13
THE MORNING OREGOXIAN, FEIDAT. DECEMBER 21, 1917. "
rOBTLAND, OEEGON.
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PORTLAND. FRIDAY, DEO. II. 1917.
A WORD TO THE FAKT-HEARTED.
Faint-hearted people occasionally
ask In tremulous tones: ""Will the Ger
mans break through?" They have
before their minds an overwhelming
Teuton force such as swept through
Belgium and France In 1914 and such
as drove the Russians out of Galicla
and Poland in 1915, and the Italians
to the Plave In 1917, and they imagine
that another such tidal wave of bar
barism may overwhelm the French
and British armies in 1918.
These timid people need to be re
minded of certain incontrovertible
tacts of the war in order that they
may form a correct judgment of the
present situation, for by their mental
attitude they unconsciously play the
German game. The first is that since
the battle of the Marne the Germans
have not permanently made a sub
stantial gain of ground on the western
front. Every permanent move which
they have made has been backward.
They tried to break through at Tpres
In October and November. 1914, when
they outnumbered the British four to
one and had an immense supply of
guns and ammunition, while the Brit
ish had few guns and few shells. They
hurled their best troops against a
thin living wall of flesh, and they re
coiled. They tried it again at Tpres
In April and May, 1916, when the Brit
ish vere little stronger, and again
the living wall held. They tried at
Verdun, in 1916, and at Incredible cost
stained a few miles In depth, but the
French regained it all in a few thrusts,
which in the aggregate . occupied few
more days than the Germans had
spent months in their advance. Since
July 1, 1916. they have been steadily
beaten back, on the Somme. on the
Alsne, at Arras, at Tpres and at Cam
bra 1, and have only recovered a frac
tion of the ground lost near the last
named place. All other counter-attacks
have failed. Their best troops
have been drawn from other fronts
to the west, "Where they have been
slaughtered by wholesale and where
at least 200,000 have been taken pris
oners. : In the face of this unbroken record
of defeat, whence comes the fear that
Germany may win in the west? It
comes from the moral effect of Ger
man victories In other fields against
weaker antagonists. Only against
Serbia was Germany unaided by other
than military causes, and there she
had vastly superior forces, supported
by Bulgaria's attack on the Serbian
flank. Russia was defeated by trea
son, which withheld ammunition, for
so long as she had material and arms,
her troops whipped the Austrians and
held the Germans even. Rou mania
was beaten by the treason both -of the
Russian government and of some ot
her own officers. Italy was beaten as
much by propaganda which had shak
en the army's morale as by military
force. But throughout It has been
German strategy to deal a crushing
blow at a weak enemy, among whom
treason and propaganda had already
prepared the way, and then to use
such victories in inspiring her stronger
foes with despair, that they may be
deluded into a German peace. There
fore those who permit themselves to
be thus impressed are playing the
German game.
It is no, rash statement to say that
the last risk of Germany's breaking
the western front died at Verdun. She
is now outmatched in the west in
every respect. She has about two mil
lion men opposed to three million
French, two million British, a stead
ily growing American army, about
two hundred thousand Belgians and a
considerable Portuguese contingent.
The British have ample reserves and
will not have reached their maximum
strength till next Spring. The Ger
mans have about two million men on
the Russian front and the Austrians
about half a million, but If all of these
should be transferred to the west, the
allies would still outnumber them!
The best German troops, the men In
the prime of life, have been used up
and the ranks have been filled with
boys and old men, while the British
have only begun to use their best
military material. The allies are so
far superior In artillery that they fire
two tons of metal to the Germans'
one, and they make more hits, for
their airmen bring down the German
planes before they cross the line. If
Germany could not win with such
odds in her favor as at the first bat
tle of Tpres, it is a moral and physical
Impossibility that she can win now
with the odds so heavily against her,
except by one of those streaks of luck
or genius or by some Inconceivable
blunder, such as rarely occur in war,
especially modern war.
This should not be taken as justi
fying any relaxation of effort to put
the largest possible American army
in the field at the earliest possible
date. It is not enough to prevent
Germany from winning; the demo
cratic nations must win, and win
soon, for great prolongation of the
war would leave the world so ex
hausted in manpower and material
resources that it might take genera
tions to recover. Every day by which
our preparations are hastened saves
many lives and lessens the debt to
be paid by posterity.
Discovery that the blind can learn
to wind coils for motors and dynamos
has simplified the problem of finding
employment for persons of both sexes
so afflicted. In the opinion of those
who have watched recent experiments
in New Jersey manufacturing towns,
where a school for teaching them was
opened recently and where two score
of blind men and women already are
working; steadily. Many millions of
colls are used every year and there
will be a wide field of employment.
The work has been greatly aided by
Boy Scouts and Camp Fire Girls who
have volunteered their services to the
Double Duty Finger Guild, and have
been engaged In guiding the sightless
workers to and from their workroom.
There are several hundred thousand
Boy Scouts and Camp Fire Girls In the
United States, and they are dally show,
lng that they Intend to neglect no
field In which they can be useful.
UXFA LA T A II I.F. TRUTHS.
The Oregonian had an article from
its correspondent at Camp Greene, in
North Carolina, last October, setting
forth the details of a meeting of citi
zens of Charlotte and certain Arm)
officers wherein sundry unpleasant
facts about the vice and sanitary con
ditions of the town not the camp
were freely discussed. The article
appears to have given great offense
to a newspaper or two which deemed
It the duty of The Oregonian and
other recorders of events to suppress,
and not to express, any opinion, br re
port any occurrence not entirely com
plimentary to the Administration in
its preparation for war. Well, It's
our Administration and our war.
In such a Portland newspaper
there appeared, doubtless through In
advertence, the other day, an official
report from Surgeon General Gorgas,
a distinguished sanitarian, on condi
tions at Camp Funston, Kan.. Camp
Sevier, S. C, Camp Doniphan, Okla.,
and Camp Bowie, Texas. The find
ings of General Gorgas are:
Excessive deaths at the camps due to
over-crowding.
Failure of Winter clothing to arrive.
Location of camps in infectious territories.
Inadequate and Incomplete hospital fa
cilities. Pneumonia, meningitis, mnmps and
measles cause many deaths.
Serious enough, indeed. The most
Interesting part of the report is about
Camp Funston, about which It Is said:
"I eall attention to the fact that they
had eighty-four deaths (In the last month)
when the normal death rate of such a com
mand should be about twelve."
This part of the country. General Gorges
says, has been well known as a center of
endemlo meningitis to all health officers for
years. Tot. the camp was built In the
river bottom, where storms of dust blow
about the streets. To the dust and crowd
ing he attributes the excessive pneumonia
rate. The men had no Winter clothing and
no heat in the barracks.
What, we wonder, were the influ
ences and representations used to pro
cure the selection of Camp Funston?
What, also, shall be done about
General Gorgas. who Insists upon
making unpalatable disclosures?
Should he be hanged, or '.merely
branded as a vicious propagator of
Pro-Prussian propaganda?
Or should General Gorgas be
thanked for. his patriotic and honest
service to the country?
A PATRIOT.
On days that may be a little dark
because of apparent slowness of the
people to respond to war's demands
If such days shall come we shall
turn for comfort to this page and this
column and read once more this letter
from Jack Monroe, ot Newberg:
NBWBEHO, Or.. Deo. 19. (To the Ed
itor.) I am a stockman on my section of
and. I grow wheat and cattle to feed the
allies. I have two big boys who Joined
the Army and now are at the front shoot
ing down autocracy.
When they left me and ma and sisters
they said: "We love America with its lib
erty and we shall have It at all times.
That's why we go to fight."
Ood bless those boys of mine. Wo would
need no draft If all were like them.
The section Is short on help with the
boys gone, but sisters are helplna what
they can and ma Is. too. We support our
boys all we can. We bought liberty bonds,
helped the Red Cross and Y. M. C. A. The
whole family lg for Uncle Bam. Tour for
liberty always. JACK MONROE.
Letters have been written by others
who have sacrificed at the Nation's
call, but often such sacrifices are
mentioned as ground for complaint
that this or that has not been done
for those who have given so much.
Not so with Jack Monroe's letter.
The whole family, he tells us, is for
Uncle Sam. They have given of their
flesh and blood, ma and sisters are
helping with farm work that two
stalwart sons once performed, and pa
is putting money into liberty bonds.
Red Cross work, T. M. C A, activi
ties, because such things help the two
sons over there and insure continu
ance of the blessings of liberty. That's
all there is to It, but It is enough for
Jack Monroe.
In spite of comparison with other
letters we think the Newberg stock
man is typical and the writers of the
other letters exceptions. Most of the
whole-souled patriotism we hear noth
ing about, so it is encouraging to be
thus reminded that it does exist; that
there are thOBe in the land who take
as a matter of course the lesser pri
vations of us who are left at home;
that there are those whose thoughts
are not of higher prices for produce,
or shorter hours of work; and that
there are those who only pray "God
bless my boys" and then pitch In to
help God do it.
SAVE THE POTATO SACKS.
- The potato sack is beginning to
play a more Important part In our
economy. It is not altogether a ques
tion of cost, which is advancing, but
of being able to obtain sacks at any
price. Bulk handling has partly
solved the problem - of grain ship
ments, but potatoes cannot be so dis
posed of. Imports of new sacks have
been curtailed by restrictions on ship
ping, and the large crop of tubers
will depend for marketing largely
upon supplies of sacks already used.
Necessity' for saving sacks is im
pressed upon consumers by the . Ex
tension Division of the University of
Idaho in a recent bulletin, which says
that the larger part of the western
crop Is delivered to the people in
sacks which are never used again.
Formerly their value was small and
they went the way of other things
we are in the habit of wasting. Sacks
deteriorate rapidly when allowed to
stand on a dirt floor for any length
of time. The potatoes also suffer in
the process. It Is better for the lat
ter to empty them into a bin' and if
the sacks are hung up to dry they
will have a distinct commercial value.
American potato growers formerly
depended for their supplies of sacks
upon the returned grain sacks from
Europe, which had been stretched in
handling, but which still served their
secondary purpose. These have now
been diverted to the number of many
.millions to the Army fronts, where
they are filled with soil and utilized
in making ramparts. So great has
been the demand that it is said that
in the Far East silks and even ori
ental tapestries have been employed
for this purpose.
It is estimated that the potato crop
of Idaho alone will require 3,000,000
sacks, which, at even 10 cents apiece,
will represent the altogether worth
while sum of $300,000. Saving them
would be a measure of economy to
which pearly every householder can
contribute. It is a work in which
children can help. Not a sack should
be wasted which contains possibilities
of further service.
BEATING THE U-BOAT.
Evidence that the submarine is be
ing mastered, both in decrease of the
number ef sinkings and in increase
of the number of new ships, is to
be found in the large increase of ex
ports from the United States for
October, both as compared with the
three preceding months and with the
same month of 1916. The total for
July, August and September was
$151,000,000 less than for -the same
months of last year, but October
showed an Increase over September of
$55,600,000, over July of $168,000,000
and over October last year of $48,
600,000. the total being $541,600,000.
The decrease for the three Summer
months is ascribed to submarine rav
ages and to the diversion of ships to
transportation of troops and their
supplies, but movement of troops still
continues. The natural Inference Is
that fewer ships are sunk and that
more are In service as they are
launched from American and British
yards.
Shipbuilding Is thus having a most
beneficial effect on our foreign trade,
which must be one of the sources of
wealth with which we pay for the
war. Ships are one of the few prod
ucts of war industry which will be a
permanent gain to the country. When
they are no longer needed to carry
troops and supplies, they will consti
tute an American merchant marine
second In tonnage only to that of
Great Britain. But It will be neces
sary. In order that we may maintain
it, that the shipping laws undergo
wholesale revision.
A GENERAL CALX FOB THE TRUTH.
From all sections of the country and
from people of all parties have come
definite charges that there have been
delay, Inefficiency, neglect in pro
viding the necessaries of war. There
was delay in building cantonments and
they are deficient in sanitation and
hospitals. Some tent camps, like
Camp Mills, which were presumably
Intended only for Summer use and
were mere shelters without floors,
drainage or baths, were Inhabited 'un
til a blizzard swept over them. Winter
overtook the troops before they had
been supplied with heavy clothing or
blankets. Pneumonia and meningitis
have taken as many lives as would be
lost in a small engagement, and un
preparedness is the chief cause. De
livery of rifles, machine guns and field
guns is slow, and men are drilling
with sticks for rifles and cordwood
sticks for cannon, while many ma
chine gun companies have never seen
a machine gun. The shipbuilding pro
gramme Is still largely on paper. Rail
roads are swamped with trafflo and
lack of money to provide means of
handling it. This is the situation after
we have been at war for nearly nine
months.
During the recess many Congress
men have visited the Army camps and
have seen the deficiencies for them
selves. Some have sons, others rela
tives and friends In the Army, who
bring the facts home to them. They
have mingled freely with their con
stituents, and everywhere they have
found zeal expressed in every form of
volunteer effort, from Army and Navy
enlistment and acceptance of and aid
to the draft to subscription of liberty
loans and donations to the Red Cross
and the Y. M. C. A. This zeal Is
accompanied by profound discontent
with the slowness and slackness of the
Government. Doubt grows whether
the machinery which must keep the
Army and Navy supplied Is equal to
the task, or whether It Is in competent
hands. A feeling of shame exists at
the spectacle of our allies yielding up
their lives without stint, relying upon
early help from our boasted great re
sources, when so little has been done
to bring the weight of those resources
to bear.
These sentiments have borne fruit
in investigation by Congress of every
department of war work. They are
not partisan investigations, merely de
signed to discredit the Administration,
for the initiative was taken by staunch
Democrats such as Senator Chamber
lain. They have already confirmed
the worst reports as to the past,
though they show that some of
the deficiencies have been made
good. But they have revealed a de
gree of slowness, bureaucratic lelsure
liness, which suggests downright In
competence, while divisions and con
flict of authority suggest the need that
administrative machinery be scrapped
by wholesale, to be replaced by a new
system in which authority and re
sponsibility will be central and direct.
Newspapers which support the Ad
ministration are as outspoken in their
demand for strict inquiry and reform
as any. " The New York World agrees
that "all war activities are proper sub
jects for Congressional inquiry," but
It expects that Inquiry Into food con
trol by a committee of which Senator
Reed is chairman and Senators La
Follette and Vardaman are influential
members, will degenerate into muck
raking. It also finds "something
ridiculous" in such investigations con
ducted "by a Congress that obstinately
refuses to establish a war budget or
even create a central committee to
control the appropriations" and which
enacted "such a monstrosity as the
recent war tax bill."
Referring to the Army camps and
equipment, the New York Times, also
a supporter of the President, says the
Investigation "must be thorough and
must be open," for "the real condi
tions of unpreparedness are known to
the enemy, it may be assumed." It
says that "nothing could be gained by
muddling along." and It finds assur
ance of non-partisan good faith in the
leadership of Senator Chamberlain
and Senator Wadsworth. Deficiencies
are ascribed to "the necessity of
having to do things In a hurry and to
deal with unorganized agencies of
supply." It concludes:
Obviously there Is a good deal to come
out not pleasant to read In this Important
investigation, but it should lead to co-ordination,
unself lBh duty and effort by all
concerned, and dispatch. Let all the facta
come out and the responsibility be fixed,
even If some officials have to retire in the
Interest of efficiency and capacity.
In approving the inquiry into mili
tary equipment, the New York Even
ing Post, also a supporter of the ma
jority party, ridicules "the busy of
ficial and semi-official promulgators'
of warnings and cautions and -'hists'
to newspapers and public," for they
warn against "speculating on terribly
important matters, though they were
common knowledge." It has this to
say of these lasrers of mystery:
Too often military caution Is simply a
method of creating the Impression of wis
dom where It la not, of lending an air of
verisimilitude to an otherwise bald and un
convincing bureaucrat. We do not want
muck-raking, and we do not want babbling,
but the frowning brow and the arms folded
ominously over the bureaucratic chest are
silly and Irritating. .
Congress is said by the independent
New York Herald to be "acting within
its rights and in the line of its plain
duty" in investigating, but, referring
to the Senators who Inspire the in
quiry into the food and fuel shortages.
It expresses suspicion that "the Inves
tigation movement, so far as those in
dividual Senators are concerned, is in
spired by spite." It gives the Senators
In question this warning:
. Any investigation that is the outgrowth of
spite work Is bound to prove a boomerang
which will Injure .only the spite workers.
Any Investigation representing the brand of
politics that would Injure the Administra
tion for mere political purposes will de
stroy the politicians responsible tor It.
The Investigators are also reminded
that "for nearly three years after the
world was set on fire this country fol
lowed a policy of non-preparedness
and that for that policy Congress, in
the last analysis, was responsible."
Although the Initiative has been
taken by Democrats, the Springfield
Republican scents a partisan,' muck
raking motive. Conceding that Con
gress is "within Its rights In Investi
gating," it says "nothing will be easier
than to show up " the deficiencies of
the Government," and it contrasts the
present demands of the allies upon the
United States with earlier statements
that "the entente in the end could
not help winning the war because of
its superiority in man-power and re
sources" in order to explain why "the
job now looks bigger than the tools
we have to do it with" and why the
Government Is behind, and it says the
Investigations "must be very fairly and
discreetly conducted if they are not to
serve any partisan or vindictive pur
pose in discrediting the Administra
tion." The Boston Transcript welcomes the
passing of the honeymoon stage of the
war when the anxious parent of a
soldier and the constructive critic were
put under the ban by "the cuckoos of
the press and in private and public
life,1 for "the people are beginning
to think for themselves" and there
are signs "that Congress Intends to
substitute intelligent and open-eyed,
upstanding and plain-spoken support
of the conduct of the war for the
opposite brand." It says:
The War Department mnst be Investigated
and Its shortcomings bared before Congress,
and corrected under the compulsion of a
country-wide demand. If today's deficiencies
are not to become tomorrow's disasters.
Stress is laid on the fact that the
South Is at one with the North in this
matter, and displays "a refreshing Im
patience with politicians, a burning in
tolerance of partisanship and a dogged
determination to find out the why and
the wherefore."
Nothing new is found by the New
Tork Globe in Senator Wadsworth's
revelation of camp and equipment
shortages, but It says that "there
would be something new In an Inquiry
of this sort which led to prompt, ef
fective action." It recalls that simi
lar proof of unreadiness was given
to the Senate committee by General
Wood a year ago, but nothing came
of it, and the hope is expressed that
"the inquiry now will not be equally
futile."
Calling on the Senate military com
mittee to "get at the truth," the New
Tork Tribune says its Inquiry must
disclose whether "the authorities have
gone about their tasks with diligence
and wisdom whether what is now
being endured is only the natural and
inevitable heritage from the days of
hesitation and indecision, or whether
Incompetency and the evils of bureau
cracy are adding unnecessary suffer
ings to the regulation hardships the
enlisted men assumed whenthey went
to camp."
In the opinion of the Chicago Her
ald, the Senate military committee
should obtain for the public infor
mation "as complete and exact as
possible," for, if there have been
errors In past management which in
vestigation and general knowledge
will help to cure, we can't have them
gone into too soon or too thoroughly.
The most encouraging fact about
the periodical blow-ups in the Ship
ping Board is that each one displaces
a man of military or naval title or a
politician and puts one more business
man on the job. It Is encouraging to
learn of better progress In making the
programme a fact, but the statement
attributed by Chairman Hurley to Ad
miral Bowles that "construction work
is progressing as fast as human labor
can turn It out" cannot be credited
as long as work is confined to one
eight-hour shift in a day. That is a
leisurely way characteristic of peace
times. It Is no sufficient defense to
say that skilled men cannot be ob
tained. Whence came the skilled men
now at work? Have not three-fourths
of them been trained in the last two
years? Then let more be trained until
two and then three shifts are pro
vided. If the Shipping Board does not
hasten, our great new Army will eat
its head off at home all through next
year.
The restaurateur who cuts a' little
from this and a little from that and
charges more for each Is not In It with
the Frenchman who can make an egg
look like two.
Francis J. Heney is investigating
the food profiteers' scandal and it
begins to reek. Heney can up .-urn
more stench than any dozen other ex
cavators. The young bride attempts bravely
to cut the cost of living with a num
ber of cookbooks, and the husband,
because of his youth, takes all the
chances.
Nothing is sacred to the Turk and
it was proper to Allah that he loot
Jerusalem. The Hun and the Turk
are In the devil's own triangle.
The next thing in parades should
be something by Major Delch's bat
talion of Oregon Guards. Those vet
erans know the step.
A Romanoff woman landed, but not
the Czar's daughter. The name gives
her husband the distlction of being
"also mentioned."
A boy can be persuaded to renounce
Christmas candy, but his mother
would whip him if she knew his men
tal reservation.
Villa is said to be operating under
an assumed name, but the, cloven
hoof shows Villa would make'a dandy
Hun.
Dairymen are not profiteers. They
Bimply believe milk should sell for
more when the supply Is short.
The Astoria barber left $100,000
need never say another word. The
money will do the talking.
Huns have captured 9000 more
Italians, but there .are lots left there,
and more here if needed.
Make yourself a Red Crosser for a
Christmas present.
A Mountaineer's Christmas
Present.
By Jsmtsllarlen Adams.
I have been a sort o' squatter , ta this
earthly vale o' tears.
Takln' things as they developed, fur a
hefty string o' years;
I have .wallered In the sunshine an
have stumbled in the gloom
On the varl'gated journey from the
cradle to the tomb.
An' I .always covered Christmas with
a superstitious gauze.
Had no faith In the existence of that
feller Santa Claus,
But upon mature reflection fur a year
or so I find
Quite sufficient provocation fur a
honest change o mind.
Never did bank much on wimmen, fur
the reason, possibly.
The aforesaid wingless angels never
did bank much on me.
An', perhaps, because my fortunes
always held me In the West
Where the wimmen folks was scarcer
than ol'-tlmers 'mong the blest.
Always had my habitations in the
mountains, llvln' more
Like the wild beasts that come howl In
'round my- lonely cabin door
Than a-livln' like a Christian, but I've
hit a better came,
An' I'm givin' that same Santa all the
credit fur the same.
Used to be a little widder 11 Tin furder
down the o iek
Who Instilled In me the notion that
she was uncommon slick;
Sort o' Jolly little orltter with a pa'r o
laughln' eyes
That 'd often set me thlnkln' o the
oritters In the skies.
Couldn't comprehend the hoodoo she
kep' bringln' into play
Every time I'd. run agin her in a ac
cidental way.
An' I sort o' tuk a tumble to the sf
gravatln' faot
That the heart I was a-usln' war con
siderably cracked.
Just a year ago this Christmas I could
hear the snappy beat
On the trail below my cabin of a
broncho's lively feet.
An' I saw the widder comin", an she
'lighted' full o' glee
Sayin' Santa Claus had sent her with
some Christmas things fur me.
Pies an' cakes an' yaller doughnuts,
chicken meat, etcettera.
An' she tidied up the cabin in a woman
sort o" way, j
An' she sot a Christmas dinner that
was beautiful to view.
Layln' covers, battered tin ones, fur a
banket built fur two.
The ensuln' conversation as we sot an'
worked our Jaws
Wa'n't exclusively devoted In Its tone
to Santa Claus,
An' I told her, while a-thankln' of the
saint fur slch a treat.
That the best part o' the programme
wten't dressed in shape to eat.
An' I later told the parson after he
had made the splice
In a nobby home I'd furnished quite
unusually nice
That ol' Santa Claus l ad hit me with
a present out o' sight.
An' the widder sort o' giggled an' ad
mitted I was right.
Had I yet been unbellevtn', waltln
furder proof that there
Was a good ol' saint o' Christmas
sprinklln gladness everywhere.
All my doubts "d gone a flu kin' on this
Christmas mornln bright
While a-lookln' at a present he con
tributed las night.
It has got a pa'r o' duplicates o' them
same laughln' eyes
That had one day sot me thlnkln' o'
them angels in the skies
Just the cutest little rascal ever hap
pened here below.
An' I reckon Santa brought it, fur its
mother tol' me so.
TUB TTLAXV.
A boy'bf 12, mid shocks of grain,
I heard the whistle of a train.
And watched the smoke eloud trail
away
Against the skyline far away.
And straightway fancies grew and grew
Of wondrous things that I would do.
I saw the city's magic towers.
To me more fair than trees and
flowers;
I saw the ships, from ocean deeps,
Laden where the typhoon sweeps:
I saw the trains speed o'er the rails.
With treasure brought from sunset
trails.
And ever after as I gazed -On
peaceful hills where cattle grazed.
Or drove the plow through yielding
ground.
I heard but one composite sound
The city's call. In pleading tone.
Urging me to claim my own.
The city called me and I went.
And there my manhood's days Tve
spent.
Today, 'mid stocks and other gain,
I heard the whistle of a train.
And watched the smoke cloud trail
away.
Against the skyline far away.
And oh, the memories that came.
Bidding me forsake the if a mo.
And stand again in that same field
Until the wounds of sound are healed;
To feel the magic of the time
When life was writ in nature's rhyme.
But ah, I know, howe'er it seems.
What calls me la my boyhood dreams;
That I shall never know again
The wonder time that I knew then;
That these are life's most treasured
things'
The dream that calls, the memory that
clings. MARY H. FORCE.
FOB THE RED CROSS.
Though clouds from smoking ruins
blacken sky
And famished nations for a morsel cry;
Though ragged orphans and their
mothers rave
For heroes felled In trench or drowned
in wave;
Though sacred spires fall a prey to
torch
And snorting cavsmen virgin bosom
scorch;
Though hell and chaos seem enthroned
on earth
And raven shadows cast upon each
hearth;
Though life grow nightmare and re
pose of mind
A bitter satire on inflamed mankind;
Though tempting gloom besiege re-
I sponsive boui
To drain deep sorrow's overflowing
bowl
We still maintain that life is passing
fair
In spite of trials which no mortal
spare.
The rage of man, destructive to his
kind.
In eyes of providence is idle wind.
Its plans we know not, but we dare
to trust
We fleeting phantoms of aspiring
dust
That brighter day will dawn when
Freedom's cause
Is safe on earth and puny despots awes.
The Red Cross banner .akes appeal to
purse "
To succor iieroes trimming serfdom's
hearse.
But one in fifty must confront the steel
Where lurid death's incessant thunders
peal
Ye Forty-niners! help jo win the day
And place your dollars on the Red
Crosr tray!
C. A. PAUL DACHSEi.
MENACE! IS SEEN IN GUM GOBS
Chews' Dfesemae-Carx-ylnar Discards Are
Impossible to Avoid.
PORTLAND. Dec. 20. (To the Ed
itor.) Such thoughtful coruscations as
appear from time to time as editorial
consideration of such subjects as
"What Becomes of Lost Pins?" and
"Where Are the Lost Pennies?" While
possibly interesting to some, do not, to
my mind, furnish nearly so much food
for reflection as consideration of the
question "What becomes of all the
gobs of gum that are chewed?"
The advantage of the latter question
Is that It yields to a careful scrutiny
a modicum of Interesting information.
As notice, after this hard rain has
washed the pavements and walks or
after the street flusher has passed, the
gobs o' gum at Sixth and Washington,
the north side of Washington street
from Sixth to Broadway, the crossing
of Broadway and Washington, the en
trances of both theaters at West Park
or any other theater where gum is
sold, count the dabs on the sidewalks,
under chairs and tables In restaurants,
hotels and all eating places, and one
may gain a fair idea. There are places
where it is next to Impossible to step
from curb to pave without stepping on
one or more gum gobs.
And for a carrier of disease germs
gum has tobacco backed off the map.
Few bugs can live in tobacco in fact
I have read that there is but one bug
that makes his habitat' in the weed
but the diseased gum chewer chews up
a bug nest par excellence as a harbor
and a breeding place for germs and
then, after said germs have been
thoroughly Incorporated in the warm,
yielding vehicle and all the whatever
the chewer chews It for has been ex
tracted, it is wantonly and thought
lessly deposited where It attaches it
self to the soles of shoes of the old
and the young, the rich and poor alike,
and is tracked into homes, hotels and
transferred to mats and rugs and car
pets alike.
I counted 850' gobs on the sidewalk
on one side of one block on Third
street, and the advantage of gum over
tobacco as a dlffuser of disease is that
it has as a vegetable gum a wearing
period of about one year under ordi
nary care, while tobacco does not stick,
is washed away every night and those
who use tobacco have a gentlemanly
breeding that is evidenced by some
more or less care need In the discard.
Whenever the sole Is in the right
condition the whole gob sticks to the
shoe and is borne away. At other
times one germ-laden gob will suffice
to Inoculate many homes.
With all the howl about tobacco, or
dinance on spitting, scratching matches,
etc. It would seem that the filthy habit
of planting these gum gobs should
have a little attention.
"Look, see" for yourself.
O. G. HTJGHSON.
PROFIT NECESSARY TO PARMER
Difficulty of Competition Wltk Other
Industries) In Payment of Wsgei.
CORBETT, Or, Deo. 19. (To the Ed
itor.) Water will seek its level. In
telligent men In a position to do so
will seek that locality and employment
that promises the greatest returns
for labor expended. For this they
will leave the farm; for this they will
leave the social environments of the
city, even though it takes them to the
Arctla regions, the Sahara or across
Death Valley.
A young man home on a visit the
other day from a logging camp said
he was getting $S a day. A few days
ago a neighbor told me he had a
brother-in-law, a 14-year-old boy,
working in the shipyard, getting $3.26
a day. and hardly anything to do. Does
anyone Imagine the farmer can pay
such wages? Farmers are not holding
any Government contracts.
Three farmers are leaving their
farms and moving to Portland from
this vicinity and more will go. Why?
Because they can make more money
and work fewer hours?
To my way of thinking the whole
question of keeping people on the farm
Is one of making a profitable business
of farming, which will never be done
by milking the farm for other Inter
eats, such as making the farmer pay
more for his goods and bearing the
price or rarm products by every meth
od known in the Interests of the same
people the tariff was to help.
This newer method of milking the
farm Is not a product of the war, for
it was in the making and taking shape
several years before.
SYLVESTER B. EVANS.
Restrictions on Soldier I
PORTLAND, Or, Deo. 20. (To the
Editor.) Can you tell me the Govern
ment's idea in not allowing the sol
diers to will their Insurance to whom
they wish? All sensible people are ad
vising both the soldier boys and their
girls not to marry before the war is
over and yet he may only leave his In
surance to one of his immediate fam
Uy. If he is paying for his Insurance
why may he net leave It to whom he
wishes? Why may he not provide for
the girl who has promised to wait for
him and marry him? Suppose she waits
in vain, he may not do anything to help
ner.
I have heard that others besides the
soldier himself may take out insurance
on his life. Is this so, and If so. Is the
same restriction on the assigning of
this policy as if he took it out himself?
.Very truly yours. L F. ELFOX.
The primary Idea of the soldiers' In
surance law Is to protect established
home Interests and family ties. The
insurance Is not sold to the soldier at
a profit, but at a probable loos. The
same principle Is carried out by some
of the large fraternal orders. Which
will not permit a member to name his
fiancee as an Insurance beneficiary. An
other person may apply for Insurance
on a soldier's behalf, and the same re
strictions as to beneficiaries apply.
Shooting; of Dr. Kalloch.
PORTLAND, Dec 20. (To the Edi
tor.) Will you kindly' answer the fol
lowing to settle a dispute?
Where was It In San Francisco that
Charles de Young, then editor of the
San Francisco Chronicle, shot Rev.
Isaac S. Kalloch, who was a candidate
for Mayor?
I hold that the shooting took place
at the side entrance to the Baptist
Church on Jessie street, near Fifth.
The disputant claims the shooting
took place in front of the residence of
Dr. Kalloch on Mission street. The
shooting took place early on Saturday
morning In October, 1878.
. J. D. MANN.
The shooting took place on Satur
day, August 23, 1879, at the slde en
trance to the Metropolitan Temple on
Jessie street. De Young had previously
driven to the home of Dr. Kalloch,
2314 Nineteenth street,' but, not find
ing him there, proceeded to the Jessie
street entrance of the church.
Clatsop Haa Own Red Crosa Chapter.
ASTORIA Or., Dec. 19. (To the Edi
tor.) The Oregonian, December 18,
contained i letter requesting informa
tion relative to the Portland chapter
of the American Red Cross, officers,
salaries, territory, etc.
Your answer, as to territory, stated
that the Portland chapter comprised
the counties of Multnomah, Tillamook,
Clatsop, Columbia, v.3hington and
Clackamas.
I beg to Inform you that the terri
tory of the Portland chapter does not
include Clatsop County, as this county
has a chapter with headquarters
located at Astoria, organized in April,
1917. MARY C. MAGEt,
Secretary, Astoria Chapter.
Famous Bible City Taken.
Ancient Hebron, Where Adam Died,
la One of Places Captured by
British.
Bulletin National Geogrophie Society.
With the exception of Jerusalem,
Bethlehem and Damascus, there Is not
a city In the Holy Land which holds
greater Interest for the Bible student
than the ancient town of Hebron,
whose capture by British forces under
General B. H. E. Allenby was an
nounced recently.
Hebron is a ribbon of a town running
along the eastern slope of a narrow
valley, above which are terraced vine
yards and fruit orchards of great fertil
ity. It is not more than 10 miles
southwest of Jerusalem and in peace
times tourists are accustomed to make
the Journer by carriage In four and a
half hours. ...
Until captured and pillaged by the
Calebltes (as recorded in the Book of
Joshua) Hebron was known as Kirjath
Arba. It Is one of the most ancient
cities in the world, having been
founded, according to the Book of
Numbers, "seven years before Zoan in
Egypt."
The name of Hebron means "The
Friend of God," in other words the city
of Abraham. A tree standing in the
Russian hospice garden, half a mile
from the city, is known as the Oak of
Abraham. It will be remembered that
it was under the oaks of Mamre that
the patriarch pitched his tents and ha
is supposed to have built an altar here
In 1920 B. C.
When Moses sent his spies Into the
land of Canaan Hebron was one of the
cities visited. It was here that David
was anointed King over Judah and that
six of his sons were born. Including
Absalom, who at a late date made this
place the headquarters of his rebellion
against his father. It was also hero
that Abner, captain of Saul's hqata
and guardian of Saul's son Ishbosheth,
was killed by Joab.
Following the Biblical days Hebron
was destroyed by the Romans. It be
camecame a place of importance under
Moslem rule, not only on account of its
oommeroe, but also because of Its con
nection wltu Abraham, who is venerated
by the followers of Mohammed, During
the Crusades It was oooupiod by the
Christians for a short time and be
came the seat of a Latin Bishop in 11(7,
but it was recaptured by the Moslems
under Salad In 29 years later.
The most conspicuous building In
Hebron is the Haram, with its ramparts
dating from the Herodian period. Within
the enclosure are modern cenotaphs of
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah. Rebecca
and Leah. These are above the double
cavern of Machpelah, which was pur
chased by Abraham from Efchron the
Hlttlte as a family burial place when
Sarah died. The tombs of the patriarchs
are covered with richly embroidered
green cloths, while those of their wives
are covered with crimson draperies.
The population of Hejron is various
ly estimated at from 10.000 to 22,000
and the numbe.- of Jews at from S00 to
2000. The town was a thriving trading
center before the war, the Bedouins
finding here an active demand for
their bales of wood and camel's hair.
The chief manufactures of the com
munity were glass bracelets, leather
water bottles and lamps.
According to medieval tradition
Adam, the father of mankind, died in
Hebron-
In Other Days.
Half a Century Ago.
7rom The Oregonian December 21, 1867.
John Mlnto, In an article in the Rec
ord, tells some Interesting facta about
Cashmere wool which throws interest
ing light on the values of different
grades of wool and their origins.
Protection Fire Company No. 4 will
give a grand ball at Oro Flno Hall on
the occasion of the reception and hous
ing of their new steam fire engine,
Christmas night. The committee on
arrangements Includes J. W. Sutton, H.
Everdlng, C. P. Ferry. R. Hendrle, A
Rosenheim and R. H. Brown.
The Austrian Emperor's efforts to
keep the schools Independent from the
Catholic clergy Is making him popular.
It has been discovered that Louis Na
poleon owns real estate In San Fran
cisco. Isaao Rogers, of Yamhill County, haa
invented an Ingeniously contrived ma
chine for paring fruit and coring ap
ples. . Twenty-five Years ii.
Prom The Oregonian December 21, 1892.
Washington Secretary Foster makes
no secret of his proposal to repair, so
far as possible, within legitimate
bounds, the serious inroads on gold
holdings resulting from the heavy ship
ment of the metal to Europe. Controller
Hepburn says there is no cause of
alarm and announced his belief that
the stringency In Wall street was
caused for Its effect upon Congress.
President Harrison, it is reported, has
been offered a place on the faculty of
Leland Stanford University.
D. H. Harrlman yesterday purchased
In New York the trotting stallion
St am boui for $41,000.
Edmund Yates, In cabling his letter
this week to New York, eays that the
Queen probably will hold no more
drawing-rooms. She has been accus
tomed to retire from the throne early,
leaving the Princess of Wales to re
ceive the guests, with the result that
there has been a rush early In the func
tion by guests who desired to get there
while the Queen was present. This
rush has caused her to discontinue the
drawing-rooms.
The gold fields of Southern Oregon
are again attracting attention. There
is a growing gold fever In those parts
and a lot of the precious metal has
been mined of late.
FLOODS THAT WERE REAL FLOODS
Valley Towns Swept Away In 1S61 and
Houses Go Over Willamette Falls.
PORTLAND. Or.. Dec. 20. To the
Editor.) The worst floods of the Will
amette River were those of 1861 and
1890. On February 5, 1890, the weather
Office recorded 28.7 feet at Portland.
The high water In 1861 and 1890 sub
merged the lower parts of Portland and
Oregon City. That of 1861 was more
disastrous to the Willamette valley.
but did not rise so high at Oregon City
as in 1890 by some 18 inches. The
writer has no exact measurements at
Portland in 1861 and there was then
no weather office to make readings.
The flood of 1861 was preceded by a
shorter and heavier rainfall than that
of 1890. The towns of Linn City and
Champoeg were swept away In 1861.
Houses with lights burning were swept
over Oregon City falls at night, accord
ing to Catharine A. CoDurn, many years
a writer of The Oregonian. The steam
boat Saint Clair steamed over the falls
safely. Full details of this flood ap
pear in the contemporary Oregonian,
also of the flood of 1890.
Cessation of rain has checked the
flood this year, so that the disasters
of 1861 will not now be repeated. There
are no new phenomena In Oregon
weather, however severe they may re
cur. The antediluvian inhabitant can
always remember floods Just as bad
or worse. OLD TIMER.
.1