12
THE MORNING OREGONIAN, THURSDAY DECEMBER 21, 1916.
POKTtAND. OREGON.
Entered at Portland (Oregon) Fostofflce as
second'Claaa mall matter.
Subscription rates Invariably In .advance.
(By Mall.)
ra!ly. Sunday Included, one year ... ff?
Dally. Sunday Included, six months,
Dally, Sundav Included, three monChs
Daily, Sunday Included, one month -5
Dally, without Sunday, one year O.w
Iaily, without Sunday, three monttaa ... !'
Dally, without Sunday, one month .j"
Weekly, one year ............... Jrn
Sunday, one year ................ -Jr
bunilay and Weekly '"
(By Carrier.)
Pally. Sunday includled. one year 9.00
Dally. Sunday Included, one month ..... . 3
How to Remit Send postoftlce money
rder. expret ordr or personal check on
your local bank. Stamps, coin or currency
are at sender's risk. Give postoftlce address
In full. Including county and state.
Postase Rates 12 to, 16 pages. 1 cent: 18
to 2 pages, 2 cents; 34 to 48 pages. 3 cents;
M to pages. 4 cents 62 to 78 pages, o
rents; 78 to S2 pages, 6 cent. Foreign post
age, double rates.
Eantern Business Office Verre & Conk
lln, Brunswick building. New York; Verree
Sc Conklln, Slenser building, Chicago. ban
Kranclsco representative, R. J. Bid well. i&
Market street.
rOKTLAXD. THXBRSDAY. DEC. tU 11.
LET WAB I9SCES BE DEFINED.
The reception given by the entente
powers to the central powers' pro
posal for a peaoo conference Is not,
judged by first Impressions, encour
aging. With one accord they reaf
firm their former assertions of the
principles for which they are fighting.
They express confidence in their
ability to make those principles tri
umphant. They express distrust of
the sincerity of their enemies' pro
fessed desire for peace. They sup
port these declarations by voting
more money, raising more armies,
drawing still further on N their re
sources and reorganizing their gov
ernments for more effective prosecu
tion of the war.
But first impressions may -be mis
leading in this case, as they have
often been In other cases. The con
tending alliances have hitherto stat
ed their purposes in general terms.
The proposal for a conference will
tend to bring them down to particu
lars. , Mr. Lloyd George says that the
allies will not decide for or against a
conference until they "hear what
terms and guaranties the German
government offers." Germany has
probably foreseen a reqyiest that, be
fore the allies consent to a confer
ence, they be Informed what basis of
agreement the central powers are
prepared to propose, and may be pre
pared to define this basis. When Im
parting this Information to the enemy.
Germany would ask, and establish a
right to receive, like Information
from him. Each would then know
more definitely "where the other
stood. Each would realize-that. If it
should elect to continue the war
rather than accept the terms which
could be arranged now, it would risk
defeat and the exaction of more on
erous terms later. Contemplation of
this risk will act as a check on the
natural disposition to Include in the
first definition of terms demands
which the present situation does not
Justify and which the other party
would grant only if overpowered be
yond denial.
"
The German Chancellor's boast of
victory ana tne ivaiser uie:ago w
his troops that he had proposed peace
in the "full consciousness of victory"
are taken by some newspapers as
signs that Germany approaches the
subject of peace with the air of a con
queror. Like unfavorable comment
might be made on the allies' self
gratulation on the conquest of the
German colonies, destruction of Ger
man commerce, blockade of the Ger
man coast and the privations to which
It has subjected the German people;
also on their boasts of having won su
periority in men and - war material.
It Is to be expected that "before Stat
ing their terms, each will make the
most of the points in its favor, and
put on a brave front.
The central power are suspected
In some quarters of having made
their proposal for the purpose of in
fluencing public opinion among their
own people, among enemy nations
and among neutrals. They are sus
pected of a desire to steel the hearts
of their own people for greater sacri
fices by obtaining proof that their
national Integrity and independence
are at stake, In the expectation that
such proof would win the sympathy of
many among neutrals. and would
strengthen the peace party in the
countries of the entente. But if the
entente powers can show their aims
to be fully consistent with the high
principles which they profess and not
to Include designs on the integrity of
any nation, they have nothing to fear
from enlightenment of the public in
all countries. The time has come for
a statement of the manner In which
they propose to apply their principles.
The allies proclaim that they fight
for the Independence and integrity of
small nations; for the right of each
nation to work out Its own destiny.
Does this mean that they would an
nex the Serb population of Hungary
to Serbia; Transylvania to Roumania
Galicia, Posen and West Prussia to a
restored Poland? If that be their
purpose, and if they can make a good
case, it will win support for them
among the people affected and in
neutral countries. There has been
little concealment of a desire to wipe
out the Turkish e.mpire. That event
would cause little sorrow In the clvl
llzed world; but what do they propose
to do with the territory In question?
It has been announced that Russia Is
to have Constantinople, and presum
ably the adjoining country, but what
of the rest? Bad as the Turks are,
they are a nation and have a right to
a national existence, though no other
nation should be under their rule.
Would the allies put them on a sort
of reservation In Asia and carve up
the rest of Turkey among them?
The allies express their determina
tion to destroy the domination of the
Prussian military caste, which, they
say, has bullied Europe and forced
other nations to maintain great
armies. This has been construed In
Germany to mean the destruction of
Germany. If they mean only to de
stroy the power of the ruling class,
why not enlighten the German people
by saving so? If they have no desire
to destroy Germany as a great, inde
pendent nation, or to cramp its self
development, they can, by making
their purpose plain, add much
strength to the peace party In Ger
many. If the dominance of a mlli
tary oligarchy be the chief obstacle
to peace, many Germans would re
fuse to suffer further for its sake.
There has been too much censor
ing of opinion, too much suppression
of truth, In all belligerent countries.
It has prevented, or seriously restrict
ed discussion of the very questions
which we have raised. Even where
such discussion couid not be prevent-
ed by official censors as being "calcu
lated to give aid to the enemy," there
has been a disposition to discourage
it as likely to cause disunion and to
supply the enemy with arguments for
continuing the war. Neutral coun
tries are the great open forums for
discussion of the Issues at stake in the
war. A clearer definition of terms,
as a preliminary to a peace confer
ence, though it should not now lead
to a conference, would be of great
value to the cause of peace, provided
all the documents were freely pub
lished In all belligerent countries. It
should clear the air of some misun
derstandings which are always a
hindrance to peace. ?
It Is slgnlf leant that several of the
great pro-ally newspapers of the
East showed far more disposition to
credit Germany with sincerity when
its willingness to join in limitation of
armaments and in a league to en
force peace was announced. The
former proposal was rejected by Ger
many at The Hague and Is not likely
to be accepted from that quarter un
til bitterness and distrust have much
abated. The allies may object that
vindication of the principles for
which they are fighting is a necessity
before they can enter into any agree
ment to prevent future wars, but that
implies a desire, after having ar
ranged matters to their liking, to pre
vent that arrangement from being
disturbed. If they should be so com
pletely successful as to force their
enemies Into such an arrangement,
the latter would feel justified In vio
lating it at the first opportunity. No
such arrangement could be permanent
If founded on total overthrow of one
party to the war.
The United States and other neutral
countries have far more than the
academic interest of disinterested
parties In restoration of peace.
Though they gain in - many ways by
the sufferings of their neighbors
enormously in the case of this Na
tion they lose at many points, and
those who look only a short distance
Into the future foresee that the loss
they must ultimately bear will far
outweigh any temporary gain. Presi
dent Wilson voiced the opinion of
many when he said that this country
would not be able to keep out of the
next great war. If this war should be
followed by another. For that rea
son, we have an Interest in ending this
war so that there shall not be an
other. If the present slaughter
should be continued for two or three
years, the white race may be re
duced to such a position of Inferiority
that It might be overwhelmed by the
hordes of Asia whenever some mod
ern Tamerlane should organize them
on modern lines. Americans would
not shirk, but do not desire, the duty
of being the last bulwark of Occiden
tal civilization.
THE PEOPLE AND THE MA YOB-ELECT .
The Oregonlan had a little article
the other day on the recent remark
able city election at Astoria, cul
minating in the sweeping victory of
the highly ornate and always pictur
esque F. C. Harley for Mayor. To
the impartial, but Interested, view of
the outsider. It seemed that the tri
umph of Mr. Harley was, in part at
least, a grateful appreciation of his
service In procuring, or attempting to
procure, for the Lower Columbia the
much-desired United States naval
base.
The Oregonlan is now assured from
private- sources that matters of Na
tional concern had no real bearing on
the campaign, but that Mr. , Harley
was elected by the "open-town" ele
ment. In proof there Is submitted a ver
batim report of an address made by
Mayor-elect Harley the other night.
before a mass meeting of his friends
and supporters, which may be fitly
described as "rousing." It Is offered
as an outspoken revealment of the
Harley method and the Harley pur
pose.
The speech seems to have been re
garded as of high importance in As
toria, for it is given front-page posi
tion, next to the war news and Lloyd
George, in the Daily Astorian. An
examination of its text which
seems to have been faithfully
transcribed from the Harley ut
terance with certain characteristic
grammatical Infelicities, shows that
the Mayor-elect alluded to his late
opponent as the "rough-neck candi
date." The new Mayor was for the
"public market without any strings."
He was for a "public landing for fish
boats." He was for a "municipal
band to play once a week in the
streets and every Sunday In the
parks." He was for "a public bath
bouse." And. said the Mayor-elect
fervidly, "there'll be a policeman in
the water all the time to keep the
kids from being drowned." .The po
lice would not be allowed to arrest
any little boys.
"If." continued" the enthusiastic
Harley, amidst a roar of rapturous
applause, "if a man is arrested for
intoxication and the officer don't take
him home to his family, but takes
him to Jail, then the officer had bet
ter look for another job there and
then." We assume, of course, that
the promise of solicitous and tender
police protection to befuddled citi
zens was intended more in the nature
of polite reassurance than as a dec
laration of policy; for how can there
be any such thing as Intoxication In
an extra-dry town like Astoria?
The fire department, promised Mr.
Harley, will have new uniforms; and
"there's something else that's too
delicate to discuss before the ladies.
We'll give the people what they
want." We confess we do not under
stand this mysterious reference of the
cautious Mayor-elect. Perhaps It Is
as well that we should not.
Now comes the reference which ap
pears to have stirred Astoria from
sea wall to water works:
The minute the red flag shows that
means get ready, for we are going to march
down the street in a body to teach some
of these soreheads that they got to respect
the workingman's conditions. 1 don't care
for myself. I don't think they got the
nerve to come out against the majority 1
got. Hut just let them start to choke off
something you want like with an injunc
tion. That's the way they try it. And if
you stand for that sort of brow-beating 1
don't want to be your Mayor. 1 don't want
to live here even. ,
Your Mayor will head the parade and
we'll march down the street howling and
roaring like lions, and teach the soreheads
the people have got to be respected.
One can easily surmise that the
sovereign people of Astoria, who gave
Mr. Harley a vote of three to one
1800 to 600 are going to get what
they voted for. If they do not. It
wlU be because he doesn't know what
they want.
In the days of railroad construction
In the West, the foremen on the
grade, who knew a thing or two about
the practical side of feeding men,
were wont to tell the cooks to "use
plenty of molasses; It saves on the
meat bills." This homely principle
Is now recognized officially by the
United States Department of Agricul-
ture in a bulletin in which housewives
are urged to make free use of
molasses and syrups in the family
cooking. It is asserted that in a 10
cent can of molasses there are eight
and a quarter times as much heat
and energy as in 10 cents' worth of
fresh beef, two and two-thirds as
much as in 10 cents' worth of butter.
two and three-fourths as much as in
bacon costing the same, ten
and one-third times as much as In
10 cents worth of eggs, five times as
much as In 10 cents' worth of ham.
and nearly twice as much as in an
equivalent amount of cereal and
cream. Syrups are not urged as a
complete substitute, or as a single
article of diet, but as a "satisfying"
article of food and a producer of
energy, and as a measure of "keeping
down the meat bills."
SNEERING AT THE MOTH KK3.
Why these efforts to get the Oregon
Guardsmen home from the border? We
have a good battery and a good cavalry
troop down on the boundary line, where
they are needed because of troubled condi
tions in Mexico. But at the request of Port
land citizens Congressman McArthur has
been begging the War Department to send
the Oregon boys home. The Oregonlan has
been trying to help out in this ignoble
cause.
Is there not something discordant be
tween Oregon's alleged valor on election day
and the sudden home-and-mother spirit that
seems to have overtaken some of our peo
ple? Pendleton. East Oregonlan (Don.).
Only two newspapers In Oregon
one at Pendleton and another at
Portland are protesting against the
return of the Oregon boys from the
border. Only two these same twain
have sneered at the natural and
Irrepressible longing of the boys for
home and have made a Jest and a
jeer of the cry of the mothers to
take their absent sons once more In
their arms.
Not long ago we heard from these
same voices that Mexico was none
of our business and ought to be left
to welter In Its own blood, and there
was vehement and abusive protest
against Intervention and incessant de
mand that our boys be kept at home.
Do you want your boy to go a-sol-dlering,
it was loudly asked, and have
him slain by Mexicans and leave his
bones to bleach and rot under the
Mexican sun? But now there Is a
strange ' and contemptuous Indiffer
ence to his fate. Why is it?
Meanwhile, It is keenly realized in
Oregon and everywhere that the
United States Government is requir
ing of volunteers service which ought
to be performed by the regular Army.
If it be replied that the regular Army
Is not equal to the emergency. It may
well be asked why It Is not?
PASSING OP THE PATRIARCHS.
The mortuary column of The Ore
gonlan contained yesterday an un
usual number of familiar names, all
passengers of the Great Ferryman,
and several of them old-time resi
dents of the state. The biblical limit
of a useful life Is seventy years; but
the record of a single day In Port
land suggests that the Inspired au
thority wrote of another period and
another continent.
There was one on the roll who had
reached the unusual age of 9 3 years
and 10 ' months, and he ha'd retained
his faculties and vigor to the last,
except that he had been crlpspled by
an accident; and another had passed
In the ripe maturity of his mental
powers at, 8 7 years. A pioneer of
1852 had joined the Innumerable
caravan at . 76, and others closed the
page at tie respective limits" of 82
years, 72 years and 69 years.
A few years ago a venerable mother
died In Oregon at 119 years, and
a" year ago a well-known pioneer
preacher said farewell at 98 years.
There have been several cases of
longevity exceeding 100 years, and
there are men active In business and
affairs today who have passed the
eightieth milestone.
It Is said that men and women live
longer than formerly. We have some
extraordinary biblical statements to
confound this assumption; but cer
tain it is that the average man and
the average woman live longer than
the same average man and woman
lived a few years ago. (We expect
the grammarians to find fault with
the latter assertion; but let it stand.
Its meaning Is plain.) If one might
be betrayed Into the old joke that
life now merely seems longer, the re
tort may be offered that there are more
Interesting and vital things In the
world now, making life worth living,
than ever.
FKEE BPEKCII.
An interesting controversy over the
right of free speech is engaging the
courts of Connecticut and promises
to be taken to the highest court in
the land. That it arose in the course
of a "wet" and "dry" contest is only
incidental to the main question, al
though this accounts In some meas
ure for the bitterness that has entered
into It, while the fact that the state
found it necessary to Invoke a statute
enacted, in 1642 and therefore com
monly called a "blue law" lends fur
ther interest to the case. The de
fendant Is on trial for the crime of
blasphemy committed in a public
place.
It seems that In a corner of the
town of Waterbury, populated by
about 10,000 Lithuanians, a fight be
tween the church attended by some
of the' Lithuanians and the defend
ers of the saloon had been raging for
some time. The Free Thinkers' Al
liance entered the figh and sent to
Waterbury a Lithuanian lecturer
named Mockus. In the third of three
speeches this lecturer spoke , the
words upon which the charges against
him are based. Some of them are
not printable. Among the mildest of
his assertions was one that "God Is
a liar"; another was that "this teach
lng of -Jesus Is only good for thieves
and robbers." Mockus was once con
victed by a jury and appealed his
case. On another trial, the jury
stood eleven for conviction to one
for acquittal. This jury was com
posed of eight, men of no church affiliations,-
two Episcopalians, one
Methodist and one Catholic.
Mockus, ' as was to have been ex
pected, made a militant witness In his
own defense. As to the statement
that "God Is a liar." ho quoted from
Genesis: "But of the tree of knowl
edge of good and evil, thou shalt not
eat of it; for in the day that thou
eatest of it, thou shalt- surely die."
Curiously enough, he disclaimed au
thority for the statement on his own
account by asserting that "God inspired
the writing of the Bible, so that the
statement therein must be his." Ex
plaining his statement tha "this
teaching Is only good for thieves and
robbers," he read from St. Luke,
chapter 6, verso 30: "Give to every
man that asketb of thee; and of him
that taketh away thy cloak, forbid
not to take thy coat also." There was
more of this.. The testimony em
braced the substance of a lecture four
hours long.
Another remarkable feature of the
case was the character of the forces
that rallied to the support of Mockus.
The Free Thought Alliance retained
one of Waterburys leading attorneys
and also employed a New York law
yer, expert in free speech litigation
and secretary of the Free Speech
League, of which at one time, if not
at present. Brand Whltlock, Norman
Hapgood, Bolton Hall and other note
worthy men were members. So that
the controversy eventually took the
outward form, at least, of an effort
to defend the right of "free speech,"
and the specific kind 'of free speech
was lost to eight In greater or less
degree. Upon an Issue of obscenity,
or of plain disorderly conduct In a
place of public assemblage, or upon
some other ground, Mockus would
have appeared less a martyr and
more a merely vulgar person, who
ought not to be able to win a hear
ing in an orderly and respectable
community. As has been said, some
of his language was unprintable. But
the forces of "free speech" having
rallied to the standard, there was
laid the foundation of a cause celebre.
If the case Is sent back for another
trial and Mockus Is convicted In the
state courts, the celebrated lawyers
who have been retained are going to
earn their fees by going to the Unit
ed States Supreme CoQrt at Washing
ton. It Is to be doubted that free speech
has anything worth while to gain
from espousing the cause of black
guards. There are ways In which
theological questions can be dis
cussed, even between believers
and so-called unbelievers, that do not
offend the common decencies. It Is
strange how Jealous these offenders
against the proprieties are of their
"rights," and how they constantly
confound liberty with license. It Is
Interesting that Mockus came from
a country in which not even a small
part of the liberty of speech that Is
the prerogative of every man In
America was granted to him, and
that he is not yet satisfied with, his
freedom. Free speech would not be
set back a fractional part of time if
men like Mockus were punished as
common nuisances.
A SEA-LEVEL CANAL NEXT.
There Is so wide a margin between
the size proposed for the new battle
ships and the capacity of the Panama
Canal locks that, at firs sight, there
seems to be no danger that ships
will ever reach the limit. But com
parison shows displacement to have
grown so rapidly that It may . before
many years exceed the limit of 70,000
tons which the locks can accommo
date. In 1896 the keels were laid for sev
eral battleships of about 11,500 tons,
and In 1903 we advanced to 16,000
tons with the Connecticut. But
these were pre-dreadnoughts. When
the building of that type began, we
advanced to the Delaware of 20,000
tons in 1907, the Florida of 21,825
tons in 1909 and the Nevada of 27,500
tons in 1912. The 30,000 mark was
passed In 1915 with the Idaho and
Mississippi, of 32,000 tons, and now
we are to advance at one leap to 42,-
600 tons with the ships to be author
ized at this" session of Congress. Thus
the size of battleships has doubled in
nine years, xz it snould double again,
the vessels would not be able to use
the canal.
The danger of being cramped by
sucn limitations in the future would
cause the Government to think twice
before it merely enlarged the locks.
The canal was built mainly as a meas
ure of defense, that our warships
might pass quickly from coast to
coast. Congress would not be dis
posed to expend large sums In enlarg
ing the locks with the risk that again
at some time we might lose much ser
vice from our biggest ships because
tney had again outgrown the capa
city or the locks. It would be more
likely to sweep away all limitations
of the kind by lowering tho entire
canal to sea-level. Our experience
with dredging and steam-shoveling
nas made this a less appalling -task
toan it seemed ten years ago.
Investigators of the lynching of a
negro at Abbeyville, S. C, some weeks
ago have brought out the fact that
the affair was as unprovoked and
outrageous an example of pure mob
spirit as has occurred in many years.
and the fact that the changing indus
trial situation In the North has made
new opportunities for southern ne
groes has played some part. It Is
probably not unfair, to say. In giving
an exceptionally wide hearing to the
report of the inquiry. The press of
the state is almost unanimous in the
demand that the perpetrators be
brought to Justice, the Governor has
announced that the power of the
state will be exercised to the fullest
extent and the law-abiding citizens of
Abbeyville have overruled the mob
decree 'that the sons of the man who
was lynched shall leave the county
and abandon their property immedi
ately. These citizens are determined
that the law shall be upheld even if
Federal aid Is necessary. With the
people themselves aroused, there Is
a good chance of putting an end to
lynching, but It will not come In, any
oiner way.
Only 16 years ago Lloyd George was
me most Diner opponent or Joseph
Chamberlain because of the war. Now
he takes the same man's son Into the
team which is fighting a war compared
witn wnicn the isoer war resembles
skirmish.
The Japanese Is Just as human as
the white, yet It seems a sillv srtinn
when one commits suicide on being
Jilted In love. That is a prerogative
or tne dominant race.
A 19-year-old wife has turned her
17-year-old husband back to the Juve
nile Court to ripen. It is marriages
of this kind that make a mockery of
me institution.
Mall your packages early In the
day. Naturally, a postofflce clerk Is
In better humor at that time; at any
rate, tne people in line behind you are.
Train robbery as an Industry In
Oklahoma has given way to looting
or banks by auto robbers. The un
derworld is speeding up.
Nothing can exceed the pleasure en
joyed by the young couple in theli
first Christmas tree for the baby.
Every ship will look like that Ger
man raider to skippers on the Atlan
tic for the next few weeks.
That, hovrntf rtrt r-ta 1a Inn ( .-T,
lng. The women folks are too busy
I
Billy Sunday's reverse English
makes Boston go wetter than usual.
Possible sunshine today, the shortest
of the year.
Stars and Starmakers
By Leose Cass Ban.
WILL someone please tell ma what
has become of the old-fashioned
actress who was always knitting socks
for the boys In the trenches?
m
Actress, being Interviewed, saya she
has never had time to be tempted."
It's none of my business, of course, but
why doesn't she get on an eight-hour
scale and find time?
e
Florence Horst has divorced her hus
band and stage partner, who Is one and
the same chap, Rudolph Horst.
e
Kitty Reed, known as the angel of
mercy at the San Francisco Relief
Home, and widow of Charles Reed,
pioneer minstrel man of California,
died last week. She was past 60 and
has nursed and cared for old folk in
San Francisco's poorhouse for the last
18 years. Her husband had a National
reputation as a minstrel man and old
timers In San Francisco theatricals re
member him at the old California and
Bush-street theaters.
Anna Marble (Mrs. Channlng Pollock)
has written a new playlet. "If I Had
Married You," which will be produced
In vaudeville by Arthur Maltland. Miss
Marble Is also the author of "Pat and
the Genii," which played the Orpbeum
Circuit several times, and "In Old
Eden," In which her cousin. Mary Mar
ble, and Sam Chip were featured a
few seasons ago.
Colonel William Withers, composer
and musical director, died Tuesday In
New York, at the Home for Incurables.
In which institution he had been an In
mate for a number of years. Colonel
Withers was the leader of tho orches
tra In. Ford's Theater, Washington, D.
C. on the night Abraham Lincoln was
shot. It is said he was stabbed in the
neck by Booth, the assassin. Colonel
Withers was 80 years old and Is sur
vived by a sister.
Nora Bayes Is going to have an en
tertainment all by herself and has
rented the Eltlnge Theater In New
York for Christmas eve. Her enter
tainment will consist of two hours of
song by Nora Bayes. and all the profit
or loss is to be Nora Bayes.
From Paris comes chatter about the
large amounts of coin Mary Garden Is
spending on her lingerie, and the hub-
bub it's raising In the press. The se
cret was revealed by an order of a
Paris court, and all the editorial wri
ters took a fling at poor Mary's lace
frills and openwork fripperies. On the
day before her departure for America
Miss Garden was ordered to turn over
her lingerie, valued at $5000, to a
board of experts for appraisal.
This action was taken because the
singer is being sued for $3500 by a
Parisian underwear concern. She la
said to have obtained $5000 worth of
the lacy things and to have paid only
$1500 on account.
"One must be lacking In all decency
to cover one's flesh with priceless laces
at a moment when women and children
are suffering from hunger and cold."
says La Batallle. Because It cost $5000
Is why It's lingerie. The little one-
piece lisle thread sort, at $1.60 a
throw, and the torchon lace-trimmed
sort are merely underwear.
Verily, this romance stuff Isn't dead.
nor is It Bleeping. From an exchange
I cull the following, a pretty little Idea
all by itself:
"On September $ E. L. Goff was post
ing an eight-sheet for Ed Ferguson's
Shows on a barn In Marsh Held. Mo.,
when he saw written on the date, "Miss
Luella Steffy,' and her address In Kan
sas City. Goff wrote and received an
answer ten days later In Pacific. Mo.
which happened to be the closing stand
of the season. Cards were soon out
announcing the marriage of the couple
on Thanksgiving day."
Hassard Short has been added to the
company that' will support Francis
Wilson in "The Laushter of Fools,
the comedy soon to be produced by the
Charles Frohman Company by arrange
ment with David Belasco. Mr. Short
was seen recently with Cyril Maude In
"The Basker." Another member of
Mr. Wilson's company will be Eve Le
Galllenne, recently seen In "Mr. 'Laza
rus." In "The Laughter of Fools" Miss
Le Galllenne will play the part she
originated in London.
Ray Cox, you remember, who had
the aviation act and topllned the Or-
pheum hern two years ago. Is having
an awful time of It In London. Her
new act Is one in which she takes her
first riding lesson on an old, decrepit
horse and Sew Yorkers who saw It say
It Is funnier even than the airship one.
But over in London, where Ray Is the
feature of the Hippodrome Revue, the
court of Justice can't see why she
should mind at all, don't you know. If
an English music hall chap copies her
act and presents It word for word In a
hall across the street from the Hip.
Miss Cox tried inducing the court to
restrain the correct Imitator, one Fred
Glnnett, charging that he had imitated
her copyrighted act, even to the small
est detail of lines and business.
She failed, however, to obtain any
satisfaction from the court.
An account says that Justice Hor
ridge seemed to be puzzled and asked
Barrister Hastings, who represented
Miss , Cox, to define more closely the
cause of the action, saying that he did
not want to try the case for the pur
pose of letting the public know the re
spective merits of tho two perform
ances. .
"I am not going to have this court
used for advertising purposes unless I
see that there is some real question,"
said the Judge.
. Mr. Hastings satisfied the Judge on
this point.
Miss Cox gave evidence. In America
she received a salary of $1000 a week.
"They've more money in that country."
said Marshall Hall. "They've got all
their own and ours, too."
Mr. Ginnett said that most of the
Jokes employed by Miss Cox had been
the same, more or less, for 100 years,
and that Miss Cox' sketch was an Imi
tation of his. and he asked for an in
junction against her.
The case was adjourned.
Frederick F. Proctor, Jr., son of the
theatrical manager, and himself In the
theatrical business, is being sued by
his wife for absolute divorce. . But the
papers are sealed and we can't learn
the dirt they're dishing out. Anyway,
it seems there's another lady men
tioned. There always Is. As vice-president
and secretary-treasurer of F. F.
Proctor, Inc., it is said Proctor's yearly
Income Is more than $30,000.
LET COXVICTS I'.NLOCK OWN GATE
Man With Experience Says Partiality
Is Chief Cause of Bitterness.
CORBETT, Or- Dec. 19. (To the Edi
tor. Judge Belt, of the Twelfth Ju
dicial District, objects to the present
Indeterminate sentence law on the
grounds that It places the time that a
convicted person must serve in prison
wholly "in the whim and caprice of
three members of the Parole Board."
an objection which experience has
taught me Is a valid one. But with
all due respect to the Judge. who
should bear -in mind all Judges are
not so fair and well balanced as the
la How much more objectionable Is
a law that places the power of say
ing how long a convicted person must
remain' In prison wholly at the whim
and caprice of one man?
I have ben In that seething caul
dron where the indeterminate sentence
law and executive clemency were
being administered at the behest of
whim and caprice, and the Judge Is
correct in his surmise that most of the
dissension, unrest and dissatisfaction
in prison come from such administra
tion. All mankind wants an even chance.
All mankind admires a square deal.
Nothing creates rebellion, whether it
be in the family, school or prison, like
partiality. '
I have known some prisoners to re
ceive two or more paroles while others
were denied any parole whatever.
I have known those who were doing
their third term In prison to be paroled
or to receive a conditional pardon
while such was denied to men In prison
ror the first time.
1 have known prisoners to be paroled
or to receive a conditional pardon be
fore the expiration of their minimum,
while others could not get a parole
when their minimum was served,
though their prison record was good.
I have known men with a bad prison
record released when those with a
good record were. not.
I knew one prisoner received with
a death sentence over him to have his
sentence commuted to life and then be
pardoned after-serving less time than
others doing a sentence 'of one to ten
or one to fifteen years.
I have a record of the cases and can
name them.
But why should the time a convloted
person must stay In prison depend on
any one but himself? I have given a
good deal of thought to tho subject,
both while In and out of prison; have
read all I could on the subject, have
more than 100 reports qf various pris
ons and prison societies in my posses
slon at present, and have come to this
conclusion:
Let the Warden say to the new ar
rival what the good monk said to
George Gordon In "Castaway": "What
you have been is nothing to us here. 1
do not know your past. I do not want
to know It. Your minimum sentence Is
so and so. There is the prison gate.
You have the key to It. If at the ex
piration of your minimum sentence
your prison record Is good, all the
demons In the lower regions cannot
keep you here. You will get your pa
role. On the other hand courts ex
cepted all the friends you have In
Christendom cannot get you out be
fore. You are on your own merits;
now go to it: unlock the gate. I will
keep your record."
My observation was that profession
al lawbreakers opposed the indeter
minate sentence, while others favored
it. The most Important thing about a
prison is the kind of men in charge.
SYLVESTER E. EVANS.
NO ACTION O.V TUNNEL. PROJECT
Hillsdale Community Clnb lias Done No
' More Than Discuss It.
HILLSDALE. Or.. Dec. 20. (To the
Editor.) A number of articles have
appeared in the papers recently about
the residents of districts west of the
city wanting a tunnel through the hills.
The Imprewlon has been made that the
Hillsdale Community Club Is heartily
in favor of such a project. While the
subject has been discussed, no action
has been taken, either for or against it.
Mr. Henry E. Dosch, the president,
is decidedly opposed to such an under
taking at this time. Most of the prop
erty owners in the district personally
do not deem It urgent and are opposed
to putting It through on a local bond
Issue, an they are paying their share
for similar projects In other districts
and think this should be paid with a
general tax also.
The Hillsboro Highway, which Is un
der way in Washington County and
will be part of Multnomah County
Spring work, will solve the problem of
heavy grades between the Tualatin
Basin and Portland. There will be no
grade heavier than 4 per cent on this
road, which will eventually be part of
the fitate Highway system.
H1LDEGARDK PLUMMER.
Secretary Hillsdale Community Club.
CnRISTMAS.
Lov'd ones, have ydu heard the story
Of that Christmas long ago.
When old Earth to meet the Saviour
Donn'd her robes of whitest snow?
Far away In distant Beth'lem
When the pale Night kissed tho Morn
With a Star of peaceful off'rlng,
Christ, the wond'roua Babe was born.
In the stable was no cradle,
Mary laid Him In a stall.
While the angels sang In chorus.
"Peace on earth, good will to all."
Thus, as long as time is reckoned.
By the yule log's blazing light
Shall be told the old, old estory
Of that first sweet Christmas 'nlht.
MAY S1IAUGHNESSY HAYES.
Minister Speeaka for Oscar I. and.
SALEM. Or., Dec. 20. (To the Ed
itor.) I need not say It Is a great
surprise that the name of Oscar Lund,
as he was known here, could be asso
ciated with any crime, to sny nothing
of the crime of murder. During his
three or four years' student life in
Salem he was known as one of the
most amiable, manly and exemplary of
the student body, welcome In the best
homes and always associated with the
best people.
That Oscar could have any acquain
tance with that class of men. to say
nothing of such a crime. Is so remote
that no one who knew him could take
It seriously. While we regret the em
barassment that must of necessity come
to Mr. Lund and his friends, we have
no doubt that he will Immediately be
able to clear himself of any suspicion
in connection with the affair.
R. N. AVISON.
Pastor First M. E. Church.
Letter to Lottery.
1LWACO. Wash.. Dec. 19. (To the
Editor.) I wish to send a letter to a
lottery in Norway, the revenue of
which goes to charity. Will mall ad
dressed to a lottery, or bearing the
word "lottery" on the envelope, be in
terfered with by the postoffice authori
ties? G. ABEL PATTERSON.
Portland postoffice officials say that
the fact that a letter was mailed to an
address which contained word "lottery"
would not be considered as Justifying
them In refusing to forward It. They
do not have the right to open letters
to determine whether they relate to
business of a lottery. If. however, they
had positive Information that the let
ter related to lottery business It would
be treated as unmallable.
Well Known.
From the New York Times.
They sat looking at her engagement
ring.
"Did your friends admire it?" be
tenderly inquired.
"They did mi than' that." she re
plied. "Three of them recognized it,"
Roumania and the Fortunes
of War.
WASHINGTON. Deo. 16 How Rou
mania has fared in times gone by
In the course of wars between her
neighbors Is strikingly shown in a
statement prepared for the National
Geographic Society by Ralph A Graves
the distinguished writer and traveler.
"For a thousand years the country
was the shuttle-cock in the game of
political battledore and shuttle-cock
staged by the rival sovereigns of
Europe Russia. Poland. Hungary,
Austria. Turkey. Once Peter the Great
established a protectorate over the
Roumanians. Then came Catherine the
Great with a plan to annex them to
Russia. Austria, afraid that such a
course meant Russian territorial ex
pansion in a direction that threatened
her. objected so vehemently that Cath
erine reconsidered and Moldavia and
Wallachla were placed. In 1774. under
the suzerainty of Turkey. In 1861 the
two principalities decided to unite
under the name of Roumania, In ac
cordance with an agreement reached
by the powers following the Crimean.
War. Their autonomy guaranteed, the
Roumanians selected an Army officer.
Colonel Alexander Cuza. as their prince,
who thereupon came Into power under
the title of Alexander John I, Prince
of Roumania.
"In 1866. the ruling element In
Bucharest decided that they wanted a
change, so they politely Invaded the
prince's bedroom one night, gave him a
certificate of abdication to sign and
announced that there was a carriage
waiting which would convey him to the
station, where he was to take the night
express for Paris. He obeyed and dis
appeared forever from public gaze.
"Thereafter, a provisional govern
ment elected the Count of Flanders,
brother to the late King Leopold of
Belgium. But Austria and the other
Powers protested so vigorously that
the act was reconsidered and Prince
Charles called; as previously stated.
When Carol assumed the throne it be
came one of his principal aims to free
his country from the suzerainty of
Turkey. When tho conflict between
Russia and Turkey was impending in
1875. he first attempted to have the
powers guarantee tho neutrality of
Roumania during the war, but they
were too busy with their own affairs
and his efforts failed.
"Then Roumania decided to enter an
agreement with Russia. This agree
ment, which is Illuminating, in th
light of present-day history, granted
free passage of Russian troops over
Roumanian soil. Russia undertaking to
respect the political rights and to de
fend the Integrity of Roumania.
"One of the first acts of Roumania
after hostilities began was to declare
her Independence of Turkey. As tho
war proceeded. Russia found herself in
aore need of help. Repeated appeals
finally brought Roumanian participa
tion and Prince Carol was given the
supreme command of the allied forces
before Plevna, where he gained a great
but costly victory. When the war ended
and Turkey and Russia entered into
the Treaty of San Stefano. It did
recognize Roumanian Independence,
although Roumania was not admitted
to the peace conference. But It also
provided that Roumania should iret the
swampy country between the Danube,
where it flows north and the Black Sea.
On the other hand. Russia was to havo
Bessarabia, territory which Roumania
claimed and a part of which she had
ocrupled.
"Roumania stood firm against the
Idea of giving up the beautiful Bes
sarabia in exchange for the unattrac
tive Dobrudja. Russia, thereupon
threatened to disarm the Roumanian
army, to which Prince Carol responded
that Russia mlarht destroy his army,
but that It could not b disarmed.
"The Congress of Berlin, which over
turned the Russo-Turkish treaty of
San Stefano. did not Interfere with
Russia's determination to force Rou
mania to accept Dobrudja In exchange
for Bessarabia and Roumania came out
with less than she had when she went
In. All she could do was to consoln
herself with Lord Beaconsf leld's remark
to her that "In politics the best serv
ices are often rewarded with Ingrati
tude." In Other Days.
Twenty-five Years Age.
From The Oresonlan Dee-ember 21. 1591.
Washington. Dec. 20. Senator Pres
ton B. Plumb, of Kansas, died here or
apoplexy today.
Seattle. Dec. 20. A romantic court
ship of two young people from Tacoma
came to a successful stage today when
Herbert Bashford and Miss Klnnle Coin
were married. Mr. Bashford is a poet.
McKee Rankin, who Is playing "Tho
Canuck" at French's Park Theater, la
at the Portland. Miss Amelia Bingham
Is in tho cast.
Sarah Ann Palmer, widow of the late
Joel Palmer, died at Dayton, In Yamhill
County, a few days ago.
May Irwin, Otis Harlan and Ignaclo
Martlnettl are among tho stars in
"Boys and Girls" at tho Marquam
Grand Theater.
Alfred Strlcklln. of Barlow's Gate,
recently rode from his home to Dufur.
a distance of SO milon, in three hours
without change of horses, to gut Dr.
Whltcomb to attend his mother, who
was taken suddenly 111.
Half a Century Ago.
From The Oregonlan December -1.
Stern & Hess have Issued announce
ments of the opening of their largo
commercial home, the Nucleus, at Mar
ket and Third streets.
L. C. Henrlchsen, who has been in
the employ of Jacob Cohen for four
years, will continue the jewelry busi
ness on tho withdrawal of Mr. Cohen.
Tho proceedings of the Idaho Legis
lature show that there are several
"Jokingers" In the House. When a
chaplain was to be elected Messrs. Ab
bott and Stafford voted for Henry
Ward Beecher and Mr. Munroe for Gov
ernor Brownlow.
Mount Jefferson. Jealous of Mount
Hood, has taken to smoking.
Mr. Fecbhelmer has been appointed
to the vacancy in the Common Council's
standing committee due to Mr. Ben
nett's resignation.
Change In Llfesavlns Service.
SODAV1LLE. Or., Dec. 19. (To the
Editor.) I'lease inform me why the
lifesaving service has been placed un
der the Secretary of the Treasury.
ELMER W. LEVIS.
The service was placed under tho di
rection of the Secretary of tho Treas
ury in order to consolidate It with the
revenue cutter service, which already
Is called upon frequently to do life
saving work. Administrative economy
was one of the reasons advanced for
the change. It also la contended that
uniform conditions of enlistment make
the service more attractive and enables
It to secure the men it needs.
Work on Alaskan Railroad.
INDEPENDENCE. Or.. Dec. 13. (To
the Editor.) Where is the employment
agency for the Government railroad in
Alaska? M. HUBER.
Address Alaskan Railroad Commis-sf-n.
L. C. Smith Building, Seattle,
Waih,