VOL,. JAI1I. NO. 18,104
Knterd at Portland (Oregon)
PoFtorfk as St-cnnd-riasa Mattpr.
PORTLAND OREGON, THURSDAY, JAN U Alt Y 21), 192(
PRICK FIVE CENTS
FLU" ONLY GRIPPE,
PHYSICIAN DECLARES
4 OUIT CONTEST
FOR WHITE HOUSE
EUROPE NEAR CHAOS;
FINANCIERS ALARMED
BUSINESS CONDITIONS ARK
GUOWISG STEADILY WORSE.
CHEAPER SUITS NEAR,
WOOL TRADE REPORTS
JURY
.TRIAL
AMERICAN AVIATORS
COUNCIL TO ASK
SEIZED BY MEXICANS
FORIJJ
REPORTS l'ROM MiW YOUK
AND CHICAtiO SCOUTED.
CI.OTII MARKET APPROACHES
PRE-WAR. BASIS.
TWO FLIERS, FORCED TO LAND,
HELD NEAR ZAPATA.
FRANKS. MYERS 5
WOMAN
FORARRITR TION
i
ORRERERTO OUIT
Burleson Demands Post
master's Resignation.
ASSISTANT ALSO TOLD TO GO
Durand's Removal Believed
Due Solely to Friction.
ACTION LONG AWAITED
Ousting: of Portland Postal Head
Sequel to Trouble In Party
and In Postoftice.
Frank S. Myers, poatmasior of Port
land for tlie past seven years, has
been ordered to resign and turn over
the offieo at the close of business
Saturday, January 31.
This opportunity to resign was of
fered Mr. Myers as a result of the ex
haustive report made on him last
August by two postal inspectors. The
report of the inspectors covered a
great deal of ground, and can be
summed up as charging? Mr. Myers
with having given way to an irascible
temper, and with inefficiency.
Goaded to action by repeated de
mands that something be done in the
Myers case, based on the reports,
I'ostmaster-General Burleson directed
that the postmaster at Portland be
invited to resign. A letter containing
this suggestion arrived from Wash
ington Tuesday.
Durand Also Notified.
. In the same mail came a letter ad
dressed to Harry Durand, assistant
postmaster, and for 20 years in the
postal service, also to tender his res
ignation at the close of business Jan
uary 31.
For a year or more democrats in
Fortland and throughout Oregon have
been hoping that Mr. Myers would be
pried loose from the position of post
master. He has been a thorn in the
flesh of the leading democrats of the
state by assuming that he was the
mouthpiece of the administration and
in trying to upset various democratic
plans, especially such as had for their
object advancement of Senator George
K. Chamberlain's interests.
Crop of Eueiulei Grows.
There has steadily been growing
up around Mr. Myers a crop of ene
mies in his own party, and the post-
office in Portland has been seething
with discontent through the methods
pursued by the postmaster. Mr.
Myers' methods of reprisal on em
ployes in the service have been such
that for the most part these em
ployes have been afraid to open their
mouths concerning the inside affairs
of the office, for fear of the wrath
of the postmaster.
When two postal inspectors visit
ed Portland for a thorough investi
gation last cummer, employes were
invited by the inspectors to make
statements, and some of these invi
tations were accepted.
Successor Leaner Issue.
Local democrats who have been
after the official scalp of Mr. Myera
have reached the point that they do
not care who may be his successor
and they would even welcome an ef
ficient republican in the position
rather than see Mr. Myers continue
to draw the pay. Sir. Burleson was
told these things in plain language
repeatedly by Oregon democrats who
Visited Washington, D. C.
The next postmaster will be ap
pointed subject to the civil service
regulations, but whether that means
that the appointee must take a civil
service examination has not developed.
The request for Mr. Durand to re
sign comes from Washington and is
an aftermath of charges of disloyalty
to the postmaster preferred against
him by Mr. Myers a year ago. At the
same time Mr. Myers recommended
that the office of assistant postmas
ter be abolished. Mr. Durand was a
postal inspector before becoming as
sistant postmaster and is considered
as one of the best informed men in
the service. He has been for six
years the assistant to Mr. Myers. The
postmaster took umbrage at Mr.
Durand and preferred charges; these
were investigated and gave Mr. Du
rand a clear bill of health.
Durand Not X'nder CharseN.
When Postmaster-General Burleson
decided to remove Mr. Myers by the
resignation route, he also included
Mr. Durand, on the theory, apparent
ly, that the friction and failure of
the postmaster to co-operate with his
subordinate made it advisable to
eliminate the assistant as well as
the chief. There had been nothing
filed by the postal inspectors that
would justify a request for the resig
nation of the assistant postmaster.
It required more than six months
for action to be taken on the report
made by the inspectors concerning
Postmaster Myers. Not only demo
crats from Oregon, but democrats
from other states, familiar with the
situation here, have had interviews
with Mr. Burleson. One democrat
from Seattle talked to Mr. Burleson
at great length on the subject some
months ago.
Hornibrook Is Sponsor
Mr. Burleson recently said that Mr.
I Myers was indorsed by the former
democratio national committeeman
Will H. Hornibrook, and by H. G.
leading Ottawa Doctor Says All
Symptoms Arc or Older and Bct-er-Kiiovn
Disease.
OTTAWA, Ont., Jan. 28. Chicago
and New York have no influenza at
all, according to Dr. W. H. Church,
one of Ottawa's foremost physicians.
Not only that, but "there will be no
recurrence of influenza epidemic in
this generation," he said today.
"The cases reported so faithfully
from day to day in New York and
Chicago in such numbers are nothing
more or less than grippe. The symp
toms are no different and the death
rate on higher than from the old and
more familiar affliction.
"In my Ottawa practice I do not
know of one person who was attacked
with the 'flu' who has had a recur
rence. The attack seems to have im
munized those who fell victims and
survived, while those not attacked
were not susceptible to the disease
at all."
HALIFAX, N. S., Jan. 28. Three
thousand Chinese coolies bound for
home from France are being held on
board the steamer Minnehaha here
until the military authorities and the
chief health officer of the port settle
their dispute as to whether the ill
ness of some of them is influenza or
colds.
A trainload which started for the
west yesterday was brought back
when it was found that two coolies
had high fever.
Governor Goodrich, Indi
ana, Latest to Retire.
LIVELY CONTEST DEVELOPS
General Wood's Supporters
Fear Only Lowden.
HARDING TO FIGHT HARD
Democrats, Amid Maze of Repub
lican Activity', See " Candidate,
Except Hoover, In Prospect.
CLEMENCEAU PLANS TRIP
Through With Politics, Tiger Sails!
for Egypt February 3.
PARIS, Jan. 28. (Havas.) Former
Premier Clemenceau has reserved a
stateroom on the steamer Lotus, leav
ing Marseilles. February 3 for Alexan
dria. Egypt. He is reported to be
absolutely sincere in his decision to
remain in retirement and under no
consideration to be drawn again into
the turmoil of politics. To an editor
of VHcmme Libre he remarked the
other day anent his defeat in the test
vote of parliament for the presidency
week before last:
'Some persons need a hint, others
a kick. I am through. My enemies
may think I received a kick; my
friends only a hint. At any rate I am
through. lam off for Egypt first,
then well, we shall see. Perhaps
India."
WILSON RENEWS APPEAL
r
Credits for Poland, Austria and
Armenia Requested.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 28. Through
Secretary Glass, President Wilson to
day renewed the appeal to congress
to grant credits of $150,000,000 for
Poland, Austria and Armenia to alle
viate conditions which threaten
'moral and material chaos" in those
countries.
Secretary Glass presented the presi
dent's letter to the house ways and
means committee without comment
and the committee deferred considera
tion of It until tomorrow, when it
will have a further conference with
treasury officials regarding the loans
and the financial situation generally.
OREGOXIAN NEWS BUREAU,
Washington. Jan. 28. The retirement
of Governor Goodrich of Indiana from
the republican presidential contest
last night removes from the field
practically the last of the favorite
sons. The contest is now pitched
between several sincere candidates
who have gone into the fight to the
finish.
Governor Goodrich's announcement
followed similar ones by Nicholas
Murray Butler of New York. Governor
Coolidge of Massachusetts and Gov
ernor Sproul of Pennsylvania along
with a similar denial of presidential
ambitions by General Pershing, the
Nebraska candidate. This has wrought
a considerable change, because new
fields are opened to Governor Low
den and Senator Harding, who had an
nounced a policy of keeping out of
the states which offered favorite
sons.
Real Contest Develops.
Governor Coolidge's announcement.
however, is regarded as somewhat
vague and for this reason the Low
den manager announced tonight that
the old Bay state will not be entered.
Senator Harding's managers think
that in view of the Coolidge state
ment the Ohioan's name should be
entered in Massachusetts and is pre
paring to give battle to General Wood
and Hiram Johnson, who are making
great progress in that state.
General Wood appears still to hold
the lead in the republican race, but
the walk-away of a few weeks ago
has developed into a real contest.
General Wood's supporters say that
Lowden is the only candidate they
fear, their fears being aroused ny tne
spirited contest which the Illinois
governor is putting up in South Da
kota, where Wood had a state con
vention indorsement. ine jowaen
men are claiming a long lead in the
South Dakota fight, which will be set
tled on March 23, but W. H. King.
chairman of the republican state cen
tral committee, has advised Wood
headquarters that the general will
carry the state by 25,000.
Johnson's StrengtU Surprises.
Word comes from South Dakota
that Hiram Johnson is developing
surprising strength, and supporters
Exchange Rates Drop to Xcw Low
Level Consternation Prevails
in British Capital.
xsijw iuicjv, Jan. 28. Kates or ex-,
change on London and all the princi
pal European countries dropped to
new low records today through sheer
weight of offerings from domestic
and foreign sources. Today's declines
extended to the orient, the rate mov
ing against Japan for the first time in
more than a year. There was little
trading in Chinese bills because of the
inability of dealers to secure definite
quotations.
Advices from London Indicated a
feeling akin to consternation had tak
en possession of the British capital,
which for generations dominated the
world's exchange markets.
Primarily, the situation as viewed
by those most concerned hinges on
the fact that nearly all the European
countries are heavily in debt to the
United States. Only by the organiza
tion of an international exchange
committee and the willingness of
American banke to extend credits
already contracted can existing condi
tions be overcome, in the opinion of
leading mercantile interests.
Demand bills on the pound sterling
dropped to $3.53 Vi, or l?ic below yes
terday's low record.
In the first half hour demand ster
ling dropped to $3va2Va. Franc checks
opened at the new low rate of 13.12
for the dollar, off 20 centimes from
yesterday's close. Lire checks were
quoted at 15.32, 18 centimes below
yesterday's record low.
German marks were quoted at 1.05
cents and Austrian crowns at .31 of
1 cent.
BISHOPS PLEAD FOR REDS
High Churchmen Protest Against
Deportation of Aliens.
NEW YORK, Jan. 28. Six bishops,
five Episcopal and one Methodist,
and 16 other clergymen of various de
nominations have signed a protest
against the deportations of aliens
without trial, "repressive" legislation
before congress, the suspension of New-
York's socialist assemblymen and
"similar evidence's of an excited
mood," in dealing with radicals In
America, it was announced here to
night. The clergymen met here recently
under the auspices of the Council of
Churches of Christ in America.
LONDON. Jan. 28, 3:30 P. M. For
eign exchange was demoralized today
under the lead of New York, which
slumped to J3.53 to the pound, rep
resenting a decline of about 33 per
cent from the normal. Paris checks
at 47 francs to the pound and Belgian
at 49 francs contributed to the de
moralization, while business with
Italy was almost impossible.
Lombard street does not consider
the decline unusual, and it would
not be surprised to see the rate go
below $3.50.
So hurtful to business are these
conditions that it is considered in the
street that the whole European finan
cial position has reached a serious
stage and that unless something is
done the result will be chaos.
A prominent member of one bank
described the situation thus:
"Financial Europe at present is i
sick. man. The patient needs a stim
ulant. The question is as to when
the stimulant is going to be applied
BOSTON, Jan. 28. For government
accounting purposes the pound ster
ling will be figured at 4.t& Degin
ning February 1, according to a
treasury department announcement
sent by Secretary of the Navy Dan
iels to all naval stations today
French francs are to be figured at 12
for a dollar, Belgian francs at 12.75
and lire 14 for a dollar.
High Clothing Prices at Crest,
Woolen Manufacturers Tell
Eederal Food Director.
NEW YORK, Jan. 2S. The wool
market is rapidly approaching a nor
mal pre-war ba,sis, and manufacturers'
demands for raw wool will be met in
full soon, according to Arthur Will
lams, federal food administrator, who
conferred with representatives of the
American Woolen association here to
day. The encouraging outlook for
cheaper clothing. Mr. Williams said,
is further enhanced by nearly normal
commercial output by the nation's
mills, which he said devoted 65 per
cent of their capacity during the war
to making clothing for the army and
navy.
The woolen experts told Mr. Will
lams that a long stride toward lower
ing the price of clothing would be
made if the purchaser would confine
himself to standard styles and plain,
serviceable materials instead of de
manding the market's best.
High clothing prices, in the associa
tion's opinion, have reached their
crest. The conferees told Mr. Will-
ams that "any speculative Jobber who
might be holding back his stocks in
the hope of higher prices will be dis
appointed, for the normal require
ments of the trade soon will be met
direct from the manufacturer."
CUBA IS MECCA OF WETS
! ex-Saloonkeepers Leaving Each
Day to Be Ready for Rush.
CHICAGO. Jan. 23. Twelve former
Chicago saloonkeepers and bartenders
are going to Cuba every day, accord
ing to Joseph Popper, deputy internal
revenue collector. He declared that
while many are going there on pleas
ure trips there is no doubt that some
of them are going to open saloons and
prepare for the American rush."
aiu uivuigea mat aliens are
leaving Chicago for their native coun
tries at the rate of 300 a day. It was
said that the exodus was seriously
effecting the labor situation in many
of Chicago s industries.
Justice Promised, Though
Prejudice Is Admitted.
6 JURORS SEVERELY GRILLED
Lieutenants Davis and Grimes Con
fused in Fog; Search Squadron
Combs Rugged Country.
State Queries for Opinions on
Death Penalty.
MONTESANO IS CROWDED
Officials Deny Radicals Are Miss
ing at EI ma; Many Witnesses
to Be Called by Defense.
'Concluded on Page 2. Column 3.)
VIRGINIA RAPS SUFFRAGE
Senate Committee Rejects Amend
ment to Federal Constitution.
RICHMOND, Va Jan. 28. The sen
ate committee on elections today re
jected the woman s suffrage amend
ment to the federal constitution.
BY BEN HL'R LAMPMAN. .
MONTESANO. Wash.. Jan. 28. Out
of a maze of argument and objection.
questioning and cross examination.
the close of the third day of the I. W.
W. murder trial, in which 11 members
of that organization are charged with
responsibility for the four lives taken
in the Centralia Armistice-day trag
edy, found but six jurors tentatively
seated this afternoon when court ad
journed.
Fourth of the jurors chosen, one of
the quartet selected today, the first
woman to be called from the venire,
s Mrs. Emily C. Pattison. housewife of
Aberdeen, who took her seat when
Judge John M. Wilson of the superior
court overruled the challenge of the
defense. Her companions on the jury
outlined thus far are Thomas C.
OHIO 2-CENT FARE GOES
Public Ltilities Commission to Fix
Rate Xol Over 3 Cents.
COLLMBl'S, O., Jan. 28. Ohio's 2-
cent passenger fare law. passed in
1906 after a bitter fight, was cast
Into the discard today by the lower
house of the general assembly when
it passed the Pearson bill giving the
state public utilities commission
power to fix rates of fare for steam
and interurban railroads at a rate not
exceeding 3 cents a mile.
BRIDGE BILL IS SIGNED
Speaker (illlette Approves Cascade
Locks Measure.
OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU
Washington, Jan. 28. Speaker Gillet
signed the bill today which permit
the construction of a bridge acros
the Columbia river between Washing
ton and Oregon, two miles west
Cascade Locks. Or.
GIVING IT UP AS A BAD JOB.
Engineers May Pass on
Auditorium Claim.
BIGELOW, MANN DEFEATED
Barbur, Pier Favorable.
McALLEN. Texas, Jan. 2S. Tw
army aviators. Lieutenants E. F. tavi
and G. E. Grimes, carrying a military
message from Fort Browne, Texas, to
Nogales, Ariz., today were forced to I
and in Mexico. 30 miles south of
Zapata, Texas, and tonight are being
According to a message received '.Mayor and Commissioners
here tonight from the aviators, they
have been promised their freedom to
morrow morning.
Lieutenants Davis and Grimes be
came confused . in the fog and fol
lowed the Solado river into Mexico
instead of proceeding on up the Rio
Grande. They also had compass
trouble.
Thirty miles up the Solado river
the plane was forced to land. Mexi
cans took the two American aviators
prisoners, it is understood.
The country is wild and rugged
and the only means of reaching the
section quickly is by plane. All day
long aviators from the 8th aero
squadron here have combed the coun
try on both sides of the Rio Grande
and far into the interior without gain
ing sight of the missing men.
RESOLUTION IS PREPARED
DANIELS IN SEER'S ROLE
Opinion of Committee of Five Is
Heard; Contractor's Diffi
culties Are Reviewed.
Navy Secretary Says He, Knows
Next President, but Won't Tell
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 28. -Secre
tary of the Navy Daniels-started con
siderable speculation here tonight as
to whom he meant when he said in a
speech that he could tell who would
be the next president of the United
States, but that he did not know to
which party the man belonged.
As the secretary concluded he looked
at J. Hampton Moore. Philadelphia's
republican mayor, and said:
"I can tell you who the next presi
dent of the United States is going to
be. Do you want me to tell you who
he is? I don't know whether he be
longs to my party or yours. If he has
one drop of reactionary blood in his
veins he will not have a chance of
election. No old-fashioned politician
will do. He must be progressive and
meet the new conditions, the new
problems."
When reporters asked Secretary
Daniels whom he meant, he only
smiled. Asked if the name of the man
he had in mind has been included
among those suggested as presidential
candidates. Mr. Daniels replied:
"We will not discuss that."
Combined efforts of City Commis
sioners Bigelow and Mann to deny
J. F. Kelly and X. F. Schanene. bonds
men for Hans Pederson, who con
structed the public auditorium, arbi
tration of losses said to have been
sustained because of action on the
part of the city council and city offi
cials, and thus shut these bondsmen
out of any relief through councilmanic
I channels, were defeated yesterday by
STOCK DIES OF RABIES
Disease Again Appears Among Coy
otes Around Klamath Falls.
KLAMATH FALLS, Or.. Jan. 28.
(Special.) Rabies, stamped out after
a severe outbreak three years ago, is
again appearing among coyotes in
Klamath county.
Analysis by the state board of health
has shown the rabies germ existent
in the heads of two animals killed
within the last two months and J.
Frank Adams, a prominent stock
raiser of the Merrill district, reports
the death of four head of cattle since
November, all showing distinct symp
toms of the disease.
(Concluded on Page 3, Column 3.)
BOOTBLACK MAGNATE SUED
Wife Tires of Shiner Who Makes
$2 2 5 a Week.
NEW YORK. Jan. 28. Peter B.
Stefano, a Brooklyn bootblack, makes
225 a week shining shoes, according
to his wife.
Mrs. Josephine Stefano, who entered
suit in the Brooklyn supreme court
today for a separation, made this
statement.
WOOD TO MEET SENATOR
General and Miles Poindexter to
Debate In Pierre, S. D.
CHICAGO, 111., Jan. 28. General
Leonard Wood today accepted the
challenge of Senator Miles Poindexter
of Washington to meet him In de
bate in Pierre, S. D., March 20.
t
T T
i Jl&ll'i III .Vlw' ' :
Connor, former liquor dealer, Monte-
sano; S. A. Youngs, laborer, Monte
sano; W. F. Ferguson, plumber, Ho
quiam: Orton Glenn, laborer. Satsop,
and j. L. bchneider, hotel man. Aber
deen.
Examination to Go Further.
Of these six, three Toungs. Patti
son and Glenn are subject only to
peremptory challenge. Connor prob
ably will be recalled by the defense
for further examination, as Ferguson
will be recalled by the state. At the
close of the examination of Schneider
the state reserved the right to Ques
tion this juror further and will resume
interrogation tomorrow.
Today's sessions were marked bv
greater progress, with four jurors
tentatively accepted. The state con
tinues to query on opinion regarding
me aeatn penalty, and on American
ism, while the defense seeks for
grounds of prejudice and scarchinirly
questions the talesmen regarding the
newspapers they have read, and the
accounts from which they have de
rived their information and Impres
sions regarding the Centralia affair.
Massing of I. W. W. Denied.
Reports that members of the
I. W. W. were massing at Elma. and
that the' authorities were alarmed by
the situation, hive been denied by
officials. Information from the little
Grays Harbor town, a few miles dis
tant from this city, is to the effect
that no appreciable number of stran
gers are in town and that local au
thorities deny the rumor with em
phasis. "Anyway," commented Sheriff Jeff
Bartell, "it is probable that I. W. W.
members will take quarters in Elmaj
or some other town near Montesano. ' The Weather.
The defense has a great many wit- TESTERDAfs Maximum
nesses to call, and there are no- ac
commodations for them In Montesano.
ine low ii aireauy is pacitea. atur-
GERMANS' FUTURE DARK
Minister Asserts Increased Work
Only HoK? for Masses.
BERLIN. Jan. 27. The Germans
"have only arrived at the vale of
tears through which we are forced
to pass." said Minister of Agriculture
Braun, in the Prussian diet today in
connection with the food debate.
"Worse times are coming. The
masses must be told that our only
hope is increased work."
The minister then made the startl
ing announcement that Germany soon
would arrive at the point where she
would be unable to buy anything
abroad, but would be wholly depen
dent upon home production.
ally they must find housing some
where."
Mrs. Emily C. Pattison'. the fourth I
tentative juror, is primly, middle-aged
and matronly, with eyes that were
keen behind her glasses. Mrs. Patti
son responded satisfactorily to the
queries of the state and was promptly
parsed for cause.
Kalr Trial ITomlied.
To the state Mrs. Pattison had re
plied that she felt she could give the
accused men a fair trial despite 'the
unalterable prejudice she confessed
for the I. W. W. as an organization.
She had no objection to the death
penalty, if warranted.
Vanderveer asked whether Mrs. Pat
tison believed that the I. W. W. coun
tenanced and preached such acts of
violence as that indicated by the Cen
tralia armistice day attack?
"T have had the opinion for ten
years that the I. W. W. do such
things," she answered. "I know it. I
am positive of it. In this instance I
hoped that it might not be as bad as
it was reported."
On the moment the defense chal
lenged for cause, with the chal
lenge resisted by the state. Special
Prosecutor Abel returned to the examination.
Taking another course the defense
interrogated the talesman as to his
probable attitude toward the testi
mony of I. W. W. witnesses and wit
nesses of the American Legion, should
he be chosen as a juror.
Answer Is Candid.
T would hav6 to give the testi
mony of an American Legion witness
more credit than I could give to that
of men who are against our govern
ment." was the candid answer.
Upon this admission .the court ruled
that the mind of the juror was evi
dently so fixed that he could not af
ford a fair and Impartial trial to the
defendant and sustained the-renewed
challenge of the defense.
The alow and tedious progress made
in the selection of jurors, who are
even yet subject to peremptory chal
lenge, lends additional strength to the
INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS
temperature.
i 57 degrees; minimum, 4G decrees.
TODAY'S Probably rain; southeasterly
winds.
Foreign.
"Flu" only grippe. Ottawa doctor declares.
Page 1.
Mexicans seize American aviators. Paso 1.
National.
Secretary Baker's protest against sale of
former Herman liners reveals plans for
tratisport reserve. Page IS.
Treaty conferences believ-:-d to have
reached another deadlock. Pape 2.
Anti-strike clause to appear in bill. Pace 2.
Mondell wrong on army cost. Wadsworth
pace C.
"Barring of Bcrf-r Justified, says Massa
chusetts member In house. Page 4.
Domestic.
Socialist candidates declared to be under
party control absolutely and resigna
tion may be enrorcea. says mayor.
Page 4.
Financial Europe declared to be on verge
of chaos. Page 1.
Four candidates retire from race for pres
idency. Pago 1.
Wool market nears pre-war price level.
federal food official :a told. Page 1.
Bolshevism condemned by President Gm-
pers of American rederation of Labor.
Page 3.
Woman on .1ury to try I. W. W. at Monte
sano. Page 1.
Nicholas M-jrray Tlutler attacks federal
trade commission. Page 5.
Will H. Hays names platform workers.
Pas-' 3-
Germany wants V. S. money and food
Page 2.
Pacific Northwest.
State labor party, in convention today at
Salem, plans abolition of state senate
and lots of other things. Page 7.
Expected battle fails to materialize at
livestock session at Spokane, Page 7.
-.4 tCuncludcd en Page 2, Column 1.)
Shorts.
Washington high beats Hill Military
academy at basketball. Page 12.
Fair secretaries favor auto races. Page 12.
United States officials start probe of
Dempsey case. Page. i-j.
Commercial and Marine.
Revised potato grades are announced by
tjovernment. Page 18.
Traffic difficulties weaken corn prices at
Chicago. Page IK.
Stock market sustained by Steel's favor
able quarterly statement. Page 13.
Portland and Vicinity.
Postmaster Myers Is ordered to resign.
Page 1.
Health officer reports 10-45 cases of in
fluenza in state, with seven deaths.
Page 6.
Divorce Is granted Mrs. Pringle. Page 9.
City council to ask arbitration of public
auditorium claims. Pago 1.
Portland Ad club Is host to delegation of
40 Astoria business men. i'age it.
Council's refusal of apartment house per
mit to be taken to court. Page 1L
Mayor Baker and Commissioners Bar-
bur and Pier.
The climax of the meeting followed
four hours of argument, in which an
array of evidence was presented to
show that a part of the loss, which
must be paid by the bondsmen to the
creditors if relief is not received from
the city, accrued because of certain
changes demanded by the city and
not through any lack o business
judgment or ability on the part of
the contractor
Committee Is Suggested.
Following the presentation of this
evidence. Mayor Baker presented a
resolution providing for the appoint
ment by the mayor of a committee of
five citizens skilled in buliding op
erations and architectural matters
fully and carefully to consider and
review all business dealings between
the city and Hans Pederson, to de
termine what s'um.'if an-, is morally
due and unpaid by the city to Hans
Pederson on the auditorium contract.
This resolution did not reach a vote
of the council, although Mayor Baker
announced that he would re-Introduce
It so that It would be on the regular
calendar of business next Wednesday.
In connection with this resolution.
Commissioner Mann took the stand
that he was opposed to the appoint
ment of any arbitration committee at
this time, because such appointment
would be admission that the city rec
ognize a moral claim, but that he de
sired to aid the mayor in naming the
personnel of the committee. Mayor
Baker, in reply, said that although
the appointive power of committees
usually rested with the mayor, it
being a courtesy long recognized, he
would change the wording of the res
olution so that the committee would
be appointed by the council and thus
satisfy Commissioner Mann.
Barbar Ask Tlmr.
Throughout the hearing yesterday.
City Commissioner Bigelow stubbornly
opposed the suggestion of submitting
tha claim to a board of arbitrators
and in this attitude he won the hearty-
support of Commissioner Mann. Com
missioner Barbur requested additional
time to compile more evidence, ask
ing that a list of creditors and the
amounts due on the auditorium con
tract be submitted.
City Commissioner Pier stood em
phatic for arbitration on the grounds
that he was satisfied the city was
morally obligated for some sum. and
that a competent board should de
termine this amount. Mayor Baker
also favored the board of arbitration,
and early In the hearing said that as
commissioner in charge of construc
tion he knew the city was morally
obligated for a portion of the claim.
Jay Bowerman. attorney for the
bondsmen, opened the hearing with, a
recital of facts in connection with
the claim, which amounts to approx
imately J76.00O. The council, he said,
was not asked to pay this amount,
but request was made that the mat
ter be submlted to a board of ar
bitration to determine what is due
from the city on the auditorium con
tract. That the city faced not only
a moral obligation but also a legal
one was the opinion of Attorney
Bowerman, despite the written opinion
of the city attorney to the contrary
Committee Gles Iteport.
The opinion of the committee of
five, composed of William F. Wood
ward. Franklin T. Griffith. Marshall
X. Dana, Otto R. Hartwig and E. B.
MacKaughton. appointed by Mayqr
Baker to probe the claims and deter
mine if a moral obligation could be
charged against the city, was given
by Franklin T. Griffith.
"I have the most profound respect
for the legal opinion of City Attorney
LaRoche," said Mr. Griffith. "How
ever, it should be remembered that
the law does not always mean ab
stract justice. You may hew to the
line, gentlemen, and obtain your
pound of flesh"; but the public con
science will not be satisfied with
such procedure.
"There Is not the slightest doubt in
my-mind but that the city is morally
or equitably responsible for payment
of a portion of this claim. There ia
something higher than a legal obli
gation, and that is a moral debt."
Mr. Woodward, chairman of tbe
tConcludcd on Page 3, Column .)