12 THE MOTINTXG OREGONIAN. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1916. PORTLAND. OREGON. Fnterd at Portland (Oregon) Postofflce as second-class mail matter. Subscription rates Invariably In advance. - By Mail.) pally, Sunday Included, out year ..." JJaily, Butiiiay included, six months...-. JLiaily, Sunday included, three months.. JJaily, Sunday lnciuued, one month.... ?? XJatly, without Sunday, one year. ....... o.ao laily, without Sunday, six months Paily, without Sunday, three months... I-'- Ijuiiy. without Sunday, ono month j .Weekly, one year I-? Sunday, one year Sunday and Weekly B-60 (By Carrier.) Eally, Sunday Included, one year 80 ally, Sunday included, one month..... .7a How to Kenilt Send postofflce money rder, express order or personal check on your local bank. Stamps, coin or currency re at sender's risk. Give postofflce address In full. Including county and state. Postage Kates 12 to 10 pages, 1 cent; IS to pages, Z cents; 31 to 4(4 pages. 3 cents; Co to tSu pages, 4 cents; 2 to 76 pages. 6 cents; 78 to S3 pages, 6 cents. Foreign postage, double rates. Astern Business Office Verree Sc Conk Iin; Brunswick building, New York; Verree & Conkllu, Steger building, Chicago. San ranclsco representative. K. J. Bldwell, 742 Market street. PORTLAND, FRIDAY, SEPT. 15, 1916. THE THOMPSON CASE. The conviction of Bennett Thomp son of the crime of murdering Mrs. Helen Jennings raises anew the ques tion of the value of circumstantial evidence. There still are persons who rdeclare that they would not convict or a serious crime except upon airect testimony, but these do not stop to reflect that while direct testimony may be, and sometimes is, manufac tured, it is exceedingly difficult to provide a chain of facts . of a cir cumstantial nature in which the links tit absolutely. The essential feature of circumstantial evidence Is that the facts so collated must clearly fit to gether, and that taken as a whole they shall show beyond reasonable doubt the facts it is desired to prove. There are many students of the law of evi dence who seriously contend that a strong; case built on circumstantial evidence is apt to be more conclusive than one depending on direct testi mony, especially in cases in ' which partisanship runs high and there is a disposition on the. part of wit nesses to take sides. The conviction of Thompson was brought about as the result, not of any one outstanding circumstance, but of many minor ones, some seemingly unimportant when standing by them selves, but of moment when taken in connection with other facts. Such, for example, was the incident of the meeting of Thompson and Deputy Sheriff Ward the night before the murder, and the giving by Ward of an election card to Thompson. So also was the fact to which Ward testi fied, that Thompson carried on that occasion a package wrapped in brown paper and tied with a peculiar kind of twine. How these facts, seemingly unimportant when taken alone, bore on the fate of the defendant is shown by the subsequent fitting of the bloody hammer found after the murder of the jitney driver, Ristman, into the indentations in the paper also found near the scene of the killing, and the fact that both paper and twine were of a kind not commonly seen, the chances that both would occur to gether being mathematically negli gible. Then there was the testimony adduced later in the trial that the hammer was similar to the hammers iised In numbers by the concern by whom Thompson had been employed previously. On the day after the murder an election card was found. It was like that which Ward had given to Thomp son. There also was found a bloody shirt sleeve containing the stains of graphite. Three days afterward per sistent search disclosed the bloody shirt which played a strong part in the evidence in the case. It, too, was smeared with blood, and the blood stains were covered with graphite, as If an attempt at concealment had been made. Both cuffs o.the shirt were gone and there was a patch on one shoulder, made from a p,iece cut from the tail. All these were "circum stances." Taken by themselves, at the outset, they did not seem as import ant as they afterward proved to be. Then the officers visited Thompson's house, where they found two shirts, which Thompson's woman companion "declared had been given to her by her sister. There was found on the line an undershirt that had been recently washed, which Mrs. Thompson the similarity of names being due to the fact that she was the wife of Thomp son's brother admitted, that Ben Thompson himself had washed. There remained a blood stain on the under shirt and there were several marks made, as it was afterward proved upon chemical analysis, by graphite. Microscopic examination showed the presence of blood corpuscles in the stain. Then effort was made to trace the ownership of the shirts Mrs. Thompson declared had been given to her by her sister. One bore the laundry mark of one Al Howison, fiance of the murdered woman. Howison had left the garment at the home of Mrs. Jennings. Mrs. Thompson's sister said she had given two shirts to Mrs. Thompson. She, however, identified the shirt with the patches as one she had given Mrs. Thompson. It appeared that the How ison shirt was serving for the time as a substitute for the one bearing the patches. Thompson admitted washing the undershirt. He denied there was blood on it and insisted that he had not seen any marks of graphite on it, although the operation of wash ing gave every evidence of thorough ness. Then came the cansheaf of th structure of the prosecution, when the bloodstained shirt was fitted over the , undershirt, on the body of Thompson, and the graphite marks and the stains of blood were found to match exactly. Thus, it appeared, there had been fit ted together a series of links into a perfect chain. Ordinarily there might i have been ground for the defense to contend that the matching of the stains was a "frameup," but this had been forestalled by the officers, who had circled each stain on the under i shirt with pencil in the presence of , the woman who was the chief wit ness for the defense. There were other minor incidents, none of which would have brought conviction, but which strengthened the case as a whole. Thompson had ' worked for Mrs. Jennings; he knew r the country, while the murderer had l shown his knowledge of a seldom traveled road. His description tallies . generally with that of a man who had ' sought to hire an automobile for a ' trip. One chauffeur was morally cer tain Thompson was the man. An . other witness who saw a- stranger I talking to Ristman was "satisfied" that it was Thompson. A man who I saw an automobile when it stopped at Fulton for gasoline testified with pos i Itlveness that a man in the rear seat was Thompson. These facts added to j the weight of testimony against the prisoner, Each played its email part In making an impression on the minds of the Jurors. There was, too, the nature of the defense. Thompson's atibi was partly discredited by the interest of the woman who was his sole corroborat ing witness, and there was failure on the part of the neighbor with whom Thompson said he had talked to con firm that fact. Another point strong ly relied on by the defense was Thompson's alleged unfamiliarity with the running of an automobile. This was weakened by the testimony on cross-examination of the Astoria man, Lou Riggs, who had been called by the defense to testify that Thompson had not been his "helper" on a motor truck. Riggs testimony that Thomp son had evinced deep interest in the working of the machine, that he had asked to be shown how to start and stop it and had taken perhaps a dozen "lessons," fitted also with testimony and a demonstration as to the ease with which the murder car could be operated. It was shown that the car, which was brought to court, would start at one twirl of the crank with the gas and spark levers set in nearjy any position. It did not require much knowledge to operate the car. It was no one of these, but all to gether, seemingly, that convinced the jury. The case was a type. It Illus trates in the strongest degree how circumstantial evidence in its very na ture can be overpowering. LET MR, PORfDEXTEB SPEAK. The old guard tried to beat Polndexter In "Washington by denouncing him for sup port of President Wilson's legislative meas ures. Including the bill for reducing the tariff. The standpatters raised the Issue, and iv-bat they get out of It Is a. 12,000 plurality for Polndexter and a vote of con fidence by Republicans In President Wilson. Here we have an interpretation by a Democratic newspaper in Oregon of the Poindexter victory in Washing ton. It is bluntly given out that the Republican vote f or Poindexter is a vote of confidence by Republicans in President Wilson. We do not now raise the question as to the extent to which Democrats in a Republican primary contributed to the nomination of Mr. Poindexter. There are of course thousands of men who are dyed-in-the-wool Democrats registered as Republicans, and they voted -for Poindexter. Yet he is the Republican nominee. There is no such thing as going behind the returns. But it will be an amazing thing if Mr. Poindexter shall ask the people of Washington to elect him as a vote of confidence in himself and in Presi dent Wilson. There Is a Democratic nominee who will stand for the Wilson policies. Does Mr. Poindexter stand there, too ? Doubtless the Republicans of Wash ington are not unmindful of the view taken by Democrats in Oregon and elsewhere of their indorsement of Mr. Poindexter. Naturally they will want to know what Mr. Poindexter has to say about it. WOMEN IV THE PULPIT. The great war has not given Eng land enough to worry about, and that country is torn with a live discussion over whether or not women shall be permitted to preach. The Church of England has inaugurated a national mission of repentance and hope, and It has been zealously supported by the' women. Suddenly it dawned upon a few revolutionary minds that the deserts of the women justified the church in recognizing in a marked way their efficient service. Probably much good would come if the work were turned largely over to them. But of course the New Testament says that there is a place for women and it is not in the pulpit. That was enough for many orthodox Britons who regard the letter and not the spirit of Biblical admonition. But the bishop of, London thought that women might preach, in this particular case, on condition that they speak only to women and girls, and never from the pulpit, lectern or chancel steps. The archbishop of Canterbury refused to commit himself. Scores of the clergy protested indignantly against what they term a "dangerous and unscrip tural innovation." The London Globe devoted an editorial to the matter. It declares it is of no concern whether women can preach well and wisely; the New Testament forbids it, univer sal tradjtion is against it, and the church niay not go counter to these sources of authority. On the other hand, the Telegraph held that it would be churlish to deny the right to wom en, who have served the nation so splendidly in other ways during the war. England will in the end settle the question as it was determined years ago in America. There are women preachers here, and they are accept able in just the degree that they are capable. A woman revivalist a gen eration ago stirred up the religious fervor of many communities as few men have done. The women of the Women's Christian Temperance Union the pioneers among them were re sponsible for the crusades of the '70s. They showed then that they could preach as well as pray. England may after awhile take the view that a woman in the pulpit is no more out of place than a preacher in the trenches. SUBMARINES KEEP BUSY Although little attention is paid to the work of German submarines since they abandoned methods against which the United States protested, their ac tivity in European waters has in creased rather than abated. Lloyd's list shows that in August 104 vessels of all kinds were sunk, including fifty five steamships,' of which the tonnage was nearly 148,000. Britain lost forty- three ships, Italy twenty-eight, France and Norway seven each, Sweden and Denmark five each, Holland, Greece and Japan two each, Spain, Russia and Finland one each. New construction In Britain barely keeps pace with the loss, though it should provide a normal increase and should make good losses by wreck and wear. When these losses are added to the deficiency caused by employ ment of half the allies' ships in war service and to the enforced idleness of German and Austrian vessels, the allies' restrictions on commerce can well be understood. Cargo space has become so precious that the allied governments permit Its use for speci fied purposes only. First come troops and war material, then food, clothing and other necessary materials for their people, next commodities needed to maintain foreign commerce and those home industries which are essential to financial strength. Beyond these limits imports are limited by govern ment decree, none being permitted of certain commodities without special license. rapcr puip enters British ports in very restricted amounts, and the size of newspapers has in conse quence 1 been greatly reduced. So it goes all along the line. . The greatest tax on reduced shipping facilities is the extent of the battle area. Some relief would result If the campaign .in East Africa were wound up and the British army trans ported to Europe. Much more would be experienced if Britain were not maintaining armies in Mesopotamia and Egypt and if all the allies had not an army to maintain in Macedonia. The Germans by extending the war to the Balkans compelled their enemies to scatter not only their armies but their ships, where submarines have better chances of bitting them. Could the allies by a resistless drive from north, . south and east make a quick finish of Turkey and Bulgaria and reconquer Serbia, they would not only gain great military advantage but would relieve the strain on their shipping resources. The far-flung battle line Is a serious strain upon them. GREEDY FOB ALL THE GLORY. A most effective criticism of Presi dent Wilson's speech of acceptance Is made by the New Republic, a thor oughly independent weekly publication which is by no means unfriendly to him. It says Mr. Wilson assumes that no effective protest was made against industrial Iniquities until the Demo crats assumed power, but that then as by magic a new era of economic regeneration began" and abuses were dealt with by "a series of masterly legislative acts." The New Republic says that in attributing to himself and his party the whole credit for this work "Mr. Wilson id a gross injus tice to the work of many Republi cans." It continues: The way -was prepared for the Democratic achievements by Republicans at a time when Mr. Wilson himself, to Judge from his publio utterances, was very far from being a Progressive and was certainly do ing nothing to arouse the public" opinion against prevailing abuses. Republican In surgents were at one time putting up the really effective opposition to the sinister "invisible government" of the country. Democrats, such as Mr. Byran, of .course, participated In this- pioneer work; and the Democratic party was better capable of passing an acceptable revision ot the tariff and of the currency system than the prog ressive Republicans would have been. But the Democrats have been bulldlnr on foundation laid by some of their present opponents. "It Is a pity Democratic lead ers have not sufficient generosity and can dor to recognize the obligation. Never was there a more audacious 1 act of political plagiarism than the1 sweeping assumption of Mr. Wilson that he and his party "did it all." ..To go back to the enactment of the first interstate commerce law, which marked the serious beginning of the movement for social and industrial justice, the most powerful and deter mined of its champions was the late Senator Cullom, a Republican. In his prime he was considered a radical, but his party advanced so far beyond the ideas he advocated in 1886 that in his old age he was classed as a reaction ary. The railroad regulation laws of 1906 and 1910 were both the work of Republicans and were strengthened after introduction by the persistent efforts of- such Republicans as Sen ators Cummins, Clapp and La Follette. The anti-trust law of 1890 was the joint product of Senators Sherman and Edmunds, and the New Republic shows Mr. Wilson's claim that that law has been clarified by the Clay ton law to be absolutely unfounded. The first earnest efforts to enforce the Sherman .law were made by President Roosevelt, and they were continued with redoubled vigor by President Taft. The definitions contained in the Clayton law were, says that paper, "only those which had already sub stantially been achieved in the con struction of the law," and this con struction was given in decision of suits prosecuted by these two Repub lican Presidents. While this work was being done by Republican Presidents and Congresses, work of the same nature was done by Republican Governors and State Legis latures La Follette in Wisconsin, Hughes in New York and other Re publican Governors In other states. The movement for public regulation of publio utilities originated, grew and attained success in the Republican states of the -North, and that policy was given its most perfect form by Mr. Hughes in laws which have served as a model for other states. The traditionally Democratic states of the South have lagged far behind the Re publican North in putting that policy in practice. Mr. Wilson takes to himself and his party entire oredlt for laws in the interest of labor. He forgets that Re publicans established the National La bor Bureau in 1884 and the Depart ment of Commerce and Labor In 1903. The Department of Labor was estab lished by a Democratic House and a Republican Senate and President in 1912. The first eight-hour law, for workmen employed by the Govern ment, was passed by the Republicans in 1868. The same principle was ex tended to lettercarriers under a Demo cratic President in 1888 and to em ployes of contractors on public work, under a Republican Administration, in 1892 and was further extended in 1912, both parties acting together. Convict contract labor was abolished In 1886, all the votes in its defense being Democratic. Boards of arbitra tion for labor disputes were estab lished by the Republicans In 1898. The law limiting hours of labor for rail road employes was passed under Presi dent Roosevelt, that which makes railroads liable for accidents to em ployes under President Taft, and both these Presidents ardently championed a Federal compensation law for work men. The law establishing a Chil dren's Bureau was passed in 1912 un der Mr. Taft. In fact, the labor laws passed under Mr. Wilson have simply been additions to a great structure which had been erected chiefly by the Jtepubllcan party. One would think, from reading Mr. Wilson's speech, that nothing had been done by the Republicans towards Improving our banking system and that everything of that nature had been the work of Democrats. He peaces upon the Republican party the entire responsibility for past neglect in this particular, though the Demo crats made no use of their two oppor tunities from 1885 to 1889 and from 1893 to 1897. The study of the sub ject which was the necessary basis of action was made by the Monetary Commission, established by a Repub lican President and Congress in 1909. That body was composed of Demo crats as well as Republicans and pre pared a bill providing substantially the same system as is now in operation and under Government control. Men tion of these indisputable facts does not suit the partisan purposes of Mr. Wilson. Democracy worked itself up Into a froth of fury against machine control of the House, which it called "Can nonism," but destruction of that con trol was made possible by a stalwart band of insurgent Republicans. The Democrats no sooner trained power than they built a new machine for caucus control which more effectually stifles Individual initiative -and action than did Cannonlsm. Before he as sumed office Mr. Wilson used . this machine to prevent adoption by the House of a single-term amendment to the Constitution, thus flagrantly vio lating a platform pledge. In his desire for all the credit of every' meritorious act, Mr. Wilson speaks as though a rural credit law had never been mentioned prior to his accession to office. In fact the initiative was taken by Mr. Taft, a commission was sent to Europe by him to study the subject and its report formed the basis of the law now in operation. That law, too, was the joint product of Republican as well as Democratic members of a joint committee. ' Progress did not begin when Mr. Wilson became President, It had made great advances under Republi can Presidents. - He has simply led the Nation a little farther along the same road. In several eases he has led it off the road and along dangerous byways. IRON IN AG III CTTLT C RE. j The importance of agricultural ex periment station work and its bearing on commercial crops has just been il lustrated in a new way in the solution of a problem confronting the growers of pineapples in the Hawaiian Islands, and at the same time has thrown fur ther light on the treatment of certain crops in which, iron is a desideratum. It appeared that a considerable num ber of producers of pineapples had lo cated their plantations on land the top soil of which proved on analysis to be deeply impregnated with manga nese. The effect was not only to pre vent the fruit from reaching full ma turity but to make it,, practically in edible. Until -recently the Government was able-, only: to advise growers to have their soil analyzed, and where it was shown that there was manganese present to abandon their'- efforts at fruit growing" In favor of some more favored locality.- More recent investigations show the value of knowing underlying causes. In this as in other matters pertaining to agriculture. It was proved that the presence of manganese dioxide in the soil had the effect of rendering all the iron in the same soil insoluble. It appeared, therefore, that the fruit that failed to mature was dying for lack of Iron,- although analysis showed large amounts of iron present in the ground. "Shis was simply locked up so firmly that the roots of the trees could not absorb it. By means of a hypodermic needle, the plant was then supplied with iron in soluble form; the fruit promptly took on new life and grew as it should grow.- Palatability tests showed that it was in no way different from any other normal fruit. The experiment was complete, except for the fact that it was obviously quite impossible to adopt the hypodermic method of treat ment on a commercial scale. No results were obtained by putting Iron salts into the soil SO that they could be absorbed in the usual way of chemical fertilizers, but the plan of spraying the leaves of the plants with copperas proved a complete success. The fruit was able to absorb enough Iron for all Its needs, and as the cost was relatively small, large plantations that otherwise would have had to be abandoned were saved. The result of the experiment, it is believed, will have far-reaching consequences. In the new edition of the United States Pharmacopoeia, which is the official standard for drugs in this country, one noteworthy change has been made in the substitution of the term "mil," an abbreviation of milli liter, for the cubic centimeter, always abbreviated "cc." The milliliter is simply the thousandth part of a litre, the litre being the precise equivalent of a cubic decimeter, or a thousand cubic centimeters. For the benefit of those who prefer to take their medi cines by the metric system, it may be explained that the "mil"' is roughly equivalent to a fourth of a teaspoon ful. The term will be used constantly in Government food and drug reports, since the pharmacopoeia is binding upon the .Government departments, but it will appear In American scien tific literature only. None of the countries of Europe has seen fit yet to make the change. Naboth Hedin suggests that the United States, as mediator at the end of the war, support certain claims of Germany o condition that that coun try restores - Schleswig to Denmark. He says - that Denmark would then give us the Islands in the West Indies for any price we might offer or even for nothing. What standing would the United States have as a mediator if It were known- that our services were given on commission to one na tion? Mere publication of the scheme makes its adoption impossible. If there were not a multitude of higher rea sons. Possibly Mr. Dielschneider was over hasty Jn swearing at his wife when he could not find his trousers. If on finding them he had found the pock ets empty there might have been some justification. San Francisco barbers plan to charge half a dollar for a haircut. As a man cannot trim his own locks, the job is worth all the trimmer can get. There probably never will be a safety halrcutter. Coos Bay coal is being shipped by the carload into the Valley. Time may be required to develop the mar ket, for many Valley stoves are made to burn wood, but the change is likely to come. It is reported that Carranza wants an indemnity of $200,000,000 for the invasion of Mexico by General Per. shing's army. Modest, Isn't he? A Lane County woman of 60 is suing for a decree. The husband is 80, and she alleges he accuses her of being unfaithful. These children! When Senator James Hamilton Lewis comes to Oregon, we shall hear a flow of pink language from among his pink whiskers. New York is a large city, and 70,000 men on strike will make only a ripple here and there. Greece is about ready to hop the powder.caTt; Spain is next in line. ThepKide-' gave many their first view of the Army mule. The best stylo of tax limitation is a limit on the spenders. The Bear is a "bear," the way she hugs the shore. The water wagon, Hanly up, is here tonight. Portland crowds need yell leaders. They stepped Ilka regulars. How to Keep Well. By Dr. W. A. Eva a. Questions pertinent to hygiene, sanitation and prevention ot disease. If matters of gen eral Interest, will be answered In this col umn. Where space will not permit or the subject Is not suitable, letter will be per sonally answered, subject to proper limita tions and where stamped addressed envelope Is Inclosed. Dr. Evans will not make diagnosis or proscribe for Individual diseasea Re quests for tuch services cannot be answered. (Copyright. 1916, by Dr. W. A. Evans. Published by arrangement with, the Chicago Tribune.) DIABETIC SUGGESTIONS FROM JOS LIN. FOLLOWING are diabetic sugges tions, recipes and menus from Joslln: 1. Hepco cakes, - equivalent to one egg, Hepco flour, 4 2-3 ounces; eggs, 2; cream (40 per cent), 2 ounces; butter. 1 ounces. Makes 12 cakes. 2. Lyster muffins, equivalent to one egg. Lyster flour. 8H ounces; eggs, 2; cream (40 per centl, S ounces; butter, 2 ounces. Makes 12 muffins. 3. Bran biscuits for constipation. Bran, 2 ounces; salt, teaspoon; agar agar (powdered), 1-5 ounce; cold water, 3 1-3 ounces.' Tie bran in cheese cloth and wash under cold water tap until water is clear. This washes out the starch. Add the agar to the water and bring to the boiling point. Add to the washed bran the salt and hot agar solution. Mold into two cakes. Place In pan on oiled paper and let stand one-half hour. When firm and cool bake In moderate oven 30 to 40 minutes. 4. Bran cakes for diabetes. Bran, 2 cups; melted butter, 1 ounce; eggs (whole), 2; egg (white). 1; salt, 1 tea spoon; water. Wash all starch from the bran by directions given above. Wring dry. Mix the bran; well beaten whole eggs, butter and salt. Beat the egg white very stiff and fold in at the last. Shape with knife and spoon into three dozen cakes. Flavor with cinna mon if desired. E. Cracked cocoa. A cupful of cracked cocoa nibs is added to a quart of water. Boil all day. adding water from time to. time. . Diabetic lemon Jelly. Lemon juice, 1 ounce; water, 1 2-3 ounces; gelatin,- 1 dram; saccharin to sweeten cream, 1 ounce. Soften gelatin in a part of the cold water. Heat the re maining water and lemon juice and pour over the 'gelatin. Stir until dis solved. Add saccharin. Strain. 7. Bavarian cream (diabetic). Cream (40 per cent), 3 ounces; water, 1-3 ounce; egg, 1; gelatin, 30 grams; sac charin to sweeten; flavor. Soften the gelatin in cold water, then add the cream, which has been heated. Stir until dissolved, pour on the beaten egg, cook like soft custard, turn into mold and chill. 8. Ice cream (diabetic). Cream (40 per cent), 3 ounces; water, 1-3 ounce; egg, 1; saccharin; flavor. Make a soft custard of the egg, 1 2-3 ounces of the cream, and tho water. Whip the re mainder of the cream and fold into custard. Saccharin is added to egg. Flavor. Freeze. Thrice cooked vegetables (also from Joslln's "Treatment of Diabetes Mel litus): The vegetables are cleaned, cut up fine, soaked in cold water and strained. They are then placed in a large square of double cheesecloth and tied up, but not compressed. This bag of egetablcs is placed in fresh cold water and the water is placed on the fire and heated to ISO degrees. This water is poured off and the bag is placed in fresh water at ISO degrees. The water is brought to a boil. It is then poured off and a new water at 150 degrees is added and brought to a boll. In this way the starch content of vegetables can be reduced by about half. Swat the Weeds. TP. A. H. writes: "Ragweed, accord ing to reliable authorities, -causes S3 per cent of the huy fever. The Na tional Hay Fever Prevention Associa tion, 844 Audubon building. New Or leans, La., Issues a very Interesting pamphlet that urges a general war on ragweed. 'Behead the ragweed' is their motto. "In behalf of the large number of sufferers from this common malady, I urge co-operation In this work. The local board of health ought to lead in such a movement, and if there is an urgent demand they will act. Until they do, each individual should deal with the weeds on his own premises and induce his neighbors to do like wise. "Those who can afford to do so should contribute to a fund to pay for the cutting of weeds on vacant lots. The street and road authorities should have them cut on the highways. It is hoped that all who recognize the golden rule will join heartily. It is desirable that this work be under taken at once and that it be kept up until frost kills the weeds. If done thoroughly there will he few weeds next year." Probably a Tumor. Daily Reader writes: "A single woman of 43 years finds a lump of increasing size and quite firm of char acter down in left side of abdomen which at times shifts about, sometimes to center and again very low down. Was first noticed little more than a year ago."- Then about size of a small lemon and now about double. Fre quently darting pains scm to radiate from it, especially after physical ex crclse, fast walking, etc. "Do you think any unnatural condi tion exists? Have never consulted a physician and do not wish to do so if unnecessary." REPLY". , Probably you have a fibroid tumor. It grows from the uterus probably. Tou should have an examination without further delay. - Possible. N. G. D. writes: "Three years ago I was operated on for appendectomy fixation of round ligament; age 46 years.' My physician tells me in two years I will be all over change of life, I am thinking of marrying again, a man aged 60 years. Will I be liable to have children, and if I did would fixation make any difference?" REPLY. It Is possible but not probable that you will bear children. The fixation should not prevenr you from coins' through pregnancy normally. Stole on Chin. F. B. D. writes: "Can a mole, about the size of a pea, be removed from the chin without leaving a scar?" REPLY. Yes. It should be removed with the knife. The wound must be kept surgically clean. Nature of an Oath. Topeka Journal. "Do you know the nature of an oath, madam?" "Well, I ought to. sir. We've Just moved and my husband has been laying the carpets." CONFESSION FROM HEADQUARTERS Camilla's Shortcomings Officially At tested by Administration. PORTLAND, Sept, 14. (To the Ed itor.) In an open letter addressed through your columns to this writer Eugene C Protzman declares that in a recent cqjnmunlcation to The Oregonlan I committed "a most atrocious calumny against Carranza and the other officials of the de facto government of Mexico." He further advises me to consult cer tain authorities to be found in our Public Library and to write a certain professor in the University of Penn sylvania, eta, in order that I may get a correct line on the many fine quali ties that characterize the first chief of Mexico. All this I should like to do out of re spect for Mr. Protzman. but election day Is rapidly approaching and bis sug gested method would require too much watchful and wearisome waiting. I have, therefore, concluded that the fol lowing official pen picture of Carranza and "his fellow officers in the de facto government of Mexico" will fully an swer the purpose for both Mr. Protzman and myself. It is the official com munication sent to Mr. Carranza by President Wilson on June 20 last. The man "who kept us out of war" said, in part: For three years the Mexican republic has been torn with civil ttrlfe; the lives ot Americans and other aliens have been sac rificed; vast properties accumulated by American capital and enterprise have, been destroyed or rendered non-productive; ban dlts have been permitted to roam at will throughout the territory contiguous to the United States and to seize, without pun ishment, or w-lthout effective attempt at punishment, the property of Americans, while the lives of citizens of the United States who ventured to remain In Mexican territory or to return there to protect their Interests have been taken, and the mur derers have neither been apprehended nor brought to Justice. It would be difficult to find In the annals of the history of Mexico conditions more deplorable than those which have existed there during these re cent years of civil war. It would be tedious to recount Instance after instance, outrage after outrage, atrocity after atrocity, to il lustrate the true nature and extent of the widespread condition of lawlessness and vio lence which have prevailed. During the last nine months In particular the frontier of the United States along the Lower Rio Grande has been thrown Into a state of constant apprehension and turmoil because of the frequent and sudden depre dations and murders on American soil by Mexican bandits, who have taken the lives and destroyed the property of American citisens. sometimes carrying American citi sens across the International boundary with the booty seised. American garrisons have oeen atacked at night, American soiaiera killed and their equipment and horses stolen. American ranches have been raided, prop erty stolen and destroyed and American trains wrecked and plundered. The attacks on Brownsville, Red House Ferry, Progreso postofflce and Las Palades, all occurring during September last, are typical. In these attacks on American ter ritory Carranziata adherents, and even Car- ranzlsta soldiers, took part In the looting, burning and killing. Not only were theee murders characterized by ruthless brutality, but uncivilized acts of mutilation were per petrated. I quote this "atrocious calumny" against Carranza. sent him officially by President Wilson, because it is the most complete Indictment of the Wil son Administration for inefficiency and the best illustration of the humiliation the United States has endured through a policy which relies on words alto gether for upholding the isationai honor and the rights of Its citizens that has appeared in this campaign. If in addition to this confession of inefficiency from headquarters there had been a plank In the National Dem ocratic platform in 1916 that "was made to be kept reading like this: "The constitutional rights of Amer ican citizens should protect them on our borders and go with them through out the world and every American citi zen residing or having property In any foreign country Ik entitled to and must be given the full protection of the United States Government, both for himself and his property." There are those who Insist that that very declaration was in that platform. I wonder how Mr. Wilson would har monize his Indictment with his promise. Hundreds of American citizens, with and without property, have been mas sacred in Mexico, as President Wilson points out, in a foreign country whose first chief is Carranza. ex-laborer with Villa, "the unspeakable." Nothing has been done about it! Nor will be under Wilson. T. T. (JEER. HIGHWAY IMPRESSES MR, HUGHES No River More Beautiful Than Coins bla. Says Nominee. Describing the impressions of Charles E. Hughes on his Western trip, the cor respondent of the Boston Transcript, writing from Estes Park. Colo., records the fact that the Republican nominee placed first in his experience his ride over the Columbia Highway, of which the correspondent says: "Still back a few days at Portland Or., Mr. Hughes and his party were given an automobile ride for 80 miles over the recently completed Columbia Highway above the banks of the Co lumbia River. In the East this river is known most especially for its salmon, but in the Far Northwest for its splen dor. Familiar with many a foreign country, Mr. Hughes declared there was no river more beautiful than the Columbia. For miles the asphalt winds along the banks of the river. "At some points the river lies a sheer 700 feet below the highway, while Just as sheer on the other side of the highway rise hills of solid rock, spangled at a score of places by waterfalls. Political aspects aside, Mr. Hughes was profoundly Impressed also by the novel experiences of the tour. t rom Estes Park, toward the end of August, he came in close contact with snow, at Long's Peak, which the correspondent describes as "rising, with sharp in dented skyline, nearly 15.000 feet into the blue not the blue of the New Eng land Coast, but the blue that is almost purple, flecked with clouds, white banked, whose chancing shape flows over the summit of the peak, half con cealing, half revealing the majesty of its scenic splendor. "There Is snow today on Long's Peak, on the Mummy Mountain, its twin brother, and on a whole chain of lesser mountains that spike the sky far away to the northwest. But none of them are white-capped, save Long's, which alone wears the crown of eternal snow. Along the ranges the white lies In pockets, scattered here and there in crevasses asraihst a brown background. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes spend hours sit ting on the hotel veranda looking at tho mountains, which seem intimately close instead of hours away by motor." But this is not the only part of the tour that Mr. Hughes and all members of the party will remember. Only a week before he reached Estes Park the nominee was passing through the wonderland of California, a wonderland of mountains, seashores, orchards of orange, lemon and nut trees, countless vineyards and fields of svtarar beets and beans. The nominee will always re member how his special train was load ed down with glowing fruits by gener ous growers wherever a stop was made. A DESPOT ON HIS THRONE. Like a despot on a throne Built of bunk and punk his own, Woodrow Wilson, it's well known. Runs this country all alone. Ho does not always keep In tone. But changes his mind like Ben Slone, Who sv.-apped his red cow for a roan And next day traded with Malone. Uncertain as a mad cyclone. He makes business men all moan. Boasting through a megaphone. He flays Congress to the bone. As meek as lambs, they atone By knocking out the free toll zone. Hear the rtten old platform srroan. As patched up by old Bill Stone, It's not worth a five-cent cone Nor a wornout razor hone. S. Jl. VENARD. In Other Days. Half at Century Asro. From The Oregonlan of September 15. IS 84. London. Sept, 12. The Times edi torially admits that the Empire of Mexico has withered away, and thinks the country should be left to itself. Vienna. Sept, 12. The negotiations for peace between Austria and Italy are making rapid progress. Chicago, Sept. 14. The leading toplo of conversation in commerolal circles is the extraordinary demand which ex ists for wheat and in consequence the price of No. 1 Spring crop rose in the market as high as $2.20 per bushel. We have been requested to state that the members of the Pioneer baseball club will meet on the grounds, corner Fifth and Oak streets, for practice this afternoon at 6 o'clock. As will be seen by advertisement, ex- Street Commissioner Simmons' mule, so long and favorably known in this city, will be sold at auction today. The ladies of Salem gave a reception to Governor Woods on Thursday even ing at the hall of Chemeketa Lodge of Oddfellows. The beauty and chivalry of Salem were gathered there, to say nothing of tne spruce young men, pretty girls and gray-haired Solons of the Legislature. Twenty-five Tears Ago. From The Oregonlan of Soptember 13. 1391. Berlin. Sept, 14. Prices on the Bourse were weakened this morning on the re port that a port on the island of Mlty lene had been seized by British naval forces. The boarding around the Chamber of Commerce building foundation will be removed today and active building ope rations will be begun in a few days. A lot of the stone for the building has arrived and is being sawed at the yard on the East Side. The new Council is likely to have an opportunity to tackle the garbage ques tion, which was such a terror Jto the old Council. It was some time after the hour of meeting before a quorum had gathered at the meeting of the Chamber of Com merce last evening, but finally the re quisite number, who. It is only fair to suppose, had not the necessary dollar to buy a circus ticket, put in an ap pearance and business commenced. Salem. Sept, 14. The Capital City Is again the scene of Oregon's annual State Fair. It presents a very pleasant appearance today, as tho showers have laid the dust, freshened the foliage and cooled the air. Mayor Mason yesterday telegraphed $300 more to The Dalles sufferers, mak ing $2500 In all sent by Portland. To night the sufferers will be given a big benefit at Cordray's Theater. "BEST WAV" OF GROWING ALFALFA Firm Seed Dcd and Nurse Crop of Can ada Green Peas Is Advocated. WATSONVILLE. Cal.. Sept. 12. (To the Editor.) Having had many years" experience in growing alfalfa. I sug gest trying my "best way." Wait until Spring, when the ground is warm. Just as nature intends it should be. in order to get best results. Wait until all dan ger of frost is passed and if it is the first planting on new ground, I harrow both ways without plowing, then slick with a drag made of two planks 2x13 inches, 10 feet long, the planks to over lap six inches, the tongue bolted across both planks and the seat from the mower set up midway of drag. A week later harrow and slick again and in about seven days you are ready to sow, using a grain drill that has a broadcast grass seed sower in front, using about eight pounds of seed to the acre. In the grain hopper after stopping every other hole, place Canada green peas (after allowing them to soak 24 hours. This brings all the seed up at tlie same time. After sowing slick across the work. Thus you have a firm seed bed. insuring a good stand. Tho har rowing, slicking and the cultivating the drill gives the land (as all hoes are allowed to run), destroys the weeds that have had plenty of time to start, and by sowing across the prevailing winds you give the peas a chance to nurse the young alfalfa from the winds. The peas stand up well; they do not shade the young alfalfa, as does barley or grain when used as a nurse crop; again, the peas leavo out from the bot tom, stopping the sand as well as act ing as a windbreak, and if they are cut when the bottom pods are yellow you will have something in the way of feed that will keep the hogs going until milo maize or corn can be had. to say nothing about the nitrogen the peas leave in the soil. A. N. JUDD. Preventive for Multi-Legged Worm. PORTLAND. Sept. 14. (To the Ed itor.) In The Oregonian one day last Spring there appeared an article about a multi-legged worm which was in festing certain parts of the city. It was dark in color and curled up when touched. What can be done to prevent their entering houses? SUBSCRIBER. The worm described last May was the so-called galley worm. It was said that it is harmless and that poisoned- pota toes placed at strategic points would attract and kill it, H W. Williamson, secretary of the State Board of Horti culture, was quoted as saying they were harmless. Kaxrly Ascent of Three Sisters. PORTLAND, Sept, 14. (To the Ed itor.) I have noticed In The Oregonian the claim of Mr. Prouty as being thj first to visit the Three Sisters in 1910. It caused me to refer to my scrapbook for the account of the adventure of T. C. Judklns, who was afterward a cor respondent In Washington for The Or gonian, back In 1885. He made the trip with several men from Eugene and made the ascent with our banker, A. H. Eakin. on August 6, 1S85, they two go ing up and spending the night on the' summit of Hope. The remainder of the party went up the next morning. T. C Judklns Is my son. I am now the widow of Rev. H. K. Hines. MRS. H. IC HINES. Mr. Protzman Makes n Prediction. PORTLAND. Sept, 14. (To the Ed itor.) For the encouragement of your Democratic readers and also the Re publicans and Progressives who are going to vote for Wilson, allow me to state that the proportionate vote of the two parties in the election in Maine on Monday Indicate the election of Wilson by a large majority of the elector! college. He should carry Connecticut, New Jersey. New York, Ohio. Indiana. Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin by large pluralities. This is my forecast. Hold It against my reputation as a prophet It this docs not prove true. EUGENE C. PROTZMAN. Mother Seeking Her Son. COTTAGE GROVE. Or.. Sept, 13. (To the Editor.) Will you help me find my son? I have not heard from him since July, when he was working for a farm er near Canby. He is wanted at home on account of the death of his father and his mother needs him. His same Is Elliott Milan Vinson. MRS. SOPHRONIA VINSON, 1