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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 22, 1916)
K VOL. LVINO. 17,499. PORTLAND. OREGON, FRIDAY, DECE3IBER 22, 1916. PRICE TIVE CENTS. WILSONS TO HAVE AGED AND CHILDREN CHILDREN GIVE UP SAVINGS TO POOR UNIVERSAL SERVICE PLAN IS PROMISED BAKER HIGH BOYS IN RAID APOLOGIZE JITNEY GUARANTEE CHRISTMAS TREE VIEW IS MODIHED TRAPPED IN FLAMES IS PROMISED CITY WHITE HOUSE OBSERVANCE IS BURNS SCHOOL FOREGOES OWN TREAT TO AID HOMELESS. THOSE WHO DISTURBED PARTY OF TEACHERS TO DESIST. TO BE OLD-FASHIONED. LANSING'S WARLIKE N V Secretary Causes Sen sation, Then Repents. WILSON STIRRED TO ANGER White House Conference Fol lowed by "Explanation." OPEN BREAK IS AVERTED Crisis Almost Precipitated When Mr. Lansing Says Officially That V United States Draws Nearer and Nearer to War. T JOHN CALLAN O'LACGHUN. WASHINGTON, Dec 21. The critical situation of the United States and the fact that the Nation has been drawing nearer and nearer to war was responsi ble. Secretary Lansing officially de clared this morning-, for the President's move in the cause of peace. A few hours after Secretary Lansing: had issued a statement explaining the President's action as epitomized, he was called to the White House. Exactly what transpired there has not been re vealed, but immediately after his re turn to the State Department Mr. Lan sing Issued a second statement, ex pressing regret for possible misinter pretation placed upon his words and asserting that the United States had no intention of departing from Its course of strict neutrality. First Statement Cum Sensation. Nothing that has occurred in Wash lngton since the Wilson Administra tion entered into power has attracted greater attention or caused livelier gos sip than the two statements of the Secretary of State. The first, describ lng the situation as "critical" as i result of the invasion or American rights by belligerents and saying, in so many words, that "we have been drawing to the verge of war our selves," caused a sensation in diplo matlo circles and an uproar on the New York Stock Exchange. The second. Interpreting the first statement and seeking to calm the storm which it had precipitated, was looked upon by diplomats as. an at tempt to withdraw what was regarded as a distinct threat that the United States might enter into the great Euro pean struggle. President Pears Effect. The President felt the success of his peace operations might be imperiled that to the world it would seem that the United States, while urging peace, was getting ready to go to war. and that grave misconception might de velop which would prove not only dis astrous to the peace programme but menacing to the welfare of the Amer ican people. . Sensational rumors have been crcu lating since the White House confer ence. It is known that the President was exceedingly angry, fearing a mis take had been made which could not be repaired." Secretary Lansing insist ed that he was justified in making the original statement by the necessity of reinforcing what the President had said In his formal note to the belligerents. Reports of Break Untrue. One report had it that Mr. Lansing had been told his services would be no longer required; another that lie had tendered his resignation. Neither these reports Is true. The Secretary's relations with the President are just as ordial. Just as intimate, tonight as they have ever been. As a matter of fact. Mr. Wilson reposes the utmost confidence in the acumen of his chief diplomatic adviser. If there was a misunderstanding, and It looks as though there had been, it (Concluded on Page 3, Column 1.) ANNUAL OREGONIAN TO PREDOMINATE IN PICTO RIAL FEATURES. The forthcoming New Year's edition will be the most complete pictorial number ever published by The Oregonian. Two sections, of 12 psfges each, will contain full-page and half-page illustra tions, presenting in striking man ner the chief points of interest and main activities of both city and state. r The State Pictorial Section will contain reproductions of indus trial and agricultural scenes of the various counties, while the portrayal of Pictorial Portland in another section will be equally elaborate. Special prominence also will be given to the chief scenic features of Oregon. In addition, two other sections J will be devoted to a detailed pres J entation of the main activities I of Portland and Oregon. The price will be 5 cents; for 4 postage 5 cents additional in t United States and possessions; foreign postage, 10 cents. President to Be Host to Child Rela tives and Will Deliver Gifts to Poor. WASHINGTON, Dec 21. President Wilson is preparing for an old-fash ioned home Christmas at the White House. There will be a Christmas tree for the children of the family. Includ ing Josephine Cothran, the President's grandniece, who arrived at the White House last night with her mother. Mrs. Annie Cothran, of Philadelphia, and Ellen McAdoo, granddaughter of Mr. Wilson. The family party will Include Secre tary and Mrs. McAdoo, Miss Margaret Wilson and relatives of Mrs. Wilson. More than 100 turkeys will be dis- ributed Saturday by the President to the employes of the executive offices. Christmas day he and Mrs. .Wilson expect to deliver presents to a number of poor families. AM ARILLO. ' Tex.. Dec. 21. A fat yearling buffalo killed by Amarillo hunters in the second buffalo hunt held in the Texas Panhandle in a quarter of century was carved tonight and the biggest piece was sent to . President Wilson. Others who will receive choice cuts are Ambassador Jusserand. of France; Governors Ferguson of Texas and Philipp of Wisconsin; Senator Cul berson, of Texas; Secretary of the Treasury McAdoo and the four members of the Federal Farm Loan Board. RISH TO BE RELEASED British Government Decides Advan tages Outweigh Risks. LONDON, Dec 21. The government as decided to release the Irish priso- ers who were Interned after the re bellion in Ireland, Henry E. Duke, Chief Secretary of Ireland, announced today. "The time has come when the ad vantages of releasing these men far outweigh the risk, and I have so ad vised the government Steps, therefore. will be taken today to proceed with the least possible delay to return the in terned prisoners to their homes. CHRISTMAS PARDON GIVEN Whitman Extends Clemency to Car negie Trust Company Wrecker. ALBANY, N. Y Dec 21. A Chrlst- as pardon was granted by Governor Whitman today to William J. Cummins, who has served three years and two months of a state's prison sentence of our years and eight months for his part in the wrecking of the Carnegie Trust Company, of New York, several years ago. Governor Whitman said that letters and petitions asking for clemency had been received from nearly every state in the Union. LAST SPAN FLOATED TODAY Strong Wind, However, Will Prevent Placing of Section. VANCOUVER, Wash., Dec. 21. (Spe cial.) The last span in the Columbia River Interstate Bridge will probably be floated to its position tomorrow, providing the weather is favorable. It was pulled out to the end of the ascem- bling ways today. If the wind is strong, the floating will not take place. The lift span will be lifted to the top and left there before the span Is floated to place, probably. The lift span was raised more than half way up today and all worked smoothly. DEMANDS MADE ON GREECE Allies Want Control of Utilities and Release of Rebels. LONDON. Dec. 21. The new note of the entente allies to Greece, according to the understanding here, which was presented today, includes, says Reu- ter's Telegram Company, the following principal demands: Control of telegraphs, posts and rail ways. Release of all Venizelist prisoners. Prohibition of meetings of reservists. Inquiry by a mixed commission into the disturbances of December 1-2. UNIDENTIFIED SHIP SUNK Italian General Among Victims, Says Report to Berlin. BERLIN, Dec. 21. (By wireless to Sayville. N. Y.) The Frankfurter Zel- tung has received a report from Lu gano, Switzerland, saying that a vessel, the name of which was not given, hit a mine December 13 in the Adriatic and sank with its entire crew, according to the Overseas News Agency. The report adds that Lieutenant General Oreste Bandens, the Italian chief commander in Albania, and nu merous sailors ware drowned. CRUISER HITS, LINER SINKS Several Passengers Lost When Ital ian and Frenchman Collide. PARIS. Dec 21. The sinking of an Italian steamship in a collision with the French armored cruiser Ernest Renan is reported In a dispatch from Marseilles. The steamship, .which was taking Italian soldiers home on leave, was cut in two. Several persons, most of them passengers, were drowned. The num ber of survivors is given as 120. 20 Are Missing in Fire at Masonic Home. RESCUERS WORK IN THE GOLD Wichita 1 Refuge Plunged n Darkness as Fire Gains. FLAMES SPREAD RAPIDLY Several Residences Nearby Catch From Flying Embers and Dan ger of Conflagration Is Great. Hope for Tots Abandoned. WICHITA, Kan.. Dec. 22. Of more than 100 persons in the Kansas Ma sonic Home here, which burned early today, only 80 had been accounted for at 3 A. M.. acordlng to Superintendent Daniel P. Burdick. Eight children, trapped in a wing through which flames were sweeping, and which had been entirely cut off from any entrance by fire, were given up for lost after rescuers had made many frantic efforts to enter the build ing to rescue the helpless little ones. Flames Spread . Quickly. - Aside from the tragic, destruction of the Masonic Home, the fire began to assume serious financial aspects as sev eral nearby houses began burning. Efforts to obtain telegraph operators to man wires to the outside world were hindered by the fact that five men from the telegraph office had been summoned home because their rsidencea were on fire. The majority of the older persons in the Masonic home . apparently es caped. Many of them. were unhurt, but in the scanty clothing which they were able to snatch In their exit from the home, they suffered keenly In a tem perature close to the zero mark. The refugees took shelter In a nearby chapel and first aid was rushed to them. Frozen fire plugs proved a serious handicap' to the firemen in their efforts to check the flames, so that rescue work could be carried on. Walls Crush Woman. One woman, caught under a falling stairway, - received injuries whieh probably will prove fatal. The fire is thought to have origi nated in the basement of the home. Among those unaccounted for at 3:30 o'clock this morning are: Gertrude Weigle, IS. a dining-room girL Mr. and Mrs. F. F. Arrows, each aged 60. Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Brown, each aged about 75. Paul Zielkle, 15, an inmate of the home five years, was sleeping in the basement. A plumber had been at the home yesterday and advised the home that someone watch the furnace Zeilkie was awakened shortly before (Concluded on Page 6. Column 2.) $65 Forwarded to Boys' and Girls' Aid Society Is Earned by Voungsters for Christmas. The real Joy of Christmas giving, that comes through self-denial, is the portion of the school children of the Burns School, which has foregone Its usual Christmas treat-and sent its equivalent in money to the Boys' and Girls' Aid Society of Portland that the Christmas of these homeless ones may be brightened. A check for $65 was received yes terday by Runo E. Arne, superintend ent of the society, from W. M. Sutton, principal of the Burns School, with a letter of explanation that told of the thoughtfulness for others of the boys and girls of that city. -It was stated that the question re cently was raised of foregoing the usual Christmas treat at the school and permit the children instead to contribute toward the happiness of those under the care of Superintendent Arne. After the plan was discussed by the teachers. It was not only ap proved. - but each boy and girl gave voluntarily to the fund. Principal Sutton wrote that nearly all the money was earned by the pupils, and was the result of self-denial of some pleasure on the part of the young people of Burns. In acknowledgment, ' Superintendent Arne expressed his thanks for the gift, and said the check is the largest re ceived from any school this year. SENATE MAY HAVE BUT 29 I. II. Bingham, of Lane County, Ex pects to Stay in Xew York. fiALKNf. Or.. Dec 21. (Special.) According to word received here from Eugene, Senator Bingham, of . Lane County, will not attend the coming ses sion of the Legislature. He is In New York City. Word received at Eugene by his friends. In a letter coming here, Is that he will be Unable to return to the West for some time. A recent bereavement in his family also will tend to keep him in the East. Senator Bingham is a hold-over Senator from the last session, but it is not thought probable that he will re sign, so the State Senate may include but 29 members during the coming ses sion. TARIFF JOB SEEKING MAN President's Appointee Munt Be Ac ceptable to Progressives. . OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU. Wash ington. Dec. 21. President Wilson Is looking over the Pacific Northwest for a suitable man for appointment on the tariff board. The names of men under investigation are being carefully guarded. One of the requirements, it Is learned, Is that the man chosen "must be ac ceptable to the Progressives." Whether this means mat a progressive or a Democrat will represent the Northwest cannot be ascertained. There Is an intimation that ex-Gov ernor West, of Oregon. ex-Senator Turner, of Washington, and ex-Senator Dubois, of Idaho, all have been sug gested as avaiiables. JUST WHAT ARE YOUR INTENTIONS? Army General Staff to Outline Method. BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED Estimates of Cost to Nation Will Be Submitted. MILITARISM IS DENIED General Scott Says System Will Lead in Opposite Direction and That It Is Democratic and Means Great Saving. - WASHINGTON. Dec. 21. A definite plan for universal military training will be laid before Congress next month in the shape of a bill formulated by the general staff of the Army, ac companled by complete estimates of cost, as compared to the present volun teer system. Major-General Hugh L. Scott. Chief of Staff, told the House military committee today that the work was in progress, and would require about a month to complete. Chair man Dent said the committee would be glad to see the bill. In response to a laughing question as to who would Introduce It in the House. Representative Kahn, of Cali fornia, said: "I would be glad to have the honor to introduce It." General Sharply Cross-Examined. General Scott was subjected to sharp cross-examination today on his reiterated recommendation for a un versal service measure, based. In part, on results of the volunteer system as shown in the mobilization of the Na- tional Guard for border service. Five of the 22 members of the committee took occasion to assert their belief in the theory of universal service, while two emphatically declared against such a system. Those favoring were Repre sentatlves Kahn. Greene, of "Vermont. and Tllson, of Connecticut, Republic' ana, and Olney. Of Massachusetts, and Farley, of New York. Democrats, while those opposed were Representative McKellar. of Tennessee, and Represen tative Qulnn. of Mississippi. Democrats. The statement of Representative Til- son, who went to the border as a Na tional Guard Colonel, followed General Scott's .repeated assertion that the federalization of the National Guard, accomplished as far as possible by the National defense act, would not meet the country's military needs. Daal Control Declared Unwise. "Many members, a majority of the National Guardsmen who come back from the border, are In favor of uni versal service," declared the Chief of Staff. "I agree with you." said Representa- (Concluded on Pace Column 1.) t Chief of Police Jackson Announces Lads Under 21 Must Stay Out of Poolrooms. BAKER, Or., Dec 21. (Special.) Students of the Baker High School met today and caused the 12 who had part In the attempted raid of a teachers' party to acknowledge their complicity and to apologize. A. C Strange, super intendent, said the boys had taken an attitude that promised a dlscontlnu ance of raids such as was started Tues y night when A. D. Beasley, the anitor, fired his 'revolver several times and frightened the boys away. Edward Jackson. Chief of Police, an nounced today, after a conference with Mayor Palmer, that hereafter all boys under 21 found congregating for the purpose or molesting persons or are caught handling a cue in a poolroom would be arrested. AUTO ROBBERS GET $3000 Chauffeur Shot and Two Others Are Robbed by Highwaymen. LOS ANGELES. Cal.. Dec 21. Julius R. Miller, a chauffeur. was shot through the right shoulder by one of two automobile robbers who attempted to rob him here late tonight. Miller fled when they ordered him to halt and the robbers opened fire but did not pursue him. Jewelry valued at $3000 and J5 in cash had been taken from Frank R. Strong, wealthy real estate broker, by two automobile bandits shortly before the shooting of Miller. Charles Stew art also reported to the police that he had been held up by two robbers In an automobile and forced to give up )7 In cash. 8 ROADS HOLDING CARS Lines Held Vp to Public Opinion for Failure to Re-Distribute. WASHINGTON, Dec 21. In line with its announced policy of bringing before the bar of public opinion the railroads which do not co-operate In car redis tribution plans, the commission on car service of the American Railway Association announced tonight that eight roads had tailed o carry out recommended redistribution measures. The announcement expresses a hope that these lines will at once show a marked Improvement In their perform ance. The roads named are: Boston St Albany, Maine Central, Lehigh Val ley, Philadelphia Sc. Reading, New York Central. Michigan Central. Wa bash and Toledo & Ohio Central. BANK ROBBER CONFESSES Oscar Lowe Admits Botliell Crime and Implicates A. J. Rounds. SEATTLE. Wish, Dec. 21. Oscar Lowe, arrested today at Tacoma and brought here on suspicion of having been one of the robbers that held up the State Bank of Bothell, December 6. confessed his guilt tonight, accord ing to the police, and Implicated In the crime A J. Rounds. 61 years old, a blacksmith of Auburn, Wash. INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS The Weather. YESTERDAY'S Maximum temperature, o decrees; minimum, 42 decrees. TODAY'S Occasional rain; southwesterly winds. Mar. Germans describe Russian attacks In Carpa thians as waste or men. fags 4. Britons puzzled by Wilson's note to bellig erents. Face U. Bonar Law opposes obtaining- Germany's terms. Pass S. National. Secretary Lansing; causes sensation with warlike statement, which he subsequently modifies. Page 1. Prohibition forces to press campaign In Con gress Page J. Army general staff to present universal serv ice bill Page 1. White House to have Christmas tree. Page 1. Food Investigation favored by Houi. Ju diciary committee. Page 5. German Consul admits he hired agents, but says they were employed on lawful busi ness. Page '2. Domestic. Children andhelpless aged folk trapped by lira In Alasomc Home. Pago l. Cold wave breaks December records. Page 6, racific Northwest. State budget Is completed and runs beyond S8.0O0.0uO mark. Page a. Baker High School boys In raid apologize. Page 1. Safety campaign reduces paper mill acci dents. Page 7. Pardons denied Idaho defaulters. Psga IT. ports. Oregon men grind bard for Pasadena game. Page 18. Ping Bod la at outs with Connie Mack. Page is. Cleveland sells Pitchers Beebe and Penner to Beavers. Page IS. Fred Mitchell la real student of baseball. Page IS. Commercial and Marine. Eastern Inquiry for Pacific Coast wheat la renewed. Page 21. Wheat advances at Chicago when traders learn of export buying. Page 2!. Unloading of stocks on enormous scale breaks market. Page 21. Capto to take out first 181T export lumber cargo. Page zu. Portland and Vicinity. Judge Langguth frees I. W. W. pickets. Page 15. Chester A. Sheppard finds thst Sheriff has sold his Irvtngton home. Paga a Mr. Stanfleld and Mr. Moier preparing leg islative committee lists. Page 15. State agency to cheapen foodstuffs proposed. Page 10. Jitney guarantee promised city by Stephen Carver. Page 1. Two days are. left for girts to poor. Page if. Christmas rush Dears end. Page 17. Children give up savings to poor. Page 1. Art- exhibit for Christmas la made. Page 20. Grange orders Inquiry Into prices at public market. page lu. O.-W R. N. Railway to give employes month extra pay and insurance. Page 17, "Twin Beds" Is at Helllg. Page J 7. Multnomah delegation organizes. Page 20. Weather report, data and forecast, rags 21. Mr. Carver Agrees to Start in 30 Days. COUNCIL ACTION PROTECTIVE Report of Referendum by Union Gains Currency. ACCIDENT INSURANCE IS UP Commissioners Are Stirred by Im putation That They Aro in Col lusion With Trolley Company to Outwit Old Jitncurs. PRIXCIPAL PROVISIONS OF PROPOSED CARVER CITY WIDE: JITNEY FRAN CHISES. Service on 11 lines throughout city, eight on East Side and three on West Side, starts within SO days after franchises are granted. Forfeitable bonds of 12500 fur nished to guarantee establish ment of service as called for and for continuance of service. Five-cent fare, with transfers from one line to another prom ised throughout city and with in terurban cars of Portland & Ore gon City Railroad. Lines extend to suburbs. Includ ing Lents, and modern buses, as well as touring cars to be used. Service to be maintained on schedule continuously from S A. M, to 11 P. M. Tower reserved by Council to require additional service. Lines all In territory not now served by street railway com pany. Bonds aggregating $35,000 fur Dished to protect public In case of accidents. License fees to be paid city at rate of $1 a seat each three months. Firemen and policemen to be carried free of charge. All regulations asked by Coun cil and refused by Jitney Drivers' Union agreed to. To prove his good faith in his appli cation for jitney franchises covering the city, Stephen Carver yesterday agreed with the City Council to furnish bonds aggregating .2500 to guarantee establishment and continuance of his service as soon as the franchises now pending are settled. The bonds are J1000 on each of two East Side franchises and 1500 on a West Side franchise now being consid ered. The amounts will be forfeited to the city in case of failure to establish the service called for or failure to con tinue it for six months. The bond question was brought up by City Commissioner Baker, who said that inasmuch as Mr. Carver had ap plied for general franchise covering the city and that his action might serve to Interfere with others seeking similar franchises, some guarantee should be made that the service called for in the franchisee would be established and kept up. Mr. Carver Takes Issue. Mr. Carver objected at first to the bond proposition, saying that repre senting an investment of 1200,000 pri vate capital in Portland in the Port land & Oregon City Railroad Company he has too much at stake to act in Dad faith with the city or the people. "The point Is thte," declared Com missioner Baker. "There have been in sinuations that there are ulterior mo tives behind this that the Portland Railway, Light & Power Company has a hand In it and that the Council Is In collusion, and all the rest of that usual line of talk that always comes In a case like this. I am In favor of forcing everything absolutely into the open, and that is why I propose this forfeit ure. If Mr. Carver Is sincere, and I be lieve that he Is, he can have no ob jection to furnishing a bond, for noth ing will be lost If the service is estab lished and kept up." Ross for Performance Demanded. "I will say," said L. M. Lepper, at torney representing Mr. Carver, "that we have no objection to this except that we have heard statements to the effect that the Jitney Drivers' Union will Invoke the referendum on these franchises to prevent us from estab lishing the service. If the referendum Is Invoked we cannot start. Further more, bus service is In an experimental stage right now and it may be a fail ure. We Intend to make a thorough test a test that nobody else has ever attempted. If we fail we lose what we invest, and that seems penalty enough without requiring a bond." Mayor Albee suggested a bond con ditioned on there being no referendum Invoked and calling for service for at least a year. Mr. Baker said that what he wanted was a substantial indication that the service would be established. "Of course," he said, "we wouldn't de mand a bond requiring the starting of a service if it cannot be started legal ly." "I am willing," said Mr. Carver, "to furnish a bond of 1600 calling for tCoucluUed oa puss 11. Column 2.)