TUESDAY, JTJXE 23. 1911.
PORTLAND, OREGON
Entered at Portland. Oregon, Fostofflce
Subscription Kate Invariably in Advance
(BY MAIL.)
Pally, Sunday Included, one year
Dally, Sunday Included, six months . .
Ially, Sunday Included, three montna
Sally, Sunday Included, one month . .
Dally, without Sunday, one year
Daily, without Sunday, six montna ...
Daily, without Sunday, three montna
Daily, without Sunday, one month . . .
"Weekly, one year
unday, one year . . . .
Sunday and Weekly, one year
(BY CARRIER)
Dally, Sunday Included, one year ....
ts.oo
4-M
2.-6
.78
6.00
.60
1.50
a.so
8.60
der, express order or pereonal check on your
jocai Dana, oiampo, win ' ' , ,
venders rlalc Give posionice
i full.
IflClUaing COUUly uu aiai-a.
18
to 11 pages, 2 centa; 84 to 48 pages, 8 cents;
centa; 78 to 92 pages, S cents. Foreign post
age, aouoxe r.tw.
Eastern Business Offices Verree Conk'
Chl-
an, ew zora, Dniu... ......
cago, Steger building.
Ban Francisco Office R. J. Bldwell
T4I Market street.
COv,
PORTLAND, TUESDAY, JX'MK IS, Ml.
! ETTOXiERANT AND IN CONSISTENT.
' In the opinion of President Wilson
and Secretary Bryan it Is most repre
hensible for a manufacturer or
wholesale merchant to "manufac
ture" public opinion by sending i
form letter to his customers, suggest
ing that. If they agree with his senti
ments, they sign and Bend It to their
Senators or Representatives. But It Is
a highly virtuous and patriotic pro
ceeding for Mr. Bryan to urge the
readers of his personal organ to write
or wire to their Senators or .Rep
resentatives recommending certain
measures. That Is the theory on
iwhlch Mr. "Wilson acts, but we fall to
see the distinction between the two
cases.
The form letter sent by the Sim
mons Hardware Company, of St.
Louis, to its customers contains a
franlr discussion of the causes of
business depression and of the means
which in its opinion will bring about
revival. It closes with the following
paragraph:
We submit these arguments or reasons to
you, asking you and praying you to use your
vest inriuence in - iohowijik iuo
. in hla iiiwnmunlclltlaB! vis., to Cave
rnnmM .hut ii Ti shoo and go home. If
you agree with us, send to your Congress
man and Senators a telegram something
iw .h Mininrad and urfre your commercial
club to pass strong resolutions along similar
lines and send tnem 10 waeninsiuu,
Our representatives there are worn out phy
sically and mentally, and will weloome your
auggesUon that further consideration of leg
islation affecting business be postponed un
til December.
Below the signature Is the follow
ing form telegram:
Strongly urge postponing further legisla
tion affecting business. Situation In busi
ness so unsatisfactory that further legis
lation would nroduce disturbing effects.
Think it advisable to wait until next session
after result of this years crops is mown.
Mr. Bryan's Commoner contains an
article commending the President for
"giving publicity to the 'manufac
tured' business depression scheme'
and then saying:
If yon believe in tho Democratic platform
adopted at Baltimore; If you believe the
people are entitled to an "even break" with
monopoly before the law; if you believe In
the anti-trust bills now before the Senate;
If you believe in the honesty of purpose of
"Woodrow Wilson; If you believe that It will
oe better for business and all concerned to
settle the trust question NOW rather than
keep the matter in doubt until next Fall or
"Winter, wire or write your Senators and
Congressmen at once and give them your
opinion as to whsther they should stand by
tbe President or stand with those who are
opposing the President. Now Is tbe time to
secure the reform legislation the Democrats
have been promising for twenty years. Your
Senators and Congressmen are entitled to
liear from you on these Important matters.
DON'T DBLAT, BUT WIRB OR WRITE
THEM AT ONCE.
It may be said that there is a dif
ference between a newspaper appeal
and a request to write a form letter,
but there Is no real difference, pro
vided the Congressman iwho receives
the letters or telegrams knows their
nature. There can be no mistake as
to whether a letter Is a form, letter,
especially when many send it to the
same man. It bears on Its face evi
dence of a common origin and of con
certed action and will be discounted
accordingly. So long as such letters
are procured by fair means, without
corruption or undue pressure, amount
ing to coercion, they are as legitimate
means of influencing publio opinion
as is Mr. Bryan's call upon his read
ers to wire or write their Congress
men, or as would be resolutions passed
by labor unions against injunctions
or by chambers of commerce on any
other subject of legislation.
The attitude assumed by Mr. "Wil
son and Mr. Bryan on this subject
eavors of political Intolerance. Un
der the pretense of shielding Con
gress from being unduly influenced,
they would In effect restrict the right
of free discussion and free petition,
which belongs to all, big interests as
well as little Interests. They assume
that they alone know and are striving
for the publio good and that all who
criticise their measures are knowingly
opposed to the public good. By this
appeal to those who "believe in the
honesty of purpose of "Woodrow "Wil
son" Mr. Bryan implies that the
President's critics question his honesty
of purpose. We concede to Mr. "Wil
son the best Intentions of the world,
but the point under discussion is not
the excellence of Mr. Wilson's mo
tives, but the wisdom of his means
of carrying them out That is a legit
imate subject for difference of opin
ion with even so wise and well-meaning
a man as Mr. Wilson.
The Oregonlan feels the more free
to disagree with the President on this
alleged manufacture of publio opin
ion because it agrees with Mr. Bryan
that "it will be better for business
and all concerned to settle the trust
question now rather than keep the
matter In doubt until next Fall or
Winter." We criticise the President
for trifling away time on canal tolls
and Mexico which would better have
been spent on the anti-trust and con
servation bills and for thereby giving
the big Interests an opening for their
agitation. He Is open to censure for
having condemned their expression of
opinion and their efforts to induce
others to express the same opinion.
Those who Indorse his policy are Just
as free to express their opinion, and
Congress is reasonably sure to do as
the majority wishes. If the Presi
dent's measures are wise and timely,
public opinion will approve them and
their critics will be silenced. If they
are unwise or untimely, publio opin
ion will so declare Itself.
This Is the season when campers
commence migrating to the wooded
places along the trout streams and In
mountain fastnesses. It Is also the
season when forest fires begin to de
velop. The connection between the
two is obvious. An abandoned camp
fire, a gust of wind, a pile of dry
branches, and the loss may run into
the millions. Due to the organised
efforts of paid watchers and the edu-
cation of vacationists such forest fires
are becoming fewer and fewer, but
the danger is present so long as the
foolhardy tenderfoot Is wont to return
to nature for a few weeks In Summer.
CYRUS ABDA DOLFE
If the question were to be asked
of the late Cyrus A. Dolph's, friends
and associates as to what they re
garded as his dominant personal trait.
they would doubtless agree that
was his trustworthiness, his complete
fidelity. He was the repository of
many confidences and the trustee of
large Interests. He was believed in
absolutely by his friends and his ell
ents, and he deserved to be. He was
most scrupulous about his duties as
a lawyer and his responsibilities as a
counselor. The rule of his life was to
do the best he could honorably for
those whose Interests he was called
on to serve. He never failed them.
Mr. Dolph was a sound lawyer, a
capable financier, and an excellent
citizen. He was long prominent in
affairs. He belonged to a prominent
group of lawyers, whose names are
familiar In the history of Oregon for
the past fifty years. Another, Richard
Williams, died last week. His part'
ner. Rufus Mallory, passed on a few
weeks ago. The legal .firm with which
he was long connected is remarkable
for the men who have composed it.
J. N. Dolph. C. B. Bellinger, R. S.
Strahan, E. C. Bronaugh, Rufus Mal
lory and C. A. Dolph, all have been
partners In this great law firm and
all have passed on. Joseph Simon
and John M. Gearln, both important
citizens, survive and are happily in
the prime of life.
Mr. Dolph s life was one of servics.
and of great usefulness, and therefore
of happiness. He had the relicity 01
enjoying the constant love of a de
voted family and the -regard or very
many friends, some of them life-long.
WHO WTUi PAT? -
Let us consider briefly the serious
situation that confronts the taxpayer
of Oregon:
A $1500 exemption on personal
property and Improvements Is pro
posed, through the Initiative, and is
likely to be adopted.
The forest reserves of Oregon now
contain 15,680,000 acres of land. ax
empt from taxation.
AH unused water powers are now
exempt.
The National domain of about
17,000,000 acres Is also free from
taxation, and under the conservation
policies and administrative methods
of the Government, cannot be de
pended on as a taxable asset within a
generation.
The Initiative measure to restore
certain submerged lands to the state
will withdraw from taxation property
worth many millions.
The litigation over the Oregon and
California land grant has caused -a
direct reduction in tax revenues of
about $460,000 annually. If the Gov
eminent wins, the lands (2,800,000
acres) will go into the forest reserve
exempt from taxation.
The adoption of prohibition will
mean a reduction In license revenues
of $600,000 or $700,000 annually in
Oregon and will make valueless for
tax purposes breweries and other such
establishments, and probably reduce
the value of hop fields.
The people understand the prohlbl
tion question and all It involves. If
they adopt prohibition It will be with
a deliberate idea that the material
sacrifice Is worth the moral gain. But
they do not clearly see the end If they
shall adopt the 11600 exemption
measure. Its certain result will be
to add heavy tax burdens to the large
taxpayer, the small taxpayer, and the
renter, and relieve somewhat the tax
payer of moderate means, who Is well
able to pay.
The $1800 exemption proposal Is
the most menacing and mischievous
measure on the ballot. The public
should be aroused to Its importance
Who will pay taxes In Oregon if
the race to find ways and means to
evade taxation Is to continue at the
present rapid pace?
COLOMBIA HAS SXT7SH FtnVD.
The longer the Colombia treaty is
xDOsed to the atmosphere, the worse
It smells. Discussion is no longer
confined to the astounding terms of
the treaty Itself, but Is extended to
the means by which it was arranged
md bv which its ratification Is sought.
The Chicago Tribune's. Washington
correspondent says Colombia is pre
pared to spend 110,000,000 in this
country contingent on obtaining the
$25,000,000 which, the treaty stipu
late, shall he paid to her, and that
Hannis Taylor 19 to receive a contin
ent f of SI. 000. 000 upon ratifica
tion nf the treaty. The correspondent
says the Colombian campaign consists
of anonymous circularizing oi news
papers and Washington correspond
ents to mold publio opinion; employ-
on of American authorities . on in
ternational law to assist in negotiat
ing the treaty and to present argu
ments in its favor; and employment
of lobbyists to induce senators to vote
for ratification.
Mr. Taylor Is repute to be a warm
friend of Mr. Bryan. So is Charles
Douglas, who represented Nicaragua
in negotiating the treaty unatr m
that republio Is to be paid $3,000,000.
n Is Charles A. Towne, wno repre
sents the Clentificos in the Mexican
mediation. Anybody Who wisnes to
put anything through the State De
partment seems to employ a personal
friend of the Secretary.
Thft reception given Mr. Bryan
.-hn he appeared before the Senate
committee on foreign relations to ex-
nim the treaty implies that it nas a
stormy time ahead of It. He was
hamlv Questioned aDOUt me apuiusj
and tried to "pass the buck" by say
ing it was "a heritage from tne last
Administration." Many memDers or
the committee thought the indemnity
inn Vileh. ".resuming one to De oue,
and the privileges granted Colombia
too great, exceeding tnose enjoyeo. Dy
the United States.
Amonr the Democrats, oenaiora
O' Gorman and Clarke at least are be
lieved to oppose the treaty, and Sen
ator Hitchcock Is said to be its only
enthusiastic advocate, but even ne
wishes to know what is to be done
with the money and how much of It
is to be applied to attorney fees. Tne
Renublicans and Democrats are boil
ing with indignation against It
That the treaty win De raunea is
inconceivable. .Were the Republicans
and Progressives alone to vote against
it, they could kill it, for a two-thirds
malority Is required. But there are
surely as many Democrats who put
their country's honor above party on
this question as on the canal tolls
bilL Though the Senate rules requin
discussion in executive session, a de
mand is to be made for open debate.
Whether it is granted or not, the peo-
nle will surely be heard from In no
uncertain tone and may stiffen the
spines of some Democrats so mucn
that they will uphold their countrya
honor against partisanship run man
That is the animus behind the ac-
tion of the Administration In foreign
affairs particularly. Its aim at every
point is to cast aspersions on its Re
publican predecessor. President Roose
velt recognized Panama as a repuDiic
and acquired the canal concession
from It; therefore President Wilson
apologizes to Colombia, offers her
$25,000,000 and gives ' her greater
rights In the canal than the united
States enjoys. ' President Taft signed
the canal bill with coastwise exemp
tion, therefore coastwise exemption is
renealedL President McKlnley ac
quired the Philippines and President
Taft, as Governor, organized their
government; therefore the noble
Americans who have devoted their
lives to the advancement of the isi-
ands are turned out to make room
for Filipino incompetents, exploiters
and slaveholders.
The aim of the entire dlplomatio
policy of this Administration appears
to be to muckrake Its immediate pre
decessors, -to hold up to the obloquy
of the world the American stafeBmen
of the last sixteen years, and, in pre
tended defense of our National honor,
to besmirch our National honor.
mOCBLE FOB JOHN BUUU
While British Tories fiercely resist
any effort to relax the bonds which
bind the Irish to them as fellow
citizens under one Parliament, Can
ada refuses to recognize Hindus as
fellow-citizens, thus straining at the
much looser bonds which hold ner to
the mother country. Tet all English,
Irish. Canadians. Hindus are citizens
of one empire, subjects of the same
King.
The determined attempts of the Hln
dus to invade Canada, and Canada's
resistance, show the existence of a
conflict of Interest between the mother
rftnntrv nnrl her colonies and Of a
community of Interest between those
colonies and the Western states of the
Union. England holds her protecting
shield over all her subjects jungusn-
man. Canadian. Hindu, Malay, Kaffir
and assures them certain eiemen
tftrv riehts. She must do so paxtlcu
larly for the Hindus, for India is
seething with discontent and any
winking at discrimination against
them in other parts of the empire
would aggravate her troubles In In
dia. But Canada, like Australia, Is re
solved to be a white man's country
and puts Hindus in. the same category
with Chinese.
John Bull must have misgivings at
the Hindu migration, for the emi
grants are naturally the most lnde-
Dendent and pushing or tneir rac
tho, kind who would send funds to
promote sedition at home, as the Chi
nese Americans aided tne recent revo
lution.
GETTING INTO WEST POINT.
West Point has changed its system
of determining the capacity of appli
cants for admission. The rigid exam
inations of the past are to be moder
ated. The young man who has a di
ploma from a preparatory school of
fixed standard will be ellgiDie to get
into the select ranks of the military
training school without further ques
tinniner. Drovided he measures up to
the prescribed physical standard.
It is pointed out by supporters oi
this new order that an antiquated sys
tem is thus done away with and that
a change in the direction of modern
educational methods is made. The
time and expense of calling an appli
cant from some distant point only to
find that he is not qualified will be
done away with. If he -has his di
ploma he knows In advance whether
he will be admitted.
But there is another phase of the
matter that must not be overlooked.
Such a system will tend to discount
the idea of competitive examinations
that have been used to determine who
shall have the privilege of entering
the academy. West Point is not open
to everyone. Only a select few get
In since the Army is ridiculously
small and the task of supplying a suf
ficient number of Officers not au-
ficult. With rigorous examinations
no longer necessary the young man
with paternal pull will have easy sail
ing if he happens to have a diploma
of the required quality. After papa
hug induced some congressional
friend to make the appointment there
will be no obstacle. The diploma will
protect the lad from being turned
down, later. ' And while diplomas
usually mean Just' what they say
n,m,r men who possess them do not
always hold the merit that the di
ploma implies.
Undoubtedly a change in the meth
od of selecting and examining appli-
ssitn for West Point was neeaeo, out
it should have been in the direction
of making merit alone the sole test.
Some Congressmen, including Mr.
Wnitvlnv. of the Oregon delegation, In
sist upon the competitive plan and
practice it in making tneir appoint
ments. It should be made impera
tive the country over. The quality of
our a.dets would be advanced some
what and no young man of military
ambition and the necessary mental
traits would find the door closed
quarely in his face.
IMAGINARY ILM. '
A very eraDhic exhibition of what
the imagination can do is provided
by a snake charmer at Medford, who
is reported in a sefious condition as
the result of having been bitten by a
gila monster. Certain that death must
follow the encounter, he is reported
to suffer all the agonies of approach
ing demise. His doctors admit the
seriousness of his condition, but they
do not attribute It to the llzara Due,
but rather to the victim's mental state
following his fixed belief in the serious
consequences of his tiny wound.
Here is an index to a gooaiy .major
ity of the ills to which human kind
heir. . Ignorant fear is tne greatest
dispenser of disease In the world. If
the Medford snake charmer were not
a victim of the superstition that the
gila monster dispenses certain deatn,
he might suffer no great inconveni
ence. The venom given off by this
lizard is by no means fatal. Some
scientific observers even declare that
the creature's bite is no more to be
feared than the peck of a hen. But
these mere. facts make no difference
when presented to an Imaginative in
dividual who is obsessed with a fixed
idea. Being quite certain in his own
mind that he must die, he throws
himself into a receptive 'mood, turns
his imagination loose, and gives him
self over to soul-rackins; terrors that
are far more serious than reptilian
venom.
A case In point is that of a would
be suicide who called at a drugstore
for a powerful poison. The clerk, be
coming suspicious, gave him a bitter
but harmless concoction. The victim
made all preparation for a premature
exit from the world, gulped the pot
son and Immediately fell In fearful
agony. He knew what the effects of
the poison should be and his imagina
tion provided them readily. Of course
he didn't die, but even that end might
have been encompassed had his imag
ination been sufficiently powerful.
The world la filled with sufferers
from these imaginary disorders, vic
tims of illusions and fixed ideas.
From such a source spring the world's
hypochondriacs. Mild bodily symp
toms that suggest to tfcem some seri
ous disorder immediately throw them
into the fear that their state is seri
ous or hopeless. A pain in the side
suggests appendicitis; a headache por
tends brain tumor. -They suspect
themselves of everything from Insan
ity to leprosy. Not only that, but they
fortify their beliefs with a logic wnicn
the physician finds It difficult, occa
sionally impossible, to dispel. When
their beliefs are conclusively snat
tered they fall Into the suspicion that
an effort is being made to deceive
them to hold back the worst.
These Imaginary Invalids flu hosp
tals and waiting-rooms of doctors.
Thev' are even found In Insane asy
lums, and, without- doubt, in tne
graveyards.
Commenting on Senator Borah's
statement. In discussing the canal
tolls bill, that "the hiving millions
upon the Atlantic seaboard will be
reaching- for the trade of the west
coast of South America," and we snau
all be In a death-like grip with Great
Britain In struggling for it, the New
York World says:
p. wt cn&et of fionth America Is a
narrow strfp of land, mostly without rain,
and shut from development by the Andes
ir fin.tor TCar&h mlsht SS well
expect our "hiving millions" to llvs off the
trade with the North Pole.
That remark is on a par witn tnose
of the statesmen of seventy or eighty
years ago that the West was a desert
hot worth fighting for. There is un
limited wealth In the Andes Moun
tains to be poured across that narrow,
arid strip of land to the coast and to
be exchanged for the products of the
United States. We of the West have
learned so much of the productive
capacity of arid land that we no
longer despise it a our Ill-informed
neighbor does.
The contest for appointment as
Dostmaster at Lyons may be friendly,
with husband and wife seeking the
place, and . the chances of the latter
may be better, as she belongs to the
dominant party;, but division in tne
family is to be deplored. If the Solo
mon in Washington who orders these
things is wise, he will act as he should.
Medical science has the problem of
regulating the sex of newcomers in
the world about solved. In which
event old maids and spinsters may
become a scarce commodity on the
matrimonial market of the future.
Since the mediators can't bring the
delegations in harmony they are hold
ing separate sessions. Anything to
hold the pretext together. And in
the meantime, as Micawber used to
hope, something may turn up. -
What happened in Colorado will be
small matter to what will occur at
Butte If the rival factions let the dis
agreement grow. There is comiort in
knowledge that those wno aeservo n
will get what is due them.
Vivid dots and dashes are the lat
est things for veils. So hereafter it
will be difficult to tell at a distance
whether a woman is suffering from
smallpox, scarlet fever or fashion.
London crowds now amuse them
selves "baiting" the militants. Those
suffragettes are getting to De aDout
as popular in England as the I. W. W.
are over here.
President Wilson admits that he
failed as a lawyer. Wonder wnat ne
will be saying about his Presidency
in reminiscent moods a dozen years
hence.
Perhaps If we were properly repre
sented at Washington tne eoutn
might not get everything in mat
$100,000,000 pork barrel phi.
If vou find that someone has cut
the weeds on your neglected place
don't relolce too soon. The city is do
ing it and you'll get the bill.
The Senate has been asked to ap
propriate money for a thrift Congress.
But would that be a thrifty thing for
the Senate to do 7
Th moving-picture men missed the
great sensation of the age at Chicago
Sunday when the lions devoured their
feeder.
The roads have a fresh worry to
take their minds off freight rates. It
lies in the problem of moving the
tremendous crops.
The Supreme Court will wind up
its work immediately ana adjourn
until October. This Is the life.
Adjournment of Congress has been
nut off another month. Looks like
they were being teased along.
All the officers of the Astoria re
gatta would make a brilliant assembly
if attired in proper uniforma
In the list of new nobles created by
King George we look in vain for the
name of Sylvia panknurst.
It is now plain that mediation is a
mere subterfuge to keep from doing
something. '
Between Wilson's free trade and
the cattlemen, the sheepgrower is in
hard luck . '
The Congressional "pork barrel" is
as necessary as beans In a boarding
house. The United States should also me
diate between Carranza and Villa.
Ten days until the Fourth,
have to hurry."
"You'll
The newspaper
yawning.
graveyard
Is
These rare days In June will soon
be past.
Don't overlook the Cherry Fair st
Salem.
HEAVY STATE EXPENSE FORESEE
Compensation Law to Cost 150,000
Annually Vnleaa Change.
PORTLAND, Juno JJ. (To tho Edi
tor.) Tour article headed "Sentiment
Favors Compensation" has been read
by me with Interest, as I belong to the
small minority representing tho al
leged IS per cent who have had tho
temerity to take advantage or tno so-
called "elective provision ot the com
Densation law to remain out, notwlth
standing for a year past I have been
honored by various and sundry visits
from state officials and their agents
ollcitlnsr ma to recall my election, and
also have received many letters from
the Commission, first coaxing, then
threatening, and finally attempting
plain coercion to Induce ma to change
my mind.
I understand that two-thirds of the
$25,000 appropriated for tho purpose of
administering the benefits under tho
new act has been consumed Dye ins
Commission In work of the above char
acter. In tho article referred to, Mr. Bab
cock, a member of the Commission,
states that their department will bo
conducted on an absolutely business
basis, and then proceeds to reverse
himself by showing his personal preju
dice and animosity towards employers
and others who do not agree witn mm
as to the character of amendments
which tho new law may require, by
stating In a moat emphatio manner that
he will oppose any amendment which
will permit tho writing of compensa
tion benefits by competitive methods,
for tho reason that It would be a men
ace to Industrial peace, and a curse to
the workman. He knows lull won mat
Just the reverse would be true; that
his own position would bo Jeopardized
and the Commission's activities widely
curtailed; that the injured employe
would receive equal If not better treat
ment as a result of competitive meth
ods, because thoy serve to prevent ac
cidents, or safety first, and the em
nlover knows that when these results
are accomplished, the cost of compen
sation Is reduced to mm inaivia.uai.iy.
Mr. Rubcock is arjprehenslve, and
Justly so, because he knows the experi
ence of the past two years In the states
of Wieoonsln, Michigan and elsewhere,
where laws were passed providing for
competitive methods of compensation
Insurance that Instead of the mate
controlling 85 per cent of tho employ
era results demonstrate that they only
have 15 per cent or l'iss In the above
states am the mere suggestion ot
in confronted with aa official position
which would regulate only 15 per cent
nf the employers Instead of 85 per cent.
as claimed at present, is like waving
a red flag before a mob, so far as Its
effect upon the members or tne indus
trial Commission.
He incorrectly represented various
state laws, and especially tne massa
chusetta law. in claiming that 14,000,'
000 was collected by stock and mutual
Insurance companies during its first
year of operation, and only $1,877,000
received as compensation Denenis oy
employes; that the difference repre
sents expenses and profit to the various
stock and mutual companies which
handled the compensation law. Both
he and the other members of the Com
mission have taken considerable pains
apparently to make It appear that the
above disbursements included reserves.
when as a matter of faot the Secretary
of the State Commission explains tnat
It dose not. Furthermore, every per
son who has any knowledge of laws
regulating insurance In Massachusetts
and New York state is impressed with
the fact that those states require re
serves of not less than 50 per cent of
the current premiums paid to provide
for deferred payments which arise In
connection with current accidents.
Those states have, special regard and
consideration for the stability of their
insurance Institutions, having in mino
the ability of those Institutions to sur
vive and pay their Just obligation
This situation offers broad contrast
with our neighboring state of Wash
lngton, where they are beginning to
realise after tt years tnat tneir iau
ura to crovtde adequate reserves by
falling to charga sufficiently high rates
In the first plaos explains in a measure,
outside of tho Increasing tendency
toward accidents, why the present con
tributors to tho Washington fund are
DavInK a steadily advancing rate, and
away out of proportion to tho payments
required by the accidents arising dur
ing the fiscal year. At least, this is
my experience as a contributor in that
state.
Considering the number of promises
of exemption from further payment
which tho Oregon Commission has
made to contributors to the general
fund, after the first year, we can anti
cipate a somewhat similar result under
our law to tho survivors of tho state
fund aa time runs along.
The Masachusetts act, according to
Secretary Grant laid, shows 89,i non
fatal accidents and 474 fatal Injuries
for tho first year, only 400 of this num
ber (less than half of 1 per cent).
claiming their right- of action at law,
Tho average period of disability was
12.88 days; the average payment per
injury $18.70. In view of this result,
I regret that I am unable to subscribe
myself as a friend to tho Oregon Com
mission when it comes to co-operating
with them as to tho character of
amendments proposed for tho benefit
of Employers. They have given notice
now that they will not stand for any
amendnfent except such as will make
their official positions mors sacred in
the publio mind and more expensive
to tho paxpayer at large.
I already foresee a tax to tbe gen
eral nublio of at least 1150.000 per an
num if the Commission's statement Is
true that there are at least 40,000 em
ployes under the operation of the act,
and, consequently, the subject of legis
lation suggests certain Ideas of amend
ment which are hardly compatible
with those reforms which the Commis
sion may think necessary for the se
curity of their own positions and tho
gradual enlargement of such a system
at tho publics expense.
WIRE1LES9' ON USER'S BOATS,
Thirty-Koot Motor Craft a Feature- of
New Cnaarder Aqultanla.
- London Globe.
- A feature of the equipment' of the
mammoth Cunarder Aqultanla, Briton's
largest vessel, will be two motor life
boats fitted with wireless.
These boats are 80 feet long, nlno
feet broad and four feet six Inches
deep. Their primary function is to
tow away the ordinary rowing life
boats from the scene of disaster.
A cabin la fitted amidship. housing
the motor: the forward end has a
soundproof bulkhead, forming a room
for tho Marconi wireless apparatus;
and wells are placed foro and aft
Each boat is fitted with accommo
dation for medical chests, blankets
and food supplies.
By means of the wireless apparatus
the boats eould be kept In touch wltb
other vessels in tho lino of shipping.
Tho receiving range is about 800 miles,
and the transmitting range 25 milea
Tho aerial wires are carried on two
25-foot bamboo masts.
A member of the firm of John I.
Thorny croft Co. stated that the boat
has undergone successfully its official
trials, the speed obtained being nine
miles per hour.
"It will be remembered," ho added,
"that in the case of the Titanic dis
aster different boats, after leaving the
ship, became very scattered, some be
ing overloaded. With a motor boat
such as ours in suoh a crisis tho whole
complement of the shipwrecked ves
sel's lifeboats could be shepherded and
cared for Until help arrived."
'
White sfcep of Good Tlmrs,
Exchange.
Determination U tho white sheep of
good times.
VPPER RIVER BETTERMENT VITAL.
Captain -Gray Points Oat Portland's
W ater Hlcaway Oa-portaaltleo.
PASCO. Wash, Juno 21. (To tho Edi
tor.) "Straws toll which way tho wind
blow
In Tho Oregonlan Friday, I note tho
article: "Wand Takes Record Cargo.'
Have tho mossbacks of I'ortland and
Astoria that have by their selfish poll
cles and actions held their gateway
cractlcally unimportant except for
shipment of lumber and cereals finally
suocumbedr And Is tba Columbia with
all its potentialities coming Into
own? Are tho products of tho fields
and factories of tho vast smplro tribu
tary to our noblo rivers to roach the
markets of tho world through the
only deep-sea harbor from tho straits
of Juan do Fuca to tho Qoldsn Gate, or
Is tho present activity at Portland and
Astoria only an ephemereal hysteria to
secure deep water from rortiana to tno
sear
I have watched the news eolumna
carefully to note any articles of Inter
est to the development of tho upper
rivers. Have there boon any for
months?
Wo cannot expect any great enthu
slaam from tho Puget Sound dallies.
but I believe that tho Willamette val
ley and Inland Empire press should
make special effort to smphaslao tho
Importance of development ana trot-
flo on all our navigable streams and
to educate the producer and horns
builder In tho importance of our nat
ural highways.
Tho people are dormant now through
apathy and ignorance ot tho vital Im
portance of open and improved rivers
for the cheaper tranportatlon and mar
keting facilities for their products and
commodities. The old residents are
Just now tired of long waiting. The
now comers do not realise what wo
have.
I believe that right now Is the time
for Portland to assert her Intention to
become tho metropolis of tho faolflo
slope which her location and surround
ings Justify.
Tho "psychological stronuoslty baa
weakened trade relations that normally
would bo hard to break, but alight and
proper effort would secure those eon
nectiona Foreign and domestic con
nections through tho Panama Canal
can bo secured. South America and
Western Alaska trado Is nearer Port
land than Seattle. The homo trafflo of
tho Inland Empire a waits your aid on
tho Upper Columbia and Snake Rivers.
All Oregon and Southwestern washing
ton are at your door.
Wake up and prepare to receive tho
goods tho gods provlda
W. P. OR AT,
LAW IS DECLARED INEQUITABLE
Indian War Veterans Dissatisfied With
Restrictions oa Aopropriatloa.
PORTLAND, Juno X (To tho Edi
tor.) At the reunion of the Indian
War Veterans Juno if they took up
tho. matter of tho proper disposition ot
that $50,000 appropriated by the last
Legislature for tho purpose of paying
for the horses used by veterans in the
Indian wars.
It will be remembered that the Leg
Islaturo passed a bill appropriating
$50,000 for the payment for horses of
those who are "now living' that they
used and lost in tho Indian wars. There
was no provision made In tho bill for
tho payment for tho horses of any but
those "now living." Tho widows or
other heirs are not provided for.
Now if wo have used and lost two
horsaa, or possibly three, as the cane
may be, we are told that wo will not
bo paid for "horses," but only for one
horse of each Individual. Wo aro also
told that a fixed price of $100 Is placsd
on all horses.
At the reunion of veterans referred
to a committee was appointed and In
structed to take this matter up with
tho next Legislature and endeavor
first, to have tho widows who aro "now
living' given equal recognition with
tho men who aro now living, and that
if two or mora horses have been lost
payment bo made accordingly; that
horses shall be paid for upon their real
valuo when turned in.
The committee is also Instructed to
ascertain what amount of that liO.OOO,
If any, still remains unused and other
matters of Interest In connection with
the distribution of this fund.
At present all wo know of this mat
ter Is that there aro only about 100
living who have presented claims; that
they have received 1100 each, thus us
ing about $10,000 of tho appropriation:
that the majority of tho claims were
for two horses each; that many of the
horses had cost about $40 or $50, while
a very largo portion wore flno Amerl
can horses or mares, worth from $35$
to $300 each.
These claims, like any others, could
be paid on the principle or equity, not
withstanding It is over 65 years sines
wo furnished those horsos and rode
them to death In tho service of our
oountry. Nearly every one living ran
prove by living witnesses tho valuo
of his horse at tho time ho took It
into tho service.
Now wo aro going- before tho people
with this matter and wo would like
to hear from prospective legislators
as to how they stand on the subject,
and. Incidentally, ask newspaper com
ment on our work. Tho committee
proposes to make a lively campaign
to have our rlghta acknowledged. This
committee will present this matter
farther later on.
A. B. ROBERTS,
SAUL DURBIN.
CLEARING-HOUSE FOR RAILROADS.
Adaptation of Bank Plaa Is Saggeated
to Guarantee Securities.
PORTLAND, Juno 22. (To tho Edi
tor.) Tbo railroads are hold by many
to be the makers of good and bad times.
It is certain that when they do spend
great suma for supplies apd carry
heavy payrolls, It has a far-reaching
effect on business. Eastern roads have
been asking for an Increase of rates.
Tho response to tbalr demands has
been delayed for a long time. This has
no doubt been occasioned by revela
tions of huge assets unaccounted for
by tho New Haven Road, as well as
other similar affairs. The country
naturally has been suspicious of all
roads. Jim Hill has claimed that the
railroads cannot borrow at anywhere
near the favorable rates they did. ssy
0 years ago. Ha contends this Is
largely because of unfavorable public
opinion.
Let us take It as a premiss. How shall
tho railroads get salvation at the
mourners' benchT Suppose they do Juat
as modern banks aro doing with entire
success. Organise their own clearing
association for credit and have their
own examiner. A bank expelled from
Its clearing-house because It was not
doing a legitimate or a aafo business,
could not last long. A railroad which
could not meet the requirements of a
railroad clarlng-house examiner could
not sell Its stocks or bonds and should
not. If it had the o. k. stamp of ths
railroad examiner tho public ought to
be safe In investing and bo sure of
profit. A railroad examiner could not
be fooled. If tho Interstate Commerce
Commission should be granted super-
Vision of bond and stock Issues It would
not Interfere with a railroad examiner.
as the banks are In the same position.
It would seem that by following this
plan the railroads couM regulste things
themselves. Then, with a confidence In
their sound business management by
tho public they would quickly set ail
the money wnicn tney iegit'.mateiy
should have, and at the bt rates.
KOBKRT C. WRIGHT.
Lawyers sod Hooka.
Exchange.
Every lawyer baa more books than
he will over use.
Twenty-Fva Year Ago
(From Tho Oreaonlaa of Juno II. 1 )
Vancouver had a very rloee rail f mm
complete destruction by flro yesterday
morning. The total oa figures up
between $50,000 and $10,000. Th.re la
no question that tho flro was Incen
diary. It was tho third attempt to
burn the city within 14 hours Tbo
first flro was In tho salooa of William
Qulnn, en Fifth and Reserve etreela, at
1:15 Friday morning, and was soea ex
tinguished. At 11. Friday Maht
James McOlnnla, tho Onvernment
watchman, discovered tho old Cathode
fhi:rch In flamea There Is It doubt
It Vaa fired. Tho church was one of
the oldest landmarks In the territory,
having bn built In the days of tho
Hudson Ky Company. It was smol
dering ruin at I 0 A. U. Half aa
hour later flro broke out In Meyer at
Petro's bakery, on tho oast side of
Main street, near Fourth, and spread
until It destroyed ttio following rrf
orty: Meyer Pet re, $100; Mrs. Now.
ell. $2000; City Hall and Jali, $1100; C
N. Brlsss, $1000; San Leo, FA
wsrd Young state, $400; I. II. CI ark.
8100; J. n. Hmlth. $4000; M J. Purse.
$1000; William t'onwav, $ia; I It.
Demit, $-0; L Deeol, ITl. P. U Haley.
1500; Commercial National Hank: I. O.
O. F.. 1600: W W Proehstrl. $T0S; 1.
C. Tomllnson. $4P: II. Cox, $00; J K.
Francis, $J0O0; Frank Norton, $00;
William ritovena. $4000; purt Hms,
liOO; F. Fleblgor, $100: N. Dupuia,
$1000: Kdward Paker, $1000; Mra Turn
bull, $:.000; J. Jackson. $S0; C. W. "lo
cum $J0: City of Vancouver, $100:
L F. Franklin, $o08; Russell,
Mra Smith, $350.
Chicago, Juno 51. Ppokano, owned
by Noah Armstrong, of Spokane, won
tho American Derby today.
Taooma, Juno II "eerotary of Iho
Treasury O. C. White has reclvrt tho
last returns from the constitutional
convention election. The Republicans
have 44 members, the Democrats $1.
Labor 8. Independent 1.
An entertainment was given last
evening at Turn Hallo under the dlroo
tlon of Miss Ray Mantlet.
Forest Orove. Juno 25. Wednesday
was commencement day at Pacific I'nl
versltty. Tho following compose tho
graduating class: Messrs. "Idney '.
Marsh. Clay McNamee, and Miss Mattla
E. Krants.
Eugene, Juno 21. In commencement
exercises at tho Plate Vnlversltv tre
following took part: R. R neokman. C.
S. Williams, Mies Lura Murch. Rev. u,
W. Hill, J. N. Pearcy. At the alumni
banquet, K. S. Williams was toastmas
t.p ana the sneakers wore Hon. M. P.
beady, who announced donations of
1600 b Henry Falling ana i" r
C. C Bookman, President J. W. John
son. Hon. U U McAitnur, ev. t ii.
Hill and Frank C Mulkay.
Tho subsidy of $18.00 gsked by a
Msssacbusetts firm for a shoo factory
in East Portland has been subscribed.
all but $900.
X J. Kadderly withdraws aa a ran-
dldato for Bchool Director of Kast Port
land. In favor of Thomas rarrnit.
Half Century Ao
From Tho Oregonlan et Juno It, I4.
Tho first mesoage was uinimmw
from The Dalles to Colllo on Tuesday
ovor tho wirea put up by tho Oregon
Steam Navigation Company.
t- . t . wi mt Kellnes-'e ferry
sank on tho 14to with pounds ef
freight, the property or James soiiiu,
who was on route to swooienai.
rtin,.M Jiiim i Correspondence
from Flemlnssburg. Ky. dated June II.
says tho remnant or Morgans com
mand to the number or . pss..n mi.
11 a.lmlla a loss of 100 at
Cynthlaiia and tho Calon force aim
pursuing.
Ohio. Juna II Vallandlg-
ham made appearance at the Copper
k..M iirlrt convention today ond
received with great enthusiasm.
. ii.. , .. i j irtiula, md
IXU1SV11I. - u ii - - -
a raid on the rallrosd bstween Cneits.
nonga and Miirnani army " r
.. ...... v. . rhl irmr
1 nponrri -
aa being on tho eouih aide of the Chal
talioochla River, determined to oppose
tho passage of our troopa
. . . . . . . . , a t . r.l. raa a4a-
Msmpnia, ni
feated In a running onaaaement with
.he rebels, ending at -emp -..
the 10th. The Infantry were tnrown
Into confusion and surrounrttvi and a
reater portion ft them ourreaoeree.
II pleoea of artillery, only lour wote
irought off.
Headquarters, Army of rotomac, Juao
. ... . . ... ir.lna nccutiled all
1 ii u v K - 1 1 -. -
this day oroesing Jamas Hlver.
City Point. Juno 14. At 7 SO roster
ay evening Fmlth assaulted and rar-
rirta n - - . - .
works before Petersburg. Hancock
ent up and toon pnsmun -.. -
left. At 1 P. M. today nuuer. imm
Bermuda Hundred, reports that tne en
.m. h.. abandoned their works In
front of that place.
The installation of the officers elect
of tbo Orand Ido of Maeong of ore-
gon was attended oy a large oo.y
iha rrai-mllv and a eoncourse of clll-
sens at the M. E. Church yesterday ef-
ernoon. Tho profession marched from
Masonlo Hall up Front street to
lor, thsnee to tho church, headed h h
Mechanlca' Brass nana. numu.r.n
about 100 members. A splendid orstlon
was delivered by Honoranio . -brook,
who Installed Mr. McCrsken, .
M., after which the latter install me
remaining offlcera. as follows: A. A.
Pmlth. I). Q. M l A. Van Dussn. a O w .
O. 8. bavage, J. O. W.; George A. Eades.
grand treasurer; J. E. Hurford. grand
secretary.
. ,, ,. aw. - W HIT, nf OUT
BO similar m -eity
plot to tho Cretan labyrinth It be
hooves partiea ramwuna - - . '
. ... , . -. iih Iham tt
copy or tno nirwiwi w.. .......
av
ild auddon surprises wnn
fe
tchlng up against a ooara
ru
nning Into a private parlor at .n
rupt termination of a atroet. In lltl
ab
the
Council passed a straigntener
. . . .hfllliha 10
nance, wnicn .nwi...,
streota on Couch's addition, made them
over, designating them North Front.
North First street, etc. But the trouble
still exists on many plsts of tho city.
which should bo destroyed.
Ma
any a culprit goes unpunnnw
this
city for no oariniy i-aauu
save
a bill Of expense. - - -
resa
nn whv tno touncu uu.
authorise a chain-gang.
Company B, Captain Mills, was
out
on s
treet parade iaat avenmg.
Thav nova yesterday destroyed the
swallows' nests constructed under he
..vaa of a warehouse on Abernothy a
wharf during tho recent freshet
PuVic Service
This nswspaper la successful and
influential only to ths extent It
serves tho people.
Its commission comas from Ha
readora It has their confidence be
can re It deserves It
Every lino It prints Is fsthered y
ths thought that It la Interesting
and uaeful to some one
Tho advertising columns aro a
distinct feature of Ita service.
They are the mouthpiece of the
live merchants and manufacturers
They carry tho message of business
They profit tho odvrtir only to
tho extent that they profit yoa.