TITE MORNING OREGONIAN, THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 4, 1915.
rOKTLASD. OlttOO.
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rOKTLAND, THl'KSDAY, FEB. 4,
1915.
THE OBSTINATE JONOR1TV.
The Republican minority in the .Senate
chase bill to death is also attempting to
talk majority rule to death. It by its
filibuster it can prevent action before the
expiration of Congress on March 4 it will
haxe defeated majority rule ae emphatically
as would gunmen at a polling place who
urove intending voters away from the bal
lot box. .New York World.
The Democratic majority in ' Con
gress needs nothing so much as pro
tection from itself. Except for the
determined opposition of a small co
terie of Republican Senators in the
recent session, the Democratic Con
press, throwing to the winds its hypo
critical professions of economy, would
have passed an infamous pork-barrel
grab; now it would jam through a
ship-purchase bill that in its original
form would have provoked trouble
with every belligerent European pow
er. A powerful minority has so far,
under the wide-open Senate rules,
been able to hold up this inconceivable
lolly, and will probably be able to de
feat the bill outright, or to amend it
Into innoeuotisness.
The rule of the minority is Indeed
hard to defend In popular government.
It is curious now to note how the
Democrats quote the Reed rules
promulgated by "Czar" Reed to de
feat the obstreperous tactics of a re
calcitrant Democratic minority with
respect and approbation.
fiut it may well be wondered how
far the unwise and foolish Democratic
majority would take the country on
the downward road, except for the
irreconcilable minority.
ME ARE NOT INCOMPETENT.
If Oregon alone can define authori
tatively a water power policy satis
factory to the state at large that pro
cedure w ill be of benefit in protecting
the slate's interests even though the
resolution submitted in the Senate yes
terday fails to bring about a confer
ence of the water-power states of the
Wett.
Until now the sentiment of'the state
has been expressed at Washington
through the limited power of a Con
gressional delegation, small in number
in comparison with those of other
states. .Moreover the Representatives
and Senators from Oregon have
never had accurate information as to
the desires of the people. The resolu
tion commits the state to the definite
principle that the interest of the state
is in proportion much larger than the
interest of the Federal Government in
the development of water powers.
The Ferris bill, as it has passed the
lower House of Congress, in effect de
clares even more than a 50 per cent
interest on the part of the Govern
ment in the development and benefits
of water power. The state owns the
water power, even that located on
streams flowing through Government
land. The Government's land is con
ceived by the bill to be of value even
paramount to the value of the state's
water, although use of the land is but
incidental to development. The state
must have some of the land, it is true,
in order to develop its water-power
resources, but the Government is seek
inii to trade upon the state's necessity;
.and thereby build up a fictitious value
on its ow n property.
In point of reversionary .interest the
Government seeks an advantage over
the state. Of revenues It demands 50
per cent. These revenues are to be
in tho form of rentals. Whatever is
charged as rentals must affect the
price at which power is delivered to
the consumers. The higher the rental
charge the higher tho cost of electric
current. The rental is a tax upon the
citizens of Oregon and Secretary Lane
has asserted that this tax should not
be merely nominal.
If the-state received its just share
of the rentals there would still remain
the objection that the consumers in
one locality were being taxed for the
benefit of the whole state. But the
Ferris bill proposes that the state
snail not receive its just share of the
rentals, ami that the tax exacted in
behalf of the Government shall be
expended for the development of Gov
ernment irrigation projects.
Oregon has already had the bitter
experience of witnessing a diversion
if money paid by its own citizens for
Government land a diversion to the
reclamation of arid lands in other
states. The adoption of the Ferris bill
as it is drawn means to all intents and
purposes that Oregon shall continue
to pay out money for the upbuilding
of distant communities which contrib
ute nothing to Oregon" development
or Oregon's cost of government.
Tho Oregonian would not object to
nn equitable leasing law which also
defined an equitable principle of co
operative control. But the Govern
ment's idea of co-operation as ex
pressed through the office of the Sec
retary of the Interior hits not been
true co-operation. The state's co-operation
is usually held down to putting
up money or property and then taking
a back seat. The Government does
the rest. We are not apprehensive of
the state's ability to control its own
property, or to insure its own develop
ment and keep out of the clutches of
monopoly and private speculation.
Oregon's people are on the ground.
They know what Oregon needs. They
are "jealous of their own power and
confident of their own legislative and
administrative ability in every other
particular. Why admit incompetency
In this?
We run see no reason why the Gov
ernment should not for the benefit of
the whole people turn over to Oregon
its trifling interest in water power.
Tlii is what the Senate resolution
suggests. It is a sano declaration.
Berlin is buying heavy supplies in
Ttouniania. So long as business is
pood no doubt Roumania will keep out
of the fray and after her surplus sup
plies have been bought up she will not
dare venture in. The Berlin military
strategists apparently are right on the
job.
NEWSPAPERS IN SCHOOLS.
Educational opinion in Boston
rather inclines to favor the use of
newspapers in the public schools. One
teacher. William T. Miller, as reported
in the Globe, would "set the pupils to
clipping Items and pictures on current
topics." In this way, he thinks, they
might secure good practice in oral
reading with a substantial gain in in
formation. Another Boston teacher,
Nathaniel C. Fowler, "would make
newspaper reading a part of the cur
riculum of every school above the
lower grades." .
Xaturally if this plan were followed
there should be a little discrimina
tion among newspapers. Some of
them can hardly be called proper
reading for schoolchildren, or for any.
body else, so far as that goes. But it
must be conceded that the ordinary
newspaper is clean and wholesome. It
presents the facts of current history
in a lively and usually exact manner,
while, its English compares favorably
with that of "best-seller" fiction, to
say the least. It is easy to avoid par-
I tjsansmp Dy usjng- newspapers of vari-
ous shades of opinion and if this were
done- we dare say the pupils would
profit more from them than from
some of their textbooks.
FOR A BETTER CNDERSTANOrXG.
The Oregonian deems it only fair
to present the German view of the
widely-mooted Belgian treaty and its
so-called violation by the Germans.
We say "so-called," because the Ger
mans in effect say that there was no
treaty to which the German empire
was a party for the protection of Bel
gium's neutrality. From the course of
a long article in the Oregon Herold,
on the "Case of Belgium," we take the
following:
It Is universally recognized that the vital
interests of a country supersede its treaty
obligations. But though this Is the theoretic
side of the question, there Is a practical
one as regards Belgium: When the war
broke out there was no enforceable treaty
in existence to which Germany was a party.
Originally, In 1S3, a treaty was concluded
providing ror sucn a neutrality. ju jov.
Franca demanded of Prussia the right to
take possession of Belgium, and the written
French offer was made known by Bismarck,
in July, 1870. Then England demanded and
obtained separate treaties with France and
with the North German Federation to the
effect that they should respect Belgium's
neutrality, and such treaties were signed
on the 9th and 26th of August, 1870, re
spectively. According to them both coun
tries guaranteed , Belgium's neutrality for
the duration of the ar and for one year
thereafter. The war came to an end with
the Frankfurt peace, in ISil. and the treaty
between Belgium and the North German
Federation expired in May, 18i2.
We are aware that Belgium is a
most sensitive question, and that any
commentator who ventures to open it
up will soon find himself on the one
side or the other. But it will do" no
violence to a professed and well
intentioned attitude of neutrality, we
hope, if The Oregonian ventures to
solicit from its German neighbor, the
Herold. a further elucidation of the
German attitude, viz.:
(1) Did the treaty of 1839, merely
binding Prussia, lapse when the North
German Federation was formed? Or
(2) Did the treaty of 1870 supersede
the treaty of 1S3D? (3) Does the
main German contention rest on the
fact that there was no treaty, or that
if there was a treaty the vital interests
of Germany justified its violation?
(4) What were Belgium's sovereign
rights, as against Germany and all
other countries, assuming that there
was no treaty? Or had Belgium no
sovereign rights as against the vital
interests of Germany or any other
country?
The Oregonian begs to assure its
friend the Herold that its purpose is
not at all to invite controversy, but to
reach a better understanding of some
things it has not seen clearly set
forth.
Fl'TII.E ROAD WORK.
It is plain to be seen that the Cor
vallis Gazette-Times has grown a little
disheartened over "road-building" as
it is practiced in Benton County. But
really there is no exceptional cause for
discouragement in that county. Its
record, bad as it looks in the Gazette
Times' presentment, is about the usual
thing. Other counties have been doing
the same for lo these many years and
getting the same results. Those re
sults are precisely nothing. The Ga
zette Times permits its memory to run
back over eleven dismal years of road
work during which $423,142 have
been spent without obtaining "a sin
gle foot of what is accepted as per
manent roadway." It is pretty nearly
the same everywhere, in some places
a little better, in some a little worse.
We do not gather from the Gazette
Times that the road work in Benton
County has actually injured the high
ways, while we could point to places
where it has. Some ground for con
solation may perhaps be found in this
fact anu the tears of the Gazette
Times may flow a little less copiously
for hearing of it.
The considerable sum which has
been spent on the roads of Benton
County In the last eleven years would
have built about forty miles of con
crete highway at the usual cost of
$10,000 a mile. Such a road properly
graded and drained would have lasted,
with moderate annual repairs, for a
hundred years. Roman roads of simi
lar character built by the Emperors
have endured for 2000 years. The
annual work in Benton County, we
learn, regularly disappears under the
Winter rains and the wheels of auto
mobiles, so that it must be done over
and over again with wearisome and
futile repetition every season. "The
ruts are worn and the ruts are filled,
and what is it all when all is done?"
Tho Gazette-Times pleads for work
that will be permanent. A mile or
two each year of scientific concrete
roadway would. It believes, be an in
spiration which would work up enthu
siasm among users of the highways
and ultimately introduce a wholesome
revolution in rural methods. No doubt
this Is true.
But it Is easily feasible to make all
road work permanent.' There is no
sound reason why annual repairs
should be trivial and evanescent, lney
should be as permanent as concrete.
The principal repairs on roads fall
under the heads of drainage, fills and
regrading. A new grade properly se
lected and surveyed is done for all
eternity. It needs no change. A fill
properly made and drained will last,
with slight yearly repairs, as long as
the road is used. The underlying se
cret of permanent repairs is drainage.
Here is where amateur and political
road building almost always fails. It
is useless to lay down even a concrete
roadbed until the drainage is secure.
Fills without adequate drains always
wash out. Xo grade, however scien
tifically surveyed, will last lonar with
out complete drainage. With due at
tention to these fundamental princi
ples all road repairs may be madej
permanent. Once done they will be
done forever, though of course total
neglect will ruin them as it will any
road work. The trouble at the bottom
of our miserable roads is not so much
lack of money as lack of knowledge.
In this instance ignorance is the root
of all evil.
(OIKSE OF FOREIGN TRADE.
Each month shows a larger balance
of trrie in favor of the United States
than the month preceding, for exports
continue to increase, while imports de
crease. The months since the war be
gan make the following showing:
Month, f Exports 1 Imports I Balance
1
August
$110.3li7.4IMl12B,767.80,l 1,400,3B
ir.052,a:t:;; 13.71o.biii ib.341.722
Seote'r I
October I 104.711.17UI 138.0S0.52V (0.680,650
Xove'r. 20i.87S.3331 12U.467.OB2l 70,411,2.1
Decem'r 24B.2UB.047l 114,402, U70 131.SB3.077
Totals. !$913,27j,S77,JU48,420.0i3:264,S47,llB
The total balance shown above is
the net balance in favor of this coun
try, after deducting the adverse bal
ance for August.
That this heavy balance in our fa
vor is almost entirely, if not entirely,
due to the war is indicated tay the
totals for the year 1914, compared
with those for 1913. These were:
1914. 1913.
Imports
Exports
Balance
. ..J1.7S9.022.42B Jl.792.Wfi.4S0
. .. 2.114. 2".7.i:;9 2.4S4.01S.292
32.235,113 B91.421.S12
The favorable balance for the year
1914 was thus J366.186.699 less than
that for the year 1913. For the seven
months ending with July this balance
was only $60,388,789 in our favor, and
it had been shrinking month by month
until in July it has $5,535,000 against
the United States. Had not the war
intervened, it might have continued to
grow each month until the entire year
would have shown a net balance
against us.
The effect of this shrinkage in our
favorable trade balance until it had
turned against us is seen in the move
ment of gold. Exports in 1914 were
$222, 61656, against $91,798,610 in
1913, and imports were $57,387,741 in
1914. against $63,704,832 ir. 1913. The
balance of exports over imports was
$165,228,415 in 1914 against only
$28,093,778 in 1913. The bulk of the
gold exports of 1914 were made in the
first six months, and the movement
was checked by the .beginning of grain
exports in July. It was temporarily
renewed after the war began by ex
ports of gold to settle our foreign
debts, but the great trade balance in
our favor has brought about an excess
of imports over exports, which
amounted in December to $3,978,139.
The constant swelling of our volume
of merchandise exports and shrinkage
in our volume of merchandise imports
promises to increase our gold imports,
especially as the expected liquidation
by Europeans of -American security
holdings has not come. Belligerent
nations can only prevent heavy gold
imports to this country by war meas
ures designed to obstruct the ordinary
course of business, or. by borrowing
money in this country with which to
pay for war supplies. Already dur
ing the war about $100,000,000' has
been borrowed in this country, either
by belligerents or by neutrals to meet
war emergencies. These measures will
only temporarily check gold imports
to the United States; for they will cre
ate an annual interest debt to this
country, which will figure in the fu
ture trade balance and must be paid
in either gold or merchandise.
The figures which we have quoted
from a Commerce Department bulle
tin prove every statement made by
ex-Representative Watson in his
speech at Topeka as to the disastrous
effect on our industries and commerce
of the Underwood tariff. Under the
influence of that measure we were,
month by month buying more and
selling less abroad, and were piling up
an adverse trade balance which was
draining this country of gold. The
war aliTne stopped this sapping of our
strength. When the war ends, the
same influence will come into play
again and its force will increase with
the progress of reconstruction in the
war-wasted countries. It will be in
cumbent on the next Administration
to make an exhaustive study of the
tariff question in the light of its ef
fects both of the -Underwood tariff and
of the war. If that Administration
should be Democratic, we may expect
it to renew the destructive conditions
which were interrupted by the war.
Onlv a Republican Administration
can be trusted, by establishing a tariff
board and by following its guidance
as to facts and conditions, to restore
American industry to permanent,
healthy prosperity.
rOMPfLSORT SERVICE near.
At its present session the British
Parliament is likely to consider se
riously the proposition to adopt com
pulsory military service, at least for
the duration of tjie present war, per
haps permanently. Notwithstanding
many reports that recruiting was slow,
H. W. Wilson, in the London Daily
Mail, savs that "not far short of 2,-
000,000 men have been enlisted in the
various services and forces," but the
British Empire seems to have ex
hausted the supply of volunteers. It
must next resort to tne ciass ot men
w ho are willing to respond when they
are called", but who maintain that, it
the government needs them, it must
ay so.
With a view to ascertaining how
many such men are avaiiaDie, a can
vass has been made of each house
hold and has brought forth some re
markable replies. A Nottingham man
wrote:
I am only 4 ft. 7 in., but in good health.
Do you think it would be possible tnat i
might Join as a mascot tor some resimeni;
A Stockport man wrote of his house,
evidently alluding to himself:
Only one male occupant, sixly-four years
of age, but he has a gun ana can. ami
would. slrbot.
A man who had been refused be
cause five years ago he had been im
prisoned for a minor crime, wrote:
Do von want fighters or parsons :
A Welsh family responded: "Ten will-
In e-. Sorry too poor to stamp en
velope." Of these ten, nine are already
serving in army or navy.
But the Man writer points out mat
compulsory service in Germany auto
matically added to the army last Oc
tober as many men as composed
Kitchener's first new army, and will
operate in the same way throughout
the war. He estimates that Germany-
entered the war with 5,250,000 trained
men and had 4,000.000 untrained men
available. He argues that some auto
matic process of filling the gaps in a
field army of perhaps 1,000.000 men.
acting on the offensive, wtn De neces
sary, and that universal service will
best supply this need. Lord Haldane
said in the House of L.orus inat no
new law- was necessary to ostabiisn
compulsory service,' but that "it is a
duty which rests on tne innereni con
stitution of the country to assist in
repelling an invasion." He said, how
ever, that compulsory service "has not
yet become a necessity, or anything
like it," and the government hoped to
avoid it "owing to the magnificent re
sponse now being made."
Mr. Wilson believes universal serv
ice will be necessary and outlines a
plan and its results. Placing military
age at twenty, he estimates the num
ber of men yearly who reach that age
in the United Kingdom at 430,000, of
whom over 200,000 would be qualified.
Starting with the enrollment of all
between twenty and twenty-six, he es
timates the first line army at 969,000,
and the second line at 488,000 men be
tween twenty-seven and' thirty-one,
with 200,000 men yearly joining the
first line and an equal number pass
ing Into the second line or reserve
Under this plan the soldier's pay-
would be merely nominal for the in
fantry and field artillery, who would
serve one year, and would be one shil
ling a day for the cavalry, horse ar
tillerv and flying corps, who would
serve two years. The cost would be
only $15,000,000 a year more than It
was before war broke out.
Time spent in military training is no
longer regarded as wasted, for the
training is a distinct gain In many-
ways. On this point Mr. Wilson says
In Germany the man who has undergone
military training has an expectation of life
five years greater than that ot tne un
trained men. Because of his physical and
meiual qualities he is preferred for every
class of employment. As Colonel Maude
has nolnted out, -under modern conditions
of liwiiistrv the Greatest national wealth
producing power resides not as formerly in
thn i.i.in a sttiu nr tne mui luuai.
machinery Is gradually superseding, but In
the power of continuous collective eliort oi
organised bodies, and physical health and
the power of mental concentration are the
principal qualities required by the units of
such bodies. These are the two essential
factors which modern methods of military
training aim at developing.
i-h mnnrfictiirer and merchant can rea
lize. from the example of Germany that
mii,lKorv service brines no danger to in-
riustrv. Rather it stimulates that industry
by creating a class of healthy and exceed
lngly efficient workers.
What is true as to the wisdom of
universal training in Great Britain is
true also as to the United States. A
short term of service, followed by a
longer term in a reserve fully equipped
Sor service would not materia'Uy in
crease military expense and would
greatly improve individual health and
efficiency. A young man who devotes
four years to a regular college course
of mental training can surely spare
one vear for training in citizenship,
which includes those qualities that fit
him not only to defend his country
when occasion requires, but better to
fill his place in the community.
The chaplain of the Penitentiary is
to receive $50 a month. I his is sman
pay for an outside man, but must do
until one is caught. For these jobs,
preference should be given "insiders.'
The prison paper is produced by a
printer and is well done. Other lines
are well represented in the institution.
In fact, the real-estater is about the
onlv man out of a job, which may ac
count for the ready clemency of a late
Executive.
Canned pig is something new in the
embalming line. The German govern
ment is said to be ready to invest $30.
000.000 in the article to be used to
save fodder. If this means tne stun
is to be fed to horses, it is waste or
substance. The fighting man fed on
pork has been a winner since wars
began. The horse is more dainty anu
the result will be watched.
The heavy fine given yesterday to a
dealer who sold decayed oranges will
bring great joy to men who have been
victimized but lacked the fighting
aualitv. Seldom does a woman get
fooled; she watches the dealer, not
only as to quality, but the count as
well. A man will arrive home with
the dozen one or two short, but never
his wife.
It is interesting to notice that war
has stimulated the growth of the Y.
M. C. A. in Petrograd. Subscriptions
are coming illiberally and the mem-
bersnip numocrs iivv, which
orising when we remember the disin
clination of the orthodox Greek church
to countenance liberal religious move
ments. The constant trouble with Canada is
her fear that somebody this side of
the line will tread on the tail of her
coat. Now she objects to the Stars
and Stripes in films from this side.
Yet over here all are glad to see the
Union Jack and feel a sort of grand
fatherly respect for the combination.
The Legislature is described as
grinding its ax to complete the econ
omy programme. Looks as if a razor
and magnifying glass might be needed
before the end.
The Administration will consent to
two battleships this year. Which in
sures us of a first place at least among
the powers of the American continent.
Bryan has actually taken issue with
the German Ambassador. But cheer
up. No issue of importance is in
volved, it is quite needless to state.
Another new- revolution has just
been launched in Mexico. Now will
some helpful agency please take a
census of Mexican revolutions?
Constantinople reports that Turkish
warships successfully shelled a Rus
sian military position. Must have been
an outpost-
If the price of the loaf rises or the
size shrinks, only a cafeteria carver
can cut the slices thin enough to go
around.
But why Ehould Germany object to
our sale of hydro-aeroplanes,? They're
about as destructive to friend as to
foe.
Thirteen-year-old girls who disap
pear to visit without telling parents of
their destination are fooling with fate.
That ship-purchase 'dream is too
much even for Democrats who have
some vestige of a balance wheel.
A brief news item is needed now and
then to remind one the Portuguese are
fighting the Germans.
January revenue receipts fell mil
lions short. Did anyone expect any
thing different?
The way grain is soaring is begin
ning to i'go against the grain of the
poor 'consumer.
First thing we know the sane Re
publican minority will be in control
of Congress.
The effort to put the trading, stamp
out of business is cruelty to woman.
Tip: Begin now saving for that va
cation trip to the Fair.
Tay your taxes early. (
Stars and Starmakers
BY LEONE CASS BAER.
MARY EJDG43TT BAKER observes
that the more slender the actress
of today the more paradoxically and
insistently she seema to think of her
self in terma of three figures.
"Billy" William T. Pangle writes to
say that in the mercenary theatrical
world a full house in "Bertha, the Sew
ing Machine Girl," Is better th.n four
kine-s in Shakespearean historical
drayma.
One of the undesirable disadvantages
In the "being worth a big salary" is
the frequent difficulty of getting it.
a a
Leila Rhodes and Charlie King have
just lost their baby boy through death.
Mr. King was here with Al Jolson and
it was while he was appearing in
Portland that Mrs. King went East in
a hurry to beat the stork. Charlie
King's sister, little Mollie King, took
Leila Rhodes' -place in the company,
Miss Rhodes Is a cousin to Ceorge M.
Cohan.
a a '
When Sophie Tucker, playing on the
Marcus Loew Empress circuit, sent a
telegram to Joe Schenck. the New York
general booking manager, saying that
she wished to cancel all her bookings
because as a result of playing four
shows a day her "voice has been
ruined," Schenck sent back a wire to
the comedienne as follows:
"Whom do you suspect?"
a
Bessie McCoy (Mrs. Richard Harding
Davis) has named her baby girl Hope.
The little lady was oorn on January 4.
William Hooper Young, a convict
serving- a life term, won the prize of
$100 offered by William A. Brady for
the best review of the play, "Sinners,"
written by an inmate of Sing Sing. It
will be recalled that the premiere of
the play took place in the prison chapel
on Christmas day.
In his review Young wrote:
The play "Winners' appeared for its first
trial before the select body of expert sin
ners' gathered together at this Justly ce!e.
brated Summer and Winter resort (which,
by the way, is no sin-e-curei. The jury was
large and enthusiastic, and the verdict ren.
der.-d was "'Not warning in all that ought
to brlnir success," and the judgment "Sen
tenced co a long ilfe on Broadway with hard
labor to handle the crowds around tne box
office."
A brief synopsis of the evidence for and
against follows:
Witnesses for the prosecution Analysis,
Morality. Faultfinder, and Captious Critic.
Witnesses for the defense iteason. Judg
ment, Purpose, and Gratitude.
Earl Dwire, once a Baker player, is
stage director of the Bijou Stock Com
pany at Fall River, Mass. This week
the company is playing "The Girl of
the Golden West," with Marcelle Ham
ilton as the girl.
Lillian Crossman, a Portland girl. Is
appearing In musical stoca at tne
Shenandoah Theater in St. Louis. Mo.
Her husband, Charles Sinclair, Is di
rector of the company. Mabel Wilbcr,
of "Merry Widow" memories, is Miss
Crossman's alternate as prima donna
Josle Heather, the little English
comedienne, has ceased appearing as a
single in vaudeville. Henry I. Marshall
is her partner. He presides at a baby
grand piano and even sings while the
little Heather is flitting from one frock
to another.
Dorothy Morton has formed a vaude
ville partnership with Neil JJcKay in
comedy with music by Ray Peck.
Reginald Wright Kauffman, author of
"The House of Bondage, has con
tracted with the Humanology Film
Producing Company, of Medford, Mass.,
to write plays for the motion picture
screen. The authors wire, itutit ivauii-
man, well known as a newspaper spe
cial writer, has also engaged to be
scenario editor for the Medford con
cern, whose productions are released
by the United Film Service.
Jack Rose, president of the Human
ology Company, induced Mr. Kauffman
to take up the screen work. The pro
ducing firm has released two produc
tions, "The Price Ho Paid," based on
the Ella Wheeler Wilcox poem, and
'Are They Born or Made,' a drama
of gang methods and politics by Rose
himself. Mr. Kauffman's works have
all been treatments of serious prob
lems, such as come within the scope
of the Humanology Company.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Kauffman have
just returned from the European battle
front, where they had unusual oppor
tunities of observing real conditions,
through the fact that Mr. Kauffman
was attached as orderly to the allies'
staff, and Mrs. Kauffman acted as a
Red Cross nurse. It is s,aid that an
unusual treatment of the situation in
Europe will be among the first of Mr.
Kauffman's works for the screen.
Princess Ibrahim Hassan, onee OIk
Humphrey, a San Francisco girl who
married an almost title in Turkey and
then divorced it, is posing in a series
of Turkish-flavored pictures In six in
stallments.
e
Wilson Mizner not only writes his
own plays and sketches, but also pro
duces them himself.
Last Monday night he produced, a
sketch entitled "Ships That Pass in the
Night," at Keith's Theater In Jersey
City, and it was booked at once at the
Fifth Avenue Theater, where it is be
ing shown now.
It s sa 1 tliht the woin i.i t-tiar.'.oer
is even stronger and more dramatic
than that of "Frisco Kate" in "The
Deep Purple."
Mr. Mizner is now organizing a com
pany of capitalists who believe in him,
not only as a playwright, but also as
a producer, and with the beginning of
next season he will start forth as the
president of the Wilson Mizner Pro
ducing Company, which will be de
voted to works of art and strength
from his own pen.
Aa to Lumber Prleea.
PORTLAND, Feb. 3. (To the Edi
tor.) In Utah, Colorado. Wyoming,
Nebraska and Eastern centers lumber
is retailing for $33.50. $27.D0. $n.-p, $40
and as high as $60 a thousand. It can
be bought at our mills here for $8, $1$.
$16 and $-0. Who gets the big red
apple? Is it the poor railroad com
pany or the little retailer? We are
told that in New York, Puget Sound
and Canadian border lumber Is selling
for less than in Kantem Idaho.
ONCE A DEMOCRAT.
Alley In Gold Coins.
RA1NIE11, Or.. Feb. :!. (To the Edi
tor.) Will you plense stMte throiiKh
your columns the tlifferent metals usoil
"in coining gold currency?
ALICE E. CRAVEN.
Gold coins are '0 fine. A silver
and copper alloy Is ".ed. For silver
copper is the alloy.
BAR TOWAGE WAR.MXG IS lMW
Proposal to Tarn Over Tort of l"ort
laad Bualrsesa to 5ouol la Feared.
PORTLAND, Feb. (. (To tho Ed
itor.) Tho proposition under consider
ation by a special committee of the
Port of Portland to turn over to the
Puget Sound Tugboat Company the
river and bar towage requires careful
consideration if the best Interests of
Portland and the Utate of Oregon are
to be protected. The opposition tugn
are owned by PuRet Sound interests,
the 'stockholders owning three of the
largest lumber mills on tho Sound:
are tho second largest timber holders
on the Pacific Coast and their realty
interests in and around Seattle are
estimated to be worth $o,000,0ott or
$10,000,000.
In the early nineties each of the
large mills, on tho Sound, numbering
five or six, merged their tugs into a
trust. The trust worked ao well in
stifling and driving out competition
that a I'Artinmtinn waa fnrmnd. ad
vanced the towage rates and reducedl
the efficient service maintained at
Cape Flattery for inward-bound ships.
but were contented to reduce then
crews and save fuel by remaining- at
anchor In Neah Bay. a few milea In
side of Flattery, where the harbor
sheltered the tugs from the fury of
outside storms. Vessels had to get In
side of the Strait the best way they
could before they could get a tusr.
Some vessels were lot.
If the service Is turned over to the
Puget Sound concern the Commission
should take action to prevent a repe
tition of the Puget Sound experience.
It is apparent that the invading tugs
are not coming' to this port to build
up a service equal to or superior to
that of their own ports, where the
owners have millions of dollars Invest
ed In real estate, and the development
of their own maritime interests is es
sential to the preservation of their
holdings. The tugs are trying to aet
control of the Columbia River ship
ping for the gold dollars that they can
cart back to their owners, Incidentally
and naturally doing all possible to
promote the shipping industry in
which their Puget Sound owners are
heavily, interested.
The Port of Portland tan, by placing
the service in charge of an experienced
tugboat man, afford as good If not
better service (which would be free of
suspicion of diverting business to
Puget Sound) than the opposition tugs.
A change of policy and a little ginger
in the management of the service on
the river would preclude all possible
chance of oppositiqn tugs gaining a
foothold in ouf midst to the better
ment of Seatle and Tacoma Interests.
W. J. JOXHS.
I O MM I' .MTV rROPKIlTV BltiHTfi.
"Dower and Courtr?" Xot So Fair
Writes Mrs. ,. . Therkrlaea.
PORTLAND, Feb. 2. (To the lldi
tor. ) The dower right as held by the
statutes of Oregon gives to a wltiow
one-half the income of real property
over and above the runnina expenses
of the same, for life only, or in lieu of
dower, during probating of will, she
may accept a monetary consideration
arranged along a mortality or age
scale. This works to a disadvantaue
both ways.
Cnless the estate Is large and in
come bearing, the widow finds her in
come very limited, if any, because of
taxes, repairs, ami street Improvements.
On the other hand, to take the mone
tary consideration In lieu of dower, the
average widow being a woman of ad
vanced age and unless the estate is
considerable, the amount will he small
and insufficient for her needs.
pcnnni nrotiertv. like mortgages.
bonds, stocds. ete in fact all but real
estale can he denied a woman py uer
hnhnnds will in Orejron. A husband
dying Intestate or without a will, she
is entitled to uower in reni anu -uwr-half
of all his personal estate. Courtesy
and dower are now Identical, a coin-
munitv property rignts inn. in which
husband and wife share equally or
nearly so. seems fairer. Children's In
terests can be protected by tne laws o
inheritance.
MRS. L. W. THERKKL.-L.V
Picking the Teeth.
OP.KGON CITY. Or.. Feb. To the
Rdttor.) After eating a meal, when Is
the correct time to pick one s teeth, or
should it be done? Some shv not at
the table or elsewhere, except out of
sight. Others say It should tie none
t the tabic ana not ami i.-.
A SUBSCRIBE!!.
If a substance In the teeth causes
distress while eating It Is allowable to
remove it in an unostentatious way:
shielding the operation as much as
possible with the napkin. The prac
tice of "picking the teeth" Is not a
part of the table, hour. Like brushing
the teeth, it is more to be ion0 in
private.
I.lqjior Limit Draws Proteat.
PORTLAND. Feb. 3. (To the Ed
itor.) 1 notice that the promotion
bill now before the House states that
a. family can have two quarts ol
whiskv and it bottles of beer in a
period of 30 days. Well, it s the regu
lar old thing again. Uive tne l-roni
bltlonists an inch and they will take a
yard. They made it common news that
they only wanted to knock out the
saloons, and that they didn't want to
deprive families of their rights to have
what they desired, nut loos, at mem.
It s all hog or none with them. 1 wish
there were some ot the Representa
tives and State Senators at Salem w ith
backbone enough to stand up for the
rights of some of the people of this
slatc. A. C. CUMMINGS.
DrtUh Museum Kahlhlta.
London Chronicle,
i-he number of separate objects added
to the collection of the several depart
ments of the British museum during
1911 totaled .179,294. of which it7,U
were newspapers.
Let the Oregon Lead
On that great day, on that great flay
Let the Oregon lead, lead on too wj .
Where the rolling blue from sea to sea
Wtll make for the world commercial!? .
Then let us say what the world will
say,
Let the Oregon lead, lead on the way.
On that great day. oil. that great day
Let the Oregon lead, lead on tne way.
A name for Freedom's cause she haa
The glories of which will never fade:
Then let us say what the world will
sav.
Let the Oregon lead, lead on the way.
On that great day. on that great oay
Let the Oregon lead, lead on un
This goodly ship. ah. splendid and
si rune!
Was built to honor Liberty's sona;
Then let us say what the world will
saw
Let the Oregon lead, lead on the way.
On that treat day. on that -great flay
Let the Oregon lead, lead on the way.
Clarke, the brave Cs-n'Hln. uldln
again.
We'll hail him our great Admiral then:
So we can say what the world will
SHV,
le led. led on. the Panama w.iy.
that great day. on that great 1av
the meson lead, lend on the wa'
On
Let
There, when- worK or man moms n-.-
a throne
4,., id hold lilts of the Panama xone;
we'll nroudlv s.-iy on opening d;iy
That the Oregon led. led on the y.
SCllt. t l.l'Jlt tUNr.iA I'll'
nerkeley, Cul.
Twenty-five Year Ago
From The Orfgoalen February 4. !!.
The W illamette Hivrr is higher than
It has been In "0 years. The bridge at
Salem Is gone, the loan at Independence
is heavy and Oregan City has auffareil
tremendously. Five million Iok have
been carried away. The river at Port
land la fllllna- the t-rllaia along lb"
waterfront and the water Is lur-ptnc; a-t
Front street. None of the ferrlea have
been running alnce ruuda. the river
being too swift.
The withdrawal of Joo Waterman
from the billiard tournament which 1
arranged for the Mirror last eK has
not had the effect to brenk up the ar
rangement. Javeiia. of Chleaao: Man
nlnn. of New York, and Hilly Harrison,
of Portland, have closed details for a
matin. Harrison is to play umier a
handicap, making; lll0 to the othriv)
l.'iUO points t-acli.
William l-'razler. who ha been on ona
of his periodical visita to the KaM. has
returned with tao carloadg ot heavy
draft halve.
I'ivision Superintendent M. O. Hals,
of the Northern Pacific Ktnrpga Com
pany, left last niaht for Helena (o meat
the company superintendent. II. H.
LhownltiK. also well known In Portland:.
Will O. Steel and Julius Ash. of Port
land, are blockaded at Albany. Man
ager C. .I. Smith and Freight Agent
CuiuphrU ura both beyond rlonnevilla.
Campbell was at Spokane and la aup
posed to be trying, to get home, tho
same as was Mr. Smith. I-'.. L. ColdwelJ,
of The Oregonian reportorial atafC went
lo Salem Saturday and haa been vnabla
to get home.
K. Detrlrk. Jr.. has aucrerded Mr. At
wood aa nmnager for Ames ft Patrick.
C. H. Podd was heard from by wlsa
yesterday. Jle Is at Mollne, 111.
With this Issue. The Pally Oresonlan
begins Its .loth ) par. The first numhar
of the dally appeared February 4, 1IM.
The weekly was first Issued Ptrtmhcr
4. 1X00.
The --'d commencement of the Port
laud public schoola takes place tomorrow-
evening. The members of the hiaii
school graduating- class are: Isabella
Ilotller, Lillle O. Siiiegl and (JeorgiHtinit
Brasel of tho language colirne, and of
the Lnglish course, Henrietta M. Ab
bott. Mrtlo I. Carlw right. Media A.
Conner, Henry Denllnger. Lulu J. Kd
monds. lona llenderaon and I'.mily
Strahan.
Half a Century Ago
From The Oregsnlan, February 4. tk.
With thin issue The .Morning Uregn.
nian begins volume V.
Tho following names lime been
plneeil on the list of Clllinidutrs tor
t'nlted Statea Senator from 'a III onus
by their fllendi: tiovernor l.ow, A. A.
Sargent, T. C Phelps, I". M Plxley, .1.
Mi M. Shatter. .1. n. Southard. .1. W. Wl
nans, l-'red lilllinus and II. S. P.rown.
County Srhool Superintendent . II.
Atkinson has issued n nnti'-e to all
teachers In Multnomah Couutv that all
wishing lo have their eertlflcairs le
newed should see htm at on e aa to ex
amination. Messrs. William M. Artnstrona ami
Samuel Miller yesterday ia.sed a high
ly ereilitshle examination at the Poll
land Commerelul Academy, n ml are rec
ommended hy Principal T. Palteri-on to
the business community as competent
to eoiidiK-t hooka on seientiflo princi
ples. It is understood that four sels of of
ficers' quarters arc to be creeled Imme
diately at Port an'ouer. The pres
ent quarters are much crowded.
The arret burlesque character of l"n-ea-lion-tan
was assumed lm-t nlKht trv
Mrs. Irwin nt the Willamette Thcatci.
The beautiful drama, "Lost l.caa y. '
also w as performed. "Collren Itaw n
will be produced this evening.
A correspondent for the Hprl nc field
Republican has written his experiences
In going down In a submarine recently
Invented and ma nil fact ure,1 bv s. H.
Merrism mid tested by the Uovernment
near New York. A irrcat sin c is
predicted.
John C. Cnut-li baa posted a .Hinlnit
to all UEiilnst eiiltint wood or timber
on ins land claim v. ithout Irate.
I'.leelrlellr aa llralla Asart.
Ki:i.l. Wash., Feb. I.-O'ti the i:di-
t or. I Plesse state In The Oreuonian
whether It has been proved that ail
ments or diseases of the human body
can be cured, or If any benefit to the
nervous system can tie seeured from
electricity bv means of electric belt".
A ULAl'ML
Lleclrlelly has been established at
an aid to health under certain condi
tions, lis value Is not tllsnutrd. The
forms of application are. The electric
hell has brought forth varloin opin
ions. Jumping- of Claim.
PORTLAND. Feb. 3. To the Kdi
tor.) If a man owns a donation land
claim which for 40 years has been sold
and resold, can It at this date bo
Jumped as a mining claim?
SCEStrUBEn.
Communicate with the United Stales
lind Offhe, Customs building, Poit
land. There are alwavs circumstances
to be reckoned with In matters of this
kind. The Land Office officials will
gludly give you detailed Informal ion
if you will explain your case In de
tail. 1 hereabouta of ( row Prtaee.
I.KWISTON. Idaho. Feb. I!. (To U "
Kditor.) I am a constant reader of
vour paper, and being Interested In tho
European war 1 would like to kreow
what became of the Crown Prince. We
have not heard from him once he got a
carso of pipes for his army, lias he
pone to see his father s partner, or la
ho still on earth, end ''"''
ROtlKK M'.'R It If K i .
The Crown Prince has been vaiy
much In the news of late, even havlnu
time to be Interviewed. II la at.
present aupposed to be aomewhor. near
Verdun.
Fashion's Little Bird
Is Whispering
That little bird whose twitter of
the first notes of Spring fashions Is
such sweet music to every woman
Is besinnlna to raise Its voice.
leslnera ara bnay, and Hie rol
orlsls ai ready to show their handi
work. The first (.hoots of the East
er blooms are In sight.
The stores are reportina tha ar
rival of new goods. More are com
ing each day.
Thrv are grow Ins more ii.teie.-t.
Ina, and their advcrtlslns reflects
new life and color.
If von ara not " advertl-ina
reader begin with this !" of The
tn-eaoulan.
The business new a w ill live lh
first authentic hints of the new
styles and tell .! where to ssa
them.