TIIE MOKSlSa OREGOXIAtf. SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 1915.
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PORTLAND, SATURDAY, MARCU 20. 115.
A PIECE OF 1MI-L0.HATIC MANKIYI-U.
Great Britain and France have been
maneuvered by the State Department
Into a difficult position in maintaining-
their latest retaliatory measures
against Germany. The State Depart
ment takes a firm stand on interna
tional law with a view to forcing the
allies by moral pressure to bring thdir
naval warfare on Germany into crn
. formity with recognized usage. If this
pressure fails of its purpose, the
United States will be in a strong posi
tion legally to resort to retaliatory
measures short of hostilities.
Either the allies intend a blockade
;or they do not, is the American posi
tion. If they intend a blockade, they
have a right to confiscate ships and
cargoes which attempt to enter or
leave German ports, but they have no
right to blockade neutral coasts or to
interfere with non-contraband goods
going between neutral ports, whether
or not the ultimate destination is uer-
many. If they do not intend a block
ade, they have a right to seize only
contraband destined for Germany, coa
ditional contraband when intended for
German military use, and the ships
carrying such goods when more than
half the cargo is contraband.
The allies' wish to prevent goods of
any kind from going to or from Ger
many, either directly or indirectly,
whether contraband or not. Under
ithe rules of blockade they could pre
vent direct but not indirect trade with
Germany in non-contraband unless
jthey could prove the actual ultimate
; destination of goods to be Germany.
; In order to. gain the sanction of these
I rules, the allies now call their plan
'of campaign a blockade, but in order
'. to gain broader rights than those rules
permit, they in effect offer surrender
of some rights which they might exer
clse, namely condemnation of all ships
and cargoes.
i An embargo by the combined neu
ftral powers should prove effective in
.forcing the allies to bring their pro
cedure within international law. It
would throw them as completely on
.their own resources as they seek to
throw Germany and Austria. Were
tthe South American countries to join
In an embargo. Britain and France
; would be dependent on Canada, Aus
tralia and India for grain, meat and
:horses and would need to make prac-
Jtically all their own guns and ammu
nition themselves. They could not
'draw on Russia for grain and petro-
ileum until they had forced the Dar
danelles and the Bosphorus. Their
Jexport trade would be terribly dimin
ished at a time when they need all
-their resources to prosecute the war.
The damage they would suffer might
prove greater than that wnich tney
'inflicted on Germany.
The President could impose an em
Jhargo only by direct authority from
ICpngress, which would need to hold a
Especial session for that occasion. Both
;Mr. Wilson and the leaders of Con
gress wish to avoid an extra session.
'.Vor that as well as for weightier rea
sons resort to an embargo is likely to
be seriously considered only after all
other means have failed. But it is a
weapon which can be used most ef
fectively if the allies prove obdurate.
; A TIMELY OBJECT LESSON.
Several distinguished Democrats,
Including President Wilson, have said
-that the tariff should be used as the
:mcans of building up neglected indus
'tries and developing neglected re
sources. The war has called attention
.to one such industry. Early in its
: progress our textile mills were threat
ened with suspension by the lack of
dyes, which could be obtained only
from Germany. By great exertion and
through the mediation of the State
Department a cargo of dyes was per
mitted, to come from Germany, and
by the -.grpc -of the allies American
.mills were able to operate. The tex
tile industry thus has a most precari
ous hold on life. '
." Secretary of Commerce Redfield
says that the supply of coal-tar dye
in the United States "is amply suf
tlcient to supply in abundance all the
.crudes required for the manufacture
of dyestuffs in the United States."
Four American firm& supply part of
the domestic trade, but Mr. Redfield
says:
t Their advance, beyond certain limits, in
the manufacture elthor of Intermediate or
finished dyes is persistently cnecKea ana
nrveuted hv the united action of German
producers In underselling them. The 'entire
.Herman color industry is so i-uinjuwtri) vi
ganlzM ar.d accustomed to art as a unit
ir, furtherinr eeneral Interest at home and
abroad that little success in facing their
deter-nfned opposition hna heretofore been
obtained.
Our laws and public opinion are
opposed to the organization of any
industry in such a manner that it can
"act as a unit'" in the same manner
as its German competitors, but it is
possible, as Mr. Redfield suggested,
to pass "an effective law pre
senting that action toward control
ot" our markets by the foreign man
ufacturer which is now prohibited to
a domestic monopoly." He practically
admitted that "the present crisis offers
the most favorable moment to decide
upon a policy with regard to this one
important industry, whether it is to
be firmly rooted in American soil or
whether the dependence upon a for
eign source is to continue indefinitely."
The textile industries of England and
France have insisted upon emancipa
tion from like dependence on Ger
many, and the British government has
subscribed 12.000.000 to the capital
of a dyestuff company and has granted
$300,000 for a research laboratory.
The American people would not tol
erate a direct subsidy, nor would they
sanction a measure of tariff protec
tion like that which built up such
monstrosities as the steel trust and the
woolen trust. They would, however,
approve a scheme by which American
dye manufacturers were given sufficient
protection to offset any advantage en
joyed by the German monopoly, and
by which this protection would be
gradually withdrawn as the cause for
it passed away.
Such a scheme could be worked
out and applied by a tariff commis
sion -and probably Jn no other way.
The commission could after close In
quiry determine what measure of pro
tection was necessary to meet the case
and how much of that protection
could be withdrawn from time to time
as the industry, became more firmly
established and able to compete
on equal terms with the world.
Were the policy of protection thus
applied to industry In general, so
that the people could feel assured that
no duties were excessive or were a
bulwark for monopoly, much of the
opposition to that policy would dis
appear and it would cease to be a
political issue. Having once enjoyed
the stability and certitude as to con
ditions which would result from a ra-
tinnol fivorl toHfT TlftllPT thfi DeOIle
would make short work of any politi
cian wno tried to maae me una a.
party issue.
FAVORITE SONS.
'The Republican party," says the
Vaw vnrL- Timpfi "is about to enjoy
the luxury of ils first favorite-son
campaign in twenty-eight years." It
then gives the following somewhat
formidable list:
, i . . , . . 1. .. rAII, Cnvarnnr
uniu n iiu icsj
Willis, ex-Senator Burton. ex-Ambassador
HerrlcK, ana isenaror-eieci nuiums.
nois has HeDreentative Mann; Idaho, Sen
ator Borah- Iowa. Senator Cummins; Mas
sachusetts, Senator Weeks; Pennsylvania.
Governor Brumoauffh; Missouri, ex-oo-ver-nor
Hadley; Indiana, ex-Vlce-President Fair
banks; N;w York, oovernor whitman; Wis
consin, Senator La Follette. ,
CrhmA r,p ihA favorite sons have been
barely heard from outside their respec
tive states, though absence of a
National reputation is not necessarily
a handicap after the candidate has
been nominated. One or two others
i a little too well known to be
available, and at least one Senator
Borah is at a serious disadvantage
through geographical considerations.
Yet the opinion Is growing that he
is of real Presidential stature.
The next National convention will
not be the scene of any bitter struggle
for factional supremacy. From present
appearances the various states will be
only mildly anxious to push their
favorite sons. There will be no reason
why, after a respectable effort to solve
the deadlock by the choice of one or
the other of the present candidates,
the strong undercurrent of sentiment
throughout the country for Charles E.
Hughes will not find suitable response
and expression. '
MITCHELL POINT. ;
The State Highway Commission has
only a limited amount of funds at Its
disposal, and it is true enough that it
must apportion them witn care anu
must apportion mem mtn ta emu
1.1 .- JlnmttiBtlnn in iHdlV flf I
muiuub uim.imiinivi " i
many demands from various parts of
tne state tor aia m uuu'"s vi
highways. Nevertheless, it seems to
The Oregonian that the Commission
cannot, without obvious bad faith,
ignore the pledge made last year to
t 1- e T I ,1 T i I'Tlllfv t (1
tne peupitj VL nuvu . ..... I
.1 zn AAA nn en miii-h fl m f f h t I
OpCllU .1 VI , VI U VI , w. v i I
be necessary, in construction of the
Columbia Highway .arouna jiucneu
- , fnol fitatA
t (Jill L. it may ue twoumcu mo.,. i Lna-L reuuy nittuts oic . . .
. i - . i. i II ...... .n tlial. . . -i . . . : .. 1- A V. ct-rri.
senator uay, in nis upjecuutm m li,c
expenditure by the state at Mitchell
n:. . n-a.A tViot o u ti o ( i ti f I
t U 1 1 1 1 . vi us nui. !. " i ' j
and formal resolution for the $50,000
. . i i i n 1 V. .1 rl Vi n fi n !
appropriation 111 a j. - - --
adopted last year ; by the Highway .
. :,.-(.... re woe in its esftence
v. Liiiiiiii. -ivjii. i ... -
o nnnrnnt with Hood River County
to spena xou.uuu on rua-ti tuiwu uv.m..
at Mitchell Point, if It would vote
AAi j . .. I
Mit.-heil Point is a difficult obstruc
tion for the hifthway. The old road
. - .1 i-.n JtmiBn noB ntl I
long since laticu mw umuoi., i
t a a rt nv its crest, at varying
grades, tiut with a maximum of 28
. .... ... ...;...! . I
tn so ner cent. The sharp and wind
ing ascent and descent and the sudden
turn st the. summit make tne roaa
dangerous and even impassable, and
for a great many years there has been
no attempt to travel over it. -utr
, nmhioni at Mitchell Point Is to be
solved for the Columbia Highway by
a cut and tunnel, without heavy grade
and in keeping with tne general pmn
tnf a erraat Til QrOUffhfare.
The contract for the Mitchell Point
Work calls for about J40.000. or 10,-
000 less than the original estimates,
it in not tr he denied that it is a good
deal of money; but the Columbia
Highway is a great enterprise, ana
Mitchell Point must De conquerea, or
the road ended there.
AN EARLY. srRrNG.
Spring is coming early this year
if the signs are not deceptive.
There may be a lapse to Win
ter and the great bursting of
buds and opening of blossoms that
is under way may be but the pre
tiirio to storm and ice. But thus far
March hnjt heen more like latter April
than her own blustery self. The winds
have been balmy with no more tnan
a faint memory of their usual bite.
Th sun shines with kindly warmth
and wild flowers, tempted out of their
shelter In the mom, nave Dioesomen
everywhere. The forest trees, which
r rarelv deceived by false promises
of precocious Spring, have yielded-to
the allurements ot aiarcn ims year.
NTnthino- r-an b told bV the WillOW,
which opens her catkins upon the
slightest excuse at any time alter .No
vember. But the discreet oak buds
are swelling and even the walnuts
show signs of life. The black walnut
leaves out at about the same time
every Spring regardless of weather
enticements or discouragements, but
the cultivated sorts have many inat-
L-irinal neculiarities. Some of the shy
Mavettes do not come into leaf before
the end of May.
Kr-iontiflrt men sav this is a valuaDie
trait,, since it puts the nuts out of the
reach of frost. Be mat as it may,
these sullen lingerers are almost the
nniv trsM of orchard or forest which
have not begun to put on their Spring
o-oia. riressi. But the making of buds
and leaves is not their earliest activity.
iUv'rnltir and Dractlcecl eye can
detect signs of life In an orchard very
soon after the Winter solstfce In this
iimnte The buds are still as dor
mant as In December, very likely, but
innkins- Across the orchard rows one
sees a freshening in tne coior or tne
T-K.. 1
bark on irunx mm m m.i-. . .m i
surface glistens. The texture becomes
bark on trunk and brancnes.
firm and elastic. .
..... . . . I
NO dOUOt It IS tne I t-tui mi'ts au-
lirrht more than the temperature that
takens the first signs or me in piauis.
.... . .1 .1,1
In the rail tney Decome uitnuniii "
the light fails, no matter now warm
the lingering sunsnine may ue ur u n
Ort tne AUtUmnat urec.cr. .s ..
v. Win to lengthen life returns,
Cold and storm cannot stop it. In
fact, they appear to help it onwara. i
Evervbodv must have noticed how
' - . . . i I
opidlv plants oegin to grow in me
first mud weatner wier . iwtu
, . , . i. i .. . i .. I
ary freeze- Tne coia prooaoiy suiiiu-jjun!
lates everything that ft does not kill.
ThU Winter the arctic days of Janu
ary destroyed a good deal of growing
grain for the farmers which must
now be replanted, but since it de
stroyed at-the same time countless
noxious Insects with their eggs and
cocoons very likely the balance swings
about even.
SPLIT rNIlNITIVES.
An astonishing confession that
Booth Tarkington has lately made
encourages one of our contemporaries
to put forth a feeble defense of the
split infinitive, that grammatical
pariah. Booth Tarkington's confes
sion was that he knew less about
grammar than a high school student.
This might well be true and the flour-
ioriincr nnvollst fttill be DrettV Well
versed in the grammar of his mother
tongue, for many high school students
know a good deal about it. "We rather
infer from some reading of his books
that Mr. Tarkington is not so Ignorant
as he professes or else he is able to
write correct English without know
ing how. Like Dogberry's gift of read
ing and writing, the ability comes
perhaps by nature.
Filled with courage by Booth Tark
Ington's more or Jess veracious boast
of ignorance, our contemporary hurls
epithets right and left at the foes of
the snlit Infinitive. He calls them
"mental snobs." "noisy purists," and
the like, but luckily hard names breai?"
nn hnn w shall co on loathing: the
split infinitives until somebody defends
it a great deal more effectively tnan
our esteemed contemporary does.
According to some pedantic gram
marians, tne spat lnriniuve is tonuai
u- correct... The true objections to i
are on grounds of taste, not morals.
No doubt Wordsworth's famous verse
"And negro ladies in white muslir
H-nwns " is nerfeetlv correct, but it is
no great credit to him to have written
it A split Infinitive may likewise vio
late no rule of formal grammar and
still shock every nerve in the body of
a lover of good English; Most of our
great writers have snppea into int
iico of M nhomination -now and then.
but it is safe to say that none of them
was proud of the lapsej
There are plural nominatives with
otnniaf voph. in the Rible. but shall
we therefore ignore the rule that sub
jects and predicates must agree in
number? It is the virtues, not the
vices, of literary luminaries that we
must Imitate if we wish to profit by
Die. A man might collect
a big volume ot evil precedents by dili
gent search through isngnsn autnore,
but he would be none the better for
v.i inhnr Krta.il WB oil become sots
because Daniel Webster occasionally
got tipsy?
BRET HARTE.
n. . .1 . 11.1 H T Uari.'s
xne Kiversme euiuttu i c "
11 . A n,n,.lra Vi a a tlfllV TPAChed
vuuwitsu -
volume twenty, a goodly goal for
an autnor wno, iur .n ino v.......,
iB stiH not of the highest rank. This
volume is filled with poems and sto-
ries never before collected, though
m0st, or all, of them were published
.1. ntVta.. In tVltt 1 CI IT IT P ffO.
MiIItewilt:it; i j l ... . in ....i - '
...1. tha oi.ihnr u A VOlin? WeSt-
H 111.. 11 .11.- ""..- - i
erner longing to go East. They pre-
cede the time or tne tjaiiioriiiB mia
it. ti.. .1 1J .... flu .ta'a f 1 m H
n is wonuenui to umm ui c o-...
pathetic accuracy with which a few
4.a. t. a ttaA nrnfliir-eri these
euia n-i i v. i hi? ii".. ,, .
fugitive and comparatively valueless
. - i i..-.n tn iAnm-tho much
pitrves ut-fc o n -j
men and wild places, while in his own
... t, ir,oA n IIva where life
ii i m.i 1 1 v . n -
-rj,. smooth and eleeant. Of course.
nis aeiacnmeiit v.& yxn. wi . .
Had he been living the miner's life
. . i j . ilaeiintTiad li TlAnrlV
he could not have described It nearly
;-Jso well. Harsh personal' experience
would have extinguished the- run,
. . . i . . i 1. .i rntcrhr have TP
tnougri inc i. un. m n
m!r.ri ne far as he was personally
concerned.
. - .. .T. 1 . . V, ..Tin n rp tr
TJle exaggertttiuii it.ii ffi" --
Bret Harte"s Western stories was part
of his literary apparatus from the
beginning. In these early pieces it is
often the sole interest. He tells one
story, for instance, of a marh who went
in swimming in a lake, leaving his
clothes on the bank. A merry party
of youths and maidens arrived on the
scene ana tne swimme w.i.j "f""
jinnninn he nnsltir as a classical
statue on a rock. No doubt he was
much admired. Before the picnic was
over he had fallen in love with one of
the girls, whom he afterward mar
ried. This is the sort of tale with
which Bret Harte began his literary
efforts. No wonder it was a long time
before he found much favor with the
public. -
The "Western pieces with all their
exaggeration are full of real life and
their sympathy with it is profound.
In his later years, when he was writ
ing among the polite Influences of
Europe and the Eastern States, he did
nothing half so good.
ATTACK OS HIE DARDANELLES.
The allies are now engaged upon
the most difficult part of their attack
on the Dardanelles. The Anglo-French
nw hri nn rtiffirmltv In reducing the
forts at the mouth of the straits, for
there the ships could spread out ran
shape in the open sea and concentrate
their fire in irresistible weight, while
out of range ot the Turkish guns.
When the fleet entered the straits to
attack the inner forts, it lost all the
advantage Jt had enjoyed outside.
There was no chance of concentrating
the long range fire of mahy ships.
Thu fir was necessarily direct, at
short range and within easy range of
the Turkish guns. Only Dy unng irom
the Gulf of Saros across the peninsula
of Gallipoli . under the direction of
aeroplanes could the allies attack some
of the inner forts at long range.'
With their notorious procrastination
the Turks doubtless had not prepared
for attack. Probably their supply of
ammunition at the outer forts was old
and deficient In quantity. The allies
may have counted on as easy an en
trance to the Sea of Marmora as
Dewey made over the mines which
iiiit nnt o-rninrlA and Past the guns
which did not shoot into Manila Bay.
But when the outer forts were bat
tered down, the Turks, doubtless
spurred on by German officers, ap
pear to have made feverish efforts at
defense. Krupp guns which had lain
Idle were hastily mounted. Probably
... mtndfl wnrti laid in the narrows.
T 1 nv.,,, -n-nrn oaeamhlpiJ At COH-
ituu n" .1.,
stantinople and on both shores of the
straius. r "i. .. -----
. aitiA4 fleet to riiRmantlA the
trum tne
outer forts had severe encounters with
superior i""""- -
i aw... V. tllnflilnll hlllla n.n JtllTllf
aim mice
ana oiners uo.uhs,
iwo.i.-v.
but it will need the co-operation of
land forces equal to those of the Turks
in oraer to noia mo Biu..vi e.inc.
Without such aid. naval forces cannot
. , JAWtftnntlnne nn nari-nw
reoure " ' ..
aicm t.
... .A innmir TlnfnA In nerma-
a m..B. ... r
nent fortifications; they are mobile,
moved to any place where they are
needed, and mounted In screened posi
tions. It will probably be found that,
under the guidance of German offi
'cers, the Turks have mounted new
Krupp guns in concealed positions on
the wooded hills of the Gallipoli pen
insula. In order to gain permanent
control of the straits, the allies need
an army which can occupy the ground
already gained forces which can co
operate with the .navy in silencing
these mobile guns and In attacking the
forts from the land side- The' army
would need to advance on both sides
from the mouth of the straits toward
the Sea of Marmora and to occupy the
bay at the head of the Gulf of Saros.
Ships in this bay could then fire across
the peninsula at Turkish artillery
guarding the outlet from the straits
to the Sea of Marmora.
Some reports indicate that the allies
are already gathering land forces for
this purpose. An Athens dispatch an
nounced that twenty-two French
transports had been seen in the
Aegean Sea. Britain could probably
transfer 100,000 men from Egypt
without danger to her hold on that
country. Probably a force of 200,000
men could be landed on both sides of
the straits.
The allied commanders cannot have
been ignorant of their need of land
forces In order to insure permanent
success. They may have reckoned on
Turkish Inefficiency for a quick and
easv victory. They may have been
tempted to make the effort by the
moral effect on the Balkan states.
The bombardment of the Dardanelles
no sooner began than a war fever
broke out in Athens and Sofia, ana
probably mutual distrust alone pre
vented Greece or Bulgaria or ootn
from entering the war in order to
snatch a piece of Turkey. Greece
had a ministerial crisis and is
soon to have an election on the issue
of peace or war. The result may be
greatly influenced by the progress or
lack of progress made by the allies.
Kennewlck Is one of the most lm
onrtjint Wahinsrton towns on the
Columbia River. It has three railroads
and a serviceable dock. It is grow
ing, enterprising, and has a live com
mercial club. Through oversight of
a draughtsman and hasty checking
up in the editorial department,
Kennewick was not designated on the
map published in The Oregonian Sun
day showing the course of the Colum
bia River and the location of the ports
to be benefited by the opening of the
Celilo Canal. The Oregonian is thor
oughly aware of Kennewick's import
ance, and has no wish or in
tent to discourage an early realization
of Kennewick's unquestioned future as
a leading distributing center of the
Inland Empire. '
If the Russians and Germans con
tinue to take and retake Przasnysz,
they will knock a few letters out of
its name, and make it pronounceable
without dislocation of the jaw.
If the Chicago policewomen carried
their investigation of women's smoking
habits among the women of the idle
rich, they must have found more than
one smoker in twenty:
The steering wheel of a jitney is
not the place for a near-sighted man,
and properly was his license revoked
after five accidents in thirty-six hours.
There may be others.
These are the days when women
folk scour the greenhouses for plants
for cemetery planting, later to be
stolen by people beyond the hope of
redemption
One woman In twenty in Chicago
smokes, but not one in a hundred
thnnsnnrl can scratch a match man-
fashion in damp weather.
Anntiur American steamship bound
for a neutral port and food-laden has
been taken to Hull. Washington is
protesting, as usual.
The effect of the press censorship is
that we get the real story of early
events in the war six months after
they happened.
The Chinese have declared an iron
clad boycott on the Japs. Which will
not be iron-clad if the Japs decide to
use shrapnel.
France will leave protection of her
oitwuns in Mexico to the United States.
Then her citizens had better prepare
to flee.
' Womenfolk will observe that the
new traffic law says they; shall face
the front when alighting. But will
they?
The way the French take the ditches
and blow them up is a good deal
like pulling a well out of the ground.
Unrest in India is laid to America.
Sure. We probably caused the mos
quito plague on the Nile, also.
The various contending armies are
compelling millions of people in
Europe to adopt outdor lite.
Stories of Texas tenant farmers' life
recall those which were told in the
Irish Land League days.
More United States ships tampered
n-ith Time for another batch of State
Department complaints.
Utah and Wyoming will be the oases
in the ride across the western half
of the continent.
As soon as business becomes good,
note that the jitney crews lose their
early politeness.
It is not Turkish gunners who are
putting the allies' ships out of busi
ness. senator ucw 1 1'" i - ---
possibilities are not as rosy as his
locks.
nn. snnnttir Insists that we must
have two great fleets. Let's get one
first.
Tq th hahv carriage in the emer
gency class under the new traffic law?
nrvnn s!irni a neace treaty for his
birthday. Another scrap of paper.
This is orange day, meaning the
fruit and not the color.
Tim seed catalogues are'displacing
the "best sellers" these days.
Better start getting your plans ready
for the Rose Festival.
The ball fan is beginning to
perk up. .. . - .
FARM LOAN HATES ARB TOO HIGH
Advance In Agriculture Awafta Lower
latereet on Borrowed Money
PORTLAND, March 19. (To the Edi
tor.) We hear a good deal from Port
land boosters about getting people back
to the land, helping to build up the
country and encouraging development
of country life.
Is there a man in the bunch with
money to loan on farm land security
who will come forward and join a com
mittee to assist the movement for
rural credits?
By that, I do not mean to loan or
offer to loan money to the farmer at
7, 8 or 10 per cent Interest, as that sort
of help will not build up the country,
nor will it encourage development of
country life.
The farm industry will not carry a
high interest rate and succeed any more
than any other standard industry. Why
should we expect the steel industry or
the railroad industry 'to prosper carry
ing a bonded indebtedness and paying
8 per cent interest?
Can a railroad live and prosper and
build up the cities while it operates
on borrowed capital and pays 8 per
cent or 7 per cent interest and a 2
per cent bonus to the broker for se
curing the loan?
Why should the farming Industry be
expected to carry a heavier burden
than the steel trust or the railroads
can bear?
I have before me a list of the best
Improved farms in the Willamette
Valley, varying in price from J60 to
$135 per acre, which carry mortgage
indebtedness ranging from t to I per
cent. Practically every loan that was
secured on these farms cost the
farmer a bonus of 2 per cent, and ad
ditional charges for inspection, ab
stract and attorney's fees. The actual
cost of the loan to the farmer runs
these interest rates up from 7 to 10
per cent.
It is impossible to farm without
working capital if the farmo is to
make any reasonable financial success.
He is in the same boat with the mer
chant and the manufacturer in that
respect. Of course, he can take his
farm of 80 acres, with 30 acres cleared,
and pinch along and mud in a little
crop and eke out a living from year to
year. But that is not success. The
farmer must have the same chance
that the merchant and the manufac
turer has in the money marts if he
Is to make any substantial advance In
a single generation on Oregon land,
where clearing and development cut so
large a figure in his advancement
It has been my fate for the past few
years to be on the farmer's side of the
financial game and to assist a good
many farmers to get loans on Improved
farms. In most cases I have been pro
foundly impressed with the hopeless
ness of the farmer's financial problem.
With the best security in the world he
comes into the office of the money
lender (the average banking-house does
not invite him), and he is asked to pay
higher interest rates than are de
manded of even the retail merchant,
whose assets are far less substantial
and whose prosperity depends upon the
winds of trade.
While the money-lending class is not
organized, it is wonderfully uniform
and sympathetic in its operations. As
a class it is composed of men who
have good hearts and morals. They
never foreclose a mortgage excepting
as a last resort. All they want in their
brokerage for making the loan and all
the money owner desires is his in
terest, paid in regular installments.
But somehow, somewhere back in the
dark ages, when farming was regarded
as a poverty-stricken and peasant vo
cation, there grew up a practice of
charging an exorbitant interest rate.
As the business of merchandising and
manufacturing developed into higher
efficiency and surer profits these indus
tries were able to beat down the in
terest rate on money they borrowed.
But the farmer failed at that game.
He still Is paying to Molock the S and
10 per- cent for money that he must
have to make his vocation possible.
While it is true that the farmer has
practically "no competition, it is also
true that the very nature of his busi
ness makes organization impossible.
He is today and always will be alone
with bis problem, unless organized aid
is offered.
If Portland's newly consolidated com
mercial organization would do some
thing to build up country life and de
velop the farming industry in order
that Portland may grow greater, its
first and all-important task is a solu
tion of the farmer's financial problem.
There will be no appreciable ad
vance made in the farming industry
until the farmer with reasonable se
curity to offer js able to get the use
of money in his business and get it at
a maximum cost of 6 per cent net.
There is not a dollar in Portland to
day to loan on farm mortgages at 6
or even 7 per cent net to the borrower.
C. M. HYSKELL.
Ball Run and Food Values.
PORTLAND, March 13. (To the Ed
itor.) (1) Kindly state what Portland
(Bull Run) water shows by analysis.
(2) Also, if I can obtain in Portland
table of food values sent out by
United States Government
(1) The most recent Government
analysis was made from samples taken
from the stream at intervals of ten
days between August 1. -1911, and
August 1, 1912. This analj-sls shows
the following averages:
' Parts per
million.
Turbidity '. Tr-
Silica (S102)
Iron (Fc.) 03
Calcium (Ca.) 2.70
Mag-neslum (mgr.) &3
Sodium (Xa.)
Potassium (K.) 50
Bicarbonate radicle (HCOS) 1J.00
Sulohato radicle (SOO 3
Nitrate radicle 31
Chlorine (CI) I-30
Total dissolved solids 30.00
This analysis is practically ftte same
as one made 25 years previously, in
1887, and would, in all likelihood, be
irientic&l if modern methods of analy
sis had been in vogue at the earlier
period.
w do not know of a Govern
ment table of food values obtainable
in Portland, but bulletins containing
uch information are Issued by the De
partment of Agriculture. Tables show
ing digestible nutriments and avail
able energy in some of the common
foods are published in the Interna
tional Encyclopedia. Apply to refer
ence department of Public Library.
Cable That Was Cut.
PORTLAND, March 19. (To the Ed-
1 v 11. -CI-.., thu transDtillntin. Cflhle
which F.ngland was supposed to have
cut in the beginning or tne war oivneu
by the German government or a pri-
i . m..'i oi Wna It a-direct
1I11U 1.11.11 "L... . ' '
cable between Germany and the United
States, and what ports aia it connect;
' H. GRAF.
(1) It was owned by the German gov
ernment and operated by the Postal
Telegraph Company. (2) It was the
most direct cable between the con
tinent, and the United States and con
nected the ports of Emden and New
Tork City. .
Needle In Haystack.
c . t t?-kk M9wh 19 (To the Edi-
' ' '
tor.) Kindly publish some way of lo
cating a person .
i 1 . 13, A.
Australia is larger in area than the
United States. We know of no way to
lncute a oerson there if It Is merely
nereiy
is in
known in a general way that he
Australia.
Half a Century Ago
. From The Orefconlsrn March 30,
Louisville. We learn that Sue Mundy
and her (or his) guerrillas have
adopted a new uniform recently. Sue
wears a red flannel suit with a red
cap. adorned with a long black feather
fastened In front, with a $100 grecn-
DRCK Olll pillll.ru UU Willi f iiioB..iii. vn.
diamond pin. The men are also dressed
in red nannei witn a piac stripe i "
inches wide down their pants, but their
caps are unadorned with feathers. All
of them are "flush" with greenbacks,
diamond pins and rings and seem to
take thinars easy In this world. Billy
Magruder's men are about to adopt
similar style of dress.
The Dalles .Mountaineer publishes a
dispatch claimed to have been received
from Newell saying that the. mint is all
right and that Logah haB been ap
pointed Its superintendent. In view of
the success of his mission Newell an
nounces he will return soon. To be
lieve that the mint was not to be
located at Portland, sccordlng to the
request of the Legislature of Oregon,
would be equivalent to considering the
latter wanting i.i all that constitutes
honor and good faith, and adepts in
the science of perHdy.
Salem The grand Jury of Marion
County found a true bill asrainst George
Beale and George Baker for the murder
of Daniel Delany, fc'r. Whether the
trial will take place depends on the
ability to impanel a Jury in that
county, and the efforts the counsel
for the accused may make to procure a
change of venue.
Robert Cowan, an old and much re
spected citizen of Umpnua Valley was
killed by a falling tree near Yoncalla,
March 9, while he was working In the
woods.
The Willamette Portage Company has
Incorporated. A. P. Ankcny, Ad M. Starr
and W. J. Van Schuyvcr, being the in
corporators. The company intends to
engage in navigation steam or other
wise on the Columbia and Willamette
rivers.
C. B. Heald. one of the passengers
on the ill-fated bark Industry has given
out a graphic description of her wreck
on the Middle Sands at the mouth of
the Columbia, March 16.
Law mm to Honesleads.
SKAMOKAWA, Wash., March 18.
(To the Editor.) 1. In buying a re
linquishment, the tnan that sells has
lived on the land one year. Can the
buyer deduct it from the time the law
says he must live on It before proving
up? 2. Can a claim that has 7,000,ut0
feet of timber on it be proved up as
a homestead? If so. how much a thou
sand does one have to pay for said
timber? A SUBSCRIBER.
1. In buying a relinquishment, one
does not acquire residence rights or-
the former claimant for the property.
2. It is doubtful if a homestead such
as Is mentioned could be acquirod
because of the difficulty of living up
to the homestead requirements, which
provide that 20 acres must be in cul
tivation the second year of residence.
In the event that compliance could be
made, there would be no price per
thousand feet to be paid for the tim
ber. In the event of commutation, $1.60
an acre must be paid.
Drptb of Water at Panama.
STAXFIELD. Or., March IS. (To the
Editor.) Please say if there is any
difference in the stage of water at the
Panama Canal between Atlantic and Pa
cific. If so, what is it? A READER.
There is a difference In the depth at
mean tide in the two approach chan
nels. The depth on the Atlantic side,
where the maximum tide oscillation Is
two and one-half feet, is 41 feet at
mean tide, and one the Pacific side,
where the maximum oscillation Is 21
feet, the depth Is 46 feet at mean tide.
If the correspondent desires to know
if there is a difference in ocean levels
at the Isthmus of Panama the answer is
no, except local variances that may
occur at different tide stages.
A Preacher Who Is a Genius in
Many Lines
In The Sunday Oregonian
Dr. Frank Landon Humphreys is a wonderfully successful man.
He is a successful ecclesiastic, a musician, a composer, a mechanic,
an inventor, a horseman, a yachtsman, a licensed pilot, an author, a
sculptor, a lecturer, a publicist, a chemist, a color photoprupher. an
aeronaut, a historian, a business man and Bn athlete. An intc"
ing story will ffive some intimate details of this many-fided indi
vidual. OTHER ENTERTAINING FEATURES
Railroad Wreck an Impossibility
Yes, this is what may develop through the perfection of an in
vention recently tested by several railroads and which now is being
investigated by the Interstate Commerce Commission and other
agencies. After 20 years of effort the inventor now proclaims to
the world that his device absolutely will prevent disasters.
Penrod on Deck Again
Booth Tarkington contributes another of his classics dealing with
the ever popular character, Penrod. This time Penrod celebrates his
12th birthday and makes the occasion a merry one.
Undersea War Maneuvers
This story tells -about the movements of the submarines used by
the various European nations now at war. It also tells of the im
portant part played by the mines which have been instrumental in
sending many ships to the bottom.
William J. Burns
No use to say more than that. The name Burns is enough. The
master detective of modern times will tell of some of his actual I ex
periences with blackmailers and their kind. Ifs more interesting than
fiction and twice as realistic, for it is real. It is another of the de
tective stories told by real detectives now running in The bunday
Oregonian.
Stage Stars Off the Stage
Leone Cass Baer, dramatic critic for The Oregonian, tells about
her experiences in meeting some of the most eminent actors and
actresses before the footlights today. Told in her own origihal style.
Full page in colors.
Arrival of The Great Northern (
Pictures and an adequate description of the recent celebration
Flavel incident to the inauguration of the new steamship lino to ban
Francisco.
Prince Eitel Friedrich
A half page of pictures showing scenes attendant on the arrival
on the Atlantic Coast of the German cruiser Prinz Eitel Fricdncn,
which sank several vessels, including the William P. f rye.
Portland Public Schools
This is the second article by Addison Bennett showiiig the rroer?.;s
that is being made in public education in Portland. The article to
morrow takes up particularly the work of the Domestic Science Dc
' partment.
And a Lot More Besides
All the usual additional Sunday features will be contained in to
morrow's big Oregonian, including more of Temple s original ikeU;hM
From Life," some new dance steps by the Castle couple, a striking
drawing showing modern dames caught with the latest Spnng Htyles
'on a windy day, another installment of "Exploits of Elaine the
regular comic supplement and the weekly review of various local ac
tivities such as real estate, the drama, society, automobiles and good
roads.
Twenty-Five Years Ago
From Ths Orenonian. March if. IPSO.
Taooma. O. A. Holmes, of Portland,
a railway construction engineer for tha
Cnlun 1'uclfio Hallway, arrived here last
night with instructions to go to Port
Angeles with a corps of engineer and
do some platting and roconnolsaance.
The Union Pacific owns some nio acre
and considerable water-front rroperty
there.
Seattle. Alfred liolman. editor of tlie
Post-lntelllgenccr. knocked out W. II.
Shermnn In the lobby of the Rainier
hotel here last night. Mr. Hulnutt Is a
man of medium sire, while Mr. Sherman
is veritably a Kiant. bclnit S feet 2
inches and weighing 210 pounds. The
fight, which was only one round, aroao
over Mr. Holman'a opposition to Mr.
Sherman's candidacy for secretary of
the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Hol
man la a member of the board of
trustees and the episode Is said to mean
Mr. Sherman's complete elimination
from consideration.
The State Democratic Central Com
mittee met at Salem yesterday and
calb-d the state convention for April 24
In Portland, eight days after the Re
publican convention.1
Berlin. General von Caprlvl. com
mander of the Tenth Army Ooriia. has)
been appointed Chancellor of the Km
pire to succeed the great Bismarck, who
resigned two days ano. Caprivl will
not assume the foreign portfolio. Von
Boettecher becomes president of tho
Prussian ministry: Count Kulcnhcre.
Governor of Hesse-Vassar. succeeds Von
Hoettecher as Minister or tlio Interior.
Count Herbert Bismarck will receive an
r.nbassadorship.
Judge Williams will preside at th
21st anniversary celebration of tho .
Portland Toung Men s Christian Asso
ciation tomorrow evening at the Taber
nacle. S. M. Sayford. of Boston, will
give the address of the evening.
Messrs. D'Arcy and Miller addressed
the Union party meeting at Nonpareil
Hall last night.
Miss A. 8. Jorsrcnaen, proprietress of
the elegant millinery establishment at
166 First street, will have a grand open
ing next Tuesday and Wednesday.
W. F. Kettenbach, a banker of Lewis
ton, Idaho, Is at the St. Charles.
In response to Invitations from G. R.
Markle. president of the Multnomah
Street Railway Company, a large num
ber of prominent citizens were present
at the power-house yesterday at 1
o'clock to take a ride over I lie com
pany's line on Washington and H streets
from First street to the, City Park, on
the first electric car run by the com
pany. There are ten cars that will
start in a few days on the renilsr
schedule on the main line, leaving First
und Washington every two minutes.
nr nv Raffetv Is Improving tha
grounds surrounding his new reslrtenca
on Brooklyn Heights, settina" out fruit
trees and shrubbery In profusion.
Dancer Heat for Keroaene.
ASTORIA. Or., March 18. (To Hi
Editor.) Please state the heat kero
sene will stand without exploding in
lamps. A UEADKIt.
The point at which kerosene will
explode varies with different grades of
oil. The kerosene ordinarily aold on
the Coast will begin vaporizing at
about 120 to 123 degrees Fahrenheit, and
It then becomes dangerous. Some kero
sene oils of the poorer grade, however,
vaporize at 110 degrees or even less.
Surveyor-tieneral In Oregon.
POItTLAND. March 19. (To the Kd
ltor.) can you give ino any Informa
tion as to the address of the United
States Surveyor-Gonei-iil? ,
WALTER A. STONK.
Kach public land state lias such nn
official. United States Surveyor Worth.
Custom-House. Portland, is tha address
of the official in this state. All aur-veyors-gcneral
are under the direction
of the General Itnd Office, Department
of the Interior.