Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937, December 21, 1901, Image 5

Historic Oregon Newspapers

Morning Oregonian., December 21, 1901, Page 5, Image 5

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Newspaper Page Texttfck MORE ABOUT LAND BOARD GOVERNOR GEER AGATX CALLS FOR INFORMATION. Oifuands That His Accasers Sepply 1 AdminItratlon Has Nothing to Conceal, SALEM, Dec. 20. (To the Editor.) About a month ago The Dalles Chronicle, in the goodness of its heart, declared that It "could at any time furnish Gov ernor Gecr with the names of gentlemen in Sherman and Wasco Counties who have been compelled to pay $4 and $4 25 an acre for lands that the state Is authorized to sell for SI 25, the difference going presum ably to middlemen in. the employ of the state." This was a most serious charge; serious for the people and the State Land Board, if true, and serious for the paper mak ing it, If not true. I at once, through the columns of The Oregonlan, so that the whole matter might "be made as pub lic as possible, requested the Chronicle to publish the names of these cltlzeis of "Wasco and Sherman Counties, In obedi ence to Its offer, and added a request that it be made "specific." After a silence of three weeks that pa per ventures a reply, in which It says: "This paper made the charge and re peats it, that settlers are obliged to pay $4 and $5 an acre for lands for which the state gets only SI 25. The Chronicle could furnish scores of names of such pur chasers, and would do so were it not that the matter is so open 'and notorious that the publication is unnecessary." But this is evasion of the very worst form, and the Chronicle shall not escape so easily. This is a question of public Interest, and the dominant desire to cen sure the State Land Board, or, rather, one member of It, is not to be accomplished by concealing such "open and notorious" information as seems to be lying around loose in that vicinity. Nothing less than the names of the men who have paid more than SI 25 for SI 25 land will satisfy the people who have little Interest in com mon with those who have no higher mo tives than the perpetuation of factional lights in the Republican party. I have no hesitation whatever In saying that there is not a man in either Sher man or "Wasco Counties, or elsewhere in the State of Oregon, who has paid more than $1 25 for land that the state Is au thorized to sell for that price, and if The Dalles Chronicle will publish the affidavit of such man, describing the land so it may be located, I will agree to pay for the publication of the same at the usual ad vertising rates. If such a state of af fairs exists it will bo worth that much to me as a public officer to find It out, and since The Dalles paper voluntarily of fered to furnish these names, the burden of proof Is upon it, and it should do so at once or go 'way back and sit down. In commenting on my letter In The Ore gonlan 'concerning the land question the Chronicle says that I "made a good case for the state officials along the line of mineral lieu lands." Thanks, then, on the part of the State Land Board, so far as the mineral lieu lands go. "We will con sider that question disposed of, therefore, and, since there Is practically no base to be had now, nor for several years past, but mineral lands, about all the vitality is removed from the Chronicle's original complaint. As a last kick, however, that paper gives an Instance where "a tier of town ships In this County of "Wasco was added about a year ago to the forest reserve, and immediately after, when the residents of this county applied to the State Land Department for the right to purchase lands In lieu of lands In sections 1C and 36 In the townships just reserved, they were told that every acre of these lands, amounting to some 6000 acres, -were al ready in the hands of private parties. In point of fact, the lands in question had all been purchased from the state before they were declared a part of" the reserva tion, and purchased at a time when, with out the prospect of their availability as base lands, they were not worth a nickel an acre. "The Chronicle Is willing to believe that all this was done under the strict form of law, but It cannot help wondering how the State Land Department, if it were as anxious to conserve the interests of the people as Governor Geer and his apologists would have us believe, allowed this land to be thus appropriated by men in point of fact by one man who now charge what they please for It, while the intent of the law is that the settler should have the land for SI 25 an acre." A chromo should at once be presented to the man who can successfully diagnose such a case as this. The Chronicle Is will ing to admit that, all this was done "un der strict form of daw," but "cannot help wondering how thfe State Xand Board al lowed it to happey." Of course, when a man is so far goni that he cannot "help wondering" when officials perform their "duties according to the strict form of the law, and criticise them for it, he con fesses himself a sympathizer with those who do things differently, and should at once join their ranks, for there is where his confession places him. To perform its duties "according to the strict form of the law" is a habit the present State Land Board fell Into at once when it began its work, and proposes to stay by that method, notwithstanding the criticism of the Chronicle and its coworkers along dif ferent lines. In regard to this tier of townships, the Chronicle says that It contained about 5000 acres of school sections which "the state had sold before It was declared a part of the reservation." That is true, and it was "under the strict form of law," and, what is more, the State Land Board was bound to sell It to the first appli cant. The school fund received Jl 5 for every acre of it. and the Chronicle says it "was not worth a nickel an acre." Since the Chronicle ought to know, then the man or men who paid $1 25 an acre for land worth only a nickel an acre were $1 20 an ace in the hole, so far as their deal with tjtie State Land Board was con cerned, and they would have remained there had Jtfnot been for the action of the General Government Jn adding the land to the forest reserve. Will the Chronicle believe me when I assure It that the Land Board of the State of Oregon docs not set aside forest reserves, neither add ing to nor taking from? And will it In the future remember that we have Its own admission that In disposing of the lieu land which came to the state Instead of this 5000 acres, that It was all done "under the strict form of law." The Chronicle Is really entitled to pub lic sympathy, for In this land business it is mixed to the very point of Imbecil ity. It alleges that this 5000 acres of school land is "not worth a nickel an acre," and adds that the men who own It "charge what they please for it, while the intent of the law is that the settler should have it for $1 25." What sort of a friend of the settler is this who wants him to pay SI 25 an acre for land that Is "not worth a nickel an acre"? Of course, ref erence Is not made here to the lieu lands selected in place of the 5000 acres, for the editor says he is discussing lands that "the settlers should have for SI 25 an acre." Since all lieu lands must be sold for "not less than $2 50 an acre," the learned editor is still claiming that the settlers are defrauded because by some means they are not permitted to buy this land for SI 25 an acre that Is worth less than a nickel how much less is not stated. Twice the Chronicle refers to "Governor Geer and his apologists," but admits that since it has been made to understand the mineral selections, "a good case for the state officials has been made," and that in the only othe Instance mentioned the law has been followed "strictly." These admissions render the gauze under which It sought to conceal Its real motive for the criticism unusually thin. Officials who perform their duties "under the strict fnrm of the law" do not need apologists. ri-r- 1 The apology should come from those wSo criticise such officials. Acting for a moment under the wrong conclusion that The Dalles paper thought It knew what it was talking about, let me assure it again that the Governor is no the walking embodiment of the State Land Board. 1 am willing to fight the battles of that board, when necessary, but I wish to assure the public, who may be led to suppose otherwise from these hysterical incantations of a few men whoso desire for the perpetuation of fac tional troubles dominates every move ment, that Treasurer Moore and Secretary Dunbar are here with me in this land business; that they are not by any means mere dummies In my hands; that they are able, honest and Industrious gentle men, who always have something to say on these important questions, and that the state has never had better or more competent officers in their respective de partments than they. There are three things that The Dalles Chronicle and Its associates in Its frantic endeavor to forestall the action of the peo ple in naming the next Republican state ticket should do: First Read the land laws of the state, discover the difference between the lieu lands and the school lands, and the prices for which each is sold. Second Read the constitution of the state and discover that the State Land Board consists of the State Treasurer and Secretary of State, as well as of the Gov ernor. This will lead to many surprises, but will, in the long run, no dptibt, be quite beneficial and ought to funush Im mediate relief. fc" Third Grasp the Idea as quickly as pos sible that the people of Oregon are not at all to be fooled by these childish at tacks on an administration that has noth ing to conceal and whoso members have worked in harmony In all things for the public good, and, therefore, for the best Interests of the party which honored them with Its confidence. T. T. GEER. DAILY CITY STATISTICS. Marriage Licences. Robert J. Howard, 21, Evelyn Taylor. 18. Joseph . Howard. 23, May L. Taylor, 17. Birth Returns. December 0, to wife of William Nelson, a elrl, 331 College street. December 11. to wife of Victor Emerick, a boy. East Thirty-fourth and East Taylor streets. December 1. to wlfo of George W. Elmonds. a girl. University Park. December 10, to wife of Afred N. Patterson, a girl. Union block, First street. December 15, to wife of Grant Redman, a girl, 801 Hendricks avenue. Death Reterns. December 18, George R. Vosburg, 72 years, 140 East Twelfth -street; senile pneumonia December 18, Bemhard Martin Behrenz, 84 years; late residence, 22 North Eighth street; place of death. County Hospital. December 18, Mary Cecelia McDonald, 20 years, 034 Belmont street; meningitis. December 18. Louise Vineset, 20 years, 440 Fifth street; miscarriage. ContngriouM Dlaeasc. Olive Dooley, 094 Front street; diphtheria. Building: Permit. McKean & Buergey, three two-story houses, southeast corner Fifteenth and Johnson streets; S0400. Real Eitate Transfers. Portland Trust Company of Oregon to K. D. Goltra. lot 3, block 20, Wheeler's Ad dition $1100 J. C. Havely, trustee, et al. to Portland Trust Company, lots 3 and 4, block lid, and all block 113, Woodstock 500 S. P. Lee, executor, to Albert Huber, lot G and S. 20 feet of lot 7, block 137, ? 1500 William L. Kesterson and wife to Noah D. Kesterson. nine acres, section 1J, T. 1 S., R. 3 E 375 G. G. Gammans and wife to Reuben Tre- ber, lot 6. block 10. Lincoln Park 150 Portland Lone Fir Cemetery Company to Mrs. Annie Holmes, lot 33, block 37. LonoFIr Cemetery '. 33 L. A. Buckman and husband to J. G. Buckman, ots 31 and 32, Eastwood.... 800 Bertha Stelger to A. B. Castor, lot 14, block 10, Mount Tabor Villa 35 Otto Roenicke and wife to O. R. & N. Co., right of way, section 12, T. 1 N., R. 1 W. 400 H. L. Burton et al. to O. R. & N. Co., right of way, lot 5, block 38. Portsmouth 100 H. E. Noble et al. to O. R. & N. Co., fright of way, NW. 4, section 21, T. 1 JN.. R. 1 E. 300 H. R. Davis and wife to O. R. & N. Co., !rlght of w;- lot 24, Melvln Tract 1 Susie M. Gllbdt to O. R. & N. Co., right of way. SE. UsectlonUS, T. 1 N.. R. 1 E 1 Hub Land Company to O. R. & N. Co., right of way, lots 7, 8, 9 and 10, block 38. Portsmouth i Lewis Russell and wife to O. R. & N. Co.. right of way, sections 17 and 18, T. 1 N.. R. 1 E 5000 Susan M. Roberts and husband to O. R. & N. Co.. right of way, section 12, T. I N.. R. 1 E 300 William H. Bun-age et al. to O. R. & N. Co.. right of way. NW. U. section 21. T. 1 N.. R 1 E 500 Electric Land Company to O. R. & N. Co., lots 5, G and 7. block 3S, Portsmouth 1 Multnomah Real Estate Association to O. R & N. Co., right of way, SW. U, section 1C. T. 1 N., R. 1 E 1 J. L. Hartman et al. to O. R N. & Co., right of way, S. , section 12. T. 1 N., R. 1 E i Ruben Weeks to O. R. & N. Co., right of way, SW. U. section 7, T. 1 N., R 1 E. 1 Ainsworth National Bank to O. R & N. Co.. right of way, NW. U. section 21, T. 1 N., R. 1 E 2 F. W. Paine and wife to O. R & N. Co., right of way, NW. U. section 21, T. 1 N., R. 1 E 1 University Land Company to O. R & N. Co., right of way, section 15, T. 1 N R IE i Hub Land Company to ,0. R & N. Co., right of way, NW. U. section IS, T. 1 N.. R. 1 E 1 Electric Land Company to O. R & N. Co.. right of way. lots 1, 2. 3. 4, 5. block 28. Portsmouth 1 W. E. Lewis and wife to Maudo G. Hud son, M interest in lots 3 to 8, block 2; lots 21 to 24, block 3; lots 5 to S and 18. block 5, lots 4 and 8, block 6; lots 5 to 12. block 8; lots 1 to 4. 17. 20. block 0: lots 3 to 0 and 8 to 18. 21. 22, 23, 24. block 10; lots 19 to 24.N)lock 11. Prlne dale 472 J. G. Hunter and wife to O. R & N. Co., right of way. Melvln Tract, and lots 10 II and 12. block 38, Portsmouth 1500 Ahlo S. Watt to S. A Murhard ct al.. 100 square feet. Sherry Ross Tract 2 Thomas Connell and wife to J. H. Clark, lot 7. block 2, Ravenswood 800 Percy H. Blyth and wife to J. H. Peter son, lots 5 and 8, block 13, Watson's Addition 2500 Julia E. Bllnn to Mary A. Hunter, lot 12, block 0. FalrvieV i D. W. Pierce and wife to James Rlchey, 169.81 acres. Caleb Rlchey D. L. C. 0500 Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company to H. G. Colton,- 29.84 acres Archon Z. Kelly D. L. C 3000 Portland Trust Company to Mary A Bra dy, lots 7 and 8. block 9, Williams-Avenue Addition 045 Pacific Coast Abstract. Guaranty & Trust Co., A. B. Manley. secretary, W. Y. Masters, attorney, 204-5-6-7 Falling bldg. CATARRH OF THE HEAD AITD THROAT ,Makes your voice husky, causes you to acne an over, stops up your nose, makes ;you snore, makes your nose itch and 'burn, brings on catarrhal headaches and neuralgia. Smith Bros.' S. B. Catarrh Cure attacks this common, dreadful dis ease, on new and correct principles. It eradicates the disease from the system and restores the mucous membranes to a healthy condition and will cure catarrh, no matter where located. For sale by all druggists. Books on Catarrh free. Aa dress Smith Bros., Fresno, Cal. To Rulld a Railroad to Valdes. SEATTLE, Dec 20. L. C. Dlllman re turned today from New York, where he sold 2S copper mining claims, located in the interior of Alaska, for Sl,200,000. He says the London syndicate to which he sold the claims has definitely decided to build a railroad from Valdes, Alaska, to the location of the claims, a distance of 140 miles. The cost of the road win be about $3,500,000. THE MORNING OKEGONIAN, SATUKUAT, FOR COPENHAGEN DIRECT STEAMSHIP "WILL LOAD A FULL CARGO AT PORTLAND. Kerr Marie et for Oregon "Wheat Steamship Goodwin in Port Overdue Mitchell In. Portland exporters have shipped wheat to some very remote quarters of the globe within thii past few years, and yesterday a demand was reported from a new and unexpected source. The British steam ship Java, a eooo-ton carrier, has been chartered to load at this port for Copen hagen direct. During the past season, cargoes has been cleared from Portland for South America. South Africa, Siberia, the Orient, Germany, Belgium, France and other European countries, but this is the first appearance of Denmark buy- BRITISH TURRET STEAMSHIP ers in the market for a direct shipment. Cargoes cleared for Quecnstown or Fal mouth, are sometimes diverted to Copen hagen, but this Is said to be the first large cargo that has ever been taken for direct shipment frcm Portland. The wheat crop of Denmark Ls reported to be in much the same condition as that of Germany, and as Walla Walla wheat has a fine reputation In Germany there is no good reason why it should not prove equally satisfactory in Denmark. The Java is now fn the Orient dis charging a cargo of general merchandise from Liverpool and London and as soon as she finishes discharging, she will pro ceed to Portland in ballast. Portland has already dispatched five steamship car goes this season, but all of them have cleared for St. Vincent for orders. Two more are now in port loading, and three I others arc listed to arrive. In the sea- , son of 1SS7-9S Portland dispatched eleven . steamships with wheat, and from present indications the "tramp" fleet will, by the end of the present season, be larger than that of last year. "WIKD AND "WEATHER, Government Forecast for the NortH Pacific for January, 1002. The regular monthly forecast which ac companies the North Pacific Pilot chart, is out with the outline of what may be expected In the way of wind and weather next month. It predicts fog off the Oregon and Washington Coast for H per cent of the entire month and regarding the winds in thl3 vicinity, has the fol lowing: The course of the winds ls from south east with falling barometer through south to west and northwest, with rising bar ometer. North of 45 degrees and between the Coast and 135 degrees west a majority of the winds come from the southeast quadrant. Gales from the southern semi circle will be frequent, the hardest com ing from southeast. Between 40 and 45 north the prevailing direction of the wind ranges from southeast Immediately un der the Coast, to southwest between 125 and 130. and to northwest between 130 and 135. Gales (generally from southwest) much less frequent than farther north. South of 40 degrees the prevailing direc tion goes from southeast under the Coast to northwest between 125 and 130. In the square included between 35 and 40 north, 130 and 1S5 west, the winds are about equally distributed around the compass. Continuing southward along the Coast, northwesterly winds may be expected as far as Acapulco, covering a belt extend ing 300 miles offshore. From 15 to 10 northeasterly winds will prevail; likewise from 10 to 5 degrees as far west as the 105th meridian, becoming easterly beyond. Between & north and the Line southwest erly winds will extend from the Coast to 90 degrees, to the westward of which the direction becomes successively south erly and southeasterly. NEW TURRET STEAMSHIP. Argyll Nojc In Port Is Less Than Four Months Old. t The British steamship Argyll, one of tho very latct additions to the fleet of tur ret steamships which have become quite prominent in the Columbia River trade, arrived up from Astoria yesterday fore noon, and made fast at Irving dock where she will load wheat for Europe. Captain j Harrison reports a rough trip across the Pacific for the greater part of the dis- ' tance. but met with no accidents. The Argyll is near enough like the Suther land to be a twin sister, and Is on her maiden trip, having left the yards at Sunderland less than four months ago. Turret steamships arc too much like the American whalebacks to make any pre tensions to beauty, and the Argyll Is no ' exception to the rest of her race. At the same time, she is a stanch, comfortable freighter, equipped with all modern ap pliances for rapid handling of cargo, and possessing a fair degree of speed. Her dimensions are: Length 340 feet, beam 45.5 feet, depth of hold 27.2 feet. Gross tonnage 3340. net tonnage 22S0. She has a deadweight carrying capacity of about 6500 tons. While not built for speed, she is better equipped with power than most of the tramp steamers that visit this port. Her engines are of the triple ex pansion type with cylinders 26, 42 and 63 inches diameter of cylinder by 42 Inches stroke. The Argyll comes under charter to the Northwest Warehouse Company, and will take out about 1S5.000 bushels of wheat. WILLIAM MITCHELL IN. Belated British Ship At Lnst Reaches Astoria In Safety. The British ship William Mitchell, which has been doing the "Flying Dutch man" turn, off the mouth of the river for the past six weeks, was towed Into As toria yesterday morning by the tugs Wallula and Tatoosh. Pilot M. D. Staples has been pn board of the craft lncA December 9, but contrary winds kept him down to the southwards until yesterday. The "William Mitchell makes the ninth arrival within the past three days, and has reduced the fleet that is fully due to small proportions. Of those still outside, the barkentlne Renfleld is causing some anxiety, as she was fully due off the river at the time of the big gale. The Irby Is also out long enough to have been In reach of that gale if she had made a fast passage. The arrival of this lato fleet swells the In-port list to a total of 29 vessels, of which 10 are loaded. Nearly all of the others are comparatively recent arrivals, and but few of them will be ready for sea again, until past the turn of the year. The British ship William Mitchell, which arrived In port this morning, after a passage of 151 days from Table Bay, was at no time In danger. Captain Gil bert reports that he made the run from Table Bay to the Columbia In 112 days, and he has been 39 days trying to get In side. Eleven times he came up to the whistling buoy, but was each time driven awiy before he could get a tug to bring him in. The vessel was well provisioned, and those on board were in no distress, ARGYLL, CAPACITY 0500 TOXS, TO except that the fresh water wa3 running short. - Several days ago the Mitchell spoke the steam schooner Sequoia, and from her secured some oil for the .side lights, and when she arrived had only enough for another day. Pilot Staples, who has been on board ,the ship since December 9, says she Is very difficult to handle, as she will not hold to the wind, but speaks In the highest terms of the efficiency of the officers and crew. When he was able to get the vessel up to the mouth of the river early this morning he dropped anchor In 16 fathoms of wa ter and hold on until the two tugs came out and picked her up. As It was 1m poss'ble to raise the anchor. It was slipped with 90 fathoms of chain. ANITA ARRIVES IN. She Ifna Had Quite nn Experience Since She Left Qulllnyutc. ASTORIA, Dec. 20. The gasoline schooner Anita, which arrived in today, had quite an experience on her trip, and brought .only 63 cases of salmon from Kinney's cannery, at Qulllayute. She put Into that port early last month, and had taken on only a small quantity of sal mon when a storm struck her, carrying away her anchor chain, and she was obliged to go to sea. Later she went to Neah Bay, and afterwards made two un successful attempts to reach Qulllayute, but the sea was too rough. While beat ing about the place the schooner sprang a leak, and her master. Captain Tabell, was forced to take her to Seattle for re pairs. No Change in Route. NEW YORK. Dec 20. There Is, it ap pears, some truth in the stories which have been current of late, that the Brit ish postal authorities had decided to change the mall route to Australia, cables the London representative of the Tribune. An influential official of the general post office is authority for the statement that the question of trying the American route has been undoubtedly under considera tion by the authorities. Nothing, how ever, can be done in the matter for three years, the existing contracts having that period to run. RnlHliig the Ruth. CORVALLIS, Dec 20. Appliances are being gathered for the removal of the steamer Ruth from the snagon which she still hangs in the Willamette at Cor vallls. The Modoc arrived up last night with a big barge and a lot of big tim bers, v and left down this morning for an other scow brought from Portland to the mouth of the Yamhill by the Elmore. She Is expected, here tomorrow afternoon, when the work of lifting the boat out of her present position will begin. It ls expected that a couple of days and pos sibly much longer time will be required In getting her afloat. Libel Suit Dismissed. SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 20. United States District Judge DeHaven today handed down an opinion dismissing the li bel suit of Levi & Co. vs. the British ship Marechal Suchet, et al., for damages re ceived by a part of her cargo on a voyage from Liverpool to San Francisco, via Cape Horn. Costs w.ere awarded to the claimants. Domestic and Foreign Ports. ASTORIA Bee. 20. Arrived at 11 A M. British ship William Mitchell, from Table Bay. Sailed at 4 P. 1L Steamer Chico, for Seattle. Condition of the, bar at S P. M., moderate; wind southwest; weather hazy. Tacoma, Dec 20. Arrived British steamer Selkirk, from Ladysmitb. B. C. Sailed Brit ish steamer Oceao, for Manila; Italian steam er Luigl Clampa, for St. Vincent; American barkentlne Katl-f FHcklnger, for San Francis co; American stcSmer Asuncion, for San Fran cisco. H Plym6uth. Dec.20. Arrived Kaiser Wilhclm der Grosse. from New York, for Bremen. Qucenstown, Dec 20. Arrived Lucania, from New York, for Liverpool. San Francisco, Dec 20. Arrived Steamer Ri val, from Willapa Harbor. Sailed Steamer Czarina, for Seattle; schooner Advent, for Co lumbia River; schooner Parkersburtr, for Co qullle River; schooner Sailor Boy. for Gray's Harbor; steamer John S. Kimball, for Seattle: schooner Gem, for Coos Bay; steamer Tellus. for Ladysmlth. Seattle, Dec 20. Sailed December 19, Nor wegian steamer Guernsey, for Japan and Chi na; 20th. British ship Boadlcea, for United Kingdom; steamer City of Puebla, for San Francisco. Arrived Steamer Walla Walla, from San Francisco. Muroran. Arrived December 19 Crusad"r, from Portland. Or., for Manila. Hong Kong. Sailed December 10 Empress of Japan, for Vancouver Yokohama. Arrived December 17 Empress of China, from, Vancouver for Hong Kong. Rotterdam, Dec 20. Sailed Ryndam, for New York. Havre. Dec 20. Arrived L'Aqultalne, from New York. Boston, Dec 20. Arrived Ivernla, from Liv erpool. New York. Dec 20. Arrived Slcllla, from Naples; La Savole, from Havre; Campania, from Liverpool. DECEMBER 21, 1901. TO BREAK! HE SALT TRUST IXDEPEXDEXT PRODUCERS DESIRE TO EXPLORE NEW FIELDS. A Canadian Inquirer Who Wants to Know About Oregon How the Price Has Advanced. Since the salt business of the country fell into the 'hands of a trust and the price was put up 150 to 400 per cent there has been manifest among independent manufacturers a disposition to open new fields of production In order that the price may be worked down to reasonable figures again. They seem to regard the business as one that will yield abundant protlt at prices much below those now de manded for salt. These men are not nov ices seeking opportunity to experiment at other people's expense, but ore usually - LOAD WHEAT AT PORTLAND. men of experience in the salt business, who;e properties have been taken by the trust. These plants were sold at reason able figures, based on the prices of salt two years or moro ago, but the present prices tempt the old operators to go bacK into the business. The following is one of several letters received by the Portland Chamber of Commerce, making Inquiry as to the pos sibility of salt manufacture In this state, this letter being from a manufacturer In Seaforth, Canada: This place ls the home of the salt industry in Canada. I havr been engaged in salt manu facture for years, but tho trust has taken hold of the whole field, and I And myself looking for new ileitis. In looking over tho resources of your state. I was Interested to find men tioned, among other minerals, largo deposits of salt and coal In close proximity, and if such is tho case I would consider the question of go ing out there and looking Into the matter, with a view of establishing the industry. Will you bs kind enough to let mo know (1) in what part or parts of the state the salt formation occurs, and If adjacent to navigable waters; (2) do you know the thickness of the layer? (3) Is there any salt being manufac tured In Oregon at present? (4) Where does tho fcalt used on the Coast come from? (5) At what prices, does it sell for per ton, barrel, sack, etc? (0) About what quantity, it any. is used in the salmon Industry? (7) Is there an ample supply of coal or other fuel? (8) At what prices? We would like to locate near Portland, If possible, so as to be handy for exportation to the Orient, as Immense quantities are annually imported by China and Japan from England and Germany. In looking up data for the information of the Canadian inquirer the following statement was obtained from a leading jobber of Portland, who has for years been familiar with the salt trade in this territory: There is no salt manufactured In Oregon that wo are aware of. Fine salt ls brought to tho Paciilc Coast at this timo from Liverpool. Salt Lake and San Francisco. Half-ground salt ls brought frcm San Francisco and Salt Lake. The usual packages are 50-pound, 100-pound or 200-pound sacks. The CO-pound sack is the usual size for nne salt, and the 100-pound sack ls the usual size for stock salt. For tho past year the Federal Salt Company has practically controlled the salt business on this Coast, and has put up prices to a very high point. Half-ground salt has been raised 300 to 400 per cent, and fine salt over 100 per cent. The present cost to us of half-ground salt is $1Q CO per ton in 100-pound sacks. San Francisco refined salt ls $25 per ton In 50-pound sacks. Liverpool salt ls $25 CO per ton In 100 pound sacks. This is the Portland cost. The territory ls allotted so that deliveries are made In certain portions from San Francisco and In certain portions from Salt Lake, the rato of freight governing the delivery cost to tho different parts of the territory. There ls a very large quantity used In tho salmon Industry- The first salt works on the Pacific Coast were In Oregon, the plant of Lewis and ClarK, which was established nearly 100 years ago, on the Clatsop Beach. It was 50 years later when California be gan turning out salt for the market from the salt marshes about Alameda. Oregon went out of the business when Lewis and Clark returned to the East, and the In dustry has not yet been re-established here. There ls plenty of sea water on the Oregon coast, but tho facilities for evapo rating it in large quantities are not good. In the southern part of the state arc marshes that might be utilized for salt works. The Coqullle River ls salt 12 miles above its mouth, and its shores arc low. Saline springs are, known in Polk and Douglas Counties, and In the latter It Is understood preparations are being made for establishing salt works. There aro deposits of various salts at the lakes of tho southeastern quarter of the state, among the minerals there found being the sodium chloride so much desired to break the hold of the commercial salt trust. Salt springs also abound there. In other parts of the state it is said1 evidences of the presence of ealt have been dlscoverea, and there is no doubt that it would be possible to supply a considerable part ot tho home demand If the Industry were developed: perhaps all the local demand, or mor. But there has been little expert examination of Oregon's salt resources, and not much accurate knowledge of them ls available. Oregon has an abundance of coal, though It is not yet extensively mined. Coal and salt are found within reasonable d! tance of each other. Wood Is also an abundant and cheap commodity In all parts of Western Oregon, save In the Lower Willamette Valley. A bulletin just issued by the Census Bureau gives the total salt production or the United States for 1900 at 15.1S7.S19 bar rels of 2S0 pounds each. Michigan ls first with 5,206,310 barrels, and California ls fifth, with 640,420 barrels. The manner or making the settling and evaporating ponds of California and of preparation for market Is thus described by A. A. Oliver, of Mount Eden, Cal.: The land having been cleared of grass and weeds, is first diked with a good levee three or four feet high. It is then partitioned oft into reservoirs of different sizes for receiving and evaporating the water. Crystallizing ponds are excavated and platforms for stacking the salt aro built. The ground ls principally peat nvrl:nrlY tilt... .Iiv i fMrtnllllrif- nonds are dug In the peat, of which enough Is left J to rorm a bottom or carpet in tne pona, mc salt crystals belns readily removed from tho peat floor. There are usually seven evaporating reservoirs to a plant, the brine being drawn from one to another as It strengthens and de creases in volume by evaporation. Tho last three are called lime ponds, because large quantities of gypsum and other matter, pre cipitated before the salt, settles in them. The brino Is retained in the seventh reservoir until It reaches a density of 25 degrees Baume. When this strength of brine is attained, tho crystallizing ponds are filled to a depth of 10 or 12 Inches and the brine evaporated until 29 degrees by the hydrometer is reached. The mother liquor is then drawn oft and the salt gathered up and conveyed into warehouses to drain. This completes the solar process. Much of the salt Is sold after drying in tho warehouses, but many thousands of tons aro taken to refining works In San Francisco, where it Is more thoroughly dried by artificial heat and ground Into various grades for chlorl nation works, packing-houses and silver mills, and for dairy and table uses. The regular trade winds which blow In the Summer months aro quite strong In this locality, and greatly aid evaporation. While the principal salt works In Cali fornia are located on San Francisco Bay. small quantities of salt are produced m other places In tho state. There are salt works at Salton, in Riverside County. In a portion of the Colorado Desert, which ls below the level of the sea, salt water ls pumped from, wells and evaporated. At National City, in San Diego County, salt is made by the evaporation of water from San Diego Bay. A small amount ot rock salt, which is said to be very pure and transparent, has been mined in San Bernardino County, SO miles south of Dan by; as "many as 3000 tons have been mined there during one year, but only 250 tons were mined in 1S99. The distance from railroads prevents a larger production. A small amount is made from, saline springs near Sites, in Colusa County, and at Black Lake, In San Lute Obispo County. HOW'S THIS FOR A COMBINE? A Newport Banlc Consolidation's Amazlnc Directors. New York World. Newport, R. I. The names of the banks Included in the important Rhode Island bank consolidation of this week are not made public, but it is said that tho com bine will absorb at least two-thirds of the banks of this city. It ls to be known as the Newport Trust Company, and It ls probable that no trust company in the country presents a stronger or more prom inent list of directors and stockholders, Nearly all of the men are New Yorkers, and are widely known in the financial world or in Boclety. Hero is tha great directory list: Henry A. C. Taylor, son of Moses Tay lor, whose fortune ls estimated at $45,000. 000; George Griswold Haven, the princi pal patron of the Metropolitan Museum of Art; George F. Baker, president ot the First National Bank of New Y'ork; E. J. Berwmd, president Berwlnd-Whlte Coal Company and director In the Atchi son Railroad Company; George G. Do Witt, counsel for Chemical National Bank of New York: Commodore L. C. Ledyard, ex-Commodore E. T. Gerry and Rear-Commodore C. L. F. Robinson, of the New Y'ork Yacht Club; Jacob H. Schlff, of Kuhn, Loeb & Co.; Thomas F. Ryan, vice-president of Morton Trust Company of New York; Levi P. Morton, ex-VIce-Presldent of the United States; Samuel P. Colt, president of-rubber trust and of Industrial Trust Company of Prov idence; James Stlllman, president City Na tional Bank, New York; Nathaniel Thayer and E. Rollins Mor3e, Boston capitalists; H. McK. Vanderbilt; James T. Wood ward, president of Hanover National Bank, New York; ex-Secretary W. C. Whitney and his son, Harry Payne Whit ney; Harry S. Eldrldge, Thomas A. Law ton, United States Senator G. P. Wetmore, W. G. Roelker, Jere W. Horton and An gus .McLeod. The capital stock is fixed at the small sum of 5C00.C00, and 13 all subscribed at 5140 a share of the par value of $100. The president will be Frederick Thomp klns; vice-president, Angus McLeod, and secretary and treasurer, Thomas P. Peck ham." The incorporation will have a mon opoly of the business of the multl-rrilllion-alre Summer residents. AT THE HOTELS. THE PORTLAND. Mrs A Kuhn. Colfax C B Bletcher & wife, Seattle J D Sherwood & wife, Spokane Mr & Mrs H M Hoyt & child, Spokane A Neumann. N Y R S Kuhl. Yreka. Cal J A Dousherty, St L A M Simon, San Fran C X Larrabee & fmy. city H E Boyrie, Seattle J D Farrell. Seattle E B Lyon, Minnpls L Harley Davis, N 1 James Hen-man. S I H Abraham H C Hexter, Pendleton A J Mlnard. Chicago I Hanak. San Fran Major Chas Humphrey, N Y N J Mitchell. Pittsburg Geo W Klelser. San Fr F I Shaw. Seattle Arthur Elston. San Fr G F Wentworth, Tacoma Afosotwieii; Pore Made from grape cream of tartar most highly refined and chem-, ically pure. Leaves neither acid nor alkali in the food. ROYAL BAKING FOWDER CO., L Schilsky & wf, N YJH R Burke. San Fran a s .berry, wr & end. Anarew uray. viciuri Salt T.aki lv A Howe. Carlton Fred K Baker & wife. iEmil Pursch, San Fran Everett. Wash C M Osborn. San Fran G P Baldwin. San Fr H B Langworthy, Chgo G I Kinney. Seattle Max Mayfleld. Boise Harry C James. DenvrJE J Haines, Sandusky, J S Mendelsohn. Chgo Ohio R P Lewis, San Fran (Dick Springer Claude Cummins, (Anna Maclay, Ilwaca Seattle iT H Purdy. Chicago T L LIUis. St Joe. Mo Sam Orner. Chicago J S Colton Fox. Engldl II J Kinney THE PERKINS. Wm M Stewart, HoodJ B Egerer, Aberdeen River IM M Bridges, Univer I slty Park I John Bogart. Woodlnd J T Ward. Amity. Or Mrs E C Callender, Athena. Or Mrs Ida Hamilton, Paisley, Or Miss Hanson, do P J Keeler. Phila Will Walker. Phlla Mrs Tt M Wnnrtf-rlp- in CI Horden. N Y Falls City. Or (Mrs W D Horden. X Y Capt Thomas. EnglandGeo W Hale. Seattle Geo S Sherwood. Ta- C J Bellinger. Salem coma D Simpson. Salem C D Stansell. Seattle jJas Adklns. Canby. Or D J Swanson. Seattle iJohn Templls, Whatcm Wm R Reed. HeppnerJMrs Templls, Whatcom, G B Reese. lone. Or IE S Collins, Ostrander Ben Hendricks, "Ole J P Anderson. Tacoma, Olson" Co J A Jette. Champoeg Mrs Ben Hendricks; do;Jas Rosenburg. N Y Wilma Stern, do, L C Kinney. Astoria Ellne Syden. doJB L Eddy. Tillamoolc iiuaigara Heaen, aojiirs is u jaay, ao C C Stives. doi f Eildv. Tillamook Miss Stives. doMrs E J McNary. Sa- T C Martin. Seattle I iem, ur Mrs T C Martin, do W P Edris. Haiia R C Kennedy, Rltxvlll W E Thompson, Spok C R Fowler. Centralia E D Mason, Monmouth Miss Mason. do A M Gibson. Boston John Michels. N Yaknt Mrs John Mlcaeis. ao Wm Van Victor, Gol-i dendaie. Wash Rev E Kenkle. Astoria J P Tamlesie, HUlsbro I W Allison. Hlllsboro John S McClure.Seattle 1 Miss Michels, do Master J Micneis. uo F A Phillips. Milton, Wash Mrs F A Phillips, do Miss Nellie Colwell, El lensburg. Wash Mrs W F Slaughter. St Helens, Or Samuel Gray. KendrlcK Mrs Samuel Gray, do Miss firav. do Addle McMurren, Eu gene. Or E R Sklpworth. do Chas Weber. do J C Williams. Heppnr W O Minor, Heppner H at Brace. San Fr A B Keith. Auburn, Ot C K Rfltnn. "Wn.sh Tin KTr A Tt TCeithi do Geo Buzan, Pendleton IWm Berron. Rldgefleld B W Mclntosch. S F Chna Earlev. VlentO J C Taber. Pillar Butte, Or Sirs J C Taber. do Chas Cunningham. Pendleton. Or R T Cox. Pendleton A M Long. St Louis B F Francis. Boise A Robinson, Bolso J Kennedy. Seattle Mrs T G Mitchell, W Eccles, La Granda C W Henderson. S F A J Goodman. Indp, Of G H Taylor.Goldendall E H Taylor, do R Tockwater, Vancvr A Adams, Vancouver J J Cooper, Vancouver J C Bevens, Cornelius Jas A Rountree, Bak C P E Everett. lone. Or Z M Brown, Prlnevlllo Seattle Miss Mitchell. Seattle .Tt F- Allen. Prlnevlllo Master W Mitchell, dojw Lloyd. Dalles, Or THE IMPERIAL. C. W. Knowles, Manager. C W Demlng. TroutdalJ Mrs J D Robb. Fisher ji uouiam. Vancouver Etta Holllngsworth, Mrs Gouldln. do Whatcom E M Rand. VancouveC J S Cooper, Indp Mrs Cooner. do John Fox. Astoria. C E Redfleld. Heppnerj J w Morrow. Co Mrs A E Miller. Salem A B Eastham. VancoiC C C Bockhouse, Omaha j Marie Hardy, do W B Wheeler, do Julia Hardy, do M McLaren, do W S Sebbold. do P S Davidson, Jr, Hood River A S Zleler, Boise E A Ward. Tacoma J B W Johnston, do W G Erdmaiin. Vane F E Ramsey, city J P Howe. Seattlo Mrs Howe, do J H Fink. Spokano Yale Gleason. S F C A Rohenbecker, Se attle Mra Rohenbecker, do J L Carlson, Seattle Mrs Cooley. Colfax G B Hegart, Ft Stevns Mrs Hegart. do E J Lee. Colo L B Geer. Union L M Davidson, Hood River Jas Sherridan, Butte Fred K Barker. Astorl F G Young. Eugeno D W Dobbins, Eugene J E Ferguson, Astoria Mrs Ferguson, do Andrew Peterson, Wesf Port A H Huntington, Bake J S Lock. Huntington Martin Murray, Louts, vllle. Kv E M Hansel, Bolsa Mrs Hansel, do A G King. Vala Mrs Kinsr. do John C Luce. John Da J S Bohannon, Indp Mrs Bohannon. do Bertha Bohannon, do Hazel Bohannon. do T A McBride. Or CIW C S Brown, Astoria. Mrs Brown, do J L Slmlty. do F L Parker, do Mrs Parker, do J N Wlsner. U S F Co Annie De Rena Aw bery, Eugene THE ST. CHARLES. Mrs M A Wlckersham. Scappoose Miss Eflle Vaughn, do Van Sorenson. Lyle W B Colvln and wf. Marshland O E Elliott and wf. Marshland N Merrill. Clatskanlo H Jenkins & wf, Os- 1 trander I T C Watts. Reuben L Michael, Stella A Nelson, do A L Morgan & Co, Ark E Erlckson, Claskanle August Mayney, do Albert Mayney, do Chas Wilson. Astoria Geo Eleo. do J L Cook, St Paul Elmer Wilson, do T Wilson, do Harry Davis, Park Place F Dummlre, do H Malburg. Rainier C G Wooldrldge. do L Talbot. Camas F W Hudson. Maygers Herbert Heyes, Kelso John Mellville, do M Sullivan. LaFayettf Theo Tlllotson, La Cart Earl Marble, Mt Plea; C W Davles. Carrollton M Burnett, do E B Barlow. La. Du Chas Raymond. Dalles E T Bolen & wf, Mai-. heur Lane Butts, do Ben Butts, do Chas Beck, do F F Foster. Dalles Mollie Johnson, clty Wm McPhee. Arlingtoa W S Smith, do W J Stater, Nowhere J A Harris, McMlnnv John Blower. Victoria Mrs F H Day. do A M Kirchem. Togan W Miller & wf, Hos- klns W Wilson, do Leo Hoff, Woodland Thos Coppln & wf, Cal C H Oakes. Oak Point C H Thomas. Catiuam Frank Barr. W W C L Utter. Manila Chester Edwards, do J C Reimus, Stella J Senecal. Dufur Geo Moss, Eufaula H A Lamb & fam, Rldgefleld W T Campbell Hpnr C J Llttlepage & wf, Latourell Mrs H L Colvln, Marshland Hotel Brnnsvrlclc. Seattle. European, flrst-clasa. Rates. 50c to 5LML One block from depot. Restaurants neas by. Tacoma Hotel, Tacoma. American plan. Rates, $3 and up. Donnelly Hotel. Tacoma. European plan. Rates EOc and up. Care must be taken to avoid baking pow ders made from alum. Such powders are sold cheap, because they cost but a few cents per pound. Alum is a corrosive acid, which taken in food means injury to health, 100 WILLIAM ST., NEW YORK.