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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 15, 1917)
s MEETlHG TO DEBATE FARES IS BITTER Eugene Smith Is Hissed, but Finally Wins Demand for , Investigation of Need, 6-.CENT RATE DENOUNCED One Element at Auditorum Scores Proposed Increase and Says Case Before Commission Is ' One-Sided and Biased. At the close of a meeting charac terized by verbalitles. Interruptions, hisses and the hurling of pointed ques tions,, 3500 men and women last night adopted a resolution introduced . by Eugene E. Smith, that threw victory to the conservatives. The mass ses sion, which was called by the Alberta Commercial Club, was held In the Pub lic Auditorium to discuss the proposed Increase of streetcar fares. For a time, it looked as though the radicals, as represented in a resolution proposed by Henry M. Kimball, an at torney with offices in the Chamber of Commerce - building, would carry the vote. Mr. Smith, who was for several terms president of the Central Labor Council ot Portland, threw the weight of his stentorian voice against the huge crowd and grasped victory out of defeat. Resolution Condemns Increase. The Kimball resolution embodies the wishes of the element which was op posed to any increase in streetcar fares. . whether or no, and would have. If adopted, put the meeting, on record as protesting the "one-sided and biased" presentation of the case before the 'State Public Service Commission; condemned the proposed increase in fares as "unnecessiry, harmful to the best interests of the cily and unfair since the elimination of the Jitney." It further resolved "That, if the rail way commission (State Public Service Commission) assume power in the premises "and " permit an Increase in fare, that Immediate steps be taken by the citizens of Portland oy means of a epecial election and initiative measures, to restore the jitney, under a more rea sonable regulation." Mr. Smith Hissed at First. Mr. Kimball read his resolution from Ihe platform and moved its adoption, amid much cheering. Mr. Smith then read his and moved that it be substi tuted. At first, he was hissed end told to "sit down," but he "'stood-pat" "nd finally won by explaining who he was and what he had recently represented. It appeared to make his path easier when it became known mat he was a labor representative. The Smith resolution was as follows: Be It .resolved. By this meeting of Port laud citizens and streetcar patrons publicly called and assembled for the purpose of giving cuidlng expression of our opinions and desires In relation to the outcome of the hearing- now being granted the Portland Railway. Light & Power Comna nw hv h Public Service Commission of Oregon: First, that we commend as being liberal In concept and progressive in spirit and act the manner in which the company and lts'employes are attempting to adjust peace fully their wage and employment problems. Investigation Is Expected. Second, that we declare - our confidence end belief to be that the Publlo Service Commissioners of Oregon will not permit any burden of increased cost or curtailment of future streetcar service to accrue -to our selves as patrons, or to the city generally, by any act or decision of theirs, except: (a) That such be Justified beyond a reasonable- doubt after an exhaustive investi gation ofthe company's affairs by the Com missioners and their engineers and account ants. ... (b) That such an investigation must take Into account the enforcement of any and all possible economies and efficiency in op eration. r c That rates shall be determined upon a reasonable return upon the true valuation of the company's Investment in property actually used and truly useful to the public service In question. d That ithe reasonableness of the de mands of the employes, upon which we understand the company primarily bases Its request for added revenue, shall be duly considered by the Commissioners. Present Rate Favored. Third That we prefer, naturally, and so urge that the present standard of service t the present cost for same to the patrons hall be maintained if investigation by the Commission proves this to be possible and just to all -parties concerned, viz., the pub lic, the company and Its employes. Fourth That in general we recognize the merit and Justice of the demands made npon the company by its employes, as reported in the press and understood by us. Fifth Finally, that we remind the "com pany that its best interests as a going and profitable concern are dependent upon its conserving the like interests of its patrons and our city and that we declare as ,hnrt. sighted and hurtful any non-recognition of this fact by It or its representatives or em ployes when making any demand upon the Commission or the public for relief from al leged; burdens; and be it further Resolved, that the declarations herein eon. tained shall likewise be served upon our -Mayor ana ny commissioners as an Indi cation of our opinions and desires la the matter unaer question. Speakers of the evening were Frank lin T. Griffith, president of the Port land .Railway, Light & Power Com pany; Henry E. McGinn, ex-Circuit Judge of Multnomah County, for the people; William s. U Ren. for the em ployes of the streetcar company, and E. W. Rossman, who was manager tor the jitneys just prior to the recent city election, at which they w "knocked out," Shouts Sustain Attorney. W. K. Royal, chairman of the com mittee named by the Alberta Commer cial Club to arrange for the meeting. announced that Mr. Griffith would be fne first speaker, to be followed by Mr. U'Ren, but the latter refused to pre cede Judge McGinn and Mr. Rossman, on the ground that he "had a right to know what they . were protesting about." There was much noise and hooting oer mis atutuae on the part of Mr. IT'Ren, but he refused to budge, and finally, when M. C. George, who was placed In the chair, ruled that Mr, U'Ren should follow the original sched ule. Mr. TTRen appealed to the meeting and was sustained, if shouting and noise may be believed: at any rate, he forced the issue and Judge McGinn lost no time in telling "what his protest was. Mr. Griffith Tells Troubles. Mr. Griffith got a respectful hearing throughout. He explained from the - standpoint of the company that its funds cannot bear the weight of grant ing the sought-for increase upon the part of its employes, although It wished to grant them, and said in creased fares are the only solution therefore the request to the State Com mission for relief. He said that every penny of the cor poration's business has been publicly accounted for; that its books are kept according to the rules . prescribed by the State and Interstate Commerce Commissions and that nothing 'is hidden from the people, who. he declared, he sincerely holds to be the real partners ot the concern, as he has many times called them. "There is a vast difference between the corporations of 30 years ago, when the policy was to give as little as pos sible and get as much as possible," said Mr. Griffith. "With conditions as they are today, the company Is not able, without increased fares, to meet the de mands made upon it, although we feel that the men are within their rights and are entitled to the Increase asked. You do not like to pay the increased fare, of course, but neither do you like to pay other increased prices; yet we all have to do so and are doing so. The 5-cent fare can no longer carry the company and give It the opportunity to treat its men like men." Mr. Griffith was often cheered. Juda-e McGinn Opposes Increase. "McGinn will cut the Gordian. knot and talk," was the first charge hurled by the next speaker, and the ex-Judge proceeded without delay to meet Mr. U'Ren's objections and to tell of the people's- protests. "The Portland Railway, Light & Pow er Company has cards in its cars, carry ing a lot of 'Don'ts,' " shouted the Judge. "I'm going to ask them to pul up another 'Don't raitse your fares." " Judge McGinn was cheered for fully a minute and, finally, put up his hand to silence the crowd. "Keep still," he shouted at the top of his voice. "You're taking up mj time. I want to say to the Portland Railway, Light & Power Company, that, if it knows what is good for it, it will never . permit this increase in fares. (Cheers.) If you people let it put over" this thing, it will be the big gest bunco that's happened in many a long day. They've got no right to raise fares the city charter says so; the state has no right to meddle in this; it's the city's business, and I call upon the Mayor and City Commissioners to stop it. If the state allows, this In crease, you should repeal at once - the law which put the Jitney out of busi ness and restore the jitney. "Mr. Griffith is an honorable' man; he's in a hard position, but he's trying to do something that the 'grand old man of Oregon' Dr. McLoughlin could not do in the early days when the Hudson's Bay Company told him to 'Treat the Indians well, but send us good dividends.' It can't be done, and Mr. Griffith can't do it; he can't serve two masters. I say to you people here tonight, fight' this proposed increase with all the power at your command The company's franchises stipulate 5 cents as a fare, and if they try to do anything more than that they forfeit their franchises." Hisses Greet Mr. U'Ren. Mr. U'Ren met with difficulty from the start and was hissed, jeered and laughed' at when he was about half through with his 20 minutes. He said the employes were striving to better their conditions and had put their pe tition before the company, . only . to be told it could not be granted on present rates; then it was filed with the State Commission with the request for an in vestigation to see what might be done. "I challenge any man or woman to say what is fair and right in this mat ter unless they have studied it and know the facts." said Mr. U'Ren. "I put in a lot of time and was at the investigation, but I did not see- any of the members of the Alberta Club com mittee there. It is true, as I said at first, that this meeting is a protest, in spite of the club's statement to the contrary." Mr. Rossman said that he could not understand "why you people voted to put the Jitney out of business and gave the big corporation full control of the traffic of the city." He declared that the jitney could, if permitted to continue, have worked out a plan whereby he believed a 6-cent fare could have been granted, even to Lents and Linnton. He said the Jitney men offered to put up $20,000 cash with the city to continue, but it could not be accepted on account of the law requir ing a surety bond. He said that within 24 hours, if given a chance, good jitney service would be given the city again. KERENSKY'S FALL IS NEAR (Continued From First Page.) the influences of General . Korniloff 's venture, says a statement given out by the official . news agency, which re ports that the chief committee for revolutionary ' security has arrested Deputy Dorima Schaenghine and sup pressed his newspaper, the Kievlianin, one of the most important journals published in South Russia. Government Conducts Raids. Simultaneously . the houses of per sons in private life and of officials who were partisans of the old regime have been searched. At Odessa, Minsk and Mohilev, and in other towns, numerous officers who had declared in favor of General Korniloff have been arrested, as have prominent politicians believed still to be in sympathy, with the old regime. Among the latter was Deputy Rimsky Korsakoff, the former president of the League of the Russian People. Probe to Be Started. The provisional government, accord ing to the - Russian - official news agency, has sent an extraordinary special' commission to the Russian army headquarters in the field to in vestigate the Kornilqpf affair. Convinced that General Korniloff's rebellion is definitely at an end, al though the General himself has not formally surrendered, the leaders at Petrograd are setting about the re construction of the government. Formation of a new Cabinet is said to be well along toward completion. Many Troops Surrender. The submission of so many of the troops and leaders who were adhering to General Korniloff apparently has left the leader of the revolt in a posi tion of helplessness. He is said to have notified the government of his intention to surrender upon the arrival at his headquarters of General Alex- ieff, who has become chief of staff under Premier Kerensky, now commander-in-chief of the Russian armies. One of Korniloff's principal supporters. General Kaladines, chief - of the Cos sacks, is reported to have been ar rested. Meanwhile the Russian army at the front, particularly in the northern sec tor. is displaying a fighting spirit, and according to the official statements is regaining some of the ground recently abandoned to the Germans in the Riga district. . . Several Villages Are Taken. Several' villages have been occupied probably In a movement to consolidate the Russian positions and organizing a defensive line which would be cohesive In case of attack. The director of communications. M. Llverovsky, was able to announce that railroad communication had been re stored on the Warsaw, Moscow-Windau and other interrupted lines, which all today resumed the transport of freight. Socialists Help Kerensky. An. officer who arrived here today from General Korniloff's headquarters at Mohilev gave the first authoritative account of the events there at the out break of the rebellion. The officer said that last Saturday a number of infantry, "striking battal ions," volunteers and picked men, the i MONDAY Jewish Holiday ! This Store Will Be Closed All Day SHOP TODAY i. Today Is "JACK TAR MIDDY DAY" in the Girls' Own Store Sailor lassies will be in evidence quite as much as their Jack Tar Brothers Jn the schoolroom on the street at home in the playroom in a word, every where that little girls are seen. And we have middies and middy dresses of every description for girls of all ages. Just Arrived CHILDREN'S COATS All newest materials in exclusive mod els; cheviots, velours, zibelines, pom pom, corduroy and velvets. Sizes 2 to 6 years, priced $5.00, $5.95, $6.95 to $18.50. Sizes 8 to 1 4 years, priced $7.50, $7.95 to $25.00. Junior Girls' Coats, $13.50 to $30 NEW RAIN CAPES Sizes 4 to 14. priced $2.59, $3.50 RAIN COAT SETS Sizes 6 to 16, priced $3.49, $4.95 to $12.95. NEWEST SERGE AND PLAID DRESSES Sizes 6 to 14. priced $4.95, $5J)5 to $15.00. SILK AND SERGE DRESSES For high school girls, priced $9.95, $13.95 to $27.50. Fourth Floor Lipman, Wolfe 6- Co. Blue or 'Red Flannel Middies of extra quality . flannel, made in regulation style, braid trimmed and front laced $4.95. Flannel Collar Middies f heavy galatea. in regu lation style, laced in front, with navy flannel collar $1.95. Jack Tar Skirts for Girls Pleated style; black and white shepherd check made on muslin waist. Sizes 4 to 14 $2.49. Jack Tar "Peter Thomp son" Dresses All-wool navy serge. The middy has deep yoke, side pockets and collar and cuffs; the skirt panel front and back. Sizes 6 to 14 $7.95. Navy Serge panel front, style. Priced $3.95. Skirts In side pleated Heavy Serge Skirts In full pleated styles $5.45. Jack Tar Duplex Dress Heavy navy serge. The middy has sailor - collar, braid trimmed, and the skirt is pleated $S.9S., A Straight Model Dress For girls of 1 4 years, with white dickey, collar and cuffs, braid trimmed, pockets and inverted pleats, is priced at $9.95. Junior Naval Middy Dress The new two-piece dress, has large sailor collar trimmed with braid and em blems. Skirt is full pleated. Of extra heavy flannel. Sizes 14 to 20 $16.50. Have you seen the Little Miss Betty Hat? The very littlest girl in the center of the sketch above is wearing one. In good black plush. Priced 95c. Fourth Floor Lipman, Wolfe & Co. J Merchandise of cJ Merit Only" backbone of General Korniloff's brief Galician offensive early last Summer, left headquarters. They had been in formed they were needed to reinforce the Riga front, but the real aim was to march them against Petrograd. That night Korniloff prepared his first proclamation to the army, order ing the printing of vast numbers of it. The Socialist compositors later received Premier Kerensky's proclamation, and while diligently printing that of Korni loff also printed secretly Kerensky's and circulated it everywhere. Attack on Rebel Ordered. Meanwhile the local Council of Dep uties began a vigorous demonstration among the " striking battalions. The Kerensky proclamation caused dissen sion among the troops and a majority of them sent a demand to Korniloff that they immediately be sent back to the front. A battalion of the cavaliers of St. George seceded from the rebellion and announced that they would die for the provisional government and issued orders to attack Korniloff. The local civilians were anti-Korni- loff, but the local union of officers of the army and the fleet appealed to them to support Korniloff, declaring that he was Russia s only salvation. Another officer says that he. with one officer from the all-Moscow regi ments, was summoned to Mohilev. Report of Plot Misleads. "In Petrograd," the officer said, he was told "there has been planned a new Bolsheviki uprising, in which are im plicated some of the ministers and the object of which is to conclude a sep arate peace and send disbanded soldiers from house to house to massacre the bourgeoise. Without help from the front It is Impossible to defeat the plot. General Korniloff already has sent part of the army to Petrograd and his plan is to appoint himself temporary dictator." This officer says that every officer received 150 rubles for expenses. The officers, he added, on Monday returned to Moscow, where they read Kerensky's proclamations and realized the truth of the situation. RUSSIAN CABINET MEN RESIGN Vice-Premier and Minister of For eign Affairs Quit Posts. LONDON, Sept. 14. The Petrograd correspondent of Renter's, Limited, states that Vice-Premier N. V. Nekra soff has informed the press that he and M. Terestchenko, Minister of For eign Affairs, have decided to leave their posts in the Cabinet, considering that their participation in the govern ment narrowed their political horizon and, being only business Ministers, without party, support, they did not possess sufficient strength in the Cabi net. The Vice-Premier also announced the withdrawal from the Cabinet of M. Pieschehonoff, Minister of Food and Supplies. Other changes in the Cabinet include the retirement of M. Tchernoff, Minis ter of Agriculture, who will be replaced by M. Avskentieff, present Minister of the Interior, who, in turn, will be suc ceeded by M. Kischkin, a Constitutional Democrat. M. Koarepiefe, Minister of Communications, has also resigned. 8-CEflT hiILK IS AIM Possibility Is Foreseen if City Takes Over Control. METHODS NOW WASTEFUL Phone your want ads to The Orego gonian. Main 7070. A 6095. Robert Ireland, of Portland-Damascus Mi 11c Company, Ponits Out Where Great Savins . Could Be Effected. Centralized distribution stations, un der municipal control, with the com pulsory pasteurization of all milk not certified or guaranteed, were strongly advocated last night in testimony giv en before the emergency milk commis sion, which met at the Courthouse in a hearing on milk distribution with re lation to the problem of Portland's dwindling supply and mounting prices. The bulk of testimony was given by Robert Ireland, president of the Portland-Damascus Milk Company, who de clared that remedial measures soon must be adopted if dealers are to be restrained from deserting an increas ingly unprofitable field. Mr. Ireland announced that he was ready at any time to turn his "milk business over. to the city for a six-months' period, if municipal officials believe they hold a clew to the solution of maintaining service. The gist of Mr. Ireland's testimony was that a material saving could be effected in distribution reforms. Wag ons now carrying from 400 to 500 pints, he. testified, at a cost of 214 cents per quart, should carry 500 quarts, effect ing a. saving of 14 cents per quart. The adoption of a ticket system would effect a further saving of one-half cent per quart, while a reform in the bottle system would bring about a sav ing of one-half cent. Under the last reform customers would be required to present a bottle or Its equivalent in cash before the delivery of milk. Mr. Ireland's figures showed that the actual value of the quart when offered at retail is a fraction over 11 cents, whereas it sells for a fraction under that figure. The average cost of re tail and wholesale milk, combined, to the selling concern was given as 9V4 cents per quart. Asserting that a saving of 24 cents could be made through distribution re form, Mr. Ireland said that the average cost a quart for the combined wholesale- and retail trade should approxi mate but 7 cents. "Would you be willing to undertake to supply Portland with milk at an average of 8 cents a quart, if these re forms were in effect?" he was asked by Chairman Henry E. Reed. "Yes," was the reply. That the operation of two centralized milk depots by the city, where dealers would consign their product for distri bution by districts, would go far to ward lowering the cost of distribution was Mr. Ireland's suggestion. Mr. Ireland declared that thousands of bottles are used by housewives for canning purposes. Another drain on the bottle supply was the persistent theft of milk. The loss on this ac count alone for combined dealers of Portland approaches $60,000 yearly, testified the witness. The commission adjourned until Monday night at 8 o'clock, when the hearing on distribution will be contin ued. On Tuesday night the hearing of testimony on production will open. TEUTONS REPLY TO POPE CONCILIATORY DECLARATIONS ARB MADE REGARDING TERRITORIES. Emphasis Said to Be Laid on Condition That Allies Must Show Dewlre to Dlscnss Questions. AMSTERDAM. Sept. 14. The reply of the central powers to the peace note of Pope Benedict, says a Vienna dls patch to the Tijd, begins by declaring that they regard the papal proposals as a suitable basis for peace negotiations. Regarding the exchange of occupied territories, arbitration. disarmament and similar proposals, declarations are made, the dispatch adds, which testify to the idealism of the central powers and their sincere desire for peace which win insure happiness to all nations. viitinaiory aeciarations also are made respecting the settlement of the Balkan question. Poland and the res toratlon of Belgium, but emphasis Is lam on the condition that the allied powers must also give serious evidence of a desire for peace by a Joint and benevolent discussion of the questions which now separate the nations. The repfy. it is said, will be published as Boon as the consent of the papal nuncio at Vienna Is obtained. "Laugh and Live Douglas Fairbanks' New Book It's the best thins: he's done yet. The New Republic ssys: "Mr. Fairbanks talks his honest heart out In his new book. He takei you Into his con fidence talks to you as man to man." AU Bookstore $1.00 Net BKITrON PUBLISHING CO, New York GET IT AT GULL'S Third and Alder Store Will Be Closed All Day Monday Jewish Holiday f ! Just One Moment, Sir! ! We will not tae you from reading your paper I only long enough to have you slop on your way down town this morning to attend a most excep- f tional sale. I THE COATS JUST ARRIVED j Show Samples From a Good Tailor i In sizes 35, 36, 37 and 38 only Today $ 1 4.85 fust about half regular price. French Belters, Ulsters, Balmacaans Beautiful Mixtures and Overplaids Also Plain Oxfords J Merchandise of Merit Only I BOYS NEW RAIN COAT AND RAIN HAT SETS SPECIAL $3.95 Brand-new and almost- as rainproof as a duck's back! They're made to slip on over a boy's head Raglan sleeves and with rainproof hats to match. Every boy in Portland ought to have one. BOYS' OVERCOATS $5.65 Today we're offering 85 of these clever overcoats for boys 3 to 1 0 years old. There are two new models Trench and Balmacaan style with convertible collars. Every coat full lined and all models of splendid fabrics in gray and tan mixtures. Other Overcoats for Boys, $5.00 to $20.00 New LANGHAM-HIGH Suits FOR THE YOUNGER YOUNG MEN Clothes with character. There are thirty points of su periority in Langham High Suits for the Younger Young Man and if we were to tell you all about these clever suits we'd have to use the whole page. All the newest models, the trench and belter styles, double or single breasted, in mixtures, overplaids and checks, serges and flannels. Sizes 32 to 36. $15, $18, $20 NEW FALL SUITS $6.50 to $20.00 Mostly every suit with two pairs of trousers. Just come in today and see what durable, wearable and characteristic suits for boys we've assembled in the Boys Own Store on the Fourth Floor. Sizes for boys of 6 to 18 years. THE FAMOUS ARMOR CLAD SUITS, $5.00 Each Suit With 2 Pairs of Pants Boys Mackinaw Coats, $5.00, $6.50. Boys Ruff-Neck Swtrs.. $2.49. Boys Corduroy Pants, $1.19. Boys All-Wool Pants. $1.19. Boys New Blouses and Shirts at 65o$2.00. 4th Fir. Lipman. Wolfe & Co. f f i i i i . t MrcUiM oTcMsril OA