Morning Oregonian., December 26, 1916, Image 1

VOL. LVI. NO. 17,502.
PORTLAND, OREGON, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1916.
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
ENTENTE TO REPLY.
WILSON'S DINNER
IS ALL AMERICAN
BARBER KILLS ONE,
DASH SAVES PORTER
WHOLE FAMILY IS
SLAIN WITH AXES
TOMMY SWIVEL IS
SANTA TO HUNDREDS
SEARCHERS SEEK 2
MEN LOST IN SNOW
Y
TIDE OF PROSPERITY
DKLICACIES SENT AS GIFTS AP
PEAR ON TABLE.
BODIES FOUND NEAR TABLE AR
RANGED FOR CHRISTMAS.
FOREST RANGERS IX THE ROGUE
RIVER 'DISTRICT TO AID.
RAILROADS AT HIGH
BLAMING
GERMAN
Wilson Absolved From
Pro-Teuton Leanings.
TERMS, HOWEVER, TO WAIT
Both Sides Embarrassed by
Secret Agreements.
LANSING RUMORS ARE RIFE
Washington Thinks Responsibility
lor Failure Will Be Put on Sec
retary Diplomats Say Ho
Gave Only Valid Reason.
BY JOHN' CALDAN O'LATJGHLIN.
WASHINGTON, Dec 25. (Special.)
It is said here on nigh authority that
the allies will make a conciliatory an
swer to the peace suggestions of
President Wilson.
They will politely acknowledge the
humanitarian reasons which prompted
him to urge that steps be taken to
terminate the war. They will place the
responsibility for the conflict on Ger
many, each as its own interests dictate,
and will declare tnelr willingness to
pass on the terms of the central pow
ers when they shall be transmitted.
Further consultation may cause the
allies to set forth the terms upon which
they will be prepared to enter upon ne
gotiations. These are difficult to for
mulate, however, and more embarrass
ing to make public.
Conditions May Embarass.
For example, Great Britain and Rus
sia agreed the latter should acquire
Constantinople as compensation for the
losses suffered during the war. The
agreement was not given to the press
until conditions compelled action.
Italy has an agreement with her
other allies covering Albania, which
may arouse Greece. There may be
other understandings which will cause
the central powers to fight until they
are destroyed.
The same situation is true of the
central powers with reference to the
agreements between themselves. It Is
confidently expected, therefore, that
neither side will state Its terms with
the explicitness which President Wil
son has urged.
Proposal Believed Free From Guile,
The entente allies have been moved
to act considerately upon President
Wilson's suggestion largely because
they have satisfied themselves that it
has no connection whatever w'ith the
German proposal. They are convinced
that Mr. Wilson made a mistake as to
the time of communicating his note,
and they regard him as guilty of ex
cess of zeal in his action. But it means
a great deal to have the powers rea
lize that he did not act from any in
terest in the success of Germany and
her allies.
The real reason for the dispatch of
the note the allies attribute to the
President fear that unless the war
should terminate the United States will
be forced to break relations with Ger
many on account of the operations of
German submarines. Four distinct
cases In which submarine commanders
torpedoed steamers In violation of
pledges made last Spring are now
awaiting disposition by the President
and Secretary Lansing.
Submarine Crisis Predicted.
The allies know as well as does the
plate a comprehensive submarine cam
paign in the Spring. This will mean
further trouble for the United States
unless peace should come.
The allies are not surprised that
Switzerland indorsed the President's
peace suggestion. Nor will they be
surprised should other neutrals take
like action. Switzerland Is in constant
fear that Germany, to force the French
line, will march through a strip of her
territory, just as she did through Bel
gium. Holland also is apprehensive of
invasion.
Scandinavian states fear they may be
drawn into the conflict at any moment
and there is a Btrong German propa
ganda in Spain, and Spanish waters
(Concluded on Pae 4. Column 5.)
PROGRESS EH CHANNEL, AXD
BAR IMPROVEMENTS BIG.
Marked progress has been made
in channel Improvement In both
the Willamette and Columbia
rivers during 1916. There is now
a uniform depth in the river be
tween Portland and the sea and
at the mouth of the Columbia
there is a depth of 40 feet.
Work on the bar has been
pushed steadily and the results
obtained are most gratifying. The
channel at the mouth of the Co
lumbia now i considered perma
nent and, with adequate naviga
tion aids in use. the largest ves
sels, now can enter the Columbia
with the greatest ease. The Jetty
work will be completed by next
Summer.
The achievements of the Port
of Portland and the Government
engineers in river improvements
will be emphasized in the New
Year's edition of The Oregonlan.
President and His Wife Also Direct
Distribution of Gifts to Children
Across the Potomac.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 25. President
Wilson concluded bis Christmas cele
bration at the White House tonight
with a dinner, at which he entertained
a large group of relatives and friends.
It was an "all America" dinner, with
delicacies from many parts of the coun
try sent to the President as Christ
mas presents.
After spending: the morning: with
Joseph Josephine Cothran. nls small
grandniece, and other relatives about
a huge Christmas tree in the White
House library, the President took a
walk through the residential section
of the city with Mrs. Wilson, and di
rected the distribution of candy and
toys to small children in Virginia, who
wave to him daily when he goes to
Play golf.
The White House was deluged with
telegrams and letters from all over the
United States and from abroad wish
ing Mr. Wilson a merry Christmas.
Many of the messages spoke of hope
for peace in Europe. Because Congress
is In recess the President will have
few engagements during the remainder
of the week.
SCANDINAVIA WANTS PEACE
Conference to Foster Negotiations
Said to Be Planned.
BERLIN, Dec. 25. by wireless to Say
ville, N. Y. The Overseas News Agency
gives out the following regarding peace
reports:
"The Berne (Switzerland) Tageblatt
reports that the Scandinavian govern
ments, according to rumor, will in the
immediate future hold a conference in
order to foster peace negotiations by
common propositions.
"Likewise, the Neue Zuricher Zeitung
reports from The Hague that Holland
will probably issue a note similar to
that of Switzerland."
FAKE RAFFLES CHARGED
Denvcrites Said to Rave Been De
frauded of $7000 or $8000.
" DENVER, Dec. 26. Police tonight
were asked to search for a man known
as M. L. Cox, who severRl persons al
leged, had defrauded them by conduct
ing numerous illicit "Christmas turkey
raffles," but failed to furnish any tur
keys. Winners, it was said, received bogus
orders. At police headquarters it was
said ' the reports indicated between
$7000 and $8000 had been secured in
this manner.
PATRIOTS ABANDON DUEL
Frenchmen Decide Personal Affairs
Ravo No Standing in War.
PARIS. Dec. 25. A duel between
Frenchmen in war times would be a
real offense against patriotism. Such
was the formal declaration signed to
day by the seconds of Deputy Adrien
Veber and Captain Charles Tisseyre,
and the proposed encounter was aban
doned. The two men had engaged in an ar
gument In which a blow was said to
have been struck, a challenge fol
lowing. GOULD REBUILDS CHURCH
American Gives $100,000 for Work
in French War Zone.
PARIS, Dec. 25. Frank J. Gould,
says the Paris Herald, has Just given
$100,000 for the rebuilding of the Eng
lish Protestant Church at Maisons la
Fitte.
There is an Important English-American
colony at this place, mostly in
terested in thoroughbred racing sta
bles. FREE FEAST GOES BEGGING
Albany Restaurant Finds Only Five
Men "Broke" and Hungry.
ALBANY, Or., Dec. 25. (Special.)
On the door of a local restaurant today
was posted a notice that anyone who
was hungry and had no money could
have a Christmas dinner free of charge.
Up to 6 o'clock tonight only five men
had taken advantage of the oppor
tunity. AMERICANS PLAY SANTA
Chamber of Commerce at Berlin
Remembers 1000 Children.
BERLIN. Dec 25. (By wireless to
Sayville. N. Y.) The American Cham
ber of Commerce in Berlin, says the
Overseas News Agency, gave Christmas
presents to 1000 children in Berlin.
The American Ambassador. James W.
Gerard, and General von Kessel, com
mander In Berlin, were present.
PORTUGAL TAKES CHARGE
Extensive Powers Given to War and
Economy Committees.
LISBON, via Paris. Dec. 25. The
Cabinet has decided to create a war
committee and a public economy com
mittee. Both bodies will have extensive "w-era.
Murderer's Son,7,Sees
Shooting in Shop.
ATTEMPT ON NEGRO FAILS
Four Others Lose Lives in
Christmas Tragedies.
TRAIN HITS SPEEDER; 2 DIE
Wife of Longshoreman Found Dead
After Night's Drinking Orgy
With Husband Astoria Con
tractor Succumbs in Hotel.
CHRISTMAS TRAGEDIES IN
PORTLAND.
Barber Kills Barber.
William A. Shaner, employe of
Morgan building barber shop,
shot and killed by Martin H. Mc
Call, formerly employed there, at
10:30 A. M. in the barber shop.
Death Ends Drinking; Bout.
Mrs. Thomas H. Nichols found
dead at 162 North Tenth street at
8 A. M. atfer night's drinking
orgy with her husband, a long
shoreman. To on Speeder Killed.
Charles and John Loser, broth
ers, killed when speeder on which
they were riding collided with
O.-W. R. & N. switch engine near
Troutdale about 10 A- M.
Contractor Found Dead.
J. M. Galbraith, Astoria con
tractor, found dead In his bed at
the Carlton Hotel. Death be
lieved from natural causes.
William A. Shaner, a barber em
ployed in Murphy Bros." barber shop,
basement of the Morgan building, was
shot and instantly killed yesterday
morning by Martin H. McCall, another
barber who had been discharged from
the same place on Saturday night. One
of the witnesses of the tragedy was
McCall's 7-year-old son, Martin, Jr.
The slayer is said to have blamed
Shaner for the loss of his position.
Shaner was at work shaving a patron,
C. Woosterveer, of 1039 Belmont
street, when McCall entered, his little
son by his side. At leant ten patrons
were in the chairs of the shop. McCall
placed the boy in a seat and went to"
the chair of a friend, Jess Farrln, ask
ing for a hair cut and shave.
Grievance Aired to Friend.
As Farrln worked, McCall talked of
his grievance against Shaner, while
Farrln tried to dissuade him from mak
ing trouble. "You're a good fellow,
Jess," said McCall, handing Farrin a
tip, "and I hope you do well.' No one
man can fight the world alone. And I
wa double-crossed if ever a fellow
was."
McCall rose from the chair, walked
(Conrludd on Pasre VI. Column 2.
Child Sleeping in Attic Escapes to
Alarm Neighbors Three Negroes
Captured as Suspects.
M1NDEN, La., Dec. 25. Neighbors
summoned by a half-dressed little boy
of 7 ran to the home of John N.
Reeves near here early today to find
that murderers had turned the house
into a slaughter pen. Reeves and his
wife were dead, the man's skull
crushed bj- an axe and the woman
with a bullet hole through her head. An
11-year-old boy, still clutching in his
arms his 15-months'-old brother, and
another of five, were battered and
chopped from axe strokes.
The children were carried to a hos
pital at Shreveport.. where the eldest
died. Their brother, who gave the
alarm, escaped because he was sleep
ing in the attic. He had come down
early In the morning to look for his
Christmas presents when he saw what
sent him flying, terror-stricken, to the
next farmhouse.
A tool chest In which Reeves. Is said
to have boasted that he kept $4000 was
found broken open, near a table on
which the parents had placed an array
of simple presents before retiring
Christmas eve.
Posses searched all through the day
for the murderers. Three heavily
shackled negroes were brought tonight
to the Minden Jail. What evidence
there Is against them has not been disclosed.
WILSON TAKES UP DEFICIT
Congress to Be Addressed When
President Makes TJp His Mind.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 25. Various
plans suggested for meeting the deficit
are being considered by President Wil
son and it was said today the Presi
dent might decide to address Congress
on Che subject as soon as he made up
his mind how the revenues should be
raised.
Members of the House ways and
means committee already have dis
cussed the problem with Secretary Mc-
Adoo and other Administration offl
cials.
WIRE FENCE DEADLY TO 2
Ranch Hands Killed by Current
From Broken Pover Line.
TULARE. Cal.. Dec. 25. John D.
Mello and Frank C. Sllva, ranch hands,
were shocked to death today by a wire
ranch fence carrying 11,000 volts of
electricity transmitted by a- Mount
Whitney Power & Electric Company
power wire which had fallen across
the fence and set the posts afire.
Manuel Godhine was severely burned
when he attempted to rescue his com
panions. OBREGON TO TAKE FIELD
Carranza'9 Minister of War May
Pursue Villa in Person.
MEXICO CITY. Dec. 25. General Ob
regon. Minister of War, and General
"Gonzales will have a meeting tomorrow
for the purpose of arranging army mat
ters so that General Obregon may take
command In the north.
It is reported in well-informed circles
here that General Obreson will take
the field personally against Villa im
mediately. NO REST FOR THE WICKED.
Poor Children's Party
Great Success.
CHAMBER BECOMES PLAYROOM
Huge Christmas Tree, Music
and Games Are Enjoyed.
SPONSOR IS HAPPY MAN
Willing Aides Help Entertain 32 5
Young Guests and Some Par
ents Afternoon of Fun
Follows Dinner.
Santa Claus may he a myth, but even
if he may be we still have Tommy
Swivel.
At least that Is the opinion 325 chil
dren undoubtedly have, who were Tom
my's guests in the Chamber of Com
merce dining room at his tifth annual
Christmas children's party, yesterday.
Certainly. If Charles Dickens should
come back from paradise and stop over
In Portland. It is almost safe to bet
that he would rewrite his immortal
"Christmas Carol" and put Tommy
Swivel into it for Tommy and his an
nual party seem Just naturally to be
long there.
At first his Christmas party was a
small affair, for a score or more of chil
dren, and was held In his room in the
old Commercial Club, but he had such
a fine time watching the little ones
enjoy themselves that he couldn't be
greedy, so next time he Invited some
of his friends to help him on the recep-
tion committee and got a bigger crowd
of children.
Now Tommy's friends look eagerly
for an opportunity to get into the re
cep'tlon committee and his list of chil
dren guests has grown to more than
300.
Transportation Is Provided.
Mrs. Kate H. Magulre. of the Wi
dows' Pension Bureau. assisted Mr.
Swivel by finding for him the children
who would need a Christmas entertain
ment and in distributing among them
the admittance cards to the party and
the atreet car tickets that Mr. Swivel
had provided to transport them to and
from the celebration.
Some of the children. In families of
poor people, refused to come unless
mother could come too. so Tommy In
cluded about a dozen of these mothers
on his list, and each came up smiling
yesterday leading a "stairway" of
children ranging from twelve years
down to a few months In some cases.
Tommy ordered a Christmas dinner
foV the 300 that was like an epicure's
dream, and the chef at the Chamber of
Commerce threw himself into the spirit
of the day and performed wonders of
cookery.
Mrs. Magulre brought one woman
who had said wistfully, when her chil
dren were invited:
" A turkey dinner! My, I haven't
tasted turkey in 30 years! "
Bring 'er on!" said Tommy, when
(Concluded on Pace 1 7. Column l.
Commodore Fleming, Mail Carrier,
and Tom Rilea, of Oregon City,
Arc Reported Missing.
GRANTS PASS. Or.. Dec. 55. (Spe
cial.) A searching party is being or
ganized at Marlel, on the Lower Rogue
River, to start out at daylight tomor
row morning to hunt for Commodore
Fleming, mail carrier of the West Fork
and Agness route, and for Tom Rilea.
of Oregon City, ooth of whom are sup
posed to be lost somewhere in the hills
along the trail.
Fleming left Agness for West Fork
Saturday morning, and should have
reached West Fork that evening. He
has not been heard of since leaving
Marlel. There is not a habitation be
tween that place and West Fork, a
distance of 22 miles, and It is feared
that Fleming Is lost in the heavy
snow.
Tom Rilea left West Fork after the
mallcarrler Friday morning, being en
route from Oregon City to Agness to
spend Christmas with his father, who
is postmaster there. He has not been
heard from since leaving West Fork,
according to word received at the lo
cal forestry l office here today. Rilea
was formerly employed with the Siski
you Forest Service.
There has been a heavy fall of snow
In the hills during the past few days
and a man on the mountain trails could
easily go astray. Supervisor Macduff,
of the Siskiyou forest, has notified all
the rangers along the Rogue to aid
in the search for the lost men. A
heavy snowfall marked Christmas day
weather in ' the Rogue River hills,
though In the valley tho snow melted
as It fell.
SHIP FLASHES CRY FOR AID
Steamship Maryland Sinking and
Hurry Call for Help Is Sent.
NEW YORK. Dec. 35. The steam
ship Maryland was reported sinking
late tonight In latitude 39. longitude
67. A wireless message picked up
here said that the engine-room was
rapidly being flooded and asked that
aid be sent to the vessel immediately.
The position given in the wireless
message is about 60 miles southeast of
Nantucket shoals, or 360 miles east
southeast of New Tork.
Two steamships named Maryland are
listed In the Maritime Register. One
of these Is a British vessel of 2962
tons, and the other is an American
ship of 1892 tons. The latter was last
repotted leaving Philadelphia Decem
ber 23 for Liverpool or London.
GERARD TO SEE KAISER
American Ambassador to Sec Em
peror Next Tuesday.
LONDON, Dec. 25. Emperor William
will give special audience on Tuesday
to James W. Gerard, the American
Ambassador, and to the Swiss Minister,
Dr. A. DeClaparede, says an Amster
dam dispatch to the Exchange Tele
graph Company.
The Emperor and Empress spent
Christmas day at Potsdam Palace.
INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS
The Weather.
YESTERDAY'S Maximum temperature 37
degrees; minimum, 33 degrees.
TOJiAY'S 'Probably occasional rain or snow
Hurries; winds mostly easterly.
War.
Russians reject Wilton's offer. Paso 5.
British soldiers celebrate while war goes on
as usual. Page u.
Sir Sam Hushes urgea Canada to call all
single mtu between IS and 40. Pass 4.
Foreign.
Dean of Westminster says Wilson misappre
hends European sltuatlou. Pase 5.
National.
Railroad net earnings for 1916 will exceed
billion. Pase 1.
Mr. Wilson eats all-Amerlcan Christmas din
ner, pase 1.
Federal Reserve Board names Bank of Eng.
land as Its correspondent abroad. Pege 2.
Entenfe to reply to Wilson In conciliatory
vein, blaming Germany for war. Page I.
Oregon stands chance of getting more for
reclamation work. Psuco 2.
Domestic.
Young "woman to direct late hotel man's
millions. Page 7.
Louisiana family brutally murdered. Pago 1.
Snort
Two heavyweight bouts scheduled for Thurs
day's smoker. Page la.
Rlsberg declares he will retire) if pay Isn't
raised. Page 16.
Oregon regulars all to start game at Pasa
dena. Pase 16.
Oregon team leaves for Pasadena. Pago 16.
I"uciflc Northwcvt.
Fight on formation of Deschutes County
taken Into court. Page 6.
Two Democrats to vacate offices for Repub
licans in Clackamas County. Page 6.
Sesrchers seek two men lost In snow In
Rogue River hills. Page 1.
State covered by snow. Page 6.
Marine.
Waterfront has quietest day on record
Pase 12.
Portland and Vicinity.
Tommy Swivel Is Santa to 325 children at
Chamber of Commerce. Page 1.
Teachers' convention will bring 30O0 visitors
to Portland this week. Page 14.
Newsies remember sick benefactor with
tlowers. Page 17.
Elaborate Christmas services held In Port
land. Page IS.
Engine kills two men on speeder near Cor
bett. Page 12.
Wife dies while couple are on alcoholic de
bauch. Page 12.
Postofflce deliveries rushed. Page 18.
Barber kills another; porter flees to safety.
Pass 1.
Carver franchises coming up for final action
today. Page 10.
Stage folk observe Christmas In various
wuya. Page 4.
Ope hundred and fifty poor have feast.
Page 17.
Celebration equal to that of year ago prom
ised New Year's eve. Page 13.
Move to legalize Irrigation bonds to go to
Legislature. Page 10.
The Oregonlan staff has party. Pass 6-
Weather report, data and forecast. Pass 14-
Net Income for 1916
Exceeds Billion.
STARTLING INCREASE SHOWN
Overburdened Lines in East
Get Cream of Business. .
PEOPLE TRAVELING MORE
Total Passenger Receipts Expected
to Aggregate 9 TOO, 000, 000--Car
Shortage Has Prevented Still
Greater Increases.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 26. More than
$1,000,000,000 net Income from opera
tions was made by the railroads of tha
country during the year now closing.
The huge total is the peak of pros
perity in railroad operations, and
stands more than one-third higher than
the total of 1!13, heretofore the ban
ner year.
Statistics gathered by the Interstate
Commerce Commission, complete for
nine months and made the basis for
calculation for the entire year, indi
cate that the total net Income from
operations will be approximately
$1,098,000,000. For tho first nine
months of the year complete returns
show $785,558,286. Even this does not
represent the full amount, as roads
whose income is less than $1,000,000
are not Included.
i:stlmntc IB Conservative
The estimate $1.098,000.000 la re
garded by officials as conservative. It
makes no allowance for normal in
crease in business during the last three
months of the year returns for which
are unavailable but places the Income
for October, November and December
at the same figures as for July, August
and September. There is no question,
officials say. but there will be an in
crease, the only doubt is as to its size.
Analysis of the returns for the first
nine months shows a startling Increase
from January to September, amounting:
to more than 67 per cent. Thus, net
Income in January. $64,915,286. had
mounted to $107,910,814 in September,
an increase of nearly $43,000,000.
Sonrre of Revenue Analysed.
For the first nine months of the year,
the commission's figures show that the
railroads collected $3,654, S29.647 from all
sources of operation.
The chief items were as follows:
Freight. $1,875,019,990; passenger traf
fic. $523,103,907; mails. $45,348,609:
from express companies $65,089,474; in
cidentals, dining and buffet car serv
ice, operation of hotels and restau
rants, sale of vending privileges on
trains and at stations, parcel rooms at
stations, demurrage, storage of freight
and baggage, telegraph and telephone
wires leased to other companies, op
eration of grain elevators, etc. $60.
414.597. and all other transportation
charges. $76,087,611.
The last item embraces sleeping and
parlor car service; freight on milk,
which has virtually an expriu serv
ice; switching charges and operation of
special trains.
Eipnf Measurably Increased.
This total, using the first nine
months as a basis, will reach $3,600,
640.502 when the year closes, officials
estimate, and without doubt will exceed
it. Never before In the history of rail
road operations have the roads had so
great a gross Income.
Expenses have not kept pace with
the rapid rise in receipts, although
they have measurably increased. From
a total of $1S2.SS1.269 In January ex
penses had increased to $203,235,349 in
September, approximately 11 per cent.
During that period receipts had in
creased from $260,054,306 to $324,954.
301, approximately 25 per cent. The
chief Items of expense for the nine
months' period for which returns are
available are as follows:
Maintenance of way, $320,157,526;
maintenance of equipment. $441,750.
069; transportation. $858,973,536; traf
fic. $46,679,422; miscellaneous opera
tions. $19,904,769; general expenses, in
cluding administration. $61,499,428. All
operating expenses totaled $1,744,160.
022. Mileage la About 230,500.
On the same basis, the year's ex
penses will approximate $2,346,066,990.
leaving net revenue from operations,
$1,254,573,512. From the last figure,
however, must be deducted the rail
roads' annual tax bill, approximately
$155,625,546, and bad debts down on
the books as uncollectible revenue ap
proximating $965,928, a total Of $156,
591.474. About 230.500 miles of road were In
operation. In ths first months the
total fell below 230.000; in the latter
part of the year it exceeded 230.000.
Using 230,000 as an average, returns
show that for every mile of road op
erated in the country, the railroads
will receive this year approximately
$15,655 in gross receipts and a net in
come of $4774, little more than 30 per
cent of the gross.
Compared with previous earnings,
net income for 1916 shows an increase
of more than 52 per cent over the
fiscal year of 1915; 09 per cent over
1914, and 31 per cent over 1913.
Eastern Roads Get Cresm.
Wide divergence in receipts among
tho roads of various sections is dia-
( Concluded oa Page 2. Column 1.)