ROOT DENIES ILL TO BAR MEIERS Judge Is Asked Aboit Gordon Letters by Invesigating Committee. GOT NO MONEY HE SAYS Kxplains Tliat .MoiV Asked for Was Volunteered by Spokane Con tractors and to Iirected to Whom It S'ould Be Sent. 8KATTXK. Vash.. Dec. 24. (Spe cial.) Judure Milo A. Hoot told the state bar comiiittee today that he had never receive one dollar from M. J. Gordon, forrrer counsel for the Great Js'oithern, or anybody else corruptly, nd that he had never signed nor par ticipated in a decision of the Supreme "Court whlci he did not honestly believe to be rign- At the tcarinjc before the investiga tion con-.nlttee Judge Root was ques tioned o.icerninsr letters he had writ ten to . J. Gordon and about the case of llar-is vs. the Great Northern, in -which Cordon suggested and secured a Jiiodlf icatfon of a decision. AlthoiiKh the cc.ninittee questioned Judge Hoot upon a variety of things. It was upon the .ndl-creet letters and upon the Harris case that greatest stress was laid. The committee adjourned until lIo.iday at 2 o'clock, when Judge Root will be heard further in his own be half. Corporations Promised to Aid Him. "I told the committee that I had been an Intimate acquaintance of Judge Gordon's for nearly 20 years." said Judge Root tonight at his home at Ross Station. "I told them that I had always considered him to be thor oughly reliable and a trusted friend. I felt that while I had been indiscreet and Imprudent In my friendship, yet there was nothing wrong or in the least corrupt or criminal in my deal ings with him. "I believe it was last June that Judge Gordon told me that several contractors and corporations had sub scribed to a campaign fund which was to be used In the Interests of candi dates In Eastern Washington and for candidates for the Supreme Court and state offices. He said that of this fund he wished to send $300 or $350 to help me and others. I told him that I did not wish to spend any money in the campaign, but when he reiterated his desire to send $300 I told him to send it to E. B. I'almer, of Seattle. I'romised Money Failed Him. "Palmer subsequently Incurred an in debtedness of $lo9 or $150 on the strength of the information 1 had given him. last July I asked Palmer if the money had been sent, and he informed me that it had not. I was annoyed because Mr. Palmer had been put to considerable expense upon the statement 1 had re peated to him. and I wrote Judge Gor don. Later when I saw Gordon, he in formed nie that the man who had been looking after the matter had gone Kast without attending to it. and that the money was not available. Not one dol lar of the money was ever sent. "Anoher leter of mine to Gordon, writ ten under date of September 2K, rlated to a tickt for my deaf brother at St. J'aul. and as he was without means and wished to come to Seattle. I requested Gordon to furnish the transportation, which he did. Last Spring I heard that Judge Gordon purposed giving up his position with the Great Northern and of Wyoming a candidate for Supreme Court Judge. I wrote him from Olympla under date of April 24. WK asking to see hhu. A few days later I learned that he wsjr to be in Seattle and. having the sarre matter tn mind. I wrote him again." . Haris Cuse Not for Kailroad. There has been a misunderstanding con cerning the case of Harris vs. the Great Kothern. in which it is said Judge Gordon dictated or suggested modification of one of the law points. The decision of the Supreme Court was in favor of the plaintiff and against the Great Northern railroad, both times that it was heard in the Supreme Court. Upon the rehear ing of the case the court modified its former decision upon one of the law points, but held against the company upon the merits of the case. "When first passed upon by the court the seven judges stood four to three in favor of the plaintiff. I was one of the four judges who held against the railroad company, and I wrote the decision. The other three Judges filed a dissenting opin ion, holding that the case ought to have been decided in favor of the railroad. . "It will be seen that I had the deciding vote and that had I been corrupt, or the tool of Gordon or the railrpad com pany, I could have decided the case in favor of the company." ROSEBURG WOMEN EASY Picture Fakers Collect Much Money and Skip Town. ROSEBURG. Or.. Dec. 24. Speclal.) An enlarged picture and a diamond Ting or a rocker chair for good meas ure, all for $2.98. were the Inducements held forth by a trio of smooth-talking fakers who Induced a large number of Roseburg people, principally women, to part with $2.98 each. After delivering u. very poor piece of work and collect ing the $2.98 the agents told their customers to call at a local merchan dise store to get the prizes. Calling at this store the victims found they had been duped ' and that the management of the store knew nothing of the occur-, rence. They also discovered that the agents had left town, going north. CRUELTY CAUSES INSANITY Woman Abused by Drunken Hus band Sent to Asylum. ABERDEEN. Wash.. Dec. 24. (Spe cial.) Mrs. Emll Niscooin was taken to Jlontesano this afternoon to be examined as to her sanity. Mrs. Niscoom's hus band, who is a Russian Finn, during a drunken snree several weeks ago, threw a lighted lamp at his wife and baby after terrifying her by breaking up all the fur niture in the house. Her experience at that time. It is thought, has afTected her mind. IDAHO TO AID OPEN RIVER Legislature Asked to Give Sum for Snake Itiver Improvement. BOISE, Idaho. Dec. 24. (Speciat.) tt is learned in political circles that the State of Idaho, through the tenth Legislature, will be asked to aid In the proposed open-river work by making an appropriation of $20,000 this Winter for improvements on the Upper Snake River above Lewlston. It is confidently expected by North ern statemen that this bill will be passed and that the appropriation will be available because of the attitude of the sister states In making appropria tions for this work. Besides these facts both Senators of Idaho have pub licly announced that they are In favor of such an appropriation, while Governor-elect James H. Brady has likewise gone on record as heartily in .league with the open-river question. He has announced that he will make such a recommendation in his first message to the Legislature. Two years ago Oregon appropriated $75,000 for improvement work on the Columbia River, and the Washington Legislature went on record as willing to assist in the work by appropriating lffi.000 for work oi. the Snake River, between Riparia and the mouth. Th. r.'nho Legislature appropriated $25,000 for improvement work on the Upper Snake River at the last session, but for some reason this money was never available. TO OEEPEH CHEHALIS RIVER KXGIXKKRS RECOMMEND AP PROPRIATION OF $50,000. Large Amount of Commerce, Chiefly Lumber, Makes Valuable Cargoes for Coasting Vessels. MONTESA.S'O, Wash., Dec. 24. (Spe cial.) The Vidette tomorrow will pub lish a letter, with indorsement from Major H. M. Chittenden, to the Chief of Engineers of the United States Army, concerning the survey of the Chehalls River from the mouth to Montesano. Tills survey was ordered by Congress in 1907. The letter sayB that 72.000 cubic yards would have to be removed in order to give a mean low water depth of 7 feet and ir.i at . high water, and estN mates the cost at !6,000. This, together with small amounts for contingencies, would probably be increased to $50,000, and "it Is recommended that an appro priation of this amount be asked for." The letter says, in part:. "Like Grays Harbor Itself, the commercial Importance of the Chehalls River pertains almost exclusively to the lumber industry. There are several mills at Montesano and others are projected there and farther down stream. Sailing vessels load at Monte sano. and it is desired by the local In terests that they be given practically the same facilities in this respect that are enjoyed by the towns on Grays Har bor. "During the year 1907. the shipments rrom Montesano. as reported by the local interests, amounted to 19.500 tons, off which amount about one-half consisted of general commerce between Grays Harbor and Montesano and about one half cargo lumber shipments. In addi tion to this, there was carried down the river an Immense quantity of logs, amounting to at least 50.000,000 feet, valued at $.i0.000. and an Indeterminate quantity of poles, piles, shingle bolts, etc " The letter is indorsed by S. W. Roess ler Ueutenant-Colonel. Corps of Engi neers of Portland, and by the Board of Survey by D. W. Lock wood for the board. . During the year 1907. eight ocean steam ers and 12 sailing vessels arrived and , rrtni(tqnTin carrying 5,!w4,- 347 feet of lumber, valued at $S9,015.21. REPORT ROAD TO EXTEND Purchase of Land Near Salem Starts Oregon "Electric Rumor. SALEM. Or.. Dec. 24. (Special.) The sale of 510 acres of agricultural land south of this city a few days ago to a prominent Portland business man has created the Impression that the extension of the Oregon Llectrio southward is practically certain. The sale was made to A. II. Birrell, and though the consideration was mentioned as only $10. it is understood that the real consideration was in the neighborhood of $22.0(H). The ranch sold was the Sarah E. Kleppln place, on what Is known as the Slough road. It Is presumed by those who have dis cussed the matter that Mr. Birrell had studied the situation and- became con vinced that the Oregon Electric will be extended. BUSINESS RECORD BROKEN December ' Receipts at Vancouver Postofflce Show Big Increase. VANCOUVER, Wash.. Dec. 24. (Spe cial.) The business handled In the local postoffice during the Christmas season has been larger than ever before. An extra clerk and an extra mailcarrier were put on and still the force was not able to take care of all packages and parcels with as much speed as they wished. Postmaster Crowley says that the receipts for December will break all previous records. EWU ELKCTED MAYOR OF MOHO. Dr. O. J. Goffln. MOHO. Or.. Dec 24. (Special.) Dr. O. J. Goffin. who was re cently elected Mayor of the City of Moro, Is a graduate of the medical department of the Uni versity of Oregon. He has been practicing medicine In- this city about eight years, and. In addi tion to professional duties, he has always taken a great interest in public affairs. He is an enthusi astic believer in the possibilities of Sherman County. : -r r" I ' " - 1 A MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL 7 FOR A GENEROUS PATRONAGE throughout the year accept my best thanks BEN SELLING Leading Clothier PESTS TO BE Marion County Fruitmen Plan Clean-Up Campaign. FINIS FOR OLD ORCHARDS Insect - Ridden. Trees Must Be Grubbed Out Special Inspectors Will Be Put to Work in Wil lamette Valley Fruit Sections. BALEM, Or., Dec. 24. (Special.) With the desire to make Marion Coun ty one of the best counties In, the state In the production of good fruit, a num ber of fruitgrowers have been urging that a vigorous cleanlng-up campaign be conducted this Winter and that to this end a sufficient number of special inspectors be employed to Inspect every orchard in the county before spraying and pruning season is over. The subject has been taken up with Fruit Inspector E. C. Armstrong, and will be placed before the County Court and the Board of Horticulture. The old orchards are the ones that cause the trouble for there are many of them and they produce so little commercial fruit that their owners will not take care of them. Nevertheless, they are a constant menace to young commercial orchards. .Experience has shown that in order to bring satisfactory results, a warfare against diseased orchards must be con ducted during the spraying season. If notified at other times that their trees are diseased, the owners either forget about it before spraying season comes or they put off the work of cleaning up, thinking that the inspector will not come again. Many1 of them cannot recognize San Jose scale when they see it. Then, too. one inspector cannot visit the orchards and attend to his work of inspecting nursery stock, mar keted fruit, etc. In order to make the work effective. It is planned to employ two special In spectors and have them make a syste matic canvass of the entire county, visiting every orchard, showing the owners the evidence of the presence of pests and serving them with legal notice to clean up their orchards or chop down the trees. It Is belived that a thorough can vass conducted In this manner would not only result in. the cleaning up of orchards for the present, but would get the owners of old orchards into the notion of keeping them clean in future years. It is also believed that the expense of the cleaning up cam paign would be more than made up bv the increased value of the fruit crop In a single season. Owners of young commercial orchards are deeply Interested in the movement. SHOPPING, J-OSES JEWELS Montesano Young Woman Careless When Visiting in Tacoma. TACOMA. Wash., Dec. 24. (Special.) Whether Miss Vida Lee, a young woman of Montesano, was the victim of a clever purse-snatcher or absentmlndedly left her purse containing about 11000 worth of valuable diamonds and other jewelry In some store while shopping is a question the police are trying to answer. Miss Dee reported her loss to the po lice this morning. She said she was In several stores last evening. She had bropght her Jewelry with her because she expected to spend Christmas with friends and was to attend several social func tions. BARBER SUTTON ARRESTED Accused While Drunk of Trying to . Kill His Wife. OREGON CITV, Or., Dec. 24. (Special.) Charles S. Sutton, employed In Rogers' barber shop at 26 Alder street, Port laud, wa3 arrested tonight by Clacka mas County officers at his home at Island station, un a charge of attempting, while drunk, to kill his wife. Sutton and his wife were divorced two years ago. but were remarried last March. Mrs. Sutton filed the complaint. MORO PAYS LIGHT DEBT Citizens Ievy Tax to Take Up Per sonal Xote Given by Couneilmen. MORO. Or., Dec. 24. (Special.) The city of Moro was successful in amending its charter by a special election held December 21. This amendment to the SLAIN charter enables the City Council to levy a tax sufficient to pay for an electric lighting plant, which was bought two years ago, when the city was receiving revenue from saloon licenses. Alter local option took effect, city revenues have been light. Early last October, however, a citizens' meeting was called, at which time Dr. O. J. Goffln, who had Just been appointed Mayor, together with, the members of the City Council, D. Barnum. W. H. Rags dale, W. C. Bryant, William Rudolf. O. W. Axtell and George James, matured a plan which became at once a financial help to the city. A negotiable note of a certain stipulated amount was .signed by the Mayor, members of the City Council, and also by the majority of the property holders of Moro. This note was then turned over in full satisfaction of the bill against the city for the lighting plant. The next step was to relieve the signers of the note of personal liability, and this was accom plished by the election yesterday. Thus the plant is paid for and Moro is assured of being able to meet all its obligations In the future. TRAMP'S VICTIM SHOOTS WOMAN WHO IS 1IEXD UP, GIVES CHASE WITH BULLETS. Plucky Mrs. Samara of Mount Pleasant Sends Three Shots After Fleeting Kobher. . OREGON CITY. Or., Dec. 24. (Special.) Mrs. J. Samared. of Mt. Pleasant, an Oregon City suburb, was held up while alone in her home this afternoon and robbed of 5 cents. Mrs. Samared. had just paid off a hired man, and It is pre sumed the tramp knew there had been money In the house. The woman's hus bsnd was at work In a distant field at the time. Hardly had the tramp gotten outside the house whei Mrs. Samared leveled an old muzzle-loadlrg rifle through the win dow and fired at him. The tramp made haste for tho woods. Two other shots were sent after his fleeting form from a 22-caliber rifle, but it is not believed anv of the bullets took effect. Officers are searching the woods for the tramp, who wore dark clothes and had a gray mustache. He was of me dium height. MATTER ONE FOR COURTS Procedure for Annexation of Oos mopolis Muddled. ABERDEEN, Wash., Dec. 24. (Spe cial.) To ascertain the proper method of procedure to bring about a vote of the people to determine their will as respects annexation of Cosmopolls to Aberdeen, City Attorney Hogan, in a long opinion to the Council, advises that the question be submitted to the courts for decision. He expresses the opinion that the proceedings heretofore attempted to bring about a special election have been irregular and not according to law. OIIEGO.V PIONEER WOMAN CELE BRATES 81ST BIRTHDAY. Mm. Sarah K. Martin. Mrs. Sarah E. Martin, who celebrated her 81st birthday Wednesday, was born In Alabama In 1827, and crossed the plains to Oregon in 1853. She settled in Lane County and resided there until the death of her husband. Lewis Mar tin, in 1SS4. Mrs. Martin then removed to Harney Valley, where she and her sons were pioneer settlers. Her home is in Ashland, but she is now visiting at the home of her daughter. Mrs. George McGowan, 709 Wasco street. Mrs. Martin is In perfect health and in full possession of all her faculties. - v "T' k I -v, V, I v - J-i - , t 1 Greeltisngs Jjjji Season JJSllP 0L0 BOUT WRECKED Schooner San Buenaventura Reaches Port a Derelict. VESSEL'S HULL IS RUINED Battered by Heavy Winds, Masts and Rigging Give Way Like Paper. Schooner Towed Into Coos Bay With All on Board Safe. MARSHFIELD, Or., Dec. 24. (Spe cial.) Stripped of entirely all her rig ging and masts the old two-masted schooner San Buenaventura, is anch ored in Coos Bay and will never again sail the seas. After active service for 40 years in the merchant marine of this coast, the San Buenaventura met her fate while at the very entrance of the harbor for which she was bound on her final trip. On December 20 the schooner left San Francisco, where she is owned. In tow of the steam schooner Raymond. She was bound for Bandon at the mouth of the Coquille Eiver. The steamer could not take her inside and she anchored off the bar. At 3 o'clock yesterday morn ing a strong wind came up. the boat broke from her moorings and was en tirely dismantled by the wind. It was not so much the severety of the storm Great Removal Sale Chesterfield. Clothes- Continues Through the Holidays The greatest sale of high-grade clothes ever held in Portland. Get your share of the bargains while the selections are good. Following are the great price reductions: Chesterfield Suits Fancy Patterns $20.00 Suits... '.$14.25 $22.50 Suits. $25.00 Suits. $30.00 Suits. $35.00 Suits. $40.00 Suits. $45.00 Suits. $15.50 $18.50, .$22.50 .$25.50 .$29.50 $34.50 $50.00 Suits.... $39.50 Big Reductions on 269 that caused the accident ns it was the condition of the boat. She was very old and the masts were rotted and could not withstand tho wind. Captain Toney Ivergard. with five sea men and a. cook, were aboard. The men were asleep at the helm when the wind camo up. No one was hurt. The boat drifted up to Coos Bay and anchored off the Bay last night, when she was spoken by the gasoline schooner Withelmina. The tug Columbia went out this? morn ing and towed the boat in. The hull was floating easily on the water and the crew was not in any immediate danger. It Is not likely that anything will he done with the hull. The boat was built at Fairhaven. 40 years ago, and during her service has visited most of the ports along tills coast, she was old and not of great value, probably being worth only a few thousand dollars. The wreck was so complete the hull will not be worth repairing. Progressive Association Formed. FIRWOOD, Or., Dec. 24. (Special.) The progressive Association is the name of an organization just formed in this part of Clackamas County, with the fol lowing officers: President. J. G. De Shazer; vice-president, A. Malar; secre tary, Harvey i-. Kehres; corresponding secretary, A. L. Milliron: treasurer, E. D. Hart; librarian, Mrs. IS. D. Hart. At the meeting a letter was received from the Oregon Agricultural College announc ing that the institute scheduled for Fir wood will be neld early in the Spring there. Bartender Is Arrested. HOQUIAM, Wash., Dec. 24. (Special.) A bartender named Joe Tray was in carcerated this afternoon on a charge of larceny from the person. It is alleged that two witnesses will swear to having seen the man taking money from the person of an intoxicated logger named Archie Purdy, who was in a somnolent state from over-indulgence. The alleged robbery occurred In a local saloon. Chesterfield Suits Blacks and Blues $22.50 Suits. $25.00 Suits. $30.00 Suits. $35.00 Suits. $40:00 Suits. $45.00 Suits. $16.50 $19.00 .$23.50 .$26.50 .$29.50 . $34.50 Full Dress and Tuxedo GRAY'S ISP &Sk - 271 Morrison Street HOI WILL IS PROBATED WIDOW AND NEPHEWS AND MIXES GET PKOPEKTY. Ileal Estate in San lYancisco-1 and Valuable Personal Property Given Mrs. Hume. I MARSHFIELD, Of.. Doc. 24. According to the statement of J. S. Coke, attorney for the adniinstrator, there will he no contest in the settlement of the estata of the late R. D. Hume, of Curry County. The will has been admitted to probate in Curry County and its provisions nave just been made public. To the widow ia left outright the testator's property on Chestnut street in San Francisco, all stocks and bonds, $20,000 in cash and some personal property. The mansion at Piedmont is owned by Mrs. Hume her self. Four or five nieces and nephews are bequeathed $."10110 each, and the remainder of the 'estate is divided into 100 shares, of which Mrs. Hume received IS shares and the nieces and nephews some five and some seven shares each. This part of the estate includes the enormous land holdings and canneries In Curry County and will probably be incorporated. Mrs. Hume is sole executrix of the will, and she, together with Charles H. Warner, is appointed to administer the portion of the estate in California. A par excellent table d'hote dinner served at the Perkins Grill Christmas, 5 to 8:30. Reserve your tables. Finest stock fitted cases and bags. Harris Tiunk Co., 132 6th, opp. Ore gonial:. Chesterfield Overcoats and Cravenettes $20.00 Values. .$15.00 $25.00 Values. .$19.00 $30.C0 Values. .$23.50 $35.00 Values. .$26.50 .$29.50 $34.50 $45.00 $40.00 Values. $50.00 Values $60.00 Values Suits and Trousers -Li