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About St. Johns review. (Saint Johns, Or.) 1904-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 6, 1911)
Historical Society ST. JOHNS REVIEW IT'S NOW UP TO YOU Tombierlb far THIS Paper All the new while It It ntnrfli our motto, Call In nd enroll GET IN THE HABIT Of dertllnf In THIS Piper ndros'llnertrrf (relit. He tin it once no J keep rltbt t II Deroted to the Interests of the Peninsula, the Manufacturing Center of the Northwest VOL. 7 . ST. JOHNS, OREGON, FRIDAY, JANUARY 6. 191 1. NO. 9 When Pa Was a Boy School Meeting Buys Marine Iron Works The Salary Question Raises the Question Council Meeting Local and Otherwise When he was just a little boy, Gcc, how he ust to workl He sawed the wood aud built the fires Ah' never tried to shirk. He always filled the rcscrvoy An swept the porches, too; 'N I guest there wasn't many things Pa didn't ust to do. Now tna gets up and builds the fires, She says I am too small An' sweeps the porches an' the walks An' doesn't mind nt all. She says she's glad to let my pn His morning nap enjoy, Because he's tired with all the work He done when he's a boy. When I get big I'll get n wife Edzackly like my inn:. To do the chores an' let me sleep, Just as she docs my pn. An' when I've had my inornin' nap You bet that I'd enjoy To tell 'cm how I ust to work When I was a little boy. Ex. A Mammoth Saw Mill That the Weyerhaeuser Timber Co. will soon erect a mammoth hiiw mill on their tract in the North End now looks most promising. The fact that a representative of the company made the statement in orxMi council meeting lust Tuesday night that it was the purpose of the company to erect not the sec ond largest mill on the const but Til II largest aud that it would be built in about one year, possibly n little longer and possibly in less time, would indicate that they arc nt Icust planning such a project. The representative had no excuse for prevaricating about it. There was nothing to be gained by it, nud it was reasonable to believe that if this 1.1 not part of Weyerhaeuser's plans he would not have said so. Wc arc very well aware the mythi cal Weyerhaeuser mill on the Pe ninsula has long been a "chestnut" with deep layers of moss attached to it, but we believe this is the first instance where any member of the company has expressed himself to anybody of our citizens. Hereto fore, it has been practically hear say and tumor, with no direct word from those In authority. For some time past the company has con tented itself in this part of the world with selling logs instead of sawing, claiming it to be more profitable, but conditions are changing some what in the lumber market, aud it should occasion no surprise if the year 191 1 finds Weyerhaeuser bu sily engaged on erecting an im mense saw mill that will employ a veritable army of men on the lower peninsula, Strutigcr things have happened. A Public Spirited Man Hon. K. C. Couch has proven himself to be a most public spirited man. Recently he spent nearly one hundred dollars in macadamiz ing the street in front of his store, and now he has petitioned the city couucil to lay 1 2-foot cement side walks aud grade Philadelphia street from Ivanhoe to Hayes, prepara tory to hard surfacing iu the spring. Therefore, the inouey he speut for macadamizing will be practically thrown away. If there were more men in St. Johns possessed ot the same amount of progressiveness and enterprise there would be fewer poor streets in St, Johns. N. J. Bailey brought us a chunk of 'puddin' " otherwise known as Printer's Padding Glue" which we have since tried and fiud it to be the very best. Mr. Bailey says he is making the glue for Mr, E. V. Prentice. It is much superior to the ordinary glue, is more easily melted, dries quicker and does not get so flinty as the ordinary glue; but retains much elasticity, thus making it an ideal padding glue. Mr. Prentice would certainly do well to bring his product to the at tention of the fraternity iu .general by a vigorous campaign of advertis ing of some sort, for every first class .shop in the country will use it when they learn what it is. o Wealth in Oregon streams, as well as in the fertile soil of the Bea ver state, is shown by the figures of the annual take of Salmon in Oregon waters, chiefly the Colum bk River. A total of 290,000 ' cases, 35,000,000 pounds, was packed during the past year, bav ig a value of $3,500,000. While the school meeting last Thursday night was poorly attend cd by our people, what was lacking 111 attendance was made up in in terest. Most interest centered around the petition of the teachers asking for a 20 per cent raise iu salary. Some imagined the increase asked for included the superintend cut's salary, but such was not the intent of the petition. Miss Anna Quiglcy put up a brave and vigor ous fight for more wage. She be llevcd the teachers were entitled to larger salaries, that it costs more to live than formerly and the present salaries received were Inadequate. P. W. Iliumiin was of the opin ion that if the teachers made it n practice to live iu St. Johns while teaching here, as they should, they would save considerable in car fare and living expenses. Gov. Fletcher was of the same mind and believed the teachers were getting plenty; if they were not satisfied, why did they sign up at a stipulated price? After signing he thought they should stick by their word, if they had any respect for it; he saw no need of voting on the question; though: .11c teachers were getting fully ns much as they earned; that he would sooner vote to lower than to raise tlieir salaries; Hint poor workmen support families on less t li cs 11 the teachers claim they spend for clothes. A. C. Geslcr believed some of the teachers were getting as much as the city could afford, while others might well be raised, but he was opposed to raising all 20 per cent as requested. On motion of W. S. Uascy the question was put to the people present, and the pro position wns turned down strongly and unfeelingly. School Clerk J. I'.. Touch read n report of financial conditions, which was approved. Chairman of the Board S. II. Greene, announced that a five and two-tenths mill tax rate would be necessary to clean up all Indebtedness and carry the thing along iu good shape for another year. This wns put to vote and carried unanimously. High School Notes J. H. Wiusi.KR,Ed!tor. One of the swellest songs ren dered by any chorus nt the State Teachers Association which met in Portland Dec. 21, 1910, was "Charity," the music written by Gioachiuo Rossini, a brilliant com poser of the early 19th century. This song given Dy the girls' chorus of the Jas. John High School, was sung iu an artistic manner with excellent quality of tone. The girls' voices blending n perfect unity made it possible to bring out the fine shading. Miss Lola Walker sang the solo obliguto. She posses.- a voice of rare sweetness aud richness of tone quality. The citizens ot bt. jonns can be justly proud of the ability the High School girls have shown. The orchestra from the Oregon Conservatory of Music deserves special mention for the able manner in which it accompanied the chorus. The boys' basket ball team have played two games, one with Allen preparatory boiiooi uuu one witu the Jefferson High School's second team. The former was a defeat while the latter was a decided victory. A bright crimson cyclamen adorns the front window of the Jas. John High, the gift of Miss Edith deu Bleyker, a former instructor in the High School, Each pupil look ing upon this recalls the bright, sunny nature of Miss den Bleyker, and thinks with full appreciation of their former well loved teacher who so kindly and thoughtfully remem bered them both with a substantial gift and a letter of congratulation. This letter reached the High School Tuesday irorning, December 20, and at the reading an enthusiastic room proclaimed tlieir feeling of ap preciation by a prolonged clappiug. The following program of the Hypatian Literary Society, which was held on Tuesday, Dec. 20, was a brilliant success. A short biog raphy of Hypatia was skillfully given by Miss Brice. "The Cus toms of Christmas l ime in uinercm Countries" were described by Misses Rawson. Toole, Jensen, McCarthy and Whelan. The pro gram was appropriately ciosea oy the singing of America by the society. The first trace of snow of the sea son was noticeable on- the western hills Saturday morning before breakfast. Old Sol made short work of it is a few minutes, bow- ever. Including the machine shops atul dock, the entire property of the Marine Iron Works of St. Johns comprising 360 feet of river front ace and extending back for a dis tancc of 470 feet to the 0. R. & N. railroad track, was purchased this morning by the Star Sand Conv pany at a consideration of $40,000 The area contains a trille more than a city block and the price paid is about Jsooo a lot. It is one of the biifcest deals made down that wav in the last year. The site will be made the Penin sula headquarters of the Star Sand Company, which is cngageu in tuc sand and crave! business. The Iron works building will be dis mantled and the machinery sold. Manv miles of new sidewalks nud streets will be laid and improved 011 the Peninsula the next few years and the purchasers decided that thev needed headquarters iu that sejtion from which to conduct opcr atious. No attempt will be made bv them to utilize any of the prop crtv for shipbuilding or for the manufacture of machinery. The Marine Iron Works plant was the property of n stock com pany, ot which u. j. flinycr, ior mcr clerk of the Port of Portland Commissioner, nud J. B. C. Lock- wood, a consulting engineer, held leading shares. Shipbuilding nud repair work were carried 011 suc cessfully by the concern. One of its biggest jobs was the rebuilding of the Government dredge Chinook at an outlay of something like $200, 000. Some of the leading ship builders on the Coast were Its com petitors for ' the contract. The Chinook was completed iu record time aud cnrlv in the fall she was placcdln service at the mouth of the Columbia River. Much of the sand aud gravel for its new plant at St. Johns will be procured from the river above Vaucouver by the Star Sand Com pany, which also owns a plant in the Barracks City. Its principal headquarters now are situated on the west side of the river below the Alblna ferryboat line. The com pany has been planning to branch out in its operations for some time past. Rcccutly it let a contract for the building of a powerful dredge, which will be ready for commission in the early spring. The sale this morning was negotiated by II. II. Urdahl, of the Lumbermen's build ing. Telegram. At the Stock Yards Very light receipts iu all lines have characterized Holiday week on this market. There were 767 cattle, 96 calves, 1753 hogs and 1198 sheep. A very high rauge of values has applied, due largely to the fact that there was not enough to go around among the various buyers. Two lots of calves sold at M.25 and hoes sold at 9 cents. One small lot of lambs sold at $6. 10 and mixed sheep at $5.00. Quality con sidered, the few steers that came on the market sold at high prices, and the same thing applied to cows. Shippers throughout the country are overlooking the best opportunity that has lx.cn offered them in not supplying the heavy iucreased de- maud for good livestock on mis market. D. O. Lively, General Agent. Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Muck enter tained a number of friends at their elegant home on Burr and Stafford streets at a New Years watch party. The palatial home was exquisitely decorated with carnations, holly and Oregou grape. Music and cards furnished the entertalnmeut, after which a most delectable lunch was served. The new year was ushered in amid much merriment, the guests exchaneincr the compliments of the season, after which all departed for their respective homes assuring their hosts of royal entertainment and the most enjoyable party of the season. Among those present were Madames Drinker, P. H. Edlefsen, C, Muck, Derrie, John Edlefseu, Rice, Evans, Jackson, McLean aud Misses Blanch Edlefsen and Emma Muck, Messrs. P. H. Edlefsen, John Edlefsen, McLean, Drinker, McKeon, Derrie, Evans, Rice and C. Muck. A project to create a reserve for mule tail deer in the lava bed re gion of Klamath County has been started and the matter will be brought to the attention of Presi dent Taft. Opposition has devel oped however, on the part of sheep men who want to retain the lava bed country for winter range. They contend the deer reserve should be created in the mountains nearby. Editor Review: I desire to make a few comments upon the school meeting last Thursday night and upon the salary question. It seems that Miss Anna B. Quiglcy of the Central school was the only lady teacher present and she de fended the petition in an impassion ed, if not impressive, manner. She told how poorly paid the St. Johns teachers were, comparing the mere pittance (?) they received with the average wages pntcl servant girls, dish washers, etc. iu Portland. From her figures the servant girls had all the best of it by n large mar gin, because while they did not re ccivc as much as the average teach er, their expenses were far less. Shi then read n list of necessities of 1 teachers' life of today ns based up on estimates furnished by the vari ous St. Johns teachers. Clothing was placed at 5270.20 nud board at $372.50, making n total of the two items of $648.70 enough to dis courage any youug.mau with any' thing less than a million from wed ding 11 modern teacher of public schools. But this was not all: foa for summer travel nud pleasure, Think of it I The clothes nud board have been cstimitcd nud now nlmost $100 for what? Car fare and bou bonsl Lntiudry is listed at $40.70, and literature at $17.90; church aud lodge, $29.20, amuse ments at $30 utid ctir fare $30. The list when combined is most dis heartening to the teachers, and the more they thought about it the more reason they saw for asking nn increase. Had tfiey only made up their estimates before they signed up to teach at the present rate they could easily have figured that it would have been best to seek louscwork. But they neglected, apparently, to do this. Unthink ingly they signed up with the school board without knowing what they would have to pay for the necessities of life. So they find their salaries woefully inadequate to llve.the lives of heiresses. Hence, a feeling of sadness is engulfing the hearts ot the teachers since the practical mc'n cotiir.hc dollars and cents too closely. And it is suid that there is a vast murmur of dis content arising throughout the city. Wives who have martyred them selves by spending $40 to $50 per year on clothes mid believed they were well dressed, have found how deluded they were. If it costs teachers six times this much to dress, they are going to make a strong strike for a larger appropria tion this year for dress. Thus, white the teachers will not get a 20 per cent raise in salary, the poor married man will have to reach few per cent deeper into his pockets. Miss Quigley also gives a long plaint to the Oregouiau Monday concerning the hardships of a teach er's life iu bt. Johns and the pitiful salary received. Siie suys that suitable board and lodgings cannot be obtained in St. Johns at any price. That means, I suppose, not enough frills and trimmings to suit school ma'ams with decided tastes aud numerous peculiarities. It is true that private homes as a rule have a holy horror of lady school teachers with finicky ways and superior manners, but any lady teacher that is willing to receive what others just as good as she re ceives, and ask 110 more than others ask for, can find places to room and board iu St. Johns and iu a respect able way, too. If lady teachers find it difficult to secure congenial places for living, they have only themselves to blame. Patronizing airs, peculiarities aud egotistical ways have made it. so. There are exceptions, of course. Miss Quig ley1 s plaint contains some merit. Some of the teachers are getting rather low salaries compared with Portland, but compared with East ern cities they are getting higher salaries. Had Miss Quigley with her petition asked for a raise iu salary of those teachers now get ting the minimum, it is likely her prayer would have been heard and acceded to. But to raise all was asking a little too much, aud Miss Quigley must admit this. She has showu plenty of spunk and a fight ing spirit that is admirable, but the movement for higher salaries need ed revision before it was launched upon the troubled waters of public opinion. With very few exceptions the teachers of St. Johns are receiving as much as they earn. The term is fully one month longer than it should be. Children will learn just as much in nine months as they will in ten mouths. Why the term has been made ten months is more than I can understand. Nine months, six hours a day and fewer holidays will accomplish more at a less cost than ten months, and from four to five hours work per day, as now obtains, The state law calls The following communication was presented to council Tuesday night, and it speaks for itself. The opinion of Attorney Perkins may ue punitsncu next week: Gentlemen: I take the liberty of caning to your attention certain matters that I believe vitally affect the City of St. Johns, as well ns af fecting the operation of the St. Johns Rock Quarry by myself. 1 he primary reason for address iug this communication is this: I have been informed by financial agents, brokers and bankers, deal lug iu municipal warrnnts nud seen riltcs, that 011 account of the elec tion or alleged election, held November in the City of St. Johns, pertaining to the annexation of the City of St. Johns to the City of Portland, the results of which be lug very much in doubt on account of the legality of the election being questioned, that they would not consider the purchase of St. Johns warrants, bonds or other securities until the question above referred to is definitely settled by the courts of this state. Iu the face of these conditions it seems that all public work must be held up until this micstiou is finally decided by the courts. I he writer has 110 desire or In tention of attempting to interfere with the wishes of your Honorable Hody, or the wishes of the citizens of the City of St. Johns, but I most respectfully request that you give tuts subject due consideration, nud if conditions are as represented to me, it would seem that it would be your duty to immediately take such steps as would bring this Issue be fore the courts with the idea of definitely settling same nt mi early tiaic. My chief reason for calling your attention to this matter is that if street wotk is to be held up in the City of St. Johns for an indefinite period, I must necessarily seek some other market for my rock. I learned that Attorney George J. Perkins had submitted an opinion to some interested parties iu the City of St. Johns regarding the above issue, and I therefore called 011 Mr. Perkins and rcoucstcd hiiti for n copy of his opinion, which copy I herewith enclose. Yours very respectfully, M. G, Ncasc. (Iu regard to the above we might state that the city attorney does not believe street bonds could be affect ed, but it would likely be impossi ble to dispose of ferry, park and like bonds until the question is ef fectually settled. Ed.) Tunnel Completed Tuesday, January 10, has been fixed as the date when the big Harrlmau tunnel across the Penin sula will be ready for the operation of trains, 1 he cost of boring the big hole through the ground is es timated at $1,000,000, and two years have been consumed in its construction. The length of the tunnel is 5430 feet, or a little more than a mile; its height iu the clear is 22 feet, and it is 17 feet wide. trains will operate through it over a single track. At each end the walls are supported by two massive concrete portals, nud it is planned eventually to replace the timber casing throughout with concrete. I he tunnel will lengthen the dis tance from Portland to Troutdale several miles, as compared with the Sullivan's gulch route, but will eliminate the heavy grade of Sulli van's gulch by way of which the 0. W. R. & N. company's trains now leave the city. While plans have not yet been announced as to the operation of trains, it is said that the new line will be used almost exclusively for east bound traffic and that west bound traffic will come in over the Sullivan gulch track on the down grade. The line from the junction opposite Swan island to McKeuua junction, by way of bt, Johns, will be used for freight trains through the manufacturing district on the Peniusula, for six hours per day, but Is it lived up to iu St. Johns? I strongly favor a nine month term, live ana a half or six hours per day and a minimum of $75 per month for in structors. Longer hours are worth more. The maximum is plenty high as it now is. Ihe teachers have really nothiug to complain ot in St. Johns, and they are getting more than the same amount of work would produce in most any other line of industry. An average of 60 to 70 cents per hour is uot bad pay. Equity. I'roacb the eospel or St, Johns, Council held its usual weekly meeting iu the city hall Tuesday evening with nil members present. A petition for nu arc light at the corner of Chicago nnd Fillmore streets was rend, nud on motion of Councilman Ililler was ordered in stalled. On motion of Aldcrmnu Davis n light wns ordered installed nt the corner of Richmond street nud Willis boulevard also, A petition from the Ferry com pany asked for the privilege of discontinuing the ferry service dur ing repair season. Council decided to neither grant nor deny the re quest, but 011 motion of Councilman Johnson the petition was accepted ami ordered filed. A communication from M. G. Ncasc, lessee of the city rock quar ry, which is published elsewhere in this issue, aroused the ire of the doughty statesman of the North End. He cmnhatlcnltv declared it nu insult nud imposition, nud he would hnvc none of it. He didn't want the legality of the annexation vote questioned, nt lnst not by the ku1111v.11. i 111: uuiius, nc Hi:- dared, were psrfcctly good and could be disposed of. It was only n little lit in llam game, he said, and no attention should be paid it by council, council man s. u. Cook believed if the election was illcgnl 110 harm could come from settling the question definitely nud abolish any doubt that might exist ns to bondfi of the future. Mr. Downey, however, couldn't sec it Hint way nud voted ngainst Mr Johnson's motion to accept the commuuica tion, but he proved to be a lone mi nority on the motion. The question arising, the mayor ruled that all steps extending into the streets be removed iustatitcr. The engineer's acceptance of Ed ison street was also accepted by the soious on motion of Mr. Davis, Hills amounting to $910.30 were nllowed on motion of Mr. Miller. Ordinances accepting deed from bt. Johns Lumber Co. and assess iug cost of improving Portland boulevard were passed 011 motion of Mr. Doble. Mr. Downey made nu effort to resurrect the Fillmore street pcti- lion, but was unsupported, REMOVAL NOTICE To the General Public: The St. Johns Water Works nnd Lighting Co., have moved their office from the Peninsula Bank building to 107 West Burlington street, formerly occupied by the St. Johns Laud Co. The office will be open during the regular busi ness hours, aud on the 9th and I Oth of each month to 8 o'clock p. 111. All patrons are courteously requested to make payments within the first ten days of each month. P. H. EDLEFSEN, Alanagcr, How About This What have you iu vacant or un improved property to exchange for a fine new modem home? Tills is one of the swellest bungalows iu St. Johns, has full basement, 24x42 feet, large porches, wide cornice, 5 large rooms and large reception hall, besides closets, pantry and bath; has stationary tubs iu base- meiit, wood lift, piped for gas aud wired for electricity, nothing left uii(oue to make a complete modern home of it. This is located on the best river view lot In St. Johns, the price Is $2600. Will take $1600 iu exchange for St. Johns property, baluuce long time. We also have a number of sale contracts ranging iu various amounts, with both large aud small monthly payments, bearing interest at 7 per cent, paid monthly, we are offering iu exchange for property. Call aud talk it over with us. McKINNEY & DAVIS, Electric Building, St. Johns. Phone Columbia 2. For Reut A large six room house, newly kalsoinined, close iu, 011 South Jersey street; $12 a mouth. Call Columbia 297. otf E. S. Wricht and familv snout the holidays at the home of Mrs. Wright's mother at Catllu, Wash. C. A. Kieticy of Ncwberg, Ore gon, was a guest at the home of his daughter, Mrs. M. Lidberg, 411 Allegheny street, the latter end of last week. The masquerade ball given by the St. Johns Athletic club Inst Saturday night in the skating rink was a huge success. Everybody had n good merry time, nnd the old yenr wns ushered out nnd the new one in iu n happy manner. The attendance was large and jolly. Eugene boosters will build n home for their commercial club. The Club will Incorporate aud issue bonds, erecting n five or six story building for their qunrters nud least iug such surplus space as tlmtc may be. The Eugene club Is very much alive, having lately ndded n large number of members, and 11 big promotion fund is now being raised. Portland proposes to celebrate Dewey Day, May 1, 191 1, iu a manner long to be rcmemborud. The cruiser Boston, which is crud Itcd with having fired the first gun iu the Spaiiish-Ainericnu war, will be iu the harbor, acting as n train ing ship for the Oregon Nnvnl Re serve, nud the same gnu that fired 011 the Spaniards Iu Manila Hay will boom out n salute to Admiral Dewey. 1 hat great sea fighter is to be in vited 'to attend the Portland cele bration. That Oregon produces strnw- berries nud rnspberrics iu the heart of winter has been proven time nud again, that bt. Johns is one locality where this occurred wns substantiated by F. W. Coffyu when he brought several brunches containing clusters of the luscious fruit to the Review office Inst week. They were grown in his garden, and he states that his family have been using them right along for thu past two months. Thousands of pounds of black walnuts nud acorns are Indue shipped by the Government from Arkansas to District Forester Chap man of Portland to be distributed for seed throughout thu burned over forest areas of the I'ucilic Northwest. Forest rangers will take charge of planting the scud nud within the next quarter century it is expected Oregon will hnve great quantities of hard woods available for furniture making and other uses. Iu another column will be found the advertisement of thu Oregon Washington Railroad tt Navigutioti Company. As thu name iudicntos, it is the result of the merger of the O. R. & N. with the O. &. W. rills should prove buuuficial to both the companies and their Hit rous, for the one, eliminating u lot of unnecessary operating x pcuses, nud for the other bringing cheaper rates by being able to ss curc one through local iusteud of two local rates ns obtained hereto fore. o The Oregou-Wnshingtou and Southern Pacific Railway com panies have just issued some oi the neatest aud most comprehuugive folders descriptive of Oregou nud its resources and opportunities that we have so far seen, ilioy tell just what the Easterner wants to know iu a concise and conservative manner, and will no doubt be the incentive of adding greatly to the population of this state. GqihuhI Passenger Agent Win. McMurrtty is deserving of a full meed of praise for bringing the publication about. President Atwcll of the State Horticultural Society has Issued a call for a convention of fruit grow ers and fruit shipping associate of the Pacific Northwest to mem Portland January 24. The cquv-t! tiou will consider the orgauizati of a fruit growers central sell. -, agency and also decide what ui tude shall be taken toward ap box legislation. It is proposed - model the association on the citr fruit growers organizations of Cut! fornia and limit it to the box, apple trade. It will Include wt ern Montana and western Colorado which, with the Pacific Northwest, grow practically all the boxed ap ples of the country. Better ai tribution of apples, provMiug against glut in some markets r,d scant supply iu others are the f t objects of the association.