8
PORTLAND, OREGON.
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Eastern Business Orfi- vrr-a a rnnv
Jin, Brunswick building. New York; Verree
wiuuin, oceger Dulldlng, Chicago; San
Francisco representative, K, J. Bidwell. 742
aiaraec street.
PORTLAND, MONDAr, MARCH 17, 1917
ANOTHER TREATY VIOLATED.
"When the American ehln Georce F.
Frye waa sunk by a German cruiser In
January, 1916, the attention of Ger
many was called to the fact that this
act contravened the Prussian-Amerl
can treaty of 1828. and Germany ac
knowledges the binding- force of the
treaty and the validity of the claim by
agreeing to pay damages. That treaty
contains this provision
The free intercourse and commerce of ths
subjects or citizens of the party remaining
neuter wltn the belligerent powers shall not
De interrupted.
On the eontrary. In that case, as In full
peace, the vessels of the neutral party may
navigate freely to and from the ports and
on tne coasts or the belligerent parties,
free vessels making free goods, insomuch
that all things shall be adjudged free which
hall be on board any vessel belonging to
tne neutral party, although suoh things be
long to an enemy of the other:
And the same freedom shall bs extended
to persons who shall be on board a free
vessel, although they should bs enemies to
the other party, unless they be soldiers in
actual service of such an enemy.
Germany's idea of living up to this
agreement is shown by the following
announcement which It made on Jan
tiary 31:
From February 1, 101T, within barred
ones around Great Britain, France and
Italy and In the Eastern Medlterran
outlined In the following. ADD SEA TRAF
FIC forthwith will be opposed with every
avaiiaoie weapon ana without further notice.
Although Germany thus treated the
treaty of 1828 as a scrap of paper, so
far as her own obligation was con
cerned, she apparently considered It
still binding on the United States, for a
proposal was made to Ambassador
Gerard to renew and enlarge the ob
ligations of the treaty which Germany
had broken and Intended to continue
breaking. If It Is still binding, it must
bind both parties, and the United
States has, In Its breach by Germany,
good cause for war independent of or
additional to the cause arising from
violation of fundamental rights by the
destruction of American ships and
murder of American citizens. Having
been broken by Germany, this treaty
no longer binds the United States, and
our Government Is free to seize the
persons and goods of German subjects.
Including the ships which now He In
American ports.
The American case against Germany
Is thus much stronger than that of any
other neutral nation. The case of
other nations rests on the generally
established principles of International
law. That of the United States rests
not only on those principles, but on ex
press stipulations entered into directly
between the two nations, the binding
effect of which Germany had recog
nized less than two years before the
proclamation of unrestricted subma
rine war. Perfidy Is added to the other
wrongs.
The effort of Germany to induce the
United States to renew Its obligation
under a treaty which Germany had
Just announced the Intent to Violate,
was then violating and Intended to
continue violating Is without parallel
for audacity In the history of diplo
macy. Herr Zimmermann must in
deed have believed American diplo
macy to be spineless.
LOCAL OPTION FOR NEW YORK.
War on alcohol, which has brought
about total prohibition In many states,
has reached the point in New Tork,
where municipal local option Is under
consideration by the Legislature.
Backed by Governor Whitman, a bill
has been reported which gives cities
the right to hold elections on the ques
tion when one-fourth of the - voters
petition. County option, by which
rural voters force prohibition on un
willing cities, is not Included in the
scheme.
As In other states, the bill Is op
posed because of the great inroads It
would make on the $12,000,000 of
revenue which the state derives from
the liquor business and because It
would play havoc with $800,000,000 In
vested In hotel properties. Labor lead
ers also oppose the bill because It
will throw 60,000 men out of employ
ment and the Manufacturers' and Deal
ers' League, which -represents 1200
firms not In the liquor business, ob
jects to bringing that business Into
politics.
States which have already adapted
themselves to prohibition can smile
at the arguments advanced by Its op
ponents in New York, for they have
already been exploded. The lost reve
nue Is already made up by other forms
of taxation without hardship or com
plaint, especially as the effect of pro
hibition Is already becoming apparent
In a diminution of crime and Insanity
and consequently of public burdens.
Breweries are applied to other uses
than making beer and other retail
business has occupied vacant saloons.
Former employes of breweries- and
saloons have found other occupations,
for there are practically no unem
ployed In Oregon who wish, to work.
States and cities have learned that
they can get along without liquor
revenue, capital ' has learned that
It can find profitable use for. property
which was formerly applied to pro
duction of revenue and workingmen
have found other jobs. The liquor
traffic has disappeared and we have
Quickly closed the gaps which It left.
An alternative bill has been Intro
duced In New Tork with the backing
of the liquor men. It increases the
tax on saloons and reduces the num
ber permitted In proportion to popu
lation. It empowers cities to set
apart not more than one-half of their
territory as dry, but It permits towns
by majority vote to issue liquor tax
certificates to designated Individuals,
even though the town has voted dry.
In effect, the bill would Increase reve
nue by $1,500,000, though it would
wipe out many small saloons.
The trend of public opinion Is so de-
cldedly against any such half measures .
to extinguish the liquor traffic that, I
If this alternative bill should, be I
adopted, Ut would not last long. New
York is doubtless not ripe for state
wide prohibition, for its large foreign
population has yet to be weaned from
old customs, but It will surely ad
vance In that direction by way of
local option. One area after another
will thus be dried up until the drys
will be strong enough to capture the
last refuges.
WANTED, 26,000 BEEN,
The emergent need of this Nation Is
men for the Navy. The Oregonian
directs attention to 'the executive or
der issued by the President and to the
appeal sent out by Secretary Daniels.
If there shall be war, active service
for months of American forces will
be on the sea. If there shall be no
war, there will still be a period of
armed neutrality, during which the
naval forces will be required to give
protection to American ships.
If warlike service, such as is called
forth by the fire of patriotism, shall
be only temporary, there yet 'remains
an inducement to young men to enter
the United States Navy. There are
there opportunities to learn trades, as
well as navigation, and even acquire a
fair degree of cultural education. For
the studious and ambitious the chance
to rise Is almost unrestricted.
The Navy needs 26,000 men.' Port
land naval recruiting office has so far
done well. But it can and will do
better. It Is the young man's oppor
tunity. He Is patriotic enough and
ambitious enough to seize it.
ON TREASON.
The Oregonian Is called to the rescue
In a controversy raging on Northrup
street.
A, It appears, says that Sir Roger
Casement was a spy and a traitor to
his country. ,
B insists that Casement was not a
traitor, but a martyr. Moreover, B
contends that George Washington was
as much a traitor as Casement was.
Who Is right? asks a subscriber, who
does not disclose whether he Is A or
B or an Interested bystander.
It Is quite an old controversy In Its
essentials, and It was settled, as well
as it can be, we think, more than 300
years ago. The answer Is a couplet
written by Sir John Harlngton, a citi
zen of the nation against which Sir
Roger Casement's "treason" was di
rected: Treason doth never prosper; what's the
reason T
Why, if it prosper, none dare call It treason.
The real trouble on Northrup street
Is that A and B have not got down to
the real Issue. The question they are
actually arguing about poBslbly with
out knowing it is whether treason Is
always an outgrowth of moral deprav
ity, and If It is not, whether Casement
was clothed with the virtues of an ex
ception. ONLY DONATIONS WANTED. .
The X6.000.000 road bonds An nnl Innlr
good to the Review. As outlined all the
money available for the first two years
($3,000,000) must be spent on the Colum
bia, and probably most of the rest of it
will go there, too. If there should happen
to be a little left, counties must place their
highways in condition to receive the hard
surfacing before any of the fund Is avail
able, and this would necessitate ths Issue
of at least t.'OO.OOO more bonds bv this
county. The huge Interest would eat up
the taxpayers. Good roads are necessary,
but so Is good Judgment. Jefferson Review.
There is nothing In the bonding bill
that requires that the first $3,000,000
be expended on Columbia River roads.
But that fact will be plain to all vot
ers when they read the text of the
measure In the official pamphlet. The
Interesting part of the foregoing com
ment lies elsewhere.
The Jefferson paper, If It has made
Itself understood, objects to the bonds
because . the counties must out of
county funds prepare the roads to re
ceive the pavement.
It would indeed have been nice if
some scheme could have been devised
to extract money from the atmosphere
for good roads. Then highway enthusi
asts, such as the Jefferson Review.
could have given the proposition their I
The sad, sad fact remains that the
scheme extracts It from the automobile
owners and only in an amount suffi
cient to give. Marion County, where the
Jefferson Review is located, and other
counties Just the pavement without
cost to the taxpayers. Alack and alack,
the taxpayers must do the rest.
Good roads are necessary, but so Is
good judgment," says the Review. If
It Is a general notion that there Is any
way to gef good roads without paying
lor mem, tnen Oregon is as short on
good Judgment as It Is on highways.
A PATRIOTIC DUTY.
The greatest need of the allies this
year 13 wheat and that need will con
tinue until next year's crop Is
harvested. The European crop of last
year was 100,000,000 bushels less than
that of 1916, and that of the United
States and Canada, from which wheat
is most easily obtained, was one-third
less than In 1915, and was the small
est but one In thirteen years. Only
the bumper crop of 1915 enabled us
to supply all but 60,000,000 bushels of
Europe's Imports In the year ending
fast July, but we have available for
export only 61,000,000 before July 1
next, when the 1917 harvest will beirin.
At the moderate estimate of 10,000,000
bushels a month exported, this would
eave a smaller carry-over to the new
crop year than we have ever had.
Australia has a surplus of 75,000,000
bushels and India one of 100.000.000
bushels, but the dearth of tonnage Is
an obstacle to transportation from
those distant countries.
The Drosnectstof this '
nt encouraging. France reports a
reduction of 15 per cent in acreage, in-
lcating a crop 25,000.000 less than
that of 1916, under favorable circum
stances and .will need to Import 127,
000,000 bushels. Russia's Winter
wheat has suffered from severe
weather and conditions are .discourag
ing elsewhere in Europe. In the
United States the Winter wheat acre
age is larger, but a large area has been
Winter-killed and the size of the
Spring wheat crop In this country and
Canada depends on weather.
The Increased demand for meat
from Europe has drawn so heavily
on our supply, which had been steadi
ly diminishing, that we have begun to
encroach on our breeding stock. But
proximity makes It necessary that the
allies draw their main supply of meat
from us. Argentina, Australia and
New Zealand, where a supply is avail
able, are so distant that they can be
drawn on only by serious sacrifice of
utility of ships. Therefore every
effort should be made to Increase the
number of cattle, sheep and hoe-a for
tho profit of the producer, If for no
other reason.
Wheat flour Is being saved In some
TITE MOnxiXG- QREGOXIAX, 3IOXDAT, 3IARCU 26, 1917.
coumnes oy mixing a certain per
centage of cornmeal with it. Hence
an Increased crop of corn will make
good a part of any prospective de
flcieney In the crop of wheat. By pro
viding more feed for cattle. It will
also swell the meat supply of the
wona.
Waste Is to be condemned at any
time, dui it merits double condemna
tion at a time when economy of food
is necessary to strengthen our de
fense against a common enemy, for it
aestroys that which would go to feed
the fighting men. It also enhances
the price of what remains, not only
ior mis ana the other warring na
tions, Dut for each Individual con
sumer. The person who wastes in
Jures both himself by raising the cost
or living, of Which he comnlalns and
the Nation, which must consequently
pay more ror what It buys for the
army and navy. Every consideration
of patriotism as well as self-interest
demands that every citizen do his part
w increase tne production of food and
to eliminate waste.
THE RECORD.
The Oregonian printed yesterday a
summary of the speeches in Congress
by Senator Joseph Lane, because they
are pertinent to the widespread discus
sion over the course of his grandson
In the Senate, and because they are a
part of the Ineffaceable history of Ore
gon and the Union. They belong also
to the story of secession, which every
scnooiooy knows or should know
Time has softened the asperities of a
bitter and critical struggle, and we are
among those who are willing that what
the senior Senator Lane said and did
should be forgiven; but we do not
agree that It should be forgotten.
Senator Joseph Lane was an open
ana uncompromising advocate of se
cession. He was an outright defender
of human slavery. He regarded slaves
as property, and he asserted the right
of slaveowners to take their property
into iree states and Into the territories.
He bitterly assailed Lincoln, whom he
did not know, and he declared that the
Republican party was responsible for
the threatened dissolution of the Union
Decause or Its purpose to "coerce" the
Southern states. Being about to ac
complish its "flagitious design." the
.North was guilty of an "overt act."
There Is something familiar about
the method of the Lane artrument.
There is a great nation nowadavs
which seeks to blame pretty much all
the rest of the world for forcing it, as
It says, to pursue ruthless warfare, dis
regarding the public law. destrovlner
neutral lives and property, ignoring
the precepts of a common humanity.
refusing entirely to be bound bv the
civilized practices which other nations
observe in peace and war.
If the South seceded, and sought to
break up the Union, said Senator Jo
seph Lane, it would be because the
North denied sovereign states the con
stitutional right of secesrion. A con
stitution which expressly conferred
upon Its subscribers the right and
power to tear it to pieces! He. would
have It obeyed. That was the Lane
view.
AN OPPORTUNITY NOT TO BE MISSED.
If Portland desires to build war
ships, now Is the time to act not to
sit around and talk about it Shd
the obstacles and difficulties, but to
act- The Government Is about to let
contracts for Construction of twenty
submarines which the law requires to
be built on the Pacific Coast. Some
of them can be built here. If our
citizens will act; otherwise, they will
be built at San Francisco, Seattle, Ta
coma or Long Branch, and the Navy
Department may decide that Portland
need not be considered as a point
for building warships.
The difficulties of equipping a plant
to build submarines -and of building
them, are not serious. Any plant
which can build steel ships should be
able to build submarines. All that Is
necessary is to construct the hull and
Install the machinery, for the paten
tees construct the latter and ship it
ready to Install. Some of the ship
yards now in existence should be able
to do the work!
If they need morn
capital, Portland should supply it, for
it Is not likely to be beyond the
means of local capitalists. '
Portland will then have estab
lished the basis for obtaining con
tracts for the next larger type of war
ships, namely, destroyers.- It would
then be able to advance to cruisers
and from them to battleships. By so
doing it would prove the capacity of
me naroor ana channel to float such
wnicn wpuia dispose of the.
""y department s aDsurd fear that.
If battleships were sent here, they
would run aground. Finding that It
couia Duna and repair Its shins nr.
the Columbia, the department would
.realize the advantage of establishing a
submarine base and finally a full
navai Dase, on this river.
ie oenerits to be obtained r,w
Portland, both as a shipbuilding cen.
., aim an a. port, tnrougn obtaining
and executing submarine contracts are
so great that It would pay to do the
work now offered, even If not a dollar
airect pront were made. But there
Is no reason to fear such an initmt
The department has Contracted for
some snips at cost plus JO per cent,
and It may pursue that course In this
case.
The opportunity is one which,
missed now, may never recur.
If
PUBLIC ELEVATOR AND DOCKS.
A thoroughly practicable plan for
meeting the demand of graingrowers
that Portland provide a public elevator
to handle grain 'in bulk has been of
fered to the people by the Public Dock
Commission. It includes provision for
a 1,000,000-bushel elevator to be erect
ed as soon as the necessary bonds are
voted, and for piers and slips at which
general cargo may be handled. Space
Is also set aside Ior doubling the ele
vator capacity and for the construc
tion of further piers as the demands of
commerce grow.
The plan conforms wlth the most
modern practice, and has the merit of
combining river frontage with the
maximum space for ships. It gives
direct connection with railroads on the
easiest curves and permits the most
speedy unloading of cars. It gives
space for that part of wheat shipments
which will still come' In sacks, but as
shipments of. sacked wheat decrease
this space will become available for
general cargo.
Graingrowers have given the people
of Portland plainly to understand that
they have definitely turned to bulk
handling of their crops, and that, if
Portland wishes to handle their ex
ports, the port must equip itself to
handle them In bulk. Otherwise their
business will be transferred to other
ports. It Is notorious that the port is
deficient In docks to load and unload
ships quickly and economically. The
plan prepared by Mr. Hegardt for the
commission would. If carried out. sup
ply both needs and would leave scope
tor further expansion. .
The Dock Commission has" given
deep ' study to this subject and has
reached the conclusion that it Is neces
sary for the city to borrow $3,000,000
to carry out these plans. There Is good
reason to 'believe that the elevator and
docks would earn enough income to
pay Interest and operating expenses
when peace restores normal conditions
of commerce. If this -expectation
snouid not be fully realized, the re
suiting expansion of commerce would
compensate many times over for any
aenciency. it is for the voters to de
clde whether they wish to Incur this
debt in order to hold the lead In grain
shipment which has hitherto been
Portland's. If they decide against the
bonds, they will lose the grain business
ana will be sadly deficient in dock fa
cilities when commerce regains its full
volume. It is true of ports as of firms
and Individuals that they cannot do
business unless they have the facilities
ror doing it.
The steel trade of the United States
has grown to such dimensions that it
would prove a bulwark of strength to
the Nation in war. The output is now
about two and one-third times that
of Germany at the beginning of the
war, rour times that of Great Britain
ana eight times that of France. Last
year about 22 per cent of the output
was exported, much of It to the allies.
In the Impending war, it. should be
possible by curtailing, sales to the
ordinary consumer to supply all the
needs of the American Army and
Navy and also to increase materially
exports to the allies. Having the
supremacy In this great staple, the
unitea states should be invincible in
war, if its manhood were fully trained
and if its munition industries worn
fully developed to utilize the "product
of its steel works. It should also be
Invincible in commerce. If Its indus
tries were developed to the highest
point of economy, for steel Is the chief
material of all machinery which is
used in economical production.
The Transvaal continues to be the
world's greatest gold producer and
the mainstay of Great - Britain in
preserving its financial strength. In
1916 the output was nearly $182,000,
000 and beat' all records by $3,643,
662. The total production since 1884
has been 121,219,666 ounces worth at
thepresent rate of exchange $2,425,-
sxs,is. ine central empires and their
allies are insignificant as gold produc
ers and are therefore to fortify their
paper currency with a steady increase
of their gold reserve.
Sam Moore, the great arjostln of lima
for Valley soils, will yell when he reads
me statement from the Department of
Agriculture that a small application to
sour soils will increase the country's
breadstuffs many millions of bushnls
That has been Mr. Moore's text for
years. .
One of the greatest sources nt inv on
the part of Ambassador Francis at the,
abolition of Czardom In Russia win
be the reflection that he need no longer
usure ai omciai assemblies like a crow
among a flock of peacocks, because of
nis lack of a gold-laced uniform.
The offer of Mr.Damon to Hvo th
Government land for fortification of
Grays Harbor is new proof that the
patriotism of a man who has worn
Uncle Sam's uniform never- dies;
The suicide of a painter at Chf-haiia
by electrocution was as novel as it was
effective. A man who short ri
himself has no chance to back out.
Portland is doing its Dart in
mg men ior the Navy,, but there is
room ror more of the same kind. The
JNavy is still about 16,000 men short.
Russia may find somebody Just as
gooa as urana Duke Nicholas to head
its army, but cannot find his eaual in
severity or discipline.
Prince Carl, the Kaiser's cousin. In
no longer a mystery. British have him
in cold storage "somewhere In
x ranee.
There Is so much work of ureent Im
portance before Congress that no time
snouia be wasted on an organization
iigni.
It is horrifying to think what might
nappen to any f eeplng Tom who spied
on the girl students' revels at Eugene.
A Jitney driver who can put fifteen
people in his car is qualified to hold
a job "back East" loading hogs.
Roseburg plans to start Oregon's
season of festivities with the biggest
aina or strawDerry affair.
ress censorship will not hurt
Americans, so they get news of sinking
01 u-Doats ana the like.
Any man who would commit suicide
can acquire a novel finish by trespass
ing on a railroad bridge.
Portland scores again. More naval
recruits have been enlisted than In
other Coast cities.
Candidates for City Commissioner
are appearing slowly, but there is
plenty of time.
A munitions, plant in Portland would
not be a dream. Lota of Junks could
be worked up.
Thousands will almost break a leg
to get commissions In the Army of a
million.
There is hope In a peace emergency
meeting that develops a lively row.
Roosevelt is hunting devilfish, but
his heart is set on the firing line.
- -
More rain is forecast for this week,
but enough is enough.
The "Forty-fivers" will hold the Jobs
when the 'boys" go to war.
If we are to Join the allies, we must
move ahead the clocks.
Camlnettl and Dlggs cannot much
longer keep out of Jail.
More now than ever millinery must
show a war style.
The family without a garden will be
Out of style.
Russia is getting a tailhold on Tur
key.
The Old-Time Country Girl.
By James Barton Adams.
The country girl of long ago is but
a memory now; she'd grip the handle
of the hoe or handles of the ,plow;
she'd rise at dawn of day and yawn
and thrill a rustlo air and put her
work apparel on and bunch her tousled
hair. Upon a rustic bench or stand
-outside the kitchen door she'd find the
tjn wash basin, and rainwater in it
pour, soft soap of good old mother
make from out its resting place with
dainty finger tips, she'd take and pol
ish hands and face. She'd set the
breakfast table then, while daddy out
of doors, with help of sons or ' hired
men, would do the morning chores. She,
from her patient mother, took a 'bur
den of her work, would sweep the
floors and wash and cook, and duties
never shirk; to country dances she
would go with happy, smiling face,
and trip the light fantastic toe with
charming youthful grace. Her form
In calico was clad, that cost three cents
a yard, and every husky country lad
held her In high regard. At social par
ties in the game where kissing played
a hand she never thought It was a
shame to let- John Henry land a bus
terino 'neath her nose, her face with
fun a-flush, until the tinting of the
rose was copied by her blush. The
country girl of granddad's days is a
grandnf&mmy now. and wrinkles cor
rugate her face and snow hair crowns
her brow, and yet" her smile is Just as
sweet as when in days of yore she
danced on nimble, twinkling feet upon
the farmhouse floor.
FOREIGN ALLIANCE UN-AMERICAN
t
Wri, Would Have America "Go It
Alone" In Event of War.
PORTLAND, March 14. (To the Edl-tor-
1 am an American citizen and not
a pacifist. My ancestors have lived In
this country for many generations. I
am neither pro-British nor pro-German,
but Stralcht tro.Amrli-an T
have been taught in that old school of
wo-i.i-iui.ism mat nolds that our country
must keep itself aloof from all for
eign combinations.
For over 100 years this Nation h
prospered and reached Its present great-
unaer tne guiding doctrines of
Washington, Jefferson and Monroe, and
I therefore most strenuously protest
against the programme announced in
news dispatches of the last few
uays, mat lr we goto war we are to
lorm a political alliance with the en
tente powers.
One news item even contained
statement that an agreement was prob
able under which we would bind our
selves not to make a separate rm&ea
regardless .of whether or not our In
terests demanded such a move. This la
so ostensibly un-American that I can
not comprehend how American citi
zens can entertain such Ideas even for
a, moment, under this plan. If Servla,
for instance, refused to agree to peace
terms we would have to continue fight
ing. Can anything be more absurd?
i cannot believe that these dispatches
are true, and I resent any imputation
that they are officially Inspired. It
must be the work of foreign influ
ences that are trying to bring about
this state of affairs, and the sooner we
put a stop to this sort of thing the
Dstter it will De ror us.
, 2, am in favbr of driving every for
eign agent, except the legally accred
ited representatives, from our shores,
and I mean by this every German? Brit
ish, -French and every other foreign
agent. No favoritism of any kind
should be shown. A thorough house
cleaning In this respect would be the
best thing for our country and the of
ficials at Washington could perform
no more patriotic act.
A LINCOLN TURNER.
NEW NAMES FOR THOROUGHFARES
Change of "Wafihlngrton" to "Jitney"
Street Is Offered as Appropriate.
HILLSBORO, Or., March 24. (To the
Editor.) The news that the ejlty fath
ers of Portland proposed to change the
name of Tamhill street to Market
street, because of the location of' the
city market thereon and to change the
name of Market street to Auditorium
street because Of the location of the
Auditorium thereon produced, at the
time, a distinct shock to me.
That name, designating one of the
best counties over which Qod ever bent
the bow of progress, and of the first
locomotive I ever saw, as well as one
of the good old streets of Portland, has
to me a ring bordering on the sacred.
But after more carefully considering
me matter it seems that.-after all, it
may be better for the other Yamhilla
to get off the map, for to the honor of
that name we may neither add nor
detract.
Then, also, to name the several
streets each after one of its most Im
portant industries, even though it may
be but temporarily so, will enable the
stranger to conduct shopping tours
with the utmost dispatch, feeding but
a map of the city to direct him to the
district in which any particular branch
of business may be located,
A few suggestions will illustrate my
point:
Upper Front street readily suggests
a change to "Junk" street.
wasnington street to Jitney" street.
i nen we may have- a "Movie" street,
"Bootleg" street, - "Buttermilk" street
and numerous others, indeed enough to
make a. map of the city at onoe a busi
ness directory as well.
These changes might shock the sen
timents of some of tho old-timers, but
they can soon adjust themselves to the
new order, and the rest be the better
for it perhaps. L. E. WILKES.
ABUSE OF FREEDOM IS BLAMED
Defamatory JPress Cause of Sentiments
. Such as Mr. Bnetlltofer'a.
ABERDEEN, Wash., March 23. (To
the Editor.) It was very much of a
surprise to me to Bee a letter from R.
Buetikofer and well deserved rebuke
In the editorials against that gentle
man.
I have known Mr. Buetikofer for
nearly 25 years and regret to hear that
man or his type and learning wonM
allow his mind to become clouded to
clear facts and reason. Weak minds
do and will lean toward revolutionary
lenuenoies, wnicn nolds true In this
case. So long as the - Dress of the
United States Is allowed to attack and
slander our Government, it will create
disloyalty within our borders.
Uncle Sam will in due time remov
all stain from the Stars and Stripes,
and 1 for one sincerely hope that the
American oecret service takes due
notice of all men that boast like Mr.
Buetikofer.
That Wall street Is the monev entei
of the world today is the prime cause
of worry In Imperialism. True Amer
icanism will open the eyes of t"he en
tire world within five years whlch-even
Mr. Buetikofer may live to BA ill.
though he seems to be growing old.
xi&l AMACHER.
Problem Without Answer.
HOQUIAM, Wash.. March 2.1 T.
the Editor.) Wish some friends would
give me the correct number of acres
and the correct cost of this piece of
land.
A man buys a piece of land at tan
an acre. The size of the piece of land
is determined by the dollars that will
lie upon Its boundary, allowing l V4
inches to the dollar. How many acres
in the piece and what did th lnn1
cost? c. v. ir
The problem apparently Is not fully
stated. The answer could be 2 square
inches or land or any other area the
boundary of which is an even multiple
Of one and one-half.
PORTLAND'S NEED AT CITY HALL,
Not Reformers or Frill-makers, but Men
Wlio Inspire Business Confidence.
PORTLAND, March 24. (To the Edi
tor.) The candidates for election to
the city offices are beginning to present
themselves to the public. Early im
pressions have much weight with the
voter and taxpayer, and the platforms
of the candidates are being carefully
studied as they are made public.
The paramount questions In the mind
of the citizen who has Interests here
are: Will the candidate In the office
he is seeking better our oity financially
as well as morally? Will he Inspire
the confidence of capital as well as
that of churchmen In order that pros-,
perity that goes hand in hand with the
sense of financial security will be re
stored? Is he a man who. in Dublic
Ufflce. will create In the minds of the
owners or Portland's millions of dol
lars' worth of property and the minds
of the moneyed men of the city a feel
ing of financial assurance? Will he
inspire labor with the Impression that
his term of office will be an era of
prosperity when work at good wages
will be assured by reason of the gen
eral progress of the city?
Or will the candidate's appearance on
the election ticket prompt the feeling
In the mind of the established citizen
that the candidate Is Just out to "re
form" the town? Will It instill Into
the hearts of the small property owner
the fear that the candidate Is making
his plea for election upon a promise
that he will "stop" something that now
exists, to pass ordinances that Just
"limit." "restrict" and "prohibit" ?Jvv"lll
the merchant and banker receive his
candidacy with the feeling thathe is
only out to "regulate," "prescribe" and
"control" the enterprises In which the
money of the city Is Invested?
There are many property owners In
Portland who have said that the offi
cers Of the present city administration
go to sleep at nights only that thev
may dream of some cunning scheme
whereby property can be further bur
dened with assessments and regula
tions, buildings Inspected for another
hundred and one different petty pur
poses, and business and trade further
"restricted," "controlled" and "re
formed." With that sentiment prevailing In
the minds of those who have the power
to influence Portland's progress, name
ly, the property owners and business
men, is it any wonder that Portland
is said to lack "pep and that the city
Is letting slip through its fingers Irre
trievable opportunities that are con
stantly Inviting capture by means of
local Investments?
Portlanders have money; It is in the
banks, in low Interest bonds, in coun
try mortgages, in any place where they
leei mat tne city administration 4?(
not reach It with its so-called
forms,' restrictions" and "regul-
The psychologlcsl effect nnnn Pnrt
land's prosperity of overzealous alleged
reforms, both civic and moralistic, is
patent to every little property owner
ana citizen who thinks at all. It 1
equally clear that the candidate who is
out to promote progress, restore confi
dence and encourage Investment In
r-ortiana hy constructive methods Is
going to be a lot more popular with
the voter than the so-called reformer
who the people feel Is out to slap
icsiiimaie Dustness in the race with
captious restraints, restrictions and
regulations. ABRAHAM NELSON.
EASTERN OREGON'S RAY OF nOFE
It la Strahorn Project, and (rrda En-
eournsjement. Says Writer.
PAISLEY, Or., March if. (To the
Editor.) Public Service Commissioner
Corey makes a serious mistake in
throwing the weTsrht nf bin infinn
as a public official against the build
mg of the Strahorn railroad. Surely
r. -orey nas never Deen through Cen
trai uregon, an empire in extent of
great possibilities awaiting develop
ment, such development depending al
most entirely upon the building of
railroad. Several lines of road touch
the edge of this great undeveloped
country and at the edge stop, and the
uniortunate citizen of the great in
terior continues to say, "How long, O
iora, how long?"
or two years there nas been one
ray of light penetrating our darkness
in the person and promise of Mr. Stra
horn to put us In touch with CTie world
by building something over 400 miles
or railroad, connecting the various
communities of this Inland empire and
connecting us all with Portland.
I have been In Lake County tor eight
years. In -charge of an enterprise that
promises much to the state when de
veloped, but we muBt have transporta
tion, l sincerely wish Mr. Corey would
recall his letter sent to the Mayors of
the various Central Oregon towns, and
that In the future he speak only words
or encouragement ror Mr. Strahorn s
undertaking. Let the motto be from
this on, "No citizen of Oregon, public
or private, will stand in the way of any
enterprise that makes tor the upbuild
ing of our great etate." Boost, don't
knock. F. L. YOUNG.
STRANGE SENTIMENTS FROM SWISS
Mr. Baetlkofer Opposes Here Thins;
That Make His Native Land Free.
ST. HELENS, Or., March 2 4. (To
the Editor.) I have read with interest
your leading editorial and Mr. Buetl
Koier s letter published on the same
page. I am surprised that a man who
hails from the birthplace of modern
freedom could write such a letter.
Mr. Buetikofer as a Swiss wishes we
had .a government like Switzerland a
country where every able-bodied man
is a soldier and ready and willing
at any minute to take up arms against
German aggression but as an' Ameri
can he is opposed to preparedness and
resistance to Germany's attacks upon
our citizens. The epithet Schweizer
Kelb (the word Keib meaning "car
rion," "carcass" and. figuratively, "ras
cal," "cheat") generally used by the
Kaiser In referring to the Swiss shows
his high regard for that republic
Do not understand that I am opposed
to people .of German descent in this
country. I have my close personal
friends who were born In Germany or
are of German descent, but they are
all Americans In this crisis. Many of
them sympathize with Germany as
against Ensrland, yet when it comes to
German aggression against the United
States, they are all for "America first"
and wilt be found doing their duty as
loyal Americans, Instead of howling
about Wall street and the difference
between the price of cheese in the
United States and Switzerland.
MANY IRISHMEN ARE IN VALHALLA
But
No Alblna Pro-Germans,
Says
Foley to MacMahon.
PORTLAND. March 24. (To the Edi
tor.) What's the matter with my com
patriot, Marseillaise J. MacMahon, who
writes to the papers that an Irishman
would be out of place In Valhalla?
Didn't he ever attend a Clan na Gael's
wake? The Swedes don't own all of
Valhalla; they only have a couple of
lots there.
Good Britons call Westminster Ab
bey their . Valhalla, and what remains
of the Duke of Wellington, born in
Dublin, Ireland, reposes there. By the
same token British military strategy
appears to repose there too.
Good Frenchmen call the Hotel des
Invalides their Valhalla and Mac's own
kin. the hero of Malakoff, Marshall
McMahon, of France, sleeps there.
If John Bull's foresight was as keen
as his hindsight the historic reply: "J'y
suls; J'y reste" would be written In
Glasnevln, Ireland, instead of Paris,
France.
America has her own Valhallas and
the Irish are there with the credentials.
Well, here's good luck to all the Val
hallas; there are no pro-Germans from
Albina in any of them, anyway.
JAM Ed FOLEY.
In Other Dayt.
Bait a Century Ago.
From The Orefonlan of March 28, 186T.
Washington. Wilson offered a con
current resolution lastly week that Jeff
Davis should be brought to a speedy
trial or released from confinement on
ball.
The pantomime of the"Red Gnome" Is
still on the boards at the theater, the
characters being filled by Tunner. Miss
Soledad, Sprague, O'Nell, Miss Juanlta
Graham, Wilkinson and others.
The Utah is the name of a new ship
Just launched at Saco, Me., and Intend
ed for the North Pacific Coast trade.
Horace Oreeley. Henry Ward Beeoher
and Clement L Vallandlgham are to
be invited to deliver a course of lec
tures for the poor of Atlanta, Ga.
The explorations of last week about
the location of the sunken brig, the
Due de Lorges, determined the position
of the vessel to be quartering with the
stream, with the bow out and about 40
feet under water.
Twenty-Five Years Ago.
, From The Oregonian of March 28, 1892.
The contract for the new college of
the medical department of the Univer
sity of Oregon, which will be located
on Twenty-third and Lovejoy. streets,
has been awarded G. H. Wiser. It
will be completed September 1.
The work of laying down a new and
extra heavy girder rail on Morrison
street bridge, on account of which the
bridge has been closed to traffic for
the past two days, was completed last
evening.
The improvement of East Burnside
street is dependent entirely on the
construction of the free bridge that
has been located on it. When work
begins on the proposed bridge, then
measures will be taken to get the
street Improved, and not before.
Postofflce Inspector Flint, who laid
out the free-delivery district on the
East Side, fixed the southern boundary
at Division street- It has now been
decided that the boundary shall be ex-
tenaea tanner south.
About midnight last night James
O'Brien, while crossing Washington at
Eighteenth street, slipped and fell Into
a gulch about 50 feet deep.
-
Street Superintendent "aylor is at
work on a map of the city which will
show the numbers of streets as pro
vided by the new ordinance.
WHO FIRST TO FEEL WAR'S HEEL
Dtaloyal Men In America. Answers Al
bany Correspondent.
ALBANY, Or., March 24. (To the
Editor.) I must open the safety valve
of my own personal resentment to the
treasonable utterances that find their
way Into the newspapers so frequently
of late.
Treason, as defined by Webster, is
"a betrayal of confidence." Last Friday
in The Oregonian is an article signed
by one Buetikofer, which, according
to the above definition, is full to over
flowing with disloyalty and treason.
It matters not how long he has been
a naturalized citizen (and there are
thousands of them as true to our Gov
ernment as the needle Is to the pole).
No one, from reading his article, will
ever accuse him of loyalty to the Gov
ernment that has given him a chance;
a Government that protects him in his
freedom of speech, even to the danger
point.
One naturally wonders why such hy
phenates ever came to this country.
Why do they stay here? Surely the
Germans would not submarine such
valuable allies as they have In men of
that character if they would return to
their blood-sodden country.
Is it not high time that concerted
action be taken to protect ourselves
against Just such "wolves In sheep's
clothing?" Why permit one to spread
such disease germs broadcast? Do they
themselves not know that if our pa
tience and forbearance, our appeals to
reason yea, our pleadings with the
German government fail of their de
sired end, that to a great extent "the
traitor within the camp" is the one
the loyal American citizen will deal
with first if the war wolf, the kind
that Is bred in Germany, is turned
loose upon our shores?
When war Is declared patriotic lov-
alty will find a way to stop this bla
tant National infidelity. It seems that
disloyal hyphenates have not as yet
learned that there are at least "seven
thousand who have not bowed their
knees to Baal."
CHAS. E. GIBSON.
TIME FOR ALL TO DISPLAY FLAGS
Every Home of Patriot Should Show
National Colors, Sajs Mr. Grnber.
PORTLAND, March 24. TTo the Edi
tor.) In view of the Tact that prac
tically a state of war now exists as be
tween our Nation and that of the cen
tral powers, and of the further fact
that there are some who are not loyal
to our Government, some, at least, of
whom have been guilty of treasonable
utterances, and that our young men
are not enlisting as rapidly as should
De tne case, owing,- possibly, to tlje
seeming apathy of our people in gen
eral, it occurs to me that it would be
a splendid thin? for all our leadinir
newspapers to urge all loyal persons
to cause at once to be placed one of
our National flags in some conspicuous
place on or about the front of their
houses and places of business.
During this stormy season such
flags can be tacked under the over
hanging part of porches, or even placed
In front windows, this as the important
thing is to show the loyalty and pa
triotism of the occupant and thereby
cause our young men to feel inanlred
with loyalty and patriotism which has
for a long time not existed to the ex
tent that we could wish.
If the newspapers will take the mat
ter up and run a few lines in each issue
for a few weeks urging that this be
done, I feel assured that the effect will
be very great and for the good of all
our people. S. H. GRUBEE.
When Evidence of Citlsenahlp la Lost.
PORTLAND. March 24. (To the Edi
tor.) I have been a resident of this
county for 17 years. My father was
naturalized in Iowa, taking his first
papers when I was 9 and his final
papers when I was 14 years of age.
My lather's papers are now in the
possession of my brother, whose pres
ent whereabouts I do not know. The
records of the county where my father
was naturalized have been destroyed
Dy tire. i nave twice voted on my
statement and on the knowledge of the
officials that my father was a voter.
But when I attempt to register here
my papers are requested.
Is it necesrav for me to take out
naturalization papers? If not, what
steps are necessary for me to take In
order ' to register and vote?
. A SMITH.
A prominent citizen of Oregon found
himself last year in that identical pre
dicament, and he had voted for many
years. He took out naturalization pa
pers. That Is the only course to pursue
under the clroumstances.
Drop From wtjn Aeroplane,
Puck.
Female passenger (in airplane some
thousands of feet up excitedly) Please,
oh, please, won't you go down? I've
just dropped my pearl cufT-buttonl Air
manCalm -yourself, madam that's
not your cuff-button, that's Lake Erie,