VOL. XLVI XO. 14,438.
PORTLAND, OREGON, MONDAY, MARCH 18, 1907.
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
NORTH GOAST TO
ENTER PORTLAND
This City Will Be Made
Its Terminus.
FILES PLANS WITH COMMISSION
May Build Here Before Reach
ing Puget Sound.
MAP SHOWS ROAD'S COURSE
R. H. Strahorn Deposits With Rail
road Commission Outline of Proj
ect Assuring Oregon Another
Transcontinental Line.
SEATTLE. Wash., March 17. (Special.)
Tha North Coast Railroad will build
into Portland and may construct a Hne
into the Oregon metropolis before it com
pletes the projected railway to Tacoma
and Seattle. The intention to build into
rortland is indicated by data supplied
by R. H. Strahorn to the State Railroad
Commission. Mr. Strahorn grave the
Railroad Commission a full outline of his
line's plans- to enable the Commission
to correct its new railroad map, three
copies of which have been issued from
the press. In this map the North Coast
is shown to plan to build both north and
south after crossing the mountains via
Tlet'on Pass, where construction crews
1 are now at work. The North Coast line
will follow pretty closely the lines of the
Northern Pacific and the Harriman pro
jection. Nothing has ever been disclosed as to
the plan for crossing the Columbia, but
the North Coast may take advantage of
the common-user clause in the Hill sys
tem's bridge across the Columbia and
get Into Oregon over that structure.
Guards Plan as Secret.
No intimation of the plan to build into
Portland has ever been allowed to creep
out until the data was furnished by the
North Coant to correct the Railroad Com
mission's new map. Complete informa
tion was then furnished the Railroad
Commission under seal of secrecy until
the Commission's new map should be
issued.
The North Coast, Chicago, Milwaukee
St. Paul, North Bank line of the Hill
system and the Harriman projection to
Puget Sound are all shown on the Rail
road Commission's map, the routes being
Hlven in faithful conformity to detail
from the engineering departments of the
Interested lines. Neither the Hill nor tho
Harriman By sterna provided information
for the projected roads on the lower Co
lumbia, and in the dUtrlct between the
mouth of the Columbia and the' Gray's
Harbor country. The Northern Pacific's
peninsular branch to not described, nor
is the new Pasco-Spokane cut-off given.
The St. Paul withheld information re
garding its plan of entering Spokane.
The North Coast road did not furnish
any data regarding the routes it will take
between Tacoma and Seattle, and the
Tacoma entrance la not clearly defined.
But the information given to the Rail
road Commission does away with the
storr that the North Coast will acquire
the Tacoma Eastern. It was reported
about 18 months ago that the North coast
had an option on the Tacoma Eastern,
which Is owned by Ladd & Tilton. of
Portland. The Railroad Commission's
map shows the North Coast will build
a new line into Tacoma, lying between
the Tacoma Eastern and the route of
the Harriman road from the south.
It is indicated to the Railroad Com
mission that the North Coast will reach
tidewater at Seattle, Tacoma and Port
land. In Eastern Washington lines will
be built to Spokane and through "Walla
Walla into the Southeastern part of the
state, probably piercing the Blue Moun
tains and leaving Washington very near
the Southeastern corner.
Connects With Two Systems.
Publlo announcement has been made
that the North Coast contemplates a
juncture with at least two transcon
tinental lines. The Inference has been
given that the Gould system and the
Northwestern are the roads that will use
the North Coast's tracts.
Ever since work began on the North
Coast Its backers have been carefully
shielded from the public, R. H. Strahorn
at one time a prominent Boston broker
and wen connected in the East, has been
at the head of North Coast work, and he
has kept the secret of the company's
connections from even his most intimate
associates on the Coast. The company
has not lacked for money and it has
proceeded slowly but constantly toward
the acquisition of rights of way and the
beginning of grading. For months the
new line has been fighting the Northern
Pacific at North Yakima ana for pos
session of the pass west of Yakima.
Actual clashes between grading crews
preceded an appeal to the courts to settle
the controversy.
More than 1 months ago the North
Coast applied for a franchise at Seattle,
guaranteeing that the road would be
built and that It would obtain transcon
tinental eonnecOone. The City Council
demand to know just who the backers
of the line were. The St. Paul, a few
weeks later, also asked for a franchise in
the name of the Pacific Railroad, and in
reply to a demand from the council, di
vulged the fact that the St. Paul was
behind the application.
Kerr & McCord, who were Strahorn' s
local attorneys, either did not know them
selves or were tied up by -Strahorn and
compelled to refuse to give any informa
tion regarding the proposed line. Stra
horn himself insisted his Eastern backers
were not prepared to tell their plans in
full, but he offered any other . possible
guarantee of genuineness. The company
negotiated for a big block of tide lands
here, but suddenly abandoned its fran
chise application and drew away from
the tide land bargains. The movement
toward a Tacoma franchise got no further
than the effort at Seattle. But in North
Yakima and at Walla Walla franchises
were obtained 18 months ago.
When Strahorn withdrew from Seattle
it was announced the road would confine
Its work to Eastern Washington, where
the people were not so inquisitive. Right
of way agents have worked for nearly
two years securing rights and the com
pany is said to have practically completed
the right of way purchases necessary in
Eastern Washington. Through all the
preliminary stages of organization and
reconnaissance the North Coast has con
cealed its purpose of building toward
John D. Rockefeller, Whose Millions
Will Go to Charitable and Educa
tional Purpose.
Portland as well as toward the Sound.
The fact that the company makes known
its plans to the State Railroad Commis
sion is indicative that preliminary details
are so well worked out that the company
will probably be ready by Summer to be
gin an open railroad building race to
the Coast. Strahorn, who is spending
most of his time In North Yakima and
Spokane, expected construction work to
be further advanced than it is at pres
ent, but he has been met by vigorous
opposition all along the route, and his
air of secrecy has retarded the work.
The Railroad Commission's map, which
will show the railroads operating or pro
jected In this state. Is not yet issued
from the publishers, a Chicago firm.
Three advanced proofs have been re
ceived by the Commission and- are re
tained In its office at Olympia. A few
minor corrections are to be made and
the maps will then be published, probably
being received here within a month.
ND TSFT BOOST, SAYS LOEB
DENIES THAT IT WAS A POLITI
CAL CONFERENCE.
Big Secretary Merely Happened to
Call on Roosevelt When Governor
Deneen Was at White Honse.
WASHINGTON, March 17. Secretary
Loeb denied that the public state
ments that the White House confer
ence, in which Governor Charles S.
Deneen and Attorney-General Stead
participated, was for the purpose of
promoting the candidacy of Secretary
Taft for the presidency
The story originated, it is said, from
the fact that Secretary Taft and his
brother, Charles P. Taft, of Cincinnati,
called at the executive office while
the President was in conference with
the Illinois officials, and were Intro
duced to the President's visitors. The
only reference made to polltios during
the conference was that the President
asked Governor Deneen regarding the
mayoralty fight in Chicago.
B. F. Yoakum, chairman of the board
of directors of the Chicago, Rock Island
& Pacific Railroad, who conferred with
the President last week on the railroad
situation, will visit the White Honse
again this week. Mr. Yoakum, who
has announced himself unreservedly in
favor of close co-operation between the
railroads and the Federal Government,
will again urge the President to issue
a reassuring statement outlining his
attitude toward the railroads.
President Charles S. Mellen. of the
New York, New Haven & Hartford
Railroad, will call on the President
Tuesday afternoon, and it is still the
belief in official circles that the other
three presidents will come to Wash
ington this week. President Mellen
has made it plain to a cabinet officer
with whom he has communicated that
he will visit the White House as an
individual, and will not undertake to
represent Messrs. McCrea, Newman
and Hughltt or the railroad corpora
tions generally.
As yet none of the other three presi
dents has asked Mr. Roosevelt to re
ceive them, though it is believed some
word may be received from Mr. Hughltt
tomorrow.
DEXEES RETURNS TO CHICAGO
Says Conference Will Have Bearing
on Railway Situation.
CHICAGO, March 17. Governor Charles
Deneen returned tonight from Washing
ton, where he conferred with President
Roosevelt. He was not at liberty, he said.
to discuss the specific matters taken up
at the conference, which he asserted "was
interesting" and "ranged over a variety
of subjects."
Governor Deneen did not deny that the
interview had much to do with the rail
road situation In Illinois and the Missis
sippi Valley, but made it plain that any
thing further on the subject would have
to come from the White House,
ROCKEFELLER IS
NUKING HIS WILL
Plans to Give Fortune
to Use of Public.
VAST SUM TO EDUCATION
Princely Bequests Wiil Go for
Charitable Purposes.
BENEFITS TO BE LASTING
Special Gift $50,000,000 Soon to Go
to New York for Education and
Charity Has $250,000,000
Yet to Give Away.
NEW YORK, March 17. The Herald
will tomorrow say that according to a
member of J-ihn D. Rockefeller, Jr's.,
Bible class, and who Is also a personal
friend of John D. Rockefeller and in a
position to know of his affairs, the latter
proposes to make a princely gift to New
York City. It will amount to at least
$30,000,000. It will be partly charitable
and partly educational. The Herald will
add:
This man said that when Mr. Rocke
feller was conferring with his son at
Lakewood, N. J., a fortnight ago the
meeting was not for the purpose of dis
cussing .any immediate gift, but was on
the subject of Mr. Rockefeller's will,
which document the oil king was then
completing with the aid of his son and
his lawyers. It wan said that this docu
ment will astonish the world when it is
made public.
Quarter Billion to Education.
It will, it is declared, give no less than
$250,000,000 for charitable and educational
purposes, and it will be so bestowed that
the benefit therefrom will almost be per
petual. The manner In which these bequests
will be bestowed is said to be mainly
educational and charitable. While there
are some contributions for religious pur
poses, it is stated that Mr. Rockefeller
does not think It necessary to extend any
great financial aid to churches. He thinks
the churches are growing steadily strong
er and that there is ho danger that they
will ever need any great financial assist
ance from one man.
Benef t Every Man, Woman, Child.
Mr. Rockefeller, however. Is said to be
much in favor of the growth of educa
tion, and to the furtherance of this end
he has done much in hiB will. He believes
that education will make this country the
greatest in the world, and that every cent
contributed toward that object will help
to make better citizens and better Chris
tians. As to the charitable bequests, it
was said some time ago that Mr. Rocke
feller had in mind building model tene
ments for the poor euch as have been
erected in some European cities.
In his will, the Herald's informant
states. Mr. Rockefeller has provided these
three things bequests for religious pur
poses though not of large sums, liberal
bequests for education, and what are de
scribed as princely bequests for charitable
purposes. It is said that there is scarcely
a man, woman or child that will not bene
fit in some way by these prospective do
nations. STEAMER SUEVIC ASHORE
White Star Liner Grounds In Thick
Fog With 560 on Board.
LONDON, March 17. The White Star
Line steamer Suevio struck on the
rocks and went ashore near the Lizard
in a thick fog at 11:30 o'clock tonight.
.Two lifeboats have been launched, and
others have been summoned to go to
the assistance of the vessel.
The Suervic went ashore on what Is
known as Maentere Rock, under a
lighthouse. On board the' vessel were
400 passengers and 160 members of the
crew. No loss of life is expected.
The passengers and crew of the Suevio
are being landed. No lives have been
lost.
The White Star Line steamer Suevlc,
which is commanded by Captain Selby,
is of 12,500 tons, and plies between
London and Australia, by way of Cape
Town.
TORPEDO-BOAT IS RAMMED
Steamplpe Bursts and Two Men Are
Killed Vessel Beached.
AJACICO. Prance, March 17. During
the maneuvers last night without lights
the torpedo-boat destroyer Epee rammed
torpedo-boat No. 263. A steampipe on
the last-named vessel burst, killing two
men and mortally Injuring another. The
Epce towed the torpedo-boat ashore,
where she was beached.
GREETED BY ITALY'S KING
Victor Emmanuel Cordially Receives
Ambassador Griscom.
ROME. March 17. At noon today ttrree
gorgeous Derllns,. with outriders and
flunkeys and the court masters of cere
monies, Duke Clto and Count TazzonL
went to Iel Drago palace and oonvevefl
I lAyd C. Grtsoom, the new United States
EVENTS OF COMING- WEEK?
An important event of this week X
will be the conference on Taesday
on railroad affairs between. Presi
dent Roosevelt and President. Mellen.
of the New York, New Haven &
Hartford Railway Company. Mr. Mel
len will be the only one of the four
railroad executives suggested to Mr.
Roosevelt by J. Plerpont Morgan for
euch consultation to go to Washing
ton. The others, McCrea, of the .
Pennsylvania; Newman, of the New
York Central, and Hughltt. of the
Chicago 2Tortn western, decided at
& meeting in New York last week not
to ask for an Interview with the
President this week.
Taft Goes to Isthmus.
Secretary Taft, accompanied by
S enato r Kl 1 1 red ge an d R ep res e n ta
tlves Burton and De Armond and
three civil engineers will sail for the
Panama Canal Zone March 24, on
the cruiser Columbia. It is expected
that the hole on the site of the
Qatun dam will have been excavated
sufficiently by the time the party
reaches the isthmus to make possible
an examination of the foundation; of
the largest dam to be constructed on
the canal.
Mover-Heywood Trial.
The trial of Charles H. Moyer,
president; William D. Heywood, secretary-treasurer,
and George A. Pet
tlbone, member of the executive com
mittee of the Western Federation of
Miners, charged with being acces
sories to the murder of Governor
Frank Bteunenberg, of Idaho, Is
scheduled to open at Caldwell, Idaho,
on Wednesday.
A trial of great Interest to military
men will be the court-martial In New
York, on Monday, of Captain I Wen
dell, of the Battery N. G. N. Y.. on
charges of misuse of his control of
the First Battery Armory In that
city.
Harvard-1rkce4ot Debate.
On Friday representatives of Har
vard and Princeton; Universities will
meet In their annual debate.
A tournament to decide the Na
tional amateur tennis championship
will begin at the Tennis fc Racquet
Club. Boston, on Monday.
The cable chess match between
representatives of Harvard. Columbia,
Yale and Princeton on the one side
and Oxford and Camtorldg- on the
other will be played on Saturday.
King Alfonso, of Spain, will go to
Cartagena, March 23, where he will
meet King Edward.
The Oxford-Cambridge track and
field events will be contested at Lon
don March 23.
Ambassador, and the personnel of the
Embassy to the Quirlnal. Arriving there
the party was met by Count Gianotti. the
prefect of the palace, who Introduced the
Ambassador to King Victor Emmanuel.
After Mr. Griscom had presented his cre
dentials, the King conversed with him
cordially tor halt an hour, speaking Eng
lish. His Majesty exhibited great inter
est in economic and political conditions
in the United States. r-
JAPAN ADDS 24 REGIMENTS
Troops Will Be Csed to Police North
ern Isles Base at Kurume.
T0K1O. March 17. In pursuance of the
programme to increase armaments, 34 in
fantry regiments have been organized,
mainly concentrated in Northern Isiesv
The main base will be at Kurume, 60
miles northeast of Nagasaki.
Turkish Officer Is Slain.
CONSTANTINOPLE. March 17. A tele
gram received from Trebizond, Asiatic
Turkey, says that Hamld Pasha, com
manding the local troops, while leaving
the Mosque today, was assassinated by
a noncommandlng officer, who had been
pnnished shortly before.
Jews Appeal fop Protection.
BUCHAREST. Roumania, March 17.
The peasants are continuing excesses in
several districts of Moldavia. The Jews
of that section are in great distress and
have appealed to King Charles and the
Premier, Imploring their protection.
Tribes at War In Morocco.
CETJTA. Morocco, March 17. Severe in
tertribal fighting between the adherents
of Kaid Hasslnl and Vlelent, the chief
of the Angora tribesmen, resulted in a
defeat for the former. No details have
been received' as to the losses sustained.
1
VICE-PRESIDENT ENTERTAINED
BT HIS FRIENDS.
Toasted as Next President Slakes
Speech Thanking Hosts for
Hospitality,
CHICAGO, March 17. Vice-President
Fairbanks, who arrived here today, was
given a reception tonight at the Audi
torium Annex by prominent members of
the Irish Fellowship Club. Among those
present were Congressman William Lo ri
mer, Charles O. Danes, Edward Shurt
leff. Speaker of the Illinois House of
Representatives; John M. Harlan, Ex
Judge Elbridge Hancey and others.
In Introducing the Vice-President, Ex
Judge' Hancey said that Chicago, in
bringing out Mr. Fairbanks for the Presi
dency, would be found to prove once
more a "picker of the winner," just as
other Chicago clubs had distinguished
themselves by picking the winners.
A response made by Vice President
Fairbanks to Mr. Hancey's remarks was
brief. He said:
I am so overcome with gratltndA that I
cannot find yords to express myself. Those
of you who have Bald. Chicago la Indebted
to me are wrong. Chicago is not indebted
to me for any appropriations for publio
buildlng-s. to -which too have referred, but
Chicago ia Indebted to her able Congress
man, Mr. Lorlmer, who has worked so hard
and so well in behalf of your city and your
citizens. It gives me much more pleasure
than I can express to find myself among
such warm and hospitable friends, some
of whom I have known since boyhood. I
wish that in some way I could repay the
hospitality that has been shown me.
Mr. Falbanks will deliver two addresses
E
BY HILL-I0RE1
Northern Pacific Scan
dal to Be Aired.
BANKER IVES HEADED DEAL
Assessments Went Into Pri
vate Coffers.
CASE CARRIED INTO COURTS
Attorney-General Bonaparte Asked
to Investigate the Charges That
Stockholders Were Fleeced
Daring Reorganization.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa.. Marcb 17. Spe
clal.) Reduced to the form of affidavits
and of documents, the authenticity of
which have been proved In legal proceed
ings, revelations concerning: the wholesale
plundering of the rights of stockholders
in the Northern Pacific Railroad are about
to be presented before Attorney-General
Bonaparte. At the time of the Hill-Mor-gah
reorganization of the Northern Pa
cific Railroad Brayton Ives, then a promi
nent New York banker was the president
of the old company.
In February of 1896 Mr. Ives, as presi
dent of the Northern Pacific, appointed
from his board of directors a so-called
"protective committee," claiming authori
ty to proceed with the work of reorganiz
ation. Morgan & Co. were not only re
organization managers, contracting with
themselves as syndicate managers, but
they were also syndicate subscribers, and
thus appeared in a three-fold capacity,
being joined as syndicate subscribers with
Mr. Ives and other directors of the old
Northern Paciilc Company. Millions of
dollars were collected in assessments
levied upon the stockholders of the old
Northern Pacific Company, which it was
thought by the public were to be used
to rehabilitate the- company.
Instead of. being so appropriated they
were gathered In and' divided among the
syndicate as commissions and profits.
This is one of the features of the "sell
out" of the old Northern Pacific Com
pany and is one of the many amazing
things connected with this remarkable re
organization for which a complete investi
gation is being demanded of the authori
ties at Washington.
REPORTftflASSACRE OFJEWS
MESSAGE FROM ROUMANIA
GIVES MEAGER DETAILS.
Urgent Call Is Made for Help Town
Is In Ruins Homes of Jews
Were Pillaged.
NEW YORK, March 17. A Jewish
morning paper tonight received the fol
lowing cablegram from Podihilo, near
Jassack, Roumania:
"Terrible massacre since last Thurs
day. Town totally destroyed. All the
Jewish population are ruined and houses
pillaged. We ask help Marcus Getzel,
Ellas Solomon, Shjen Sterberg."
The names signed to the cablegram are
said to be those of leading merchants of
Podihilo. It Is a place of about 6000 in
habitants, 4000 of whom are Jews. It is
only 30 miles from Klshineff.
COSTLY FIRE GENOA HARBOR
Cotton Bales Burned and Ships Dam
aged Loss Is $1,000,000.
GENOA, March 17. Fire in the harbor
here today destroyed 15,000 bales of cot
ton and also damaged several vessels.
The loss is estimated at more than
,1,000,000.
Vienna Dressmakers to Strike.
VIENNA, March 1". At three mass-
meetings of dressmakers and ladies' tai
lors today it was decided to strike for
an increase of wages. Nine thousand
women and girls and 3000 men will be
involved.
SHOOTING OVER DOG FIGHT
Man Who Recently Killed Robber Is
Quick to Pull Gun.
EL PASO. Tel., March 17. Captain J.
r. Milton, of the United States Immigra
tion Service, who, while an express mes
senger some days ago killed a robber in
an attempted holdup, shot Tom Johnson,
a mining man, at Nogales yesterday over
a dog fight. After a hard fight Milton
was disarmed by the Sheriff. Johnson
was not seriously hurt.
LOPS OFF PRINCE'S EAR
Russian Nobleman Replies to Soldier
With Shots From His Pistol.
ST. PETERSBURG, March 17. A shoot
ing affray took place tonight in the din-
ing-hall of tlbe Grand Hotel D" Europe
between Prince Hikaridzea, Marshal of
Nobility of Kutals, and Captain Kostoff,
of the East Siberian sharpshooters.
In the midst of a spirited argument con
cerning the autonomy of. the Caucasus,
Prince Hlkaridzea made a disparaging re
PLUNDERED
mark about Russian military prestige.
Thereupon Captain Kostoff drew his saber
and cut off the Prince s ear. Reaching
Into his pocket the Prince pulled a re
volver and fired twice, the bullets pene
trating the neck and breast of the cap
tain. A surgeon sewed the Prince's ear to
gether. The pistol wounds are not fatal.
DISPLEASING TO VETERANS
Disfranchisement of Soldiers Is Re
sented by Boys Who Fought Spain.
WASHINGTON, March 17. The United
Spanish War Veterans District of Colum
bia Department, today adopted resolu
tions vigorously denouncing the action of
the constitutional convention of Oklahoma
in adopting a clause In its constitution
disfranchising soldiers, sailors and ma
riners, and characterizing such action as a
direct insult to all American soldiers, sail
ors and marines "who have fought In the
several wars in which the country has
been engaged, and who have never known
defeat in any war."
The resolutions Invite the attention of
Lloyd C. Griscom, ArobMsador, Pre
sented Tettwdaj to King ot Italy.
Commander-in-Chief Hamilton Ward of
Buffalo to the action of the Oklahoma
convention, and request him to call a
meeting of the National Council of Ad
ministration with a view of holding: the
next encampment at come other place
than Oklahoma City.
TO GIVE OUT HERO MEDALS
Carnegie Commission AV1I1 Make Dis
, tributlon From Pittsburg.
PITTSBURG. March 17. The city dis
tribution of hero medals will be made to
morrow by the Carnegie, hero fund com
mission. Gold, silver and bronze medals
will be given to 63 persons la different
parts of the United States and Canada.
At the laet meeting- of the commission
held on January 16, IS more medals were
awarded, but these will be distributed
later. It is announced that the reason
the medals were not awarded sooner re
sulted from the commission's failure to
adopt resolutions submitted by the lead
ing jewelers of the country.
Among those getting bronze medals are:
John M. Parks, LeRoy McCoy and "Walt
ace O. McPeters, all of Ketchum. Idaho.
BOERS VINDICATE THE IRISH
John Dillon Regards Recent Strug
gle In Light of Victory.
WOOLVBRHAUPTOK. Eng.. March 17.
Speaking at an Irish demonstration here
today, John Dillon asked the young men
to sit at the feet of Generals Botha and
Delarey. He said the (South African peo
ple naa conquerea tnelr conquerors.
Botha was now a minister of the crown
(being Premier and Minister of Native
Affairs for the Transvaal) and Irishmen
might see the time when John Redmond
would be Premier of Ireland. He said
that he believed that in the victory of the
uoers the Irish .policy had been vindi
cated.
CONTENTS TODAY'S PAPER
, The TfVathe. -
TESTERDATS Maximum temporat-ars, 43
aegrees : minimum, .is.
TODAY'S Rain; higTi southerly winds.
Foreign,
Theft of tntrto Is Riven as direct cause
war between Honduras and MtcAraffua.
-rage b.
Berlin feels enct of drop In Wall street
securities, page a.
Ambassador Griscom Is presented to Kins
victor cmmaouei, .fage l.
Rlpht - Rot. Thomas C Gorman, of Twin
Falls, is presented to Pope Plus. Page 2.
Katlonal.
National Civic Federation proposes conven
tion to discuss problem of the trusts.
Page 2.
Question of long and short hauls may be
revolutionised by session of Interstate
Commerce Commission In Chicago,
Pa 2.
Secretary Loeb denies Roosevelt Is boost
ing Taft for President. Page 1.
Kx-soldier tells story of Brownsville affair,
Page 3.
Oomestte.
Ohio flood Is believed to have reached its
highest point. Page 2.
Northern Pacific stockholders were fleeced
during reorganization of company.
Page 1.
Rockefeller making' his will; to give mil
lions to education and charity. Page I.
Sports.
Various reasons assigned for failnre of Ta
coma to hold Northwest League fran
chise. Page 4.
Portland and Vicinity.
Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Mayer celebrate dia
mond wedding. Page 13.
Portland labor leaders plan active partici
pation in municipal campaign. Page 4.
Rev. J. "Whltcomb Brougher attacks Chris
tian Science. Page 8.
Backbone of sawmill strike Is broken; box
factories resume work today. Page 13.
Order of Interior Department will hasten
1,000,000 acres of Oregon land to patent.
. Page 14.
Rev. William Fouikes assumes pastorate of
First Presbyterian Church. Page 8.
Socialist orators berate each other and meet
ing threatens riot. Page 8,
Big demonstration In honor of St. Patrick.
Page 13. .
"-1
SENATE SPEECH
IS UNFETTERED
No Power Can Say
When It Shall Cease.
MINORITY DEFEATS MAJORITY
Unlimited Debate Keeps Many
Bills From Passage.
NOTED FORCE BILL FIGHT
Three Instance In Senate's History.
When Important Legislation Has
Been Talked to Death Ship
Subsidy Recent Example. ;
BT FREDERIC J. HASKUT.
"WASHINGTON, March li CSpecla.
Correspondence.) At 13ia rlnu vf tVi
Congress, Senator Ed-ward W. Oumack,
or uennessee, talked the ship-subsidy bill
to death, and the "fatality" brought
forth, considerable inquiry about the
freedom of speech in the Senate which
makes it possible to strangle legislation
in this manner. The Senate rule of un
limited speech has been in effect since
WhUe many Important billa have
been done to death on account of it,
the three most important measures killed
in this way were the Federal elections
law. popularly known as the "force bill."
in 1891; the rivers and harbors -bill carry
ing about $50,000,000 appropriations for
waterways in 1901; and the ship subsidy
bill a few weeks ago.
These things are made possible because
of the fact that the rules of the Senate
provide no way to force an issue to a
vote if there is any one who cares to
discuss it farther. Agreements to come
to a vote in the Senate are. made by
unanimous consent. The late Senator
George Frisbie Hoar, of Massachusetts,
discussing the United States Senate, said
in a published article in 1890: "In this
assembly speech is absolutely unfettered.
This ia of. immense importance not -only
to the perfection ot legislation, but also
to the dignity of the Senate, and in my
opinion, to civil liberty itself." "Within
a month after that statement appeared
he was leading the fight for a rule to
cut off debate.
Senate Rules Are Fixtures.
When the Senate was first organized
there was a rule concerning the call of
the previous question which might, in
time, have -been construed to furnish a
brake to stop debate, but since 1806 the
rules have been as they are now. Ef
forts to establish a "cloture" rule have
been made from time to time, but as the
minority can discuss its adoption for two
years if necessary, it is hardly possible
that any change ever will be made. The
last appearance of a "cloture" rule was
on the day Theodore Roosevelt was in
ducted Into the office of Vice-President
and was presiding over the extra session
of the Senate. Senator Piatt, of Con
necticut, arose and offered it. He frankly
said he didn't believe it would pass, and
it dldnt. It hasn't showed up since.
The force-bill fight was a memorable
one. Senator Hoar, its chief advocate,
desoribed it as the last great outbreak '
of anger which spread throughout the
American people. Senator Hoar, Senator
Lodge, then a Representative from Mas
sachusetts, and Senator Spooner, pre
pared the bill. It provided for universal
registration for congressional eleetlong
and. under certain circumstances, for
Federal supervision thereof.
"Force Bill" Fight of 1890.
In 1889 the Republicans came into un
disputed control of the Government for
the first time In 16 years, as since 1873
the Democrats bad had a majority in
either the House or Senate and for four
years had had the President. Harrison
was hi the White House and he wanted
the Federal elections law passed. It was
not taken up by the Senate at the long
session, but by special order was taken
up on the first day of the short session
in December, 1890. a month after the elec
tion which had again swept the Republi
cans from power and placed the Demo
crats In control of the House by an
enormous majority. The new Congress,
of course, did not come in. until after the
fourth of March, and the Senate Repub
lican leaders were determined to pasg
the election law. The Democrats were
equally determined that it should not
pass.
Several Republicans from the far Wert,
especially some of those who were firm
believers in free silver, took little heart
In the party programme. The Democrats
made love to these Westerners in every
possible way and finally won over a suffi
cient number to insure the defeat or the
bill. It never came to a vote, but on
January 28. after a fight of seven weeks,
during which time the Senate was fre
quently in continuous session for days
and nights at a time, the elections bill
was laid aside to take up the appropria
tions. It never appeared again. Before
his death. Senator Hoar, who was bitterly
disappointed at the time, admitted that it
was better so.
Whole Nation Was Aroused.
The fight brought the whole Nation to
a white heat. Preparations were being
made for the World's Fair at Chicago to
celebrate the four hundredth anniversary
of the discovery of America. The Legisla
tures of Tennessee, Arkansas and Ala
Concluded on Page 2.)
here tomorrow,
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