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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 5, 1919)
TIIE 3IORXING OREGOXIAX, "WEDNESDAY, FEBKUATlY 3, 1910. " Witt (Dmpnhro PORTLAND. OREGON. Entered at Portland (Okboii) Postoffice as teconri-claas mail matter. EuOiCiiiJtlca ratei Invariably la advance: (By Mall.) Daily, Sunday Included, on year Daily, Sunday Included, six months.... .Daily, Hundfy included, three months. Daily, Sunday included, one month. ... Daily, vithout Sunday, one year Daily, without Sunday, six months. , . . 3 'ally, without Sunday, one month "Weekly, one year. Punday, one J'ear. ...... Sunday and Weekly By Carrier.) Ta!1y, Fynflay Included, one year. . . .. . Daily, Sunday included, one month.. .. Iui:y. Sunday in'-Iuded, three months. Uaily, without Sundav, one year. . . . Daily, without Sunday, three montna.. Daily, without Sunday, one month .. .$S.oo . .. 4. 25 . .. 2.25 ... .75 . .. 6.00 . .. 3.23 . . . .60 . .. 1.00 . .. 2.50 ... 3.50 $3.00 2J3 7. SO 1.03 .65 How to Remit Send postofflc money or der, express-or personal cl.eck on yoir local hank. Stamps, coin or currency urj nt cwii er's risk. Give postoffice address in full. In cluding county and state. Pontage Rattn 12 to IS p?ei. 1 eent; 18 to i p.iges, -J cents: 34 to -8 pagi, 3 cei ta: 50 to So pajree, 4 cents: 62 to 7B pages, 5 cents: 78 to kJ pages, 6 cents. Foreign post age, double rates. Eastern Ruslnem Office Verree & Conk lin. Hrunswitk buildins. New York; Vr.-.e & Conklin. trstr buildins. Chicago; Verrea fc I'onkltn. Kreo Press bail Ha. Ditr.iit Mi.'h. . San Francisco representative, R. J. Biclwell. MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATED PKESS. -The Associated Press is exclusively enti tled to the use for republication or all news dispatches credited to It or not otherwise credited to this paper, and alto the local news published herein. All rights of republication of special dis patches herein are also reserved. I'OHILANU, WEDNESDAY. FEB. 5. 1910. TWO AXXEXS. One alien comes to America to make a home, rear a family and become a free citizen. He obeys the laws, he works for a living, he sends his chil dren to the schools, he pays his taxes, he reveres the flag, and fights and, if need be, dies in war for his adopted land. He is a desirable citizen. Another alien comes to America to escape poverty and, perhaps, perse cution and 'oppression; to make a liv ing at high wage, to put his earnings in his pocket, to pay as little tax as he may, to do nothing whatever for the land that gives him asylum and work, to claim exemption when the call to war comes, and to live for himself always; or perhaps to go back to his native country when he saves enough to go, that he may pass his last days in plenty, a person of conse quence among people of his own blood and kind. Or perchance the other alien may have lived by his wits in his own country and have been deported as an agitator, and he comes to Amer ica, where the agitator is welcome and agitation is not dangerous, and he reveres no flag but the red flag, and he "promotes unrest, and preaches an archy and abuses foully the privileges of residence here. When the call to war comes he refuses to respond through the simple device of can celling his first citizenship papers, if he has them, or by his outright dec laration that he is not a citizen. What privileges of immunity and asylum has the second-named for eigner acquired that America is bound to respect? He has reaped where he has not sown. He claims rights always and repudiates duties always. He will do nothing for a land which has done everything for him. He would see it perish rather than lift a disloyal finger to save it. He is an undesirable intruder, an insufferable and intolerable pest. He should be expelled. The parasite who sucks the blood of America is not entitled to have America shed its blood in war for his protection and prosperity. CREDIT TO THE AIRMEN. Difficulties which will confront his torians of the war in their efforts to give credit where it is due for the results accomplished are indicated by a recent analysis or tne worK or tno airmen on all the fronts made by Laurence La Tourette Driggs in his "Heroes of Aviation." Collection of data was not easy for two reasons. The records were not always available, for one thing, but above this was the fact that the various Nations had dif ferent methods of keeping their re cords. In this, as Mr. Driggs shows, the British were extraordinarily care ful; the French were actually so con servative that at the risk if injustice to their aviators they refused credit for a victory in the air unless it had been won within sight of an official observer. The Germans, on the other hand, adopted a liberal policy from the first. Hence it will not do to take at face value the estimate that the Ger man "aces'" were nearly twice as effi cient as those of other Nations. An "ace" is a fighting aviator with five or more victories to his credit." It appears that the entente allies had 227 such aces, while the Central Powers had only 101, and that the aces of the Allies won 2895 victories, by com parison with 2108 for those of the Central Powers, an average of nearly 20 for the latter as compared with a fraction over 12 for the former. But before it is concluded that the Ger man airman was superior, allowance ought to be made for the victories won by the Allied flyers out of sight of their observers, and often within enemy lines. This was the German method, and the task of correcting the Allied returns to a Teutonic basis is truly a gigantic one. The French are estimated to have brought down from 40 to 100 per cent more enemy planes than are shown by the official, re cords, and the 20 leading British aces are declared by Mr. Driggs to have "exceeded by more than 100 tha vic tories claimed by the best 20 aces of the Huns." There is no reason to believe that this proportion would not extend to all flyers on both sides, if the figures could be extended. Considering the length of time that Americans were engaged in actual fighting, their showing in the air is creditable enough. We had 14 aces to 111 for Great Britain and 77 for France, but were only beginning to get into the game.- and our handi caps in the procurement of equipment are a matter of history. There is nothing to indicate that we would not have done as well as others once we were fairly started. We are en titled to some satisfaction in the re cord of one of our men. Lieutenant David E. Putnam, who brought down five Germans in a single day, a feat that was exceeded only twice in the whole war, once by a Frenchman and once by a Briton. American aces, who are credited with a total of 121 vic tories, actually sent down 167 German planes. The common belief that the next war will be "fought in the air" makes the figures especially interesting. Since such a war would be won by actual victories and not by those ac complished within view of an umpire, we are entitled to a certain amount of satisfaction in the returns thus fat gathered. Nothing in these reflects upon our personnel, and we need only to profit by our shortcomings in man ufacturing to view the outcome with -.quanlmity. POOR PORTLAND! The Mail-Tribune at Medford emerges from the protracted silence of an ap propriate moribundity long enough to castigate Portland for its failure to finance various railroad projects in Southern Oregon and elsewhere in the state. Portland's only interest in the state, so far as railroad development is concerned, is said to be that of the junk-dealer. It may well be asked if the way to secure the favor of Portland capi tal is to hold all Portland responsible, by outright misrepresentation and un qualified libel, ior its acts of omission or commission. They say that money has no feelings, but it is a mistake. It has a lively regard for its own in terest, and it is sensitive, besides, whether it comes from Portland, or Medford, or anywhere. We wonder what the Medford paper would say, in the way of commenda tion or otherwise, if, for example, Portland capital had invested as it did something like a half million dollars in a large industry employing several hundred men at the mouth of the Rogue River. Would it approve, then, of the wide vision and broad enterprise of Portland money? It would appear that it would do Just that. Or would it begin at the earliest time a campaign of detraction and destruction against the temerarious Portland capitalist who had ventured to pour his thousands into a part of Oregon, not near Portland, but nearer to Medford? It would, or at least it did. It enlisted the sportsman of Jackson County in a scheme to legis 1 late the fish establishment of the Port land man out of existence, and the scheme to ruin him nearly succeeded. It is not a first-rate way to guarantee Portland capital fair protection, or reasonable opportunity to get returns. It is a most effective way to make it apprehensive and uneasy, and dis posed to seek other fields. SELF-DETERMINATION AT ROME. There will be little opposition to the general proposition that the govern ments of the city of Portland and County of Multnomah ought to be consolidated. It is the practical means of accomplishing that result that will create contention. In 1914 an effort was made to pass an enabling consti tutional amendment. That measure would have permitted the people, by initiative to create the city and county of Portland with boundaries co-tcr-minous with- those of the, city of Port land. The remainder of Multnomah County would have been either set up as a new county or annexed to other counties. The amendment was defeated. a The Legislature is now asked to submit a new plan to the voters. The amendment now proposed would in clude the whole of Multnomah County within the boundaries of the city and county of Portland. Thus all the mu nicipal corporations such as Portland, Gresham, Fatrview and Troutdale, all school districts, all road districts and other political organizations within the county would be merged. The drafting of a charter for the consoli dated city and county would be left to a commission of twenty-one mem bers, and its adoption would be left to the people of the city and county. Pending adoption of such a charter the several local boards, commissions and city councils would exercise their present functions. The apparent dif ficulties of adjusting taxation are met by a grant of power to the consoli dated municipality to classify urban and rural territory into zones and to Impose varying rates. If the proposed measure falls short of fairness it is in the off-hand manner with which the desires of that por - , , . - sion. True enough, its residents have the right to vote on the amendment and later the right to vote on the cnaner, out tney constitute an in- finitesmal fraction of the voters in the state and approximately but one- tenth of the voters in the county. They bold no balance of power or substan tial voice in the proposed plan. They are to be annexed to Portland regard less of their wishes, if Portland and the other counties of the state decree it, and they are to have the form of government that the nine-tenths who reside in Portland decree. Possibly Multnomah County outside of Portland would be happy to join this city in one municipal government. We do not know. But it would seem to be the part of justice to give it a more important voice in the matter than is accorded by the amendment as now drawn, Consolidation ought to be of advan tage to both urban and rural districts, It should dispense with duplications in paid offices and in cost and main tenance of public buildings. The larger saving would be Portland's, but that of the remainder of the county would be worth while. But there is the now broadly accepted principle or self-determination to be consid ered. It is not fully met by a mere showing that the change would be good for the overwhelmed rural dis trict. THE BRIGHT SIDE. There is a bright side to the esti mate of the United States Department of Agriculture that the number of milk cows in the State of Oregon de creased from 227.000 at the beginning of 1918 to 222,000 in 1919, figures which compare with 225,000 for 1917. because they show that the decrease Is not nearly so large as most persons believed it to be, and also because it indicates that there has been no more slaughtering of dairy animals, upon the whole, than would have been justi fied by a systematic effort to get rid of unprofitable stock. On the face of the figures, the State has lost not only the difference be tween the number of cows reported in 1918 and in 1919, but also the in crease which might normally have been counted on. It is not easy to estimate with precision what the in crease would have been. It is true that there was an increase of some 2000 in 1918 over 1917, but this, too, was made under abnormal conditions The killing of dairy stock already had begun in 1917, the year in which we entered the war, and the normal in crease probably would have been greater than 2000. It is proba'ble. In deed, that if conditions of eight or ten years ago had continued, there would now be at least 240.000 milk cows in the State instead of 222,000 as reported. Even this decrease, which is equiva lent to about 8 per cent, is not par ticularly al.vming if the weeding-out process has been intelligently con ducted. The circumstances that the price of beef, by comparison with prices of milk, butter and cheese, taken in connection with the cost of dairy feeds, undoubtedly was the chief factor in accelerating slaughtering, but no one supposes that any dairy man who employed business-like methods sacrificeel any but the poorest of his cows. That as many as 8 per cent of the average dairy herd could bo spared with profit to their owners will be conceded by any observer. There is an actual increase of dairy cows as to the country as a whole. Figures are: 1919, 23,467,000; 1918, 23,310,000; 1917. 22.894.000. No doubt, however, this also represents a slowing up, by comparison with the Increase which was to have been ex pected in normal times. It also points to some weeding out of herds on a business basis. The extent to which this has been true depends upon the progressiveness of individual com munities. It probably is not an acci dent that decrease in number of cows is shown in several localities in which cow-testing associations have been highly developed. It is widely known by this time that the dairyman has been hard hit by ad vancing costs of both labor and feed, and sometimes by difficulty of obtain- ng either at any price. Public sym pathy and understanding will be pro moted by the showing that he is adopting up-to-date methods as his part of keeping production costs within measurable bounds. The un profitable character of the "boarder cow" is more generally understood than formerly, and it may be that the industry will be gainer in the long run as the result of conditions which have sent a few million cows to the block. Mere numbers do not count for much In the dairy business. It Is yield that determines. CAPABLE OF EXTENSION. The War Department's authoriza tion of General Pershing to send home for immediate discharge any soldier who presents convincing evidence of distress in his family suggests almost unlimited possibilities, once the old notion is dispelled that men must be held in original units to avoid hope less confusion in transportation. From discharging those whose families need them because of sickness, it ought to be no more than an easy step to ascertaining those whose Jobs are waiting for them and giving prefer ence to them over those whose imme diate discharge would further compli cate the unemployment situation. Great Britain was measureably suc cessful in its effort to discharge first the- men in "key industries," whose return would be calculated to set wheels in motion which would furnish work for others following them. The principle is sound and its application is limited only by inability of bureau crats to do things for which there Is no precedent. The further order per mining discharge of men who "have good reason for leaving the Army and who waive any claim for sea travel allowances from Europe to the United States shows that red tape can be cut upon occasion, but also would seem to be capable of extension to men who cannot afford to pay their own fares home. It is particularly desirable that key industry men shall be released as rap idly as possible. There ar.e employers as well as employed in the ranks abroad. There would be less fear of a labor crisis if the men who know precisely what they are going to do when they return to civil life were discharged without delay. ELIMINATING WASTE. Notwithstanding their .undoubted enterprise in many matters of larger moment, Americans are unaccount ably slow in adopting the dehydration method of preventing food waste which was advocated by official agen cies during the war and which was shown to present a practical solution of the problem of extending the season in which perishable fruits and vege tables can be consumed. Denmark during the past season has set an example worthy of emulation. as showing that no great amount of preliminary preparation is needed. The 1918 potato crop of that country was exceedingly large, and as soon as it became apparent that it would not be consumed normally before a large proportion of.it would spoil, drying plants of the dimensions of small fac tories sprang up on every hand. Sev eral plants, however, already existed to serve as models. The result was that the entire surplus was converted into flour, and if it appears later that there is a surplus of potato flour to be carried over into another season farmers will be advised to plant pota toes guardedly and to devote their land to other needed foods. The potato problem in the United States is complicated by transporta tion. There often is a surplus in one section while others suffer shortage but are too far away to bear the cost of freight. The same is substantially true of otlrbr staple vegetables. Dehv- dration widens markets by making it unnecessary to pay freight on water, and also by reducing bulk it relieves the freight car situation. Results are best obtained by co-operation, a les son that American producers are only Beginning to learn. It is estimated that one-third of the marketable potatoes grown in the ijnicea states are neither eaten nor used as seed, but rot in storage houses. Statistics are lacking as to other vegetables, but the quantity un doubtedly is very large. The subject is worthy of more consideration than it is receiving' as a factor In reducing tne cost or living by eliminating waste. DITTICLLTIES OF WORLD LEAGUE. From many quarters comes proof that the chief difficulty in the way of readjustment of European fron tiers according to the principle that each nation has the right to unite un dcr one government of its own choice will consist in lingering doubt whether the League of Nations will be willing or able to guard all nations against military aggression or economic . dis crimination. The same feeling in spires the protests of Australia and South Africa against occupying the German colonies as mere mandatories of the league, instead of as sovoreigns, All want to be placed In a position of strategic strength against possible at tack, which implies that they prefer to rely on their own strength rather than on that of a league which is not yet constituted, far less tested. This idea prompts French proposals to extend the frontier to the Rhine or to set up buffer states along its west bank, for the Rhine is a good strate gic frontier. The rignt of France to safety from a nation which has twice ruthlessly attacked her is held to override the right of the Germans on the west bank of the Rhine to be united to Germany. They must pay the penalty of Germany's crime, by at least being formed into buffer states. The fact is overlooked that Belgium and Luxemburg were designed as buffer states, but that as soon as mili tary necessity demanded Germany smashed the buffers. Italy on the same ground demands that her northern frontier shall ex tend along the mountain range pierced by the Brenner pass, because it is a natural military frontier, but the Ty rolese living south of the pass who are Teutons protest that they do not want to become Italians. Italy lived so long In danger of Austrian inva sion from the mountain bastion pro jecting into her territory in the Tren tino that she claims that her safety should have prior consideration to the objections raised by a. few people of the attacking and conquered race. Strategy as well as rival racial claims enters into the controversy re garding the east coast of the Adriatic Sea. Under Austrian rule the naval strongholds of that coast were a con stant menace to Italy. Dalmatia and Istria were Ventian that is, Italian territory for several centuries down to 1797, and Italy claims that the population was then mainly Italian. It is still so in the principal ports. and the Slav majority in other sec tions is declared to be partly fictitious as the result of fraudulent census re ports designed to belittle Italian strength, partly the result of stimu lated Slav immigration, and partly the result of persecution of Italians by Austria. Italians say that to award this territory to the Jugo-Slav state would be to sanction a crime which has extended over more than a cen tury. Italy's claim to Valona and the sur rounding district -of Albania rests on purely strategic grounds. That port guards the east gate of the Strait of Otranto, which is the entrance to the Adriatic Sea, and Italy wishes to hold it in order to control the sea.- That territory is claimed by Greece as be ing Greek in race or sentiment, and. racially, it should be In either Greece or Albania. Italy has tried to strengthen her weak case by promising Albania Independence under an Italian protec torate, but that would not meet the claim of Valona to be Greek if it wishes. Another mixed problem has arisen in Bohemia. The boundaries of the old kingdom as it existed when an nexed by Austria were well defined and followed the mountains bordering on Saxony and Silesia, but Hapsburg rule nas encouraged Germans to set tle In the districts south of the border In such numbers that they are now a majority. These Germans claim-that the right of self-determination Joins mem to Germany, but the Czechs re tort that their presence Is a conse quence of the original wrong com mitted by the Hapsburgs. and that the Czech state has a right to its ancient, easily defensible frontier. If all the nations concerned In these disputes could bo convinced that the League of Nations would give them absolute security against aggression by their neighbors, all these pleas for strategic frontiers would loso their force. Removal of danger of attack would remove need of defense and of defensible frontiers. Franco has learned at terrible cost that strategic rronuers and buffer states are a noor aeiense against attack. All the Euro pean nations should have learned bv this time that the presence under their rule of considerable masses of alien. hostile population is a source of con stant friction and danger. But they are confronted with the alternative danger of weak defense on their bor ders against strong, possibly hostile neighbors, and they dare not trust their safety to a combination of na tions, each of which has its own In terests to guard and its own. policy to pursue. Success of the Paris conference in adjusting boundaries according to the rignt or eacn nation to unite under Its own government hangs on. Its suc cess In organizing a League of Nations which shall bo an effective force for administration of justice among na tions, prevention of war and punish ment of armed aggression, and which shall have the implicit confidence of the nations that it can and will do these things. The best prospect of its success lies in the unflinching support or tne plan by the three greatest democratic nations the United Slates, Great Britain and France though a loud note of discord is heard from France, but success requires that these three nations be prepared to back the league with force as well as moral and economic pressure. Having insisted on the system of mandatories. President Wilson may have more mandates forced on him than he cares to handle. He depicted Uncle Sam as so weary that he un loaded the Philippines, but they would not be a circumstance to a polyglot city like Constantinople or to Armenia and Palestine. But when a man Im poses high ideals, he can't let George do it either Lloyd George or George Clemenceau. Possibly the Idea behind President Wilson's big Navy policy is that, if the other nations show reluctance to disarm, he will give them such a race at armament that they will soon be sick of the game. When the city and county of Port land is running the folks in Gresham and its vicinity will have a postoffice address of one million and something Powell street. They are finding out that the new phone rate is a rise in tolls. Of course. When was a new rate made on anything otherwise? Sifted to the dregs, a general strike will be found to bo a foreign affair, wholly .un-American. Just call the roll of the agitators. If Government is made to absorb a loss of a billion in a wheat deal, what do you suppose the cotton grower will bo doing? Make the shirker serve twenty-one years more for his citizenship. A loyal American born boy or girl has to wait that time. There will bo no lack of publicity for the Socialist conference at Berne. There are more newspaper men than delegates present. It has almost reached the point where official announcement of a sol dier's death Is proof that he is alive. It's queer reasoning that you can get more pay in your line by making your neighbor stop work in his. Conditions of life more often death in Moscow illustrate tho blessings of rule by the Bolsheviki. A member would not be human If personal spite did not sometimes get Into his work. Seattle is making early provision for soup kitchens. I'LAX OF BOLSHEVIK GALA WEEK. Sagsrestrd Programme la Devoted to Knasla'a Present Nalloul Sport. BT J. E. BREED. Sunday, March 2. Religious fighjtlng. Fighting against the established reli gion, and fighting against- the establish ment of any other religion. Morning: Destruction of cathedrals, libraries and other public buildings. Note: The burn ing of the Winter Palace, as advertised, will not take place. It will be blown up with dynamite. Other fires will proceed according to schedule, except those subject to change on short no tice. Afternoon: The afternoon Insur rection will start, in each quarter, from the nearest distillery. Evening: Gen eral engagement of all forces regard less of race, sex, color, religious affilia tion or previous condition of servitude. Monday. Feb. 3. Government fight ing. Fighting against the present gov ernment, and fighting against any future government. Demonstrations against the police. Demonstrations against any concerted effort to control matters. Bread riots and petty disturb ances. Violent encounters among offi cials, and derperate attempts to unseat those- guilty of formulating rules and regulations. Machine gun fighting, rioting and assorted arson. Report promptly all plots, intrigues and con spiracies that conflict with our own. Tuesday, March 4. Class fighting. Fighting against all classes above the Bolsheviki; also against any class be low them. Settlement of personal dif ferences. Sanguinary adjustment of old and new grudges a specialty. Morn ing: Neighborhood fighting and com munity disorders. House-to-house fight ing, open-air battles and ordinary in door rough house. Immediately after lunch, execution of members of the royal family, and slaughter of Inhabi tants of the smaller villages. Evening: The usual conflagrations, fighting at close quarters with miscellaneous cut lery, and gang fighting with hand grenades and old-fashioned vodka bot tles at 10 feet. Wednesday. March 5. Special Interest fighting. Fighting against particular forms, factions. institutions. enter prises, activities, associations, and any sort of organization. Morning: Fight ing in masses, also group scraps ar.d scattered fighting. Fighting in large areas with light artillery, and fighting in small areas with heavy artillery. Aft ernoon: Extra added attraction: De struction of all barber shops and pub lic baths. Thursday. March 6. Industrial fight ing. Battles among workingmen and soldiers. Sympathetic walkouts and factional fallouts. Demolishment of bakeries and truck gardens. Mob fight ing. Pilfering, plundering and plain stealing. Fighting in the streets against nothing in particular. Out breaks in hitherto peaceful district". Fighting at close quarters with "small firearms and brickbats. Publication of latest propaganda. Special note: Tho Central Councils have opened free soup kitchens in all of the leading cities. Not responsible for loss of hats, coats or human life. Kvenins: Destruction of arsenals, oil tanks, and other large fires. All unburned office buildings at half price. Friday. March 7. Foreign and domes tic fighting. Fighting the allies or any other invader. Fighting national, pro vincial or municipal attempts to restore order. Demonstrations against various flags. Execution of tho remainder of the royal family. Destruction of roll Ing stock, bridges, and some of the good boulevards. Massacres of small detachments of soldiers, and attacks In force on Socialists who have taken refuge in barricaded streets. After noon: Mass meetings, accompanied by more or less bloodshed, followed by fighting in the streets with sawed-off shotguns, followed by general hullaba loo. with fireworks in the evening. Saturday, March 8. Cessation of hos tllities. except for controversies among Bolshevik factions. In the morning there will be a grand parade of all who positively refuse to do any kind of work, followed by the usual restaurant raids at noon. In the afternoon there will be more party wrangling, free-for-all fighting, bomb-throwing, can- rushing, and t'le regular war college i at the main enft-ance of what was once the City Hall. In the late afternoon there will be desultory raids and some massacres ia isolated sections. De struction of water plants, and all light. heat and power systems. Tne evening programme will consist of public exe cuttons of all those who have come out openly against fighting, and some prl vate executions of those in favor of a continuance of it. Special Announcement: The Bolshe vik principle's, whatever they are, will ultimately be accepted. Their purpose is to uphold the will of the people. that Is. all of the people who are left when the Bolsheviki get through. OFFICER EMITI.ED TO MORE PAT Dairy and Food Commissioner Noir at Bottom of State Salary List. PORTLAND. Feb. 4. (To the Edi tor.) The State Dairy and Food Com missioner is the smallest salaried offi cer in the State of Oregon except the State Librarian nd the parole officer, but the latter has a house and keep to help him along. So, practically speak ing. Mr. Mickle's is the smallest salary, save one. In the state. The dairy Industry is second among Oregon's agricultural industries, cattle alone exceeding it in value. " Food is the most vital problem of health of the whole people of the country. The enforcement of the law has been largely a matter of education and re quired a candid officer who had enough common sense and poise to point the way to the honest food producer and strength enough to enforce the law. Mr. Mickle has been all this, lie Is fearless In the enforcement of the law, hitting friend and foe alike and is hon esty itself at all times. Such an officer should at least be paid a decent wage. He must make a campaign, and the crooked dealer is after him every election, seeking his de feat and willing for any one else but him. This costs money. He has the munificent salary of $L'000. I wonder how any of the readers of The Ore gonian would like to have his responsi bilities on such a small salary as $L'Ou0 a year. He must dress to suit, must appear before ladies club, before edu cation and civil bodies and must al ways look the part. He has a family of seven to support. I urge that honesty be paid a decent reward. Yours for better food. J. E. DUNNE. I1ATTLF.SIIIP FOR CITY Ml'SEl'M. Writer Suggests Acquirement of Cap tured German War Vessel. PORTLAND. Feb. 4. (To the Edi tor.) Poj-tland has gone over the top for every demand made on her by the Government for the war. She ought to be entitled to a trophy. Let us ask for the largest and best of the cap tured German battleships, bring it to Portland, select a site for it near the Willamette and accessible to The pub lic, cut a channel from the river to the site and when the water is at the high est stage float it into position and raise It above high water mark and im bed it in concrete and pave the dis trict about it and place the City Museum In It. The ship itself would be quite an addition to our museum and it would afford a suitable home for the entire museum at a nomi nal cost. If the Mayor and City Council with the Chamber of Commerce will gel back of our Congressional delegation in making the request it might be se cured. It is better that we should have it than to send it to the bottom of the sea. Let us ask for It before it is too late. ASA SPEETU. BOMS rLAX IS DISCHIMIXATORY Soldier's Father Protests Giving Offic ers Four Times as Murk aa Privates. RAYMOND. Wash.. Feb. 3. To the Editor.) Press dispatches state that a bill pending in Congress proposes to give soldiers upon discharge: SjO to privates: t-QO to officers. Such proposal appears to be an In defensible discrimination. From the start officers have received far better pay and have enjoyed comforts and luxuries unknown to privates and non coms. The privates have borne far more burdens at all times. In action the pri vate has been as patriotic and as brave as the officers. When work Involving risk of life had to be done and calls made for volunteers. privates as quickly, as willingly, as eagerly and as bravely leaped to the task. It is not to be expected that all privates could be promoted for bravery In action. But, emerging from the Army without such promotion, the courageous private is to be given $50, whlln officers, who may not have had more than a course in training, are to receive JUU. la rank the measure of a man's worthiness of reward for responding to his country's call. If so, it then, indeed. Is r-a-n-k. 1. the father of a yank who, in the midst of battle, and without even side arms, volunteered to go, and wnt without even side arms, over the top to establish an O. P. in No Man's Land, suggest to other fathers of sol diers and sailors that they write our representatives In Congress in protest against such Injustice as it would be to boost an officer into civilian life with 1-00 bonus and kick a private into unsettled industrial conditions with a little $50. I am writing both Oregon Senators, also Congressman from my district. SOLDIER'S FATHER. HOrSEKEEPER'S WORK PLEASANT. English Woman Stranded by War Finds Real Home Here. PORTLAND, Feb. 4. (To the Editor.) The letter Wednesday In The Ore- gonian, written by a housekeeper, greatly interests me. as my experiences have been so decidedly different. I came to this country four years ago on my way home to England, having traveled around the world. Owing to the outbreak of war. the wisest plan was to remain in America until the war ended. Unfortunately, my husband had a serious illness and be died after living in this city for 18 months. This left me completely stranded, and as 1 had never been taught any busi ness or profession. I advertised for a posiiion as housekeeper. I have been in my present position two years and three months. I have had every con sideration shown me, and It has been a great pleasure to be in a home where I could take as much interest as if it were my own and do the daily duties cheerfully. Wo all have problems to meet in every walk of life, but the great thing is to be contented, grateful and love your work. I am quite sure this is the only coun try where a woman can take a house keeper's position and be respected and treated as a lady. There are many homes In America only too pleased to meet a woman of refinement, capable and willing to adapt herself to any sort of household duties required to be done. My only reason for leaving this wonderful country is to be near my relatives, but I am very grateful for the expe riences and kindness shown to me dur ing my stay here. AN ENGLISHWOMAN. BROODING. If one might slip away from what Is dead, and leave all memory of by-gone things. Casting aside the errors, white or red. with all their bitter hurt and burning stings: If one might keep one's forces fresh each day. and waste no single atom in regret. This life were then a cheery, cheery way to those who now, alas, will not forget. One third ofcr mental strength we dally use to meet the needs that ever "must arise; One thir.l we give to speculative muse, which promises a some-time paradise: The other tihrd we waste In pining o'er the hopeless days now gone be yond recall; Thus, by our senseless brooding., less or more, we manage to becloud life nearly all! GRACE E. HALL. Hospital Patient Vntrarr-d. DALLAS. Or.. Teb. 4. (To the Edi tor.) Enclosed is an envelope re turned from France. You will note it bears the notation. "Sick, C. P. O.. Tours. 10.1S." Kindly tell me tho meaning of the markings and how I could trace this Frank Muller. Our last letter from him was written Oc tober 23. from a hospital, so we know he is alive and should get our letters. Please tell us what Is best to do. MRS. GEORGE WOODS. Write to the Central Records Office. Department of Cher. Bourges. France, Just created to trace men In France who do not receive their mail. Give his unit designation and any other In formation. The notations mean that ho was sent to a hospital at Tours, but that his company officers did not know how to forward mall to him. The date Is that on which he was sent to the hospital. Kakry Companies S-4S, 340. INDEPENDENCE. Or.. Feb. 3. (To the Editor.) I have a son In Bakery Company Q. M. C A. P. O. 738. Can you give me any information as to when they will be returned? AN ANXIOUS FATHER. SK AMOK AW A, Wash.. Feb. S. (To the Editor.) Have Bakery Companies 848 and 549 been listed for early return home? A READER. Neither of these companies has been designated for return under their own identities. First Field Signal Battalion. rOKTr.AXD, Feb. 4. (To the Edi tor.) Will you plesse tell me if the First Field Signal Battalion has ever been to the front In aotion. also what part of France A. P. O. 710 is located. ANXIOUS RELATIVE. As a part of the Second Division the battalion served in several engage ments. A. P. O. 710 Is the Second Divis ion postoffice and moves with the division. It was last reported at Hed desdorf, Germany. 145th Machine Gnn Battalion. PORTLAND. Feb. 4. (To the Edi tor.) Kindly tell me where the H5th Machine Gun Battalion. Sixth Depot Division. Company D, is located. Is It in the Army of occupation? ? Is it slated for early return'.' W. J. Is part of the 40th Division, known as the Sixth Depot Division. This was last reported at Revigny. It is not in the Army of occupation and not yet on the convoy list. Retirement of Public Employes. INDEPENDENCE. Or.. Feb. 3. (To the Edltcr.) Is there a law in Oreeon entitling one to a retiring pension, after a number of years service either for county or state? If so. how many years' service entitles one to such pen sion? A SUBSCRIBER. There Is no such law. In Other Days. Trenty-nve Tears A so. From The Oregonian. February 5. 1891. Paris. Auguste Valllant. the an archist who threw a bomb into the Chamber of Deputies, was executed to day. His last words were "Death to society! Long live anarchy!" Washington. Hawaii and silver are the paramount issues before Congress now. Cleveland. Ex-President Harrison Is out of the race for the nomination for the next campaign, it was authorita tively stated here today. The Young Men's State Republican Clubs will meet in Portland next Tues day. Fifty Tears Ago. From The Oresonlaji. February 5. London. Ashbury, owner of the Brit ish yacht Cambria, has accepted tho challenge of Douglass, owner of the New York yacht Sappho. The course will be between Cowes and Cherbourg. France. Paris. A formidable Insurrection ha broken out In Algiers and the Duke of Magenta has been ordered to the scene to take command. The recent executions in New Tork and New Jersey have been extensively commented on by the press and it id very significant that nine persons in ten take tho ground against capital punishment. A marine railway across the Isthmus of Darlen Instead of an lnter-oceamo canal Is being urged by the Pitteburc Gazette, On, WHAT CAN THE MATTES BEI Critic 'Wants Fa to Do Something, Ho Uoeniit Know W hat. PORTLAND. Feb. 4. (To the Ed itor.) What in the world is the matter with The oregonian? To satisfy tha inordinate cravings for adulation of an ubiquitous egotist we see our Gov ernment becoming deeper and deeper enmeshed in the European tangle; and wo see our best traditions set at naught and our cherished American institutions gravely menaced by insidious force which have since the birth of this re public connived at its destruction. We see hundreds of millions, nay btl lions of American dollars. profligately squandered for the benefit of alien governments and alien people so that Wilson may receive the plaudits and homage of those people; and we see tho United States standing over the stricken carcass of the enemy in the deplorabln role of robbing Peter to pay Paul. Wo see ourselves not only the inanely com placent victims of unscrupulous exploit ers, but also the laughing stock of tho adroit diplomats of the Old World. Yet not a word of protest from The Orego nian. Tcrhaps the adage, "Give him enough rope and ho will hang himself." is be ing tried out. Let us hope this Is tho case, as one is loath to believe that The Oregonian (like most of the big papers has been subsidized in the Interests of a man who for his own self-aggrandizement seemingly is willing to sacrifice and barter away the heritage of the American people. So break from cover, Oregonian. and say: are you for Wood row Wilson or are you for the United States of America? L. C. MILLER. TIIE OLD HOME RIVER. Oft'times we're transported to a far away wild wood. Where an elm-skirted river with rock-studded crest Is hurrying on by the home of our boy hood To help swell the billows on somo ocean's breast. When soft tempered breezes announced the Spring's coming. And the hillsides' broad shoulders were robbed of their snow. The river all swollen and angry seemed flinging A challenge to boatmen to come for a row. In our canoe fashioned In dull Win ter's season We'd push from the shore to the cur rent's embrace. And our paddle endowing the rudo craft with reason. Shot it down the rough channel at perilous pace. The trees on the bank seemed to nod and smile at us, - While birds in their branches made music most sweet; And wild flow'rs of Springtime, violets and arbutus. Sent forth their rare fragrance the senses to greet. The glint and the glitter of each tun kissed wavelet. Outrivaled the gems In the crown of a king. And the scng rising forth from each inrunnin streamlet . Was sweeter than queens of the opera sing. Since those days we've seen many fair lands and people. And had a just chare of wealth and esteem ; But all of these blessings have never been equal To those found In boyhood beside that fair stream. And when we die may we repose by that river Whose murmur at eve did oft soothe us to rest! There will we sleep sweetly and dream on forever. Of scenes, which of this old earth, we loved best! GEORGE M. KELLOGG. Grants Pass. Or. MISSIXG. I see the flags a wavln. I hear the mRrchin' feet. The cheers of the happy hearted. The boom of the drums" deep beat. I hear the band a-pjayin' The tii-rin martial air. But my heart is breakin'. breakln. For my boy isn't there. I hear the trampin'. trampln Of the troops a-marchin' by. The lads so young and hapry. Erect and clear of eye. As I scan their glad young f;.ccs. Seems if 1 cannot bear To know one face is missin' For my boy isn't there. 'Course I'm proud of the boys, and happy That they're safe home again. That they've fought a good fight and won it. And shattered oppression's chain. So I cheer with the rest, while wavln My flag with Us one gold star. But my heart is breakin". breakin. For my boy isn't there. MRS. A H. BLASSIXG. Hillsboro. Or. 32tt Marhine Gnn Battalion. PORTLAND. Feb. 4. (To the Edi tor.) Kindly inform me in what divi sion Company C. 321et Machine Gun Battalion is and if there has been any mention of its returning home. A SOLDIER'S MOTHER. PORTLAND. Feb. 4. (To the Edi tor.) I will be grateful IT you will tell me through The Oreponlsn in what division Company C, "-1st Machine Gun Battalion Is located, ar.d if it has been ordered home. C. L M. Is part of the 82d Division and not yet ordered home. The division ia lo cated at Prauthoy, France.