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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 25, 1912)
THE MORNING OREGONIAN. MONDAY. NOVEMBER 25, 1912. PORTLAND. OREGON. Entered at Portland. Oregon. Postottlce as brcona-clui Matter. Subscription Rates Invariably In Advance. FIT VAIL.) Del. jr. Sunday Included, one year Dally, Sunday Included, six months.... f Daily, Sunday Included, three months.. z-j D-liy. Sunday Included, one month .73 Dally, without Suncay, one year Wi Dally, without Sunday. six montha..... s. Daily, without Sunday, one month Weekly, one year Sunday, one year ;" Sunday and wmk!y, on year.. ...- aav (BT CARRIER.) Dally. Sunday Included, one year 0J Dally. Sunday Included, one month 'a How to Remit Send Postottlce money or der, express order or personal check on your local bank. Stamps, coin or currency . at the sender's risk. Give postofflce address In full. Including county and state. Postage Rates lO to 14 panes. 1 cent: 1 to 28 panes. 2 cents; 80 to 40 pages. 8 "f" 40 to eo paes. 4 cents. Foreign postage, double rate. Eastern Business Offices Verree Conk lln New York. Brunswick building. cm rtjo. Stecer bulldlnK. San Francises Office R. J. Bldwell Co.. 742 Market street. European Office No. 3. Regent street. B. W.. London. PORTLAND, MONDAY. NOV. So, IMS- PENSIONS FOR EX-PRESIDENTS. The decision of the Carnegie Cor poration to pay a pension of 125,000 a year to ex-Presidents of the United States and their widows brings to the front once more the question, "What shall we do with our ex-Presidents 7" though the recent activities of our only living ex-President rather make It a question of "What will our ex-Presi-dents do with us?" However the ex-Presidents them selves may feel, the American people themselves are apt to feel that. If the former heads of the Nation are to be pensioned, it should be by the Nation, not by any prjvate individual or cor poration. Our increasing wealth as a Nation, our growing importance as a world power and our closer Inter course with other nations require our Presidents to entertain on a scale not dreamed of by the founders of the Re public. Our pride causes us to expect that they shall "hold up their end" in this respect with our leading citizens In private life. The lavish scale of ex penditure resulting from the greater size and number of Individual fortunes has rendered it practically Impossible for a President to do this without spending his entire salary. Thus we In effect compel him to retire from of fice as poor as when he went in. Un less he is blessed with an adequate for tune, he must therefore earn his Hv- InS- , Tet we refuse to regard an ex-President as we regard other men. A man who has "once been head of the Nation is, in the public estimation, a public character for the rest of his life and is called upon to render gratuitous public service in many capacities. His sense of obligation to the Nation for having conferred upon him the highest honor within Its gift forbids him to refuse to respond to .these calls. Thus, In a sense, duties of his office extend be yond the expiration of his term and beyond the time when the Nation pays him for his services. We turn him loose to earn his living as a private citizen, yet insist on his rendering a sort of public service. By paying a pension to an ex-President we can secure the right to this service and can save him from such a fiasco as Grant made of his business career. We can do more. We can obtain the benefit of the vast knowl edge and experience of public affairs which he has gained while In office. This knowledge and experience can be made readily available by providing that an ex-President shall be an ex officio member of the Senate, with all the privileges of the floor, but perhaps without a vote. He could then aid the Senate and any of its committees In elucidating the great questions upon which they must act. If we at the same time render a President ineligible for re-election, we shall raise him above the heat of political conflict and make him a public counselor who can aid greatly in smoothing over difficul ties growing out of partisan and fac tional controversy. A man who has been President of the United States should not be com pelled to earn his living as a private citizen, while still required to perform a public function. The dignity of the Nation forbids that he should become dependent on the bounty of any indi vidual. His services have great value to the Nation, and he should be for mally engaged in their exercise. He should be paid a salary cr pension commensurate with their value and with the high position he has held and with that he will continue to hold. All that he has learned of National affairs should not be thrown away and should not be taken without compensation.. A COURT OF PATENT APPEALS. Specialization is the order of the day in law as in other occupations. We have advanced from specialization by lawyers to specialization by courts, the creation of the Court of Customs Ap peals and of the Commerce Court be ing cases in point. It Is now pro posed to create a Court of Patent Ap peals, which would hold the same re lation to patent litigation as the Com merce Court holds to railroad litiga tion. The bill creating this court was introduced in the House by Represent ative Sulzer at the last session of Con gress and is so strongly Indorsed by associations of lawyers, manufacturers and merchants that it will surely be revived at the coming session. Interpretation of patent law has fallen into such confusion that the proposed new court seems to be ur gently needed. Appeals in patent cases now go to the Circuit Courts of Ap peals, whose decisions in such cases are final unless the Supreme Court di rects a case to be sent to it by special order. There are nine Circuit Courts of Appeals, which are not bound to follow each other's decisions. Thus, deciding patent cases, we have nine in dependent supreme courts whose de cisions often conflict. A patent which Is valid in one circuit may be invalid in the other eight, or vice versa: The court for the third circuit has held that holders of or licensees under pat ents cannot lawfully form a combina tion to uphold prices, while the court for the seventh circuit has held that they can. A cigar lighter of a certain make may be made by any one In the seventh circuit without infringing on a patent, but if he makes it In the sec ond circuit he infringes. It is proposed to end this confuBlon. which demoralizes both lawyers and clients, by taking from the Circuit Courts of Appeals Jurisdiction over patent cases and vesting it in one Court of Patent Appeals for the whole coun try. This new court Is to be composed of a newly appointed Chief Justice and of four Associate Justices, who are to be assigned from the circuit or district bench. The decisions of the new court are to .be final except when the Su preme Court orders that a case be cer tified to It for review and determina tion. Bv the creation of this court the or dinary courts would be relieved of a exeat mass of litigation dealing witn technical questions, and their other business would be greatly expedited. We should have the same law govern ing patents throughout the United States and we should develop a body of judges who were experts in patent law. This would be a decided step forward. MEANINGLESS NAMES. About 15,000 persons In Multnomah Coun. tv, Oregon, signed petitions asking senator Bourne to come out as an Independent can didate for the United States Senate after he had been defeated for the Republican nomination and the Bull Moosers had re fused to take him up. His vote in Multno mah County was but 10,845. Which goes to show how accommodating people are when asked to sign petitions. Tacoma Ledger. Senator Bourne has demonstrated that 15,000 names on a candidate's petition mean nothing at all. It might have been the same with any other candidate. No one was fooled, except possibly Mr. Bourne. No one will be, or can be, fooled hereafter. If any person desires to run for of fice, let him run. Getting names is a needless expense and Is, besides, a nuisance for the public. The only gainers are the petition-hawkers. But names on a petition lor an ini tiative bill, or for the referendum on any measure, or for the recall, are a different matter. Such signatures ought to be made to represent more than a casual or nominal act. . If a public official only should in such cases be -authorized to receive signa tures, and if a penalty were to be im posed on professional solicitors, the appeal to the initiative or referendum, or invoking the recall, would be a su preme act of sovereign citizenship. Why should the people permit these sacred instruments for the expression of their will to be cheapened or per verted or debased? WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION BILLS. One of the most important measures which will come before Congress for action at its next session is a bill which Is being prepared by the Department of Commerce and Labor revising the workmen's compensation law relating to Federal employes, which was passed in 1908. This law is a pioneer of its kind and has been taken as a model for laws by sixteen states, but It is so limited in Its application that, although over 17,000 accidents were reported during the first three years of its operation, only about 8000 claims were filed. It ap plies only to certain classes of labor ers and artisans, and when Alice Houghton, a clerk in the Census Bu reau, was scalped and disfigured for life by machinery, it was found that the law allowed her no compensation. When an attempt was made to pas3 a special act for her benefit, it was blocked by those who contended that she should be protected by a general compensation law, but nothing was done to revise the law. The Government should be a model employer and should compensate any civil servant injured in the line of duty. This should be done through a law which should serve as a model for one granting compensation to railroad em ployes, and also for the individual states. The Sutherland bill relating to railroad employes, which has passed the Senate and now reposes in the House committee on judiciary, has re ceived the indorsement of many labor unions and should, if practicable, be amended to meet the objections of those railroad unions which have op posed it, and then should be passed. The two Federal laws, one relating to Federal and the other to railroad em ployes, could then be used as the basis of state legislation, which -would do away forever with the damage suit evil. THE SCANDALMONGER. To get at the real truth of the slan det of the Y. II. C. A. it Is necessary to give some of the technical details of the newspaper business. An "ex tra," in order to "go." or, in other words, attain ready sale on the streets, must publish news or statements that a large percentage of the people de sires to read. It must have headlines that instantly attract the eye, arouse curiosity or implant a desire to learn more. Otherwise the "extra" is a los ing venture. An indescribable scandal was dis closed in court procedure In Port land ten days ago. Its foul ram ifications entered into or touched a number of reputable institutions. If it cast any odium at all upon other than the secret participa tors In tlie vice it disclosed it involved the good name of a prominent hotel, of trusted employes in large mercan tile establishments and of heretofore honored men in several professions. In the same indefinite way It may be said to have reflected on the supervi sion and control of the city parks and it touched lightly, among other organ izations, the T. M. C. A. But. of course, In every Instance guilt was per sonal; and no Institution, or organiza tion, or business establishment, was in any way accountable. Of all these Institutions or organiza tions the one that stood for morality, decency and right living above all others was the Y. M. C. A. A scandal affecting it was bound to make sala cious reading for every degenerate soul that rejoices when the good or the beautiful is besmirched. With more truth and far greater cause could the burden of the scandal have been at tached to any one of several shoulders. But the name of the Y. M. C. A. was the one that would most surely at tract attention in glaring headlines and in the shrill cries of newsboys.. The Y. M. C. A. was therefore selected for an unprincipled attack. The sole and only motive for this selection was to gain purchasers for an obscene newspaper and give it profitable notoriety. The newspaper that has striven to heap unwarranted disgrace upon an institution sacred in the minds of the moral element of the city seeks to make a living out of scandal, mock heroics and hypo critical friendship for the working people. It is published by a corpora tion, that Is organized under a false cloak of poverty that it may be im mune from civil damages. Its real owner Is a non-resident millionaire. When it loses money its coffers are re plenished from the better filled ex chequers of a score of newspapers owned by the same man and published in every city of consequence in the West. It Is a member of a weatlhy syndicate, but its appearance of cheap, ness and struggling journalism, as well as its friendly counsels to the masses, is but assumed. While Its wealth ex ists elsewhere, here it so far has been a negligible Influence It is endeavor ing to gain a foothold. and it has seized the present opportunity to make shrieking effort' to attract public notice. The Portland member of this syndi cate had all the "news" it published in its night "extras" in ample time to print that "news" in its regular edi tions. Its newsboys were told in the afternoon to prepare to sell late extras. It exhausted, with cunning eye to busi ness, all its possible afternoon profit resources with regular editions and sent forth its scandal extras at night to drag more money from the gullible public. It attacked the Y, M. C. A. out of a definite and premeditated purpose to make money and out of no interest in the welfare of the commu nity wherein ' It desperately seeks a livelihood. This newspaper is now assuring "the mothers" of Portland that it will pro tect them. It is the same newspaper that in the last year "protected" the mothers by loudly supporting for pub lic office two notorious creatures. It is the same Journal that has "protect ed" the mothers by giving vociferous indorsement to every- candidate put forth or desired in office by the vice end of Portland. It Is now placing the word and integrity of its unknown editors, who will remain here only if they make money for its wealthy own er, against the established veracity and honor of court officers, ministers, business men and other permanent citizens who have lived long in the community, and are known to every body. Without soul, without honor, without veracity, without good intent, this sycophant and degenerate contin ues a quest for tainted money regard less of the good it may destroy. The slander of the Y. M. C. A. comes not from the faults of the institution, but from the money greed of a despic able publication. The Y. M. C. A. is but the unfortunate target of a Judgment-proof publication that skates on, but carefully not beyond, the thin ice of criminal libel. It is the victim of a demand for the pennies that little boys can earn by hawking hints at unprintable depravity. It is a sacrifice to the tolerance of an unawakened public conscience. FLOGGING FOR WHITE SLAVERS. A bill has passed the British House of Commons which revives flogging as the punishment for procurers. It gave rise to much debate as to the wisdom of this penalty and each party accused the other of sentimentalism. Oppo nents of flogging said it would brutal ize both the flogged and the public, and that the demand for such a pen alty arose from the sentiment which prompts a man to exclaim on hearing of a crime: "He ought to be flogged." Advocates of the lash argued that op position was prompted by sentimental regard for the criminal, on whom sen timent was wasted. A man so base as to become a pro curer is deaf to appeals to his moral nature, is too lazy to earn an honest living, but is peculiarly sensitive to physical pain. Flogging would have such terrors for him that it might well deter him from a second offense. A term of imprisonment during which he was taught a useful trade would pro vide him with the means of earning an honest living. Fear of further punish ment might prevent his returning to crime and Induce him to practice the trade he had learned. His repug nance for work might gradually disap pear and his moral sense might at the same time be so far awakened that he would feel an aversion to his former mode of life. In fact, flogging might prove the beginning of reform. That flogging has proved a deterrent from brutal crimes Is proved by the experience of England in compara tively recent years. It is not many years ago "that garrotting was a . com mon crime in London. A law was passed providing that garrotters should be flogged and this sentence was im posed on the next few offenders. Since that time garrotting has been very rare in England. Flogging was a most effective deterrent. The argument that flogging and cap ital punishment brutalize the commu nity applies only when the sentence Is executed in public. It held good when murderers and even lesser offenders were hanged on the street in front of Newgate prison and when the heads of traitors were exposed on Temple Bar. Now that legalized executions are private. It no longer holds good, for the people no longer see the brutal izing spectacle. THE TRIPLE ENTENTE IN THE ORIENT. Domination of China by the joint action of Russia and Japan, provided England and France do their part vigilantly to prevent the understand ing from becoming an instrument for the destruction of China, Is welcomed by W. Morton Fullerton In his article on the triple entente in the National Review of London. This writer ex presses a poor opinion of the proposal of Secretary Knox for the internation alizing of the Manchurian railways, which he calls "an amusing Instance of Monroeism in Asiatic waters." He calls the Russo-Japanese deolaration of July 4. 1910, that, if the Manchu rian status quo were menaced, "they would come to terms as to the meas ures they might deem necessary to take for the maintenance of the said status quo," an "apt and . timely re tort" to this proposal. Russo-Japanese co-operation is said to imply probably "the shattering of the Germano-American principle of the open door," but Mr. Fullerton sug gests that Russia and Japan be al lowed to police the eastern shores of Asia with the military and financial co-operation of their friends and al lies. He thinks this development of Eastern Asia will be made Immeasur ably easier by opening- of the Panama Canal and 'will be hastened .by the building of railroads through Persia, Central - Asia. Siberia and China by Western capital "that will discipline in civilizing ways a populaton ready to take its part In the task of world organization" which the triple entente may carry out In co-operation with Japan. The revision of the Anglo-Japanese treaty by which England provided that she should not be compelled to make war on a nation, with which she had an arbitration treaty is censured by Mr. Fullerton as virtually leaving Japan in the lurch, simply "to please the President of the United States, to appease the prime ministers of the Do. minions and to avoid entanglements In connection with the opening of the Panama Canal." Through the failure of the arbitration scheme, England "slipped between two stools," for "she lost Japanese good will and did not obtain that of the United Stataes." Mr. Fullerton here remarks: In a word, Mr. Roosevelt "and Mr. Henry Cabot Lodge, by their violent opposition to Mr. Taft'a arbitration treaty, knocked the bottom out of the British plan to render a friendly service to the United States, while satisfying the Insistent claims of the Dominions. The consequence of the Russo-Japanese agreement is said to be prodig ious in that the bugaboo of the yellow peril will be definitely laid. On this point Mr. Fullerton writes these re assuring words: The apprehensions of the Powers, lest with the break-up" of China the whole raoe should be submerged by a muddy and mounting tide of yellow men, are being conjured away. China is not breaking up: China Is being organized. The trade, the In dustry and the finance of the world, Ameri can and German and British business enter prise, and American. French and British money, are shortly to render Chinamen so busy at rome, under the surveillance of Japan and the triple entente, that many of the now urgent problems of immigration which are disturbing the nights of American, Canadian. Mexican. Chilian and Australian statesmen will, temporarily at all events, be shelved. And for the United States, above all. It is an event of the happiest omen that, Just on the eve of the opening of the Pan ama Canal, Japan should seem to be turn ing her main attention to the problem of co operation with Russia to do the world e work in, those regions of the Pacific where her share of the white man's burden is ana where her responsibilities seem to lie. She needs no naval base on the other side of the Pacific, at Magdalena Bay or elsewhere. Though thispicture of the Chinese kept so busy at home that they will have no desire for either pacific or armed invasion of the world is pleas ing to Americans, the calm assumption that the development of China is to be carried out under the political control of the triple entente and of Japan will not be so welcome. We shall not so readily consent to the shattering of the open door, nor will Germany. An important part of the work of the new Administration may be to secure for us a share of that surveillance over foreign activity in the development of China which Mr. Fullerton assigns exclusively to the triple entente and Japan. . nna vf eiA most remarkable features of the movement for better farming is the part which bankers are taxing in it. A farmer-borrower who uses mnnov In nlrl-stvle farming is both di minishing his ability to pay and reduc ing the value of the security. By im nniraficVifmr th soil and himself he is spoiling himself as a good customer for the bank and Is spoiling nis rarm as security on which money may be lent to the man who will buy him out. On the other hand, the farmer who uses borrowed money in up-to-aate farmlne- InrTAases his ability to pay and improves his security, so that he will be encouraged to borrow again in larger sums for further Improvements onri th hankpr will erladlv lend again because he has proved a safe risk. The interests of the bankers are bound up with thos of the whole community, and other people will more readily rec ognize this truth after seeing mat tne bankers recognize It. There is already division in the Pro gressive ranks in New York City re garding fusion against Tammany in the coming municipal campaign. One wing Insists on running a straight ticket and calling upon all who oppose Tammany to support that ticket. The other wing, headed by Prendergast, declares that the principles of the party call upon it to support any can didate of any party who is pledged to good government as against Tammany rule and who has a good prospect of winning. From this standpoint, he would support either McAneny, a Democrat, or Whitman, a Republican. The habit of bolting grows on such men as led the Progressive bolt, but the temptation to fuse is always strong with a third party, though yielding may be as fatal to the Progressives as it was to the Populists. Poindexter may have the proud dis tinction of being the only bolting Re publican Senator to stand his ground. The others who followed Roosevelt are one by one drifting back into camp. If there were no higher inducement, their places on committee would itrnnrlv influence them to get in line again. Had they attempted to form a separate party, they would nave nao. in riv nn th Important positions they gained as Republicans and to accept what the Republicans ana uemocrats chose to give them, which would be mnr little Thuv also must foresee that the coming reorganization of the Republican party will deprive tnem or any excuse' for standing out. The life-giving and invigorating vf th climate of the Pacific Northwest are displayed by the publi cation in Tne aunaay regoman oi nnrtT-aita nf five counles who have cele brated their golden wedding. One of these couples celebrates a diamond wedding and another bids fair to do so, for only one year is lacking to reach Its sixtietn anniversary, iuv win rh fnl nnnparance of some Of these old people Justifies the hope that they mav vt live manv vears and the num ber of energetic surviving children who joined in the several celebrations gives promise of equal longevity in the next generation. While the population of Germany in creased at the rate 'of over 870,000 a year and that of France at the rate of only a little over 70,000, the latter country cannot expect to hold its own in military strength. All the meas ures adopted to counteract the grow ing sterility of the nation have proved Ineffective against the oposing forces of pleasure, vice and reluctance to di vide a small patrimony among several children. Maine Progressives may block the election of a Republican to succeed Gardner as Senator from Maine. Bur leigh was nominated at the Republican primaries before the party split, but the Progressives seem disposed to Ig nore their pledge to support the pri mary nominee. The Legislature nom inally stands 99 Republicans and 83 Democrats, but 17 of the members classed as Republicans are really Pro gressives. When the maker of fashions can transform the mannish, angular, mus cular Horse Show girl of last year into the slithery, hipless, waistless, hobbled creature of this year,- he must feel proud of his power over half the hu man race. The big fall of snow in Michigan is reminder of approach of Winter east of the Rocky Mountains, while here people depend on the balmy weather and the calendar. Until Wilson gets California, Native Son Phelan's chances for the Cabinet do not compare with those of a man from Oregon. With pessimists forecasting extinc tion of the American turkey, even 80 cents is not too much while the bird lasts. With the passing of the mounted po liceman, the semi-urbanite will no longer have evidence of city taxes paid. Poindexter will be the Progressive Casablanca on the Senatorial deck, "whence all but he had fled." The peroxide blonde will hardly know herself in the ootoroon effect. PUBLISHER REPLIES TO CRITICS Mr. Ochs Denies That Advertisers) Con trol the Country's Press. By George W. Ochs, Publisher of New York Times and Philadelphia Publio Ledger. (Extract from Address.) Critics are quick to charge a news paper with mercenary motives, and the halls of Congress and the hustings often resound with a raucous cry that the American press has degener ated, and that it is dominated by "the Interests," that it is under the control of "big- business'- or its pol icies are dictated by "crooked adver tisers." A more malicious or cruel libel was never uttered. The Ameri can press Is not dominated by any interest except the interest of the pub lic at large, as It interprets it, and in furtherance of this purpose, there is no sacrifice it will not make, no unselfish act It will not perform. It perhaps Is not generally known, but nevertheless it Is the truth, that many newspapers in New York, Phil adelphia and Chicago and other cities refuse to insert advertisements to the value of hundreds of thousands of dol lars each year, merely because they do not regard the subject matter as proper reading for their public, or be cause ' they believe the proposition as likely to induce confiding readers to make unwise investments. How many merchants will refuse to handle at a profit any article of commerce not In terdicted by State or Federal law? Yet there are scores upon scores of news papers which will not insert an ad vertisement of any nostrum, any pro prietary cure for secret diseases, even though they are offered at the highest advertising rates and come within the most rigid requirements of the Federal pure food act. How many banks or bankers will refuse to aocept as collat eral, bonds or stocks of any corpora tion of known intrinsic value, regard less of the faot whether they are se curities In which they would not ad vise their clients to Invest? Yet there are scores upon scores of newspapers which would not insert advertisements of these same corporations, even though they are offered to them at their high est advertising rates. The best news papers will not insert advertisements which contain promises of doubtful good faith, that offend good taste, even though they are otherwise entirely le gitimate. In the aggregate this re jected business reaches an immense sum annually, and the only compensa tion to the newspaper for this loss of revenue is the consciousness of recti tude and an ethical obligation to its public Yet the unthinking, so quick to criticise and condemn, seem entire ly unaware of this sacrifice for prin ciple. . The charge that advertisers con trol the policy of the newspaper Is an other slander on the American press. It Is often charged that great corpora tions, the colossal trusts, "big busi ness." "the interests" and "Wall street" control newspaper policies, but when this charge Is intelligently analyzed, it proves utterly fallacious. The only newspaper a trust could control Is one that It owns, for how otherwise could Its control be exercised? Trusts are not advertisers, except to a very in significant extent; the entire amount spent in advertising by the so-called trusts or monopolies in any one news paper does not represent 1 per cent ot its Income, and no reasonable person with a modicum of common sense would believe that this negligible proportion of its Income could control that news paper's policy. There may be some newspapers owned by trusts certainly no import ant American newspaper that I know of comes within this category but even should this be true,, its policy would certainly reveal it, and where would the turpitude lie? If the Stand ard. Oil Company, in addition to boring oil wells, refining and marketing its product, conclude to conduct a news paper. It would transgress no moral or legal law by so doing. Any Individual, association of in dividuals, partnership or corporation has as much right to publish a news paper as the companies or persons now engaged in this profession. There is no royal road to newspaper making, nor does it require a Government dispen sation or special state or Federal charter. ' The field Is as wide as the universe and free as the air. Any per son or any company with capital to procure an equipment can Issue a news paper, but the public will determine Its merits and decide its future. If it prove an organ hostile to public Inter est It cannot long survive, and even though the wealth of a Rockefeller were poured Into its coffers, its char acter, quality and Influence as a news paper would be wholly dependent on Its intrinsic merit. The glib remark, so often heard, that advertisers dominate the newspaper, has in it. In its last analysis, neither truth, Iogio nor common sense. In the first place, the advertiser has no earth ly reason to exercise Improper control, as he could have no motive that would Imperil his own Interests or Jeopardize public welfare. In the second place, even though any advertiser were foolish enough to undertake such a pre posterous proposition, any publisher with brains enough to conduct a news paper would, of course, instantly real ize that to yield to such dictation would prove suicidal and spell disaster. The charge is utterly foolish, and should not be given a moment's consideration by an Intelligent person. One feature of the new Federal law regarding newspapers is symptomatic of the attitude .toward them of a por tion of the public, to which it Is perti nent that reference be made in this connection viz.: the clause imposing a $500 fine for printing an advertise ment which Is paid tor unless It Is plainly designed to be an advertise ment.. The obvious Inference is that it is customary for newspapers to per petuate this fraud on the reader. It is a gratuitous calumny on the press. That It should have found expression In an act of Congress betrays either woeful ignorance on the part of National leg islators, or, what la more probable, con victs them of Inflicting this insult to gratify the spleen or revenge of a coterie of demagogues, whose hypoo risy and shallowness have been ex posed by an Independent press. No newspaper of standing, charac ter or circulation, whether sedate or sensational, regardless of Its politioal or news policy, would violate the funda mental rule herein implied; the sugges tion that legislation is needed to pre vent it is tantamount to a charge of forgery and false pretense against an honorable profession. The Implication, of course, is that newspapers are ac customed to accept money for editorial expression, for Congress could have no conceivable object or Interest in for bidding paid commercial announce ments being inserted without adver tising marks. One of the inexorable rules in every well-conducted news paper office is to Insert matter that Is paid for either In such type as ob viously shows that it is an advertise ment, or by attaohlng some mark which will so explicitly distinguish it- This. of course, applies only to mat ter that goes in the news or advertis ing columns. There Is no rule in ex istence among decent journalists to distinguish editorial matter that is paid for, for no such situation ever arises; a publisher who accepted any price for an editorial expression would be regarded by the profession In the same category as one who would be guilty of theft, arson, forgery or any other penal offense. Errors Corrected by Writer. DALLAS. Or., Nov. 33. (To the Edi tor.) Under the date of November 21, I wrote a communication for The Ore gonian in which I used the phrase "two straight lines." I should' have said "two parellel lines"; I also used the phrase "Improbable deductions," I should have written "Improbable hy pothetical deductions." Whatever other errors may have occurred In said article these two were really inex cusable. . J. T. FORD. WOMAN'S CHASTISEMENT PRAISED Portland Writer Hopes) Mrs. Lemaatera Really Used Garden Hone. PORTLAND. Nov. 23. (To the Edi tor.) Quite the most, refreshing thing to my mind appearing in the press lately has been the account of the method of Mrs. Lemasters. of Medford, In dealing with a husband devoid of moral sense. All honor to the clear ness of vision and strength of arm and purpose of this woman. If all lying and unmoral husbands were tied in chairs and beaten with rubber , hose Instead of being allowed to pose with eclat and complacency In divorce courts and obtain just what they want that Is freedom to pursue their vil lainy further and if men would be punished severely if they robbed an other man of a few paltry dollars, but may rob a woman of honor and expose her to untold humiliation and escape punishment if these men ot crooked morals could meet such Justice as Mrs. Lemasters administered the world would soon be a cleaner place. We have had the philanderlngs of our Don Juans sung In manifold cantos by Lord Byron and others long enough, with what effect we all know. Now comes the more healthful and elevat ing point of view of the Medford heroine. If we may accept her ac count she finished with some well directed blows on his face. It will have to be conceded that this is unusual and perhaps too strenuous on the part of a deceived and outraged woman if we follow the romantic or poetic code in vogue several genera tions ago (see Oliver Goldsmith's master-piece) when betrayed end love ly woman was advised in graceful lyric to withdraw unostentatiously to some obscure spot and die in sweet lady-like fashion to slow music. Now,, however, an Idea sems to be gaining ground among some women of the present day whom men like the Medford Lothario would probably deem indeli cate and exigeant that life and honor shall , not be taken away from them without protest. Again reverting to the pleasing do mestio denouement in the home, or rather one should say In one of the homes, of Mr. Lemasters I beg of his right-minded wife not to extenuate her action not to reduce by one inch the alleged dimensions of the weapon in question, but to let us fondly believe it to be of the usual common garden variety and size, and of guaranteed quality. MRS A. B. CLARK. 819 Johnson Street. SYMPATHY FOR THE POOR SMOKER Correspondent Would Let Him Puff on Early Morning; Car. PORTLAND, Nov. 22. (To the Edi tor.) I read in The Oregonlan what nonsmoker has to say about smoking on streetcars. It certainly was a sur prise to me to learn that a man, par ticularly a traveling man, Bhould be so finicky. I do not think this gentleman is fair In his opinion of smokers. He would lead you to believe that they were all rowdies. He says the man from San Francisco registered a big kick be cause he could not smoke on Portland streetcars, and burn your hand or coat with his cigar when the car was crowded, or blow, his vile Turkish cigarette smoke right into your face to breathe, or into your mouth should you be talking at the time. Now I do not think the horrid man from San Francisco wanted to do any of these things. Everybody has his own Ideas and a right to express them but Mr. Nonsmoker's are very narrow and selfish. And I think all the fair minded women and nonsmokers will agree with me here. There are hun dreds of men and young men who work in wholesale houses, department stores, etc., where smoking is not permitted. These men are, many of them, smok ers and about the only chance they got is In the morning on way to work. Why 'not allow smoking on rear or front platform In the mornings from 8 to 8 or 9 o'clock? Then Mr. Nonsmoker could have the rest of the day to ride without being burned or choked with smoke. If he had to take a car at this certain hour of the morning 1 guess it would not kill him to get inside. A SMOKER. MR. WARE'S GENEROUS ACT Sends Apples to Various Notables and to The Oregonlan. MEDFORD, Or., Nov. 23. (To the Editor.) Your reply In The Oregonlan Friday is a strange way of putting it. How and' when was Roosevelt the lead ing candidate? In all betting Wilson was the favorite, and surely was con sidered to hold the leading position in the race. However, you have been very nice about your replies, and so I will pack four boxes of Newtowns and Bend you one and one eaoh to Wilson, Taft and Roosevelt, so that all may partake of our little affair. The King of Denmark purchased the prizewinnlng car last year at the Spo kane Apple Show, and so well pleased was he that his agent purchased an other car of this year's Newtowns, too. Hood River has good Newtown ap ples, but we think ours are equal in every respect, although not as well known as yet. In your box I will send a few of the Bennett apples that we think are the finest eating apples at this time of the year. This variety is not well known and there are very few trees in this valley, but for flavor and rich baking qualities our folks think the Bennett has all the other varieties beaten. I happen to have a couple of acres of them. Mr. Bennett says it is a cross with the Winesap and the Jonathan. I will let you know about the express later on. Thanking you for your cour teous treatment of me all through our correspondence. A. K. WARE. Primary Commission la Reactionary. BUENA VISTA, Or., Nov. 20. (To the Editor.) In The Oregonlan a gentle man from Ontario undertakes to tell us that he has hit upon a plan that would put the Toms, Dicks, Harrys, et al., out of business. He says In part that he would throw the primary to the dogs, and that it Is no good. He goes on to tell us that it is conceded that the best men will not present them selves to the primary. And that they should not be required to run their legs off and spend a fortune In order to get these offices; that we should ap preciate their willingness to serve us enough to give them our votes cheer fully. " As a remedy for these poor down-hearted servants he suggests the commission plan. In our opinion the gentleman has In mind a group of old disgruntled poli ticians, who have held on to the public teat so long that they have become baldheaded and are only waiting an opportunity to get free passage to heaven in a flying machine. That their brain is overtaxed is apparent; the pri mary and the corrupt practice act are responsible for their trouble. The elimi nation of slate-making has had the de sired effect. It has put ehronio office seekers on the bum and the people's choice Into office. The primary is here to stay and the gentleman from On tario might just as well hang up his fiddle, for the Dicks and Toms are of the opinion that this commission plan is a relic of the old convention. 3. D. WINN. Teaching; English to Foreigners. Indianapolis News. Peter Roberts, miner, pastor and au thor, in his Just published book, "The New Immigration," tells of his method of teaching English to foreigners. The miners would not fuss with alphabet and grammar, so he taught them by acting out and repeating over and over . I. Haairi MnCT thft riflilv AXTlArl. ences of an ordinary man. The method met witn great nucceoa. Half a Century Ago From The Oreitonlan of November 25, 1S2. V9 learn that the new Iron works on the Tualatin Fiver, four miles above n t in nRlm.&.-A nnnpntlnnil uregon liij, v m i" " " "- " - - ' in 10 or 12 days. The machinery, all or which was maue m wrsii -.w. being put up. It will employ about is hands. Mr. A. K. Olds, the proprietor. Is an experienced iron miner from the Eastern states. A $1000 gold bar for the Sanitary Commission will be forwarded by the citizens of Lewiston to the president of the fund. New York, Nov. 18. A special dis patch from Warrenton says Burnslde has submitted his plan of the campaign to the authorities at Washington. Ad vices from New Orleans state that the expedition under General Weltzel met the enemy at Thibodiauxville and de feated them after a brisk fight. San Francisco, Nov. 20. Brigadier. General Wright received an order by telegraph from the Secretary of War yesterday to muster into service forth, with Captain Reed's company of Cali fornia rangers for active service in the United .States Army. A ladies fair will be given by number of fair ladies at the Gymna sium Hall on Wednesday, December 3. for the benefit of the Presbyterian Church in this city. Admission. B0 cents. We are Informed that the ladles have already purchased a lot for the erection of a church house upon paying 31600 for the same. The gentlemen are to build the houBe and the ladles pro pose to raise 11000 more to flt it upi with seats, etc. Several Rales Laid Down by One Whej Has Had Experience. PORTLAND, Nov. 24. (To the Ed itor.) Having read a number of your matrimonial articles with interest, I, a bachelor, would like to contribute a few remarks. Let it be understood there are exceptions, and many of them, and in the following I speak of averages as we meet them in our dally walk in life. Young persons, as a rule today, do not imna ui me uuiub flclal way. They over-estimate dress, theaters. social functions. Having been reared in homes of luxury or modern comforts by self-sacrificing parents who. through their love, un consciously teach them to covet and satisfy desires that cannot be con tinued In married life; wherefore both must reverse their habits at once and experience a new sensation viz., sac rificing which goes well until the novelty wears away. Then it is dis satisfaction, unhapplness and divorce, or continuation of former habits and a living up to the entire Income, or more, until sickness and trouble comes, with nothing to meet them. Some of the essentials of happy mar ried life are the following:- First Have much In common men tally and love your own home. Second Under no circumstances marry for money. Third Under no circumstances marry when there Is no money on either side, unless both are very young, strong and healthy and have little desire for the better things of life. Fourth Know that sacrificing must be done by both parties and not by one alone. Fifth Live for each other and both live for others. True happiness does not come from a continuous struggle. A MARRIED BACHELOR. FAMILY LEFT ALMOST FENMI.E! Stanford President Asks Aid for Wldorr of Willamette Instructor. STANFORD UNIVERSITY, Cal.. Nov. 21. (To the Editor.) Permit me to call attention to a sad case of the widow and children of a man eminent In science-a case well worthy of charit able help from those who are able or disposed to give. Dr. Edwin Tausch. a young Serman graduate in psychology from one of the German universities, was professor in Ohio University at Athens, and afterwards, because of falling health, accepted the chair, of psychology and philosophy In Willam ette University, Salem, but was obliged to give up this work on account of heart troubles, and finally during the past Summer died, leaving a wife and two children almost penniless in Ger many. It is almost impossible for Mrs. Tausch to support herself and children In that country and unless she can do so the children will be placed in an orphanage. It is her wish to find means for herself and her children to return to America, where the children were born and where she herself would be able to find work as a teacher. In. Germany "hundreds like herself are already waiting for a position wher ever there is an opening. Dr. Tausch has published a number of valuable papers, notably a sympa thetic review of Dr. James' Pragma tism. A study of the psychology of Tolstoi is still unpublished, as well as an extensive volume on Pragmatla Philosophy. Should any one feel like granting aid to the widow of: this etiCted but unfor tunate scholar, money may be sent througrh the writer or to Madam Eliza beth Tausch, care Frau von Wlssman. Warkotsch Krels, Strehlen, Schleiilen. Germany. DAVID STARR JORDAN. UNMARRIED, BUT NOT REPINIXO Bachelor Maid Finds This Pretty Good World, Even for the Single. PORTLAND, Nov. 23. (To the Editor.) I have recently become greatly Interested In the many differ ent opinions on "why we are bachelors," and In reply to the Grouchy Bachelor of Salem, who is wondering why we can not meet, will express my opinion. - The common-sense men and women, being those of the old school, are so few and are scattered here and there In this glorious garden of life which our Creator made that we all might enjoy its many beauties of friendship, love and marriage, it Is not very diffi cult to understand why we are bach elors. I have just passed my 30th Summer and expect to enjoy Just as many more. If I never- find the gentleman that I am looking for, I will never allow myself to grow Indifferent, ungrateful or sel fish, but remain Jolly, good natured and pleasant and throw as much sunshine into this world as is possible for me to do. My evenings are spent with the best magazines and my music, and my days are in the business world, which I find very pleasant, as my associates are in telligent, high minded and courteous, eo If I cannot make biscuits for my "bet ter half." I will stand at my post of duty with a smile. So dear Grouchy Bachelor, do not become discouraged, but cling to that great old proverb. "Hope deferred maketh the heart sick, but when the desire cometh It Is the tree of life." HOPEFUL SUSIE. Where Ills Ideal Slay Be Met. PORTLAND. Nov. 24. (To the Edi tor.) The apparent difficulty the bach elor has had in 'getting together" with the home-loving woman who doesn't bleach her hair, as described In The Oregonlan, leads me to suggest that be might try going to church. BILL DEAL. Revensre on Mother-ln-Law. Paris Pele Mele. "And don't forget to make the doors of my new house only 60 centimeters wide." "Why so?" "My mother-in-law measures. AO,'!