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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 10, 1905)
16 THE MORNING- OKEGONIAN, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1905. PIT IS HELD UP Is Contract for Bridge Extras Legal? HOWELL RAISES QUESTION Executive Board Refers It to City Attorney. SPECIAL SESSIOfi IS HELD City Engineer's Report Advises Pay ment of $58,000 Instead of Con tract Price of $66,626 for Morrison Bridge Extras. An extraordinary session of the Ex ecutive Board was called yesterday to consider the advisability of remuner ating: the Pacific Construction Com pany to the extent of $6G,626.09 for con struction of the Morrison-street bridge. After a heated debate, the legality of the payment -was submitted to the City Attorney for an opinion. A motion was made that the City En gineer's report on the Morrison-street bridge, advising the payment of $5S, 000 to the Pacific Construction Com pany, be adopted. Mr. Howell arose, saying: "When the matter or the extra work on the Morrison-street bridge came up for discussion I addressed a communi cation to the Board in which I made the statement that an excessive price had been allowed on extra work and on the substitution of steel for wood stringers. I made this statement after a very careful investigation of the bridge in company with a civil engineer of no mean ability. I believe that the city has entered into an illegal contract for this extra work. I am opposed to this resolution and I will vote against it, as I stated in my communication of December 22. I would like to have this matter referred tu tne City Attor ney for his opinion as to the legality of the contract. If the contract was made according to the charter, the contractors should not be allowed more than a 15 per cent profit on the work. J desire to take this opportunity of publicly stating that I have not been actuated by a desire to belittle my col leagues, but to consider the interests of the city in every particular. For that reason I would like to have the matter referred to the City Attorney." "Second the motion," said Mr. Curtis. Mayor Confident of Legality. "As far as I am concerned," said Mayor "Williams, "I have no doubt as to the legality of the contract, we have made a contract with the bridge com pany and I see no reason for delaying this payment. If we have made a mis take, we have been misinformed, and I don't see how we can back out of a contract any more than a private lndl vidual. Mr. Butler has submitted a statement rejrardimr the extra expend! tures. and, as far as I can see. he statement Is correct. I don't approve of this policy of having men do work for the city and then koeping back their pay. I don t believe there is any neces nity for referring this matter to the City Attorney. "I wish to explain my position,' averred Mr. Curtis. "I have no desire to hold up this payment, but I do not feel that I should vote on it without a legal opinion, and for that reason I have seconded Mr. Howell s motion, I am not prepared to vote upon it now." "If you had any such idea in mind. Mr. "Howell." said Mr. Glisan, "why didn't you make it when the matter first came up Instead or waiting until $60,000 worth of work had been done?" "I presented my communication to the Board in what I believed to be am pic time," answered Mr. Howell. "Fur thermore, I stated to a member of the Morrison-street bridge committee that when the committee next met I should like to be present, so as to state my attitude specifically. The first intlma tion I had of the meeting was when I read of It in the papers. I feel that I should have been advised of the meet ing, and if I had, I should have been there." "Considering that you presented your communication to the Board without con sulting the committee, we felt that you would not care to attend our -meeting," replied Mr. Glisan. "I was actuated, as I have said before. 'by a desire to act for the city's interests and not to overstep the members of this Board,' as Mr. Butler has Indicated in his letter. Competent engineers have agreed that an excessive price has been paid for the extras on this bridge. I would like the matter referred to the City Attorney." City Attorney to Give Opinion. After considerable discussion it was or dered that City Attorney McNary submit his opinion as to the legality of the con tract and procedure without unnecessary delay. A special meeting of the Board will be called to receive his communi cation. To facilitate matters, the correspond ence between City Attorney McNary and Francis J. Heney with reference to the Morrison-street bridge channel was taken under consideration. "Heferring to this communication of the General Government," said Mayor Will iams. "I think that the Government has nothing to do with the dredging of the harbor of Portland. I would suggest, how cvor, that tho Executive Board advise the Government that we will do the work if it will give us time. I understand that this will be satisfactory to the Govern mont." "Does that communication refer to tho 25-foot channel of the Morrison-street bridge," asked Mr. Howell. "It has nothing to do with it, as- I un dcrstand It. This Is for dredging above the bridge, answered Mayor Williams. "I was asking for information." said Mr. HowelL "According to the contract the Pacific Construction Company agreed to dredge a 23-foot channel. It is not for the city or tho county to dredge this channel. "You understand, Mr. Howell," chipped in Whitney L. Boise, "that the draw was moved to the eastward and a now chan nel is in use. Tills has nothing what ever to do with the old channel." . "This correspondence does refer to the Morrison-street bridge channel," said the City Attorney. "When- tho Secretary of War granted the permit for the construe tlon of this bridge he specified that a 25 foot channel should be maintained. I un derstand that if we will communicate with Major Iangfitt and assure him that the work will be done it may be satis factory." "I don't propose to recognize that tho General Government shall tell the State of Oregon what to do with its own har- Tjor." sai-1 Mayor Williams' emphatically. City Needs Time to Dredge, y Tho City Attorney was directed to ad vise Mr. Heney that the work would be done when convenient; that there was no inclination on the part of the city to set out of doing the work, but that it needed more time. The Civil Service Commission was au thorized to make requisitions from the eligible lists without formally consulting the Executivo Board, as has been the custom heretofore. When made the requi sitions will be referred to the Board for approval. SALARY INCREASED BY $1000 City Superintendent of Schools Re ceives an Early Valentine. It was divulged, yestorday that the sal ary of City Superintendent of Schools Frank Rlgler had been increased 51000 by the Board of Education in its ex ecutive session February 2. Following the usual custom, all but members of the board were excluded from this meeting and it was only after considerable per suasion that members of the board would admit of any business having been done but the consideration of the committee's report for the general increase of sal aries. When asked to make a statement con cerning the action of the board, Mrs. Charles E. Sitton, chairman, said last night: "I have nothing to say. Superintendent Rlgler stated: "The increase came to me as an agree able surprise and was entirely unsolicited. At the last meeting of the board the matter of Increasing the salaries of teach ers was rereferred to the salary commit tee. A special meeting of the board was then called to take the committee's report under consideration. While thus occupied the question as to whether or not my salary was sufficient came up. I had supposed of course that the board might take somo action concerning my salary. It was known that It was not as large as the salaries of tho Superintendents of Seattle or Los Angeles, but I made no re quest to have mine increased. However, I withdrew from the room, and I under stand that the board was unanimous in increasing my salary-" A final report of the committee on salaries has been filed with the school clerk. It Is materially the same as the original report with the exception of the clause providing a special salary for the first assistants to school principals, which has been eliminated. In all probability the new schedule excluding the merit list salaries will go Into effect during this month. Mr. RIgler's Increase of salary took effect February 1. YOUNG GIRLS DESERT HOMES Several Reports of Runaway Misses Made to the Police. For a number of days past several re ports of missing girls have found their way to the office of the Chief of Police, but in most of the cases the young women have returned early the following morn ing, before any trace ot them could bo found by the officers. There are a number, however, who have managed to evade the vigilance of both officers and their relatives and last night the guardians of the peace wero in structed to keep watch for two girls an swering to the name of Blanche and Myrtle Davis, being 12 and 14 years of age respectively. The girls reside at Mount Tabor and the eldest has been away for several days. They are do- scribed as being rather large for their age and prepossessing in appearance. Both were wearing red hats when last seen and one had a red coat to match, while the other wore a suit of gray. From the town of La Center comes tho report of the disappearance of Miss Carrie Barr, 15 years of age. Deputy Constable James Pollock, of that town, arrived in Portland last night and requested the as sistance of the local police force In find ing the girl. A minute description of tho runaway is on file at the Police Station, but, beyond the fact that she wore a light blue suit when last seen, there is little to identify her from 1L She is supposed to have left La Center with a man giving the name of Harry Ar tress, an alleged pugilist, but, according to the belief of Deputy Constable Pollock, the roan has left this city for the Puget Sound country, deserting tho girl here. NEW THEATER FOR PORTLAND Minneapolis Man to Include This :n Circuit of Seven Cities. MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., Feb. 9. (Spe cial.) According to the present plans of Dick Ferris, lessee and manager of the Lyceum .Theater of Minneapolis, Portland will be a member ot a circuit of seven theaters which this enterprising young man and his backers will organize. Min neapolis, St. Paul, Kansas City, Des Moines, Seattle and WInncpeg are the other cities of the proposed circuit. It is the intention of the syndicate to either lease or build a theater in each of the cities and present attractions dally by seven stock companies. Each compa ny will remain in one city for two or three weeks, playing the selections in Its repertoire, and will then change places with another of the troupes. It is the Intention of Mr. Ferris and his associates to begin active work with tho completion of his present season here. WILL SHY OREGON TIMBER LAND Evanston Capitalists Coming to In vest in Cascade Mountains. CHICAGO. Feb. 9. Special.) Wealthy Evanston capitalists have turned their thought from oil wells and mines and are seeking investments in the timber lands of Oregon. General TV. F. Singleton has organized a party of about 40, and a trip to Oregon will be made some time in the Spring. The claims are on the Cascade Moun tains, about 40 miles from any railroad, and are said to be rich in timber. It Is the intention of General Singleton and the speculators to get the claims as nearly together as possible, in order to protect themselves from timber thieves Hares for Saturday's Chase. Messrs. JL H. Jenkins and T. T. Strain will be the hares in the closed paper chase which will be held by the Portland Hunt Club on Saturday af ternoon. The start will be made back of the Thompson School, Upper Al blna, at 2:30 P. M. The second run for the Miss Anne Snogren cup will be held on "Washington's birthday, Feb ruary 22. The hares of this event will be President F. O. Downing and J. C. Muehe. There are to be three runs for this cup and at the last run the rider having the greatest number of points will become owner of the tro phy. The first race was won by Mr. Tongue, on Oregon Kid. To Celebrate Birth of Emmet. The local members of tho Ancient Or dor of Hibernians are busily making prep arations to celebrate tho anniversary of the birthday of Robert Emmet, tho lllus trlous Irish patriot. The event will take the form of an elaborate entertainment. to, be given on the night of March 4. Mount Rainier. TACOMA. Wash.. Feb. (To the Edi tor..) Was Professor McClure, of Eugene, Or., killed on Mount Rainier or Mount Baker? J. T. RIELLY. The Meier (8b Frank Store ItTe Meier (& Frank Store UTeMeier (& Frank Store Thousands of pretty valentines for yonr choosing here, the largest and best display we ever made New books appropriate for valentines, book dep't. Principal Portland agents for Butterick Patterns and Publications Subscriptions taken for The Delineator at $1 per annum March number now ready We sell "Peninsular" Steel Ranges and "Willamette" Sewing Machines on the easy payment plan $5.00 down, $ 1.00 weekly No advance in prices Today Our 79 1st Friday Surprise Sale $12.50 Silk Petticoats $5.95 Ea. MADE OF SUPERIOR. QUALITY TAFFETA SILKS, White, Black, Red, Tan, Navy, Brown, Cadet, Purple, Heiio, Green, and Changeable Effects Today's Great Surprise Sale offering of 500 Silk Pet- ti coats A special purchase from a leading manufacturer at less than halt then real value All are new, desirable petticoats in a complete range of plain and changeable colors, made with handsome deep accordion pleating and double row of niching and silk dust ruffle You've bought thousands of these skirts the past few years and cheerfully paid $12.50 each for them All are new spring stock You certainly want one or two of these beautiful skirts for wear with the new Spring costume The grandest petticoat value ever offered tf C Q t? at the phenomenally low price of, each. - i See Fifth-Street Window Display Sale of Boy's Clothing We're giving our Boy's Clothing Department a thorough stock cleaning Closing out all broken lines and small lots at prices economical parents will be quick to take advantage of Second Floor Boys' all-wool Pants, in good, serviceable mixtures, ages 3 to 16 years; best 80c and $1.00 values, are on sale at the low price of, pair ; JJv Little Boys' Overcoats in dark blue and red; this season's styles ; regular $8.50 values, are on sale at &L C the low price of p Great special lot of Boys' Knee Pants, all sizes, Afgs wonderful values at, pair 4TC All broken lines of Boys' Suits are marked at ridiculously low Rummage prices. Boys' $7.50 Suits, $5.95; Boys' $5.00 Suits, each ...f'J Young Men's Suits in fancy Tweeds and Cheviots, ages 16 to 20 years ; best $15.00 values, at the 1 ft 1 IT low price of Vlv1J Young Men's Overcoats at low prices. 35c Oranges 1 8c a Dozen For today and tomorrow we offer 3000 dozen big, sweet California Navel Oranges, new crop; the size and qualify Orange the or dinary grocer asks you 35c a dozen for; every housewife in town should get a dozen or two at this low price, doz 1 Qp- By the case, IOMj dozen, $1.75. 1 uu New Silk Shirtwaist Suits Early February finds us showing a superb line of handsome new silk Shirtwaist Suits in plain blouse and fancy vest effects, shirred or new leg o'mutton sleeve, new full skirts pleated, tucked or shirred Navy, black, brown, changeable silks and plaids Every suit the latest pro duct for Spring and Summer wear. Prices are $ 1 2.50,$ 1 8.00, $20.00, $22.50, $28.00, $30.00, $36.00. New short, tight -fitting covert jackets in plain or cloth-strapped effects, jaunty, stylish, serviceable little garments at $15 to $30 each. New black etamine dress skirts with silk drop skirts 2d Floor No trouble to show you Trunks and Traveling Bags 34-inch Trunk, waterproof painted, rawhide bound, hardwood strips, top and bottom skeleton trays, top tray has fi 1 q e division for hats our best $15 model. . .$1 1 3 24-inch Keratol Suitcase, with inside straps, looks like A, alligator, great special value at the low price of &irT 14-inch Club Bag, full stock, canvas lined, with pocket, l Oft regular $2.25 value, for this sale V OVJ 14-inch Oilcloth Club Bag, linen lined 46 Carload of New Trunks just received "Wardrobe Trunks, Skirt Trunks, Steamer Trunks, Dress Trunks, etc., etc. very latest improved models. Third Floor. Two Great Millinery Bargains I nam, tent For today and tomorrow the greatest Millinery bargains Port- Iland women ever had the oppor tunity to buy JLot 1 "Women s "Trimmed Hats, every one good style, all this season's creations in a variety of styles, $5.95 and qo $6.95 values, each iOC Lot 2 Children's Trimmed Hats, values up to $2.95 each, on sale at, each New Spring Millinery, latest shapes of fancy braids and silk; all colors new white flannel .Sailor Hats for boys and girls. New Silk Auto Caps for women and misses. Men'sFurnishings 3ren's white cotton Handker chiefs, great value, each. . .3 Men's light-weight Balbriggan Sox, odd lot at, pair 3 25c Silk Bandbows, each. . .5 Boys' fleece-lined Kid Gloves, knit back and wrist, pr.l5 Special lot of Silk Handker chiefs, at, each 9 25c Silk Four-in-Hands and Tecks, best patterns, ca. . .9 $1 Golf Shirts at, each. .52 Engineers' Blue Shirts, 2 col lars to match, $1.00 values, each .69 $1 Neckwear for, each... 39 $1.25 Fancy Sox at, pr..69 Toilet Papers 600-sheet package, 4c dozen... 45c 800-ahcet package, 6c 5 dozen... COc 1300-sheet package, Scj dozen... 80c Special low prices on Toilet Paper by the case. Drug Sundries 2-lb. bar pure Castile Soap 10c 4- lb. bars Almond Oil Castile. .. .37c 1-In-l Castile Soap, cake 4c Pure Olive Castile Soap. box.... 15c Jap. Pino Tar Soap, box 15c Witch Hazel Soap, cake 11c 5- Inch bar pure Glycerine 7c Fairy Soap, "It Floats." dozen. .3r,e Rubber Complexion Brushes.... 10c Wisdom's Robcrtlne SSc Oriental Cream ..07c Mennen's Talcum Powder ...... 12c Llsterlne Tooth Powder 10c Rubltoam, bottle .....13c Sozodont. bottle 12c "Williams Shaving Sticks J6e Java Rice Powder . Sic The Great Shoe Rummage Thousands of pairs of the finest shoes America produces for men and women are being sold at less than actual manufac turing cost French, Shriner &. Urner and J. & T. Cousins make Footwear that we guarantee perfect in style, lit and workmanship Footwear that will give satisfactory service to the buyer Supply your needs J". & T. Cousins' $6 Shoes for "Women, French heel, lace, A A 5: patent leather, all sizes; wonderful value, at, pair J. & T. Cousins' $5 Shoes for Women, patent leather and kid, French heel, Cuban heel, very best lasts, great bargain at the n C low price of only, pair - "Women's $3.50 Shoes, in kid and patent leather, lace or jf) flK Blucher styles, all sizes and widths at, pair Men's $6, $6.50 Shoes, French, Shriner & Timer's make, in patent colt, patent'calf, vici kid Blucher, finest shoes made at any j A A price ; marvelous values at, pair .......... Men's $5 Shoes, French, Shriner & Urner 's make, in patent colt, pat ent kid, velonr and vici kid, lace or Blucher style tf g. C marvelous values at this low price, pair cqqec Men's $4.00 Shoes, in all leathers, best styles, pair gg g Men's $3.50 Shoes, in all leathers, best styles, pair S q! Men's $3.00 Shoes, in all leathers, best styles, pair TpA.tt SCREENS AT 1-3 OFF For today and tomorrow 100 3 ancf Fold Screens, golden oak and weath ered oak frames, silkoline, burlap or art tapestry filled; handsome styles in a big variety; values from $2.75 up to $15.00, choose Qff Custom Shade and Drapery "Work our specialty. Best materials and work manship. Lowest prices guaranteed. Third Floor. Rummage Sale of Rugs Odd Borders and Carpets, made up into Rugs, $30.00 Axminster Rug, 8 ft. 3 in. by 10 ft. 4 in., for. $17.00 $35.00 Axminster Rug, 10 ft. 6 in. by 12 ft, wonderful value $18.50 $25.00 Body Brussels Rug, 8 ft. 4 in. by 8 ft. 7 in., great value $14.00 $27.50 "Windsor Brussels Rug, 8 ft. 3 in. by 12 ft., bargain $16.50 $29.00 Brussels Rug, 10 ft. 5 in. by 12 ft. 9 in., marvel ous value $18.50 Various other sizes and qualities at extremely low prices. Third Floor. Rummage Sale Bargains in Every Department The great "Rummage Sale" bargains present matchless money-saving opportunities in every department of the establishment Broken lines, remnants adds and ends of seasonable and staple merchandise are being cleaned up at quickest selling prices we can make Every hour of the day sees new lots, .rare bargains being added to the already huge list Included will be found remnants of Silks, Dress Goods, Velvets, Laces, Embroideries, Wash i Goods, Linens, Cottons, Ribbons, Curtain Materials, Carpets, Mattings, Broken Lines of Cloaks, Suits, Jackets, Muslin Underwear, Hosiery, Gloves, Men's and Boy's Clothing, Men's Furnishings, Lace Curtains, Portieres, Shoes, China, Glassware, Silverware, Cut Glass, Cutlery, Kitchen Goods, Etc. Wearing Apparel and Household Effects can be purchased at marvelously low prices Look for the Red Tickets. "Rummage Sale" Men's Clothing Our Second Floor Clothing Store is giving two or three dollars worth of value for one during the Rummage Sale Winter suits and Over coats, broken lines, odd lots Everything marked at clean-up prices Many of the lots include garments desirable for Spring, Summer wear Men's double-breasted Tweed Suits, good patterns and material; &a qo phenomenal value at, suit ; Men's $13.50 double-breasted Cheviot and Cassimere Suits, this j Off season's styles; unequaled values at this price, suit Men's $15.00 round-cut Sack Suits, fancy Cheviots and Tweeds; 1Q K greatest value ever offered at Men's $15.00 round-cut fine all-wool Sack Suits, in black S 1 0 35 Worsted, all sizes ; marvelous value P QS Men's $4.00 blue and black Trousers So ox Men's $7.50 odd Frock Coats, good materials $2.d5 Men's $2.00 Cassimere Vests at, each $1.00 Odd "White Vests in single and double-breasted styles are marked at one-half price. Second Floor. Muslin Underwear at Rummage Prices Thousands of pieces of undermuslins at "Rummage" prices All broken lines resulting from the great January selling, are being offered at the low est prices ever known for muslin underwear of the best style and quality All lots are- conveniently displayed in the cen ter aisle of underwear section Second Floor, Great special lots of Nainsook and Cambric Drawers, lace and embroidery trimmed; wide flounces; wonderful values at 33, 59, 79, 98, $1.59 pair. Odd lots of Cambric and Muslin Night Robes, best styles and trimmings, great Rummage bargains at 63, 73, 89, $1.19, $1.35 up to $2.22 each. White Petticoat Bargains at 79, $1.23, $1.63, $1.98, $2.43 each. Odd lot of Novelty Corset Covers, Drawers, Chemise, Gowns and Skirts ; daintiest styles ; all marked at cost prices. Entire stock of French Muslin Underwear at one-fourth off regular prices.