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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 24, 1917)
THE 3IORXTXG OREGOXUX. 3IOXDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1917. 3 SPAIN INFORMATION DEPOT OF GERMANY American "Leaks" Go via Latin Republics, and Sub marines Carry Mails. PRESENT LAXITY COSTLY A'ow American Business Concerns Can Communicate With Enemy by Neutral Countries, Sub ject to British Censor. LONDON. Sept. 23. (Special.) "While Sweden la headquarters for the German espionage system, it is Spain which is the depot for the collection and distri bution of information of the utmost value to the enemy. America has no censorship of mails to South America, although once letters reach these latin countries any Information they contain may be Immediately transmitted by radio to Spain, whence the news can be forwarded to Germany either by wire less or by submarines. The submarine mail route works with fair regularity, despite the constant ef fort to destroy U-boats which pick up buoys packed with letters off the Span ish Coast, or receive letters direct from fishermen employed by the Germans in Spain. The submarines carry the mail either to Belgium or German ports, or through the Mediterranean to Austrian harbors. Secret Channels Many. These letters generally contain in formation of a commercial and finan cial nature. Their value is unaffected by the tedious roundabout journey from the United States, but it Is also possible to send military and naval information and secret diplomatic reports in the same way. All mail from the United States for European countries with the exception of that carried by ships plying between South American and Spanish ports, is censored either by British or French authorities. America cannot afford long to remain the dangerous excep tion. There are not dozens, but hundreds of ways of sending secret messages and unquestionably Great Britain paid dear ly during the first six months of the war for her inexperience in handling information sent through the mails. Though the spy must be watched con stantly, a vast amount of stuff not in tended to do any harm, but worth in finitely more than that collected by spies, was sent through the mails by Americans to friends in neutral Euro pean countries whence it found its way to the enemy. These indiscretions often cost dearly. American Censorship Loose. To data America has not adopted re striction such as Britain's trading with the enemy act, which prohibited any intercourse with Germany, even through a neutral country, unless under special pprmission. At present American busi ness concerns can communicate with the enemy through maiis sent via neu tral countries. These letters are un cenaored until they are removed from the ship at British ports. unce America prohibits trading with the enemy it would greatly facilitate matters If at least five Americans with intimate knowledge of American busi ness, were stationed in the postal cen sor's office here. As every bit of Euro pean mail, excepting that going from South America to Spain passes through the British censorship bureau or vice versa, the presence of American censors here would greatly facilitate matters. This method would prove much more satisfactory than the present arrange ment. Strict Censorship Crscd. Briefly summarized, there is at pres ent a serious leakage of information from the United States. The Latin South American censorship should be established immediately. As the value of censorship at the source Is admitted by all. the only question remaining is whether the United States can organize a department capable of handling out going: mails in a reasonably short time to Justify the effort. A trading with the enemy act should be put Into operation without delay. If America desires to form independent Judgment of news from neutrals and incidentally from the enemy press, these matters should be censored by Americans, not by British officials. LANSING EXPOSES A PLOT (Continued From Flrwt Page.) panied his letter with documents to prove the origin of the boxes and their contents. Neutrality Openly Violated. "It has been possible to pro-e In an undispu table way," he said, "that be fore our declaration of war with Austria-Hungary, when observing strict neutrality and keeping up nor mal relations with the German Em pire, the personnel of the German Le gation, violating all rules of neutral ity and all duties of diplomatic mis sions. Introduced clandestinely con siderable quantities of an extremely powrfm xn1olv and cultivations of FIGHTING FOR HAPPINESS When you gret into a frame of mind that makes life seem one tiresome duty after another, with no pleasure in It: when ill health seems to take all the Joy out of life and you worry over things that are not really worth worrying- about, then you r nervous sys tem is becoming ex ha used and you are approach ins neurasthenia. Your happiness Is worth fighting for and red blood is your best ally. It is a hopeless task to try to restore your health while your blood is deficient in Quantity or quality. To build up the blood there Is one remedy that has been a household word for a generation, Er. Williams' jpink PiHs for Pale People, They tone up the entire system, make the blood rich and red. strengthen the nerves. Increase the appetite, put color In the cheeks and lips and drive away that unnatural tired feeling. The Dr. Williams' Medicine Co, Schenectady. N. Y., has published a free book on nervous disorders that contains a chapter on neurasthenia, in which the symptoms are fully de scribed and the correct treatment Tlven. Or. Williams' Pink Pills are sold by you r own druggist or will be sent by mail, postpaid, on receipt of price. 60 cents per box. six boxes for $2.50. .Adv. WHY HAVE OKAY. FADED HAIK when pack ir of BROWNO, wonderful tiw ritsrovery, civb you nice. natural dark brown color? It's clean, harm!, will not rome off. Satisfaction (utrmtMd or money refunded. Sl. poetoaid. Remit by P. O. or expre-as money order. Add ra 4. Kaisec N. E- Seattle. Uaa. microbes destined to infect domestic animals and in consequence susceptible of provoking1 terrible epidemics also among the human population. -There can hardly be any doubt about the way by which these substances were introduced into Roumanian terri tory; the very stringent police meas ures at all frontier stations taken by the Royal Roumanian Government, since the uotbreak of the war and con tinually made stricter since, prove suf ficiently that these explosives and mi crobes cannot have reached this coun try otherwise than by diplomatic courier. Plot Aimed mt Nestral People. "On the other hand, there can be no doubt the final object of the Importa tion into Rou mania as well as about the use to which they were assigned. The explosives and the microbes were destine to be used in Roumania, very probably in time of peace. From all this it results that in time of peace members of the German Legation, cov ered by their immunity, prepared in concert with the Bulgarian Legation the perpetration on the territory of a neutral and friendly state of plots di rected against the safety of this state and against the lives of the subjects. "The royal government makes it its duty to protest against these criminal practices, and especially against the use of the microbes, an illegal weapon and certainly worse than poison, the use of which was formally forbidden by the fourth convention of The Hague, as well as against this violation of the duties and of the loyalty which inter national law imposes upon diplomatic missions as an exchange for the privi leges which are guaranteed to them." DRIVE ABOUT TO START EAST SIDE LIBRAET CAMPAIGN TO BE LAUNCHED TONIGHT. Speakers TVlll Tell Why Soldiers Need Books and Work Will Be Fashed. Flans for starting the big war li brary drive formulated by the War Library Council, a" newly formed or ganization of East Side business and professional men, whose purpose is to furnish the soldiers in camp and at the front with books and other reading material, will be completed at the Bast Portland Library tonight. if. B. McPhaul, chairman of the War Library Council, has issued a call for all residents of the East Portland Li brary district to attend the meeting, at which plans will be discussed for con ducting a vigorous campaign to raise the funds necessary for the work. At the meeting tonight Mary Frances Isom, librarian at the Central Library, and Rev. Arthur F. Bishop will tell "Why Soldiers Need Booka." Another interesting talker tonight will be Ser geant Ferguson, of the Fourth Ontario Battalion, who has recently arrived from the front. His subject will be "Over There." Twenty-eight men and 40 women res idents of the East Portland Library district have pledged their services to aid In raising the funds necessary to carry, on the work. CHRISTIAN MEN CONFER ANNUA I. V. M. C. A. DIRECTORS' MEETING HELD AT REED COLLEGE. William 31. Ladd. President for 23 Years. Presides John Goodell. Who Goes to France, Delivers Address. The annual conference of the board of directors, committees and board of ficers of the Portland Young Men's Christian Association, was held yester day afternoon at Reed College, with W. M. Ladd, president for 23 years, as pre siding officer. The conference assembled first in five sectional meetings, on education, physical training, boys' department, service and religion, and a meeting of the board of directors. At 4:30 the gen eral conference assembled In the social room, when the various committees re ported findings. An address was delivered by John Goodell, who leaves for France on Tues day, as an executive secretary of the Y. M. C. A. work with the American troops. George 13. McOill. international secretary of the association, also de livered an address. Two former presidents of the Port land Y. M. C. A. were present, W. O. Wakefield and A. A. Mooney. Russian Army Size Reduced. PETROGRAD. Sept. 23. The pro visional government has decided to re duce the number of men in the regular array. This decision was reached for two reasons, first because the country cannot remain longer without male la bor, and second because it was thought desirable to relieve the army of men who are too old to fight, or who have been wounded. CHICAGO MAN BECOMES PORTLAND RESIDENT. Thomas L. Peterson is a new resident of Portland. He is at 1909 East Stark street. Until recently Mr. Peter son was a property owner of Chicago. It cost him $3 to trade his property in the Windy City and acquire a location among the rose hedges of Portland. The manager of the Want Ad Section has a fine letter from Mr. Peterson, express ing gratitude for the serv ice and appreciation of the efficiency of the "little sure shot" method of doing busi ness. Mr. Peterson says he "spent $50 in Chicago with out results, but $3 worth of Oregonian want ads brought great results." Consequent ly he divided his family be tween a Stutz and a Ford and here they are. Portlanders are the Yan kee traders of the West. They are ready to buy or "s w a p." The Oregonian being read by more Port landers than any other newspaper becomes the nat ural organ for offering trades of any character. Its advertising columns bring results to merchant class or to the citizen who has but one article to selL SHIP BOARD FAILS, SO -PRESIDENT ACTS Telegrams Sent Labor Lead ers Urging Settlement of Strikes on Coast. MR.HURLEY IN CONFERENCE Mr. Wilson Sees Tying Tp of Coast Shipbuilding; as Result of Strike and Asks That Nation Be Put First. OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU, Wash ington. Sept. 23. The Shipping Board, having failed utterly In its attempt to bring into agreement the Pacific Coast shipbuilders and their employes on the disputed question of wages, and having also declined to exercise any authority which would compel an agreement that ship construction might proceed unin terruptedly. President Wilson today took a hand personally In an effort to bring about an adjustment of the dis pute which has threatened to disrupt the shipbuilding industry of Portland, Puget Sound and San Francisco. That this controversy is already re ceiving his attention is shown by iden tical telegrams which the President sent this morning to shipyard labor representatives at Portland, Seattle and San Francisco, in which he assured the men that the question meaning the wage dispute would be settled in a satisfactory manner. Aside from these telegrams word has been passed along to officials of the American Federation of Labor which indicates to them that the President Intends to end the wage controversy and. in some way not yet made plain, induce, or If necessary, force a settle ment which will end the present situa tion and return the men to their work on terms which will be satisfactory to them. Before sending his telegrams to the labor representatives. President Wilson talked with Chairman Hurley, of the Shipping Board, to inform himself as to the situation on the Pacific Coast and the causes which brought about the prevailing discontent. What conclu sions he formed are not known, but it is known that he has personally taken this matter in hand and intends to set tle it. The President, viewing the Pacific Coast situation from the broad National standpoint, has been impressed by the fact that the controversy between the shipbuilders and their men has in some places retarded and in other places brought to a standstill the all-important governmental task of turning out ships as fast as they can be built. It is his belief as it is that of other high officials that shipbuilding should be expedited and that no situation that can be corrected should be allowed to hamper the shipbuilding programme. Therefore the Shipping Board hav ing failed in Its attempt at adjustment, the President has been compelled in the interest of the Nation to Intervene and take such steps as he may deem necessary to get the shipbuilding pro gramme under full way once more and to keep it going if possible without fu ture interruption. It is to be noted that the President did not interfere as long as Chairman Hurley, of he Shipping Board, was en deavoring to bring the shipbuilders and the unions together. But when on Fri day Chairman Hurley announced that his series of conferences was off and that there was nothing more he or the board could do the matter was called to the attention of the President. BUILDERS VOTE FOR STRIKE Continued From First Pace. ) hundred had left before the strike vote was taken. A representative crowd re mained, however, to the end of the meeting. Whether or not the workmen In shops which are furnishing parts for vessels will be affected it was not made clear in the strike order statement, but it is the general Impression that everything will be tied up where it will assist in bringing pressure to bear upon the operators or the Government, so as to force the "closed shop" demand and enable unions to enforce their rules and to obtain their sought-for increase in wages. 1,'nlon Men Leave Capital. It was learned last night that the union leaders have been disappointed over the situation at Washington with regard to the adjustment of the de mands of the steel workers. It was learned that Joseph Reed, president of the executive committee of the Metal Trades Council, and James J. Morrison, who were called to Wash ington by the mediation board of the Emergency Fleet Corporation recently to confer with others relative to the situation, have left Washington and are now on their way home, having accomplished what they believe to be practically nothing. It is the feeling in. union labor circles here that the Federal Govern ment has taken too long to deal 'with their demands and that, from this end of the line, little may be expected. This is shown by the official statement where it refers to the "employers shift ing responsibibility and not telling the truth concerning the Government tak ing over the yards." Bates Letter Looms. There is another feature which looms large in the situation from the union standpoint, and that is the recent action or Phil S. Bates In sending out letters to newspapers throughout the country, stating that large numbers of men were needed or would be needed here to handle the ship construction programme. Mr. Bates declares that he sent the letters only as an individual, but the union men declare he sent it as secre tary of the State Kditorial Association. He says it had no results, as the strikes were called soon after it was dispatched and that this was automatic notice to all concerned that no men would be needed here. Union leaders. Including C. P. Howard, president of the Central Labor Council; K. J. Stack, secretary of the State Federation of Labor, and others, emphatically state that a very large number of men were influenced to come here and they construe this as an attempt to glut the market with un skilled and nonunion labor and an ef fort to "break" organized labor. All of this Mr. Bates denies. Ball Opposition Vigorous. The strike order will affect several steel shipbuilding plants, of which the largest in Portland is the Northwest Steel Company, J. R. Bowles, presi dent. Mr. Bowles has been In Wash ington, accompanied by William Corn foot, another Portland steel builder, to confer with the mediation board at the same conference as were Messrs. Reed and Morrison. The Willamette Iron & Steel Works Is another large plant, but it has never recognized the unions since the strike of several months ago. when Bert C. Ball, its president, declared that he would never consent to signing another contract with ihs union organisations and posted a reward of $5000, to be forfeited, in case he should sign up within a year. He, too, is in Washing ton, having gone there on his own vo lition to "sit in" on the hearing and to lend his Influence against any prop osition for the "closed shop." "hat steps the steel ship builders will take to handle the new angle to the situation, which developed over night, is not known. Wood Shipyards to Resume. As to the action of the wooden ship building operators, they will attempt to open their plants this morning. The Coast Shipbuilding Company and the Columbia Engineering. Works have managed to keep their plants going throughout the past week and will con tinue to do so. according to their plans. Supple & Ballin, one of the largest firms on the Willamette River, will re open their plant this morning, accord ing to the statement of Joseph Supple. He said his company had been slow to take such action, hoping for a speedy termination of the wooden workers' strike, but that he could wait no longer and would do his best to proceed with any workmen who may wish employ ment. Police Ready for Emergencies. The Peninsula Shipbuilding Company also intends to resume operations, at least on a small scale, this morning, with any men who may apply for work. All of the yards have been doing some work of certain kinds, although not actually on the building of vessels proper. While the police have not been much in evidence during the past week of the strike. It was stated at headquar ters last night that an emergency squad will be held there, under command. of Captain Moore and Sergeant Wade, to handle any situation that may arise in the first district; in addition, at least one man- will be posted at each yard. In St. Johns district, commanded by Captain Jenkins, a detail will be in readiness to meet any emergency calls, it was announced. WAGE SCHEDULE IS SIGXED Temporary Agreement Reached in San Francisco. SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 23. A tem porary wage schedule wKch will per mit 30,000 iron workers who struck here last Monday to ret irr. to work Immediately upon ratification of the agreement by the unions concerned, pending final adjudication of their dif ferences by the Federal Board of Con ciliation, was signed here late today at a conference between representatives of the men, their employers and Fed eral mediators. Gavin McNab, San Frit.cisco attor ney, appointed Friday by President Wil son as a special representative of the Federal Shipping Board to adjust the trouble here, said that a telegram re ceived today frcm the President, ap pealing to "the patriotic co-operation of the workmen and their leaders," was Instrumental in effecting the settle ment. 25 Unions Involved. Effo.-ts were being made tonight to reach members of the 25 unions. It was expected that several days would elapse before a ratification vote could be taken. Employers said th-y thought it would be possible to resume work Thursday. The walkout has tied up Governmen tal shipbuilding contracts In the San Francisco Bay region, estimated at $100,000,000. Details of the temporary arrange ment effected here were not made public Conferees said they would.be divulged when the campact was rati fied by the unions. It was understood that in the tem porary settlement bnth sides to the controversy made material concessions. When the working agreement of the Iron Trades Council expired, September 15. the men demanded a daily minimum wage of $6. a 50 per cent increase. The employers offered a 10 per cent ad vance. The men rejected this and walked out. In conferences following the strike, the employers raised their offer to 12 u per cent, and this also was rejected. Efforts of rederal mediators appointed previously on Mr. McNab's selection, had been unable to break the deadlock that ensued. Three Messages Sent. president Wilson's telegram to Mr. McNabb said: "I am today sending the following telegram to Charles W. Ioyle. Seattle; E. J. Stack. Portland, and John O'Con nell. secretary of the San Francisco Labor Council. Mr. Hurley (Edwin N. Hurley, chairman of the Federal Ship ping Board) has Just informed me that au unanimous agreement has been reached in the San Francisco situation to refer the entire subject matter to the shipbuilding and labor adjustment board. The sole remaining issue is the temporary wage at which the men will agree to return. This, point probably will be cleared up today. This is most gratifying, as It assures a prompt and satisfactory settlement. "Mr. Hurley has also Informed me that he has asked tie wage adjustment board to make findings in the Seattle and Portland situations as well, and with equal promptn. ss. I need not say that this happy solution of the labor trouble on the Pacific Coast would be most gratifying, as it is a further evi dence of the patriotism of labor. In view of it. I. would ask that no cessa tion of work occur at Portland or Se attle. The wage board begins func tioning at once and will announce its findings with expedition. I count con fidently upon the patriotic co-operation of the worklngmen and their leaders. The men can count upon just and prompt action." . . Mr. McNab's telegram to the Presl Take a Seat for rself Victrola Style XVI $200 One of many models in stock priced from $15 to $400. , , 5saaSg.ss. y-Mw; : L 3 ;l ; Edison Style C $200 One of many models in stock priced from $100 to $400. We are selling-agents for BOTH the Victrola and the Edison Phono graph. . We carry in stock at all times all models of both makes and all records made for either that are obtainable at all. Come into our Talking Machine Department, take a comfortable chair and let us show you what these wonderful machines will do. You will have a very pleasant hour ; you will hear some very good music played better than you can hear it in any other way, and can settle the matter of personal preference under the best and fairest conditions. or We make terms "of payment equally easy, whichever machine you s if you don't care to make any selection at the time, that's all right, select, too. Whether you buy or not, we shall have had a chance to demonstrate to you what we mean by our SERVICE.; It is quite worth demonstrating and quite worth finding out. ' Charge Accounts Solicited. Phone Main 6723. PIANOS H PLAYERS ! MUSIC lnWlrBAllen. -MASON AND HAMLIN PIANOS- tviCTOftfS WEDiSONS l RCCORDSj' MORRISON STREET AT BROADWAY Stores Also in San Francisco. Oakland, Sacramento, San Jose. Los Angeles, an Diego. If you cannot come in, sign name and address below, clip this advertise ment and mail to us. You will receive some very interesting information. Name Address. dent, announcing1 the signing of the1 temporary wage agreement was: "Thank you for your telegram, which was most helpful to us in bringing about a conclusion. I am pleased to inform you that the conference com mittee of labor leaders and employers has Just agreed unanimously on a tem porary wage scale and recommendation to the respective labor trades and em ploying concerns that work be re sumed immediately." The agreement was signed by Mr. McNab, James Lee Ackereon. naval constructor, representative of Admiral Washington Capps, of the Emergency Fleet Corporation: Captain A. K. Pills bury, district officer of the United States Shipping Board: W. T. Boyce, assistant immigration commissioner, appointed special mediator;. Mortimer Flelshhacker, Mr. McNab's assistant, and members of the conference com mittees of the Iron Trades Council, the California Metal Trades Association and the California Foundrymen's Asso ciation. Members of the conference commit tees were unanimous tonight In prais ing the good offices of Mr. McNab, whose efforts, it was declared, resulted in the settlement within two days after he was appointed by President Wilson. Bohemian Restaurant "V7"0U meet pleasant people at the Bohemian. You see old friends you make new acquaintances. There's an air of heartiness and good fellowship (11 about the place that makes you come again and EJ again. Of course the food is of the best and ample "2 in quantity. The service is delightfully hospitable. 127 West Park St., Bet. Washington and Alder Serious Charges Made. Myron E. Howe, 354 Salmon street, was arrested last night by Patrolman Morris and charged with beating. Mrs. Bertha M. Capps, who also accuses him of violating the Mann act in trans porting her to Portland from Tacoma, Wash., to enter a disorderly house here. Mrs. Capps says that she is the wife of L. B. Capps, 923 Commerce street, Ta coma. She charges Howe with inducing her to desert her husband. - Phone your want ads to The Orego nlnn. Main 7070. A 6095. FIRE loves toplunder, murder and destroy. Kill fire or it may kill you. $10 buys Pyrene and bracket. At all Hardware and Auto Supply Dealers in this City I Victrola IJifeu, HS mi Kr.BJf k lis,!. .ji m 1 i No. X Victrola $75 On the Easiest Terms Because of its beautiful lines and finish, the No. Victrola is a worthy addition to any Living Room. It's the lowest price "Cabinet Style," and may be had in English Brown Mahogany Dull Finish Mahogany Fumed Oak Weathered Oak Golden Oak Other Victrolas from $15 to $350 the terms are so easy that while you are enjoying it in your home a few dollars a month will pay for it. Victor Department First Floor Dealers in Steinway and Other Pianos, Pianola Pianos, Victrolas and Records, Player Music. Music Cabinets, Etc. Sherman, play & Go Sixth and Morrison Streets Opposite Postoffice ,0 I