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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 18, 1905)
VOL. XLIV.NO. 13,763, PORTLAND, OBEGON, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1905, PRICE FIVE CENTS. N OPEN SENATE Senator Mitchell Makes His Defense. DENIES ALL' THE CHARGES He Calls His Accusers Liars and Perjurers. COLLEAGUES WELCOME HIM Tears of Emotion Move the Aged Sen ator, and His Hearers Are Deeply Impressed He Will Demand an Investigation. C.oSGONIAN NEWS BUREAU. "Wash ington, Jan. 17. Senator John H. Mitch ell was today the central figure- In the most dramatic Incident that has been -witnessed In the Senate chamber in many years. For full three-quarters o an hour he stood in the presence of his colleagues, among them men -with -whom he has served and associated for nearly a quar ter of a century and defended his name against charges -which, if proven, -would, as he himself admits, disqualify him for further membership in the United States Senate. Senator Mitchell, at three-score years and ten and near the close of his d year in the Senate, as he told his entire con nection "with the Oregon land frauds and answered in detail every charge of the Portland grand jury, presented a picture long to bo remembered. Never has any Senator received more resjectful attention from his colleagues than was accorded him. Practically every Senator was present; every Senator turned toward him as he rose and paid re spectful attention throughout the deliv ery of his remarks. He was not shunned because of the stain that has been placed upon his name- by the grand Jury. On the contrary, his welcome was exception ally cordial, ,As he entered the Senate fully half the members went to him with warm greetings and expressions of confi dence In his Innocence. Many of those who welcomed: hTin, and they Included leaders as well as the rank and flic, urged him to disregard custom and con tinue In his seat. Those who welcomed him were: Sen ators Hale. Spooncr, Allison, Lodge, Mc Comas, Long, Kearns, Clark (Wyo.), Clark (Mont), Stewart, Fulton, Morgan, Piatt (Conn.), Smoot, Alger, Perkins, Hans brough, Dietrich. Teller, Burnham, Hey burn, Clay, Proctor, Ankeny, Overman, Gamble, McCready, Martin, Taliaferro, Scott, McLaurin, Elklns, Dolliver, New lands and Tillman. The scene was at times Intensely path etic More than once Senator Mitchell had difficulty in restraining his emotion. Several times did he pause to wipe away a tear; to recover his self-control. At intervals his voice was barely audible In the galleries. At other times, particu larly when he defended his own acts or denounced those whom ha charged with wrongfully accusing him, his voice rang out clear and strong. His words made a deep impression upon his hearers; It was very evident that his audience was with him. Senator Mitchell began to speak about 12:30 and concluded at 1:15. Turing that entire time he had the floor without in terruption. Aside from the sound of his voice, impresslvle silence prevailed In the chamber. As he concluded, he was again greeted by many of his colleagues, but soon left the chamber. He will not return to the Senate until his case has been passed upon by the courts and his guilt or innocence estab lished. Never has any Senator taken leave of his colleagues under more im pressive circumstances. Denounces His Accusers. At the outset, the Senator declared that the charges made against him. If true, unfitted him to occupy his seat In the Senate. He then detailed the charges and said: "I assert in the most positive and unqualified manner that each and every one of these charges. Insofar as they relate to or involve me. are ab solutely, unqualifiedly and atrociously false, and I here and now indignantly and defiantly denounce their authors, and each and everyone of them, and brand them publicly as malicious and atrocious liars." Following this general denial with one more specific, the Senator spoke substantially as follows: "But I cslre to be more specific, and therefore I further deny, in terms the most absolute and unqualified which I am capable of using, that I ever, either In the month of January, 1902, in the State of Oregon or at any other time or place, unlawfully or feloniously, or otherwise. conspired with Blnger Hermann, then Commis sioner of the Land Office, and S. A. D. Puter, Horace G. McKInley. D. W. Tarpley, Emma L. "Watson, Salmon B. Ormsby. Clark E. Loomls and William 1L Davis, or with either or any of them, or with any person or persons, to defraud the United States out of any part of Its public lands located either in township 11 south, range 7 east, in the State of Oregon, or any other public lands either in thfe State or Oregon or elsewhere. Denies Puter's Charges. "I assert, furthermore. In the "most absolute and unqualified manner, that any and all statements by any per son or persons to the effect that I ever at any time or place entfered into a conspiracy with all or any of said persons, or they or any of them, with roc. to defraud the United States out of any partvof its public lands in the State of Onegon or elsewhere, cither, by false of forged homestead appli cations, affidavits or proofs are abso lutely, unqualifiedly and atrociously false, and I defy my defamers and challenge them to produce any evi dence other than that of condemned thieves, forgers and perjurers to sus tain any such charges. "I further eny in the most absolute and unqualified terms that S. A. D. Puter did. either in the City of Wash ington on March 3, 1902, or at any other time or place, offer me or pay to me, or givfe me, nor did I on March is, 1902, in "Washington, D. C. or at any other time or place, accept or receive from said S. A. D. Putcr the sum of 52000 or any other amount whatever, either in two $1000 bills or any other denomination or amount whatever as an inducement to use my influence with Blnger Hermann, then Commis sioner of the General Land Office, to induce him, as such Commissioner, to pass to patent 12 certain homestead entries, or any homestead entries whatever, or for any other purpose. "And I here indignantly, with All the force I can command, denounce the public statement of S. A. D. Puter fhat he, on March 9, 1902, at Washington, D. C paid me $2000 in two $1300 bills, as wilfully, maliciously, unqualifiedly and atrociously false." Story Puter Told Him. The Senator then said We thought it proper he should state precisely what connections he ever had with Putter and the lands in question and some of the circumstances connected with the actions of th.e grand Jury and the publication in the press regarding the charges. He said that about March 1 or 2, 1902, Puter called on him in Washing ton with a letter of introduction from Hon. F. P. Mays, a prominent attor ntey of Portland, Oregon, and for many years the District Attorney for the Oregon District. Puter had with him a woman, whom he introduced as Mrs. E. L. Watson, a widow and a citizen of Oregon, who had Invested some thing over $8000 in 12 homesteads after the entrymen had received their certifi cates. The woman had obtained the greater part of this money by mortgaging other lands, secured by notes coming due. She could not raise the money to meet these notes until she had received patents for the 12 homesteads she had purchased. Puter bad acted as agent for the wom an, and she was blaming him, Puter said, as he had assured her when she made the purchases that the patents to the lands would be issued In the regular course of business, certainly before the notes she had given for the borrowed money became due. Puter said it would bo several months beforo the cases would be reached in the regular order in the Land Ofllce, and that his purpose in calling on him (the Senator) was to know if he could aid him In getting them advanced for early consideration. The Senator said he told Puter certainly he would help him in the event he found the cases in a condition to bo taken up. Puter, the Senator said, replied that he, thought the cases had been thoroughly investigated by agents In the field and reported on favorably. He continued: Took Puter to Land Office. "I .had not, of course, the slightest sn-eion that there was anything wrong about the homestead entries or any of them, and I told Puter I would go up to the Land Office at once and ascertain the status of the cases, and asked him to go along with me. He went with me, first giving me an abstract of a paper containing a statement of the 12 different entries, the names of the re spective entrymen and description of the land in each, and the dates of the alleged sales by each to Mrs. Watson, together with the amount alleged to have been paid by her for each claim." At the Land Office, the Senator contin ued, they were told that the field re ports In the cases were all in, and the cases were ready for examination In the General Land Office as soon as reached in their regular order, but that It would be some considerable time before they would be reached. Senator Mitchell said he was further told at that time that there had been three reports, all favorable, made on all the 12 entries, one by the Register and the Receiver, C. B. Moores and Will iam Galloway, at Oregon City. Or. one a Republican, the other a Democrat, both men of the very best character and two reports of special agents in the field, and that these reports were all favorable. This information was obtained from some of the subordinate officials. Hermann Asked for Affidavit. The situation was then presented to Commissioner Hermann. The Commis sioner explained to him (the Senator) that the- cases could not be made special un less some good reason was shown by affidavit why they should be advanced. Puter, who was present, the Senator con tinued, told the sympathetic story about the woman, and Hermann suggested that he (Puter) put his reasons for making the cases special In the form of an affi davit, and he would consider It it was proper to advance them. Puter and Mrs. Watson then went to the Senator's office at the latters suggestion, where two affidavits were prepared without cost to them. Senator Mitchell then read to the Sen ate the two affidavits, both of them de tailing the facts in the case as they al ready have been briefly stated. Puter, in his affidavit declared he had acted as Mrs. Watson's agent In making the purchases of the land, and said before doing so he had made a thorough investigation with a view of ascertaining the bona fides of the various homesteaders and becoming fully convinced they all had been made in good faith. On the strength of this con clusion, he had advised Mrs. Watson to Invest her money, telling her that the title to the homesteads was perfect, except that patents had not yet been issued, but he had no doubt they would issue at as early date. Relying on these affidavits, the Senator in a letter to Commissioner Hermann, dated March 3. asked that the cases re ferred to be made special. Three days later he received a letter from Mf. Her mann, whidh said in part: ! Unfavorable Reports Made. Action on these entries has been sus pended awaiting reports from a special agent as to certain. charges which have been made to the effect that the entry men had not complied with the require ments of the homestead law. These re ports have recently been received and will be acted upon at once. Several days later, the Senators says. Puter came to him and expressed fear that, although the cases had been made special. It would be a long time before they were considered, and that Mrs. Wat son was very much worried, as she was being pressed for the money secured by mortgages. If they could be satisfied that the cases would be considered soon and without any great delay, they would re main here until action had been taken; otherwise, they would return home at once. The Senator replied in substance that he thought they were giving themselves unnecessary worry; that as the cases had been made special he had no doubt they would be taken up. considered and acted upon at an early date. As he was going to the Capitol, he volunteered to stop at the Land Office with Puter and find out If possible how long before the cases would be considered. When he spoke to Mr. Hermann about them, the latter ex pressed the opinion that the consideration (Crv'vdtt aft Put U Roughly Handled in the First Scrimmage. FOSTER SEEMS SATISFIED Polls Seven Less Votes Than Had Been Promised. COMBINATION FOR SWEENY Organization qf Twenty-Two South east Members Expected to Troop to Camp of the Millionaire Aspirant From Spokane. OLTMPIA, Wash., Jan. 17. (Staff Cor respondence.) The first gun in the battle of ballots for a "United States Senator to succeed Addison G. Foster came near to being a flash in the pan. There was con siderable noise, but the execution was mild and when the smoke cleared away and noses cre counted the previous alignment was comparatively undis turbed. The only man who was hurt at all in the mlxup was John L. Wilson, who not only fell considerable short of his ex pected strength, but also found the short age due to the abduction of some of his strength by candidates who were not bor rowing them for the day, but who ex pected to keep them. Sweeny farmed out a few of his votes in the southwest and Blackmore and Blaker of Clark, who had expected to vote for Mcglcr on the first ballot, at the last moment threw their vote to Piles. This increased the Piles vote to 32 instead of 30, as forecasted last night The Foster and Wilson forecasts were changed three votes by the annexation of that number of Wilson votes by the Fos ter people. Dr. Hare, of Yakima, launched the Jones boom in good shape with six votes, and George Turner, with out the formality of a nominating speech, was the unanimous choice of the Demon crats. Southeast Combine Looms Big. ' The southeast combine, which was formed in Portland several weeks ago, loomed up strong today with li votes for Sweeny, and tonight it is regarded as al most a certainty that the entire 22 mem bers of that formidable organization will land in the camp of the East Side candi date. Despite the failure of the Foster people to score the 60 votes which they had promised last week they would have for the first ballot, the Senator expresses satisfaction over the result and says he will gain a few votes tomorrow. Weeks of most vigorous- training for the event, with plotting and counter-plotting, had drawn factional lines so tight that today when the first ballot was cast there was less enthusiasm than is usually noticeable on such momentous occasions. The contestants had trained so hard that the edge was off and the proceedings were almost as stereotyped and dry as those of a packed convention. Even the nom inating speeches were below par and less time was occupied in bringing the names of the respective candidates before the members than In any previous contest ever held in the state. It was the same old drama set on a new stage with new actors. The lobby and corridors were filled with an ex pectant crowd, largely made up of the camp-followers of the contending can didates, and the galleries were packed with an expectant throng, who waited with nervousness the hour set for the nominating speeches. The new mem bers, who were feeling a little insecure In their positions on the great ques tion, were inclined to be uneasy, but the old-timers were as much at home as though they were voting on a peace congress memorial. No Delay With Speaker Megler. There were more veterans in the Sen ate than in the House, and the matter seemed to weigh less heavily on them than on the Representatives. Speaker Megler rushed matters right along and there was less delay in setting to a roll call than on any previous Senator ial election ever held in the state. Ev erything was over so quickly in ,the Senate that the result of the ballot was known in the House before the latter aggregation was half through listening to the nominating speeches. Even in the House there was no such flood- of oratory as is usually turned lose on such occasions. Repre sentative Crandall, who has a seat In the front row near the Speaker, was on his feet before Speaker Megler had finished his statement that "nomlnat-l Ing speeches were now In order." Mr. Crandall's eulogy of Senator Foster was a mixture of personal compliment and review of the advantages past and prospective. The name of Samuel H. Piles, the King County candidate, was presented by Representative Todd, of King County, and that of Charles Sweeny by Joseph Lindsley, of Spokane. John L. Wilson had the best orator of any of the candidates, his name being pre sented by Representative Falconer. In the Senate Senator Foster's name' was presented by Walter Christian, who, is managing the Foster campaign. He made an earnest appeal to the Senate for support, on much the same lines as were followed by Crandall In the House. Sen ator Henry presented the name of Charles Sweeny. His remarks were brief, and. like Lindsley. set forth the excel lent business record and enterprise of tha Spokane candidate from the time he BALLOT TOR SENATOR. Sefiite. Foster Bronson, Christian. Cispp. D via. Hammer. La Crone. Focue. Sharp. Stewart. Sumner, Vtlsb, Wltscn; total. 12. - Pile Hessrich, Hunter, Kennedr. Kin near. Palmer. Botts. Hands. J. i. Smith. S. T. Smith. Tucker. Van de Yanter: .total. 1L Sweeny Baker. Brs.lt, Brown, Henry. Hutson, Tauly, Stansell. Veness; total. S. "Wilson Condon. O'DonneU. Red, Itntb. Watson; total, 5. S. G. Cbsjrrove Boone, Russel; total, 2. Turner (Dem.) Earles, Graves, Moore. Rather; total. A. House. Foster Bartlett. Bassett. Bishop. Bradley, Byerly. Crandall. G. Davis, Eidemlller. Fen Ion, Fulton, Crlffln. Hamilton, Hughes, Lambert. Levin, McCoy. McXlcot. Metier. Melcher, Mil ler, Mlnard, Molstad, Otsen, Poyns, Held. Roberts, Rodese, Sheets, Shuttr. Smith. Van'SIyke; total, 3L Plies Blackmore. Blaker. Booth. Brown, Clark, Dawes, Dobson, Erickson, Gleason. Houston. Irving;. Keys; Lyons, McVay, Morrill. Renlck. Theurer, Todd, Twitchell. Vilas, Weir; total, 21. Sweeny Allen, Bowers, Coate, Crane, DoolltUe, Pancbcr. Hoch, Huxtahlr, Kel losr, Lindsley, Llnsey, McGregor, Rat cllffe, Relter, Rudfo. Scott, Stevenson. Ulsh, "Weber; total, 10. Wilson Benn, D. J. Davis, Dyke, Fal coner, Frostad, Charles Johnson, Mor gan, Roth, Btrobrldge, Vogtlln; total, 10. CosgTove Kenoyer, Long, Stllsoc; total, S. Jones Bolinger. Dickson, tHare. Hen derson, L. A. Johnson, Williams; total.' 6. Turner Ayer. Harper, Maloney, Weatherford; total, 4. left the Army. Applause was doled out to the speakers in proportions correspond ing to the slzo of .the vote cast. Bassett Eulogizes Foster. Tho only seconding speech of any length In cither house was mado by Rep resentative Bassett, o Adams County, who was very liberal in his praise of Foster. Mr. Bassett declared that tho East Side was not entitled to two Sen ators. and should not attempt to get them. He also stated that tho time for orators in the Senate was past, and that Mr. Foster was the only man who would acceptably fill the place. Mr. Foster's nomination was also seconded in the House by Mlnard. Oisen, Mohlstadt, Bishop and Lambert, while Rector. Kel logg and Huxtable seconded the nomina tion of Sweeny. The only incident approaching the sen sational was when Roth of Whatcom, one of the most pronounced of John L. Wil son's supporters. In a seconding speech, made a number of caustic allusions to the apparent desire of Seattle and King Coun ty to monopolize everything. The infer ence drawn from Roth's speech was that Piles would ba .nothing but a -Seattle Sen ator; while Wilson would represent the entire Bt&te. His remarks created consld- CConcluded on Page Three.) CONTENTS OF TODAY'S PAPES The Weather. YESTERDAY'S Maximum temperature, 47 de crees: minimum, 3d- degrees. Precipitation, trace. TODAY'S Increasing cloudiness, followed by rain. Winds mostly southeasterly. The War in the Far Bast. Secretary Hay elves Russia & sharp answer and defends China. Page 3. Russia occupies Kashgar in Chinese terri tory and threatens to Invade North China, rage 3. Japan accuses Russia of seeking to draw other powers into the war. Page 4. Stoessel leaves Japan for Europe. Page 4. Baltic fleet divisions will unite In Indian Ocean. Page 4, Foreign. Resignation of Minister Svlatopolk-Mirsky accepted by the Czar. Page 1. Striking; German coal miners rout police and nonunion men, and troops may be 'called. Page 5. Earthquake on Black Sea coast kills hun dreds of persons. Page 4. Kaiser tries to break up Russo-French al liance. Pago S. National. Federal Judge says charges against Judga Swayse are inspired by politics; Bourke Cockran denounces him. Page 2. Senator Mitchell defends himself before the Senate. Page 1. Representative Mondell 'J-Ies to block Klam ath Irrigation project. Page 1. More Mormons testify for Reed Smoot. Page 4. Ship subsidy bill has small chance in Con gress. Page I. Obstacles In way of Palouse Irrigation scheme. Page 4. Politics. Nledrlnghaus elected Senator :In Missouri. Page 4. Senators elected In many states. Page 4. Domestic. German Baron seeks employment at Lewis and Clark Fair. Page 3. Dr. Irvine will sue Bishop Talbot for slan der. Page 4. Pacific Coast. Professor Carlisle, of Spokane, drops dead -while addressing Fruitgrowers at Boise. Page 5. BUI-tin California Legislature appropriates $70,000 additional for Lewis and Clark Filr. -Page 4. Coroner's jury has not decided on death of Timber Cruiser Rogers at Jacksonville. Paso 7. Northwest Legislatures. John L. "Wilson badly handled In Initiatory scramble for Senatorshlp at Olympla. Page L Malheur irrigation bill Introduced in Oregon Senate. Page 6. Amendment to direct primaries law brought before Oregon House. Page 6. Proceedings of Washington Legislature. Pag 1. Commercial aad Marine. Large offerings of Idaho hay. Page 15. Stock trading falls off 'at New York. Page 15., Large Argentine shipments weaken wheat markets. Page 15. Firm wool markets-In the East and In Eu rope, Page 15. Grain options higher at San Francisco. Page 15. Plans of North Pacific Steamship Com pany. Page 14, Holt Hill chartered for lumber. Page 14. PertbkMt aad Vicinity. Portland. Consolidated Railway Company will build electric line to Hlllsboro. Page L Attorney John F. Watts arrested on charge of embezxllns; preferred by client. Page 10. Exhibits are iwurlnr In for the Lewis aad Clark. Exposition. Page 14. Y. M. C A. holds annual meeting- and ban quet. Page B. Sheriff Word raids card game, arresting 3r men on gambling charge. Page 10. Warwick Club proprietor assists In convict ing hlrns!f 1b the State Circuit Court. In order to set case Into Supreme Court for final dedsioa. lse 11. Federal cra4 Jury retaras no additional HE WANTS IT Hi Mondell Opposes Klam ath Irrigation. BETRAYS HIS MOTIVE Would Take More of Reclama tion Fund for Wyoming. COAST MEMBERS WILL FIGHT His Pretext Is Lack of Good Water Laws in Oregon and California Would Take .Oregon Money for. Wyoming. OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU. "Wash ington, Jan. 17. Another obstacle has arisen which threatens to prevent the carrying out of the Klamath irrigation project In Oregon and California. The House committee on irrigation on Satur day, by a unanimous vote, save that of Chairman Mondell. ordered a favorable report on the bill authorizing the use of the various lakes and rivers which are to form part of this great project. Mondell. It develops, has determined fo fight this bill, and because of his position, will probably be able to defeat It In the pres ent short session. He says he Is not in favor of expending a single cent of the reclamation fund in either Oregon or Cal ifornia until both states "pass a decent set of water laws." Ills real reason for opposing tho Klam ath bill, however. Is to prevent the al lotment of several million dollars for the Klamath project. In the hope that he can have a third project taken up by the Gov ernment In "Wyoming, he having assigned this reason today. Oregon and California men, now that they know Mondell's motive, Intend to fight him to the end and show up his position. If necessary. Already the Gov ernment has undertaken two irrigation projects in "Wyoming at an aggregate cost of 56,000,000, and Wyoming has contri buted to the reclamation fund only $800,000. On the tJther hand, Oregon has contri buted over $4,000,000, which is -more- than any other state, and California J&S0O.00O; yet. If Mondfcll can prevent It, none of the reclamation fund is to be expended In. either of these states. Reclamation officers are Indignant at Mondell's attitude, and have endeavored to persuade him to withdraw his objec tion, but so far without avail. He Is ob stinate, and "will not listen to reason. The Oregon and California men bad a conference today, and are preparing to warm things up in Mondell's vicinity. If he defeats the Klamath bill. California and Oregon will see to It that choice Wyomlng.leglslatlon Is shut off. BARREN TALK ON FINANCE. House Rebate Is Instructive, but No Bill Will Pass. OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU, Wash ington, Jan. 17. Expression In the House upon the Hill currency bill brought out a great many points of interest, and has been quite instructive to those who could follow It closely, and who understand financial questions. It has been a "moot" discussion to some extent, be cause everybody was aware that no cur rency bill could pass the Senate at this session of Congress. It will have the -effect, however, of drawing the atten tion of the country to what men In the House versed in financial questions think ought to be done on this great subject. The elimination of the sliver question from all financial discussion has had a tendency to bring the debate down to actual facts and conditions, rather than to enter the domain of ideal speculation. Partisanship has been eliminated to some extent, although members of the House natuarlly divide on party lines where it Is possible. But there has been a dis position, even on the part of the Demo crats, to perfect the measure and secure the best law possible. A bill that has oc cupied so much time in the House would no doubt consume a great deal of time in the Senate, as there are a large number of sklllfu. financiers who, with unlimited debate, would keep the debate going for several months. There has been no desire to secure the passage of any financial legislation in tho Senate for two years. At that time Senator Aldrich tried very hard to get through what was known as the Aldrich currency bill, but notice was quickly served upon him by a number of Demo cratic Senators that his bill could never pass, but after It had been debated a short time. It was put aside. Some won der has been . expressed why the Rhode Island Senator, chairman of tho finance committee, did not a year ago reintro duce and press this same bill forward with the same vigor he displayed two years ago. No explanation has ever been made and the general opinion Is that neither he nor other Senators thought It was feasible. Among Senators there has been a good deal of criticism of the House financial measures, Includ ing the bll that has been under considera tion, and intimations nave been made that it would meet with favor in the Senate. GOOD PLACE FOR ANKENY. Junior Washington Senator to Head Irrigation CoRimftcc. OREGONIAN NEWS" BUREAU, Wash ington. Jan, 17. The wheel of fortune sometimes works curious changes on the committees of the United States Senate. It is by a curious combination of cir cumstances that Senator Ankeny. of Wasbioxtot Is to become chairman or the committee on irrigation In the next Con gress. Wen. he entered the Senate, two years ago. Senator Ankeny was placed in next to the last place on this committee, being ranked by sir Senators Bard of California, Warren of Wyoming, Stewart of Nevada, Kearns of Utah, Dietrich of Nebraska and Hansbrough of North Da kota. Bard. Stewart, Kearns and Dietrich will not be members of the next Congress. Senator Warren, who will then become ranking member. Is now chairman of the claims, committee, and In line for the chairmanship -of public buildings or mili tary affairs, and will not accept the chair manship of Irrigation. Hansbrough, the only other member then ranking Ankeny, Is chairman of public lands, and therefore has no desire to succeed Bard. This clears tho way for the junior Sen ator from Washington, and in its strict adherence to tho rule of seniority it is Impossible for the Senate to overlook Ankeny in filling this chairmanship. WATCH FOSTER'S SHOES. Fulton and Ankeny Would Be Eligible to Committee on Commerce. OREGOOTAN NEWS BUREAU, Wash ington, Jan. 17. If Senator Foster, of Washington, falls of re-election, the Pa cific Coast will have but one representa 4ive on the committee on commerce, which handles river and harbor bills as well as all other measures having any bearing whatever on shipping and naviga tion. It has been the custom to accord the Pacific Coast two seats on this com mittee, and if this rule Is followed out either Oregon or Washington will be given the seat now held by Mr. Foster. Senator Mitchell having secured the chairmanship of the committee on Inter oceanic canals, and being otherwise well provided with committee assignments, could hardly expect to succeed Foster, un less he should relinquish some of the de sirable places he now holds. The contest, therefore, would narrow down to Senator Fulton and Senator Ankeny, who both en tered the Senate two years ago, and have equal rights, in so far as the question of seniority 13 concerned. While neither Senator Is taking steps to file on a place not yet vacant, the probabilities are that neither have over looked the possibilities of the future, and if Senator Foster Is defeated the two Sen ators from the Northwest will enter into a friendly but none the less spirited con test for this most desirable, committee position. Each will have strong reasons to present why he should be chosen, and each will have strong backing from other Senators. It la utterly impossible to tell, this far In advance, who will succeed Foster on the commerce committee In case he Is defeated. It will probably not be known until the Senate organizes a year hence. LOOKS DARK FOR CANAL. No Sign of Change of Heart Visible , in. Chairman Burton. OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU, Washington. Jan. 17. Nothing devel oped in the Rivers and Harbors Com mittee today to Indicate that there had been a change of sentiment with re gard to tho Celilo Canal. Chairman Burton, so far as known, adheres to the position he took yesterday and has not been moved by further pleas of Representatives Williamson and Jones. It continues to look" very dark for the canal project. NO SHIP SUBSIDY Middle West Strongly Opposed to New Bill. OREGONUN NEWS BUREAU, Wash ington, Jan. 17. The House committee on merchant marine and fisheries today authorized a favorable report on the ship ping Dill leported to Congress by the Mer chant Marine Commission. It Is rather surprising that the com mission should come back to Congress with a subsidy scheme and expect that Congress would accept it. Tet the propo sition is being seriously considered and the Republican members of the commis sion seem to think that It has a pos sibility of being considered. It Is very evident that these men have had little appreciation of the sentiment either in Congress or among the people. The sub sidy proposition is distasteful to the American people and Congress knows it. The whole population in the Middle West does not want this bill and has made It pretty plain that such a bill cannot pass. Senator Bailey called attention to the Implied promise by Senator Frye that the result of the observations by the com mission would be a discriminating duty. There Is no possible way of getting around that implied promise. Frye said that Lodge, whom he intended to name as a member of the commission, was in favor of discriminating duties. Lodge said that he had changed bis mind upon investigation. It Is certainly very curious that Lodge did not know all about ex isting treaties a year ago and only learoed while making an investigation of the merchant marine during the Summer. Whatever may be the facts, it Is beyond a question In the power of Cqngress to repeal the treaties or abrogate them. That was the condition when the com mission was provided for and every man In the Senate ought to have been aware of It. To come back with subsidies under the name of "subventions" has not fooled any man In Congress. They know It Is subsidy, that it means the payment of money to the shipowenrs and that the money will come from the people, who will derive no benefit from It whatever. No one expects the bill to pass, save per haps a few men who were instrumental in getting it before the country. If they can do no better, especially In making an impression on Congress, they ought to ask that another commission be named in order that something can be done which will meet with favorable con sideration at the bands of Congress. COST OF COLORADO STRIKE. Coal Miners Spent $437,000 Wash ington Joins the Union. INDIANAPOLIS. Ind.. Jan. 17. Of the ;i,07,000 spent last year by the United Mlneworkers for the relief of strikers. $477,355 went Into the Colorado district. Colorado shows an increase of 410 paid up members, an Increase from 537 to &7. Was&tagton comes Into the convention as a new li!trict with 972 paid-up members: the Southwest territory, mado up of Texas. Indian Territory, Arkansas and parts of a few other states, shows a gain from 8527 to 11,492. Pennsylvania shaws havv tfiaiT. TOTAPWESTSIDE Portland Consolidated Enters the Field. SURVEYORS WORKONROUTB Line Will Be Ready by End! of Present Year. CARS TO RUN EVERY H0URI Local Company Intends Branching Out, and New Era of Suburban Car Service Seems to Be Assured. The Portland Consolidated Railway, Company will build an Interurban llcaf' between Portland and Hlllsboro. Work; will commence as soon as the most feasi ble route can be selected and the work o , construction commenced. Yesterday a party of surveyors in tha employ of the company established their headquarters at tho head of Balche'a Gulch, on the Cornell road, and with that' point, as a base, will at once commence j the work'Of selecting the best route into' and through the rich Hillsboro country. So well established is the plan to build that it 13 expected work on the new project will be "begun during the early Summer, and the line will be in operation: by the end of the year. Cost Will Be Large. It Is estimated that the work of estab lishing the line and putting It Into com mission will cost the Portland Consoli dated Company close to Jl.000,000. Tha work of grading, securing tho right of way and layftig the track will alone call for practically $700,000, while cars of a new and heavy type will have"to be built for the passenger traffic and hard service of the Interurban run. It is said the company will build cars for the new line modeled after the Oregon City cars used by the Oregon Water Power Sc. Railway Company and that at least an hourly service will be established from the first; Later, a9 traffic develops, the schedule will be shortened to meet the requirements of the district served. It Is the Intention of the company to also handle freight and special cars will bo provided for that department. This move on the part of the Portland Consolidated shows the real intent of tha company to branch out into the districts surrounding Portland and foreshadows a most complete and adequate suburban and Interurban fast schedule service. Preparations to Branch Out. At the time of the consolidation of the two Portland street-car companies it was- hinted that the operations of the merger would not be confined to the street traffic of Portland alone. This belief is borne out "by the improve ments being- planned for extensive shops and barns at the different sta tions formerly used by the two separate companies. The proposed scheme of the Oregon Traction Company to build a Hlllsboro) line, and the added announcement of! the Southern Pacific to the effect that a gasoline motor service would be placed on the West Side lines of that, company, has, it Is thought, hurried the, plans of the Portland Consolidated Company, and caused it to take up actively the project which has been sleeping in the minds of the managers for some time. The day of Portland suburban car service Is near at hand and the deter mination of the company to commence construction on the Portland-HiDsboro line shows a new and active era of de velopment in that direction. -j" MTRSKY HAS RESIGNED. Czar Lets Reform Minister Go, and Witte Will Control. ST. PETERSBURG, Jan. 17. It is of ficially announced that Prince Sviato-1 polk-MIrsky has resigned as Minister of the Interior and that the resignation has been accepted by the Czar. The resignation of Prince Mirsky wasj reported several times during the past, few weeks and. though the above dispatch Is the first official announcement, there has not been any doubt for some time that the policy of the Prince, had seers Its day in Russia. While recent dispatches are somewhat doubtful whether M. Witte, ex-Minlster of Finance and new presi dent of the Imperial Council of Minis ters, would be appointed as Minister Mlrsky's successor, it seems certain that he will be the power behind the throne. MAY EXTEND THE STRIKE. Russian Ironworkers Will Decide To day Concessions by Manager. ST. PETERSBURG, Jan. 17. The ques tion whether a sympathetic strike will be declared by the men of three other works as a result of the strike of 12,000 men at the PutUoff Iron Works yesterday will be decided tomorrow. Two meetings of strikers tonight were attended by many men other than those from the PutllofC Iron WoTks. It Is believed they will join the strike, but will hold a general meet ing tomorrow to further discuss the sit uation. The employes of the Franco-Russian, formerly the Baird Works joined tha strike tonight, after a fruitless interview with the directors of the concern. The manager of the works posted a no tice tonight summoning the men to re turn to work and promising that none of the strikers shall be dismissed. The man ager consents to an inquiry into the case of the men who have been already dis missed, which will be attended by repre sentatives of the workmen's club and directors of the works- Enjoyed American Hospitality. TOKIO, Jan. 17. Prince Fushlmi, who arrived here last night on his return from a tour of the United States, was received in audience by the Emperor, today. The Prince expressed his appreciation of American hospitality and said he waji much lmnressed bv tho friendliness mani i Tested for Jaoan. , 1 on n