THE MORSTNG OREGOXIAX. WEDNESDAY, ; SEPTEMBER 11, 1918.
s
n . . .-n . T". T
Xntered at Portland (Oregon) Poatofflea as
Subscription rate Invariably In advance:
(By iiall.
Dally, Sunday Included, one year
Uaily. Sunday included, six moathi
lJai;y. Sunday Included, tnree montna ...
Iai!y. Sunday included, one month .10
Xai!y. w ithout Sunday, one year o-
j-any. witnoui ouiiviaj. -a
y. without sunilav. one month .77
Weekly, one year J?"
bunaav, one jwr -n
By Carrier.)
Bally. Sunday Included, one year .
Staiiy. Sunday included, one month .
. Iailv. Sunday included, three month! . .. --
Paily. without Sunday, one year
DaDy. without Sunday, tnree muiiLu. .... -,-liaiiy,
without Sunday, one month
How tat Remit oena pw""'" " " J,
de"xpre,. per.onai check on your ioca
bank Stamps, coin or currency are at own
er. rlk!o.?? poatofrice addreaa in full, In
cluding county and atate.
fotUre Kate to 18 pares. 1
to SJ pafea. S centa: 34 to 4S pases. 3 cent.;
.0 to 60 pases. cent.; 02 to J2 paae.. 5
cent.: T8 to M page cents. For.lgn post
age, doubt ratea. .
Kutera Business 0'"V" A-..
Hn. Brunswick building. ew lork. err at
Conkiin. Steger building. Chicago. V err.
Conklln. Kre. Pre., building. jItoH.
San Francisco representative. K. J. .Biame".
MKMBF.K OF IHK ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Associated Pres. I. exclusively enti
tled to th u.e (or republication '
dispatch., credited to It or not
credited to thl. paper, and also the local
new publiahed herein.
All Drhta of republication of apeclal a.
patche. herein are alao reserved.
PORTLAND. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. It. !.
WHAT IS GOOD AMERICANISM?
' A -modest citizen, -who has a state
wide name for his public spirit, -which
takes the form of work and money
; contributions, sends to The Oregonian
a. letter Just received from the Na
tional .Democratic committee, asking
for a campaign subscription. The
letter say: '
-It 1. incumbent n every cltlien to make
n xtraordlnary effort to uphold the pol
Jcle. of our great Pre.ldent. which can be
don only by ejecting to the Senate and
" House of Representatives tho.e wh ar
on hundred per cent American. In accord
ance with th aim. of th Administration.
An election has Just been held In
Maine, where the Republican Senator
and the four Republican Representa
tives were elected. The four Repub
lican candidates for Representatives
' are all, we believe, members of the
. present Congress and have a clear
record in all test measures on the war.
The Democratic candidate in the
Second District was McGillicuddy. a
member of the Sixty-fourth Congress.
He is given by the National Security
League a standing of fourvtimes wrong
out of six votes in major war or pre
paredness proposals. If that assess
ment is correct, he is about 33 per cent
American. .
Yet the Democratic organization got
behind McGlllicuddy and all the other
' Democrats in Maine, against other
candidates who had stood at all times
for preparedness, and had at no time
voted against any essential war meas
ure. Is it 100 per cent Americanism for
any organization or citizen to demand
the election to Congress of a 33 per
cent American against an 100 percent
American, merely because he is a
Democrat?
THE COMMUNITY KITCHEN.
Mrs. Emmellne Pankhurst the Brit
ish suffragette, has undertaken a new
reform in which all her. efforts will
be futile unless she succeeds in con
certing the members of her own sex,
with whom' the methods which she
employed in her memorable suffrage
campaigns in Kngland may not be in
fluential. She has set out to abolish
the home kitchen. She says that the
kitoien cookstove encourages waste
both of materials and labor. It ham
pers the development of women, it ab
sorbs their economic energy, it causes
weariness and sometimes leads to de
spair. This is especially true of
women who abhor "housework," and
all that this implies.
The substitute which Mrs. Pank
hurst offers is the community kitchen,
which is not novel, but has never had
behind it the energy and Initiative
which Mrs. Pankhurst is wont to put
Into her propaganda. "Is it fair," she
asks, "to expect a woman to sew ail
day on uniforms and then go home
and cook dinner for her six children
and her man?" Well, most persons
will agree that It is not fair, when it
Is put that way, but the chief obstacle
to the community kitchen, or any
other domestic reform, in the past has
been the opposition of women them
selves. Woman has nearly always
ruled the home in essential particu
lars. The home kitchen has stood be
cause women themselves wanted it to
GO SO; It Will De aouiisueu, wueiictci
they demand it. Her task consists of
pointing out to her own sisters that
they will be better off, not only eco
nomically but otherwise, when a new
form of co-operation has been estab
lished. We now have two substitutes for
the home kitchen the restaurant or
boarding-house, and the delicatessen
jit ore. The community kitchen prob
ably will be something like the latter.
It is already possible to carry home
a slice of roast beef in one bag and a
helping of gravy in another, together
with all the other concomitants of an
excellent meal, which friend husband
can drape about his person as he runs
to catch the streetcar. At pres
ent, this resource is employed chiefly
In emergencies, and the few families
which regularly resort to the practice
are likely to be heard from- in the
divorce court. The personal touch is
lacking, and the element of daintiness.
Also the spirit of emulation, of pride
In excellence of cookery, of individual
ity of taste. The products of the shop
taste monotonously alike. Perhaps the
community kitchen will remedy this,
but it does not seem to be a simple
matter. Nor do we know that the best
cooks always will be chosen for com
munity kitchen work. The cooks who
work for wages will be those who are
willing to adopt cooking as a profes
sion, aot necessarily those who possess
natural genius for it.
Mrs. Pankhurst's secondary demand
for community laundries seems to
present fewer difficulties. All that it
Involves is a reconstruction of the
building scheme, by which a central
building may be made to serve the
purpose for a group of dwellings. This
would not seem to require so much
the passage 'of laws as the conversion
cf Individuals, and the creation of
demand would be felt by builders. If,
however, there is anyone who can de
vise a plan for avoiding friction, such
as is manifested by the "clothesline
lights" familiar to Tat dwellers, ho
Fhould make himself knows at once.
It is easier to preach mutual for
bearance and good will than it is to
enforce their application.
Mrs- Pankhurst is going to demand
the abolition of the home kitchen by
law, and she and her coworkers, it is
said, will demand pledges from candi
dates for legislative offices as a condi
tion of women's support at the polls.
Perhaps her method will be successful
In England, which has learned to
dread suffragette methods, but it is
-fiot, so, certain, that its: iU succeed in
America. Here we are more likely to
view the Issue as one for private en
terprise. There is nothing now to
prevent the building of communities
of homes, with common kitchens and
laundries, whenever there seems to be
a market for them. It has been tried
in a few places, and the community
garage is already an institution in
others. The entry of women into in
dustry may bring individual house
work Into disrepute in certain quar
ters, but when it does so there will be
a private solution. It is not easy to
see what the law can do about it. If
the women themselves want com
munity kitchens they will have them;
the law will hardly go so far as to tell
them that they may not go on cooking
at home if they prefer to do so. . ,
TREASON TO THE SYSTEM.
The other day The Oregonian ex
pressed some mournfAl observations
on the breakdown of direct legislation
in the sense that public officials have
come to disregard certain expressions
of the people rendered at the polls.
Dr. Gilbert, whose letter condemning
defiance of the public will in the mat
ter of water, meters inspired this dole
fulness, assumes in another letter that
The Oregonian acquiesces In this trea
son to the Oregon system because it
spoke in sadness rather than in anger.
The faithful and consistent reader
will recall that The Oregonian has
times almost without number de
nounced this trend of officialdom. It
has,, indeed, taken the somewhat un
popular position that an initiated law
ought to be subject to amendment by
the law-making body if errors or un
workable qualities are discovered after
its adoption. It was held, however,
that' a "no" or a "yes" expressed on
the main principle Involved ought
usually to settle the. issue so far as
Legislature or officials are concerned.
But" lawmakers and administration
officers are practical politicians. They
have unhappily discovered that a great
many persons vote "no" or "yes" on a
measure without caring a great deal
either way about it- They have found
that the people's will may be con
travened without causing" riots or re
calls or always subsequent defeat for
re-election. A stubborn opinion that
the people ought to have that which
they do not want is often applied by
forcing it upen .them. In gentle
hypocrisy the same persons are wont
to ;turn about and refuse to provide
some needed amendment in a law be
cause It is a people's law.
These circumstances can be recited
without thereby giving them approval.
The Oregonian would like to wit
ness a reawakened respect for the
people's expressed will by officials and
also a reawakened respect by the peo
ple for their own decisions. Unless
both come we might as well quit the
useless trouble of voting our opinions.
. AN UNDESERVED REBUKE.'
President Wilson seems to have been
misled into condemning the "net In
vestment" clause of the Sims water
power bill by misrepresentation on the
part of its opponents and by failure to
consider Us merits for lack of time.
He has thus put himself in the posi
tion of repudiating the action of three
members of his Cabinet Secretaries
Lane, Baker-and Houston and has
renewed a controversy which was in
a fair way to be ended. - By adopting
the ntet Investment" clause over the
President's objections the House shows
its preference for the matured judg
ment of the three secretaries and its
resentment of ill-considered executive
interference.
As submitted to and approved by
the President, and as sent by him to
the House, "the . bill contained the
clause providing that "fair value"
should be paid for power plants on
recapture by the Government, but the
history of the bill as brought out by
Representative Sinnott in his speech
to the House shows that -Hhere was
no subterfuge about the substitution
of the "net investment" clause. In the
light of what he said, the President's
letter is nothing less than a direct
public rebuke to the three secretaries.
Mr. Sinnott denies that the net Invest
ment originated with the House com
mittee, but says -that it was "com
municated to the committee by the
.oratarioc" n nd that "thev ap
peared before the committee in sup
port of it." He quoted air. Bauer an
lnvinr anid at the committee hearings
that "net investment" was "a clearer
definition of exactly the same inten
tion as had been expressed In the
nrltrlnal nhM.d "Mr. HOUSton Said
the difference between the two phrases
is one of "definiteness ana clearness ;
nrii. thA "net Investment"
amendment "both parties would know
more clearly how to proceed, ana
that "net investment would furnish a
Mrt.lii hoL-i. fnr thn commission in
establishing rates, which fair value
does not. You would nave lo aeoate
h time what was meant by 'fair
value' and haggle over it."
Fnholdine the soundness or tne
opinion, Mr. Sinnott said:
"Fair value." unqualified or unrestricted
In meaning or application, varies with the
ease in wnien it i .iinwjru. .
"Jack-in-the-box" springing up at new and
Ineenlnu. angles and with a different as
n.rt nrh time. It. caper, elude the mo.t
circumspect.
t Its lndefihiteness he
H-uinn nf the Supreme
Court in the case of the City of Denver
vs. Denver Water Company, ana saia
that "the citjof Denver and the water
.nmn!inv harrcriprl for four years, and
after eight years the Supreme Court
made the decision." "iair vaiue dcui.
the bono of contention. To determine
the value of the Texas Midland Rail-
thA Interstate Commerce com
mission read 3000 pages of briefs and
l 1 C.li noiroa nf tpstimonv. From
U (" " -
a brief of Interstate Commerce Com
missioner Aitchison he quotea several
authorities to the effect that the term
is indefinite, among them being the
Supreme Court.
That the public Interest would be
better safeguarded by the "net invest
ment" clause than the "fair value"
clause was demonstrated by Mr. Sin
nott by comparison of their provisions
.-.a ffaoi Ha said of the fair
value" clause originally included in
the bill as well as in former ouis, in
cluding those which Mr. Ferris has
fathered, that it "would allow pay
ment for increases or appreciation in
value of machinery, fixtures, trans
ninn tin or structures." all of
trhich are excluded in the "net in
vestment" plan. Kepreseniauve An
derson, of Minnesota, explained that
the "net investment" plan would re
turn to the investor "tne actual origi
nal cost of the project," less unappro-
i -mmine snH rtnlnnres set aside
for depreciattpn and amortization. The
licensee wouia De reuuircu ;
accounts as directed by the commis
sion and subject to examination Dy ic
to make reports and statements of
liaKiiftiAQ mnitAlization. cost
of project, cost of operation and the
production, transmission, use ana saie
of power, to maintain the works In a
condition of repair adequate for effi
AMntiAn tr maVft all necessarv
1 - ami ,-rl f-m n t5l to TT! Fli fl-
tai- ftdeq.ua te depreciatlpA reserves
V
and to amortize the cost of the project
if it earns more than a specified re
turn, and to operate and maintain the
plant at the full capacity of the avail
able market. This plan would give
the Government knowledge of the net
Investment from year to year and at
the expiration of the lease. leaving
small room for dispute or litigaton,
while the fair value would have to be
determined at the end of fifty years,
probably after long litigation.
Mr. Sinnott showed by comparison
that the Government might be re
quired to pay a far higher price for
a project under the "fair value" than
under the "net investment" plan, in
cluding a considerable speculative ele
ment. He clearly proved that the
latter plan would eliminate uncertain
ties, reduce the speculative element,
which "means a less cost of capital,
and, consequently, a less cost for the
service."
This last point, which should be de
cisive to a man who professes to legis
late in the interest of the public, is
precisely the one to which the brain
of Mr. Ferris seems to be impervious.
In his reply to Mr. Sinnott he en
larged upon "the water power inter
ests." among which he included "de
velopers and promoters, bond-brokers
who lend money at high rates of in
terest and hydro-electric engineers."
He appears unable to understand that
whoever invests or procures the capt
tal must be paid, that .the greater the
risk and uncertainty the higher the
price, either in the form of interest or
of discount, and -that this price will
finally be paid in the shape of higher
rates for power by the consumer, whom
he is trying to protect.
FORD.
WALLA -WXLJLA. Wash.. Sept. 8. fTo
the Editor.) Notwithstanding what The
Oregonian .ays about Henry Ford, ho sixes
up with me O.- K. I do . not see many
patriots refusing their millions of war
profits. As far as statesmen are concerned,
name on now in the Senate. I think Henry
Ford would measure up with any of them
when he got down to business.
- . - A. JOHNSON. .
"What business? The Nation's busi
ness, of course. Mr. Ford knows noth
ing about It, confesses that he knows
nothing,- and openly flouts those who
know more than nothing. A candi
date at the Republican and Demo
cratic primary for Senator, he showed
the quality of his citizenship by fail
ing to vote. An American, he pro
claims, that the flag means nothing,
and that after the war he will take It
down. A late-day convert to the cause
of his Nation, in war, he procures an
executive order exempting his .son
Edsell from conscription.
There are a thousand counts in the
indictment against Ford for his dis
qualifications and non-qualifications
to be Senator. - The. Oregonian gives
only the mildest of them. It is no
reason to elect Ford to the Senate that
there are few-or no statesmen there.
He is not one, whatever the others are.
Yet there are in the Senate many well
informed. - well-equipped, well-intentioned
and highly vseful Senators.
Ford would be the least useful among
them.
Let it be granted -.hat Ford is an
honest man. Certainly he is a philan
thropist. Let him have all possible
credit for turning over his war profits
to the Government. Let it be agreed
that he makes a popular automobile
and a good one. Yet he is a manu
facturer before he is a statesman, a
humanitarian before he is art Ameri
can, a -pacifist before he is a soldier
through the offering of his son. It is
not now material that he be a Repub
lican or a Democrat. though it is per
tinent to the discussion of him to judge
his political "qualifications by the fact
that he is neither, and doesn't know
the difference, present or past. ,
If Ford Is to be .sleeted Senator? be
cause he is a great philanthropist,
why not elect Billy Sunday because he
is a great evangelist, or Ty Cobb be
cause he is a great ballplayer, or Jess
Willard because, he is a great fighter?
They are as representative American
citizens as Ford; aye, more represen
tative. THE "VESTIBULE SCHOOL.
The "vestibule school" is a creature
of war necessity, but It is serving a
permanently useful purpose In giving
us a new basis upon which to appraise
the apprenticeship system. It is a
form of intensive education which
harms po one, least of all the recipient.
It adds mightily to the output of war
plants, as it would add to those of
peace if it were applied to them. It
puts a premium upon knowledge,
which is worth a premium. It saves
valuable time. It is impossible to esti
mate the vast amount which it would
add to the wealth of the world.
The practice of assuming that It
took a' certain number of years to
"learn" a certain trade, regardless of
the ability of the apprentice, . Is fa
miliar. It may have been based upon
the rule of averages, but It was not
disassociated from a certain desire to
restrict the number of craftsmen in
certain lines. It often was accom
panied by deliberate limitation upon
opportunity .to learn. Apprentices
were employed for jlong periods at
simple tasks, long " after they had
learned all that there was to know
about them. It took a good deal of
the zest out of work. If the method
were enforced in the common schools,
if a boy were told that he could learn
only so much, and must then stop
learning, there would be an uprising.
When the war emergency arose, and
with it the necessity of providing great
numbers of workers skilled in particu
lar lines which were non-existent be
fore the war, the intensive training
school was created. Time being the
essence of war work, there was no
foolishness about holding back. It be
came necessary to "improvise" skill,
and it was surprising how easy it was
to do this. France aid England have
been through the mill. The United
States, especially in its shipyards and
munitions plants, is applying the same
system. England and France now by
law compel every manufacturer to
provide "vestibule schools," which
take the . employe at the door of the
factory and seek to fit him in the
shortest possible time for the work
which he is best fitted for. There is
In the report of J. J. Pickton, dilution
officer of the British Ministry of Mu
nitions, this significant paragraph:
Tou can make av toolroom operator of a
woman in three weeks. If you can't do
It In three weeks, you can't do It at all.
You have simply got the wrong woman.
Pick; out a 'long-fingered, sensitive. Intelli
gent woman from the shop force who haa
been carefully trained and is especially sat
isfactory and exact In her production, and
upgrade, her in this way.
It is not pretended that one can
make an all-around artisan of the
novice In three weeks, but It Is demon
strated that tBe time can be greatly
shortened. The worker with natural
aptitude advances by leaps and bounds,
because the National interest demands
that his talent shall not be wasted.
Tho grading is upward and not down
ward. The exceptional man does not
hang back in waiting for the average
man, or the average man dilly-dally
while the inferior one is catching up
wits. hi,. Tie -y oxter who, i fiSfitent ,
to plod may go right on plodding, but
he is not a brake onthe wheels of
anything.
The lesson will not be overlooked,
we believe, when Industry is put upon
a peace basis. Skill will always be at
a premium; it always has been, even
If everyone did not know it. Appren
tices themselves will chafe under re
strictions upon their acquisition of
knowledge when they see the drift of
events. It is desirable that the work
man shall be thorough in the mastery
of his craft, but is wrong to compel
him to be unnecessarily long about it.
THE INFORMER.
An Informer, according to sound
lexicographicalMefinition, is "one who
makes a business of informing against
others; a mischief maker." It is an
unenviable role. When the informer
bears false witness, it is a despicable
role. The Evening Journal, in its
tattle-tale part of informer against the
entire press of Oregon belongs in the
latter classification. Four times in the
past five years it has printed the de
linquent tax notices of Multnomah
County, and been paid the full rate
for them; and now It says that the
scheme is graft and has got up a bill
to prohibit it. Participation in "graft"
four times out of five are the Journal's
qualifications for its nasty role of In
former on the other "grafters."
The Journal project, through its
initiative bill, is to give notice by mail
(letters) to individual taxpayers of tax
delinquencies. It would stop all news
paper notice to the public. The pub
lic will pay for the mail notices. The
delinquent now pays for the newspaper
notices. The Journal would relieve
him .of the proper penalty of his re
missness, and. make the other tax
payers, who are not delinquent, pay
for it
The present law provides:
(1) For notice to- delinquents by
mail. . -
(2) For subsequent newspaper pub
lication of delinquencies which stand
thirty days after mail notice.
The purpose of legal newspaper pub
lication, at a fair rate, fixed by statute,
is to advertise the delinquent property
for sale or, more accurately, to ad
vertise the sale of certificates of delin
quency.. The effect is to compel, or
induce, the delinquents to pay up. The
Interest of the public is obvious and
proper. Furthermore, it is paramount.
If i taxes are not to be collected, and
their payment is not ,to be made com
pulsory, why levy them?
The Journal, complaining that it is
being subjected to abuse for its scheme,
repeats daily the falsehood that The
Oregonian Is active in promoting oppo
sition to its bills beeause it is a benefi
ciary of the present law. It is not. It
has not had a dollar's worth of delin
quent tax advertising under the pres
ent law. It has no expectation of
having a dollar's worth at any time,
yet it Insists that the present , law,
under which the Journal and the News
not The Oregonian printed this
year the delinquent .tax lists pf last
year, shall stand. The two lowest bid
ders will print the lists next year, un
der existing .law. The Oregonian is
never the lowest bidder, and never will
be, in any competition for advertising
with other Portland newspapers.
Will the Journal, or. any one, give a
fair reason why there should be no
public notice by advertisement of all
tax delinquencies, at a fair rate; after
mail notice has been given, and . has
yielded no results?
Will the Journal, after having solic
ited and obtained the delinquent tax
publications four times out of five,
dare say that the legal rate Is not a
fair rate?
RECOGNITION OF THE CZECHS.
Recognition by the United States
Government of the Czecho-Slovaks as
co-beliigerents in the war not only ad
mits a people numbering about 9,000,
000 to our councils 'in determining the
future of the world, but It also brings
up agalp the vitality of language as
a factor in National preservation. Of
the Czechs alone there are perhaps
6.000,000, of whom 3,650,000 live in
Bohemia, 1.550,000 in Moravia, 130,
000 in Austrian Silesia, 300,000 in
other. Austrian provinces, 30,000 in
Russia, and more than 250,000 in
America. There were upwards of
100,000 in Germany before the war.
Their language belongs to the Slavic
group, but presents a variety of well
defined dialects.
The Germans have long tried to sup
press the spirit of Czech nationalism,
and they have recognized the power
of the lingual bond In their efforts to
suppress Czech literature. Because
these efforts have been futile, na
tional consciousness has endured. It
was on the part of Germany a mani
festation of Jhe same policy which
sought to Germanize the schools of
America. The ancient University of
Prague is, perhaps, the chief reason
why the Czechs of today are able to
make a stand. It has long been the
rallying point of Czech culture, which
is peculiarly opposite to that of Prus
sia. Bohemia, although nominally
part of Austria, has been subject to
German persecution exercised through
its influence at Vienna,
Much can be hoped for from the
Czechs. Already they have given ac
count of themselves in battles with
the Russian Bolsheviki, but they may
play an even more important part by
furnishing the seed for revolt In Aus
tria. In the latter heterogeneous em
pire, no people are so closely knit, or
so well able to raise the standard of
rebellion. . As the central empire
crumbles, the Bohemians and their
brothers are quite likely to become a
steadying influence against complete
anarchy. Leadership will be needed,
and the hostility of the Czech con
tingents to BolshevikiSm and all that
attends It augurs well for the future of
many others than themselves.
Few games of chance will be oper
ated at the fairs this season, judging
by prosecutions for offenses up to
date.
The speeder has replaced the old
time "drunk" in police circles, and Is
not so messy and much more profit
able. . -
" As Portland must have one special
obiect of pride, here's to the Mult
nomah Guard band! .
Why not find a way to deport a for
eigner who would abrogate citizenship
to escape the draft?
Those fellows at Aberdeen are able
to lay a keel quicker than a hen can
lay an egg.
"'The man who has made himselt
essential will not be "dumped" by his
boss. -
Th. TTnn needs three speeds "vor-
warts" to get ahead of Haig.
It's in the line of war work to en
courage the stork.
Maine went the same Qld-w&s-- r
PTTRFOSE OF LIFE DISREGARDED
Writer Sees Trend Toward Snow and
Luxury Religion the Remedy.
PORTLAND, Sept. 10. (To the Edi
'tor.) Not long ago a letter signed
"Malthusian" deplored the high" prices
of food, predicted a fall in the birth
rate and increased agitation for birth
control and family limitation. Likely
enough what the writer says is true.
But It is further true what is not so
reassuring to contemplate that much
more of what is called birth control
will wreck our country and our modern
civiliiati jn. We are paying the pen
alty for artificial living which mater
ialism has brought us. Men and wom
en have gotten away -from faith in the
ultimate goodness of the universe. We
value false standards and our hearts
are set on shams and unrealities. Yes,
it is certain that the birth rate will
fall, but not on account of a lack of
potential fruitf ulness of the earth.- The
cause is much more serious than that.
Talk to the average young woman,
find out what is in her mind. (Tho
elder ones aid and abet her views.)
She is thinking of fine clothes, orna
ments, automobiles... "dolling up," a
costly house to live In, plenty of money
to spend, amusements, social prestige,
success in business or a profession, in
dependence of income, much leisure,
an artistic career, public recognition,
"a good time" (whatever that is),
power and responsibility in the mar
ket place, "realizing her ambition"
anything, in short, but home and chil
dren. Domestic duties and the rearing
of a family sem to have dropped out
of her scheme of life entirely. Even
our public schools help to create false
values. They are using there a text
book with the alluring title "The Am
bitious Woman in Business." Where
is 'the book on "The Successful Mother
in the Home?"
How long do the leaders of our so
ciety think this sort of thing can go
on? With most of the women planning
to be either' sterile parasites lovely,
soft creatures with clinging dresses
or equally sterile self-supporting "free
women," it must be a dull mind indeed
which cannot see the decay and end
cf civilization not many years off. The
situation is all the worse because the
great majority of men second the aspirations-
of the "modern" woman. Try
to put vision into the hearts of these
wandering moderns and what argu
ment do they make in reply? They
say, "What's the use? There's only
one life and I Intend to have a good
time while I'm here. About the future
and posterity I care nothing at all."
Those words are a confession that
the modern world, despite its feverish
activities and boastful talk about
"progress," has really lost faith In life
and the purposes of life. This bleak
view pervades all classes. If people
take time to ask themselves what is
the object -of life, it is to quote th
conclusion of science that there is no
object or end or purpose ia it all; only
a great machlrfe grinding on in im
mense cycles of time. Desperately
men and women cling to the few mo
ments on earth, between what they
regard as two eternities of total dark
ness, to avoid physical discomfort and
pain and to indulge themselves. In
the end they exclaim, "The rest is
silence."
Nothing but religion a religion of
mercy and forbearance and hope-r-can
remedy the profound pessimism and
loneliness of our modern world, despite
til its brave show o! material posses
sions. If the day is saved spiritually
for mankind in the western world, it
will be by the .men and women who
regard human existence as' having
soma purpose and aim other than mere
ly secular, and to whom the vision' of
the glory of God and the divine ends
of life will be restored. '-
A CATHOLIC.
Youth In Merchant Marine.
PORTLAND,' Sept- 10. (To the Edi
tor.) lly boy. was 21 years oW on
August 13. Two months agt he sailed
from a local shipyard on a merchant
ship as oiler bound for. Honolulu, and
therefore was unable to register for
the draft on August 24. He expects
to be back in San Francisco soon.
Will he be required to register then
or can he stay in the merchant marine
service if he w!shes? SUBSCRIBER.
He should register as soon as he
reaches San Francisco. If he desires
to remain in the merchant marine he
should claim deferred classification as
a mariner. If he will call on the United
States Sea Service Bureau, Exchange
building, San Francisco, he will be
aided in preparing his questionnaire.
Government Hospital in New Mexico.
PORTLAND, Sept. 9. (To the Editor.)
t The Oregonian there was an in
quiry from Amity by a mother whose
soldier son is being returned from
France with consumption. The soldier
is being sent to. a Government hospital
-w i . n tiin mother asked
where this hospital is located so that
she might go to mm.
There is a Government hospital lor
consumptives at Fort Bayard. N. M.
It is the only one that I know of in
the state. Take Southern Pacific Rail
road to Deming, N. M. Then, take th
Santa Fe Railroad from Deming to
Fort Bayard. Bayard is about 45 m les
north of Deming and Is about 10 miles
. cm-i.,a- n itw hv onto stasre. Camp
i rum ' 1 ' j
Cody, one of the largest cantonments
in the United States, is " "n
lng- GEORGE KING.
1
-n-h Rnt Is Raised.
PORTLAND, Sept. 10. (To the Edi
tor) Jones, the tenant, has been pay
ing $12 per month for rent for several
months; has his Winter fuel in. Smith,
the new landlord, intends to raise the
rent to 20 per month, without making
any Improvements on the property. Is
there any help for the tenant? That Is
does he have to pay th'
or move? SUBSCRIBER.
Ordinarily the tenant has no recourse.
If he is a shipyard worker, however,
and he can produce evidence that the
landlord Is profiteering, the Govern
ment will requisition the property. At
torney H. B. Beckett, representing the
Emergency Fleet Corporation, looks
after such matters.
It Is Done in Germany.
L. P. Jacks, in the Atlantic.
A British officer wounded at Le Ca
teau, after nameless sufferings both
in transit and In hospital, and after
seeing the deaths of many of his com
panions through neglect and torture,
was at length sufficiently recovered to
stand on his feet, and was under or
ders for removal to another locality.
He and a number of others in a similar
condition were drawn up In the station,
waiting for their train. Presently a
passenger express drew up at the plat
form, which was crowded to the edge
by the wounded men. , When the train
stopped a woman put her head out ot
the window of a first-class carriage
spat in the officer's face, and without
saying a word drew back Into the car
riage and closed the window.
MarrlaKe After Divorce
wiTTDornnR "Wash. .Sent. 9. (To the
Editor.) How soon after a final de
cree of divorce has Deen enierra
. i Ma-v a rmrKnn marrv in (a)
Oregon, -(b) Washington (c) . Calif or-
The law in the state where the di
vorce was granted governs.
Men Now ResrUtered.
PORTLAND. Sept. 10. (To the Edi
tor ) Must men who registered In 1917
roeister this coming registration day.
September 12? B. l OUNG.
Men registered under previous draft
laws need not xegister-Wtaim- J
OFFICIALS SHOULD PAT PENALTY
Dr. Gilbert Would Pnnlah Politically
Those Who Contravene Public W ill.
PORTLAND, Sept. 10. (To the Edi
tor.) I have read repeatedly Tho Ore
gonlan's editorial ot September ? on
"Made for its Friends," and I confess
to considerable difficulty in being able
properly to interpret the same. It seems
to offer tacit acquiescence in or sub
mission to the principles Involved. If
this interpretation is correct, it is to
be deplored that Buch action on the part
of public officials does not call out the
unqualified disapproval of the press in
an effort to support the will of the
people.
It is difficult to comprehend by what
line of reasoning anyone can reach the
conclusion that the will of the people,
as expressed in a "Thou shalt not," is
any less cogent or binding than when
expressed In a "Thou shalt." If all
nrohibitive enactments were eliminated
from our laws, our statutes would be
largely blank-books. Even the Oregon
commandment, cited in the editorial "
"Thou shalt not touch the people's
laW'finds its expression in the neg
ative form. On the basis of the pnnci
pies elucidated in the editorial, even
this supreme command of the people
would be suoiect to rejection Dy an ar
bitrary autocracy, bent upon its own
will.
The Commissioner referred to, who
took it upon himself to disregard the
people's opposition to water meters,
paid the penalty of political ostracism
any any official who persists in the
same Una, of conduct is worthy of the
same reward. For a group of officials
arbitrarily to establish the two-platoon
system in the fire department when the
people have twice rejected the same
would seem to De Dut uttre snon oi
treason. It is of such material that rev
olutions are made; and, woe to the peo-
nle that tacitly submits to such insults.
The ballot Is our recourse and It is to
be hooed that such actions will Una
definite signs of disapproval at the
earliest opportunity.
J. ALLEN GILBERT.
Classification as Agriculturist.
PORTLAND. Sept. 10. (Toi the Edi
tor.) (1) In securing an agricultural
claim, can this claim be entered in the
questionnaire or must a separate file
be made? i
(2) Who must file for agricultural
claims, the employer or employes, in
case the employe seeks exemption,
being engaged in a necessary enter
prise? (3) Would deferred classification be
given to a son who has one-third
i.t,H,, In hlfl fntbA-'n farm, it beinK
classed as a necessary enterprise, where
he Is tue only son ana ine itmnri ad
disabled' physically? H. C..6QLBT.
1. Space is provided in the question
naire. 2. Either may do so.
3. The registrant must be necessary
to a necessary agricultural enterprise
in order to obtain deferred classifica
tion on agricultural grounds. The draft
board decides the "necessity" in both
instances and as it is a matter of judg
ment based on numerous conditions, the
ruling of the board cannot be here
given.
Fees for Administering; Estate.
PORTLAND, Sept. 10. (To the Edi
tor.) Please tell me what the inherit
ance tax -would be on an estate of
$14,500 left to the widow and how it is
estimated; also the executor's fee and
the attorney's fee in the same and how
they are estimated. SUBSCRIBER.
The state inheritance tax would be
1 per cent on the value of the estate
after allowance of an exemption of
$5000. The executor's fee is graduated
a h in thiA mRA would AR-ft-resTate $410
provided the estate consisted wholly of
personal property. Some County Courts
allow executors lees only on tne ln--om
from real orooerty. and there is
MntrnvraT nmonflT lawyers as to the
legal requirement. The fee may also
be increased by the court for unusual
cervices. Attorney's fees are fixed by
the court in accordance with services
rendered. -
a- s
First Call in New Draft.
PORTLAND, Sept. 10. (To the Edi
tor.) .In looking over the editorial
page of The Oregonian. I notice an
answer to Subscriber that it will take
approximately 100 days to register and
classify the new registrants. In a later
Oregonian it Is said the Octoben quota
would be- called mostly from the men
that register September 12. How can
it be done? Are not the men called
by their number? j A READER.
Previous estimates have been changed
by a plan Just announced. The plan
apparently contemplates delay in class
ification of registrants under ' 19 and
over 36, with the' result that the Im
mediate volume of work imposed on
draft boards will be reduced and
quicker results obtained. First calls
apparently will not take men under
19 or over 36.
Yeoman and Yeomanette.
PORTLAND, Sept. 10. (To the Edi
tor.) (.1) Kindly state the difference
between "yeoman" and "yeomanette". if
there is any and tell what it is and
where I could apply for the position.
(2) I also would like to know if one
could send a diamond ring from France
without taking any risk; this is to
settle an argument.
A STEADY READER.
(1) Yeomen are clerical men In the
Navy. "Yeomanette" is a name given
to a woman who occupies a clerical
position in a Navy-yard. Apply to com
rrmndant. 13th Naval District, Puget
Sound Navy-yard, Washington.
(2) There is a minor degree 01 nsa..
.Declarants After Seven Years.
PORTLAND, Sept. 10. (To the Edi
tor.) I was born in Ireland" in 1876;
. . -j- I 10QR- trnt mV first
came ia aium ii - -----
papers in 1896. Am I .a declarant?
Must I taKe out iirpt ipe. o-b-""
to become an American citizen?
t. J. McCarthy.
For purposes of the selective draft
you are a declarant; for the purpose
of taking out final citizenship papers
a Tint, inasmuch as seven years
have expired since you obtained first
papers. You will have to mane a new
.lareLtlnn and wait two years before
being admitted to citizenship.
St. Louis Exposition Year.
. .rr.T i-.TT'-V -,- Con, S 1 Tfl t l ft
Editor.) Can you oblige me by letting
me know in what year the St. Louis
Fair was held, and also on what date
Easter Sunday fell that year? -
I need this information before I can
m ho mipstinnnaire that will be
presented to me shortly. I have to
state wnen i cam i ju"w,
.. . V. aKn.it it ia that TT1 V first
ail a rtuwi""" - , -
Sunday out was Easter Sunday, and
that the boat was run oi an uno
people coming to the St. Louis Fair.
The St Louis Exposition was held in
1904. Easter Sunday in that year fell
on April 3.
Naturalisation of Germans.
. Tv-Tr r ,ni tTa the Editor.!
Can a German who had taken out his
first papers, then neglected getting his
second papers, get them now? To whom
must one write for information.
Yes in certain cases. Apply to United
States Naturalization Service. Custom
Housertlaod-Xoi;. -aarticulara, .
In Other ,Days.
Twenty-flye Years Aso.
From The Mornlnr Oreronitaa of September
10, 1SU3.
An enormous whale was seen off the
mouth ot the Columbia River Friday
morning.
The salary of the principal of th
Roseburg School was formerly $1500 a
year. It is now $1000 and assistant
teachers get- $40 a month.
The first Chinamen to have their sen
tences of deportation under the Geary
registration act executed arrived in
San Francisco yesterday from Los An
geles and are now confined In the
County Jail, where they will be de
tained until sent back to China.
Congratulatory messages and tele
grams continue to arrive at the White
House expressing the felicity of the
public from one end of the country to
the other over the happiness which has
been brought to President and Mra
Cleveland by the birth of another
daughter.
Fifty Years Ago.
From The Mornlnr Oreronlan of Septaxnber
10, 1808.
Sixty cents Is being offered for wheat
in Albany.
The New Theater, formerly Oro Flno
Hall, will open today with a farce given
by Mra F. M. Bates. Miss Fanny Toung,
George W. Daniels and the accom
plished tragedian and comedian, F. M.
Bates. ' .
The Pioneer blind troupe gave an en
tertainment last evening In Union Hill.
C A Reed, of Salem, Is painting a
canvas seven feet by three of the lower
part of Canemah, Oregon City and
Clackamas City.
PATRIOTIC) SERYICE RENDERED)
Multnomah Guard Seeks Recruits for
' Seml-Hllita Work.
PORTLAND, Sept 10. (To the Edi
tor.) The Multnomah Guard is in
tensely patriotic because its members
are volunteer citizen-soldiers, serving
their "country and state without pay or
emoluments of -any kind whatever.
Their training and drill is thorough,
being practically the same as "our
boys" receive in the United States
Army. There are nine or ten com
panies which meet weekly and oftener
for drill and instruction In military af
fairs. The Information received is In
valuable. Not a few of its former mem
bers are now commissioned and non
commissioned officers in the regular
Army. And its band of trained musi
cians; Portland is proud of it! Thoir
work is also gratuitous.
When called upon for guard or any
other duty the Guard members respond
promptly. The writer has seen active
service on every occasion since its or
ganization over one year ago. In no
instance have its members refused to
perform an irksome, disagreeable or
dangerous task. They are soldiers and
obey their orders without question.
This organization is highly com
mended by Oregon's war Governor,
withycombe; Portland s war Mayor,
Baker: Oregon's Adjutant - General,
Charles F. Beebe, and last bi t not least,
Multnomah County Commissioners. The
Commtffsioners have been the Guard's
best friend in every way. Through
them have come its equipment uni- ..
forms, etc,
Cojonel Leader, who has seen actives
service in France. ' now 'of the Oregon
Agricultural College, will deltver lec
tures to the members of the Guard this
month and immediately afterward a
day will be spent by the entire regi
ment on' the Government range at
Clackamas. Each company desires to
recruit its membership to the maxi
mum. Tha Portland Ice Hippodrome, on
Marshall street near Twenty-first, is
now the Armory for the Guard. Com
pany. D meets on Monday nights at 8
o'clock.
Don't be a slacker! Show your pa
triotic endeavor by wearing the shield
which designates your membership in
this superb organization and. when the
Kaiser and his coterie of murderers are
squelched, receive your honorable dis
charge from D Company for service
well performed. In the years to come
you will be proud of this parchment.
PRIVATE,
D Company, Multnomah Guard,
THE WAYSIDE CHAPEL
There's a wide smooth pathway wind
ing through a woodland velvet
green. Towards a gray stone chapel standing
in the midst of a forest scene;
There are pilgrims ever a-wendlng
their way towards this place of
prayer.
To peacefully kneel and softly feel the
balm in the sacred air.
They come from their homes of glad
ness, they steal from the lowly
cot,
They come with their joys and sadness
and pause in this holy spot;
They come with their man-made errors
and lay them before the throne.
They come with their fears and their
terrors and tell them to God,
alone.
The chancel tapers a-burning glow
steadily mrougn au tunc.
And they light the way for feet that
stray to this comforting wayside
shrine;
There is a peace and a healing that s
wafted like breath of Spring
O'er the suffering soul that seeks this
goal where faith, is a living
thing.
Oh, that broad smooth pathway winding
towaras mat. uiiac, bj
Starts many a stray along the way
that enas in iue m;,..,
And the tapers that burn by the
fftrevw our soul assures
That God by his grace will our sin
erase it oniy our uuu cuuu.o.
GRACE E. HALL. .
WOMEN!
You will want to have home
comforts that you can make with
little trouble or expense.
FREE Home Efficiency Book
to every reader of The Oregonian.
Have you envied the owner of
a aerving wagon? Have you
wished that they were Just a lit
tle cheaper to buy.
WISH NO MORE MAKE ONE
YOURSELF. This Efficiency Book
also tells how, at small cost you
can make a tireless cooker, an
lceless freezer and ever so many
home time-savers.
Let your kitchen be the MODEL
KITCHEN that you read about In
all the magazines with the add
ed pleasure of knowing that the
expense to make every item In it
has been trifling.
The men members of your fam
ily will enjoy helping you do the
small amount of carpentry neces
,ary or you can do It yourself.
Uncle Sam needs your help.
You must therefore make time to
do some work for qthers besides
your household.
This book will help you to savs
time.
Write your name and address
plainly. Direct your letter to The
Portland Oregonian Information
Bureau. Frederic J. Haskin, di
rector, Washington. D. C. ,
Enclose 2-cent stamp for re
turn postage on THE HOME EF
FICIENCY BOOK.