Morning Oregonian., June 27, 1913, Page 10, Image 10

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FORTXAJTO. FBIDAV, JC"E 27, 1913,
OPINIONS OF THE CURRENCY BILL.
A an effort to remove the radical
defects of the banking and currency
system and to place the country's
financial organization on a sound
'basis, readily responsive to the de
mands of trade the currency bill is
welcomed by the newspapers of the
country generally. Democrats are con
gratulated on their courage in under
taking this difficult task. The princi
pal subject of criticism is the large
measure of political control provided.
On the one side, this is held neces
sary because of popular distrust of
financiers; on the other side it is con
demned because of business men's dis.
trust of politicians. It is as severely
denounced on the one hand as it is
warmly defended on the other.
The New York Sun concedes that,
handicapped by the limitations of the
Baltimore platform, the Democracy
has achieved a decided success in in
corporatiiag sound principles in the
financial system, but says that the bill
"is altogether too political in its pro
vision of control over the credit and
currency machinery of the land." The
Sun recalls the objection made to the
Monetary Commission's plan, that it
centralized control of banking, which
would become a dangerous political
issue, and says that the present bill
"projects into the new banking system
In exaggerated form all the excess of
authority for which the Aldrlch plan is
condemned." The Sun praises the
plan of regional reserve banks, but
says it is proposed to subordinate them
"in every way to the autocracy of a
political board at Washington."
The Brooklyn Eagle makes similar
criticism, saying that, if the bill be
comes a law, "the Government will
have gone into the banking business
in a way that will leave to bankers
almost no control of what has been
their function in the world of finance
and commerce."
While approving the general super
visory power to be vested in the Fed
eral Reserve Board, the New Tork
Evening Post condemns the giving to it
of mandatory power to fix discount
rates "as carrying supervision to the
point of meddlesomeness," and says
that this power should be vested in the
board of each reserve bank. Ihe Post
also calls extremely hazardous the
proposed power to suspend for thirty
days any and every reserve require
ment. The note-issuing machinery, it
says, "points unmistakably to possible
inflation."
Conceding that the Government
should issue and control currency, the
New York Mail questions the wisdom
of giving the Federal Reserve Board
absolute power to engage in the details
of banking business.
The bill is welcomed by the New
York Globe as marking a great ad
vance and as tending to mitigate
banking and currency evils.
The bill receives general commenda
tion from the New York Times, but
that paper adds:
The germinal principle of the bill appear
to be distrust of banks and of bankers. We
may assume that not only financiers and
franker, -but business men generally will
take aober thought concerning the cen
tralizing features of the -bill and the spirit
and the policy which have inspired It.
The scheme Is approved by the Phil
adelphia Ledger, which scoffs at fear
of too much Government control as
imaginary terrors.
While approving other features of
the bill, the New York World calls
it "weak in its failure to do away with
the stereotyped issues based on Gov
ernment bonds."
Saying that the bill "appears to be
drafted upon sound principles," the
Chicago Inter-Ocean avers the ques
tion is not one of sentiment or polit
ical preference, but a question of busi
ness. It reminds Republicans that
they failed to deal with this question
when they had the opportunity, and
calls upon them "not to oppose any
constructive measure which the Demo
crats may be able to bring forward,
but to promote it and assist in its per
fection." The Chicago Record-Herald calls at
tention to the practical admission of
President Wilson that the bill is a com
promise among Democrats of different
opinions and to his bid for Republican
and Progressive support. That jour
nal says "the great need is for non
political sincere and enlightened dis
cussion to determine whether the rem
edies proposed are adequate."
The Springfield Republican dwells
on the political consequences of suc
cess in 'banking and currency reform,
saying that "if the Democratic party
can now prove that it should nojonger
be feared, its strength would bel im
measurably increased that it might
hold power for a generation." It adds:
Remembering the history of the Demo
cratic party, remembering that Mr. Bryan
is a leading member of the Cabinet and
entirely in harmony with his chief on all
important questions of policy, it is a matter
of great moment that so good a bill should
emanate from a Democratic Administration.
While commending "the very note
worthy beginning in the direction of
genuine banking reform," the Indian
apolis Star regrets "the submission to
Bryanism involved in giving the emer
gency currency the semblance of
Treasury notes and the elimination of
bankers from the board of central con
trol." If the bill can be passed, says
the Star, "great credit will be due the
President for wresting so scientific and
meritorious a measure from the Demo
cratic party, erstwhile a victim of
financial lunacies innumerable."
"The main thing is to make a start,"
says the Indianapolis News, which ex
presses a generally favorable opinion of
the bill and which believes the desire
of the Administration to be "to awaken
such an interest as will lead to wide
expression of sentiment."
The framers of the bill are declared
by the Baltimore Sun to have been
wise to omit a central bank from their
scheme, in view of the wide opposi
tion to it, and the Sun says they have
secured a substitute which is free from
the objections urged against that idea
It admits that some legitimate objec
tions may be raised, but says the plan
has great advantages.
HOT STUFF.
The Oregonian is reminded that the
McNab-McReynolds controversy has
another side by discovering a state
ment in its orthodox Democratic con
temporary, the Albany Democrat
warmly commending the President
and the Attorney-General, and saying
that the resignation of McXab "will
be very promptly and very properly
accepted by President Wilson." Con
tinues the Democrat:
Who is thia man McNab who assumes
unto himself not only the duties of United
States District Attorney but also the duties
of the Attorney-General of the United States?
Is It always for him to say whether or not
there is a sufficient reason for the post
ponement of a criminal trial? Is he so high
and mighty that he can not accept orders
rrom nis superiors In the Department of
Justice without making sensational charges
against his chief? Must a subordinate of
ficer in the -Government service expect a
Din or particulars with every order received
from his superlora? In a word. Is McNab
the Attorney-General of the Wilson Ad
ministration or is McReynolds?
If we may be pardoned for dropping
into the vernacular, we should say
that that is hot stuff. We shall under
take no reply, beyond pointing out that
.District Attorney McNab, finding him
self unable to carry out the orders of
the Attorney-General, and believing
that justice had been violated by orders
from an absentee superior, who con
fesses that the "facts were not fresh in
his mind" "when he gave the order of
postponement, tendered his resigna
tion.. What would our unbiased friend,
the Democrat, have had him do?
The Administration is free now to
carry out the original plan of postpon
ing the trials. Why does it not post
pone them? Why is Heney, or some
other J200.000 special attorney, to be
employed to undertake an immediate
prosecution that District Attorney Mc
Nab was not permitted to undertake,
in the regular course of his duties?
THE STATE'S PLIGHTED FAITlt.
The City of Portland has not lost
"100,000,000. or any other sum.
through the Supreme Court decision
confirming the vested right of the
shore owners to their property. It has
not lost anything.
The Dock Commission, acting
through its ill-advised majority, has
failed to divest responsible citizens of
property they bought in perfect reli
ance upon the good faith of the State
of Oregon, expressed through its laws
enacted by its Legislature.
There is no moral distinction to be
made between a land grab by citizens
from an unsuspecting and complaisant
government and a land grab for the
ostensible benefit of a city from prop
erty owners who have procured their
title from the state, and who have as
sumed that the state's pledge to them
meant something. The whole assump
tion of the waterfront land grabbers
is, or was, that the state's pledge
meant nothing.
DUTIES OF THE MINORITY.
Republican Senators are criticised
beforehand on account of their an
nounced purpose to discuss fully and
offer amendments to the Underwood
tariff. They are informed that such
tactics would be obstructive; that, the
people having rejected the Republican
arty and installed the Democratic
party in office, all that . Republicans
have to do is to let ' the bill go
through as quickly as possible, so that
Duslness can settle down to definite
transactions.
If that 'be so, what is the use of a
minority party? Finding itself in the
minority, is a party to fall in with the
majority and make every action unani
mous? We have not so understood
the uses of parties. An active, crit
ical, combative minority has always
been and always will be as essential as
the majority to good legislation. A
party Is not expected to abandon its
convictions because it is defeated. It
believes that the people have been mis
led and is bound to assert its belief in
word and act on all proper occasions,
in the hope that the people will be
come convinced of their error. That
Is what the Democrats have been do
ing for the last sixteen years and they
have acceded to office, though not by
vote of the majority, but by division
among their opponents.
It is further the duty of the minor
ity to see that the performance of
the majority squares with its prom
ises. The Republicans will be doing
only as the country expects when they
compare the free-wool provision with
the Democratic promise to injure no
legitimate industry, or when they point
out that the enormous expansion of
the free list and the slashing of duties
to 8 or 10 per cent at one swoop is
not performance of the promise held
out in the President's speech of ac
ceptance that the tariff would be re
vised "gradually but unhesitatingly
downward." The Republicans may well
point out that these reductions are
"gradually abrupt," as the backwoods
man said of the range of mountains.
The minority has a duty to perform
in the revision of the tariff and would
be recreant to that duty if it sat dumb
as a whipped dog while the majority
reconstructs the whole fiscal system
of the country.
NOT AN INDIAN GIFT.
Let it be admitted that the earlv
day Legislatures in Oregon displayed a
lamentable lack of wisdom in respect
to submerged river land legislation:
yet these Legislatures pledged the
faith of the state. Relying on that
faith, investors for half a century have
made river lands the subject of sale
and barter, and have now large sums
invested therein. The Dock Commis
sion's attempt to appropriate the over
flowed lands for public use was no more
than an attempt to induce the judicial
branch of the Government to repudi
ate the acts of the legislative branch.
regardless of the loss that might ac
crue to individuals through their mis
placed faith in the integrity of the
state.
The courts were asked to correct
errors of omission committed by the
constitutional convention and the sev
eral Legislatures. That the errors
were of omission rather than commis
sion is indicated by well-established
rulings that the owners of the upland
would have had at common law the
same rights they now enjoy had the
Legislature passed no laws at all per
taining to wharfage rights. The con
stitutional convention and the Legis
lature failed to enact any statute tak
ing away the riparian common law
rights for the benefit of the public.
it Is a well-known rule that riparian
rights under the common law may be
modified by state enactments. The
State of Washington, for example, es
tablished a harbor area defined by
inner and outer harbor lines. Its
constitution declares this harbor area
to be inalienable. It may only be
leased, and for a period not exceeding
thirty years, to persons who will erect
improvements thereon in aid of com
merce and navigation.
That Oregon might have enacted a
similar provision is true. But it did
not. There ought now to be no ex
pectation that the courts will read into
constitution or -statutory law some
thing to supply this omission, or to
overthrow laws that distinctly reveal
an intent by ..the Legislature not to ex
ercise its authority to enact legislation
contrary to the common law in this
particular.
Oregon Legislatures have made sim
ilar errors. The school land grant,
when its disposition is compared with
that provided in some other states, has
been practically squandered. It would
be as reasonable to declare a forfeit
ure of school lands acquired at a frac
tion of their value through the lib
erality of the lawmaking body as to
expropriate the harbor lands granted
to upland owners by the same author
ity. Congress also showed distinct lack
of foresight and bad judgment in
granting immense areas of land to the
promoters and builders of practically
useless military wagon roads in Ore
gon. As well seek forfeiture of these
areas and the ruin of later private in
vestments therein as to take back the
lands once granted river bank owners
and thereby deprive private holders of
all return for the money the lands cost
them.
The Supreme Court has merely de
cided that the grant to river bank
owners was not an "Indian gift," to be
taken back by the donor after time
had told him that the grant was more
valuable than he had supposed. .As
heretofore stated, the public has lost
nothing it ever possessed. It has
failed now to acquire something it
might have acquired had the proper
steps been taken years ago.
BEECHER'S CENTENARY.
In the Spring of 1847 Henry Ward
Beecher had left his modest congrega
tion in Indianapolis for a visit to New
York. He was invited to Breach in
the pulpit of the new Plymouth
cnurcn, wnich was looking for a min
ister, and his sermon charmed all his
hearers. Not lone- aftprwarH Vi no a
elected pastor by the congregation of
riiTnoum Church and the next Fall
he took ud his residence In Tlr nrL-lTr
For the next half century the minister
aiia nis cnurcn, working together in
penect harmony, were one of the most
potent agencies of richfponsnpei in the
world- Beecher's life history js too in
timately united with that of his church
to be severed from it. His National
career betran with his first so
the new pulpit and closed only with his
neam. iieecner lived in a most fortu
nate period for his influence and fame.
Every circumstance conspired to set
the public state favorably for ni re
markable gifts. Theology had begun
its transition from the rnrkrlhhoii tvtout
Kngland Puritanm to more scholarly
ana UDerai views. The country wag in
a way hospitable to advanced thought.
TJnitarianism was makine- Its WAV
Swedenborgianism had its followers.
n.ven Mormonlam had not lacked for
disciples. But while new thought was
welcome, it was not too welcome.
A great battle had ta r fnnirht l,o.
tween tradition and reason ii the
churches of the United States. All
that Beecher found was a fair field
for the fight. It was not won wlthnnt
strenuous effort. He belonged by tem
perament and study to the progres
sives.' His theology was "eclectic."
some people called him a Unitarian,
some a Swedenborgian, some an "infi
del." What he did was to even-lso
sound common sense and choose the
dogmas which best expressed the love
of God and the better aspirations of
man. ivujuuuu uau not neen neara
of when Beecher Hfgan his con
nection with Plymouth Church, but
his liberal thpolne-y nmnnrofl Vila
gregation to welcome it from the lips
oi i-iyman ADDOtt. -
Beecher's theoloev as well as his n.n
triotism would have been no more ef
fective in him than in other preachers
had it not been for his magic oratory.
His voice, his nresenre his cmntinnai
nature, all contributed tn mat-n him o
master of great audiences. His face
was saintly with that touch of sensu
ality which is seen both in Savonarola
and Demosthenes. His 1 one" hair hiinc
in angelic lines down to his shoulders.
ms eye nasned and gleamed in har
mony with his thought. Even in read
ing hymns his oratorical nowpi- was
manifest. Strangers used to visit his
cnurcn in multitudes, some to
criticise. But it is said that they sel
dom held their critical mood beyond
the first hymn and the prayer that fol
lowed it. The mystic waves of emo
tion in the preacher's
them. Everything he said meant infi
nitely more to tne soul than to the ear.
Like all great orators, he spoke to the
depths of passion in those who heard
him and words conveyed but the
smallest part of his meaning. His ser
mons were like great music whose sig
nificance goes far bevond vsrhai sym
bols.
Beecher used his power over Ply
mouth Church and over the American
people always for good. He was a
patriot and a mighty fortress of Na
tional righteousness as well as a pow
erful preacher. When he went to
Plymouth Church the struggle between
freedom and slavery was in its early
fervor. The slave oligarchy had
plunged the country into the Mexican
War to extend their territory and
power. In 1850 the fugitive slave law
was enacted and the fight for Kansas
broke out. Beecher took his stand for
freedom. He preached the politics of
human liberty and his congregation
heard him gladly. He was one of the
most dramatic of men. One day he
held up a chain in the middle of his
sermon acd told his people it had been
worn by a slave. A thrill of horror
ran through the vast assembly. A
moment later he dropped the chain on
the floor and, trampling it with his
foot, cried out in those tones of pro
phetic grandeur which could awe and
subdue while they charmed his hear
ers, "Thus we shall trample on the
power of the slaveholders." 4
On another Sunday morning he
stopped in his sermon and said quietly:
"Come here, Jane." Everybody won
dered and waited breathlessly. "Jane"
was a slave girl whose master wanted
$1200 for her. "Pass the basket," said
the great preacher without another
word when Jane stood beside him. It
was passed and fine ladies tore off their
diamond rings to ransom the little yel
low girl. It was like Savonarola
preaching to the Florentines. Beecher
stood by John Brown in the fight for
Kansas, and when he was executed
preached a memorial sermon to an in
numerable congregation. His words
were heard from Maine to Oregon. AH
the great and good men of war times
came to hear him. Wendell Phillips
drank inspiration for his own rebel
lious soul from Beecher's pulpit ora
tory. William Lloyd Garrison sat un
der his spell. Lincoln came with his
inscrutable, melancholy face, listened ,
and went away with thoughts that he
told to none.
In the Summer and Fall of 1863
Beecher was in England speaking for
the Union cause. The country was
hostile to America and to him person
ally. The aristocracy went with the
slave oligarchy heart and hand. The
cotton manufacturers resented the loss
of their business because of the block
ade. Even such men as Gladstone
took sides with the Confederacy. Only
the plain people stood for the North,
and to them Beecher addressed him
self. At first a hostile clique controlled
the audiences and he was mobbed. But
he persisted, gained a hearing, over
came all opposition by the golden en
chantment of his speech and became
the voice of popular righteousness in
England as he was at home. Of the
malice which blighted the happiness of
his later years we shall say nothing.
As long as he lived his power over his
countrymen was unbroken, and he
used it always for the hisrhest nurnoses
No preacher in this country has ever
enjoyea an influence like Beecher's and
none has ever consecrated the influ
ence he had to better ends. It is now
a full century since he was born, the
centenary of his birth falling on June
24, 1913, and time confirms the judg
ment of his contemporaries- that "he
was not born to die."
King Alfonso is a skillful and bold
politician, as he r-ecently proved. The
Liberal government showing signs of
weakness, the Conservative leader in
formed the King of his readiness to
take office in accordance with the time
honored Spanish custom of rotation in
office. But the King did not respond.
He sent for the Republican leaders
and asked them, in the interest of edu
cational and other reforms which they
desired, to support the Liberals. They
responded, the Cabinet was made over
and the Liberal government still holds
sway. The desire of Republicans to
depose him did not deter Alfonso from
seeking an alliance with them.
A general strike is In prospect for
members of the 117 trades .unions of
Kansas City, excepting, of course,
those unions that have agreements in
the nature of contracts through their
superior organizatfons. A general
strike is the last resort in a losing
game, and should not be invoked. The
economic loss in wages and to busi
ness demoralizes the community and
enforced idleness makes a restless
loafer of a good workman. Then, too,
the women and children are the real
sufferers, and perhaps fear of such re
sultant condition is the reason many
omen folk oppose the principle of
labor unionism.
New England begins to weary of the
aristocratic excluslveness which bars
Its college doors to the masses. A
movement to make over the Massa
chusetts normal schools into colleges
has just been suppressed, but, as Gov
ernor Foss said in his Harvard speech,
it is sure to break out again. He even
warned his erudite audience that they
might have to dine in the shadow of a
state university some day. He meant
a people's university, where practi
cal subjects are taught with all the
resources of modern pedagogy. New
England has all th Latin and Oi-pbIt
she wants.
The persistency of the law as re
gards crime and inevitable arrest of
a man charged with offense is again
illustrated in the capture of the East
ern Oregon rancher at Boise to an
swer for alleged misdeed after five
years. In ninety-nine cases in a hun
dred a man would better plead guilty
and take his "medicine" and have
done with it.
More Nebraskans will be coming to
Oreeron as soon a.s ihpv onn'coii mtt-
The region around Kenesaw, in the
juiuuie or tne state, suffered loss
amounting- tn 21 nn nnn iA7-A4nAin..
from a tornado. Nature 13 bountiful
to mat state and it is a land of plenty,
but what are benefits to a mind in
constant fear?
We should not expect the issue of
$5,000,000 in notes by the Mexican
rebels to be absorbed very rapidly, and
yet they may be useful for gun wads.
Paper currency derives its value from
the resources of the government
which issues it.
The limited suffrage bill was signed
by Governor Dunne yesterday and op
ponentsare thinking of attacking its
constitutionality. But what is the use?
Illinois women are bound to vote and
they will vote.
President Wilson will appoint Au
gustus Thomas to an important diplo
matic post- Having sent all the story
writers out of the country, he is now
attacking the playwrights.
A Portland couple refused to get
married because of being thirteenth
on the record book. It is fortunate all
young couples aren't occupied with
such silly superstitions.
Ten days of discomfort in the woods
was enough for the young Glendale
bank robber. His loot was intact for
the very good reason he could not
spend it.
The elements have considered th
fact that the Fourth of July is but one
ween off and weather from now on
will be all that could be desired.
Two young employes of a local bank
got married one day and returned to
work the next. They are the kind of
young people you can bank on.
What a falling off of gratuitous and
promiscuous cordiality now that elec
tion is past and the job-hunting season
closed!
Now's the season when the man who
couldn't make good as Janitor begins
dreaming of running for Governor.
A New York old maid will explore
the frozen North. Probably going up
to look over those blonde Esquimos.
The Bulgarians have been severely
routed by the Servians. That ought to
help reduce their swollen ego.
Mention in print of the veteran
steamer T. J. Potter . is a sure sign
that Summer is at hand.
.Maryland's Bull Moose leader has
abandoned the banner. That must be
about the last of them.
The Council having adjourned sine
die, we can all breathe easier.
Another hee-haw emanates from the
braying ass of South Carolina.
The "rare" days in June are here
at last.
Welcome, prodigal sun!
WHO REFEREUED WORKMEN LAW
General A Rent Offers Reward for Proof
of Liability Companies' Aid.
PORTLAND, June 26. (To the Edi
tor.) Notwithstanding the sworn de
nials of all the general agents of cas
ualty companies doing business in this
state that they had not contributed
either directly or indirectly to the fund
which Was raised for the purpose of in
voking the referendum on the compen
sation act I am impressed from reading
The Oregonian that some of those who
have been selected as the proposed paid
administrators of the law are not only
disappointed, but continue to maintain
that the public is being greatly deceived
.nd that their assertions are still true,
although the evidence to support their
statements is not only lacking but of
such a character as to bear the stamp
of personal animosity and prejudice.
From a personal investigation I do
not believe there is any basis at all for
their insinuations and for this reason I
purpose to -donate $250 to anv chari
table organization selected by yourself,
if the charge can be conclusively proved
that the liability companies or their gen.
eral agents contributed money for the
direct purpose of defraying the ex
penses of invoking the referendum on
the compensation act. The only condi
tions I make are that a committee of
three persons be appointed composed
of yourself, a circuit judge and any
manufacturer selected by these two
who. while in favor of compensation is
absolutely unprejudiced as to casualty
companies and. who believes that a
choice of several methods should be
, open to the employer, as provided for
In the acts passed by most of the large
Eastern states, in the administration of
compensation as long as the payment
to the injured employe is absolutely
certain and unimpaired.
I make this proposal, not that I
would be particularly concerned should
any company or its general agents be
guilty, recognizing as I do that the
power to exercise the referendum was
conferred on the people for apparently
just such obstructive and foolish pur
poses and is available to any and all
persons, but on the other hand, I am
impressed by your statement that the
public is interested In what appears to
be a clandestine movement, although it
would seem to me that the names of
those who filed the petitions would re
move any doubts as to the motives as
well as the identity of those responsible
for this action.
I have criticised freely and in the
open the many obvious defects of the
present act because I am not willing to
concede to sentiment so many things
which are at variance with sound logic
and reason and I know as a director
of the Employers' Association at the
time tne Commission drew the act that
a committee from that body was ap
pointed to confer with the Commission
and that the secretary of the Employ
ers' Association reported that the Com
mission would not enter into a general
discussion of the terms of the pro
posed act until after it was reported to
the Governor. I know that the hearings
before the Legislative committee were
carefully programmed and staged: that
the paid administrators of the Wash
ington compensation ' act were given
places of prominence in the legisla
tive committee discussions as to what
was best given employers representing
payrolls totaling over $4,000,000, who
sent in requests to have the act
amended so that they could pay com
pensation directly to the employes and
independent of the State Board as pro
vided for in New Jersey, Massachu
setts, Michigan and many other states.
The fact that there have been hun
dreds upon hundreds of letters sent to
the Statehouse at Salem by employers
since the first of the month, declining
to come under the operation of the act
is ample evidence that they were im
pressed after careful study of the act.
that there was very limited immunity
afforded them from law suits resulting
from personal injury cases in event of
their acceptance of the operation of the
act- It was also noticeable that any
unfavorable criticisms were carefully
suppressed or ignored according to the
source. I have stated frequently that
my ideas of compensation Legislation
were clearly presented and justified in
the model compensation act prepared
by the National Association of Manu
facturers as well as the conclusions
adopted by the National Civic Federa
tion which are certainly free from
prejudice and entirely the reverse of
those conclusions reached by the Ore
gon Commission.
I am willing to co-operate with the
Governor, the employes or the em
ployers and attempt to pass either by
initiative or legislature any act which
will represent the general principles
of the laws now in force In either New
Jersey, Massachusetts, Michlpan and
recently passed in Minnesota, Nebraska
and Iowa or the act now before the
Pennsylvania Legislature or the one
vetoed by the Governor of New York
after it had recently passed both
houses. There are some trivial differ
ences In each, but in the essentials they
are alike and consequently would waive
any personal preference.
I mentioned these state laws also as
evidence contrary to the popular idea
that compensation laws are being
passed in large employing states which
are effective and efficient and not con
ceived in prejudice or bitterness to
wards any interest and it is not neces
sary that they should be.
PAUL C. BATES.
QUESTIONS AND LETTERS.
As previously announced. The
Oregonian will not undertake to
give answers by mall to ques
tions on legal points, nor by mail
supply statistics, pronounce or
define words, settle wagers or re
spond to other queries of a gen
eral character. Such questions
and others that are deemed to
have some news interest will be
answered on this page when pos
sible. Queries as to value ol old
coins, books or relics are not
deemed of news value.
Persons writing letters to the
editor for publication must be
brief. Those who prefer to have
their articles rejected rather than
trust to the editor's discretion in
reducing length or eliminating
portions he may deem offensive
or objectionable to the reader
should so state when submitting
manuscript.
Cubist and Gretna Green.
PORTLAND, June 25. (To the Edi
tor.) Please explain what is meant by
a Gretna Green wedding; also cubist
art. I. X. QUIRER.
Gretna Green is a village in Scot
land. Just across the English border,
which formerly was much resorted to
by runaway couples from England be
cause of its nearness and the liberality
of Scotch marriage laws. The name is
often applied to a border town which
offers less restrictions on marriages
than are encountered In the neighbor
ing state and therefore becomes popu
lar with wedding couples.
Cubist art is the product of a fanci
ful school of artists who profess to see
right angular and cubic contents in
persons and scenes and so depict their
impressions on canvas.
Private Roads.
MYRTLE- CREEK. Or., June 25. (To
the Editor.) I built a road across my
place a year ago for my own benefit.
Now can I stop anyone crossing that
I don't want on my place?
A READER.
A privately constructed road across
private property Is not public unless
dedicated for public use.
WHAT THE BANKERS MIGHT DO.
Easier Farm Loans More Needed Than
Realty Supervision, Says Writer.
PORTLAND, June ZC. (To the Edi
tor.) I would like to make a few com
ments and suggestions on the resolution
recently passed by the State Banners'
Association instigated. I believe, by the
Oregon Development League.
It is proposed that a committee Of
three be appointed to appraise and re
port on the value of land offered for
sale, and that the bankers take a hand
in seeing that the newcomer is not
fleeced.
Let us say that the people of Oregon
snouia appreciate this evidence of pub
lic spirit because it may result in some
intelligent action on the part of the
moneyed interests of the state, not
withstanding that the proposed action
is a wean etrort and can accomplish no
practical benefit.
There is about $75,000,000 on deposit
in our Portland banks, yet because of
our banking" laws or for business rea
sons, money cannot be or is not loaned
the farmer; again nearly everv country
banker and some of our city bankers
nave been engaged in subdividing and
booming real estate; in other words, if
it must be plainly stated, the banker
is not encouraging people to buy land
except where they are interested, even
with their own money because he does
not wish to lose the deposit: so bank
ers are not and probably never will be
important factors in the development of
tne wonuerrui agricultural, horticul
tural, dairying and stock raising inter
ecus ui una state, inereiore, let me
suggest that the bankers be very cau
tious in interfering in the sale of real
estate.
It Is very true that certain lands are
too high, but it Is a natural conse
quence from fabulous profits derived
from the fruit and berry industries,
and a most persistent booming and
boosting by commercial bodies, rail
roads and development leagues. But It
is not true that lands are universally
j too high. Thousands of acres of stock
nvi Kiani iuuua ue Durcnasea in
Eastern Oregon from $10 to $20 per
acre and hundreds of acres of imorovt-d
farms can be purchased in the Willam
ette Valley for $100 per acre and less,
Ties, 5000 to 6000 in a solid body of
v alley land mostly under cultivation
can be purchased for $50 per acre.
There is a little lull in the land busi
ness here as elsewhere throughout the
country, but everything is all ris:ht.
No country on the globe offers such
Inducement to the soil worker as this.
with its mild and equable climate, its
long growing seasons and productivity
of Its soil. jo country is more beau
tiful. It is a paradise, "The Land of
Opportunity" and must and will be
the most densely settled portion of the
globe.
In European countries a farmer is
loaned money to buy a farm, build a
house and buy stock let the bankers
of this state send a good man to Eu
rope and induce Holland, Belgium, Po
land or German capital to come here
with their people and settle our gar
den spots and redeem our foothills
from the ravages of the fir brush and
oak grub.
Good roads might engage their at
tention that the products of the soil
might be taken to market at a cost of
8 cents per mile per ton as against 30'
cents per mile per ton on unimproved
roads.
Our system of distribution of farm
products through the commission man
or middleman, costs in some instances
from 150 per cent to 300 per cent above
selling price of producer before it
reaches the consumer. These matters
have something to do with the high
cost of living, and stand In the way of
settlement on the lands.
GEORGE E. WAGGONER.
ROSE FESTIVAL AS IT SHOULD BE
Correspondent Takes Over Job of Im.
proving Annual Event.
PORTLAND. June 26. (To the Edi
tor.) It is certainly cause for lamen
tation that people are abroad with a
proposal that we dispense with the
Rose Festival. It reminds me of the
fool employer who discharges a man
because he makes a mistake now and
then and then hires a greenhorn who
does nothing but blunder for a month.
We may have made some mistakes in
conducting our festival, but we have
also learned something about our an
nual entertainment and should profit
from our mistakes by omitting them
in the future.
Of course there are several slight
modifications to be made, but I will
attend to the details. No use for any
one to be unduly alarmed leave it to
me.
First of all the duration of the car
nival shall be three days, Wednesday,
Thursday and Friday. There will be
an entertainment of a high order
throughout the afternoon and evening
of Wednesday and Thursday. On those
days will be seen pageants, by land
and water, such as never were staged
upon earth. Friday we will close shop,
forget our grouch and submit to the
dominion of King Mirth. There will
be none of the tinhorn brigade. Con
fetti will be contraband of war. We'll
cut out the rough stuff and have all
sorts of amusing shows going; some
thing to make us live and laugh.
On that day we will not have a co
terie of millionaires growing bilious In
an office window waiting for the pa
rade or honking their claxons along
the streets while the common people
part with coin for a seat In the grand
stand. Not much. Everyone will be
mounted on footback:all will be on the
same level; there will be no false dig
nity or rowdyism. We'll have fun in
this way. I'll fix it.
Three days are enough. Our show
would hold out to the end. The people
can afford three days of fun and have
something left with which to start
business when they get home.
Also, moreover and furthermore, the
transit trust would prosper . plenty but
not too much. All the nickels in Port
land wouldn't find their way into its
unfillable maw. There would be a
small residue left for grocer and
butcher.
Yes. folks, we are going to have sev
eral real nice Rose Carnivals. My time
Is not nearly so taken up with raking
in my money but I may furnish some
valuable hints on festivals now and
then. No, Perclval, no.
I may appear to be a grouch and
kicker I do look the part but come
right down to cases and I'm young yet,
and can get more fun for a nickel than
some folks can with a Standard Oil in
come. In fact, I don't need money to
have fun, and. come to think of It, I
never have seen a money lord look as
though he was having any fun at all.
HUGH MORIST.
Pereentasre of Hits at Santiago.
OLYMPIA. Wash.. June 23. "A"
claims that at the battle of Santiago
when Admiral Cervera's fleet was de
stroyed by the United States battle
ships, the number of shots that actu
ally struck Cervera's fleet was only
3 per cent of the number of shells
fired. "B" claims that the number of
shots that actually struck Cervera's
fleet was 96 per cent. j. jj.
George von L. Meyer, former Secre
tary of the Navy. In an article in Trans
actions Of the Efficiency Society Inc
says:
As evidence of the value of competition
in gunnery, a comparison is made with the
fighting efficiency of the vesaels durinK the
Spanish-American War and at the present
writing. The percentage of hits la 1S9S
was 314, with the large jcuns firing about
once in five minutes at short range The
percentage of hits in the recent firing at
!!an Marcos as 33 1-3. the range being
10.000 yards., and the present rate of firlni
a single 12-inch gun being 10 shots in five
minutes. This rather overestimates the
work at Santiago and underestimates the
work today. A roughly-drawn comparison
hows that we are about 1200 times better
In gunnery efficiency than we were at
Santiago.
Twenty-five Years Ago
From The Oregonian of June 27. 1SSS.
Chicago. June 27. The whole Blaine
programme in the convention was
planned before the convention began.
It was Intended that Blaine's name
should not be heard until the conven
tion turned to him as a last re-sort.
California spoiled this bv forcing the
Blaine issue from the first. Tlie mes
sage was then received from Blaine
himself, saying he would accept the
nomination if it were tendered after
the complete and manifest failure to
nominate any other candidate and if
the other candidates joined in fie
request. There were more than Sufi
votes for Blaine Saturday afternoon
All the plans were laid and but one
thing was wanting John Sherman'
consent to join in a call on Blaine to
run. The ticket was to be Blaine and
Harrison. When Sherman finally de
termined that he would not so into the
scheme, a new plan took shape S'.er
man had killed Blaine and Blaine's
.1 WUld klH Harrison
was the weapon used.
Washington, June 26. The Demo-
th Wh?,t",wtl0n commi"-e went to
the -Unite House this afternoon to
formally notify Cleveland of his nom
ination. Salem. Jne 26. George G. Bing-
ifm fr, Salem' has bee" appointed
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for Mar
ion County.
Walla Walla, June 26. Henry c
Boyd, of Portland, is In town
Eugene City. j"u7e 24. The intro
ductory services of the annual com
mencement exercises were held todav
by President J. w. Johnson
The pupils and teachers of the
Lownsdale primaries were vesterdav
oMehted With a bpauful "silk and
fhi -r?erettS ,n commemoration of
the exercises they gave for the Grand
Army of the Republic on Memorial
Kate N. Tupper. the principal, signed
b the committee composed of a! E
Borthwick. H. C. Allen. R M. Mcjfaster"
O. . Summers. William Kapus, " s
Pierce. Ruso V. T. Chamberlain a'
UP Atwood"enT bK Ml"" Tuer Abb
Atwood. Lottie C. Stout Marv
fSn6' r"1 B"-ke-nmeyer. Eva
- luce. Cora David. .--
Mr. Sam r. Weston, of the Evening
Telesrram, ieft Monday night for San
ofTheTn10 3CCept a Po-it?on o one
hood tool-"h there Mr- tto Gren
edltor. rSe -esterdy as city
Last night Chief of Police Parrish
Issued orders to the force to arrest
any and all persons caught exnlodini
fireworks between now aSS'th'.FoSp"!
selective Sam vi, ..
his nositior, .k ,a w.,u res,gn
urday. having k , ":T ."-
of South Portland precmctl Cnatabla
New Marriage I -aw.
na e tned rrU
a health certli .cate for' mTrrTg 1SSUC
J f'oL-ure a license to wed
and marry the same day?
4. 1 1 a Rnoni f 1,1 j ,
fee, "T"""or wnat Is the
1. Males only.
2. Yes. but the doctor must be li
censed to practice In V-lrc- .. .
- 1 wii a:ia must
Ak tn exam'na"n within ten days
of the date of issuance of license.
o. i es.
4. The law fixps tho
ination at S2.1M . f "am"
alty attached to 'a "demand ,'r "ZrT'
As to Marrlase Cert If tcates.
Editor.. i 't. ;i tune (To the
male to secure health cerTif icate ?
cSurnea?tOWn Wher tha "ceenseiCiastepron-
onV county Tood'Tnthrr
the same state ? JOHN Mol"sKO.
thorized" t Ph?'slcla must be au-
theraVhowe".Ce
Yes.
'
FEATURES
FQRi
SUNDAY
Gettysburg A full pn?e in col
ors on the greatest reunion of
war veterans in all history.
What Happened at Gettysburg
A stirring account by a local
survivor of the gTeat conflict.
Capital and Labor Reconciled
A comprehensive outline is
Riven of the plan put forth in
Europe to settle the differ
ences that have so long existed.
Fighting Death Senator Till
man tells of the wonderful
tight he made against tremen
dous odds. He outlines the
simple rules whereby he won
back his health and escaped
the grave.
In Cowboy Land The four
teenth installment in Theodore '
Roosevelt's story of his own
life.
A Mad Literary Idol Strind
berg, "the mad Swede," has
swept the English from their
feet with his works on love,
religion and marriage. His
works are the literary rage
since his comparatively" recent
deat h.
He Handled Millions Two mil
lion per day goes throueh the
hands of a Portland teller, who
has handled enoueh money in
his day to pay off the National
indebtedness.
Nurse to the Confederates An
account of the heroic woman,
yet living, who saw service on
the great battlefields of the
Civil War.
Has the Visiting Cook Called?
She is the latest tiling in
kitchen novelties and is valu
able to systematize your
kitchen.
Three Snappy Short Stories
"A Police Court Portia" by
Belle Maniates. "Au Naturel"
by E. B. Sheldon and "At the
Foot of the Hill" by Mary
Roberts Rinehart.
Many Other Features.
ORDER TODAY OF YOUR
NEWSDEALER