VOL. L.IX NO. 18,558
Entered at Portland fOregon)
Postnffice as Second-Class Matter.
PORTLAND, OREGON, . TUESDAY, MAY 48, 1920
PRICE FIVE CENTS
CONVENTION SEATS
KING'S "REGULARS"
FAMOUS TOREADOR IS
KILLED IN BULL RING
AD CLUB
VISITS
CLOTHING PRICES CUT
FIFTH BY RETAILERS
POLICE BARRACKS IN
LIMERICK DESTROYED
PACKERS INDICTED
FOR PROFITEERING
FREIGHT JAM END
FOCR ANIMALS SLAIX, FIFTH
GKTS FIGHTER.
SAS FRANCISCO FIRM FOL
LOWS PACE SET IX EAST.
WORKERS ATTACKED BY MOB
AT LONDONDERRY.
MORRIS AND CUDAHY COM
PANIES ACCUSED.
VN
MONOPOLY ON OIL
SOUGHT BY BRITAIN
Alien Control of Supply in
PORTLAND
COMMISSION
AIM
r
Washington Democrats
Uphold "Organization."
THREE-HOUR DEBATE FERVID
Christensen - Titlow Faction
Wins Control.
IEX-SERVICE MEN BEATEN
Convention Credentials Committee
Upholds Action of State
Central Organization.
EPOKANE, Wash., May 17. The
"organization" forces of the demo
cratio party in Washington were
credited with the honors of the first
day of the state convention here to
day when the convention credentials
committee late this afternoon upheld
the action of the state central com
mlttce yesterday in seating: the "reg
ular" delegation of 568 members from
King county.
The vote of the credentials com
mittee on seating the delegation was
24 to 14, and came at the close of
three hours of fervid debate between
partisans of the "regulars' and of
the contesting or so-called "federal'
delegation. To the latter appellation
the representatives of the delegation
took sharp exception, declaring that
the presence on their delgation of
King county federal office-holders
was only incidental.
Two Pierce Delegations Seated.
The credentials committee tonight
by a vote of 19 to 17 seated both
. contesting Pierce county delegations,
giving each delegate half a vote. This
vote followed two votes, one on the
question of seating the Titlow dele
gation and one seating the Williams
delegation. Both were tied. 18 to 18,
Chelan county absent. Pierce county
tied and not voting, and Spokane
comjty. not voting.
Counties voting in the credentials
committee for the seating of the full
King delegation were: Adams. Aso
tin, Benton, Chelan, Clarke, Cowlitz,
Terry. Franklin, Grant, Grays Har
bor. King, Kitsap, Klickitat, Lewis.
Mason, Okanogan, Pacific, Pend
O'ReiUe, Skamania, Thurston, Wah
kiakum. Whatcom. Whitman and
Takima. The following counties
voted to unseat both delegations:
Clallam, Douglas, Jefferson, Kittitas,
Lincoln, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish,
Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla.
Counties voting simply against the
seating of the Fullen delegation were:
Columbia, Garfield and Island.
Big Majority la Surprise.
Success for the Fullen delegation
was forecast, but by no means the
majority finally piled up in its favor,
on the vote on a motion to permit
John F. Blain. the representative of
the delegation on the credentials com
mittee to vote on the contest. The
-ote on that motion was 19 to 17,
with Pierce county's two delegations
paired and Jefferson and Mason
counties not voting.
The case in chief of the contes
tants was presented by Stephen J.
Chadwick Jr., Clarence Relgan, Henry
M. White, federal immigration in
spector at Seattle and Mrs. Matthews.
Tho case of the delegation seated was
handled by Hugh C. Todd, assisted
by -ex-mayor George F. Cotterill of
Seattle, County Chairman Fullen and
A. W. Merritt.
Personal references were frequent
throughout the presentation of both
sides. Ed Connor of Hoquiam, the
credentials chairman, being con
strained several times to caution the
participants against such conduct and
exception being taken on other occa
sions by members of tho credentials
committee.
Amnesty Plank Called Radical
That the Inclusion in the platform
of the "regulars" of the amnesty
plank was a bid to the radicals of all
parties was the charge of Mr. Chad
wick, who declared the ex-service
men felt themselves justified in their
action in an effort to prevent its
passage. The plank was defended by
Mr. Fullen as being in line with ac
tlon customarily taken by belliger
ent governments after the signing o
peace and as being desirable in view
of the unrest which he said existed
over the nation and in Seattle
particular.
Mr. Todd deprecated the passage
of the amnesty plank and said he
doubted its political wisdom. Mr. Cot
terill. while refusing to disclaim any
of the responsibility which he said
was his as a member of the platform
committee of the county convention
which reported it out, declared he
wished the ex-service men had made
their objections to the plank known,
that it might have been eliminated.
Convention "Pack-inK" Denied.
Charges that the cx-service men's
convention had been "packed" with
republicans and that it had numbered
only about 30 or 40, were met with
the declaration that the delegates had
been democrats of unquestioned
standing and that they had numbered
from 200 to 300. Irregularity of pro
cedure complained of by the "regu
lars," It was declared, had been neces
sitated by the tactics of the county
chairman and his assistants in their
News Causes More Emotion in
Spanish Capital Than Would
Death of Monarch.
MADRID, May 17. The noted tor
eador, Gailito, whoso real name was
Joselito Gomez, was killed last night
at Place de Talavera, as he was about
to dispatch the fifth bull of the even
ing. Reports of the occurrence are some
what confused, but most of them
agree that Gailito lost his life when
he jumped into the ring to save an
other toreador, Sanchez Mejlas, who
was in a dangerous situation, while
fighting the bull. The animal turned
furiously on the newcomer, caught
him in the stomach with his horns
and tossed him.
Although the spectators could see
their favorite was injured, no one had
an idea of the gravity of the occur
rence when Gailito was taken from
the ring to an infirmary, where first
aid was given. Dotors were immedi
ately telegraphed for from Madrid.
They arrived within a few hours, but
too late. '
A bull fight to be held in Madrid
today in connection with King Al
fonso's birthday celebration was
abandoned because of Galllto's death.
The latter, who was 23 years old, had
been in the bull ring since he was 14.
Gailito was engaged to be married
and his fiancee was present when he
was tossed by the bull. The dead tor
eador was born in Seville and leaves
a fortune of 8,000,000 pesetas, earned
in the bull ring.
Place de Talavera was an unlucky
spot yesterday for bull-fighters, the
Picador Zuri also meeting death in
the same ring from the second bull.
The death of Gailito causes more
emotion in Spain than would the
death of a monarch. The newspapers
of Madrid printed the news in special
editions today, thereby breaking the
rule forbidding publication between
Sunday morning and Monday even
ing. Thousands snatched the special
editions from vendors, who sold them
at high prices.
Gailito belonged to a famous lam
ily of bull-fighters. His father is i
banderillo. while his elder brother.
Rafael, is known in the bull ring as
"El Gallo."
Gailito was extremely superstititus
and he apparently possessed domina
tion over animals, whose intentions
he appeared to divine while fighting
them. Galllto's salary for yesterday
was 10,000 pesetas.
PEACE. BILL-IS IN HOUSE
Senate Resolution Considered by
Foreign, Affairs Committee.
WASHINGTON, May 17. The peace
resolution adopted by the senate Sat
urday was formally presented to the
house today and laid on the table
Contrary to announced plans, it
was not sent immediately to confer
ence, but was considered informally
by the foreign affairs committee.
Chairman Porter was directed to con
fer with senate leaders with the hope
of agreeing upon some plan by which
the house could accept the senate
measure without a conference. Some
members, however, said they pre
ferred the house resolution.
STORAGE BIL IS PASSED
Measure Filing Refrigeration
Limit Goes to Conference.
WASHINGTON, May 17. The cold
storage bill requiring that the date of
the entry of gooSs into cold storage
be marked on them when they are of
fered for sale and limiting the period
of such storage was passed today by
the senate. It now goes to conference.
The measure limits the total stor
age period to 12 months. A maximum
penalty of $100 fine and one year's
Imprisonment on conviction of viola
tion of the act is provided and the
sum of $200,000 appropriated for its
administration.
DRY LAW VALIDITY HANGS
Supreme Court Expected to De
cide Case Before Adjournment.
WASHINGTON, May 17. The su
preme court failed again today to de
cide the validity of the prohibition
amendment and the enforcement act
and recessed until June 1.
With the court's failure to act in
the prohibition cases todaj only two
more decision days remain before ad
journment June 1 for the term. While
the court has given no indication
when it will act, a decision before ad
journment generally is expected.
BIG FLEET PUTS TO SEA
More Warships May Go to Gulf of
Mexico Shortly.
NEW YORK, May 17. The Atlantic
fleet, which has been at anchor in the
Hudson river for the last two weeks,
put to sea today. After maneuvering
and practice runs, it is "Understood
the fleet will go to Hampton Roads.
Rumors were also current that ad
ditional ships may soon be sent to
the Gulf of Mexico to Join the Okla
homa and the destroyers now on duty
there.
DOWAGER QUEEN IS ILL
Condition of Alexandra, Who Is 75
Years Old, Is Serious.
LONDON, May 17. The condition of
Dowager Queen Alexandra, who is
suffering from a bronchial cold, is
causing anxiety. Bays the Star today.
Aleandfa ii ieais old, -
Auto Party on Way to
Stockton Convention.
TIME FAST ON FIRST LAP
20-Mile Average Pace Main
tained From Seattle.
TWENTY CARS JOIN HERE
Travelers, Dusty and Not a Little
Tired, After Night's Rest
Will Start This Morning.
Down the Pacific highway from
Seattle, on the first sprint of the long
trail to Stockton, Cal., where pilots
and passengers will attend the con
vention. of the Pacific Coast Adver
Using Men's association. May 23 to 25,
whirled the northern contingent of
the ad club's caravan, reaching Port
land at 7:30 last night.
Landlords of the various down
town hotels welcomed with hospital
ity the 200 motoring guests, not a
little dusty from their long trip, while
"Bill" Strandborg, director of the
caravan, and other members of the
local Ad club attended to the mani
fold details of seeing that everyone
and every car had hostel for the night
and was properly cared for.
Portland Join Caravan.
At 8:30 o'clock this morning, from
Fifth and Oak streets, the advertising.
men's Pacific highway caravan, liter
ally a convention on wheels, will
throw Its scores of clutches into
gear and set forth for Stockton. The
Portland contingent will consist of 20
cars, with an approximate average of
five passengers each.
The run of the northern contingent
from Seattle Is considered to be a
record for a touring party of such
magnitude. Thirty-two cars left the
Puget sound capital at 7:30 yesterday
morning and aped away for Portland.
With an hour and a half halt for
luncheon at Chehalis, the actual run
ning time to Portland was 10 hours,
or an average of 20 miles an hour for
the distance of 209 miles.
Half of Caravan Delayed.
No serious mishap marred the run.
Half the caravan arrived on schedule
time, the remainder being slightly
delayed by a muddy detour near Cas
tle Rock, where new road is under
construction. Here the heavy army
trucks from Camp Lewis, with their
complements of enlisted men an in
tegral of the caravan found the so
Ing somewhat difficult and were re
tarded, arriving an hour or more
after the pacemaker and his com
panions.
Pacemaker for the Seattle and
northern contingent was Douglas A.
Shelor. manager of the Automobile
f Concluded on Page 6, Column 1.)
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Large Department Store Takes Up
Fight at Omaha and Makes
30 Per Cent Cut.
SAN FRANCISCO, May 17. The
high cost of clothing, particularly
women's ' apparel slumped here to
day. Advertisements appearing in the
morning and afternoon newspapers
announced reductions, either tempo
rary or until further notice, amount
ing to 20 "per cent. Several haber
dasheries also announced material
decreases In-men's furnishings, exclu
sive of clothing.
One concern, devoted almost exclu
sively to women's wear, in a full
page advertisement, credited its 20
per cent reduction to an eastern mer
chant, "who set the pace."
"Our motives in this great strategic
move to break down the bulwarks of
high prices and increasing costs are
Identical," the advertisement contin
ued. OMAHA, May 17. One of the largest
department stores today announced a
flat reduction' of 30 par cent follow
ing 20 per cent cuts made by three
stores Saturday.
A large men's clothing establish
ment made a 20 per cent reduction
today, making five stores which have
reduced.
ARMED MEN RULE COURT
Commissioners and Attorneys Re
sign When so Ordered.
JONESBORO, Ark., May 17. Armed
men arose from their seats and de
manded immediate resignation of the
commissioners and attorneys of the
Black Oak-Hancock road Improvement
district when Chancellor A. Wheat-
ley convened court today to hear the
application for .an Injunction brought
by the taxpayers against the district.
The resignations were already writ
ten and were presented to the two
commissioners present and to their
attorneys with the demand that they
be signed Immediately. They signed
the resignations and withdrew from
the courtroom. Judge Wheatley ad
journed court and left the city. It is
said this district was created in one
of the special legislative sessions over
protests of the property owners.
SILVER BUYING ORDERED
Purchases by Denver Mint at $1
Ounce Authorized.
DENVER, May 17. Thomas Anncar,
superintendent of the local United
States mint, today received instruc
tions to purchase bar silver in the
open market.
The government price will be $1
an ounce.
HARDING OPENS OFFICES
Hiram W. Johnson Jr., to Take
Charge of Johnson Headquarters
CHICAGO, May 17. Presidential
headquarters for Senator W. G. Hard
ing were opened here today.
Hiram W. Johnson Jr. will arrive
in Chicago tomorrow to " assum
charge of the Johnson headquarters,
SHE HAS COMPANY, HIRAM!
Early Closing of Business Houses
Urged Citizens Warned to Re
main Indoors at Night.
DUBLIN, May 17. Two police bar
racks in Limerick and one in Gor-
manstown. County Mcath, were de
stroyed today.
BELFAST; May 17. While unionist
workers were leaving the London
derry gas works this evening they
were attacked by a mob and mal
treated. Magistrates have advised public
houses to close from 4 to 10 P. M.
and have warned citizens to remain
indoors at night.
A verdict of wilful murder has been
returned against unknown persons
by the Jury which Investigated the
killing of Sergeant Mooney yesterday.
0REGPN BOY DECORATED
Distinguished Service Cross Given
Alvin Lester Bowman.
OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU,
Washington, May 17. The navy de
partment has forwarded to the offi
cer in charge, navy recruiting etatlon.
Portland, Or., for delivery to Alvin
Lester Bowman, ex-pharmacist's mate
third class, U. S. N., a distinguished
service cross awarded him by the
commanding general, American ex
peditionary forces for services ren
dered as follows:
"On the night of November 10, un
der a heavy artillery bombardment
and withering machine gun fire, he
exposed himself recklessly without
thought of personal danger, while
dressing the wounded and giving re
Her to the dying. Unaided, he car
ried three men across the Meuse
river that they might be carried on
stretchers to the first aid station.
This was in the Argonne-Me use oper
ations."
Bowman enlisted June 15, 1917. His
mother, Ida C. Bowman, lives at. Falls
City, Or.
LIQUOR SEIZED AT SEA
Cuban Schooner Raided by Gov
ernment and Drinkables Ttaken.
TAMPA, Fla., May 17. Government
authorities, captured, 17 Chinese,
six quarts of some liquid thought to
be an opiate, 1000 quarts of whisky,
1500 quarts of cognac, 14 five-gallon
demijohns" ft aguadrlente and five
demijohns of Cuban wine on board
the Cuban schooner Reemplazo off
the coast at Tarpon Springs.
The liquor was brought into Tampa,
Fla.
ALTITUDE RECORD BROKEN
Pilot and Three Passengers Reach
17,150 Feet Height.
M1NEOLA, N. T., May 17. The
world's altitude record for a pilot
and three passengers was broken
here today by Clarence E. Coombs,
who rose to the height of 17,150 feet.
This is 50 feet higher than the alti
tude reached by Captain Lowell. H
Smith, commanding on.-. r of Puryear
field in El Centro, Cal., last Monday.
e-e
Empire Barred.
IAN EXPLAINED TO SENATE
resident Forwards Report
of Investigation.
STOCK SALES REGULATED
State Department Tells of Steps
to Remove Disabilities of
Americans in Mexico.
WASHINGTON, May 17. Exclusion
of aliens from control of oil resources
within .the empire, government aid In
developing new supplies in other
countries and restriction against dis
posal of oil stocks held by British
nationals are features of Great Brit
ain's petroleum policy, the senate was
informed today by President Wilson.
The information, given in a special
report rrom tne state department, was
in answer to a senate resolution ask
lug what disabilities attached to
American participation. . in world I
petroleum resources. The govern-!
mental policy of Great Britain, the
report added, also contemplated finan
cial and technical aid to pioneer com
panies. Diplomatic Efforts Made.
The senate resolution. Introduced
by Senator Gore, democrat, Oklahoma,
requested the president also to say
what diplomatic effort has been made
to remove the restrictions upon par
ticipation in oil development by
Americans elsewhere than In the
United States. Representations had
been made to Great Britain concern
ing restrictions upon oil development
in the occupied sections of Turkey,
the report said, and had. been met
with assurances that no discrimina
tion, against Americans would be al
lowed. citing many consular reports, the
report said that the British policy
appeared to be developing by a proc
ess of deterring foreigners from own
ing or operating oil property In the
British Isles, colonies or protectorates
by direct participation of the gov
ernment In financing' larger exploit
ing companies, of which the Anglo
Persian, having a monopoly of the
industry in Persia, was named, and
by governmental orders in council
preventing cruisn oil companies or
individuals from selling their prop
erty to foreigners. French, Japa
nese and Dutch policy was somewhat
the same, the report Indicated, but its
effects were of minor importance.
Wanting Given Mexico.
With regard to Mexico the depart
ment reported the last note of warn
ing which said that the United
States "would not acquiesce" in any
procedure resulting in confiscation of
American oil holdings.
Observing that all regulations In
England and her possessions were
aimed at restricting oil operations to
control of British nationals, the re
port said "this form would seem to
be Justified in the viewpoint of in
ternational law, however impolitic it
might be as regards reciprocity and
international comity."
The report, signed by Under Secre
tary Frank L. Polk, was furnished in
response to a resolution by Senator
Gore, democrat, Oklahoma, asking
what disabilities were being imposed
upon American exploitation of world
oil resources by other- countries. j
Mr. Polk also quoted at length sec
tions of the new Mexican constitution
declaring all oil in Mexico to be the
property of the nation.
The report added that "it is said
to be unlawful for British citizens
to transfer any interests they may
have in an oil company controlling
a field in the United States to any
alien or foreign controlled company."
Further, . it was declared, the re
lease of war-time restrictions on
general commerce had been expreseiy
withheld from petroleum trades. -Effect
Only Indirect.
Reviewing the specific regulations
imposed In all British oil-bearing ter
ritories, the report said "It should
be noted that restrictions are so
j drawn as to distinguish between
j British nationals and aliens, thus only
j indirectly falling on citizens of the
J ! United States."
j Replying specifically to the senate's'
f i request for a statement as to what
t ( steps, had been taken by the state
t department . to remove disabilities
. upon American citizens by reason of
Mexican laws, the report said that no
Judicial determination of rights there
had been reached, but quoted the
i terms of the last note sent to Mexico,
which said that "the United States
cannot acquiesce in procedure .
which really results in the confisca
tion " . . .of propertly legally
acquired and arbitrary deprivation of
vested rights."
Organization of the United States
Oil corporation, modeled on the plan
of the shipping board, to encourage
and stimulate development by Ameri
cans of oil land outside the United
States would be authorized under
resolution introduced today by Sen
ator Phelan, Dem., California.
Senator Phelan cited efforts being
mads by Great Britain to assist her
icsududed on rase 3. Column I.)
Federal Grand Jury at Brooklyn
Slakes Charges Firms at
Bnttc Are Investigated.
NEW YORK. May 17. The federal
grand jury in Brooklyn today re
turned indictments against Morris &
Co. and the Cudahy Packing company
of Chicago, charging profiteering in
foodstuffs.
The Morris company was alleged to
have sold "city pork" to a dealer at 39
cents a pound, although a few days
before the price had been but 33
cents.
The indictment against the Cudahy
company was based on sales in which
the company is alleged to have
charged 25 cents a pound for fresh
steer that had previously sold for 20
cents.
BUTTE, Mont., May 17. Informa
tions were filed by the county attor
ney of Silver Bow county today In
the district court against the Butte
Wholesale Grocery company, the Hen
ningsen Produce company, the David
son Grocery company, the Fairmont
Creamery company and Armour & Co.
charging them with combining in re
straint of trade ' contrary to law.
Judge Lynch signed an order direct
ing the defendants answer to the in
formations next Saturday.
FATHER KILLED BY SON
Tacoma Jeweler &hot During
Quarrel in His Home.
TACOMA, Wash.. May 17. P. B.
Friedman, local jeweler, was shot and
killed tonight b'y his son. Robert
Friedman, former service man, during
a quarrel in the Friedman home.
The son, according to the police.
first struck his father over the head
with a .45 automatic pistol. A scuf
fle followed, the police were told, and
Robert, securing possesison of the
weapon, fired twice, one bullet enter
ing the father's head at the ear and
another piercing his forehead.
The son then called the police sta
tion and informed' the officers of his
act. He is held in the city jail while
the police are attempting to learn the
motive-for the quarrel and other de
tails. The dead man was a prominent Ma
son and identified with many civic
movements.
E. W. ROSSMAN IS SUICIDE
Death Note Reveals Intent to Kill
Woman Secretary.
Emmet W. Rossman, 62, shot and
killed himself last night at his home,
208 East Sixty-ninth street. He was
president of the United States Auto
Bus company and was said to have
been worrying over financial diffi
culties.
Mr. Rossman left a note saying that
he meant to kill his secretary. Mi
L. Brown, but that she had failed to
keep an appointment with him. - He
asked that his body be cremated and
that the ashes be "thrown to the four
winds of heaven or cast upon the
waters of the wide ocean." The
United Auto Bus company recently
was organized here to run daily be
tween Portland. Astoria and Seaside.
Mills Increase Wage.
ROCK VI LLE, Conn., May 17. No
tices announcing a wage increase of
15 per cent affecting 2500 employes
were posted today in the seven local
woolen mills.
INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS
The Wealber.
TESTERDAT'S Maximum temperature,
67 degrees; minimum, oo degrees.
TODAY'S Fair- an colder; westerly
winds.
Foreign.
Famous Spanish toreador killed in bull-
, ring near Madrid Page 1.
Police barracks in two Irish cities de
stroyed by rioters. Page 1.
- National.
Freight jam solution aim of interstate
commerce commission. Page 1.
Senate gets information as to oil control
policy or tire-t .Britain. fage l.
Admiral Sims accused of Prussianism by
Secretary Daniel. Page 3.
Freight blockade relief is problem. Page
Domestic.
Clothing prices cut one-fifth by retailers.
Page 1.
Packers are indicted for food profiteering.
- Page 1.
"Wage lift for some railroaders urged by
employers' organization. fage 3.
Betrayal by doctor-cousin is related in
court by woman on trial lor murder,
raeifie Northwest.
Washington democratic convention seats
King county regulars. age 1.
Cups and prises awarded students of Uni
versity OI uregon. rf.Be I.
Speaker sees gain for Wood in Oregon.
Page 4.
Montavllle Flowers sees gain for Wood
in Oregon. Paja4.
"' Sport.
Young Brown apd Frankie Konro hers
for Thursday bouts. Page 13.
Coast league results: Ixs Angeles 3. Port
land 1. Other teams traveling. Page 1
Swim tryoots for Olympic games to be
held at ban rancisco. rase
Commercial and Marine.
Big wool sale Is scheduled by Condon
grow ers. Page 21.
Traffic situation has adverse effect on
Chicago corn market. Page 21.
Japanese fishermen.- survivors of wreck,
brought on steamer Pawlet. Page 20.
rortl&nd and Vicinity.
Ballot to bear three trolley measures
Page 5.
Howell boy Tees: vengeance la feared.
Page 10.
Chicago business men guests of the city.
Page 11.
City Attorney La Roche confident Portland
will win in grain rate case. Page 20.
Ad club caravan reaches Portland en
first loop to Stockton. Page 1.
War on drug ring to limit Is promised.
Page 7.
Rubbish sacrificed to "clean-up" Gods.
Page 14.-
Legion post votes to lease new cru fa
rooms. Page 8.
Wood and Johnson speakers debate at
auditorium. Page 10.
Would-be delegates answer Hoover club
ouerics regarding league. X'age 1J.
Shippers Asked to Aid by
Being Patient.
FOOD TO HAVE PREFERENCE
Daily Report on Oregon Sit
uation Requested.
FUEL. SHORTAGE MENACES
Rail Chiefs, Slabs and National
Officials Work Tog-ether in
Effort for Relief.
WASHINGTON, May 17. The inter
state commerce commission took its
first step today toward breaking tho
freight blockade.
Telegraphic appeals were sent to
all state railway and public service
commissions urging them to Join with
the government in lifting the burden,
while the commission's inspectors
were put to work to help get accu
rate data on conditions.
Virtually all the several hundred
inspectors were, assigned to aid in
surveying traffic conditions at im
portant gateways where the flow of
freight traffic was clogged. The
commission also expected to be fully
informed on the ' terminal situation
by tomorrow.
Members of the commission recog
nized that the crisis would provide
real test for the new transporta
tion act and likewise that the emer
gency clauses must measure up to
the claims of their staunchest sup
porters if freight is again set to mov
ing smoothly.
Officials tree Patience
With increasing "complaints from
shippers and requests for assistance
from the railroads, the commission
is understood to have determined to'
go into the freight tie-up with ham
mer and tongs. Officials, however,
urged patience by those watching for
Immediate results, since it may re
quire days, and even weeks, to start
anything like a resumption of normal
transportation.
In Its railroad attempt the commis
sion probably will deal with local
situations through Individual rail
roads. This was expected to last.
however, only until a general scheme
can be worked out by which priorities
and embargoes can be employed.
Further suggestions of the roads
were given the commission at confer
ences with representatives of the rail
roads' and shippers organization of
ficials. The fuel situation has slowly
developed to the danger point, repre
sentatives said, and they proposed
that the commission establish a gen
eral although counter movement of
coal cars eastward. Cars for food
and perishables, however, would have
full preference over all others under
the plan.
The commission in a statement said
it was keeping in touch with the situ- -ation
through its own representatives
and in co-operation with the roads.
The American Railway association's
car service has turned over to the
commission its figures on the car
supply.
Local Cases Handled.
"In the last few days," the state
ment continued, "complaints and re
quests for assistance have been re
ceived from shipping interests.
These have been handled immediately
with the carriers and in many in
stances the inspectors of the com
mission have been employed upon the
ground to help break ths jam at
some congested point.
"Many requests have been received
for information as to whether ths
commission contemplates hearings
upon the application filed by import
ant railroads last Saturday asking
the commission to exercise its emer
gency powers under the transporta
tion act. The commission does not
contemplate the holding of any hear
ings in the near future but It ex
pects to give such directions as seem
warranted and necessary."
OREGON' COMMISSION TO AID
. .
Telegram Received Asks Daily Re
port on Sintation.
SALEM, Or., May 17. (Special.)
Co-operation of the Oregon public
service commission to tho extent of
furnishing the interstate commerce
comtmission with daily information
as to the seriousness of the car
shortage situation in this state was
solicited in a telegram received hers
today- from Clyde B. Aitchison, a
member of the latter body.
."Carriers generally have appealed
to the Interstate commerce commis
sion to use its mandatory powers
under the so-called transportation act
in the present emergency," said the
telegram received here. "We must
have precise and accurate information
as to the situation and are obtaining
this through our inspectors and from
carriers. We desire your co-operation
In getting an accurate view of the
situation and wish you would send
us telegrams daily If necessary what
the situation Is In your state. In
clude where trouble exists or service
is inadequate, . with specific recom
mendations as to the remedy.
"This must be looked at as a na
tional and not merely a local mat
ter," ;
ACoacluiicd en l'u 4, Column i,i
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