THE MORXIXG OREGOXIAN, WEDNESDAY. JANUARY 13, 1915.
PORTLAND, OREGON'.
tBtwd t PrtUnd. Orejon. Postofflc as
Safcftcnptioa Kates Invariably In advance;
(Br Mall.)
reity, Fundar Included, erne year ...
Le.'y. Sundtty Included, six month .
I':ly, Sunday Included, threo months
L'aily, Sunday lncludi, one month
Iaily. wl-out Sunday, one year ....
Lat.y. without Sunuay, sis months .
I-ai:y, without Sunpay, three months
Xaily. without Sunday, on month
Weekly, one year
Funiiar, one year ............---
Bund? and Weekly on year -------
(By Carrier.!
(4.00
4. 1:5
2.-5
-7S
6.00
1.75
.60
1.50
M0 I
3. SO
rat!r. ?undsr Included, one year I "J
lai:y. tuniay Included, one month .....
Mow to Kemlt Fend Postofflc money or
der. zprM nrl-r or perioral cr.ee ou J
i 1 . . . . nr .umncT are al
wnd'T t risk. Give postefflce sddress la full.
meddles county and state.
Pmiim KatM ! 1 to la nares. t cent; 1
to paxes. - cents: 4 to 41 pars. S cents
' to ot pases. 4 cents; to 7 page. (
cents: TH to 2 paxes, ti cents. Forelxn post.
axe. dauDla rates.
. Rnlan. Offtee Verree C"Ht
Ilr. New York. Brunswick building-; Chicago,
fcttnser buildinx.
Oea Fram-hr Of Mrs R. J. Bid well Com.
par.y. 7 tJ Marxet street.
POBTLAXW, WEDNESDAY. JAN. IS. 115-
CO1KNOB HTTHTCOMBri MESSAGE.
Governor Withycombe has present
d to the Legislature a message which
in one particular is practically a nov
elty. It is brief and filled with con.
Crete recommendations. One does
not have to read through a long ar
ray of figures or elaborate argument
to obtain the purport of the document.
In the matter of economy the Gov
ernor Is in harmony with the spirit of
the times. As to consolidation of
some departments and elimination of
others immediately he does not go so
far as do some of the leaders of the
Legislature, judging from expressions
of their present intentions. But it is
hardly to be doubted that if this Leg
islature can make a thorough inves.
tigation and reach practical conclu
sions in addition to the suggestions
made by the Governor he will not op
pose the more elaborate programme.
In recommending amendments to
the compensation law Governor
Withycombe has not gone into partic
ularities, but he suggests that the
experience of Michigan, whose statute
has received widespread indorsement
from exDerts on the subject, offers
practical ground work for intelligent
consideration.
The Michigan law, like the Oregon
law. is elective in name, but there in
actual practice the law is essential
ly compulsory. The employer need
not accept the compensation princi
ple, but if he does not he is deprived
of the common law defenses under
which employers so successfully com
bat personal injury damage suits. The
employe need not come under tne
law. but if he rejects it when his em-
Dloyer is willing to accept it. the em
ployer retains the advantages of the
common law defenses. In short em
ployer or employe may be indirectly
penalized for rejecting the compensa
tion nrini-iple.
Adoption of the Michigan law would
mean the elimination of contributions
to the state insurance fund by both
employes and the state. The employer
won!.! oav the entire premium, but he
would have the option of insuring in
an authorized liability company, or
of furnishing satisfactory proof of
financial responsibility, or insuring in
some mutual organization organized
under state law. or insuring in the
state accident fund.
Tho act Is more general in its appli
cation to employments than the Ore-
ron law and payment of compensa
lion, no matter what the method of
insurance, is made practically auto
matic. There is no opportunity for
employer or Insurance company to
drag an injured employe through a
long series of lawsuits and appeals
before he Is compensated for his
Injuries.
The Governor's recommendation
that the burden imposed upon corpor
ations of filing exhaustive reports
with numerous state departments be
diminished Is timely.' One compre
hensive report submitted to one state
authority where It would be available
to any other department requiring the
information contained in it is in all
reason sufflri'-nt. Under the existing
state regulation of the rates charged
and service rendered by public utility
corporations the largo cost of main
taining a clerical force to prepare un
necessary reports is in the end borne
by the people. It is part of the cost
of operation which in turn governs
the fixing of reasonable rates. Re
ports are now reeiulred by the Rail
road Commission, the Corporation
Commissioner, the Tax Commission,
the Insurance Commissioner, the In
dustrial Welfare Commission, the
StHte Labor Commissioner, the State
Industrial Accident Commission and
by the Board of Inspectors of Child
Labor when children of school age
are employed.
In numerous other particulars Gov
ernor Withycombe has expressed the
wisdom of an intelligent and careful
student of public affairs. His address
gives good cause for a feeling of con
fidence that his Is to be a dignified,
business-like. economical adminis
tration. His message throughout
breathes a tone of good feeling and
bespeaks a desire for co-operation in
all good work that may be under
taken by the Legislature. It is framed
in clear-cut English, devoid of flip
pancy, contains no gratuitous expres
sions of animosity e.mi withal is the
sort of message the public desires
hall emanate from one whose office
has the dignified title of Governor of
Oregon.
Wll-SON-! CHANGED OPINION'S.
A correspondent calls attention to
"President Wilson's utterance in favor
of selection in admitting Immigrants
as conflicting with his present oppo
sition to the literacy test. But that
utterance came in 1S90, when Mr.
Wilson was only a philosopher and a
historian. His present opinions are
those of a politician and a President.
It Is impossible to swerve Mr. Wil
son from hiJ present policy on any
subject by quoting against that policy
what he said before he became Presi
dent. He has already repudiated one
after another of the plunks in the
platform on which he was elected two
years ago last November and several
of the opinions he expressed in the
campaign preceding that election.
Since he has so little respect for his
comparatively recent opinions, how
can we expect him to have any re
spect for opinions he expresesd a
quarter of a century ago? The fact
that all events cf that period have
helped to prove the soundness of the
convictions he now repudiates has no
Influence with him.
The only hope for adoption of a
standard of selection for immigrants,
which will prevent a steady lowering
of the wages, standard of living and
Intelligence of American workmen,
rests in Congress. A veto of the Im
migration bill seems to be a foregone
conclusion. We must hope that Con
gress will have the courage and inde
pendence to pass the bill over a veto."
whosk Mosirrr
A worried sportsman, with a math
ematical turn or mind, figure it all
out that there are 80,000 or more
fishermen and hunters in Oregon,
paying an annual license tax, and that
they ought to be permitted to use
the accruing funds for their own
benefit. Thev are doing it now,
through the grace of a law which
turns over the license revenues to the
Fish and Game Commission. The ag
gregate is more than $100,000 per
year, and the sportsmen get it all.
They get it all on the easy theory that
they pay it Therefore the Game
Commission is self-sustaining.
Let us see where this queer kind
of logic leads us. The automobilists
pay a license tax, for the privilege of
using the public roads; but we nave
heard no clamor from the automobil
ists that the money be turned back to
them for the common benefit of all
automobilists. The corporations pay
a license tax; and the insurance com
panies and a lot of other privileged
creatures do the same; dui me rtvc
nues are not thus taken out of one
pocket merely to be put back In an
other bv these concerns.
Pish and game belong to the state,
not to the individual, until shot or
caught; and they are given to the
hunter or fisherman as a matter of
privilege, for which he .pays. It is
the state's duty, not especially the
sportsmen's, to control its fish ana
game; and if It chooses to exercise
that function through a Fish and
Game Commission, it is the state and
not the Commission which is exercis
ing its sovereign prerogative.
The state through the Legislature
should make an appropriation for the
maintenance of the Fish and Game
fr.mmisslon. or a similar bony, ana
the moneys now collected by the Com
mission should be turned into the gen
eral fund. It is extraordinary that so
loose and wasteful a system as is now
In vogue should ever have been de
vised and accepted.
FOOLING THE WOMEN'.
The other day the country heard
from President Wilson that the Ke
publican party had not advanced a
new idea for thirty years. But now a
Democratic Congress, following
Democratic President, goes back to
ante-bellum days, and revives tne
moribund doctrine of states rights to
meet the woman suffrage issue.
"It is a question for- the states,
says the President. Ditto, Mr. .Bryan.
Ditto. Leader underwood. Ditto, tne
Democratic majority.
But slavery was not settled by tne
states, nor nullification, nor squatter
sovereignty. The Nation overroae tne
states, or some of them, and forever
exploded the good old Democratic
principle that the United States
merely a bunch of units, and not a
ereat sovereign entity.
The President Is merely trying iu
rl tho tvnmen. So is congress, n
can't be done.
PROSPECTS 1B 19'S.
Tk voir 1915 has opened with, the
first decided evidence of returning in
dustrial activity. Hitherto tne re
vival has been In special lines con
nected with the war foodstuffs ana
unr supplies of all kinds but it is
w expanding into the steel ana
lumber industries. The steel trusts
unfilled orders increased 572,01 tons
In December, railroads have placed
orders for considerable quantities ol
rolling stock and rails, railroad shops
have heen nut in operation, ana con
tracts for large quantities of lumber
have been made. Sawmills and snin
ele mills in the Northwest are re
suming operations, and a demand for
their output has sprung up in tne
farming states. As idle men are put
to work in these industries, their in
creased consuming power will extend
nrosnerltv in other industries.
We cannot expect any consmeruuic
expansion of existing industries be-
vond the necessity or Dusiness act
iiallv in sight, nor any large Invest
merrt in new enterprises, until the
war ends. The possibilities growing
out of the war, such as unloading of
American securities by Europe ana
the demand for-capital to finance the
war, dictate cfioiv in launcning new
ventures. Mqicy is easy at present,
because of this conservatism, because
the Federal reserve system has re
leased several hundred million dol
lars hitherto held in reserve, and be
cause that system has opened to
banks the opportunity to rediscount
notes. But the war possibilities men
tioned would stiffen up Interest rates
by creating new demands on avail
able capital, and the longer the war
lasts, the greater will be these de
mands. The small amount of rediscounts
shown by the reports or tne reaerai
reserve banks is an evidence tnat
heir member banks are slow to
adapt themselves to the new sjstem.
Rediscounting hitherto has oeen re
garded as a sign of weakness in a
bank, and only by degrees can It come
r. he regarded as a natural step m
the ordinary course of business. Fed
eral reserve banks are at present
great reservoirs of unused capital, ana
are not earning expenses. They nave
found it necessary to invite reais-
counts by reducing the rates, and San
Francisco has announced a rate oi
four per cent on thirty-day notes, thus
giving the Pacific Coast, wnere m-
erest rates have oeen mgnei-i. ui
hurest monev in the united fatates.
The temptation to rediscount at such
rates will surely prove irresistible,
and banks will gradually break away
from old custom and yield to it, as
the demand for capital grows with
reviving business activity.
While prolongation or tne war win
defer undertaking of new enterprises
and will stiffen interest rates, these
injurious effects will be offset by cer
tain decided gains to the United
States. The demand for war sup
plies will continue at a probably
greater rate; the American industry
will supply a larger volume oi muse
commodities which we have hitherto
bought abroad, and the United States
will capture and strengthen its grip
upon a larger proportion of foreign
trade, particularly with Latin Amer
ica. We shall have a longer time
within which to upbuild our mer
chant marine while much loreign
hipping is Interned or diverted to
transport service. The hundreds of
millions usually spent by American
ourists In Europe will remain at
home. The balance or trade in our
favor will grow to such proportions
that it may suffice to pay for any
amount of American securities which
Europe may resell to us.
All conditions Justify the expecta
tion that the close of the war will
find the United States practically in-
dependent financially of Europe and
in nnsspsslnn of such a volume of
capital that we shall be able to
finance Latin America and we may
have money to lend Europe for Its
rehabilitation after the war.
This country has before It a period
far better than a boom period. Pros
perity has begun to return gradually
and will grow gradually month by
month until it will be in full tide dur
ing Europe's period of reconstruction.
With such a prospect, we have every
thing to hope for and little to fear,
provided we keep our heads.
till; apple chop OF 19U.
The United States apple crop for
1914 was 259.000,000 bushels, the
largest ever produced. Next to it
comes that or lsiz, amounting ty
235,000,000 bushels. That for 1913
- . - . i
was only 145,000, uuu. xne recoru
runs in this way continually, a big
crop alternating with a small one, but
never has the largest yield approached
that of 1914. Of this great crop, ac
cording to the census authorities,
only some 40 per cent was fit for
market under current conditions.
What became of the other 60 per
cent? Some part of it was fed to
hogs. Another fraction was made into
cider. A good deal went to waste.
The sad truth is that throughout the
United States the facilities for dispos
ing of orchard by-products are woe
fully deficient. Farmers do not know
what use to make of low-grade fruit.
When they do know in theory, they
often lack thev capital to carry out
their knowledge in practice. To these
difficulties we must not forget to add
the lack of markets. The entire sub
ject of marketing orchard by-products
is chaotic. It needs a thorough regu
lation from beginning to end.
The market for high-grade apples
in 1914 was not particularly remuner
ative. Low prices prevailed all. over
the country, due in part to the unprec
edentedly large crop, in part to the
European war which closed a number
of outlets. The war will not be a
permanent trouble, but increasing
crops must be faced from now on.
Mammoth plantings are coming into
bearing in all parts of the country,
particularly in the Pacific North
west. Prices will naturally suffer in
proportion unless new markets are
constantly found.'
New York is thus far the largest
apple-producing state. It leads off
with 49.000.000 bushels. Pennsylva
nia follows wi.h 23,000,000. Oregon
Is still among the minor orchard re
gions, -but it must forge rapidly to the
front as its new plantings become pro
ductive. With this prospect aneaa it
ust be clear to all fruit men that
whatever profits are obtained will
come from the shrewd disposal of
by-products.
OIR ATTITIDE TOWARDS TrTK Wi
The United States is criticised in
Europe for remaining silent in the
presence of the violation of Belgian
neutrality and for uttering no protest
against the violation of the rules of
war as laid down in the Hague
treaties; in fact, for not lifting its
voice in protest until the war inter
fered with American trade.
It la ciuite certain that, had Presi
dent Wilson entered a protest against
violation of Belgian neutrality at the
moment when that offense against
the law of nations was first threat
ened, the United States might have
exercised a powerful Influence . m
favor of the sanctity of treaties and
might have restricted the area of
hostilities without being arawn into
war. He could have done so with
propriety, for the United States is a
signatory of the Hague treaty which
declares neutral territory inviolable,
and the German Chancellor admitted
Germany's offense. Mr. Wilson would
by so doing have won for the United
States a moral pre-eminence ana
therefore a prestige which would have
been incalculable.
We could not, however, have ex
pressed an opinion about violating
the rules of war which have been
the subject of recriminations among
the belligerents without great danger
of becoming Involved in the war.
These recriminations related to atro
cities by Germans on Belgians and
French, and bv Belgians on uermans,
to sowing of floating mines in the
sea, to use of dumdum bullets, to
bombardment of undefended towns
and to abuse of the Red Cross.. Had
we attempted to judge, while hostili
ties were in progress, whether any oi
these charges were well founded, we
should have been confronted with a
hopeless conflict of evidence, and had
we attempted to decide who was guil
ty, we should have incurred the en
mity of the Nation we accused and
should probably have been drawn
into the war. Since five of the prin
cipal nations which had been parties
to the Hague treaties set tnem at
naught our only course was to re
gard those, treaties as a dead letter
until Europe recovered trom its maa
ness and was in a mood to pledge
itself to sin no more. When only two
nations are at war, it may be possible
for other nations by moral pressure to
induce them to mitigate war's horrors
by observing certain rules, u hen hair
the world is at war, the one great
neutral nation is powerless in this
regard.
It comes with poor grace irom
Great Britain to reproach" the United
States for not intervening on behalf
of Belgium. We never made a treaty
specifically pledging ourselves to
maintain the integrity oi mat
country- Great Britain aia, aim
she knew where danger ia ana
with what stupendous military
power she would have to contend
In mak-inir eood her guaranty. Yet
she remained unprepared in spite of
the warnings of her greatest Generals.
When she could reasonably expect
that, if Belgium were invaded, at least
half a million men would march in
within two weeks, her military attache
talked with the Belgian Ministers of
sending a paltry 100.000 men to Bel
gium's aid. The United States de
clared its adherence to the general
principle that the territory of neu
trals should be held sacred; Great
Britain pledged herself by force of
arms to maintain the neutrality of a
particular country and she railed to
make good. Belgium laid waste and
starving is a monument not only to
German perfidy but to uruisn un
readiness. Far be it from us to reproach Great
Britain fon her failure to save Bel
gium, for she is striving nomy to
ake amends and nas tnrown open
her arms to all Belgian refugees who
have coma to her tor succor, out
when the American people are taunt
ed .with their failure to intervene in
Belgium's behalf, we can fairly reply
that it is not for any Briton to utter
such taunts.
The United States Government nas
refused to express an opinion aoout
the war or the manner In which it is
conducted because it is not our quae
rel. We have no direct interest In
the issues at stake. Our interference
would only aggravate the horrors and
complicate the quarrel. Wre can serve
not only ourselves but Europe, better
by standing aside and endeavoring to
retain the good will of all parties to
the conflict by our impartiality, In
order that we may be in a position to
act the part of peacemaker when the
opportune time comes. Meanwhile
our part is to feed the hungry, heal
the sick and wounded, comfort the
broken-hearted and by every" means
in our power to repair the ravages of
war. That we are doing to the ex
tent of our means and ability.
This being our position, we consider
ourselves free to go about our busi
ness as though there were no war, ex
cept so far as warlike conditiojis re
quire us to change our methods.
When we do so and when we protest
against undue interference with our
operations it is not '"XI
neighbors to call us callous, sordid,
inhuman or lacKing in rounsu. "
occasion should arise, we are ready
to prove the contrary to be true.
John D. Rockefeller, Jr., graciously
condescends to explain to his loving
subjects, the American people, the Ins
and outs of the Rockefeller Founda
tion. It is done in a neat little
pamphlet, of which two or three par
agraphs are devoted to the wars in
Colorado. The explanations are such
as Machiavelli says always suffice for
Princes who are by their station ex
empt from telling the truth.
Palestine, once the garden spot of
the iworld, now groans under a fam
ine. Modern advances in transporta
tion are often Bald to have remedied
such miseries, but in wartime all rules
break down. The Turk has comman
deered all the food in sight through
out his dominions and the civilians
must starve. Such are the blessings
of arbitrary government.
Is it nobler for a man to sacrifice
his life for his country than to spend
it serving his country? The former
was the Roman ideal. It is necessary
sometimes. The latter is the demo
cratic ideal. It is necessary alwaya
The good citizen stands ready to do
either as occasion demands.
Salt Lake's chorus of '3000 voices
for the Tabernacle festivities should
arouse generous emulation in Port
land. A similar and larger chorus
would sound very prettily at the Rose
Festival. We have the voices and the
trainers. "Soea'k the divine I will
and it is done.'
Britain's first answer having failed
to satisfy, we shall now forward an
other communication. And then an
other and another, no doubt, and an
other. While the State Department
has stationery there is hope of avoid
ing either friction or results.
Married teachers in New York who
would replenish the earth have won
their case. They cannot be dismissed
when taking necessary vacation. This
is comforting to the husbands.
Tremors are begining early in Cali
fornia, and this, too, is the exposition
year, i'ear or a quaKe neea iiui. uici
the visitor. One can get killed at
home as readily as abroad.
From what we hear of the magni
tude of the San Francisco Fair you
had better be prepared for a visit of
several weeks if you hope to see
everything worth seeing.
General French slipped home incog
for a visit. Now why not let the men
on the firing line have that privilege,
a few at a time, during the Winter
lull?
The Idaho man who suggests the
unemployed wear a button labeled
work wanted" is advised to sena a
bucketful to Salem.
Another man has been jailed for
trying to flirt with the wife of a po
liceman, and the pity is the state nos-
pitals are crowded.
As Hon. John Barrett reviews the
scenes of early trials, tribulation and
triumphs, he truly can say: "All is
well with me.
The hotel men are working hard on
the amendment to the dry amend
ment. They want it to hold water,
so to speak.
Pensions for superannuated city
workers are pleasing to contemplate;
but the best pension document is a
bank book.
Somebody is putting fear into the
heart of Indiana, since four-score pol
iticians pleaded guilty of corruption
yesterday. "
The Naval plucking board having
been abolished, life omthe ocean wave
will lose most of its terrors.
London again 'criticises our Mexican
policy as aimless and devoid of re
sults. How mild London is.
The Legislature sets forth expedi
tiously and harmoniously. ' Let us
hope it will hold the pace.
Those 125 men Blease left in prison
must have been political enemies of
his-campaign days.
Wilson intends to veto the immigra
tion bill, as sop to the negro vote,
probably.
No doubt South Carolina will heave
a mighty sigh of relief at the exit of
Bleaser
Simplicity marked Governor Withy
combe's inaugural. He is of the
people.
While suffrage was being argued
In Congress the women knit their
brows.
A local pastor insists there is a hell.
Located in Europe, perhaps.
The streetcar, with grim satisfac
tion, jars the jitney.
Nothing but shackles will hold "the
handcuff man." '
Why cannot
Alex Sweek.
John Barrett show
Oregon went into Its own at Salem
yesterday.
Have you sent in your Rose Festival
slogan?
The Zeppelins merely trimmed Dunkirk.
Half a Century Ago.
From The Oregonian, January 13, 1SC5.
New York, Jan. 12. The Herald's dis
patch says: A leading Peace Democrat
has gone to Richmond in furtherance
of the peace movement. It is known
that he goes there with the full knowl
edge and consent of the President and
is vested with authority requisite to
open negotiations with Jefferson Davis
with a view to restore peace.
A kleptomaniac epidemic, to put it
gently, seems to have broken out in
Portland. We have numerous instanoes
to record of stealing the clothes from
lines, appropriating turkeys, chickens
and a variety of little things. It seems
also "to be a habit of some persons to
remove copies of The Morning Orego
nian from the doorsteps ot his neigh
bors.
New Tork, Jan. 12. It is said that
- W" Tash.oS
wtth vorth.rr. authorities
with peace in view. The Times hag re
ceived a special saying that some mem
bers of the commission are already on
the way to Washington. This special
also says that not much hope appears
of passing the Constitutional amend
ment abolishing slavery.
A correspondent from the country
tells us that he met a rebel from Los
Angeles who told him that in Southern
California there is an organization of
armed men ready to break out when
ever the sign is made.
The congregation of Trinity (Episco
pal) Church Is preparing for a fine
festival, to be held in the Turn Verein
Hall Wednesday next.
Somebody returning from the States
says there is more money and better
times back there than prevail on the
Pacific Coast
Dr. J. B. Cole, examining physician
of the military district of Washington
territory, died at Vancouver Wednes
day. It is rumored that B. J. Pengra, Esq.,
has tendered Ills resignation as Surveyor-General
of the State.
WILSON FAVORABLE TO SELECTION
His Onlnlon on Immigration. In 1800
Conflicts With Present Attitdne,
BOSTON. Mass.. Jan. 6. (To the
Editor.) Rumor has it, vague rumor,
it is true, that President Wilson in
tends to veto the immigration bill
which has recently passed both houses
of Congress principally because of the
"literacy test" clause,
President Wilson, as I understand,
stands for "selection' rather than re
striction. He believes some measure
should be taken regarding immigra
tion. For did he not say concerning
the situation In 1890:
"Immigrants poured steadily In as
before, but with a marked alteration
of stock, which students of affairs
noted with uneasiness.
"Throughout the country men of the
strudy stock of the north of Europe
had made up the main strain ot lor
eign blood which was every year added
to the vital working force of the
country, or else men of the Latin-
Gaelic Btock of France and Northern
Italy; but now there came multitudes
of men of the lowest class,
and men of the meaner sort.
men out of the ranks where there was
neither skill nor energy, nor any ini
tiative nor quick intelligence; and
thev came in numbers which increased
from year to year, as if the countries
of the south of Europe were disbur
dening themselves of the more sordid
and hapless elements of their popula
tion, the men whose standards of life
and Work were such as American
workmen had never dreamed of be
fore." Could any statement better reflect
the situation than this of our Presi
dent? That was in 1890. What was it six
months ago, and what will it be Blx
months after the close of the war?
Ignorance of reading goes hand in
hand with ignorance of trade and low
standard of living. Furthermore, it
deprives not only the immigrant, but
the American laborers, of a higher
wage.
The last report of the Immigration
Commission (vol. 1, page 68) says:
"The effect of the new immigration
is clearly shown in the Western Penn
sylvania field, where the average wage
of the bituminous coal worker is 42
cents a day below the average wage In
the Middle West and Southwest"
And again the commission says that
the low standard of the newer immi
grants has tended both to stop raising
wages and also to stop bettering the
conditions of the older men, but what
improvements and increases in Wages
have been made 'have been secured in
spite of the recent immigrants.
The reading test was evolved pri
marily to alleviate this condition and
President Wilson has admitted that a
"selection" should be made. It would
seem that when a man is in the center
of things in Washington, matters ap
pear different from when he is on
tho outside.
The President is between the devil
and the deep sea, and he is going to
offend some one anyway, so if he
does not like the literacy test why
does he not suggest something bet
ter? P. F.II.
CAME LAWS REPEAL IS URGED
Give Each County Individual Juris
diction Saya "Home-Builder.'
PORTLAND, Jan. 9. (To the Edi
tor.) With reference to the game and
game laws of this state, it looks very
much as though we were swinging
around the circle and getting back to
the time of Robin Hood and Fair Play
in his communication of January 7
merely touches the edge of the feeling
prevailing in the rural counties of this
state against the present game laws.
and, unless there is either a change in
the law or the sentiment, the position
cf game warden will become very un
popular.
There nas Deen more Dioaa snea ai
ready over game in Oregon than all
the game in the state is worth.
Oregon is in need ot settlers, home-
builders, tillers of the soil, not ducks
and deer, but she can have them all
so far as that is concerned and with
out bloodshed and so much unneces
sary expense by simply repealing all
the present game laws and giving each
county exclusive Jurisdiction over the
game and granting the County Court
of each county authority to make such
rules and regulations as the court may
deem necessary.
A HOME BUILDER.
CHECK I-V SIERKS' CASE IS ASKED
United Railway's Sunday Schedule
May Throw Stir Light.
PORTLAND, Jan. 11. (To the Edi
tor.) I notice in The Oregonian today
Testing of SierKs' confession Begun.
In the first account of the Wehrman
case, published in The Oregonian, Sep
tember 7, 1911, last column, page l, it
says: "The body was first seen by
Mrs. Slerks Monday morning and that
the crime was committed Sunday
night"
If that report is correct as to time.
Slerks must have made his trip Sun
day night If that is true, the United
Railway's Sunday schedule should be
checked up. instead of Monday. Labor
day.
Thev srave a week-end service, in
which later trains were run Saturday
and Sunday nights than through the
rest of the week.
E. C M'DOWEUU
VIEWS OX THE OREGOMIAJI AJfSl'AL
Press of Northwest Has Worda of Praise
for New Yrar'a Edition.
The "Annual." Issued by the Portland
Oregonian on New Year's Day, review,
ing the growth and progress made by
Fortland and Oreson during tne )'
passed, and portraying the possibilities
for Oregon and Portland tor tne yenr
to come, is a piece of newspaper work
which will rank with any hk puonca
tion issued anvwhere. in the country
Of course, Oregon and what she has
done and can do makes such an edition
possible, nevertheless a great deal o
credit must be given the managemen
of The Oregonian, which spared no ex
pense on its big review number. Sher
wood journal.
The annual edition of The Oregon
lan is another creditable production,
profusely illustrated, and splendidly
gotten up. It will give, like all pre
vioua annual issues of The Oregonian,
the state of Oregon another boost and
help to bring new people and new in
dustries Into the state. The Oregonian
Is certainly entitled to a great deal o
credit for the manner in which it ai
ways boosts Oregon, and the new year
number is another illustration ot tins.
Having issued that valuable edition the
people should do their part by sending
them to their friends In all parts of the
United States and foreign countries,
Tillamook Headlight.
Tha Oreffonlan's New Year edition
was one of the masterly productions of
that enterprising journal. Probably the
most lasting impression upon the peo
ple of Eastern Multnomah was the full-
page panorama of the Columbia River
between Troutdale and Cascade l-ocas,
Including the course of the famous new
highway. The other portions of the
paper were in keeping with former suc
cessful issues, as there was nothing
lacking to make- It complete. The only
wonder Is that something new Is found
each year to fill the pages of four sec
tlons, each of which Is as large as many
ordinary newspapers and far more in
teresting.
Stacks and stacks of sacks of pota
toes, wheat corn, oats and cotton, with
Uncle Sam standing thereon and bow
ing politely to our old friend Mars away
down below, is the subject of the first
page cartoon in the Oregonlan's 70-page
illustrated New years edition. jn
this issue of the paper has been ex
pended an Immense amount of laDor in
telllgently directed. It Is not a hotch
nnti'h of pictures and rubbish which
characterize many newspaper annuals,
but the entire paper Is designed to
properly depict the Portland or toaay
In its wonderful growth and prosper
ity One striking feature Is the con
trast In the buildings on various sites
with those which occupied the same
ground only a few years ago. uue at
tuntion in also riven to the farming
rtnlrviner and orchard interests jf the
state. Pictures of the beautiful seen
rv of Oreeon. of Its rivers and water
falls and its diversified Industries, add
to the value of the publication In re
spect of its distribution in other parts
of the world. NewDcrg i-nterprise,
John T. Bell.
The Oresronian Annual a New Year
numher has been received and It
a biir. healthy newspaper, showing
Oregon in all Its grandeur and In
dustrlal greatness. To read it Is to
make one optimistic, for It not only
ohnwa hv facts and figures what a
prosperous state Oregon really is, but
presents the wonderful possibilities of
the future. It leaves no room for nils
glvings affecting business and general
prosperity in imiu. eaaer i-""'-
The Oregonian's Annual strengthens
nitr imnression that Oregon Is a great
Portland a erent city and The
orss-onlan a irreat newspaper. Weston
Leader.
The Oreeonian's New Yesr edition
was the best and greatest ever issued
i,w thnt c-reKt newspaper. The Oregon
ian continues to hold Its own as one of
tho few really great newspapers ot tne
world, and every citizen of Orenron has
reason to feel proud of It. Joseph Her
ald.
The New Year numher of The Morn-
ln- Oreeonian was a large and spien
did edition, containing valuable data.
The illustrations were particularly fine
and the growth of Portland was effect
iveiv pnmiurpil bv pictures taken In
1914 with photographs of a quarter of
a century ago. The resources oi tne
various counties also received mention.
Tt fa a irreat paper to send East to
i-rtsnefH ve se ttlers. for it reveals Ore
gon, the land bf plenty. McMlnnvllle
News-Reporter.
The Oregonian's Annual Number for
1915 Is a splendid production, it ex
ri ita Inst vpar annual in Its compre
henstve exhibit of a most remarkable
progress on the part of the Northwest,
and especially or Portland, unn run
not avoid noting the many new build
ings and other improvements in com
parison of similar views over last year.
One could not sena to taeir tneoua
East a better encyclopedia of our won
derful advance along progressive lines.
It will tell them Just what they want
to know about Oregon. itainier ite
view.
The Oregonian's annual number, pub
lished January 1, 1915. waa a credit to
Portland, to the Nortnwest ana tin
publishers. Tt has carried the message
of Oregon, Washington and Idaho to
the East, and that message will be one
of interest to all who have their eyes
turned toward the Pacific Coast. It
was finely illustrated, and the art work
is as good as anything ever turned out
i tha effete Enst and. If anything, a
little better. Hillsboro Argus.
The annual edition of The Portland
Oregonion was, as usual, excellent in
makeup and substantial in character.
The Annual Oregonian is undoubtedly
a strong factor in publicity alone for
Portland and the whole state of Oregon.
Coast readers have a review of the
work of the year past by able writers,
and the photographs of all of the prin
pal undertakings. Goldendale (Wash.)
Sentinel.
The Oregonian annual of today Is a
magnificent publication. ine most
striking feature of the entire paper is
the section showing photographs of
th hnslness sections of Portland, ns
compared with those same sections only
a few vears ago. These pictures tell
the tale of the progress in the building
of the city more than could pages of
reading matter. Other sections of the
paper are very Interesting and instruc
tive and taken as a whole, the paper
will be ona of the greatest advertising
features ever published in Oregon. St.
Helens Mist.
The annual edition of The Portland
Oregonian appeared as usual today, and
as usual, it is well worth while. This
annual Is always up to a high stand
ard, and there is no exception this
year. It Is not as big as some annuals
of the past, but It compresses Into lis
pages every fact worth knowing about
Oregon and all the big facts of the
great Northwest. In spite of the fact
that it is published In Oregon, the Ore
gonian Is still the voice of the North
west still the great newspaper of the
North Pacific of which It Is truly rep
resentative. Aberdeen (Wash.) World.
The New Year's -Oregonian is one of
the best seen in years. We may well
call it a "comparison number" and
the conclusions drawn from tho com
parisons will not only make Oregonlans
feel good, after they have rsad the
pages, but will tend to Interest that
class of the East and Middle Wast who
happen to receive a copy of the paper
and who ar contemplating a Journey
of inspection to the Pacific Coast. To
this class of men who sea the paper a
trip by way of Oregon la Insured. The
wise Oregonian will read his Oregonian
annual and then put it away whers he
can refer at will to the groat mass of
comprehensive facts tslllng of the won
derful growth of Portland and ths in
dustries of the stats at larga. Hood
River Glacier. j
Twenty-Five Year Ago.
From Yhs Orntonlsn Jsnusry 13. ldso.
St. Louis. .V cyclone hit this city
yesterday and left death and destruc
tion in its wake. Several lives wero
lost and a number of builiilnns wera
raied. The cyclone and storm raaed
all throush the Middle West and dam
age Is being reported from many
places.
Washington. Congressman Wilson,
of Washington, Is working to get
throush postnl accommodations aloua
the Northern l'acific from tit. l'sul to
Tacoma.
Lisbon. Kocland has delivered an
ultimatum to l'orttiKul tclllnx tho lit
tle nation she mut withdraw lur
forces along the flilro and from
Mashonaland. .The King called tho
cabinet and the ultimatum was obryed.
Later a mob attacked tho llritlsh lega
tion here.
A dispatch to The Oregonian from
Tacoma says: "l'ollce Officer Joe Day.
of Portland, has arrived from Scattlo
en route to Portland with three pris
oners. Chris Johnson. Frunk Hart and
William Ualvln.
San Francisco. Oeorse Loggle. rep
resentative of the OrcKon Improvement
Company, of Coos liuy, is in too city.
H. S. Loom I a, late of tho circulation
department of the St. Paul Globe, Ims
arrived in tho city, and expects to tuko
a position with Tho OrcKoniun. Mr.
Loonils la a brother-ln-litw of Charles
Brown, the merchant, of Alblna.
The funeral of ex-Oovernor G. I
Woods was held yesterday. Tho body
was laid to rest In Klvurvlew Cemrtt-ry.
Burglars entered tha kitchen of the
Pine-itreet c'offeo-lloiiso early yester
day morning, but before they inado
much headway a policeman ranis
along and scared them. The hurslurs
nude good their escape, however.
L. Arnold has complained that his
dove cotes In tho North tnd havo boon
broken into and several doxen pigeons
taken.
Thomas N. Strong, president of tho
City Board of Charities, In an Inter
view In Tho Oregonian today, sy
there Is no conflict between tho Board
and the police department. Ho make
a few practical suggestions for tho ef
ficiency of th charltahlo work.
B. F. Giltner, Assistant Pecretary of
State came down from rnlem yosturday
to attend ex-Governor Woods' funeral.
Attorney Georun W. Toctim died lat
night ot a stroke cf apoplesy.
STRAXGE IDEAS OK OVl:nMBT
Colonel Wood's Vlew Are Regarded
by Correspondent.
PORTLAND, Jan! t. (To t!io Kdl
tor.) I havo carefully read ColonM
Wood's letter on tho conflict bftween
President Wilson and tho I'nlted States
Senate In The Oregonian. it contain
a strange conception of what our form
of government moana and stand fo ;
such a contradictory statement of fact
and fancy ns to tlin rights and duties
of tho respective divisions of our con
stitutional government.
Tie speaks about tho Kns.llh consti
tution and Hrlllsh I'ai I lament and it
limitations, but tho fart dors not fcrm
to suggest itself to his nil lid that vvor
200 year have elapse,! sinra an Koa
llsh King dared to quoMlon tho rlalil
of Parliament In the esorrlsn of Its con
stitutional rights, or to veto a measiii
affecting the public good passed by
Parliament.
Over a century has passed since an
English sovcrelBti had tho courauo to
Intimate to Parliament Ma wishes re
specting the disposition of a bill pend
ing before that body.
1 am not one win is wenned to inn
past, and only Insofar as the wisdom
of the past aids and assists us In see
ing the right should wo accept and
be guided by its counsel; horauso a.
thing Is old is no reason that It Is
right.
But today we find tho representa
tives of the people In Concrrsa quiver
ing and shaking In the presence of the
daily threats of a modern Caesar who
two vears henco may no anting soma
Tltlnius for a cup of water.
It is no party question. Docs t olonel
Wood believe that one man knows mnrn
about the wants of a wholo people than
they know themselves, especially when
that man has spent his whole lllo with
in the cloistered walls of a eollego and
whose stock In statesmanship sesnia
to be confined to synthetical phrases
nd methods?
Does the simple oath of office fer
tilize with infallible wisdom a brain
dominated In all hla year by tho nar
row limits of a Calvlnlhtlo class
room?
Does It confer on one man tho right
to enforce on a nation and its repre
sentatives a policy bottomed on hla im
perious will, and which Ignore t!i
broader Interests of tho many?
And yet we are confronted with sin h
spectacle today. We see a high
handed attempt which will surely lail,
to fuse the cxeculivo and the legisla
tive departments of government into
ono and clothe tho occupant nf tho
former with Mio functions of both.
A careful reading of Colonel Wood.
letter will at once disclose that ho ha
simply given expression to a mere sen
timent of personal admiration for a
man; that the reasoning and farts set
forth sre not and cannot he verified hv
historical experience and governmental
precedent.
It cannot nn pointed out in mr nin
history of parliamentary strtigglos
where freedom has come to any people
extent hv limiting tho power of tho
executive. This fact is so universally
true in the sue struggles of mankind
for liherlv that It Is surprising that
Colonel Wood would advanro sm h a
solution.
Wa have the spectacle of a msn
clothed with executive power quietly
sifting tho consciences of our Henstor
and Kepresentstives to ascertain how
ante must ho the temptation inst is
to be offered to Induce them to betray
the sacred trusts reposed In thsm by
their constituents. 'SKNATOH.
At a Donation Tartr.
Livingstone Iwincc.
"Were you gambling last nlclil?"
No. Indeed. It waa a donation party.
I came aay a hundred to tho good."
Motive of Friendship.
nirmlnghnm (Ala.) Age-llersl.l '
'Are vou familiar with tho motives
of Blink's new ploy?" "Yes; ho needed
tho inonev.
Tailored Styles
Are Foreshadowed
"Style for women, for 1915 will
bo seen and not beard.
"Strictly tailored I tho wsteh
word and a noticeable scarcity of
laco and furbelows."
Such 1 tho word that comes from
leading dres and ult manufactur
ers. Efforts will bo made to sound
a more strict American not than
usual.
All of which 1 good reason wbr
every woman will want to keep la
close touch with tho advertising In
The Oregonian.
The advertising these day I live
news of the Uveat kind.
It always sound the first word of
fashion's change.
t