO CITT. Dec. 15. There , has been plenty of discussion in official and commercial circles of the frank Bpeech In which Minister of Finance Limna tour last night explained to Congress the government's action in buying the Mexican Central Railway. Fear of what he styled the great railway trusts of the United States was the princi pal reason for the speech, the Minister declaring that the government had been forced to enter the railroad field on a gigantic scale. He Intimated that the merging of the National and Cen tral la but tho beginning of the plan, although the Republic now owns all the big operating lines In the coun try. After delivering his speech, he pre sented a bill at the request of Presi dent Diaz, asking that tho session of Congress which Is about to close be prolonged, that the whole situation might be carefully considered by the Detmtles and the Senators. Minister Limnatour said that the government was first forced into the railroad business in 190S, when the Na tional was purchased, because a mer ger between that line and fhe Central -was about to be consummated. At that time tho government declared that its attitude in railroad affairs would be passive, but a change was forced by the attitudu of American railroad financiers. The Minister said': "Gentlemen, you are familiar with the aspect offered by the transporta tion question in the neighboring na tion; 'the problem there Is only a phase of the trust question, which may be characterized as a peril. Those great corporations are being extended every day and expansion has been pro nounced "in recent years. It may be said that the aim of the financial in terests controlling the transportation systems of the United States is to ab sorb as m'anv other lines as possible. The United States Government, alarmed by the tendency and desirous of initiating a reaction against it. has taken action which aims at combining these organiza tions and checking their continued ex pansion. Under these circumstances It was natural that we should endeavor to prevent the powerful corporations In question, attacked as they are by all legal mean's in their own country as well as harassed by the pressure of public opin ion, from coming hither and seeking to absorb those Mexican railroads which are not already under the direct control nf tin ffm-prnmcnt. The Minister summed up his argument as follows: Thus, gentlemen, there are three main arguments for the merger: First, to avoid friction between the different cor porations when the two are competing lines, or when one of them fears being antagonized by a concern in which the government holds controlling interest: secondly, to avoid' the absorption of prop erties not controlled by the government by one of the great railway systems of the United States: thirdly, the prospect of realizing economies through consolida tion under a single management. The speech was frequently applauded and there seemed an overwhelming sen timent in favor of the ideas advanced by Senator Limantour. Deserter Arrested at Oregon City. OREGON CITY, Dec. 15. (Special.) Chief of Polfce Burns today arrested Slg mund Clark, a deserter from Company E. Fourteenth Infantry, of Vancouver, Waeh. Clark was returned to the mili tary authorities at Vancouver this af ternoon. The deserter was dressed In ci vilian clothes when arrested and ex plained that he had sold his uniform In Portland while intoxicated. ALWAYS Y The wonderful success of Hostetter's Stomach Bitters during the past 53 Years has been made through its relia bility as a remedy for all family ills. In fact, no home is considered complete nowadays that does not always contain a bottle of this famous medicine. Take a few doses at the first symptom of any disorder of the Stomach, Liver, Kidneys or Bowels and thus counteract a long sick spell HOSTETTER'S STOMACH BITTERS will tone the digestive organs, restore the appetite, pre vent costiveness, induce sound sleep and cure. Dyspepsia, Indigestion, Biliousness, Sour Risings, Heartburn, Chills, Colds, Headache, Cramps, Malarial Fever or General Debility. A trial always convinces. Read these letters : THE BITTERS IS UNEQUALLED. TRY IT AND SEE CUPID STEERS AUTO Chauffeur Gives Lessons In Driving and Loving. MAKES SPLENDID BARGAIN Chicago Expert Sent to Young Heir ess to Teach Her to Run New . Purchase and She Finds 111 in Indispensable. CHICAGO, Dec. 15. George D. Brown, a chauffeur employed by the C. A. Coey Automobile Company, was assigned by his firm to demonstrate the superiority of their machine to Miss Jennie Johnson, millionaire daughter of the late A. J. , Johnson, furniture manufacturer, and' succeeded so well that today he and Miss Johnson were married at the bride's home, 1S6 Evergreen street. "0,'he affair started about the middle of October and C. A. Coey happened to be the modern cupld selected, although he was not aware of the part he was play ing at the time. He was called over the telephone and a sweet feminine voice made known the fact that the possessor thereof was in the market for an auto mobile and that if he would send a ma chine and demonstrator to her residence, she might invest. Young Brown was the first demonstrator down that day and he was assigned. "I think we can sell the machine," said Brown when he came back in the evening. "I am going back tomorrow." He went back the next day and the next and the next. The demonstration continued for almost a month, but the chauffeur said he was reasonably sure to make the sale. Finally Miss Johnson bought the machine and then it became necessary for Brown to instruct her. This afternoon they were married. To morrow morning they start East on a wedding tour in the identical automobile. CRUISER MONTANA AFLOAT SUCCESSFUL- LAUNCHING BY MISS CONRAD OF HELENA. Daughter of Wealthy Pioneer of Mountain State Speeds Swift Ship on Way. NEWPORT NEWS. Va., Dec. 15. The U. S. armored cruiser Montana was successfully launched at the Newport News shipyard today In the presence of a large number of people. The ves sel was christened by Miss Minnie Con rad, daughter of W. G. Conrad, of Mon tana. Governor Toole, of that Btate, was represented by Martin Mnglnlss, formerly Territorial Delegate in Con gress. Senator Carter and Represen tative Dixon also were present. The Navy was not officially represented. After the launching the sponsors' party was entertained at .breakfast. The Montana is about 68 per cent complet ed, and Is a sister ship to the North Carolina, launched here October 6. Her contract calls for a speed of 22 knots. CARD OF THANKS. The executive board of. the "Woman's Exchange" desires to return their sincere thank to G. L. Baker, for his kindly courtesy, displayed in the successful en tertainment, given at Baker Theater. De cember S. for the benefit of the Woman's Exchange. The board wishes also to ex tend Its appreciative thanks to each mem ber of the excellent company that pro duced the play. In every way. socially and financially, owing to Mr. Baker and his company the evening was a decided success.- Japan's rice crop Is good this year, be ing 50.000,000 koku. an increase of 32 per cent over li05 and 18H per cent more than the averaice crop. R ELY ON MEDY MR. JAMES STRONGER, Marietta, O., says : "I was troubled with Kidney and Stomach weakness for a long time. My doctor recommended your Bitters and I improved from the start. No home should ever be without it."