THE MORNING- OREGONIAN, MONDAY, JANUARY 1, 1917. GIRL 'FORGER' SAYS SHE'LL 'PAY PRICE' PORTLAND WORKING GIRL. CHARGED WITH FORGERY IN LAND SKETCH IS BIG HIT UISAL, WHO DEFIES OPINION OF SOCIETY WHICH NEGLECTED HER. Orpheum Audience Charmed by Acting in "Peggy." WE WISH YOU ALL Nellie Miller Denies Intent to Do Wrong in Signing Mrs. . Kerns' Name to Check. WOMAN DANCER THRILLS 23 SOCIAL SYSTEM ARRAIGNED Young Woman Asserts LeKoy Kerns Assured Her It Was All Right to Sign Paper and She Says She Will Stand by Him. "I did not think I -was doing- wrong. He told me it was all right, to go ahead and sign. But if It was wrong, if I am a forger, as they say I am, I am willing to pay. I'm not a mollycoddle!" So says Miss Nellie Miller, somewhat of a cynical philosopher, her black eyes striking sparks, as she speaks of the charge of forgery against her, wherein it Is alleged that she impersonated Mrs. LeRoy Kerns and signed that name to IK check for J300 In connection with a land deal at Madras, Or. Both she and Kerns were arrested Saturday evening by City Detectives Craddock and Smith, at the close of an Inquiry by F. S. Alkrus, of the Burns International De tective Agency. , "The public?" The words were less a query than an exclamation of scorn. "Why should I care what the public cays of me? Did the public ever take care of me? Does it take care of any of the girls who are forced to work for starvation wages? No! The public waits till the girl trips and stumbles. Then its police bring her here, to jail, and at last the public gives her a bed and meals." . And Miss Miller hurried to a climax, not unlike a character in the modern problem play or a woman of George Bernard Shaw's observation. Wg Complaint Ma'de. "I worked in Portland on Broadway quite a while before I went to the eountry. Six dollars a week! That's all very well, you say, a dollar every oay. well, I p&aL. 12 for my room each week. They gave me a, meal ticket for x cars me way toy wages went. "Everything in the places where I wonted was hi?h-prlced. because 1 never wanted to work in the 'cheap Joints'.' I was afraid. So,, you see, sandwiches cost 15 cents. It took 75 cents a day to pay for your meals, and then you didn't have more than a scanty allowance. If you used your ticket up before the week ended, vou had to have the cash, or you couldn't eat. on, it's fine. I tell you. "Do you know that you have to be an apprentice girl to get work here in Portland?" The words were scornful and the girl's eyes smouldered. "It's like this: I go to a Dlace and sav. 'I'd like to apply for a position, and I've had such-and-such experience.' The answer is, 'We can't do anything for you, unless you'll work as an aooren- tice. We can get plenty of those to do the work.' Bo the girl, no matter what her experience has been, or what refer ences she has, must work for 24 a month, nun: Eierht-Honr I.atr Blamed. "Once I had a position that paid ?9 a week. I got a nice room and I was happy. I didn't know much about the new eight-hour law for women, but it naa gone inio enect. That flay I had worKea nara, and my sales were $45. I had put up many party luncheons. and although I was tired, I was satis fied with the Job. I knew I was making good. At closing time the proprietor handed me my check and told me I was through. 'Why. Mr. I said, 'don't vou think you ought to give me a week's notice, at least? He shrugged his shoulders and said that he couldn't. A man went to work In mr place, be cause a man could give him 10 hours of his time. Of the alleged forgery which caused her arrest. Miss Miller was reticent. She declared that she was willing to assume run responsibility for her act. I liked Mr. Kerns," she said, "and wnen ne asxea me to sign the check I hesitated. 'Go on,' he said, 'it's all l ight." So I signed it, but as heaven Is my Judge, I never thought I was doing wrong. Status of Companion Questioned. Miss Miller believes that Kerns has obtained a divorce from his wife, and announced her intention yesterday of staying Dy mm." She is 21 years of age, dark of hair and eyes, rather tall and assuredly .graceful, and Impresses the listener with the complete sincerity of her character. Her view of life, that of a working girl, is passionately emblt tered. It is alleged by the detectives that the young woman came to Portland several weeks ago, accompanied by Jverns, ana tnat miss Miller signed Mrs. Kerns' name to a check at the North western National Bank. "It doesn't matter what they do with me!" declared Miss Miller, "but if anyone is to lose by my act, I want to pay that money back. I'll work, I'll save, ana uiey snail nave It. every dol lar. Still, if they must send me to prison I can go, and they'll never hear me whimper. COUNTY RECEIPTS DROP CLERICS OFFICE TAKES IN f 302-1 LESS THAN LAST YEAR. Report Shows 71 Fewer Marriages In Multnomah and 12 More 1)1 , . vorces Than In 1015. Receipts for the County Clerk's of' fice for the year 1916 amounted to a total of $36,724.39. or a decrease of $3024.60, compared with the receipts for the preceding year, according to a report prepared yesterday by Carl 1. Massey, bookkeeper. The expenses of the office during the 12-month period amounted to $57 187.45, a decrease of $1697.89 compared with 1915. The excess of receipts over disbursements was $29,536.94. The report shows marriages to be on the decrease and divorces on the Increase. Marriage licenses issued during the year 1916 reached a total of 1777, or 71 less than for the year 1915. A total of 772 divorces were granted, being 12 in excess of last year. The report shows that a total of 299,054 affidavits were taken out dur ing the 12 months for the purchase or liquor and alcohol. Circuit Court cases during the year amounted to 3576, being 129 less than lor tne preceding year. Centralians to Celebrate. CENTRA LI A. Wash.. Dec. 31. (Spe tlal.) A New Tear parade and street demonstration will be staged Monday night by the Centralla Elks. A 30-piece band will head the parade and the marchers will be attired In linen dust era and plug hats. The demonstration was originally planned for Christmas night, but was postponed. ft t .s39b'-' 1 1' ": - -: - ' - i I ' ' t .''- MISS NEIL 'GREAT DIVIDE' WINS Alc-zar Players Give Three Productions of Big Play. RUTH GATES. HAS LAURELS Stirrlne Drama Holds Largo Audi ences at Baker Theater, With Albert McGovern Sharing Big Work , With Star. CAST Or THE GREAT DIVIDE. " Philip Jordan Charles Compton Polly Jordan, his wife Eleanor Parker Mrs. Jordan, his mother Lora Rogers Ruth Jordan, his sister.... Ruth Gates Winthrop Newbury Will Lloyd Dr. Newbury, his father George P. Webster Stephen Ghent . ... Albert McGovern Lon' Anderson Walter B. Gilbert Burt Williams ......Henry Norman Dutch Harold Holland Pedro ......Raymond Johnson A Contractor ......... Scott Brebner An Architect .... .George R. Taylor A Boy ................. Corry Jones Ruth Gates and Albert McGovern yes. and every other member of the cast of "The Great Divide" achieved a triumph yesterday and added well deserved laurels to those that had been won before by tnat clever company of stage folk, the Alcazar Players, who are the attraction this season at the Baker Theater. Three times was that stirring drama given. The story and the play that are linked with the names of the author, William Vaughn Moody, and with the fame of the actor, Henry Mil ler, was presented to three large audi ences yesterday. Ruth Gates Stars. Three times did Ruth Gates live over those Intense scenes and throw her whole life into the character of Ruth Jordan, the girl who is the heroine, the central figure- of the play. It was no easy part she took. Hard work and true genius had to be combined In its interpretation. And both were con tributed generously by Miss Gates. As Stephen Ghent. Mr. McGovern was superb. In his primitive emotions, in his strength, in his elemental passions and in his great goodness and power to sacrifice he painted the character of the hero of the play, the man who gambled for, bought and fought for and finally suffered for the girl who became his wife. There are three acts, all well staged but for the setting of the second, espe cial praise is due. Eleanor Parker Adds Wit. An added interest is found in the company in hte presence of Eleanor Parker, the recent acquisition to the list of Alcazar Players. Miss Parker is bright and sparkling and lovely. As Polly Jordan. "Polly kins." the sister-in-law of Ruth, she gives Just the right dash of frivolity and wit. Outside of the door of the Ghent cabin in act two there sat that wise old philosopher, - that faithful friend and devoted servant, Lon Anderson. He is one or the big- hits of the play and. needless to say. it Is Walter B. Gilbert who plays the part and plays it to penection. Charles Compton is the PhiliD Jordan of the story Philip the loving, im pulsive brother of Ruth, who In the first scene is with her on the lonely ranch in Arizona, and in the last Is in the old family home in Massachusetts. Will Lloyd, always popular, does his part in the successful production by giving a cleancut performance as Win throp Newbury, a devoted admirer of Ruth. George P. Webster hasn't much to do, but does that little well, being the dignified and wise family physi cian. Dr. Newbury. Henry Norman is Burt Williams, a rough and , ready miner. Raymond Johnson is Pedro and Har old Holland is Dutch, the ruffians who bargain for the girL George R. Tay lor is the architect who plans the new home that Stephen would build for his wife, Scott - Brebner Is the contractor and Cony Jones Is a boy, minor parts. but all well done. "The Great Divide" will continue all this week with bargain performance Tuesday night and matinees today Wednesday and Saturday. Marion M. Splawn Dies at Lyle. GOLDENDALE, Wash.. Dec 31. (Special.) Marlon M. Splawn, an old- IE MILLER. time resident of the Klickitat country, who died at his residence in Lyle to day following an illness of several months, was born in the Willamette Valley and came with his parents to the High Prairie section about 40 years ago. Mr. Splawn is a nephew of Jack Splawn, ex-Mayor of North Yakima, and spent most of his life as a farmer on his ranch near Hartland. He had resided in Lyle for several years, where he had been a special Deputy Sheriff and was formerly game warden of Klickitat County. He is survived by his widow and two sonA CHINESE CELEBRATE, TOO Stores to Close Today, Native Ob servance Following January 23. Although today is not the beginning of the year on strictly Chinese calen dars, it will be celebrated by the Port land colony of Celestials in commemo ration of the establishment of the Chi nese republic. Every Chinese store in the city will be closed, and the day will be given over to feasting and felicitations. Chinese New Tear proper begins Jan uary 22, when the week or more of feasting and forgiveness of debts will commence. In Portland It is always celebrated with much pomp and a great deal of banqueting, while the unique melodies of the Chinese orchestras re sound almost continuously through the Oriental quarter. - INSURANCE WILL' BE TOPIC Members' Council of Chamber Will Hold Session. Tomorrow. The meeting of the members coun cil of the Chamber of Commerce, regu larly scheduled for Monday, will be held tomorrow on account of the New Year celebration today. The report of the Insurance Code Commission, which was authorized by the 1915 Legislature and which will be up to the coming Legislature, will be the subject for discussion. W. A. Williams, S. P. Lockwood, W. J. Lyons and J. W. Simmons will speak on the code from the standpoint of fire, life, fraternal and survey and fi delity Insurance. Mrs. Alva Lee Stephens will speak on her bill to create a bureau of Juvenile and parental rela tions, which bill is to be put up also before the coming legislative session. RIGHT-OF-WAY GIVEN ROAD Coos County Grants Privilege to Parallel Highway With Rails. MARSHFIELD, Or., Dec 31. (Spe cial.) The County Court assembled In Coqullle last night granted the Smith- Powers Logging Railway a franchise for a ten-foot right of way on the county road between Bunker Hill and Summit, a distance of 11 miles. The Smith Powers survey south of Summit crosses the Coqullle River at Beaver Slough and leads into Myrtle Point, the present terminus of the rail road between Powers and that city from the south side of the Coqullle Valley. The Bunker Hill terminus of the proposed extension would bring the railroad within one mile of Marshfield. FUNERAL TO BE TUESDAY Inquest Over Body of E. J. Richards Not Yet Determined. The funeral of EJ. J. Richards, of 691 Marshall street, pioneer grocer of this city, will be held Tuesday at 1 P. M. from the chapel of Flnley & Son. In terment will be In Riverview Cemetery. Mr. Richards was struck and -killed by an S., P. & S. passenger train early Saturday while out walking. None of the train crew, nor anyone else that has been discovered, witnessed the fatal accident. The death was investigated by Deputy Coroner Smith. It has not yet been definitely determined whether an Inquest will be held or not. Edlefsen Adv. wishes happy New Tear. CAUTION Wrappers of the New Year's Edition of The Morn ing Oregonian for sale on the streets and news stands will bear this label: NEW YEAR'S EDITION Jlflrtlatti. WATCH FOR Al Shayne's Singing Is Delightful. Bar Act, "Colonel of the Nuts,"" and Other Good Numbers Are on New Bill. One can readily realize when he sees it. why "Peggy," the sketch which Clay ton White and his -company presented yesterday in the new bill at the Or pheum. won the Lambs' Club silver cup for the best sketch of the year produced at the Lambs' Club Gambol. The plot is built on a single thread but it is a thread on which every human heart happens to be strung: and the Christmas atmosphere surrounding the sketch makes it especially appeal ing at this season, it is a modern and wonderfully sweet re-echo of the spirit of the old "Christmas Carol" of Dick ens, over which the world has laughed tenderly and cried with equal tender ness for, lo, these many years. Clayton White as "Dave," the stage carpenter, with his laboriously written Christmas letter from his little girl Peggy, Is the very soul of Christmas love and expansive geniality; and as the sketch develops, the embittered the atrical manager, the leading man in his new pride of fatherhood, the Japanese valet and the fine-souled stage car penter are all drawn closely and more closely together by the two big Im pulses, the love of the little ones and the glory of the Christmas spirit. Andlence Is Charmed. The audience almost finds Itself sit ting inside the charmed circle and list ening with tender pride to the final reading of Peggy's Christmas letter. Tragically beautiful is the descriptive dance of Muriel Worth, "The Passing of the Swan," with the poignantly thrill ing music of Saint-Saens, and the dancer expressing the very soul of the stately creature growing more and more magnificent in the beauty of its death- Muriel Worth does not adhere entire ly to the classical nor the old world themes In her dance presentations, but offers some wonderful original dance conceptions, and Introduces an inter pretation of the "Spirit of Syncopa tion "which gives a new glory and piquancy to the appeal of our Ameri can rag-time themes. Shame's SlnBliiK Delights. Al Shayne s singing act is a surpris ing and wholly delightf pi comedy offer ing, with enough seriousness to show that besides being an uproarious come dian, he has a voice entirely worth listening to; and Mario and Duffy In their horizontal bar production, which closes the bill, show that there is still something new to be seen, in this line of entertainment. Joe Morris is "the Colonel of the nuts" in his "Avi-ate-her" skit, with Flossie Campbell, his partner, she as beautiful as he is comical; the board walk patter of Ronalr, Ward and Far ron is brilliant, and Ernie Potts and company, who open the bill, start with a singing feature and end with a clever, surprise. The travel weekly opening the show covers interesting scenes in Indo-Chlna and Algeria. KANSAS ALUMNI MEETS MRS. R. J. BROCK HOSTESS FOR FOURTH ANNUAL GATHERING. Mrs. E. C. Joss Elected Presldeat for 1917. E. C. Thayer Vice-President, A. E. Liwita, Secretary. The fourth annual meeting of the Alumni of Kansas State Agricultural College was held Saturday night at the home of Mrs. R. J. Brock, at the Campbell Hotel, with about 30 members present. A business meeting with elec tion of officers, a musical programme, a social hour and refreshments, were features of one of the most successful meetings that the association has ever neia in Portland. W. W. Lawton. who was graduated from the Agricultural College about ten years ago and who has been promi nent in the organization of the alumni body in Portland, presided at the meet ing. Mrs. B. C. Joss was elected presi dent for 1917. E. C. Thayer was made vice-president and A. E. Lawson sec retary. A meeting will be held in June at some place to be decided on bv the executive committee. The annual meet ing will be held in December, 1917. The following were present: Mr. and Mrs. E. O. Joss. Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Smith, Miss Muriel Smith, Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Lawton. Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Stonn, Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Haulenbeck, Mrs. and Miss Waldele, Mr. and Mrs. II. A. Dar nell, Mr. and Mrs. H. R. Blair. Mr. and Mrs. E. E. Faville, Miss Marie Williams, Mrs. M. Bracons. W. A. Young. George Moffat. James West, Ellis Thayer, Dr. Frank E. Smith, C. H. Anderson. Allen Tindolph and A. E. Lawson. CIRCUIT COURT ACTION AIM Effort Made to Take I. W. W. Cases Out of Municipal Court. An effort to bring the I. W. W. issue before the Circuit Court, because of dissatisfaction with the methods em ployed in the Municipal Court in han dling the emergency, was reported yes terday, due to the activities of Attor ney Harold M. Sawyer in attempting to get a hearing In the higher court for Frank Maedke. striking steel worker, convicted in the Municipal court or assault and fined sio. Mr. Sawyer is said to represent em ployers who are affected by the labor situation. Action in the matter was postponed by Judge Davis until next Tuesday. Read The Oregonian classified ads. rrgnn THE LABEL THE STORE OF PERSONAL r income test begun MILLIONS INVOLVED IN SOT WILLIAM . CROCKER. BY Allowance fer Losses en Bonds and Stacks Demanded Department Has Made Adverse Rnllaar. SAN FRANCISCO. Dec 31. William H. Crocker, multimillionaire banker, of this city, has sued Internal Revenue Collector J. J. Scott for a refund of (11.340, it became known here today. The suit was filed in the United States District Court here and was placed on secret file by special order from Washington, which, it is said, grants to Crocker the privilege of avoiding a publio recording to the documents in the case. In the suit Crocker demands that Collector Scott return to him 111.340 which he alleges represents losses on bonds and stocks sustained by him which should have been considered in the fixing of the amount of his tax able Income. It is said that if Crocker wins his suit, it will mean that the Government will have to refund millions of dol lars to Income tax payers throughout the country. Under rulings from the Treasury Department exemptions for losses may be allowed only when sustained by a person in the particular business by which he or she earns a living. Collector Scott, it is reported, held that Crocker lost on certain securities in which he dealt, and that, because he did not Incur these losses in the pursuit of the business by which he earns his livelihood he had no right to a refund. EMPLOYES RECEIVE GIFTS Purchasers of Cars Also Remem bered by D. C. Warren Co. The I. C. Warren Motorcar Com pany. Twenty-third and Washington streets, was among the business firms of the city that did not forget to re member. Its employes this holiday- sea A Very Prosperous and HAPPY NEW YEAR The Meier 2 Frank Company Takes This Oppor tunity to Express Its Appreciation of Your Patron age in the Past and to Assure You That the Same Service That Has Made This Portland's Greatest Store for Over 59 Years Will Be Constantly in Evidence During 1917 Greatest Mail Order House in the West for Trie- Quality" Storc or- Portland rbc son. In a letter of greetings to e?h employe of the firm was pinned a $3 check, accompanied by the best wishes of D. C. Warren, the president. Each customer of the company who has purchased an auto during the past year was also generously remembered with a useful windshield cleaner for the car. Many were sent to distant parts of the state and letters of ap preciation are pouring In to the com pany. SCHOONERS TO BE BUILT Oregon Shipbuilding Company Ac quires Site for Yards. The Oregon Shipbuilding Company. which has contracts to build three wood en motor ships. Is planning to begin ac tive construction work soon. The com pany has acquired as a site for its yards all of the land lying between Vermont and, Nevada streets and ex tending from the Willamette River to the Southern Pacific tracks. J. H. Price, who designed and super vised the construction of the auxiliary schooner City of Portland, the Ruby, the June and other similar craft, is one of the organizers of the company. The concern is capitalized for 200.- 000, and was organized a few weeks ago. The three vessels to be built by the company will be similar In type to the City of Portland ana win nave a ca pacity of 3000 tons each. Grade Crossings to Be Studied. SALEM, Or, Dec 31. (Special.) Frank J. Miller, chairman of the State Railroad Commission, has called for a meeting of the conference on elimina tion and protection of grade crossings and for prevention of loss of life upon railroad rights of way to meet in Salem. Saturday January 6. at 10:30 o'clock In the morning. CASTOR I A For Infants and Children In Use For Over 30 Years Signature of I i 1 I SERVICE tfATER LEIEL GRADE THRU the CASCADES NORTH BAS1K ROAD en 2 FINE TRAINS DAILY BETWEEN SPOKANE AND PORTLAND Only All-Dayllirht Train Throigb the Mosntilm THROCGH SERVICES . Portland to Spokane Chicago, St. Louln. Kansas City. Choice of GREATEST SCENIC ROUTES Northern Pacific Ry., Great Northern lly. Barling-ton Honte Through the Grand Canyon of the' Columbia, along the rim of the Snake River Canyon and across the Inland Empire. Portland to San Franrlseo SS. Northern Pacific. 26-hour sail, and connecting steamer express train from Portland. BOOK OF ARTISTIC VIEWS Entitled "Along the Columbia River to the Sea." Sent for 3 cents stamps. It will delight Eastern friends. R. II. CHOZIER, A. G. Portland. Or. P. A mm i ii mi IP!