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About St. Johns review. (Saint Johns, Or.) 1904-current | View Entire Issue (June 28, 1912)
"'""..I ,.,, ST. JOHNS REVIEW J IT'S NOW UP TO YOU Toiubtcrlb for THIS Ppr All the newt while It li newt It our motto. Call In and enroll GET IN THE HABIT J Of tdmtlilncln THIS P$ptt and you'll ntftrrttri! It. lie (la at one and Wp r lht .... Devoted (o (be Intereiti of the Penlniula, the Manufacturing Center of the Northwest VOI,. 8 ST. JOHNS, OREGON, FRIDAY, JUNK 28, 1912. NO. 34 The Water Question '4. v Kdilor Review: Why Is it that you have nothing to say in regard to the water question? It is a live question and might hear sonic dis cussion. Do you hclieve the water company wilt be compelled to lower its rates? A few of your readers, at least, would like to know what you think about it. Let us have it. Reader. " Using the above anonymous mis slvc as a motif, we will have our little sny on thr water question. . Wc have refrained from comment' ing upon the question wholly as a matter of policy. We have asked no special favors of the water com pauy and have received none. Our relations have been pleasant. Wc have the same regard for it as wc have for our other patrons. It paid for what job printing wc have done for it, and no more. A square deal is all that wc huvc ever given or received from it. So far wc have seen no good reason why wc should "lunin Into the water enmnauv." as several citizens have advised us to do. If the prices arc too high, raud they can be lowered by the city t. 1 ... .f..J council or any uouy 01 citizens, a newspaper full of comments would not alter thc-conditions in the least. It would have no effect upon the course adopted by the water com pauy, neither would it nor should it affect the action of any other body of citizens. Simply stated, it would be a case of butting in when butting in was not desired. "Do you believe the water com pauy will be compelled to' reduce its rates?" Frankly speaking, no. If there is a taw in the laud that gives the consumers power to establish their own rates lor their water or any other utility, we believe it tin constitutional. It would be nice in advertising the advantages of St. John to state: "Water at your own price; ttic company has nothing to do with the rates. It is just as low as you wish to make it." We have never heard or read of an instance where consumers could by law establish rates to suit them selves, except where municipally owned, or at time of granting fran chise. Therefore, it is our belief that the water rates will not be lowered by force. Hut that they will voluntarily be lowered by the company after the hue and cry has gone for naught, we do believe. We were not in sympathy with the pet it bus circulated demanding thut council exercise its so-called power, because, doubting the efficiency of the so-called law, we believed a pe tition, couched in respectful terms, such as one would wish addressed to himself, signed by a generous portion of the consumers, asking the water company to tower its rates if possible, would have bro't the desired result. Courtesy and kindness wilt often do more than the invoking of a doubtful law. As a matter of fact, Mr. Kdlefsen in formed us the company expected to lower the rates after the annexation case had been satisfactorily settled, as an agreeable surprise to its pat rons, liut just theu a candidate for local office came out and declared he had the nerve and would use his efforts in forcing the company tolow er rates. Had the company then lowered the rates, the candidate would have gotten all the credit for forcing (?) the company to act. Next the council was petitioned to use any power it might possess to force lower water rutes, and it is still up iu the air. While we dis agree with the manuer of proceed ure, yet it is not our purpose to cen sure the city attorney or any oue else for the method they used. It is'all right to give the so-called law a test. That is the only way to discover its merits. As to the pres ent water rates being exorbitant, one must know the expenditures before being competent to judge. This we do uot know. Personally we would like to see water rates 25 cents per month, and everything else in proportion. In this day aud age men are prone to condemn cor porations and combinations of capi tal, without looking at matters from a corporation's viewpoint, without taking the matter of expense into consideration. As a matter of fact, it seems nat ural for us all to compare the rates here with those of Portland, forget ting that the rates there were prac tically the same as now exist here up until 1893; that in that city the rate is far below meeting expenses, the deficit being met by additional bond issues, and the fact that Port land lays mains at its own expense on improved streets solely; forget ting the fact that St. Johns has de veloped from a small hamlet to a fair sized city in nine years, requir ing miles aud miles of main exten sioa. Neither do we consider the fact that Vancouver, a city many years old and three times our pop ulation, at the expiration of a 25 year frauchise, has given another Taxes Stagger Him They have a strange and lucid (?) way of issuing statement ol tax es in Josephine county. A friend of ours iu the Kast has written us complaining of the excessive taxes charged to him. Several years ago he purchased a timber tract of 160 acres is miles irom Grants Pass iu Josephine county. Kach year since the taxes have been crowine at a startlintr rate. This year the sheriff sent him word to the effect that his taxes were more than $50. The statement, if it might be termed that, gave no in formation as to what the tax was to be used for, how it was to be dispensed simply the bare fact that his taxes for last year were $50.67. Relieving that the owner was entitled at least to the satisfac tion of learning the tax levy in mills, and the different funds it was to be dispensed to, the editor wrote the sheriff, asking for this informa tion, but after a couple of months' time no word could be received. If this is nu ordinary case of how business is transacted iu the state, no wonder outside capital is loath to invest iu Oregon. The tetter reads iu part: "I wrote the other day to Grants Pass for a statement of taxes on mv timber claim; I am sending you the statement. Do you think they charge more for taxes on account of living out of the state? The taxes when I first got the claim, I believe, was between $20 and .125; now it is $50.67. How iu the world can they have the conscience to charge such a tax, or what is their object, aud what do they do with the money? I have been try ing hard togct rid of the tract, but the highest offer I have had is $2000. One party ctaimcd that $1500 was n good price for it. How can they charge 150,67 taxes 011 property that will only bring 72000 at mostf They surely must be grafters out there. No wonder people arc turn ing South more than to the West if all conditions arc anything like this iu other laud taxes." for fifty years at almost the iudeu tlcal rates we are paying. The only tiling wc seem to clearly real izc is that wc are paying too much for water, aud want the price re duced. It seems to be human na ture to want things cheap, regard less of cost of production. The water question, we realize, is a delicate one, aud to say a word iu defense of the company is regard ed as almost criminal in the eyes of many. The company did show lack of judgment when it originally spent $30,000 for the old plant here that later had to be discarded and replaced. They should have in vested their money in at. Johns realty and let some other party wrestle with the water problem. Yet real estate and the water franchise went begging until the present company took hold and began to improve the system. We predict that the price of wa tcr will be towered, but not until force has fruitlessly exhausted itself. We shall wait aud see. A Startling Discovery The bakers who closed their an nual state convention left the city laughing over a story told them by a bread business expert in one of the sessions. The expert said that a young married couple not long ago purchased a carnage tor meir oniy child. Having this pride of their hearts with them at the time, they made active use of the purchased article ou their journey home. They noticed that passing pedes trians looked at them and smiled, and some of them looked after them smiling. Finally the husband walked ahead and looking back to satisfy his curiosity, was surprised to see a tag liangiug on the oottom of the carriage marked: "Our Own Make."Altooua (Pa.) Gazette. A Perilous Trip A ten-year-old daughter of I,. B. Carley, living north of O'Niel, iu Holt county, Nebraska, was swept out of her father's arms while he was rushine to a storm cellar, and carried ten miles by a tornado. She landed practically unharmed in a grove where she remained in the cold all night, being found next day. The girl suffered from the cold and her clothing had been torn when she struck the trees, but sue will recover. The tornado swept through Holt county dipping at various points and covering a terri tory six to eight miles wide and 50 long. For Insurance see F.W.Valentine Commercial Club A goodly attendance was present at the regular meeting of the St. Johns Commercial club last Friday evening. Arrangements for the holdiug of the Sweet Pea Show and Regatta were furthered. The so liciting committees reported sub scriptions to almost $1000, with more in sight. Blue prints showing the assessment of the various real estate in St. Johns were ou hand, through the courtesy of W. U. North, Deputy Assessor, and arc open for investigation ou the part of any citizen interested in lcamiug what his property is assessed nt. It being apparent that the prints showed inequitable assessments in a number of instances, A. v. Davis, A. R. Jobcs aud John N. Kdlefsen were appointed as a com mittee to recommend any changes that might to them seem inequita ble. Ii. S. J. McAllister, a prominent attorney of Portland, was present aud gave a most interesting address, dealing principally with good roads. He handled the subject from a phil osophical standpoint rather than from an economical one, although he nroved conclusively that good roads were ever a paying proposi tion. He told of the beneficent in fluences irriadiating to remote dis tricts by reason of good avenues to the cities aud civilization; how de generacy and ignorance is rampant and inevitable where good nrtcries do not lead out to n higher plane of civilization. He cited instances of degeneracy in secluded localities where it was almost impossible to reach by the present trails, and claimed it was only ou account of uoucommunion with other fellow beings that it was so. Good roads, he declared, means much more than a saving iu dollars and cents, aud he advised his hearers to support all the good roads measures. Mr. McAllister is a most pleasing speak er with a fine address, aud his re marks were listened to with rapt attention. He brought out many new thoughts that were keenly ap preciated. The "Blue" Sky Bill The editor has received from Sec retary of State Olcott n copy of the Blue Sky bill which win be initiated at the November election. The ill. dcsimied to protect purchasers of stocks aud bonds aud to provide for the thorough regulation and sup ervision of corporations, is modeled after the famous Blue Sky law of Kausas. The Oregon bill lias been n the course of preparation for mouths aud has been revised aud approved by some of the best low ers aud business men In the state. The odmiustration of the corpora tion law now costs about $7000 per year. Under the new law the ex pense will be about, $12,000, but this is ninro than offset bv the new sources of revenue provided in the bill, which, it is estimated by the Secretary of State, will add about $20,000 to the present annual re ceipts from corporations, iu addi tion to saving the people of the state at least a million dollars a year now thrown away on worthless stocks and bonds. Any reader of this paper desir- iug to see this bill become a law may help the cause by calling at this office and signing the initiative petition. Prompt action will be nec essary as the completed petition must be filed in Salem not later than July 3. Introduces Two Bills Congressman Laffcrtv has intro duced two bills recently limiting the hours of labor in the District of Columbia. The first is a copy of the California law of 191 1, which has just been held constitutional by the California supreme court, auu which limits the hours of labor of femnfe pmnlnves in department stores, factories, hotels, lanudries, and other public places, to not more than eight hours in one day and not more man 4s nours iu auy one wpflr. T.uffertv's second bill, intro duced at the same time; limits the hours of all employes, male or fe male, to eight hours a day and 48 hours n week, excent those whose duties are performed on vessels aud trains of common carriers in transit, who may be employed not exceed ing 12 hours a day and not exceed ncr 60 hours a week. Both meas ures were referred to the committee on the District of Columbia. If vou want prompt delivery of wood, call Cocbran-Nutting & Co. Phone Col. 554. 415 . bo. Hayes street, 2911 Two Days Only The Sweet Pea Show and Indus trial Kxhibit will open Monday, July 8, aud continue the day fol lowing, on which same day the Regatta will take place. It has been decided to have the event con sist of two days instead of three, as originally suggested. The execu tive and chairmen of the several committees arc having frequent meetings, aud the work is well un der way. KiTorts arc being con tinned to secure additional subscrip tions. The committee on decora tions has arranged for decorating the principal business streets and the city dock; the Jswcet Pea Show is arranging for the prizes to be offered; the committee on Indus trial exhibit is perfecting its plans; the committee on music is consid ering its work; the committee on public comfort and other commit tees will also attend to their duties. Ou Monday evening a committee from the Portland Motor Boat club met the officials of the Commercial club and practically completed the arrangements for the coming Rcgat ta. It is now time for the business houses and individuals to prepare for decorating their places so ns to give the city nu attractive appear ance. This is something iu which every one should take part. Let the visitors sec that spirit and activ ity prevails in St. Johns aud in Oils way we may give them a good Im pression and also nliow that it is a live, progressive city. The club is providing for the decoration of the business streets, but the indi viduals should property attend to their decorations and by such a united effort make it a great festive occasion of which wc will be proud. The time is short, let everybody n( once get busy. All persons having sweet peas for exhibition arc requested to leave same at the Commercial club rooms or the city dock 011 Sunday, July 7th. Those who are unable to do so, should leave word at the the Commercial club aud they will be called for. livery one having sweet peas should uot fall to huvc them exhibited. The larger the display the better It will be. Prizes will be awarded as follows: Prizes for adults Class A. First and second prizes for largest bouquet of any one iiumed vari ety. Class B. First aud second prizes for the most artistic bouquet. Class C. First and second prim for the largest bouquet of mixed peas. First and second prizes for the bouquet containing the greatest variety of colors, oue spray of each. First and second prizes for the most perfect peas of any color, 10 stem bouquets. First and second prizes for the most perfect peas without foliage, 10 stems purple aud white. Special Prize For the best collection of uot less than six bouquets. Juvenile Prizes Class A. First and second prizes for the best vase of 10 spray bouquets, blue, red, white, lavender, pink, salmon. Class B. First and second prizes for the best mixed bouquet, 10 stems or more, six special prizes. Class C. For the bouquet containing the greatest variety of colors, one spray each. Class D. For the most artistic bouquet, sweet pen foliage aud others allowed, Class E. For the best collection of uot less than six bouquets, Special Prize Class F. For the largest bouquet of peas. Need not be compact, measured by circumference, auy variety or color. Special Prize For the largest bouquet of White Peas. Special Prize For the largest bouquet of Pur ple Peas. How Is Your Title? Have vour abstracts made, con tinued or examined at the Peninsu la Title, Abstract aud Realty Co- Accurate work. Reasonable fees. H. Henderson, manager. 208 North Jersey, McDonald building. For Sale Modern 7-rootn house and lot coxioo. corner Richmond and Haves, at a fine bargain. Price $3000, ou very easy terms. For particulars call at the Review omce. -30tf, Council Proceedings Council met as usual Tuesday evening with all present except Aids. Pcrrinc and Jennings, Muyor Muck presiding. The resignation of Councilman J. 13. Jennings was read aud accepted, as there was nothing clue to do. Mr. Jennings has removed to Can ada. Alderman Hill then placed the name of Roy Wilcox iu nominat ion as councilman from the second ward to succeed Mr. Jennings. Al ¬ derman Hillcr presented the name of W. F. Stadelman. A vote was taken and Mr. Wilcox declared elec ted ou a vote of three to two. He was sworn iu later in the evening. Several complaints against a pro posed two-foot cut iu the improve ment oi South Ivanhoc street were made, aud it was decided to delay proceedings for n week for inves tigation and afford an opportunity for it stronger remonstrance. A number of property owners re monstrated against the proposed im provement of Hartman ntreet. The remonstrance was irregular inform, and was referred back to the object ors to correct the defects. Bills amounting to if 2.16.23 were allowed ou motion of Alderman Horseman; all yes. Pascal Hill announced that the colors for the new ferry boat had been secured, that the new ferry boat was ready for its test trip, and would be placed iu commission at St. Johns within two or three days. The First National bank was awarded $7000 worth of city im provement bonds at par and ac crued interest ou motion of Mr. Hill. It was finally decided that some action would be taken toward get ting Dawson street iu shape for im provement, aud a resolution con demning the P.R.I,. & P. Co. right of way, and a 1 5-foot strip owned by Mis. Nancy Caplcs, between Tyler and Buchanan street, was uuaminusly adopted on motion of Mr. Hill. The trolley company has given assurance that it will uot op pose the proceedings. It is the in tention of council to at once proceed to have this thoroughfare hard sur faced as soon as it is declared to he sixty feet wide and a city street in all respects. An ordinance assessing the cost of hard surfacing Fcsscudcti street Buchanan to the Hast city limits was passed on motion of Alderman Valentine; all yes. An ordinance providing for the disposal of 9,500 Improvement bonds was unanimously passed ou motion of Mr. Horsmuu. St. Johns Teacher Weds Lowell T. Aldersou and I.ola F. Walker were married at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. ami Mrs. Iv. Ii. Walker, 610 North Filmorc street, Saturday morning, leaving at once for a trip to the lillamool: beaches. The groom holds a posi tion with Fairbanks, Morse & Co, and is the son of W. C. Aldersou chief clerk in the Portland City hugineer's otiice. The bride is a teacher at St. Johns, where she has lived for many years. Rev. T. R, Jones, of North Yamhill, performed the ceremony, the ring service pe iug used. Jesse Aldersou, brother of the groom, acted as best man, aud Mfcs Lulu Herald was bridesmaid. After the wedding a lunch was served, aud when the wedding cake was cut and distributed it was found that Jesse Aldersou had drawn the riug, Mrs. M. A. Hollopcter the dime aud I 1?. Walker the thimble. The guests were- Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Aldersou, Kdith Aldersou, Lois Aldersou, Mr. and Mrs. L, IS. Wal ker, Mr. and Mrs. IS. D. Walker, Mrs. D. V, Walker, Osborn Walker, Mrs. M. A. Hollopeter of McClure, Ohio, Mrs. IS. JS. Coovert, Rev. T. R. Jones, Nortli Yamhill, William Steglishi Ben Lee, Anna Brice, Geraldiue Aldersou, Muriel Alder son. Telegram. For Sale Half interest in three acres iu Whitwood Court will be sold cheap for cash or necotiable paper if taken at once, in order to enable owner to close another deal. This property Is letter aud better locatcu man other nronertv near it which sold recently for $1400 per acre. This undivided Halt interest, it taKen oe fore July 10th, will be sold for &1000. If the buver cannot sell the same within three years for twice that amount, me present own er will pay to him a forfeit of ten per cent, per annum on the $1000 for that period. If 'you have idle money you win not una a nctier in vestment in realty anywhere. Call at the Review office. A Review of Reviews From issue of November 18, 1904. J. II. Cromc, editor: The first brick building is now in course of erection iu St. Johns, being built by L. B. French, a cou ple of blocks south of the school house. It is 25x50, two stories high. The erection of this build ing is an epoch in the history of St. Johns. The question has been frequently asked whether or no the price of real estate in St. Johns is too high. No, wc don't think prices arc too high, aud believe they will go higher yet. (To show that the editor was uot mistaken wc cite a few offers running iu advertise ments iu the same issue: $900 lot tooxtoo near woolen mills. $1600, lot 100x100 iu business center. Lot 60x100 two blocks from school house $300. One-fourth acre in Oak Park $450. Lots iu Oak Park No. 2, $65 each. Lots 50x100 only four blocks from business center $170, r 00x100 overlooking the river, $450. tooxtoo three blocks Irom the saw mill, $ 575 ISd.) P. W. I Unman has about com plctcd n substantial two story busi ness block, corner Ivanhoc aud Chicago streets. The great need of a bank is felt iu St. Johns. The volume of busi ness transacted here daily will am ply repay such an institution, aud the accommodation it would be to the busiucss'publlc would be im measurable. G. W. Simmons, superintendent of Road District No. 5, has done a considerable amount of grading aud graveling, especially ou Wil lamette boulevard. A telegraph office iu St. Joints is becoming n necessity and it is hoped the telegranh companies will act in this matter nt an early date. (The hope is still in dulged in occasionally ISd.) O. IS. Learned will plat the ten acre tract just beyond the school house aud put it 011 the market iu n few days. Messrs. Richard and W. Shcpard have purchased a tract of three acres four blocks from Oak Park station and will place it ou the market nt once. It will be known as Oak Park Addition No. 2. F. W. Valentine sold the lot, cor ner of Baltimore aud Hayes streets, to IS. Vaiidetneer Inst week for $1 too. Mrs. James Tufts bought the home and lot known ns the Stark place last week. Consideration 5650, Mrs. Tufts is recently from Algouia, Wis. Mr. nud Mrs. Gilbert Ward of Oregon City, sold through Shcpard it Tufts lot 50x100, comer Broad way and Hayes street; considera tion $1100. Mt. Ward demonstrated his faith in St. Johns by at once purchasing another lot, corner Burlington and ISdison street, ou which lie will build a residence at once. The W. R. C. Convention On the morning of June 19, 1912, n part of the delegates, the Presi dent, oue of the past presidents and one member of the St. Johns W. R. C. started for Salem, Ore ,to attend the W. R C. convention and after arriving there, four of us fell into good hands ns to a place to sleep. As there is a fine cafeteria iu Salem we were soou testing it. Then we went to the ISlk's hall, where the W. R. C. convention was to meet. There were 229 delegates iu all of the W. R. C. Of the department officers, St. Johns secured one plum, as we have the department chap lain, Mrs. Minnie Hall, for our share. We had a very harmonious time from the time wc started from home until we returned to the same. Press Cor. Oregon has a good chance to win the national prize for advance in earth education this year. The committee has under way an ex hibit showing how 75,000 boys aud girls of the state have been inter ested in the new competitive gar dening contests and how 10,000 Portland School children were en listed in similar work in this city alone. Perhaps no other state ever gave such liberal support to this movement at the outset. The next step, it is expected, will be to make this industrial education an integ ral part of the state school system. Three Fine Lots For Sale. 40X too at the head of ISdison street, all improved. Only $375 each. ISasy terms. Apply soon to J. H. Fletch er, 823 Willamette boulevard. DR. RAMBO DENTIST Phone Columbia 51 First National Bank building. ST. JOHNS, OREGON. DR. J. VINTON SCOTT DENTIST Open Evenings and Sundays by Ap pointment Office I'honc Columbia 140 Resident I'lioiie Columbia 38 JOSEPH McCHESNEY, M. D. Pliysicinn and Surgeon. Dsjr & Nljtht Ofllco In McChcaney bile SL Johns, Oregon. Daniel 0. Webster, A. B. M. D Residence, C97 Dawson Street Ofllcc, 1'lltor Mock. University Park, Portland, Oregon. PERRY C. STROUD LAWYER First National Hnnk IliuMinR ST. JOHNS . . . OilllCON 0. J. 0ATZA1YER ATTORNEY AT LAW McDonald Building ST. JOHNS . OREGON Wc buy or sell St. Johns Properly AlcKINNEY & DAVIS Rent Estate List your property with us if you tlesirc to sell quickly 202 N. Jersey St. St. Johns l'Oll KSTIMATI'.S ON PAINTING, PAPER HANGING and TINTING drop card to li. M. Saltcrlcc, St. Johns, Or. ALL WOUIC Ot'AUANTHHI) J. R. VYEIMER Transfer and Storage Wo doliver your woods to nud from II parts of I'ortlnnd. Vancouver. Linn ton, Portland and Suburban Lxproni Co., city dock nnd nil polntn nccomilblo by wsjjon. I'lano and. furnltura moving Office Phone Columbia 24 Residence Phone Columbia 198 St. Johns Express, Transfer and Storage Co. Pinno Moving n Specinlty. Haul ing done to and from I'ortlnnd Residence 400 ISnst Richmond Office 103 North Jersey Street ST. JOHNS OARAGE IK 12. Ilurlliictou Street Automobile KtMlritiK nud VitlcHtiUlHg Wc can gat yon Auto Tire of Ml klmw lllcyclo and (lcncral kcpnlrliii ill connection. New mid mmmumI Iwnil bicycles fur Kile. ltlc)cle tire in stock. J. M. and V. P. WKAY, Props. I'lioiie Columbia 5K7, CAMP 773 VV. 0. W. Moots cv. cry Wwl n a s (1 n y evening in flick ntr's IUI1 DORIC DODGE NO. 132 A. I'. und A. M. lU'Kular cttiiiimiiiicMlhius 011 first Wodnosday u( each mouth iu Odd l'l laws' Hull. Visitors wel come, ts. Clint, IMvit. W. M. C. O, lingers, Secretary ORDER EASTERN STAR Mlnervu Chapter Meets f'.virv l'irst aud Third Tuesday ((veiling of lUeh .MOIIlll iu una 1'ullow Hull. Mm, Susie Koer. SwoUry. HOLMES LODGE NO. 101 KMGIIIS or I'YIIIIAS Mcett every 1'riiluy 11 1 it lit t 7:30 o'clock in f. O.D. 1'. Hull, Visitors Hlyuyt 'l come. V. W. MASON, C. C. I). 1'. HOItSMAN, K. U.S. LAUREL LODGE i No. 186 I. O. O. P, sr. Johns, oitecoN MmIi each Monduy evoniiur In Odd Fol lows hall nt 7'jo. A cordial welcome t ull visiting brothers. NEST NO. 1151 Meets 2nd uud lib of each month iu M. W. A. Hall. V, II. ORANOHH, See. Central Market! IIOLUHOOK BLOCK See us for the Choicest Cuts of the Best Meats Obtainable. Order rUfed and family Trad Solicited. T. P. WARD, Proprietor.