Morning Oregonian., December 03, 1903, Page 10, Image 10

K7
THE MrojJOKG OEEGONIAN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1903.
TELL OF PER
Witnesses Admit Swear
ing Falsely-
IN ORDER TOGET CLAIMS
Homesteaders Have Never
Seen Their Farms.
-&.
TOOK OATHS THAT THEY HAD
Defense and Prosecution In Asa B.
Thomson Trial Wage Battle
Royal-Evidence That .Cun
ningham Paid for Proofs.
The defease and the prosecution
erased battle royal yesterday during the
trial of Asa B. Thomson on the charge
of soliciting bribes to Influence decisions
upon suspended land claims. The prose
cution introduced witness after witness
to support Its contentions. The defense
used the same witnesses to bring .out
most damaging testimony against the
prosecution. The evidence produced by
the one side was met with a contradic
tion by the other. Some questionable
methods of making final proofs on land
claims were testified to by several of the
prosecution's witnesses. They declared
that they had been told b sign papers"
that they had not read. They also as
serted that they had not sworn to these
documents, which were certified to as
statements made under oath. The de
fense introduced witnesses to prove that
the affidavits had been made under oath
and that the contents were the state
ments of the signers.
Claimants whose final proofs had been
held up by Mr. Thomson admitted that
they had never lived on their homesteads
and had made no improvements. Yet
they had signed affidavits to this effect.
One claimant admitted that he had never
seen his claim and didn't know where it
was. As he expressed It, it might have
been a pile of lock, so far as he knew.
Evidence was also Introduced proving
that the money paid for the homesteads
was obtained from Charles Cunningham,
the star witness of the prosecution. It
was also shown that there was an under
standing between Cunningham and a
Pendleton abstract company, that his ac
count might be drawn upon for the pay
ment of fees on these claims.
The prosecution rested its case during
the afternoon and the defense will prob
ably complete its evidence this morning.
The case will prpbably go to the Jury
today.
When the morning session opened E.
"W. Davis, Register In the Land Office at
La Grande, was called to the stand to
identify the claims that were held up.
The papers were then Introduced in evi
dence by the prosecution. Other records
of the Land Office were Identified and
presented as proof of the allegation that
the claims were held up.
Dallas O'Hara, one of the claimants
whose proofs were held up, was called
to the stand next. His testimony was
relative to the alleged demand of Mr?
Thomson for a fee to secure the approval
of the papers.
"Myself and two or three of the boys
met Mr. Thomson at Pendleton, and
asked him how much he wanted to let
our proofs go through. Mr. Thomson
said that Ije wanted nothing, but that Mr.
Bartlett wanted $50 a claim. "We told
him we would not pay It."
Cunningham Put Up the Money.
On cross-examination O'Hara admitted
that he was a bartender and that he did
not know where his claim was. "Cun
ningham put up the money for filing on
the land and made all the payments.
He picked out the land."
"Did you ever live on your land?"
"I don't know. I spent one night on
the prairie, but I don't know whether I
was on my land or not."
"In fact, you don't know that you ever
were on this claim, do you?"
"No, I don't. I know I camped out
in the sagebrush one night."
The final proof papers upon his claim
were shown to the witness. He Identified
his signature.
"Now, Mr. O'Hara," said Attorney
Halley, "here are some statements that
you swore to when you signed these final
proof papers. You say that you have
built a house on your claim, that the
Improvements consist of that and a half
mile of fencing and that you have lived
on the property for 14 months. Now, are
these statements true?."
"No. There's no house there and I
never stayed on the place but one night."
"You don't know that you were on your
claim that night, do you?"
"No."
"Yet you swore to this statement?"
"I didn't know what It was."
"Didn't you make the answers to -these
questions?"
"No. Icouldn't answer the questions,
bo the man who was making out the pa
pers wrote the answers for me."
Answers to Questions False.
"The answers to the questions in these
proof papers are false, aren't they?"
"Yes."
"Yet you swore to them."
"I didn't know that I was swearing to
those things. They told me to sign it and
I did."
"Didn't you try to vote at Echo at the
last election?"
"Yes, but they challenged my vote."
"Who did?"
"Mr. Thomson."
"Why did he do it?"
"He claimed that my residence was not
in that district."
"Your homestead was in that district,
was it not?"
"Yes, but I had never been on the prop
erty up to that time."
"You are not sure that you were ever
on the property, are you?"
Spent One Night in Sagebrush.
"All I know is that I spent one night
in the sagebrush somewhere."
"The facts are that the statements In
your final proof papers are what you
might call falsehoods, are they not?"
"Yes, they are whoppers."
Glen H. Sailing, another claimant,
whose papers were hold up, was called.
He corroborated the testimony of O'Hara
relative to Thomson's alleged request
for a bribe. He also identified the final
proof papers on his claim.
Might Have Been a Rockplle.
On cross-examination the witness ad
mitted that he had never seen his prop
erty. He did not know- where it was.
As he expressed it, "the land may have
been a rockplle for all I know."
"Did you swear to the final proof pa
pers?" "No. I never swore to them, at all."
"Do you mean to say that no oath was
administered to your asked the Judge.
"Yes. The papers"' were fixed out for
us and we signed them."
"JQa. xqu zseaa to s&x that you did .aot.
I Vnivor that- -vnjl ttatp nnrtor nnHiT' rnn-
tinued the Judge.
"I supposed it was all right."
"How did you expect to make proof
of your .statements?"
"I don't know. I supposed everything
was all right, as Judge Hartman fixed
the papers."
"Didn't you know that you were com
mitting perjury?"
"No."
"You know it now, don't you?"
"Yes."
"Shocking," Says the Judge.
"It 13 shocking that the court should
have to listen to such testimony," re
marked the Judge.
"Who is Judge Hartman?" inquired At
torney HalL
"He is the County Judge of Umatilla
County," replied Sailing.
Joe Parks, a real estate dealer of Pen
dleton, was called next. His testimony
was to the effect that Asa Rayburn and
some qf the other claimants had been to
him to make arrangements to see Thom
son. He denied that Thomson had ex
pressed to him any desire to see Cun
ningham. In the afternoon Mr. Parks was called
to the stand for cross-examination. He
said that Mr. Thomson had never tele
phoned to him and asked to see Cun
ningham. ,
"I telephoned to Mr. Thomson at the
request of Mr. Bayburn, who wanted to
see him. He told me that he could get
no money from Cunningham unless the
proofs went through. He wanted to see
how the papers could be gotten through.
Ho said, though, that If the papers were
passed he would feet 1200 from Cunning
ham." Dallas O'Hara was recalled and the
proof papers on the 10 claims were shown
to him. His Tiame appeared as a witness
on each one. The witness admitted he
had never seen the property and had
never read the documents he signed.
"Supposed They Were All Right."
"Some of us started to read the pa
pers," said O'Hara, "but they told us
not to bother with them, that they were
all right. I supposed they were, and
signed the papers."
A B. Green, the special Government In
spector, was recalled and testified rela
tive to an alleged conversation between
himself and Joe Parks.
"Mr. Parks told me," said the witness,
"that he had been to the Land Office to
see'' about the suspended claims and that
Thomson or Bartlett had asked to see
Mr. Cunningham."
"Did you go before the grand jury and
explain what you learned?"
"No."
"You say you were honestly endeavoring
to see Justice done?"
"Yes."
"Then, why did you not go before the
jury and tell what you knew?"
"I reported to the District Attorney, and
It was for him to call me, if I was
needed."
The prosecution objected to this line
of cro'ss-examlnatlon. The defense con
tended that It was Indicative of the wit
ness Interest in the matter and showed
prejudice. The objection was sustained.
The prosecution then rested its case.
All Swore to the Proofs.
Judge G. A. Hartman, County Judge -of
Umatilla County, was the first witness for
the defense. The proof papers on the
land claims in question were shown to
him and he Identified them. In reply to
a question, he said: "The claimants and
the witnesses swore to these papers in
my presence. I asked if they had read
the documents and understood what they
were. They replied that they had and
swore to them in my presence."
Joe Parks, who did the clerical work of
taking the proofs, swore that the answers
written were those made by the claim
ants and witnesses. He swore that they
understood every article contained in the
documents and signed their nanies after
they read the proofs over.
On cross-examination the witness said:
"I asked the claimants the questions pre
soribed. they gave me their answers, and
I wrote them as they gave them."
J. T. Lambrlth, teller of the First Na
tional Bank of Pendleton, was called and
presented six drafts on the bank payable
to the Land Office, purchased by Lee
Held, of the Hartman Abstract Company.
He testified that In exchange for these
drafts he had received one draft for
$1336.50, issued by Charles Cunningham to
the abstract company. The six drafts
issued by Lambrlth were for 320L50 each
and made payable to the Becelver of the
Land Office. Further evidence was intro
duced to prove that these drafts were
used 'for paying the filing and provlng-up
fees on six of the claims involved in the
case. This transaction occurred on June
3, 1S03.
James Malone7, assistant cashier, cor
roborated the evidence qf Lambrlth.
Paid With Cunningham's Money.
Lee Held, secretary of the Hartman Ab
stract Company, admitted that he pur
chased the drafts in favor of the Land
Office. He admitted that he paid for the
drafts with a draft on Cunningham's .ac
count. "Did Mr. Cunningham have an, under
standing with you about drawing drafts
on him?"
"Not exactly. I knew that the proofs
were coming up and told Mr. Cunning
ham I would send them up to the Land
Office.
"Did you feel then that you had a right
to draw this draft on Mr. Cunningham?"
"Yes."
"You considered that there was an
understanding between you and him
about this?"
"Yes." '
"Did you feel safe In drawing the draft
for more than the actual cost of the
claims?"
"Yes, for the amount Just covers the
outside expenses."
"It is a fact then that this money was
used to pay for the six claims under con
sideration, is it not?"
"Yes. that is true."
Thomas W. Ayers, axdruggist at Pendle
ton, testified that he was with Thomson
the day he met Cunningham. He swore
that Cunningham asked Thomson to go
Into tho office of a saloon near by. The
two went into the office and he and Budd,
the bartender, stood at the bar talking.
The witness said that neither he nor Budd
could hear what was taking place in the
office.
N. Macracken, a stockman, testified that
Charles Cunningham had told him that
ten claims of his had been held up at the
Land Office and that some day the roof
would fly off that place.
J. B. Perry, a- lawyer of Pendleton, said
Cunningham had told him that politics
was at the bottom of the affair and that
he believed Thomson to be innocent.
J. W. Klmbrell, a surveyor, produced
field plats showing the location of the
claims In question within the boundary
of Cunningham's property. He had found
no Improvements on the claims.
State Senator C. J. Smith said that Cun
ningham's general reputation for truth or
veracity was not very good. He swore
that Thomson's reputation for honesty
and integrity was good.
At this point court adjourned until this
morning.
B. B. HIGH C1JBI0 STOBE
For holiday purchases has no equal in
the artistic, the unique and price, up
stairs, Sixth and Washington streets.
Open evenings.
Park Presented to Spokane.
SPOKANE, Wash., Dec 2.-John A.
Finch, the millionaire mining man, and
F. P. Hogan have presented to the City of
Spokane SO acres to be used as a park.
The tract lies in the northwest corner of
the city, and 20 acres of it is covered with
thrifty pines, the rest being open prairie.
The city is asked to assume the 1903 taxes
and to build a driveway about the land
before 1S05. The donors suggest that it be
named Spokane Park, and that It must be
accepted any time before 1901.
Those -who coush at jaUrbt-may eecur reet by
talrtnn ZHaaVi Cher.
S'PECialGnt;
QuRing HiS
"Tt-T WITH.
b U rl 5 EL FO A
ithedepeNS
A WITNESS FOR THE PROSE
CUTION AND ATTORNEYS
FOR THE DEFENSE AT THE
ASA B. THOMSON TRIAL.
PIONEER LIFE AMONG JEWS
SIMON BLUMAUER AND JACOB
MAYER GIVE REMINISCENCES.
Well-Known Citizens Tell Stories of
Early Days Before Council
of Jewish Women.
The strenuous pioneer days of the early
fifties were "vividly pictured to a large
and fashionable gathering yesterday af
ternoon in the Selling Hirsch Hall by
two of Portland's oldest and best known
pioneer citizens, Mr. Simon Blumauer and
Mr. Jacob Mayer, the occasion being a
day devoted to "Pioneer Life Among the
Jews cf the Northwest," by the Council
of Jewish Women. In addition to the able
speeches made by these two pioneers, in
teresting addresses wero made by Mrs.
Abigail Scott Dunlway and Mr. Leo
Frlede. Many invited guests were pres
ent and the Council turned out to a mem
ber. Many were descendants of the first
Jews who settled in the Oregon wilds In
those early days, and the theme was nat
urally of intense interest to alL There
were four generations of the Blumauer
family present, and the three brothers
who came here in the days when Portland
was not much more than a group of log
cabins. Messrs. Simon, SIgmund and
Joseph Blumauer, were all present, look
ing hale and hearty, notwithstanding that
all are near the four score mark.
After the business of the Council was
disposed of, the day's programme was
opened by a vocal solo by Miss Ethel
Shea, accompanied by Mrs. Walter Reed.
"The Song of the Heart," by unison,
was the first selection rendered, and both
were greeted with warm applause. Gay
nors "Slumber Boat" was the second
number, sung by Miss Shea, in which her
rich voice was neard to splendid advan
tage. Tho presidentyof tho Executive Board,
Mrs. S. M. Blumauer, in her Introductory
remarks, Impressed upon the Council
members that they took the present too
much for granted and did not give suf
ficient thought to the great obstacles
their parents and grandparents had to
surmount in those primitive times. She
first introduced Mr. Leo Frlede, who,
while not a pioneer, came here when a
small child and is intimately acquainted
with incidents of early days. Mr. Frlede
explained that his early life was spent
in the rural and froijtler districts of the
State, so that he did not know so much
of Portland until later years, but of his
early days near Dayton he told many
interesting facts. His father came hero
first and then sent for the family, the
mother and four little children. The trip
on the old slde-wheeler Sierra Nevada
from San Francisco, which took five days,
the family's greeting in Portland by Mr.
P. Selling, the continuation of the trip
to Oregon City and Dayton, where they
wero met by the father, and their arrival
at 9 o'clock at night in their new home
In the Willamette Valley, were broadly
pictured by Mr. Frlede. The dally walk
of two miles to the little country school
house -where tho blue back spelling-book
and a teacher who boarded around with
tho pupils held swaythe sacrifices made
by the family later on to send the
daughters away to school in order that
they should bo educated, bitter memories
of the hours put in at the old-fashioned
churn, early experiences in'hls father's
country store, and the exchange of pro
duce and merchandise in the absence of
money were all related in a most realis
tic manner, and Mr. Frlede almost suc
ceeded in making the ladles present be
lieve that the calico dresses the girls
wore in those days were , prettier than
the silks In which they now gown them
selves. His father's strict observance of
Jewish ceremonials and the long trip to
Portland each New Year's and Day of
Atonement, and his own first trip here,
gave an insight to the fact that though
widely scattered, the pioneer Jews of the
Northwest did not neglect their religion.
Mr. Simon Blumauer was greeted with
vociferous applause when called upon.
The home life of the pioneer Jews was
first touched upon by him, and his de
scription of their orthodox ceremonials,
both in the home and in the temple, found
eager listeners. Mr. Blumauer said that
he had frequently seen large gatherings
JL.adJ.ourn to the synagogue in a. body after
iatt,tt
Mn.HAl-UC
VfU"
soma celebration or entertainment, and
he told many interesting incidents of the
way they helped and supported each
other's alms and ambitions. The first
settlers among his people In Oregon were
named over and many honorary offices
held by them at various periods, includ
ing those, of Mayor, Councilman, State
and City Treasurers, United States Sen
ator and Minister to a fqreign country,
were given as illustrations of what they
had achieved. The first Jewish wedding
which ever occurred here was between
Miss Bettman and Mr. Baum, and tho
ceremony as performed by Mr. Boris,
who afterwards became a rabbi. An in
cident of an early funeral, at which the
men made a rude plno coffin In order to
carry out the orthodox Idea of a simple
burial, proved most interesting as in con
trast with present customs. Mr. Blu
mauer is over SI years old, but he is still
an able speaker and has a valuable fund
of pioneer reminiscences with, which ho
could entertain Indefinitely.
Jacob Mayer was also an Interesting
speaker on the programme. Mr. Mayer
has been in business here for 49 years
and still Is to be found at his office' every
morning as promptly as any young mem
ber of tho firm. He has spent a great
deal of time and energy in these years
In starting congregations and societies,
and has the distinction of having formed
the first Jewish congregation in Port
land, which, is In a nourishing condition
today. Mr. Mayer was president of the
congregation for many years and he told
many amusing Incidents of having to per
form marriage ceremonies when there
was no rabbi present and the young folks
wanted to wed. The first couple that he
married he said he watched with Interest
many years and their progress in tho
world was of great concern to him. They
raised a large family, he said, and when
the little ones numbered 11 they were
brought to town one day to have their
pictures taken, The photographer, on be
ing asked the price, said $5 a dozen.
"Well," said the mother, "we only have
11, so I guess we'll have to wait."
The very commendable purpose and
work of the Council of Jewish Women
was then touched upon by Mr. Mayer,
who Is deeply interested In such work,
and tho women were praised and encour
aged for the good they are doing.
"The work this council Is doing shows
the advancement of Judlalsm. Such noblo
labors will result In the uplifting and up
building of the young into good and use
ful citizens, and every belp and encour
agement should bo extended to such a
movement."
Mrs. Abigail Scott Dunlway paid highest
and most glowing tribute to tho Jewish
citizens of the community, and related
her first struggle in the world, when with
an invalid husband and a family of small
children she had to make her own way
in the world. After determining to go
Into trade, she settled upon tho millinery
business, and with but $30 cash to buy
stock she came to Portland to make her
purchases. Jacob Mayer, she said, laughed
at her stipend, but Insisted upon giving
her a good stock on credit, whlcTi she
feared she would never be able to pay
for, but he told her to take It and pay
when she could. The venture proved suc
cessful, and she said she felt that she
owed her success entirely to him, for she
knew "none of her own nationality who
would have helped her in this way.
The broadmindedness and cleverness of
the Jews as a commercial race and their
devotion to their families were elaborated
upon by Mrs. Dunlway, and she grace
fully referred to some well-known accom
plishments of members present. Their
prominence throughout the past half cen
tury In this locality and tho successes
achieved by the late Solomon Hirsch and
ex-Senator Joseph Simon terminated her
bright and interesting talk. Dr. Mary
Thompson thanked the ladles of the Coun
cil for what they were doing for the chil
drenthe future citizens of America,- after
which the meeting adjourned to enjoy a
social hour. Delightful refreshments were
served and Impromptu receptions held by
the speakers of the afternoon.
Many of the ladles availed themselves
of the opportunity to secure tickets for
the lecture t6 be-given next Monday ajter
noon by Dr. Alfred Martin, who will lec
ture on Browning's "Rabbi Ben Ezra,"
under the auspices of the City Federation
of Women's Clubs, of which the Council
of Jewish Women Is a part. This lecture
will be givea in the Selllng-HIrsch Hall at
2 o'clock.
Tells of Postal Conspiracy.
1 BALTIMORE Dec 2. In the United
"' ' ' W H? ' '
n k Ik
MtmwM,, V wfink Or
F s'fliBte JLA Avi tfWSL nl - -
ao
V G-HTTJtfGiNT.,
Licr FOR HS
CMMjr
States District Court today the case of
tho Government against Columbus Ells
worth Upton and Thomas W. McGregor,
clerks in the JPostoflice Department, in
dicted lor the perpetration of postal
frauds in securing exorbitant prices for
mall pouches, was resumed. Miss Mary
F. Moody, a clerk in the Postoffice De
partment, identified the fraudulent bills
for mall pouches contracted for by tho
defendants, testifying that she had handed
them to McGregor in person.
Charles B. Smith, the leather merchant
who furnished the pouches, related how
he had entered Into a conspiracy with
Upton and McGregor to furnish pouches
at 90 cents which cost only 35 cents.
Again "Mayor" of Death House.
NEW YORK, Dec. 2. Albert T. Patrick,
an lnmateof Sing Sing prison, where ho
has been for some time under sentence
of death for the murder of William Rice,
has been re-elected "Mayor" of the Death
House. Ho already has served nearly a
year In that important office. Patrick has
nlno companions, but one refused to vote.
All questions of Importance are referred
to him and he passes upon them just as
tho city Magistrate would do under other
circumstances.
Old-Time Champion Oarsman.
NEWBURGH, N. Y., Dec 2. Joshua
Ward, the old-time champion oarsman,
died at his home in Cornwall-on-the-Hud-son
today of pneumonia. In 1S59 Ward won
tho sculling championship at St at en Isl
and, rowing five miles In 37 minutes, 10
seconds. He held the championship, de
feating all comers until lfi&i, when he was
defeated by James Hamlll on tho Schuylkill.
J " 'EGYPTIAN 1 ;'
B xiSnT wm "MOGUL smokeT makls II
WILL FIGHT REPEAL
Chamberof Commerce Wants
Portage Road Built.
THINKS DELAY IS DANGEROUS
Resolutions Are Adopted Favoring
Improvement of Mouth of Ne-'
halem River and Valdes Rail
road Scheme Is Indorsed.
The Portland Chamber of Commerce
will fight tho proposed repeal of the port
age road bill to the bitter and. This de
cision was reached at a meeting of the
directors held yesterday. It is the belief
of the Chamber that the bill should stand
as passed, and. If possible, any action
against It during the special session of
the Legislature will be blocked.
Present at tho meeting were Henry
Hahn and E. T. Williams, of the open
river committee. They reported the action
of the committee in drafting the set of
resolutions published yesterday. Both
gentlemen addressed the directors urging
action in. support of the bill. They argued
that the construction of this road was
necessary and that It behooved the Cham
ber of Commerce to take action to pre
vent any amendment or repeal of tho
d"11L
The directors decided to adopt the reso
lutions prepared by the committee and
abide by them. The secretary was In
structed to send eoples of this resolution
to each member of the Legislature and to
Oregon's representatives In Congress.
Copies will also bo sent to tho various
commercial bodies of the state. These
will be urged to glvo the resolutions their
earest attention and to support them.
It was also decided to ask the Secretary
of War the reason for the Insertion of the
J clause in tho document providing for the
construction of the Celilo canal making it
necessary" for the state or some Individual
to secure the right of way for the enter
prise. Tho secretary was instructed to
ask the Attorney-General of Oregon for
an opinion as to the right of the state to
condemn lands for the benefit of tho Fed
eral Government.
Another matter of Importance that came
up wag a request from the Wheeler Lum
ber Company, at Nohalem, Or., asking
the Chamber to adopt resolutions favor
ing Government Improvement of the
mouth of the Nehalem. River. The letter
set forth that because of the shoaling
of the bar at the mouth of the stream, the
business of that district was suffering
greatly. Shipping cannot be carried on
to the extent that is necessary to handle
the output of the district. The leter
states that because of the filling up of the
river mouth, some of the lumber mills
are not able to operate as fully as they
snould and other business interests are
hampered. It is recommended that efforts
be made to secure an appropriation for
(the cbnstruction of a Jetty, a mile in
lengtn, on tne soutn siae or uie river.
Is stated that the work can be done at a
cost not to exceed 5100,000, plenty of rock
for the work being available.
Tho directors decided to draft resolu
tions in favor of the proposal and send
them to Oregon's representatives In Con
gress. Favor Alaska Railroad Scheme.
The committee appointed to pas3 upon
the advisability of indorsing the "Valdes
(Alaska) Railroad; rendered the following
report, favoring the scheme:
Tour committee, appointed to pass upon the
advisability of recommending tho Indorsement
of this body to the projected railway from
Valdes to Eagle City. Alaska, has given tha
matter reasonable consideration, and respect
fully submits the following:
First It appears from tha representations of
Captain Chllcott. and from Government reports
and other data, which he has In hand, that It Is
practicable to build and operate a railway on
the lines of the projected route.
Second From figures submitted, based on tha
present cost of the transportation of freight
to the vicinity of the proposed terminus of this
road. It would appear that the project would
be a paying one if properly financed and man
aged. Third From Information brought out by our
consideration of this matter, it would appear
that Alaska Is as yet in Its infancy as to tho
development of Its natural resources.
Fourth That such a road, in connection with
tho proposed line of steamships from Portland,
would greatly aid In the advancement of the,
commercial Interests of Portland, and, would
doubtless act as a very important controlling
factor in the future maintenance nd develop
ment of these Interests.
It is beyond the present opportunity of this
committee to Judge of the merits of this proj
ect, except on tho strength of the correctness
of the data furnished by Captain Chllcott, but,
assuming this data to be authentic. It is our
belief that the project merits the Indorsement
of the Portland Chamber of Commerce, and in
this connection we takethe liberty of remark
ing that a large portion of this Alaska trade
should never have been lost to this city, par
ticularly as it first originated here. It Is a
regrettable fact that up to this time, notwith
standing our spjendld commercial facilities,
both as to producing and shipping, we have
permitted this Immense business to go else
where, with no determined effort to retain It.
The-rallroad project appears to offer a favor
able opportunity to Portland capital, and Is
doubtless worthy of a thorough investigation
by such moneyed Interests as ore In a position
to take it up. W. H. CORBETT.
S. FARRELL,
F. A. SPENCER.
Would Assist Dayton.
The transportation committee reported,
recommending that tho Chamber assist
the residents of Dayton. Wash., in getting
the O. R. & N. to extend it3 line from
Turner to Pomeroy.
Tho navigation committee reported that,
in its opinion, tho best way to build up
American shipping was to change tho
navigation laws and allow American
shippers to purchase ships in the cheap
est market.
The president of tho Chamber waa
authorized to appoint a committee of ex
presldents of the body, to prepare for
tne annual meeting of the body in Jan
uary, upon a date to "be determined later.
i no rouowlng new members were
elected:
A. H. Bavlor. Henrv Slsler. rhrprhrlr-
Starr-Cooke Company, Portland Lumber
Company, J. M. Acheson, City Retail
Lumber Company, B. Trenkman & Co.,
A. J. Cranwell. Dunning & Campion,
Portland Packing Company, Paul Baumel,
Order of Lions, J. L. Mitchell, S. Silver
field, Pacific Coast Stamp Works, J. J.
Wetxler, Columbia Timber Company.
A "0UIQTJE HEWSPAPEB.
Stead Will Have Girls Deliver It an
Take Orders for.Tradesmen.
y
NEW YORK, Dec. 2. William T. Stead
announces that ho will begin publishing
a unique newspaper January 1, says a
Herald dispatch from London. It prob
ably will be known as ';The Dally Paper,"
and be almost entirely sociological
In character. Girls wilt- deliver tha
sheet at homo after tho husband
haa gone to his business. Tha
messengers will collect orders oa
tradesmen to be telephoned at the expense
of the publisher from depots established
for that purpose, and the goods desired
will be delivered collect by the storekeep
ers a few hours later.
Several other Innovations are proposed
along this line. The news columns will
be devoted almost exclusively to news for
homo circles, no sporting or market dtem
bring published. Four editions are
planned, each suited to the various divis
ions of the city. Mr. Stead says the ed
itorial views will be intensely political, but
not partisan.
WOMEN BAEEED AS LAWYERS
British House of Lords Decides Sex
Is Against Them.
LONDON, Dec. 2. The House of Lords
has finally decided that women are de
barred by their sex from being qualified
lawyers in this country. The question
arose on the appeal of a Londoner. Miss
Bertha Cavo, against the decision of tho
benchers of Gray's Inn, not to admit her
as a student for the purpose of being
called to the bar. The court decided that
there was no precedent for a woman's ad
mission to the Inn of court and no rea
son to create a precedent. The benchers
assert that the statutes of Gray's Inn so
ignore women, as to leave them no power
to admit a woman.
Legal Battle Over Estate of Miser.
NEW YORK, Dec. 2. Lawyers repre
senting the heirs of Mrs. Mary J. Oliver,
the Harlem, miser who was.lound dead In
her home several weeks ago, have reported
that tho old woman deeded all her prop
erty to Mary Alderdlce, the young daugh
ter of Mrs. Oliver's agent. Tho latter
was found unconscious and died from
apoplexy a few hours after Mrs. Oliver
passed away.
The real estate deeded the girl Is valued
at $125,000. Large sums of money sup
posed to be on deposit to the credit of tho
miser have not yet been located, and tho
bank books are missing. Counsel for tho
Oliver heirs are preparing to sue for tho
setting aside of the transfers. Meantime
lawyers representing Miss Alderdlce have
demanded 511,000 worth of bonds found In
Miss Alderdlce's room, which they allege)
belonged to the deceased agent.
t '
Alaska Mining Man Arrested.
NEW YORK. Dec. 2. Frank C. Helm,
41 years old, who Is said to be the owner
of valuable mining property in Alaska.
was arraigned today on a charge of grand
larceny. The complainant against him la
State Senator John Laughlln, of Buffalo,
and the specific charge Is that he sold
51000 worth, of stock to Senator Laugh
lln, which. It Is alleged, was not hls..Mr.
Helm returned from Valdes, Alaska, last
night.