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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 24, 1913)
THE MOUNTS G OREGOKTIANV WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1913. rOBTtAXD, OKIOOK. InUnl at peruana, Onm, roetetfloe aa rlrnnl rlsss xnatter. Subserlpuoa Sates Invariably ta Advance: (BT MAIL) . Dallr. Sundae Include, on sear ....-'??? Dailr, Sunday Included, eis montna . Xaliy, Suadar included, toree months Dally Sunday included, ea moot -XaaJlv. simmi auadar. an year . ... 4 13 1W .7S ug ft. 23 XMUlr. without Suoday. six ssoatna . AUi "iiawi Bunuaj, u 1.75 Xiallr! without Sunday ana moaia y Sunday,' ana year adx and weekly, ana year . (BT CARXlaUt) Dellv. wnuaav lacluded. one rear . 1M a. AO Xiallv. fiuadar tneluded. aaa moatjl Haw to Biaalt Hind eeetotfiee I'T?,r eler. ezoreaa ardar or aersoual cbec an local bank. Stamps, cala ar curra"' at sender's nan. Qtve noetoftlca address la full, Including county aad state. restate Ella -11 to 1 pages. 1 ran t : 1 ta (2 pages. 1 aaaus 4 ta 4 pM. c"u. w m to ag. 4 casta; SI la ' mat I 7S ta ua v-ecee. centa. Tor elan aga, eousie rates, KaaVera Diilim Ortleee Verreo c?""" Ua. a Task, Brans was bunding. Chi cago. Stager suUdlne. baa rianslMs Office R. J. BldwaU Co, T4Z Market street. rOJaTLaJTD, WKDXE8DAT. DEC. ti, ltiy aaMrxsaa exajtccfatiox or ckkdit. TIm currency bill which was made law by the signature of President Wil son Is the second great achievement of the present Administration. It Is so great aa Improvement on the banking" system under which the Nation has done- business for fifty years and which has caused periodical panics that its severest critics agree that it will confer a boon on business. It is the -redemption of the President's promise to emancipate credit from the control of a few and to place credit at the disposal of the many. It is the sec ond number on his programme for the emancipation of business, the first having been the tariff bill. The next Iitji bill or a group of bills for restora tion of competition by breaking up monopolies. Then another blow la to he struck at monopoly by such a re vision of the land taws as will break its grip on the supply of raw materials - by placing the natural resources with in the reach of all men. The severest criticism of the cur rency bill has been aimed at the pro visions for issue and redemption of the new asset currency. Senator Root sounded the alarrfl by saying these provisions would lead to dangerous in. nation. The first source of danger discovered by him was the fact that the commercial paper, on which the new currency is to be based, is not limited to that arising out of actual commercial transactions, but extends to' "notes, drafts, and bills of ex change, secured by staple agricultural products or other goods, wares, or merchandise." Thus notes might be1 issued against grain in storage and currency might be based on these notes. He said of this provision: t nnAartaaa ta say that thara la no new enterprise coneetvahle Is tbla country, that aa ana or ua ha known In tha past decade . -, -nternrise. which could not ba financed by bill" and notes coming within v. . iM.rinHnn of tha bill 1 have read. Merchandise In lt passage from the point - . I A thm tminl nf riinl U HI Ht I Oil Wl Ul IfU kll 1U - . - . . may ba drawn a It ain't by succeesivs holders l. MAri fa. tn. loll eacn treoiaier . . K v. . a of a bill upon which d count may be obtained, upon which a Gov ernment note can ba laauoa. Further, the bill provides that the reserve to be carried by the Federal reserve banks as additional security ' for Federal reserve notes issued against commercial paper shall con sist of "gold or lawful money," while these notes are finally redeemable at the United States Treasury in gold alone. "Lawful money" Includes greenbacks, which are flat money: National - bank notes, which are only promises to pay, and Federal reserve notes, which are also promises to pay. It Is feared that credit may be over-extended to the point where confidence in the Federal reserve notes will become impaired and that they wilt be presented at the Treasury with a demand for gold, with the result that the Government gold reserve will be drained, as It was un ' tier Cleveland, when greenbacks poured in for redemption in gold. The frame of the bill have recognized this danger by empowering the Gov ernment to issue bonds or notes to strengthen the gold reserve in Jhe Treasury. The critics of the bill would have avoided these dangers by limiting the discount privilege to paper covering actual sales of goods, by requiring that the Federal reserve notes be se cured by an equal amount of such paper by 40 per cent in gold alone, by making them redeemable at the Fed eral reserve banks In gold alone and by making them notes of the banks, not of the Government Issued to and secured by the banks. In the last re spect, they would follow the example of European governments with regard to note issues. Defenders of the new law contend that the dangers described are so re mote, if they exist at all. as not to be valid objections to the new note issue. They point out that the commercial paper must first be discounted and indorsed by the local bank, then be redlscounted by the Federal reserve bank, which is managed by a majority of directors elected by the member banks. In order to become the basis for currency this paper must first pass muster with the Federal reserve agent, who Is to be a member of the board of directors, then with the Federal Re serve Board. It Is to be issued only on application of the Federal reserve bank, which must thus take the initia tive and will be primarily responsible for any inflation. The Federal Reserve Board can check over-extension of credit, for It Is to make weekly exam inations of the Federal reserve banks and is to fix weekly the discount rate which these banks are to charge each other. Federal reserve notes are to be sent Immediately on presentation to the issuing bank for redemption, hence cannot accumulate as reserve money. - t When questioned on this subject of over-expansion, Frank A. Vanderllp, president of the National City Bank, said to the Senate committee: It this oUl were drawn ao a to be danger, aua on the side of the expansion of credit. I should aay Deware." Now. It Is so drawn that there can be a sreat expansion of credit, bat I do not bellsTe It will be too great, because I do not believe the bankers will permit this power to be unwisely exercised anv mora than at the present moment. Undoubtedly a bank will feel freer If It has a central reserve bask to so to. to redis count than It doea now. Tou have to depend on the seed Judgment and conservatlveneaa of that banker. If ha feels ha can redle caunt any time, aaythlns re has. and he la a reckless roan, ha will loan too much. But xea will have aa a Governor tha powsr of control of your re clonal reserve bank board and of the Federal board. That Is why I aid that there Is not an authority given to this Federal leeervs board which it ought not ta have. In regard to making the Govern ment stand back of the riew currency, Mr. Vanderllp said: I da set think this bill In all human probability would ever Involve the Govern ment, but tha prlweiple of haying the (Mr. neat Issue taeaa notes Ja wrong. a as guaranty of tha Government la an unneces sary and Illogical thing. The notes will float perfectly well without any guaranty. Now, practically, I teU you my opinion la that the thing U1 work. It is wrong. It is unscien tific, it Is not a correct way of approaching this subject, but I think it will work, and the strong probability la tnat tne nauua credit will never become involves. The danger of over-expansion is ap. parently remote. It can be warded off by conservatism on the part of the local banks In the first Instance, the Federal reserve banks next and the Federal Reserve Board finally. It. is apparently due to a desire of tha sound money men in the Democratic party to humor the flat money men of the Bryanastamp. After amply se curing the new currency, they have added the fiat quality unnecessarily and illogically. If the right men are placed on the Federal board, that body will ward off any danger that the Government will be called, upon to make good Its fiat. ASAHEL BUSH. Asahel Bush had a place in the an nals of Oregon occupied by no other man. He was by instinct a politician, by training a writer, and by occupa tion banker; and he excelled in all. In the old days of the powerful Salem clique, he wielded a wide . and even a controlling influence In, the affairs of Oregon; and for many year after its passing he survived as a conspicuous figure in politics and In finance Throughout his long life, the name of Asahel Bush has been familiar In Oregon. All the time. Ire has been aggressive, masterful and fearless; yet It is strangely true that he had a curious and shrinking personal (not physical) timidity that led him to avoid public appearances, and to keep In the background. Probably he might have been Governor or Senator If he had desired; but he had appar ently no ambition for public office, except that for many years in the early days he was Public Printer. Mr. Bush was founder and for a long time publisher of the Oregon Statesman and he was an able ex ponent of the so-called Oregon style of Journalism, consisting mainly of pointed personal references or attacks, and of witty or satirical comment on current matters. Long ago he with drew from Journalism; but no pioneer of Oregon now surviving Is ignorant of the brilliant role Editor Bush played in the period from 1850 to 1880, and even later. . Mr. Bush wa a Democrat who was not In harmony with many of the re cent manifestations of his party, for he was essentially cautious, thought ful avnd conservative, and in the mod ern sense old-fashioned. He was a sound banker, and he amassed a for tune by entirely legitimate methods. He was a keen and incisive writer and a thorough student and observer of events. He had strict standards of personal Integrity, and ho lived up to them. He lived a long life and it was an Interesting and fruitful one. ONCE MORE THE LECTURE PLATFORM. The Oregonian needs no instruction as to the value of the Chautauqua, and has Invited no lecture through any at tempted derogation of the great serv ice that fine Institution has performed for the American people. It has a thousand times commended the Chau tauqua and will doubtless find many other opportunities for commenting with discrimination upon the lectures and other educational features of its work. The correspondent who writes today in approval of the performances of Vice-President Marshall and Secretary Bryan on the Chautauqua circuit overlooks the essential points of the complaint against them. It would be Just the same if they went into vaude ville, or the circus ring, or on the con. cert platform, which are in them selves entirely meritorious enterprises, but which ought not to be utilized to advertise among their attractions a Vice-President and a Secretary of State. It is not likely that Speaker Clark, who is himself a popular Chautauqua star, or ex-Speaker Cannon ever re sponded to the call of the (paid) lec ture Dlatform while Congress was in session; and the same is likely enough true of Senators Cummins and La Follette and the late Senator Dolllver. Secretary Bryan has said that he had a right to use his time as he sees fit during the Summer vacation period, which is true enough within certain limitations. But, without re gard to the-allegations that Secretary Bryan ignored a plain call to duty at his post during the early stages of the Mexican crisis, the premier of a President's Cabinet owes it to the dig nity and decorum of his high employ ment to be somewhat more than an itinerant lecturer. He has in his keep, ing the confidence of a President and the position of a great people before the nations. He ought always to be conscious of his responsibilities and to conduct himself with proper re serve. Much the same may be said of a Vice-President, who ought not to talk too much and. Indeed, is usually cx- Dected not to talk at all. It will be noticed that Mr. Marshall stipulated that he should not be advertised as the "Vice-President." Why-not? If im proper, why is the Vice-President lec turing? rARMXRS' CREDIT A REALITY. Tvt.1t rnncrejx and various organ izations have been talking about im-nnvino- ho former's rredit. the Jew ish farmers of the United States have actually done so, for they have in op eration a system of loans on land and a system or personal credit. The Jew ish A arrlcultural and Industrial Aid So ciety, an ofshoot of the Baron de Hlrsch fund, undertook fn 1900 to carry on the work which that fund had begun in 1890, of making mort gage loans to farmers. The system is similar to that of the Credit Fancier and other land credit Institutions in Europe. Loans are made at 4 per cent interest and are repayable in moderate annual Installments. In fourteen years the society has made SS00 loans aggregating about $1,800, 000 to 2500 Jewish farmers in the United States and Canada. From the society mentioned have grown up seventeen credit unions in the United States, having a total of 617 members, which make loans to members on their personal credit. Each union raised $500 or more by sale of shares and the Aid Society lent each one of them $1000. They are organized oa the same plan as the Ralffersen banks, adapted to Amer ican conditions. The first credit union was organized in May. 1911, and they now have an aggregate capital of $9165. They have made loans of $73.6:4 and their net profits total $11", or at the rate of lSVi per cent per annum.. Of the 110$ loans made. 751 have been repaid, the total amount repaid being $50,816. V have become so accustomed to regard the Jew aa concerned chlsOy in trade and manufacture that it seems strange that they should be engaged in farming. Yet "when the Jews were a nation occupying their own country, the majority of them must have made their living from the soil, each one sitting under his own vine or his own fig tree. It is in ac cordance with the genius of the race that they should be the first to have made practical application of the methods' of providing credit which have gone so far In, promoting agri cultural prosperity In Europe. XEW rRENDKNT OF HILL Uts XN OKEOOS. n , The retirement of Mr. Young aa president of the Spokane. Portland & Seattle Railroad and of the Hill lines in Oregon is noted with regret, but It is a satisfaction to know that he Is to be succeeded By a capable executive and thoroughgoing man of affairs of the type of Mr". I C. Gilman. Mr. Gilman was for many years a practicing lawyer of Seattle, with a large corporation and " railroad busi ness. Transition from the legal to the operating and administrative .branches of the railroad service was thus made easy. . He has for some years been assistant to the president of the Great Northern, located on Puget Sound, and he has made for himself, a high place In the transportation world. Mr. Gilman will be welcomed In Portland, where his reputation as an energetic administrator and interest ing and high-minded personality pre cedes him. He Is indeed no stranger here, for he has had much to do al ready with the extension of the Hill system in the Columbia Basin. There Is no question that ho will at once Identify himself with large affairs in Oregon and that his first Interest will be the development of the great field which his railroad serves. DANCING. Mr. Rarlck's statement, published in another column, that "thousands have fallen because of the dance," 1 repudiated by every experienced social worker. . It is not dancing that causes them to fall, but the evil conditions surrounding it. The new social pur pose Is to remove these conditions and retain the Joy and beauty of dancing with wholesome surroundings. Mr. Rariclfs belief that dancing is im moral is utterly baseless. If he would read his Bible he would learn that "there Is & time to dance," and that the Savior himself encour aged It by supplying wine at a mar riage feast where dancing was the principal amusement. No sensible person wants policemen at schoolhouse dances. The presence of parents and teachers will provide ample safeguards. OREGON AUTHORS. ' - It Is said by those who have had oc casion to look into the matter that books on Oregon sell better in other parts of the country than here at home. This Is true even of Mrs. Dye's works, which present Oregon's story In entertaining, romantic form with all the charm of fine literary art. In the East people buy her "Conquest," "McLOughlln and Old Oregon" and -rr.rtnnnlri'' anil rpfln thsnl ftvlth KeSt. but In this part of the world they are comparatively neglected. Oregon has tint vat nova Innort to that nolnt of state pride where it places much per manent value upon its literary men and women. As Mrs. Dye herself puts i Ram Kimnsnti and.. Schwatka per ished miserably. Joaquin Miller had to leave the state to oDtain any son oi recognition." The "Letters From an Oregon Ranch." by a writer whose pen name was "Elizabeth," perished with the first edition." there were 100 students from Eastern universities pursuing botanical researcnes m Alaska one Summer and the book they used for a guide was by an Ore gon author. How many who read this can give his name? "He prepared a hntanv fnr hntaniitta and was a mem ber of many European learned socie ties. And yet he died recently un known and in penury, obliged to turn via lifawnrir tn tha most uncon genial tasks to make a living for his family. There is a brief account or Airs. Dye in "Who's Who," but that work la not generally accessible, particularly in mi-si rfitrW Sh la one of the most considerable literary figures who thus far has lived and written In .(Ore gon, but it seems that there is no eoavmaona for the school children of the state to learn the facts of her biography. A curt and not very de pendable memoir of Sam Simpson Is attached to. the collected edition of his poems, but this book is expensive and probably not orten round in tne coun try schools. " Joaquin Miller is better known dui , rilH not reallv belong to Oregon literature. He lived only a short time in th atntA wnri tha subjects of his verse were cosmopolitan for the most part, though now ana men iocai. ii lust be confessed tnat lor a eommun .hir.h uonifos tn shine in literature and art as well as in commerce Ore gon has been neglectful of her stars. They are allowed to expire without much show of grief on the part of their fellow citizens. how can we v.r.na tn n rrii m 11 1 R.t e a ealaxv un less we cherish our luminaries more refully? other states are more alive to their iniuiisKinai Interpsta. "Indiana has made Indianapolis," we are told, "al most the literary capital 01 America. Even mediocre writers receive such encouragement that they become known nationally." Indiana certainly iin.. nnt hirin her candle under a bushel. She sets it on a hill to be seen of mfin and receives in return for her pains not only an enviable meed of glory, but more substantial rewards in the shape of copyrights and theater receipts. Oregon's plan of burying her talent In the ground cannot be commended. If we ever expect to develop a local literature we must learn to make the most of the day of small things, though some of the works which have already been produced here cannot truthfully be called small. Some of Sam Simp son's poetry has great merit, while Mrs. Dye'a books rank high among those of the same . kind which have appeared in other parts of the world. It would be difficult to find a romantic presentation of history more charming than her "McLoughlin and Old Ore gon," or one that Is constructed with finer literary art. . But nothing Is to be gained by scold. Ing at our fellow-citizens for their neglect of local writers. The only way to remedy the fault is to form some constructive plan. Perhaps we may decide ultimately to follow the 'exam ple which California has set. In that state " literary colonies have . been formed where kindred- spirits live In close neighborhoods and encourage each other by mutual appreciation and criticism. These, colonies hpld, put many allurements to outsiders to come In and share their advantages. Mrs. Dye, whose home is In Oregon City, has been urged to Join the group at Glen Ellen, where Jack London and, other noted authors reside. The temp tation to dwell among people of ambi tions kindred with her own must be great, but thus far she has remained loyal to Oregon. Perhaps she has given more to the state than she has received. Our local climate does not permit literary colonies to be formed upon quite the .same plan as In California, but It seems as if something of a film liar nature might be done. At least a literary club might be organized where people who write could meet once a month and dine together. Even If the plan were quite loose to begin with It would probably develop Into some thing permanent and become a center of Inspiration to our young poets ana playwrights. As Us means accumu lated it woifld perhaps undertake to publish memoirs of its more celebrated members. Such a club could certainly do much to keep their names alive both at home and abroad. A youth iwho aspires to reach fame by the literary path meets with many difficulties In this part of the world, The local publication of books has scarcely begun and, as most of our authors have found to their cost, the local market Is limited. We live far from the great literary centers and therefore can compete with more for tunate rivals only with difficulty. Our poetry and our apples suffer under the same handicaps. Just as the remedy In the case of fruit is to build up a home market, so In the case of litera ture it is to Increase home apprecia tlon. No'' doubt such a club as we have suggested would bring writers into sympathetic association with influen tial people from other walks of life and ultimately help to give intellectual things their merited standing In the community. "Who ever heard of an Oregon com mercial club thinking of a mere all' thor as of value to the state.?" asks one of our successful writers. Such a thing may never have been heard of yet, but if our authors will assert themselves by forming a vigorous or ganization they may win the same rec ognition in the future as cattle and hens. Emma Eames Is reported to have lost a $2000 diamond bracelet. If all the stories of lost and stolen jewelry told by stage people were true, they would represent wealth surpassing that of the Incas. As a matter of fact. It is mostly dream-wealth. Premier Asquith Is probably won dering what particular form of Christ mas entertainment Mrs. Pankhurst is preparing for him.' To be appropriate, the missiles thrown at the Premier's windows should be ancient turkeys or stale mince pies. An Ohio Infant Is the recipient of life privileges at the town barber shop, a few bottles of wine, a theater pass good for life and a pair of corsets, all presented by enthusiastic townspeople. Odd someone didn't think to throw in a Bible. ' A strike for "polite language during work ing hours" haa been won lu a Kew York Iron-working shop. Everybody should be sat isfied at that except the "bucko mate" type of foreman. New York World. We may yet see Alphonse and Gas ton on the section gang. By and by the eight-hour law will apply to livestock. The dray-horse worked- all day will obtain relief-and the cow that goes twelve hours be tween mllkings will be succored by a commissioner. President Wilson rose publicly and sang the Princeton song. Observers of his foreign policies are led to won der if "The Star Spangled Banner" ever arouses any emotion within him. A high-grade engineer at $500 a mnnth ! amiirht bv Commissioner Dleck. . But we thought Mr. Dieck was a high-grade engineer capable of do ing all the heavy work. A Denver man has proposed to' a Los Angeles .woman who smashed win dows for her rights. He must learn not to speak out of his turn. Pv.Dli1ant Wllann recommends a "very serious reprimand" for the of fending members of the Carabao club. Spank 'em next time. Tt la worth while to be Maverick in Texas. The head of the clan will dis tribute a million dollars among the members tomorrow. Manufacture of alcohol from or chard waste will strike the prohibi tionist as stiff a blow as beer from the Oregon hop. Huerta observed his birthday yes terday, but multitudes of Mexicans would more enjoy his dcathday. Are vou a-olng to help see to it that no poor lad gets nothing more than a hole in his stocking tonight? - ct Tnu1'a nnllne department Is now enjoying a shakeup. There appears to be an epiaemic 01 11. The President is now twanging the "Damn, damn, damn" chorus of the Carabao melody. - Once prosperous mining man kills himself in poverty. Dame Fortune is a fickle Jade. Oet out the war scare and brush it up- The Delevan comet is getting brighter. A Frenchman, losing his brain, con tinues to live. Make a good soap-box agitator. Turkey arrivals are light. Which should give the price- Jugglers a chance. Restaurant rushers are to be sent to Jail. Where, at least, they can eat. Only the bargains in turkeys come in the late hours today. When It comes to staving off crises Huerta is a true artist. ' Father is today setting his face for the Christmas smile. - Nearly time to commence your Christmas shopping. What is a sled to a boy on a green Christmas? Welt ifi Christmas. time to start It. Merry Remember be poor. PUBLIC OFFICERS AS LECTURERS Their Practice of Making; Paid Tours - - la Defeaded. PORTLAND, Dec! 23. (To the Edi tor.) The Oregonlan's comments re garding the Chautauqua and Lyceum lectures by Seoretary Bryan and Vloe President Marshall overlook one phase of the matter that is important. The value of lectures given by clean, high minded public men on the Chautauqua platform, which is non-partisan and non-sectarian, is beyond the under standing of the average metropolitan newspaper. The Chautauqua movement has gained tremendous headway In the last ten years, there beinir now more tnan 3000 or them. Much of Its popularity came throueh the ability to secure men high in public life for lecturers on Its programmes. Many or these lecturers were and are Republicans, such as Sen ators Dolllver, Cummins and La Fol lette. as well as Joseph G. Cannon, former Speaker of the House. Much of their lecturing was done while tney were holding public office, and to my mind it was of much greater value from the fact that they were thereby enabled to draw larger audiences, as well as to speak with a deeper under standing of the questions discussed. So far as I can remember no criticism was offered these Republicans on their do ing this, but the cases are simliar if not parallel. The Chautauquaa have furnished an Ideal forum for such lecturers. Men of high ideals have been able to get close to the people to learn their viewpoint, and a small admission charge, which Is gladly paid by the thousands who are unable to hear such men under any other conditions, enables these men to carry their messages to all parts of the land. ' Much of the success of the progres sive movement Is due to La Follette's noted Chautauqua tours while he was Governor of Wisconsin. The State of Wisconsin was benefited rather than harmed by his lecture tours. A con crete Illustration of this is the recent investigations of Judge Lindsay's work in Denver. The most serious charge brought against Judge Lindsay by his detractors was that he was frequently absent on lecture tours. The net result of these charges and investigations was that he was commended because or his lecturing, thus furthering the work of the Juvenile Court throughout the country. Denver Is proud of Judge Lindsay and is lad to have him visit all sec tions of the country to teU of the splendid work of the Juvenile court. So, too, you will find that the major ity of the American people are proud of their Secretary of State, both for his ability as an orator ana nis splen did ideals as a man. To forbid him to use his attainments as a Chautauqua speaker for three or four weeks in the Summer, when other men are enjoying vacations. Is to forbid him to use his vacation as he sees fit and to deprive manv thousands of the privilege of hearing one of the greatest oratcrs of the present day. J. ft. ELLISON. FIXD A SOLUTION FOR IDLESBSS. New Means of Handling Unemployed Should Be Adopted. PORTLAND, Dec. 22. (To the Edl 'tor.) It is a terrible thing for Port land to have 9000 unemployed men look ing for work. Yet, If during this some what exceptional situation, the com munity can oome to realize that even during the best of seasons there are always some men out of work, who are really loklng for work, and that un employment Is a constant factor in the lives of wage earners; and if our citi zens can be led to study the present problem in the light of what other countries have done ta relieve unem ployment, then the present situation may be turned to good use. 1 For many years European countries have been working away- at a solution of the problem of the unemployed. What hag been done abroad has been described In a bulletin of the United States Bureau of Commerce and Labor by W. D. P. Bliss, in a study entitled "The Unemployed In European Coun tries." Most successful have been the Swiss labor colonies, established in many of the- Swiss cantons. Briefly, these col onies are of two sorts: a free colony for those who are able bodied, but who are Involuntarily out of work; and a deten tion colony for vagTants. These are agricultural ' colonies, and are largely self-supporting. By means of them the different classes of the unemployed are treated neither as objects of charity nor as criminals, but as victims of eco nomic conditions over which they have no control. If in addition to the very desirable project of employing men on public construction works, Portland had an agricultural colony-where men might go who were temporarily out of work, and another detention colony for vagrants, who have forgotten how to work, and who need firm, kindly, reme dial treatment, the present Intolerable situation could be avoided. Of course, the establishment of such colonies would be only one step In the solution of the problem of unemploy ment, but they would be one step. Our present individualistic, devil-take-the-hindmoHt social philosophy tends to re gard all unemployed men as "bums," and sends men to the rockpile because they are found standing on the street without money in their pockets. Logi cally pursued, it would land thousands more of us on the rockpile. Modern industry by demanding re serve forces of labor creates the un employed classes: that Is, the problem is one created by the community life. It is time that we were finding some other .ort of community solution for it than by resorting to our penal and charitable .Institutions. W shall be fortunate if we shall find a solution before the Panama Canal brings to the cities of tha Western Coast tens of thousands of unskilled immigrant la borers from Southeastern Europe. ARTHUR EVANS WOOD. The Sea. I thought the sea waa picturesque When pirates flourished long ago. But since we have the SOS; Upon my soul, I do not know! Did ever blood of mortal flow So fast for wonders there displayed. As when a fleet of steamers go To succor some great ship in woe That else were far from human aid? That miracle of man Is more In pure romance than all the sea Has ever served to bring ashore In all the conturles to me. I thought it nevermore could be The sea again, with all its thrill, But lo! another century With human ingenuity Has made It more romantic still. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Rablndranath Tagore. The bard of Bengal hoary, Rablndranath Tagore, By famous song and story Wins Nobel prie with glory! Rablndranath Tagore ' Has made a splendid score Above the loftiest tot His pegasus will soar. He's worthy of all fame So I feel much to blame In owning to my shame i I can't pronounce his name. George B. Morewood in New York Sun. Wishes. . They had broken a wishbone together. "What was it you wished?" laughed she.. "I wished that you'd let me kiss you. Now, tell me your wish,'" said lie. Her eyes fell she paused a moment. While her blushes deeper grew. "My wish was," she prettily stammered. "That what you wished would come true." Rehobohth Sunday Herald. WAY TO STAVD OFF FREE WOOL. Breeder of LentT Experience Offers a Sujrgeatloia to Sheen C rowers. PORTLAND. Deo. 22. (To tha Edi- f-tor.) I noticed In The Oregonian re cently that the Oregon woolgrowers score the Oregon Senators for-voting for free wooL Having been In the sheep business for 35 years, and also coming near being born on a sheep ranch in Ohio, now nearly 78 years ago, I take more than a common Interest in the sheep business. Hence. I wish to aay a few words to encourage our sheep men, as one of them. In 1863 I bought' of Edmund Ham mond, of Mlddlebury, Vt. the great Spanish Merino sheep breeder of Amer ica, a few of his fullbloods, which I took across the plains to California, in a wagon, in 1864. v In 1865 I bought a band or lsuv sneep that had been well bred up to Merino stock. I kept on breeding my sheep to fullblood rams until the bales got so heavy with oil that I got docked in price by the commission men in San Francisco. Of course, I did not kick, as I knew that I ought to be docked before I was. -1 had bought Tommy Cotter's' little Hock of 16 fullblood Merinos, of Elk Grove, Sacramento, CaU for $100 a head, and I paid him $200 for a 2-year-old ram that took the first premium at the State Fair at Sacramento. So, you see, I was up among the best of breeders of fine sheep. I conceived the Idea of crossing my Merinos with Cotswold to get solid value In the fleece. Instead of two thirds of the weight of the fleece be ing animal oil, or grease, as some called It- I bought one half of a pen of Cotswold ewes that took the first sweepstakes prize at the State Fair at Sacramento. These I took home to Humboldt County, California, and sheared them just one year after they had been shorn before. They sheared from 10 to 12 pounds of the cleanest wool I ever saw. The next year they beat the first year by a large per cent. I bought these sheep of Hiram A. Rawson, of Red Bluff, Cal. I also bought from Mr. Rawson the Prince of Ontario, which he had Imported from Stone's flock. In Canada. I crossed the Cotswold ewes with a Merino ram that I paid $250 for. The offspring of this cross were the finest sheep I ever saw. There was a perfect blend In fleece and the bodies of the sheep sur prised all the sheepmen that saw them. The wool was about four Inches long, of splendid weight, and an armful In size. I bred the Prince of Ontario to my main band and it knocked out the Me rino wrinkles and conformation by one fell swoop, giving me a fine mutton sheep and a superb fleece. I also Crossed fullblood Shropshire with full blood Merino with good results, but not so fine a fleece. If It is necessary to drive far to Summer range or to market, perhaps they would be the sheep wanted. Wil lamette Valley has many fine flocks of mutton stock to select from for breeders of sheep on the ranges east of the mountains. The Cotswold'a fleece is long and thin and if the sheep are warmed enough to sweat much, they mav take cold and run at the nose, which will not be the case with the Merino crossbreds. Frank Arm strong, of Klamath Falls, one of the best sheep shearers I ever knew, who had sheared sheep all over California, Eastern Oregon and British Columbia, was at our place some years ago, in Salem. He told me that the sheep that I produced by the foregoing crosses described were the best he ever saw. If you want to stand off this hell born free.trade, charge the breeding of your sheep. It looks as If the devil was in politics and perhaps has come to stay. With wages higher in this country, and modern conditions of liv ing among the masses, how can we come down to flatfooted free trade and competition with the pauper labor of Europe and the half civilised coun tries of all the rest of the world? We can't do it without giving up all of our real and boasted blessings that have come 'down to us by the great sac rifices of life and everything that we hold dear. It seems as if the worst form of anarchv Is lying on our track. This may be drawing on our fears and imaginations, but any way or looKing at It. the devil is to pay up one side and down the ether. The sheepmen are the most for tunate of all. They can always have a leg of mutton In the bakeoven and they can wait tho fchort time tnat it will take Europe to get control of all our markets on account of cheaper labor and lower cost of living. When we are down and out, they will put up the price of their free trade products. Wool will then go up. as they will have the whip hand as long as we have free trade rule. If our factories nut more shoddy in their cloth they are likely to get what the pure food commission is dealing out to those who are selling aaui terated foodstuff today. Tom Kay, in figuring out the exact difference be tween the cost of a suit of clothes under free trade and our past tariff, makes It Just B0 cents. He does not tell us just how .much shoddy is In that suit. There are but few people who have not lost some of their hard- earned dollars buying shoddy gar- ents. The woolgrowers should unite lo stop this dastardly stealing. The sheepmen, as a class, have al ways been very intelligent and good citizens, and are deserving of fair con sideration by our Government They kill the rattlesnakes on the ranges. They are the victims of eagles and vul tures that kill their lambs, and cats, wolves and bears that kill their sheep. They are also victims of free trade politicians. It is to be hoped that we will live through the present turmoil In politics and get back to looking after the welfare of our people in stead vt picking out a rew for vic tims. SALMON BROWN, 2024 East Couch street, Portland, Or. The Man Who Had So Chance. I used to fret because I thought My chances were sT few; It seemed to me that there was not Much left for me to do: The splendid things had all been done At least, I thought they had I craved a chance, and, finding none. Considered matters bad. I used to list myself with those Who had been born too late; I had no reason to suppose I might be rich or great; No chance at all remained for me At least, it seemed so then To win renown or worthily Rise o'er my fellow men. The great things fiad been done before I came upon the scene; There waa no chance for me to score My fate w-s poor and mean: I often hopelessly complained, As I reviewed the case. Because no chance for me remained To serve the human race. And how, as I look back. I find Myself despondent, still; I am distressed in heart and mind I claim no happy thrill; Condemned to shiver in the cold. I cannot now resist Sad memories aa I behold The chances I have mimed. S. E. Kiser in Chicago Record-Herald. Progress In Love-Finance. Judge. "You say hf-r love affairs have pro gressed from abstract to concrete?" "yes, she jillel a title-guarantee man to take on a builder." Fruui Ifjite to l.ovc. "I do so hat to have you go'." She tearful anud li-r imrtiig f.uei; But as the train movnrt off sho smiled, -Lord! how l'l Iovb to get a rent!" Frederick Moxon in Judaic Twenty-five Years Ago Prom The Oregonian of December Ss4. 3&S3. Vancouver, W. T., Deo. 23. The con tract with the California Electric Light Company for electric lights was con firmed by the Council and the plant will be In operation not later than the middle of February. A. M. Hamilton. Sheriff of Union County, is at the St. Charles. Police Judge Tanner has gone to Springfield, Lane County, to spend Christmas with his f Jrther-in-law, John Kelly. C C. Scott, of the Gilman, is the re cipient of a magnificent gold watch from his wife. A series of articles on the growth of Seattle is published in this Issue. T. L. Patty, of Yamhill County, ar rived yesterday from the East. Testerday was chosen by the Baptists of East Portland for the immersion of converts In the Willamette. Six or eight individuals were Introduced Into the cold water, several being of the gentler sex. Six teams will make the rounds of the city today to make collections for the Good Samaritan Hospital. Any who are not called upon can send con tributions to the care of Dr. J. W. Hlll, Bishop Scott Academy, i R. Lemon, the well-known stevedore', was severely hurt Saturday by being thrown from the platform of a street car, v Ha If a Century Ago From The Oregonian of Deo. 24. 186. First-Lieutenant W. V. Rtnehart, Ad jutant of the Oregon Cavalry, has been appointed Captain and ordered to Walla A. Lieutenant West, of Company C (Captain Kelly) has been appointed Ad jutant of the Oregon Cavalry. On November 12 Senator (ex-Governor) Sprague, of Rhode Island, and Miss Kate Chase, .eldest daughter of Secretary Chase, were married at Washington. Some time since 41 muskets were distributed by the Columbia County Commissioners, but as soon as Gounty Judge Pope qualified he issued an order for return of all state arms. The loyal citizens returned all in .their possession, while the well-known secession sym pathizers were permitted to retain those held by them. The present Judge, B. D. Stevens, has been unable to find the first gun, and there is not now known to be a' gun belonging to the Govern ment in the hands of a Union man. Washington, Dec. 11. The Army of the 'Potomac is to be Immediately re organized and made larger and bettor in every respect. The chief command will probably be tendered to Hooker or Thomas. f City- Council Mr. Frush waa un willing to sign the contract tor grad ing the public square unless special provision was made that payments should be made in gold and silver coin. The Council deemed this unnecessary, as the city would neither receive nor pay out any other currency. We were shown yesterday by Mr. Snyder, superintendent of the assay of fice of Wells-Fargo & Co., a bar of gold valued at $13,975. G. B. Waldron returned last evening rrom The Dalles and reopens the Wil lamette this evening. DAXC1XG IN SCHOOLS OPPOSED It la Xot a Wholeaome Amuaement, Says Mr. Rarlck. PORTLAND, Dec. 23. (To the Edi tor.) Permit me to say a few word3 relative to your editorial of this morn ing in which you defend the character of Professor Krohn; also concerning your editorial of last Saturday con cerning the "larger use of the school houses." With reference to the first all I have to say is that in the resolu tion which was offered In the Portland Methodist preacher's meeting yesterday, no attack was made on Professor Krohn's character, nor was his char acter attacked in the discussion. The resolution had reference to dancing, not folk games, in the public schools. If dancing ' is discontinued in the schools of Portland we will not need dancing instructors. However, the fact that Professor Krohn has been and is teaching the tango and other dances of a question able character, and on his own admis sion has been a dancing teacher for the past 18 years, therefore in oul judgment disqualifies him from teach ing physical culture in any department in our public schools. As to the ditorial in The Orogonian last Saturday no one questions tho wisdom and advisability of putting the schoolhouses to a'larger use. There are a thousand uses to which we could put them by which the community could be helped. As you suggest: "political meetings, dramatic perform ances, debates, social gatherings," but thousands of Portland people say "never the dance." Tou say: "Young people dance In low dens to the ac companiment of beer and vice." t tiiia hprftiine the schoolhouseB are r"closed and dark? Is it not rather be. cause the dance has been advocated as essential to their enjoyment. Why not oDen the schoolhouses to the public and provide entertainment, recreation and amusement of a wholesome char acter? You say: "Those who do not approve of dancing should not try to compel everybody else to think exactly as they do on that subject." We accept tho fact "that others may differ with us completely and still be just as honest and conscientious as we are." But we disapprove of dancing on moral grounds. If we disapprove of dancing In the public schools and do not wish our children to come into contact with it, should we be forced to yield to.thoso who disagree with us? Are we not entitled to some considera tion? N I am aware of the fact that those who oppose dancing are considered nar. row and intolerant, but I repudiate the charge. I know that all who dance do not fall, that many who dance may be as pure as an angel, but the thousands who have fallen because of the dance warn us that we be careful lest we put in tho way of our children that which may cause their ruin. If some wish to learn to dance there is ample opportunity to learn elsewhere than in the public schools. I say, let them learn elsewhere. If you contend for a professor of dancing In the pub llce schools why not also have a pro fessor of cards and teach the different card gantf-s. One can be regulated as well ;s the other. It has been sug-a-ested that a policeman preside at the dances In the public schools to keep order and prevent lmproperlty. I ask, why an amusement over which a police- man needs to preside? - C. C. RARICK. o Hpace for JV'eweomece. Washington V. C.) Star. "KememuiT there's always room at the top." "Maybe." replied Ine youui; nan in politics. "And yet that intan t!ile personage known as 'the man higher W lluWIl t srem IO un uiui.u siace for newcomers,"