Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 9, 1901)
WJBNIfcgsTWT! WU'if i j " '9i' pppwww THE MOBNING OKEGONIAN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 190!. u ll'tpPiPBWP,WPWppW FACING BIG DEFICIT City's Probable Income and Expense for 1901. RECEIPTS TO BE $88,000 SHORT In These Figure So Account Is Taken of Emergencies History at the Present Citr Tax Limit of Eight Mills. Every citizen of Portland Is painfully aware of the fact that for some time the reenues of the city from all sources have not been nearly enough to pay the expenses of the various departments, and that an effort Is to be made to have, the approaching legislature grant relief to enable the city to secure funds to pay legitimate expenses. Many, however, do not understand exactly how this unde sirable state of affairs was brought about. They see the effects of It In the cutting down of the police department and the unpaid bills of the reduced force; In the lack of necessary appliances for the fire department. In the shrunken condition of the street-cjeaning department, -and lack of funds for repair of streets and bridges, but how and by whom and for what rea son all this trouble arid loss to the city was brought about many do not under stand. For several years prior to 1898 there was a very general Impression that the city Income was being squandered by the Council and officials. A new charter was prepared Hon. Joseph Simon and Auditor Gambell being principally responsible for It which was intended to prevent any waste or squandering of city funds In the future. It fixed the levy for city pur poses at 8 mills, which would, at the then assessed valuation of city property ($39, $00,000). have yielded ample revenue for the city's expenses. This charter was passed by the extra session of the Legis lature in 1898, when Mr. Simon was elected United States Senator. Some say that the part Mr. Simon had in getting up the charter and getting it passed helped slightly to elect him Sen ator, and others say that the part Audi tor Gambell took In the matter, besides placing him on the Board of Public Works created by the new charter, was intended to perpetuate him in office. If so, It failed completely. Everything would have gone along smoothly, and the 8-mlll levy would have furnished all the money needed to run the departments of the city and pay Interest on bonded Indebtedness, but the framers of the charter had not taken into account the Assessor, Mr. Greenleaf. Greenleaf had filled the office of As sessor for six years, and he wished to perpetuate himself in office. He also was affiliated with a political faction which had opposed the election of Senator Si mon, and he reduced the assessed valua tion of city property from $39,800,000 to about 3.000.000. He said he did this on his own judgment, but as there was no reasonable excuse for the reduction, some said he did it to show the foolishness of the charter-framers in fixing the levy at S mills. Others said It was done out of pure "cussedness," and with the sole ob ject of securing his re-election to the of fice of Assessor. Anyway, he did It, and with an assessed valuation of $29,000,000 and a fixed levy of 8 mills there was not revenue enough to pay city expenses, and there has been nothing but pinching econ omy In every department ever since. Everything has been wearing out, and e cry department going behind ever since. AVlth all the means employed to in crease the city's revenues, the receipts for the current year from all sources will Tall short of the expenses by about $88,000, l nles the Legislature affords some relief. The following estimates of the revenue and expenses of the city for the current j ear will show what the deficit is likely to be, allowing that no addition Is made to. the revenues of the. different depart ments: Estlmntcd Receipts for 1001. General fund Aai!able balance Jan. 1, 1901.. J 47,688 86 Estimated receipts General licenses $ 47,995 00 Saloon licenses 115.S0O 00 Vehicle licenses 6,150 00 Delinquent taxes 2,500 00 Dog licenses 6,850 00 Pound fees 1,250 00 Rent. City Hall and block 132 2,000 00 Engineering, advertis ing, etc 4,000 00 Fines, Municipal Court 3,000 00 Miscellaneous expenses 2,375 00 Promium on bonds 2,000 00 $193,920 00 Total $241.60S 8ft Estimated Expenses. Estimate of expenses of government for the year 1901, and of deficiencies and obli gations for which no provision is made by general taxation: Mayor's salary and of fice expense $ 3,050 00 Auditor's department.. 10.080 00 City Treasurer's De partment 3,900 00 City Attorney's Depart ment 6,420 00 City Engineer's De partment 27,027 00 Municipal Court 3,000 00 Inspector of plumbing and drainage depart ment 2.100 00 City pound 3,053 00 Health department, City Phjslcian. con tagious diseases and indigent sick 6.503 00 Harbormaster and har bor police 1,200 00 Street - cleaning and Sprinkling depart ment 34,095 00 City Hall, janitors, fHel, light, etc 5,000 00 Garbage crematory.... 4,950 00 Printing municipal re port 39100 Advertising 3,645 00 Blanks and btenk books, orders, etc.... 2,870 00 lmpro ement Main street, Third to Fourth 4.000 00 Street and sewer as sessments, city prop erty 1.SO0 00 Tay of viewers 259 00 License tags 500 00 ReHef of certain per wms 1,475 00 General expense of litigation 3,200 00 insurance COO 00 Miscellaneous 3,000 00 Repairs to city barn.... GOO 005132,706 00 Deficiencies and obligations of 1900 Warrant, March 10, 1900. to satisfy judg ment $12,192 90 One ear's Interest on above at 6 per cent.. 726 72 Light claims unpaid.. 10.830 06 Police claims unpaid.. 14.96S 22$ 3S.627 90 Deficiencies and obligations of 1901 Interest on bonded debt $53,902 00 iire Department 21.821 35 Police Depatment 15,241 75 Lights 11.54125 Bonds due May 1. 1901. 56,500 00 $159,006 35 Total Total goneral fund re ceipts 5330.340 25 5241.608 S6 Deficiency $ SS.731 89 The estimated revenues j)f the general fund are large, and Include every possible revenue. Its balance Includes the fines from the Municipal Court, which cannot be considered a permanent income. It forms part of the resources of this year, but the resources for future years will in nil probability be less by this amount. The foregoing estimate of expenditures does not provide for any increase in the street-cleaning department. The equip ment of this department is now exceed ingly poor, the carts need repairs, new power brooms are a necessity, and many of the horses are old -and worn out. The estimate of the Board of Public Works for this department .for the year Is $50, 322, which la- low, considering the condi tion of affairs. Contingencies. The foregoing estimate of expenditures makes no provision for street repairs be yond the -income from the U. mill tax. Few citizens realize the condition of the elevated roadways and bridges of this ity. These structures were built in a period of good times from 1890 to the end of 1893. They are decaying now very rap Idly, a number of them are now closed up, and If made at all serviceable, will re quire a large expenditure during this year. The cost of ordinary repairs can be es timated by any member of the Taxpayers' League who has given the subject at tention. The estimate of deficiencies in the fire and police department funds does not pro vide for any Increase liithe service this year. Nor does it provide for any pur chase of new equipment, which in the fire department Is very essential. The esti mate of this department is for $102,000, which would include the purchase of two new engines and the establishment of a company near the lumber mills in the north end of the city. It must also be remembered that there are suits pending against the city known as the firemen's cases, involving between $60,000 and $70,000 and Interest. A case similar to these has been decided against the city In the Supreme Court, and the City Attorney offers little hope in the cases now pending. In the estimated expenditures no esti mate Is made for extraordinary expenses, such as judgment against the city or for sewer breakages and overflows, which are liable to occur at any time and. must be promptly met. A break in a sewer like the Tanner Creek, Johnson Creek or Mar quam Gulch is always serious. AT THE POULTRY SHOW. Ladles Admitted Free This After noon Farther Awards. Today will be ladles' day at the state poultry show. Second and Yamhill streets. and all ladles will be admitted free from 2 to 5 P. M. An incubator will be hatch ing throughout the day. Following Is the remaining list of awards: Buff Orpingtons. First cockerel Fenwlck Bros. First pullet, Fenwlck Bros. Second pullet, Feimlck Bros. lOondlkes. First cockerel, "W. O Kent. Second cockerel, D. B. Baker. First pullet, TV. G. Kent. Second pullet, D. B. Baker. Third pullet, W. G. Kent. Pet Games. First cock, C E. Ramsby. Second cock, Gearge Fisher. Third cock, George Fisher. First hen. George Fisher. Second hen, George Fisher. Third hen. George Fisher First cockerel. George Fisher. Second cockerel, George Fisher. Third cockerel, George Fisher. ' First pullet, George Fiher. Second pullet George Fisher. Third pullet, George Fisher. Special Premiums. Largest and best display First prize, Fenwlck Bros. Second prize, A. K. Aufranc Third prize. Powers &. Fankhaurer. Best pen, American class. New York Stock Farm 180 1-16 Best pen. Asiatic class, Fenwlck Bros. 188 0-10 Best pen, Mediterranean class, Powers & Fankhauser 1874 Best solid rolor, male, Fenwlck Bros , Black Langshan cock 944 Best solid color female. New York Stock Farm. White "Wyandotte pullet; N. L. Wiley. Black Minorca pullet tie 05y Best partl-colored mal, Fenwlck Bros , Barred Plymouth Rock cockerel 92J4 Best partl-colored female, Fenwlck Bros., Barred Flj mouth Rock pullet 93 Highest scoring bird, mal or female. New York Stock Farm, White Wjandotte pul let: B Lee Paget. White Wjandotte pul let; N. L. Wiley, Black Minorca pullet tie 9514 Best pair of ducks, H. R. Wlnchell 105W Best pair of turkejs. Dug Wosson 193,i Not ice Class. Best pen American class, New York Stock Farm, White Plj mouth Rock 180 1-16 Best pen Asiatic class, Mrs. C. E. Young, White Cochins 174 Highest scoring bird, N. L Wiley, Black Minorca pullet 03J4 Largest number of first premium birds, Mrs C E Young. Best 12 white eggs, Mrs J. Johnson. Best 12 brown eggs, J. C. Murray. TweHe heaviest eggs, Mrs. J Johnson. Bell cup, for 10 highest scoring birds, Asl. atlc class. Fenwlck Bros , Black Lang- shans 9324 Page trophy, tray, for 10 highest scoring birds, American class. Mount Hood Poul try Farm, White Wjandottes 025 Belgian Hares. Class 1 First Puck. F. L Washburn 92 Second buck, J. C Howard 80 First doe, F. L. Washburn 94 Second doe. Dr. E. E. Cawood 94 Class 3 First buck. E McCoy 92 Second buck. John Almeter 8b First doe, F. L. Washburn t4 Second doe. H. C. Schellhouse 91"K Third doe, John Almeter 83 Class G First buck. Dr. E. L. Lane 93 Second buck, Los Angeles Belgian Hare Co 924 Third buck, F. L Washburn 02 First doe, Dr E E Cawood 9J Second doe. Dr. E. L Lane 92 Third doe. Dr. E L. Lane 90 Class 0 Second buck. Belmont Ttabbltry 88 First doe, Belmont Rabbltry 92 Second doe, Los Angeles Belgian Hare Co .91 Clas 7 First buck. Dr. E. L Lane 91 First doe. Dr. E L Lane 92 Class 8 Doe and litter. Dr. E. L. Lane 91 EXPENSIVE RIGHT OF WAY. Price Paid for Boat Railway Site That Never Will Be. Used. .Now that Congress has done aay with the boat railway project at The Dalles, tho land purchased for a right of way for the railway will probably revert to the original owners, as the Government will have no use on earth for it, and the owners will probably wait a long time before they find it worth what they want ed the Government to pay for It. When It is understood that the boat railway scheme was doomed from the start, as every United States Engineer who had anything to do with It reported adversely to It, It seems remarkable that such desperate efforts were made to cinch the Government In the sale of ground for the right of way. The amount of money paid by the Government on the land was not large. The Dalles Packing Company received a little over $2000: "William Ml chell received something over $600, and I. H. Taffe something over $1200 but unfor tunately he was found guilty of attempt ing to bribe the jury in his case, and was fined $1000. Seufert Bros, made a desperate struggle to secure a large sum for their land, but were finally awarded $9000, about one-fifth of what they wanted. They refused to accept the money, and it has been lying in the registry of the United States Court ever since. Now that the Government has no use for the land, it Is scarcely probable that the $9000 will be paid over to Seufert Bros., but they w ill have the land. Perhaps other parties who had to accept less for their land than they thought It was worth may be gladto pay back the money and get a title To the land again. IN A HURRY TO REACH KANE? SPO- Then why not take the Flyer? Leaves Portland 6 P.M. Arrives Spokane 9 A. M. Palace and tourist sleepers as well as chair cars on all trains. Meals served a la carte. The shortest line to the Palouse country, also to Lewiston. Call at O. R. & N. ticket office, SO Third street, for folder. HAWAII AND JAPAN. The most delightful tours to Hawaii and Japan are arranged by Thomas Cook & Son, 621 Market .street, San Francisco. Write for programmes. Van Camp's Soups, 10c. TO COLLECT TAXES Senator Sweek's Bill to Re form Present-System. PAY IN MAY. AND NOVEMBER Deduction Allowed for Prompt Set tlement, and Heavy Penalties for Delinquency County Treasurer to Be Tax Collector. Reformation of the method of collect ing taxes will be the purpose of a bill which Senatot Alex Sweek, of Multno mah, will Introduce In the Legislature. The measure is said to have tho approval of a number of persons identified with the Taxpayers' League. It has not yet been put In the form In which. It will be presented, but The Oregonian was able jesterday to obtain, from Judge Sweek and others, a summary of its principal provisions. These are: Assessor's book to be the tax roll, and to bo a permanent record In the custody of the County Treasurer. County Treasurer to be the tax collector. Abolition of the present system of advertis ing and sale. Deductions to be allowed If taxes are paid before a certain time, and penalties to be en forced for delinquency. Certificate of delinquency to Issue when the tax has been delinquent 00 days Taxes to be uncollectable unless collected within fle years after they are due. Payment of taxes twice a year. Tax to be a Hen on the property, and to be foreclosed by suit in the State Circuit Court. Senator Sweek's bill provides fop only one copy of m the tax-roll. This will be the assessment roll of the County Asses sor, and It will answer for all purposes. The form of the roll will not be materially changed, except that It will be ruled for columns for extending the tax, noting de linquency, issue of tax certificate, fore- ' closure of Hen, and redemption. When the assessment roll has been finally made up It will be delivered to the County Treasurer, Its permanent custodian and tax collector. Under the present system the Sheriff collects the taxes and pays them to the Treasurer. In Multnomah County the Clerk of the County Court, and in all oher counties the County Clerk, is the final custodian of'the roll. When the tax is levied it becomes a Hen on the property. One-half the tax may be paid by May 31 and the other half by November 30 There is encour agement for prompt settlement with the county, and penalty for delinquency. If the whole amount be paid on or before March 15, a reduction of 3 per cent will be allowed. If no part of the tax is paid by May 31, the whole amount becomes de linquent June 1. If one part is paid by May 31 and the second part is not paid by November 30, the unpaid portion be comes delinquent as of June 1. When the tax has been delinquent 90 days, the Treasurer may issue to any person who will pay to him the amount due a certificate of delinquency. No for mal nroceedlne: is necessary to eet this 'certificate. For example. If a tax of $100 on a piece of property should be delin quent for 90 days, the first person who should pay the Treasurer $100 would be entitled to a certificate of delinquency covering the property in question. But before the certificate may be issued the Treasurer must send notice by mall to the taxpayer to his address warning him of his delinquency. This notice must be sent within the last 60 days of the 90-day period following the date of delinquency, and not less than 30 days before the time at which a certificate may issue. To fa cilitate this work, which Is a matter of great nicety, the Treasurer is required to make an alphabetical list of all taxpay ers and their addresses. When the tax becomes delinquent a penalty of 5 per cent accrues at once to the county. Both the tax Hen and the certificate of delinquency bear Interest at the rate of 12 per cent per annum While the tax lien is vested In the county, the Treasurer collects the interest and disburses it to the municipality, or school district in which the property is situated. After the certificate of delinquency has been Issued, the interest becomes the property of the certificate-holder. If a certificate of delinquency should prove to be invalid because of any act or omis sion of any officer, the county will reim burse the holder to the extent of the amount he paid, together with 6 per cent Interest. In errors of this kind the coun ty's Hen on the property Is preserved, and the following jear the real owner of the property which has been returned as delinquent will pay the tax due, together with 6 per cent Interest. To illustrate: If one of several lots owned by John Smith should be assessed to John Jones, it would be quite natural for Smith, in paying bis taxes, to overlook payment on that particular lot. Jones, knowing the property not to be his, would not pay. In that event a certificate of delinquency would be issued to a third party. The proceedings being irregular, no title would pass to the third party. For this error of the Assessor, the county would return to the third party the cost of the delin quency certificate and G per cent. The next year Smith would pay the amount of the tax and 6 per cent. The tax, being a Hen on the property, may be foreclosed as other Hens are fore closedby suit In equity in the State Cir cuit Court, When the suit has been filed, the Sheriff will serve the delinquent in MMHMtMMMMMHMMtMIM Oregon Volunteers' Monument Fund. Heretofore reported $12,016 CO From entertainment given by children at residence of O. R. Holmes, November 16 4 - $ 2 95 Sale of buttons through General O. Summers (additional to $1400 previously reported) 400 00$ 402 95 Total the same manner as service is made in civil and equity causes. If the delinquent is a non-resident, there must be publica tion of summons. A decree of foreclosure having been rendered, the order of sale will be delivered to the County Treasurer, who will sell the smallest portion of the land for which any blddor will offer the amount of the tax. The bill provides that no tax deed shall be valid unless the owner of the property has been le gally served and had his day in court. Explaining the bill to an Oregonian re porter yesterday afternoon, Judge Sweek said that the object Is to collect the taxes at the lowest possible cost, upon easy terms to the taxpayer, and to put In one set of books the full statement of the county's transactions with each taxpayer. Just as a merchant's ledger shows how he stands with his customers. "Ask a merchant how much you owe hlmv" said Judge Sweek, "and his bookkeeper turns to your accqunt In the ledger and tells you at once. Our aim Is to enact such a law for the -collection of taxes that the Treasurer will be enabled to tell at a glance how the county stands with each Individual taxpayer." Asked what notice the taxpayer would have of his delin quency If the present system of advertis ing were abolished. Judge Sweek said the fact that the tax roll was open and the taxes due, and the Treasurer ready to receive them, was sufficient notice. The object in allowing a deduction of 3 p"er cent on taxes" paid before March 15 is to encourage prompt payment, and the object of the heavy penalties Is to dls- courage delinquency. Authority to collect taxes and receipt for them, is taken from the Sheriff and given to the Treasurer for the purpose of making the Treasurer the permanent tax collector and custodian of the tax-roll. The roll will always be pen- If tho taxpayer wishes to settle after vellnanency, he may do so bypay ing the county 5 per cent penalty and Interest at the Tate of 12 ier cent per annum. If he wishes to settle after the certificate of delinquency has been Issued, he-anay do so with the Treasurer, paying tho principal, interest and -.penalty In volved. If he wishes to settle after fore, closure proceedings have begun, he may do so with the Treasurer. The bill pro vides that if taxes are not collected within five years after they are due, they shall not be collectable. In this period, Judge' Sweek says, the county has ample time to protect itself by sale by delin quency certificate and by foreclosure. The Sweek bill applies to the state at large. It will carry an emergency clause, and will. If enacted Into law, become effective this year. EAST SIDE MATTERS. Monnt Scott Motor Hanled Off and Housed for the Winter. At 12 o'clock Monday night the cars on the Mount Scott motor railway made their final trip, and then were pulled off that line and housed, for the present at least. This railway, which extends from Hawthorne avenue to Mount Scott, mainly along the Foster road, was con structed by a bonus from the property owners. The rolling stock has always consisted of a single engine and car, which were run in connection with the Haw thorne electric cars. It never paid even operating expenses, so It is said, but this was mainly for the reason it traverses much territory along which there are few If any houses. The route follows the Foster road for about two miles and then It makes a curve to the south and passes through tho Chicago tract, where there are a number of dwellings. The stopping of trips will be a serious matter to those depending on the cars to get to and from Portland. It was said yesterday that Mount Scott wpuld not long be without a car line connecting with Portland, and that steps would bo taken at once to get the City & Suburban Rail way Company to extend tho Woodstock branch straight through to Mount Scott, or at least to Chicago. Tho Woodstock branch ends near the schoolhouse on Woodstock avenue. From that point there Is a straight course along the well-settled district of Tremont Place and Tre mont through to Mount Scott, It Is not believed that the Mount Scott Railway will bo again operated over the present line. Tho ties are nearly all rotted away and the track would have to be generally reconstructed all the way through. It probably could not be made to pay over the present route, but would pay better If it were built along the old Mllwaukie road to Woodstock avenue and thence eastward. If reports are correct a move ment will be started very soon to ask for the extension of the City & Suburban Woodstock branch eastward. F. S. Morris, of Mdrrls & Whitehead, the new owner of the East Side Railway, said the track to Mount Scott was In such condition that it was positively danger ous to run trains. So the motor was dis continued for the double purpose of pro tecting passengers and the company. No conclusion had been reached as to the advisability of renewing the ties and rails and re-establishing a service. East Bnrnslde Street Improvement. Joseph Burkhard, owner of the Burk hard building, on East Burnslde street, writes his agent, H. H. Newhall, that he Is favorable to any first-class Improve ment for that street He says he hopes that the preliminaries may" be forwarded at once so the work may be started and completed In the Spring. The petition for the Improvement by vitrified brick Is be ing circulated but It is not yet known whether enough signatures of property owners will be secured or not to make It go. An effort Is making to have the street paved with brick from the bridge to East Ninth, If possible, and If not that far then to Grand avenue. While It Is conceded that brick is the best material the cost Is heavy at first. If the effort to Improve with brick bo not successful, then a petition calling for the Improve ment with crushed rock will be circulated, but tlls will not be done until all hope of securing brick has been abandoned. Neman Lodge Installation. Nomah Lodge, "Knights of Pythias, at Sunnyside, has elected and installed the following officers: Chancellor commander, E. L. Qulmby; vice-chancellor command er, T. J. Hlckey: M. at A., William T. Hammond; K. of R. and S., Charles Read; M. of F., J. H. Patterson; M. of Ex., George. W. Weatherly; P., Ira Routledge; I. G.. T. A. Evans; O. G., W. D. Palmer; M. W, Albert Tozier. J. E. Worth was installing officer. East Side Notes. Services are being held every evening at the Forbes Presbyterian Church, Up per Albina. Rev. J. V. Mulligan, mission ary, is doing the preaching. Good music is provided at the meetings. The regular monthly tea of the Ladles' Aid 'Society of the Forbes Presbyterian Church, Albina, will be held this after noon between 2 and 5 o'clock, at the home of Mrs. A. F. Nichols, 195 Russell street. Mrs. Henrietta C. Fuller, wife of A. A. Fuller, living at 23. East Fourteenth street, died yesterday after a short illness. She was well known on the East Side, whore sho had lived for a number of years. Her age Is 71 years. Mrs. M Johnson, whose father lives In Kenilworth, died yesterday at Good Sa maritan Hospital. She was a member of the Rebekah Degree order, I. O. O. F., of $12,419 55 Californla, and it Is expected that an East Side lodge will have charge of the funeral. The Sixth anniversary of the Sellwood Volunteer Fire Company will be held at Firemen's Hall, Friday evening next. Only members and invited guests will be pres ent. A programme will be rendered, fol lowed by refreshments and a social hop. The friends of Mrs. Gue, wife of Rev. G. W. Gue, D. D.t will regret to hear of her serious Illness at her home, 66 East Eighth street. She contracted the grip a few days ago, and her condition causes much concern. She cannot be seen by visitors. Miss Anna Schlelds. daughter of Casper Schields, living at 330 East Sixth street, accidentally took an overdose of carbolic acid Saturday evening, and narrowly es caped dying. She was found insensible in an upper room by her brother. He sum moned Dr.A. W. Moore and she was soon restored to consciousness. She had a se vere headache and took the dose by mis take. Her throat was considerably burned. A delegation of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, headed by Mrs. Llna M. Fisher, visited the Lyceum Theater, at Tacoma, Saturday evening, for the pur pose of securing evidence against the manager. It Is the first Sunday theater Tacoma has had since the Spring of 1899, when Mrs. Fisher and other women con ducted a crusade resulting in the-Courts shutting up all theaters in the city on Sunday 1 MARQUAMI 'GRAND "? . . . , ' "J .1 '' ' . ' . v t -t " I . I - - J - -J.-. . "The 4 I? HC - U ARTISTS r IN THE SEVERAL COURTS. Conflicting Testimony In a Salt for Steamboat Machinery. The time in Judge Bellinger's Court Yes terday was consumed in hearing a re markably conflicting lot of testimony In the case of George H. ItHner vs. the steamer Juneau. Kllner had a contract to put some new machinery Into the Ju neau, and claims that there is some $400 or thereabouts due him. The defendant alleges that he did not complete his work according to the specifications of the con tract, and witnesses on one side swear that the machinery did not work well; in fact, was 'practically worthless, while the witnesses on the other side swear that it worked all right and was good machin ery. There Is no escape from the con cluson that some of the witnesses are "mistaken." The evidence taken yester day Is not all in, aa a lot was taken while Judge Bellinger was away. The argument in the case will be made today if the day is long enough, and decision will doubt less be reached In time. Conrt Hotcn. John D. Koontz has commenced suit against Cora Koontz for a divorce, be cause of desertion, alleged to have oc curred August 27, 1899. They were married at Vancouver. Wash., June 26, 18S9. James Steel, of Portland, bookkeeper, yesterday filed a petition In bankruptcy In the United States Court. His liabil ities amount to over $500,000. His assets comprise some 50,000 shares of stock In various corporations and concerns, of the par value of $500,000, and of the actual value of $3250. The Title Guarantee & Trust Company has filed suit against Caleb A. Ayls worth In the State Circuit Court to quiet title to a certain tract of land purchased by the defendant at a delinquent tax sale. The land was assessed for $4600. The complaint sets forth various reasons why the assessment was null and void and should be canceled. The Title Guarantee & Trust Company, P. T. Smith, W. M. Killlngsworth, et al have begun suit In the State Circuit Court against Jane M. KIneth, C. W. Car ter et al., heirs of Thomas Carter, de ceased, to determine the ownership of a large number of lots and blocks In Point View addition. The plaintiffs ask that the defendants claim to the property be de clared null and void. Suit to recover $2500 insurance has been filed In the State Circuit Court by Annie Monk, administratrix of the estate of Jacob Reed, deceased, against the Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Company, of Cali fornia. According to the complaint. Reed took out a policy for $2500 in January, 1899, and accidentally came to his death at Seattle, Julv 5. 1900 nd b defendant lias failed to liquidate the claim. BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS. Contract of Street Lighting: Cannot Be Agreed on Other Matters. A meeting of the Board of Public Works was held yesterday, all the members be vIng present. City Engineer Chase reported that 20 persons had neglected to repair sidewalks when notified so to do, and he was or dered to proceed to make the repairs and assess the property for the cost thereof. Bids were opened for the improvement of East Oak street, from East Twelfth to East Sixteenth. Quite a number of bids were submitted. They were referred to the clerk to figure out and report the re sult at the next meeting. The committee on street lighting re ported having received a communication from the Portland General Electric Com pany in reply to a note sent by them, which was not entirely satisfactory. The board desires to contract for $42,000 worth of light, with the privilege of Increasing it to $53,000 worth if they can get the money. The company desires to make a contract for $53,000 worth of light, al lowing the board the privilege of reduc ing lights to bring the amount down to $42,000. From the consideration given the matter. It seems that the distinction is not without a difference of some kind. The committee on street railways, after considering the recent franchises granted the City &. Suburban Railway Company, found nothing wrong with thepa, except that Ihe license on cars had been fixed permanently. They thought this matter ought to have been left so that future Councils might readjust the license when necessary, but after talking , the matter over they decided this to be Impracti cable and approved the franchise. In accordance with a request from In Belle of New York" avc and Will Positively Tonight w viz t I terested property-owners, the matter of Improving Twenty-foprth street, from Glisan to Flanders, where it turns into the Cornell road, was laid over until further consideration can be given this engin eering puzzlle. City Engineer Chase submitted a report of all the employes in his department and the kind of work they are engaged In. An Inventory of all the property in the City Hall was submitted and referred to the committee on public buildings. L. L. Hawkins appeared before the board and requested that eight new cases be furnished for the City Museum. The board did not care to furnish the cases unless the expenditure was authorized by the Council. Mr. Hawkins also asked to be granted the use of the large committee-room In the southwest corner of the third story for museum purposes. He was given leave to place some show cases in the room temporarily, with the prospect of gaining complete possession If no one made any objections. DAILY CITY STATISTICS. Real Estate Transfers. Ciclly C. and D. F. Campbell to D. W. Price, two acres, N. B. Jines D. L. C, December 14 $1600 00 Lon Wllkerson to M. Jacobsen, lot 3, block 3, Market Street Addition, November 7, 1900 1.. 100 Samuel Baker and wife to Caroline Woermer, lots 6, 7, and 8, block 4, Mount Tabor Villa, January 5 650 00 Katie Larsen and husband to Cath erine Buchegger, lots 17 and 18, block S7, Sellwood, January 5 600 CO Katherine E. Franklin and Charles B. Franklin to Eva P. Steel, lot 16, block 48, Fulton Park, May 22, 1897 100 Rudolph Schmld and wife to R. B. Jones, lots 1 and 2, block 11, sub division Rivervlew Addition to Al bina, December 26 1000 00 Title Guarantee & Trust Company to W. T. Wiltshire, lot 7, block 9, Woodlawn, December 29 100 00 Title Guarantee & Trust Company to Fred Rehorst, lot 4, block 1, Elizabeth Irvine's Addition, Jan uary 7 100 P. H. Marlay to George W. Bates, lots 11 and 12, block 4. Railroad Shops Addition to Albina, Janu ary 7 '. 400 00 John S. Kocher to George W. Bates, lots 11 and 12, block 4, Railroad Shops Addition; also 20x90 on Williams -avenue, adjoining, Jan- ,1 uary 5 .. 100 Elizabeth Kocher to John S. Kocher lots 11 -and 12. block 4. Railroad Shops Addition; also lots 1 and 2, block 234, East Portland, Novem ber 11 1 00 Sheriff, for Portland University, to George H. Williams, lots 1, 2. 3, 4 and 5, block 140, University Park, December 28 (26 Sheriff, for Henry L. Lewis, to Mrs. N. Boatman, lots 9 and 11, block 3, Richmond, January 6 5 69 Sheriff, for T. Schmid to S. A. Mc DanlcL lot 4, block 3, East Mount Tabor. January 4 7 00 Sheriff, for S. Reichwein. to same, west 60 feet of east 95 feet lots 1 and 2, block 2, North Villa, Janu ary 5 4 90 Sheriff, for M. E. Clelland. to same, west 30 feet lots 1 and 2, block 2, N.orth Villa, January 5 7 62 Building Permit. M. Bradley, one and one-half story dwelling, Albina avenue, between Fremont and Beech, $1000. lilrth Return. December 15 Girl, to the wife of W1U iam R. Harris, 567 East Morrison. Contagions Diseases. Mamie Hudson, Woodlawn, measles. Mildred King, 439 East Twalfth street, scarlet fever. Hattle Hlldebrand, 863 Upshur street, diphtheria. Robert Sheehy, 413 East Tenth street, diphtheria. Arthur Dahlman, 357 Glisan street, measles. Death Returns. January 6 Lloyd B. Egbert, 30 years, 255 Fifth street; fracture of skull, acci dental. January 5-Caroline Durkhelmer, 72 years, 380 Eleventh street: apoplexy. January 6 Narclssa White Kinney, 46 years. 315 Twelfth street; apoplexy. InratttCr V ? tt-? jj HfltW- without m? 65 ARTISTS January 6 Samuel S. White, S3 yaars, 348 Fourth street; senile exhaustion. January 1 Anna Meder, 66 years, Will amette Station: cancer. January 6 Ann Jorvis, 72 years, Good Samaritan Hospital, asthenia. Harriaare) License. Robert Edward Lambert, 29, Emma May Ward, 18. Mortality la 1000. Health Commissioner Menefee yester day completed the mortality report of the city for tho year 1900, which shows that the number of deaths reported for the year was 909, as compared with 812 for the year 1299, and 863 for the year 1898. Following is a. tabulated statement of the number of deaths for each month of 1&C0, with sex and color: MOCNTTH. January ... February .. March April May f. June July August .... September October ... November . December . Total S09 535 1$74 341 5 63 COMING ATTRACTIONS. "Klnar RastHs" at Cordrays. "King Rastus," one of the highest and best of colored troupes, will be the at traction at Cordray's Theater next week, beginning Sunday night. The company numbers 35, and Includes such artists as Smart and Williams, Mai lory brothers and Brooks, Alberta Ormes, S. H. Dudley, Marlon Henry, Bailie Lee, and others. "King Rastus" is produced on a Broadway comic-opera scale of grandeur, and is one of the pretentious productions of the present season. There are more special vocal numbers introduced than In any comic opera writ ten. The singing department of this big organization is one of Its notable feat ures, and Includes two famous prima don nas. Among the comedians Billy Ker sands shows his genial countenance, and is making the hit of his career. "A Circus Girl." Beginning Sunday, January 13, and con tinutng all the week, including Saturday matinee, the Metropolitan Theater will offer "A. Circus Girl" with the samo strong supporting company that present ed it here the first part of this season. The play Is of the farce order, and abounds In ludicrous situations and witty lines. Russell A. Graham, Harry Sedley and Miss Maud Sutton still head the com pany. The sale of seats opens Thursday morning at 10 o'clock, and undoubtedly there will be big demand early in the week. Washington Industries. The Hoquiam shipyard has another large schooner to build the coming season. It will be similar to the Robert Dollar, which was built there last Summer. Efforts are being made by the Wash ington State Chapter, American Institute of Architects, to secure for the Douglas fir the same tests by the United States Government which have been applied to the Southern hard pine. The North Yakima Milling Company will soon put In machinery for Increasing the capacity of the mills to 250 barrels of flour dally. The mills now use about 40 carloads of grain a week. The ma jority of this comes from the Big Bend and Palouse countries of Eastern Wash ington. Or. Sanford's lilrer Invlsrorator. Th best Liver Medicine. A Veretable Cora tot Uwr Ilia, Biliousness Xadlcestion. Co&aUpfttloa. TA.aHtw .1. PhlnM. wmmM wV- m llT- i . kindly to Christianity If they realised that rou V can believe in it without practlelnc It. Puclc. (Mox&aocousE PURE! HEALTHFUL I! crgj;erseverywher A