THE 3IORXIXG OREGOXIAX, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1916.
MOUSE COMMITTEE
WANTS FOOD PROBE
Shortage Is Actual Menace in
United States, Says Trade
Commission Chairman.
PRODUCT CONTROL HINTED
The Ben Selling Store News
Devoted to the Interest and Comfort of the Buyer of Men's and Boys Apparel.
A Specialty Shop.
Portland, Oregon, December 22, 1916.
For Men and Boys.
Output. However, Not Keeping Pace
With Consumption Considera
tion by Congress Immediately
Is Recommended in Report.
WASHINGTON. Dec 21. In report
Ins' favorably Representative Borland's
resolution to have the House direct the
Federal Trade Commission to make an
exhaustive Inquiry Into the high cost
cf living, the ludiclary committee to
day expressed the opinion that only a
tr.orough investigation into production,
marketing and storage would solve
the problem.
A letter from Chairman Hurley, of
the Trade Commission, accompanied the
report, saying the Inquiry would le-
1 quire 15 to IS months and cost about
1142,000
Products Control Indicated.
Hearings on the shortage and pres
ent t:gn price of foodstuffs, the re
port said, had disclosed a condition
"strongly pointing to a control of prod
ucts referred to by those engaged In
marketing the same In this country as
In foreign countries.
"They disclosed also," the report con- !
tlnued, "that marketing conditions
-were not at all satisfactory to a large
number of farmers and stockralsers. It
appears, however, that the production
of food products Is not keeping pace
with consumption throughout the
country as represented by the growing
industrial population of the cities."
Food Shortage Is Menace.
Food shortage. It Is said, with a re
sultant distress to wage earners and
consumers was not only a possibility,
hut a real menace.
"Tour committee believes there Is an
economical problem Involved," It con
tinued, "which can only be solved In
the Interest of the American people
by a thorough investigation of the sub
ject. The cost of living has been stead
ily increasing, until a condition is pre
sented which demands the immediate
and intelligent consideration of the
Federal authorities and which may re
quire legislation to correct the present
eystem."
The House took no action on the
resolution.
Socialist Offers Flan.
The Socialist plan for meeting the
food problem was outlined to the House
today, when Representative London, of
New York, introduced a bill to create
a Federal food commission, comprising
the Secretaries of Agriculture, Com
merce and Labor, to recommend action
by the President and Congress. 1
The bill would direct the commission
to ascertain all the facts regarding
food supply and authorize the President
to put an embargo on exports if neces
sary. Government regulation of trans
portation, preservation, marketing and
distribution of food is contemplated as
a last resort.
SPECIAL!
Children's Overcoats
Reduced
$5.00 and $6.50 gto r?
S5.00
Overcoats at ... .
$8,50 and $10.00
Overcoats, at. . . .
These are in good, warm fab
rics; every age from 3 to 10
years.
A dandy present for the boys
on Christmas morning. Make
your selections today.
Second Floor
Gifts the Boys
Will Like
Dressing gowns, sizes 3 to 16
years, $2.50, $4 and $5.
Ruff neck and jersey sweat
ers, $1.50 to $5.
Flannel blouse waists, 50c,
75c and $1.00.
Madras and percale waists,
50c and $1.00.
Union suits, sizes 4 to 18
years, 50c to $2.50.
Pajamas, muslin or . flannel,
sizes 4 to 18 years, $1 and $1.50.
Plaid ties in gift boxes, 25c.
Paris garters and arm bands
in sets, 50c
Suspenders in Christmas
boxes, 35c.
Lined leather gauntlets, 75c
Handkerchiefs in boxes, 3
for 25c
Silk ties, 25c and 50c
Cloth, felt and plush hats,
50c to $2.00.
Leather belts, all colors, 50c
Windsor ties, 25c and 50c.
Youths' shirts for detached
collars, $1 to $3.
Cloth caps, 50c to $1.50.
Special school stockings, fast
black, 30c
Children's kid gloves, tans
and grays, $1 and $1.25.
Knitted toques, 25c and 50c.
Knitted gloves, 25c and 50c
Leggings, all fabrics and col
ors, 50c to $2.50.
HaveYouaMan
to Buy for?
House coats, $5 to $20.
Dressing gowns, $3.50 to $30.
Mufflers; $1 to $3.50.
Silk hose, 50c to $1.
Silk shirts, $5 and $6.
Silk pajamas, $7.50.
Kid gloves, $1.50 to $3.
Auto gauntlets, $5 and $7.
Umbrellas, $1.50 to $6.
Initial handkerchiefs, 25c,
35c and 50c.
Hat orders, $3, $4 and $5.
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- wiiHii umiHtuui IWUU II M 1 1 11U II IU1 (Mil i Ut It UJ IM ) UJUU1 IU UUH1U1 UUUlIUUUtU W U U1UUUI UUUU IMII UMU IUI miUUIUUUUiUUiUUUUU 111 I UU UiUU U HH1IIIU IlltlUMHIlU lUUllU U It 111 U1U1 U UMUU UI HiWiUi uuu uwwiwu
QUALITY
ABOUNDS
In This
Low-Priced
PLAYER
$450
price. It is mechanically the
player that we have ever seen.
You may search the city over
and not find as good a player
piano as this at the price. You
may pay $150 more and yet not
equal its quality. It is musically
the finest player piano made at its
sturdiest, the most easily operated and controlled
Silk Neckwear
Newest weaves and colorings
in fine, soft silks
50c to $4
Open Evenings Until Christmas.
Ben Sellin
Leading Clothiei
Morrison at Fourth
THREE PROJECTS URGED
RECLAMATION COMMISSION MAKES
REPORT TO LANE.
COAL COMBINE IS SUSPECTED
Federal Investigator Says Brokers
Try to Create Panic.
NEW YORK, Dec 21. That there are
grounds for the suspicion that the re
cent increase in the price of coal was
the result of an "artificial and illegal
combination," was the statement made
here today by George W. Anderson.
Federal District Attorney, at Boston,
who Is In charge of the Government's
National food and fuel Inquiry.
Mr. Anderson came here to confer
with special Assistant United States
Attorney-General Swacker, in charge
of the Federal grand Jury investiga
tion in this city, after having held
similar conferences with the Federal
and local authorities in Washington,
Philadelphia. Cleveland and Chicago.
"When there are Indications that the
movement of coal has been checked,
not only on railroads, but at termi
nals," Mr. Anderson said, "there is rea
son to suspect that such action prob
ably is the result of an artificial and
Illegal combination designed to reap
extortionate profits -through a specu
lative market.
"When you find coal brokers and
coal dealers reconslgnlng coal cars over
and over again so as to delay delivery
and thereby create a panic, you find a
Drima facie case.
' "Such a condition is similar to that
recently called by David Lloyd George
profiting.'
Boston, Mr. Anderson added, turn
Ing to the food situation, "is the only
city at present suffering. It even ha
a shortage of its favorite foodstuff
deans which are now selling at $7 a
bushel."
CITY EMPLOYES - CUT COST
Appropriations of 8400,000 Each for
Malheur and Owyhee and $200,000
for King Hill Recommended.
OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU, Wash
ington, Dec. 21. The Reclamation Com
mission today unanimously recom
mended to Secretary Lane that he urge
on Congress the appropriation at this
ession of J400.000 for the construction
of the Warm Springs dam on the Mal
heur Irrigation project and that he
further urge the appropriation of an
other $400,000 to build the storage dam
of the Owyhee project In Oregon.
Coupled with these recommendations
was one lavoring an appropriation or
f 200.000 tor the King Hill project in
Idaho.
The Secretary probably will forward
the papers, with his recommendation,
to Concrete on January 2. If the Sec
retary concurs in the opinion of the
Reclamation Commission and it Is
thought he will and if Congress car
ries out that recommendation, there
will be available next Summer an
amount sufficient to complete the dam
on the Malheur project, which is all
that is asked for, the canals having
already been built.
The I400,ooa for tne owynee project.
while ample for the dam, does not pro
vide for canals and other distribution
works. The King Hill. Idaho, appro
priation asked is half of the amount
necessary to put that project in fin
ished condition.
The fact that the Reclamation Com
mission was unanimous in its recom
mendation and based its report upon
the surveys and estimates recently
made In the field, is expected to bring
from Secretary Lane his concurrence
in their views.
87,000 New Yprkers Organize Co
operative Purchasing Societies.
NEW YORK, Dec. 21. Municipal em
ployes of New York, numbering more
than 87.000. have engaged in a con.
certed movement to reduce the cost of
living by organizing co-operative pur
chasing societies in the various city
departments. It became known tonight.
So successful have been first attempts
to cut the cost of food by buying sup
plies in bulk and distributing them at
prices far below those paid by the gen
eral public tnat recognition nas Deen
given the movement by the city gov
ernment.
The Sinking Fund Commission today
gave permission to the Employes' Con
ference Committee, as the organization
Is called, to use a room In the municipal
building as headquarters for the pur
chase of food, clothing and other sup
plies.
MUNICIPAL RIGHT AT ISSUE
Idaho Legislature to Pass on Owner
ship Privileges.
BOISE. Idaho, Dec. 21. (Special.)
The issue of jurisdiction on the part of
the Idaho Public Utilities Commission
over municipally-owned public utilities
will be decided by the next Legislature
rather than by the Supreme Court.
That tribunal has entered an order
dismissing the application for a wri
of prohibition in the case of A. Cook
cgainst the City Council and Mayor
of Coeur d' Alene. Mr. Cook sought to
prohibit the holding of an election in
the city of Coeur d 'Alene to vote on
bonds with which to raise funds to
build a municipal light and water plant.
He held the city had not secured a cer
tificate of convenience and necessity
from the Public Utilities Commission
and was without authority to proceed.
parent that, however Important diplo
macy might be, the question of food
stuff prices was In a large measure
distinct.
Signs that . European governments
were buying wheat on a scale not sur
passed in many weeks started an up
ward trend of prices that had only one
serious Interruption. Alarming bul
letins that Secretary Lansing had said
the United States was being drawn
near the verge of war bewildered deal
ers for a considerable period about the
middle of the session, and seemed for
a while to be likely to carry the mar
ket back to the low level touched at
the outset.
When the complete statement from
the Secretary was at hand, however,
confidence grew rapidly, and attention
was devoted almost solely to the an
nouncement of export business, espe
cially the latest estimate that sales to
Europe aggregated 2,000,000 bushels or
more at the highest prices obtained
in weeks from across the Atlantic
Last prices . were at virtually the
topmost level of the day. c off to 214c
advance as compared with yesterday's
latest figures. The greatest advance
was in the most active option. May,
which stood at U.63& to $1.63 at the
close.
WHEAT REGAINS GROUND
EUROPE BUYS HEAVILY WHEN
PRICE BEGINS TO DROP.
Market Bewildered by Secretary Lan
sing's Statement, but Law . of
Demand Asserts Itself.
CHICAGO, Dec. 21. Notwithstanding
almost panicky selling and 7 cents
break In wheat prices today, the mar
ket made a greater rebound and closed
strong, with substantial net gains,
Sudden merchandising demand on a
vast scale to supply Europe with cheap
wheat developed when prices tumbled
sensationally. The ensuing big rally
came with surprising force.
At the opening the sole consideration
in the wheat pit was President Wil
son's note calling on the warring gov
ernments to state terms on which they
would accept peace. Unlimited quanti
ties of wheat were thrown on the
market the instant trading began, and
values crashed downward until in a
few minutes the decline of 7 cents a
bushel had been reached. It was not
long, though, before tne fact was ap'
HOTEL N
STElffilST
By the Introduction of ventilating
devices, a lead smelter works in Hun
gary reduced the illness among its em
ployes from 75 per cent to 3 per cent.
SAN FRANCOSCO
Geary Street, Hist oft Union Square
European Plan $1.50 a daj op
Breakfast 50c lunch 60c Oinner St .00
Most Famous Meals in ihe United States
New steel and concrete structure. Center
of theater, cafe and retail districts.
On carlines transferring all over city.
Take Municipal car line direct to door.
Motor Bns meets trains ana steamersy
Reduced Rates
New Perkins Hotel
FIFTH AJVD WASHINGTON STS.
Where the City Life Ceaters.
PORTLA.Nl. OREGON.
Jackson, who has served this county
Astoria Soap Company Organizes.
ASTORIA. Or.. Dec. 21. (Special.)
Articles of incorporation of the Astoria
Soap Company were filed for record
today. The incorporators are C. E.
Beeman, A. W. Bathlke. F. J. Koehler,
D. L. Kimball and J. C. Osier, and the
capital stock is $25,000. The object of
the incorporation is to engage in the
manufacturing of soap and toilet ar
ticles, and the principal place of bust
ness will be in Astoria.
Germans Killed In Mongolia.
PEKIN, Deo. 21. Three German army
officers, a Captain and twe Lieutenants,
who escaped from a Siberian prison
camp, have been killed in Mongolia
by Russian soldiers, according to the
Chinese Foreign Office.
ROSEBURG MAN CHOSEN
DR. A. C 8EELET ELECTED PRESI
DENT OF HEALTH BOARD.
At Annual Session Proposed Legisla
tive Programme and School Sani
tation Are Discussed.
SALEM, Or. Dec 21. (Special.) Dr.
A. C Seeley, of Roseburg, was elected
president; Dr. M. B. Marcellus, of Port
land, vice-president, and Dr. David N.
Roburg was continued as secretary at
the annual meeting of the State Board
or tieaitn held here today.
The legislative programme suggested
at tne meeting included better sanl
tatlon in rural schools, more extensive
work In Infant hygiene and welfare,
and an effort to obtain sufficient id-
propriations for field deputies to carry
on me neaitn 5oard work.
In addition the secretary was In
structed to draft rules to be sent to
all county and city health officers cov
ering the quarantining of communicable
diseases, and the matter will be brought
oeiore the Legislature, it Is under
stood.
Particular stress was laid on the ad
vlsability of listing whooping cough
as a communicable disease coming un
der the quarantine regulations. It was
reported that 40 per cent of the ab
sentees in some schools investigated
were kept out because of this disease.
Cottage Grove Grange Elects.
COTTAGE GROVE, Or., Dec. 21
(Special.) The Cottage Grove Grange
elected the following officers at its
meeting Saturday: Master, G. W. Mc
Farland; overseer. S. IC Lewis; lec
turer. Mrs. Julia Ashby; steward, W. E.
Dorward: assistant steward. H. B.
Taney; lady assistant steward, Mrs.
M. M. Wheeler; treasurer, M. M.
.The Euphona Player Piano $450. Easy Terms
There is no field of music that is unexplored that is not open to you with the Euphona.
Liszt. Schubert, Chopin; in fact, every master work is within your reach. Musically
and beautifully played. Turn to it for the latest in dance music or the newest popular
songs. It renders them faultlessly and ihey are always obtainable at our Music Roll
Department The Euphona is Teacher. Friend, Companion and Entertainer in one.
It satisfies the skilled pianist, the singer, the player pianist And it costs less for its
quality than any player piano on the market Your old' piano in part payment
Music Rolls
Make
An Ideal Gift
to
Player Piano
Owners
Your Money's Worth or Your Money Back
Mason & Hamlin Pianos, Victrolas and Records
MORRISON STREET AT BROADWAY
OTHER STORES San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento, San Jose, Los 1
Angeles, San Diego and Other Coast Cities lH
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 u 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 u 1 1 1 w 1 1 1 1 1 1 u 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 n 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 rri 1 1 lii
Wheeler; secretary, L. J. Ardlte; Ceres,
Mrs. William Dorward; Pomona. S. K-.
Lewis; Flora, Mrs. G.- W. McFarland.
Prlnevllie to Have Tree.
PRINEVTT.T.E. Or.. Dec. 21. (Spe.
cial.) Prinevllle Is to have a com
munity Christmas tree this year. This
has been arranged by the Commercial
Club and ladies' annex, and the big fir
tree has been placed on Main street.
The tree is elaborately decorated and is
illuminated at night, making quite a
spectacular appearance. Children of
Prinevllle and vicinity have been In
vited, and candy and other suitable
gifts will be distributed by Santa Claua
600 BOYS AT CONFERENCES
Sessions Are Held at Corvallis, Ba
ker at Pocatello.
Six hundred boys, representing 99
cities and towns of three states, at
tended older boys' conferences in Cor
vallis, Baker and Pocatello, Idaho, this
month. J. H. Rudd, state T. M. C. A-
boys' secretary, returned yesterday
from the last conference at Pocatello.
where delegates also were present
from some Utah towns.
Portland's 100 - foot Illuminated
Christmas tree at Sixth and Morrison
streets, was described by Mr. Rudd to
the blind students of the State School
for the Deaf and Blind at Gooding.
Idaho. At the invitation of Professor
W. E. Taylor. Superintendent, Mr. Rudd
made an address on the work of the
conferences. He also Inspected the
institution.
Read The Oree'onlan classified ads.
f
pin
Fancy Oregon Turkeys
CORN FED: No
CORN FED; No
Cold-Storage Stock;
Killed and Dressed
on the Farm. Place
Your Order Now for
Christmas, to Ar
rive the 22d and 23d
of December.
THESE ALL-WEEK SPECIALS
PRUNES.
Send Year Eastern Friends a
Prenent of n Box of Orvicoa
Italian Pmnea. Express Pre
paid by D. C. Burns Co.
25 - pound box Fancy Italian
Prunes, express prepaid to Chi
cago, New York and all fin
Eastern points, per box.. WTiUU
10 - pound box Fancy Italian
Prunes, express prepaid to Chi
cago, New York and all C I QC
Eastern points, per box.. 0 1 0 J
Five-pound box Fancy Italian
Prunes, express prepaid to Chi
cago. New York and all VI in
Eastern points, per box.. N I I U
EGGS
Fresh Oregon Eggs, per QQn
dozen at. 03u
BUTTER
Fresh Creamery Butttr,7Cp
two-pound cube at...;.... w
NUTS
Walnuts, Imported 1916 1 p
crop, per pound , lOu
Walnuts. Oregon No. 1 nr.
1916 crop, oer pound
Filberts, Oregon very fancy'
1918 crop, per pound..
RAISINS
Raisins, cluster. 2 Vk-pound Cfl
carton, per carton UUu
Cluster Raisins, five-pound QQn
box, per box 3u
OLIVES.
Queen Olives, bulk, per fl
auart at. tUI
'25c
Fancy New Orleans Table Syrup, 1918 Crop. S1.40 Per Gallon.
VolV SUNKIST ORANGES M
1
JUNO COFFEE
G V A R A N TEES QUALITY
AND PERFECTION IN
BLENDING.
A Splendid Coffee, constant
ly growing in flavor, and
the most satisfying to the
great majority of drinkers
of high-grade coffee. Regu
lar price 35o per pound.
SPECIAL. PER POUND.
29 c
OR 3V4 fot.VDS FOR 91
OUT-OF-TOWN :
CUSTOMERS I
Out-of-town customers are
invited to take advantage
of the special Items listed
In this advertise merit,
shopping may be done by
mall here as safely as If
you shopped In person.
NO CHARGE FOR PACK-
ING OR DELIVERY TO
FREIGHT STATION.
Members of tke Greater Portland Association.
CREDIT IF DESIRED.
We Will Be Glad to Extend Credit to All Good People Who Will
Kindly Furnish Portland References. Write for Monthly Price List.
D. C. BURNS COMPANY
Wholesalers to Private Families, Hotels and Restaurants
208-21,0 THIRD ST, BET. TAYLOR AND SALMON, ONE AND ONE.
, HALF BLOCKS SOUTH OF PUBLIC MARKET.
SPECIAL MAIL ORDER SERVICE. WRITE FOR MONTHLY LIST.
M ."1 II Aj
r j pit
mid tfasrssi
see
Special Prices for Christinas
OPEN EVENINGS
HOLIDAY SHOE SPECIALS
LADIES' BEAUTIFUL WHITE AND BLACK.
WHITE AND TAN. TWO-TONE EFFECTS,
in all shades; usually sold at $7.00 to $10.00
$3.95 $4.95 $5.95
ENGLISH TYPE HIGn-CUT tfJO Att
STREET BOOTS, worth to $6 p0.4-iJ
ENGLISH SPATS, in tan, white, $- A r
or champagne P .xJ
COMFY SLIPPERS, all colors, the QQ
Evening Slippers
Satin, patent and CA QCJ
bronze P.J J O
Gold or Silver Pumps, the $8.00 C1 QC
style, at pJJ
A gift of a Merchandise Coupon from our store cannot fail
to please. An easy and positive solution of "What to Give."
DONT FORGET THE ADDRESS
129 FOURTH, Between Washington and Alder
tore
I iHTl 108.2