lO
THE 3IOKNIXG OREGOXIAN. TUESDAY, MAY 28, 1918.
rURTLAK'D, OREGON.
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JORTLAMi, TIKSDAV. MAY 28. 11.
I.KT CONfiRKfi STAY ON" DITV.
Finance is usually deemed so dry a
subject as to give small scope for in
spiring: utterances, but that fact did
not prevent President Wilson from
striking: a high note in his address to
Congress. His solemn call to duty at
the time when the Germans are again
striving- to break or bend the Anglo-French-American
line should reach
the heart and conscience of every
member of Congress. If conscience
will not hold them to their duty, the
warning that voters will give short
shrift to a slacker surely will.
Congressmen may be weary, but so
are the millions who for nearly four
years have withstood the Hun. The
weather may be hot, but what of that
compared with the heat, the din, the
poisonous gas and the tearing wounds
on the battlefront? Political fences
may need fixing, but a slacker Con
gressman would not dare to give that
excuse to the father and mother of a
boy who had-gone eagerly to form a
part of that fence which holds back
the enemy. These are not times when
any man dare think of his own ease
or of his political safety, for the best
recommendation of any man, the best
nssurance of his re-election, will be
that he spends laborious days at hts
post of duty and trusts watchful
patriots at home to see that he does
not lose thereby. Even though he
lose all, politically speaking, what Is
that compared with the lives which
are willingly offered up by thousands
that Liberty may live?
There is much necessary work for
Congress to do before it should think
cf adjourning. Not only should it
provide abundant war funds, but it
should do so far enough in advance
to give the Government time to or
ganize collection and the taxpayers
time to arrange for payment. It
should enact laws which will liberate
all our resources to be thrown against
the foe. The laws enacted at this ses
sion ought to prepare this Nation to
put in the struggle next year a weight
of men and material equal to that of
Franc and Britain combined and not
Inferior to that of Germany. So far
rs legislation can be decisive in war,
that of this session ought to be de
risive. The Senator or Representa
tive who remains faithfully at his
post of duly will stand best with his
constituents, for they are not looking
for candidates' smiles and handshakes
in these days.
rRl'S5IA" CANDOR.
That Prussia unwhipped will not
abandon its plans for world domina
tion Is indicated clearly enough in the
remarkably candid and cold-blooded
"Deductions From the "World War,"
which was published in Germany in
the closing weeks of 1917, and pro
hibited from export, but has found
Its way to the United States and
lias been reprinted here. Official
weight is given to the work by the
fact that its author is Baron von
Freytag-Loringhoven, a lieutenant
preneral and deputy chief of Ate Ger
man imperial staff. It was written
for the purpose of giving advice to
the German people.
Total failure of the Prussian .mind
to grasp the essential feature of the
present struggle Is indicated by the
author's rejection in toto of the pos
sibility of a world peace based upon
the development of the sense of jus
tice. Treaties, in the estimate of this
noteworthy exponent of the militaris
tic doctrine, always will continue to
lie scraps of paper. He says that
'we misconstrue reality if we imagine
that it is possible to rid the world of
war by means of mutual agreements,"
and he adds:
Such agreements will, in the future as in
the past, be concluded from time to tima
Pet ween states. The further development
of courts of arbitration and the elimina
tion of many causes of dispute by their
agency ne within the realm of Dossibil
Ity. but any such agreements will, after
all. only be treaties which -will not on every
occasion be capable of holding In check
xno torces seething within the state.
The Prussian notion of pride is
curiously revealed. "The preservation
cf peace." says this leader of mill
tartsm. "remains a Utopia, and would
be felt as an intolerable tutelage by
any great and proud-spirited Nation."
That is to say, one may contemplate
with equanimity the prospect of
treaties ruthlessly broken, of national
promises coolly disregarded, and suf.
fer no wounded feelings, but. being
Jield to one's pledge, would find the
"tutelage" intolerable. It is a strange
definition of the "proud spirit" of a
people. The man whose boast it was
that his word was as good as his
bond finds no counterpart, apparently
in the imagination of the Prussian
lieutenant-general.
It is not surprising, therefore, that
American- idealism should be dis
missed as "only business pacifism.
not altered by the fact that "it is
wrapped in a hazy garment of ideal
ism and so seeks to hide its real sig
nificance from unsuspecting minds.'
The militarist will have nothing to do
with pacific ideals. They are only for
remocracv. which he utterly abhors.
He goes on:
In any event, as re rani a us Germans, the
world war should dislncumher us once for
all of any vague, cosmopolitan sentimen
tality. In the future, as in tha past,
the German people will have to seek firm
cohesion in its glorious army and ilk its be
laureled younr fleet.
The remainder of the book is in
teresting, but not more significant.
Jt deals with measures necessary to
the preservation of German military
(efficiency, There must be mora at.
tention to tactics and less to strategy,
and so on. The organization must
continue to "rest on a so'und, aristo
cratic tradition." The spirit of mili
tarism must be preserved.
It is utterances such as these, which
are not isolated, but typical, which
make it clear that nothing but a
sound thrashing will alter the con
viction of the Prussian that might
makes right and that force is su
preme. The first step toward peace
and justice is the desire for them.
The Prussian lieutenant-general and
his kind have no such desire. Only
by a crushing demonstration of the
failure of their theory of life can
their minds be convinced of its
fallacy.
WHAT ARK THEY FORf
The chase for Jff Baldwin has
been an interesting adventure for the
new state constabulary. But there Is
naturally a growing curiosity to know
if the duty of hunting down convicts
who have escaped from the peniten
tiary is strictly in line with the duties
of the new organization. Jeff Bald
win is a dangerous and desperate
man. and he should by all means be
re-taken and put in prison, where he
belongs, and be kept under strict and
stern guard. He has demonstrated
quite amply that he is not susceptible
to the timorous and tender influence
of moral suasion. Former Superin
tendent Minto. to be sure, had old
fashioned ideas about how a hardened
and 'incorrigible criminal should be
treated, and turned the water-hose on
.him until he bawled for mercy: but
it was generally agreed that such rig
orous methods were not at all nice;
and in handling convicts, especially
desperadoes like Baldwin, our prison
keepers must be nothing if not nice.
So Mr. Minto was discharged and
Baldwin was spared further punish
ment of that kind, only to escape at
the first opportunity.
Baldwin is a menace to the public
security, but not to the public peace,
so far as our war relations are con
cerned. The public will no doubt re
call that the State Emergency Board
on March 20, 1918, voted $250,000 to
create a state military police force for
the purpose so it was announced at
the time of "carrying on the work
of protecting the shipyards and other
industries engaged in. war work." The
State Council of Defense had fath
ered the project as a war measure.
So far as we have heard, Baldwin
is not advancing in force upon the
shipyards or other war industries,
and it is just as obvious that the
members of the state poliCe who
are hunting him through the wilds
of Lincoln County and elsewhere, are
not at this time guarding or protect
ing the shipyards or kindred insti
tutions. QUITE CONFUSING.
A candidate for the Public Utilities
Commission of Oregon, Mr. Williams,
Is nominated over the incumbent, Mr.
Miller, undoubtedly because he ad
vanced the attractive and appealing
idea that a "six-cent fare is too much
for a five-cent ride." Mr. Miller had
as Commissioner voted for an in
crease in streetcar fares from five to
six cents by the Portland Railway,
Light & Power Company.
We are led to wonder now as to the
exact measures Mr. Williams will
take in restoring the five-cent fare.
Of course, 'when the Commission
makes the order of reduction if it
does the company will resort to the
courts, and it will be determined there
whether or not the new order (five
cents) is confiscatory, and, if it is,
the six-cent decision will be permit
ted to stand.
Mr. Williams, who evidently thinks
that there is no impropriety in mak
ing a campaign for a quasi-judicial
position on a platform announcing in
advance how he will decide a. judicial
question, really should have run for
judge somewhere if he wants to tell
the street railway company what's
what. Yet. curiously enough, all the
Multnomah judges who decided for
the six-cent fare by sustaining the
validity of the TJommission's order,
were easily renominated. It would
seem to follow that the public thought
Mr. Miller was wrong in ordering the
six-cent fare, but that the public also
thought the judges were right in re
fusing to hold Mr. Miller and his
fellow-commissioners wrong. It is
quite confusing.
Secretary McAdoo, the all-powerful
National director of roads, announces
a 25 per cent increase in all freight
rates, including intra-state rates, and.
a considerable advance in passenger
rates. The new programme will bring
in J800.000.000 to $900,000,000 in the
next year. It is needed to meet the
increase In operating expenses, chiefly
from the advance in labor. The other
day Director-General McAdoo an
nounced that the railroads would
have to be given $1,000,000,000 for
betterments and physical enlarge
ments and improvements generally,
all of which ought to have been made
before, and would doubtless have been
made if the railroads could have got
the money.
Mr. McAdoo has the idea that the
railroads must be made self-supporting.
We are led to ask if that is Mr.
Williams' idea as to street railways?
TWO GREAT RAILROAD MANDATES.
No act of the Federal Government
has been more sweeping than the or
ders of Director General McAdoo
raising wages, freight rates and pas
senger fares on railroads. By one
stroke of the pen he increases thi
pay-roll by $300,000,000 and by an
other he advances freight rates 25 per
cent and passenger rates to three
cents a mile, increasing income
$800,000,000 or $900,000,000 a year.
Committees of managers and brother
hoods and arbitration boards have
deliberated for months about fat
smaller advances in wages in sections
of the country. Regiments of lawyers
have argued before the Interstate
Commerce Commission for months
for and against increases of 5. 10 or
15 per cent in freight rates on some
of the railroads. The mandate of one
man decides all such questions, in
volving far larger sums, for the whole
country. Such is the effect of war.
It makes dictatorial power inevitable,
and all bow before its decisions.
Enhanced cost of railroad operation
and maintenance seems to justify
higher rates, as higher cost of living
and a higher general level of -wages
justify the wage increase. The effect
will assuredly be reflected in higher
prices for all commodities. Precau
tion needs to be taken that increases
of prices and wages shall not roll on
like a snowball until the country may
be . weighed down by a debt which
consists mainly of inflated, fictitious
values, but which must be paid under
a price level free from inflation.
By sweeping aside all rate adjust
ments which have been made by state
commissions. Mr. McAdoo establishes
tho undivided supremacy of Uie Fcd-
eral Government over railroads.
Though this power has been gTanted
only for the duration of the war and
a brief period thereafter, it is not
likely that the concurrent jurisdiction
of Nation and states will ever be re
stored. That is one of the questions
which must be decided when the rela
tions of the Government and railroads
are readjusted after the war. Since
the Supreme Court has plainly inti
mated that the Federal power is su
preme under the Constitution, Con;
gress may be expected to decide that
it shaft not again be divided with the
states. When we consider the con
fusion and conflict which have pre
vailed, this cannot be regarded other
wise than as a change for the better,
but it betokens a' long stride in that
centralization which has been In
progress since the Civil War.
HCNTING" OCT THE SLACKERS.
It would be interesting to obtain a
mathematical computation of the
chances a slacker has of escaping the
talons of the law. Cases are con
stantly recurring which indicate that
they are few. The instance in which
one of them, formerly living near
Oregon City, fled to . North Dakota,
and moved from there to a logging
camp in Western Washington, only to
be hunted out and inducted into the
military . service serves to illustrate
the difficulties in the way of escape.
The young man doubtless believed he
could outwit the officers by doubling
on his trail. He was mistaken.
Two principal forces are operating
just now against the success of slack-
erism. In the first place there Is prac
tically no place to go. Canada is also
in the war and is inhospitable to able-
bodied young men who will not serve
their country.
Mexico is not an inviting haven.
Our ocean ports are guarded. And
in the next place, millions of patriotic
Americans will help no slacker to
keep his guilt secret. Wherever he
travels under the American flag, the
eyes of his neighbors will be upon
him. The country is organized, too,
to the remotest constable's bailiwick.
It would save these young men a
good deal of trouble if they would
accept the inevitable. The chance of
evading duty, it would seem, is min
ute, and life in the Army will be
much pleasanter if the service is en
tered in the regular way.
SEPARATE FIGHTS.
If wheat were used in the manu
facture of beer we would agree with
the Reverend Myron L. Boozer that
there is injustice in asking the people
to dispense with wheat as food while
breweries are permitted to operate.
We hold no sympathy for the brew
eries, but the pastor's remarks, we
think, savor much of arguments
heretofore thrown out against war
measures. There have been those who
advocated slacking in food produc
tion unless the Government would
show greater activity in suppressing
the profiteer. There have been others
who have opposed purchase of Lib
erty bonds because the Government
had not conscripted a greater propor
tion of wealth. '
These arguments have not always
come from essentially disloyal
tongues, and disloyalty, doubtless, is
not the quality of Mr. Boozer's ut
terance. But there is the serious sus
picion that some of us sometimes
show more enthusiasm for a domestic
reform than we do for the Nation's
great cause.
The wheatless programme is a mat
ter at present of state option. It is
a state policy for Oregon, urged by
the State Food Administration, to
show our sacrificing patriotism. Ore
gon raises much wheat. It brews no
beer. If it did brew beer our children
would get no more wheat bread by
stopping the breweries than' by let
ting them run. Nor will the wheat
we may save go elsewhere into beer.
If we would protest against brewing
beer elsewhere we certainly have that
privilege, but it would ill become us
to say that we will deprive ourselves
of wheat and thereby help materially
to win the war only if the Govern
ment will adopt a policy in another
particular.
The brewery, in these times, is vul
nerable in several places. It can be
attacked and slain without stinting
our efforts in any direction to force
a lasting peace.
MORE WAR TAXATION.
There Is sound reason in the ap
peal of President Wilson to Congress
for a revision of the war revenue
law which will materially increase
the annual receipts from taxation.
Though it is neither possible nor just
that the entire cost of the war should
be paid by taxes raised during its
progress, as large a proportion as pos
sible should be so paid. The ratio
should not be so large that it amounts
to confiscation, for then part of the
sources of income upon which taxes
are levied would be dried up, but it
should be as large as practicable in
consistence with undiminished Indus
try and production. That is neces
sary to reduce the burden-handed on
to future years, and it stimulates
thrift, which grows by - practice and
accumulates a surplus for investment
in war loans.
Comparison between the war
finance of the United States and
Great Britain shows that Mr. Mc
Adoo's proposal to raise $3,000,000,
000 a year by taxation is well within
our powers. The British budget for
the fiscal year 1918-19 provides that
28 per cent of expenditures be met
by taxation, and the amount thus to
be raised is abou,t 28 per cent of the
National income of the British peo
ple. While eight billions is 33 per
cent of the estimated American ex
penditure for the next year, it is only
20 per cent of the annual income.
This Nation should be able to pay the
same proportion of its income in taxes
as the British pay, but it should be
remembered that Great Britain is
taking 28 per cent in the fourth and
fifth years of the war, while the
United States is only in the second
year. The British government has
turned the screw a little more each
year, gradually educating the people
up to greater thrift and greater de
privation of luxuries. It would not be
wise for Congress to give the screw
several turns in a single year, before
the people have been trained up to
that point.
The most severe criticisms which
can be made upon the present war
revenue law are that it unequally dis
tributes taxation among incomes that
are earned by present individual ef
fort of the owners, or have been so
earned in the past, and that it does
not discriminate between earned and
unearned incomes. The President
voices a just complaint when he says
that many men are profiteering with
out having a due proportion of their
excess profits absorbed by taxation.
At the same time professional men
whose capital consists almost entirely
of their education and skill, acquired
by long years of study and practice,
are taxed out of all proportion. There
Is room there for readjustment which
would increase the burden on the for
mer, but would lighten it on the latter
class, yet would yield a large net in- j
crease of revenue. Such a readjust
ment would encourage enterprise and
industry, but would penalize greed
and speculation.
The worst defect of the present law
is neglect to distinguish between
earned and unearned incomes in im
position of income tax. The people
do not chafe much at the spectacle of
a great fortune accumulated by the
genius and energy of a man like
Charles M. Schwab, but they protest
most vehemently against indulgence
to the vast fortune inherited by the
grandsons of Marshall Field. These
young men may be estimable citizens,
doing their full duty according to
their ability, but they never turned a
hand to produce the Incomes which
they enjoy, and the law should be less
merciful in taxing them than in levy
ing upon a man who enriches himself
by laudable effort, which, incident
ally, confers great benefits on the Na
tion. There are many large inherited
fortunes and investments which are
the result of past accumulations. By
taxing them far more heavily than it
now does the Government could add
materially to its revenue without add
ing to imposts on men who earn every
dollar they receive, whether it be a
million or a thousand dollars a year.
As regards profiteers, there are two
ways of dealing with them to reduce
their profits by regulating price or
to increase their taxes until tfecir
profits do not exceed the same ratio
to investment as those of their neigh
bors. The war has caused such pro
found financial disturbance that it is
not always possible to prevent exces
sive profits by price regulation, hence
taxation is necessary to catch thot
which escape the other preventive
measure.
The Government itself cannot es
cape a large share of responsibility
for whatever profiteering prevails.
While the demand for labor and the
increased cost of living have undoubt
edly justified material advance in
wages, it has responded too readily to
every demand and has thereby en
couraged new demand. In self-defense
employers have raised their prices
and, while they were about it, have
raised them more than the higher
wages warranted. This has been easy,
because demand for their products is
abnormal and because the people ac
cept almost without protest the excuse
that "it is the war."
Thus we have been started on a
vicious circle, wherein wages raise
prices, and prices in turn raise wages
again. In the end, labor has gained
nothing and only the profiteer profits.
Labor would have been as well off if
both profits and wages had been held
in check.
Congress has been trying to dodge
the war revenue question for several
reasons, none of which are to its
credit. Senate and House became
deadlocked on the. subject at the last
session and they wish to avoid a re
newal of a situation which was re
lieved at that time by a compromise
which made the law an incomprehen
Bible muddle. They fear a long strug
gle in the heat of Summer. They wish
to avoid risk of offending influen
tial constituents on the eve of a cam
paign. No patriotic citizen should en
tertain such considerations at so
critical a period in the country's his.
tory and Congressmen who do bo will
have a hard time explaining when
they go home. Voters are in no mood
to re-elect to Congress artful dodgers
of vital issues. These are the days
for men who lift themselves above
their own districts and think Nation
ally, who lift themselves above sel
and think of their country.
German demands are more mod
erate- than they were a few years ago,
Then they wanted a road for the
whole army through Belgium: now
they only want a road for sand and
gravel through Holland. In another
year or two they may become quite
reasonable. .
Cowlitz County certainly ranks high
in criminal Jurisprudence. Horner,
the Kelso murderer, was given a life
sentence yesterday, and if ever a
white man went through quicker the
case is not recalled.
The young Kentuckian who killed
three men rather than be drafted
cannot be called a conscientious ob
jector to fighting. He had a perverted
preference for killing Americans in
stead of Germans.
Now that the iron horse is about
to penetrate Prineville. some must be
roped to prevent stampeding when it
snorts. Realization of a dream of
forty years will' be more than real
istic. Doesn't it give you a good jolt to
know that 200,000 Americans go
across this month and that we have
a few thousand planes over there?
That is the official intelligence?
It will cost a little more to travel,
but little of the money will be spent
in going foreign. "See America
First" and begin with seeing all of
your own state.
Judging by reports of numbers of
slackers caught in other cities, one
may wonder how many could be
taken in a raid here.
Punishment of the disloyal will bo
applauded the more . heartily by the
loyal when it is extended to the
Hearst publications.
That Taft-Rooseveltlan is the
seasonal thing. Ieft hands on shoul
der and rights in hearty grip. All
together, now!
The war has again reached Liege,
where it began. We look forward to
the day when it will travel farther
eastward.
Professional ball is verging toward
the non-essential in spots and many
seasons may be. due for an untimely
ending.
The Kaiser has accomplished one
good thing by the war. He has rec
onciled ex-Presidents Roosevelt and
Taft.
Two vessels slide Into the waters of
Portland in one afternoon just an
other record day.
Do you miss the wheat? Consider
the poor hens that have been missing
it for some time.
Sheep to mow the lawns of city
parks and no music! Baa!
A few chickens will improve ap
pearances of city parks.
Hindenburg has typhoid. Let us
bope it is pot trivial,
How Press Views Results.
Oresos . wa(asera Rspreaa Varies
Oalaioao am K-let last tlntroar.
Praia far Staaflrld.
McMinnville Telephone-Register.
Robert N. Stanfield is beaten for
nomination to the United States Senate.
He Is a good loser. He has sent his
congratulations to Mr. McNary. and
proffered his services to aid in his elec
tion next November. He is a good party
man. During the late campaign he has
not gone courting the Democratic party
nor connived with, its leaders to control
two state offices. Hia campaign was
made on a gentlemanly basis, and with
out attack on anyone until compelled to
answer unjust attacks on himself.
Tits Good Meat Defeated.
Brownsville Times.
The Times knows as did most of the
voters in Linn County and thousands
of others throughout the state, judging
ry election returns, that Judge Percy
It. Kelly, a candidate for the nomina
tion for Justice of the Supreme Court,
and Hon. E. D. Cuslck. candidate for
State Treasurer, were two of the best
men to be found in the state for the
offices which they were seeking, but
Multnomah County preferred to have
tnese offices represented from there
and they were.
Taa Bis a Tank.
Newbcrg Graphic.
Bruce Dennis, of the Ia Grande Ob
server, tackled a pretty big Jrh when
he undertook to defeat Ralph Williams
for -National Committeeman, and fur
ther, his activity in the Hull Moose
ranks, where he ranked as one of the
leaders in Oregon, has not been en
tirely forgotten by many members of
the O. P.. who evidently shied at
making hiin their pilot. It was all so
sudden on his part.
Orenti I,ors Opporlvnlf,.
Bend Press.
In the defeat of It. X. Stanfield for
nomination as United States Senator on
the Republican ticket. Central Oregon
has lost her best opportunity to secure
representation in the Senate of the
United States by one of her leading
citizens.
Oregon has lost an oDoortunitv to
be represented by a successful business
man instead of a politician and lawyer.
Record Wins Election.
Condon Times.
- Mr. Wlthycombe did rot spend any
money to speak of but simply depended
on his clean and efficient record as
Governor for the past four years to
again secure the endorsement of the
Republican voters. The candidates
opposing Mr. Wlthycombe on his
own ticket, will without doubt endorse
and support him next November. There
is nothing to be said of him but good.
Soft Pedal Advocated.
Pendleton East Oregonian. i
Money and energy are needed for war
purposes this year. Why not get away
from the old stereotyped political meth
ods and give the people a rest for once?
It would be a wholesome change. The
plan might even be applied with profit
to other contests aside from the Sena
torship. For instance why not have a
campaignless campaign for Governor?
Good Losers and Goad Fellows.
Vale Enterprise.
Notably among the good losers are
R. X. Stanfield and L. J. Simpson. These
men are of a new and different type
in Oregon's political menagerie. Nor
do they belong to the "freak section"
which was materially added to in the
late campaign. Simpson and Stanfield
are both fearless, capable, energetic
men of high motives.
McXory ladrbted to Meat.
Hillsboro Argus.
Mr. Stanfield was no doubt a good
man and a good cltixen, but he has
found It hard for a rich man to cull
the turn in office in Ongon. Mr. Mo
Nary has been tried and not found
wanting, and to Mr. West, his Demo
cratic opponent, he owes much toward
his nomination. .
Slmnaoa May Peel Proad.
Salem Journal.
L. J. Simpson, of Coos Bay, was de
feated in his race for Governor, hut he
made a splendid fight and a showing of
which anyone might well feel proud.
Had he got in the race a month, earlier
Instead of at the last minute the story
might have been different the morning
after election.
?o Caanee for Pierre.
Moro Observer.
Wlthycombe has been nominated for
Governor by the Republicans by the
largest vote ever given at n primary
election in the history of the state.
Pierce, of Union County, has been nom
inated by the Democrats to oppose hira
but will not have a look In at the gen
eral election.
Good War Records Wla.
lleppner Garette-Times.
The United States is at war. Nat
urally men who have made an excel
lent record as war officials should be
retained. Hence the overwhelming
vote for both Senator McNary and
Governor Wlthycombe is to a large ex
tent accounted for.
A'o Sliest Caaspalsra.
Jefferson Review.
West now proposes to McXary that
they make no campaign for United
States Senator. It Is not probable that
McNary will consider such a proposi
tion; at least he should not. Both of
them owe it to their party to make
every honorable effort to be elected.
Too Grasping.
Tillamook Headlight.
One greedy politician. Ben Olcott. got
it in the neck last week When Olcott
wanted a second term for Secretary of
State, why, that was all right, but
when Wlthycombe asked for a second
term, that was all wrong.
Bad Time to (nssge.
Union Republican.
The Republicans of the state evi
dently believe it bad policy to "change
horses while crossing a stream," and
Governor Wlthycombe will be their
candidate.
Votes Got Wltaoat Xalae.
Rrownsville Times.
Despite the fact that the campaign
of Mr. Wlthycombe for the nomination
was one of the quietest of all. his record
has been such that the party has re
warded him with a renomlnation.
Still oa State Payroll.
Harrisburg Bulletin.
Olcott has the best of the other "also
rans." He has arood, fat office to fall
back on.
Good for Kew Maa.
Harrisburg Bulletin.
Anyway. Simpson made a mighty
good showing for a new man In Ore
gon politics.
A'o Loager a Llojaor Issae.
Tillamook Headlight.
Politicians will surely fight shy of
the "wet" and "dry" band wagon after
what happened on Friday.
He's Good Basaer.
Molalla Pioneer.
Governor Wlthycombe has again dem
onstrated that he has some speed.
x
Platforaa Too Light.
Harrisburg Bulletin.
Harley also ran. His platform wasn't
"strong' enough.
T.ED J
DmiltKD STOCK XKEOEl) K
Mlll Order Held a Mraare Hairy aad
Nasi Iadaatrlea tat Tbla Sectloa.
CORBETT. Or, May 25. (To the Edi
tor.) I am sending two clippings from
The Oregonian. ,The one entitled.
"What of the Cow?' states a condition
which every keeper of cows and hogs
has been up against for some time the
difficulty or impossibility of getting
mill products. "
The second one states the cause of
this condition in the limiting of the
amount of wheat that mills of the
Northwest may crrind.
In Western Oregon we can grow
clover, kale, potatoes, etc.. and prepare
silage, but cows and hogs must have
an additional ration of grain or grain
products. There is a ban on feeding
wheat. The price of oats, barley and
corn prohibits their use. This leaves
miM products, the production of which
has been curtailed by limiting the
amount of wheat Northwest mills may
grind.
The Government docs not need the
mill products as it has plenty of corn,
and only the flour goes to Europe.
Why should Oregon mills be compelled
to close down that Oregon-grown
wheat may be shipped East to keep
Eastern mills running? Why should
the Oregon dairyman and hog grower
be handicapped in his business for the
lack of hran and shorts in Oregon
grown wheat?
Why should the already overworked
railroads be compelled to carry bran
and frhorts East when they would be
worth mote to our Country if left here
to assist in the production of dairy and
hog products?
If the dairy and hot, industries of
the Northwest are to be maintained, it
is necessary that this order, limiting
the amount of wheat mills may grind,
be canceled. Those having influence
with the Food Administration should
look into this matter, and if they find
the facts hi stated, use their influence
to have this ruling changed.
SVLVKSTKU K. EVANS.
FAXIEU SIMILARITY IllSCOi EHK1)
Dlaparaaemeat of America a Ilravery
Llkeard to Roosevelt's t'onuieBt. .
PORTLAND. May 27. (To the Ed
itor.) It has been related that a pro
Uerman in Focatello, Idaho, was tarred
and feathered because he said that ono
tenth of the Uerman army could whip
all the United States troops sent over.
A book, written by Theodore Roose
velt, widely circulated, makes this
statement :
"If Germany were free to use even a
tenth of her strength against us, all the
troops we have at this moment assem
bled at home and abroad would not
hold her a week."
Then again, in the same book, he
writes:
"If we had been pitted single-handed
against any one old military power of
the first rank, whether European or
Asiatic, we would have been conquered
as completely as Belgium or Rou
mania within these seven months in
deed, within the first three."
This book was written seven months
after the declaration of war. Its pur
port, I suppose, is a political campaign
for the next Presidency. But, is it not
a menace at this time publicly to ad
vertise our weakness if weakness ex
ists or boast of the power of the
entente? .
Also kindly explain why it was con
sidered unpatriotic for the pro-lierman
to quote from the text in this book
and the book Itself given circulation In
our public library. READER.
We have no Intent to defenji mob
action, but naturally etrpposo that the
Idaho pro-German's remark was con
strued as a disparagement of American
bravery and fighting qualities, while
Mr. Rooaevelt's comment plainly deals
with the state of unprcparediicss In
which we entered the war. Mr. Roose
velt disclosed nothing not already
known to Germany.
THE rt.IGIG 1IK.
A youthful oak tree stood apart in a
forest, as bright days passed.
Litho and strong, with a sturdy
heart. It welcomed the threaten
ing blast:
And woodsmen smiled as they passed
It by. well knowing Its strength
and worth.
And marveled a bit at the growth of
It 'mid the scrubs that defaced
the earth.
There grew at its base cuie day. alas!
a vine that was frail and afraid.
And It twined its tendrils around the
oak as its upward course it
made:
It exerted no effort to gain or grow as
an Independent thing.
And all it could do and all that it
knew was to cling and cling and
cling!
It spread its foliage thick and green
and absorbed the warmth of the
sun,
'Til around the oak It had made a
screen and destruction was be
gun! It cramped and it strangled the grow
ing tree till at last the oak was
dead.
And woodsmen tell of the blighting
spell that a clinging vine can
spread.
I know a man who has married a maid
with a nature sweet and true.
But like the vine she Is sore afraid
of the things that she ought to
do;
She is fearful for him. and she doubta
always, so she tethers him firm
and fast
To a plodder's life, for she fears the
strife where a man must face
the blast!
With a saddened heart he has seen his
part in great schemes disappear.
But he will not tell or the blighting
spell of the wife he still holds
dear; '
Destiny meant that this man should
rule, and be among men a king:
But his hands are tied, for he has
by his side a wife who can only
cling! Grace E. Hail.
Karts's Orbit aad San's Ulataaee.
Tivnrvr fir . M j, v 27. (To the Ed
itor.) Please tell me the length of the
orbit and how far is the sun rrom tne
earth and the moon. Very truly yours.
CARSON BAILEY.
The mean distance of the sun from
the earth is about 93.100,000 miles; the
mean distance of the moon from the
earth is about 230,840 miles. The earth
yearly describes a path or orbit of up
wards of 560,000,000 miles.
Instraetloa la Fllna Work.
ASTORIA. Or.. May 25. (To the Edi
tor.) Please print where 1 could learn
to operate a moving picture machine.
Also is there a school in Portland that
teaches that work? SUBSCRIBER.
Write to Service Film Company,
Ninth and Oak streets, Portland.
Address of State Poller.
HAINES. Or.. May 26. (To the Edi
tor.) Please print the address of the
state military police.
SUBSCRIBER.
Oregon Military Police, Morgan
building. Portland. Or.
Letters to Soldiers.
PORTLAND, May 25. (To the Edi
tor.) Is it necessary to put "via New
York" on the letters golnsr to soldiers
in France? A UUSCKIBKIt.
si It is not, It is better not to do so.
In Other Days.
Tweatx-flve Years Ago.
From The Oregonian of May CS. lsf3.
Washington. Secretary of the In
terior Hoke Smith rendered a decision
In a pension case, holding that "Neither
the Secretary nor the Commissioner
can. by order or practice, supersede an
act of Congress, and he therefore di
rects that the practice of the office
conform to law."
London. Premier Gladstone consid
ers a change in the financial clauses of
the Irish home rule bill.
Announcement of the intended retire
ment of Henry Villard as chairman of
the executive hoard of the Northern
Pacific Railroad was announced.
Establishment of artificial ice plant
at Oregon City, with capacity to pro
duce JO tons of ice dally is noted.
General Campion promises that Com
pany D will camp at Fort Klamath
from June 28 until after July , and
will participate In a sham battle with
the Klamath Indians while there
Three hundred and thirty-five cases
of Oregon fish, prepared by the best
known methods, for exhibits at the Co
lumbian Imposition, at Chicago, were
shipped under direction of President
Jefferson Myers.
Half a Cratury Ago.
from The Orcsoitian of May -S, 1S6S
People of the middle valley counties
manifesting a lively interest in the suc
cess of plans for railroad building. Mr.
Chenoweth. of t'or-allis. obtained sub
scriptions of I60no in one day on con
dition that the road cross the river at
that place.
Judges and clerks appointed for
charter election to be held Monday.
June 3. Among those appointed were:
05. If. Flanders, K. R. Thompson, R. tv
w hitehou.-e. t. ISlumauer and C. W.
I'arrish.
Johnny Collins' sailboat overturned
before a gust of wind when in mid-river
In front of the O. S. N. Co.'s wharf.
Three men got a wetting but were res
cued by small boats.
The cause of the Abyssinian war was
declared by a correspondent of the Chi
cago Tribune accompanying the British
expedition to have been the ambitions
of King Theodore, who thought there
was sinister design in the actions of
an intriguing British Consul.
I,0Kl,lr.
No other hour Is quite so long and
drear in all the changir.g phases
of this life.
As that In which, amid a crowd and
cheer, you are alone, despite the
mirth that's rife:
With many near, you still are far away,
in land of thought removed from
boisterous throng.
And, though you seem to sing, yet are
you still, unknowing single note
or word of song!
And though you mingle gaily in the
zone where joy is king, yet are
you quite alone!
Alone? how can that he. the thought
less ask, when hundreds throng
the streets on festive days;
And you. among the foremost, shout
aloud when pageant with its trap
pings meets the gaze;
When fevered expectation bursts Its
bonds can loneliness take up its
viuil there.
And mock the heedless, noisy human
pawns who move upon life's
chessboard, here and there?
Yea! crowds are but a picture, soon
gone by; and souls from loneli
ness seek crowds and die!
GRACE K. HALL
507 East Forty-ninth street North.
Notice of Allotment.
AXACORTES. Wash., May 27. (To
the Editor.) 1) In case of an allot
ment by a soldier, will the Government
notify the party of said allotment be
ing made?
(2) If not. and the soldier dies, what
evidence has the party that such an
allotment was made except the word
of the soldier in a letter?
(3) The same questions also in re
gard to insurance taken out by the sol
dider. p.
(1) The Government will forward the
allotment to the beneficiary.
(2) It will be on record in the Bu
reau of War Risk Insurance. Washing
ton City.
(3) A certificate of Insurance is sent
to the beneficiary. The bureau named
above keeps the record.
I.aad to Re Oaeaed.
ST AY TON. Or.. May 26. (To the Ed
itor.) I have seen an announcement
of the sale of land iu the Oregon ec
California land grant. Please let ma
know just where this tract of land lies
and to whom to apply for further in
formation. CLARA M. PRATT.
The land is scattered. You will have
to apply to the United States Land Of
fice, Portland, for detailed Information.
Steepeat Strretrar Grade.
JENN1NOS LODGE. Or.. Slay 26.
(To the Editor.) I'leas tell me the
steepest grade on streetcar lines in
Portland and on what street.
HARRY MAYNARD.
The steepest grade on car tracks in
city is 12 per cent, on Chapman street,
between Mill and Jefferson.
Address of Soldier.
PORTLAND. May 27. (To the Ed
itor.) I have a friend at Vancouver
Barracks. He was in the first draft
from Salt Lake City. Am very anxious
to know what company he Is in. How
c31 1 find out? MISS E. SMITH:
Apply to commanding officer, Van
couver Barracks. Wash.
FREK INFORMATION FOR
ALL RKAOKRS OK THE
(IHKtiUMA.V.
Each reader of The Oregonian
Is offered the FREE and unlim
ited use of the largest Informa
tion Bureau In the world.
This Service Bureau is located
in the National Capital, where it
Is in immediate touch with all the
great resources of the United
States Government
It can answer practically any
question you want to ask, but
it cannot give advice, nor make
exhaustive research.
The war has forced so many
changes in the dally life of the
American people that the serv
ices of this FREE Information
Bureau will be invaluable to all
who use It.
Keep In touch with your Gov
ernment during these trying
times. It can help you in a thou
sand ways if your wants are only
made known.
The Oregonian pays for this
splendid service in order that
every one of its readers may
take free advantage of it. You
are welcome to use it as often as
you like.
Write your request briefly, sign
your name and address plainly,
enclose a 3-cent stamp for return
postage, and address
THE PORTLAND OREGONIAN
INFORMATION BUREAU.
Frederic J. Haskln. Director.
Washington, D. C.
.7