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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (April 17, 1901)
8 THE MORNING OREGONIAN-, WEDNESDAY, APRIL' 17, 1901'. COUNTY LOSES $100,000 EFFECT OF THE NEW PROPERTT REDEMPTION LAW. XJclintxncnt Taxei on a Rising: Heal Estate Market Are "Novr Being: Paid Validity of New Act. One of the court officials yesterday asked the question "Why H. E. Noble Is so anxious to buy up the property bid in by the county for delinquent taxes if they are uncollectible, and how he can collect the taxes any better than the coun ty can. Other brokers, of course, are entitled to buy just as -vrell as Mr. Noble, and the owner can bid in his own property at the sale, and thus beat both the broker and the county. It is also remarked that it is etrangre that the new law is exactly in line with the Noble contract, which was declared invalid; as the act corrects all misdescriptions and other Inaccuracies of assessment, and invests the purchaser at the tax sale with, a perfect title to the lands, and he also Erets a deed at once, as the time for redemption has expired on most of the property while the -county has been holding- it, and deeds are now due. It Is. fuclher asserted that the conten tion that the county cannot ever collect these back taxes is not well founded, and f9notborne out by facts, as the County Clerk, every day collects more or less of these back taxes, and only recently re ceived a list of old taxes from one con cern amounting to over $5000, which they desired to pay. Numerous persons of late are looMng up taxes on long1 lists of prop erty, with the intention of paying. During all of the bad times these taxes came in slowly, but now, with an improved real estate market, this is all changed; -property Is beginning' to sell readily, and it is necessary in clearing up titles to pay the old taxes. The outlook therefore is that the county in the next year or two would be able to collect a large portion of these taxes, and also the mortgage taxes, but for this new law. Numerous persons have called to pay mortgage taxes of late, and only yesterday a man paid quite a large mortgage tax penalty, and all which he had to do in -order to malce a sale of the real .estate, and he remarked that he could not afford to miss the sale. There is, of course, quite an amount of oldrtaxes which the county would -perhaps never be able to collect, but the county will realize a -vastly larger sum by holding on to the property and collecting the back taxes than by sale of the same to brokers, the .highest bidder to take the lands, and property to be sold only once, where there may be flve-or ten years'- old taxes owing. Then, again, Sf the brokers get deeds to the property in this easy manner, and It is never redeemed, good title may be se cured by them to many thousands of dol lars worth of real estate for a mere trifle. Persons who know that their prop erty was bid in by the county for taxes should call at the office of the County Clerk And liquidate at once, which can be done without the payment of penalty. Injustice to Taxpayers. Asked for his opinion of the new law concerning redemption of property sold for taxes, M. L.. Pipes gave the following terse answer: "I think, the act is ill-advised. It covers up in a multiplicity of words that add nothing substantially to the former law, its real purpose, which is to relieve a number of delinquent taxpayers from pay ing penalties, and also a great part of taxes due.' This is great Injustice to peo ple who have paid their taxes. "The act Is -of doubtful constitutionality. The title does not embrace this particular subject of the act. To authorize a county to sell the land It has bought at Sheriff's sale is not the subject, nor connected with the subject of remitting: penalties or taxes." OVER ?30,O00 IN SIX MONTHS. This Is the Sam Collected on Delin quent Taxes in Multnomah. Inquiry at the office o f the County Clerk elicited the information that it takes most of tne time of. two deputies to attend to delinquent tax matters. The old llste bid in by the county cover the years from 1SSS to 1S99 inclusive. There are also de linquent tax books for years further back, and some of the oldest' taxes are occasion ally collected where titles are being per fected. So far this month, nearly $7000 delinquent taxes have been collected, and over $12,000 since January 1, 1300. In De cember, 1900, over $15,000 was taken in, and the previous month, $4000. Ojther months run $1500 and over. Thl aggre gates over $30,000 back taxes collected during the past six months. One company alone paid in over $3000 several days ago. A man called recently who owes $3700 old taxes and remarked that he might do well to wait until the July sale, when he could probably bid in property and save about two-thirds of the amount due One of the attaches of thia office, speaking1 con cerning the new law, said: "The,, county will lose a barrel of money by It hundreds of thousands of dollars." It Is also stated that at the sale in July the brokers will buy whatever is good, and leave the odds and ends- on the hands of the county, or otherwise purchase the doubtful stuff for little or nothing-."1 "-- To Illustrate further that the old delin quent taxes are still very much alive, it may oe stated that a large number of clerks employed by abstract companies, and also abstractors who are in business for themselves, put In considerable of their time going through the old rolls to ascertain what taxes are due on proper ties which they have inquiries about. Regarding the item of $26 0 costs said by-Mr. Noble to have been oharged against a $30 tax, this was an extreme case. It happened in Clatsop County, under Sher iff Smith, who afterwards left Astoria without giving his friends notice. The lax was against an addition containing a large number of lots, and Sheriff Smith charged a levy fee, and mileage to and from against each lot. He was under the fee system, and the county had to pay him these costs if he failed to collect from the property-owners. There are no such, excessive instances of costs on the old rolls in Multnomah County, although in some cases the costs are quite large when this sort of a scheme was worked. Under the fee system, Multnomah Coun ty is said to have had to pay the Sheriff as high as $15,000 uncollected costs on one year's delinquent taxes. COUNTY "WILL LOSE OVER $100,000. One Opinion as to the Effect of the New Law. Alexander Bernstein, who was asso ciated with his partner, D. Soils Cohen, and with M. I Pipes, as attorneys for Multnomah County in the mortgage tax cases, was interviewed by an Oregonian reporter yesterday concerning the new de linquent tax law bill.: Mr. Bernstein said: "In -regard to the act passed by the Leg islature whereby the Sheriff is .required to soli all the tax certificates acquired by the county under prior tax sales, a glance at the new law Teveals the fact that in 1S93 the Legislature passed an act giving authority to counties and school districts to purchase real prop erty at delinquent tax sales by bidding an amount not to exceed the taxes and costs, and provided Tf there be no high er or bettor bid, such land should be sold to and become the property of the county or school district, subject to redemption in the -manner provided by law.' "This was the whole act all incorpo rated In one section. It was mooted among county officials and lawyers wheth er this .act was sufficient to dive the county the right to a deed and empowered It to convey. In order that this power anight no longer remain in doubt, a .bill was framed and Introduced with, that in view. Reference to the bill ordered print ed shows that HouseJbIU No. 11, which Is the bill under discussion, was original ly Introduced as an t'act to amend an act entitled an act to authorize County Judges and clerks of school districts to bid in property sold for taxes, and, con tained but one section, substantially the same as the law of 1893, with this addi tion: 'And if not so redeemed, the officer so selling the same shall execute to the purchaser thereof in his official capacity a good, sufficient deed conveying all the right, title and Interest of the owner of said land, and the said Judges and clerks or their successors In Interest are hereby empowered to sell and transfer property so purchased to the best interest of their county and school district' "This bill, so far as newspaper reports disclosed, was the bill, and was passed. At what stage it reached Its present pn. portions and provisions rests In obscurity. "House bill No. 97, providing for adver tising for county supplies, etc., had a somewhat similar experience. It was in troduced to prevent all the counties of the state making contracts and assuming liabilities in excess or $500 without adver tising lor bids, and as found In the pub lished session laws applies only to Mult nomah County, and requires the county to advertise -for bids, no matter how tri fling the amount involved. Such trans formations seemed to come very easy and naturally to this reform Legislature." Asked regarding the effect of the act, Mr. Bernstein said: "It puts a premium upon tax dodging, and so far as "Multno mah County is concerned, will wipe out the collection of over $100,000, due on de linquencies for mortgage taxes alone. It deprives Multnomah County of the fruits of our victory in the Supreme Court sus taining the mortgage tax as an enforceable lienagainst the real estate interest In the land" created by the mortgage. It elimi nates all .penalties and leaves the county at the mercy of the owner, who can bid in the property as cheaply as he desires, the provision being that the sale of the last year's tax does away with the collec tion of all prior taxes due. The old law protected the county to the extent of making it bid the amount of taxes and costs due; this law at the July sale pro vided for therein, gives the county no right to bid or acquire the land, but ties Its hands and compels it to accept what ever Is offered. "This-is not only an injustice to, but an outrage upon the thousands of con scientious taxpayers who, during all these years, have promptly paid their taxes; In many Instances making sacrifices to meet their obligations. As to the validity of the law? An off-hand opinion upon .the constitutionality of a law is of little value. In attacking a statute you meet, as you know, at the outset, the general opinion that the Legislature can do any thing not expressly prohibited by the con stitution, that every intendment is in fa vor of the statute, that it must be shown beyond question that the law conflicts with the constitution, etc. So, without express ing a decided opinion, I would merely sug gest the following points: "The provisions do not come within the tltle"of the act There is no express re peal of any of the laws concerning penal ties. If the county has acquired vested rights and Hens, they should be pro tected. The assessments were made un der the law in existence at, that time and this act curing defects and making the deed which Is to be issued conclusive evi dence of the regularity of the proceed ings, ought not to bind an owner to "the extent of divesting him of his title to his land. There are certainly enough Ine qualities to warrant a legal contest. I am not advising it Is unprofessional to advise litigation yet there Is a large amount of money directly Involved, as well as unjust principles of legislation, and I do not think that any private person would allow himself to be .legislated out of $100,000 or more without having the court's final decision as to his rights. "Several provisions seem purposely de signed to overrule and set aside some of the decisions of our Supreme Court This same "Legislature passed a general as sessment and taxation law which provided for penalties, and perhaps the laws ought to be construed together and that might have considerable bearing on the question. I have not had time to examine these va rious phases of the law, so do not feel competent to pass off-hand upon them. "Why are such laws enacted? Let me read you what Blackstone said, in as suming the Venerlan professorship at Ox ford University in'175S: "'Indeed, It Is per fectly amazing that there . should be no other state of life, no other occupation, art or science, in which some method of instruction Is not looked upon as requisite except only the science of legislation, the noblest and most difficult of any. .Ap prenticeships are held necessary to al most every art, commercial or mechani cal; a long course of reading and study must form tre divine, the physician and the practical professor of the laws, but every man of superior fortune thinks him self born a legislator.' "We have adopted the method of Ignor ing the trained "and employing the born legislator, and the law under considera tion is an average example of the re sult" t HOW IT GOT THROUGH. Story of the Conrsc of the Bill in the Legislature. SALEM, April i6. It seems to be up to the Senate committee on assessment and taxation to explain the origin of that por tion of House bill 11. the enactment of which by the Oregon Legislature will put thousands of dollars Into the pockets of money loaners who were delinquent in payment of taxes under the old mortgage tax law. The committee was composed of Senators 'Booth, Mulkey, Steiwer, Dlm-mick- and Porter. The bill as passed by' the House did not contain this obnoxious feature, but was an innocent, well-meant bill authorizing County Courts and School District officers to bid in property at tax sales. The amendment reported by the Senate oommittee on assessment, adopted by the Senate and concurred in by the House, changed the scope of the measure and introduced the sections which work to the interest of the money loaners. That there was a studied and persistent effort to get such a measure through the Legislature Is apparent to one viewing the transactions at this date. That the Sen ate committee on assessment was imposed upon is probable. January 14, the first day of the Legisla ture, the Oregon Supreme Court rendered a -decision upholding the mortgage-tax law and affirming the validity of sales of land for taxes under delinquent mortgago taxes. January 15 Senator Sweek Intro duced Senate bill No. 3, which had for its general purpose the regulation of as sessments and taxation. This bill con tained a brief and unconspicuous clause which provided that taxes not collected within a certain time should no longer be a Hen, and this provision was made to apply to taxes theretofore levied. On the next morning The Oregonian exposed tne intent, scope and inevitable effect of this portion of the "law. Later the -Evening Telegram published a statement of facts tending to show that relatives of Sweek were interested in the passage of this bill. The bad policy of the measure was s6 ap parent that no effort was made to retain It In the bill, and it was dropped by the Senate'committee on assessments. Everybody supposed that the effort to secure the enactment of a law In the In terest of the mortgage-tax delinquents had ceased, for a close watch on all bills relating to assessment and taxation failed to disclose a repetition of the provision in any other bill. It Is apparent now", how ever, that the same end has' probably been accomplished by an altogether dif ferent provision In a bill that was In Its original form entirely commendable. An inspection of the record shows that House bill 11 passed the House January 3L was read twice In the Senate February 9, and the same day referred to the com mittee on assessment and taxation. The bill as It reached the committee's hands contained but two sections, the first being practically the same as the first section of the law as It now stands, and simply au thorizing County Courts to bid In land at tax sales. The other section 'was the emergency clause. February 12 the Senate committee reported the bill back "with an amendment which comprised' all the ob jectionable features of the law as It now appears in the session lawsr - -The bill passed the Senate as amended February 18, and the -amendments were concurred In, February 22, by the House. . The effect of the amendment Is. not easily understood, and even a close read ing of the law would not disclose the real intent of these sections "unless the reader were familiar with the particular condi tions this larw was framed to cover. No one who knows the members of the com mittee on assessment and taxation will charge them at least a majority of them with complicity in the ill-advised legis lation. Senator, Booth, who framed two assessment laws and probably knew more than any other member of the- Legislature concerning the laws governing assess ment and taxation, seenis not to have ob served the full effect of the amendment which went to the Senate over his signa ture. The fact that it met his approval probably led to its being adopted without as rigid an examination as it would have received otherwise. Governor Geer read the bill a'nd saw nothing wrong with it, so gave it his approval. - ' However, the Senate committee on as- SENIOR UNITED EVANGELICAL BISHOP. BISHOP R. DUBS, D. D., LL.D. Bishop Dubs, D. D., LL. D., senior bishop of the United Evangelical church, will be in the city today, on his way to Corvallls, where he will open the -annual Oregon conference of the United Evangelical church tomorrow morning. He is the foremost minister of the United Evangelical church, and one of the most finished pulpit orators In the United States." Before the separation of the United Evan gelical church from the Evangelical Association, he was a bishop in the parent church, but he went with the former when the separation took place, and Impressed upon the Independent church his strong personality. He has contributed very ma terially to the growth and prosperity of . the United Evangelical church, and wherever he goes he infuses new life and energy In the churches. Besides his work as bishop, he does much editorial work, being edltor-in-phlef of the German paper, Zeltschrlft He visited Oregon five years vago, and was here a year ago. To his sound judgment and sagacity, with the assistance of President C. C.-Pollng, the La Fayette school was consolidated with the Dallas school'. He succeeded In adjusting all Interests so carefully that there was no friction, and this year he will be able to visit a united college at-Dallas." His appointments in this .state are as follows: For April 18 to 22, annual conference at Corvallls; 23, at 8 P. M., Snover; 24, at 8 P. M., Buena Vista; 25, at 8 P. M., Lewlsvllle; 26, at 8 P. M Bridgeport; 28, Dal las;' 29, at 8 P. M., Independence; 30, at 8 P. JM., Sodaville, church dedication. For May 1, at 8 P. M., Salem; 2, at 8 P. M Brooks; 3, at 10:30 A, M.. Clear Lake; 3, at 8 P. M., Wheatland; 4, at 8 P. M., Pleasant Dale; 5, at 11 A. M., Day ton; X at 8P. M., La Fayette; 6, at 8 P. -M., Laurel; 7, at 8 'P. M., Hillsboro; 8 near Reedvllle (German Church); 9, at 8 P. M., Portland, at St. Johns; 10, at 8 P. M.., Troutdale; 12, at 11 A. M Portland First Church, East Tenth and East Sherman streets; 12, at 3 P. M.,; Portland (German); 12, at 8 P. M Portland Second Church, Alblna. sessment Is on record as -being the au thor of the law that will put some $200, 000 or more Into the pockets of the tax evaders. DUTY ON OLEOMARGARINE.' Portland Firm -'Requests That It Be Rained 'at Manila. ' The W. B. Glatke Company yesterday wrote to "Secretary Root, of the War De partment, requesting that the tariff on oleomargarine and butterlne Imported In to the Philippine Islands be Increased. The schedules submitted by the Taft Commission make a difference of only one cent a kilo, or about half a cent a pound, between butter and oleomargarine. The schedules and all modifications suggested will be referred to experts who will make up the tariff for Its final form. Following Is the letter of the Glafke Company: "In relation to the proposed tariff schedule for the Philippines the one item that attracts our attention Is that of butter, which Is to bear a tariff of ' 5 cents per kilo. While the justice of this is not questioned, yet on the other hand oleomargarine pays, only six cents per kilo. It is a well-known fact that oleo margarine would drive butter fronv-the market If the two were placed on an even basis. Its cost of production is not one-half of that of butter, In fact, It Is the working up of material at packing houses that were It not for this outlet, would be an entire loss. "We therefore respectfully petition you In the Interests of the dairying Industry of the Pacific Coast, and this state In particular, that if butter is topay a tariff of five cents per kilo, oleomargarine, butterlne and the like should pay at least ten cents or even more. Even with this protection, butterlne can be placed on the market in the Philippines at a much less price than the genuine article." MARRIED FIFTY HnMMlBBaBaBBanMMiBHBnHBaH)a MR. AND MRS. W. B. JONES. GRESHAM, Or., April 15. W. B. and Mary J. Jones celebrated the 55th anni versary of their wedding at their home, near Gresham, last Sunday, about 50 of their descendants and other relatives being present. Mr. and Mrs. Jones came across the plains from Indiana in 1852, and settled upon the donation claim where they yet reside. They have had 11 children, "only four of whom are living. They are: Mrs. E. A. Stafford, Mrs. D. S. Dunbar, Mrs. Amanda Shurtz and J. A. Jones, all of" whom are -married. Mrs. Shurtz resides in Eastern Oregon, but the other' three are giving In this neighborhood. The reunion last Sunday was a very enjoyable affair, and none Were more happy than Mr. and Mrs. Jones, who grate fully appreciated, the remembrances of their -children and their families. BONUS FOR WOOLEN MILL SELLWOOD COMMITTEE MAKING GOOD PROGRESS. Owners of City View Parle -Willing. to Hrive- It Use'd an Site for 1005 Fair. The committee appointed by the Sell wood Sub-Board of Trade to raise a bonus for a woolen mill Is making encouraging progress. Secretary Madden said yester day that If the woolen mill could be se cured by offering the promoters a reason able bonus, the money would certainly be raised. If the mill is built at Sellwood it will be put on the site of the old Shlnd ler furniture factory, or a little farther south on the property of Richard Scott The advantage of the site under consld; eratlon Is that It has water power from Johnson Creek and Crystal Springs. If the site on the Scott land be selected, better "water power will be secured, as there will be an 18-foot fall by the union of Johnson Creek and the stream from Crystal Springs. Mr. Scott, a member of the Sellwood Sub-Board of Trade, said, at the meeting Friday night, that he would help the organization to secure the mill. The committee has ascertained In the canvass that many residents are willing to donate land toward the bonus, when they are riot able to subscribe money, and it is considered they will lose nothing If the woolen' mill, or some other manufac- I turlng establishment, be located at Sell wood, as their remaining land would be greatly advanced In value. A. N. Wills, a prominent resident of Wlllsburg, which joins Sellwood on the east, Is working hard to get the woolen mill. The Intention ls to. raise as large a bonus as possible and offer It to any manufacturing estab lishment that will come into the nelgh- borhood and give employment to at least 50 men. The committee of, 17, which Is trying to. have the Lewis and Clark Exposition of 1905 held on the City View Park tract, is working vigorously. The members of the subcommittee on location have visit ed nearly every owner of the park and have been promised assistance. The com mittee on map has been Instructed to con tract for a birds-eye view of the entire district. A preliminary sketch has been made. liaising 500 for a Church. . The $500 needed to furnish the audito rium of the Second Baptist Church, East Seventh and East Ankeny streets, Is be ing raised by the Ladles' Aid and Young People's Societies. Each of these organ izations has agreed to raise $200 within 60 days, and Mrs. A. T. Webb, who has done much for the church In every way, will subscribe the remainder. The aud itorium will be handsomely finished and - FIVE YEARS. furnished at a cost of about $3000, and not a - dollar of debt will be incurred. A resolution was passed by the official board, when the debt on the building was paid, that the. property should never again be Incumbered.' The church will be dedicat ed In June. Our Factory Nearing; Completion. The oar factorj on East, Water and East Clay streets, is nearly completed. Machinery is being placed In both build ings, and .the factory will be In operation In about two weeks. A 100-horse power bloler has been placed on an elevated foundation outside the main building, and the engine will shortly be set up. A run way for hauling logs from the river to the mill Is being' built As the water front of the ground leased by the factory will be required for logs, the boathouse of the Oregon" Yacht Club will be moved out into the river and will be reached by a floating bridge. EuHt Side Noted. Rev. N. Doane, the well-known retired pioneer Methodist minister, living at Portsmouth, who recently suffered a re lapse, was reported yesterday as Improv ing. Edgar Burr, the little son of Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Starr, died at the home of Mrs. M. M. Owen, Mount Tabor. The body was burled In Lone Fir cemetery. The. Salvation Army will resume meet ings in the barracks on East Oak and East Sixth street in a month. It is ex pected that the repairs under way on the building will be completed by that time. The foundation posts will be re newed and the underpinning braced with new timbers. Meetings were suspended a year ago. L. Strache, formerly a well-known resi dent of the East Side, now of Oakland, Cal., who has been visiting his old home for a month, will leave for Oakland today. Mr. Strache has a foundry In Oakland. He still retains considerable property in terests on the East Side. Work was begun yesterday on a two story frame building, 50x100 feet, on East Morrison street, between East Third street and Union avenue; for H. H. Prouty. It will be built on the pile foundation that has stood' for several years. The base ment and first floor will be occupied by a creamery. The building will cost $7000. Two boys Ray Castro and Ed Larepn were injured In a runaway accident, last evening. Castro was driving the delivery wagon of Johnson Bros. The pole strap gave way and the horses became un manageable. Castro was thrown to the street, and the front wheels of the wagon passed over his legs. Larsen clung to the seat until the wagon upset. He was thrown against a post and his ear was badly lacerated. H. T. Gell, of 155 East Sixth street, Is down with a mild attack of smallpox. The flag was displayed yesterday morning on the house, causing much alarm among the neighboring residents, who think the pa tient should be removed to the pesthouse. Mr. Gell has no Idea where he contracted the disease. There are several members of the family. The house has been quar antined. ' Dr. Wise has removed to rooms 211. 212 and-213. The Falling, cor. 3d and Wash. Dr. W. A. Roberts has removed his of fice to Falling bldg., 3d and Washington. BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS. Question, of Stringing; Electric Wires Taken Un A Defective Bid. Whether the Board of Public Works has the authority to regulate the Installa tion of electric light wires in houses, was the subject of considerable discus sion by that body yesterday. There was no question - about the charter empower ing the board to regulate the wires in the -streets and over the houses, but as the Fire Department had complained of fires originating through careless wiring within as well as without, the board has been asked to adopt resolutions In the matter. A representative of the Board of Fire Commissioners was on hand with a copy of the laws governing such matters in an Eastern city, but it formed too bulky a document for convenient guidance, and so Richard Williams was requested to meet with the Fire Commissioners and find out exactly what was needed. The date of the consultation was not set, but Mr. Williams will be notified by the Fire Commissioners. O. D. Wolf, a contractor, who lost the Second street Improvement job because he did not comply strictly with the re quirements of the advertisement, sent a communication to the board, averring that he was entitled to the contract, being the lowest bidder. He referred to a simi lar error made by a Mr. Golden, to whom the Garfield street job was award ed, Golden's bid being the lowest. Mr. Wolf in his letter -said: 'iA.nd your body, as a unit, has always heretofore been alert In this matter of promoting Improvements' to the properties rather than to the conractor. For this reason I must feel that I am entitled to this work, ouslde of the mere nominal technically mentioned, because we have verified both calculations, using both units for the classified work under the head ings 'cubic' and 'lineal,' the extended to tals would still be In my favor." Wolf's bid "had been rejected because he used the word "lineal" Instead of "cu bic," In bidding on the curbing of Sec ond street between Morrison and Madi son. The contract was awarded to Smyth & Howard, who had used the proper term, although their bid was $140 higher. The board, on that occasion, was a unit In favor of Mr. Wolf's bid, "but the at torney of Smyth & Howard was present, pleading for his clients, and suggesting that the work might be enjoined if Mr. Wolf was given the job. Visions of ex pensive law suits and the Indefinite post ponement of the work arose before the members, and, thfnklng It better to be sure than sorry, the'eontract, amounting to some $4500, was awarded Smyth & How ard. The board yesterday considered the matter disposed of and Mr. Wolf's letter was simply "placed on file." City Engineer Chase reported that the mprovement of Tillamook street, between Union avenue and East Seventh, had been deferred beyond a reasonable time, and that the neighbors over there were kick ing about It. He favored taking the con tract away from Mr. Riley and pro ceeding to secure the city on Riley's bond, so as to make up the difference In the next bid. The work will have to be advertised again. The franchise asked for by the City & Suburban Railway for use of Morrison street between Front street and the end of Morrison-street bridge, has been de layed because Richard Williams desired further time to secure the city In Its rights. This matter was put over until next meeting. ILLUMINATED HIS SHIP. Skipper of the German Ship Wega " Surprised by His Friends. When Captain Fr. Fennekohl, master of the German ship Wega, moored on the East Side, returned to his vessel last evening after, dark he was very much startled to observe-that the ship .was Illu minated, from stem to sfern, and the rig ging was ablaze with colored lights. As he approached the-vessel he was not a little alarmed at the appearance of things, and remarked to some friends who were with him that something was the matter, and he must hurry aboard. Once on board he found the deck thronged with young men and women, who had captured his ship while he was up town, and he capitulated, and became a gallant host for the rest of the night The Portland friends of the jolly captain conceived the idea that they would give him a surprise last night, "and show their appreciation for his kindly ways and Jolly companion ship since he-has been in this port with the big Wega, -so they" arranged that the captain should be detained at the Mult nomah Club rooms until they could get the ship illuminated, all of which wa3 ( accomplished. Over 100 colored lights were suspended from the rigging. About 40 couples gath ered aboard in the early evening, and the affair was kept so well that Captain Fennekohl hid not the slightest Intlma- tion of what was being done until he be held the Illumination and went aboard. But he was highly pleased, as well as sur prised, and he made his impromptu guests feel at home. Everest's orchestra had been engaged, and played selections In tho early part of the evening, and then furnished the music for the merry dancers until a late hour. A fine spread was served "during the night, and It was one of the pleasantest affairs that has oc curred In this port for sometime. Cap tain Fennekohl and the other officers of the Wega were ubiquitous in their atten tions to all, and they will always retain a lively recollection of the night of April 16. NO PROSPECT OF SETTLEMENT Striking Hnrness-Mnkers and Em ployers Still Wide Apart. There appears to be no prospect' of an early settlement of the disagreement be tween the employing harness-makers and their' striking workmen. The employers are acting In unison, and have decided to replace the strikers with first-class men as soon as possible, and will give them steady employment and good wages. They say that they cannot do business and compete with Eastern manufacturers on the scale of wages the strikers de mand. Leather has advanced 10 per cent within the past two years, and hardware is about 10 rer cent hlcher than It was in 1S9S-9D. Two years ago they could get plenty of j men for $1 50 per day, and wages have advanced considerably.. Many of the men who went out were Derfectlv satisfied with 'the pay they were receiving, but they be longed to the union, and had to stay wlth It In speaking of the wages paid. Mr. Breyman said: "We put our establishment on a day basis January 1, 1900. and worked on this plan up to 1901, the men receiving from $1 50 to $2 50 per day for 'bench men, according to their ability, and all were satisfied, and as fast as any were worth more than they were receiving their wages were Increased without ask ing for it, irt every case." Since January 1, 1901, the men have been paid by the piece. As showing t;he dif ference In the earnings of the men under the two systems, it was shown by. the books that the first on the pay-roll, or No. 1 man, who was paid $2 50 per day, earned by the piece an average of $16 97 per week. No. 2 man, who was also paid $2 50 per day, has averaged $15 S7 per week on piecework. No. 3 man, who was paid $2 25 per day, has average $13 27 per week. No. 4. who was also paid $2 25 per day, has averaged $17 13 per week; thus one has run behind 23 cents per week, and another has gained $3 63 per week. These figures apply to the 11 weeks the men worked, from January -1 to the time tney struck. On the schedule the employers submitted, which embraced some conces sions, the men, It Is alleged, could have done still better. The first schedule submitted by the men, the employers say, was entirely out of reason, and would have been prohibited, as they have hard work under the old scale to compete with the East, and there is no trade west of here. They have freight to pay "On hardware, hames, etc., from the East, which places them at a disadvantage In the start, and they have to ship their product back East as far as they can do business. The last schedule submitted by the workmen was not so bad, being about 20 per cent over the em ployers' schedule. Machine men were paid all they asked; saddle-makers were paid $3 to $4 per day, but, as they belonged to the union, they -had to join the strike. As Is usual. In such cases', the union provides for no difference between the pay1 of good'-work-men and poor or slow workmen, and they make specifications in regard to the man agement and pay of apprentices which are considered inimical to the employers. INLAND EMPIRE RESOURCES Colombia Basin Commercial Bodies - "Will Prepare Statement. At yesterday's meeting of the Trustees of the Chamber of Commerce, Vice-President Batchelder presiding in the absence of President Hahn, a letter was read from the Lewlston, Idaho, Commercial Club, on the subjeot of joint action by the commer cial organizations of Portland, Spokane, Walla Walla, Yakima, Colfax, Pendleton. Astoria, The Dalles and Grangevllle, to represent the resources of the Inland Em pire to the River and Harbor Committee of the House. The Lewlston Club sug gested a printed report on resources to be issued in the name of all the com mercial bodies, each to bear its share of the expense. The trustees approved the idea and authorized the President to ap point a committee of one with power to act A letter was received from Sidney Dell, of Astoria, Insisting upon a date for a lecture setting forth Astoria's advanatges as the shipping port of Portland. Mr. Dell recently asked for a date and was Informed that his proposal could not be consfdered until after President McKIn ley's visit He came back In another let ter In which he said that the Important problem which he has mastered shrould not be delayed on account of a "compar atively unimportant pageant." Secretary Flelschner was Instructed to write to Mr. Dell that his proposal cannot be con sidered until President McKlnley has come and gone. WHAT SHALL WE HAVE FOR DES SERT? This question arises In the family every day. Lot us answer it today. Try Jell-O. a de licious and healthful dessert. Prepared In two minutes. No boiling! no saklngl simply add boiling water and set to cool. Flavors: Lemon. Orange. Raspberry and Strawberry. Get a package at your grocer's today. 10c IT SLUGS HARD. Coffee a Snre and Powerful Bruiser. "Let your coffee slave be denied his grog at Its appointed time! Headache sick stomach fatigue like unto death, I know it all in myself, and have seen It In others. Strange that thinking, reason ing beings will persist In It3 use," says Gharles Worrall, of Topeka, Kan. He says further that he did not begin drinking coffee until after he was twenty years old, and that slowly It began to poison him and affect his hearing through his nervous system. He would quit coffee and the conditions would slowly disap pear, but "one cold morning the smell of my wife's coffee was too much for me, and I took a cup. Soon I was drink ing, my regular allowance, tearing down brain and nerves by the dally dose of the nefarious concoction. "Later I found my breach, coming hard and frequent fits of nausea, and then I was taken down with bilious fever. "Common sense came to me, and I quit coffee and went back to Postum. I at once began to gain and have had no re turns of my bilious symptoms, headache, dizziness, or vertigo, t "I now have health, bright thoughts and added weight, where before there was In validism, the blues, and a skeleton-like condition of the body. "It would be hard to tell how highly I value Postum. "My brother. Professor Harvey Worrall, quit coffee because of Its effect on his health, and uses Postum Food Coffee. He could not stand the nervous strain while using coffee, but keeps well on Postum. "MIssFantz.I know personally, has been Incapable of doing, a day's work while she was using coffee. She quit It and took up Postum and Is now well and has perfectly steady nerves." The Children are De lighted with hit Breakfast Food Like Older People, They Prefer it to Other Grain Foods. Malt Breakfast Food, because f its predlgested character, Is adapted for the young as well as the old. It satis fies and nourishes growing children, builds up bone, tissue and muscle, and keeps the stomach and bowels In perfect order from day to day. Malt Breakfast food once triad in the home at once meets the approval and expectations of every member of the family. Its delicious flavor captivates every palate. "No more oatmeal for us," Is th de cision of the thousands who have trlfa Malt Breakfast Food. Appetizing, nu tritious, energizing, easily digested and readily absorbed, are a few of the many grand qualities of Malt Breakfast Food. Your grocer sells it. Prepares for LeJand Stanford or any other college or university. Equal in every respect to the best schools of the East. A home sclwol for forty manly boys. Splendid equipment perfect and invigorat ing climate. Palo Alto is situated in the Santa Clara Valley literally the land of flowers, fruit and sunshine. WIUTK TOR ritOBPKCTUS TO FRANK CRAMER, A.M., Principal DAILY 3IETEUOOLOGICAL REPORT. PORTLAND. April 1(5. 8 P. M. Maximum temperature. 70; minimum temperature. 42. river reading at 11 A. M., rt.l reet; ctmng In the past 21 hours, 0.2 foot; total rwstpkatlon. 5 P. M. to 5 P. M.. 0.00; total precipitation since Sept. I. 11)00, 37.31 Inches; normal pre cipitation since Sept. l.'WOO. -10.12 Inch: de ficiency. 2.81 Inches; total sunshine April 15. 1330; possible sunshine April 15. 13:30. WEATHER CONDITIONS. No rain or snow has falen In the Rocky Mountain and Pacific Coast State? during tht last 24 hours, and it Is much warmer over the greater part of the Northern States west of the Missouri River. Severe frosts oeeurxed Tuesday morning in Eastern Oregon. Butern Washington and Idaho, and light froata weru reported from a few places In Western Oregon and- Western Washington. Tho Indications ar? for Increasing cloudiness In thta dltrlct Wednesday, with continued mild temperatures. "WEATHER FORECASTS. Forecasts made at Portland for the 28 houra ending at midnight Wednesday. April 17: Portland and vicinity Increasing eloudlnees; northerly winds. Western Oregon Increasing cloudiness, prob ablr followed by showers and' possibly thunder in south portion; cooler by afternoon or night; winds mostly northerly. Western Washington Increasing cloudiness; winds mostly northerly. Eastern Oregon, Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho Increasing cloudiness; winds mostly northerly. Southern Idaho Increasing cloudiness; warm er In east portion; winds mostly northerly. EDWARD A. REALS. Forecast Official. CLASSIFIED AD. RATES "Rooms." "Rooms and Board." "Housekeep ing Rooms." "Situation Wanted," IB words or less, 15 cents; 10 to 20 words. 20 cents; 21 to 23 words. 25 cents, etc. No discount for additional Insertions. UNDER ALL OTHER HEADS except "New Today," 30 cents for 15 words or less; 10 to 20 words. 40 centa; 21 to 25 words, 00 cents, etc. first Insertion. Each additional Insertion, one half; no further discount under one month. "NEW TODAY" (gauge measure agate). IB cents per line, first Insertion; 10 cents per llaa for each additional Insertion. ANSWERS TO ADVERTISEMENTS, ad dressed care The Oregonian and left at thia of fice, should'alwaya be inclosed la sealed envel opes. No stamp la required on such letters. The Oregonian will not be responsible for er rors In advertisements taken through the tele phone. . AUCTION SALES TODAY. At Wilson's salesrooms. 182 First St., at 10 A. M. sharp. J- T. Wilson, auctioneer- MEETING NOTICES. SAMARITAN LODGE. NO. 2. I. O. O. F. Regular meeting this (Wednesday) evening at 8 o'clock. Election of representatives to tho Grand Lodge and second degree. Visitors wel come. M. OSVOLD. Sec. PORTLAND CHAPTER, NO. 3, R. A. M. Regular convocation this (Wednesday) evening at 7:30. Worlc In tho'''!Mark,'Mras9r' degree. Vis iting companions, welcome. By or der of the M. E. H. P. HENRY ROE. Sec. WASHINGTON LODGE. NO. 40. A. F. & A. M. Stated meeting thU (Wednesday) evening. Work in M. M. degree. All Master Masons cor dially Invited. By order of AV. M. J. A. .newell, sec. Whist party and refreshments given by tho Pyramids, at Foresters' Hall. Thursday even ing. April 18. Admission 13c. BORN. LOESCH April 15. to the wife of Mr. Cfras. A. Loesch (nee Miss Helen M. Gruenbetg). of San Francisco, an eight-pound son. DIED. SHAVER In this city, at the home of his parents, Monnaetes block, cor. First and Jefferson sts.. April Hi, 1001. WHItam J. Shaver, aged 27 years. 8 months and 12 days. Notice of funeral hereafter. COSGROVE Hugh Cosgrove, of Champoeg. Or., a pioneer of 1847. died April 10, at his home. In Marlon County. FUNERAL NOTICES. FIELD At tho residence of his daughter, Mrs. J. W. Ganong, In this city, April IB, Amos Field, aged 74 years. Funeral from St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Oregon City, todny, April 17. at 2:30 P. M. Funoral car will leava from East 11th and Hawthorne ave. at 1:30. Friends Invited to attend. ECKENBERGER In this city. April 15. Mrs. Mary E. Eckonberger wife of H. C. Eaken berger. aged 50 years. 5 months, 2S days. Funeral Wednesday, April 17. at 2 P. M.. from late residence. 53 North 18th street. Friends and acquaintances Invited. Servleea at the grave private. FI9KE The funeral of Laura Virginia, wlfo of Bertrand E. Flske. will -take place from the late residence, 0117 Belmont St., today at 2 P. M. Interment at Lone Fir cemetery. EDWARD HOLMAN, Undertafcer,4tli and Yamhill ntn. Tleim Stlmton. lady nsnlatant. Both plionen No. COT. Flnlcy, Kimball & Co., Undertakers. Lady aaalatant. S75 Third at. Tel. O. NEW TODAY. "Webfoot" Is a Perfect rlardwheat Flour Mrs. Sarah Tyson Rorer's famous book. "Bread and Bread Makine." free to users oC this flour. Ask your grocer. Palo Alto, California jj P11 ""- a uxjil ..11 - J I. . .,u,,Vl .. 1 & 1 A t