Morning Oregonian., April 24, 1908, Page 8, Image 8

THE MORiaXG OREGOXTAN", FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 1908.
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I'OBTLAND, FKIOAY, APRIL I. 1908.
CONCEHN1NO MR, KNOX.
There are few men In American
miVill 1 1 ii- Vi n on wcii,! A r A mnM 1 1 tl 1
fornily temperate, wise and true than
those of Mr. Knox, of Pennsylvania.
It Is believed by many that a man
who, like him, has been a corporation
lawyer, thereby contracts a taint which
must inevitably cling to him through
out his career and poison all his acts
and thoughts. In this belief we do
not share. To us the fact that the
Senator from Pennsylvania is deeply
read in corporation law is not a de
merit, but one of his crowning advan
tages as a public servant. There is a
story of a minister who had long
preached In vain upon the folly of sin
and the delights of virtue. Penally it
occurred to him that he might possi
bly add to the veracity of his word
pictures by acquainting himself with
?ln as It actually cxiats; so he sallied
forth from his theological library and
betook himself to tho haunts of the
prostitute, the drunkard and the crim
inal. Next Sunday morning his ser
mon rang with a vitality which was
strange to his congregation. He spoke
of realities Instead of phantoms, and
his words exerted the power of living
truth.
Like the preacher who learned in
the slums how to depict the charms
of virtue and the poet who learned in
fullering what he taught in eong, so
we imagine Mr. Knox may have ac
quired as a corporation lawyer much
of that comprehension of corporate
deviousness which makes him perhaps
the most useful of our statesmen.
Others know corporations from books.
Mr. Knox knows them from close as
sociation. Others suspect 'them of
possessing vast power for evil; he
knows that they possess this power
because he has helped them use it.
Tho most zealous reformers in the
world are men who have had much to
repent of. "The heresies that men do
loave are hated most of those they did
receive." Granted that Mr. Knox is
truly repentant of the sins which he
may have committed in the lusty hey
day of his career as a corporation law
yer, the experience which he gained by
it must now be the most serviceable of
nil his mental treasures.
There is nothing to indicate that Mr.
Knox has not dedicated his great abil
ities and acquirements unreservedly to
the public service. When he was Attorney-General
he undertook the haz
ardous business of prosecuting the suit
against the Minnesota railroad merger
and won his case. We have now be
come accustomed to seeing the law of
ficers of the Government beard the
corporations in their dens apd come
forth unscathed, and we have forgot
ten how much courage, what origlnal
iiy ijl thought, what vast understand
ing of the law and constitution it re
quired to face them for the first time
in the courts which they had domi
nated for half a century and wring
from them a victory which should turn
the tide of American history. Up to
that time the country had been mov
ing toward government by an oli
garchy of wealth; the merger suit,
which Mr. Roosevelt Instituted and
vhich Mr. Knox won by his transcen
dent legal ability, definitely stopped
the movement and set the republic
again upon the road to democracy.
In the course of time the merger
case will probably develop as much
potency for good as the Dartmouth
College case has developed for evil.
Kor the first time it effectually as
serted the authority of the Govern
ment over combinations of wealth. Of
course there had previously been at
tempts of the sort, but they Were ui
svstematic. They lacked deflniteness
and purpose. In the merger case Mr.
Itoosevelt and his Attorney-General
initiated a policy which the Federal
Government can never forsake, that of
Ithe relentless exercise of all the pow
ers which were delegated to it by the
Constitution. Up to that time many
of these powers had been unused.
The General Government might as
well not have possessed them. A the
ory had even grown up that it was the
purpose of the Constitution that they
should He forever -dormant. Some
lawyers went so far as to say that they
had neither been given to the Federal
Government nor reserved to the states.
They were non-existent for all practi
cal purposes in our polity, and we
muBt permit the great corporations to
do as they liked for lack of power to
control them.
The merger case was the beginning
of the end of this anarchistic theory.
The Government then definitely assert
ed Its supremacy over the wealthy syn
dicates and began the exercise of its
full constitutional authority over in
terstate commerce. Timid persons
predicted that this new vigor 1n the
E'ederal arm meant the destruction of
the states, but It never did. Subse
quent events have shown that vitality
In the central authority has stimulated
rather than weakened the civic life of
the states. If we are to accept recent
decisions of the Supreme Court as a
guide, they have even trespassed . on
the National power. The new Ideal of
government which was made effective
by the merger case was stated by Mr.
Knox In his speech before the Civic
Forum in Carnegie Hall the other day
better than we have seen it elsewhere.
"There is enough Federal power," he
said, "If not enough Federal legisla
tion, to meet all Federal emergencies.
There Is nothing affecting the external
affairs of the Nation or such internal
ones as are committed to its charge
that Congress cannot regulate." This
seems to dispose for good and all of
the futile theory of "dormant powers."
?
TUB BOSS VERDICT.
As a matter of course the Ross case
will be appealed to the Supreme
Court and he may be released or a
new trial ordered on technical grounds.
Still his prompt conviction by the
Marlon County Jury conveys a lesson
and a warning which bankers of a
speculative disposition and an easy
conscience will not soon forget. Ross
never conducted a genuine banking
business. As fast as he got hold of
the money of his depositors he divert
ed it to rash schemes of speculation,
employing all sorts of shady tricks to
accomplish his purpose without excit
ing suspicion.
Very likely the defense In this trial
was as strong as the circumstances
permitted, but for all that it was sig
nally weak. The point which seems
to have been relied on most was not
only bad law, as Judge Burnett
promptly decided, but it was full of
danger to the public- The point was
that Ross and his associates were not
personally responsible for their mis
conduct. In breaking the law they
acted as a corporation, and therefore
the corporation alone was responsible
for what was done. No individual
could be punished for it. Had this
been admitted by Judge Burnett,' it
would have rendered every official in
every incorporated bank immune from
punishment, no matter what he might
do, so long as he was careful to act
nuder the corporate name. It would
have repealed every legal restraint
upon dishonest banking and delivered
all deposits to be wasted In specula
tion. But this Is not the worst of the
matter. If the corporation alone were
responsible for crimes committed un
der its name and the individual offi
cers immune, one can easily see that
the most disastrous consequences
would ensue In every direction. Burg
lars might Incorporate themselves un
der some innocent pretense. Each
one of them who broke into a house
might do so by order of the corpora
tlon, Just as Ross and his associates
squandered the school funds, and
therefore' the corporation would be
guilty but not the individual. This
would be very convenient for burglars.
Fortunately, Judge Burnett's wise de
cision has made such consequences
merely imaginary. The truth is that
no man is excused for doing an unlaw
ful act by the order of a corporation
or an official' superior, or by anything
else except duress. This is an old
principle of the law, but it Is comfort
ing to learn from Judge Burnett that
it is still vital.
ELECTRIC LIKE DEVELOPMENT.
The building of the new electric line
extensions announced by General
Manager Talbot, of the Oregon Elec
tric Railway Company, means more
for Portland and for Oregon than con
struction of a new transcontinental
line. The announcement that it is the
Oregon Electric Company that will
open up the neglected regions of the
state and bring into closer communica
tion regions already partly supplied
with transportation facilities will in
crease the Interest and confidence with
which the project is regarded, for this
company has proven by its works the
sincerity of its purposes. The value
of the electric line as a developer of
the region through which it passes has
been demonstrated so often that there
is no longer any element of doubt as
to its success In any country where
fine climate and productive soil make
it easy for the farmer, large or small,
to realize heavily on .his investment of
labor.
But the Oregon Electric, with its
network of feeders throughout the
great Willamette Valley and coast re
gion, win offer to the dwellers therein
exceptional opportunities. With cheap
power, easy grades and light operating
expenses these lines can gather vast
quantities of freight and at low cost to
the producer turn it over to the tide
water markets at Portland. Here it
can be taken by any one of four trans
continental lines, with two others
available by the time the present plans
of the Oregon Electric are completed.
More than two-thirds of the new mile
age projected by the Oregon Electrio
will run through virgin territory, and
mile for mile and acre for acre, there
is no richer traffic-producing territory
on earth.
The Tillamook extension wtll tap a
region which contains more standing
timber per acre than can be found
anywhere else, and this timber is
growing out of soil so rich that a five
acre tract, carefully cultivated, will
support a large family. The Mill City
extension of the line leads it well up
towards the Cascade Mountains, where
there is available an immense water
power from the Santiam and other
streams. With cheap power, the task
of reaching the vast wheat plains and
stock ranches of Central Oregon is
comparatively easy. Basing the per
formances of the future by those of
the past. It is reasonable to- expect that
the Oregon Ekctric will be in Central
Oregon, as well as In the Tillamook
country, long before any of the other
steam roads which have had designs
on those regions prepare to move in
earnest. Oregonians are exhibiting an
Increasing partiality for the Oregon
Electric, because it builds roads with
steel, lon and ties instead of printers'
Ink and promises.
With no blare of trumpets or beat
ing of tom-toms, this road went quietly
to work two years ago on a line be
tween Portland and Salem, and, before
the people of Portland were fully
aware of the Importance of the proj
ect, the announcement was made that
the line was open for business. And
the business was forthcoming In such
volume that the passenger traffic of
the road required that the service be
lnereased-nearly 300 per cent before it
had been in operation ninety days,
while so many new settlers rushed in
along the route that It has almost
overtaxed the freight facilities !of the
line to handle building materia and
other necessities.
OREGON'S NEXT SENATOR.
Oregon can be served in the United
States Senate better by a Republican
than by a Democrat, as that body is
now constituted, and as It will con
tinue to be made up perhaps for some
years. For that reason Mr. Cake
would probably be a more valuable
Sanator for this state than Mr. Cham
berlain. But will Republicans elect
Mr. Cake June 1, because of party?
They have disregarded party so often
in the lfl-st six years that there is
strong doubt of their "lining up." The
contest may be so. close, even In case
of Mr. Cake' success, as to leave un
settled the question whether Repub
licans of thls state care any longer for
party.
Mr. Cake was nominated as the Re
publican candidate by the new pri
mary method, used once before, two
years ago, for nomination of Mr.
Bourne. Although Democrats, invad
ing the Republican primaries, voted
mostly for Mr. Cake. and are believed
by many persons to have given him his
2700 majority over Fulton, or at least
considerable part of it, Mr. Cake must
be considered entitled to the Repub
lican nomination.
The result of the primaries shows
there was no need of Statement No. 1,
binding Republicans to vote for Mr.
Chamberlain should he defeat Mr.
Cake in June. The primaries enabled
Republicans to declare their choice in
a direct and popular manner. This
primary method made it Just as Im
possible for bosses and machines to
control the election of United States
Senators as did Statement No. 1, and
it had one superior advantage it did
not, in any contingency, oblige Re
publican legislators to elect Mr. Cham
berlain. It obliged them to. vote for
Mr. Cake.
. But now a group of Republican leg
islators, almost a majority -of- that
body, are pledged to vote for Mr.
Chamberlain, should he defeat Mr.
Cake. Democrats, similarly pledged.
will probably be elected in -several
counties, so as to bind the majority,
or even a larger part of the Legisla
ture to Mr. Chamberlain, in that event.
The Oregonlan mentions these mat
ters simply to show that if Republi
cans want Mr. Cake for Senator, they
need rot have risked the defeat of
their choice through Statement No "l.
They will have another chance, five
weeks from next Monday, to say
whether they want Mr. Cake. He is
their candidate, he is the only Repub
lican entitled to their votes, and he
should do more for Oregon in the Re
publican National body than a Demo
crat. But will they elect him? We
shall see. The Oregonlan has no in
terest In the outcome that the people
have not, or that they do not recog
nize. If they are indifferent to party
issues, so is this newspaper."
THE LAND-GRANT RESOLUTION.
"Innocent purchaser" tricks did not
avail at last to bar passage of the Ful
ton land-grant resoluticn in the House
of Representatives at Washington. The
resolution w'as adopted yesterday by
that. body after a two months' fight
with railroads and timber syndicates,
which constantly tried to hide their il
legal acts with pleas for Innocent pur
chaser amendments. All these amend
ments have been rejected and the res
olution stands adopted Just as it was
written three months ago by Mr. B. D.
Townsend. Any one of the amend
ments would have defeated the pur
pose of the Government and the ends
of Justice, since the railroad and jthe
timber syndicates would have posed
successfully as innocent purchasers.
Now it may be expected that the
Department of Justice will at once be
gin the suits authorized by the Fulton
resolution "to enforce any and all
rights and remedies of the United
States of America in any manner aris
ing or growing out of or pertaining to
either or any of the following acts of
Congress" granting lands for railroads
and for the Coos Bay wagon road.
The resolution will authorize the
Government to bring suit either to
compel sale of the land in compliance
with the terms of the grants, or to dis
possess the companies of the land by
forfeiture proceedings. These alterna
tives will be presented to a court of
equity.'- While some authorities main
tain that the Government does not
need the Fulton resolution, others as
sert that there can be no forfeiture
proceedings until the Government as
serts the right to have the lands re
vert for non-performance by the com
panies of the condition subsequent.
The Fulton resolution is the fruit
of one year's work by the Govern
ment. In that time the Government's
special attorney, Mr. Tojt-nsend, made
his investigation and report and the
Fulton resolution has been adopted.
Persons who are really innocent pur
chasers will not be molested, according-
to the Government's plan.
WAS IT IMPOLITE?
The Mayor's invitation to the people
of Portland to be present the other
day at a Council meeting and give
watchful heed to the- proceedings
seems to have excited a good deal of
wrath among the members of that
body. Why should it? If anybody is
interested In what goes on at Council
meetings it is surely the taxpayers of
Portland. The Councilmen are sup
posed to be their servants, elected to
look after their interests, and receiving
pay from them. Why is it Improper
or even impolite for the Mayor to urge
the taxpayers to visit the Council
chamber on a special occasion and ob
serve whether or not things are going
as they ought?
On the occasion in question it was
proposed to give away a valuable piece
of property belonging to the people.
Was it not proper for the people to
drop In and learn whether or not there
wa adequate reason for making this
gift to a wealthy corporation? If
there was no adequate reason, was it
not well for the taxpayers to discover
from actual observation who It was
that was guilty of making ducks and
drakes of their property?
Of course the Mayor's Invitation to
the public implied that some Council
men might pessibly be derelict In their
duty and that a vigilant watch upon
their conduct might Inspire them with
higher ideals. In this implication was
there anything contrary to well-known
facts?, Has not the Council In years
agone scattered the city's property
with a lavish hand among the cor
porations, giving this one a lot and
that a street. Just as the Kings of Eng
land used to distribute the royal do
main among their favorites? The
iayor believed that the time had
come to. put a stop to this practice.
He also believed that a goodly audi
ence of taxpayers would stiffen the
backbone of the Council. Neither of
these opinions is criminal In the least
degree. Neither, of them is libelous.
The public Is the principal for whom
both the Mayor and the Council are
agents. The Mayor Invited the princi
pal into the meeting tb see how its
business was being conducted. Who
had a better right to be there?
English history contains a great
many pages Illumined with the heroic
deeds of the sturdy Sdns of Great Brit
ain on land and sea. But heroism of
high degree, equaling anything on the
field of battle or In ocean conflict, is
also frequently found among the great
statesmen who have added glory and
prestige to "the power- whose flag is
never furled." Among this class of
heroes the name of Sir Henry Camp
bell -Ban nerman will be found. As
the successor of Sir William Harcourt
as leader of the Liberals he had for
nearly twenty years fought stubborn
ly for the rights of his people, and
through a high sense of duty stuck to
his post long after his physician had
warned him that continuance of the
work would surely be followed by
death. Despite his long life spent
amidst the glamour of royalty. Sir
Henry remained until his death a
plain, unostentatious gentleman, with
whom duty to his people was ever
foremost in his thoughts. England
has produced greater statesmen than
Bannerman, but few will tie more sin
cerely mourned by all the people.
Repeal of the law prohibiting for
eign ships from engaging in trade be
tween the Philippines and the United
States is one of the most important
aids extended to our struggling depen
dencies across the Pacific. It was
passage of this iniquitous law that
shut Portland out of the transport
business with the Philippines, and
forced the Government not only to pay
more for transporting freight to the
islands, but also to pay more for goods
purchased in ports where American
ships were available but freight was
missing. Had this law not been re
pealed, the islanders would have been
obliged to seek a market for their
products in the countries which buy
transportaton the same as they buy
other commodities where the price is
the most satisfactory. Now that there
will be an unlimited amount of ton
nage available for the handling of
Philippine traffic with the United
States, as well as with other countries,
there will undoubtedly be an increase
in the volume of trade.
The Russian forces which are fight
ing the Persian brigands are having
more trouble with the Shaksetan and
Begllvin tribes than with any others.
The "Beg-livin" tribe has always
caused much trouble, and can be
found in almost any large city, as well
as in most of the outlying precincts
where vagrancy laws and bulldogs are
scarce. The Persian branch of the
tribe must be more energetic than that
which carries the tomato can in Amer
ica, for none of them in this country
has ever developed energy enough to
fight anything except work.
Through train service over the Ca
nadian Pacific, Spokane International
and O. R. & N. will be inaugurated
in a few days, and the time from Port
land to St. Paul will be reduced to
sixty-seven hours, which Is faster than
any other schedule from Pacific Coast
ports to the Minnesota metropolis. All
routes lead to Portland, and the roads
which are so unfortunate as to have
no direct connection are, as rapidly as
possible, making trackage agreements
wtth the lines which enter here.
The attempt now being made to se
cure a closed season for elk for a
period of five years has the preserva
tion from extinction of this fast disap
pearing animal as its object. It should
and doubtless will succeed. The prop
ositi6n is indorsed by the Oregon Fish
and Game Association and will be
urged upon the attention of the Leg
islature next Winter.
Preparation already "completed in
sure a magnificent entertainment for
those who attend the grand charity
ball to be given by the Knights Temp
lars next Thursday evening. The
benefit that will accrue. to that most
tender and deserving charity, the
beneficiary of this ball, the Baby
Home, will no doubt be substantial.
The managers of the Johnson boom
are said to be carrying along the cam
paign "in a refined, considerate sort of?
way." That ought to make a hit with
Democrats everywhere.
The Inman-Poulsen Company will
no doubt concede that the city owns
and controls all the streets the com
pany doesn't happen to have in its
possession. They were wise men who framed
the primary law so as to allow a forty
day interval between primaries and
election, for cooling oft the defeated
ones.
There are times, too, when the pub
lic is disposed to think that loss of
memory ought to be made a penal of
fense. Slowly we are toiling toward the
goal of righteousness in many, many
matters, Including banking.
There never was a law, or a custom,
that would prevent any man Voting
himself dry.
Banker Ross, for his other trials,
may wish change of venue back home.
J HOPE TO AVOID LlQfOIl FIGHT
Astoria Business Men Saffk to Icave
Matters in Siatns Quo.
ASTORIA. Or.. April 23. (Special.) A
meetins: was held here today between a
number of repreaeintiatlve business men
and representatives of the Civic Improve
ment League for tho purpose of reaching
pome agreement to drop the local option
movement for the coming June election.
There ere at present three "(fry" pre
cincts in Astoria and four "wet" ones.
A movement had been started by certain
interests seekinir to open up two of the
"dry" precincts In the east end of the
city and the Civic League leaders had
started petitions for local option in the
four "wet" precincts In the center of the
city.
After an extended discussion, the rep
resentatives of the -Civil Improvement
Lea gun agreed to refrain from any fur
ther efforts to invoke the local option
law for 'a period of two years, provided
the saloon men will sls;n an agreement,
containing; four provlslops. as follows:
First, leave the dry precincts alone; sec
ond, allow no gambling or dancing in
their saloons and keep minors from en
tering their places of business; third, ob
serve the Sunday closing law to the let
ter; fourth, prevent so far as possible
the establishment of any more saloons
In the city.
A committee consisting of Mayor Wise,
W. E. Schlmpff and F. J. Carney, repre
senting the business men. and Albert
Carlson, Rev. Owen and R. M. Gaston,
representing the leasrue. was appointed
to draftthe agreement and submit it to
the iloon men for approval by them.
CONTTCT WIFE OF ASSACTVT
Epokan Woman Gull' y of Attempt
on Husband's Ilfe.
SPOKANE, Wwsh., April SX (Special.)
After being out 15 minutes. A Jury In the
Superior Court this afternoon brought in
a verdict of assault with intent to in
flict great bodily harm in the case of
Mrs. G. H. Clark, charged with shooting
at her husband, a wealthy pioneer real
estate man of Spokane.
Mrs. Clark denied that she fired the two
shots that struck her husband when be
was attacked on the street at night by
two women. Clark was an unwilling
witness against his wife, but the stale
forced him to testify.
' The evidence showed that Mrs. Clark
drove up to her husband as he was leav
ing a car and fired twice at him. . The
bullets passed through his coat, but did
not wound him. Jealousy was the cause
of the assault. -
FLOOD ENDANGERS SPOKANE
Bridge Goes Out Fears Felt for
-' Safety Howard-Street Structures.
SPOKANE, Wash.. April 23. (Special.)
High water in the Spokane River resulted
in the temporary bridge at Washington
street being carried out -today andi great
fears are expressed that "the bridge's over
the channels of the river at Howard
street .will be swept away. Reports from
the head waters of the Coeur d'Alene and
St Joe and St. Marjes rivers are that
the water is near the flood record of
1894. This flood will reach Spokane to
morrow afternoon. The Howard-street
bridges have been weighed with tons of
rock and concrete In an attempt to keep
them in place, x
INSTRUCTS TO ASSESS MOSEY
Attorney-General Disregards Recently-Enacted
Exemption Law.
OLTMPIA, Wash., April 23. (Special.)
Letters are being mailed by the State
Tax Commission to all the county as
sessors in the state directing them to
disregard the act of the last session of
the Legislature, chapter 48, laws 1907, ex
empting all moneys and credits from
taxation. The letter is being sent to
the assessors upon the advice of the Attorney-General
who gave the Commis
sion a voluntary opinion on the law and
instructed them to notify the assessors
to dlsretrard the act.
This chapter of the session laws related
to exempting moneys and credits from
taxation. The assessors are notified to
assess everything as under the old law
and exempt no personal property.
JUMPS TRACK AT PENDLETON
Engine of Pasco Train Tears Up the
Ties No One Injured.
PENDLETON. Or., April 23. (Special.)
Inbound passenger train on the Pendleton-Pasco
branch of the Northern Pa
cific had a narrow escape from a serious
wreck this afternoon. When a few miles
north of town, .the trucks of the tender
'Jumped the rails and tore up the track
for a distance of 100 feet. Other than a
general shaking up, however, no one was
injured.
Conductor Bertholet walked to the near
est farmhouse and phoned to the Pendle
ton office. A helper was immediately
ordered from Pasco. A number ef the
passengers were brought on into Pendle
ton on a handcar.
There have been a number of wrecks
reoently and partial wrecks on these few
miles of track.
EXTEND TRACKS TO FACTORIES
Southern Pacific Furnishes Accom
- modatfons at Monmouth.
MONMOUTH. Or., April 23. (Special.)
Officials of the Southern Pacific Com
pany have been here this week arranging
for the extension of the switching tracks
out past the cannery and new creamery,
so as to accommodate the shipping busi
ness from these plants.
The depot will also be moved one block
north from Its present location and placed
in the "Y" switch to be built from the
Independence t Monmouth Railway track
to the main line, so it will answer for
both roads, and be much more convenient!
to the traveling public.
The company will also build a new depot
at Airlte, which was recently ordered by
the Railroad Commissioners.
Home Comforts for Prisoners.
CHEHALIS, Wash.. April 23. (Special.)
Legal malefactors had better give
Lewis County a wide berth, as the County
Board has Just ordered four more modern
cells for the County Jail, capable of
holding 16 prisoners. The new section of
the County Jail will be upstairs directly
over the old quarters. When the new
accommodations are Installed prisoners
can - be given all 'the latest accommoda
tions, with room on second floor, bath,
steam heat, electric light, etc.
City to Own Phone System.
MARSHFIELD. Or.. April 23. (Special.)
The citizens of Eastslde, the newly In
corporated City of Coos Bay, opposite
Marshfleld, favor municipal ownership. At
a recent meeting of the City Council a
petition, presented by the local telephone
company for a franchise was, laid on
the table, as the Council approves of a
municipal telephone company. The newly
elected officials will Investigate the ques
tion and hope to carry out municipal
ownership as far as it is possible.
Falling Tree Kills Vale Man.
VALE, Or., April 23. W. A. LaBar, a
merchant at this place, met with an acci
dent this morning that cost him his life.
He chopped down a tree, crushing him
so. that death ensued within a short time.
Mr. LaBar was formerly In business In
Washington.
FOUR PERISH IX PRAIRIE FIRE
Eighteen-Tear-Old Daughter Only
Member to Escape.
VANCOUVER. B. C. April 23. A dis
patch from Battleford, Saskatchewan,
says:
Anna Mathews is the only survivor of a
family of five as a result of prairie
fires In the Tramping Jjakaa district.
The father went to tight the flames,
which were creeping down on their little
home end perished ! the attempt. The
house took fire and Anna Mathews, IS
years old. with herrlothes ablar. car
ried har 3-year-old brother and sister to
a place of safety, returned for her mother,
but was too late. She foug-ht her way
again through the sea of lire only to find
that the other children had wandered into
the Are and perished.
COOS BAY TOWNS VERT DRT
Topers Find It Impossible to Buy
Booze on Sunday.
MARSHFIELD. Or.. April 23. (Special.)
For the past two Sundays the saloon
of Marshfleld have been closed in com
pliance with the order of District At
torney Browa, of Roseburgr. There has
been no attempt on the part of the saloon
men to open and the "lid" has been on
tight from midnight Saturday until Mon
day. North Bend Is closed Sunday by
city ordinance. For a few weka the
saloons at Empire did a thriving Sunday
business but that became known and the
threat of prosecution under the state law
was applied there as well as in Marsh
fleld. The buying of a drink on Sunday
in Coos Bay is now an impossibility.
Never before In the history of the place
has such a condition existed.
SEND BANKER BACK TO JAIL
Bondsmen of Defaulting Belllngham
Cashier Give Him Up.
BELLINGHAM, Wash., April 23. O. C.
Mathls. awaiting trial for the alleged
wrecking of the Exchange State Bank,
of Blaine. Wash., was surrendered by
his bondsmen and returned to the County
Jail, his bondsmen declaring that he was
making preparations to leave the country.
Mathls was cashier of the defunct bank
and was arrested In Ashcroft, B. C. last
December while making his way East
three days after the bank closed. Depos
itors have received 6 per cent of their
deposits.
Chchalls Employs) 1 4 Teachers.
CHEHALIS.' Wash., April a (Special.)
Teachers employed by the Chehalis
School Board for "next year are as fol
lows: F. H. Hunt worth, City Superinten
dent; Misses Scherxer, Ghormley,
Melnkoth, Montanye, Putman. Twidwell,
Dennis. Best, Clifton, Coffman. Gertrude
and Luclnda -Marshall and Olsen. Two
married women were not re-elected, the
Board having concluded .to employ only
single women. A schedule of wages run
ning from $55 to $75 per month for grade
teachers and from $75 to $90 In the Hish
School, has been adopted. The City Su
perintendent is to have $100 per month.
To accommodate the Increased number of
pupils next Fall the large assembly room
at the West Side School will probably be
fitted up this coming Summer.
Block 3Iove for Alining Rights.
MARSHFIELD. Or., April 23. The
Marshfleld Chamber of Commerce has
taken steps to prevent individuals acquir
ing mineral rights on the point of land
known as Coos Head and located at the
mouth of th! bay. This land is within the
Government reserve and it is understood
that some persons are trying to secure
the mineral rights, presumably for the
oil known to exist there. It is held by
the Chamber of Commerce that Coos
Head must be preserved for a public park
and the Government officials at Washing
ton have been petitioned to prevent any
individual privileges being granted.
UNITED AID FOR STATE COLLEGE.
Thinks Cyrus H. Walker Should Re.
eonnider Action Under Referendum.
SAIEM. Or., April 22. (To the Editor.)
The writer fully indorses The Orego
nian's view in last Sunday's Oregonlan as
to the Oregon University appropria
tion, and also the excellent paper signed
C. N". McArthur, in a previous Issue, and
expresses the hops that Cyrus -H. Walker,
as a citizen influential on the subject of
schools and among members of Patrons
of Husbandry, will reconsider his posltlqn
in using the referendum, a revolutionary
means of defeating a law of Oregon
passed in the' spirit of progress in ac
cordance with the constitution of the Na
tion and the state.
The writer, as a member of the Oregon
Legislature of 1862. acted with the late
Mr. Wilkin when he introduced the bill
for the State University at Eugene, and
knows he had the sympathy of the latter
in offering the first bill for acceptance
of the Congressional offer for founding
the State Agricultural College.-whlch was
located at Corvallis. under a motion of
the late Judge Bellinger. These two
schools, since the State Agricultural Col
lege got away from sectarian influences,
have never more than kept up with the
increasing demand on their services; and
from & near view of the narrowing in
fluence against which Willamette Uni
versity is now fighting to conquer, I hope
that the citizenship of Oregon, will de
fend the state Institutions, while sustain
ing the historical schools at Salem, For
est Grove and Oregon City. Most sincere
ly I hope measures will be taken by the
next Legislature to assert and maintain
this state's right to her water powers,
under the terms of her admission to Uie
Union.
It is with no ill will that the writer
notes the fact that Willamette University,
founded to serve God and humanity, has
too much neglected the practical second
object, but has In the past turned away
its best teachers because they were not
loiid in their professions as religionists.
With earlier opportunities to do advance
work, K has never attempted to do such
(service to the state as Professor McAllister
and a few advanced students of the State
University did m vacation 40 years ago.
by measuring the water power running
unused in 24 miles of the North Santiam
River. Within that time, the State Ag
ricultural College has been trying to
found a forestry addition, but Is growing
so fast in other directions 'that there
raui. nenner means nor time to lead
out in Oregon's greatest interest.
JOHN JUNTO,
New Serum to Care Bad Nerves.
New Tork Correspondence to Philadel
phia Press.
Bishop Fallows, whose treatment by
means of suggestion of those who are
worn out mentally and whose nerves are
out of repair, is quoted approvingly by
some of the physicians of this city for
having recommended the use of butter
milk or sour milk or certain appropriate
lacteal fluids as one of the best of cura
tive remedies for nervous troubles. It
so happened that within a day or two
after this good counsel of Bishop Fal
lows had been made public here there
came half confidential communications
made by men of science of the purpose
to bring to New York as soon as it can
be done, probably not before early Fall,
certain bacteriological cultures obtained
In Bohemia or Bulgaria, or In both
places.
The intjent is to experiment with these
cultures, very likely at the Rockefeller
Institute of Bacteriological Research, so
that it may be discovered whether or not
a serum may be prepared which will
serve as well for the prevention or cure
of certain disorders of the human system
as the diphtheria serum has served for
the practical elimination of that once
dreaded trouble.
Initiative and Referendum
Measures
Pot tha lnfnrmatton of voters thera -will
b published on this paa from day to day
brW summaries of tha Initiative and refer
endum measures to b submlttM to the
Ppla at the June el-ction. to-ther with
a short statement of tha arguments for and
aaatnst each.
NUMBER I.
Under a resolution of the last session
of the Legislature there has been sub
mitted to the people a proposed amend
ment to section 2!, article 4 of the con
stitution fixing the compensation of mem
bers of the Legislature. By mistake, the
resolution refers to section 2S but section
59 was apparently Intended and the ballot
title contains a note to that effect. Tha
section to be amended provides that mem
ber of the legislature shall receive $2
per day for not to exceed to daya during
a regular session and for not to exceed
20 days during a special seeslon. They
re also allowed 10 cents per mile for
the distance necessarily traveled In goins
to and from the capital.
The proposed amendment provides a
compensation of 40 for ea. h regular
session and $10 a day for each special
session, no extra session to continue more
than 30 days. The amendment also pro
vides thst the members shall re.-eive their
actual traveling expenses In going to and
from the capital.
The argument made in favor of this
amendment Is that the compensation
provided for the members of the Legis
lature is entirely Inadequate for the rea
son that It barely pays the actual ex
penses of mcm'jfra while nerformln
rthelr duties at flslem. This, it Is urged.
practically prohibits a poor man from
aspiring to serve his country in the Legis
lature. It has also been argued that in
sufficient pay from the state opens the
way for temptation of members by per
sons who are willing to secure legisla
tion by bribery.
On the otbej- hand the argument Is
heard that service in (he Legislature
should he performed as a public duty
and not for compensation and that the
per diem should be only sufficient to
cover actual expenses. It Is also as
serted that If the compensation be In
creased to $10 a day men of inferior ability
would seek Legislative positions for the
mere sake of the salary.
The more general view" is that the
amount of compensation provided has
nothing whatever to do with the ability
or integrity of the men who will become
candidates for the Legislature, that
grafters will seek legislative power for
selfish purposes whatever the salary and
that dishonest men who would sel, their
votes when drawing $3 a day would do
so when drawing $10 a day. The opinion
has been expressed that Increasing the
compensation of legislators to $10 a day
would lend a spirit of extravagance re
sulting In an Increase of pay of clerks,
and stenographers and a general ten
dency to spend public money freely. It is
also said that a man whose private busi
ness has been so unsuccessful that he
cannot afford to serve In the Legislature
at $3 a day is not a proper man to make
laws for the state.
ftUESTIOXS POWER OF INITIATIVE
Says Oar Form of Government la a
Representative Democracy.
COLFAX. Wash., April 22. (To the
Editor.) The Oregonian's discussion of
the Initiative and referendum has aroused
much Interest on that subject. But be
sides the objections that The Oregonian
has offered, it occurs to me that the same
are clearly unconstitutional.
Our National Constitution has vested the
legislative power in a representative body
elected by the people. In other words, our
form of government as prescribed by the
Constitution, is a representative democ
racy. Under the Constitution, the people
have no power and never did have the
power to legislate as contemplated by the
initiative and referendum.
Our state constitutions must conform to
the National Constitution and 1 am unable
to understand how any state constitution -or
amendment can pass the Supreme
Court that places the legislative power In
the hands of the people.
Would not this innovation change the
character of government from a repre
sentative democracy, partly, at least, to
a pure democracy, and hence be uncon
stitutional? If not, why not?
J. G. ELLIOT.
Is He America's Biggest Mont
Milwaukee Sentinel.
Calumet, Mich,, claims to have the big
gest man In the United States. He 1s
Louis Moil&nen, and though but 23 years
of age, he weighs 442 pound, but stands
8 feet 6 Inches tall. Mr. Moilanen is bark:
In Calumet after extensive tours wiih
various circuses, and Calumet gazes uport
him dumbstruck. Louis Is, indeed, quite
a boy. He wears a No. IS shoe and a
No. 8 hat. and the cloth required! for
a suit for him would make two for an ordinary-sized
man even a really big-sized
man. "Big Louis" has stopped growing
tall of late years, and while he is des
tined to get more rotund, he hopes that
no more inches will be added vertically
to his eight feet five. Mr. Moilanen will
go out again next Summer with a circcs.
as that Is an easy and remunerative oc
cupation for the big fellow.
- t
Advertising Talks
No. 14.
THE OMELETTE
SOUFFLE
By Herbert Kaufman
IThere is a vast distinction between
distribution for the sake of increasing
the circulation figures and distribu
tion for the sake of ipcreasing the
number of advertising responses.
There is a difference between street
6ales at hours when the reader has
but scant opportunity to look throuctli
the scare heads and street sales when
the reader is either going to or re
turning from his home.
You've got to weigh and measure
these things when you weigh and
measure circulation figures. It isn"t
the number of copies printed, but the
number of copies sold not the num
ber of papers distributed not the
number of readers reached but the
number of readers who have the price
to buy what you want to sell that
determines the value of circulation
to you.
You can take a single egg and whip
it Snto an omelette souffle which
seems to be a whole plateful, but the
extra bulk is just hot air and sugar
the change in form has not changed
the amount of egg substance it's the
substance in circulation, just as it is
the -nutrition in the egg that counts.