18
TTIE MORNING OREGONIAN, "WEDNESDAY, TTXT 5, 191S.
FIRE PROBE BEGUN
BY UNDERWRITERS
On Findings Depends Rise
Insurance for Oregon,
Declares Agent. ....
in
ARSON ISSUE IS EVADED
Investigation to Be Most Careful
, Although Attitude as to Possi
bility of Incendiarism Is - -Being
Withheld.
.- 'Fire insurance companies operating
In Portland are viewing with concern
the great number of fires that In the
last few months have . caused ' such
heavy-losses In the city.
A committee from the Underwrit
ers' F.quitable Rating; Bureau, the
organization having jurisdiction over
fire underwriters in Oregon, ia now
engaged In a most careful lnvestiga
tion to determine the origin of re
cent fires.
The fire Insurance companies wilt
not even say that they have suspicions
of incendiarism, but the investigation
is to be most careful. It Is not de
nied that, as asserted by Insurance
Commissioner Harvey "Wells recently,
there is a possibility that the under
writers, whose losses have been heavy
limy decide an increase In Insurance
rates Is necessary.
Companies Lome In 1914.
"The fire insurance companies lost
money In 1914." said John D. Coleman,
general agent of the Home Insurance
Company, and president of the Under
writers' Equitable Rating Bureau,
"nnd thouch of course I cannot say
offhand that the published figures of
looses so far this year are correct, it
looks as If all profit for 1916 .already
has been wiped out and that the com
panies face a certain loss for the year.
"Whether a committee of California
Insurance men is to visit the city to
make an investigation, as Mr. Wells is
i'ioted as saying, we do not know.
It should be distinctly understood
however, that If such a committee has
been appointed, it does not in any way
represent the Pacific Board of Fire
Underwriters at San Francisco, which
has absolutely no Jurisdiction over this
.territory and does not claim any,' the
Underwriters" Equitable Rating Bureau
or Portland being the only Doay wun
Jurisdiction in Oregon.
"The committee, if appointed, has
been named by the insurance compa
nies operating here whose main of
fics are in San Franicsco, and would
represent the companies and no ' one
else. We would welcome investiga
tion of the situation here by such an
outside committee."
Presnnre Felt for Years.
Mr. Coleman said that for the past
seven years there has been a constant
pressure and hammering down of
rates here. "The reduction in rates
In the past five years in Portland ag
gregates 27 to 28 per cent," he ex
plained. "None of the companies here
now is making any money, and it Is
an imperative necessity to determine
whether there Is any likelihood or im
provement. . "There is no question," continued
Mr, Coleman, '"that Portland is in an
insanitary condition, speaking from
the point of fire hazards. If business
men and homeowners want to prevent
a possible rate increase it is up to
them to co-operate with the fire mar
shal in his endeavors to better con
ditions. "Fire Marshal Stevens is an ener
getic and able official, and we are
heartily behind him In his efforts. It
is now up to the citizens to co-operate
instead of -hampering him.
General Rlae Held Unlikely.
"If the investigation by the Under
writers' Equitable Rating Bureau dis
closes that recent fires have been ac
cidental, and that, the fire . depart
ment has been inefficient which we
do not believe, for it has a record for
efficiency second to-no-department in
the country that would, not . Justify a
rate increase. If it shows that fires
have been due to bad conditions, per
haps to incendiarism, ' and that there
IS no prospect of improvement, some
thing will have to be . done.
"In any event, the Underwriters'
Equitable Bureau will not initiate a
late increase. This would be done by
the interested companies themselves.
Should there be an increase, dt is likely
also that it would not be . a. general
Increase, but an increase on classi
fications.. "For example, if statistics uhow
that the hazard on dwelling houses
dopa not Justify the present rates, the
rate on that classification might be
increased. Let me add again most em
phatically that Is up to tho people to
lessen these hazards If they wish to
have the benefits of present low
rates."
MR. BARBUR TO RUN AGAIN
City Auditor, Already Serving Eight
Tears, Pledges Economy.
A. L. Barbur, for eight years City
Auditor, entered the race for re-election
yesterday when he filed in his own
office his petitions nominating him aa
a candidate. He pledges himself to
continued economy, courtesy and ef
ficiency in the administration of his
office.
Mr. Barbur has held the office of
City Auditor for four two-year terms,
during which time he has brought the
office up to a thoroughly modern basis.
Among other reforms Inaugurated by
Mr. Barbur as Auditor have been the
elimination of the loan sharks from the
City Hall and the enactment of a city
ordinance prohibiting city employes
from assigning their pay checks.
JOHN J. LENTZE DUE TODAY
Moose to Entertain ex-Representa-livc
From Ohio and Noted Member.
John J. Lentz, ex-Representative
from Ohio and a prominent member of
the Loyal Order of Moose, will arrive
in Portland on the Shasta Limited at
1:80 today. He will be entertained
during the afternoon by a committee
from the Portland Moose lodge, under
the direction of Dictator George Funk.
Tonight he will speak at a reception
i to be given in his honor by the Moose
' lode.
Mr. Lentz will be accompanied by
Mrs. Lentx. Wives of Portland Moose
members will entertain her during the
afternoon and evening. .
TRADE FOR VOTES REFUSED
3Ir. Yeon Delays Itcply to Club Be
cause of Election Intimation.
John B. Tron, County Roadmaster,
refused to "trade for votes" prevJjHs
to the road bonding election of April
14, according to correspondence which
was submitted to the Board of County
Commissioners yesterday.
Samuel C. Kerr, as a member of the
Portland Hunt Club, wrote Mr. Teon
April 8, asking if the proposed - im
provements contemplated a bridle path
along Canyon road. "An early reply
would be appreciated, especially before
election." said Mr. Kerr's letter.
Mr. Yeon did not reply until April
19, Ave days after the election was
over. In this letter he said the bridle
path was under consideration.
"I purposely delayed answering your
leter," said Mr. Yeon. "because of the
last sentence. I took it for granted
that if the bridle path was not author
ized there would be no vote coming
from you. In view of.the importance
to Multnomah County of the proposed
paving. of 70 miles of highway, I did
............. .......,
VETERANS WHO - AVII.I, TAKE
PART IS CKLILO FETE.
i I
A $
-Zr..'L.j- j ; - '' : "
Left, X. K. Hills ' and II. C.
Markee.
T. E. Hills, past department
commander, and R. ' C. Markee.
aide and chief of staff. Depart
ment of Oregon, Grand Army of
the Republic, will raise the flag
today at the dedication . cere
monies of the new Cel.llo Canal at
Celilo. II.. S. Fargo, 'department
commander, -will make tho .pres
entation address.
not feel Justified in doing anv trading
$985,000 ESTATE LEFT
NO- MILL 'OF T. SCOTT BROOKES
, FOUND, PETITION SAYS.
Memorandum Indicate Intention to Be
queath All Property to Widow and .
Children, Is Declaration.
An estate worth I985.onn wn. loft
by Thomas Scott Brooke, who plunged
to his death April-27 from the second
floor of his residence at 722 Flandera
street. A petition for betters of ad
ministration, which fixed the value of
tno property, was filed in County
Clerk Coffey's office yesterday.
Mr. Brooke left no will, but the nn.
titlon says a memorandum was found
which evidently had been ifftended for
a will. The memorandum was not
properly witnessed nor dated, so it
was not presented to -the court as a
will, eays the petition. It bequeathed
the entire property to the widow and
two small children. The petition seeks
to carry out the wishes of Mr. Brooke
as expressed in the memorandum.
The -widow, Christine M.. Brooke, asks
that she, with C. F. Adams and Frank
Kiernan; be appointed- administrators
of the .estate. The property, says the
petition, is of such character that Mrs.
Brooke does not want to undertake its
administration alone.
No .description of the property is
given in the petition except that it is
composed of real estate situated In
Multnomah County and in Tillamook
County, valued at approximately $985.
000. The personal property is valued at
only $150.
It was in accordance with the mem
orandum left by Mr. Brooke, eays the
petition, that Messrs. Adams and Kier
nan are mentioned as administrators
of the estate with the widow. The
children are Christine P. Brooke, 3
years old,, and Lloyd Scott Brooke, 2
months old;
.The. property owned by Mr. Brooke
at the time of his death included some
of' the' most 'valuable business loca
tions in Portland. The half block
fronting- south, .on . Washington street
between Broadway and Park street,
was among the possessions of the
Brooke estate, of which he owned a
part. "He owned" the' property on-the
southeast corner of Fourth .and Yam
hill streets, where the' Central Market
was recently, constructed. Four acres
of land along the Northern Paciflo near
the Portland Linseed Oil Works, and
a half Interest in the Lumber Exchange
Building on Stark '- street, betweer
Third and Fourth streets, , were other
valuable possessions. He also owned
seven-twentieths of the old Brooke es
tate, which now holds several pieces
of valuable Portland realty. Valuable
timber lands in Tillamook County, and
some scattering East Side property
were also owned by Mr. Brooke.
The petition estimates that, the an
nual income from rents and prof its on
the entire estate is J30.000.
OFFICERS ARRIVE TODAY
Militiamen to Get Practical Instruc
tion at Fort Stevens.
Practical training in the use of the
big coast defense guns and instruction
alon various other lines; of the mili
tary science will be given tfce represen
tatives of tho coast artillery companies
of the state who are to attend the offi
cers' camp of instruction to be held at
Fort Stevens May 5 to 10. The three
officers and five men who will. attend
the camp from each company will ar
rive In Portland early this morning.
After having been Joined by the dele
gation from the Portland company all
will leave in a body on,the 8:20 morn-
ng train for the fort.
Immediately on their arrivel at the
fort the men will . establish camp in
preparation for the hard week of train-
ng. They will have regular Army offi
cers as -instructors and will be put
through the regular routine work, and
n addition will be trained in the vari
ous methods of attack and defense.
CONGRESS IS NOTED
Mothers' Meeting, May 12-16;
Interests Educators.
FEDERAL BUREAU HELPS
Siotices Call Attention to Confer
ences Over Country on Way to
National Assembly HereMany '
Speakers to Be Heard.
Man, 80, Weds Woman 42.
MOUNT STERLING. 111., April 22.
Alonzo A. Hill, aged 80 years, and Eliz
abeth Bell, aged 42. both of this city.
were married In yulncy today by Rev.
N. M. Kigg.
The attention of educators all over
the country is being called to the con
vention of the National Congress of
Mothers and Parent-Teacher Associa-
tlones which will convene in Portland
May 12 to 16. Delegates from all parts
of the United States will be in" attend
ance and plans for their entertainment
are being made.
P. P. Claxton, Commissioner of the
Bureau of Education of the Department
of the Interior, has sent out letters to
educators in all sections of the country
calling attention to the conferences
which are held under the auspices of
the National Congress of Mothers and
Parent-Teachers working Jointly with
the home education division of the
United States Bureau of Education.
Several Conferences Arranged.
There will be a number of these con
ferences held in the Western States by
the officers and delegates of .the Moth
er's Congress and the representatives
of the home education division of the
Bureau of Education, on their way to
attend the annual Child Welfare Con
ference here. - ,
The schedule for the conferences is
as follows: St. Paul, Minn.,' May 3-4;
Bismarck, N. D., May 5-6: Butte. Mont.,
May 7; Helena, Mont., May 8-9; Seattle,
Wash., May 11; Portland. May 12-16;
San Francisco. May 18-20.
The National board of managers of
the Congress will ' meet in the Hotel
Benson May 12, at 1 o'clock and May
15 at 9 o'clock. . The first general ses
sion will open at 8 o'clock Wednesday
night. May 12 in the Library.
Governor to Welcome Deleaatea.
Governor Withycombe- will give the
address of welcome.. Mrs. . Frederic
Schoff, president of the National body,
will give her official message. Other
speakers on the programme will be L.
R. Ald-irman, Mrs. Arlstene Felts, Mrs.
Jennie M. Kemp, Mrs. Edward T.. Tag
gart, Mrs. Robert Tate and Mrs. Sarah
A. Evans. Mrs. Delphine Marx will
sing.
Thursday's programme will include a
morning meting at the Library, an af
ternoon at the Parents' Educational
Bureau and a reception at the Hotel
Benson at night.
Friday morning , will be filled with
business and addresses and at 1 o'clock
there will be ah elaborate luncheon
given by the Portland Parent-Teacher
Association at the Benson. -
Mayor and Mr. Albee Hosts.
At 4 o'clock the National officers and
delegates will be entertained at a tea
in the home of Mayor and Mrs. If. R.
Albee. For the programme Miss Lillian
Morgan, Miss Constance Piper and Mrs.
Charles E. Sears will provide artistic
musical selections.
For the closing session Friday night
Mrs. Jane Burns Albert will sing. The
speakers will - be Mrs. William F.
Thacher, of Washington, D. C; Mrs. A.
King Wilson, Superintendent Alder
man, Mrs. Milton P. HIggins, of Wor
cester, Mass., and Mrs. Fred Dick, Mrs.
Thomas Carrick Burke will have
charge of the music for the convention.
fl.KAN-rP AMI IMIT-I F HKKK If WITH fS! KVFRVTHIMI Tdl' WV IS HBHK1
Kelso Sponsor Born in Monticcllo.
Miss Roma Huntington will be sponsor
lor zveiso ana me uowiuz ruver a-t
the Celilo celebration at Big Eddy
toMinrrTi' A unlmia nnlnf aK,,t KTia
Huntington's selection is that she was
Born in tne rirst territorial capitol
building of Washington at old Monti
cello on the donation claim of her
grandfather.
Nervousness
Squint
SEE THAT
:urvb
Mrs. V., aged 29, was a constant
sufferer from nervousness, headache,
irritability and nausea. She was sent
to us by her family physician, who
failed to relieve her with drugs. .Her
need of glasses was very marked. We
advised them for constant wear. The
result was almost magical. For the
first few days she experienced some
difficulty in walking; gradually this
passed away. In six weeks she re
turned to tell us that her headache,
etc., had entirely disappeared, her gen
eral health greatly improved, and that
she now took more pleasure in living
than ever before.
Master S. T., aged 4, was afflicted
with a squint in his left eye when he
was 3 "years of age, which continued
to grow more pronounced.. On exam
ination we found the sight of his
squinting eye much impaired and both
eyes were defective. Glasses were re
commended to correct these, with the
result that his eye is now perfectly
straight and his vision much un
proved.
Since the. United States took ehanre of th
Philippines more than t.000.t0O natives hs.s
had some Instruction in the English lsn
iciiace Hnii more of them speak and write
some English than any other tongue.
Had glasses not been pre
scribed the squint would have
become permanent and the
sight of the eye practically
useless. Difficult Cases Solicited
THOMPSON
OPTICAL INSTITUTE
209-10-11 Corbett Bldg., 5th & Mor.
Mail Orders Filled From This and All Our Ads
.If Received Within Three Days of Date of Publication
Telephone Us Where Quantities Are Limited or You Are in a Hurry
We give our out-of-town customers the same privilege of buying
from our daily advertisements as those who live in the city. More
over, our method is not a "mail-order system," it is, rather, a sys
tematized shopping service which gives the personal attention of a
trained shopper to the filling -of every mail order.
Your order is studied and promptly filled with as much "intelli
gent interest" as if you were here yourself. Should you come In
person we will be glad, upon request, to have one of our experienced
shoppers assist and conduct you to as many of the 75 different de
partments as you choose. There Is no charge.
Bathrobe Blankets
at $1.97
Bordered With ' Tastet and Frogs
Our Usual Price Is $3J23
Only 10 in the lot. Small conven
tional designs, grey and white and
navy and white combinations. Size
72x90. - " . . '
Third Floor, Slxth-St. Bid.
The- Quality' Stohb or Portland
Suede Gloves $1.25
$2.00 and $2.23 Perrin's and
Reynier Makes
Overseam or pique sewn, 2 and
3 clasps, Paris point or fancy
embroidered backs. Your choice
of black, tans, browns, mode,
grays and blue, in all sizes.
first floor, Mith-ftt Blag.
Look
for
"Double
Diamond"
U nadver-
thed
Specials
The Store of Service Provable by the
Very Great Values in Our
58th Anniversary Sales
A Downward Revision of the Pajama Tariff!
2000 Men's Pajamas in This Sale
2000 Suits of Pajamas that have decided
to sacrifice price for a good night's sleep.
All made to sell at much higher prices but
overstayed their welcome at the factory and
offered to us at a big reduction on condition
that we are not to regard it as a precedent.
This proviso also applies to you, for we can
seldom offer such values.
PAJAMAS?, SPECIAL AT 98c
Our Usual Price $U0
Striped and figured percales and plain or fancy
woven soisettes, . tans, blues, lavender and white.
Low-cut or military collars, silk frog trimming.
PAJAMAS, SPECIAL AT $1.29
Our Usual Price $2JOO and $2 JO
Mercerized cloths in fancy weaves, white ground
with handsome blue, black and lavender combination
stripe effects. Low neck, silk frog trimming.
PAJAMAS AT $1.69
Our Usual Price $3 JO
Specially woven fabrics, including crepe
cords and crystal cloth, satin striped and
fancy self -figured effects, blues, white, lav
ender, tans and pinks. Low neck, pearl
buttons and silk frog trimming.
All beautifully made. Superlatively soft and comfortable,
home and go out again. Corking values!
Will sleep till the cows come"
Temporary Annex, Klrat Kloor
Beautiful Imported
St. Gall Venise
LACES
For Trimming Purposes
at Anniversary Sale Prices
75c to 85c Quali
ties, yard . .
$1 to $1.25 Quali
ties, yard
$1.50 to 52.25 aq
Qualities, yard llOC
$3.00 to $6.50
Qualities, yard
49c
69c
$1.19
Bands, Edges and
Galloons in heavy
grades, white, cream
and ecru. Especially
adapted for the favored
bolero jacket trimming,
waists and garnishing
the Summer cotton
crepes, voiles; shown in
white and pongee
shades.
Klrst Floor, Slxth-St. Bins.
Boys' Wool Suits
Vestee,
"Middy,
- Dombey
Styles
$5
Oliver
2 to 6 Years
Serge in navy blue or white fancy
materials in tans, browns and grays
very pleasing and attractive combina
tions. Splendidly tailored Suits.'
BOYS' BALMACAAN AND
REEFER COATS FOR SPRING,
$5.00
1 to 10-year sizes. The ideal Spring coat
for boys, shown in effective materials and all
the new coat features of the season.
TpmpOrary Annex, Seeond Floor.
For Today We Have a Line of
Women's Suits at
Smart Semi-Tailored Models
'. Also the Severely Plain Models
' Smart semi-tailored models or the severe styles
that many women prefer for business and general
wear. High-grade serges, gabardines, worsted
and fancy checks, in navy, black, Belgian blue,
sand and black-and-white checks.
Belted Norfolk coats, peplum and cutaway
models, skirts pleated or flared. All sizes in the
group.
K.urlk Floor. lxh-St. Bide.
Six New Specials for Today in Our
Anniversary Sale of Women's
Dainty High Grade Undermuslins
This list of price brevities serves merely as hints or the splendid
liberality of stocks and prices.
if
NAINSOOK GOWNS, $1.59
Good $2.00 Values
Unusually pretty and attractive
gowns, made in Empire style, with
wide beading run with ribbon and
fine cluster tucking, forming the Em
pire effect. Hand feather stitching
and dainty lace trimmings. One gown
is illustrated. ,
CORSET COVER AND
DRAWERS AT 59c
Our Usual Price 73c to 83c
Many styles, some with imitation
Irish edges and medallions. -
CORSET COVERS, 25c
Formerly 39c
Good quality nainsook, made in
ways, with trimming of
scores of
Swiss embroidery and torchon laces.
CREPE DE CHINE
VESTSSPECIAL $1.98
Usually at $2 JO
White and flesh tints, finished with
picot edging.
COMBINATIONS 98c
Usually at fUO
Trimmings of fine f isheye - laces,
all-over embroidery and Swiss me
dallions. $1.50 SLEEVE CORSET
COVERS, 98c -
A necessity for wear with sheer
waists. Some with butterfly medal
lions back and front and on puff
sleeves; others with fine organdy in
sertion.-
Second Kloor, Stxtfc-9t. Bid.
Today Only! Wash Needs Are Reduced
Eauiv Your Laundry at Anniversary Sale Prices!
J1.25 WASH BOILERS, COP-QOp
PER BOTTOMS. RED. TO., www
Jl.JI MRP. POTT'S SAD IRONS,
SET OF THREE RE-QQn
DUCilD . TO w"1'
40c GLASS WASH BOARDS lO.
REDUCED TO
25c WIRE CLOTHES I Q
LINES, 100 FEET FOR
20c ROPE CLOTHES I Cn
LINEH. 50 FEET FOR . OU
$3.25 WRINGERS, GUAU-fO Cfl
ANTEED, REDUCED T('ou
7&n GALVANIZED WAHIf Cnp
TUBS REDUCED TO OSlt
$1.60 FOLDING IRON- ! Q
ISO BOARD?. RED. TO.. MU
60c I It O NINO BOA RDS, Q n
FIVE FT. IX)N(i. RED. TOOU
15c IRON HOLDERS, HE- IO.
rH'CED TO I l
CLOTHES PINS. SPKCIAX.I
AT, THE DOZEN I
Temporary Annex, Thlra Kloor
10c
10c
15c
5c Charter Oak
Thread, Spool 3c
200-yard spools," 6-cord, best
machine thread, guaranteed.
5c IIAJR NETS, ALL SlIADEK.in.
LARGE SIZE, DOZEN IUl
TAPE MEASURES, 60 -INCH Cat
LENGTHS, EACH.: 3
to CABINET HAIR PINS. Oat
ASSORTED, CABINET W
10c FLORIST'S VIOLET PINS, C
ASSORTED SIZES. PA 110 1 C ... 3
15c FANCY HEAD HAT
PINS. EACH
MACHINE N E E D I. E S,
MOVES'. IN TUBES. FOR..
V O M E N S 25c S K V - O N
in l' i;iiiipnifTi'i;c T j . t
CHILDREN'S 10c LIsLe HOSK7.
SUPPORTERS. PAIR ....It
6c BICST ENGLISH NEEDLES. n
THREE PAPERS...:: :..lUb
" ALKAIIAM " GIVEN NAMES
FOR M A R KING APPAREL, tn
THE DOZEN IUU
So INVISIBLE HAIR PINS, in.
TUBES, THREE FOR. IUU
10c YKISER HOOKS AND EYES,
BLACK OR WHITE, THE Ca,
PACKAGE 3C
25o SHELL HAIR PINS lOat
(SECONDS), BOX IUC
10c "GLADSTONE" T L A R E C at
COLLAR SUPPORTS, EACH... wv
So NICKEL SAFETY PINS. ONE
DOZEN ASSORTED U N 0t
CARD. FOR Ola
JOc WHITE INSIDE BELTING Cat
2-INCH WIDTH. YARD 0C
o: "BULLDOG" SHOE LACES, Cat
ALL LENGTHS. TWO FOR...3C
2:.c IDEAL FOLDING SKIRT I Cit
M ARK E RS . . IOC
10c ENGLISH QUEEN PINS, '
-J-f1h; fAfhK
NAIAD SHIELDS
LESS
7c
10 PER CENT
Flrt Floor. yixth-M. Bide.
' Vacuum Bottles, Formerly $1.00 Now at 59c
Keep liquids hot or cold the ideal outing e quipment. 1-pint size bottles, reg. $1. for ,"9
Temporary Annex, Fourth Floor
Harper's $1.00
Cook Book 25c
Tht Book of "Left Overs"
400 reliable recipes for prac
tical housekeepers, compiled by
Helen Carroll Clarke.
llookHtorr. ftth Fl'r. lh-at. Bloc.
fM2A-rP AT rMIIVT-n WKKK Tf WITH fTVF.n VTHI f. Voir WT l "rrnE!