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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 1914)
THE MORXIXG OREGOXIAN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1914. DOCK FIRE MYSTERY MAY BE CLEARED UP Ernest W. Mills, Alleged to Have Mania for Arson, ; Taken Into Custody. INSURANCE MEN TAKE HAND Evidence- Gathered Associating: Prisoner- With Blazes in Towers' Furniture Store and Hotel. D'Moy Where He Lived. Ernest W. Mills, believed to be a paranoiac who has started a number of Portland fires for the pure love of see ing the blaze, was arrested yesterday by Sheriff Word. He is charged with having lighted two incendiary fires in the Hotel D'Moy, Second and Yamhill streets, and two on the roof of the Powers furniture store. Third and Yamhill. He is held at the county jail in default of 15000 bail. Because his method of lighting fires is said to have been in all Instances the same, the fires that Bet a number of Portland docks ablaze recently are also attributed to him. Authorities as yet have no proofs that Mills is responsible for the loss of valuable waterfront property, but they believe he is, and are making an investigation on that theory. Mills is a cook, and has been in Fort land for the past three years. He was arrested in the Hotel D'Moy by Sheriff Word, Deputy Tennant and Deputy District Attorney Kobison. The arrest followed a persistent search by the Sheriff since last Friday. On Tuesday a long automobile trip was taken by. deputies to Woodburn and other Wil lamette Valley points.. Mills having been reported in that district, but the search was fruitless.. Insurance Men Trace Crimea. The evidence that led to the arrest was collected by P. J. Maher, who acted as special agent for Harvey O'Bryan. The latter interested the Board of Fire Underwriters of San Francisco, and the arson committee authorised the em ployment of a detective to run down the firebug responsible for recent blazes in Portland. District Attorney Evans co-operated. The prisoner is believed to be insane on the subject of fires. He is reported to have said to a friend of his: "I like to see blazes. 1 like to see the firemen work. I enjoy It." He told District Attorney Evans that he was once in the hospital because of mental trouble. Acquaintances of the man say they have no doubt he is men tally deficient. Mills, who is 28 years old, is believed to be of English descent. Mail from England was found in his room at the Hotel D'Moy when the Sheriff raided it yesterday morning. The prisoner was found hiding in another room. He has worked in various Portland restaurants during his stay in Portland. He is a periodical drinker, the authorities say, and during his sprees would disappear for several days at a time. Then it -was, it is charged, that he was busy se'tting fires. Some Evidence Found. Yesterday's arrest is the result of two fires in the Hotel D'Moy early last Spring. One fire was lighted at the top .off the elevator shaft, another in a storeroom, and on the same night a bedroom was gutted by a blaze that was thought at the time to have been incendary. , The first fire at' the Powers Furni ture Company's store was lighted on the roof on the night of May 22. The penthouse at the top of the elevator shaft was burned and water damage to the store amounted to $1200. On July 12 the nightwatchman heard the crackling of flames at the top of the building and arrived in time to ex tinguish a fire. Returning to the roof a few moments later, he saw a man crouching behind the penthouse and questioned him. He said he lived in the adjoining hotel and had used a ladder to gain the higher level of the Powers Company roof. The nightwatchman identified Mills as the mysterious lurker on the roof. Candles were found in Mills' room by the Sheriff. Safety matches were used to start the Powers f ires and matches of a similar kind were found in Mills' effects. Other things found by the Sheriff were a bottle of oil, a revolver, two Bibles and a book on hypnotism. UNION SCHOOL IS, SOUGHT Gresham Asks Co-operation of Sur rounding Districts for Project. A meeting of the Gresham school di rectors will be held next Monday night to consider the establishment of a union high school at Gresham. All di rectors of surrounding districts have been invited to attend. Petitions will be circulated in all the districts call ing for a special election to. be held in each district on the high school ques tion. It will require the signatures of SO per cent of the voters in the districts to secure an election. A meeting was held Saturday night in Powell Valley. The union high school was indorsed, and it was de rided to discontinue the ninth grade' when "the high school Is established. Gresham has a five-acre site for the high school and the outside districts would be taxed for a new building mly. Principal J. E. Stubbs, of the Gresham school, estimates that in the eight districts there are 800 children of the school age. He suggests that an agricultural department be established if the union high school is formed. HOOD TRAIL NEARLY DONE Auto Koute From Portland to Hood River Is Promised. That the new forest trail on the east side of Mount Hood lacks but two miles of completion and can be finished with in about two weeks' work next year. Mas the announcement of the Forestry Department yesterday. The report savs in rtart: "The construction of this trail is of special interest to Portland and Hood River people, because its completion means that communication between the two places will then be possible in a way that appeals to many far more than railroad travel.' ' man. Battalion Chier Stevens, of the fire department; B. F. Boynton, claim agent of the Portland Railway, Ught & Power Company; Arthur M. Churchill and Harry P. Coffin yesterday in spected the Couch. Shaver and Jeffer son buildings. "The organization of fire drill at the Jefferson High School is ideal," said Mr. Churchill yesterday. "Through the agency cf a student fire department the building was emptied of more than 1300 students yesterday on a surprise drill in two minutes. We-learned some valuable lessons .from Principal Hofi kin Jenkins, which we hope to use to distinct advantage in the other buildings. " ' "All have parts to play in the fire drill at the Jefferson High School. In addition to the fire chief, Holland Houston, there are four battalion chiefs, a captain and two helpers for each hose and students who are de tailed to open the doors, close the IDLE ARE PROBLEM Reed Professor Studies Issue Presented to Portland. . SEASONAL LABOR SHORT FIRE DRILLS MEET TEST Committee Kinds Pupils Thoroughly Organized to Combat Panics. In the hope of entirely eliminating the possibility of panics resulting from fires in the Portland schools, a committee interested in the "safety first" movement has been visiting Portland buildings and inspecting their fire drills. City School Superintendent Alder- X HJUJi.JJJiJWIWUiHilJiWMBI.WJl"W..1 J - :sl .' : : : ' . . . v ; f . ' -! I -i -3 X i ' i - f ' I if' 1 J t Is ' ' ' $ v t t t ' - i - 'I t - ' 4f f - 1 I I I "J ' 1 c I T I ' ' 3 1 f lrrMMiiiliitirtlril iSx' -IWiJMttMMn I X Ernest W. Mills, Alleged Para- I noiao. Charged With Hartag Started a dumber of Portland ? J Fires. 1 windows and see that no student is left in any room after the fire signal has been given. "L. H. Baker, principal of the Shaver School, has also perfected a satisfactory drill. The drill there required one minute and 45 seconds. "The time required at the old Couch School was considerably more than it should be because there are only two exits. Principal Fletcher is combating bad conditions in a veritable fire trap and is doing exceedingly well. This condition cannot be remedied un til the new Couch School is completed." REGALLERS ASK ADVICE STEPS TO OUST COLUMBIA COURT PLANNED BY JUDGE-ELECT. Winners at Recent Election Find For. mer Off fie I a 1m Refuse to Give Up Records Ejection Sought. A. L. Clark, County Judge-elect of Columbia County on the recall ticket, and R. Yount, president of the Good Roads Association of Columbia County, have been in Portland to secure legal advice as to the best method of oust ing the recalled County Court, which nas reiused to be dispossessed. The Columbia County Court was recalled because of its refusal to proceed along the survey fixed by the State Highway Engineer in the construction of the Columbia County section of the Colum bia Highway. In accordance with advice received here, the new County Judge and Com missioners will proceed to legal meas ures to oust the old court and to as sume possession of the books and rec ords. Mandamus proceedings have been started before Judira - Ra.tr in in Columbia County, and the argument will oe neara Saturday. The surVey of the State Enslnon approved of a route by Houlton. west of the railroad track and about a mile from St. Helens, while the old County ui ior a route through St. Helens. This resulted in the recall election September 22, in which the sentiment of the oounty went against them. The attitude, taken bv the lnnrtoftt in the fight against the old court is mm. me principle involved is one af fecting the entire highway, and that il is necessary ior some definite gen eral policy to be adhered to in Its con struction and that it must not be left to a body which has jurisdiction over construction of only a portion of the whole great highway. PANAMA TRAVEL SOUGHT SCENIC BEAUTIES OP SHASTA ROUTE TO BE TOID 1ST BOOKLETS. Special Train Leave Today With Corps of Experts to Visit All Points - ot Interest, Beginning its campaign for routing Panama-Pacific Fair travel from the Kast via Oregon, the Southern Pacific Company will today Send out a special train and a corps of experts to write hp and photograph interesting points along the Shasta route from Seattle to San Francisco. R. F. Wilson, advertising agent for the company, arrived in Portland last night and is accompanied by C. L. Huntington, a special photographer. In Oregon the work will be directed by John M. Scott, general passenger agent, and the party will be piloted through the ttate by Mark Woodruff, local pub licity agent for the Southern Paclflo and Portland, Kugene & Eastern. "The title of the booklet for which we are now gathering material prob ably will be 'Hcenes From a Car Win dow on the Shasta Route,'" said Mr. Wilson. "It Is the idea of President Bproule that travelers along this route shall be supplied with this small book let containing concise information as to what can be seen in the districts to be traveled. "In addition to this .book, there is now on the press a book entitled 'Ore gon for the Settler.' in which opportu nities for new settlers in Oregon are explicitly treated. Another book which Is now in type is "The Pacific Coast for the Tourist.' " John M. Scott will leave for Winni peg and other Canadian points on Sat urday and will begin a campaign for interesting those reople in California and Oregon migrations during all of 1915. Avhlund Bonds Not Held Invalid. ASHLAND. Or., Sept. 30. (Special.) Reports that the issuance of auxiliary water bonds in the sum of $175,000. as contemplated in connection with the mineral springs development work, has been declared invalid is wrong. The question at issue has been submitted by the springs commission to a firm of New York City attorneys familiar with such, matters. Analysis Snows Many of Unemployed Would Work it They Had Chance Few Quit Without Reason and - Some, Are Married. mat the unemployed problem in Portland constitutes a grave social problem, the solution of which devolves upon the state and city and National authorities, inasmuch as the welfare of the state is dependent upon the wel fare of its Industrial workers, is the conclusion reached by Arthur Evans Wood, instructor in social sciences at Reed College, in a paper entitled "A Study of the Unemployed in Portland. Or.," which will be published in the Reed College Record of December. 1914. "The presence of men out of work and sheltered in the center of the city gave rise to much discussion," says Mr. Wood. "Were they genuine working men, or tramps and hobOB? Could they not find work if they wanted to? Were they improvident with the money they had earned? Were they agitators? Was not the Tabernacle drawing men to Portland who otherwise would not come here? Why were they out of work? These and many other ques tions were asked by the community. Questions Answered by Men. "My study attempts to answer some of these questions not from theorv. but by the testimony of the men themselves The occasion of the survey was the Na tional Conference on Unemployment that had been called under the auBpices of the American Association for Labor Legislation, to meet in New York City, February 28, 1914. With the help of members of the executive committee of the Unemployed League, a question naire was drawn up for submission to the men. The questionnaires were filled out either by the men themselves or by men who were selected as clerks. There was no compulsion." In determining why the men were out of work it was found that out of 1284 who had been housed at the Gypsy Smith Tabernacle, 810 or 63 per cent were out of work because they had been laid off work being "shut down," Jobs finished or "bad weather." "Bad conditions," including . "low wages," "poor food" and "long hours" was re sponsible in 189 or 23.2 per cent of the instances, while 109 had "quit" and a like number had been discharged. Fifty-two had been sick or injured and 10 had "struck." "It does not appear that those who left work because of 'bad conditions' or who quit for no assigned reason were out of work for longer periods than those who. were laid off according to the tabulation which we made," says Professor Wood. "Considering the groups according to months unem ployed, the largest single group are those who are out of work from three to four months, numbering 116; - Of these. 79 were laid off, whereas only 28 quit because of bad conditions, or for no given reason. "By consulting the United States cen sus we found that there is a difference of 7624 in the number of wage-earners employed in the months of the maxi mum and minimum employment. If these men found no new jobs they re mained, unemployed during the slack months. Moreover, these 7624 men do not include those who are employed in the non-manufacturing Industries, for example, construction work, who are periodically employed because of the seasonal and fluctuating character of their employment." To a questionnaire sent out to em ployers in February, 1914, by Profes sor William F. Ogburn, of Reed Col lege, concerning the laying off of men 14 timber and construction companies replied that each year, as a usual thing, they laid off a total of 2733 men for an average of three and one-half months. The companies that replied constitute only a small proportion of the total number of timber and construction companies in the state. Work Lasts bnt Six Months. "According to the figures we were able to secure, 37 per cent of the un employed men find regular employ ment at their trades or occupations for only six months or less and 53 per cent find such employment for eight months or less of each year," continues the report. "The worst industries, with respect to seasonal character and resulting un employment of their wage-earners are the fruit-packing industries operating only 78 days and employing 340 male wage-earners; the salmon canneries, operating only 127 days and employ ing B50 White employes and 18s Japa nese and Chinese! the lumber industry, operating an average of 183 days per year and affecting 21,613 men; brick and tile manufacturing, operating 176 days per year and affecting 723 men. "it was the unanimous testimonv of the men that there was less employ ment in 1913 than in 1912." During the short period, January to April, with a maximum of 90 days, a greater number of men were employed for more days in 1912 than in 1913; that is, a majority of the men were employed for over 50 days during this period tn isiz and a majority for under 50 days in 1913. "During the long period, April to December, with a maximum of 270 days, a majority of the men were em ployed for over 150 days in 1913 and for under 150 days in 1913. Most Willing to Take Job. In response to the question, "Would the men in the Tabernacle have worked if they had had the opportu nity?" Professor Wood found that most of them would. He found arso that probably there were a few "hobos" among the men Ui the Tabernacle. Of the 326 men who were questioned to ascertain whether there were any agitators in the Tabernacle It was found that 126 were not members of unions, that 102 were, while only 14 said that they were members of the Industrial Workers of the World. Of 442 men. 367 stated that they came to Portland in search of work, while S4 said they came to Portland to "better their condition," or that they were attracted by the advertise ments of the advantages of living in this state. Of. 437 who replied to the question has to the country of birth, 158, or 36.3 per cent were foreign-born. Portland has a foreign-born population of 21 per ceht. Forty men, about 9 per cent, said that they were married. In determining the ages of the men it was found that 44 per cent alt under 30 years of age, and 63 per cent under 35 years of age. "This study shows that, during the slack season in Oregon industries, a large number of men are thrown out of employment; that the majority of these men are genuine workers, in the prime of life; that the average time of unemployment for each man since his last job was from two to three months; that during 1913 the majority of tfco men were out of work for over half the time, that, though there Were instances of improvidence, the earn ings of the majority of the men were jj.-VC Green Stamps Given on Charge Accounts if Paid in Full on or Before 10th of Each Month Tea Room, 4th FloorManicuring and Hairdressing Parlors, 2d Floor Toys, Games, 4th Floor Home Journal 1 Patterns We are principal Port land agents for the Ladies' Home Journal Patterns and Publica tions. Pattern Dept., on the Main Floor. Olds. Wortman Sc King Reliable Merchandise Reliable Methods Pacific Phone. Mar shall 4SOO Home Phone A 6231 Trunks &Bags 4th Floor Let us supply your go-ing-away needs at tha lowest prices. Port land ag-ents for Hart mann's Wardrobe Irupks the best. Smart Imported Coats . $25.00 Second Floor This illustration shows one of the many handsome models in im- Krted coats at $25. The material is SJeivy, warm mixture in handsome color ings. Three-quarter lengths mostly, with n' large collars and bell-shaped cuffs. iinuj uuvt; MHsueu pocaeus ana inmmea with large wooden buttons. Every gar ment beautifully finished. The most at tractive garments shown in Portland at the price. All sizes. CT "") Your choice at only 11 Afeii; Fall Suits at $25.00 Second Floor Women's and misses' new Fall Suits in every favored style, includ ing Redingote, Korfolks and novelty cuts in great variety. Some with tunic or hip-yoke skirts in plaited or shirred ef fects, trimmings of caracul, velvets, fancy braids, buttons, eto. Materials include broadcloth, poplins, cheviots, serees, gab ardine cloth, etc., in Gy CT ff newest shades. Priced PiJJJ Other Suits Priced $13.50 to $125.00 New Dress Skirts Priced $5.00 to $28.50 Beautiful Fancy Waists $3.98 Department, Second Floor Dainty flowered chiffons, shadow laoes and crepe de chine in many handsome styles for all occasions. Low necks and long sleeves, some having the smart vest effects. Crepe de chine Waists are shown in light and dark colors with fiP O CiQ soft hemstitched collars and yoke effects. Priced at POJ!0 -5 Sale of Trimmed Hats At$9.75 Featuring the Season's " ' Smartest Shapes Second Floor A' special shipment of 300 beautiful new trimmed Iats priced for today's selling far below their regular worth now. Stylish Hand-Made Sailors of Silk Velvets and -Plashes, T r i m'm e d With Ostrich Feather Fancies, Flowers, Gold and Silver Novelties, Etc., Etc Especially desirable are the many new small Hats in this lot, featur ing the very smartest effects for street and dress wear in the most favored Fall shades and black Your choice of these new - arrivals at 'if $9.75 $1.75 Fancy Silks 79c On Sale at Basement Bargain Center A MATCHLESS opportunity to buy beautiful new fancy Silks at a very low price. Thousands of yards in this special purchase, comprising all the much-wanted weaves for dresses, waists, pet ticoats, linings, fancy work and countless other uses. Latest novelty effects in plaids, stripes, brocade effects, figured and floral designs in beautiful, rich colorings. Over 100 different patterns in this immense lot to select from and the Silks range in width from 24 up to 27 inches. Every yard of excellent quality just such grades as are usually sold at $1.25, $1.50 and $L75 a yard. The silk event 7Q bpecial, the yard now for only $3.50and $4ilk Fabrics$2.48 $3.0Q Crepe de Chine at $1.98 Center Circle, First Floor High grade Crepe de Chine an all-silk fabric of exquisite beauty and richness, suitable for gowns, dresses, wraps, etc. Regular $3.00 quality, priced special for to. Center Circle, First Floor Bro cade Crepe de Chine, Brocade Crepe Mateor, Brocade Pussy Willow Silks and Brocade Char meuse rich, beautiful fabrics for dresses, waists, etc. Regular $3.50 and $4 grades, on (JO O sale at, the yard pW4-0 day's selling at the J i QO low price of, vard f O of the season! Don't miss it. The Above Silks Are On Display in One of Our Alder-st. Windows. New Nemo Corsets Before you select your new gown or suit, let our expert corsetieres show you the latest Nemo mod els for Fall and Winter. We carry a complete stock of this and other well-known makes, in cluding Gossard Front Lace and Bien Jolie Corsets. $5 Back Combs :At $1.00 Main Floor Manufacturer's sam ple line high-grade Back Combs scores o beautiful styles and shapes only one of a kind. Fancy mountings of Rhinestones. Combs worth up to $5. Your2J Jf lf choice now for only v W $1.00 Barrettes 25c Sample line of shell hairpins and Barettes in all the newest shapes. Worth up to $1.00. Your choice of O these now for only, each "-'I' "BABY WEEK" Second Floor Special reduced' prices on baby needs all this week. Ask for "Baby Book." Infants' Toilet Baskets 68c to $5 Baby Blankets at 49c and 89c Infants' Shoes, Special at 45c Reuben's Shirts at Sale Prices. Infants' Knit Sacqnes trimmed with pink or bine. Now for 39c Infants' Bootees 15c to $1.85 40c OWK Coffee 29c lb. SOc OWK Tea at 39c lb. Fourth Floor Coffee will not be delivered except with other purchases made in the grocery department. Our regular 40c Imperial. Roast Coffee O Q at low price of, the lb.f ?yC Stamps Given Fourth Floor Excellent quality uncolored Japan or Ceylon Tea grade selling in the regular way at 50c the pound is priced for today 's sellingOQn at, the pound, for only Vith Cash Purchases Sale Fir eplaceFixtures Hardware Dept., Third Floor The regular $2.65 CP O TO Black Andirons N3- The regular $6.15 GZZ Q Black Andirons P" a-W The regular $7.65 f O Black Andirons P m - The regular $8.00 fiJ-C Af Black Andirons The regular $9.00 fl? Ql Black Andirons P -wtf The regular $3.50 4T0 Qf Black Fire Sets PW.Ol The regular $6,25 JJ? fifl Black Fire Sets'J'U The regular $7.25 flJT OS Black Firo Sets V"Ow Regular $2.25 Black Spark Guards, Special Now at SI. 73 3 Ne v J Lines ) . Art ' 7 is - Brasses V - Just in ; Men's $2.5Q Slippers At $1.69 Bargain Circle, First Floor Sale of men's House Slippers in all styles. Romeos, operas and Everettes in tan or black leathers, with pliable, hand-turned soles. Some trimmed with patent. Resru- C? f ZCk lar $2.50 grades for pJ-02 Women's Slippers $1.29 One-strap styles with round toe and medium heel or wide toe and flat heel. The regular $1.75 grade. Ql O Q Special now, the pair p W i7 Boudoir Slippers $1.29 Made of soft kid with low heel and pompon on toe. Assorted colors and full line of all sizes. Regular 2 1 OQ $1.50 Slippers, now V--"' $1.25 Crocheted Slippers 79c Warm and comfortable for lioue wear. Turn-down tops and lambs' wool lusoies. xteguiar i.j:o blip- fjkn pers, today at. the pair ZC Women's $1.50 Felt House Slippers, special, the pair 98c not adequate to provide against Un employment; that, as a result, during the slack season men become depend ent for food and shelter upon the com munity; that men have no assistance in looking for work except that of fered .by the unscientifically-managed and inadequate private employment agencies conducted for gain, or by the city free employment bureaus; that the men spent their savings in some In stances for drink and debauchery, -but mostly for living expenses, traveling, doctors' fees and support of others un til the point of destitution was reached." as soon as possible the company will submit to the city a figure showing what rental the company will expect. This will be fixed on the basis of in terest On the upper deck plus depreci ation and cost of maintenance. It Is almost certain. It Is said, that there will be such a difference between the figures of the city and the figures of the company that tha proposition cannot be settled, by the time the city's present contract on the bridge expires. There Is a possibility. It is said, of the bridge being closed to traffic October 10, when the city's present contract ex pires. At present the city pays 344,400 a year rental, cost of maintenance and operation and assumes responsibility for accidents. DEBAUCH ENDS IN ROW Quartet Landed in Jail for Fight Over Neglected Supper. The question as to who should be assigned to the task: of getting meat for supper proved the undoing of Pat and Birdie McClure, Georgia Daw and George McCUe, aii of 266 Jefferson street. According to the testimony of Mo torcycle Patrolman Long, Pat. Birdie, Georgia and George had tasted of the wine when it was red too Often, and when suppertime approached Mrs. Mc Clure proposed that Pat go out and get some meat. The "buck was passed" so rapidly that Pat is alleged to have let an ax handle collide with Mrs, McClure s eyes. Mrs. Daw and Mr. McCue indulged in similar ath letics, with the result that all four landed in jail. McCue and Pat Mc Clure were assessed $15 each. BRIDGE OFFER REJECTED Ilarriman Viaduct May Be Closed to City Traffic October JO. The O.-W. R. & N. Company yester day refused to accept an offer made by the city for a flat rate rental of $1500 a month for use by the city of the up per or street deck of the new Steel bridge. Announcement was made that 111 Have You Heard Edison's New Diamond Disc N Phonograph? Has permanent diamond point. Records never wear out or break, and the tone surpasses all others. If you don't believe ns, come in and be convinced. Music-lovers are buying Edison Disc Pho nographs who never before would have a talking machine VARIOUS STYLES FROM $60.00 TO $450.00 Other Makes of Records Can Be Used if Desired. Sold on Easy Monthly Payments by GRAVES MUSIC CO. Pioneer Masic Dealers Established 1896 151 FOURTH STREET, PORTLAND, OREGON Every 8 Woman who bakes is fast coming to recognize the many advantages of a properly blended Sour for general baking purposes Fisher's Blend Flour is superior to an ALL-HARD WHEAT FLOUR, or an ALL SOFT WHEAT FLOUR for bread, caks and pastry Fisher's Blend Flour is a better flour than an ALL EASTERN HARD WHEAT FLOUR; It makes a better loaf of bread with better flavor, bet ter texture and of better color than an all-hard wheat Sou Fisher's BlendJFlour is a better flour than an ALL SOFT WHEAT FLOUR; it produces more and larger loaves of better bread with better crust, better color and of better texture than an all-soft wheat flour. For sale by all crocerm -Ml J