Roseburg news-review. (Roseburg, Or.) 1920-1948, July 16, 1920, Page 1, Image 1

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    ROSEBURG MEWS-
WEATHER
Tonight and Saturday;
I mettled weather.
a
2W
In Which i Included The Evening Newt and The Roseburg Review
-T pRKCO.V HISTORICAL
Oli,l SOCIETY,
VOI,. XXIII, NO. 118
OP ROSEilUltG REVIEW
ROSKBURO NEWS-REVIEW FRIDAY, JILY 16, 1020.
JINQ NEWS
I'tilillc Auditorium
DAILY TEMPERATURE
Highest yesterday 87
lowest last night BS
LOS ANGELES FOLK
FLEE TO STREETS
Earthquake Shock Alarms the
Residents of World's Great,
est Winter Resort.
DAMAGE IS VERY SMALL
Telephone Service Demoralized When
Operators Meek Safety In Flight
Empress of Russia ami
Children Dunied Alive.
Ity Associated Press
SHOCKS REPEATED.
LOS ANGELES, July 16.
Another severe shock was felt
at 1:21 this afternoon, and
eight minutes after a third and
mure violent -tremblor shook
the city.
LOS ANGELES, July 16. A brick
chimney fell arrow the Third street
tumid when the second shock caine
this afternoon, and a tire alarm was
turnel In, but the damage from lire
whu trifling. Crontls of people,
whose nerves were already on edge
Hf a result of the morning tremblir,
again mMied into the streets, nil
oflice and store buildings being prac
tically deserted for the time. lart
of (lie retaining wall at the entrance
of the Hill street tlliutel. running
between First and Temple streets,
ami used jointly by the Pacific Kle
vnted railway and the city, caved in.
The water main was reported broken
on Hill street between First and Sec
ond, and more plate ((lass windows
in the lown town district were re
wrted broken. Frightened people
from offices, stores and homes
uiuhcrrd on the vacant lots in the
resilience district and at street Inter
sections in the business districts. In
order to keen away from iossibly be-
1 log injured by fulling debris.
LOS ANGELES. July 14. A
! sharp earthquake shock was felt
here at 10 o'clock this morning, and
for a. few minutes a near-panic pre
vailed in many of the down town
business houses, when employes be
gan an exodus to the streets. The
shock wus the most severe of any re
cently experienced here, excepting
the quake of July 21, when consider
able damage was done at Inglewood-
sunurb a few miles southwest of
the city. A quick survey of the busi
es district showed that the damagi
today was not extensive. The tele
phone service was demoralized for a
short time when operators at the
central stations abandoned (heir
nosts when the quuke began rocking
bull, linns within a few seconds after'
the town mortar was shaken from
many of the brick walls, and thorn
was a general emptying of office
buildings within a few seconods after
t h,' first shock struck the city. Re
ports from various parts of Southern
California Indicates that Los Angeles
was probably the hub of the tremb
lor. as it appeared most severe here.
Some plaster was shaken from the
courthouse walls, and one down town
department store reported that a
Plate glass window had been broken.
Tracks in several brick lodging
houses have become the subject of
d bate, as to wether they were
caused bv the earthquake this
orning, or existed before, only go
ing unnoticed.
Hissenters Want Party.
riUPAGO. July 16. Formation of
another party has not been aban
doned by members of the committee
of foriy-eieht. who dissented from
the decision of their convention last
night. Believing that the formation
of a party is necessary and Impera-:
e. ine dissenters have taken nn
the matter here tml-iv
Empress Ruined Alive.
PAlilS. July 16. That the Rus
sian empress was burned alive after
the execution of Emperor Nicholas at
Ekatterinburg during the war. is alb-ted
in a statement attributed to
Alexis Dolrovitz. courier to the em
press, and published here today.
Children of the empress were burned
with the mother, according to Dolro
vitz. who stated that he did ail he
could to save them from their hor
rible fate.
Woman Held for Murder.
CORVALLI8. Or.. July 16. Mrs.
Ceorge Peters is in the Benton coun
Jail, where she Is held on a charge
killlnk Frank Selti. of Alsea. Ae-
riling to a purported confession
Inch officials allege she made, the
woman shot Seits when he failed to
carry out his promise to marry her.
The wounded man died last night.
Wheat Prices Prop.
CHICAGO. July 16. Wheat ntT
d rw-etit a sensational break In price
fc-re today, the market opening all
C e war from 12.70, the price on
-hange yesterday, to nine and a half
cen'H lower, and was soon down ten I
and a half per bushel. In some cases, I
Tor December, the principal specula-
live delivery. The big tumble in
values was attributed to lack of buy
Population Roseburg
Shows 7.5 Decrease
(By Associated Press.)
WASHINGTON, D. C, July
16. The population of Rose
burg as giveu in the 1920 ceu
sug is 4 3 HI, a dec tease of 367,
or 7.6 per cent.
When the. above bulletin was
posted on the News-Review
windows this morning a bowl
of dismay went up. It seemed
Incredulous that such could be
the case. Without a single ex
ception everyone had previously
expressed the belief that the
population of Roseburg would
show an increase. The 1919
"nose count" was given as
4738. What Is now our choice
residence sections was then
nothing but desolate cow pas-
tures. Many bouses were then 4
empty, while at this time it is
almost Impossible to secure
one. The question which now
looms up big is. "what will
Roseburg do nbout It?" Surely
some action should be taken, at
least a recount.
It is now up to Roseburg to
make their own count. Med-
ford's census also stowed an
alarming decrease, but the
chamber of commerce of that
city was not content to let the
figures go and are now engaged
in taking their own count and
compiling a city directory.
"You tell 'em, Census, we've
lost our senses."
ing orders more than to any great
pressure to sell.
Huns Want Explanation.
SPA, July 16. German delegates
to the Spa conference have agreed In
general to terms submitted by the
allied representatives relattive to the
coal deliveries insisted upon, but will
ask explanation of certain articles In
the note presented by Lloyd George
and associates yesterday, it was an
nounced Just before the conference
resumed its deliberations this after
noon. The note yesterday was prac
ttlcally an utlimatum. Informing
Germany that there could be no more
delay In meeting the terms of 2.000,
000 tons of coal each month lo the
allies.
Rolel fonder Captured.
MEXICO CITY. July 16. General
Pablo Gonzales! former candidate for
the presidency of Mexico, who is al
leged to have been the leader of tho
revolution which was Inaugurated at
Neuvo Leon, whose capture was re
ported yesterday, will be placed on
trial Immediately, according to offi
cial announcement today.
Armistice a Myth,
SPA, July 16. British officials
here denied today that any reply bad
been received to the allied note to
the Russian soviet government pro
posing an armistice between the Bol
shevik! and Poles.
It Is probable that no presidential
candidate will be named, was the
statement made today by Judge Ar
thur Wray, mayor of lork, Nebras
ka. Allen McCurdy, the keynote
speakekr of the forty-eight conven
tion. Is expected to head the new
party.
Appoints Army Officers.
WASHINGTON, July 16. Ap
pointment by the president of seven
major-generals and twenty-two
brigadier-generals, under tho new
army reorganization bill, was an
nounced by Secretary Baker today.
Among the brigadier-generals Is
Ulysses G. McAlexandor. former Instructor-Inspector
of the Oregon
National Guard.
Cup Race Continue
Probably Tomorrow
(By Associated Press.)
SANDY HOOK, July 16 Repairs
on the American sloop Resolute,
whose throat halyards parted dur
ing the race yesterday when victory
over the Shamrock seemed assured,
proceeded rapidly today. There Is
every prospect that the cup defender
will be In readiness for another race
In the cup match oft here tomorrow.
KXJOY FAMILY. REUNION
J. Wendell Wright, who returned
today from a vacation at Buell. Ida.,
reports a very pleasing family re
union at that place. His mother. Mrs.
Eugenia M. Wright, and her child
ren were united for the first time In
tS years. Those present besides Mrs.
Wright were: W. Newell Wright,
wife and daughter, Rollo Wright and
wife. J. Wendell Wright, wife- and
two children and Miss Esther Wright
NO TRACE OF MEXICAN
Although an extensive search Is
being made no trace of the Mexican
dr B. Romero, the Mexican laborer
who yesterday shot and Injured Hugh
Busby, a fellow laborer. Busby 1s
now at the hospital In Sutherlin
where h'j is being treated end his
condition Is Improving. Romero. It
is stated started out with the in ten
lion of killing all of the white men ,
on the job. but after shooting Bushy i
his nerve failed and he escaped Into :
the brush. Sheriff quins- went to
Isadora today to conduct the search i
In person. . ,
RATE-INCREASE
Over Billion Dollars Needed
to Bring Income to Six Per
Cent Carriers State.
THE SHIPPERS PROTEST
I'assenger Rates Would Remain l"n
ilmngcsl and Freight Rates Would
lie Materially Advanced Acer-""
to IVtifMisal.
(By Associated Press.)
WASHINGTON. July 16. In pre
senting application for freight rate
increases the railroads contended
before the Interstate Commerce
Commission that $1,107,000,000
was necessary to. advance their in
come to the six percent basis per
mitted by the new transportation
act. (Shippers and state commis
sions generally agreed that some
advances were necessary, but they
opposed bdth the total and the me
thod of application.
Pasesnger rates, the carriers pro
posed would be left unchanged and
their program of advances, applic
able throughout the country, did not
take Into account any wage In
creases made by the railroad labor
board.
The advances proposed were:
(Eastern roads, 30.4 percent, to
yield an advance In all revenues of
21.1 percent, or $544,000,000.
Western roads: 23.9 percent to
advance all revenues 1 7 percent or
$352,893,000.
Southern roads: 30.6 percent to
provide 20.7 percent larger revenue.
or $120,770,000.
Apart from these advances, 38
r-oads in the southwest asked sepa
rate treatment from the western
Classification, and a rate increase
H2.8 percent. t
An estimated valuation of $20-
"616.000,000 placed on the transpor
tatlon systems by their owners was
mentioned by both shippers and
stale utility commissions, who com
plained that "book value" was un
reliable, while the carriers contend
ed that their figures were conserv
ative, especially becauf.e or rising
ost of materials and equipment.
Increases in passenger rates, and
Hat freight Increases Instead of the
percentage advances, also were ad
voeated by shippers to equalize the
burden of any advance.
Setting out the necessity for the
Increase, the railroads claimed that
the net income of all of tne coun
try's roads fell from $ 1 .0",6.0fl0.O00
In 1916 to $510,000,000 In 1919.
while their Investment was Increased
more than $2,000,000,000. Operat
ing exiwnses, the roads said, have
Increased 99.1 percent since 1916,
and revenues 36.37 percent.. Operat
ing expenses. It was added, are now
99 percent of the revenues, against
68 percent In 1916.
Arguing for the Increases, the
railroad executives said, the one
billion' dollars of added revenue was
necessary if the roads were to handle
the nations commerce satisfactorily.
They contended that savings prom
ised by them could not be effected
bt once because the roads were not
returned to them In tho same con
ditions as they were when tak?n
over and because of unsolved labor
difficulties.
Clifford- Thorne. of Chicago, re
presenting shippers. recommended
to the commission that the roads b-j
'nlflod for operation as they were
In 1917 declaring that only in this
way could the roads solve the exist
ing transportation problem.
Mr. Thorne also argued that the
vte advonces asked were excessive
ns the carriers had not made any
Provision for more efficient opera
tion or for decreases in the cost of
materials. He also argued that tne
romnanles set too high a value on
heir properties and that they were
equalizing land granted mem ry
federal and state gove-nmcnta with-
viut cost and asking the people to
forever pay tax on these free gifts.
DECIDES KLAMATH CASE.
Judge J. W. Hamilton today ren
dered his decision Inthe Klamath
court house case and mailed a copy
of his findings to the clerk of the
county. He finds In favor of the
county court and find 'hat the
claim of the contractor for $143,000
is not legal. Klamath county has
one new. unoccupied court house,
another partially finished, and the
old one still in use. The unoccupied
court house was bu'lt by a rival fac
tion out t a fund declared to be
Illegal by the decision.
FORGOT OIR "JOO'RAPHY"
The Riddle Tribute ssys: The
Rosebnrg News-Review may be all
powerful in local county affairs. bu
when it comes to moving Niarra
Falls Into New Jersey, as they did in
a data line Tuesday, we believe they
ire "emptlng to take In too much
territory.
LATE IN EVENING
Plane Buzzing Over City After
8 o'Clo'ck Last Night
. Startles "Natives"
WILLCARRYPASSENGERS
Lieut. Ayres, Famous Stunt Man
and Experienced Pilot Here for
Week's Stay Will Make Dally
Trips "I'pstJilrs."
With the wings of his plane flash
ing and sparkling 18 the rays of a
golden sunset Lieutenant Vern Ayres
arrived in this city shortly after
eight o'clock last night and landed
in the Creason field In North Rose
burg. Within a few momonts after
his landing darkness settled upon
the city. This was the Iflrst rime In
the history of Rosebrrg that a plane
made a landing so late in the even
ing. When first sighted, the majority
of the people were of the opinion
that the aviator had lost his way and
was looking for a landing field. Ho
circled the city time and time again
not a few tried to signal him
to the Hanan field south of town.
He's lost," "Why dont they mark
field." "What's the matter with
him?", were the cries that went up
but the lieutenant then swooped
close to earth and made a beautiful
landing in North Roseburg.
Lieutenant - Ayres has been
(flying at Oakland and Yoncalla since
July 4th. and has carried numerous
passengers. He will remain In Rose
burg for about a week and will make
flights every day. Passengers will be
carried at $10 each and a flight over
the city and valley giving a fine view
and Is well "worth $10 of any man's
money.
Lieutenant Ayres "is flying a JN4
Curtiss type plane, which Is used ex
tensively over the United States for
commorclPl work. H has a wonder
ful record aB an aviator during the
war and served ln France with the
Royal Flying Corps of Great Britain.
At one time Lieutu. Ayres crossed,
the German lines in pursuit rjf a Hun
birdman. His machine was filled with
holes from the German bullets, hut
fortunately none of them struck the
vital parts of the plane, and he re
turned to the allied lines safe. Since
his return to this country he has
been engaged almost continuously
In aviation work and Is one of tho
most famoue stunt men now on the
Pacific coast. In southern California
ho has been making leaps from the
wings of the plane into the ocean,
and has performed numerous other
hair raising stunts. He has also boon
transferred from a moving auto to
a plane by means of a rope and has
made parachute drons upon several
different occasions. Ho is an Interest
ing talker and is always willing to
answer any questions concerning tho
aviation game. His flying Is not re
stricted to daytime ho states. During
his stay In Roseburg. he will prob
ably make several night flights, and
plans to have the wings of his plane
Illuminated with flares.
OFFICERS INSTALLED
Union Encampment No. 9. I. O. O.
F., In Its regular meeting Thursday
nstalled the following officers for
the ensuing t erm: C. P. John Reese:
H. P. Foster nutner: S. W. Amos C.
Rexroad: I. W. George Radabaugh:
1st Watch. D. Cameron Humphrey;
2nd watch. J. B.Bailey: 3rd watch.
N. Taylor Jewett: 4th Watch. Vivian
T. Jackson: Guard. Earle Pickens:
Inner Sentrv. J. O. Stephenson: Out
er Sentry, Victor Boyd; 1st Gnard
of T. M. Fickle. The officers were
Installed by B. N. Ewart. who was
assisted by J. Earle Pickens, Grand
Marshall.
MANY SIGN WITH GROWERS
The close of the 1920 season for
new members in the Oregon Growers
Co-Operative Association, so far as
thlB year's crop Is concerned, ended
yesterday. F. B. Guthrie reports a
whirlwind finish with many growers
especially In tho Sutherlin district
hustling to get in down to the last
minute. All o)f the fruit growers with
the exception of a few cherry men
seem very happy over the recent
rain.
BITS FINE FR11T FIRM
L. F. Case, of Cambridge, Neb
raska has bought the Watson Davis
13 acre fruit tract In Edenbower and
will soon bring his fsmiTy to this
county te make their home. The or
chard tract is well Improved and Is
one or the choice places In the coun
ty and has a large commercial drier.
Mr. Davis retains the 2l acre garden
tract adjoining and will build a mod
ern home there at once. The deal
was made by the Ak Sar Ben land
company.
C. J. Hard, state leader of county i
agents for western Oregon returned j
last night from Corvallls where he I
UM e'e u ,icnutu uv yai ww
SLIGHT INCREASE
IN RATES MADE
Average Consumer Will Pay
Few Cents More For Light
and Water Each Month.
MINIMUM IS CHANGED
Commission (Jives Company Increase
of 20 Cents Each Month ou
Minimum Water Rate and
Cluuiges Charge Busts.
On a basis of 15 klllowatt hours,
the bill of the resident consumer of
electricity will be five cei.is higher
under the new schedule of rates an
nounced today by the public service
commission in its order in tho mat
ter of the application of the Douglas
County Light and Water company for
an Increase in rates. The minimum
water rule is Increased 20 cents per
month, with a special rate for Irri
gation between the months of April
and September. Tho new rates also
grant increases In the charge for city
fire hydrants, while the resident
consumers will find little change In
their bills under the new schedule of
rates. On 25 kilowatts the Increase
In price will be 15 cents and on 50
kilowatts 20 cents. It is a difficult
matter to figure on water rates be
cause of the fact that the commis
sion gives Its figures in cubic feet
while the present measurement used
is on a basis of gallons. The new
rates as announced by the commis
sion are ns follows:
ELIXTRIC RATES.
Residence Lighting.
The following rate applies to all
lighting service supplied to resi
dences, churches, lodges or religious,
charitable and fraternal organiza
tions: First 8 K. W H. or less, $1 per
month: next 22 K. W. H. or less, per
K. W. H., 10c per month: next 20
K. W. H. or leai, He; excess over 60
K. W. H.. 6c.
Commercial Lighting.
ThlB applies to all lighting service
supplied, .to stores, offices, .hotel
apartment houses (when consMored
as one customer), theaters, hospitals,
schools, or any lighting service used
for commercial purposes.
The following primary (or de
mand) rate applies only to the first
60 kilowatt hours used per kilowatt
per month of the demand as herein
after defined. .
The secondary rate next follow
ing applies to all consumption in ex
cess of that specified for the pri
mary schedule.
Primary Rate (per month) Firsl
8 kilowatt hours, or less, $1; next 42
kilowatt hours, per k. w. h.. 10c; ex
cess, over 50 kilowatt hours, per k.
w. h.. 7c.
Secondary Rate First 150 kilo
watt hours, per k. w. h., 7c: next
250 kilowatt hours, per k. w. h., 6c:
next 400 kilowatt hours, per k. w. h.,
3c: In excess of 800 kilowatt hours,
per k. w. h., 2c.
Minimum Charge No monthly
bill shall be less than $1 plus 10c
for each 100 watts or major frac
tion thereof, of active load in excess
of 500 watts.
Demand for Power Schedule.
Demand is defined as being the
greatest average rato at which en
ergy is used within a period of five
consecutive minutes, and will be as
sessed or measured as hereinafter
Indicated.
Assessed Demand: expressed In
horsepower, will ordinarily apply to
installations of less than 25 horse
power and will be determined as fol
lows: The combined rated capacity of all
motors (except elevator motors and
others of similar character) will be
taken and the following percentages
thereof considered as the assessed
demand:
First 6 h. p. of total rated capac
ity: 1 motor, 95 per cent; 2 to 6 mo
tors, 90 per cent; 6 motors. 85 per
cent: next 10 h. p. of total rated ca
pacity: 1 motor. 65 per cent; 2 to 6
motors, 60 per cent; over 5 motors.
65 per cent: excess over 15 h. p. to
tal rated capacity: 1 motor. 65 per
cent: 2 to 6 motors. 60 per cent:
over 5 motors, 55 per cent; In no
case, however, shall the average per
centage be less than: 1 motor, 75
per cent: 2 to 5 motors. 70 per cent;
over 6 motors. 65 per cent.
Any motor or motors bsvlng a
rated capacity less than ten per cent
of 4hat of the total installation shall
not be considered as increasing the
number of motors as -applied under
the above classification. Two or more
motors having an aggregate rat"!
capacity of ten per cent of the In
stallation shall be considered as om
motor.
WATER RATES.
I Uvular Meter llte (Per Month).
First 300 cu. ft. or less, minimum
charge (see below); next 1700 su.
ft. per hundred eu. ft.. 15c; next 18,
000 cu. ft. per hundred cu. ft.. 10c:
excess over 20.000 cu. ft. per hund
red cu. ft.. 8c.
Snrtnkling Meter Rate (Commod-1
ity Basis). Applicable during the thoroughly modern and are practlc
sprlnkling season (from April meter aT new. Mr. Dark tak Immediate
reading to September meter reading possession of the plsse. The deal was
H.n walaw In, Anfna. - .1 . W I T.l.,
v S.M.. ...... --.
Population of
County Is Given
. (By Associated Press.)
WASHINGTON. D. C. July
16. The cenBus of Douglas
county is 21,332, an Increase of
1658, or 8.1 per cent. The
population of towns In Douglas
county Is as follows:
CanyonvIIlu 156
Drain 607
Glendale 648
Myrtle Creek 385
Oakland 616
Reedsport 850
Riddle 268
Roseburg 4381
Sutherlin 468
Yoncalla 232
WINS CENSl'S Gl'ESS. .
' -
The winner of the News-
Review Roseburg census guess-
lng contest is Dave Comstock,
of this city, who ventured the
figures 6841. These figures
missed' the mark by 1460.
Hundreds of other gut-uses were
received by the "census editor,"
w some of which run ns high as
10.796. Mr. Comstock will be
presented with a year's sub-
scriptlou to the News-Review.
4
tic and irrigation purposes or for
Irrigation purposes only. For apart
ment houses, boarding houses and
residences housing more than one
family the regulhar rate will apply
for the "normal monthly consump
tion of each such customer" in lieu
of the II 1st 500 cubic foot. The nor
mal monthly consumption shall be
determined by taking tho average
consumption of water for the seven
preceding non-irrigation months.
First 600 lor exception above) cu
lt., ier month, regular meter rate.
10c: next 10,500 cu. ft. per hundred
cu. ft., 10c; excess over 20,000 cu.
ft. per hundred cu. ft., 8c.
Minimum Charge, All Metered Ser
vice: ucronltng to the size of con
sumer's service pipo (from main to
meler) and of meter employed.
Size of Size of Meter Min. Chg
Serv. Pipe Corresponding Per Mo
Inch
1 Inch
Hi inch
ltt inch
2 inch
3 inch
4 inch
" Inch
4 inch
1 inch
Z. 1' inch..'
2 inch
$1.20
1.60
2.00
;' 2.75
3.50
B.00
7.00
3 Inch
4 inch
Tho commission In deciding this
case deals with the applications for
increases in water and light rates
as consolidated instead of separate-
(Contlnued on Page 4)
Crop Outlook
Reported Good
Mr. C. J. Hurd, County Agent
leader has Just returned tfrom Klam
ath county and the Southern Oregon
counties where he has been visiting
county agents and farm bureaus. He
reports that cropB in all sections are
looking exceedingly well and that
tho recent rains were of great value
to corn and spring grains- Some
damage was done to cherries, es
pecially In the Wlllamfette valley,
where the harvest was only about
half completed.
Mr. Hurd states that the crops In
Douglas county will compare favor
ably with those In other sections of
the state, and that the com is look
ing exceptionally well bore and prom
ises an exceedingly good crop.
There will he a meeting of the ex
ecutive committeo tomorrow evening
for the purpose of considering sev-
e-ri.l applications for the county
agent, position In this county. Mr.
Hurd slates that he does not know
whether anv of the applicants will
bo satbiractory to the committee or
not. It Is his Intention to secure a
successor at the very earliest poss
ible dato so that work can be Car
rie on here. Ho says thot he Is es
pecially anxious to get a new man on
the Job now so as to carry on the
work of promoting the land prod
ucts show this fall.
WEDDING LAST NIGHT
A pretty wedding took place last
night ot the home of percv Webb,
when his danghted. Uosa Webb, be
came the wife of Thomas Webb. The
ceremony was performed by Rev. C.
H. Hilton of the Christian-ennrcn.
who used the ring ceremony. Quit-"
a number of relatives and friend
were present to witness the cere
mony. Mrs. vteho Is one or koso
hurg's most popular young women
and Mr. Webb Is s musician and has
steady employment at Pendleton, at
which plnce the young people will
make their home, leaving at once for
that place.
FIVE RA"Tf IS SOLD
The J. T. Quantle ranch situated
near Clendale consisting of 120 acres
of well Imnroved land was sold to
day to F F Rark cf the Wlllsnfbtte
va'ley. The ranch Is nearly all un
der cult'vat'nn. 60 acres being Irrl-
gted. The houses and barns are all
U..U. ...
FIRE DEPARTMENT
SPONSORSBANQUET
Mayor, Carnival Committee
and Commission Were
Guests Last Evening.
NEED MORE EQUIPMENT
James Fletcher Makes Fine Talk,
Telling of Needs of Tills Locality
' Committee Appointed to
Meet With Commission.
That Roacburg'g present fire fight
ing equipment is totally inadequate
to cope with a large fire such as sev
eral cities and towns in the north
west have suffered recently when
whole blocks were burned, was
brought out at a banquet held at tho
Hotel Uuipqua last night when tho
local fire department entertained the
mayor, fire commissioners and the
strawberry carnival committee, and
steps will be taken immediately to
ward securing a larger truck with a
pumping attachment and more equip
ment of other nature. A committeo
consisting of Joss Hicks, James
Fletcher and Leo Devauey was ap
pointed to meet with the local brard
of fire commissioners and city coun
cil and see what can be done toward
securing the needed equipment.
The banquet was arranged purely
as a social affair as a culmination of
the recent successful strawberry car
nival, which was held under the
auspices of the lire department and
which netted that organization $700,
but during the speech-making Assist
ant Chief James Fletcher stated how
impossible it would be to fight a
large fire with the present equip
ment, which the town has outgrown,
and this resulted in the action noted
above.
"We have had lots of luck in the
past," stated Mr. Fletcher. ' "and
every time an alarm conies in I fear
for the worst. In the tire In Eugene,
a few days ago they laid eight lines
of hose and then the Are did $90,
000 dumage before it was controlled,
but we could not lay more than two
lines of hose, at a similar fire. So
what chance would we have? And If
one of the big hotels or other largo
buildings caught fire and trapped
persons in tho upper stories, they
would either have to jump to the
street or burn up, for all we could
do to save them with our present
equipment. Several other towns in
the northwest have had disastrous
fires recently and I feel that Hose
burg's tnrn is about due. We've
cither got to have better equipment
or else be sorry that we haven't."
Mr. Fletcher also stated that he
favored a bond Issue to bo voted on
at the November election in caso the
aviation field bonds are found In
valid. Mayor Hamilton said the volun
teer firemen deserved tho support of
all citizens and stated that the citv
administration would do all reason
able things toward assisting the
boys and after the proposition of
adding more equipment was dis
cussed by several speakers, an
nounced that he stood heartily in
favor bf a committee being appoint
ed to investigatte the matter.
S. K. Rykes, fire commissioner,
who has been connected with the
fire department for many years, also
told the dire need for more equip
ment. Several other firemen also
statted that better fire fighting ap
paratus was badly needed.
"A big fire would simply walk
away from us," said Phil Harth.
"Many of the finest residences in the
city are situated on the hills sur
rounding the city, where The water
pressure Is Insufficient for fire fight
ing purposes. We have got to have
a truck with a pump If we are to
save those houses. And we ore Just '
ns much In need of long ladders.
Leo Devaney stated that when th
nresent truck was purchased the fire
department endeavored to have the
city acquire a truck that would
Verve the city for 10 or 12 years,
but now after only Tour years the
city has outgrown the present enuin
ment. R. L. Whipple stated that lh-i
city should rig up another car with
chemical tanks and a nose-carrying
body to servo in case of emergencies,
should the present truck break down
or two fires occur at the same time.
Glenn H. Taylor, president or tne
department, presided at the banquet,
and C. S. Helnllno acted very ably en
toastmaster. calling, upon eacn or
those present to express his thoughts.
C. W. Pnrrntt. who has been a mem
ber of the department for about 40
rears, snd M. F. Rice, W. II. Fisher
and S. K. Sykes. who were members
of the orgsnt'attnn almost as many
years ago, told of the time when the
hand-drawn apparatus wait drKgged
hroogb he mMdCv streets snd the
firemen were soaked at a fire and
then were "soaked" again afterward.
Thme present were: Mayor W. H.
WarnD'on: S. K. Pvkes. M. F. Rlc,
ftrc coTnm1r'in"rs: r. S. Helpline.
W. H. Flshef, C W. Pafrott. of tho
rrnT,l executive committee, sn-1
the following firemen: .Tes Tf;cV.
James Fletcher. Glenn H Ts'lor. 1,.
J. Crafton. Woodley Slcnhetison,
(Continued on page 2).