Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937, June 25, 1908, Image 12

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Morning Oregonian., June 25, 1908, Page 12, Image 12

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Newspaper Page Text12 THE MORNING OREGONIAN, THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 1908. T SPECIAL PERMITS Council Yields to Building In spector Dobson in His Fight for Rights. REFERS NOTTINGHAM CASE Committee to Decide Whether Sen ator Shall Go Ahead AVith Con struction of Wooden Build ing in Fire Limits. City Building Inspector Dobson has won his fight against the granting of special permits by the Council, and yesterday afternoon, single-handed, he forced that body to heed his rights. Councilman Baker, in an effort to "patch up" the differences, offered "to be good in future," if Mr. Dobson would drop prosecution of tho case against State Senator C. W. Notting ham, who is under arrest for alleged violation of the fire ordinances. The matter was referred to a committee. The ease is remarkable because of . the fact that Building Inspector Dob son; asserting his rights under the city ordinances governing the construction of buildings within the fire limits, re fuses point-blank to allow the Council to override his authority by granting to Senator Nottingham a special per mit to build a frame structure at East Second and East Stark streets. Notwithstanding the City Attorney has declared that special permits, fre quently granted by the Council, are illegal, being class legislation, the Council has repeatedly made such grants. Whenx Senator Nottingham sought permission to "repair" some frame structures at East Second and East Stark streets, the Council passed an ordinance, granting him the privi lege. Inspector Dobson. however, kept tab on the "repairs," and now declares that they consist of an almost complete new building, covering a space 40 by 140 feet, besides a big "L,." He noti fied Senator Nottingham to cease, but his order was ignored, as Mr. Notting ham held the special permit. Inspector Dobson consulted City At torney Kavanaugh, seeking an injunc tion, but Mr. Kavanaugh held no such power was vested in him. and Inspector Dobson then secured a warrant of ar rest tor Mr. Nottingham. This had no effect, as the building continued, until Mr. Dobson threatened to arrest every man on the job. Li. A. McNary, ex-City Attorney, ap peared as counsel for Senator Notting ham, and he expressed to the Council his belief that his client acted as any man would have, all things considered. Having the Council's permit, said Mr. McNary, it would seem that Mr. Not tingham could hardly be expected to stop proceedings upon the threat of the Building Inspector. Inspector Dobson, defending his posi tion, said that he would not permit anyone to do what had been done in this case, without using his full power to prevent it. He declared that, hav ing warned Mr. Nottingham, he was justified in making the arrest when the order to cease operations was ignored. He said that the building Ghould now be torn down; that the city should not allow any man so flagrantly to violate the building ordinances. He said that Eastern capitalists will not invest their money in good buildings along side of such flimsy structures as Mr. Nottingham has erected, and that it is poor policy to have such buildings in the fire limits. A resolution bj- Councilman Wills, eliminating from the fire limits on the East Side that portion of ground now occupied by tho Nottingham frame structures, was introduced, but it was not adopted, and the whole matter was referred to the Council committee on health and police. It is believed that this case will re sult in the discontinuance of the prac tice of the Council in granting special permits, as it has done' heretofore, now that it is clear it has no legal right to do so. WEEDS MUST BE CUT DOWN Council Requires Property-Owners to Keep Places Clear of Brush. A drastic ordinance, the terms of which- compel property-owners to clear their premises of thistles and weeds to the curb-line, was passed by the City Council yesterday afternoon, and unles3 it is vetoed by Mayor I.ane, will become a law in due time. It is most sweep ing In its provisions, and some of the Councilmen, including Mr. W ills, voted against it on those grounds. "I am afraid this ordinance is so sweeping as to be impracticable," said Councilman Wills, who was presiding. "According to the terms of the meas ure, a man would have to cut the brush from his property, even if he had a place in the woods." "That's just what we want," said Councilman Bennett, who introduced the ordinance, by request. "The city needs clearing up." Councilman Cellars arose to Inquire whether the city possesses power suf ficient to extend the provisions of the ordinance to compel owner of prop erty to clean everything Into the mid dle of the street. If this could be en forced, he declared, it would solve, to a great degree, the problem of munici pal street-cleaning. However, the ordi nance was not amended so as to include this drastic provision. APPOINT CHARTER BOARD Committee or 15 Citizens to Con sider Proposed Changes. The City' Council, by the adoption yesterday afternoon of a resolution by Councilman Wills, named Mayor Lane and Councilman Baker and Cellars as a committee to select 15 taxpayers to confer with all interests on proposed amendents to the charter. The mat ter was generally discussed and it is understood that City Attorney Kav anaugh and Chief Deputy Auditor Urutze will be the only city officials on the committee, and , that those chosen will invite conferences with the various organizations that make up the municipality. Mr. Wills introduced the resolution. The only power the committee of 15 taxpayers will have is to draft pro posed amendments to the charter, for submission to the voters by the initia tive in the November election. Only in case of a reversal of Circuit Judge Cleland's decision on the bonding issues and the amendments, voted in by the people last year, could the Council initiate the amendments. It is the understanding of the Coun cilmen that Mayor Lane and Council- GRAN MO ................................................ ..... - STRUCTURE ERECTED IN DEFIANCE OP BUILDING INSPECTOR j ! -l-ri$(c rr h- U U4 U Ji I , -v .... - " vTi I Jfc 2 J ! -r-J& - ' ----- . Ia -l.s i.t,SfJS&s3 I I . 1 1 TWO-STORY FRAME BUILDING AT EAST SECOND AND EAST STARK, OWNED BV STATE SENATOR I NOTTINGHAM. I i men Cellars and Baker will select rep resentatives from all walks of life to serve on the committee of taxpayers. In this way the body will be made thoroughly representative and the var ious interests will be recognized and given consideration. It is thought to be necessary to have City Attorney Kavanaugh and Deputy Auditor Grutze on the committee, as both are acknowledged to be more fa miliar with present conditions, and to know more as to necessary changes than any other men in Portland. CLOSE VOTE ON TRANSFER Pullman Saloon License Changed After Fight in Council. By a vote of 7 to 5, the City Council yesterday afternoon granted the peti tion of P. C. O'Mara for a transfer of his saloon license from what is known as the Pullman Cafe, at 285 Alder street, to the old Commercial Club building at Sixth and Alder streets. The reason for the close vote on the ques tion is that the establishment was one of the most notorious in Portland, as conducted by John Conrad, alleged by some to be at present the real propri etor. Those opposing the transfer be lieve the saloon should be closed. No recommendation in the matter was made by the Council committee on liquor licenses, because the four mem bers present at the meeting last Mon day were evenly divided on the ques tion. Councilman Cottel, chairman of the committee, and Councilman Drlscoll brought the matter up yesterday after noon, and Mr. Drlscoll introduced a resolution granting the transfer, which finally carried. Councilmen Bennett, Cellars, Conean- non, Kellaher and Menefee voted against the transfer, while Councilmen Annand, Baker, Belding, Cottel, Drls coll, Dunning and Wills voted favor ably. The argument of those opposed was that the Pullman Cafe, under its past management, had become a dis reputable place, one which should not be tolerated in the city, and that, if granted a transfer, similar conditions might continue. Those favoring the granting of the transfer declared that the establishment has never been as noisome as depicted, and that there has been persecution against the owner. DRISCOLL ORDINANCE LOST Council Sidetracks Measure Exclud ing Women From Saloons. The Drlscoll ordinance, drafted to exclude women from saloons, was switched off the main line and run into the official scrap head in charge of the committee on health and po lice by the City Council yesterday afternoon by a vote of 7 to 6. It is now regarded as certain that it will never again emerge, or, if it does, it will be so completely revised that its own author would not recognize it. Councilman Baker was among those who opposed passage of - the ordinance, and it, was asserted by him that it was the pet measure of the retail liquor dealers. He declared that they origin ated it aad wished it to become a law in order to exclude women from hotels and restaurants where liquors are sold. Councilman Drlscoll. author of the ordinance, was 'equally positive that the retail liquor dealers did not want the measure to become a law, and that they had moved 'everything in their power to prevent its passage. Councilman Cottel. chairman of the liquor license committee, denounced the Driscoll ordinance, saying that it would not keep women out of saloons. The vote resulted as follows, on the motion to refer to a committee: Yeas Councilman Annand, Baker, Belding, Concannon. Dunning, Kellaher. Nays Councilmen Bennett, Cellars, Driscoll, Menefee, Rushlight and Wills. It was upon motion of Councilman Kellaher that the ordinance was referred to -the committee on health and police. CITY TAKES OVER BATHS Council Accepts Establishment and Will Operate It In Future. The public baths were formally taken over by the City Council yesterday aft ernoon by unanimous vote of the Coun cilmen and will be operated by the city in future. The entire equipment was of fered clear of debt by L. Samuel and Ed ward Holman, who have formerly con ducted the establishment. The proposition to take over the baths was made by the donors two months ago, but there seemed a difficult question of law as to whether the city is empowered to operate a public bathing-house. The matter was referred to City Attorney Kavanaugh for an opinion, and he re ported yesterday afternoon, holding that it can be legally done. As to just where the baths will 'he lo cated, will be determined later. Harbor master Speler will probably be asked to locate a good site, and when this is de cided upon, the house will be moved and opened to the public. FUNDS FOR FIRE HYDRANTS Council Reluctantly Passes Appro priation of $30,000. The City Council yesterday afternoon first refused to pass an ordinance, ap propriating $30,000 for the purchase of BOO fire hydrants, but afterwards recon sidered and passed the measure. It was thought by the majority, when the first ballot was cast, that It is the duty of the Water Board to expend an appro priation of $42,000, set aside for the pur pose, but because of the urgent need and the refusal of the Board to act, the Council decided to buy the hydrants. Councilman Rushlight, chairman of the cammittee on ways and means, championed the ordinance, . saying that there is grave danger of a conflagration, accompanied by loss of life and great destruction of property, and, for one, he refused to be responsible for such a condition, inasmuch as there was money available for the purchase of the hydrants. Councilman Cellars asked Mr. Rush light if it were true that he recently de clared, at a committee meeting, that, If he were Mayor, the Water Board would purchase hydrants or there would be a new Board. Mr. Rushlight admitted making the statement, but added that it would not do longer to fight the Wa ter Board on the matter, because of the imminent danger to life and property. Mayor Lane, speaking for himself and the Water Board, said the $42,000 had not been expended for hydrants, as di rected at the first of the year by the Council, because it was so urgently need ed for extension of water mains and in creased water supply1. GRANT FOR ELECTRIC LINE Council Unanimously Passes Fran chise for Mount Hood Road. By unanimous vote of the 13 mem bers present the City Council yester day afternoon passed an ordinance, granting to the Mount Hood Railway & Power Company right of way for an electric line across porperty on the Bull Run Reserve, controlled by the municipality. The measure, as drafted by the legal representatives of the city and of the company, and carefully con sidered by Mayor Lane, members of the Water Board and Councilmen Bennett and Cellars, went through without a change. When the ordinance came up for final passage Councilman Baker asked if City Attorney Kavanaugh had read and approved the provisions, and Mr. Kava naugh replied that he had carefully considered every word and recommend ed it for passage. He said it was im portant that it pass, as the city's rights are fully protected. Mayor Lane and certain other city officials have long suspected that the Mount Hood Railway & Power Com pany desired to encroach upon the wter of Bull Run River, from which Portland's water supply is obtained, and for a long time there was decided ill-feeling between the two Interests. This is amicably settled now, and it is believed to be certain that Mayor Lane will sign the ordinance. DIES AFTER OPERATION Wife of Dr. M. G. McCorkle Passes Away Funeral Tomorrow. Mrs. Emma Blanche McCorkle, wife of Dr. M. G. McCorkle, died Tuesday .night at Good Samaritan Hospital from internal hemorrhage after a brief illness. An opera tion had been performed in an effort to save her life, but it The Late Mrs. Emma Blanche J McCorkle. proved futile, Mrs. McCorkle was well known in church, lodge and social circles in Portland. She was born in Brooklyn, N. T., 28 years ago, and was married to Dr. McCorkle in Portland 11 years ago, where she had made her home ever since. She had been an active member of the Third Presbyterian Church, East Pine street, where she was the teacher of a class of 40 girls, and was regarded as one of the useful members of that church. Mrs. McCorkle was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Whittier Circle, Woodmen of the World, and Degree of Honor, A. O. U. W. She was a woman of high attainments and lovable qualities of heart and mind, and. will be missed by a wide circle of friends. She is survived by her husband. Dr. G. M. McCorkle, of this city, and her father and mother, -vev. and Mrs. S. A. George, of Kelso, Wash. The funeral will be conducted at the Third Presbyterian Church, East Pine and Thirteenth streets, tomorrow forenoon at 10 o'clock. The pallbearers Will be A. H. Lomax, H. Bittner, Herman Gordon, Every Schmeer, Dr. Sandford Whiting and Dr. Edward Johnson. Eanan shoes fit Ue Iset. Rosenthal's. :: hVJ :: - J4i kA Cr4 e ERA DAWNS FOR LOCAL PORT Deepening of Columbia Bar ' Gives Splendid Channel for Largest Ships. PORTLAND FUTURE BRIGHT Improved Channel and Great Indus tries Now Being Established W7lll Soon Make City Greatest Seaport on Pacific. That the deepening of the Columbia River bar to 28 feet at low water means the beginning of a new era for Portland and the tributary country is the belief of the secretaries of the local commercial bodies and others actively engaged in the development of this port. The prac tical elimination of the Columbia River bar, so long a bugaboo that has been used by rival ports against Portland, is a tremendous step in advance, it is said, and will make for the building of a great seaport here". So many things that combine to make Portland a graet city have occurred dur ing the past few months that there is general rejoicing among those in close touch with the business interests and the commercial future of the .city. The new depth of the Columbia River entrance that has been gained by the scouring process of the river current as directed by the Jetty puts this port on a more favor able footing than any of the five great seaports of the United States New York, Boston, Philadelphia, New Orleans and Galveston. The Columbia River mouth has a greater depth than any of these great world ports at high tide, with the sole exception of New York, and that harbor has only five-tenths of a foot more than the Columbia River. The exact depths of these ports at low and high tide are as follows: Low. High. New York 30 34.5 Boston 27 31.5 Philadelphia. 24 28.5 New Orleans 30 31.0 Galveston 2T 28.0 Portland 28 . 34.0 Great Boon to District. This great gain in depth of the river's mouth is the biggest advance that Pott land and the tributary country, which in cludes all the Columbia River basin in Washington and Idaho, has made in-many a year. Not only the depth, but the fact that the channel has been widened from 300 to 3C00 feet, is a cause for the great est congratulation. Seeretarj' Edmond C. Giltner, of the Portland Chamber of Commerce, the body that has taken special interest in the deepening of the river to the sea and formulated the Port of Portland amend ment that was carried at the last general election, said: "The elimination of the Columbia River bar, coming so soon after the completion of the North Bank Railroad and during the actual construction of the big grain docks of the same road on the waterfront, which will be the finest of their kind in the country, together with the com mencement of work on the monster pack ing plant to be erected by Swift & Co., on the Peninsula, means much for Portland. 'Take Charge of Pilotage. "In addition to these things there is the amendment to the Port of Portland bill which has Just gone into effect by rea son of the bill prepared by the Chamber of Commerce and carried at the June election. All these things of such great import to this city mean an era in its growth greater than any heretofore, not excepting the Lewis and Clark Exposition period. The amendment to the Port of Portland act provides for a towage and pilotage service on the Columbia River bar and the Columbia and Willamette Rivers and authorizes an issue of bonds to build towboats, etc. A superintendent has been appointed to take charge of the work and a friendly suit will be start ed in order that there may be no ques tion as to the validity of the bonds. There is no doubt that this work will be well under way by next Fall. "These things mean that Portland is going to take its position as the leading port of the Pacific Northwest. But under no circumstances should the agitation for the completion of the project at the mouth of the river cease simply because we -have this excellent depth. While the completion of the south jetty alone may secure the 40 feet desired at extreme low water, which is the depth we are after, there is very little doubt that the comple tion of the whole project, which includes a north jetty also, would secure such a depth permanently. Prediction of J. J. Hill. "When this is accomplished, and we must never let up until it is done, we will not only have the greatest port in the Pacific Northwest but if we can take the word of James J. Hill for it, Portland will be the greatest port on the Pacific Coast. Mr. Hill said: " 'When you get the channel to 40 feet, depend upon it, all the Pacific Coast will have to take off Its hat to you be cause you have one advantage nature made the pass, water follows the line of least resistance and so does com merce.' "This happy combination of circum stances, which was not complete un til the announcement of the greater depth at the mouth of the river was made, means that Portland will grow as never before and will increase in the wealth so rapidly that people who thought they lost their opportunities In the last four or five years will real ize that the four or five years are noth ing compared with the next four or five years which Will make Portland the leading city of this coast. More Than Repay Tax. "The depth of water between the mouth of the Columbia River and this city will always be maintained at what ever depth is required to accommodate the vessels that may cross the bar. This is a matter of expenditure of money only in dredging and is a tax that the people do not complain of as it is returned a hundred fold. "Very apropos at this time is the discussion with regard to making a harbor that will accommodate all the shipping that can possibly come here, but such improvements as maintaining the river channel and a harbor are small matters compared to the com pletion of abundant rail connections with the interior and a great depth, of water for foreign shipping." Secretary Giltner cannot be taxed with being over enthusiastic as to the future of the port for the big improve ments outlined here during the earlier months of the present year are con ceded to warrant his predictions fully. Specifications are in the hands of con tractors calling for the erection of the largest packing plant West of the Rocky Mountains that will cover a 3000 acre site, valued at $3,000,000. This huge tract is rapidly being put in condition for accomplishing the pur poses Intended by .Swift & Co., and more than 200 cars of machinery are on their way to the city. The largest wheat docks and ware houses in the country of their type are under construction by the Hill roads on the west bank of the river, while the packing-plant activity is under way on the east bank. These big projects in livestock packing and grain hand ling prove to the most skeptical that Portland is to be the headquarters of these two great industries in the Pa cific Northwest. The opening of new railroads tribu tary to this city during the past few months prove that Portland is the na tural shipping point for the "Pacific Northwestern states. These new lines make tributary to Portland an ever in creasing territory that will pour its riches into this city's lap. The open ing of the Lewleton-Riparia branch of the O. R. & N. and the North Bank road bring an immense territory in the in terior closer to Portland and means the shipment from this city's docks of the grain grown in the inland states. For the first five months of 1908, building permits in Portland exceeded the same period of 1907, when the Pa cific Northwest was on the very crest of the wave of prosperity. Permits for the first five months of this year exceeded the corresponding period last year by nearly 500 and the rate of in crease is growing as the months pass. Those who see a greater future for 'FREE nfORSlD " Address nn 148 FIFTH 1117 If A iff!PkCi S Or. Prisa's Wheat Flake Celery Food Don't eat much meat if you value the freshness of your face. A good complexion is only attained by the possession of a healthy skin and good blood. Dr. Price's 'Wheat Flake Celery Food is made from the whole grain of the wheat, with celery. It is rich in phosphates and other elements that make pure blood and prevent constipation. 262 Portland are Justified in their optimism because of all these favorable indica tions of a greater Portland. Never De fore in the city's history have there been so many movements of far reaching importance that point to the For $7000, we offer the above thoroughly modern, new 8-room dwelling, with grounds 65x100, located No. 741 Broadway; one of the best, in midst of select homos,' and must be sold at once. Cash wanted, but make proposition. JACKSON & DEERING Phone Main 34S 246 STARK STREET The Jacobs-Stine Company, cv,niKyn No 5 148 Fifth St., Portland, Or. Gentlemen: Please inform me at once how I can secure a site upon which to build a home free. Name STREET, PORTLAND, OREGON -'- -TffW'ltfwTMr sfofrfUlllWlsTTsll MimilisWTiHiUlilf I lllis. I I great development of Portland and Its supremacy, as the greatest port of the Pacific. Metzger & Co., Jewelers and opticians, 342 Washington st. 1 i TTO1R GO.