mm
rortmtmt
PORTLAND, OREGON,
entered at Portland. Oron. PoatotTlca
rcond-clmu matter.
inscription Rmt Invariably la Advance:
(BT KAIL)
rnr. funday Included, one year.....
X)ji:y. S-inday Inrlu-ltQ. months....
I-.!y. Sunday included, tnree months,
tally. tiundar Included, one month...
L.i. without Sunday, one year......
Illy. without tjun-lay. m:x montha. ...
Pa.iy. without Sunday, three monlca..
Daily, without Sunday, one month... ..
Wflsly. one year
Sunday, one year
Sunday and Weekly, one year
BT CARRIER)
Pally. Sunday Included, one rar.. .'
Iliy. Sunday Included, ooe rnonta
Hew U Kemlt n.l poetofflce m"T "
Vr. eipresa oruer or personal checa on you
. ... .. - j..1rrn(v are a
local Dana, etampe. u "', ri.. in
a-ndere rlk. (live potof:ice addreea in
ult. inciuumn cuhiv
Poetaae Katee Ten to 14 pasee. 1
1 to 2. paaea. 1 centa; 30 to " '
enta: 0 to pasea. centa. roreis:
p-jetaxe. double rale.
. vpm a. Conk'
II. -v. Vn-V Krunewlclt BUildlnC CU1-
rim Httmp K 1 1 1 '. d : n r
hi FrurtM Office R- 3. BldweU Co,
141 atarket atreet.
Earepran Office) No. t Resent , atreet 8-
W.. Lcndon.
PORTLAND. RATTRDAY. MAT M. MM-
THAT ANTITRUST PROVISO.
The proviso in the sundry civil bill
that no part of the special appropria
tion for enforcement of the anti-trust
law should be used in prosecution of
labor unions or farmers' organizations
led to a most Illuminating debate in
the Senate on the relation of the Sher
man law to such organizations. This
is the proviso whlch President Taft
denounced and which 'caused blm to
veto the bUl as passed by the sixty-second
Congress. The same bill with he
same proviso was reintroduced In the
sixty-third Congress and passed the
House with ease, but the Republican
Senators who had countenanced the
proviso In the first Instance turned
against It with few exceptions when
Senator Galllnger moved to strike it
out. while the Democrats. Joined by a
few Republicans, voted to retain it and
carried their point.
The proviso, which was Inserted In
the bill at the Instigation of labor
union leaders. Is attached to an appro
priation of $300,000 for enforcement
of the anti-trust laws, and reads:
d ii however That no part of thla
money ahall be apent In the prosecution of
any organization or Individual for enterlns
Into any combination or agreement havlna
In view the Inoreaalns of waw ahortenlnc
of hour, or bettering- the eondltlona of la
bor, or for any act done In furtherance
thereof, not In Itaelf unlawful: Provided
further. That no part of thla appropriation
ahall be expended for the proaecotlon of
producer of farm product and aaaoclatlona
of farmer who co-operate and ontanlie In
an effort to and for the purpoee to obtain
and maintain a fair and reaeonabla price
for their product.
Debate on Senator Galllnger's. mo
tion to strike out this proviso contin
ued for three days and Included some
able speeches, particularly by Senators
Townsend. Borah and Root in favor of
the motion, and by Senators Hughes,
Xorrls and Martin against it. In favor
of the proviso it was contended that
the Sherman law was not Intended to
apply to labor or farmers' unions, but
that it had been invoked in several In
stances against them. It was denied
that the proviso would license them to
violate law, since It did not bar prose
cution for acts not In themselves un
lawful. It was also contended that, if
occasion arose for such prosecutions,
tr.e general appropriation for the De
partment of Justice would bo avail
able, the special appropriation for
anti-trust suits being designed only for
suits against capitalistic combinations,
which involve great expense. The pro
viso was held to be merely a declara
tion from Congress that any labor and
farmers unions which might offend
should not be prosecuted until the "big
fish" had been disposed of. It was ar
gued that such a declaration was war
ranted In advance of legislation to
amend the Sherman law generally.
Against the proviso it was urged that
an attempt was being made to except
a favored class from the operation of
the law, to have Congress connive at
violation of a law instead of repealing
It. If that was not the meaning of the
proviso, said Senator Borah, "It is a
vain. Ineffectual, dupllcitous. Insincere
and hypocritical thing." The admis
sion that other funds would be avail
able for prosecution of labor and farm,
ing combinations left the way still
open for such prosecutions, hence a
pretense was made at giving Immunity
without really giving it. Senator Root
denounced the proviso as a declara
tion that the Senate was in favor of
permitting .m people to violate the
law with trr. . ,i". ity and punishing other
men who violate the same law. If
such an exemption were made, others
might be made. The end sought
should be attained, if at all. directly,
byamendment of the Sherman law, not
by a proviso in an appropriation bill.
There seemed to be little real differ
ence of opinion on the point whether
labor unions should be free to strike
for higher wages, shorter hours or bet
ter conditions, and that farmers should
be-free to combine for the purpose of
marketing their crops, but fear was ex
pressed lest the proviso might be taken
as a license for tying up railroads or
conducting secondary boycotts by labor
unions, or fixing prices of farm prod
ucts the country over by a combina
tion of farmers' unions. The feeling
was strong that. If any exemption
should be made, it should be by direct
amendment, carefufly safeguarded.
Senator Cummins went so far as to
move for delay in consideration of the
hill and for instructions to the inter
state commerce committee to report a
hill exempting the organizations in
(mention from the operation of the
Sherman law. If It found such action
advisable. This, however, was voted
down.
The objections to Insertion in an ap
propriation bill of legislation so Im
portant are obvious. But labor unions
are not content to await the leisure of
Congress in amending the Sherman
l:iw. They want some action now.
I'ubllc opinion Is with, them to the ex
tent of believing that the anti-trust
law should not be used to restrict the
legitimate activities of labor unions.
At this time, when attention Is turned
to improvement In methods of distrib
uting farm products by co-operation
among farmers, public opinion would
oppose classing such co-operation as
restraint of trade. There Id small dan
ger, in any case, that the present Ad
ministration would proceed against
labor unions or farmers' associations
except In aggravated cases where pub
lic opinion would approve such action.
Cotigress might well have deferred ac
tion until It could undertake the gen
eral revision of the anti-trust law,
which will probably be at Its next ses
sion. It is raid that the United States
Government withholds recognition
from the Huerta government In Mex
ico until Mexico agrees to appointment
of an International commission for set
tlement of all foreign claims growing
ant of the revohrrtrmT President Huer.
ta Is anxious for American recognition
because It would facilitate raising of
a foreign loan, which has been ar
ranged In France. Mr. Bryan keeps
prodding Senor Huerta to agree to the
claims commission and he may gain
his point unless another government
should suddenly supplant that of Ma
dero's assassin.
SCRATCHING A "NON-PARTISAN ."
Senator Myers, of Montana, a Demo
crat, announces that he will support a
protective tariff on sugar and on wool.
"despite the attitude of the Demo
cnitlc party."
The Democratic party is for free raw
wool, for the ostensible benefit of the
consumer, but for the actual profit of
the manufacturer, and Tor protected
woolens, also for the benefit of the
manufacturer, and not for the benefit
of the consumer.
The Oregon Senators, being ortho
dox Democrats from, a Republican
state, which supports protection, and
desires to have the wool Industry fos
tered, are going to vote with the Dem
ocratic party against the interests of
Oregon.
Scratch a "non-partisan" in Oregon,
and freetrade hide of a. partisan Dem
ocrat appears. There' will be a new
kind of scratching, however, when
Senator Chamberlain comes up for re
election lrr 1914.
LET THEM WATT TOR LIGHT.
It Is fair to assume that Mr. Rosen,
who writes a letter to The Oregonian
today in behalf of Mr. Clyde, as Com
missioner, desires to know the facts
about that worthy's record; for he
confesses that he Is not acquainted
with Clyde, but esteems him a "cap
able and responsible man to represent
the common people" for the reason
that he is "against special Interest and
graft." Very likely Mr. Rosen has
that notion -because Clyde has often
publicly said so.
It is disquieting to observe the evi
dent strength of a person like Clyde.
Just what form of Bpecial privilege or
graft Clyde has ever exposed and de
feated, no one knows, but all ought
to know be Is the type of "shouting"
demagogue that discovers dishonesty
and oppression lurking behind every
proposal of Big Business, eo-called.
No matter whether or not It is there.
Clyde says it is. He is reckless in
speech, dangerous In method, and
foolish in action; and he Is no true
friend of the people. Big Business has
many sins to atone, uid it has been
put on the rack by better men" than
Clyde. For the sake of all concerned
the solution of the problems affecting
the corporations and the people should
be left to them.
It would be unfortunate If the can
didacy of Clyde should result in the
defeat of a worthy candidate repre
senting the people Clyde professes to
represent, such as W. H. Daly. Here
is a man with a long and honorable
record of active and useful service for
the labor Interests, and for the gen
eral interest as welL His sincerity
and devotion to his ideals have im
pressed not only his friends, but the
forces and elements that stand for dif
ferent views and purposes. Mr. Daly's
personal record Is clean; and his pub
lic record Is consistent and good.
We venture to suggest that Mr.
Rosen and his friends wait until they
ascertain all the facts about Clyde
made public by the newspapers or
otherwise before they determine their
course.
VOTE THREE CHOICES.
The candidate or campaign commit
tee working In his behalf who makes
a "first-choice" campaign that Is,
advises voters to refrain from voting
second or third choice is handling a
two-edged sword. Such course places
the candidate in the light of holding
his own ambitions superior to the gen
eral good of the city. It puts him in
the class of the office-seeker, the Job
hunter. In effect the voters vire told
that unless a particular candidate can
be elected It Is better to. leave the re
sult to chance.
The advice also displays a lament
able lack of sincerity. The candidate
who can gain a majority of first-choice
votes need have no fear of second .or
third-choice votes they cannot be
counted against him. If he cannot ob
tain a majority of first-choice votes he
most have some second and perhaps
third-choice votes In order to win. In
the case of Commissioner, if he be
taken at his word, he cannot be elect
ed, for no candidate among the four
score or more running will be able to
poll a majority of first-choice votes.
The only conclusion possible is that
such advice is offered in the hope that
those iwlth whom the candidate is first
choice will follow the advice, but that
those who have some other first choice
will disregard it.
The only Justlficatien for not voting
all choices is a sincere conviction that
a second or third-choice vote would
have to be in support of an unfit can
didate In other words, that there are
not enough worthy candidates running
to give the voter three honest choices.
LANE'S ALASKA POLICY.
.Secretary of the Interior Lane's dec
laration in favor of Government con
struction and operation of railroads in
Alaska will bring cheer to the thou
sands In that territory who have been
waiting for the Government to lift the
embargo put upon it by Plnchotism.
It is important as a definition of Ad
ministration policy, for. Mr. Lane
would not have made It without the
approval of President Wilson. It ren
ders irrefragable the case In favor of
the policy described, for It adds the
Wilson Administration's seal of ap
proval to that of Secretary Fisher and
the Alaska Railroad Commission. The
Democratic party and the progressive
Republicans as well as those Republi
cans who adhered to President Taft
are of one mind on this general policy.
There Is a bill now before the Senate,
introduced by Senator Chamberlain,
authorizing the Issue of bonds and the
execution of the plans outlined by the
Commission. With such unanimity of
sentiment, there should be no difficulty
In bringing about speedy action. The
bill can be passed in the intervals be
tween stages of action on the tariff, if
the Administration will but give the
word.
Mr. Lane's statement is encouraging
to those interested in the development
of Alaska and they Include the whole
Pacific Coast for another reason. He
shows a true conception of the possi
bilities of that great territory, "as a
land not only of mines and fisheries,
but of towns, farms, mills and fac
tories, supporting millions of people of
the hardiest and most wholesome of
the race." That Is the Alaska of the
future as It Is conceived by every man
who has seen It. It can excel Norway
in population Just in proportion as its
area is greater and its resources richer
and more varied. It is the last treasure-house
of American wealth, only
.-I wattlng-foTATnerlcan-bralna an en
ergy to open It.
HARPOONING THE SENATE.
' An example of the lack, of knowl
edge -on which much of the prejudice
against the Senate is founded is given
In a letter on the compensation law
published elsewhere today. The cor
respondent who sign the name "Pat"
thinks the compensation act is inade
quate and faulty, and seems to be
lieve that the bill was amended out of
all appearance to its original form by
"a controlled Senate." Throughout
his letter the despised Senate is held
up to reproach for things it is sup
posed to have done to this law.
As a matter of recorded fact, the
Senate proposed no amendments to
the compensation act. The bill did
not originate with any member of the
Legislature, House or Senate. It was
drawn by a commission -appointed by
the Governor. This commission con
sisted of three representatives of labor,
three representatives of employers of
labor and three representatives of the
taxpayers.
The only amendments were pro
posed in the House. These amend
ments Increased the compensation
granted widows with children, and
raised the annuities provided in cer
tain cases. Another amendment gave
right of appeal to the courts from
findings of the commission that ad
ministers the act. All these amend
ments were in the Interest of the
workers, and although not originating
there were concurred In by the Sen
ate.
Other attacks on the Senate are on
a par with the one made by this cor
respondent. The Senate la elected by
the 'same voters that choose house
members. If there is any -difference
between the two branches of the As
sembly the Senate is a little more effl
cient than the House, because of Its
smaller membership and the tendency
to select Its members from among
men who have had previous legislative
experience, and for the further rea
son that a little more honor Is sup
posed to attach to the position of Sen
ator, which fact brings -broader men
Into the field of candidates.
THE SPECTER OF FEMINISM.
The much admired Louisville Cour
ier-Journal has seen a frightful ap
parition. Perhaps we ought rather to
say that Colonel Watterson has seen it.
but it comes to the same thing. AO
vanclng upon the land with destruc
tive strides, he beholds the specter of
woman suffrage and his cries of ap
prehension are enough to wake the
dead. Marse Henry's fright seems
even to have disturbed the articula
tion of his thought a little. Sometimes
the oncoming horror presents itself
to his heated fancy as an alliance be
tween woman and the Bull Moose.
Sometimes It Is a devouring monster
without distinct shape, which will de
stroy the home, introduce free love
and turn lovely woman into "a weak
imitation of man." The campaign
whether against the home and the
comfort of poor, wretched man or
against all established institutions un
der the banner of the Bull Moose, is to
be led "bv lots of pretty, heady and
empty-headed girls playing Joan of
Arc on horseback and posing as Char
lotte Corday on foot," the whole af
fair being "a resplendent and noisy
melodrama turning the preachers into
scene shifters, the sanctuaries into
political headquarters and by revival
ist methods lashing the unthinking
into emotional fury." There are two
columns of this Illuminating sort of
talk about woman suffrage In a recent
number of the Courier-Journal.
The first thought that occurs to one
while reading it is that Colonel Wat
terson does not understand what he
Is writing about. His knowledge of
the modern feminist movement seems
to be largely inspirational. To say,
as he does, that "the prevailing activ
ity In suffrage circles Is but a recrud
escence of Bull Mooseism" exhibits a
provincial narrowness of view which
would be incredible if we were not
forced to believe that the Colonel ac
tually thinks what he writes and
prints. - "Suffragettism" is not In any
way related to Mr. Roosevelt's politi
cal maneuvers. He and some of his
associates have chosen to attach them
selves to the cause of the women, but
the movement began without their
help and would go on Just the same
were they all to desert it. We imagine
they are welcome in the ranks, as Col
onel Watterson would be, but they are
not leaders, and they will find It impos
sible, whatever secret plans they may
have formed, to divert it to their ends.
The feminist movement is world-wide.
It takes different directions In differ
ent countries, but everywhere it seeks
the enlargement of woman's oppor
tunities and the liberation of her fac
ulties. In Germany and Sweden women
demand a voice In settling the terms
of the marriage contract. In France
they are forcing their way Into Indus
try. In England and America they
demand the right to vote. But in all
cases they seek through one means or
another recognition as free human be
ings and the privileges which belong
of right to their faculties.
Mr. Watterson sadly deceives him
self when he fancies that the suffrage
leaders are "empty-headed . girls."
They are among the shrewdest people
In the world. Their heads are far
from being empty, and their power to
lay out a campaign and direct its
strategy is at least equal to any that
men have shown either In politics or
war.- It might help Colonel Watter
son to get a better concept of the
struggle he derided so amusingly if he
would remember that Joan of Arc
and Charlotte Corday each did some
pretty serious work In the world and
that there are now thousands of
women In both hemispheres animated
by their spirit of daring sacrifice. We
may call these women fanatics if we
please, but hard words will not obliter
ate the fact of their activity and abil
ity. What shall we say of a leader of
public opinion who calls such women
as Ellen Key and Anna Shaw "empty
headed girls"? The first rule of war
fare Is not to despise your enemy. We
are- afraid Colonel Watterson violates
it. May he never see the day when
his enemy will despise him for blind
misunderstanding of the plainest
facts. But what of the accusation that
woman suffrage will "destroy the
home. Introduce free love and turn
women Into weak Imitations of men"?
Has anything or the kind happened In
the suffrage states? It may be worth
while to refer to some of the actual
workings of suffrage in this part of
the world.
The "home" seems to be about as
stable in Oregon, California and
Washington as it ever was. There Is
no evidence that women are neglect
ing their domestic tasks to camp down
at the polls and stay there. They have
registered In large numbers and voted,
but their family affairs appear to run
on quite smoothly In spite of their ad
venturous exDerlence. Nor have we
heard any complaints that "the -riffraff
of tough women" has offended
them at the polls, as Colonel Watter
son fears.. Indeed "tough women"
have been remarkably scarce on elec
tion 'day. Both the creatures them
selves and their male adjuncts show a
decided Inclination to keep out of
sight, and for the best of reasons. The
truth is that suffrage for women has
perceptibly tightened the reins of mor
ality in this part of the world. It Is
no longer a Joke to be -arrested for
"white slavery," or for some other
vicious practices which are often
smiled upon.; even In Kentucky. Far
from any tendency toward "free love,"
woman suffrage has made marriage a
more serious matter than it ever was
before. It is looking toward laws to
prevent bad heredity, to punish the
desertion of the family, to protect
women wage earners and defend the
rights of children.
All this fortifies the family bond
Instead of loosening It. Indeed, the
Christian family was woman's Inven
tion, and she is not likely, to throw
away any advantage she has gained
from It. The cry that suffrage Is In
imical to the home and dangerous to
matrimony Is the wildest of specula
tion. There is not an atom of fact
tn VinsA it nnnn. No doubt the hone,
or fear, that feminism will make radi
cal changes In our Institutions all at
once Is baseless, but it is easy to see
frnm its workings here on the Coast
that It will tone up both public and
private morality without mucn aeiay.
Whether that will please us or not de
pends of course upon how we feel
toward morality.
ttta o -a o ivnct nmpd to consider Ara
bia an unchanged remnant of an
tiquity, but Consul Schulz says or the
natives of Aden:
Ho I not only wearlns American cotton
sheetings, trimmed and cut by American
clssor and sewed on American aewlng
machines, burning American keroaene, but
bl children are now being rolled about In
American collapsible brxoy carriages, while
he also ride in automobiles made in De
troit uaea American aafety razor ana
strops, American garters and American
tarch harnesses his wells with American
pump and windmills, builds hi house with
. -i- -atni and American
hammer, and; when in hla coffee hop lps
his neverago aeatea in ' auiwiwm. .....
But the interior is almost unchanged
since th davs of Mahomet and there
Is plenty of scope for the enterprise
and inquisitiveness of the explorer.
The New Tork World's comment on
the zeal shown by the police In seek
ing the murderer of Policemen Heaney
and Teare moves the Springfield Re
publican to remark:
Thl is In singular contrast to the apathy
shown by the police In the search for the
fnnr . nm i-n" who murdered the gambler
Rosenthal. The difference Is that In the
present case two policemen were snot,
which i contrary to therule of the game.
Of course there Is a great difference
between a policeman and a plain citi
zen. Killing of a citizen does not im
pair the graft system, but if a police
man may be killed with Impunity,
every man the police blackmail might
pick off his man. The slaughter
would be simply terrible.
Spelling reform In mild state has
sinntarl hv Northwestern TJniver-
slty. Students are permitted to spell
"mamma" with a single "m, as me
French spell It; "woe" without the
rhvme" as Coleridge wrote it,
"rime," and plough with a "w." Such
spelling reform is rational and easy to
introduce, and, if the simpnnea open
ing Board would offer its revised or
in installments Instead of as
a whole, we might incorporate It with
out too great shock.
Tonon win think this country is
afraid of being whipped wften it learns
that Wilson will not allow movement
nf trnnna that might be misconstrued
as an act of belligerency during the
antl-alien discussion. Wilson might
with profit read the history of- his
country, especially tnai oi me um
when Buchanan held the same Job.
1 "
nai-iitiir nf Tahiti, who. by the way.
was a Portland boy not many years
ago, admits that the odor or nog meat
made him forsake his vegetarian cult
f timoa That la lust the point. Man
is not a grass-fed animal, never has
been, and the "old Aaam" in nim is
bound to break out.
wton tha -Rull Moosers stood up in
h TTnuan to be counted against the
Underwood bill, there were only four
teen of them. Where are tne resi oi
the fifty members they said they woum
muster?
nmn University girls must here
after dress simply at dances. That
nioM tv homelv but clever girl at
a disadvantage in the matter of se
curing partners
t, i- tm mr are not nrenared
.. ... ,vnf an inner as iwe have the
peerless' William we are admirably
. . . . i . i ,g(.i.
qualified lor tne suoumra i uiyiy
macy. r-omivnra. in the City Park are be-
nn.no ovnormlve nets since beef be
gan ascending., Why not feed them
'something Just as gooo '
IiIta to huv sfTme
XJUt n iruiuit j -
of those candidates for what they are
worth and sell them for what they
think they are worth?
-rrrl. lllmola that Vl ft Will dO
1VU9UU . ii in'-
nothing to frighten Japan. Japan
should worry.
rr" nvo,-tTirp committee of the
Democratic National Committee is be
ginning to count Its next year s cnick
ens. "
' ITK mon wVlO iS 80.116 OnOUgh tO
know when he should go to the asylum
might at least be accommodated.
cn.inir gnmnl having put him on
a stogie diet, pa must shortly meet
the bill for graduation finery.
crootinn to the Committee of One
: Ask the wives of candidates
and get real information.
tt, mnnv resnects it Is cruel to dig
un the pasts of sorrre Commissioner-
ship candidates.
In sDite of peace delegation activi
ties, these are promising days for the
powder trust.
BiiffMffptte bomb-throwers threaten
to use aeroplanes. Encourage them!
T.o 13.000 barbers on strike In New
York must be at a loss for listeners.
Snapshot divorces will still be the
rule in Kansas City courts.
But where on earth Is Hobson?
It almost cleared up yesterday.
THOUGHT ON NEW SCHOOL METHOD
Sir. Ml try Opposes Vocational Train
ing at Public Expense.
EOLA, Or., May 15. (To the Editor.)
In The Oregonian recently I noticed
a letter written by L. H. Vincent, of
McMlnnville, In which he makes the
following statement: "In a recent let
ter it was not my purpose to judge
hundreds of self-taught men, but my
criticism was directed at those who
criticise the public school as a sort of
worse than useless institution, and
school teachers in general as a set of
visionary theorists."
Now such a statement exaggerates
the scope of such criticism. As one of
those who have been criticising new
school movements, I will say that the
publio schooL - properly conducted, is
our most valuable public institution,
and that most teachers posess ample
academic educations and character
worth. Nevertheless, many of them, as
well as people In other vocations, have
hobbles to which they attach too much
importance and about which they
frequently become Impractical theorists.
Such is the case about school children
In the elementary grades learning
chicken raising, school gardening and
other vocational pursuits that should
be learned from other sources than
public school efforts. The men and
women of today did not learn these
matters through their school teachers,
yet have been able to produce so many
potatoes that you cannot give them
away at present, while cabbage and
apples could not be sold in Portland,
and onions were thrown away in Cali
fornia last Fall. As the men and
women of today acquired such agricul
tural knowledge and ability, without
being taught it lri the public school, I
feel certain the children of today can
do likewise, unless they possess less
self-initiative and self-reliant abilities,
and if they do, rrruch of the fault lies
with the present teachings in the public
schools.
Another correspondent, Mr. Vincent,
writes about a certain class of people
attempting to solve the example regard
ing the number of board feet In a tele
graph pole, and after mentioning the
mathematical errors of some, he makes
the following statement: "The moral
we wish to point is that even with all
their fallings the public schools have
the so-called practical self-made men
'skinned to a frazzle' when It comes to
real practical experience."
In applying the previously-mentioned
example to such industry, he attaches
too much importance to the educa
tional ability to work a tapering-stick
problem, and not enough to the ability
to manufacture and handle such
timbers. He should remember the fol
lowing words of Samuel Johnson:
"Knowledge is of two klndB, we know
a subject ourselves or we know where
we can find information upon it." Now,
a practical lumberman, who can manu.
facture such poles. If he wishes to
know the exact number of board feet
in such a pole, and cannot do the
figuring himself, generally knows how
to use some other fellow's brains to
work it fpr him, while he himself con
tinues to produce more poles for
market, although he may be considered
an impractical worker while doing so.
Further, in the average sawmill, such
tapering sticks are not sawn, because
such timbers are difficult to saw, re
quire more time, thereby reducing mill
output, and increasing mill-waste;
hence in actual business, all these mat
ters are considered and estimated in an
approximate way, and the result is
that such timbers are sold either by
the piece or lineal foot, depending upon
the length; consequently, tne example
mentioned is not of practical use even
in the sale of telegraph poles.
Mr. Vincent also states.- "if no young
person could be licensed for employ
ment until he had finished the high
Bchool, there would be a better at
tendance In our schools and greater
efficiency among the employes In the
various industries. And there would be
fewer people who do not know how to
measure a telegraph pole."
It seems that some educators do not
know the commercial way of measuring
a telegraph pole, and will such prac
tical' people, please explain how a high
school education will increase efficiency
in handling a pitchfork or cross-cut saw,
pick and shovel, or even a wheel
harrow in wheeling concrete material.
Many educators and their followers
are seemingly becoming imbued with
the idea that all knowledge should be
acnuired through the public scnoois
and that the acquisition of further
education ceases when our school days
are past; that every one should have
an opportunity and should learn some
skilled vocation at public expense, ana
some even go so far to accomplish such
absurd end as to suggest compulsory
means that would lead to disastrous re
sults, for the simple reason that a vast
amount of work does not require spe
cially trained, skilled labor. Such edu
cators and their followers have a false
conception of what the public school
should accomplish, and a false concep
tion of the vocational-training needed
by the young people of our Nation.
Ihe public schools should imbue chil
dren with a deep sense of honor and
unselfishness, especially In a commer
cial way; Impart to them a comprehen.
slve knowledge of the English lan
guage so they can express their own
thoughts clearly and comprehend other
people's expressed views; also, teach
thom how. and imbue them with the
desire to acquire knowledge through
study, observation ana worn, upon
their own initiative selections and self
responsibility, after school davs are
past.
If they acquire special vocational
training it should be at their own ex
pense, for the simple reason that mil
lions must continue to perform com
mon, unskilled labor. In no other way
can they be properly classified, and if
thla notion through the public schools.
or otherwise, attempts to teach every
one some special vocation, it will simply
result in making those tnat are com
pelled by circumstances to perform the
common, unskilled labor of the coun
try to be discontented with their lot.
througn tne teaenms vl iubo api.
tions. In fact much of the discontent
of today among the laboring class is
traceable to such false teaching. In as
well as outside the public scnoois.
Such people through false aspiration
and egotistical feelings, look upon their
present positions as beneath their dig
nity and ability, and the result is they
perform their work in a listless,
thoughtless, careless and indifferent
way, and this very spirit prevents them
from rising any higher.
GliOKUB U. MITT X .
Efficiency in German Cities.
EUGENE, May 15. (To the Editor.)
ird.u.. etfiUAA tha rio-ht chord in the
communication addressed to The Ore
gonian May 14, as to municipal ana
-laalnn ,n V m TT1 Ml t ThPPft ideaS
are conclusively demonstrated in the
snl end id showing of uerman city ad
ministration.
Experts, and such only, in all
branches are employed by the leading
errnan cities, uneirs is nox duhidcss,
but a profession. They must be
thoroughly prepared in theory ana
practice. They receive large, sufficient
..loriu nronrdinff to tha imnortance
of their office. Liberal pensions await
them. after many years oi euicient um
1- Thna thev fJtTt W Pi 1 ftffOrd tO
devote their life, time and knowledge
. ,L.i. .fifociilnn TCn &-raftinT is
IU LIICll i'. . c- "
dreamed of nor needed; politics in the
derogatory sense does not figure.
T?m.i.nKv I a tbA wntnhword. sense of
duty, devotion the impetus to thorough.
profitable service to me conuuuimj,
which employs them. The office seeks
the man not vice versa.
I IS. ByHWAtiiStmi.i'.
HI Board Doesn't Groan.
Washington (D. C.) Star,,
r.1 A f Tii.titi1,(iiu piv.q his wife) A
certain amount each week to provide
for the table and buy clothes for her
self. . . . . . ' ...
He I thought. xompKins wuji wun
ins: rather thin.
SENATE AND COMPENSATION LAW
Writer Declares New Act Faulty and
Blames I'pper Houei
PORTLAND, May 16. (To the Edi
tor.) I crave a short space to voice
my opinions, regarding the much dis
cussed compensation act and the threa
tened referendum. The poor referen
dum seems to be the goat, just at pres
ent, that will help to butt the Senate
of the State of Oregon out of exist
ence. Yet, it seems particularly ap
propriate, considering that the new
thoroughly-discredited special election
originated in that august body. Chick
ens will come home to roost, even
though they do have an emergency
clause tied to their tail.
The compensation act received the
solid support of the press and the
corporate interests. The press have
sometimes erred as a whole, and very
often Individually, but have you ever
seen big business or special privilege
collectively err on the side of leniency
to the working class? When they sup
ported this compensation act is it not
probable that they saw or rather
foresaw the recent decision of the
Oregon Supreme Court? It is a fact
that the corporations always employ
the best legal talent and if the con
sensus of opinion among them was that
the Supreme Court would Interpret
the employers' liability law as they
have done, it was not unreasonable for
them to suppose that the workers
would be glad to accept the compensa
tion act, inadequate and faulty as it
Is, thanks to our beloved Senate.
The compensation act met consider
able' opposition at Salem from organized
labor as a whole, and I am in a posi
tion to know that that opposition has
not subsided, particularly since the
recent decision of the Supreme Court.
It is Inadequate in its provisions, car
ries no guarantee of permanency
beyond what may be provided as an
immediate cash settlement; and pro
vides no way to continue annuities
should a corporation go out of exist
ence leaving no assets, their usual
methods and its compensations are in
sufficient and indefinite in most cases,
leaving too much in the power of the
commission to decide and right there
comes the rub so far as the work
lngman is concerned.
I notice that a certain member of
this commission who after a long resi
dence in Salem, at the public expense,
takes upon himelf the authority to an
nounce what future legislation the peo
ple of Oregon will enact should the ref
erendum be invoked on this compen
sation act. Who made him the spokes
man for the electorate of Oregon? By
what right dos he consider himself
and his two fellow-commissioners
superior to the voice of 10,000 voters
who may sign a referendum petition?
To what length will not some of our
"best citizens" go to obtain a chance
at the financial milk of the public
cow!
We are going to have a compensation
law in Oregon, a far different one
from the present makeshift act. and
without the kind assistance of a con
trolled Senate to amend It out of all
appearances to its original form. But
in the meantime we will take steps
to repair the damage done the liability
law by the Supreme Court, through
the initiative, and trust that the
casualty companies will continue to
play the goat until the battle Is over.
PAT.
WISCONSIN STUMP - BURNING PLAN
Alberta Farmer Would Like to Sell Out
and Try It In Oregon.
LACOMBE, Alberta, Canada, May 13.
(To the Editor.) I saw in The Ore
gonian recently an article about clear
ing stumps from land. It seems to me
the best and cheapest way of all is
overlooked. Drill or bore a two-inch
hole down level with the land from the
top of the stump in the center, or
heart; then drill a one-inch hole from
the windy side of the stump level with
the top of the land to the center hole
for a draft.
This makes a furnace of the stump,
and when your dry months come in set
them on fire by pouring one-half pint
of kerosene in the center big hole and
let theifl burn till tho center is big
enough to chuck in old dry wood, and
thus keep them going until all burned
out, root and stump.
The holes could be made with a com
pressed air drill such as the coal miners
use to prepare for blasting. The drill
ing could be done in the leisure time
of the year, but do not fire them until
a dry time.
I have burned trees down in Wiscon
sin this way 40 years ago with com
plete success. If I could sell or trade
my farm here I would come to the
Willamette Valley and buy some of
your cheap stump land and try this
burning process. The drilling would be
the only cost, as a large number of
stumps could be set during the same
time and kept on fire by chucking In
dry wood any time needed.
A. A. HENRY.
Taxes Paid Under Protest.
PORTLAND, May 16. (To the Edi
tor.) My letter of inquiry in The Ore
gonian in regard to the payment of
personal tax this year, brought the
Sheriff to my office that afternoon de
manding payment. He said suit would
be instituted to collect It if not paid
by the 20th of the montn. rte said
the attorneys were paying meir per
sonal tax rather than fight the issue.
I suppose I will have to submit to
the bunco game, and pay up, regardless
of the fact that I am cnargea more
than twice as much personal tax this
year as I was in liu or 1311. iat i
have not as much property as I had in
those vears.
However, I will pay under protest,
and maybe get it back sometime in the
future. As I see it, it is a case of "the
people be d d" their voice don't eount.
Expurgated Patriotism.
By Dean Collins.
Seekers of peace, in the schools ef
Seattle,
Fearing that ditties descriptive of
battle.
And bloodshed and strife that our fore-
Till Liberty came to thi3 country and
stayed
These seekers of peace, as I mentioned
With fear that is grave and persistent
aw A elaoflV.
That war through the minds of the
chuaren may run
If they sing of the deeds by our fore
fatlivB done.
Have formed a peace plan; and 'tis
now contemplated
That songs of our country shall be
expurgated.
So ell the school children may sing
tnem wilh ease
And still keep a pretty good notion of
Now soon we'll hear patriots warble.
l wis.
The "Star-Spangled Banner" remodelled
like tnis:
(Dulce; soft pedal; in measures that
lag;
AVlth courteous eyes lifted up toward
the flag.)
"Oh, say', can you see.
By the dawn's early light.
What it pleased us to see
At the twilights last beaming,
Whose nice stripes and White stars,
Made a beautiful sight.
From the pole of tho postoffice
Daintily streaming.
We looked up in the air.
And we said: "I, declare
What a fine bit of color
That flag makes up there!
Ah, say, may that star-spangled ban
ner's device
Wave long and all people be perfectly
nice?' "
. Twenty-five Years Ago
From The Oregonian of May 17, 1SSS.-
Astoria, May 16 The stockholders of
the Ilwaco Steam Navigation Company
had a meeting this afternoon at which
T. R. Strong, of Portland, representing
the Portland Coast Transportation
Company, made an offer for the two
steamers, the Gen. Miles and the Dol
phin, now running on the Grays Har
bor, Shoalwater Bay and Tillamook
routes.
A remonstrance was presented to tha
City Council from a number of citizens
of South Portland, saying that they lio
lieve that a tannery is about to be es
tablished on South First street, near
Grover, in the midst of a thickly set
tled neighborhood, to the detriment of
the health of tho city.
Henry Weinhard asked that C street
be Improved by grading and macadam
izing from North Tenth to North
Twelfth.
John J. Holland, the well-known
boatbuilder, formerly of this city, says
he will have the new steamboat for
the Ellensburg & Coneonully Kallroad
Company completed by June 1.
The dwelling of Ernest R. Gherke,
corner of Twenty-second and P streets,
was destroyed by fire yesterday morn
ing. Road supervisors are now busy mend
Ing their ways. Mr. Redman has been
doing some good, work on the Barnes
road. William Kern Is graveling a mile
on the Mllwaukie road. V
Half a Century Ago
From The Oregonian of May IS, 1S63.
New York, May 11. The Times says
that Hooker has transferred his army
to the south side of the Rappahannock,
with the purpose, no doubt, of again
assuming offensive operations.
Washington, May 12. Official infor
mation has been received announcing
the death of General Van" Dorn at
Spring Hill On the seventh.
Columbian Fire Engine Company No.
S. with quite a number of citizens, in
cluding members of the City Council,
about 140 in all, started on their ex
cursion to Dallas at an early hour this
morning. The procession was headed
by Denlson's band of 13 pieces.
The new, substantial and stout
steamer John Couch (Charles Holman.
master) made a trial trip on Saturday
evening last down to Coffin Rock and
towed up to this city the bark William
A. Banks proving the running speed,
power and adaptability of this new
steamer to the purposes intended to be
a complete success.
The steamer E. D. Baker started up
this morning with a large party aboard,
bound for The Dalles.
GIVES A BOOST FOR MIt. CLYDE!
Thla Voter Snya He I Friend of the
Common People.
PORTLAND, May 16. (To the Ed
itor.) The Oregonian counsels the
good citizens of Portland to get to
gether and elect responsible and capa
ble Commissioners, with the afled ud
vice that if they did not do so, such
undesirables as Clyde and Wagnon
might slip in. Personally I am not ac
quainted with either of the gentlemen,
but in talking the matter over in
formally with my neighbors and
friends I find it the desire of a great
many of them, including myself, to
vote for Ralph C. Clyde for Commis
sioner. We judge him on his public
record in the City Council to be a
capable and responsible man to repre
sent the common people (as against
special interest and graft) as one of
the Cornmissioners.
We are all sincerely actuated, at
least as far as I know, by the laudable
desire to elect good and true men to
fill the offices under our new charter;
so why should there be such a differ
ence of opinion as to the relative
merits of a man with a public record
like Clyde?
That is what a good many voters in
the Seventh Ward, who have no axes
to grind, but a sincere desire for good
men. would like to know.
E. J. ROSEN.
6903 Fifty-fifth avenue. Southeast.
A Man Who Loves Hla Conntry.
Chicago News.
Gyer There goes a man who cer
tainly loves his country. Myer Why
do you think so? Gyer He has held
a Government oo tor au yema.
SUNDAY
FEATURES
Face Reading You may tell
lies, but your face can't hide
them, says a noted Oriental
face re'ader who gives the in
ner secrets of his art.
Theodore Roosevelt Another
chapter dealing with the days
when he was first embarking
on his notable career.
R. S. V. P. A Potash and Perl
mutter tale by Montague Glass.
Living on $23 a Year That is
what the thrifty Japanese are
able to do in their own land.
How they do it is gone into
exhaustively.
Business Is Woman's Field
80 says Anne Shannon Mon
roe, a Portland woman who has
attracted wido attention as a
writer.
Are Preachers Lazy? Rev.
Mark A. Matthews says they
arc, and goes into details on
the subject.
Frivolous Girls The kind that
never mean to marry are dis
cussed interestingly by Laura
Jean Libbey.
Eating and Speaking It is re
vealed that what you say de
pends on what you eat and, in
a degree, on how you eat it.
Women Fans They are now the
most ardent of baseball enthu
siasts. The Broncho Buster A short
story by G if ford Hall.
Shaking Down the Rich A
study of the income tax which
will be paid by one man out of
everv 120 who has more than
$4000 a year.
THESE ARE A FEW OF
MANY FEATURES
Order today of your
newsdealer
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