Morning Oregonian., April 03, 1912, Page 10, Image 10

OREGOXIAN. WEDNESDAY. APRIL 3. 1912.
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PORTUNP. WEDJtESDAT. AFIUI. 1. '
TAl-T. CRIATET A( HIKVEMe-NT.
The greatest achievement of Presi
dent Tat 1 without question tha en
forcement of the anti-trust law Thl
was the mt distinctive of the Rocwe
velt policies, to which Taft undertook
to adhere. He has profited by tha
failure, and the Inevitable mistake, of
hi. predecessor and ha therefor
been able to continue that policy with
even greater success and to show sub
stantial result.
Whan Taft became President he
found suit pending- for the dissolu
tion of several of the greatest trusts
and he ha carried nearly all of them
to a successful termination. Moat Im
portant were tha aulta against tha
Standard Oil Company and tha Ameri
can Tobacco Company. In winning
w hlch ha haa aecured leading declalona
from the Supreme Court which define
tha meaning- and acop of the law and
furntsh a guide to further leglalatlon.
The two moat Important defeata ha
haa ur fared are In the case of the
llarrlman merger and the beef trust,
both of which he Inherited from hla
trcdeceasor. Tha Harrlman case ha
not been finally decided, aa an appeal
U pending. The beef trust, which
everybody believe to exist, although
Its existence seemingly cannot ba
proved to a Jury beyond a reasonable
doubt, appears now to be Immune
from legal molestation. Other truata
hare been prosecuted In Increasing
numbers and the moral effect of the
Government's victor! haa been such
that several of them have thrown up
their hand and voluntarily dissolved
aa noon aa suit begun.
Tha success of tha President's anti
trust policy Is attested most forcibly
bv the attitude of hla opponent. Early
in h'a Administration the fact that Attorney-General
Wlckersham had for
merly been connael for some of tha
trusts was cited aa evidence of sym
pathy with them. Wlckersham haa
alienced these critics and has devel
oped a new crop among the trusts
themselves, who accuse him of Injur
ing "business" and running counter to
modern economic methods." The In
surgent hava ceased to accuse Taft
of subservience to "the money pow
er" and now. dwell upon the neces
sity of regulation Instead of dissolu
tion of the trusts. Colonel Roosevelt
j, lace mora emphasis on tha folly of
regarding mere slsa aa an offense
against the law than on the necessity
of preventing even potential monop
oly. With much less noise, but far more
vigorous and successful action than
marked the course of hla present chief
opponent. Taft haa brought the trust
lo the point where they beg for super
vision, as the condition of permission
to survive. We have reached the
point where such Democratic news
papers aa the New Tork World use
praise of Taffa anti-trust policy as a
club with which to belabor Roosevelt.
Tha "World saya of hlmr
Ha haa persuaded himself that to proee
ruta and dissolve tha Standard Oil and
tnbacca truata was to ba prosraeajve In deeds.
Ta prosicute tha dlractnrs of tha beef truat
and sucar troat, who previous to tha Taft
Administration bad enjoyed personal Im
munity, sorely meant real profreee. To put
aa trial for their lives tha (teal truat anil
tha harvester trust was to ba mora procree
aie la deads tbaa ta forbid their pnawa.
Itoa and to (rant to tha "Morgan intereata
that have beaa ao friendly to ua an execu
tive lloaaaa ta absorb bualaeae competitor.
To aoaaa big bueiaeea anderetand once for a't
that It must equar Iteelf to the laar of
rompatlbaa and the law asalnal monopoly,
and not eipect apaclal prtTtlrcea In rtura
for political support, was to ha prosreeaua
la dead. To aafaraw the Hbermaa law
throush the coarta aad not lo auepend It at
private audience In tha White iiouae was
tha proof of PToanaalveneea.
The pretended progressive have
been driven by Taffa progressiva
deed to seek new and revolutionary
polk-iea a Justification for their claim
to the title, for they dare not criticise
tha one achievement of hi Adminis
tration which stand out above all the
many others.
SACKED MEMORY.
"Old Willamette." a the univeraity
at Salem ia affectionately called by
Ua graduate son and daughter, ha
been much In tha llmallsht lately
through the generous Impulses that
hava caused a grand rally to It sup
port and make possible the extension
of It labors. To add to tha Interest
thus ahown and to the material bene
fit that ar to ba derived from It. an
unexpected donor haa coma forward
with a munificent donation which will
bo applied, not to Ha necessities aa
existing at present, but to It power
for usefulness In tha future by adding
to Ua endowment fund.
Another reminder of the lingering
affection that pertalna to tha endeavor
of tha missionary era Is noted In the
effort that to being made looking- to
the erection of a Jason Lea memorial
church In the city that, as a village in
the heart of a beautiful wlderneo. was
the ecena of tha labors of this devoted
disciple of Methodism.
The pious xeal as reflected in the
intrepid courage and earnest en
deavors of Rev. Jaaon Lee la a matter
of history. A touch of romance wa
added to hi early missionary efforts
by hi marriage to Anna Maria Pit
man. June 14. Ml. Mlsa Pitman had
Journeyed from her home In New
York via tha Sandwich Islands, tha
Columbia River and Fort Vancouver,
with tb understanding; that, should
they "suit each other." she and Jason
Lea were to ba married In due time
after her arrival. Mlsa Pitman, In
company with other missionaries,
reached Fort Vancouver on May IS.
1IJ7. having sailed from Boston on
July 28. 1SJ. The meeting; of the
pair, as described In Bancroft's His
tory of Oregon, probably written by
France Fuller Victor, who was em
ployed upon this detail work and dis
charged her trust faithfully and with
tender touch, was embarrassing, but
an ardent courtship at once ensued,
with the result that they were married
on the day before mentioned In a
beautiful grove near the mission
house. On the 26th of the following
June. Anne Maria Pitman Lee died
and was buried with her Infant son
on her breast first among the firs
beneath which she had stood when
her marriage vowa were taken, and
later In the mission graveyard at Sa
lem, upon the headstone of which la
recorded these words:
Reaeath this sod. tha flrst over broken In
Oreon for the reception of a white mother
and bar child, lie burled the rwtulm or
Anna Mans pitman, wifa of Rv. Jaaoa L.
and her Infant aoa.
Contemplation of this part of or In
cident In the life of Rev. Jason Lee
in Oregon force the conclusion that
tha Leo Memorial Church ahould not
be erected to tha memory of Jason
Lee alone, but that his heroic wlfe.
whose life went out early In tha mis
sionary year, should ehare with him
specifically, and not merely by Implica
tion, the honor of the memorial. Hi
was a man's part, forceful and sturdy,
but superior to hardship through the
physical strength that he brought to
It: hers, tha woman' portion Involving
maternity without the alda and com
fort of civilised life, tog-ether with
the missionary's portion, which In
volved, with the exception of preach
ing, all the labor that her husband
performed. Including hi absence from
her during the last anxious months of
her life and at tha tlma of her death.
It 1 right and proper that a Lea
memorial church be erected at Salem
a church dedicated to the memory
of Jason Lea and Anne Maria Pitman,
his wife. Let thla edifice be built of
enduring- granite, and to be true to
history and sacred in it tenderest
senss- to memory, let a memorial win
dow ba placed representing tha ascen
sion of a fair young mother svlth her
Infant son. the child of her lov and
self-sacrifice. In her arm. Let Jaaon
Lee be remembered and honored In the
remembrance, but let not Anne Maria
ritman. hla self-sacrificing; wife, ba
forgotten.
"VOC ARK NOW OJf TRIAL. NOT I."
The following- extraordinary state
ment make up the exordium of Jon
athan Bourne'a address "to the people
of Oregon" In support of his own can
didacy for re-election, and Is printed
in the official state pamphlet:
Toa are now oa trial, not I. My method
of makins no campaign for re-election to the
I nurd States Hanata Is entirely new In tha
popular government movement. It Is up
to you to demonstrate whether yon have the
Intelligence to recognise aad appreciate good
public service by retaining public eervanta
who make good or whether you prefer to
return to tha old campaign system usa of
money, character aeeaealntlon. personal eon.
tracts, sophistry, misleading statements, and
skillful straddling of leading questions.
Are the people fit to rule? They
are fit to rule, according to Senator
Bourne, If they re-elect him to the
United Statea Senate: they are not fit
to rule If they do not return him to
tha United Statea Senate.
That la the sum. aubstance. height,
length, breadth and thickness of the
entire issue.
The people of Oregon have no op
tion or choice or alternative. If they
are "intelligent" enough to re-elect
Mr. Bourne the Oregon system Is a
success. If they are not "Intelligent"
enough to re-elect Mr. Bourne the
Oregon system la a failure.
We rather think Mr. Bourne has
presumed entirely too much upon the
fact when he assumes that the fate
of the Oregon system and the future
of the Oregon people are inextricably
involved with his own political for
tunes. (.EVERAL AMSArLT OX WILHO.N.
Henry Watterson makes the state
ment of the New Tork World that
Wood row Wilson is still the leading
candidate for the Democratic nomin
ation the occasion for a wholesale
denunciation of Wilson as the weakest
candidate in the field. He offers In
the Courier-Journal to gamble a din
ner "that at no time In the balloting
of the Baltimore convention will the
Oovernor of New Jersey attain a plu
rality or even approach the two-thirds
necessary to a choice." He describes
the claims made by the Wilson liter
ary bureau aa "fairy tales the most
preposterous." He declares that of
actual delegates outside of Oklahoma,
where Wilson only secured half, the
Pennsylvania delegation "is all that
appears visible to the naked eye" In
the way of Wilson delegates, while
Wilson lost Kansas. He calls the cry
of conspiracy raised against Clark.
Underwood and Harmon a sign of
panic over discover' that the Wil
son boom Is on the wane.
Most unkind comparisons are made
between Wilson and hla three rivals
Clark. L'nderwood and Harmon.
Colonel Watterson says the Oovernor
"was unknown to the public life of
the time two short years ago," while
the other men "have been for two dec
adea In the forefront of the battle."
He ha "reversed the convictions of a
lifetime on becoming a candidate."
but of the three other candidates Wat
terson says:
t'nderwood. Clark aad Harmoa hava to
make ao renunciations. They bava written
no books. There are no secret chapters In
thalr Uvea. They hava not changed froat
epon any of the momentous laauea of tha
tlma. It la aot avra of record that any ona
of them haa gone back oa a friend, or
takea favoia and spurned tha hand that
(are them. Yet. according tn tha Wltaoa
Preea Agency, tbay must Dot offer aa ran
didatea. because In soma myatertous way
kaown only to college clubs and awallow
tatled mugwump eoctettee, and paraphrased
by tha New Torn world, "he Is the only
candidate who baa enowo strength la all
aectlons of tha couatry." moving ona to ask
what strength and where?
The Colonel quotes a hitting- the
nail squarely on the head an article
In the Jacksonville Times-Union,
which he describes as a "true mouth
piece of the Democracy of the South."
Thla paper accuses Wilson of Inspiring-
the conspiracy charge. It calls
him "a man who ha butted Into a
Democratic campaign armed with
nothing- but an un-Democratic record
and the avowal of popullstlc principles
and who feela It necessary to do ahady
work when he flnda himself In com
petition with statesmen who have
been fighting; for the party when he
wa voting- the Republican ticket or
remaining; away from the polls." In
contrast with Underwood' and Clark'a
fidelity to the Democracy, it cite his
denunciation a Populists a late as
1907 of all Democrats who were
heartily supporting- the Democratic
ticket. . It continues:
Oovernor Wilson may hava baea sincere In
refusing to vote the pemocratlc ticket be
cause ho thought It savored of populism.
Maay men ware. if a may ba sincere now
In contending for tha Initiative and referen
dum. Many man are. But ha la tha only
man wa know who haa Jumped from ona
extreme to the other, and wa believe ha
was Insincere or Is Insincere In one of his
two opposite positions Or supposing him
Blncera la both, wa do not believe the Dem
ocrats will nominate or tha people would
elect a man who had mada over all his
political principles after hs entered tha
fight for the nomination.
The Courier-Journal calls this atata.
ment rnmnleta and conclusive and
says that "next to the Roosevelt third,
term fiasco," the Wilson candidacy
"hag been making Itself most noisy
and absurd." It attributes the support
given Wilson by some Republican
newspapers to the belief that he "is
the only nominee we cannot possibly
elect." It concludes with this parting
shot:
He Is sn able and an accomplished mn.
But he Is. ks every element that enters Into
the making of. a good President, whilst his
record Is full of seams and snares which
would make him a bad candidate. Hence,
wherever one may ba found who hates De
mocracy and wishes III to the Democratic
party, he Is for Wilson.
The Wilson boomers evidently have
sadly blundered. By their assault on
all the other leading candidates they
have provoked this united movement
on their own man. They alleged a
secret conspiracy and In consequence
have to face open war from a united
opposition.
PlTflHIIED EXOUGUT
Temple Alexander was a trusted ac
countant of the O.-W. R. N. Com
pany. He devised an elaborate scheme
of forgery and falsification by which
he wa enabled to steal in four year
nearly $20,000. In that time Alex
ander had committed over S50 sepa
rate fonrerles and had covered op his
crime bv deception, conspiracy and
silence. The thefts had every element
of calculation and deliberation, yet,
when Alexander was caught and
placed on trial, ' misguided frienda
made a strong- effort for parole on
the ground that he had learned his
lesaon and need not now be punished.
They were In the fashion, for there la
a large and growing sentiment that
detection and exposure are sufficient
protection for society and adequate
action by aoclety in cases like Alex
ander'a. How we do hate to ruffle up the
feelings of a sorrowing felon who ha
been caught with the goods and who
would have forged, robbed, cheated
and betrayed all the rest of his natural
life except for the painstaking and
suspicious vigilance of hla employers.
Judge Morrow properly Insisted on
Alexander's going to prison, it was
rrost unkind and Inconsiderate of the
Judge, especially since the prisoner
was very aorry for what he had done.
We suppose that If tbls same hard
hearted Judge shall ever be called
upon to preside over the trial of the
bloodthirsty murderer who slew the
two harmless and innocent young men
on the Oswego road, he may Insist on
hanging him after he ahall be found
guilty. All the highwayman did wa
to give way to a momentary Impulse
to slay splendid youn-- men whom he
never before saw and who had done
htm no wrong In deed or thought,
merely because In tne excitement of
the moment they tried to hurry by
when he sought. In a perfectly friend
ly way, to hold them up at the muxrle
of a ahotgun and rob them.
But suppose the Judge, in his stony
zeal to do Justice, should Insist on the
law taking Its course? What of that?
Governor West stiU fills the executive
chair at Salem and his trusty pen may
be depended on to sign a reprieve. Let
tho tear-dlspenslng. flower-giving,
criminal-coddling band of hope for
all murderers take courage.
ItXID AND THE FAMILY.
The candidacy of J. D. Mickle, a
highly qualified man, for Dairy and
Food Commissioner brings to mind the
neglect with which the people of
Oregon have been inclined to treat
this Important office. The efficiency
of the human race depends upon the
food It consumes. If a man eat sub
stances which contain little nutrition
hi working capacity must obviously
be small. If his food la adulterated
or poisoned by some of Its ingredients
It necessarily follows that his ability
to produce results will be Impaired.
To children these principles apply
w-Hh redoubled force. Feeding a child
lnnutrltious food is like drying up a
stream at It fountain. It strikes at
the very foundation of future useful
ness. Martha Bensley Bruere, writing
In the current number of the Outlook,
takes the ground that every mother
of a family Is rightfully' entitled to
the best food and clothing the market
affords for the benefit of her children.
She has endured the pain and trouble
of producing the children and it is the
duty of society to make It possible
for her to obtain proper means for
rearing them to perfect manhood and
womanhood.
It is one thing, however, to lay
down this principle and another to
carry It out In practice. How we ahall
proceed In order to put adequate,
cheap and wholesome food within the
reach of every family ia a question
vhtch has not yet been answered.
Clearly It Is impossible for the typical
head of a family to Inspect the articles
which he purchases with any expert
ness. He can tell whether some of
the articles he buys are up to the
mark or not. but wlth regard to most
of them he has neither the knowledge
nor the opportunity to make proper
Inspection before purchasing, and If
he had both knowledge and opportu
nity he has not the time. What is
true for the head of the family lrrthis
particular Is In a still higher degree
true of his wife. With all the duties
which are heaped upon the ordinary
mother of a family It Is out of reason
to ask her to become a competent
food Inspector In addition to them.
Remembering as we must with what
Inefficiency and lack of competence
the usual official food Inspector per
forms his complex and difficult du
ties, is It not a little absurd to demand
of the harassed mother 'or the hard
driven father what this paid official
fails to accomplish?
If there Is one duty from which
the ordinary Inexpert Individual
should be relieved. In the opinion of
Mrs. Bruere. It Is the scientific exam
ination of food he procures for his
family. The laws, and especially the
execution of the laws, ought to be so
arranged that this duty shall be car
ried out by officials upon whom the
public can absolutely rely. Their
knowledge should be adequate and
their resolution to apply that knowl
edge In practice should be unflinch
ing. When proper government in
spection of what we must eat, tfrink
and near has been aecured. If It ever
la then there are some other problems
which, in the opinion of Mrs. Bruere,
it might be well to take up. For ex
ample, how shall we reduce the cost
to the family of the necessaries of
life? Shall we achieve the desired re
duction by the simple process of going
without? There is no question of go
ing without luxuries. It Is conceded
that the family which haa to give
thought to ways and means has no
business with luxuries In these times.
But, all thought of luxuries aside, it is
often suggested as a solution of the
high cost of living difficulty that the
ordinary family cut down Its list of
supplies. "Get the better of the beef
" r i 1 1
trust by going without fresh meat.
When eggs are worth 60 cent a dozen
drop thorn from the family diet. When
the price of butter moves skyward, use
n-. butter on your bread." This advice
sounds well, but. after all, it Is not
wise. The diet of a growing child and
a worklngman . requires such articles
as meat, eggs and butter and when
prices are such that, for the wages
earned, the family cannot have them,
there is something wrong with society
which mere abstinence cannot remedy.
In fact, abstinence Is no remedy at all.
It U simply the admission that the
evil cannot be cured and must be en
dured. Long ago the member of the English-speaking
race decided that evils
ought not to be endured. We possess
a hereditary faith that all of them can
be remedied by the application of in
telligence and courage, and it haa been
the habit of'our forefathers t persist
in the application of intelligence and
courage until the desired end haa been
attained. One of the remedies often
suggested for the high cost of living
from whlch we are all. suffering Just
now I the public market. Mrs. Bru
ere ask the pertinent question
whether or not the public market will
do all that is expected of it. In her
view It will not eliminate the middle
man, but will merely bring the whole
group of middlemen together in a ain
gle place. The food which I offered
for sale In a public market 1 necessar
ily exposed to dirt and flies much more
than it need be In store, while the
trouble of going to buy it and deliver
ing It for oneself must also be taken
Into consideration. Mra. Bruere look
with affection' upon the corner grocer.
With all hi sin she believes that he
performs a useful function In society.
He stores good for us and takea the
risk of loss from decay. He keepa
his supplies reasonably clean, at least
If he is obliged to do ao: and, best of
all. according to her view, he delivers
goods and saves the head of the fam
ily the necessity of wasting his work
ing time in straying through a public
market to find what he wants and car
rying It home after he ha purchased
It.
All this Is worth considering, and,
even If It la not found conclusive, It
will probably Incline the public to look
more and more to the Government for
help in obtaining proper food. Mrs.
Bruere cites with powerful effect the
example of the stores which the Fed
eral Government conducts at Panama.
The effect of this enterprise has been
a decided lowering of the price of food
on the Isthmus. While, for example,
the price of fresh meat ha been ris
ing in every part of the United States,
It ha been falling In the Canal Zone,
w-here between January 17, 1809, and
February 1, 1910. the price of porter
house steak fell from 29 cent to 21
cents a pound. Mrs. Bruere pointedly
asks why the -.Government cannot
bring this about elsewhere aa well aa
on the Isthmus.
Captain Robert F. Scott, who would
have discovered the South Pole had
not Captain Amundsen got Just a little
ahead of him. Intends to pass another
year in Antarctic regions. The fascin
ation of polar exploration and adven
ture must be responsible for thl de
termination, rather than the hope of
possibility of discovering thereby any
thing that will profit the world or add
treasure to the storehouse of sci
ence. A sheep range on the great
plateau In midwinter presents as
many attraction aa do the vast ice
fields of the antarctic. The only dif
ference is that the latter are hard to
reach the former easy. However
this may be Captain Scott has an
nounced that he Is In the Antarctic for
another Winter in order that he may
complete his work. His patience and
persistence, under what must be most
monotonous and colorless conditions,
are admirable and would be highly
commendable were they directed to
ward a useful object.
Harry Thaw has cot so used to be
ing examined by alienists that he
come up smiling to the encounter.
Seven of these learned humbugs have
given him a "test," as the modern
schoolma'am would say, within the
last seven months and though de
pressed somewhat by the questions of
the wise ones, he has borne up with
a reasonable degree of cheerfulness
and is serene In the conviction that
he knows as much as the best of them.
The probability I that he does, or why
prolong the farce?
There Is food for thought In view
of the Industrial news from the
Bourne cotton mills at Fall River,
Mass.. in this plank of the Bourne
campaign platform: "Good wages
make good citizens." Conversely we
auppose that bad wages make bad
citizens.
When the warm days come and
everybody has opportunity to drink
exhilarating Bull Run water from the
bubbling fountains provided by Mr.
Benson's generosity, people will think
of one man who has gone about doing
good.
A Utah -hen, laying the biggest egg
on record, died in the effort. Yet
hena are not the sole class of foolish
biped. Many men "break their backs"
In foolish endeavor, especially around
election times,
Massachusetts women who have de
clared war on all bachelor who aspire
to office would better migrate west
ward, where there Is great opportu
nity to wage it In a domestic way.
Oregon's political "Who'a Who" is
being sent to registered voters Just
now, to be concluded in the news
papers in a few weeks under the title
of "Who'a Left."
John Arbuckle aeems not to have
left a will disposing of his $20,000,000.
The multi-millionaire, in making
more, seldom considers the end.
Judge Morrow's remarks in the
Alexander case are worth reading by
every youth who handle other peo
ple's money.
In the city elections in Montana
sensible people of both parties united
to defeat the Socialists.
Intense Interest in yesterday's game
was but a marker for the opening
game here
Listen to the roar for war when the
Magdalena Bay details are given.
It is said Haywood I on his way to
Aberdeen. Keep him going.
Possibly thi is the year for "Jose
phine" Smith's luck to turn.
The Sandy has had Its run of smelt
and the appetite la satiated. ,
NEW. LIGHT RATES WORKED OUT.
Writer Shown What Small Consumer
Will Save After July 1-
PORTLAND, April 2. (To the Edi
tor.) Brother Church Is still anxious
to sell something and therefore any
thing he says must be taken with a
grain of salt. He reminds me of Ben
Franklin's famous saying. "Beware of
the man who has an ax to grind."
The commercial terms used to meas
ure electricity are not confusing to me,
or to Mr. Church, I am sura. The only
cloud on his mind is his fear that he
cannot saddle upon the citizens of
Portland two or three million dollars'
worth more of bond. He and his Ilk
have taxed me and mine nearly out of
existence. I am paying now 3 per cent,
or nearly that amount, on 80 per cent
valuation of my property. There can
be no confusion In his mind upon that
statement and what It means.
As to the new electric light rates, he
knowa there is a reduction, but appar
ently his ambition to sell something
gets the better of his judgment.
The "possible demand" which Mr.
Church refers to is not a new thing in
electrical rates. That form of rate is
far better for the poor man than the
rich man. Mr. Church belongs to the
rich class, evidently, for he has a
$1,000,000 proposition to sell to the city.
Now, In his house he probably has a
large number of lights, and his "de
mand" for light must be large. Why
should I, with only 10 lights in . my
house, pay for Mr. Church's luxury?
That Is Just what the "possible de
mand" means. Then, again, only one
third of the "possible demand" Is taken
by an electric light company.
It does not make any difference to
me what Mr. Church haa to selL I am
sure I do not. for one, wish to saddle
my children with any more bonds.
There have been enough chains put
upon their necks by men of the Church
type already. However, I do know
that there Is a reduction in my electric
light bill, and If Mr. Church will put
aslda the mote in his eye and figure
out his bill he will find that there is a
saving even to such a capitalist as he
appears to be. Here is the way my
bill figures under the old and new rate:
The old rate based upon my February
bill. In which I was charged for 42
kilowatt hours:
4.8 k. w. h. at 13c -73
37.8 a. w. h. at Jc 1
Total 1-58
As figured upon the new rate, which
becomes effective July 1:
7 1 k. w. h. at 9o
1.2 k. w. h. at 7c .an
27.6 a. w. h. at 40 1.10
Total $2-24
According to this there would be a
saving of 34 cents on my bill.
Of course, Mr. Church knows that
a "watt" Is the unit of measurement,
and that It la Just the same as a "horse
power," a "mile," or a "cent," or any
other unit taken for the purpose of
measurement. He also knows "kilo"
means 1000, so it is very easy to under
stand that a kilowatt means 1000 watts,
and If you add hour to the term it
means kilowatt hours, or 1000 watt
hours. The trouble with such men as
Mr. Church Is that they desire to play
upon the Ignorance of men unused to
the terms, rather than explain them.
Take the case of the "possible demand."
He knows, or should know, that it Is
only one-third of the 720 hours of a
month which is taken, representing
eight hours, instead of the whole
amount as he pretends in his letter.
All of these circumstances lead to the
inquiry as to whether Mr. Church will
misrepresent what he has to sell with
the same amount of ease that he does
the new electric light rate.
Having lived In Seattle, and experi
enced the manipulations of such pro
moters as Mr. Church, who, unable to
sell their goods In competition with the
world, seek to saddle them upon a tax
ridden community through bond issues
and "easy mark" City Councils, my ad
vice Is to steer clear of all his schemes.
Let the home-owner have a period of
rest. Give us a chance to pay for our
homes, and not tax us to death. As
for Mr. Church, let him go to Seattle,
and If he should present my bill to the
municipal lighting plant there he
would find that the 42 kilowatt hours
would cost as follows:
4a k. w. h. at 7 centa ' 2.94
In other words, the Portland present
rate is S6 cents less than Seattle's, and
the new rate will be 70 cents less. The
trouble with Brother Church Is that
he has something to sell, and he falls
to see anything but a "big gob of
money In sight" for him.
money e. j.MES COCHRANE.
TOWAGE AND PORT COMMISSIONERS
Charges Made by H. B. Evana Con
cerning Small Contraeta are Denied.
PORTLAND, Or., April 2. (To the
Editor.) For .Jthe benefit of the tax
payers who have read Mr. H. B. Evans'
letter of March 23. published in The
Oregonlan March 27, under the same
caption, "Towage and Port Commis
sioners" we wish to state the following
facts:
The Commissioners had agreed to the
request of the railroad company, that
they be granted an extension of time
to May 15, for the completion of the
railroad bridge. After this had been
agreed to, one of the Commissioners
remarked that the mills above the
bridge might be at a disadvantage in
high water, and In reply Commissioner
O'Reilly said that Mr. Robert Wake
field, the contractor who is putting up
the railroad bridge, had made arrange,
ments with the "Diamond O" fleet to
lighter any cargo that was necessary.
This was In compliance with his con
tract with the railroad company, and
not in any way connected with the
Port of Portland. We had nothing to
do with the movement of the freight
and did not make any contract with the
"Diamond O." or any other company,
Mr. Evans might have found this out
by Inquiry at the Commissioners' office,
but possibly he was not interested In
knowing the exact facts.
In regard to his further accusation,
that Commissioner Shaver, of the Sha
ver Transportation Co, waa throwing
the business of the Port his way, would
state that, for the six months ending
December. 1910, when Mr. Shaver was
not a Commissioner, the Port of Port
land gave the Shaver Transportation
Co, S8o2.40 worth of business. For the
six months ending December, 1911,
while Mr. Shaver was a Commissioner,
they gave them $28a.00 worth of busi
ness: In other words, we have not
favored the Shaver Transportation
Co. in fact, have only given them
business when It was urgently nec
essary. THE PORT OF PORTLAND.
Soda I let Methods Wrong.
WILLAMINA. Or., April 1. (To' the
Editor.) The people of Wlllamina
were treated a few evenings ago to a
live-wire Socialist oration, and, to their
credit, it muet ba said they treated it
with courteous attention and reserve.
It appeared the Socialist had a fertile
field to work and cultivate on; but, like
an enthusiastlo young farmer, he with
a lively young team, a new plow and
good field, tears the ground up and
down and crossway and everywhere,
and then he predicts what a wonderful
crop he will raise compared with his
more unfortunate neighbors. Nay! I
say, Mr. Socialist! You have to learn
to acquire reason and reasonable ways,
before you can teach others. Tou have
a good and fertile field and you know
it. but you don't know how to take
care of It. Be wise!
CHARLES RHEADE.
Tar Fuel Runs German Engine.
Baltimore American.'
A new German type of oil engine Is
built to run with tar as fuel, and la said
to work very successfully.
Half a Century Ago
From The Oregonlan of April 3, 18K2.
From Lieutenant Mullan's camp, Mr.
P. F. Teehill (Lieutenant Mullan's mes
senger) has arrived at Walla Walla
from Lieutenant Mullan's camp. He
represents the distance from Walla
Walla to Foot River Junction at Hell
gate at 363 miles, and from that point
to Fort Benton at 255 miles, making
the distance from Walla Walla to Fort
Benton 618 miles. This ought to be
psssed over in good coaches, with re
lays of horses. In six or seven days.
We suppose that steamers will be at
Fort Benton in July ready to take a
large number of passengers to St. Louis.
The actual number of rebel prisoners
surrendered to General Grant is 13.300,
among whom is General West, whose
name has not before been mentioned.
In addition to these. General Grant has
notified General Halleck that 1000 more
have been captured since the surrender,
who came down to reinforce the fort
Donelson), not knowing it had fallen.
John C. Breckinridge has become a
habitual drunkard. He is now in Ten
nessee. The eminent artists, Mr. and Mrs.
Charles Pope, have been engaged for
six nights at the Willamette Theater.
They open tonight with the great sen
sational play of "Camllle," Mrs. Pope
as Camllle and Mr. Pope as Armand
Darville. a
The steamer Julia left yesterday for
the Cascades, literally crowded with
passengers. The Rival and Independence
are acting in the capacity of tenders
to the Julia and Carrie, the latter boats
carrying only passengers, whilst the
Rival and Independence are employed
as stock boats.
A few days ago said we Joyfully:
"Spring is here," but yesterday morn
ing the heavens wore a different as
pect, and the snow fell in flakes as
If Winter had concluded to tarry a lit
tle while longer.
Mr. C. E. Monport, who arrived on
the last steamer, has for sale a large
number of maps of the United States,
showing the railroads, fortifications and
the present- field of operations of our
armies now engaged In putting down
the rebellion.
Astoria. March 29. The loyal voters
of Clatsop County met at the Court
House at 2 o'clock P. M. this day.
William L. Adams was ehosen unani
mously delegate to the Eugene Union
convention. A committee of five report
ed a full ticket for the June election,
which was adopted as follows: For
Representative, P. W. Gillett: County
Judge, 6. F. McKean: Clerk, J. Badollet;
Sheriff, A. Montgomery; Assessor, Fred
K. Ketchum; Treasurer. J. G. Hustler;
Coroner, Solomon H. Smith: Commis
sioners, P. Gearhart and Luke Taylor;
Superintendent of Schools, Robert Shar
tiss; Surveyor, J. W. Gearhart, It was
also voted that William L. Adams, the
delegate to the Eugene City convention,
be authorized to confer with the coun
ties of Tillamook, Columbia and Wash
ington In selecting a candidate for
State Senator.
SIMPLICITY IN TAX SYSTEMS
Redmond Writer Applies Inadequate
Teat to Fela Meaaurea.
REDMOND, Or., March 29. (To the
Editor.) Would not a single tax on
land be a much simpler and much more
efficient system of taxation than the
one In vogue at present? Every square
foot of land could be accounted for and
no taxes could be evaded. I think that
every one will admit that under our
present methods many taxes are evad
ed, and the same would be true in re
gard to an Income tax. Is it not also
true that the expense of assessment
and collection would be less in the case
of a single tax?
In making any great change some in
conveniences must be suffered, but In a
short time conditions adjust themselves
to the new arrangement. If land bears
the whole burden of taxation it is only
Just and natural that the direct produce
of the land will cost more. If a farm
er's taxes be greatly raised the price
of wheat, etc., will advance accordingly
and in the long run the farmer will be
Just as well off as before.
It is absurd to say that under single
tax we must have free whisky. The in
ternal revenue tax on alcohol and sa
loon licenses are levied In virtue of the
.police powers. of the Government and
have nothing to do with the general
ay o Lr in w i it
We should consider the questions or
single tax and socialism wim a raum
just frame of mind, looking for that
which Is good and not condemning the
whole proposition because certain ad
vocates Introduce minor propositions
which most of us would agree upon aa
being bad. JAMES BAKER.
Simplicity, while a desirable element,
t -... .. nmnlfttn tent of & t&X SYStem.
If Mr. Baker is seeking a simple tax
why does he not propose me pon ia.;
Some states have succeeded in making
poll tax payments practically unavoid
able as well as economical In collection.
Justice to those who pay the tax Is a
better test and that the single tax does
not give. If Mr. Baker will read the
single-tax measure proposed for Clack
amas County he will find that It does
abolish saloon license taxation. Un
der the operation of that bill the saloon
license could not exceed the cost of col
lecting it. It would be merely nominal
and exist only that the police power of
regulation might better be enforced.
One dollar a quarter or perhaps 31 a
year would be all that could be col
lected from each saloon and that would
be expended In printing licenses, for
bookkeeping, for collecting and for
similar Incidentals. The county or state
cannot, of course, abolish Internal reve
nue taxes. But that Is one of several
reasons why Oregon cannot have the
single tax as advocated by Henry
George.
A Few "Hm."
ARROW. Or., April 1. (To the Ed-
jtor ) i would like to ask what church
Roosevelt belongs to? Is It one that
believes In doing unto others as you
would be done by, or In doing others
as they will do you? What do you
think would have become of the United
States If some Spaniard had got past
the colored troops and smooth riders
that preceded Roosevelt up San Juan
Hill, while he was trying to keep up
or behind, as the case might be, and
shot out a piece of his memory? Or
If some ferocious animal In the African
jungle had got past his 400 guards, and
actually got close enough to break his
contract or speech and put the brave
man out of business would we still
be on the map? Or would we now be
ruled by the I. w. w.7
Or if (notice the if) Roosevelt should
be elected for another eight years and
then recommend some man to carry
out his policies, which he never could
do himself, and the man should make
good against the wishes of Roosevelt,
and do more for the country in three
years than Roosevelt did in seven and
a half, would it make him sore again,
that Is, sore enough to throw his hat
In the ring? Will we know the has
beens from the good when Roosevelt
quits the game? Yours for Taft,
R. L. MARVIN.
Co-Operatlve Storea In England.
PORTLAND, April 1. (To the Edi
tor.) Will you please inform me where
I can get information relative to the co
operative stores In England? If no
work on this business Is published,
please give me what information you
may have, and greatly oblige.
Consult Co-Operative Industry, by
Ernest Aves, at the Portland Public
Library,'
Nitts on Registration
BY DEAN COLLINS.
Nesclus Nltts, sage of Punkindorf Sta
tion, Reducing his quid to the right liquida
tion. Spied a beetle, who beat It in wild con
sternation, ,
But started too late to escape inunda
tion; Then he spake upon voters and their
registration.
"I see by the papers that some Is com
plainin' Of voters unregistered still a-remainin'
By thousands. Now sence from a trip
to the city
Phil Love . has come back. It shore
strikes me a pity
If they can't use 'currences he tells
about
To sign up them fellers who still is in
doubt.
"Phil said he seen hundreds and hun
dreds of men
A-swarmin" around, Jest like sheep in
a pen.
And each one inquirin' of each, o'er and
o'er
In feverish accents; 'I say, what's the
soore?"
And Phil looked to see what attracted
that horde.
And seen 'twas a big baseball bulletin
board.
"They jest hung around it like bees
around honey;
They wouldn't forsake it fer love nor
for money.
When Phil asked a feller: 'Where's So-and-so's
store?"
He never looked 'round, but jest said,
What's the score?"
When Phil tells me this, I jest says:
'Why, tarnation!
This here solves the problem of slow
registration!'
"Spose now, they should put up Inside
of a fence
Them bulletin boards and tell eVryone:
'Gents,
The registered voters alone sees the
score!'
Why they'd never have no more trouble
no more;
And when the election's begun to begin.
There wouldn't be one that we'd have
to swear in."
EVANS IDEAL MAN FOR OFFICE
Appeal Made to Rlght.Thlnklng Voter
to Support Him.
PORTLAND. April 1. (To the Edi
tor.) It has long been the contention
on the part of the voters of Mult
nomah County that the Important of
fice of District Attorney has long
played to the galleries, that Its chief
value lay In the fact that it was used
largely as a political headquarters, and
that only such laws -were enforced as
would Insure the Incumbent another
term In office. However, the era of con
science has come and tha general awak
ening throughout the city for Walter
H. Evans for District Attorney Indi
cates that the time is here when the
citizens are demanding that this of
fice shall no longer be prostituted.
All too long has the vote of the bet
ter element been .split asunder by the
failure solidly to unite upon a single
man, while the element who desire to
use the office for a selfish purpose have
solidly united upon a man to do their
bidding. Let this election be the turn
ing point And let the better element
stand as a unit for Walter H. Evans.
Republican candidate for District At
torney. Walter H. Evans enters this fight as
the most able candidate for the office
of District Attorney that can be se
lected in the City of Portland. His
experience and success as a prosecutor
in the Federal courts Is such as to en
able him to enter the office of District
Attorney of Multnomah County with
Ihe ability and experience necessary to
carry on the duties of that office suc
cessfully. In character Walter H. Evans
represents the type of man in whom
the people can put their confidence
and a man to whom the people can look
for a vigorous and Impartial adminis
tration of the law. As a public servant
of the people, he has In no way placed
himself under obligations to be paid out
of the office of the District Attorney,
and, therefore, stands free to act and
to act Impartially.
All too often hava the people of this
city complained of conditions resulting
from their own folly in electing men.
The voters of Multnomah County now
have their chance to free the office of
District Attorney from the numerous
shortcomings connected with It in the
past, and to make It an efficient agent
of the people. The question as to
whether the people desire that this of
fice shall be raised from the condition
that It Is now In to a high level and an
efficient standard, rests wholly upon
the uniting f the better element upon
a single candidate In whom they can
put their confidence. Let the growing
sentiment In favor of Mr. Evans grow,
and let It increase until we have placed
this man In the office of District At
torney. M- D-
The Farmer's View.
I have heard the newsboys crying
and the streetcars' rasping grind. I've
been dodging taxicabs for nigh a week
and my heart is growing heavy, for a
friend seems hard to find here in town
where people live upon their cheek. I
get lost when in the turmoil and I'm
mortally afraid some fellow will my
wallet gently pick; and when I go to
luncheon I wish I'd stayed at home,
where pies are large and fat and thick.
Mirandy was a wise one when she
wouldn't come with me. and 111 bet
she smiles when I recite my story; let
her laugh in boist'rous pleasure, for
he sure deserves the glee, staying
home when I went on this trip to
glory. As I said before, I'm sickened
of this turmoil and the noise (Mirandy
aid I'd be, in simple warning), and
you bet when It is over I will take my
little boys and go fishln1 with a relish
some bright morning.
No doubt you think my story Is a
blasted houndog tale. Well. It isn't,
. iu... ,pai,'11 feel mv needs. I OV
ana J"" " J. -----
while you with smiles trip down the
street as evenings giancea pic,
out on the farm, I'm hoeing weeds.
G. xsorDrey rienfiaoia,
Yamhill, Or.
Umatilla's Mlaalon.
Pendleton Live Wire.
Oregon's vote on Presidential candi
dates at the primaries next April will
be watched with keen Interest by the
entire Nation. It Is important there
fore that friends and supporters of
Mr. Taft in this state take steps to
see that his majority is as large as
possible. In this work Umatilla Coun
ty must help.
There Is no question that confidence
in Mr. Taft's Administration and sin
cere desire for its continuation will
place him far ahead of Roosevelt when
the votes are counted In this county,
but we should not be content with that
result. Every loyal Republican should
make It a personal duty to see that
Mr. Taft Is given the most substantial
vote of confidence within the power of
this county. .
A Wise Maiden Walts.
Judge.
Fan Why don't you dance more?
Mabel Well, I've had five proposals
already this season while sitting out
dances In the conservatory.
Patience with Mexico is rapidly
ceasing to be a virtue