THE MORNING OREGONIAS, THURSDAY, JXINJ3 15, 1905.-
Entered at the Poetolflce at Portlanc. Or.,
as second-class matter.
SUBSCRIPTION BATES.
INVARIABLY IN ADVANCE.
(Br Mail or Express.)
Daily and Sunday. per year. ......$3.00
Dally and Sunday, six months 5-00
Daily and Sunday, three months 2.65
Dally and Sunday, per month. ......... -S5
Daily without Sunday, per year......... 7.50
Dally without Sunday, six months S.90
Dally wjthout Sunday, three months... 1.85
Dally without Sunday, per month 65
Pun flay, per year..... 2.00
Sunday, six months. ............I...... LOO
Sunday, three months .60
BY CARRIER.
Dally without Sunday, per week........ .13
Daily, per week, Sunday included 20
THE WEEKLY OREGONIAJi.
(Issued Every Thursday.)
Weekly, per year...................... 1.50
Weekly, six months .75
Weekly, three months........ .50
HOW TO REMIT Send postofnce money
order, express order or personal check on
your local bank. Stamps, coin or currency
are at the sender's risk.
EASTERN BUSINESS OFFICE.
The S. C. Beckwltti Special Agency New
York; rooms 43-50 Tribune building. Chi'
cago, rooms C10-512 Tribune bulldinc
KEIT ON SALE.
Chicago Auditorium Annex, Postolflce
News Co., 178 Dearborn street.
Dallas, Tex. Globe News Depot. 260 Main
street.
San Antonio, Tex. Louis Book and Clear
Co., 521 East Houston street.
Dearer Julius Black, Hamilton & Kend
rlck, 006-012 Seventeenth street; Harry D.
Ott, 15C3 Broadway; Pratt Book Store, 121i
Fifteenth street.
Colorado Springs, Colo. Howard II. Bell.
Des Moines, la-Moses Jacobs, 209 Fifth
street.
D ninth. Ia. G. Blackburn. 215 West Su
perior street.
Goldfleld, Ner. C M alone.
Kansa City, Mo-Itlckseeker Clear Co..
Ninth and Walnut.
Los Angeles Harry Drapkln; B. E. Amos.
514 West Seventh street.
Minneapolis M. J. K.avanauch. SO South
Third; L. Recelaburcer. 217 First avenue
South.
Cleveland, O. James Pusbaw, SOT Superior
street.
New York City L. Jones St Co., Astor
House.
Oakland. CuL W. H. Johnston. Four,
teenth and Franklin streets.
Ojfden V. R. Godard andMeyers & Har
top, D. L. Boyle.
Omaha Barlcalow Bros,. 1612 Farnam;
Mageath Stationery Co.. 1808 Farnam: Mc
Laughlin Bros.. 240 South 14th; McLaughlin
& Holtz. 1616 Farnam.
Sacramento, CoL Sacramento News Co,
429 K street.
Salt Lake Salt Lake News Co.. 77 West
Becond street South; Frank Hutchison.
Yellowstone Park, Wyo. Canyon Hotel,
Lake Hotel, Yellowstone Park Assn.
Long Beach B. E. Amos.
San Francisco J. X. Cooper & Co., 746
Market street; Goldsmith Bros., 236 Sutter:
U E. Lee. Palace Hotel News Stand; F. W.
Pitts, 1008 Market: Frank Scott. SO Ellis; N.
Wheatley Movable News Stand, corner Mar
ket and Kearney streets; Hotel St. Francis
News tand; Foster & Oreor, Ferry News
Etand.
St. Louis, Mo. E. T. Jett Book & News
Company, 806 Olive street.
Washington, D. C. P. D. Morrison, 2132
Pennsylvania avenue.
PORTLAND. THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1005.
PLAYING THEIR GAME.
Look here! There are gentlemen in
the banking business, and gentlemen
In the shipping business, and gentle
men in various 6orts of commercial bus
iness In Portland, and gentlemen of the
first families, and gentlemen of the
reigning families, who are Interested in
Oriental trade. They see and they feel,
unquestionably, how prejudicial and
how injurious to that trade the ex
treme policy of exclusion by the United
States is.
China is about to shut her ports
against the products and the commerce
of the United States. She has reason.
We refuse to allow even her merchants
and travelers and students to land In
the United States. She doesn't object
to our exclusion of contract labor. But
her pride is touched by this general
indignity of stopping her traders and
travelers. There are "ruling classes"
in China, And they are about to close
their ports against the United States.
Now, why do not gentlemen of Port
land in the banking business, and gen
tlemen In the shipping business, and
gentlemen in various sorts of commer
cial business, and gentlemen of ambi
tious wealth, who are in the Oriental
trade and desire extension of it and
who also support a newspaper in Port
land push their newspaper up against
this (situation?
Why not make their newspaper fight
for the cause they have at heart? Just
because both they and their newspaper
are slinking cowards before a public
sentiment at home, which they wish to
appear to be in sympathy with, but In
fact nre opposed to by every instinct
of their natures.
Progress of time will unmask all our
monopolists and plutocrats, who, for
their own advantage, are playing false
ly with the people.
MORE ABOCT TirE FRANCHISES.
Our telegraphic report of yesterday.
In relation to the offer in New York of
54.000,000 of the new mortgage bonds of
the Portland General Electric Company,
and of the eagerness to get them, re
sulting in oversubscription of the
amount, did not escape notice. Much
of this money will bo available for ex
tensions and improvements, which the
growing business of Portland and of
the surrounding country will take up
speedily. It was added In the tele
graphic report that "these bonds are
secured by a first and only mortgage
on the plant and all its property, op
erating In Oregon under a perpetual
franchlso and controlling the entire
electric light and power business of
Portland and surrounding territory."
Here is another franchise of great
value, which Is to be looked after, un
der readjustment of our tax system.
This one, though perpetual, is not, how -ever,
on a basis, so completely monopo
listic as that of the Portland Consoli
dated Railway. For when streets are
once occupied by railway lines, no other
railway lines can be placed thereon. The
Portland Consolidated occupies a posi
tion in the heart of the cits, which
gives it almost a complete monopoly,
since to and from the heart of a city
all principal traffic comes and goes. The
streets would, however, admit the lines
of other electric companies. Still, those
.Uready in possession or occupancy
have a very great advantage. There
is a Mmit to poles and wires ia the
streets, and to the patience of the peo
ple in allowing the streets to be con
tinually disturbed by laying wires for
light, power and telephones, and gas
pipes, under ground. The established
ompanies. then, have almost a monop
oly. Their franchises have great value.
In all these cases construction is effect
ed by the sale of bonds, and the bonds
underlie the visible property and the
value of the franchises. How much the
franchise of the Portland General Blec
trlc may be worth can only be conjec
tured. But it is the inducement to the
subscription to the bonds. The franchise
may yet be exploited for a very great
sum; and this may be the next echemej
to which our lords of. finance, who got
these franchises for nothing, by expe
dients and methods which the grand
Jury recently censured, may address
themselves. Hates- charged for public H
and private lighting, and for power,
where a practical monopoly exists, as
here at present, may easily be manip
ulated so as to make very great profits
over and above charges on account of
bonds and expense of operation. These
profits to the stock, which seldom repre
sents any money, but is closely associa
ted with the franchise since the stock
controls the entire business may be
made so large as to give the stock and
the franchise enormous value; and
doubtless it will be so In this case, as
In that of the Portland Consolidated
Railway. In Portland, moreover, the
gas business Is closely associated with
the electric, and the gas company's
franchise, allowing use of the streets,
is also perpetual and of no small value.
To the enormous value of these fran
chises, which have been given away
by the city to those who, foreseeing
their value, have "worked" the Legis
lature and the Common Council for
them, the public has been awakened by
recent events. In the administration
of the affairs of this city the poHcy of
dealing with these franchises and the
values they represent will have a place
of the first Importance. It will include
regulation of rates, rules for construc
tion and maintenance and equitable
and sufficient taxation. The alterna
tive will be public ownership, which
the people now do not want, but which
they will enforce. If their Just demands
as to regulation are not complied with.
PEACE.
The rulers of Russia seem to think
seriously of peace as seriously as such
persons can think of anything. They
have been secretly laughing with the
rest of the world over the prayers, the
processions and the ikons which have
played such a part in their ridiculous
war against the Japanese; but blank
ruin now confronts them and they must
patch up a peace. They go about it in
the historic Russian way. with propo
sitions of double meaning and prom
ises made to be broken. But were they
never so sincere they are probably too
late; not too late for some kind of a
treaty of peace, which both belligerents
will sign with their tongues in their
cheeks, but much too late to avert the
ruin of Russia.
It has been a favorite saying of the
unspeakable Pobledonostseff that Holy
Russia was destined to rule the world.
The same sentiment pervades all classes
of the nation. The rulers have been
quietly, persistently, with infinite cun
ning, treachery and patience bringing
that destiny to pass. "While the world
looked on with idle attention, the Rus
sians traveled back along the trail of
Jenghlz Khan from the Caspian to the
Chinese Empire, conquering the coun
try and establishing military posts. The
trail of Jenghlz rounds the south end
of the Caspian through Persia; thence
it runs northeast through Nlsbapoor to
Merv, all through a fertile and popu
lous country. Pending her domination
of Persia, Russia set out from Kras
novodsk on the east shore of the Cas
pian and built a railroad across the
Desert of the Oxus to Merv. whence
Jenghlz turned southwest toward Nlsh
apoor in Persia. From Merv, Russia
retraced the exact footsteps of Jenghlz
with her railroad through Bokhara and
Samarkand up to the boundary of the
Chinese Empire. This brought her
armies and her influence into the heart
of the wandoring nations which 000
years ago the groat, almost the great
est, conqueror, organized into an em
pire stretching from the Japan Sea to
the Danube,.
From his native home in Mongolia,
on the Onon River, Jenghlz Khan con
quered China before he struck west
ward. The Russians, still Imitating
him, came down upon China a little
farther to the east, entering by way of
Manchuria and making their strong
hold at Port Arthur. Jenghlz proceeded
by force of arms. The subtler Rus
sians now used guile. Their emissaries
had the upper hand at Pekin; they
were busy in Thibet; but in the mean
time thoir troops on the western lim
its of the empire pressed patiently to
ward Kashgar. Who cared in Europe
what became of those obscure cities in
Central Asia? Thus Russia had China
between the Jaws of the vise and was
proceeding deliberately with the crush
ing. England tried not to understand
what was going on; the intelligence of
Japan could not stultify Itself. Russia
was reorganizing the empire of Jen
ghlz; in fact, except Persia, which she
was rapidly gaining, she had already
the greater part of It. She would then,
with her armies grown innumerable,
sweep down across India and westward
over Europe. Holy Russia would rule
the world as Pobledonostseff said was
the will of God. and as all Russia be
lieved. DIs aliter visum. The will of God
was otherwise. Japan struck In. Ten
years ago she overawed China; today
she controls that vast empire where
Russian influence has perished with her
fleets and armies. Japan, not Russia,
sways the hordes that won the victories
of Jenghiz Khan. What will 6he do
with them?
The Mongols are as brave and hardy
as they ever were. The Japanese fight
better than the Russians so much hot
ter that the war has been nothing but
a rout, like the wars of Jenghlz. Thoy
can go where soldiers could ever go,
and endure as no armies ever did be
fore. They arc economists, statesmen
and organizers. The empire of Asia
waits for a master. Will Dal Nippon
put aside the crown? What nation ever
did? Once at the head of those enor
mous and impatient armies, whither
wilt Japan load them? Nowhere? That
is not likely.
Japan is as youthful as Greece and
her equal in intellect, enthusiasm and
ambition. Her men are prodigious
of intelligence, fearless of death, mas
ters of science. mephUtoptaeHan in
strategy. They are not Hkely to stay
quietly at home.
"Home-keeping youth hath ever home
ly wit"
They will not go to India, fer Eng
land is the friend of Japan. The path
of Jenghlz lies open to the west, the
ancient trail of blood and empire, and
Japan, leader of Asia, will follow it.
Her armies will go down through Sa
markand and Bokhara to Merv along
the railroad. They will round the Cas
pian through Persia; thence through
the Caucasus and they will face the
half-human Cossacks on the banks of
the Don. Here, It may be thought, they
will be at the same disadvantage as
the Russians In Manchuria, far from
home, reinforcements and supplies; but
that is a grave error. All the way to
the Caucasus Mountains the Japanese
will be at home, among people of the
same color, much, the same religion,
ethnic stock and sympathies. Their
army which, invades the plain of the
Volga will not have marched from
Japan but from Turkestan. Their pro
gress westward will be by a sort of
displacement, as Maxwell teaches elec
tricity goes through a dielectric. The
problem of supplies Is also a very dif
ferent one for the Japanese in Southern
Russia and the Russians In Manchuria.
The Russian plains are flat; transpor
tation is easy; the country Is a granary.
Great armies have subsisted there re
peatedly and can again. The Japanese
commissary is honest, also, and their
rttnitary solence almost perfect. This
Is the historic way for the armies of
Asia to enter Europe, and in Southern
Russia their victory has always been
easy. Napoleon's army was lost at
Moscow coming from the west; the
army of Ogdal. the son of Jenghlz. com
ing from the south, conquered and
flourished there. Asia has always had
the victory over Europe when they
fought on anything like equal terms of
leadership, discipline and equipment.
The Huns, the Saracens, the Mongols,
the Turks, were never overcome till
their vigor had been wasted by Inter
minable warfare.
Peace or no peace now. the future
looks black for Russia. Her distance
from Japan is no security. The duel
between them divides human history.
Its near consequence is almost certainly
the ruin of Russia. Its remote conse
quences would seem like extravagant
dreams to forecast.
TORT LAND GRAFTERS."
There are a few newspapers in Ore
gon that for some reason seem anxious
that the Lewis and Clark Exposition
shall not be a success. The Oregon Ian
calls attention to this humiliating fact
with some reluctance, because it would
like to have the -whole world believe
that every man. woman and child in
the state, every interest of every kind,
have their shoulders to the wheel In an
enthusiastic and united purpose to
make the great Fair the success it de
serves to be. We find, for example. In
the Eugene Guard, a long article under
the neighborly caption, "Portland
Grafters." warning all visitors against
the "highest-priced city on the Coast."
and declaring that "rents have been
raised to an exorbitant rate, and the
merchants of that city will fleece those
who trade there." Says the Guard:
When you cet la the ctty t hew many
cherries ycu bay for a nlexeL Price bt. ergr.
butter, potatoes er any ether commodity you
are acquainted wkh and eee the difference
between Eugene and Portland prices. If
Portland la high on these eoasaedMes. thea
took out when you begin to purchase coodr.
trhea yu must reiy en the merchant's honesty.
A Portland elerlc in charge of a department
In eae of the larxe department mrtm there
Informs the Guard that all xeod have brn
marked vp treat 10 to 40 per cent, waiting
for tHr victims.
Not many cherries may be purchased
Just now for a nickel, it Is true. In
Portland, or In Eugene, but If the pro
ducers of Lane County will offer good
cherries, or eggs, or butter, or pota
toes, or any other commodity, they will
find that they have here a better mar
ket than ever. If any one will take the
trouble to examine the market quota
tions in The Oregonlan today, and one
year ago. he will learn that the range
of prices Is almost exactly the same,
with slightly higher figures for the bet
ter grades of produce and fruit. Who
benefits more by this condition than the
thrifty people of Lane County? Who
suffers more by an advance in prices
than the housekeeper of Portland? But
they make no complaint, for the cost of
living has not increased, excopt as to
rents. As it Is. if you come from Eu
gene, and want a cheap room, or a
dear one. you can get It. You always
could. You always will. If you want
a cheap meal, you can get it, just as
easily as you ever could. There are
more people In Portland than ever; but
there are also more hotels, lodging
houses and restaurants too many, we
fear some of them will learn before the
Exposition ends. Our Portland mer
chants speak for themselves every day
In the columns of The Oregonlan. Their
admirable stores and their fine and hon
est business methods are in themselves
a standing refutation of the silly false
hood about "goods marked up 49 per
cent." It 19 to laugh.
We trust the readers of the Guard
will not worry about Portland or them
selves when they get to Portland. They
will be heartily welcomed, splendidly
entertained and made glad that they
have helped to contribute -through a
state appropriation of $699,009 to the
greatest exhibition on earth
NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS.
It is a pleasant task to turn from
wars and rumors of wars, from ques
tions of taxes arid railroad rates, and
the like, and to to express kindliness
and good-will on the part of Oregon,
and of Portland in particular, to our
visitors and to their home states. Not
only pleasure but profit comes from
such meetings. In the first place, all
notion of rivalry or competition in bus
iness matters Is laid aside. The guards
are down, the doors are wide open.
Whatever we have to show is theirs to
sec. whatever Joys we get from our
state, from our Exposition, from our
city, are theirs to -share. What good
company these Callfornlans are. Every
one has heard that of them; now we
know It. It was typical of thorn that,
while other visitors expect us to enter
tain them, they reverse the proposition.
Before they arrived they made arrange
ments for a big excursion up the Co
lumbia, and to this they invited ail the
representatives of our commercial bod
ies, dedicating the day to better ac
quaintance and good-fellowship. It is
fortunate for us that Oregon is on her
good behavior in the case of weather.
The brightest of sunshine, the kindest
of breezes, mountains, hills, garden?,
rivers, are dressed in their best. The
green fields, luxuriant orchards and
comfortable farm homes of the Wil
lamette Valley have impressed them
with the knowledge that their beloved
California is not the only garden of the
gods.
Such reunions as we enjoy today tend
to nothing but good. Oregon has been
admiring for years1 past the- energy and
push of our southern neighbors, their
state confidence and pride, their readi
ness to spend and to have spent for
their city, county and state; the beauty
of the pictures and photographs, of the
booklets and literature that they send
broadcast. And as we have seen the
success of their efforts In the upgrowth
of California In population, wealth and
influence, we. ever so many years be
hind her. have been Inclined to say,
this is California's way, and we cannot
live up to II So we sit down in the
hope that some crumbs may fall our
way. Now they have taken the Expo
sition in hand They nave built a
costly structure, and .filled it with their
best they have put together aa exhibit
which for completeness and beauty all
must admire. .Then they come in per
son, beaming with good will, and hold
out hearty hands. They tell us how
they do things for their state, and we
find there Is patent, no secret In
their success. They have a splendid
state, they all know It, and they pro
claim It with one accord: and the world
believes It and acts on It. Grumblers
among Californians do not exist. There
in lies one lesson Oregonlans can take
hold of.
Another point to be made is that
there Is real oneness of interest Tor
the three states of the Pacific Slope. As
population grows in one it overflows
into the others. As capital accumulates
in one It will infallibly find outlets In
the others. Social and family ties
through our communities are ever
growing and strengthening. The aims
of one for National recognition of Im
provements desired for harbors and
waterways, for development of Orien
tal and trans-Pacific commerce, will be
more heartily supported by Senators
and Representatives of sister states
Just In proportion as friendship Is more
close.
So, not only for pleasure but Tor profit
we welcome our visitors, wishing for
them all a happy time among us and
a safe return when they have "done
the Fair."
Four San Francisco men have been
Indicted for financing a scheme to kill
seal3 in Bering Sea. This belated at
tempt to lock the stable door some
twenty years after the horse has been
stolen will cause a broad smile all the
way from the Golden Gate to "north
of fifty-three." The wholesale destruc
tion of the seal by the Alaska Commer
cial Company operating under the pat
ronage of the United States Govern
ment, ruined the Industry In the latter
part of the "eighties" by driving the
seals to the Japan Coast, and to south
ern latitudes. Bering Sea is not a closed
sea beyond the three-mile limit, and
the San Francisco men who should be
sent to the penitentiary are those who
financed the monopoly that clubbed
vast numbers of seal to death on the
Pribllofs. It is a poor time to enforce
laws for the protection of seal life In a
locality from which the seal have long
ago been driven,-
The Chicago Teamsters' Joint Coun
cil has resolved to "let the strike take
care of Itself." It is a confession that
the strikers are beaten. It has been, a
long tussle and a hard one; and the
strikers have lost not only wo months
work but their Jobs as well. They had
more than one chance to settle on fair
terms, and they refused, or rather
Leader Shea refused for them, because
the express companies would not take
back their drivers who had broken their
contracts when they went out, and who
were fairly warned that they could nev
er come back. What the strikers know
now Is what everybody else knew In the
beginning, and that Is that the sym
pathetic strike doesn't pay.
The torpedo-boat is coming back Into
popular favor as a result of the work
of the Japanese with these diminutive
but deadly craft. Germany has Just or
dered six of a new type In which the
vital parts will be protected sufficient
ly to prevent their destruction by the
small guns of the warships. This may
be a saving In the number of boats
needed, but the experience of the Jap
anese showed that there was but little
difficulty in placing In easy range of
the battleships a sufficient number of
unprotected boats to accomplish all
purposes for which a torpedo-boat was
built.
Russia has already discovered two
ways through which it may evade con
clusion of a peace with Japan except on
terms satisfactory to itself. The plen
ipotentiaries will not be plenipoten
tiaries, and Russia reserves the right
to repudiate any engagement they may
make. Second the plenipotentiaries
may withdraw if they do not like the
outlook. Russian diplomacy looks for
ward to many further notable achieve
ments. Meanwhile the Japanese seem
ready and able to go ahead with the
war.
Some sleek operators have secured
$100,000 in Indiana by forging Standard
Oil pay checks. Fortunately for the
Standard Oil. which needs the money,
the loss will fall on the various mer
chants who cashed the worthless paper.
This latter fact will probably head off
any possible runs on Mr. Rockefeller's
banks or tanks, which might have been
started had John D. been obliged to
shoulder all the loss.
In her latest public utterance Mrs.
Mary Baker G. Eddy denies, on behalf
of her "church." the existence of dis
ease germs. To vary from the set programme-
we suggest that the American
Medical Association which meets here
next month invite Mary to give a
heart-to-heart talk on the colossal er
ror Into which modern physicians have
fallen.
Hereafter the United States Signal
Service will send out by telegraph dally
weather reports from the Yukon dis
trict, Alaska. If Lieutenant' Peary
should make it on this Summer's expe
dition, the Government could extend
the wire a few degrees northward and
get meteorological data from the North
Pole.
Chicago, always doing big things, will
send out Invitations to 10,000 Mayors
for a Municipal Ownership Convention
in September. Ours is a great country
and we have a number of cities with
only local fame; yet it Is to be feared
that Mayor Dunne and his associates
will have more invitations than guests.
The Rev. Drs. Short and Wilson, in
their speeches at the Democratic meet
ing of Jubilation, asserted and Insisted
on the right of preachers1 to enter poli
tics. Certainly. But upon what ground
of right and reason do they insist that
The Oregonlan shall keep out of the
ology? Strangely, the Associated Press re
ports of the naval fight this week on
the Potomac hick something of the hu
man interest which marked similar
proceedings in the Straits of Corea not
long since.
M. Witte thinks the Russian govern
ment has gone to the dogs, and frankly
says so. M. Witte Is aided to this con
clusion largely by the fact that he has
not been permitted to run things.
News from St. Petersburg of a gen
eral advance by Oyama against the
Russian lines is sadly out of harmony
with diplomatic correspondence report
ed from three national capitals.
0REG0N0Z0NL
At the Portland Fair.
"Mamma, what do they call that fun
ny thing that we Just passed'through?"
Inquired the little girl Just after enter
ing the grounds.
"That is the entrance, my dear." re
plied the mother.
"And what are those other funny
things'?" pointing to the exit turnstiles.
"Why, those are the going-out en
trances. Tlppoo Tib is dead. Who was Tippoo?
He was the noted Arab chief and slave
holder discovered by Henry M. Stanley
in Darkest Africa, back in 1S72. On
account of his name he deservs a poetic
monument similar to the one erected
some years ago for the Ahkoond of
Swat.
In announcing the loss of $2,000,000
by Frank Gould In an unlucky specula
tion, an Eastern newspaper prints a
picture of Mr. Gould with a smile on his
face. It Is only the rich who can lose
$2,000,000 and smile.
The Eastern papers are discussing
the discovery of a young woman, with
ten minds. Things never Vcem to be
evenly distributed in this vale of tears.
At the risk of being accused of a lack
of gallantry, we arise to remark that
we have known women who possessed
only half a mind and didn't know how
to make that up.
The whipping-post has been re-established
in the public schools of New
Tork City.
Mry nothings seem to attract Los
Angeles audiences. Dr. Alexander J.
Mclvor-Tyndall has been lecturing
there on apookoldjrloal topics. He had
determined to retire, but the populace
persuaded him to continue, and his lat
est lecture was upon the subject of
Ghosts." Several select spooks were
present to illustrate his dissertation.
Down in North Carolina is published
bi-weekly paper called The Yellow-
Jacket. It is always Jumping on some
body. Governor W. L. Douglas of Massa
chusetts, who decline a re-election, is
quite willing for other people to stand
In his shoes. That's his business.
Russia could carry on the war five
years longer if it were not for critical
conditions at home. Noah could have
kept out of the ark if It hadn't rained.
Waterloos. like circumstances, alter
cases.
A kind friend sends us the Interesting
and timely Information that some cen
turies ago an Irishman named Mike Adoo
migrated to Japan, where by his courage
and ability he so endeared himself to the
people that they chose him as their ruler.
His buccessors and descendants changed
their name to Mikado, probably because
It sounds more kingly. This Is an" im
portant historical discovery, and It seems
to explain how the Japs happen to fight
so well. But It reminds us of the story
that used to be told of Tomaso Salvinl.
the great Italian actor, whose original
name was said to have been Thomas
O'SuIllvan.
The Boston Journal remarks that "the
Lewis and Clark Fair hasn't a. very ro
mantic or attractive nam." Ah. hasn't
It? Now that is truly too bad. We
should have named it the Emerson and
Alcott Fair, or the Sam. John. Josiah
and John Qulncy Adams Fair, or the T.
Bailey AWrlch and T. Wentworth Hlggin
son Affair. What Boston does not know
and Is ndt willing to learn about Ameri
can history as it is made west of New
England, would cause the Boston Public
Library to bulge and collapse If collected
Into books and placed 'In the building.
Boston is still writing and reading biog
raphies of Henry Davia Thoreau. whose
daring explorations in the Walden woods
thrill the Back Bay district end cause the
lights- on Beacon Hill to blaze with ro
mantic excitement.
How Slmll We Celebrate?
How shall -we celebrate the Fourth of Joo?
Why Just aj usual, with loud hooroo!
With kegs of powder, likewise kegs of
so.
How shall we celebrate the Glorious Day?
Why. ia the old rip-roaring, raucous way!
With cannon-boom and bullets gone
astray
Jut so.
How shall we celebrate? Why. let us each
Get up a hackneyed, hifalutln speech
And make the Bird o Freedom scream
and screech
Just so.
How shall we celebrate it? Why. of course.
Go paint the town and howl our voices
hoarse;
That's how we'll" recognize our freedom's
so.
So have we honored Independence Day
For years and years. Hip! hip! hurrah!
hooray!
Get foolish ks our senses that's the
way
4 Just so.
ROBERTUS LOVE.
"Decent" Royalty.
Boston Transcript.
It is not for want of shining examples
of" really decent royalty that the Czar re
fuses to lead a changed life. If he had
the power of Improvement by imitation,
any one of his kinsfolk might prove a sat
isfactory tutor. Writes a London corre
spondent: "Queen Alexandra, who has always been
a favorite with the common people of this
country, has once more given proof that
ho has not forgotten the beautiful moth
erllness that Queen Victoria made a tradi
tion. A few days ago the Princess Victo
ria, in her sickroom, received a letter
from an artless little child, the daughter
of a worklngman In CamberwelL The lit
tle one, who Is named Victoria, is herself
an Invalid and she wrote to express her
loving sympathy with her royal name
sake, and next day the child's mother was
astounded when a carriage drove Into her
street and a messenger from the palace
came to her door with a letter and a bas
ket of Cowers for the sick child from Her
Majesty, the Queen of England."
How long will il be before such an in
terchange between the royal family and
the working poor folk will be possible in
distracted Russia? If the Czar would but
take a leaf from this Hnrman's book hs
might sit in peace on hie throne; as royal
peace Is possible in England.
Pessimism.
Chicago Record-Heraid.
"A Milwaukee man claims that he "ha
found out bow anyone can make beer at
a cost of less than a cent a glass."
"Oh. well. I refuse to get excited. If he
can do what he says he can some trust
win get control of all the water or all the
glasses or do something to make it im
possible for the public to get any benefit
from the discovery."
HIGH FINANCE IN PUBLIC UTILITIES
Horr Promoters amel Managers Capitalise Their Kreiaeatses at Immense
Sams la New York Charters of Gaa aad Electric Companies Worth
Million A. Lessen for Portland.
The investigation into the affairs of the
gas and electric light companies of New
York City, by a committee of the New
York Legislature, brought to light infor
mation of great value respecting the cost
of gas and electric light, water, stock,
public extortion and monopoly. Much of
the Information as related by witnesses
was given In the dispatches from day to
day. but the essential facts have been
grouped and summarized by the New
York Evening Post so as to make a con
nected record of monopoly, imposition
and high finance graft practiced by model
franchlsed corporations. The several gas
companies referred to .are part of the
Consolidated Gas Company, retaining
their original names for legal reasons,
though owned by the Gaa Trust.
In part the Evening Post says:
The capitalization of the Consolidated
Gas. originally $39.07S.C00. has been in
creased as new possessions have been add
ed, until now It Is JSO.O00.0CO. and the
directors have planned to raise it to $100.
OCO.000 before the year Is ended.
The capitalization of the company at
the start, the evidence has shown, was
about $S,0C0.0CO above the value of the
tangible assets. The additional amount
was tacked on to represent franchises,
many of which were legally defunct, and
"good will" and prospects.
Each increase of the capital stock has
been distinguished by similar considera
tions. In allowing for the New Amster
dam Company's properties, for instance,
there was an addition of millions stand
ing for nothing except intangible rights.
It was brought to light through the tes
timony of George W. Doane. vice-president
of the New Amsterdam and presi
dent of one of "its subsidiary concerns,
that all the absorbed properties together
were of a value far below the $37,000,000
they stood for on paper.
Apparent discrepancies to the extent of
about $13,000,000 afterwards explained
away to their own satisfaction by the
company's lawyers In the accounts were
found.
On the books. In 1904. the, combination's
properties were valued at $43,000,000: In the
report to the tax commissioner for the
same year they were valued at $35,000,000.
The records of the company showed that
It has -Issued $19,000,000 debenture bonds;
the officers on the witness stand and the
balance sheets failed to show how $4.
000.000 of this had been expended. The
books gave the value of mains as serv
ices as J7.443.S33; the report for taxes gave
it as J4.3il.l5S.39.
One witness. Mr. Whltely. declared that
"no human being" could trace the expen
diture of all the money received from
bonds. Mr. Carter, the secretary, ex
plained that the reports to the tax com
mission were made on a basis of the cost
of reproduction of the properties, less
depredation. Mr. Mathewson. the law
yer, added to this the plea that the com
pany, of course, kept on its books the
accumulated value of its properties for
nearly ICO years, and that this was a
very different matter from estimating
their present worth from a taxation
standpoint.
Much of the testimony has had to do
with the cost of manufacturing gas. and
although the committee expects more de
tailed Information on this point, when its
expert accountant has finished testifying
as to his examination of plant accounts.
It has been established that the gas sold
by the company for $1 per 1000 cubic feet
costs them from 26 to 40 cents, whether
it is tnaae in tneir own plants or
"bought" from the companies they own.
One witness, after much figuring, ar
rived at the conclusion that the cost, in
cluding distribution, interest charges on
the funded debt, depreciation losses and
all other expenses, was as high as 90.9
cubic, and that the cost without Interest
WHY THE CHINESE LOVE-US.
Delicate Attentions Bestowed "Upon
Recent Visitors.
New York Sun.
Four Chinese students, one of them a
young woman, on their way home from
England, where they have been educated,
arrived in Boston harbor recently. So re
spectable person as Joseph H. Choate had
provided for them letters of introduction.
Thoir passports were regular and unl
peachable. Nevertheless the immigration
authorities detained them on board ship for
a day, photographing them for identifica
tion and making them give bond not to go
to work as laborers for starvation wages
and thus take the bread out of the mouths
of American citizens.
These students are of a wealthy and cul
tivated family. Their uncle Is Governor of
the Province of Shanghai. Mr. Choate is
not known to be in the habit of giving let
ters of introduction to aid persons who
wish to violate the laws of his country.
The ambitious coolie desirous of entering
America might have difficulty In getting
the ex-Ambassador's attention. Howover.
such minor details as these do not Interest
the Inspectors, whose duty It is to enforce
the Chinese exclusion law.
Last year a Chinese commissioner to the
St. Louis Fair was carried across the Ca
nadian boundary, while on his way East,
and after he had been admitted to the
country. When his train, after its excur
sion Into foreign territory, re-entered the
United States, ho was held up, treated
roughly and grossly insulted by the in
spectors. His efforts to explain the error
that he had made caused him to be treat
ed as a .criminal, and he kept out of jail
only with the greatest difficulty.
These are two typical cases of stupidity
in the enforcement of the law. Many such
Incidents have happened. While these un
pleasant experiences are teaching the Chi
nese to admire, respect and love the
American nation, our manufacturers are
competing with the rest of the world for
the trade of China, and the State Depart
ment Is trying Its best to keep the open
door from closing. Singularly enough,
the Chinese at homo are establishing a
boycott against our goods. Ungrateful
Celestials!
At any rate American manufacturers
may look to Ambassador Choate's pro
teges to become missionaries spreading
affection for the American Government
among the higher classes of their coun-i
trymen when they reach home.
Up to "High Finance.
From the Christian Register.
There was onco a famous prize-fighter
who outlived the fierce enthusiasm of the
prize ring, and became disgusted with Its
brutality. He determined to live a better
life: but his moral outlook was limited
and his upward course had peculiar as
pects, for he reasoned and acted in this
way: First, he gave up the physical bru
tality of the prize-fighter. Then he opened
a liquor saloon, thinking he had taken
an upward step, because he no longer in
flicted physical Injuries with his own
band. Then he became aware of moral
degradation caused by his indiscriminate
sale of liquors. Again, he took what
seemed to him an upward step in the
moral life. He opened a gambling-room
in which, as he said, a straight game was
played- Now he earned his living with
out physical violence, without tempting
his felows to drunkenness, by the exer
cise of purely intellectual .faculties. He
was an honest gambler who took his
profits from an open game, honestly play
ed. In the last hundred years- similar
transformations have taken place on a
large scale in the world of business. From
piracy apd the slave-trade, once "fi
nanced" by men of respectable social
standing; on to the refinements of legal
ised robbery, the steps are similar to
those taken by the reformed- prize-fighter.
charges was 57.i cents at the burners
and 32H cents at the holders. But It was
admitted iater by Mr. Doane that the
Central Union Gas Company had made
gas for 26 cents, and that it could dis
tribute it for 4S cents at the burners.
In other words, if the city owned a
plant, it could sell gas for 4S cents, pro
vided the plant was as well managed as
that of the Central Union.
Gas has not been the only object of
the commlttee'a attention. ' The electric
lighting business hereabout is as well
controlled as its sister Industry, and the
methods of its upbuilding, as well a? the
upbullders, have been the same.
The New York Edison Company is a
name that represents the operation of the
gas trust in electricity.
Formed in 1901. the Edison Company in
cludes the old Edison Electric Illuminat
ing Company and the New York Gas and
Electric Light. Heat & Power Companj.
The latter, which is generally referred to
as "the power company," was a consolida
tion of all the electric light concerns in
Manhattan and the Bronx, and the final
amalgamation followed Its acquiring the
Edison Illuminating Company.
There is about J45.50O.O0O of "water" in
the New York Edison Company, according
to Mr. Hughes. It was, testified before the
committee that the "power company's"
capital stock. Including its holdings in the
illuminating company." was J36,00O,O0O.
Yet. when the New York Edison Company
was founded the $9,200,000 of "illuminating;'
stock was added to the J36,000,000 to .fix
the combined capitalization. Then bonds
were issued until the total outstanding ob
ligations of the new corporation reached
J64.500.000. The value of all the tansible
properties represented was but $19,000,000,
so the witnesses admitted.
What Mr. Hughes .called "water" was
described by the company's officers as
valuable belongings in the shape of pat
ents, trade prospects, business outlook and
equities.
For its patents, a majority of which had
expired, the new organization put down
about $3,000,000. For the plants of the Man
hattan and Harlem Electric Companies It
placed large sums, on Its books In sp'.ta
of the fact that these plants had ben
destroyed years before. It was by siki
proceedings that It came Into Its capital
ization of $45,200,000. And having launehe 1
Itself on this fictitious basis, it made
money so fast that it was able to pay
every year the $2,000,000 interest on its in
flated funded debt and to lay aside before
last January a surplus of $S,000.000. Mean
while It paid no dividends to the owner
of nearly all Its stock, the Consolidated
Gas Company.
The New York Edison Company, accord
ing to the admission of its officers before
the committee, charged private consumers
15 per cent per kilowatt hour for electric
current, or about 125 per cent more than
the cost price of 6.32 cents. Which in
cludes interest charges on the big ob
ligations assumed In the watering process
of the company's organization. Without
counting the unnecessary expenses Inci
dental to the conduct of such an over
grown product, the cost of electric cur
rent averages only 3.66 cents per kilo
watt, hour In Manhattan and the Bronx.
The city, hitherto helpless to enforce a
fair rate, has had to pay nearly the retail
prices for Its lights. Until Colonel R- G.
Monroe, lighting commissioner under Ma
yor Low. made his firm protest, it had to
pay the full price, but Colonel Monroe
managed to get a reduction to 12 "cents
per kilowatt hour.
The officers of the company admitted on
the stand that they had certain private
customers to whom they furnished cur
rent at a 3-cent rate. They had many
at 5 cents. Their "explanation" was that
the city buildings were scattered, and that
they had to do more Incidental work in
connection with city contracts, but there
was nothing in their evidence to account
for the wide difference between the treat
ment accorded preferred patrons and the
deal Inflicted upon the public treasury.
FACTION INJORTLAND,
Sensible Remarks on Its Spirit and
Consequences.
' Amity (Yamhill) Advance,
j Mayor Williams' defeat for re-election
no doubt came as a great surprise to
, many Republicans - outside of Portland.
I That there has been considerable strife
In the party there was common enough
knowledge, but owing to the great nu
merical strength of the party In the city
' It was not believed that the honorable'
! Alayor could possibly be defeated.
It was the same old story over again.
"A house divided against Itself cannot
stand." But just what factions in his
own party who are responsible for the
Mayor's defeat hope to gain by sacri
ficing a life-long and honored member of
their party and turning the most Im
portant office In the state over to the
Democrats is not quite clear. Of course
the. Democrats are thankful for this
gracious gift, but their gratitude will not
keep them from following up the ad
vantage gained and to make a desperate
attempt to control the political destinies
of the state at the next election, and
their chances for success are a little mors
than a mere dream. Especially 13 this
true since the incident of Monday, which
with the Governor of the state, gives
them a good lead.
But the people of the state must b
getting pretty weary of Republican ma
chine politics and consequent factional
fights and will probably welcome a
change. It Is not well for a party to
become too strong and continue too long
In control of public affairs. In their mad
strife for continued control of patronage
party leaders, particularly the machine
kind, are very apt to forget a party's
duty to the sovereign people until these
same people find It necessary to apply the
proper remedy. If Oregon passes to Demo
cratic control It will be merely an Inci
dent quite common In the history of every
party in almost every state.
Mayor Williams' defeat is no reflection
on his character or his recdrd as a public
official and an honorable citizen. He is
merely a victim of- unfortunate circum
stances due to unreasonable dlssentions
In his party.
New Name for Fair.
San Francisco Chronicle.
Another name has been suggested for
the buildings grouped on the Lewis and
Clark Exposition grounds, and that Is the
Dream City, and probably many more will
be thought of and mentioned before one
is selected as the universally accepted
title. For appropriateness of the setting,
the Emerald City would do as well as
almost anything that could be suggested
To the relic hunter, even If he must give
up hope of possession, a visit to the Mas
sachusetts building is well worth the
while. Except California, the old Bay
State is about the only one which has
much of the historic about it. The Massa
chusetts exhibit has much to show that
suggests old colonial days. On -the Cen
tennial grounds Puritan and Padre meet
In what California and Massachusetts
have to recall to the student of the days
that made history- In America.
Rural Entertainment.
Chicago Tribune.
The through train had stopped at the
little station for water.
"Wiat do you people do to amuse your
selves here?" asked the passenger with
the upturned mustache and the bored
look, who had stuck his head out through
a car window.
"Well, we git a lot o fun comln to the
deepo an lookln at the queer critters
that goes through yere on the k'yars."
replied the native who was lounging on
th station platform.