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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 12, 1912)
TITE MORXIXG OREGOXIAX, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12. 1912. 6 Enter at Portland. Oni. PoatorTlea tutacripuoa Itatae Invariably Aavnnen, (BT MAIL.) Pat'T. Sanrtay InrltKlad. one year J S? lai:y. Sunday InrludKl. thraa month.. r,al,y. unday Included, on month.... rai:y. without Sunday, ona yaar .rai;y. wlrhaut Sunday, tlx monina..... I aily. without Sunday. thra montna.. Iaiir. without Puadty, ona montn .T .00 I.M 1.T5 1 50 fcunday. ona j.ar fcunday and Waakly. ona yaar -av (BT CARRIER.) Ially. Sunday Included, ono year la.r. Eusday Included, ono month Haw a Urmlt Feni Poatofflce monay or der, expreea order or pereonal eneck on your local bank. Starapa. com or curr.nrr ar. at tha aendefa rlu. Olti poatofflce addraaa in fall, including eoanty and state. Pnataco Kotoa 10 to 14 paaea. 1 rant: 10 to 2S pa.ea. 2 canta; 10 to eo paea. art to so pacta. 4 canta. Foraljn poataga. cauhie ra:a. La.frra Bnaloeae Olflcaw Varra Conk tin New Vork. Jirunawtck bulldln. cm caao. stager building. Eoropeaa OffUre No. S Recent etreet. S. W Lcodoa. PORTLAND. JIOXDAT, 1XB. 1. Ml. WHICH FABTT IS DMLXTBf.BATrSOf Division in both great political par ties has given rise to the usual specu laUon as to the probability of a split in tha ranka of either or both at the corn-In.- National conventions. Denunciation of leaders by some of the mora inde pendent of their followers naturally arouse expectation that it will be fol lowed by open opposition in the cam paign. But that result rarely comes unles there U a sharp division on a question of vital principle, on which the revolting- faction Is assured of a considerable following. We need go back no further than one generation for precedents. There has been no more bitter feud In the Republican party than that between Blaine and Conkling. but It did not affect the integrity of the party, though It may have caused a few thou sand men to vote for Cleveland in 1884 or to stay at home. The Civil Service reform movement was one of principle and did carry many Republican votes over to Cleveland In that campaign, but the principle involved was gen erally accepted after Cleveland's first election and any excuse for making It the basis of a new political party soon disappeared. When free silver became the burn ing issue. It caused a boK from both parties on a question of vital principle. But, considering the heat of the con flict, the bolt In neither direction reached the dimensions which might have been expected. In every campaign there is a certain p oportion of voters on whom party ties hang loosely and who change their party allegiance because of some ques tion which is uppermost at the time. The issue of imperialism In 1900 doubt less carried a number of Republicans Into the Democratic ranks, but It prob ably carried at least as many Demo crats over to the Republican standard, making the result practically nil. The most decided change of this character In recent times was probably In 1904. when the nomination of Parker and the popularity of Roosevelt sent hun dreds of thousands of Democrats into th- Republican camp. But there was no organized bolt and no new party. The vote in 10S showed that a large proportion of these roters quietly re turned to the Democratic ranks. We have now among the Republic ans two extreme factions the conserv ative, reactionary, or stand pat. and the Insurgent. Neither has given evidence of ability to carry any large following into revolt, and we have the great ' mass of the party which Is content with the leadership of President Ta-fL It Is not la the nature of conservatives to bolt, for their chief boast is their regularity. If the Insurgents should wish to bolt, what reason could they give? Their differences with Taft are not on matters of principle, but are personal or on the details of carrying cut the same principles. Taft Is for tariff revision downward; so are they, but they would go faster and be less careful to do the work so well that It would not need soon to be done again. Both are for revision on protective lines, but the insurgents have been led by animosity against Taft Into support ing hybrid measures, made in com promise with the Democrats, which accord neither with the protective nor with the revenue-only theory. Taft's method la that of the platform on w hlrh he was elected and Is that which the insurgents themselves urged until he began acting upon It. The Insur gents are In a poor position to make thai tariff the basis of a bolt. There is even less excuse for a bolt In the position of Taft and the In surgents on other live Issues. Both would handle the trusts In much the me way. La Follette would have the Government own and operate all rail roads In Alaska; Taft would have it own one railroad, but not operate It directly. As La Follette's plan would probably begin with the construction of only one road, the difference re mains whether the Government should operate or lease that road. Lai Fol lette could not organize a very serious bolt on such an l.wue. On conservation Taft and La Follette are agreed, both 'being committed to leasing of coal land. The National reserve plan of the monetary commission has won as hearty commendation from such In surgents as Senator Cummins as from Taft. and Taft has evinced readiness to approve any changes which will alm insurgent dread of "the money power." Tat has shown himself progressive enough to satisfy the great mass of his party, and the pace at which he would progress will carry the reluctant conservatives along- with the main body. Since he is willing to lead in the direction which the party wishes to travel. It Is hardly Ukely that the Im patient Hotspurs will be able to draw off any large following in their hasty advance. Although public attention has been focused more on the dissensions of the Republicans, those of the Democrats are even more serious and foreshadow a far more equal division of the party on vital Issues. The leaders of the parly In Congres have set their minds to dealing with the tariff in preference to ail other Issues, while Bryan, who en joys the prestige of having led the Iemocracy in three National cam paigns and who has an immense per sonal following, openly accuses those leaders of being false to their prin ciples and attacks the National com mittee as being In league with "the In trrests." The party Is nearer an agree ment on the tariff than on any other Uue. but even on this Bryan accuses Underwood of being untrue to De mocracy and of being swayed by per- I so rial Interest. Most House leaders are as vague and non-committal in their dellverancVs on anti-trust legislation as the most atandpat Republican, but the radicals, led by Henry, of Texas, put forward a drastic bill and demand a special committee to Investigate the money trust. Bryan backs Henry in this demand, but Underwood Induces the Democratic caucus to vote for in quiry by five regular committees, which can lead to nothing. This division among the Democrats Justifies the prediction that any loss of votes the Republicans may suffer In November will be more than matched by a greater Democratic loss. An organized bolt Trom either party does not appear probable at this date, but the Democrats are in far greater danger of it through the implacable Bryan than are the Republicans through' the Impassioned La Follette, whose oratorical attacks have made no visible Impression on Taft's strength. M-PPOBT rOB THE (vEST BI1.IJ. BUI Bristol comes roaring forth from the reserves to the battle line for the West bills. Roaring Blr ac cuses The Oregonlan. la a volcanic Interview, in a contemporary, of mis representation and falsification as to the measures. It is not really worth while to pay serious attention to any thing Roaring Bill says, since he Is known, where he Is known at all, to be much given to extravagant and reck less speech. We merely Invite Roaring Bill to read what The Oregonlan has said, and all It has said, and he will know, as all readers of The Oregonlan and chance readers of the Bristol in terview know, that in no single partic ular has Roaring Bill correctly repre sented, or Interpreted, The Oregonlan. Roaring Bill Is most amusing when he Is farthest from the facta. Evidently ho appreciates his gifts, and seeks always to be humorous. We notice the Bristol matter mainly as the basis of a single suggestion which we desire to make. Mr. Bristol says that no county need build roads, unless it shall desire, tinder the state aid bonding acts. Others have made this declaration with the evident pur pose of showing that the counties have the complete and exclusive option of doing as they please. Very well. The Oregonlan herewith offers. If It shall be provided that, when any county elects not to solicit state aid. It hall be relieved of Its proportionate share of the 110.900. 000 bond obligation, to support the West bills. A POLITICAL VXTR.ST. If anything were seeded to inspire Republicans with confidence In vic tory under Taft's leadership. It la to be found in two events of one day. On the one- hand is Taft looking forward to "a four-months period In which to get rid of lies and misrepresentations," while the opposition In his own party is crumbling away. On the other hand is Bryan, denounced In Congress as a sower of discord by a Democratic ora tor whose desire to see him "knocked into a cocked hat" is applauded to the echo by the very party which Bryan ha thrice led. While Republicans " In Increasing numbers are forgetting their differ ences snd gathering round their leader. Democrats are aggravating their di visions and heaping Invective on the man who still commands the adoration of a large section of their party. The whole tendency of Republicans is to wards unity, of Democrats to widen the breach beyond possibility of heal ing. Republicans realize more every day that their differences are neg ligible; Democrats that theirs are the, result of directly opposite alms. Taft's work of middle-of-the-road progress has been well begun. It re mains to place him In a position to complete this work. . A united party can give him this power by re-electing him and by electing a Republican ma jority In both Senate and House to work hand In hand with him. With out such a majority he would have one hand tied behind him. robbed of power to carry through the legislation be rec ommended and of means to effect many of the Administrative reforms to which he Is committed. If MOTOR TAX VAIXDT Before anybody counts up how many rrl ee of road can be built with the motor vehicle license taxes covered In to the proposed highway fund by the West high finance road bills It might be well to consider a point or two. At the election in 110 the people adopted a constitutional amendment providing, among other things, that "r.o bill regulating taxation or exemp tion throughout the state shall become a law until approved by the people of th state at a regular general election. Tl Oregonlan does not profess to have a profound legal knowledge, but it Is Its understanding . that a li cense becomes a tax when It ex ceeds the cost of its own collection. The law regulating the licensing of motor vehicles and the. license far exceeds the cost of collecting- It was adopted by the Legislature subsequent to the adoption of the constitutional amendment referred to. The law has never been referred to the people. The Oregonlan Is not now definitely asserting that the motor vehicle tax is unconstitutional. Auto owners so far axe paying it without question. But somebody may elect to teat It, and he may succeed in destroying that portion of the automobile law. It therefore might be wise for the Governor to get out law No. t validating the motor li cense tax before he lets any road con tracts under his one-man-power bills In anticipation of road money from automobile owners. TEXAS OX HER WGVTTT. To the proposal of Mexico to move a detachment of troops over her terri tory, the United States was at first willing to give neighborly acquiescence. Not so the government , of Texas. Governor Colquitt, of that state. Is properly apprehensive that such move ment would be taken in an unfriendly spirit by Mexican rebels to an extent that would place In Jeopardy the live and property of Americans. Discre tion is by common consent assessed as the better part of valor. The troubles of the Mexicans are not our troubles unless we make them so. "He that meddleth with strife that belongeth not to him." said the Wise Man. "is like a man that taketh a dog by the ears." Mexico Is In the throes of a revolu tion the extent of which la as yet in determinate. Revolution Is indeed her chronic condition of late, and American interference, even by lmpli cat'on, ran mean. but one thing the thing that It meant when Texas was acquired after several sharp and bloody battles. Unless we want to ac quire some more Mexican territory 1 and with it a mongrel people for whom we have no possible use a few thou sand more of the class described by Kipling as "half devil and half child" It will be the part of diplomacy to refuse favors to the Mexican govern ment In the movement of Its troops that may readily be construed by the rebellious citizens of that pseudo re public Into an act of war. Justifying reprisal upon American citizens and property. Just what It is all about this tur moil In Mexico the grand body of the American people neither know nor care. What we do know, however, is that we have had enough of Interfer ence In behalf of half-caste rebels against duly constituted authority in our experience in Cubs Mexico la a rich, grand and re sourceful country. But its people are a .drawback to its acquirement that should give us pause in any act that may be construed or made to lead o the necessity of taking that pountry over and becoming responsible for its fu ture development and destiny. The voice of Texas Is tha voice of prudence. It Is a good deal easier to keep out of trouble with a passionate, revengeful, unreasoning people than to get out of trouble when once we are In it. MBS. CRA3TD ALL'S RESOLVE. Mrs. Frederick Crandall's Intended utc of the millions she is expected to re.elve from the Hawley fortune goes far to prove her fitness to have wealth, although she has Just been released from prison, A woman whose first desire Is to give her children knowl edge and training and who purposes) to teach them to make their own way In the world la so well balanced that her Incarceration can only be at tributed to her marriage with a drunkard. The possession of wealth la the greatest test of character. Those who hajl It as the means of enabling them to live in idleness prove that it is a curse to them. Children who are brought up in the expectation of a life of pleasure are deprived of the great est and most lasting pleasure, which is the development and useful exercise of their mental and physical powers. With those powers developed and with the habit of useful work formed, they are equipped to find an enduring Joy In the product of hand and brain and In the esteem of their fellow men. All other pleasures pall, when there la no work to stimulate an appetite for them, and weariness of them leads to vice In a aetvrch for new ones. The fact that poor men form the habit of work through necessity causes men to value wealth mainly because It relieves them of this necessity. If the rich would but see that their wealth should not give them Immunity from labor, but should merely be used In performing a higher type of labor in a broader field, they would, gain respect Instead of the contempt too often earned by them. As the French nobleman was guided by the motto, "Noblesse oblige." they should know that "richeeae oblige." THS TALCS OF ARBITRATION. There is a pronounced difference of opinion about the real importance of the arbitration treaties now before the Senate. One newspaper which speaks for a very Intelligent class of readers believes that they are "of transcendent tr.portance because they enlarge so enormously the sphere of arbitrable questions. They make a breach in the classic argument" that questions con cerning the National honor must never be arbitrated. This Is one view. A writer In the New York Sun expresses the opposite. In his opinion the treat ies ought to be ratified because they can do no harm and may possibly do s.. te good, but he thinks that "both the friends and enemies of arbitration greatly exaggerate their Importance as breeders of either peace or war." This writer pertinently points out that ami cable sentiment has ' been steadily s uigthenlng between this country s 1 Great Britain ever since the War of 1812. The fact that these two pow ers were the only ones largely inter ested In maintaining the peace of the American Hemisphere naturally drew them together and disposed them to co-operate In friendly relations.' At the time of the Civil War Eng land was confronted with the question whether It would be more for her In terest to see the United States cut up Into several hostile sections . or pre served as a united country. At first British opinion inclined to the former view, but it finally settled into the firm conviction that the peace of the world would be guarded more safely if the United States retained Its Integrity. From that day to this England has been our steadfast friend and has shared with us the dominating influ ence In the Western Hemisphere. This Impregnable friendship has not been csused by the negotiation of arbitra tion treaties. On the contrary, the disposition to arbitrate has grown out of the friendship and that has arisen from a community of Interest. "The fair conclusion would be that nations will be disposed to arbitrate their dif ferences when the friendly ties between them, developed by mutual interest, have become so numerous that war must necessarily be ruinous, which ever wins the victory. When, as In the case of Italy and Turkey, there are few such ties or none at all, the thought of arbitration will not be entertained. When the trouble between Italy and Turkey became serious It was suggest ed that the Issue be left to The Hague tribunal to , decide. Italy refused. But later on. when she became in volved in controversy with France over the seizure of ships and passen gers, she was quite ready to arbitrate. The reason was clear enough. The controversy with France did not touch upon Italy's imperial ambitions, while It did Imperil financial and social in terests so weighty that it seemed worth while to make sacrifices rather than pu- them at stake. A superficial ob server commenting upon these circum stances might ask of what use The Hague tribunal is, inasmuch as only controversies are turned over to it whlcii nations do not deem fundament ally Important. This remark would apply to our French and British rela tions even if the arbitration treaties should be adopted, because it must be left to the Senate to determine, direct ly or Indirectly, what questions are "Justiciable." We should not trust The Hague tribunal to decide questions which Involved the National honor or existence, no matter how the arbitra tion treaties might read. All this is true, but there Is a ready answer to It which greatly diminishes its force. We may grant that no questions which nations regard as fundamentally or vitally important will ever be turned over to The Hague tribunal. In other words, they will permit the tribunal to decide only those issue -which, they do not wish to fight over. But It does not follow that the tribunal is not of great importance now, or that it will not be come more Important with time. The questions which nations want to fight over do not remain always the same. They have in the past fought over tri fles which they would be ashamed to go to war about today. The growth of humane sentiment and the multiplica tion of the ties of International finance constantly diminish the number of sub jects which nations want to fight over. Without The Hague tribunal these minor issues, which are yearly Increas ing in number and weight, must either be left at loose ends or disposed of by separate negotiation, with all its para phernalia and expense. But with the international tribunal sitting at The Hague such matters go before it as a matter of course, and the habit of set tling troubles amicably strengthens on account of the ease with which It can be done. The Hague tribunal, as we perceive, nourishes the sources of its own vital ity. No doubt a time will come when many questions which now seem to be of fundamental importance will look less serious. Centuries ago differences of religion were Important enough to lead to war. Opinion has altered on that subject. It may alter on others. We may see the safety of international credit regarded within & few years as the most momentous matter in the world of practical life. If that ever happens there will be no more wars between civilized nations because war and credit are incompatible terms. The only effect of a victory, apart from romantic exultation or grief, would be to annihilate credit, and by that who gains anything? It follows, therefore, that much may be won for peace by the ratification of the arbitration treat ies, even If they do not bring war to an instant end. ' Treaties, like statutes, not only gauge the level of public opinion when they are concluded, but they tend to raise the level to a higher mark. AX IXXKRKSTrNG KtPEBIStEXT. The large proportion of young men scarcely beyond boyhood who are among the inmates of penal lnstltu tlons Is a fact that calls for explana tion, examination and careful study. looking to possible remedy. But that they are recruited from the ranka of youth the number of convicts would soon drop to the minimum in every penal Institution In the land. Ignor ance begets in these young people a lack of self-respect, and this In turn leads to orlme of the predatory type by which many young men land in the penitentiary, and for the most part leave hope behind. To correct this condition, to a certain extent and open the door of the pos sible r enlevement of lost opportunity. the warden of the Washington State Prison at Walla Walla has inaugurated a night school in connection with that Institution whereby convicts under 25 years of age may pursue the studies that were neglected in childhood and leave prison when their terms expire wltt a promise of usefulness that was before denied them. The story of the need of Instruction in the ordinary subjects taught in the public schools up to and Including the eighth grade Is shown In the fact that the classes enrolled under this system in the Washington Penitentiary will contain between seventy-five and one hundred young men under 15 years of age. This In a country of free schools and compulsory education laws is astound ing. It comes mainly from one cause. Parental irresponsibility, rendered more pernicious by the greed of sordid parents, is at the bottom of it. The tares sown by parental neglect bud in ignorance, bloom in waywardness and bear fruit In crime. High finance m England sometimes has the same climax as in the United States. As Morse, broken in health, reputation and spirit, travels to Paden Nauhelm, he may read of the sentence passed on Ernest Terah Hooley, once a king of finance in London. As brothers in distress, they might ex change greetings. Members of the I. W. W. who are moving in force upon San Diego are to be met at the gates, it Is said, by citizens armed with horsewhips and driven back. The weapons of warfare used In this case are most fitting. They represent the "rod for the fool's back" as specified by Solomon. Secret Imprisonment, as proposed by the Spokane . police, smacks too much of Russia to be acceptable to this country. Such power Is open to serious abuse and Its unrestrained ex ercise has been one of the many causes of revolution in the last century and a half. A former postmaster of Idaho, under sentence of embezzlement, lays the blame to "lavish expenditures" by his wife. Therein he is mistaken. He used poor Judgment In affairs matrimonial. These Democrats are slurring the memory of Stuart and Forrest when they propose to cut down the cavalry arm of the service. But many of them know nothing of the old days. Carter Harrison wants the Stars and Stripes displayed on large buildings at least twelve days In the year. Chl cagoans should come to the Coast to imbibe patriotism. A shortage of Green Mountain boys induces Bennington women to write to the Pacific Coast for husbands. Male orders are filled promptly out this way. Oregon can spare no farmers of the type Australia Invites, and Australia wants none of the. type- we can well spare. The girl who could let the dice make her choice between two suitors would probably have been happy with either. Bryan flings apples of discord Into Congress by the bushel, but he Is the peacemaker In Missouri. If all candidates were as sensible as Folk, what a lovely affair there would be at Baltimore. Edison says he never dreams. He need not- His daytime visions bring results. i Seattle would be a dull place with out some kind of an election on hand. Lawyers see some good pickings In the fight for the Hawley millions. Knox is going South with the Mon roe doctrine in his kit bag. Arizona dona new duds Wednesday. I LABOR COUNCIL CHARGES ISTRIK Union Mil la Central Orcajom Refntea Circular Letter. REDMOND.- Feb. 10. (To the Ed itorsThe unwarranted indictment of the public spirit of' the commercial or ganizations of Oregon contained In an official letter sent out by the Central Labor Council of Portland, warning homeseekers not to come to Oregon, will have a far different effect on the Portland labor market from that In tonilMi hv its makers. For the sake of charity let us suppose that, while the I committee delegated to draw up this letter knew the number of square miles in Oregon, outside of Portland and vicinity it had no reliable infor i matlon on the resources or conditions existing throughout the state. The writer, up to six years ago. was a resident of New York City and busi ness agent of the Brotherhood of Painters and Decorators of America for some time previous to moving to Ore gon, "Central Oregon. If you please." where labor conditions are not so de plorable as this letter would have out siders believe. In Central Oregon alone there are more than 2,600.000 acres of vacant farming lands, both Irrigated and dry lands: no better irrigated lands for diversified farming can be found in the United States than those In Crook County around Redmond. Lands that can be purchased on long time at 840 per acre, including a perpetual water right, do not seem unreasonably high. The deplorable labor conditions now said to be existing in Portland have never existed In Central Oregon, nor in any thinly settled district, except in some cases where there had been a crop failure. No type of real estate men are to blame for the destitution and suffering said to exist in Portland this Winter, as set forth in this letter. This lack of employment among the laboring classes and artisans Is generally prevalent In all large cities that are having a rapid gTOWth, If there Is any decline In build ing operations, which generally hap pens during the Winter months. No state has ever found It necessary to advertise outside the state for labor, no matter how great the demand. The labor unions are always posted on de mand and generally oversupply the market in rapidly growing centers. The Southern California orange lands and Coxey's army argument reads like the emanation of a disordered brain. People who are able to buy land at $1000 per acre are seldom "the objects of public charity, and those who sell these high-priced lands. In order to re invest their money, are large employers of labor. No one will take issue with the Cen tral Labor Council in denouncing In the strongest terms the practice of certain employers of advertising In Eastern papers for help and setting forth erroneous conditions as to wages and demand, having in view the oversup plying of labor in this market and thereby tending to reduce wages. But the commercial Interests of both Port land and the state at large should take Issue with the Central Labor Council In the following misstatements and in sinuations, namely: That open country suitable -for farming has long ago been all taken up; that the State of Oregon Is, in the main, a great wilderness of forests and mountains, etc. Secretary Lawrence states that the object aimed at in the wide distribu tion of this letter was to correct a wrong impression prevalent in the East through unreliable advertisements. Would It not have been the part of wisdom if the Central Labor Council had confined Its letter to labor condl tlons and known facts If it wished to publish to the world its deplorable condition in Portland? The cause of the present condition of labor In Portland and other large cities lies In the fact that the towns are growing more rapidly than the country. The solution lies along the lines laid out by the Portland Commer cial Club and the Oregon Development .League, which are spending thousands of dollars annually to attract people to Oregon's Idle farm lands, and whose motto Is. "People the country and the cities will take care of themselves." The motto of labor unions, "In union there Is strength," does not apply when work Is scarce and the rent due. A good motto would be. Spread out! Don't crowd!" which, if heeded, would soon result In a better and healthier condition in our large cities. H. F. JONES, Mayor. OXE VIEW OF CHRISTIAN SCIEXCB Writer Finds Better Philosophy la "Ex " art Troth." PORTLAND, Feb. 3. (To the Editor.) The able criticism in The Oregonlan of the efficacy of sacred books in matters relating to exact knowledge strikes one as being an impartial Judgment of the respective positions of Dr. Boyd and Mr. Van Meter In regard to Christian Science. Their statements apparently were unfortunately clouded by tradl tlonal beliefs, medieval without doubt. ana also somewhat hastily cast to gether. The Bible, though a wonderful store of archalclsms and legend and religion, Is now unscientific and mythical to In telligent students of progressive his tory. And Science and Health, with its pseudomystlclsm and ambiguities. Its symbolic imagery that closely follows other apocalyptical figures as in Rev elation and the Sybillene Books, its futile efforts to express evidently bor rowed science Intelligently, air con tribute to place It in a category neither high nor useful. What then Is the value of Christian Science? It has a slight ethical value, for certain minds find It a consolation The Scientist, were he a perfect one, would stand forth as Spinoza's ideal ethical and non-cosmic man. But, the limitations of mundane affairs closely restrict him to obviously beaten paths of credulity and untutored appreciation of definite knowledge. Such a course cannot be taken by those versed In the higher phases of life's poetry: some how discordancy and Its concomitant resultants Immediately crystallize Into confusion. Science and Christian Science have done much toward combating the de monology of orthodoxy. By a mere de nial this terrible doctrine has lost much of its significance. Similarly the In ferno is proportionately narrowed and retribution ignored. It seems that In this. Christian Science has done a great work, but It should be purged of Its cant and stock denials of much that makes life worth living. By a refusal to recognise evil, no one can alleviate It, and there is assuredly a vast amount of remediable misery among us. "Dost thou love life and eternity?" spake Zaraathusa, "then go forth among men upon earth and teach them and thou shalt tnen be taugnt by them. To acquire exact truth seems to me to be a better philosophy than either Ed dylstn or Calvinism. C. A. OLSON. 528 Northrup at. Children of Sheridan. TWIN FALLS, Idaho, Feb. 9. (To the Editor.) Please tell me the age of the poet. Aloyslus Coll, where he lives and all facts concerning birthplace that are generally known. Also the ages, residence and names of the children of General Sheridan and maiden name of his wife, ROT Y. BOGARD. Aloyslus Coil's biography is not In Who's Who or ths Portland Public Li brary. Most of his poems were pub lished in the Pacific Monthly, from which office inquiries might be made. Write to Sunset-Pacific Monthly, San Francisco, Cal. No mention is made, in several biog raphies consulted, of any children be ing born to General Sheridan. He mar ried. In 1878, a Miss Rucker. I NEED OP REX-TIGARDTILLB ROAD i Writer Deems Hlsbway aSaaentlal to Advancement of City and Country. PORTLAND, Feb. 8. (To the Editor.) It Is a strange statement to make that the largest and most fertile valley of the world once extensively farmed or used for grazing purposes Is now being overgrown by forests and fast becom ing a wilderness. To say extensively used for agricultural and grazing pur poses is not exactly correct because the population has been comparatively small, yet it is a fact beyond refutation that the heavy growth of brush and timber covering one-half or possibly two-thirds the area of the Willamette Valley and equally fertile foothills is not to exceed 40 or 50 years old. The oak and flr brush have taken posses sion of the pasture land and climbed the fences Into the fields and In many Instances covered the fields, leaving only the potato patch on some of the finest donation land claims. There are a few square or rectangu lar fields In some parts, but it is a fact that the oak grub is getting the best of the Willamette Valley farmer. For many years past the boys and girls have left the farm for city life at an earlv tia and the old man with his broad acres who has contented himself by raising a few rat-tall calves and scratching up a few acres has proven himself a poor factor to contend with the exuberant forces of Nature. Cordwood, piling and lumber are be ing cut from land once plowed by the early pioneers. The Jackrabbit and coyote have crossed the mountain from Eastern Oregon to find protection in this great wilderness. It has become a disgrace and a serious and alarming situation. Something must be done. Small brush may be cleared from 5 to $10 per acre, but a few years' growth' makes it impossible to clear the land for less than 100 per acre with avail able labor. Face the situation squarely; the Wil lamette Valley if not entirely a wilder ness now soon will be. Note the growth of shrubbery In one's yard and think 'of the rapid growth and spread of the natural forest unchecked by human in dustry and one may form a fair idea of the outlook for the commercial and Industrial development of Portland so far as support from Western Oregon Is concerned. Do the great department stores of Portland, of such magnitude as to make one wonder where they find buyers for their goods, care anything about the development and settlement of the state? Upwards of Jl, 000,000 Is being expended annually by the railroads and commercial bodies in advertising this wonderful land of opportunity, and yet a very small number are settling in the Willamette Valley; an insufficient num ber at any rate to keep bacU the oak grub. The owners of railroads and electric lines must hit upon a better plan. No one knows the best way of settling this great valley, but I believe If the com mercial bodies, railroads and business men would Join hands and help raise the measly $7000 to complete the fund to build the Rex-Tlgardville road, giv ing a magnificent highway connection between Portland and the Willamette Valley, it would do more good than a whole year's expenditure for colored literature. Good roads are surely the only salvation. The Willamette Valley must be set tled by an industrious people and If I was running the publicity department of a railroad company I would take a small amount of the annual appropria tion and go to Europe and bring over a hundred thousand soli workers and place them on small tracts. If the retail and wholesale mer chants of Portland have any Interest in helping, to get a million and a half people In the Willamette Valley they might subscribe a tew aoiiars 10 wo Rex-Tlgardville road tuna. The country must be settled for the best Interests of Portland, that her growth may be natural and not arti ficial. Nohlnsf can be of such wonder ful importance as one decent highway to the Willamette Valley. GEORGE E. WAGGONER. Without discounting the value of an improved Rex-Tlgardvllle road. The Oregonlan deems It proper to ODserve that Mr. waggoner s tears mat ini Willamette Valley Is returning to s wilderness state are not well grounded. A census bulletin from which The Ore gonlan published copious extracts re cently reDorts an Increase of approxi mately 100.000 acres in Improved farm area in the valley in the last census decade. SUPERVISOR OF CORPORATIONS Good Companies Need Protection by Exposure of the Bad Ones. LA GRANDE. Or., Feb: 9. (To the Editor.) The articles in The Orego nian lately concerning the "get-rich quick" orchard scheme, doing business on air. and possibly some options on sand dunes and water rights near the Columbia River in Eastern Washington, have been widely copied ana win no rinnht serve to warn the investing pub- He ae-ainst such Investments. We should have a law in Oregon like that In force In some other states, giving the Bank Commissioner of the state Jurisdiction over these corporations, and tneir as sets should pass the Commission the same as a bank before they are allowed to start their operations, This would protect the public and would stimulate legitimate develop ment of the orchard business or any other line. There are orchard builders In Oreeon now who court Investigation not only by expert accountants, but by the best horticulturists and soil experts In the country, and they are entitled to protection. GEOBBE Li. ULJSA VfiK, .Banner. Self-Supporting States. NORTH PORTLAND, Feb. 9. (To the Editor.) To decide a bet, would you kindly answer the following question? A bets B that the State of Missouri is the most self-supporting state in the United States. B bets that it la not Who wins? THOMAS c. whiik. The coint at Issue is one of those glittering generalities often boasted of by communities that cannot be proved or disproved. We know of no compila tion of figures that would settle the dispute. Divorces la Ca.ifor-'-t. PORTLAND. Feb. 8. t'o the Edi tor.) A person got a divorce in Cali fornia In 1907 but failed to get the final decree In 1908 on account of not having ready cash on hand. If said person married again would it be legal or not? A SUBSCRIBER. Under California's law a person is not legally divorced until final decree is Issued. Carneale Hero Fond. fFnrr,pn nr.. FVh. 7. f To the Edi tor.) Will you kindly give the proper procedure to bring a name before the Carnegie hero commission? MrJUf OnDITE. -nr; t. V W WIlmnL KAf.rAtn.rv Carnegie hero fund commission, Pitts burg, Pa, Monnt Washington! RAINIER, Or., Feb. 9. (To the Edi tor.) I see in The Oregonlan a sug gestion in the Interest of harmony that the name of Mount Rafnler-Tacoma be changed to Mount Jim Hill. Don't you think Mount Washington would meet all purposes and have a better ring to ltt JOHN SMITH. A TRIBUTE By Dean Collins, Over the land we unite today To cast the wreaths of honor and fame ' . Reverently In the deathless fires That on the altar of mem'ry flame; For It is fitting that we should pay Tribute to Lincoln's natal day. Many the wreaths of honor are cast To Lincoln, the statesman, to Lincoln, the man; Who held the bonds of our Union sound. Who lifted the shadow of slavery's ban Who, through the stress of the four red years. Smiled, though his eyes were full of tears. Let this be the wreath that I cast among The wreaths of those that are wiser than I: I bow to the man who could keep his smile Though sorrow and death o'er gloomed the sky; My tribute to him who knew the art Of a smile In spite of a heavy heart. Portland. Feb. - 11. Half a Century Ago From The Oregonl&n of February 12, 1S62.- The whole tenor of the late Eastern news is cheering to the Union men. The great expedition which has been collecting at the mouth of the Ohio has left. But for where? The commanders have kept their own counsel, and we do not known the point they are aiming at. It may be Columbus; it may be Nashville; may be New Orleans. General Burnslde's expedition has left for some point on the Atlantic Coast, probably tho country on Pamlico Sound, to operate with the Union men of North Carolina, General Butler's forces are moving on the coast of Mississippi, taking all the towns in their way. The vast force of the rebels is still kept upon the Potomac by the presence of General McClellan's forces, while the troops and naval forces are operating in their rear. It is a great object to keep these rebel forces idle and to demoralize them. Missouri is clear of any large rebel force, and small squads are being picked up by our troops. The rebels have been driven out of Western Virginia. We are glad that the President has declined to accept General Stgel's resig nation. The country should not lose his services, and justice should be done him, Messrs. Chase. Taylor, Reese. Gray and Trewell arrived in this city yes terday overland from Walla Walla and The Dalles. They left Walla Walla on the 8th of January, and arrived at The Dalles on last Wednesday, the 6th Inst.. and left that place on the 7th for this city. Messrs. Tracy & Co. have fur nished us with a copy of the following letter written to them by their agent at The Dalles: "Dalles, Feb. 6. 1882. ''Mr. Jones arrived yesterday with the express all right- Seven men arrived last evening from Walla Walla, part of them with feet badly frozen. They left Mr. Brown, of Walla Walla, on the road between John Day's and the Deschutes, exhausted. They burled him alive in the snow, but with both feet frozen. Messrs. Palmer and Hatchet went from Deschutes to his assistance, but re turned last evening without finding him. Brown had about 30 pounds of gold dust with him. Tho party left William Albright at John Day's with 450 express letters and 70 pounds of dust. "Mr. Jones left here this evening with two men to bring the express through and, if possible, to find and brlrig In Mr. Brown. This man is of the firm of Brown & Stanifore. "A party arrived this evening from Grand Ronde. One of them found Brown on the road and slept with him all night (4th), left him at 10 A. M. (Eth) buried in the snow and alive, but unable to use his feet at alL There are reports of others frozen on the road, but none definite. No snow in Grand Ronde Valley. Frozen men all doing well. Moody will have all the toes of his right foot taken off tomorrow by Dr. H. L. Roberts." We visited the singing school last night In the Presbyterian Church on the corner of Third and Morrison streets, under the direction of Mr. H. Law. The singing was highly enter taining. About 30 ladles and gentle men attend as scholars. The steamer Cowlitz left here yes terday morning and, not having re turned at a late hour last night, is sup posed to have worked her way through the ice in the Columbia River and suc ceeded In reaching her destination. A motion has been made In th! Court of Claims at Washington to strike from the docket claims of citi zens from seceded states. If this in done it will throw upon such citizens the onus of proof to satisfy the court of their loyalty. The question seems to be In a fair way for being deter mined whether disloyal citizens can hold and enjoy property In the loyaL states. Country Town Sayings by Ed Howe Don't neglect your business unless your opponent will agree to neglect his at the same time. Every time you repeat a bad story you know littla about, it's a pity you cannot be cross-examined for the de fense. The real test of housekeeping Is to keep a cow successfully. Every man Is probably shocked be cause his opinions are not more gener ally accepted; and that there, are so many contrary to nis. I received a long letter today, appar ently written for no other reason than to use the word "concept, which the writer had probably only lately discov ered. Another word I very much dis like Is "cosmic." Union and non-union men hats each other as cordially as Infidels and Chris tians; but infidels and Christians get along better. A revolution will, not raise corn to feed the hungry, but It will take many workers out of the corn fields and give them opportunity to shoot other corn raisers. Practically all managers of big insti tutions in this country have grown up from the ranks. Show me a business managed by a man appointed solely be cause he inherited wealth and I'll show you a business steadily losing to its rivals. Mexico is really of great use to the United States; it Is trying a lot of ex periments, and we may adopt or reject them, as they succeed -or fall. When you read a continued story in which a Lord marries a poor girl, and a good deal is made of an old silver tea pot in the girl's family, that's a sign of a happy ending In which the bride will turn, out to be a Countes h