-THE. MOBNING OREGOJKIAK, THURSDAY, JAHUARY 4,. 1900.
MAYOR ADVISES COUNCIL
JLXTSVAJL MESSAGE SUBJUIITTED TO
-THE CFET, SOLONS.
rut
Becommenda Larsrer Appropriations
for Parka and Streets Suggests
Less Costly Site for JalL
Mayor Storey presented his annual ad
dress at the meeting of the common coun
cil yesterday as follows:
Portland, Jan. 1, 1&00. To the Honorable
Common Council of the City of Portland,
Or- Gentlemen: Pursuant to and in
compliance -with section 36 of the char
ter of the city of Portland. I herewith
present to you a statement of the existing
conditions of our city's affairs, together
with a few recommendations, to which 1
sincerely hope you will give careful con
sideration. First, let tis remember our departed
brothers. Many have gone the way of
ell mankind during the past year; the
way all must go when called by the great
Master to render a final account of their
stewardship. One in particular I would,
mention at this time, one loved by all
who knew him, one whose loss was
mourned by the entire state, but more
particularly by this city, where he had
become endeared to the people by his
kindly manner and many charitable acts,
has paid the penalty of birth, and his
spirit has been gathered home to the God
who gave it. I speak of our departed
mayor, Son. W. S. Mason, who passed
away on March 27, 1S39, ana wnue una
municipality regrets the los3 of Its chief
executive, yet all must bow to tae inevit
ably and let us all hope that when we
are called to stand before our Maker we
will be as well prepared to render a faith
ful accounting as was he of whom I
speak.
A Savins of 9100,000.
By a careful persusal. of, the following
figures you jftlf seec"thatr a saving has
been made ivxinz the past year for the
taxpayers of about ?100.000. This result
must, indeed, be very fratifying, not only
to yourselves, but to the taxpayers gen
erally, and no doubt will Tedound with
credit to the officials who have produced
the above result However, all Is not go
that glitters. ,and the truth of this old
axiom is, I believe, fully "borne out in this
case. -.,
In order to makajthis enormous reduc
tion in our dt3s-expenses,, it has been
necessary to sacrifice, to "some extent, the
efficiency of some -of our departments,
which. In the long run, may not provfe
economical. As, for Instance, in the de
partment of street-cleaning and spr'nkllng,
we find during the year ending December
31, 189S, that this department cost txie
city of Portland $49,673 39, while the 5 ear
endlnr with Iecember 31, 1S99, will have
cost but 531,750 39, showing a saving of
$17,323 for this department alone.
Now, the question that I submit to you
is. Has this been a true or a false econo
my? I leave you to draw your own con
clusions in this matter. Notwithstanding
the fact that our present street-cleaning
force has done all it possibly could with
the limited number of men to do the
work, honestly believing that the moneys
of this department have been judiciously
and economically expended, yet we know
that our street crossings have been neces
sarily neglected and in many instances in
a deplorable condition for months at a
time, and, in consequence of this neglert,
Trill have to be repaired much sooner than
if kept in a cleanly condition. The extn.
repairs that will be necessitated by this
condition, together with the inconveni
ence of the traveling public will, in my
estimation, more than offset the saving
made, and I hope that during the coming
year we will he able to keep a full crew
in this department at least.
Departmental Expenses.
The city engineer's department for the
past year has been necessarily a very
expensive one, owing to the large number
of streets that were in a bad condition,
and necessitated the expenditure of large
sums in the early part of the year.
Wo find that .for the year 1S99 we have
expended on this deparment $32,752 24. Of
this from the general fund, was expended
$25,420, and, from the street-repair fund
57332 24. .
There is no question as' to the Judicious
expenditure of this money, as the com
mittee on streets has been very careful
not to permit moneys to be expended for
public work unnecessarily.
Our fire department for 1898 cost us
5112,443 71, while for 1S99 We have expended
but 583,26216. Our police department m
1899 cost 566,228 02, while for 1898 we paid
S85.666 74. Our light -department has cost
$70,589:89, Including ?14,142 12 expense ror
November and December, 1898, showing a
total expenditure of this department for
the year 1899 of 556,447 77. In 1898 this de
partment cost the city 582,612 93.
Our park department has cost 57528 85;
our health department, 55047 52; plumbing
Inspector's department, 52100; city treas
urer's department, 54792; city auditor's de
partment, 58SS0; city attorney's depart
ment, G300; tflie pohnd department, 52793 32;
harbor police department, 51200; the crema
tors' department, 5SS48 04, and the City
Hall. 54S70.
Recommendations.
I can find no fault with any of these
deportments particularly, except In one
or two instances. For instance, our parit
department has been limited in the past
year to the small sum of 5752S 85, for the
beautifying of our entire park system.
This sum is Indeed meager, for the large
amount of work that could be done, and
which would result beneficially to our city.
We are having a large number of visitors
from all parts of the world, and their first
tour of inspection after arriving in this
cits- is to our City Park. I believe that
not less than $15,000 should be expended
on our city parks each 5 ear, for at least
10 years to come. Other cities nend
from twice to five times this amojuntti
their parks, and thus make them a -rodlt
to the city. The approach to oar (ty
Park at' Ihe present time is 'n a deplor
able, condition. I speak of WashJnVtcn
street, from Sixteenth street west. This
is about the only available drive to the
park," ana it is a shame that this' city,
with Its enormous wealth? should permit
a street of that character to remain In
such a condition. I hope the common
council will find means during the coming
year to make this one of the most beauti
ful drives within the confines of the city.
Our street-repair fund is also too small,
when 3 ou consider the miles of streets to
be taken care of and kept in repair out
of the small sum of 57332 24. It will
necessarily be much smaller during the
year 1S00. and I think something should
be suggested as a remedy if we expect our
streets to be kept in decent repair.
Our city jail, located at Second and Oak
streets, -deserves attention, and as this Is
a valuable property, I would suggest that
the proper authorities dispose of the" same
and purchase a less costly site, and wltn
the surplus obtained from the above sale
build a good, modern city prison. s
I find that we have collected taxes as
follows t
Taxes of 1S99 52S0.344 37
DeMftauent taxes prior to 1899... 103.193 79
General licenses .. 12s 803 0
Dog licenses MT1
Pound fees 1475 75
Costs in chief of police sales 265 05
The municipal court 1920 00
Surveys, etc 2 2S5 11
Kents of public buildings 1,520 CO
Miscellaneous sources 1,421 60
Total .5525,0S9 77
V f " Auditor's Figures.
The estimate made by our city auditor
is 5522 016 SC. This shows very careful
work by our city auditor, and there is but
a very slight difference between his esti
mate and the actual result.
Blanket Ordinance Favored.
In order that we may have a sufilclent
sum to carry on the various departments
during 4he present year with a reasonable
efficiency, I would therefore suggest th.it
the council take steps to frame a general
blanket licence ordinance, one that will
cover all departments, as well as the
luxuries, and make the license as rea
sonable as possible, commensurate with
the necessities. We should realize by this
means In the neighborhood of from 525,000
to 535,000. This would assist us very ma
terially and would add but "very little to
each of the taxpayer's burden of taxation.
The general business of the city for
the past year has been very good, so far
as can be learned at this office. Real
estate has appreciated to some extent, and
money has become less stringent. There
has been a large amount of building
done during this year, both In private
dwellings and business blocks, and the
prospects for the year 1900 are very bright
at present. Several large enterprises have
been added to our list of manufacturing
Industries, and trade with the Orient is
beginning to materialize. The Chamber
of Commerce has p-wakened from its once
lethargic state and set the wheels of its
machinery to work for the betterment of
ihls city The Manufacturers Associa
tion is also doing .good work and Co
operating with the Chamber- of Commerce,
and I believe these two institutions will
in the future be of great benefit to our
city.
Property Valuations.
Regardless of the figures made by our
assessor In his last statement, I honestly
beUevethafc Portland, property? Is worth
mote Jbx several fmllUons .$an. it was, a
vear-oio.. aaM. .c'tu -idtl jiJ .'t . . t
The Taxpayers "Ueaffue Mb laboring'
faithfully: in the interests oft-, economical
government in all departments. The
league is .-composed oflarge taxpayers,, is
not a political' organization, and its rec
ommendations should receive careful at-"
tention by the city officials, as the judg
ment of those who pay the cost is apt
to be more clear than that of those who
expend; and; do, "not produce the-fuqds. ,,
- He&ltnv.of the JGltRo ri.le j .J
The heallt "of the city-has bfeen gener
ally good; in fact, better , than it has
been for many years past. We have had
a few cases of contagious diseases, the
most serious that of smallpox, but owing
to the efficiency of our city physician and
his care and energy, we have been able
to confine it -within the least possible
limit, And nothing .to 'amount to anything
has Jj&eir saidia-Portland in relation -ito
smallpox during the past Tear. ' ."
I regard'the fact that the health of our
city has been so much better than in
years past Is duetto several circumstances,
the principal one of which Is our splen
did system for obtaining water We "haw
ejvery reason to feel -proud . that our
water system is known and is becoming
more generally Jcnown all over the
"United States as the best in the United
States. A portion of these benefits can
also be" "attriSuted to the fact that we
ore forcing upon the people a better sys-y
tern of plumbing and drainage. Also that
sections heretofore without sewers have
been connected with good sewerage.
Again, that our health officer Is exceed
ingly diligent in the performance of his
duties.
Council Committees.
I would at this time call your attention
to a matter that can be arranged by the
council themselves, in the future, should
they so desire, and "I would, most strongly
recommend to those "who shall succeed
us In the government of the city, that
in the appointment of standing commit
tees of the common council the per
sonnel of said committees be changed at
least once every six months for various
reasons. The most important Is this:
Take, for instance, the street committee,
which Is 'composed of five members of
the common council, and only lacks one
vote of being a majority of the whole
body, and as all matters pertaining to
streets come before that committee, it
makes it a powerful body, either for
good or evil. And here I would say that
we have been very fortunate in this con
nection in having a street committee that
is composed of honest, Intelligent gentle
men, who, I believe, have performed the
duties of their" office to the, best of their
ability, and as well as could have been'
done by any five men In theclty.
I do not wish to be understood by this
that any of our cbuncllmen have failed
in the performance of their duty, nor do
I wish to be understood to say that all
or any of the committees have not per
formed their work faithfully and well,
for I am satisfied that all the members
of this common council have done every
thing possible for the city, under very
trying circumstances through which we
have passed. But to return to the street
committee, as proposed. Why should we
give any five members out of 11 charge
of street matters for the entire city for
the full term of two years? Would it not
be as well to make a rule to change the
committees once every six months be
cause each councilman representing a
ward In the city has troubles of his own
in street matter and is held responsible
by his -constituents 'lor not getting streets
arranged to suit them, or getting them
arranged so -they do .not suit a the con
stituent? Should the street committee
know that they would be obliged to sub
mit to the rule of other members, after
their term of six months had expired, I
honestly believe that they would be a
little more liberal to the members not on
the street committee, as "they would be
obliged to go to the other members with
their troubles in the latter part of the
year. This change of committees, I be- t
lleve, would result In good for all con
cerned, and I hope that those who come
after us will see their way clear to make
this change. It might be said that a
street committee after acting through six
months of the time has just got Into har
ness so that It knows how to perform
the duties of that committee.
Let me say that there Is no member of
this common council today that does not
undorstandthe necessities of streetJepairs
and inrprovementsoust as well" as does any
member of the street committee. All mem
bers are Intelligent, I believe,, and I also
believe that all members are honest, and It
does not require a thorough knowledge of
street matters to be a member of the
street committee, as they have not full
power In these matters.. All street mat
ters are obliged to be submitted to the
board .Jofrp"ubllc:"w6rks-i aftd: fhese-"comt'
mltteesvl-'thlnk 'should hold office Sorix:
months, and I think the council committee"
should be changed so that no jealousy
could arise. The practice of honest com
mon sense In all. matters pertainlnor to
city government "will -result," 1 believe,
more benefioially than would th practice
of technical, theoretical display.'
I believe an effort should be made by
the members of the council to Induce rep-fentotive'-citteensstt)
attend ew"hen time
permits, the meetings of'-tfte common-
council. Eerx actdonetaken by the com
mon council is either for or against the
taxpayers, and It is to the taxpayers that
the common council are responsible for
their actions. Then, why should not the
taxpayers. Instead of standing aloof and
saying that this councilman has done
wrong or that councilman has done
wrong, attend the -meetings himself and f
see for himself why thest-acts wereAcpmV
mltted? During my vjs)t -,to ,SanV Fran
clsoo I attended a meeting of the, "board
of supervisors, the'eame as our 'common
council of Portland. The lobby was
crowded with taxpayers Interested in all
of the proceedings of that body. It Is
there that a member of such legislative
body can step aside a moment to consult
with some person, who fs a little better
posted perhaps on suck matters than he
is At Seattle, the 'same condition
prevails. At a meeting of the common
council, held In the evening at that place,
I found a large gathering of interested
taxpayers, while here In Portland the tax
payers seldom If ever think of coming to
our meetings but air their opinion after
measures have been passed, through the
press, and to the world, thus making the
city ridiculous in the eves of others who
are not conversant with the existing cir
cumstances. Bancroft Bondlnsr Act.
Another unfortunate condition that the
council will have to meet during the com
ing year and one which is to be greatly
deplored is the fact of the construction
placed upon the Bancroft bonding act by
the supreme court of this state. This ne
cessitates the sale, of what Is Known, s
Improvement bonds, and plates" an1 extra
burden" of taxation upon thosa.Who"have,
already paid their own tax, in order to
help pay the interest on that of their
neighbor. While it will perhaps facilitate
to some extent the improvement of streets,
yet there is no reason or right In a law
that will compel you to pay your street
assessment and then assist in paying the
Interest on the cost of your neighbor's as
sessment. It Is to be hoped that little, if
any, advantage will be taken of this act
until the legislature can meet again to re
peal or amend this objectionable feature f
that law.
Ordinances of the Year.
Mariy'good ordinances have been passed
during your tenure of office, and I desire
to speak of one or two that, while the or
dinance Itself Is good, and, if enforced,
would greatly enhance the beauty of our
tity, the council Is powerless to enforce1.
I would call your attention to the ordi
nance regulating the height that awnings
should be placed above the sidewalks
throughout the city, and also ask you tV
note the1 fact that this ordinance la con
stantly neglected, owing' to the fact that
the council has no jurisdiction over the
police force. The laws you can make, but
the enforcing power lies In the hands of
the police commissioners, Tvho are a body
subject to their 'own discretion In this mat
ter. The attention of the property-owners
has-been' called toTthIs matter, yctV as you
will rsee4Ittte"heea;has been -paid tb-ln-
PORTL'Xh'D m0Nfek-OF 1856'
DEATH OF ERA E. GOODNOTJGH.
The death of Ira E. Goodnough, which took place In Portland yesterday mornlnff, removes
from Portland one more of that class of citizens, who for nearly half a. hundred years have
been part and parcel of the town, and who have seen and aided In the rise of a small hamlet
on the tree-studded banks of the Willamette to a city of 100,000 persons, controlling the trade
of a vast area
Mr. Goodnough was bom in 1830, at Calais, Vt., and received his education. In the public
schools of that place and Cabot, in the same state. His father, Salem Goodnough, being a
sawmill man and building contractor, it was natural that the eon should follow In the same
line; and- contracting was the occupation that Mr. (goodnough followed practically throughout
his entire life, his maiden effort for himself? and while .yet a lad, being the construction of
the Bnlversallst church at WlJHamstoWn. "Vt. -- - , - -
By the time young Goodnough reached Jxtjn&jorlty, the fame of California's immense gold
deposits had reached the Eastern states, and 'in is3 ,he came to tKecVaJPy way of the1
isthmus. For two years he conducted a general store and acted as agent'or'ifrells, Fargo &
Co., at Goodyear'a Bar, on the Tuba river. i - -
In 1855 ho returned to San Francisco, and in conjunction with his brother Jhe late Charles
Goodnough, carried on a contracting business in that city. Coming .noxth inJSSO, he settled"
In Portland, which city has been his home continuously since. His constrjictjon work can be
found in almost every quarter of the town proper, and the lasting quality oj his work la hl3 ,
best monument. It can be truthfully said that Mr. Goodnough, up to tbe very last, took an
Interest In his work, and strove on every piece of construction to have the same thoroughness.
The confidence that the public generally had In him is shown by the fact that for many years
past he has acted in a supervising capacity only.
For the past two years his health has been falling, and about three months ago It became
evident that the trouble he had been experiencing with his heart was being aggravated by
other complications, and the end, which came yesterday morning, had been looked for by the
family for some little time.
Mr. Goodnough leaves behind him three brothers, two in the Eastern states, and one,
Alfred Goodnough, In Portland. Of his four children, three are living one son, E. A. Good
nough, In "Wallowa, Or., and two daughters, Mrs. James D. Hart and Mrs. C. F. Swlgert, both
of whom reside In this city. The funeral will' take place, today, at 1:30 P. M., from the resi
dence of his daughter, 'Mrs? Hart, 253 .North. Twenty-second street.
fractions of the same. This is to be re- '
grettea, ana i nope inai me legislature ai
the next session will so arrange as to bring
the police force, to some extent, within
the jurisdiction -of the common council,
because little good can result froni the
passage of a law unless the legislative
body which makes the law has some con
trol over the officers wno should enforce
It.
I am pleased to notice that the ordi
nance requiring a certain class of side
walk to be constructed within the fire
limits, Instead of allowing it to be re
paired with wood, as in the past, has a
very good chance of becoming a law. This
will lessen the danger from fires very ma
terially, and will greatly improve -the ap
pearance of our city.
Owing to the great reduction ot'our as
sessable property by our county assessor,
we shall be obliged to practice very strict
economy, and in order to come out right
in 1901 we shaft be obliged to commence
now.
I most earnestly recommend, however,
that during the year some effort bo made j
by the common council to arrange for a
public market 'place. 'At present' vendors
of all characters- and selling all classes of
goods and chattels-' are scattered about
our streets, taking Up their stands where
ever they choose, to the detriment of the
general .-traffic; I would therefore suggest
a general market place, rand hope the
common council will make an 'effort to se
cure such a place during 'the "year 1900.
Respectfully submitted,
W. A. STOREY; Mayor.
Referred to the committee on waysana
mearis. :', '' ' . :
a ?i " !
COMING ATTRACTIONS.
"At Gay Coney Inland."
The offering at Cordray's next week
will be that master-piece of farce-comedy,
"At Gay Coney Island."
This play deserves special mention if
... Ai.Mu..AnDAn tVinw int If Is aluflVA
clean and polite, while being excruciating-
,.. 7" t" i;B tv niriw Wiv
ly funny. Those who have aireaayseen
it will scarcely recognize it in -its new
aress. It has-been almost entirely rewrit
ten by the author, and, instead of two
comedians carylng almost all the burden
of the fun-making, the fun has been so
Increased that every member of the large
company has his or, her share. In other
words, it is no longer a single or double
"star" comedy. This results, as It must,
in a much. more-even performance than
has heretofore been given of It. .CBUUt
for the sole purpose of creating laughter,
It has always served its purpose wen, dui
it seems from reports so far received of
the company, it has, as an entirety, very
much the best lot of fun-makers, singers,
dancers and specialists over seen in it.
Besides the introduction of an entirely
new lot of laugh inspiration, special at
tention has been paid to the music. The
operatic finale to the first act, done by
22 trained voices. Is one of the features
of the performance.
4 8 '
BUSINESS ITEMS.
If Baby Ik Cutting Teeth,
Be sure and use that old and well-tried remedy,
Mrs-WJns.Qw's Soothing, Syrup, Mfor children
tMthIhg. II soothes the child, softens the gums,
allays all pain, cures wind colic ancTdlarrhoea.
COUNCIL'S FIRST MEETING
FIRST-STREET
chise
HAHiWAY
GRANTED.
FRAN-
It Is Understood Tnat tbo Portland
Railway Company Will BaUd. to
South. Portland.
At -the meeting of the common council
yesterday, the first of the year, the mayor
presented his annual message, which was
read and referred to the committee on
ways and means. It will be found else
where. The mayor presented a veto of an
ordinance imposing feea for the Issuing of
certain permits, which was sustained
The auditor read a communication fronx
the board of public works, containing a
statement of estimates of expenditures
submitted by the several city officers and
departments for the year 1200, which was
referred to the committee on ways and
means.
The auditor submitted his estimate of
the revenue of the city of Portland for the
year 1900, which was referred to the com
mittee on ways and, means. The auditor
Bubm.lttedjthiij annual report,, ehowlngths-
dondltiqn of the city finances at the end
oi the year 1599.
An ordinance concerning the repair of
sidewalks was passed.
Graham Glass, jr., and B. F. Smith were,
granted a franchise for constructing and
operating a street railway from the Union
depot by way of First street, to Hood
street.
The city tax levy was fixed at 8 mills.
Veto by the Mayor.
"To the Common Council. Gentlemen: I
return herewith ordinance No. 11,455, en
titled, 'An ordinance imposing a fee for
the Issuance of certain permits and regu
lating the collectlori"bf the same;?wlthout
my approval, for the following reasons:
"First of which is that I do not bel'eve
In placing a further burden of taxatfcm
on prospective builders by asking them
to pay for one permit to build. inA. an
other to connect their water pipe?; and
still another to attach to sewers. These
are objectionable features in this ordi
nance, and sufficiently so to condemn it;
but. on the other hand, the revenue to
be derived from such a source will be so
smajl as to not weigh in the balance with
additional burden of tax to individuals:
therefore I return the prdinance without
my signature. Respectfully,
"W. A. STOREY, Mayor."
The question, being, Shall the ordinance
become a Jaw notwithstanding the veto of
thpmayor, a.voteas taken, and theveto
was sustained.-
First-Street Franchise Granted.
.An ordinance granting Graham Glass,
jr.; and,E. F,ASmjtha franchise to con
struct, and operate a street railway from
the Union deRot along First and other
streets to Hood street, was passed. This
is merely a renewal of a franchise which
was granted several years ago. Before
the ordinance was passed, it wis amended
eo as to provide that the parties buildtns
the road shall pay their proportionate
share of the construction and repair of all
bridges on the line from the ground up,
and shall keep in repair the-street between
their rails and tracks, and for a foot re
side of each track. It is understood that
the Portland! Railway Company contemplated-building
the road, for which tnis
franchise Is granted.
J Ordinances.
An ordinance authorizing the expend!'
ture of money for certain municipal ex
penses for the month of January, 1900, as
follows, was passed:
Expenses poundmaster's department.$205 00
Expenses city crematory 30150
Expenses city parks 544 94
Expenses street-cleaning department
Salary superintendent ; 100
Employes, city barn 249
Material, supplies, light, etc 537
Pay of laborers l.cou
Total ?2,4S0
An ordinance fixing the tax levy for
municipal purposes for the year 1900 at 8
mills was passed. The levy was appor
tioned as follows:
Police department 1 mills
Street-lighlng 1 mills
(Fire department 2 mills
Street-repairing ...... mill
Interest fund 2 mills
jAn ordinance providing for the time and
manner of improving Taggart street, from
East Thirty-ninth to Habersham avenue,!"
was passed.
An ordinance providing that no new
wooden sidewalks ehall hereafter be con
structed within the fire limits, south of
Burnside street, and forbidding the further
repair of such sidewalks after they have
been repaired to one-third of their value,
was passed. '
The Portland Railway Company was
granted a franchise for a switch from their
track on East Burnside street, to and upoa
block 66.
An ordinance authorizing the Issuance
and sale of improvement bonds, amount
ing to $13,063 90, was read twice and re
ferred to the judiciary committee.
Miscellaneous.
The salary and expense bills of the vari
ous city departments were ordered paid,
with the exception of the police depart
ment and the bill for street-lighting
There was something short of the amount
necessary for the payment of these claims
in the funds, but the auditor stated that
the deficiency would be supplied In a few
days, and it was accordingly ordered that
the mayor and auditor draw warrants for
the payment of these claims as soon as
funds -were available.
A resolution giving notice of intention
to construct a sewer on Nineteenth street
was adopted.
The liquor license committee reported
that the applications of 241 persons -for
liquor licenses had been approved.
Adjournment to-Wednesday, January 10.
FLAX-GROWING IN OREGON.
Valley Farmers Urged to Follow tie
Iiead of a Ijane Connty Man.
Eugene Register.
At the present time flax Is one of the
most remunerative crops that can be
raised in the Willamette valley, E. C.
Smith has decided to sow 100 acres of his
1280-acre farm to this crop in the spring
by way of experiment, and without doubt
will be amply repaid for his trouble.
When It is considered that flax is now
5140 In the Duluth market, while wheat
brings less than half this sum, it Is plain
to be seen that there is considerable dif
ference Jln the amount received jer acre,
while the cost of raising is practically
the same. The amount of flax raised in
Oregon Is so Inconsiderable that the quo
tations of price do not appear in the
market reports in The Oregonlan.
The annual production of flaxseed in
the United States is between 16,000,000 and
18,000,000 bushels. Practically none Is ex
ported, and considerable is imported.
While the growing of flax ha3 never
been one of the leading pursuits of the
farmers of the Willamette valley, yet
sufficient has been grown to show the
adaptability of this soil and climate to
the production of a superior quality of
flaxseed. Possibly In the near future flax
will do for the wheatralsers of the Wil
lamette valley what it has done for the
wheatralsers of the Red River valley of
the North put them on their feet finan
cially. Land that is now producing wheat
to the value of ?8 to 510 an acre can be
made to produce a crop of flax of the
value of 512 to 514, with no greater ex
pense. There 13 a prevalent opinion that flax
ruins the land. There are two sides to
that question. Flax will crowd out foul
stuff from the land better than almost
any crop, possibly excepting peas, and
leave the field free from weeds of all
kinds. If flax Is grown on a piece of land,
however, without rotation with other
crops, It will eventually so Impoverish
the soil of the elements that enter Into
the plant that it will not grow flax, but
It will grow a good crop of -wheat on this
Impoverished soil. -Much depends on the
soil, the writer having seen land that
produced three crops of flax In succession,
the last crop yielding 12 bushels to the
acre.
In this country the flax is grown almost
excluqiyely for the seed. Growing It for
fiber has never been done on a large
scale. There is a considerable demarid for
tow for upholstery purposes, but the man
ufacture of linen from the fiber Is still
confined largely to Ireland and the low
lands of the Netherlands. Recently the
straw has been turned into pulp, from
which a superior grade of writing paper
s made, and a large plant for this pur
pose has been erected at Niagara falls.
The pulp Is made In some section where
there is an abundance of flax straw, and
shipped to the main factory. This fur
nishes a market for the straw, which has
been burned hitherto, and the farmer re
alizes about 55 a ton at the mill. An acre
of flax will produce more than a ton o
straw. However, the pioneer flaxralser
must content himself with what he re
ceives from the seed, because flax flber
mills will not start up until there is an
abundance of material to work on.
The possibilities of this industry for this
section are vast. Instead of shipping, lin
seed oil half across the continent, we
should be supplying the needs of the coun
try as far East as the Rocky moun
tains at least. With the continued growth
of the industry, the manufacture of oil
and other products made from the flber
will form a leading manufacture of the
Willamette valley. Let other farmers fol
low Mr. Smith's example and grow some
flax.
-IB
INDIAN WAR PENSION BILL
Oregron Congressmen Are Anxious to
Have It Pass at an Early Date.
PORTLAND, Jan. 3. (To. the Editor.)
Tour Washington correspondent In yes
terday's Oregonlan, referring to the In
dian war pension bill, very properly jays
that the entire Oregon delegation in 3on
gress"nas labored most earnestly to secure
Its passage, and that If the bill la not
passed soon, It will be too late to be of
any use to most of the survivors. When
he refers, however, to certain statements
made by some camp of Indian War Vet
erans, I most certainly demur to the con
clusions he reaches. I never saw or heard
of these utterances before, and am per
suaded that your correspondent has misin
terpreted their meaning. And yet, what
would you expect a company of men who
range in age from 70 to 90 years, to say,
as -they look over the way In which they
have been treated by this general govern
ment? It was the Indian war veterans of
the North Pacific who "ventured to 'this
coast 50 or 60 years ago, and, furnishing
their own outfit, guns, ammunition.
Horses, blankets and provisions, conquered
this land and added three and one-half
stars to the Union flag.
Of the 56,000,000 that was expended by
the pioneers and veterans of this territory
to conquer a lasting peace, only 52,714,
SOS 55 was refunded, and that was in green
backs, worth 40 to 50 cents oji the dollar
at the time. Oue-half or more of the vet
erans virtually received nothing for then
services, then, while other veterans, who
served before and at later date, received
bounties and pensions. They have re
ceived neither.
Airaln I ask, what would you expect a
gathering of these old veterans to say, as
they think of how they have been dealt
with? If they have given utterance to
severe words, remember their age ana
the provocation.
Veterans are pleased to know, as most
of them do, that our congressmen have
done in the past, and are now dolmr, all
they can to secure the passage of this
pension Dm. It was the first bill Intro
duced in both houses by Senator McBrlde
and Representative Tongue. It will re
ceive the cordial support of the delegates
from the entire coast, and now that Hon
Tbomos Reed Is out of the way, there
seems to be no opposition.
The chairmen of both pension commit
tees have given assurance that the bill
will receive early consideration. Its pas
sage will receive the cordial approval of
every honest man on this coast.
No one can understand, unless they have
talked to them personally, how anxious
our delegation is to have this pension bill
pass at an early date. T. A. WOOD.
Persons whose occupation gives but lit
tle exercise are victims of torpid liver and
constipation. Carter's Little Liver P1113
will relieve you.
HOW CITY'S BOOKS STAND
ESTIMATE OF RECEIPTS FOR IOOO
FROM at.t, SOURCES.
Abstract of Ficrnrea for Every Food
Sarins- the Pant Year Each De
partment's Want lor IOOO.
Following is the estimated amount of
revenue from all sources of the city of
Portland, for the fiscal year 1900, prepared
by the city auditor, and submitted by
him to the common council yesterday:
To the Honorable Mayor and Common
Council Gentlemen: Pursuant to section
217, city charter, I submit a detailed esti
mate of the probable revenue of the city
of Portland for the year 1900:
Account fire department
Available cash In treas
ury 514,453 42
Amt. due, tax 1899 5,322 50
Est. receipts from de
linquent .taxes prior
to 1899 1,687 50
Gross amount levy 2-
mlll tax. 1900 57,000 00-178,462 42
Police department
Available cash in treas
ury 5 2,12213
Amt. due, tax 1899 4,567 49
Amount levy 1 mills,
1900 ..; 48,875 00
Total .5 56,654 65 -
Deduct payroll expens
es December, 1899.... 5,550 00
BWM65
Street lighting department-
Available cash in treas
ury 5 3.834 99
Amt. due, tax 1899 3,992 45
Amount levy 1 mills,
1900 42.750 00
Total .5 50,697 44
Deduct expenses for De
cember, 1899 4,333 50
46,313 94
' Street repair department
Available cash in treas
ury 5 1,600 81
Amt. due, tax 1899...... 665 32
Amt. levy mill, 1900. 7,125 00
Total ... 1 5 9.39113
Deduct expenses for De
cember, 1899 653 83
8,732 30
Interest fund
Available cash in treas
ury ,....5 54,835 41
Cash impt. bond inter
est 1,000 00
Anit. due, tax 1890 6,653 63
Amount levy 2 mills,
1900 71,250 00
Est. receipts from de
linquent tax prior to
1899 ... 1,875 00
Receipts from water
committee 15,000 00
Int. on sinking fund... 2,223 79152,840 83
General fund
Available cash In treas
ury 517,643 40
Est. received from de
linquent taxes prior
to 1899 2,437 50
Miscellaneous revenue
General licenses 130,000 00
Dog licenses 4,000 00
Pound fees 1,200 00
Cost police sales 300 00
Fines, municipal court 2,000 00
Cost surveys and In
spection streets 4,500 00
Rents 1.525 00
Sundry receipts 1,200 00
Assessments collected,
curative act 7,500 00
Sales of property pur
chased at chief of po
lice sales 2,000 00
Building permits 400 00
Total .5174,710 90
Deduct expenses for De
cember, 1899, not yet
paid 7,53185
167,179 C5
Summary.
January 1, 1900
Available cash in treasury:
Fire departm't fund...? 14.453 42
Police 2,122 16
Street lighting. 3,954 99 w
Street repair 1,600 81'
Interest fund,. 55.835 41 -
General fund 17,648 40
Total 5 95,61513
Deduct salaries and ex-
penses for December,
1899, not yet paid.... 18,12418
Net available cash
applicable to ex
penses for 1900....... 77,491 01
Income, 1S99
Delinquent taxes prior
to 1899 5 6.000 00
Delinquent taxes, 1899. 21.291 39
Taxes 1900 228,000 00
From water commit
tee 15,000 00
From Int. on sinking
fund 2.223 75
From miscellaneous sources
General licenses 130,000 00
Dog licenses 4,000 CO
Curative act 7.500 00
Other sources 13,125 00 427,14314
Total r 5504.634 13
A, N. GAMBBLL, Auditor.
Portland, January 3, 1900.
IAST YEAR'S CASH ACCOUNT.
How Each. Fnnd Stood at PTeir Year's,
1800, and How It Stands Mow.
Following is an abstract from the audi
tor's annual report, made yesterday:
Balances In funds, December 31, 1893
General fund 5 13,957 73
Fire department fund.. 9,343 61
Police 254 66
Int. fund, bonded In
debtedness 56,778 25-$ 80,333 25
Receipts.
General fund
Delinquent taxes 56,324 85
By transfer 5,420 92
Other sources 141,507 C6
Total .5203,253 83
Fire department
Tax roll. IS99 5 71,470 37
Delinquent taxes ...... 25,231 41
Other sources T63 69
Total 5 97,470 47
Police department
Taxroll. 1899 $ 62.536 64
By transfer 5,57711
Total .5 68,113 75
Light fund
Tax roll, 1899 5 53,602 76
Street repair fund
Tax roll, 1899 8.933 80
Interest fund, bonded debt
Tax roll, 1899 89.337 92
Delinquent taxes S260?
Water committee 15,000 00 558,315 03
Total 5638.648 28
Warrants outstanding Dec. 31, 1898
General fund i.59a41
Fire department fund.. 19,447 63
Police 29,557 97
Int. fund, bonded in- - .
debtedness J? 25 95.633 26
Warrants drawn to Dec. 31 1899
General fund 51o8,944 31
Fire department fund.. 83.262 16
Police 66.228 03
Light fund 49.647 77
Street repair fund 7,332 99
Int. fund, bonded in
debtedness 143 00365,553 25
Total 5461.196 51
Warrants outstanding Dec. 31. 1899
General fund 5 6.700 85
Fire department fund.. 6,119 66
Police 1,070 32 ,.
Street repair fund 54 94
Int. fund, bonded In- ,
debtedness .. 10 50 ,
Total .5 13,965 27
Warrants charged to
een'l fund, redemp-
account 80,006 04
93,97131
Warrants paid-
General fund 5158,741 45
Fire department fund.. 86.212 25
Police 65.175 93
Light fund 49,647 77
Street repair fund 7,27S 05
Int. fund, bonded in
debtedness 169 75267,225 20
Total 5461,196 51
Balances Dec. 31 1899
General fund 5 35.816 93
Fire department fund.. 20.573 OS
Police 3492 43
Light fund 3,954 99
Street repair fund 1,655 75
Int. fund, bonded In
debtedness 56,734 915121.97814
Warrants paid as above 367,225 20
Transferred to other funds and
sundry disbursements 22,679 94
Int. paid on bonded debt 126,765 00
Total 5623,643 23 I
THIS YEAR'S EXPENSE BUDGET.
What Each. Department Has Asked
the CoancJl For.
Following is a statement of estimates
of expenses submitted by the several offi
cers and departments for the fiscal year
1900:
Payable from general fund
Salary of mayor J 4,100
Salary of council 5,5' 3
Salary of auditor 2,400
Salaries of deputies and clerks to
auditor 6.4S0
Salary of city attorney 2,730
Salaries of deputies and stenogra
pher 3,7:0
Salary of city treasurer 2, "JO
Salary of deputy city treasurer l.w.0
Salary of municipal judge. 1.VX1
Salary of municipal court clerk..... I,2i0
Salary of Inspector of plumbing 1.2C0"
Salary of deputy to same iiOO
Salary of city physician l)0
Salary of health commissioner l.osO
Salary of deputy to same... t40
Care of Indigent sick 1,000
Salary of harbor-master and police
man 1,200
Salary of poundmaster... 1,05,0
Salary deputy poundmaster and ex
tra help 1,100
Expenses of pound department..... 650
Park department
Salary of parkkeeper. 9C0
Pay of laborers 5.200
General expenses 2,200
Crematory
Pay of laborers 2.150
Expense for fuel 1,400
Repairs and sundry expenses........ 300
City Hall
Pay of Janitors 2.520
Expense for lighting and heating. 1,400
Expense of repairs and janitora
supplies 400
City engineer's department
Salary of engineer 2.40O
Salary office deputy and draughts
man 2.580
Salaries, four general deputies 4.8u0
Salaries, two street Inspectors 1,980
Salaries, two sewer repairers 1,560
Pay of labor, sewer repair. 1,5a
Pay for material.... t.00
Salaries of surveyors and assistants 7,410
Expense of feed, horseshoeing and
repairs 730.
Streetcleaning and sprinkling
Salary of superintendent l,2CO
Salaries of foreman, stablemen and
repairer, city barn 2,940
Pay of laborers on streets 20.0CO
Expense for feed of 34 horses 3,250
Expense for sawdust b4
Expense for light 210
Expense for horseshoeing 4S0
Expense for blacksmithlng and re
pairs 4G0
Expense for rattan" 4S0
Expense for veterinary 120
Expense, hardware, lumber, points
and oils, harness, medicine.. 520
Expense for fuel 7S
Expense for rent of lot 40
Miscellaneous expenses 200
One new sweeper , 100
Expense repairs roof and founda
tion of barn..... 600
Expense for streetsprlnkllng. 3.0CO
Expense advertising 3,000
Expense, blankbooks and station
ery ..... 1.S00
Expense, costs litigation and judg
ments 13,600
Expense, printing municipal reports 350
Expense, Insurance city property... 550
Sundry expenses not otherwise pro
vided for.. 1.500
D. P. Thompson fountain.... 900
5133.5D9
Payable from street repair fund
City engineer's department:
Salaries two street repair
ers. West Side 5 1,417 50 -
Salaries two street repair-
ers, East Side 1,417 50 "
Pay extra laborers 250 00
Pay of one foreman and -
three carpenters, repair
of bridges 2.8S6 00
Material repair of streets
and bridges 2,200 00 8,171
Payable from interest fund
Interest on bond debt.... 5123.140 00
Int. on imp. bonds. 10,000 00
Cost of exchange 160 00133,300
Payable from light fund
Expense lighting streets
as per contract, P. O.
E. Co $53.000 00 53.000
Payable from fire department fund
For salaries 5 65,000 00
For general expenses 29,411 94411
Payable from police fund
For salaries $ 62,000 00
For general expenses 4,000 00 66,000
Total ........ ...itr......$49g;a8X
The Retort Direct.
PORTLAND, Jan. 3. (To the Editor.)
Replying to Mr. Klndt'3 inquiry, published
even date, will say there Is a connection
between him and the Crowned Bull. Both,
con construe words and Impugn motives
to suit their purpose. If I could be wise,
amazed, temperate and furious, just and
charitable, loyal and neutral, at the same
time, I would say with Horace Greeley
that the man was a d n fool.
I hold with those who lived in juster
days, that every human being has com
plete title to himself direct from the
Almighty.
That right we hold
By His donation: but man. over men
He made not lord: such title to Himself
Reserving; human, left from human free.
J. H. M.
' n
The action of Carter's Little Liver PUTa
is pleasant, mild and natural. They gen
tly stimulate the liver and regulate tha
bowels, but do not purge.
How easy it is for young
girls to go into the "cfeciine."
They eat less and less, become
paler and paler and can
narldy drag inrough the day.
Thay are on the steady down
ward course. Iron does them
no good; strychnine and bit
ters al! fail. They need a food
that will nourish ihembetier,
and a medicine that will cor
rect their disease.
is both of these, elegantly and per
manentiy combined. The Cod-liver
Oi! maHes the blood richer, and
this .gives better color to the face.
The hypcphojphHes of lime and
soda act as a strong ionic to the
nerves. Soon the weight increases,
the digestion improves and health
returns.
At all dracrtsta ; second St 00.
SCOTT & BOWNE, Chemists, New York
I will guarantee
that my Kldny Cure
will cure 00 per cent
of all forma of kidney
complaint and in
xnaay instances the
most serious forms of
Brlght'B disease. If
the disease Is com
plicated send a four
ounce vial of urine.
We will analyze It
and adTtae you, free
what to do.
UUNTOK.
At all drsgzlati. 23c. a 'rial. Guide to Health
IB! mdlc4lartYiceCr9,.iou3 Axca raiuu
WMhrrMMULMMS