8
TIIE 3I0RXIXG OREGONIAX, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 191S.
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rOSTLlMX Tl EUAV. I EBBCAtSV S. 1SU
irg THE KCMSAST OT A AT10V
No story of a people which has
fallen victim to the Invader In this
war makes a more snovlnjt appral to
the world's compassion than does that
of the Armenians, for whose relief
funds are sought from the people of
rwron this week. VI me i uin
linn, under Turkish rule about one-
third have been slaughtered by the
sword, by drowning or by starvation.
Another third has either been enslaved
in Turkish harems or has been scat
tered to starve In the desert extending
from. AleDDO through the Lpper r.u
nH Tirris valleys. It Is to
save this remnant from death that
the American people are asked to give
of their abundance. At the same time
aid I asked for the Fyrtans. who have
suffered In like manner at the hands
of the Turks, and for the Jews of
Poland and Gallcla. who are being
swept away by famine and disease In
their war-ravaged land.
The Armenians present an example
ef a nation's tenacity or life througn
centuries of subjection to ruthless,
barbarous tyranny. The aboriginal
Armenian spread over the highlands
ef Western Asia, which form an ex
tension of the Iranian plateau, about
the middle of the ninth century before
Christ, and were conquered and po
litically absorbed by an Aryan peopte
between (40 and (00 B. C. but the
original Armenians still survive as a
distinct tvoe In remote districts.
Armenia was at that time Included
In the legendary kingdom of It la In la,
which was overthrown by Cyaxares,
King of I'ersla. but regained its In
dependence In 11? B. C. and was ruled
by a line of Kings which ended with
Tigranes. who was conquered by the
Romans and became their vassal in
II B. C A strugrle between Rome
and I'ersla followed, endlnc In the
partition of the country In 38? A. P.
jjurins mat penoti uu wivim u;
Kmperor Constantino was converted,
the Armenians embraced Christianity.
Tbsy translated the Bible into their
language In 410 A. P.. the Christians
boine persecuted by the I'erstan Magi.
one of whose governors won ind
pondonce for a brief term.
Subjugation, first by the Byxantlne
Kmpvrors. then by the Arab Caliphs,
followed, but about 885 several rulers
of provinces were crowned Kings by
the Caliph under his suxeralnty. and
their states survived until 10S0. when
they were gathered Into the new em
pire of the Seljuk Turks. In the lat
ter year the kingdom of Little Ar
menia was founded by Rhupen in
Cllicia. and retained Its existence amid
powerful Moslem states until con
quered by the Caliph of Kgypt In 1375.
After having been swept In turn by
Arabs, Kurds and Turks during three
centuries. Armenia was ravaged by the
Mongols In llJS. and during that
period the people fled to the moun
tains- or to foreign lands.. The final
conquest" Ty the Turks was completed
In 1514. but even their oppression was
frequently aggravated by wars with
the Persians, who overran the land.
L'ntll Abdul Hamld became Sultan
In 1ST the lot rf the Armenians was
as endurable as that of any subject
race In Turkey, but the success of
Bulgaria In gaining Independence and
the transfer of a large part of Armenia
to Kii.wla led Abdul ll.imld to adopt
greater severity at the same time that
a revolnflonary movement started In
11. Resistance to a Kurdish raid
raused the Sultan to send troops who
nissMrred the people by wholesale.
Further disturbances In 18 9& were fol
lowed by another massacre In 18S.
Venflned strictly to the Oreyonan and
Vfotestant Armenians, the latter be
ing converts of American missionaries.
But these massacres were notking
to those of Itli and 191. when the
repulse of a Turkish Invasion of Rus
sian Armenia ted some revolutionists
to Join the Russian army. The Turks
resolved to end a!l possibility of re
volt by exterminating the male popu
lation, by enslaving the young women
and girls In their harems and by driv
ing the old and young of both sexes
Into the desert, either to rw mawm-red
by the Turks or to starve. Their
work was so thoroughly done that the
mortality Is eettmaied as hlch as one
million, only a few having em-aped to
hid ins places m the mountains or to
roretg-n countries. As the fugitives are
still dying at Aleppo and at various
deeert places, the total Is growinc
Not h li g but the measures of relief
undertaken by the human people ot
all nations and creeds ran check the
work of famine and disease.
A fm prwi tm vBrwnttminr mm lilt
(umctm were ordered by Knver
Fasha and Talaat Bey. the actual
rulers of Turkey under German tute
lage, and that they were countenanced.
If not Instigated, by Germany. Arnold
J. Toynbee, say that on witness
ejuotes several refugees as saying; that
"several German Consuls have directed
names Kerr Roeeler. Consul at Aleppo,
and "the notorious Boron Oppenhelm,
who Initiated the Idea of deporting
to Onrfa the women and children be
loncicg by nationality to the allies.
A forels-n correspondent of the Got-chna-.
of New Tork. said that "pro
vincial governors who show lack of
vigor la executing the order to denort
the Armenians are taken to task by
the German officials." There were
German Consuls all through Asiatic
Turkey, nnd they could not hav been
Ignorant of what was being done. But
a practical admission ef Oerman ap
proval was mad by Count Ton Bern
storff when he "submitted to the
United Ptmtc Oorrrnmen; m report of
th German Consul-Generml at Trebl
tond admliUnr and defending a ma,
acra of Armenians on the ground that
the Armenian were disloyal to the
Turkish fovtrnment and secretly were
atti!ns; and abettlnr Russia.
The strongest confirmation of the
farts, with unwilling hints at German
Indifference, rs given by a German
Ir. Martin Nlepsge, hlg-her grade
teacher in the German Technical
School at Aleppo. He rlslted the
places where the refugees were gath
ered and saw many dead, with the
sick, starving and dying lying among
the corpses, one of these places being
opposite hla school. Ha says "the
teaching of the Germans" la the sim
ple Turk's explanation, and that Mo
hammedans who disapprove of such
barbarity "hold the Germans respon
sible for all such outrages, Germany
being considered during the war as
Turkey schoolmaster In everything."
He made a report on the facts In
which he said:
I know tor s fact that the embassy st
ConstantlDople bae bn Informed by th
Oerman ounsuiaiae of all that has bca
bappcnlng.
He quotes several German Consuls
as relating- hideous Incidents of the
deportation to him, sometimes with
expression of horror. They knew,
and their government must hav
known.
Tha work before the civilized people
of the world la to save what I left of
the Armenian of Turkey, while the
allied armlea fight to bring: tha whole
sale murderer to Justice by the only
possible means the defeat of
the!
uio wwue ini utml VI uivi
r natienn. Fw remain exeent 1
y nations, few remain ceptl
women and children, and they i
guilty
the
should be saved at any cost.
AX I.VQOBT.
"The Oregonlan." observes the Pen
dleton paper which calls Itself the
East Oregonlan. "ha been In sym
pathy with a move to let the law
making department of the Government
absorb duties that logically and con
stitutionally come under the executive
department. It baa been influenced
either by political considerations, or
els has lacked the sound, patriotic
Judgment needed In war time. The
Oregonlanitay wear the shoe that
fits."
The Oregonlan Is quite Indifferent
to this Pendleton opinion a to the
quality either of It patriotism or
Judgment: but it use It unjustified
sneer a the basis of an observation
and an Inquiry.
The drift at Washington has been
toward absorption of legislative pow
ers by the Executive. We do not sup
pose that anyone will say that there
Is co-ordination and distribution of
powers among- the executive, legisla
tive and Judicial departments. Con
gress has been In the complete control
of the White House.
Further light on the relations of
President and CongTes la to be had
In the new dispatches. Through the
Associated Press last Saturday came
this interesting; development:
la emphaaUIn his epposltloa to the Sea
military committee bliis for a war
raoinet and a munitions director. Praal
nt vvllaoa orsed upon another group of
Democratic Sanaton called to the White
House today the neceeaity ef avoiding, as
tar as poaeio:e. asuatlon in consreea that
might eacourase the enemy and sivo the
uupreasion oi u.ecoro.
Our Inquiry Is: What comment on
the fact that the President confers
1th Democratic Senators, and no
Senators of any other party, does our
little Pendleton friend think The Ore-
g-onian should make?
who dcxaycd sinrurTLDrxfJT
When the shipping bill was first In
troduced. It was offered as a means
of providing an American merchant
marine for commerce. At that time
private enterprise was building ships
and would have done so In larger
volume but for the deterrent effect of
the threat of Government competition.
With the wise revision of the sblppThg
laws which The Oregonlan has ad
vocated for many years, these new
ships would have remained under the
American flag at the service of Ameri
can commerce. The expenditure of
$50,000,000 which was then proposed
was "ridiculously Inadequate, if the
Government was to have built a mer
chant fleet. The suggestion that the
new ships might be used as Army
transports was an afterthought of
Secretary McAdoo after the first ship
ping bill had been defeated by fili
buster. The declaration of war radically
changed the situation. It made imme
diate construction of ships an urgent
necessity of war. As these ships must
be suited for transports and as the
war-power of the Government over
finance and Industry must be exer
cised In order to secure the largest
possible tonnage of the right type In
the shortest time, it was necessary
that ship be built by and for the
Government. Tet the manner In which
the Shipping Board went about It
work for war helped to confirm every
argument which had been advanced
against the Government' building
ships for peace. A good business man
would have made a broad survey of
the Nation's potential capacity for
building shin of all types and materi
als, would have adopted standard de-
ftfrns without delay and would have
put the entire capacity of the country
to use. without regard to sections or
o any particular material.
Instead, the Den man board started
by favoring the South with wooden
ship contracts and then got into a row
with General Goethals because he.
seeing that the South could not deliver
the goods, condemned them and pre
ferred steel ships, thus raising a ques
tion as between the two materials,
though both are good and both are
needul. Not until Chairman Hurley
got full power did the Board act upon
the common-sense plan to build as
many as possible of both types. Mean
while precious months had been wasted
while we and all our allies were call
ing for "ships, ship and more ships."
"These feuds" were not "Inevitable,"
as a local Democratic paper asserts.
They could, have been avoided by
putting a business man on the Job
with full authority. They were the
Inevitable consequence of dividing au
thority among a lawyer-politician, an
Army engineer and several other men.
From the day when war was declared,
opposition to Government building and
operation ceased, all the funds asked
for were voted by Congress without
hesitation, and the delays were caused
by the Administration and its ap
pointees, and no one else.
What would seem to be a test of
the virility of the English language Is
now being mad In China In response
to a general demand for a universal
tongue to supplant the many different
dialects employed. Comparatively re
rent development of the democratic
Idea, ha been attended by deal re to
promote a higher degree of National
onion, and Bishop Lewis, ef the Meth
odist Episcopal Church at Shanghai,
after a tour ef fourteen Chinese prov-
Inces. says that English speech Is
gaining In popularity, is fast becom
ing the standard mean of lnter-jiro-vlnclal
communication, and give."
promise of the day when all China
will be speaking; it. It Is through thus
medium that self-government will be
taught In the primary schools which
the missionaries hope to see estab
lished throughout the country. The
present Chinese languages are Inade
quate for the purpose, because they
are totally lacking In words to express
the thought of civil liberty as we con
ceive It, and it Is believed that English
will serve the purpose better than any
other. . TWO EXPLANATIONS.
Behind closed doors, in Portland,
ten day or so since, a group of citi
zens met and launched the movement
for an Oregon Non-Partisan League,
which. It Is explained with charming
naivete, may or may not be affiliated
with the privately-controlled and pri
vately-dlrected Townley Non-Partisan
League of North Dakota. "An Ameri
can Cltlxen." writing- to The Orego
nlan a day or two later, asked certain
questions about the new nolitiral
scheme. which pretty eftectuafly
stirred up the animals.
Professor MacPherson, of the Ore
g-on Agricultural College, took a half
column to explain why he was there,
and to elucidate the perfectly patriotic
and highly non-partisan character of
me organization. ue. us quote a para
graph from his very Interesting and
more or less persuasive letter:
I'was there at the request of ths repre-
. iiibi. .1 me requeei oi mo npn
sentatlves of 60.000 organised farmers an
uborln, WPO .,, KItnerea to o1,cu1
i.guiation er ecting the social and economj
na
UBO
economic
welfare mt Oregon.
In two or three places the pro
fessor lays ' emphasis on the "pro
gressive legislation" which is nearest
to the heart ot the Non-Partisan
League.
Now Brother Spence, of the State
Grange, also writes a letter. Mr.
Spence is no camouflageur, and we
understand exactly what he means
when he says:
Tba league is a non-partisan organiza
tion for the purpoee of securing control of
the politico of the several etalea by a ma
jority. In order to get a fair deal tor pro
ducers sad consumers.
Nothing there about "progressive
legislation" or the protracted and
fruitful deliberation of the "represen
tatives of fifty thousand organized
farmers and laboring men" to procure
1L Nothing at all.
The Non-Partisan League Is going
Into politics. The fact that the name
Is a misnomer does not worry Mr.
Spence. It Is out to control the poli
tics of Oregon.
Now, of course, there never was a
doubt about it, and Mr. Spence saw no
reason to pretend that there was.
Nor need anybody be In doubt about
the exact political status and affilia
tlon of those who are out to control
the politics of the Non-Partisan
League.
IT MIGHT BE MCCII WORSE.
Food control Is no farce in Eng
land, as Marie Corelll, the authoress.
has learned. The police found that
she had received at her house at
Stratford-on-Avon 18S pounds of
sugar during a period for which she
was entitled to only 32 pounds, and
the magistrate fined her 50. Ignor
ing her vehement assertion that she
is "a patriot and would not think of
hoarding" and her prediction that
"Lloyd George will be resigning to
morrow and there will be a revolu
tion in England In less than a week."
Another lady whose hoard of food
was discovered by an Inspector was
Lady Mabel Gore Langton, who had
accumulated 125 pounds of tea, thirty
five pounds of coffee, eleven tins of
condensed milk, twenty-three pounds
of currants, four and one-half pounds
of sultanas, seven pounds of raisins
and twenty pounds of sugar. The
lady was fined 80, and 103 pounds
of the tea was confiscated.
Any Americans who chafe at the
mild restrictions on food consumption
which prevail in this country would
do well to consider the stringent regu
lation which has been adopted by our
ally and be thankful that things are
no worse. Except so far as ability to
buy Is limited by regulation of dealers,
restriction on purchase and consump
tion in this country Is only voluntary,
and we have not really begun to feel
a shortage of those luxuries which
Lady Gore Langton 'hoarded. Con
trast this with the situation in Great
Britain, In which Lord Khondda re
cently said that the government had
bought a "sufficient supply of tea all
around," but that "the tea will be
long to the government, and we shall
do Jolly well what we like with It."
The food shortage has scarcely be
gun to touch the American people,
and their freedom to buy and eat
what they please Is only slightly lim
ited. Unless the supply of both food
and ships increases very materially,
things will become much worse. In
stead of repining we should cheerfully
do what Mr. Hoover asks. -
A TROBLKM FOB 11S.
One of the most serious problems
now confronting the country, as the
farm season Is about to open, is that
of agricultural labor. Upon the wis
dom shown in Its solution will de
pend In large measure our success in
bringing the war to an early conclu
sion. Crops are needed quite as much
a soldiers In order to win.
One thing the country now under
stands, which it only dimly appre
hended before. Is that agriculture is
a skilled occupation. It is not an
answer to the farmer's call for help
to open an employment bureau in
each city, and assemble heterogenous
groups of clerks out of Jobs, and la
borers without training, and other
willing but inexperienced "hands." in
the hope that from among the number
the farmer with a crop to put In and
only a few weeks to do It in is going
to find any substantial number of real
assistants. The experiment was made
last year, and It Is the practically
unanimous opinion of experts that it
was a failure. Most of the efforts of
these men were wasted. Employers
do not feel that they received a re
turn for the wage outlay Involved.
The farmhand has suffered some
what from the general designation,
"farm laborer." under which he ap
pear In official, reports and statis
tical summaries. The term "laborer"
1 associated with lack of special skill,
and In other occupation Is used to
differentiate the man to whom It Is
applied from the craftsman who has
served hla apprenticeship and knows
hi business. But the farm laborer
Is also master of a "trade." Quite as
much as a blacksmith, or a ship
caulker, or any one of scores of other
craftsmen, he needs, to be efficient,
both the skill and the Judgment which
are to be gained only through experi
ence. It la a curlou fact that many
men who know that their own trades
and professions require a high degree
ef education harbor the belief that:
anybody can till the soil. They are
Just beginning to discover their mis
take. It Is not even now quite clear how
the solution of the question for 1918 is
going to be found, but something must
be done about it. The supply of effi
cient farm help must be conserved,
with due precautions that bogus
claims to agricultural knowledge are
not made the basis of slacking.
' The lesson will be good for us all
after peace is restored. It will put
farming on a higher plane than ever
before. The people will be more lib
erally Inclined toward appropriations
for agricultural education, and farm
ers themselves wll have a better ap
preciation of its value. The present
crisis is teaching that agriculture de
serves to be ranked with the most ex
acting trades, if. Indeed, it does not
deserve to rank among professions.
CONTKIBITIONS TO MORALE.
It will hearten Americans who have
contributed to such Institutions for
work behind the lines In Europe as
the Young Men's Christian Associa
tlon and the Red Cross to know that
original expectations have been more
than Justified. Every man returning
from the front and every spokesman
for our allies who has had oppor
tunity to observe the work has been
enthusiastic in its praise.
Although we may appreciate the
value of this work in behalf of our
own men, the part it Is playing in
keeping up the-spirits of the British,
the Italians and the French, which Is
almost as important, is net so well
understood. Major Grayson M. P,
Murphy, head of the Red Cross work
In France, on his return to the United
States recently emphasized this phase.
It must be recognized that America
is not yet able to take a large part
in the actual fighting, and that delay
In doing so might have had a discour
aging effect upon those who had
counted strongly upon us. Mr. Murphy
said:
Meanwhile tho people are looking to nm
for moral support, and I do not know of
anything that approaches tha Red Cross in
giving the feeling of moral support to tbem.
We are reaching great numbers ot every
class, as well aa the soldiers.
But the effect was even more marked
in Italy than elsewhere. It Is now
known that Germans had circulated
reports in Italy that America cared
nothing about her. That was before
we had declared a state of war with
Austria, and Italians at the front were
depressed. But when, four days after
the declaration of war, the American
Red Cross shot down across the line
Into Italy from France sixty American
ambulances, with more than 100 men
clad in khaki:
That was taken In Italy as evidence that
America waa right on the Job; that America
was a producer of miracles. That work re
built Italian morale. This Is the one big
thing that we've sot to understand: That
this Is a war of peoples, ,
To build up and maintain the morale
of nations while we are preparing for
the battle Itself, It is now seen, is not
the least Important phase of the work
not only of the Red Cross, but also
of the Y. M. C. A. and other organiza
tions with similar purpose. Mean
while it Is all contributing to the com
fort and the efficiency of our own men.
In England, where the daylight
saving plan does not suffer from its
designation as the "Summer-time
movement," It has been found that the
subterfuge of turning tine clock ahead
has resulted in material social, eco
nomic and business benefits. It has
conserved both health and coal. Ob
jection that it would have the same
effect if it were accomplished with
out changing the clock's hands has
been met with the reply that people,
being as they are, will not get up an
hour earlier in normal circumstances,
the habits of multitudes being hard
to break. But the extra hour of day
light has proved valuable to all con
cerned, even the soldiers in the train
ing camps, to whom it has meant in
creased preparedness and efficiency.
In times when every moment counts,
the manner of accomplishing the
change is of minor importance by
comparison with the result, and Eng
lish leaders strongly urge their Amen
can - friends to adopt daylight-saving
as soon as possible.
A new destroyer recently completed
at the Mare Island Navy-yard made
the voyage of more than 4000 miles
through the Panama Canal to an At
lantic port in 12 days elapsed time.
or 10 days' actual steaming time, an
average of twenty miles an hour. That
is some speed, but for duration It does
not equal the old Oregon's voyage
around the Horn to Santiago in 1898
Government should not deprecate
hymns of hate," in view of what cap
tured Americans will get from the
Huns. Hate is wholesome over there.
and a little of it here is heartening.
Perhaps the bureaucrats, being young.
do not recall the times the boys would
hang Jeff Davis to a sour-apple tree.
There is some risk In sending good
leather shoes to the Belgians, as the
generous people of Livingston, Mont-,
are doing. The Germans are wearing
wooden shoes, and will be strongly
tempted to rob the Belgians.
Mr. Logan's estimate of 20.000
"breweries" Is a trifle high, perhaps.
but almost every fellow knows of some
other fellows brewing homemade beer
because they are silly enough to
tell of it.
Mr. Hornibrook may land the com
mitteeman's position, but not by being
called "Will." Mr. King gets there
on the sobriquet, but it isn't Demo
cratic
Two patients eloped from tha State
Hospital Sunday, and as they are
"considered harmless" It Is well to
leave the dog unchained.
The marine architect who cleaned
up a few hundred thousands is not in
the class of the- French private who
made St. 000.000.
Corn meal Is reported scarce In
local trade circles, and what Is a pa
triotic woman to do?
The south wind is a Portland Insti
tution, and the harder It blow the
greater the welcome.
Victoria ha It so bad that a man
-must even fear to die there on Sunday.
Imagine how the St. Louis strike Is
played up In the Berlin press.
Hoover will not mind a few bit of
food thrown to the bird.
Bulgaria Teels as sadly neglected as
the proverbial white chip.
These heavy winds sound worse than
they are. . They are all blow.
NEED EXISTS FOR FCEL ECONOMY
Feasibility ef Oil Shortage Hakes Daty
f Teaaats Plaia.
, PORTLAND, Feb. 4. (To the Editor.)
Except in the few large plants where
light and power are derived f,rom hydro
electric energy, this is a fuel oil-burning
community. We are much more de
pendent upon fuel oil than is generally
believed until one has made a survey of
the subject. Even the plants just re
ferred to use fuel oil for supplementary
demands and depend upon it for their
auxiliary plants.
The supply of fuel oil is threatened.
The seriousness of the situation is
demonstrated by the fact that in order
to protect themselves the Coast oil
companies have practically abrogated
their existing contracts. Some of them
had nearly a year and more to run. The
companies are now supplying oil on a
day-to-day basis. Another equally
serious factor la the price, now and for
the future. It is reaching a prohibt
tlve basis, so far as continuing the use
of oil as fuel in competition with wood
and coal.
Notwithstanding that oil receipts in
this port in December were much
greater than in any previous month and
much larger than the average, an ave
rage of one-third less oil is, being re
ceived at this port than is customary.
It amounts to a decrease of 100,000 bar
rels a month. Furthermore, there are
Indications that the Government will
take over every oil tanker it is possible
to use in trans-Atlantic traffic If it
does the supply will cease altogether.
It is further true that San Francisco
and Los Angeles and the communities
to the south of us are much more de
pendent upon oil fuel than are we. Coal
and wood are unobtainable by them.
They will undoubtedly be given prior
ity over us in futute service in case but
one or two small tankers, not usable
In trans-Atlantic traffic, should be left
to the Pacific Coast,
The conservation of heat in general
and the saving of every degree of heat
possible by the Individual users, there
fore, will help make the present supply
go much farther.
A great saving in fuel oil would fol
low if the owners of apartment-houses,
office buildings and their tenants would
co-operate against wasting the heat
that is unnecessary.
If the owners of offlce buildings
would see that every radiator in every
vacant room in the respective buildings
is kept turned off and no heat allowed
to enter a radiator where it is not ab
solutely necessary and if all tenants
would keep the steam turned off in
such rooms as may not be occupied by
them from time to time, a tremendous
aggregate saving would follow. Few
realize how great this saving will total.
If all tenants. Instead of opening
doors and windows when It becomes too
hot, while allowing radiators to con
tinue to circulate steam, would shut off
the steam, keep doors closed and not
open windows so wide, they would do
their bit. Sufficient and desirable ven
tllation in office buildings may be se
cured by opening windows one inch
from the bottom (not the top) in each
room. This will permit ample clrcu
lation of air through the rooms, es
pecially if the transom over the office
door is kept open slightly.
This is the pressing moment for con
servation along all lines. Every little
helps. In so far as the use of fuel is
concerned, adopt the motto "Turn off
the heat when not In use."
JAMES J. SAYER,
Secretary Portland Association of
Building Owners and Managers.
Beneflciarlea of Soldiers' Insurance,
PORTLAND. Feb. 4. (To the Editor.)
(1) Does the 310,000 Government policy
have to go to the wife or can it be
divided between the wife and relatives?
(2) Are all wives, no matter how re
cently married, to receive an extra al
lotment1 from the Oovernment.' is)
What is the salary of a sergeant? (4)
Is it the same in all branches?
SUBSCRIBER.
(1) Permitted beneficiaries of a sol
dler are a wife, child, grandchild,
brother or sister, stepbrother or step
sister, . adopted brother or adopted
sister of the insured, as well as parent,
grandparent or stepparent, either of
the Insured or his wife. The policy
may be drawn so any number of per
mltted beneficiaries may share, or so
that one may get the money after the
other's death.
(2) Yes.
(3) For the first enlistment period.
the monthly pay, including 20 per cent
Increase for foreign service, is $44 for
sergeant of artillery, cavalry or in
fantry; $51.20 for sergeant of engineers,
ordnance. Signal Corps, Quartermas
ter's Corps or MtMical Department.
There are other grades, pay in which
runs as high as $96 for Quartermaster's
sergeant, senior grade, and master hos
pltal sergeant.
(4) No. See foregoing answer.
Renting Without Lease.
PORTLAND. Feb. 4. (To the Editor.)
(1) If a tenant pays his rent each
month and if for no other reason than
being dissatisfied, can a landlord give
himi 30 days' notice to vacate? (2) The
tenant, not wishing to vacate, what re
course has tenant? (8) Would he be
compelled to move? (4) I have been a
good tenant at this house for three
years and now the rent was raised,
consequently I asked for the. house to
be cleaned and my answer was to va
cate, giving me SO days' notice. My
rent has been paid every month prompt.
ly and has been accepted. I do not wish
to move at this present time for various
reasons. What can be done? Am I en
titled to more notice? (6) If one should
vacate a house any time during the
month, can landlord collect for the full
month or only for the number of days
occupied?
ORBGONIAN SUBSCRIBER.
(1) Yes, If there is no agreement as
to term of occupancy.
(2) None. .
(3) Yes.
(4) Answer given above.
(6) Probably in your case It would
be held that you were renting from
month to month under an implied un
derstanding that each rental, period
full month.
Change of status.
WESTLAKE, On. Feb. 3. (To the
Editor.) If a man is In class 1 and his
wife Is to become a mother could he
be taken into the Army? Can a direct
appeal to the President be made?
A. BUliStJXtJ-tlfyH.
(1) It would depend upon the ground
for assignment of the registrant to
class 1. In some cases such a condi
tion discovered after classification
might create a change of status and
should be reported Immediately to the
local board. It Is then discretionary
whether the board reopens the case.
If the board was Informed of the
condition at the time classification was
made, the proper step la to appeal in
the manner and within the time limit
designated in the questionnaire and on
the classification card.
Hew Flag ghrald Baas.
PBNDCETON, Or., Feb. 3. (To the
Editor.) When a flag is hanging
straight down en a south wall, should
the stars be in the right or left-hand
corner? If In right-hand corner makes
stars to the west. A READER.
When the flag is hung vertically, so
it eaa be viewed from one side only,
the blue field should be at the right
a one faoes it.
TROUBLES OF IP-RIVER BOATS
Captain Gray Telia of Obstacles That
Made Mountain Gem Unprofitable.
PASCO, Wash.. Feb. 3. (To the Edi
tor.) I note with Interest the items In
The Oregonlan regarding the action of
the Port ' of Portland Commission co
operating with Government officials on
a traffic survey of the Columbia and
Snake rivers; also the action of the
Chamber of Commerce on "water
freights urged." I have had a little
experience of the way Portland mer
chants help water traffic
In 1905, after the opening of the
Celilo Portage Railroad, the charterers
of the steamer Mountain Gem were In
duced by fair promises to bring that
steamer from Lewiston to operate on
the Columbia above Celilo. The "open
river" people secured a clerk out of
the O.-W. K. & N. office to make their
tariff sheet. The officials of the
"Open River Association" did good
work, and the boat carried plenty of
freight, but did not make money. After
several weeks I was appointed acting
superintendent.
One evening I noticed a shipment of
two or three carloads of freight con
signed to the agent and superintendent
of the Portage road, Celilo, but marked
to a firm in Blckleton. The agent
rebilled It to a landing (now Roose
velt). It looked queer, as we had car
ried freight marked direct. I examined
the tariff sheet and found that the
through rate was considerable less
than the local rates from Portland to
Celilo and from Celilo to the landing.
There was a clause on the tariff sheet
that "this tariff sheet is subject to
cancellation without notice," or words
to that effect. I, as superintendent, can
celed the tariff sheet and ordered the
purser to change our proportion of the
through rata. I understand there was
a lawsuit over the transaction, but I
was not called as a witness.
We lost about $7000 with the Moun
tain Gem before the North Bank Rail
road began building, but made up our
Jtosses operating for the contractors of
Another thing that militates against
the water lines is the neglect of the mer
chants to watch their shipping clerks.
The railroads have agents to watch the
origin of all shipments. Consumers
and up-river merchants order goods by
water: the merchant gives the order
to the shipping clerk and forgets It;
the clerk gets a drink (or used to)
cigar, a hat, or suit of clothes (if the
shipment is large enough), and the
buyer gets his goods by rail. There
is no big money in steamboating on
our rivers as there used to be, and
the operation of sea-going American
vessels is handicapped by our shipping
laws, and the lnsiduous band of the
railroads is reaching out everywhere
1 for bugines8 ani i8 not to be blamed
for doing so.
The railroads are organized to get
business, and are to be encouraged in
developing every part of the Nation.
And the people must Organize to de
velop our natural highways ithe oceans
and rirs, and see that they get jus
tice and what belongs to them and
the shipper must not let a 360 clerk
route his shipments.
W. P. GRAY.
Sweaters for Red Cross.
LEXINGTON, Or., Feb. 2. (To the
Editor.) I notice in The Oregonian
directions for making sweaters. Do you
get your directions from Red Cross
headquarters and are members of the
Red Cross expected to follow them?
The Red Cross directions that are
sent out on little leaflets call for the
sweater to measure 25 inches from be
ginning to neck.
It is very confusing to have you
print Red Cross directions that are not
according to the ones they send out.
I wish you would explain so we will
know if we are correct if sweaters are
made 23 inches instead of 25.
MRS. KARL BEACH.
Official Red Cross directions for mak
ing sweaters were published in The
Oregonian January 20 and repeated in
The Oregonian January 28. In both
cases these directions specified that a
sweater was to be 23 inches long.
The Oregonian has also published
sweater directions that were not
strictly in accord with the Red Cross
specifications. The Red Cross will ac
cept and distribute such sweaters. Iron
clad rules are not adhered to. The Red
Cross simply offers as suggestion for
making knitted goods what has proved
in the long run and in the light of
experience witli hundreds of thousands
of knitted goods the best plan, in its
opinion.
In the case of socks, the Red Cross
directions should be followed implicitly.
as- these are based on what Army ex
perts declare to be the only suitable
sock for hard service
The Red Cross specifications change
occasionally, due to Army orders. The
latest Red Cross specifications may be I
obtained by writing to your nearest
Red Cross chapter, which in the case of
the correspondent Is at Heppner, Or.
Address Mrs. Phil Coh, chairman.
Time for Prlcea to Halt.
PORTLAND, Feb. 4. (To the Editor.)
It has been mentioned that the water
rates must be increased to meet the
bonded Indebtedness!
The price of everything is coming up.
The quality of our flour is being re
duced and the price is to be raised.
The carfare is higher, even the pos
tage stamps have taken a jump. If
there is to be any increase in the wa
ter rates it will simply result in a de
crease of water consumption, ine
rates were so high last year that thou
sands of lawns were allowed to dry up.
The people must stop somewhere!
If this water "conservation" is persist
ed in. Portland will become a tiesert.
It will be found there will be no in
crease of revenue There may be a
contest on then as to whether Port
land or Pasco shall be called the "Rose
City." , MATTIE B. ROSS. .
No JVlgbt Opening of Stores.
PORTLAND. Feb. 4. (To the Edi
tor.) Would it not be possible for the
merchants to plan to keep open until
8 o'clock Saturday night so that we
could do our shopping, because we
work all day Saturday and cannot get
to the stores by 6 o clock?
A SHIPYARD WORKER.
It is possible, but not practicable.
Mercantile establishments are prohib
ited from employing female workers
after 6 P. M. by an order of the Public
Welfare Commission, which has the
force of law. To remain open after 6
p. M. would entail employment of a
separate shift in the larger stores.
Curability of Pyorrhea.
PORTLAND, Feb. 4. (To the Editor.)
Can pyorrhea be cured? Three den
tists have told me "yes" and two said
no." Is pyorrhea contagious and e it
infectious? SUBSCRIBER.
It Is probably infectious and probably
not contagious. The Oregonian has no
superior information as to its cura
bility. Dentists, who should know if
anybody does, do not agree, as the cor
respondent has already discovered.
Doubtless it can be greatly ameliorated.
Taxes en Soldiers Property.
PORTLAND. Feb. 4. (To the Editor.)
la it true that property In this city
owned by a man serving his country,
either In the Army or Navy, is exempt
from all taxes and j street assessments.
during his time of such servicer
No, - I
In Other Days.
Half a Century Am.
Froiw The Oregonian, February B, 1868.
Washington Kit Carson arrived
.last night, accompanied by . one of the
principal Utah chiefs, on a visit in ret'
erence to treaty matters.
Chicago The President charges
Rollins, Commissioner . of Internal
Revenue, with malfeasance in office
in exacting money from revenue offi
cials to aid the radicals to carry New
Hampshire.
The people living along the banks
of the Columbia being cut off from
their usual means of communication
with this upper country, h aye been re
duced to short bread rations.
Mr. Shepherd, Wells, Fargo 4 Co.'s
messenger, arrived last evening (Tues4
day) from The Dalles, having left there
at half past 6 Monday morning a very
quick trip.
New. York A Times special ay It U
ascertained that the President actually
issued an order to General Grant for
bidding him to obey orders received
from the Secretary of War.
Atlanta General Meade has revoked
Pope's order prohibiting public official
advertisements in papers opposing reJ
construction.
Twenty-Five Year Ago.
From The Oregontanv February 5, 1893.
New York The Honorable James Sj
Clarkson. chairman of the National
Republican Executive Committee, lsj
quoted as saying: "In my Judgment
the act of President Harrison in apJ
pointing to the Supreme Bench, espeJ
c'.ally at this exceedingly critical junc
ture in National affairs, a Southern!
state rights, free trade, anti-pensioni
Democrat, and an unrecanted believer!
in the secession theory, is a betrayal
of public, trust and party faith."
The City Water Company is experi-
encing considerable trouble by the facd
that nearly every householder lets hi
faucets remain open day and night to
prevent the pipes from freezing.
The East Eiders have sent a commu
nication to the Legislature protesting
against the bridge commission issuing
bonds to buy the Morrson-street
bridge. "It is too far south to proper
ly accommodate central Portland. We
think that Oak or Pine street is the)
proper place Where a central free
bridge sholud be built."
At the regular meeting of the Sunny
side Improvement Association three
important matters were considered--"
the inadequate water supply, the
bonding act, and fire protection.
Seattle The snow storm which is!
now 11 days old is not broken.
A Spring "Pome,"
When the ai.gleworm comes angling
forth to meet the cheering sun:
When the katy-dids are wrangling o'er
what was or wasn t done:
When each garden has a digger, and
each diecer has a spade.
It is time to get some sassafras and
see that tea is made.
When the apple trees are blooming, and
the snowball's fluffy white.
And the robins keep a hopping on tha
lawn from dawn till night.
There's a creeping lack of energy that
seemed congealed and slow.
For the heart of all humanity thaw
out with melting snow.
There's t promise most enticing in the
whiff of sweet Spring air
That is first to fill our nostrils after
season brown and bare;
There's a warming up rf sluggish blood
that faster seems to flow.
When the frogs set up their barking
and the crickets start, to crow.
. . ... . - ,
Grasp the lesson that is printed on
each tender leaf of Spring; -Heed
the music of the tree tops ot
each tiny, singing thing;
Tune your flute and join the choruaj
fall in step and hike along;
There is neither halt nor discord in oldj
nature s marching song.
GRACE E. BALL.
Liberty Loan Campaign Song.
(Sung to the tune of "Bonnie Dundee.")'
From the head of the Nation this word
has been brought: 1
'To help end the war many bonds must
be bought";
So let all show their love for the brave
and the free
By backing our lads who are over the
sea.
CHORUS:
If you've bought a bond, then come.
buy again;
Come now, buy a bond, all you maidens'
and men.
You buy, and I'll buy, we'll all buy.
and not stop
Until we put Oregon over the top.
As we led in the past, so we lead again.
We've led with our money and led with
our men;
By working and saving we'll none ot
us lack;
And we'll be a proud state when oue
'laddies come back.
MAUDE SPAFFORD BURLEY.
For Parents of the Slain.
Charles Granville, in Poetry.
Weep not; they would not have us weep
for them;
Weep not; for they are as the stars that
shine;
Their glory split upon the darkened skies
Caoiiot be dimmed by frailty, yours or
mine.
They cannot die; shall not the beet survive?
The flower of man, too, has its seed in
death;
And aa the phoenix soars from sehen dupt
Man e spirit from the dead draws living
breath.
They live with us as they shall live with
men
Throughout the sees In the times to be.
Patriots and partners In the great emprlee
To make and keep their cherished Ens
land free.
(Only when foul Is fair and fair Is font.
And honor falls, shall men blot out their
Orfly when' men shall call their courage
crime
Shall England know oblivion and the
night.)
They shall not die, so men be worthy them
And the high motive shining through their
deed;
So men be worthy they shall never die.
But shall be eplrit-warriors at our need.
limited Military Service.
SALEM. Or.. Feb. 3. (To the Edi
tor.) Please state what is meant when
a registrant is classed for "limited mil
itary service."
CONSTANT READER.
It means that he is subject to call,
if needed, for duty with the military
forces not on the firing line,, but in
a capacity calling for no greater" physi
cal fitness than demanded by the work
he is able to perform in civil life. It
is not certain' that he will ever be
called.
Hanging of Service Flag.
THE DALLES, Or.. Feb. 3. (To the
Editor.) Please inform me what i tha
proper method of displaying a service
flag on the wall of a church or lodge
room. Should the length, of the flag
be placed vertically or horizontally?
O. D. DOAN&
W know of no rule. I