PORTLAND, OREGON, FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1921
UK ICE FIVE CENTS
Pcitofflce as Second-ClaM Matter
"SHADOW" ESCAPES
IN RAIN OF LEAD
T,
1500 VETERANS VOTE
FOR BONUS BY STATE
OLCOTT GIVES NOTICE
OF SPECIAL MESSAGE!"
T
FOUR BOY-BURGLARS I CC UJCTf IIDprn
HELD; CURFEW LID 0NLLG0 m 1 L UnULU
AT SEA IS ASKED
15 POLICK AM) DEPUTY SHER
IFF BLOCK EVERY ROAD.
MEDLEY OF DERISIOX GREEKS
"COMMITTEE OF TEN."
JOINT LEGISLATIVE SESSION
CALLED tOR MONDAY.
CONFESSIONS BRING STRICT
ORDER FROM MAYOR.
RIGHT TO RUN BAR
BABES I IN
COMMITTEE
MOTHER BURGLAR
MAY FIX DISTRICTS
IN REDISTRICTiNG
3-Mile Limit Wanted on
Volstead Act.
WET COMPETITION HURTS
Passengers Said to Boycott
Dry American Ships.
PLEA IS NOT EFFECTIVE
Prohibition Lata Oppo&o Suggestion
and Judiciary Committee Is
Sot Sympathetic.
WASHINGTON. Jan. IS. American
passenqrer steamship officials appeal
ing: today to the house judiciary com
mittee for modification of the Vol
stead act, declared they would be
tlgn registry tor world trade unless
permitted to handle liquors for use
by patrons beyond the three-milo
limit.
About the only consolation they ob
tained was a prediction not for the
record by Representative Dyer, re7
publican, of Missouri, that "they did
not have a chance." This comment
was made after Wayne Wheeler, gen
eral counsel for the Anti-Saloon
league, expressed the opinion that
some day the world would be dry
and that all ships would be devoid
of liquor.
The shipping Interests insisted,
however, that they had to deal witli
present problems; that there had
been wholesale cancellation of reser
vations by travelers who found other
vessels unaffected by prohibition re
strictions, and that the task of try
ing to make the American flag su
preme could not be carried on in
competition with other nations.
Bunlnesn Declared Theatened.
P. A. S. franklin, president of the
International Mercantile Marine
named that the death knell of the
merchant marine was sounded if the
raInij by Attorney-General Palmer
irere permitted to stand.
E. A. Quarles, president of the
United States Mail Steamship com
pany, declared owners would be "fit
subjects for examination in a psy
chopathic ward' if they invested any
vast sums in the building and condi
tioning; of ships without assurances
that they would be allowed to com
pete with the countries endeavoring
now to dominate ocean commerce.
Harris Livermore. president of the
United American line, declared that
construction of many trans-At Ian tic
Vessels had been contemplated, but
that "with this hanging over us we
cannot go ahead until the question is
determined."
Mr. Wheeler alone was heard in op
position to the plea on the steamship
question, made at a hearing on a bill
by Keprci-entative Edmonds, repub
lican, Pennsylvania, to exempt pas
senger vessels engaged in foreign
trade from provisions of the Volstead
law. Asserting that many ships were
''bootlegging," Mr. Wheeler said the
amendment would multiply the diffi
culty of the dry law s enforcement.
Prohibition proud Predicted.
It was in answer to a suggestion by
Representative Igoe, democrat, of
Missouri, that the ship owners merely
wanted an equalization of liquor laws
that Mr. Wheeler touched on the hope
spreading the fight against sa
loons to all the world.
"The steamship companies are tin
dbly alarmed," he declared. "The
company that adopts a sound policy
looking to the moral welfare and pro
tection of the people will win. The
public wants service not booze. And
let me say that the company that
renders good service and less liquor
finally will dominate."
Representative Edmonds, In urging
approval of his amendment, said he
looked at it strictly as a business
proposition.
"If we wait for the world to go
dry. whi le other nations are going
ahead with their shipping," he added 1
"we won't have any flag. We are
dealing with a condition, not a theo- !
ry
kepresentativc Neery, democrat.
West Virginia, suggested that a ho
tel owner in Buffalo might just as
well come to congress for financial
relief, because a hotel on the Canad
ian side was getting more trade with
a bar.
"Certainly you cannot expect ths
flag to inspire respect when it flies
over a floating saloon," he remarked,
but Mr. Edmonds insisted that the
case cited was not analogous to that
of the steamship companies,
SISTER JAILS ROBBER
Woman Who Cause. Conviction of
Brother for Robbery Rewarded. I
KANSAS CITY. Mo.. Jan. 13. A
reward or $-ao was granted today by
the Law Enforcement association here
to M - - Grace Ernst, because she
caused the arrest and conviction of
fcer brother. John Downing, whom she
alleged robbed her home
After the burglary, according to
Mrs. trnst. she suspected ner brother
and traced htm to Clinton. Mo., where
the caused his arrest.
Downing was sentenced to a five
year prison term.
Final Threat of Death Unless Cash
I- Paid Over CfcSMfl Another
Kffort to Got Blackmailer.
Fifteen police and deputy sheriffs
blocked every road Infb Portland
from a point on the Base Lino road.
I j half mile ws.t nf Taxi inn. at 2
ow," Portland's mysterious black
mailer, escaped a second time in a
bullet hail.
A final threat of death unless the
$26,000 was left at the place desig
nated was received by J. Wesley Ladd
late yesterday afternoon, and the sec
ond attempt to capture "Shadow" re
sulted.
The letter said that this was the
last time that Mr. Ladd would have
an opportunity to escape murder or
the payment of $50,000. He asked
that Mr. Uadd answer through the
personal columns of the Portland
Telegram, which he did.
When 300 feet away from the place
where the bundle of money was to
have been dropped the "Shadow"
flashed his signals. The police opened
fire, and started on the run for the
point where the lights were first
sighted.
But the "Stmdow" had eluded them
a second time.
Deputy Sheriff Christ of sen then
placed his men and the police who
were in the party on all roads lead
ing into Portland. Police headquar
ters in Portland was notified to watch
for ail cars entering the city from
the east and patrolmen were dis
patched shortly after 2 o'clock this
morning to the outskirts of the city.
Use of the telephone yesterday was
employed by the "Shadow" to threat
en the life of Mr. Ladd. one of seven
intended victims of the nervy indi
vidual whose attempts to blackmail
prominent Portland residents out of
thousands of dollars have aroused) the
entire city.
It was admitted by Chief of Police
Jenkins that Mr. Ladd received a
communication by telephone yester
day morning from the man who said
he was the "Shadow." As soon as
the incident was reported to the
police, detectives were rushed to
forestall any attempt to attack
members of the Ladd family.
The "Shadow" was said to have
called Mr. Ladd by telephone to tell
him once more that death was near
because he had turned the blackmail
letters over to the police. Before
Mr. I .a rid could reply or give an
answer of any kind the speaker had
slammed up the receiver. Efforts to
check up the point from which the
call came were fruitless.
It was also admitted by the police
that the "Shadow" had entered the
Jenniiig furniture store, Fifth and
Washington streets, some time
Wednesday and there penned another
letter to Henry Jenning, Jr., which
read:
' I am still about."
This warning note was found in
the shipping room yesterday morn
ing. It was printed on the store
stationery. Earlier belief that it was
a hoax perpetrated by some friend
of Mr. Jenning was discounted when
Mr. Jenning asserted positively that
the printed letters were identical to
those received earlier by him through
the mails.
Mrs. Philip Gevurtr, was added to
the list of the blackmailer's intended
victims when she received in the
morning mail yesterday a letter
similar to those received by other
Portland residents, demanding $25,000
on threat of death if she failed to
comply. She immediately turned the
letter over to the police.
Although Chief Jenkins said lat
night that the police as yet were
without tangible clews, detectives
worked throughout the day on the
investigation and will redouble their
efforts for the remainder of the week
in an effort to apprehend the man
who has o boldly challenged the
police to capture him.
Guards were being stationed about
the home of J. Wesley Ladd, who,
twice since Tuesday night, has been
threatened with deat h because he
turned the letters over to the police
instead of paying Jthe demanded
$2."..ono.
Persons receiving the letters, the
police and federal .authorities, have
all taken the matter seriously and
Mr. Ladd has been carefully guarded
both day and night.
POLICE CAPTAIN INDICTED
w York Official Charged With
Taking S500 Unlawfully.
NEW YORK. Jan. 13. The first in
dictment arising from ex-Governor
Whitman's Investigation of the co
administration came today when Will
iam A. Bailey, police captain, was
charged with accepting unlawful fees,
and was arrested.
The specific allegation was that
the captain had unlawfully accepted
$500 from William Duke, assistant
manager of the Association of Fur
Manufacturers, last August, in re
turn for protection given the manu
facturers against possible sabotage
by striking employes.
GOODING TO TAKE OATH
iduhoan Will Become Senator on
Saturday. When Nugent Quits.
THEOREGON1AX NEWS BUREAU,
Washington, Jan. 13. Frank R.
Gooding, who arrived here a few days
ago, will take the oath Saturday as a
senator from Idaho.
Senator Gooding will take over the
office suite in the senate office build
ing now occupied by Senator Nugent,
who vacates to go ou the federal
U adv commission. m
i ?
Children Without Pretty
Things, Says Parent.
MATE LOSES JOB, FUNDS LOW
Woman Confesses to Police
Robbing Six City Homes.
RICH PLUNDER RECOVERED
Jewelry, Silk Wearing Apparel and
Many Costly Garments Found.
Husband lb Exonerated.
Portland's woman burglar was cap
tured yesterday noon by Police -Inspectors
Morak and McCulloch. She
is Mrs. Mabel Weber, aged 23. and the
mother of three small children. The
arrest was made at the woman's base
ment apartment, 597 Madison street,
where much loot stolen from Portland
homes was recovered. Mrs. Weber
made a full confession, police detec
tives said.
She took up burglary in Portland
to get food and better clothing for
her three babies, Mrs. Weber said as
she reclined in a chair in the woman's
department of the jail.
"My hus-band provided for us, such
as it was, but I wanted the babies to
have better things." she said. "My
husband has not had steady work and
it has been a hard matter for us to
get along."
Month Served in Prison.
The police learned that Mrs. Weber
served a term in the Washington state
penitentiary at Walla Walla under
the name of Mabel Morris, for grand
larceny. She was sent to the peni
tentiary on June 13, 1919, to serve
from two to 15 years. The prison
records at Walla Walla showed she
received a conditional pardon from
Governor Hart on July 29. 1919. She
was an inmate of the prison a little
more than a month.
One of the conditions of this parole
was that she should not leave the
state of Washington without the con
sent of the governor. She admitted
yesterday afternoon that she had vio
lated the conditions of this pardon in
coming to Portland about a year ago.
"I wrote to the governor asking for
permission to come, but never got a
reply," she suid.
Six City Homed Plundered.
Police detectives said they had re
covered loot which the woman had
taken from six Portland homes. They
are continuing the Investigation in
the belief that still more plunder will
be found. Mrs. Weber has admitted
to them, the police said, that she has
stolen from six different stores and
homes.
Included in the loot found in the
woman's apartment were many silk
(Concluded on Page 2, Column 3.)
ONE
i
Option of $25 for Each Month of
Service or $3 00 0 Loan for Farm
or Home Favored.
Not less than 1500 veterans of the
world war, at an open session in the
armory last night, called by Portland
post of the American Legion, roared
affirmation to a resolution calling
upon the Oregon legislature to allow
ex-service men the option of $25 for
each month of service or a $3000 farm
or home loan. In the negative but a
few scattered voices arose.
The action of the veterans, forecast
by their attitude toward speakers for
and against the bonus question, was
taken upon an amendment to the
original motion presented by Thomas
Sweeney, which called for a $3000
home loan, and the appointment of a
committee, named by the governor,
to determine whether cash loans or
actual bonus should be given in cer
tain indicated cases, such as needy or
disabled ex-service men.
Though the home-loan feature of
the dual measure, whioh will prob
ably be presented to the present leg
islature, met with the vociferous ap
proval of the big assemblage, it was
frequent and specific mention of the
cash bonus that wrought applause.
And yet more applause greeted speak
ers who asastled the "committee of
ten," which recently published a
newspaper statement in argument
against the bonus plan.
Various veterans, scattered through
out the hall, declared that those who
oppose bonus plans are "white -col
lared guys," that many disabled vet
erans are now without proper funds
or med ical care, that ex-service men
are out of work, and their families in
want, and that neither monument a
nor memorials are so badly needed as
financial aid and employment.
Edward J. Kiver
state adjutant,
and Mr. Sweeney both assured the
veterans that sentiment at Salem
against an indiscriminate cash bonus,
and that the lawmakers will not pass
such a measure to benefit able-bodied
men, though it is probable that the
farm and home loan feature will be
approved.
Among the speakers for the bonus
plan were Mike Brennan, T. R. Ma
honey, alter Gleason, Vernon M.
Parsons, past-commander, and a score
of others. Members of the commit
tee of ten" braved the jeers of the
assembly and declared that they had
the courage of their convictions the
courage to brand a cash bonus for all
veterans as unworthy of their serv
ice. "I am absolutely opposed to asking
the state of Oregon to donate one
cent!" asserted James R. Bain.
"You don't have to take it!" cried
a voice from the medley of derision.
When E. C. Sammons, another of
the "committee of ten," defended his
attitude, a disabled veteran arose in
the gallery to Inquire why the com
mission in charge of the soldiers' and
sailors' fund, of which $50,000 re
mains unexpended, does not apply the
fund to the relief of needy veterans
and their families. Mr. Sammons is a
member of the commission, and his
attempt to explain that the fund can
not be so administered, beyond cer
tain limitations, was met by the state
ment that a list of 35 names could be
furnished, all of ex-service men, 1)1
(Concluded on Page , Column 1.
OF AUNTIE'S PECULIAR NOTIONS.
Xeither Governor Xor His Private
Secretary Will Intimate Con
tents of Document.
STATE HOUSE. Salem, Or., Jan. 13.
(Special.) Utmost secrecy is hedged
around a special message Governor
Olcott will unleash on the legislature
next Monday.
A request came from the governor's
office today asking for a Joint session
of senate and house at 2:30 o'clock
Monday afternoon to receive a special
message. The message is regarded as
a "surprise," but Governor Olcott ex
plains that It should not be so desig
nated. However, neither the governor
nor his private secretary will give
the slightest intimation as to the na
ture of the document.
The message may be with regard
to the proposed budget system, rec
ommendations of the tax supervision
commission or any one of a dozen
other topics.
FIRE CAUSES $7000 LOSS
Building at Third and Everett
. Streets Damaged.
Fire last night caused between $7000
apd $8000 damage in the building
owned by L. A. Milne of Eugene, Or..
Third and Everett streets. The flames
broke through the roof at one time
and the frame structure seemed
doomed. Quick and efficient work by j
the ire department brought the loss
to a minimum.
According to Patrolmen Nelson and
Miller of the automobile theft bureau,
who turned in the alarm, the fire
started in the Heacock Spark Ar
rester company, 2ol Everett. It quickly
spread to the Terminus hotel, owned
I by T. Nitta. The Heacock company
I carried $1500 insurance and the room
house was said to be insured for
$2500. Eleven engine companies an
swered the. call, but the flames were
controlled by those which reached
the scene first.
PHELAN SECRETARY WINS
Indictment of Senator's Aide Is
Quashed in Federal Court.
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 13. An In
dictment charging John D. Costello,
secretary to United States Senator
Phelan, with a- violation of the fed
eral prohibition enforcement law,
was quashed by United States Dis
trict Judge Dooling today when he
upheld a demurrer to the charge.
The demurrer declared that no
specific charge had been made against
Costello.
OREGON SENATOR GAINS
Chamberlain's Temperature for
mal; to Be in Hospital Weeks.
THE OKEGONI AN NEWS BUREAU,
Washington, Jan. 13. Senator Cham
berlain's temperature returned to
normal today end he appeared to be
ieeling more comfortable and hope
ful after several setbacks.
At the best, it is said, he cannot
hope to leave the hospital for many
1 weeks.
Control of Political Prob
lems Is Task.
RESOLUTION IS INTRODUCED
Legislative and Congression
al Puzzles Faced.
PERSONAL AMBITIONS UP
Many Senators Eager for Place on
Body in Hopes of Furthering
Chances for Congress.
II n. Ill n.li I OV SESSION OF
ORKiO. LEGISLATURE.
Eleven bills and two resolu
tions introduced in house.
Resolution extending time of
legislative session to 60 days
ajid increasing pay of members
to $5 a day introduced.
Resolution redisricting state
for representation In legisla
ture presented.
Adjournment taken at noon
until 11 A. M. Monday.
Application to unseat Herbert
Gordon tabled until Monday
morning.
; j
STATU HOUSE, Salem,, Jan. 13.
(Special.) Control of the programme
for reapportionment of legislative
districts and making new congres
sional districts will be placed in the
Lhands of 10 members, if Senator Up
ton s joint resolution, introduced to
day, is adopted. The resolution calls
for a committee of five from the sen
ate and five from the house, the
president and speaker being included,
to consider all proposed legislation
along that line.
Providing the Joint resolution is
carried, President Ritner and Speaker
Bean, working together, will have
the entire situation in their hands
and they have an organization suf
ficiently strong to put through any
programme they may decide on.
Geographical Issue I Up.
Speaker Bean hai been inclined to
the idea of having the respective
resolutions committee handle the sub
ject, but some opposition is made to
this by President Ritner. who holds
that a wider geographical distribu
tion can be obtained by making spe
cial selections.
The senate committee of five will
probably consist of President Ritner.
Senator Upton as father of the reso
lution, Senator Patterson and either;
Senator Banks or Senator Moser.
There still remains a fifth one to
complete the committee of five. Sen
ator Norblad wants to be on the com
mittee, as he is an aspirant for con
gress, and has offered one bill cre
ating new- districts, and Senator Den
nis wants to be on the committee
because he doesn't want the second
congressional district, represented by
N. J. Sinnott, disturbed.
Other Mmo Seek Place.
Of course, there are other members
of the senate who crave appointment
on the committee, but they are
doomed to disappointment.
In the house it is a little more
difficult to forecast the prospective
personnel of the committee. However,
Speaker Bean, Representative Bur.
dick. Representative Kubli and Rep
resentative Gallagher are reasonably
close guesses as to four of the five.
Already' Norblad has a bill to
create new congressional districts
and Representative Lynn today pre
sented a measure to change the con
stitution so that there shall be a
senate of 40 members and a house
of 80 members. Those are but pre
liminary to other measures dealing
with the . congressional and legisla
tive districts.
Problem Simply Political.
The reapportionment problem is
simply political. The Joint resolu
tion, provided it is adopted, as it
most likely will be, will give ad
vantage to what is knovssi as the
"organization." So far, no one has
positive ideas on redistricting the
legislature. To get at the matter
properly will require mathematical
study. The population figures must
be taken into consideration whether
the legislature is being reapportioned
or whether a new congressional dis
trict is being carved out.
Mr. Lynn's joint resolution will
have to be referred to the voters if
It is favored by the legislature. His
plan 'is to Increase the total member
ship from 90 to 120. Mr. Lynn's
programme calls for each county hav-
ing one representative at least but
that any future counties created shall
not have a single representative un
less such counties have a population
oft more than 5000.
Another Amendment Offered.
Another amendment to the consti
tution is proposed by Mr. Lynn. This
proposes the old idea of increasing
the salary of members from $3 to $5 a
day. In addition to mileage. A some
what similar measure has been of
fered in the senate, although the peo
ple emphatically rejected the proposal
to increase, legislative salaries two
months ago.
Senator Upton's Joint .eSolution
calling for the special committee to
(Concluded on Page c. Column ess
Patrolmen Working on Auto Theft
-Uvidenlally I'ncovcr Gang.
Seven Robberies Admitted.
White working upon a case on the
east side last night, Patrolmen Seely
and Parmely of the auto theft de
partment unwittingly solved the
identity of prowlers who have been I
responsible for numerous burglaries
of the last two weeks. The burglars
were boys between 13 and 16 years
old, who confessed to entering seven
homes and gave information which
may implicate them in several more.
The policemen were near the cor
ner of East Eighteenth and Alberta
streets when they observed two forms
disappear into the dark doorway of
an apartment house. Investigation
landed Alec Samuelson, 16, and Law
rence Smith, 16. In police headquar
ters. Samuelson was found $0 be
carrying a- .38 revolver, cartridges,
flashlight and pass keys. Smith was
content with a flashlight and sev
eral pass keys. Under examination
they implicated Burton Martin. 13,
and James Christensen. 13. both of
whom admitted complicity in several
burglaries, according to the police.
Among the houses entered were
those at Thirty-second and Webster,
27 Jarrett, 24 Jarrett, Nineteenth
and Skidmire and 960 East Twen
ty - first street North. Articles
taken ranged from copper cents
to an expensive automatic pistol
and jewelry. The boys declared that
their depredations had all been com
mitted within the past two wcekB.
"Here's a sample of the burglars
who are terrorizing Portland." said
Mayor Baker, after he had listened
to the cross-examination of the
youths. "State emphatically when
you write your story that from now
on the curfew lid is to be clamped
down tight. No parental excuses will
be accepted.''
Police brought out that the boys
had been "ganging" together for a
period ranging fivm months to two
years, depending on when the several
members moved into the neighbor
hood. When younger they were con
tent with small offenses, such as
smoking cigarettes behind barns;
growing older, more thrills were re
quired. Young Smith said that they
did most of the Jobs so as to obtain
revolvers with which to practice
shooting in the "slough."
Alec Samuelson is the son of Sander
Samuelson, a hardware dealer, re
siding at 1029 East Twenty-first
street. It was from this store that
the boys procured their flashlights
and cartridges, they said. Lawrence
Smith is the stepson of Claud Dunbar,
811 Killingsworth avenue. James
Christensen is the son of Ray Chris
tensen, 960 East Twenty-first street
north (one of the houses which the
boys confessed to entering). Burton
Martin is the son of E. J. Martin. 610
Going street. All of the boys were
detained for the juvenile authorities.
INDEX OF TODAYS NEWS
The Weather.
YESTERDAY'S Maximum temperature.
50 degrees, minimum. 41 degrees.
TODAY'S Itain; southerly winds.
Foreign.
Policy of America in Russia is outlined.
Page ".
Political collapse of Austria is at hand
Page 4.
North Dakota representative rebukes in
terests clamoring for hish tariff
Page 1.
National.
Daniels denies permitting filer's wife to I actions in grain. The, house commit-ci.-o
nt halloon triD letter. Page 2. I tee on agriculture was told todav.
give out balloon trip letter, rage 2. I
Permits to sell liquor on American ships!
asked. Fa.se l,
Less haste advised in congressional redis
tricting by states. Page L
Domestic.
Mayor of Cork testifies Dcrore committee
of 100. Page L
Townley'a career brief and stormy. Page 5.
Legislature.
Long-time loan proposed as bonus substi
tute. I'age 8.
Joint oommitlee proposed to handle con
gressional and legislative redistricting.
Page 1.
Olcott gives notice of secret message,
i'age L
Protection of road contractors proposed.
Page 8.
Pacifie Mori Invest.
Washington labor fights tew bureau.
Page 9.
Movement started In Idaho for vast recla
mation programme. Page 7.
Sports.
Devere gets ready for the fight tonight
Page 14.
Revision of drafting ruins Is started.
Page 14.
Wilde is defeated by Herman. Page 11.
Commercial and .Marine.
American wheat crop may have been over
sold. P 21.
Official figures on Argentine surplus weaa
en Chlc.tgo wheat market. Page 21.
Stock shorts resume drive against special
ties. Page 2L
Port bills giving local organization greater
powers ready for legislature. Page 20
Improvements for terminal No. 4 ordered
by dock commission. Page 20.
Portland and Vicinity.
Three babes In want. Portland mother be
comes ourgiar. i -.
District attorneys gather for annual con
vention Page 15.
Etberldge awaits receiver's call to aid in
audit I'age o
I launch fnrmallv , ,-r.-
"lve marketing associations. Page 12
campaign against punch board ... begun
Page 9.
Seven bone houses of Portland desire state
supervision. Page 12. '
Automobile show continues to be big draw
ing card Page 22.
Bend commercial club ask legislature to
intervene in irrigation controversiws in
central Oregon. Page 13.
Boys are arrested as beach burglarj.
Page 22
Council passes strict soft drink ordinance.
Page 3.
Council restricts the parking of taxlcaba
Page 4.
Shadow escapes In rain of lead from 15
police and deputies. Page L.
1500 veterans at armory roar approval of
state bonus. Page 1.
Discharged Inspector blames department
heads for faulty sewer work. Page ti.
James John and Hawthorne schools to be
built in 11121, Doaru uecio.es. I'ajje o.
matam seven home robberies. Page 1.
House Fight Against In
crease is Brewing.
OPPOSITION GAINS STRENGTH
Some Legislatures, However,
Are Going Right Ahead.
INEFFICIENCY IS FEARED
Gillctt, Cauiiou and Clark Are
Planning to Defeat Move lor
Larger Membership.
THE ORKGON1A.N NEWS BURE 1".
Washington, Jan. 13. States which
are entitled to one or more additional
representatives in the lower branch
of congress under the terms of the
Siegel reapportionment bill recently
approveu by the republican caucus,
it was understood today. Will be
quietly advised by leaders In their
legislatures, to go slowly in passing
redistric :lng measures.
House leaders have heard that some
of the state legislatures have accepted
the recent action of the republicau
caucus as final, and have begun draft
ing measures to be hurried through
without awaiting tlio definite and
final action of congress It has be
come apparent in the last day or two
that formidable opposition Is develop
ing toward any programme to in
crease the house membership.
l.nrger Membership Sought.
Speaker Gillctt of Massachusetts
ex-Speaker Cannon of Illinois, both
republicans, and ex-Speaker Clark,
democrat, have been planning to make .
a fight on tbe floor to defeat any
larger membership. Oregon and Wash
ington were Included in the stales
which would have Increased member
ship under the Siegel bill, eacii receiv
ing one additional representative.
Their legislatures have begun con
sidering the question of redistricting
"I am opposed to an Increase in the
house of representatives." said Speak
er Gillett. "That was my position 21)
years ago when the house was en
larged, and It was my position ten
years ugo when wc passed the present
law increasing the membership to
435. I am strongly opposed to adding
48 new members to the house.
"Generally speaking, I am opposed
to It because I think increased mem
bership tends toward inefficiency. The
house is too large today, according to
my opinion, and it will be even more
unwieldy and. 1 am afraid, less effi
cient with a membership of 483 as
is proposed."
Inefficiency Is Feared.
Champ Clark said that the larger
the house becomes the more unruly as
well as the more Inefficient it be
comes. "We cannot go on adding to
the house Indefinitely," said "Uncle
Joe" Cannon. "There must be an end
somewhere, and I think the end has
been reached. I cannot sec any advan
tage in a bigger house."
From everywhere in 'the wheat
growing sections of the country are
coming petitions for the enactment
j of legislation to prevent future traos-
tee on
however
by F. A. Chamberlain, a
Minneapolis banker, that tlio farmer
would be tnc loser if the practice of
hedging or future trading on grain
exchanges were slopped.
Speaking of the niatter from a
banker's standpoint alone, he said
there never had been a time in his
more than 30 years of experience
when receipts for grain were not con
sidered one of the best securities
for a loan; that the value of this se
curity was enhanced by the fact that
market facilities under present condi
tions gave an unrestricted market and
that if hedging or future trading
were prevented, as has been proposed
in legislation now before the com
mittee, bankers would require larger
margins on loans secured by grain
receipts, that tho market would be
restricted, and that losses would re
sult to the producers and consumers.
Market Broadened by Trade.
"I have no doubt In saying that
the freer the grain market the better
is grain as security for a loan," he
said, answering questions from tbe
committee.
"Do you think that farmers would
not receive as much for their grain
as they do now if it were not for tho
grain exchanges and the system of
marketing on which they operate?"
asked Representative McLaughlin of
Michigan.
"I am sure of that," said Mr. Cham
berlain. He said further that those
who tried to deal in grain without
hedging had met with financial dis
aster, and that successful farmers'
elevators are just as much In favor
of hedging as are the grain ex
changes. "Any kind of trading that Is legiti
mate," he said, "has a tendency to
broaden the market and that is of
benefit to the grower as well as to
other branches of the grain trade."
Paper Company Incorporates.
VICTORIA. B. C. Jan. 13. The pro
vincial registrar of companies today
announced that the Prince Rupert
Pulp Paper company, Ltd., with a
capitalization of J4. 000.000. has been
incorporated with the object of man
ufacturing paper on a large scale it
itbera Hrilisli CfliiBi bh