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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 6, 1916)
THE 3IORXIXG OREGONIAN, MONDAY, NOVEMBER fi, 1916, A VIEWS ON MEN AND MEASURES EXPRESSED BY SUBSCRIBERS Both Sides of Public Questions Are Espoused by Correspondents in City and Country, Throughout All Sections of State. 14 RESPECTS PAID LAND BILL. W I. Kenton Declares Measure la Most Dangerous. ' PORTLAND, Nov. 6. (To the Editor.) In my Judgment there is no proposed measure to be voted upon November 7 so dangerous to and destructive of all values and all prosperity In Oregon as the "Full Rental Value Land Tax and Homemaker's Loan Fund Amendment." Disguised tinder some trite and com monplace phrases, this measure, if adopted, will confiscate private prop erty to the state, and make every land owner, whether In town, city or coun try, a tenant of the state. It proposes to take from every owner of real estate, in the form of pretended taxes, the "full rental value" of such real estate. All the state taxes must be raised there from, and in addition hereto two-thirds of the "full rental value land tax" le vied upon real estate in each county must be divided among the different towns, cities, ports and all other munic ipalities in the county and the scate, apportioned upon the basis of the gen eral tax levy for 1915. The remaining one-third must be set -'apart as a "Homemakers' Loan Fund," to be sup plemented by the addition hereto of all revenue to be derived from the present Inheritance tax. No Interest is to be charged on any loan made from this f nnd for five years, and one alleged pur pose of this loan feature, as stated in the measure, "is to help persons with no capital but their labor and char acter to make homes and farms." ' Special taxes on personal property and land improvement may be levied each year for local purposes, for school and road districts, towns, cities and counties, proposed by initiative, peti tions, voted upon each year in Novem ber. The depletion of the fund raised hy the full rental value land tax will he supplied by this annual levy of spe cial taxes upon personal property and land improvements. It is made the duty or tne state to bid the amount of any delinquent land tax, and when title is vested in the state under any delin quent tax sale, and the state is for bidden to sell any land. Of course, un der this system the state will ulti mately secure the title to all real estate In the state, and when this is accom plished, there can be no further land taxes levied upon or collected from any real estate in Oregon. The state treas ury would be without any funds and absolutely bankrupt, and the communi ties, towns, road and. school districts would be compelled to rely solely upon local taxes levied annually upon a vote of the people, for revenues to maintain schools, construct and maintain roads, and for the operation and maintenance of town, city and county governments. This would practically confiscate all personal property and all Improvements on land anywhere in the state. The annual full rental land tax Is to re fixed by the county assessor and state tax commission, under the direc tion of the state land board, and there Is no time fixed when any. aggrieved land owner can be heard as to his as sessment, nor is there any opportunity to be heard, nor any provision for re view of this action. No such radical or revolutionary measure has ever been adopted any where, and indeed, so far as I know, no such measure has ever been pro posed in any state in the Union, or in any country in the world. The objec tions to the measure may 'be succinctly stated as follows: 1. It proposes to levy taxes upon all real estate to its full rental value, and take one-third thereof and lend it to people without any capital except their labor and character, and without any Interest thereon for five years. It is proposed to use the taxes paid by the owner of land to make loans to those who do not own any land and who have no security, and to lend it for five years without interest. In effect it proposes to take the money out of the pockets of every farmer, home owner and land owner and put it into the pockets of the man who has no property and can give no security. It is spoliation and legal robbery in the boldest possible way. 2. It will destroy private ownership of all farms, lands of all kinds, homes, town lots and business property, and transfer the title to the state. It will confiscate all real estate of every kind to the state, and make tenants of the state of all classes of land owners, and will fall with especial weight upon farmers and all owners of business property in cities and towns. 3. It will Increase all present taxes by more than 33 per cent in order to create the socalled "Homemakers' Loan Fund." Taxes are now extremely heavy and many are unable to pay the taxes now levied. Indeed, in Multno mah County nearly one-sixteenth of the annual taxes for 7.915 has become de linquent and subject to an increased penalty of five per cent, besides inter est at 12 per cent per annum from No vember 5. 4. It will render valueless all mort gages now outstanding against real estate, and those who own them will be unable to negotiate any new loans In their stead. This will result In the bankruptcy of all persons who have borrowed money to build 'homes or business blocks and who now owe any considerable sum upon mortgage. 5. It will prevent for all times any further investment of money in any real estate in Oregon, or in any busi ness of any kind. We shall reecive no further money from outside sources, and the state will receive no further Immigration from any source. On the contrary, the population now in this state will be compelled to go elsewhere, and the cities and towns will become deserted villages, and the farms, mills and mines will be abandoned. 6. The constant menace of this class of legislation has already done great harm to the state, and the possibility of its recurrence at each biennial elec tion under the initiative has prevented and will prevent investments in Ore gon. In view of the serious and certain de struction to all business and all invest ments of every kind in Oregon it is very important that every voter should vote against this measure and that the majority against it should be so great that such and similar measures may never be offered or placed upon the "ballot again. TV. D. FENTON, WOMAV OBJECTS TO STRIFE 'Suffragette' Says Sisters Are Cam paigning on False Theory. PORTLAND, Nov. 4. (To the Editor.) I have been a Republican nearly all my life and loyally support all the worthy principles and issues backed by that party.- Am also a "suffragette" with heart and soul in the cause which emancipates woman from the shackles which unjustly bind her. I believe in placing her on an equal plane with man in the construction of' laws of governmental affairs. Have accredited woman with some qualities (which are hers by nature) as just a little superior to those of man, and believed her less likely to be drawn into the vortex of machine-rolling politics, or influenced by the intrigues of political cliques and clans. Have had faith in the suffrage organization because believed it, like that great and grand organization, the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, was founded on a broad and wholesome platform with an outstretched arm to all womanhood for the betterment of , the home, the uplift of humanity and the Nation, regardless of race, creed or party. With this organization, founded on these principles, is it wise to dis criminate between political parties? Just a word of warning to some of our sisters, who are now campaigning in Oregon and other states under the name of "Congressional Union and Woman's Party." Beware, lest over-zeal for suf frage by Federal amendment be inex pedient in these critical times of our National Government. We must not overlook the fact that our Democrat brothers in nonsuffrage states may have legitimate reasons for deciding it not good policy to give women the bal lot; also that our sister Democrats have the ballot in suffrage states and may use it effectively to resent the personal flaunts of Insult and tirades of abuse, which have come broadside recently from the public platform in our city and elsewhere. If the "Woman's Party is going to use the ballot as a club to defeat any political party in power be cause it does not mark time and dance to woman's sweet music Just as they see fit to play it. which fact they have emphatically declared they will do, does it not stand to reason that our Repub lican and other partisan brothers will sit up and take notice lest their turn be coming next? "It is a poor rule that won't work both ways." Let us get out into the open arena and take a broader view of the panorama before us, and see only the more vital ques tions of this trying hour. As a. woman suffrage body, let us form a solid front, unfurl our banners and proclaim' "Justice to all, malice to ward none" and genuine American pa triotism above all partlsanism, first, last and forever. A. W. C. T. TJ. CHANGE OF ATTITUDE IS SHOWN Administration Snitch to Gain Votes Is Cbareed. " PORTLAND, Nov. 4. (To the Edi tor.) At the outbreak of the great European war President Wilson made a solemn appeal to the American peo ple to exercise Impartiality and re- ''"iiiiii in ineir discussions of the war. He stated in this document, which was published broadcast over the Nation, that "every rrian who really loves America will act and speak in the true spirit of neutrality, which is the spirit of impartiality and fairness and friend liness to all concerned. . . . The United States must be neutral in fact as well as in name during these days that are to try men's souls. We must be impartial in thought as well as in action, must put a curb upon our senti ments as well as upon every transac tion that might be construed as a pref erence of one party to the struggle against another." About a year after the issuance of the above declaration the following official document was made public: United States Department of Labor. Im migrant Service. Office of Commissioner, Port of Montreal. Canada. Oct. 11, 1815 To all stations. Montreal district: Several cases have arisen of late wherein the ques tion has been raised as to whether a United States citizen expatriates himself by enlisting in the Canadian army. The mat ter has been the subject of considerable correspondence, and has now been definite ly decided, as attested by the following quotation from bureau letter of Oct. U, lalo. No. 54003 tP.l: Instructions should be Issued by you to the end that hereafter the boards will not question the American citizenship of an applicant because of the fact that he took oath of allegiance and enlisted la the Canadian forces. Officers of this district will be governed accordingly. , JOHN CLARK, Commissioner. Testerday the following dispatch was received from the National capital, which places on record further evidence of Mr. Wilson's ready reversibility when political expediency requires it and when votes are to be sought. The dispatch reads: WASHINGTON1. Nov. 2. (TJ. P.) Any American who fights for England In the present war expatriates himself. The State Department made this clear in connection with its action In refusing a passport to Theodore Marburg, Jr., of Baltimore who is returning to England to rejoin the' royal aviation corps. Marburg la the son of the former United States Minister to Belgium. Expatriation results from the fact that all British soldiers must take the oath of allegiance to the British crown which. In the case of Americans, wipes out their al legiance to this country. As for Americans fighting with the for eelgn legions of the French army, the de partment made known that the burden will rest upon them to prove the oath they have taken has not expatriated them. Even after peace is declared, those who return to this country In destitute circum stances will be treated as ordinary alien immigrants It was learned today also that the State Department has suggested to the French government that it discontinue referHng to the American aviators with the French army as members of the American corps owing to the false light in which such ref erences place the United States as a neutral nation. The above quotations are authentic speak for themselves and demonstrate that Mr. Wilson failed to observe his own declaration of impartiality. That he executed one of his characteristic changes of mind in the matter at the eleventh hour in a frantic effort to block the overwhelming defeat that the Republican party will surely administer to him, merely shows his facility and dexterity in political ' affairs, but will have no effect on the outcome of the election. Mr. Hughes, who stands for America and its Interests first, last and all the time, and who will safeguard our rights against the transgressions of all foreign nations, should have the sup port at the polls of all true patriots. FREDERICK GRONNERT. RURAL CREDITS BILL INDORSED Hector Macpheraon Says Law Is In surance Against Single Tax. CORVALLIS. Or.. Nov. 4. -(To the Ed itor.) The only criticism of Rural Credits Amendment No. 318 on the of ficial ballot worthy of our serious at tention is that it duplicates work wuich will be adequately performed by the Federal Farm Loan Act. This criticism is an entirely Just and reasonable one so far as it goes. At the same time we maintain that the Oregon measure is going to reach many who would be unable to take advantage of the Fed eral system. This does not at all re flect on the efficiency of the Federal measure. It 'simply means that every state has certain peculiar conditions which can be taken care of only by a system adapted to the needs of the state. The Oregon system is simple and direct, reaches the entire state, and has practically no red tape to en cumber it. The paramount problem of Oregon is to bring under the plow SO per cent of its tillable lands, which have as yet never been touched. We believe that Hhese lands are so situated and of such a character that they will never be de veloped unless there be adopted some special policy of state development that will make it possible for settlers to live by their toils while bringing the lands under cultivation. Other countries have succeeded In carrying out policies of colonization which have greatly aided their settle ment and increased their prosperity. Why cannot Oregon do the same? Our state rural credits system constitutes the first step in a policy that can ul timately be made to transform 16.500, 000 acres of land from desert wastes to fertile fields and happy homes. Our experience in loaning the state school fund has demonstrated that the State Land Board is perfectly capable of successfully operating a rural cred its system such as the rural credits amendment will establish. Moreover, the system provides for a reserve fund which in itself will become some day a bulwark of agricultural progress If-applied to the development of Oregon lands, and which protects taxpayers against any possible burden. If we adopt the rural credits amend ment we shall have taken the first step toward obviating the necessity of any such system of wholesale land confisca tion as would be established by the adoption of the Full Rental Value La . Tax and Home Makers' Loan Fund amendment, which appears on the official ballot as Nos. 306 and 307. This Is single tax in the most radical form which has ever been drafted into a . law. Most of the men who are behind it are earnest men and serious in their pur pose. They look upon It as the only means of wiping out our state disgrace of idle lands and idle landless men. The way in which, we can put an end to our biennial single tax prob lem is to do away with the conditions that have given rise to it. Let us make it possible for every honest worker who wants to own a farm to get one and to make a living for himself and family while paying for it. Eaoh happy owner of a farm home will straightway cease to be a single-taxer in the ex treme form of ruthless robbery pro posed by bill No. 306 and 307. If the strong financial interests of the state do not get back of some definite programme of reform, sooner or later they will be made to rue It by the passage of some bill, equally as radical and equally as unjust, as the single tax measure under consideration. HECTOR MACPHERSON. "MUD" APOLOGY IS ATTACKED Slump After War Is Rcgrarded as In evitable Consequence. PORTLAND. Nov. 6. (To the Editor.) When truth is assailed as "mud- throwing" it is time candidly to con sider the charges made. President Wilson demands re-election on his record and his pledges for the future. Defenders of the President dispute the right to take the President seriously and point out the weakness of his Mexican and foreign policy. Mr. Hughes makes no attack on the Presi dent as a man but criticises his public record. Instead of defending the Ad ministration's work the apologists of the President claim Mr. Hughes is throwing mud. They had every chance to claim misrepresentation, but they concede an indefensible record when the truth must be branded as "mud." No more pitiable plight ever was ex perienced by a candidate and an ap peal is made to the hearts of people for a sympathetic vote. The condition is to bo lamented, but as the President claims no credit for bringing on the great war, which created high prices and a great market, neither can he avoid falling values and a shrinking market when the war ends. President Wilson loudly called for aid and established what he called war taxes, before the war created the great market. He now says that reaction will not come and his friends pretend to believe him. The cry, "He kept us out of war," is the only answer made to the exposure of his indefensible med dling in Mexican affairs, which resulted in Mexican outrages. That campaign slogan. "He kept, us out of war," has brought the ridicule it so richly de served. We face a commercial crisis too grave to be settled by any vote of sympathy. That the great war created the world markets admits of no argu ment. That markets must slump is equally certain and to trust a man as our leader who cannot see it, is to trust a blind man. Our Chief Executive may give too much time to legislation. Even if entitled to all his friends claim for him as a legislator, Presdent Wilson's plunge with Mr. Gompers in settling a strike, the settling of which was veiled in mystery, marks him as too impulsive for safe leadership. Consideration for his high office and the fact that he was the accredited mouthpiece of the Nation caused many a man to stand by him during his earlier complications with Mexico, and it is credible that some even urged the people to stand as a unit when their private sentiment was not expressed. This courtesy of ordinary times can not be rightfully invoked in times when an important election is to af fect the destiny of the Nation for gen erations to come, and when our place among the nations is in the balance. Unpleasant as the task was, Charles E. Hughes had a duty to perform, which in the judgment of the writer he owed to the Nation. T. J. FORDING. CANAL TOLLS ACTION VIEWED Democratic "Antics" In Various Matters Are Discussed. PORTLAND. Nov. 4. (To the Editor.) One of the most diverting acts in the great political comedy now being staged by the Democratic party relates to the question of free tolls through the Panama Canal. Listen! "We favor the exemption from tolls of American ships engaged in coastwise trade passing through the Panama Canal." Democratic National platform of 1912. Listen again!! "What is a greater National dishonor than to abjectly sur render free tolls?" Portland Journal, March 26, 1914. "Sentiment is changing to bitter in dignation as the subject comes to be better understood by the masses." Portland Journal, March 27. 1914. "There are no lustrous names in the roll .-.alls of the 220 Democrats who voted for repeal. No names of those who voted will be illustrious in this country's history." Portland Journal. April 1, 1914. "If the Democrats repeal free tolls they will repudiate a free tolls plank in the National platform, in which they declared 'our pledges are made to be kept when in office as well as relied upon during the campaign," Portland Journal. April 9, 1914. Listen again, for the third time!!! "This Administration repealed the act granting free tolls to certain ships, thereby preserving our treaty obliga tions . . . This Administration should have credit for promptly correcting that blunder of the Taft Administra tion." Colonel Samuel White, chairman of Oregon Democratic state committee, on page 17 of the 1916 Voter's Pam phlet. Later acts in the great comedy will illustrate the antics of the Democratic chameleon on the subjects of National preparedness. Presidential primaries, the single term, congressional simpli city and economy, civil service, protec tion of American citizens abroad, union labor and the open shop, nonpartisan tariff commission, child labor legisla tion, Mexican embargoes, etc.. in which the well-known and justly popular rhetorical and political acrobat. Wood row Wilson who is now playing a farewell engagement, will be the lead ing figure REPUBLICAN. RUIN iNDGR WILSON FORESEEN. Marshfleld Man Says Homes of Resi dents Are Threatened. MARSHFIELD. Or., Nov. 4. (To the Editor.) I have been a Democrat and want to live in Marshfield. I am buy ing a home for my wife and children and want to be able to continue paying for it. I look forward with all my neart to the time when I can be at home in comfort with my dear wife and children and rest my tired limbs in real enjoyment. I want to continue sending my children to school and b able to clothe them well enough thai other students will not jeer them. Even though I am a poor man, I will feel that my life has not been entirely use less if I can only pay for my home, educate my children and leave a home for them and have a place where I may die in peace. I am very much worried at this time. Even now I do not earn enough money to support my family as they should be supported and make my payments on my home. If the mills close down, I am doomed to lose my home. My en joyment, my life hopes, and my desires to live, will then be gone as my age would not permit my tackling another home. I do not ask for riches, but only a home. If Canada is permitted to sell lumber in the United States without paying an Import duty on it our mills will close down or we will have to work for 75 cents to $1 a day. the same as the Orientals do in Canada. I would rather bid earthly friends good-bye forever. I do not blame the mill men. for they can not pay mofe money for manufac turing the lumber than It will sell for after it Is manufactured. Men will not work for Canadian Oriental prices in the United States and our mills will close. I will have nothing to do and my home wll soon be broken up, my family destitute and my heart broken. I Pay that no such calamity will come. Please consider me in my condition, Mr. Voter, as well as yourself and many thousand others, who are In my condition, and vote for Hughes, who , 1 S us a Protective tariff so the mills will run all the time, and I will finally have a home something I have fVeP enJyed- Yu who have homes, pity and help those who are trying to have- A WORRIED FATHER. TREND OF SUNDAY BLUE LAWS It Is Toward the Unity of Church and State. Says Writer. BROWNSVILLE. Or., Nov. 5. To the Editor. As election approaches I would like to sound a last warning note to the voters. In regard to voting on the Sunday closing laws. Tour vote should appear on the ballot No. 312 yes. as it is of vital Importance that this Sunday law be abolished. This law is a relic of the dark ages, and was placed upon our statute books while we were still living under territorial government, it was enacted in 1854. but was amended in 1864, and has remained as amended since that time. This Sunday law has been a dead letter, until recently it was dug up by a class of people who wished to deprive their neighbors of their religious rights. The exemption made in the law will clearly show that It Is unjust discrimination. The Constitution of the United States guarantees equal rights to all citizens, regardless of race, creed or color. The Sunday closing law is unconstitutional, insomuch as it deprives a citizen of the religious liberty which our govern ment guarantees him. Our Constitu tion also says that federal laws are supreme, and that no state shall make laws that will conflict with federal laws. Therefore, it is again unconsti tutional. The fundamental principles on which our government was founded were re ligious liberty, equality for all, and special privileges foj none. The prin ciple reason why our government was founded was to relieve the oppressed. It has been pointed out that there are exemptions made for seventh-day Sabbath-keepers, such as Jews, Seventh Day Adventists, and Seventh Day Bap tists. The question now arises if our state has power to make laws with such ex emptions, why has it not power later on to remove the exemptions, and com bine church and state. There would be a tendency to do this, and it would eventually be done. This is only a step toward combining church and state. Let us hesitate before we take this step. Sunday laws are not nec essary to civilization or religion. A man who works on Sunday Is just as religious and just as much civilized as a man who goes out joy-riding, or goes to church. Sunday legislation is strictly religious, and has nothing to do with civilization. Voters, I appeal to you be not deceived by the Sunday closing literature scattered broadcast over the state. Let us keep church and state forever separate. Let us have the true relig ious liberty that our government guar antees each citizen. FRED E. HARRISON. J. BLRGESS IS CRITICISED Weston Man Resents Remarks About Ills Community. WESTON, Or., Nov. 3. (To the Edi tor.) This In reply to the published letter of J N. Burgess. Weston' has a concrete sidewalk ex tending half the way to the depot, and nearly all of the remaining dis tance is on railroad property over which the town has no jurisdiction. Weston has a hotel. Weston's streets are well graded, well oiled, smooth and even, and far better than the county macadam road with which they con nect. To be quite frank, the assertion of Mr. Burgess that "the streets of Weston constitute the worst piece of road between Pendleton and Walla Walla" is untrue. There are now and always were a sufficient number of grade pupils in the Weston schools "to give the Normal students teaching practice." When the Weston Normal was the largest and best normal school in the state, hav ing larger attendance and better build ings than any other normal school no longer ago than 1909 the town had enough grade pupils to supply the Normal Training School and maintain a district school of its own besides. Normal students did not consider It a "shame" to come here. They were glad to come here and did come here from every county in Eastern Oregotf. The cost value of the Weston Normal plant is all that Its supporters claim $75,000. That much money would be required to replace it. Instead of assailing Weston. Mr. Burgess would do well to defend his own precious normal bill from the just criticism of those who see in Its gratu itous validating clause the most fla grant example of attempted log-rolling in Oregon's varied political historv. E. C. ROGERS. TAX LIMITATION IS ASSAILED Amos Denson Declares Measure Not Good Economics. PORTLAND. Nov. 4. (To the Editor.) I would like to express my opinion on the "State Wide Tax and Indebted ness Limitation Amendment." In considering the problem of taxa tion in Oregon you must remember that Oregon has long been known as a moss back state, and it is only lately that she has begun to shake her coat. To cur tail any improvements at this time would place Oregon in a position worse than she was before. Oregon is not an extravagant state, in fact is away down in the list of states in economical government. That is, there are about 26 states in the Union whose government Is more ex pensive than Oregon's according to as sessed valuation. This shows that Ore gon has an even break in the honesty and ability of her legislative and ex ecutive officers. This amendment would stop all state road improvements, because the actual need of operation would bring expendi tures so close to the limit that we would not even get the benefit of the present one-quarter mill levy, and in order to get any state road work it would mean a state bond issue, which would include paying interest. The Legislature of 1915 was an ex tremely economical one. and. while they made no particularly progressive law, succeeded in keeping the levy down t bed rock, and as this amendment would take effect at once, the state would be compelled to operate at bed rock expense plus six per cent, instead of at ordinary operating expense -plus six per cent, as the promoters of the bill would have you believe. This bill has no pro vision guarding against foolish or ex travagant legislation and "pork barrel" appropriations. Frequently emergencies arise. At such a time, with their hands tied by this amendment, the legislative or ex ecutive officers of the state could not meet such an emergency, possibly caus ing thereby great loss to the state. True, a special election could be called to cover such an emergency, but would cause an expense of several thousand dollars. Under our system special elec tions are too easily held. There are plenty of arguments that can be used against this bill, but I hear only one in favor of It and that is "lower taxes." It seems they are trying blindly to obtain a result with out paying any attention to the remedy, and are starting at the wrong end. As we have learned in Multnomah County in road construction the best check on extravagance is to watch how the mo ney appropriated is being spent, and to see that the people get a dollar's worth out of every dollar spent. At that end Is where a great saving could be obtained. If the six per cent limitation were to be placed on some of the absurd ex perimental extravagances that now and then crop up. there might be some merit in it, but to lump the expense of operat ing the state and worthy necessary ex penditures and place thereon for the next year a limitation Inadequate and inconsistent to progressive government, to my mind is not good business Judg ment and is apt to cause trouble and additional expense. AMOS S. BENSON. PENDLETON POSITION IS SHOWN Alleged Attempt to Defraud Weston Specifically Denied. PENDLETON. Or., Nov. 4. (To the Editor.) Having noticed that certain citizens of the town of Weston have been making statements calculated to defeat the measure providing for an Eastern Oregon normal school in this city, I wish to emphasize the fact that the voters are not being asked to choose between Pendleton and Weston as a site for a normal school. The question is whether or not the state is to establish a normal school to serve Eastern Oregon. Twice the voters of the state have refused to establish again a normal school in Weston, and it must be pre sumed that they had reasons for their decision. Many of the arguments used against locating a school at Weston do not apply to the present measure, for the reason that Pendleton fills all of the qualifications demanded by the re port of the Government survey for a standard normal school location. It is because Pendleton does have these qualifications, notably sufficient ly large public schools to provide teacher-training practice for the nor mal atudents and other advantages of a city of 8000. that educators all over the state, from the state superinten dent and Institutional heads down to the country teachers. have placed themselves squarely behind the meas ure. The Improper location of a normal school is a waste of the taxpayers' money. The old normal school at Wes ton never was a standard normal school and it never could have been, for the reason that the schools of a town of les3 than 500 inhabitants can not afford practice teaching for the students, the most essential part of a normal school course. Weston's main argument against the present measure is that the state already owns a $75,000 plant at Weston. Even though that claim were literally true, it would still be folly to place a school there, for buildings can never make a school. However, the state does not own a $75,000 building there. The Weston building, when it was built many years ago. cost $34,000 and it has deteriorated much since that time. If any further proof were needed of the superiority of Pendleton over Wes ton as a site, it is furnished by the unanimous indorsement of the present measure in the resolution adopted bv the Teachers' Institute of Umatilla County last week. Both Pendleton and Weston are in Umatilla County, and these teachers are In a position to know what are the comparative ad vantages of the two places. Last week also the Baker, Union and Wallowa county institutes gave unanimous in dorsement to the bill, as have some score of other county institutes In the state. Weston placed upon the ballot a measure to reopen the school there and the city of Pendleton voted 703 "Yes" to 247 "No" on the measure. The county records show this. Again. In 1914. the people of this city gave a similar measure a big majority, and. besides, the merchants of Pendleton subscribed generously to the Weston campaign fund. Does this look as if Pendleton was trying to steal Weston's school ? Pendleton made no attempt to in itiate a movement to secure a normal school until Weston's cause had been made hopeless. It was just a year ago that the teachers of Umatilla. Morrow. Gilliam and Wheeler Counties, in Joint Institute assembled, adopted resolu tions urging Pendleton citizens to take the lead In a movement to establish a normal school In this city. They made us see the need. Weston's hope less handicap and Pendleton's supe rior advantages, and It was in reali zation of these conditions that the Commercial Association placed the measure on the ballot. W. E. BROCK. President Pendleton Commercial Association. PROGRESSIVE IS FOR HUGHES. Hood River Man Says Wilson, Self Appointed. Falls. HOOD RIVER. Or.. Nov. 4 (To the Editor.) As Democratic campaign managers are giving great promi nence to the fact that a few Progress ives have declared for Wilson. I will give my reasons, as a Progressive, for working for and supporting Huehese. A comparison of the two candidates shows Wilson as the self-appointed candidate, who has failed, signally, in meeting the vital issues that have arisen during his administration. He is best described in, the following ex tracc from an editorial in "Collier's": The fact is that the test nf the l&rt fw years has been too severe for Mr. Wilson. Ills mind Is adroit rather than robust: his spirit more valorous than capable of sustained srtion. His conduct of the ne gotiations with Germany and Great Brit ain, and Qils extraordinary performance, with Mexico, coupled with his treatment with the naval programme and his sur render to the railroad brotherhoods, give an Impression of a character far from de termined, and account for the very gen eral misgivings as to what he might do If in power after the war when this coun try Is face to face wlih hungry and des perate nations of Europe. Hughes, on the other hand. was called by the people to take up the fight In their interest: has accepted, out of a sense of duty, making a great personal sacrifice in order to answer the call. The American people have had enough hot-air promises not backed by deeds, and what they want, at this time, is a man who can and will safe guard and protect their interests, both at home and abroad: not go skyrocket ing after strange gods and neglecting the American interests while doing it. Hughes was selected by the people because his record shows him to be a man who can be absolutely depended upon to do exactly what he promises: who is absolutely fearless and ready for any emergency. On the question of peace or war. he believes In true peace, not a verbal peace, while carrying on a disgraceful war like the war Wilson has been en gaged in with Mexico, costing more American lives than the Spanish American war. and at a cost to this country, already, of over $100,000,000, and the end is not yet. This country is facing a situation second only to the crisis in 1861. The American people, regardless of their birthplace, have always responded to every demand that has been made upon them in time of stress, and it is not reasonable to think that they will fall in their duty In the present case. That duty is to see that their Government Is In the strongest hands possible: that their President shall D a man who will stand for peace with honor; who will protect all American interests, both at home and abroad: who will Tiot be "too proud to fight," if the honor oi tne country demands it; who will not Jeopardize the principals of our Government to influence votes to elect himself, or any one else. Fortunately the people have such a candidate in Charles Evans Hughes. J. F. BATCHELDER. DEMOCRATIC CHANGE IS DENIED Party Said to Be Same Old One of Panic and Pauperism. AIRLIE. Or.. Nov. 4. (To the Edi-'or-) Don't it beat the dickens how business keeps up under Democratic rule? On my word. I have never heard of such a thing before. Is it possible that Democracy is holding her rudder "hard over" and getting away from the financial rocks toward which she has steered us so many times? Is it possi ble that the great War Party that won its name by seceding from the Union because it couldn't have its way has at last traded the red banner for the white and Is tutoring the world in the new style of peace and modern modes of keeping out of war? I say only what you can see for your self if you will but look. The so called prosperity we are undergoing was brought about, and is sustained, by the great war. All nations are buying at the store of Uncle Sam. Prices are secondary. It is supplies they want, and we have been able to sell quan tities and qualities of all grades of goods to buyers who. at any peaceful hour, would have laughed us to scorn. But, our Democratic friends say, we are neutral In business, and if they want to buy, we want to sell. That is no crime. No. but I say and mean that It is worse than crime to brag over the profits of such business, whose real value is measured only by the sorrows of Europe, and then call its profits a result of Democratic rule, in the hope of catching the voter on November 7. and asking him to seal his own doom by indorsing the donkey and clapping at the flapping of his ears. Having learned to expect a little good from Democracy one should not be surprised at such serpentine measures. Were there no war in Europe the present lack of tariff protection would show, as It always has done, our in ability to compete with cheap labor. Yet we tear around like mad If a few foreigners come to our land and rob us of work by working for less money. But when the employer of American working folks asks for protection against cheap outside labor. Democracy holds up its hands In horror and shrieks "trusts." "big business." "high cost of living." And so we have the party in power asking us to approve their actions by our votes. A war party with a new kind of peace telling us what a great thing they did by keeping us out of the horrible war. and with a voice that must reach every voter's ear call atten tion to our present peaceful prosperity. Ah! that the cries of the toiling and dying victims of our prosperity might haunt the ears of the creators of these claims forever. Yes, we are prospering, and the Democratic party seems willing to take the credit, but is anxious to charge the high cost of living to Mr. Mars. If you believe in this kind of prosperity, re elect Woodrow Wilson. If you believe in real prosperity, vote for the Re publican party, which has proven its worth, and Its real leader. Charles E. Hughes. EDWARD B. BIRKENBEUEL. NOT AUTHOR; J I ST DRAFTSMAN Sin arte Tax This 1 ear Is Idea of Lab r Leaders, Says Mr. U'lten. PORTLAND. Nov. 5. (To the Edi tor.) I read Mr. Wright's letter in The Oregonian and it may interest him and others to know that the Oregon labor leaders asked me. as their attorney, to draw the People's Land and Loan amendment; they stated at the same time that the bill must contain the single tax to abolish land speculation and landlordism; must provide for state loans for homemakers. both In town and country, sufficient to enable a capable man to develop his own farm and thereby own his Job; and the loan must be free from interest for five years and a safe Investment tor the state. They took the Australian laws as the basis for this bill. They are the authors and the highest honor I can Justly claim is that of chief draftsman. Mr. Wright asks who will pay the higher taxes and Intimates that every one must. In this he is wrong. The home owner and the small farmer will pay less taxes. Business lots will pay about the same total tax to the public treasury they niw pay to the landlord and Government combined. For in stance: The renters who erected the Morgan building now pay about $l!0.000 a year for public taxes on the building and the lots and $60,000 a year to the landlord for his private tax for the use of the four lots. Under this bill the renters will pay the $75,000 of land rent tax to the government; there will be no tax on the building and the lot owners can work for a living like edi tors, lawyers and other useful citizens. This is the very best bill for the general welfare of all the people that was ever submitted to a law-making body. "WM. S. ITREN. DEMOCRATIC BI LK OPPOSED. Amity Man Says Party's Administra tion Ruined Him. AMITY. Or.. Nov. 4. To The Editor. Being born a Democrat in the year of our Lord 1849. I have lived under the reign of at least three Democratic Presidents whose administration of af fairs are facts so well impressed that I shall not forget them, at least while memory lasts. Under Buchanan's administration, from 1857 to '61. we passed the great est financial depression in our history as a nation. Corn delivered at the mar ket sold for 1214 cents per bushel. Eggs brought from 3 to 5 cents per dozen, when you could find a buyer. In Indiana coon skins were said to be legal tender. Coffee was a luxury that the common people could not afford, and was substituted with parched wheat. The banks went busted and' busted the country. During the Cleveland administration I lost all, which included 400 acres of land and several thousand dollars, not to speak of a mine I - was offered $40,000 for. and that with an indebt edness of not to exceed 15 cents on the dollar, and the saddest thing about the times was that I was not the only man that lost all. during that memor able epoch. Six months after McKin ley took his seat as President. 160 acres of the land I sold to get my pa per brought $1000 more than all I owed. Hundreds of men. and they were the best of business men, had the same experience. Why is it that an Englishman, or a German, is safe in Mexico, and an American cannot go -there at all? Does Democracy protect its subjects? Why is it that financial depression always follows the election of a Democratic President and Congress? Financial ruin is the answer. Vot for Hushes, and save your country. J. S. RHOADS. PLEA MADE FOR THE BREWERIES Correspondent Says Measure In Aid of Curtailing; Imports. PORTLAND, Nov. 4. (To the Edi tor.) As The Oregonian so far has not taken strong sides either for or against prohibition, but is an advocate of tem perance, and seems willing to devote its valuable space Impartially to both sides of the question. 1 hope I can prevail upon you to print my view. As I understand it. the Oregon brew er wants the right to manufacture beer and to sell it under the same identical condition to the consumer as beer now is Imported into the state. That, to my mind. Is the only issue. Why should they want the right to sell whisky or alcohol, which they do not manufacture? There are thousands of people in Oregon who prefer beer that cannot afford to have beer shipped Into Oregon from California on account of the heavy expense, and are now get ting whisky. Why should these people be deprived of the opportunity to get what they want, at reasonable rates, at home? We had a slogan here once about patronizing goods made in Oregon. Has that been forgotten? The hop Industry must be in a bad way. for I noticed in sonic pamphlet I read considerable of this year's crop of hops is not picked. All you true Oregonians get together and pull for Oregon Industries to bring Orescoii back to its own. You have started well Into the shipbuilding lino. Now bring back the breweries with their payrolls. W. R. McCURDY. ONE PAPER QUICKLY COHRECTS California Paper Advises Others to Do Same In Hughes Falsehood. CORVALLIS. Or.. Nov. 4. (To the Editor.) Hughes did not declare in favor of the repeal of the La Follette Shipping Law and the entire Wilson legislative programme in his Milwau kee speech, wired the Chicago Tribune to the Sacramento Bee some time near the first of October. Although the Bee is not supporting Hughes, it readily discerned the Improbability of anyono in his right senses, much less Charles Evans Hughes, whom it recognizes as a remarkably intelligent and right-minded American, saying anything so ab surd, so at once wired to the Chicago Tribune asking whether Hughes had said he favored the repent of the La Follette shipping law. the ship purchase law and the entire Administration pro gramme. The answer was succinct and categorical, substantially as follows: Hughes did not say he- favored the repeal of the La Follette Shipping Law. He did declare In favor of the repeal of'the. ship purchase law. He did not declare in favor of the re peal of the entire Wilson Administra tion legislative accomplishments. The Bee further tays. immediately following the report of the Tribune's wire, that those papers that have been giving out this unjust report ought to have the good grace not only to cease doing so. but to explain that the re ports are not true. I voted for Wilson once, but that has not blunted my sense of fair plav. FARMER. LOSS Of VOTE IS CRITICISED Teacher Says Educators Are Discrimi nated Against. HARR1SBURG. Or.. Nov. 4. (To the Editor.) It seems to have escaped the notice of the press of the state, and possibly cf the members of the Legis lature themselves, that the last legis lature practically disfranchised a laio number of the teachers of the Stat In passing the law to lessen the num ber of holidays for schools, election day was included, so that schools are no longer permitted to close except where the building Is used for election purposes. Possibly a third of the teachers of the state are teaching in districts away from their homes, and many will be unable to vote, as thty cannot teach and get home to vote. Possibly no class of voters are as Independent in voting and vote from conviction an, a hi-rh sense of citizen ship as do the educators of the state. At any rate, the making of future citi zens for good or bad is very largely in the hands of the teachers of tho state, hence it would seem but fit and proper that the instructors of voters have the privilege of voting. I approve the action of the Legisla ture in reducing the number of holi days. There had been too many. One qannot help but wonder why tho schools only were singled out. Why are the state, county and local officials, wh- hold tho strictly political posi tions, not also included? If one con siders the service rendered the state in proportion to the compensation given, nre not the teachers as deserving pub lic servn-nts as nre the politicians? A TEACH HP. WHO DOES NOT LOSE HIS VOTL. OPPOSES SUNDAY LAW REPEAL Asks Voters to Prevent Deneerntion of Lord's Day. PORTLAND, Nov. 4 (To the Edi tor.) To the loyal citizens of Orcein: A bill to repeal the Sunday law of Oregon will be on the November ballot It originated with an association of small retail dealers. The "argument" in its favor in the voters circular is both false and fallacious, having but little bearing on the real issue. The petition to put it on the ballot was no doubt signed by persons uninformed or misinformed as to the real import of the bill. The plea utterly Isnoros the rights of the toiler to his regular weekly rest and the richt of the wor shiper to protection from annoyanco on the Lord's Day. Every unbiased intelligent citizen knows the demoral izing effect of a "wide-open Sunday" on any community. Christian civili zation can make no real procress with out a proper observance of the Sib bath. Social bondage and religious superstition always follow its profansw tion. This condition was verified in the history of Israel. (Read thought fully the 20th chapter of Ezekiel.) "I tremble for my country as I behold its desecration of the Lord's day. God changeth not, and His law is not re pealed." Exodus. 20:8-11. Our state law- makes provision for all acts of necessity on the Lord's Da v.. and interferes with the just rights of no citizen or alien. J. IT. LEIPER. Secretary Northwest Sunday School Association. Working Hours Kedm-c-d. CENTRAL! A. Wash.. Nov. 5. (Spe cial.) The Walville Lumber Companv has reduced its working days from 10 to 9 hours. The move was made on account ot the -shortening -lays. j