Wast for The Big Cattle and Horse Raisers' Convention to Be Held in LaGr&nde, April 24 and 25
asm Ktttttftu
AN INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER PRINTS THE NEWS THE DAY IT HAPPENS
LA GRANDE, OREGON. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 191G.
VOLUME XVI
NUMBER 157.
America Nearer Verge off War
Let Ev
(1
niuini i uir rvni t m IMfMM
1 All ALIA ANLI E.NULA11U iniiluimni it niwun
Washington, Dec. 21 ' trents on both sides are iu-lbut wants .to render the neu-
(United Press) Secretary .vading American rights trals' positions less intoler-
of State Lansing said today more and more. The situ- j a hie. Lansing's whje talk
jansmg said today
a desire for a complete show
down by belligerents was
Ihe real purpose behind
President "Wilson's peace
not which last evening start
led the whole world. Mr.
Lansing declared frankly
the United States is drawing
nearer to the verge of war
r.nd that the present situa
tion cannot continue. He
f.uthorized the following
statement:
"Our rights have been in
vaded. The situation is be
coming intolerable. Deleg
PEACE NOTE IS
III PLAIN WORDS
Washington, D. C, Dec. 21. (Spe
cial) Wilson has appealed to all bel
ligerents to discuss terms of peace.
Without actually proposing peace or
offering mediation, the President has
sent a formal note to the governments
of the warring nations, suggesting
"that nn early occasion be fraught to
call out from the nations a war such
avowal of their respective views as
to the terms upon which the war
might be concluded and arrange
ments which would be deemed satis
factory aj a guarantee against its
renewal or kindling of any similav
conflict in the future as would make
it possible franklv to compare them."
Summarized in the president's own
words as contained in the notes,
which were dispatched Monday night,
his attitude is as follows: The Presi
dent is not proposing peace. He is not
even offering mediation. He is mere
ly proposing that soundings be tak
en in order that wa- may learn, neu
tral nations as well as belligerents,
how near the heaven of neace mav be
for which all mankind longs with j
intense and increasing longing. He
believes the spirit in which he :
sDeaks and the objects which he
ceeks will be understood by all con- j
cerned, and he confidently hopes for
a response which will bring a new
light into the affairs of the world.
The President specifically says in
his notes that he is somewhat em
barrassed in making suggestions at
this particular time, "because it may
now seem to have been prompted by
a desire to play a part in connection
with the recent overtures of the
central powers." To the central pow
ers the President says his action is
in no way "suggested" by the Teu
tonic proposals, while to the entente
his note says: "It is in no way as
sociated with them." To both sets
of belligerents he says he "would
have delayed offering it until those
overtures had been answered but fpr
the fact that it also concerns ?he
question of peace, and may thus be
considered in connection with other
proposals which have the same end
in view."
The President in his notes, after
saying his action has long been in
mind, added. 'The PreFlent can
only beg that this suggestion be con-
sirtercd entirely on us merits aim
if it had been made in otner circum
stances.'' The President looks for
ward in the notes to the part neu
trals shall take in assuring the fu
ture ponce of the world. He express
es justification m "suggesting immc
dlate opportunity for comparison of
views as to terms which must pre
cede those ultimate arrangements
for the peace of the world, which all
desire, and in which neutral nations
as well as those at war are ready to
play their full responsible part."
Part of the objects which the bel
ligerents have in mind, the President
pointed out, are virtually the same
as in the general terms to their peo
ple and to the world, but as yet the
concrete objects of the war nave
never been definitely staled: "Nev
er yet," he says, "have the authori
tative statesmen of cither side avow
ed the precise objects which would,
if attained, be satisfactory to them.
The world has been left to conjec
ture what definite results, what actual
exchange of guarantees, what politi
cal or territorial changes
or read
justments, what Btage of military
success, even, would bring the war
to an end. It may be that peace is
rearer than we know, that the terms
which the belligerent" on one side
nnd the other would deem it neces-1 able by either side.
sary to insist upon are not so irrecon- Washington, D. C, Dec. 21.
ciliable we assume has been feared, I (United Press) Secretary of State
., . -it. f !.,. ,i,i Lansing conferred with President Wil-
tl-at an interchange of views would gon a noon and planned a 9upple.
clear thc way for a conference and mentary statement late this after
make the permanent concord of na- noon,
ation is increasingly critical.
"I mean the United States
is drawing nearer to the
verge of war and therefore
is entitled to know what the
belligerents want so we can
regulate our future con
duct." Mr. Lansing emphasized
positively that the German
peace proposal to Premier
Lloyd George was not con
nected with the sending of
Mr. Wilson's note. He de
clared the President does
not intend to suggest peace
NOTE STARTS WILDEST
CRASH IN MANY YEARS
New York, Dec. 21. (United
I'ress) The fctock exchange
prices crashedftoday, following
Secretary Lan;'s explanation
of the president note. Despite
big banking interests support
3,175,000 snares were dumped.
This has been the wildest day
since the Northern panic of 1901.
Commission Declares
Brownton Elected
H. S. Browntown to Take Office Jan
uary Second Light Distribution Is
Again Deferred.
To officially declare the results of
the recent municipal election was one
of xue i at falling to the City Com
mission at its meeting last evening.
All members were present. The arc
light distribution was once more laid
over. The canvass of the municipal
election was read and H. S. Brown
ton officially declared elected. He
will take office the first Tuesday in
January.
Bills were allowed.
Lee Warnick's official resignation
was handed in and accepted.
La Grande, Ore., Dec. 20, 1916."
General Manaeer's RcDort for the
Week Ending December 16, 1916.
To the Commission of the City of La
Grande, Oregon:
Fire chief reports no fires.
City Treasurer's report for the
week as follows':
Receipts Water rents, $348.38; in
stallments on assessments, $1216.14;
interest on assessments, $527.24;
county taxes, $18.07; electrical per
mits, 50 cents. Disbursements Gen
eral fund warrants, $499.22; interest
on same, $57.50; water fund war
rants, $437.04; District 27 warrants,
$354.60; interest on same, $109.04;
improvement bond interest, $330.
City Recorder's report for the week
as follows:
District No. 27, No. 2nd St.. $81.13;
interest on same, $3.30; Sewer Dist.
No. 3, Sec. 5, $74.48. Warrants issued
as follows: For bills allowed,
$1303.34; for judges and clerks of
election, ?12b; for two labor certifi
cates, $32.50.
Street Superintendent's Report for
the week as follows:
$9 37 for white-wing; took care of
j watcr and slush on Main Stg . an(j
, filled some holes in New Sewer Dist,
Water Superintendent's report for
the week as follows:
opent 211.10 on ii-incn sewer at
Second street crossing, and $3.35 on
AjUfch ,.
vniei oi ionce report ioi vne wee
as follows: I
Number of arrests, 1; one convic-1
tion; number of special officers, 1. j
Respectfully submitted, j
' ' Citv M.mnrer
tions. a hope of the immediate fu-1
j ture, a concord of nations immedi-1
' ately practicable."
! The note was a distinct surprise
to official Washington and the gen-
crai opinion is tnat tne note nas im -
measurably improved the prospects
jor some suri, oi exunange luuitiii: iu-
ward peace discussions.
The fact that the president asks
first for only a clarification of the
terms is taken a sindicating he is not
expecting an immediate conclusion.
- ! The nearest parallel in the world's
history to Wilson's action was Roose
velt's in 1905 to nd the Russian
Japanese war. Then Roosevelt was
assured before submitting any pro-
posal that it would not be unaccept-
AWT AT I17II CAM
cmphasizd the idea America
must "do something" in the
event her rights are furflier
invaded.
British, Italian, Japanese,
German, Bulgarian, Ens
Han, and Turkish ambassa
dors visited Secretary Lan
?iug this morning and re
ceived copies of the note for-
v arded to tueir govern
ments. Mr. Lansing said
Pres. Wilson finally decided
lo send the note Monday,
rnd forwarded it thqt night
r-nd Tuesdav.
FORD PLANT TO
CLOSE 10 DAYS
Detroit, Mich., Dec. 21. (United
Press! -General Manager Kline
smith has announced the Ford plant
will close tomorrow until January '3,
for the purpose of relieving the raii
road congestion. Forty-two thousand
employes will receive no pay during
the suspension. It means a wage loss
of $2,000,000. The factory will sac
rifice profits on approximately 25,000
cars, as it makes 2500 daily.
O.-W. Embargo Details Arrive.
Effective January 26 and lasting
until January 7, the recent O.-W. em
bargo will be in full effect on many
classes of shipments. It is not be
lieved ..V. ivlirect results of the em
bargo will seriously curtail the pay
roll here, as westbound freight will
continue to move, and there will be
liberal local business, of course. The
embargo reaches out to shipments
headed for St. Louis and Chicago. The
order says:
"On account of embargoes issued
by various lines east of Chicago and
St. Louis and their inability to handle
anything except livestock, perishable
freight and foodstuffs (foodstuffs do
not include grain and flour), we will
be obliged to refuse to accept any
freight except as designated, des
tined to points east of Chicago and
St. Louis in Central Freight Associa
tion and Trunk Lines territory, ex
cdpt that copper bullion and concen
trates for all destinations may be ac
cepted. Any freight accepted for Chi
cago, St. Louis and west thereot can
not have the privilege of reconsign
ment to points in eastern territory
that is embargoed.
"Just as fast as the eastern lines
give us advice that they can take
freight that is embargoed as above
mentioned, we will immediately modi
fy our order to same extent."
War Bulletins
Paris, Dec. 21. (United Press)
Four German aeroplanes were de
stroyed near the Somme. Snow and
rain have hindered the Saloniki front
fighting.
Iluse Liner Split in Two.
Marseilles, Dec. 21. (United Press)
Toulon- has reported the French
cruiser Ernest Renen collided with
nn Italian steamer. Fifteen perished.
A warship rescued 115. The impact
; ..,.t:f ,u i:,.
! ' ' '
I Another Steamer Is Sunk.
, ,. ,. , ... ..,,,
Press) The American consul at Mai-1
ta has informed the state department
a British steamer, the Saint Ursula,
with six Americans aboard, was torpe-1
1 ,loed w'thout warning. The Americans
were saved.
Violent Battles Raging.
Berlin, Dec. 21. (United Press via
Rayville) Germans have ejected the
British from positions north of Arras.
Germans successfully raided West
,viIer8 nm, Carbonnel. Artillerying is
mogt Qn sideg f thc
Somme
NEW AUSTRIAN CABINET
HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED
Copenhagen, Dec. 21. (United
Press) Vienna has reported Clem
Martinitz has organized a new Aus
trian cabinet. Von Spitzmullcr failed
to form a ministry.
WEATHER FORECAST.
Rain west; rain and snow east,
iiouth winds.
Luther Burbank Marries.
Santa Rosa, Cal., Dec. 21. Luther
Burbank and his secretary, Miss Eli
zabeth Waters, were married today.
PASSING THE PHELAN BILL NATIONAL SUICIDE
ankim i.
.Uiryfo ,
why New
Roosevelt, Assistant See
the Navy, in Special Ar-
The Observer Points Out
iew and Powerful Navy Can
not Be Had if Congress Legalizes
Oil Freebooters.
(Editor's Note) Up to date the
department of justice has been unable ,
to protect the government s oil lands, I
reserved for naval use, from the op
erations of trespassers. The Philan i
bill pending in congress seeK tu ur-
hold the trespassers. What our navy j
di partmont thinks of the situation is ,
cor out in the following artie'e by j
Assistant Secretary of the Navy,
Fiiinklin D. Roosevelt.)
By FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT
Assistant Secretary or the Navy
Washington, Dec. 21. It seems a
Ditv that the issue of petroleum re
serves for the United States navy The very life and future existence
has, to a certain extent, been clouded j of the United States navy is at stake,
by legal or other claims which do not j This may be easily proved by the fol
iii any way affect the broad proposi- j lowing simple statement:
tion. The chief consideration must I First, oil-burning naval vessels
be that of the good of the country j possess great advantage over coal-
from the point of view of its nation- j
..1 .i..r
al defense.
DEPUTY SHERIFFS ARE NAMED
Elgin and Union Men Will Assist Lee,
Warnick in Administering Laws of
the State Next Year.
Wavne Graham, of Elgin, and Dex
ter McElroy, of Union, have been ap
pointed deputies to Sheriff-elect Lee
Warnick, who takes office January -.
The two men are well known in their i
respective communities.
Just which arrangement will ie ,
made is not known, just yet. "I snal' I
jirranpp which of the two men will !
take the outside work and which the!
book work, as soon as we take over ' J
the office," declared Mr. Warnick to-
day.
AMERICA NOT TO
ABANDON NEUTRALITY
Washington, Dec. 21.-(United , f opposed, ne aeciareu tnat wni.e
Press)-Sccrelary of State Lansing f the president manifested his best f
late this afteraoon issued a supple- f ,n.ttet'?ns'.( the ? TT I t
mcntary statement to his communica- f withhold its verdict. He Bug- f
tion of this morning, in which he sayslf Kted a better peace plan may
the United States does not intend to materialize later.
abandon its neutrality. He said he r , , T
had learned that his earlier statement -I- J 'I' 4 V l V V V
has been subjected to "various con-i New York, Dec. 21. (United
structions other than what he meant Press) Private messages said today
to convey." ' high British officials have openly ex-
i pressed intense indignation -at Presi-
dent Wilson's note. This attitude may
r- -mi-i i r-iwv a UK a be responsible for the British govern-
CAMPBELL GIVEN ARIZONA ment-s' action in refusing to permit
GOVERNORSHIP BY OFFICIALS the note's publication in London. Cen-
Phoenix, Ariz., Dec. 21. (United
Press) State Secretary Osborn has
issued a certificate of election to Tom
Campbell, Republican, over Governor
Hunt, Democrat. He claimed the vic
tory by 36 votes. Hunt immediately
renewed his contest.
CHRISTMAS MORNING TO
SEE TREE FOR "KIDDIES"
The Eagles will have their Christ
mas tree for the children of ' La
Grande at 10 a. m. Christmas morn
ing, and all children are welcome.
The committee has been working
energetically to make their annual
event to their little friends a pleasant
one. Their final plans will be fully
outlined after the "Happy March" on
Friday night.
To avoid inconvenience to the chil
dren, the tree will bo in the store
next to the Foley hotel on Adams
avenue.
Remember, Kiddies all the girls
and all the boys Christmas morning
at 10 o'clock.
Napoleon's Advice.
A man ought never to quarrel with
a woman. He should bear her un
reason in silence. Napoleon.
SCHOOLS PREPARE TO USHER
IHE
Tuesday morning the students of
the high school listened to a debate
given by five members of thc debat
ing class. The question under dis
cussion was: "Resolved that thc state
of Oregon should adopt a health in
surance law embodying the essential
features of thc standard bill of the
American Association for labor leg
islation." Affirmative Lynn Larson, Alfred
Johnson and Vinton Forbes.
Negative Clavton Ingle and Joe
Reynolds.
The boys handled the subject well
though only constructive arguments
were used. Mr. Hampton conducts
the debating class at 8:30 and in the
evenings and the boys are getting n
good deal of good practice in pub-
Franklin D. Roosevelt.
(Continued on Page Three)
E
10
E
I
.J.
Washington. D. C. Dec. 21.
I- (United Press) Senator Hitch-
J- cock, of Nebraska, has moved
! to endorse President Wilson's !
? note, and asked for immediate-!-
! consideration. Senator Borah 4
I 1 TT 1 , . I L. . L 1 -I
sots have halted all cables regarding
the note. The foreign office has re
ceived the official copy but has re
fused to divulge its contents.
Canadians Openly Indignant.
Toronto, Dec. 21. (United Press)
.Cnnniliun officials and the press
have condemned President Wilson'3
note urging peace. Hon. G. H. Fer
guson called it "gratuitous and inop
portune." Hon. Y. G. McDiarmid predicted the
Hritish will stroncrlv resent it.
The Morning World headed the
storv. "Wilson Starts His Knitting."
It said the action merely safe
guarded American interests. It be
lieves the United States fears the al
lies will make trade deals among
themselves after the war, barring
neutrals who are not participating in
maintenance of world liberties.
NATIONAL PROHIBITION
GIVEN ANOTHER BOOST
Washington, D. C, Dec. 21.
(United I'ress) The senate judiciary
committee has reported favorably on
Ihe National Prohibition hill. It pro
vides absolute prohibition in the Unit
ed Slates.
F
lie speaking. loiter this line of work
will be developed throughout the en
tire school.
The Entre Nous Club will entertain
the high school girls Thursday af
ternoon in thc gymnasium.
Arnold Fcrrin and John Stoddard
were visitors at school Tuesday.
Some new apparatus has been add
ed to the Physics laboratory.
m
Rev. Mr. Edwards will address the
students Friday afternoon.
The public schools of La Grande are
(Continued on Page Eight.)
ENGLISH
OPEN
w
IV
HOLIDAYS
IIINELT
LIVESTOCK
MEN 10 MEET
III LA GRANDE
FIRST MEETING HELD TO AR
RANGE PLANS-FOR BIG CON
VENTION APRIL 24-25.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
TO HANDLE THE DETAILS
Cattle and Horsemen of Union Pledge
Their Hearty Co-operation Wal
lowa Stockmen to Be Invited to At
tend the Big Affair and Join Asso
ciation. Livestock men of Union and Wal
lowa and the business men of La
Grande will play a leading part in the'
entertainment of the Cattle and Horse
Raisers' Association of Oregon, when
it meets in annual session in La
Grande April 24 and 25.
Gathered at the Foley hotel last
night, at a banquet in honor of S. O.
Correll, of Baker, secretary of the as
sociation, and William Duby, of Baker,
tresurer of the association, steps were .
taken bv La Grande businessmen and
Union stockmen to foim an executive
committee to arrange for the enter
tainment and reception of the 600
guests who will attend the 'big con
vention.
A motion was passed that J. G.
Snodgrass, president of the Commer
cial association, head the executive
committee and that he appoint the
members, which he did as follows:
FRED J. HOLMES.
T. J. SCROGG1N.
G. L. LARISON.
W. M. PIERCE.
W. R. LEDBETTER.
ALBERT HUNTER.
FRED B. CURREY.
F. E. STILWELL.
J. E. REYNOLDS.
ANDREW BLOCKLAND.
W. J. TOWNLEY.
P. H. SPILLMAN.
C. D. EMAHISER.
GEORGE T. COCHRAN.
Bone and Sinew of State.
"You people of La Grande and
Union and Wallowa counties ought to
feel honored that you are going to en
tertain the Cattle and Horse Breeders'
Association of the Northwest," said
Mr. Correll, secretary of the associa
tion. "They are the bone and sinew
of the state and represent our most
important industry. You will find
them the brightest, livest, and best
crown of men and woman that La
Grande has ever entertained. One of
the reasons that La Grande was
chosen as the meeting place of this
convention was to give the livestock
men of Wallowa county an opportun
ity to meet with us and to become ac
quainted with the important work of
this association.
"Of course, you know that the asso
ciation is organized to promote the in
terests ot horse raisers and cattle
raisers. It publishes a brand book,
it maintains a brand inspector at the
stock yards in Portland, it looks after
legislation that affects the stock in
dustry, it sends out notices to mem
bers of estrayes, and acts in general
to promote its members' interests. It
offers rewards in certain cases for the
arrest and prosecution of cattle
thieves and employs special counsel
to aid district attorneys in thoir
prosecution. Starting in Pendleton
three years ago, there were 40 pres
ent at the first meeting. The next
year at Priueville there were 300, at
Baker last year 660, and since the
(Continued on page 8.)
Send the Christmas
Observer to Your
Friends
A limited number of the Christ
mas Edition of The Observer will
be sold at 10 cents, including mail
ing and postage.
Those who desire to sead them
away need nly phone The OS
server, Main 37, the addresses and
The Observer wilt do the rest.