Mm-
PRICE FIVE CENTS
VOL. IjVIII. NO. 18,334
Entered at Portland (Oregon)
Potnffire a. Serand-CIa?s Matter.
PORTLAND,' OREGON, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1919.
CTCCI CTMkT m 1 SEVEN ARE SHOT IN
ITALIANS APPEAL
FOR ALLIED HELP
SHIP CARRYINGGOLD
HUNTERS IS WRECKED
4000 PAY TRIBUTE
TO LATE GOVERNOR
WORK OF JAMES WITHYCOMBE,
SOLDIERS PRAISED AT FAIR.
TREATY DEBATE IS
MILWAUKEE MAYOR
SNUBS BELGIAN KING
8-GENT CARFARE 11M
PORTLAND SOUGHT
u""lu- lu STEEL STRIKE RIOTS
BE LONG, BITTER
HALTED BY HISSES
CASCO OX ROCKS OFF KING
ISLAND, BERING SEA.
SOCIALIST REFUSES TO
MONARCH TO CITY.
ASK
Labor and Capital Dig in
for Siege.
UNIONS SAY 284,000 QUIT
Companies, However, Deny
Plants Are Crippled.
ARMED GUARDS AT MILLS
Strikers Iake Headway in Some
Quarters, but Plants Manage to
Keep Tires Burning.
(By the Associated Press.)
At the opening: day of the economic
War between organized labor and the
greater part of the iron and steel in
dustry of the country, both sides
rested last night, apparently satisfied
"With the reports received from the
far-flung battle line, reaching into 20
states and affecting directly or indi
rectly half a million workers.
After the first test of strength in
dustrial leaders and commissioners of
labor's legions were willing to admit
that they faced a struggle which
might prove bitter and long.
Armed Guards Protect Mills.
Grim evidence of preparations made
for the industrial conflict were seen
in the armed guards surrounding the
mills, but the first day of the strike
ended with no signs of serious dis
order, except in Newcastle, Pa., where
seven persons were shot in rioting
following an alleged attempt to pre
vent workers from entering a plant.
Until the first smoke of battle rolls
away, an accurate estimate of the
number of workers who marched out
in obedience to the strike order and
the number who remained at their
posts is not obtainable.
I nlons Say 284,000 Oat.
From strike headquarters in Pitts
burg came claims that 284,000 men
had taken their places in the ranks
of the strikers, but, although no
statement was forthcoming from the
steel corporation's headquarters in
New York, company officials in the
zone of action hastened to challenge
the estimate of labor leaders.
The steel corporation, against
which the main offensive is directed,
was able to operate most of its plants
in the Pittsburg district, according
to company officials. In the Chica
go steel center, some of the largest
plants were forced to close down
but others operated on a reduced
scale.
It was in the Mahoning valley that
the strikers seemed to make the most
headway for with three large mills
in the Youngstown district shut
down, and others running only part
capacity, the steel producing indus
try in that section was reported to
be fast approaching general pa
jalysis.
Cleveland Plants Closed.
In the Cleveland district, too, the
fctrikers apparently made a success
ful attack. Only four of the plants
were in operation, and according to
labor leaders. 19,000 men are affected.
Telegraph wires leading into head
quarters of both capital and labor
were kept warm, as report followed
report on conditions at 145 plants
affected by the strike order. As
became evident that neither the cor
poration had been able to keep all
its plants in operation nor the strik
ers,Jiad been able to produce a com
pltlfc tie-up of the industry,, leaders
began to settle down to the prospec
of a long fight. In this connection
it was announced that an importan
parley of union labor chiefs would
be held tomorrow, when, it is under
stood, the question of financing th
fctrike would be considered.
Carnegie Mills Running.
Officers of the Carnegie company,
the steel corporation's largest sub
sidiary In Pittsburg, asserted that
although their forces had been de
pleted by desertions, they had bee
able to reorganize their workers
as to keep all of the important mill
operating at almost 100 per cen
This brought emphatic denial from
the labor camp.
Steel officials admitted that in
some cases blast furnaces, which the
said they always had regarded
their most vulnerable spot, had bee
Daaiy crippiea. unis situation was
met by banking some furnaces an
concentrating the remaining workers
on others.
An important announcement cam
during the day from representative
of 35,000 workers employed by th
Bethlehem Steel company. This wa
to the etrect that they would no
walk out pending an attempt to ob
tain a conference with company of
ficials. FlKures in Conflict.
An example of the wide difference
between estimates made by labor
leaders and corporation officials con
cerning the number of strikers is
found in Pittsburg. According to
William Z. Foster, secretary of the
national committee of steel workers,
71,000 men are out, while in opposing
quarters the number was set at 15,000.
In the Chicago district company
Officials estimated that from 70 to
90 per cent of their workers had re
mained loyal, while at strike head
quarters in that city, it was said
87,500 had obeyed the strike call.
Labor leaders in the Youngstown
ICuucluJcd on Page 2, Column 2.)
CROWDS AXD MILLi GUARDS 1"
BATTLE IX STREETS.
Volleys of Bricks, Stones and Clubs
Are Answered by Fire of Depu
ties; Women Wounded.
PITTSBURG, Sept. 22. One man
was killed, two state troopers were
shot and many other persons less
seriously injured tonight in a second
utbreak at Farrell. The fight oc-
urred near the American Steel &
Wire plant, when, it is said, members
of a crowd threw bricks and other
missiles at the state police and local
fficers. Paul Prouse died as the
result of a bullet wound received
uring the melee. Private Frank
Milligan and Sergeant Smith, state
troopers, were struck by bullets and
the former is in a serious condition.
NEWCASTLE, Pa., Sept. 22. Seven
ersons were shot, one probably ta
lly, in rioting which broke out at
the Carnegie Steel company's plant
ere late today.
The trouble started when a crowd
about 400 attempted to prevent
millworkers from entering the plant.
About 20 workmen were being as
saulted when the mill guards, consist
ing of a number of deputy sheriffs.
came to their rescue.
The mill guards were met with a
olley of bricks, stones and clubs.
They drew their revolvers and at-
empted to hold the mob at bay, but
he shower of missiles continued, and
the crowd refused to disperse.
When the situation appeared to be
getting beyond control, the guards
re alleged to have opened fire on the
rowd with their guns. Two women
were shot. A man shot through the
tomach was reported to be in a hos-
ital in a critical condition. A boy
was also wounded.
Three other persons were struck by
ullets, but not seriously hurt.
Following 'the shooting the mill
uards had little difficulty in clearing
he streets about the plant.
Another outbreak occurred today at
the plant of the Shenango Tin Plate
company, in which two local police
men were wounded while attempting
o protect millworkers. One officer
was stabbed and another was shot.
Their wounds were not serious.
NEW YORK, Sept. 22. "Riot and
ivil commotion" insurance policies
aggregating more than $100,000,000
ave been taken out by business men
n Pittsburg and other cities where
plants of the United States Steel cor
poration are located, it was estimated
by insurance men here today. They
added that this amount probably
would be doubled within a week.
The amount called for by the
largest policy is $6,000,000, while that
of the smallest is $2500. The policies
provide for covering damage result-
ng from rioting and other causes not
specified in regular fire insurance
and apply to buildings as well as to
their contents.
COAST NEEDS RECOGNIZED
Additional Drydock and Navy-Yard
Facilities Promised.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 22. Secretary
Laniels announced today that as a re
sult of his trip to the Pacific coast
in connection with the arrival of the
Pacific fleet he soon would ask con
gress to authorize the establishment
of additional drydock, navy yard and
shipbuilding facilities there.
Puget Sound and San Francisco will
be the two chief bases of the Pacific
fleet, Mr. Daniels said, with the dread
noughts and cruisers divided about
equally between the two ports. The
smaller vessels destroyers, subma
rines, supply ships and auxiliary craft
will be based on the smaller ports
cn the Pacific coast.
CHORISTERS NOT ARTISTS
Immigration Officials Hold
Grand Opera Singers.
NEW YORK, Sept. 22. Four chorus
members of the Chicago Opera com
pany and one of the Metropolitan
Opera company, were excluded from
the country yesterday by a board of
special inquiry at Ellis island, which
has undertaken the task of separat
ing artists lrom contract laborers
insofar as either or both terms may
be applied to singers.
The board members after compar
ing the high salaries paid opera stars
with the rate paid chorus singers,
decided that the latter could not be
classed with artists.
TR0LLER RESCUED AT SEA
Man Found Semi-Consclous, but
Afloat, Near Wreck of Boat.
ASTORIA, Or., Sept. 22. (Special.
Herman Antio, troller was the op
erator of the trolling launch No,
G-52-a. which was found in
swamped condition south of the Co
lumbia river lightship Friday.
Late that night Antio was found by
other trollers In a semi-conscious
condition floating on the seas some
distance from his boat. He was help
less and all that kept him from going
dow:i was a life preserver. Antio
was brought ashore, but is still in a
criticu.1 condition.
HUNS REFUSE TO LEAVE
Government Admits It Is Powerless
to Order Withdrawal.
LONDON, Sept. 22. The German
troops in the Baltic region Intend
to remain in Letvla all winter, mak-
Ing their headquarters at Mitau,
according to a Central News dis
patch received at Copenhagen from
Helsingfors.
General von der Golts, the German
commander, is at Jditau, It is added.
Troops Wanted to Quell
Trouble in Fiume.
POET EXTENDS HIS LINES
D'Annunzio Picks Out Spot on
Hillside for Grave.
OUTSIDE AID EXPECTED
ndications at Paris Are That
Agreement for Internationali
zation of Port Is Near.
LONDON, Sept. 22. (By the Asso-
iated Press.) The Italian govern
ment has appealed to the allied pow-
rs to send an allied force, exclusive
f Italians, to drive D'Annunzio out of
Fiume, according to a report here to-
ight which is considered reliable.
It is understood that American
aval officers here who control the
perations in the Adriatic have de
clined any assistance whatsoever.
ending final decision from Washi
ngton or the peace delegates in
Paris.
The Italian government, it is re
ported, has pointed out in its ap
peal that it would be difficult for
taly to handle the situation in view
of D'Annunzio's popularity with the
talian people, and also because of
the fact that the Fiume decision has
een a thorn in the side of the
Italians.
Americans Not Available.
It is understood the Italian gov-
rnment declared that it deplored
he situation and did not wish to
make the slightest move against the
decision of the peace conference, but
pointedly inferred that if D'Annun
io's hold on Fiume was to be weak
ened it must be done by other than
Italian troops.
The Associated Press learns that
even should the appeal be favorably
received, no United States troops are
available, and, pending instructions
from high authority. United States
naval vessels would stay outside the
three-mile limit.
FIUME. Sept. 20. (By the Asso
elated Presis.) Gabriele d'Annunzio
declared in an. intereview here today
that he is making ready an appeal
to the president of the United States,
the king of England and the French
people to support him in his occupa
tion of Fiume for Italy, which he In
tended to maintain to his dying day,
having determined never to leave the
city. He was confident, he said, that
his appeal would bear fruit.
Fight to End Predicted.
"I cannot believe that there will be
any complication with France or Eng
land," said the poet-commander, "as
in the past I have done something in
the interest of both countries. There
fore it is impossible that they would
(.Concluded on Page 3, Column 1.)
JUST A
HOW VVOUl.XOl.1 .
LIXE. TO RrtiE. OtAt OF
fWJr. r THIS COY IAV TEKT '
t :
Vessel, Once Property of Robert
Louis Stevenson, In Precarious
Position; Crew Landed.
NOME, Alaska, Sept. 22. (By the
Associated Press.) The San Fran
cisco schooner Casco, bound on a mys
terious gold-hunting expedition to the
Kolyma river section of Siberia, was
wrecked on King island, about 40
miles from Nome, September 8, during
a southeast gale.
Captain C. L. Oliver was badly in
jured, but the 27 members of the crew
and party aboard were landed safely
on the island, according to reports
reaching here today.
The Casco, famous in marine annals
as once the property of Robert Louis
Stevenson, was forced by the gale on
the rocks of the south end of the
island. The vessel was said to be In
precarious position. The ship's
stores were landed on the island.
The Casco left Seattle last sum
mer and when last heard from
was north of Cape Serdzekamen, on
the far northern Siberia coast, where
it was expected the vessel would pass
the winter. Heavy ice in the Arctic
and storms, It was reported, during
August, forced the Casco away from
the cape. The wrecking of the
schooner now on King island is taken
here to mean that the Casco came
southward from the point where it
was originally intended to winter.
Exploration of a Siberian section
reputed rich in gold and as yet virtu
ally untouched by prospectors was
said to be the object of the Casco's
voyage.
78 NEW SHADES ARE OUT
Feminine Fashion Devotees to
Have Great Variety in Spring.
NEW YORK. Sept. 22. Feminine
devotees of fashion may bedeck them
selves next spring in gowns of 78 new
and staple shades, all "made in Amer
ica," according to the Textile Color
Card association of the United States,
which began today distribution of
cards to the textile and allied Indus
tries. Last year only 44 colors were
sent out.
Germany's record Is said to have
been eclipsed in the number of new
colors which will bid for popularity
next spring and which Include rose
bud, a brilliant pink; Venice, a tur
quoise blue; scarab, a bluish green
cinder, a gray; firefly, a striking
red and orange; aero, an atmospheric
blue; aztec, a yellowish brown: eagle,
a deeper shade of brown: middy,
scintillating navy blue; musketeei.
dark blue-green; sponge, a brownish
ochre, and date, an Arabian golden
brown.
BOGUS $20 BILL APPEARS
Warning of New Counterfeit Issned
by U. .S. Treasury.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 22. Notice o
a new counterfeit $20 note on the fed
eral reserve bank of New York was
given today by the treasury.
The border of the note and the
background of Cleveland's portrai
are solid black, instead of having fine
cross lines, and the treasury numbers
are black instead of blue.
FEW SNAP SHOTS AT THE STATE FAIR.
Great Throngs Flock to Salem for
Opening or State's Big Show.
Exhibits Splendid.
SALEM. Or., Sept. 22. (Special.)
In the new livestock stadium, spon
sored and erected on the state fair
grounds through the efforts of the
late Governor Wlthycombe, 5000 per
sons assembled tonight and paid trib
ute to Oregon's war executive and the
thousands of bravo and unselfish
youths who took up arms against the
enemy both at home and abroad.
Included among the speakers were
Governor Olcott, secretary of state
during the Wlthycombe administra
tion; Chester Moores, private secre
tary to the late executive; P. L.
Campbell,, president of the Unversity
of Oregon; W. J. Kerr, president of
the Oregon Agricultural college;
Judge Wallace McCamant and Judge
George W. Stapleton. close friends
and political supporters of the late
executive.
A. C. Marsters, Roseburg, president
of the state fair board under Gov
ernor Wlthycombe. presided, and Mrs.
Hallie Parish Gurdall of Salem gave
several patriotic vocal selections,
which brought prolonged applause.
Allied Kmblrmi Blend.
Hundreds of flags, great streamers
of bunting and other decorations
emblematic of the American and allied
armies, lent patriotic color to the
occasion. Music was furnished dur
ing the evening by Tonnasino'a fa
mous Italian band of New York.
n turn the speakers .reviewed the
life of Governor Wlthycombe, his
achievements in the role of a private
citizen and then told how he went
the limit in behalf of the oVegon
soldiers called into action during the
war. More than once during the
ceremonies it was said that no per
son, excepting perhaps the president
of the United States and a few other
men directly in charge of the war
machinery, did more to protect the
morale of the fighting men and equip
them for efficient service than did
Governor Wlthycombe.
In the death of Governor Wlthy
combe," one speaker said, 'Oregon
not only lost one of its best citizens,
but a man in whom the people of the
entire state had explicit faith."
Soldiers Are Landed.
The speakers also took occasion
to laud the Oregon soldiers for the
prominent part they played in the
great war.
Although the exhibits at this year's
fair are more numerous and varied
than ever before, chief interest today
centered on the displays from 14
counties which completely filled the
lower floor of the agricultural build
ing. : Cranberries, raw and cooked, are
featured in the Clatsop county ex
hibit, which Is In charge of Ben F.
Worsley of Astoria. In this display
are also many varieties of fish caught
In the lower Columbia river, farm
products, fruits and other mortgage
lifters which combine to make , the
lower Columbia district one of the
most prosperous in Oregon.
Cheese and dairy products are fea
tured by Coos county and this booth
promises to be one of the most at
tractive at the fair. J. L. Smith is In
charge, with Frank Tichenor, deputy
United States marshal, acting in the
role of assistant.
"We have no worms In our apples"
(Concluded on Fane 2. Column 3.)
Uproar in Galleries Is Be
yond Control.
ATTACK ON LEAGUE CHEERED
Guards Are Powerless to En
force Senate Rules.
SOLDIERS JOIN IN DIN
Members Talk, of Closing Seats to
Spectators Because of Noise That
Drowns Out Addresses.
WASHINGTON. Sept. 22. At the
end of a four-hour attack on the
league of nations by Senator Reed of
Missouri, a democrat, who has refused
to stand with his party for unre
served ratification of the peace treaty
of which the league covenant is a
part, the senate galleries late today
started a demonstration that had to
wear Itself out and then hissed vio
lent disapproval when the cheering
was condemned from the floor.
There has been no outburst like It
since the treaty fight was put sharply
before the senate by the foreign re
lations committee'. But there were in
dications today soon after Senator
need began his speech that the
crowds, swarming for admittance at
all doors, were in sympathy with bis
rgument.
Senate Rales Ignored.
Mindful of the evidences of feeling
In the galleries. Senator Cummins,
president protem. gave warning that
while applause might be tolerated de
spite senate rules, at the end of the
address. It would not be permitted at
other times. Threats to clear the gal
leries if repeated had no effect, and
no attempt was made to enforce the
longstanding rule.
When Senator Reed, with arms
lifted high, closed his speech and sat
down the applause broke, followed
Instantly by lusty c-fteerlng from
every irallery. Men in uniform joined
in the demonstration and many women
stood, waved their arms wildly and
shouted with the men..
Galleries Hl grantor.
Senator Ashurst, democrat. Arizona,
sitting nearest Senator Reed and first
to congratulate him. shouted loudly
for order a moment later, and the
crowds, not knowing what to expect,
suddenly became still. But the quiet
orderliness of the senate did not pre
vail long, for as the spectators real
txed that their conduct was being con
demned a wave of hissing swept
through the chamber, while gallery
guarus struggled manfully but un
successfully to subdue and eject those
responsible for it.
Still speaking to the crowds. Sen
ator Ashurst declared the fate of na
tions was at stake wniie tney "were
attempting to make the senate of the
United States a police court." and ap
pealed by name to Senators Lodge
and Hitchcock, the party leaders, to
stop it. The Arizona senator declared
the galleries would not applaud a
decision of the highest court, which
had never been called upon to decide
a question of such tremendous im
portance to the world.
Senate Has to Adjourn.
The appeal was met with another
volley of hissing, to which the
Arizona senator replied that only
snakes and geese hissed. Meanwhile
the chair was pounding for order, and
the crowds began piling out pell mell.
while members on the floor were
swarming around Senator Reed. Sen
ator Lodge finally was recognized
above, the hubub which so rudely had
shattered the dignity and traditions
of the senate and leaning on his desk
and smiling, addressed the chair:
"In order to return to that serene
and calm atmosphere described by the
senator from Arizona, I move that
we adjourn," and there was no dis
sent to the laughter or ayes."
Cialleriea May Be C'loaed.
How to deal with the conduct of
the people who attend the senate ses
sions to hear the treaty debate was
a question of some concern tonight
to senators, who discussed it In
formally in view of the events of the
afternoon.
Vice-President Marshall several
days ago asked the senate if it de
sired enforcement of the rule against
applause, saying If that was the wish
it would be enforced. Treaties pre
viously have been considered in
executive session, but that custom
was abolished so far as the pending
pact is concerned. The suggestion
came from many members, however,
that It might be necessary to close
the galleries If another demonstra
tion like that today mas attempted.
Senator Reed, whose speech occu
pied the whole treaty argument dur-
T insr the day's Droceedincs. had l,n I
speaking nearly two hours when the!
i " . .. , . ,,
1 1 1 B b l,twW A 1110 1U11UM CtJ
his reply to a question by Senator
Lodge and brought the first stern
warning from the presiding officer.
Senator Reed, while upholding firmly
the ruling, expressed the hope that
the senate would not be too severe on
the crowds, because it was their only
chance, he said, of expressing their
opinions.
After he had been interrupted re -
' peatedly by Senator Jones, New Mex-
7 lco, an advocate of the league cove-
- Concluded on Page 3, Column 3.
Executive Classes Invitation as
Forfeiture of Self Respect."
Epithet Is Applied.
MILWAUKEE. Wis.. Sept. 22. "I
stand for the man who works. To
hell with kings!"
This quotation closes a letter to A.
T. Van Scoy, president of the Mil
waukee Assocition of Commerce, from
Mayor Hoan, in which the latter re
fuses to invite King Albert and Queen
Elizabeth of Belgium to visit Mil
waukee. The mayor offers, however,
to forward such an invitation pre
sented by any group of citizens.
Mayor Hoan's letter in part reads
as follows:
"Please do not ask me to invite any
king, kaiser or czar. The people of
Milwaukee In choosing a mayor do
not require of him a forfeiture of
self-respect.
"Did they not know that socialists
refused to hobnob with Prince Henry
and royalty before my election? .
. . While I mean no disrespect to
the Belgian people, whom I love, nor
discourtesy to you, yet these are days
that try men's souls. We must take
our plaoe with kings, their golden
plates and satellites, or line up with
the rights of common man.
"I should go to my grave in ever
lasting shame were I to boost one
iota the stock of any king. Mr. Van
Scoy. remind your associates that I
stand for the man who works. To
hell with the kings."
HUMBERT CASE DROPPED
French Dismiss Action in Regard
to "American Contracls."
PARIS. Sept. 22. The case against
Senator Charles Humbert growing
out of alleged "American contracts"
has been dismissed by the court.
Late In July there was an examina
tion before the court, of evidence
tending to show that Senator ' Hum
bert, who was acquitted in May of a
charge of having dealings with the
enemy, had tried to corrupt officials
In the matter of contracts In the
United States. At the hearing a let
ter was read from Former Deputy At
torney-General Becker of New York,
who said no trace had been found In
banks or factories of any negotia
tions with which Senator Humbert
could be reproached.
CZECHS TO BE SENT HOME
Allied Tonnage Will Transport
50,000 Troops From Siberia.
PARIS, Sept. 22. The supreme
council meeting today decided upon
the repatriation of the Czecho-Slovak
troops remaining In Siberia, about
50,000 in number. The necessary
tennage will be furnished by the
United States. Great Britain and
France.
It was decided that the plebiscite
in the Teschen district to settle the
question whether the region should
go to Poland or Czecho-Slovakia must
take place within three months.
Other action taken by the council
was to fix the scale of salaries of the
officers on the Inter-allied mission
to Germany.
INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS
The Heather.
YESTERDAY'S Maximum temperature, 83
degrees; minimum, 54 degree.
TODAT'S Fair; gentfe northeast winds.
Foreign.
Marguerite E. Harrison describes gaiety In
Berlin during period of partlcan
trouble. Page i.
Italians call for allied help In Flume
Page 1.
Japan will never grve up Shantung, says
Harden, i'age 3.
National.
Senate adjourns in face of hisses In treaty
debate, page 1.
General McAndrears says army of 300,000
la enough. Page b.
lomet Ir.
President cheered and welcomed by Nevada
throng. Page b.
Milwaukee mayor snubs Belgian kin
Page 1.
Strike closes several big steel plants in
Chicago district. Page 4.
Long, bitter Industrial war expected ove
steel strike. Page 1.
Miners decided to break with labor feder
atlon. Page 4.
Both sides confident after first day of stee!
strike. Paga 1.
Seven are shot In strike riots. Page 1.
James R. Nugent, political foe of Wilson,
seeks democratic nomination for gov
ernor of New Jersey. Page 3.
Defense society objects to Vlereck's attack
on Roosevelt. Page -.
Pacific Northwest.
Thousands pay tribute to work of late
Oovernor Wlthycombe and Oregon sol
diers at Salem. I'age 1.
Ship carrying gold hunters wrecked in
Bering sea. Page 1.
Commercial and Marine.
Alfalfa growers holding for higher prices.
Page l'J.
Chicago corn closes at top point of day.
Page 1.
Steel stock advances and other equipments
are strong. Page ID.
Marine association recommends gradual
sale of I.. S. merchant vessels. Page 14.
Plans are made to sell marine war sup
plies. Page 10.
Two flour mills reopen with non-union
men. Page 14.
Sport.
James Burke returns to post as aw-lmmlng
Instructor at Shattuck school. Page 13.
Sacramento 5enalor open aeries with Port
land Beavers. Page VI.
Baseball world series opens OctoWr
,1 Cincinnati, t-age i.-.
Portland and Vicinity.
Car company asks for 8-cent fare In Tort
land. Page I.
Standardization of city employes' salaries
awaits report on municipal finances.
Page 0.
Symphony concerts this season promise to
be real events. I'age 8.
Ner alte for Albertina Kerr nursery al
most withdrawn. Page 9.
Sleuths ready tor battle with bootleggers.
Page 19.
Oregon democrats eye Palmer and McAdoo
for preferential primary. Page f.
Cement rate case hearing Is opened In
Portland. Page 10.
W eather report, data sad forecast. Page it.
Company Declares Lift
Is Imperative.
CORPORATION IN DISTRESS
Petition Filed With Public
Service Commission.
CONTEST BY CITY LIKELY
Tripartite Plan for Control and
Operation of Carlincs to Be Con
sidered at Hearing Today.
An 8-cent street railway fare for
Portland Is asked In a petition filed
with the public service commission
yesterday by the Portland Railway,
Light & Power company, when Presi
dent Franklin T. Griffith and other
officials of the corporation appeared
before the commissioners to present
their arguments for an increase In
passenger rates.
In his talk before the public service
commission, and by financial tables
presented as exhibits. President Grif
fith set forth the plea that the street
railway company cannot continue to
operate on the present 6-cent fare.
Increased wages and operating ex
penses considered, and that its fail
ure is definitely forecast unless relief
Is afforded in hia-her fare.
Contest by City Kisertrd.
The petition Itself asks for the can
cellation of the existing fare and the
substitution of one that will insure a
return of 7 per cent upon the invest
ment, as determined by the commis
sion, after operating expenses have
been defrayed. Such a return, said
President Griffith, could only be real
ized by an 8-cent fare if the unit-
fare system is to be continued. Zon
ing of the transportation districts
has heretofore been discussed as one
way out of the dilemma, but was not
touched upon yesterday, save by in
ference. The city of Portland will contest
any increase in street railway fares,
declared Stanley Myers, deputy city
attorney, who appeared at the hear
ing, and will carefully check up the
statements submitted by the company
in jusimcatlon or Its demands. Ap
pearing with Mr. Myers for the city
was J . i .-sewell, author of the re
cently-suggested tripartite Dlan.
whereby the city, the company and
the employes were to be made bene
ficiaries In the operation of the lines.
Tripartite Plan la Urge.
Mr. Myers and Mr. Newell requested
the commission to grant a conference
on the tripartite plan of control, and
such a conference will be held this
arternoon, at the rooms of the com
mission In the court house. Partici
pating will be officials of the street
railway company, city commissioners
and the public service commissioners.
President Griffith, at this sugges
tion, said the company officials were
willing to appear at the conference,
but that their der'-.nd for immediate
relief should not be abridged in any
way by such discussion. He pointed
out that the fruition of such a plan,
should It be favorably considered,
would require a considerable length
of time and the drafting and passage
of the requisite ordinances, whereas
the affairs of the street railway are
in such shape that relief Is required
at the earliest possible moment.
Situation Held Critical.
Testimony of the company was to
the effect that the 6-cent fare has
barely sufficed to meet increased
wage schedules and operating ex
penses when passenger traffic was at
its height. Now. It was declared, the
waning of the Intensified industrial
period Is causing a sharp decline In
receipts, presenting a "critical situa
tion to the company.
In August, 1917, It was testified,
the net return to the company was
149.312. Wages and operating ex
penses soared, and the 6-cent fare
was Invoked. The Increase was Just
potent enough to restore the net re
turn to $49,667 In August. 1919.
As Indicative of the falling off In
revenues, and in support of the claim
that the peak of business is pasted,
it was shown that the gross revenues
for July, 1919, were 13000 less than
for July, 191$, and that the gross
revenues for August, 1919. were
$16,000 less than for August, 1918.
Operating Coata Increase.
It was estimated that the cost of
operation has Increased to such an
extent that the year ending August
31. 1920, would return a net earning
of $395,892 or 2.1J per cent on aa
$lS.56ti,0o0 valuation, fixed by the
public service commission. A nomi
nal return, it Is asserted, would be
not less than 7 per cent, the amount
asked for In the petition.
It was also testified that the oper
ating expenses for the year ending
August 31. 1920, would be $3,430,000
or double the expenses of the year
1916. when it cost $1,697,086 to operate
the street railway system.
Another point emphasized in th
case presented by the company wa
the fact that but 16.4 per cent ol
passengers avail themselves of the
5i-cent fare, procurable by the pur
chase of reduced price ticket books.
Adjournment was taken with the
understanding that the hearing wlU
be resumed n the near future, at
iCoucludcdun Pag Coiuuia 1