Morning Oregonian., August 28, 1917, Page 4, Image 4

4
THE HORNING OREGQNIAN. TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 1917.
COTTAGE GROVE HAS
5150,000 MILL FIRE
Lumber Company's Plant Is
Burned, Roundhouse Lost
and City Endangered.
MEDICAL SPRINGS AFIRE
Wealth Resort Near Baker Destroyed
and Culdesac, Idaho, Gutted,
Most of Business District
Being Prey of Flames.
PACIFIC NORTHWEST TOWSS
SUFFER BY FIRES.
Cottage Grove Brown Lumber
Company's plant burns; loss,
about $150,000; town In darkness
except for flames; other plants
threatened and are guarded.
Baker Medical Springs, health
resort, burns; loss. $10,000; visi
tors fight flames.
Culdesac. Idaho Defective flue
starts fire; business section gone;
loss, $35,000; water supply ex-hausted.
COTTAGE GROVE, Or., Aug. 27.
(Special.) Fire, which for a. time
threatened to sweep through the city,
tonight destroyed the plant of the
Brown Lumber Company, the round
house of the' Oregon, Pacific & Eastern
Railroad, burned much lumber in the
yards and endangered a large number
of surrounding plants. The loss to
night was placed at more than $ 150,000.
Incendiarism was suspected by the fire
chief tonight because of the sudden de
struction of the lumber company's
property, the entire plant being In
flames in two minutes after the blaze
was discovered at 7 o'clock.
- Feed lines running into the city were
melted by the fire and the city for a
long time was in darkness, except for
the light of the flames.
Other Property 1b Pu(cr.
Buildings of the Cottage Grove Elec
tric Company and near-by residences
were endangered for a time, but the
fact that the wind was blowing away
from the city saved many of the build
ings. Guards were placed about the Cham
bers mill and the plant of the Cottage
Grove Manufacturing Company, the
owners being afraid that an attempt
would be made to fire the property
while the apparatus was fighting the
lumber company's flames. The electrio
company's plant was afire several
times, but the flames were extin
guished without damage.
L. S. Hill was manager of the Brown
Lumber Company
BjiKER, Or.. Aug. 27. (Special.)
Medical Springs, health resort and one
of the oldest settlements in Eastern
Oregon, was wiped out by a fire that
started at 4:30 P. M. and burned for
four hours, leaving only the store of
George South untouched.
The combined f ire-fighting forces of
200 residents and hotel visitors, with
members of the Forest Service, were
organized to no avail, and frantic ef
forts failed to check the flames that
rageu until everything in their path
was consumed.
Loss Placed at f 10,000.
The loss is estimated at nearly $10.
000. of which half was entailed by the
destruction ot the Medical Springs Ho
tel and Sanitarium, one of the larges
and finest in this part of the state.
The visitors wore left without ac
commodations, and, although nearly all
aaved thtlr personal effects, they were
compelled to come 28 miles to Baker.
They were accompanied by a number of
resident victims. Others remain to
keep the fire from spreading into the
forest
The town is situated in Union County,
Just north of the Baker County bound
ary. It was founded by Dunham Wright,
well-known pioneer, near hot springs
that have since afforded a site for a
Summer reBort.
The sanitarium was nearty as large
as the one at Hot Lake, and was an
nually the mecca of Eastern Oregon
pleasure seekers.
This Is the third disastrous fire that
has occurred in the vicinity of Baker
within the last month, and the damage
is exceeded only by that suffered in the
Huntington and Sumpter fires.
The hotel and sanitarium had been
Insured six weeks ago for $5000. Aside
from minor burns suffered by two of
the firefighters, no injuries were re
ported. No fire-extinguishing apparatus
was available.
CULDESAC, Idaho, Aug. 27. Fire
starting from a defective flue in a
lodging-house here today destroyed
one-third of the business section of
Culdesac The loss is estimated at
$35,000. The water supply became ex
hausted and dynamite was used to
check the flames.
couver Barracks, "Wash., and will re
pair to his home.
The following-named contract sur
geons. United States Army, are as
signed to active duty and will proceed
to Vancouver Barracks, Wash., and re
port in person to the commanding of
ficer of that post for the purpose of
examining the command for tuberculo
sis and by letter to the commanding
general. Western Department: Ray W.
Matsen, Edward A. Pierce. 1. M. Bisall
lon. Corporal Peter Murphy, Coast Artil
lery Corps, Third Company, Fort
Worden, Wash., is placed upon the re
tired list at Fort George Wright
Wash., and will repair to his home.
Arthur K. Chambers, Engineer, lim
ited warrant. Coast Artillery Corps,
will remain on his present assignment.
Coast defense of Puget Sound; Francis
Boichot and Joseph Webb, same orders.
TRAINING IS REQUIRED
TEACHERS OF STATE MUST STUDY
ALONG SPECIAL, LIXES.
Elementary Courses, Planned for
Smaller High Schools, Glvea
Right to Teach for Year.
SALEM. Or., Aug. 27. (Special.)
Two kinds of teachers' training courses
are to be given in Oregon high schools,
according to a bulletin issued by
Superintendent Churchill today.
All standard high schools that do
not give the regular teachers' training
course are to have the elementary
course, which is to be open to all stu
dents who expect to become teachers.
Completion of this course entitles the
student to a one-year certificate to
teach, provided he successfully passes
the state examinations.
It is announced by Mr. Churchill that
hereafter no person m y be licensed to
teach in Oregon unless he has completed
this course or Its equivalent, or has
taught successfully for six months
prior to September, 1915.
The full teachers' training course
may be offered only by the large high
schools. The work includes methods
in teaching, a study of the school laws
and the blank forms and records used
by teachers, a review in arithmetic and
grammar and a study of American his
tory and civics. In addition, one year
of observation and actual teaching is
required.
OREGON RESERVES MEET
Company B Decides to Offer to Act
as Home Defense Force.
Two companies of Oregon reserves
held meetings on Multnomah Field last
night, after their drill periods, to vote
upon the proposal to enter the service
of the state as units of the home de
fense forces.
Company B, Captain J. Francis
Drake commanding, voted to offer its
services to the county. If accepted its
members will be deputized under the
Sheriff's office for duty in Multnomah
County. The company will hold a
meeting at W. O. W. Hall. No. 4,
Wednesday night for recruiting pur
poses. Company A. at the close of its con
ference, determined to retain its pres
ent identity for the time being.
MERCHANTS TO VISIT FAIR
Portland Party Will Make Trip to
Chehalis Tomorrow.
Local merchants and wholesalers will
have an opportunity to demonstrate
that the new interstate bridge actually
links Washington and Oregon, in the
invitation that has been extended them
to visit the Southwestern Washington
Fair at Chehalis tomorrow.
That day has been declared Portland
and Vancouver day by the sponsors of
the fair.
Thirty-five Portland business men
have pledged themselves to make the
trip.
The Portland excursion will leave
over the Northern Pacific at 7 :35 A. M.
Wednesday and returning will leave
Chehalis at 7:40 P. M. .
District Army Orders.
Under special orders from the War
Department, dated August 15, the fol
lowing extracts, of particular interest
in this district, are taken:
Temporary Second Lieutenants Oscar
Lottig and Fred T. Bolduc, Corps of En
gineers, are assigned to the Fourth
Kngineers. They are relieved from
duty at the Engineer training camp,
Vancouver Barracks, Wash., and will
report in person to the commanding
officer. Fourth Engineers, for assign
ment to duty.
Mess Sergeant Stonewall J. Webster,
Company D. Fourth Engineers, Is
placed upon the retired list at Van-
Resinol
does stop
itching
When you have something the
matter with your skin, you want
Resinol. It almost always stops
itching and burning at once, and
quickly clears away eruption and
irritation. And Resinol u no
experiment your friends and
neighbors have known about it
for years, and doctors prescribe it
constantly. Sold by all druggists.
FUGITIVE HUSBAND BACK
Clark Cochran Will Face Charge of
Non-Support.
Constable Peterson returned last
night from Omaha with Clark Cochran,
wanted here under an indictment charg
ing him with non-support. Cochran fled
from Oregon several months ago. He
fought extradition, but Mr. Peterson
succeeded in getting him returned with
requisition papers issued by Governor
Withycombe.
Cochran is also under closest investi
gation for charges of child murder
which have been made by his wife. Al
though the District Attorney's office
haa not been able to substantiate these
charges thus far a searching inquiry
will be made of Cochran's past life.
3 WHISKY TRUNKS SEIZED
Liquor Comes From California and
Montana.
Three trunks containing whisky were
seized at the Union depot yesterday
by Patrolman S. B. Vessey. The first
two trunks arrived on tne uautorma
Express from San Francisco at I A. 11.
Their seizure was protested by Baggage
Agent William F. Groh, who demanded
a search warrant before surrendering
them. As the trunks smelled strongly
of whisky, however. Patrolman Vessey,
had them sent to police headquarters.
The third trunk arrived from Butte,
Mont., at 3 P. M. It also was leaking,
and went the way of its predecessors.
WILSON TIGHTENS
EXPORTS CONTROL
License Required for All Ship
ments of Goods to Euro-
pean Countries.
ENEMY MUST NOT PROFIT
Stockman Protests Servlce.
SALEM. Or.. Aug. 27. (Special.)
William Duerst complains to the Public
Service Commission that he has placed
orders for three double-deck stock cars
at Amity, one at Independence and two
at Corvallls and cannot secure them. In
vestigation by the Commission shows
that such equipment is. not available in
the state, but efforts will be made to
secure enough single-deck stock cars
to handle the shipments, which are
destined to South Omaha.
Truck Driver Injured.
Wilbur Foster, a young driver for the
Pioneer Auto Truck Company, sustained
a deep gash in his hand yesterday morn
ing when the truck which he was crank
ing backfired. Patrolman S. B. Vessey
caught the lad as he was about to faint,
and sent him to the Emergency Hos
pital, where it was necessary to take
seven stitches to seal the wound. Fos
ter lives In Vancouver.
B F. Shepherd Burled. ,
Funeral services for Benjamin F.
Shepherd were held yesterday at the
Finley chapel. Rev. T. W. Lane offi
ciating. The pallbearers were J. L.
Wells, H. G. Sonnermann, G. F. Bod
man. N. C. Mavis, E. L. Keeney and B.
F. Moore. Interment was In Rose City
United States Takes Place of Eng
land In Barring Foodstuffs From
Central Powers Home Needs
to Be Guarded.
WASHINGTON', Aug. 27. President
Wilson tightened the Government's
control of exports tonight by issuing
an order forbidding the shipment of any
goods to European neutral countries
except under license and by extending
the lists for which license is required
in shipment to the allies and neutrals
other than European countries to in
clude cotton, all meats, sugars and
most of America's other export com
modities. In a statement accompanying his
proclamation the President said one
of the first intentions of the Govern
ment will be to see that no American
products are made "the occasion of
benefit to the enemy, either directly
or Indirectly." Officials interpreted
the order as forecasting a vigorous use
of the export control as a war weapon
and a policy of the strictest ration of
countries contiguous to Germany.
Exports to Germany and her allies
also are formally prohibited by the
President's order and this is under
stood to mean that the export control
is about to supersede the British sys
tem of giving leters of assurance for
American cargoes. Up to now there
has been nothing except the British
blockade to prevent the shipment of
American goods to Germany. Tonight's
order in this respect accomplishes one
of the purposes sought in the trading
with the enemy bill pending in Congress.
Certain bullion, currency and the evi
dences of indebtedness are placed un
der export licenses to neutral nations
wherever regulations governing their
export have been promulgated by the
Secretary of the Treasury.
The proclamation makes It clear for
the first time that the United States is
prepared to go to almost any limit to
prevent goods from going to Germany.
Neutrals already have been Informed
that the United States will see to it
that no American goods may be used
even to replace indirectly goods shipped
from neutral countries to Germany.'
Some administration officials even fa
vor stopping food shipments to neu
trals where the food is used to feed
workmen engaged in manufacturing
war materials for German use.
Assumption by the United States of
the burden of maintaining the block
ade of Germany, insofar as it applies
to shipment of American goods, gives
this Nation an additional responsibil
ity of which the British have sought to
be relieved ever since the United States
entered the war. The duty of prevent
ing goods shipped from neutrals other
than European from reaching Germany
will continue to be Great Britain's,
since the United States has declared
no formal blockade against Germany
or her allies.
CATHOLICS ARE LOYAL
FEDERATION HEARS REPORT OF
PRESIDENT AMD COMMITTEES.
Resolutions Are Expected Today to
Indorse, In General Terms, Pope'
Recent Peace Proposals.
KANSAS CITY, Aug. 27. Reports of
National officers and committees con
sumed the greater part of today's ses
sions at the convention of the Ameri
can Federation of Catholic Societies.
Tonight the delegates and visitors
participated in a patriotic celebration
at a local park. Addresses were made
by visiting dignitaries.
Tomorrow morning the committee on
resolutions will make a report which
is expected to contain an indorsement.
in general terms, of the recent peace
proposal of Pope- Benedict. Tomorrow
it also is expected the convention will
vote upon the so-called diocesan plan
whereby all of the smaller Catholic
societies of the country would be
brought into affiliation with the fed
eration, increasing its membership
from 3.000.000 to 18,000,000.
The election of officers and the
choosing of the 1918 convention city
also may come before the convention
tomorrow.
John Whalen. of New York, presi
dent of the federation, is not a candi
date for re-election. The possible can
didates are Thomas Cannon and Thomas
Flynn, both of Chicago, it is said. Chi
cago, Philadelphia and St. Paul are
mentioned for selection as tho next
convention city.
In his report to the federation today
President Whelan reaffirmed the loy
alty of the Catholics to America in the
war and declared that all sacrifices de
manded must be met with cheerful
ness. He asserted 35 per cent of the
fighting force of the United States will
be found to come from the Catholic
Church.
proposals of Pope Benedict at an early
date. Officials freely conceded the
probability of the early completion of
the communication, indicating that the
President and Secretary Lansing at
least have agreed upon the basic fea
tures of the reply, so that what re
mains to be done is to put these ideas
into diplomatic Language. It is under
stood that rough drafts of some of the
important points already have been
prepared. i
No official opinion exists that the
proposals will be accepted, but in diplo
matic practice there is a. wide field for
discussion between the two extremes
of rejection and acceptance. The fact
that Pope Benedict, as was pointed out
by a statement from the Vatican, in
some of the most Important features
of his communication adopted principles
enunciated by President Wilson is re
garded in some quarters as insuring the
peace proposals against an unqualified
rejection, even in the most polite and
diplomatic language.
On the other hand, the failure of the
Pope's plan to meet some of the essen
tial demands of President Wilson as
condition of peace is regarded as mak
ing it certain- that there can be no
acceptance.
ZOO AUCTION IS FAILURE
RECEIPTS AT SALE OF CITY'S
' ANIMALS S9."i.25.
ii If
i ' jjj
LAST DAY THE
SCH0LL FOOT EXPERT
WILL BE HERE
and we urge you not to miss this opportunity. If you have
corns callouses bunions sudden cramps in the toes or
just back of them weak ankles weak or fallen arches
pains in the heels pains in the ankles or limbs tired, aching
feet any foot troubles at all, come in and let him show you
how to get quick relief and lasting comfort.
Children, Drawn by Curiosity and De
sire to Get Pets at Bargain,
Slake U Moat of Crowd.
Washington Park Zoo now Is smaller
by 11 canary birds, four guinea pigs,
five deer and 25 ducks and the city is
richer by $95.25. These were the net
results of an animal auction sale staged
yesterday.
Peter Mcintosh, of the city purchas
ing bureau, wielded the hammer and
made vociferous pleas for ids for such
beasts as bears, coyotes, monkeys, elk
and buffalo, but none present seemed
to have any special need for such pets.
Contrary to expectations the bulk of
the attendance at the sale was chil
dren. They were there principally to
see the fun, and specially, in- some in
stances, to put in bids for the host of
pretty little canary birds.
Youngsters came with cages, boxes,
handbags and other sorts of conven
iences to hold the birds until they could
get them home. Little girls and boys
stood anxiously about as the bidding
for the birds crept upward, and when
the price reached $1.75 many of them
went away sadly disappointed.
The result of the sale may discour
age City Commissioner ICellaher in his
recently announced programme of
placing the zoo on a self-supporting
basis by raising animals for sale. He
suggested such a plan, and is said to
be favorable to a plan proposed by
Max Muller to handle the zoo on this
basis at a salary of $150 a month.
ISHII EXPLAINS MISSION
Japan Congratulates United States
Upon Entry Into War.
WA.SHTNT.TON, Aug. 27. Viscount
Ishii, the special Japanese Ambassador,
gave to the Associated Press tonight a
statement defining the purposes of his
mission to the United States. Members
of the mission noticed at Honolulu, at
San Francisco and finally here in Wash
ington, indications that their coming
might be misinterpreted by certain ele
ments and it was felt necessary to ex
plain that no commercial or selfish in
terests were to be served.
The Ambassador's statement follows:
"The imperial Japanese mission came
to the United States for two reasons
first, to convey to the President and to
the American people the appreciation
and congratulations of the Emperor and
the nation of Japan for the entrance of
the United States into the war as allies
of Japan and the other nations;, second,
to determine how best to co-operate
with the United States in carrying the
war to a triumphant conclusion."
PAVING CONTRACT IS LET
Portland Company Will Pave Clarke
County Highway.
VANCOUVER. Wash., Aug. 27. (Spe.
cial.) The contract for paving one and
a half miles of the Fourth Plain road,
from the Vancouver city limits to
Jaggy, with a 16-foot bitulithic pave
ment on a concrete base, was awarded
the United Contracting Company, of
Portland, today. The cost will be
$26,578.12. But one other bid for this
class of pavement was submitted, the
Warren Construction Company offer
ing to do the work for $27,027.62.
County Engineer B. L Dorman esti
mated the cost at $27,024.
Work on the contract will be start
ed within ten days and it is hoped to
have the roadway done before wet
weather sets in. The road is the heav
iest traveled artery leading to Van
couver, v
Lunch Kits
"Thermos"
and
"Universal"
A n e c e s slty for
working men and
school children.
Priced
82.75 to 85.25
Freshen Up Your Wardrobe
Diamond, Putnam's and all the best
brands of dye in our stock.
Protect Your
Floors
against the rainy
season. F L O O R
WAX now will
eave regrets later.
A Steel Putty Knife Free
with all paint orders amounting to $2
and over this week.
fTj! tU O H WAXTi'.'t I
BRISTLE GOODS
$2.00 Hughes' Ideal Hair
Brush, waterproof.
Every bruahfl CQ
guaranteed, at...
$1.25 Hughes' Ideal 7 (J
Hair Brush at I 3U
Theatrical Cold Cream
ft.?: 25o S!..50c
$1.50 Oriental PI OC
Cream at. V I iJ
$1.00 De la tone on Qfln
sale now at. 3U0
Uardas Bath OCp Qtl
Tablets 3UU
25c In.perlal Violet Tal
cum Powder, borat- ICrt
ed, now at. I 3
60c Ivory Buffer on OQn
sale at
Antiseptic Hair - Clean-
Lt.f.P.f.T.VBc, 50c
36c Tooth Brush on OCn
sale now at. ....... wl
on
39c
60o Nail Brush
sale now at.
COc Cloth Brush, solid
back, seven rows07n
bristles, now at....ull
26o Klean-Rlte IQp
Cloth Brush at 0
TOILET REQUISITES
10o TutopU Soap I On
at three for Ou
25c Woodbury's Fi-OOp
cial Soap at "
10c Genuine Olive Oil
Castile Soap onOCp
sale at three for Ad"
BOc P o m p e 1 an Mtn
Massage Cream Uu
10c Wash Rag Castile
Soap on sate at Or.
three for
$1.00 V u 1 o a n o 1 d CQ
Hair Brush, ep'l...Jw'
$1.00 Gentleman's Hair
Brush, four rows bris
tles, real ebony solid
back, hand-made, 7 Q n
special at I ww
$1.00 M 1 o 1 e n a Freckle
Cream (doubleOC.
strength) now at...OUu
$1.00 Othine on sale Qfln
now at cub
MAB SHALL 4-70O -HOME A 6171 J
AXJ3K .STREET!" WEST BK
Always "S. & 11." Stamps First Three Floors.
AID SENT TO JEFFERSON
STEAMER ALAMEDA HURRIES TO
VICTIM OF COLLISION.
Disabled Craft In Svranson Bay Is to
Be Surveyed Northwestern to
Pick Up Passengers.
SEATTLE,- Wash., Aug. 27. The
Alaska Steamship Company's steam
ship Alameda, southbound from Ketch
ikan, was ordered late today to pro
ceed to Swanson Bay, to survey the
steamer Jefferson,, which was in col
lision with the Canadian Pacific
steamer Princess May, and to render
any assistance necessary. The col
lision occurred in Findlayson Channel,
off Cone Island, during a fog.
The bow of the Princess May was
somewhat crumpled, but the ship was
not disabled. The extent of the Jef
ferson's damage is not known, but is
not believed to be serious, as the Prin
cess May, after convoying her to Swan
son Bay, proceeded on her voyage south.
The damage will be ascertained tomor
row in a Joint Inspection by Captain
Nord, of the Jefferson, and Captain
dinger, of the Alameda.
The Jefferson Is of wooden construc
tion. She was built in Tacoma in 1904. J
The steamer Northwestern, which
left Seattle today for Southeastern and
Southwestern Alaska ports, probably
will pick up the Jefferson's passengers
in case the damage to the latter vessel
is such as to prevent her completing
her voyage to the ports of Southeastern
Alaska.
NEW EQUIPMENT ORDERED
Southern Pacific Takes Steps to
Meet Car Shortage.
Sixty-five new locomotives and hun
dreds of new freight cars have been
ordered by the Southern Pacific for
immediate use and will be placed in
commission as fast as they are deliv
ered, according to telegraphic advice
received last night from William
Sproule, president of the road, who has
Just returned to the Coast from New
York.
A large proportion of the rolling
stock will be used on the Portland di
vision to prevent further car short
ages. Mr. Sproule also advises that the
Southern Pacific has placed orders for
$24,500,000 worth of new equipment
since the first of the year.
Seventh German War Loan Due.
AMSTERDAM, Aug. 27. The Frank
furter Zeitung, a copy of which has
been received here, says the seventh
German war loan will be issued in the
middle of Sptember under the same
conditions as the sixth loan.
Japanese Honor American Diplomat.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 27. The Japa
nese mission visited today Arlington
National Cemetery, the tomb of Dur
ham White Stevens, the American dip
lomat who, as official representative of
the Japanese government, helped to ad
Just the controversy with China re
garding Corea. He was murdered by
a native Corean in San Francisco in
1908.
Closer Packing Releases Many Cars.
SAN FRANCISCO. Aug. 27. Nation
wide co-operation in savings of space
by shippers during the month of July
increased the number of cars available
for freight service by approximately
120.000, according to a statement mado
here today by C. J. McDonald, general
agent for the western department of
the railroads' war board.
Goodyear Shoe Go.
Removed
To 149 Fourth Street,
OPPOSITE FROM FORMER LOCATION
i
F1 a 9 9
.rarmers
66
We Are
WILSON DRAFTING REPLY
Qualified Rejection of Peace Pro
posals Expected.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 27. Signs were
in evidence today of the dispatch of
President Wilson's r-nly to the peace
SLANDER SUITJS STARTED
Alleged "Ugly as Sin" Note Basis
of $15,000 Action.
"She' is as ugly as'sin and at least 12
years your senior, and, worst of all, a
bad woman."
This defamatory statement is alleged
to have been written by Florence 1
Greene against Kate Herron, according
to the complaint of Mrs. Herron in a
$15,000 alleged defamation of character
suit filed yesterday in the Circuit Court,
The letter is alleged fo have been sent
to a nephew . o Mrs. Greene, who is
said to have been contemplating marry
ing Mrs. Herron.
Other alleged defamatory statements
were contained in the letter, it is stated.
Canadian Casualties Heavier.
OTTAWA, Ont., Aug. 27. Results of
the heavy fighting on the Canadian
front are reflected in the casualty lists,
totalling over 1000 for the week-end.
The noon list today numbers 327, of
whom 19 were killed in action and 33
died of wounds.
Chamberlain's Tablets
People everywhere speak well of
Chamberlain's Tablets. If you are
troubled with indigestion or con
stipation, give them a trial. You
are certain to be benefited by them.
Number 2.
Good transportation service is vital to the public.
The Public Expects Good and Adequate Service.
The streetcar service in Portland equals and, in most cases, exceeds that given
in any city in the United States, based upon the following; factors :
Track Mileage Per Unit of Population ;
Car Mileage Per Unit of Passengers Carried ;
. Average Distance Each Passenger Is Carried ;
Under schedules of operation now in force the number of car miles of daily service
is greater than at any previous time in the history of the city, although the number
of passengers carried is materially less than in 1912 when passengers carried
reached the highest record.
The Employes Expect Fair Wages and Working Conditions.
Wages and working conditions bear a direct relation to the earnings from trans
portation. Wages have been increased from time to time, but the increases given
those engaged in city transportation service have not been as great as have been
given in many other lines of industry. The hours of employment now average 10,
but in most cases the hours of actual work are not consecutive but cover an elapsed
period ranging from 11 to 15 hours.
The Investors Expect Security for and a Reasonable Return Upon the Investment
Made for the Service of the Public.
For a number of years the street railway has failed to earn sufficient net
income to provide for maintenance and depreciation and a reasonable return upon
the extremely conservative value of the plant as found by the Public Service Com
mission. This has been due to the steadily increasing investment required to
provide plant and equipment; the steadily increasing burdens of taxation and
other public charges, such as paving and bridge tolls ; and the steadily increasing
quality and quantity of transportation service given to the public.
During the last three years the cost of every element entering into street railway
transportation has increased and the company is now giving service at considerably
less than cost.
The condition of today is that the public has realized its expectation of good
and adequate service. The employes have been only partially considered and the
investors have been practically forgotten. That is not a healthy condition for any
partnership.
The unescapable fact is that if the employes and the investors are to realize their
expectations the public must come to their relief and ay for transportation the rea
sonable cost of furnishing it.
The Nickel Can No Longer Carry the Load.
The manufacturer and the merchant meet increased costs of production and
merchandising by increasing the price of the product produced or handled. Effect
naturally follows cause.
The street railway not only depends upon the public for all its patronage, but the
public also asserts and exercises the right to prescribe the quality and quantity of
the service and to fix the compensation of the street railway for such service.
We ask you, the public, patrons of our service, to be fair to the other two factors
involved the employes and the investors.
(Number 3 will appear Wednesday.)
Portland Railway, Light and Power Company
By FRANKLIN T. GRIFFITH,
President.
Cemetery.