;;' :: '
TUESDAY, JULY 31, 1917. -j
f"AOE FOim
GRAx4Di EVENINGS OBSERVER
v.
hA
EDITORIAL PAGE OF THE LA GRANDE EVENING OBSERVER
1 g
' An Independent Newspaper.
; Published Daily and Weekly at La Grande, Oregon, by the
XA GRANDE EVENING OBSERVER PUBLISHING CO.
.. D. MEYERS H.B.LEITER CLARKE LEITER
President Vice-President Editor and Publisher
Entered at the Postof f ice at La Grande, Oregon, as second
class matter.
DON'T use sulphur matches at any time. Safety match
es avc best. Never throw the match away until it is put.
When it is out it is good practice to drop it and rub it in
the soil with the foot tobesure.' ' .y.,-- ..
Address all communications to
THE OBSERVER, 1710 Sixth St.
On Sale in Other Cities: Oregon Hotel News Stand.
Portland; Imperial News Stand, Portland.
City Official Paper. Leased Wire Telegraph Report of
, United Press Associations.
Th Observer carrier boyi are in structed to put the papers on t!ie
porches. If the carrier does not do this, misses you, or neglects gett:ni
the paper to you on time, kindly phone The Observer, as this is the only
way we can determine whether or not the carriers are following instruc
tion. Phone Main 87 before T:80 o'clock and a paper will be sent you by
special messenger if the carrier has m issed you.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES.
By Carrier.
Daily, single copy 6c
Daily per week 16c
Daily, per month ' 66c
Daily, per six months in advance.! 3.60
Daily, per year in advance $7.00
By MalL
Daily, by mail per year, in ad-
varies i H00
Daily, by mail per six months
in advance $2.50
Daily, by mail for three months
in advance $1.25
Daily, by mail per month 45
The Saturday Evening Observer
per year in advance $1.50
Wcckly-Observer-Star per year
in advance $1.50
FIRE PROTECTION.
Nothing has been more conclusively proven by experi
ence than that efficient and economical forest fire protec
tion requires the closest relation between the people and
forest fire associations. Today we are reading in every
paper notices about forest fires all over the country, cer
tain investigations have' proven that many are of an in
cendiary source, but there is no question but that the ma
jority of the fires can be laid to the worst of the three
agents, where most of the fires have their start, and that
agent is called "CARELESSNESS." . The next agent is
the elements (wind, sun, lightning, ok;.); and the third,
incendiarism (fires purposely set). Very often the most
serious fires result from a combination of the first two, as
for instance, when a settler carelessly leaves his clearing
fires unquenched; when the camper carelessly leaves his
camp fire burning. It is well to remember that forest
fires kill more game than guns, that as you love the forest
you should hate a forest fire. Forest fires invariably
damage the innocent more than the guilty; and this fact
alone, has been a great force in breeding carelessness. If
every settler who sets a fire which damages the forest of
. ah innocent party had to pay the losses, together with the
costs of the fire fighting, his financial interest would over
come his carelessness. If the man who purposely burns
the forests of another ould but be caught in the flames
' and forced to fight for his life, he would quickly cease
"playing with fire."
The treatment of the forest fire problem is the same as
the treatment ot any problem ot destruction, whether it be
social, vital or merely financial . In all such problems
the remedy lies in checking the case at hand bv the besl
method known and the prevention of. further occurrence
oy tne removal ot the cause.
The Union-Wallowa Counties Fire Association seeks th
' .co-operation of all the people in these two counties and
: solicits tiic oDservance ot the tollowmg few "Doht's
which their memory may recall at an opportune time
in time to prevent a forest fire.
DON'T use pipes, cigars or cigarettes while in tl
woods except in camp.
; . DUN i leave your camp fire burning. Put it out with
water or sand.
DON'T forget that biff fires are little fires left alone
Any one can put out a little fire no one can put out a big
lire.
TIAXTim 1. '1.1 ... - .
jwxn jl uwiiu a camp tire on dry muck soil or against
a uair rotted log. Muck is peat and peat burns; and a half
rotten log is like punk and holds fire.
DON'T forget to be a careful camper.
THRIFT IN BOND BUYING. . .
In an address before the New York State Bankers' As
sociation it was stated that England's first war loan of
one billion and three-quarters was subscribed to by one
hundred, thousand subscriber. To her last great Victory
Loan of five billion dollars in 1917 there were eight million
subscribers. . What, it was asked, was it that caused this
tremendous increase in national interestj.jthis wonderful
financial support from every part tfThe nation in the
prosecution of the war? It was thrift, the habit of saving
and investing a habit formed by a whole people working
with one definite end in view. '
America's first war loan was much larger than Eng
land's first loan and was subscribed to by a great many
more people. America's next issue of Liberty Loan
Bonds, which later will be offered for sale, it is believed
will be subscribed for by- a greater number than sub
scribed ' to England's last loan. Thrift and 'American
patriotism will accomplish this result thrift because the
people have been awakened to its necessity and patriotism
because it has been aroused in a higher measure by the
fact that our soldiers soon will be fighting on the battle
front in Europe. .-. "
O -
EDITORIAL COMMENT.
The New Railroad Rate.
If Baker, as it is expected, is included in the new ruling
on railroad rates by the Interstate Commerce Commission,
it should enjoy a great advantage. Three hundred and
fifty miles nearer big eastern shipping points than Port
land, it is entitled to a concession in the matter of rates.
In fact it is as far away from the Pacific coast terminal
points as Spokane which led the fight for a rate reduction.
it put into ettect here the new rate will make it pos
sible for Baker to become the center of a no inconsiderable
amount ot distribution in Eastern goods. Favorably situ
ated this city can cover a large area that is now being
served from other points. If. as it is claimed. Ttak-pr will
be the most Western tpwn in Oregon to receive, the bene
fit ot tne rate its advantage "will be still greater"-' '-'-
ine ruling ot the commission iri regard to intermountaih
points was not unexpected, as it has been intimated some
time that it would render a favorable decision to inland
cities. Whether Baker benefits, or not. the decision nf
the commission must be looked on as but iust to the big
w i"; "i "in uunt;uL, ana wmcn nas neen paying a
discriminatory tributpor manv years to the his coast
i:ni'j ana. ijne raurpatt..tJaKet HeraJd,,
LADIES' OVERALLS
Are you going on a fishing or camping trip? ;s
-If so these are the very things for the ladies.
Made . of Khaki to stand any kind of wear to
defy any kind of dirt. If you have a garden to
take care of you should have a pair Don't ruin
your dress. :
: KOVERALLS
Wlvvt the younger ones
need Koveralls they
really cover them
dirtprooi. Let them
play in the dirt if they
wear Koveralls, it won't
hurt them a bit. Sizes
3 to 8.
Price
85c
BOYS' KHAKI
CLOTHING
Just the thing for his
vaccition or camping
trip. Made of the very '
best quality khaki
and the best workman-;
ship. Made in .sizes- 6;
to 13. Prices:
Coat .1$2.25
Trousers $1.50.
.
ne
Supporting' the
Government
This is a time for every citizen to support tfco
United States Government and ninny are doing so
at considerable cost or sacrifice to themselves.
We have joined the Federal Reserve Banking Sys
tem established by the Government to give greater
financial stability and strength to the member banks
and protection to their depositors.
You can give your support to this great Govern
ment enterprise and also obtain its protection foe
your money by becoming one of our depositors.
Member
Federal Reserve
System
Great Achievements.- r "
It must not be forgotten, nevertheless, that great things
nave already been accomplished in a short time. Billions
ot dollars m loans to the Allies have been promptly ex
tended or arranged; conscription' has been adopted a
guuw siep unvaras victory; the export embargo is in opera
mi? v.iivmx vii snort irom vast supplies in
f o d and munitions; and We are on. the eve. of authorizing
for expenditure hundreds of millions in construction of
both ships and aeroplanes.
These are mighty strides in the march towards .the great
There should also be added as measures showing fore
sight and energy on the part of the President, that so soon
after the declaration of war our fleet Avas found to be
splendidly co-operating with the Allied forces abroad and
has been of greatest service in helping to fight the sub
marinc menace; and that a considerable military force was
promptly fitted out, landed in France, and is now work
ing shoulder and shoulder with the other gallant defend
ers of civilization. The numbers of this force have not
been stated, but Sir Gilbert Parker openly estimates it at
forty thousand men, and says that everv man we hnvp.
sent will look like ten to our Allies and that the great
count, is the moral effect of Americans upon the battle
fields of the Allies, and the moral effect not only upon the
spirits of the French, the British and .the Bel ffians. but
upon the spirits of the Germans. "The Americans." hp
says, "who have gone to France will do more for France
by being there than ten times the number i n trairtinor
here." The Bache Review. New York.
Suspects Politics.
This writer has long desired to express the opinion jthat
talk isn't going to win the war, but refrained, from , doing
so because he feared his motives would be questioned. He
is indeed glad that the Topeka State Journal has finally
expressed the opinion that he kept locked up in his bosom.
The Journal says: A speaking campaign is being, ar
ranged for the purpose of rousing the; patriotism of the
people of Kansas. When djd the patriotic feeling of Kan
sas reach a point where it needed arousing? '. Did Kan
sas ever fail to answer the call of Uncle Sam? What does,
the government want from Kansas, tliat ij; is "not. getting f
Will the gentlemen kindly inform the. people what offices
they want before they .'start? Atchison Globe.
Praise For La Grande. .
La Grande is a modern city, having, wide streets nice"
buildings, a beautiful city park, good " water system,,
churches, schools, etc., which go to make life pleasant, f
There-' are-'many beautiful streams iri eastern Oregon
where the fisherman may find excellent sport during the
fishing season. Many of these streams are unknown to
the people of the state and to the average visitor become
a surprise as well as a revelation. Coos Bay Harbor.
North Bend. .
Hospitality Enjoyed. t
Ail in all the convention was, in ve editors wav of seefno-
thiugs, a very, inspirational, educational and successful
meeting from start to finish. The nconle of Pp.ndlptnr..
Joseph and La Grande are deserving of mu'ch praise for
the splendid entertainment that was afforded the dele
gation. The O. W. R. & N, Co. also deserve special men
tion for the excellent service from PPendleton t.n .TnspH
and return. Milton Eagle.
The Oregonian's Strength.
The Oregonian's indubitable strength is mncb mr.
admirably displayed in patriotism th an P.VPl" hpfnro -in
partisanship. Weston Leader. .
WHY
La Grande National Bank
Protest Needed.
A stl'Ollfr protest, slirmlrl ho lnriovwl
0 x " "Qw uj3nnn.11, i uv. tiuuov;
by Postaffice officials of their wide powers under the Es
pionage bill to forbid the free use of mails to various pub-icati
lias not been used against anv large or powerful mpinhors
of the press, but onlv against small and fpelilp. iiprindicnls
Pho ffround for witlilxilrlimr the nrivilpiru nf thn moilu v-r,..
o x w 1 v "uuia o
hat the suppressed publications urinted nrticlp n.nW.
ill 1 11 ill iiim'ii 1 ii '' 1 I'l'i 11 nil' 1 in u 'ill 11 ui inrmrt.iT n
- - - " ' " v' ..... . .. . ... Illl lUUIVllUClll Ul
very broad scope and endless elasticity. Tt is an indict
ment typical of the bureaucratic frame of mind, leaving
wnicu nas oeen caretully exercised in favor of the big
oiinit 1 ii aw air ii iiiiiiiuci ui i it? irnriLr. n;i ps naiL-nri
4 ; d vvnv
bv mflueiwe and rtowor. which havo frppK- oml
saul things much more discouraging to recruiting than
uie worst, mat nas appeared in tne pages of the suppressed
HOI'! r,l w.r. V. T" 1. . Xi A 1 Jl- 1 . .
i-K uviiii-iuo. x cnuis m nine, mis indirect censorship
through the Postoffice will feel itself strong enough to
attack bigger game. That is a good reason why right
thinking meni should join now in nipping the tendency in
the bud. N. Y. Evening Post. " " 1
The Business Man and
The Banker should encourage and
The Farmer should practice
Diversified Farming
(By Kenneth Gilbert. These articles are reprinted from the "Business
Chronicle" of Seattle, .Wash, by permission of the publisher Th"
peared in senor form in that publication. Feb. 24 to April 21, 1917. A copy
may be had by addressing the Union Pacific System.) ls- a copy
Diversified Farming Will Be Responsive to the Immediate Call of the Nation
for Food Preparedness.
Since the nnhlirjitinn nF e ai ... .. ....
to teMh-atpr ; "'J " 'ese..a"lclfs .Te lesson they seek.
toc.UiwK ST Purposes. City dwellers have responded
rerded as future Pp vau,t lots that had onirpeen.
tS to the propost'o 8 The O wTr8' m U
alone the tracks r3:WA' R& N. has offered the area
raise crons or for ' . ne use employes who would
h?riJ.. ithat 'real ,1&W
d . rskrJeeffyr;thraP!8r Imaginatin
It IS pratifvii n R.;.. : . ; ......
irfpns tknf w. i " uronicie w see tnat in the aeRrecrate. the
.thTltoJ.,l " V? putactical
devoted mr.i.;riTe wiaeiy Known. Uaily newspapers have-
ter africultUr,r;7":r e of t and bet-