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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 7, 1904)
'-r. . PAGES 1 1 TO 20 VOL. XXIII. PORTLAND, OREGON. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1904. NO. 13,727. PART TWO THEY FACE RUIN SalmonCannersAreKHI ing Golden Goose. FISH ARE DISAPPEARING Greed and Defiance of Law the Cause, Says Seufert. . . BLAMES LOWER RIV Fish "Warden Van Dusen, He Asserts, Must Resist Astoria Pressure If He Would Save Salmon In dustry From Annihilation. That Columbia River fisheries have forfeited all claim on the Legislatures of Oregon and Washington for protection against the ruin that is Impending is the sentiment of F. A. Seufert, Mayor and canneryman of The Dalles. And Mr. Seufert threatens to tell the legislative committees so in plain English. The greed of fisheries and their defi ance of law. Mr. Seufert says, warrant tho Legislatures in turning a deaf ear to their plaints and in harkenlng only to the general interest in perpetuation of tho salmon species. He hopss that the lawmakers will ascertain why the closed season .has not been enforced and will take means to drive the Fish Wardens to their duty hereafter. "Laws have been passed." he ex claimed last night, "but where arc the Fish "Wardens to enforce them and tho fishermen and canncrymen to observe them? Money has been appropriated for hatcheries, but where arc the eggs to keep them busy?" Prostitution of Law. The immunity of Columbia River fish ermen from punishment, he said, has be come an example for prostitution of law on every salmon stream in the two states. The bounty of the two states has been abused brazon-faccdly and liberal appropriations for hatcheries and ward ens' salaries have gone almost for naught on account of the greed and lawlessness of the fisheries. Mr. Seufert operates below The Dalles a form of gear which lower river Inter ests desire to drive out of existence by legislation wheels. Less than 6 per cent of the Columbia River pack Is caught bv wheels, while the other 34 per cent is caught by seines, traps and glllncts, the last named of which take between 63 ?.nd TO per cent at tho mouth of the Co-, lumbla and on the bar. Mr. Seufert says, that he has fought the lower river Inter ests in the Legislature and is notf afraid of them again. He points out that 93 per cent of the fish taken by wheels and at hatcheries bear marks of nets, show ing how clean the nets sweep the rivet of fish. In the Legislatures of the two states this Winter he and othor -wheelmen will fight for regulation of all gear and abo lition of none; for continuance of the present closed seasons and for shorten iig of the Summer open "season. Lower river interests will contend for abolition of tho Spring and Fall closed seasons and substitution therefor of the closed Sunday and for prohibition of wheel fishing be tween June 1 and July 1. The busy time for wheels is June. Early runs of salmon which were to have been perpetuated by the Spring rlosed season between March 1 and April 15. Mr. Seufert said, have been almost exterminated, and the late schools which come in from the sea during July and early in August are practically all that are left, because, in spite of the destruc tive work of fishermen, they have been propagated by hatcheries, -while Juno and July fish have nearly perished from the waters of the earth. Late Salmon Only Are Left. Now that the late hatchery salmon are all that remain, Mr. Seufert says the fish eries are greedy to amend the law amend ed so they may not be hampered In catch ing what are left. Lower river Interests, he declares, should not only fall to have the August closed season abolished, but should be allowed only ten days fishing in that month, as was the case up to passage of the present law in 1903. "Tidewater fishermen," he remarked, "have been catching salmon In season and out, just as they pleased, and" have de fied the law and held fish wardens In contempt. On August 15 it was the sworn duty of the wardens to stop fishing. Did they do it? Not they. Mr. Van Dusen was gentle as usual, and. said softly It was no use to save salmon after that time, because they -would not reach the hatcheries, anyhow. "But how does he know that? Can he not remember that in 1903 the big run entered the river Jury 29, and-seyen -days later reached Celllo, one-third of "ttlb-djs tance to the hatchery on Snake RlveT? If the fish traveled one-third the distance to Ontario In seven days, might they not reasonably cover the whole distance In one month or.-'two months? Mr. Van Du scn's own reports show that the salmon are ready to spawn at Ontario two months after the open season ends on August 15. "Year by year the early runs have been diminishing until the stock Is so nearly wiped out that hatcheries would have difficulty in securing seed. Extension of the closed season from April 15 to Mayl might help tQ restore the early schools. The late schools, propagated by hatch eries, are practically the only ones left. And the lower fisheries would destroy them, too. If unrestrained. "Each run of salmon is so regular that it appears in the river almost on the same day each year that Is, if not impeded by artificial obstacles as glllnets on the bar. Tears ago the wheels of the Cascades used to take large quantities of blue backs, a variety of salmon which made up nearly all of the up-river pack. Those bluebacks began to appear at the wheels about April 2C of each year, and their arrival did not vary three days from that time, seson to season. Bluebacks Almost Gone. "But these fish are almost entirely gone. Why? Because they were not prop agated at hatcheries. This last season our cannery packed only 245 cases of blue backs;" the season before the number was about 400 and the season before that about 700. With the gradual disappearance of blucbacks we have had to deepen our wheels so as to catch chinooks. '"Now, -what does the disappearance of the bluebacks prove? Just this: They are one of the early Spring -schools and like the others, have been almost de stroyed. It Is the samo with tho early runs of chinooks. Those big, strong chi nooks which used to be caught in jthe Co lumbia are hardly ever seen now. This fact has been remarked by everybody. If we had had hatcheries to propagate the early schools as has been done with the late runs, and if the Spring close sea son had been enforced,' Spring Ash would be as abundant as Autumn fish. But we did not have such hatcheries and must adapt ourselves to the conditions as they are and improve them as we can. "What we have left is the result of previous legislation. The supply of sal mon has adapted Itself to existing stat utes and we cannot change those statutes without hazarding the Industry. The early schools are gone, but late schools are saved. We can keep the late fish If the wardens will enforce the law. Must Resist Astoria Pressure. "Mr., -Van Dusen must resist tho press Tire of Astoria interests if he would save "the fish from total annihilation. Compe tition among those Interests is so severe laricl they are so bent on making Immedi ate profit that they are hazarding tneir own future welfare, much as they theo retically desire to conserve the fish. He should move his office from Astoria and get away from that pressure. Until ho does so he cannot act impartially." Mr. Seufert declared that the warning to the fisheries Is so obvious and the cost ly example of Puget Sound Is so plain that there should be no hesitation about enforcing the closed season. He added that it was necessary to prohibit gillnet fishing on the bar in order to let the fish have access to the river. The Fish War den has recommended a law to that end. "I'm going to take a 350-fathom gillnet up to the Legislature and spread it over the Capitol," said Mr. Seufert, "so as to let the members see for themselves what small chance salmon have to enter tho Columbia without going into cans and pickle. There arc more than 1G00 of such nets, about 700 miles of them, and 40 feet deep. Is It any -wonder the salmon that escape to hatcheries are so few that schools of Summer salmon arc so late in coming in -from the sea?" MESSAGE PLEASES OREGON MEN All Agree Every Question is Dealt With in a Practical Way. OREGONLVN NEWS BUREAU, Wash ington, Dec 6. Western men In Congress are dellghteu" with the President's mes sage; in fact. Republicans from all sec tions highly praise it. ""I consider it an exceptionally strong message," said Senator Fulton. "It is wonderfully practical, dealing with prac tical subjects in a practical" way. A far as I, have been able to read it hastily. 1 fully indorse the recommendations made." "It is a very businesslike document," said. Senator MltchelL "The recommen dations, in the main, I think, arc wise. I believe as a general thing they will meet the approval of the people of this coun try." Representative Hermann said: "It is- a most comprehensive document and ably presents, the needs of the country, espe cially ofthe -Western Interests." '-.Icssage Is Roosevcltlan," says Repre sentative Williams. "The President cer tainly understands the needs of our sec tion. If his policies are followed out, our people will be well satisfied." Western Senators were quick to notice that while the President commends other departments for the manner In which they are transacting public business, there Is no commendation of tho Interior Depart ment. This omission Is regarded as sig nificant. Postmaster for The Dalles. OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU. Wash ington, Dec C A postmaster for Ine Dalles was decided upon by the Oregon delegation Edward Hosteller. Mr. Hos tetler will succeed S. K. Patterson, whoso term expires December 19. Mr. Hostetler is assistant cashier in French's Bank at The Dalles. PEOPLE CRYING FOR PEACE. Barclay Says Senators Dare Not Thwart Arbitration Treaties. LONDON, Dec 6. In discussing the prospects for the Anglo-American arbi tration treaty. Sir Thomas Barclay, who has been prominently identified with the work of promoting amity between na tions, said to the Associated Press today: "It is quite probable that the treaty un der consideration will be more far reach ing than the Anglo-French treaty,.. The treaty of 1S97 provided for the settlement of all difficulties between Great Britain and the United Stajtes by arbitration. It need hardly be expected that the new treaty will be in exactly the same terms as that signed by the late Lord Paunce fort and Secretary Olncy, but it is most desirable that a treaty between peoples speaking the same language and having practically the same form of procedure, should go a step further than the Anglo Frency treaty. "A good point to be taken from the treaty of 1897 would bo the clause provid ing that if one of the parties raises the objection that national honor or vital in terest is Involved the arbitrators should consist of an equal number of the nation- llty oi the parties involved, and if the decision is given by a bare majority it should become final, if not protested within three months. The reference to arbitration of the Alaskan question showed that some such clause is quite workable. "If the majority of the United States Senate should thwart the progress of ar bitration todaj', when all minds, of men are shocked by horrors of war in the Far East, and when all realize how in dispensable it Is to promote pacific meth ods of settlement of difficulties between nations, there would be an outcry through out the world, and the Senate would "be disgraced In the eyes of all mankind. I know positively that several Senators who voted against the treaty of 1S97 will now vote for the treaty of arbitration." Painters Union May Amalgamate. NEW YORK, Dec C The National Al liance of Amalgamated Painters, Dec orators and Paper-Hangers has convened here for the purpose of nrranglng, if pos sible, a combination with the United Brotherhood of Painters. Delegates from several cities were present, and after some discussion a committee was ap pointed to arrange a conference with the Brotherhood to settle all differences and endeavor to bring about amalgamation. Big Fire at Iowa Arsenal. DAVCNPORT, la., Dec 6. The west wing of the leather shop of the Rock Island Arsenal was partly gutted. by fire today. Loss 5150,000. ' GO INTO FRAUD Grand Jurors Begin Wqrk at Denver; ELEGTIOH CASES ARE UP Judge Asks it Be . Learned if Legislature Is to Be Bought SENSATIONAL REPORTS COME Six W.ore OfficiaJsW ho Disregarded the Injunctive Pzdcrjff the Su preme Court Are Sentenced to Prison and Fined. DENVER, Dec 6. District Judge John I. Mulllns today delivered his In structions to the grand jury summoned by him in the Criminal Court. He charged it to "make a thorough inves tigation as to all violations of the law growing out of the recent general elec tion." " "In my opinion," he said, "the lavish expenditure of money, as has been wit nessed ' in this county and state, Is criminal. I believe it to "be at the very root of all the crime and violations of the elections laws which have ac companied our recent elections. "It ought to be made a criminal of fense for any corporation to contribute to any political party. "It is common talk on the streets and currently circulated In the newspapers that a conspiracy exists to deprive of the Governorship of this state one of our citizens whom ail good citizens, irrespective of politics, believe to lia-ve been elected honestly. It is furthor openly charged to carry out this con spiracy It -will Involve the unseating, unjustly and illegally, of certain mem bers of the Incoming Legislature. It is also charged that, immense sums of money have been collected from the various corporatioris;,of this city and state to aid in this work. It is charged that even after the official count -was completed In many counties of tho state and notified to the proper officials, agents wer, sent out for the .purpose of procuring some one, members of these local canvassing boards, to bring an alleged minority report that tho state canvassing board could be- in duced to violate the law and disregard its oath of office. This is a matter that will tax your patience and ability, but I earnestly urge, it upon you for your most careful consideration." Six more election officials were sent to jail today by the State Supreme Court for disregarding its injunctive order at the late election. The sen tences were as follows: William Reld, S. S. Barker, John Dixon and Tom Sul livan, nine months' Imprisonement and $500 fine with costs; Willis E. Spencer, four months' imprisonment; Charles W. Bunch, three months' Imprisonment Sullivan was Democratic committee man; Reld, Barker and Spencer, Judges, and Dixon and Bunch clerks in Precinct Nine of Ward Five in this city, tho UNITKD STATES STEAMER CHINOOK. The bar dredge now lying moored at the Victoria dolphins has been brought to Portland and put In' condition for next season's work. , ballot box of which was opened In court last Friday, disclosing many fraudulent ballots. SWEAR HE ATTACKED VOTERS Denver Men Declare Policeman Did Not Even Spare Women. DENVER, Dec. 6. The prosecution to day closed its case against Max Schrad sky; William Schrowsky, Samuel Slatkln. Max'Slseack and Saide Plessner. defend ants in the action before United States Commissioner Capron, charging violation of the -statute of the United States, in preventing Republicans from voting at the recent election. . A number of witnesses testified that Schradsky, a policeman, assaulted voters, both men and women, who refused to vote the Democratic ticket, and after "beating them threw them out of the polling-place. In many Instances following them outside and continuing the assault until the vic tims fled In fear of their lives. One witness told of alleged attacks by Schradsky and other defendants upon per sons standing outside the 100-foot circle. Several persons took the stand and said that previous to election day Schradsky had warned them not to come to the polls mless they were ready to vote the ticket he'-demanded they should vote. . - Harry C. Blddle. Republican member. of the election committee, testified that Schradsky threatened him in the office of the committee for appointing a Repub lican judge objectionable to Schradsky. Republican Lead in Pennsylvania. PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 6. The official canvass of the votes cast In Pennsylvania for the Presidential candidates at the last election gives Roosevelt a majority over all of -115,100. The vote for each candidate follows: Roosevelt, S40.949; Parker, 333,430; Swallow, 33,717; Debs. 21.S63; Corrlgan, So cialist Labor, 2211. There were no Watson electors on the ticket Colorado Presidential Vote. DENVER, Dec. 6. The State Canvass ing Board completed the canvass of the returns on Presidential electors toJay. They show, that the Republican electors received -a plurality of 34.5S2. Following is the vote on electors ofr the different par tics: Republican,. 13i,6S7; Democratic, 100.105; Prohibition, 343S; Socialist, 4304; Populist, S24; Social Labor, 333. Official Vote of Nevada. CARSON, New. Dec. 6. Following is the official vote of Nevada: For President Democratic electors 33S2, Republican electors 6S67, Soclallste 92j Populists 344; for Congressman. Van Du seer (Dem.) 5524, Yerlngton (Rep.) 5305, Sadler and.) 572. Vermont Vote Canvassed. MONTPELlER, Vt, Dec. 6. The official returns from the Presidential election in Vermont ehow a Republican plurality of 30.6S2. Tho Republicans received 48.459 votes. Democrats 9777, Socialists S59, Pro hibitionists 792. Vote in Texas. AUSTIN, Tex.. Dec. 6. The total vote for President in Texas is 232,512, divided as follows: Democratic 167,220, Republican 50,30$. People's party $026, Prohibition 4244, Socialist 22S7. Socialist-Labor 421. Deal for Lehigh Company Off. 'PHILADELPHIA. Dec. 6. The negotia tion's opened by Thomas Fowler, presi dent of tho New York, Ontario & West ern Railway, in the Interests of the New York. New Haven & Hartford Railway for the purchase of the property of the Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company, he largest Individual anthracite mining pom party In Pennsylvania, have been declared off.- In anticipation of a deal the stock of the Lehigh Coal & Navigation Com pany has recently risen from S6 to 13iy, or, about J2S.000.000. Indianapolis Concern Suspends. INDIANAPOLIS, Dec 6. The National Commission Company, with fourbranches In the city and 40 In the state; suspended today, the result of the sustained bull movement in the market. Railroad Declares Dividend. NEW YORK, Dec. 6. The directors of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad have declared an extra dividend of 10 per cent per share on the company's stock. GOOS AT THE Ffl Goast County Will Spend $10,000 on Exhibit. HOUSE OF NATIYE WOODS Specimens of Varied Products of the Section Shown. GROUND SITE IS SELECTED Meeting at North Bend -Decides on Plan to Raise' Money toBe Add ed -.to -Amount Left -From the St. Louis Fair Fund. MARSHFIELD; Or., Dec. 6. (Special.) At a meeting of the Coos Bay Cham ber of Commerce, held at North Bend last night, with Mayor Simpson in the chair. It was decided to ask the County Court, which meets in January, to con tribute $3000 toward an exhibit for Coos County at the Lewis and Clark Fair. There Is- $500 left over from St. Louis, and It Is the plan to raise In all $10,000 for the exhibit at Portland. The feature of the display will be a building finished entirely in Coos Coun ty woods, myrtle, oak. maple, yew, al der, ash, chittim, fir, cedar and hemlock. A plot of ground 100x100 has been ac corded Coos County by tho Fair man agement for this building and in it will bo exhibited specimens of all the pro ducts of the Coos Bay country. Statistical Matter for Fair. OLYMPIA, Wash.; Dec. 6. (Special.) Secretary of State 8. H. Nichols will recommend in his forthcoming biennial report that the Legislature provide a special room at the Lewis and Clark Fair for tho. statistical department of his office. He will recommend the ex penditure of $10,000 for printing a great number of tho annual reports of the statistician for distribution at tho Fair. The last report of the statistician was issued two years ago, but the next volume can be prepared in time for dis tributlon at the Fair if the Legisla ture will grant the appropriation. Mr. Nichols estimates that In the four years just closed the population of Washington has been increased by 250, 000. making the total population of the state about 770.000. A-grcat many-of the peoplo who have made homes In Wash ington In the four years, were attracted here., he believes by the publications of. the statistical department of his office. Idaho Urges to Make Showing. BOISE, Idaho, Dec. 6. (Special.) Governor-elect Gooding has returned from his visit to the St. Louis Exposition. In an interview tonight here he said: "Some of our exhibits at St Louis can be shipped to Portland for the Lewis and Clark Exposition. It Is toy belief that if we Intend to make a showing at this Ex position we should go about It In proper style. Anything that is worth doing is worth doing well. In my estimation an effort should be made to display the prod ucts of Idaho at Portland on a plane commensurate with their quality. "Idaho Is second to no state In the Union In resources and when she makes an earnest endeavor to do anything It Is always done right Visitors to the Port land Fair will judge Idaho by her show- for the Winter. She will be overhauled ing. If we are to compete with our sis ter states at this Exposition our present appropriation of $10,000 will not be suf ficient. Canvass of. Clackamas County. OREGON CITY, Or., Dec. 6. (Spe cial.) The executive committee that has in charge the gathering of an ex hibit of Clackamas County resources for the Lewis and Clark Fair at - a meeting today decided to hold a- con ference Tuesday, December 20, with the members of the general committee, which consists of one member from each of the precincts In the county. It Is the intention of the executive committee to raise by subscription $2000 in addition to the $1000 that has been appropriated by the County Court, to defray the expenses of collecting the exhibit For this purpose the county has been divided into districts that will be thoroughly canvassed by members of the committee. Superintendent of Schools Zinser and the teachers of the county have begun the work of prepar ing an edtrcational exhibit to-be shown at the 1905 Fair. Fattening a Prize Hog. LA GRANDE, Or., Dec. 6. (Special.) Kiddle Bros., of Island City, among the leading stockraisers in Union County, have purchased a Poland China hog from S. L. Brooks, of Sum mervllle, weighing 912 pounds, which they will commence to fatten for ex hibit during the Lewis and Clark Fair. They are sure that they can make the scales tip at between 1200 and 1300 pounds, which will be much more than the Immense hog at the St Louis Fair weighed. CARTER REPLIES TO FRANCIS He Was Never Asked to Present Charges Regarding Fair Awards. HELENA, Mont., Dec. 6. Ex-' Senator T. H. Carter, president of the National committee of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, made a brief re ply today to tho statement of Presi dent Francis, of the exposition com pany, relative to charges of corruption made in regard to -about 35 out of 35,000 awards. He says he does not recall when any request was made to the commission to appear before a com mittee of five, as stated by President Francis, and asserts If such were the case the committee of five would assume the character of prosecutor, when Its functions were quasi judicial. After referring to the law in regard to making awards. President Carter says: "The rules governing the awarding of premiums provide, Urst, for group juries; second, department juries, and, third, a superior jury- The law pro vldes that the awards shall be made by tho exposition company and approved by the National commission. As I re call the charges on file do not apply to the superior jury, but to the action of persons connected with group juries and persons attempting to deal -with them. When the company shall have .made the awards arid passed them to the National . commission ior its ap proval, then, and only then, can the commission properly and legally act "I do not recall any request to tho commission to appear before a commit tee of five to. present charges, as stated by Mr. Francis, but If such has been made, the committee could not" assume th.e character of a prosecutor, when tha law plainly imposed a quasi Judicial function on it in tho matter of approv ing or disapproving awards made liy the company. KNOWS OF NO DISSATISFACTION President of Exhibitors' Association Writes Carter. ST. LOUIS. Dec. 6. In reply to the let ter of Thomas H. Carter, president of the National World's Fair Commissisn; Major J. G. Pangborn. president of the United Exhibitors Association, declares no intimation of dissatisfaction with the findings of the juries on awards had come to his notice. The letter, in part, follows: "As president of the United Exhibitors' Association. I would regret any delay in the publication of awards, as that would prove an Injustice to the exhibitors who, having performed their part faithfully and woll. are entitled to proper and prompt recognition. . "You refer in your letter to complaints lodged with your commission by exhibit ors. As president of the United Exhibit ors' Association. L feel bound tto advise you that up to this moment there has not been even an Intimation to the associa tion, or to myself, on the part of a single exhibitor, of any dissatisfaction In connection with the awards or the treat ment accorded exhibitors by tlje juries or any one connected with the administra tion of affairs." Hairy Ainus Leave for Home. ST. LOUIS, Dec. 6. The hairy Ainus. from Northern Japan who were brought to the World's Fair seven mqnths ago left St. Louis today on the Journey homeward. C. P. Hurlburt of the anthropology department of the fair, will accompany them to Vancou ver, B. C. whence they will sail for Japan. The Ainus are the last of the primitive tribes to leave the World's Fair. VARDAMAN GROWS CAUSTIC. Governor Takes Up Statement He Has Offended Roosevelt. MEMPHIS, Tenn.. Dec. 6. The Commercial-Appeal publishes a letter received from Jackson, Miss., In which Governor Vardaman, declined to be permanent chairman of the National Cotton Boll Weevil Convention, at Shreveport. After declining to serve. Governor Vardaman says: "One of the strong (?) arguments made by an editor of your city against 'permit ting Governor Vardaman to serve as chairman of the convention was based upon the fact that Governor Vardaman has Incurred the displeasure of the present President of the United States, who would regard a courtesy from Governor Varda man -as a discourtesy to him, and for which discourtesy to him he would, with 'dee-light punish all the cotton growers of the South by withholding Federal aid from their efforts to 'stamp out the boll weevil. "The people of the South are indeed in a deplorable condition if in the life of this Republic It has come to pass that in order to enjoy the privilege of citizenship and exercise their rights under the Constitu tion, they must kiss the hand that smites them." Bookkeeper Accused of Shortage. EAST ST. LOUIS. III., Dec 6. Charles Frost, for a number of years confidential clerk and bookkeeper of two firms connected with the National Stockyards of East St. Louis, Is under arrest on a warrant charging him with being SIG.OOO- short in his accounts, sworn out at the instance of Tarlcton, Coy & Irons. A shortage in connec tion with the other company's accounts is also alleged. Frost denies the. charge. PULL M Government Has - No Mercy on Burton. HELD UP CASE AS SENATOR As Counsel for Rialto Concern He Had No Influence, - SUPPLEMENTARY BRIEF FILED It Argues the Fact That Sting of ln famy May Be-More Bitter Becauso Man Is in High Position'Gives Him No More Rights. WASHINGTON, Dec. 6. The -.supplemental brief of the Government in tho case of Senator Burton, of Kansas, was filed in the Supreme Court of the United States today. It contends strongly for the guilt of the defendant, although- it is ad mitted the Senator's course in support of the interests of his client, the Rialto Com pany, was not always clear. Speaking of the use of political inlluence in the de partments, the brief says it is effective, and adds: ' "Mr. Burton's tracks were well covered. His association on behalf of himself and hl3 client make a fair outside, but ho held up the investigation because he was a Senator and not merely because he was general counsel of the Rialto Company; and the portions of the Judge's charge animadverted on at bar were perfectly accurate and just If not, the most dan gerous evil In this entire situation, viz., that intangible, subtle and insidious thing, 'influence,' can never be reached even where the receipt of compensation is plainly shown." m On the point of punishment, it is re marked: "Because a man occupies a high posi tion and the sting of the infamy may tllerefore be more bitter to him, is no rea son for saying that that part of' the pun ishment should increase the grade of the offense and enlarge his protection and rights, any more than If the case put. the same stigma upon a poor wretch, who never held office and could never expect to." BRITOHS PRAISE MESSAGE. Press Considers Communication of Roosevelt a Notable Document. LONDON, Dec. 7. "We may see in this message the words of Police Constable Roosevelt, of the International Police," says the Daily Chronicle, in an editorial this morning, the sentence concentrat ing the aspect of the message of the President of the United States, which most forcibly presents Itself to that jour nal. On the whole, the press of London regard the message as a statesmanlike, highly courageous and notable document, which the Mqrnlng Post ventures to think "will do more than, any House utterance of recent years to increase sympathy be tween Britons and Americans," follow ing this expression with the passage from the message where President Roosevelt speaks of his foreign policy as one for which the English-speaking world will now and hereafter be thankful. A- majority of tho newspapors edito rially approve of President Roosevelt's advocacy of a strong army and navy In order to preserve "the peace of justice," and acquit Mr. Roosevelt of any jingo ism. Some, on the other hand, consider the message Injurious to the ideals of dis armament and arbitration. German Comment Favorable. BERLIN, Dec. 6. German Interest In President Roosevelt's message to Con gress centers particularly In the sections that deal with the army and navy and the trust and labor problems. The news papers print summaries of about 2000 wqrds, and their comment generally is favorable. BODY BLOW TO POLITICIANS. Morton Says Merit, Not Influence, Will Count In the Navy. WASHINGTON, Dec. 6. Merit, and not political influence or 'official prestige, should alone determine assignments to duty in the Navy, in the opinion of Sec retary Morton, and the Secretary today addressed a letter to Superintendent Brownson. of the Naval Academy, ex pressing his emphatic disapproval of the efforts to influence the department in -the assignment of midshipmen from the class soon to be graduated to certain ships. The letter reads: The department has been approached la various ways. directly and indirectly, by in fluences seeking to control the assignment of midshipmen, singly or In groups, from the class about to be graduated from th? Naval Academy, to certain ships which they or their friends have been pleased to specify. The department does not hesitate to express Its disapproval of the spirit thus evidenced before even the beginning of an active ca reer In the aervlce which seeks to secure duty in accordance with Individual prefer ences, rather than the good of the service as interpreted by the department's order. New Trial for Caleb Powers. FRANKFORT, Ky., Dec. C The Court of Appeals today reversed the decision of the Circuit Court in the case of Caleb Powers, now In Jail at Louisville, under sentence of death for complicity In the murder of Governor Goebel. This gives Powers a new trial. Young Rockefeller Sails for. Italy. NEW YORK. Dec. 6. Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr., sailed for Italy today on the steamship Koenig Luise. Mr. Rockefeller said he was going away to take a much-needed rest