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1 POKTLAVD, MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1911.
ROOSEVELT ANTJ THE CONSTITUTION.
That there is good cause for the Re
publican party to contend In this
campaign for upholding the Constitu
tion la made clear by W. J. Bryan,
though he does not avow that pur
pose. In an article Jn the Commoner
discussing Roosevelt's attitude on that
subject. After recalling that the
President takes an oath to support the
Constitution, Bryan quotes as follows
from an article by Roosevelt in the
Outlook, discussing the Supreme
Court's action in inserting the word
"unreasonable" in the anti-trust law:
This statement, by the way. applies also
to the question of "usurpation" by any one
branch of our government of the rights of
another branch. It is contended that . In
these reoent decleions the Supreme Court
legislated: so It did; and It had to; because
Congress had siftnally failed to do Its duty
by legislating. For the Supreme Court to
nullify an act of the legislature as unconsti
tutional, except on the clearest grounds, is
usurpation; to Interpret such an act In an
obviously wrong sense Is usurpation; but
where the legislative body persistently leaves
open a field which It Is absolutely impera
tive, from the publlo standpoint, to fill, then
no possible blame attachea to the official or
officials who step In because they have to.
and who then do the needed work In the in
terests of the people. The blame in such
cases lies with the body which has been
derelict, and not with the body which re
luctantly makes good the dereliction.
We need not follow Bryan's line of
argument on this quotation, nor need
we assume that either he or Roosevelt
was correct in stating that the Su
preme Court legislated when It read
the word "unreasonable" into the law.
Roosevelt bluntly admits that the Su
preme Court legislated. Then he says:
It had to, because Consress signally failed
to do its duty by legislating.
Roosevelt further says in defense of
such Judicial legislation:
Where the legislative body persistently
leaves open a field which it Is absolutely
Imperative, from the public standpoint, to
fill, then no possible blame attaches to the
official or officials who step in because the
have to, and who then do the needed work.
Let us see whither this Roosevelt
theory leads us. The Supreme Court
makes up Its mind that a certain law
should have been passed by Congress.
It thereupon renders decisions on the
assumption that Buch a law actually
Is law. What then becomes of the
constitutional limit on the power of
each of the three departments of gov
ernment? The Judicial power surely
has invaded the legislative field. Or,
again the President makes up his
mind that a certain law should have
been passed or repealed, and he as
sumes that it is so and acts accord
ingly. Has he not invaded the legis
lative Held? Or If the Supreme Court
should order an army to occupy Cuba,
would It not Invade the executive
Held?
In his defense of the Supreme
Court's decision, Roosevelt not only
went farther than the occasion re
quired, but he advanced a theory
which would Justify any branch of the
Government in usurping the functions
of any other branch and in making
itself the sole Judge whether the occa
sion demanded such usurpation. This
Is probably the theory on which he
suspended the anti-trust law to allow
the steel trust to absorb the Tennessee
Company. It must be the theory on
which he failed to interfere in the
Jury-fixing in the Oregon land fraud
cases. That theory sanctions suspen
sion of the Constitution or some of its
provisions whenever the President or
Congress or the Supreme Court deems
that the public lntereat demands. The
' usurper alone is to decide whether
public Interest demands that he usurp.
What is the Constitution "worth un
der such an Interpretation? The Dec
laration of Independence says that
"Governments are instituted among
men, deriving their Just powers from
the consent of the governed." That
consent was given by the adoption of
the Constitution. But Roosevelt says
in effect that a government different
from that which the Constitution in
stitutes may be established whenever,
in the opinion of one part of the Gov
ernment, another part Is not doing its
duty. In this theory, which leads in
evitably to despotism when carried
into practice by a man of his charac
ter,, he Is sustained by a party which
professes to contend for liberty.
It was high time that Taft came
forward as the defender of the Consti
tution. OREGON A MANUFACTURING STATE.
Oregon has the opportunity to be
come as great in manufacturing as it
already is in agriculture, horticulture,
stockraising and dairying. It already
has many thousands of men and
women, many millions of capital, thus
employed, but while the figures are
imposing, they are but a beginning.
We should regard every shipment of
unfinished material out of Oregon as a
lost opportunity to finish it In Oregon.
We should not be satisfied until the
great bulk of the products of this state
are ready to put into the hands of the
ultimate consumer before they leave
the state.
- If we set this goal before us and
travel steadily toward it, the time will
come when Oregon will be as famous
for the production of every article
made of wood as it now is for its lum
ber output; for all manufactured prod
ucts of the orchard and garden as for
its raw fruit; for its woolen goods as
for its wool; for packed meat and all
the many products of the packing'
house as for its cattle; and so on to
the end of the long chapter of Oregon
resources.
If we are to win this goal, we must
pull together and never miss an oppor
tunity -to get in a good word for Ore
gon. An organization for this purpose
alreadv exists in the Oregon Manuiac
turers" Association. It will hold a
convention on November 21, Home In
dustry day. at the land Products
Show In Portland, for the purpose of
devising further means of helping the
development of the state by strength
ening the manufacturing interests.
But the manufacturers need, and are
entitled to, the active support of every
loyal citizen of Oregon in their work.
The brand "Made in Oregon" should
be regarded by Oregonlans as a rea
son for giving preference to the arti
cle bearing it. That brand should be
on every article manufactured In this
state and shipped to other states or
abroad, that the excellence of our
products may advertise the state and
Its factories.
HIS PRIVATE ASSEMBLY.
The convention system Is the greatest evil
of representative government. The nominee
of a convention knows to whom he owes hie
selection and with that knowledge goes a
natural desire to repay the favor. Practical
politics has established the custom of dis
charging political obligations by the distri
bution of Federal appointments, with ouly a
secondary consideration for qualifications
and efficiency. Under a direct primary
system the candidate does not know to what
individuals he owes his nomination and.
therefore, his only obligation is that of
rendering the best possible service to all the
people, making appointments with that sole
end In view. The Oregon system of popu
lar government la the best in the world.
Jonathan Bourne, in Saturday Evening Post,
Dec. 31. 1910.
A little private assembly or conven
tion, made up largely of men who
know exactly what they want, nomi
nated Mr. Bourne for Senator, pro
cured the fictitious call of the people
through petitions circulated by busy
street hawkers, and la now engaged
through its newspaper advertisements
In an open effort to purchase popular
sentiment wlth the bait of promised
Federal appropriations from the "pork
barrel."
Is there any question that Mr.
Bourne, who denounces the old con
vention, and now repudiates the direct
primary, "does not know to what indi
viduals he owes his nomination"?
"The Oregon system of popular gov
ernment is the best in the world."
Then why try to destroy it?
PROBLEMS AND CRISIS.
If Taft, or Wilson, or Roosevelt,
should be elected President, the spe
cial effect on the personal fortunes of
any Oregon citizen would not be ap
preciable. God reigns, and the Gov
ernment at Washington will live.
If one man or another shall be elect
ed to office in Oregon, the progress
and development of state, county and
city will not be Interrupted.
But there are measures on the bal
lot, under the initiative, that strike at
the structure of society and govern
ment. If there shall be a wrong de
cision, every ' person in Oregon will
feel the result.
Single tax is destructive and its
adoption would be disastrous.
The U"Ren constitution Is revolu
tionary. It adopts an entirely new and
untried experiment In government.
The bill to abolish capital punish
ment is important, for its passage
would mark a determination by the
people to abandon a sound system of
exact Justice, and to substitute senti
ment, leniency and tolerance for crime
and criminals.
There are others; but it will do to
mention these few. Are the people of
Oregon alive to the critical situation
that confronts them in these forty
measures? Are they ready to solve
these problems right?
DISORDER, EXTRAVAGANCE AND ANTI-
CIVIL SERVICE OFFERED.
Do the people of Portland realize
that a special city election will be held
next Saturday? That presented for
consideration at that time are two
charters and twenty amendments and
ordinances? That general apathy and
neglect to vote may result in the adop
tion of undesirable or dangerous
measures having behind them a small
but compact organization? That rad
ical changes in city government affect
ing the whole people may be ordered
and put Into effect by the activity of a
small minority unless there is a gen
eral turning out at the polls?
The special city election has been
set 'at an Inopportune time. The at
tention of the voters is centered on
National and states issues. The ad
vantage of the opportunity offered by
the distracted state of the public mind
has been seized by visionaries and po
litical Job-hunters to attempt to slip
through schemes that "would not have
the slightest prospect of success if sub
mitted at a time when, the voters could
give them proper study and considera
tion. , The short charter and the treasury
grab masquerading under the title of
a public utilities act-are the chief dan
ger points In the approaching election.
The short charter Is an open bid for
all long-haired and short-haired
cranks and paid agitators to make
Portland their camping ground. It
would throw open the streets and the
parks to the soapbox orator and de
stroy ' in large measure the police
power of the city.
Last Summer wild-eyed speakers in
the Plaza blocks denounced religion,
marriage and other sacred institutions
and openly derided a passing funeral
cortege. Another speaker on the main
business street threw out open hints
of the use of dynamite in Portland. A
few days ago a Catholic priest passing
a meeting on Burnside street was
Jeered and insulted by the speaker and
was used as a text for a tirade against
religion. It would seem that we had
had enough of free spech abuse and
that tying the hands of the govern
ment in the preservation of order and
decency would be the last thing a sane
electorate would contemplate.
Not content with planning destruc
tion of peaceful government, the
framers of this measure attempt to
give the official city heads unlimited
power In the expenditure of money.
They would revoke the charter limi
tation on the tax levy.
They would obliterate the civil serv
ice provisions of the present charter
and give the Mayor sole power to ap
point, promote, transfer, reduce or
discharge all servants of the city ex
cept deputy Auditors and elected offi
cials. They would prohibit the enact
ment of civil service rules by ordi
nance that would impair the Mayor's
power in this particular. The short
charter would as effectually destroy
civil service in the police department
as would the separate charter amend
ment numbered 12? No, which has
raised widespread protest In the city
and gained the condemnation of every
dally newspaper.
The short charter proposes the par
tial disfranchisement of every voter by
prohibiting him from voting for more
than one candidate for Council or
Commission. With the addition of a
few frills It would put into effect the
vote-for-only-one feature of the Pres
idential primary law, now admitted
throughout the state to have been
proved the regrettable weakness of an
otherwise good law. It would estab
lish proxy voting and give a $10,000
Job to some friend of the Mayor, un
der the title of municipal business
manager, but with duties such as the
Mayor determined to give him, if any
of consequence.
If the people of Portland want such
a charter as this enacted, about as ef
fective a way as voting yes is to re
main away from the polls, for it has
the support of those organizations
which want license to create disorder,
or desire fat Jobs for Incompetents, or
long for a free hand in grabbing the
money of those who pay taxes.
It Is the last measure on the city
ballot. Vote 143 No.
SETTLING A BIG QUESTION.
If a bill on the ballot (No. o?0-321)
shall be passed at the election Novem
ber 5, the University of Oregon and
the Oregon Agricultural College will
hereafter be under the direction and
management of a single board of re
gents, and a permanent tax levy (six
tenths of one mill) for their mainte
nance, and for all other expenditures,
will be imposed on the taxable prop
erty of the state.
Here is a measure o high import
ance to Oregon. It wUl bring about
harmony in the control of these two
great Institutions. It will stop legis
lative logrolling over them. It will
provide sufficient funds for both, in
the way of a permanent annual en
dowment, so that each will know ex-,
actly how much it will receive, and
may plan accordingly. The status of
each institution Is to be definitely fixed,
so that there will be no occasion here
after for conflict between them as to
appropriations, since the college gets
four-sevenths and the university three
sevenths of the annual sum realized
from the tax. As the state grows the
appropriation will increase, and each
institution may expand proportion
ately. The sum provided by the" six-tenths
of a mill Is almost exactly the same
proportionately as the legislative ap
propriation for a series of years, cal
culating the appropriations on the
basis of a six-tenths mill levy. So
that the popular appropriation will not
be excessive.
This Is an easy and correct solution
of a question several questions
that has vexed the people of Oregon
for years. The bill ought by all means
to pass.
AN INVITATION TO THE PEOPLE.
Several weeks ago JThe Oregonian
offered the use of its columns to any
person who had reached a definite
conclusion as to every measure on the
stte ballot to give therein his views,
tell how he attained them and offer a
plan by following which any person of
ordinary intelligence could reach the
same admirable frame of mind.
There was no response.
The Oregonian now makes a new
offer. Doubtless many persons have
given attention to particular measures.
Next Sunday, If the response to the
invitation warrants, The Oregonian
will publish a symposium, comprising
not more than one page in all, of edi
torials by the people on the initiative
and referendum issues. The offer of
this space is given with a sincere de
sire to give the voters the benefit of
others' research.
It is necessary In a matter of this
kind to lay down certain rules, and
these will be found in detail in an
other column. It may be said here,
however, that The Oregonian reserves
the right to reject any communication,
but gives assurance that The Orego
nian"s own views will not govern its
decision.
ACHIEVING GREATNESS.
An excellent insight Into the capac
ity required to achieve real greatness
is afforded by the present plight of
young Diaz in Mexico. A few days
ago a nation was at his feet. The civ
ilized world hailed him as a maker of
history. Now he grovels in abject fail
ure. His name is still on many lips,
but merely as a byword and a Jest.
One minpr defect In his make-up
accounts for his fall. He was too
credulous. He believed his military
opponents would flock to his banner.
He permitted them to flock freely into
his stronghold. In short, he fell a
victim to the first bit of primitive
strategy that was set by wily foe.
The experience of Dias and the
other near-great men of Mexico em
phasizes the fact that the world's big
men were not mere creatures of cir
cumstances, as so often has been
charged. Theirs was an Inherent
greatness, a well-rounded capacity
without which any one of them might
have slipped up and caused history to
be written in much different words.
But reverting to young Diaz. Sup
pose, he had been well balanced and
thus duly cautious. When the federal
troops sent against him by Madero ad
vanced after giving assurance of
friendly intentions, he could have
turned them back with the order to
show their fealty to Diaz by launching
an attack on Mexico City. For a few
hours the balance of power was In his
hands. Had he been a great man his
name would have been written in his
tory beside that of his illustrious uncle.
As it is, he will be set down as a con
summate ass.
HOW THE RICH WOULD ESCAPE.
If anybody has been deceived by the
assertions of single-taxers that the
specific graduated tax on large land
holdings could not be evaded, he by all
means should read the thesis pre
pared by a university student and pub
lished in The Oregonian today. This
student has investigated the opera
tions of the graduated tax in New Zea
land, and he tells how it has been suc
cessfully evaded there.
In New Zealand the sheep land
owner subject to the graduated tax di
vides his holdings by actual sales until
they are reduced to a point where the
graduated tax does not apply to them.
Sales are made to the sheepherders,
who pay down a nominal sum and
give a mortgage payable on demand
for the balance. . The original owner
then leases the several tracts thus sold,
paying the herders a sum sufficient to
reimburse them for the first payment
and keep up the Interest on the mort
gage. The herders thus are not out
anything, the original owner gtas back
his lease money In the form of Inter
est, and he keeps the land without
paying the graduated tax. As mort
gages are not taxed and as small land
holdings escape the graduated tax the
result is satisfactory all around except
to the state.
The system is beautiful from the
standpoint of high finance, and It
could be worked as easily In Oregon
as In New Zealand If the Fels propa
ganda succeeds. The Oregon law at
tempts to prevent transfer of prop
erty to natural persons as agents or
dummies made iwith intent to evade
the tax. The provision declares that
such transfers shall become actual and
that the dummy shall become the real
owner of the property. But in the ap
plication of the New Zealand scheme
the conveyance Is actual-. The person
to whom the land is sold is the legal
owner of the land. But he has given
a mortgage in such terms that the
original owner plays safe in the trans
action. Moreover,' as The Oregonian has
heretofore pointed out, the section of
the amendment which seeks to pre
vent evasions of the graduated tax
would affect only those persons who at
the time trie amendment became effec
tive owned land valued in excess of
$10,000 in one county. 'It would not
apply to purchasers of land there
after. Forfeiture for dividing prop
erty among .tummies would apply only
to the grantor. John Jones, who
owned $50,000 worth of land, would be
prohibited from dividing it among
dummies or fictitious persons on pen
alty of losing' it. But John Smith, in
purchasing, might acquire land in the
name of friends and escape the tax. (
The amendment is so lax In Its pro
visions that in operation it would be
actually single tax. All revenues for
state and local purposes would -be
raised by taxing land on a uniform
basis. The rich man would pay no
more in proportion than the poor man.
Land speculators would not be bur
dened to a greater extent than the
man of small means who Invested in a
home site. The so-called graduated
single-tax amendment in effect is a
single-tax amendment and Its adoption
would foreshadow confiscation of land.
LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAF.
Look before you leap is advice given
to all young women as they approach
the marriageable age. It is an excel
lent maxim, as the case of a Spokane
miss has emphasized within the past
few days. She was overwhelmed by
the personality of a dashing chap who
Induced her to elope with him in her
mother's touring car. She had known
him but a short time. As to his ca
pacity, business prospects, ability to
support a wife and other assets she
knew nothing beyond his own lurid
tales of a wealthy father and posses
sion of plenty.
Now it so happens . that the most
pleasing personality may hide a rogue
and makeshift of the first magnitude.
It is also true that a woman's intuition
Isn't at all infallible, especially when
it comes to differentiating between a
man and a villain. Therefore the ne
cessity of carefully investigating past,
present and probable future of the in
tended husband.
It is possible, of course, to leap in
the dark and strike right side up. But
It is none the less dangerous. For the
Spokane girl who leaped before look
ing finds she married a bigamist, ex
convict, forger and penniless adven
turer. Complications would have been
saved had she looked before Jumping
Into this sad mess.
Two direct heirs to the Russian
throne threw their rights overboard in
order to marry the women ot their
choice. ' They refused to restrain their
Impulses as ordinary human beings.
These facts are published in accounts
of serious injury to the one remain
ing male heir to the throne. If he
dies the Russian crown will go to a
female member of the house of Ro
manoff, the remaining male heirs hav
ing snapped their fingers at1 the Job.
Even royalty is coming to understand
that happiness lies in a normal, ordi
nary life. In due time It may become
difficult to flna anybody willing to pay
the penalties exacted of the man who
wears'a crown.
One gratifying outcome of the Law
rence strike has been a revival of re
spect for the American flag which has
raiisftd JoseDh Shattuck to give the
city a flagpole to be built on a granite-
base, for which one or ine Aiaermen
will give the site. The entire cost will
be $5000. Times of turmoil, such as
Lawrence has passed through, serve to
awaken into flame the loyalty which
smolders In many breasts. The flag
waving in the city's midst will be a
constant rebuke to the greed which
provoked the strike and to the mad
resentment, impatient of law's remedy
for. wrong, which caused the riots.
The progress of airship building
goes steadily on, regardless of disas
ter and death. The British have Just
finished a new one with great improve
ments capable of carrying ten passen
gers. It is built like a boat so as to
float on water, but the principal inno
vations are in the double propellers,
which can be turned in several direc
tions. Thus the ship moves upward,
downward or straight ahead at the
will of the steersman. It is expected
to prove serviceable in war.
When the recommendation . of a
President wins the indorsement of
Governors of all political complexions,
as has Taft's plan of farmers' banks, It
must have real merit.
The Czar expresses a keen desire to
restore peace in the Balkans. Memo
ries of the Japanese war must have
awakened a keen .sympathy for Tur
key. '
Flora" Wilson is to sing for Taft at
her father's political meetings. It
might be well to explain that her
father Is James, not Woodrow.
The course in vocal music for the
mule skinners at Vancouver is prov
ing popular in so far that the animals
have not registered a "kick."
Things are livening up, Indeed. A
street parade of Democrats Is an
nounced for tonight. Resurrect the
empty dinner pails.
The Cplonel says he asks no quarter.
However, a few more of those quarter
million contributions might not be dis
tasteful. Dr. Withycombe's estimate of the
Oregon soil product at $127,000,000 is
not exaggerated. The year has been
fat.
Stephen A. Lowell's .dvice to the
first voter is good. Everything de
pends on the right start.
If Tillman Reuter can win all those
prizes on a dry farm, what could he
not do where it rains?
November 2 is set apart as Wilson
day. ' Taft day has been planned for
three days later.
Just a little more than eight weeks
to Christmas. Are you saving money
for the stress?
Of course The Hague delegates will
maintain a special wire service to the
Balkans.
New York is rather big for martial
lam, but that Is what may come.
ACT TO LOCALIZES LOCAL ISSUES
Adoption of 848 Ytu Would Reduce Num
ber of Measures on Future Ballots.
ST. JOHNS, Or.. Oct. 26. (To the
Editor.) Tour oft-repeated advice,
when in doubt vote No, Is sound. With
your permission we will try to ex
plain to the voters of the state Nos.
348-349 on the ballot this year and the
reason for placing the bill on the bal
lot. Turn to page 161 of the pamphlet
sent out to each registered voter and
read:
A bill for an act providing for the con
solldation of contiguous Incorporated cities
and towns, legalizing consolidations hereto
fore attempted and providing a method
for the creation and organization of new
counties. S48. Yes; 849. No.
The reason for putting this bill on
the ballot by initiative petition fol
lows: In 1906 the state constitution
was amended, taking from the Legisla
ture the authority to grant municipal
charters, and conferred this power on
the voters of proposed municipalities.
The voters could enact their own char
ter, amend it, but (and right here the
trouble came in) could not repeal it.
They could create a city and provide
It with a charter and amend it at
pleasure, but could not repeal It. They
could catch the bear, but could not
let go.
In 1910 the voters of St. Johns voted
to annex the City of St. Johns to the
City' of Portland, under the provisions
of a special act of the Legislature of
1893. Dissatisfied parties, however,
brought an action at law to prevent
the consolidation of St. Johns and Port
land, and the Supreme Court of the
state decided that the consolidation
could not be made, for the reason that
when the majority of the voters of St.
Johns voted to annex to Portland, it
amounted to a vote to repeal the char
ter of the City of St. Johns, which the
court held they had no authority to do;
that there was no way to consolidate
two cities except by a vote of the
electors of the entire state; that the
Legislature had been deprived of the
power to repeal a city charter, and the
voters of the municipality never had
been given the power to repeal their
own charter. Consequently an appeal
to the votere of the entire state was
the only remedy.
Also last year the two cities of Sea
side and West Seaside voted by a
unanimous vote to consolidate, and the
same question came up. Of course, if
they consolidated, one of the city char
ters woulc have to go out of existence,
and by the decision of the Supreme
Court this could not be done.
As to the organization of new coun
ties, the voters will remember that
there were eight Initiated bills on the
1910 ballot for the formation of new
counties by vote of the whole state
and they were all defeated. Why?
Because the majority of the voters of
the state had no interest, ana neces
sarily could have none, in the ques
tions. What could be more absurd
than t ask or allow the voters of
Multnomah County to vote on the
question of dividing Lane County? Or
the voters of Douglas County to vote
on the division of ClacKamas County?
Or what possible interest can the
voters of Pendleton have in the ques
tion of the consolidation of St. Johns
and Portland? Or the voters of Rose
burg In the question of the union of
Seaside and West Seaside? Tet under
the existing laws they would be called
on to vote on these questions.
As to the effect of the enacting of
this bill:
First, notice that section S of this
bill confirms certain attempted con
solidations of cities under title 26 of
Lord's Oregon laws. This section would
only apply to Seaside and West Sea
side, which attempted to consolidate
last year, but would not confirm the
attempt of St. Johns to unite with
Portland, that attempt having been
made under a special act of the Legis
lature granting to the City of Portland
a charter. The general result of the
enactment of this bill will be to con
fer on municipal corporations (cities
and towns) the authority to consolidate
by a majority vote of the electors of
each city, without having to bother
the whole state. Likewise provision is
made for the creation of new counties
by a majority vote of the people that
will have to support the new county
after it is organized. If such a bill
as this had been In force in 1910 there
would have been eight fewer measures
on the ballot and two fewer on the
ballot this year. This bill is Intended
to correct a deficiency in the 1906
amendment, and with such questions
as consolidation of contiguous cities
and the organization of new counties
purely local affairs, to be regulated by
a majority vote of the resident voters
in the cities or district affected. We
hope we have made It clear enough so
there can be no doubt in this case and
feel justified in hoping each voter will
vote 34S Tes and thus round out the
Oregon principle of home rule.
S. C. COOK.
BOURNE TERMED A BAD LOSER.
Having; Been Seated Be Should Accept
Defeat,-Saya Vofer. '
PORTLAND, Oct. 22. (To the Edi
tor.) As a property-holder and voter
of the city of Portland and state of
Oregon, I wish to state my views on
the matter of United States Senator.
Bourne promoters are prone to instill
Into the voters' minds that he (Bourne)
does not seek the office but was called
by the people of Oregon. In the good
book I believe we are told that many
are called but few chosen. However,
I am from Illinois, Just across the river
from Missouri, and if Mr. Bourne was
called by the people of Oregon they
will have "to show me."
Let us take him at his own asser
tion in the Atlantic Monthly of Janu
ary, 1912. The people admire a good
loser. I voted for Mr. Bourne at the
primary and I lost. I am a good loser.
He ought to be a good loser. I voted
for him for the reason that as a reg
ular Republican constituent he might,
being familiar with the game, get bet
ter legislation for the state of Oregon
than could a new man. But I do not
think he as an Independent can accom
plish as much as a new man. I be
lieve in a direct primary law for bet
ter politics. Therefore, I see no reason
why I should not support Mr. Selling.
I might also state that I am not a
dyed-in-the wool Republican when it
comes to city and county elections,
where I know the men. Therefore I
can very conscientiously cast my vote
for Tom Word, a man whom I believe
will give the down and out the same
hearing and treatment which he ac
cords the rich, all things being equal.
H. C.
IS IT TOADSTOOL OR MUSHROOM f
Experimenting; With Single Tax Like
Man's Fatal Food Teat.
PORTLAND, Oct., 27. (To the Ed
itor.) Suppose A and B own adjoining
tracts of land worth $2000 each. A Im
proves his tract with a $20,000 mansion.
B his with a $2000 house. In the
course of a few years both tracts' are
put up for sale, will noe A's tract com
mand the better price? If so, why
should it not be assessed higher if it
is worth more?
It may be said B's valuation ought
to be increased from the fact of A's
improvements. Granting this, is It not
"up to the assessor" then. Just as much
as now, to make the valuations? If
so, nothing is gained by single tax In
this respect.
With a few amendments rectifying
present inequalities and making it
obligatory for the assessor to make all
valuations equable, without favoritism,
and let the public take enough interest-
to - see that this is done, then
everyone ought to get a square deal
and ought to be satisfied.
Some people remark -they would like
to see single tax tried. A man once in
doubt whether he had a mushroom or
a toadstool, ate it. It was a toadstool.
The man is dead. E. U. WILL.
NOT ADAPTED TO ALL COUNTIES
Grange Road Plan Might Work In Hood
But Not Jackson.
MEDFORD, Or., Oct 26. (To the
Editor.) A. L Mason, of Hood River,
had a letter in The Oregonion October
24. in which he deals with the subject
of the pending road bills. He quotes
from a private letter which he received
from me. Mr. Mason is really the au
thor of what is known as the Grange
bill. No. 324 on the ballot, and in con
sidering this bill we should remember
that the author lives in Hood River
County. Such a measure as he advo
cates may be practicable in a countv
that has virtually one leading highway
and only one prominent city. But I do
not believe that the measure is at all
practicable in counties like Linn, Lane,
Douglas, Jackson and many of the
other larger counties of the state, where
are located from 600 to 800 miles of
public roads within their borders. Some
of these counties like Linn, Jackson
and others have from 30 to B0 separate
road districts, and hence that many
road supervisors. I believe that such
a convention as is V proposed In the
Grange bill would, in these larger coun
ties, end In a great wrangle between
the contending Interests of the many
separate populous communities of the
county.
There Is another question that it is
well to understand now. No small bond
issue of say $100,000 to $250,000, for the
purpose of building scientific roads, will
carry in any one of these large coun
ties. It will not build enough roads,
and if the order submitting the ques
tion should state where the roads are
to be built in the county (and such or
der must so state or the bond issue will
not carry), then I concede that the re
maining settlements that are not bene
fited will vote against the Issue and it
will fall.
What we desire In the larger counties
of the state is an amount of money that
will construct permanent and scientific
highways entirely through the county,
north and south, east and west, as great
arteries of transportation. And then
an amount additional that will build
such roads into every well-settled com
munity of the county, these shorter
roads all connecting with the main sys
tem. Speaking from the position of Jack
son County alone, we desire to con
struct a road commencing on the Cali
fornia line and running through the
County of Jackson to the Josephine
County line, following very nearly the
old stage road and passing through the
cities of Ashland, Talent, Phoenix, Med
ford. Central Point, Gold Hill and Rogue
River. This will be a distance of about
66 miles, and will pass through the
center of population, and will require
not less than $5000 per mile. Then,
commencing again on the western bor
der of the county and running east
wardly through Jacksonville, Central
Point and Eagle Point in the eastern
part of the county. This would be a
distance of 30 or 40 miles. Then we
would want to build such roads into
all of the farming communities of the
county. Such roads would be from 10
to 16 miles in length, making about
300 miles of public roads over which
the farmers may travel as well in Win
ter as in Summer. And this can only
be done by a bonded Indebtedness of
$1,500,000.
As practically everybody is getting
some benefit the measure would be pop
ular. This we know, because we once
voted that amount, but the courts
turned us down by saying that the con
stitutional amendment which permitted
bonded indebtedness was not "self-executing,"
and, therefore, our County
Court had no authority to submit such
a question. The Jackson County amend
ment, known as the county home rule
amendment No. 360 "Yes," cures that
defect in the present law, and Mr.
Mason need not be afraid that the peo
ple do not have full control under the
provisions of this bllL Of course, the
bonds would not all be sold at one and
the same time. Perhaps no more than
$250,000, or $500,000 at the most could
be used In any one year. But we must
procure the entire issue at one elec
tion for reasons credited to Senator
Miller. The people of these larger
counties will not sustain a small bond
issue. They all want good roads, and
we look upon It that when the people
have borrowed the money on these
bonds, the money will be paid out to
the people, especially those who work
with either their hands or their teams;
and when it Is all paid out It will large
ly be In the hands of the people, and
good roads will be the result The
people ought not to be afraid to trust
themselves with this much power.
WILLIAM M. COLVIG.
VOTERS INVITED TO WRITE.
Next Sunday, November 3, The
Oregonian plans to publish a
symposium of letters from the
people discussing Initiative and
referendum measures. Not more
than one page will be devoted
thereto. Writers must observe
the following rules:
Letters must be not more than
300 words In length.
They must be free from per
sonal attacks or questioning of'
motive.
Each letter must deal with but
one measure or one subject That
is, several tax measures may be
discussed in one communication,
but not one tax measure and one
road measure.
Every letter must be signed by
the true name of the writer.
The Oregonian will make its
own selection of communications,
but will be governed therein by
unbiased judgment as to the
clearness of the argument.
Letters should be addressed to
the editor of The Oregonian and
be In this office Thursday night.
Paid propagandists and hired
press agents are barred.
Wants to Meet "Hope" and "Janet."
GRESHAM, Or., Oct. 26. (To the
Editor.) It Is not my intention to
enter into the discussion about old
maids and marriage, though there is
still much that might be said, but I
am anxious, if possible, to become ac
quainted with the one signing herself
"Hope"; also "Janet," who, I think,
started the debate.
Would you be kind enough to print
my request so they may, if they care to,
send me their address?
I am an unmarried woman, so you
will not be acting as a matrimonial
agency by favoring me to that extent.
My life has been a very hard one, and
I might make a pleasant acquaintance
through your help.
CARA U. BALDWIN,
Box 75, R. 3.
Senator Miller Not Giving Advice.
ATHENA, Or., Oct. 25. (io the
Editor.) In The Oregonian October
23. I noticed a communication from my
friend Mr. Mason, of Hood River. In
reply I wish to say that I have not
authorized any Interviews; have not
seen any as coming from me; have
taken no part in the discussion of the
road bills; nor have I asked an Indi
vidual to vote for or against a single
bill, nor do I Intend to.
M. A. MILLER.
Plurality Elects.
NANAIMO, B. C, Oct 25. (To the
Editor.) With three Presidential can
didates running in a given state, none
of whom receive a majority of votes
cast, how will the vote of that state
be cast In the electoral college?
D. ROSSEEL.
It will be cast for the candidate re
ceiving the highest number of votes.
Evolutionary Disadvantages
By Dean Collins.
If Darwin's dope be on the square.
We human beings have evolved
From the arboreal simian;
Thus Is our racial history solved.
If Darwin's dope be on the square
But that is neither here nor there.
Contented, careless 1M sprung
From some primordial simian,
I lived a gay contented life
And did my duties one by one.
Contented, careless whence I sprung.
Or on what limbs my forbears swung.
But lo, I found, by Fate's snd freak.
Something that crimped my calm con
tent And led me with regret to pine.
And give my worser nature vent
A "vodville" ape. by Fate's sad freak
Made seven hundred bucks a week.
A chimpanzee, whose earning skill
Dragged In the shining shekels bright
Faster than I could In six months.
Yea, though I worked with all my
might;
An ape, beside whose earning Bkill,
My chances figured almost nil.
At Darwin's line of dope I hoot;
If seven hundred bucks can be
Earned by a monkey, wherefore pray.
Descend unto humanity
At Darwin's line of dope I hoot
What profits me to evolute?
Still, after everything Is said.
Although my little bank roll be
Less than the weekly wage that was
Reward unto that chimpanzee
Still, after everything is said;
I am alive; the monkey's dead.
Portland, October 25.
ROSS ISLAND OF DOUBTFUL VALUB
Prospective Irlce la High and Danger
of Flood Damage la Great.
PORTLAND. Oct 26. (To the Ed
itor.) The proposed buying of Ross
Island becomes Just a little more in
teresting In view of the fact that the
Mayor now says that he does not know
the price, and that the $300,000 which it
is proposed that the city shall pay for
it is but a figure to work on as a
basis in buying the island.
It is pretty morally certain that the
board that agrees upon the price is not
going to prune down the price any,
but, on the other hand, intends to raise
It Just a trifle over the figure of
$300,000.
To me. this whole thing does not
look right by any means. One or two
push clubs and the Mayor have put on
the ballot a proposal to buy a large
tract of land at a heavy figure Just
how much they do not know when at
the same time but few of the voters
know anything at all about this piece
of swamp land called Ross Island, as
far as its value to the city Is concerned.
In the first place, the price Is
nothing less than the figure that resi
dence property sells for In large quan
tities. No private concern would be
willing to pay one-half of what the city
la asked to pay for it. In the minds of
all who know anything of this island,
it is their claim that it would cost an
immense sum to make it useful for the
purposes that the city intends to use it
for. This we would have to add to the
original cost. There Is the danger of
flood, which a few times in the history
of this city has swept over the Island
and submerged it to a depth of several
feet Let this happen again when the
Island Is improved as they intend to
improve it for city purposes, and the
Improvements would have to be made
all over again. That Island Is too oost
ly a venture for the city to take up.
and. In view of the fact that this
movement is not known to the voter in
general, but has been put on the bal
lot by a few booster clni's. It will be
a wise move to vote it down.
We have Just completed a new crema
tory, and the street-cleaning depart
ment of this city is about the best part
of the city's machinery, so there is no
urgent need for a place to dump the
ashes, nor do we need a city Jail about
three miles from th of the city.
At any event this Island would be
useless unless a bridge was built at
the place, and the building of a bridge
at this location is not desired by the
people of South Portland. It U not the
proper place for a bridge at all.
Vote this proposed buying of Ross
Island down on election day. Ross
Island will last for several elections
yet, as no one seems willing to buy
it for manufacturing purposes.
O. IL PETERS.
DAN M'ALLEN IS FOR LUTE PEASH
Candidate la Commended for Ills
Boosting of Home Industries.
PORTLAND, Oct. 27. (To the Edi
tor.) Being asked repeatedly by many
people who Lute Pease is. Progressive
candidate for County Commissioner, I
take this means of stating for , the
benefit of all those interested In the
progress of industrial affairs a few
words concerning Lute Pease.
My first personal acquaintance with
Mr. Pease was in 1896. Everybody liv
ing in Portland at that time may re
member the demoralized condition of
the city. There was no employment in
any line of work; everything waB at a
standstill. This was. due to great ex
tent to the inactivity and lack of co
operation of our own people.
I had a conference, with Mr. PIttock
of The Oregonian" and outlined a plan
of holding an industrial exposition. Mr.
PIttock promised the support of The
Oregonian and assigned Lute Pease,
cartoonist and writer, to work up the
project. Lute Pease, through the col
umns of The Oregonian, succeeded in
creating a sentiment favorable to re
viving the annual fair, but on a much
larger scale than held In previous years.
Lute Pease suggested, among many
other things, that a mass meeting be
called, and further that I make a per
sonal appeal to the commercial and
financial bodies and get their promises
to attend the meeting, and this was the
point that gave us the Exposition, for
people did not attend meetings in those
days unless personally urged to do so.
We had a rousing meeting. A commit
tee of 15 was selected to manage the
affair.- The committee by almost su
perhuman efforts Becured $10,000 as a
guarantee fund. The Fair was a great
success, the $10,000 guarantee fund was
paid back and the surplus, several thou
sand dollars, was distributed among
charitable institutions. This was the
first boost given home industries.
After the Exposition Portland took a
fresh grip on life, and to this day feels
the effect of the work, which was done
in part by Lute Pease, and In carrying
out the plans conceived In his fertile
brain, for he laid the foundation of a
great Industrial movement, which led
eventually to the LewlB and Clara
World'B Fair.
Readers of the Pacific Monthly may
remember Lute Pease as its editor and
the wide range of publicity that he gave
Portland and the Northwest. Lute
Pease, like all newspaper people, espe
cially Journalists, has brains. I ask one
and all, and in all sincerity, Is Lute
Pease entitled to recognition ana your
support for County Commissioner? 1
think he Is. DAN M'ALLEN.
He Liked iiie Cartoon.
PORTLAND. Or.. Oct 27. (To the
Editor.) - "Wanted, More Old-Fash-loned
Mothers." Allow me, in my hum
ble way, to congratulate you on your
cartoon as above entitled. This is one
of the best things of its kind that I
have ever seen. It should be in every
borne. FRANK H. PAGE.
Consul at St. Petersburg.
NAHCOTTA. Wash., Oct. 26. (To the
Editor.) Please state In The Ore
gonian who is United States Consul at
St. Petersburg, Russia.
F. L. SARGANT.
Jacob E. Conner,