9
THE MORNING OEEGOXIAN. SATURDAY, MAT 12, 1906.
Enter at the Postoffle at Portland. Or
a Saeond-Claas Matter.
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EA8TKBN BUSINESS OFTICK.
The S. c. Beckwlta Special Age-
Tork, room et-sO. Trlhua building. Cat
aego, room tlo-Sia Tribune building,
KKFT OH SALE.
Chicago Auditorium Annex. Foetoffloa
fcil Co.. ITS Searbora atroet.
tt. Paul. Mian, N. lit. Maria Commercial
Station.
Ltcnver Hamilton Xendrlck, aoa-ota
Seventeenth etreet; Pratt Book Store. Ula
Slftsenth street; L Welnteia.
Qsldfield, Nor. Guy Marin.
Kama city, Mo Rlckaeckar Cigar Co..
Kioto and Walnut.
aUnneopolia Ja. J. Kavanaugb, W Soutk
ffhlPd.
CWreland. 0Jamea Puahaw. 0T Su
perior atroet
te xor Cltr L Jones a Co.. Aator
mouse.
Oakland. Cel. W. H. Johnston. Four
teenth and Franklin atreata.
Ogden D. L. Boyle.
Omaba Barkalow Broa. 1811 Famam.
Uageath Stationery Co, 108 7arnam; a
South Fourteenth.
Sacramento. Cat. Sacramento Mew Co
S K street.
Salt Lake Salt Lag Hewa Co., 11 weat
Second atreet South; Ml I Lsu.
Church atreet.
Lea Angeles B. E. Amos, manager eeven
atreet waaona: Bert Mewa Co.. Hot South
, Broadway.
Can Dlrr B. B. Amos.
Santa Barbara, Cat. B. K. Amoe.
Pasadena, Cat. Berl New Co.
San Francisco J. K. Cooper Co..
Market atreet: Goldamtth Broa.. So Butter
and Hotel St. Francta Newa Stand; L. B.
Lee, Palace Hotel New Stand; Prank Scott,
' SO Bill; N. Wheatley Movable New Stand,
orner Market and Kearney street; "otr
at Orear. Ferry New Stand.
Washington. D. C. Ebbltt House, Penn
sylvania avenue.
If RTI. A NT). SATTRDAr. MAT It, 106.
A 8TTPID TAXE.
The witless bunch of office-seekers
who are trying- to make Oregon a Dem
ocratic state blundered Tather worse
than ueual vhen they assailed- Mr.
Wlthycombe because he is of foreign
birth. The attempt to exclude citizens
of forHgn birth from political honor
and preferment has been made-onee or
twice in the course of the history of
this country, with results which can
hardly be encouraging to those who
would repeat It. The "American Party"
of 1852 lasted Just long enough to In
sure the political ruin of every man
that Joined lis ranks, and the more re
cent American Protective Association
ended In a general scrimmage on the
pBrt of its members to see who could
swear hardest that he had never be
longed to it. Know-nothingism never
has been a popular principle in the pol
itics of this country, and it never will
be so long as a large proportion of our
most uptight and capable public ser
vants continue to come from among
citizens of foreign birth. It makes lit
tle difference to the American voter
where a candidate for office happens to
have been born; but It makes a great
deal of difference what hls character Is
and what the party that supports hint
stands for.
The great and patriotic State of Min
nesota has two "foreigners" in Con
gress. One of them Is Senator Knute
Nelson, who was born In Norway; the
other Is Representative McCleary, who
was born and educated In Canada. Both
these gentlemen stand high among our
statesmen, and their records in Con
gress and elsewhere compare very fa
vorably with those of such "natives" as
Gorman and Aldrlch. Senator Patter
son, of Colorado, was born in Irelaaid;
Congressman Campbell, of Kansas, was
born In Nova Scotia, aud Jenkins, of
Wisconsin, In Kngland If the Demo
cratic party has seriously begun the
tank of forcing out of public life all
foreign-born citizens, we admire its au
dacity, but we cannot predict very bril
liant success for it. Some of the very
best political work of this generation in
America has been done by foreigners.
Mayor Weaver, of Philadelphia, Is
among those to whom the Democrats
Impute the terrible crime of having
been born outside the limits of the
United States; Carl Schurz. the great
reforming statesman and thinker, is
another guilty of the same offense. Mr.
Wlthycombe wan born in England In
lSi4 and passed his boyhood in his
father's family In that country. His
opponent, Mr. Chamberlain, was born
the same year, but a few months
earlier, In Mississippi, and passed his
boyhood there. We do not reproach Mr.
Chamberlain with the fact that in his
early youth the state where he was
born and resided was not a part of the
United States. It was in rebellion
against the Constitution and laws of
the country, but this was not the Gov
ernor's fault. He could not help the
treason of his friend and neighbors,
any more than Mr. Wlthycombe could
help the fact of his Knglish birth.
That Mr. Chamberlain saw fit to
leave the community In. which he was
born and come to Oregon is greatly to
bis credit. It Is equally to Mr. Withy
combe's credit that he did the same
things Neither one of these gentlemen
Is in any way responsible for the acci
dent of his birthplace, but both of them
are responsible in a certain measure for
the methods which are used in conduct
ing the present political campaign. If
Mr. Chamberlain's party resorts to un
American and dishonorable methods, he
cannot escape his share of the blame
for it. In view of the history of this
country and the part which foreign
born citizens have taken in Its develop
ment. It eertahily Is both un-American
and dishonorable to attempt to preju
dice the voters against a candidate on
the ground that he happened to be born
outside the boundaries of the United
States.
Within two years after his arrival In
Oregon 'Mr. Wlthycombe's father de
clared his Intention of becoming an
American citizen, and as soon as the
law allowed he became fully natural
ized. The present Republican candi
date Fas then minor, and he sup
posed, on good legal grounds, that his
father's naturalization made him fully
a citizen. He remained- of this opinion
for seventeen years, and during all that
time voted and acted as an American
citizen, and a good one, too. Among
other good deeds, he-voted the Republi
can ticket at every election. Can Mr.
Chamberlain say as much for himself?
After the expiration of seventeen years
a doubt arose in Mr. Wlthycombe's
mind whether his father's naturaliza
tion was sufficient to complete his own
tltisenshlp, sni then, to remove all
doubt, he -went before Judge Deady and
took the oath of allegiance. Wherein
was this discreditable? What ground
for reproach could any right-thinking
man And In this? If he had allowed
his citizenship t remain questionable,
possibly he might have been blame
worthy; but he did nothing of the kind.
He proceeded promptly to place the
matter beyond all doubt.
Party managers who are driven by
the poverty of their resources to make
use of such material as this foolish
story against Mr. Withycombe are to be
pitied. An ingenious campaign slander
may sometimes be forgiven on account
of the merriment it excites; but a tale
that is stupid as well as false Is unpar
donable. Nobody expects a Democratic
campaign- leader to be moral, but we
contend that he ought to show a cer
tain degree of common sense. To at
tempt to impose upon the voters with
such a tale as this about Mr. Wlthy
combe's citizenship is neither moral nor
sensible. v
HAWAIIAN TRADE KOR PORTLAND.
The representative of a large Ha
waiian firm passed through Portland
yesterday en route for Seattle, where he
will purchase several thousand dollars'
worth of goods to be sent to Honolulu
on the steamer Nevadan, sailing next
week. The goods needed" could all be
purchased In Portland to better advan
tage than in Seattle, but the American
Hawaiian steamship line has thus far
refused to send its steamers to Port
lond. There will be an immense
amount of this new business handled in
the northern ports while San Francisco
Is In the recuperative stage, and much
of it will be retained after the Bay City
is rebuilt. . It is, accordingly, of the
greatest importance that Portland
make some effort to secure recognition
from the American-Hawaiian Steam
ship Company.
That company Is collecting many
thousands of dollars every month from
Portland merchants for freight which
in the past has been brought to San
Francisco and reshlpped to Portland.
The amount of freight money thus col
lected from the Portland merchants is
much greater than that which is se
cured from Seattle merchants, and
there is accordingly some obligation on.
the part of the steamship owners to
Portland merchants. As most . of the
steamers operated by the company are
oil-burners, there is not even the ex
cuse of sending them to the Puget
Sound port for cheap fuel. Under the
circumstances It would seem eminently
proper for the American-Hawaiian
Company to practice a little reciprocity
for the favors it has received from
Portland and send a few of the steam
ers direct to this port.
This will not only admit of our mer
chants receiving their goods direct, but
it will enable them to get back Into
trade in which there are great opportu
nities for development. Some concert
ed action is necessary to bring- this
matter to the attention of the steam
ship company, and it should be forth
coming without delay. People ac
quainted with the Seattle method of
doing business can readily understand
what a protest would be made if Seattle
Instead of Portland were paying the
largest freight bills and at the same
time were denied direct transportation
facilities when they could be a easily
arranged without delay or Iosb to the
company.
Perhaps if ait earnest protest- were
made against this injustice Portland
would be given the opportunity to share
in a traffic which for many months and
possibly years will be of great propor
tions. We should at least be given the
same consideration that is extended to
other ports which contribute less liber
ally to the revenues of the American
Hawaiian Steamship Company.
THE EAST SIDE HIGH SCHOOL.
The election of Professor D. A. Grout
as principal of the new High School
meets general approval. Professor
Grout, from his long connection with
the public schools of Portland, is widely
known in educational and home circles
throughout the city. The place to which
he has been elected is a responsible one.
His attitude upon High School fraterni
ties and sororities is not known; at least
It has not been publicly announced, and
there Is some anxiety and not a little
curiosity In regard to it. Since as ex
perience elsewhere has proved, it is
much easier to keep these associations
from being formed within the High
School than It is to root them out after
they have gotten a foothold; and fur
ther, since the indications are that the
High Schools of the country will event
ually have to be purged of them for
their own protection, It would seem to
be the part of wisdom to begin right
upon this matter in our new - High
School. Aside from this point, and the
material fact that little progress is be
ing made upon the building that Is to
be the home of the new High School,
there is no question in regard to this
much-desired and greatly-needed addi
tion to the public school accommoda
tions of the city. Patrons of the public
schools are not looking for ideal teach
ers and managers. They will be satis
fied to have capable, practical, intelli
gent men and women in oharge of the
schools.
That Professor Grout, in his enlarged
opportunity, will give further evidence
of his ability as an instructor and ex
ecutive officer is the prevailing opinion.
THE HOCBE-MOVER.
The patriotic and Intelligent Jury
which tried Mrs. Zera Snow's action for
damages against the man who defaced
her shade trees to make room to move
an old shack through the street award
ed her si damages and she has to pay
her own costs. Such is the law. In de
fense of this verdict one may say that
the trees were merely things of beauty
while the wretched old Image of calam
ity which the house-mover had under
taken to trundle through the streets
past them was, perhaps, worth $5.
What are charm and beauty and civic
reputation, anyway, compared to the
profits of a house-mover? "Who Is it
that makes this country great and free
If not the house-mover? What would
happen to the Constitution if he had
not the right to drag his monstrous old
wrecks about the city?
We contend that the house-mover,
that glorious pillar of our liberties, is
an oppressed and persecuted individual.
It Is not enough for him to have the
unrestricted right, to murder the trees
along his course, he ought also to have
the right to murder the owners of the
trees. What right has Mrs. Snow, or
any other person, to stay the hand of
progress by setting shade trees In the
street? If she wants shade trees there
are plenty of other places beside the
street for them. She can set them out
n the roof of her house, or down in
He basement. The street is no more
place for shads trees than churches
IV
r m.
are for prayers. "If I let you pray here,"
said the sexton to the intrusive old wo
man, "first thing I know there will be
people praying all over the church." If
the patriotic house-mover did not from
time to time clear tha streets of shade
trees, how long would it be before we
had maples and elms In front of every
dwelling in the city? Nor would that
be the end of it. If foolish citizens were
permitted to set out trees before their
houses, it would not be long before they
would want to plant rose bushes and
chrysanthemums, and how in the world
Is one to move rotten old hovels along
a street all littered up with roses and
rubbish f that sort?
The house-mover ought to have the
right of eminent domain In the city
streets. Since his privileges are the
most important ones, he ought to have
unlimited means of enforcing Vthem.
Either that Is true or else it is true that
the law ought to forbid altogether the
ruthless and destructive business of
carting- tumble-down shacks from one
sinkhole to another. For the ruin of
her cherished trees the law gives Mrs.
Snow no redress. iHer right to enjoy
her home in peace the law flouts and
ignores. Perhaps some benefactor of
the householder may discover a method
of fixing dynamite bombs on the limbs
of shade trees for the benefit of the
house-mover. If he could be made to
blow himself and his tottering old
wrecks into eternity together whenever
he attacks a tree, something like subr
stantial Justice would' be attained.
Why not organize an anti-house-moving
society and set a price on the heads
of the whole fraternity?
THE COOS BAY CONGRESS.
The Farmers' and Shippers' Congress
and Coos County Farmers' Institute,
which will be held at North Bend, Or.,
May 23-24, is one of the most Important
meetings yet scheduled by the Willam
ette Valley Development League. It
will be of special. interest to. the .people
of Portland and the Willamette "Valley,
for the reason that it will be held In a
very' rich section of Oregon which up to
this time has not received the exploi
tation to which it was entitled. The
Coos Bay country will soon be given
railroad connection with Portland and
will be as easy of access as any of the
Willamette Valley cities and towns.
This will, of course, enable us to culti
vate a closer social and business rela
tion with our southern neighbors than
is now possible. At the same time Port
land and the other Willamette Valley
cities and towns owe something to our
enterprising: "friends In the southern
part of the state.
Even when hampered by poor trans
portation facilities, they have stood loy
ally by Portland, so far as It was possi
ble for them to do. Tear after year
they have Joined with us on all enter
prises of a public nature, even though
their isolated portion of the state re
ceived less benefit from them than any
other part of the state. Their splendid
exhibit at the Lewls and Clark Fair
was a wonderful tribute to their enter
prise, and it is now up to Portland to
show, at least in a mild degree, our ap
preciation of their enterprise toy send
ing a good delegation to the forthcom
ing convention. The San Francisco dis
aster has caused a diversion to this city
of a considerable amount of trade from
the Coos Bay country, and this start,
which will be increased as soon as the
railroad is completed, makes It highly
important that we should show due ap
preciation of the efforts of the develop
ers of Southern Oregon.
ENIGMATICAL WHEAT SITUATION.
There was a sharp up-turn in the Chi
cago wheat market yesterday, due to
the sentimental effect of the Govern
ment crop report of the day previous.
We are now entering on the third sea
son of high-priced wheat, and with the
recollection of the manner in which.
prices soared one year and two years
ago at this period it does not require
much effort to work up a bull sentiment
In the wheat market. The unparalleled
prosperity of the country and the at
tendant vastly increased purchasing
power of the people have, of course,
increased consumption of wheat to
a considerable extent, and the statis
tical position of the cereal Is far from
being weak. Nevertheless, sentiment at
this time of the year is always the con
trolling factor In prices. 'The Govern
ment report showed a heavy decrease
in acreage of Winter wheat since last
Fall. It also showed a much higher
condition than the average for the past
ten years. The improvement .in the
condition was fully sufficient to offset
the reported decrease in acreage, so
that there was really nothing in the re
port that had any tangible bearing on
the situation.
But the,sentiment of the Chicago pit
was bullish and much was made of the
loss in acreage, while the high condi
tion of the crop was given only scant
consideration, for the reason that It
might sufr future damage, which,
with the shortage in acreage, would
materially affect prices. We are now
approaching the period when crop
scares of all kinds are sprung on the
public. For the next six weeks it will
be largely a "weather market," and
the Hessian fly, the chinchbug, rust and
all the rest of the wheat pests will make
their annual appearance In the fields
in some cases, but generally in the
market reports. But crop damage of
serious proportions, either by unfavor
able weather or from pests, is not the
usual thing, and If the 1906 orop con
tinues to maintain Its present high con
dition, or even suffer a loss of several
points, it will still be difficult to add
very much to the present high scale of
prices. The American visible supply, in
spite of a decrease of nearly 3.000,000
bushel last week, is 38.431,000 bushels,
or more than 12,000,000 bushels greater
than on a corresponding date last year.
It Is now higher by nearly 10.000,000
bushels than it has been at any corre
sponding date since 1901. ,
With a crop the size of that harvested
last year, the markets of this country
must be dominated to a large extent by
the foreign markets, for it is on them
that we must depend for a dumping
ground for the surplus which cannot be
used in this country. Conservative es
timates and even the Government fig
ures on the 1905 crop indicated an exportable-
surplus of from 175,000,000 to
200,000.000 bushels of wheat, and with
but two months of the cereal year re
maining we have shipped to May 1 but
114,000.000 bushels. With the surplus
still on hand in possesison of holders
financially equipped for retaining It In
definitely, this may not become a
weight on the market, but its retention
will be jroverned to a considerable ex
tent by foreign conditions. These con
ditions are not favorable to high prices.
The Argentine is still pouring wheat
Into the European market at the rate of
3.000.000 to 4.000.000 bushels per week,
and lb shipments from that country to
May 1 were more than 10.000.000 bush
els greater than for any correspondintt
period in the history of the trade.
Russia, in spite of her internal
troubles, has already this season
shipped 128,624,000 bushels of wheat,
which is only 8.000.000- bushels short of
the record shipments of the previous
season for a corresponding date. It is
also known that there are still large
stocks held in that country. The -shipments
from the Danubian Provinces
are 30,000,000 bushels ahead, of those of
the previous season. In addition to this
enormous amount of wheat in sight, the
prospects for this year's crop are ex
cellent. Russia, the pre-eminent factor
in the foreign markets, reports good
rains and crop reports everywhere fa
vorable. In France and Germany the
condition Is fair, and in ' Roumania,
Hungary and Bulgaria conditions are
good. High prices for wheat in the
United States are a blessing for us
when they are caused by a shortage in
other countries. If, however, they are
ths result of unfavorable conditions and
a short crop at home, they are not de
sired. The temporary strength now in
evidence is due to fear and sentiment
that the crop will be short. Let us hope
that the market manipulators are In
the wrong.
Following Chicago's lead-, nearly all
the cities of the Middle West are now
calling for a "spotless town." Newspa
pers have taken up the cry and demand
a cleaning-up day, when every unsight
ly movable object shall be carted away.
Portland is far from spotless, and men
who are spending millions in building
continue not only to litter but blockade
streets and sidewalks, and some men
with less than a million store elabwood
in public view, yet the city is compara
tively free from rubbish. The efTort
put forth last year in anticipation of
the World's Fair is in evidence today.
Portland, taken far and by. Is beautiful
to look upon; as well for visitors as for
ourselves. If some general movement
could be started to get sickles busy in
the ' tall grass on vacant lots, little
ground for complaint would remain.'
Port Townsend offers to the world
some wonderful evidence of the value
of salt air and a clam diet. Sixty vet
erans sat down to a birthday banquet
in honor of one of their number a. few
days ago, and their ages range from 63
years to 87 years, with an average of
over 75 years, the aggregate being 3597
years. Not only was the gathering a
notable one on account of the great age
of the men, but the names of those
present Included quite a number who
had made history In Puget Sound and
its tributaries. These names were at
one time household words in the Puget
Sound country, and while they are not
so familiar to the new-comers, they are
recognized -whenever they appear in
print.
The Elkins amendment to the rate bill
forbids Interstate railroads to deal in
the commodities which they carry.
Senator Ankeny was one of six to vote
against this wholesome and necessary
provision. His reason is interesting. He
says it would, prevent Western mining
and lumbering concerns from owning
the "little branch railroads" which
carry thetr products to the main line.
Since these "little branch railroads"
are neither common carriers nor inter
state lines, it Is puzzling to understand
how the Elkins amendment affects
them. Perhaps, after reflection, Sena
tor Ankeny may offer a revised expla
nation of his vote. It needs one.
Isn't it pleasant to reflect that Wall
6treet Is no longer the whole thing in
Uncle Sam's financial realm? A raid
on stocks with loss or millions In a sin
gle hour, a tightening of ready cash
that multiplies the interest rate ten or
twenty fold, or a natural depression
such as the San Francisco disaster oc
casioned, is merely an incident in the
business life of the Nation. When the
bear camp in Wall street or the bull
corral gets a chill, the whole country
doesn't take quinine.
It is not a good time, nor seemly, to
exploit the terrible disaster of San
Francisco as Portland's opportunity to
steal the Jobbing trade of the stricken
city. rThere are some things that are
higher than commercial rivalry or com
petition, and one of them is plain de
cency. In his native state the plain people
are comparing General Frederick Fun
ston with Cortez, Custer, Phil Sheridan
and other men of fame. To prevent
confusion, the Kansas City Star calls
on them to halt and nickname him
Frederick the Great.
Recent developments concerning the
relations between common carriers and
a certain extensive and unpopular truet
prompts the Richmond Times-Dispatch
to perpetrate the remark that the rail
road industry is mostly governed by an
oiligarchy.
They are having prohibition in San
Francisco real prohibition enforced
by "license" officials. The earthquake
and fire did it. " Have the peaceful tac
tics of the prohibitionists been a mis
take all these years? -
Under present weather conditions, in
about ten days every settlement In Ore
gon, from Ashland on the south to Ba
ker City on the east, will be Berrytown.
Each Is amply equipped with sugar and
cream resources.
The paper trust has also concluded
to own up and be good. This ought to
be a first-class hint to other paper
trusts with a maximum of capitaliza
tion and a minimum of assets.
Mr. Bryan will not be again a candi
date, he says, "unless circumstances
seem to demand it." It is up to circum
stances now to provide a real live Dem
ocratic nominee.
Three doctors have declared that
Dowie is in full possession of reason
and understanding. What he wants is
full possession of Zion's cashbox.
If newspapers are an index of a
town's prosperity. Hood River has no
cause for complaint. The red apple
must be a rnasoot.
Value of a Drank'e Keek 9100,
Baltimore Herald.
A Lancaster County. Pa.. Jury has fixed
the value of a drunken man's broken
neck at $100. That Is the amount of
damages awarded to Frank Gembe,
whose neck was broken in a fall after be
had become drunk at John Stumpfs ho
tel, but who lived to sue. While the
amount of damage 1? small, the verdict
may be a serious one. Counsel for
Gembe will move fr the revocation of
the hoiel license of Stumpf on the BTonnd
that the verdict established the fact
that liquor wis manifestly old to a
drunken man.
WAY TO HAKE CITY CHARTERS
Caaaatttvtlonat Aneaimnt Proaaie
Take Power From LerUlatore.
For the purpose of taking away from
the Legislature the power to enact
charters for cities, and place this
power in the hands of the paople of the
territory affected, a constitutional
amendment has been proposed by in
itiative and will be voted upon by the
people of Oregon at the election June
4 next. The bill has two purposes to
relieve the Legislature of a large part
of its work, to which It gives much
time, but no Intelligent attention, and to
enable the people of cities to frame
their charters ta suit themselves.
As everyone knows, a, charter bill is
passed in the Legislature upon re
quest of the delegation from the coun
ty In which the city is located. The
Legislature raises no question as to
the merits of the measure. Charter
bills are read on the hop-aklp-and-jump
plan. They are so long and so
complicated that no member could
understand them if be heard them
read, and a committee could not study
them intelligently without being fami
liar with local conditions. For that
reason, if a Representative from Baker
County introduces a charter bill for
Baker City or any other town In that
county, the bill Is referred to the
Baker County delegation, consisting of
the one Representative who Introduced
the charter bill. Upon his favorable re
port it is passed, with the reading of only
the enacting clause, a few words of the
incorporation clause and the emergency
clause at the end. When the bill appears
in the Senate, It is referred to the Senator
from the same, county, and upon his rec
ommendation It passes that body in the
same manner. Thus two men may make
the charters for all the cities of tha
county. The same practice prevails as to
all charter bills, the number of men who
make ithe charters being determined by
the number of members in the Legisla
ture from the county from which the bill
cornea
While this practice is not absolutely
necessary, it is the only practicable meth
od of making charters for the larger
cities. There is a general law under
which many of the smaller cities have
adopted their charters, but none: of the
larger cities have found it suited to their
needs. The constitution at present pro
vides, in section 8 of article II:
Corporations may be formed under general
law, but ehall not be created by special
laws, except for municipal purposes. All laws
passed pursuant to thw section may be al
tered, amended or repealed, but not so as to
Impair or destroy any vested corporate
right.
The proposed amendment, drafted by
the People's Power League, reads as fol
lows: Seotlon 2. Corporations may be formed
under general laws, but shall not be created
by the Legislative Assembly by apeclal lawa.
The Legislative Assembly ahall. not enact,
amend, or repeal any charter act of incor
poration for any municipality, city or town.
The legal voters ot every city and town are
hereby granted power to enact and amend
their municipal charter, subject to the con
rtltutlon and criminal lawa ot the Stat of
Oregon.
Should this amendment be adopted, it
would become the duty of the next Leg
islature to enact a general law, prescrib
ing a plan by which the people of a city
could elect members of a charter commis
sion, which commission would draft a
charter to be submitted to a vote of the
people of the city, for their adoption or
rejection.
One of the reforms which it Is expected
this amendment would accomplish Is the
elimination of charter-Juggling from poll
tics. Under the present system, charters
of many cities have been amended so as
to legislate one set of officers out and an
other set In. . In practice, that system en
ables one or two members of the Legis
lature to oust the officers of a city and
name their successors. This power has
been exercised -to a greater or less extent
by members who saw an opportunity to
strengthen themselves politically . by the
change In municipal patronage.
On the other hand, it may be that the
proposed method of enacting city char
ters will open the way for a higher order
of juggling, by men whose craftiness may
enable them to insert "jokers" in charter
bills and get them adopted by the people
before the jokers are discovered.
ABWSPAPER WAIFS.
Nell "I really believe she married him
for hla money." Belle "Well, eliminate his
money, and what else would there be of
him?" Philadelphia Record.
First Tramp "Says in this 'ere paper as
ow some of them millionaires works eight
and ten hours a day. Bill." The Philoso
pher "Ah. it's a 'ard world for some poor
blokes!" Punch.
The Wife "He told me that If I married
him my every wish would be gratified."
The Mother "Well, Is It not so?" The
Wife "No. I wish I hadn't married him."
Cleveland Leader.
"Are you ready to live on my income?" he
asked, softly. She looked up Into his face,
trustingly. "Certainly, dearest," she an
swered, "if If " "If what?" "If you can
get another one for yourself." Judge.
"You are taking a great deal of interest in
this investigation." "Yes." answered the
statesman. "I have to give it close personal
attention. I want to make sure It doegn't
flevelop anything I don't care to hav
known." Washington Star.
"What's the matter, dear: you look pus
sled?" said Teas, meeting Jews on the ave
nue. "I'm sure I lost something Just now,"
replied Jess, "but I can't think what It
was." "Probably It wasn't anything very
Important " "No. it wasn't; I remember
now. It was that little Mr. SnlfTklns who
was walking with me." Philadelphia Press.
"Don't you think." asked Mrs. Oldcastie.
"that the new minister was somewhat re
condite last Sunday?" "r didn't know what
It was at the time," replied her hostess as
she toyed with her dlajnond-etudded fan,
"but I do remember that his face looked
kind of red and his eyes was sort of glassy.
Still we oughtn't to be too hard on the poor
man. He might of taken It for the Ma
grippe.' " Chicago Record-Herald.
ALL READY. GO!
TTU,SIAIir IS CALLED A1C ASS.
Be admits That Thera la Some of the
Male About Him.
A Washington, D. C. Dispatch.
News has Just leaked out ot a recent
sensational verbal encounter between
Senator Penrose, of Pennsylvania and
Senator Tillman, of South Carolina, be
hind closed doors of the United States
Senate.
It was precipitated by Mr. Penrose,
chairman of the committee on poatofAces
and post roads, attempting to have a
day fixed for taking a vote on the con.
Urination of B. F. Barnes, assistant sec
retary of the President, who has been
nominated for postmaster ot Washing
ton, D. C, which Mr. Tillman has been
bitterly opposing on account of the rough
ejectment of Mrs. Minor Morris from the
White House last January.
Mr. Tillman objected and on explana
tion of his attitude declared that . there
was considerable of the mule about him.
"There is no nerd of the Senator ex
plaining what is so well-known by the
Senate," tartly exclaimed Mr. Penrose,
who, as chairman of the committee on
postomces and postroads, has charge of
the Barnes nomination. "I'm Inclined to
think that the Senator from South Caro
lina is really an ass," he continued, with
emphasis.
In a moment there was an uproar. Mr.
Tillman denounced the Pennsylvania
Senator and angrily threatened to ex
pose certain things about the Senator
which he said were not to his credit.
"The Senator can ' use his pleasure,
either behind closed doors or in open
session," scornfully retorted Mr. Pen
rose. "He knows nothing of me of which
I fear publicity. I have some affidavits
from prominent people In South Caro
lina about the Senator, and I will be
glad to insert them In the record at the
same time,"
Before the incident, which some feared
might lead to a physical encounter, got
any further the Senate adjourned.
The Gaekwar of Baroda Coming,
Liverpool Cable Dispatch.
His Highness the Gaekwar of Baroda
and his wife and daughter are coming to
see us. The Maharajah, who ranks all
the native Indian princes, will tour the
United States and Canada to study the
civilization that is so much younger
than his own and so far removed from it.
The Gaekwar' s predecessor tried some
chemical experiments with the food of
the British resident In Baroda, which
resulted in the Englishman's death.
Thereupon the British set up Baroda's
present ruler when he was only a boy.
The Gaekwar Is about 40 years old, and
Is an enlightened Prince and a linguist.
He takes Intense interest in bis people's
education, and schoolhouses are plentiful
in Baroda, which is in the Bombay
Presidency. He opposes child-marriage
so common in India and has declared
that none of his children will marry
until 20 years old.
The Gaekwar visited England once be
fore, and Queen Viotorla highly honored
him. He has a superb collection of dia
monds, rubles and emeralds, some of
which have been In his family's posses
sion for 600 years.
Sentence Her to Dre Ante,
Pittsburg Dispatch.
Miss Pauline, the pretty 16-year-old
daughter of Thomas McNally, a wealthy
contractor, of Pittsburg, Pa., appeared
before Magistrate Walker to answer a
charge of speeding her auto and Inci
dentally to explain why she was running
an auto at all, when she is only IS, while
the law says that no person under 18
shall.
AVlth tears in her big eyes, Miss Mac
Nally declared that if the magistrate
would only allow her to run her ma
chine she would do it at a snail's pace.
"'It would break my heart. Colonel
Walker," she exclaimed, "if you were
to prevent me from running my auto."
Colonel Walker wavered and was al
most lost. But he pulled himself to
gether and told her, she could go, but
that she must not drive an auto again
until she is 18 years old.
Tender Sympathy Was Miaplaeed.
New York Sun.
She was almost the first woman pas
senger to leave the parlor-car of the ex
press from Boston, and she hurried down
the Grand Central platform to the news
stand, an anxious frown showing be
neath her gray pompadour. Behind her
came a younger woman, obviously a sal
aried companion.
Throwing down a cent, she caught up
the evening paper and drew out of the
crowd, searching the first page with
eager eyes.
"I suppose she has friends in San
Francisco, murmured a sympathetic
woman to a friend, and they drew near
the reader. Just In time to see her crush
the paper in her gloved hand and mur
mur to her companion:
"That tip was on the level. Gay Boy
came In first a 10-to-l shot. Come, we'll
just make Sherry's for tea."
Watching; the Tall Jaaa Grow.
Puck.
"The Japs' have made up their minds
to become tall. Newspaper item, 1!6.
"Whether by taking thought or other
wise, the Japs have attained an average
height of five feet nine lnche." News
paper Item, 1810.
"The new Japanese law makes it com-
pulsory to be a six-footer." Newspaper
item. 1820.
"What chance have the pigmy Euro
peans against the giant Japs?" Editor
ial, 1S26.
"The S feet 2 inch Oregoniana can take
a fall whenever necessary out of the 6
feet li-inch Japs." Portland Oregonian,
April 1, 1930.
Propoaed Bnrdea for Bachelors.
Chicago Corr. New Tork Herald.
That bachelors should be compelled to
support dependent children In public in
stitutlons was the position taken last
night by Mrs. Able S. Shoen, a well
known leader in women's clubs. In an
address to the Dickens Club. Said Mrs.
Shoen:
"If I had the framing of a law for the
taxation of bachelors. I would have
each taxed for the maintenance of a
child now being cared for by an Institu
tion or by the state. Not only would I
have that child educated, clothed and
fed at his expense, but under pain of
divers penalties I would have " him
brought into direct personal contact
with the child."
-from th Phll4lelpht Record.
SOME FEATURES
OF THE SUNDAY
OREGONIAN
First and foremoat. all the world's
new by Associated Prees, sperlal
rorrsaoOBdeata and members of The
OBlaai Stan, making the fall'"
sad most complete leord of any
Pacific Coaat Bewspaper.
POSSIBILITIES OP ,
, "FREE" ALCOHOL,
A very timely article from our
special Washington correspondent
bearing on the agricultural and
commercial features of the pro
posed new industry. It i of spe
cial Interest to the Pacific North
west for the reason that potatoes
and beets are quite as available
for denatured alcohol as corn.
These three products would supply
all the needs of the country for
light, heat and power. Gasolin.
and kerosene would be replaced
at once by a better, cheaper and
cleaner substitute, for alcohol will
yield a profit at 10 cents a gallon.
Vltlmately It will supplant coal.
No theories are advanced; simply
the facts based on Germany's ex
perience with this special kind of
alcohol.
OREGON'S FINEST
MILITIA ORGANIZATION
According to the report of Colonel
James Jackson recently made pub
lic. First Battery. Field Artillery
of Portland, popularly called "Bat
tery A," leads all other organiza
tions of the Oregon National
Guard in military efficiency. It
received ISO credit marks out "of
a possible 200, and ranks seventh
among the entire militia com
panies of the Nation. Its person
nel, history and spirit are well
set forth In an article, handsome
ly Illustrated by Routledge.
"ELIZABETH AT HER
HOME IN THE HILLS
In this letter to Nell, the Oregott
woman tells how the family en
tertained Itself with Hawthorne
for a time and then turned, for
amusement, to hornets' nests as
personal adornment.
GLIMPSES AT THE BIG
CITIES OF JAPAN
Harry C. Breiden. who is now
traveling in the Orient, sends an
unconventional letter giving !m
preaiions of Yokohama, Osaka and
Kyoto, where little shops are run
without system and big factories
without steam power,
GEORGE ADE IN
PASTURES NEW
He confesses that he started out
to reform certain abuses In Eu
rope, not to spread information,
and then he tells of the sad case
of old man Willoughby, of Michi
gan, Consul at Galllvancla, who
failed because he did not know
the artificialities of officialdom.
THE DIVINE AND THE HUMAN
OR THREE MORE DEATHS
Second and concluding chapter of
Tolstoi's latest public utterance,
from which the only inference
that can be drawn Is that the
great reformer is disheartened
over the problem of liberty for the
plain people of Russia.
SOMETHING NEW
FOR CHILDREN
The story of Little Red Riding
Hood told in pictures. There will
be one chapter each week, begin
ning tomorrow, in the form of a
rebus. With the second chapter
there will be published a solution
of the first and so on through the
' series which will run IS weeks. It
will give children no little amuse
ment and at the same time stimu
late mental activity. '
RECOLLECTIONS OF
JUDGE GEO. H. WILLIAMS
On the 12th of February, ISfiK,
George Bancroft, the historian,
addressed the United States Sen
ate on Abraham Lincoln. The
fame of the great emancipator has
been growing these 40 years since
that address was delivered, and it
is interesting to note how the civ
ilised world has accepted the es
timate of Bancroft as remembered
by the distinguished Oregon jurist
and lawyer.
SUSAN CLEGG AND HER
FRIEND MRS. LATHROP
The village philosopher confides to
her neighbor the mystery she dis
covered In the bottom of her
new boarder's trunk a beautlul
satire on the curiosity of a certain
class of women. In tha clearing
up of the mystery there is spon
taneous humor.
THE ROOSEVELT BEARS
PUT OUT A FIRE
In tomorrow's installment, Paul
Piper tells of a most exciting epi
sode wherein the bears, under the)
direction of Muddy Pete, who
knows all about the department's
apparatus, extinguished a big
blaze and saved two lives. Inci
dentally Teddy G. has a tussle
with a ltve trolley wire.
NEW YORK RAISES MUCH
MONEY BY BENEFITS
Great sums of money have been
raised for the California sufferers
by benefits at the theaters Emi
lie Frances Bauer describes sev
eral of these performances in a
letter that presents a vivid pic
ture of the remarkable scenes
that were enacted In some ot the
theaters. Blanche Bates broke
own crying at one of the bene
fits, actresses sold bouquets and
sandwiches at the Metropolitan
Opera-House, and thousands were
unable to gain admission at the
1 same performance.
BRIDGING THE COLUMBIA
FOR NORTH BANK ROAD
Workmen are already laboring at
the approaches for the bridge
which James J. Hill will throw
across the Columbia for the North
Bank railroad. How the work is
done and the difficult engineering
problems encountered Is the text
of an illustrated article.
PRIMARY LAW TEACHES THE
POLITICIANS NEW TRICKS
The direct primary law Is one of
the most interesting political ex
periments that has ever been de
vised with the object of checking
the power of the bosses and plac
ing the choice of party nominees
In the hands of the people. How
the law worked and what the pol
iticians were taught thereby Is
contained in a study of the work
ings of this law.
SOCIETY, MUSIC AND
DRAMATIC REVIEWS
Society, music and drama are re
viewed in departments devoted to
these topics. With the San Fran
cisco disaster growing dimmer In
the public memory and the relief
work well organtxed, society has
been restored in a measure to its
even tenor, and many events of
social importance are chronicled
this week. Sarah Bernhardt's ap
pearance at the Armory and
other dramatic happenings are
reviewed, future musical events
announced and gossip of the mu
sicians gathered.
SPORTING NEWS AT
HOME AND ABROAD
All the sporting news at home and
abroad will be found in The Sun
day Oregonian. A letter will be
printed from H. W. Kerrigan,
who is representing Oregon at the
Olympic games, and other sport
ing news will be printed covering
the local aa well as the National
field.
-VsvA.