! ! ' 1 VOL.. LVII. XO. 17,554. PORTLAND, OREGON, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1917. PRICE FIVE CENTS. AGE BARRIER LET DOWN TO 800 MEN WILSON MAY ARM I AMERICAN SHIPSl 13KILLED;100HURT BY TORNADOES SPUD ACCEPTED AT MOVIE FOR TICKET DRASTIC POWER FOR PRESIDENT FOUGHT PLAN IS OFFERED WORKERS PREVIOUSLY BARRED EAEX GOOD SALARIES. SEVERAIj - SOUTHERN STATES . ARE SWEPT. 'TAKE 'JEM ALT." MANAGER IN STRUCTS CASHIER. STRICT ECONOMY UR6EOMR1TQNS Steps Taken to Com bat U-Boat Menace. MILITARY--TRAINING Course Is Practically Decided Upon. BREAK WITH AUSTRIA NEAR Cabinet Is Unusually Reticent . After Long Session. REVENUE BILLS DELAYED Xja Folletto Plans to Oppose Navy Appropriation Bill Senate Re- publicans' Will Not Stand .' In Way of Defense. 'fiT JOHN CALLAN OUVTIGHLIN. WASHINGTON, Feb. 2?. (Special.) Here are the Important developments today In the warlike situation con fronting the country: 1. The Cabinet considered for more than two hours today the foreign rela tions of the United States, the Intimi dation blockade Inaugurated by Ger many and the measures to be taken to protect American life and property at home and abroad. After the session the members were more than usually ret icent. 2. The President has practically de cided to give authority for the arma ment of American ships. The deci sion may be held up, should confirma tion be received of reports that Ger man submarines have received instruc tions not to sink vessels of American registry. Vienna to Insist on Policy. 8. Information has been received to the effect that Austria-Hungary with in 10 days will advise the United States that ehe proposes to adhere to the German submarine decree. This will lead to a rupture of relations with the Vienna government. 4. The President gave approval to the transmission to Congress of the uni versal trtlningr bill, which was made publlo today by Secretary of "War Baker. 6. Senate Republicans, while pre pared to give President 'Wilson any "reasonable authority" to handle the situation with Germany, have taken concerted action to compel the chief ' executive to call an extra session. Wilson Wanta No Extra Seaslon. 8. The President desires to avoid an extra session of Congress, and to this end has called a special session of the (Senate, at which he will press the ratification of the treaty with Colombia and also consult members with refer ence to any measures developments may require him to take . against the central European powers. President Wilson Intends to go be fore Congress to ask for authority to use the land and naval forces of the Government In defense of American life and rights. .He doea not-, want, to ask for this authority, however, unless satisfied that It will be granted un grudgingly. Opposition would detract from the moral value of the enactment of such a resolution as he has In mind. ' Pacifists Oppose Preparedness. There are certain pacifists In the House who are willing to support the President In his request; they and others contend that Congress alone has the power to declare war, and It is their duty to be on the Job In Washing ton to hold back or guide the Presi dent, according to the views they hold. Some of the pacifists go so far as to object to adequate preparedness. Sen ator La Follette, for example. Intends to deliver a speech against the naval appropriation bill. There are other Re publicans, particularly in the Senate, who object to the revenue bill and who believe that by postponement of action until an extra session a better measure from their viewpoint can be obtained, because the Republicans have as many representatives in the lower House as the Democrats and can have greater Influence In shaping the measure. Xevertheless, prominent Senate Re publicans admit tonight that the bill probably will be passed, because they do not care to accept the responsibil ity of preventing the provision of suf ficient money to put the country in a state of defense. Seven Supply Bills Remain. Only seven working days remain of this session, and there are seven ap propriation bills that must be 'passed before the end of the fiscal year. Many of these bills, like that providing for the sweeping increases In the Navy, would in the ordinary course call for the extended debate. In the present circumstances any of these bills, re gardless of their importance, can be made to use up several daya of the dwindling tline still at the majority's disposal. The Republican caucus today showed the Republican minority of the Senate more united than in a long time. About 30 Senators were present and their action was unanimous. Mr. Lodge, of Massachusetts, ranking Republican of the committee on foreign relations, presided. Mr. Lodge favors a strong course in regard to German encroach ments on American rights, but today on the subject of a special session he found himself In complete accord with mo pronounced a pacifist as Mr. La Fol lette. of Wisconsin. ' The explanation is simple. Pacifist like. Mr. La Follette wishes to keep Congress in session throughout the fOeeeludod on P (5, Column 3. Chicago Committee of Business Slen Announces Success of Re- . cent Movement. CHICAGO, Feb. 23. (Special.) Em ployment for more than 800 men who a year ago could not find work be cause of the age barrier has been ob tained through the committee on un employment, organized December 6, ac cording to a report made today by Myer Ross, acting chairman of the committee. Wages ranged from $1 a day to $125 a month. ' Success of the work of the -committee, which was formed by leading busi ness men. of Chicago under the chair manship of Charles G. Dawes, has led to the formation of similar committees in other cities, with the result that hundreds of men who heretofore had been unable to find work are. now em ployed, the report said. The committee was formed primarily to find employ ment for tnen past 43 years old. "The committee has succeeded In breaking down the greatest obstacle in the path of securing etmployment for these men, the age barrier, which has been established, not only in Chicago, but in other cities, barring men past 45, and, in some cases, 65, from em ployment," the report read. ' ""The em ployers of Chicago in the large indus tries realize now the injustice of this condition, and the committee is glad to report that in almost every case where a large employer has been visited and the matter explained to him the bar riers have been let down." SEIZURE BILL APPROVED Passage of Measure to Commandeer . Snipping, However, Doubtful. WASHINGTON. Feb. 23. After a week's consideration, the Senate com merce committee today approved the Administration bill, giving the Presi dent power to commandeer American merchant shipping In emergencies, and Chairman Fletcher reported the meas ure with a request that it be passed this session. At least two Republican Senators on the committee are known to be opposed to many features of the measure, however, and, in view of the legislative situation, chances of Its passage are doubtful. The committee decided not to put Into the bill an authorization under which the board could buy ships of a belligerent nation when approved by the President. It changes the restric tion on the board's power to buy ships less than 75 per cent efficient to make It apply to ships of 50 per cent effi ciency. SALARIES ARE IN DISPUTE House Objects to Changes as Made by Senate. WASHINGTON, Feb. 23. When the annual legislative, executive and Judi cial bills as agreed to in conference were brought into the House today, vigorous objection was made to the Senate changes in salaries for Govern ment employes, and the measure finally was recommitted to the conference committee. The Senate provision accepted In con ference would give a 15 per cent In crease to employes getting up to $480 annually and a 10 per cent increase to those drawing between $480 and $1000. The House Insisted on its own provi sion for 10 per cent increase In salaries up to $1200 annually and 5 per cent from that up to $1800. . SNOW BLOCKADE CLEARED Short Line to Hold Hundreds of Men to Fight Next Storm. SALT LAKE CITT. Feb. 23. After the last of the main line train block ades had been cleared today at Lyndil, Utah, and points on the Oregon Short Line In Southern Idaho, railroad offi cials announced today the next move would be the retaining of the present force of several hundred men and ro tary: plows to keep the tracks clear of snow until the present storm which has swept through the state during the past few days stops. According to the local weather bureau another storm Is due tonight. SCHUMANN-HEINK IS HURT Opera Singer's Ribs Broken When Streetcar Hits Auto. ST. LOUIS, Feb. 23 Madame Schu- mann-Heink, opera singer, suffered fractures of two ribs and a sprained wrist, and probably was injured Inter nally here late tonight, when an auto mobile in which she was returning to her hotel from a concert was struck by a streetcar. Physicians said, after an examina tion, that she probably would have to cancel all engagements for at least three weeks. " VOCATIONAL BILL SIGNED Boys' School Makes Pens to Be Used by President. WASHINGTON. Feb. 23. With four different pens made especially for the occasion at a boys' vocational school at Buffalo, N. Y.. President Wilson this afternoon signed and made law the Smith-Hughes vocational training bill. It provides Federal co-operation with the states in establishing industrial schools, appropriating $1,700,000 this year and increasing to S7.300.000 in nine years. IMPORTS TO BE CURTAILED Lloyd George Says Country Must Make Sacrifice. TONNAGE ALREADY SHORT Production to Be Speeded TTp by Guaranteed Prices, Higher Wages and Compulsory Cultivation. Ore Problem Is Serious. LONDON, Feb. 23. David Lloyd George, the British Prime Minister, to day presented to the House of Com mons, in a speech lasting an hour and a half, his programme for coping with the serious situation arising from the shortage of snipping space, depletion of food stocks and the German submarine menace. The Premier advocated the Increase of home food production and the cur tailment of non-victual imports. To this end he outlined a plan for speed ing up the farmer by guaranteeing good prices for commodities over a period of years. This he supplemented by the announcement that the land owner would be forced to cultivate Ms land. Farm Wages Increased. The speeding up of the farm laborer was provided for by the Premier by guaranteeing him a minimum wage of 25 shillings per week instead of the present 14 to 18 shillings. By curtailment of imports. Mr. Lloyd George said he expected to reduce the derqands on cargo space by several mil lion tons. Foodstuffs, of which 16, 000,000 tons were imported last year, will be cut nearly 1,000,000 tons by lopping' off certain luxuries. ' Paper users who already have been consider ably curtailed, must henceforth get along with only half - the .supply ; they are now receiving, thus saving 640,000 tons. Certain savings also will be ef fected in the import of ore, which now amounts to 8. 000, 000 tons annually and In lumber, which, at present is 4,000. 000 tons. Shortage of Tonnage Admitted. Mr. Lloyd George said that for some time there has been a shortage of ton nage required for the general needs of the nation and even a slight shortage in the tonnage for military purposes. The nation should realize absolutely what the conditions were. "If we take drastic measures," he continued, "we can cope with the sub marine, but if the nation is not pre pared to accept drastic measures for dealing with the menace, disaster is before "us. "The government Is hopeful of find ing means of dealing with the subma rine, but we should be guilty of folly If we rested tranquilly upon the ex pectation of the realization of that hope. We have to deal ruthlessly and prompt ly with the tonnage problem by meas ures which Impose great sacrifices upon the country. "There are three sets of measures: "First By the navy as described by Sir Edward Carson; second, the build ing of merchant ships; third, dispensing (Concluded on Paso 4, Column-L t NEWLY INVENTED PERISCOPE -SOS! " H -t- Underwood Photo. DUTCH SOLDIER FIItlAG ItlKI.K USI SO Til 13 "KRADtS" FERISCOFE. This device was designed by JV H. Eradus. a Dutch inventor, and is named in his honor. It is at tached to the butt of the rifle and enables the soldier In the trench to aim and fire accurately without danger of death from the enemy's bullets. It is In use in the Dutch army and should revolutionize snip- ing along the battle fronts. ... Most Serious Loss of Life Occurs in '- 1 Alabama; Georgia and Mis - elssippl Are Struck. ATLANTA. Feb. 23. Thirteen persons are known to have' lost their lives and more than 100 have been reported in jured In a series' of tornadoes', that swept : portions of Alabama. Georgia and Mississippi today. . . - The -most serious loss of life was in Middle Alabama.. ' Seven persons were killed ' In the Hollins-Mldway-Stewartsvllle. section of Alabama and .-at Whitesett. Ala., four negroes were killed In the destruction of their cabins. - Much timber was ; blown down : and many residences were damaged. Two negroes were killed at Llthonla, Ga. where at least 60. small dwellings were demolished.- Six children were -jured In a storm at Georgetown, MIbs. ' Small tornadoes also struck near Wetumpka, Ala-, and Hurtsboro, Ala-, causing minor property damage. The tornado was about a mile wide and was moving east. Practically every house in Holllna was damaged and in some cases residences were completely demolished. All wires east of Holllns are down and there is no communication with that thickly settled section. It. is feared the loss of life may.be greater than now reported. Several of the killed and Injured are school children, and the school houses In Hollins, Stewartsville and Midway were demolished. COUGARS KILLED IN BARN Farmer Comes on Two While Hunt ing Eggs, and One Attacks Him. EUGENE, Or., Feb. 28. While hunt ing eggs In his barn near McKenzie bridge, 45 miles east of here, Walden Trotter today discovered two huge cougars who had sought, shelter from a severe snow storm. Two ''cows stood In the barn unharmed by the beasts. Trotter, aided by his dog, killed one and wounded the other. Thinking he had killed the latter, he approached It, only to be attacked. He finally succeeded in killing it with his clubbed rifle after being badly lacer ated In the struggle. WOMEN MUST STAY HOME Canadians Taken Off Steamer That Pat in at Halifax. ' HALIFAX, N. S, Feb. 23. Twenty five Canadian women and children, who arrived last night on a steamship i.'ora the United States for Europe, were taken off today by government author ities under a regulation which . pro vides that women and children may not sail from a British port for Eng land at present. Three American worn en were permitted . to continue the voyage. The name of the steamer was deleted by the censor at Halifax. PLOT CHARGED IN HOLLAND Explosives Found In Hotel Occupied by British Consul. AMSTERDAM. Feb.. 23, via London Feb. 24. The Nleuws Van Den Dag says that a plot against the British Consulate at Groningen. 93 miles northeast of Amsterdam, has been dls covered. . A box of explosives to which fuses were attached, the paper adds, was found In the hotel where the consulate Is housed. The newspaper reports that five arrests have been made. EXPECTED TO SAVE COUNTLESS TRENCHES. I - 7-.-- ij - J .. EV -: '--v.. , ,i .: -t- :-., - " .I V -J".-',? S 'i-'i"'-."'v:i' Administration to Ask Wide Discussion. OPINION IS NOT EXPRESSED Trained Force of 4,000,000 Men Would Be Supplied. FIRST ARMY IS 1,500,000 Intensive Year of Instrnction ol Youth of 19 'Contemplated, With Liability to Call to Colors Tntil Age of 32. . WASHINGTON, Feb. 23. The Army I general staff universal service bill was transmitted to the Senate military com mittee today by Secretary Baker with out a definite expression by the Ad ministration either on the general sub ject or the specific proposal. The Secretary said it was not thought that Congress could give so intricate a problem consideration In the closing days of this session, but suggested that wide publicity be given the staff plan, "to the end that both Congress and the War Department can. In any subse quent consideration given to the sub ject, have the benefit of an enlightened, thoughtful public opinion upon the ne.eds and wishes of the country." Baker Is Non-CommittaL ' "As yet," the letter of transmittal continues, "I am not prepared to say officially for the War Department that the need of the country can reasonably be said to be for so great an establish ment, nor. can we yet. without further study and deliberation, be confident that the means suggested are the most appropriate to the need which it shall be determined wise to foresee." In round numbers the staff plan would supply a trained force of 4.000, 000 men. with one year of intensive military Instruction. It is estimated by the War College that approximately 500,000 boys in their 19th year would be available for training annually. Tare Reserves Provided. They would, under the plan, be liable to call to the colors until 32 years of age, passing after the first 11 months of their training to the first reserve for the next four yejirs and one month, then into the second reserve, and final ly into the unorganized reserve until they reached the age of 45. The purpose of the bill is to consti tute the first reserve as a fully organ ized and equipped fighting force with a strength of 100,000, ready to respond Instantly to a call to arms. The second reserve of equal size, but only par tially equipped, would require some time to take the field. . Eventually there would be 1.000.000 additional trained men ready to nil the gaps at the front. ItoCuUr Army Increased. In addition to these forces there would be a regular Army composed of men choosing nilllta-y life as a profes sion, of 24,-00 officers and 285,886 en listed men. l these, 97,000 would form the oversea forces and 29,000 the fron tier forces, the remainder composing the permanent (raining personnel, which co .ild take care of the instruction (Concluded on rase 3. Column 2.) LIVES OF SOLDIERS IN THE s.' 3 Potatoes Good for Taxlcab Fare, Cigars and Tobacco, but Not for Chicago Streetcar Ride. CHICAGO. Feb. 23. (Special.) The potato was established as legal tender In Chicago today. Tea, sir, that same family potato which you've been toting around to cure ydu of the rheumatl will get you al most anything money can buy from a movie show ticket to a trolley ride. The well-groomed, sturdy and vigorous looking spud Is the equivalent of I cents. The potato was used today In gain ing admission Into a Madison-street moving-picture theater. The girl In the box office eyed the proffered tuber with interest. , "One ticket, please," Miss Gundy was addressed. Out came the ticket in went the spud. The manager, informed a few minutes later, appeared gleeful over the transaction. "Take 'em all." he said; "the more the merrier. We'll have fried potatoes to night, salad and a couple of straight ones baked." From the movie show the potato financier went to a taxlcab. He paid three potatoes for a two-blocks ride to the Blackstone Hotel. A conductor on Madison street refused a tuber. He refused two potatoes. Three and four were offered him. He refused. "Get out of my car," he cried. A cigar store was next visited. Cigars and chewing tobacco were obtained in return for two potatoes. CHARTER EDICT MODIFIED American Ship In South America May Take Foreign Cargoes. WASHINGTON, Feb. 23 To permit American merchant ships now In South American waters to bring cargoes on their return to the United States, the Federal shipping board today exempted them from President Wilson's procla mation forbidding American owners to charter ships to foreigners. Many American ships in Southern waters, it was explained, would have to return empty unless chartered by foreigners. The board's ruling speci fies that the ships if chartered to for eigners must stay in the Western hem isphere. The" President's proclamation gave the board authority to make exception In chartering vessels. Today's order Is operative until April 1, when it Is expected all vessels that left American ports without return charters will have cleared for home. SNOW PREVENTS LOGGING Smith Mills at Marshfield Are Forced to Suspend. MARSHFIELD, Or.. FeB. 23 (Spe cial.) Practically all the logging camps in the county are closed on ac count of snow. The fall here last night, at sea level, was, from three to five inches, while the depth Is two and three feet in the higher altitudes. Both the Smith mills are closed on account of shortage of logs. Indica tions are that more snow will fall to night. INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS Th Weather. TESTERDATS - Maximum temperature, 39 degrees; minimum, bo decree. TODAY'S Rain or enow; northerly winds. War. Lloyd George warns Britain drastic remedies win be necessary to combat U-boat men ace, Pbf 1, Greek King tn formal Interview with Asso ciated Press, bitterly arraigns entente. Page 3. Official reports. Pace 2. n b niarinea. American missionary drowned when U-boat sinks French liner. Page 2. National. Administration submits universal training plan and asks discussion. Page 1. Holder of Oregon V California land grant mortgage files brief. Page 14. Republicans filibuster to defeat granting of extreme power to President. Page X, Drys win victory over District of Columbia prohibition bill. Page 2. Domestle. Eight hundred men previonsly barred be cause of age. now employed. Page 1 13 killed. 100 Injured by tornado In Booth, Page 1. Potato buys movie ticket In Chicago. Page X. Mrs. W. W. Chapln obtains divorce. Page S. Danger of food riots declared overdrawn. Page 3. Pacific Northwest. Southwest Washington delegates carry nor mal bill. Page T. Appeals for rural credit loans keep coming to board. Page 4. John Dowd, 104. anxious to enlist. Page 14. Sport. Bronson gets decision over Pin km an. Page 8. Multnomah and Oregon fives clash tonight. Page 8. Portland TJncle Sams hope to win tonight from Vancouver. Page 8. Commercial and Marine. British embargo may effect next season's apple market. Page 17. Wheat unsettled at Chicago by Lloyd (George's speech. Page IT. Wall-street bond market firmer, but stocks are depressed. Page 17. Kotary Club backs shipbuilders In protest. Page 14. Portland and Vicinity. Will Ormtid offers to strip and let prose cutor strap him. Page 6. Dr. David Starr Jordan tells teachers United States should think of war's consequences before entering conflict. Page 6. Love p i r a te pets t e rm ; fam.il y retm ! ted. Page 11. Smokers supplies Join upward procession. Page 6, University Summer school for 1917 may be held here. Page 2. Go em or exerctse single Item veto pre rogative for first, time. Page 6. Weather report, data, and forecast. Page 17. Forty-five Club bars women. Page 3. Fund switch proposed to finance all Uult noruah road projects. Page 6. Republicans May Com pel Extra Session. VIGOROUS FILIBUSTER MADE Democrats in Charge of Reve nue Bill Helpless. SENATOR OUTLINES PLAN Administrat'n Forces Contemplate All-Xlgbt Sessions in Effort to Tire Opponents and May Begin Today. TVASIIIXGTONyFeb.-23. Republicans of the Senate began a filibuster today that threw Into the air all plans for the remaining eight working days of me session, tnreatening essential pend ing legislation and foreshadowing op position to any request President Wil son may make for authority to deal with the international crisis after Con gress adjourna They did not chal lenge charges on the floor that they were deliberately seeking to force the President to call an extra session. Although the Democrats believed the fight is aimed chiefly at the Adminis tration's emergency revenue bill, it drew prompt and hearty support from those opposing any grant of additional power to the executive which might result In aggressive action to protect American rights tn the war zone. Repabllcama Begla filibuster. The trouble began when the ma jority rejected an amendment modify ing the excess profits tax provision, of the revenue measure. There was a conference, presided over by Senator Lodge and participated In by leaders of both wings of the Republican party. Including Senators Penrose, Smoot, Weeks and Brandegee. of the regulars, at. . Ia Follette. Folndexter and Norrls. of the Progressive group. Returning to the floor, the Repub licans began taking up time, speaking one after another for hours on per functory amendments, while the exas perated . Democrats in charge of the revenue bill listened helplessly. P"o progress was made during the day, or at a session lasting far Into the night. Democratic leaders are considering forcing all-night sessions in an effort to tire out the filibusters, and they may begin tomorrow. It Is realized that the Republicans, by persistent ob structive tactics, can prevent the enact ment of the revenue bill and the nec essary appropriation measures, and thus make an extra session imperative. Drastic Power Opposed. It was learned later that some of those present insisted that the Presi dent sought too much power In ban dl'ng the strained International situa tion; that he should be compelled to call an extra session through enforced failure of legislation, and that any re quest for special authority should be fought to the end of the present ses sion. On the floor Senator Simmons openly declared the Republicans were seeking to defeat important bills in. order to force a special session and said he d"d not doubt they could do it. Besides the revenue bill, necessary to meet an ex pected Treasury deficit, the Army and Navy appropriation bills are among the measures which also would fall should the filibuster prove effective. President Wilson's proclamation to day for the usual special session of the Senate, beginning March 5. apparently had no effect in weakening the Re publican attack, but some Administra tion Senators tonight were Inclined to think It might serve to placate the Re publicans and clear the way for legis lative action In a day or two. P0ST0FF1CE HELP SCARCE Btitte laborers Get $ 4.5 O Dally So Clerkships Go Begging. BUTTE. Mont, Feb. 23. The United States Postofflce cannot get sufficient help to operate the local postofflce. A. civil service examination set for tomor row has been postponed because there were no' applicants. There is no eli gible list and there aaa not been any for months. The Government pays from $66.33 to $100 a month for clerks and carriers here, whereas common laborers receive $4.50 a day. Nobody wants the Govern ment Jobs. BELGIAN PLANT DAMAGED Several Buildings of 1'ainous Iron works Burned by Incendiary. AMSTERDAM, via London. Feb. 23. Several buildings of the famous Cockerill works at Seralng, five miles southwest of Liege, Belgium, have been destroyed through an incendiary fire, the newspaper Les Nouvelles says. The loss to the plant, which com prises iron works and machine shops, making it one of the largest in Europe, will be $00,000. It Is estimated. Passenger Traffic Cut Down. PARIS, Feb. 23. To reduce railway passenger trafflo service. Transport Minister Herrlot has suppressed all circular tickets, family tickets, excur sion tickets and special tickets tor sea side resorta .