THE MORNING OREGONIAN, WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER 12, 1900.
LOOKING TO OREGON
Many Significant "Inquiries
From the East.
HEN WANT TO GET NEW HOMES
Trustworthy Literature Open the
Way to Further Examination of
the Merita of Various Sections
of the Pacific JTorthwest.
The East seems ripe for active mis
sionary -work for Oregon, according to
numerous letters received by the Port
land Chamber of Commerce. The follow
ing: is taken from a letter received yester
day from an Intelligent citizen of Ar
kansas, and it tells its own story:
""'On the 23d of October you very kindly
sent me a pamphlet, 'Resources of Ore
gon,' together with a copy of the New
Tear's edition of the Daily Oregonlan. I
have circulated these amongst my neigh
bors, and they are in such great demand
that they have almost served their use
fulness, and I feel safe in saying they
have made a future citizen of Orezron in
almost every case where they have been
placed. The idea has been to establish a
colony of 50 families. It now looks as if
a colony of double that many could be
raised. I have so many requests for the
pamphlet that I am unable to keep up
with them. I wish you would send me
two or three more of the pamphlets,
with anything else that you think of in
terest, with a few small samples of
wheat, oats, rye and barley. Could you
Clve me the address of some one familiar
with the Rogue River "Valley, who would
take an Interest in informing us a little on
that locality as to possibility of securing
land there, etc?"
Another man wrote from Corning, la.,
to Inquire about the chances for getting
a farm home in either Klickitat County,
"Wash., or Lake County, Or." He has ap
parently become informed of those local
ities in a general way, and wanted more
specific knowledge as to lands suitable for
cultivation.
Itis manifest that these inquirers are
not adventurers. Nearly all of those
who ask for information about Oregon
now wish to buy small farms, and estab
lish homes here. The question of getting
cultivable land on reasonable terms is an
important one, and upon which much will
depend as to whether these people locate
in Oregon or elsewhere.
GOSSIP OF THE CAPITAL.
Ofllclnl Washington Looks Fonvnrd
to Lively Winter.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2. This is expect
ed to be a very busy session, and the rush
of work has been somewhat anticipated
by members of the Important committees
getting together and fixing up prelimi
naries so far as possible, so as to utilize
the early days of the session for actual
business. It often happens that the first
month of a Legislative session, whether
a long or a short session, amounts to but
very little In the way of actual work.
This is especially true In a long session
where the House has to be organized,
and there is a general recasting of the
Senate committees. "It has become quite
necessary, however, for the members of
commutes to meet before the short sei
iion of Congress, and prepare any legis
lation that is of an imperative character.
Thus there has been considerable; work
done on the revenue amendatory bill,
and on the river and harbor bill. Besides
this the House committee on appropria
tions, through some of Its members and
through its clerk, has prepared the pre
liminaries for nearly all appropriation
bills. Chairman Hull came to Wash
ington some time before the session and
began work upon the military bill, know
ing that this legislation must be passed
early If It got through, and did not inter
fere with the appropriations and other
"must" legislation. Chairman Burton
took the sam course regarding the river
and harbor bill, and consequently the
first three weeks of the session before the
holiday recess ought to be rather lively.
It Is anticipated that such progress will
be made that there will be no necessity
for abandoning the usual two weeks ad
journment that takes place during the
holidays.
ClovelnntI Held Them.
I remember an occasion, however, when
Congress did not adjourn during the hol
iday recess, and this was precipitated by
the action of President Cleveland two
years before his term expired. Just be
fore the recess was to have taken place
he sent a special message to Congrss
calling attention to the distressed finan
cial condition of the country, suggest
ing that unless Immediate action was
taken there was danger of a panic, and
urging that there should bo no delay
In passing some measure which would
give relief. Of course. In view of such
a message as that Congress could not pass
a resolution adjourning two weeks, leav
ing the impression before the country that
the messace of the President of such a
startling character was entirely ignored.
And so Congress remained In session, al
though the holiday recess was practically
observed and an agreement secured, as
each House met every three days and
adjourned Immediately without transact
ing any business, only one or two Sen
ator and Representatives attending. The
fact was. President Cleveland wanted
some financial legislation, and the Re
publican managers of the House had de
termined that It would do nothing save
to Increase the revenues of the Wilson
bill. It was at this session that the cel
ebrated bill was passed to make a 10
per cent Increase on all Imports of the
Wilson tariff law. Of course such a
measure met with no favor In the Senate,
which was Democratic at that time, and
the bill died between the two houses. I
remember that both Republicans and
Democrats were not at all pleased with
the message of the President, as they all
realized that legislation upon his lines
was impossible. The Sherman law had
been repealed, and the Republicans had
taken the ground that there was not suf
ficient revenues, while the Cleveland
Democrats Insisted th-t gold-standard leg
islation was necessary and the Sliver Re
publicans insisted that free coinage was
necessary. There was a practical dead
lock all along the line, which was not
remedied until the Republicans were In
control of both houses of Congress and
the Presidency as well.
"Want Manufacturing Plants.
From time to time men having large
real estate holdings in Washington make
every effort to obtain manufacturing es
tablishments for the city, with a view of
Increasing the population and wealth of
the National Capital. This is contrary
to the design of those who established
the Capital on the banks of the Poto
mac, as It was never expected that the
city would over be a commercial metrop
ollc Had that been anticipated, the
Capital would probably have been located
at some of the then large and growing
cities. There are really no reasons why
Washington should not develop Into a
manufacturing city, providing the power
and railroad facilities could be forthcom
ing. A great many people oppose any
such thing, as they think that the large
smokestacks pouring forth huge volumes
of smoke would dostroy the beauty of the
town. This would be obviated, of course
if a scheme which is now thought to
be practical, of utilizing a tremendous
water-power about li miles from tho city
for developing electricity and conduct
ing it here should be brought into- requi
sition for running manufacturing plants.
At Great Falls there is a magnificent
water-power, but It has never been util
ized. Most any other city in the Na
tion would have seized upon it long ago
for the purpose of power and manufac
turing plant, but Washington never takes
held of Improvements of this kind. Most
of the people think it should be a resi
dence city, but the real estate men say
that it cannot subsist wholly .upon resi
dences and the Government, but that it
must branch out. Notwithstanding the
absence of manufacturing plants, the city
has grown very rapidly during the past
10 years, and promises to grow still more
rapidly, even if these manufacturing es
tablishments should not be introduced.
Papers Go Astray
It has been developed that there Is more
than one reason why there has come from
the Philippines a great cry for more pa
pers, more magazines and more reading
matter. It is true that the supplies sent
over by fond mothers, brothers, sisters
and all -manner of relatives and friends
makes up a great bulk In the course of
a year, but no account has been taken
of the vast amount of this matter that
miscarries In a country where mall facili
ties are so hindered as in the Philippines.
It must be understood that most of the
soldier mall Is delivered to mall order
lies at the various posts, for distribution
among the men. With letter mall there or
derlies are very careful, and seldom. In
deed, do letters fall to reach their owners.
With the paper mall, which is more bulky
and troublesome, the same care is not
exercised. The orderlies are anxious to
rid themselves of the bundles, and often
times leave papers and magazines with
company commanders, for the several
men. If a man happens to be away when
the mail arrives, he is very apt to mtss
his papers when he returns, particularly
if he has been detailed to some special
duty which keeps him away from his com
pany a day or so. In Innumerable cases
It is known that the paper mall addressed
to men in the ranks has been opened and
read by anxious comrades who have not
fared so well, not with any Intention of
wrongdoing, but purely in their desire to
get something fresh from 'home. It is said
that the great bulk of complaints that
are made against the mail service in the
Philippines is because of failure to receive
papers and magazines through the mail.
Morelver, an Incorrect address on a bun
dle of papers destined for some soldier in
the Philippines 'is a fatal error which will
cost the intended recipient his bulk of
reading matter, as there is practically
no chance of finding a man with such a
package, when the address proves incor
rect. A Southern Exposition.
Notwithstanding the fact that there are
plenty of expositions In prospect, there
Is still another one that is going to attract
attention. This will be held at Charles
ton, S. C, beginning in December, a year
from now. and lasting until the following
April, There will be a delegation of South
Carolinians In Washington during the
coming session of Congress endeavoring
to get an appropriation for a Government
exhibit, and as nearly every city that
gives an exposition gets such an appro
priation, it Is quite likely that Charleston
will not fall. The Charleston exposition
proposes to Include Southern Industries,
but will also make a specialty for the
West Indies, taking in Cuba, Porto Rico
and the foreign islands which make tip
the group. They have weighted down the
Charleston exposition with the name,
"South Carolina Interstate and West In
dian Exposition." Of course, they had
to have a name, but they seem to "have
included all the words they could possi
bly use. Of course, people from the -far
West will hardly be expected to visit this
Southern exposition, still there are always
a great number of people in the United
States from the North. Middle West and
even the far West who are traveling in
Southern sections during the Winter, and
they will probably take occasion to drop
in and see what this old Southern city
has to show. They will observe one thing
which cannot be seen In scarcely any
other town In the country. It Is the sight
of the old Colonial days. Charleston has
not grown so rapidly as Boston, Philadel
phia, Baltimore, New Tork and other
cities which figured prominently before
the revolution and during that struggle.
Consequently there has been no necessity
of tearing down the old buildings to make
room for the new. The city has not many
extremely wealthy residents, makjng it
unnecessary 19 pull down the old Colonial
residences to make room for magnificent
palaces such as the latter-day generation
In other cities think necessary In order to
keep up proper style. It will be found for
the most part that the buildings aa built
flush with the streets, and the yards and
gardens are in the rear. Some sections
of the old Colonial towns in the NortH are
found to still have traces of antiquity in
keeping with the same custom.. German
town, Philadelphia, is one of them.
Manufacturing; Cotton.
There are many other things of inter
est in and about South Carolina. There
are the palmettos, palms and many oth
er tropical plants. Then there is Fort
Sumpter and Fort Moultrie, names of his
torical association, and Charleston Bay,
over which cannons boomed for so long,
for Charleston was the seat of secession.
It took this particular Suthern city a
long time to recover from the effects of
the war. Nothing was ground into South
Carolinians more than the fact that they
did not want any tariff on anything.
Free trade has been a cardinal principle
so long that it has been almost impossi
ble to get them to take advantage of the
tariff. A little glance at something that
has been done will show how they are
gradually making use of the protection
afforded to the manufacturers of cot
ton, to turn this great Industry 0f their
home state to their own account. In 187Q
there were 12 establishments. 33,000 spin
dles and 700 looms. In 1900 there are 111
establishments, 2.122,305 spindles and 60,168
looms. It shows that they have begun
to make cotton goods in South Carolina
where they grow the raw material. Then
again South Carolina is taking advantage
of the protection, or rather the revenue
duty that was placed on tea in the war
revenue act. About 30 miles from
Charleston is the only large tea-growing
plantation in this country, and it would
seem that they are making a success of
it.
Charleston is going ahead in other di
rections now, although it seems to have
stood so long. There is a prospect that
the old town is waking up and Intends to
make something of herself. An Interest.
ing feature of this fact is shown in
the manner in which the city is moving
about this exposition. Her most public
spirited citizens are taking a lively in
terest in it and are doing everything In
their power to secure the very best ex
hibits, and to make It well worth th
while of ose Interested in the Southern
States and in the West Indies to come to
Charleson a year from now. The very
fact that they are using the West Indies
shows a sort of progressive spirit and
desire for expansion, which was not
shown in the vote cast this Fall, but Is
an example of the fact that the best busi
ness men of Charleston really believe
that expansion means prosperity and
progress for the Southern States. Charles
ton has also become alive to" the Import
ance of having a navy-yard at that city,
and a good deep-water channel to and
from its magnificent harbor. Years ago
a navy-yard was located at Port Royal
and after the expenditure of several
millions of dollars it has been found
necessary to practically abandon this
large drydock because the ships of our
Navy cannot reach it
Now the navy-yard is going to be at
Charleston, where it ought to have gone
in the first place. It will be recalled
that a drydock and naval station were
located on the Pacific Coast lnvsort of a
Juggling manner, and has been practical
ly useless ever since. In time It is prob
able that It Puget Sound does need a na
val station it will be located at one of
the Sound cities, but long before that
there will be a drydock and naval station
on the Columbia River. Charleston Is
just correcting the error, of many years
ago in having the navy-yard built where
at ought to have been in, the first place.
CONFER OVER NEHALEM
COAL FIELD A!fD RAILROAD CON
SIDERED IN NEW YORK.
Probably No Joint Action Uovr, "but
Inference Is Given That Port
land Should Build Line.
An Intimation has been received in Port
land that the matter of developing tho
Lower Nehalem coal field and building a
railroad to it has been under considera
tion in New York by powers representing
the O. R. & N., the Great Northern, the
Northern Pacific and possibly the Astoria
railroad. If a conclusion was reached, It
was not given out, but there is consider
able doubt about any agreement for Joint
action of these companies in that enter
prise. So far as can be judged from th
information that has leaked out, the rail
road companies will not take up that mat
ter now, but It is coupled with a plain
Inference that it would undoubtedly be to
Portland's Interest to open that field, and
that Portland could with propriety and
profit do It Immediately. .
Fairly trustworthy tests of coal from
the Lower Nehalem show It to be of about
the same quality as that mined near
Rawlings, Wyoming, a very satisfactory
steam coal. It is said to be superior to
any other product of the Pacific Coast,
even better than the Comax or Welling
ton coal. This is regarded as particularly
significant in the present undeveloped
condition of that coaL
OREGON SHORT LINE TRANSFER.
OHa Takes the Tickets Aspect of
Portland Railroad Changes.
Yesterday the tickets of the Oregon
Short Line were formally turned over to
F. R. Olln, city ticket agent, preparatory
to the departure of Mr. Coman tomorrow
for his new position in Salt Lake City.
There will be no further transfer of of
ficial functions at the Short Line office
here. The present force will, proceed to
close up the business, and discontinue
tho office by January L This will all be
done In the name of Mr. Coman, as gen
eral agent, though he will be In Salt Lake
City.
The other members of the Portland staff
of the Oregon Short Line do not yet know
what they will do after the first of the
coming year. There Is an abiding faith
that they will still find employment here,
the presumption being that the O. R. &
N. will need a larger force under the new
arrangement than It now maintains. It
Is also supposed that the Short Line may
make transfers from Portland to other
parts of its field.
While nothing definite is known as to
the- arrangements that will finally be
made, the report that first gained cur
rencythat Assistant General Freight
Agent Miller, of the O. R. & N., would
be made General Freight Agent, and that
General Agent Lothrop, of the Union Pa
cific, would be appointed assistant gen
eral freight agent of the O. B, & N.
continues to hold strength. There was a
rumor that Mr. Lothrop was to go to New
York City ff.r the Union Pacific, but this
is not now deemed probable. It is said
that City Ticket Agent Lang, of the
Union Pacific, will probably be given a
position in the East. Other members of
the local Union Pacific staff are not yet
placed; so far as arrangements are now
known.
All the details of the changes must
await the return of Traffic Manager
Campbell for their consummation. He
is now on his way to San Francisco, and
is expected to reach Portland Monday.
He will be greeted by an anxious and
curious throng of railroad men.
MAKE ODD PROPOSALS.
Man Want to Buy Part of O. It. t
N. Woman "Wants a Train.
Through lack of a department of wit
and humor the railroads fail to con
tribute as much as they might to the
gayety of nations. Much of the humor
that flows into the general offices is hid
there because publicity might offend
somebody and alienate business. Some of
It is appreciated only by railroad men,
and some of it they fall utterly to ap
preciate. General Superintendent O'Brien, of the
O. R. & N., the other day received a
letter containing a large proposal from
a man who lives at Athena. The writer,
who had had experience as a, section
hand, wanted Mr. O'Brien to quote fig
ures for the sale of the O. R. & N. line
between Pendleton and Walla Walla, it
being presumed that since the O. R. &
N. had built the Snake River cut-oft it
wanted to make some disposal of the
other line. The Athena magnate offered
to enter into an arrangement that
should give him ownership of the
road for passenger service, but he
magnanimously offered to let the
company run its freight trains over
the track for sundry slight favors in the
way of motive power. Almost any terms
would suit him. Mr. O'Brien was out ot
town yesterday, but at his office it was
denied that he had gone to negotiate with
the Athena man.
From away down in Georgia a woman
writes to General Passenger Agent Hurl
burt asking for a train to carry a com
pany of her neighbors from Cobb Coun
ty to Oregon. She wanted it understood
she had heard of other railroads, and
that she would write to them unless
she received proper encouragement from
the O. R. & N. and the citizens of Oregon.
Mr. Hurlburt Is thinking of arranging for
a train de luxe to handle this Georgia
business.
COLONIST RATES.
Transcontinental Association Voted
Dorm the Proposition.
CHICAGO. Dec 11. A proposition which
virtually amounts to a suggestion that
Northern Pacific colonist rates be applied
through Missouri River gateways to Cali
fornia points was submitted by telegraph
to railroads in the Transcontinental As
sociation today and promptly voted down.
The proposition follows:
That second-class co!6n5st rates West
bound only. California points and inter
mediate points affected, be: From Chi
cago, $30; from St. Louis. New Orleans
and common points $27 50; from Missouri
River and common points, $25. These
rates to apply via all roads to which reg
ular short line second-class rates apply.
Tickets to be sold each Tuesday from
February 12 to April 30 inclusive. Regular
second-class tickets to be used, the con
tract and each coupon to be indorsed
"ColonlsC and limited not to exceed 24
hours beyond regular scheduled time.
These conditions are practically the
same as for the tickets via St. Paul and
to the North Pacific Coast. The dates are
the same. Although the proposition was
voted down, fears are entertained that
some road may take Independent action
and force these rates Into effect. No par
ticular object, it Is asserted, Is to be
served by them, as business to California
at present Is unusually heavy, so much so
that all the roads have been compelled to
put on additional trains. If the rates go
Into effect vast amounts of revenue. It Is
said, will be sacrificed and Colorado and
Utah rates may be permanently affected.
Grand Trunk Purchase Ratified.
LONDON, Dec. 1L At a special meeting
of the shareholders of the Grand Trunk
Railroad today the purchase of the Chi
cago & Grand Trunk Railroad was rati
fied. Sir Charles Rivers Wilson, president
of the Grand Trunk, maintained that the
new arrangement would reduce the obll
gafons $00,000 a- year and enable the
whole length ot the line to be double
tracked within a short time. He paid a
glowing tribute to the former general
manager of the Grand Trunk -Railroad,
Charles M. Hays, saying it was impos-
Jsible to, find a second. Hays, hut, be added,'
he believed that George Bell Reeve (the
former traffic manager of the Grand Trunk
Railroad and now the general manager)
was the best man whose services could
possibly be secured. He dilated on the
sacrifice Mr. Reeve had made in giving up
his retirement to take on the onerous
duties of general manager.
The shareholders congratulated the di
rectors on the action taken and gratefully
bid farewell to Mr. Hays. It was an
nounced at the meeting that Mr. Hays'
staff will all remain with Mr. Reeve. .
Prominent Railroad Men Confer.
Wall Street Journal December 7.
There have seldom been more prominent
Western railroad men in New York at one
time than are now in the city. Moat ot
them are here to attend the. rate confer
ence, but several are here on business
connected with their respective roads.
Among the latter are: 2resldent A. S.
Stickney, of the Chicago Great Western;
President A. L. Mohler, of the Oregon
Navigation; President Purdy, of the Rock
Island, and President Yoakum, of the St.
Louis & San Francisco, the directors of
which meet this morning for action on the
dividend. Contrary to report. Presidents
Burt and Ripley are not at the confer
ence, nor is the Interstate Commerce
Commission represented. It is a source of
satisfaction that Vice-President and Gen
eral Traffic Manager Hannaford. of the
Northern Pacific, should be present, his
company always refusing to enter Into
any pooling arrangement. The presi
dents report rates as a whole satisfactory
and business generally good.
"Do American Railways PayT"
A short time ago, the Southern Pacific,
in pursuance of Its policy of sending out
trustworthy railroad information among
its employes from time to time,, distrib
uted a large number of pamphlets by D.
Car-Skaden, entitled, "Do American Rail
ways Pay?" Now the passenger depart
ment of the New York Central & Hudson
River Railroad has taken the matter up
and has sent the pamphlet abroad to the
press. It is an Intelligent discussion of
the railway question, including decline of
rates, foreign traffic charges, government
ownership and government supervision.
The conclusion reached upon the appar
ently reliable data presented is that
charges for transportation on American
railways are "far below those on lines
in foreign countries," Indeed are too low,
and that they must increase or there
must bo neglect of service and maintenance.
Want to Buy Northern Pacific.
Premier Roblln, of Manitoba, accompa
nied by two members of his cabinet, were
in St. Paul for a brief interval last week,
says the St. Paul Pioneer-Press. It is
alleged that they called upon Mr. Mel
len, after which they departed for New
York.
It is now said that the Manitoba Gov
ernment has set out to buy or lease the
lines of the 'Northern Pacific in that prov
ince, and settle at once the differences
that have arisen among the farmers
against the government for Its refusal of
concessions to the American line.
President Melien is quoted as saying
that these lines can be purchased, and it
appears now to be only a matter of agree
ing or disagreeing upon the price. Pre
vious negotiations in this direction have
failed.
LofrglnK Railroad Near Astoria.
ASTORIA, Dec 1L Charles Masten, the
Columbia River logger, has arrangements
about completed to construct a logging
railroad of about two and one-half miles
in length, near Svensen, Or. Surveyor
Allman arrived in this city last evening
and left for Svensen this morning to com
plete the survey for tho road.
Railroad Notes.
H. S. Stebbins, Seattle representative
of the Erie Dispatch, was in Portland
yesterday.
The first carload of freight bound west
ward over the new Union Pacific-Great
Northern Route, through Spokane, passed
Council Bluffs yesterday. It was a car
of pitch from Kansas "City for New What
com. The first eastbound car over the
new route was loaded with timber from
Falrhaven for Denver, and the Pacific
Bridge Company, of Portland, was the
shipper.
The December number of the Royal
Blue, the Baltimore & Ohio's monthly
publication, is particularly attractive,
both in Illustrations and letter text.
Among the interesting features are a de
scription ot the new club car and the
electric service of the Baltimore & Ohio
in the city of Philadelphia. Historic il
lustrations and general literature add
to the merit of the publication.
TRIUMPH OP THE BUZZSAW.
American Forests Reduced by This
Implement Uses of Man.
Leslie's Weekly.
The original forests of America were
the most expensive and accessible of the
world. Although they have been consid
erably diminished by 500 years of cutting,
it is estimated-that one-third of the area
of the United States Is at present cov
ered with timber. On this area there is
supposed to be $2,300,000,000,000 feet of
merchantable timber, or 60 years' supply
at the present rate of consumption.
The Implement by means of which this
generation has reduced enormous forests
to timber 1st the buzzsaw. There were
21,011 saw mills enumerated In 1830, being
widely distributed wherever forests are
found, because of the difficulty of trans
porting logs In pioneer regions. The lum
bering operations which were first in
augurated on a large scale in Maine were
later transferred to New York and Penn
sylvania, but the full development of the
industry was not reached until the tim
ber supplies of Michigan and Wisconsin
were marketable. The first steam saw
mill was started In the Saginaw Valley,
Michigan, in 1834. All operations were,
however, meager for many years follow
ing, and until the tide of emigration,
which was checked from flowing into the
Northwest during the Civil War, was re
sumed after 1S65.
In the latter part of the 60a lumbering
began in Michigan and Wisconsin, and
passed to its golden age In the 70s. Chi
cago then became the greatest lumber
center of the world, receiving in a single
year as much as 2,000,000,000 cubic feet.
These achievements can no longer be
equaled In the Northern pineries. Mean
while the South has been opened and Is
now entering upon Its most brilliant
period of exploitation. The same may be
said of the Pacific Douglas spruce and
redwood Industry.
The Chinese Cook.
Chambers's Journal.
Mrs. White determined. In the first flush
of her newly wed dignity, that she was
not going to be "squeezed" by the Chi
nese cook and the storekeeper, as It was
quite plain every one else was. Accord
ingly, she purchased scales and weights,
and announced her intention of person
ally weighing everything. For some days
this method proved very satisfactory, but
she was sometimes a little puzzled on
finding that the provisions occasionally
weighed more than was charged for. One
day the mystery was solved. She was
carefully weighing a chicken. In China,
not only is everything, living and dead,
sold by weight, but fowls are always sup
plied alive. The chicken during the
weighing operation suddenly entered a.
vigorous objection, and began to flap and
struggle with all its might, and during
these flappings and stragglings, some
thing weighty fell with a thud to the
floor, evidently from somewhere about
the chicken. This turned out to be a
large piece of lead, which had been cun
ningly fastened under one of the wings.
Further Investigation led to the discovery
of a similar piece underneath. the other
wine. The overweight of tha past few
days ws. new acoeunUd. foe. .
IN NEED OF IMPROVEMENT
BUSINESS MEN ON GRAND AVENUE
"WANT IT PAVED.
Movement to Break Up Gaits of
Hoodlums Building: Charged
' With Electricity.
There is agitation for improvement of
Grand avenue with vitrified brick or some
durable material, the work to be done in
the early Spring. Business men are very
much worked up over the condition of the
street, and say that they are losing trade
every day, and vehicles are being driven
from the street. Following are expres
sions from some of the business men on
the situation:
W. H. Markel (in the West block) In
my judgment, it is but a matter of time
when Grand avenue will have to be de
serted, as Union, avenue was deserted
some years ago, and for the same reason.
Union avenue property-owners could have
held the business had they put down a
good Improvement, but they did nothing
until business moved to Grand avenue.
Then they Improved, but it was too late;
they could not draw back the business.
Now the same conditions prevail on Grand
avenue. It Is amazing to me that the
property-owners are so short-sighted as
to permit the main and only business
street on the East Side to get in such a
condition when It would pay them to put
down a flrst-class pavement. Here is &
70-foot street running from Ellsworth on
the south to Holladay avenue and further
that could be made the finest street In
the city. It would pay the property-owners
to Improve the central part, say, from
East Clay street to Sullivan's Gulch, with
vitrified brick or some other equally dura
ble material. First street, on the West
Side, Is another example. The property
owners there did not Improve until busi
ness moved, and unless something is done
at once, there will be many vacant stores
on Grand avenue.
Dr. Wilson It is unfortunate, that
Grand avenue has been permitted to get
in such a deplorable condition. I don't
know what will be done. At the meeting
held some time ago, it was shown that
the property-owners were opposed to do
ing anything. At the present rate, there
will be vacant houses on the avenue be
fore Spring.
William Taylor I don't see how we can
do business unless Grand avenue Is im
proved or fixed. We are losing trade
every day. I am told that an effort Is
making to Improve" the center blocks.
That would help very much. Of course,
from much of the property there is little
income, and the owners have been taxed
heavily in the past, but the only way to
save the street Is to Improve It.
Dan Kellaher Conditions canriot be
much worse. Vehicles ore using Union
.avenue. Grand avenue Is unsafe to drive
over, and it Is getting worse. Why, the
stores will be all empty unless the street
Is improved. Union avenue Is picking up
at the expense of Grand avenue. The
owners of this block (West's) are in fa
vor of making a f rst-class Improvement,
and also others through the center. I be
lieve if some one of the property-owners
will start the ball rolling these center
blocks will either be improved or fixed up,
I believe it to be the Interest of the property-owners
to make a flrst-class improve
ment on Grand avenue.
W. B. Hall The street will have to be
improved or we can't do business. That
is the whole matter In a nutshell.
A good many property-owners are
swinging Into line for the Improvement
of Grand avenue. Among these are the
Masonic Association, owners of the West
block; A. W. Ocobock. E. H. Virgil, J.
H. Heller and others. Most of these fa
vor vitrified brick. They want to start a
petition by the first of the year and get
everything in motion so the improvement
can be commenced early In the Spring.
This kind of pavement Is contemplated
from East Clay to East Burnslde street.
To Combine for Protection.
At the request of E. H. Virgil and oth
ers of central East Portland, a meeting
ot the citizens of that district is called at
64 Grand avenue, corner East Oak, Sat
urday evening, to take measures to pro
tect themselves against the band of young
hoodlums who are going about at night
smashing windows and committing other
depredations. Besides the window that
was broken by the "S. S. S.," at 25 East
Seventh street, Monday night, an attempt
was made to smash a window in the
home of W. W. Bequeath, corner East
Seventh and East Washington streets.
The stone was thrown against the front
window, but the glass, which is very
thick, was not broken. Mr. Bequeath
heard the stone strike the glass, and hur
rylng out, heard five or six boys running
down the sidewalk. He could tell from
the sound that one of the boys was lame.
Next time they undertake to break his
window they may expect the contents of
a shotgun.
Every resident between Grand, avenue
and East Sixteenth, and East Stark and
East Burnslde streets, lives in constant
expectation of a visit from the "S. S. S.,"
and they have decided to organize for the
suppression of the gang. Policeman
Parker has been trying to find out who
are breaking the windows, and has a list
of the youngsters who are known to run.
about at night, but has not succeeded yet
'n running the guilty ones down. A po
liceman has little chance to catch them.
When he goes through that district every
thing is perfectly quiet, and he cannot see
a single boy, and Parker thinks it is a
move in the right direction for the resi
dents to combine.
A number of citizens reported several
cases where houses had been defaced
within a few days and rocks thrown
which were found in the yard. These
were wrapped In oloth. on which were
printed, "By order S. S. S." About two
greeks ago a resident on East Twelfth
street heard a stone strike his house,
and hurrying out saw a boy running. He
gave chase and caught the youngster and
brought hlm'back, but he was let go un
punished. . Received With Fayor.
The proposal to Improve East Burnslde
street, from Grand avenue to East Twenty-fourth,
was received with much favor
all along that street. C. N. Rankin, who
has the matter In hand, said yesterday
that he- met many of the property-owners
who were then ready to put their
names to a petition for the very best
improvement that can be made. Auditor
Devlin will prepare estimates of the cost
of crushed rock and gravel and have them
ready by Saturday. These estimates will
be ready for the meeting of property
owners next week. There Is good reason
to believe that the street will also be im
proved to the approach of the Burnslde
bridge west from Grand avenue. E. H.
Virgil, who has property there, says that
most of the property-owners west of
Grand avenue favor vitrified brick. Mr.
Virgil said he intends to start a petition
for that improvement the first of the
year, so the work could be commenced in
the early Spring. This is in line with
the movement east of Grand avenue. Very
likely on agreement can be made by
which there will be a continuous im
provement from the bridge approach to
East Twenty-fourth street. There are no
elevated roadways on East Burnslde
street, and no car tracks, and a first-class
Improvement can be put down.
Iron Building; Electrified.
Policeman Parker, while making the
rounds on 'East First and East Stark.
Sunday morning, accidentally discovered
that the big corrugated Iron warehouse ot
W. E. Splcer, which stands on East First
and extends from East Washington and
East Stark streets, was completely elec
trified. His attention was called to the
condition of the structure by a small boy.
who had touched the corner and had re-
VXived. a heavy shock that Jamed nls.ana..
TTTT- llttlllllliiiin,,
Gold and
Silver Watches
We are showing the largest ato"k of
Ladles' and Gents' Watches of endless
variety
We selected only those which will be
satisfactory to the wearer. Good time
keepers and best quality cases, which
will wear and be satisfactory. The cheap
er kinds you won't find in our stock.
We haye Ladies' Watches from $15.00 to $20.00 that are match
less in style and quality, and our Gentlemen's Watches at tfc&s
prices are not to be found at any other place in the city
THE G.
t We will show you
some extra fine ones,
5 too. from $23 to $100.
""' hiiiMii iiiiMmtwi
At first, the policeman doubted the story,
but was convinced when he touched the
corner and received a severe shock him
self. Some boys got hold of a wire ana
fastened one end to the Southern Pacific
track and then threw the other end
against the side of the iron building. The
electric current was sufficient to melt the
wire and bum holes in the sheets of cor
rugated Iron. Policeman Parker warned
the boys to keep away from the "live"
building and telephoned for an electrician.
On investigation, it was found that the
cable which carries the current for the
motor that runs the mill on the second
floor entered from East Washington
street through a Bmall opening, and that
by rubbing against the rough Iron, the
insulation of the cable .had worn off. thus
forming a connection and electrifying the
whole structure. The building Is 200 feet
long and covered with corrugated iron.
The electrician touched It with his plyers
and the Instrument was knocked out of
his hand. A shock could be had from
any part. Mr. Splcer was sent for, and
he unlocked the building, when the cur
rent was cut off. The electrician ex
plained that as the warehouse stood on
piles there was no connection with the
ground and the current ran all over the
iron covering.
East Side Nates.
Rev. Robert McLean, pastor of the
Third Presbyterian Church, has been con
fined to his home, at 20 East Fifteenth
street, since Sunday with severe illness,
caused by overtaxing himself. Tuesdaj
nlght It was necessary to call In a physi
cian, but yesterday he was better, and
thought he would soon be about-again.
The $1800 mortgage which burdened the
Woodlawn Methodist Church and manse,
which was paid off and canceled last
week, will be publicly burned In the
church Friday evening next. On that oc
casion there will be a celebration with ap
propriate exercises over the happy out
come of the debt-paying campaign. Bish
op Cranston Is expected to be present and
take part.
WILCOX AND HIS REVOLUTIONS
Picturesque Career of HaTrall's
Delegate to Congress.
Chicago Record.
The first Territorial Delegate to Con
gress elected by Hawaii Is Robert W.
Wilcox, who was the Independent Home
Rule candidate for that office. The fact
that Wilcox Is himself a part Hawaiian,
long identified with the former Queen's
efforts to regain the throne, and that by
appealing to Hawaiian voters he was
elected over the Republican and Demo
cratic candidates, who also were half
castes, proves the strength of the native
Hawaiian sentiment in the islands.
Wilcox will be a nlcturesoue Amir in
Congress. His career has been spectacu
lar. As one of the leaders among the na
tives he was a member of the Hawaiian
Legislature in 1SS0, and a strong support
er 01 .tung Jvaiakaua when the notorious
Celso Caesar Moreno was running his me
teoric course as chief adviser of the Klne.
When Moreno fell from power, Wilcox
went with him to Italy as one of the
young Hawallans sent there by the King
to oe educated. In 1SS7 he returned from
Italy with one of his fellow-students, to
find the Gibson-Moreno regime at an end,
the government running In a more re
sponsible fashion, with the King under
some restraint, and the high positions
which the travelers had expected to fill
not waiting for them.
A conspiracy which the students shared
with the King's sister, the then Princess
Lllluokalani, looking to a return of the
old regime and the abdication of the
IClng, was detected when it had reached
a critical stage, and Wilcox was permit
ted to leave the Islands for California.
In 1SS9 he returned to Honolulu and re
sumed revolution-building. Before day
light July SO. with 1E0 armed followers.
he marched irom the home of the Prin
cess against the King's government and
occupied the palace grounds and the gov
ernment buildings. They placed four field
pieces around the palace. Government
troops attacked them, and during the day
and night which followed, a hot battle
was fought. Wilcox and his revolution
ists finally surrendered, after a loss of
7 killed and 12 wounded. He was after
ward acquitted by a native jury.
Three years later Wilcox was again at
the fore with a secret league whose pur
poses were not very well defined, except
that the members seemed to want an out
let for a conspiracy against something.
After a short life the league was broken
up by the arrest of the principal mem
bers for treason, but all were ultimately
discharged upon trial. From that time on
Wilcox was conspicuous as a leader in
native politics, but not until the disturb
ance of January, 1895. which attempted to
overthrow the provisional government
and restore Lllluokalani to the throne,
did he share in armed hostilities. He was
a leader in that insurrection, and the
night battle at Waikiki, but was captured
a week later after the affair had proved
a failure. He was put on trial for trea
son and pleaded guilty before a military
commission, whereupon he was sentenced
to 35 years at hard labor and a fine of
$10,000. In the plan of government drawn
up before the outbreak by the former
Queen and her conspirators he appeared
as the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Two months later his sentence was re
duced to 20 years' imprisonment, as was
that ot the other leaders, and one year
later all the prisoners were released, sub
ject to a measure of surveillance. This
was January 1. 1S9S. Now Wilcox is the
Hawaiian Territorial Delegate to Con
gress. Joloan Weapons.
The favorite Joloan weapons are the
kris, the barong and the campilan, says
a writer in the "Outlook. The kris Is
sometimes straight, sometimes serpentine,
and again wavy, from hilt to point, but in
all cases it Is a double-edged sword with
a hilt of carved wood, sliver or ivory.
The barong, though similarly hllted, is
a short, heavy blade, almost oval In
shape, edged only on one side, and ter
minates in a sharp point. The blade of
the campilan, on the other hand, Is un
usually long, and broadens toward the
end; its handle "s invariably of wood, gro
tesquely carved and ornamented with
dyed horsehair and small balls. All these
and other Philippine knives are guarded
by wooden scabbards, occasionally inlaid
with other woods or banded with silver;
and all are kept faultlessly bright and
keen. The blades, too, are often inlaid
with silver and gold. The Moro Is ex
ceedingly proud of his arms; his kris, or
whatever his favorite weapon may be, is
ever at his side, whether he be fishing,
working afield or resting in the "bosom of
his family"; and at night It lies un
sheathed at his hand. -One swift, well
directed blow from either kris or barong
will halve a man orjjend his head o-roU-
I
M&t.
i
s:
swm
HEiTKEMPER CO.
286 MORRISON ST.
OBLIGED TO BE CAREEI
JLS.XOR ROWE GETS A LETTEJ
FROM HIM AS WELL AS HER.
He Unconsciously Becomes Refcre
In a Weddlnsr Match Between Tyrol
Lone-Distance Strangers.
Mayor Rowa mw tvi i
The Oregonlan is certain to brings a r
wv...w cli mien me person Inquire
after is a dead m.an. a f. .,... J
he inquired through The Oregonlan fd
uuc wm iuomas wnite," who had n
been heard from bv h roinH.., nl
East for 20 years. He has already rd
elv.cd mformation about two "Old Toi
Whites." both of whom n ,.. i-. J
them used to be a scowdweller at thl
iiuiui D.au, ana asea last August, Ieavinl
enough property to give him decerit burls!
wue nr cemetery. The other, wfc
was well known all over Central Cal
"""" as urn xom wmte," died In Sant
yruz, uai.. last year, and. as the I
formant states, his present address
rather enigmatical. The friends of thl
uepariea one can chose which ever thej
juease ot ine two as their relative.
William Van Laar. whn c innni..
for at the same time, presented himsell
at the Mayor's office n. flar r tvn J
and resented the intimation that he waj
ueaa. tie saia tnat after money had beel
sent him to jro home. h -was t.iVpn sfi
and went to the hospital, and when hd
sou wen nis money was an gone anc
ne nad to work to earn more. As he
had a blacic eye and a bruised face anc
his arm in a sllnsr. the Mavor tA .
that he would write to the brother lnl
quiring alter him that he was not deadj
Dut naa Decn arunK and in a row anc
had cot all beaten lin. HV ohipotori -wT-t
strongly to this, saying that he was nos
a drinking man and that h hnrKnB7?
injured in a railroad accident In the ter-j
mmai grounds wnere ne had been work-j
Ing. On inaulrv It was IparnAfl thnf th!J
statement was true, and the Mayor wli
cnange nis letter accordingly.
Such Incidents as these are the ea
ones tne jaayor has to deal with,
there are others, as for Instance-
other day he got a letter from a wld
wno had received a proposal of mar
from a former citizen of Portland.
who wished to be Informed In strict j
dence what kind of a character andj
tation the object of her affectlonL tvJJ
borne in his former residence. Th j
mattera were looKea into -ana tne aia;
was ready to write his answer wl tl
he received a letter from the man, wh
he had never known, asking that he t
given a good send-off to the widow, a j
lunoer assinj mat a. copy oj: tne Tei
to the widow be forwarded to him. The!
upon the reply was modified and ma
pnlnr7s. Anri harmless fnr nnn fa-nr
ttn tnn far tn rtpnHntr with mrVi matt.
as love affairs, people's reputations, etd
wunout taKing desperate cnances. tz
might be suggested that when a. woman
writes to any one for information In re
gard to a man's character it would b
just as well that she should not let thi
man know to whom she had written.
Chamfort's Maxims.
The Eagle and the Serpent.
Intelligent people make many blunders
because they never believe the world ai
stupid as it is.
Love pleases more than marriage foe
the reason that romance Is more Interest
ing than history, .
You run the risk of belnff disgusted it
you pry Into the processes of cookery,
government or justice.
A bright woman told me once thatwhent
choosing a sweetheart "a woman pays
more regard to what other women say
about the man of her choice than to her
own opinion of him.
When a man has been tormented anc!
fatigued by his sensitiveness, he learns
that he must live from day to day, forget
all that is possible, and efface his Ufa
from memory as it passes.
Suit the people, because they are Urea,
of bitter doses, with the pain and griping
that usually follow. Carter's Little Uvee
Pills. One pill a dose.
People who suffered with rheumatism
have taken Hood's Sarsaparilla and found
lasting relief.
TOYS
A, great assortment in Santa Claus
headquarters for Portland.
RVii- the Vinv w have lust what the
always appreciate iron toys, games, ball
alrguns, novelties, etc
For the girls wo have a great
of dolls, all sizes and prices, doll be
Iron beds, etc
ANDREW KAN
Cor. Fourth sad Merrlaon
TrDejt, 2d Floer. TsJce Elev