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.)