Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 16, 1912)
TIIE MORNING OREGONIAN. MONDAY. PECE3IBER 16. 1912. LAWS 10 ATTRACT NAGEL IS OPPOSED TO FIXIfIG PRICES CAPITAL ADVISED 7 Self-Regulation Declared De Secretary Fisher Would En sirable in Supervision of Business Affairs: courage Development of New Water Power. PRESENT SYSTEM OPPOSED OPEN FIELD HELD BEST DEAD AMERICAN AMBASSADOR TO ENGLAND, HIS WIDOW, HIS LATE LONDON RESIDENCE. rSC , x -"pj Co-cnerBtlon of States to Protect ' Streams Only Theoretical De sirable Settlers Greatest Xeed of Tjand Projects. rGONIAN NEWS BUREAU, Wash ington. Dec IS. The Immediate formu latlon and adoption of a practical Federal water-power policy which will encour age the development, and at the same time adequately protect the Interests of the public. Is strongly urged by Sec retary Fifher In his annual report to the President The Secretary condemns as imoracticable and harmful the present law governipg water power on the public domain, and seeks to Im nru rnion Con ft re." s and upon the country the necessity for enacting mot law that will induce capital to ava.il itself of Innumerable opportunl ties for hydro-electric development. narticularlv in the Western States. Indirectly, the report is a criticism of Congress for its failure to take up and dlsDose' of this subject in an In telligent manner. Rate Regulatlom Left to States. The secretary, as he has heretofore made known. Is opposed to transferring to the states full Jurisdiction over water-power development, but proposes a system of Federal regulation and eentro not designed to swell the fund In the Federal treasury, but to extend the Improvement of streams and water sheds in those states where water sower can be developed. He would also leave to the states the function of rerulatins the service and the rates of hydro-electric public utilities. Secretary Fisher condemns the pres ent law. which proceeds on the theory that the only way the public interests can be protected Is to stipulate that the permit under which water power Is developed may be revoked at any time br the official granting-the authority, This theory, says he, neither promotes development nor protects the public In terests in an effective manner. The rev ocable feature of the existing law is a erlous and unjustifiable obstacle to the development and utilization of this great natural resource, he declares. Theoretically, he says, the states can develop and protect the streams ana watersheds of the streams within their respective borders, and if the streams are Interstate, can co-operate in tnis work. Practically, he says, this is not done. - States Jointly interested In the development and disposition of inter state waters not only do not co-oper ate, but are In fact antagonistic Alaska's Need of Fuel Showa. Alaska coal lands were much in the limelight one year ago. This year the subject is passed with scant mention. "The conditions surrounding the coal- bearing areas of Alaska . have,, not changed essentially." says the Secre tary, "except that the distressing need of cheap native fuel for the develop ment of the territory's other resources has been even more strongly empha sized by the prolonged period of Con greeslonal Inaction. The Governor re ports that the residents of the terrl tory generally are willing to accept any measure which will cause the fuel resources to be opened to development so much so that the comparative ad vantages of a fee system, a leasing plan, or Government operation have ceased to be a matter of discussion. ' The reclamation fund, up to June 30, 1IJ. had received S77.000.000. says the Secretary, not counting the 120,000,000 fl mprman flmha flnr Sllfi- law. In w r '! Iff" ' S jpfkjii !; ' oj&& nf ' - - gL :: ""HHi.iiiniissTMisTirn-nri. nm ninri m unsii mm m ' 1 i- v v , v- sLiWBb-ito,j Reports Should Be Required Auto nratically of Corporations, Secre tary Says Repeal of Seal ing limitation Crged. I ABOVE, DORCHESTER HOUSE BELO W, MR. AND MRS. WHITELAW REID. WHITELAW REID DIES lean authorized by the Borah general, the Secretary commends the work of the Reclamation Service, and says that on a proper basis of compari son the cost of works built by the Reclamation Service Is less than the cost of thdse of equal magnitude built by private enterprise. The Government works, he finds, are far more sub stantial, and will not have to be re built. In a word he dismisses com plaints of some settlers that Govern ment works are unnecessarily expen Ive. ' The Secretary also objects to the general policy of extending the time of payments for setlers on Government projects, though recognizing the Justice of extensions in certain cases for can! He would lighten the burden on the settler during his early years, has al ready authorized graduation of pay ments, and would amend the law to allow a postponement of residence on reclamation entries until two years after entry is made. Cesapeteat Settlers Greatest Need. The greatest present need of the Gov ernment projects, he says. Is to bring ing of a competent class of settlers to the lands, and the exclusion of specu lators. Secretary Fisher devotes considerable space to pointing out again the inade quacy of the present land laws, and -nrglng a comprehensive revision. Piecemeal conservative legislation, he hows, is harmful to the West, as, for Instance, the enactment of a law au thorising the withdrawal of certain classes of mineral lands, without an accompanying law providing for their tise or disposition after they have been withdrawn. Tet the Department Is blamed for sewing up millions of acres of land so they cannot be used. The Secretary renews his recommendation that; the remaining public lands be classified according to their adaptation for use, and that appropriate laws be passed providing for the disposition of each class of lands. He would segre gate the homestead law, having one law for ordinary agricultural lands, ' another law for dry lands, and a third law for irrigated lands. One new subject taken up by the Secretary is the question of taxing In dian lands. He says there is reason able complaint that Indian lands are - withheld from development and taxa tion, and to cure this abuse steps are being taken to issue patents to Indians entitled to allotments and competent to handle their own lands. This will re sult in rendering their lands taxable. Laads Should Be Classified. The Secretary emphasizes the recom mendation made in his annual report last year for the need of a comprehen sive land classification and of admin istration based thereon. The existing statutes, he says, attempt to recognize in a very general and Ineffective way the fundamental differences between the different classes of agricultural lands still remaining in the public do main. The present system Is not flexl . ble enough to recognize the differences, be declares. Secretary Fisher recommends the "adoption of constructive legislation with respect to water-power develop ment and control, and the compre hensive application of the leasing sys tem to the development of our public coal, oil. gas. asphalt, nitrate, potash and phosphate lands, with appropriate provision for the protection of pros pectors during a reasonable explora tion period preliminary to the leasing of the land." cumbs to Short Illness. BRITAIN MAY LEND WARSHIP Ambassador's Wife Desires to Re turn to America as Soon as Possi ble Details of Public Funeral Are Xot Yet Arranged. fOontlnud From Firm Fag.) of the new educational building in Al bany. He returned to England some what fatigued, but no anxiety was felt over his condition. Physician's Report Cheera. On October 31, however, he went to Wales and made an address in Univer sity College and from that time suf fered from colds. He called in Sir Wil liam Osier, who examined him and de clared there was nothing wrong. The Ambassador was cheered by this re port and with his wife joined his guests at his country house. He returned to Dorchester house on December 2 and his final illness be gan the next day, Mr. Reid continued to carry on his correspondence and signed official documents as late as last Wednesday. His family and house hold did not realize that he was in any danger, and although at times he showed much depression, it was at tributed to the gloomy weather. The doctors, too, were optimistic, but ad vised him to remain within doors, and he did not Join the party last week at Wrest Park, which he had invited to meet the Prince and Princess of Teck. Even in the last week several small luncheons, which the Ambassador and Mrs. Reld were accustomed to give vis itors from the United States had been arranged. Just before his condition be- CHIEF RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY SECRETARY FISHER. Adoption of comprehensive water-pom-er policy for all streams In the United State. Comprehensive classification ' of public .lands, and administration In accordance therewith. Enlarged application of leasing' principle to the public domain gen erally. Amendment to mining law giving prospector exclusive right for a term of years of possession and prospect ing within limited area. Legislation for development of transportation ' facilities and coal lands of Alaska. Omprehensiva leasing law for coal. oil and other mineral lands. Withdrawal from entry of public lands in West to protect headwaters of streams. Legislation for retirement and pen- aionlng of civil employes of the Government. came serious. These were cancelled when he was attacked by asthma Wednesday. - Condition Rapidly Grows Worse. On Thursday the attacks became more severe, and Sir Thomas Barlow was summoned in consultation, and Dr. Rowlands was installed in the house to be In constant attendance. The attack became worse Friday, and for a time It was believed the Am bassador could not survive the night He was greatly exhausted but the phy sicians got the naroxyms unoer con trol and later held out hope for his recovery. Mr. Reld did not. however, regain his strength, and on Sunday morning it was said that he was sink ing. Mrs. Reid and Mrs. Ward, who had been in constant attendance since his condition became - serious, were summoned. He soon lapsed into un consciousness and lay quietly until the end came. Whltelaw Reid, who came to Eng land in 1905. spent some busy years here. The diplomatic duties are not so heavy in London as at some posts, but socially the United States Am bassador Is milch In demand and more frequently called upon to make speeches and addresses than the other Ambassa dors. Mr. Reld gave much time to his ad dresses, particularly those made in the university, and was at this work long before other men in his position would be astir. He dictated to his secretary or wrote for several hours before go ing to the embassy, where he was reg ular in attendance until Illness over took him, and' there spent another three hours receiving visitors and at tending to official correspondence. There were invariably engagements, official and unofficial, for the after noon, and entertainments for the even ing, which made his day complete. He was a member of several big clubs. These he seldom visited, although a regular attendant at the meetings ol the Roxborough, a club of booklovers, and the Tltmarch, a Thackery club. Until the last he was acyve in lit erary pursuits. One of the reasons he desired to give up the Ambassadorship and return home was that he might be enabled to write his memoirs, of which he had a mass of matter and to which his friends continually asked him to give his time. . . , One of the Ambassador's last letters was written December 6 to Robert Donald, editor of the Chronicle and a member of the committee of the Anglo American reace centenary. Illness Found Inconvenient. "I am finding once more this week there Is never a convenient moment for being ill," it began, "but 'nothing has troubled me so much since the break down three or four weeks ago that followed my overwork In the Autumn and early Winter, as to learn that the physicians will not consent to my at tending the public meeting of the Man sion House to help Inaugurate your movement for celebrating the 100th anniversary- of peace between our' tw countries. I especially wish to be present, because I regard thin as an event of enormous Importance, and I think that failure to give it such a celebration as should challenge the at tention of the world would be a crime." After congratulating Mr. Donald on his work and writings In behalf of the celebration, the letter continued: "If I dared to promise to be present at the Lord Mayor's meeting, I would, and if by the time it comes I can es cape so far from the thralldom of the physicians, I surely sha'l be. "In the meantime, I hope that the work is in as forward and promising a state in my own country, as here. I am sure that the centenary could' not have come at a moment more helpful: for the peace of the world" -t , j ....... i OFFICER KILLS RIVAL Candidate for Chief of Police, Defeated, Shoots. SUICIDE ATTEMPT FAJLS Member of Riverside, Oal., Police Force, Enters Acting Chief's Of fice and aiurders Him, Then Quietly Surrenders Gun. RIVERSIDE. Cal., Dec. 16. Patrol man Barrett shot and killed Deputy Chief of Police Balrd In police head quarters early today and, after being taken to the County Jail, tried to com mit suicide. The two officers were candidates for the office of Chief of Police, which was made vacant by the death recently of Chief Coburn, and the tragedy was the outcome of their rivalry. Balrd and Barrett were alone at the time. Policeman Lucas, who was in an outer room, heard three revolver shots. He rushed into Baird's office and there found the acting Chief dead on the floor and Barrett standing over hlnv with a revolver In his hand. Balrd had been shot three times. "I guess you have done it," said Lu cas, as he burst into the room. "Yes, I have," replied Barrett, calmly, as he handed over his weapon. When he was transferred from the city prison to the County Jail Barrett tried to cut his throat with the frag ment of a drinking glass which he had broken, but was prevented by the Jailer. Baird was to have been named Chief of Police tomorrow. ' Workers Secure Vacation. FLORENCE, Or.,. Dec. 16. (Special.) The Johnson-Anderson Company, contractors on the Government work here, will close the work Tuesday evening for about a month, both to allow their men to spend the holi days at home and that they may avoid the frequent Idle days usually made necessary by stormy weather at this season of the year. SALIENT FEATURES OF SECRE TARY NAGEJL'S REPORT. ' Powers of the proposed commission to regulate big business should be well defined and restricted. Opposes giving such commission authority similar to that of Inter state ' Commerce Commission. It should not be empowered to fix prices. Self-regulation of business, to greatest extent consistent with public welfare, should be guiding principle of legislation. Corporations should be compelled to make automatic reports regarding capitalization, business, profits, con trolling Interests, etc. Bureau of Corporations should as sist Federal Courts in reorganising concerns dissolved under the Sherman anti-trust law. Approves an International confer ence to secure greater safety of life at sea, and raises question whether United States Government should take over all seacoast wireless sta tions. Suggests creation of board of arbl- ' tratlon to settle railroad labor dis putes. During fiscal year 1012 S3S.1T2 Im migrants were admitted; 70,000 aliens naturalized. ' Recommends repeal of law for five year closed sealing season In Alaska. WASHINGTON. Dec. 15. Charles Nagel, Secretary of Commerce and Labor, would sharply define and re strict the powers and discretion of the proposed Federal commission to regu late Industrial corporations. In his annual report submitted to President Taft today, the Secretary opposes the endowment of such a commission with far-reaching powers equal to those ex ercised by , the Interstate Commerce Commission over railroads. He disap proves the suggestion that the com mission have authority to fix prices of commodities. Epitomizing his doctrine for Govern mental supervision of business. Mr. Nagel says: "Instead of pressing Federal regula tion as far as possible, the real desi deratum in legislation affecting the country's business should be to pre serve, to the greatest extent consistent with the public welfare, the element of self-reeulation. The effort should be to lay down principles of conduct sufficiently specific to impose desired restraints, at the same time leaving a wide field for individual achievement." Limited Discretion Advised., "If such a trade commission Is well defined," the Secretary says, "It may serve the general purpose of giving large Industrial and commercial con cerns much needed Federal authority and control. It Is possible that, by lodging in the commission well-defined discretion, an intelligent purpose may be. served." To make more effective the work of the Bureau of Corporations and pave the way for constructive legislation regulating business, the Secretary urges that Congress provide for the automatic submission by corporations engaged in Interstate trade of certain fundamental data, such as tacts reiai- Iner to caDitaliaatlon. property, bust ness. investment, profits, officers, di rectors and controlling interests, eucn information, subject to due protection gainst unnecessarily disclosing- mat ters of no real public concern, uaua the Secretary. would permit more prompt publicity than is possible under the present method of laborious Inves tigation in each specific case. Mr. Nagel believes the Bureau oi Corporations should act in an advisory cana.citv to the Federal courts in for mulating plans of reorganization of corporations found to be hi violation of the Sherman anti-trust law, because ha savs the Questions Involved In re storing, competition in a great business deoend as much upon intimate anowi edge of conditions in an industry 3 upon questions of law. Although he thinks the Bureau already has autnor ity to render this assistance, he sug gests that it be specifically authorized by statute. Shlpa' Crews Should Be More Fit. In connection with the awakening of the world by the Titanic disaster to the urgency of greater safeguards of life at sea. Mr. Nagel indorses the propo sition to hold an International confer ence, and calls attention to the need of laws governing personnel of crews witha view of better guaranty of the fitness of men so employed. The interest of the United States In this subject is keener than any other country in the world, not excluding Great Britain and Germany, the Secre tary points out, because 2.000,000 per sons annuallv. cross the ocean to or from this country. A year's operation of the act of August 13 last requiring the licensing of all wireless apparatus will demon strate. In the Judgment of Secretary Nagel. whether In this country, as abroad, the Government should take over ail seacoast wireless stations and operate them . Jointly for public and commercial purposes. A board of conciliation and arbitra tion to take the place of the provisions of the Erdman act for the settlement of disputes between railroads and their employes is suggested by Mr. rsagei. Emigrants to Canada May Return. One feature of the Secretary's re Are clean, convenient and business-like. They add to your prestige, comfort and se curity. Returned to you canceled by tbe bank, they are the best kind of receipt. SECURITY SAYINGS AND TRUST COMPANY Fifth and Morrison Streets Capital and Surplus, $1,400,000 "While the cigar is the ideal Christinas present for a man, it must' be the right kind of a cigar. People often forget that there are cigars and cigars and the difference between the high-grade article, such as a Lord Baltimore, a Mi Hogar Garcia and such superior brands, and the inferior article of questionable material and reputation, is as marked as between a real diamond and a paste." In choosing his Christmas cigars it will pay you to come right to us and so be sure of getting just what he wants. Over a million to choose from. SiCiiel'S 3 Stores 92 Third Street 6th and Washington 3d and Washington port indicates that some American citi zens who formed part of the great emigration to Canada during recent years are probably contemplating re turning. Many of them are applying, the Secretary says, for the bulletins Issued by the division of Information of his department setting forth the labor needs, and small investment op portunities in the United States, espe cially In the agricultural districts. During the flBcal year 1912, there were admitted to the United states 838,172 Immigrant aliens, a decrease of 40,415 as compared with the previous year. On the other hand, 333,262 emi grant aliens departed, an increase of 37,596 over 1911. Nearly 70,000 aliens were naturalized during the fiscal year. The arrangement with Japan govern- ng the admission of Japanese ana Coreans to the United States is giving satisfactory results, the Secretary says. During the last fiscal year 5358 Japan ese were admitted to this country proper and 3231 to Hawaii. The de- partment admitted 5374 Chinese during the same period. mi The Meier & Frank Store Will Remain Closed Even ings Until Wednesday. P0RfiArfpftiTf,OH J, AN IDEAL PRESENT For Christmas is one of these self-recording Savings Banks. A child's heart is always delighted with a bank,and it teaches him the saving habit the only sure road to success. Call and let us explain how to get one free. We pay four per cent interest. Merchants National Bank Under Government Supervision. Founded 1886. Washington and Fourth Streets. m at tfW- BRAND PURE PORK SAUSAGE (U. S. Gov't Inspected) Made Good because it's Made Right In one-pound sanitary cartons. At your dealer's, fresh every morning. UNION MEAT COMPANY " : ' - -".T7Z, , , .i.ii r m COUPON ffi GO DECEMBER 16 jjSjlJI HOW TO GET THIS BOOK Desiring to render . great educa Uonal service to Its readers, The -..-- gonlan has arranged with Mr. Haslcln to handle, WITHOUT raurii to ii SELF, the exclusive output of his val uable! book tor Portland. Cut the above coupon from six consecuuv Issues of The Oregonlan and present them with CO cents to cover the ban cost ol manuiaciure, ireignt ana handling and a copy will be presented to you without additional coat Bear In mind that this uoua has teen moil carefully written; that every chaplsr In It Is vouched for by an authority: that It Is Illustrated frc i photograph taken especially for it; that It la writ ten In large, clear type on fin book paper and bound In heavy cloth la 11 attractive, durable manner. A fl VALUE FOR 60 cents. Act quickly it you want a copy. Save alx consecutive coupons and present them at The Oregonlan office, sixth and Alder streets. Each Book by Mail 15c Extra for Postage and Wrapping X v1 a