THE BIORXiyO OREGQyiAy, TUESDAY, SEPTEimrR 29, 1014.
PORTLAND, OREGON.
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PORTLAND, TUESDAY, SKI'T., 29, 1914.
THIS DEBIT SHEET.
Picture the streets of Portland lined
with people five and six deep as on a
big Festival occasion. Human beings
everywhere, a veritable sea o them, a
multitude of staggering proportions.
Yet careful estimates of such a gath
ering would show the number not In
excess of 100,000. Picture this vast
concourse of human beings cold in
death, piled in pulseless heaps through
the miles of streets. A grewsome pic
ture, indeed. Tet it gives a vague
conception of the enormous death toll
In a few brief weeks of the war in
Europe.
That, of course, does not tell the
whole story, for the losses are double
the size of the biggest Festival crowd.
The Germans alone confess to the loss
of more than 100,000 men in killed,
wounded and missing, although the
total killed is given at but 15,674.
Many of the wounded will die. Many
of those noted as missing are dead.
Then the German losses ' account for
but one side. There are the Austrian,
French, British, "Russian and Servian
losses to reckon. One hundred thou
sand dead is a safe figure. Double
that number maimed a fair esti
mate. And the war barely under way!
If that is the toll in human life,
what will be the total when the thing
has been fought to a conclusion?
More than 100,000 men killed or
maimed without any conclusive head
way having been made by the side
that has suffered this loss! If the
casualty lists continue to multiply at
their present rate Europe may foot up
the cost sheet after the war to find a
figure greater than 1,000,000 on the
debit column. And what will there be
to set against this in the credit side of
the ledger?
NO REI1E1-' TO COAST TRADE.
The ship registry law may do much
for the relief of our foreign com
merce, but it will do nothing to relieve
coastwise commerce of the indirect ef
fects of the war. When the war broke
out, we were looking for a. great in
crease in the number of American
coastwise ships to carry traffic
through the Panama Canal between
the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts, called
intercoastal traffic. We were also
looking for many foreign ships to
come from Europe through the "canal
to the Pacific Coast. The war has
blighted these hopes and has created
an urgent demand for ships to ply
across the Atlantic. To meet this de
mand the ship registry bill was
passed.
An inevitable result of scarcity of
tonnage will be to draw into trans
Atlantic traffic many ships, both for
eign and American, which were de
signed for canal traffic and some of
the few coastwise ships which were
"adapted to that traffic. -At the very
time when the canal opens to Pacific
Coast products a short route to the
Atlantic and Gulf coasts and to Eu
rope,, this Coast is left short of vessels
In order to satisfy the imperious de
mands of trans-Atlantic commerce.
. A strenuous effort was made by
Western Senators to amend the ship
registry bill by admitting foreign
built ships under American ownership
to the intercoastal trade. Senator
Jones proposed such an amendment,
and Senator Williams, mindful of the
interests of the Gulf states, procured
a modification extending the privilege
to ships plying between the Gulf
coast and either the Pacific or Atlan
tic Coast. The Jones amendment,
thus extended, was adopted. When
the bill" came back from conference,
the report was found to throw open
the entire coastwise trade to foreign
built ships owned by Americans, pro
vided they were transferred to Amer
ican register within two years.
Immediately a roar of protest went
Up from almost every Senator in
whose state there are shipbuilding
plants and from the entire coastwise
shipping interest. Subsidy Repub
licans and Democrats spoke in one
loud chorus. Old familiar, ship-sub-Bidy
arguments fell glibly from Demo
cratic tongues, which have for many
years denounced ship subsidies. ' Sen
ator Borah confounded Senator Gal
linger by suggesting that free ships
would be only a fair equivalent to the
West for the free raw material de
manded by New England has howled
for many years and which it has at last
gained. He hit the protesting Demo
crats on the solar plexus when he said
that, since they had' put Western
products on the free list, it was' but
fair to give the West the benefit of
free ships.
As usual, the odds were enormously
against the reasonable plea of the
(West From the shipbuilding states
of the Atlantic, Senators Weeks, Mar
tine, Saulsbury and Martin told of the
destruction which would follow if it
were granted. They were joined by
both Democrats and Republicans from
the Middle West and South. The con
ference report was rejected by a two-to-one
vote, the Senate receded from
its former amendment and accepted
;the original House bill restricting the
foreign-built ships to foreign trade.
That debate is illuminating. It
shows what a mass of misinformation
Senators have about shipping. It
-shows that special interests have as
staunch defenders among Democrats
as among, standpat Republicans. It
.shows how quickly the alarm spreads
jamong these interests and how
promptly and vociferously they re
spond. The telegrams of protest filled
several pages of the Congressional
Record, and they predicted black, ut
ter ruin to the shipbuilding industry
if the conference report were adopted.
They were effective, as we. have seen,
though there is no foundation for
these gloomy forebodings. Charter
"rates are surely high enough in war
-times to pay, a- profit on even, the ex-
orbltant cost of building- and operat
ing American ships. Repairs are the
most lucrative part of the shipbuild
ers' business and an increase in coast
wise tonnage would bring him many a
Job. By giving more constant employ
ment to his plant, they wouia reduce
his overhead charge, keep his force of
employes together and enable him to
build ships at lower cost. '
The discussion of this subject in
Congress has done good to the cause
of emancipating American .shipping
from the straitjacket of our absurd
laws The subject will not rest, but a.
battle royal must be fought before it
will be possible for American ships to
compete on equal terms for traffic in
every port.
. ' CHAMBERLADf-flTSST-SMlTH.
Oswald -West is the political crea
ture of George eE. Chamberlain. He
was- made State Land Agent and later
Railroad Commissioner by Governor
Chamberlain, and he was the Cham
berlain hand-picked candidate to be
Chamberlain's successor as Governor.
Now Oswald . West has named
Charles J. Smith to be his own Resid
uary Legatee. The Democratic pri
mary rjas nominated Smith because
he was and is the candidate of the
Chamberlain-West-Smith ring and for
no other reason.
Now West is out to procure by fair
means or foul the re-election of his
patron Senator Chamberlain and of
his protege C. J. Smith.
Can it ever be forgotten by the peo
ple of Oregon that Chamberlain is
wholly responsible for West and West
for Smith?
I.MMCNITir.
We are almost ready to admit that
a law might as well be passed grant
ing immunity to the female slayer
who is fair, frail or wronged. The
jury promptly acquits her, anyway,
and sometimes the trial judge con
gratulates her. So what is the use of
spending public money for a trial?
Mrs. Delia Marsh, who was acquit
ted of murder by a jury Sunday,
calmly planned and executed an un
lawful and corrupt contract with a
married man. She arranged to live
with him knowing that he had a wife.
When he tired of her she slew him.
That 'is the sordid story baldly told.
That she had the right to slay is
unwritten law. The written law is
different. But the written law is ig
nored because "it served him right."
Conscience and oath of office bow to
weak countenance of the assumed
right of the injured to fix the penalty
and execute it, too.
in such attitude by judge' and jury
there is recognition of the right of
private vengeance nothing more.
Mrs. Marsh gained nothing by killing
her paramour. It is now no easier
for her to live right than it was be
fore. Her virtue is not. restored. The
stain upon her life was not washed
away by another's blood. She has
avenged herself that is all.
If it is good law that the weak may
strike in passion against the strong it
ought to be written law. If it. is not
good law, it ought not to enter .into
the courts of justice.
THE FOE OF TRUTH.
Governor West's practice of making
statements based on mere suspicion
or surmise, or hearsay, or on nothing
at all, is being sensationally exempli
fied in the present campaign. He has
said many things about public men of
Oregon which are false. He has said
many- things about private citizens
which are false. He has said many
things about The Oregonian which are
false. He cannot plead haste, excite
ment or lack of opportunity to know
the truth. To be sure, the plea is
made for him that on Sunday he was
not well, and he ought not to have
exposed himself to make the armory
speech.
Governor West ought not to have
made such an astounding speech, well
or sick. No man who has any regard
for his reputation for veracity can af
ford to go on record with assertions
so easily to be refuted or to give such
an offensive exhibition of wicked dis
temper and bad spirit. The quotation
of barroom gossip, said to emanate
from a dead man, in order to defame
the memory of another dead man, was
a shocking performance in a series of
indecent performances.
The Governor made . a reference,
emphasized by'a big show of indigna
tion, to an expression of The Orego
nian last Winter, suggesting, he said,
that he Vcall out the militia to round
up the unemployed to squeeze the
water out of the mud." The Orego
nian, at no time has made such a state
ment. The Governor's pretended quo
tation is spurious, and is created out
of his own fancy.
The Governor says former State
Printer Baker sent work to The Ore
gonian,' and that he told around the
family table that money was paid to
The Oregonian for graft. Only the
fact that this infamous falsehood
comes from the Governor of Oregon
makes it worth the dignity of a denial.
Governor West sneeringly refers to
Withycombe, when he becomes Gover
nor, "getting soused with the gang"
in order to promote harmony with the
Legislature. Mr. Withycombe is a
teetotaler. By a curious sequence, the
Governor then passed on to a fervent
eulogy of his friend. Senator Cham
fferlaln, who, we believe, makes no
pretense of being a teetotaler.
Governor West has said in his pub
lic addresses that The Oregonian is
behind the initiative bill to revive the
assembly, and caused the measure to
be framed an'd submitted so as to
overthrow the direct primary. No
excuse can be made for this outright
fabrication. The Oregonian had noth
ing to do in any way with this bill. It
has publicly opposed It heretofore, and
will again recommend its defeat.
Governor West has made a similarly
untrue statement about the origin of a
bill to create a Lieutenant-Governor.
The Oregonian has not suggested nor
advised at any time the resubmission
of th measure. On the other hand,
The Oregonian has gone on record
against it.
It is to be "noted that no newspaper,
not even, his own organ, has had the
hardihood to give an unexpurgated
account of Governor West's armory
address. In its method and in- its
matter, it was the coarsest perform
ance ever given by a public man in
Oregon. It was a painful revelation
to the friends of the Governor, and it
Is likely that they will desire it Speed
ily to be covered over with the mantle
of forgetfulness.
It would not be surprising if cholera
were to become epidemic in the Aus
trian army. The soldiers'of that cha
otic empire are wretchedly command
ed and probably hygienic precautions
are neglected. A pestilence spreading
over Europe might materially aid the
machine guns to end the. war. We are
amazed that cholera has not been
made a regular military weapon. No
doubt it will be soon. The germs
might be dropped from airships.
. ROAST CHICKEX BY MAIL.
The Indiana farmer who has con
trived a way to send hot roast chicken
to his customers by parcel post will
be numbered among the benefactors
of mankind. He is one of the pio
neers in a great industry which will
develop rapidly in the coming years.
The plan which this man has con
trived is admirably simple and effec
tive. He puts the roast fowl in an
air-tight can and surrounds It with
dough. This retains the heat for sev
eral hours, as It appears, so that the
edible is delivered bv the carrier tio-
fing, hot for the dinner table, of his
nappy customer. What this man has
done others will, of course, do' and no
doubt they will better his example.
Roast chickens are not the only
viands that can go by mail from pro
ducer to consumer. There ,'are many
others. The Gdvernment has issued a
bulletin describing some of the meth
ods of packing articles for marketing
by post, but individual Ingenuity must
contribute its share to the good work
The Indiana farmer of whom we speak
has done his part. Who will be the
next?
TOO MICH AND TOO LITTLE.
The fast cure for disease is highly
popular in these times, among those
laborious and highly interesting peo
ple vulgarly called "cranks." Their
doctrines are particularly adapted to,
hard times and high prices, since they
preach that health is perpetuated as
well as disease extirpated by absti
nence from food. Most men and
women, they say, would be healthier
as well as happier and wealthier if
they ate less and chose their diet with
more discrimination. Physicians as a
rule speak slightingly of this theory.
They are disposed to look with favor
upon a full diet. But now and then
one of the profession casts prudence
to the winds and comes up-to the help
or the cranks against the mighty.
There is Dr. A. E. Gibson, of some
Eastern metropolis, for instance. He
makes bold to say that ."death comes
as often from feasting as fasting." Far
oftener, we should say. ..Whoever
heard a King dying for want of food?
Nobody. And yet everybody has heard
of Kings who at-e themselves to death,
to say nothing of poets like Shake
fepeare, who did the same thing with
the help of the Demon Rum.
Dr. Gibson goes on to warn us that
"most diseases are due to errors of
diet."' The worst of all errors is eat
ing too much. It hardly matters what
a person puts intp his stomach if he
keeps the quantity down. A man can
season his dinner with, arsenic now
and then, if he is properly mindful of
the right proportion, and be little the
worse for it. It is the big dose that
kills, whether. of poison or beefsteak.
But there are one or two easy prin
ciples of diet in addition to the sover
eign rule of moderation which every
body ought to learn and practice.
An important one is never to eat
acid fruit at the end of a meal. Such
fruits at the beginning are well
enough, but at the end they are sim
ply deadly. The weazened and hag
gard New Englander won his dyspep
sia by devouring sour pie at the close
of his meals. He fatuously- calls the
horrible stuff "dessert." Pie not only
sins by being of an acid nature, but if
commits a more unpardonable crime
by combining the acid with a starchy
crust. Acid and starch in unholy
combination have laid waste the ter
ritories of millions of innocent stom
achs. Nor does their fatal work stop
with the stomach. - They attack the
mucous membranes of all parts of "the
body, but particularly of the nose and
throat. It is pie primarily to which
we Americans owe our universal ca
tarrh as well as our dyspepsia. Pie
also causes those frogs in the throat
which are so profitable to the drug
gists and annoying to orators.
Almost any fruit, if it is clean and
ripe, may be safely eaten at the be
ginning of a meal, but there is hardly
any that is desirable at the end. The
Europeans who close their meals with
a "sweet" and a bit of cheese are a
great deal kinder to their stomachs
than we pie and fruit devourers are.
RAID ON THE SCHOOL USD.
Tide lands owned by the state are
sold from time to time and the pro
ceeds go to the support of the public
schools. 'From the sale of these lands
the interior counties that are not on
tide water derive a proportionate
benefit. The water-front amendment
proposed for adoption at the next
election would deprive the state of
authority to sell any tide lands, or any
submerged lands on navigable fresh
waters.
There is a provision' in the proposed
amendment that tide lands may be
leased by the state, but only for the
construction of docks. The state is to
be precluded from granting any per
mit to dike or reclaim, or any right to
utilize tide lands for booming pur
poses, fisheries purposes, or as sites
for industries or for any other indus
trial or development purpose. In the
words of Mr. F. W. Mulkey. one of the
proponents of the bill, "unsold tide
lands will remain the property of the
state. They will be analagous to tim
ber lands in the National Forest Re
serves. 'They will be a heritage for
future generations."
Much of the unsold tide land is use
less for dock purposes and always will
be. Its development in other ways
will not depreciate its value nor wear it
out; rather it will add to the wealth
of the state, encourage population and
promote prosperity. There is no more
cause to place such lands in a reserva
tion than there is to lock up the agri
cultural lands that are in the public
domain. ,
The leases, which must be for dock
purposes only, would yield but a
trivial revenue under the terms of this
amendment, for most of the unsold
lands are more valuable for other uses
than dock sites. But even one-half
that trivial revenue would be lost to
the school fund. If the leases are for
lands within the limits of a town or
city one-half the lease money could
go to the municipality and the other
half to the state. Docks and wharves
are so rarely required and of so little
value outside of cities and towns that
it is practically a proposal to deprive
the school fund of 50 per cent of what
little revenue would accrue from tide
lands and "give it to the water-front
cities.
In 1911 the Governor vetoed a tide
land grab in behalf of ports that was
much less sweeping than this one. It
was a veto in protection of the school
fund and in the interests of interior
counties. The Portland newspaper
which proposed , the water-front
amendment is a, devout admirer of
the Governor's veto record. The Ore
gonian again- Invites it to publish Gov
ernor West's veto message ' accom
panying Senate Bill No. 1 of the 1911
session of the Legislature.
The whole country will sympathet
ically contemplate 'Chicago's pathetic
struggle for English bills of fare. To
have our diet fitted with native names
would- relieve some embarrassment
and now that the French are pretty
well occupied no doubt it could be
done safely if it could be done at, all
But it can't. A French name for a
dish tickles the imagination more than
the food does the palate and spiritual
pleasures are as well worth their price
as the material. '
Detroit Is planning something new
In banks. It is to be a workingman's
bank. - Behind it will be some big
capitalists, but the loans will be made
to worklngmen on the security of their
character. Two spokesmen must
vouch . for every borrower, but no
other security is required. Human
nature being what it is, we predict
good success for these banks. Trust
begets fidelity If it is bestowed pru
dently. The crowning merit of Japanese
poetry is its brevity. Often a poem
contains only, a line or two. Very
likely its readers appreciate their
mercies. Here is one translated into
English: will not dare drink the
water in the pebbly pool, lest I disturb
the moon sleeping therein." Could
any fancy be more beautiful? Does it
need any more words for complete
expression?
The New York State Library has
published a list of "the 250 best
books" of last year which will be sent
to schools. Being compiled by duly
appointed politicians, the selections
are infallibly wise. ' Happy the author
who "stands in" with the compilers.
His royalties shall flourish like a tree
by the waters of Babylon.
These night raids of the Zeppelins
on Belgian towns are a despicable
species of warfare. Nothing is gained
by them but hatred. The isolated
bombs dropped by the dirigibles do
riot weaken the Belgians.'but they ex
cite a quenchless passion for revenge.
If the war will cost Germany only
$5,000,000 a day, it will be necessary
to revise the figures of those who have
estimated the cost to all the belliger
ents at $50,000,000 a day. Of course
the contributions levied In Belgium
will help.
How many lives has the Prussian
Guard? It has been cut to pieces once
more, according to a Bordeaux dls
patch. Bordeaux is gaining as uneiv
vlable a reputation as Cape Haytien
had sixteen years ago.
If the Russians have penetrated into
Hungary, they may renew acquaint
ance with some veterans of the revo
lution of 1848, who fought them when
they subdued the kingdom for Austria.
The Idzumo held up an American
steamship coming down from Alaska
but in view of the Idzumo's good work
in the Leggett . disaster she can do as
she pleases in these waters.
If Congress had been as liberal -la
voting aids to navigation, in Alaska as
it has been in voting monuments to
the East, the wreck of the Tahoma
might have been prevented.
.The Germans are said to believe
that conquering England will be the
most difficult part of their work. That
would sound better after they have
disposed of France.
The advice of a certain distin
guished American Colonel who wears
spectacles and teeth, to "hit the line
hard," is certainly being followed in
France.
By appointing Mrs. Adams assistant
United States attorney in California
does the Administration hope to mol
lify the offended suffragists?
The Russians have taken TJzzok on
the Ungh and are making progress at
Przemysl, but up to a late hour
Tuvwxyz was still intact.
If a comet always accompanies a
great war, the date of the battle at
Armageddon might be determined by
a little calculation.
A skillful airman flew over Paris
and killed a girl in the streets. If ever
captured he should be tried for first
degree murder.'
Women with feathers on their hats
would do well to keep away from the
rural districts Thursday when the bird
season opens.
The war is costing - Germany J5,
000,000 a day in money. The cost in
lives cannot be computed.
Russia is not worrying over hunger,
with a harvest of more than 64,000,
000 tons of foodstuffs.
The fuller the registration, the
greater the Republican victory: At
tend to it today.
A woman has been made assistant
United States Attorney in California,
Well, why not?
Villa now demands that Carranza
resign. Carranza is Just filled with
such tricks.
The east wind m pa n fn.li- -nroat-ViA
in Oregon and that is what is needed
this week.
The Kaiser admits the loss of 104,
589 men. And without getting very
far, either.
About time for Carranza to declare
himself dictator and defy the United
States.
Austria is seeing the beginning of
her end by calling out the elderly men.
Portland should crowd the grounds
on Portland day at the State Fair.
Mexico has again opened up and
Bryan has again closed up.
The battle of the Aisne is ap
proaching its final stage
Vitriolic Os is rapidly putting Cole
Blease to shame.
The Belgians are getting their sec
ond wind.
The Slav horde moves slowly but
surely.
Fair weather for the Fair.
Register now!
COROLLARY OF" M.VDE-IN-OREGOX
Employment of Oregon Property-Own-fnir
Contractors Is Good Principle.
PORTLAND, Sept. 27. (To the Edi
tor.) We have now uenre us daily
th set and sinking ship episode illus
trated in the evacuation of Portland
by the "now you see me, now you don't,
nor my money either if I get my hands
on it" contractor, for he is going, go
ing, gone. And why shouldn't be go?
He had nothing but prospects when
he came. He has nothing to hold him
now but his debt and the guarantee
he gave his work. But those ties are
easily broken, and the rolling stone
bowls away.
Our citizens who employed him be
cause he worked cheaply, . mourn his
departure as they scan his -A-ork. Our
dealers who classed him just a little
lower than the angels on his fine talk,
speaking by the price book, miss him
as- they charge the impartial balance
to profit and loss. But the tax col
lector doesn't miBs him, the Assessor
doesn't miss him, the Rose Festival
doesn't miss him for they never knew
him, and they all Join in this vale
dictory: "Depart ye accursed, for we
never knew you." He reaped his harvest
and has gone. He put a crimp in
legitimate profits for every houseable,
home - owning, taxpaylng. public
spirited, . patriotic contractor in the
city that can never be taken out, for
it can't be done where business is
slack and when it gets better, he will
be back again, and then the low (down)
bidder will get the preference just the
same- as before.
Why not all of us employ as far as
possible our citizen tradesmen; I didn't
do it, but I would again. You didn't
do it, but will you again? If Oregon
made goods for Oregonlans is good
doctrine, then why not Oregon property-owning
contractors for Oregon
property owners as a broad, general
principle?
Did vou save any money on your
deal with fly-by-night? You did not,
you lost money, you lost patience, you
lost a good chunck of religion, which
last you can ill afford. You swore
vengeance, but that did not make good
your loss.
Not all members of the Builder's Ex
change are all they should be. Not all
the non-members are all they should
not be, but there is this difference:
the courts are your only resorts as
against the non-members, while the
member is amendable to certain re-.
quirements of the exchange that he
has solemnly subscribed to,' and in
most cases' he is seekinsr to abide
by. There Is a strong hoard of direc
tors to enforce the rules, which lends
digriity and gives stability to" the or
ganization, and standing to the mem
bers that t he non-member has not and
cannot get by himself.
BUILDER'S EXCHANGE.
SLOW PAV AMONG WELL-TO-DO,
Correspondent Declares Those Who
Have Plenty Are Worst Of fenders.
PORTLAND, Sept. 28. (To the Edi
tor.) In the course of my business the
last few months, I have discovered 'that
there are a large number of men inthis
city who are ell to do. who have
money in tho.bank, and who will not
pay their bills until they feel like it,
in consequence of which many of the
merchants and poorer classes are hard
pressed.
I have several million of life insur
ance upon my books and we have
loaned about $500,000 on life insurance
policies. We are collecting premiums
and interest, and there is not a day
passes but what some policy holder-
comes In and complains that collec
tions are hard, and that if some rich
man or woman would pay them whaA
iney owe mem, iney wouia oe aoid to
take care of their own debts.
A concrete example illustrates the
point. A man owes me $10.50 interest
for a loan on his policy, and tells me
that he cannot; pay It. and that he has
a bill against a rich woman in this
city for 37.50; that if this money
would come in and the bill is three
months old that he could pay two ad
vertising bills of $5 each, which would
help meet pay rolls in the printing of
fice. He would pay one expressman
$5, a mechanic $4.50, a marble company
6, another man $1.25 and my bill of
$10.60. I have had a hundred cases just
like this told me In the last few months,
and if it Is a fact that the well-to-do
people, who have large amounts of
money on deposit, are withholding it
from the poorer classes, should they
not be urged to stop this condition
of affairs?
If $10,000 of such bills as this were
paid by the well-to-do people to the
poorer classes. It would pay over $100,
000 worth of bills in 30 days, because
the poorer classes will pay their bills
and fhe rloh people think because they
are rich they do not have to do so.
H. G. COLTON.
PROPER TO PROBE PRIVATE LIFE.
Political Elevation of Men of Weak
Character Sets Bad Example.
Newberg,FGraphic.
Some men will.assert that the pri
vate life of a candidate for office
should not be discussed in a campaign;
that in case he is a candidate for re
election his career as a publio official,
what he will be able to do in the fut
ure these alone are the things that
should count for or against him. The
Graphic believes that the setting up
of this sort of a standard has had a
very bad effect on the young men of
the country in the past. They have
seep men elevated to high positions
whose private lives would not bear the
scrutiny of clear sunlight for a. min
ute, and seeing that men of this type
are given the plaudits of the people,
they naturally conclude that a life of
virtue and clean living is not at all
necessary Jn order to get to the front
in public life. Here in Oregon we
have seen much of this sort of work
In politics. We have heard much talk
of temperance and clean living, and yet
time after time a certain man who has
a habit of getting beastly drunk and
It Is no secret that he has this weak
ness has been elevated to the highest
positions of public trust that the people
or Oregon nave in tnelr power to be
stow. The habit of imbibing to excess
is said to be growing on this man until
it is disgusting to his close friends. His
name will appear on the ballot at the
November election, and we notice that
one of our exchanges talks for state
wide prohibition In one column and for
this particular candidate in another
column. It seems to be the same old
story with this candidate. In the past
he has been able to line up all the
"wet votes, and he has also been known
to receive the' votes of men who stand
at the top in the ranks of the Pro
hibition party in the state. What a
happy condition for a candidate of a
minority party who is out for votes.
Battleship Armor Belts.
CAMAS, Wash., Sept. 27. (To the
Editor.) Kindly tell me how many
Inches thick the armor steel is on the
sides of a United States battleship, to
settle a little dispute between a friend
of mine and myself.
H. J. WOOD WORTH.
Thickness of armor on the sides of
battleships In the United States Navy
varies with' the type of vessel and date
of construction from nine to 18 inches.
. Fell la Proper Word.
PORTLAND, Sept. 28. (To the Edi
tor.) Please inform me which is cor
rect: "Aon going to fall a tree" or "Am
going to fell a tree".?
A. E. D'KONINQ.
Yes.
ECOTTS MILLS, Or.. Sent. 28. (To
the Editor.) If a town is incorporated
has a freeholder in the city limit a
right to sign a road petition for a new
road? This petition is partly In an
other road district and in the road dis
trict the town la In. A SUBSCRIBER.
MODERATE DISCUSSION" PROPER.
In Onr Interests War Talk Should Not
Wholly Be Soppreaaed, Says Writer.
SPRINGFIELD, Or.. Sept. 27. (To
the Editor.) The question of neutral
ity or the position of the United States
in the European disturbance adverted
to by several writers becomes of in
creased Importance in the possibility
of new arrangements or alignments as
a result of the war. While neutrality
is desirable and appropriate in certain
circumstances among nations as among
individuals. It should not preclude
other necessary activities or modes of
action by way of Interest in and prepa
ration for contingencies which may
come about and be of great moment to
all concerned. There may be occasions
even when from a sense of duty or
self-interest the contrary policy houd
be adopted and aid or sympathy ex
tended as circumstances or movements
call for. The appeal for silence is
liable to be misconstrued, if It has not
already been, whatever the plan or In
tention of the proposal or proclama
tion. It is In fact practically Impossible of
application. The custom or habit of
the country is against it. No one, from
President down, can prevent the voters
from having opinions and expressing
them on this or other subjects. To sug.
gest otherwise is therefore both silly
and childish, and worthy of a prince
or ruler of the dark ages or more an
cient times.
And is. indeed, such silence advisable
on general grounds? Shouldn't it be
the first duty, or an important duty or
policy, to ascertain in all practicable
ways the information necessary for
governmental action in this or other
matters bearing on the general wel
fare of the country, and to this end Is
it not desirable that 'there should be
public discussion on such matters? This
is one, ir not the most ready or effec
tive way of inducing thought and in
vestigation among all classes, or those
fitted for the same, who in a republic
have the burden of deciding such mat
ters, and hence should be posted on
them and all questions concerning the
state or nation of which. they are ulti
mately at least the governing body or
electorate.
While harsh or inflammatory expres
sions may be objectionable and warn
ing may have been necessary as to
such, the fact of publio comment or
discussion at appropriate times and oe.
caslons, instead of being repressed,
should be encouraged in all reasonable
ways, and to suggest otherwise is
therefore contrary to the spirit of
popular Institutions, and if the Presi
dent's appeal carries any such mean
ing or effect, coming from one or an
adherent of a political party long
claiming to be the especial champion
of such institutions, would lead to sus
picion or inference that the Govern
ment is in possible, danger or straits
from .complications in th matter Indi
cated, the interests of the country
have become more involved or wide
spread than in former times. As to
what this may be or the nature of the
same there may be speculation, but
that there are possible complications
Is widely mooted and the better the
electorate are informed oil these mat
tors the more likelihood there would
seem to tie of their taking wiBe action
therein. The "appeal for silence" may
later need to be accompanied by a
"Blue Book" on this and other mat
ters. '
The policy of the United States an to
international relations (Europe or the
eastern hemisphere) has hitherto been
one of non-interference and one which
seems to have become fixed in the cusi.
torn or habit the country, and which
ine great majority, or many, would pre
fer to see continued unless found con
trary to the country's Interests. But
with late developments or extension of
teritory, it is " being questioned by a
few. and it is not beyond range of
possibility that the country may be
lorcect Dy change or circumstances to
modify the policy to some extent or in
some way as time goes on, if it has not
already been modified or departed from
in one or more instances or what would
bo called such by certain foreign pow
ers. A. II. J.
Waahinarton Lair of Descent.
ELLENSBURG, Wash.. Sept. 27 (To
the Editor.) In The Oregonian recent
ly I notice the following article:
The Dalles. Or. (To the Editor.) Kindly
tell me to whom property would so in the
mate of Washington If said property was
left by a deceased wife who was survived
by children by a first marriage and by a
secona nusoana it property was acquired
before the second marriage and with the
help or the children? The lady's first hua
band bfelng- deceased, and having; no chil
dren by the seoond marriage, would the
second husband claim a share of the nron
erty according to the laws of the State of
wasmngton? INQUIRER.
The property would go to the children
the husband would receive no narr
The, Washington statute on descent
is as follows:
When any person shall die seized of any
lands, tenements or heredltants, or any
right thereto, or entitled to any interest
therein in fee simple or for tha life of an
other, not having devised the same, they
shall descend, subject to the debate as fol
lows:
1. If the decedent leaves a fturvfvtna
husband or wife, and only one child, or
the lawful Issue of one child In equal sharea
to tha surviving husband or wife and child,
or Issue of such child; If the decedent leaves
a surviving husband or wife, and more than
one child living, or one child living and the
lawful Issue of one or more deceased chil
dren, one-third to the surviving husband or
wire and tne remainder In equal shares to
his children and to the lawful issue of any
deceased child by right of representation.
It would seem that the answer to the
above inaulry is erroneous. Under the
case as given, the husband would take
one-third of the property and tha chil
dren the other two-thirds.
AUSTIN MIRES.
Honrs of Pablie Employment.
PORTLAND, Sept. 28 (To the Edi
tor.) Can employers, under the Oregon
State eight-hour law, require em
ployes to work seven days in the
week?
Have been informed the Publio Dock
Commission have men employed eight
hours a day, sven days in the week.
Is this a violation .of the eight-hour
law? LABORER.
The law forbids the employment In
publio work of workmen for more than
eight hours in eny one day or 48 hours
in any one week except In cases of
necessity or emergency. In which event
overtime must be paid at double rates.
Babies for Adoption.
PENDLETON.. Or.. 8ept- 27. (To the
Editor.) Please tell mo the address of
the Orphan Home at Portland, as we
want to adopt a baby to raise, as we
have no children and are very lonely.
E. J. F.
For a child under three years of age
apply to Baby Home. Thirty-seventh
and Ellsworth . streets, Portland.
Rnatem Bey and Km In Pa ah a.
PORTLAND, Sept. 28 (To the Edi
tor.) (1) What is the nationality of
A. Rustem Bey?
(2) Was Emin Pasha a German.
INQUIRER.
(1) Turk.
(3) German.
Army Nuraen In United States.
PORTLAND, Sept. 28. (To the Edi
tor.) Kindly inform me where I can
write to get Information regarding
Army nurses of the United States.
A S.
Write to Major J. B. Clayton, Chief
Surgeon, Vancouver Barracks, Wash.
Date of Beppner Flood.
ASHLAND, Or.. Sept. 28. (To the
Editor.) Please state the date year,
month and day when the Heppner dis
aster occurred. W. H. DAY.
Sunday, June liT"l903,
Twenty-Five Years Ago
From Tha Oregonian, Sept. 27, 1SS9.
The first session of the Unitarian
conference now assembled in the
Church of Our Father, was devoted to
the business of organization. It was
preceded by a devotional meeting led
by the Rev. George Greer, of Tacoma.
A thousand Jews who attended ser
vice at the new synogogue yesterday
morning attested that the spirit ol
Judaism still prevails among all classes
of the race. The worshipers were de
vout, fhe service awe-inspiring, and
the sermon more than usually excel
lent. "Peck's Bad Boy" will be given at
Cordray'a Musee-theater tonight, at
the matinee tomorrow, and on Satur
day, night, and Sunday night.
Mr. Killingsworth has been having
a well dug on his property In Central
Albina. After going through all kinds
of rock and clay water has been ob
tained in great abundance at a depth
of 205 feet.
Two surveying parties are at work
surveying for the Seattle & Southern
from Albina to the Columbia River, to
ward Vancouver, W: T. One along by
the Albina flouring mill and the other
over the hill below the terminal shops.
Wednesday morning, much to the
Joy of a great many people in Albina,
after so many false reports that it was
hardly realized, the terminal oar
shops were started up and some men
put to work for the first time since
they were built. It is expected that 25
men will be added to the present force
in a few days.
Miss L. Starr, of Illinois, sister of
F. A. E. Starr. In In th. r- i
of Mrs. Dr. Nonage.
Mr. and Mrs. Franklin -1. Fuller ar
rived in New York yesterday.'accord
ing ao a dispatch from K. CL
They leave today for Providence, R. I.,
and return to Portland about the mid
dle of October.
Dr. George M. Wells, who haa bn
on a short trip to California, has re
turned,
Fittsburs. Sept. 20. At Carnegie's
togar Thompson Steel World, it Wr..
dock, one of the largest furnaces broke
luuignt, nooaing th shOD with molten
metal. Two men were fatally burned.
Olympia and North Yakima are, en
gaged in hot competition for the capi-
. ut ma new state or Washington.
Both cities have taken full na ad
vertisements In The Oregortian. setting
wim tueir respective advantages.
Walla Walla. Sent. 2. with oil r
her clothing except one stocklna- burned
from her body, Mrs. Kitchen, of Dry
Creek, was discovered lying uncon-
cious in ner dooryard today. Her
clothes had caught fire while she was
burning brush. ahe has a chance to
recover.
Half a Century Ago.
From The Oregonian September 2J. IStii.
We have called the attention of the
Common Council to a matter of no
small importance, and again we would
recur to the management, or rather
mismanagement, of our city affairs,
and lay our complaint against a gross
nuisance, existing in almost every
street of the city and for which we
must consider the city officials respon
sible. . . . When a merchant re
ceives goods, no sooner are the boxes
emptied than they are piled up on the
sidewalk from seven to ten feet high
in some places. There is no excuse for
the neglect of duty as shown above.
A. D. Shelby. Esq.,.No. 95 First street,
lias lately returned from San Fran
cisco with a fine line of boots and
shoes and we recommend our readers
to pay the establishment a visit that
they can see the results of the liberal
business policy adopted by the genial
manager of the establishment.
The Bark Cambridge, N. C. Brooks,
master will be up to this city this eve
ning in tow of the steamer John H.
Couch.' She has made a fine run in
24 days from Honolulu to the Colum
bia River and is now established as a
regular packet in this trade.
We notice that the paving on Front
street has been suspended after reach
ing to Pine street. We regret this, in
asmuch as the paving already com
pleted around the. circle of trie most
Important avenue -of the city has im
portant attractions connected with it.
We understand that the suspension is
in consequence of litigation in refer
ence to the property adjoining.
Two years ago the present month', in
writing to a friend in Minnesota, we
mentioned, among other things, that
it was raining in Portland. He ar
rived here last evening on the steamer
New World and Immediately upon his
first introduction to the city found
us out. It was raining, but we can
assure our friend that it was not the
same storm.
Greenbacks are going up. Within a
week the currency has Increased in
value at San Francisco about 13 per
cent.
The steamer Julia will start from
Couch's wharf this evening with pas
sengers and freight to connect with
the California steamer.
Catholic Church In Poland.
PORTLAND. " Sept. 28. (To the Edi
tor.) Please let me know if the Polish
Catholic Is the same as any other
Catholic church. SUBSCRIBER.
Roman Catholic authorities In Port
land say that a church known as the
Polish Catholic Church has been or
ganized In South Bend, Ind., by a Ro
man Catholic priest who had trouble
with his bishop. The priest, it is said,
went to Europe and was created a
bishop by an unorthodox bishop there.
His followers number, according to the
saiiee authorities, about 2000. Most of
the Catholics In Poland belong to the
Roman Catholic Church.
Birthplace of Blanche Bates.
TILLAMOOK, Or., Sept. 27 (To the
Editor.) Kindly let me know the city
in which the actress, Blanche Bates,
was born. A B.
Portland. Or.
In a Nutshell
In a recent editorial. Fourth Estate
says:
"The successful manufacturer and
the merchant Insistently and con
sistently keep their wares, the vir
tues and the prices of these wares,
before the purchasing public
"The Increased use of the news
paper as an advertising medium is
the best evidence that the manufac
turer and the merchant are begin
ning better to realize the news
paper's value to them In reaching
purchasers.
"There is no better medium than
the newspaper.
"There is no other medium so
timely:
"There is no other medium so
elastic.
"There is no other medium which
reaches so many people."