K VOL,. L.VII. XO. 17,553. PORTLAND, OREGON, FRIDAY FEBRUARY 23, 1917. PRICE FIVE CENTS. LHn!lrTHSSn!POnTLAIID. PRICES JAPANESE NOT TO MENACE AMERICA MAINE TO VOTE ON WOMAN SUFFRAGE 5250,000 LEGACY LEGISLATOR DIES IN $200, 000 FIRE TWO CUT OFF BT FLAMES IN HOTEL AT DAWSOX. ,V STARTS OVER AWAITS TROOPER INAUGURAL PARADE ARE GOING HIGHER STTBMISSIOX RESOLUTION WIXT, BE SIGNED BY GOTERXOB. COMMITTEE CLEARS HIGH OF FICIALS OF BLAME. ro K V Assurance in Event of . War Is Given. AID TO ALLIES WELCOME .Removal of Cause of Friction Asked Meanwhile. TRADE ALSO IS DESIRED Apprehension That Nippon Would Sciz4 Opportunity for Attack Is Set at Rest Conditions Are Not Improving. ' BT JCH?f C ALLAN O LAUGHL1N. . TVASHIN'GTON", D. C. Feb. 22. (Spe cial.) Japan will not be a menace to the United States In the event of -war between this country and Germany. The authorities here are assured of a friendly attitude on the part of the Toklo government, not only by official declarations made by Japanese states men but by various developments which have come to their attention. If Germany should commit the overt act -which Mr. Wilson has said will precipitate the issue, Japan will wel come our addition to the allied cause and will work in harmony with us to attain the end desired the defeat of the central powers. Settlement of Isaacs Desired. Preliminary to full co-operation Japan desires to iron out the ques tions which have existed between the two nations. She is loyally enforcing the regulations preventing Japanese emigration to the United States. She Is relying on the National Administra tion to stop the enactment of anti Japanese state laws. When President Wilson appealed to China, among other neutral nations, to break off relations with Germany, Jap anese influence was exerted In Pekln to secure compliance. The result was that the Chinese government dismissed the German Minister and his staff and Is preparing to do what it can to sup press German operations within its own territory. Policy Toward China Changed. Japan also has changed the pollcv hitherto pursued with reference to China. While protecting her own spe cial Interests, she recognizes that It is her duty to respect the Interests of the ' i. i. oiiiea aim oiner nations. Finally, Japan has approached the United States with a view to Improving the commercial relations between the two countries. All these facts are 1m pressing the authorities here. More over, it Is realized that Great Britain and Russia are exerting their Influ ence with Japan to bring about the harmonious situation with the United States which their interests require. Apprehension Set at Rest. Throughout the country constant ap prehension has been expressed that If the United States were to engage In war with Germany, Japan would join the latter and make our position ex ceedingly dangerous. The reverse. It Is asserted, will be the case. Japan, In stead of adding to our complications. will endeavor to smooth over any Questions that may develop. ' The presence of the United States at the world peace conference, In case we go to war, will be Important for China. The Chinese government strongly de sires to participate In the peace pro ceedings. It desires to 'secure a world affirmation of the principles of the In tegrity of China and the open door. Japan, under her preceding ministry, was opposed to anything of the kind. China then expected to depend upon the United States to protect her Inter ests, but the United States would not be an insider If It did not take part In the war. If the President should deem It necessary to take part In the strug gle, then this Government will be able to raise its voice in support of China's desire. President la Encouraged. Moreover, it will be able to discuss the question of the disposition of the German islands in the Pacific which are occupied by Japan and 'which lie on the routes connecting the United States and the Philippines. The President Is considerably encour aged by the change which has taken place in the Far Eastern situation. He feels that the back door of the United States. If the Pacific Slope can be so termed. Is free from attack and that h can concentrate his attention upon the front door. He has permitted it to be come known ' that reports that th Americans held as prisoners of war on the captured ship Yarrowdale have been released by the Germans have not mod lfied the critical aspects of German American relations. Conditions Not Improved. Conditions are not improving and the adjustment of comparatively minor incidents -like that of the Yarrowdale prisoners Involving restriction by the German authorities of the rights of American citizens, mean nothing. President Wilson's understood deter ruination to go before Congress to pre cent the situation is evidence of the threatening danger. It is the expecta tion here today that the President will address the Senate and the House as sembled in joint session, on Saturday or Monday. The Administration Is aware that Con gress has a large pacifist element that way have to be reckoned with In the vent th- President recommends meas Concluded on Page 2. Column 4.) Indiana Bill Giving Ballot for Pres ident and Some State Officers Ready for Executive. AUGUSTA, Me., Feb. 22. Woman suf frage advocates In this state today won a fight of nearly 40 years for submls- lon of the suffrage question to popu lar vote. The Senate, acting in con currence with the House, adopted unan imously a resolution providing for a special election September 10 to act on the adoption of a constitutional amendment granting suffrage to wom en. Governor Mllliken announced he would sign the measure tomorrow. Maine is the second state In New England to adopt a referendum on the question, Massachusetts defeated the proposal In 1915. Officials of the Maine Equal Suffrage League and the Suffrage Referendum League of Maine said a vigorous cam paign would be carried on to obtain the approval of the voters. Opposition to the adoption of the resolution will be led by the Maine Anti-Suffrage As sociation. The first positive move for equal suf frage was made In the Legislature In 1881 and the question has been up at nearly every session since that time. Two years ago the resolution was adopted In the Senate and came within eight votes 'of winning in the House. INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 22. The wom en suffrage bill passed In the lower branch of the Indiana Legislature to day. It previously had been passed by the Senate and now goes to Governor Goodrich. The bill gives the women the right to vote for Presidential elec tors and practically all state officers except Governor and Secretary of State. IRISH VOLUNTEERS HELD Several Leaders In Recent Uprising Arrested in Dublin. LONDON, Feb. 22. The arrest today of several leaders of the Irish Volun teers and other persons who figured in the Irish uprising of last year is reported In a Central News dispatch from Dublin. Among those arrested, the dispatch says, are Councillor S. T. Kelley, J. J. O'lCelley. editor of the Catholic Bulle tin; Darrell Figgis, a well-known writer, and Captain LI am Mellowes. DUBLIN. Feb. 22. Several Sinn Felners. who had recently returned from internment In England, were ar rested today In Limerick, Galway and Skibbereen, as well as in Dublin. The arrests were made under the defense of the realm act. 3 NEGROES HOLD UP TRAIN Highwaymen Get 'o Loot and Evade Posse In Underbrush. MEMPHIS, Tenn., Feb. 22. Three negro highwaymen held up a south bound Illinois Central passenger train known as the Cuban Special, at East Junction, . several miles south of this city, shortly after midnight. It is not believed they obtained any loot. A telephone message from East Junction shortly before 2 o'clock stated that the two men, who were driven into the underbrush near the railroad tracks, had evaded the posse and It was believed had escaped. NAVY GETS 1413 RECRUITS Work Is Speeded Up, but 16,000 More Can Be Taken. WASHINGTON, Feb. 22. A net gain of 1413 recruits has been made In the Navy in the last 28 days, compared, with a total net gain for the whole of Janu ary of approximately the same num ber. The full enlisted strength has now reached a total of 58,300. Approprla tions are available for a strength of 74,500, but the increase so far made has been possible only by a vigorous recruiting campaign. EMPLOYER DIES IN VAIN Dash Into Burning Barn to Warn 3 Laborers Made, but Men Are Gone CHICAGO, Feb. 22. As the result of an effort to save two of his employes whom he believed trapped in a burn ing barn, Patrick Generty, a mason contractor, died last night at a hos pital. Generty Insisted In rushing Into the burning structure for the two men who slept therein, to find they had escaped by jumping from a window. The con tractor was so severely burned that he died some hours later. CANAL HAS RECORD MONTH January Marked by Passage of 176 Vessels Through Waterway. WASHINGTON, Feb. 22. The Pan ama Canal did its biggest month's business in January, according to fig ures available today. 176 vessels with a tonnage of 557,839 having passed through the waterway. The previous record was In, July, 1915, when 170 ships of 647,370 tonnage passed through. Sunday Closing Beaten In Montana HELENA, Mont., Feb. 22. The Mon tana Senate, by a vote of 20 to 19, de feated the bill providing for thexclosing of saloons on Sunday. Montana will go ' dry January i, unaer tne inula tive act adopted- by tne voters last o vember. Stable Job Secured to Pay 65 Cent-Debt MILLIONAIRE RELATIVE DIES Emil Langendorfer, 22, L'jcky Portland Guardsman FAMILY ALL1 LIVE HERE Father, Who Has Big Ranch Hold ings In Clarke County, Is One of Principal Beneficiaries of New York Merchant's WilU Emil Langendorfer, member of Troop A, Cavalry, Oregon National Guard, made arrangements Wednesday night to care for the horses of the troop at Vancouver Barracks for $2 a day, after mustering out of Federal service, for he owed the camp canteen 65 cents. Scarcely had he reached the stables with a broom yesterday morning when he was told he was worth $250,000 through the death the night before, of millionaire grandfather In New York City. Emil In. Debt at Master-Out. Emil was the only trooper who faced mustering-out day with less than noth ing to his financial credit. He didn't have carfare to Portland and he owed the troop canteen. When the troop banquet was given In Portland a week ago, it was Emil who remained behind in charge of camp quarters to earn $2. A friend who had taken a stable job wanted to see his folks in La Grande before settling down to work, and, on the day before the other troopers left for their homes. Emil offered to sub stitute, that he might pay up that 65 cents and have something left over. - Talk Walts on Stable Duties. But ha didn't have much time to talk about the startling news brought him by his brother. Arthur Langendorfer, pf Portland, for the sta bles were yet to be swept and horses were waiting to be curried. As soon as he can receive his release. Emil will speed eastward, following the trail of his father. Charles Henry Langendorfer, of Clarke Co'unty. who swung aboard an overland train yes terday afternoon, but In the meantime stable chores have his first attention. Arthur Lagendorfer, of Portland, pro prietor of the Meadowbrook Poultry Farm at East Forty-sixth street and Sandy boulevard, is said to share equally with his brother in the huge estate of Jacob Henry Langendorfer, millionaire clothing man, who died In New York City Wednesday night. The father of the young men. who has large ranch holdings in Clarke County, is said to be one of the chief Coneltded on Par 2, Column l. --1jjiS& ZfMlt " ONE BULLSEYE I Owner Snatches Wife From Fire and Leaps Across Roofs to Safety. Temperature 20 Below. DAWSON. T. T, Fet. 22. Two lives wero lost here last night Aa a . fire which destroyed property In the busi ness section of the estimated value of $200,000. Those who perished were Charles W. C. Tabor, dean of the Dawson bar and one of the most prominent men In the Yakon Territory, and' William Mc Adams, veteran White Pass stage driver on the White Horse and Dawson over land route. The fire started In the Yukonla Ho tel, when the thermometer was 20 de grees below zero. It swept northward, taking out a third of the block facing First avenue. The old Northern Hotel building and the old Monte Carlo saloon building, both empty, were wrecked. Insurance on the destroyed buildings does not exceed $10,000. Tabor and McAdam, who had gone to bed in the Yukonla Hotel, were cut off by flames and smoke. The fire started on the second floor and spread like a flash In all directions on the paper lining of the rooms. The bodies have not been found. Mr. Tabor was a former member of the Yukon Legislature and had been se lected to run again next month. He came from Frederlckton, N. B. He leaves a wife, who is in San Francisco. McAdam came from Ontario. His wife is at White Horse. . John Laumister, of Tacoma; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Segbers, Harry Bridges, Harry Pinklert, James Purden and Harry Barber had narrow escapes from death. Segbers rushed through the flames, took his wife from a room where she was sleeping and Jumped to an adjoining roof Into the deep snow, where both lay- dazed until discovered by rescue parties, who found them nearly frozen. POINDEXTER PLAN LOST Conferees Refuse to Put All Post masters Under Civil Service. WASHINGTON. Feb. 22. Conferees on the legislative appropriation bill to day threw out the Poindexter amend ment, which would cover all first and second-class postmasters Into the civil service. After the amendment had been submitted. In the Senate. President Wil son urged Its adoption and it was agreed to. Ih conference, however, the Senate conferees were forced to recede and it has been eliminated from the bill. FLIGHT TROUBLES CONVICT Parole Violator of San Quentln Sur renders at Salem. SALEM, Or., Feb. 22. (Special.) Jack Welch, who says he is a parole violator from San Quentin and de clares that his conscience has been bothering him for that reason since early last November, walked Into po lice headquarters here today and gave himself up. Chief of Police Cooper has notified "the California authorities. THE EASY MARK. Women's Wilson Union Is Withdrawn. FLOATS CAUSE OF DISPUTE All Agree Suffrage Question Is Not in Issue. CONTROVERSY IS SHARP Chairman Denies Woman's Author ity to Declares Non-Partlclpatlon In Everclses, and Says Wom en Marchers Are Wanted. WASHINGTON. Feb. 22. A contro versy over what part women shall take in the Inauguration ceremonies came to a head tonight with an announce ment by Mrs. James H. Bogge, presi dent of the Women's Wilson Union and a member of the Inaugural committee, that because of a ruling barring from the Inaugural parade a section of state floats being organized under her di rection she had declared "the with drawal of all women from the parade. Authority to Withdraw Denied. Robert N. Harper, chairman of the committee, replied that Mrs. Boggs had no authority to declare such a with drawal. He said women were wanted In the parade and that the state floats had been barred only because the plans for them could not be completed. Although she would not add to ber statement tonight, Mrs. Boggs Indi cated clearly that it only feebly ex pressed her Indignation over the inci dent and that the women of the union might have something more to say later. Mr. Harper declared there never had been such an organization as the women's division of the Inaugural com mittee and intimated that he would take no further notice of Mrs. Boggs' announcement. Suffrage Not 1st Isaae.' "No one except Major-General Scott, who Is grand marshal, and myself has authority to say who shall or shall not take part in the parade," he said. "We want women to participate provided only they, conform to the same require ments that are laid down for the men." The women and Chairman Harper agreed .only on the point that the dis pute was in no sense an outgrowth of the controversy over representation of woman suffragists in the parade. That element, it was declared on both sides, had not entered any way into the sit uation. . Premier Borden Reaches England. LONDON. Feb. 22. Sir Robert L. Borden, the Canadian Premier, who ar rived in London today, told his inter viewers his voyage was uneventful ex cept for the taking of necessary pre cautions. 3 SHOTS ) .,. JLAJ "Leak" Declared to Have Been Com bination of Deductions and Facts Obtained In Conversation. WASHINGTON. Feb. 22. Vindication of all public officials mentioned In the Investigation of charges that there was a leak to Wall street on President Wil son's peace note was voted unanimously today by the ' House rules committee. The report, now virtually complete, probably will be put In final shape Saturday. It Is understood that the committee finds that Thomas M. Lawson's sensa tional charges were not substantiated; that R. W. Boiling, brother-in-law of the President, had nothing to do with a "leak." and that advance Information concerning the note was furnished to brokers by J. Fred Essary and W. W Price, local newspaper men. who con nected deductions with facta obtained in conversation with other reporters, who had been told in confidence by Secretary Lansing that a note was com ing. No recommendations are made, but the practice of selling short on the New York Stock Exchange Is said to be criticised. F. A. Connolly, a Wash ington broker, is censured for his testi mony before the committee, and E. F. Hutton & Co. for falling to produce copies of all messages concerning the note which reached its office. FIFTH GENERATION STARTS Portland Woman's Great-Great- Grandson Born at Hoqulam. HOQUIAM. Wash.. Feb. 22. (Special.) With the birth of a son here yester day to Mr. and Mrs. G. M. Ross there are five living generations of the mother's family. The boy has been named Stephens and has a grandmother. great-grandmother and great-great' grandmother. The grandmother Is Mrs. Mary Bishop, of Hoqulam. The greattgrandmother is Mrs. Annie G reave, of Portland, and great-great-grandmother is lira. Mary Lockwood, of Portland. The latter is 87 years old. 70 years older than the baby's mother. HOG SELLS FOR $1000 Record Price Set by Autocratic - Berkshire In Indiana. LA FAYETTE. Ind.. Feb. 22. A 4 months-old Berkshire boar, sired by Epochal, an English hog, sold for $1000 today at the annual sale In con nectlon with the American Berkshire Congress In convention at Purdue Uni verslty. The price paid. It Is said, establishes a record for hogs under 6 months old. INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS The We(her. YESTERDAY'S Maximum temperature, 88 aegreea; minimum, degrees. TODAY'S Occasional rain or snow, winds mostly southerly. Submarine. Japan wilt not attack United States In event of war with uermany. race 1. Seven vessels tunic; five Americans In crew of destroyed neutral. Pace 4. Liner Celtic said to have hit mine and turned back to Liverpool. Face a. Wsr. Reinforcements arrive at Salonlkl every few days. Pace 4. British operatlona In Far Eaet keeping Turks Duey. rage 4. Entente alllea will retain Oerman colonies if they win war. Page ft. Austrian Emperor taking draatle action. Page b. Foreign. French government Joins Americans la eele bratlon. Page 8. National. Women In dlapute with Inaugural committee over parade. Page 1. Houae committee holds leak charges were not proved. Page 1. Liquor men may obtam delay In enforce ment of bone-dry postal bill. Page 2. Domestic. Maine to vote on woman suffrage. Page 1 Peace society head fears result of war referendum. Page 5. Exports reduced greatly by U-boat cam paign. Page 3. New York food official blames high coat of farming for dear food. Page 7. Union Oil director charges ex-treasurer with disloyalty. Page 7. Legislator dies in $200,000 Alaska fire. Page 1. Railroad car situation worst in country's history. Page 2. Pacific Northwest. Federal bone-dry act believed material aid to state. Page 5. Wider scope given atate commission. Page 6, Lawyers held up as widow-robbers In charge in Washington Legislature. Page 8. Propoeed tax amendment regarded as highly important. Page B. Sports. Cart Maya leaves for Red Sox camp without signing contract. Page IS. Pacific Northwest amateur hockey cham pionship to be settled in tournament at Portland. Page 19. Pinkmin ready for "Muff" Bronson tonight. Page IS. Beavers loss first gams at' training camp. 3 to O. Page 18. Joe Stecher makes short work of Ad Eaatel. Page 18. Marine. Schooner Aatri. on ways at Astoria, is sold. Page 15. Portland and Vicinity. Troop A man Inherits $230,000. Page 1. Portland prices sre going higher. Paga 1. Portland has bad weather. Page 9. Portland's first progressive sing is success. Page 8. Weather report, data and forecast. Page 14. Theater audiences will be asked to stand for "The Star-Spangled Banner." Page 13. Tribute paid to Charles B. Merrick at foun tain dedication. Page 8. George A. White resumes post as Adjutant General. Page ,14. Mias Tarbell due In Portland tomorrow. Page 11. Oregon troops return to civil life. Page 14. Thomas Hlslop dies st age of 78. Page 13. David Starr Jordan backs up President Wil son. Page 0. Dr. Jordan declares - thrones will tremble after wsr. Page 9. Mrs. Alexander Thompson's record st Legis lature praised st banquet. Page 12. Washington draws patriotic fervor.. Pag 8, Food Hardly Within Av erage Man's Reach. MEATS ARE RISING STEADILY Eggs and Oranges Are Among 1 Few Articles Not Affected. LOAF IS MUCH SMALLER Onion Breath Soon to Be Regarded as Mark of Wealth, as Cost Is Advancing Rapidly Women Are at Xbclr Wit's End, COMPARATIVE PRICES. WHOLE SALE. OF FOODS IV PORT LAND MARKXT. Feb.. Feb., 1917. 1816. Sugar ... $ 8.05 $ 0.73 Egg .. 32 .45 Butter .44 .34 Oranges 2.75 8 50 Lemons 4.25 4.00 Small white besns ..... 12.50 7.50 Canned rollk 4.13 8.43 Flour 8.20 6.60 If am ) . 3 . 0 Bacon 38 .28 Cabbage (ton) 100.00 0.00 Potatoes S.34 1.50 Onions .10 .04 Beef 143 .12 Pork 17 .10 Bread Five-cent loaf has shrunk 2 Vi ounces la past year. , Like the youth of mountain-climbing proclivities sung about in Longfellow's famous poem, the steadfast motto of everything edible, with extremely few exceptions, la "Excelsior!" Higher and higher go the foodstuffs. There Is seemingly no limit to their soaring abilities and there is no sign of any relief In sight. Indeed, the market-wise Intimate the worst ia yet to come. Unheard-of prices prevail here in the case of many commodities. Meats are steadily on the upgrade, and pork, at 17 cents wholesale for top stock. Is the highest in the experience of local market men. ' Beef has advanced 1 cents whole sale during the past twelvemonth and the previous year showed a slight ad vance of one-half cent over the year before. Farmers Declared to Benefit. "The farmer Is getting the money in this market." say retailers and wholesale men alike. "It is not either of us who is profiting. We are able only to keep going. Watch how the farmer la putting money Into his purse." Merchants who handle foodstuffa point to the higher cost of doing busi ness In all lines the higher cost of metals, paper, twine, dyes, printing, wages; In short, everything that goea with the conduct of a business. They say Increased consumption throughout the country, due to pre vailing prosperity, the Inflation in everything caused by the flood of gold the war has brought to the United States, the export of foodstuffs to the warring nations, and also speculation In provisions, all are responsible for the present unhappy condition of any one who fares forth to market. Ekes Are Cheaper Now. Food riots In the Eastern cities call attention to the pinch felt by the house wife in supplying her family. No food riots are anticipated In Portland, but Just the same the acta of the revolu tionary women of the East wake a re sponsive chord In the heart of the Port land housewife. There are one or two faint gleams of hope in the list of food products and their prices. Fresh eggs are cheaper right now than a year ago. but this circumstance is due to the rigid Wintsr conditions prevalent last year at this time. Hem refused to lay during the near-blixsard of the first two months of 1916 and eggs were sky-high. Con sumers say they are plenty high enough right now. Oranges Also Cast Less. Strange as it may seem, there is an other article of food that is below last year's quotations. This Is oranges. Last February they were quoted at $3.50 a crate. Now they are $2.75. a substata tial reduction. No excuse can he found for thla ex ception In the general tendency of food stuffs toward aviation. One suspects that the man who makes the prices lost his last year's quotations, other wise he would have chalked up oranges at anywhere from 25 to 200 per cent advance over last year's value. Just for the saka of harmony. Two bakers of Portland averred yes terday that bread haa not risen in price. . They meant that a loaf of bread Is still sold for 5 cents and they spoke like true bakers. But the fact is that that same 5-cent loaf has grown thinner and thinner until It is. on the average, about two and one-half ounces under the weight of the loaf in circulation one year ago. Ordinary Articles Rise. But everything is up, that is, sub stantially everything, and the advance in the common everyday articles of subsistence, such as potatoes, onions, rabbaee, etc.. is the most surprising of Concluded on Page 2, Column S-j.