TTTE MORXIXG OREGOXIAX, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1920
LABEfiEE WILL CASE
IHIENT
Arguments Completed at
Night Court Session.
APPEAL SEEMS LIKELY
Affectionate Letters Written First
Wife After Divorce Are In
troduced as Evidence.
KLAMATH FALLS, Or.. Nov. 10.
(Special.) The contest to break the
will of the late Oscar O. Laberee, be
queathing to his second wife (100,000
which the children of his first wife
are seeking to obtain, was taken un
der advisement late tonight by the
court after the arguments in the case
had beeji completed at a night ses
sion. Counsel for each side, immediately
after the case was brought to a close,
indicated an intention to appeal if the
decision should be unfavorable to
them.
As "cutbacks" in motion picture melo
drama are flashed upon the screen,
so this afternoon in the closing argu
ments were recreated episodes in the
stormy marital career of Laberee, de
ceased! railway builder and speculator.
Kinal Testimony Is Taken.
Final testimony was taken early In
the afternoon and argument opened
by counsel for the defense. He was
followed, by counsel for the plaintiffs.
At 6 o'clock, court adjourned to meet
again for the night session. The trial
baa now lasted a week.
A dozen or more letters, written
by Laberee to his first wife and chil
dren, just prior to, during and after
bis first wife obtained her divorce,
were read into the record by Judge
Moore.
They were affectionate letters, most
of them referring to requests for
financial aid to the family.
Apparently, the man who bad made
and lost three fortunes each approxi
mately J1.000.0OO, whose railway
schemes at one time were said to
have involved a Canadian bank for
$3,000,000 and to have wrecked it. and
of whom it was told that he won
$75,000 in a few hands in a Seattle
poker game, was hard pressed. He
said he hadn't the money to give and
called attention to former gifts and
settlements.
In one letter he referred to a stock
speculation gone awry. "If I could
have held on a few days longer, I
would have cleaned up $25,000," he
said.
J. H. Cornett Takes Stand.
J. H. Cornett of Shedd, Or, was one
of the last witnesses examined and
gave the first testimony reflecting
against the reputation of the first
Mrs. Laberee. He said that Laberee
told him after his divorce and mar
riage to Anita Laurence that he was
experiencing the first true happiness
he had ever known, that this first
marriage was a failure. "What, if
anything did he say about the char
acter of his former wife?" asked
counsel.
"He told me that she drank to ex
cess," said the witness.
The heart shot told visibly on the
aged first wife, who buried her face
deeper in her hands. She sat through
out the trial with her face shielded
from the stare of the curious by first
one and then another outstretched
hand.
The defense attacked the testimony
of ex-Senator Turner of Washington,
who affirmed that Laberee had told
him that Anita Laurence and her
mother threatened him with jail for
violation of the Mann act if he did
not divorce his wife and marry Anita.
Mrs. Rose Laberee, the first wife,
testified during the trial that her
total annual income now is $5000,
chiefly from an apartment house in
Chicago built by Laberee in 1908
which he settled upon her before the
. divorce.
Salt for S50 Is Started.
Suit in the local court was brought
today against Anita Laurence Laberee
by H. J. Winters, jeweler, to collect
$50 which he alleges she has owed for
more than a year.
The exposures of the trial have been
a shock to many local residents. Cur
ing the war Anita Laberee took an
active part in all war work and was
a leader in Red Cross and liberty loan
campaigns in the Bly district. She
bas staunch friends who will not be
lieve that she deliberately set a snare
for the Laberee wealth and alien
ated Laberee's affections from, his
family. They accept the theory that
ber unsophistlcation made her the
victim of Laberee and that his mar
riage was reparation to which she
was entitled.
Reporter on Rubber Heels
Foils Space Annexer.
Stunt That Fooled Public and
Judge Cornea to aught.
H
IS name is
and he is ap
pearing thia week at the
theater.
It was at the hour of Tuesday
evening. The crowds were hurrying
homeward along Broadway and Wash
ington when this individual stepped
out into the street, dressed In the old
est clothes which his press agent
could find, and began singing at the
top of his voice.
A crowd gathered. After the curi
osity of the pedestrians had been suf
ficiently aroused a bluecoated copper
appeared in the offing and staged a
pre-arranged pincn.
The singer walked meekly to the
police station. And the press agent
went back to his Job, highly pleased
with nimseii.
But the work of the press agent
had only begun.. - There was other
work to do, for the right publicity
had to De procured.
Thus it was that Singer as
pear&d yesterday in the police court
charged with vagrancy. To Judge
Rossman it was just another of the
multitude of "vags;" a bit of flotsam
and jetsam buffeted about on the
tide of adversity.
But the press agent was still on the
job. Whenthe offender's name was
called he arose from the prisoner's
bench and began to sing in a rich
baritone voice "Down the Trail ttf
Home, Sweet Home.
Judge Rossman couldn't do any'
thing else but let the fellow go. Al
though the judge had his suspicion
that some clever press agent was at
work, he decided to give him the
benefit of the doubt.
The publicity stunt brought in a
goodly bunch of dimes and nickels to
the singer, ane crowa at Broadway
and Washington showered coins into
his hat before the cop got the high
sign to rush tne act.
The prestige of Oregonian Want
Ada has been attained not merely by
The Oregonian's large circulation, but
by the fact that all its readers are
interested in uregonian want-AUa,
PRINCIPALS IN TRAGEDY OF YESTERDAY.
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ATTORNEY KILLS SELF
C S. SPEXCER TAKES OWK
X1FE, WOC.VDS WIFE.
Financial Worries, Together With
IU-Sealtb, Are Believed to
Cause Derangement,
(Cootinned From First Pace.)
years after his arrival, his sec
ond wife being Mrs. Anita Spencer.
She divorced him in Portland in 1909.
The second wife is said to be living
at the present time at Salem.
A son, Roscoe Spencer, who was
born to bis first wife, died in Indiana
two years ago. Mr. Spencer suffered
a complete breakdown at the time
of his son's death. He had put the
boy through Harvard and had as
sisted him in getting a Btart in the
law practice.
Paralyala Stroke Suffered.
Upon his arrival in Portland Mr.
Spencer was at first a member of
the law firm of McDougall & Spencer.
Later he became associated with W.
M. Davis under the firm name of
Spencer & Davis. He bad been a
member of the law firm of Wilbur,
Spencer & Beckett for about ten
years.
About eix months ago Mr. Spencer
suffered a slight stroke of paralysis
while exercising at the Multnomah
Amateur Athletic club.' Again about
two months ago he suffered another
slight attack. He had been in ill
health since then and members of tne
law firm had been endeavoring to
have him take an extended vacation
for the past several weeks.
When Mr. Spencer at first became
nil.. ,,n V. 1 n n .a vost.rHaT mnm
m(s ois w i jt u mutism, it iud be
ginning of another paralytic stroke
and the firing of the revolver came
as she had arisen from the bed to
assist him.
F. M. HowelL a member of the law
firm, said that Mr. Spencer appeared
to be in his usual health and good
spirits when he left the home Tues
day evening. Members of the firm
could note nothing wrong with his
mental condition at that time.
Attack Sterna Sadden. -Mrs.
Jones, housekeeper . at .the
Spencer home, said that Mr. Spencer
was normal and appeared to be en
joying his usual health at the home
Tuesday evening. It is believed mat
he and Mrs. Spencer . had resumed
their discussion of financial difficul
ties that night and that Mr. Spencer's
mind gave way under the strain.
Mr. Spencer was a Shriner ana a
member of the Portland lodge of
Elks. lie was a- graduate of Wabash
college and studied law in the office
of ex-Representative Crumipacker of
Indiana. - Later he became a member
of the law firm prior to his removal
to Portland.
Arrangements for the funeral had
not yet been made, and probably will
be held in abeyance until the condi
tion of Mrs. Spencer is better known.
SECRETARIAT, 300 STTROXC,
OCCUPIES MUGEST HOTEL.
Residents Are Violently Elbowed
to Make Room for Hundreds of
Representatives of Nations,
GENEVA. Nov. 10. (By the Asso
ciated Press.) Geneva is beginning
to feel its honors as the headquarters
of the world and its residents are De-
ing violently elbowed to make room
for the league of nations, with all its
appurtenances.
The secretariat of the league. 300
strong, is occupying the largest for
its offices. The delegations to the
assembly of the league on November
15, tieir secretaries and advisers, are
expected to number a thousand more.
taxing to the utmost the accommoda
tions of this small city.
Judging by the promptness and
numerical strength of Its representa
tion, Japan is the country that takes
its role in the league most seriously.
About 80 of its delegates already are
here, taking, up three floors in two of
the leading hotels, and quarters have
been reserved for 100 in all. Dr. Gas
toa da Cunha, Brazilian ambassador
to France, and one of the most active
members in the league council, was
the first "delegate to arrive.
Delegations are expected from at
least 41 of the ' 45 members of the
league. The new kingdob of the
Hedjaa has not yet announced the ap
pointment of a delegate but has asked
press facilities for a Hedjaz corre
spondent. The delegations already
announced make up a brilliant group
of statesmen, orators and diplomats,
headed by two ex-presidents of re
publics. There are two ex-premiers.
two presidents 01 senates, one presi
dent of a house of representatives,
nine cabinet ministers mostly minis
ters of foreign affairs seven ex-cabinet
ministers, four ambassadors and
20 ministers plenipotentiary. The dis
tinguished orators include Rene
Viviani, Dr. Da Cunha and Dr. Rafael
Martinez y Ortiz, Cuban minister to
France.
inal preparations for. the assem
ft 4
-'
4
Schnrler C. Spencer, nko killed
himself, and Hra, Spencer,
whom ke shot and vrouaded.
bly will be completed Sunday by the
league council which will meet at the
old National hotel, which, since it was
bought by the league, has been re
christened "The Palace of Nations."
Changes in the agenda of the confer
ence are considered unlikely.
The first important subject coming
np, according to the programme as it
now stands, is an amendment to tne
league covenant. This discussion may,
if the delegates so wish, be preceded
by the question of the voting strength
of the delegations. It is recalled that
Leon Bourgeois. French representa
tive at the time of adoption of the
covenant, expressed the hope that the
a.' rnbly would accord to the French
colonies the same right of representa
tion as accorded to the British do
minions. The French delegation thus
far has given no notice that it will
bring up the question.
RUNT PRIZES ARE
EXHIBITS AT HORTICULTURAL
SHOW BKIXG HOXOBS.
W. B.- Murray of Grant's Pass
Gets First Place in Judging Con--test
at Agricultural College. .
OREGON AGRICULTURAL COL
LEGE, Corvallis, Nov. 10, (Special.)
W. B. Murray of Grants Pass won
first prize in the annual horticultural
show judging contest, carrying with
it the honor of having his name in
scribed on Dean A. B. Cordley's sil
ver loving cup and a cash prize ot-10.
A. F. Gillette of La Verne. Cal., won
the second prize of $7; R. H. Camp
bell of Amity, the third of J5. and
H. L. Wilson of Hemet, Cal., the fourth
of ?3.
Oregon was well represented in the
display of canned goods. The Oregon
Growers' Co-operative association ap
peared for the first time with dried
prunes and cherries. California also
was represented in the display of
canned goods.
Competition in the vegetable gar
dening was keen. F. H. Hughson of
Albany won first on squash varieties
and turnips. In the various classes
of cabbage C. W. ICruse of Oswego,
D. P. Allen of Brownsmead, F. B.
Chase of. Eugene and George Emker
of Brownsmead won blue ribbons;
J. C. Leady of Beaverton was first on
dry onions. C" W. Kruse and R.. V.
Rogers of Eugene were winners in
the cauliflower entries.
F. B. Chase and H. C. McGinnis of
Troutdale and the Labish Meadows
celery farm were winners in the cel
ery classes.
Many blue ribbons were awarded
students in the pomology department
Guillermo Cifre, with a single tray ex
hibit of Northern Spy aptes; E. L.
Smith, with a plate exhibit of Clair
gear pears, and E. H.' Hesseltine, with
a general plate display of walnuts,
won first places.
Subtropical fruits and nuts were
featured more extensively than ever
this year. A. F. Gillette won first
place on a group display and also on
single plate exhibits of citrons and
pomegranates. H. L. Wilson won sec
ond place on single Plate exhibits it
almonds.
' In single plate exhibits ofwalnuts,
A. F. Gillette won first place on the
Whittier Supreme variety, c. D. Baker
won first on the Placentia and G. F.
Ball second prize on the Eureka
walnut.
Moore and Hartman of Wenatchee
won first place on the district dis
play of deciduous fruits and R. O
Woodward 01 victoria, a. :.. won sec
ond place.
Toman Deputy County Clerk.
VANCOUVER, " Wash., Nov. 10.
(Special.) Mrs. Edith Derr, widow of
the late W. S. T. Derr, who served
two terms as county clerk, has been
appointed deputy county clerk by
T r.) n Snhaefer. who waa rpcpntlv
i elected to this office.
8. tt H. green stamps for cash.
Hclman Fuel Ca. Mala 363. 6J0-31.
e-AdTa -
i-s i t.y
WAGES
BLAMED
MILLS' SHUTDOWN
Clothing Plants Close Until
Working Conditions Change.
ADJUSTMENT IS WANTED
Manufacturers Declare New York
Must Be Able to Compete AVitn
Other Markets on Same Basis.
NEW YORK, Nov. 10. The Cloth
ing Manufacturers' association of
New York announced today its shops
could not be reopened until employes
who are members of the Amalgamated
Clothing Workers' union .agreed to
new working and wage conditions,
necessary to the life of the industry."
-The announcement was made after
the association's market committee
reported failure in negotiations with
the workers. The association in clos
ing its shop said new conditions were
necessary to further competition in
the market and . laid down seven
points to be inserted in a new con
tract. William Bandler, president of the
manufacturers' association, said ne
gotiations would be opened with the
union at any time it designated and
that the decision of the association to
keep its shops closed was in no wise
a lockout.
Conditions Are Blamed.
"Conditions have closed our shops,"
he added. "The public wants cheaper
clothes, we want business and our
employes want employment. We can
not get business until we are able
to make and sell clothing in compe
tition with other markets. Conditions
must be equalized with competing
centers before we can resume manu
facture." "
The seven points demanded are:
1. The right of the manufacturer
to install piece work. ,
z. Scales prevailing In other cloth
ing markets to be the base rates for
New York workers.
Co-operation la Wanted. ,
3. The co-operation of workers In
maintaining individual records of pro
duction in shops and cutting rooms.
4. Individual standards of produc
tion for week workers in shops and
cutting rooms. ,
5. The right of the manufacturer
to change contracts.
6. Adequate freedom to discipline
and hire workers and to introduce
improved machinery.
7. The agreements maintained by
the union in other markets in which
adjustment machinery is functioning
successfully to be made the basis of
relationship between the association
and union.
BIG STILUS UNCOVERED
PLAXT IN FULL OPERATION AT
SYLVAN IS RAIDED.
Three Serbians Arrested and Large
Quantity of Moonshine and
: Raisin Mash Confiscated.
Sixty gallons of moonshine, seven
BO-gallon barrels of raisin mash and a
stiiJ in full operation were the catch
of Deputy Sheriffs Christof ferson,
Schirmer and Rexford yesterday whn
they raided a house at Sylvan, about
three miles out of ' Portland on the
Canyon road.
Mike Matyaesvich, Tony Misetich
tnd Stanko Simich, Serbians, alleged
to have been running the establish
ment, were taken into custody.
The still was set up In the basement
of ix house the men said they had oc
cupied four months. Officers were
not fully aware of the extent of the
operations but Christofferson said he
learned from one of the men that
they had been in California part of
the summer, and spent $2000. which
the- officer . believed they earned
through their plant. The prisoners
claimed they had not sold any moon
shine.
Matyaesvich and Simich were found
near the house and the latter headed
for the woods when he saw the of
ficers. He was pursued by Christoff
erson, who fired two revolver shots
before the man stopped. Misetich
was in Portland and it was necessary
to wait until he returned.
CHANCES ARE SLIGHTED
Road . Report , Shows How . Tourist
' "Trade Could Be Developed.
The possibilities of tourist trade
development in Oregon's scenic won
derland by the establishment of well
appointed, modern hotels in the Cas
cades or along the Columbia river
highway are vividly portrayed in a
comparative report on tourist traffic
by seasons to Paradise inn In Rainier
National park. Issued by the O.-W.
R. A N. company.
The report shows 'that Oregon sup
plied about 5 per cent ofthe tourists
who patronized the inn the past sea
son, and that 60 per cent- of the tour
ist trade for the 'year came from
points outs'de the state of Wasiner-
Do you know that today you can
buy a MERCER for .
1
$4485
' DELIVERED, OREGON
The price goes up after January
first unless manufacturing costs
come down.
AMERCER.
The family car par excellence
WILLAMETTE MOTORS CO,
100 NORTH BROADWAY, PORTLAND; OR.
'Ti NEW riaisHow i
In Observance
of
Armistice Day
This Store
Will Be
Closed All Day
1 Thursday,
November 11th
ESTABLISHED
BROADWAY AT MORRISON
ton. The report, on lodgers remain
ing one day or more follows:
From
Tacoma ........
Seattle
Portland
Washing-ton, out
side of cities
named
Oregon, outside
of Portland...
California ..s...
States west of
Mississippi not
included above
Canada and for
eign countries.
States east of
Mississippi ...
191T. 1918. 1919. 1920.
1,324 1.512 1,J55 1.4SS
3,072 8,842 4,301 4.874
3i3 &ai 6J9 S72
1,240 1,812 1,692 1.891
7 12 170 148
443 35 602 1,038
' 610 432 853 1.0O8
178 265 252 238
959 602 2.283 3,118
8,153 9,633 12,433 14.384
Patrons taking
single meals
only 2,454
8.935 6,292 4.762
Total for sea
eons 10.612 13.S68 18,725 19.146
WEST STUDIES ARMY PLAN
EIGHT STATES TO BE REPRE
SENTED AT CONFERENCE.
G. A. White, Adjutant-General of
Oregon, to Attend San
Francisco Meeting.
SALEM, Or., Nov. 10. (Special.)
George A. White, adjutant-general of
Oregon, will leave early next week
for San Francisco where he was
called by Major-General Hunter Lig
gett, in command of the ninth corps
area, to assist in working out the
plans for the new military programme
outlined for the western states. Eight
states will be represented at the con
ference, including Oregon, Washing
ton, California, Idaho. Montana, Wy
oming, Utah and Nevada.
Although all plans have not yet
been outlined it is intended that the
ninth corps area shall have two in
fantry divisions, one cavalry brigade,
30 companies of coast artillery and
other corps and army troops, all of
which will be national guard organi
zations.
Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Wash
ington are to have a complete infan
try division to be known as the 41st
division. For Oregon there will be
one brigade of infantry less one bat
tallion, and a considerable number of
technical troops, including anti-aircraft,
motorcycle, truck, field artil
lery, field hospital and air service
units. Oregon's assignment also will
include the 41st division headquar
ters. Washington will specialize on field
artillery, while Idaho and Wyoming
want cavalry. The three of the first
organizations to be formed in Oregon
will be an anti-aircraft company at
Albany, company of infantry at Cor
vallis and battery of field artillery in
Portland.
During the conference at San Fran
cisco there will be some discussion
regarding the need of co-ordination
among the several states.
YOUNG. ELOPERS CAUGHT
Flight From Salem of Boy, 17, and
Girl, 16, Ends at Taooma.
SALEM, Or., Nov. 10. (Special.)
Ferman McAdoo, 17 years of age and
Esther Planting. 16, who eloped from
here recently, were arrested in Ta
coma last night, according to a tele
gram received by the Salem police to
day. Sheriff Needham left here to
night for Tacoma after the prisoners.
At the time of the elopment Mc
Adoo was under arrest here charged
with the theft of an automobile. He
had been-arraigned and was released
on $400 bonds. Officers said the couple
were planning to cross the Canadian
borUer when arrested.
Express Embargo Removed.
NEW YORK, Nov. 10. The Ameri
can Railway Express company an
nounced today that It had removed
Its embargo on single pieces of ex
press matter weiging 200 pounds or
FORMER PRICE
$5485
more, which had been in effect since
April. Improved operating conditions
are responsible for the removal of the
embargo.
TRAILS CLUB MEETS
Trustees for Year Elected; Scenic
Highway Wanted.
In its annual session last night the
Trails club selected trustees for the
year and adopted a resolution which
urges the United States forestry serv
ice and the state highway commis
sion, to co-operate in construction of
a scenic highway along the "back
bone" of the Cascades.
Richard J. Grace, Charles E. War
ner, Ida M. Alsleben, Don P. Wells,
Fred H. Kiser, H. W. Erren, G. A.
de Grorf, E. J. Lenz, Marie Eberhardt
and George L. Eickel were elected
trustees.
Announcement was made at the
meeting, held in Library hall, that a
new lodge has been built in the
"Columbia Highlands" for use of
Trails club members.
CADETS TO JOIN PARADE
Oregon Agricultural College to
Participate In Celebration.
OREGON AGRICULTURAL COL
LEGE, Corvallis, Nov. 10. (Special.)
Armistice day will be celebrated by
an elaborate military parade through
the city. The entire cadet regiment
will be turned out by the military
department, which is co-operating
with the local post of the American
Legion in the day's programme.
The national salute of 21 guns will
be fired by battery A of the field
artillery unit of the Reserve Officers'
Training corps, immediately after the
parade. Patriotic addresses, sports
by firemen in the afternoon and a
big free dance to all service men will
be features of the celebration.
FARM BUREAUS TO MEET
Clackamas County Branches May
Join " State Federation.
OREGON CITY, Or., Nov. 10. (Spe
cial.) A meeting of the farm bureaus
of Clackamas county will take place
at the courthouse tomorrow. The
meeting will begin at 10 A. M. and
will be presided over by County Agent
R. G. Scott of this city.
The object of the session is to de
cide whether the lot"al branches are
in favor of uniting with the state
federation of farm bureaus.
There will be 11 farm bureaus of
Clackamas county represented at the
meeting. These have been organized
by Mr. Scott, who expects to have 30
in all before spring.
You Have Four More Days in Which to Take
Advantage of
Mitchell's Used Car Sale
The sale has been a great success and our stock has been largely reduced. We still
have many fine values at cut prices that are unusually attractive. Look over the list
below, then come and inspect the stock. You will be sure to find what you want and
at a price that you cannot afford to pass up.
Poraer S.n Ir
Price. lrice.
Overland Model 75, 5-passenger $ 550.00 475.00
1918 Mitchell, 5-passenger 1050.00 SOO.OO
Willys-Knight, 5-passenger 900.00 775.00
1919 Mitchell Roadster 1400.00 1150.00
1917 Mitchell, 5-passenger r . 900.00 750.00
1919 Oakland, 5-passenger 1000.00 875.00
1918 Mitchell, 3-passenger 850.00 700.00
1919 Mitchell, 5-passenger.. 1500.00 1250.00
1919 Mitchell, 5-passenger 1200.00 1100.00
1916 Briscoe, 5-passenger 500.00 35O.O0
1917 Mitchell, 5-passenger '. . . 750.00 650.00
Ford Touring, very good condition, all good tires. . 350.00 250.00
Reasonable Terms No charges for brokerages We handle our own notes. Watch
the classified ads in the daily papers for changes in stock.
OPEN TODAY
AND SUNDAY
To give all an opportunity to profit by
our big stock-reducing sale, we will keep
our salesrooms open Thursday (Armis
tice day) and Sunday. Shop and offices
will be closed on these two days.
JJ Si - TODAY
1 li
MTM H WWPfSlI
if 1 llWlllil
ill m
DRAMA. THAT
WILL 5HAKE Y"0"L7R
RIBS LOOSE
SCENIC, POLLARD COMEDY and MUTT & JEFF
JAMES GORDON
Hobo Caruso
Novelty Attraction 7
Hobo Gordon, who has for the last few weeks been
singing around the various apartment houses for the
few coins that were occasionally dropped from the
windows above and who finally picked up courage
to try his ability as a singer in the downtown dis
trict, was arrested while singing in the street Tues
day evening near the Owl drug store, attracted the
attention of the management of the Peoples Theater,
has been engaged to sing his box car melodies for a
limited engagement.
Broadway
at Everett