8
THE MORNING OREGONIAN, THURSDAY, JULY 23, 190S.
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rORTLAND, TIIl'ItSDAY. JILY 23. 1908.
A TYPICAL DISFCTE.
The political dLspute over injunction
la brought out sharply by the proceed
ings in the case of the Buck Stove &
Iliinge Company, in the District Court
at Washington, I. C, against the
American Federation of Labor. Re
fusal of the Federation to discontinue
Its boycott of the company's business
and goods has resulted In arraign
ment of the president and secretary
of the Federation for contempt of
court. Gompers, president of the
Federation, declares he will not sur
render his right of free speech. He
Is urging everybody to boycott the
goods and crush the business of the
Buck Stove & Range Company; and
he urges this as his right under lib
erty of speech and press. But the
court of the District of Columbia
holds that he has no right to use lib
erty of speech and press to injure
others. Refusing to obey, he is cited
Tor contempt. This brings injunction
and punishment for contempt of the
orders of the courts sharply before
the public, at the beginning of a po
litical campaign.
The injunction is one of the oldest
processes of law, or rather of equity
a proceeding ancillary to law to
'restrain one from doing an act that
Is complained of as unjust or injur
ious to the rights of another. The
preliminary injunction is merely a
command that the acts complained of
or threatened be stopped until the
rights of the parties be definitely
settled. Final or perpetual injunction
will follow only when the rights of
the parties shall have been adjudi
cated and disposed of by order or
decree of the court, and such in
junction appears to be the appro
priate remedy.
But Mr. Gompers and his associates
defy the order of the court to cease
their attacks on the business and prop
erty of the company with which they
have disagreed. They are, therefore,
cited to appear September S to show
why they should not be punished for
contempt. The tropical heat of a politi-'
cal campaign will generate wonderful
exuberance of learned essays and of
partisan appeals on this subject, from
Jiow till November.
No new doctrine on the subject of
injunction is announced in the plat
form of either, party. Even Mr.
Bryan's party does not venture to
declare against the use of the In
junction, as an equitable proceeding,
for conservation of property and per
sonal rights.
But in the case now pending at
Washington Mr. Gompers and his as
sociates, having resolved on injury,
and if possible destruction, of a busi
ness and property with which they
ore at war. disregard the order of the
court to let it alone, and continue
their effort, by public appeal, to in
jure the business and to stop pro
duction an'd sale of the goods. The
court bases its action not only on the
eld common law, but on the statute
known as the Sherman anti-trust law.
This last provides that "every con
tract, combination In form of trust
or otherwise, or conspiracy In re
straint of trade or commerce," etc.,
and "every person who shall make any
such contract, or engage in any such
combination or conspiracy, shall be
deemed guilty." etc. It will hardly
be denied that the effort to stop the
production and sale of goods of the
Buck Stove & Range Company is
not an effort "in restraint of trade."
For that's precisely what it is. And
precisely what it is intended to be.
But the right to do It Is insisted on by
Gompers and his associates, on the
ground that the right to speak and
print what they please is the dear
est right of the citizen of a free
ountry. Therefore, they are not to
be punished for contempt when they
disregard ' the order of the court to
dVsist. Most of us know, however,
that the right of free speech and the
right of free press are not absolute
Tights, but are subject to the defi
nitions, limitations and restraints of
law. And It should require no Daniel,
come to Judgment, to show that no
person or combination of persons can
have the right to injure or destroy
another's business by public exhorta
tion of the general public not to deal
with him.
Hut, on the other hand, the Gompers
reople have a contention which ap
pears to be sound. They complain
that under the court decisions em
ployers are permitted to boycott
working men, while working men are
not allowed to boycott employers.
In several cases where suits were
brought in the name of labor unions
against employers who had com
bined to boycott working men by
use of the blacklist, the courts have
held for the employers. That is. it
has been held that In the absence of
a specific contract for service for a
length of time, the employers may
discharge for any cause or no cause,
and there can be no conspiracy to do
a lawful thing. Hence, there can be
no such thing as an unlawful con
spiracy to destroy a labor union by
discharging Its members or refusing
to employ them. Of these decisions
the unions, with much Justice, com
plain. They call It a boycott of
labor. But it Is answered that it Is
not a boycott of labor, but only of the
organization called a labor union, to
discriminate against Its members. It
Is an overstrained argument and an
unjust conclusion. It Implies that a
labor union has no right to exist.
But one wrong never justifies an
other, however plausible the pretext
one may offer for another. Between
these contending forces there must
Ire found a middle ground, of propor
tionable justice for all. But the first
step should be taken by employers.
In abandonment of the blacklist. It
Is matter of gratulation that few
employers use it, and those only In
special industries, like that of teleg
raphy, which receives continual sup
ply of applicants from commercial
and other schools. The union brick
layer or blacksmith fears no boycott
or blacklist. Nevertheless, the mere
thought of a blacklist Is justly odious.
On technical reasoning doubtless
the courts are right in holding that
since It is lawful for an employer to
discharge for any cause or no cause,
there can be no unlawful conspiracy
to do a lawful thing; but herein the
equities are disregarded, and men
who do such thing invite trouble and
perhaps disaster, at some time, for
themselves. Equity, as a doctrine or
principle, continually requires new
definitions to meet new developments
in the progress of human society; and
our courts are apt to adhere too much
to old rules, not broad enough to
meet the changes going on incessantly
in the constantly increasing range
and scope of our social and industrial
life. But there is an old maxim, to
wlt: "They who seek equity must do
equity" which is broad enough to
meet all cases of dispute that may
arise between man and man, or be
tween men and men.
MR. DRISOOLIS SECESSION.
The secession of Mr. Driscoll from
the "solid ten" in the City Council is
an event which may prove to be of
some Importance. Since beneficial
consequences to the city may flow
from his action. It could be wished
that his motive for severing his con
nection with the band which has sys
tematically opposed the Mayor, both
In good and evil, were more com
mendable. As we understand it, he
has withdrawn from the ill-savored
combination principally because he
was not upheld In asking a new
license for the notorious Pullman
Cafe. He had supported his fellow
members of the cabal In all their
schemes, he declares, and It seemed
a little hard that they would not
stand by him In favoring the most
disreputable resort In the city. Such
is the game of give and take as some
politicians think it ought to be played.
In reading the account of this
scandalous exposure one Is moved to
wonder whether a solitary thought for
the city's welfare ever enters the heads
ot some of our Councilmen. What
do they. In the simplicity of their
benighted souls, fancy that they
were elected to office for? Was it
tu trade with one another for petty
favors to scalawags? Was it for the
sole purpose of giving them a chance
to make themselves solid with the sa
loon element or the church ele
ment, or some other element? Is It
not the fact that Councilmen are
elected to conduct the business of the
city like honest men, and Is it not also
true that they violate their oath of
office when they fall to do so? Of
course, an oath means very little to
some men, while to others it means a
good deal. It depends on the man. His
bringing up has something to do
with It.
While It Is a little difficult to praise
Mr. Driscoll's motive, yet if he has
really decided to attend to the busi
ness of the city henceforth, and give
up his excessive predilection for up
holding dives, he merits some ap
plause. As for the "solid ten," it la
high time that they saw themselves
as others see them. Nothing could
bfi more contemptible than their
childish combination.
Tim CITY DOCK.
Before spending that $500,000 for a
city dock, it will do no harm to call
attention to a few facts in connection
with docks in this city and else
where. The wharves, or "docks,"
along the Portland waterfront are
used exclusively for shipping or stor
age purposes and the only possible
excuse for the city's spending $500,000
to provide additional docks would be
to reduce charges and attract ship
ping. If the charges now in force
were excessive, or higher than those
prevailing In other cities. It might not
be improper for the people to tax
themselves for this $500,000. But
Portland is known all over the world
as having the lowest wharfage charges
of any port on the Pacific. A city
official, in discussing an elaborte sys
tem of city docks for Portland, re
cently cited the success of San Fran
cisco in replacing private docks with
public docks. The change was an
admirable one in providing berths for
a new array of dock masters, clerks
and other city employes; but It was so
hard on the shipping that it has given
San Francisco an unenviable repu
tation among shipowners.
At a conference of shipowners, at
tended by a Portland man in London
last year, an owner friendly to this
city was coaching the Portland man.
"Touch lightly on your pilotage,
boarding-house and ballast troubles,"
said he, "and go strong on your re
markably low rates for wharfage. Tell
'em that the San Francisco charges
are highway robbery and there is not
a man in the room who will not agree
with you." This San Francisco pub
lic dock system, which we are asked
to copy to the extent of $500,000, has
not only been so expensive for ships
as actually to injure the port, but it
has also worked to the disadvantage
of importers, who are forced to re
move their goods within a few days
after they are landed or, failing to
do so, suffer a heavy penalty. In San
Francisco, the grain business has been
driven over to Port Costa, where, for
more than six months In the year,
the great grain docks are empty,
very little of the import business be
ing handled through those docks.
In Portland, under the present ex
cellent and economical system, import
and export business is handled
through the. same dock the year
round. Many of the docks are owned
by the firms operating them, and it is
to their interest to make the charges
for shipping as attractive as possible
in order to secure low ocean freights.
The railroads have always operated
their docks- under nominal charges
for the purpose of protecting their
rail business and bringing traffic to
this port. But suppose we spend
that $500,000 in an effort to provide
a public dock to take, up the busi
ness in competition with Harrlman.
Hill and other dockowners who are
now giving our shipping the cheap
est wharfage to be found anywhere
on the Pacific Coast.
The $500,000 would be Insufficient
to secure more than one medium
sized dock. To secure any business
for this dock It would, of course, be
necessary for rates to be reduced at
public expense, for the docks now
in use, operated independently from
the railroad, exporting and importing
business, would not return a profit.
Having reduced the rate (at the ex
pense of the taxpayers) the one dock
would be too small to handle much
of the increased business. To avoid
the charges of favoritism from those
who failed to profit at the city's ex
pense, , at least half a dozen docks
would be needed, each with its at
tendant retinue of dockmasters,
clerks, harbor boards, etc. It is a
pleasing prospect for those who will
spend the money and secure the jobs,
but it migjht as well be understood
now, before the money is spent, that
it will not add to the prestige of the
port or prove of real advantage to the
city.
AX EXAGGERATED STORY.
The accounts of the miserable con
ditions existent in the Treadwell
mines upon Douglas Island, Alaska,
which the Western Federation of
Miners have received, are probably
exaggerated. Coming from a partisan
quarter and made public by a man
who may have a personal grievance,
they do not deserve full credit until
they have been confirmed from other
sources. Still there Is enough in them
to make the desired Government in
vestigation highly desirable. It is no
torious that mineowners seldom take
measures of their own accord to In
sure the safety of their workmen.
Even In Pennsylvania and West Vir
ginia, where the laws to protect life
are fairly strict, the annual slaughter
of men through defective timbering
and lack of precautions against ex
plosive gases is terrible. Undoubt
edly conditions are worse in Alaska,
which is more remote from the source
of authority and where inspection
visltually does not exist.
For the operators in this almost
lawless region, human life is much
cheaper than protective engineering.
A dead workman can be reported
simply as having forsaken his Job. In
vestigation of the cause of his death
is out of the question. New hands
flock in to take his place and all is
as it was before for the company. As
for the dead man, he tells no tales and
his family have no way to make their
wrongs vocal. Economically it is poor
policy for the Government to neglect
the people who depend for a living
upon their dally earnings, since the
death or incapacity of the breadwin
ner throws his wife and children upon
the community for support. As the
case works out in practice, society,
as a whole, has to pay for the inhu
manity; neglect and criminal care
lessness of the operators.
This is the financial side of the
matter. Of course, there is also a
dreadful tale of misery suffered by
the miners and their families which
cannot be put in terms of money and
which might be prevented if the 'laws
were adequately enforced. But the
enforcement of the law against large
aggregations of capital is an ideal to
which our civilization has not yet at
tained. FOREIGN TRADE THREE BILLIONS.
Liberal decreases in the volume of
foreign trade since January 1 failed
to prevent the figures for the fiscal
year, ending June 30, from again ex
ceeding $3,000,000,000, althought the
margin above that magic figure was
small, and there was a slight decrease
compared with the record year, pre
ceding. The preliminary figures of
the Bureau of Statistics for the month
vf June and for the entire fiscal year
are Just at hand and present some
very interesting comparisons. The
effect of last Fall's panic is shown in
a decrease of more than $210,000,000
in imports as compared with the pre
ceding fiscal year. In exports, the de
crease was only about $20,000,000,
the total for the year showing $1,
860,799,097 exports, and $1,194,341,994
imports. By far the most interesting
and encouraging feature of the re
port Is that portion which records the
June business. Imports for that
month, the last month of the fiscal
year, were the largest for any month
since last December, although June
is not an active month in the import
trade.
The difference for the year between
our imports and exports, which is
generally termed the balance of trade,
was the largest on record, reaching a
total of. more than $666,000,000, a
figure which, Interpreted as it usually
is, would indicate that the American
people are amply supplied with for
eign funds for the purchase of im
ports. Unquestionably the increase
in imports in June is a reflection 'of
the easier feeling in the American
money markets. Of the imports which
ffgure in our foreign trade, manufac
turers' materials make up about one
half of the sum total, and food stuffs
more than one-fifth., While the finan
cial trouble has been wearing itself
out since last Fall, the people have
refrained from buying, and dealers
have permitted stocks to run down.
Now, with every assurance of return
ing prosperity, their confidence is
shown in Increased imports, and fur
ther expansion will undoubtedly be
noticed for the remainder of the year,
especially if present excellent crop
prospects are maintained.
Exports for June ran down to
$115,000,000, a decrease of more than
$20,000,000 compared with those, of
June, 1907, a considerable portion of
the shortage being due to smaller ex
ports of agricultural products. Every
thing considered, this latest monthly
report with its year's totals is the
most encouraging that has appeared
since the panic of last Fall. We have
undoubtedly passed the turning point,
and, with big crops and high prices,
it will be a matter of but few
months before we shall again be mak
ing new records in both foreign and
domestic trade.
In the old days when Jim Turk,
Bunco Kelly and others of their ilk
were doing business on the Portland
waterfront, raw recruits for the sail
ing ships were secured by glowing
tales of the ease of life at sea, with
nothing to do but eat, sleep and
view the wonders of the world. The
awakening generally came as soon as
the new sailor was safely on board
and his desertion generally occurred
as soon as the ship touched port in a
foreign land. The Navy Department
may not go so far as Turk and Kelly
In an effort to' secure recruits, but by
its failure. to present the unpleasant
side of life at sea, there is plenty of
dissatisfaction. Since the fleet left
Hampton Roads 693 of the enlisted
men have broken their oaths and de-
serted ship, flag and service, there be
ing 129 desertions in San Francisco.
These deserters will be punished when
caught, and it is proper that they
should be, but it will not deter others
from making the attempt at desertion.
The American spirit is high strung
and, when the cleaning of "spit kits"
and similar drudgery aboard a war
vessel dispels the rosy dream of ad
venture that prompted the enlistment,
the recruits are willing to take most
any kind of a chance to escape.
Active and enterprising newspapers
do as well as they can in their efforts
to give forecasts of news. No news
paper likes to lag or to come In "the
day after." Observe that after the
event everybody is wise. The Ore
gonian, having it frbm its correspond
ent in Chicago that' a decision from
the United States Court of Appeals,
in support of the decree of the lower
court, was expected, published a
statement to that effect. But the
higher court, it appears, has sent the
case back for retrial, on objections to
the rulings of the lower court on the
testimony. It is altogether natural
that the Court of Appeals should do
this. In the first place, the opinion is
in accord with the inveterate dispo
sition and habit of the courts to en
force compliance with ancient prece
dent and methods of practice; and in
the next place, the Court of Appeals
escapes a responsibility and throws
it back on another jury. But every
newspaper, now and again, misses its
guess. The Judges, sitting in court,
are a jury. And some think that the
effort to forecast the findings of a
Jury disables Omniscience.'
The trees, salmon and fruit of Ore
gon all grow to such Immense size
that Eastern people, unfamiliar with
actual conditions here, not infrequent
ly question the accuracy of some of
the photographs used to illustrate our
resources. Some genius with a very
peculiar idea of humor, has grouped
some excellent photographs of Ore
gon timber, fish and fruit in an album
collection, and, in the center of the
group has a "fake" photograph show
ing a water melon covering an entire
freight car, labeling the picture "The
way we ship watermelons In Oregon."
The adjoining picture of an immense
fir tree, whose dimensions are shown
by two men reclining in a cut made
on one side of it, is accurate in every
detail, but so big that the unsophis
ticated Easterner will simply pass it
by as a clever "trick".' photo, made in
the same manner as the big melon
photo is made. "Fake" pictures tend
ing to cast discredit on accurate
photos of Oregon resources should be
suppressed, especially when there is
so much opportunity for a favorable
showing without resorting to decep
tion. A man is in jail for shooting a pet
deer in this city. News of the offense
appeared simultaneously with an item
relating the experience of a party of
hunters who left this city in an auto
mobile one day last week, and re
turned a few hours later with a full
grown deer, which had been killed
in the woods near Scappoose. With wild
game so plentiful that hunters can
secure deer by running a few miles
out of the city in an automobile, there
is certainly no excuse for killing tame
deer in the city limits. And yet, if the
men arrested is a newcomer, there
may be mitigating circumstances. He
has, perhaps, heard so much of Ore
gon's wonderful game resources that
he expected to And deer, bear and
other "varmints" running at large in
the streets.
Pendleton is making an effort to
secure pure milk. There are a num
ber of other towns that would like
their milk not only pure, but a lit
tle stronger. One could overlook such
a small matter as a few tuberculosis
germs If the animalcules were con
cealed under a thick coating of
cream, but when the milk is so thin
that the germs can be seen swimming
around, there is a temptation to reg
ister a protest. Here's a suggestion
for the dairyman: Cover your germs
with cream and you'll have no trouble.
Tt is moderately encouraging to
learn that Mr. Whitney L. Boise has
a plan for dividing up the large farms
of the Willamette Valley. Others have
had plans before him, but none of
them seems to work. The most ef
ficient dividers thus far have been
death, taxes and mortgages, which
is a pity since all these agencies are
destructive. If Mr. Boise can make
the thriftless landholder see his in
terest In selling small tracts at a reas
onable price, his name should be mag
nified.
Whether Justlv or not. if Indian
shall go for Bryan, the Republicans
01 tne country will charge the resull
l Fairbanks. When the Republicans
of Indiana vote for a Democrat be
cause Fairbanks was not nominated
they thereby indicate their belief that
Fairbanks is the only man fitted to
lead the party. Entertaining that be
lief they must be willing to follow his
ieaa ana, it they go into the Demo
cratic camp, it is a fair presumption
mat Fairbanks led them there.
A farmer at Uklah, Cal., claims to
have originated a new variety of black
cherry which he thinks will take front
rank as a shipper. Oregonians will
be glad to have him send a few boxes
to cherry fairs in this state to com
pete against the Bing or Lambert.
Allowance will be made for deteriora
tion In shipment. Oregon cherry fairs
challenge all comers.
The local council of federated
trades has declared a boycott on a
place of amusement owned by the
street railway company. This is hit
ting at the wrong end and missing a
vital spot. The council should boy
cott the streetcars and walk.
Once in a while we learn anew the
truth of the old and honored maxim:
Never prophesy unless you know.
The Chicago correspondents who gave
out the advance tip on the Standard
Oil decision know better today.
Mrs. Sothern, according to the news
reports, is "supposed" to have been
residing at Reno for six months, in
order to gain a Nevada residence.
"Supposed" is undoubtedly the right
word.
Councilman Driscoll has deserted
the "solid ten," thus vindicating Con
rad and the Pullman Cafe.
Well, the Standard Oil needs the
money.
SHOW MB, SATS M. FUJIYAMA
l,efa Have Funeral Service Over War
Talk1, Which la Foolishness.
PORTLAND, Or., July 22. (To the Edi
tor.) It is sadly regretful, since slight
agitation against Japanese residing in
this country occurred some month ago,
that newspapers of the day are filled with
numerous and most ridiculous reports of
Japanese spying or preparing a plot
against this friendly Nation.
Some time ago the Mayor of this Rose
City spoke before a large gathering of
soldiers that some foreign nationality
(referring to Japanese) is actively en
gaged in taking maps of local water I
system, main railroads and etc. Any in-
telllgent people, no matter what nation-
allty he may be, would know all these
things which are published in newspapers
ana magazines irom day to day.
It was not very long ago, .when there
was a report In your paper that a baloon
was seen by Northern Pacific train crew
at night some where near Tacoma, with
Japanese flag conspicuously seen, and
that they are probably sketching a map I
of the country. How foolishly does this j
sound that some Japanese would be so
Ignorant as to display a flag of their own
country in order that people seeing them
would know what they are doing. If
the flag was so plainly seen even at the
night and also if the report was true.
those Japanese are doing the secret work
without a secret, which' is logically at
false.
Now comes a report from Gresham,
Oregon, under the date of July 20, (spe
cial) in your paper of July 21, page 10,
that an "Underground Chamber" was
discovered near Gresham; and in the
later part of this report says "It was
thought by some that the place had been
made by Japanese to hide firearms and
ammunition." The report of this kind,
although It may not receive much credit
among the people of intelligence, is an
outrage to Japanese community and it
is a shame of those who suspect them
with such an unfounded insinuation.
My acquaintance in the city of Port
land and its vicinity commenced . from
year 1894 and ever since I am in touch
with all Japanese population of the place;
and know something of their characters,
especially those residing and working
around Gresham. I would be glad to be
shown if there is any Japanese around
there who are not found to be industrial
and law-abiding people.
Any merchant, except a gentleman who
conduct a barber shop in Gresham and
who hate to cut hair of Japanese pos
sibly on account of his trade can vouch
the fact that all Japanese resid
ing around Gresham are peaceful people.
All legally admitted Japanese in this
country are trying to keep up the best
feeling between Americans and them
selves, co-operating any public enterprise
which comes up from time to time.
This wartalk between America and
Japan Is an American manufacture and
It should be forced to die out as it be
trays true Americanism as understood 'by
the people of Rising Sun. The good feel
ing of people residing in the each others
country Is the most important factor in
maintaining the harmony and peace of
both Nations. With this harmony only,
the future commercial and social inter
course of the great Pacific can have its
healthful growth. Let us have a funeral
service over this war talk and end it
there.
There isn't a pinch of this talk among
Japanese in this country and none in
Japan.
Tours very respectfully.
M. FUJIYAMA.
TOM JOHNSON'S 3-CBNT FARE FAD
Tried In Cleveland, O., It Has Been a
Failure and Means Bankruptcy.
Chicago Journal.
Tom Johnson's ignominious repudia
tion by the Ohio delegation and the
Democratic state convention seems to
have been wise, in view of what is ap
parently about to happen in Cleveland.
For some years Johnson has been a
popular idol In that city, chiefly on
account of his attacks on streetcar
companies. A few months ago he won
what looked like a victory by compel
ling certain lines In Cleveland to carry
passengers for a S-cent fare. But the
company had a deficit of $54,916 for
May, in spite of the fact that it charges
as much as 7 cents for a ride with
transfers, and now there is a suit to
enlarge the xone through which persons
may ride for 3 cents. If it is success
ful, the company will either have to go
into bankruptcy or restore the old 5
cent fare.
Under the . existing arrangement,
transfers have to be paid for, and this
has cut the number issued in two.
which has so crippled the company
that it has reduced its service. Fewer
cars are run, speed has been cut down,
and certain lines have been abandoned.
Nor Is the company the only sufferer
by Johnson's new scheme. Cleveland
has had to put up with riots, and the
men who have had their wages reduced
to keep the streetcar company solvent
are bitter against him.
Probably It will not be long before
Cleveland will show the country that
it has come to its senses, and will rid
Itself of Tom Johnson and all the vag
aries with which he has deluded for so
many years.
They Support Bryan.
Springfield (Mass.) Republican.
Editor Caldwell of the Charlotte (N. C.)
Observer and Editor Hemphill of the
Charleston (S. C.) News and Courier are
trying to make the best of the bad neces
sity of supporting Bryan. Through the
latter the former has offered to make a
contribution to the Democratic campaign
fund. In the form of a Hongkong gander
and Shanghai hen, and the latter has ac
cepted the offer. The poultry was shipped
to Charleston on Wednesday, but instead
of being sent on to the Democratic Na
tional committee it will be sold either by
raffle or public auction in Charleston, as
the News and Courier elects, and the
proceeds sent on. An exchange of crow
between these two editors would seem to
fit their situation better.
Svt allows Bryan With a Wry Face.
Macon (Ga.) Telegraph.
The Telegraph will vote for the electors
put In the field recently by the Demo
cratic State Convention.
The editor of the Telegraph was a
member and an officer of that convention.
If those electors are chosen, and we
hope they will be, they will cast their
votes for Bryan.
While It is lamentably true that all
three of the platforms and political par
ties are honeycombed with socialism,
there is nothing left for us to do but to
follow what is left of Democracy a name!
Radium CkaagM Color of Gema.
London Cable to the New York Times.
A Vienna dispatch gives the details
of certain experiments made by Profes
sor Doelter, of the Vienna University,
with the view of determining the ef
fects of radium on precious stones.
Rubies and diamonds, the Professor
finds, are very slightly affected, emer
ald changes to yellowish green, hya
cinth becomes dark brown, light topaz
grows orange and blue sapphires grow
pale, but do not turn yellow, as previ
ous investigators have claimed.
WESTERNER THE REAL AMERICAN. '
Has the Fine Spirit Whose Outputs Are
Energy, Fair Flay and Kindliness. .
George Harvey in Harper's Weekly.
We have been deeply impressed during
the past week by what we believe to be
a vital truth. It is this: Despite con
stant manifestation of seeming vagaries,
the Western man is the true American.
No honest mind can fail to recognise the
wholesomeness of the atmosphere which
envelops these big. lean, bronzed, stal
wart sons of Anak; none can question
the full sincerity of purpose indicated by
the hearty grasp of hand, the straight
forward gaze from the clear eyes; none
can contemplate without regret tha utter
misconception of the spirit of this com
munity which pervades the East. These
men of the West are not fanatics; they
are not even radicals at heart. True,
many are led astray by the siren songs
of false prophets, but from no evil intent
and through no fault of their own. They
hear no other voices. The self-seeking
demagogue is omnipresent and indefati
gable. He is out and about, speaking
here, there, and everywhere, winning pop
ularity for himself and his specious
whimsies, while the thoughtful student
of affairs groans from his closet over
"the ignorance of the masses." The In
evitable consequence Is that which ever
ensues from the constant dropping of
water upon a stone. Hearing nothing to
the contrary, Is it in any way surprising
that thousands, perhaps millions, of our
countrymen have been induced to believe
that practically all who live in Eastern
cities are mere vultures seeking to feast
upon the product of others? The reason
why Eastern men of parts do not come
West and allay Impressions which really
are false is sufficiently obvious. They are
not narrow, as is often charged; they are
simply lazy and comfortably Indifferent
to any obligation that is not pressing and
immediate. It does not suffice to re
join that Western men of like caliber do
not make themselves known In the East.
Nothing would please them better, but.
unfortunately, bitter experience has
taught them that they cannot get the kind
of a hearing they care for. They can
and do occasionally go and speak In
Cooper Union, but how many of the solid
citizens whose attention they desire and
deserve are ever there to listen? No, It
is not the West that is responsible for the
prevailing misapprehension between the
sections. It is the East. And it Is up to
the really broad-minded and patriotic
men of the seaboard, whom we hear con
stantly bewailing menacing conditions, to
bestir themselves and come West in the
flesh and respond In kind to the hearty
welcome which Invar .ably awaits them.
For ourselves, we say emphatically that
we have no apprehersion of any serious
disaster overtaking tne republic so long
as these strong-hearted, pure-minded, men
who have been treading on our toes for
the past w.eek continue to be as they are.
They are good men. They are not given
over to prejudice; they want to reason.
and lack not candor in admitting them
selves to be in the wrong when fairly con
vinced. And while they require infor
mation respecting their fellow country
men, their need is far less than that of
the thousands of Easterners who -assume
the "what's-the-use" attitude and clas
sify all Westerners as cranks. Again we
say. The Western man Is the true Amerl
can. He has the fine spirit, whose out
puts are energy, fair play and kindliness.
SOUTHERN SENTIMENT.
Indifference to Bryan But Will Vote
for Htm.
Richmond News-Leader.
Nearly every large Southern city has a
large number ot Influential citizens
classed as Democrats who oppose Mr.
Bryan bitterly and at heart desire the
election of Mr. Taft. Probably a major
ity of the dally newspapers of the larger
Southern cities are anti-Bryan. Yet, all
these newspapers south of the Potomac,
so far as we have had the opportunity to
observe, take about the same position
occupied by The News-Leader. They de
cline to be enthusiastic over Mr. Bryan
or the work of the Democratic National
Convention, but will advise their readers
to vote for the Democratic nominee. The
Baltimore Sun and the Washington Post
are non-committal, but the newspapers In
Richmond. Norfolk, Charlotte. N. C,
Charleston. S. C, Atlanta, Birmingham,
Montgomery, and other Southern cities,
which have opposed Mr. Bryan's nomina
tion, announce that they will support him
for election. We do not believe
the Southern newspapers are afraid or
have occasion to be. Any Southern news
paper in a large community leading a
bolt would have liberal public backing
and large following. People in the South
who read daily papers have learned to be
tolerant and liberal, and fierce resentment
of departure from party lines is a thing
of the past. There is kardly a town in
the South of more than 500 people in
which there Is not a strong and respect
able opposition to Mr. Bryan and his poli
cies. It is the free and deliberate
opinion of the Southern daily newspapers
and of the great majority of Southern
voters of Independent thought that it is
best for the South and the country that
the Southern states, whatever other
states may do, continue Democratic in
Federal politics and maintain the party
and its organization intact.
Intemperance In "Temperate" Drinks.
Boston Transcript.
A board of experts has recently made
its report to the British government
on the intemperate character of tem
perance drinks sold in the United
Kingdom. It finds that many of the
most popular beverages coming under
this category contain all the way from
2 to 12 per cent of alcohol. The Brit
ish taxation lawe take no cognizance
of beverages containing less than 2 per
cent of alcohol, but three-quarters of
the samples of temperance drinks ex
amined by the board far exceeded that
proportion. Some apparently innocent
herb beers were found to contain as
much alcohol as claret or Rhine wine.
The English public has been greatly
surprised by this report, and its ca
pacity for astonishment is proof that
England has had no experience worth
mentioning with -"stomachic bitters."
Our Government, on the other hand, as
a result of investigation some years
ago, found that gin by another name
was .drunk in quantities that defrauded
the internal revenue.
From a Seven-Foot Editor.
Pendleton Tribune.
We are decidedly In favor of that pro
posed law providing that all sheets shall
be nine feet long.
Our Neighbor's Auto.
New York Sun.
When all the house is hushed to rest.
With drowsy eyelids shut.
And sleep approacheth at its best.
We hear, Whir! Whir! Phut! Phut!"
Assailed by that stattato sound
Right well the worst we know:
The demon of the block's around
Our neighbor's auto, oh!
Whir! Whir! Phut! Phut! Whir! Whir!
Whirrrrr! Bing!"
Now cranlc her up again.
The troublea of that pesky thing
Defy the tongue or pen.
It will not back. It will not gee.
It will not. will not go
Or bear these troubles quietly.
Our neighbor's auto, oh!
Or else it stands, noon, ere or morn.
Between the tlmea of balks.
And, coaching style, upon its horn
The happy owner squawks.
"Squawk, squawk! Squawk, squawk!"
(Hooray! Hooray!)
"Come on! Squawk, squawk! Hello!"
A devil it, by night, by day.
Our neighbors' auto, oh!
There's always something doing, sir.
When that machine la out.
It's likely stuck on the whir
Or on the squawk and shout!
And while you'd think ashamed I am
Such petty spite to show.
Sometimes we almost murmur, "Damn
Our neighbor's auto, oal"
STORY OF A SALEM SHADE TREES
Mm. Watt Telia Why the Electric Com
pany Cat It Down.
SALEM, Or.. July 22. (To the Editor.)
In Saturday morning's Oregonian ap
pears an interview with Capt. Talbot, un
der the caption of Difficulties Met by
Electric Line." which attempts to Justify
the actions of the Oregon Electric In
damaging property along its right of way.
While there is no doubt that some prop
erty-owners are unreasonable in their de
mands upon" railway companies seeking
franchises through their property, yet
this fact does not Justify the taking and
damaging of property of those who are
willing to make a reasonable settlement.
Citizens should encourage every legiti
mate business enterprise and corporation,
and the cause for the antagonism and
hostility of many of the property-owners
rests largely, on the fact that corporations
abuse the privileges given them.
A large majority of the citizens of
Salem feel that the so-called holdups of
the Oregon Electric here have been
brought on by the company refusing to
comply with reasonable demands made
either by the City Council or by property-
owners.
One of the complaints made by the
company is that the city of Salem is
holding It up in asking that the track be
constructed in accordance with certain
grades which have been established by
competent engineers employed by tha
city. In one case it was necessary for a
property-owner to apply for an injunction
so that a piece of track would not be
constructed several feet above the grade.
Aiiiuujs ine nnvciiu unpleasant anairs
which Mr. Talbot enumerates is the cut
ting aown 01 a snaae tree on tne corner
of Mill and High streets. The company
has a Y. as was stated, on the comer of
outte ana nign streets ior tne purpose or
turning Its cars. State street Is being
paved and it was deemed advisable by
the company to place its Y three blocks
further south on High street at the inter
section of Mill street, where the company
owns a quarter block.
On this property Is being constructed a
small frame structure, said to be the
Salem freight and passenger depot. Di
rectly east across High street from the
depot stood a twenty-flve-year-old maple
tree, which shaded the residence of Mrs.
Charles Watt. The tree stood within ten
feet of the property line, where the city
grants twenty feet for parking. By the
use of a plan which did not show any
curb lines or measurements other than
angles to locate the Y, a franchise was
obtained from the Council to construct
the desired switch. From the curb line
on Mjll street to the center of the base
line of the Y which is built on Mill Is 23
feet, and from a fifteen-foot curb on High
street, which would have taken in the
tree to the center of the apex of the
triangle or Y. Is 34 feet inches. The
corresponding measurements on State and
High streets, where the Y has been lo
cated, are 30 feet and 29H feet, respec
tively. Not even an Inside rail is used
on this curve and the cars clear the curb.
Upon several occasions the company's
draughtsman. Mr. Galvani, assured property-owners
that It would not be neces
sary to molest the tree in order to build
the Y. and other employes of the com
pany are authority for the statement that
the curve could have been made to clear
the curbs. Salem Is noted for Its broad
streets and beautiful parkings, and If
there Is not room in the streets for the
railway lines it is time that measures
be taken to compel them to build their
switch yards on their own property.
In speaking of the possibility of clearing
the tree. City Engineer Perrot, who has
been in the railroad business for the pat
fifteen years, said: "It seems to me to be
absurd to state that an electric car. even
with standard trucks, can not turn on a
greater curve than 66 degrees. In my
opinion an fin nr rk h... , j
have missed the tree."
The Salem City Council has given the
Park Board control over the shade trees
of the city, and there Is an ordinance to
the effect that no shade tree shall be rut
down without the consent of the Park
Board; but, as the railway people repre
sented that the curblngs and tree would
not be harmed, no unpleasant episode was
anticipated until actual work had been
begun on the Y. It was then claimed by
the company that not only was It neces
sary to run through the twenty-foot park
ing which Is allowed on High street, but
also to cut down the monarch shade tree
and run the track In such a manner that
cars in making the turn will be within
eight or nine feet of the property line
Mayor Rodgers 'phoned Manager Talbot
asking him to place the track within the
street. Road Supervisor Prahl was told
that the diagram presented to the Council
contained no curb lines, and it was clear
ly not the intention of the Council to
damage any property Interests bv the
franchise, and he must therefore get the
permission of the Park Board before
cutting down the treo Th. u
- - -. hi .v uuam
deemed it unjust to damage the frontage
of the property without a settlement with
the owners, and so told the railway man
agement. In order to protect the property
a special policeman was stationed near
and after several attempts had been made
to cut the tree Mr. Prahl was taken into
police station the other workmen sawed
Ifr mapIe- Sucn lR the tory
of the Watt tree and neither Mr. Talbot
nor any other sane citizen can find any
unreasonableness In the demands of the
city or the property-owners of Salem
The right of way In the city Is a gift
or privilege given to the corporation, but
this concession does not give the company
any legal or moral right to damage or
annr?LPrOPerty.Wlthout lement.
and the corporation which conducts its
business without regard for others In
terests will doubtless mould its own re-ward-
MRS. ELLA WATT.
Blackanake Colla Around Man'a Week.
Philadelphia Despatch.
A blacksnake dropped from a tree
and coiled Itself around the neck of
Kurvin Grove, of Midway, Pa., but was
killed before any harm was done.
PntTtllat With Blow Stops Horse.
Phldadelphla Dispitch.
Joe Butler, a negro pugilist, stopped
a runaway horse In German town, pa
by striking him a heavy blow with his
flat
Third Set of Triplets la One Family.
Industry (Pa.) Despatch.
The third set of triplets has arrived
In the family of Nicholas Spangler of
Industry, Pa. '
How to Make It Easy.
Chicago Reco d-Herald.
If you wake up feeling bad,
Boold your wife;
If the weather makes you sad.
Scold your wife:
If your collar ' button slides
Jnto some dark nook and hides.
As you move with angry strides.
Scold your wife.
If the coffee's cold or flat.
f?co!d your wife;
If your chop has too much fat,
Scold your wife;
If you chance to get your sleeva
In the butter, do not heave
Soft sighs or in silence grieve
ficold your wife.
If your hat has gone astray,
Scold your wife;
If you're late upon tha war,
cold your wife:
If the day brings any loss.
If you fall to please the boss.
Journey homeward feeling cross
Scold your wife.
Never mind what Ills she bears
Scold your wife;
Add your own to all her cares
Scold your wife;
That's the way to get along;
She is weak and you are atrong;
Every time a thing goes wrong,
Scold your wits.