imn
VOL,. L.IX NO. 18,697
Entered a.t Portland (Oresoiij
Posrtofflre a Second -C!a-- Matter
PORTLAND, OREGON, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1920
26 PAGES.
PRICE FIVE CENTS
MOONLIGHT CUTOFF
BY EARTH'S SHADOWS
COAL OPERATORS
PLEDGE FAIR PRICE
BRITISH COALSTRIKE
CONFEREES ADJOURN
"STRIKE" BY GROWERS
BOOSTS WHEAT PRICE
DECREASE IX OFFERTXGS IS
XOTED IN CHICAGO.
y
PRINCE PAUL DESIRED
AS NEW GREEK KING
RULE OF PORT BY
VOTERS ASSURED
AIR TO INDUSTRIES
TOTAL- ECLIPSE THIS MORSKG
SECOND FOR YEAR.
JTEGOTIATIOXS REPORTED I"
CRITICAL STAGE.
rOUXGEB BROTHER OF ALEX
ANDER TO BE OFFERED PLACE
HARDING PROMISES
CONGRESS
PROBE BREWING
I
Prompt Return to Pro
tective Tariff Pledged.
ARTICLE 10 IS REATTACKED
League President's Views
Cited in Argument.
FEW CALLERS ARE SEEN
Xomlncc Take It Easy Just Be
fore Starting Out on Last
f peaking Trip.
MARIOV, O.. Oct. 26. On the eve
of his departure for his final speak
ing trip, a four-day circuit of Ohio
cities. Senator Harding again directed
the attention of the public today to
'no of the issues that have been In
the forefront or his campaign, the
protective tariff and the league of
nations.
"A prompt return" to a policy of
protecting American products was
promised by the republican nominee
in a telegram to Paul . K. Ewert of
Joplin, Mo., made public as a part of
his attack on the democratic tariff
programme. He declared that "disas
ter" had been brought to mining and
industrial, interests through failure
properly to protect American prod
ucts and that now American agricul
ture was sharing a similar fate.
Harding; to Go to Cleveland.
His comment on the league was in
the course of an informal discussion
of a recent interview with Leon Bour
geois, president of the league council.
The lattcr's views, he said, furnished
further evidence that the only safe
way for the United States was "to
remain outside until we may unite
upon a plan for an association of na
tions that shall mean the same to
everybody.
Leaving here after coon tomorrow,
Eenatqr Harding will speak at Cleve
land and on the three following
nights address meetings in Akron,
Cincinnati and Columbus.
Few Callers Are Sees,
Mr. Harding took it easy, seeing
few callers and clearing away many
dds and ends of office work. His
voice, which had been affected by a
aight cold, showed improvement.
J-Juring the afternoon a glee club
from Troy, O., marched to the front
porch and serenaded the nominee and
.Mrs. Harding with political songs.
The senator made a short speech,
thanking them for the visit and for
their support.
The statement of M. Bourgeois was
contained In an Associated Press dis
patch from Brussels. In it he de
clared that article 30 was "not, in fact,
anything more than the moral founda
tion of the covenant," and added:
"lllnralnntlnur" I. Comment.
"Article 10 could be eliminated
without in any .way modifying the
effectiveness of the league of nations
and that it was not considered so im
portant by Europeans as Americans."
"This is most illuminating," said
Senator Harding. "We are told by
the great American authority on the
covenant. President "Wilson. that
Article X Is its heart. Now comes M.
Bourgeois, president of the league
council, and says it is not important.
He informs us that 'all that Is effi
cacious in the covenant is set forth
in other articles." This can only mean
that.' even if Article X is eliminated,
its effect would still be preserved in
other articles. Ioubtlcss he means
that if Article X were eliminated,
Article XI would still have the same
effect.
Stay Out la Advice to TJ. S.
"It all illustrates the utter im
possibility of getting agreement as to
what the covenant means or what it
would obligate the United States to
do. It is the complete demonstration
that the only safety for the United
States is to remain outside until we
may unite upon a plan for an asso
ciation of nations that shall mean the
same thing to everybody and under
which we shall know, beyond uncer
tainty or equivocation, our precise
obligations. A free America can give
tnat service to the world."
uiuuiccr ouSScsuous ior a vaca
tion trip for Senator Harding todav
were coming to his headquarters here
in increasing numbers from friends
and admirers throughout the country.
A number of popular winter resorts
have asked to be his host and several
elaborate private hemes have been
placed at his disposal for whatever
rest he may decide to take after the
end of the campaign.
It was said tnat probably no choice
ef a vacation spot would be announced
until alter election.
The telegram on the Tariff issue
related particularly to the zinc Indus
try, but pointed out that along with
the slump in zinc prices had come
similar recessions in many other lines
of production, including notably agri
cultural production. The senator's
message said:
"Under the democratic tariff law
of 1913 the country was already ap
proaching industrial disaster when
the world war began. The foreign
demand was so great and prices were
o unimportant that everything we
could produce was promptly taken by
the warring nations. So the disaster
was postponed.
'By the end of the war the foreign
tCoacluded on F? 2. Column Li
Students at Reed College, local
Astronomers ard Others Rise
to Study Phenomenon.
For the second time this year the
moon went into total eclipse at 5:29
o'clock thia morning, and remained
out of sight until 6:54 A; M. The
eclipse began at 4:26 A. M., but the
planet was not entirely within the
earth's shadow until more than an
hour later.
While the eclipse was the second
lunar disappearance of the year, it
was the first visible on the Pacific
coast, and was of interest to local
astronomers. Students at Reed col
lege had made preparations to add
data to their material on the subject,
and amateurs in various parts of the
city rose early in order to study the
phenomenon.
However, so far as the greater part
of the population was concerned, the
Man in the Moon made his "get-away"
unheralded, and attended to whatever
private business he had without dis
turbing the slumber of the tired bus
iness man. or noting the grumbling
of the milkman who missed the
moonlight. In fact, the old boy did
not return to his job at all, as he
was scheduled to go off duty before
he finished the eclipse.
The eclipse was visible throughout
the Pacific coast, Asia and Australia,
It could not be sc.en from the east
ern section of the United States.
NEW AMBASSADOR LIKELY
Italy May Send Senator Roland!
Kiccl to Washington.
ROME, Oct. .26. Senator Rolandi
Ricci, according to the Popolo Romano
today, is to be appointed Italian am
bassador at Washington.
WASHINGTON. Oct. 25. Neither
the state department nor the Italian
embassy has received any word of the
intention of the Italian government
to appoint Senator Rolandi Ricci as
ambassador to the United States.
Baron Avezzania, the Italian am
bs.ssador. is en route home on leave
of absence, but his. family remains in
Washington. Senator Ricci is a distin
guished lawyer. Embassy officials
said he had not been closely affiliated
with the socialist leaders now in
power in Italy.
WAR GAS PROVES WEAPON
Phostrine Used In Attempt on Life
of Reno Liquor Witnesses.
RENO, Nct, Oct. 26. Phostrine
gas, one of the most deadly developed
during the war, was used In the al
leged attempt to kill Fred Anderson
and C P. Jensen Saturday night, ac
cording to Dr. C. W. West, who made
report to the police today. Two
other persons, into whose apartment
the gas was thrown, are recovering
today.
Jensen and Anderson, who were
witnesses in the whisky cases before
the federal grand jury at San Fran
cisco, were removed from Reno to an
unknown destination last night by
federal officers.
MRS. VANDERBILT RESIGNS
Woman Quits Cos Com it tee " and
Will Vote for Harding.
NEW TORK. Oct. 26. The resigna
tion of Mrs. William K. VanderbiU.
Jr.. as a member of the finance com
mittee of the - democratic national
committee and her support of the re
publican ticket through a campaign
contribution was announced today at
republican headquarters.
Mrs. Vanderbilfs only explanation.
it was said, was that she was unable
to continue to support Governor Cox
and has decided, to vote for Senator
Harding.
CUBA ASKS FOR EXPERT
Government Wants American to
Help Solve Financial Situation.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 26. The Cu
ban government today asked the
state department to designate
financial .expert to go to Cuba to
assist in working out a solution of
the Cuban situation.
The request was referred to the
group of bankers who have agreed
to assist Cuba financially.
They are expected to name the ex
pert.
LIQUOR HAUL IS $25,000
Thieves Raid Chicago . Laboratory
Getting 2 5 Barrels Alcohol.
CHICAGO, Oct. 26. Seven liquor
bandits raided the chemical laboratory
of a drug company almost in the heart
of downtown Chicago today and, after
lining up the employes under cover
of their guns, loaded 25 barrels of al
cohol, valued at $1000 a barrel, in a
motor truck and drove away.
The operation was conducted under
cover of a dense fog.
WATCH SENT DEMOCRATS
Timepiece Is Minnesota Man's
Contribution to Fund.
NEW YORK, Oct. 26. Edgar Carl
ton Stinger of Clear Lake, Minn., sent
a gold watch and chain to the demo
cratic national committee as his con
tribution to the democratic campaign
fund.
Still running, the watch was re
ceived at headquarters today with a
letter Irom SUnger. ..
Support Is Promised to
Palmer in Campaign.
SESSION ATTENDED BY 1000
Three-Fourths Soft Fuel Pro
duction Represented,
GENERAL MEETING HELD
National Association, Howetcr, De
cides Against Taking Any
Action on Prices.
CLEVELAND, O., Oct. 26. At an
open meeting today of approximately
1000 coal operators representing 7000
soft coal operators and three-fourths
of the total production a resolution
was unanimously adopted pledging
their support to Attorney-General
Palmer to eliminate unreasonable
high prices and unwise practices
where such exist.
This action was taken following
the receipt of a message from the
attorney-general, requesting the bit
uminous coal operators to co-operate
with the department of justice in
bringing about elimination of "un
reasonable high prices" for coal
Today's general meeting was called
by Colonel D. B. Wentz, president
of the National Coal association, to
consider a telegram sent by the attorney-general
to the association
last week urging that steps be taken
to eliminate exorbitant prices for
soft coal.
Association Meeting Called.
A meeting of the association mem
bers to consider the general coal sit
uation has- been called to be held here
previous to the receipt of Mr. Palm
er's message.
Members of the National Coal as
sociation at a meeting this morn
ing, considered the attorney-general's
request and the soft coal situation
in general and voted to maintain
their fixed policy against taking any
action touching upon coal prices, be
cause of restrictions in their charter.
The association voted to refer the
communication from the attorney-
general to a second meeting, compris
ing individual coal operators from all
parls of the country, both in and out
of the association.
Skort Adjournment .Taken.
This general, open meeting was
held immediately fter the association
session ana, arter a snort adjourn
ment to give a committee of nine
time to prepare a resolution pledging
the attorney-general their support in
(Concluded on Page 8. Column 2.
Meeting Between Government and
Executive Officers for Miners
Will Resume Today.
LONDON, Oct. 26. The strike con
ferences were abruptly adjourned to
night until tomorrow. The negotia
tions. It was stated, are now In a criti
cal stage.
The governmental emergency power
DHL giving the administration' far
reaching authority in the event of a
general strike or of disorders, entered
the committee stage of consideration
n the house of commons.
Formal negotiations between the
government and executive officers of
the Miners' Federation in an effort to
settle the coal strike were reopened
this morning, indicating that the pre
vious discussions had proved satis
factory in some measure at least. '.
It was reported from South Wales
today that the miners' officials there
had before them yesterday the govern
ment s new formula on the wage ques
tion which Is said to be based upon
coal values. The miners are to get
two shillings a day increase, but the
future selling price of .coal will de
pend on production, that is, if produc
tion falls below a certain level the
price of coal will be increased to the
householder, otherwise present prices
will be maintained.
Under this plan the miners, while
receiving more wages, would co-operate
with the owners in preventing
increased prices.
DUCKS DIE BY THOUSANDS
Alkali Water Declared Fatal
to
Denizens of Dobson Lake.
LAKEVIEW. Or., Oct. 26. (Spe
cial.) Ducks are dying by the thou
sands in Dobson lake, one of the small
lakes in Warner valley, according to
reports from residents of that dis
trict. The lake has been receding
for the last three years and because
of this has -become a strongly alka
line solution.
According to reports, the ducks
drink the alkali water or consume it
in feeding and shortly becerae too
weak to rise from the water. The
United States biological survey has
been informed of the condition and
will probably take immediate action
to save the ducks. There Is a fresh
water lake within six miles of Dob
son lake to which the ducks might
be moved and perhaps saved..
POSTMASTER IS REMOVED
Federal Investigators Oast C. H.
Jones From Elma, Wash., Offcie.
. ABERDEEN, Wash., Oct.' 2S. (Spe
cial.) Federal postoffice investiga
tora late yesterday removed from of
fice C. H. Jones, postmaster at Elma,
and appointed L. I. Wakefield acting
postmaster.
The nature of the charge against
Jones has not been announced.
He has been postmaster at Elma
since last summer, succeeding W. F.
Roberts, resigned.
- AND HEAVENS! DID TOU SEE WHAT IT COST?
f T AV.VAV5 WAV (I
U TnE rA'oVT t I I ' "
How Far Farmers of Southwest
Are Obeying' Proclamation Is
Xot Ascertained.
CHICAGO, I1L, Oct. 26. Wheat
prices made a sudden ascent today
and trade authorities ascribed as one
of the -reasons a falling off in of
ferings from the southwest apparent
ly due to the "farmers' strike." An
extreme advance of 10 3-4 cents a
bushel took place, December delivery
touching J2.10' aa against $199
to $1.99 at yesterday's finish.
The "strike" or stoppage of selling
by farmers was announced some time
ago by officials of the United. States
Wheat Growers' association as a step
against continued cutting down of
prices, until it was contended the
financial returns to growers were be
low the cost of production.
KANSAS CITY, Mo., Oct. 26.
Whether farmers of the southwest
are obeying a "strike call" Issued
recently by the. Wheat Growers' as
sociation in the form of a proclama
tion calling upon its members in sev
eral states to withhold their wheat
from the market until a basic price
of $3 a bushel was reached could
not be ascertained here tonight.
Reports from some grain market
centers toda.y attributed decreases in
the wheat supply received and an in
crease In prices to the proclamation.
No widespread curtailment of wheat
offerings was reflected today in the
grain markets of the southwest, grain
men said.
ACCUSED MAN' DEPARTS
Naval Commander, Declared Fath
er of Girl's Child, Sails.
HONOLULU, Oct. 26. Commander
William L. Culbertson, against whom
a warrant was sworn out in San Fran
cisco, October 15, charging him with
failure to provide for the 18-months-old
baby girl of Edna Merrill, San
Diego girl, sailed from here for
Manila today on the transport Sher
man. Miss Merrill charged Culbertson
with being the father of the girl. She
pursued him aboard the transport
after police officers acknowledged
their inability to serve the warrant,
but was brought ashore after the
vessel had' cleared.
She then laid her case before the
officials of the 12th naval district
here, but they declined to announce
what steps they would take..
NEW REVOLUTIONS BEGUN
Russia Scene of One Uprising;
Other Uprising: Is In Bolivia.
BUCHAREST. Ronmania, Oct. 26.
A new revolution is reported in the,
regions of Odessa and Podolia, in the
-icinity of Balta. The revolutionists,
headed by Ukrainian nationalists, are
said to be proceeding to Voznesensk
to Join the forces in revolt in that
district.
BEUNOS AIRES, Oct. 26. A revolu
tion is under way in Bolivia, accord
ing to reports received . today.
Inquiry to Be Asked by
Representative Kahn.
BRAKES ON APPROPRIATIONS
Leaders to Prevent Repeti
tion of War Extravagance.
LAW REPORTED VIOLATED
General Starr Governs Purchase
and Supply Instead of War Sec
retary Assistant, Charged.
THE OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU.
Washington, Oct. 26. Demand for an
investigation of the manner in which
the army reorganization act is being
administered will be made promptly
when congress convenes by Repre
sentative Kahn. chairman of the
house military affairs committee, it
became known today.
It also is learned that some rough
sledding is ahead for the war de
partment in obtaining appropriations,
leaders in congress being disposed to
hand out the money sparingly on ac
count of the lavish hand with which
past appropriations have been ex
pended. Mr. Kahn has been Informed that
the provisions of the law have been
ignored and that the sercetary of
war, instead of having the question
of purchase and supply conducted by
the assistant secretary of war, as was
contemplated by the new law, it has
been turned over to the general staff.
Inquiry to Be; Asked.
He h.is also been told that other
important requirements outlined by
congress have been violated, and has
prepared the text of a resolution of
investigation which he will introduce
on the first day of the session.
The second handicap under which
it will labor will be the accumulation
of distrust that hasbeen born of the
series of investigations conducted by
fhe special committee on war expen
ditures. There are other factors en
tering Into the situation, of course.
These are sufficient to Ehow, how
ever, that the vast total of nearly a
billion dollars asked for by the de
partment this year will undoubtedly
be greatly cut.
"The programme of waste and ex
travagance that characterized the ad
ministration of public affairs by the
war department in the last three
years has jeopardized the proper
maintenance of the military es
tablishment in the future." was as
serted by one member of the military
affairs committee.
Department in Jeopardy.
This Idea permeates the entire per
sonnel of the committees on military
affairs in the house and senate, and
was commented upon by several men
familiar with the situation when the
totals of the estimates that have been
submitted to the treasury department
of the war and navy establishments
became known.
These estimates disclose that for
the peace . time maintenance of the
two government agencies devoted to
national defence, a total of $ 1,464,000,-
000 will be asked of congress. This
enormous total which suggests some
of the larger estimates submitted
when America was an actual partici
pant in the world war, does not in
clude sums which the departments
will ask for later as deficiency ap
propriations. The navy estimates are about $650,
000.000 and the army runs up to $814,
.000,000 or nearly as much as It used
to cost to run the entire government
in the pre-war period.
Brakes To ( Os.
The complete text of the various
projects contemplated by the war de
partment has not yet been made pub
lic, but undoubtedly there are many
meritorious policies included in the
list. These are likely, however, to have
very hard going whan they run the
gauntlet of the two military affairs
committees, because of the Impression
that has grown up so strongly in thj
last three years as to become a con
viction that congress must put on
brakes whenever the war department
asks for appropriations.
The committees, and indeed the en
tire membership of congress, never
have been able to recover from the
shock they received when a total of
about one billion dollars was practi
cally wasted and thrown to the winds
in the endeavor to produce aeroplanes
as a part of the world war pro
gramme. Air Fiasco Not Forgottess.
General Menoher, head of the air
service In talking about his experi
ences abroad, only the other day, re
called that be used to "scan the air
daily for the billion dollar aeroplane
from America that never came."
But that is only one instance that
comes to tne minas oi committee
members whenever an estimate from
the war department, is presented. The
vice of the "cost plus" system of let
ting construction contracts, which the
war department initiated and . em
ployed for many months early in the
war, casts a stigma of suspicion over
requests tor appropriations now. and
forces members of the committees in
both parties to demand exhaustive an
alysis of every item in appropriation
bills before they will approve them.
The "cost plus" system of letting
. iCousiuded aa rase 2. Column Z.i.
Admiral Coundonrlotis Probable
Regent During: Minority
of New King.
ATHENS. Oct. 26. (By the Asso
ciated Press.) The throne of Greece,
made vacant by the death of King
Alexander, will be offered to Prince
Paul, third son. of former King Con
stantino, it is officially announced.
Many difficulties regarding succs
slon to the Greek throne will result
from the death of King Alexander.
King Constantino must formally ab
dicate and Prince George, older
brother of Prince Paul, must renounce
his rights.
It Is probable that King Constantlne
will at first refuse to meet these con
ditions, but It is undersood Premier
Venizelos will produce arguments of
some importance. Constantine's finan
cial status is well known and it is
the understanding that the premier
will agree to restore the ex-klng's
suppressed pension if the above terms
are accepted.
Elections at which will be chosen
members of the new Greek national
assembly have been postponed one
week, it is announced here. They
were to have been held on Novem
ber 8.
Admiral P. Coundouriotis, ex-minis
ter of marine, is believed to be the
government official most favored for
the appointment as regent of Greece,
to hold office until tho successor or
King Alexander, who died last night,
ascends the throne. He was formerly
a member of the Saloniki government
and is known to be friendly to the
entente.
ATHENS, Oct. 26 The funeral of
King Alexander will take place Fri
day afternoon. The chamber of
deputies will be convened Thursday.
The cabinet assembled immediately
after the death of the king last night
and drew up a message to tho people
expressing the grief felt at the
monarch's death, and adding:
"In conformity with the constitu
tional order of succession, the young
er brother of King Alexander, Prince
Paul, is called to succeed him. Flow
ever, in view of his absence and the
relations existing between the nation
and the house of ex-King Constantine,
the government has decided, in con
formity with the constitution, to con
voke the chamber just adjourned to
proceed to the election of a regent
until the arrival of the new king."
LUCERNE, Switzerland, Oct. 26.
King Constantine of Greece burst Into
tears today upon learning of the death
of his second son. King Alexander of
Greece, hews of which was' received
last night, although it was withheld
from the deposed monarch until today.
He has not seen his son in several
years.
Prince Paul was non-committal
when asked recently by a newspapel
correspondent whether he would ac
cept the Greek throne in the event of
the death of his brother,- then still
living.
"I will leave the matter in the hands
of my father," he replied.
LONDON, Oct. 26. (Special Cable.)
Professor Vidal, who was called to
Athens from Parts to attend King
Alexander, has been given a fee of
$60,000 by the Greek government.
An Athens dispatch -to the Daily
Mail is authority for this statement.
INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS
The Weather.
TMSTKKTJATS Maximum temperature, 63
degrees; minimum, 48 dgreea.
TODAT'6 Rain; southeasterly winds,
Foreign.
1 British strike conferees adjourn for night.
Page 1.
Guard at Brixton prison increased. Paxe 2.
Prince Paul desired as new Greek king.
Page 1.
National.
Two big packers submit new plan for dis
posal of stockyard Interests. Page 5.
United States recognition declared prom
ised soviet Russia by Vanderlip. Page 2.
Investigation of army will be asked by
Representative Kahn when congress re
convenes, rage i.
Revision of theory of taxation considered
desirable by Otto H. Kahn. Page 8.
Xtomestie.
Soft coat operators pledge support of fair
prices. Page 1.
"Strike" by growers sends wheat prices up.
Page 1.
Polities.
Americanism all-embracing issue of cam
paign, says Governor Coolidge. Pago 3.
Closing week of campaign seea democratic
gains, says Mark Sullivan. Page 8.
Dan Kellaher given lively session by
Housewives council, f age 12.
Representative McArtbur well satisfied
with progress of his campaign. Page 26.
Harding pledges aid to industries by Pro
tective tariff. Page X.
Governor Cox addresses crowds In trl-state
tour of day near home. . Page 6.
. Pacific Northwest.
Betty Brainerd freed on new bail in New
York. Page 6.
Two Taylor slayers get atay of execution.
Page 1-
Memory of Jason Lee honored at Salem.
Pase 7' -4
Sports.
Benson tech victor over Jefferson, 14 to 0.
Page 14. '
jGedeon and Rothstcin absolved in baseball
probe. Page 14.
Denvpsy and Carpentler are matched.
Page 14.
Aixferson and Keller ready for tonight's
bout. Page 15. .
Commercial and Marine.
Coast shippers do not share In revised ex
port wheat business. Page 17.
Farmers cease selling and Chicago wheat
market advances. Page 17.
Wall Street stock trade dominated by
money market. Page 17.
Lean times sighted by shippers. Page 16.
Portland and Vicinity.
Home rule of port by electors is assured
under consolidation measure. Page 1.
Commissioners defer city budget until after
election. Page 13.
Prominent Portland business men urge
support of proposed state market com
mission act. Page 19.
Rail chief pleads for rural America.
Page 20.
Anti-vaccine bill Is menace, declare city
and state health officers. Page 8.
Moon shadowed by the earth for more
than hour this morning. Page 1.
H. A. White pounces on Gordon charge.
rase a, ..
Leading Foe of Consoli
dation Capitulates.
BONDS TO GO TO ELECTORS
Clarifying Statement Made
by Commission Head.
SENTIMENT SHOWS GAINS
W. B. Ayer Waives All Objections
Alter Mr. Warren Explains.
Chamber 'ow Watched.
Absolute assurance that fhe Port of
Portland-Dock commission consolida
tion bill, to be voted upon at the com
ing election, does not contemplate
sacrifice of the principles of home
rule on the part of the electors of the
port, gave added impetus to senti
ment for the harbor improvement
measure yesterday and resulted in
the waiving of all objections by W.
B. Ayer, who has hitherto led the
opposition.
The statement, which clarified the
situation at the eleventh hour and
lent strength to" Portland's hope for a
seaport victory at the polls, was made
before the Kiwanis club at its noon
luncheon, by Frank M. Warren, presi
dent of the Port of Portland commis
sion, when he summarized briefly the
attitude of the committee of 16. and
the port and dock commissions, de
claring that no bonds of local signi
ficance will be issued without being
first submitted to the electorate of
the port.
Capitulation Is Caused.
It was this statement, reported to
Mr. Ayer, that caused his instant
capitulation and an expression of
personal gratification at the outcome.
"1 am frank to say that they have
met this objection," said Mr. Ayer,
"and I cannot refrain from express
ing my satisfaction at the outcome of
the discussion."
Mr. Warren and the original advo
cates of the consolidation measure as
serted that the statement issued yes
terday merely embodied the assur
ances they have repeatedly made, in
published interviews, statements and
advertisements ,and that they merely
summarized the stand previously
taken. .
Chamber Expected to Aeqotesre.
Opposition to the measure had been
also advanced in resolutions adopted
by the Chamber of Commerce and
those sponsoring the bill believe that
the declaration which converted Mr.
Ayer will also be potent with the
Chamber. Under date of October 17.
the Chamber adopted a condemnatory
resolution, declaring its position aa
follows:
"The proposed initiative bill con
templates a consolidation of the dock
commission with the port commission,
transferring all of its activities to
the port commission and thus would
take away from the citizens of Port
land the right to decide upon the issu
ance of bonds, the proceeds of which
are to be used for the purchase of
lands and the development of docks
and terminals, in this way depriving
the people of Portland of the right of
'home rule," which they now enjoy."
Clarifying Statement Gives.
The clarifying statement made by
Mr. Warren, wlth'the full approval of
the committee of 15, who investigated
and reported favorably upon the Swan
island project of harbor improvement,
was as follows:
No bonds for the purchase or acquisition
of land, except for the Improvement of the
channel from Portland to the sea, will ba
Issued without first being submitted to the
electorate ot the Port, and no bonds will
be issued for the purpose of constructing
new docks, warehouse, tracks or terminals
without first being submitted to tne elec
torate of the Port.
These assurances do not apply to the
Issuance of bonds for the purpose of com
pleting present terminals.
The words "docks" and "terminals" are
not. to be construed to cover moorings or
upland improvements necessary In connec
tion with dry docks, nor to prohibit the
purchase or filling of land required in con
nection with any existing terminals or dry
docks or public moorings.
Amendments to Be Aked.
The Port will apply to the ligislature for
the necessary amendments to give effect to
the foregoing stipulations. The questions
with regard to the acquisition of land to be
submitted to the electorate of the Port
shall be substantially:
(a) Shall the Port purchase or acquire
land on which to deposit the apoila of
dredging?
(b) Shall the Port donate free the spoils
of dredging to adjacent landowners?
c) Shall th'e cost of handling the spoils
of dredging be divided and part charged to
th- public as a benefit which accrues to
them from the channel Improvement and
the balance to adjacent land in proportion
(a) te special benefits from channel Im
provement to land In question (b to bene
fit from actual filling 7
Outlining his previous objections
and giving assurance that this state
ment had completely set them at rest,
W. B. Ayer discussed the altered sit
uation from the viewpoint of the pre
vious opposition when appraised of
the developments at the Kiwanis
luncheon.
Objections Are Removed.
"My objections to the Port of Port
land dock consolidation bill." said Mr.
Ayer. "have been based mainly on
the violation of the Principles of
Concluded an Pase 6, Column 3).