Morning Oregonian., September 23, 1916, Page 16, Image 16

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TITE flrORXTN'O OTIEGOXIATf. SATURDAY. SEPTEMBER 23, 1916.
OPINIONS DIFFER ON
BUILDING OF ROADS
Some at Realty Meeting Are
for Trunk Highways and
Others for Laterals
S. BENSON SCORES "TRUST"
ITailuro of Proposals for Issues of
Bonds Is Predicted System of
Road Supervisors Is Rapped
and Clackamas Plan Cited.
' All angles of the good roads ques
tion were handled by prominent
speakers representing nearly a dozen
elements of the body politic who held
.be, attention of 200 realty men and
prom, went guests for three hours at
yesteroNy's luncheon meeting of the
Portland vtealty Board, In the crys
tal dining-room of the Hotel Benson.
The realty board, through the activ
ities of its -highway committee. is
launching forth upon a non-political
campaign to bring business men and
farmers, capitalists and laborers, tax
payers and tax-eaters, hotelmen and
grangers together in the hope of for
mulating a definite programme for Im
proving the highways of this state in
a. manner that will attract the support
and co-operation of all elements. This
programme was outlined clearly at
yesterday's meeting by O. W. Taylor,
chairman of the day and head of the
board's highway committee.
Opinions Are of All Kinds.
No attempt was made yesterday to
average up the various opinions Into
any conclusion or set of conclusions.
There were champions for trunk high
ways, yet those who felt laterals
should be built first; some expressed
the view that a state commission
should be empowered to spend the high
way funds while others, typified by
C. E. Spence, master of the state
grange, argued that each county should
bo privileged to handle its own high
way programme: the feasibility of
hardsurface roads financed by bond
Issues was not without its herald al
though many were opposed to paved
roads, especially those of a purely
scenic character.
One of the speakers, Robert E. Smith,
of the State Tax League, suggeeted
that those who benefit most by good
roads, the automobile-owners, should
be made to carry the heaviest burden,
an attitude that was reflected in a
measure by Dr. Fred D. Merritt, of
the University of Oregon.
Mr. Benson Attack Paving Promoter.
Although not present, Simon Benson,
one of the scheduled speakers, Bent in
a paper setting forth his views of the
highway problems in Oregon. Inci
dentally Mr. Benson, who has been
held out by the labor Interests as fa
vorable to the paving companies, took
flings at the operations of paving pro
moters, and at what he chose to term
the cement trust.
"Hard-surfacing Is a problem which
will come ultimately according to re
quirements," concluded Mr. Benson.
"The thing to consider Is to get the best
for the money, but don't leave the de
cision to a paving promoter.
"Some day we hope to seo-the paving
trust busted and then we will cease
to pay J2.40 per barrel for cement when
the average selling price In the United
States Is 84 cents a barrel." Mr. Ben
son, contrary to the views expressed
by Mr. Spenoe and others, argued for
the establishment of trunk roads. Con
struction of the lateral roads first
would amount to commencing back
wards, he contended.
Elimination of Politics Urged.
Applause greeted Rufus C. Holman,
Multnomah County Commissioner, the
opening speaker, when he pleaded for
the elimination of politics from road
work on the ground that highway Im
provement is too vital a" matter to be
come involved with politics.
"I believe that the Columbia River
Highway is not only a scenic road but
a road of great utility connecting East
ern and Western Oregon every day In
the year," said Mr. Holman. "Mult
nomah County is desirous of building a
road of the highest type from Portland
to the county seat in every one of the
adjoining counties. We want to be
neighborly and meet the rest of the
state half way."
The attitude of the peoplo of Lane
County on highway matters was pre
sented by L. E. Bean, legislator from
that county. The question, he said, was
not whether the people wanted good
roads but how best to get them and
pay for them.
Supervisor System Scored.
He rapped the "oromiscuous road su
pervisor system" which gave Lane
County "60-odd road districts and 60
odd types of road." He said the people
of Lane County are in favor of a trunk
road from Portland to the California
line but not in favor of spending state
money to build a little here and a little
there.
In explaining that the hotel men of
Oregon have always stood for good
roads. E. E. Larimore, of the Hotel
Oregon, contended that the state needs
lateral roads as well as trunk high
ways. He also took a sharp slap at
"knockers."
The many problems that face the
State officials in solving the highway
problems were presented by John H.
Lewis, State Engineer. He contended
that it was wrong to give the State
Highway Commission power to spend
State money on any road It may adopt
as a state road. That power should
be In the Legislature only, he said. Mr.
Lewis also pleaded for a definition of
trunk, county and district roads.
Clackamai Method Explained.
"Leave the job of building roads to
the farmers and they will do a good
Job," said Mr. Spence, of the State
Grange. "Clackamas County has
achieved better results in the past 10
years . according to the money spent
than any other county In the state. We
. build our roads and pay for them. Tou
people want to build your roads and
you should let us build ours.
"Farmers believe in lateral and post
roads first, we are not favorable to
scenic highways built by money which
we need more In other directions."
Mr. Spence condemned royalties and
keld forward the example of Clackamas
County, which he said has supervised
Its own paving recently much cheaper
than trie price fixed by private com
panies.
Politics Declared Great Evil.
John Pearson, of the Western Timber
Company, said the timber owners were
willing to concede that the Columbia
JUver Highway has been worthy of spe
cial effort and expenditure. As a gen
eral rule,' he said, however, that timber
owners considered it bad policy to go
In debt for roads designed for pleasure
seekers. He said they believed In giv
ing attention to existing roads rather
than to new roads.
"One of the greatest evils In road
matters centers around the-activity of
paving concerns in seeking to attract
business illegitimately by the use of
political pressure," said Eugene E.
Smith, president of the Central Labor
Council. "We are opposed to royalties
as a matter of principle.
"The tourist crop is worth cultlvat-
ing. but there Is also the farm crop
to be considered," said Robert E. Smith,
who contended that those benefited
most by good roads should bear the
heaviest burden.
Failure of Honda Predicted.
"Oregon has poor roads yet its road
taxes are 'the highest in the Union. We
must build roads where they will do
the most good. Knowing the temper
of the people I can tell you that you
will not get a road bond issue through
in many years. We never will get
anywhere until we lay all prejudice
aside and take all elements of society
into consideration."
W. C. Hawley, Representative in
Congress from the Western Oregon dis
trict, upheld the action of Congress
In giving state aid for roads on the
premise that this co-operation will aid
materially in inducing- the young peo
ple to remain on the farms and thus
help in solving the problem of a grow
ing population and a diminishing food
supply.
In place of the E7 varieties" of road
laws now operative in Oregon Mr.
Hawley argued for a codification of
these conflicting measures In one uni
form road law.
Demonstration Given Mr. Teon.
Dr. Fred D. Merritt. of the Uni
versity of Oregon extension depart
ment, who came to Oregon recently
from Iowa, explained the system in
vogue in that state, where the automo
bile owners maintain ttua trunk high
way running north and south and east
and west, and the lateral roads are
dragged' at the expense of the county
under the supervision of the State
Highway Commission.
During roll call a great ovation was
extended John B. Yeoa as he was in
troduced by Chairman Taylor. The
applause and cheers lasted for several
minutes, and It was not until Mr. Yeon
arose in recognition that the demon
stration ended.
HARVEY E. GROSS QUITS
CHAUTAUQUA SECRETARY FOR. 24
TEAKS YIEUDS TO SOX-1X-LAW.
Directors Name Committee to Plan for
New Andltortum and Officers
for Year Are Elected.
OREGON CITY, Or, Sept. 22. (Spe
cial.) After 24 years as secretary of
the Willamette Valley Chautauqua As
sociation, Harvey E. Cross, to whom
most of the success Is attributed, ter
minated his connection with the as
sembly tonight with the election of
Thomas A. Burke, His son-in-law and
assistant for several years. Mr. Cross
will probably remain on the board of
directors of the association, however.
and he will be in ciose touch with the
affairs of the assembly.
The directors met tonight In the Com
mercial Club rooms to name officers for
the coming year. C. H. Dye was elected
president and E. O. Caufield treasurer.
A building committee, composed of E.
CJ. Caufield, Harvey Cross, Fred Olm
stead, C. Scheubel and John W. Lober,
was named. Plans for a new audi
torium will be gathered this Fall and
construction will be under way early
next Spring. The association has enough
money on hand to insure the erection
of a modern building without further
delay and several plans already have
been suggested.
Mr. Burke, who takes the office of
secretary, has had considerable ex
perience in Chautauqua work. He has
handled the publicity for the association
ror several years and assisted in ad
ministration affairs. Mr. Cross has been
connected with the association since
its organization. He gave the assem
bly a long-term lease on the beautiful
Gladstone Park, in which Chautauqua
is neia annually, and has contributed
both time and money to the associa
tion. "PUfffl SHOW" IS ON
JIXCTIOV CITY DISPLAY EXCELS
' FORMER ATTEMPTS.
Mammoth of 125 Pounds Take Honors
and Another Exhibit Is Cabbage
Head of 27 Pounds.
JUNCTION CITY, Or.. Sept. 22. (Spe
cial.) The seventh annual Junction
City "punkln show" excels all former
exhibits both from the standpoint of
general interest and the size of the
pumpkins, with one weighing 125
pounds at the head of the class. Many
from Eugene and surrounding cities
and towns attended the show today.
This has become second In prominence
only to the Lane County Fair.
Among the exhibits by individuals
and various grange organizations of
the county, in addition to an assortment
of pumpkins of almost every known
variety, is a head of cabbage weighing
27 pounds and measuring about three
feet from tip to tip; corn stalks 15 feet
In height, with two to three ears to
the stalk, and sunflowers two feet in
diameter.
The pavilion Is crowded to overflow
ing with exhibits.
The officers in charge of tbo show
are: Ed L. Ayres, prsident; J. A. Ben
nett, vice-president: C. N. Johnsonsec
retary; W. C. Parey and C. E. Logsdon,
members executive committee.
DEATH IS LAID TO NOVICE
Coroner's Jury Finds Inexperience of
Driver Is to Blame.
A Coroner's Jury last night decided
that Mrs. Carl Lorenz, aged 63 years,
who was struck by a motor truck,
driven by Goon Wu, Chinese, on August
19, came to her death as the result of
the chauffeur's Inexperience In driving.
Goon Wu had Just purchased the truck
and was accompanied by a chauffeur
from the company which had sold it.
. Mrs. Lorenz died at the St. Vincent's
Hospital Wednesday night. Her home
was at Manning, Or., and the funeral
will be" held at Hayward, Or.
Goon Wu was not present - at the
inquest.
COTTON PICKERS ARMED
Nightriders Threaten Ranging for
Those Ylio Work Cheaply.
MULBERRY. Ark., Sept. 18. Cotton
pickers in Crawford County were
working with shotguns across their
shoulders the other day while eight
men were being tried before Judge
facott as alleged nlgntrioers.
Cottonpickers were warned by the
raiders that they must quit picking
for 75 and 80 cents a hundred, and
hold out for $1 a hundred pounds. The
riders told the pickers they would be
"swinging at the ends of ropes" If they
refused to obey the injunction. Pick
ers say that 200 to 300 men partici
pated in the Invasion.
Millionaire, 64, Weds Nurse, 32.
BLOOMINGTON, 111.. Sept. 16. Alex
ander W. Tyng, 64 years old, a million
aire, of Peoria, and Miss Hilda Ander
son, 32, also of Peoria, eloped to Bloom
lngton and were married by County
Judge ill ley tne other day.
The bride is a nurse, who has been
taking care of the bridegroom during
his recent illness.
RELIEF PROMISED
E
Southern Pacific Will Remedy
Evils Reported by Mills of
Willamette yalley.
MR. DIXON STAR WITNESS
Requests for Cars Are Ignored and
Plants Are Forced to Close or Or
ders Are Lost Because of
Service, Say Managers.
"ontinued rrom rlrst Paire.)
the shippers to co-operate with the
company to brine; about the desired Im
provements. Frankly granting that they them
selves have been responsible for some
of the delays, the shippers. Inspired by
Mr. Sproule's friendly attitude, accept
ed the suggestion and determined to
act.
The shippers" situation was graphi
cally typified yesterday by A. C. Dixon,
manager of the Booth-Kelly Lumber
Company, operating plants at Spring
field, Coburg and Wendling. The Co
burg and Wendling plants have been
closed at various times in the last few
months and the Springfield plant, em
ploying 600 men, was forced to shut
down last night.
Distribution Is Unsatisfactory.
Mr. Dixon eloquently Illustrated the
woeful Inefficiency of -the Southern Pa
cific's car service when he told that
at certain periods, even within the
last few weeks while the shortage has
been at-its height, he has had more
cars than he needed, while neighbor
mills had none; that on other occasions
his neighbors had more cars than they
needed, while he had none. v
"There is something the matter with
that kind of service," he commented,
emphatically.
Mr. Sproule and the other officials
took careful note of this Interesting
revelation and promised prompt action
to remedy It.
"We certainly want to correct condi
tions that need correction," said Mr.
Sproule. "We shall take Immediate
steps to rectify such flaws as have
been Indicated at this hearing.
Immediate Effort Promised.
"Further than that, we will endeavor
to devise and submit to Mr. Dyer a plan
that will be responsive to the com
munity's needs.
"Now these plans will not be set
aside -for future deliberation but will
get Immediate attention. We want
them to be satisfactory to the shippers.
If they are not satisfactory to the
shippers they are not satisfactory to
us."
A significant "Statement by Mr.
Sproule was relative to the movement
of lumber from Oregon to California.
He noted this situation particularly.
Such traffic obviously does not permit
the cars to leave the Southern Pacific
rails. It is inferred from Mr. Sproule's
comment that a plan will be devised
providing for cars to remain constantly
in the Oregon-California service.
Problem Now Being; Considered.
"The situation that does not permit
shippers to know with whom to deal
In getting cars will be corrected at
once," continued Mr. Sproule.
I want to assure the Commission and
the shippers that this problem will be
considered from its numerous angles.
It may be of interest to you to know
that we have been giving it careful at
tention even while the session is in
progress.
"We want to give Oregon an adequate
supply of cars. But you must not lose
sight of the fact that this hearing hss
revealed a diversity of opinion even
among the lumber men.
W. sj. U'Ren. of California, and A. G.
Van Waning and G. F. Richardson,
Southern Pacific officials In Immediate
charge of car service, testified yester
day on the manner In Which the cars
are distributed. They showed that the
Southern Pacific has the equivalent of
only 86 per cent of its cars on its own
lines, and that if the missing 14 per
cent were available traffic could be
adequately handled.
Cement Plant Also Complains.
J. E. Moore, assistant sales manager
of the Oregon Portland Cement Com
pany, operating a plant at Oswego, said
that the cement mill has been handi
capped at various times by the lack
of cars. He complained that other in
dustries at times received all the cars
necessary while the cement plant had
none.
A. C. Wilson, the star witness for the
lumbermen, occupied a great part of
the morning session. Mr. Dixon em
phasized the inequitable distribution of
cars. One day last week, he said, the
Springfield mill obtained two cars,
while the Wendling mill got four cars.
The distribution should have been re
versed, inasmuch as the Springfield
plant is the larger.
-Mr. Dixon insisted that It was next
to impossible to get cars from the
Southern Pacific through the regularly
prescribed channel of making appli
cation In writing; that It was absolutely
necessary to follow up these applica
tions with personal appeals to the rail
road officials.
Situation Somewhat Better.
"A short time ago," he said, "I de
cided to make personal requests for
cars but to allow affairs to take their
course. I soon found that a practice
of that kind would break us up In busi
ness." In response to a suggestion from Mr.
Teal. Mr. Dixon said that the value
of the Booth-Kelly Investments have
depreciated materially as a result of
the shortage and that other mills have
suffered similarly.
"I believe," he continued, "that the
Southern Pacific Is not giving the best
service possible with the means at its
command. This is proved by the fact
that the situation has improved in the
last few weeks with out insistent de
mand for cars."
.Mr. Dixon said that the nronosej In
terchange of traftlc with the northern
lines through the Portland gateway
will help the Valley mills substantially.
He explained that the only possible
way of relieving the crisis at the
Springfield mill is to haul lumber by
motor truck to Eugene, where It is han
dled over the Oregon Electric. Within
the last few months the Booth-Kelly
people have bought 100 cars of lumber
from their competitors in the state of
Washington to satisfy their customers.
he added.
Valley Hurt by Line, He Says.
Mr. Dixon further declared that the
development of the Willamette Valley
Is retarded because of the Southern
Pacific's inadequate service. New cap
ital is afraid to invest, ne said.
"We sincerely wish that we were not
located at a point where we are de
pendent solely upon one railroad." he
commented.
It was his contention that inasmuch
as the Booth-Kelly mills operate stead
lly 12 months in the year with about
the same volume of output from month
to month, the railroad should provide
uniform service the year around.
He spoke, too, of the economlo ef
fects of continued car or repeated short
ages. It results In an unfriendly feel
lng toward the railroad on the part of
CAR
5H0RTAG
the public and shippers alike, "whreh
causes the evil effects of the shortage
to spread through the Industrial fabric,
the social fabric and the political fabric
of the whole state."
Losses From Delay Are Heavy.
Mr. Dixon pointed out that all other
public utilities are required to provide
for the accommodation of their peak
loads and urged that the same require
ment be placed on the railroads.
Moreover, he asserted that the lum
ber market has been declining grad
ually for the last 90 days and that con
tinued Inability to ship results in heavy
financial losses.
Losses through declining market, ad
ditional costs in handling, damage from
exposure and cancellation of orders. Mr.
Dixon said, aggregate several thousand
dollars a month at each of the three
mills that his company operates.
Mr. Dixon related the same difficul
ties as other lumber men. In getting
satisfactory Information regarding the
car movements. It is only -upon ap
peal to higher officials of the com
pany that direct results are obtainable,
he said.
Higher Ups Produce Cars.
Through some mysterious influence.
H. A. Hinshaw. general freight agent.
at various times has been able to
commandeer cars that were not forth
coming from minor officials, said Mr.
Dixon.
"But it ought not to be neoessary for
us to go outside the regular channels,"
ne Insisted. "It Is very embarrassing
for me and I know It is to other lumber
men, to go repeatedly to high officials
of the company and bother them with
details that should be handled in the
most formal, routine way."
The testimony of Mr. Dixon corrobo
rated that of other witnesses that there
seems to be no definite system in dis
tributing the Southern Pacific cars.
No two officials explain the sys
tem alike," he asserted when questioned
on this point by Ben C. Dey, Southern
racuic Attorney.
Brakeman Seems to Be Boss.
"It is hard to understand Just who Is
responsible. Sometimes I think the
brakeman have as much to say as any
one. The next day the conductor seems
to be in charge. Then again it is
the station agent."
Mr. Dey pointed to the records show
ing that the Booth-Kelly mills have
detained cars, at various times, be
yond the 48-hour free demurrage
period. Mr. Dixon explained that these
delays occurred mostly when the sys
tem has a surplus of cars.
W. It. Scott, vice-president of the
Southern Pacific, interrupted Mr. Dixon
to ask whether the lumber men A'ould
consider it a good business proposition
to pay interest on the cost of enough
extra equipment to carry the peak load
of the lumber movement.
"I'll surprise you by saying yes," re
sponded Mr. Dixon. "The lumber men
lose, on account of the shortage every
year, the equivalent of such a chartfe."
-4 .OOO.OOO-Foot Order Lost.
The Informal testimony of Daniel
Kern, who operates a mill at Eagle
Creek, on the Tillamook branch of the
Southern Pacific, was admitted by
stipulation. Mr. Kern had said that he
is required to burn from $30 to $80
worth of slabwood every day that he
could bring to Portland and sell had
he had adequate car service. He ws
compelled, also, to divert an order of
4,000.000 feet of lumber going to Alas
ka to mills In Portland because he
could not get cars.
Inasmuch as the testimony of tne
shippers related largely to Interstate
shippers the Commission determlnsd to
hold the case open until next Wednes
day, when the state shippers will have
opportunity to give evidence at Salem.
HOQUIAM MILLMEX COMPLAIN
Several Plants May Close Because of
Car Shortage.
HOQUIAM, Wash.. Sept. 22. (Spe
cial.) Formal complaint of th car
shortage has been filed wli the State
Public Service Commission by the Grays
Harbor Lumber Company, of this city.
Several mills besides the Grays Harbor
company's plant are expected to be shut
down within a few days on account of
lack of cars. Some already are closing
temporarily.
Local lumbermen charge that there
Is discrimination against the mills of
this city, despite the fact it is one of
the largest rail shipping points In the
Northwest. They have reports that
mils in other sections are not greatly
affected by the shortage, and reports
from Aberdeen indicate the mills of
that city are not having difficulty in
obtaining practically all of the cars
needed.
WORSE SHORTAGE PREDICTED
Seattle Traffic Officials See Little
Hope for Relief.
SEATTLE. Wash Sept. 22. Traffic
officials of transcontinental railway
lines who hoped for easier conditions
in the shortage of freight cars Dy the
end of this week saw little prospect of
improvement today. One transconti
nental line reported It was 80 per cent
short of present requirements. Othor
lines reported shortages of from 25 to
50 per cent.
Alexander Tlnilng, assistant general
freight and passenger agent of the
Northern Pacific who returned today
from the East, declared the cir short
age appeared likely to be the most
serious in the history of the country.
WRIT IS SERVED ON BABY
Tiny Helen Green Is Unruffled by
Will Contest.
BRIDGEPORT, Conn, Sept. 16.
Helen Green, 1 year old. crowed In
cherubic fashion when Deputy Sheriff
Thomas Cunningham served a writ on
her. She was seated in a baby car
riage at the Summer home of her fath
er, Harold Rumsey Green, in Riverside,
Greenwich. After listening with pleas
ure to the Sheriff while he read her the
legal language of the document she
clasped the papers firmly in a tiny fist.
Helen" Green is one of the 20 heirs
of James Green, who, when he died in
St. Louis In 1914, left a ?1. 000, 000 es
tate. Laura C. Llttlebrant and Marlon
C. Llttlebrant, of St. Louis, ask that the
will be set aside, declaring that Mr.
Green was Incompetent to draw up a
will. Service is also made on Harold
R. Green, father of the baby and a son
of the late millionaire.
JOHN SYMMES IS DEAD
Gladstone- Man Dies Suddenly as
Wife Prepares His Lunch.
OREGON CITT, Or Sept: 22. (Spe
cial.) John Symmes, of Gladstone, died
suddenly at his home today from heart
trouble while his wife was preparing
lunch for him. '
Mr. Symmes was born at Manitowoc,
Wis., and was 60 years of age. Ho had
resided In Gladstone for six yeara He
is survived by his wife, a daughter,
Mrs. Jacob Wills, of Oregon City, and
a son, Walter Symmes. of Gladstone.
Chinese Woman Arrested.
Fannie Chin, a Chinese woman, aged
35 years, was arrested at 311 H Burn
side street last night by Patrolmen
Eubanks and Schum and charged with
conducting a lottery game. She went
to police headquarters accompanied by
her 6-year-old daughter and deposited
$25 cash ball for her apearance in court.
M. Yona, Chinese, and Frank Allison,
white, were arrested in the place, which
has been running as a restaurant, and
charged with visiting the game.
HULL OF BOAT IS UP
Portland Company Is Building
River Sternwheeler.
BARGE IS ON WAYS, TOO
Fuel Carrier Just Launched, While
One for Derrick Is to Be Con
structed Work on Big Ships
Is Progressing Rapidly.
In the march of progress the plant
of the Portland Shipbuilding Company,
at one time the largest on the river
by virtue of the ground covered. Is
being rapidly overshadowed In the
South Portland district, as- It Is flanked
on the north now by the big yard
where the Northwest Steel Company Is
turning out seven 8800-ton freighters,
and on the south by the new establish
menc of the Heath Shipbuilding Com
pany, which will build six auxiliary
flve-maeted schooners.
At that the Portland Shipbuilding
Company Is by no means Idle and has
the only new vessels of the river fleet
under construction. On the ways Is
the hull, in full frame, of a 110-foot
sternwheeler for the Columbia & Cow
litz River Transportation Company, as
well as a fuel barge for the Port of
Portland, and It Is also to build a der
rick barge for the same corporation.
Another fuel Tge has been completed
and was launcud Thursday night, which
the Port will plao commission im
mediately. The - jler ' has a
beam of 26 feet and a - draft will be
light so she can andte work In the
tributaries of C- umbta. Her ma
chinery has been oruered In the East.
The Northwest Steel Company has
surrounded Its property with a high
board fence, outside offices are being
built and other yard necessities are be
ing Installed, while two steel hulls are
going ahead to the tune of numerous
automatic hammers. with another
crowd of men completing the third and
fourth ways and erecting the overhead
syetem for the distribution of plates,
frames anvl such parts of the vessel as
may be required. On the water's edge
a crew is extending the ways, which
was impossible during high water, and
by October the third steel vessel will
be laid down, blocks and such parts
being already in place on the ways.
At the Heath yard, where ground
was broken Tuesday, a strip 110 feet
wide had been graded yestervlay along
the waterfront so the driving of piling
for ways may be started at once. Lum
ber Is on the ground with which to
build temporary trestle to carry the
shore pipeline of the dredge Willam
ette, which is to make a fill back from
the river. Contracts for the six top
mast schooners to be built, that were
agreed to a week ago at Seattle, have
been executed with the Norwegian In
terests who are to control the vessels.
George E. Hardy, vice-president and
manager of the plant, returned from
there last night and since the lease for
the yarvl site has been closed the course
Is cleared ahead for smooth sailing.
WILLAPA LIGHT IS OUT AGAIN
Spook Lamp Off Xorthern Harbor Is
Watched for 1 2 Hours by Skippers.
Now comes Captain Anderson, master
of the steamer Helene. and officially
reports that while anchored 600 feet
from the Wlllapa Harbor gas buoy
from 10 o'clock Tuesday night until
10 o'clock Wednesday morning that aid
was not burning. As his s the fourth
report made in the past few weeks
that the aid was dark, the three previ
ous ones having resulted in an investi
gation that showed the buoy burning,
Inspector Warrack, of the Seventeenth
Lighthouse District, is in a dilemma.
He will dispatch a tender to the
scene once more and if it Is found the
aid is Illuminated Intermittently it will
be repaired. The "on again, off again
feature of the previous reports has set
the lighthouse staff to thinking and
all manner of suggestions have been
made. One wag opined that a mermaid
might be using the light at times for
her curling irons, but at any rate it
appears to nave cars intervals.
SIR. BARBOUR LEAVES SOOX
Immigration Inspector Returns to
Close Up His Business.
J. H. Barbour, United States I rami
gratlon Inspector at Portland for the
past 13 years, who has accepted a posi
tion in the foreign exchange and trade
department of the National City Bank
of New York, returned to Portland yes
terday from the East. Mr. Barbour Is
to make out important official reports
and attend to other work before leav
ing the immigration service, but ex
pects to return East early in October.
Mr. Barbour was connected with a
Chicago bank four years previous to
entering the Federal service. 18 years
ago. He has toured the Orient and
traveled extensively in the United
States, and his work has brought him
in touch with all nationalities. He has
not forwarded his resignation, but ex
pects to do so shortly. His successor
will be named at wasnmgton.
HARBOR DREDGING EV DOUBT
Port of Astoria Decision Held to
Regulate Port of Portland.
Channel maintenance cannot be con
ducted on North Portland harbor by
the Port of Portland Commission with
funds derived from taxation, in spite
of the fact residents of the district
voted in 1012 to amend the Port of
Portland act so as to Include that terri
tory. In the opinion of Ersklne Wood,
of counsel for the port.
The matter came up at a special
meeting of the Commission yesterday
morning, when Guy M. Standlfer, of the
Standifer-Clarkson Company, now en
gaged in building vessels there, and
R. H. Brown, of the Peninsula Indus
trial Company, were on hand to ascer
tain when dredging might be started.
Mr. Wood based his opinion on a de
cislon of the Supreme Court prevent
ing the Port of Astoria from engaging
In the steamboat business.
VANCOUVER GETS SHIPYARD
Marin Workers of Tillamook An
nounce New Deep-Water Yard.
James Keener, of Tillamook, and
associates are the first to enter the
motorshiD construction field, with
plant on the Washington side of the
Columbia River, though there are seven
wooden plants for building deepwater
men between Portland and Astoria. Mr.
Feeney has Incorporated the Vancou
ver Shipbuilding Company, capitalized
at $25,000, and plans to establish the
plant below Vancouver, where a site
Is being considered sufficiently large
for five sets of ways.
Efforts were made to open a yard on
Tillamook Bay, where the firm of
Feeney & Bremer Is engaged In ship
repairing. It is said no contracts have
been closed to turn out vessels at Van
couver, but prospects are such it is
fully believed by the members of the
firm that work will actually be under
way before snow flies.
UPPER RIVER IS INSPECTED
Government Officers Spend Five
Days From Eugene to Portland.
Leaving Eugene carry Monday morn
ing. Major H. C Jewett and E. B.
Thomson, assistant engineer, arrived
here at 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon
after a complete Inspection of the
stream over the entire distance. They
were accompanied from Eugene to Cor
vallis by Captain Clyde Raabe. of the
Yellow Stack fleet. The first 65 miles
of .the distance was rowed in a skiff
and the remainder was traversed aboard
the Government launch Salem.
Time was spent at railroad bridges
spanning the river at Harrisburg. both
of which are expected to be opened fre
quently when the Yellow Stack line ex
tends its service above Corvallls.
Coqullle Replaces Cruiser.
While another boiler Is being In
stalled In the tug Cruiser, of the Hos
ford Transportation Company's fleet,
the tug Coqullle. of the Shaver fleet,
is to be operated in her place. The
lease was closed yesterday, and the
Coqullle goes out with the Hosford flag
today. The vessel was placed in com
mission about a week ago, and has
proven her worth. The Cruiser's boiler
carries less steam than the one to be
put In. She went to the Portland yard
yesterday to have the top side of the
house removed so the present boiler
can be hoisted out.
YARD WORK TO BEGIN
VANCOUVER SHIPYARD WILL HAVE
WAYS FOR FIVE VESSELS.
Active Con struct to a Work Is to Start
at Once Yer Basinets la
Said to Be Offered.
VANCOUVER. "Wash.. Se?pt- 22. (Spe
cial.) A modern shipbuilding: plant,
with ways for constructing five wooden
vessels at once. Is to be built on the
waterfront Just below Vancouver by
tho Vancouver Shipbuilding Company,
incorporated here today. The articles
of Incorporation have been filed with
the Secretary of State at Olympla. The
company is capitalized for $25,000.
James Keeney, of Tillamook, Or., of the
firm of Feeney & Bremer, contractors
and boat builders. Is president and man
ager of the new concern. Associated,
with turn are John Stelnback, of Tilla
mook, and H. C. Percival. of this city.
No contracts have been made as yet
by the new company, but, according: to
Mr. Feeney, enough business already
has been offered to keep the plant
working at full capacity for a year. Mr.
Feeney will return here Monday from
Tillamook, to start active work At the,
plant. He has equipment at Tillamook
to put In the ways and to start work
on the vessels. Additional machinery
will be Installed.
Marine Xotes.
W. R. Hewitt, marine superintendent of
the McCormlck fleet, U expected at Aatorla
shortly to look after the Installation of
tail shafts In the hulls of two steam schoon
ers building- at Wilson Brothers yard for
the line. Next of the motorsbips of the Mc
Cormlck flag to be launched will be the
five-masted S. I. Allard, at St. Helens.
Information given out at San Francisco
Wednesday was that hopes were entertained
that the steamer Sear would be floated
from the beach near Cape Mendocino within
15 days. A. P. McFarland, Lloyd's sur
veyor, hae been sent to Join Captain Logan
In salvage operations.
To permit certain work to be done on
deck, loading of the new three-masted
schooner June was suspended at the Port
land mill yesterday and ill be resumed
this morning.
One Indication of how busy marine plants
of the Northwest are these days was found
when bids were opened yesterday for over
hauling light vessel No. 92t which is lying
at Wlnslow, Wash. The Seattle Construction
4k. Urydock Company filed a tender of S'JOul
and Hall Brothers, of Wlnslow, bid $1284,
other plants refusing; to compete. Inspector
Warrack, of the Seventeenth Lighthouse Dis
trict, will forward the proposals to Wash
ington. 'Cargo aboard the Associated Oil Com
pany's tanker Wm. F. Herrln. entered yes
terday by Captain En gal Is, consisted of 4V,
ouo barrels of crude oil and lb&v barrels of
gasoline.
Oerald Bagne.ll. assistant engineer at the
headquarters of the Second Portland dis
trict, in charge of Major Jewett, Corps of
Engineers, U. S. A., leaves today with his
family for K a us as City, he having; been
transferred.
Evidence was submitted before United
States Steamboat Inspectors Edwards and
Wyun yesterday concerning the O.-W. K.
As N. steamer T. J. potter having: struck and
sank a piled river near Cathlamet September
L No decision was announced.
Headquarters of the Heath Shipbuilding
Company have been shifted in the Oregon
building to a suite on the fourth floor
adjoining those of the Colombia River
Pilots' Association. The first office, on the
samo floor, proved too small.
On her return here to load another cargo
of lumber, the schooner Honolpu sailed from
Newcastle September 21, say a a message
to the Merchants' Exchange. Her last voy
age from the river was started July S, and
a few days ago she was taken for another
by Corny n. Mac Kail et Co.
Arriving from San Francisco yesterday
the turblner Great Northern brought lltf
passengerr and lioi tons of freight.
Sunday excursions to Cascade Locks hav
ing ended for the season, the steamer Bailey
Gatzert leaves at 7 o clock tomorrow morn
leg for The Dalles, holding to the same
schedule that applies d,uring the week, ex
cept Friday, when she lays over here.
Captain Llndqulst yesterday entered the
steamer Welleslty from ban Francisco with
40O tons of geno-al cargo, 175 tons of sugar
and two tons ol tobacco, bhe was cleared
for the return to the Golden Gate with
760.000 feet of lumber, which will be loaded
at -St. Helena, where she shifted last night.
Overhauling having been completed aboard
the O.-W. R. fc N. steamer Harvest Queen
she went on tne Portland-Astoria run Tester'
day to move freight that has accumulated.
Tue Hasealo is on the night run from
here for the present.
Captain Chris Chrlstopharsen la expected
here to look over freighters being built at
the plant of the Northwest Steel Company
for Laurlts K looter, of Stavanger, Norway.
There are four in all, two of which are an
dr way and the last two were contracted
for a short time ago. There are others
contracted for at the eame plant for Nor
wegian. It la reported that the Hammond Lumber
Company has sold the steamer Edgar H.
Vance, built at Long Beach, Cal.. In 1013.
to Norwegian interests for J 725,000. Deliv
ery is to be made In December. Since Sep
tember 1 the company has sold three of Its
vessel, the others being the Geo. W. Fen
wick and the General Hubbard, they now
being owned by Norwegians.
Harry Pollock, of 09 East Thirty-first
street, employed by the Albina Engine A
Machine Works, fell aboard the Japanese
steamer Kerkon Mani No. 3 at the St.
Johns dry dock, yesterday morning, sus
taining serious injuries to his head. He was
removed to the Good Samaritan Hospital.
Vessels Entered Yesterday.
American steamer W. F. Herrln, oil. from
Gavlota.
Gasoline schooner Patsy, general cargo,
from Bandou.
American steamer Wellesley. general car
go, from Sail Francisco.
Vessels Cleared Yesterday.
American steamer W. F. Herrln. ballast,
for Han Francisco.
American steamer Wellesley, lumber, for
San Francisco.
Columbia River Bar Report.
NORTH HEAD, Sept. 22. Condition of th
bar at 5 P. M.: Sea. moderate; wind, north
west, four miles.
Ashland Wheat Yield Heavy.
ASHLAND, Or., Sept- 52. (Special.)
A wheat crop resembling the output
of old-time seasons throughout this
valley has been harvested on the Dunn
place, east of Ashland. The yield was
nearly 4000 bushels, the most of which
has been marketed locally at a price
ranging from $1 to 11.10 per bushel
The yield was 60 bushels per acre.
DEATH NOT SOUGHT.
Prosecutor Would Not Hang
Man Accused in Bomb Case.
DEFENSE'S ALIBI SCORED
Warren K. Billings Declared Puppet
In Hands of Others Jury Asked
to Give nim Chance to Do
"RIglit Thing" if He W ill.
SAN FTLAXCTSCO. Sept. II. The case
of Warren K. Billings, on trial jere
charged with murdering Myrtle Irene
Van Loo. one of 10 victims of a u it
case bomb explosion during a prepared
ness parade July 22, will be in the jury9
hands tomorrow morning, it was an
nounced at the close of court late to
day.
No request was made for the death.
penalty by Assistant District Attorney
Brennan. who made the final argument
today for the prosecution.
"Billings is but a youth, a puppet In
the hands of others." Brennan said.
"He has started on the wrong track,
but he can do the right thing If he will.
T form -vnu rntlimii will render a
veraict mai win neip nun to ao lae
right."
Brennan spent the afternoon before
the Jury endeavoring to strip the de
fense of the alibi It produced for
Billings. "Whoever conceived the pe
culiar nature of the bomb had the
mind to conceive a clever alibi." "he
said. "It is a case of believing 10 un
impeached witnesses who saw Billings
on the day of the parade, or of believ
ing Billings himself. Men who do
these things have written books on
how to avoid detection. Billings .nade
false statements concerning his move
ments of the day and these false state
ments are the best proof of his guilt."
Brennan also sought to discredit
photographs shown the Jury this morn
ing by Maxwell McNutt. chief counsel
for Billings, by which he endeavored
to show that Billings had a double and
that witnesses became mixed in their
identification.
MARINE INTELLIGENCE.
Steamer Schedule.
DUE TO ARRIVE.
Name. From
Braver . . .Ioa Angelas. . ...
Orat Northern. . .San Francisco. . . .
Northern Pacific. . -Pan Kranclsco. . .
Breakwater Sin Francisco...
Rose Cltv J-OS Anselea
K. A. Kllburn San Francisco...
Date.
Tn iort
In port
Sept. :
Sept. 2
Sept. -T
isekU. S3
DUB
Name.
Tal
Yoftemlte. .......
Beaver.
Great Northern. ,
Harvard
Northern Pacific.
Breakwater
Klamath
Rosa Cltv
F. A. Kllburn
TO DEPART.
For
. S.K. for T..A.-S.D.
, .San Dleteo
. .Log Angeiffl.
, .San Francisco. . .
. S.F. for I..A.-S.D.
. .San Francisco. . .
.San Francisco...
.San 1)1. ro
. .Los A n Re I en. ... .
..San Francisco...
Dat
sent. 23
SeuU
Kept. 1'::
Sept. i.t
Sept. i
.sept. :i
Sept.
Sept. if
Sept. iiO
Oct. 1
Marconi Wireless Reports.
(All poltlon reported at 8 T. M. September
23 unices otherwise desUrnated.)
Peru. p.nlboa for San Francisco, 23 mllea
west of Maxatlau, September 21.
Birta al. Port San I.uls for Richmond.
ISO miles from Richmond.
Florldlan, San Francisco for Delaware
Breakwater, 1177 znilca south of San Fran
cisco. Moffett. tOTvlns; bars 03. San Francises
for Balboa, 838 miles south of San Fran
cisco. Kllbum. Portland for Coos Bay. 10S miles
south of Columbia River.
El Sexundo. Point Wells for Richmond. 485
mllea north of Richmond.
Multnomah, San Francisco for Grays Har
bor. 13 miles north of Columbia River.
Willamette. San Francisco for tSrays Har
bor, barbound off Grays Harbor bar.
Breakwater. Eureka for Coos Bay, SO
miles north of Eureka.
Adeline Smith. Coos Boy for Fan Fran
cisco. 23 miles north of San Francisco.
China, Orient for San Francisco. 3n miles
west of Honolulu. September 21.
Drake. Richmond for Honolulu. 742 miles
from Honolulu. September 21.
Matsonia. Honolulu for San Francisco. 10U3
miles from San Francisco. September 21.
Wllhelmina. San Francisco for Honolulu,
443 miles from San Francisco, September 21.
Wapama, Grays Harbor for S;n Francisco.
120 miles north of San Francisco.
Lucas. Portland for El Segundo, 20 miles
south of San Francisco.
Richmond and barge 05. Seattle for San
FTancisco, 212 miles north of San Francisco.
Queen, San Francisco for Seattle, four
miles west of Race Hocks.
Slovenients of Vessels.
PORTLAND, Sept. 22. Arrived Steamer
W F. Herrln. from Gavlota. ,
Astoria. Sept. S2. Sailed at 6:53 A. M
steamer F. A. Kllburn, for Coos Bay.
Eureka and San JTanclscfi. Sailed at 7:10
A. M., steamer General Hubbard, for San
Pedro. Arrived at 8:20 A M-. sttamer
DaiHV, from San Francisco. Arrived at 9
and left up 'at 4:3U A. M-. steamer vV. F.
lierrin. from Gavlota. Arrived at 4:30 P.
M.. steamer Great Northern, from San Fran
cisco. Arrived at 4:30 P. II., steamer Atlas,
from San Francisco.
San Francisco Sept. 22. Arrived at noon,
steamer J. A. Chansior, from Portland; at
3 P. M., Northern Pacific, from Flavel.
Eureka. Sept. 22. Arrived at 9 A. M.
and sailed at 1 P. M., steamer Breakwater,
from San Francisco for Portland via Coos
Bay.
Newcastle, N. S. W.. Sept. SI. Sailed
Schooner Honolpu. Tor columnia reiver.
Yokohama. Sept. 21. Arrived Steamer
Tenyo Maru.
louique, Sept. 21. Sailed Steamer 3el
ridRA. for Sau. Francisco.
Shanghai. Sept. 21. Sailed Steamer
New York. Sept. 22. Sailed Steamer Clrr
ef Newcastle, for Vladivostok, via San
Francisco.
San Francisco. Pept. 52. Arrived Steam
ers La Prlmera, from Punta Arenas: Carlos,
from Aberdeen: J. A. Chansior. frojst As
toria: barks B. P. Cheney, from Naknek;
steamer of Indian, from Nusb,g-ak: barken
tlne Kolco Head, from Apia, ship Star of
Italv. from Bristol Bay. Sailed Steamers
Tsjlma Mam (Japanese, for Vladivostok!
TJikembane? (Dutch), for Batavla.
SEATTLE, Sept. 22. Arrived 8teamer
Wilmington, from San Francisco: bark Guy
C. Oosa, from Chlgrnlk. Sailed Steamers
Crown of Seville (British), for Londonj
Alkl, for 6outheastern Alaska.
From Northwest Ports.
ASTORIA. Or.. Sept. 22. (Special.) Thm
ate&m schooner Ialsy arrived today from
San Francisco and after taking on 110.000
reet or lumoer at me Astoria box com
pany's plant, will shift to Wauna to com
plete her cargo.
The liffhihouse tender Rose sailed this
afternoon for Slip Point, Wash., to establish
a new fos; sinnal station.
Th tank steamer William F. Herrln ar
rived during; the night from California,
brlnfrins cario of fuel oil for Portland.
The steamer F. A. Kllburn sailed this
mom In for San Francisco, via Coos Bay
and Eureka, carrying freight and passenger
from Portland and Astoria.
The steamer General Hubbard sailed this
morning; for San Francisco with a. carso
of lumber from Rainier and Wauna.
The steamer Great Northern arrived this
morning from San Francisco, bringing ItiuO
tons of freight and & good list of pas
sengers. The tank steamer Atlas arrived from Cali
fornia with fuel oil for Astoria and jPort
land. COOS BAT. Or., Sept, 22. Special.)
The tus; Flyer arrived at 12.30 from the
Umpqua River. She has been a tender for
the Unapqua. bridge construction.
The steamer Adeline Smith sailed for
San Francisco, with a lumber cargo from
the Smith mills.
The steamship Kllburn, from Portland,
and the Breakwater, from iCureka and baa
Francisco, are due Saturday morning.
GRAYS HARBOR- Wash., Sept. 22.
(Special.) The schooner Annie 1-arsen has
completed loading a carpco at the Donovan
mlM and will clear tomorrow for Honolulu.
The steamers Mul'nomah and Willamette
are due tomorrow from San Francisco.
FLOREVCE, Or.. Sept. 22. (Special.)
The schooner Ah waned departed at noon
for Portland.
Tide at Astoria Saturday
High. Low.
10:44 A. M T.l feet'4:S4 A. M 0. foe-t
10:J4 P. M....T.6 feet4:64 P. M teet