THE MORNING OREGONTAN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2B, 19T9. POLITICS SEEN IN OIL PRICE INCREASE Chairman of Roads Commit tee Wants Light on Subject. SOLON ASKS FOR FACTS Arlington Chamber of Commerce Takes Lead ltv Pushing Bond Issue for Highway. That the sudden announcement of an advance in the price of gasoline, following the call for a special ses sion of the legislature, was prompted by the oil company as a method of inducing the legislature to abolish the standard of gasoline required in Oregon, ia a report which has reached political circles. W. B. Den nis, chairman of the roads and high ways committee of the house, has stated that such is the prevailing im pression, in a communication ad dressed to Ben C. Dcy, lobbyist for the Standard Oil company. Mr. Dey. as attorney for the oil company, looks after the interests of the corporation in legislative matters at Salem. "I think the feeling of the people is pretty general that the cent and a half which was added to the price of gasoline in Oregon on the 17th inst. and was announced by the Standard Oil company in a large page adver tisement was a move on the part of the oil companies for the express pur pose of influencing the legislature at the coming special session, and that this price would not have been added at this time if a special session of the legislature had not been called," writes Mr. Dennis. "Please understand that I am not charging that the above Is the case, but 1 think I am correct in saying that the advertisement of the Stan dard Oil company of this rise in price, coming as it did at this par ticular time and accompanied as It was with the propaganda favoring the repeal of the law, has given the Impression to the public that it is not a bona fide rise based on commercial necessity, but a move pure and simple to influence legislation. If this im pression is to be successfully coun teracted it will be necessary to pre sent to the legislature a very clear and definite statement of facts to support the contention that the pres ent law requiring 56 degrees gravity gasoline is not an advantage, but is In fact detrimental to the best Inter ests of the people." Frt Are Asked For. Mr. Dennis further assures Mr JJey that he is of an open mind on the question: that the argument of the oil company sounds plausible but that before he is willing to reach a definite conclusion it will be neces sary for him to ascertain the facts from unprejudiced sources. Mr. Dey has written Mr. Dennis that "all the gasoline manufactured meets the specifications of the fed eral government. That being true, why should it be necessary for any state to duplicate specifications fixed by the government?" Replying to this, Mr. Dennis has requested Mr. Dey to furnish him documentary evi dence in support of the statement that the federal government has passed such a law or that some de partment has made a ruling requiring the sale of gasoline to meet certain specifications. He has also requested Mr. Dey to supply him with a copy of the specifications of the federal gov ernment. The chamber of commerce of Ar lington has adopted resolutions me morializing the special session of the legislature to adopt and submit to the people an amendment to the con stitution authorizing a bonded indebt ' edness for highway construction in an amount sufficient to complete trunk highways of the state and to match such federal aid as may be available. People Vote Wanted. The memorial further urges the special session to submit :uch amend ment to the people at the primary nominating election in May, 1920, and that the legislature provide further legislation under the terms of which funds will be available, provided the amendment carries. The memorial has been signed by Dr. J. W. Donnelly, president, and Charles H. Morris, secretary, and for warded to the governor for reading at the special session. This is the first public body to go on record support of the prospective road leg islation. No one knows how extensive the scope of the special session will be Dut gooa roaas boosters in manv parts of the state are now advocating tne policy wnicn the chamber of com ynerce of Arlington has set forth in : memorial. The rough draft of $5,000,000 road bond bill, dependent on the adoption of the constitutional amendment, has already been pre pared and copies of it are being dis tributed among members of the house committee on roads and highways. The proposed constitutional amend ment Increasing the indebtedness from 2 to 4 per cent has already been -written and is feady for Introduction Both the amendment and the bond bill are to be introduced the first day or the special session, according to present plans. fTME American Legion auxiliary V I will give the fourth of their series of dances this evening at the Multnomah hotel. Many people are planning to attend this after Christmas affair, as these dances are prrowing in popularity, and are doing a great deal of good as they provide an attractive place where ex-service men and their friends can meet under proper chaperonage. All funds received are used to help ex-service men in hospitals and convalescent homes. The patrons for this evening are Mayor and Mrs. George Baker, Major and Mrs. M. B. Marcellis. Captain and Mrs. James Gay, Captain' and Mrs. C L. Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Fawks, Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Conly, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Cooper. Captain Bert Clay ton, Captain James Convlll and K. Kerker. The committee includes Mrs. C. F. .Norris. president of the auxiliary; -Mrs. oeorge r oss. secretary; Mrs. R. W. Cahill, Mrs. E. F. Girth and Mis. K. J. Elvers. Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Hoyt and their young daughter. Miss Louise Hoyt. will be hosts this evening for a dance. at the Portland Heights club, when they will entertain the young friends of Miss Louise. The Misses Virginia Pearson, Es- telle Modlin, Annette Byford and Margaret Alexander, are four charm ing young hostesses, who will enter tain this evening at the Waverly Country club, with a large dance. The parents of the young girls will ' re ceive with them. They are Mr. and Mrs. Walter E. Pearson, Mr. and Mrs. George W. Modlin. Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Byford and Mrs. Carrie Alexander. About two hundred and fifty of the school set have been asked. Messages of sympathy are being sent to Mrs. Folgcr Johnson, who is very ill at her apartment at Alexandra court. Dr. and Mrs. J. W. Hill were charm ing hosts yesterday, at their resi dence in Irvington, for a family dinner. Miss Edith Mihnos became the bride of Dr. Blair Holcomb, at 4 o'clock, yesterday afternoon, at the White Temple. The service was read by the Reverend William A. Waldo. Miss Dorothy Koeber was maid of honor and Roger Holcomb acted as best man. Following the ceremony an informal reception was held In the church parlors, after which the bridal party and the immediate families had the wedding dinner at ine nome or tne oriae s mother on East Harrison street. Dr. and Mrs. Holcomb left last night for Chicago to make their home for the next year, where Dr. Holcomb is aoing special work at Cook county hospital. Mrs. Holcomb is a daughter of Mrs. Katherine Mihnos, and a former O. A. C. girl. Dr. Holcomb is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Curtis Holcomb. and a graduate of the University of Oregon, and Rush medical school. Rhoads, a prominent whose wedding was June 17. Portland girl, an event of FLOOD NECESSITATES DETOURING OF TRAINS One of the most beautiful Christ mas parties for children was given by Mrs. Frederick Patterson, at her residence in Irvington, Tuesday afternoon, when she asked 45 children to a tree, to see Santa Claus. who was there with gifts and all the goodies. The Kappa Alpha Theta alumnae will have a luncheon Tomorrow at a quarter past 1 o'clock at the Betty Lampe tea shop. Mrs. James Willett Oliver of Chi cago is visiting her sister. Mrs. James F. Clarkson, of Irvington. e. Mr. and Mrs. Homer Xelson spent Christmas with their son and daugh ter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Robin Nel son, who are entertafning a large house party. Miss Margaret Standish, who is at tending school at Forest Ridge con vent in Seattle, Is passing the holi days with her mother, Mrs. F S. Standish. . Mr. and Mrs. George Hotchkiss Street will spend the Christmas holi- aays in Seattle with Mrs. Street's motner, Mrs. A. Elizabeth Crysler. Miss Bessie Minsky left Thursday tor san Francisco and Del Monte where she will spend a few weeks as the guest of Mrs. Erwin E. Richter. Mrs. Richter was formerly Beulah Christmas Mail at Yakima Heavy. TAKIMA. Wash.. Dec. 25. (Spe cial.) Yakima postoffice officials stated yesterday that a count of the Christmas parcels handled at the of fice here showed the total Monday was B.bO. Read The Oregor.lan classified ads- Bring the Boys to Cherry's CHERRY CHAT XTOW Cherry's is ready to help " parents solve the boys' clothes problem and a mighty serious prob lem it is, too, with prices so high and the wear of boys' clothes so appall ingly swift as the usual thing. But Cherry's will make it easy for parents to buy the clothes and make it hard for the boys to wear them out for our terms are so low and the quality of our boys' clothes so high that parents will save money both ways. We have just installed a special department of boys' clothing, having in ?tock some of the best makes of boys' clothing produced. Bring the boys in and have them fitted. You can pay by the month as convenient. Cherry's, 391 Washington. Adv. Miss Marie McDowell. Miss Miriam Hilton and Miss Nancy Holt have re turned to Portland for Christmas va cation from Stanford university. ' ji Miss Katherine McMahon and Or vllle V. Gamble were united in mar riage In the chapel of the First Pres byterian church by Rev. Howard Ag new Johnston. In the presence of members of the respective families, at noon Christmas day. Mrs. Frank Bonville of Seattle, a sister of the bride, and Mr. Curtis L. Beach were the attendants. After the ceremony the party ad journed to the home of Mrs. Charles C. Bechtold in Laurelhurst to partake of the wedding breakfast. Mrs. Gam ble has been making her home with her sister, Mrs. Bechtold. while living in Portland. The reception followed the break fast. Mrs. Gamble was educated in Chi cago, but has been living in Portland for the past few years, where she has enjoyed the privileges of making many friends. She has taken an ac tive part in the Laurelhurst club ac tivities and is an enthusiastic de votee of the outdoor sports. Mr. Gamble is the son of Mrs. J. M. Leiter of Laurelhurst and a graduate of the class of 1909 of Lincoln High. He is engaged in the lumber business, being president of the Gamble, Boyd Lumber company and the O. V. Gam ble Piling company. He is a member of various clubs and business organi zations of the city and a Shriner. The young couple are building a home in Rose City park, which they will occupy In the spring. They will return in a few days from a short honeymoon spent in British Colum bia. The happy couple received many beautiful presents. PROSSER. Wash.. Dec. 25. (Spe cial.) The most important social function of the week was the formal reception tendered Mrs. Paul Hamil ton in the reception room at the Pal ace hotel. Mrs. Hamilton is a bride of the month and c charming young matron. CHEHALIS. Wash., Dec. 25. (Spe cial.) David B. Bell and Miss Lillian Scott were married yesterday morn ing at the Church of the Epiphany; Rev. T. R. Alleeson, rector, officiat ing. Only relatives were in atten dance. Mr. and Mrs. Bell took a noonday train for a wedding trip to San Francisco. During the past few weeks the bride was tendered a num ber of showers by her various friends. Mr. and Mrs. Bell will make Chehalls their home on their return from their wedding journey. CHEHALIS. Wash.. Dec. 25. (Spe cial.) An unusually large number of marriage licenses was issued by the Lewis county auditor beforj Christ mas, the list Including a number of well-known young people of both Chehalls and Centralia, as follows: David B. Bell and Lillian Scott of Chehalls. Raymond A. Whalin and Gladys Downey of Tenino, W. L. Eshom and Anna Van Ronk of Cen tralia, W. F. Mount of Chehalis and Olga Benson of Aberdeen, C. C. Hay of Chehalis and Eunice Tice of Aber deen, E.' V. Lamp of Hoquiam and Elizabeth Vannier of Aberdeen. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Hill enter tained at Christmas eve for a few of the cadets of Hill Military academy who are passing the holidays at the school. A Christmas tree and music afforded merriment for the young ca dets. Mrs. Pauline Prager and Mrs. Jean ette Lebo of San Francisco are spend ing the holidays In Portland as guests of Mrs. Harry Meyer of Summit drive HOOD RIVER, Or.. Dec. 25. (Spe cial.) Mrs. Dixon McDonald has an nounced the engagement of her daugh ter. Miss Ella McDonald, and E. O. Blanchar. The wedding will take place In the early spring. Miss Mc Donald was honor guest at a lunch eon given Tuesday night by her sis ter. Mrs. G. L. Shetky, whose hus band. Lieutenant Schetky, stationed aboard the U. S. S. Montana at Bremerton navyyard, was here for the occasion. Miss McDonald is a graduate of the Hood River high school and the Ore gon State normal. She formerly taught at Creswell. but for the past year has been a member of the faculty of the Hood River schools. Mr. Blanchar, ex-mayor of Hood River, is president of the First Na tional bank. Track Inundated by Washout Near Stanfield. REPAIR WORK HASTENED Indications Axe That Normal Serv ice Soon Will Be Resumed on Union Pacific. Women's Activities Y' ESTERDAY, of course, was at home day. a day for family re unions and family trees and din ners, today. However, win oegin the stream of busy meetings for the club women and the members of va rious societies and auxiliaries. The Women of Rotary took honors for doing a large amount ot Christ mas work, extending a gladsome hand to the unfortunate and the lonely. They took a present to the Louise home, something for every girl at the home. Then they went to the old people's home at Woodmere and took Christmas cheer and comforts and candies, and then they helped with the Rotary tree for the Frazer home. Last they went to the Albertlna Kerr Nursery home, where they gave wee booties. candy peppermint canes. dollies, rattles and little warm flannel jackets made by the loving, tender women whose hearts go out to the fatherless, the foundling and the homeless tots that are sheltered in the nursery home. This afternoon at 2 o'clock the Port land Woman's club will have a busi neetlng in the ballroom of the Multnomah hotel. At 3 o'clock their programme will begin and at 4 there will be a social hour in charge of the social committee. Mrs. C. E. Runyon is president of the club and under her leadership the organization is doing good work and taking its place as a helpful, constructive club. At 2 o'clock the Portland Parent Teacher council board will meet this afternoon in the parents' educational bureau, courthouse. Mrs. E. Palmer will preside. The council is well or ganized and most of the circles are having Interesting meetings, doing good work in their respective com munities. The circles provided carol singers this Chrlstmastide and on Christmas eve early yesterday morn ing their happy voices were heard singing the old familiar strains. "Carol, Sweetly Carol," "Oh, Little Town of Bethlehem" or "Holy Night." . The annual meeting of the Oregon Council of Executive Women in Edu cation will be an important event of December 30. There will be a' dinner at the Benson hotel at 6 o'clock with Miss Lilian Tingle presiding. Ad dresses and a business session will be attractions. The council is a branch of the national council which was organized in 1915 at the annual con vention of the National Education association. The 1917 meeting was held in Portland. One of the ad dresses of the coming meeting will be by Miss Elizabeth Fox, dean of women at the University of Oregon, who will speak on "Exchange of Stu dents Between Europe and America." Miss Fox was in France for some time and had an opportunity to see condi tions and have some most interesting experiences. Therefore, her address will be quite an attraction. Miss Tingle and Dr. DeBusk and others will speak. Sumner Women's Relief corps will call to order Saturday evening at 7 o'clock in the rooms, 525 courthouse. It is requested that all members be present. The little folks in the children's ward at Good Samaritan hospital for got their aches and pains for a while yesterday and smiled and clapped their hnds to show their appreciation of the gifts sent them by the Women of Rotary. The committee represent ing this society took baskets full of bright toys, dolls and candies to the little children who were unable to play about like other youngsters and part or ramny circles round Christmas trees in the home. One of the happy youngsters "Billy." the little lad who wa badly burned over a year ago who was adopted recently by rulu"" uraae teachers' association The teachers bought Billy a wheel chair, for which they paid J75. Some oi mt ooys ol the Couch school dis trict make a practice of calling on Billy and often they take him out for an airing or some kind friend takes him to a picture show. The lad has only one leg and that was terribly burned while the boy was helping around in a garage The grade teachers feel they have some thing real to work for besides all their echool affairs. .,The..teaohers not lonf ago set aside 100 for the Albertlna Kerr nursery. a.nu nuuuier iuu to buy milk for uuueiuuunsnea cnuaren. Union Pacific system main trains were detoured yesterday last night via Wallula and Walla Walla between Umatilla and Pendle ton, due to a wasnout at Stanfield. Or.. Wednesday. The trouble was caused by a flood following the Chinook wind and thaw that were general over the Inland empire section. The breakup of ice in the govern ment Irrigation canal of the Umatilla nroiect caused a Jam that threatened extensive damage and a break In .the canal flooded the town of Stanfield. A second break threw the force of the flood pouring down from the sur rounding country against the graoe of the railroad. Softened by the thaw and Boakcd by the water pouring over to a depth that reached the crossarms of the telegraph' poles, the fill was swept out for a length of 60 feet and where the grade was 30 to 40 reet high. Section men were picked up and rushed to the spot with piledrivers and equipment and the work of re pair was rushed all day yesterday, with the hope of completing It by midnight. Track on the line used for detouring trains is on soft ground, the result of the thaw and prevailing high water throughout the district. which necessitated careful operation, so trains in both directions were de layed five or six hours. No. 17, due at 7 o clock last even ing, was expected to arrive at tne Union station after midnight, and other through trains were corre spondingly late. Trains leaving Portland for the east w ednesday night and yesterday were delivered to the Oregon Short Line at Hunting ton about six hours behind schedule time. Reports last night Indicated that the water was going down rapidly throughout the flooded territory and that service would be back close to normal today. Many Christmas din ners were missed as a subsequence of the sudden thaw that turned mid winter into spring season for the holiday. One of the men employed on the piledriver taken to the washout at Stanfield was seized with an attack of appendicitis and the manner In which he was taken care of refutes the notion that railroad officials are heartless. Local surgeons were called to attend him and as soon as the seriousness of his condition was known he was sent by special train to Umatilla, thence by special to Arlington in order that he could be brought to The Dalles with the least delay possible and to receive treat ment In the hospital there. UMATILLA FLOOD RECEDES Damage to Stanfield Homes by Water Reported Small. PENDLETON, Or., Dec. 25. (Spe cial.) Except that It will be another 18 or 20 hours before trains will be routed over the westbound main line of the Oregon-Washington Railway & Navigation, the flood situation in the west end of the county today seemed somewhat improved. During the night the break of 70 feet on the Oregon-Washington Railway & Naviga tion line at Government canal was widened to some 200 feet. Reports tonight seemed to Indicate that the water was being checked. The Pendleton-Spokane branch, while the track bed was too soft last night to Justify officials In sending trains through, seemed to be all right today and all trains were being routed that way. At Stanfield. which was flooded yesterday by the rush of melting snow water from Despaln and Stage gulches, the situation had cleared up today. The water has receded from the houses without serious damage. gay was s so and the Three Hurt in Auto Crash. ABERDEEN'. Wash., Dec. 25. (Spe cial.) Three persons suffered painful though not serious injuries at Elma when an auto containing four women and Earl Evans, who was driving. con.ueu wnn a lire hydrant in front oi aiasonic nan. Evans and .Mrs Perkins and Isabelle Perry were bad- ly cut oy tne glass from the broken winusnieia. Educational Address Interests. PROSSER. Wash., Dec. 25. (Spe cial.) Prosser high school students were greatly interested in an address by Miss west of the college at Oly p- uBwiiif . .Mi. s west ras tne honor of having taught the first high school in the Inland Kmnire at Cnii-.v in 1880. and told many interesting tales Signature pf oi earner times. WALLA WALLA ON" MAUN LINE Rerouting of Trains Necessitated by Washout Near Echo. WALLA WALLA. Wasn., Dec. 25. (Special.) Walla Walla is on the main line of the O.-W. R. & N. today. Today all east and west trains are being routed through Walla Walla as a result of a washout near Echo, between Umatilla and Pendleton. The line from Wallula to Walla Walla was opened just In time today to take care or the trarflc and at one time this afternoon there were four trains here waiting for a clear track. The line to Spokane was also opened today. The Northern Pacific line opened today and trains were able to run between Walla Walla and Pasco. The heavy rain ceased falling late last night and the streams quickly subsided. WILLAMETTE UP AT EUGENE Water Now Receding and Flood Danger Believed Past. EUGENE, Or.. Dec. 25. (Special.) Rain fell to a depth of 1.45 inches in Eugene during the past two days. causing the Willamette river to rise ten feet to the danger mark. The water is receding tonight and the danger of a freshet has been passed. as the rain has ceased and today was clear and sunny. The Amazon slough that extends through the southern part of Eugene Inundated a large stretch of territory last night, causing some damage, but this stream, too. had receded today. COAST AIR LINE PLANNED Vancouver, B. C. to Los Angeles or San Diego Service Projected. Establishment of an aerial transpor tation line from Vancouver, B. C-, to Los Angeles or San Diego Is the ultimate aim of the P riesley Aircraft corporation of San Francisco, whose representative, W. H. Jones, was in Portland yesteraay looking over available sites for a landing field. CASTORIA For Infants and Children In Use For Over 30 Years The railways of the United States are more than one third, nearly one half, of all the railways of the world. They carry a yearly traffic so much greater than that of any other country that there is really no basis for comparison. Indeed, the traffic of any two nation! may be combined and still it does not approach the commerce of America borne upon American railways. Untied States Senator Cummins. Aoiv any douerhboy who was over jL V there" and he will tell you that American railroads are the best in the world. He saw the foreign roads in England and France, the best in Europe and in other Continental countries and he knows. The part railroads have played in the development of the United States is be yond measure. American railroads have achieved high standards of public service by far-sighted and courageous investment of capital, and by the constant striving of managers and men for rewards for work well done. We have the best railroads in the world we must continue to have the best. But they must grow. To the $20,000,000,000 now invested in our railroads, there will have to be added in the next few years, to keep pace with the nation's business, billions more for additional tracks, stations and terminals, cars and engines, electric power houses and trains, automatic signals, safety devices, the elimination of grade crossings and for reconstruc tion and engineering eoonomies that will reduce the cost of transportation. To attract to the railroads in the future the investment funds of many thrifty citizens, the direct ing genius of the most capable builders and man agers, and the skill and loyalty of the best workmen in competition with other industries bidding for capital, managers and men the railroad industry must hold out fair rewards to capital, to managers and to the men. American railroads will continue to set world standards and adequately serve the Nation's needs if they continue to be built and operated on the American principle of rewards for work well done. jfa& advertisement i& pahliAlted by the &Mociaticaof3la Tkof Atiirinc infnrmatitm etmeernt th raOroad titvatio mny oWo Mr. Jones, who played football In the northwest In Hill Military acad emy and Multnomah teams. Is a di rector of the Pacific Coast Aero club. Sales agencies will be established throughout the northwest In connec tion with the transportation business, and Mr. Jones seeks men of experi ence In flying and salesmanship to take over territory In Oregon, Wash ington and Idaho. The company will specialize In three-passenger planes. Aberdeen Xight School Grows. ABERDEEN, Wash., Dec. 25. (Spe cial.) Enrollment at the night school for foreigners continues to increase, the students now numbering 193, of whom 145 are men and 48 women. Benton County Ranks Third. PROSSER. Wash.. Dec. 25. (Spe cial.) Benton county ranks third in the state In percentage of funds raised over its quota In the Roosevelt drive memorial fund. Prosser raised a goodly proportion of this, and At torney Andrew Brown and W. S. Jen kins are largely .responsible for the showing made. forces and the local Elks' lodge min istered to the needs of those unfortu nate, and there was general gladness and good cheer throughout the city. Merchants report a business volume superior to anything of this city. Phone your want ads to the Orego- nlan. Main 7070. A 6095. LA GRANDE SUN IS BALMY Union County Christmas Is Like April, Only 10 Days After Storm. LA GRANDE, Or., Dec. 25. (Spe cial.) La Grande and other Union county cities and towns celebrated Christmas beneath a balmy sun that In every respect resembled April. Ten days ago It was gripped In the worst storm in Its history. Salvation Army Always bears the FREE EVENING SCHOOL FOR ARMY AND NAVY EX-SERVICE MEN AUSPICES KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COMMITTEE ON WAR ACTIVITIES Courses in Automobile English Spanish French Drafting REGISTER NOW Stenography Typewriting Accounting Bookkeeping Commercial . Law 205-6 BECK BUILDING Fri. and Sat. SPECIAL 11 in 1 Aluminum Cooker Exactly as here shown; 6-quart outside kettle, 2-quart inside pans, $2.22 Regular Price $3.75 No telephone orders; no deliver ies. Sold for cash only. home FURNISHERS 63 - TO - FIFTH in the history