VOL,. XLIX NO. 15,310. PORTLAND, OREGON, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1909. PRICE FIVE CENTS. F, SAYS COPENHAGEN DenmarkChagrined by Explorer's Hoax. ALL FAITH IN HONESTY LOST "Papers Convict Him of Swin dle," Declares Holm. DEGREE TO BE WITHDRAWN Scientists Saddened by What For mer Supporter Now Calls Scan dal Blame Is Divided With Minister Eagan. COPENHAGEN, Tc. 21. The report of ths special committee of scientists, which the University of Copenhagen ap pointed to Investigate rr. Frederick " Cook's claims that he had discovered the North Pole, was submitted to the con sistory of the university this morning. Indorsed by that body and given to the public. The report shatters completely, almost contemptuously, the American explorer's title to such discovery and fills officials and people of Denmark with chagrin at the figure Iionmark la made to assume in the ryes of the scientific world The public was prepared for a verdict of "nofc proven,' but did not expect its rrt'cnt hero to be branded as an im postor. Many Btlll cling to the belief that Cook acted In Rood faith, but had labored under a delusion. Scientists Lose Faith. Kxplorers and scientists almost entirely have lost faith In Cook's honesty, while one of his warmest supportei-s, Knud rtasinusscn, helped to frame the report. The evening papers attack Cook and se verely reproach him for hiding, which they regard as a sign of a guilty con science. ' The rector of the university. Dr. Salo monson, when questioned as to the pos sibility of the university canceling tie degree which It conferred on Dr. Cook, says that no decision has been reached, but be thought that the degree would be withdrawn in the same way as a govern ment could deprive a person of an order obtained under false pretenses. "Swindler," Says Member. Commodore Oustav Holm, Arctic ex plorer and a member of the committee, aid: . "Cook's claim that he made the ob servation 89 degrees. 69 minutes, 46 seoonds near the Pole proved immedi ately that he was a bad observer, but nothing- Indicated that he was a swindler. Now, his papers convict him of being- a swindler. We examined Cook's observations first and agreed unanimously that they were worthless. Captain Loose's observations were not used in the papers Cook submitted to the university. Professor Olufson, secretary of the Swedish Geographical Society, said: "It is the saddest event in my life. As an explorer there seems to be no doubt that Cook Is absolutely unreli able," Degree Prematurely Given. The National Tidende. while deplor ing that the university conferred the degree In a moment of enthusiasm, finds consolation in the fact that others honored Cook when he returned to civilization. "The President of his own country and its envoy at Copenhagen," says the paper, "were the guarantors of him. jDenmark did not blunder alone. Our country must now leave this sad affair to America and Cook." In an Interview tonight, Knud Ras mussen said: "The university would not invite me at first because I was one of Dr. Cook's strongest supporters. Later, however, I was invited to the Investigation, and when I saw the observations I realized It was a scandal. Papers Called "Impudent." "My confidence in Cook has been based on personal impressions, on .re ports that I had received, and" also on the testimony of the Eskimos, when they all said that he had made the trip rrom Cape Sparbo to Etah, and such a I rip in the dark of Winter would suf fice to make a man famous. But the papers which Cook sent to Copenhagen University are most impudent. Any schoolboy could make such calculations. It is a most childish attempt at cheat ing. Cook has killed himself by his own foolish acts." Commodore Hovgaard. explorer, said: "Although It has not been proved that Cook did not reach the Pole, I can only regard. Cook as an imposter." The report of the committee, of which Professor Stromgren was chairman, as presented to the Consistory, states that Dr. Cook's papers are without any value; that his report to the University of Copenhagen is practically the same as that published in the New York Herald on his return from his Arctic expedition. Proofs Wholly Lacking. The copies, of his notebooks, as sub mitted, contain no original calculations of observations, but only results there of. Accordingly, the committee con cludes that he affords no proofof hav ing reached the Pole. There was produced before the com- CDOMSIMO Concluded on Face .). CHRISTMAS GIFT COST $750,000 RICH PHILADELPHIAX GIVES WIFE F1XEST NECKXACE. George J. Widcner Remembers Daughter of Late William KI kins, With Pearl Collection. PHILADELPHIA, Pa., Dec. 21 (Spe cial.) Probably the most splenbid and costly Christmas gift that any woman In the world will receive this year will be a rope of magnificent pearls, costing 1750,000, which George D. Widener will present to his wife, who was Miss Eleanor Elkins, daughter of the late William Elkins, traction magnate. It Is said to be the m-st costly string of pearls in the world, and at a recent sale in New York brought the highest price received for pearl necklaces. It Is said Widener intended the rope of gems, some of which are nearly as large as pigeon eggs, and sufficient for a king's ransom, as a surprise for his wife, but the news of his intended gift has leaked out. It Is probable that society will soon have an opportunity to admire at first hand what is said to be the finest col lection of pearls, gem for gem, that any woman has been privileged to wear. COREAN PREMIER STABBED Yi Fatally Wounded by Countryman, Vie Clinim Yog. SEOUL, Corea. Dec. 22. Premier Tl, the head of the Corean Cabinet, was stabbed and fatally wounded today by a Corean, Tie Chaim Tog. The assailant, a young Christian, lived for many years in the United States. The Premier was riding in his jinricksha when the assassin stabbed him. The assassin then turned on the Pre mier's jinricksha man, whom he stabbed and instantly killed. The murderer was arrested. He is 20 years old and is be lieved to be a member or a political se cret society. It is believed that the assassination Is the result of political Intrigue. Premier Ti was formerly Minister of Education in the Corean Cabinet. He became Prime Minister in May, 1907. when a reconstruction of the Cabinet followed a five-hour audience which Marquis Ito held with the Emperor. YI was regarded as a firm and compe tent officer, but his efforts to carry out the policy of the new administration met with continual opposition from his po litical adversaries. YEAR'S BRIDES FORM CLUB Grangeville, Idaho, Women Organ lie to Govern Husbands. SPOKANE," Wash., Dec. 21. (Special.) Young- women of Grangevllle. Idaho, married during 1909 have formed the "1909 Club." Members of the club at tempted to keep tthe formation of their organisation a secret. The young women refuse to tell the motive of the club, hut it Is understood It is for the exchanging of ideas as to the proper governing of a husband, the best things to make for him to eat, and incidentally to talk over fashions. Mrs. Mabel McKlnney, of the Univer sity of Idaho, has been elected presi dent, while Mrs. Bella Gilberson is sec retary and treasurer. ' Other members are Mrs. Bert Pease, Mrs. Clem Hanna, Mrs. Henry Wood. Mrs. Earl Wood, Mrs. Rube Overeon and Mrs. Arthur Overson. NEW INSURGENT APPEARS Cousin of Senator La Follette Seeks Poindexter's Seat. SPOKANE, Wash., Dec. 21. (Special.) Pullman, Wash., may have a candidate for Congress to succeed Miles Poindexter, who has announced his candidacy for the United States Senate. W. L. La Follette, "fruit king"' and "bonanza" farmer, who sold his fruit ranch for $35,000 last Spring and still owns 2500 acres of wheat land, is being urged to enter the race. Mr. La Follette has been a leader In Republican politics In this county and is an "insurgent" from instinct. He Is a cousin of Robert M. La Follette, United States Senator from Wisconsin, and has much of the fighting blood of the Wis consin man. LAD KIDNAPED, IS BELIEF Figure Prostrate and Struggling Seen in Hurrying Wagon. PASADENA, Cal., Dec. 21. E. ' J. Card, of this city, told a story to the police today which it is believed throws light upon the disappearance of Carlos Wright, 16 years old, from his home here a week ago, under circumstances indicating kid naping. Card says that on the" night of Wright's disappearance a wagon containing three men drove rapidly past his house. There was a fourth figure in the vehicle, lying prostrate and struggling. Several times this person was struck by the men. This was near a cemetery in which some of young Wright's clothing was found. ROUMANIAN PREMIER SHOT Official Slightly Wounded by Work man. Who Is Caught. BUCHAREST, Dec. 21. A workman today tired three shots at J. J. C. Bra tiano, Roumanian Premier and Minister of the Interior. One bullet struck t,he Minister, slight ly injuring him. His assailant was arrested. TUFT SEES WISDOM OF RIGID INQUIRY Justice to BallingerNot Whole Motive SENATE CALLS FOR PAPERS Investigation Delayed to Per mit Leaders to Confer. NELSON IS AGREED UPON President Is Convinced Attack Yells Conspiracy to Show Roosevelt Policies Are in Unfriend ly Hands. WASHINGTON. Dec. ZL Any doubt that the whole force of the Taft Adminis tration is to be behind the investigation demanded by both sides of the so-called Ballinger-Pinchot controversy was dis pelled by events in and out of Congress today. Without question President Taft himself is as eager for the merciless In vestigation of the whole question as hith erto he has been reluctant to admit the necessity for it. . A motive much deeper than willingness to do justice to Secretary Balllnger is ascribed to President Taft by Senators, Representatives and others active In poli tics. Men in a position to know the senti ments of Mr. Taft declare that he has at last become convinced of the truth of what his friends have been telling him for many weeks of that he has hitherto laughed at that lying behind the attack on Mr. Balllnger is a more or less defin itely organized movement to discredit the Taft Administration, especially by spread ing the Impression that the so-called "Roosevelt policies" are in unfriendly hands; that Mr. Balllnger was made the target on the theory that he offered the most vulnerable point in the Administra tion. Taft Xow Convinced. Because he was loath to believe that such a propaganda was under way Mr. Taft opposed every suggestion from. Mr. Balllnger or his friends that attacks upon the Land Office should be met with a de termination to expose those responsible. Though slow to come to a decision, it Is known that Mr. Taft Is now inclined to believe that the criticisms that had cropped out in many widely separated lo calities are a part of a deliberate deter mination to make trouble, which amounts virtually to a conspiracy. The first step in paving the way for a Congressional Investigation was taken to day. Senator Flint introduced a resolu tion in the Senate requesting the Attorney-General to send to the Senate all papers in his possession that relate to the case. These papers include the re port of L. R. Glavis, dismissed agent of the Land Office, who sought to connect Mr. Ballinger with the Cunningham coal land cases in a manner reflecting upon his record. Conference Approves Plan. The Flint resolution was adopted. Later it was learned that it had been drafted by Attorney General Wicker sham and that it was one of the sub- Concluded, on Pace 8.) RAILROADS SEEK RICH PRIZE. Situated from 300 to 500 feet apart, two railways, backed by transcontinental systems, are paralleling each, other for more than 100 miles in the bottom of an unproductive canyon, each expending- $5,000,000 and exert ing its utmost to be the first to serve interior Oregon. The New Year's Oregonian will tell why this stupendous contest is under way and de scribe the prize that is at stake. Photographs by staff photographers showing the dif ficulties of construction and scenes in the country that is the objective point will be re produced. The New Year's Oregonian will present a com prehensive description of Cen tral Oregon, an empire soon to become tributary to Portland. . More than 12 pages will be de voted to maps, scenes and ar ticles on this one topic that means so much to Portland's future development. The Annual will be printed January 1. Postage in'the Uni ted States, Mexico, Canada and the insular possession, 4 cents. Foreign postage, 8 cents. CABINET CRISIS AVERTED Greek Minister of War Resigns but Premier Comes to Rescue. ATHENS. Dec. 21. The Minister of War, Colonel Lapathiotls. presented his resignation to the Premier today. The Premier did his utmost to avert a crisis, and the Military League strongly urged the Minister to withdraw his resignation, which eventually he did. Colonel X-apathlotls resignation was the outcome of a soene In the Chamber of Deputies y-ewterdpy, when the War Min ister attacked the administration of ex Premier Theotokis. Supporters of the ex-Premier protested and left the Cham ber in a body. Humors were heard today that unless supporters of the ex-Premier attended the sitting ther Military League would es tablish a dictatorship and carry on the government without the Chamber. For a. time the situation was tense and great excitement prevailed. YOAKUM INVADES OAKLAND Jivine Healer" Would Cure Drunk ards a iid Tobacco. Users. OAKLAND, Cal., Deer. 21. Dr. F. E. Yoakum, founder of the Plsgah .move ment., and heralded "divine healer," who is credited with influencing yester day the saloonnen of Carson, Nev., to destroy hundreds of dollars' worth of liquor Jn the hope that they might achieve salvation, arrived here today. During his stay he will lecture daily, addressing himself to the drunkard, the outcast and the, habitual user of tobacco. Me will also undertake to heal the sick. ALDERMEN IN NEW ROLE Carry Cltristmas Cheer to W.idows and Orphans at Cherry. CHICAGO. Dec. 21. Twelve Chicago Aldermen will go tomorrow to Cherry, 111., the stricken mining town, where 300 miners were entombed last month, to play Santa Claus to the 1000 widows and or phans bereft In the St. Paul mine dis aster. A full carload of toys, candies and fruits for the children and. many more substantial gifts for the mothers will be taken. THE TOUGH CITY CHAP. ZELAYAN FORCES ROUTED UTTERLY Nationals Flee, Estrada Captures Recreo. MARCH ON CAPITAL EXPECTED Machine Guns Wreak Havoc on Government's Men. MORAL EFFECT IS GREAT Victory Particularly Gratifying to This Government, Which Has Es x poused Cause of Revolutionists. American Is on Firing Line . BLUEF1ELD, Nic, Iec. 21. The rev olutionists under General Estrada have completely routed the Zelayan forces near Rama. Kstrada has captured Recreo, Vasquez' strongest position, and has been . victorious all along the line, which stretches for eiglft miles. Yesterday the forward movement be gan, detachments being sent but under Generals Uis Mena, Fornos Diaz' Al fredo Diaz, Chamorro and Matutty; Eslrada AVell Armed. It was General Menas' task to out flank Gonzales, who directed the de fense of the great body of the Govern ment troops. These were In large numbers and well-entrenched, but Es trada's followers were armed with the latest equipment and machine guns were ' brought Into play to clear the trenches. Casualties on the Govern ment side were high, the greatest exe cution being done at Recreo, which the revolutionists finally took by assault. Among those in the revolutionary army were Captain Godfrey Fowler, formerly of the Thirty-third Infantry, IT. S. A., who was in command on the firing line. Estrada Takes Another Town. Tatumbla was captured this after noon by General Mena after a bloody fight. Tatumbla was one of the strong est positions of the government forces, but the revolutionists were in greater numbers and had effective artillery. General Zelledon arrived this morn ing from Monkey Point with 800 men and one Hotchkiss. . He left this after noon for Rama. The steamer Utsteln arrived this afternoon with four Max ims and 1000 rifles. . Kight Still Continues. The fighting still continues at the upper end of the Zelayan trenches, but it is only a matter of time before the revolutionists will take the remaining strongholds. Several hundred prisoners are said to have been captured by Gen eral Estrada. Word has readied here that Zelaya has determined to retain the position of commander-in-chief of the army. MUNITIONS SENT TO NICARAGUA Shipment of 300,000 Rounds Is Openly Jadc at New Orleans. NEW ORLEANS,, Dec. 21. For use by the revolutionists in Nicaragua 300,000 Contlnued on Page 4.) WIRELESS FLASH TO TELL SUNRISE NAVAL OBSERVATORY WILL GIVE SIGNAL TO ALASKA. Land of Darkness to Receive Notifi cation of Exact Moment Winter Solstice Occurs. "WASHINGTON, Dec. 21. News of the return of the sun to break up the long night In Alaska will be flashed from 'Washington, if possible, to the Land of Darkness tomorrow morning. This task will be undertaken by the Naval Observa tory through the courtesy of telegraphic companies and at the request of Gen eral Allen, signal officer of the Army. At the exact moment of the occurrence of the "Winter Solstice tomorrow morning at 6.30, the. flash will be sent direct from the observatory to Seattle, and there repeated to the Government cable. At Sitka, the news will be put on cables connected with several surrounding set tlements. At Valdez the flash will be transferred to the land wires of the signal service of the Army and then sent out into the Alaska night by wireless from Eagle, Fort Gibbons and Nome. BLAST TEARS BODY TO BITS Ellensburg Contractor Meets Fright ful Death. ELLENSBURG, "Wash., Dec. 21. (Spe cial.) George "W. Sleet, a well-known contractor of Ellensburg. was instantly killed by a premature explosion while thawing frozen dynamite before an open Are a little before 2 o'clock this after noon. The violence of the explosion was so great that window panes within the ra dius of half a mile were shattered by the force of the explosion. The man's body was blown 30 feet in the air. his right leg was torn from the trunk and blown into a loin St James Collins, of Shebiot, had Just- left a Milwaukee train and was on his way to the city when the explosion occurred. He was across the street from Mr. Sieet. A small rock thrown by the blast struck him on the left elbow, lacterating lx badly. ' RICH WOMEN HELP GIRLS Strikers In Auto Parade Advance Suffrage Cause. NEW YORK, Dec. 21. Exclusive Fifth avenue received a demonstration of woman's determination this afternoon when IS automobiles furnished by promi nent society women, but containing two score poorly-dressed working women, passed up the thoroughfare in the double Interest of the striking shirtwaist opera tors and woman suffrage. The cars were furnished by Miss Anne Morgan, Mrs. O. 11, P. Belmont, Mrs. Samuel Untermyer and other prominent women who have Identified themselves with the strikers Banners labelled "Votes for women" fluttered from the machines, while other placards told the story of the strike. Mrs. Belmont has personally retained counsel to -defend strikers who are ar rested. . She htm selected Mrs. Fannie Harawitz, a woman lawyer. FRAUD USES W. C. T. U. Funds Solicited for Bogus Widows and Orphans' Fund. One of the meanest frauds of the Christmas season was reported on Tues day, when Mrs. Ada Wallace Unruh, president of the W. C. T. T, was in formed that some persons were soliciting: donations for the "widows' and orphans fund of the w. C. T. TJ." Money for Christmas gifts was asked. Mrs. Unruh said emphatically that the "W. C. T. IT. had no solicitors out for any such fund or purpose, and added that any one approached by persons seeking donations would confer a favor upon the W. C. T. IT. by notifying the police. GIFTS POUR IN ON TAFT Admirers Whom President Has Never Seen Play Santa. . WASHINGTON, Dec. 21. President Taft and members of his family are be ginning to receive Christmas presents from all over the country. Many, come from close friends and relatives, but a large proportion comes from admirers whom the President never has seen. Two big packages that arrived by ex press yesterday turned out to be rather crude oil paintings. One was a bust of the President, and the other was a full length group picture of the President s family. The paintings were the work of a young Italian in New York. BEDSIDE MARRIAGE MADE King Leopold Had Ceremony Sol emnized Before Operation. PARIS, Dec. 21. A special to the Temps from Brussels affirms that a religious marriage of King Leopold and Baroness Vaughan was solemnized at La ken Palace prior to the operation which the King underwent. CONVICTED MAN, SUICIDE Crnisor Engineer, in financial Scan dal, Dies by Own Hand. KIKL, Dec. 21. Chief Naval Engi neer Regensack, of the cruiser Dan zig, convicted of financial irregular ities, committed suicide by shooting today. DAYLIGHT 00 IS '5 Washington'sGovernor Wants Act Passed. STATE-WIDE DRYNESS OPPOSED Local Option "Gone Far Enough," Says Executive. GINMILLS HURT BUSINESS Next Legislature to Be Asked to Adopt Nebraska Measure For bidding Liquor Sale From Sundown to Sun-Up. SPOKANE, Wash., Dec. 21. (Special.) ; Governor Hay does not advocate state-wide prohibition. He believes the Republican party has gone far enough, at least for the present, with the local option law, but probably, at the next session of the Legislature, adoption of the Nebraska law for daylight saloons will be urged. These significant utter ances were made by '.the Governor at a local option rally and banquet at Dav enport, in the Big Bend country, Mon day night. The hall was crowded. State-Wide Dryness Opposed. Governor Hay returned to Spokane today and, relative to his address at Davenport, said: "In explaining my position on the liquor question I said that the Repub lican 'party had gone far enough on the liquor question at present; that I was not in favor of a state-wide prohibition law. In fact, if I had the making of the law, and if It was absolutely in my hands, I would not pass a state-wide prohibition law, as I feel that the peo ple of the state are not yet ready for that law. "I Indorsed In very strong terms the present local option law, saying It Is one of the best that had ever been passed, and until I ascertained the will before sunrise. A law of this character Continued on .page 4.) INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS The Weather. YESTERDA-T'S Maximum temperature, 37 degrees; minimum, degrees. TODAY'S Fair; easterly winds. foreign. Thousands - clamor In vain for tickets to Leopold's funeral. Page 5. Nicaraguau Affairs. Estrada. a army utterly routs- Zelayan forces and captures Recreo. Page 1. Madriz i nag u rated president of Nicaragua. Page 4. Cook's North Pole Trip. University of Copenhagen rejects proofs of Ir. Cook. Page 1. Lr. Cook said to have decided on medical mission to Eskimos in event of adverse decision. Page 6. Profits from Cook's lectures and writings estimated at f 100.0O0. Page 6. New York A ldermen withdraw grant of freedom of city. Page 6. National. Twenty-seven indictments are returned for "sleeper-trunk" frauds. Pge 4. President pees an attack on Secretary Bal linger more to discredit Administration; Senate take step toward inquiry. Page 1. "White slave" legislation needed, is report of Congressional committee on proposed bill. Page 7. Interstate Commerce Commission asks mors power. Page 4. Iomestic. Wireless will dash moment of sunrise to land of darkness. Page 1. Compromise is believed to have been effected in switchmen's strike. Page 4. W. Gould Brokaw spending ?50,Of0 to fight wife's suit for separation. Page 5. George t. Widener gives wife 7r0,000 pearl necklace for Christmas present. Page 1. Alabama troops avert threatened rce war at Magnolia. Page 7. Insane asylum fire liberates patients ; sev eral thought to be dead. Page 4. Indiana minister caught in Ios Angeles, charged with stealing ?300 from churco. Page 4. Sports. Ydunir boxers' participation in unsanctionel meet to be investigated by Northwest Amateur Association. Page 5- Zbyszco loses handicap wrestling match with. Roller. page ,v Good card enjoyed at "Club" smoker. Page o- Pacific 'orthwet. Roce'aii found guilty in hour of murder in first degree for killing wife. Page S. Supreme Court decides five members are legal. Page S. Hole found in Salem water main believed to be source of typhoid fever epidemic Page 0. Governor Hay, of Washington, advocates daylight liquor law as adopted by Ne braska. Page 3. Portland Railway. Light & Power Company loses Milwaukie rate case in Supreme Court, Page y. Commercial and Marine. Wholesale turkey market firm at 2S cents. Page 11. Chicago wheat market nervous. Page 19. Wall street stock operators watch money market. Page 10. Portland is fourth city in grain exports. Page 18. Portland and Vicinity. Divorce court busy with pre-Christmas trade. Page 18. Poultry show makes hit with pet. day sched uled for tomorrow, pago 13. Portland's prosperity cause of much Christ mas charity offered. Page 14. Receiver named for United Hat Companv. Page 13. i Southeast corner of Fifth and Burnslde streets is sold for $110,000. Page l'J. Judge holds Detective Day, In arresting newsboy, used unnecessary force. Page 10. Christmas turkeys sell at 3o aud 30 cents a pound. Page 12. School Board recommends 5-miil tax and $;io0.000 for new high school. Page 1,3. Greal Britain lff is ban on Red ('rofr, stamps helping cause in Portland. Page 14. Chif of Police Cor- advise saloonmrn to have arms ' in readiness fur outlaw, page 13. LI HAY