Morning Oregonian., January 18, 1915, Page 6, Image 6

THE arORXING OKEGOXIAN, MONDAY, JANUARY J 8. 1915.
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rORTLASD, MONDAY. JAKCAB1 18. 1915.
FACTS. JJOT SUSPICIONS.
Means are readily available for
learning about the practical operation
of the Michigan Compensation Law,
which has been commended to the
Legislature by Governor Wlthycombe,
yet we find critics, who apparently
have made no attempt to gam Know.
ledge of conditions in Michigan, warn
Ingf the Legislature of Oregon against
evils they fancy would accrue under
the law, but which have failed to
assert themselves In Michigan after a
trial of two and one-half years.
The Michigan law offers several op
tione to the employer. He may insure
In a state administered fund, or insure
In an authorized liability company, or
Insure In a mutual company organized
under state law, or carry his own In
surance upon proper representation of
. financial ability.
i Ko matter how the Insurance is
-placed the schedule of compensation
Is the same, and the extent of injuries
is determined 1" the same manner.
The latter is left to a commission from
which, in case of dispute, there may
be appeal to an arbitration board. The
findings of the latter are final as to
facts, but questions of law may be
appealed to the courts.
It Is asserted that this system Is
'conducive to litigation; that awards
unsatisfactory to an employer or
liability company may be taken into
;court and dragged along until the in
iured workman is worn out. But the
Michigan law has a salutary protec
tion against such injustice to the
workmen. The State Industrial Board
has the right, from time to time, to
review and alter its decision in ap
proving the election of the employer
to adopt any one of the methods of
insurance, if In its Judgment such ac
tions are necessary or desirable to
secure and safeguard payments to
employes.
In actual practice the claims that
(ro to arbitration or into the courts in
Michigan are negligible in number.
Statistics compiled after the law had
been in operation fifteen months re
vealed that 15,000 claims had been
paid in which were involved only 266
arbitrations and ten appeals to the
courts. Quite frequently the question
in arbitration does not affect the rate
of payment, and in such instances
payments begin before the issues have
been finally settled. This is also true
as to some appeals which usually in
volve construction of provisions in the
statute and are instituted merely for
future guidance.
This information Is - obtained from
Senate Document "No. 419, consisting
of a report submitted by a commission
of the American Federation of Labor
and the National Civic Federation.
The labor interests were represented
on this commission by James Duncan
and John Mitchell, both vlee-presi
dents of the American Federation of
Labor.
This commission investigated the
' operations of compensation laws in
several of the states that have them.
and there are a number in which com
pensation insurance is not a state
monopoly, as it is in Oregon. The
commission says in Its summary and
conclusions:
Tn the states where there are Industrial
aceident hoards having Dower to pass upon
settlement agreements, to make rules and
regulations, to require the filing of receipts
showing the actual payments oi corapenw
tlon to tbe men, and having arbitrations and
lieartngs before them In case of dispute.
there was found no danger from fraud or
deception on the part either of the employer
or the workman, in tnese states me mw is
rlng fairly administered, and the employes
are receiving promptly their full compensa
tion under tho law.
Massachusetts is one of the states
which offer the employer the option
(ftJmying compensation insurance In
an authorized liability company. The
nme report discloses that in the first
twelve, months of the act 89,694 non
fatal accidents and 474 fatal cases
were reported. Yet out of more
than 90,000 cases, and out of an un
stated number reported in the suc
ceeding three months, only 584 pro
duced requests for arbitration. Of
, these 182 were settled without a
; formal hearing, and only 26 went to
1 the supreme Judicial court.
Concerning the operations of the
Massachusetts law, Mr. Henry Abra
hams. Secretary of the Boston Cen
tral Labor Union, has written a com
mendatory letter to the Workmen's
Compensation Commission appointed
by the last General Assembly of Mis
eonrl. This Commission publishes Mr.
. Abrahams' letter In full in its report
to the Missouri Legislature. In his
letter Mr. Abrahams says:
When an Insurer falls to meet its obliga
tions under the act. the employe has a rem
edy at hand in short order. He can ask for
a heaiins before a committee and Is entitled
to name a representative on said commit
tee. The Insurer alao names one and the
Industrial Accident Hoard sits as chairman
and assists in bringing out all the facts so
that a fair decision muy be rendered. 1 have
- Ieen a member of such committees at var
ious ttrrws and know, from my own exper
ience, the temper of tbe members of the In
dustrial Accident Boa.d. They have invar
iably done justice to every case and or
ganized labor is well pleased with their
work. . . . IMcase tell the members of
organised labor of Missouri that SD.000 In
jured employes in Massachusetts who shared
In the benefits of this great law say to them
that the sooner they place such a law on the
. statnte books of Missouri, the better It will
be lor them and their children.
The report comprising the Senate
. document first quoted states that as
a rule in states where arbitration of
.claims Is permitted, payments of the
: benefits begin at the end of the first
week of compensation. The first
arbitration usually requires three or
four weeks. If thereafter there is an
appeal to the full board, about four j
weeks expire before compensation be
gins. But the number of arbitrations
is comparatively very few. The laws
work almost automatically. j
The Commission says: -
Thlo commission has been unable to find
any differences in the treatment of the In
jured employe or his family In those states
In which insurance is written either by stock
" companies or mutual companies, or by a
etate Insurance fund, or through the em-
' ployer carrying bis own risk. As to these
four methods of Insurance, the law seems
m he nnmniled with through one mode as
well as through any other, while payments
are equally prompt.
The fact should not be lost sight
of that the Oregon law is admittedly
defective.. It must be improved by
amendment or by enactment of a law
wholly superseding it. A better sup
ply of statistical information and ac
curate reports on the laws of other
states is available than ever before.
We suggest that it is better to give
such documentary evidence considera
tion than to accept the speculations
and suspicions of those who disclose
that they have made no study of the
subject. State industrial insurance
monopoly is discarded by students of
and authorities on the subject of
workmen's compensation generally
The best results are obtained through
state regulation and the establishment,
for its wholesome competitive in.
fluence, of an optional, .properly ad
ministered state fund. -
DOES IT MEAN WHAT IT SAYS?
The Oregonan is surprised to be
told that some of its Democratic
friends are seriously advancing the
contention that the. Baltimore plat
form does not bind the present dis.
tlnguished occupant of the White
House to a single term. They say that
the following plank in that almost
forgotten and generally neglected
document does not mean what it ap
Dears to mean:
We favor a single presidential term, ana
to that end urge the adoption of an amend
ment to the Constitution making tne
President of the united States Ineligible
for re-election, and we pledge tne canui
date of this convention to this principle.
What principle? The principle of
the single presidential term of course.
It would seem that there could not be
among honest men any serious dis
pute about It; yet the argument is
advanced that "this principle means
submission of a constitutional amend
ment and not the assential thing itself
the prohibition of the second term.
We doubt if President Wilson will
stooD to a posture so frivolous and
fanciful. He would at once convict
his own party of paltering tergiversa
tion and himself of intellectual aisin-
genuousness, not to say flippant dis
regard of the plain intent of a party
pledge. It is an offense to intelligence
to say that the Democratic convention
intended to commit President Wilson
to the "principle"- of a single term
for all others but himself. Why an
express provision pledging him, and ho
others, to such a principle? 'If the
President decides to run again, it Is
not credible that he will fall to deal
with the situation frankly and say
that he is a candidate, as nearly every
other President has been a candidate,
for a second term. He bas not been
scrupulous heretofore about observ
ance of platform promises.
GIVE THE MAN A JOB.
There is much merit in the sugges
tion that employers should endeavor
to settle the unemployed difficulty by
concerted movement to increase
their working forces 5 to 10 per cent.
The general disposition, particularly
n times of stagnation, is to say no
when a man asks for a job. If em
ployers and people generally were to
reverse their attitude by endeavoring
to make work for a deserving appli
cant, the ranks of the unemployed
would soon be thinned and would ulti
mately be reduced to those who seek
work in the hope that they will not
find it.
Much work could be found for the
unenclosed if we would only seek
it and make up our mind to have it
done now. It can be done now at
much less cost than in busy times.
That fact appeals to our selfish in
stincts. By having it done now we
hall contribute to the general pros
perity, for an unemployed man buys
no clothes, pays little or no rent ana
eats the cheapest food or begs. An
enmloyed man. on .the other hand.
buys clothes and food and may be
come a rent-payer.
What the community does as a
whole for itself is the sum of what
each individual does for himself ana
it, when acting in concert. If we really
try. many of us will find we can spare
the money, and it will come back to
us in a roundabout but none the less
sure way.
A SIMPLE WAY TO SETTLE IT.
The LondoBL Times is of opinion
that the interests of American export
ers and of the allies "are not in reality
so antagonistic as they sound" and
uggests that both countries "should
hit 'upon some smoother, more expe
ditious and equally efficacious proced
ure" in place of the search for con
traband on the high seas or the taking
f ships to British ports for search. It
believes the inspection of cargoes by
British consular officials before leav
ing port is a step to this end, but says
that American traders cannot be
forced to fall In with it" The Times
continues:
The mnamiiirr is a new one. and In the
lehlv rieid svstem of government that ob
tain in the T'nited states there appears to
bo no administrative machinery for dealing
with it. It is not even certain mai mere
resides In the executive authority at Wash
ington any power to order tne ornciais ai
&mei.ir.an nArti to issue certificates guar
anteeing the character of a ship's cargo and
the trustworthiness of 1U manifest. If this
could be done, and a system of Joint inspec
tion by representatives ot Dotn countries
could be set up. most of the difficulties of
th oroblem and the friction and inconveni
ence it entails would disappear.
The Times also says Americans com.
Dlain that "after the seizure of a ves
sel there Is great and avoidable delay
in announcing the fate or its cargo.
It expresses the belief "that the com
munications under this head between
the Admiralty and the Foreign Office
might with advantage be both ampli
fied and expedited," and suggests that
some departure from the normat
umbrous, secret routine of diplomacy
nd of departmental intercourse may
safely be ventured upon"; also that
the Foreign Office "act a little, more
promptly and, above all, a little more
publicly."
These suggestions or tne Mimes are
directly in line with those heretofore
made by The Oregonian, that Ameri
can customs officers and British con
sular officers jointly inspect cargoes
and certify to their character, and that
there is lack of team-work between
the British Admiralty and the British
Foreign Office. If there is any lack
f authority in American customs of
ficers to do as suggested, congress
ould not do better than promptly
pass a law vesting liiem vvnii Liu.
authority. As the Times says, Amer
icans are "an eminently reasonable
people" and do not object to the trou
ble growing out of the war which is
unavoidable. Wv simply object to
having it aggravated unnecessarily by
red tape and administrative delay.
President W. J. Kerr's activities in
education are widely recognized and
esteemed. - His election to the vice
presidency ot the Land Grant Engi
neering Association puts the right man
In a place of great usefulness. We
learn from the Barometer,' of Corval-
lis, that stxty-five land grant colleges
have engineering schools. All of these
will now enjoy more or less of Presi
dent Kerr's influence.
military: tbatntng for boys.
The best answer to the question
asked in a letter published ir another
column as to whether use of our pubr
lie schools as a means to make us
a nation prepared for war would
"smack of militarism" is to quote the
example of other nations a peaceable
and democratic as the United States.
Switzerland is the' pioneer republic
of the world and though it has a
glorious military history, all its wars
have been defensive. In Switzerland
military service is compulsory on all
able-bodied males between 20 and 48
years old, a special tax being im
posed on the exempt. But the fepublic
encourages preparation for military
service of boys while still at school,
the Encyclopedia Brltannica saying
on this point:
The cantens (under Federal supervision)
see that the lads .while still at school, re
ceive ft rvmnastic training, while the Con
federation makes money grants to societies
which aim at preparing lads after leaving
School for their military service, whether
by stimulating bodily training on the prac-
tice or rtfle-snooung. in wnicn cases ruies.
ammnnlllnn nnd eoulnment are SUDDlied
free. In all these cases the attendance of
the lads is purely voluntary. In some
cantons the young men betwen the ages of
IS and 20 are required to attend a night
school fin v order to rub Ud their school
knowledge) for sixty hours a Winter for
two Winters, the teacher being paid by
the Confederation and the lads being
under military law.
Australia and New Zealand, which
are in all essential respects republics
under the suzerainty of King George,
go even farther. In those countries,
according to the London Times, mili
tary training is not only compulsory.
but begins at the age of 12 and con
tinues to the age of 25. From the
age of 12 to 14 the boys receive ninety
hours instruction in physical exercises
and elementary drill a year under the
educational authorities. At 14 they
pass under military control and- till
they are 18 have to do four whole-
day drills, twelve half-day drills and
fourteen night drills per year. At 18
they enter the citizen force and for
seven years are required to do six
teen days' training, made up in part
of half-day or night drills, with not
less than eight days spent con
tinuously In camp each year.
Sweden is a constitutional mon
archy, in which the people rule as
effectually as In the United States, but
military service is compulsory and
much attention is paid to drill In the
public .schools. '
As to the beneficial effect of uni
versal military training, the London
Times says:
Th nrrtinnrv citizen of Australia and
New Zealand regards it as so self-evident
as nn. tn hn worth riisnilASfnfir that. ttlCOnlV
possible way to secure either the numbers
or the efficiency required for national de
fense lies In the enforcement of the duty
of military training upon the whole body
of citizens. The moral value of discipline
has come to him as a new revelation,
fresh and too , vivid to be accepted as
merely In the ordinary course of things.
In the same strain Robert Biatch-
ford. a veteran of the British army.
wrote to the London Daily Mail:
I. having been in the army, have known
for forty years the mental, moral and
physical advantages of military training.
. . . For military training. If conducted
on reasonable lines. Is not a bad thing, but
a good thing for all young men. And I
am sure, and most soldiers Will agree with
me, that no gymnastics nor athletics nor
sports can replace it. tsecause minmry
training lnruses a collective spirit ana bu
Instructive discipline which can be gained
In no other way.
I have seen coster noys, mm nanos, tuwn-
bred hooligans, ignorant, round-shouldered.
pallid, un .vashed and morally loose, come
nto a regiment; ana in six mtniLiiB maj
spoken, weri-bullt soldiers. I have seen the
transformation effected. I have myself
gone through the mill. I am convinced that
tne army savea my me. x nm m. vum.
it did ma more good than any other ex
perience I have ever had.
As to whether initial military serv
ice in the schools- smacks of mili
tarism depends entirely on the spirit
and purpose in which it is entered
upon. It has not that effect in the
countries which we have cited, for
there it is designed solely for defense,
not for aggression. In the hands of
a democratic people. Imbued solely
with the desire to preserve) its rights
and liberties, military training can
have only the beneficial effect ex
perienced in Australia and New Zea
land. In the hands of a more or less
despotic ruler or of a people filled
with the lust for conquest it has the
same beneficial effects, but it has an
evil effect both on the nation which
thus misapplies it and on the other
nations which that nation attacks. To
assume that because a nation trains
its citizens to arms it has embraced ,
militarism is as .reasonable as to as
sume that because a desperado carries
a revolver every peaceable citizen who
keeps a revolver for the defense of
his house, becomes by that fact
desperado.
WATERPOWER BILL REVISED.
The Ferris waterpower bill has been
greatly improved by amendments in
the Senate committee and several of
the criticisms heretofore made on the
ground that the bill contravenes state
rights have been partially or wholly
met.
The Senate committee has inserted
a provision that no lease shall be
granted until the lessee has obtained
a water-right from the state, thus
recognizing the right of the state, as
owner of or sovereign over the water,
to a voice in the bargain. The veto
on sale by a lessee of more than 50
per cent of its power to a single con
sumer is eliminated, thus leaving the
way open for a corporation to use
practically the entire output of a
power plant in its own factory or for
a power company to sell all its cur
rent to an allied, manufacturing com
pany.
The regulation of inter-state rates
and of rates in states having no regu
lative body, also of stock and bond
Issues and mortgages, is taken from
the Secretary of the Interior and en-
trusted to the Interstate Commerce
Commission, which exists for such
purposes. The prohibition of sale of
current to a distributing company is
eliminated. The provisions as to
terms of leases, of renewals and of
Government purchase are made more
attractive in several respects, without
any apparent relaxation of safe
guards to the public interest.
Most important of all the amend
ments-is that relating to the disposi
tion of rentals. The Senate committee
provides that after the expiration of
each fiscal year 50 per cent, of the
proceeds shall be paid "to the State
within which the hydro-electric energy
is generated and developed," and the
other 50 per cent, shall be paid to
the reclamation fund. That goes very
far to meet the objection to the ori
ginal provision passed by the House,
that the State should derive no reve
nue from power sites until it had been
used in and returned from the recla
mation fund, and that then its share
should be applied to road and school
purposes.
The Oregonian has recognized that
public opinion has set so strongly In
favor of leasing power sites that there
lia no hope of further power develop-
I ment for some years on any other
terms. We believe that if the water
power states choose to contest the vali
dity of the leasing system In the
courts, it would be declared a viola
tion of the terms of .the enabling act
by which the Western states were ad
mitted, but that would cause pro
longed litigation and delay in develop
ment.' If the State were put In as
good ' a position as regards revenue
from power sites as it .would be were
the sites sold outright and rendered
taxable, our objection to the bill, so
far as that point is concerned, will
be met. Our chief desire is the same
as Secretary Lane's, that power be
developed as soon and as fast as a
market is created. ,
The sponsors of the Ferris bill are
obsessed with the dread of monopoly
and of the power trust and they ques
tion the willingness and the ability of
the states to combat monopoly. Ore
gon has an efficient regulative body.
which prevents oppression by power
companies and secures to the con
sumer tho benefits of power develop
ment in large units. So have Wash
ington and California. Hence these
States are hot afraid of evil con
sequences from large companies,
Nor can we see that the supposed
power trust .has any interest in de
feating the Ferris bill. The companies
composing the alleged trust own their
power sites In fee simple. Why should
they object to the saddling of a heavy
annual rent on their future compet
itors? The only possible reason is
that the trust expects to grab the rest
of the power sites. If it should, .the
new companies would still be. subject
to strict regulation of rates and capital
and to prosecution under the anti
trust laws. " -
A more serious obstacle to develop
ment is the provisions that states or
municipalities may lease power sites
rent free. This threat of a neavj
handicap in competition with plants
owned by the puBlic is calculated to
frighten away private capital from the
power business. Though public own
ership of public utilities usually means
political management, which is inef
ficient and wasteful, there is no com
pulsion to operate at a profit. Hence
rates might be maintained at so low a
scale as to keep out or drive out pri
vate competition. If the way is to be
opened for public operation under tne
bill, the same terms should be offered
to public as to private lessees. Then
the systems of public operation and of
private operation under public con
trol could fight out the question of
superiority on their merits.
Several severe, consecutive efforts
seem to be needed in order to tear the
spoilsmen's grip from river and har
bor work. Possibly the lesson to be
administered at this session of Con
gress in the manner suggested may
suffice. Then the plan to take the
apportionment of river and harbor
funds entirely out of the hands of
Congress and to entrust it to a non
political commission may again be
brought forward with some prospect
of adoption.
Master bakers are not wholly disin
terested in advising greater use of
slightly stale bread. They must take
back the loaves from the retailer and
suffer loss, let the eating public that
demands nothing "but the fresh out
put" is undermining its digestive or
gans, slowly but surely, as the doctors
will prove by their bills.
The Baker County Farmers' Union
does well to push the matter of rural
credits. Congress should not be al
lowed to Ignore it. Without adequate
capital farming usually fails and on
the other hand it is ruinous to borrow
at high interest rates. There is no
subject before Congress more impor
tant than rural credits.
Persons in the East who describe
themselves as "attractive young wid
ows," stating age, out neglecting viuu
details, seeking husbands ' and pros
perous homes, are advised that Ore
gon's ellgibles are wiser than in
former years, when tne man orcer
affair was popular. They want to see
the goods.
The Kaiser has beaten Kitchener
into the moving pictures, and soon it
will be Spring and the march either
toward or away from Berlin will be
so rapid the film-makers cannot keep
ud. ana tne ouisiae wonu win uui
have even a glimpse of the British
chieftain in action.
The surest way to prevent the rise
in prices of food is not to Investigate
it, but to grow more wneat, oats,
cattle and hogs. Every additional acre
of wheat will do more to keep down
the price than a whole army of in
vestigators.
Confectioner Pangborn is a good
shot, even at a target ten feet distant.
If the young man he "plunked" shall
develop into a burglar and highway
man, Mr. Pangborn can consider mm
self a man, of nerve.
The Oregon is on her way. That
has the sound of seventeen years ago,
but this mission is one of peace,
though for the matter of that, she
helped bring about peace the other
time.
A census of the men who have been
President of Mexico in tire last four
years is in order. A census of those
who- have tried to be President Is
hopelessly impossible.
The German soldier in Brussels
would doubtless prefer a few Belgian
-'cuss words" to the "silent treatment,
for then he would have a good ex
cuse for retaliation.
The year 1915 will be famous in
history as the year of the great war,
the Italian earthquake and the Jitney
panic, and some other events not yet
revealed.
The Kaiser does not want his peo
ple to celebrate his birthday this year,
but if the boys win a few big battles
that day he cannot object if they
hoch"-him:
What about the men who stand on
the edge of the walk at a crossing and
compel women to go around? Has
the traffic officer Jurisdiction?
The people of the Middle West are
again in the grip of a blizzard that
makes them cast longing eyes toward
Oregon.
The German war loan shows a
united, optimistic nation. Issued at
97 V4, it has gone to par.
Switzerland hears heavy guns and
notes a red glare over the borders.
Donner and blitxen!
Twenty-Five Years Ago.
From The Oregonian of January 18, 1890,
Olympia Publication of the fact that
several members of the Legislature are
taking steps to organize an anti-boodl
society created a sensation and conster
nation here today. Some took It good
naturedly and some were as mad as
hornets. Clark of Spokane was one to
show his stinger. He said the article
in the Tacoma Globe reflected on every
member in the House.
"Not by a good deal," retorted Evana
San Francisco Jack Dempsey's con
ditlon is growing worse. It is said
symptoms of consumption have shown
themselves. Since his defeat at the
hands of LaBlanche Dempsey has been
failing noticeably.
At the annual meeting of the Volun
teer Firemen's Association Thursday
night the following officers- were
elected: Robert Holman. president
B. Stuart, first vice-president; F. M.
Arnold, second vice-president; Lewis
Delschneider. secretary, and William
Labbe. treasurer. The board of dlrec
tors includes: i W. M. Lucas, W. H. D.
Joyce. Nat Gottgetrue, Ben L. Norden,
John T. Williams, H. S. Allen. W. A.
Sewell, Frank Hacheney 'and Ike Kauf
man.
Charles L. Ascher entertained a num
ber. of his friends at an elaborate dinner
party Thursday night. Al Hay mart,
S. H. Friedlander, Asa Hamilton, Morris
Liebman, Ted Goodman and Sam Myers
were present. As host Mr. Ascher
proved himself equal to the occasion,
and it was decidedly a most recherche
affair.
New York Dr. Lyman Abbott last
Wednesday was formally Installed as
pastor of the Plymouth Church, Brook
lyn, the pulpit formerly held by Henry
Ward Beecher. Dr. Abbott gave his
expression of. faith, and was accepted
without a dissenting voice, except that
of Dr. McLeod, a Scotch preacher, who
disagreed with Dr. Abbott's expression.
There had been much speculation as to
what effect Dr. Abbott's pulpit utter
ance on the faith question would have.
The students of the high school have
been organizing a debating club. The
officers are: George Scoggin, Harlan
Smith, W. B. Wells, Charley Davy and
Henry Newman. In the initiative de
bate -on "Ought the United States to
Acquire Dominion over America? Kob.
ert O'Neil and Henry McGulre presented
the affirmative, and Henry Delinger and
Harlan Smith the negative. The nega
tive won the decision.
Work is starting on the new four-
story brick at Fifth and Oak, to be
erected by H. W. Corbett,
"TAXES WHKS DUE" IS THE CRY
Correspondent Objects to Trying; to
Collect on Discount Basla.
PORTLAND, J-in. 18 (To the Edi
tor.) Concerning taxation it will
doubtless be conceded:
First That the state or municipality
has no right to draw funds from the
people except to provide for its legiti-
mate expenses. It has no right to make
profit in the way of interest on
money so drawn from taxpayers.
Second The state or municipality is
entitled to funds only as needed for
immediate outlay.
To those conversant with business
conditions in Oregon for the last 20
years it is no news that near-panic
has been caused each year by the
method of collecting or attempting to
collect the entire amount of taxes due
In two weeks' time In March. The law
granted a liberal discount for cash
payment before March 20 and every.
one who -could do so paid in full and
received the discount. Result: So great
portion of the circulating medium
of exchange (money) was withdrawn
from general circulation in so short
time that, as stated, a near-panic
resulted.
The state can only use the money
as it becomes necessary and the
amount not expended is a burden. In
practice the money not expended is
placed in banks and loaned by them
to customers at remunerative rates 'of
Interest. It is plain to be seen that
the more money so drawn from the
people, so deposited and so loaned, the
greater prosperity to the banker.
When we see a body of men propos
ing a liberal discount for advance
payment of taxes and a penalty for
those who do not pay the entire amount
at the first payment date, as a measure
to be enacted into law, we conclude
that these persons are not looking
after the interests of the people. And
yet that Is Just what the Multnomah
delegation In the State Legislature, it
appears, proposes.
A more sensible proposition, if one
leaves out the interests of the poor
banker, would be to make taxes pay
able quarterly. It would not cause I
congestion of the' people's money. It
would be more convenient for people
of limited ability to pay. It would
lessen the responsibility of those un
der bonds for the safety of public funds.
It would keep tne money more nearly
where it belongs in general circula
tion.
There should be an end of the at
tempt to collect the entire amount in
any one month. No objection can be
made to a penalty on those who do not
nay their taxes when due. but it is
obnoxious to every American citizen to
have to pay a penalty on taxes that
are not due. - T. G. ROBINSON.
Peace Advocates Upheld.
PORTLAND, Jan. 16. (To the Edi
tor.) In an editorial recently you vent
your spleen upon the peace advocates,
referring to them as "gentle dreamers,
"menders of human nature," etc. You
sneer at the unselfish attempts of these
men to educate their fellow-men in
ways of sane thinking, and fall Into the
fallacy of thinking that because war
has not disappeared therefore those
who preach the folly of war are fools
and weaklings. Fine logic this! ine
work of social workers has tailed to
eliminate drunkenness and crime
therefore the social workers are fools.
The laws made by good men have
failed to prevent murder; therefore
away with the laws. You will acknowl
edge. I believe, that .war is silly and
criminal. If this is so, why take every
opportunity to revile those who are
doing what they can to create a senti
ment which will make war more un
likely? Far from being idle dreamers.
the vast majority or the peace advo
cates are thoroughly " practical men,
trying to do the most practical and
necessary task in the world.
HEKBEKT B. AUUUK.
Blare About Knm-quat.
PORTLAND, Jan. IS. (To the Edi
tor.) Noticing in The Oregonian re
cently the Inquiry of Alice A. Craven,
Rainier, Or., for information concern
ing the kind of fruit a "Gum-quat" is.
permit me to inform her that the spell
ing Is "Cum-quat, ' or "Kum-quat, and
that it is a small orange about the
size of a pecan and shaped very much
like a pecan. It is a native of China,
and is grown in both Florida and
Southern California. It is used for
making both jelly and preserves. It is
fairly palatable when eaten raw and is
eaten rine. seeas ana ait. in taste it
has more of the flavor of a lemon than
an orange. . The tree is very proline
and those who raise them In the coun
try frequently put -them up in tiny
orange boxes and put them on sale
with a sign by them saying: "Buy a
box of oranges and mail it to a friend
in the East." A H.
Some Poems Wot Immortal.
Boston Transcript.
'Penley used to think-his poems were
Immortal." "What changed his opin
ion?" "The editor 'killed' so many of
them."
MILITARY DRILL, FOR SCHOOLS
Wonld It Smack of Militarism and Fos
ter War Splrltt
BERKELEY, CaL. Jan. 14. (To the
Editor.) Appreciating the radical
conservatlveness of your editorials
and the sanity of your views. I should
be much Interested to know' what your
opinion Is In regard to the suggestion,
seen and heard quite frequently, t'iat
our public schools be used a a mean
to make us a Nation prepared for war.
Would this smack of militarism?
Would it foster the war spirit In the
minds of the young, or would It Instil
a spirit of patriotism, a love of coun
try, and a snse of responsibility for
the preservation of our institutions?
In other words, how far would the
American people be willing to fro in
case a programme ot thorough prepar
ation were adopted? Or to state It
more succinctly, when does prepara
tion become militarism?
Not long ago Colonel Heistand. of
the central division, IT. 8. A., said that
he was in favor of having every male
citizen schooled in the arts of war, ac
quainted with camp life and ready
when his country called him. This
would be tantamount to conscription,
for which the American people would
never stand, and rightly so, since it Is
at variance with our democratic Ideas
and Institutions. But is there not some
way of getting a trained eltisenry with
out being made liable to the charge of
militarism?
"That there will be wars In the fu
ture is very probable. Mankind ad
vances slowly. That we will be im
mune from war no one can say with
any assurance. To continue to pursue
the policy which we have In the past,
viz., a shameful neglect of National
defense, is but to flirt with -possible
disaster. We have an Immense terri
tory and we need lots of men and
weapons to defend It. The Islands on
the sea which we possess also require
garrisons for protective purposes. Our
army at its present sine is hardly suf
ficient for National police purposes, let
alone being able to cope with an in
vading army, tihould one of the great
powers suddenly declare war on us
and send an invading army to our
shores the spectacle of our "toy army
facing these mighty hosts from across
the sea would be a pitioie one. vve
have visions of this mighty invading
army playing with our army much in
the manner that a cat does with a
mouse, and then, growing weary of
the amusement, swooping down upon
it and annihilating it
This is not to undervalue the courage,
marksmanship and general military
ability of the American soldier. We
believe there Is none better. For those
same superior qualities which appear
elsewhere, resulting from a mixing of
nationalities, make their appearanoe
in the soldier. A compound of irish
man. German and Englishman ought to
produce a nearer superman than the
dlnclei element alone. The best steel
is made from a blending of several
kinds of steel. But, however valorous
the American soldier, however sure his
marksmanship and however schooled
in military tactics, these would count
for little acainst overwhelming num
bers. So that while potentially we
are a strong nation, in actuality we
are all but Impotent. ,
And the way our wise lawmakers
at Washington sit and talk about this
being a Nation at peace with the world,
that we don't want war, etc.. Is most
disgusting. Of course we don't want
war. But if we pursue the policy in
the future that we have in the past,
we Bhall surely get it The fact that
we desire peace Is no Assurance that
we will get peace. I may be a perfect
ly peaceable man and bear no ill-will
to my fellow-men, but that Is not go
inar to prevent some ruffian not so
peaceable as myself from whacking me
over the head with a club and robbing
me as I walk down some dark street
at night. Let us beware of robber na
tions. We ouKht to have a strong Navy.
That Is our natural bulwark. But our
Navy is not receiving much more at
tention at Washington than our lana
forces. The trouble with us Is, we are
enjoying a peaceful somnolence from
which even the roaring of the cannons
n Europe falls to awaken us. we can
profit much by this war, if willing to
learn. Now Is the time to start get
tins: an adequate National defense, not
when we hear the booming of the huge
cannon off New York harbor. Our
coast cities should be equtppsd with
adequate defenses, which would mean
the displacing or ODSoieie guns wnn
the newer longer-range guns. War
fare has . become a science, and we
should keep up with it sufficiently to
guarantee thorough protection.
With the great aavancemeni in an
the sciences which the 20th century
witnessed. It was but natural thnt
there should be an "advancement" In
the art of killing men. This "advance
ment" has taken place mostly In Eu
rope. We have not kept pace with
them. The chance is now ours to rem
edy past neglect and start getting our
Nation prepared for any eventuality
that may arise. A hundred things may
Involvn us In war. the Monroe Doctrine,
defense of Pacific possessions, a Na
tional insult, etc. And tnese cnances
ere increased a hundred-fold by our
lack of preparation. Yes, let us have
npapA Knt let us De wise enougu m
auo thnt we must ray the price of
Deace. and that price Is a thorough
and unmistakable preparation for war,
11. rJ. JvLJ.M.
MEMORIES.
r ha,, TimmnnAi1 for review.
A host of memories, great ana small.
LSome come dancing, gayly prauclng.
Giaaiy answering
In fantastic, gaudy raiment.
Mocking faces one and all;
Now they tell of hours wasted,
Follies trifling, actions weak.
And they taunt and ever haunt me.
In derisive tones tney speaic,
Ah! with deep regret I listen;
Shame Is burning on each cneea.
Others dressed In sober colors.
Darkly, sullenly, appear;
Slow, reluctant steps tney measure,.
Halting now as if in fear.
And a melancholy lingers over all
As thev draw near.
Sad the story they related.
In hushed voices, strangely mua,
As if they regretted telling
Of a nature rough and wild.
Of the strifes and vain rebellions
Of a reckless, wayward child.
Now a phantom host advances
And I shrink back In the gloom.
At the grim and ghastly company.
Called from out the silent tomb;
Are the spirits good or evil?
Must I grant thom any room?
But they force their way upon me.
And proclaim In harshest tones:
We, the memories of hopes cherished,
Bv the rattling of our bones,
Show they've perished." And I answer
only
With my sighs and groans.
Are there none to soothe my sorrow?
No sweet memories of the past?
That will cheer me on life's Journey,
Help me home at last?
Yes! I see them now appearing.
Troops are coming.'oh, so fast.
Pure and peaceful In their beauty.
Gladly singing their sweet song:
We are -hours spent in duty.
Spent in fighting with the wrong.
And triumphant In their victory
Rose the anthem, loud ana lung.
All have passed In quick succession.
Now appears a shining one.
Countenance to rare and radiant.
Records there but Just begun;
Promises of growing beauty.
As the rising of the sun.
New hopes now arise within me. '
Clouds are past and sKies are oiue,
Sweet the visions that awaken
Future pleasure, memories true.
Ah. he whispers low of true love
And or hours spent with you.
r. H. Q., Portland,
Half a Century Ago.
From The orssonlan of January lit. JM.V
Corvallis Edward Mornn.-a man who
lives some 10 miles from this place, was
killed Saturday night. It appears he
went to the home of Patrick Kinney
after dark, carrying his gun. Then,
from the cvidenco at hand, thr-y had
a dispute and. In a Utile) scuffle, thn
gun was dischari-d. Tho Coroner's
Jury returned a verdict of accidental
killing.
Edward Everett, statesman, orator
and writer, whose long life of 70 yenrs
in (treat part was spent In public
servloo, died Kunday morning, January
15, at his home on Sumner street In
lloston. At one time he was professor
of Greek at Harvard. Inter president of
Harvard, and In the Interim Minister
to Britain. He also was Secretary of
State, and at one time or another Gov
ernor of Massachusetts snd a member
of Congress In both the- Unties and the
Senate.
Construction has started on the new
flour mill to be built in this city by
G. W. Vaughn. The location la on tha
east side of Kront street north of slain
street.
As a result of the cold snsp men have
Lbeen sent up tho Columbia to "pros-
peer- ror Ice wim which to nil the Ice
house on Taylor street built by Mr.
Kalilch.
Due notice Is being given by Marshal
Hoyt of the change In the eullecllon of
city licenses.
H. Cstley has recently been mustered
In as Regimental tjuartrrmastrr of tha
First Infantry. Oregon Volunteers. He
called at The Oregonian olllce yesterday
to bid good-by, as he has bees ordered
to Fort Hosklns.
KMPI.OYIHET AGENTS I;KI: DKI).
Proposed Legislation ITnnili H. J.
' Whit to Hrply to Criticise.
PORTLAND, Jan. 1 (To tho Ldl-
tor.) At the session of the Legislature
now convened there will be presented
a bill to abolish all private employment
agencies that receive a fa from the
employe. The specific pica for the pass
age of this bill Is, "that many em
ployment agencies In th past have
robbed the worktngmen by dividing
fees with the contractors snd other
employers"; also, "thnt many contrac
tors In the past have made It a prac
tice to keep men but a short time In or
der that their receipts from the ssenry
might be Increased." It will be noticed
that Mr. Hchuebel, who fathers the hill,
uses the past tense In both these asser
tions. Different Individuals, and the press,
have taken occasion to voice their opin
ion as to the employment airem-los tn
general during the past. Heretofore,
no reply htis-been made to such letters
or editorlpls. Now, however, when It
Is proposed to pface such a drastic
measure on our statute hooks. It Is
time to mention a few points for tho
consideration of the unprejudiced.
What has been done "in the past" is
of the past. Doubtless there were un
scrupulous agents and equully culpnlile
employers who "split fees," but such
a procedure Is practically Impossible
under the present conditions In Port
land, the labor canter of Oregon. Years
ago a license to conduct an employ
ment agency cost but a few dollars, no
bond being necessary, snd there was
no restriction on ths amount of fee
that could b charged ths employe.
Such condition was bound to attract a
class of men that saw sn opportunity
for petty graft.
At the present time the employment
business In Portland will slanrl the full
est Investigation. The license fee Is
1200 per annum for offices hiring mule
help and 40 for those hiring female
help. Every office Is under henry bond
and Its every move Is regulated hy
city ordinance No. 2". 874. under Its
ruling ths ssrent absoltttuly guarnnlees
work to the employe lor a cerium
length of time or tho fee Is refunded.
Should the employ not find the po
sition Just as represented In him he
can demand both fee and trsnsports
tion expense.
The enforcement of the ordinance Is
In the hands of the fltste Labor Com
missioner, Municipal l.lrense Commis
sioner, District Attorney. City Attor
ney and others. Anyone who says that
the sgencles are taking sdvsntage of
the laborers Indirectly ssserts tnat
these gentlemen are not capahie ot at
tending to their duties In this respect.
Having been many years In the busi
ness In Portland. I can truthfully say
that such Is not tho esse. Any work-
Inirman with a rrlevanc asalnst th
agencies can always obtain Immediate
attention, and II tne aiiinnnu v
control the destinies of tli employ
ment stenoies temper Justlc with
mercy, the mercy Is not extended to
th agent. This Is merely a diaest of
things "as thsy ar" In the employment
business In contradistinction to thing
"as most people think they are."
H. J. WHITE.
Ileal! y and Hullilln SlnlUtlr.
PORTLAND. Jan. It (To the Edl-tor.)-To
settle a controversy, plena
publish the total number of building
permits anil cost of bullrtlnns erected In
each of the years from I 1 0 to 11.
elusive. In Portland; nlso Hi totals of
deeds tiled each year and tho tolnl con
derations. A HO Stat increase.
In
population durlna- those years.
The building permits from 1!10 from
the official records at th City Hall
follow:
year No. Tcrmlts
iwio ana
mi ""
int-j -'--
lKI.'l "7I
-lull WV
Vslitnltnl
$M-.it rf't i.ll
iiU ".7" on
14 i:.:.n?l "
12 tr.t !'!.'. ert
Previous to 1U ri" detailed record
of the number of deeds men earn moiun
was kept. Records kept since jonn
Coffey. County Clerk, took tifflco show
that le.l deeds were filed In 1913 and
14,87 In 1H.
From the conslilerstlons shown
H...1. known to ba valuable
showing no consideration) the value of
rtronortv transferred wns 1 1.7i7,4s.
This docs not represent the actual value
of all property transrerren; in un in
actual value was much more. This Is
tru because soms of the most valuable,
properties wot recorded wllh the deeds
showing only a nominal or partial con
sideration. Only by watching each In
strument and making a personal ap
praisement could an accurst stlmai
h made. However, since the advent of
,. "w.e stamps" recently It has been
possible to estimate th vain of the
.nn,K. from the deed, because It Is
necessary to show a fairly approximate
value, to llx the "war tax.
Resolutions Made laf I.an.
Washington (D. C.) Star.
"I made a lot of resolutions Insl year."
"And kept 'cm all?" "Every one of
them. The only thing I csn do now Is
to think up resolutions for other people
and try to have mm cnaciea into
aws."
The First Spring Styles
January brings th first hint of
the new styles. In the bright col
ored cottons, and th dainty lin
ger! frocks.
It makes th first turn of th
season the sign that wsrm wsathsr
Is coming again.
The stores take on a new look.
They ar mure Interesting.
And he newspaper advertising
begins to catch the spirit of th
change.
The advertising from day to day
Is an Interesting barometer of th
changing seasons.
7
X