THE MORNING OBEGOXIAy, TUESDAY, MARCH 16.. 1915.
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POBTLAND. TUESDAY. .MARCH IS,
A CALL.
The Government reservation blight
Is more extensive in Idaho than in
Oregon. In this state about SO per
cent of the total area Is in National
forests. National parks and other res
ervations, litigated land grants and
unappropriated public domain. In
Idaho nearly 8 J per cent of the state
has been withdrawn from entry and
use.
According to Senator Borah, 5,000.
000 acres of good agricultural land
rest idle in the forest reserves of
Idaho. This area is closed to settle
ment, yet in the last five years 600.000
American citizens have sought homes
and homesteads in Canada. The Gov
ernment areas in Idaho, as in Oregon,
cannot be taxed, yet they must be
riven police protection by the states.
They cause the isolation of settle
ments, increase the cost of state gov
ernment and make the unappropriated
lands so remote that their settlement
is slow and unattractive.
These facts speak for themselves and
they ought to emphasise in the minds
of the people the injustice ot the pub
lic land legislation that is pending in
Congress. Senator Borah spoke the
sentiment of a resolution adopted by
the Oregon Legislature and it may
be hoped the sentiment of his own
Btate when he said at Philadelphia:
It 1. now proposed to fasten upon every
yiatural resource or the W. an additional
tax or royalty which will be paid In the
Ind dv Ii misses of the people. The eoaj.
The oil. the mineral, the power and every
thing will carry a tax. We will haye about
l" or 15 per cent subject to taxation, and
Mipon the people who cover that 12 or IS per
rrZnl Is to be impoeed another tax wholly
unknown to you people In the East.
' Thie whole acheme of a leaking and roy
alty system for these few public land
states has It. noil animated Impetus in a
desire to find another and subtle way to
raise more taxes with which to feed the ever
. increasing" bureaus at Washington The
'number of employee In our bureaus Is
i mounting uo not by hundreds, hut by thou-
sands each year. The people haven t any
Idea of the Increase In the number of em
: plovea. and some way must be found to
false money, and In a more subtle way than
' that of a direct levy. Hence this royalty
i or leasing system.
I maintain that the natural resources of
! a state belong to the atate. and should be
' utilized to the upbuilding of that atate and
i that if any royalties or licenses are to be
1 paid, they should be paid Into the state
I treasury in order to reduce the burdena of
) the people of that particular state,
j These are wise) words, energetically
spoken. They tell-a story of already
I retarded development whose final
chapter, unless the programme of the
1 Eastern reservationists and bureau
cratic chiefs be frustrated, will read
i of a blockaded road to progress.
J There is an imperative call to the
; Western states named in the Oregon
resolution to Join this state at the pro
' posed public land and water-power
! conference in Portland.
J A SYMPOSIUM ON BUSINESS.
A valuable digest of the opinions of
j American business men on the present
j business situation and the future out-
look in the United States has been
I made by Harris, Winthrop & Co., of
New Tork and Chicago. In response
j to circular letters they received 701
' replies which reflect the opinions of
j the best business minds of the coun
! try.
j To the question whether jobbers and
distributors have large or small stocks
of goods, 646 answer small and only
65 large. Those who are able to save
are letting money accumulate in
banks rather than invest it, in the
opinion of 441 against 260. Unem
ployment is unusually large, accord
ing to 4 35, about as usual in the minds
of 137, and less than usual in the opin
ion of 129.
The advance in freight rates has not
added appreciably to the cost of
freight, say 680, while only 21 say it
has changed business. As to whether
abundance of money has made bor
rowing easier, S93 say "Credit is close
ly scrutinized": 317 say Facilities
about as usual," and 58 say "Accom
modation unusually abundant," some
having answered both of the first
questions affirmatively.
As to whether people are economiz
ing. 458 say "Economy general from
necessity": 184 say "Economy general
from choice," and 104 observe no un
usual economy, some answers being
affirmative as to both the - first two
questions. To the -question "What in
your opinion is the outlook for Ameri
can business during the year 1S15?"
4 20 reply "Encouraging." 121 "Nor
mal" and 160 "Discouraging."
These replies coincide generally with
an analysis of business conditions
heretofore made by The Oregonian.
Prosperity is abundant in the basic
farming "industry and Is spreading
through the manufacturing industries,
but those who have money are chifry
about either spending or investing un
til they see which way some cat is
going to jump. Their caution has been
communicated to merchants in buying
stocks, to bankers in making loans,
and to promoters in starting new en
terprises. Hence the sfmall stocks in
jobbers' hands, the accumulation of
money in banks, the close scrutiny of
credit by bankers and the large degree
of unemployment. The original let
ters were sent out about the end of
January, and late replies say that in
the last two weeks of February a con
siderable number of men have found
work. This suggests that the antici
pated improvement has already begun.
These conditions combine to justify
the anticipation of prosperity. The
one essential is confidence as to the
future. So long as the war continues,
the improvement is likely to be lim
ited, but its close is likely to be fol
lowed by an era of prosperity similar
to those which followed the Napo
leonic wars, the Civil War and the
Franco-German war.
The new hypodermic injection for
c"o!ds is no doubt a fine thing, but we
beg leave to pin our fath to fresh.
pure air. bathing, moderate exercise
and a hygienic diet. Bacterine injec
tions may be a rood remedy, but pre
vention is better. If everybody lived
as wholesomely as the Esquimaux, no
body would ever have a cold.
AN EVENT FOB THE COLUMBIA RTVXB.
The people of Oregon have good
cause to welcome the steamship Great
Northern, "which arrives at Flavel on
its maiden trip today, for the event is
of vast importance to the future of
the Columbia Valley. The Great
Northern is the first of two steamers,
the other being the Northern Pacific,
which for size and speed excel all
others that have ever been put on the
route between the Columbia, River and
(V.. r-alffonisL i-nuL TheV Will give
the railroads serious competition, for
they will be able to equal raiiroau
speed to San Francisco. By traffic
with the Great North
ern, Northern Pacific and North Bank
railroads, they will draw passengers
and freight from the intermountaln
country and from Puget Sound.
The Columbia River route will from
today be on the map of coastwise and
ocean as well as railroad traffic. A
bold venture has been made by the
Great Northern and Northern Pacific
lines in making the- water route from
th rviinmhla. River a competitor on
equal terms with the railroads. This
venture is backed by the great vol
ume nf traffic the allied roads can
control and is aided by a line of ex
press trains to connect Portland and
other cities with the steamer. its
success will surely be followed by the
entrance of other steamers on the
Coast route.
Independent lines through the Pan
ama. Canal to the Gulf and Atlantic
coasts and to Caribbean Sea ports
should naturally follow and ultimately
the Columbia River should become
the starting point of trans-Pacific and
trans-Atlantic lines connecting with
the Hill roads. With proper encour
agement by the people to the steamer
lines thev now have, the Columbia
River will come into its own.
DEATH OF SAMUEL BOWLES.
Samuel Bowles, who died early Sun
day, was the successor of a father
long distinguished in journalism as
the editor of the Springfield (Mass.)
Republican. He was indeed the third
rr name for thft ReDublican, a
weekly newspaper, was founded by
the original Samuel Bowles, a practi
cal printer, at Sprlngiiem, m imo.
The Daily Republican was started
v., aqm..ai nnuias tt in 1844 and was
a somewhat hazardous experiment.
for it was the first venture or ine kiuu
anywhere, in Massachusetts outside of
Boston. But it was almost from the
first a success, owing to the excep
tional capacity of the young editor.
Under his direction the Republican,
taking a bold and active part in the
stirring events of ante-bellum days,
acquired a National fame. The Re
publican was indeed, as long ago as
i Kt rf-r-ihxrl hv the New York Trib
une (Horace Greeley) as the "best and
ablest country journal ever putllshed
on this continent. It won its place by
the hardest work, by the editor's nat
ural genius and by the opportunity of
a great political epoch."
Samuel Bowles II died in 1878. and
was succeeded by his son, third of the
name. For over thirty-seven years,
the Republican has been edited by
him, and during that time it has held
its position as the great leaaer ana
..ni nf N Kri2land thought.
It has' Been, besides, complete and
well-written ' newspaper, giving the
same careful and thorough attention
lli Trpnttion of the news 8JS to
its varied and brilliant editorial page.
The Republican has never in its ni
tnrv hern a consistent party newspa
per, and In later years the name
has been a misnomer. In 1872 it
supported Horace Greeley for Presi
dent against. Grant, and in 1884 it
repudiated the nomination of Blaine
and went for Cleveland. In 1896,
however, it Jeft the Democracy on tne
free silver issue and stood -behind Mc
Klnley. Its tendencies have recently
been strongly Democratic, so that it
nniv now warmlv upholds Presi
dent Wilson, but it is one of the few
vigorous defenders, even among Dem
ocratic papers, of Secretary Bryan.
Mr. Bowles, like his father and
..nfathpr thought it inconsistent
with his duties as an editor to hold
public office. Ha was at the time oi
his death a director of the Associated
Press.
JAPAN'S MONROE DOCTRINE.
T.n.n iwnnips a. nosition in Eastern
Asia similar to that which the' United
States occupies in America, Acquisi
tion of territory on the neighboring
mainland by any great European ow
A ho a menace to her safety,
just as the United States considers
that like acquisition in tne American
homianharo would h a menace to this
country. Northern Asia iB held by
Russia, as the northern part of North
America is held by Britain. In the
rau .Tnnan. in the other the
United States, has fought to set
bounds to the expansion of a foreign
empire, and in each case danger is
believed to be at an end. But in
each case it has been resolved that no
other outside country shall acquire
torrttorv. Hence the United
States maintains the Monroe doctrine,
and Japan now seeks to establish a
similar doctrine with regard to t,mna.
T-hA Amanda of Janan on China
which are designed to prevent conces
sions of naval and military bases and
or.hero.0 of influence by China to lor-
eign powers call forth a large meas
ure of sympathy In tnis country, tor
they are Justified by regard for Ja-
Kfetv. We should view
with equal concern the acquisition, by
an aggressive power or a iootnom o"
the Caribbean sea, within striking dis
tance of the Panama Canal, hence we
can understand Japan's sentiments.
But Japan also demands large mining
She also tries to forbid
grant of mining or any other business
concessions or tne norrowmg ot ior
eign capital without her consent. This
demand may be intended to prevent
foreign powers from obtaining a grip
on China which may be used as a
hi -for future cessions of territory.
The purpose is a good one, but the
effect might be to snui out Amencmi
enterprise and capital. It would close
the door which John Hay proposed
and all the powers agreed should re
main open.
Th. TTnitert states has no intention.
has not the remotest desire, to acquire
any part of China, we simpiy ue
mand for our own merchants, inves-inr-v
neineers and promoters an
equal opportunity with those of other
nations to aid in tne development,
rhino Tmnn mav sav that her pro
posed veto is not intended to apply
to us, but it is not consistent wi;n
the dignity of this nation to enter
China only with the permission of Ja
pan. Our well known policy and our
repeated assurances, backed op by our
acta, should convince Japan that her
demand, as applied to us, is unneces
sary as well as offensive.
Further, the United States is
pledged, to support the principle of
Chinese integrity and independence,
which would be impaired by granting
the Japanese demands. A nation
which had fallen under the domina
tion of another -to the extent which
would be Implied by consent to what
Japan asks would no longer be inde
pendent and would retain its integrity
only on sufferance. China must re
main independent of Japan as well as
of the United States and Europe.
Japan is doubtless destined to be the
chief factor In China's development
and it would not accord with Amer
ican interests to place needless ob
stacles in her way. Japan has an
overflowing population, which is now
occupying Corea and Manchuria to
the great benefit of those countries.
It will need more room to overflow,
and we should prefer seeing it over
flow into a neighboring Oriental coun.
try like China rather than into this
country. The busier Japan is kept in
China, the less likely is the problem
of Oriental immigration to become,
acute in this country.
POEMS AND POETRY.
F. W. Ruckstahl, of the National
Institute of Arts and Letters, has fa
vored the New York Times with a
definition of poetry. It is, he says,
"an exalted emotional state in some
one's soul occasioned by the impact
upon it of the faets and things of life
and nature." Of course a poem, is the
expression of this exalted inner state
which Mr. Ruckstahl calls poetry. We
fear the erudite gentleman has mo
mentarily forgotten the proper use of
language. An emotion or other inner
state may be poetical, but it is not
poe.try. Poems and poetry are things
of language, not psychic conditions.
Everybody has dozens of poetical
emotions every day, but it ts only now
and then that we come upon a person
who has the gift of expressing them
as poetry. The psychic state is the
inspiration to build an artistic struc
ture, but it is not the structure itself.
It is not even the brick and mortar
for a poem. We might as- well call
the rain and sunshine of an Oklahoma
farm a yard of cotton cloth as to call
our emotions poetry.
Fine weather and a fertile soil cause
the cotton plant to thrive just as our
itinAi- annl states stimulate expression
and provide it with a favorable en
vironment. But it takes spinning ma
chines, looms and dyes to make cotton
into cloth and likewise it takes crafts
manship to frame language into
poetry. The cloth begins with weather
and soil. Its middle state is raw cot
ton nnrl thn ultimate is clean white
muslin. So for poetry we begin with
the emotion which leaps out into lan
guage and is finally woven by the lit
erary artist into a poem.
There is.no real difference between
the meaning of "poem" and "poetry"
irnnt tha.t the. latter is the more gen
eral term. They both refer to pre
cisely the same tnmg. nivery poem is
poetry and poetry in its largest sense
inolnrlpA all Doems. But in common
usage it includes nothing else. It is
not a term or psycnoiogy dui oi
literature.
OUR SOLID BOOKS.
Lord Bryce takes a pleasantly hope
ful irlow of American literature in his
North American Review article. He
says we have at least five novelists as
good as any in Europe, while our out
put of solid historical literature prob
ably exceeds Germany's. In all the
fields of "improving" authorship we
have made remarkable advances since
1870 and even since 1900. Lord Bryce
ascribes this agreeable change in our
T-onriinir and writine habits to the de
velopment of the universities. No
doubt this has been a factor in the
process.
In 1870 the chairs of history and
vnnnmiifl in onr universities were
feeble affairs. Often they did not ex
ist at all. As for sociology, it was
unheard of. In all these departments
of arnriv there has been a great change
for the better. History is now per
haps the most popular study in our
hirhw institutions, with economics for
i The classes are large
and the teachers are men of standing
in the world of science and letters,
in thA olri riava it was the Greek. Latin
and mathematics departments which
led the van in our universities, out
now they have given way to history,
economics and sociology. w
This has naturally stimulated a pop
nini dAmand for books on those sub
jects. Since they have been well and
interestingly taught students retain an
interest in them after they leave col
lege. But there is another point that
should not be overlooked. Since 1870
the historical and social sciences have
been intelligently taught in the purine
schools. The development of the great
hle-h school STstem of the country has
taken place almost entirely since that
date and with it has gone an enlarge
ment of public interest in the studies
orhiv. it his hronerht to the front. The
jejune "civics" which formerly filled
the mental stomachs of our scnooi
children has been replaced by honest
.h.Hiu of noli Mrs and srovernment.
The bald memorizing of facts which
once passed for history in tne puDiic
schools has" been dropped to make
room for a truly intellectual branch
of study. This uplift of the public
mind has naturally stimulated a de
mand for. "solid" literature.
MARY AN TIN.
There are various reasons why Mary
Antin's lecture In Portland will be an
unusually interesting event. For one
thing she is an important literary
figure. Her books, "The Promised
Land" and "Those Who Knock at Our
Gates," have enjoyed a large sale and
deserved it. They treat the burning
immigrant question freshly and intel-lio-Antiv
in lan?uaee which throbs with
conviction. Mary Antin holds ardent
ly to the old American theory ot im
migration. This land, she believes, is
the divinely appointed asylum for the
oppressed and the afflicted of all the
world. They should be admitted
freely to the United States and, once
here, they will find abundant oppor
tunities to better their condition both
financially and socially. To her
America Is- emphatically the land of
opportunity and she discerns no good
reason why its doors should not swing
wide for all who wish to enter. She
Is willing to exclude the criminal and
the diseased, but nobody else.
Mary Antin's opinions of the United
States and its mission have been
formed from her own wonderful ex
perience. Her father ame to this
country a persecuted and impover
ished Russian Jew, bripging with him
the memory of bloody pogroms and
the dreadful laws of the pale. Borne
years later his family followed and
Mary began her career in the Boston
publio schools. Her family worked
for sweatshop wages to support her
while she was getting "an education."
She wore poor clothes and bore on
her person other evidences of dire
poverty.
But such was the sweetness of her
nature, such her utter faith in the
goodness of humanity, and so ardent
was her thirst for knowledge that
everybody treated her kindly. The
teachers loved her. The other pupils
took her to their' hearts. She made
friends with distinguished men while
she was still a little girl. Such men
as Edward Everett Hale Mary knew
well before she finished the high
school course. She began to write as
soon as she knew the English lan
guage and her prose and poetry gave
evidence of great ability from the out
set. Mary Antin is from every point
of view an extraordinarily interesting
woman. -
The Indiana couple, married ten
years and "guilty" of nineteen
children, no doubt think they will find
a Kttr olImatA in Oklahoma, and it
it is to be hoped they will. Five times
the events have been triplets, prooa
bly the United States record for fe
mnHitv. Thi nn rn In must be criven
credit for great expectations and pro
vision therefor. All the cniioren are
boys, and in naming this series the
capital "A" was about exhausted in
the table of nomenclature. Why can
not Oregon, which needs people more
than Oklahoma, have these good
things?
When a chorus girl of 22 and a
number of boys under 20, all boozy,
are injured' in a joy ride in the early
morn, there is manifest a whole lot
of tender solicitude, very much mis
applied. Many boys not yet 20 are
not too big for parental chastisement,
and it is a wonder a wise man on the
municipal bench does not occasionally
make an order to that effect. As for
the "chorus girl of 22," the figure may
Include any number of years up to 40.
i Have you tried the "no-breakfast"
plan? No coffee, no chocolate, no
rolls, "no nothing." Just get out of
bed and go to work while the stomach
gains vigor to digest a hearty meal
at noon. It saves trouble, it cuts down
the cost of living and it produces ex
uberant health. At least, those who
have tried it say so, but it is only fair
to mention that none of them have
tried it very long.
The trilllum comes out as soon as
any of our wild flowers, but it is not
the first. The lovely carmine of the
wild currant is quite as early and so
are the clusters of the white vibur
num. The earliest fruit trees to blos
som are the apricots, which Jack Frost
usually nips. Filberts blossom in Feb
ruary, the wise and stately walnuts
not- till May.
The Woman's Home Companion
says the kitchen is the most impor
tant room in the house. By the same
token the stomach is the most impor
tant organ in the body. It all depends
on the point of view. Should the
kitchen strike, the family would starve,
but we do not commonly admit that
food is more important than the brain
it nourishes.
Belgium, Serbia, ' Spain, Palestine
and Poland are begging the United
States for bread. England and Ger
many must have our foodstuffs or
starve. We produce fourteen bushels
of whpat to the acre on land that
would grow thirty. Unless we learn
to do better than that some people
must go hungry next year.
When felicitating ourselves on the
Knon of nnaoA that rests UPOU US W6
should not look too much on today.
During our war with Spain the Daiance
of the world was at peace. Who knows
what the future even the immediate
future may bring?
The inconceivable part of the story
V. olnlrlno- of TOO TlrAsHAn iS that
she hauled down her colors and hoisted
the white flag. That is not xeuton-
esque.
With hostile men-of-war waiting
outside, the Eitel doubtless will elect
to remain in port, the Eitel's specialty
being unarmed merchantmen.
The United States is growing in
power, says Secretary Redfield. He
means in wealth, but wealth is not
necessarily power these days.
A report is at hand of a great battle
fought underground in France. That
is where all battles should be fought
and a long way under, too.
It will be noted that the killing of
another American in . Mexico caused
far less furore than the killing of the
Englishman Benton.
A total of 250,000 Irishmen is said
to be at the front. Ought to be about
enough to bring the war in the West
to a successful close.
As the philosopher said, it is just
one thing after another. Germany's
food is running low and Great Britain
is short of powder.
Now jthat the belligerents are be
coming more chesty than ever about
our shipping, what are we going to
do about it?
' It yet may be that the man driving
an auto that is not a jitney must wear
signs fore and aft to keep the street
car off him.
Joke by cable: The Spanish navy
is showing activity. One boat is being
repaired and the other is at target
practice.
Italy is rupturing traffic relations
with Austria and that may mean af
fairs are fixed.
. Eski Shehr has been chosen as the
new Ottoman capital. On to Eskl
Shehr!
Anarchy is reported at Manzanillo.
And worse than anarchy at Mexico
City. - '
The order forbidding Army officers
to talk Is hard on the talkative ones.
. The Lion is showing his teeth. Ger
many must be starved.
In the case of Lincoln Beachey the
Inevitable happened.
Look for greater submarine activity;
also look aloft.
How to solve an anomaly: See "To
day" tomorrow.
Boost the good roads movement.
On to Flavel!
Twenty-Five Year Ago
From The Oresonlan. March IS, 1890.
Berlin The international labor con
ference was formally opened yesterday
in the large hall of Bismarck's palace.
The debates in the lower house of the
Prussian diet disclose the fact that the
conservatives are alarmed over the
Emperor's course in. favor of the work
ing men. Baron von Berlepsch, Prus
sian Minister of Commerce, said in his
opening address that the labor ques
tion demanded the attention of all civ
ilized nations, since peace between dif
ferent classes of the population ap
peared to be Imperiled by Industrial
competition.
Chicago. Jim Corbett. the San Fran
cisco pugilist who recently vanquished
Kilralta, passed through here yesterday
on his way to New York.
Miss Helen Niederauer. the 16-year-old
girl who was burned a few days'
since by the explosion of an oil lamp
at her home on Ninth street, near
C, is recovering.
The work for the new engine house
on ruuiLu ouc u . ..u.. ... . . . . -
and Yamhill, will be finished soon and
the DriCKiayers may oe ejipetwu
start work shortly.
G. H. Pumphry, a well-known Min
neapolis business man, who- has been
looking over the country with a view
nwa A EAiii4ner n. ffoori location for
a branch house, has decided to make
Portland tne dlstrlDuting point lor jra
cific Coast trade. He is very favorably
impressed with Portland and thinks it
is the coming city of the coast.
Last December J. G. Hogan. of Port
land, went down to Klamath City to
be absent not more than two weeks.
Meantime the storms of winter came
on and he was detained until the first
of this week. While at Klamath he
endured many discomforts and has no
further desire for frontiering. .
A meeting of the Oregon Athletic
Club will be held Monday, evening in
the office of Riggen & Holbrook to
sea what can be done toward putting
the club on a popular basis and to
pull it through its present financial
difficulties.
Joseph Watt of Amity was in the
city during the week. He has lived in
Oregon since 1844 and . with the ex
ception of the winter of 1861-62 ha has
no recollection of a harder season than
the past two months have been.
It is the general impression that
John M. Lewis, who has been appointed
postmaster at East Portland, will be a
competent and acceptable officer.
Recent letters from Ralph W. Hoyt.
who is now in Japan, state that he is
enjoying his outing and that his
health has improved wonderfully.
Mrs. O. H. Stott and sister departed
on the last steamer for San Francisco
for a three months' absence.
THE CALL OF THE EARTH.
The call of the earth and the sweet
daffodil
Is borne on the breeze that sweeps over
the hill:
And I see In my mind a little farm home.
Where old-fashioned floTers peep up
from the loam.
The call of the earth and the" bright
marigold
1 heard In the chirp of a robin so bold;
That he perched on a branch, quite close
to my door.
And sang of a garden that blooms ever-
more.
The call of the earth and the pink
peach-blow
Were wafted down from that rain
cloud, I know:
And I heard quite distinctly the hum of
the bees
As they hovered over the blossoming
trees.
The call of the earth and the new-mown
hay N
I caught from the murmuring brook to
day; And quite plainly I saw the great
creaking load
On its way to the barn down the hot,
dusty road.
Then my eyes traveled on to the farm
house door.
And I stepped inside on the white,
sanded floor;
There the sun from the window en
hanced with its gold
The hair of my mother, who never grew
old.
Thus the call of the earth is the call
back home
Of infinite love to those who roam;
Away from their poverty, failure and
strife.
Back to his presence and newness of
. life.
And the call of the earth is the call to
expreeS
The thoughts of the soul that ennoble
and bless;
'Tis the call to all creatures to unfold
to the light.
As the blade cleaves the sod that en
wraps it as night.
MARY H. FORCE.
Hillsdale, Or.
. Orlffln of Boy Scouts.
SALEM, Or., March 14. (To the Edi
tor.) Kindly tell me when, where and
how the Boy Scout movement orig
inated. Who was the first leader and
director, and is it true that Ernest
Thompson Seton has held this posi
tion and been deposed? Is it in any
way related to the Campfire Girl
Movement? SALEM.
The Boy Scout movement is an out
growth of constructive ideas that
came to boy workers in widely sepa
rated places. In Great Britain, General
Baden-Powell adopted largely the
Ideas and methods of individual Amer
ican, workers and was so successful in
organization that the enrollment of
Brinish Boy Scouts grew Into the hun
dreds of thousands. This gave the
movement impetus in the United States
in a closely and definitely organized
form. Ernest Thompson Eeton is. now
Chief Scout of the "Boy Scouts of
America. " The Boy Scouts and Camp
fire Girls are not related as organiza
tions. Mendel's Law.
PORTLAND, March 15. (To the Edi
tors In The Oregonian, March 7. I
noticed in the article about Father
Schoener. by J. A. Currey, "Mendel's
theory" is mentioned. Will you pleas
state what this theory is?
SUBSCRIBER.
Mendel's law is a principle" govern
ing the inheritance of many charac
ters in animals and plants, discovered
by Gregor J. Mendel, an Austrian
abbot- For further information con
sul! an unabridged dictionary or anj
encyclopaedia.
When a Mas Mortgages.
SPRAY. Or., March IS. (To the Edl
ton) If A buys personal property and,
owning a farm, gives mortgage on prop,
erty bought, and on failing to pay for
salkl property, would his farm be hold
ing for debt? A SUBSCRIBER.
It the personal property is sold under
foreclosure of mortgage and does not
yield the amount due the mortgagee,
the real property may beeome liable for
the deficiency.
DUTY SHIRKED BECAUSE OF COST
Ita Voire Always HeeaVd Heretefan
by Ameiirsa statesmen.
PORTLAND, Mar. 15. (To the Edi
tor.) "Am I my brother's keeper?"
That evasive and guilty answer of
Cain has echoed down the ages and
will continue to do so as long as men
and nations continue to live. Even now
it is staring the Government at Wash
ington in the face in the shape of a
Mexican problem which will not down
and demands solution. It can only be
answered as a plain Christian duty. To
evade the question is but to make a
farce out of Christianity.
In this day and age when men and
nations are so dependent upon each
other it is nonsensical to argue that
a nation can maintain a separate and
isolated existence without disintegrat
ing. If this war has proved one thine
it is this: That If comity be Interfered
with between a number of nations
neutrals suffer about as much at bel
ligerents. If not why are notes and
demands flooding the capitals of Lon
don and Berlin? China Is a compara
tively (or has been) insignificant coun
try and yet we are so dependent on her
that we have kept a jealoua watch on
the orient: if not why have we de
manded again and again an open door?
Ta It possible that a situation as baa
existed in Mexico for some time and
at our very door is no concern of ours?
Is it possible that between the parties
to a fratricidal strife a nation should
be allowed to commit suicide and we
not suffer? Is It possible that Ameri
cans should be advised to leave their
success and Interests of years behind
them simply beoause tholr government
is too impotent to protect them?
To say that it is Christian Is to
make comedy out of "The Man of Sor
rows." If any man ever did his duty
he did hla. And if duty Is anything It
is that which has for it object the
greatest good to the greatest number
with injustice toward none. And this
question, Mr. American, can only be
solved by listening to the voice of
duty.
Great crises In the world's history
have alwaya had their cost in blood and
treasurer and have always been met. Is
it Dossible that we are willing to al
low a situation already costly and in
sufferable to drag because the price
of duty is too great? What has become
of our manhood, our much-vaunted
Americanism?
The voice of duty has always had
willing ear in great statesmen regard
less of cost. Abraham Lincoln listened
to her voice and broke the shackles off
a slave race and reunited the ataten.
The Cuban trouble broke out in 1895
and was shifted by Grover Cleveland
on his successor. William McKlnley
listened to the voice of duty and freed
a downtrodden people. The Mexican
problem has been, like the poor ever
with us. It has been shifted from
William Howard Taffs broad shoul
ders to the lean ones of Woodrow
Wilson. Duty is still calling. Will
the problem be ag-aln shifted and her
voice go unheeded?
WILLIAM A WILLSHIRE.
Efficiency or Jealousy f
WALLA WALLA. Wash.. Mar. U.
(To the Editor.) So far I have been
unable to discover in all writing on
the subject, a scientifc reason for the
application that on account of Its
"militarism" Germany must be de
stroyed. If by militarism (always as
applied to Germany) is mea.it efficiency
in this branch of the German govern
ment, as in most all German institu
tions, Germany pleads guilty. If Jeal
ousy of its efficiency should be the mo
tive of the combined nations of Europe,
Asia, Africa and Australia to destroy
this nation, "militarism" (as alwaya
applied to Germany) can hardly be the
awful affair as painted.
It might be different with most of
these nations as to the application of
militarism. Some are situated so that
they do not need a large land force,
others so that they need neither a very
large land or sea force, but of both,
they aim to have the best or the most
efficient. Hence, what is lacking in
efficiency they have to make up in
numbers. AN OLD SUBSCRIBER.
Time to Stop War.
PORTLAND. Mar. 1. (To the Edi
tor.) It must be patent to the think
ing people that the time has arrived
when some effective means should be
adopted to stop this slaughter of the
flower of the earth. It is a matter of
our concern, neutral though we are, to
call a halt upon the killing of the ed
ucated manhood of all these highly
civilized people of Europe. If the bal
ance of the people permit this carnage
to continue the business and Intel
lectual world will be placed in charge
of incompetents and cripples, and put
us back, may I not say. 500 years?
Let our President do' as Roosevelt
did in the minor struggle between
Russia and Japan and in the name of
civilization and humanity call a halt
in the Titanic contest going on in
Europe. CHARLES J. SCHNABEL.
Word Long In Use.
PORTLAND. March 14. (To the Ed
itor.) Regarding "Jitney." I do not
know how. when or where this word
was originated but I do know that It
was in common use among tne nao
itues of the underworld as long as fit
teen or eighteen years ago.
. Mnnv is the conversation T have
overheard that ran something like this:
"Charlie, slip me a couple of bucks."
"Sorry old boy but I haven't got a
jitney." - v-
"Jitney," What It Means.
LEBANON. Or., March 14 (To the
Editor.) Will you please tell me what
is the meaning of the word "Jitney"?
MRS. J. G. E.
As generally used now the word "Jit
ney" means a 5-cent auto-bus. Origin
of the term is not definitely known.
N. Nitts, Military Critic
By Dean Collins.
Nesclus Nitts, sage of Punklndorf Sta
tion, Erected his heels to the right elevation.
Reduced a new quid to the best liqui
dation. And nailed a black beetle by expector-
And then upon war zones began an
oration.
I see by the papers how they has made
known
That they have created a submarine
zone
Around about Britain, and futher has
That trespassin' ships Is quite like to
git blowed up;
And Britain retorts that that don t
make her squirm any,
And she makes a war zone around
about Germany.
And likewise, remarks in the paper 1
That this makes things bad for the
merchant marine
That's tryln' to go on a peaceable
cruise
With cargoes of armaments, blankets
or shoes.
Because in them war zones, there s dan-
Whlch same our own country shore
views wim alarm.
I see that there's several letters been
wrote.
Each nation a sendln" out note after
But net results, fur as the press seems
to Know,
Remains Jest about pretty nigh atatu
So I 'lows', at present, the safest move
win
Be ehippin' round Chile or mabbe Brazil.
Half Century Ao
From The Orasonlaa of March IS. ISA.
It Is understood that at least one
full regiment of California Infantry
will be ordered to Arizona immediately
and ths native California cavalry bat
talion will be raised to a full regiment
and ordered on service against the
Apaches.
The loaded shell fired into the rud
der post of the Kearaarge by the pirate
Alabama has been aent from Boston
to Washington, as a present from Cap
tain Winston to President Lincoln, tha
latter having expressed a wish to have
it as a trophy.
Of the propriety of publishing to the
world a statement of the amount of
Income of those against whom taxs
are aaseased by tha general govern
ment, there has been much varlan.-a
of opinion. Among all civilized people
there is a hesitancy to divulge any
thing which pertains to their private
or business affairs. Ha who la but
moderately Inquisitive in this leupeot.
even among hla neareat friends, at
once falls under censure of being Im
pertinent and rude. Ordinarily the do
main of Individual privacy la not to
be entered by those who. without any
real motive, ara anxloua to know
another's business, or are deslroua of
making1 it the object of their meddle
some curiosity. If. however, a fraud
ulent return is made to the assessor
by any Darty. then the proper officer
not only it Interested In knowing It.
but every other citizen It concerned.
Bv order of Brigadier General Al-
vord. .W. I. Sanborn, second lieutenant.
Klrst Washington Infantry, and pur
suant to Instrui-tloiis from headquar
ters of the Department of the 1'aelfU-.
the limits of the district of Oregon
have been extended so aa to inrludn
the whole of the elate. This placra
In the district Fort Klxmath and Camp
Baker, near Jacksonville, heretofore In
the district of Callfernia. This change
will give the commanding officer of
the District of Oregon opportunity of
making better military combinations
beat calculated to punish bands of
marauding Indians.
We are Informed that Colonel Maury.
First Oregon cavalry, will succeed
General Alvord in command of the Dis
trict of Oregon and that Colonel J.
Steirtberger. First Washington Terri
tory Infantry. Is ordered mustered out
of the service, hla three years having
expired.
W. W. Scravendyke. agent for a co
pious dictionary of memorable persons,
events, placet and things, under the
title of "Cottage Encyclopaedia of Hle
tory and Biography, uy Ed. M. Tierce,
has laid a copy on our tabic.
Income Tax and Inveatanrnts.
ASTORIA, Or.. March 14 (To the
Edtor.) More than 3D years ago I
bought a lot for $30m. Since then I
spent more than 11000 for taxes and
street improvements and had no Income
from It at all. Now If I sell this lot for
3500 or $4000 must I consider this as
income and give It at tuch In to the
Income tax collector? Actually I do not
get one-half back what It cost, count
ing investment and interest.
A. L. JOHNSON.
Unless there was a rrofit f ro.-n tha
lot within the last two years, during
which the Income tax law hat been In
effect, which, added to other Income of
the correspondent, would bring his nst
Income up to $3000 or more, he would
not be affected by the porvlalons of the
act. On the sale of property the In
come tax law contemplates a tax upon
income from Investment and Is not In
tended to take a part of tha original
principal.
Christie Home Is Worth Seelnc
PORTLAND. Mar. 16. (To the Edi
tor.) It's worth while to visit ths
Christie Home. It Ilea well up on the
west bank of the Willamette River
about one mile touth of Oswego.
The way the orphans and children
are- handled and treated there makea
one wish he were an orphan. Those
interested in the welfare of children
will be pleased and delighted to tea
this home. Everything for their com
fort, education and pleasure Is so nice
ly arranged. Playgrounds, parka, spa
cious, well-ventilated halls and rooms;
clean, neat bedding and equipment as
sures one that the little ones coinlnr
under Its guardianship will do well
and be a credit to the school and this
community.
Everyone should buy a shamrock
March 17 for the benefit of thla In
stitution. I3AAC E. STAPLES.
A Suffrage Catechism.
Puck.
"Mother, what is a suffrage state?"
"It is the state your father Is In.
dear child, on election night, when his
party wins."
"But what is his party?"
"His party, my dnrilng, it the stout
gentleman who calls before the elec
tion and talks to him In a low voice
out In the hall."
"And what does it mean 'Tha bal
lot was cast'?"
"To cast, Algernon, ta to fix. The
ballot was fixed."
"Was It fixed by the party In the
hall?"
"Little son, women don't understand
politics; you'd better ask father."
Fir Yards In F.a.t.
BRIDAL VEIL, Or.. Mar. 14 (To
the Editor.) Kindly tell me If there
are any fir lumber yards In New York
City or the stato of Massachusetts,
and to whom should one Mpply for In
formation. A SUBSCRIBER.
The Charles R McCormlck Lumber
Company, of Fortland and BU Helena
recently opened d'strlbutlng yards tl
New York. The Emery Steamship
Company has established a plant at
Boston. Both concerns, plan to handle
fir on the AtU.itlo seaboard on a large
scale
Another w Way.
Puck.
He Suppose you get Into office and
there's a proposition comes up thtt yeu
know absolutely nothing about. What
would you do?
She Unlike the men. I think we'd
have sense enough not to meddle
with It.
Thans-fctful Him.
Pathfinder.
Mr. Manley Well, my dear, I've had
mv life Insured for $5000.
Mrs. Manley How very sensible of
you! Now I shan't have to keep telling
you to be so careful every place you
go."
We Thrive Together
Mr. Retailer
This newspaper and the merchants
of this city are local Inetltutlona.
Their duty, their service lies te
the people of this city. They thrive
as they serve.
It Is to the Interest of the newt
paper and merchant to pull together.
When this newspaper secures the
advertising ot a national manufac
turer it la helping every merchant
who carries the goods.
It Is to the interest of the
merchant to show thesa goodt and
push them.
It helps him, and It helpt tha
newspaper.
It's the pull together that countt.