THE MORNING OREGONIAN. FRIDAY. SEPTEMBER 21, 1917.
3
PRESIDENT DESIRES
FACTS ABOUT LABOR
Causes of Discontent Are to
Be Sought by Board
Throughout West.
CONCERN IS FOR FUTURE
Chief Executive Is Anxious to Have
AVorklnff Agreement Tbat Will
Not Interfere With Production
at Least for Term of War.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20. Labor trou
bles on the Pacific Coast and the West
ern mountain states will be investi
gated by a. special commission, headed
by Secretary Wilson, appointed today
by President "Wilson to represent him
personally.
The commission will leave soon and
probably will spend several weeks in
te West conferring with labor lead
er., employers. Industrial Workers of
the World agents, state Governors and
others who can shed light on past dis
agreement, or exert influence for fu
ture industrial harmony.
President Deafrea Facta.
The President in his announcement
said he is anxious to learn the truth
of the charges of injustice made by em
ployers and labor men against each
other and to work out some fair basis
-for avoiding the interference of labor
disputes with industry during the war.
In addition to the strikes in Facific
Coast shipbuilding plants, it is under
Ktood special attention will be given
to charges of American Federation of
2abor officials that employers in Ari
zona have encouraged and even fi
nanced Industrial Workers of the
World activities for the sake of dis
crediting the labor movement among
miners and other employes.
Deportations to Be Probed.
Hecent deportations of workers also
be the subject of inquiry.
Members of the commission are:
Secretary Wilson, of the Department
of Labor; Colonel J. I Spangler, of
l'nnsylvania; Verner Z. Reed, of Col
orado; John H. Walker, of Illinois, and
K. P. Marsh, of Washington, with Felix
Frankfurter, of New York, as secretary.
The following memorandum from the
President for the Secretary of Labor
was made public:
Concern la for Future.
"I am very much interested In the
labor situation in the mountain region
and on the Pacific Coast. I have list
ened with attention and concern to the
numerous charges of misconduct and
Injustice that representatives ooth ot
employers and of employes have made
against each other.
"1 am not so much concerned, how
ever, with the manner in which they
have treated each other in the past as
1 am desirous of seeing some kind of a
working agreement arrived at for the
future, particularly during the period of
the war, on a basis that will be fair to
all parties concerned.
Personal Interview S usees ted.
"It will be the duty of the commission
to consult in each instance the Gov
ernor of the state, advising him that
they are there as the personal repre
enta4iv ;s of the President, with a view
to lending sympathetic counsel and aid
to the slate government in the develop
ment of a better understanding be
tween laborers and employers and also
themselves to deal with employers and
employes in a conciliatory spirit, seek
to compose differences and allay all
misunderstanding am', in any way that
may be open to tnem to show the active
interest of the XaUonal Government in
furthering arrangements just to both
sides.
"The commission should also en
deavor to learn the real causes for
any discontent which may exist on
either side, not by the formal process
of public hearings, but by petting in
touch with workmen and employers by
the more informal process of personal
conversation. 1 would be pleased to
have the commission report to me from
time to time such information as may
require Immediate attention."
Portland Case Considered JVext.
Labor and employers interests are
equally represented on the President's
commission. Colonel Spangler and Mr.
l:eed are business men and Mr. Walker
and Mr. Marsh are presidents respec
tively of the Illinois and Washington
Labor Federations. Mr. Frankfurter Is
a special assistant of Secretary Baker
and has acted confidentially in a num
ber of labor situations involving the
War Department. It is expected that
the commission will begin Its investi
gation in about a week.
The creation of the commission was
urged upon the President long before
the shipyards strikes on the Coast
started. Shipping board officials hope
to be able to compose these strikes
within the next week.
Chairman Jlrrley today conferred
with the general manager of a Seattle
shipbuilding company whose granting
of union wage demands has been a
strong influence in promoting strikes
lor similar wages in other yards.
After other conferences with Seat
tle builders and labor representatives
tomorrow Mr. Hurley expects to reach
some basis for settling strikes In Se
attle, Portland and other places.
MEDIATION SEEMS TOSSIBLE
Report Is San Francisco Steel Men
Will Work Pending: Arbitration.
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 20. The
feasibility of arbitrating differences
over which 25,000 members of unions
affiliated with the Iron Trades Council
here are striking formed the principal
topic at the conference late today be
tween Federal agents, representatives
of the men and their employers, it be
came known when the conference ad
journed without taking definite action.
It was understood that the men will
return to work pending the outcome of
arbitration, if both sides to the dispute
agree to accept mediation.
STRIKE EfJD HELD HEAR
CTTIZEXS SAID TO BE WORK1XG
OUT PLA.
San Fraulira Vnlon Leader Smrm Mn
Will Retnra t. Work "Wllk
, Demands Graated."'
SAX FRANCISCO. Sept. 20. Devel
opments today- In the strike of ap
proximately 1750 platform men of the
United Kailroads for higher wagres.
rhorter hours and recognition of their
union led to the expressed belief of
labor leaders that the controversy will
be speedily settled.
Benjamin K. Bowbeer, vice-president
of the Amalsamatel Association of
Bireet ds Klectric liailway .Employes
of America, issued a statement In
which be said that "a representative
group of citizens is working: on the
mot practicable plan yet proposed to
end the strike." Bowbeer said the
"men will return to work with their
demands granted."
Timothy A. Reardon, president of
the Board of Public Works of the San
Francisco Supervisors. says "the
strike will be over by Monday." He
refused to say on what he based his
prediction.
The State Railway Commission noti
fied the Board of Supervisors that it
would comply with the board's request
for an exhaustive investigation Into
the condition of the company.
CLARKE MEN CELEBRATE
Vancouver's Industrial Growth Re
viewed at Banquet.
VANCOUVER, Wash.. Sept. 20. espe
cial.) Members of the Chamber of
Commerce to the number of 75 and 25
guests assembled at a banquet at the
St. Elmo Hotel last night to celebrate
Vancouver's industrial growth and
prosperity. W. J. Kinney, an ex-president
of the Chamber, was toastmaster.
The speakers were JanKd B. Kerr,
of Portland: CJ. R. Percival, Colonel W.
K. Jones, in command of Vancouver
Barracks; Merrill A. Reed, of Portland;
W. S. Short, W. B. DuBois, Major A. 11.
Edwards and E. Mueller.
Messages of congratulation and re
gret at not being ab.e to participate in
the celebration -were read from promi
nent men in all sections of the state.
TIMBERMEN DENY WEALTH
Reductions in Assessments Asked
for Clackamas Holdings.
OREGON CITT, Or.. Sept. 20. (Spe
cial.) Petitions filed with County
Clerk Harrington today ask for whole
sale tax reductions in the assessments
of the big timber holdings of the
county.
Heading the list is the Weyerhaeuser
Company, which asks that assessments
on its timber holdings in certain sec
tions of Clackamas County be cut from
a present valuation of $650,000 to 250,
000. The E. S. Collins estate and the es
tate of F. D. Collins seek a reduction
from J276.200 to $211,000. W. R. Burt.
the George Baldwin estate and George
fa. Xiacy ask reductions.
MAYOR THOMPSON UPHELD
Right to Presume Meeting Would
Be Illegal Declared Unjust.
CHICAGO, Sept. 20. The city's legal
department in an opinion published to
night, justified Mayor Thompson in
permitting the public meeting here re
cently of the People s Council of Amer
lea for Democracy and Terms of Peace
after Governor Lowden had forbidden
the organization to hold meetings in
the state.
The opinion was approved by Samuel
A. Ettelson, corporation counsel, and
was rendered, it was said, at the re
quest of Mayor Thompson. Its essence
was that the Mayor would act illegally
in prohibiting any public meeting on
the assumption that it was going to be
an illegal one.
BROKER SUES HOP MEN
Profit on 10,000 Pounds at Stake
in Clackamas County Action..
OREGON" CITT, Or.. Kept. 20. (Spe
cial.) The Frank. Johnson Company,
of Portland, hop contractor, has tiled
suit in equity against Fred H. Ander
son and Elmer Anderson, Eagle Creek
ranchers, to enforce specific perform
ance of contract on their 1917 hop crop.
According to the complaint, 10,000
pounds of hops were sold by the de
fendants to the Johnson Company at
1 1 cents. Tater, before delivery, the
brokers sold the crop at 12 cents, and
shortly afterwards, it is alleged, hops
Jumped to 30 cents a pound. The plain
tiff alleges that defendants refused to
carry out their contract.
LIVESTOCK BEING LISTED
Tally Made at Instance of National
Council of Defense.
COVE, Or., Se p t. 2 0. Special.)
Supervisor Barnes, of the Minam Na
tional Forest, is issuing circular letters
to farmers in his district, with blanks
for them to All, in order to learn what
livestock each will have to sell to
butchers this Fall and why, so as to In
form the National Council of Defense.
Jt is generally understood that, when
farmers gather their cattle from the re
serve next month at least 500 near
Cove will be sold because of the scarcity
and Mgh price of feed. No. 1 timothy
and alfalfa are now quoted in local
papers at $25 a ton, oats $2.50, bran $2,
chopped barley S2.5u and shorts $2.25
per cental. .
CARLSON ADMITS KILLING
Parole Immediately Follows Arrest,
Xo Bond Being, Filed.
MARSHFIELD, Or.. Sept. 20. (Spe
cial.) August Carlson, who yesterday
signed a voluntary statement of having:
killed his brother-in-law, Edward Hein
zle (Johnson), on August 12. was ar
rested on a warrant sworn to by Cor
oner Fred Wilson, charging him with
accidental, involuntary manslaughter.
and immediately released on parole to
the Coroner, who promised to guar
antee his appearance whenever wanted.
Justice of the Peace C. I Pennock
bound him over to the grand jury. He
furnished no bond, the Coroner's rec
ommendation having been taken as sufficient.
Austria Draws Reserves to Defense.
ROME. Sept. 19. (Delayed) Prison
ers taken by the Italians on the Carso
front Include several Turks. This
proves. Italian army officers say, that
Austria-Hungary is getting reserves
from every possible quarter in making
a last desperate effort to stem the Ital
ian advance.
Civil War Veteran Killed.
BOSTON". Mass., Sept. 12. Charles E.
Sanford, 80, a G. A. R. veteran from a
soldiers' home in Johnson City, Tenn,
plunged four stories to death here the
other day. The old man climbed out
on a fire escape to get cool and lost his
balance.
Phone your want ads to The Orego
nlan. Main 7070. A 6095.
CASTORIA
For Infants and Children.
In Use For Oyer 30 Years
Always bears
the
Signature of
Santiseptlo for a Perfect Complexion
Pl-.tr-.rn. beautifies, (often, whitens, presents
and rapidly clears akin of all eruptions. You'll
Uu XiM deulj. aealUuj odor. . AOc. AU arogflat
. . Adv.
GOVERNr.lEHT FIXES
PRICE FOB COPPER
Producers Agree to Take
23V2 Cents f. o. b. New
York on All Sales.
WAGES NOT TO GO DOWN
Allies and Private Consumers to
Share in Reduced Price Pro
duction to Be Kept at Maxl
' mum; Speculators Curbed
WASHINGTON". Sept. 20. Copper
prices were fixed today at 23 cents
a pound, about 3 cents below the pre
vailing market by agreement between
the Government and leading copper
producers, effective for four months.
Sales to the Government, the public
and the allies will be at this price,
f. o. b. New York, and producers agreed
not to reduce wages now paid in the
industry. They also pledged them
selves to maintain maximum produc
tion and to prevent copper from fall
ing into the hands of speculators.
Although the price is fixed under vol
untary agreement with producers and
the Government's War Industries
Board, with the President's approval,
it was announced officially that under
the executive's war power "the proper
departments of the Government will
be asked to take over the mines and
plants of any producers who fail to
conform to the arrangement and price."
Recent Government purchases of cop
per for war purposes have been .made
under agreement to pay the price to be
determined by the War Industries
Board. Early in the war, v.-hen copper
sold at about 36 cents, the Government
contracted for 45,000,000 pounds for the
Army and Navy at 16 2-3 cents, but
future contracts will be at the new
rate.
The price agreed upon today was set
after extensive investigation - of pro
duction costs by the Federal Trade
Commission. The commission's report
was understood to have indicated that
copper could be sold profitably at a much
lower price than 23 cents, but in
reaching its decision the War Industries
Board, headed by Frank A. Scott, took
into consideration that the price should
not be pared down to the point where
production would be discouraged or
wages reduced.
Wmgvm Not to Be Reduced.
"Three important conditions were im
posed by the board," said an announce
ment. "First, that the producers would
not reduce the wages now being paid;
second, that the operators would sell
to the allies and to the public at the
same price paid by the Government and
take the necessary measures, under the
direction of the War Industries Board,
for the distribution of copper, to pre
vent it from falling into the hands of
speculators who would increase the
price to the public; and, fhird, that the
operators pledge themselves to exert
every effort to keep the production of
copper at the maximum so long as the
war lasts."
Without the wage stipulation. It was
explained, present wages, the highest
ever paid in the copper industry, would
be reduced by the new under-market
price.
"Within the last year." said the state
ment, "copper has sold as high as 36
cents per pound and the market price
would now he higher than it is had it
not been well known for some weeks
that the Government would fix the
price.
"The principal copper producers
throughout the country have evinced
an admirable spirit and for weeks have
promptly supplied every request of the
Government for copper without await
ing decision as to price and agreeing to
accept the price which the board should
ultimately fix."
Soldiers Cannot Stop at Fair.
OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU. Wash
ington. Sept. 20. The War Department
today notified Senator Chamberlain it
cannot grant Governor Withycombe's
request that the Oregon National Guard
be allowed to attend the State Fair at
Salem, en route to training camp.
French Lose Two Ships.
PARIS. Sept. 20. Two French mer
chantmen of more than 1600 tons and
two vessels of less than that tonnage
were sunk by Teuton submarines or
mines in the week ending September
9. according to an official statement
given out today.
Another American Killed.
LONDON. Sept. 20. Harry Shinn, of
Philadelphia, an American citizen, was
blown to pieces when a torpedo fired
by a German submarine hit a British
ship. Two British subjects were killed
at the same time.
Lipman, Wolfe & Co.
Are Pleased to
Announce
The Arrival and Sale of
THE OFFICIAL'
HOOVER
CONSERVATION -.
DRESS
Made of blue chambray. with white pique collar
and cuffs and white cap. with conservation insignia.
Priced $2.50
ouscJrcss Section Fourth Floor.
i'hUWa fJ Mm OhV
BRIDGE IS III PLACE
Central Span of Quebec Canti
lever Weighs 5000 Tons.
50-YEAR IDEA FULFILLED
Ef forts of Engineers to Throw
Mighty Structure Across Broad
St. Lawrence Twice Fail, but
Success at Last Crowns Work.
QUEBEC, Sept. .20. The central span
of the Quebec cantilever bridge was
successfully bolted Into place this aft
ernoon, linking together the arms of
the largest bridge of its kind in the
world. '-- '. --
The hoisting operation began last
Monday, and the span, which weighs
5000 tons, was lifted by hydraulic jacks
150 feet from pontoons on the St. Law
rence River,
An effort last year to raise a similar
span in place resulted in disaster when
the link slipped from its supports,
causing 14 deaths. In 1907 a bridge in
the same place collapsed when it was
practically complete, killing 70.
The successful completion of the
bridge will mean- the fulfillment of a
50-year engineering dream. It will be
some months before trains, can be run
over the structure, as there is much de
tail work to be carried out. The run
ning time between Halifax and Winni
peg will then be reduced half a day.
Cne detail is the painting of the bridge
which, it Is estimated, will take three
years and cost $35,000. .
SALOONS TO STAY CLOSED
Marines Captain -Bars Liquor Near
Camp at Iron "Vorks.
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 20. (Spe
cial.) Despite the pleas of liquor deal
ers in the half-mile limit of the Union
Iron Works, there will be no modifica
tion of the Federal order closing these
places during the encampment of
United States marines about the plant.
Replying to several saloonmen who
sought a modification of the order.
Captain F. A. Gardner, in command of
the marines guarding, the iron works,
said :
"There will be absolutely nothing
doing in that respect. I am acting un
der Presidential orders, and these or
ders prohibit any saloons within half
a mile of any military encampment."
CAPTIVES USED AS TARGETS
Stories of Inhnman Treatment Are
Told by Italian Prisoners.
i
"WASHINGTON. Sept. 20. Stories of
Inhuman treatment of Italian prisoners
by their Austro-Hungarian captors
have been brought to Home, according
to dispatches received here today by
a prominent Italian lawyer, sent home
by the Austrian among: a. number
of incapacitated prisoners.
This man reported that captives were
systematically tortured in the prison
camps, in many cases being used as tar
gets for revolver practice.
Baker Complains of Coal Shortage.
O REGOXIAN NEWS BUREAU, Wash
inirton. Sept. 20. Senator McNary to
day laid before the fuel administrator
and railroad committee telegraphic
complainjts of a coal shortage at Baker
City. Both bureaus assured the Sen
ator they would make investigations
and take appropriate action if the club
will furnish definite facts and figures,
showing the cause of the shortage.
STEEL WORKERS' PAY RISES
Corporation Grants Fourth Increase,
Aggregating 45 Per Cent.
NEW YORK, Sept. 20. The United
States Steel Corporation today an
nounced a 10 per cent advance in the
wage of its workers, to take effect Oc
tober 1.
This is the fourth increase granted
the corporation's wage-earners since
the beginning of the war in Europe,
and will tiring: the total advance in
that time up to 45 per cent.
Hurricane Takes Toll of Iiives.
AN ATLANTIC PORT, Sept. 20. The
loss during a hurricane at sea of seven
members of the crew of the Portuguese
schooner Undina, from a Gulf port for
Europe, was reported by an Italian
steamer which arrived here today. Five
seamen-were picked up September 3 in
an exhausted condition. -.
Coal Mines Cease Operation.
. V
CLARKSBURG, W. Va., Sept. . 20.
Twenty-five coal mines in this vicinity
have been compelled to -close within a
week because the operators were un
able to mine and market coal for $3
a ton. the price fixed by the Govern
ment, according to a statement issued
today by Taniel Howard, an operator.
HE
no
waste, no
advance in
food price"
theory has
worked out
satisfactorily
here in act
ual practice
Breakfasts and lunches, 25c and
up; Dinners 35c and up.
Sntpertal
Manaarer.
In our new bank prem
ises, with modern equip
ment our increased offi
cial staff and capital due
to the consolidation of the
LUMBERMENS
NATIONAL
BANK
with this bank, we are
sure that we can give you
the very best of banking
service.
The United States National Bank
Sixth and Stark Sts.
Portland, Oregon
E. G. Crawford, First. Vice-President
H. B. Ainsworth, Vice-President ,
A. L. Tucker, Vice-President
W. A. Holt, Assistant Cashier
G. Dukehart, Assistant Cashier
OFFICIALS
J. C. Ainsworth, President
E. C. Sammons, Asst. Cashier
R. Lea Barnes, Vice-President
R. W. SchmeeiyVice-Pres. and Cashier -
A. M. Wright, Vice-President
P. S. Dick, Assistant Cashier
C. M. Dyrlund, Assistant Cashier
I
An Extraordinary Occasion. ,
The . Distribution of
5600 MEN'S TIES
Presenting the Smartest and Most Fashionable
Neckwear at
REMARKABLE PRICES
;45c,59c,79c,98c,$1,$1
SALE STARTS TODAY
It .Will; Be a Treat to See These IT
Wonderful Silks
The most remarkable silks and satins we have
ever seen. From "French? Italian, Swiss and
American looms. -
Brocades, basket weaves, ombres, Persian weaves,
Dresden designs, flower and verdure patterns; conven
tional and Oriental designs.
- The ties are all made with wide flowing ends and
patent slip bands.
Under existing conditions we believe this to be the most
comprehensive showing of neckwear ever displayed in
Portland.
We feel certain that men will be unanimous in their
judgment and vote this sale the greatest they have ever
attended. t
The 45c Ties are unusual.
The 59c Ties are exceptional.
The 79c Ties are unequaled.
The 98c Ties are extraordinary.
The $1.15 Ties are remarkable. '
The $1.35 Ties are unparalleled.
COME AND PASS JUDGMENT.
cMerclnJi of c Merit Only
FOR CHRISTMAS
WATCHES
AND
beautiful:
JEWELRY
are plenty now
large selection.
Why not pick out
what you want and
make a deposit on
it?
STAPLES, THE JEWELER
2 MOHHISOV ST. Between 3d and 4th.
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