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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 2, 1918)
THE MORXIXG OREGONIAX, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1918. THREE RESPOND 10 COUNCIL'S REQUEST Chief Critics of Six-Cent Fare Fail to Appear at Spe cial Meeting. - SIX-CENT FARE DEFENDED Ircldcnl Griffith, of Car Company, licrltm Increase- Nrmiuirj for Welfar-8 of Platform Men. Judgt McGinn Mot J'rescnl. beea mad In fares. They bar a popu lation of SOO.to and an area of 40 square miles. Portland has a popula tion of ISO. 009 and an area of square mil a. The people should consider these bis; facta In determining what Is right or wrong- in making comparisons between cities. . , Warn His la Par-Hand. Let me call your attention to the fact that a rear ago the average wages of streetcar men in the United States was l cents an hoar. In Portland It was SI cents. Today the maximum rate Is ii cents and the arerage M cent That la the highest wage paid platfor men on any privately or publicly owne street railway In the I'nlted States ex eept Butte. The Impelling purpose of the f-cent far waa not to awell th fundi of the bankers In the East or of making exorbitant prof Ita. If th op eratlng cost was on th basis of a year go there would still be a e-cent fare. Th Increase has been occasioned solel because of the Increaa In operattn expense over which we had no control. "Ninety per cent of th oparalln expense Increaa Is for wages. I December the operating expenses of th company were 11.600 higher than they were In December. 11. and 17 4.000 of that waa Increased wages. Wages, increased cost of living and th eight hour day are th factors behind th Increased far." CITY APPRAISAL OF PROPERTY ORDERED Tare Ion cttlasoa Thane P. ' Church. U. p. Mahon and John Kast - responded yesterday to th City Coun- cil's reooeet that all opponents of the Z -! streetcar far decision of th Mat Public iiervlc Commission appear before the council and present all facts - they hav In order that the council 7 may make the strongest cas possible . la appealing to th stal comnAleslon to reopen and reconsider th Increased - fare decision. Kx-Otrcult Judge Henry MrOInn and '- the publisher of to Journal, who war Invited especially by Mayor Baker to , appear and give what facta they might - - have. f:ied to appear or send In any J" information. President Griffith, of th Portland "" Railway. Ught 4k Power Company, ex plained the reasons for the e-cent far. Jlr. tirlfTnh denounced th people who are "going about th city resorting to prejudices, guesees. suppositions and willful untruths to Impugn th motives ' of public officials and officials of th company and presenting what Mr. jj t;nrfith styled "dastardly untruths'" re garding th facts tn the present cue. - le said attacks on the (-rent far are rTt attacka against living wages for the streetcar men. for per cent of th I" Increaa goes to Increased wage of - platform men and shopmen. Pa Ik lie Catr-ka Railway. Mr. CrlfTlth presented Information to show that th street railway la un- . der th absolute control of the public - and "could not b dishonest If It fc wished.- H present) information re garding fares In ether cities, among them Pittsburg, which haa a popula lion twlc that of Portland and cover an area half aa large aa Portland and Bow charges a -cent far. Also he spoke on th question of th franchla contract being brokn by th company by increasing th far. H aid that th city on Innumerable oe- fasten had broken the contract, not , regarding It aa sacred In any way. and ., declared that th company had will- Ingly given th public more all th time t . than It I required to do nnder it fran- chis. 7 L. D. Mahon mad a speech for an hour and a half. In which h quoted reports, figure and testimony tending to show that Public Service Commls- sion In every state have failed to be of any benefit to th public. Ii dealt extensively with th aublert of owner ship of public service companies, say- - ing that all In Portland are owned by ( J. P. Morgan 4k Co. II discussed also th subject of watered stock. .'" CNy Attorney Espial. "To know." Interposed City Attorney la Roche n the course of th speech. - "that th Public ferric Commission haa aald tlrn and tlm again that, no - mattr If tb company has a hundred 1. million dollars tn watered stock. It would mak no difference In tb cas because of th rvenu neceaaary to give th company a fair return on Ita Investment th actual valu of th ' " property. "" k C- P. Church preeented a lengthy statement. In which he gave alleged facts aa to the valuea of tbe company property. John Kast gav as his only 2 suggtloa th statement that tbe com- p.fty la reeponsibl for Its present financial plight ""b-acaus It entered Into wild real tt speculation by extending line to reaj eetata addlttnna, each aa Kings Heights. Wetovr Ter race. Kenton. Mount xlcott and Monta villa." Preldent Griffith corrected this Im pression by saying that the company did not build the lines to "West over or to Kings Heights and doe pot now own them and that thee line ar not a part of th company's Investment as determined by th Public Service Com mission. Robert C Wright appeared before th council to oppoa th revocation of th company franchise. H said thla wn!4 b a rtou mtstak. giving ta teapaajr th upper hand. Tbi measure did not com ap for cnnsid eratloa yesterday. At th conclusion of th addressee Maywr Raker ordered that a transcript f everything said should be incorpo rated la th appeal to be made by th city to th Public Service Commission t reopen and recooslder th increased far decision. rtly -rie-aate-s foe-tracts. President Griffith In his speech took p th otreetcar problem from all angle and made a plea for a study by the public of tb facta II spok of ih franchise aa contracta and ahowed how th city had violated th terms t many occasion. He cited th Bandy boulevard viaduct aa on example and th six fares for a quarter ordinance la 111X -Waa there any sanctity In contracts la thos ease?" he asked. H aald also that th constantly la rrssslng demand for more and better servic wa a violation of th contract oa th city's part, for tb contract calls for only It or SH-mmut service on moet lints Mr. Griffith spok of th Increased wage of th men employed. -Today." be aald. "this company ta paying high er wage than any ether ctty tn tbe country except Butt. Th coat of everything haa gone up. Th -cnt far will net th company MeO.OO In a year. It la coating us $40.v a year more to operate. "What magic lie In th hands of a puMio utility to touch a dollar or a penny and make it worth twlc aa much? All tha higher coat of opera tion, the higher cost of living of In dinduals. a reflected Immediately In trie higher cost of th living of th corporation. Kvery element that goes Into tbe operation of this company has one up. Many Divide da Passed. "The Increaa In fare will do noth ing more than permit the company to "ft Its absolute financial obligations Ther Is much talk about thousands of dollars being sent at to the bankers In Philadelphia. Io ton know that thla rempany has not paid a dividend In fo-tr years and that dividend prior to 111 were on the bants of t per cent? V hr is the gold mine In public erv-1- Absolutely tied, hand and foot. eout t own control, a ptiolie utility I. subject at every turn, on every cor rr. to puMic service regulation, and nn.tantly hampered by th prejudices of trie people because tr.ey don't under stand the facta The people will be fair when finding they understand the facta. RIGKLOW MAT ARAXPO.X FLAX Com ml -.loner Studies on Mrsnare to Revoke Streetcar Franchise-. Th mov on th part of City Com mlssloner Blgelow to have th city council revoke the tretcar franchises of th Portland Railway. Light 4 Power Company beeaus of alleged violation of Ita franchisee by establishment of th (-cent fare, may be dropped. Com missioner Blgelow said yesterday that ha will consult with attorneys employed by the city In fighting th (-cent far case, before forcing th measure. It Is certain that th attorneys will recommend against the move proposed by Mr. Blgelow Inasmuch as the re vocation of tha franchises of th com pany would leave nothing to be con tested In tha state courts In the suit now being Instituted against the In creased fare. Although thes attorneys have been employed to handle th case for th rlty. Mr. Blgelow admitted yes terday that ha did not conault with them be for making hia mov to t peal the franchises. Attorneys say th mov would be serious mistake. Th revocation of th franchise would leave th com pany In th position of giving only sucn servic a It desires. Robert C Wright, an attorney, ap peared before th council yesterday to protest against the action. Th meas ure did not com up for vote. "Suppose th ordinance ta passed." said Mr. Wright, "and th company has th nerv It Is accused of having and it calls your bluff by not operating streetcars. People then would have to walk and ther would be th biggest uproar this town has ever heard. It will have th whip hand and could leavs out soma of Its unprofitable and undesirable line and you would have no recourse." CARVER IS HOLDING OFF SERVICE HALTED T FEAR OF 1.1 RECil LATED JITNEYS. Council Votes Investigation o Value of Car Company Holdings. KELLAHER TO HAVE CHARGE Corps of Engineers and Accountant to lie Employed and Results Will Be lacd by City In Contesting; 6-Cent Fare. t ewacil Maria laqalry W hich May Re- aal In Reveeatlea f Track leea Car Franchise. Agitation in ravor or return of un regulated Jitneys frightened Stephen Carver out of establishing Jitney err le under hi franchise aa granted by tha voter last June, according to statement mad before th Council yes terday. Mr. Carver was called In to explain why he has not started service. "You will remember." said Mr. Carver, thst It took m months to get th Council to approve my bonds aa re quired In th franchises. They were spproved two weeks ago. Three days later this unregulated jitney agitation atarted and 1 discontinued my negotia. tlon for car. How do you expect me to go ahead and mak a big Investment her If my Investment la to be wrecked?" Commissioner Blgelow questioned Mr. Carver regarding his service to I. inn ton. II asked If Mr. Carver own the car being operated or If h merely allow persons to operate on th lln by paying him for th privilege. He said he own th car and hire th drivers. Commissioner Kellaher asked him about complaint of service. "They tell me." he aald. "that your service Is absolutely Inadequate. Ton ha v on car with a capacity of 12 person and It bring In 7 on some trtpa" Mr. Carver said thla condition does not exist aa h la giving Just aa good service aa th trarrio warrant "Hav you mad any Inveatment whatever ta ear for service in th city?" asked Commissioner Blgelow. "No." replied Mr. Carver. "I hav not I waa In th midst of negotiation and had bought on car when thla Jitney agitation started and I simply threw up my bande and quit. Tou can't ex pect m to Invest a lot of money here If It la going to b wracked. Th Council Instructed City Commis sioner Mann to start at one an Inquiry Into th Carver Jitney and also Into th queetlon of th Portland Oregon City franchise. Th Council may decide to revoke both Jitney and railway fran chise held by Mr. Carver. APPLICATIONS DUE MONDAY Baker and Ilotrlkeepcrs Most File for I-icene Soon. All bakers. hote!kepra and board-Ing-houe proprietor who hav not yet pptltd for Federal licenses roust hare their application in th mall be for midnight Monday, according to a warning Issued yesterday by IV. B. Ayer. Federal Food Administrator for Oregon. All of th large bakeries, said Mr. Ayer. hav applied for license In due form, but many of th proprietors of the smaller bakeries, hotel and boarding-house bav not don so. Under th Federal law vryon using three barrels of flour or mor per month must hav a Federal license. Applica tions for license should be addressed to tb license division. Food Adminis tration. Washington. D. C An Immediate and Independent ap praisal of the property of the Portland Railway. J-lKht Power Company used In the streetcar service to determine the amount the company has Invested snd the return derived under the e-cent fare Is to be mad by th city. Th City Coancll yesterdny Dassed an ordinance Introduced by rommiMloner Kellaher appropriating 130, OvO to cover tha cost. The Investigation Kill be under the direction of Commissioners Kellaher. Barbur and Blgelow ana the work will be done by certified pubflc accountant and engineers qualified for the work. The course was decided on by the Council In order that the question of the propriety of the -cent fare may be arrived at. President Urlffuh. of the company, pledged hi fullest co-operation, stating that the company will offer every possible facility to en abl the Council's representatives to get at th facts. Work of orranixlng he fore will be started within a short ime. the selection of the accountants and engineers having been left to Com missioners Kellaher, Barbur and Blee low. Investment Baal f Ureal. it i on tn question or the com pany'a Investment that the Public Serv ice Commission of the state based it grant of n i-cent fare, that body belns; convinced that the company cannot keep out of bankruptcy unless It has ncreased revenue. The State Commls ion made a thorough Investigation of the company's Investment. Ruins into uch details that It has a cost, record f he most minute parts of the property, neludlng even bolts and nuts used In rails and eara. The value of the property was found by this Commission to be $16,000,000 nd It was found that, with the recent ire Increase.-ln the wages of streetcar men. the company could not bear the urden without increased revenue. Tbe Council has expressed Itself as not being satisfied with the value as Iven by the accountants and engineers of the State Commission and arransad duplicate the state's work, by mak Itn; an appraisement of Its own. it Is uncertain how long; this will require. In the Inquiry the accountanta snd en gineer will arrive at the value and make a report to the Council. 1'bre Appraisal Made. Three appraisals have been made the past. Kngineers and accountants employed by the company made the first. Then the state sent In its corps or engineers and accountants and at i cost of about $30,000 made an lnves tlgatlon. cttlng the company's figures down 111.000.000. Recently a board of arbitration. In considering the question of Increased wage for the streetcar employes, made an Inquiry and reached the conclusion that the company could not grant th Increase In wages and keep out of bankruptcy without an in crease in Its streetcar revenue. The city's figures to be obtained will be used In legal proceedings now being Instituted by the City Council against the C-cent fare. The entire question of the amount of revenue necessary for th company If It I to continue giving service is that of the amount of the in vestment and th amount of the cost of operation. Stocks and bonds In no way enter into the Issue. mow JT. - . . - -t - m ar f a. X GREAT TE N DAY CONTINUES SATURDAY Simon's timely money-saving UNLOADING SALE offers wonderful bargains in wanted Winter merchandise for today's selling. Every department puts forth unparalleled values. This is truly the Store of Bargains. Come early today and get acquainted with Simon's during this sale. You will be well repaid. Store hours on Saturday, 8 A. M. to 8 P. M. 100 UNION HOUSE. Shinola Polish 5c Shinola Shoe Polishing Paste the regular 10c kind sold every where. All colors on sale to- p; day at -' - THRIFT MEETING PLANNED Public Obicrra nee of National Thrift Day to He Hold. An effort Is being made to have a representative of every religious de nomination In the city speak at the mass thrift meeting to be held at the Public Auditorium at 1:30 Sunday aft ernoon In observance of National Thrift day. particularly aa thrift at this time so essential in the war savings cam paign. Oscar M. Smith, chairman of th speaker bureau of th Oregon war savings stamp organlxatlon. Is working on th details or th prrcramme, and. hough undertaken on rather ahort no tice, h ha received aueh assurance of asslstanc and co-operation that a sure-fire patriotic session Is promised. Ladies' Patent Cloth Tops.$1.98 Her e's a shoe ... 1 ... f U . . will defy competition. Ladles' "Black Pat ent Leather Shoes with cloth tops, e x a c tly aa illus trated, all sizes, a 14 00 value any where, today, per pair, only $1.98 x Sale of House Dresses $1.89 With materials at present prices it won't pay to make house dresses when you can buy them at such bargains as Simon's offer for Saturday. One model in smart plaid gingham of good quality exactly as illus trated at $1.89. Others in varied patterns and styles all underpriced for this Un loading Sale. Ladies' Kimonos $1.39, $1.49, $1.69, 31.79 Of excellent quality flannelette, in both light and dark coloring's. Made up in attractive styles. First-class workmanship and finish make these kimonos especially desirable. See them today, when a large assortment goes on sale at these special prices $1.39, $1.49, $1.69, $1.79. . Ladies' Lined Comforts $1.69 Those who desire a comfort shoe should buy them underpriced today here. Good quality felt lined shoes for women CtCk 69c at Ladle at. Mlppera, odd lot. Scarf and Cap ' Sets at 98c Both plain and fancy colored de signs in the popular angora wool sets of cap and scarf to match. A large assortment of them go on sale today at a big reduc- QQ tion. Choose them at. .. . fOC Separate Scarfs and Caps, ea. 39c Men's Shoes $2.45 Like . Jtil No man who needs footwear should pass up this opportunity to fret a good reliable pair of shoes at this bargain price. They're of punmetal calf, Blucher jJO AVL style, as illustrated, at iPaSe'tO Tailored Skirts Special $3.95 . Youll be surprised at their qual ity and smart style, for only a fortunate purchase enables us to offer these all-wool "serge skirts in black or navy, accurately cut and well tailored at the JQ QP Unloading Sale price of iDOeaeJ $5.00 Men's Shoes Saturday $3.98 Good, reliable quality Men's Heavy Work Shoes, worth up to S5 in this lot, go on dQ QQ sale today at only . . . . Work Shoes, values to $4.00, at $2.98 Men's Heavy Arctics $1.75 The kind sold in most stores at J2.2 heavy, rolled edge, felt lined for warmth, one-burkl style Arctics for special at All Winter-Weather Goods for Less at Simon's Today. :n.!n$1.75 115 MEN'S SHIRT SALE Sample Lines to $2.00 Men, here is your chance to stock, up on high-class, dressy shirts and save real money. Today we place on sale a big consignment of sample lines in fine quality materials all sizes. Shirts J- - fT that sell in a regular way at $1.50, $1.75, $2. Today at5--J-0 Boys' Heavy . Shoes at $2.49 Just right for Winter wear and a real bargain. Boys' sizes, Heavy Shoes, values to $3.50, tfjO ACk marked for today at... w6tTl7 Youths' sizes, values to dJO 1Q 53.00, at 0i liv7 Hen's Knee Length Boots Special at Only $2.19 perfect stock, at They'll -o quickly at this price theee HlKh-Orade Rubber Boots knee-length style o In nly Wai, A J S $4.00 Packs at $2.50 Men's Rubber Packs with leather tops, values up to .4.00, fljo Cf go on sale today, pair.. waiiUU ' - For Saturday Only Yeloban or Libby Milk-Large Can Limit Three to a Customer t Clearance of Ladies' and Children's R u b b e rs practically piven away not all sizes in the lot. but nearly 1 f everyone can be fitted, pair.. X KJ MK.VS KLHBKKS An odd lot. mostly large sizes, $1 values Rubbers 10c 79c Wesson Oil at . . 31c Small fsie, T.I m ft Two Cans. Saturday Only. Karo Syrup at 19c Two-lb. Cans. Limit Two Cans. Saturday Only. $1.65 Kettles $1.30 SIMON'S Alder, First and Second Streets L.Ars;e size, 4-qt., Blue and White Bnameled Berlin Kettles that sell regularly at SI. 65, spe- 0 1 o r cial for today's selline.. . D X mJJ POe ALUMINUM SAUK PANS for ALl'MIXl'N TEA POTS for . S1.B.1 WHITE EXAMEL fABIXKTS for. . . 3.1c t.LA.NSW ARE, odd lot, choice now :69c $1.69 $1.35' 10c Picnic Hams 24c Fresh Smoiffd Picnic Hams for less at Simon's today. Buy them at only 24 lb. Fine Quality OQ Bacon Backs at. lb OOC SIN (iAPOHK PI .NBAFPLE, ng 20-OZ.. two for siJC SItlOJ'S BAKING POWDER, -I f one-pound can IOC XOJI4POIE GREEN Olj, OLIVES, 12-oa. aCOC FIVE AMERICAN SAR-oi; DINES, four for siOC $12.50 All Wool Mackinaws $7.50 Positively the greatest value in Portland In this All - Wool Mack inaw Coat in belt ed style as pic tured.. In plain or 'plaid patterns a regular J12.50 value to-i-T df day for.. W f i3U Boys' Mackinaws Get the boy a Warm Mackinaw to finish out the Winter. We've splendid ones for the little fel lows of 6 and 8 years JJO QQ at only iffOttJO Larger and finer ones for today up to $7.50 100 UNION STORE We Close at 8 P. M. Saturday SIMON'S Alder, First and Second Streets Boys' Sleds Big Showing at Special Reduced Prices Men's Heavy Logger Knee-Length Sox . . 9Sc 3C R Y Paying Trust Prices FOB YOUR LAUND 10 SAVE 10 W Ar Nf I the Laaadry Cssbtne We Do Ttot Ckarae Tea lOTt Extra .a Year Uaaadry BUI. rat Tr Laaaaertas; la Oar Tare Yoall Like Oar Sapeiier Wrk ad Service. . The Pacific Laundry Co. AJfTI - TRl'ST PROES LACXDRY eeaA4isa'fcJ GOING! GOING! Are the Charge Accounts and H 9 GONE! Deliveries at Hayne Holme Funeral Held. MciUVNVIIJ-E. Or., Feb. 1 (Spe claLJh Tb funeral of Haras Holmes, on of Yamhill County prominent farmer, waa held her today. Mr. Holme waa aced el years aad months, and leaves a widow. II waa a brother of former Circuit Jud: Webster Holmes of this district, and waa prom inent In Masonry, which order conduct ed th burial ce rem on lea. Warrenton Men Field by Officers. ASTORIA. Or, Feb. 1 (Special.) Geors; and John ftavolatnen. brother. -The the city of Plttsbur;. It has I were arrested at Warrenton today by l rnl fare. -II le twtr Ih sue of I City Marsh! Connell. on a chars; of l ortiand and cover, half the area and I poetlna I. W. W. literature. The men ere turned over to th rederal au- tmur lea. IDs our company para Take I thoritle. who ar making; aa lnvtl t tKiiDiL aber a cent locrtas baa 1 fatlon. n For SPACE IN THE LIBERTY MARKET TO BE CPEXED AT THE CORNER OF FIFTH AN D YA3IHILL A sooa Peril ..d (.mm C. vacate. Apply SOT Stock Dxcka.se Bids. raricer FOURTH STREET, NEAR YAMHILL ACROSS STREET FROM FIRE DEPARTMENT With the passing of these old-time methods of doing business, Parker saved a cold 20 on his overhead. That is the reason for his enormous increase in business and why you now buy the same High Quality Meats for less. IT'S THE TRUTH. COME PROVE IT SATURDAY. STEER BEEF ONLY. Rolled Roasts, Beef ( ) at 22c Batter and Eggs Dept. Butter, lb. 53S roll..... $1.05 Eggs, strictly fresh, ranch, dozen 53 Tillamook Cheese, mild 29 sharp, lb 30 OTHER CHOICE CUTS AT LOW PRICES Loins Lamb, lb. at . . . 32c Legs Lamb, lb. at . . . 32c Shoulder Lamb, lb. at . 25c Veal Roasts, lb. at . . . 22c FARMERS! Highest prices paid for Veal, Pork, Dressed Beef. We remit promptly. You don't have to wait a month for your money. 4 IT IS LESS CROWDED IN THE MORNINGS .4 t4