VOL. LX NO. 18.927 EnterU itPtrtlari (Oremn) VX. JV J. - PoFtofflre aSgefnd-CIw Matter. PORTLAND, OREGON, WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 1921 PRICE FIVE CENTS SHOES MAY DECIDE WHO MS SLAIN GUARD OVERPOWERED;) C1 10 K1Q CUT SEA ENGINEERS VOTE DOOMED MAN SMOKES BEFORE FIRING SQUAD CIGARETTE CALMLY PUFFED rXTILV BULLETS STRIKE. MOVE TO DISARM SPECIAL POLICEMAN MTTDRNEYS CLASH LPRISriNFR IS. SFI7Fn TO RETURN TO JOBS IS SHOT BY FIGHTERI TAXI DRIVER DECLARES HE WAS ATTACKED BY ENEMY, wwiia-II IW w i I 1 'S BILL G 'PARTY OF MASKED MEX TAKE BALLOTING RESULT - AT SAX MAX AWAY IX AUTO. FTiAXCISCO, 4 80 TO 50. OFF NATION GIN SMAGNTUDE AT PHONE HEARIN Coroner's Jury Takes Up Case at Roseburg. . MRS. BRUMFIELD TESTIFIES Woman Shakes With Sobs, but Insists Mate Is Dead. COURT HAS BIG CROWD Shoe Dealer Declares Pair Found on Murdered Man Are Like Those Sold to Itussell. ROSEBURG, Or.. July 19. (Special.) That the shoes found on the body In the wrecked Brumfield auto will figure prominently in the Identifica tion of the. headless body over which the coroner's inquest was started to day, was proved when I. Sellg. Myrtle Creek merchant, tooK the stand, just before the close of the day's session. "I had known Dennis Rusell for many years, Mr. Selig said, and sev eral months ago he bought a pair of shoes at my store. The shoes were of the Star brand. lie was shown the pair of burned shoes, found In the wreck, and asked if they were those he had sold to Russell. He replied that he could not identify them povitively, but that they were or the same brand and the same size ils those he had old. Shoes Are Compared. Mr. Sellg produced a pair of shoes Identical with those he sold Russell, and they were compared with th.e burned shoes taken from the bo'dy. They were of about a number 7 size, which was the size Russell wore, and were of the same brand. Dr. Brum flcld's shoes were number SVi. Mrs. Brumfleld declared when giving her testimony earlier in the day. Only one pair of shoes was found and the fact that the smaller size shoes. Identical with those sold Rus sell, were found on the feet of the burned body will doubtless have con siderable weight with the Jury. "With the court crowded to capacity and hundreds of persons unable to sain admittance, the inquest which was hoped to form an Important link In the murder case was started. Heeord Set by Crowd. Never before In tne history of the county has such a crowd been at tracted for an inquest or even for the most sensational homicide case. The crowd commenced to gather long before the hour Bet for the in quest and every inch of standing room was taken before the first wit ness was called. Mrs. Brumfleld, heavily veiled-and accompanied by Mrs. C. S. Ueinline, a close friend of the family, Mrs. C. B. Patrick, sister of Dr. Brumfleld, and a trained nurse, had seats within the rail. Mrs. Brumfleld was the first witness called to the stand and although she broke down frequently Bhe gave good testimony iii the case, speaking up well in spite of her ner-. Vous and shocked condition. llody Shaken Witk Soba. Frequently sne stopped while her , lody shook with Bobs which were audible over the entire court xoom and hundreds of other women also gave way to tears. Mrs. Brumfleld told the Jury, which Is composed of John Throne, O. C. Baker. Napoleon Rite, Barton Holli well and I'aul Bubar, all prominent business men, that there was no doubt In her mind regarding the body. She gave a complete description of the body of her husband, told his ase and the measurements of his clothes. She also gave an account of their car'.y life, of their marriage and their change of residence to Roseburg, fol lowing his graduation from the den tal college. In speaking of their three children, she broke down, and it was several mlmitcs before she could resume. She told of the last time she saw her husband, and of his telephone calls. Drpnrtnrc la Related. He left early on the morning: . of July 15. she S4iid. and at noon he called her by telephone and again at 6 o'clock, telling her he would be late getting home. "He told me he would rat a lunch In town," she said, "and that he would rot be home until late. He had-not teen feeling well since the Sunday before," she added, saying he was having trouble with his stomach. On th previous Sunday, she said, they had passed the day at the home cf his nephew by marriage, Millard Meredith, an ex-service men who had taken up a homestead near that of Dennis Russell. It was at Meredith's home that Dr. Brumfield first met Kussell. It was 'said. f Mrs. Brumfield was asked to give a description of her husband and re plied that he was six- feet In height, was of dark complexion and weighed 182 pounds. He-wore a 1514 size shirt and 8H shoes. He had no scars on his body. His only ring, Mrs.""BrumfleId said, was a fraternity ring:. She was shown the ring found on the body and Iden tified It as that or her husband. iCuucludvd ou 6, Column 3.j Note Signed 'Klu Klux Klan' found In Pocket of .Youth Discovered Unconscious and Gagged. TEXAHA, Tx July 19. J. W. Jic Knight of Nacogdoches, while being taken to Center, county seat of Shel by county, by a deputy sheriff, fol lowing his arrest here tonight on a charge of carrying concealed weap ons, was seized by a party of masked men, after his guard had been over powered, and whisked away in a motor car. - TYLER, Tex., July 19. George H. Peters, 20, was brought here to a hospital today from a point about three miles from Chandler, Tex., where he was found unconscious and gagged. A note, found in his cloth ing, signed "Ku Klux Klan," said he had been taken from a hotel at Chandler and about $240 In money taken from him. The note added he was not the man wanted. When last heard of the automobile was speeding through Timpson near here, with its occupants firing volley after volley of pistol shots. Sunday morning, McKnight, who Is a plumber, was attacked by a party of masked men at Timpson and se verely beaten. Some of the men. he said, he recognized. Carrying out his announced Intention of laying the matter before authorities, McKnigit came here late today to furnish in formation concerning the assailants but was arrested on a charge of car rying a pistol. COUPLE DISCOVERED DEAD Portland Man Held to Have Slain Woman and Himself. LOS ANGELES. Cal., July 19. Bodies of a man of 38, who registered as E. Libby of Portland, Or., and Mrs. Mary Davis, 41, were found today when the door of a room they had occupied in a downtown hotel was forced open. Death in each case was due to bullet wounds. The poflce said they believed the man shot Mrs. Davi3 and then himself. Examining physicians said the shootings occurred probably a week ago. According to the police, Mrs. Davis was the wife of B. B. Davis of San Diego. The name of E. Libby is not listed in the Portland city directory or in the telephone directory, and the po lice yesterday were unable to locate any person from Portland who knew anything of the Los. Angeles suicide. Records of the police detective bu reau ' failed to disclose any missing person of that name. The local police believe he may have been a transient and not a resident of this city. SLASHED HEART SEWED UP Surgeons Stitch Knife Cuts and Boy Is Recovering. NEW YORK, July 19. Frank Farino, 16, of Brooklyn, Is recovering today after his heart was accidentally pierced with a knife and then promptly sewed up. The boy was working yesterday In a factory when a 17-inch knife witb yhich he was cutting rope slipped. The blade entered his chest, pierced the heart covering and cut ' through the heart musvles. He was hurried to a hospital, -where surgeons opened his chest wall, took four stitches In the heart muscles and three in the covering. ROAD SURVEY PROCEEDING State Engineers Announce Plan to Bridge Rogue River. MARSHFIELD. Or.. July 19. (Spe cial.) The state engineering party which visited Gold Beach last week, including Messrs. Chandler and Camp bell, announced that the state high way commission .intended bridging Rogue river in 1922 as a portion of the Roosevelt highway 'work. Surveyors from the highway com mission offices are working on the Roosevelt highway north from here to the Siuslaw river and on the Curry county unit between Gold Beach and the Curry county line. KIDNAPERS WANT $50,000 - N. V Note Demanding Money Sent to Wire or Prisoner. . SHARON. Pa., July 19. Thomas D. Randolph, - a leading .business man here, was kidnaped last nisht and is being held for $50,000 ransom, accord ing to lnformatio'n given the police by Mrs. Randolph today. Mr. Randolph did not return home last night, This-' morning his wife received a note signed "kidnapers," demanding $50,000 for the man's re lease and giving instructions as to how the money was to be paid. A second note from Randolph told of his captivity. EVIDENCE IS SWALLOWED J Saloonkeeper Drinks Liquor In- " tended to Aid Prosecution. MILWAUKEE. wV, July 19. Al bert Multerer, Milwaukee saloon keeper, dranl the evidence seized by state prohibition agents while fe raid on Multerer's place was in progress, according to a report to- the district attorney today. "While Agent Henning was, writing a label to be placed on a bottle of whisky seized in Multerer's saloon Multerer drained the contents of th bottle." the report said. Saving for Current Year Estimated by Dawes. LETTER SENT TO PRESIDENT Possible Economies Bared by Budget Machinery. BUILDING DELAY ASKED $22,822,113 Is Sliced Out at Ex. pense of Construction That Can s Be Delayed Year. WASHINGTON. D. C, July 19. An estimated saving of $112,512,528 can be effected In the appropriations of approximately $4TuuU,000,000 available for government expenditure during the current fiscal year. President Harding was Informed today by Di rector of the Budget Dawes. Included in the estimate. Director Dawes said, was J22,822,113 pertain ing to continuous appropriations for building and construction which could be postponed for expenditure in future years. The estimate of government econo my possible during the present fiscal year was contained in a letter di rected to the president by Director Dawes, who presented the amounts by which the expenditures could be re duced in the departments and inde pendent establishments. ISconomlea Sarvcr Made. survey or possiDi economies was begun a few weeks ago by Director Dawes, using the budget machinery, after a meeting at which department heads and bureau chiefs had been di rected to reduce expenditures. "Whatever may be the relation of total expenditure to total revenues at the end of the current year," the director wrote, "which for various reasons, including possible -new legis lation, the operations of the shipping board, - the railroad administration and fluctuation in current receipts of the post office department, cannot be predicated at this time, the above amount is that much of a contribution to a more favorable relation. "This fine response to your request from the heads of departments and independent organizations and bureau chiefs infers the existence in their minds of three principles involving Improvement in governmental busi ness. , "First That the business organiza tion of government hereafter assumes that the minimum amount of money (Continued on Page 2, Column 1.)- A PICTORIAL ' ; l - MOVE OVER ) 1 t J . A LITTLE CANTj i "S l " i ; ...... .....A i Strikers Out Ever Since Nation- IVide Maritime "Walkout Was Ordered May 1. SAN FRANCISCO, Juy 19. San Francisco union marine engineers, meeting tonight, voted, 4S0 to B0, to return to work Immediately, it was announced by officers. The engineers have been on strike nee May 1, when the nation-wide maritime strike was called. The marine engineers at a previous meeting recently had voted to return to -work on United States shipping board vessels under a national agree ment, but voted to continue the strike against private owners. The vote tonight was on the question of re turning to work on private-owned vessels. Ernest F. Pegg, secretary of the local union, made the announcement and said all marine engineers 'would report to work tomorrow morning. FREIGHT CUTS ANNOUNCED Material Reduction Made on Sev eral Important Commodities. SAN FRANCISCO, July 19. Jam and playing cards were granted the dignity of a class freight rate and scheduled at $1.95 and $3.65 a hun dredweight, respectively, from Atlan- rttc to Pacific ports by the North At lantic-Pacific coast westbound con ference today. Heretofore they had gone under the commodity or mixed shipment status. The conference announced a reduc tion from $1.45 to $1.30 a hundred weight for flour, tapioca and tapioca flour, a reduction from $2.50 to $2.35 on thread, cotton and linen, and a reduction from $1.70 to $1.25 on leath er. Drugs and medicines were given an individual classification and rated at $1.65 a hundredweight. ACCUSED WOMAN IS HELD Charge of Forging T. R. Indorse , mcnt to Be Pressed. NB7W YORK. July 19. Mrs. Emma R. Burkett, here from Hillfidale, Ind., to face a charge of forging the in dorsement of the late Theodore Roose velt on a note for $69,900, today pleaded not guilty and was held for trial July 27. She appeared in court without coun sel and the Judge asigned an attor ney to defend her. IDAHO ROBBERS CONTINUE Firth Case or Bank Looting Within Few Weeks Reported. IDAHO FALLS, Idaho, July 18. The fifth bank robbery in small vil fages in eastern Idaho within the past few weeks was reported here this morning, when officers were warned to watch for four men who. broke into -the bank at Leadore last night and stole $3000 worth of liberty bonds. Leadore is a small mining town northwest of here. ECHO OF THE . HOT WEATHER uloroccan Machine Gunner With French on Rhine Executed for Murdering German. MATENCE. July 19. (By the Asso ciated Press.) Mohammed Ben Ah med, a Moroccan machine gunner of the French forces on the Rhine, who was convicted by a French court martial of killing and robbing a Ger man merchant, was executed by a firing squad here today. He calmly smoked a cigarette until the bullets struck him. The execution -was carried out In the presence of many witnesses, and all the Moroccan members of the gar rison were marched past the body. PLANE BLAMED FOR FIRE Residence of D. M. Lowe at Med ford Burned to Ground. MEDPORD, Or., July 19. Ignited, according to the owner, by a spark from a descending .forest patrol air plane, the residence of D. M. Lowe, well-known agricultural expert, was burned to the ground- yesterday at a loss of $5000. The Lowe residence was at the edge of Barber field, the airplanes passing it every day when alighting. The exhaust of the plane, according to Mr. Lowe, set fire to foxtail grass, which, fanned by the wind, ignited the grain field and house. Fire Chief Lawton of Medford made a run to the field with a chemical engine and saved all but one acre of barley crop. POSTAL TESTS ORDERED EUgibles for Office'of Postmaster Will Take Examinations. THE OREGON I AN NEWS BUREAU. Washington. D. C, July 19. Eligibles for appointment as postmasters at Portland and Pendleton, Or., and Lew iston, Idaho; will have the oppor tunity to qualify in civil service ex aminations to be held August 16, the civil service commission announced today. These were the most important ex aminations announced for the Pacific northwest since the new executive or der governing postmaster appoint ments was announced. DEATHS QUEERLY COINCIDE i Two Men of Same Name, Unrelat ed, Die In Same Manner. RENO; Nev.. July 19. A singular coincidence In suicides of two men named Helm is that Gratz W. Helm in San Francisco was found dead yesterday afternoon sitting upright in his chair at his desk with a bullet hole back of his left ear, while Frank Helm, foreman of Gold Zone mine at Tonopah, was found dead yesterday afternoon sitting in his chair at his desk with a bullethole back of his right ear. They were not related. IN THE EAST, New Political Ramifica tions Revealed. MUCH DELAY IS FACED Jap an Inclined to Hold Out for Exact Definition. FRANK VIEWS EXPECTED Explanation Sent Out by State De partment at Washington Is Entirely Informal. WASHINGTON, D. C. July 19. (By the Associated Press.) President Harding's move for a disarmament conference Is assuming far greater magnitude in world affairs than first indications disclosed. As the preliminary negotiations pro ceed they are revealing unexpected diplomatic ramifications and leading into fields which In the beginning had seemed far removed from the purpose of the conference. But officials ap parently are confident that the wide spread effect of the. president's pro posal will in the end prove only an aid in accomplishing the frank ex change of ideas for which tire confer ence was called. One of the principal side Issues now occupying the attention of the grov ernment is the disposition of Japan to hold out for an exact definition in advance of the subjects to be con sidered. Lrnarthy Discussion Faced. To thresh out that question now not only would delay the conference, but might also branch Into a discussion of the merits of the disputed subjects. It Is felt that the programme could best be arranged by the conference or at least by negotiation after each of the Invited powers' has sent in an unconditional acceptance. News dispatches from Tokio re porting that Japan might raise such questions as racial equality and abo lition of extraterritorial rights in China were read with manifest in terest. There was an apparent feel ing of satisfaction over other unof ficial advices seeming to indicate that the Tokio government proposed to clean the slate of troublesome far eastern problems by moving toward a settlement of such questions as Shan tung and the occupation of Siberia. Explanation Iff Informal. It developed that the explanation given Japan by the state department relative to the scope of the confer ence was entirely informal and that department officials apparently hoped to be able to reach an understanding without a further exchange of formal notes. The Information desired by Tokio is understood to have been giv en the Japanese ambassador ffurlng an informal conversation with Secre tary Hughes. President Harding Is understood to be giving some attention to the per sonnel of the commission that is to ronrnt th. TTnfteri Rtni.a It was indicated today that, al - though no actual choice probably would be made for a month or more. the president definitely had decided that the senate, because of its joint . . resfuiiaiuiuijr iui luicign aiiairs, win be represented. VIEWS EXCHANGE FORECAST United States, Britain and Vapan Likely to Act. TOKIO," July 19. (By the Asso ciated Press.) Subsequent to a cab inet meeting today which discussed a report .of Kijuro Shidehara, the am bassador to the United States, it was announced that the United States, Great Britain and Japan probably would exchange views in an effort to outline the programme for the coming Washington conference. A semi-official statement said Japan was prepared to give all prominence in the conference to the questions of the open door and equal opportunity in Chlina. so as to place China in a fair way to the attainment of an independent national status. The statement emphasizes the neces sity of co-operation by the powers in aiding China in the recovery of her rights and interests. It was Intimated in responsible quarters here that Japan, assuming the initiative as the leading far- I eastern power will be likely to sub mit to the proposed conference over far-east questions the abandon ment of extraterritoriality in China and also to ask the fixation of emi gration right to countries like Can afa, Australia, New Zealand and Indo china and in general raise the ques tion of racial equality. The impression was growing that an endeavor would be made to accel erate the settlement of matters of in terest to America, such as the Yap and Shantung questions, so they may be disposed of before the opening of the conference and thus be elimi nated from the discussions. It was said at the foreign office that a report had been received from Ambassador Shidehara In Wash- ngton, outlining tne views or sec retary Hughes reg-arding the proposed Concluded on Fas 2. Column ' Al Gruman Declares Andrew M. Uoleman Hit Him With Club Before Help Arrived. A call for his touring car took Al Gruman." a chauffeur, to the corner I oi nasningion ana rwenty-iirsi streets late last night to find that his fares were a man and a woman with whom he had had difficulties. The man, whose name was Andrew M. Holeman, was said to have ac cused Gruman of owing the woman some money. A fight was started and Gruman was hit over the head with a club. His cries brought Spc-. cial Patrolman Robert L. Whitesides to the scene, upon, whom Holeman was said to have opened fire. Each man emptied his revolver. Whitesides was wounded three times. One bullet penetrated the left shoul der, another went through the left side of his face and the third ripped the right side of his neck. Detectives and police were rushed to the scene and scoured the city park and surrounding territory in an effort to capture the assailant. The man and woman were said to have cut through a yard on Twenty-first street to street and thence into the park. Bruman told the detectives that he had been having trouble with Hole- man and had known him for several months. The trouble, he said, was about the girl. When attacked, Gruman said he called for help and started to run. Whitesides happened to be near by and answered. When Andrews saw the policeman he opened fire. Holeman was said to be well known and fairly well to do. Gru man said when he first met him several months ago he was living at the Multnomah hotel, but had since moved. The woman's identity was not disclosed by the police. Gruman is a brother of Ralph Gruman. the fight' referee. He drives for the Touring & Taxi Serv ice company at 328 Irving street. At the hospital Whitesides was said to be in no great danger. He was formerly a city policeman and lives at 63 Jessup street west. MONTANA OFFICIAL DEAD iii uieuicnant - uovcrnor fcpriggs Succumbs at Helena. HELENA. Mont.. July 19. A. E Sprlggs, ex - lieutenant - governor of Montana, died here early today after a short Illness. He was born in Wisconsin 55 years ago and came to Montana in 18S8. He served in the state legislature in 1894, and 1896 was elected lieutenant-governor on the democratic ticket. For the last nine years he had been chairman of the state compensation board. A widow survives. BINGHAMTON IS ASHORE Freighter Runs Aground in Fog, but Crew Is Saved. HALIFAX. N. S., July 19. The American freight steamship Bing hamton went ashore on the Gannet dry ledge in a dense fog today. Cap tain M. L. Gill and the crew of 30 men landed safely In the ship's boats at Chebocque Point. v It was feared the vessel might be a t total loss. She wag on her way to Russian ports with a general cargo. I INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS , ' The Weather. YESTERDAY'S Maximum temperature. 70 Jnlnlmam;t. 53 J",'; I TODAYS Fair; northwesterly win da Forelirn. Doomed murdered puffs cigarette before firing- squad. Page 1. Ulsierites await next British move. Page 2. National. Ex-Secretary Daniels and ex. Assistant Roosevelt of navy department flayed in senate report. Page 8. Mrs. Berg-doll says she bribed army officer. Page 4. Senate's stand on loan's criticised by Mark Sullivan. Page 7. Naval vice probe methods censured Page 3. Marketing looms as national problem Page 14. House puts asphalt on free duty list Page 3. Daws announces saving of $112,512,628 for current year. Page 1. Disarmament move gains In magnitude. Page 1. lomert ie. Banking convention sought by Portland. Page 1. Guard overpowered and prisoner whisked away by masked men. Page 3. Pretty youns gin losfs memory after faint week ago. Page 1. French girl's marriage to American preach er annulled by court. Page 14. Pacific Northwest. Attorneys clash at. phone hearing. Page 1. Details of making soldier loans' worked out. Page 7. Shoes may decide Identity of murdered man at Roseburg. Page 1. Silver cup given to rescuer of 000. Page 1. Governor Man announces ne wi;i answer critics in sunoiy papers, rage 14. Sports. Accomplice bares baseball se!I-out. Page 12. Whitney and O'Hara lead qualifying round in golf open. Page 12. Semi-pro baseball games for next Sunday announcea. raso jx. Fivflr5'--? d!2mid In feature rat it tt-t-mazoo. Page 12. California tennis stars Invade east. Fagre 12. Commercial and Marine. Not over 10 per cent of Oregon wool clip remains unsold. Page 21. Wheat stronger at Chicago on export buy ing. Page 21. Oil stocks stimulated by house action on tariff bill. Page 21. Steamer Canadian Exporter will load lum ber In Portland for orient. Page -'O. Portland and Vicinity. Fire board puts blame on Captain Rliey. Page 11- portland declared well advertised at realty men's convention. age 10. Although bit early. Oregon political pot gets warm. Faa 10. Portland expected to maintain reputation In enteretaining Elka today. Page 4. Building of auto terminal pledged. Page 6t Valuation of Holdings in Oregon Is Cause. SOME CONFUSION IS CAUSED Figures Declared Work of Commission Employes. CHARGE IS CHALLENGED C. E. Spence, In Argument on Cost oT Service to Farmers, Holds Statement Not on Record. SALEM. Or, July 19. (Special.) Five minutes before the second day's rehearing of the telephone rate case came to a close, James T. Shaw, at torney for the Pacific Telephone & Telegraph company, and Harry M. Tomlinson, assistant city attorney of Portland, engaged in a verbal ex change which threw the hearing Into confusion for a moment or two. The clash was precipitated by a statement by Attorney Shaw to C. E. Spence, master of the state grange, who was on the witness stand, to the effect that the valuation of the Ore gon holdings of the Pacific company was based on a field survey made In 1914 by employes of the Oregon pub lic service commission, in which every stick, glass, pole and switchboard owned by the company had been counted. Atinumptlon tn Resented. "I object to an assumption of fact that does not appear in the record in this case or any other case before this commission," challenged Attor ney Tomlinson. "There is nothing in the records of this commission show ing such a statement to be a fact, . and if your company has a record of such count I would like to see it." "I am astounded that counsel should make such a statement." in terjected Attorney Shaw, rising to his feet. "Why, he knows of his own knowledge that these records are in the hands of the commission ;40 vol umes, in fact. Ho' the legal repre sentative of the city of Portland can stand on his feet and make such a statement as this is more than I can understand." Statement Again Cnallenared. "I again challenge the statement of Mr. Shaw," Quickly answered Attor ney Tomlinson. "There is no record of field men having been sent out by the telephone company." "Well, before this case is over we will show you these records. Mr. Tom linson." . Mr. Spence, who was called as a witness for the Oregon telephone fed eration, conducted his own examina tion by simply discussing the farmers' economic condition and the inter relation of this condition with the increased costs of telcptione Bervlce. "The farmers of Oregon are being hit on all sides," he testified. "The federal reserve bank has ruled that he must sell his products as quickly as they are ready for market, other wise he is in the class of a specula tor and cannot receive financial assistance from the government. The freight rates have been increased, the materials required by the farmers have not decreased in price mate rially, while the products of the farmer have dropped 58 per cent. Kate Inereaae la Analysed. "The telephone rate increase means 'that under existing market condi tions it takes $18 worth of goods raised on the farm to pay a tele phone bill for one year, if compari son is made with the rates and pres ent prices with those of two years ago. "Two years ago the farmer's tele phone bill couid be. paid by two and one-half bushels of wheat and now it takes nine bushels.' Formerly he could pay his bill with nine dozen of eggs, now it takes 25 dozen. For merly nine pounds of wool would care for the year's bill, now if he can get 15 cents a pound, which he cannot," it would take 60 pounds of wool to cover the tetlephone charges. "Well, I think that a reasonable rate at vthis time for the telephone company would be one which would force them to bear a loss not to ex ceed 50 per cent. Others are bearing their share. Why not the telephone company?" In cross-examining the witness. At torney Shaw developed the fact that Mr. Spence had made no study of the rate decision or any of the evidence presented at the first rate hearing, but presented his testimony today, re- ,,rnn 1 r. f o rm nlinn ' ti o H f r the newspapers and from talking with farmers who are subscribers to the telephone service. Opinion la Withheld. Attorney Shaw attempted to gain an opinion as to the fairness of the rates established, based upon figures purporting to show losses for the tel ephone company In Oregon from 19;; to 1919. Ae latter year such figure -showing that the company had faile. by 186,000 of making any profit However, the witness refused to givt any opinion, holding that before doing so he would waiTt to Investigate the valuation of the company and other (Concluded on Fuge 5. Column i.