VOL. LX '(). 19,OG4
Entered at Portland (Orrsonj
PnsrnffiVe an Snn1-cTn Miltr.
PORTLAND, OREGON, TUESDAY, DECE3IIJER 27, 1921
PRICE FIVE CENTS
ANOTHER PARLEY
MAN SHOT AND KILLED
IN ABERDEEN BRAWL
DEBS MAKES CULL
AT WHITE . HOUSE
War Offender Cordially
TR00r KILL SEVERAL
OF dYPTIAN-RIOTERS
SUN BEGINS TO SEND
YULETIDE SNOW AWAY
SKATES AND NEW SLEDS ARE
PUT ON SHELVES.
PACIFIC TflEATY
TP BE RATIFIED
Senate Approval of Pact
Regarded as Certain.
STORM DEATH LIST
IN CALIFORNIA SIX
BODY OF ANOTHER VICTIM
FOUND FLOATING IN BAY.
HEAD OF SENATE
JOLTS FAIR BILLS
Ritner Refuses to Sign '
Two Measures.
ON ARMS
SIiAYEIl SAYS VICTIM WAS
DRINKING AND AGGRESSIVE.
NT
ARE SHOT DOWN WHEN
OXICE ARE ATTACKED.
Conference Movement Is
Gaining in Strength.
MANY QUESTIONS TO WAIT
Use of Gas, Air Bombs and
Other Agencies to Come Up.
1928 IS PROBABLE DATE
Submarine Question Waits on Word
I'rom Paris and Toklo as to
Yielding on Limit Proposed.
WASHINGTON". D. C. Dec. 26.-t-(By
the Associated Tress.) The arms con
ference naval committee, which faces
a perplexing situation in its efforts
1 io BKrefi on limitation or. suDmannes
J tonight, postponed Its next meeting
f until Wednesday so that the French
apd possibly the Japanese might re
ceive from home more definite in
struction regarding the American
compromise proposal.
All indications here, however,
pointed to continued objection to the
American plan by both the Japanese
and the French. At the same time
the. Americana atiH rltiuh . annxarsil
J to feel that in offering to scale down
I their submarine fleet to 60,000 tons
I each, they had made a maximum con
, cession in the interest of an agree-
r TV. f n t
Future Meeting: Fnvorrd.
In these circumstances, more defi
nite shape was assumed by the move
ment for a later conference, to be
attended by more nations, for another
examination of the submarine prob
lem, and for a future meeting of the
great powers to assess the general
possibilities of further armament
limitations. There were indications
: that the plan for a world submarine
conference would be put into con-
i crete form quickly. The proposed
new conference on the general sub
ject of armaments probably would be
held in 1928 or 1929, and provision
for it would be made In the treaty
that i to embody the decision of the
Fresent meeting.
Postponement of the naval com
mittee meeting to Wednesday is
understood to have resulted from a
request by the French delegates, who
have not yet heard the verdict of
their home government on the Ameri
can plan to fix American and British
submarine strength at 60.000 tons and
to make a status quo arrangement
for France, Italy and Japan.
Paris Disapproval Expected.
The Impression among French dele
Sates tonight was that the plan would
fee unsatisfactory to Paris. A sub
marine tonnage of 90,000 tons has
been suggested for France by hei
naval experts, and under the Ameri
can proposal, she would have only
about 31,000.
The Japanese maintained silence
as to their future course, but there
was no evidence that they intend to
recede from their flat refusal to ac
cept the American compromise. The
Japanese have told the conference
they consider 64,000 tons necessary to
their national security in place of
the 31,000 allotted in the compromise
arrangement. In some quarters, how
ever, it is hoped that further advices
from Toklo may soften somewhat
their position.
Should the American plan fall to
bring the powers together, it is sug
gested by some of those' connected
with the conference that considera
tion may be given to a proposal for
a general building holiday in subma
rines under an agreement that all
five powers would leave their sub
mersible strength distributed as at
present in the various sea areas.
Tonnage Would He Maintained.
Under this suggestion, which has so
far received no formal indorsement
from any of the delegations, the
United States, Great Britain. Japan,
Italy and France would undertake
to maintain the tonnage of subma
rines they have stationed in the At
lantic, the Pacific, the Mediterranean
and the Adriatic
The proposal to write into the naval
limitation treaty an agreement for
reassembling the conference has be
gun to take more definite form. An
informa4 exchange of views among
the American, British and French
delegates has developed a feeling that
by that time it may be possible to
work out an extension of the naval
holiday in the light of a seven-year
test of the agreement. In any event,
it has been said, there will be de
tails to work out of the programme
that is to replace the ten-year fleet
status with actual application of the
"five-five-three" capital ship ratio.
Another Conference Likely.
It also appeared probable that some
definite step toward a world confer
ence on submarines, probably to be
held within three years, would be
taken soon. What form It will take
is in doubt, pending final action here
on submarines, and it is certain that
the American delegation plans to ex
haust every effort to bring about an
agreement as to submarine tonnage,
which will result in actual reduction
of tonnage and de-limitation of fu
ture submarine building programmes
jtCoiiUiinicd. ou l ao 2. Cvjuma Ai
Boarding House Head Declares He
and Wife Were Pursued by
I'esonen, Brandishing Dirk.
ABERDEEN, Wash.. Dec. 26.
(Special.) The body of Emil Pesonen
tonight- was at a local undertaking
establishment and Emil Wahltonen
was confined in the city jail, charged
with murder as the result of a brawl
at the boarding house of Wahltonen
about 8:30 o'clock last night.
The brawl started, according to
statements of witnesses, when Peso
nen failed to find a bottle of moon
shine, which he declared he had
hidden in his room.
Pesonen, who was shot in the
abdomen with a .38-callber revolver,
died a moment or two after the
police, summoned by neighbors, ar
rived. He was unable to make any
statement. Wahltonen, who was
standing by, gave the police his re
volver, declaring that he had done
the shooting.
Wahltonen's statement, made at the
poll..' station, was that Pesonen had
been drinking and was in an aggres
sive mood. When he went to his
room and failed to find the liquor,
he accused Wahltonen and wife of
stealing It.
Brandishing a long dirk, Pesonen
rushed at Mrs. Wahltonen, who fled,
screaming, into the bedroom, closely
followed by Wahltonen. Then, Wahl
tonen picked up the revolver and shot
twice, hoping, he said, to frighten
Pesonen. One of the bullets lodged
In the woodwork of the door and was
later recovered by the police. When
Pesonen, according to Wahltonen, had
battered In a panel of the door and
was about to step In. Wahltonen fired
his third shot, which lodged In
Pesonen's abdomen and later caused
his death.
" Pesonen was a native of Finland.
He is survived by a sister, Mrs. Oscar
Kuuska of Fort Bragg. Cal.
SELFISH MEN ARE BLAMED
Responsibility for Women's Im
modesty In Dress Fixed.
NEW YORK, Dec. 26. Responsibility
for women's immodesty in dress has
been placed squarely on man's cupidity
by Bishop Alma White, head of the
Pillar" of Fire denomination.
She told a Brooklyn congregation
that all the low-necked and sleeveless
gowns, the short skirts and gauzy
stockings were outgrowths of man's
schemes for gain. '
For selfish and mercenary purposes,,
she declared, man had forced women
out half-clad before the public gaze
to become the object of unkind re
marks and criticisms.
The bared neck, she asserted, was
nothing less than a trick of the fur
rier and the jeweler.
The length of the skirt, the amount
of material to be used in her gowns,
whether her neck should be bare or
her sleeves long, were subjects woman
never was consulted about, she de
clared. GIFTS SHOWER TRIPLETS
Baby Daughters in Ewers Family
Remembered by Many Persous.
It pays to be triplets, especially
at Christmas time. This was demon
strated in the case of Florence Emma,
Elizabeth Adell and Laura Ethel, the
daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Howard
Ewers, born November 23. The trip
let daughters attracted quite a bit
of notice at the time of their com
ing and they weren't forgotten by
Santa Claus and his aides.
Mrs. Ewer said yesterday that her
daughters had been deluged with gifts
from many friends and persons who
were interested in them merely be
cause they were triplets. Most gifts
came in sets of three. One of these
sets, was sent by the Santiam Woolen
mills, and consisted of three small
woolen blankets and one big one, pre
sumably to go over all three babies.
Then there were silver cups in sets
of three, rattles, rings, linen and many
other filings. One contributor sent
three banks with money in them.
CUPID JILTS INDIAN CHIEF
License Refused Oklalioman When
Bride-Elect Fails to Qualify.
SALEM, Or., Dec. 26. (Special.)
Chief Red Feather. Cherokee Indian,
of Muskogee, Okla., was a disap
pointed bridegroom-elect when he
arrived here today accompanied by
Mrs. N. W. Patch of Davenport, la.,
for the purpose of getting married.
The county clerk refused to Issue the
license because the bride-elect had
not resided in Marion county the re
quired length of time.
Chief Red Feather and his bride
had intended to leave here tonight
for Portland, from where they were
to go to San Francisco by boat. Mrs
Patch made the trip as far west as
Sacramento by automobile, " but
abandoned her machine there ani
came on to Salem by train. Chief
Red Feather has been engaged In the
theater business in Muskogee for a
number of years, he said.
Chief Red Feather and Mrs. Patch
may be married here later, he said
today.
FAMILY IS ASPHYXIATED
Parents and Three Children Killed
by Fumes From Gas Heater.
DETROIT, Dec. 26. An entire fam
ily was accidentally asphyxiated to
day by fumes from a gas heater.
The dead are: Gaetano Maimondo
ami his wife, and their three chil
Received by Harding,
DAUGHERTY ALSO IS MET
Socialist to Devote Time to
Freeing All Prisoners.
NOTHING IS RETRACTED
Loss of Citizenship Is Accepted as
Inevitable Sacrifice So as
to Uphold Principles.
WASHINGTON, D. C, Dec. 26. Eu
gene V. Debs, socialist leader, whose
ten-year prison sentence for violation
of the espionage act was commuted
on Christmas, came here today from
the Atlanta federal penitentiary and
called on President Harding and Attorney-General
Dauhgerty.
Mr. Daugherty said Debs came of
his own 'volition," while Debs de
clared his visit was at the "request"
of the .attorney-general and that he
received a ticket to the capital from
the warden without choice of destina
tion, although he had planned to go
immediately to his home at Terre
Haute, Ind.
After his conference with Debs, the
attorney-general declared in a state
ment that there were no unusual con
ditions attached to the commutation
of the sentence, that no advice wai
offered to Debs nor was any request
ed, and that he - hoped Debs would
direct his talents to a useful purpose.
Silence Broken by Debs.
No statement was made after the
White House conference, but on reach
ing his hotel Debs broke his silence
and declared he would devote his
time to the freedom of all prisoners.
He added that he had discussed his
opinions with President Harding In
order that there might be no misun
derstanding as to his principles and
ideals.
Debs arrived at 9 A. M. H left
Atlanta in a day coach, giving the
extra fare to Russian relief, but about
10 o'clock last night, according to
friends who accompanied him, he
changed to a sleeper. With him were
his brother, Theodore, Miss Celia Rot
ter of the Debs freedom conference;
Miss Lucy Robbins of the American
federation of labor .and newspaper
men.
Breakfast Taken at Hotel.
He went immediately to a hotel
for breakfast and then walked to the
attorney general's office. From the
department he walked to the White
House and then back to his -hotel.
. He first planned to leave Washing-
(Continued on Page 2, Column 1.)
THE FELLOW WHO USED TO
t
. ixjjti ejt !. uajuj. - hj iiLtx tA x -. m.i ujxt iji
Minor Disturbances in Many Parts
Cause Casualties and Cairo
Is Without Communication.
CAIRO, Dec. 26. (By the Associated
Press.) Five persons were killed and
four wounded by troops who were
called out during an attack on the
police station In the Mousky quarter
today. The troops opened a heavy
fire.
One rioter was killed and another
Injured at Suez Sunday, and two
rioters were killed and two wounded
at Port Said. Naval units are sta
tioned at Suez. Ismalla, Port Said,
and Alexandria. Minor acts of sabot
age to wire communications were
reported in lower Egypt.
Most of the government officials
have decided to strike, but It is not
expected they will remain out long.
Cairo was without local transporta
tion, even the cabs suspending serv
ice on account of attacks by roughs
early today.
It Isx estimated that thus far 14 per
sons have been killed and 40 wounded
in the Cairo district. The French
and Italian consuls were reported to
have protested to the authorities
against the attacks on the property
of their nationals.
RETRIAL REFUSAL ANGERS
Rome Press Predicts New Agitation
in Behalf of Convicted Slayers.
LONDON, Dec. 26. Italian news
papers condemn the refusal of Judge
Thayer at Dedham, Mass., to grant
a retrial to Nicolo Sacco and Bar
tolmeo Vanzetti, who were convicted
last summer of murder in the first
degree, according to a dispatch to
the Central News agency today from
Its Rome correspondent.
The dispatch says the Rome news
papers predict a "tiew agitation
throughout Italy on .behalf of the
prisoners.
ALL FOR INCORPORATION
Long Beach Elects Gilbert Tinker
as Mayor; Councllmen Named.
ILWACO. Wash., Dec. 26. (Spe
cial.) At the election at Long Beach
Saturday the vote for incorporation
was unanimous, 50 votes were polled.
. Officers elected were: Mayor, Gil
bert Tinker; treasurer, John H. Mc
Kean, five councllmen S. B. Hunt,
C. E. Kinth. J. B. Mack, J. B. Pape
and Joseph McKean. The first coun
cil meeting will be held In January.
YULETIDE MONEY STOLEN
Thieves Drill Open Church Safe,
Get Several Hundred Dollars.
OAKLAND, Cal., Dec. 26. Thieves
broke into the office of the First
Presbyterian church here last night,
drilled open the safe and took the en
tire Christmas collection.
The collection was estimated at
several hundred dollars
WAIT FOR SECOND TABLE IS BEING SERVED FIRST NOWADAYS.
Highest Temperature In More Than
Week Is Reached; AYeatheriuan
Says It Will Rain Today.
As if the, snow which had been
accumulating for a week had been
planned especially for Christmas, the
weather began removing the decora
tion yesterday in the least objection
able manner, by melting It under
rays of warm sunshine.
Portlanders who are given to bor
rowing trouble look upon a fall of
snow merely as one of the ingredients
for a sea of slush the next time it
rains, but if yesterday is a sample
of what Is to be expected in the way
of weather, the usual aftermath will
be missing, for a little snow will be
melted every day until the city re
sumes its normal appearance.
Throughout the early hours of yes
terday afternoon, only the palm trees
along the sidewalks were lacking to
match a page from a tourists' guide to
California. A slight fall of sleet mixed
with snow fell early yesterday morn
ing, but- was running from roofs and
pavements before noon.
Brand-new sleds, crying aloud of
the arrival of Christmas, looked rather
forlorn yesterday morning as their
youthful owners towed them about in
search of a slope still holding enough
snow to promise a slide, while Christ
mas skates, bestowed in anticipation
of eastern weather, remained idle In
doors. Yesterday's official minimum tem
perature between the hours of 5 A. M.
and 6 P. M. was 34 degrees, while a
maximum of 42 degrees, the highest
temperature in more than a week, was
reached during the afternoon.
. The forecast for today Is "Rain."
SILK CARGO IS COSTLY
$6,000,000 Worth Due in San
Francisco Port Today.
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 26. Six mil
lion dollars' worth of silk, the largest
cargo of silk entering the port of San
Francisco since January, 1919, will
arrive here tomorrow on the Tenyo
Maru to be shipped east und'er armed
guards.
It will travel on a special Southern
Pacific train of 21 cars to New York
on passenger schedule to reduce the
time the Invested capital will be tied
up, reaching its destination January
1. The shipment consists of 420 tons,
or 734 bales of 140 pounds weight
each. -
OHIO RIVER STILL RISES
Crest Is Expected to Be Reached
Some Time During Night.
CINCINNATI. Dec. 26. The Ohio
river, continuing to rise at approxi
mately one-tenth of a foot every two
hours, had registered 55 feet at 7
o'clock tonight. Indications were, ac
cording to river men, that the rise
would continue at a diminishing rate
until a crest of about 56 feet is
reached late tonight.
Reports from up-river points in
dicated that all the larger tributaries
were receding.
REPUDIATION NOT LOGICAL
Bitter Partisan Fight Said to
Be Upon Programme. .
FOREIGNERS ARE WORRIED
Ferocious Attack by Democrats
Planned for Political Effect
Will Prelude Approval.
BY ROBERT T. SMALL.
(Copyright, 1021. by The Oregnnlan.)
WASHINGTON, D. C, Dec. 26. (.Spe
cial.) Although the events of last
week have made it evident that no
action can be taken until after a long
and perhaps embarrassing debate. It
seems certain at this time that the
four-po.wer Pacdfic treaty, applying
to the mainland of Japan, as well as
to her Pacific islands, ultimately will
be ratified by the senate.
Conservative senators of both par
ties frankly declare that if the United
States should repudiate another treaty
especially a treaty negotiated and
signed In her own apital this coun
try would be placed In an Intolerable
position before the world. No effort
America might make for world better
ment in the future would be taken
seriously by the other nations.
In any future foreign intercourse
requiring treaty action the other na
tions, it is argued, easily might be
Justified in demanding that the Amer
ican plenipotentiaries bring with them
written assurance from the senate, or
ratifying branch of the government,
as well as from the executive or
treaty-making branch.
Democratic Aid Expected.
Strange as it may Beem in these
days of strife and turmoil, there are
still some senators who place the
honor of their country above mere
partisan advantage. Therefore, while
the democrats may In debate have
some pretty bitter things to say to the
republicans who wrecked the foreign
policy of the Wilson administration,
it is generally believed that In the
end they will lend sufficient support
to" put the Pacific treaty safely
through the surging senate.
There is a growing feeling in Wash
ington that no reservations hostile to
the views of the American delegation
which negotiated the treaty will be
successful in the senate. President
Harding and Senator Lodge held the
view that no reservations are neces
sary to clarify the treaty, nor to de
fine America's obligations under It.
But reservations are to be offered and
fought over, and it Is certain the
democrats wlft make much of these
reservations In debate In order to
bring out (for future political use)
what they hold to be Inconsistencies
of the republican senators whose res
ervations threw the treaty of Ver
sallies Into the realm of national poll
tics and into a presidential campaign.
Foreigners Are Disturbed.
The foreign delegates and foreign
correspondents in Washington un
questionably have been disturbed by
the incidents of the week, and the
growing opposition to the American
delegation as to the exact scope of
the compact. Mr. Harding has done
everything he could to minimize this
particular incident, and has declared
with a great deal of reason that after
all nothing has happened to change
the real intent and purport of the
treaty. The president's position that it
is immaterial whether the treaty is
held to apply to the mainland of
Japan or not is conceded by senators.
democrats as well as republicans.
There are not many persons in
Washington, however, so generous as
the president in taking the view that
the point was so immaterial as to
have made little or no difference
whether the American delegates noti
fied the president of their action in
acquiescing to the mainland conten
tion In the secret session which
framed the treaty. Senator Lodge is
under considerable fire for having
failed to mention the mainland of
Japan as coming within the purview
of the treaty. He mentioned virtually
every other Island within the entire
expanse of the "lily-sprinkled waters
of the Pacific," but overlooked the
Japanese mainland.
Senator Lodge Scapegoat.
Senator Lodge is likely to continue
to bear the brunt of the 'blame for
the incident involving President Hard
ing, but he will also lead the fight
for ratification in the senate. He will
be seconded, of course, by Senator
Underwood, the titular leader of the
democratic minority. It is apparent
now that President Harding, after his
own experience In the senate, had the
possible difficulties of. ratification in
mind when he selected the two party
leaders of the senate for the American
delegation. With the leaders of both
parties committed to a treaty made In
Washington, It is inconceivable that
a successful fight could be made
against such a convention.
It has been somewhat bewildering
to the foreigners in Washington to
have the impression thrust upon them
that the entire foreign policy of the
United States In the future Is likely
Highway Trarfic in Southern Turt
of State Is Seriously Im
peded by Wusliouts.
SAN FRANCISCO. Dec. 26. The
number of dead as the result of Sun
day's wind storm in the San Fran
cisco bay region was increased to
six today when the body of Samuel
Quam, .Oakland resident, was found
floating In the bay off Alameda.
Three dea'ths were reported yester
day, and early today the bodies of
Mr. and Mrs. Louis Malottl were
found In a gas-filled bedroom. The
stiff breeze through an open window
had blown out a burning gas jet
while they slept, causing fumes to
I fill the room.
f The storm, characterized as the
DiULg l.auacu uninnftg ...
this vicinity estimated at $100,000.
LOS ANGELES, Cal., Dec. 26. High
way traffic throughout southern Cali
fornia wa seriously impeded tonight
through storm damage, eleven bridges
in various sections being washed out
or closed as a result of the storm of
the past week. In Los Angeles the
tolal rainfall for the storm was 6.76
Inches, .60 of an inch falling in the
last 24 hour, bringing the seasonal
total to 8.02, compared with 2.93 for
the same period last year.
Heavier rainfall was recorded In
southern California below Los An
geles. The swollen streams washed
out temporary repairs in several
bridges which went out In the early
part of the storm.
Train and stage service to San
Diego was suspended today when
highway and Santa l''c railway bridges
were washed out.
MANEUVERS CALLED OFF
Plans for Joint Fleet Exercises
Abandoned for Economy.
WASHINGTON. D. C, Dec. 26.
The annual Joint maneuvers of the
Atlantic and Pacific fleets, which
were to have been held In Panama
bay In February and March, 1922.
have been abandoned, the navy de
partment announced today.
Decision to cancel arrangements
for the maneuvers was reached by
the department. It was said, in the
interests of economy and because of
the shortage of funds available for
purchase of required fuel.
Independent drills will be held by
a numher of warships of the Atlantic
fleet beginning January 3 in Guan
tanamo bay, and drills and target
practice will be conducted off the
California coast by the Pacific fleet,
the navy department announced.
"A number of vessels of the Atlan
tic fleet will, however, proceed on
January 3, 1922. to Guantanamo bay.
Cuba, for winter drill and target
practice. The Pacific fleet will base
on San Pedro and San Diego, Cal,
and carry on drills end target prac
tice" BAND'S VICTIM LYNCHED
Man Who Avenges Beating Taken
From Jail Despite Guard.
KEY WEST, Fla.. Dec. 26. Manuel
Head, owner of a coffee shop, who,
after he had been beaten by a band
of marked men yesterday, shot and
killed W. P. Decker, a prominent
resident, was taken from the Jail by
a mob early today and lynched. He
was shot twice before being removed
from the Jail, then taken out on a
county road and strung to a telephone
pole, where bis body was riddled with
bullets.
Barricaded in the cupola of a house,
Head last night stood off an armed
mob until captured and taken to the
county jail. Marines xtooci guard out
side the Jail until the mob had dis
banded. But at 2 A. M. when the
marines were relieved by deputies
the mob gathered again and forced
its way into the cell house.
Ithliun General to Leave.
WASHINGTON. D. C, Dec. 26. (By
the Associated Press.) General Vac
carl and the military section of the
Italian arms delegation will leave to
morrow for New York to sail for
Italy.
INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS
The Weather.
YESTERDAY'S Maximum temperature,
42 degree.; minimum, 34.
TODAY'S Kain; easterly winds.
Foreign.
Troops kill everai Egyptian rioter
Page 1.
All-RusKian soviet.-, congress Indorses
policies of Premier Lenlne. Pago 2.
Premiers' conference In London largely
futile, says Andre Tardieu. Pago o.
National.
Submarine Inut waiting on Paris. Page 1.
Democrats sullen over peace situation.
Page .
Troubled world fae'd by Wilson t begin
ning of his administration. Pago 4.
Deb calls on Precedent Harding. Page 1.
Senate expected finally to ratify four-power
treaty of Pacific. Page 1.
Domestic.
Death list four in California storm. Tags 1.
Pacific orthet.
Slaughter of salmon in Washington stata
declared crime against mankind.
Page 0.
Tota made happy at Christmas gathering
at Columbia gorge hotel. Page 8.
Drinker .hot and killed In Aberdeen
brawl. Page 1.
British Columbia log prices rise. Page 6.
riporta.
Baeketball season in northwest to open
after New Year's day. Page. 17.
Trambltaa and Griffiths fight draw.
Page .16.
Centre defeats Arizona. 38 to 0. Tag 16.
Commercial and Marine.
Marina companiea to confer January 5.
.Page 21.
Newsprint paper due from Norway. Page
21.
Portland and Vicinity.
Sun begins to molt Chrlstmaa anow. Page 1.
Christmas season of good cheer prolonged
to Include yesterday. Page 8.
Leveling of prices declared hampered by
attltudo of labor. Page 21.
President of senate refuses to sign fair
bill. Page 1.
German names for streets to be fought be- j
COURT ACTION NEXT STEP
Law Requires Signatures
Within Five Days.
SATURDAY IS TIME LIMIT
President of I'pper House Itasca
Course on Opinion ot
Atlorncy-Gcneral.
Chief development in the exposition
situation yesterday was the statement
at Pendleton by Itoy W. Itltner, prewi
dent of the state senate, that, as
presiding: officer, he would not sign
house joint resolution No. 3 or house
bill 22. Those companion measures
authorize an Orego.. 1923 exposition
commission and provide a revenue of
13.000,000 from a tax on gasoline.
With this position taken by Presl
dent Kltncr, the next step, presum
ably, will bo to institute mandamus
proceedings to compel him to affix
his signature, so that the resolution
and revenue bill can bo filed In the
governor's office.
According to law these measures
must be signed and filed witli the
governor within five days of their
passage. They were passed over the
ruling of the president of the senate,
by a vote of 15 to 14, Saturday aftor
noon. Ti Days Not Included.
Sunday was Christmas and Monday
was a legal holiday under the law, so
that these two days cannot be In
cluded In the five days following the
action by the legislature. Eliminat
ing Sunday and Monday as legal holi
days, this will, presumably, give un
til Saturday for the bills to reach the
office of Governor Olcott.
When President Ritner left Port
land for his home in Pendleton Sun
day night he had not determined
whether to sign the bills, with an ex
planation of his ruling and the vote
on which It was based, or to decline
to sign. Yesterday, however, he had
elected his course of policy and said
that he would not sign the measures.
This placed the burden of proof of the
constitutionality of the vote upon the
proponents of the exposition.
Signing; Is Posalble.
It would be possible for President
Ritner to sign and file the measures
and these documents would go to the
governor In their regular form. Then
the secretary of state could accept
them for a place on the ballot for the
special election May 19 unless he
wanted to go Into the official record.
These things could be done without
the validity of the action of the
senate being questioned and the elec
torate could vote for or against the
proposed constitutional! amendment.
The attitude of President Ritner,
however, means that he is the first
obstacte to be overcome. The presi
dent, having received an opinion
Irom the attorney-general that 16
votes In the senate are necessary for
a resolution or measure to receive
the constitutional majority. Intends
standing pat on that opln'on.
Fair Committee t Meet.
As soon as possible the committee
which has been directing the fair ac
tivities will bold a meeting to de
termine what steps should be taken.
A conference probably will be held
today, the two holidays having In
terfered with the assembling of th
committeemen.
Various members of the bloo In
the senate, who were in Portland
yesterday on their way home, ex
pressed the hope that the exposition
(Concluded on Tage 4. Column 2 )
MANY SUBJECTS COVERED
IN OREGON IAN AN
NUAL EDITION.
In the annual edition of
The Oregonian, to be issued
Monday, January 2, a large
range of subjects of vifal in
terest to the state will be thor
oughly covered in text and
illustration.
There will be a complete re
view of the lumber industry;
the horticultural and agricul
tural situation; irrigation
development; business and
progress of Portland and other
Oregon harbors, and( hydro
electric expansion.
Highway construction is re
viewed by experts, among the
features being the Mount Hood
loop, The Dalles - California,
Old Oregon trail, John Day
road, upper and lower Colum
bia river highways, highwsy
bridges, market roads, Pacific
highway.
Numerous high-class illus
trations, many in colors, will
be published.
T
102.0v