!
8
TIFE MORNING OREGOXTAX, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1913.
TOKTULSV. OKEGON.
Entered at Portland. Oregon. Foatofflee
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POBTLAXD, SATTRDAT, DEC. , IMS,
liVTC MAYORS OR. OJTE.
Commissioner Daly's unsuccessful
appeal for support of hi new water
tax plan he had expended already
upon his own motion some thousands
.of Cellars In preparing; for the change
affords a new and interesting: in'
sight Into Portland's methods of mu
rtici;t administration.
W'e have in theory Commission gov.
ernment: wo have in fact government
y five Commissioners, each of h:ra
purposes, so far ns he can, to outline
- his own policies and boss his own Job.
It is natural enough that each C m-
miseloner should desire to Impress
upon the public a favorable opinion of
his efficiency and superior authority
and it is natural enough that he should
be anxious to make effective his Ideas
ss to the proper administration of his
department. But the result has nev
ertheless Riven the public the specta
cle of divided counsels and lndivldua
self-seeking instead of harmonious
and concerted action by a united body
working for a common end. It Is
wise for the Commission as a wnole
to do one thing at a time; it Is un
wise in the extreme to strive as indi
vidual? to do many things at once.
Confusion and dissension are bound
to arise when one Commissioner ap
pears to think that he must merely
call on the other Commissioners to
approve what he has done or is doing.
That Is not the function of the Com
mission and that is not what the
public expects or desire. The city
did not intend last June to elect five
Mayors and to make each a member
of a mere advisory council for the
others.
Let us see what Commissioner
Daly has done In this water business.
Upon his own initiative he announced
soon after his incumbency the inaugu
ration of certain new policies. It was
his opinion, first, that the flat rate
system of charges was wrong, and
that meters ought to be installed
everywhere: and, second, that the col
lections ought to-be made' quarterly
Instead of monthly, as a measure of
economy. Upon the latter proposal
the Commissioner invited a referen
dum, with the result that general and
almost unanimous opposition devel
oped. The Commissioner later an
nounced his purpose to enforce the
plan of charging the water rate to
the property owner, and of releasing
the tenant user, end revived the quar
terly collection scheme as a part of
the latter proposal.
Not any of these several enterprises
cf Commissioner Daly appears to have
been based upon a popular demand,
r.or to have been wisely framed as
measures of practical and economical
service: and it Is clear, from the riot
ous scenes at the Council chamber
during the week, that at least one of
them inspired .no small measure of
excited resentment. Yet Commissioner
Daly persisted, and expended quite a
sum of money to Install the new sys
tem. Then the Commission, by a vote
of three to two. repudiated the Daly
intendment to the water code.
The city charter gives the Mayor
L.rge powers "and plainly Intends the
Mayor to be the head of the entire
city government. If a popular slogan
expresses the general sentiment and
the general policy of the charter, it
is that this shall be an Albee admin
istration and not a Daly administra
tion, nor a Itigelow administration,
nor a Dieck administration, nor a
Bresx-stcr administration. The Ore
ironlan has the most earnest wish
for the entire success of the new plan
cf government and for. the personal
success of the Mayor -and all the
.Commissioners. But It ought to be
plain to them as it is to the public
that the power of dominating the
Commission was placed with the
Mayor, and with the Mayor alone,
with the intention that It should be
used.
LEAD VS NOT INTO TEMPTATION.
We all know what to think of the
housewife who leaves silver coins in
conspicuous places to test the honesiy
ff her servants. If they fall from
grace she io guilty as an accessory.
But we have, not yet formed a definite
code of moraU with regard to Christ
mas shoppu. g and the temptations
which carelessness In the holiday hur
ly burly presents to the poor. The New
York police department has prepared
a list of cautions which ought to holp
srpreuably to. keep pilgrims in the
straight and narrow path. They have
been widely published and are no
doubt familiar to the public.
Some of them are. only useful in
large cities. Don't buy jewelry on
the street end don't display money"
would scarcely be necessary In small
towns. Some are of universal appli
cation, such as "Don't receive and piy
for C. O. D. packages until you hav
examined them." Common sense
would make warnings of this sort su
perfluous everywhere, but, ns we all
know, that Invaluable quality is ex
cessively rare. The Interesting point
about all this is that we find our
selves obliged to evolve a special
moral code for use at the holiday
season.
With the tide of good feeling which
sweeps over the world at that time
there goes a tide of Inconspicuous
crime. The very excess of charitable
kindliness gives petty delinquents
their opportunity. All of which goes
to prove that we must not expect to
enjoy unmingled blessings in this vale
of tears. With every good thing the
opposite evil la Inexorably linked.
Morality is of slow growth. It be
gan with tribal customs intended to
protect the members from one anoth
er's voracity and to defend them all
against the devouring stranger. As
tribal feeling enlarged into national
feeling morality developed Into rules
which were seemingly universal In
their application. But the best of
them are still Inadequate, perhaps,
and many new ones must be formu
lated as civilization presents new
emergencies. The whole subject of
social morality, for example. Is as
modern as radium. International
morality is still nascent.
The cautions which the New York
police offer to Christmas shoppers be
long to social morality. We hope
they will be heeded.
WHO CASTS THEIB VOTE?
Philadelphia la highly Indignant because
it nas learned that la the Jockeying among
Democratic Senators for the proposed re
glenal banks that are to be a part of the
new furresoy system, the following- eltles
are likely to get them: Atlanta. New Or
leans, San Francisco. Denver, Chicago. New
Vork. t!u Louis and Seattle. Indianapolis
Star.
So there Is to be a regional bank at
Seattle 7 And Oregon has two Demo
cratic United States Senators. Are
they a part of the deal? Are they
there merely to do what a Democratic
Administration tells them to do, with
out regard to the effect on Oregon or
Portland? It would seem so, If their
vote on the tariff is a basis for judg
ment.
The currency bill Is to be the crea
tion of the Democratic caucus. Is the
voto of Oregon's two Democratic Sen
ators to be once more cast by the
Democratic caucus against the desires
and Interests of Oregon?
OLD r-IXXiAN IX A SEW PLACE.
The charge by Senator Cummins
that the Democratic Senatorial caucus
la "dangerously near a conspiracy
against the rights of the people"
sounds familiar. But we wonder
where Senator Cummins heard It
first? In Oregon, of course, or from
Oregon, for here the phrase was In
vented and used by the righteous
Democracy In denunciation of the In'
lqultles of caucus rule) by the Repub.
Means. It is a part of the everlasting
warfare of the upright patriots who
lead the Oregon Democracy and in
cidentally get the Jobs against party
dominated by the party machine. It
U the slogan of the triumphant army
of reform. It has done duty in many
a hard-fought campaign.
But in Washington there is a differ
ent rule. The caucus Is a good thing.
a needed instrumentality of party
service, an exemplary method of car
rying out the vital policies cf a great
party. Senator Chamberlain falls in
heartily, and so does Senator Lane,
though with some scruples. But both
stand In. Their only reason is thai
they must play the game.
The caucus Is a wicked and detest
able agency of evil politicians when
it is yours; hut it Is all right when it is
ours.
giving Tire coxscn, the right to
MOKTuAOl.
It Is proposed in one amendment to
be voted on in the forthcoming elec
tion to authorize the City Council to
Issue by ordinance public utility cer
tificates and sell them to obtain funds
to enlarge or extend any public util-
ty to be operated by the city. As
these certificates are defined, the au
thority granted is the power without
reference to the people to mortgage
any plant or property engaged in pub
lic service for its extension or enlarge
ment. The charter now authorizes
the Council to issue certificates or
mortgage notes for the acquisition of
public utilities, but not to enlarge
them. Whether any utility could be
originally constructed or acquired by
issuing promises to pay that are not
general obligations of the city is
doubtful. A mortgage for the full
purchase price of a property Is not
ordinarily considered attractive by in
vestors. But ability to negotiate a
mortgage on something the city, al
ready possesses is another matter.
The chief objections The Oregorlan
sees in the amendment are its indeM-
niteness. the lack of limitation on
certificates and the absence of a com
pulsory referendum on each issue.
The term "public utility" is now de
fined by the charter as Including
every plant, property or system en
gaged in the public service within the
city or operated as a public utility as
such terms ore commonly under
stood." The definition Li about as
clear as if tho charter had tleclared a
public utility to be a public utility.
Modern dictionaries have not yet dis
covered what Is the common under
standing of a public utility. Portland
now has a number of institutions en
gaged, or soon to engage. In serving
the public. Among them are the water
system, public docks and garbage in
cinerator. There arc other branches
of municipal service, such as those
provided by the street-cleaning depart
ment, fire department and the city
parks, thnt tinder a rigid definition sre
perhaps not public utilities, but the
charter definition la not rigid.
The proposed amendment author
izes the mortgaging of any public util
ity at the will of the Council for Its
t-xtension. It Is not required that the
extension shall be in the same service
the utility Is now giving. Terminal
railway facilities or a connecting rail
road may be considered an extension
of the public docks. It is but an "ex
tension" to convert a small terminal
railway Into a municipal streetcar sys
tem. Has the city unused water
power In connection with Its water
system. It may be but "extension" to
go into the lighting busliess with a
mortgage on the water system to pro
vide the funds, and then extend the
lighting extension into a gas-supplying
system or street railway.
Jt may be true that such procedure
s a remote possibility, yet there is not
the slightest restriction on the amount
of utility certificates that may be is
sued. The water system may be
mortgaged up to the handle for ex
tensions or enlargements. The exlst-
ng docks may be made security for
more docks. Any incidental entry
Into public service may grow through
will of the Council to large propor
tions and property acquired for small
activities be made liable with that
which may be added to it.
The amendment in spirit contem
plates municipal ownership In a broad
sense. It may readily be construed. If
adopted, to be an indorsement of a
new public policy. Any visionary
scheme once a nucleus has been pro
vided, may be fastened on tho city
unless the voters are alert with the
referendum power. The Oregonian
submits that any and every plan to
Involve the city In general public serv
ice ought to go direct to the people on
its Individual merits. Municipal own
ership Is too grave an Issue to be left
to a few men subject only to the re
straint of a possible referendum peti
tion by 2000 voters.
The name of William Carr, engineer
of si Pennsylvania - Railroad express
train, should be added to the roll ol
heroes. While his train was traveling
fifty miles an hour the boiler ex
ploded and filled the engine cab with
steam. Though blinded and blis
tered by the vapor. Cap- stuck to his
post, applied the emergency brakes
and stopped the train. He was found
unconscious, still gripping the throt
tie. Such men should rank with those
who face storms at sea and bring pas
sengcrs safe through disaster.
NO PORK BARKfcl. HERE.
No member of Congress who seeks
an appropriation for a real harbor,
actual or possible, or a real waterway,
need fear the cry of pork barrel. That
cry Is raised only against harbors
which have not and cannot have any
commerce, and against waterways
which either cannot be made naviga
ble or would never be navigated. Sen
ator Chamberlain's advice to his fel
low-Senators not to be deterred by
fear of the pork-barrel cry from seek
ing appropriations for meritorious
projects was sound.
Mr. Chamberlain has adopted the
only practical means of procuring ade
quate appropriations by combining
the Western delegations in Congress
in support of Western projects. Call
this logrolling If we will. It Is the
means by which appropriations for
meritorious projects have been ob
tained in the past, and it Is justified
by necessity. While river and harbor
Improvements are of most direct In
terest to the Immediate locality In
which they are made, they are needed
In the general Interest. Had all the
appropriations for the Atlantic Coast
been expended on one harbor, for ex
ample, the coastwise trade of the At
lantic could not have grown to nearly
the present proportions, and the Na
tion would have suffered by the lack
of more than one port for foreign
commerce. What is true of the At
lantic Is true also of the Pacific and
Gulf Coast. The National Interest Is
amply guarded when It Is assured that
the harbors and waterways on which
money is expended are really capable
of Increasing commerce, either ' for
eign or domestic, or both.
The best evidence of the merit of a
prpjeet 1s the willingness of the state
or locality to provide part of the
necessary funds. While people may
be willing to se others spend money
on a worthless project, they will not
spend their own on it. Oregon In
general and Portland in particular
have given such evidence by the ex
penditure' of large sums on the Colum
bia River and by paying half the cost
of the Oregon City locks. When we
come with money In our hands asking
for more to put with It in a common
fund, no man can truly cry "pork."
irECKIJNG Uf ENGLAND AND AMERICA.
A writer In the Forum for Novem
ber, Carl S. Hansen, points out some
amusing differences between the Eng.
Ush and American methods of treat
ing public speakers. The Englishman,
says Mr. Hansen, fairly bubbles over
with opinions of his own and the In
stant two or three get together they
are determined to talk all at the same
time. In his opinion the Britishers
are far more Individualistic than
Americans, at least In tho matter of
holding definite opinions, and he adds
the amazing remark that their public
speakers are wittier than ours. They
have to be, in fact, or they could not
get In a word edgeways between the
Jeers, hoots and contradictions of the
crowd. Usually an orator goes to
his meeting prepared for all sorts of
interruptions and naturally provides
uimself with an outfit of apt retorts.
If they are apt enough ho wins the
ear of his auditors in the long run
and fairly earns a hearing. The Brit
ish like pluck as well as they do self
expression and when a man shows
that he cannot be downed they are
likely enough to turn round and shout
for him. Occasionally, too, speakers
display a magnanimity to their hec
klers of which an American orator
would never dream.
In this country the speaker is con
ceded to be master at his own meet
ing. Most of those present have come
because they agree with his kuown
opinions and want to enjoy the lux
ury of hearing their personal views
Vigorously repeated. The few dis
senters who drop In do not expert to
be converted by what he says and he
has no hope of converting them. They
may want to get his "points" in order
to reply to them elsewhere or merely
to gauge his oratorical power but
none of them would think of differing
with a speaker who was holding
forth on his own platform and the
actual conversion of an opponent is
the rarest event In the world at nn
American public meeting. We hive
one or two public speakers who prob
ably work the miracle of changing
votes now snd then. Mr. La Follotte
can certainly do It on occasion. When
he was last in Portland it Is admitted
by everybody that ho won many voters
to his way of thinking and If he had
been in good form he would have
done better still. Mr. Bryan may have
made some converts in the course of
his many oratorical campaigns, but
it Is a little doubtful. There Is no
question whatever that the people de
light In his oratory, but when the
votes come to be counted the desired
results do not always transpire.
Mr. Hansen gives a curious account
of an English public speaker's man
ner of dealing with a heckler. The
gentleman was holding an outdoor
meeting and speaking from a van
which he used for such purposes. The
heckler was a youth of some 18 years,
who held decided views adverse to the
orator's. No sooner had the speaker
begun his address than this 'young
chup proceeded to Interrupt him, not
merely with contradictions, but with
outright abuse. Belief In England Is
always a matter of passion and often
of extremely strong passion. The
crowd of listeners forthwith divided
Into two factions pretty nearly equal.
One stood by the proprietor of the
van, the other upheld the obstreper
ous youth. The battle between them
raged furiously for half an hour, per
haps, with the legitimate orator striv
ing all the time to make himself
heard above the uproar. Finally,
making up his mind that he could not
gain his point he gracefully yielded
the van to his riotous opponent, who
mounted It and proceeded to hurl abu.
sive epithets at his benefactor. Such
a scene Is unimaginable In the United
States.
Public-speaking Is a more serious
matter in England than here for at
least two reasons. In the first place
Englishmen actually expect to obtain
new information and sometimes to
alter'their opinions under an orator's
Influence. A man who can Mate his
case logically and back up his views
with conclusive facts will ultimately
gain a hearing even from the most
boisterous crowd and is likely enough
to be repaid for his courage. and per
sistence by winning converts. But the
main reason why the British value
oratory more highly than we do Is
that it brings public men face to face
with their constituents. Their ac
countability Is real. They have to
face the music after they have com
mitted themselves to a course of ac
tion. Everything must be explained
to the voters and It the explanation
Is not satisfactory the official is speed
ily and effectually recalled after the
British manner. In this country high
officials usually state and defend their
views only In the newspapers. Of
course they do the same thing In
England, but there the great defensive
and policy-making orations are first
delivered in public and the scene of
the event is as likely as not to be
some little country town from which
the statesman holds his seat in Par
liament. He acknowledges his direct
accountability to the farmers and
tradesmen whom he addresses and
they take unlimited liberties with
him while he Is ' talking. He must
answer questions freely, he must sub
mit to Jeering interruptions, he must
he prepared to reply without a mo
ment's notice to shrewd objections.
It Is In trials of wit like these that
the highly-educated public man
shows up to great advantage. His
mind being polished and trained to
the last degree of perfection and his
memory stored with the quips and
precedents of the ages, he makes a
formidable antagonist to the cultured
and uncultured alike. Upon the
whole the British method of heckling
riobably works out to the advantage
of public speakers, for a man who has
once thoroughly beaten a hostile
crowd at Its own game Is from that
moment master of the situation. The
hearing he has conquered Is magnan
imously conceded to him and he is
more than likely to be as well loved
at the end of his speech as he was
hated at the beginning. We Ameri
cans prefer to explain our dislike of
heck'ing by our love of law and or
der, but another reason for It has
been suggested which is not quite so
creditable to us. Some say that our
speakers dread Interruption because
they are secretly conscious of their
lack of preparation to meet objec
tions. Be that as it may. It seems
fairly credible that a little more hec
kling than we usually permit would
eiihance both the Interest and the si v.
cerlty of our public meetings.
THEY WILL COMX TO THE FAIR.
England and Germany are both
preparing to climb down from the po
sition of aloofness they assumed in
deciding not to participate In the San
Francisco Exposition. In England a
strong committee of manufacturers
has been formed to urge the govern
ment to reconsider, and it is backed
by newspapers of all shades of poll
tics. The London Times says the Ideas
which inspired the adverse decision
have . been removed. The London
Evening Standard points to the op
portunities of Increased trnde which
are opened by the Panama Canal and
the reduced tariff. The Pall Mall
Gazette says an exhibit would foetsr
lliu growing good will between the
two countries by proving the sincerity
of England's professions, aside from
the benefits to trade. The Dally News
lays stress on the new tariff as having
changed the conditions which existed
when the decision was made In August-There
is every reason to believe that
England will exhibit and, when Eng
land comes in. Germany cannot well
stay out. This exhibition, unlike oth
ers, will signalize the opening of new
fields and new routes of trade on the
Pacific Ocean which every commer
cial nation will wish to enter. The
nations can follow It up by forming
new trade connections on the Pacific
Coast of both American continents, by
rearranging and strengthening their
existing connections and by making a
survey of the new field. Aside from
all sentimental considerations, they
cannot, as a matter of business.' afford
to stay out. The magnet of Pacific
commerce has too strong an attrac
tion. A steamship haa arrived at New Tork
from Huenoi Alrca with 1O00 tons of Ar
gentine beef, but the price of aood ateak
la not likely to fall far. Chicago Record
Herald. While we were chuckling over the
prospect of Imported meat to "bust"
the beef trust, that long-armed organ
ization reached out and gathered in
tho foreign supply. The trust Is get
ting the benefit of free meat, while
we pay tho same old highly protected
price.
Financial stringency has caught the
Kaiser, largely In consequence of the
expenso of his daughter's wedding,
which was about a million dollars.
But he only had to do what all other
fathers-in-law do. give away the
bride and pay the piper. Otherwise
he was of no consequence at the wed
ding. Argentine crop reports have driven
the price of wheat up again. It's only
a few days since they were driven up
and then down by Argentina reports.
Are the stock jugglers using Argen
tine crop reports s a (rood thing?
Women's boyot on eggs is spread
ing throughout the country. Dis
patches from Fll cities tell the same
story. When wman goes on the war
path, trusts a .J combines shudder
and dissolve.
A Montana Socialist postmaster
who embezzled Government funds
pleads that he had a right to abstract
the money. How did a man of that
Ilk get Into a Government position of
trust?
A Paris girl wants air Oregon hus
band and la willing to work in the
fields. But we don't believe the can
find an Oregon farmer mean t-nough
to let her do it.
Senator Pomerene says that If he
were a girl he would rather be able
to bake a good loaf of bread than
dance the tango. Lot he knows about
girls.
Champ Clark advises young men to
stay on the farm and keep cleur of
politics. And don't harbor no houn'
dawgs.
Anyway, the state tax Is slightly less
than the estimated cost of running
the United States Government next
year.
Now the Continental Divide Is In
the grip of a fearful snow storm.
Wonder what a snow storm Is like?
Mr. Pankhurst Is In a state of col
lapse. Too little excitement on her
American tour.
Oreron. of course, will be a big part
of the main show in 1915.
That Alsace Incident marks one of
the curses of militarism.
And then they let the water out of
the Daly plan-
Too bad the Governor Is held down
by mere law. .
I.VSTRVCTIOX IS TAKING HOLD.
Health of Many Bora Saved Br Social
Hysrlcoo Society.
PORTLAND. Deo. 6. (To the Edi
tor.) While, like many persons. I have
watched with some Interest the work
of the Social Hygiene Society, the Idea
that much could be done actually to
improve conditions had never struck
me with much force. "I have lately be
come a member of the executive board,
however, and have become better ac
quainted with what Is being accom
plished. A few days ago Dr. Houaa
spoke before it men at our office In
this building.
Many things are occurlng which con
vince me that wa are really getting re
sults. Not loner afro, a business men
of Portland observed that his son was
developing Into manhood, and. in line
with the old attitude of some men. de
elded he would make provision for his
son to "see something of the world."
He accordingly souttht the assistance
of a friend of the family and asked him
to take his son out and show him "a
(rood time." The friend Invited the boy
to fro. saying they would take the auto
mobile and go out for a "(rood time."
This invitation perplexed the boy.
who went to his father for an explan
ation. The boy asked his father what
the friend Intended they should do. The
father told him In a general sort of
way that be was old enouph now to
get a taste of life himself and evaded
the boy's questions. Finally the boy
cautrlit the idea and when his father
confirmed tho sltuatton. said: "Do you
think I could do a thins: like that and
think of my mother at the same time?"
The boy told his father he had heard
one of tho speakers of the society.
In my opinion, the attached state
ments of boys are significant. w ob
tained these In testing out our work
among boys to whom lectures had been
given. Many seem to gain Ideals ot
honor and fidelity to future wife and
children and see with wonderful clear
ness that our physical inheritance ia
a trust to be guarded and passed on.
If we could save one boy th work
would be of great value. I believe we
are actually saving a large number.
On the three lectures I heard X sot knowl
edge on the becoming of men. First are
the thlncs that D.ako men virility, endu
rance, chivalry, muscular strength, will
power, courage and energy.
It is no mure than fair that a man take
care of his body. if a roan doesn't take
care of himself he la not fair. For In
stance. If a man haa & degrees of virility
and he doesn't take care of himself, he will
on;y Klve about io degrees to the next gen.
eration, and so on. That la cheating of
the worst kind.
I also a-nt something on reproduction of
plants, animals and human balnea. It is a
sacred and wonderful work. 1 also rot
sonrethlnjr on disease. How many diseases
ure caused and the resulta of It. He a:ao
told us to keep away from quack doctors.
Ey an eighth-grade boy, 13 years old.
It a strong person with a good atanding
of virility dissipates to excess Ma children
will be weaker. He Is responsible for the
weakening ot the following generations. He
owes it to his children to live a good life,
avoiding dissipation and bad habits.
From a 14-year-old boy.
It appealed very strong to mo and I try
to prout lir the things he said on how to
be healthy, wide-awake and energetic. He
said tilings I never would know perhnjjs.
From a 17-year-old boy.
Virility la the most Important thlnr we
ned: without virility we can do nothing.
What rood does It do one if he has a smart
head and no body to hold it up 7
From a 14-year-old boy.
Reside ear own health wa must look for
ward to the next generation. We must take
care of our bodies so that our children may
be healthful and whole and not weaklings
and cripple.
From a 15-year-oM boy.
After hearing both lectures I decided to
posbeas virility.
From a 13-year-oid boy.
W. E. COM AN.
APPEAL SIADK FOR VNFOnTl NATIi
Portlaad reaimas Haa Mrs and
Hestrs Who W mmt Chase to Work,
PORTLASH, Dec. i. (To the Edi
tor.) I took lunch at the Portland
Commons today, and found that Mr.
Muoliren has the dlnlng-rooro ao ar
ranged that It la necessary to pass by
the pulpit In the chapel In order to get
to the dining-room. Salvation's free.
and food and shelter sre also free for
many, and very near it for alL I.at
month f: metis were riven without
charse, and 454 free beds were fur
nlslicd. Then 1000 meals were provid
ed at 10 cents each. Here Is the bill of
fare for today: A bowl of aoup. bread,
chipped beef and salt rork, boiled po
tatoes, parsnips and peaches for des
sert, also coffee or tea. The food waa
well cooked and I found the luncli sat
isfying. Tho foreign consuls and various so
cieties send men hero with meal tick
ets snd bed tickets. One society lias
sent G7 men hero in tho lost 10 ri.iys, hut
without tickets, unfortunately for the
cashier's office.
This is the spot where the shoe
pinches, and Mr. MatLuren is anxious
to get work for some of these men.
City Attorney La Koclie recently aont
seven Austrian to Mr. MacLaren. These
men have been swindled by an employ
ment SKency and are out of funds as
well as out of work. Any work ttiHt
can be frlvcn to these men either in o1d
Jobs or steady employment will be
gladly welcomed. The phone numbers
of the Commons are Main 1 15 and A
42.
Mr. MacLaren also has seven mothers
between the azes of 1 7 and 30, each of
whom has been deserted with her babe
by the specimen of the Re nun homo
whom Providence sent her for a mate.
These seven mothers want places to
work In families where they can take
their babies and care for them. They
are willing to fro into any respectable
home tn the city or in the country.
There la a certain urgency about the
matter, for four of these mothers oc
cupy room that is desired for four
younir unmarried women who expect
soon to become mothers. Perhaps some
of the readers of The Orefronian can
Klve work to men or women who de
sire an opportunity to earn their liv
irtff and who are temporarily In hard
places. GEORGE A. THACHEIt.
Divorce lam .ot rnlforro.
.PORTLAND. Dec. 4. (To the Editor.)
I notice In The Oregonian an Item
statins; that If a divorced person mar
ries Inside of six months the marriase
Is invalid in every state. Now I would
like to ask how lonn this law extnted
and why Isn't the limit time stated
In the dlvorco papers? God help us
divorced women when we awaken to
the fact that we are not legal wives.
neither before God nor man's law. I
was married two months after divorce
was pranted In Michigan in 1900.
I would also like to know (2) the
date of lectures given by Bliss Knapp
In the Christian Science Church last
Spring. ANXIOUS.
(1) The Oregonian's statement con
cerned only persons who are granted
divorces In Oregon and remarry else
where. The Michigan law would apply
In tho event one Is divorced In that
state.
(2) The Bliss Knapp lectures were
.May i: and 13. 1M3.
Xred for Mrs la .Vary.
TUB DALLES. Or, Dec. 4. (To the
Editor.) Ia the United States unable
to man her warships? If so. why?
What Is the cost of each seaman to the
Government?
A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT.
While there are vessels held In re
serve at present with skeleton crews.
Navy ofricera Insist that every ship
could be fully manned If Congres
would authorize the necessary enlist
ment. Wages In the Navy differ, ac
cord'.ns; to ratings, but the average
bluejacket receives over 1420 a year,
besides clothing, food, medical atten
tion, aad such necessities. ,
1 WHY MORE DO NOT TAKE TO LAND
Coadltioos Eaanaorateel That liana per
Poor Mas la Faraaloa.
CORNELIUS. Or.. Dec. 4. (To the Ed
itor.) Kelatinir to your article of "Back
to the Farm." It appears that before
we meet with much success In that di
rection we must materially change
rural conditions and remove certain
causae before wa can expect much of
an exodua from the city to the country.
Co-operation and labor-saving: ma
chinery may have done much to cheap
en production and alleviate the drudgs
and burdens cf rural life and make
farm life more congenial; and the re
quirement of farm hands may become
continuously lesa In producing food
stuffs and leave the farmer more In
dependent In that respect- Hut still
as farming is carried on under present
conditions from a financial standpoint
it does not bring; the revenue and at
tract the man from the city to Invest
hla money like other Industrial pur
suits. Involuntarily one will ray: If all
these changes have taken place In
cheapening- production, then why tho
increased cost of food products, and
why do the farmors by the increased
population not keep pace with the
supply with all the advantages enu
merated In their favor.
In the first place, by contlnuoua
cropplntr. depleting; the soil of the ele
ments of plant food, without restoring
them, he has to a great extent lessened
the fertility of the soil and diminished
his crops, and further haa not suffi
ciently learned or practicably applied
the rotation of crops and the use of
chemical fertilizers In restoring the
soil to Its fertility, and under present
conditions Is practically In want In the
land of plenty.
Throueh continuous encroaching on
our public domain our cheap lands are
frone. Wild speculation and frree.l has
caused a general boom In farm lands,
and larpo tracts have been subdivided
and sold to people with imul means at
enormous profits, without adding; ma
terially any Improvements to tho actual
value of the land. This has retarded
the settling up of the country, and to a
Kreat extent been the cause of building
up cities at the expense of the country,
and. In many Instances, has made land
unprofitable to raise the staple farm
products.
We are told to raise fruits, berries
and vegetables, and a small tract will
support a family. But unsatisfactory
markets where the producer frets the
short end of the bargain have turned
otherwise profitable business into loss.
Every year thousands of bushels of
fruits, berries and vegetables of differ
ent quality are froinfr to waste in the
Willamette Valley for lack of profit In
handling them.
The building: of co-operative frnit
canneries at different points in the
Willamette Valley Is some encourage
ment and may offset the hlch price of
land and give some relief for the small
landowner. But, as carried on under
present conditions, only benefits the
few shareholders, and the small fruit
grower who Is not able, to huy a share
Is excluded from marketing hlB prod
ucts. As enumerated, the man who enjoys
the luxuries of city life is not going to
invest In the country when he can get
hutt.. P.turn, fn. tila m nnnU at ntl.or
And. as a business proposition, land
can only be worth what one can realize
out of it. figuring; the capital Invested
at poinir rate of Interest. On the other
hand, the poor man of the city, t.
escape the hltrh cost of living would
move on the land, but, under present
conditions is handicapped- he cannot
see his way out to live and ever pay
for the land purchased. We hear the
cry the people want home, and we
have the climate to Justify the exorbi
tant prices, and the aulurhs of our
cities may be crowded. Put there Is
land enotirh on this Coast for millions
to come, and plenty of climate In the
barg-ain. The trouble Is we have been
wantinK to pet rich, get something; for
nothlniC. and waiting to unload on the
other fellow at a bisr profit, like the
man who rot stung; on a land bargain,
complaining he cotiTd not raise any
thing on the land, was told to raise the
price. A- m-ICSt'IIKIDT.
IIY ItOSI-: CITY 1'AUK OPPOSE.
Secretary of Impreirnrit lagsc Ilis
eosaeo Itonsl Imae.
POTtTLAXD. Dec. 3. (To the Edi
tor.) As secretary of the Itosq City
Park Civic Improvement League, one
of the many urbanizations that have
cone on record a oppoinr tho I'JuO.
O'tO park tiond Isjiue. to be voted on
Pec. . and In reply to Commissioner
HreWKter's statement "that we do not
understand the situation" I would say
that already the people aro realizing
that fancy standard lights are costly.
Tho river bridges are burning; up from
$75 to $100 each a month. But brlilccs
require lights even more In Winter than
Summer, while parks are used very lit
tle except during the Summer months.
Now arc liKhts are declared not good
enough for our parks and the proposed
IJOO.i'OO bonds would spend about $41.
000 for Goddess of Liberty lichts to
stand there In the rain, deserted, and
burn up tho people's money, month
after month, illuminating tho trees. In
stead of needed streets.
Our city has many urgent calls for
actual necessities more street lights,
markets. playgrounds. iielghbrhorxl
and general parks, docks, roadn. etc.
At this time to i-pend J41.000 for fancy
lights and then pay a large monthly
liKht bill each month thereafter appears
to ns extravacant.
Wlth the money proposed to spend
for walks and drives, no objection
arises if they could be supplied and ex
travagant IlKht eliminated. Only. It la
unfair and unjust to carry parks estab
lished to a hizh state of completion
when at the same time steps are not
even taken to secure the needed land
for the many sections of our city to
which playgrounds and nelphborhood
parks are a crying need.
As yet Portland ia much of an open
park Itsself. and for that reason special,
costly hifth state of park development
in ail parks is not called for. But
Portland Is fast filling in, and land in
all sections oupht to bo secured now as
against the time when not to have land
for playsrounds, neighborhood and gen
eral parks wc-uld be a crime.
Our Commissioners state that "this Is
not an opportune time for a playground
and park lssut " What more opportune
time docs th : future promise? Next
year's taxes ,ill be hlfrher than this,
and naturally it will be even a less op
portune time than the present. It Is
true that the $2,000,000 park bond Issue
was rejected, but that amount was
needlessly large, no plan of expenditure
was plven and full confidence of careful
expenditure was lacking;. A park and
playground bond Issue covering; all sec
tions, definitely stated and covering
practical needs of present parks, all In
one measure, would carry. Until such
a measure Is submitted all park meas
ures oupht to bo rejected, especially
the unjust, unfair and extravagant
$200,000 one.
3. HALTER PEABEr.G.
No lfomlllty la the I .aad.
Judge.
"They tell me," said Mr. Bobbetts,
that the automobile Is absolutely de
structive of humility." "Wa-sl. that
ain't much of an ohjection." said the
rural sage. "They ain t so much hu
mility left In the land these days that
the loss of It'll come to much."
Plaa of a Tactful Lover.
Boston Transcript
Jack "Did you tell her that abe was
necessary to your happiness?" Tom
"No; I tried to persuade her that 1
was necessary to tiers.
Criticism of iter Kaemy.
Judge.
Cynthia "How do you like niv new
hat?" Margie "I think It Is charn.ing
I bad, one Just like It last jew,"
Twenty-five Years Ago
From The Oregonian of December S, 1S.
Washington, Dec. S. The Fish Com
missioner has written to Senator Dolph
that he proposes to take up and ship
in January a carload of lobsters and
white fish to the coast of Oregon.
SaJcm, Dec 5. The state tax levy
was today fixed at 4 mills. The total
value of taxable property in the state
is 35,:'J.42?.
T.tcoma. Dee. S. Tho city tonight Is
fn darkness ao far as fras Is concerned.
The cause Is lack of coal.
Sin Francisco. Dec, 5. Congress ap
propriated 1100,000 to be expended to
determine the boundary between
Alaska and Canada. Messrs. McGralb
and Turner, of the United Slates Coast
Survey, are engaged In the preparatory
work.
At the monthly meeting; of the Ore
iron Board of Immigration there were
present; C. IL Dodd. chairman: Wal
lace R. Struble. secretary; 11. W. Cor
bett, D. D. Oliphant, EUii G. Hughes
and F. K. Arnold- The monthly re
port showed an Increased number of
immigrants and Inquiries.
Electric llfrhts In East Portland were
turned on at S:li last night for the
first time.
The waiting room of the Cyclone,
which plies between Alblna and Port
land, bus been supplied with a heater,
which is a frreat accommodation to the
public Something of this sort in the
waiting room of the Stark-street fern
would be appreciated.
The BOth anniversary of the estab
lishment of Catholic missions in the
Northwest waa observed at Vancouver
yesterday.
Mrs. L. Bronson has severed her con
nection with the Portland Business Col
lege as Instructor of shorthand.
City Council An ordinance frrantinc
franchise to the Willamette Falls Elec
tric Company was passed. The fran
chise of the Transcontinental Street
Hallway Company was read twice. The
route la alone; Morrison, from N.nth to
Fourteenth: along; Fourteenth. B. V.
North Eighteenth to G, and alons
Fourteenth from Morrison to Yamhill
and thence on Yamhill to Ninth strc-t.
Half a Century Ago
From The Oregonian f Decerr.ler 7. 13.
The cold In the neighborhood of be
low Umatilla is represented bs sj in
tense as to lead to the belief that in
terior navigation will soon be impeded,
if not closed. Ice three Inches thick
was reported tn the river laat Thurs
day. Washington, Nov. 27 Dispatches of
Nov. 27 from Genwral Grant's head
quarters, dated Chattanooga lu A. M .
state that the rout of the enemy I.
complete. Abandoned waeons, caissons
snd pieces of artillery are found every
where. We have captured to pieces of
artillery end a large number of pris
oners. Wsshlngton, Nov. 27. The army of
the Polomno moved early yesterday
morning; towards Bapidan, and the
headquarters followed at 7 o'clock. The
army advanced in three columns to
cross at as many different fords. A
battle is expected at llermanna Ford or
Jacobs Mill, perhaps at botb.
Charleston. Nov. 2. Last nlcht 1
shells were thrown into the city. Ten
buildings were struck. No person was
injured. The fire on Sumter continued
heavy during the night.
Dr. Henry. Surveyor-General, W. T,
haa notifiil the attorney of the parties
opposed to the mlsisn clstm at Van
couver that a communication has been
received from the Commissioner of lh
General Lnnd Office, enclosing a copy
of that officer's decision. The decision
of the Surveyor-tJeneral Is overruled"
and reversed by the Commissioner, who
rejects the mission claim.
The Pacific, of San Francisco, in al
luding; to Kev. ;eorge H. Atkinson, says
that "after l. years of service in Ore
gon City he haa been commissioned by
the American Home Missionary Society
to labor in Portland. The church in
Oregon City was organized in IMS and
numbered seven members when Mr. .
arrived. A house jt worship whs
erocted In 1850."
The bark Samuel Merritt, Captain
Joseph Williams, arrived Saturday
evening In tow of the steamer John 11.
Couch.
A match game of billiards for $2."0 a
side, 10 -J points up. bel six In 11 games.
Is announced to tcirw off next Thurs
day In "the Cera Saloon between M.
Smith and William rtobinson.
Barbara's Flag; Preserved.
GILDEKT, Or, De 4. (To tho r-.J-Itor.)
There is a special reason wli
the editorial this morning, entitled
"Myths and Critics," was extremely in
teresting to me.
May I tell you why?
Aiiont 1 years after tho clore of the
Civil War I was teaching in St. Mary's
School. Huiitviile. Ill, and an asso
ciate teacher tvas a delightful girl
from Baltimore. She bad spent con
siderable time at the home of an uncic.
in whose family a daughter (or other
near relative I o Barbara i 'rietchie had
worked as seamhtress.
This p.altimoro lamily treasured as
a most int-irestins relic a torn frag
ment of the historic flag! Could this
story have been merely a tradition?
.MAY PKIiCIVAl, EMERSON.
Ths Dealer
and the
Dollar Harvest
The standard products of Na
tional distribution advertised In
the columns of this newspaper
represent a ripe crop of busi
ness dollars ready for your
harvesting. Mr. Dealer.
This crop grows all year round.
You have but to reap it to see
It spring up anew.
But do you reap It?
Do you ever sort out, from
smong your stock, samples of
these nationally sold articles,
put them in your windows, and
call attention to the fact that
jon sell them?
This newspaper creates a de
mand for theso standard articles.
Your establishment will reap the
benefit of this demand If you
will but let the buying public
know that you are ready to sup
ply It
Bring the goods that are ad
vertised In the columns of The
Oregonian out to the light.
Cut the dollar crop and cut It
often.
Co-operative work with dealers
In nationally distributed articles
la part of the function of the
Bureau of Advertising. Ameri
can Newspaper Publishers Asso
ciation. Correspondence with
general advertisers la solicited.
Adv.
4