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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (May 19, 1914)
THE MORNING OKEGOXIXN. 'J Lit is DAI, 31X1 1U, APTAIII GRIFFITHS SAYS HOT GUILTY Army Officer, Accused of Em bezzling Government Funds, Faces Court-Martia!. OREGON DEALINGS AIRED .Depositions Head at Hearing at Pre fcitlio Tell or Timber Land Nego tiations That Involved Prisoner Wien Payments Came Due. SAX FRANCISCO. May 1. (Spe cial.) That Captain Joseph H. Grif fiths, of the Army Quartermaster Corps, attempted to carry through timber deals beyond his -wildest dream of accomplishment, developed today at the meeting of the court martial board held at the Presidio. Captain Oriffiths is charged with embezzling $8000 of Government funds and with desertion. The board arranged for depositions ;ind will be called as a court by Brig-sidler-Ceneral John P. Wisser, its pres ident. Thursday, May 21. Questions were introduced by both fides and mailed to deponents so that unswer might be made and ready at the general court martial. A formal vlea. of not guilty was made by Cirlffiths. Oretton Dealings KiKurc. It was shown in depositions that Oriffiths had dealings with the Hol brook Timber Company, which called upon him to pay $600,000 for some timber lands, lie was unable to meet the terms of the agreement, which called for a first payment of $65,000. One of the agents of the company, it Is understood, was 11. B. McFarland. who was said to hold the general offices at Oooslin. Or. Griffiths, after his inability to make the payment on the first deal, quar reled with McFarland. He then or Kanized another company called the Colonial Timber & Iand Company and guaranteed his first payment on that to be liqupidated in January of 1914. of $70,000. He could not meet this payment on the time due and got an extension until March. He found himself in a position during March which prohibited him from making this payment in full without, it is staed, taking Gov ernment funds. This resulted in the offense of embezzlement with which Oriffiths is charged. Account fimt Marred. His accounts, which were regularly audited, showed clean when inspected in January by Inspector-General Lieu-tenant-Coloney Frederick Day, of the "Western Department of the United States Army. .it is not recorded whether lie had or did not have his capital legitimately present, but an ef fort will be made to show that he bor rowed the capital from capitalists in order to have his accounts straight. Captain Griffiths was to have had his trial in Seattle. He was suspended Kummarily from dutty March 17 and ordered confined to his quarters by Ma jor Hugh J. Oallagher, after an ap parent shortage in his accounts had been reported. The accused officer disappeared April 5. and was arrested in Oakland April 29. the day he had planned, it was said, to sail for Aus tralia. The court was composed as fol lows: Brigadier-General John P. Wisser president: Colonel Rudolph G. Kbertl Colonel William Lassiter, Colonel JUchmond P. Davis, lieutenant-Colonel John P. Hains. Major Thomas B. Lamoreaux. Major Willard R. Bur gess. Major Daniel Can-, Major George 11. MoManus, Major John C. Gtlmore, Jr., Major Salmon F. Dutton, Captain Dennis Quinlan, Judge-Advocate. The court was adjourned until next Thursday on the representation of Captain Griffiths1 attorney that he wished to take the depositions of per sons in Portland and Seattle. MEXICAN, DROPS IN DUEL Customs Inspector Uses Gun In Slak ing Arrest in Arizona. DOUGLAS, Ariz.. May 18. In a re volver duel in the business section of Douglas. Eduardo Soto, a Mexican, 24 io inu. was snot ana Killed today by L.uke Short, a mounted customs in spector. Short attempted to arrest Soto, who was riding on a wagon. The Mexican opened fire on the officer from his ut and then jumped to the ground, using the wagon as breastworks. Short dismounted and fired from behind his horse. After 10 phots had been exchanged, Soto ran from behind the wagon, through an alley and into the rear of a store, where he fell in a faint. Short cave himself up to the authorities pending an investigation. Short refused to make any statement, but friends of Soto who witnessed the affair declared the inspector had not tried to arrest the Mexican, but had deliberately shot him because of pre vious trouble over an alleged Insult by Soto to Mrs. Short. Northwest grower. It is his opinion that the European demand for North west apples will continue to grow for many years. The box pack and uni form grade demanded by the distribu tors of Its membership, he says, has already given the public confidence in its brands. Mr. Moomaw lives in London and formerly handled Virginia fruits on that markett- Arrangements were completed also today for financing Oregon growers who wish to market their fruit crops through the distributors. It will be possible for any association member to secure an advance in cash to cover spraying, picking and other work. Each individual case will be handled by Sales Manager Sieg upon its merits. The distributors advanced $500,000 to its members for these purposes last year. As an indication of what advantage this organization may be to Oregon growers if is noted that 2102 cars of the 3958 cars handled by it last year were sold f. o. b. and the money to pay the grower passed the car en route. ALASKAN JOBS SOUGHT APPOIXTMEXTS UNDER RAILROAD BOARD TO BE BT PRESIDENT. Political Influence Being: Brought to Bear and B. V. Tillman, Jr., Among Those Selected. OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU, Wash ington, May 18. Appointments to subordinate positions, such as engi neers, rodmen, surveyors, clerks, etc., under the Alaska Railroad Board or Commission are to be made by the Pres ident or by the members of the board, and not by the- Civil Service Commis sion. This is explained in a circular letter being sent out by the Civil Serv ice Commission to those who have ap plied for these appointments. The Alaska railroad bill provided in terms that the appointments made in cident to the construction of the Gov ernment railroad should be by or un der direction of the President, rather than by civil service, and already sev eral thousand applications are on file with the Interior Department, which has general supervision of the con struction work. Only the more important positions, and particularly those of a clerical na ture, will be filled personally by the President, and the selections of field men, especially engineers, will be made by the three Commissioners recently selected. Political influence is being brought to bear, however, and already B. F. Tillman, Jr., of Portland, son of Senator Tillman, of South Carolina, who attained much notoriety because of divorce proceedings brought against him, has been appointed as one of the clerks to the Commission, and Ralph M. Meyer, clerk in a local bank, with strong Democratic backing, has been given a similar position. LANE'S BILL REPORTED COLUMBIA RIVER FISHERIES MEAS URE INDORSED IN SENATE. Draft by . Oregon Solon Contemplates EatabllBhment of Hatcheries With l'u 11 Sanction From State. OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU. Wash ington, May 18. The Senate committee on fisheries has favorably reported the bill, introduced in March, by Senator Lane, authorizing an appropriation of $100,000 for the establishment of two or more fish hatcheries on the Colum bia River or its tributaries, in the states of Oregon or Washington, or both. The bill contemplates the estab lishment of hatcheries to be devoted to the propagation of salmon and other food fishes, at locations to be desig nated by the Department of Commerce, of which the Bureau , of Fisheries is a part. Under the terms of the bill, before any final steps are taken for the con struction of these stations, . the states, through their Legislatures, shall ac cord to the Government full right to conduct these stations in any manner it may deem necessary and proper, notwithstanding any conflict with state laws. This legislation is strongly urged by the fishing interests of the Colum bia River, and Senator Lane is hopeful of getting favorable action on his bill this session. If it passes the Senate as a separate measure, he will then seek to have it incorporated In the sun dry civil bill, which is to come up later in the session. The fisheries committee also has fa vorably reported a Chamberlain bill appropriating $50,000 for the establish ment of a fishery experiment Btation at some point along the Pacific Coast, to be selected by the Bureau of Fisheries. CITY FRUIT HEADQUARTERS (Continued From Firwt Pe. Idaho and Oregon $3,063,935.51 for the fruit. Outside or Hood River the most of the money has gone to Washington and Idaho growers. Hood River sold ; 00 cars of apples through the dis tributors during the last season. The settlement proved so satisfactory, ac cording to 11. F. Davidson, that the growers of that section are unanimous behind its operations in 1914. The av erage price to the grower for apples was $1.26 per box. Never before in the history of apple production in the Northwest has a uniform price' been maintained, it is reported. The grow ers have been competing with each liter for the same limited markets. Local organizations in affiliating with the distributors are already in existenece at Hood River. Salem, Cor vullls. Roseburg and Sutherlin. Presi dent Davidson has recently visited Ashland. Medford. Grants Pass and Forest Grove and will authorize locals at those points. Two or more sub central organizations, in addition to the one at Hood River, will be required for handling the Oregon fruit. Hood River's sub-central heretofore has looked after shipping and settlement for all Oregon shipments. Demand W ill Increase. Says Agent. S. B. Moomaw. European general agent for the distributors, is in at tendance at the meeting of directors and brings encouraging news for the PUTT SAYS BECKER CRAVED ROSE'S LIFE "Kill That Squealer," ex-Lieutenant Reported to Have " Said After Trial. PRISONER'S FRIEND TALKS CREDIT FOR BILL SHARED Chamberlain OfTers, J-ane Favors Jetty Contract Draft. OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU. Wash. ington. May 18. The amendment to the river and harbor bill, recently adopted by the Senate committee on commerce, placing the Columbia River jetty project on a continuing contract basis, was offered by Senator Cham berlain, and not by Senator Lane, as previously stated. It appears that both Senators intro duced amendments for a continuing contract at the mouth of the river, and both Senators advocated the adoption of such an amendment to the river and harbor bill. Senator Chamberlain, however, is a member of the commerce committee; is chairman of the sub committee that redrafted the bill as it came from the House, and as chair man, secured the adoption of his amendment rather than that offered by Senator Lane. As a matter of fact, credit for the continuing contract povision now in the bill should be shared by both Sen ators, Irrespective of which amend ment was adopted, for both favored the continuing contract, and both proposed it formally by amendments introduced regularly in the Senate. Companion and Press Agent of Once Condemned Man Testifies for State, Relating Dialogue on Way to Deatli House. , NEW YORK, May 18. Swearing that Charles Becker asked him to kill Jack Rose before 'Rosenthal's murder and after Rose was arrested charged with having taken part in the crime, C. B. Plitt, Jr.. the former police lieu tenant's friend, companion and press agent, completed the case for the state against Becker today. James Marshall, a negro, also took the stand to swear that he saw Becker and Rose talking at the Harlem con ference which was declared by the Court of Appeals to have been the "heart of the conspiracy to murder Herman Rosenthal." Whitman Completes Case. The slain gambler's widow was among the others who testified before District Attorney Whitman declared his case was complete. Plitt said that Becker had asked him while on board a train on the way from New York to the death-house at Sing Sing to make away with Rose. After Rosenthal had been murdered, the witness swore, he met Becker, who was indignant at the way the killing had been accomplished. "What is the matter with Jack Rose and the bunch?" Plitt quoted Becker as having said. "To pull the stunt the way they did was very bad. You would suppose it was being done for the mov ing pictures." July 15, the day before the murder, Plitt said he saw Becker at police headquarters. "Beeke told me," said the witness, "that he and I had to have an alibi for that night. Keep away from Times Square tonight," he told me. Witness Shows Nervoosness "'What's coming off? I asked. " 'Never mind,' said Becker, "do as you are told. We've got to have an alibi. Tomorrow you'll know why." " Plitt showed signs of nervousness during his testimony. The witness said he called on Deputy Police Commissioner Dougherty and did the best he could to establish an alibi for Becker. He saw Becker later and Becker sent him to see Rose, then un der arrest. He sent in a note to Rose with reference to the employment of counsel. Returning to Becker, suid the wit ness, he reported that Rose had agreed to allow Becker to select his lawyer. Becker then dispatched Plitt. the wit ness swore, to Rose's house on.. Long Island. The next day, Sunday, Plitt asserted, Becker said: "i wonder if that bunch will squeal on me." "Then Becker told me to see Rose," said Plitt, "and advise him he was do ing everything he could for him and for him to say nothing." Words at Tombs Recalled. The next time Plitt saw Becker was in the Tombs prison, after his arrest. Becker said, according to Plitt: "Didn't 1 tell you they would squeal? I want you to go out and get everything you can on Jack Rose. Get hold of the men In my squad and have them testify I had no conversation with Mrs. Rosen thal on the night of the raid." Plitt said lie wrote Becker almost constantly after his conviction and that Becker wrote him from the death house. After Becker's conviction and sentenc ing, he said he journeyed with the party up to the prison. "I gave Becker a drink on the train," said the witness, "and said it would probably be the last for some time. Becker put his arms around me and started to cry. "'Old pal," he said, 'if I do go oft in the chair, I want you to do me one favor. Kill that squealing Jack Rose.' " Defense Opens Today. Plitt appeared1 f be even more nerv ous during his cross-examination than at any time he was on the stand. In the middle of the examination Becker moved to a far end of his counsel's ta ble, where he could look directly into the face of the witness. He stared at him during the rest of the afternoon and was apparently eager to catch the eye of his one-time friend and compan ion. He was, however, unsuccessful. The defense will open its case to morrow morning. Becker will not be the first witness. His attorneys, after a conference tonight, refused to say definitely whether he would be called later, although they assert Becker has demanded that he be given a chance to speak. Mrs. Becker will positively go on the stand and try to save her husband from the electric chair. The case .may be in the hands of the jury by Saturday night. AMERICANS T0 BE PILOTS Goetlials Announces Xo Otlier Need Apply, Giving Requirements. WASHINGTON, May 18. American citizens" only are to be trusted to pilot vessels passing through the Panama Canal under the rules just laid down by Colonel Goethals to govern the ap polntment of pilots. Applicants must, in addition to Amer ican nationality, be under 45 years of age and hold masters' licenses for tb Great Lakes or ocean-going vessels. Land Restoration Asked. WASHINGTON. May 18. Senator Chamberlain, at the request of Govern or West, has applied to the Interior Department to restore to settlement and entry 100.000 acres in the Pauling Forest, additional to the restoration previously ordered. The lands are withdrawn also under the water power and reclamation orders. Try Santiseptic Lotion after shaving. METHODIST MEETING IS ON Conference Covering 29 Parishes Will Dast Over Sunday. The annual conference of the Free Methodist Church of Oregon will open its sessions in the Central Church. East r landers and East Fifty-first streets, Center Addition, tomorrow at 2 o'clock. to continue over next Sunday. Bishop R. B. Jones, who lias been conducting the Southern Oregon conference, will preside. Wednesday will be taken up by organization or conference and ap polntment of committees. Bishop Jones will deliver his opening address either W ednesday night or Thursday morn ing. Sessions will begin at S:30 and close at 11:30 A. M. for strictly busl ness. Afternoons and evenings will be devoted to evangelical services and public meetings. Rev. Alexander Beers, president of the Seattle Seminars, will hold an edu cational meeting Saturday night and deliver an address. Sunday at 3 o'clock Rev. P. Wingert. National field mis sionary secretarfor the Free Meth odist Church, will conduct the confer ence missionary meeting and deliver an address on missions and raise the mis sionary collection. Appointments of ministers for the ensuing year Drob ably will be read Sunday night. There will be a general change of ministers to new charges, conforming to the three-year limit, which Is the longest time a preacher may stay in one charge. Rev. P. J. Johnson, at First Church, and Rev. W. H. Boody, of Central Church, Portland, will be changed. Min isters and delegates will attend from 20 churches, and will be entertained in the neighborhood. Official estimates indicate that th production of the United States last year was the smallest since 190-, while that of suver was iae area test lor quantity on A Suit Message for Every Woman Important Extraordinary Sale Women's Apparel Today Clearance of Our Best Tailored Suits A Big Sale On a Big Scale In a Worth While Way One of the foundation stones on which is built the success of our suit business is the fact that the opening of each season finds us freed of everything that even whispers of the preceding season. And this is an instance of how we accomplish it. In this sale scheduled for today you have the choice of our fine novelty suits, which have been divided into seven different assortments, each suit being newly designed this season, and in a great many instances there is but one suit of a kind ; they are all perfectly tailored, trimmed and finished. A woman who requires a suit is, indeed, fortunate to have the opportunity for saving such as this sale offers. - $25 Novelty Suits Special $13.95 Beautifully fashioned suits of dark navy blue serge, black and white check fabrics . trimmed with soft chiffon taffeta -in black and dark blue. The jackets of these suits are particularly attractive, many having frilled upstanding collars of the taffeta, others with wide soft turnback revers kimono sleeves and button trimmings. The skirts show one and two ruffle's of taffeta or self materials. ' $30 and $35 Suits $17.50 Of serge, gaberdine, fancy wool crepes and poplins, in black, navy blue. Copenhagen, tan, reseda, tango, black and white checks. These suits represent ten of the season's most popular styles made with ruffled and tunic skirts, and jackets with kimono sleeves and button trimmed. They are garments that have taken their style inspiration from the best imported models. $42.50 Novelty Suits $23.50 Suits of novelty crepon in dark blue, tango, reseda; of serge and crepe in black, blue and black and white checks. Made with simple smart jackets with Roman striped collars and girdles, or of novelty colored embroidered effects jackets that are gathered in the back and held in place with cloth covered buttons, long kimono sleeves and skirts with double fitted tunic. $35 to $40 Suits for $22.75 In this collection of suits we are prepared to show some of the smartest and most becoming styles developed of black and white checks, and of French serge gaberdine in navy blue, Copenhagen, tango and reseda. The jackets of these suits are exceptionally smart, being made in a straight loose style, pleated and trimmed with tiny cloth covered buttons, raglan sleeve effect in the back and kimono style in front. $55 to $60 Suits for $33.50 Of serge, gaberdine and novelty crepes in brown and white checks, black and white checks made with loose jacket, kimono sleeves and strap across the back peg top skirts. Also hairline stripe crepe in a smartly tailored style, sewed-in sleeves and white piping in the front. Also suits of chiffon taffeta and moire silks in black, navy blue, tan. reseda and tango. Made with wide sashes, lace collars and cuffs. Tunic or ruffle skirts, loose kimono jackets. $45 to $50 Suits for $28.75 Fancy tailored suits of extra quality moire silks, silk poplins, crepe silk poplins and wool crepes, serges, poplins and striped worsteds. In such fashionable colors as navy blue, Copenhagen, re seda, gold, tango, tan, garnet, black and white stripes and checks. These suits are copies of the latest imported models, and show many new style features. They are perfectly tailored, trimmed and lined. The skirts show the ripple and tunic effects as well as the new Russian long tunic style. $75 Suits for $38.75 Faithful copies of the finest imported suits, every line show ing originality and exclusiveness and reproduced in the most wanted fabrics, such as plain and brocaded moire silks, faille silks, bengaline silks, charmeuse, chiffon taffeta, imported bro caded and crinkled wool crepes, fine serges and novelty ma terials. A wide range of colorings from which to choose Copen hagen, navy blue, tan, wistaria, black, peacock, brown, gold, green, rose and black and white checks. LAST WEEK ANNIVERSARY SALE &Xwnan C Merchandise of Merit Only French Lecture Today "La Revolts des Anges" by Anatole France From 11 to 12 A. M. Book Shop, Balcony FEDERAL TROOPS TO STAY lil ZONE Colorado Officials Satisfied With Assurances Given by , Secretary of War. AMNIONS VOICES ATTITUDE State Will Not Send Guardsmen to Coal Strike Fields, Even ir Cav alry Is Withdrawn, Until Absolutely Imperative. s DENVER, Colo., May 18. Assurances given by the Secretary of War that there is no intention of removing Fed eral troops from the strike districts In the Colorado coal fields soon, caused greneral satisfaction among strikers, mine owners and state officials today. Governor Amnions made it known that he was anxious to have the United States cavalry guard the districts until the state can take care of the situation. This has to do with procuring; funds through the $1,000,000 bond issue pro vided by the Legislature. Of the $1,000,000 bond issue provided by the Legislature. Of the $1,000,000. how ever, more than $600,000 already bas been expended. Governor Amnions' position is that, even if the Federal troops are with drawn he will not send the militia back to the coal fields until the presence of the militia there is imperative. Meantime steps toward possible me diation are being considered. The legislative committee appointed to advise with Governor Ammons in han dling the strike will meet May 22. Under the resolution providing for Its appointment the commission is em powered to conduct an investigation, to assist the Governor in restoring and maintaining order and "to consider ways and means of restoring and main taining peace and good order through out the state." Under the last provis ion, it was said, the committee would consider plans for mediation. The resolution creating the commit tee provides that it shall investigate whether the coal companies have been observing the state law relative to check weighmen, permitting workmen to trade where they please, non-discrimination in the employment of union and non-union miners, wages paid miners, amount of state coal lands under lease and terms of these leases and the. causes of the present strike. ASTOR MAY BUY ESTATE Historic Home or Richmond, Va., Founder Viewed on AVeddlng Trip. NORFOLK, Va, May 18. The steam er yacht Noma, with Vincent Astor -and his bride on board, came in the Capes today and anchored for a while in Hampton Roads. Later she started I'P James River, supposedly bound ror "Westover," historic home of William Byrd, founder of Richmond, for the purchase of which Astor is said to be negotiating. Young Astor, who is much recovered, and his bride are on a short wedding trip. RESERVE BANK STARTS SEW YORK CLEARING-HOUSE FOR. MAILY"LAIJ3rCHES CENTER. Representatives of Albany, Syracuse, Buffalo and 'rvr York' Sworn in as Incorporators. NEW YORK, May 18. The Federal Reserve Bank, of the Second Reserve Division, organized in accordance with the new Federal banking laws, was formally launcned today at the New' York Clearing-riouse, when represent atives of Albany, Syracuse, Buffalo and New York City National banks were sworn in as incorporators of the new institution. The Federal Reserve Banks of the 11 other reserve centers of the country, with the exception of San Francisco, were also accepted today. KANSAS CITY,-Mo.. May 18. Ten bankers, representing five banks, signed the papers of corporation of the Federal Reserve Bank for the Tenth District here today. The bank is to be located in Kansas City. The signers represented banks in Omaha, Denver, Lincoln, Neb.; Rawlins, Wyo, and Muskogee, Okla. SPECIAL By special permis sion of the United States Government Soldiers and Ma rines killed at Vera Cruz and memorial services at STAR THEATER TODAY and Tomorrow Every day dozens sample our coffee. Every day we make new customers. MANNING'S COFFEE STORE JONES MARKET- FOURTH & ALDER is heard by 600 of the 1300 employes of the Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Company in Portland These are the "Central" operators who form the point of con tact between you and 42,303 Pacific Telephones rneir etrorts save you many steps and many liours a day making it possible tor you to reach all your acquaintances, all your friends and ail your business associates all the time. Remember the time when there were no telephones and draw your own conclusions. Jr THE PACIFIC TELEPHONE and TELEGRAPH COMPANY Sales Dept. Main 8800