THE MORXIXG OKEGONTAX, . SATURDAY, MAY 23, 1914.
WASHINGTON FIRES
ARE WELL IN CHECK
DEFENDANT, STAB. WITNESS AND JURY IN BECKER TRIAL
PRIEDL'ANDER
.-' SALE
Some of the Prices. Note Them
Strong, Dry, East Wind Is
Most Alarming" Phase of )
Forest Blazes.
QUENCHING RAIN PROMISED
Most Timber Thus Far Burned Is
Slashings, or on Logged-Oft
Lands names Are Holding
, Close to the Ground.
SEATTLE, Wash., May 22. The day
was unfavorable for the checking of
forest fires in Western Washington to
day, for a dry east wind was blowing
and the sun shone brightly. Tonight
there seems a likelihood that the prom
ised rain will quench some of the fires.
Most of the fires are on logged-off land,
some of which contains Bmall trees.
In only one place along the Sol Due
River, in Clallam County, is the fire
in big timber, and here it is moving
slowly along the ground and not in the
tops of the trees. A treetop tire in the
- great forests of Washington travels
with the speed of the wind and causes
enormous damage.
The State Forester and the state
forest Fire "Warden are hopeful of
keeping the fires under control.
The fires In Whatcom County are on
logged-off land. .They - threaten the
homes of settlers, but the financial loss
will not be large. The report on a
treetop fire in Lewis County is au
thoritatively denied.
The only ' alarming fire in the state,
according to the State Forest Fire As
sociation, is the one in the western
part of Clallam County, near the north
west corner of the United States, A fire
five miles long is burning below the
largest timber on the Sol Due River
and the men fighting it have lost con
trol, owing to the high wind.
The fire is running along the
ground, however, and has not reached
into the tops. The crowns of the
trees are more than a hundred feet
above the ground. The ground is cov
ered with a dry peat, more than a foot
thick, through whieh the fire eats
slowly, burning down trees as it comes
to them.
The Forest Fire Association has a
force of men fighting a fire at Skyko
mish, Snohomish County, and wardens
are watching numerous other fires.
All the county fire wardens of West
ern Washington have been ordered into
the field by State Forester Ferris.
Showers and thunderstorm."! are pre
dicted for tonight or Saturday. The
fire at Rockdale, on the Milwaukee
Railroad near Summit, is- under con
trol. ; i
$00,000 LOSS ALREADY DOSE
British Columbia Fires Are Sweep
ing AVide Territory.
VANCOUVER. B. G, May 22. Esti
mates up to noon today place the loss
from forest fires in the neighborhood
of Vancouver at $200,000. Eight cot
tages and a shingle mill have been
burned, at North- Vancouver, where a
blaze Is sweeping up Grouse Mountain.
A special steamer with Government fire
fighters aboard was sent today to Slia
mon, 40 miles north of Vancouver, to
combat a blaze in great timber limits.
Fire close to Dewars gravel pit, be
tween Fort Coquttlam and the Co
quitlani Lake dam. has already de
vastated an area about five miles long
and two miles wide containing valuable
timber; has destroyed two lumber
camps, and is still burning fiercely.
The logging camp of Mr. Daynor was
completely wiped out. Bunkhouses and
all the other buildings were licked up
by the flames in a few minutes, leaving
the men of the camp and their families
homeless. The refugees lied to Port
Coqultlam and Port Moody.v An excit
ing trip was made with a train of flat
cars, drawn by an engine, from the
Dewar gravel pit to the dam through
the fire zone. On the cars were men
and women and children picked up at
points in the flame-swept district.
OHEHALIS FIRES IV SLASHING
Three Largest Blazes Cause No
Alarm to Logging Companies.
ABERDEEN. Wash., May 22. (Spe
cial.) Aided by two weeks of rainless
weather and fanned by fairly strong
breezes forest fires are today burning
in slashings on logged-off lands in
practically all parts of Chehalis
County. No green timber has yet been
touched and, with the exception of the
reported burning out of a road-build-injr
gang's camp 15 miles up the Wlsh
kah. no financial losses have been in
curred. The biggest fires today are those on
the Upper Hoquiam, Wishkah and
Neushkah rivers and one near Sagi
naw. The Saginaw fire was reported
this morning to be dying out. Mem
bers of the Coats-Fordney, Saginaw
Timber and Big Creek Timber compa
nies, in whose districts the biggest
fires are at present, say that they do
not fear damage. All camp employes
have been instructed to use the great
est precaution in starting fires and
safety spark-catching devices have
been placed on all donkey engines. The
country to the northwest is covered
with smoke.
. HIGH AVIVDS ALARM XOOKSACK
y
Two Mad Fires Xear Bellingham Are
Spreading Rapidly.
BELLINGHAM. Wash., May 22. Two
bad forest fires are burning in the vi
cinity of Nooksack. 15 miles north of
here. todayOne of the fires is Just
beyond the limits of the town and a
number or residences are menaced. The
house and barn of W. W. Vanover,
southeast of Nooksack, have been
totally destroyed. Practically every
able-bodied man in the vicinity of the
town is fighting the flames, which al
ready have covered an area of several
square miles. On account of the high
wind the fires are spreading rapidly,
and it is feared that they may get
beyond control.
A fierce fire is raging north of Lyn
don, according to a report received this
afternoon. Samuel Palmer and John
Swope, farmers, sent a call for help to
Lynden, saying their homes were burn
ing. Ranchers In the county report
that their crops are being ruined by
the fires and the hot winds.
Centralia Graduates Winners.
CENTRALIA. Wash., May 22. Spe
cial.) The largest class ever to be
graduated from the Centralia High
School will receive diplomas on the
night of May 29. The class numbers 33
members. In Earl Watson, Russell
Louden. William Miller and Charles
Cady the school loses four all-around
athletes. In addition, the entire de
bating team, composed of Vera Hoss
Carl Pitier, Jr., and Frank James, will
be graduated.
- Zl
:Axir zsg& -v"F f J --t& :
i-j , 3 f i Pi " M"? ST
f Photo Copyright by Underwood & Underwood.
UPPER, LEFT, LIEUTENANT BECKER; RIGHT, " BAUD JACK " ROSE BELOW,. JI KV OUT FOR AN AIRING.
BECKER IS GUILTY
Foreman irv Tears as He Ren
ders Verdict in Court. '
NEW WITNESSES (CREDITED
L't- Police Lleutenan for Second
Time Found Guilty of Procuring
Murder Wife and Brothers
Overcome ''by Grief.
(Continued From First Page.)
down the foreman's face as he an
nounced the decision and tears stood
In the eyes of the 11 other jurymen;
but sympathy did not warp their
judgment. They had agreed that the
corroboration the District Attorney
failed to present at the first trial to
support the stories of Rose, Vallon and
Webber, the three accomplices who
turned informers, had been furnished
by the new witnesses at the second.
Becker's counsel announced he would
appeal and gained a week's stay for
the preparation of his future cam
paign. The defendant was permitted
to have a short meeting with his wife
and brothers and then taken back to
his cell in the Tombs.
Wife Nt Id Courtroom.
Becker and his wife were talking
shortly before 5 o'clock in a room ad
Joining the Sheriff's office when a
court attendant announced the jury
had reached a verdict. Mrs. Becker
was not permitted to accompany her
husband to the courtroom. Newspaper
men, court attendants, counsel for the
defense and District Attorney Whit
man and his staff were the only other
persons allowed admission.
The defendant's two brothers, Jack
son and John Becker, the latter a de
tective lieutenant, hurried to a side
entrance, where they stood awaiting
the verdict.
When the little group in the court
room had found seats the 12 men who
alone knew Becker's fate filed silently
in with Foreman. F. Meriden Blagden
at their head.
Becker Predicts Acquittal.
Becker in the room overhead was
still talking to his wife when Supreme
Court Justice Seabury took his scat.
A bailiff was sent for the defendant.
Becker kissed his wife as he left her.
"It's all right," he told her. "Don't
worry. They'll free me."
Becker walked briskly to the rail
facing Justice Seabury and gripped it
with both hands. His face was color
less. He glanced hopefully at the jury,
but did not catch the eye of a single
man. Clerk Penny asked the Jury to
rise. m ' i
"Foreman," " he said, "have you
reached a verdict?"
Blagden, a ong man, brushed his
eyes with a handkerchief,' already
damp, "We have," he said softly. "We
find tie defendant " , a
Verdict Given in Wn taper. .
He hesitated a moment and continued
in a whisper: "We find this defendant
guilty as charged in the indictment;
guilty of murder in the first degree."
Becker's face was gray as he gripped
the bar in front of him. The big mus
cles in his neck jumped out in heavy
rolls. The veins at his temples swelled.
His great frame swayed and dropped;
then with quick control he became
himself again. ,
Becker stood motionless as each juror
was asked if "guilty", was his verdict,
too. Immediately after this the clerk
began to take Becker's "pedigree. To
the first questions Becker answered
in a steady voice that he was 43 years
old, was born In the United States
and that his parents bad both been
born in Germany.
"Married?" queried the clerk.
Almost in a whisper he replied, "Yes."
As to his occupation. Becker said he
was a "former police officer in the City
or New York." He said he was a Cath
olic and of temperate habits.
Mrs. Beeker Last to Know.
Justice Seabury thanked each man
of the Jury for his services and they
left the room.
When Jackson Becker, standing at
the door t& the courtroom, heard the
verdict, be sank Into a court attend
ant's chair and buried his faceJn his
hands. Mrs. Becker's brother. John
Lynch, and John Becker, both of them
showing their , grief, hurried to the
room where Becker's wife was waiting.
Everybody in the building and even a
crowd Jn the street outside knew that'
Becker had been found guilty. , Mrs.
Becker, sitting behind closed doors, did
not know until John Becker entered
the room. His face showed what had
happened. His shoulders were bent and
shaking, his cheeks were wet.
Mrs. Becker collapsed and was still
sobbing when her husband was led into
the room. She threw her arms around
his neck and buried her face on his
shoulder.
"Oh, she cried, "Charlie, I'm so sor
ry, so sorry. Poor Charlie. I didn't
expect it."
Prisoner, Handcuffed, Led Away.
She released her husband from her
embrace and dropped into a chair.
Becker stood looking down atxher' as
she wept. .
Handcuffs were then locked about
his wrists, he was taken to the other
side of the building, across the Bridge
of Sighs and into the Tombs. On his
way around the corridor friends ex
pressed their sorrow.
"I am very, very sorry for myself,"
he decla-ed grimly. "I have nothing
more to say."
SAMOANS IN HIGH GLEE
PAGO PAGO CELEBRATES ANNIVER
SARY OF AMERICAN RULE,
Natives Have Cltarse of Programme
and Country Supplies Food to Vis
itors In Enormous Quantities.
PAGO PAGO. Samoa, May 8. (Via
San FTancisco, May 22.) The 14th an
niversary of the hoisting of the Stars
and Stripes in American Samoa was
celebrated lrf Tutulla, April 17. in dis
tinctively native fashion by the larg
est gathering of Samoans that has been
seen here since annexation. The usual
formalities of such an occasion were
dispensed with and the natives took
charge of the programme, much to
their delight.
Uncle Sam was impersonated by a
tall, dignified Samoan, who led a na
tive girl by the hand to the stand oc
cupied by Commander Clark D. Stearns,
Governor of American Samoa. The girl
was Introduced to the Governor as Miss
Tutuila, and the chief executive re
plied. "She is now 14 years old and has
grown well."
That was the end of the formalities
and the crowd gave itself over to the
enjoyment of native games, war dances
and sham fights.
The public buildings and some of the
churches Were requisitioned to provide
sleeping- accommodations for the visit
ors to Pago Pago, htit an enormous lot
of food was sent in by the residents of
the surrounding country. Besides
fish, hogs and cattle, great piles of
taro, cocoanuts and bananas were
shipped in, so that the visitors -were
well supplied with free viands for sev
eral days.
POOL HOLDS PEARLS
Search Discloses New. Fad of
Honolulu's Smart Set. .
DIVERS SEARCH IN VAIN
GOVERNOR RAPS 'LIBEL'
MULTNOMAH INDICTMENT CALLED
"DAMNABLE" BY EXECUTIVE.
"Mr. Krti'hnm and Mr. Hcnner Confer
. Often and Are Using; Grand Jury;
I'll Pardon If Convicted," He Said.
SALEM, Or., May 22. (Special.)
Governor West, in a written statement
today, declared that the Indictment of
Thomas Scott Brooke. E. Henry
Wemme, T. A. Linthlcum, H. W. Pierong,
J. C. Beck, E. T. Ames and J. A. John
son for .-criminal libel, in connection
with the street railway franchise. In
Portland, was "damnable," and that,
should they be convicted, he would par
don them. His statement follows:
"After learning something of the
activities of the foreman of the Mult
nomah grand jury, and being reliably
informed as to his being continually
in close touch with George Heusner
and apparently playing his game, I
look upon, the indictments returned by
the Multnomah grand jury as. most
.damnable. No one will ever think for
a minute that these men will be con
vlcted. and, should the unexpected
happen and they-be convicted, I would
feel It my duty immediately to grant
them a pardon.
"Mr. Heusner is not only using the
Multnomah grand jury to punish those
who prevented his grabbing a franchise
in Portland as he hasjust grabbed one
in Vancouver, wash., but Is also using
it to secure the approach to the inter
state bridge at a point which will be
to his interest, rather than to that of
the general public
"If Mr. Heusner and Mr. ICetchum, of
the grand Jury, think they can pull off
sucn a raw deal they will find them
selves badly mistaken. I had intended
to look further into the bridge ap
proach matter, but In view of recent
events, I have decided to stand pat
upon the Union-avenue approach."
Former Portland Woman. Dies.
LEWISTON, Idaho. May 22. XSpe
ciaL) Elizabeth Hacker, wife of Frank
Hacker, died -here yesterday at the
familyhome, her age being 71 years.
Mrs. Hacker, with her husband and
daughter, Katie, came to Lewiston 18
years ago from Portland, and the fam
ily has since resided here. The hus
band and daughter survive her.
Society Woman Wlio Emulates Sep
tember Slorn Loses Precious Xeck
lace at Bottom of Bathing
Place 9 0 Feet Deep.
HONOLULU, May 22. (SpecialO
Tha sudden call for the most expert
divers in this part of the country to
descend to the bottom of a 90-foot deep
pool to search lor a string of pearls
that represent a modest fortune has re
vealed a new fad among Honolulu's
smart set. V
This pool of fresh water is In the gar
den of one of Honolulu's social lead
ers. Heavy algaroba trees and tall
ferns surround it, concealing it from
the outside world.
The coming of "September Morn"
wrought a change in the costumes of
swimmers in tfcis pool, and incidentally,
in their number and In the hours fa
vored for bathing. They came no long
er in parties, buj singly, often at dawn.
In an earlv mornine- hnni- im
Rodiek. wife of George Rodiek, vice
president of H. Haekfield & Co., and
the local German Consul, stood dis
robed on the brlmlof the pool, her pearl
necklace, like drops of dew, reflecting
the light of dawn. She laughed and
dove Into the pool, wearing only the
necklace. Coming to the surface the
fair bather discovered that the costly
pearls were gone. 4
Now divers are diving for them, but
so far their diving has been in vain.
Mrs. Rodiek has wept and made vows,
but the pearls are still 90 feet from
the surface.
MELLEN SHIELDED MORGAN
(Continued From Flrat Page.)
me and said he thought the change In
the presidency was desirable I called
his attention to -the fact that I had
been suffering under the humiliation
of an undeserved Indictment to protect
his father. He seemed quite affected;
he turned to the window to compose
his feelings and returned to the con
versation with the remark that his
father's condition of nealth at that
time was such that it would undoubt
edly have killed him if he had been
indicted. That was he oondition I
understood he- was in when I took the
responsibility upon myself and took
the Indictment that belonged to him."
The letter which Mr. Mellen said he
wrote to the District -Attorney at New
York "for the purpose of shielding Mr.
Morgan" was not introduced in evi
dence and Mr. Folk said afterward it
was not in his possession.
Company "Held Up" on Stocks.
The closing scenes of the day con
cluded the four days of gruelling in
terrogation whlclv Mr. M 'len had un
dergone. Before the Morgan climax
was reached Mr. Folk had developed the
An American
Company's Financial
Service to the "World
Among, those who
finance international com
mercial transactions the
American Express Com
pany stands pre-eminent.
- We issue the original
Travelers Cheques.
Purchase and sell For
eign Exchange.
Issue domestic and for
eign Money Orders.
Collect Accounts, Bills,"
Notes and Drafts.
Issue Negotiable Bill
of Lading to all parts
of the world.
.Issue Circular and Com
mercial Letters of Credit.
Transfer money by wire
and cable.
Sell Tickets over all
European railroads.
AMERICAN EXPRESS CO.
VARIOUS
Now 7Sc
For Sterling Silver Souvenir Teaspoons,
formerly priced up to $1.50.
Now $1.00
For special heavy Sterling Silver Mounted
Salve Jars, regular prices from $2 to $2.50.'
Now $2.75 '
For Sterling Silver After-Dinner Cups and
Saucers, regular price $4 each.
Now $4.50 '
For sliced lemon, orange or pickle Dish, of
sterling silver, with Lenox china lining, for--merly
priced at $6.50.
Now $7.00
For soldered link, warranted lesh Bags,
the very latest style, six-inch size, formerly
priced at $10.50.
Now $7J50
For extra fine Mesh Bags, five-inch size,
formerly priced at $11.50.
Now $8.00
For large-size Bon Bon Dish of sterling
silver, perforated edge, former price $12.
Now $12.00
For warranted, gold-filled Mesh Bagsj five-
inch size, formerly priced at $18.
Now $12.00
For extra heavy and hand-engraved Ster
ling Silver Vanity Case, complete, originally
priced at $16.50.
Now $12.00 Dozen
For Sherbet Glasses in sterling silver de
posit, comport shape. Eeg. price $16 doz.
Now $12.50
For beautiful striped and gold-filled Vanity
Cases, formerly priced at $18.50.
Now $13.00
For warranted, gold-filled, six-inch Mesh
Bags, formerly priced at $20.
Now $13.50 - '
For large-size Sandwich Tray, heavy
weight, with filagree edge and plain center,
originally $18.50. 1
Now $50.00 Dozen
For Bouillon Cups, heavy-weight perforated
silver stands with Lenox China linings, gold
bordered, formerly priced at $67.50 dozen.
DIAMONDS
Now $25.00
For ft pair of perfect Blue Diamond Ear
rings, 30-100 carat, former price $35 pair.
Now $158.00
For a pair of Steel Blue Diamond Ear
rings, platinum mounted, 14 carats each,
formerly $200 pair. '
Now $174.00
For a Blue Diamond, 82-100 carats, mount
ed inflate style, pierced platinum crown,
black enameled Gentleman's Ring, formerly
priced at $250.
A Bargain at $550.00
One Blue "White Perfect Diamond, in weight
2i3, 1-16, 1-32 carats.
CLOCKS
Now $5.00 "
For Clock with mahogany case, 10 inches
high, fitted with high-grade movement, hour
and half-hour strike, porcelain dial." A fine
and reliable timepiece. Formerly $7.50.
Now $22.50
For Clock with Circassian walnut case,
beautifully finisheci. Large dial and extra
fine movement. Former price $32.50.
Now $28.00
For Clock with inlaid mahogany case and
cathedral chime which strikes every quarter
hour. Best construction. Reg. price $40.
Now $150.00 to $250.00
For fine Hall Clocks of mahogany, all
with chimes, former prices ranging from
$250 to $350.
Now $375.00
For a mahogany Hall Clock, one of the
finest ever exhibited in Portland, with in
terchangeable 'Westtninster and Whitting
ton chimes, eight tubular chimes, formerly
priced at $525.
Expert Opticians. Examination Free
FRIEDLANDER'S
310 Washington Street, Between Fifth and Sixth
part taken by the various directors of
the New Haven in the vast financial
operations of the system. Mr J Mellen
gave an intimate personal view of
several of the members of the New
Haven board, further emphasizing: the
dominant power of Mr. Morgan, par
ticularly and of Mr. Rockefeller, Mr.
Baker and Mr. Led yard.
Mr. Mellen also testified as to "hold
ups" in stocks to .which he ucd been
subjected as president of the New Ha
ven and said it was due to intimations
that came to him that if legislation
were wanted it would be a good idea
to trade in stocks.
Mr. Mellen was questioned about ef
forts to create public sentiment in
favor of the bills it required to be
passed by the Legislature. One of
these was in connection with the con
trol of the Vorcester street railway.
Folk Rusty In Bible Lore.
"Did the prayers from the hills of
the Hllltown Association have anything;
to do with the enactment of that legis
lation?" asked Mr. Folk.
"Yes, I think so; all prayers of that
kind toward the right are efficacious."
"It made no difference to jou what
party was in power?"
"Well, we always tried to get under
the best umbrella," responded Mr. Mel
len. Mr. Folk referred to one prayer in
particular.
"Now that opening- sentence," said
he. "I will lift up mineveye8 to the
hills." sounds very much like you."
"Oh, Governor," exclaimed Mr. Mel
len, "have you not read the Bible?
That sentence is from the scriptures."
."So' the prayer from the hills, sup
posed to come xrom the people, in real
ity came from the New Haven? What
would have been the effect If this had
been known?"
"It would have given us a reputation
for literary talent that we did not de
serve." At the conclusion of the hearing to
day Mr. Mellen seemed as fresh and
vigorous as he was when he took the
stand last Tuesday.
The extent to which Mr. Mellen's
testimony may render him i immune
from prosecution is still an open ques
tion. Officials of the Department of
Justice have expressed the view that
the testimony would raise the question
of immunity, but the Interstate Com
merce Commission has proceeded on
the ground that the .testimony was
called for by a resolution -of the United
States Senate without reference to what
its effect l-ight be.
l-'rlars' Grand Jury Called.
OREGON CITY, Or.. .May 22. (Spe
cial.) County Attorney Gilbert Hedges
announced this evening that the Clack
amas County grand jury will meet May
26 to consider the charges made by
Governor West against the Friars'
Club at Milwaukie. Mr. Hedges, says
he has collected considerable evidence,
although he did not say whether he
Setting Paris Wild
BalloOIl 1le PectacuIar novelty that is tak-
T. irig Paris by storm, will be repro-
lllgnt ; duced in the Arcadian Garden to-
. ' night during after-theater supper.
Gala
Night
Tonight
This is the first appearance of this
novel and bizarre event in Portland.
Everyone gets a comic balloon and
participates in this Parisian craie.
It will also mark the introduction
of" the celebrated John Lynch, Irish
tenor, who will render his famous
Isle of Erin" melodies. Also Mrs.
Elfrieda H. Weinstein and Heller's
Augmented Orchestra.
Table d'hote dinner, 6 until 8 -After-the-theater
supper 10 until 12
Hotel Multnomah
L. P. REYNOLDS, Asst. Mgr.
had been in touch with Special State
Detective Tom Kay.
LOW
RATES
EAST
Via
ROCK ISLAND LINES
June 1
, to
September 30
Return Limit
October 31, 1914.
The Route of the
.De Luxe
Rocky Mountain
Limited
By purchasing your ticket at
our office you have choice of
any line out of Portland.
Special attention to women
and children traveling alone.
Tickets. Reservations, Infor
mation. Etc.
M. J. GEARY,
Gemeral Ajcrnt, Pan. Dept.
Third Street, Portland, Or.
I'konn, Main 3S4. A 2660
The Manufacturer Can Pre
sent His Product in
the Home Circle ,
If 'a manufacturer could take, his
product directly Into the homes 'and
there personally describe Its merit,
he could sell ' many goods. Such a
course is impossible, but the manu
facturer is learning- that the home
newspaper offers a direct route
from seller to buyer. A large pro
portion of the goods bougrht are de
cided upon by reason of the cus
tomers'confidence in the salesman.
The advertiser in the home news
paper gets the benefit of the confi
dence which that newspaper has
established in the home circle. His
product is introduced into that home
by an old confidential friend.
PARKER'S
HAIR BALSAM
CTinut and bcsa-uilot hm halt
Promote & laxuri&nt rmwfS
gevcr Fall to Betor Onayj
ProTrnta hair fall inc.