f IO
THE aiQItyiXG OREGOXIAy, WEDNESDAY. OCTOBER 10, 1917.
rOBTLAKD, OREGON.
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PORTLAND, WEDXfSDAY, OCT. 10, 1817.
'0 STRIKE IX WAR TIME.
All will agree, disloyal as well as
loyal citizens of the United States, that
uninterrupted operation of every in
dustry connected with, the war is nec
essary to success. The disloyal prove
that they recognize this truth by their
efforts to interrupt operation; the loyal
should defeat them by doing: their ut
most for continuous operation.
Production cannot be continuous it
every disagreement about wages, hours
and other terms of employment is to
l:e settled by a strike, ir? which em
ployer and employe test their strength
and endurance. That would be as if
our soldiers were to settle their pri
vate quarrels by duels in face of the
enemy. When dueling was in fashion
it was forbidden in time of war on
rain of death. A parallel rule should
lie made in regard to industrial dis
putes during this war, for manufac
ture of all the implements of war is
now as essential to victory as are
armies and navies.
This view is evidently taken by the
patriotic labor unions and employers
of Great Kalis, Mont., as shown in the
following dispatch:
Great Falls. Mont., Oct. 7. Great
Kails labor unions and employers have sent
to President Wilson, Secretary of Labor
Wilson and Samuel Gompers. president of
the American Federation of Labor, a re
quest to establish a National arbitration
board and compel the submission of all
labor problems to it during the period of
the war.
Organized capital and organized
labor should be compelled to submit
their disputes to an impartial tribunal,
for decision on the principles of jus
tice, and should be compelled to abide
by its decisions. Any attempt at set
tlement by strikes and lockouts dur
ing war is in a sense treasonable, for
by obstructing our military prepara
tions it aids the enemy. That may
not be the intent, but it is the effect.
Further, it is an appeal to the very
principle against which we are fight
ing that might is right. Whatever
degree of tolerance we may give to
such appeals in time of peace, though
they are a public injury, no tolerance
should be shown when they injure the
Station's cause in war.
No criticism which has yet been
made of compulsory arbitration is
valid against the principle of attain
ing justice in such disputes by judi
cial means; all criticism has been
aimed at the methods of applying the
principle. The principle should not
on that account be abandoned. Objec
tion to present methods should be met
by amendment in conference of repre
sentatives from both sides. Opposi
tion recently has come only from the
side of labor unions. They should
state wherein present methods are de
fective and should co-operate in per
fecting them, but should not reject the
principle.
It has been said that to compel men
to work on terms which have been
fixed by an arbitration tribunal is to
restore slavery. This is false as to
times of peace, for every man would
have a part in election of the men
who would select the arbitrators
both officers of the union and officers
of the Government and every man
would know in accepting employment
1hat he did so under these conditions.
He would still be free to leave his job
as an individual, if he were dissatis
fied with a decision; he would only
be forbidden to do so in combination
witli other men.
Still less would compulsory arbitra
tion enslave men in time of war. To
say that it would is to class as a slave
every man and woman who is com
pelled to render any service ' to the
Government in war, especially those
who have been drafted into the Army.
They are performing a duty for the
salvation of the Nation, the perform
ance of which li8s been the pride of
men of every nation in every age. It
has always been considered a badge
of slavery to forbid a man to perform
this duty. Whether a man be willing
or not, the Government has the right
yes, the duty-to exact from every
citizen any service it requires for de
fense of the Nation, whether in the
armed forces, the factories, the mines,
the farms, the shipyards or any other
place where war work is carried on.
No man proposes that it shall exercise
that full power. To require that all
Industrial disputes shall be decided by
a board on which both parties are
represented by men of their own
choice falls far short of that. It is the
essence of American democracy self
restrained democracy. We see the al
ternative unrestrained democracy
in Anarchic Russia.
The two great democracies of Aus
tralia and New Zealand are as free as
the United States. In both the gov
ernment has been for years under con
trol of the Labor party. Both adopted
compulsory arbitration years ago in
time of peace. They do not consider
that they have voluntarily subjected
themselves to slavery. To call com
pulsory arbitration slavery is an insult
to the free men of those countries,
who have been fighting for the free
dom of the world as no men ever
fought.
The United States still has about
22,000,000 horses, or approximately
one-half the supply of the world, but
there is no prospect of an, oversupply
of the right kind, at leas't until the
war is over. No substitute for the
horse lias been found for use on torn
ground, before the advancing armies
have had time to make the roads fit
for motor travel, and these are fre
quently times when supplies are badly
needed. The value of the horses we
have shipped abroad during the past
three years was $194,000,000, and
that of the mules exported was $66,
000,000. France bought the pick of
the lot, at an average price of $237;
Kngland paid an average of $218 and
Canada $148. The situation has
brought about the organization of es
pecial units for the "salvage" of
wounded animals, and almost as much
progress has been made, relatively, as
in the saving of wounded men. Ani
mals are no longer abandoned to their
fate when it is possible to save them.
The day may come when they cannot
be replaced.
DANGER TO ORECOX SOLDIERS.
The Oregonian calls attention to the
bad moral and sanitary conditions
which are described by its special cor
respondent as prevailing at and around
Camp Greene, N- C. The sanitation
of the camp is not of the best, but
the moral condition of the neighbor
ing city of Charlotte is infinitely worse.
In consequence, disease has already
begun to do its work among the Ore
gon soldiers.
The people of Oregon should speak
out in no uncertain tones, and in tones
that will be heard, to the War Depart
ment. Protests so numerous, so loud
and so persistent should be made by
the relatives and friends of Oregon
soldiers that the authorities will be
bound to take heed. We sent our boys
to the service of Uncle Sam morally
and physically clean and sound. Ore
gon will not patiently permit that
their health and morals be wrecked
in the filthy dens of a Southern city.
Such a protest is not likely to come
from Oregon alone, for it is probable
that similar conditions prevail in other
Southern cities, near which troops
from other states are encamped. The
word which goes from Oregon would
doubtless be taken up by those other
states, and the War Department would
be forced in self-defense to act.
ENDING THE STRIKE.
The interested public doubtless has
discovered, in its reading of the re
ports of the proceedings of the con
ferences between the operators and
men in the shipbuilding strike, that
there is a lively effort on the part of
the union conferees to disclaim re
sponsibility for the strike. For ex
ample, here is an extract from the
stenographic account of the delibera
tions last Saturday night:
Mr. Palmer I would like to state that in
behalf of the bollerniakers there is not a
boilermaker that would not go before you.
either as individuals or In a body, and say
that the president of that organization has
ever told tliem to strike at any time. 1
would like to say. further, that he has on
numerous occasions bejeited them to wait
and be patient and see what the Govern
ment would tlo. 1 have had many throw
in my f3ce that I called this strike. Never
theless 1 accepted the position of business
agent of the boilermakers in the absence
of Mr. Reed, and I wili say that at all times
I. as an individual, have stood before those
men hour after hour and talked to them
along this line, and there was not a time
that they ever got it from me that a strike
would do them any good.
Mr. Kerr May I ask you If that Is the
attitude of each of the other members of
the employes' committee'.'
Mr. Mackenzie We have assured you
many times that it is.
Yet the strike is a lamentable fact,
and it is of more importance to know
who is going to -nd it than who be
gan it.
The union leaders, who did not
begin the strike, can do a lot toward
terminating it.
GERMAN FREEDOM OF THE SEAS.
A correspondent asks The Oregonian
what Germany and Austria mean by
the term "freedom of the seas." This
has been a pet phrase with the Ger
mans since their commerce was de
stroyed and since their foreign sup
plies were cut off by the allied navies.
They have generally refrained from
defining their meaning, perhaps aim
ing to leave the impression that to
them it means the same as it has
meant to other nations before Ger
many entered the lists as a candidate
for naval supremacy.
Fortunately, we have one explicit
definition of the German meaning. In
a speech made in New York in Janu
ary. 1910, Herr Dernburg, who was
then conducting the German propa
ganda in the United States, said:
The whole fight and all the flarht Is on
one side for the absolute dominion of the
seven seas: on the oilier Fide for a free
sea Ibe traditional mare Ilbcrum. A free
sea will mean the cessation of the danger
of war and the stopping or world wars.
The sea should be frc lo all. It belongs
to no one nation in particular neither to
th British, nor to the Germans, nor to the
Americans. The rights or the nations cease
with the territorial line of threrc miles from
low tifie. Any dominion exercised beyond
that line is a breach and an infringement of
the rights of the others.
To prevent wars in the future, we must
establish that the free seas shall be plied
exclusively by the merchant marine of all
nations. Within their territory people have
the right to take such measures as thev
deem necessary for their defense, but the
sending of troops and war machines Into
the territory of others or Into neutralized
Iarts of the world mut be declared a
casus belli. ir that be dune, the world as
it is divided now would come to perma
nent peace.
Apply that doctrine to the present
war, and consider what would have
been the result. Britain would have
been forbidden to go to the aid of
France and Belgium, to have brought
troops and war material from India
and her colonies, or from the United
States. France would have been pro
vented from gathering troops from
Africa and Anam. Italy would not
have been allowed to send troops
across the Adriatic Sea to complete
the allied barrier against further Teu
tonic advance through the Balkans.
Indeed, the allied expedition could not
have been sent to Saloniki. and the
Germans could have swept on to the
Aegean Sea. No British army could
have been sent to protect the Suez
Canal, and that waterway might have
fallen into the hands of the Germans
and Turks. Britain would have been
shut out of the war and France would
have had to rely for defense on her
home troops, while practically all of
the German and Austrian troops were
in their home territory. We can
easily picture what would have been
the outcome of the war under such
a rule.
But we are more interested in the
effect on the United States. This Na
tion would have been forbidden to
send an Army or any war material
to France or to any of the allies, or
to protect Porto Rieo. the Panama
Canal, Hawaii, the Philippines or the
independence of Cuba. We should
have no right under that theory to
maintain the Monroe Doctrine against
German aggression. Any oversea al
lies of Germany's neighbors would be
powerless to help them, and Germany
could devour them at her pleasure.
The German empire would soon ex
tend over Kurope and far beyond.
We can judge from Germany's con
duct in this war how much respect
she would have shown for this new
"freedom of the seas" if she had had
naval supremacy. Belgium was a
"neutralized part of the world" under
German guaranty, but "strategic ne
cessity" was sufficient cause for Ger-
man invasion. Luxemburg alone con
formed to the German conception of
neutrality by giving the German
armies free right of way into France.
How soon would "strategical neces
sity" be found to justify violation of
the German theory?
This is not the freedom of the seas
which has figured in history and for
which nations have fought. It is a
purely German invention, designed to
serve German purposes. It is a war
invention intended to nullify the naval
supremacy of Britain, the naval power
and the industrial supremacy of the
United States, for until the Kaiser
finally resolved on war in defiance of
British naval power he was himself
tkbuilding a navy for the purpose of
vriiiiiiiie uavai supremacy ana was
proclaiming that Germany's future
was on the sea. If he had succeeded
the German doctrine of freedom of the
seas would never have been promul
gated.
EVERY MAX'S DUTY..
CKrem an address in Congress bv senator
Cummins, of Iowa, one of the wilful twelve.)
If I may be allowed a personal word,
permit me to say that I was not so
eager to enter the war under the cir
cumstances which then existed as
were some of my associates, and as
were some of the martial-minded men
on the outside, but when Congress de
clared a state of war between the
United States and Germany that chap
ter of the controversy was forever
closed, so far as I am concerned.
From that time until now, and from
now until we win, there has been and
will be no room in my heart for any
other purpose than to employ every
resource at our command to make the
United States invincible in the con
test of arms.
Whatever may have been true at a
former time, and however difficult It
is to understand what safety for
democracy through the world means.
the truth now is, and no man can es
cape it, that the safety of democracy
in America, the independence of the
United States, the perpetuation of the
free institutions of our own country,
the honor and happiness of our own
people, all depend upon our success
in this war.
That citizen of the republic who re
fuses "to give whatever he has which
will aid his country in the critical
hour through .which it is passing, or
who does anything or says anything
that will increase the peril of the men
and boys who are standing between
us and the enemy, is unworthy of the
republic which is trying to protect
him.
"RELIEF" FOR THE rVClKABLIS.
A physician from Des Moines opened
a, subject that should serve the debat
ing societies for many a long Winter
evening by suggesting, at the conven
tion of the American Association of
Progressive Medicine, that incurable
adults be permitted to end their lives
when those lives seem to have become
unbearable to them. The suggestion
is not new, nor is there the slightest
prospect that it ever will be adopted.
But purely as an issue for debate, it
offers the advantage that it will never
be "settled" by argument. And those
who take the affirmative side on the
rostrum probably would be among the
last to give their consent to applica
tion of the principle in a case that
struck home.
What the Des Moines physician says
he desires to bring about is a reform
by which a person in full possession
of his reasoning faculties and afflicted
with a painful and incurable malady,
may, on his request, be "killed by
some approved form of anesthesia."
He would extend the permission to
parents of a child who may request
its death under similar circumstances.
Whatever may be said as to the
right and wrong of terminating our
own lives and we do not escape re
sponsibility by delegating the act it
self to a physician the obvious diffi
culty remains of determining the fact
that recovery is hopeless. With all
the progress that medical science has
made, it has not yet eliminated the
mistaken diagnosis. Responsibility for
declaring that a certain condition is
hopeless is too great for any indi
vidual or group of individuals to as
sume. It would be equally difficult to
establish the degree of suffering that
would justify death, even if there
were no other reasons against it. And
the "incurable" line is fast changing.
Many diseases now yield to enlight
ened treatment that were regarded as
hopeless only a few years ago.
It Is estimated that thero are' 200,
000 unfortunates in the United States
in the "incurable" class. It is a curi
ous fact that a majority of the dele
gates present at the convention of the
Association of Progressive Medicine
approved the euthanasia plan. It is
probable, therefore, that an attempt
will be made to obtain appropriate
legislation. But the attempt will fail.
The notion will prove too repugnant
even for the wildest "freak Legisla
ture" that one is able to imagine.
CASHING IN.
The people of Oregon who have
waited so long for some material re
turn from the Oregon & California
Railroad land grant may now con
gratulate themselves that the Govern
ment, of which they are a part, is
cashing in.
All the troop movements from Ilose
ville, a point near Sacramento, to
Portland are provided by the railway
company without cost to the Govern
ment. This is under the terms of the
original land grant. Oregon's share
of this particular saving may not be
a great amount, but its saving on free
transportation of all soldiers is mate
rial, when all the land grant roads
are considered.
There are thirty-five of these roads,
we are told by John W. Kcan. trans
portation clerk of the Navy Depart
ment, in an article in the Railway
Age Gazette. Not all of them pro
vide wholly free transportation as par
tial return for the millions of acres
granted them. The first grants were
at the stage of railway transportation
when it was conceived that one com
pany might own roadway and track
and another company, or the Govern
ment, might own and operate the
trains. These early grants provided
that the Government should have use
of the railroads, "free from toll or
other charge." The Supreme. Court
held that this provision only gave the
Government the right to move its own
trains without charge for track rights.
An agreement between the railroads
and the Government followed under
which the Government in such in
stances pays one-half of the regular
rate. The Southern Pacific, however,
from Roseville to Portland, is a free
road. The Government pays nothing
for transportation. It is the longest
and most important of the free roads.
From Portland north to American
1-iko the Northern Pacific carries
troops at half rate. A soldier's trans
portation from Sacramento to Ameri
can Lake, therefore, costs the public
a little more than $2.
It is estimated that within a year
the saving to the Government in
movement of troops, considering all
land grant roads, will be 'fully $50,
000,000. What the Government will
have saved by the time the war is
over and the troops have been re
turned to their homes, cannot be defl
nitely forecast. But Oregon's quota
of $50,000,000. on the basis that the
liberty loan is apportioned, would be
$300,000. Trobably the people of this
state will be relieved of paying nearly
$1,000,000 for transportation in this
wa r.
The value Congress placed on this
"string" attached to the railroad land
grants may be inferred from this quo
tation from a report by the Select
Committee of the House on Pacific
Railroads and Telegraph, submitted in
1856:
So rapid Is the fall of enow, andsn re-
slstlessly do the winds sweep over those
atmost oounaiecs plains. It is quite impos
sible to gain a distant shelter. So with a
train of ears running up the plain from
Iowa or Missouri to the foot of the Rocky
.Mountains, a distance of 800 miles, bow,
in a storm. Is shelter, or wood, .or- wt.r.
or food, to be gained? Arrested 800 miles
trom Jowa In November, how is a train of
cars to be relieved before May? To talk
of doing business In the Winder season on a
road through such a region, though every
conductor was a Kit Carson and everv
tra.-eler a Fremont, would seem to be idle
anu preposterous.
Events disclose the value of pessi
mistic prophecy concerning man's
ability to overcome natural obstacles.
The Panama Canal seems to be do
ing its duty unassumingly and effi
ciently, now that it has found its
stride, as is shown by recent shipping
statistics. In the four and a half
months of 1914 that it was in use it
accommodated 357 ships, carrying
l,7oS,934 tons of cargo. It was closed
two months of 1915 on account of
slides, and the number of ships which
passed through was .1171, carrying a
tonnage of 4,966,560. There was a
decided shortage of shipping in 1916,
on account of the war, and the ton
nage passing through was only 4,931,
911, carried by 1253 ships, the number
of the latter being Increased slightly,
while the cargo total decreased. But
1917 bids fair to establish a record,
for in the first six months of the year
970 ships, with 3,68ti,6S8 tons of
goods, made use of the canal, which
would mean nearly 2000 ships and
nearly 7,500.000 tons of freight, if the
ratio were maintained for the entire
year.
Certain individuals of not too es
thetic tastes and not bothered with
imaginations have revived discussion
of the edibility of the woodchuck, on
account of its possible bearing on
food conservation. A good many
country boys know that the wood
chuck is "good to eat," having par
taken thereof in the period of their
lives when a fellow will try anything
once, and there are no objections to
the animal on the ground of unwhole
someness. He is discriminating in his
choice of diet for himself, and is far
more nice in his ways than either the
chicken or the lobster, which we ac
cept without question. But unless we
happen to be camping out, there are
certain difficulties in the way of hav
ing the woodchuck prepared for the
table. Few housewives would be
willing to undertake the job, any more
than they would be willing to dress
and cook a gopher or a rat, which the
woodchuck slightly resembles.
Uruguay is not a big nation, but
stands for her rights. The German
charge will not be allowed to leave
until her representatives in Berlin are
safe, and this may be the means of
defeating the purpose. Germany has
little regard for 'one life, whether
Teuton or foreigner.
Germany and Austria are reported
to have a peace offer raady, but as it
omits such items as disarming, throw
ing in the fleet and several billions,
surrender of the Kaiser and a few
other important things, there is no
likelihood of acceptance.
Motorists who have essayed nego
tiation of the road to Hillsboro past
Orenco will rejoice to learn that will
bo the route of the Pacific Highway.
That locality has wallowed In mud for
years, but the end Is In sight.
Here is an example: A Chinaman
and two white men were arrested in
a Chinese lottery. The Chinaman was
able to furnish $50 bail, but the white
man had to go to Jail, which shows
who gets all the money.
A local restaurateur named Unter
falkberger has refused to hang liberty
lean posters in his windows, and, with
that name, can you blame him?
If you have space and heed Food
Administrator Ayer, you will buy and
keep a cow, provided you have none
now.
By keeping a German diplqmat as
a hostage. Uruguay shows some slight
suspicion of German frlghtfulness.
Government motor cars are not re
quired to pay the license fee, but arc
amenable to speed and other laws.
No wonder Roosevelt has an affec
tion for Judge McGinn. The way they
go and the way they do are similar.
If Clark's son is to bo exempted,
then the sons of the cook and scrub
lady must not be forced to go.
The Reichstag makes as much fuss
about its . debates as though they
amounted to something.
The American patrol vessel did not
intend to hit a friendly submarine, of
course; but it scored.
What has become of the young fel
lows who registered as "farmers" to
avoid the draft?
The frost is on the pumpkin In the
Middle West, but most of the fodder
is in the field.
Contracts have been let for 14,000
liberty airplane engines. That is just
a beginning.
Who recalls the days when torpedo
boats and a destroyer were built in
Portland?
Why not a liberty bond with ruffles
and such things to appeal to women?
Do not wait for liberty week. Buy
a bond now, and another next week.
Policemen are asking more money,
but do not threaten to strike.
The weather is kind to the wood-,
pile.
Howdy do, McAdoo?
How to Keep Well.
Br Dr. w. A. etiiu.
Questions pertinent to hygiene, sanitation
and prevention of diseases, if matters of gen
eral Interest, will be answered in this col
umn. Where space win not permit or the
subject is not suitable, letters will be per
sonally answered, subject to .proper limita
tions and where stamped addressed envelope
is Inclosed. Dr. Evans win not make diag
nosis or prescribe for individual dlsesses. He
quests for such services cannot be answered.
(Copyright. 1916, Dy TJr. V7. A. Evans.
Published by arrangement with the Chicago
Tribune.)
WHAT WE LEARX FROM SOLDIERS.
Soldiers are neither fat nor thin.
There is no obesity among them, or
only little. On the other hand, there
are a few men who are much below
weight. It is true that the entrance
examinations weed out all men who
are constitutionally of the lean and
hungry Cassius type, but it does not
weed out those who tend to get obese
as they get older.
There is very little stomach tremble
among soldiers. As compared with ci
vilians they do not have activity of the
stomach, sour stomach, dyspepsia, neu
ralgia of the stomach, stomach ulcer,
nor their share of the stomach ills
which civilians talk about by the hour.
The reason is that they have a care
fully worked out dietary. When they
are in reserve they have a ration con
taining the right number of calories
and the right proportions of fats,
starches and proteins.
The American ration is short on su
gars. In consequence, you always find
American soldiers buying ice cream,
cakes and other sweets and trash from
tent3 around the camp. The greater
part of this tendency is due to the fact
that the American eats too much
sweets. The Army dietitians know it
and regulate diets accordingly, but the
soldiers buy on the side what their
pampered palate calls for. But a part
of the desire for sweets has a better
basis. The Knglish recognize this and
add a liberal allowance of jam to
their ration.
What the soldier teaches the civilian
is that if he will eat a ration propor
tioned for his needs and will not make
the caprice of appetite the basis of his
diet he will be fat enough, but not too
fat and he will have far less dyspepsia
than he now enjoys.
The soldier uses canned milk in his
coffee. The teaching of this custom is
that unless you can be certain of the
safety of your milk It is better to use
milk powder or condensed or evaporated
milk.
The soldier drinks no water unless he
knows it to be safe. If the water supply
available is not safe he sterilizes it
with chemicals. If civilians were as
careful as to the water they use typhoid
fever and bowel troubles would be
far less frequent.
The present day soldier drinks far
less alcoholic beverages than does the
average person in any other group. A
few years from now, when the Army
has had time to get rid of some of the
old drinking traditions and the in
fluence of some of the old and other
wise most helpful sergeants and cor
porals, drinking by soldiers and sailors
will be unheard of.
Even now the average consumption
of alcohol by 1.000, 000 soldiers is far
less than that of 1,000.000 civilians, and
the health, wind and endurance the
fitness of the soldiers are Increased
by it. The lesson for the civilian is
that drinking makes against health
and fitness.
Effert of Starch. Etc.
Mrs. L. writes: "(1) What effect has
food containing starch on the human
system, on the nerves especially? (2)
Also sugar? (3) Also vinegar or any
acids? (1) Also tea and coffee? (5)
Please give a list of foods containing
starch. (6) And one of food which
contains none or very little starch."
Reply.
1. Starchy foods produce health and en
ergy. If taken in excess they may cause
Indigestion with fermentation, also obesity
and diabetes. .Bread, the staff of life, is a
starch food.
SSugitr Is closely related chemically to
staich. It needs little change In order to be
absorbed. It produces heat and energy. Un
der certain circumstances and within limit's
I- is an excellent food. Katen in excess it
destroys appetite, harms digestion, produces
obesity and diabetes. It is too concentrated
to be nn Ideal food.
:i. Vinegar is a condiment rather than a
focd. taken in excess It Injures digestion.
4. Tea and coffee have very little food
value. Their effect :a due to caffein, a drug.
Most people stand ne or two cups a day
without difficulty. More than two cups a
day is harmful.
A. Hrcads. cereals, pastries. potatoes,
bcr.ns and peas.
6. Meat, eggs, milk, good gluten, breads.
Itetnedy for Nervousness.
G. L. offers a remedy for nervous
ness: "The best bit of advice for the
nervous person is this:
"You are one person; the other per
son iH only one person, too. As a per
son, he has the right to be the kind of
person he is; as another person, you
have the same right to be the kind
of person you are. If he is talkative,
all right; if he is quiet, all right; if he
is self-possessed, all riprht ; if lie is
nervous, still all right after all, he
is only one person.
"If you are talkative, all right; if
you are quiet, all right; if you are self
possessed, all right; if you are nervous,
still all right after all, you, too, are
only one person. If you are a nervous
person, no matter: that Is your char
acteristic. Whatever you are, you, like
the next person, are fulfilling your
destiny you are doing one person's
work "in the world and that is all
that is necessary.
"If the nervous person would ponder
this thought and live it, he would cease
to remember his nervousness and thus
would overcome the trait."
Reply.
Many persons who lnck poise are so be
cause of a lack of proper valuation of them
selves and others, out of this lack various
emotions and mental states flow. Your
philosophy can euro some of these. 1 am
sure. Walton makrs use of the same prin
ciple In the methods advocated in his help
ful books.
PIONEER'S SAflK SHOW-D STAND
No Good Reason for Chanel" Deala;
naiion of I.ownsdale Street.
POKTLAXD, Oct. 9. (To the Kdltor.)
A few persons living in a hotel on
Ixvnsdalo street have petitioned the
Council to change the name of the
street to Fifteenth on the ground that
it is easier to direct strangers to a
numbered street.
This change should not be made. As
The Oregonian rightly says. "There are
too few monuments now to the pioneers
of the city." No one has complained, of
the name of Park street or West Park
street or Chapman street, all of which
are north and south thoroughfares, and
it v only recently that the Council
changed the name of Seventh street to
Broadway, yet these streets are easily
located by strangers.
Lownsdale street has so been named
for half a century and Lownsdale street
it should remain, in spite of the whims
of a, few newcomers. READER.
AVaate of 'I I n.
PORTLAND, Oct. 9. (To the Editor.)
I have seen nothing in the news
papers to the effect that our country
does not face a shortage in tin for the
purpose of canning foodstuff. If this
shortage is real or even threatened for
the future, why are the tobacco man
ufacturers still using tin packages?
Nearly as much tin is wasted for to
bacco packages as is used in canning
foodstuffs. This is indeed a deadly
wrong if a present or future shortage
exists. T. W. II.
QUERIES ABOUT STREET RAILWAY
Conunlsslea Cast Raise Rates in Spite
of Franchise Requirements.
PORTLAND. Oct. 9. (To the Edi
tor.) In discussing the 6-cent fare
tindT date of October 7 you say "the
commission" has not done very much
about it." What could they do, in view
of the contract existing between the
company and city?
This company's precarious position,
which no one believes, would appear
under another coloring if the car
service could be properly segregated
from the light and power side. Kverv
business has some line of endeavor
which is carried on at a loss. How
many grocers sell coffee and sugar
at cost? Eliminate the bridge tolls?
No, because these costs are more easily
carried than would be the mainte
nance of bridges and tunnels.
If this company cannot adopt the
commission's suggestions without the
vote of the people, by what method
of reasoning did they hope to rescind
their contract with the city without
such a vote? Managers are employed
to work for the stockholders, not
their employes or the public, and this
company's managers are no exception.
You speak of others who hold a
more or less logical opinion (or is a
contract an illogical opinion) that the
company should carry out its contract.
Can The Oregonian tell us how much
this company paid for the Mount Hood
Railway and what was its actual
value? How much the P. R.. L. & P.
Company has paid in dividends during
the eight years, ending 1916? How
many kilowatt they are now selling
the Southern Pacific, Oregon Electric,
United and other roads? How many
kilowatts they now sell their com
petitor, the Northwestern Electric
Company, and at what price? How
much has their legal department cost,
and how many unavoidable accidents
have been caused by faulty trackage
and obsolete rolling: stock?
When, if ever, did they voluntarlly
raise the wage and better the condi
tion of their men?
Who wrote this editorial, anyway?
Before answering read the last para
graph. There can be no possible pride or
philanthropy where a manager and a
board of directors keep their men at
27 cents an hour.
You speak of the next election. In
what way do you imagine another
election will help? S. H. BRAJKEL,
119 Holgate street.
This correspondent submits questions
that have doubtless come to the minds
of many persons. For that reason
they will be answered in considerable
detail.
All of those material to the issue
are answered in the findings and or
der just issued by the Public Service
Commission. The following informa
tion is taken from that document:
Valuations and operating costs of
the car system and the light and
power service have been segregated by
tho Commission.
The Commission cites three decisions
of the United States Supreme Court
to support the conclusion that "any
attempt to compel the unprofitable op
eration of the street railway system
on the theory that other departments
of the utility are earning sufficient
revenue to make the business profita
ble as a whole would, if resisted, fail."
Aside from the legal phase, it finds
that the light and power department
is not in a position to carry the rail
way system.
In regard to the company's contract
with the city to maintain a 5-cent
service the public utilities act empow
ers the Commission to regulate rates
regardless of franchise requirements.
Its Jurisdiction In that particular is
supported by a line of Itgal decisions,
and is asserted by the Commission In
its findings.
Cost of the Mount Hood branch is
not stated in the Commission's order.
Neither valuation of the Mount Hood
rail lines nor the fares charged there
on were Involved in the hearing.
Valuations and fares only on city lines
were in issue.
The Commission's figures on the
company's profits go back only five
years. The net income in 1912-13 wa
6 per cent. In the next year 5.3 per
cent. In the next 3.6 per cent, in the
next 2.3 per cent. In the last 2.8 pr
cent. The percentages apply to the
values found by the Commission.
Electric current sold to other com
panies is supplied by the light and
power department, and as already ex
plained cannot be legally considered In
fixing rates on the railway system.
Tho law expenses of the company
Tor the year ending June 30, 1917.
were $10,776. The Oregonian does not
know whether this Item Is the total
cost of the legal department or
whether pnrt of such cost Is Included
In the Hems or (21,018, salaries and
expenses of general officers, and
131,05$, salaries and expenses of gen
eral office clerks.
The company has raised the wages
of its men 10 per cent since the first
of the year.
The company has no trainmen re
ceiving as low as 27 cents an hour.
Beginners receive 2S cents, and after
six months are raised to 29 cents.
Wages now are Increased each year
until the fifth year, when a maximum
of 31 cents is paid.
As heretofore stated, all the fore
going information is from the find
ings of the Public Service Commission.
Company representatives assert that
there has not In recent years been
any serious accident due to faulty
trackage or obsolete rolling stock.
The accuracy of the statement can he
checked up by anyone so minded by
applying to the Public Service Com
mission, which investigates all acci
dents. The correspondent says: "Tou speak
of the next election. In what way
do you imagine another election will
help?" The Oregonian has not said it
would help. On the other hand, it has
expressed a doubt In that particular.
The election was referred to for the
reason that the Public Service Com
mission suggested that the railway
company's difficulties be composed by
relinquishment by the city of bridge
tolls, paving costs and other extraor
dinary charges. Neither Commission
nor company has power to abolish such
charges. They are fixed by, city char
ter, which can be amended only by
vote of the people.
What Doea Germany Mean T
ALBANY, Or., Oct. 8. (To the Edi
tor.) Can you tell me just what Count
Czernin and central-power statesmen
In general have in mind in their con
stantly recurring demand for "freedom
of the seas"? Have they something
definite In mind, or is this simply a
plausible catch phrase? M. H. E.
This letter is answered in another
column.
As It Passes On.
Florida Times-Union.
"Where am I?"
"In the hospital. Vott were knocked
down by an automobile."
"What make was it?"
"A Blank Blank, the finest car made."
"Ah. 1 remember! It struck me as a
fine car,"
In Other Days.
Half a Century Agro.
From The Oregonian of October 10, 1S67.
State Fair, Salem The scalp of an
Indian is exhibited here bearing this in
scription: "Killed by a friendly In
dian." Queer friend, that!
Express Ranch Last night about
dark two Indians came into the field at
this place and stole two horses out of a
band of five.
A dispatch from Salem states that
the game between the Pioneers and the
Willamettes yesterday resulted in 92
runs for the Pioneers and 25 for the
AVillamettes.
The new steamer Lewiston eailed
from Umatilla for Wallula on the elev
enth to take freight for Lewiston. The
boat worked well and the proprietors
are sanguine of the success of their en
terprise. At the preliminary meeting of the
Pioneers of Oregon at Salem on Monday,
Medorem Crawford. Sr.. was chosen tem
porary president and W. H. Gray tem
porary secretary. Another meeting was
set for Wednesday evening for the
purpose of completing the organization
of the society.
Twenty-five Years Ago.
From The Oregonian of October 10, 1S02.
City Surveyor Hurlburt has just com
pleted a set of blue prints of nil the
additions to the city of Portland for
use In his office.
On Wednesday evening next The
Oregonian will distribute at least 10.
000 copies of the special fair issue, to
be published on that day at the exposi
tion. Lillian Russell, who has deservedly
held a high position in the esteem of all
admirers of comic opera, appears to
night at the Marquam for the first time
as prima donna of her own company.
Contractors have been taking advan
tage of the late fine weather to push
the work in hand with all possible
vigor. The fourth story of the A. O.
U. W. Temple Is finished and a number
of etone columns, which are to orna
ment the fifth story, are nearly all in
place.
The Female Politician.
By James Barton Adams.
SHE arises in the morning, eats her
breakfast with a rush, scans the
columns of her paper as she downs her
oatmeal mush; not the thrilling war
dispatches nor the stirring local news,
but the doings of conventions and the
leader writer s views. She will nibble
at a biscuit and will swallow down a.
sup of the stimulating coffee that is
steaming in the cup, but her glances
never wander from the closely printed
page as she smiles with satisfaction or
her teeth she grits in rage.
She's the female politician who ha3
dreamed she has a mission
Purifying politics from base to dome.
As around the town she's tearing while
her worser half is caring
For the little ones at home, sweet
home.
Every sweet domestic instinct has
been smothered in her brain, just a
thought of household duties gives her a.
Quite hefty pain; she has loftier am
bitions, has an eye on public life, and
she almost hates the fetters that have
bound her as a. wife. She is chummy
with the schemers and the plotters of
the wards, smiles upon t'ae old wheel
horses who manipulate the cards; sees
no line of demarkation 'twixt the party
sheep and goats, gauging character en
tirely by their skill in getting votes.
When her Jaws are oscillating and her
agile tongue vibrating.
How the opposition heads she'll
fiercely comb.
And you'd think to hear her talking so
vociferously shocking
That she never knew a home, sweet
home.
The exalted right of suffrage every
maid and dame who has reached the
ago for voting should in proper manner
claim, should discuss the vital Ques
tions in their own domestic hall, or
when out among the neighbors they
arc making social calls. Thoy should
go and cast their ballots in a quiet,
modest way. cheer and swing their
pretty bonnets when their party win;i
the day, even jotailarly guy the beaten
voters of their sex, telling them how
sharp they got it in their graceful,
swcnlikc necks.
I
But the skirted politician who believes
she has a mission
To reform all public systems base ta
dome.
Would command more admiration, more
outspoken commendation.
As the mother-queen of home, sweet
home.
LEADERS NOT MEN, ALL TO BLAMM
Many Workers Would Ahnadon Strike
Except for I'rnr of "Business Asrnln."
rOr.TLAND, Oct. 9. (To the Editor.)
The present shipyard strike was
called through a iiihps meeting of the
unions involved. The question nt
stnke were the wage and hour, with no
reference to the open or closed shop
issue.
Immediately, however, when the
union powcra found that they bad the
weight of an active strike behind them,
the wage and hour dispute took a IihcIc
neat and the open or closed shop lssuo
came forward.
The recent letters of the strikers
committee, as reported in the papers,
leave no doubt as to this being the)
burning question. Do the majority of
the men now "out" subscribe to this?
1 liavo followed carefully the prog
ress of the strike, and know personally
w great many men now out of employ
ment throuRh the strike tuition mem
bers). Many of them are opposed to
further continuance of the strike, since
their ends as originally demanded have
been gained, but thoy are afraid of the
powers of the paid "business agent."
who with the proportion of radicals'
and rabid "union uber allcs" members
would promptly brand them as "scabs'
were they to voice their true opinions.
Will Messrs. Bottomley & Co. call :v
mass meeting of all who are now on
strike and take a secret or written vote,
not a rising or spoken vote, to decide
yes or no as to a continuance of the
strike under its present changed front?
I will answer my own question. They
will not.
This is written in justice to a great
many unfortunate victims of a very
vicious and tyrannical system the
unions as now handled not against
the right of workmen to organize for
legitimate reasons and purposes.
A VICTIM.
Krewh Toaatora All Winter.
PASCO. Wash., Oct. S. (To the FJd.
ilor.) I notice a short Item of advice
to those whose tomatoes don't get ripe
to "put them in a dark, warm cellar."
After the first frost I gather all to.
matoes, put them In shallow boxes, or
other receptacles, not more than two
deep, and store them in the kitchen,
storeroom or cellar. The tomatoes will
ripen according to warmth of room and
will furnish ripe ones for continuous
use.
Those In the cellar will be pale, t
sold tomatoes for New Year's dinners
and used the last for Washington'.
birthday. As long as they are not
frozen they w ill retain their flavor.
W. 1'. UltAT.
r