Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937, December 07, 1900, Page 8, Image 8

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    THE MOBNIHG OREGONLAN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 190(5.
OOKS FOR SCHOOLS
How Commission Should Be
Composed.
VIEWS OF A FEW EDUCATORS
General Opinion That the Member
Should Be School Men. find Busi
ness Me One List Sub
mitted. Governor Geer Is to appoint a school
textbook commission next January to
meet In July following and select books
for all of the schools In the state for six
years. The meetings of the commission
are required by the law to be open, And
a record Is to be kept of all of the pro
ceedings. The commission was provided
for In what Is known as the Daly bill,
passed by the 1893 Legislature. Referring
to the kind of men who should comprise
the commission. The Oregonlan recently
published the following statement from
Governor Geer:
"So far as personal qualities are con
cerned, I am Inclined to the opinion that
the majority of the commissioners should
not be school men. I believe the commis
sion should be composed of good business
men, who also have sufficient educational
qualifications to make them good judges
of textbooks."
Members of the Portland school board
and -a. number of educators spoken to on
the subject do not all agree with the
Idea of the Governor about having a
commission of business men, although
some of them concede that business men
on the commission will be all right, but
ct minority of business men Js generally
favored. But one suggestion in favor of
a woman on the commission was offered.
Judges as commissioners were recom
mended by another. Following are the
Views expressed to an Oregonlan reporter:
Richard W.llllams, School Director 1
think the whole commission should be
school men, and the best school men in
the state: not only school men, but men
who are thoroughly familiar with the
common schools. These books are to be
selected for the common schools. Tou
take an ordinary business man, it will
take too much effort for him to qualify
himself to make selections Judiciously.
Men should be entirely fit as to the re
quirements of common schools, who are
members of this commission. There will
be no difficulty In finding plenty of honest
men possessing ability to select these
books. He ought to go right among men
In the business who know. Is it a re
flection on a man's honesty that he is
connected with a common school, and ad
vised of Its necessities? They are the
very men.
J. V. Beach School Director, and once
a schoolteacher I have never really
thought much about it, but It seems to
me the commission ought to be divided
between school men and budness men, if
you wish to get the best textbooks at a
reasonable price, and make a. business
like arrangement. It doesn't appear to
me that It makes much difference which
Is In the majority. It is necessary to
have somebody on the commission that
knows something about textbooks. Per
sons who are using them all the time
are more likely to know something about,
them than persons who are not. On the
other hand, educators are liable to be
deficient In business qualifications, and
this is a good reason for having intelli
gent business men associated with them
on the commission.
Clfy School Superintendent RIgler
There ought to be some men on" the com
mission that have practical knowledge of
textbooks. "Whether they shQuld be in the
majority or not I am not prepared to say.
I have Jiot thought the thing out.
Professor R. K. "Warren, School Direc
tor and former principal of the High
School Business men may be all right if
they give sufficient attention to It, but
you know as well as I do that business
men have not given consideration to text
books. It takes some time for a man to
sit down and Judge. It Is entirely out of
their line of thought. I can see force In
what Governor Geer says In reference to
school men. It occurs to me there ought
to be a springing of each. The trouble
regarding school men Is that the public
is Inclined to think they are prejudiced
In. favor of this or that school-book con
cern, and more likely to be Influenced
than business men, I don't know if it is
fo or not. In all probability, the public
will b" better satisfied If we have some
business men on the board, if not the
majority of them.
Ex-Governor Sylvester Pennoyer, who,
when a young man, was a schoolmaster-
I think a mixture would "be good. The
average business man does not pay much
attention to textbooks. I don't think very
much of Governor Geer's Idea of a com
mission, after his refusal to sit as a mem
ber of the State Board of Equalization,
composed of himself and the other state
officers. That was a fine law.
Dr J. R. "Wilson, Principal of Portland
Academy The school commission will
have important matters of business to
settle, and should Include in its member
ship business men of experience and in
tegrity. But the great work of the com
mission will be the selection, without fear
or favor, of the textbooks best fitted for
the schools of Oregon. Men of intelli
gence and honest purpose may fall in
this Not every textbook that looks and
reads well to a man of general Intelli
gence will work, as teachers and publish
ers know to their sorrow. This part of
the commission's work, if successful,
must be based on special knowledge of
textbooks and of the needs of the children
In our schools. This special knowledge is
with the school people, and for the
schools which the commission must pro
vide for it is largely with skilled and ex
perienced women. The commission should
Include representatives of the schools who
have thlb special knowledge themselves
or know where and how to get it.
School Director D. P. Thompson I think
the commission should consist of three
business men and two school people, be
muse we need some educators on tho
commission for their experience. All of
the commissioners should be persons of
good Judgment. There are lots of educa
tional people who have no business abil
ity. It Is a very Important matter, and
great care should be taken In the selec
tion of the parties. I have no one to pre
sent. One woman educator should be on
the board, for the reason that a great
majority of the teachers are women.
They discuss tnese matters among them
selves and are good Judges of books.
J. A. Strow bridge. ex-School Director
The textbook commission to be appointed
by his excellency. Governor Geer, to carry
out the provisions of the Daly bill on ed
ucation, passed by the State Legislature
in 1S9S, should. In my opinion, be com
posed of representative business men from
dlffei ent sections of our state.
H. "Wittenberg, School Director In my
opinion none of the commissioners should
be school men. I wouldprefer disinterested
parties I think the Governor's view Is
correct. To go further. I would like to
see it composed of some of the Judges
of our courts, w ho are men of ability, and
certainly qualified to select good books.
Great care should be taken In the selec
tion of the books. It Is a matter of Im
portance to the growing generation to
dv them the beet books obtainable. ItJLTBumS
should be" done In a manner to preclude
the possibility of favoritism being shown
to any book company by the members of
the commission. All I want is a square
deal. I would dislike to see a commission
that would, choose a class of, books, to
accommodate some book company. That la
the danger of the law, the -weak part in it
"When the selection of books for one dis
trict Is made and favoritism is shown, it
is not so bad, but in a selection for the
whole state, if there should be favoritism.
It would be a matter of great Importance
to the public. That is why I feel the
commission should be composed of good
strong men, who can be depended oh. It
would be a good idea, after the commis
sion is appointed, for it to hold a meet
ing with all if the superintendents of
schools, and get their unbiased .opinion
as to the best books, to get information
from them. These are not to be the se
lectors, but tho Instruments of Informa
tion. Great care ought to be exercised.
I think the Governor Is about correct.
Professor R. F. Robinson, County Su
perintendent of Schools, could not be
seen, as he Is out of the city, to be ab
sent several days.
Professor A. P. Armstrong, of the Port
land Business College, and for two terms
County Superintendent of Schools, asked
to be excused from making a statement.
A well-known educator, who was disin
clined to permit his name to be used In
an Interview, consented, however, to of
fer ?ome suggestions for general use. He
stated that In the State of Oregon thera
are 120,000 school children, and each will
require an average of $1 -worth of books
each year. As the work of the commis
sion Is to cover a period" of six years, tho
total amount for that time on this basis
would be $720,000. He said an average
profit of one-half would be realized, or
$300,000, and consequently the door was
open for the biggest kind of a "graft,"
and It was absolutely necessary In the In
terest, of the .public that the very best
kind of men be appointed as textbook
commissioners. He also alluded to the ex
pert theory as a reasonable one, and for
that -reason favored educators on the
commission, and while admitting that tho
large majority of educators know noth
ing of business, some of them are well
versed in business affairs, and on the
whole he advanced the Idea that at least
the majority of the commission should be
school men.
The Oregon Teachers' Monthly, pub
lished at Salem, recommends the following-named
persons for appointment:
P. L. Campbell, president of the State
Normal School, Monmouth; Professor D.
V. S. Reld, Heppner, formerly city super
intendent of schools at Eugene, and Dem
ocratic candidate for State Superinten
dent in 1894; C. A. Johns, of Baker City,
attorney; Judge J. C Fullerton, Roseburgj
Prank Rtgler. city superintendent of
schools, Portland.
COAL CARRIED IN BARGES.
Plan of Operation on Atlnnttc Coast
Advocated for Xehnlem.
A few weeks ago The Oregonlan pub
lished a letter from "William Reid In which
he detailed the cost and mode of trans
porting coal from Nehalem Bay to Port
land, a distance of 140 miles, by sea and
river. He cited the example of Hale &
Kern in carrying 1000 tons of lock from
Vancouver to Gray's Harbor by water
as proving the practicability of this plan
of transportation. In the Scientific Amer
ican of December 1 is an article describ
ing this same method of carrying coal,
which. It appears. Is in operation along
the Atlantic Coast and on the Great
Lakes. It says the port of Buffalo Is
the gateway through which passes the
principal part of the coal destined for
consumption at thewestern points on the
lakes. Regarding the sea coast transpor
tation, the Scientific American says:
"The receipts of anthracite coal at Bos
ton are somewhat In excess of those of
bituminous, and both of these fuels reach
the New England States metropolis al
most exclusively by water. As an il
lustration of the preference manifested by
coal shippers for the water route, it may
be stated that e-ery year during the past
decade.. In the neighborhood of 2.00Q.OOD
tons of anthracite coal have been received
at Boston, by water, whereas, in no year
of which there is a record, have the rail
shipments exceeded 32,"OO0 tons. The coast
wise coal-carrying trade Is carried on
principally in wooden barges of from SCO
to 1000 tons burden. The construction of
craft especially designed for this service
has been carried on most actively during
the last few years, and last year, 1S93,
upwards of half a hundred coal-carrying
barges were turned out at the shipyards
of the Maine and Massachusetts coasts.
These barges, most of which are from 200
to 230 feet In length, are towed by power
ful tqwing steamers."
The proposition for a coal .company at
Nehalem Bay was to build 'two of these
coal barges, each to carry 800 tons of
coal, and one powerful tug boat, the lat
ter to tow one barge to Astoria, a dis
tance of 40 miles, within seven hours, and
there to receive the other empty barge,
and take It back to Nehalem Ba while a
river tug boat would take the loaded coal
barge" up to Portland from Astoria. The
two coal barges and one powerful tug,
similar to those built last month at East
Portland for Nehalem Bay, were esti
mated to cost 530,000.
These two coal barges and tug boat
would be made to draw when loaded only
nine feet of water, so that Insurance
could Te obtained at any time, and Cap
tain Loll says he would cross both the
Nehalem and Columbia bars five to six
hours apart with 150 tons of coal at all
seasons, and he has traded for 10 years
between these two ports. He also says
that with nine feet of draft and smooth
weather he will carry 775 to 8T) tons of
coal to Portland with such a barge.
The Lower Nehalem coal mines are only
2Vz miles from Nehalem Bay, and a short
tramway would carry the coal to the
bunkers on the bay at all seasons.
Y. M. C. A. BANQUET
Reception to Association Leaders
Visiting Portland.
"Watson's restaurant was the scene last
night of a reception and banquet, par
ticipated In by the members of the T. M
C A. of Portland, in honor of several
guests from beyond the state boundaries.
About 7b persons were present and as
soon as the repast was over speeches
of welcome and responses were In
dulged in.
"W. A. Davenport, of Boise City, Idaho,
addressed the assembly with greetings
from Idaho, In which he spoke of the
successful operation of the Y. M. C. A.
at Idaho's state capital. P. O. Han
son, of Topeka. Kansas, made a short
but pointed address on the Importance
of tho Association work and the good
results of such gatherings as that wnlch
takes place this week at Eugene. F.
"W. Ober, of Chicago, spoke of the
mighty pent-up forces on the coast ana
the great opportunities of Christian
work; and Secretary Allen, of the Seattle
Association, told of the fine building, all
paid for, in his city, and of the great
results which ven a few men can
achieve If they are possessed of the
proper spirit.
AH the addresses were listened to with
attention and the points enthusiastically
applauded by the representative young
men' assembled.
The banquet was a prelude to the con
vention of the Y. M. C A. of Oregon
and Idaho, which begins today In Eugene
and lasts over Sunday. Many Portland
members signified their intention of
leaving for Eugene this morning in order
to take part in all the proceedings,
while others "will not be able to "leave
the city until Saturday.
i
BUSINESS ITEMS.
If Baby Is Catting Teeth. -Be
sere and use that old andweUtrled remedy,
Mrs. WInslows Soothing Syrup, for children
teething. It soothes the child, softens the gums.
ttiwa all -wain iw w4tr4 a14 en ,4 VIvHs.
SURRENDERED THE ROLLS
assessor gives them tip to the
couxty commissioners.
Opinion of District Attorney Leads
Ulm to Do So SUU Retains '
the Index.
Assessor Greenleaf finally surrendered
to County Clerk Holmes yesterday the
county tax roll, after a long conference
with the County Board of Commission
ers. The latter were strengthened in their
position by a lengthy legal opinion from
District Attorney Chamberlain. This ef
fectively demolished the stand Assessor
Greenleaf has maintained all along, that
he had the right to thejr custody, as
well as to the index. The latter he has
not yet given up, and the District Attor
ney wiil be called upon for another opin
ion covering that point.
Assessor Greenleaf stated to the Com
missioners that he did not understand
that he was obliged to surrender the
tax rolls at once, as he had not been
directly requested to deliver them to the
County Clerk. His reason for keeping
them was that he was engaged In mak
ing the corrections and alterations- au
thorized by the County Board of Equal
ization. As to the index, the Assessor
DIED AT THE
1
MRS. JANE 3rOORE HURLEY.
Mrs. Jane Moore Hurley, mother of the late Judre Hurley and A. M. Hurley, died yes
terday mornlnc at an early hour, at tho home of her daughter, Mrs. Eliza Emerlcle, 84
Union avenue, corner of East Couch street, after an illness of Ave years, tho most of
which time she was confined to hr bed In a helpless condition. She was a woman of ex
traordinary fortitude. About Ave -ears ago lira. Hurley met with a, fall, which resulted in
the fracture of a hip. which never knit, and since the accident she had been a. helpless In
valid, and had tc be handled like a child, but tiirouzh the jears of her sufferings sho was
patient and uncomplaining-.
Mrs. Hurley was born on the Bay of Fundr. June 18, 1S05. She was married to Rev. An
drew Hurley near PIctou City, in the Province of Nova Scotia, October 23, 1632. In 1847 sho
was left a widow. In 1SC4. with her children, she crossed the plains with an ox team,
managing her affairs on the long Journey with tho help of her children. Their first
years were spent In tho Powder River Valley, Baker County. Afterwards settling at Sa
lem, she beran the practice of medicine, and continued It for a number of 5 ears. Her two
sons, Judze and A M. Hurley, became prominent and rerected citizens. The former was
& Circuit Judge at Portland until his death, a few years ago, and wa highly honored. A.
lil. Hurley was a prominent citizen of Corvallls.
From the Injury sho received Mrs. Hurley had been confined to her bed since March,
1S&G, suffering almost constantly. She was a devoted Christian, having been an active mem
ber of tho church sine she was 15 years old. During the past three months her sufferings
were creatly intensified. Thanksgiving day she lapsed into a semi-conscious condition, and
remained so until her death. Threo daughters survive her Mrs. .E. E. Emerlck and Mrs.
S. A. Robinson, ot this city, and Mrs. B. Pleter. of Condon. Or. tThe funeral will take placo
.this afternoon from the residence, 34 Union avenuer, at 2:30 o'clock, and Lone Fir cemetery
will be the place of Interment.
said he would like to keep It a while
longer. The motive of the County Com
missioners In forcing the Issue Is found
In the fact that the County Clerk would
be greatly retarded In Tils work of mak
ing a certified copy of the rolls. In com
pliance with the state law, if be did
not secure their Immediate possession.
In his opinion, District Attorney Cham
berlain said:
"... The laws of this state upon
the subject of assessment and taxation
and the duties of the several officers In
respect thereto are a heterogeneous mass,
thrown together In a crazy-quilt fashion,
by successive Legislatures, to suit the
whims of occasion or of locality, and so
very difficult to construe with anything"
like a feeling of security. But, as I In
terpret them upon the subject in hand,
the Assessor Is required to return the
assessment roll to the County Clerk on or
before the first Monday In September of
each year, or at such date later as the
County Court may by order fix- upon.
This- date was fixed at November 17, 1900.
The roll was then returned by the Asses
sor and delivered by him to the County
Clerk, who from that date became the
legal custodian, thereof."
"The fact that the County Board of
Equalization met the following Monday
for the purpose of making such correc
tions on the roll as they were empow
ered to make, did not deprive the clerk
of his right to the custody thereof, and
it was beyond the power of said board
for any purpose to attempt to place the
roll In the hands of anyone and give such
person a right of custody and control
paramount to that of the County Clerk.
"If such a construction of the statute
be adopted, the Assessor may continue
for an indefinite time to detain the roll
from the lawful custody of the County
Clerk and so defeat the purposes of the
statute, which requires your board to
complete the unfinished work of equaliza
tion as prescribed by section 27S1 supra.
Not only that, but such a construction
would enable the Assessor at his own
pleasure to prevent your board from esti
mating and determining the amount of
money to be raised for county purposes
and making the apportionment required
by section 27S3. It could not have been
the legislative Intent to empower the As
sessor to so impede the whole munici
pal machinery, and stay the collection of
taxes, which are absolutely necessary for
governmental support, both state and
county.
"I, therefore, suggest that you instruct
the County Clerk to call upon the As
sessor and demand that the nssessment
roll be restored to him, the legal cus
todian thereof, and in case of his refusal
to comply with such demand, that pro
ceedings be instituted to compel his com
pliance therewith."
PERSONAL MENTION.
B. D. Crocker, a "Walla "Walla politi
cian, is at the Imperial.
A. P. Goss, a banker of Sumpter, Is
registered at the Imperial.
"W. S. Byers, a flouring mill man of
Pendleton, is at the Perkins.
J. B. Yeon, a Cathlamet logger, is reg
istered at the St. Charles.
U. S. Graham, a logger of Marshland,
is registered at the St. Charles.
Captain R. P. Walnwrlght. of the First
Cavalry, Is registered at the Imperial.
John C Pehdergast has resumed his old
position of ch'ef clerk of the Esmond.
Henry Heppner, a pioneer merchant of
Morrow County, Is registered at the Per-kln-
H. C Smith, an attorney of "Vancouver,
"Wash., and wlfei are registered at the
Imperial.
J. S Talbott..a "Wasco County sheep-ralsor,-
is at the St. Charles, accompanied
by his family.
George A. Shields and wife, of Astoria,
are guests of the Imperial, on their re
turn from California.
C. M. Huxford, of Boston, registered at
the Perkins yesterday, on his return from
Astoria, where he has canning interests.
A. H. GatUs, formerly night clerk at
the St. Charles, has taken Dan Sullivan's
place as chief clerk. F. Tuttle becomes
night clerk.
Judge "William B. Gilbert, of the United
States Circuit Court of Appeals, has re
turned from San Francisco, where he has
been sitting through a term of -court.
John Popp expects his son and daugh
ter, whom he has not seen for 12 years,
to arrive from the East tomorrow.
ONE PORTLANDER DID WELL
P. A. Eddy Found Good Placer
Forty Miles From Nome.
Another Portland citizen who certifies
to the value and permanence of Nome
placer mines is P. A. Eddy, who was in
the grocery business here a number of
years. He returned recently from that por
tion of Alaska, to spend the "Winter in
Portland, and says there will be rich dig
gings there for the next 10 years-at least.
He and three others landed there early
last Summer and found the beach worked
out and a great many adventurers get
ting "cold feet" and preparing to leave
for the States In despair. He, however,
determined to see what there was In the
interior before getting discouraged, so he
struck out northward across the tundra
on foot, carrying his blankets and sup
plies on his back. It was hard work, but
the party struck a creek 40 miles from
Nome, where the banks prospected 50
AGE OF 95.
cents to tho pan. This was deemed satis
factory, but, like the rest of the region,
the claim had been staked by power
of attorney, so it became necessary to
hunt up the legal owner, who, when
found, wanted $3500 for it, though no pick
had ever been struck in the ground pre
vious to Mr. Eddy's visit. A trade was
finally made at a considerable reduction
from the price asked, and then the party
went to work. They carried boards for
sluices from Nome, and dug & ditch 1000
feet long to rap tho creek, which Is a
tributary of Cripple River. Ditch dig
ging was expensive, as wages for com
mon laborers was J7 a day, without board,
but the ground has fully repaid the ex
pense, even though but three working
months are vouchsafed the placer miners
of Nome each year. The claim would not
now be sold for less than $100,000.
Tt takes rich ground to justify work
ing" up there," Mr. Eddy said yesterday,
"as the cost of living is great, and there
is no fuel In the vicinity. Food Is cooked
with the aid of coalolf stoves, and the
tents are heated by the same means. A
100-pound sack of, coal cost us $25. laid
down at the camp, and other supplies
were equally as expensive. Ground that
would pay well to w6rk in Oregon would
not be worth bothering with in Alaska,
"But there is gold everywhere In that
entire region, and good finds have been
made as far back as ISO miles from the
coast, on the Alaskan Rockies." he said.
"Parties had arrived from those wilds
before we left the beach this Fall, and
the coarse gold they brought with them
convinced me tf its existence In paving
I quantities." He expects to visit that dls
j tant region when he goes north, next
I Summer.
I He does not think, however, that many
quartz mines will b developed, as what
I gold is found is of the coarse nugget or
der, whose shape plainly shows that It
i left the native ledges through a heating
, process. The quartz veins were therefore
1 destroyed by volcanic agency, according
i to Mr. Eddy's Idea, and the rich- beach
I has been fed from the decomposed ledges.
"When asked If he would advise any
one to go up there next year, Mr. Eddy
said: "No. A man's success depends en
i tlrely on himself, and I would not be the
! means of any individual's trying his luck
) there. Although the country is abonnd
. ing In gold, some men might not succeed,
and sq would return, blaming the man
, who advised them to go, as well as thoe
who had spoken well of the. country.
All I can say is, I did well up there,
am glad I went, and have no misgivings
about making the trip again next year."
He proposes to take his supplies from
Portland with him, when he starts, as he
can better afford to pay the heavy freight
than purchase at Nome during the rush
he thinks may take place la 190L His
opinion Is Port Clarence will-become the
great headquarters for that portion of
Alaska, as anchorage is good there, and
a landlocked harbor affords protection
from the passing storms. At Nome, ves
sels can only come within 14 miles of
the land, and lighterage is therefore ex
pensive, as well as dangerous.
A "WESTER ROUTE TO THE EAST.
Tho climate of Utah and Colorado Is
temperate the year round, and clear skies
and sunlit days are as proverbial In "Win
ter as In Summer. The mean annual tem
perature In Salt Lake City or Denver is
about 55 degrees, and the average annual
precipitation 14.77 inches. "With such In
consequential precipitation there can bo
little or no trouble from snow in the dis
tricts traversed by the Rio Grande "West
ern Railway, and its Immediate connec
tionsthe Colorado Midland or Denver &
Rio Grande Railroads.
In fact "Winter adds but new grandeur
and charm to the travel scenes, and In
fuses an element of variety and beauty
to the unsurpassed wonders of nature
along the Great Salt Lake Route. Tickets
to all points East may be obtained at 253
"Washington street.
Suit the people, because they are tired
of bitter doses, with the pain and griping
that usually follow. Carter's Uttla Liver
rws- onpw a cos
SUB-BOARDS OF TRADE
WHAT MAY BE ACCOMPLISHED BT
ORGANIZATION.
"Work to Be Continued Till All Oat
side Districts Have Been Readied
East Side Notes.
Sub-boards of trade have now been or
ganized at Montavllla, Portsmouth and in
the Tenth "Ward by "W. M. Kllllngsworth,
and the work will be continued until all
the outside wards and districts have been
reached. There is a little misunderstand
ing as to tho object of starting these or
ganizations. For the information of thoso
who do not understand their purpose, it
may be said they are part of the Port
land Board of Trade. Each member of
the local clubs Is practically a member
of the Board of Trade, and the organizer
presents every one joining the local
bodies with a Board of Trade button.
The object Is to get every portion of the
city united In the promotion of its inter
ests. Tho organizer tells the people of
these districts that the local club formed
Is in the nature of a local Improvement
association, but has the aevantage of be
ing a part of a central organization, tho
Portland Board of Trade, and will be In
better position to encourage Improvements
and get factories than when standing
alone, while the central body has the sup
port of the local clubs.
It is proposed by the central body to get
a membership of 5000 at least, and many
more if possible. It Is not easy to get
the outside districts to understand the
advantages of these sub-clubs, but the
residents are gradually catching the Idea
and are taking hold. Theao clubs are all
tho more Important on the East Side now
that extensive street railway construction
Is to be undertaken In Alblna, In the
Fifth "Ward and elsewhere, besides much
street Improvement.
At Selhvood a movement win be started
to get a 5-cent fare and a 20-minute car
service. At Sunnyslde the matter of get
ting better water pressure for fire pro
tetctlon is up. "Woodstock and Mount Ta
bor also have matters of local importance
to consider. All these can be handled
better through a sub-board of trade than
in any other way. The intention is to
start clubs at Mount Tanor, Sunnyslde,
Sellwood, "Woodstock and St. Johns as
soon as they can be reached by tho or
ganizer. Glad of the Crnsade.
There Is a general expression of satis
faction among residents of Central East
Portland that the gang of youngsters who
have been having their own way there
for the past year is to be suppressed. A
resident who has a handsome home in
tho neighborhood, and who has reproved
the boys several times, says he has been
very apprehensive that a. stone might
come through the window of his house
at any time, and there has been much
nervousness all through that district. A
resident also said yestsrday that affalr
had coma to a pass where the people
would "have to combine to protect their
property unless this gang is completely
and permanently broken up. The doings
of these youngsters have not been half
told, as the people living in the neigh
borhood have been fearful of incurring
their enmity, and have refrained from
complaining. Recently a store on Grand
avenue was robbed of a quantity of goods,
and only a few days ago the gang went
along In front of the groceiy store on
East Twelfth and East Ash streets, and
threw all the vegetables displayed Into
tile- street. This was la daylight. There
has also been- much pilfering traceable to
this gang. Two or -three bad boya have
caused all this trouble by inducing others
to join with them. The Chief of Police
has declared the gang shall bo broken
up and stay broken up, and the resi
dents also have decided that thoy will
not tolerate the outrages- longer.
Home "Will Be Centrally Located.
The prospects are that the Orphans'
Home, of the "Odd Fellows Grand Lodge,
will have a central location In Portland,
and that the ground for the site will be
donated by a prominent citizen. If the
expected donation comes, the Institution
will bear tho name of the donor, and thus
his memory "vrlll be perpetuated. One
desire of the order is to obtain a central
placo for the institution where ltcan bo
reached quickly by street-car. Tho money
subscribed by Portland lodges and mem
bers, 54O0O, to get the home located here,
has abqut all been paid in, and the farm
at Falrview has been offered for sale.
"With what is realized from the sale, and
the money from the lodges, a good start
may be had, especially If an eligible site
bo donated. Enough money has been ex
pended on the Falrview farm to establish
a well-equipped home In Portland, about
$20,000 having beentpald out in the pur
chase and improvements of the place. In
the farm are 101 acres, with 50 acres under
cultivation, and a cottago. The building
erected for the Home, which stands in
full view of the O. R. & N. Railway,
will prove a loss. It is not suited for a
farmhouse, nor even a schoolhouse, and
probably Is only valuable for the material
In it. However, the grand lodge trustees,
who have the establishment of the Home
In Portland, are proceeding carefully,
and will make no mistake to b6 corrected
In the future.
East Side "W. O. T. IT.
A regular meeting of the East Side
"Woman's Christian Temperance Union
was held yesterday afternoon at the
home of the president, Mrs. Sarah Kern,
at East Twenty-eighth and Powell
streets. This was the first meeting for
the past six months on account of the Ill-
health of the president. There was a
large attendance. After short devotional
services, conducted by the president, the
business which had accumulated during
the period of the union's inactivity was
disposed of. Several bills were ordered
paid, and new members taken in. It is
the custom of the W. u. t. u. ieaerauon
to meet with some local union the second
Friday of each month, and the Bast Side
union arranged to entertain the federation
next Friday afternoon at -the home of Mrs.
Nora Laue, East Thirty-third street. An
interesting programme, embracing liter
ary numbers, will be given, followed by
refreshments. Those having thematter
in charge extend a cordial lnvita'tion to
the public and solicit a. good representa
tion of the local unions.
Entertainment and Social.
The Young People's Christian Union, of
the United Brethren Church, East Fif
teenth and East Morrison streets, will
have the regular monthly entertainment
and social this evening. The following
programme will be given: Selections
from the philosophy of Abou Ren Ahdemj
ladies' vocal quartet, arranged by Miss
Blanch' Ressler; Impromptu speeches on
"Our Society," "Pudding." "Wheels,"
"Books," and "Mark Twain," speakers to
be selected at the meeting: baritone solo.
Rev. F. E. Coulter: address, Allen Mann;
recitation, Mrs. M. Bartow. The public
will be welcome. Light refreshments will
follow the entertainment.
East Side Notes.
Rev. Ray Palmer, pastor of the Second
Baptist Church. "and wife, have gone to
"Walla "Walla on a short visit. Mr.
Palmer's health has been impaired recent
ly through his work, and he Is compelled
to take a short vacation In which to re
cuperate. ' The remains of John Foster, the pioneer
wjio died at Ashland Tuesday morning,
arrived yesterday. Mrs. Foster and chil
dren have arrived also- The funeral will
jjgka placa jttito-moraJcy, at-H gCclaclc
MEM'S HATS.....
in
few
K1"tIT
PORTLAND. ORE.
M. SICHEL
Furnisher and Hatter
from Centenary Church, and the Love
cemetery, on Columbia Slough, will be the
place of Interment.
An entertainment will be given by tho
Brooklyn School this evening at Foss'
Hall. Grand and Hawthorne avenues, for
the benefit of the school library. The
feature of the evening will be the stere
opticon lecture by ReV. H. "W. Kellogg,
on "Away Down in Dixie," with some ap
propriate music and general exercises.
A memorial service will be held tomor
row evening by Sumner Post, G. A. R., In
the hall of the post, on Union avenue, in
honor of the lato Sergeant-Major E. R.
Sanders. He had been a member of
George "Wright Post, and later joined
Sumner Post. There will be addresses
and other appropriate exercises. t
N. P. Dodge, ex-postmaster, and wife,
of Grant's Pass, are staying at the home
of Rev. Robert McLean, 20 East Fifteenth
street. The former is undergoing treat
ment for paralysis, the result of an injury
recelved some time ago.
Rev. Robert McLean, lectured last even
ing at the Hassalo-Street Congregational
Church, Holladay's Addition, on "South
America." The address was illustrated
with many striking stereoptlcon views,
Mr. McLean spent several years In Chile,
and he was able to talk from personal
observation, and give Information not
usually found in books. He has a large
collection of pictures.
WITH THE FIGHTING 14TH.
Portland Boy Tells of Battles Before
Pelcin.
A letter from a Portland boy, Frank J.
Smith, of Company M, Fourteenth United
States Infantry, to a friend here, dated
Yang Tsun, China, October 27, describes
his adventures In quite an Interesting
manner. He tells of witnessing the
fight at Pel Sang, August 4, and regretted
not having been able to take part in it.
He continues:
"The next day we were in the advance,
and I knew we would get our share of
the fighting. Shortly after wo left Pel
Sans we were formed m line of skirm
ishers and marched that way for- about
nine miles, when the Chinese opened up
on us so suddenly that It almost took
my breath. "We were pretty well tired
out, but those shells bursting around us
compelled us to advance on a dog trot,
and pretty soon we were about 1200 yards
from the trenches. Then they com
menced with rifles, and then I did think
It was 'good-bye, Ole; you're a goner
now.'
"Just then I suppose the Colonel realized
the, danger of staying In this Immediate
vicinity, and gave us the order to charge,
and we charged, as only Americans know
how, and soon we had those hideous
looking pigtails going In all directions
with the Bengal Lancers at their heels.
This battle, the battle ot Yang Tsun,
lasted Just five hours and 45 minutes. As
you are already aware, the Fourteenth
lost heavily here. Company M lost the
most men, as they were the first to pass
the trenches and get Into the town. Tne
next day we buried tho dead with mili
tary honors.
"On the 8th of August we continued the
march on Pekin, where we arrived Au
gust 14. Shortly after vre got there the
allied forces commenced to bombard Pe
kin. At about 10 A. M. Companies E
and H scaled the walls of Pekin and
planted the American colors, and a short
while after we got Into the town and
marched for the American legation, where
we arrived about 3 P. M., and relieved
those, poor missionaries. That night we
camped outside the legation walls. The
next morning we advanced on the Im
perial City. There are sir gates, or rath
er pagodas, leading to this city, and they
are about S00 yards apart. The first gate
we came to happened to be open, so in
went M Company, but we had not gone
over 100 yards when the Imperial troops
opened up on us with a terrific lire, that
didn't bother us a bit. "We were vets
by this time, you know, so we formed as
skirmishers and advanced probably 60
yards, when we got the order to lie down
and fire. "We fired so fast that in less
than an hour our ammunition gave out,
so L Company was sent In to relieve us.
A short time after the Chinese were on
the run and we captured three more
gates. Then, for some reason unknown
to us,we were ordered to go back,
"The next day we went into camp in
the southern part of the city. Here we
had It quite easy for about a month,
when we got the order to prepare for a
three days' march In the mountains north
east of Pekin. Boxers were reported
to be there in large numbers, but when
we got there we saw only the rear guard,
about 150 Chinese, and we exterminated
those very1 easily. The next day we
marched back to our quarters, where we
stayed until the 21st of this month, when
we marched from Pekin to this place In
four days. It was a hard march, and
my bones are .still aching from the effects
Of It. How long we stay here Isn't
definitely known, but we are under orders
to proceed to Manila, where you may ad
dress your next letter."
Added interest is given this letter by
the fact that young Smith may be dead,
as published yesterday.
PRAISE FOR PORTLAND.
General John M. ."Wilson "Writes In
an Enthusiastic "Vein.
The following enthusiastic letter was
received a few days ago from General
John M. Wilson, Chief Engineer of the
War Department, which shows the deep
interest that the General has always felt
In Portland since he made his residence
here years ago:
"Ofilca of the Chief of Engineers, U. S.
A., Washington, Nor. 25. My dear Mr.
Corbett: I thank you very sincerely for
the newspaper slip received this morn
ing, showing the great Improvements in
the Columbia River. It seems extraor
dinary that a vessel carrying 6000 tons
of cargo and 700 tons of coal, with a
draft of 23H feet, "should have passed
from Portland to the sea during the
present low water season, without diffi
culty. "Hurrah for Portland! God bless It.
and continue its growth and prosperity.
"Now, we want continued deep water
over the bar at the mouth, so that ships
can put to sea regardless of winds and
tides. I am sure it can be obtained.
Yours very sincerely.
"JOHN M. "WILSON.
"To Hon. H. W. Corbett, Portland,
Oregon."
An effort has been made to remove
the Elkton Postmaster, but the present
Incumbent has strong support, says the
Roaeburg Review.
A. new line of Stiff and Soft Hats,
stylish and exclusive. Tho new Au
tomobile and Golf shapes in soft
hats, and stylish blocks In Derbys,
made for me, and sold under my
own die. See them in our west win
dow, and don't wait till the other
fellow gets the "one you had your
eye on." Novelties In Canes and
Umbrellas.
288 Washington Street
BOY SHOOTS HIMSELF
FATAL ACCIDENT TO FOURTEEN-YEAR-OLD
RAY LADD.
"Was Playing: "With. His Rifle Wsea
It "Was Discharged and Bullet
Entered His Brain.
A sad shooting fatality occurred last
night, at 2S Benton street, when Ray
Ladd, 14 years old. was accidentally killed
while handling his rifle. The trigger
snapped and the bullet entered the boy'a
forehead. . ,.
Ray Ladd was the son of Alfred Ladd,
who conducts a store at 2S3 Benton street,
and last night after supper the father
went out to attend a lodge meeting,
leaving Ray, his 16-year-old sister, and c.
younger boy at home. The children's
mother died some time ago., but they call
thelrslster "Little Mother," and she keeps
house for the family. The youngest boy
of the family, a lad about 7 years old, was
out playing, when Ray suddenly ex
claimed: "Sis, I'm going upstairs to hava
a look at that gun. I'll be down in a
minute."
"Please don't be a long time, and watch
what you are about," said his sister, who
was nervous concerning the gun. The
weapon, a small "Winchester, was the
pride of the boy's heart, and he bought it
a short time ago, with his own money,
sorejy against his father's wishes.
So Ray went upstairs, and his sister
concluded that he could not sleep that
night, until he had fondled rls rifle once
more. This was about 8:30 o'clock, and
suddenly Miss Ladd was startled by hear
ing the report of the rifle. She ran up
stairs, crying "Ray! RayJ" plteously,
dreading the tragedy that was to darker
their happiness. Ray was sitting on hla
bed, dressed, with the rifle near him. anS
he was bleedng from a small wound th
bullet had made. In his forehead, just
above the nose. The frightened girl did
not lose her head, but applied cold cloths
to the wound, and sent her younger
brother for Dr. C. H. Raffety.
By this time, however, the wounded lad
was speechless, and he died Just as tha
doctor arrived, about 10. or 12 minutes af
ter the shot was fired.
The boy's father was sent for, and he
had a sorrowful home-coming. Detective
Cordano arrived and made an Investiga
tion, and then Coroner Rand directed that
the boy's body be taken to the morgue.
Coroner Rand stated as an interesting;
medical fact that If the boy had been a
few years older; his frontal bone would
then have been strong enough to causer
the bullet to glance off, and his death)
would not possibly have occurred from, tha
effects of the shooting.
The bullet was only 22-calIber. Ray
Ladd was known among his boy friends
as quite a marksman, and ha. used to go
out to the woods and shoot squirrels. It
Is supposed when the distressing accident
occurred, that Ray had the weapon with
the stock resting on the bed, and that ha
happened to look down the barrel, when
possibly one of his feet caught the trig
ger. The police officials stated that the prac
tice of allowing young boys to handla
rifles was becoming too common in this
city.
LIQUOR DEALERS FIGHTING.
Early Closing- La-rr Brings on a Con
fllct in Massachusetts.
BOSTON, Dec. 6. The Supreme Court
decision on the liquor law, which has sud
denly brought about the strictest: sort
of observance of the 11 o'clock closing
prbvlslon of liquor licenses, is 'the all
Important topic to hotel proprietors off
Massachusetts. The retail liquor deal
ers of this city are formulating a peti
tlon to the Incoming Legislature to ob-
tain their rights, on. the ground tha
Inn-holders will endeavor to get the ex
isting law so changed as to permit thena
to serve their guesta after closing hours.
The retailers want midnight as the clos-j
ing hour. The petitions may. develop -great
battle at the Statehouse, the ten-,
perance advocates bringing to their ai3
the police of many cities who have Deen
outspoken against the prevailing mid
night reign of drunkenness and dlsorde?
in city resorts. The effect of the decision?
which closed every bar in Boston atH
o'clock Tuesday night was even more gen
eral last night, for in every city In tha
state In which there are licensed bars,
bars In hotels did not wait for the tick
of the clock at the limit hour to stop
their liquor sales. From Lowell. Law
rence, Fall River and New Bedford tha
story was the same, no licensees appar
ently daring to risk the least semblance of
disregard for a law that has suddenly be
come ironclad In its prohibition.
GENERAL MERCIER'S TALK
English. Press Displaying. Sign qf
Excitement.
NEW YORK. Dec. 6. A dispatch to tha
Tribune from London says:
The English press Is displaying sign
of increased excitement over General
Merclers speech, representing a French,
invasion, and is thereby strengthening
his hand and enabling him to regain tha
prestige lost during the Dreyfus trial.
The Journals can well afford to- laugh
at it Instead of taking it seriously, since
the British Government has not TshownJ
uneasiness over the various missions ot
French officers In English ports during
the last year. Officers of the French
army and navy are constantly talking
about the possibility of effecting a land
ing In England. It is then most Inter
esting technical problem. They have pre
cise Information about the 'defenses of
English towns like Dover, Portsmouth
and Plymouth, also about the military
resources of ports like Liverpool. French
officers were secretly occupied for weeks
last Spring in preparing detailed draw
ings of fortifications of Dover and tho
defenses of Liverpool and other ports,
and these plans were filed with the-prop-er
departments in Paris. The British
Government was aware of these proceed
ings, but considered it a matter of no
importance.
Director of Lick Observatory.
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 6. Professo
William a Campbell; at present acting
director of the Lick Observatory, is to
succeed the late Professor J. B. Keeler
as. director of the Lick Observatory.
The appointment has "been decided upon,
by the committee of the Regents of tn
University of California having charge
of the affairs of the Mount Hamilton in
stitution. The appointment will be con
firmed at the nxt meetin of the Boar,
of Resents. '