1U
:HE SUNDAY OBEGONIAK, POiftgLAaTD, I'AKffARY 8,
NEW LAWS IN AIR
important Bills Up
Legislature.
to
MAKE GAMBLING A FELONY
Mineowners Cry for Repeal of
Eddy's Tax.
FLAT SALARIES FOR SOLONS
Suggestion of Secretary of State on
Unsafe Methods of Fraternal In
surance Societies May Be Act
ed On at Coming Session.
UXUSUAJ. XAWS FROFOSKD.
- That a. whipping-post be established
lor wlfe-beatere.
That desertion of wife and lam lb" b
made an extraditable crime.
That gambling be made a felony.
That hotels and restaurants post no
tices tbey are uslnc process butter.
That the sale of milk containing less
than 3-2 pe cent of butter fat be pro
hibited. Notwithstanding the Immense number
of bills that haye been passed by previous
Legislature, Ailing the statute books with
a. multitude of lawB, It is apparent that
the Legislature of 1905 will have an abun
dance of work to occupy its attention
during the session beginning tomorrow.
The measures demanding consideration
at this time are not only numerous but
mnnv of them are of such great impor
tance that much care must be exercised
in determining the details 01 tne duis to
be passed. Some of the laws to be en
ncind arc already setned in a general
way. but time and labor will be required
to decide upon particular provisions con
cerning which it Is certain there will be a
great difference of opinion. The session
of 1905 Is therefore likely to bo full of
work for tho careful and conscientious
Legislator.
Flat Salaries.
It may be taken as already settled that
this Legislature will not adjourn until a
fiat-salary law has been placed upon the
statute books. The platforms of both
political parties in the state campaign of
1902 pledged the enactment of such a law,
and sentiment seems to be general in fa
vor of carrying out the pledge, even
though some members doubt the validity
of any act prescribing compensation for
state officers other tnan tne salaries nxea
"by the constitution.
The proposal is to consider the constltu
tional salary a minimum limit, and pro
vide for compensation commensurate with
the importance of the office. But though
the members of the Legislature may be a
unit In favor of passing a flat-salary bill,
and may easily agree upon the amounts
to be nald to each of the state officers,
there may be no small difficulty in deter
mining when the new salary scneauie
shall take effect, and what services the
several state officers shall render in re
turn for the money received by them.
Shall the unconstitutional fee system be
terminated now or not until two years
hence, when the terms of present Incum
bents will end? Shall the state officers
continue to serve on boards and commis
sions when provided with salaries In ex
cess of the amounts fixed by the constitu
tion, or shall they be relieved, and a sal
arled state board of control be created to
perform the duties now assigned to the
Governor, Secretary of State and State
Treasurer? These are questions that may
not be easily settled.
Tax Legislation.
In view of the discreditable consequences
of tinkering with the assessment and tax
atlon laws at the session of 1903, making a
special session neoessary to correct the
errors of the regular session. It is quite
certain that there will be no meddling
with these laws at the coming session.
There are two tax measures that will
receive attention, however, and they are
of such Importance that they will occupy
much time and create no small discus
slon. These are the Eddy corporation tax
law. which some of the mining corpora
tlons wish to amend or repeal, and a pro.
posed franchise tax law applicable
quasi-public corporations.
The Eddy corporation tax law is bring'
ing In a revenue of 3100,000 a year, and Its
repeal would mean an increase of 10 per
cent in the, state tax upon real and per
sonal property, so It Is not likely that the
law can bo repealed. The effort of the
mining companies will probably be to
change the law so as to make the tax
upon them depend upon the output of the
mine. As this would provide one rate of
taxation for one class of corporations and
a different rate for all other classes, there
might be a question wncther the law In
that lorm would be valid, and tho Legis
laturc would hesitate to make a change
that might Invalidate the whole law and
deprive tho state of all the revenue.
The other tax measure proposed is
tax upon the gross earnings of telegraph,
telephone, express, Pullman car and sim
ilar corporations doing a large amount of
business, but owning very little tangible
property subject to taxation. Such i
law Is now in force as to insurance com.
panies.
Klamath Irrigation Project.
A subject of legislation which is of
vast importance to the state, and which
wm probably be favorably acted upon
witn mue. if any opposition. Is the Gov
ernment irrigation project In Klamath
County. The United States proposes to
lower the water In Klamath Lake and
drain several other lakes, thus making
the lake beds productive agricultural
land. The Government asks the state
to code to the former all the lands thus
uncovered, and. so far as now appears
there la unanimity in the opinion that
the request should be granted. "Without
the passage of an act as desired, the
Government -would probably not under
take its reclamation work.
Messrs. Humphrey and Holgatc. of the
United States Reclamation Service, will
be In attendance at the legislative session
ready to give either house or any com
m It tee such Information as may be de
sired, regarding the Government's plans
so far as developed.
Direct Legislation Measures.
Bills will be introduced for the purpose
of amending the local option law. so that
the voter can mark his ballot for or
against precinct prohibition, without his
vote counting in the same way for or
against count or district prohibition.
The friends of the present law mil vlg.
orously oppose any changes In tho law.
and this will furnish the subject matter
for a warm contest In each house.
Secretary of State Dunbar has recom
mended changes In the law of 1903, mak
Ing the initiative and referendum effec
tive, so as to simplify the procedure, and
make, the records less voluminous. The
delay In securing returns from the last;
general election .Indicate, that there" win
be trouble in learning the results of elec
tions under the direct primary law witn
in the time, necessary, unless some,
changes are made requiring more prompt
action on the part of election officials.
There is also some doubt whether pres
ent laws governing registration of voters
will cause trouble In the Portland city
primary election in 1905. All these ques
tions connected -with elections will Tequire
attention, and because changes In tne
laws may easily bring about inconsisten
cies leading to further difficulty, the great
est care will be necessary.
Forest Fires.'
How to prevent disastrous forest fires
and Tccep the atmosphere clear of smoke
while Eastern visitors arc in Oregon to
attend tho 1503 Fair without seriously
hampering farmers In clearing their lands
of brash and stumps, is a problem wnicn
this Legislature will try to solve.
Reformatory Laws.
Two Important laws are proposed for
he purpose of reforming offenders against
the criminal laws. One Is an act creating
Juvenile court in each of the larger
counties, with the Circuit or County Judge
presiding. Tho other is an act to provide
for Indeterminate sentences, under which
a man not a confirmed criminal "may be
paroled and let out of prison during good
behavior.
Suppression of Crime.
Three radical measures arc suggested
for the purpose of lessening crime. By
one of these it is proposed to make coun
ties liable to property-owners for the
losses they may sustain by such acts of
violence as the wholesale slaughter of
livestock. Another proposed law would
provide tho whipping post as a punish
ment for wife-beaters, and make desertion
of wife or family a crime for which the
offender may be extradited. The third
law suggested would make gambling
felony. Probably tho first and last of the
measures here mentioned will be the only
ones arousing opposition, and against the
last the fight will be exceedingly strong.
Irrigation Laws.
An irrigation code abolishing riparian
rights except where already vested, pro-
idlng a system of apportioning water
among the several users on a stream and
establishing regulations which will pre'
ent waste, will be presented by the Ir
rigation Commission appointed in pursu
ance of an act of the last Legislature.
and a law substantially as recommended
by the commission will probably be en
acted. So long as the measure submitted
does not Interfere with vested rights or
create new and expensive public offices.
it will pcobably not meet much opposition.
Game Laws.
Every session of the Legislature has
given its attention to the subject of pro
tection of game, and this session will be
no exception. To charge all hunters a II
cense tax of 51 a. year, to prohibit the
sale of game "birds and to place a limit
of five on the number of birds that may
b'e killed in one day are the principal
changes proposed at this time.
Fraternal Insurance.
If the Legislature at this session should
act upon the recommendation of Secretary
of State Dunbar and try to Tegulate fra
ternal insurance societies, it will have
task of no small proportions. Mr.
Dunbar has called attention to the fact
that insurance societies may now be or
ganized upon an unsafe plan, which is
attractive to the person seeking cheap
insurance, but which must eventually re
suit In failure, leaving the promoters the
only real beneficiaries of the organiza
tion. Fraternal Insurance societies are
numerous, and will scrutinize all legisla
tlon closely If It threatens their Interests.
Fishing Laws.
Fishery laws, like game laws, are al
ways the subject of contention. The prin
clpal measures proposed for considera
tion at the session of 1Kb are the cstab
lishment of a Sunday closed season on
the Columbia, extension of the Fall closed
season five days after August la, & re
adjustment of license rates so as to pro
vide revenue sufficient to make the fish'
ery department nearly self-supporting.
Minor Laws.
Other proposed measures of a general
application are:
A law requiring dealers to Keep a list
of sales of process butter and requiring
hotels and" restaurants using process but
ter to post a notice showing that fact
A law prohibiting the sale of milk that
docs not test 3.2 per cent butter fat.
A law giving County Courts power to
condemn rights of way for public roads.
A law providing for a uniform system
of public accounts and creating the of
flee of Public Examiner.
A law regulating private banks and pro
vidlng for the examination of their af
fairs.
A law providing for the payment of
salaries of public employes monthly in
stead of quarterly.
A law providing for the taking of the
state census in 1905, and every ten years
thereafter.
A law in accordance with the model
military code adopted by the Federal
Government.
WILL TALK ON FRUIT.
Annual Meeting of State Horticultural
Society This Week.
The State Horticultural Society will
hold its annual meeting January 10 and
11 In the Knights of Pythias Hall, Mar
quam building. Fruitgrowers from every
section of the state will be In attendance.
and the number Is expected to be large.
Awards will be made for the best spec!
mens of fruit exhibited from .various
sections, and all fruitgrowers are expect
ed to bring some with them. An ex
hiblt of choice apples will be shown from
British Columbia.
Tho following Interesting programme
has been prepared:
TufSiar. 10 A. M.
Officers" renorts President. Dr. J. K. Card
well: weretarr-treasurer. E. R. Lake.
Drying Prunes "Without Lye L. M. Ollbtrt
This Tear's Pests Prof. A. 13. Cordley
Advertising Oregon Fruit.... Lloyd T. RynOtoi
Tuesday. 2 P. M.
Borne Essentials at a Fruit Soil ......
...Dr. G. W. Shaw. University of California
An Amateur's Garden.. George H. Lambeiwo
Amateur Fruit GroT.-lrur In tbe Willamette
Valley II. C. Atwrtl
"Wednesday, 9;S0 A. II.
Umpo.ua Valley Horticulture
Hon. -G. "W. Riddle
The Strawberry .........C. W. SwaHovr
The Nut In Oregon ...J. B. Pltklngtan
Old Apple Orchards 11. il. "WMUnifon
Wednesday, 2 P. JI.
Odds and Ends of 'Oi Hon. W. K. Newell
Horticultural Laws In Ore on
Hon. K. I Smith
Pioneer Orcharding in Oregon
...Hon. John Minto
Election of oncers. New business. Ad
Jouramcnt.
AT THE Y. M. C. A. TODAY.
Portland in
1905 Will
Discussed.
Be Topi
There seems to be a general fcelin
that 1S0S IS to be a marked year In many-
ways for Portland. This sentiment Is to
be voiced In three addresses In the Y.
M. C. A. auditorium this afternoon, at
3:00. Dr. Edar .p. Hill will speak of
"Portland. 1P05. Politically": Vice-President
Samuel -Conncll. of the Lewis and
Clark Exposition, will speak of the "Port
land 1903 Fair," and Dr. D. L. Rader will
speak of "Portland, U05. Religiously."
Coulter's orchestra will render tho fol
lowing programme: Overture. "The Gol
den Scepter," R. Schlepegrcll; march.
"Our Boys and Girls": cornet Valse.
"Flowers of Italy": overture, "Forest
Queen"; march. "Karama."
There will also be musical numbers by
the Young Men's Choral Union xf tho
First Presbyterian Church, Professor W.
M. Wilder, leader. Admission is cnilrcly
free, and all men are Invited.
SEWER IS UP AGAIN
PropertyOwners Will Contest
Assessment.
MR. WANZER IS CRITICISED
Those Who Must Pay for Tanner-
Creek-Tunnel Oay No Patchwork
'Will Make a Serviceable
Drain.
"While the Tanner-Creek sew scan
dal 1k dropping; out of public 'view, the
decision of the Executive Board Friday
to complete- the work with the assist
ance of the City Engineering Depart
ment, gives rise to various criticisms
which promise that the scandal will be
revived and ultimately result in ono
of tho most bitter litigations tne city
has seen.
Many interested, property-owners are
of the opinion that City Engineer Wan-
er is making a blundor In attempting
to repair the sewer which, they say. Is
In much worse condition than he real
izes. Others cannot conceive -why the
new City Engineer went through tho
sewer with Mr. Elliott and ignored
Messrs. Cunningham and Greenlcaf.
who were the men who first demon
strated tho rottenness of theconstruc
tlon. If the sewer Is repaired so well,"
said Richard "W. Montague last night.
hat It may conform to the original
pacifications, we will pay for It. If
the sewer does not come up to the
specifications, we will not pay for It
until we have to. "We are not of the
opinion that the sewer can be repaired
to that extent."
"The sewer should be built over
again, and is really In a worse condition
than our engineers have shown, ' said
E. A. Xing, of the King estate.
'From evidence I have gleaned from
competent men in whom I have im
plicit confidence," said Tyler "Wood
ward, "I feel thatto patch that sewer
will be an injustice to the taxpayers
who have to pay for it. It seems to me
that the decision of the Executive
Board is in the interests of the con
tractors and tho men who furnished tho
money for tho sewer's construction. I
have not been through tbe sewer, but
men in whom I believe have done so.
and I am convinced that the patched
sewer would be a botch, and I do not
feel as though I am willing- to pay for
any such work. I shall consult attor
neys, and if I stand any sort of show I
hall carry the matter into the courts.
because I do not propose that I shall
be imposed upon as I have been In tho
last 18 months. It will take a -whole
rot of talk to convince me that the
patched sewer will be anything but
botch."
Such statements as these apparently
voice the position of all tbe taxpayers
who are vitally Interested In the Tan
ner-Creek proposition. Assertions that
the matter would bo carried into court
were frequent yesterday, and it is m
mored that recourse will be immediate
ly sought without waiting to witness
City Engineer "Warner's success or fail
ure.
The action of the Board Is most ve
hemently denounced. Why provisions
were not made for the- employment of
an outside contractor ana tne entire
reconstruction of the sewer, the prop
7
i--
&VSSIA.I "i WISH.
erty-owners iy tkey cwBOt under
stand. j .
CIfy Eagleec Xasir would make
no comsaeat upon the statements of the
property -owsrs.
INDICTS PROPERTY HOLDERS.
Two Charged With Renting to the
Portland Club. '
Charged with renting "his .property, at
the northeast corner of Fifth and Alder
streets, knowingly, for gambling purposes.
Captain P. E. Buchanan, an old-time
-resident, has been Indicted by the grand
jury; The premises referred to were part
of those occupied by the Portland Club
when the club was running, and are now
In possession of the Sheriff. The Indict
ment sets forth that on September 26. 1908.
with tbe consent and knowledge of Cap
tain Buchanan gambling games were con
ducted in bis house and that persons
played games among themselves for
money, checks, credits, etc. The witnesses
who appeared before the grand Jury were:
Lewis Robertson. ex-Chief of Police:
Sheriff T. M. "Word. Chief Deputy Sheriff
G. P. Mordcn. and Mrs. Clara M. Badge
ley, official court stenographer.
Robertson sued the Portland Club pro
prietors for gambling losses, and testified
that he played faro and other gambling
games. Mrs. Badgeley reported the testi
mony at the Robertson trial. It Is ex
pected to use this evidence against Bu
chanan, and also to Introduce evidence
showing he leased to Peter Grant, Na
than Solomon and others.
Mary I Saurc, who owns the building
where the Portland Club saloon la lo
cated, has also been indicted for renting
a house knowingly for gambling pur
poses. Tho evidence against her will be
about the same as In the Buchanan case,
and the lease she executed can also be
produced. .
An Indictment was reported against D.
A. Hart, Sr.. charging him with assault
on Lulu Harbison. Tbe witnesses In the
case are Superintendent TV. T. Gardiner,
of the Boys' and Girls' Aid Society; Offi
cer H. H. Hawley and J. H. Harbison. '
, The grand jury returned an -Indictment
against "Nathan Hart, charging him with
attempt at arson in setting fire to a
building at 634 Third street. The wit
nesses examined were: H. Luttman, Pat
Daly and William Burns.
SEED HAD SOLD HORSES.
Jennings, Holding Judgment Against
Him, Cannot Take Possession.
OrvUlc D. Jennings, who Is trying to
realize on a Judgment which he holds
against John S. Seed for alienating his
wife's affections, was decided against by
Judge George yesterday In garnishment
proceedings. In which Frazier & McLean,
livery-stable keepers, were the defend
ants. Seed owned some horses and a
buggy which he sold to Frazier &. Mc
Lean In October last, before the judg
ment in favor of Jennings was granted
by Judge Frazer. Frazier & McLean
showed that the sale was regular, and
that they paid Seed for the property. A
check drawn in favor of Seed was Intro
duced in evidence. Judge George dis
missed the garnishment proceedings.
NO ALIMONY FOR WIFE.
Employment Man Says He Paid Her
Money According to Agreement.
F. P. Drake, an employment agent,
whose wife. Mathilda Drake, has sued
him for support, has filed affidavits in
the State Circuit Court stating that he
is unable to pay $100 Into court, or any
other sum. In an affidavit signed by
himself, ho recites that he offered to
provide her with a homo if she would
return and live with him, which she re
fuses to do. He says she has had since
June, 1SKM, $75 which ho paid to her un
der an agreement that it was to end
their marriage relations, and aleo $230
which would have been ample for her
support it she had not squandered the
money traveling around over the coun
try.
An affidavit of Mrs. Alice Holmes
states that B. S. Payne, attorney for Mrs
Drake, told her she would have set-
i tied with Drake and dropped the mat-
-THAT BEAKED BIKD WOUU HURRY
Rosenthal s
InventorySale
The success of our sale was instantaneous;
Crowds are flocking to our store to take ad
vantage oft,5the unmatchable values offered during this sale.
IMPORTANT
Stfcel Shod Boys' and Girls' Shoes .are branded with Brennan
& White's (the makers) trade mark Steel or
Shod. None are genuine without this anvil
stamped on the sole of each shoe.
BEWARE OF IMITATIONS
We have decided to continue the special "sale on Steel
Shod Shoes another week
Rosenthal's
ter If It had not been for "him, but he
would not let her drop it, because he
thought she was a wronged woman, and
that he had no personal grievance against
Drake, and that he was"not engaged in
the case for money or love of Mrs. Drake,
but to get even with Drake.
James Sullivan, who was In partner
ship with Drake in the employment of
fice business, has subscribed to an af
fidavit stating that his profits from the
business were only Hi from August 1
to November 1, last. E. P. Prentlas has
filed an affidavit reciting that from No
vember 11. 19M. until January 1. 1S05, the
employment office ran aehlnd $11.
ASK RELATIVES TO ACCOUNT.
Guardian of Witless Girl Charges
Conspiracy Against Property.
D. L. Ambler, as guardian of Mary
B. Hardman, an incompetent, has filed a
complaint In the State Circuit Court In
which ho charges that Alva L. Hardman,
her brother, together with A. B. Hood
and M. E. Hood, of conspiring to defraud
Mary B. Hardman out of her property,
valued at $320. An accounting from tbe
defendants is demanded.
Ambler, in his complaint, sets forth that
on September 13, 1902, the woman was the
owner of property worth 3230, and that
the defendants, well knowing of her inr
capacity and the weakness of her will.
corsplrcd together to Impose upon her
and to obtain possession of her property
for their own use. It Is also charged
that on December 23. 1502. Alva B. Hard
man secured possession of the person of
his sister and exercised control over her
until August IS. 10W. when he turned her
over to the custody of Hood and Mrs.
Hood, his father-in-law and mother-in-law.
From August 15, 15M. until November,
1004. it Is alleged that the girl, who Is
20 years old, remained in the custodyof
Mr. and Mrs. Hood, who, with the pur-
UP AND MOHT!"
Leading Shoe Hotise I
149 Third Street, Bet Morrison and
pose of depriving her of her estate and
appropriating the same to their own ben
efit. Induced her to mortgage real proper
ty la Linn County for 1200, of which sum
they received 5600. It is asserted further
that Hood and bis wlfo promised to repay
this- money, and to secure the same by
a. mortgage on real property owned by.
them in Linn County, but never executed
such mortgage and never Intended to do
so or to repay the money.
Thereafter, it la alleged, Mr. and Mrs.
Hood persuaded Mary B. Hardman to
purchase vjxious articles of personal
property wh.ch they appropriated to their
own benefit. It is also alleged that in
November, 1S04, Mary B. Hardman was
arrested on a warrant Issued in the Coun
ty Court on a 'charge of insanity, and
committed to the insane asylum. At that
time she bad 3100 in a bureau
drawer, which. It is said, the
Hoods appropriated. In addition, It
is charged In the complaint that
the girl received other money from the
sale of crops,- and that the defendants,
by means of their conspiracy, have de
prived Miss Hardman of not less than
31200. Ambler was appointed guardian of
Miss Hardman In the County Court on
December 13, 1904.
WILL GO THE LIMIT.
Judge Frazer Says Every One Knows
Guilt ofxLocal Gamblers.
In overruling motions for new trials In
the Fred Fritz and Eugene Blazler gam
bling cases, Judgo Frazier held that the
men were confessedly guilty, and made no
defense, but relied upon technicalities.
"Tho time has como," said. Judge Fra
zer, "when a halt must be called. The
word, must go forth that men who break
the law will be punished. Thinking men
all over the country ore appalled at ex
Istlng conditions. TVe must protect the
people from those who defy the expressed
will of the people. Too often bright law
yers bring Into court some technicality
and clear their man when he Is con
fessedly guilty."
S. C. Spencer, counsel for the defend
ants, objected to the position taken by
the court, and Judge Frazer responded:
I undertake to say that even the de
fendants' counsel themselves know that
these men. are guilty, and are trying to
have them escape on a technicality."
Judge Frazer also remarked that he
would go as far as the law allows to con
vict men known by everybody In the
community to be guilty, but would not
exceed the law.
After sentence has been pronounced
upon Fritz and Blaster, it is said they
will appeal to the Supreme Court, but
they may change their minds and pay
the fines imposed.
SHERIFF APPEALS SUITS.
Cases of Portland and Warwfck Clubs
Go to Circuit Court.
Notice of appeal from the Portland.
Justice Court to the State Circuit Court
of the suit of Mike Solomon against
Sheriff T. M. Word, P. G. Morden, chief
deputy, and George Wise, deputy. wa3
filed yesterday. Justice Held gave judg
ment in favor of Solomon for the resti
tution of the premises, and the defend
ants appealed the case. The defense
made by the Sheriff- in thla case was
that the premises were used for gam
bling purposes by Nathan Solomon, Peter
Grant and Harvey Dale.
Notice of appeal has been filed In a
caso brought In Justice Beld's court for
possession of the premises upstairs at
the corner of Fifth and Alder streets,
occupied by the Portland Club. The
Sheriff also lost this case.
Notice .of appeal has also been filed
in the M. G. Nease case for tho pos
session of the Warwick Club on South
Fourth street, where poolr? were sold un
der a city license. The Sheriff has been
In possession of the premises over two
months. Ho lost the case In the Bast
Side Justice Court, and appealed.
ARGUES ON $50,000 SUIT.
Demurrer Overruled on Case for
-. Alienating Affections of Wife.
In the case of Urgel Omet against John
B. Yeon for 35O.O0C damages for alienating
tho affections of his wife. Judge George,
In passing upon, a. demurrer which set
forth that the complaint improperly
united two causes of action, overruled the
demurrer. The defendant's attorney con
tended that the two causes of action im
properly united were that Yeon alienated
the affections of Mrs. Omet from her
husband, and had criminal relations with
her. The court held that these two alle
gations could well ko together. William
Foley argued" the case as attorney for t he-
plaintiff.
Fined for Bad Pictures.
W. H. Wilson and D. C. Gosnell, pro
prietors of the Badger saloon. Fourth and
Davis streets, pleaded guilty to a charge
of exhibiting immodest pictures through
picture maehlnes. and was each fined 310
by Judge Hogue In the Municipal Court
yesterday morning. The men were ar
rested by Sergeant Slover. It la tbe In
tention of the Police Department to wage
bitter war from now on against saloon-
men and others who -exhibit immoral pic
tures, either through machines or on the
walls of their "business houses.
T. p. O'Connor a Theatrical Editor-
LONDON, Jan. 7. T. P. O'Connor has
been appointed editor of the theatrical
paper, the Era, which was" recently pur
chased by Mr. Bass, a wealthy broker.
ssaflBiyilflPr
Steel
RE81STCRIT?
Alder
NO CHANGE TO BID
Cry of AsphaltManWhoWants
Charter Changed.
HE
FIGHTS
THE BITUL1TH1C
Eucalyptus Is Only Perfect Wood for
Block Pavement's, and No Tree
in This Country Is Suita
ble for Purpose.
Charles Craney, of Chicago, Is in hs
city s endeavoring to have the charter
amended to embrace the following para
graph In the specifications relating to
street paving:
No patent article to be "used in municipal
work unless another article, equally aa good,
is also specified for the same.
Mr. Craney represents the Trinidad As
phalt Company, and is much surprised at
the text of the local specifications, which
provide for the use of certain patent pave
ments, such as Warren Bros. prepara
tions and the other "bitullthlc" pave
ments. The asphalt man says that while the
manufacturers of these pavements will
allow others to lay them, the price they
are forced to- pay shuts out all competi
tion. Mr. Craney feels that the city will
be benefited If ;the charter la amended
and competitive bidding arranged for.
The specifications now in use here, avers
Mr. Craney, are merely a standard text
in use all over the country where the pat
ented preparations are purchased, and,
excepting one or two clauses inserted to
conform to local ordinances and require
ments, are precisely the same as those
Issued by Warren Bros.
With reference to West Pine Boulevard,
St. Louis, which tho Taxpayers League
pronounces the ideal street In the world,
Mr. Craney says he Is prepared to furnish
conclusive proof that, quite to the con
trary, that thoroughfare Is one of the
worst streets In the country and Is con
sidered a disgrace' In the Missouri me
tropolis. Tho only thing that keens It
presentable, says Mr. Craney, is the
maintenance bond furnished the City of
St. Louis by Warren Bros., which forces
the latter to patch the street and keep it
In repair for ten years.
As a, matter of fact, argues Mr. 'Craney,
of 3277.23 square yards laid within a few
blocks, several -months after the pave
ment was completed, 138.&1 square yards
of patches, or .012 per cent, were put
down, and he adds that he can show the
affidavit of Charles S. Butts, one of the
most capable civil engineers In the coun
try, to substantiate bis claim.
For Portland, Mr. Craney alleges that
he can lay an asphalt pavement with
four-Inch American Portland concrete
foundation, one-Inch binder and 1-lnch
wearing surface, for $2 a square yard.
This, with a maintenance bond for ten
years, will ccst but $130 a square yard.
"That price," said Mr. Craney, "Is but
a few cents more than what Is now being
paid here for the bitullthlc. It Is hardly
necessary for me to say that a hard-surface
pavement with a concrete foundation
will prove Infinitely better than the pat
ent pavements, which arc constructed on
sand and loose stone. If the City of Port
land will only cut out those specifica
tions for patent preparations and give mo
a chance to bid, that la all I ask. I just
wish to get in a bid, and If I don't get the
work I don't care; but while the specifica
tions are of the present text, I cannot
even bid."
When asked about wood block pave
ments, Mr. Craney said:
"If we could obtain sufficient, quantities
of the eucalyptus, the wood which
abounds In Australia, and which Is partic
ularly adapted to pavements because It
absorbs the creosote and aids in making
the pavement substantial, a wood pave
ment would be all right, but we cannot
obtain any wood here with the same qual
ities, so what is the use of wasting time?
I forgot to remark that for heavier traffic
I feel that a five-inch American Portland
concrete foundation with a one-inch
binder and a two-Inch wearing surface
will Bufflce. That would cost approxi
mately $2.00 a square yard, and 30 cents
additional for the ten-year maintenance."
WILL BE NOTABLE EVENT.
Plans Nearly Completed for Board f
Trade Reunion.
The annual reunion of the Portland
Board of Trade wlil occur on next Friday
evening at 6 o'clock, at the rooms of the
Commercial Club. In the Chamber of
Commerce building.
The programme Is not yet complete, so
no announcement of it can be made at
this time.
It has been decided that the dinner will
come first and be followed by addresses
by the Governor. Mayor and others. Mu
slcyand toasts will come in turn.
The affair will be Informal and the early
meeting hour will allow time for social
greetings, which Is so desirable at such
gatherings. But little business will be
transacted. Invitations will -be out nxt
Tuesday and later the programme will be
announced.