Morning Oregonian., June 08, 1917, Page 10, Image 10

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THE MORNING OREGONTAN, FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 1917.
rORTLAND. OREGON.
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cisco representative. R. J. Uidwell, 742 Mar
ket street.
PORTLAND, IKlrAV, jrE 8. 117.
TRT IT. JIB. GIUUX.
The civic bodies have had a delicate
Issue presented to them in the pro
posed merger of steamship lines. The
plain statement of Mr. Oilman, repre
senting: the Great Northern Pacific
Steamship Company, is to the effect
that the Great Northern and Northern
Pacific are losing- monkey on the Ban
Krancisco-Flavel run. If they are
now continued on that run and busi
ness does not improve, it is quite pos
sible that the company will ultimately
refuse to meet further losses and will
dispose of the vessels. The alterna
tive to this possible withdrawal was
the proposed sale of the ships to the
Pacific Steamship Company, which
would transfer them to the Pugret
Sound-San Francisco run and re
place them with two vessels fine
ships but somewhat inferior in speed
and fittings to the Great Northern and
Northern Pacific. The two substitutes
would dock in Portland Instead of
120 miles down the river at Flavel.
Portland civic bodies have elected to
tafce a chance. They have declined to
give approval to the merger or par
ticipate in subsequent proceedings
necessary to be taken before the Fed
eral Shipping Board.
Mr. Gil man asserts that he has been
unable to decide, in view of lack of
patronage of the ships, whether the
people of Portland do not want them
or whether the business is not here.
The lately expressed attitude of the
people ought to relieve his mind as
to the first pha.se of his quandary.
As to the second, we believe the busi
ness is here and will be given the
ships if it is gone after in another
way.
" The Great Northern and Northern
Tacific are primarily passenger ves
sels. The freight offerings have been
satisfactory, but operation with maxi
mum freight alone will not make them
profitable. The ships must have a,
large passenger list.
The two ships are railroad con
trolled. They are operated by men
who apply the railroad man's trend
of thought. Railroad-passenger serv
ice is built up oi the principle that
the chief thought of the man who
travels is to get from one place to
another in the quickest and most com
fortable way. Ordinarily the man who
goes by rail and is traveling for pleas
ure does not find the mainspring of
his pleasure in the movement of the
train, but rather In the new and novel
scenes at his several points of desti
nation. The route and schedule of the
Northern Pacific and Great Northern
have been established on the same
principle. They have been adapted
especially, to the desires of the man
who wants to get to San Francisco
quick. Thousands of other persons
go to sea merely for the pleasure of
going to sea. Tet there is offered
them, in connection with these -ships,
something they care nothing about
a rail trip of 120 miles.
There are others who travel either
for pleasure or 'business who dread
a transfer. The most ordinary obser
vation of a railroad ticket agent dis
covers this dread. A traveler, in nine
cases out of ten. will put himself to
several inconveniences in order to take
a through train and avoid the minor
Inconvenience of a change of cars
across a ten-foot platform in the same
depot. The transfer from train to
ship at Flavel is not arduous and only
slightly annoying. But that fact is
discovered only by those who go the
route. It doubtless keeps many off
the ships who thus never discover how
trifling it is.
The ships sacrifice the benefits of
a free advertisement of enormous ad
vantage at one end of the route. Fam
ily and friends see the departing trav
eler off in Portland at a railway sta
tion. They get no glimpse of the mag
nificent appointments of the vessels.
To them they are but hazy palaces
somewhere off in the distance. When
the time, comes for them to travel they
have no definite urge to partake, of
the pleasures they have seen the
earlier traveler about to enjoy. They
carry no words to others of the luxury
they have glimpsed because they have
not glimpsed it. The word-of-mouth
advertisement, the personal indorse
ment, which counts so much, is largely
sacrificed at the Columbia River ter
minus of the line.
In the passage north, the seasick
passenger and he is many In number
eats practically nothing for a day.
He is barely 6et on his feet by the
short, quiet passage up the harbor to
Flavel when he must debark at an
unattractive station. At the end of
three and one-half hours he arrives
in Portland famished, dusty, tired and
cross. A smooth trip up the river and
a hot meal would have restored him
and enamored him of sea travel in
spite of his recent illness.
The ships would be under way, if
they came through to Portland, not
more than six hours longer than at
present on each leg of the Journey.
When the time consumed by the rail
trip and transfer are considered the
schedule would be extended only twe
or three hours. There would be an
additional cost of operation which
would be partly offset at least by re
tirement of the boat trains. The ships
would also have less time in which
to take on and discharge freight. Bu
freight, we are told, is a minor con
sideration.' They are passenger ehipa,
and they are operating on a plan
which may encourage freight han
dling but discourages passenger traf
fic, their main need.
We should like to see the experi
ment made of putting one. If not both
ships, on the Portland-San Francisco
run. They have long been operate!
on the apparent theory that everybody
who travels is a business man in a
ihurry and they have lost money. .If
iy vUX tQw be, brought Lata Port
land and their attractions offered to
the. ecumenical public, we shall be
able to determine whether the busi
ness is here, for the ships we want.
Portland then will have a stronger in
dividual pride in them and, confronted
by the possibility of their loss to tho
Columbia River, will do its utmost to
maintain the prestige which arrival
and departure of such vessels give fio
port.
THEIR VERDICT.
The County Court of Tamhill Coun
ty, which voted by a large majority
for the road bond3, takes immediate
action indicating a purpose to inaugu
rate a programme of paved roads with
state aid.
The county of Clackamas, which
went against the bonds by an irrir
mense majority, is silent. No doubt
it is hasty to say that Clackamas
wants no hard-surface, or that Clack
amas has nothing to say; for Clack
amas spoke in no uncertain tones last
Monday. ' It wants no roads built
there with money furnished by the
automobilists of Oregon. Perhaps it
is true also that it is against hard
surface for roads, under state auspices.
Perhaps it is also true that it is in
different to the location, or at least
the permanent improvement, of the
Pacific Highway. If these are not
the lessons to be drawn from the
action of Clackamas County, and
Marion, Linn and Lane as well all
on the direct route of the Pacific
Highway what Is to be understood
by their emphatic adverse verdict on
the bonds?
But we are in no doubt about Yam
hill County, and Washington and
Polk. They are not only anxious to
progress through good roads best
roads but they have a definite no
tion that there is enormous value to
them in a' Pacific Highway. They
have a vision of a constant stream
of vehicle travel and traffic north
and south. They will not be mis
taken. STATl'S OF THE RED CROSS.
It is because the Red Cross has an
established status In international law
that it is able to mitigate the suffer
ing caused by war. This status is
dependent upon its civil character. It
is essentially non-National, nrmt tn
far as its units may be supported by"
the subscriptions of the citizens of
various nations, and it must be non
military to enjoy the immunities that
Civilized countries havn ennr-eddil tr it
This - is the reason why the Red
Cross, and the Red Cross alone, is
charged with a-work that some per
sons believe should be left to the bel
ligerent governments and paid for out
of government funds. Armies may
care for the wounded in their own
hospitals behind the lines, but the
task of getting them there, and of
giving succor on the field, is peculiarly
one for an organization entirely dis
associated from the contending forces.
It is less than sixty years since the
agitation- was begun that resulted in
the formation of the Red
cieties, although Florence Nightingale
in the Crimean campaign of 1854 had
previously established hospitals out of
private funds and had accomplished
mucn alleviation or suffering. There
was SO much unnecessnrv ml(rv.
however, when the battle of Solferlno,
in wnicn in 1858 tne Italians won
their independence, was fought, that
Jean Henri Dunant a. nhiinnthrftnt
citizen of Geneva, Inaugurated the
movement wnicn resulted definitely in
the formation of the Red Cross so
cieties. His CrODOsal was that snr-iotlas
should be organized in time of peace
to train nurses, then not.
as they are now, for the purpose of
supplementing tne work of the reg
ular Army surgical corps. This re
sulted in the first international con
ference at Geneva In 1863, at which
the Red Cross was born. It was then
stipulated that each nation which
should ratify the convention should
have one national society, "civil in its
character and functions," which alone
should have the right to authorize the
sending of a surgical corps to a war.
itatiricauon or this convention, at first
by fourteen nations and since then by
forty-three, has firmlv entnhllchoH fh
rule of international law by which
tney are governed today.
The distinction, then. hptweAvi ti
civil organization and the military is
the essence of the immunities so nec
essary for work close to the front and
while the actual fighting is in prog
ress. Members of the Red Cross corps
do not engage in obtaining military
information: their ambulances do not
carry war supplies; use of their field
bases as observation posts or as shel
ters for army operations is not per
mitted. Application of the Red Cross
principle to naval warfare has been
made more recently, this having been
attained only in 1899. Various efforts
further to extend the usefulness hf
the organizations have been attended
by mixed success. International law
is of slow growth. Such important
matters as the best measures to pre
vent misuse Of the Reri Prni. flo.
still remain in abeyance because they
require) tne ratification of the nations
to give them force.
It IS because Of this fnndnmentsllv
private and civil attribute of the pjerf
Cross work that the society in the
United States is now soliciting funds
ior me vast worK Delore it. It, and no
other organization, can accomplish
this. It must rely upon the philan
thropy of the teotle for ltj simnrt
To adopt it as part of the Army es-
laonsnmenr. would be to deprive it of
its best opportunity for service.
EnfCATION NOT A U'XIHT.
If education, not specifically directed to
military use. Is a mere luxury, enabling
men to find a source of relaxation and en
joyment, but not essential to the welfare
of the community as a whole, then the col
lege had better cloae its doors permanently.
But If. on the other hand, education. In the
manifold forms In which it la given by the
various institutions of learning, is essential
to modern civilization and to the United
States, then the college certainly cannot
cease to impart it.
" These are the words of President
Lowell, of Harvard, and are part of a
statement in the Alumni Bulletin of
the purposes of the college during the
National crisis. Rumors that the col
lege will shut its gates next year, or
that it will not devote itself to the
ordinary processes of education, are
repudiated. Activities, especially of
the freshman class, will go on with
out change.
This declaration by the President of
one of the leading universities of the
United States is especially significant
because without doubt it is typical .of
the attitude of the higher institutions
of learning of the country. It is
true, as Dr. Iowell also mentions, that
France, too, has recognized this prin
ciple to such an extent that it has in
sisted that its young men should pur
sue their ordinary courses of study
until they attain the age for begin
ning military instruction, An 4 France.
is bearing by far the heaviest part in
the war.
Education Is no longer a luxury; It
is a prime necessity. It is not a mere
privilege, but also a right and a duty.
They also serve who only fit them
selves for the problems of the future.
"The duty of the boy or young man,"
says President 1 ,0 well, "is to train
himself to clear thought, to steady ap
plication and to. persistent purpose."
It is not quite so dramatic as charging
the enemy in the first-line trenches,
but it counts in the end.
NOW THE TECHNICALITIES.
The issue raised by Treasurer Kay
as to the right of the Board of Control
to issue bonds to meet the terms of
the Federal road law is wholly tech
nical. The state law authorizing such
bonds known as the Bean-Barrett
law makes Issuance of bonds con
tingent upon lack of money in the
state highway fund to duplicate the
allotment of Federal money.
It appears to be the contention that
the proceeds from the $6,000,000
bonding issue, just passed, provide
money for the state highway work and
that the contingency upon which is
suance of other bonds under the Bean-
Barrett law is authorized therefore
does not or will not exist. It is fur
ther contended that matching of Gov
ernment money need not be on the
roads on t which the Government
money is spent.
Yet an examination of the new
bonding act and the Bean-Barrett law
indicates that they are in complete
harmony. The proceeds from the $6,
000,000 bond issue do not go Into any
"highway fund," so designated, but
into a "special fund," to bo "used In
carrying into effect the provisions of
this act," Other sections provide for
expenditure of the bond proceeds for
surfacing designated roads, to be built
wholly at state and county expense.
The 86, 000, 000 paving law also defi
nitely avoids implied repeal of the
Bean-Barrett law by referring to that
act and providing that the funds raised
through its application shall be ex
pended on post and forest roads in
co-operation with the Government. It
even requires that such state funds
shall be obtained by sale of bonds as
provided for in the Bean-Barrett law.
It Is often necessary to test the
legality of bonds before a satisfactory
sale can be made. That may be true
in this case, -but the intent of the law
and the understanding of the people
when they voted on it were so clear
that there need be no fear as to the
outcome.
OBSTACLES TO SUCCESS.
Congress arid Its laws are the worst
obstacles to prompt, vigorous and effi
cient prosecution of war. Congress !s
proving this at the present time. Food
regulation of the most drastic kind 's
urgently needed, but Congress has
spent day after day in haggling about
the power to be given to the food
director. 1 fearing that he will suspend
the law of supply and demand. If bv
suspending the precession of the equi
noxes we could hasten victory, it
should be suspended, as Joshua made
the sun and moon stand still while he
finished a battle.
According to a man who Is quoted
by the Army and Navy Journal, the
laws of Congress have got In the way
of quick construction of cantonments
for the new army. He found "a bunch
of mighty efficient civilians trying to
help the Defense Council" to get the
job done in ninety days. They wera
"big men, used to running large af
fairs and getting things done right on
the spot, working for nothing, ready
to go ahead, some of them to build
the camps themselves." This man
said:
But the Quartermaster's Corns nilnrnllv
said It was their Job, and the civlllana could
not understand why the Quartermasters
could not go ahead and bust all the laws
necessary In order to wipe out red tape and
get tmngs going. My word! If they had
had their pay stopped a few timea bv on
arbitrary decision on some fool law, or been
court-martialed for cutting a comer to get
things done, they would have realized the
situation better. The Army serves the peo
ple, yet tne congress, tne people s agent,
has a way of' telling the Army to do some
thing and then treating it with suspicion
limiting its funds and laying down to the
last penny and petty detail Just how they
shall be expended. .
That is what. Congress is doing to
Herbert Hoover in framing the laws
which he is to administer "treating
him with suspicion" and generally
pinning him down with restrictions,
as though he were some petty clerk
about whom nobody knew anything
and who needed constant watching
lest he "knock down" a nickel.. Yet
he has administered with marvelous
economy a vast fund such as rivals
the sums Congress appropriated in its
less extravagant days. Britain and
France soon learned that his accounts
did not need auditing, so they each
turned over to him $7,000,000 a month
and told him to go ahead and feed
Belgium. Yet a crowd of small
caliber politicians who can scarcely
trust themselves propose to tie him
up with red tape. And they think
that's the way to win a war I
HOW TO UNDERMINE KAISERISM.
The war aims of the United States
and its European allies correspond so
closely that there should be small dif
ficulty in agreeing on a restatement of
them for the purpose of satisfying any
honest scruples which may be enter
tained by those among the Russian
people who have declared for no an
nexation and no indemnities and who
refuse to be bound by any agreements
made by the Imperial government
which they have overthrown. When
such an agreement has been made,
the United States would do well to
become a party to the allied compact
against a separate peace by any one
nation.
Senator Owen has introduced a res
olution in the Senate making such a
definition of policy, and it may l.e
advisable, if the President has not al
ready opened negotiations to the same
end, with which it might interfere.
But the Senator goes further. He
assumes in his preamble that the Ger
man people are kept in ignorance of
the real purposes of their government
and of the allied democracies and that
It is only necessary for the allies to
Inform them of the truth in order .o
induce them to stop fighting. He also
includes among the conditions of
peace the following declaration:
There-should be no peace with the Imperial
government of Germany until the actual
aovereignty of the German people shall have
been completely established, either by the
German people themselves or as the result
of the pending war.
Mr. Owen's assumption seems ill
founded, for the German government
has succeeded in deceiving the people
as to the real aims of the two parties
to the war and, so long as Kaisertam
remains unshaken, its success in de
ceiving them may be expected to con
tinue. Either the truth has been
withheld from the Germans or they
have been persuaded to discredit it
when it has been offered to them. It
can, be taken to them, with, enough.
impresslveness to carry conviction
only by victorious allied armies. The
purpose of defining and stating the
aims of the allies should be, therefore,
to bring about complete harmony
among themselves as an aid to that
victory which will enable their armies
to carry the truth to the German
people.
The proposed declaration against
peace with the imperial government
"until the actual sovereignty of tne
German people shall have been com
pletely established" may be taken to
mean that the allies are fighting to
force a change of government upon
the German people and thus may be
denounced as a violation of that very
principle of national rights for which
the allies contend. If the Germans
were given to understand that they
were to be compelled by outside force
to depose their Kaiser and adopt a
democratic government, the latter
would become hateful In their eyes
as the product of defeat and humilia
tion. If they were defeated without
any appearance of dictation as to their
form of government, they would be
the more apt to turn against autocracy
as the cause of their woes.
History gives warning against the
imposition of a ruler or a form of gov
ernment on any nation by a foreign
power. The allied powers restored
the Bourbons to the throne of France
and thereby caused the French people
to forget the misfortunes they h:td
suffered under Napoleon and to make
him their hero, with the result thrrt'
after fifteen years they expelled the
Bourbons. The powers forcibly united
Belgium to Holland and Norway to
Sweden, but in. both -cases the people
broke the bonds. France forced an
empire on Mexico, but the French
troops no sooner withdrew than the
Mexicans executed the Emperor and
restored the form of a republic. ,
The downfall of Kaiserism in Germany-can
be brought- about moro
surely by not making it the express
aim of the allies or a condition of
peace. It can be made so repulsive
to the German people by association
with defeat, national humiliation,
wholesale slaughter and misery that
they will cast it out of their own ac
cord. There would then be less ro
mance hanging about the Hohensol
lern legend, such as kept the Na
poleonic legend alive In France.
,
There Is no surer way of increasing
the meat supply of the country than
by eradicating animal diseases, which
Is one of the most valuable services
of the Agricultural Department. It
has driven the cattle tick from more
than SOOiOOO square miles of territory
in the South, comprising 43 per cent
of the infected area. The tick in
severe cases sucks 200 pounds of blood
a year from an animal and causes an
aggregate loss estimated at $40,000,-
000 to $100,000,000 a year. It is main
ly responsible for an average value for
2-year-old steers of only $20 in Ala
bama. $22 in Mississippi and $24 in
Louisiana, as against $64 in Wyoming.
$60 in Montana and $56 in Ohio and
Illinois. Yet some Senators haggled
about voting the full amount asked by
secretary Houston for exterminating
the pest.
If you see a girl of 17-In a black
coat, blue skirt, white middy and yel
low hat, the short skirt revealing yel
low hose, she may be a missing dam
sel, from Seattle, but do not accost
her if an officer is near, as mistakes
cost money when before Judge Steven
son.
Punishment of vandals who
crate the points of scenic interest
along the Columbia Highway is highly
deserved and should serve ns n wii-n
tng to all who do not appreciate the
Diessings or modern civilization.
The Kronstadt garrison Tina lied n
gleam of reason. When the Russian
workmen begin to realize that neither
wages nor hours can be- adjusted un
der anarchy, the world will breathe
easier again.
Institutions of higher
be expected to serine- un all over s-,ir.
Dakota, now that it has been discov
ered tnai me Done-ary law makes ex
ception of liquor used for scientific
purposes.
The German captain who sank his
ship in Charleston harbor testified ho
obeyed orders of his government, and
got a year in Atlanta. He gets off
light; some get killed when obeying
orders.
The landtacr of Alsar-e-TjM-rnlrir.
has decided to stand by the Kaiser.
Ljuite naturally, under present condi
tions, with the French representation
conspicuous only by its absence.
The musical scheme of Nature, now
limited mostly to the wolfs howl aud
the coyote's yelp, is to be aus-mente-l.
The Mexican soldier will be taught to
sing.
It is still not too late to plant po
tatoes, where the ground is fit. Ore
gon farmers know how to raise good
crops from plantings made as late ns
July.
County Judge Messick, of Baker,
has been recalled by thirty-two vots
after a contest that has created a bit
terness that must be lasting.
Anybody desiring a good Job shouM
apply early to the newly elect. It
is for such a thing they were chosen,
though they may deny it.
The young doctor subject to con
scription is needed as a volunteer, bu;
If drafted may be compelled to serve
in the ranks.
Oregon has done so well recently
in upholding its reputation that it
must not fall down on its quota of tho
liberty loan.
Although half the registration
claims exemption, there will be plenty
left for the big army. '
Mr. I-a Roche's opinion is comfort
ing to the men who always want to
run for office.
The Confederate veterans are ready
to go to France. One war is over,
anyway.
The tongs again sign an armistice,
to last until they get more "hard
ware." This is not corn-growing weather,
but constant cultivation will help.
Play a Joke on the draft by join
ing the Third Oregon.
May success attend the British drive
in Belgium!
How to Keep Well
By Dr. W. A. Evaaus.
Questions pertinent to hygiene, sanitation
and prevention of disease. If matters of gen
eral intereet. will be answered In this col
umn. Where space will not permit or the
subject is not suitable letters will be per
sonally answered, subject to proper limita
tions and where stamped addreMed envelope
is Inclosed. Dr. Evans will not make diagnosis
or prescribe for Individual diseases. Re
quests for such eervlces csnnot be answered.
(Copyright. 11. by Or. W. A. Evans.
"Published by arrangement with the Chicago
Tribune.)
CAMP LIFE AND MEXIXGITI9.
As our young men are being gathered
together in groups of thousands drawn
from e-cry section of the country, the
following statement of the public
health service Is important: ,
"For several weeks cerebro-splnal
meningitis has prevailed to an unusual
degree in various sections of the coun
try. The occurrence of the disease In
epidemic form at this time is of partic
ular Importance. The disease is one
which frequently gains entrance to and
spreads in encampments of troops."
The statement published May 4-says:
"The principal recognized foci of the
disease have been Philadelphia, Cleve
land, St. Louis, Hartford and Minne
apolis. Between January 1 and April 21
the following cities reported 10 cases or
more: Philadelphia, 237; New York. 116;
Minneapolis, 103; Hartford, 84; St.
Louis, 79; Cleveland. 64; Chicago, 61;
Pittsburg, 46; Detroit, 86; St, Paul. 84;
Baltimore, 30; Kansas CIO'. 26; Mont
clalr, 24; Omaha, 32; Boston. 20; Provi
dence, 19; Akron, 17; Milwaukee. 14;
Kansas City, Kan, 18; Duluth, 11; New
ark, 11; New Haven, 11; Washington,
11; Indianapolis, 10."
This table takes no account of the
else of the city; 24 cases in Montolair,
N. J, is a much mora serious condition
than 237 in Philadelphia. It also falls
to lake account of the completeness of
reporting. -It s much more likely that
the 24 cases reported from Montclalr
represent all the cases there than it Is
that there were only El cases in Chi
cago. The list also leaves much to be
desired in that it does not tell of rural
conditions except In Minnesota. Be
sides the 148 cases in Minneapolis. St.
Paul and Duluth, there, were 43 cases In
nearly 43 communities and smaller cit
ies and in towns in that state.
The English have had an undue
amount of meningitis both in civil and
military life since the war began. Ken
wood, one of the leading sanitarians in
Great Britain, says: "One cannot but
be struck by the general coincidence of
the prevalence of this cerebro-splnal
fever and a high sick rate from ca
tarrhal affections. Probably catarrhal
affections predispose to meningitis, ex
alt Its virulence, and favor its spread.
Probably some, supposedly , ordinary
colds are abortive attacks of , menin
gitis." For the prevalence of colds and thus
indirectly of meningitis, Kenwood of
fers two explanations: Wet. cold feet
and poor ventilation. No one has de
vised a healthful waterproof boot
Socks are not Ideal. .Then men who
must stand for days or hours In cold
water and mud suffer from foot chill
and wet feet. A soldier to be healthy
must have warm, dry feet.
The second cause, and probably the
most Important one. Is bad ventilation.
In aplte of the gallons of ink and the
tons of paper used in preaching the
doctrine of fresh air it was found when
the millions of English soldiers were
gathered out of the millions of Eng
lish homes that a large percentage were
accustomed to sleeping rooms with
closed windows. If they had ever read
about the advantage of sleeping with
open windows they had thought it ap
plied to the other fellow.
Underground and trench warfare has
made the problems worse. The present
army allowance of 40 square feet ot
floor space per man Is enough provided
the windor.-s are kept open. The army
council passed a regulation that in sol
diers' barracks two diagonally oppo
site end windows must be kept open.
This has helped, but it is difficult to
enforce It in cold weaAher. The necessi
ties require that the men be huddled
in cold quarters often underground.
Ventilation has proven difficult, espe--cially
when so many of the men are ac
customed to closed windows. The con
sequence has been colds and the indi
rect consequence meningitis. -
All of the above Is worth knowing
as our boys gather in camps.
Lsrabtfs,
Mrs. A. E. R. writes: "Is there any
cure or help for lumbago? I have been
suffering for more than a year and find
no ..help. I am past middle age, but
strong and well and a fine walker. A
three or four-mile walk after supper
was only a pleasant pastime until this
unexpected trouble came upon me.
REPLY.
A dentist tells me of this experience. While
bent over taking off bis shirt, lumbago
struck him. Next day an osteopath told him
how to get rid of It. He sat In a chair with
his shouldsrs held back. He drew In his
abdomen as much as possible, pulled the ab
dominal contents up under his ribs as much
as possible, took a very deep breath, pushed
out his chest until he looked like a pouter
pigeon, held his breath to his limit, then
slowly exhaled and sagged down. His lum
bago was. gone.
Another man cured his -lumbago by the
following means: A friend had him bend
over a trunk. His friend stuck him with
a pin. The patient Jumped quickly -and
violently. His lumbago was gone. Ordi
narily. Ironing with a hot Iron will cure.
So much for relief measures. Lumbago
Is a form of rheumatism. It Is due to In
fection. If you have repeated attacks you
must tiave the source of infection removed.
Anions' probable sources of Infection are the
teeth, tonsils and nose.
Causes of Dizziness.
C. D. writes: "What are the causes
of severe dizziness? I am a man of 60
and am strong and well apparently ex
cept for dizziness, especially when I
throw back my head or when I am
lying down. I have a tender spot back
of the ear at the base of the brain. Can
this be the seat of my trouble?"
REPLY.
A person of BO In whom dlxxlness Is per
sistent and annoying should have, his blood
pressure taken. Next to high blood pres
sure constipation Is the most frequent cause.
Other causes are anemia, heart disease and
kidney disease.
Romberg's Sign.
L. writes: "What Is Romberg's sign
and what are the proper methods of
testing It out?"
REPLY.
The person to be tested stands with his
feet closo together and his eyes closed. If
there-Is a positive Romberg the body will
sway several Inches from side to side. If
the conditions' advanced the patient Is li
able to topple over unless be catches on
something or opens his eyes and rights him
self by using muscles under the control of
the will. Romberg's sign Indicates a father
advanced alase aX Jooomosor starla,
I'XRGQIITED YEARNING TO SERVE
Man Too Old for Trenrhn Anxious for
Some Other Patriotic Draft.
BALBOA HEIGHTS, C. Z.. May 26.
(To the Editor.) I have before me The
Oregonlan. May 10. and have Just read
your editorial "Where Duty Lies" and
the letter of Albert S. Roberts, of The
Dalles.
It is much to be regretted that It is
Impossible) to speed up the work of or
ganizing every part of our country for
the one purpose of speedy and satis
factory conclusion of the war forced
upon an unwilling world by the per
sonal ambition and Insanity of a single
monarch.
To many of us who are forced to sit
and wait there comes a feeling of im
patience and the question for each man
Is what is best for him to do. best not
for himself, but for the country, and
indirectly at least for civilization.
I was raised on a farm and know
how to grow all kinds of grain raised
In the West. I know how to handle
the implements and outfit necessary to
grow and handle the grains, but I have
not the means of securing the necessary
Implements and power for the work. I
have had considerable military drill
and have drilled men in the various ex
ercises and manual incident to com
pany drill and my services might be
worth more in getting men ready for
the front than a man who has had no
drill nor , experience in drilling and
training others. I have used gas en
gines and am very ready in general
mechanical work. A little special prep
aration would make me available for
this sort of work, whether on trucks or
In aviation work, than would be the
case with a man of no experience at ail.
I am an employe on the canal, where
It will be necessary to keep men wheth
er or not we have war. If I leave some
other man will have to come and fill
my place.
I am 49 years old and would expe
rience considerable difficulty (from
rheumatism) were I to go into such
conditions as are on the front.
I try to lok at this without consid
ering myself in a personal way at all.
I don't want to take advantage of my
exemption, because of my age. from
duty and service during the times that
are upon us; nor do I think that to go
to the front in France would be to
make the best use of myself nor to ren
der the best service that. I can.
I have made several attempts, by
writing, to get some information as to
what those in authority might think,
and In most cases have received no re
Ply. . It seems to me that if soma arrange
ment could be made whereby I could
get to work with modern equipment
growing grain that would help main
tain the military and civil population.
It would be the best service I could
render.
It may be that the dangers of the
front have influenced me in this opinion,-but
I hope not. However, thiB war
has come a year or so too soon for me to
be able, unaided, to procure the neces
sary Implements to farm. Could I get
to farming It would mean land now
lying idle would be put to use and I
believe there are many other men In a
similar condition who could very great
ly Increase the production of foods had
they the implements of warfare, for In
such a rase the implements and tools
that contribute to the support of the
fighting men are as much implements
of war as are the guns, the ships, the
torpedoes. Had I the price of a single
torpedo, I'd resign at once from this
service and return to the states and
find some uncultivated land and grow
a crop next year.
Why cannot the Secretary of Agricul
ture mobilize men like myself, fur
nish us with the necessary implements,
conscript uncultivated land or put into
cultivation the thousands of acres of
idle "Indian lands" and take the food
produced as our service and contribu
tion for the war. Either place us In
practically the same status as t,he
fighting men, with similar compensa
tion and ration allowance, or supply
us with the implements and hold us
accountable for results as a sentry is
held accountable.
The Government, In stress of war.
must furnish the guns and ammunition
for the soldier. Why not furnish the
"guns and ammunition" for production
of food crops In the shape of modern
tractors and plows and the gasoline?
And why can t we who want to know
get results? W. H. BROWN.
IX STALL MAYOR WITH A SHOCT
Day Merita Real Prosperity Demonstra
tion. Saya Writer.
PORTLAND, June 7. (To the Ed
itor.) Inauguration day for Mr. Ba
ker should be made a great "prosper
ity day," and- it should be celebrated
with a "hip. hip. hurrah." For there
are good times ahead of Portland, Or.
Ner does it need to be all shouts, but
a real prosperity demonstration. There
has never been a time when so great
plans were laid for bigger things as are
being laid now.
Digging is the price of success. Faith
is a condition of success. Co-operation
with known and friendly agencies adds
to power. A "prosperity league" of
some kind with a great news daily at
its helm will make Portland one of the
busiest and best cities In the West.
Whining, criticism of state, city and
school officials, pining, talking of bad
conditions and hard luckraoanlng over
the many unsolved problffns these got
us into the condition we have endured,
brought us but grief and created that
helpless state of mind which until yes
terday filtered all the light that came
to Portland.
We are asking you to get the men
of Portland together. Have them rally
around their chosen men. Give the new
Mayor a boost. Make him feel he is
the Mayor of all the living men of
Portland, and that these living men are
about to take off their coats and help
him to build a city.
All Portland will take your cheerful
suggestions. A great group of friends
of Portland will cheer as they do what
you ask them to do for Portland. A
little persistent effort will make Port
land a hopeful ethnic group, and then
the city will give loyal support to the
efforts of the men who you have placed
before them as leaders.
It is worth the effort of the might
iest pen you can command if there can
be spread a general proper. Portland
spirit. It will pay you to do this thing.
It will stamp your paper with a proper
and well-earned prestige. It will give
a well-spring of life to the city of our
pride, and it will develop here a splen
did oulture. because of the magnitude
of the force you are able to command
In this or like endeavor.
You elected the Baker man Mayor.
Do not expect George to do It all. Call
for and get the co-operation of all the
forces that mean development within
the city. Then take advantage of their
general confidence in you and make
the dally suggestion, "Get together; fall
in line. Forward, march.''
We will help you.
ED. GARI CRAWFORD.
The Reveille la Sounding.
Harkf the reveille Is sounding.
And your country's calling you
To uphold the Nation's honor.
And our flag Red. White and Blue;
To uphold the cause of freedom.
And the rights of all mankind;
To unloose the chains of bondage.
And the fetters that now bind.
Harkt the reveille Is sounding.
And we'll heed our country's call.
And we'll" not lay down our armor
Till there's Justice given all;
Till black tyranny is broken.
Never more to rise again;
For no autocrat shall rule us.
We wera born to be free men.
RILEY MOREHEAD,
2A laiooQla uat.
In Other Days.
Twenty-five Tears Ago.
From The Oregonlan. June 8. 1S8X
Minneapolis The first day of tho
Republican National Convention ended
with the Presidential nomination still
a- hidden secret. J. Sloot Fassett, a
Blaine man, was named temporary
chairman. The mention of ex-Speaker
Reed's name brought almost as great
a demonstration as the mention of Har
rison and Blaine.
Dr. Mary Walker appeared at tho
Cleveland convention In Syracuse at
tired in a frock coat, trousers and silk
hat. bhe wanted to bo chosen a rele
gate to Chicago, btjt was disappointed.
A Raymond & Whitcomb Alaskan
excursion party of 34 arrived yester
day. Owing to tho enormous success of
"Beau Brummel" yesterday at the
Marquam Grand, the management has
persuaded Mr. Mansfield to repeat tho
performance Friday night, which is the
fashionable night here.
It is understood the miners are re
turning to work in the Coeur d'Alene
district and that the strike is at an
end.
Portlanders in New Tork are: F. F.
Talbot, at the Plaza; O. A; Randall, at
tne .Metropolitan; J. Barrett, at the
Hoffman House: S. W. Bales, at tho
Westminster; W. E. Mhaw and E. C.
Webb, at the Metropolitan.
Half a Century Ago.
From The Oregonlan. June 8. 1S6T. ,
Vnlversal suffrage has found a power
ful advocate in Count Bismarck. In
the German Parliament he recently
thus expressed himself: "
"I know of nothing more absurd or
pitiful than the Russian law which
sanctions elections by classes, and by
indirect suffrage, caprice, and harsh
ness accompanying the tax-rated suf
frage. It would not be prudent to com
bine the right to the suffrage with so
cial or class distinction. Indirect suf
frage alters the expression of public
opinion; direct and universal suffrage
will introduce talent into Parliament.
What has become of the project to
build a road from Portland to the
Tualatin plains?
The English historian. Sir Archibald
Alison, in discussing the future of his
country said In an address in Glasgow:
"Every nation has old grudges against
England which they will seise tho first
opportunity to pay off. All the nations
of Europe have suffered wrongs at the
h nd of England and they will eagerly
seek a chance to obtain revenge. Hence,
if waf o-curs in Kurope England can
not keep out of it." Sir Archibald was
discussing tho coinparatt- -ly defense
less condition of his country and he
aald the Invention. of Ironclads had an
nihilated her power.
A New York paper saya that tha new
constitution of Now York will probably
contain a clause providing that no
legislation shall be allowed regarding
what anyone eats or drinks.
VOIR I'SCLB SA111EU
Uncle Bam has gone a gunning, tracing
out the fakes.
Sizing up the cost of living, putting o
the brakes;
Uncle Sam's a famous farmer, plowjng
every field.
Planting park and plain and prairie,
for a mighty yield.
Uncle Sam's a ready writer, scratching
with his pen:
Uncle Sam's a doughty captain, leading
out his men;
Uncle Sam's a sleepless watchman con
ning in his tower.
With an eagle eye to safety, patient
hour by hour.
Uncle Sam's a busy weaver, cloth is on
his loom,
Tards on yards of heavy khaki yellow
'as the moon;
Uncle Sam's a handy tailor, cutting
with his shears.
Fitting up a mighty army quits devoid
of fears.
Uncle Sam's a lusty miner, digging up
the ore.
Lead and coal and iron and copper,
tons on tons galore:
Uncle Sam's a busy banker, raking in
the gold
For his wheat and steel and cotton,
fruit and lumber sold.
Uncle Sara's a peaceful toiler, but when
war alarms
He can bristle like a monster with a
million arms:
Uncle Sam Is all the Nation doubled
up in one.
Fighting, facing all creation till the
war Is won.
Uncle Sam is building cruisers, spread
ing all his sails.
Faring for tho stormy ocean lashed
with battle gales:
Stars and Stripes may bo Imperiled,
death be on the sea.
Uncle Sam Is what we make him, im
ply you and nte.
EVA EMERY DYE
Meaning of "l'-Bot(."
BAY VIEW, Or.. June 6. (To tho
Edltor.)--Why are all submarine boats
called "U-boats"? What was tho name
derived from and what does it signify?
S. R, M.
It is customary both In this country
and in Germany to designate subma
rines with a letter and number rather
than give each a namo. In the U. S.
Navy submarines of 600 tons are des
ignated as "R" boats, and tho numbers
run from 1 to 27. Those of 800 tons
are "S" boats, with numbers from 1 to
41. Inclusive- Germany uses the' letter
"U" on Its later boats, but is said to
use another letter to designate sub
marine mine layers. Whether there is
particular significance in adoption of
tho letter "U" is not known. - Possibly
It was selected because it is tho first
letter of tho German word "unter,"
meaning "under" undersea.
Examination for Collector.
OLTMPIA, Wash.. June 6. (To the
Editor.) Please tell me where anrl
when tho examination for collector of
war revenue tax (oral) Is to take place.
There was a mention or it in Tho Ore
gonlan, but time and place were not
given. . MRS. J. S. L.
Write to M. K. Wigton. Postofflco
building, Portland. The examinations
are subject to such arrangements as
the Secretary of Internal Revenue of
tho Treasury Department may desig
nate, says Mr. Wigton, who is local
secretary of the United States Civil
Service Commission. Appllcalts will be
notified of the time set, when examina
tions will be held at Portland. San
Francisco, Seattle and Tacoma.
Welgbt and Enlistment.
PORTLAND. Juno 7. (To the Ed
itor.) Please tell me If a man weigh
ing 132 pounds, 5 feet 11 inches tall,
would be accepted In the Army. U. S.
He is considerably under weight, the
correct .weight for 71 Inches being 1S2
pounds. However, his acceptance or
rejection on the grounds of under
weight would depend largely on hj
g,enr&l Physical, cuadiUan,