SAYS WITNESSES
TAMPE
Finch Declares Prosecution Is
Trying to Railroad Him
to the Gallows. '
CHARGES UNFAIR TACTICS
Murderer of Ralph B. Usher Still
Maintains He Kipects to Be Ac
quitted Repeats Ills Story
of the Killing.
Averring that unfair tactics are being
. tisd In the effort to send him to the
gallows. James A. Finch, murderer of
Ralph B. Fisher, said he would rather
be branded as a cold-blooded murderer
than to know In his own heart that he
lhad connived to bring about the exe
cutlon of a-fellow man.
"My witnesses have been tampered
with. One of them fell down and the
kther disappeared." he said bitterly.
The witnesses he had in mind were
rC. M. Klssenger and E. J. Watts. Eu
gene men who were reputed to have
iseen a strujtfrle In Fisher's office at
the time of the murder. Ktssenger
would testify only that he saw a form
Appear at Fisher's window Just before
'the shooting commenced. Watts Is
imlsslng altogether. All efforts of the
'defense to locate him up to the present
Itlme have miscarried, although sub
Ipenas have been Issued and placed In
Ithe hands of the local authorities as
well as the officers at Eugene for ser
'vlca on the witness.
After spending all of Christmas day
lin a detailed examination of notes made
'by him on the trial up to Its present
jtlme. Finch said late yesterday that
the would be acquitted within half an
hour from the moment the Jury retires
ifor deliberation. He believes the jury
; will acept his own story rather than
the words of others. Those who have
been attending the trial. It Is known,
(have quite an opposite view from that
fof Finch. And his fellow prisoners
tfn murderer's row do not share his
opinion. Inquiry among them revealed
;the fact that Finch's case Is viewed
las more or less hopeless and his claims
'that he will be a free man are not re
garded seriously in the cell.
"Cannot Convict Me," Says finch.
"They cannot convict me," said Finch.
"'My storv of the affair was given
truthfully and fully. They cross-examined
me for two hours on Thursday.
They can cross-examine me for a week
and It will not alter the effect of what
I have said one bit.
"No. I do not believe that Miss Verna
Burkhart Intended to tell anything but
the truth when she told of having seen
the shooting. She simply was excited
and mistaken as to the facts. Some of
the other witnesses are doing me an
injustice, though B. X. Rounds, who
says he met me on' the train before
the killing is wrong when he says I
presented my card to him and then
proceeded to threaten Fisher. Now,
on the face of it, that doesn't sound
very likely, does It? And Downer's
testimony that I told him I would soon
be in Jail. Just before I went to Mr.
Fisher's office; does that sound reason
able? "When I went into Mr. Fisher s of
fice." continued Finch again going
over the story of the murder. "I went
there for the sole purpose of getting
his signature to a petition for my re
instatement as a practicing lawyer.
As I pased Miss Burkhart and entered
the office I closed the door behind me.
In no time Fisher took hold of the seal
and struck me and I was afraid for
my life when I shot him for he was
reaching into a drawer of his desk
and I was sure he was after a revolver
"No I do not believe the Jury will
return a second degree verdict or even
hold me for manslaughter. My story
Is too clear as to the real fads of the
case. The story that I went Into Mr.
Fisher's office In my right mind and
shot him down deliberately and ma
liciously when I was trying to get re
Instated as a member of the bar. f
altogether too ridiculous for an intel
ligent Jury to believe. And they won t
brieve It either. They will believe that
I fired in self-defense, lou wait and
see now if I"m not right,
t-ays Fisher "Double Crossed" Him.
"It is positively true that Mr. Fisher
cave me the double cross. I have a
great many political friends through
out the state and I knew I could beat
the disbarment proceedings. But
Fisher came to me and said If I would
plead guilty to being drunk in court
he would recommend to the Supreme
Court that sentence be suspended
This looked like an easy way out of
the difficulty, so I consented rather
than go to the trouble and expense of
besting the case.
"But when I saw how I had been
tricked. I didn't lose my swf or de
cide on revenge. I knew I could be re
Instated on a petition which many
prominent men would readily sign. I
wanted Mr. Slfer's signature, but that
wasn't absolutely necessary as I could
have been reinstated without It.
I never took Mr. Fisher seriously
enough to want revenge. I regarded
r.tm as small fry as a young lawyer
who was after notoriety ns a prose
cutor, as a second Heney. He attacked
me with a notary's seal when I went
Into his office on a friendly mission
and I killed him in the defense o my
own life."
THIRD ANNUAL CONVENTION
Oregon National Guard Association
to Meet Xext Monday.
At the third annual convention of the
Oregon National Guard Association, to
be held Monday morning at 10 o'clock.
In the Armory, addresses will be de
livered by members of the organization
and regular Army covering matters
pertaining to the National Guard and
the military profession, and will un
doubtedly be of exceptional interest.
The convention will be In session both
Monday and Tuesday, and will be con
cluded Tuesday nignt.- with an officers'
Christmas tree, to which all visiting
officers who are members of the associ
ation are Invited. Following is the
programme of speakers and subjects
for the entire session:
Major Harry L. Hawthorne. Coast
Artillery Corps, department artillery
officer. V. 6. A.. "Coast Artillery Re
serves": Major R- X. Noble. First In
fantry. U. 8. A.. "The Relation of the
Organized Militia to the Regular
ArmV; Colonel James Jackson. Inspector-General,
O. N. G.. "The Future of
the National Guard"; Colonel George O.
Yoran, Fourth Infantry, O. X. 15.. "The
Test of Time"; Major F. B. Hamlin.
Fourth Infantry. O. N. G-. "The Oregon
2ilfl Team"; Captain Samuel White,
RED
m
Third Infantry, O. X. G., "The Citizen
Soldier, the National Reserve and Its
Relation to the Regular Army"; Cap
tain Charles A. Murphy, Third Infantry,
O. X. G., "Compulsory National Guard
Service"; Captain Walter E. Carll, As
sistant Surgeon. O. X. G., "Oregon Hos
pital Corps at the San Francisco Fire";
general discussion on any military sub
ject. The officers of the association are:
President, Brigadier-General William
E. Finzer, Adjutant-General; first vice
president. Colonel James Jackson. Inspector-General;
second vice-president.
Colonel George O. Yoran. Fourth In
fantry; first honorary vice-president,
Brigadier-General Owen Summers; sec
ond honorary vice-president. Governor
George E. Chamberlain; third honorary
vice - president. Brigadier - General
Charles F. Beebe: fourth honorary vice
president. Brigadier-General Calvin U.
Gantenbein; fifth honorary vice-president,
Brigadier-General Thomas M. An
derson; secretary. Captain Lawrence H.
OX' AFFAIRS IN t
AUTHORITY
ORIE.VT.
Knapp, Third Infantry; treasurer, Lieutenant-Colonel
Raymond G. Juhiz;
chaplain. Captain William S. Gilbert,
Third Infantry.
LOCAL LABOR TO PROTEST
WILL TAKE ACTION ON IMPRIS
ONMENT OP LEADERS.
Demonstration Will Be Held Soon
by Allied Trades, but Date Is
Not Definitely Fixed.
k
Members of organized labor in Port
land will protest formally against the
recent court decision which decrees that
Gompers, Mitchell and Morrison, labor
leaders, shall serve jail sentences for
contempt of court. A general meeting
of the labor organizations of this city
is being planned to take such action. It
was proposed yesterday that the demon
stration take place Sunday in conjunc
tion with a general movement of the
kind among trades unionists throughout
the I'nlted States. However, the time
for the meeting will not be fixed until
today. Owing to the lack of time to ad
vertise such a gathering, the promotors
of the movement probably will consent
to some date later In the week.
"Members of organized labor In this
city are strongly in favor of holding a
mass meeting and presenting a formal
protest against the court's decision," said
J. F. Cassldy, secretary of the Oregon
State Federation of Labor. "While the
time for holding such a meeting has not
been decided, there Is no doubt but that
a general meeting of trades unionists
and, their friends will be arranged with
in a few days. Sunday Is near at hand
and for that reason it is probable no at
tempt will be made to call the meeting
until later In the week."
C. H. Gram, president of the State
Federation of Labor, returned yesterday
from an extended absence in Southern
Oregon. He declined to discuss the de
cision In the Gompers case aside from
saying that while the findings of the
court might be according to law, he was
Inclined to consider the law a poor one.
Mr. Gram explained that he had not had
an opportunity to read the decision ren
dered by the court and until he had he
did not wish to express himself on the
subject.
The Building Trades Council at its
meeting Monday night may take some
action respecting the Gompers case by
adopting resolutions. Tpe unions affil
iated with this central organization will
appoint a committee to meet with sim
ilar delegations from the other central
labor bodies next Wednesday night. This
conference of representatives of the
various labor unions in the city may be
substituted for the proposed mass meet
ing. President Gram will call a meeting of
the executive board of the State Federa
tion of Labor some time this week for
the express purpose of considering mat
ters of legislation that will be proposed
by the labor organizations In the Legis
lature this Winter. Aside from Presi
dent Gram, three of the other members
of the executive board reside In Port
land. They are: J. F. Cas.oidy. secre
tary of the state organization; J. L.
Wheeler and John Greenwood.
VANCOUVER GETS BUILDING
American Life Insurance Company
to Erect $100,000 Strncture.
VAXCOt'VER. Wash.. Dec. 25. (Spe
cial.) a building five or six stories
high, to cost from J75.000 to $100,000
Is to be built at the corner of Main
and Sixth streets, by the American
Life and Accident Insurance Company
of this state. Vancouver is to be the
home office of the company, which is
capitalized at The first floors
of the building' are to be used
for the general offices , of the
company, the upper floors for office
rooms, and for lodge halls. The struc
ture Is to be modern In every way and
will be the largest building in the city
When completed. It Is said by Robert
R. Boyer. manager of the company,
that construction will begin early In
the Spring. The company now has of
fices In the Beck building in Portland.
' A Dangerous Operation
Is the removal of the appendix by a
surgeon. No one who takes Dr. King s
New Life Pills is ever subjected to this
frightful ordeal. They work so quietly
you don't feel them. They cure consti
pation, headache, biliousness and ma
laria, 25c a all drugstores.
TO CURE A COLD IX OXK BAY
Take LAXATIVE BROMO Quinine Tablet
PruRglsts refund money if It fail to euro
E- VV. GROVE'S signature Is on each box. Sic
I laection. officers T. P. A. 1:30 Com, Club. J
it . v it
h ' t
if X T "
Jr. -f ;-'MiflINKmt yx . .j 4
4 .. . ' -
t ".-.;: i I
4 v. . - t t
, ' t " ' "? V '
it -x,
: f
: - jj
Bishop l. C. Harrtu, D. D. t
..........'
THE MORNING OREGONIAN, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1908.
"YELLOW PERIL"
IS SIMPLY BOGY
Bishop Harris Says Miscon
ception Prevails About
Awakening of China.
PEOPLE ARE FOR PEACE
Declares Country Will Have Consti
tution and Parliament in Ten
Years Japan Aiding Greatly
in Development of Corea.
BY ARTHUR A. GREENE.
"The -yellow peril' bogie grows out of
a profound misconception of the facts.
The resurrection of China Is the great
est movement in the history of humanity
but It bodes good rather than evil to
Christendom." Such an expression, com
ing from a man who has lived In the
Orient So years and who has been dur
ing his entire official career In close
touch with the people of China - lr. all
walks of life. Is more than significant.
It Is positively convincing.
Merriman Colbert Harris, missionary
bishop of China and Corea for the Meth
odist Episcopal Church, knew what he
was talking about when he made the
statements quoted in the sunparlor of
the Portland Hotel yesterday afternoon.
Bishop Harris has been for many years
recognized as an authority on matters
Mongolian. He has lived among them
for more than a third of a century, has
the confidence of the lower classes and
cordial friendship of the ruling class.
He Is one of the big figures In Method
Ism, in fact, in the whole realm of Prot
estantism. Constitution in Ten Years.
"The coming to consciousness of this
might- people has Deen long delayed,"
said the bishop, "but it is at hand. In
fact, it Is already accomplished. Inside
of ten years I believe China will have a
constitution and a parliament. The new
China will not be belligerent. She will
seek peace rather than war and con
quest. It is ingrained in the characters
of the Chinese people. She will work
out her destiny along peaceful lines and
has quite enough development work
ahead to keep her busy for generations
without coveting her neighbor's lands.
No, don't let them tell you that either
China or Japan will menace the peace'
of the world."
Japan Becoming Christianized.
Referring to the work of Christian
izing Japan, the distinguished prelate
said: "There are approximately 200.000
Christians among tne Japanese, divided
about equally between Protestants and
Catholics. The Methodist church, for
Instance, Is presided over by a native
bishop and Is self-governing and prac
tically self-supporting. In Corea there
are, roughly speaking, 200,000 native
Christians. In the recent parliamentary
elections in Japan 15 Christians were
chosen out of a total membership of
something less than 300.
"There Is also no anti Christian feel
ing In Japan, and In official circles we
missionaries are given the most cordial
support and encouragement. You will
be surprised to know that Christian edu
cators and clergymen are invited to ad
dress the students of the Imperial Uni
versity: Japan, China and Corea are
simply crying for more civilization. We
cannot supply teachers and preachers
rapidly enough to meet the demand. In
Corea there is no body of Christians so
small that It does not support a day
school.
Corea and Japan Friendly.
"Corea is in a very interesting stage
of Its progress from Isolation to an Im
portant factor in the affairs of the Ori
ent. The feeling against Japan Is being
overcome through the diplomacy, hon
esty and fairness of statesmen of both
countries. Why, the Crown Princes of
the two courts recently paid formal vis
Its to each other's capital and each was
received in the friendliest manner.
"The principal credit for Corea's splen
did forward movement Is due to Prince
Ito, one of the great men of the Far
Bast. He Is Japan's representative in
Corea and through his enlightened and
liberal policy has already wrought won
ders. He has worked out an extensive
plan for the development of the coun
try, employing the finest agricultural
and other experts. He has instituted
agricultural schools and is educating
the Coreans to make the most of that
splendid agricultural country. He has
established medical colleges and hos
pitals, the courts ha been reorgan
ized and the government is highly ef
ficient. In fact, I do not believe there
are any countries In the world so well
governed as Japan and Corea. I have
been 40 years In the ministry and 35 in
the Orient, and I cannot tell you the vast
difference in conditions now and when I
went there. It Is the most wonderful
and blessed thing In the world to look
upon this advance movement of the old
est civilization In the world."
Bishop Harris Is returning to Corea
after spending several months in the
United States. He came over to at
tend the general conference of his church
at Baltimore. He left last night for
Victoria, whence he will sail in a few
days.
SANTA CLAUS VISITS JAIL
Sheriff Sapplngton Prepares Christ
- mas Tree and Turkey Dinner.
VANCOUVER, Wash., Dec. 25. (Spe
cial.) Sheriff Sapplngton made glad the
hearts of 13 prisoners in the County
Jail with a Christmas tree and turkey
dinner. The presents from the tree
were cigars, tobacco, candles, nuts and
reading matter. At 6 o'clock a turkey
dinner with all the trimmings was
served. At the head of the table sat
Patrick Cahill, the flute player, who
acted as toastmaster. When the, meal
was over Cahill dispensed music.
The prisoners all agree that the
Sheriff is the most kln4,-hearted man
they have ever met, and several said
they will appropriately remember him
when they are restored to liberty.
PLUM FOR PILES' PARTNER
To Be Federal Judge if Washington
District Is Divided.
SEATTLE. Wash.. Deo. 25. Speclal.)
If the bill providing for a second
United States District Judge for West
ern Washington Is passed. United States
Senator S. H. Piles and Levi Ankeny
probably will urge the appointment of
George Donworth, of Seattle, who is a
law partner of Senator Piles and now
retired from active practice of the law.
Two plans for an Increase In tue sum-
Portland Agents for
TEe Meier ! Frank
of
alsis,
Today in Portland's LaMngj:joalUS?rg -t-Sensational
lvlrwnmen's Cloaks. Suits, Coats, Evemng Ap
EaiaSkirts7Wists, Petticoats and Furs-Most wonderful
values-jnail the newest and most fashionable garments
$16.50 Tailored Suits at $ 8.65
$22.50 Tailored Suits at $12.45
$28.00 Tailored Suits at $14.85
$32.00 Tailored Suits at $16.85
$40.00 Tailored Suits at $22.45
$55.00 Tailored Suits at $27.45
Women's and MissesMTailored Suits on sale at marvelonsly low
jrirTs Thisea5Q"'-iJiniestgannents in all the latest
fashionsand matgrijnarjtgdfigures that are of the greatest
inlolcelconomical buyers Both fancy and strictly tailored
itylesTnft fancy cots jnigdein Empire, Directoire and vest
cffectTand trimmed with saraiduttpns Plain coats are
tailorstitched - Medium and long length coats -Skirts plain gore
jitharetrjmmed with folds Broadcloths, cheviots and serge
ZThjatawba. taupe, wistaria, green and brown, also
riaortment of fancy stripes andmixtures - All sizes
A" large and grand assortment to select from Eight immense
l-tTleseTxfrr-aordinarv values at the above very low prices
Condensed List of Specials
See yesterday's papers for details of this List of Specials
$40.00 Opera Coats at $19.85
S25.00 Fancy Dresses at $12.85
Regular $40 Fur Coats at $29.50
Regular $35 Pony Coats $22.50
$7.50 Walking Skirts at $3.55
$8.50 Walking Skirts at $4.85
$45.00 Fancy Costumes at $1 9.85
$9.00 Silk Petticoats at $4.85
Women's $16.50 Coats at $ 7.85
Women's $20.00 Coats at $12.85
Women's $30.00 Coats at $16.95
Women's $40.00 Coats at $22.65
fiojiikndWool Waists $3.45
$35 Long Covert Coats $26.25
Rpct. $450 Bath Robes at $1.98
ber of iudes have V-n "8!
1- to name a second Judge for 1
??C ifHanford In any city here
W ruU I. The , oer plan
JUST aU "SSSSJSSf WasninBton
counties.
MISSING LADS ENJOY LARK
Logger Entorlalns Lads While Par
ents Believe Them Lost.
ABERDEEN. Wash.. 1C. 25.-Spc-cial.)-Wesley
Jones, ased 8. son of F.
E Jones, prominent In real estate circles
caused a lot of worry to parents and
friends by disappearing ;teJfy after
noon when he went into the woods to cut
down a Christmas tree. Instead ot
going for the tree, he and an older com
panion rode on the streetcars unta the
Were tired and hungry, when they went
to a restaurant, where they fe 1 In .th
a good-natured logger, jolly w'tn,. n.k
He paid for all the boys ate, took them to
a show and to a hotel, meeting the ex
pense of the lodBing and breakfast and
finally sending them home.
Thev reached here late In the forenoon,
when "hundreds of men were searching In
the woods on the presumption that tne
boys were lost and perishing.
WEYERHAEUSERS GET BANK
Secure Control of Financial Insti
tution at Montesano.
MOXTESANO, Wash., Dec. 25. (Spe
cial.) An important change In local
banking circles has Just been made pub
llr The entire interest of George W.
lKinemii. la the Jiontesano State Bank
"Nemo" Corsets.
omen's Suits, Coat
Petticoats, Furs
i i
has been purchased by R. L. McCor-
mick. of Tacoma.
'Mr. McCormlck Is secretary .of the
Weyerhaeuser Timber Company and one
of the principal stockholders. The
Weyerhaeuser Company's holdings
around Montesano are very large and
the connection of Mr. McCormlck with
a local Institution Is significant. It
means much to this section.
Mr. Nlnemlre, ex-vlce-presldent of the
bank, has decided to devote his entire
time and means to the lumber business,
he being the principal owner of the
Montesano Lumber & Manufacturing
Company. He Is at present improving
and enlarging the capacity of the plant
so as to be able to compete with the
larger Harbor mills.
The Montesano State Bank is one of
the strongest financial Institutions In
Chehalis County." At its last statement
It showed deposits of nearly $300,000 and
has long handled the local business of
the Weyerhaeuser Company.
AT HALFPRICE.
Balance of our stock of dolls, toys,
games, books, neckwear and fancy
Christmas goods of all kinds, on sale
at half marked price. McAUen & Mc
Donnell, Third and Morrison.
Chlra.RO. Four hundred and twenty-seven
sto. kholders out of 600 of A. Booth & Co.,
"he flsh concern, .have agreed to a reorgan
ization. Almost all of the $600,000 needed
n. oapita! haw hoen rfliff!.
COUNTRY SHIPPERS
We will pay you 9c for dressed good
veal up to 1 30 pounds. We will pay you
7c for dressed hogs, good quality, any
size. We want your shipments of poul
try, all kinds turkeys, geese, ducks,
chickens, etc. Ship dry-picked or alive.
We will pay you the market price. We
do not charge commission or anything.
JTRANK Ik SMITH MEAT CO.
Bntterick Patterns, 'TrefoHSselGloygs
Store's
tin pi y
h Pi'
.'311 i?'1 " '
i hi i . h 1 '
i r ,
, J 1 ir -Mm r V i
Mil. f x ?. 1 'i
m H H WW t
tp'i Fit f )., - j
Reg. $40.00 Fur Sets at $33.00
Reg. $1.75 Flannel Kimonos 98c
$2.25 HeatherbrmPettic ts$1.38
$1 .75 Blk. Sateen Petticoats $ 1 .08
SATURDAY SPECIALS AT SMITH'S
You will have to come to a Smith Market for these excellent meat3 and
poultry. Be careful when you come to our Alder-street Market and sea that
you get into the right place. The markets on both sides of us helong to our
opponents. See that Smith's name and "Fighting the Beef Trust" are over
the door, and then come in.
Fancy fattened Geese, all absolutely fresh and choice Oregon stock 18
Several hundred Hens and Spring Chickens to select from; likewise abso
lutely fresh, choice, fat, Oregon birds 15 to 18C
Smith's sugar-cured, pure, uon-adulterated Hams, made from fine Oregon
pig pork, select any size you want loC
Smith's sugar-cured Breakfast Bacon 16 and 17', i
Smith's kettle-rendered pure Lard, guaranteed to be what we sayit
js FIVE-LB. PAIL 60c
Smith's pure Pig Pork Sausage, per pound 12Vi
Veal Sausage, such as can be found only at Smith's, per pound X2',-j
Holiday Beef, 5 for ordinary cuts, up to 15 for the choicest and primes!
cuts.
Genuine Spring Lamb, 8 for plain cuts, up to 15 for fancy chops and
Oregon Pig Pork, from 5 for Pigs' Feet, up to 15 for delicious roasta
and cutlets.
Willamette Valley Veal, 6f for broth meat, up to 15 for fancy cuts and
cutlets.
All kinds of Fish can be had at their freshest at Smith's.
Good Creamery Butter, 70 per square Fresh Eggs, 35 per dozen
FRANK L. SMITH MEAT CO.
FIGHTING THE
Six
Markets
Great Sale
s. Wraps,
9
, Etc., Etc.
BEEF TRUST."
2(1 Alder Stret. Brtween Klrxt nnil Second Sreet.
512 WIUinniN Avenue.
701 .lll(iiipul Avenue.
Corner Fifth and Jlnln Streetn. Orcaon City
Twelfth Street, Between Bond and Commercial, Astoria
S6S Taylor Street tliiontow, Ajatorla,
I