Morning Oregonian., July 09, 1908, Page 10, Image 10

10
THE MORNING OKEGOXIAN, THURSDAY, JTLT 9, IPOS.
COUNCIL ATTACKS
TELEPHONE GRANT
Members Declare Pacific Co.
Is Giving Wretched Service ,
in Portland.
KAVANAUGH ASKED TO ACT
City Attorney Will Ascertain Power
to Cancel Franchise if Conditions
Are Not Improved May
Bar Xickel Boxes.
The City Council, at Its meeting yes
terday afternoon, unanimously voted to
instruct City Attorney Kavanaugh to
furnish at once an opinion as to
whether the Council is empowered, under
the terms of the franchise of the Pacific
Telephone & Telegraph Company to re
voke the grant unless a greatly-improved.
service is maintained by that corporation.
Members of the Council grilled the com
pany in unsparing terms, declaring that
"it is an absolute injustice to the public
to allow such miserable conditions to con
tinue." Just before the adjournment of the aft
ernoon session. Councilman Belding arose
and offered a resolution, instructing the
City Attorney to investigate the terms of
the franchise now hold by the company,
with a view to ascertaining whether the
Council has power to demand a much
better service than is now eiven or, fail
ing to secure the desired improvement, to
revoke the franchise.
Would Tear Down Boxes.
. The resolution was Instantaneously ap
proved by other Councllmen, several of
whom, in brief speeches, said that the
present service of the Pacific Telephone
Company is "abominable." Councilmen
Kellaher and Driscoll fought for an
amendment, instructing Chief of Police
Gritzmacher to go out with axes and
tear down all of the slot-machine tele
phone boxqs now in service througnout
the city. However, It was thought best
to reserve this action, if taken at all, un
til after the report is received from the
City Attorney on the power of the
Council.
"The service of the Pacific Telephone &
Telegraph Company bas become so bad
that relief Is positively necessary," de
clared Mr. Belding, In offering the reso
lution. "The company is giving the worst
service in the history of the city, and the
public Is paying for something it does not
get. Something must be done, and I
move that the City Attorney be Instructed
to Investigate the provisions of the com
pany's franchise to see if we can revoke
it, if a good deal better service is not
immediately given."
Kelialier Vrges Action.
There were Beveral seconds, uttered
simultaneously, and Mr. Kellaher also
offered the amendment, instructing the
Chief of Police to tear down all the tele
phone nickel-in-the-slot boxes that are in
use throughout the city.
"The police have removed all other
slot-machines, why not the telephone
company's boxee?" said Sir. Kellaher.
"The only difference In the boxes is that
in the kind they used to have at cigar
stores you could sometimes get some
thing for your money, but I never heard
of any one getting anything for his
money in one of those telephone boxes.
I think the police should be ordered by
this Council to remove them."
Mr. Driscoll spoke along the same lines
as did Mr. Kellaher, but the amendment
did not carry, Uowever, the City Attor
ney was Instructed to include in his re
port the statement as to whether the
Council has power to instruct the Chief of
Police to remove the slot-machine tele
phones. "I understand that the telephone com
pany has already improved its service,"
said Councilman Concannon. "The com
pany formerly charged me $1.50 a month
for my telephone, now they charge me J3
a month for it. Isn't that an improve
ment 7"
REJECTS WIRE FRANCHISE
Council Refuses to Permit Connec
tion With Fire Alarm System.
Too many applications for franchises
to operate auxiliary tire alarm, systems
in Portland has brought about the prob
able defeat of all. The City Council yes
terday morning voted to postpone indef
initely further consideration of these ap
plications, which include those of the
National Automatic Company and the
American District Company. A third
concern, it was said, Is about to enter
the arena and seek a permit. All wished
to connect with the wires of the city
system.
Councilman Kellaher, who has led the
fight against the automatic company's
application, took the same attitude with
regard to the application of the American
District Company. He moved the indef
inite postponement of the whole matter,
Inasmuch as the report of Fire Chief
Campbell and City .Electrician Bavarian
was strictly opposed to permitting any
private concern to attach its system onto
the municipal lines. After considerable
debate the motion prevailed, and the
whole matter is therefore indefinitely
postponed, which means that, in all prob
ability, none of the companies will re
ceive a franchise to connect with the
city fire alarm system.
The Automatic Company's franchise has
progressed to the point where it is about
to be advertised, but the application of
the American District Company has Just
come officially before the Council.
There seems to be general objection
throughout the larger cities of the coun
try to any private company attaching
wire to the municipal system, as it
seems certain to make confusion, and in
come Instances is said to be a real menace
to life and property. It is held by fire
chiefs generally that the city's wires
should be absolutely exclusive, and that
none but city electricians should have
access to the boxes or any portion of
the wires or system.
DEMAND FIRE PROTECTION
Residents of Ockley Green Want Hy
drants Placed Near School.
Twenty residents of Ockler Green.
living near the publio school, have sent
In a communication to the Mayor and
City Council demanding that fire
hydrants be installed at once to pro
tect the building and the lives of the
children who will soon be In attend
ance there. The letter Is a peculiar
note because of its strong language,
nd ends by the statement that, if the
hydrants are not installed, and there
Is any loss of life from fire, the resi
dents will hold the Mayor and mem
bers of the Council to a strict account
therefor.
The communication was read at the
meeting of the City Council yesterday
morning and was referred to the com
mittee on health and police for con
sideration. Councilman Menefee In
quired of Mayor Lane, who was pre
siding, If it were not true that there
are a lot of hydrants lying idle that
were purchased nearly one year ago,
and the Mayor replied that there are
some of that lot which have never
been tested or accepted by Chief Camp
bell. The Fire Chief will be asked to
check up and make a report.
In the OcKley Green district there
are no hydrants at all, and the school
Is at the mercy of flames. This situa
tion was called to the attention of the
Mayor and Council months ago by
Chief Campbell, but a deadlock be
tween the Water Board and Council,
until two weeks ago, prevented relief.
Saloon Ordinance Sidetracked.
. As predicted, the City Council side
tracked the proposed ordinance de
signed to exclude women from saloons.
It was not reported at all yesterday,
notwithstanding the fact that it was
recommended for passage, with a minor
amendment, by the majority of the
members of the committee on health
and police. It i said the liquor inter
ests are opposed to it. and are doing
all they can to defeat It.
Regulate Jnnk Dealers.
An ordinance was passed by the City
Council yesterday afternoon, a provision
of which is that junk dealers shall not
purchase anything from minors. It is
believed by the Council that this is an
excellent measure. Its other provisions
place the business strictly under control
of the "police.
ENGINEER'S PLAN ADOPTED
VISTA AVENUE PROJECT AP
PROVED BY COUNCIL.
II Improvement Is Carried Out
Boulevard on Portland Heights
Will Be Great Driveway.
Rapid progress Is being made In the
matter of the proposed opening, widen
ing and improving of Vista avenue,
from the south end of the Ford-street
bridge to Twentieth and Carter streets.
Monday the street committee of the
Council visited the scene and inspected
the ground, and yesterday afternoon
the Council, In regular session, adopted
the report of the committee, which rec
ommened the plan of City Engineer
Taylor. Immediately Mayor Lane
signed the ordinance, and viewers were
appointed. They will soon make their
report, when it is probable a complaint
will be heard from property-owners
along the line of the improvement, who
do not feel able to bear the expense.
This is the most expensive street
improvement yet proposed in Portland,
In that It is estimated to cost about
130,000. It calls for a 60-foot boule
vard, following the bluff above tine city
on the line of the Portland Heights
branch of the Portland Railway, Light
& Power Company. ,
The improvement, if it is carried but
as planned, will mark a new era in
street work in Portland, and will pro
vide what those interested declare will
be the most beautiful boulevard in the
West, If not in the whole country.
There will be no obstacles to mar the
view toward the east, In which direc
tion may be seen the mountains, the
Willamette and Columbia Rivers, and
a splendid panoramic view of the city.
As In all cases of public improve
ment, there are some of the property
Owners who feel that the cost of the
project Is beyond their means, and some
believe the lines recommended by City
Engineer Taylor are dangerous, Im
practicable and likely to make trouble.
There are points on the eastern edge
of the boulevard where a . retaining
wall of great depth must be placed to
make the boulevard safe. Mr. Taylor
declares the work can be done wltS
absolute safety, but Councilmen Rush
light and Kellaher voted against the
report because of their fear that an
accident might happen.
BOTH VETOES SUSTAINED
Baker Not Personally Interested In
"Nlckelodion" Measure.
Mayor Lane's vetoes on ordinances
regulating street venders and "nick
elodlons" were sustained by the City
Council yesterday morning, and fur
ther legislation on these matters will
probably be brought up later. The
executive put his stamp of disapproval
on each measure because, as he stated
in his messages, he thought there were
Imperfections in them.
The ordinance designed to regulate
"nickelodions" which provided that all
such establishments must be housed in
fireproof buildings was vetoed because
of a section that exempted such frame
buildings as have been used for one
year prior to date of its passage for
theatrical purposes. Until yesterday
it had been supposed that this provi
sion was put In by Councilman Baker
to protect his own Interests, as he has
three such theaters. He, however, in a
brief speech, explained that such is
not the case. Mr. Baker said he cared
nothing as to whether the ordinance
passed, and asked the Councllmen to
vote Just as they saw fit, and not to
count htm as Interested at all. And,
he said, he would vote to sustain the
veto, to show his good faith, which he
did.
The ordinance relating to street
venders was vetoed because it fixed a
license fee lhat would drive most all
of the venders out of business, and
the veto was sustained.
Saloon District Measure Referred.
Councilman Kellaher yesterday after
noon, during the sesslbn of the City
Council, called from the table the pro
posed ordinance prescribing districts In
which saloons shall be located, and fix
ing also the territory where no more
saloons shall be allowed. It was re
ferred to the committee on Judiciary.
The measure was first advocated by the
wholesale liquor dealers, who had It
framed and Introduced. That was Juet
before the last election. Nothing had
been heard of it since until yesterday.
Petition for New Bridge.
A formal petition for a bridge across
Sullivan's Gulch on East Sixteenth
street was presented to the City Coun
cil yesterday afternoon. No definite
action was taken upon it. Residents in
the vicinity of the site declare that the
heavy traffic warrants another structure.
Offers, Then Withdraws Ordinance.
Councilman Wills drafted and Infor
mally Introduced an ordinance into the
Council yesterday, the terms of which
would have revoked the license of the
Pullman Cafe. Later, however. he
withdrew the proposed measure, and it
was not acted upon.
Tomorrow. Friday, will positively be
the last day for discount on West Side
gas bills. Portland Gas Co. -
Special sale fine shoes at Rosenthal's.
r
Powers5
Pre-Inventpry
Sale
For Bedroom
If yon want something dif
ferent in the line of bedroom
furniture; furniture that pos
sesses strong individuality
your -wiBb.es can be satisfied
here. '
No. 215 Royal oak or fir
Dresser, regular $15.00 ; made of
well seasoned materials, serpen--tine
front ; reduced Jf
No. 5108 Golden oak Dresser,
regular value $21, swell front,
22x27 oyal French bevel-plate
mirror, now reducedJJ2
No. 198 White Maple Dresser,
regular value $17.50; 20x24 oval
French bevel-plate mirror, ser
pentine top; reduced J 75
V
No. 148 Chiffonier, r e g n 1 ar
value $17.50 ; 15x19 French bev
el mirror, with serpentine top;
five drawers ; made of well-seasoned
hardwood; 1 1
ducedto JJ11.IJ
No.
ash
design; reduced to
7100 Regular $19 natural
Bed; Colonial CIA Cfl
No. 6184 Regular $16.50 Dress
ing Table, mahogany finish, 18x
20 French bevel-plate mirror;
one drawer; reduced 75
Our Pre-Inventory Sale
has been a wonderful suc
cess. For bargains Port
land has never seen any
thing to compare with it.
We have again gone
through the lots, replen
ishing them from higher
priced lines, determined
that the many people that
come today will find
as many tempting bar
gains as were offered dur
ing the first days of this
sale.
For the
Dining-room
We are particularly fortu
nate in onr selections of
dining-room furniture.
This is why we can Quote
such money-saving prices.
No. 8534 Regular $22.50 China
Cabinet, has 4 shelves, round
glass ends; in golden oak and
weathered finish ; re- tf 1 A O C
duced to $11. J J
No. 327 Regular $35.00 Exten
sion Table, 45-inch tcp, 6-foot,
quarter-sawed oak, C1Q
golden finish; red. to.. JHO.fcrJ
No. 2192 Regular $26 China
Cabinet, solid oak, in golden fin
ish; has four shelves and round
glass ends; reduced 5
I
No. 1920 Regular $36 Buffet,
quarter-sawed oak, polished fin
ish ; 23 by 45-inch top; French
bevel -plate mirror; "H
reduced to P&J.JU
No. 2705 Regular $32 Buffet in
golden oak or weathered oak
finish, 2 doors and 3 drawers;
10x34 French bevel- ClQ 7C
plate mirror iJ)10lJ
No. 5303 Regular $16.00 Side
Table, solid oak, in weathered
finish; has 2 shelves; tQ 7C
reduced to $7l vJ
GO-CARTS
$11.00 Folding Foyer Go-Cart, rubber tire, spring seat
and reclining back; reduced to, J spe- 50
No. 326i$6.bb Folding Go-Cart, rattan "7C
seat and back,; rubber tires; special P O
No. 8240 $12.00 Folding Reclining Go-Cart, uphol
stered seat and back, rubber tires and CQ flrt
parasol; reduced to .. PO.VJU
No. 8146 $15 Folding Reclining Go-Cart, reed body,
cushion rubber tire wheels; reduced . jQ 00
No. 9864 Regular $19.00 Baby Carriage, heavy reed
body, cushion tire wheels; special djl "I CC
price for this sale, only. P vU
Steel
Range
$27.75
Regular
Value
$36
Steel
Range
$27.75
Regular
Value
S36
v.
BLUE STEEL BODY, 16-INCH OVEJT, PERFECT CONSTRUCTION,
GUARANTEED FOR TEN YEARS.
EASY CHAIRS
No. 240712 Regular $29.00 Sleepy Hollow Chair, in
weathered oak finish, upholstered in fljl 7 Ef
genuine leather; reduced to V
No. 2407 Regular $29 Sleepy Hollow Rocker, uphol
stered in genuine leather, weathered, C1 7 Rfl
oak finish; matches above chair. ..... . JJ
No. 4108 Regular $22.00 high-back Comfort Rocker,
polished mahogany, olive leather seat, C1 9 9C1
slat baek; reduced to ipl6.4u
No. 5634 Regular $17.50 Rocker, solid quarter-sawed
oak, golden finish, leather seat and back; Q 7
reduced to ..?'
ERECT NEW PRISON
Old Project Bobs Up in City
Council.
MEASURE DRAWN BY WILLS
Ordinance Is Submitted Providing
for Sale of Present Jail and
Other Property to Raise
the Necessary Funds. '
The City Council yesterday after
noon referred to a committee an ordi
nance authorizing the Executive Board
to sell the present City Jail and public
market sites. . Much significance at
taches to the action. - It may lead to
the construction of a modern building:
for police headquarters. Municipal
Court and city prison.- The measure
was drafted and introduced by Coun
cilman Wills.
Another ordinance which passed the
Council is aimed to reinforce the main
measure, and directs the committee on
health and police to investigate and
report to the Council on all city prop
erty at present unused. The intention
of Mr. Wills is to order the sale of this
also, the combined amount of money
derived therefrom to be put into the
new jail building. Both ordinances
were referred to the committee for
consideration.
In the ordinance authorizing' the sale
of the City Jail and market blocks,
there is a provision that the city, if
desired, shall be entitled to the use
of the City Jail and all the present ap
purtenances for the period of one year
from date of final sale of the prop
erty, at a rate of interest, payable to
the purchaser. "
Mr. Wills, in an interview, declared
that the time has come when the city
must proceed to the construction of a
new and modern police station and
prison. Conditions in the present
building, he said, are shameful, and
cannot be tolerated much longer.
"We simply must have a good police
station. Municipal Court building and
City JalL" said Mr. Wills. "And in
order to get It the Council must act.
It has run along now until it Is a
shame, and the conditions in the pres
ent jail and building where the police
have to work are so bad that it is In
human longer to tolerate it. We should
have built it long before this, but the
best we can now do is to proceed at
once, and press the work to a finish.
My idea is to sell all unused city prop
erty, of which there Is considerable,
add the receipts to what we get for
the City Jail and market blocks, and
then select a site and go ahead with
the building."
There has been loud and continual
complaint for many years of the pres
ent City Jail building, and but recent
ly Captain Moore, commanding the day
relief, made a written report to his
superior officers, in which he declared
that there are the most urgent reasons
for an immediate change to a new
building.
KILLS CHILD AND HIMSELF
Fourth Cable Under Kelton.
ASTORIA, Or., July 8. (Special.)
Captain" Genereaux. salvor for the un
derwriters, succeeded today in placing
the fourth cable under the sunken
steam schooner 'Minnie E. Kelton. Tho
cables are fastened to barges moored
alongside and within a few day
everything will be ready for the at
tempt to raise the vessel.
Henry M. Steele, Well-Known Wash
ington Man, Goes Insane.
SPOKANE, July 8. Suffering from a
sudden attack of insanity. Henry M.
Steele, a resident of Nespilem, Wash
on the south half of the Colville In
dian Reservation. Tuesday afternoon
shot and killed his pretty little three-year-old
daughter and then committed
suicide. He was one of the best
known men in Eastern Washington and
Northern Idaho, having been from 1693
till 1901 Assistant Federal Government
Agent on the reservation.
' ' turn JAI. . ijjgf aj -tmwJ
Dr. Price's Wheat Flake Celery Food
One-fourth of what we eat keeps us; ; the other
three-fourths we keep at the risk of our lives.
If troubled with any derangement of the digest
ive process try Dr. Price's food; it will be found
simple, easy of digestion, palatable, nourishing
and wholesome. The best food for a delicate
stomach and growing children.
266
For the Business Man
Mental concentration and overwork means the
loss of vitality. Digesto. with its food properties
and mild tonic qualities, make this Malt Extract
a necessity to every business man.
Digesto is Efficient and Palatable ?
ill Drug Sioret '
IHI