t Iff THIS MORNING OREGONIAN, THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1903. . CHIEFS ON GRIDIRON Civil Service Commissioners Ask Searching Questions. STAND BY PROPOSED RULES -Beads of Police and Fire Depart ments Are Asked In Detail About Probable Effect of IS'evr Bales on Their 3iea. ' The members of the Civil Service "Com mission amused themselves yesterday aft ernoon by cross-examining Chief Hunt, of the Police DeDartment. Chief Campbell -was alao ud before the Commission and was closely Questioned as the effects of the proposed rales on his department, but most of the timo -was spent with, the leader of the bluecoats. Every phase of the question was attacked, and -when the end came, a great array of Tacts piled themselves up before the tired Commis sioners. When the Commission -was called to order, there -were present Chief Hunt, of the Police Department, Chief Campbell, of the Flro Department, and City Engineer Elliott. The latter did not enter into the fun, but sat In a corner, and listened to the emphatic statements of the -witnesses. The first rattle out of the box -was a resolution by Willis, explaining the situa tion of the Commission, calling attention to the fact that several newspaper state xneato had been nrinted which -were garbled, and recommending that the chiefs of departments be questioned as to -what 3ffoct the rules would havo on their forces. This resolution was adopted, and the Commission proceeded to business. On recommendation of Chief Campbell, the position of telephone operator was made In the Are service to provide for a man to operate the switchboard at head quarters. Then the Commission turned into a court of inquiry, and commenced on tho chiefs. Chief Hunt was the first man to undergo the ordeal, and after he was duly sworn by Secretary Potter, the following con--versatlon took place between himself and the Commissioners: "Mr. Hunt," said Mr. Courteney, what effect will .the application of rule 1 have on your department?" "As regards height and chest measure ment, a number will not come up to the standard," replied the Chief. "Many will not be tho prescribed weight. It will af fect quite a number." "How many men, according to your measurement, come under the standard?" asked -Sir. Courteney, who wanted facts, and not generalities. Mr. Hunt did not know, and a list was produced by the Mayor, which showed 23 of the present force under five feet nine and U over. "Will you kindly state -what effect all this talk has had on the men?" asked Mr. Courteney. "I do not think, it has had much effect, except to cause a feeling of anxiety among them." , "Has it prevented them from making applications?" "No." "Now, Mr. Hunt, If this rule wero to bo applied Irrespective of the members of the present force, would It not be a bene ficial rule?" "I believe it would bo of advantage If all members were five feet nine," said the Chief. "Do you know the men who are below tho standard?" asked the Mayor. The Chief said he did. and he was asked how they compared with the men above tho standard. "Most favorably," affirmed the Chief. "I could name some of those below who are the best men in the force. I could name some who are above the average." "Have any of your men resigned on ac count of the rules?" queried Mr. Courte ney. "Not that I know-of. Three.have given me notice." On question, there seemed to be good and sufficient reasons why these three should desire to quit the service, as it seemed they had better prospects else where. Mr. Hodson then took tho witness. "Mr. Hunt, did you ever make a state ment that the rules would only leave you JO men?" "Not that I recollect," "Did you ever say that they would take CO per cent of the men?" "No. sin" said Mr. Hunt with groat force. w The Mayor then interrupted the talk with, a remark that Mr. Hunt had said in a committee meeting that it would affect CO per cent of the force. "What object," asked Mr. Hodson, "did you have in .making that statement?" Mr. Hunt then took occasion to explain that he had surmised that he would loose 15 men each on the height and chest measurement rules. "You surmised that it would take 15 men on each part." said Mr. Hodson, with a trace of chilling frost in his voice. "It now appears that ?ou will lose 24 on one rule and five on the other. Now, the fact is, you made tuese-etatcmcnts without any information." Mr. Hunt looked warm and uncomfort able. "I said I believed, I supposed." "But did you mako this statement with out information?" pressed Commissioner Hodson. Hero Mayor Williams took a hand, and 4eald tho question was not pertinent. "If tho object is to involve the Chief in con tradiction, I don't think It is pertinent." Mr. Hodson thought the question was pertinent, however, and fired at the Chief again. "Tho statements wero made by me to : tho best of my ability. I answer now that I was mistaken." "I never said it would take mo two years to whip 60 men In lino." continued the Chief, with an explanatory gesture. "Many things have appeared in the papers that I never said." "I am glad to hear you ear so," said Mr. Hodson. "Articles havo appeared in tho papers that have been absolutely without my au thorization. I have never been aggressive to the Commission. It has never boen to my interest to antagonize." and the Chief looked very meek. "It was -with the purpose of ascertaining your position that we called you here to day." remarked Mr. Hod6on drylv. "If you can show mo where I have been antagonizing. I wish to know it. I would like to assure you that I have never been antagonistic" "Have you ever heard of .a concentrated movement leading toward preventing the members of the force from making aDDlI cations?" "I never heard of it. I never knew of .any preconcerted action." "You say that after this rule has been applied it will be beneficial?" "I think that it would be. Some of the men five feet eight are as good as those five feet nine, both in activity and atten tion to dutv." "I have consulted with you." said the Mayor, "and you stated that if this rule were enforced, it would seriously affect -us." "That la right. I don't hesitate to say so. Some of the very best men come un der the schedule. All other things being equal, length of service Is valuable, very valuable," and the Chief nodded vigor ously, to show that he appreciated tho gravity of the situation. After a lew other questions Mr. Hunt got oft the floor, and Chief Dave Camp bell came on. Ho was sworn, and then the battery of Commissioners opened up again. "Do you lcnow how the application of this rule will affect your department?" began -Commissioner Courteney. "Personally I do not," responded the Chief. "Have you ever made any statements how the rules would affect the depart ment?" 1 have made statements from what I have heard said." "Of your own knowledge, you Know nothing?" "I have asked the district engineers to take measurements so I can make an in telligent report." "Have any of your men resign ea Decause of the rules?" "I know a few men who have resigned because they have said they might not be able to pass the examinations." The Chief was asked to name some, ana did so. , "What reason did he give your and the questioner named a man. "His reason was that he could not pass the examinations." "Have you any difficulty In getting good- sized extra men?" "Yes. sir." said Mr. Campbell. "I have had new men that were big." he continued to explain, "but they were unable to do the work. They couldn't 'eat smake,' as the men say." "Are there any other men going to re sign?" "I can tell you of a movement on foot now. The Firemen's Mutual Relief Asso ciation, which has been kept going irom the fines of the firemen, will havo to be discontinued under the new charter, as now the fines will go into a police and firemen's fund. There will be nothing to keep tho association going. The men held a meeting last night. The feeling seems that the majority are going to Iobc their places. They have agreed to divide the funds on hand among themselves, as there will be nothing to keep going on." "Have you any Idea of how many men will bo disqualified?" asked Mr. Courteney. "Only hearsay. About 20 from what I can learn." It was estimated that there were 137 members of the department. Chief Campbell also said there was a feeling among the extra men that they would not apply. They did not want to be examined again for $19 a month. "Your idea then Is that the newspaper reports and not the rules themselves have created the dissatisfaction?" suggested Mr. Willis. 4 'Whether It was the rules or news papers, l couidn t say." "There is objection to the law behind the rules, and not to the mica?" "Thero's a good deal of truth in that. I guess." There was a moment's silence, and then Chief Hunt appeared. He wanted to ex plain. "I want to make an explanation about the statement that If those rules were applied, they would take SO per cent of the men. I did say It would affect the force seriously. I will explain.. The rules will take many men who are not high enough, or have not the required chest measure ment. Then there are many who will not answer the printed questions." Then the Chief explained that there were many members of the force who never would answer some of tho required questions. and would never submit an application. This abase of the matter was thoroughly discussed, and then the members returned to Chief CamsbelL "Have you any reason to believe this Commission has Interest In having any new men in tne positions?" asked Mr. Hodson. "Well, some of the boys say there is politics In it. but I have told them I knew you personally, and that you were all right." "Did any one explain how It would be possible for politics to come in?" queried Mr. Willis. "No. It's Just a kind of general feel ing." "Do you know of any persons using In fluence on the men to prevent them from applying for positions?" asked Mr. Hod son. "No, sir." This seemed to terminate the proceedings of the inquisition, and it was decided to continue the labors of the Commission to another day. Itoclc Quarry Visited. The rock quarry committee made a com plete investigation of the O. R. & N. Co.'s quarry up the Columbia River Tuesday, and returned late on the same day. The committeemen who made the trip were Messrs. Elliott. Rumelln. Schuman, Card well, G-llsan and Industrial Agent Judson. The quarry is situated at mile post 54, a few miles east of Cascade Locks, and the committee reports that the quality of rock to be secured at tho place is very good. HEADING AND VENTILATING Perfected System Along: Scicntlflc Lines at Sunxiysido -School. We cannot refrain from expressing our satisfaction at tho verdict of the commit tee appointed by the City Federation of Woman's Clubs to -visit and examine the sanitary condition of the schools upon the heating and ventilating apparatus of the Sunnyslde School in comparison with all other schools in the city, as printed In yesterday's Oregonlan. which verdict is embodied In tho portion of their report, reading as follows: "Tho Sunnysldo School stands as the best example of true improvement in the matter of heating and ventilation. Not only can this be evenly heated and even ly ventilated in a very short time, but also at minimum expense in cost of fuel. Whereas the most flattering thing said of any other schools is relative to the new Holladay and Thompson Schools (In both of which tho average cost of instal lation per room is nearly double, while cost of fuel Is over double that used in the Sunnyslde School), of which they re port. "Have both good sanitary conditions, but much In tho system of ventilating and handling the same is still experimental." though these plants have been In opera tion lor tnree years. The Sunnyslde School heating and ven tilating plant was designed and installed by us and was guaranteed to provide 1S00 cubic feet air per pupil per hour, and to maintain any temperature desired between GO and 80 degrees In the coldest of weather without 10 degrees variation between the celling and floor of the rooms. The bond given to secure tho guarantee was the best possible to obtain in tho opinion of the school board, and the test was accom pllshed by actual measurement with air meter and six thermometers In each room at varying heights and positions before the apparatus was accepted In February. The same system has been Installed In Woodlawn School, now nearly ready for occupancy, and also in the Masonic Sco tlsh Rite Temple, and is being installed in several office buildings and stores in this city, as well as in Seattle and neigh boring cities by tho undersigned. W. G. M'PHERSON. Heating and Ventilating Engineers. REACTION CO.'S EFFORT. The Reason There Has Seen So Much Delay at Month of the Columbia. Philadelphia Record. The Oregonlan, published In Portland, Or contains an account of the effort that Is being made to Improve the mouth of the Columbia River. It seems that the Reaction Jetty Company, which has offices in Philadelphia, submitted to the War De partment last Fall a proposal to create and maintain a 40-foot channel through the bar which now obstructs tho mouth of the river. By erecting a single reaction Jetty upon the plan of Professor I M. Haupt's patents, owned by the company, it was proposed tc; secure the desired re sult for greatly less cost and with better assurance of permanence than is prom ised by any other method. The matter was submitted to the Secretary of War under the clause of the river and harbor act authorizing him to change the plans of tho Board of Government Engineers. Meier Frank Company "Nancy Brown" the name of a new stylish Dress Hat for women. Meier Frank Company Easy-Riding" Go-Carts and Baby Carriages 50 models $3.75 to $50. Ladies Neckwear Superb Assortment of new styles arriving daily The Cloak and Suit Section is at its best. 0,000 Yards of Embroideries for This Sale A Manufacturer's Entire Stock at Prices Unknown for Hfeh-Class Goods From way-of? hmv little st. Gaii, switzer- 3! land, comes this great lot of fine embroideries to be offered at less than cost of manufacturing. An initio! offering from a new manufacturer who has established a reputation for the high quality of his product. We are one of his best accounts. He wants to get into our good graces; wrote us about this lot early in the year; guaranteed the goods were right in pattern, style and quality. We couldn't do any thing else but take him up. Were greatly enthused over them; know you will be. Here's the facts and figures. They tell the story best. W Swiss Nainsook and Cambric Edgings and Sets, 5 to 15 inches wide, imitation hand-embroi- JLOl dered patterns, bow-knots, fleur de lis, French embroidery and hundreds of other beautiful m patterns for trimming underwear, Summer dresses, waists, baby clothes, etc. All new de sirable, goods in immense variety, ' 1 Lot Values from 40c to $1.00 yard for Swiss, Nainsook and Cambric Edgings and Insertions to match, 5 to 9 inches wide, hundreds of the very best patterns bow-knots, imitation hand-embroidered, fleur de lis, French em broidery. Best styles, suitable for baby clothes, children's dresses, waist, dress and underclothing trimming, etc., etc., Values from 25 c to 50c yard for W a Swiss, Nainsook and Cambric Embroideries, edgings and insertions to match, widths 2 to 5 1CI inches, hundreds of the handsomest patterns we have ever shown, suitable for children's ay f . li i.t i j J j 1: j i :...: : ui cases, uauy ciuiuca, muics uiiuciiiiusiius, uicaaca uuu wmsi uuiiimugs, cic. Marvelous values All new goods,' Values from 18c to 35c yard for 25c 3 Remarkable Bargains in Handkerchiefs An unequaled handkerchief bargain for today's store visi tors, 200 dozen included, a great special purchase made at a surprisingly low price and offered you at an unheard-of price. Ladies' pure linen, hand-embroidered, initial, unlaun dered Handkerchiefs, hem stitched, while they last, your choice at, each 100 dozen ladies' Handker chiefs, dainty Swiss embroi dered, neatest notfprns. fine " J quality, immense variety, 35c, 40c values, each 55 emoroi- 33c Great Shoe This morning only, from 9 to 12. We will offer 500 pairs of ladies' Shoes for dress or serviceable wear at a price the lowest ever quoted on first-class footwear An emphatic bargain that must interest every woman economic ally inclined Latest style lasts and toes, best selected leathers, '..:i5 4 1 I 1 vici nm, uuugum uuu uua calf, kid or patent tips, light or heavy soles This morning only from 9 to 12, regular $2.50 val. for, pr. Stationery, Drug Sundries Special values that merit the attention of the shrewdest buyers. Hustler Playing: Cards, regular 15c "value, today, package 10c 5000 packages Cream Wove Envelopes 3c EOO rolls Dennlson's Crepe Paper, rolls 6c Purity Toilet Paper, 3 rolls JOc All our 25c Toothbrushes Uc Baby Talcum Powder, box 5c 10c bottle Vaseline, bottle 6c All 25c Whisk Brooms J5c Special bargains in all kinds of popular advertised toilet articles to day. Continuation of the demonstration of solid gold rings. 700th Surprise Bargains in Every Departm The great list boiled down and demonstrating the many money-saving opportunities throughout the entire store Bargains that have been interesting thousands Have you secured your share? 1 21c Embroidery Bead ing, yard 8c Val. Edges, Inser tings, 1 2-yard piece 19c 75 c to 90c Appliques for, yard - 59c $3.00 Axminster Rugs, each $1.98 1-yd. pieces Ingrain Car pets, piece 25c Great bargains in Mus lin, Bobinet and Brus sels Curtains, per pair, 79c, 87c, $1.19.. $2.27 Double Bell Alarm Clocks $1.19 20 lbs. Western Granu lated sugar ....$1.00 M. & F. 30c Mocha and Java Coffee, pound . 23c Other Grocery Bargains. 15c Percales for, yd 10c White Piques at, yd 2 Ic Silk .and Linen Tissue, yard 47c 2 7-inch Dress Ginghams, yard 7c Special bargains in Cut Glass and Silverware, Basement. Bargains in Men's Cloth ing. Boys Wash Waists and Blouses, 3 to 14-year sizes, each 18c Great lot of Women's $3.00 Shoes, the best styles, pair $2.28 Men's $3.50 Shoes, per pair $2.85 Greatest Hosiery Special ever offered Lace and boot effects, 35c values 22c pr. Great lot of odds and ends in "Perrin's" and other good Gloves, values up to $2.00 for pr. 36-inch Scotch Flannels, yard , 39c 25c Flannel Wais tings, yard I3c 15-cent Flannelettes for, yard 10c Great Stationery bar gains at, box, 6c, 7c . . 9c Turkish Towels, each . . 10c All-Linen Huck Tow els 19c Fringed Bedspreads 99c Marseilles Bedspreads, $2.50 values, ea..-$1.92 Cloak Great bargains in ladies Suits at, each ... $17.25 Ladies' SilkMonte Carlo coats, special $10.85 Ladies' $10.00 Silk Waists $6.45 Ladies' $6.0 0 Silk Waists $4.55 Ladies' $7.50 Plaid Silk Petticoats for $5.95 20-cent Collar and Cuff Sets 13c 75c and 85c Lace Col lars, each . 59c 2000 Turnovers at, ea . .4c Great lot of Ladies' . Dress Hats at, ea . . $2.98 Special lot of Ladies' Trimmed Dress Hats, $7.50 values at ... . $4.98 $ 1 Dress Goods, yd 69c $ 1 Twine Cloth, yd ... . 69c Black Taffeta Silk, 83c, 97c, $1 $1.19 All Framed Pictures at spe cial prices. Meier &. Frank Company j Meier & Frank Company Meier &. Frank Company Meier &. Frank Company Meier &. Frank Company A special board was appointed and a full hearing was had In Xew York. The oper ation of a Haupt reaction jetty at Aran sas Pass, in Texas, was personally exam inedthe board visiting Texas for that purpose and now the report has been completed. It will go to the Chief of the Bureau of Engineers, and. If approved by him. to the Secretary of War for final action. It Is intimated that the Reaction Jetty Company will make a vigorous pro test against the adoption of the report, and will Insist upon its rigtit to have the contract If the Secretary be convinced that its plans aro less costly and more efficient than those of the Government engineers. This controversy Is of great Interest to .Philadelphia, and attention is drawn to it because it involves the very point the Record has sought to make in the matter of the Delaware River channel the same . point that was made by the Trades f .League, to which we called attention at the time that opportunity should be ai forded for demonstrating whether or not there is any better, safer, more permanent and more economical method than con tinual expensive and inconclusive, dredg ing. If there be such a method this city should ascertain Its probable cost in oper ation and the probable permanence of the channel It is calculated to create and main tain. In the very near future vessels of the largest type are expected to make the attempt to reach our wharves and get safely away with, full cargoes. Consider able doubt la expressed about the ability of the new Narragansett to get in or out of Philadelphia loaded, and there are mis givings about the Merlon and Friesland, recently added to our Liverpool service. The contest over the Columbia is be tween two different forms of Jetty. In the matter of the Delaware the question has not reached the dignity of a contest; it has not even been narrowed down to a definite issue. It Is all in the air, with nothing before us but the fact that mil lions have been expended and millions more must be spent, and nothing Is offered us but the Ufual ditch-digging of the last 20 years. No result has been accom plished; the channel and the range lights are not in accord? the big vessels shun us because those of moderate draft are constantly grounding, and the city, the merchants and the shipbuilders all seem -willing to have it so. If there could be gathered together a few of the great Interests to which an adequate channel has become essential, and to whose representatives the Secre tary of War would give a patient and thoughtful attention, the way might be opened for putting in operation the recent suggestion of the Trades League, to invite competition for the early opening of the channel based on results secured. The Xejrreiis and the Smart Set. Kansas City Journal. A. negreas doing catchy song and dance stunts for a popular vaudeville companj now performing In New York was enter, talned at a high-toned restaurant the other evening by some of the most aris tocratic members of the Innermost circle in the far-famed exclusive "smart set" of that city. But taking Into, considera tion the accusations made by Colones "Watterson against these leaders of fash Ion, and also recalling 'the fact that a short while ago they fraternized with a monkey and spread a costly and elaborate banquet in Its behalf, the judicious art constrained to say that at the recent en tertainment first above mentioned the condescension was on the part of the black guest and the honor on the side ol the white hosts and hostesses.