THE MORNING OREGONLAN, FRIDAY. FEBRUARY 8, 1901.
AIDED THE LIBRARY
Daughters of Henry Failing
Give $25,050.
DEBT, REDUCED THIS MONTH
Receipts From Membership Does Far
Bcloiv the Expense of Famish-
Ing Books Unfavorable Phases
of Student Members.
At the annual meeting of the Portland
Library Association, the Rift of $25,050
from the daughters of the late Henry
Falling' was made public The president
reported that the average dues per mem
ber received during the year was 52 22,
while the cost was $3 53 per member. A
note of $22,500, with interest, was paid. A
recommendation was made that a separ
ate room be provided for etudent and
juvenile members.
President C. A, Dolph presided and read
his annual report, as follows:
President's Annual Report.
To the Members of the Library Associa
tion of Portland, Or.: Pursuant to the
provisions of the constitution, I submit
the following report of the operations of
the library for the year 1900 and the
financial condition of the association at
Che close of the year:
BOOKS.
At the beginning of the year the
number of books In the library, as
shown by the report of the libra
rian, submitted December 31, 1899,
was 27,364
Net accessions during the year, ex
clusive of the John Wilson bequest,
have been 1,427
"Wilson library bequeathed to the as
sociation 8,891
Total number of books Dec. 31, 1900..37.6S2
Six hundred and ninety-eight volumes
have been bound or rebound at an ex
pense of J3S6 94, and 3961 volumes have
been repaired in the library, making a
total number of books repaired during
the year of 4659.
MEMBERSHIP.
At the close of the year the member
ship of the association was as follows:
Student members 552
Regular subscribing members 437
Perpetual members 101
Honorary member 61
Total 1151
MEMBERSHIP DUES.
Receipts from dues for the year have
been $2,641 30, as against $2,643 11 for the
year 1899, $2,551 86 for the year 1898, and
$2,216 15 for the year 1897.
The average per member received for
membership dues during the year, based
upon the total membership, is $2 22, and
the average cost to the association per
member for attendance, light, heating,
repairs to books sent to the bindery and
incidental expenses, is $3 53, or $1 31 in ex
cess of the average dues received.
The number of books loaned during the
year was 57.895.
It does not appear to have been con
templated by the founders of the associa
tion that membership dues should be im
posed except so far as necessary to meet
disbursements for current expenses until
Buch time as the Income from the main
tenance fund created by voluntary con
tributions should be sufficient to cover
those disbursements.
There was an annual deficit In current
expenses until the year 1899; during which
year there was a surplus of income from
all sources applicable thereto of $431 S6;
and the question of further reducing mem
bership dues has since been under dis
cussion, and a special committee from
your board of directors has that matter
now under consideration.
CURRENT RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES
Receipts applicable to current expenses
for the year have been as follows:
Receipts
From dues $2641 36
From lines 2S5 13
Donations (Art Assn'.) 9 00
Maintenance fund S00 00
, Sundries 3 00 $3738 49
Disbursements
Salaries, librarian and staff.S2129 25
Car building, light and
fuel 1636 00
Insurance 217 50
PotRe. stationery and
advertising 161 07
"Water rates 63 00
Repair and miscellaneous
expenses 454 96 $4051 78
Deficit $ 313 29
As against a surplus of $431 S6 in 1S99, and
a dencK of $527 97 In 1E9S, $46 40 'in 1897,
SIMS 22 In ISM. and $2875 71 In 1S9S.
INCOME BOOK FUND.
The balance In this fund on De
cember 31, 1S8. was $ 373 82
Receipts during the year 1006 77
Total $22S0 59
Disbursed during year for
books and periodicals $1S5S 20
For binding, printing In
dexes, etc 646 96 $2505 16
Dcit $ 224 57
The classification of books and periodi
cals purchased and books loaned during
the year Is fully set forth In the elaborate
report of the librarian to the board of
directors, to which I invite your atten
tion. ELLA M. SMITH BEQUEST.
No part of the real property comprising
the residue of the estate of the late
Ella M. Smith, of which the association
Is the beneficiary, has been disposed of;
$1008 has been received from the admin
istrator on account of net Income during
the year. The condition and description
of this property remains, as stated in
detail in my last report.
Constituents of the various funds of the
association on December 31, 1900, were
as follows:
ROOK FUND.
Note of Charles Hegele. pavable to
H. W. Corbett, trustee, secured by
mortgage, interest at 7 per cent,
SayaWe quarterly, interest paid to
cteber 1. 1900 $17,000
Loaned to library building s.259
Present state of fund $25,259
MAINTENANCE FUND.
Note of J. R. McCraken. secured by
mortgage, dated December 22. 1900.
miorwi hi o per cent per annum,
payable quarterly j i.ooo
Cash 9t009
Loaned to library building 40,000
Present state of fund $50,000
HENRY FAILING BEQUEST.
Note of J. G. Woodworth, secured
by mortgage, dated April 22. lXtt.
interest from May 15, at 6 per cent
par annum, payable quarterly $ 7,000
Note of W. W. Plympton. secured
by mortgage, dated April 22. 1900,
interest al 6 per cent per annum,
payable quarterly 1.500
Note of J. R. McCraken. interest at
6 per cent, payable quarterly 1,500
Amount of bequests $10,000
JOHN WILSON BEQUEST.
Note of J. R. McCraken, secured by
mortgage, dated December 22, 190,
hterest at 6 per cent per annum.
payable quarterly $ 2,500
INDEBTEDNESS.
The Indebtedness of the association at
the beginning of the year was. exclusive
of amounts due from the building to the
maintenance and book funds, as fol
lows: Due en bills payable, principal $22,500 00
Accrued interest 1,800 00
Due on overdraft 3.O6O S2
Total $27,360 E2
During the year the outstanding note
of the association for $22,500 and interest
thereon was paid, and the only present
indebtedness of the association, exclusive
of the amounts due the maintenance and
book funds against which the Ella M.
Smith bequest Is an offset Is the over
draft at the First National Bank, amount
ing to $3347 85.
In my last report I ventured to ex
press the hope that during the year the
friends of the library might see their way
clear to contribute sufficient funds at least
to reduce the then indebtedness to an
amount not greater than the market value
of the real property held for the asso
ciation. In my judgment the property now
held by the administrator of the estate of
the late Ella M. Smith for use of t.ie
association is equal In value to the ag
gregate amount due the maintenance
fund, the book fund and the amount of
overdraft.
JOHN WILSON BEQUEST.
John Wilson, a pioneer merchant of
Portland, and for many years one of Its
most respected citizens, died September
15, 1900. Mr. Wilson was a man of edu
cation and refinement, and had devoted
much time and money to the acquisition
of well-selected books and valuable manu
scripts, all of which, together with the
sum of $2500. he by last will and testament
gave to the association, upon the trusts
indicated by item 5 of his will, which is
as follows:
Sec. 0. I give and bequeath to "The Library
Association of Portland," of -which Henry Falling-
is now president, my library of printed
books, ancient manuscripts on vellum and on
paper, books of plates, atlases and maps, etc,
now amounting to over 8000 volumes, as per
my Invoice of books, which should go with
them. Said books to be used as a free refer
ence library for use of the citizens of Port
land and such other persons as the board of
directors of said library association may admit
to Us privileges, and under such rules and
regulations as they may devise for its man
agement and preservation. The books must be
used in the building and In no case be taken
therefrom except for repairs or for re-blnd-lng.
I also give to the said "Library Associa
tion," provided they can use the same, the two
black-walnut cases, lettered "A" and "B" and
located In my east library room, and the three
book cases lettered "C," "D" and "E," lo
cated In the west library room, and the two
book cases "F" and "O," In my north library
room. And, whereas, a free reading room can
not be maintained without funds to support it,
I Klve and devise to the said "Library Asso
ciation" of Portland the sum of $2500 in U. S.
gold coin, to be paid after all my debts and
legacies have been paid. The said sum of
$2500 shall be considered as a debt to the said
Library Association and shall draw Interest
from the first of the month -following the pay
ment of my mortgage debt to Balfour, Guthrie
& Co.. at the rate of 7 per cent per year, and
shall be a Hen on lot 5 and the south half of
lot 6. In block 48, and on lots 2 and 7 In
block 49 until paid. It Is my Intention that
this sum be paid from the net Income of my
estate as a whole. The profits or Interest of
this money only Is to be used, and the sum
to be held as an Irreducible fund for the sup
port or payment of the expenses necessary to
conduct the library.
In an elaborate and Interesting descrip
tion of this collection published In The
Sunday Oregonlan, of March 27 189S, It
Is said:
Here are many books that formerly belonged
to persons of note, whose book-plate or auto
graph may be found In them; among these
may be mentioned Isaac Newton, William
Penn, Samuel Rogers, the poet, and Horace
Walpolc. . . . Among the fine specimens of
early printed books is the Guttcnberg Chron
icle, by no means the oldest In the collection,
though It bears so early a date 1493. . . .
Here Is another old volume of far greater In
terest to collectors of Americana. It Is one of
the first universal geographies published In
modern times. . . . Originally It was pub
lished In Latin In 1544. . . . Passing over
the many fascinating volumes of voyage and
travel, attention Is directed to the rich treas
ures devoted to art. These sumptuous plates
and precious altas folios constitute a very Im
portant and valuable part of the library.
. . There are scores of other art books of
marvelous beauty and value, together with a
complete collection of English poets that form
a library In themselves.
Acceptance of the trusts imposed by
this munificent bequest imposes upon the
association not only the expense of pro
viding suitable apartments for this col
lection and the accommodation of those
using it, with the salary of at least one
additional attendant, but also the em
ployment of a catalogulst to arrange and
classify the books and to put them In po
sition for ready reference.
To the end that the general public may
be admitted to the use of this valuable
addition to the library at the earliest
practicable moment the cost of properly
cataloguing the books, estimated at $1100,
has been subscribed by six members of
your board of directors, and the library
committee has been authorized to em
ploy a suitable person to perform that
service.
DONATIONS.
October 22, 1900, the association received
from Miss Falling, Miss Mary F. Failing
and Mrs. Emily Falling Cabell, daugh
ters of the late Henry Falling, a donation
of $25,050, with which the note of the
association held by the Security Savings
& Trust Company was paid, the trust
company generously reducing the rate of
unpaid interest to 6 per cent per annum.
By the liberality of these donors the
association Is now substantially relieved
from interest charges, a condition exist
ing for the first time since the erection of
the Library building.
The association has also received dur
ing the year gifts of books, periodicals and
pamphlets, exceeding in number and value
like donations received In any former
year; a list of which, with the names of
the donors, will be found In an appendix
to the report of the librarian.
For these evidences of continued friend
liness and support grateful acknowledge
ment is made In your behalf.
ADDITIONAL READING-ROOMS.
The congested condition of the alcoves,
referred to In the report of the librarian,
suggests the necessity of additional reading-rooms.
This matter. In connection
with that of providing suitable rooms for
the accommodation and use of the Wil
son Library, is now being considered by
your board of directors, and I trust the
library committee will soon be able to
recommend some plan by which the in
conveniences complained of will be mitl.
gated, if not entirely overcome.
It Is apparent, however, that the pres
ent Income applicable to current expenses
is under the most economical arrange
ment which can be devised insufficient to
give the patrons of the association such
attention and accommodations as your
board of directors are anxious to accord
to them. Respectfully submitted.
C. A. DOLPH.
President.
Librarian's Report.
To the Directors of the Library Asso
ciation of Portland: I have the honor
to submit the annual report of the libra
rian for the year 1900, the 37th year of its
existence.
BOOKS.
There were 1463 volumes added, exclu
sive of the John Wilson bequest, as fol
lows: By purchase 1103
By donation 314
By binding 46
Total accessions 1463
Deductions
Defective volumes discarded 15
Lost and paid for 8
Missing volumes 13
Total deduction
Net increase
36
1427
Add volumes on hand Jan, 31. 1899 27,364
Volumes on hand Dec 31, 1900 2S.791
The year's accessions are classified as
follows:
General works ...lOTlFine arts 16
Philosophy 19 Fiction 549
Religion 21 History :.... 59
Socio-.ogy 119 Biography 78
Language and lit- Travel 66
erature 124 Congressional doc
Science 40 uments 237
Useful arts 2S
They are distributed as follows:
General circulating department '. 1040
Juvenile , 84
Reference 1... 85
Oregon .... . ....... 17
Congressional documents 237
Total ;.1463
BINDING.
The cost of binding and reblnding was
$359 94, as follows:
Rebound in old cases 414
Rebound in new cases 233
Bound for the first time 51
Books repaired in the library 3961
PERIODICALS.
.The cost of the periodicals for the year
was $449 53. Through the courtesy of the
publishers of the Pacific Northwest, we
have received 61 files of newspapers and
magazines free of charge, in addition to
29 library bulletins and periodicals from
other sources.
There were 2419 magazines circulated as
books in 1900, 2411 in 1899. and 2266 In 189S.
We are still In great need of a complete
file of periodicals listed In "Poole's" and
in the "Cumulative" indexes. It was the
intention to supply these deftclences the
past year, but extraordinary demands
upon the book fund made it Impossible.
The lower rate of Interest now prevailing
makes it imperative that this fund should
be at least doubled If the high standard
of other libraries be maintained or even
approached.
GIFTS.
In "appendix B" will oe found a list
of donors and donations. In comparison,
it will be found that the aggregate num
ber of gifts was largely In excess of other
years. There were sent us three maps,
322 volumes, 450 pamphlets and 921 issues
of periodicals, exclusive of those found
under "appendix C." There is not space
to make individual mention here, but note
ehould be made of the generosity of Mr.
H. L. Plttock, who has continued sending
us bound volumes of The Oregonlan, and
Mr. Melville Dewey, of the New York
State Library School, who has sent us
much valuable material from that insti
tution CIRCULATION.
There were 57,895 volumes circulated In
the year, classified as follows:
Pr. Ct
Fiction and juveniles 44.S07 77.4
Language and literature 2,257 4.0
Periodicals 2,419 4.2
History 1.8SS 3.2
Travel 1,465 2.4
Biography 1,385 2.4
Sociology 1,048 1.8
Fine arts 74S 1.3
Science 616 1.1
Religion 492 .8
Philosophy 452 .8
Useful arts 31S .6
There were 1243 volumes in circulation
at the end of the year, of which 903 were
fiction.
The daily circulation ranged from 100
to 340, and averaged 189.
ATTENDANCE.
The total attendance for 1900 was 73,793,
or 2351 less than 1899.
h a. K ! o
MONTHS. : S&SSiS&'ga
; ; a
: :
January 7,771 446 231 299 77
February 8,181 503 233 341 100
March 8,227 435 230 305 9S
April 5,826 392 179 235 69
May 5,566 347 129 214 61
June 6,097 327 179 234 63
July 4,815 251 114 193 40
August 5,277 253 136 195 39
September 4.818 267 117 192 53
October 5,893 322 170 218 63
November 5,398 297 163 215 49
December 5,874 323 148 234 64
Total 73,793
MEMBERSHIP.
In spite of the efforts being made for
the accommodation and eonvenience of
our subscribers, there has been a further
falling off In the regular membership for
the year 1900. This is no doubt due to the
large student membership, which Is con
stantly Increasing. We had December 30,
1900, 437 regular subscribers, 467 one year
ago, and 495 two years ago. As this 'de
crease is coincident with the unexpected
growth of student membership. It is rea
sonable to suppose that this shrinkage is
due to that cause. A more extended men
tion of this feature is made under the
heading, "Student Members."
The following table shows the average
number of subscriptions for the past seven
years. These figures do not include students:
CLASS. 1893 1894 1S95 1896 1897 189S 1S99 1900
Yearly 156 161 166 171 161 163 161
Half yrly. 154 69 4S 54 36 37 38 31
Monthly .. 6S 2 .... 11111
Reference 9 10 8 5 5 4 3
.
Totals ... 222 399 C6S 364 392 414 4011 383
In addition to these figures for 1900 there
were 320 new subscriptions and 129 renew
als from students.
At the end of the year there were en
rolled: Regular subscribing members 437
Perpetual 101
Honorary 61
Students 552
Total 1151
CATALOGUING.
The department )f sociology has been
carefully catalogued the past year. There
Is more work In this section than in many,
owing to the large number of subject
headings and cross-references, but good
progress has been made, considering the
fact that only a part of the assistant's
time can be devoted to this work. Miss
Catlln, assisted at times by Miss Rock
wood, has ably carried on what Miss
Northrup took such pride In perfecting,
and which is in accord with the latest
library methods.
RESERVE RULE.
Late In the year It was decided to es
tablish what is known as the "reserve"
rule, by which any book In the library win
be held for the applicant for one day
after sending him a self-addressed postal.
This privilege has been freely used by
the members, and between 400 and 500
cards are sent each month.
CHARGING SYSTEM.
The association having outgrown Its
present charging system inaugurated Jan
uary 1, 1894, the library committee sanc
tioned the change to what is known as
the "Browne system," which does away
with all charging cards and slips now In
use here. The pockets are being attached
to the book covers, as rapidly as possible,
and when the change is made it will be
found to be a great saving of time and la
bor. This system has been adopted in
most of the large libraries of the country.
LIBRART STAFF.
There have been several changes here
during the year, the first being brought
about by the resignation of Miss North
rup, who left In September last to take
charge of the Free Public Library of
Portland. By her withdrawal the associ
ation sustained a severe loss, and one not
easily made good. Later, Miss Van Wyck,
some six years with the library, was
granted a leave of absence of three
months on account of 111 health. To sup
ply these vacancies Miss Coe and Miss
Stackpolc were engaged, and have had
charge of the delivery desk for some time.
They have both worked with earnestness
and intelligence. Mtes Rockwood and Miss
Reed are on the staff as students of li
brary economy and are making good
progress.
LIBRARY BULLETINS.
In September the publishing of "Our
Library" was resumed. This brings us
more in touch "with our members and the
library world in general. From the lat
ter we have received many expressions of
fraternal feeling, and our exchange list
has visibly grown.
STUDENT MEMBERS.
Some two years have elapsed since the
experiment was tried of admitting stu
dents of certain ages and grades at the
nominal membership dues of $1 per year.
In that time 832 have subscribed, and
at present there are 552 on the member
ship rolls. Far exceeding the estimates
of the most sanguine friends of the plan,
it has become a serious problem to deal
with. Owing to the limited seating ca
pacity of the library, It is, during vaca
tion, Saturdays and the late afternoon
hours of school days, almost impossible
for adult members to obtain chairs or do
any reading. It seems as if the only so
lution of the difficulty would be to provide
a separate room for both the juvenile and
students. The reference books needed
could be brought to them, also the books
for circulation. By this plan they could
be under the supervision of an attendant,
while at present it is impossible to ef
fectively patrol all the rooms of the build
ing with our limited force. There would
then be room for the regular members
In the main rooms, and there would be
less ground for the complaints that have
been so numerous of late. This should be
done in justice to those whb pay the full
membership fees, which are five times
those of the students.
In closing I wish most heartily to thank
the teachers of the public schools, who
have sq cordially assisted us in many
ways, the press of the city, which throws
open tho columns of the newspapers
when called upon, and the library com
mittee, which has been so responsive in
granting whatever was needed for the as
sociation. Respectfully submitted.
DAVID P. LEACH,
Librarian.
Receipts and Expendlares.
GENERAL FUND.
$2641 36
Fines 285 13
Donations 9 00
Maintenance fund 800 00
Sundries 3 00-$373S 49
Total receipts $3733 49
Disbursements
Salaries $2129 25
Care of building (janitor
and expenses 632 09
Lighting 245 85
Insurance 217 50
Repairs 195 90
Heating 147 46
Fixtures 100 90
Moving expenses 66 95
Postage 64 00
Water rates 63 00
Advertising 60 00
Expenses 52 56
Lawn 38 65
Stationery 37 07 $4051 78
Deficit $ 313 29
INCOME OF BOOK FUND.
Receipts,
Balance on hand December
30, 1899 $373 82
Interest on book fund 1685 00
Income of Henry Falling
bequest 190 17
Books (sold or lost and
'paid for) 18 80
Subscriptions to "Our Li
brary"' 2 50
Periodicals (sold) 10 30-$22SO 59
Disbursements
Books $140S 62
Periodicals 449 58
Reblnding 356 00
Binding 3 94
Annual reports 203 25
"Our Library" 50 50
Technical supplies 33 27-$2505 16
Deficit $ 224 57
EASTERN MULTNOMAH.
Berry-Growers Protesting? Against
Legislation Other News.
GRESHAM, Or., Feb. 6. Berry-growers
throughout the eastern part of Multnomah
County are earnestly discussing the pro
posed Legislative enactment which will
compel them to use a new box with every
pound of berries sold. They are a unit
against the measure, which they denounce
as a job put up by the box factories.
Mr. Lewis, of Russellvllle, whose annual
sales will run nearly 10 tons, says the
law will bo almost prohibitory; as the tax
of one-half cent per pound for new boxes
will place the Multnomah farmers at such
a disadvantage that they cannot compete
with the berry-growers of Hood River and
elsewhere, who get their fruit in a few
days earlier and get the best prices. He
further says that Multnomah berries will
not stand shipment and must be sold in
Portland, and that the new box law will
operate In sales to the canneries, as well
as to merchants; hence, the canneries
will suffer because they do not pay as
much for berries as the stores, and the
cost of new boxes will have to come out
of. all sales to them, just the same. Mr.
Hartley, another grower, has prepared a
remonstrance to be sent to Salem which
is being signed by all who sell berries,
and they have hopes of being able to have
the measure defeated.
Dinicult Navigation.
Heavy east winds during the past three
days have made navigation of the Colum
bia extremely difficult. So heavily did It
blow at several points, especially at Cor
bett, Rooster Rock and a few other
places, that steamers could not make their
landings. A great many trees were blown
down, some of them falling across the
roads, but the obstructions were promptly
removed and no serious damage has been
reported.
Boycott Off.
The boycott, waged against the Trout
dale road by the haulers' organization.
has been declared off, and the teams are
now delivering ties to Troutdale as be
fore. A committee composed of saw mill
men, tie haulers and road supervisors
waited upon the County Commissioners,
with the result that the mile of muddy
road has been ordered planked and the
work Is being done. The outcome Is sat
isfactory to all concerned, as the mill
men and teamsters have gained their
point and the people along the Gresham
and Falrvlew roads are satisfied that
their thoroughfares will not be made im
passable in a few weeks.
Brief Notes.
G. H. Chalker has Just completed a
handsome residence here at a cost of $S00.
He Is now occupying It with hl3 family.
A. T. Tiller began hauling lumber yes
terday for his proposed two-story hotel
building at Troutdale. It will cover a
ground space of 100 feet square, and work
will begin upon its construction at once.
The O. R. & N. began work on a plank
roadway at Troutdale yesterday, the im
provement leading from the main thor
oughfare of the place to the depot. It
will be a great convenience and one much
needed.
Messrs. Stone, Heslln, Taggart and Ax
tel were appointed a committee by the
citizens of Falrvlew to solicit subscrip
tions to the bonus for a grist mill at that
place. They have been at work several
days and report fair progress.
The Latourell Falls Lumbering Com
pany's new planing mill at that point Is
now running at its fullest capacity and
turning out about 40,000. feet per day.
A new dryhouse has just been completed,
which Is kept In constant use.
The rural free delivery carriers have
located 111 boxes in the two districts af
ter one canvass of the people. The names
will average six to the box. More will be
added to the list, as fully one-half of the
residents have not yet subscribed to the
system.
Bids are being advertised for the erec
tion of a new schoolhouse in District No.
107, at Cottrell, the building to be fin
ished by July 15. The place is coming
rapidly to the front, a saw mill and store
having recently been located there. The
district Is In Clackamas County.
Donald Mackay, the new road super
visor, who succeeded John Conley in Dis
trict No. 9, is thoroughly familiar with
the work before him, having had several
years' experience under Mr. Conley as
foreman. His appointment gives general
satisfaction. He was recommended by
Mr. Conley, who declined to serve again
this year.
To Be Ordained.
A council meeting will be held at the
Second Baptist church today, at 2 P. M.,
to examine J. Howard Everett as to his
qualifications for the ministry. The or
dination sermon will be preached at 7:30
P. M. All are Invited.
OREGON FLAX CULTURE
WORK ACCOMPLISHED BY ASSOCIA
TION IN PAST YEAR.
President Makes Report and Submits
Copy of Bill Before the Legisla
ture for Mill at Penitentiary.
The regular annual meeting of the
stockholders of the Oregon Woman's
Flax Fiber Association was held at room
310, Chamber of Commerce Building,
Wednesday morning. A goodly repre
sentation of stockholders was present.
Mrs. H. L Plttock, president, was in
the chair. After reading the minutes of
the previous stockholders' meeting, re
ports from the president, secretary, and
treasurer were read, accepted and placed
on file.
The president's report is as follows:
"When your present officers and board
of managers assumed their duties, we
found ourselves somewhat handicapped,
as the crop of 1899 was totally ruined by
the long and continuous rains during
the month of August a thing that was
unheard of before, even by the earliest
settlers. This left us without seed, but
putting our wits together, we decided
to apply to the Agricultural Department
at Washington, D. C, and ask if they
could assist us. Accordingly, a letter
was written explaining our circumstances;
also letters to Senators Simon and Mc
Brlde. asking them to kindly use their
influence in our behalf. On receipt of
these letters Hon. James Wilson, Sec
retary of Agriculture, Immediately tele
graphed that 450 pounds of seed had
been shipped to our association. Letters
from Senators Simon and McBride soon
followed, wishing us better success for
the future.
"Next we called on Mr. William Ladd,
of this city, through whose courtesy we
were given the use of the 13-acre tract
of land on Twelfth and Division streets.
East Portland. This we had plowed
and put In good shape to seed, by the
last of April the seed was in the ground.
This grew and flourished and attracted
much attention. In August it was har
vested and sent to Salem, where our ma
chinery is. On the first of September we
engaged a man to go to Salem to thresh
the seed and work up all the flax on
hand. After three weeks had elapsed
three of our board visited Salem to in
spect the work and see how things were
progressing. We were not at all pleased,
and so reported to the board. Owing to
his business methods, It was thought
best to discharge the man.
"We have now on hand about 60
bushels of seed and 50 tons of flax straw.
Our machinery Is all in good order. In
October we forwarded to the Agricultural
Department at Washington, in return
for favors received, samples of linens
of different grades which were made
from flax grown by our association, men
tion of which has bj-en made In The Ore
gonlan. From Lester H. Dewey, Assist
ant Botanist at Washington, we received
the following letter:
Tour letter of October 10, and also the sam
ples of flax and fabric manufactured from Oregon-grown
flax, have been received. Please ac
cept my thanks for these beautiful samples,
which well Illustrate the possibilities of the flax
industry In your region. After the samples have
been brought to the attention of the Secretary
of Agriculture, who Is now absent, they will
be labeled and placed on exhibition In the mu
seum of this department.
I Infer from your letter that the principal
difficulty In the way of establishing a paying
Industry in flax-raising In Oregon consists not
in raising the flax, but In getting It worked
up into a marketable form. I have taken the
liberty to mention your work and to give your
address to Dr. J. F. Chittenden, of Paterson,
N. J., whom I met last week ln New York,
and who has been conducting some very suc
cessful experiments In the preparation of fiber
by a chemical process. He takes the green
straw after It has been pulled or cut with a
mowing-machine and dried but not retted, and
by a short and Inexpensive process produces
a very beautiful fiber, which has been pro
nounced by the best Belgian experts to be
equal to the finest Courtral flax retted in the
River Lys. Dr. Chittenden was very much In
terested In the work done by your organiza
tion, as he regards the region where your
experiments have been conducted as the best
adapted to flax-growing of any In this country.
I hope that you may succeed in establishing
the industry on a commercial basis. We will
be pleased to render any aid so far as lies
within our power.
LYSTER H. DEWEY.
We are now asking the state to take
up the Industry. We have interviewed the
most of the Legislators from Multnomah
County, and all seemed to favor the Idea,
and we have Introduced the following bill
In the Legislature, and trust that this
will meet with your approval:
Section 1. That the Superintendent of the
Oregon State Penitentiary be, and he hereby
Is authorized and required to employ such of
the conlcts at said Penitentiary as may not
be required in other employments in and about
said Penitentiary, at the business and indus
try of manufacturing grain bags, gunny cloth,
suitable for wool sacks and hop burlap, and
also in the manufacture of similar products
from flax straw; also. If found advisable. In
the manufacture of binding and other twine.
Sec. 2. It shall be the duty of the Superin
tendent of said State Penitentiary to proceed
with reasonable dispatch to erect such neces
sary buildings and sheds within the walls of
said State Penitentiary as may be required for
the machinery used in the manufacture of thu
products aforesaid, and for the sheltering and
protection of flax straw required In said In
dustry, as well as the products produced there
from, which said buildings and sheds shall be
economically constructed of brick or other ma
terials as may be considered most appropriate
for that purpose, and the labor of such con
victs as may be available shall be employed
In the construction of the same.
Sec. 3. That It shall be the duty of said
Superintendent to purchase all necessary ma
chinery and employ such necessary expert
workmen as may be required to assist and
teach the convicts In the manufacture of the
products of flax fiber for the uses and purposes
hereinbefore set forth, with a view, as early
as possible, to have said work done entirely by
such convict labor.
Sec. 4. That the grain bags, burlap and
other products manufactured under the pro
visions of this act shall be sold by the Super
intendent of said Penitentiary at such prices
for cash In hand as it may be found expedient
by said Superintendent to charge for the same,
keeping In view the advisability of furnishing
such products at the lowest possible prices to
the farmers, hopgrowers and other residents
of Oregon who may require the same.
Sec. 5. That the Superintendent of the Ore
gon State Penitentiary Is hereby authorized
to cdntract with farmers and others who may
engage In the Industry of producing flax for
the seed, to pay a stipulated price per ton
for the straw thereof, delivered at the manu
factory within the walls of the State Peniten
tiary, as may In his Judgment be considered a
fair and reasonable compensation for the
same. And that said Superintendent shall, as
far as possible, arrange with the superintend
ents and managers of the Asylum farms and
the farms of the State Reform School and State
School for Deaf Mutes, and other state farms,
for the production and delivery of flax straw
at said manufactory, and It shall be the duty
of such superintendents and managers of said
state Institutions to engage, as far as prac
ticable and expedient for the best Interests of
such Institutions, In -the production of flax on
their said farms, with a view to aid In fur
nishing such flax straw as may be required
for the manufacture of the products aforesaid.
Sec 6. That it shall be the duty of said
Superintendent of said Oregon State Peniten
tiary, with a view to expedite the commence
ment of the manufacture of the products here
inbefore provided for, to purchase from the Ore
gon Women's Flax Fiber Association all their
stock of flax straw and machinery and other
available assets, now held and owned by said
company at and near Salem, as can be advan
tageously and profitably used- by said Super
intendent of said State Penitentiary, at its
actual reasonable value, to be hereafter agreed
upon not to exceed the sum of $ .
Sec 7. That the sum of $ or so much
thereof as may be necessary. Is hereby ap
propriated out of any money In the State
Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to carry
out the provisions of this act.
Sec 8. In view of the fact that It Is of
I urgent importance that the convicts in the
Oregon State Penitentiary should be employed
in the Industry provided for in this act, and
that the farmers of Oregon should be provid
ed with grain bags and other products of flax
straw, grown and manufactured in Oregon, as
cheaply as possible, and by home industry, this
act shall take effect Immediately from and
after Its approval by the Governor.
Owing to the pending bill before the
Legislature, It was decided by unanimous
vote to defer the election of directors
and officers until Friday at 10 A. M.,
March 1, 190L
SEVERED AN ARTERY.
Unasnnl and Dangerous Accident to
an East Side Woman.
Mrs. Caroline Stltt, aged 75 years, living
at 26 Union avenue north, mother of
William O. Stltt, formerly a policeman,
met with a serious accident yesterday
forenoon while going to the home of her
daughter, Mrs. Parker, on East Hoyt
street, two blocks away. She was carry
ing a dish in her left hand, and when
at the corner of Grand avenue and
East Hoyt she fell, breaking the dish.
The sharp edge of a piece of the dish
penetrated her wrist in such a way that
the main artery was severed. She man
aged to get on her feet. The blood was
spurting from the artery in a stream.
Fred McCarver fortunately happened to
be passing on a bicycle, and she called
to him. She had started to a drug store,
which is on East Burnside street many
blocks away. He told her to hold her
arm with her left hand, and started her
to her daughter's home, while he wheeled
rapidly to the Burkhard after Dr. Batch
elor. Mrs. Stltt was quickly taken to
the home of Mrs. Parker. Owing to the
nature of the gash, it took a long time
before the severed ends of the artery
could be taken up and tied, but It was
finally accomplished. Had she continued
on to the drug store on East Burnside
street she would have probably bled to
death before reaching there. She was
already much bewildered when Mr. Mc
Carver came along.
Pleasant Home News.
Wilbur Maxwell, a young man living
at Pleasant Home, met with a serious
accident the first of the week that will
lay him up for some time. He started
in the evening to get a load of railway
ties from the saw mill of Proctor &
Beers.for Falrvlew.lntendlng to start with
them early the next morning. He was
accompanied by another young man. They
put 60 ties on the wagon and started
homeward. While alongside the wagon
the foolish Idea came into their hearl3
of trying to put their feet on the spokes
of a hind wheel while the wagon was In
motion. The game lasted only a few
minutes, when Maxwell slipped and his
right foot dropped, down In front of the
moving wagon. Before he could get out
of the way the wheel passed over his
foot, crushing the bones badly. He w.i3
near his home when the accident hap
pened. His father took him to Gresham,
where Dr. Short dressed the Injury.
Mrs. Featherstone, principal of I'ae
Pleasant Home rchool, has arranged to
give the coming school entertainment In
G. A. R. Hall, February 23. On that oc
casion the drama, "The Octoroon," a
tale of the South during the days of
slavery, will be the feature of the even
ing. There are 20 characters In this
drama, and those who have the parts
are working Industriously, and a pleas
ing entertainment is in prospect.
Excellent Organization.
The Sellwood Alumni Association has
just closed up the second year since it
was organized, and is proving one of
the most profitable and pleasing organi
zations on the East Side. It was started
through the encouragement of Professor
Curtis, principal of the Sellwood school,
and has attained a large membership. Its
object Is to preserve a record of the do
ings of all who graduate from the gram
mar grades of the Sellwood school. The
intention is to make a complete record
of each Individual member, tracing out
what he or she does, making up what
may be called a biographical sketch of
the members, so that in after years this
record will be of great Interest. Several
of the alumni have become teachers, two
were with the Second Oregon regiment,
and others are in other honorable occu
pations. Meetings are held twice a
month during Bchool year.
Frnlt and Berries All Right.
C. H. Welch, of Mount Tabor, says
that the fruit trees are in fine condition.
The sap has not commenced to go up
Into the trees, and everything so far in
dicates a good year for fruit. Mr. Welch
said he never saw fruit trees In his
neighborhood looking better. M. J., Ma
goon, of Gravel Hill, Columbia Slough,
also says the berry vines are In excellent
condition and promise finely for the year.
The strawberries, of which he has a
great variety, promise well.
East Side Notes.
A muslcale will be given this evening
at the Hassalo-Street Congregational
Church. No admission will be charged
and all will be welcome. It Is given by
the choir and choruses.
The funeral of Mrs. Mary Went, pioneer
of 1862, was held yesterday morning at
St. David's Church, East Morrison and
East Twelfth street. Rev. George P.
Van Waters officiated.
Miss Blanche Etta Wood, an estimable
young woman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Clark P. Wood, died at the home of her
aunt, Mrs. F. B. Holbrook, 471 East
Burnside street, Wednesday. The funeral
took place yesterday.
A. T. Webb, who has an extensive
farm 12 miles out on the Base Line road,
returned a few days ago from San
Francisco where he made shipment of
900 sacks of potatoes. Mr. Webb struck
the market at the right time. He sold
out his potatoes just as the price had
reached the top notch, and Just In time,
for the price took a tumble soon after.
It has elncq gone down to a low figure.
At the regular meeting of the Young
People's Christian Union of the United
Brethren Church, East Fifteenth and
East Morrison streets, this evening the
following programme will be rendered:
Chapter 1 of the series by Sheldon, "The
Redemption of Freetown," will be read
by Mrs. F. E. Coulter; select reading by
E. R. HInkle: essay, "Queen Victoria,"
by Miss Hattle Cavanaugh. These ex
ercises are open to the public.
CANDEPEND ON HOME MARKET
Oregon Stockralsers Independent of
Eastern Bayers.
C. H. Baker, a well-known Lane County
stockman, who was at the Imperial yes
terday, thinks Oregon cattle and sheep
men can be Independent of Eastern buy
ers this year, as they have a good mar
ket for all they raise right at home. He
differs, therefore, with Eastern drovers
who have been prophesying a drop in the
prices of steers and wethers this Spring.
"The time for running big bands of live
stock Is about past in Oregon," he said,
"and hereafter more cattle and sheep will
be raised than ever, but It will be on
deeded land, and in enclosed fields. The
home demand for milch cows will keep
up for several years yet, as farmers are
finding out that it pays to produce milk
and butter, rather than so much wheat.
"Stockbuyera no longer make the prices
out here, and the stockraiser has now
something to say in the matter. If those
Eastern buyers don't want to pay Oregon
prices for cattle and sheep, a good mar
ket can be found on the Coast. Even
now, sheep are worth $4 to $4 50 a head
in Lane County, and no one Is particu
larly anxious to selL The drovers say
they can buy stock in Texas, but the
cos of getting the animals to their des
tination will more than make up the price
they would have to pay In Oregon."
Mr. Baker is also largely interested in
the breeding of Angora goats, and has
found this a paying business, as does are
worth $5 a head and the wethers sell
Unpledged for Senator.
Because one or more members of
the Multnomah delegation to the Leg
islature, elected on the Citizens ticket,
are voting for Mr. Corbett for Sena
tor, they have been charged with un
faithfulness to pledges. Now the fact
is that all the candidates on the Citi
zens ticket were specifically unpledged
as to United States Senator, in these
words:
We accept tho x.omlratlons tendered us
upon the "Citizens Ticket" without having
expressed or having been asked our pref
erence for any candidate; for the United,
States Senate. We most solemnly avow
that we are entirely unpledged for any
candidate for that Important position, and
we each promise that we. will, if elected,
exercise our best judgment as to whom
we will support; and, being uninfluenced
by any selfish consideration, will, when
tl e time comes, vote for such person as in
our individual opinions Is best fitted to
rcptesent the Interests of the State of
Oregon in the Senate of the United States.
(Signed)
R. D. Inman, F. P. Maya,
Andrew C. Smith. J. E. Hunt.
Alex Sweek. John Drlscoll.
H. A. Smith. J. J. Shipley,
G. W. Holcomb, Louis H. Tarpley,
D. M. Watson, G. M. Orton.
A. J. Knott. Otto Schumann,
u. w. Nottingham. M. E. Thompson,
F. A. Heitkemper, J. T. Mllner.
The question is for each member of
the delegation to decide whether he is
voting, as he pledged himself, "for
such person as in our individual opin
ions is best fitted to represent the in
terests of the State of Oregon in the
Senate of the United States."
a
readily In the mutton market. "Angora
mutton," he said, "Is the most tooth
some meat there is, and in fact superior
to the best sheep for the table, yet a
certain prejudice exists against 'goat mut
ton,' but when it is placed on the mar
ket as 'Angora mutton,' epicures enjoy It
hugely.
"The goats are easily kept, as they eat
everything In the shape of undergrowth
and when confined to a particular field
kill out useless shrubbery and thus soon
render comparatively worthless tracts
ready for cultivation." He has no diffi
culty In disposing of his surplus stock
to his neighbors, who desire to clean,
up their brush patches.
Mr. Baker Is one stockman who uoes
not see much good In the scalp bounty
law. "The bounty of $2 a head is not
high enough to induce men to go at tho
business of killing coyotes systemati
cally," he said, "as better wages can ba
made at the logging camps or other em
ployment. It would not pay a man to
go chasing after coyotes, as he would bo
In luck if he were to kill two a week on
an average. Stockmen should kill the
animals off themselves, as we have done,
by trapping, dogging or shooting. I have
paid as high as $10 a head for cougar
scalps, as these animals are more de
structive than the coyotes."
OREGON'S OPPORTUNITY.
Flax Industry Should Be Encouraged
and Developed.
PORTLAND, Feb. 7. (To the Editor.)
I have noted with interest several ar
ticles In your paper of late In regard to
the flax Industry in Oregon. As I travel
oyer this great country I have wondered
that the enterprising people of this stato
allow all the flax straw to be burned after
the seed Is taken off, Instead of convert
ing It into marketable material. Is this
because they do not understand its valpe?
It is with pleasure I read last week that
a bill had been Introduced Into the Legis
lature for an appropriation to operate a
plant to use up this sa'me flax. I sin
cerely hope It will go through without a
dissenting voice.
In one of the articles in your paper I
remember mention was made of some
samples of linen made from Oregon flax
and sent to the Agricultural Department
at Washington, D. C, by some wqmen's
association. Now I have had the privi
lege of viewing those samples and I as
sure you they are attracting a great deal
of attention, and I should pot be sur
prised If they will not be the means of
mills being established here for the man
ufacture of linen of fine grades. I read
In the Paper Trade Journal of January
24 that an Immense plant for the manufac
ture from flax of paper that had Just
been completed at Niagara Falls, the flax
to be sent from South Dakota. I also
know that a large plant Is to be operated
in Oakland. Cal., for using flax which, I
am told, will be shipped from Canada.
What Is the matter with Oregon that we
do not do something? Why cannot we
have factories? Oregon grows better and
finer flax than any other place in the
United States and equal to any In Europe.
We have acres and acres of land, good
water power, plenty of capital and Idle
mon and boys. Let us give them work to
do. Let Oregon awake to her opportun
ities. GEORGE MARTIN,
Traveler.
The Baker City Council has been asked
for a 10-year street-car franchise.
Better Pies
than Grandma
used to mahe
will be yours if you use WHITE
COTTOLENE. Grandma used
lard because she knew of nothing
better. Animal fats (and more
especially hog lard) are mostly
impure and are condemned by em
inent physicians everywhere as
unwholesome and unheal thful.
There is no hog fat in
White
Cottolcnc
It is a pure vegetable shortening,
and food cooked with it is whole
some, delicious, appetizing and
healthful Ask your physician
and he will tell you to use WHITE
COTTOLENE.
The NXFairbank Company.
Ct!ctgo 3ok lUoaf actoren.
FRFP ! dainty booklet
nulled free to any aCdres. For
one te rtxmp we will tend free out
IIS pago recipe book. "Home
BelD edited by Mn. Borer.
P. S. No Hog Fat In Cottolcnc