1 J
VOL. LX NO. 19,011
Entered at Portland (Orrn)
Pooff1r. n fcon1 -("'! Matter.
PORTLAND, OREGON, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1931
PRICE FIVE CENTS
FREAK-TIES UP CARS ipOfinTQ
DISASTROUS STORM
EX-
AMERICA'S UNKNOWN
SOLDIER HOME-BOUND
HARDING IS WELCOMED
TO SOUTHERN CITIES
SI,
HITS FLORIDA COAST
AND PUTS OUT LIGHTS!1 ,,u ,IU
HES1GHED TO FATE
nur rnD
REPEAL
CARRIERS REJECT
IE
CHARLES
sum
BOi
FOR ROADS SOLD
$49,650 Premium Paid,
43 Miles of Work Let.
TAMPA PRACTICALLY FLOODED
FRAXCE PAYS FINAL AND REV
ERENT TRIBUTE.
FARMER'S LOAD OF HAY CRIP- J 1 1 1 1 T f 1 1 fl
PRESIDENT OX WAY TO BIRM
I U J L. I U II
UXDEIl 3 FEET OF WATER.
INGHAM CELEBRATION'.
RAM PLEA
Delay in Asking for New
Wage Gut Is Refused.
ROAD CHIEFS STAND PAT
Lines Declare That They Are
"Powerless to Take Any
' Other Position."
CROWDED DOCKET IGNORED
Action on Rules and Working
Conditions Put Before
Everything Else.
CHICAGO, Oct 25. (By the As
sociated Press.) The railroad labor
board today turned to the ralroads
in its attempt to avert the rail strike
scheduled for October 30, suggesting
that the roads temporarily postpone
seeking further wage reductions
because the board's docket was so
crowded wage decisions for all
classes of employes could not be
rendered before July, 1922.
The carriers, however, informed
the board that they were "powerless
to take any other position" than
their present one.
In a statement the board informed
the carriers that it would not con
sider any petitions for wage cuts
until the question of rules and work
ing conditions, now before it, were
settled.
Rail Executives Stand Pat.
The board then officially let the
carriers know, it was learned, that
since its docket was so crowded a
ruling on wages for all classes could
not be handed down before July,
1922, and it would like the roads to
announce postponement of their
plans to seek further pay cuts, tak
ing the attitude that such an an
nouncement might avert a walkout.
The committee of the Association
of Railway Executives, which con
ferred with the board, announced,
however, that the carriers would
stand pat on their plans to seek new
pay cuts on the ground that wages
must be reduced before freight rates
could be lowered, and that since the
strike was called technically in pro
test of wage cuts already author
ized, there was no necessity for the
roads, to take other than an inactive
part in the strike controversy be
tween the board and the unions.
New Procedure Possible.
Tonight board members, in dis
cussing the statement, said that the
board might take a new procedure
in rendering decisions, handing down
individual rulings for individual
groups of employes instead of one
decision covering.all.
It was pointed out by one member
that the statement left to the board
the right to render a wage decision
for any one class of employes as
6oon as the rules and working con
ditions for that class had been set
tled, but that this procedure would
stretch into months before all classes
would be considered.
Ultimatum to Roads Denied.
In this connection a union leader
ieclnred that there were several or
ganizations, notably the conductors,
which had no rules questions before
the board, and that consequently a
petition for lower wages for them
might be taken up by the board im
mediately without the board going
back on its statement.
The statement was not to be
looked on as an ultimatum to the
railroads, board members said, but
was presented in the hope that it
might bring action from the roads
which would tend toward averting
the threatened walkout.
Strike Cause Held Lacking Now.
In its communication to the roads
the board declared that if both sides
would consider the delay necessary
before wages again could be re
duced, they would realize that there
was no cause for an immediate
strike between them over this point
The unions, not taking into con
sideration this delay, were crossing
bridges before coming to them
when they called a strike, the
board's statement said.
It pointed out that the carriers
(Concluded oa l't 5. Culuuin 3.)
City Without Lights, Telegraph,
Telephone or Street Car Serv
ice, Say Advices.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla.. Oct. 85.
The. business lection of Tampa is
practically flooded under three feet
of water as a result of the gulf storm,
according; to advices tonight over
crippled transmission lines. No loss
of life has been reported, but indus
try is at a standstill. The entire
west coast of Florida is feeling; the
effects of the storm and is virtually
Isolated insofar as communication is
concerned.
Tampa is without lights, telegraph,
telephone or street-car service, ac
cording" to advices.
Forty miles inland from Tampa, In
the sections around Lakeland and
Plant City, the truck crops have suf
fered serious damage. Highways are
virtually impassable because of
fallen trees, but so far as known rail
road service has not been seriously
inconvenienced.
WEST PALM BEACH. Fla., Oct 23.
The St Petersburg; wireless station
went out of commission this after
noon, according to a report from the
Jupiter wireless station, 18 miles
north of here, and the St. Augustine
wireless station Is also said to be out
of commission. Center of the tropical
storm early this afternoon was a
short distance west of Tampa and
moving north-northwest The maxi
mum velocity of the wind was given
as 56 miles an hour and the barometer
at Tampa at noon read 29:04.
The freight steamer Thames sank
today about 14 miles north of Jupiter,
but the captain and his crew of 15
reached shore in safety.
$500,000 AWAITS WOMAN
Mrs. Jack Gould, Missing 1 0 Years,
Asked to Come Home.
MISSOULA, Mont., Oct. 25. One
half million dollars awaits Mrs. Jack
Gould, missing for ten years from her
Texas home, according to a letter re
ceived here today from Rufus Hayes,
a brother, at Fort Worth, Texas.
"The old welcome await you," the
letter said. "Father's last thoughts
were of you. A half million dollars
your share of oil and cattle and the
old ranch is yours if you only come
home."
The letter described Mrs. Gould,
formerly Alice Hayes, ms a "great
relay rider all over the United
States." She .was last heard from,
the letter said, in Wyoming.
It was reported here tonight that
Mrs. Gould had gone to Bozeman.
Mont., where her husband, a wounded
war veteran, is said to be taking vo
cational training.
BAD GALE ALONG COAST
Oregon and Washington Swept by
Wind or 72-Mile Velocity.
ASTORIA, Or, Oct 25. (Special.)
The worst gale of the season has
been sweeping along the Oregon and
Washington coasts this afternoon and
evening. At noon tody the wind at
North Head was blowing at a 72-mlle
rate from the south. The barometer
dropped to 29:45 this evening and
was still falling. Aside from delay
ing the departure of the steamer Ro
tarian. en route from Portland to the
sea, no damage has been reported.
Warning of an approaching storm
on the Oregon and Washington coasts
had been Issued for several days in
succession by the weather bureau and
storm signals were still flying last
night at all coast points.
Several vessels bound to and from
Portland were off the coast last
night.
BABE RUTH OUT OF LUCK
Ball Player Is Wearing Bandages
on -Both Arms Now.
NEW YORK, Oct. 25. Babe Ruth
1 wparine bandaces on both arms
now. His latest physical disability is
a carbuncle on bis right hand, iie
scratched his hand while on a hunt
ing trip and the resulting carbuncle
gave him so much trouble that he
returned here today to have It lanced.
Ruth declared he was going to try
to keep out of any more harm until
the time comes for him to go to
Chicago to have a talk with Com
missioner Landis regarding his barn
storming tour made in violation of
the rules of organized baseball. He
K.iirt his list of inluries to date in
cluded a bad right knee, a pulled
muscle in his left leg, an inrecteu
left arm. a skinned thigh and now
the carbuncle.
"I guess I'm out of luck this year,"
he said.
ALIMONY GIVEN HUSBAND
Hajano Adams to Receive Sum of
$15 Weekly.
SEATTLE. Wash., Oct. 25. (Spe
cial.) Hajane Adams, defendant in a
oivorce action brought by Mary A.
Adams, thii morning was allowed 815
a week alimony by Judge Dykeman.
This is the first case recently in
wh:ch a husband may collect alimony
from his wife.
In her suit for divorce Mrs. Adams
charged her husband with drunken
ness and cruelty. While Adams was
out of the city his wife obtained a
restraining order which prevented
him from entering the couple's gro
cery at 1620 Barton street. 'Adams
asked for a dismissal of the restrain
ing order and the court Awarded him'
the alimony instead. . '
Regent's Terms Accepted
Unconditionally.
FORMER EMPEROR PRISONER
Confinement In Benedictine
Abbey Is Decreed.
PAROLE RELEASE REFUSED
Italy "Reported to Have Offered
Exile Asylum Zlta Free to Go
Where She Pleases.
VIENNA. Oct. 25. (By the Asso
ciated Press.) It is reported that for
mer King Charles today accepted un-
conditionally the terms offered him
by Admiral Horthy, the regent, and
that he has been assigned to the
RenortirtinB abbev of Tihany. on Plat-
ten lake, where he will live Until fur
ther orders.
The abbey of Tihany was founded in
1054. It is situated about 50 miles
southwest of Budapest. Platten lake
is the largest body of water In Hun
gary. Karlists under Stephen Frlederlch,
former Hungarian premier, today oc
cupied Oedenburg, in West Hungary.
When former Emperor Charles and
ex-fimpress Zita landed at Oedenburg
last "week from the airplane that had
brought them from Switzerland, the
ex-empress, according to a witness,
scrutinized the crowd of monarchists
awaiting them and, missing many she
had expected to see, turned to her
husband and remarked:
"We might as well shoot ourselves
now, but for the children."
Former Emperor Charles and his
wife were still Interned today in the
castle of Count Esterhazy at Tata
Tovaros, according to Austrian offi
cial advices.
Supporters in Prlsost.
Members of Charles' cabinet and
other prisoners have been removed
to the military prison In Budapest
Besides members of the cabinet there
are being held as prisoners many
royalist officers and legitimists, in
cluding Prince Ludwig Windisch
Graetz. It is reported that important
documents and Jewelry have been
taken from the prisoners. '
Charles has been refused release
on parole. In diplomatic quarters It
is said Zita is free to go where she
desires.
No greater punishment for Charles
than renewed exile is spoken of here
It was reported that Italy has offered
him asylum.
There were rumors today that
Charles had attempted to commit
filicide and also "that he had been
(Concluded vn Pace 3. Column 2.)
t
Symbol of Lost American Dead
Will Rest on French Soil in
Cemetery at Arlington.
HAVRE, Oct. 25 (By the Associ
ated Press.) America's unknown sol
dier is coming home.
After resting nearly three years in
France, he began his last homeward
journey on the United States cruiser
Olympla today.
The symbol of the lost American
dead will rest on French soil in the
American national cemetery at Arl
ington, for the Olympla carries a
large box of the soil of France,
enough to cover the bottom of the
grave. .
Simple sincerity marked the depar
ture of the unknown warrior, as did
his selection yesterday at Chalons-sur-Marne.
Just before placing a
medal of the legion of honor on the
casket. Minister of Pensions Maginot,
speaking, for the people of France,
declared: .
"American brother, they, are taking
you back. We, however, will piously
preserve your memory and the land
of France will never forget you con
fided to her your last dream. '
The parting ceremony was held on
the pier. Six army pallbearers car
ried the body to the gangway and
placed it on the pier. Afterward six
American sailors and six French
"pollus" carried the floral tributes
aboard as the American band played
Chopin's funeral march and the
American national anthem.
As the order to cast off was given
the American flag was half-masted
and an escort of seven French de
stroyers accompanied the Olympla to
the three-m'le line. Airplanes waited
to fly over the Olympla as she passed
out to sea.
r?he French marines stood at at
tention until Admiral Dewey's old
flagship became a speck on the
horizon.
Three thousand school children
were among the throng which met
the funeral train today when it ar
rived from Paris. The children threw
hundreds of flowers before the cor
tege. Then they formed on each side
of the gun carriage and escorted the
unknown warrior to the pier. Ameri
can officers. Including Major-General
Henry T. Allen, many French officers
and citizens walked behind the gun
carriage through - two miles of
crowded streets, decorated with
American and French flags.
Major-General Allen expressed the
appreciation of America for the
touching manner In which France
bade farewell to the unidentified
hero. He said:
"The great republic which Is ren
dering you homage is likewise paying
tribute to your comrade in blue who
fell with you and who lives in the
hearts of his countrymen as you live
enshrined in the loving memory of
yours Your gallant deeds are indel
ibly inscribed in the pages of history
to the glory of your nation.
Man, Reported Lost, Returns.
KLAMATH FALLS, Or., Oct. 25.
(Special.) Prentiss Puckett. reported
lost in the woods, returned this after
noon uninjured. He stayed overnight
trailing- a bear.
BUT NOT IN OREGON. .
"Actor's
OWE .: t
Telephone W ire Is Whipped Against
High Voltage Line and Short
Circuit Is Result.
Due to one of the most freakish ac
cidents in the history of the Portland
Railway. Light & Power company
Portland street cars, the lighting sys
tem and plants operating on electrical
power were without electricity in
many parts of the city yesterday
morning for a period ranging from
15 to 30 minutes.
One of the main oO.OOO volt lines
from the Cazadero waterpower plant
suddenly was short circuited about
II o'clock, the time of the morning
when electrical service Is most need
ed. A short circuit opens all switches
controlling service to the city system
from waterpower plants, leaving two
steam plants In the city to carry the
load. The load Is too heavy for these
steam plants.
After throwing all reserve service
into the city lines officials of the
company sent out trouble men to
learn what had happened. This was
not learned until late yesterday af
ternoon. When the cause was found
the trouble men threw up their hands
in honor of the "queerest" accident.
This is what they discovered.
A farmer was driving along the
Foster road the other side of the
Sycamore station about 10 miles out
from Portland. His conveyance car
ried a high load of hay.
Across the road, 20 feet from the
ground, swung a telephone wire. This I
caught on the top of the hay and was
pulled taut. Twenty feet above the j
telephone wire nung me oig vuimso
line. When the telephone wire was
released it jumped high, touching the
high voltage line. The result was
Instantaneous. There was a short
circuit.
$100,000 LIBEL SUIT LOST
Court Declares I'uper Mas Right to
Print Police Reports.
ST. LOUIS, Oct. 25. A verdict in
favor of the St. Louis Star was re
turned by a jury in circuit court here
yesterday In a 1100.000 libel suit
brought by Alexander P. MacAuley of
Toronto, Ont.
The Buit was based on news articles
printed on MacAulcy's arrest here In
January of 1917. Suspected of pass
ing forged checks, MacAuley later
was exonerated.
In instructing the Jury, Judge
Grimm stated a newspaper had a
right to print official police reports.
LAW OVER BUSSES UPHELD
Arbitrary Power Granted City
Councils of Iowa.
DES MOINES. Oct 25. The Iowa
supreme court today held constitu
tional the provision of the bus ex
clusion law passed by the last legis
lature," which allows city councils to
grant or refuse bus licenses at the
i council's discretion.
The effect of the decision, unless
a new test case is made, i to give
city councils absolute and arbitrary
power over busses in Iowa cities.
Councils may license them or not, as
it may seem fit and busses will have
no recourse except to obey.
Retention Indefinitely Is
Voted Down 39-28.
INCOME EXEMPTION RAISED
Heads of Families Will Be Al
lowed $2500 Clear.
SENATE IN NIGHT SESSION
Recess Taken at 8 P. M. on'Agrer
nient to Vote on Amendment
at 4 P. St. Today.
WASHINGTON'. D. C, Oct. 25. (By
the Associated Press.) Final repeal
of the excess profits tax on January
1 was forecast tonight with the de-
feat by the senate of an amendment
to the tax revision bill proposing In
definite retention of this tax at the
present rates. The vote was 89 to
28, with four republicans joining the
solid democratic minority in support
ing the amendment.
Senator Reed, democrat, Missouri,
author of the defeated amendment.
Immediately proposed another for
continuation of the profits taxes at
about half of the present rates. This
was under debeate when the senate
recessed at 8 P. M. until 11 A. Mi to
morrow under agreement to have a
final vote on the repeal of the profits
tax at 4 P. M. tomorrow.
Tonight's session was the first of
the long threatened night ones to ex
pedite passage of the tax bill, but It
ended more than two hours before
the time originally agreed upon.
Debate Waxes Worm.
Debate on the second Reed amend
ment had waxed warm when Senator
Penrose, in charge of the tax measure,
said he was not disposed to keep the
senate together longer if he could
obtain agreement to vote at 4 P. M.
tomorrow.
This agreement was the first
reached between the democrats and
republicans, and followed all. day con
ferences which resulted in a failure
to come to any understanding as to a
day for a final vote on the bilL Plans
of republican leaders as to proceed
ing after the vote on the excess
profits provision tomorrow were
somewhat in doubt, but as they had
obtained the written consent of 60 of
their party one more than a ma
jority of the senate to remain at the
capltol or within call day and night
they still threatened to put through
the plan for a continuous session,
beginning tomorrow, unless an agree
ment to speed up votes on the tax
provisions could be had
Exemption la Raised.
The 'committee amendment fixing
the normal Income tax at the pres
ent 4 and 8 per cent rates was
adopted, as was the committee amend
ment Increasing from $2000 to 82500
the normal exemption allowed heads
of families having net incomes of
15000 or less.
Without a record vote the senate
adopted an amendment by Senator
Trammell, democrat, Florida, provld
Ing that In case a taxpayer borrows
money to purchase or carry federal
securities he may deduct in com
puting his net income only the dif
ference between the amount of the
interest paid on the indebtedness and
the amount received in interest from
the securities.
Opening the attack on the proposal
to repeal the excess profits tax. Sen
ator Reed, democrat, Missouri, de
clared this proposition was "the most
monstrous ever put before the sen
ate." Hitrheork Defends Plan.
Senator Hitchcock, democrat, Ne
braska, told the senate that the ex
cess profits tax had the same justi
fication as the graduated Income tax.
He added that he could not see why
corporations making profits above' 8
per cent upon the capital invested
could not pay a graduated tax Just
as individuals did.
NEGRO KILLED IN BATTLE
Baltimore Kiot Is Precipitated by
Attack on White Girl.
BALTIMORE. Oct. 25 A negro
was killed in a battle with Baltimore
police at Pumphrey station, a suburb
of this city, late tonight, following a
threatened race riot. The riot was
the result of an assault yesterday
upon a white girl by a negro. At
a late hour a band of negroes was In
a house, surrounded by police.
Later police forced an entrance Into
the house and found that the slain
negro's companions were two ne
gresses. The d-Jad negro was identi
fied as Robert Brown of Pumphrey.
Feeling on the part of both white
and negro residents has been run
ning high since Monday.
BARGAIN RIDES LIKELY
railing Off in Street-Car Revenue
Prompts New Move.
BALTIMORE, - Oct. 25. Bargain
rides on the streetcars at certain
hours are being considered by the
public service commission.
The falling off in revenue prompts
the move, .
Crowds Turn Out to Greet Train
at Larger Centers Atlanta
Also Is to Be Visited.
OX BOARD PRESIDENT HARD
IXG'S SPECIAL TRAIN. Oct. 15.
President Harding, on his way to
Alabama to speak tomorrow at the
Birmingham semi-centennial, today
got his first picture of the south
since he became chief executive.
Most of the day as his train trav
eled from Washington, the president
watched from the window and ntado
many comments on the accomplish
ments and needs of the southern
states. At several places southern
products. Including fruits and spe
cially cured tobaccos, were presented
to him.
Some of the larger cities turned
out crowds to greet the train. How
ever, the train slipped through most
of the towns without attracting un
usual attention.
The train, which left Washington
at 9 A. M., will reach Birmingham
at 8:45 A. M. tomorrow. Mr. Hard
ing will pass the day there. He
then will leave for Camp Bennlng.
Ga., where he will make a two-hour
visit on Thursday and will proceed
to Atlanta to deliver an address at
the Grady monument. He will re
turn to Washington Friday.
At Charlottesville, Va, student
from the University of Virginia
serenaded the DTesident With yellS
and he presented to them three of
his guests, Secretary Weeks. Secre
tary Fall and Senator Underwood of
Alabama, democratic leader of the
senate.
Mr. Underwood, In a brief speech,
praised Mr. Harding as "the greatest
man in America."
There were several thousand peo
pie waiting to cheer the president
at Charlotte. N. C. In a short talk
he expressed appreciation of th
welcome accorded him.
"I have never had opportunity be
fore," he said, "to ride across your
state In daylight, and I have come
to think more of old North Carolina
today than ever before. You are
a fortunate people. It is a great
achievement to have diversified pro
ductivity and we have noted how ap
parently well employed you are."
The president also referred to the
conference on limitation of arma
ments ano asserted his hope that
America would "play a big part" In
the accomplishment of the conference.-
He declared this country
would enter the conference In an
unselfish attitude, prepared to do
everything it can toward an agree
ment.
Another crowd assembled about the
presidential car at Danville, Va.. and
the president and Mrs. Harding
alighted to shake hands. At Calver
ton, Va they chatted several min
utes with overalled railroad em
ployes. '
3 CREWS DIG FOR MINERS
Officials Hope to Reach Burled
Men Before Death.
BRITANNIA BEACH. B. C, Oct. 25.
Another shift has been added to
the rescue workers who are digging
their way toward L. C. Craig and
p. Patena. miners entombed last
Thursday in the tunnel of a copper
mine here.
Mine officials were confident the
men would- be taken out alive.
INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS
,
The Weather.
YESTERDAY'S Maximum temperature, 46
degrees; minimum, 61 degrees.
TODAY'S Rain.
Vorelan.
Explorer, find route up Everest. Page IS.
America's unknown soldier now on home
ward Journey from France. Page 1.
Austrian ex-emperor accepts uncondition
ally terma offered by Horthy. Page 1.
Hope of agreement on Erin la bright,
rage 4. . ,
National.
Each-Cummins law no guaranty by gov
ernment of fixed return to roads.
Page 7.
Delay la p-obable In arms meeting. Page 8.
Harding anil Hughes advocate publicity.
Page 3.
United Slatea arms agenda being worked
out. Page 3.
House la aaked to expel Texas democrat
Page 4.
Harding expected to announce govern
ment's course in strike when time ar
rives. Page 2.
Domestic.
Disastrous storm bits Florida coast.
Page 1.
Carriers reject railroad board'a plea to
delay aaklng for new wage cuts. Fag 1.
Rail labor board expects legal battle at
board hearing today. Page 2.
Recall election In Dakota October 28.
Page 5.
Harding is welcomed to southern cities.
Page 1.
Parlfle Northwest.
Mrs Southard on stand denies all charges.
Page .
McNeil Island officers clear up method of
Roy Gardner'a escape. Page 16.
Sports.
Pullman eleven geta hard drill. Page 14.
Frankle Farren packa mallet-like punch.
Page 14.
Indoor swimming season opens with
splash. Page IS.
Commercial and Marine.
Export bids for wheat below market here.
Page 23.
Chicago grain stronger with decline In
receipts. Page 23.
Oils strongest features of stock market.
Page 23.
Terminal No. 4 has busiest day of career.
Page 22.
Portland and Vlrlnlty.
American Bankers' association advocatea
thrift courae for schools. Page 22.
Council restores 80-mlnute parking in con
gested district. Page 12.
Railroad Trainmen's union claims 185,000
members Page 8.
One million five hundred thousand dollars
bonda for roads are sold. Page 1.
Wife-slayer begins testimony In defense.
Page 13.
Tax body attacks I.1O.0OO school Item.
Page 8.
Freak accident ties up streetcars and puts
out lights. Page 1.
James B.- Kerr named chairman of local
disarmament committee, 6,
BRIDGE JOBS ALSO AWARDED
Demand for Work Brings
Record Low Bid.
MATERIALS ALSO CHEAP
Orfers So rientlful That Commit
slon, Unable to Finish, Is to
Continue Session Today.
DOINGS OP HIGHWAY COM
MISSION. Awarded contracts for 48.
miles of road work, of which
.S miles are hard-surface pave
ment. Contracts aggregating 1401,
278 let for bridges and roads.
Sold U. 500, 000 bonds for 849.
660 premium, the best bid re
ceived in two years.
Counties being" urged to settle
np financial obligations and
arrangements with the commis
sion. Strong demand for contracts,
resulting in lowest prices the
commission has received.
Bids to be opened this morn
ing for 60 miles of road work.
Exceptionally low bids for contracts
and the best bids for bonds received
since 1919 were features of the open
ing Besslon of the state highway com
mission yesterday. During the day
the commission also took occasion
to notify delegations of various coun
ties that they would have to pay to
the state financial obligations.
The commission Is preparing to
collect on the promises of the coun
ties, as money Is needed to push for
ward the road programme.
Contractors from Idaho and Wash
ington, as well as from Oregon, were
In competition yesterday for road
work, and with a single exception the
successful bidders were below the
estimates.
.Contractors Eager for Work.
The falling price of labor and ma
ter'al, together with the fact that
most of the contractors hav about
cleaned up all their old work and
are anxious to maintain their organ
ization and get Into the field early
next year, are responsible for the)
notably low offers.
A bid of 15 cents for "common"
and 80 cents for rock was offered
and accepted on a 15-mile grading;
job. No such low figure has been
received by the commission since the.
highway body was organized. It I
comparable with the prices on rail
road work In the pre-war days. The
figures are Illuminating to those
familiar with contracting work,
Bhowlng how prices have dropped.
From Tacoma came a group of men
who bid In the name of S. A. Moserl
for five miles of concrete near Rose
burg. They bid 8144.395 on seven
Inch concrete, the low "black" bid be
ing that of S. S. Schell for 81:5,201.50.
The Tacoma group received tho award
and they brought with them their
own bondsmen.
Masr Bids Are Offered.
So many bids were offered for the
ten Jobs openpd that It took the time
of the commissioners from 10 o'clock 1
until nearly 8 o'clock opening and
listing tho bids. It was Impossible
for the commission to mnke all tho
awards by 6 o'clock last night, so they
announced that awards for the Slier
man county and Wasco county Jobs
would be made at 9:30 o'clock this
morning. Again at 10 o'clock today
the commission will receive bids on
eight other road Jobs.
Eleven competitors lined up for the
51,500.000 of per cent road bonds
which were offered to the highest
bidder. The award went for 51,549.650,
or a premium on the block of bonds
amounting to 549,650. The successful
syndicate was composed of Stacy &
Braun, Kissell, Klnnicutt company,
Eldrcdge & Co., Anglo & London
Paris National bank, and Ilalph
Schneeloch company. The bidding t'.ls
closed the strongest bond market the
highway commissioners havo exper
ienced In a couple of years.
Improvement District Asked.
Application was received for the
approval of the commission for the
creation of a highway Improvement
district for the paving of the Cornell
road. The proposed district Includes
a couple of sections in Multnomah
county and the remainder In Wash
ington county.
The proposed district extends from
the end of paving almost to Orenco.
This Is the second district of the kind
to be applied for under the new law
enacted at the 1921 session of the leg.
Islature, the Scroggln's valley dis
trict. In Washington county, having
recently been approved by the com
mission. Assurance was given the Union
county court, which appeared, that the
commission Is desirous of cleaning up
(Concluded oa I'sks 2, Column 3.)
cz- i ncr r