VOL. LVIII. NO. 18,319 Sc:Vr8Vo,V.af..rMeaVt.V.
PORTLAND, OREGON, WEDNESDAY," OCTOBER 22, 1919.
"PRICE FIVE CENTS
LABOR IS BEATEN
AT GROUP SESSION
AMERICAN GIRLS' LOVE
AFFAIRS ARE SCORED
JAPANESE PHTSICIAX SEES
CAUSE FOR WEARIXESS.
SENATE IS FACING
KING PAYS TRIBUTE
At LINCOLN'S TOMB
PRESIDENT'S' firmness held
EXAMPLE TO BELGIANS.
EXERTION WEARIES
PRESIDENT-WILSON
y
LONGSHOREMEN RI0T;jC JIVCD MVC I IIK
POLICE SAVE O'CONNOR, " HrtlG im
INVITED HIS CRIME
STRF2CGTH TAXED IX WRITING
GOVERNMENT
MA
TREATYSHOWDOWN
ORDER TO RETCRX TO WORK
ANGERS NEW YORK MEN.
Body Guard of T. V. O'Connor, In
MESSAGE TO LANE.
lM Collective Bargaining
Measures Rejected.
CONFERENCE HELD IN VAIN
Public and Employers Against
Steel Strike Intervention.
DOMPERS WARNS CAPITAL
abor ' Leader Predicts Industrial
Heads Will Regret Fight to
Destroy Unionism.
WASHINGTON. Oct. 21. After a
lay of uncertainty, during which
resident Wilson sent to Secretary
jane, chairman, a. message of concil
ation to be used as a "last resort,"
he national industrial conference to
iight cleaned its slate by rejecting all
:ollective bargaining resolutions as
ell as the labor proposal for inter-
ention in the stee strike.
The public group aligned with capi
at on the vote against both the orig
inal collective bargaining and steel
trike resolutions, although the dec
laration on collective bargaining was
roposed by the public delegates.
rior to the vote on the original dec
laration, the employers' substitute and
wo new amendments by Thomas L..
hadbourne, chairman of the confeV:
nce's central committee, met defeat.
inly the employers favored the sub-
titute, and labor and capital united
a the opposition to the amendments.
Conference Declared failure. '
When the conference reconvenes to
morrow it will be in practically the
ame position as at the opening on
ctober 6. In adjourning the session
onight Secretary Lane declared the
onference had produced nothing and
dvised it to take 'a new start by ad-
ournlng for several days while a co-
rdinating committee of not more
han six members frame a programme
f action.
Defeated on every point, and having
bst the support of the publie group,
hich heretofore has been on the side
f the workers, the labor delegates
L ft the conference hall tonight dis-
eartened and feeling, as some of
hem said, that little could be gained
y further meetings. However, a
meeting of the group has been called
br 9 o'clock tomorrow morning and
idividual members will be bound by
ction taken at that time.
Wilson Letter Slay Be Factor.
Should labor show a disposition to
alt the conference. Chairman Lane
ndoubtedly will use the president's
tter in an effort to avert the crisis
leading of the letter was said to be
ntirely discretionary witb the chair
man, who declared that he would not
roduce it unless the situation .became
cute. Although labor may force the
isclosure of its contents, it was gen
rally predicted tonight that the
Workers would not withdraw. The
resident's message, it was under
tood, restates the purposes for which
he conference was convened, empha-
tzes the urgency of the need for al
aying industrial unrest, and makes
. plea for further work on the part
f the conferees.
The morning session lasted only a
ew minutes and the afternoon -meet
ng, during which quick action was
btalned, was not convened" until 6
'clock. The entire day was devoted
o group meetings in an attempt to
ievise another declaration on collec
ive bargaining, satisfactory to all
lements. After more than three days
f almost continuous sessions, the
mployers were unable to agree upon
nother statement and fell back upon
he Wheeler substitute.
Compromise Attempt Fails.
Members of the public group at
fcmpted to effect a compromise by
tie substitution of the words "associ-
lions of their own choosing" for
trade and labor unions" in the clause
f the group's resolutions guarantee
ig workers the right to organize and
lie. five labor representatives on the
eneral committee of 15 spent two
ours in joint meeting with the public
roup explaining la Dor's objection to
le change. This amendment was in
oduced by Mr. Chadbourne but the
ublic group alone voted favorably.
When the original Russell-Endlcott
esolution came up for discussion in
ie conference, Samuel Gompers,
resident of the American Federation
f Labor, declared that the with
rawal of the support of the public
roup was due to an interpretation of
lie words "trade and labor unions'
y one member of the group, who is
Hied with organized labor and that
he phrase excludes all but American
'ederation of Labor organizations. It
las said that the reference was to J.
. Forrester, alternate for B. M. Jew
11, acting president of the railways
mployes' department of the federa
tion.
Gompera Warns Capital.
The right to organize for the pur
ose of collective bargaining, Mr.
lompers continued, is the one ques
tion in controversy "tne one thing
jlie working people of the United
tates are going to achieve."
A hush fell over the crowded audi
orium as the labor leader, squarely
icing the employers' wing and shak
ing his finger toward that group, ex-
(Concluded on rase. 8, Column 1
Xorwegian Representative" at Con
ference Insists Affairs Keep
i
Girls Looking Young.
OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU,
Washington, Oct. 21. Do American
girls absorb too much time and
energy in love affairs?
Dr. Tomo Inbuye. of Tokyo, Japan.
four-foot high woman physician who
has been in Washington during the
last weeks, says they do. She con
tends'that American girls' look tired,
while Japanese : girls never do, and
the reason is the one heretofore as
signed. The little Japanese doctor,
who boasts that she never feels tired.
admitted that she was slightly fa
tigued after a sight-Seeing excursion
about Washington, but she attributed
it all to American footgear.
Whether sight-seeing trips or love
affairs absorb more of an American
woman's energy is a debated question
among 35 women physicians repre
senting England. Denmark, Argen
tine, Switzerland. Uruguay, France,
Italy, Norway, Sweden, Holland,
China, Japan, India, Serbia. Sco.land.
Canada and the United States who
spent a 16-hour day of sightseeing in
this city. Dr. Inouye was a member
of this party.
Dr. Krlstine Munsch, of Christiana,
Norway, maintained that love affairs
will keep girls looking young. She
was seconded by Dr. Alma Sundquist.
of Stockholm, Sweden, who feels that
it is an interesting experience to
travel at the rate Americans do, but
that American women spend too much
time rushing from one place to an
other and do not get enough out-of-door
exercise.
'In Sweden." said Dr. - Sundquist,
'we walk out into the country a great
deal and take time to sit down in
lovely places and think over our im
pressions." GERMANY SEEKING TRADE
Diversion of America's Foreign
Commerce Forecast.
NEW YORK. Oct. 21. "Germany,
recovering from the war more rap
idly than any other European coun
try, now threatens to1 divert bur for
eign trade to her own gain." Dr. E.
E. Pratt, formerly chief of the bureau
of foreign and domestic commerce of
the department of commerce, made
this declaration at tonight's meeting
of the New York foreign round table.
"German salesmen are to be found
in all the countries immediately sur
rounding Germany," Dr. Pratt raid.
'German manufacturers and mer
chants are offering prompt deliveries
and long-term credits. If we continue
to increase our costs and false out
prices she will take- away from ui
certain of our best markets."
SCHOOL MA'AMS BORROW
Tacoroaf Teachers Say They Cannot
Live on Salaries.
TACOMA, Oct. 21. Dozens of school
teachers in this county were forced to
borrow money to pay their living ex
penses the past year, according to re
ports filed with Mrs. Minnie Bean,
county superintendent of' schools.
Amounts from $55 to 11252 were bor
rowed. One teacher declared she Is receiv
ing this year 15 a month more than
in 1916 and that though she took in
sewing during the school vacation
period she .ran $249 behind. Dozens
declared they are forced to wear out
of style clothing and to forego addi
tional education. . - "'
GASOLINE PRICE TO DROP
Decline In Exports . Leaves Large
Quantities In United States.
CHICAGO. Oct. 21. Gasoline will be
lower rather than higher priced, C. I
Sweeney of Peoria, III, president of
the Independent Oil Men's association.
predicted today at the opening ees
sion of the 11th annual meeting.
Export of oil has declined since the
end of the war, he said, thus leaving
large supplies in the United States.
LOGGER, KILLED BY SNAG
Rainier Workman Is Survived by
.Widow and Two Children.
RAINIER, Or.. Oct. 21. (Special.)
Robert Burnham was killed in the
Noyes-Holland logging camp today,
his neck: being broken by a flying
snag which was struck by a. log.
Burnham was 24 years of age and
leaves a, widow and two children.
He. had been a resident of Rainier
for the past 13 years.
REDS ATTACK EX-PREMIER
Italian Auto Is Stoned, and Occu
pants Are Struck. :'
ROME, Oct. 21. Ex-Premier Antonio
Salandro, who held that office during
the early part of the war, was at
tacked by socialists and anarchists
when he arrived at San Severo Mon
day. His motor car was stoned, some
missiles striking the occupants.
COFFEE. PORT HAS STRIKE
General Tie-up in Santos, Brazil,
May Affect Trade.
SANTOS. Brazil. Oct. 21. (By the
Associated Press.) A general strike
has been declared here.
As Santos is the world's greatest
coffee port, the strike is expected to
affect materially the coffee trade.
Reservations Arr"-d On
HITLnuUGK MAY COMPROMISE
Lodge to Present Complete
Programme Today.
NINE POINTS COVERED
Senator McCumber's Suggestions
Are Understood " to Indicate
Line of Action Taken.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 21. The ques
tion of accepting peace treaty reser
vations without further opposition
was earnestly considered by demo
cratic senate leaders today under the
pressure of developments pointing to
an early showdown In the ratifica
tion fight.
The treaty opposition forces, an
nouncing at last a complete agree
ment on a reservation programme by
the senate majority, brought the situ
ation to an unexpected issue by serv
ing notice that their proposals would
go before the foreign relations com
mittee tomorrow, when the adminis
tration leaders would be asked to go
on record definitely as accepting or
rejecting it.
Described by the majority spokes
men as in the nature of an ultimatum,
the announcement was followed by a
conference on the administration side
which lasted all day, but resulted in
no final decision. Senators who were
present said that while some of the
leaders . stood out determinedly
against any compromise, there was
an apparent disposition on the part of
Senator Hitchcock and others to con
sider seriously the practicability of
such a step.
Nine Reservations Made.
' The reservation programme as It is
to be presented to the committee for
approval was not made public but it
was understood to embrace nine res
ervations, evolved from suggestions
gathered from many sources. The sub
jects said to be covered were the
following:
The right of this country to judge
whether its obligations had been ful
filled in case of withdrawal from the
league of nations.
Domestic decision of all domestic
questions.
Preservation unaffected of the Mon
roe doctrine.
Refusal to be a party to. the Shan
tung settlement. .
Equalization of voting power in, the
league.
Congressional selection of American
representatives in the league.
The unimpaired power of congress
(Concluded on Page 2. Column 1.)
' . ... . . . ..... . . . ........ ........ u.l. Ml. . . . . . . ......... . . . . ,4
Ruler Lands "Strength and Xoble
Ideals" of Great Amcri
ican Statesman.
SPRINGFIELD, I1L, Oct. 21. Albert
of the Belgians placed a simple
wreath upon the sarcophagus of Lin
coln as dusk was falling here today.
Profoundly reverent and deeply
moved, the gallant leader of a brave
people sought within the twilight of
the tomb the new strength to face
the trials of the future.
As Albert, with his consort . and
their son, drove through the park, St.
Gaudens' bronze of the great Ameri
can seemed to smile a welcome to the
stalwalt soldier who nevef lost faith
in the triumph of justice and democ
racy. . His bronzed face, grave, and his Hps
sternly set,' the first king of Europe
to seek lessons in - America uncov
ered as he stepped within the shadow
of the tomb bearing his wreath of
white chrysanthemums. He bowed
three times and crossed himself as
he stepped over the threshhold and
laid the flowers upon the marble slab.
The king stood motionless, his head
bowed and his lips moved as though
In silent prayer.
No less reverent. Queen Elizabeth
followed her husband. Behind her
walked the prince. Even the lad of
18 appeared to feel, the solemnity of
the moment.
The stay within the tomb was brief
and all three of the royal Belgians
bowed deeply before the ashes of the
Immortal American as they stepped
backward Into the open air, their eyes
upon the sarcophagus. They jWere
followed ' by Baron de Cartier de
Marchienne, Belgian ambassador to
the United States, and then by Brand
Whitlock, beloved of all Belgians, and
once a resident of Springfield.
Without preliminaries, standing In
the shadow of the great granite mon
ument, the king paid tribute to the
departed president. No less than Lin
coln, he knew all the horrors of war,
but from the spirit of the homely son
of Illinois he asked guidance In the
future.
"We who are here today, coming
from a far distant country, can never
forget what President Lincoln has
done," he said, "and may we find in
his noble, example the strength and
firmness which make a ruler worthy
to be dedicated in his country to that
always unfinished work of progress,
welfare and ideals which this great
man had so nobly advanced."
WAR COURTS CHAMPIONED
Executions for Purely Military
Reasons Are Denied.
NEW YORK. Oct. 21. No American
soldier was ever executed "for purely
military , reasons," during the war
with Germany, Major S. W. Brewster
of the United States marine corps, re
tired, and former Judge advocate of
the third naval district, declared in
an address before the American Pris
on association today. He said those
executed had been found guilty of of
fenses recognized as capital crimes in
civil courts. ' ' -
The association opened a five-day
convention here today with 250 delegates.
THE FIRST GOOD LAUGH HE'S HAD FOR A LONG TIME.
: : 1:
Communication Relative to Indus-
'.trial Conference Ko Indication
of Decided Improvement.
. WASHINGTON. . Oct 21. W h 1 1
President Wilson was able today to
formulate a message to Secretary
Lane for transmission to the national
Industrial conference, no effort was
made either by Rear Admiral Grayson.
his physician, or by White House of
ficials to create the Impression that
the action indicated decided Improve
ment in the president's condition. .
Writing - of the message, however,
was pointed to by members of the
White House staff as further refut
ing reports that Mr. Wilson was un
able to transact any necessary busi
ness that might require his attention
as chief executive. The situation con
fronting the national Industrial con
frn r which mav face it at any
time through danger of its dissolution,
was considered as constituting such
a necessity.
While the president, it was said at
the White House, was not worse to-
dsv. his condition did not show any
decided change for the better as might
be inferred from his Increasing ac
tivity In governmental a (fairs.
Dr. Grayson made it plain that he
does not propose to let the incident
of the message serve as precedent for
lowering the bars to all who may
have affairs of state to bring before
the patient. The gradual improve
ment in the president's condition has
been noted, but it was again empha
sized that the dally change is so slight
as to be almost Imperceptible.
- The president's physicians an
nounced today that while he did not
sleep so well last night, he showed no
signs of fatigue this morning and
that the prostatic condition was un
changed. The bulletin follows:
"White House, Oct. 21, 11:25 A. M.
The president's prostatic condition re
mains as before. Chemical examina
tion of the blood shows the kidneys
to be functioning normally. He did
not sleep so well last night, but shows
no signs of fatigue this morning.
"GRAYSON. RUFFIN, STITT."
' Dr. Grayson made reference to the
Increasing activity of the president
In the regular 10 o'clock bulletin In
which he said:
"The president felt stronger today.
He tried to do more than he has here
tofore done since his illness began.
As a consequence he is very tired to
night." ' ' ' ' ' .
JAIL TERM BE GIVEN
Dry Law Violators who Plead Hot
Guilty Mast Serve.
SACRAMENTO. CaL. Oct. 21. Jail
sentences without alternative of a
fine will be imposed In cases where
a plea of "not guilty" Is entered to
a charge of violating the fede .1 pro
hibition act and a verdict of guilty
later is found. United States District
Judge William. C. Van Fleet an
nounced from the bench today.
Frederick Bertano and J. McGInnis,
saloon proprietors, pleaded guilty to
day and were fined 1150 and (200, re
spectlvely.
SEIZE COAL MINES
Effort to Avert Walkout
Proves Fruitless.
FEDERAL ACTION PROBABLE
Strike Called for November 1
Causes Apprehension.
FUEL SUPPLY NOW SHORT
Little More Than Month's Needs
Now on Hand; Shutdown Would
Cause Great Distress. '
WASHINGTON. Oct. 21. Failure of
operators and miners to settle their
difference after a four-hour confer
ence today with Secretary of Labor
Wilson may force the government to
step in and prevent 'the strike of 600.
000 bituminous coal miners called for
November 1.
Although another effort will be
made tomorrow to bring peace to
the Industry the strike tonight loomed
big and close at hand and leaders of
the two sides said there was little
hope. .
While the full scale committees
representing miners and operators
were fighting their battles today be
hind a closed door, a strike storm
raged in the senate, and federal agen
cies looked up the law, firmly con
vinced that it would have to be In
voked to save the country from un
told distress and suffering, with mines
shut down and less than a month's
stock on hand to keep fires burning.
Warning Sounded Is Senate.
Filing out of the meeting place, the
miners and operators, nearly 100 of
them, went thels separate ways to
discuss the crisis, the former led by
John L- Lewis, president of the United
Mine Workers of America, and the
latter by Thomas T. BTewster. head
of the Coal Operators' -3Socfation.
Informed of the .attack on the
unions in the senate by Senator Fre
linghuysen of New Jersey, and re
ports from many quarters that the
government might intervene, strike
leaders said there was a bare chance
of some encouraging development to
morrow, but that the strike order
would stand. -
Secretary Wilson left the meeting
without giving the leaas. intimation as
to what was in his mind as to hope
of settlement.
Plea for Settlement Made..
The two committees, in separate
groups, filed into the assembly hall of
the Red Cross building and sat down
shortly before noon, while Secretary
Wilson went to the 'front and an
nounced that they had been asked to
meet and adjust their grievances.
Pleading for immediate settlement, the
secretary showed how it would affect
the public; how it would close indus
trial plants and stop freight and pas
senger traffic because of the limited
coal stocks held by the railroads.
Pointing out that the matter was
one of vital concern to the people.
Secretary Wilson explained that as
executive officer of the government
Intrusted with the function of media
tion in such disputes, he felt that
every possible effort should be made
to induce the miners and operators to
see the Importance of early adjust
ment. The secretary said he gave full
weight to the atatement of the opera
tors regarding contracts and to the
importance of rescinding the strike
order and to withdrawal of demands
for a 30-hour week, just as he gave
weight to the statement of the miners
that there must be "a disposition
really to negotiate" before it would
be worth while for them to go into
conference.
' Lewis Speaks for Misers.
President Lewis then spoke for the
miners. The old wage agreement,
he declared, had expired and the
operators, he charged, had refused
to consider a new one.
The side of the operators was pre
sented by P. S. Penna of Terre Haute,
! Ind., who charged that the miners
had violated their agreement, that
the operators had adhered to the prin
ciples and practices of collective bar
gaining and that the unions were at
, fault. Then, without consulting the
I leaders. Secretary Wilson suggested
an adjournment until tomorrow.
I There was no objection, neither side
'desiring to appear in the attitude
of blocking peaceful efforts by a
' voluntary mediator, but miners and
operators alike were surprised. The
general feeling seemed to be that
the thing would be fought over and
settled today. The secretary, it was
said, indicated a desire to present
the views of the government after
each side had been given a full hear
ing. Roetaevelt Warning Recalled.
Officials recalled that once dur
ing the administration of President
Roosevelt, when a coal strike ap
peared certain, miners and operators
were warned that if the mines were
shut down they would fce Immediately
opened and operated by the govern
ment, with troops on guard if neces
sary to see that the public got an
adequate supply of coal.
Re-establishment of the fuel ad
ministration, which ceased to function
last spring, was also discussed by of
ficials. It- was contended that the
Jconcludcdou Jfase 3, Columa 2.)
ternational President, In Clash;
Disorder Ends Session.
HOBOKEN. N. J, Oct. 21. A riot
in which pistol shots were fired broke
out at a meeting of longshoremen
here tonight when T. V. O'Connor,
president of the International Long
shoremen's association, after having
officially declared the strike of New
York waterfront workers at an end.
appeared to urge Hoboken strikers to
return to wijrlc.
When the O'Connor party reached
the stage pandemonium started. One
of the bodyguards jumped from the
platform and knocked down a long
shoreman who was rushing forward.
The bodyguard then drew a pistol
and fired several shots through the
floor. He and his companions were
attacked and severely beaten. The
wharf workers' wrath was directed
chiefly against Joseph Ryan, who was
accused of firing the shots, but who
had no firearms when searched by
the police.
The police arrested Ryan, Dennis
Hogan and a man known as "Henry."
The three were charged with assault
and battery and with carrying con
cealed weapons.
Captain O'Connor went to the po
lice station, a crowd hooting and jeer
ing following him. Many of the
longshoremen threatened him as he
went.
B. N. Squires, secretary of the na
tional adjustment commission, an
nounced today that he had been offi
cially notified that the longshoremen
employed on the Chelsea piers, com
prising the largest local in the port,
would return to work tomorrow. The
Chelsea piers are the headquarters
for the Cunard, White Star, American
line, French line. Red Star and other
large trans-ocean companies.
T. V. O'Conner. president of the In
ternational Longshoremen's associa
tion, informed local representatives
of the United States shipping board
that the "conservative members of
the longshoremen's union" would re
turn to work on all piers tomorrow.
GERMANS J0M RUSSIANS
Half of Eastern Army Said to Rave
Renounced Citizenship.
BERLIN, Monday. Oct. 20. (By
the Associated Press.) General von
dee Golts, late commander of the
German troops in the Baltic provinces,
stated In an interview in the Boersen
Zeltung that he favored the under
taking of Colonel Bermondt because
the Baltic states were strongly in
fected with bolshevism, which was
likely to spread through East Prussia
if the government did not cut off its
access.
General von der Goltz, who left
Colonel Bermondt Wednesday of last
week, said that half of the German
troops had then left for Germany, but
that the other half of the men had
renounced their German citizenship
and become Russians.
HINDU BAPTIST DELAYED
Minister Is Held at Ellis Island
Pending Investigation.
NEW YORK. Oct. 21. The Rev. B.
C. Sircar, a Baptist minister, was
held at Ellis Island when he tried
to land from the steamer Vauban
from Southampton today because he
was born a Hindu.
He Is attached to the Calcutta head
quarters of the Y. M. C. A. and came
here to lecture on India In the in
terests of the British government, he
said. A special board of Inquiry will
sit on the case.
INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS
The Weather.
YESTERDAY'S Maximum trmperature.
58 degrees; minimum, 50 decrees.
TODAY'S Unsettled and occasionally
threatening; moderate mesterly winds.
Foreign.
Brltiah warships wary of Krenstadt. Page 3.
National.
Senate faces treaty showdown. Page 1..
Unionism attacked In senate aa "new
autocracy." Page 7.
Government may Intervene to prevent coal
mine trlke. Page 1.
Pi-evident taxes strength in writing net.
sage. Page 1.
- Iomstie.
King Alt-rt pays tribute at Lincoln's
grave. Page 1.
Farmers of nation reject radicalism.
Page 2-
Japanese woman phrsiclaa says love af
fair, tire American girl. Pag 1.
President of nonpartisan .league starts
move to reorganise Fargo bank. Page 3.
Captain Lowell H. Smith first western
flier to complete air derby. Page 2.
New York longshoremen riot. Page 1.
Pacific Northwest.
House painter held In connection with
Seattle murder. Page 9.
8porta
Baseball magnates all set for Coast leaguti
meeting. Page 13.
Joe Rivers and Alex Trambltas clash to
night In 10-round fight. Page Is.
James John eleven beats Washington high,
14 to 7. Page le.
Commercial and Marine.
Potato markets are strengthening through
out country. Psge 23.
Chicago com weakened by break la hog
prices. Page 23.
Motors and oils sell at record prices In
Wall-street market. Page S3.
West Saginaw breaka record. Page 18.
Shipbuilding regarded as good investment.
Page IS.
Portlaad and Vicinity.
Women persist In Trumbull charges.
Psge 12.
City commissioner objects to plan for pav
ing Montgomery drive. Page 12.
Hahnemann hospital starts $250,000 drive.
Page 24.
Women's Ad club has w-ild meeting.
Page IS.
Kiw prohibition law to stop all liquor
leans. rw .
Johnson laughs at murder penalty. Page L
Two-mill rise would mean only 2 more
for average taxpayer. Page t.
Johnson Was Confident
He Would Not Die.
PRISON TERM WORST FATE
Fear of Noose Would Have
Prevented Crime, Assertion.
FEW YEARS EXPECTED
Murderer Declares He Carefully
Calculated Chances, With All
of Them In His Favor.
Mrs. Eunice W. Freeman, prominent
welfare worker whose brutal murder
last August shocked Portland, would
be alive today if capital punishment
had not been abolished in the state
of Oregon.
"I don't believe I'd have done it,
if I thought there was any chance
of my hanging for it!" confessed her
slayer, Clarence Johnson, in the
presence of District Attorney Evans
yesterday when asked if he had given
any thought to the penalty he would
pay for the crime, if captured.
"Did you know there was no cap
ital punishment in Oregon before you
committed the murderT' he was
asked. v
"Yes, I thought about it a good
deal, and I don't think I'd have done
It if there had been any danger of
my swinging for it."
Short Time in 'Pen" Sxpeeted.
"The reason you are asked this
question is that numerous crimes are
committed in cold blood in this state
which authorities generally believe
would be prevented if there was a
death penalty In the Oregon law,"
interrupted Mr. Evans. "Do you think
that is truer
"Tes, that's the reason so many of
these stunts are being pulled off,"
answered the murderer.
Johnson looks forward to a "life"
term In the penitentiary with equa
nimity. "I will soon be In the 'pen' again,
but some day I'll -be out again." he
wrote his sister in California yester
day, also commenting, "I am well and
just as happy as if nothing happened."
He closes his letter: "The crime was
brutal, I admit, but I was In a very
ugly mood when it happened. Well,
I guess this will cheer you up some
and If you care to write any more
that Is up to you. Good bye. Clarence
J. X. X.
John so si Shows No Co seem.
"Johnson's entire attitude Is one of
unconcern regarding his future," com
mented Mr. Evans yesterday, "with
apparent confidence that he will be
freed from Jail eventually by a parole
or pardon. If he knew he might
'stretch hemp" he would not be so
nonchalant, but he finds nothing in
the present situation to worry him.
His confession that he thought over
the question a day or so before the
murder, weighing his chances, and
his oncluslon that the probabilities
of escape were good and the penalty'
if captured mild, might provide a bit
ter indictment of the lack of a death
penalty in this state.
"There has been a distinct suspicion
in the past that other crimes would
have been prevented had there been a
fear of capital punishment to deter the
criminal, but this Is the first complete
substantiation we have had. I firmly
believe Johnson would not have re
sorted to murder had there been the
shadow of a noose over his head."
Complete: Cosfesslow Made.
In a complete confession made to
Mr. Evans yesterday Johnson bared
the motive for the slaying, which tal
lied with the suspicion which had
been expressed by the police. Mrs.
Freeman was going to California the
week of her death and Johnson
feared she would inform the author
ities that he had not been going
straight and have his parole revoked.
"I thought it over for several days
and I came to the 'conclusion that it
was the only thing to do," he said. .
There was not a suspicion of remorse
in his voice. "I didn't want to kill Her,
but I couldn't think of a better way
cut of my trouble. s I knew if she
told the California police I had vi
olated my parole'they would believe
her and nothing I could say would
do any good.
Mardrr Dne In Cold Blood.
"I asked her several times that
morning if she would promise mk mil
to tell the police anything bad about
me, but she wouldn't promise. I was
In her kitchen and walking back and
forth, nervously. I picked up a piece
of gas pipe there and twirled it in
my hands while I talked. When she.
refused after I had asked her three
or four times I killed her. I knew
what I was doing and I knew it
wasn't right, but I had thought it all
out before and had decided it was
the only thing to do if she wouldn't
promise to say nothing."
After the slaying of Mrs. Freeman,
Johnson went to the hotel of another
woman, whoso name he would not
divulge yesterday, but whom he also
had planned to kill, he said. After
waiting an hour and a half she did
not appear and he went to the city
park, then to a moving picture show,
walked back past the scene of the
crime, and seeing no crowd knew that
it had not yet been discovered, and
Concluded on Pace 3, Column S.)
Si