Morning Oregonian., November 17, 1917, Page 5, Image 5

THE 3IORXLNG OKEGOXIAN, SA1L1CDAY, U VliJUiElt 17, 11)17.
MAY
SPECIAL TAX
BE DROPPED LATER
Unpaid Street Assessments in
Hands of Committee.
CITY'S CREDIT ENDANGERED
tM'incipal Delinquency Said to Be
Due From Large Tracts Partial
ly Developed During Real
Estate Boom Here.
Before deciding finally to levy a spe
cial tax of 1 mill to provide fund3 with
which the city can cover the delin
quency of property owners in the pay
ment of street assessments and inter
est, the City Council will attempt to
find some other means of handling: the
problem, according to a decision reached
yesterday.
Mayor Baker, at a meeting with a
number of bankers and representative
business men, appointed a committee to
go into the subject and make a report
before the date for fixing the 1918 levy
expires. This committee is composed
of H. V. Corbett, chairman; William
Morrow, C. S. Jackson, Paul Wesslnger
and Richard W. Montague.
City's Credit KnilaDSrrril.
The subject of delinquency was dis
cussed in detail at the meeting with
these men and others yesterday. It
was shown that the city has received
from property owners this year virtu
Ally $211,000 less than the amount nec
essary to be paid out in interest on
bonds sold to finance street and sewer
improvements for property owners.
This delinquency has to be made up in
stome way or the city will be forced to
default in payment of interest on its
bonded debt and will therefore impair
Its credit.
The city's financial condition was ex
plained by Deputy City Auditor Grutzo.
It was shown that since 1911 the city
has lost $800,000 in its annual receipts
from licenses and other sources apart
from taxation.
Revenue Falling; Off.
Among the principal items of loss be
tween the years mentioned are the fol
lowing: Liquor licenses, $396,000 re
ceived In 1911; nothing to be received
in 1918; municipal court fines. $43,000
in 1911; $24,000 estimated for 1918; re
ceipts from engineering fees, $296,000 in
1911, $35,000 estimated for 1918; pre
miums on bonds in 1911. $107,000; esti
mated for 1918, nothing; interest on de
posits in banks, $65,000 in 1911; $5500
estimated for 191S; general licenses in
1911, $71,000, estimated for 1618 $35,000.
It was explained that the 6 per cent
tax limitation law enacted at the last
state election eliminates the possibility
of the city providing an emergency
fund of sufficient size to provide for
this delinquency. This leaves only two
methods to raise the money. One is to
raise a special tax of 1 mill, or about
$285,000, and the other Is for the or
ganization of some private concern to
buy the delinquent property when it is
offered for sale. The committee will
look into the possibilities along this
line.
Large Tract Delinquent.
It was explained that the principal
delinquency is in large and partially
undeveloped tracts which were im
proved during the real estate boom
days years ago, and the city's credit
used to finance them. Vast improve
ments were made, and bonded with tiie
city under the Bancroft bonding act.
the owners of these tracts have failed
to pay the interest to the city, and the
city in turn has had great difficulty in
meeting its interest obligations. There
has been loaned already from the gen
eral fund a total of $900,000 to meet
these charges.
Tracts specially mentioned as being
delinquent are Kings Heights, Arling
ton Heights, Council Crest Heights,
parts of Rose City Park, and Beau
mont. There are several others which
were classed at yesterday's meeting as
"wildcat" additions.
The Council has decided that rather
than take any chance of the city's credit
bring impaired, the 1-mill special tax
shall be provided tentatively. If any
other method can be devised of finan
cing the delinquency, this tax will be
dropped out before the levy is finally
fixed.
leagues in a demand for an immediate
armistice and a speedy peace.
This will be made a special note at
meetings held in accordance with the
rsoIution adopted at the party's con
vention at AVurzburg to demonstrate
for peace without annexations or in
demnities. LONDON', Nov. 16. The independent
Socialist group in the German Reich
stag has requested the President to
convoke an immediate session of the
Reichstag to discuss the peace offer
of Nikolai Lenine, leader of the Rus
sian Bolsheviki, the Amsterdam cor
respondent of the Central News cables.
Tho independent Socialists also ask
that the Reichstag t2ke"up considera
tion of the new state of affairs as re
gards Courland, Lithuania and Poland.
No word has reached this country of
a peace offer by the Bolsheviki to Ger
many, although telegraphic communi
cation has been Ftopped for nearly a
week. The programme of the Bolshe
viki calls for an armistice, but it is
understood their purpose 13 to address
their proposals to all the belligerents
and not to arrange a separate peace
with Germany.
COPENHAGEN, Nov. 16. A dispatch
to the Politiken from Haparanada re
ports that according to latest advices
barricade fighting is taking place in
Petrograd.
GOWDRAY FIRST OUT
Under Northcliffe's Fire Air
Board Loses Chairman.
STRONG LETTER BRINGS ACT
AMEDEE SMITH iff D
OFFICER OF REALTY ASSOCIATES
TO HEAD RED CROSS.
MUrn Alice Strong, Acting; Secretary, to
Remain In Mr. Smith's Em
ploy for the Present.
Amedee Smith, vice-president of the
Realty Associates. and well-known
Portland business man, has accepted
the management of the Portland chap
ter of the American Red Cross.
Mr. Smith is a volunteer worker, but
will devote his entire time to building
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Photo by Bushnell.
Amedee Smith. Newly Appointed
(eneral Manager of the Port
land Chapter of the American
Red Crona.
up the Portland chapter, and placing
it on a war-time efficiency plane. Six
counties will come under Mr. Smith's
jurisdiction, including Multnomah
Clackamas, "Washington, Tillamook, Co
lumbia and Clatsop.
Miss Alice Strong has been acting as
executive secretary, but for some time
past has urged the executive board to
make a permanent appointment. It
was decided Wednesday to tender the
position to Mr. Smith, immediately fol
lowing his return to Portland. A com
mlttee called on him Thursday, and
Mr. Smith announced his decision last
night.
.Following Mr. Smiths acceptance of
the position Miss Alice Strong tendered
her services as his private secretary
until he becomes accustomed to the
routine of lied Cross headquarters. Mr.
Smith will assume charge Monday.
FORD AIDS GOVERNMENT
AUTOMOBILE MAKER JOINS STAFF
, OF SHIPPING BOARD.
Taak Will Be to Introduce Multiple
Methods of Production Into
i Shipbuilding.
WASHINGTON', Nov. 16. Henry Ford
Joined the staff of the Shipping Board
today to lend his talent for standardi
zation of prdouction in speeding up the
building of a merchant fleet. He was
made a special assistant to Charles
Piez, vice-president of the Board's
Emergency Fleet Corporation.
Mr. Ford will begin work next week
and will spend most of his time in
"Washington. His particular task will
be to introduce into shipbuilding the
multiple production methods he has
used with such marked success in pro
ducing automobiles. He will -ive
especial attention to organizing "the
manufacture of ship parts.
Already Mr. Ford has begun to turn
over to the Government the facilities
of his plant at Detroit for the manu
facture of war materials. His factory
is now making 2500 airplane cylinders,
turning out a large number of parts
for Liberty motor-trucks and soon will
be put to making equipment for mer
chant ships.
The fleet corporation is undergoing a
complete reorganization with widely
known business men in charge of its
chief departments.
BATTLE IS ON AT WALLS
(Continued From First Pa bp.)
at hard labor for revolting against "the
deposed provisional government."
STOCKHOLM. Nov. 16. Despite the
re-establishment of telegraphic com
munication with Petrograd. only a few
messages have been received, and these
dated Monday or Tuesday.
Because of the general strike in Fin
Jand. preventing travel, another source
cf news has been cut off.
COPENHAGEN. Nov. 16. The Ger
man majority Socialists, not to be out
done by tho radical Socialists, have Is
sued an appeal urging the greatest ac
tivity In holding meetings to proclaim
solidarity with their Russian col
5200 GIFS PROVIDED
EXCESS OF 10OO PRESENTS FUR
NISHED BY TAG SALES.
Laurelharst Club Includes Addressed
Envelopes in Soldiers and Sailors
Packages Letters Expected.
How many soldiers and sailors did
the Christmas fund tag day provide
gifts for? Approximately D200. or 1000
more than it volunteered to take
care of.
Checks made payable to the Red
Cross soldiers' and sailors' Christmas
fund, aggregating $7800, have been
turned over to L. A. McArthur, of the
Red Cross, by Mrs. Ferdinand E. Reed
chairman of the special committee of
clubwomen who conducted the drive.
Portland's quota was 6123 packages.
When the tag day drive was launched
more than 4000 packages remained to
be provided for. With this number as
its objective, requiring $6000, the com
mittee set to work. There was joy in
Red Cross circles when It became
known that they had overshot the
mark. It is now predicted that Port
land, when various Red Cross units and
auxiliaries report, will oversubscribe its
gift quota by 50 per cent.
In the packages represented by the
efforts of the Laurelhurst Club com
mittee which sold $1 tags, envelopes of
the club, addressed for return, are be
ing included at Red Cross headquarters.
The club anticipates an influx of in
teresting letters.
Read The Oregonian classified ads.
Xotcd Editor and Head of British
Mission to "United States Takes
Occasion to Ease Mind in Re
fusal to Accept Portfolio.
LONDON. Nov. 16. Viscount Cow
dray, chairman of the British air board,
has resigned as a consequence of Lord
Northcliffe's letter to Premier Lloyd
Gecrge.
Viscount Cowdray. in his letter to
the Premier tendering his resignation,
protested against receiving through
Lord .Northcliffe's letter to the press
the first intimation that the Premier
desired a change in the War Ministry.
Viscount Cowdray added he hoped the
resignation would be accepted as speed
ily as possible.
Lord Northcliffe's letter to Premier
Lloyd George, dated yesterday, from
the London office of the, British mis
sion to the United States, said:
"Dear Prime Minister: I have given
anxious consideration to your repeated
invitations that 1 should take charge
of the new air ministry. The reasons
which impelled me to decline that great
honor and responsibility are In no way
concerned with the office which is
rightly to be set up. They are roughly
as follows:
England Called to Account.
"Returning after five months spent
in the virile atmosphere of the United
States and Canada. I find that, while
these two countries are proceeding
with their war preparations with a
fervor and enthusiasm little under
stood on this side of the Atlantic;
while the United States instantly put
into operation conscription over which
w wobbled for two years and Is mak
ing short work of sedition mongers;
while Canada already has given such
proofs of thoroughness as the dis
franchisement of conscientious objec
tors and the denaturalization of all
enemy aliens naturalized within the
last 15 years; while we, for our part,
are asking Immense sacrifices from
tl ese peoples, there still are In office
here those who dally with such ur
gent questions as that of unity of war
control, eradication of sedition, mo
bilization of the whole man and woman
power of the country and the intro
duction of compulsory food rations.
"I had personal experience while in
America of the obstruction and delay
certain depai-tmen : . i London,
which, tor example. p--tpo -ending
Lord Reading's vital . .il in-cess-
ful mission. I find tli hip still
being misused and thai .;i various
pesitions of authority uhu .-iu.-uld have
been punished have Ijtr i retained and
in some cases elevated. The spirit of
the men and women of Great Britain
is clearly as eager and splendid as
ever. We have, in my belief, the most
efficient army in the world, led by one
of the greatest Generals, and I am
well aware of the tine achievements
of many others of our soldiers, sailors
and statesmen, but 1 feel in the pres
ent circumstances I can do better work
if I maintain my independence and am
not gagged by a loyalty that I do not
feel towards the whole of your admin
istration. "I take this opportunity of thanking
you and the war cabinet for the hand
some message of praise sent me as rep
resenting the 500 officials of the Brit
ish war mission to the United States,
many of them volunteers and exiles.
Their achievements and those of their
10.000 assistants deserve to be better
known by their countrymen. The fact
that their work is rot known is due
to the absurd secrecy about the war
which still is prevalent. Everything
these officials are doing is known to
our American friends, and, of course,
to the Germans.
"I trust I make no breach of confi
dence in saying that some of the docu
ments which have passed through my
hands as head of the mission are such
as, if published, greatly would increase
our prestige in the United States and
hearten our people at home.
"May I also take this opportunity of
giving warning about our relations
with that great people from whom I
come. We have had the tragedy of
Russia, due partly to lack of allied
propaganda to counteract that of the
Germans. We have had the tragedy of
Italy, largely due to that same enemy
propaganda. We have had the trage
dies of Serbia, Roumania and Monte
negro. There is one tragedy which I
am sure we will not have, and that is
the tragedy of the United States.
"But from countless conversations
with leading Americans I know that
unless there is swift improvement in
our methods here, the United States
rightly will take into its own hands
the entire management of a great part
of the war. It will not sacrifice its
blood and treasure to the Incompetent
handling of tho affairs of Kurope.
"In saying all this, which is very
much on my mind, believe me, I have
none but the most friendly feeling
toward yourself and that I am greatly
honored by your suggestion.
"Yours sincerely,
"NORT HCLI FFE."
LLOYD GEORGE UNDER FIRE
Press Comments Boldly on Nortli
cliffe's Letter to Premier.
LONDON, Nov. 16. The newspapers
comment extensively on Lord North
cliffe's letter to Premier Lloyd-George,
in which he declined appointment as
Air Minister, and criticised the govern
ment on the ground that it was dally
ing with auch problems as unity of war
control, eradication of sedition, mobili
zation of manpower and introduction of
compulsory food rationing.
The Globe says the gravest of all
Lord Northcliffe's warnings is that con
cerning the temper of the American
Nation; that the American people think,
and think rightly, that Great Britain's
rulers have muddled the war. This
newspaper declares the letter, while ad
dressed to the Prime Minister, Is In
truth written to the nation, and adds:
"If we do not heed It we shall de
serve any fate that may befall us."
The Pall Mall Gazette says:
"The present government has been
almost a year In office and It would not
be too soon for the Premier to see
whether it can be revised In the inter
ests of greater energy and clearer per
ception of what is meant by war."
The Westminster Gazette says:
"Other distinguished men have felt
like this, but none of them hitherto has
expressed his sentiments in the blunt
vernacular or made refusal of such high
office the occasion for lecturing the
Prime Minister on the shortcomings of
his administration, . . . Those who
make others scapegoats are always in
fear of being scapegoats themselves."
DIVERS TO FIGHT DIVERS
SUBMARINE BEST ANTIDOTE FOR
SUB.MARINE, SAY EXPERTS.
Triumph Predicted in End Because
American Workmen Are More
Capable Than Teutons.
SEW YORK, Nov. 16. Predictions
that enemy submarines will soon make
their appearance off American ports,
that the submarine will be found to be
the best antidote for the submarine,
and that the great world powers in the
near future will have flotillas of "con-tra-submarines."
especially built for
operating against undersea craft, were
made by speakers wh addressed the
annual convention of the Society of
Naval Architects and Marine Engineers
here today.
American Industrial workmen are
more capable than the industrial work
ers of Germany, Henry Lawrence Gantt,
a mechanical engineer, declared. "Amer
icans turn out more dollars' worth in
the ratio of wages received," he said.
"Efficiency of the German organiza
tion, as a whole," he added, "is bet
ter because the autocratic military au
thority has forced Industry to co-oper
ate. The human relationship is the
most vital thing in American industrial
ife."
F. A. and J. L. RascTi Confused.
Fred A. Rasch. examinter for the
State Public Service Commission,
leaped into sudden bu tundesired prom
inence yesterday In connection with
the publication of thep roceedings of
joint committees conducting an Inves
tigation into the situation with regard
to the Portland Railway, Light & Pow
er Company. G. L. Rauch was chair
man of that committee, and Mr. Rasch
says that dozens of people took it that
he is the man, and wondered why the
Commission had anything to do with
the subject at this time. It has noth
ing whatever to do with It, he points
out; neither has he.
Stolen Auto Found.
OREGON CITY. Or., Nov. 16. (Spe
cial.) Sheriff Wilson tonight found
the automobile stolen from Robert
SATURDAY
Boys' Day at This Store
Norfolk Suits
with extra knickers
$12.50
There are dozens of patterns here in. sturdy
Norfolks, tailored from full-weight tweed,
cheviot and novelty woolens.
Fathers and mothers will appreciate the
value as well as the style in this exceptionally
large array of suits at $12.50.
Other Suits S5 to $20
Buy Winter Overcoats Now
Here are full stocks of Overcoats for children and boys. Come
today and select from cleverly tailored, stylish garments that will give
abundant service.
Boys' Overcoats $6.50 to $15
Children's Overcoats $5 to $15
Mackinaws $5 to $8.50
Boys' Shop, Second Floor Elevator
en
B
elliri
MorrisonStreet at Fourth;
x3
Krlms. of Portland, near "Sew Era. The
engine had been damaged and the car
was towed here. It had been abandoned.
Hatchery Gets Salmon Eggs.
ASTORIA. Or.. Nov. 16. (Special.)
The first shipment of the season, con
sisting of 750.000 Chinook salmon eggs.
was received at the Klatskanine River
hatchery today. Further shipments .of
about 1,000.000 each are expected at
Intervals durtng the coming few weeks.
The Klatskanine River plant will handle
6,000,000 chlnook eggs this eeason.
Logging Camp Victim Hurled.
FOREST GROVE. Or.. Nov. 16 (Pne.
cial.) The body of Frank Panes was
brought here for burial today in the
Gales Creek cemetery. Mr. Ranes was
killed at Keny. a logging camp near
Astoria, while loading logs on a freight
train. A log caught his head against a
stake on the car and crushed his skull,
lie was 33 years old. He was a.
brother of John Kann. of On1s Orek.
f-iThose who seek charm and 'feij-l
Mbal refinement in home surround- s ',g,,Pi!!5ja iJ v
SSv! the Residential Garden Spo ilSlSaST? H J ; '
Kn M of Portland. T&!p " V""" 'V
mi LADD ESTATE I
W;l$t COMPANY '
- Stark at Second. Jj jj 'tH-r " :
Can the Bolsheviki
trangle Free Russia?
No hopeless view of the Bolsheviki uprising in Petrograd is taken by American edi
torial observers although it is frankly recognized that the plan for a separate Russo
German peace might help solve Germany's food problem and release many German soldiers
from the Eastern front. In the view of an Associated Press correspondent, just returned
from Petrograd, however, the uprising gives the Bolsheviki the rope with which to hang
themselves, and this view is shared by the well-informed Russkoye Slovo, a Russian daily
published in New York.
"The Bolsheviki may occupy all the palaces and strongholds of Petrograd," remarks this
Russian journal, "as they did during their insurrection last July; they may impose their
will briefly upon the members of the Government and claim control of the capital, but they
can not dominate for more than a brief period, the indignant, loyal forces of the Russian
nation."
For a clear explanation and understanding of the causes leading up to, and the possible
outcome of, the overturning of the Kerensky Government you should read THE LITER
ARY DIGEST for November 17th. By direct quotation from leading journals, American
and foreign, the reader is able to obtain a clear knowledge of all the facts in this very crit
ical juncture in the world's war.
Other subjects that will claim your interest in this number of THE DIGEST are:
Germany Thinks America "Worthless" as a Military Power
Sarcastic Comments of the German Press Upon America and the American Army
New York's Return to Tammany
Torpedoing: the Yellow Peril
The Food-Problem in Europe
Why We Catch Cold
Pipe That Will Not Break
Catapulting; Seaplanes
Prison-Camp Verse
Sixty-five Years in One Pastorate
India's Viceroy Indorses Home Rule
News of France and Commerce
Suffragists Take New York State
Showing: the French How to Unload
Ships
Rebuilding: Ruined French Towns
Our Husky City Boys
The Boston Symphony and Patriotism
Another Tagore
A Chance for the Church to Lead
Striking Illustrations, Including an Exclusive Reproduction of a Lithograph
By the American Artist, Joseph Pennell
Special, Commencing This Week "War-Time Food Problems"
PREPARED BV THE V. S. FOOD ADMINISTRATION AT WASHINGTON.
Under the heading "War-Time Food Prob
lems," TIIE LITERARY DIGEST will here
after contain an important department, the
material for which is prepared especially for
"The Digest" by the United States Food Admin
istration. This new department will contain authorita
tive and practical information for every man,
woman and child in America. " Methods for sav
ing money in buying food and cooking it ;
recipes for health-giving and economic dishes;
how excessive profits are being curtailed ; what
to do to prevent overcharging ; how you can co
operate for your own benefit and the benefit of
the American people, and for our sons who are
upholding American manhood in the training
camps in this country and on the battlefields of
Europe; these are just a few of the subjects
that will be covered each week.
This Department is ideally adapted for use in
high schools and includes lesson-plans to make
the information available for classroom use.
November 17th Number on Sale Today All News-dealers 10 Cents
The
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FUNK & WAGNALLS COMPANY (Publisher of the Famou NEW Standard Uictionary).NEW YORK