THE 3I0RNIXO OREQOXIAX, TUESDAY. MARQH 13, 1006.
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PORTLAND. TUESDAY. MARCH 13. 1900
GAS TROUBLES IN PORTLAND.
Tim nubile of Portland cannot rega
in R rates nor gas service as other
cities do. But it should; and the day
is coming when it will.
The Legislature has granted to the
Eastern stockholders and bondholders
who own the Portland Gas Company
the privilege of charging the people of
this city whatever rates tne .t-asieni
men choose to impose and to give in ex
change whatever quality of gas it suits
the nonresident owners to make.
The city authorities have no control
of this monopoly, but the next Legis
lature can give them the control that is
necessary for decent treatment to the
public
This absence of authority is the source
of the srraft practiced by the gas com
pany. Consumers complain against
high rates, poor gas, faulty meters, ex
tortionate charges, oppressive treat
ment, and other abuses; they go as
witnesses before the special investigai
lng committee of the City Council, to
Hell their troubles; they describe numer
"ous shortcomings of employes of the
gas company.
But these abuses are only effects;
the cause is the people's lack of power
to curb the monopoly. The people, can
get this power only from the Legisla
ture, and the Council of Portland can
petition the Legislature through reso
lution or memorial to let the people
have it.
The committee's probe has made plain
that the $1.15 rate is extortionate, and
the company has admitted the fact by
promising reduction to 95 cents on ilay
1. The probe has showed that the pen
alty charged by the company for delin
quent payments is exorbitant and the
company has reduced the penalty from
S5 cents a thousand feet to 10 cents, and
will lower it to a cents on May X. The
probe has brought to light cases of ar
bitrary exactions whose evidence has
been so conclusive that the company
could not deny them. The probe has
exposed secrets of stock-watering -and
bond inflation which the company could
defend only by saying "None of your
business" when asked to explain them.
Tomorrow night, in City Hall, the com
mittee will hear further testimony of
the same kind.
The investigation has accomplished a
great reform already; the price is to
be reduced, the penalty has been di
minished and the oppression has been
lessened In other ways. But the old
source -of the trouble still exists the
franchise which needs to be modified by
the Legislature so that the people shall
no longer be at the mercy of the com
pany. FREAK COLD SEASONS.
The present weather conditions are
abnormal in Oregon, but not by any
means unprecedented. While In gen
eral, as shown by the Tecords of the
Weather Bureau in more recent years,
and as preserved by the memories of
pioneers of an earlier era, mild Win
ter in the Pacific Northwest glides nat
urally into balmy Spring, there have
been exceptions to this' rule, one of
which we are now experiencing though
not enjoying.
Harking back to the Winter of '62, it
is remembered that severe weather in
February worked great hardship on the
farmers of the Willamette Valley, and
especially in the foothills, where the
snow lay In drifts -until well along In
April, swept from the lowlands by
sharp gales, leaving the young wheat
exposed and later throwing its roots,
by alternate freezing and thawing, out
of the ground. Fields were reseeded In
the Spring, however, and harvest condi
tions were normal. Again in 1878 se
vere March storms prevailed in East
ern Oregon,' and to a lesser degree in
the Willamette Valley,. The loss of
stock ori the ranges was excessive, as
up to that time no provision for Win-'
tor fMiWrrr Tad TKn moTn
In March, 1882, snow fell to a depth
of several Inches in the Willamette Val
ley, accompanied by a temperature
that was below the freezing point for
several days. All went well with the
crops, however, there being the usual
Fall abundance, both of grain and fruit
Again in 1898 a warm January caused
the buds to swell prematurely; orchards
"bloomed bravely and rose bushes and
other plants sent out tender shoots of
pink and red and- delicate bronze. Win
ter, mocking the confidence he had en
courages in the vogefeafete world, turned
troaefeerewsSy vtpett fete traces ia early j
February and gave vegetation a setback
from which it did not fully recover -until
June. There were no roses for Dec
oration day that year, but later there
was the usual abundance of bloom.
It is well to remember In all of these
Instances that harvest brought, if not
the usual abundance, at least an
abounding plenty, and that no failure
of crops, as Incident to abnormal
weather conditions in February and
March, is recorded.
It is frequently said that theclimate
of Oregon -has changed In the past fifty
or sixty years. There Is little warrant
in fact for this assertion. There has
been, as above shown, now and then a
year in which abnormal weather condi
tions have prevailed for a time at one
season or another. But this Is nothing
new, nor is it confined to the climate
of Oregon or of the Pacific Northwest.
The late Amos Cook, of Yamhill Coun
ty, often recalled that, on the morning
following the first night that he slept,
rolled -up in his blankets on what was
afterward his farm on the bank of the
Yamhill River, opposite La Fayette, he
awoke to find the grass and shrubbery
around him stiff with hoar froBt The
date was June 16, 1840. Beans and
other tender garden plants, even potato
vines, were cut to the ground and had
to be replanted, but he added that a
good growing Summer with occasional
rains followed, and. though -vegetables
were late, there was a great abundance.
There were only native fruits at that
time, and the wild strawberries, lus
cious and abundant, had ripened lefore
the June frost. Of the rest no mention
was made.
Other pioneers are on record with
similar reminiscences. These Incidents,
together with the records of later years,
prove the simple fact that there Is now
and then a freak season in Oregon
disappointing while it lasts, but pro
ducing no serious consequences. In the
main, however, year after year, balmy
Springs have succeeded mild, rainy
Winters, to be in turn succeeded by
growing, delightful Summers and fruit
ful Autumns. This is the full and well-
attested record of Oregon's matchless
climate.
COLONEL L. L. HAWKINS.
In the sudden death of Colonel L. L.
Hawkins Portland and the entire Pa
cific Northwest have suffered a great.
and, as it now seems, an Irreparable
loss. Though a careful and successful
business man. Colonel Hawkins was
first of all a man of public spirit. Es
sentially an "out-of-doors man," he
was observant of all that was going on
in the city and Its- environments.
Looking to the future, he planned
and worked in the Interest of our pub
lie parks; glancing backward, he was
indefatigable in his purpose to wrest
from the past such evidences of the life
and growth and events of that shad
owy time as could be obtained from
Nature's own record. In rocks and fos
sils, and In the implements and Instru
ments of a prehistoric time. With all
of this he was In the present a genial,
alert and conspicuous element.
The loss to the community in the
death of such a citizen cannot well be
computed. It is above and beyond all
assessment in a financial sense, and Is
In Us highest estimate outside of the
social realm, upon which, however, it
trenches painfully. It represents the
sudden arrest of a force that was mov
ing in the public interest, along lines
of practical and far-reaching useful
ness, of a type too often overlooked by
those who constitute the great work
ing force of a busy, striving age.
Well indeed may the city mourn the
sudden going out. in the prime of his
years and the fullness of his endeavor.
of this earnest, useful man. As the
earth opens on the morrow to receive
Into her sheltering bosom all that is
mortal of L. L. Hawkins, those who
make the sacred consignment maj' fitly
teay:
Mother, a faithful n wo brlnp thte here.
UNION FOR FARMERS AND ORCHARD-
1STS.
The old complaint against the farm
ers, that their motto Is "each for him
self," Is fast becoming obsolete. In Its
place is heard "In union is strength."
For union Invades every department of
life on farm and orchard.
Never, In the history of Oregon, has
this movement been so rapid as in the
year now opened. Each week fresh in
cidents are chronicled, and until they
are summed up in review the fact of a
general progress along this line Is hard
ly noticed. For progress it Is, and on
steps once gained there Is no retreat.
In this way the tillers of the soil, in all
their grades and pursuits the most
conservative of men take part in the
world's plan of associated action.
Hood River demonstrated that fruit
rowers could combine, with advantage
to all, in sale of their products under
one name which Identified the fruit
with the place that produced IL At
once followed the raising of the stand
ard of the article sold from Individual
to uniform grade of excellence. Then
ambition stirred the whole community
to reach that standard. With the gen
eral treauty and high grade of the fruit
the markets of the world were opened.
buyers multiplied, prices rose and be
came steady as the scope of transac
tions was enlarged. Improved prepara
tion of the goods for sale, and wider
commercial steps In handling the en
larged product, were Justified. A typ
ical Instance of the benefits of associ
ated action is before us.
That such an example should be fol
lowed is Inevitable. -The earlier steps
vastly Improved care of existing or
chards, and tho creation of new or
chards on approved lines are seen from
one end of the state to the other. Such
measures stand, of course, at the very
outset of the upward climb. So strong
ly has public opinion declared Itself
that ere long a foul orchard will dis
grace its owner as much as a scabby
flock of sheep.
County and local associations are
spreading everywhere In Oregon. In
the orchard world, then, the principle
of association is already in full swing.
Little attention has been given to the
movement in Linn County for estab
lishing a fruitgrowers and gardeners'
co-operative cannery. It appears, from
the Albany papers, to have taken firm
hold, and to have passed the danger
stage of early Infancy. This is An
other outgrowth of the same sturdy
plant. That It should have been so late
in adoption is accounted for by the very
abundance of the products of orchard
and garden. And the scarcity and cost
of transportation have been the direct
cause of waste and neglect.
It needs but little foresight, or imag
ination, to see the farmers wacons
waiting at every cfoeeroad for the elec
tric car. Those who so co-operated as
t-e own and supply ta cannery, which i
jwewrve and OMverts the awrplea i
produce fraa retard at4 garden isto ,
wholesome and marketable food, are
doing good service to the whole com
munity here, as well as to the multi
tude waiting, the world over, to be feo.
For themselves it goes without say
ing that they have created a new
source of great profit in the balance
sheet of the farm.
So "in the work of the dairyman. The
first aim of their associations Is to
learn. They are practicing a new In
dustry, where supreme excellence can
be had, but where world-wide compe
tition is in sight, and must be met. Of
no use is it to have the best pasture,
the best climate, the purest water, the
largest markets in the world and the
best cows, if the butter, cream, cheese
and milk are not up to the highest
standards for flavor, purity and com
paratlve cheapness. The dairymen rec
ognlze that to know comes before to do
But this one principle will lead them to
the same success that the dairymen of
Denmark have achieved by the same
means.
In the growing of grain and of hops.
in the raising of horses and all other
breeds of stock, in the pooling of all
products of the farm, the earlier steps
in association are In evidence. These
will -be followed In due time by such
linking together of individual Interests
through the whole range of production
as Is seen today In evory other field of
human action and endeavor.
A NEW CHAPTER TO AN OLD STORY.
Again disaster has visited a coal
mine, leaving death and wreck In Its
wake, and again the wailings of moth
ers, wives and children are heard at
the pit's mouth. The district of Cour
rleres, France. Is the scene of this lat
est tragedy, the greatest. It is said, that
has ever occurred In connection with
coal mining In that country. More
than 1000 miners perished as the result
of the explosion that first wrecked and
then set fire to the shaft In which they
were a work last Saturday. Many
blackened, unrecognizable bodies have
been taken from the pit, but eo resent
ful are the forces of Nature In revolt
that the recovery of each body fcj
fraught with danger to the life of the
rescuer from the flames and fumes and
deadly gases which form Nature's un
derground batteries.
The story Is an old one, but It will
over be new, because it will never be
finished. A chapter at a time Is chroni
cled; the scene of the fresh recital be
ing here and there, wherever shafts are
sank for the mining of coal. There is
but little variation In these recitals.
The conditions precedent to the disas
ter are everywhere similar. If not Iden
tical. Careful supervision has con
trolled them to a certain extent, else
would coal mining at great depths be
impossible; but the greatest care has
not been able to insure against the oc
currence of explosions of gas and fire
damp. Ignited no one knows how, ex
actly, since no one In the immediate
vicinity of the explosion survives to toll
the tale. Usually, it Is said, the care
lessness of a miner, who, having lived
for years In the presence df danger,
has come to minimize its possibilities.
Is responsible. Whatever the cause.
the effect is the same. There Is noth
ing to do but to make the best of con
ditions, ropair and reopen the shaft and
send a new force of men Into it to do
their part In meeting a great and ever
growing commercial demand.
Temporary relief for the families of
those who perish in mine disasters is
usually provided In this country by the
operating company to whom the mine
belongs, aided. In many instance, by
public contributions. In a vast major
ity of cases the support of the family
stops with the life of Its head, and to
help the dependents to help themselves
is the kind office of practical philan
thropists. Effort in this direction Is
not always rewarded by success. Hand-
to-mouth habits of living are not easily
corrected; thrift Is not encouraged by
the miner's wage and habits, and fam
ilies thrown upon their own resources
for a livelihood are not easily placed
upon their feet. But the effort to do
this is at once commendable and neces
sary. Through It the stricken ones are
enabled to bury their dead, and, facing
the inevitable, find some way looking
to self-support.
If there la a new element In the story
of mining disaster, as chronicled In re
cent years, it Is that Infused by a wise
philanthropy, that seeks to adjust to
new conditions the problem of what
shall we eat and wherewithal shall we
be housed and clothed, on those whose
dependence has been upon the earn
ings of the victims of disaster.
For the rest, the bare facts, repre
sented by explosion and death, frantic
efforts to recover entombed and black
ened bodies, the walls of widows, the
sobs of mothers, the plaints of children,
the horror that appalls the community,
are but the duplicates of mining dis
aster throughout the centuries.
FORCED CULTURE.
Mr. Luther Burbank, wizard of the
vegetable world,' is reported as having
said that the salvation of the human
race lies in applying to children the
marvels which he has wrought In the
vegetable world. He has combined, as
is well known, the best points of vege
tables and fruits of different types and
strains, producing in the process won
ders in the domains of agriculture and
horticulture, reaching In somo in
stances absolute perfection In size,
flavor and color In his cross-productions.
Against the assumption that human
beings could be Improved and brought
to perfection by diligent application of
the principles which Mr. Burbank ap
plies to plants crossbreeding and high
culture candid science enters Its pro
test. All the triumphs of forced cul
ture, It Is cited, are shadowed by the
specter of enfeeblement and decay the
child of family and breeding, no less
than the Kentucky thoroughbred. The
Jersey cow, as aptly said by George
Horace Lorlmer, is heir to many more
than a thousand natural Ills. The
great Darwin himself pointed out that
any species, when forced Into another
environment than that to which the
habit of centuries has accustomed It,
tends to lose native vigor.
Following this Idea, It is not Improb
able that Mr. Burbank's seedless ap
ple, as the years go on, will require In
fusion again from the humble but nor
mal parent stock, In order that It may
escape extinction.
Much can be done and adjy needs
to be done, says the writer first quoted,
in the breeding of the human race.
But he adds: "Perfection, If It comes,
will be the result of breeding, not for
points, but for the norm." ,
The truth Is that all about us in the
realm of every day's natural environ
ment. He opportunities which, with
proper apprehension and diligence,
might be turned Into achievement and
character. Wkedom will come, net In
fercl&g strange and alien traits, but ia
developing the tendencies that are
common to us all tendencies which
lead to fair and. indeed, so far as we
may yet discern, boundless achieve
ment along lines that are not at vari
ance with the normal facts of creation
and reproduction.
New York gamblers and clergymen
have perfected an alliance for the pur
pose of abolishing racetrack gambling,
something which the officers of the law
seem unable or unwilling to do. Gam
bling In all forms is a pernicious vice,
but the racetracks annually turn oft
more suicides, embezzlers and default
ers than all other forms of gambling
combined. The clergymen's alliance
will probably be successful, for the
American spirit of fair play will not
permit the prohibition of one class of
gambling while a more pernicious
form is openly indulged in. We had a
local example of this fact last year
when an overzealous county omelal
was Industriously raiding pinochle and
seven-up games and at the same tlmo
was refusing to stop racetrack gam
bllng. Racetrack gambling was stopped
not by the Sheriff, but by the men
whose pinochle and seven-up games
had been interfered with- Human na
ture is much the same in Portland as It
Is in New York.
The latest story of the oily generosity
of John D. Rockefeller is to the effect
that he will give $1,000,000 to establish
National Juvenile Courts. If the source
from which this $1.000. COO comes can be
carefully concealed from the Juveniles
who might profit by the use of the
money, some good may be accomplished
with it. If, on the contrary. It be
comes known to the Juveniles that
tainted money Is behind the institution
established for the purpose of guiding
them to a better life, the court will
cease to be an influence for good. The
millions of John D. Rockefeller have
made their presence felt In too many
courts already, and it Is to be hoped
that their blighting influence will not
fall on the Juvenile Court, a compara
tively new institution, which has ac
compllshed much good.
The Ameer of Afghanistan Is a re
sourceful man, and apparently does
not believe In protracted trials of the
culprits whom he suspects of plotting
against him. The commander-in-chief
of his army led a revolt against him
recently, and the Ameer promptly
seized him and had him blown from a
cannon in full view of all of the rebels.
Similar treatment was given to a num
ber of other ringleaders, and, according
to a dispatch from Pashawar, "the
army Is now quiet." This method of
punishing subjects for political offenses
Is not fnew, but its use in this tlay of
twentieth-century civilization indicates
that Russia is hardly entitled to first
honors for unique, barbarous punish
ment inflicted on hose who are not in
accord with the jkdIIcv of those in
power.
EJnar Mikkelson, the explorer. Is at
Victoria negotiating for a schooner
with which he expects to set sail to the
Far North. Unlike most of tho Arctic
explorers, EJnar Is not In quost of the
north pole, but expects to find a large
Island ia the Far North. As other ex
plorers for several centuries have beon
cruising around the vicinity In which
this mysterious island Is supposed to be
located, without finding it. a discovery
at this late day would hardly prove of
great value. A frozen island In a local
ity so inaccessible that it has not yet
been reached would hardly prove a
very great prize, even If it were found.
EJnar would find it more profitable and
comfortable to sail south and discover
an island which produced coconnuts,
guano or something of marketable
value.
Pacific University has sustained a se
vere loss in the burning of Herrlck
Hall, the young women's dormitory
connected with that Institution. The
construction of this hall marked what
might be called the second era of this
pioneer university. It was built in 1SS2
and has been an Important adjunct to
the work of the school for nearly a
quarter of a century. The homes of
citizens of Forest Grove have opened
hospitably to receive the students
burned out of house and home, and the
friends of the university will be glad
to know that college work will proceed
without interruption.
New Jersey has an Insurance lnves
ligation In prospect which Includes a
street railway, a gas and a steam rail
road Investigation as side shows. Sen
ator Dryden 4s to play the part of Mr.
McCurdy. It will come off. If Everett
Colby can induce the New Jersey Leg
islature to give the order, but "If" In
this case Is a very big word. A nice.
comfortable investigation by a commit
tee of the United States Senate, with
Depew for chairman, would bo vastly
more pleasant and respectable than
these state affairs. No wonder Dryden
longs for Federal control of life insur
ance. One of the faults of the old conven
tion system was that occasionally can
didates were nominated who proved to
be loads upon the ticket. It. devolves
on the people now to see that no man
shall be nominated who must be
dragged through the campaign and
caved from defeat by a narrow margin.
Every voter In the primaries Is expected
to cat his ballot for that man who
will add most strength to the ticket
and be least open to attack from the
opposing party. This applies not only
to Republicans, but to Democrats.
Would municipal ownership increase
civic corruption or diminish it? If cor
ruption comes entirely from the fran
chise-seeking corporations. It must
cease to exist when they do. If It Is
an Incurable moral disease of the Amer
ican people, the more control they have
over public affairs the worse it will be.
The fact cannot be denied that the
greed for special privilege Is the cause
of most of our municipal corruption
thus far, and It is bad logic to argue
that destruction of the cause will in
crease the effect.
Jtabbl Joseph Silverman, of New
York, will do well to give up trying to
Induce the aristocratic city churches to
discard their historic names Trinity.
Emanu-El, Plymouth and each take a
number Instead. .The names of the
churches are more than local designa
tions, they are living spirits. To dis
card them would be a sort of murder,
just as it would be to suppress the
names of the characters in "HamleL"
Democrats in Multnomah County
have "Invited" candidates the same as
their brethren In Umatilla, in Lane and
in the state at large. Fortunately, Re
publicans can keep the primary law
inviolate; tnetr candidate do not need
to be "invited."
THE SILVER LINING.
Br A. II. Ballard.
"Life Is a runny proposition, after alL"
Goorge M. Cohan In "Little Johnny Jone."
It's a, long, long trip.
Mark, we tread the path but once;
We make full many a slip.
And we often play tho dunce.
There are days of dreary measure.'
There Is sunshine and there's rain,
Thore's a certain meed of pleasure,
And thcro's lots and lots of pain.
As we struggle and we travel,
Ltt us dance while yet we may;
Lot us sing as we unravel
Life's mysterious, winding way.
Our dancing and our singing
May cheer our fellow-man:
.Our voices may be ringing
Where sadness Just has been.
We know not what the morrow
Will bring, or take, or lend;
It may bo Joy or sorrow
Or it may be the end.
I belicvo It has a meaning.
Thin sheer uncertainty:
Wo're standing or we're leaning.
Whichever it may be.
If we controlled tho beauties
Of sky and earth and man. -
If we prescribed our duties m
And laid out all the plan
If we couhl view our station
Only a day ahoad.
We'd spoil tho whole creation
And wish that wc were dead!
To make a meeting gladder.
To make strong hearts prise.
To make a parting sadder.
To make great love the prlzo;
To make a friend the truer.
End trouble of any size.
To make the heavens bluer.
Life is one long surprise.
Do yH want peace of mind? Be square.
One He Involves many other lies, and
thon a whole lqt of truth-telling and the
last is awfut
Man's Yearning.
The sweetest thing In the world found yet
Is the coveted dollar wo didn't get,
Say "Twenty-three" to a woman, and
she'll think you are complimenting h'or on
her age; but It won't go with soubrettes,
my boy; it won't go with soubrettes.
Definitions.
(Tips on the Race of Life.)
PARTNER One who distrusts you.
HAT A man uses what he calls a hat
as an airtight cage to produce baldness;
a woman usos what she calls a hat as an
ornament with which to decorate her hair.
FUNERAL In the case of some people
It Is the time of the relatives' lives.
HELPMEET A woman who spends
your money.
GROCER The man who charges you
with other people's supplies.
DOG An animal superior to man.
. FIDELITY The name of an ancient in
surance company that defrauded people;
secondarily, it has come to be a general
term meaning all the stuff and nonsense
and hypocrisy contalneU In promises be
tween two or more person.1.
ARM A part of the human body the
function of which Is hugging.
COMPLEXION Anything bought by a
woman to cover up a fruit-cake face.
DESPAIR That's Just before she plcka
up another fellow.
TIRED The way your girl feels often.
but never tells you of it until she gets
ready to say sklddoo.
GAS GRAFT AND OTHER GREED
Pilot Rock Record.
The trend of public opinion toward the
slow but sure growth of the Inherent right
of the great army of breadwinners to
curb the rapacity of corporations and
franchise-grabbers has been conspicu
ously brought to light In the light now
being made by the Portland Oreeonbm
In the Interest of the gas consumers of
that city. The Oregonlan Is an extremely
conservative nowspaper, loyal to its town
and the State of Oregon, where It Is read
by every intelligent reader and every
where regarded as the ablest edited news
paper in the United States. Its Influence
Is second to no other newsnnnor in tK
West, because of Its reliability and the
uepenaenco mm can he placed In Its
statements of facts. Th ninihn i
always sure of Its footing before it takes
an advanced step, and, while not always
a molder of public opinion, is neverthe
less a trustworthy renmspnt.-Mv nf Tr.K
He opinion. For 30 years The Oregonlan
nas wunessea me growtn or the gas trust
In Portland, and for SO vrars hn Vonf nn
attentive eye on Its operations. With the
growin or Portland, tne tru?t has grown
In insolence and abuse, and was laying
Its nlans to continue thU nhnco fni nil
time until a- halt was called by The Ore-
goman. resulting in an Investigation Into
the craft practiced bv thi rnrnnrn t Ion
authorized by the City Council, which has
brought to Hg'ht many interesting facts.
xnc aouraai oi mai city, now Deing en
gineered bv a former rldn nf tho
county, who went to Portland wtfh n
shoestring and lifted several thousand dol
lars irom me pocKets or. millionaire fran-ehlse-crrarjber??.
! nnir V.plnir itit v
mouthpiece of the plutocrats, although
osicnsioiy conducted in tne interest or the
"dear people." When the gas trust was
attacked bv The Oresronlnn. it vena
brought to light who the real owners of
inc journal were, as mc Journal was
forced Into a defense of its sinclchnMprn
A newspaper run In the Interest of the so-
caueu common people Dy fortiand mil
lionaires and plutocratic franchise whales
presents an anomaly In newspaperdom.
Aftftr irottlnir control nf vnlnnhlo f mr
chises and becoming emboldened In the
aouse or tne privileges granted them, the
nmr nf the mi romn.mr nnil f h "Vin-
solldated Railway Company, and other
commnies carrvlncr valuable frnnoh!o
and practicing extortion and graft, sought
to control mc pontics oi ine suite Dy
subsidizing a dally newspaper In Port
land- care was taken to ken In thn
haekeround the real sunnorterR nf th.r nr.
gan. whose policy was first to pursue a
aaiif onsiauHiHui ubusc un i ne viregoman
and pose as a representative and expo
nent of the "man with the hni Th
duplicity of the paper was soon brought
io iin"i u) xuc vivbuuuiu, wmcn niter
two long years of forbearance, published
the names of the stockholders and ex
posed the combination and the schemes
that were being hatched.
Tn annlosrv for taklnrr nnMf nf trl,
T-ndd miner hna had tn m r- ohmit
The Oregonlan in a recent Issue says:
Th Oreronlan did not ber In th i?niri-
tlan. ner did tho vilification btcta lost v....
It btgan fullr two years earlier, and by Mr!
It irax continued by and throth Me
paper till The Orejronlan conceded that for
bearance on It part was no longer required.
Bat It corned to attack or retort on Mr.
Ladd's hired men. It dealt with Mr. Ladd
himself.
Also Galloway and Cochran.
Roscburg Review.
Candidate Hawlcy Informs the Review
that he does not ride upon a ratksa.a3r.
Glad to know IL Tooce and Hstn, what
have you to say for yenraelVM?
WHY GIRLS GOTO COLLEGE?
Philadelphia North American.
A mother who took a house within
sight of tho campus of one of the larger
coeducational universities of the Middle
West, where her daughter had entered as
a student, writes to the Independent to
tell of the distractions of the college so
rorities. The picture Is one of strcnu
ousness that seems to surpass even that
of the "frats."
According to the inter-fraternity con
tractthe mother speaks of these col
lege sisterhoods as fraternities "spiking"
and "rushing" were limited to ten days.
It appears that "spiking" and "rushlnc"
are terms covering all methods of com
petition among the fraternities for deslr
able members. The articles of war were
framed with a view to reducing the
ratner alarmingly large expense of land
lng new sisters.
a a
The following- list of the dauchtcr"8 en.
tertdlnments during the ten days of the
"rushing" season Is taken from her
diary:
Tuesday morning Alpha Gamma glrta called
to take m? to hIct. ud: they Invited me to
drive again In the afternoon.
Wednesday afternoon A luncheon party at
.Mr?. F 's, a Sigma alumnut.
Thursday morning Dnjye with the Slsmas
aunn; cnapet period.
Thumlay evening- Big- Gamma dance, at
which all the fraternity men were present.
Friday nlsht Sigma dance.
Saturday morning A number of Gamma
cirla called.
Saturday afternoon Gamma Teceptioa to the
resident alumni and freshmen girls being
-'rushed."
Saturday evening Dance given by the Delta
Xus (men's fraternity), to which many of the
frrabmen being "rushed" were invited.
Sunday morning Drove with tho SIgmas.
Monday afternoon Gammas called.
Tuenday afternoon Sigma reception to a!
umnl and girls In the "rush."
Tuesday evening Gamma dinner party to
the girls they are "rushing."
Wednclay afternoon The formal Invitations
to Join their societies were sent out simul
taneously at 2 o'clock by all the fraternities.
a a
Ellen the daughter Anally put on the
blgma colors, but It appears that the
motnef3 sigh of relief was premature.
That very ay the neophyte was Invited
to an informal dance to celebrate the
Sigma victory, and her mother was sur
prised by the first evidence of sorority
Influence. It was an appeal on Ellen's
part for "something to wear." a thing
before unheard of In that family.
The next day there was an invitation
from one of Ellen's fraternity sisters to
assist her at the llrst of a series of small
card parties which she was to 'give to
her favorite men's fraternities.
At the end of. two weeks the social
pace seemed to be Increasing In speed
rather than diminishing. There were
football games, big formal dances of
mens and women's fraternities, celebra
tions for newly won members, and
spreads by the "spikes themselves.
At the end of the fifth week the mother
couldn't see that Ellen had had any time
for study, and the girl had lost live
pounds under the social pressure.
It was Ellen's father who solved tho
problem by making an unalterable rule
that one evening a week was all that was
to be devoted to dances, and that 12
o'clock was the dead line in the matter
of time
Ellen thought she faced social ostra
cism under the rule, but her fraternity
sisters made allowances for necessity and
voted her father a "brute."
Incidentally the mother relates an il
luminating incident of how a fraternity
member boasted of having voted six
times for a brother who was a candidate
for a certain university honor. The gang
method was justified on the score that
it was necessary to keep a "barb pre
sumably alert for barbarian, or plebeian
out of the position, and the barbs '
outnumbered the fraternity members six
to one.
POLITICAL GOSSIP IN OREGON
Pranks of Democrats.
Toledo Leader.
The Democrats of Oregon seem to have
got thlng3 turned tail end to and are se
lecting candidates for indorsement at the
primaries. The scheme, at least, has the
merit of economy, and Is rather easily
carried out during a period when leaders
of a forlorn hope are conspicuous for their
scarcity.
Others, Too, Are Worthy.
Astoria Astorian.
The man or men In this County of Clat
sop who are attempting to spread the doc
trlno that "the Republican legislative
ticket must be elected, whatever shall be
come of the balance of the candidates." 13
speaking without authority and without
Judgment. It Is an erroneous and dan
gerous doctrine and subversive of the
best Interests of the party. Clatsop Coun
ty must go Republican, from United
States Senator to Constable of her last
precinct. Every one knows the righteous
necessity of sending up a strong Repub
Ucan representation to the Capitol, and It
Is all right that such a plea should bo
heralded, but not in the exclusive sense.
nor to the detriment of a slnele element
of the ticket. There must be no segrega
tlon. no Indifference, no pandering to any
clique, faction. Interest, nor constituent
phase, of any sort; tho ticket, as a whole,
must invite the absolute and unqualified
concern of the Republicans of this county.
Tor to embarrass It with peculiar or di
vergent action Is to threaten not alone
the restoration of tho dominant party to
power in this county, but the success of
the larger party interests in the Senate.
It Is a false premise and cannot be aban
doned too quickly If the opposition Is to
be put where all minorities, good, bad and
Indifferent, are supposed to be. There Is
a plain and significant duty confronting
the earnest and honest Republicans here,
and If the work cut out for them Is not
done to a verity and completeness re
quired by every consideration of safety
and success, the Democrats will not be
in the line of reproach: they will be ut
terly exempt by reason of the fact that
what they shall win will have been delib
erately handed out to them, the largess of
treachery and the spoils of Republican
faithlessness.
That Democratic "Assembly."
Eugene Register.
It Is an amusing spectacle to observe
the political vagaries of our friends, the
Democrats. There was no surcease of
clamor from them until a primary law
was enacted. This great and independent
commonwealth was sick of conventions;
the common people had no voice In nomi
nations; the slate was a menace to free
Institutions and the political boss was an
unprincipled grafter. The Democrats of
fered the people release from oppression
In the form of a primary law. Now that
law Is only fit for Republicans to observe;
It was never Intended as a monitor for
the Democrats; there was no skulldug
gery, except In Republican politics, and
Democrats consider themselves at liberty
to Ignore the law and spurn it as a useless
and cumbersome arrangement. The Dem
ocratic "assembly" held In Portland .on
Tuesday, at which time a full state ticket
was practically nominated, brinirs out the
real purpose the Democrats had In rec
ommending the primary law to commit
the Republicans to Its recognition and as
sure a big crop of candidates among- Re
publicans, with the hope of eventual dis
sension. ,
Observe the time-honored belief that a
Democrat sticketh closer than a brother.
They are always found united on any po
litical campaign other than National,
though they urge any scheme they think
will disintegrate the Republican party. So.
with Republicans foUewiag the spirit of
the law, and the Democrats holding con
vfcntkHWV It seenw we shall have the best
f the argument, after an. ,
80-CENT GAS JFOR BALTIMORE
Baltimore Sun.
IX the plans of those promoting the en
terprise can be successfully carried
through, Baltimore is likely to havo an
other rival gas company. Ycsterduy's dis
patches from Annapolis tell of the intro
duction by Senator Perkins. In the Senate,
of ti bill to Incorporate the Maryland Gas
light, Heat & Power Company and also
names the incorporators.
The charter was drawn by Thomas Ire
land Elliott, who Is enthusiastic on the
proposition and discussed its purposes and
outlook freely.
"We have no desire to arouse antagon
ism," said Mr. Elliott, "but we aro con
vinced that there is room for another ga3
company in Baltimore. While the charter
permits the company to operate in Mary
land, wherever tho necessary franchises
can be obtained, it Is obvious to any one
that the logical field of the corporation is
right here la Baltimore City, and here is
where operations will first be commenced
when the necessary legal authority Is ob
tained. This is by no means a hasty con
ception. It has been thought over long
and patiently and it has ben finally dem
onstrated to the satisfaction of those wil
ling to Invest their money in tho enter
prise that gas can be profitably furnished
to consumers at SO cents per 100O cubic
feet. The bill thcreforo is explicit on this
point. The company when in operation
may charge as much less SO cents as It
sees fit. but It Is positively prohibited
from exceeding this rate.
"Another clause In the bill, on which too
much stress cannot be laid, is that it ab
solutely checks any combination, merger
or sale of the corporation to any other
company in the same line of'buslness. In
framing this clause I endeavored to be as
explicit and clear as the English lan
guage would admit of. Not only did I
make It clear In a direct way. but also
made It retroactive, as it were, and the
clause. I think. Is absolutely binding and
will be so accepted by any one reading
and construing it.
"These two points therefore should glvo
assurance to the citizens of Baltimore that
the bill Is In their Interest. It first assures
SO-cent gas, which certainly all will ap
prove, and It Is practically ironclad In
affording competition, to which I thins no
consumer of gas will object.
"The capital to float the company 13 In
sight, and when the charter is granted we
can soon demonstrate our ability to take
care of the financial end. The stock 13
limited to 53.COO.000. but we believe that
with even less than this sum we can in
time erect the needed works and lay mains
to meet all requirements in the city. Of
course this will take time, but no ono
need fear that the money will not be
forthcoming.
"My Interest In this subject was first
aroused by the assertion made by Joseph
Streibcr, who operates a gas plant in
Highlandtown and parts of Canton, that
he could probably furnish gas in the city
at SO cents. I was interested in this case
in the courts, and. by the way. the Court
of Appeals upheld the contention that an
individual could manufacture and sell gas.
although ho had no right to lay and
maintain mains without municipal permis
sion. "In studying this subject it was demon
strated to my satisfaction, and to the sat
isfaction of those who are willing to put
up the money, that gas can be supplied
at SO cents per 1000 cubic feet and money
made on this basis for the corporation
which might secure all necessary legal
rights to go ahead with the worK.
"It is no theory with us. The subject
has been digested from every standpoint.
We see profit ahead, of course. This Is no
philanthropic scheme, nop Is It a measure
to fight existing corporations from any
selfish purpose. We will enter the field,
as outlined, for profit, and we eel assured
that the profit is awaiting us as soon as
we get the right to serve the public on the
lines mapped out."
The bill provides that the corporation
shall have full power and authority to
erect and maintain the necessary works,
plant and appliances for the manufacture
of gas for the purpose of -light, heat and
power and to manufacture, sell and de
liver gas when manufactured, said gas to
be or standard quality, purity, illuminat
ing power and pressure, and to be fur
nished by said corporation to consumers
at a cost or price not to exceed a rate of
SO cents a thousand cubic feet.
The company Is to have the right to lay
Its pipes connecting Its plant with the
points of consumption or supply of Its gas
through the public streets, roads, alleys
or highway of any county, city or town
In the State of Maryland, subject, how
ever, to the regulation of the County Com
missioners or the municipal authorities of
such counties, cities and towns.
The company's capital stock Is 51.000.000
with the privilege at any time to increase
It to any amount, not to exceed $3,000,000.
that may be deemed proper.
The company Is empowered to borrow
money in such sums as may be necessary
to carry out Its corporate purposes and to
Issue Its bonds or other obligations for tho
money so borrowed, and secure payment
or the same by mortgage.
Harvey Scott Will Stay.
Bickleton News.
It Is rumored In newspaper circles and
In Portland that Harvey W. Scott Is to
retire from The Oregonlan. Should this
be the case. The Oretronlnn uhh
lose Its supremacy in the Northwest, For
ear3 -nr. acott nas oeen recognized as
one of the most brilliant editors In tho
United States. Ho has worked, not for
money, but for glory. He has made a
reputation and has held It. The Orego
nlan is Harvey Scott, and Harvey Scott
Is The Oretronlan. A non-or, .
have an Individuality In order to have any
L ,, , tTJ-cess- 11 arvey Scott
should leave Tho Oregonlan the dar of
that n.inr'! cninrarm. ti .
- v.nio.v- ia a.t an end.
Mnritlal Grinds in Rhymes.
Flo was. fond of Ebenezcr
Eb, for dhort. eh a rn.lW - v.,,.
Talk of "tide of love" great Caesar!
xou should see 'era, Eb and Flo.
Cornell Widow.
Eb and Flo they stood as sponsors
wnB Flo s sister was a bride.
And when bride and groom receded
'iney, too. went out with the tied.
Yonkera Statesman.
When their first child came a daughter
The nurse, for a larger fe.
Went to someone elae who sought her.
xeavinc -fc.o ana fio at sea.
Chicago Record-Herald.
Daughter's given name was Cooper
"Coo." for short; and when she grew
Her beau's name was William Hooper.
iou snouia see 'em, BUI and Coo.
Cleveland Leader.
Next there came a second daughter
Name: Hemlna and she saw
And wed a man whose nam a was Haw ley.
Tou snouia see 'em, Hem and Haw.
Milwaukee Sentinel.
Thia happy couple. Eb and Flo,
Then named their third little daughter.
To be In keeping, don't you know
Minnehaha, Laughing "Water.
Springfield (Mass.) Union.
Next came triplets, heaven bless 'em!
Ebenezer looked aulte rrave.
Then quoth heNo his Floretta.
This looks llko a tidal wave!"
Boston Post.
When these cherubs of the sea
Had the colic yes, all three
Eb and Flo both Iot much s!eeo.
Rocklnc the cradle ot the deep." '
Grafton Cs Allen.
The triplets now are cutting: teeth
And alas! It hence befalla
That in Eb and Flo's life voyasra
Thero are many crievous squaJIe.
'Hex H. Lamoman.
Ed had shown a greed most stony.
Licking up the tolden sand;
Flo, with rattling: alimony.
Can't rcsret their busted strand!
Brooklyn Eacle.
And the seaweeds of tho relict
(Flo a widow, understand!)
At the Sarar beaches signal
That a craft ia new uamaased.
Xew York, 'Cammarcto.