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About St. Johns review. (Saint Johns, Or.) 1904-current | View Entire Issue (July 28, 1911)
Historical Society ST. JOHNS REVIEW IT'S NOW UP TO YOU Toiubicrlb for THIS l'pr Alt thf niwt while II li ntwi ! our motto. Call In and enroll GET IN THE HABIT f Of ivrllilng In THIS Piper nd you'll tmerrtfrel II. He- tf tlniloacandktcprUhltll I i Devoted (o the Interest! ot (he Penlniula, (be Manufacturing Center of the Northwest VOI,. 7 ST. JOHNS, OREGON, FRIDAY, JULY 28, 191 1. NO. 38 To Use Mock's Bottom Sewer Meeting The City Dock There Are Others Council Proceedings He Ought to Know Free Bible Lectures Considered of extreme importance was the announcement made last week of the establishment in Port' land of two immense institutions, Although not yet confirmed, the coming of the Hamburg American Steamship Company to Portlatid seems to be virtunlly assured. Wa tcr frontage ol 2000 feet in Mock's Bottom, on the Hast Side, is sought by this large concern. It is under stood that control of this property will mean an initial outlay of Si. OOO.OOO. The Mock Bottom plan is said to include the construction of a series of docks for commercial purposes, containing passenger facilities and an immense fill is to be made to the rear of a seawall that the entire, tract, which has been regarded as almost worthless, may in this man ncr be reclaimed and a system of spur tracks put in from the O-W. U. & N. and Northern Pacific lines. It is pointed out that in a com parative short time at leust half of Swan island must be removed. The main road between the island and the cast bank of the Willamette is too narrow to afford the passage of heavily laden steamers traveling in opposite directions, besides there is a turn that at times bothers pi lots. Tor these reasons the remov al of the island has been discussed and with a view to making Mock's Bottom tract valuable the material dredged from the island would be pumped across the river und used for filling. The plan of the Hamburg-American system is to install a line of steamers from New York via the Panama Canal to Pacific coast ports. European colonists arc to be bro't to Oregon to help develop the large interior area of the state. Agents are now in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and California for the pur pose, it is said, to prepare coloniza tion projects in advance of the ex p:cted influx of newcomers. Port land is considered the natural ter minus for the service and the point where the trans-Pacific line will es tablish its base. This recognition of Portland by the Hamburg-American concern is regarded as one of the most noteworthy circumstances of the year. The other notable evcut was the official announcement of the plans of Schwartzchild & Sulzberger to construct immediately a packing plant on the Peninsula to cost $600, 000. According to h. Levy, gen eral superintendent of construction for this company, the plant will be completed and in operation by the first part of next year. Realty brokers are convinced that as a result of these two an nouncements there is in prepara tion for Portlatid an enormous de velopment and growth. The real estate market is being stimulated noticeably also on the strength of the money financial situation and the harvesting of one of the largest wheat crops in the history of the Northwest. Oregonian. Annual Picnic Preparations are uuder way for the holding of the annual picnic of the Brotherhood of Railway Em ployes of the P. R. L. & P. Co. which will take place at "The Oaks" iu Portland on the 10th day of August. This annual picnic is by far the largest of any of the picnics of the season and the attendance will be from 10,000 to 20,000. There are in the city of Portland between 6000 and 7000 employes engaged in electrical work, and ' it is their custom to join in this picnic of the Brotherhood of Electric Rail way Employes. The plans provide for a balloon ascension, with the wedding of some local couple while the balloon is in the air, and in addition to this startling feature, Governor West has been iuvited to address the multitude on some of the matters pertaiuiug to his administration. "The Oaks" is turned over to the Brotherhood and. the receipts of that day become part of the sick benefit fund of the association. Mass Meeting A mass meeting is called for Sat urday evening, July 29, at the city call for the purpose of discussing the advisability of the city of St. Johns purchasing the local water works. G. h. Perrine will call the meeting to order and introduce the subject. All persons interested in the proposition are invited to attend. PiMcb tta ol of SL Johns. A meeting of the Maple street sewer district remonstrators was held Friday evening, July 22,1911. Meeting called to order at 2.15 by Chairman J. S. Downey. G. h Perrine, chairman of the investigating committee, stated that committee started out with six valiant investigators Monday morn intTiPtit down six holes at north end of Jersey street, nnd found pipe put together with but little cement, possible to insert fingers in nurt ures along the side of pipe running into bells; could casity crawl on hands and knees between roof of tunnels and pipe running be low: found one place where lateral joined the main, and piece of tar paper was placed over a hole where the bell had been broken oil; that a couple of councilmcn had stated it was "all right," but engineer said it was "not worth a damn." Afterward went to Edison street and found practically same condi tions existing. North Hayes street was tackled next and found to be no better. North Ivauhoc was at tacked last, and change iu program was made. i. c. what was formerly an open trench was investigated and found to be iu good shape, cement ed all around, but tunnels were ns bad as in the other instances. Spcakersaid he was wilting to scrap, but did not favor taking the last pound of flesh; council had crippled the engineering force at the most critical time; engineer was tricked; too much to look after. Engineer went into sewer like a terrier after a rat in the sewer investigation; was most confident it was all right before he investigated, but dum founded at what he found; said it would have to be rclaid. Speaker then read report from health de partment, signed by Dr. A. W. Vincent, in which he stated that the sewer was unfit for service and would not preserve sanitary condi tions. K. Majeske corroborated Mr. Per- rlne's statcmcus in regard to con ditions found, and supplemented it by stating that water was run into the pipe and most of it came thru the apertures; that fourteen trench es had been made by the investiga tors to date. Thos. Cochran, bondsman, stated that if Contractor Seybold did not remedy defects bondsmen would nut men to wurk Mouday;tliat they intended to have the sewer satis factory to the people; had stopped Seybold from getting any more money; about 20,000 nail been drawn; $12,500 had been expended for pipe. Dr. MctJhesney urged the neces sity of immediate uction; that they were willing to give some conces sions, but must have sewer. Mr. Downey thought -Cochran's word better than Seybold's bond; that it was up to the bondsmen to see that the contractor made good; thought bondsmen were Innocent of wrong intent. Mr. Perrine said bondsmen were caught in a trap, Had sympathy for them, but sympathy did not build sewcrs;the criminal is the con tractor who lacked interest in his work; was betrayed by bis work- men or criminally negligent; fraud very plain: advocated remonstrance for presentation August 8th thought a large portlou of the sewer passa bly good. Mr. Downey thought contractor should pay attorney fees incurred by investigators; didn't think It would exceed S200. Iy. B. Chipman stated that he was perfectly satisfied if Mr. Coch ran guaranteed it and paid expens es already inenrred. Mr, Cochran replied that if any money remained from remedying defects it would be applied upon attorney fees. Recorder Frauk Rice, upon be ing interrogated by Mr. Perrine, stated that the bonding act could not be stayed by remonstrance, since charter and ordinance hud been fully compiled with. Mr. Chipman made motion that a recess be held for two weeks, which was promptly seconded. Mr. Per rine amended the motion that the recess be taken for one week, was ssconded by Dr. McChesney. Mr. Chipman allowed the amendment, and motion carried unanimously. Adjourned to meet Friday even ing, July 28, 191 1. Building Permits No. 78 To B. T. Iott to erect a dwelling on Fillmore street be tween Catlin and St. Johns avenue; cost $200. The Girls' Class of the Baptist Sunday school will give an ice cream social Saturday evenlngjuly 29th on the lawn back of the Jower block. Everybody invited. It is high time that some effort be put forth toward getting some benefit out of the city dock. A sidetrack connecting therewith is imperative, and the only way to get one is to go nftcr it. Public ownership has some drawbacks Not a good business firm in the country would be willing to pay in terest on this valuable investment without endeavoring to receive something iu return. But the pub lic will sit back and repine over the assiuinity of those responsible for its construction, instead of making an effort to make it pay. There is no use iu crying over spilled milk, and there is no necessity for the dock remaining idle. It is like building a house without providing any means of entrance. Why not finish the structure? Why not advertise for bids on itsdease, with the proviso that the city guarantee a sidetrack? It will not be a diffi cult matter to get the public to vote bonds for the purpose if it is as sured that the dock will be leased after the sidetracks have been pro vided. Council should ascertain an estimate of the approximate cost for this work and how much would be required for right of way over any private property that might be necessary. Then adver tise for bids on its lease. The fol lowing clipiK'd from last Sunday's Journal is only too true, and we arc sitting still like a lot of chumps without enough gumption to at tempt to get a lessee to pay the heavy interest for us: "Water front men are beginning to question each other iu regard to the municipal dock that Portland proposes to build and ask each oth er whether the dock commission will build such another one as the municipal dock at St. Johns, where practically the only use to which the wharf is said to be put is for a tying place for the little steamer Sucujuwca, which lies there at night. "In sneaking of the matter one river man said that the St. Johns wharf is a fine structure, probably the best on the river, but it is of practically no use whatever iu spite of the fact that thercjs great depth of water before it, as there is no laud side connection. There is a wacon road to the dock, but of rail connections there ore none and ship pers handling freight by steamer will not bring steamers to a dock that is isoluted by not being con iioctcd with the shore by rail. "Since the dock was built a few years ago there have been but a few steamers of the smallest type that have landed there.he says." Preacher Damns Trusts nv. S. L. Osborne, nastor of the Trinity Episcopal church of Npivnrk. N. T.. whose comrreira- tion is composed of many of the wealthiest ana most lasuionauie families in that city, wrote this let ter to a Newark newpaper: I have been taticht that "damn" li n pond scrintural word: not. how ever, to be used unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, discreetly aud advisedly, soueriy anu 111 uic inr nf Hod. like llta trillion V or a blue nllhand so I sav advisedly and soberly: "Damn the Ice Trust and the Milk Trust and the larmers auu cows and everybody and every thing that is makintr this hot weath er au excuse for boosting the price of ice and milk." The sugar trust may be faulty mut the Standard Oil not all that could be desired, but they do not conspire to kill sick babies. Thank God the undertakers haveu't raised the price of coffins. Neither have the doctors raisea their prices, aud there are persons who still minister to the sick aud poor without money and without price. So here's $10 more for your ice fund direct, and to help alleviate the poverty of the indigent milk man aud impecunious iceman. T brine thev'll renent in time to escape that place where they'd give their mortal soma tor a urinK 01 iced milk. Yours truly, I,. S. OSBORNE, Rector Trinity Episcopal Church. Newark, July 12th. M r. Osborne is retrarded as one or the leadine Episcopal clereymeu in New Jersey. His letter in the New ark paper has created no ena 01 com ment. New York World. Chan. Bailev and Wvnn Manning left the first of the week for a tour of the central and southern part of the state. Thev are making the trip cross country style on their trusty nags. It is ueedless to add that the trip is a delightful one. They expect to be gone several weeks. That St. Johns is not the only city that has troubles of its own in the way of public improvements, we clip the following from Portland's Sunday Journal. This city s plan of adjusting its difficulties might well be followed by our neighbor ing city: A new garbageburuer has been built for Portland. Its cost is to be $100,000. Sixty thousand dollais of the contract price has been paid. The money has to he provided by taxation. But the burner is not iu use. Garbage is being piled high on the dump. Rats and vermin run riot through it. The stench is of fensive. The place is the breeding ground of disease. Because the new St 00,000 burner is not the model incinerator the city supposed it was contracting for, the old crematory is 111 use. But it wan built for a qtiartcr-of- a-tuillion city nnd it cannot burn all the garbage, aud iu midsummer the pile of refuse with its foul con tent is mounting higher day by day. Iu the midst of this riot ot refuse, rats and impotent burners, there is a mystery about the plans for the new crematory. Nobody knows where or what they are. The city hall is full of officials, and the payroll grows, but nobody knows about those plans. The first essential iu a contract is the contract. It is the guide that fixes the program aud provisions of what is to be done. The city cannot be protected, nor the terms of a contract be enforced without the plans, but here is a $100,000 burner awaiting acceptance, and the whole official city iu a hunt for the missing plans. It was reported at the city hall yesterday that the plans had been discovered. But the city health officer says they arc working plans, aud not a full set because ocvcral sheets have ccn worn out nnd discarded. Mr. Otis says an inspection indi cates that the plans were reversed between the time the contract was awarded and the time it was signed. - The contractors nay the reason the plans were changed is that the city engineer did not mark out be forehand the exact spot where the crematory was to stand. The city auditor says the origi nal plans, arc iu the city auditor's office somewhere. Mayor Rushlight has been told that the plans iu hand arc those on which the contract was signed, only that they had been reversed, but beyond this he is as yet unable to find out anything definite on the subject. Mr. Otis found discrepancies be tween the specifications aud the contract plans. Mr. Smith, ot the building con tractors, admits that numerous de partures from the contract plans have been made, but that all were with the consent of the engineer. What a spectacle of public Inem- clencyi What a problem the Si mon administration passed down to the Rushlight administration I I,.E. Rice, of the Waverly-Rich- mond Imnrovement Association. was annotated to investigate the use of water meters in some of the principal cities aud in his report says that with the exception of I,os Ancles, meters are installed on petition aud at the cost of property owners. He says in Portland there are about 45,000 families using water and that to meter one-half of the city will cost $500,000. He also says that in the first ten years the rnst of instaltintr water meters. reading them and caring for them, will cost Portland Si, 600,000, and that they will have to be renewed every six or seven years, Sellwood Bee. Here is a hot weather item worth remembering: Extraordinary relief may be had from intolerable heat by the simplest possible expedient. Moistening the ears with wet fing ers gives a sensatiou of immediate, delightful coolness. It is remark able that so simple a method at no cost whatever should not have been discovered before. If after the ears are wet a fan is used or even a fold ed newspaper as a fau, greater com fort results. When people toss rest lessly all night, the simple wetting of the ears may afford sleep where it is otherwise impossible. Ex. A pair of twins arrived at the home of Wm. Mossman, the popcorn man, last Saturday a boy and a girl. Mr. Mossman is the father of 15 children, and this is the second pair of twins that have arrived at his home, no race suicide in Air. Mossman' s family. The sealing capacity of the coua cil chamber was utilized to its limit at the regular meeting of the city council Tuesday evening. Interest centered upon what action would be taken by the dads iu opening up Jersey street to the liquor traffic, aud what would be done, if any thing, iu regard to the sewer situa tion. All members were present with Mayor Couch presiding. The first matter to receive atten tion was a petition for a fire hy drant at Block M on Polk street. On motion of Alderman Davis the request was granted and the hy drant ordered installed; all yes. A remonstrance representing 1500 feet of property out of 3600 feet affected remonstrated against the improvement of Tyler street. Referred to the engineer aud street committee by the mayor. A communication from the fire department requested the presence of the aldermen at a picnic aud bar becue to be given the firemen on the river front August 6th. On motion of Alderman Valentine the invitation was accepted with a vote of thanks. Bills amounting to $433, which included a bill of $86 for sewer in vestigation on the part of the Ma ple street projwrty owners, were allowed 011 motion of Alderman Muck Socialist Perrine stated that the $86 was for the workmen who did the excavating, and attho he had 8ciit a week or more oil the investigation, he asked nothing for his own time. He said the property owners could not hold the contractor to make this good, hut the city could. Therefore, he fav ored the city paying the bill and collecting from the contractor. When Mr. Hill made a motion that it be included with the budget of bills there was no objection. A. L. Minor, through his attor ney, Judge Northrup, strongly re monstrated against the viewers' findings 011 the proposed opening of Bradford aud Crawford streets. Two other remonstrances were also registered by Frank Merrill ct ul. aud Mary Scammou. From the facts adduced it appeared that the vUwera had made several mistakes of judgment, aud the reports were referred back to the viewers for correction. Aldermen Valentine aud Muck, who had been appointed a commit tee to interview Mr. Fuller of the P. R. I,. & P. Co. iu regard to the changing the course of the trolley line from Dawson to Jersey street, reported that Mr. Fuller had agreed to place the company's engineer on the project to ascertain if the move be advisable. Reports from the recorder aud city treasurer for the quarter ending this month were read aud referred to the finance committee, A bal ance on hand of $6833 was shown. A report for the month of May from M. G. Nease, lessee of the rock quarry, enclosing a check for $190 (the city's dividend for the mouth's business) was read aud re ferred to the same committee, A report of the St, Johns Trans portation Co. for the mouths of May and June allowed a gross busi ness of $891.15, with a check for the city's dividend of two per cent, was accepted on motion of Alder mau Valentine. An ordinance providing the time and maimer of improving Charles ton btreet from Hayes to Olynipia, with drain tile omitted passed on motion of Mr. Muck; all yes. An ordinance apportioning the cost of a portion of Fcsseuden street improvement was passed on motion of Mr. Hill; all yes. Ordinances providing the time and manner of improving Philadel phia street from Jersey to Hayes, aud Burlington street from the bi section of Philadelphia street to Hayes, both with Bitulithic hard surfacing, were passed on motions of Aldermen Hill and Horsmau, respectively; all yes. The first reading of an ordinance "letting down the bars" on liquor selling in St. Johns created some discussion. Mr. Hill stated that conditions had become intolerable when the city was "wide open" be fore, and he was vigorously op posed to throwing down the bars again. He said that one protnl iuent saloon man had told him that previously he had to over step legitimate business to make both ends meet. Alderman Brede son thought this a strange confes sion for a saloon mau to make, and that he would bear watching in the future. Socialist Perriue stated lie had experienced u change of lieart in regard to permitting liquor to be sold 011 Jersey street, occa sioned by a straw vote which he had quietly taken, which showed him that a preponderance of senti ment was iu favor of maintaining conditions as they are at present. A resident In Portland iu a com munication iu Tuesday's Oregonian says: "The injustice of the flat rate system is also shown when a room ing house with 71 rooms with run ning water in every room, four baths and six toilets, pays about $7.50 per month for all this water- service aud the man witli a home with two faucets, bath and toilet pays $2 cr month, Get your alge bra and figure out the percentage of overcharge on the small user aud more especially when he is lim ited as to hours for his sprinkling ana then doesn't get enough prcs sure to wet his whistle." i nc strange part 01 11 is, that a home with two faucets, bath and toilet pays $2 a month iu Portland for water (which they do not get, by the way). It has been forced upon us St. Johns folks that the rate iu Portland was much lower for two faucets, bath and toilet than $2 per mouth, which obtains iu this city. However, n consumer ought to know what It costs, nnd why should he prevaricate? He would know that every consumer iu Portland would know that he was lying if uic price wai lower than he states. Mr. Hill stated that he never knew of a wholesale liquor house that was not in reality a "blind pig." Alderman Horsmau said he was against the monopoly, aud believed every good citizen that had the price aud the inclination should be given n license. He thought all should have fair play. On motion of Mr. Bredcsou that the ordinance receive second reading, Aldermen Vnleutinc, Davis, Muck, Perrine and Hill, no; Bredcsou and Horsmau, yespuotion lost. A resolution to improve Colum bia boulevard from Mohawk to Richmond street unanimously adop ted. Alderman Muck then asked if the privilege of taking the bonding act 011 Maple street sewer could not be stayed until the defects had besn remedied. Attorney Ksson said the only possible manner iu which this could be done would be for the council to hold, up passing nf the assessing ordinance, scheduled tor August 8th. Socialist Perrine strenuously contended for a resolu tion from the council staying the passage of the ordinance, as judging from the past record he could not trust the council to stay the ordi nance when the time came for its passage. Mr. Esson pointed out that if his faith was lacking iu this respect that a resolution passed which could be rescinded when the ordinance was due for passage would be of 110 more avail. The mayor stated that there was 110 doubt iu his mind that the ordi nance would be delayed for n suffi cient length of time, that it was not the intention of the council to de prive the properly owners of the bonding act since proof had been established that fraud had been committed. Mr. Perrine finally decided that if he was given the assurance that the ordinance would be delayed, he would be satisfied. Aldermen Muck nnd Vnleutinc gave their word,aud contentment reigned supreme. It had been the intention of the property owners along the sewer iu question to employ Gail Perrine as inspector, but as he had just been awarded au iuiortaut contract else where, his services were not ob tainable. It was then decided to put it tip to the engineer to employ, after a conference with the projier ty owners, the necessary insjiectors. Later Gall Perrine got an extension of time on his contract and agreed to serve, upon insistence of property owners. Resolutions were drawn for the improvement of Willamette boule vard and John street, on motions of Aldermen Davis aud Valentine respectively. The question of ferry bonds was broached. Attorney Esson stated that George J. Perkins, who is making a thorough investigation of the process leading up to the ferry bond election, has discovered that the mountains discerned by the Boston attorneys are turning out to be mole hills, aud unless he dircovcrs something else to change his views, will likely advise his cli ents, the St. Johns Transportation company, to take the bonds over themselves; that another election to ratify the former vote will not be necessary. The Elite millinery store has ceased to exist, Mrs. Thompson having closed the business a week ago. Lack of support by the pub lic and a too skimpy use of printer's ink was the cause. Cleaning aud pressing at reason able prices. Clark Furniture Co. There will be interesting services each Sunday evening at Bickner's hall, St. Johns, for the next several weeks. The International Bible Student's Association has made ar rangements with Mr. Win. A. lin ker, the well known Bible scholar m. V"' !-ir--wrsii WM. A. 1IAKKR and lecturer, to conduct a mi minor Bible course for adults. The object of these series of lectured in not to establish any denomination or wet, but to stimulate Christiana ami others to a study of the Bible and to gain 11 clearer insight into Cod'n holy word. The Association has arranged for similar lecture course throughout the country aud has enlisted for these service) the beat talent pro curable. Seats are free aud no col lections arc lifted. The firnt lec ture will be on "Jehovah, The Supreme Architect. Una He n Plan?" Mr. Baker claims that when rightly understood the Bible con tains .sufficient internal evidence to prove it's own iiiMpiratiou. He says: "Iu order to appreciate the beauty and harmony of the Scrip tures it is necessary for u to ob serve Heaven's first law of order and apply text where they bcloug. If we keep iu mind God' Mtrpgae iii dialing dMSereptiy with tU WV! of mankind iu the different mm dispensations, we have no difficulty iu harmonizing Mich apparentl) contradictory doctrine as thoae of Election nutl Free Grace. In fact, we can readily nee how the Bible is consistent with ibtelf from OctteMs to Revelation and prove that "God is love." Written question mi bible due tt iue are invited nnd will he con sidered during these lecture. Birthday Party A birthday jmrty was tendered Mist: GladvK Snliinnid ut her honu on South Ivanhoe street Thursday afternoon, July 20th. The linu whs sciit in an enjoyable tnannei by games aud other diveritw.MiH. Gladys was the recipient of iuan pretty and useful preaeuta. lev cream, cuke and lemonade wen served. Those present were: Miss es Pearl Sliced, Dorothy Hickiwse. Clarice Wilson, Nettie Moc. Mar guerite Ruhlaud, Georgie IMIyeu, aud Gladys Salmoiid; Matters Per cy Johnston, Arthur Horsnwin, Wyeth Jaymr, I.owell Anderson, Glenn Wright, Delliert Day. How ard Salmond, Everett Day. Mr. E. Bilveu and Mrs. Gits Saltuotid chaperoned the jwriy. A card from Mrs. Dr. Carey states: "The Dr. wished we to write and ask you to send our Re view to Nortous, Oregon, as we are out on our homestead and we do not like to miss our good paper. We are all enjoying it here, anil find plenty of work to do. The doctor is feeling better nnd thinks this is a lovely spot to regain his health. We have good appetites, aud I think we ought to get woll. It is quite a change for us as it is so quiet; do not so much as hear the cars." Their many friends were will be glad to learn that they are getting along so well. 0 Albert Kubes has bought the bar ber shop of Harry Mansfield 011 Jer sey street, aud has assumed posses sion of same. Air. Mibes has been employed at this shop for the past couple of years aud has established a splendid reputation as a first clash workman in every resjiect. Mr. Mansfield is as yet uuducidod as to what he will engage iu aud where, but is looking up something to suit him. He is a pioneer barber iu St. Johns, und has seen it grow from a straggling village to a flour ishing city. His tunny triaiuls hope he will decide to remain iu this city.