Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937, January 09, 1907, Image 10

Morning Oregonian., January 09, 1907, Page 10, Image 10

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Newspaper Page TextTHE MORNING OREGONIAX, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1907. iiiry 1 THE FORD-STREET BRIDGE OF PORTLAND RAILWAY COMPANY, WHERE DR. PHILIP EDWARDS JOHNSON MET HIS DEATH dues of 3. This plan is likely to be adopted today. The resolutions committee made a par-, tlal report yesterday. A resolution pro- vfdlnK for the establishment of poatal navlngn banks under the nontrol -of the Government waa reported favorably, and U UUIII GftLL5 IT MUHDEH thfl report adopted. A resolution providing for a canvass of Mystery Still Surrounds the Tragic Death of Dr. Philip' E. Johnson. Speech on Japanese Question Be Indorsed by State Federation of Labor. 10 GOnUNtn i nofiD pnninnrpinc PSl" SENATOR GEfll If 8r . - ' fA-02Si!?-.-1 Will EVIDENCE OF FOUL PLAY Testimony ol Witnesses at Inquest Strongly Indicate That Thngi Ttobbrd, Then Killed, 'Vic- tlm-Police Cry Suicide. JOHNSON CA6IE. THE MUKDER THEORY That Dr. Johnson wag held up by two or mors thuct on the Ford-Btreet bride, directly abov the spot where Mil mangled bod web found; that ho mlited Ms HBnallants, who hit him with m, bludft-con. felllns him to the nMowalk. where they rifled tola pocket A, took his watch and emp- tied his wallet, after which they picked up the unconscious man and hurled him over the re,i Hnjr. THEJ SUICIDE THEORY That Dr. Johnson wae financially embar rassed or had domestic troubles; that he wished to take hla own life without humiliating: hie wife, rela tives and friends, and that he chose the horrtbl death that would surely result from leaping; from the hrldg; to avoid any trace of eulclde; that he went, without overcoat or money, to the bridge (or the lole purpose ot taking his own life; that he turned hln peckta Inside out. threw hie hat to one aide, unclasped hla watch and hurled it Into th,e unurTowtli, tossfd his wallet away, and took the terrlhle leap. Th trnglo death of Dr. Philip Ed- wardd Johnson, whose mangled body vbii found at the bottom of tlie deep canyon. 117 feet below th ft. deck of the Kord-atreet bridge, Monday night, re mains a mystery. A jury Impaneled by Coroner Klnley yesterday returned a. verdlet of murder and robbery by un known persons, but the police still hold to the theory of sulrlde. Nothing developed In the case yesterday that in ft n y way tends to clear up the mystery. The police will not commit them Pelvpfl on the suicide theory, hut ob- stlnatfly assert that they are con vinced that Xr. Johnson committed sul fide. They are at a loss for a motive for RpU-dpstructlon, however, and rela- tlvea and friends of the dead man de clare that th theory Is untenable and that the terrlhle crime was committed by thugs, who held up their victim, robbed him and then burled him over the ratllnrr of the hrldgre to fall to the rcky depths below. That the police take no stock what- ever In the theory of a murder for rob- bery or for. revenga la borne out by the fact that Captain Bruin, w ri o took charge of the case, attended a perform- ftnee at the lleiitg Theater last night, mid Detective Hellyer, who was at first assisting: him. spent the nlrht at his home, resting: from ills arduous labors. .The police bellevo that Br. Johnson was either financially embarassed and saw lie could not carry out his plans for building; a beautiful home and establishing a medical practice here, or t hat he had domestic troubles of which it la friends did not know, and became Respondent. Wishing: to avoid disgrace and desiring to cover up all traces of KPlf-dostructlon, the police say they believe he chose the most horrible deal h possible In order that suicide would not be suspected and that his wife, relatives and friends would be spared humiliation. Mrs. .Toll fi son Xot Shocked. The police &1bo point to the fact that Mrs. Johnson has refused to talk to newspaper reporters or to make any statement of the case ; that she grave no evidence of being: grreatly shocked at news of her husband's death and that she has steadfastly held to the murder theory, while she has not so much as asked to see the body of her husband. They also think It very sis:- nltlcant that Dr. Johnson went out on Monday night, when It wag bitter cold. without his overcoat, and that he re moved a. sold watch from hla chain and wore In Its stead a silver one. According to the hazy theory of the police. Dr. Johnson premeditated sui cide, and it Is their belief that his wife knew of his Intentions; that she feared lie would take his own life and that, therefore, she was prepared for the news of ills death when it was broken to her. rartlculnx stress is laid by the police upon the strenuous efforts put forth Vv W. C. JUvord. who Is related to Mrs. Jolinnoii by marrlaKe, to secure posses sion of tne bunch of keys belonging to Jr. Johnson, which was round on the AccV ot tho bridge. Alvord made ftree trips to police hfadquartpra Monday xi Igrht. each time demanding: the keys, but each time was refused by the cap- tains In charge. Yesterday, however, 'Alvord got the keys from Coroner Pin- lev. The. police hold tne belief that the keys probably unlock drawers In which is to he found documentary evi dence, letters or personal effects that would throw liarht on the case. Controverting these theories of the police are the emphatic denials of the numerous mends of Dr. wia Mrs. John on. to the effect that he was happy, contented and prosperous, and that he had no reason wnatever to take hi own life. They ridicule the suicide theory, pointing to the horrible man ner of death, and saylntr that, being a physician, Ir. Johnson undoubtedly would have chosen a less terrible man ner of ending his life, had he conv mltted suicide. It la also pointedly declared that the suicide theory is more acceptable to the police, because it is easier tnan a mur- tier mystery to solve; that the police are naturally inriinen to can it suieiae. bctaun t her is nothing: further for them" to do In such h. ease, whereas murder mystery involves real work and systematic effort. W idow Is Goins East. Mrs. Johnson spent yesterday at the homo of William C. Alvord. 205 King treet three blocks from the scene of the trasredy- Shn would not consent to see reporters. And had no statement to maKe for publication. It Its announced tbat she Trill leave for New York thla afternoon, acoompanylng the remains of her husband. Burial will be ma.de on Staten Island, the former home of the deceased, TVe, the Jury, find that between the hours f 7 :S3 and T : I, m. Monday. Juiuary T. jaO", the deceua, ur. iiawtrd John FfTX" I X x 1 ill v" fcii ly ' " 'J oi ' , v ' O It him and that he would make inqulriee of i jfef jgg"Stofc I I the Portland authorities. !lt$ II I y VjaL J3S?FyTA 1 I IT"- Johnson Brother Formerly Hi i. v ' fel I vNlW 111 Banker in That City, VGPD S72?ET son was robbed and murdered by persons unknown within the City or Portland and in tho Oounty of Multnomah. This - was the verdict of the Coroner's Jury which hold n Inquent over the body of Dr. Johnson yesterday afternoon. The jury was composed of T. D. Honeyman, V. MacMaster, John K. Younsr. Frank A. Hart. Wallace MeCamant and W. I-f . Warrens. The Jurors were sworn in by Coroner FInley and, after viewing the remains, the jury assembled in the chapel of the undertaking- establishment . and h?.rd the testimony of the streetcar men, policemen and others who figured in the finding ot the body or Dr. Johnson, me examination of tho witnesses was con ducted by Deputy District Attorneys Ha nev and Adams, and was most searching. So new light waa thrown on the tragedy by the witnesses, and it was evident that the members of the Coroner's jury reached their verdict of robbery and mur der chleflv from the finding of the body under thcForoVstreet bridge and the con dition of the coat which Dr. Johnson wore. It developed during tne laKing oi testimony that when rr. Johnaon's body was found, it was lying face downward. arms extended and with the right leg choused over the left just- below the kneen. The coat that I r. Johnson wore WiLB npi-MMl UIIUCliicoiu - - " along the left seam, and several buttons wore tnrn nff. ( nft hUUOn md laKCU d square piece of cloth out with it. and this piece, still clinging to tno ouituii, In the button-hole of the coat. The fart tnat tne Doay was iouuu - lug on the (ace and that the streetcar men, the policemen and the empio ea or , tne uoroner a oihj iauimu - the back of the coat waa considerable dirt, caused both Mr. Adams and Haney to make a searching examination of the witnesses. All the witnesses testified that. so rar an iney couiti ' ' ' . "- - not turned over after it struck the ground and that the soiled condition ol the hack of the coat was very noticeaoie. This was -tne turomscoi. -murder theory chain. It bore out the theory that Dr. Johnson had been struck down and dragged, perhaps hy the heels, to the side of the bridge and hurled into tne canyon Demw. - i. i v.nA nut this th.nrv. There UVUL UBO'l " " we several splotches ot blood on the back of the coat, one bis spot being just below the collar and hig-h tip between the shoulders. Across the bade at this point mora a lnrze number of hairs, which were unmistakably from the head of the dead man. There was blood also on the Inside of the coat. -The blood stains were smeared. and the lining was covered with dirt. The inside- of the coat, about half way up the bftclc looked as If In dragging the body, the tail of he coat had been doubled underneath. On the back of the coat Imbedded in the soft material were splinters of wood, auch as would have been picked up from the worn plaoking of the bridge. Another thln& that seemed to strengthen the theory that the body had been dragged & distance wa9 that the coat, when the body was found. Was -bunched up around the shoulders. The trousers worn . by the dead man were literally ripped to pieces at every seam. This was evidently done by the force of the fall. A leather belt, a small affair about an inch wide, had been broken into three pieces and was found when the body waa turned over. by the coroner. The back of the vest was also torn and several of the buttons ripped off. . Never AVore an Overcoat. The watch chain, a miniature snaffle it. with leather straps, was still buck led Into one of the buttonholes. Tho watch was gone. From the appearance ot the snap, it had been taken and hot pulled off the chain. Ir. Johnson had not been In the habit of wearing an over coat or "vest and had only worn the vest because of the cold snap. While he was at the Alvord home ha jokingly called Mr. Alvord" s attention to the fact that he was wearing? a vest. The first witness called waa Xhr. O. T. Trommald. Dr. Trommald testified as to the condition in which he found the body. He stated that the fall bad broken almost every bone In -the body. In fact, the only bonea that were not shattered were thOSQ of the hands. Br. Trommald described the wounds found on the head and said the one on tho left side of the head. 'Just above the ear, might have been made by a blow. There was also a deep wound on ; top of the head. He said this also miRht have been oaused by a blow. He was not positive however, lor be added that both SNOlVjm 7M wounds mlgrht have, been caused by the body striking- the ground. W. C. Alvord told the members ot the jury of the visit of Dr. Johnson to his home. 205 King- street. Mr. Alvord'a tes timony contained only the facts that had already teen brought out. He testified that there was nothing n Dr. Johnson's demeanor that would lend color to t lie suicide theory and said that he was in his usual cheerful mood when he called. On leaving the Alvord home. Dr. Johnson had said that he intended taking a car. The witness said that be did not know how much money Dr. Johnson had with Mm at the time or hig visit, frut Uicl not think over U or JS. He fixed the time of Zr. Johnson's leaving: at about 7:30 o'clock, and said that when Xr. Johnson left he had remarked that he was going to call upon Dr. A. C. Panton. Motorman Tel la Story. Motorman Dozier, who first discovered the tody, told the story. "Witness said he first noticed by the side of the track what seemed to he a bundle of clothing. "Wilien .his ear came closer, he made out that it was the body of a man. He stopped his car and called the attention of Con- ductor Thatcher to the corpse. Policeman Blackman, the witness said, had been on the car, and had-dropped off at his home, a short distance away. The car was run back, and the carmen informed the police man that a dead man had been found. As soon as police headquarters had been notified, all three went back to where the body lay. The witness described the po sition in which the body lay and told of find ins Johnson's .fountain pens near the body. The testimony of Conductor Thatcher was the same as that of Dozier. Both testified that it was pitch dark; at the IX) in t where the body w&s found, and. so rar as they could see. no lisht was burn ing on the bridge. The testimony of Policeman Black- man was along: the same lines. He tes tified that when he arrived the body lay face down. Witness was sure that both arms were extended and that the hands were encased In gloves. He also said the legrs were crossed. The only points as to which the tes timony or the witnesses differed, was that G. W. Baldwin, the Coroner's assistant. k testified that the left arm was under the body. Mr. Baldwin waa positive that in handllnir the hod v the coat had not been torn; also that tho dirt on the back was on the coat be fore the body was turned over. Wit ness told of finding- one of the trousers pockets turned inaide out. ' Found Dead Man's Hat. The story or the flndlng of Ir. John son's hat, pocketbook and keys on the bridge was told by Conductor Lowery. He testified that he saw the hat lying between the tracks as he made the up trip. His car had prone on ahead In charge of a man whom-, he was "breaking In." "When he got on his car as it was on its way down town, he told his motorman of seeing the hat and waa on the lookout for it as the car crossed the bridge. It was very dark and just as they saw the hat the fender of the car straclc it. This ac counted for the dent found In the hat. Tlie pocketbook was found by the other conductor. It waJ open. These articles were turned over to the police depart ment when Lowery reached the end of his run. The keys he found on his re-. turn trip. Lowery testined that he had looked for signs of a struggle on the bridge, but could find none. After hearing: the testimony the Jury retired for deliberation. After a very brier deliberation the verdict glYen was returned. HE I.KAVKS A STEPDAUGHTER Dr. Johnson's Widow Has Child Ijiv lnff in the East. gPRIXGPIELD. 0.. Jan. MSpectaU- A private message from Portland. Or., to George Hoadley. Jr.. of Cincinnati, this morning, confirmed dispatches to the ef- lect that Mr. Hoadley's DrotlieMn-law, Tr. Philip Edwards Johnson, was myster iously murdered In Portland Monday nlg-ht- Cincinnati relatives or the widow of Dr. Johnson, who Is the only daughter of the late ex-Governor George Hoadley. of Ohio, are shocked over the news. Mrs. Joh naon -as form er 1 y Latft'a Hoa d 1 e y . Mrs. Johnson's first husband waa Theo- dore Scarborough, and a brother of J. V. D. Scarborough, of Cincinnati. After the death of Theodore Scarborough, his wid ow remained . unmarried for some eight years. I-ast October she married Xr. Johnson, who . is a son of Archdeacon George D. Johnson, of the Protestant Episcopal Church of New Brighton, L. I. The widow Is well remembered in Oin clnnati, where she has often visited and where she was born and spent her early life. She was born in the Hoadley home, which is now a girls' school on the' Mad ison Road, .ime ten years ago M r. John son, then Aiiss Hoadley, removed with her rather to New York City, and made that place her home until her marriage with Dr. Johnson. She has a daughter by her first marrlaRe. This daughter Is now li a fashionable girls' school in the East. The wedding of Mrs. Scarborough and Dr. Johnson took place last October and was attended by relatives and a few friends, J. V, D, Scarborough and Mrs. George Hoadley. Jr., of Cincinnati, were present. The death . of Dr. Johnson's father the Sentember nrecedlng was the reason for a simple ceremony. A. relative state. Tuesday that Dr. Johnson's hro - ther, of New:TTork. would probably pro to the aid of Mrs. Johnson. Mrs. Johnson's first husband was a Clnclnnatian by birth, but lived In Mew York City. XOT HAVE A3T ENEMY Brothcr.ln-Law Says Xo Mystery About Dr. Joimson. PORT RICHMOND, N. Y., Jan. 8. (Spe- cial.)-SamueI H. Evans, ex-assistant -corporation counsel, was found at his home In Stuyvesant Place. New Brighton, this afternoon. He is a brother-in-law of rr. Philip Edwards Johnson, who was mur dered in Portland. Or.. last night. The mother of , Dr. 'Johnson lives with Mr. Evans. Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. BXans were so shocked over the news of the murder that they were prostrated and could not be seen. Mr. Evans said: '"We received a telegram from TV. C Alvord this morning as follows; 'Phil was waylaid last night, killed and robbed. I sent a wire this morning for further particulars, but have not had a reoly. It will probably 'be four or five days before we get the full particulars. The insinuation that there was a mys- tery about Phil is all boch. He was one of the finest fellows In the world and did not have an enemy. . lie left Staten Island for Portland, Or., two months ago, He expected to make that city his future home. XJr. Johnson was born at New Brigh ton 37 years ago. He was a graduate of Columbia College. He was1 1 great ath- lete. being one of the crack oarsmen of the Staten Island Boat Club, when it was famous throughout -the country. His marriage to Mrs. Scarborough, a daughter of ex-Covernor Hoadley. of Ohio, last October, wan one of the greatest social events on Staten Island. LONG REMIXED. A WIDOW Ii. Johnson's Wife Ixst Flrst Hus- band Eight Years Ago. CINCINNAlT, O.. Jan. S. The widow of Trr. Johnson, who was killed In Port- land, is the only daughter of ex-Governor Hoadley. of Ohio. She -was born and spent her early life in Cincinnati. Her first husband was Theodore Scarborough. After his death she remained unmarried for eight years.' Ten years ago Mrs. Johnson, then Iaura Hoadley, removed with her father to New York City, and has since lived there until her marriage wlth Ir. Jobn- sqn last October. Oeorge Hoadley, Jr., a brother of Mrs. Johnson, received a brief telegram from his sister today confirming the murder. Among other relatives of Mrs. Johnson In this city are her aunt, who is the wife of General J. H. Bates, retired Brigadier General of the Army. WAS SOX OP A CLERGYMAN Rev, George 1. Johnson, Deceased, Bead Physician's Father. KTEW YORK. Jan. S. Ir. Philip Ed wards Johnson, who was killed in .Port- land, was the son of the late Rev. George I. Johnson, formerly rector of Christ's Church, at IsTew Brighton, S. I. He lived at New Brighton until three or four years ago when he removed to the West, but returned a few months ago to marry Mrs. Scarborough. Hla mother still lives at New Brighton. Samuel Evans, formerly an appeal cor poration counsel living at New Brighton, is a brother-in-law of Dr. Johnson. He cfald that be had not been Informed of the death of Dr. Johnson until a reporter told VISITED TACOMA LAST, MONTH T A COMA, Wash.. Jan. 8. A brother of Dr. hillp Edwards Johnson was about ten years ago a prominent citi- zen of Tacoma. Ills name was James Ie Baron Johnson. He was cashier of the Metropolitan Bank, wliich mads Buch & disastrous failure here, and af ter the bank failed Le Baron Johnson, as he was known, went to New York to reside. Dr. Johnson' himself was in Xaoma about a montn aero, the guest of J" 1 1 1 J Oaesar. who waa president ot the Metropolitan Savings Flank when Le Baron Johnson was cashier. POLICE DO THOROUGH JOB Five Men ArrcKted for the Robbery of Dexter Roberts. Dexter Roberts, -a well-to-do hopR rower of 1 1 ubbard, Marion County, was robbed of his wallet containing in the neighbor hood of $400 at the Union Depot yester day morning, and before the day closed five men were placed under arrest and most of the money recovered by the po- lice. Roberts pocket was picked by A. Geer In. and the transaction was witnessed by Dennis Carney, of 721 Multnomah street, who notified the police that a man con- alderably under the influence of Hqnor had been robbed by a short man at the Union Depot. Soon after the affair was reported Sergeant Jones and Acting De tective Tlehnor arrested John Delore. a soldier of the Fourteenth Infantry, who was found to have considerable money In his possession and was acting in a suspicious manner. Shortly after the ar- rest of Delore. Geerin appeared at the station and said he had heard the police were after him. He was locked up and later identified as the man who had robbed Roberts. It was found that the money he secured had been divided be- t ween several parties and soon all were under arrest. E. II- WrlRht was arrested , omcers Jones m Tictinor a"a t0'3 the police that the money found In his shoes and stock! nars had been given him by Geerin. Johnny Axcouette was arrested by Ie- tectives Mallott and Hill and later the same officers took Frank Sanders into custody. Sanders had SlOO of the stolen money and. Arcouette about 920. All were locked up. DR. BAAR HAS ACCIDENT Car and Carriage Collide on Union Avenue. While Dr. Gustav Baar was driving across TTnion avenue last night, a street ear crashed into his carriage, badly break ing it, but fortunately not Injuring Dr. Baar or his driver. The car strlck the back of the vehicle, tearing away the rear 'wheels and a portion of the carriage. Dr. Baar had been calling upon a pa tient and the collision occurred as he was crossing: Union avenue upon the re turn trip. Dr. Baar said that he was not driving fast at the time,- but that the car was approaching toward town with so great speed, that the motorman was un able to stop it In time to avoid the acci dent. When the car struck the carriage, both Dr. Baar and the driver were thrown to the ground, but not violently, and neither received the slightest injury. Dr. Baar abandoned tne carriage and returned upon tne car witn wnica tne vehicle had co lided. PERSONAL MENTION, G. H. Plummer, of Tacoma. Western land agent of the Northern -Pacific, is a gu es l at tne j-o r tia n t. Merton Kiddle, son of Ed Kiddle, of Island City, Is at the Good Samaritan Hospital, where he recently underwent a minor operation. . He Is now con valescent. M. Mulr Plcken has accepted an lm- portant position in Seattle and left Portland lstst nietit to take up ti In new duties. Mr. Piclcen has been sl resident of Portland lor 11 years, and is a staunch Republican. CHICAGO. Jan. 8. (Special.) Portland people registered at Chicago hotels: C. H. Carey and wife, W. :U Skinner and wife, at the Stratford; W. A. Healey at the Auditorium; W. A. Richardson at the Kalserhof. rrobably Lewis Mender. It is thought that the man drowned at the new Willamette railroad bridge last Saturday night was Iewis K. Meader, as lie has been missing from ins iiuiiio n-L uiutCJailJ X HI a bince Xliat time. Sunday morning the employers t iiok a i rt lul account of the men work ing on the new bridge near St. Johns, and found that Meader had failed to re- turn to -his home Saturday night. . Ef forts have . been made to recover the body with a drag-net, but without avail The coroner's office has received no re- port of the drowning. Take Body to JacksonTllle. The body of Miss Emma Helms, who was shot and Killed by her brother-in-law. Pred Martin, Sunday evening, wll be taken to her former home at Jack- sonville, Or., this evening. Edward Helms, a brother of the dead girl, and Mrs. Cronln of Eugene will accompany the remains. Miss Helms was past matron of the O, E. S. of Jacksonville and her sister, Mrs. Martin Is also a member of the society, which organiza tion will have charge ol the funeral services at the Southern Oregon city. WOMAN DELEGATE SPEAKS Mta Alice Lord, of "Washington Federation of Labor, Urges Men. of Oregon to Declare for an Elght'Hoiir Law. Senator Gearln was warmly commended by "H. c. Gurr at the afternoon session of the State Federation of Labor conven tion yesterday for his stand on the Japa- rm question and his reproof to PresI- dent Roosevelt. Mr. Gurr said the con vention should go on record as support ing Senator Oearin in his stand on Japa- nese exclusion, and he asked that a com mittee be named to draft a suitable reso lution. President Gram aprointed J. J. Price, H. J. Slrard and H. C Qurr to prepare a resolution which will be Introduced to- day. There is no Question but the con vention will adopt it unanimously, and a telegram of congratulation may also bo sent to Senator Gearln by the convention. "Senator Gearln should be congratu lated for his position on this question," said Mr. Gurr In making his motion. "There Is no favoritism in this action, for any Senator, no matter what Ills poli tics, who takes a like stand, should re- The convict labor Wll was also for- mally Indorsed yesterday hy unanimous vot. A letter from Senator Haines, of "W ash InRton Coil nty, was read, in w n Icli he stated he was not yet prepared to give the bill his support, and stated In support of his contentions that he be lieved the prisoners should be practically self-supporting by being made to work at remunerative occupations, as at present. The most Interesting speech of yester- day's session was made by a woman, and wss not over three minutes in length. Miss Alice Txrd. fraternal delegate from the Washington Federation of Ia-bor, wa,s present to extend greetings from organ ized labor of her state, anil she spoke upon invitation from the chair. Woman Ielcgate Speaks. "If I were a man.' she said. "I would not vote for a man because he was a Republican, nor would I vote for because he was a Democrat. I would vote for the man who wore the union label." There was a debate yesterday after noon on whether or not the convention should pass a resolution- asKIng (or an eight-hour law tn all occupations In this state. Some demurred because they thoMKht tlie convention would be under taking more than It could hope to accpm- plfsh. but others favored such action and the resolution passed. ' Yo 11 men sit here In this convention afraid to ask for an elglit-hour law," Mies Lord declared with scorn, "when the waitresses in Beattle can get an eight-hour law by themselves." Election of Officers Today. Election of officers will probably be held today, and the convention hopes to concl ude Its labors tunlhL Prenldent Oram, who has held this position for four years, will doubtless be re-nominated but he expressed the determination yesterday -to decline re-election. " I think It would benefit the organization to have new blood in control," he said yester- day, Paulinas McDonald, secretary of the State Federation, will probably be re elected. There Is no consensus of opin ion on other officers. The committee on constitution effected slight changes in the by-laws yesterday. The delegates favored steps that will aid in the return of unions which have lost thefr connection with the State Federa tion, and on motion the regular Initiation fee of $5 was suspended for three months and all arrearages have been wiped out to date. This step, it is believed, will add to the number of organizations affiliated, New Plan to Oet Revenue. The ways and means committee offered a plan for readjusting tho methods of col lecting:' revenue to carry on the work of the organization, and presented a charter amendment so that each union with a membership of 26 or less shall pay 7a cents a month to the Federation; unions with more than 23 members shall pay 91. oO; with more than 60 members. 2.25; more than 75 members shall pay monthly The Virtue of Mastication. (Prom "The Tribune Correspondent.) 'New York. Oct. rth. Professor Irving' Fisher, of Tain University, has been conducting experiments upon nfrrn Yale students since lsr January in ordr to determine the effects of the tliornUKh mastication of food. He has found that their eniluranec- in Increased 50 per cent, aWhough they took no more oxer- else than Mm tlie experiments, and although they ill- mlnishod their consumption of flesh foods to one-sixth the original quantity. These experiments emphasize the advantages j of the scientific food,' GRAPE-NUTS, which, when eaten properly- that is, crisp and. dry, direct from the package, with a little cream or milk-requires thorough "chewing." Grape-Nuts food comes in dclite crisp gran ule's, intended to be ground up by the tooth. The work not only preserves the teeth but brings down the saliva from the gums so necessary in the primary work of digestion. If your teeth are fit, chew, chew, chew, until the food is liquid and insists on being swallowed. If teeth are faulty, soften Grape-Xuts with cream or hot or cold milk and allow to stand a min- ute soakiupc, but even then don't forget to chew. Many people say (and it is true), that when they eat Grape-Nuts they seem able to digest not only that food hut other kinds which formerly seemed indigestible. There's a Reason for Grape-Nuts the unions of the state by the execntlvn board of the Federation for a referendum vote on the abolition of the poll tax was argued warmly and finally passed upon the recommendation of the commute". A resolution t hat the Woman's Union Label League, which is an organization made up of the wives ami women frelnds of union men. be admitted as an honor ary member of the State federation, was adopted. Protect Lives of Linemen. The Electrical Workers introduced a resolution urging the passage of meas ures at the coming Legislature designed to protect the lives of linemen or to regulate and license them In the business or calling for an apprenticeship of three years before linemen should become journeymen. The committee on labels and boycotts made a report asking that the Home Telephone Company b boycotted for the failure of that corporation to live up to Its agreements. At the time tlie company Bought a franchise to lay wires in Port- land, its managers promised to employ only union men In building and operating the system. A letter to this efTcct is in possesion of the loral union. The or ganization declares the company failed to kep faith with the union and had no wooner obtained its franchise than It employed nonunion men. A meeting place for next year will lw decided upon tod&y. hut It Is expected Portland will a Kit 1m be chosen. Several committee reports are to be heard toddy, and additional resolutions will be acted upon. Sessions will be resumed this morn ing at 10 o'clock. President Oram. V. IT. F"1tzrerald find J. W. Iong visited Rainier Monday night. f where they formed a new union of team sters with members. This union will be affiliated with the Kederation. WATER C0DE DEFENDED Board of Trade Takes Vp Cnilgcl for rropoMCd Legislation. At t be regular mont hi y mt in k of the Board of Trade Inst night. Wa 11 is Nash, president of the organization, was Mppointed a delegate to ttend th Hliippers Convention, that will b held at Albany today. F"lve nw members were elected to membership, and h, thorough discussion was had of the proposed new water rode. Several hun dred copies of this measure have bPil printed, and persons desiring copies will be supplied upon making applica tion to the secretary. There hs devel oped some opposition to the bill as It has been drafted, bu t th e Hon rd of Trade will defend the measure and will Insist on its passage in its present fdim in the best interests of the stute, as well as for the general convenience of water users. The Board indorsed and pledged its support to the bill proposing an np- propriatlon of about $31,000. to be ex pended for hydrograpnio and topo-gr.-tphic maps of tli. state, and for agri cultural experiment work, in t "belief that the people of Own slmuM know more of their s4ate and its topograph ical formation. The Riippnrt of th bill and Its proposed enric-t men t t backed with The undemanding thnt the gen eral Oovprnmont will make available for the same purposes nil amount enunl to tltxt appropriated by t'ntn Stale Leg islature. MAY FORCE MAYOR'S HAND Council Plans to Compel Appoint- men t of Police Chief. " It. Is probable that the wajranl means committee of the Council at Its nxt meet In ft; will rf use to ma. K n a pproprlatlon for tho salary of iVnl of -Police. If taken, tlil action will no bflSod upon the (act thftt (lift offU at present Is filled by an Acting Chief of Police, with the technical rank of captain, yet who has been drawing the salary of the higher office, Members of the committee assert that before they will ma.ke an appropriation for the Chief's Hillary, Ma yor I-ane must appoint someone regularly to- the office, as ho has not yet done. Ask $3000 'for Broken I,eg. Damages in Uic sum of $3000 are asked by G. L. Smith from the Portland Railway Company for personal In juries. The cufle was placed on trla 1 yesterday In the State Circuit Court and the day was taken up In securing a Jury. Smith alkies that he was thrown from his wngon and seriously Injured through carelessness of a streetcar crew last August. Financier Has Had Cold. NEW YORK. Jan. R. Asked today about rumors that J. Plerpont Morgan was seriously 111, the son said that his father was suffering from a slight cold and remained at his home because of the xi n favorahld weather.