Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937, February 12, 1921, Image 1

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POKTLAIN'D, OREGON, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1921
TRICE FIVE CENTS
V
HARDING
GETTING
CUBIT Lie UP
Final Decision Expected
in Next Few Days.
MORE CONFERENCES SLATED
Hughes, Dawes and Davis to
Go to St. Augustine.
EACH LIKELY TO GET JOB
rrcsidont-Elect Disposes of Another
Long List of Miscellaneous
Appointments.
" ST. AUGUSTINE. Via., Feb. 11
Fresident-elect Harding today dis
posed of another long list of miscel
laneous appointments. Conferences
scheduled for the next few days are
expected to clear up the whole ques
tion of cabinet selections.
. The names of three of those ex
pected here soon attracted particular
attention, because all of them were
known to have been under serious
consideration for cabinet places.
They are Charles Evans Hughes of
New York. Charles G. Dawes of 111 i
nois and J. G. Davis of Pennsylvania,
considered for the portfolios of state,
treasury and labor, respectively.
Mr. Hughes is generally conceded to
be the president-elect's choice for aec
letary of state, and the fact that be
is coming to Florida was accepted to
day as one more indication that he
will get the appointment.
Diplomacy Slated for Parley.
It is expected that at the conference
the two will discuss the whole ques
tion of preliminary diplomatic steps
toward formation of an association of
nations.
The prospective visit of Mr. Dawes
who recently got into the limelight
by a spectacular denunciation of the
republican congressional committee's
investigation of the conduct of the
war. is more of an enigma. It was
understood in December that he was
foremost in Mr. Harding's mind for
the treasury position, but In recent
. weeks the friends of other aspirants
have become active.
No announcement has been made of
a formal appointment for Mr. Dawes,
but he is expected in St. Augustine.
Flattering; Reports Heard.
It Is understood that Mr. Harding
has heard flattering reports of his
capability, but desired a closer per
sonal acquaintance before reaching- a
decision.
Today the president-elect again
conferred with Senator Wadsworth
and Charles D. Hi lies of New Tork
anl John Barrett, ex-head of the pan-
American union.
After his talk with the president
elect, Mr. Barrett issued a statement
predicting that the attitude of the
coming adminisration would be one
of friendliness for pan-America and
that men ol highest qualifications
would be chosen to the pan-American
ambassadorships. He invited Mr.
Ilardirg to attend the lnveiling of a
ttatue of Boliver in New York next
April.
Mrs. Harding, who has passed the
last three weeks shopping and at
tending to other personal errands in
Washington and New York, joined
the president-elect here tonight to
temain until he leaves for Marion,
February 2S.
Dr. C. E. Sawyer of Marlon, Presl
dent-elect Harding's physician, also
arrived here tonight and will remain
with the Harding party during the
remainder of the visit to Florida.
Although there has been no def
inite announcement, it is considered
likely that he will be made the White
House physician during the coming
administration.
HAIR PUFF IS RENOUNCED
Wheaton College Girls Appear in
Old-Style Headdress.
NORTON. Mass, Feb. 11. Puffing
the hair at the ears will disappear at
Wheaton college If the campaign
Just begun by the second-year gins
succeeds. Hair nets, toe but this
for the sake of economy.
At dawn the rest of the student
body was awakened by the sound of
beating drums and blaring wind in
struments to find the sophomores
parading, all wearing their hair "old
style" and with their e.rs bared,
many for the first time n months.
Banners explained that the campaign
was for reform in hair dressing and
economy in the interest of the en
dowment fund.
Later the freshmen Indorsed the
latter purpose by hurling from the
roof of the dormitory building an
effigy of the slacker who does not
do her part.
PRESIDENT FEELS BETTER
Executive Sufficiently Recovered
to Crack Little Joke.
WASHINGTON, D. C. Feb ,11. The
best "Inside story" In Washington.
D. C, today Is one of President Wil
son's witticisms.
Recently the president listened
patiently to a man who impressed him
as having little intellectual depth.
"That man," said the president, "is
a simple bungalow He bas no upper
story whatever."
PEOPLE FEAR DEAF
WOMAN'S FORECAST
DUMB PREACHER PRODUCES
PAXIC IX KENTUCKY.
Holy Roller Evangelist Predicts
Great Calamity to Come and
Population Is Leaving.
LEXINGTON, Ky., Feb. 11. (Spe
cial.) A deaf and dumb woman
preacher has thrown superstitious
people about Madisonville. Ky., into a
J state of panic. She is a "holy roller"
evangelist and Is holding a revival i
Madisonville. which is & coal mining
town in the western part of the state.
She has predicted in sign language
from her pulpit tnjt a great calamity
will befall the town in a short time,
but has not specified he date.
She cannot read or write and her
sign languagetis Interpreted by one
of her co-workers. The prophet Is
Mrs. Jessie White and she has been a
preacher for several years. Scores
have been converted by her sign
language pleas. She has gained a
great hold upon her congregation and
hundreds hear her at every meeting.
Several people are reported to have
left Madisonville and vicinity because
of the woman's prediction of a calam
ity. Efforts are being made to secure
from her some definite idea as to
when the dire visitation will take
place, but so far in vain.
The "holy rollers" recently pre
dicted a calamity at Louisa, in the
eastern part of the state, because of
the alleged Iniquity of the citizens. I bullainK was made in the senate to
but it has not materialized. Hundreds j day by senator Borah, republican of
of persons fled that vicinity, at the jdah0t during a general debate on
time and most of them are still away.
U. S. SAILORS ATTACKED
Five Bluejackets Fired At and One
Wounded in Vladivostok.
TOKIO. Feb. 11. Five American
bluejackets were, fired at by unidenti
fied persons in Vladivostok Tuesday
night, one of them being wounded,
says the Asahl Shlmbun's Vladivostok
correspondent today
The Americans, reinforced by Rus
sian policemen, arrested three Rus
sian officers formerly under the late
General Kappel. once commander of
the western armles'of the Omsk gov
ernment, the correspondent adds.
The impression in Vladivostok, ac
cording to the correspondent, was
that the attack was arranged by com
munists with the object of straining
relations between Japan and the i
United States.
WASHINGTON, D. C, Feb. 11. The
attack on five American bluejackets
at Vladivostok Tuesday night, as an
nounced by the Asahl Shimbun of
Tokio, had not been reported to
night to the navy department In the
absence of an off'clal report, de
partment officials refused comment.
"QUEEN OF HEAVEN" SUED
Alienation of Affections of "Jeho
vah" Sykes Is Charged.
DENVER. Feb. 11. Marie Friede,
appointed queen of heaven by Joshua
(Jehovah) Sykes, head of the Taber
nacle of David here, was notified to
day that Mrs. Emma Skyes, wife of
Joshua, was bringing suit agaalst
her for $50,000 for alleged alienation
of the affections of Sykes.
Sykes has been sentenced to the
federal penitentiary for alleged viola
tion of the espionage act during the
war. He formerly bad a tabernacle
in Oakland, CaL
Mrs. Sykes' complaint states that
she and Joshua Sykea were married
B married T
ie, who ia I
lue influ- I
in 1893, but that Mrs. Friede,
a widow, has obtained "und
ence and control," and has completely J
alienated Sykes' affections from his
wife.
Followers of Sykes say he plans to
leave Mrs. Friede in charge of the (
tabernacle while he serves his term
in the penitentiary.
MORE NAVY CLERKS OUT
Further Reduction Is Caused by
Lack of Funds for Payrolls.
WASHINGTON, D. C Feb. 11.
Lack of funds has caused a further
reduction in the number of clerical
employes at l-avy yards, it was
learned today at the navy depart
ment. Orders have gne out to discharge
enough cicrks to' reduce the total sal
aries for the last six months of the
year $52,000. as compared with the
first half.
The number of mechanical employes
has been reduced from 83,000 at the
time of the armistice to less than 60,
000, it was sala.
MELBA IS SERIOUSLY ILL
Grand Opera Prima Donna Stricken
With Influenza at Monte Carlo.
LONDON, Feb. 11. Nellie Melba. I
the grand opera prima donna, is
seriously ill with influenza at Monte
Carlo, according to a special dispatch
received here.
Madame Melba, who was born in
Melbourne. Australia, has a world
wide reputation as a grand opera
singer. She. made her debut in 1887
In Brussels as Gilda In "Rigoletto."
CIGARETTE LAW KILLED
Arkansas Legislature Lets Down
Bars Raised by Statute.
LITTLE ROCK. Ark, Feb. 11. The
house this afternoon passed a senate
bill repealing the anti-cigarette law
of Arkansas. The bill now goes to
the governor for his signature.
The repeal measure provides for
the sale of olgarettes. except to
minors, and for licensing dealers.
;
TO CURB U.S. NAVY
HELD BRITISH AIM
Borah Says Propaganda
Has Been Intimated.
HEARING REVELATIONS VEILED
Congress Should Haye Proof
Is Senator's Declaration.
WORLD PACT IS URGED
Reduction of Building Programmes
Again Advocated Capital Ships
Investigation Is Wanted.
WASHINGTON, D. C, Feb. 11.
The statement that ne had received
suggestions that Great Britain wis
"circulating propaganda" in this
. .... .A Hutr American naval
disarmament.
"We understand," he said, "that the
facts were in possession of the navy
department."
Senator Poindexter, republican of
Washington, author of the senate
naval committee's recent adverse re
port on Senator Borah's suggestion
for a six months' naval holiday, in
answer to a question whether the
committee's investigation had dis
closed any such situation, replied
that there had been "some testimony"
on the subject, but the committee did
not believe it should be made public.
"If this information is in the bands
of the navy department," Senator
Eorah said, "congress should have it.
We are informed that in the archives
of the navy department there is proof
of the propaganda conducted by Great
Britain."
Agreement Is Advocated.
"At the same time we are told that
the British ambassador Is on his way
here to suggest a disarmament con
ference." Santor Borah again urged that an
agreement be reached between the
naval powers for reduction of build
ing programmes and also advocated a
careful investigation to determine
whether capital ships are tactically
obsolete.
"Unless there Is an agreement be
tween the United States and the pow
ers competing in-naval building," he
said, "it will lead to war Inevitably."
Opinions of American, British, Ger
man and tner naval experts that
capital ships have become obsolete
were presented by Senator. Borah. He
read from & letter by an American
rear-admiral, retired, who suld:
"I would stake my life that in a
few years a surface navy alone can
go nowhere but to the bottom."
The name of the officer who wrote
(Concluded on Page 2, Column 1.)
I UP AGAINST IT. j
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FORGED CHECK LEADS
BRIDE-TO-BE TO JAIL
LOXGIXG FOR FIXE TROUSSEAU
TOO MUCH FOR GIRL, 19.
Fiance Persuades Judge to Alow
Sweetheart to Go, and They
Will Be Married Today.
VANCOUVER, Wash, Feb. 11.
(Special.) Desire to get pretty clothes
for her trousseau today led to the
arrest of pretty Miss Mabel Olds. 19,
of Portland, on a charge of attempt
ing to pass a worthless check in ex
change for garments at a store here.
She pleaded guilty and Judge Simpson
continued the case for sentence.
Miss Olds left the court in company
with Ernest Allbright, also of Port
land, to whom she is to. be married
in Portland tomorrow. Mr. Allbright
protested that his pretty sweetheart's
love of finery had in no way changed
his affection for her.
"She can have lots of pretty things
when we're married," he declared.
Miss Olds went to the Stokes dry
goods store here and selected a va
viety of feminine gear, to the amount
of $69.55. She offered in payment a
check for $70 drawn on the Vancouver
National bank.
The store cashier telephoned to the
bank to see If the check was irood.
While he was talking Miss Olds left
tne store hurriedly. The bank de
clined to cash the check, and the po
lice captured Miss Olds in a stage
bound for Portland.
After her arrest the elrl telephoned
for her fiance, who came here from
Portland to help her. She told the
court that the child's welfare com
mission had taken her from her
mother several years ago, following
complaints that the mother was cruel
to her. Since she left the care of the
commission, she said, she hart sun-
ported herself and had not lived at
home.
BONE-DRY LAW ATTACKED
Unconstitutionality by Error In
Title Is Alleged.
WASHINGTON, D. C. Feb. 11. A
new attack on the Reed bone-dry
amendment, already declared consti
tutional' by the supreme court, was
filed Thursday by Max Wagman of
Detroit in the form of a petition for a
review of his conviction of violating
that statute.
Wagman said the Reed act was "a
rider, or insertion to the postofflce
appropriation act" of 1918 and was
unconstitutional, since the title of the
carrying legislation did not state its
objects and purposes."
LITTLE EVA "DANGEROUS"
Legislature Asked to Bar Girls Un
der 16 From Playing Part.
MADISON, Wis.. Feb. 11. The Wis
consin legislature was asked this
morning to .pass a law forbidding
girls under 16 years of age playing
the part of Little Eva in "Uncle Tom's
Cabin," by members of the Methodist
church of Palmyra, Wis
The petitioners said that so young
person In the play had an un
wholesome effect upon the audience
and that the effect upon the youthful
actress likewise was not for the best
Interest of the child.
EGGS ARE 25 CENTS
RETAIL AT SALEM
LOWEST POIXT IXr SEVEX
, YEARS IS REACHED.
Further Reduction in Prices of
Crude Oil Are Announced
Food Prices Fall.
SALEM, Or, Feb. 11. The egg mar
ket In this city has reached Its lowest
point in seven years. Eggs today
sold at 25 cents a dozen retail.
Eggs sold In Portland yesterday
for from 35 to 40 cents retail.
FORT WORTH, Tex, Feb. 11.
Eggs retailed for So cents a dozen
here today, the lowest price since
1915.
PITTSBURG, Veb. 11. The princi
pal oil-purchf.sing agencies today
have announced a further reduction
in the price of crude oil. All grades
werecut 60 cents a barrel. '
The new prices announced today
follow Pennsylvania crude, $4.25
barrel; Cabell. $2.96; Somerset. $2.25;
Somerset light, $2.50; Ragland, $1.25.
HOUSTON. Tex., Feb. 11. Restau
rants here today announced reduc
tions from 25 to 40 per centC in many
cases bringing food prices, they an
nounced, "almost back to pre-war
levels."
The Gulf Pipe Line company an
nounced a cut of 25 cents In the price
of coastal crude today,. bringing it to
$1.25.
SHERIDAN, Wyo, Feb. 11. Mayor
Camplin today issued a proclamation
designating the week of February 13
to' 20 as "optimists' week." He urged
citizens to begin buying now "to take
advantage of low prices" which, he
alleged, had been restored.
REDS' DESIGNS DISCLOSED
State Department Said to Have Se
cret Meeting Report.
PARIS. Feb. 11. The American
state department, according to the
Petit Parisien today, is believed to
have obtained a stenographic copy of
tho proceedings of the International
bolshevik propaganda committee
which met secretly in the suburbs
of Brussels at the end of December.
This committee is said to main
tain headquarters near Bremen, from
which efforts to foster uprisings in
all countries have been directed and
information centralized for directing
a secret committee known only to the
directors in charge of the work in
- -- ......... Tfi... rflra.lnp. .n 'I -
eaten tuuuuj- J . . -.. ..............
nurncu ioiia L ..... ... , . '
The Bi'emen headquarters, and not
Moscow, is said to handle all foreign
propaganda. It is reported that 600
agents are listed.
C00LIDGE MAY GET LIFT
Senate Votes Increase of ,$3000
Year for Vice-President.
WASHINGTON, D. C. Feb. 11. A
salary increase of $3000 a year from
$12,000 to $15.000 was voted for
Vice-President Coolidge today by the
senate.
The i nate at the same time re
duced his already small patronage
roll by striking out a provision for a
private telegraph operator at $1500 a
year.
STATE TO POCKET
ALL BRIDGETDLLS
Governor Olcott Will Be
Apointed Collector.
MISMANAGEMENT IS CHARGED
Gordon's Bill Takes Authority
From Commissioners.
OREGON IS OUT $152,000
Multnomah County Uses Money to
Help Pay for Marquam Hill
Hospital, Is Rumor.
STATE HOUSE, Salem, Or.. Feb. 11.
(Special.) As Multnomaii county
commissioners refuse to turn over to
the state of Oregon the tolls belong
ing to the state, from the Interstate
bridge, authority to collect the tolls
will be taken from the county com
missioners and vested in the gover
nor. This drastic action is now under
way in the form of a bill which
appeared in the house today.
In effect, it means that the Mult
nomah county commissioners have
made a failure of handling the tolls
and the governor Is stepping In' as
receiver to protect the interests of
the state.
Multnomah county commissioners.
for reasons best known to them
selves, have not turned in to ' the
secretary of state approximately
$152,000 of bridge revenue. The pre
sumption Is that a large part of this
money belonging to and not paid to
the state has been diverted to help
pay for the hospital being built on
Marquam hill.
Maar Demands, jffnored.
Repeated demands have been made
on the county commission to hand
over the money, without result.
Tr'i checking over sources of revenue
ien examining appropriation bills
last night it was discovered by the
ways and means committee, of which
Herbert Gordon of Multnomah is
chairman, that the bridge money is
short. As the state needs every
dollar due it to meet demands of
institutions, the ways and means
committee decided that Chairman
Gordon should devise some method
to make Multnomah county pay the
state.
Following a conference with Gov
ernor Olcott and Secretary of State
Kozer, Mr. Gordon worked out a plan
which wr.s embodied In a bilL The
state does not wish to sue the county,
and as the Multnomah commissioners
have not surrendered the state's
money, the virtual receivership was
agreed on.
Olcott to Name Agent.
Governor Olcott, as chief executive
is directed to take over the collection
ot interstate bridge revenues with
power to designate an agent. The
governor will place this matter in
the hands of the state highway de
partment. Once the governor be
ccmes the collector, he will retain
the share of Multnomah county as
well as of the state until all the
unpaid balance has been placed in
the state's coffers.
After the state Is reimbursed for
the sum which Multnomah county, is
now holding back the governor will
see that the county resumes receipt
of its allotted percentage, but not
before.
With the Interests of the taxpayers
of the state to be protected from
I mismanagement, the legislature is
expected to rush the bin through In
short time. With an emergency
c:ause attached, there need be no
occasion to wait for the customary
SO days.
Veto of Bill Pnllkely.
' Because the state Is in need of all
revenues available there is little like
lihood that the governor will veto
the bill if it reaches his office. With
the backing of the ways and means
committee Mr. Gordon expects little
opposition to the measure.
Getting statements or money from
Multnomah county commissioners on
Interstate , bridge' matters has been
slow business.
On November 7, 1918, a statement
of the receipts and disbursements
from the operation of the bridge was
filed by Multnomah county ,wlth the
secretary of state. This statement
covered the calendar year ending
December 31, 1917, and showed a
total amount of net tolls aggregating
$70,268.82, of which amount 75 per
cent, or $52,701.62, was remitted by
the county to the treasurer on Janu
ary 3. 1920, arter demands therefor
had been made by the secretary of
state in accordance with the law.
9304,792 Estimated Dae.
On January 2, 1920, a statement of
tolls for the period between January
1, 1918 and May 28. 1919, was re
ceived by the secretary of state. This
statement showed net tolls of $232,
401.31. of which sum the state's 75
per cent amounted to $174,300.98. On
January . 7, of this year, the state
treasurer received from Multnomah
county $100,000 on account, leaving
a balance due in keeping w'th the
statement rendered $74,300.98.
The secretary of state estimates
that the state Is entitled to bridge
tolls amounting to $304,792.75, and of
this sura there is still due $152,091.13.
EDISON AT 74 TOILS
PART OF BIRTHDAY
DIXXER GUESTS WAIT TILL EX
PERIMENTS ARE FINISHED.
When Doctor Brings In Oxygen
Cylinder, Then He Will Re
tire, Says Inventor.
WEST ORANGE. N. J.. Feb. 11.
Thomas A. Edison, 74 years old to
day, was assisted In celebration of
the anniversary by the Edison Pio
neers, an organization composed of
the inventor's associates of 50 years
ago.
The pioneers, with their wives and
children, gathered early at GHnmont,
the Edison home in Llewellyn Park.
and held a business meeting. Mrs.
Edison entertained the women and
children while Mr. Edison and his
"pals" as he called them, talked of
days gone by.
The dinner gues.s, however, had to
await Mr. Edison's own hunger pangs
for he went to his laboaory as usual
at 8 o'clock this" morning. Whether
he would return to watch the fascl
nating darlings rf his experimenta
tions this afternoon, he said, depended
upon whether his wife would "let
him."
During the morning he did take
time to interview a group of news
paper men and answer a number of
varied questions. To the question:
"Should a man retiro at 70?", he
replied:
"He would die in three years."
"When are you going to retire?" he
was asked.
"Well, I don't want to retire. When
the doctor brings In the oxygen cy
linder I'll know it's time for me to
give up."
Asked for his opinion on Henry
Ford's announced Intention of pro
ducing milk synthetically, Mr. Edison
said it was "entirely possible, and if
such milk is made It will be much
purer. There are going to be great
advances in chemistry within the next
few years."
DISMISSAL PR0BE ASKED
Sentence of Marine Aviator Rouses
Senator of Texas.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 11. Investi
gation by the senate naval committee
of the dismissal from the marine
corps of Captain E. G. Chamberlain
of San Antonio, Tex., under a court
martial sentence approved yesterday
by President Wilson, was proposed In
a resolution introduced today by Sen
ator Sheppard, democrat, Texas, and
referred to the committee by the
senate.
The committee would be authorized
to Investigate all naval court pro
ceedings leading to Chamberlain's
conviction of falsehood and "scan
dalous conduct" In connection with
his claims as to exploits as a volun
teer aviator with a British aerial
bombing group in France.
WOMEN SMUGGLERS HELD
Figures Contour Betray Way of
Taking Liquor Off Ships.
NEW YORK, Feb. 11. Six women
smugglers whose figures' contour
showed pronounced expansions after
a visit to the Italian steamship
Gulseppl Verdi today were arrested
by customs Inspectors and a search
revealed 21 quarts of liquor sewn In
bags hanging from their waists be
neath their skirts.
The liquor was confiscated and
each woman was fined $5.
INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS
The Weather.
YESTERDAY'S Maximum temperature, 58
degrees; minimum, &o decrees.
TODAY'S Probably rata; couthwesterly
win as.
Foreign.
Blood pUHnff continue! In Ireland Face 3.
Roads deny plan for seneral wage cut.
Page 2.
National.
To curb U. S. navy reported te bo British
aim. Page 1.
Early vote on emergency tariff bill to be
taken In senate, page z.
Radical movement in America controlled
and directed by S2 persons. Page 4.
Domestic.
Harding has cabinet line-up almost com
pleted. Page J.
Deaf woman's forecast of calamity causes
panic in Kentucky, page l.
Edison at 74 toils part of birthday. Page 1.
H K." now declared to be missing Ray
mond, Wash., man. Page 14.
Legislatures.
Governor Olcott to collect interstate bridge
tolls. Page l.
Cash or loan bonus for veterans voted by
house, page iu.
Olympia senate votes to reconsider meas
ure regulating marriage. jrugo o.
Senate votes to bury dead gravity gasoline
test law. r8
Decisive blow at Japanese land ownership
struck in laano legislature, x-age f.
1025 exposition Is Incorporated with short
ceremony at aa;em. rage -
Irrigation bills defeated in house, 11 to 43.
Page 1.
Teachers' tenure bill made special order of
business in senate today. Page 10.
Irrigation bills all O. K., says ex-governor
, west. Page 19.
Paclfio Northwest.
Forged check leads brlde-to-bs to JalL
Page 1.
Eggs i'S cents retail at Salem. Pag 1.
Snorts.
Swimming season opens officially tonight
Pago 12-
Gorman outpunehes Fowler and wins.
Page 12.
Commercial and Marine.
Americans are large buyers of foreign
wool. Page 10.
Profit-taking by longs weakens wheat at
Chicago. Page IS.
Liberty bonds close firmer, but stocks de
cline. Page 19.
Shipping board Is asked for faster steamers
for Portland. Page 14.
Portland and Vicinity.
Local market stocked with everything
needed for Lenten season. Page 13.
Fair sleuth gets ..quor dealers fined.
Page 20.
Blue Sunday fight denied by W. C. T. tl.
Page 11.
Negro fined $50 and sentenced to 20 days
for attacking landlord. Page 10.
Bill provides rise in license fees. Page 8
L'ncoln's birthday will be generally ob
- served la Portland. Face S.
IRRIGATION BILLS
KILLEDJ1J0 43
Longest Contest in House
During Session Ended.
GALLAGHER STILL FIGHTING
Bad Contracts, Losses to
Farmers Charged in Debate.
COST-PLUS PACTS FLAYED
Kay, Champion of Cupper, Is
Culled Down by Speaker for Per
sonalities During ArgunicuL
STATE HOCS IT. S.i!n. Or., Fob. 11.
(Special.) After the lonRost for
ensic contest of the session, the irri
gation bills were defeated In the
house tonight by a vote of 1 1 fur
and 43 against.
It developed during the dcl.te
which consumed tlie afternoon and
caused the first night session that
several bad irrigation contracts have
been entered into; that these have
caused loss to the farmers; that the
stato engineer's office is responsible:
that the offlse is so overloaded that
it is not able to handle all work
thoroughly.
Representative Burdick. sponsor of
the bills, who led In the fight to
pass them, announced In his closing
argument that he did not believe
State Engineer Cupper saw 'he vicious
contracts, but that ho should have
seen them, and said he believed the
fault was that the office was too
busy.
Cnnt-plus Pacts Attmkrd.
Mr. Burdick's argument was con
fined to an attack on alleged existing
Vlls, such as the cost-plus contracts.
Representative Kay, as champion of
Mr. Cupper, devoted his time princi
pally to impugning the motives of
Burdick until Speaker Bean called
Kay to order for resorting to person-
lltles.
Mr. Kay's assertion was that Bur.
dick was endeavoring to remove Cup
per from office because the state en
gineer refused to approve a contract
which would give Burdick a $12.0u0
fee as attorney for the Silver Lake
district. Later Burdick answering
said that Kay's statement was un
true. The last fling made by Mr. Gal
lagher, ally of Burdick, was that he
would continue making his fight as
long as the people of his district are
being robbed. Protests against the
bills, he said, came from bankers and
commercial clubs, but none from the
poor farmers who havo to pay the
price.
Bonda Poor Security.
Asserting that irrigation bunds are
very poor security, Mr. Sheldon said
that the bond men got tho necessary
money for financing on the best
terms they could. Burdick said In
answer to a question by Mr. Belknao
that Irrigation bonds were sold oo
the Portland market at 101.
Gallagher's figure on Ralph Schnee
lock's profits on the Warm Springs
Job was $212,700. The contractor's li
per cent was $214,500, this with the
bond discount and brokerage totaled
$427,200, which amounts to $14.60 per
acre. The original estimate was
$750,000 for the district. The actual
cost in bonds was $1,550,000. These
were bought by Schneelock at 90 and
he sold them for 100 to 102. This made
a profit on the advance in bonds of
$155,500, in addition to which was
the 4 per cent brokerage amounting
ta $57,200.
Illndman Asks Question.
Mr. Hlndman asked one question.
He inquired of opponents of the bill
if they thought the requirement that
a state engineer should have five
years of practical experience was
arking too much of a man who is to
pass on $5,000,000 of work. Mr.
Johnston answered that he knew Mr.
Cupper is efficient, to which Hlndman
replied that it was not a matter of
personalities with him, but of what
was right.
Following was the vote:
Wnr the bill Bennett, Burdick, Galla
gher, Hammond, Hmdman, Hurd, Leonard,
Lynn, Alcuonaia, nunu. unit ix.
Against me oiu Auirwu, juu, i.rwis.
R.lknkD. Crsner. carter, jary, (.till us.
Iiilvcv. Ecbert, Klsher, Fletulier, Gordon,
of Multnomah; Gordon of Lane, Hopkins,
Hubbard, Hunter. Hyatt, Juhnaton, Kay,
Korvll, Kubli. LaKollett, Ixjoney, Alarsb,
Murtin. McKarlnnd. Overture, Perry, Pow
ell, Richards, Roberta, Hhanks, tiheldon,
tihiria, .Sloan, iHonu. Teiupluton, Wells
V.'-stcott. Woodson, WrUht, bpeaker Bean
3.
Absent Flint, Hosford, Kinney, Lee.
Miles, .Miller 0.
Representatives Gallagher and Bur
dick assured their colleagues that
there was nothing personal in their
support of the Irrigation measures.
Gallagher publicly released every
member who had pledged support
and asked that every member vote
his personal conviction after hear
ing the argument.
He assured his audience that Percy
Cupper, state engineer, was a personal
friend, and that he endeavored to
have the engineer's salary raised a
few years ago. Mr. Gallagher ex
plained that the object of the bills Is
to separate the water department
from the construction department in
the engineer's offices and put a
hydraulic engineer in charge of con
struction. "We two," declared Gallagher, "are
fighting one of the most glgantlo
money trusts on the Pacific coast.
tCoaoluded ea Pace lu. Column s-i.