Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 16, 1903)
'& pttttatt VOL. XLIIL NO. 13,395. PORTLAND, 'OREGON, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1903. PRICE FIVE CENTS. 0U AT THE TOP OF THE LIST FOR MERIT OAKWOOD MALT THE CANADIAN MALT WHISKEY MOST OFTEN IMITATED ROTHCHILD BROS. PACIFIC COAST AGENTS IN BOTTLES Never in Balk. Trial size 25 cents Medium size SO cents Large size $1.00 The Latest Photographic Magazines THE PHOTO MINIATURE Off AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY No. 52 OC 25c CAMERA CRAFT (November Number) BLUMAUER-FRANK DRUG CO. 142-146 FOURTH STREET nri hh Mh "STRONGEST, IN THE WORLD" Rates No Higher Than Other Companies L. SAMUEL, Manager. 306 Oregonian Building, Portland, Oregon. in H VJX X DR. FOWLER'S MML and MALT X T A AKES 1 f JLuscle "There4 Life and Strength ! Every Drp" A BEVERAGE OR A MEDICINE rnr . r AM Drerrlrta. BlUHAUEX &H0CH, Sole Distributers, WkoJesale Liquor id Ogar Dealers PHIL 2USTSCHAN, Pres. C. W. ICNOWLES, Mr. SETE8TH M9 WASHIR6T8H JTtEETS. POITUKB, ME9SR CHANGE OP MANAGEMENT. European Plan $1.00, $1.50, $2.00 per Day wfi ibh 188, tl Hill "nill 21 3i 111 ?lwl You May Live Fifteen Years on the new carpet. Better buy where you can get the widest selection andthe most perfect workmanship. EXCLUSIVE CARPET HOUSE. J.GJACK&CO. 80-88 THIRD STREET, Opposite Chamber of. Commerce, W. G. SIVIITH & CO., CARD ENGRAVERS WASHINGTON BUILDIfSQ We carry the best "writing paper la the city. THE PORTLAND PORTLAND, OREGON American Plan i$f$rtH; :HmlS f Also European MlaCTlBKl $3 PER DAY Plan. Modern J"fS'PT 1 inn unifiDn Restaurant p-p rt rjg MB UPWARD COST ONE MILLION DOLLAHS. HEADQUARTERS FOR TOURISTS AHD COMMERCIAL TRAVELERS Special rates made to families and single gentlemen. The manage ment will be pleased at all times to shew rooms and give prices. A mod ern Turkish bath establishment In the hotel. H. C. BOWERS, Mgr Sight Is Priceless When it is tampered with through inexperience, then you -will realize the importance of a perfect correction. Consult us when this is the case, as we can insure proper results. Oculists prescriptions accurately filled. y fJ : i ) 0 r X M IP jls- . SjS i M f j.&u.eiami nemte?r MnfK. Jewelers and Opticians. Cor. Third and Wasktactoa Sts. Wronged by Dominican Government. WASHINGTON. Nov. 15. The case of the Santo Domingo Improvement Com pany against the Dominican government has been one of long standing. The Im provement Company had contracts for making various improvements and for certain harbors, privileges and dues, which contract the Dominican govern ment afterward took away from the com pany. The former sought the assistance of this Government and asked It to se cure Its just rights. Minister Powell Carries His Point. SANTO DOMINGO, Thursday, Nov 12. United States Minister Powell "has finally carried his point against the Do minican government, that It should agree to the provisions of the protocol regarding the Santo Domingo Improvement Co. The government today informed the Minister that it would accede to his re quest, carrying out the provisions of the protocol and appoint arbitrators today. This is considered a great victory for the American interests. B EBT1SSURE Startling Possibilities of Present Tax Muddle, HOW TO AVOID DISASTER Call the Legislature, Says Taxpayers' league. THEN RESTORE THE'OLD LAW Secretary Dunbar Submits Figures and Estimates Counties and Cities May Not Es cape Trouble. PROSPECTIVE DEBT, DECEMBER 31, 1301. State $1,000,000 Counties .. 1.206,510 t Cities and Schools 2,000.000 Port of Portland 75,000 Library 10,000 Total $4,201,510 The Remedy. An extra session of the Legislature, f In the opinion of the Taxpayers League, Is an Imperative necessity. The old law should be restored. 4 The Taxpayers' league has investigated the question of a special session of the Legislature, and finds that it Is an Im perative necessity. There Is no alterna tive if the state and its cities and coun ties are to be saved from disaster. The conclusions of the league are based on painstaking inquiries by Its executive committee. If the present deplorable tax muddle is not relieved by legislative ac tion, overwhelming debt will pile up. Secretary of State Dunbar says -that tine law will not permit the computations by state officers for the state revenues, in July, 1&M (they cannot be made before), to-be doubled. That-is to say, there can then bo no provision made to pay indebt edness already Incurred, but the compu tations must be confined to the fiscal year ending December 3L 1904. Subsequent legislation only can validate this indebt edness. The league estimates that on December 3L 1904, the outstanding state, county, city and school, Port of Portland and library warrants will amount to $1,291,519, all drawing six per cent interest. If there is no session. The report of the executive committee to the league follows: "PORTLAND, Nov. 14. To the Execu tive Committee of the Taxpayers' League: Your committee to whom was referred for Investigation and report the necessity for a special session of the Legislature, and the remedy, if an emergency was found to exist, beg leave to report as follows: "We first took up the question as to the effect, financially and otherwise, upon tho various departments of the government, covering state, county, school, city, etc. If the collection of taxes be postponed until December 31, 1904. State. "So far as the affairs of the state are concerned, they could, if absolutely neces sary, under certain limits be maintained and conducted by the Issuance of war rants, which, however, will result in the creation of a state debt of at least $1,000, C00 and an interest charge of $120,000. if paid as soon as possible under the law' by means of a double levy. No better ex planation can be made of the result on the state's finances than to incorporate Into this report a letter received from the Hon. F. I. Dunbar. Secretary of State under date of November 13, 1903: Dear Sir: I am In receipt of your favor of the 12th Inst., requesting a statement of the expenses of the various counties for the year 1002. and also asking- me to give you an esti mate of the probable amount of state debt In the event taxes are not collected this coming Spring, as heretofore. Enclosed, herewith I send you several of the statements requested, and have to say, relative to the amount of debt that would accrue on account of the change In the law relative to the collection of taxes, that, under the law as amended and as it now stands, the next computation of revenue necessary for state purposes would be made in July, 1004. The items of expense would-include those for which the state would be subject under the existing laws for the fiscal year ending De cember 31, 1004. In arriving at the necessary amount of rev enue to be raised, I believe the state officers, under section 3090 of the code, as amended would bo limited to including only the items of expense for which the state would be sub ject for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1004, and for the sums provided by law for the current expenses for said year of the National Guard. "University of Oregon, State Agricultural College, and Lewis and Clark ExposlUon. That is to say, it Is my opinion that. In preparing the statement of expenses, the state officers could not double them, as some seem to have an idea can be done,' but can only Include the' expenses for one fiscal year. One-half of the state taxes due from the several counties will be paable to the State Treasurer la January, 1005. and one-half In July, 1005. I estimate we would Issue war rants during the course of the year 1004 to the amount of $1,000,000. to pay which there would be no funds In the treasury until Janu ary 15. 1005, and on which interest would accrue January 1 to the amount of $22,500. Upon the payment of one-half of tho taxes the outstanding warrants would be reduced' on that .date to $500,000. Between January 1 and July 1, 1005, tho amount of outstanding warrants would be Increased about $500,000 which, with those already outstanding, would' on the latter date, amount to $.1,000,000. The estimated accrued Interest on these warrants would amount to $18,750. As a result and condition, on July l loos we would have called In all warrants 'issued on account of expenses for 1004, paid $37,500 interest thereon, would have warrants to 'the amounts of $500,000 outstanding, with estimated accrued Interest amounting to $3750; and therefore the state would practically have a debt of $1,000,000, represented by one year's Issue of warrants outstanding, drawing Inter est, and could not again, without c change In the statutes, be on a. cash basis, as It Is today. In connection with this matter, beg leave to say the Impression seems to prevail that It will make but little difference as to the financial condition of the state, In the event the state's revenue is not paid In as hereto fore. It la true that warrants will be Issued in payment of all expenses Incurred pursuant to existing laws, but you will readily perceive from the foregoing statement that It will cost the people of the State of Oregon about $40,000 annually, or $120,000 before the next regular Legislative Assembly could remedy the matter, which could only be done by authorizing the collection of the necessary revenue covering two fiscal years at one time, a burden which each succeeding Legislature would. I believe, hand down to its successor. As an economical and business proposition X strongly indorse the proposal for an extra session of the Legislature to remedy the exist ing condition, believing It to be In the Interest of the state, counties, schools and municipali ties to remedy the matter before It becomes more difficult to do so. Tours, very truly, . P. C DUNBAR, Secretary of State. Counties. "In arriving at the debt that will be created by the counties, we can only ap proximate, as each county has a limited revenue from liquor licenses, etc How ever, as pach county is required by law to file with the Secretary of State a state ment of its annual expenses, that of 1002, which is complete, will be sufficient for the purposes of this report: Expenses of counties for the year 1D02, $1206,519.01. Cities and Schools. "The indebtedness which would be cre ated under these heads could not be ac curately ascertained within, the time in which this report must be filed, but it can be roughly approximated. The state tax paid by Multnomah County Is not quite one-third of the entire amount, but to be on the safe side, we will assume that Multnomah County pays for the above purposes one-third of the amount paid by the entire state. For the year 1902, the tax for city and schools amount ed to about $S50,000. If our basis Is correct, the amount paid by the rest of the state would be $1,700,000, or a total of $2,550,000. Assuming, however, that our city and schools cost more proportionately than the rest of the state, we will call this amount $2,000,000. Port of Portland. Each year about $75,000 Library for Multnomah. Each year about $10,000 These llgures might vary some with closer estimates, but we believe they are near enough correct to furnish a basis on which to work. "Assuming that warrants could be legal ly drawn and Issued, the indebtedness cre ated before December 31, 1904, drawing 6 per cent interest would be as follows: State $1,000,000.00 Counties 1.200,510.01 CiUes and schools 2,000,000.00 Port of Portland 75,000.00 Library 10.000.00 Total $4,291,510.01 Another Serious Phase. "This debt. In our opinion, would burden for years the property of this state. "This, however, is not the most serious phase of the situation. In counties having over 50,000 population, the County Court, .under the law cannot issue warrants for indebtedness in excess of the levy. This law was passed for tho very purpose of preventing an increase la indebtedness, and it would be a public calamity to have to violate it in order to exist. "So far as this city is concerned, it Is absolutely prohibited from creating debts for general purposes or drawing warrants for payments if the money is not on hand. This school district Is as badly off. Our city schools now cost to run, about-$450,000 annually. The power, as we remember, to issue bonds is limited to $100,000, a por tion of which Is now outstanding. The county districts would be even worse off. We might wriggle through, somehow, but who is to take care of all the county schools? "The Port of Portland would also be in bad shape. In our judgment, to borrow the amount of money necessary on war rants or promises to pay which are ille gal on their face will be found to be "a very slender reed to lean upon, and we do not believe the opportunity will be very eagerly grasped by bankers or others. Un der any circumstances, the warrant broker would be happy, but we fail to see any thing but disaster In It for any one else. We do not dwell upon the result if no way is found to float warrants. We are sim ply stating facts, and can only conclude that, in our judgment, an extra session Is an imperative necessity. Remedy. "In order Ao ascertain the remedy, we took the light of experience for our guide, and that immediately brought us to the question, Was the old law working well? Was there any necessity for a change? Was there any demand for a change? We accordingly wrote to ten representative counties in the state asking certain ques tions, the last one being if there had been any general demand for a change from the old law to the present one, with the following results: - Workings of Old Law. Amount of De County, tax-roll. Rebate, llnquency. Wallowa ...$ 58.052.72 $ 054.65 $ 3.014.72 Union 129.331.02 2.670.04 3.000.00 Douglas .... 138.071.00 3,135.83 4,202.80 Multnomah.. 1,700,817.77 41,575.61 31,40X16 Sherman.... 38,077.02 752 01 424.25 Morrow .... 05,330.00 1,128.00 1,238.00 Clatsop 134.412.07 3.120.36 2.558.22 Baker 164.SS2.8S 3.367.14 7.161.03 "Wasco 138,209.04 3.031.05 0.4 SO 69 Jackson 120.007.20 2.830.17 5,274.21 Totals ....$2,0S9.142.31 $62,272.36 $63,033.17 "It will be observed that the rebates amounted to about 21-3 per cent, the de linquency about 2J per cent. Under the law prior to that of 1901 no such records were made, and a very considerable per centage of the delinquents will pay before the lists are closed. Besides the present law guarantees bidders at tax sales against any Irregularities arising out of the act of any county official, so in tho end there Is practically no delinquency, so far as the county Is concerned. "We, therefore, conclude the law was working well, and there was no necessity for a change. Demand for a Change. "Was there any demand for a change? The following are the answers received to this question: County. Answer. TVasen Vn Jackson No County. Answer. Douglas ...-. No Multnomah No Sherman No Baker Yes Clatsop ............ NoJAValtowa .....Yea Union Suggests Assessor collect personal property tax within 30 or 60 days after assess ment, as some personal property gets away be fore tax-collectinc time. Morrow Believes old law approved now by a majority of taxpayers, but believes new law will be more satisfactory to great majority on account of time of payment. "If these counties are representatives, and we believe they are, there .was no general demand for a change. "We, therefore, conclude that the rem edy Is for the Legislature to repeal the law of 1903 and re-enact the law of 1901. Emergency Clause. "In our opinion the law should have on emergency clause, and no trouble need be anticipated on this score. Under any cir cumstances, this law would be necessary for the'publlc peace, health and safety." FIGHT ON I0D Teller and Hanna Are Against His Elevation. LEAD IN THE OPPOSITION Senate Committee Will Hear the Charges Thursday, , ROOT HAS BACKED GENERAL Gifts Received and Passage of Goods Through the Custom-House De clared by the SecretarjTof.War to Be Perfectly Proper. y WOOD'S CAREER IN BRIEF. Born In "Winchester, N. H., 1SC0. Graduated Harvard Medical School, 18S4. Appointed First Lieutenant and As sistant Surgeon, United States Army, 1SS0. Medical and line officer Geronlmo ex pedition, 18S0. Captain and surgeon, 1691. Recruited First United States Volun teer Cavalry (Rough Riders), and ap pointed Colonel, May, 1S08. Brigadier-General United States Vol unteers, July. 180S. Major-General United States Volun teers, December, 1893. Military Governor Cuba, 1800-1002. Brigadier - General United States" Army, 1001. . Major-General, 1003. i.......--T.TTtl, was Governor of Cuba during the Amer ican occupation. The principal qharges against Wood re late to his approval of the concession granted to the Jal Alal Company just be fore the American evacuation of the Is land. The concession, it is charged, gave to the company the right to run what amounted to a great gambling-house in Havana and a very lucrative monopoly. Following closely upon the granting of this concession General Wood was the hlef guest of the .Jal Alal Company at a breakfast, at which the officers of the company presented to him a magnificent silver service, which was made In New York and was said to have cost $3000. About the same time Mrs. Wood received from the company a gift of pearl ear rings and a diamond fcrooch reported to be worth about $3000. It is charged by his opponents that the granting of the concession and these gifts had a very close relation to each other. Backed by Secretary Root. WThen the matter first provoked discus sion. General Wood frankly admitted re ceiving the gifts and declared he could see no Impropriety in accepting them, as they had nothing to do with his official conduct. Secretary Root upheld Wood when "the charges were made by Major Rathbone. the Secretary declaring that the presentation was a part of the gen eral expression of gratitude by the Cu bans toward the representative of the United States. To have refused this and other gifts, Secretary Root asserted, would have been discourteous, injurious and unjustifiable. General Wood's action in passing the sil verware and jewels through the Cuban custom-house free of duty was also de clared perfectly proper by the Secretary of War. Other reasons for denying to General Wood the promotion President Roosevelt desires him to have will be pressed upon the Senate committee, but the so-called Havana gambling scandal will be the chief feature of the case against the General. DOWIE BOASTS OF OFFERS. OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU, -Washington, Nov. 15. The strong opposition that has developed to confirmation of the nomination of Brigadier-General Leon ard Wood to be a Major-General will cen ter In the meeting of the Senate com mittee on military affairs to be held next Thursday. The committee will then give a hearing on the charges made against Wood. Trie nomination Jcf Wood has been held up in tho committee at the request of Senator Teller, who will do what he can to prevent agreement to the nomination. Senator Hanna has joined Teller in lead ing the opposition to Wood, and will make a hard fight to prevent favorable action. Senator Hanna's opposition is attributed to his friendship for Major Estes G. Rath bone, formerly director of posts In Cuba, who makes charges against Wood, and who. In Senator Hanna's opinion, was ill-treated by the General when the latter s Says He Can Have Four Million Acres as a Site for a New Zion. CHICAGO, Nov. 15. "I have just re ceived an offer of 4.000,000 acres of land on which to build another Zion City, but the site must be kept secret at present," said John Alexander Dowie, speaking to his followers in Shlloh Tabernacle, Zion City, today. "What is more," Dowie continued, "I have an offer of 10,000 acres of land within 35 miles of New York City for the same purpose. That does not look as if our New York trip failed, does it? "I am going abroad January 3 after men and money," he said. "When I get back in June I will have planned a number of ZIons. Then all Zion will start Its work for the building up of Jerusalem." INSANE FR0H THE SHOCK. Negro Survivor of Illinois Central Wreck Loses His Mind. NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 15. Sixteen ne groes injured in the Illinois Central wreck at Kentwood were brought to the Charity Hospital today and three of them died soon after reaching here. This makes a total of 23 negro men dead, one negro woman killed and Andrew C. Risser, fore man of carpenters, the only white man fatally injured, a total of 30 deaths. The injured list foots up IS. Larry Haworthe, the only negro who escaped from the coach, has become de mented as a result of the shock. The re sponsibility for the accident has not been determined. COMES WEST PERSONALLY TO INVESTIGATE LAND FRAUDS KrJEi43ffovjT5fcJTHiffia333k 2BK- ? - vaKi& II IAXD COMMISSIONER W. A. RICHARDS. SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 13. Special.) To lend hie personal aid to the Investiga tion now going on at the land offices throughout Oregon. "Washington and Cali fornia, "W. A Richards, Commissioner of the General Land Office at "Washington, has arrived In San Francisco, and Is at tho .Occidental. So great has become tho question and so gross have the frauds grown to be that Richards dealres to make a personal investigation The main business of the Land Office of late has been really concerned with Pacific Coast States. To stop the frauds. Richards is said to have framed a new bill, which will be placed before the next ConCTess. In order to make It compre hensive, he will study conditions here. In Oregon and in 'Washington. Mr. Richards said tonight: "Tho Investigation Into the several matters which have been brought to public notice ,of late has not been completed that Is, that the report fias not been filed. So I can say nothing as to these matters. My visit here Is largely a private one owing to the Ill-health of my daughter, and to the desire to aee old friends In 1870 I was elected County Surveyor of Santa Clara, and have many friends In the state." Mr. Richards left California and went to -Wyoming, where, from 1894 to 1800 he occupied the position of Governor. In 1800 he was appointed Assistant Commis sioner of the General Land Office, and later was given the important position ho now fills. ; --------- ----- . . . - - - - . . IT T Colombians Send Mis sion to Panama. PROMISES IN PROFUSION Almost Any Concession to Revive Old Conditions. GENERALS ARE THE ENVOYS Isthmus Cannot Be Approached by Land by ColombianTroops and the United States Will Not Allow Soldiers to Be Landed by Sea. GLDQER WELCOJIED BACK. PANAMA. Nov. 15. United States Consul-General Gudger arrived here this evening, and was met at the rail way station by a great number of rersons, including the members of the provisional government, army officers and other prominent persons. General Obaldla was also among those present. As Consul-General Gudger alighted from the train a military band played "The Star-Spangled Banner." Senor Arias, representing the junta, delivered a speech. In which he expressed the gratitude of the Republic of Panama for the recognition accorded it by President Roosevelt, and also the pleas ure of the people of Panama at Mr. Gudger's return. Consul - General Gudger returned thanks for his reception, and said that he and Rear-Admiral Walker would call upon the members of the Junta officially tomorrow. .4 BOGOTA, Nov. 15. General Reyes, Holguin and Ospina left here today for Panama on a diplomatic mission with full powers to offer the Isthmians a satisfactory treaty and such other con cessions, as may bring the Isthmus back to the Colombian union. It is expected that amicablo arrange ments will be made, and such are heartily desired here. News from the State De partment at Washington is anxiously awaited. Excitement Over Scotia's Arrival. COLON, Nov. 15. The overdue steamer Scotia arrived from the coast at sun- (Concluded on Page 4.) CONTEXTS OF TODAY'S PAPER National. "W. A. Richards. Commissioner of the General Land Office, comes West to Investigate land j frauds. Page 1. All measures In the Senate will be subordinated to the bill on Cuban reciprocity. Page 2. Tho House Is expected to jreport tho Cuban bill to the Senate on Friday. Pace 2. Foreign. Lord Wolseley's memoirs score the British nation for unpreparedness for war. Page a. Sarafoff, the Macedonian revolutionary leader, acclaimed by thousands at Sofia. Page 3. King Victor and Queen Helena, start for vlalt In England. Page S. Combination of Interests of two German banking-houses makes second strongest concern In the world. Pago 3. Pennsylvania steel company takes rail con tracts for Mecca road rrom the Kruppa. Page 3. Domestic. Irving McDonald killed at St. Joseph, Mo., by J. F. Furlong In auarrel after supper with actresses. Page 2. Four desperate criminals make a sensational escape from the Ohio penitentiary. Page 2. Colorado miners by a small majority refuse to accept the proposition for settlement of tthe strike. Pago 3. Massachusetts textile workers will probably make the best of the reduction in wages. Page 3. The Chicago City Railway maintains regular service on one line: claims to have full force of nonunion men. Pago 3. Production of cane sugar shows a remarkable Increase in two years. Page 3. Panama. Colombia sends three Generals to Panama with power to make terms for return of the rev olutionists to the Colombian union. Pge 1. Panama feels safe from attack of Colombian troops by land or sea. Puge 1. A revolution Is not Improbable In Colombia; panicky feeling at the capital. Page 1. Great enthusiasm In Panama over the recep tion given Minister in the United States. Page 1. Pacific Coast. Paper mills at Oregon City will U3e oil for fuel Instead of wood. Page 4. Jim Parker Is shot through the body at La. Grande by Ed Hugfcfes, whom ho had been tormenting. Page 4. The Tillamook Courthouse la destroyed by fire. Page 4. Southern Pacific considers purchase of special freight cars owned by the Armours. Page 4. Marino. Four extra steamships from Portland for Japan In November. Page 11. Many ships leaving tho Pacific Coast In bal last. Page 11. Storm-bound fleet at Astoria got away yes terday. Page 11. Barkentlne Jane A. Falkenburr wrecked In Alaska. Page 11. Sports. Pacific Coast League scores: Los Angeles 3. Portland 1; Sacramento 7, Oakland 2; Se attle 3, San Francisco 2. Page 5. Unless Oregon wins football game from Cor vallls, collegiate championship will remain In doubt. Page 5. Portland and Vicinity. Taxpayers League decides that extra session of Legislature la imperative. Page 1. Councilman Flegel scores good citizens who do not Interest themselves in politics. Page 12. Recent storms prostrate telephone company's w ires. Page 10. Immense audience gathers to hear Christian Science lecturer. Page 10. School principal refuses to be fined by School Board. Pace 12.