Morning Oregonian., May 11, 1908, Page 6, Image 6

6
TJIE MINING OREGONIAN. MONDAY MAY 11, 1908.
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PORTLAND, MONDAY, MAY 11, MOB.
TO CHECK THE ABUSES.
The initiative and referendum sys
tem defeats the expectation, that cre
ated it, in this, that it becomes the
instrument through which measures
are inconsiderately proposed on the
one hand, and legislation necessary to
the general welfare is obstructed on
the other.
An example of the first kind is the
proposition to change the constitution
so as to upset the old system of equal
taxation thereby subjecting land to
unusual burdens, while allowing ex
emption of other descriptions of val
uable property. The measure pro
poses to penalize landholding; though
in fact property in land is the very
basis of industry, of encouragement to
thrift and personal Independence, of
Individual and collective prosperity,
and of civilization itself.
An example of the second kind is
the obstruction through call of the
referendum, of the appropriation
necessary for maintenance of the State
University the institution that crowns
the educational system of the state.
Is Oregon to abandon the university?
That would hardly be admitted. Ore
gon would be jeered and girded at by
the people of every other state. But
if we are not intending to abandon the
university, we must support it in a
fairly decent and efficient manner.
There are many other Instances.
The two initiative bills on salmon Ash
ing are contradictory, and believed by
those regarded as qualified to judge to
be both wrong. Rival interests are
contending for advantage, in these
bills. The . initiative, under - present
conditions, is entirely open to attempts
like these.
Another is the initiative petition for
constitutional amendment to take the
control and government of incorporat
ed cities and towns away from the
state, under the "fetching" name of
home rule or local self-government.
But It is a demand that ought never
to be granted. There should be no
imperlum in lmperio, with independ
ent authority. The state, in all local
concerns, is the sovereign entity, and
cannot afford to grant exemption to
localities from its general laws. Its
authorization of certain functions for
municipal regulation, through .local
charters, should hot be extended to the
length that this petition demands.
Simple truth is that the larger num
ber of these initiative petitions and
calls for referendum now pending are
completely aside from the true pur
pose of the system, and palpable per
versions of the intent that moved its
adoption. The errors of the uses made
of it have been exposed nowhere with
more force than In many of, the
granges of the state, whose members
on the whole are favorable to the sys
tem, but decidedly opposed to many of
the uses for which it is being em
ployed. The suggestions of . various
granges, for modification of the sys
tem, so as to put a stop to abuse of
it. have been published from time to
time by The. Oregonian, and will re
ceive further attention when the op
portunity shall be presented for ac
tion upon them.
The abuses are of two kinds, name
ly, those which spring from personal
and private Interest, attempting to
frame legislation for its own advan
tage, and those that have their origin
in visionary notions and theories
which never can obtain serious con
sideration in legislative bodies, where
vigilance is active and deliberation is
required, but are pushed under this
system by hobbyists, in the hope of
getting them adopted when the atten
tion of the people In general Is not
actively directed to examination of
them
This effort to' get legislation, "by Uiaietate of grave unrest. Unfortunately
sneak method" would encounter an
obstacle, if the suggestion of some of
our granges were adopted, that a ma
jority of the votes cast should not suf
fice to carry a measure, but that 60
per cent of the entire vote cast at an
election should be required for enact
ment of an initiative bill, or decision
upon referendum. This would test
the merit of all appeals to the people,
under this system.
THE PLAGUE OF IT.
Before the primary Mr. Cake de
clared himself, with emphasis, for
Statement No. 1. Before the primary
Mr. Fulton said he believed fully in
the principle that the people were en
titled to their choice in the election of
Senator, but left it to the candidates
for the Legislature to decide whether
they would pledge to Statement No. 1,
or simply that they would support the
candidate of their party.
Very well. Possibly, even proba
bly, the positive declaration of Mr.
Cake for Statement No. 1, as against
Mr. Fulton's announcement that he
would leave that matter to the judg
ment and conscience of the candidates
for the Legislature, gave Mr. Cake the
popular plurality over Mr. Fulton; or
at least was one of the causes of that
result.
But a lot of Republican candidates
have been named for the Legislature
who have not pledged to Statement
No. 1; Indeed they refuse to pledge to
it. Mr. Cake is unwilling to put him
self in antagonism to these. In other
words, he doesn't want to insist that
they shall be defeated because they
have not subscribed to Statement
No. 1. ' ...
Thus it appears that the position of
Mr. Cake, since the primaries, is the
same as that of Mr. Fulton before the
primaries. And still "we don't know
where we are at."
We should know, had everybody
that is, had all Republicans repudi
ated the whole cheap and silly hum
bug, as The Oregonian did.
But the party is in the hole. And
to dig out that's the labor.
"HOLDING UP" A RAILROAD. .
The building of electric lines through
the length and breadth of the Willam
ette Valley, and through other parts
of the state, must necessarily give rise
to many vexatious problems which
must be settled by the builders of the
lines and the people and municipal
authorities along the routes traversed.
Though the construction of a railroad
of any kind, steam or electric, is an
event of great Importance to any com
munity, bringing increased population,
wider x markets, better service and
higher property values, thus benefiting
the community as a whole, it fre
quently happens that in some particu
lars the road does injury to individ
uals or to the community.. A trolley
line traversing a highway, even for a
short distance, impairs the usefulness
of the road for team travel. A rail
road running diagonally through a
farm makes the fields less convenient
for ordinary farm operations. These
are unavoidable incidents of railroad
building. Yet, on the whole, the bene
fits realized by a community from a
transportation line are Immeasurably
greater than the detrimental effects.
As a rule, the gain to the individual
exceeds any loss, though there are un
doubtedly exceptions to this rule. The
man whose grain field has been di
vided by a trolley line will usually find
that the value of his property has been
increased from 50 to 100 per cent by
reason of the opportunity he hfas of
cutting his ranch into small tracts and
selling at high prices.
Some railroad builders are disposed
to disregard the rights and Interests of
the communities and individuals
through whose property they must
pass. On the other hand, there are
frequently communities and individu
als that seek to hinder a raifroad com
pany, to hold it up by extortionate de
mands for compensation, and to im
pose unreasonable and harassing
terms and conditions upon It. These
are exceptions, and yet not so rare as
one might wish.. It stibuld be, and
generally is, the policy of railroad
builders to treat communities and in
dividuals fairly and Justly. The peo
ple of a new and undeveloped region
are usually ready to lend proper assist
ance and encouragement to the es
tablishment of new- transportation
lines. Where there are exceptions to
this rule the public spirit of a com
munity should see that justice is done
and that, while local rights are not in
fringed upon, neither shall a railroad
builder be "held up" merely to satisfy
the selfishness of some property-owner
who deems a corporation a fit subject
for graft.
Oregon needs more transportation
lines and needs them badly. Caution
is necessary in order to protect the
state against promoters who wish to
speculate in franchises and against
selfish individuals who wish to. reap
a harvest off the' honest railroad
builder.
TROUBLE IN INDIA.
British consols declined two points
during the week ending last Satur
day, closing weak at 85 7-16.. A two
point decline in some of our uncertain
American securities would hardly at
tract much attention; but the British
consol, which for nearly two centuries
has been the great financial barometer
of the British nation, never indulges
in such rapid price changes unless
there is something unusual involved.
Despite the calming explanations
which accompany the news reports
from the Indian frontier, it is, becom
ing more plainly apparent that there
may b,e serious trouble ahead In that
land of unrest on which Great Brit
ain has already poured out blood and
treasure with a lavish hand. The ac
tion of the market on consols, together
with the dally reports of trouble with
some of the Innumerable tribes with
which England is attempting to keep
peace in India, tend to the belief that
Great Britain may be confronting a
condition not unlike that which
brought Russia and Japan into con
flict. The civilize world, familiar with
the enormous Resources of England,
and making due allowance for past
performances in the way of putting
down insurrections, naturally xdoes not
anticipate any such outcome to a pos
sible struggle between England and
India and her Asiatic colonies as fol
lowed the conflict between Japan and
Russia. With a well-organized army
under control of Lord Kitchener,
whose career has been .a brilliant
series of successes in putting down up
risings, it is probable that the con
flict, if it comes, will be brief and
decisive. But there is no denying the
fact that India is just at present in a
this anti-British feeling is not confined
to any particular class of natives. It
is shared alike by the wild tribesmen
of the hills and by the partly educated
natives who have acquired sufficient
knowledge of the outside world and of
the political affairs of other countries
to become discontented with the domi
nation of foreigners.
This feeling is not unnatural or un
reasonable, even when it is considered
that Great Britain has built in India
more than 30,000 miles of railroad,
has reclaimed through irrigation vast
areas of rich land, and has in many
other ways bettered the condition of
the natives. The wild tribesmen are
anxious to fight because fighting is
their trade and their pleasure, and the
educated natives are not averse to
joining them, if there is a possibility of
throwing off the yoke: They seem to
feel that it is better to starve in free
dom in an undeveloped and uncivilized
country than to prosper under the rule
of the hated foreigner, who has never
been a welcome visitor in that land of
mystery.
Caste Is a .great feature of life in
India, and the higher class of natives
still remember that in past ages their
land produced some really great men
In nearly all trades and crafts. For
that reason they object to becoming
the subjects of a foreign nation. .It is
this feeling that has made dead heroes
out of a great many army men who
In the past attempted, in the name of
Great Britain, to spread "cannon's
mouth" civilization where it wag not
acceptable to the people who were
first on the ground. There is sufficient
gravity in the situation fully to war
rant the two-point decline In consols
last week, for, while British suprem
acy in India is not in any great danger
at present, war on bushwhacking na
tives and half-clvllized, half-educated
pagan fatalists is expensive business.
If a protracted struggle should ensue
before "might makes right,' it will not
be at all surprising to witness a fur
ther heavy decline in British consols
and Indian industrial securities.
MR. BRYAN'S ARMY.
Mr, Bryan, in addition to his duties
as permanent candidate for the Demo
cratic nomination for the Presidency,
Is now engaged in the work of recruit
ing an army. He terms it the "Com-,
moner Army," not because it is a com
moner army than that of Coxey or
other recruiting officers of the past,
but because it is needed to produca
funds for the Commoner, a very or-,
dinary weekly paper which serves te
keep the name of Bryan before the
public between seasons when he is not
running for office or lecturing. Mr.
Bryan's Commoner Army is compara
tively inexpensive. The industrial
peace army which Patrick Henry
Scullln has been getting together has
an admission fee of $1 per head, but
recruits can get under the banner of
the Commoner Army by sending the
small sum of 46 cents, this being a
marked-down price from the 60 cents
admission fee that was charged before
Johnson of Minnesota loomed up very
large on the political horizon.
In an appeal for recruits, Mr. Bryan
expresses the hope that 1,000,000 peo
ple will take advantage of his invita
tion, in order that "the Commoner
may be placed in every precinct in
every state in the Union." The mem
bership certificates, a facsimile of
which is printed In the Commoner,
resemble somewhat ' the pretty little
pieces of cardboard which the railroad
companies formerly sent out to loqua
cious politicians who liked to ride on
the rail without cost. In a footnote it
is explained that "membership certifi
cates will be countersigned with Mr.
Bryan's printed signature, and num
bered in the order in which they are
received at the Commoner office, and
they will be returned at the close o
the campaign to the members who
Bigned them, if requested."
It is also explained on the certificate
that the charge of 45 cents is not ex
actly an admission fee, but "to cover
the expense of sending the Commoner
until the close of the 1908 campaign."
The success with which the scheme is
meeting is highly flattering, for appli
cations for certificates are pouring in
from all over the country. Among
the list printed in the latest- issue of
the Commoner is the name of a Salem
man who sends money for "three re
cruits to the Million Army," and as
sures Mr. Bryan that "here in Oregon
almost every Democrat Is a Bryan
man, and many Republicans are with
us." In addition to thousands of re
cruits to the Million Army, the Com
moner each week prints the names of
from 100 to 150 "regulars" who are on
the roll of honor by sending In five
yearly subscriptions.
With such remarkable success at
tending his journalistic enterprise, it
can readily be understood how de
sirous Mr. Bryan is of continuing to
stagger along under the weight of his
cross of gold, and crown of thorns.
Viewed from a literary or news stand
point, the Commoner is about as val
uable as a last year's almanac, al
though the quality of paper on which
It is printed is, in the interest of econ
omy, of a much "commoner" grade
than that used by almanac-makers.
The success of Mr. Bryan with his
Commoner and his Million Army plan.
however, is unquestioned, and is
somewhat remindful of that touching
verse which asserts that
The whole world loves the modest man.
Whether he be great, or he be small:
But It yields up Its plunks, in great big
chunks.
To the man with the surplus of gall.
For such reason, the immediate re
tirement of Mr. Bryan is not expected.
RANK ICONOC LASM.
The National Department of Agri
culture has acquired (perhaps from
the katydid, through romantic rural
association) the power of saying an
undisputed thing In a very solemn way.
Witness a recent bulletin sent out un
der its auspices In which it is seriously,
even dogmatically, declared that there
is no virtue in the "mad stone," so
called, for the prevention and cure of
rabies: in truth, that "its specific value
against rabies is no greater than that
of a piece of blotting paper applied in
the same manner."
This, though alarming to a degree.
Is offset in a manner by the declara
tion, equally positive, that there are no
such things as "dog days" as connect
ed with rabies. Lest this remarkable
statement might 'not stand, even with
so high an authority behind it, the de
partment goes on to explain seriously
that "the period from the first of July
to the middle of August is designated
as dog days because it covers the time
when the dog star, Sirius, is above the
horizon with the sun, and dog days
have no connection with the dog."
The shock Incident to the first state
ment is lessened somewhat by the fact
that nobody of ordinary common sense
ever had any faith in the protective or
curative powers of the "mad stone,"
while the assurance of safety con
tained in the latter may enable timid
people to move about the streets dur
ing July and August without one eye
out for a rabid dog.
We are now prepared to hear from
the same source that there is no occult
power of "good luck" in the rabbit's
foot; that there, is really and truly no
healing virtue, beyond its possible
cleansing power, in a feather from the
wing of .a black hen, drawn nine times
through the mouth of an Infant suffer
ing from "thrush"; that it is not nec
essary for the housewife to make prep
arations for entertaining company to
dinner merely because she "drops the
dishcloth" when wiping the breakfast
dishes; and that a death in the family
is not presaged by the entrance of a
bird into the house through an open
window. Or perhaps, as suggested by
an Eastern journal, "we shall be sol
emnly assured by the United States
Government that the race of cats is
not a product of the pussy willow -and
that the kidney bean may be eaten In
moderation without risk of Brlght's
disease."
Shipbuilding on the Great Lakes
continues, unhampered by the low
freight rates that are driving steam
tonnage into retirement in nearly all
deep-sea ports throughout the world.
During the month of April, out of a
total of 114 new vessels of 63,176 tons
register, reported In the United States
by the Bureau of Navigation, twenty
one lake-built v craft totaled 80,686
tons, and In this total were included
five steamers which averaged 6780
tons register, the largest registering
6634 tons. One vessel of 5980 tons
was built at Philadelphia, another of
5863 tons at Camden, N. J., and one of
6404 tons at San Francisco. The lake
craft carry freight at a lower rate per
ton per mile than any other water car
riers in the world. Some day, when
shipbuilding on the lakes catches up
with the demand, the builders may
turn their attention to deep-sea craft.
Then, with the cheapest material
available anywhere on earth, with the
most skillful workmen and plenty of
experience, we may build a few Amer
ican ships for the over-sea trade.
Railroads generally throughout the
country are showing practical evidence
of retrenchment in their returns of
earnings. Reports for March for 868
roads received by the Interstate Com-,
merce Commission showed a reduction
of 12 per mile In operating expenses,
as compared with February. A com
parison for the same months also
shows that, while gross earnings in
creased 181 per mile, net earnings in
creased 386 per mile. This showing is
encouraging, so far as it reflects a de
sire on the part of the management to
protect the interest of stockholders by
cutting down expenses. There is a
possibility, however, that some of this
saving may be due to excessive econ
omy in expenditures for maintenance.
If this be true, it will be poor economy
in the long run, for the physical condi
tion of the roads rwlll suffer so that
they will not be able economically to
handle the traffic that will come with
revival in business.
The practice ot-shipping objection
able characters from Puget Sound to
Portland and way landings has become
quite common, but the attempts are
not always successful. A Tacoma po
liceman took one John Brown from
the detention jail Saturday and placed
him aboard a south-bound freight
train, but failed to lock him in, and in
an effort to leave the train Brown was
scattered over nearly half a mile of
track.
President Roosevelt wants Congress
to understand that he does not propose
to let the legislative branch of the
Government infringe upon his consti
tutional prerogatives. At the same
time he also wants it understood that
if Congress does not perform Its con
stitutional duties he will undertake to
map out a course of conduct for it.
So far he has made the people, at
least, believe that he is big enough for
oth jobs. '
A vote lor either Manning or Cam
eron is a vote for a Democrat, since, if
Cameron shall be elected District At
torney, his successor as Police Judge
will be a Democrat appointed by
Mayor Lane. Yet there are Republi
cans who will vote for Cameron, think
ing they are voting to- uphold the Re
publican party.
If there Is an organization In Oregon
that hasn't passed resolutions favoring
the State University appropriation, it
will have to hurry. Election will soon
be here. Time for even Brother
Walker's and Brother Palmer's grange
to get out from under.
Governor Chamberlain boasts that
he is a Roosevelt man and a non-partisan.
But Roosevelt Is not a non
partisan. We fear the Governor,
though very versatile, is not much of a
Roosevelt man.
Steerage rates between New York
and Naples have been reduced to 316.
Considered on a mileage basis, this
rate makes Mr. Schwerin's 35 tickets
to San Francisco look like cabin de
luxe fares.
Syracuse advices fail to state
whether or not the City Council passed
any complimentary resolutions or ex
tended any thanks to the detectives
who arrested Mrs. Herron In the belief
that she was Mrs. Belle Gunness.
The Chicago Tribune says Uncle
Joe Cannon will receive Illinois' vote
in the National convention once. Not
if there was the slightest chance of
nominating him. ,
Of course we understand that Sena'
tor Bourne's latest second elective
term mass meeting was a frost; but
what was Son-in-Law Longworth do
ing there?
If Roosevelt would not become a
candidate, it Is honestly believed that
Oregon's next choice would be La Fol
lette," remarks the Pendleton East
Oregonian. Guess again.
Now it is asserted that Mrs. Gunness
is a relative of Kate Bender. Jesse
James and the Younger boys ought to
be admitted to the family somewhere,
The Senate Is to open war on the
President this week. That second
elective term movement is likely to get
a boost from an unexpected quarter."
BILLS FROM "THE PEOPLE."
The Opportunity of Our "Holy Rollers"
of Political.
The Dalles Optimist.
In one of our exchanges, and we only
noticed one, appeared last week an argu
ment going to show that the people would
have a much better opportunity to digest
the 19 laws to be voted on in June than
the members of the legislature have to
understand the laws coming before them
In the short session of 45 days.
What nonsense that is. Such an argu
ment is only meant to fool and bam
boozle the public, and can serve no good
end. Every bill coming before' the Legis
lature goes to a committee and is there
threshed out. If it is not reported by
the committee, it is as a rule never
heard of again, and vexes no one but the
committee Itself, and possibly the mem
ber who introduced it. . .
During the session, of the Legislature
the members make a business of trying
to understand the bills offered. They are
there for that purpose, and they are in
constant consultation as to the various
measures before them. And as a rule we
send .intelligent men to Salem to enact
our laws, and they go over the bills care
fully and generally discuss them thorough
ly, and not one out of 20 that is passed
comes through without being altered or
amended, and usually so changed a good
many times.
How is it Hrlth the bills coming from
"the people"? How much discussion Is
put in on them? How much ability goes
into preparation? Does anybody know.
does the publlo know, who got them up?
And what chance la there to amend them?
No chance at all until they have been
in force a couple of years. They may
have great defects, which the most
ignorant of our legislators would have
detected, but we cannot change them, to
the crossing of a t or the dotting of an
1. As they come from "the people" they
must be good, sacred and altogether holy I
THE! LIFE STORY OF A BRAVE BOY.
Hard Straggle With Adverse Fate.
Now a New-Made Grave.
Corvallis Times.
A new mound In Crystal Lake tells an
unusual story of death. The mortal re
mains of Dean Knox were placed there
Sunday. He was only a boy In years, but
in the brief span of life that fate afforded
him, he had exemplified many of the
traits of manhood. A few months ago,
though then but 17, he was the proprietor
of a restaurant next door south of the
First" National. The establishment was
L4he support of the family. Three younger
Drotners ranging irom to it years ma
elder brother utilized as aids in the busi
ness. Dean was the cook and the others
washed the dishes, waited on the tables
and did the Other work. It was a family
group that made a picture of industry
and self reliance that all familiar with
the facts often commented upon and ap
plauded. From 4 o'clock in the morning
until midnight or after, the place was
open to the public, presenting enterprise
and assiduity far beyond the ages of the
young lads who conducted the business.
Before .that Dean Knox had carried
newspapers 'to aid in the family support,
and had conducted a cleaning and repair
establishment. But the hearse, the car
riages and the new mound of last Sunday
ended the story, whether from exposure
in his struggle to help the family; Dean
became 111. Consumption fastened its grip
upon him. He was heroic far beyond that
which these simple annals record. With
his little brothers and his bereaved
mother, the community may well mourn.
for the boy fell at his post, striving to
place the means of life before the family.
Farewell to Conductor Jo.
Newberg " Graphic.
Conductor Jo Crocker, with his merry
whistle, has exchanged runs with Conduc
tor Webster, of the West Side line, the
latter desiring an easier run on account
of advancing years, and the Yamnill di
vision will know Jo no more forever.
Twenty or more years ai?o Mr. Crocker
came north from California ana nrst naa
a run on the East Side, but later took
a job with old "Dundee" Reld on the little
old "Narrow Gauge." and all these years
he has been punching the pasteboard on
this line, which Is now the Yamhill di
vision of the Southern Pacific. Just the
number of the farmers' fence rails he
used up for ballasting the track at the
upper end of the line In the early days,
or the number of China pheasants he shot
by the roadside while the "Cannon Ball'
waited, no one will ever Know, but under
these trying circumstances he was known
to be a man of resources. If there Is a
man, woman or child along the line who
has failed to have at least a speaking
acquaintance with Jo, there must be
something wrong, for he never stood on
the formality of an Introduction. Gone
but not forgotten.
What This Amendment Means.
-Catholic Sentinel.
It is charged that the proposed consti
tutional amendment granting "home rule"
to cities and towns in Oregon is really
an attempt to suspend the operation of
the criminal laws of the state at the
pleasure of the cities and towns In so far
as those laws relate to the liquor traffic,
poolrooms, racetracks, theaters, etc. The
cities and towns of Oregon now have
home rule as far as it is necessary in
these matters, and the proposed amend
ment Is superfluous and seemingly mis
chievous. The Retort Courteous.
Philomath Review.
Retributive justice seems not such an
incorporate thing as some suppose. In
view of passing events. Two weeks ago
a Corvallis paper sought to Injure Philo
math by publisning that there were 40
cases of smallpox in the town. Today If
there is any disease except bubonic
plague and leprosy that Corvallis hasn't
got we should like to know what it 1b.
Ills Busy Week.
' Prairie City Miner.
The stork passed through Prairie City
last week. He was only here about 24
hours, but changed his roosting place
several times. On Friday three sons were
born, and on Saturday a daughter: a son
to Mr. and Mrs. Ben Davis, a son to Mr.
and Mrs. George Donaldson, a son to Mr.
and Mrs. John Coombs, and a daughter
to Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Donaldson.
Tells of Coos Bar.
In what it calls a "Beautiful America
Edition," the Coos Bay Harbor, North
Bend's excellent weekly paper, plays up
the whole bay region in pointed articles
and expressive halftone illustrations.
There are 24 pages of the kind of matter
to make people take notice of that part
of Oregon.
It's Great Comfort to His Heirs.
Eugene Guard.
What good does It do the pedestrian,
with no room to dodge, who sees a racing
automobile headed straight for him, to
know that court decisions give him tne
right of way?
Three Weeks" In Missouri.
An Invitation.
Eugene Register.
Now if they would only run one or two
of those big battleships into Siuslaw Bay
during the rhododendron carnival It would
be very much appreciated.
The Pulling of Judge Gray.
Washington (D. C.) Herald.
"Judge Gray declines to be pulled into
the Presidential race," says the Balti
more Sun. Besides, nobody is trying to
pull him in.
Initiative and Referendum
Measures
For the information of voters there will
be published on this page from day to
day brief summaries of the initiative and
referendum measures to be submitted to
the people at the June election, together
with a short statement of the arguments
for and against each.
NUMBER 10.
Two fishery bills, proposed under the
Initiative, are awaiting the approval or
disapproval of the people at the June
election. One was prepared toy Lower
Columbia fishing interests and the other
by Upper Columbia Balmon packers.
Each measure seeks to protect the inter
ests of the people who drafted it. The
bill prepared by the Upper River Inter
ests will be the tenth initiative and refer
endum measure upon the ballot. Briefly
summarized, it proposes to prohibit fish
ing for salmon in the Columbia River
below Astoria, to prohibit fishing in ship
channels at night, to prohibit fishing on
Sunday, to prohibit fishing Between Oc
tober 1 and December 31, to prohibit the
use of seines or drift nets longer than
150 fathoms or deeper than 4 1-6 fathoms.
Fine of 330 to 3500 or imprisonment for
30 to 300 days, or both fine and Imprison
ment, are provided as a penalty for vio
lation.
The argument in favor of the bill is
that the restrictions proposed are neces
sary for the protection of the salmon
Industry. Against the bill it Is shown
that the measure Is designed to com
pletely annihilate the fishing industry of
the Lower Columbia in behalf of the fish
wheels of the Upper Columbia. Gill-net
fisherman drift with the tide and thus
fish out as far as the Columbia River
bar. This bill, if enacted, would require
them to stop fishing about 12 miles inside
the bar at a point near Astoria. Much
of the gill-net fishing is done at night
when the boats drift where the tide takes
them. To prohibit their drifting In ship
channels would practically prohibit their
fishing at all. These two limitations,
stopping fishing below Astoria and in ship
channels at night, would practically drive
the glll-netters off the river.
The argument against this bill, filed
by the Columbia River Salmon Protective
Association, asserts that the adoption of
this measure would mean that fishing on
the Lower River must cease and that all
fish would be permitted to go up the river
to the. fish wheels, which run night and
day, and which are so constructed that
by means of long fences or "leads" ex
tending out into the stream, the salmon
are led into a trap from which they can
not escape. The adoption of this bill, so
it Is asserted, would not permit any more
salmon to escape to the spawning grounds
but would give the Upper River fishermen
a monopoly of the Industry.
The New Nation to the North.
Agnes C. Laut, in the American Review
of Reviews for May, writes thus about
Canada:
Twenty-five years ago Canada had not
2000 miles of railroads. Today she has 23,
000 miles. Then she had no transcontinental
road. Today she has three.
Twenty-five years ano her totah output
of frold for all time did not exceed $50,
000,000. Today she has taken out of Klon
dike alone more than 3100.000,000.
In 1851 Canada's total trade was S34.
OOO.OOO. Today it is over S .-.S0.0O0.0O0.
In 1851 her population was not 3,000,000.
Today it is almost 7.0O0.0O0.
I tv 1851 Manitoba's population was not
18.000. Today It Is almost 500,000.
In 1ST1 there was only one small town
on the Canadian Pacific coast Victoria.
Today there are two large cities, and a
third city is in the making Prince Rupert,
the terminus of the Grand Trunk Pacific
and there are hundreds of smaller towns.
Twenty-five years ago you could not sell
Northwest land at $1.50 per acre. Today
the minimum price rules from $4 to $10.
As late as 1!H3 Manitoba, was proud of
raising 47,000.000 bushels of wheat. Today
her record Is 87,000,000 bushels.
Hard On Hon. Champ.
Washington Star.
Representative Champ Clark frequently
visited Washington before his election to
the House and thought he was pretty well
known there. On one occasion he went
to the capital on business for a client.
He was surprised and pleased to meet
an old friend and townsman at the hotel
Mr. Clark had selected for his stay.
"Well, well. If It Isn't Brown!" ex
claimed Mr. Clark. "I'm glad to see you.
Is there anything I can do for you?"
Then Mr. Clark took his friend by the
arm and marched him to the hotel's desk,
saying:
"I can do you one good turn, anyhow."
"Clerk," added Mr. Clark, when they
had reached that functionary. "This Is
my friend, Mr. Brown. I want yoir to
treat him right. Let him have whatever
he wants, and if he gets too extravagant
and runs out of cash, just charge it to
me."
"Why. yes," said the clerk. "I know
Mr. Brown very well, sir; but who are
you?"
Fate of "Merry Widow" Buss Saw.
Allentown Dispatch to the Philadelphia
Record.
Last night a man. name unknown,
walked down Turner street. In front was
a woman wearing a "Merry Widow" hat
the size of a bicycle wheel. The man
failed to notice the hat, and when he was
near the woman the latter turned around.
The sharp braided edge of the hat struck
the man across the eyes.
With a howl of rage and pain, the man
grabbed the hat, tore it from the wom
an's head, threw It on the ground, stamp
ed on . it, and then kicked .it into the
street, after which he disappeared down
an alley.
Indiana Grows Merry Widows.
Indianapolis News.
Odd bugs with immense wings and.
protuberances on their heads which have
been discovered near Evansville, Ind.,
have been called "Merry Widows."
Kansas City (Mo.) Dispatch.
A divorce, a wedding and a breach "of
promise suit, all within three weeks is
the experience of S. J. Mead, a rail
road conductor of Kansas City.
A FEW SQUIBS.
A man without a purpose In life Is like a
dog with no tall to wag. Philadelphia
Record.
"Yes." said Mrs. Newrich, "I -treat my
domestics as equals." "And don't they re
sent It?" queried Mrs. Olds-old. Chicago
Dally News.
"It's an extensive scheme. Let ma unfold
It." "Better adjourn to the street. No
room to unfold anythinr In this flat."
Louisville Courier-Journal.
"My friend over there Is one of the great
est after-diifner speakers we have." "Real
ly; how does he manage about his other
meals?" Town and Country.
"A young man who wants to get mar
ried baa certainly contradictory prelimin
aries to go through." "What are they?"
"First, he must pop the question, and then
ha must question the pop." Baltimore
American.
"Ah! proud beauty!" exclaimed little
Pnlffklns, "yon spurn my love now, but let
me tell you I will not always be a clerk.
I" "That's so," Interrupted the heart
less girl, "you may lose your Job." Phila
delphia Press.
Book Agent Missus. here's a family
volume of medicine that tells you how to
save doctofa bills only five - dollars.
Housewife Lawd sakes. white man! see
dat spindle? Dat spindle holds a bunch of
doctsh's bills, an' Ah don' want no flve
dollah book ter tell me how ter save any
PLANS FOR THE STATE GRANGE
Eugene to Entertain Organization
This Week.
EUGENE, Or., May 10. (Special.) .
Arrangements are about completed for
the meeting of the State Grange, which
convenes here Tuesday of next week
and continues up to and including Fri
day. The preparation for receiving the
city's guests is in charge of the Eu
gene Commercial Club and the ladies'
auxiliary to the club, backed by the
City of Eugene. This is the first time
Eugene has entertained the State
Grange, and the city will be appropri
ately decorated for the occasion in the
National colors, the Grange colors
pink and red and the University of
Oregon colors. There will be eight
pennants In pink and white bearing
the monogram "P. H." strung across
Willamette street. The main ' street.
Willamette, will have hundreds of col
ored lights strung across at Intervals
from the Southern Pacific depot to
Eleventh street. The electric light
poles on Willamette street have been
painted green, the grange color, and
1-ink flags and pennants will be at
tached to them. The citizens of Eu
gene will furnish flowers and other
decorations for the different meeting
places.
A reception will be given the visiting
Granges Tuesday evening at the
Armory. The Eugene Military Band
and the University Glee Club will fur
nish music. Professor L. R. Alderman,
superintendent of Eugene publlo
schools, will give an address, illustrat
ed with views, on "Industrial Work in
the Public Schools." While the pro
gramme In details has not been worked
out, some prominent Eugene citizen
will give the address of welcome, aided
by the masters from one or two of the
County Granges, who wU also welcome
the visitors. Responses will be given
by State Master A. T. Buxton and State
Lecturer Mrs. Clara B. Waldo;
At 10 o'clock Wednesday morning Dr.
Kerr, president of the Oregon Agricul
tural College, will speak to the students
of the State University. The visitors
will be invited to attend this lecture
ana will probably have luncheon at the
reception room in the dormitory. Ttw
arrangements for the luncheon will be
under the supervision of the ladies'
auxiliary to the Commercial Club.
The business meetings of the Grange
will be held .at the Oddfellows- Hall,
on Willamette between Seventh and
Eighth streets. The delegates will be
gin to arrive Monday, a few coming in
advance today.
EDITOR PALMER IS MISSING
Starts Paper at Elgin, but Meets Fi
nancial Distress, It Is Said.
ELGIN. Or.. May 10. (Special.) H.
H. Palmer, who began the publication
of a paper known as the Leader at
Elgin three weeks ago, has disappeared
as mysteriously as the dew before the
sun. Wednesday evening Palmer and
his wife went to La Grande, presum
ably on business, but the former has
never been seen since 10 o'clock that
night, and his whereabouts are not
even known by his wife. All conditions
point to the fact that Palmer left to
avoid meeting financial failure.
Palmer came to Elgin from Aurora
and started a paper at the solicitation
of local parties and was backed In his
scheme by Harry A. Snider, of Aurora.
Snider arrived Saturday to straighten
up the affairs of the paper. What dis
position will be made of the plant is
not known.
Elgin people who gave Palmer sup
port are somewhat embarrassed as to
the outcome.
Elgin has a well-established paper
aside from the Leader.
DEAD OF THE NORTHWEST
S. L. Morse, Leading Citizen or Pilot
Rock and Pioneer of 185 2.
PENDLETON, Or., May 10. (Special.)
S. L. Morse, Pilot Rocki's leading citizen,
died at the hospital In this city this even
ing after an Illness of several weeks with
pneumonia. He crossed the plains with
an ox team in 1S52, and was 73 years of
age. He served as United States Deputy
Marshal for a. number of years, and had
always been considered one of the promi
nent citizens of the county, having moved
from Vancouver. Wash., to this city in
1862. He was a brother of Mrs. Aura
Raley, of this city, the county's oldest in
habitant. He is survived by two daugh
ters and three sons.
Mrs. Mary Coldren.
HOOD RIVER. Or., May 10. (Special.)
Mrs. Mary Coldren, aged over 86 years,
died here iFrlday at the residence of her
grandson, C. J. Calkins. Mrs. Coldren
was born In N?w York, afterward re
moving to Grand Rapids, Mich., where-sli
resided for 40 years before coming to Ore
gon. She was a resident of Portland for
16 years before coming to Hood Rlvor
about a year ago. In additon to her
grandson she is survived by one daughter.
Mrs. Ellen E. Calkins, and a grand
daughter, Mrs. O. L Warden, both of
Hood River. The funeral was held this
afternoon from her late residence. Rev.
E. L Lathrop, of the Methodist Church,
of which Mrs. Coldren had been a mem
ber for many years, conducting the serv
ices. Interment was in Idlewilde Ceme
tery, Hood River.
WIDOWS NEED NOT APPLY
Those on Rolls Get Increased Pen
sions Automatically.
OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU, Wash
ington, May 10. According to a ruling
made by Hon. V. Warner, Commissioner
of Pensions, It will not be necessary for
soldiers widows now on the pensions rolls
at a rate less than 112 per month to make
any formal application to the Department
to obtain the increased rate provided for
by the widows' pension bill, signed by
the President April 19 last. To all those
now on the rolls the Increase will take
place automatically and the higher rat9
will be paid by the United States Pension
Agent at the next quarterly payment
upon receipt of the voucher properly exe
cuted. The rate of J12 begins with the
date of the act, April 19.
Widows not on the rolls, who were mar
ried to a veteran prior to June 27. ISM.
are required to make application, but do
not have to prove dependence, as before,
or that the soldier died as result of his
war service. Application blanks for this
purpose, can be obtained from United
States Senators or Representatives.
Following are pension claims under the
acts of 1M and 1907 which have recently)
been allowed, according to notices re
ceived and acted upon by Hon. W. R.
Ellis:
Charles A. Rhea, Portland
John B. Quay. Portland 12
Mary Cushlng. widow M. M. Cushing,
The Dalles R
Thomas I. M. Parsons. Lents 12
3 W. Welch. Astoria Vi
Genrge t,. Freemen, Baker City :!
William R. Stewart. Hermiston
Otis F. Mcintosh, lone 1'
John W. Shaver, Gresham i.
George L. Williams. Portland 1"
1 nomas E. Mills, Houlton 12
Albert F. Stakes, Arleta A 8
William H. Hicks. Hood River 12
Anson Powell, Ironside 12
John S-plller. Sumiter M
James I.ahey. Portland 12
Henderson Tabor. Portland 1 J
enrneon u. .lonnson, aiicci io
John H. Strlckler. Portland Vi
George N. Fultz, Portland Vi
Water In Big Horn Canal.
BASIN, Wyo., May 10. Water was
turned through the entire 54 miles of the
Big Horn County canal for the first time
today. It will irrigate 30.000 acres of land
on the west side of the Big Horn lver.