If?
THE MORNING OREGOyiAX, MONDAY, PEBRTJAJRY 26, 1906.
REPORT ON FIRE
GQNDlTfQNS RERE
National Board of Underwrit
ers Finds Portland Is
Poorly Protected. r-
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT
department Undermanned, Alarm
System Defective, Water Distri'
bHtion Imperfect, Structural
Conditions Hazardous.
The findings of the committee of 30 of
the National Board 'of Fire Underwriters,
which' investigated local civic conditions
last Fall, are embodied in the form of a
comprehensive report received recently
by the Chamber of Commerce. The Na
tional Board of Fire Underwriters is com
posed of 120 of the leading fire insurance
companies doing business in the United
States, and, as set forth in the organiza
tion papers, its purpose Is to influence lm
proved and safe methods of building con'
structlon, encourage the adoption of fire
protective measures and secure efficient
organization and equipment of fire de
partments, with adequate and improved
water systems. The board claims to have
no control over rates of insurance, or
commissions of agents.
Report on Portland.
Its conclusions are almost invariably
regarded as final in the matter of fixing
insurance rates, and for that reason pos
sess peculiar local interest. The report
on Portland "was compiled mainly from
data collected during September and Octo
ber of last year, by an engineering party
composed of R. C. Clark, engineer in
charge of party and structural work; R.
C. Martin, engineer in charge of fire de
partment work; A. H. Smith, engineer in
charge of hydraulic work, and assistants,
After giving detailed reports concerning
the different Institutions whose opera
tions have a tendency to affect insurance
rates in any away, the report concludes
with a general summary, from which the
following significant extracts are taken:
Only 2 per cent of the streets in the
congested value district are less than
60 feet wide; others 60 to 80 feet in -width.
Pavements generally fair except streets
paved with plank or wood block, which
are bad.
Annual losses by fire generally high,
and sometimes excessive.
Fire-Fighting Facilities.
The water 'works, with the exception
of those in relatively unimportant .out
lying sections, owned and operated by'the
municipality. Management fairly effi
cient. Supply mostly by gravity from
-drainage area 30 miles east of the city;
-capacity of conduit about equal to pres
ent consumption. Pumping station is
maintained five miles above the city to
Dump supply from Willamette River; two
force mains to the city. iThis station can
furnish supply in case, of intcrruptioa. of
flow in gravity conduit, or supplement
this low if less than consumption de
mands. Distribution In six services: The
- more important parts of the city, includ
ing practically all of the mercantile and
manufacturing sections, supplied wholly
by gravity: some of the residence sections
by direct pumping, with and without
equalizing tanks. Distributing reservoirs
in and near the city hold about three
days' supply. Consumption excessive, in-,
dicatlng large waste. Pressures vary con
siderably, but are generally high enough
for good fire -protection; average in con
gested values district 74 pounds. Distribu
tion system has fair provision of large
main arteries, hut is characterized by a
general deficiency of secondary feeders
for support of gridirons composed mostly
of six-Inch and smaller mains. Gate
valves far too widely spaced. Hydrants
too far apart, except in the congested
value district; all poorly maintained.
Hydrants of later Installation of fairly
satisfactory type; older ones somewhat
less satisfactory
Fire Companies Undermanned.
On a full-paid basis the Fire Depart
ment is under satisfactory supervision.
Most companies undermanned. Engines
insufficient in number; most are in. poor
condition. Ladder service fair: flrcboat
good; other equipment below proper
standard. Discipline and methods only
fair. Service as a whole, inadequate.
The fire-alarm system is pronounced of
unsuitable automatic type in two sec
tions, one insecurely housed. Many boxes
of undesirable type, most with keys -detached;
key signs wanting. No red lights.
Distribution In central district, fair to
good: elsewhere poor. Maintenance, fair
to poor. System as a whole, insufficiently
extensive and only raoderatejy reliable.
Relative to Firo Department auxiliaries
the report states that part of the fire
marshal's duties are well performed. Co
operation of Police and "Water Depart
ments good; of public service corpora
tions, slight; of Street Department, lack
ing. Telephone service satisfactory. Lo
cal alarm systems, volunteer hose and
ladder companies, though somewhat in
, efficient, and private fire apparatus all
add to the general protection of the city.
Outside aid slight and not promptly avail
able Summary Water supply from reliable
sources, but distinct danger of failure lo
cally through imperfections of distribu
tloni .system. Fire Department weak on
the whole. Fire alarm system inade
quate. Structural Conditions and Hazards.
Laws for building department compre
hensive but defective; no area limits
provided, protection required for vertical,
and horizontal openings inadequate, and
exceeslvo heights (permitted in buildings
of ordinary construction. Enforcement
poor: building department inadequate to
control conditions. Former laws limited
and of little value.
Explosives and Inflammables Responsi
bility of enforcement not properly con
centrated. Laws indefinite and not com
prehensive. Enforcement poor.
Electricity No municipal control. Con
ditions, seriously objectionable. Electro
lysis under control.
Conflagration hazard Potential: 'Se
vere, owing to compactness of blocks,
poor structural conditions, lack of cut
offs and Arc-breaks, unprotected vertical
openings and comparatively narrow
streets.
Probability; High, owltvr to the pres
ence of numerous conflagration breeders
in surroundings conducive to the spread
of Are, the large number of bad or weak
.blocks grouped, undesirably, scant private
protection and. lack of reserve strength In
the Fire Department. ,
Summary: The conflagration hazard,
-therefore. Is, on the whole, severe. A
particularly objectionable feature is the
exposure from the long warehouse and
.dock section, consisting mainly of frame
buiWIwgs largely open underneath or at
the sides aad subject to a sweeping fire.
East Portland is generally free from con
jjeetljpn as to -values, but the largely
xrame ceactructien ant the fact that the
fettiMtogs aa4 streets are partly on piles
make severe aad extensive? "fires there
probable.
PLEASANT VALLEY GROWS
Juaad Is BclHg Cleared and New
comers Going There for Homes'.
Pleasant Valley s well named. Leav
ing the station on the electric railway
at Sycamore and following the winding
road one mile south, which crosses sev
eral well-built bridges, the valley 1s
reached. While the valley was settled
more-4.han 40 years ago and Is a pio
neer district, for the past two years
it has made a forward movement. W.
H. Snashall, master of the Grange, Pat
rons of Husbandry, says that many
new people are coming In. Recently a
l0-acre tract, partly under cultiva
tion, was divided up into ten-acre
tracts, all of which has been sold to
men who will improve them. This week
Mr. Jialler sold his O-acre farm, with
some Improvements, for $4500. which is
$100 an acre, a remarkable price, when
it is considered that part of the land
only is under cultivation. Clearing of
land Is going forward in this valley.
Stumps of giant trees, ten feet ;Jn
diameter at the roots, are being; re
moved with giant powder, muscle -and
brain, to make way for farms.
A more beautiful section than Pleas
ant Valley, which is partly in Clack
amas County and partly In Multnomah
County, cannot be found in Oregon.
The soil is of the most prolific charac
ter. It grows the finest fruits. It pro
duces an early crop, owing tc the lay
of the valley. It produces potatoes In
the Spring much earlier than other
sections because of the warmth that
concentrates between the hills with
which it is surrounded. A farmer last
year planted one acre In early rose,
and received $2 a sack because he-was
able to get on the market first wJth
his crop. He cleared nearly $200 from
that single jacre. This Spring he will
have two acres, and expects to do as
welL
The valley will soon be connected
with the outside world with the rural
telephones. It was in Pleasant Valley
that the agitation for an Independent
telephone 'system in that section was
started, and the agitation has ex
tended to Damascus, four miles to the
southwest. W. J. Jenne, who is working
for-this independent telephone line in
that neighborhood, said yesterday that
the farmers were taking hold with en
thusiasm. Mr. Jenne reports that the
farmers generally want an Independent
telephone line, and they have been no
tified that connection with the Pacific
States lines will be made on comple
tion of the farmers' independent line.
WRITES TO HIS MOTHER
George X. Wolfe Says Citarges in
Manila Paper Are UntrHC.
Mrs. M. F. Wolfe, of 3S5?4 Chapman
street, the mother of George N. Wolfe,
who was reported by the Manila Times
of January A as having abandoned his
post as director of prisons on account
of some official scandal, has letters
from her son going to show that the
publication of the article in the Manila
paper wns Inspired by an cx.-convict
who must have been actuated by mo
tives of revenge, according to intima
tions contained In the correspondence.
One letter written January 2. the
registration marks of which bear the
date of January 3, the day before the
appearance of the story in the Manila
paper, says: "I am taking the trans
port Logan for Japan for a much-
needed rest of 28 days," January 24.
he wrpte that while la, iqtiarantlne on
the vessel an evening paper printed tho
statement that be was about to skip
out, or at least would never come
back. "My friends wired me about it,"
said lie. "and I took a launch and went
asnore, tatting tnem oy surprise, as
they thought I was on the ocean. They
apologized and promised to discharge
the author of the article, who was for
merly a convict. Everybody was indig
nant at the baseness of the attack."
HIS DRIFT OF NEW
9
GAS FRANCHISE
Council Committee Consider
ing the Application of
Thomas McCusker.
MAXIMUM - RATE 65 CENTS
CLAYW0RKERS TO ORGANIZE
Association Will Be Formed by "Sfcn
From the Northwest.
At 30 o'clock this morning the Clay-
workers of the Northwest will meet in the
rooms of the Portland Chamber of Com
merce for the purpose of organizing an
association. It is expected that delegates
from all the important cities and towns
throughout the Northwest will be present.
Promoter Distinctly .Agrees to This
ClauseMen Behind Him Mean
Easiness " and Will Give
$$0,060 Bond.
Gas at 65 cents a thousand feet is
promised to Portland consumers by
Eastern capitalists, who have applied
to the Council, through Thomas Mc
Cusker, for a 25-year franchise, agree
ing to put up $50,093 bonds for faithful
performance of thcIrcontract with the
city and to spend not less than $1,300.
030. The rate for gas Is now $1.15, or 77
per cent higher than the price prom
ised under the new franchise
Tho men behind the new venture,
Mr. McCusker says he will not reveal,
because should their Identity become
known to the powers behind the pres
ent gas company, the strength of the
Portland monopoly in the East would
be exerted to shut out the 65-cent pro
ject from Its financial support.
"Our people mean business." said Mr.
McCuEker yesterday, and when they
say they will sell G3-cent gas they
mean it. They would agree to charge
(TO cents' if it were not for the charge
which the city will levy on gross earn
ings. Such a toll, of course, must be
paid for by consumers.
The application for the franchise is
now in tht street committee of the
Council. As asked for the franchise
reads as follows:
Text of the Franchise.
The City of Portland does ordain as folio i:
Section 1. That there be and hereby U
(ranted to Thomas McCusker. of Portland. Or.,
and hi ffuccesora and astigna, the franchise,
right and privilege to construct, acquire, own.
maintain, conduct and operate plants and
works for the manufacture of gas for domestic
purport's within the limits of the City of
Portland, and to furnish, provide and sell
such quantities of gas as may be required In
the City of Portland Tor lighting streets,
stores, public and prirate buildings and. places
of any and all description, or other purposes,
and to construct, operate and maintain a
fas-pipe Use Kyttcm. with all necessary feed
ers and service pipes Jn connection therewith.
In, along-, upon and under all streets, avenue?,
lanes. Alleys, squares and public places tn
such city.
Section That the work of conitrustlnr.
erecting and Installing said plant and works
and the laying of said jra"-pipe system and
mains for tbe conduct and distribution of xald
gas In and through fcaidy city, shall serin
within six months from -tbe date of the ac
ceptance of this franchise by said Thomas
McCusker, his successom or assigns, the same.
when wholly finished and completed, to cot
not less than one million Are hundred thou
sand dollars Ul. 500,000).
And be it further provided, that the said
Thomis McCusker. his successom- and as
signs, shall expend not less thin per
year in carrying on 'and advancing said con
struction ivork to completion.
3Caximum Charge 63 Cents.
Section 3. That Thomas McCusker. his sue
censors or assigns, shall not. during tbe life
of this franchise, charge or demand from
the con nam ers of gas hereunder, more than
sixty-five cents (C5c) per thoufand cubic feet.
Section 4. All rights, privileges and fran
chises granted to or conferred upon tmi
Thomas McCusker. his successor and assigns,
by this ordinance, shall continue, exist and
remain In full force for the period of twenty
five '25) years from the date of final ap
proval of same.
Section 5. Said Thomas McCwker. his suc
cessors and algn, in consideration of the
franchises, rights and privileges granted by
this ordinance, and as compensation therefor,
shall pay to tbe City of Portland per cent
of his grow earnings hereunder, for the said
term of twenty-five (25) yearn, said percentage
to be reckoned, estimated and paid annually
to tbe City of Portland. Each of the annual
payments of money required by this section
shall be made by the .said Thomas McCusker.
his successors and aaHgns. to the Treasurer
of the City of Part), aad said Treaa-jrer
w MSB Ma reettft tfecrefer. which shall
be & full aoaBluattee to aaM. Tfeomx McCua
ker. hi mceeere er aas&s. for said
parasmt. ShwH Tsomm McCtMtker. hU
successors or assigns, fall or neglect
tor days after the asane becomes due and
payable, aad after written notice from the
City of Portland, to pay same, to pay any of
said aanaal paysseats of coBpenatlon pro
vided for in this section, the City of Port
land ba!I have the right to collect such over
due pay-sent from saia Thomas McCusker.
his successors and assigns, by suit or actloa,
ao3 shay have a lien vpoa said gas plant and
mains for the payment of same.
City May Acquire Want.
Section 0. Provide for acquisiUon of the
plant at expiration of the franchise, in ac
cordance with the terms of tbe city charter.
Section 7. That tbe said Thomas McCusker,
his successors or assigns, shall furnish a good
and sufficient bond In the sum of $50,000 run
ning to the City of Portland, approved by the
Mayor aad deposited with the Treasurer of
the city as surety for. and conditioned upon
the erection, installation and operation of
said gas plant, and works, and the laytnr of
said system of pipes and main over said city.
In the manner and as required by this ordi
nance; bat so soon as said gas plant and
works are fully completed and Installed, and
the said gas-pipe system and mains are laid
upon, over and under the streets, alleys, lanes,
avenues, acuares and public places, as re
quired hereunder, then said bond to be deliv
ered up to the said Thomas McCssker, his
successors or aulas.
MEDICAL MEN MAKE REPLY
RES EXT CHARGES MADE- BY DR.
3PCOR5IACK, OF KENTUCKY.
His CritIclhis-6f-ProfcssIon in Ore-
. gon Declared Unjnst by Portland
Society Answer Prepared.
Quite a stir has been caused in the med
ical fraternity of this state by a letter
written by Dr. J. N. McCormack. of
Bowling Green. Kv.. and oubllshed in the
Journal of the American Medical Associa
tion of Chicago. Jn the letter Dr. Mc
Cormack attacks the Portland City and
County .Medical Socletv. Accusing it of
lacking harmony among its members, fol
lowing a loose system and sot being up
to modern standards; also charging that
the state board is too easv on students
applying for licenses and that there is
great deal of professional Jealousy
among members of the association.
A committee was at once annotated hv
the society to draw
This was sent to the Journal several days
ago. Tbe letter contained a general de
nial Of Dr. McCormflek' lafimAnt 'nnrt
challenges him to produce proof. The
commitee wa enmivwoii nf tw TnnVii
Wilson. McKenrle, Coe, Carll and Glesy.
RESERVED FOR RESERVOIR
Entries on Cold Spring Tract Can
celedSettlers Compensated.
OREGONIAN N'EWS BUREAU. Wash..
Feb. 5. The Secretary of the Interior
has finally withdrawn the following de
scribed lands in the state of Oregon, for
use in connection with the Cold Springs
reservoir. Umatilla Irrigation-project:
Willamette meridian T. 5. N.. RSL.
section 24 SE. tf NE. U SEL . SW. U:
T. 5 N. R. 29 E., section U. SE. U. NE. U;
i- & il. Zi r-., section 25. NE. U SEL i;
T. 4 N., R. 29 E.. section 3, E. i NW. U.
NW. U XE. M; T. N.. R. 29 EL, section
3. NW. H NW. 4. SEL H SW. U; T. 5 X.,
R. 30 E., section 31, X. SW. J, N".
SE. U-
These lands were temporarily with
drawn on August 1G. 19C5. for examination
and survey, and their use has been found
necessary for reservoir purposes. The
secretary has directed the Commissioner
of the General Land Office to notify all
persons who have made entry of such
lands prior to the preliminary withdrawal
and who have not acquired a vested right
thereto, that said lands have been appro
priated for irrigation purposes, and that
their entries will be canceled and their
Improvements paid for by the Govern
ment, unless sufficient cause Is shown
within 69 days from date of such notice.
OH Calmed the Sea.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. C The Ameri
can Line steamship Xoordlland arrived
here today from Liverpool and Queens
town, four days late. The steamer en
countered a succession of heavy gales,
and several times during the voyage had
to lay to for hours. Oil was frequently
used with good effect to calm the sea.
Gray's Special Sale
CONTINUES UNTIL MARCH 1st
All Chesterfield Suits of fancy pat
terns included in this sale. Single and
double-breasted Model , Sacks and
English Walking Frock Suits. Many
medium weights suitable for wear
during the Summer season. Some
BLACKS and BLUE SERGES, also,
in odd sizes
-v
At the Following .Great Reductions
Any $18 or $20 Suit
Sale Price
Any $22.50 or $25 Suit
Sale Price
Any $30 or $35 Suit . ,
Sale Price im
$12.50
$16.50
$23.50
CHESTERFIELD SUITS are 50 per cent
better than any ready-for-wear clothes made.
If the front of the coat in any Chesterfield
Suit breaks or loses shape in one year's wear,
customer gets a NEW SUIT FREE. Take
advantage oF this great,.opportunity of sup
plying your clothing needs.
R. M. GRAY
Remember the Place
269-271 Morrison St.
MOT GET K1LBUBN
Steamer May Be Placed on
Run to Alaska.
IS AS- FAST AS ROANOKE
Committee Which Is Endeavoring to
Establish Line From Portland to
the North Expects to
Hear Todays
Nothing will be done by the committtee
representing the four commercial organi
zations of Portland which has under con
sideration the establishment of a line of
steamships to Alaska until the owners of
the steamer Kilburn are heard from. It
is expected that by today the committee
will have received the terms by which the
Kilburn can b engaged. A meeting will
be called if the expected communication
Is received and definite action will be
taken on the proposition submitted by the
owners of the steamships Roanoke and
Kilburn. Then If It is decided to contract
.'or one of the two vessels a mass meeting
of tbe business men will be called.
It Is thought that unless immediate
action is taken that the steamship Roan
oke will be lost to Portland as both Seat
tle and San Francisco are negotiating for
the steamship. It Is not probable, how
ever, that the Roanoke will be contracted
for by the merchants of Portland as some
of the members of the committee believe
the terms submitted by Charles P. Doe,
manager of the North Pacific Steamship
Company, are too high. Much hQpe is
Placed upon the proposition to be sub
mitted by the Kilburn.
While the Kilburn Is as fast a vessel
as tho Roanoke it has a tonnage of only
5C0 tons -vhlle the latter steamship can
load about 2C0CO tons of freight. The Kil
burn carries about 72 passengers. and the
Roanoke about 350 passengers. It is be
lieved that If the Steamer Kilburn is put
on the line that the returns will be so
big that the merchants of Portland will
not hesitate to charter more vessels.
A significant fact in connection with
the establishment of a line of steamers
to ply between Portland and Alaska
points Is that 11 nlen have applied. at the
office of the Northern Pacific Steamship
Company in Portland for passage on the
Roanoke within the last Ave days. These
men believed that the Roanoke had been,
chartered by the merchants of this city.
This has done much to encourage the
committee which has the matter in hand.
Seattle has about 11 ships which run
between Nome and that port and the
business has grown to such vast propor
tions that it is clamoring for more ships.
If the committee of the four commer
cial organizations does not do anything
the Soard of Trade will continue the agi
tation. It will next try to Induce the
merchants to charter outright or buy
some of the available vessels instead of
making a contract for them. In case the
committee cannot see its way clear to
accept the terms offered by the various
ship owners.
nols. seeking- a home in the iTorthweat. t
cannot restrain from asking our would-be
Representatives why they should pledge
themselves under any circumstances to vota
for a Democrat for United States Senator.
Have you in your party none who are not
big enough, broad enough and possessed of
statesmanship enough to represent your
state? If not, then disband, reorganize and
start anew.
If this be good party policy, why not ex
tend It and ask your electors to cast their
vote for a Democratic President if it should
so happen he should have the popular vote.
The solid vote of the South for years show
the wisdom of our present way. No less
our present way of electing Senators. Their
term of office being for six years, making
them less responsive to public clamor, they
respond more slowly to changes in popular
sentiment and much to the advantage of
the people, aa the past has shown in so
many Instances. Until some better way is
found, why not follow the old landmarks?
True, we do not want to stop the- wheels of
progress, but neither do wo want to become
a party of fads. Pardon my presumption,
but I can but have the good of party and
country in view. J. w. THORNTON:.
Eastern Men Are Sane.
INDEPENDENCE. Or.. Feb. 33. (To the
Editor.) I am only two weeks from Illi-
4 '
CASTOR I A
Tor Infants and Children.
Tin Kind You Havi Always Boujht
Bears the
Signature of
1ENTS
Toothache Gum
Tbs only remtdy that stops tcothacaa
Tb only toothache gam that cleaas
th cavity,scd prersnts decay.
Imlfitios do not do tbe work. See taat
TOKgatBaat's Tootkache Cam, TIlw
Label. AUUdrasgutsiicentt.or bysasu.
Dent's Ctri Gm
C. S. DENT 4 CO.. Dttr.lt. Mich.
KTEAXSX F. A. KILBURN. WHICH MAY BE CHARTERED. TOR THE ALASKA RUN.
sM
Dr. W. Norton Davis
IN A WEEK
We treat successfully all private- nerv
ous and chronic diseases of men, also
blood, stomach, heart. liver, kidney and
throat trouble. We cure SYPHILIS (with
out mercury) to stay cured forever. We
remove STRICTURE, without operation
or pain. In 12 days.
We stop drains, spermatorrhoea and
night losses by a new method. In a short
time. We can restore the sexual vigor of
any man under 50. by means of local treat
ment peculiar to ourselves.
WE CURE GONORRHOEA IN A WEEK
The doctors of this institute are. all reg
ular graduates, hata had over 20 years'
I experience, have been known In Portland
for many years, have a reputation to
maintain, and will undertake no case un
less certain cure can be effected.
We guarantee a cure in avery case- we
undertake or charge no fee. Consultation
free. Letters confidential. Instructive
BOOK FOR MEN mailed free in plain
wrapper.
If you cannot call at office, write for
question blank. Home treatment success
faL Of nee hours. J to S and 7 to 8. Sundays
and holidays. 10 to 12.
Dr. W. Norton Davis & Co.
Offices In Van Noy Hotel. SZ Third &U.
Corner Plus, Portland, 0 -