THE aiOBNING OREGOXIAX, FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 1913.
10
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PORTLAND. FRIDAY. APRIL H.
LA FOIXXTTE MISSTATES FACTS.
The growing community of Interest
politically between President ilson
And Senator La Follette is indicated
by the tetter's indorsement of Mr. Wil
son's Chinese policy in La Follette a
Weekly. So over-eager is the Sena
tor to approve what the President has
done that he errs seriously in hla re
cital of the facts relating to the Chi
nese loan.
Mr. La Follette seems disposed to
rive the credit, whatever credit there
be. to Secretary of State Bryan, for
he ascribes the repudiation of "dollar
dlDlomacy" to that gentleman, tnougn
the statement announcing the fact
came direct from the hite House.
Not until afterwards did Mr. Bryan
rather superfluously give that state
ment his approval.
The Senator's version of the part
played by the United States in the
Chinese loan affair directly conflicts
with that of the President. Mr. La
Follette speaks of the State Depart
ment being used as the agent of high
finance, as "developing the State De
partment into a business agent for a
certain powerful group of speculative
bankers in New York." Mr. Wilson's
statement puts the boot on the other
foot, for it says:
We ar Informed that at the request of
the last Administration a certain aroup of
American banters undertook lo partk-tpale.
tn the loan now cioelred bv the ajovernmeal
of China (approximately all'S.ow.OuOr.
So far from Wall street using the
State Department as its agent in spec
ulation, the State Department used
Wall street as Its agent d)n furthering
American policy In China. The New
York bankers joined in the loan
agreement at the express request of
the Government. Mr. Wilson stated
this fact and he truly stated the mo
tives which actuated his predecessor
and Secretary Knox, as follows:
Our Government wished American hank
era to participate alone; with the banker of
other nnllona because it desired that the
rood will of the United sinus toward China
should be exhibited In this practical way.
that American capital should have access
to that treat country, and that the Vmted
Mate should be In a position lo share with
the other powers any political r'-sponsiblll-tlra
that might be associated with the de
Teloprnent of tie foreign relations of China
In connection with her Industrial and com
mercial enterprises.
But Mr. La Follette in his animos
ity against Mr. Tuft, which is evident
ly greater than his zeal on behalf of
Mr. Wilson's policy, says:
Dollar diplomacy demanded bluntly of
China that a substantial share of the huge
loan she was preparing to get from Euro
pean bankers be fln to the American
group of banker", and that this loan be the
means of fastening Wall street control upon
the affulrs of China.
Dollar diplomacy cared naught for the In
tegrity of China, if only her railroads,
natural wealth and trade were opened to
the exploitation of American speculators.
Everybody, including himself, rec
ognize that Mr. Taft is politically
dead and decency requires that all
should let his pollth-al bones rest in
peace. But Mr. La Follette kicks him
when he Is down by misstating facts
and misrepresenting motives.
Mr. La Follette has done good serv
ice to the country, which men of both
parties praise without stint. But he
has allowed himself to be blinded with
prejudice to such a degree that he
can see no good in anything done by
either Mr. Taft or Wall street. The
former gave ample proof that he has
no undue friendship for Wall street
by his anti-truM ami his railroad pol
icy. The latter hus fins enough to
answer for without being blamed for
those of which it is not guilty. Many
persons would be glad to corifer high
er honors on Mr. La Follette. but they
will be leys willing to do so unless
he shows more fairness towards those
whom he opposes.
A R:MKIV I"l LOG-ROLLING.
A plan for the equitable distribu
tion of Congressional pork has been
evolved by Anson Phelps Stokes, sec
retary of Ynle University. It really
applies generally anil systematically
the plan which hus been followed for
some years in the Improvement of the
rhannel between Fortland and the
sea. and more recently in improve
ment of several Oregon harbors. The
principle is that the locality directly
benefited should contribute a share of
. the cost of those public Improvements
which fall within the province of the
Government, and that those sections
which are willing to make such con
tributions should have the first claim
on funds available for this kind of
work.
Mr. Stokes proposes that every lo
cality specially benefited by a river
and harbor or a public building 'ap
propriation should be required to con
tribute 10 per cent of the cost of the
improvement. A general law of this
kind would do away with graft and
log-rolling. It would protect the
Treasury from raids for improvement
of creeks which never have been and
never can be navigable and for the
erection of buildings at villages and
small towns, where the rent now paid
for postoffice quarters is but a frac
tion of the Interest on the cost of a
proposed building. Where an appro
priation is desired simply for the sake
of having money spent in the com
munity, the Stokes plan would be an
automatic block, for people are not
disposed to tax themselves for useless
expenditure of money.
But local contributions of a fixed
percentage would scarcely meet the
case. Where a public building is de
sired, the rent now paid for Federal
offices should be capitalized and the
locality should be required to contrib
ute all In excess of that sum. The
Government would then simply pay
rent to Itself and the town could se
cure a more or less expensive and
ornate building, as its means, ambi
tion and enterprise dictate, within cer
tain reasonable limits to be fixed by
Congress. A lump sum for buildings
could then be apportioned, to be dis
tributed by the Building Bureau ac
cording to the general rule.
In applying the rule to rivers and
harbors, the share of the expense
borne locally should vary according
to the magnitude of the undertaking
and the extent of the benefits. The
Government should pay a larger pro
portion of the cost of improving such
rivers as the Mississippi and the Co
lumbia than of any of their minor
tributaries, where the benefit would
be almost purely local. Yet every
state on one of the main waterways
should contribute to its improvement.
The same principle should be applied
to harbors. The benefits of improv-
ing one of our great seaports are so
general that the Nation's share of the
cost should be larger than in tne case
of a small harbor, draining the com
merce of a restricted district.
Mr. Stokes is on the right track.
He proposes that Congress apply the
principles of merit and self-help to
Federal improvements and thereby re
lieve itself from much well-deserved
criticism.
PKOGREScUVXXESS BCN WILD.
California under Bull Moose rule
has given an example of progressive
ness run wild. The Bull Moose idea
appears to be the regulation by-law
of every movement a man makes, and
legislation of the kind which was once
known as grandmotherly government.
The Progressive party has no ad
vantage over other parties in devotion
to social and industrial Justice, tut
that does not extend to the appoint
ment of a commissioner to care for
bees, to "regulation of the weight of
eggs, of the manner of drawing beer,
of the length of bed sheets or of the
sale of theater tickets. This is pro
gressiveless made ridiculous.
California has taken the place or
Kansas as the state where freak leg
islation abounds. Perhaps this is the
effect of reaction from a long period
of boss rule or it may possibly arise
from the heat of the sun on the ardent
California temperament. When zeal
for the public weal goes to such ex
tremes, another reaction is due and
the Golden State will be fortunate if
disgust with the vagaries of the Pro
gressives does not cause it to fly to
the arms of a new boss as a safe
refuge.
WHAT THE MISSING TEN DO.
Four men with Improved machinery and
the nelrt of science now produce as much
food as formerly was produced by fourteen
men. Where are the ten;
This question waa asked by Presi
dent Henry Waters, of the Kansas
Agricultural College, at the cost of
living conference. The answer is that
the ten have ranged themselves in line
between the farmer and the consumer.
compel the farmer to pass his prod
uce through their hands on its way
to the consumer and each take a piece
off the loaf of bread In transit.
Two main factors in the high cost
of living are uneconomic, wasteful
production on the farm and a waste
ful- system of distributing, not only
farm products, but manufactures.
Other main factors are the tariff, the
trusts and an unscientific currency
system. Methods of farming and dis
tribution can be improved by' volun
tary co-operation of individuals with
out the intervention of the Govern
ment, state or National, except in
some minor particulars. The Nation
al Government can aid by collecting
and distributing information as to the
best methods of farming. The states
may aid by facilitating incorporation
of co-operative associations. As re
gards production and distribution of
farm products, the rest can be left to
those immediately concerned. By re
vising the tariff, dissolving the trusts
and reforming the monetary system.
Congress can help, but farmers and
consumers need not wait for these
measures before doing their part.
This whole subject of the cost of
living is intimately associated with the
growing disproportion of urban to
rural population. Let farming be
made a more profitable and more at
tractive occupation and the tide,
which has already turned backward
to the country, will set more strongly
in that direction until the natural pro
portion is restored. We may hope
that then city and country will de
velop normally side by side, each
bearing the correct relation to the
other, so long as we permit no un
natural interference with the opera
tion of economic law.
HOME EDUCATIONAL STATISTICS.
A recent census bulletin giving edu
cational statistics as compiled by the
enumeration of 1910 shows that the
country as- a whole is making rapid
strides towards universal education,
and but one state, Iowa, makes a bet
ter showing than Oregon. Taking the
country as a whole, the illiterates 10
years of age and over in 1900 com
prised 10.7 per cent of the total popu
lation: this was decreased to 7.7 per
cent tn 1910. which was Indeed a re
markable record, showing that in the
face of an increase of total population
of more than 15.000.000 people, the
illiterates were reduced from 6,180,
069 In 1900 to 5.516.13 In 1910.
Oregon In 1900 had a total popula
tion of 413.536. Of this number there
were 10.6S6 illiterates over 10 years
of age; in 1910 we had a population
of 671.675. but there were 182 fewer
illiterates than in 1900. or a total
number of 10.504, reducing the per
centage of illiterates from 3.3 per cent
to 1.9 per cent. Iowa had but 2.3 per
cent of illiterates in 1900. the same
as Nebraska, while Oregon had 3.3
per cent. In 1910 Iowa reduced the
percentage to 1.7 and Nebraska and
Oregon each to 1.9. So Oregon really
made greater strides during the last
decade than any other state and may
claim to be the banner educational
state of the Union.
While we must look to the South
for Ignorance, particularly to Louis
iana and South Carolina, the former's
illiterates aggregating S9 per cent and
he hitter's 25.7 per cent, one cannot
but be amazed at the educational
work going on below the Mason and
Dixon line. In 1900 the Illiterates in
the former state constituted 38.5 per
cent, in the latter state 35.9 per cent.
As this gain was largely due to the
advancement of the negro population
uch illiterates constituting 61.1 per
cent of the population in Louisiana in
1900 and only 48.4 per cent in 1910,
and the figures in South Carolina be
ing reduced from 52.8 per cent In 1900
to 39. 7 per cent in 1910 we can ee
what a tremendous advance has been
made.
No doubt this was largely due to the
remarkable work of one man Booker
T. Washington, for we find that in the
state of his principal labors, Alabama,
the illiteracy of all classes was re
duced In the ten-year period from 34
per cent to 22.9 per cent, while the
percentage among the negroes was
reduced from 57.4 per cent to 40.1 per
cent.
Coming to Portland and taking the
total school attendance of all ages.
we find that we do cot make as good
a showing as many other large cities,
our . total attendance being 60.4 per
cent, or a total attendance of 26,146
out of an enumeration of 43.272. Of
a total of fifty cities each with a pop
ulation of 100,000 or over, twenty-nine
of them do better than this. Boston
of course heads the list with an at
tendance of 68.1 per cent; Richmond
is at the illiterate end with an attend
ance of only 51.0 per cent.
The Oregon' statistics show that
"the little red schoolhouse" is cutting
a tremendous figure in the education
al advancement of our state, and if
we can do as well in the present dec
ade as we did in the last we will very
likely find ourselves with a smaller
percentage of illiterates in 1920 than
any other state.
CRCEL XATTRK AND FOOLISH HAN.
The Independent prints this week
an editorial on "The Mercilessness of
Nature," which operates to depress
one until the subject has been thought
over in various lights. The article is
inspired, of course, by the recent flood
horrors, and it seems to be the opinion
of the Independent that mankind
never can hope to escape from recur
rent calamities of this sort. "What
shall we do when the boundless sky
conspires to pour down at once its
floods of ruin? Can we bank the riv
ers and imprison their waters? We
have been trying it for many years,
but the levees break through and the
planted meadows are washed away."
And so the Independent, which ought
to know better, goes on down a whole
column of lamentation.
The simple truth is that we do not
know from experience whether we can
control our river floods or not. We
never have tried to do so in a sys
tematic and sensible way. Levees
have been built and channels dredged
by piecemeal and the work has been
done so thoughtlessly that what had
been finished here was lost by neglect
over yonder. The preventive works
have gone ahead hit or miss, without
plan or unified purpose and the results
have naturally been disappointing.
Before anybody is entitled to say
that the rivers of this country cannot
be controlled and disastrous floods
prevented we must first try the effect
of systematic and scientific measures.
It is certain, unless science is wholly
at fault, that a great deal of the sur
plus water can be retained in storage
basins. The Miami River, for exam
ple, has no storage lakes at its head.
but such might easi'y be constructed.
To the natural lakes at the source of
the Mississippi artificial ones could be
added sufficient to retain most of its
flood waters and distribute them
through the dry Summer months. This
work has been partially done, but not
on the scale required by the condi
tions. As to levee building, it is condemned
by the best engineers, not only because
It is an unreliable safeguard, but be
cause it aggravates the very evil it is
designed to prevent. Before we sit
down to weep hopelessly over our
floods let us practice a little common
sense in trying to prevent their rav
age. THE PAPACY.
Some enthusiastic historians of the
church are willing to trace the begin
nings of the papal power back to the
residence of Paul and Peter in Rome.
Paul certainly visited the imperial city
and Peter may have done so, but
whether he did or not the tra-lition of
hlc life and death there has served the
vliurch quite as well as the reality
could have done and perhaps better.
It is certain that the Christian com
munity which was formd in Rome not
long after the crucifixion increased
rapidly in numbers and influence and
presently came to be looked upon as
the central congregation for the whole
world. The Jerusalem church was
far Inferior to it in prestige almost
from the beginning, both because of
its narrow Jewish spirit and because
that city was a long distance from the
focus of the Empire's thought and
trade. Religion, quite as much as
commerce, follows the flag. As early
as the year 190 the Bishop of Rome,
whose-name was Victor, felt powerful
enough to excommunicate the eastern
Christians because they failed to
agree with his views as to the proper
date of Faster.
In the fourth century the growing
authority of the Roman pontiffs was
disturbed by the Donatist schism
which drew the African congregations
away from the orthodox fold. All ef
fort failed to bring back the erring
inhabitants of the Southern Mediter
ranean coast and it is possible that
their heresy would have persisted to
this day had they not been over
whelmed and swept out of existence
by the Visigoths. The religious se
renity of Western Europe was also
disturbed In those early times by the
Arian heresy. Most of the Franklsh
and other Teutonic heathen had un
fortunately been converted by Arian
missionaries so that their Christian
ity was tainted at the very fountain
head and it was many years before
they fully acknowledged the suprem
acy of the Popes. Still even their er
rors were of some use. When they
overran Northern Italy and captured
the City of Milan, for example, they
relieved Rome of a dangerous rival.
Strange as it may seem now, Milan in
the early Christian centuries aspired
to divide the dominion of the religious
world with Rome itself. Augustine
felt its perilous attraction in his
younger days, but, no doubt through
the influence of his mother, Monica,
he finally yielded unqualified allegi
ance to Rome.
For a century or two after Augus
tine's time the splendor of the western
pontiffs was more or less dim. They
failed to assert much authority over
the bishops in Gaul, Spain and Ger
many, and even at home their pres
tige seemed to have suffered a col
lapse. The redeeming glory of that
dark period -shines in Britain. In that
remote and unpromising region be
tween the years 590 and 604 Pope
Gregory originated a genuine Summer
of intellectual and religious growth.
Monasteries were founded everywhere
n England, Ireland and as far north
as the desolate Scotch isles and behind
the security of their imperishable
walls literature and philosophy flour
ished wiih a vigor which found no
rival in the world. Missionaries were
sent from Britain in those days who
penetrated to the heart of Germany
and France and carried the true doc
trine into the remotest fastnesses of
the Arian heretics. The authority of
the papacy in those outer dominions
of the church was further increased
about this time by the invention of
that remarkable collection of decisions
and statutory regulations known in
history as "the False Decretals." These
Illusory but useful relics from an
Imaginary past were seized upon by
Pope Nicholas I and made the foun
dation of the practical power of the
papacy. Aided by the False Decretals,
it grew very rapidly and made head
way against all obstacles.
In the reign "of Charlemagne the as
cendancy of the Popes over Western
Christendom was further fortified by
the discovery of "The Donation of
Constantine." This document is now
acknowledged by historians to be a
forgery, but when -it was first given to
the world it was supposed to be genu
ine. By its terms the pious Emperor
was made to bestow upon the Roman
pontiffs that authority over the west
ern world which he resigned by re
moving the seat of government to By
zantium. Upon the donation of Con
stantine was established not only the
temporal power of the Popes over
their Italian territory, but also their
supremacy over all earthly sovereigns.
It is possible, however, that Its im
portance in this respect has been ex
aggerated. The Popes generally, it is
averred, preferred to base their claims
to universal sovereignty on direct com
mission as vicars of God.
Hildebrand. who is known as Greg
ory VII in the line of Popes, was cho
sen vicar of Christ in 1073. He was a
great reformer and a great fighter.
Reforms had become necessary in the
church through the growth of simony.
We read also that many bishops per
mitted themselves to mitigate the rig
ors of canonical chastity by taking one
or more concubines, and a general
spirit of sloth had fallen darkly upon
Christendom. Hildebrand initiated
vigorous warfare against all these
evils. At the same time he waged a
determined struggle with the German
Emperors over the question of investi
tures. Should bishops receive their
sacred emblems from the Pope or from
the Emperor? The controversy ended
In a compromise. Hildebrand and his
fmmediate successors effected a great
reformation in the church. In carry-
Inz out their plans perhaps their best
allies were the monks, wno naturally
sided with the central authority
against the local bishops. Not only
was the church purified of its sins, but
it was transformed from a loose aris
tocracy to an absolute monarchy, so
much so that at the second Lateran
council the Pope 'was able to say to
the bishops without contradiction:
You hold your spiritual dignities
from the Pope, as vassals hold their
fiefs from their feudal Lords." This
happy condition attained its meridian
splendor toward the year 1150. By
the opening of the thirteenth century
the heretics and philosophers had De-
come so pestilential that Innocent III
had to undertake a crusade against
some of them. For the next hundred
years the Popes were held in servitude
by France and then began those trou
bles which culminated in Luther's
schism.
The new canal which has been dug
across Cape Cod makes an artinciai
Island of this famous peninsula, but it
u n lil that in doinrr so it merely re
stores conditions which were once
natural. In the days of the Puritans
there were two channels cutting
across Cape Cod, but they were sub
sequently blocked by drifting sand.
The peninsula has acquired fame both
as a vacation resort and as the home
of a quaint population whose sayings
and doings lend an original flavor to
literature. .
Though the picture of Colonel Goe
thals will not appear on Panama Ca
nal bonds, it will be honorably and
inseparably associated in the minds
of this and all future generations
with the canal. Every ship that tra
verses the canal will spread and per
petuate his fame.
The attorney for the defense, if he
be prolific of ideas and skillful in
technicality, can accomplish wonders.
Chenea, who killed a woman at Lew
iston in a dispute over money, has
been acquitted on ground of insanity.
An Albany man found a gold nugget
in the crop of one of his chickens that
ranged on a creek In the neighbor
hood. .All kinds of transportation may
be had to Albany.
The Sacramento curfew has been
changed to a light that winks. Now
change that swinging old poem to
"Curfew Shall Not Wink Tonight."
Goethals cannot have his picture on
canal bonds until he is dead. No
doubt he will be willing to forego the
honor for an extended period.
Snow is blockading railway traffic
in Dakota. And we are annoyed by
the excessive length of the green grass
Which must be cut shortly.
By affiliating with the Democratic
party Senator Poindexter has at last
found a home after much political
wandering.
A St. Louis doctor is suing for ex
clusive sales rights of the Friedmann
tuberculosis serum. Mercenary wretch
that. ,
Frozen beef from Australia has
been admitted at San Francisco and
choice cuts will be too common to be
eaten.
The Yaquis are reported torturing
whites. This is their opportunity for
revenge on century-old persecution.
I,
Wilson will be unable to visit Port
land this Summer and Portland must
be consoled with winning Ball.
McAdoo wants a clean sweep of the
customs department and will get it,
for the faithful need the offices.
If Wilson keeps breaking them
there shortly will be no precedents
left around the capital.
-Raiiriiim i tn have a National
strike. We soon are to have a Na
tional three-strikes.
The floating merchants will float
past Portland rather than pay 320 a
day for a license.
New Jersey will pension widows.
Lack of other legislation will be over
looked. '"
Well, well! All National Commit
teeman King needed was transplant
ing. Peru announces recognition of
China. That settles the whole matter.
If state officials are traveling on
passes, the people ought to know it.
Albany is in line with the progress
of the Valley with her new hotel.
One 'thing is certain, Woodrow
didn't temporize with the Japs.
President Wilson has a - baseball
pass. What!
Direct election is running riot in
Congress
MEN NOMINATED IN OTHER DAYS.
Voter Comments em Convention Results
a d Discusses New Charter.
PORTLAND, April 10. (To the Ed
itor.) In The Oregonian I noticed a
news item under the heading, "Twenty
five Years Ago," announcing the nom
ination of the following-named gentle
men as candidats on the Republican
ticket for membership in the House of
Representatives, viz.: ex-Governor D.
P. Thompson, ex-Secretary of State R.
P. Earhart, ex-District Attorney W. T.
Hume. Judge W. B. Gilbert, William M.
Ladd. S. R. Harrington, Judge H. H.
Northrup, J.-J. Fisher and J. A. Strow
bridge. Old-timers will recognize these
men as constituting as thoroughly sub
stantial a group of citizens as Mult
nomah County could produce. Without
desiring to underestimate the talent or
the character of our later legislators,
or the value of our new political "sys
tem," I would like to ask when, under
the present haphazard minority sys
tem of nominating and electing, there
was ever submitted so substantial and
capable a group of high-class men as
was here submitted 25 years ago under
the much abused convention system.
This leads to another thought. The
writer has heretofore advocated and
voted for a commission form of govern
ment. In the present campaign, how
ever, it develops that the old Job hold
ing and job hunting crowd is still con
spicuously in evidence, and that the
professional politicians are apparently
unanimous for the commission system.
As Hamlet might remark, "this bids
us pause." What are we gaining under
a new system if it puts in control the
same men who have been for years
keen to render public service at $25
per month? Why pay these men $5000
a year as "commissioners" when they
are crazy to serve as "Councilmen" at
J25 per month?
The City, of Portland is a great cor
poration of 250,000 people, owning prop
erty with an assessed valuation of
(300,000,000. How many of these men
ever earned $5000 in private business,
and how many of them would any pri
vate corporation in the city ever hire
to manage their business at $5000 per
year, or any other sum? It would seem
that we are running more to' theories
than to real business. If the individual
voter would spend less time in discuss
ing new theories and new "systems,
and spend more of it in attending pri
marles and in watching and supervising
the acts of our so-called public servants
we would get better results. Under no
s stem will be get good results if the
Individual voter is derelict, and under
almost any system will we get good re
sults if every individual voter will go
to the primaries, and to the general
election and vote for men of real ca
pacity and worth. The Individual voter
who does not do his whole duty as a
citizen is debarred from complaining
that the professional job hunter is al
ways In the saddle. If the commission
system means a continuation of the
service of men now willing to serve at
a salary of $25 per month what do we
gain by simply raising their salaries to
$5000 or $6000. Doesn t the present sys
tem sufficiently "center the responsi
bility" for the work they perform?"
PERPLEXED VOTER.
FORMULA ENGINEERS OFTEN VSE
Prlamuldal Method of Computing; Con
tents of Timber la Given,
PORTLAND, April 10. (To the Edi
tor.) I have not followed closely the
discussions of the board foot problem
which have appeared for some time in
The Oregonian, but insofar as I have
observed, no mention has yet been made
of the "prismoidal formula,"
The discussion of this problem would
hardly be complete without mention
of this very valuable general formula,
which is frequently used by engineers
in computing yardage of concrete, rock
excavation and less frequently of earth
excavation, in which case accuracy is
of less importance. The formula, how
ever, is of value for many other prob
lems. One statement of this formula, which
may be readily demonstrated by higher
mathematics, is that the volume of any
solid, which is bounded by two parallel
planes to be called bases and by any
mathematical surface or surfaces ex
tending between these planes, is equal
to the sura of the areas of the two
bases plus four times the area of cross
section midway between the bases mul
tiplied by one-sixth or the distance De
tween bases.
This may be simplified by saying the
volume is equal to the sum of the
bases plus four times the "mid-section"
multiplied by one-sixth the "alti
tude." Applying this to the board foot prob
lem we have the volume in cubic inches
to be 36 plus 144 plus four times 81
multiDlied by one-sixth of 40x12. To
obtain board feet this must be divided
by 144. The result is 280, as may
be obtained in several other ways.
The value of this formula which I
wish particularly to bring out is its
generality. By remembering this for
mula you need not try to remember or
refer to a book to obtain a lormuia tor
the volume of a sphere, "Cone, pyramid,
elllDSOld. paraboloid or any other solid
or portion of same contained between
two parallel cutting planes or "bases."
To illustrate, we may consiaer a
sphere as contained between two bases
of zero area, having an altitude equal
to the diameter of the sphere and a
mid-section equal to the area of a cir
cle of this diameter. The volume of
the sphere is then readily computed.
Thin la one of the most useful for
mulas in all mathematics, and it would
well reoav anyone interested in sucn
problems and not already familiar with
this formula to test its accuracy oy
annlvine it to several forms of solids
and comparing its use with the usual
method of computation.
L. F. BAHZA.
Referendum Promises No Saving.
FOREST GROVE. Or., April 9. (To
tho Kditor.l I see that H. J. Parkison
is preparing again to invoke the refer
endum against certain appropriations
for the University of Oregon. What is
worse, he seems to have the backing
of a number of respectable and worthy
people. The state cannot afford the
spectacle even ior tne sane oi sn-vios
$175,000. But will the state save the
$175,000? What is to be done with the
nlant now in Eugene? Are we to be
asked to duplicate it at Corvallis? That
is about what win nave to be none wumn
four vpars if the university is put at
Corvallis. The plant at CorvalHs is
now fully occupied, and if 700 more
students are put on the campus there
must be an increase in buildings and
equipment as well as an increase in
the number of the faculty. Why should
the state be asked to go to such an.
expense to gratify revenge.'
Skin Game by the Author.
Pittsburg Chronicle-Telegraph.
Th officer who was making a phys
ical examination of candidates for the
military service noticed a fine lot of
tattooine on the back and limDS oi tne
vnunir man under his immediate sur
vey. "Who did the tattooing?" he asked.
My father, repitea tne yuuug man.
Oh. I see," said the officer. "Illus
trated by the author."
Johnnie's Bright Thought.
Judge.
-"Who can tell me the Golden Text?"
asked the Sunday school teacher. John
nie's hand went up eagerly. "He that
humpeth himself shall be exalted!" he
repeated triumphantly.
Case of Ovcrcapltnliaatlon.
Judge.
Post Professor Talkem has ten let
ters after his name, but he doesn't
know enough to go in when it rains.
Parker Another distressing case oi
overcapitalisation.
GRAY MIXES REACH RIPE AGE.
Hcbita Afford Example Which Hu
mana Well Might Follow.
PORTLAND. April 7. (To the Edi
tor.) Some time ago The Oregonian
was kind enough to lend me a helping
hand in my search for a man who had
seen a deceased gray mule or a one
legged Chinaman.- and as a result of
your publications an even four score of
men. from remote regions and neigh
boring districts, wrote saying they had
seen dead gray mules. To each of
these gentlemen I wrote a personal
letter asking for particulars of the
mule's age, habits, life work and cause
of death.
Seventy-eight of the 80 -men ad
dressed reply by saying "the mule was
steady. Industrious, persevering, con
stant, firm of purpose, temperate,
strictly business, conservative, relia
ble, sensible, tractable when properly
approached, dangerous to triflers only,
worked as beast of burden, drawing
plow, scraper, cart, car and dray, and
lived to an age that could only oe ap
proximated, as no one knew just how
old he was," or words to that broad
general effect.
One of the 80 reports seeing a dead
gray mule who was cut off in his
youth by a deplorable accident,
through no fault of his own. One man
reports having seen a dead gray mule
that died a natural death at a tender
age, but I find this man to be a fourth
class Postmaster, who has a horror of
standing civil service examination, and
very naturally sees things.
Zack Henderson, of Mexia, Tex.,
writes: "Last week we interred the
remains of a mule that in youth was
an Iron gray. He was born in Ten
nessee in the Spring of 1820, worked
on a farm until 14 years of age, emi
grated to Texas, participated in the
battle of San Jacinto, served as pack
mule between frontier trading posts
for five years, hauled caisson and can
non in the Mexican War, was con
demned by the Government and sold
to a horse trader, who resold him to
the Government in 1861, was in all the
fighting around Richmond, was cap
tured by the Confederates at Gettys
burg, did service in the Southern army
to the end of the war. was one of the
mules given with 40 acres to the
emancipated slaves, worked his way
back to Texas, was given in exchange
for three sections of land, a part of
which is now the great city of Dallas;
was orphaned by his owner reaching
for his hip pocket in fast company,
was sold at administrator's sale, go
ing to a grandson of his first master;
retired to a farm and gave himself
over to truck gardening until last year,
when he felt that he needed a rest.
From that time on he was never in
good health. He suffered greatly from
indigestion, was morose, irritable,
peevish, pessimistic; seemed to lose iri
terest in life, neglected himself during
the recent cold spell, had a severe cold
that resulted in complications which
brought on an incurable malady. On
March 1 he was very low, but rallied
on the morning of the 4th, partook of
corn and oats for breakfast, pranced
around the stable until noon, Wash
ington time, poked his head through
the door, brayed loudly, as if calling
to a far-away mate, returned to his
stall and fell asleep, at the age of
ninety-three."
This may be all or part true. How
ever, it conforms to the general opin
ion of gray mules. There can be no
doubt about their longevity, they reach
a ripe old age, and it is but a question
of adopting the habits of gray mules
to insure to men long and useful lives.
And this bears out "Old Dode" Latham
in saying that a gray mule never mon
keys with politics, takes fool advice,
resents what folks say about him, and
has sense enough to turn white before
he dies. ROBERT G. DUNCAN.
SIMPLIFYING SIMPLIFIED SPELLING
Writer Would Cut All Words Down to
Bone and Use Vowel Signs.
CLATSKANIE, Or., April 9. (To the
Editor.) I have long been interested
in simplified spelling and wish to sub
mit a few suggestions in that line.
I heartily indorse the method of leav
ing out all unnecessary letters, espe
cially where superfluous double letters
are used, and all silent letters, as in
the word "knee." But I should go still
farther than- does the Simplified Spell
ing Board (of which mention was made
in The Oregonian a short time ago)
and in the word "knee" I should leave
out not only the letter "k," but one
"e," making it "ne." We might just
as well make them as short as possi
ble while we are about it.
If the signs Indicating the sounds
of the vowels were placed above or
below the letters, as the case required,
In words that are changed materially
in leaving off a letter, they would be
more easily recognized, and It would
simplify pronunciation. The type could
be made with those signs to be used
when required.
Here are a few words in which the
signs would become necessary if this
method were adopted: Fall fal; save
sav; salv sav; wood wod; talk
tak; sleep slep; write rit; flame
flam; moon raon; sign sin; alone
alon; love lov; you yu or yu or just
u (as we use I) ; alive aliv, etc. But
in such words as loss los, spell spel,
will wil, egg eg, live liv, kiss kis,
add ad, the signs would not be nec
essary. The word knicknack could be
spelled nicnac as Jn picnic, or niknak,
thus eliminating two letters. Words
that are spelled differently and pro
nounced thevsame (such as right, rite.
write and wood, would) could be read
ily distinguished by the construction
of tho sentence, as many of our words
now are.
The French people make use of these
signs in printing their language, and
we might profitably follow their ex
ample to a limited extent in introduc
ing the new method of simplified spell
ing. We would all have to know the
signs of the vowel sounds, but if they
are thoroughly taught in the schools
at the present time, as tbey were 30
years ago, that would be no hardship.
I believe that by uniting this method
with the simplified spelling the ob
jections made by many on account of
the difference in the appearance of
words altered by the short method
would be quickly overcome.
MRS. GRACE LEE TICHENOR.
Twenty-Eighth for Croiiatoira Line.
PORTLAND, Or, April 10. (To the
Editor.) The agitation of the cross
streetcar line on the East Side has
developed one question that heretofore
has not been considered, and that is
the availability of East Twenty-eighth
street. If as it is claimed, the line
located elsewhere would accommodate
150,000 people, the newly-developed
location would certainly otter accommo
dation and service to a larger popula
tion. The question of importance is to
iret the carline, and if East Twenty-
eighth street offers the most economical
and feasible route all should join hands
and concentrate every effort for tne
construction of the line on that street
After one line is secured it will not
be so dlfticult to secure the second line.
The Portland Railway, Light & Power
Company does not contemplate he conr
struction of extensions at a heavy ex
pense and operate them at a continued
loss, and talk of forcing the company
by an action at law to do so is idle.
An institution as important xo ine
City of Portland as the Reed College
is certainly entitled to emcieux car
service, and will have It at no distant
day.
In asklmr the company to construct
the line the question of economy should
be taken into consideration. If the line
on East Twenty-eighth street can be
constructed for not less than $30,000
and accommodate a larger population It
does seem that fact should definitely
settle the question.
C. B. LA z yJLtLikj L l rj.
Twenty-five Years Ago
From The Oregonian of April 11. 18S3.
Seattle, April 10. The large Central
School building burned to the ground
early this morning. Loss, $44,000; in
surance, $24,000.
San Francisco. April 10. M. H.
DeYoung, proprietor of the Chronicle,
petitioned the Board of Supervisors to
day for permission to construct oriel
windows on a building -to be erected by
htm at the corner of Kearney and Mar
ket streets. When the Supervisors
learned that the building was to be 212
feet high they opposed its erection, but
found no law against it.
Captain Reed has resigned his posi
tion as master of the W. H. Starbtick
and left Sunday for Portland, says the
Astoria Pioneer. From there he goes
to San Francisco to take charge of the
splendid ship T. F. Oakes.
Yesterday morning C. P. Huntington,
Charles Crocker and A. N. Towne. of
the Southern Pacific, arrived here from
Puget Sound. In company with R.
Koehler, William Held, H. Hawgood
and C. J. McDougall, they drove all
over town.
J. J. Brown, of Council Bluffs, la.,
and R. S. Ryan, both railroad contrac
tors, are at the Holton.
The funeral of J. B. Congle took
place yesterday afternoon from the
First Presbyterian Church under tho
auspices of Portland Lodge. No. 65, A.
F. and A. M., Scottish Rite Masons and
Knights Templars. The services were
conducted by Rev. Warren H. London,
pastor of Calvary Presbyterian Church.
The following acted as pallbearers: R.
P. Earhart. T. McF. Patton. G. M.
Strand. D. C. McKercher. H. W. Corbett,
H. W. Scott, W. M. Ladd and J. D.
Whiting.
Half a Century Aga
From The Oregonian of April 11. 1S63.
St. Paul, April 4. Evidences are con
tinually received of determined prepa
rations by the Sioux for an extensive
raid during the early Summer.
Cairo. April 4. The Memphis Bulle
tin says the battery opposite Vicks-
burg silenced the rebel battery on the
other side.
Boston. April 4. The cargo of the
ship Star of Peace, which was burned
by the Alabama, was worth $500,000.
New York, April 4. A special dis
patch from Washington says that a
draft will soon be made to fill up the
regiments now in the fiel'd. It is
probable that 200,000 men will be sent.
The Oneonta. Just built by the O. S.
N. Company, to run between the Cas
cades and The Dalles, has been taken
un to The Dalles and will soon be run
ning Her builder. Captain Farnham,
and her owners think she has every
requisite to make her the best boat on
the river.
The Zou Zous last evening elected
the following officers: Captain, Joseph
Barlow; First Lieutenant, A. E. Wil
liams: Second Lieutenant, R. H. Card
well; Orderly Sergeant, F. N. Plummer;
First Sergeant, William McN'amee;
Sond Sergeant, J. R. Wiley: secretary.
C. B. Talbot. This military company
numbers 30 members.
A medical board for the examination
of candidates for appointment in the
medical department of the volunteer
service will convene at Fort Vancouver
on Monday. The board consists of Drs.
Chase and Hogg, U. S. A., and Dr.
Glisan, of this city.
How Llnnton Got Name.
PORTLAND. April 10. (To the Edi
tor.) In addition to the authorities
quoted in The Oregonian in support of
the contention that Llnnton snouia tie
spelled with two "n's" in the first syl
lable, is the fact that the original
founders of the town. Peter H. Burnett
and Morton M. McCarver, who crossed
the plains to Oregon In 1843, spelled
the word "Llnnton" with two n s.
These pioneers, while natives of Ken
tucky, lived a number of years in Mis
souri before coming to Oregon, and
during their residence in the latter
state had an intimate personal ac
quaintance with Senators Linn and Ben
ton. On that account, and particularly
on account of their persistent support
in Congress of all measures calculated
to aid In the future settlement of Ore
gon, they named the inchoate town
"Llnnton" "Linn" in honor of Senator
Linn, and "ton" in honor of Senator
Benton. Hence "Llnnton."
In a letter to the Globe, Washington
City, dated "Llnnton, Oregon, July 25,
1844." Mr. Burnett says: "I have no
doubt but that this place will be the
great commercial town in the terri
tory. We are selling lots at $50 each,
and sell them fast at that."
GEORGE H. HIMES.
Sermon on Economy,
Grand Rapids (Mich.) Press.
"Young man," said the reformer, as
he approached a young man who stood
on the edge of the sidewalk, smoking
a cigar, "you should not smoke. If you
.1 , . . -. 1 . .A n-iio.Ye D-imn H,v nwn
aiuu L OlllUO jwu -
a splendid touring car like that one
standing in tne street. jju uu
smoke?" asked the young man. "No. I
do not," said the reformer proudly.
"Well, do you own that touring car?"
"No," admitted the reformer, "I do not"
"Well, I do," said the young man. "Good
day.
Theodore Roosevelt
Jack London
Those are two names that head
features in The Oregonian next
Sunday.
Colonel Roosevelt adds another
installment to his "Chapters of a
Possible Autobiography." It tells
of school days and is replete with
interesting details of the early life
of "the greatest American."
"Even Unto Death." is the title
of a characteristic London story.
London appears at his best in this
tale of love and adventure 'in tho
frozen north. "
A $1,000,000 Polo Match This
is a striking page feature of a rec
ord polo game.
Gibson Pictures The widow
goes to a fancy-dress ball as Juliet.
Custer's Last Fight This pic
turesque' fight is described by the
last Indian survivor, Chief White
Man Runs Him.
How to Be Beautiful Some in
side information on the cosmetic
game by Dr. Hirshberg.
How the Flowers Bloom A
beautiful color page with several
columns of delightful and instruc
tive reading matter.
These are a few of a great array
of special features. Order today of
your newsdealer.