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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 25, 1913)
TTTV. HTOT?VTVO Oft FOOXT A y. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 85, 191S. t - CIVIL SERVICE IS' BEING RESPECTED Burleson, Under Lash of Public Criticism, Now Gives Re- ; publicans Chance. PRETENSE IS ABANDONED Order Applies Only to Fourth-Class Postmasters Second and Third Class Still Under the Old Spoils S-stem. OREGOXIAX NEWS BUREAU, Wash ington. Dec Zi. Postmaster-General Burleson has let tip In his onslaught on Republican fourth-class postmasters, as evidenced by the recent reappointment of several hundred postmasters whose terms have expired the past two o. three months. He is today carrying; out the spirit as well as the letter of the civil service order promulgated by President Taft. For a time after he entered the Cabi net Mr. Burleson chopped off the heads of Republican postmasters as fast as their four-year terms expired, and he even went to the extreme of dismissing not a few Republicans to make room for Democrats. During his first few weeks in office he sought to have the Taft civil service order abrogated, at least long enough to turn out all Re publican postmasters, contending Dem ocrats were entitled to this patronage, after having been kept away from the Federal payroll for 16 years. Dmnd Withdrawal Perforce. There was such a loud outcry ifgainst the revocation of the Taft civil service order, however, that Burleson was obliged to withdraw his demand - for (revocation, and he then proceeded to enforce the civil service order in a way to meet his own end. Whenever the term of a Republican postmaster expired, Mr. Burleson ordered a civil service examination, open to all can- j uldates for the office, out wnen mat examination had been held, he went 2 over the list of eligibles and Invariably appointed Democrats. If any candidates of that political faith passed tne ex amination. It made no difference what the comparative ratings proved to oe. If one Democrat barely passed and dozen Republicans passed with high ratings, all of them better than the Democrat, the Democrat was appointed. Thus, the Postoffice Department, while. In a way complying with the civil service order, was using that or der' to remove Republicans and sup plant them with .Democrats, even though in the process superior men were set aside to make room for less efficient men of the Democratic faith. Pmbllelty Brlass Cheek. So much publicity was given to the manner in which the spirit of the civil service order was being disregarded and so much complaint was centered on the Postoffice Department that even that pretense has been abandoned, and i today two Incumbent postmasters usually Republicans are being reap pointed to every new Democrat ap pointment made as a result of examin ations. At the present moment, the Taft civil service order is being en forced as fairly as could be asked, as results show. ; j,- t v:r" This civil" service) order, of course,' applies only to fourth-class postmas ters. Presidential postmasters of the first second and third grades still are listed as Congressional patronage and these offices are being uniformly filled by Democrats as the terms of Incum bents expire. ' This is merely a contin uance of the old policy. There has been some talk of -placing second and third rluss postmasters under civil service, but as yet the talk has not culminated in action. COOLEY TO BE RETURNED Brewery Worker Mnst Stand Trial for Curry County Slurder. SACRAMENTO, Dec J4. After a hearing held by Executive Secretary Madsen. tfttradition papers were ordered for the return of A. R. Cooley. a Pan Francisco brewery worker, to "urry County, Oregon, to face a charge of murdering Thomas Van Pelt there in 1898. Hugh McKevitt. San Francisco at torney, opposed the granting of the papers, which were asked by Stephen A. Doyle, a Spokane detective, who w Instrumental in catching Cooler. McKevitt made the plea today that since the alleged crime had been com mitted so long ago, Cooley should not be returned to Oregon save upon a grand Jury Indictment. TRADING STAMPS UPHELD 'cbraka Court Also Nullifies Anti Loan Shark Law. LtNCOTLX. Neb.. Dec. 14. The Ne braska Supreme Court today declared the so-called anti-loan shark law and the gift enterprise statute, unconstitu tional and void. Tba antt-Ioan shark law was held by the court to be special legislation. It is thus contrary to the Nebraska constitution. The gift enterprise law. by which the Legislature sought to make It a crime for one to engage in such enterprises as rifts for trading stamps, was held v to be "unreasonable Interference with lawful business" and In conflict with the Federal Constitution. COLLECTION IS SUSPENDED Income Tax May Not Be Paid on Certain Interest Money. WASHINGTON. Dec. 14. Secretary "MijAdoo suspended today until January 13. 1S14. and until further Instructions are Issued, collection of the normal in come tax of 1 per cent, at the source, on Incomes from interest on the obli gations of special taxation districts. . such as frequently are created in the West for Irrigation or other local Im provements. Attorney-General McReynolds prob ably will be expected to give an opinion on the taxation of such incomes. Panama Fair Bars Auto. SAN FRANCISCO. Dec 14. The Pan-ama-Paclflo Exposition management announced today that no motor vehicle will be allowed Inside the enclosure to the fair grounds In 1915. A parking rite, where automobiles maybe left Just outside the rate, probably will be pro vided. The principal reason given for this decision is that automobiles and motorcycles would be a menace to the safety of pedestrians wandering about the exposition. ; REINSTATED VETERAN CITY J PHOTOGRAPHED V ! Sflt. AND MRS. RUSSELL CHAMBERLAIN. JANITOR PUT BACK Tears Flow as Russell Cham berlain Hears Plaudits. RULING DEEMED OF IMPORT Decision Based on Patriotic Service to City and Country by Veteran, Declaring Public Policy Best Conserved With Sentiment. (Continued From First Page.) A. E. Borthwick, representing- the George Wright Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, of which Mr. Chamber lain is a member, arose and expressed his thanks. "In behalf of Mr. Cham berlain's post ' ere) ex,ten4 thanks for your consideration ana action. aw later date we will extend our thanks possibly more fully than X am extend ing them. now. but not with any deeper feeling." Mr. Chamberlain will return to bis work tomorrow morning. The decision Is as follows: Commissioner Is Defended. On November SI. 1913. Russell T. Cham berlain was dismissed from the position of Janitor in the service of the city. The rea son clven for the dismissal was inefficiency, with the suggestion that this condition was the result of old age. The matter Is now before us upon an appeal from the order of dismissal. The dismissal was not made oo political or religious grounds, and it seems the action of the Commissioner of Public Affairs in making the discharge was the result of the view that the good of the serv ice required, st all times, and without re gard to any other consideration, that the greatest possible quantity of work should be obtained from a municipal employe, and that If, for the same compensation, a larger quantity of work could be obtained from another person. It was the duty of the com missioner to discharge Mr. Chamberlain and EXTRACTS FROM DECISION OF CIVIL SERVICE BOARD IN CHAMBERLAIN CASE. Public good can be promoted best by encouraging and incul cating a civic patriotism among our servants. A mighty factor In promoting public good is an appreciation of long and honest service. There is a human factor which forbids the public turning coldly away from the employe, who has given his best service for many years, at the first Blackening of his mental or physical vigor. Above all local statutes or acts of Congress is a public sentiment founded upon a Just and right eous sense of gratitude which de clares that the old veteran who by his labor is yet willing and ready to earn his dally bread should be given this opportunity. We should not measure with too exacting a yardstick the daily quantity of work performed by such a veteran. Mr. Chamberlain and his com rades did not measure with a yardstick the work they per formed from 1S61 to His, or try to make It represent merely the compensation in dollars and cents received. The veteran of the Civil War has created a debt not easily re paid, and now. If he Is still will in? to earn his living by manual labor in his humble position or 'Janitor, we feel that the good of the service will be promoted by retaining him. .mnlnt another. In Its weneral application thla is a Jwise and salutary rule, but It la a rule which should not be too rigiuiy applies. In all riSM. - Undoubtedly the Commisaloaer of Public Affairs was actuated by s high sense of duty in what he did. He looked upon the administration of hi otllce as a business proposition, wherein his conduct should be uninfluenced by any consideration other tban recurtns to the public the greatest amount of return in labor for the compen sation paid. And we are Impressed with the further fact that he acted with firmness mA with Marat-, aualitiea we all commend and respect, even though we cannot always agree with those woo posaws these qualities. Mr. Cbaaaberiaim Cewuneauled. ' It appeals from the evld-nce submitted to .wt. Mmmiadnn that u r. Chamberlain is ap proximately 72 years of ags: that he has aJwava been, ana is now. m cmpui willing worker. All the witnesses having knowledre of the subject agree that be Is very paiosiaklng and does bis work jrell. HALL JANITOR AND HIS WIFE, IN THEIR HOUSE. ' ' : - ief : - I There Is no suggestion that he has been In subordinate, that he has shirked his work, that he has been Indifferent tn the dis charge of his duties, or that, with respect to the quality of his work and the spirit In which it la performed, there has been any cause of criticism. There Is some evidence to the effect that he is not now as sctive as be was some years ago; that he moves slowly and with deliberation, and that he does not perform as great a quantity of work In the space of a day as the avers ge younger and more ac tive man should do. We, howevT, think that the great preponderance of the evidence shows that Mr. Chamberlain Is still able to do a fair day's work in an efficient manner, and that advancing years have not so far impaired his vigor as to render him either unfit or Inefficient as a public servant. Decision Declared Delicate. It Is always a delicate and difficult ques tion as to when the growing and Inevitable Infirmities of age should cause a dismissal from public position of one who has for a long period given efficient and faithful service. dn aome positions, where speed, accuracy, concentration and the burden of responsi bility call for great mental vigor and alert ness, it often happens that the Imperative exigencies of the public service require the substitution of a younger and more active man and the complete elimination of the more aged, unless another position in the public service may be found as a reward for the prior years of honest toil. In all such cases there are two factors to be considered. Upon the one side, there la the-business of the public, and the efficiency of its em ployes, requiring the greatest quantity of service to be secured for the compensation, paid 1'pon the other hand, there is the human factor which forbids the public turn ing coldly away from he employe who has flven hi best service, for Many -years, at the Irst slackening of his mental or physical vigor. , The good of the public service requires that both factors be consulted in dealing with the men and women who .have grown old, and are growing old. in -the public service, and who have been faithful and diligent In their tasks. Public good can be best promoted by encouraging and inculcat ing a civic patriotism among our servants, and a mighty factor In securing that end la an appreciation of long ana nonest service. Congressional Action Cited. Th.Ni in another broad reason which con strains us to the conclusion which we have reached In this case. Forty-eight years ago on April 9, last, the greatest war of which civilized man had any record closed, and with Its close the Army of the North, num bering 750,000 or more, returned to the ave nues of peaceful life with a record of achievement In the public service never be fore or since equaled. They, and many who went but came not back, preserved the" gov ernment under which we live and the Insti tutions we now enjoy. For nearly half a centurv this nation and its people have recognized and have sought in a measure to repay the mighty obligation created by the service of the veterans of the Civil War. As early as March. In 1S65, the people of this nation, through their Representatives In Congress, enacted that: ' "In grateful recognition of the services, sacrifices and sufferings of persons honor ably discharged from the military and naval service of the country, by reason of wounds, disease, or the expiration of terms of enlistment, it is respectfully recommend ed to bankers, merchants, manufacturers, mechanics, farmers and persona engaged In Industrial pursuits, to give them the pref erenee for appointments to remunerative sit uations and employments." Section 1755, Revised 8tstutes. This enactment was but declaratory of a sentiment then universally felt among the people of this country, and it has remained unchanged upon, the statute books of this Nation ever since that time, a constant Iteration of the national feeling. Public Sentiment Felt. Following the Civil War, a number of states enacted laws requiring that prefer ence should be given to honorably dis charged soldiers of the Union Army In all public positions, and many of these laws are still unrepealed. But, above and beyond all local statutes, or acts of Congress, is a public sentiment, founded upon a Just and righteous sense of gratitude, which declares that the old veteran, who by his labor Is yet willing and ready to earn his daily bread, shall have preference in the public service, and we should not measure with too exacting a yard-stick the dally quantity of work performed by him, or to be too coldly calculating or critical It occasionally his footsteps move slowly or sometimes falter as he descends the western slope of life toward the setting sun.. Mr. Chamberlain and his comrades did not measure with a yard-stck the work that they performed from ISol to 1865, or try to make It represent merely the com pensation In dollars and cents received, and now this commission feels that the people of Portland should be equally fair. Six months In Andersonvllle, three days at Gettysburg, nearly, four years In active service In many of the fiercest battles of th6 war. Is a part of the splendid record of Mr. Chamberlain. Ho entered the service a private as a boy of -0 and was mustered out about four years later as a First Lleu tensnt of a company which formed a part of one of tha most famous brigades of the Union Army. He has created a debt not easily repaid, and now. If he Is still willing .a --T-r, his llvlne bv manual labor In the humble position of Janitor, we feel that the good of the puouo service win w iirvimi by rstainlng him and permitting him to ....tnu his labors until such time as ad vancing years may unlit him for further acuve duty. . GEO. TV. CALDWELL, Chairman. A. K. CLARK, JOHN F. LOGAN. Students Vrge Support. THE DALLES, Or, Dec 24. (Spe- -Cla-f,..An mamher, nf The T1 1 lS High School passed today canvassing the taxpayers or tne city in tne inier ests of the proposed new $100,000 High : i w . . i 4 i Th. iMira a n H erirls ccawi uuuiiii,. distributed literature and personally in- terviewea tnoso wno J here, explaining the needs of the pro posed buildins, and urging them to vote for It at the special election on December 29. VICTIMS OF ROBBER IDENTIFY PRISONER Half Dozen Persons Positive ' Bostick Is Man Who Held Up Sunset Limited. 2 WHO SAW KILLING FOUND Jewelry Worn by Man Also Rocog nized by Owners Rewards for Arrest and Convicti-n of Murderer Tofcal $7500. SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 24. Half a dozen Victims of the robber who held up the Sunset Limited train Tecember 1 called at tne City JaR today and identified John Bostick as ; the man who robbed them. Jewelry worn by Bostwick when he was arrested also wa sidentifled as part of the loot ob tained In the holdup. Mr. and Mrs. -Arthur Cohen were among those who said they saw Bostick shoot H. E. Montague, traveling passenger agent of the South ern Pacific at the time at the robbery. Fawa Tickets Fosmd. Others who Identified the prisoner were Glover Wllburn, H. H. Carrick, N. Murphy, Dr. A. B. Clark and a pawn broker to whom Mostick pledged some of his loot. Pawn tickets for this plun der were found on Bostick. Dr. - Clark was a passenger on the trained robbed November 14. "I had section two on the car Ama zonian with my sister," he said today. -My experience with robbers Isn't ex pensive and when I found a-man stand ing beside me with a revolver at my head, I thought the man was drunk. " 'Give me all you have," ; s was his command. - 'Move on, you're drunk!" I answered. " "I'll give you Just three chances, said he. and he vegan to count 'One. two," slowly. "At that my sister broke in. Arthur, what In God's name do you mean? she cried. The man's a robber and he s in earnest.' So I gave him all I had. Victim Sure of SI an. "He stood there looking atrae, cool and "unmasked. I looked him square in the eye and there isn't a chance that I could miss him among a thousand. This fel'ow's the man who robbed me." t. for the arrest and conviction of train robbers recently are a follows: Robbery of the Sunset Limited, De cember 1, by the Southern Pacific Com pany. 5000. Robbery of train No, 23, between Burlingame and San Francisco, on Oc tober 14, by the United States (malls) $1000. . . Robbery of train No. 77, November 17 between San Jose and San Fran cisco, by the United States (malls rifled) $1000. - Robbery of train No. 6, November 1. between Richmond and Oakland, by the Southern Pacific 500. . Totals, $7500. BANK PLUM IS TEMPTING SPOKANE BIDS AGAINST SEATTLE FOR FEDERAL BRANCH. Financiers of Sonnd City Think Titer Are Assured of-Honor If Unity ' Can Be Established. r.,1 I fT'T'T T.- TTaah TWrt 24. t SneClal.) Seattle's fight to have the regional . . l i J..1. i ,n i Knptn. I Dan K to DO esiauiinucu Pwest under the new currency law lo cated here was compucaieu w um extent this morning when news was received here that the Spokane Clearing-house Association, which had been expected to Indorse this city's effort, has made application for the Federal institution, in its own behalf. That this city will be the designated center, in spite of this new development, is generally believed here. Committeemen of the new Chamber of Commerce and the Seattle Clearing house Association, wno are wiiu jointlv to bring the bank to Seattle, feel that Spokane's effort to get into the field at this time can serve no good purpose. Unless the Eastern Washington-city is persuaded to withdraw, . . m KA AirrtA aerntnst Itself. tne state i " 1 , , , , - with the result that Portland, -which is making a strong Dia lor tne mun w be chosen. During the day Western Washington . i- ..AUavnrrd . ta convince the UUUACIO Spokane interests that by remaining in the campaign they are preventing the state from having more than a fair chance to win. wun mis oojeui m view, bankers on this side of the moun . i ..aia-..aniAA financial men in the bttlua imiBi.f" Falls city urging that, for .pride of state, their application oo ri"c. Meanwhile Indorsement of Seattle by . , i .... o mln nt commercial Danitera, . organizations in Western Washington is being receivea nere. STORE DESTROYED BY FIRE Furniture, -Stock and Building Burn at Lcwlston. LEWISTON. Idaho, Dec 24. (Spe claL) Fire of unknown origin de stroved the A. Ludwlg furniture store, which adjoins the Raymond Hotel, at 2:30 this morning. The fire depart ment made a quick response and bad three streams on the falmes. but to no avail. The structure occupied by the furni ture company Is known as the Russell building and was ruined. The stock and building were partially covered by Insurance. The Idanha Pharmacy, which is sit uated Just west of the furniture esr tablishment. was in peril for a time, and much water entered the basement of the drug company. Mr. Osmers, president of the com pany, was unable to say what the- loss will be. but It Is fully covered by in surance. CLERK OF COURT IS JUDGE Attorneys Agree to Arrangement in Absence of Jurist. 1 By. special stipulation of Attorneys Davis & Farrell and Frank Lonergan. Monroe Goldstein, clerk of the court, acted in capacity of judge of depart ment No. . Circuit Court, yesterday. After the case of Charles McGloin against the Portland Railway. Light Power Company had been submitted to the jury. Judge Cleeton was called away and the attorneys agreed that should a verdict be returned before S o'clock it should be opened in court by Clerk Goldstein, The verdict for the dc- The Company of Satisfied Policy Holders f.nnt whn ttrniierht Into court Was read by the temporary judge. ivictjioin Drougnt suit, inruugu mo father for $51,000 damages for injuries wVtAn art nuln in wrhlnh he nroo .iriino- cniiiiimi with two street cars near Union avenue and Davis street In April, xne auto was smashed and the boy. It Is alleged, re ceived a fractured skull, a broken Jaw, an Injury to nis eye ana many oi-uibcb and sprains. The defense offered was ta (h. hnv who W9R learning to drive the car, under the direction of Jacob Wagner, was responBiDie lor me collision. ... 1 NONE IN CITY ASKS CHARITY Christmas Prospect Bright and All Are Happy at Newport. NEWPORT, Or., Dec. 24. (Special) The outlook for Clyistmas in Newport is bright. There have been no calls for charity and all are happy. The Presbyterian Church will have an en tertainment and Christmas tree, and a large ball takes place In the evening. Prize-winning holly, raised by John Buckley, and Carolina Testout roses, raised in the open by Frank Priest, will adorn the tables in a leading hotel. The weather Is changeable and , tides unusually high. Salem Kiddies Made Merry. ALEM, Or.. Dec. 24. (Special.) The Cherrians saw to it tonight that Santa Claus did not miss a single little boy "Ask the Driver" Our Gift To Portland Dry Cleaning Service the best in the land at prices most economical. A separate department in a . separate building. . . "Ask the Driver''' DRY CLEANING SECTION or USLAUNDUYCO J.OAMVC1.LS r-Tfl The Two Great Patented Collar Features that have given first place in collar convenience and com fort to SUDgpLl COLLARS The Tittle patented Back Button Shield and the Patented Graduated Tie Space which cannot be de atroyed in lauaderins. All popular models best mascnal and work manship. srMntrs 15c 2 for 25c IUIi,HsrtwelItCo. Trey. HewTerk Certificates of Deposit Offer a satisfactory short-term Investment for Idle funds. .LUMBERMENS National dank Resources 7 Millions Jr Merry m Christmas r Happy ' M Merry Christrrias to you-all If you have no other engagement we invite you to the Oregon's Christmas Celebration ' and Dinner. ' s ' V Dinner Will be served in the BEATJTIFTIL CRYSTAL DINING-E00M v v ' and the FOUNTAIN" GRILL Tonight from 5:30 to 8:30 P."M. at $1.50 per plate, " including vine. The chef has prepared a tempting menu that -you -Rill thoroughly enjoy. SPECIAL PROGRAMME OE V 'CHRISTMAS MUSIC Rathskellar Service mil be a la carte with tHe , HOTEL OREGON ORCHESTRA' and the AMERICAN BEAUTY REVUE CHORUS in a splendid musical programme. . SIGNOR PIETRO MARINO, Musical Director RESERVATIONS FOR THE NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATION NOW BEING MADE . TELEPHONE US AND RESERVE YOUR TABLE FOR TONIGHT, STATING WHICH DINING-ROOM YOU PREFER. HOTEL- OREGON Wright-Dickinson Hotel Co., Props. Chas. Wright, President M. C. Dickinson, Managing Director or little trirl in making his rounds. A big. live fir tree in tne toun nouee trarA was Dressed Into service, and. de spite the rain, its great branches were bulging with Christmas presents. It had been well advertised and the unique feature of having- a live, growins tree attracted fully 2,000 persons. All the Cherrians, dressed in their natty uniforms of white and wearing The Big Store Wishes You A Merry Christmas .t. ' la . sal a: $? 9? jj? Sj? 99 9j? T HE Portland Gas & Coke Company Wishes One and All A Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year 'sj? s? S? $? ?8? ?8?'?8? sJ?. 4? n Christmas smiles, were on band to aid St. Nicholas distribute his presents. About 1,500 boxes containing candy, nuts and fruits were given the children. Not a child in the big crowd was over looked rich and poor faring alike. With each box of "goodies" went one big red apple. Edlefsen's wish you merry Xtnas. Adv. 18